My avatar is becoming the final boss

Chapter 200 "Traitors, Never to be Reconciled" (Seeking Monthly Tickets)
"Well then, it's time to plan today's itinerary."

"Agubaru is going to meet the Royal Court team with Caesar, and... Black Chrysalis needs to meet with Mutaki."

"If Xia Pingzhou wakes up, we need to question the hacker about the relevant investigation and, while we're at it, dispel any suspicions about the Ripper."

In the pitch-black cell, Ji Minghuan closed her eyes as she pondered, synchronizing her consciousness with the third mech.

In another corner of the world, the little shark opened its eyes from the crystal ball, raised its head, and looked out the bedroom window.

A crimson hue appeared on the horizon, the blood-red twilight flowing over the flying fish and spilling through the window onto Agubaru's face.

In a world without mornings and noon, it's as if there are only autumn and winter in the four seasons, which inevitably makes people feel a bit depressed and lonely.

However, just as ants are unaware of dawn and dusk, and cicadas are unaware of spring and autumn, people who have never seen the outside world naturally do not feel anything uncomfortable about it.

"Let me, Shark, liberate you all and let you go outside to see the real blue sky and white clouds, kids."

Yagubalu nodded, drool escaping from his mouth.

Every morning, the first thing it sees when it wakes up is the whale's belly and the schools of fish flying overhead. It feels its appetite increase and its energy surges, making it feel more motivated than a cup of black coffee. It's hard to say if this is due to its genetics.

"What are you babbling about... Time to get up, Agubaru." Caesar straightened his collar and gently tapped the crystal ball with his finger. "We're going to meet with the Royal Court team today. Li Qingping is waiting for us outside."

"Make him pay his 'friendship fee' for today first," Yagubaru sneered. "Otherwise, Shark won't leave."

"Stop being so coquettish, Aguru." Caesar smiled. "Let's go see the Royal Court team first, and then Li Qingping and I will go to the warehouse to get some fragments for you."

"Are you really planning to take me?" Agubaru said. "It might arouse suspicion from the Royal Court team."

"Li Qingping said it's better to take you with me, just in case they make a move, although the possibility is very small."

Caesar tied his bow tie, put on the magnificent robe that symbolized royal power, and his white hair swayed in the wind.

He closed his eyes, put on the crown, and then slowly raised his eyes from the shadows, looking expressionlessly at himself in the mirror.

Caesar picked up the crystal ball, turned around, and left the floating castle.

Stepping into the courtyard, you can see Li Qingping leaning against a maple tree, resting with his eyes closed. He always wears his hair down in the miniature garden, unlike outside where he would tie it into a pigtail.

Hearing the footsteps, Li Qingping slowly opened his eyes and got up amidst the swirling, falling maple leaves.

He turned to Caesar and asked, "Your Highness, are we about to depart?"

Caesar nodded: "Yes...go see them."

"Let's go then." Li Qingping nodded slightly, glancing at the little shark in the crystal ball.

"Friendship fee".

The shark extends its fin.

"Protection fees."

Li Qingping extended his hand.

"Trash fish."

The shark retracted its fin.

"green tea."

Li Qingping withdrew his hand.

During the argument between the man and the shark, Caesar summoned the Gazetteer of Wonders, crushed the "Christmas Sleigh" in his hand, and orange light patterns flashed and disappeared in mid-air.

A long, drawn-out cry echoed in the sky as two reindeer pulled a sled from the other side of the world, galloping across the clear, water-washed sky.

Li Qingping climbed onto the crimson sled, raised his hand to scratch his cheek, and felt a little embarrassed, as if he were a bodyguard being driven around by his employer.

Before long, the Christmas sleigh came to a stop above a floating island, stirring up a flurry of snowflakes, as if bringing a sudden and fleeting winter.

Looking around, the island features a palace reserved exclusively for the Royal Court Guard. As the elite guard of the royal family, the Royal Court Guard naturally enjoys extraordinary treatment, as can be glimpsed from this lavishly decorated and magnificent palace.

