Although Faust's intention to bully the normal Viviana by taking advantage of her weakness had fallen through, the final outcome was still a happy one for everyone, barely counting as a draw.
Well, in any case, Viviana wouldn't refute him.
Faust became even more convinced that Viviana was indeed an easy woman to handle.
It would be even better if 【Cinderella】 wasn't so stifling.
"Your Highness, do you plan to send the letter now? Forgive my bluntness, but while I never doubt your charm, no matter how charming you are, the other party must at least be made aware of it."
In the early morning, in the corridors of the palace, Viviana walked side by side with Faust, discussing the matter of the marriage proposal.
Compared to her usual self, the girl's expression was noticeably more energetic.
The smile lingering on her face was like the satiated, lazy expression one only shows after a full meal.
"I know, so being rejected is only to be expected. However, that's exactly what I need so I can naturally head to the Midwinter Kingdom."
Viviana pressed a hand against her high, full white shirt. "Will you go alone? If you need accompaniment, I can go with you."
Faust hesitated. Normally, he should take some confidants, especially Viviana with her 【Cinderella】 power. As long as she was there, any danger would likely be extinguished before a 【Cinderella】 exploding with power for the sake of love.
But the collision and contact between two 【witches】—to be honest, Faust wasn't ready for that yet. He didn't know what would happen, and even Mephistopheles had no experience in the matter.
【I don't know, I haven't seen it, don't ask me.】
"That won't be necessary..."
In the end, Faust waved his hand, refusing Viviana's accompaniment.
"This is a trial. I plan to go to the Midwinter Kingdom alone. If I cannot handle this challenge, then there's no point in talking about anything that follows."
It wasn't just out of fear of the interaction between 【witches】; Faust believed that relying too much on 【Cinderella】 would make everything meaningless.
If he was going to be that afraid of death and hesitant, why bother stepping out of his comfort zone? He might as well just give up now!
"But I still need your help. If... and I mean if, a situation arises where force is required, then you lead the Qingxi royal guard over."
The legions of the Qingxi Kingdom were a pure joke compared to the Midwinter Kingdom; bringing them would be a suicide mission. But it didn't matter, as long as Viviana could come.
He didn't know what the isolationist Midwinter Kingdom was really like. If Faust truly encountered difficulties, he would have no choice but to seek help from the reality-warping, distorted power of a 【witch】.
Hearing Faust's arrangement for her, how could Viviana not know that he was treating her as his trump card?
The pale-blonde girl pursed her cherry-red lips and nodded.
"Yes! I will remain on high alert at the border. At your command, I will come to your aid at the fastest possible speed!"
Faust smiled. "Then it's time to prepare. First, let's go send this letter."
To send such a formal marriage proposal, it was necessary to go through the kingdom's official diplomatic channels.
Thus, the prince went to find the current regent.
Since Yusewood had taken over the regency for him, she had moved the administrative office to her own mage tower.
She didn't need to rely on the professional bureaucrats Faust had trained; she alone was enough to complete administrative tasks in an incredibly short time. This was merely a surplus of effort done in passing after her daily academic research.
Compared to Faust's path of the 【sovereign monarch】, Yusewood, as a 【warlock】, was more suited to be a "philosopher king." Recorded "philosopher kings" were generally of the "scholar" or "warlock" type paths.
When the silver-gray haired princess learned of her brother's intent, she predictably cast an incomparably disdainful gaze.
"Faust... you were just acting all lovey-dovey with Viviana a moment ago, and the next, you're off to pay court to a foreign princess thousands of miles away. Do you feel no shame?"
Faust had long grown accustomed to his royal sister's harmless, almost playful contempt, and said proudly:
"I simply heard of that princess's beauty and gave birth to the thought of winning her favor. This isn't a change of heart, because I want them all!"
Yusewood's sage-blue eyes grew colder. She brushed aside the hair on her forehead and sighed.
"What a terrible degenerate. Why on earth did such a lewd and shameless fellow become my brother, and why did I..."
The silver-gray haired princess's voice grew lower and lower. After a long while, she looked up and said hollowly:
"I will help you deliver it. As for what comes after... do you plan to go to the Midwinter Kingdom?"
Faust nodded. "I have that thought. Mainly, it's time for me to go out and gain experience. The fairy has already paved a step-by-step path for me."
To put his royal sister at ease, Faust could only bring up Mephistopheles.
However, unlike their father, who immediately gave up thinking upon hearing of the fairy, Yusewood's cold expression didn't soften in the slightest.
She merely furrowed her delicate brows and slowly shook her head.
"Midwinter... you weren't supposed to set foot there in your entire life..."
Faust: "Royal sister... do you not wish for me to go out and gain experience?"
Yusewood spat a cold remark at Faust:
"What reason could I have to stop you? You stallion who spreads his seed wherever he prances!"
Immediately after, she took the marriage proposal letter written by the prince of Qingxi and drove her brother out the door.
Being treated this way, Faust was neither anxious nor annoyed. Instead, he smiled and held up a finger to Viviana behind him.
"Right, speaking of prancing, I need to go find a white horse. It must have the purest coat!"
While Faust was preparing for his first journey, Charlotte, who had left the Qingxi Kingdom, finally returned to the imperial capital.
The imperial capital of the Radiant Dynasty was a magnificent city built upon a mountain peak. Legend had it that the empire's founder slew an evil dragon here, pulled out its spine, and drove it through the mountain range, establishing the foundation of the imperial capital.
Eight hundred years had passed quietly. The mountain range that was once empty had been mostly leveled, becoming a paradise where countless tall buildings grew freely.
Only the mountain peak where the dragon was first slain still stood proudly at the summit of the imperial capital, serving as the site of the imperial palace. Above the palace, a Solar Disk was suspended.
It wasn't a massive wonder, nor did it emit an overly brilliant light, but the existence of the Solar Disk was a manifestation of destiny, proclaiming how perfectly the rule of the Radiant Dynasty aligned with the heavens.
This was the sacred city suspended above the world, where the surrounding mountains bowed as its staircase.
Hum—
A small, exquisite airship landed on the platform outside the imperial palace. Then, Charlotte stepped out of the airship, stretched comfortably, and narrowed her eyes slightly.
"Ah... the air of home is fresher after all. No matter how beautiful the countryside is, it ultimately falls short."
Clack, clack, clack—
Moments after Charlotte stepped off the airship, a squad of the imperial guard marched forward, their steel greaves making a loud, rhythmic clanging sound against the marble slabs.
Rate on N.U.
