It Had Already Begun Yesterday

As it turned out, the night passed much faster than expected.

Before long, it was dawn.

The next morning, Fang Li woke up, drew back the curtains, and let the sunlight stream into the room.

"The weather is nice, perfect for morning exercise."

With this in mind, Fang Li immediately prepared to temper his Star Pulse Energy.

"Um?"

Just then, Fang Li noticed something.

Inside and outside the Carsten family's villa, many people were busy at work.

Some greet guests outside the main gate.

Some welcomed the Dragon Carriage into their mansions.

Some were fully armed, moving in and out of the mansion.

Some were carrying goods unloaded from the Dragon Carriage and moving them all in one direction.

The scene looked like they were preparing for some major battle.

"A battle?"

Fang Li narrowed his eyes slightly, lost in thought.

His memories were somewhat stimulated, causing Fang Li to recall some important events from the original work.

"If that's the case..."

Fang Li suddenly smiled.

On the outline of the body, a few spark-like fragments of stars leaped up.

"Perhaps it's time to get involved a little..."

The words had barely left Fang Li's mouth when there was a knock on Fang Li door.

The person who came in from outside was Rem.

The maid outfit was as neat as ever, yet carried a slightly sentimental feel.

Rem entered from outside the door, her gaze towards Fang Li was very calm.

That's proof that I'm at work.

Immediately, Rem spoke to Fang Li.

"Lord Fang Li, Crusch has already sent someone to invite Emilia."

In other words, the talks, which were delayed by a day, are about to begin.

The location was no longer the reception room as before, but Crusch's study.

"Sorry to keep you waiting."

Crusch sat on the sofa, with Felix and Wilhelm standing behind her. Her stern face exuded an air of authority, and her eyes were even more serious than yesterday.

Emilia and Crusch sat facing each other.

Behind him stood Fang Li and Rem.

With such a grand setup, the two candidates for the Royal Selection sat down facing each other.

The atmosphere suddenly became tense.

Then, Crusch looked at Fang Li again, bowed her head to Fang Li, and said this.

"Thank you so much for taking care of me yesterday."

Clearly, Crusch knew from Wilhelm's description that Fang Li had already guessed that they were testing him.

However, even so, Fang Li still cooperated with Crusch and the others' probing without any suspicion.

This represents two things.

First, we should express our goodwill to Crusch, which will increase the chances of success in the negotiations.

Secondly, since the truth has been revealed, it's as if Crusch owes them something, which can also give them a favorable advantage in the negotiations.

"As Lord Wilhelm said, Your Excellency not only possesses extraordinary skills, but also a brilliant mind."

Crusch offered Fang Li a smile of admiration.

"Just as Commander Marcos said, you are a knight worthy of respect."

Emilia, however, was completely baffled by Crusch's words.

Emilia glanced back and forth Fang Li and Crusch, and asked with some confusion, "Um, what happened?"

"A little bit." Crusch nodded to Emilia and explained with a meticulous attitude, "Fang Li has already paved the way for this negotiation. You really are an excellent knight."

"Huh?" Emilia looked Fang Li in surprise and asked, "Is that so?"

"A little bit." Fang Li gave the same answer as Crusch, and smiled at Emilia, "I can only say that, in fact, this negotiation started yesterday, right?"

Fang Li's words made Crusch laugh as well.

"As you said, the negotiations started yesterday."

Crusch looked at Emilia and said, "Moreover, I can more or less guess why you came here."

Crusch exuded a somewhat intimidating aura as she spoke these words.

Under this powerful force, Emilia's hand, which was resting in front of her, tightened involuntarily.

Because that kind of charisma carries an undeniable presence that makes it impossible to steer the conversation away from it.

Crusch as if preparing for war.

"You've come to declare war, haven't you?"

Emilia's eyes widened in surprise at his earnest speech.

Not to mention Emilia, even Fang Li was taken aback.

As for Rem, she looked at Fang Li with utter astonishment, as if to say, "When did things become like this?"

Naturally, neither Fang Li nor Emilia had this intention.

Wilhelm seemed to have realized this, and thus advised, "Crusch, it seems we have misunderstood."

"Misunderstanding?" Crusch slightly taken aback, then said, "But Felix said that the fact that the other side came to us immediately after the Royal Selection was announced is very likely to declare war on us, who have the most advantages on the surface, and to eliminate the most favorable competitor first."

This statement immediately drew a reply from Felix.

"Lady Crusch, Crusch," Felix chuckled mischievously, "I only said it's possible, not that it's really the only possibility, meow~~~"

"Is that so?" Crusch suddenly realized, and immediately bowed her head to Fang Li again, saying, "It seems that I really misunderstood. I'm sorry, let's start again."

"..."

Fang Li and his group were completely speechless.

Should we say the other person is too serious, or too naive?

Only Emilia seemed genuinely relieved, her earnestness and naivety no less than Crusch's.

"In short, we are not here to declare war, but to establish an alliance with you on an equal footing."

As the tense atmosphere suddenly began to loosen, Fang Li, who had originally planned to observe the entire negotiation from beginning to end and leave it entirely to Emilia, could only interject.

"Could you please listen to what we have to say first?"

As Fang Li had predicted, the atmosphere tightened up again.

"An alliance?"

Crusch's gaze sharpened again, and she leaned forward slightly as she looked at Emilia.

"Let me hear your thoughts."

Listening to Crusch's words and under Crusch's sharp gaze, Emilia's hands tightened more and more.

However, at the same time, Emilia's expression became increasingly resolute.

Emilia then spoke.

"We've already stated our thoughts."

"Please form an alliance with us on an equal footing."