The enormous dome is engraved with ochre-red crystal fish patterns, the number of which represents the era since the Royal Court Team was founded.

At the edge of the island, two deer drooped their heads and lowered their eyes, waiting for their owner to get out of the car.

Caesar stepped off the sled carrying the crystal ball, casually patted the reindeer's antlers and furry head, and then walked towards the temple ahead.

At this time, the six members of Wang Ting's team should be gathered in the auditorium, preparing to have breakfast together.

Li Qingping was an exception; he never slept in this magnificent palace, nor did he ever have breakfast with the other members.

Like a crow standing among a flock of pigeons, its pitch-black color is so striking, it's as if a sharp sword pierces the eye.

When it was time to eat, Li Qingping preferred to return to the mainland of the miniature garden, let the phoenix choose an island for him, and casually find a lively little restaurant to sit down, while enjoying the island's specialties and chatting with the local residents.

Therefore, he has a good image in the eyes of the people.

Those who knew his temperament treated him as an ordinary guest on the island and treated him as such, but some still regarded him as an aristocrat and kept their distance, kneeling down when they saw him.

Of course, what Li Qingping missed most was Li Jing's breakfast; he especially loved glutinous rice buns and black sesame soy milk.

When they were still studying away from home, every morning he and Gu Wenyu would find a breakfast shop on their way to school. He usually paid, because his persona was that of a rich second-generation.

However, occasionally, if Gu Wenyu's brother was able to get up, he would prepare breakfast for the family. Gu Wenyu would eat before going out, and then Li Qingping would be left alone in the shop eating and drinking, while Gu Wenyu played on his phone beside him, urging him to hurry up.

"Can't you eat a little faster, you pig?"

Li Qingping had envied Gu Wenyu's family.

After all, he was an orphan. Every time Gu Wenyu asked about his family situation, Li Qingping could only dodge the question by talking about things like "nouveau riche" or "oil tycoon," and then subtly change the subject.

Over the years, because Gu Wenyu was shy, he never mentioned visiting Li Qingping's house. If Gu Wenyu had mentioned it even once, Li Qingping probably would have stopped lying and taken him to see his small, run-down apartment, but he didn't.

On the contrary, Li Qingping visited his home once or twice.

Speaking of which... Li Qingping always felt that Gu Wenyu's brother was not simple, but he couldn't quite put his finger on what was strange about him. It was just that his intuition told him that the seemingly gentle young man was not as simple as he appeared.

"What are you daydreaming about?" the little shark asked. "Instead of daydreaming, why not earn some money for Shark's friends?"

Li Qingping glanced at it out of the corner of his eye but said nothing.

He accompanied Caesar into the palace, through a corridor with red carpets on the floor and oil paintings on the walls, and then Li Qingping pushed open the doors of the hall.

Behind the door stood the six members of the Royal Court team: Ruth, Ryan, Louis, Kuki Suya, Koojena, and Direjie.

Ruth, sitting in the deepest part, looked up, her long, sea-blue hair bathed in the dim glow of the setting sun.

Her eyes were filled with anger, as if she was wondering who was so rude as to barge in without a word during their mealtime.

The first person you see is Li Qingping, dressed in a black suit, holding a crystal ball in his arms. Inside the crystal ball is a Nobel shark. Then, a white-haired boy wearing a royal robe and a crown slowly walks in.

He lowered his eyes, his pale face expressionless.

The six members of Wang Ting's team were all slightly taken aback, as if none of them had expected this unexpected visitor.

"Hey... His Highness the Third Prince is here at this hour? What's going on?" Louis adjusted his glasses, scratched his brown hair, and said to Koojena beside him.

"Who knows?" Koojena yawned, half-lying on the table, her two buns on top of her head particularly eye-catching.

In the silent auditorium, Caesar's footsteps sounded exceptionally clear.

A moment later, he stopped, pulled up a chair at the long dining table, and sat down unhurriedly, facing the seat of "Ruth," the captain of the Royal Court team.

He then slowly raised his eyes and silently met Ruth's gaze.

