Meeting Princess Renner, Stationing a Dragon Lord?

The more you think about it...

Zanac felt a sharp pain near his stomach, and gently pressed his neat dress with his other hand, suddenly realizing he was overthinking things.

The one who should really be worried isn't me, but my older brother.

"Ha."

Zanac let out a barely perceptible chuckle, glancing at the bowing servants lining both sides of the corridor, his expression remaining unchanged.

Speaking of which,

This time, I didn't see my sister by my side. I saw the poor man named Climb. Perhaps calling him a "poor man" is a compliment, considering he was taken in.

For a period of time, his younger sister was almost inseparable from Climb, but recently she has been much closer to Lainas.

That's more normal.

Inside the palace rooms,

After Princess Renner saw Zanac leave, she sat back down on the comfortable, soft brown-blue sofa and quietly drifted off into thought.

The maids in the hall seemed used to it, secretly gossiping that Princess Renner was probably showing some girlish feelings.

Just like the summer weather in the Royal Capital, no one knows what Her Highness is thinking.

suddenly.

Princess Renner looked up and smiled at the maids in the hall, "Thank you all for your hard work."

Everyone bowed and quietly withdrew from the hall as usual. Except for the staff who remained on duty, the rest of the maids left one after another.

Princess Renner's deep blue eyes gazed at the empty sofa directly opposite her, noticing a slight indentation in the cushions.

The next moment,

Tang Zheng's figure emerged from the sofa, appearing as if he had been sitting there for a while.

"Ninjutsu: Concealment"

His skills, derived from Ninja, meant that Central City the entire Royal Capital could detect him unless Tang Zheng wanted to.

Princess Renner's eyes widened, a hint of surprise flashing across her calm face. She sat up straight with impeccable manners. "Your Excellency Tang."

"It's been a long time, Your Highness."

Tang Zheng looked at Princess Renner, whose blonde hair shone brightly under the overhead lights, and smiled, saying, "Still dazzling."

You flatter me.

Princess Renner lowered her head, her golden hair falling down her earlobes, a slight upturn at the corners of her mouth before she quickly looked up again.

"What would Your Excellency like to drink? How about black tea?"

"I just got some premium black tea from my father a few days ago; it's a specialty of the Earl's territory on the border of Urovana."

Tang Zheng shook his head. "Drinking tea this late will keep you awake."

"And what about the juice?" Princess Renner asked immediately.

"I don't really like sweets, so Your Highness doesn't need to prepare any."

Tang Zheng waved his hand, indicating that it wasn't necessary.

Princess Renner nodded slightly with a serious expression, as if she remembered Tang Zheng's preferences.

"You've been having Lainas send messages trying to see me. Is there something you want?" Tang Zheng asked calmly, his arms wrapped in loose white sleeves, one hand resting on his lap and the other on the sofa.

"Congratulations to Lord Tang's adventurer team on advancing to the ' Adamantite Rank," Princess Renner congratulated them, though her tone was tinged with disappointment.

"I'm sorry, I don't have enough money to buy a gift."

Tang Zheng's eyes flickered.

The fact that the other party referred to them as "Lord Tang's Adventurer's Party" instead of directly using "Free Will" shows that Renner clearly understands that the adventurer's party is merely a tool to her and is not important.

This woman is really...

but.

Tang Zheng noticed that this time his contact with Princess Renner was different from the last; she was less hypocritical and overly polite.

"Your Highness is too kind," Tang Zheng said with a smile, not concerned about the gift, but rather curious about Princess Renner's specific purpose.

"Kindness..."

Princess Renner didn't seem to think so. Her beautiful eyes gazed at the mysterious, unusually handsome young man with black hair and brown eyes sitting opposite her.

"Your Excellency should be aware of my situation."

"As a princess... or more precisely, the third princess, she was the last of the Royal Family's reserves, her only fate being to marry into a noble family and bring royal blood to their household."

Princess Renner calmly stated that her fate was predetermined from the moment she was born.

There were no complaints, and no anger.

It's like talking about someone else's business.

"If my brother, who will become the new king, remembers me."

Princess Renner smiled brightly and said softly, "Give me a remote, impoverished place as my territory to live out my days; I must express my sincere gratitude."

"It's already the best possible ending."

For ordinary people...

