The princess fixed El with those violet eyes, staring unblinkingly as if waiting for his answer.
“Stop joking. Do you want me to be driven back to my fief like some stray dog, while letting those cultists run rampant?
Even if I leave the Royal Capital, would that really solve anything? If I truly am their target, such an abrupt move would only tip them off, and wouldn’t achieve anything.
El placed his hand over his heart, showing the sincerity of his words.
“I can’t stop worrying about you, either. The atmosphere in the Royal Capital is growing more and more tense. I believe you’ll win the throne, but you nearly died last time.”
“The Second Prince is far from a benevolent person—if he gets the chance, he’ll kill you without hesitation.”
Cielsa rubbed her brow. “It’s true, I didn’t think it through. Little El has grown up and has his own opinions now.”
She realized then that such behavior was bound to annoy El.
Moreover, El was capable of taking action on his own, and with that powerful maid by his side, at least no one could threaten his life.
Cielsa’s current focus was on the fight for the throne, and the information she received was mostly about the nobility. But El was different.
He interacted directly with the main character, and was far more connected to the original game’s plot. Perhaps El could solve things better than she could.
“Do you think there’s anything you need my help with?”
“There’s one thing. The script is vague about the noble behind the cultists—just that it’s one of the great nobles in the Royal Capital. If you can, I’d like you to find a clue about that.”
Then, El could follow up the original game’s plot, find similar information at the Academy, and confirm the enemy’s identity.
“I figured as much. That’s probably all you need from me. Well then, I’ll mobilize the Royal Knights to monitor any possible activity sites in the upper city. As for investigating within the noble circles, I’ll send my people to handle it.”
Hiss—El drew in a sharp breath. Her Highness, the Princess, just casually said she’d mobilize the entire Royal Knights. He couldn’t help but ask, “Isn’t that a bit… too much?”
In Cielsa’s ears, it sounded like he was questioning her abilities.
“No wonder. You don’t quite understand how the powers in the Royal Capital are divided. Let me explain in detail.”
Besides the Imperial Capital under the direct rule of the Emperor, the Leon Empire is divided into three domains. The territory map looks like a three-leaf clover.
According to stereotypes, the nobles of the Northern Domain are mostly old-fashioned knights. Those of the Western Domain are mostly profit-seeking merchants—many of them are also alchemists.
The Eastern Domain’s nobles are mostly Mages and scholars. These differences have deeply influenced the development and culture of each region.
The old Emperor had only two sons and one daughter. The eldest prince was dealt with years ago, by the combined efforts of the Second Prince and the princess. Now, only those two remain to vie for the throne.
Of course, it was all done properly. The eldest prince was rotten to the core, while Her Highness the Princess stands for love and justice.
At the time, Cielsa’s influence was weak—she nearly died over it. But El had risked his life to protect her, something she’d never forget.
Among the three Grand Dukes, those of the North and East fully support Cielsa. The Grand Duke of the West remains neutral.
Most of the Royal Capital’s populace supports Cielsa, with a small number staying neutral—the same goes for the Knights.
Gaining the nobles’ support shows she can bring them benefit, and her own talent and character add to her appeal. The people and the Knights, on the other hand, are moved by her deeds and her good name.
Among the four dukes in the Royal Capital, one is neutral, one supports Cielsa, and two stand with the Second Prince. The minor and lesser nobles are split evenly.
Anyone can see Cielsa holds the clear advantage, but unfortunately, many nobles’ interests are already deeply tied to the Second Prince, and their sunk costs are enormous.
Still, more and more nobles are switching sides to the princess, and if time goes on, the gap in strength between the two sides will only grow.
To put it bluntly, Cielsa thought, if it weren’t for the fact that she’s a woman, she would have already “settled things at Xuanwu Gate” with the Second Prince.
With such an overwhelming advantage, anyone could win in her place—she just couldn’t see any way the Second Prince could possibly take the throne.
This is a real imperial court.
As for the cultists—if anything could escape her eyes in the Royal Capital, it must have been done by the Second Prince himself.
After all, with her holding all the cards, who would need the cultists’ help? So who could possibly be supporting them? So hard to guess.
“That’s why organizing a sweep of the upper city will be so useful. If I can get solid evidence of a noble colluding with cultists, I can righteously cleanse the Second Prince’s camp—truly a win-win.”
Cielsa analyzed with a tempting smile at her lips, her expression intoxicating.
“And besides, for you, El, I’d do it even if there was nothing in it for me. Back then, you really moved your big sister’s heart. Even if it took the power of the whole nation, whatever you wanted, I’d get it for you. At worst, it’d just be a bit of a hardship for me… ahem.”
El’s mouth twitched. “Sounds like I really am a terrible sinner.”
Cielsa was graceful and seductive. Her voice was charming and bewitching, like a snake coiling around El’s ear. Her blunt words made his face feel like it was on fire.
The princess had inherited her looks from the Queen Consort—a peerless beauty who had charmed the old Emperor.
To avoid attracting attention, Cielsa had disguised her hair as gold with magic, though her true hair was an even more alluring peach-pink.
He hurriedly changed the subject. “By the way, there’s one more thing…”
“Hmm?”
“It’s about Vita. Her talent in magic is rather average, but when it comes to swordsmanship, I think she’s truly one of a kind.”
El recalled that the script had a line about Vita: “Exceptionally versatile, highly adaptive. In terms of pure power, considered extra-large tier. If focusing only on strength, prioritize her training.”
“She is the protagonist, after all. Oh, I get it…”
“Yes. I’d like her to transfer to the Knight Academy. If possible, I’d like Sword Saint Wald to instruct her personally, so she can grow as quickly as possible.”
“So soon and you’ve already forgotten my words? We don’t have to be so formal.” Cielsa, dissatisfied, lightly kicked him under the table.
“Wald is right outside the café. I’ll speak to him. I think he’ll be delighted to have such a fine student.”
Even the Sword Saint could only serve as her escort… Only at that moment did El truly understand the extent of Cielsa’s power.
El felt a little dazed.
***
Time had passed so quickly—the girl who once stood by his side was now Her Highness the Princess.
She stood so high now he could hardly see her, but El could sense that, deep down, Cielsa hadn’t changed at all. She’d always been by his side.
“And then? How do you plan to deal with her? Make her your subordinate? I think, with her affection for you, just a little scheming and she’ll be working for you in no time.”
Cielsa pressed curiously.
El shook his head. “No. She’s under no obligation to risk her life for me. That’s my responsibility, not hers.”
When it came down to it, El was still skeptical about this so-called protagonist. Besides, El was proud—he couldn’t accept that he’d be outdone by a commoner girl.
“I don’t intend to use her. But I do want to unearth her golden talent. If Wald becomes her mentor, it’ll help your side as well.”
“Ooh, little El, you’re still thinking of your big sister even now. I’m so happy.”
Cielsa rushed to El’s side, wrapping her soft, delicate body around him.
“Hey, that’s enough! I still have to go back to class!”