Ruth was the first to stand up from her seat.

According to royal protocol, even when meeting the king in the hall, one does not need to kneel on one knee; simply standing up and bowing slightly is sufficient, otherwise the scene would be far too ridiculous.

The other five members of the Royal Court team rose to their feet, placed their hands on the Royal Court team badges on their robes, bowed to Caesar, and said in unison:

"Welcome to His Highness the Third Prince."

Caesar's blue eyes swept over everyone, and Li Qingping silently walked over, holding the crystal ball and waiting beside him.

“No need for formalities,” he said. “I’m just here to have a meal with you… My father never allowed me to leave the castle before, but now that I have this rare opportunity, I’d like to get to know you.”

“Your Highness has quite the leisure and refined taste.” Ruth sat down and looked up to meet Caesar’s gaze.

Caesar leaned back slightly, his body resting against the back of the chair. "Miss Ruth, I heard that you are only twenty years old and have already become the captain of the Royal Court team. That's really not easy."

“Your Highness flatters me,” Ruth said softly.

“Mr. Ryan, I was very impressed with your performance in the arena.” Caesar turned to look at the long-haired man with a thick beard. “Being recognized by the Sword in the Stone is a difficult thing. Its resonance is much more difficult than other Oddity Fragments.”

Ryan nodded slightly, his deep eyes lowered.

Caesar shifted his gaze from the man's face to the Asian man with the buzz cut:
“Mr. Kuki Suye, as an outsider, rather than someone born into the Whale Court, the difficulties you faced in being selected and becoming a member of the Royal Court team are well known to everyone.”

Kuki Suye was taken aback, then nodded respectfully to him.

“Louis, Koojena, Direge… I remember all your names, and I know all your experiences. I know how much effort you put into becoming a member of the Royal Court team,” Caesar said. “I’m here this time… to fulfill a childhood wish of mine.”

He paused for a moment: "Back then, I longed for you all so much. I was always so envious when I saw my brothers with you. But I could only sit on the windowsill and watch you from afar. But things are different now. Even if I suddenly die one day, I can't allow myself to continue being a caged bird."

In the ensuing silence, Caesar looked up: "From today onwards, we're friends. What do you think?"

Ruth remained silent.

Louis spoke up first, saying, "How could that be... We're just guards, how could we become friends with Your Highness?"

“Guards…” Caesar chuckled softly, “Do you really consider yourselves my guards?”

He suddenly raised his head, lowered his voice, and said, word by word, "Then... if my mother, or my brother, asked you to kill me, as the guards you speak of, would you draw your swords against me?"

After he finished speaking, everyone present fell silent except for Li Qingping.

“I trust you from the bottom of my heart, and at the same time I don’t want those noble figures I admired when I was young to disappear from my mind one by one,” Caesar said. “So, there is something I must tell you.”

He paused: "Those who betray me... we will fight to the death."

After speaking, the white-haired youth raised his eyes from the shadow of the crown, his blue pupils indifferently sweeping over everyone's faces, memorizing their expressions.

At this moment, his expression was indignant and gloomy, an expression that should not appear on a young boy or a pampered royal; rather, it resembled that of a wild beast from the deep mountains.

In the dead silence, Caesar slowly rose from his chair and turned to walk toward the exit of the auditorium.

Seeing this, Li Qingping glanced expressionlessly at the six members of Wang Ting's team, then picked up the crystal ball on the table with one hand, slowly turned around, and followed behind Caesar.

The two walked out of the hall in unison, their figures shrouded in a blood-red twilight.

Behind them, the six members of the Wangting team silently gazed at the backs of Caesar and Li Qingping.

"This is our family's corrupted elementary school student."

The little shark in the crystal ball turned its head, glanced at Caesar's expressionless profile, then turned its head back and pressed its butt and tail against the glass, wiggling them at the six people behind it.

It bared a row of small, sharp teeth and made a face at them, "Does your Royal Court team have such a 'darkened elementary school student'?"

　Asking for a monthly ticket!

　　
　
(End of this chapter)