Meanwhile.
Inside the king's bedchamber of the Franca Royal Palace.
The King of Franca closed the communication window and dismissed the System Panel before him. The somewhat exaggerated expression on his face gradually faded. After letting out a long breath, he rose to his feet, walked over to the liquor cabinet, and poured himself another glass of strong liquor.
Then.
Holding the glass, he slowly made his way to the enormous floor-to-ceiling window. Gazing at the nighttime view of the royal palace outside, he fell into thought.
Although this King of Franca had just been thoroughly berated by his own daughter during their call and had looked rather miserable.
At this moment, however, as Franca's true ruler stood silently in the shadows, his mountain-like build gave off an overwhelming sense of pressure.
"Never thought—"
The King of Franca drained the strong liquor in his glass in one gulp. Feeling the burning pain in his throat, he murmured, "Never thought that Architect from Nine Provinces would be this terrifying. Flawless Blood Frenzy—she can actually let Frans achieve Flawless Blood Frenzy—"
Nothing else needed to be said.
This alone was enough for all of Franca to treat her with utmost courtesy.
As for falling out with Nine Provinces, that was even more impossible.
At that thought.
The King of Franca gripped the empty glass, a complicated glint flashing through his beast-like eyes.
It seemed that every single time Franca felt it could finally speak with Nine Provinces as an equal, Nine Provinces would crush it so thoroughly that it could not even lift its head.
The last time had been when the Long Tiger Clan held power, while the time before that had been during the era of the alliance.
Every time Franca gained even a little confidence, Nine Provinces would beat