Princesses should live in a fairytale world, wearing bright dresses and living freely, but reality is different from imagination.

If others heard these words, they would surely empathize deeply, feel pity, and feel grief or remorse for Princess Renner's predetermined fate.

but--

Tang Zheng leaned back on the sofa, bored, his expression indifferent. He knew perfectly well what kind of "monster" was opposite him. "So?"

"I think... I might be able to help Your Excellency Tang."

Princess Renner raised her delicate, white hands to her chest, her pure, azure eyes filled with anticipation as she spoke.

She resembles a pure and innocent young girl, making it impossible to refuse her.

However!

When should we start making the decision?

Tang Zheng's voice remained indifferent. "Is it because of the Abelion Hills Incident? What did you discover?"

"It's widely believed that the Slane Theocracy and the Holy Kingdom were the most involved in the Abelion Hills Incident, a view that is accepted by most people and is generally accepted."

"After all, the power of a nation far surpasses that of adventurers and individuals. The only bright spot is the girl named Enri in the adventurer's party."

"But I don't think so."

Princess Renner raised a finger and touched her rosy lips. Despite her innocent and adorable appearance, the words she uttered were filled with a profound thoughtfulness:

"On the contrary, I believe that His Excellency Tang played a crucial role, even a role so significant that it required both the Slane Theocracy and the Holy Kingdom to cover for him."

Curiosity flashed in Princess Renner's eyes.

In response to these words...

Tang Zheng remained expressionless. It wasn't surprising that Princess Renner could guess his strength, since she knew he possessed more than just the strength he displayed.

However, what follows...

Even Tang Zheng was taken aback.

"In addition."

Princess Renner pressed her slender fingers to her lips, her gentle smile deepening.

"Your Excellency Tang, you were already making arrangements the moment you sent ' Martial Lord ' Gorkin away from the Baharuth Empire, weren't you?"

"Actually, I think that even within the evil secret society [Zurrernorn], there are probably people under Lord Tang's control. Perhaps the Abelion Hills Incident..."

In conclusion...

Princess Renner did not continue speaking; her innocent and weak gaze collided with Tang Zheng's indifferent eyes in the air.

This woman!

Tang Zheng's gaze turned slightly cold. He knew that Princess Renner had almost no access to the palace and her means of obtaining information were extremely limited.

Even to the outside world, crucial information regarding the Abelion Hills Incident has been blocked by both the Slane Theocracy and the Holy Kingdom.

Especially the information that followed was entirely Princess Renner's personal speculation. Although there were some errors, that was not Princess Renner's fault.

The other party, however, is also limited by their own knowledge and experience.

"I think I can help you, Mr. Tang?"

Princess Renner spoke again with anticipation, as if she had instantly transformed back into an innocent young girl.

Showcase your own value.

It was the simplest way to gain recognition; she had even secretly shown her talents to the emperor of the empire.

"Why did ' Vermilion Drop ' choose to locate its headquarters in the Council State?" Tang Zheng asked.

Upon hearing this,

Princess Renner's deep blue eyes lit up, and she was overjoyed, which undoubtedly meant that the man in front of her had recognized her worth.

"Personally, I think it was probably my father and the Nobles' Faction who intentionally showed friendly behavior towards the neighboring Council State."

Princess Renner didn't think too much before speaking.

"What is the relationship between the Kingdom and the Council State?"

"In reality, the country is extremely wary of the Council State, after all, there exists such an incredible creature as the dragon."

"I see."

Tang Zheng nodded slightly, a glint of shrewdness flashing in his eyes.

"Does Your Excellency Tang wish to facilitate further contact between our country and the Council State?" Princess Renner seemed to have guessed Tang Zheng's thoughts.

Tang Zheng didn't hide anything. "That's right... It would be even better if the Council State could send a Dragon Lords to be stationed in the Kingdom long-term."

Princess Renner was briefly surprised, then fell into deep thought, as if considering the feasibility.

Throughout the entire process, there was absolutely no anger that should have been present in the Royal Family, nor any consideration for the impact this situation would have on the Kingdom.

"Your Highness, you may wish to make contact with the Magic Caster's Guild," Tang Zheng continued softly.

"The Magic Caster's Guild?"

