Atram's Scheme / Golden Princess (First Update)

I finally overcame laziness.

(Two chapters delivered)

Chapter 335. Atram Galliasta's Scheme

"Wow, this is going to be interesting!"

Seeing Wang Xiaoming emerge unscathed from the smoke, Touko Aozaki breathed a sigh of relief, while a playful smile crept onto her lips.

She knew all too well the significance of the name that Atram Galliasta had just uttered in this man's heart. But even so, why did she feel this inexplicable sense of defeat?

"Tsk!"

After secretly spitting out a curse, Touko Aozaki finally turned her attention back to the battlefield.

Could you repeat what you just said?

Atram Galliasta watched the man approaching him. Although the man didn't exude any terrifying aura, Atram instinctively took a step back.

Atram Galliasta was no fool; otherwise, he wouldn't be standing here. Instead, he should have been killed by his beloved brothers and sisters during the struggle for the chieftainship.

Since the opponent was able to emerge unscathed from his proudly executed annihilation technique, he was definitely no match for him.

"Damn it--"

Atram Galliasta cursed inwardly. There was such a powerful Magecraft in [Iselma]? Were all those intelligence gatherers just sitting around doing nothing?!

However, before Atalam could figure out how to deal with his subordinates who were responsible for gathering intelligence, the other party had already arrived in front of him.

"In light of my previous unintentional offense, Atram Galliasta Galliasta offers you his sincerest apologies..."

With no time to think further, and in this situation where he had no choice but to submit, Atram Galliasta lowered his proud head before the man before him, silently praying that his previous offense would not have angered him.

However, to Atalam's surprise, the man who had already approached him remained silent for a long time before asking a question that took him by surprise—

"You're Atram Galliasta Galliasta? The one from the Middle East?"

Even those watching from the sidelines could sense the hint of surprise in the question.

"Ah, it is indeed this junior."

However, Atram Galliasta didn't have time to think about the meaning of the other party's question, and fearing that he would anger the other party, he quickly agreed.

"You're the newcomer the association wants to recommend for the [Fifth Holy Grail War] in Fuyuki, aren't you?"

"That's right..."

After instinctively answering, Atram Galliasta's heart sank, and he suddenly realized what the man before him was asking for—

"Great! I was originally thinking of going to the Middle East, but now that you're here, things are much easier..."

"If you desire that [Bodhi Leaf Stained with Dragon's Blood], it is actually still in the hands of [Iselma]!"

Ignoring all manner of etiquette, Atram Galliasta, eager to divert the trouble away, shouted at the man before him.

However, what he said left everyone present frozen in shock.

Because everyone thought of that legend. Even those who weren't Magecraft would know the heroic deeds of that great Norse hero, Balmung, who wielded the sword and defeated the dragon Fafnir, gaining an immortal body that no weapon or claws could harm.

His name is [Siegfried].

He is the hero among heroes, appearing in the magnificent Nibelungen. It is said that when he was bathing in dragon's blood, a linden leaf stuck to his back caused the only thing that damaged his immortality.

This legendary treasure was the very thing that Lord Byron seized from Atram Galliasta during the underground auction, and it was also Atalam's purpose for this trip.

In Atram Galliasta's mind, since the man's purpose in coming to find him must be this thing.

However--

Bodhi Leaf?

No, that thing has nothing to do with me. What I want to ask is, the [Golden Fleece] is in your possession now, right?

"Hmm..."

The man's question plunged Atram Galliasta into a long silence. He couldn't understand how the other man knew about this. It was his backup plan; before coming, Atram Galliasta had envisioned leaving empty-handed, which was why he had spent a large sum of money to buy the "Golden Fleece" the man had just mentioned through another channel.

In his words, it was --

[Since dragon slayers aren't working, let's summon one that can wield dragons. Although the class isn't quite satisfactory...]

But how could such a secretive act be known to an outsider?

Despite having a thousand thoughts running through his mind, Atram Galliasta was still able to make the right judgment about the situation at hand.

"You are right, the Golden Fleece is indeed with me, but it is a relic that I used to participate in the Holy Grail War."

The Holy Grail War is a grand ritual in the Far East where Magecraft summon Heroic Spirit to fight. To summon a desired Heroic Spirit, a relic with a connection to that Heroic Spirit is essential. For example, using the [Bodhi Leaf Stained with Dragon's Blood] will summon the great hero Siegfried, while a hero with a connection to the [Golden Fleece] is...

"I don't need you to remind me of this!"

The impatient voice silenced Atram Galliasta instinctively, and after a while he whispered his suggestion:

"My purpose in coming here is the [Bloodstained Bodhi Leaf]. If you help me obtain that relic, then I will gladly offer you the [Golden Fleece] that you desire."

"Hmm..."

Seeing the thoughtful expression on the other person's face, Atram Galliasta's lips unconsciously curled into a slight smile.

Trading the Golden Fleece, which I don't value much, for the Magecraft's assistance and the more valuable Bodhi Leaf, seems like a much better deal for me.

As well as--

Atram Galliasta caught a glimpse of Lord Byron's face turning pale out of the corner of his eye.

Although he didn't know the Magecraft's name yet, judging from Lord Byron's reaction, there was no doubt that he had made the right bet again.

Seizing the smallest opportunities to turn seemingly insurmountable adversity into hope is a survival skill Atram Galliasta Galliasta honed through numerous brushes with death.

If the other party agrees, then the [Bodhi Leaf] will be mine.

However, a voice suddenly rang out from the other side, mercilessly shattering Atram Galliasta's reverie—

"If my guess is correct, no matter how much you threaten Lord Byron, it won't work. He probably doesn't know where the relic is right now."

