(Finally broke four million words! Throwing flowers and begging for monthly votes!)
(A huge thank-you to 'Everprison Ink Qilin,' 'Ars Alreid,' 'Tai Nie,' 'Heaven, Me, Above All,' 'Wufeng Haotian,' 'Lin Tongyang,' 'Edifa Is Simply Wonderful,' 'Yuhei Matsuri Tsuki,' 'Yue Xing,' 'Wu Qing Wu Yi Wu Fa Wu Tian,' 'Unknown ◎ Mo Yan,' 'Zhun Dong Man Zhai Yi Zhi,' 'Zhen Yi,' 'Star God,' 'One Rider, Ten Thousand Strong,' and 'World's End Ballad' for their rewards!)
An indescribably tense atmosphere spread throughout the entire space.
Noah and Alec fixed their gazes directly on each other. Their crossed eyes seemed capable of sparking flames, making the atmosphere around them increasingly tense.
At that moment, Alice, who was watching the scene unfold, chose to remain silent.
There was no other reason.
As Alec's longtime political rival, Alice could naturally and easily guess the purpose behind the Black Prince's words.
Alice believed Noah could understand why Alec had said such a thing as well.
Sure enough, Noah curled his lip and spoke mockingly.
"If you want to test me, could you at least use a more clever method?"
Alec remained expressionless in response to Noah's words and merely said this.
"I don't think I could come up with a probing method that you wouldn't notice in a short time."
"Then you might as well just ask me directly." Noah shrugged.
"Ask whether I intend to make a move against you."
"Wasn't that exactly what I did?" Alec replied leisurely.
"Since I used such an unsubtle probing method, it was practically the same as asking you directly. There isn't much difference."
"Is that so?" Noah glanced at Alec.
"You really are an unusually awkward guy."
"Please call it a tactful method of negotiation," Alec retorted.
"After all, wouldn't asking directly be too rude?"
"That really surprises