Princess Renner's tone became more excited upon hearing Tang Zheng's latest idea or instruction. "Your Excellency Tang, waiting until we win the war against the Empire will be a good opportunity."

"Oh."

Tang Zheng nodded in agreement, saying, "Using the victory of Lainas and Gazef to facilitate this is indeed a good idea."

According to past practice, the war between the Kingdom and the empire usually takes place in the autumn, around July or August, which is still more than two months away.

Since the empire launched the war, the Kingdom has almost never won, and has suffered heavy losses every time.

However.

Tang Zheng and Princess Renner's brief conversation inadvertently revealed that the Kingdom would inevitably win the war during the upcoming autumn harvest season.

This kind of predictive dialogue.

If this were to get out into the outside world, or if it were known to others, even within the empire, they would surely Taunt Tang Zheng and Princess Renner for their ignorance of war.

"Suddenly, there are so many more things to do."

"Your Excellency Tang, you have absolutely no sense of chivalry. No wonder Lainas harbors such resentment towards you."

Princess Renner leaned forward slightly, her fair and delicate face, described as "golden," opening her soft voice:

Suddenly, I feel quite hopeful about the future.

"If you think it's too much trouble, then forget it." Tang Zheng looked at Princess Renner calmly and spoke indifferently.

Regarding the girl in front of me...

It's impossible to think about the other person in the way a normal person would, especially since their outward appearance and true nature are actually two different things.

No, that's not true.

Princess Renner tilted her swan-like neck forward slightly, her beautiful blue eyes fixed intently on Tang Zheng, her pink lips parted, and she exhaled a breath of warm air.

"I actually hope that Your Excellency Tang will punish me."

"If I could marry Your Excellency Tang, that would be wonderful."

Her pure and innocent face and the words she spoke created a strikingly different style.

For a fleeting moment.

Tang Zheng felt that if Princess Renner in front of him was Succubus, the hot breath she was exhaling was probably a bewitching mist skill.

"Oh."

Tang Zheng sneered, "Just do what you're supposed to do. As for Lainas, simple provocations won't work at all."

Beneath Princess Renner's blue pupils, Tang Zheng's figure vanished in a phantom white light.

Looking at the empty, bluish-brown sofa.

Princess Renner seemed to still be able to smell Tang Zheng's departing scent, and a strange excitement flashed across her face.

From Renner's perspective...

Her ultimate goal in everything she did was to seize power in the Kingdom and salvage her miserable situation as a backup among backups.

Or perhaps it's the desire to utterly destroy the Kingdom that confines one.

However, this is the common person's thinking.

For Renner, who suffers from mental instability, her sole purpose in cooperating with Tang Zheng was to satisfy her inner desires.

--Great Forest of Tob.

The next day.

After bidding farewell to everyone in Lakyus, Evileye used Teleportation magic to return to the depths of the forest in search of the crimson Dragon Lords.

result.

Nothing was gained.

"How could this be? That Dragon Lords clearly promised me." Evileye emotions fluctuating, gazing in all directions of the forest.

Given the Crimson Dragon's enormous size and the terrifying Dragon Fear it continuously exuded, she should have been able to sense its location even though the Great Forest of Tob was vast.

Unless the other party has already left!

But...

Evileye of disappointment and anger. He had finally found information about the Kingdom that had once destroyed it, but was the trail about to be lost again?

"That Crimson Dragon Lord is very concerned about [Wild Magic] and the so-called [Sanctuary]."

Evileye stopped her random thoughts and decided to stay in the Great Forest of Tob for the next few days. "Perhaps other things will come up and I'll have to leave here for now."

"Should we build a place to stay, or investigate deeper in the forest for any traces of [Zurrernorn] left behind...?"

Evileye, she suddenly felt a chill run through her body, a strange coldness rising within her.

The next moment.

The enormous, Crimson Dragon Lord appeared out of thin air above them.

"What kind of technique is this... I didn't sense it at all?" Evileye looked up at the sky, his heart filled with disbelief.

Such a massive size is able to completely "hide," especially this crimson Dragon Lords, which seems to be of the fire element.

But recalling the previous battle, neither the way it attacked from the shadows nor its ability to completely Conceal Presence were things that the legendary Fire Dragon could possess.

"Since you're ready, let's go." Tang Zheng looked down at Evileye and spoke calmly.

(End of this chapter)