Looking in the direction of the sound, Atram Galliasta saw a tall, thin man in a black suit walking towards them.

"Is there something you need, Lord El-Melloi II?"

Atram Galliasta recognized the man immediately and showed an impatient expression. His tone lacked any of the respect that the word "Lord" should have.

That makes sense. The two sides were originally competitors vying for the sole spot in the Mage's Association, so it's not surprising that they treated each other as enemies.

However, the Lord El-Melloi II paid no attention to Atram Galliasta's attitude and turned his gaze to the man standing opposite Atram Galliasta:

"Can you leave this matter to me, Mr. Wang?"

The oil tycoon will then use his own experience to prove...

Even if you have the best ideas, it's still...

All of them are made of wood!

Chapter 336. The Golden Princess (First Update)

"Can you leave this to me, Mr. Wang?"

Lord El-Melloi II stepped out from the crowd and spoke to Wang Xiaoming.

After hearing what the Lord El-Melloi II said, Wang Xiaoming shrugged indifferently. Anyway, the oil tycoon was right here, and since he had encountered him, he certainly wouldn't let him get away.

As for the other party involved, Atram Galliasta glared resentfully at the man who had disrupted his plans. However, he was more concerned about what the man had just said—

Even Lord Byron probably doesn't know where the sacred relic is now.

Atram Galliasta frowned and glanced at Lord Byron beside him. The other man neither answered nor denied it, but from his uncertain expression, Atram Galliasta sensed that things were gradually developing in a direction he had not anticipated.

"What is going on?"

Turning his gaze to the Lord El-Melloi II, Atram Galliasta asked him in an angry tone, as if he had been deceived. Not only him, but everyone else still remaining on the battlefield also cast questioning glances at the Lord El-Melloi II.

At this moment, the Lord El-Melloi II, who was the focus of the battlefield, slightly raised the corners of his mouth.

"Please allow me to elaborate on this later."

"I never expected you would be willing to lend a helping hand to [Iselma]. You are truly indebted to us, Lord El-Melloi II."

As soon as the group entered the lobby of the Moon Tower, they found Lord Baruereta sitting on a bench, raising a glass of whiskey to the leader, the Lord El-Melloi II.

It seems they are fully aware of what happened in the woods earlier, otherwise they wouldn't have deliberately waited here.

"Then let's stop beating around the bush, Lord."

After casually glancing at the living room's decor, Atram Galliasta looked away and urged the Lord El-Melloi II in a sarcastic tone.

"No, there's still one key [protagonist] who hasn't arrived."

Despite Atram Galliasta's undisguised hostility, the Lord El-Melloi II continued to answer in a deliberate and measured tone.

"Tsk--"

After spitting impatiently, Atram Galliasta could only suppress his growing anxiety, because he knew clearly that this was not a place where he could run wild.

"I never thought that kid from Galliasta would learn to behave himself. Guardian of El-Melloi truly lives up to his name."

At this moment, Lord Baruereta, who was sitting on the bench, saw Atram Galliasta's submissive appearance and said to Wang Xiaoming was standing next to Touko Aozaki, with a smile.

"... Huh? Oh, sorry!"

Wang Xiaoming, whose attention had been elsewhere since earlier, only snapped back to reality after being "reminded" by Touko Aozaki, and subconsciously responded a few times.

"Mr. Wang seems to have something on his mind. In that case, I seem rather rude..."

After finishing the remaining amber liquid in her glass, the old woman placed it on the desk without showing any displeasure at being ignored.

Standing to the side, Atram Galliasta, who had learned of Wang Xiaoming's [identity] from Lord Balylette, was both shocked and secretly relieved. He had certainly heard of the [El-Melloi Guardian], and had spent a fortune collecting information on the [El-Melloi] lineage in preparation for targeting the Lord El-Melloi II. However, according to the information he had obtained, this Guardian had not appeared in the public eye for quite some time due to the [Sealing Designation].

But why--

While Aratma was lost in thought, the protagonist that the Lord El-Melloi II King had mentioned— the Silver Princess Estella —and her maid Regina also rushed into the living room.

[Silver Princess], who had just entered the living room, bowed deeply to Wang Xiaoming to everyone's puzzled expressions.

"Thank you for your previous assistance, Mr. Wang."

"What happened?"

Watching [Silver Princess] leave, Touko Aozaki nudged Wang Xiaoming with her elbow and asked him a question.

Wang Xiaoming suddenly disappeared for a while. Judging from Touko Aozaki's sixth sense, [Silver Princess's ] gratitude must be related to Wang Xiaoming's disappearance.

"It's nothing, I just happened to save someone."

Wang Xiaoming chuckled and didn't elaborate, and Touko Aozaki didn't press him further, knowing it was something she'd find out sooner or later anyway.

At this moment, everyone's attention was completely drawn to [Silver Princess], who had returned to the center of the living room.

"... Alright, Lord El- Lord El-Melloi II. Didn't you say that as long as everyone was present, you would let us hear your proud deductions?"

No, there isn't anyone yet—

"My sister is still behind, she'll be there soon."

As if the Lord El-Melloi II wanted to say something, Regina, the personal maid of [Silver Princess], spoke. As her voice fell, another girl who looked remarkably like her walked in from outside the door.

That was Karina, Regina's twin sister, and also the personal maid of the deceased [Golden Princess]. However, Karina's expression seemed to carry a hint of dazedness and sorrow.

With Karina's arrival, it can be said that almost all the characters related to the death of [Golden Princess] have arrived.

"Although one person hasn't arrived yet, it doesn't matter."