I am the heroine's godfather!

Loran interrupted the group of nobles' effusive praise. Serena smiled faintly and gave them an apologetic look, but made no attempt to stop them.

The nobles were taken aback, but continued, "The Earl is as straightforward as ever."

You see, if you are of low status, you are considered to lack manners; if you are of high status, you are considered to have a straightforward personality.

Although Loran didn't like it, he knew it was human nature, so he didn't care.

The nobles fell silent for a long time before an elderly nobleman who looked to be in his fifties or sixties spoke up: "Earl Morganflore, do you know anything about what's been happening in the capital lately?"

"Count Neil."

Loran spoke, calling out the old nobleman's name. This man was a good friend of his father—or rather, a former friend.

This was not surprising; when Grand Duke Antins turned against his father, these so-called friends remained silent. Their motives are not hard to understand: they were not taking sides, but rather waiting for the victor.

Whoever wins, they help.

Loran had no intention of picking a fight with these people; it was unnecessary and troublesome.

"I haven't been in the Empire for years, so my information network isn't very good. Just speak frankly."

This is a lie.

Lorraine understood their purpose the moment Count Neil spoke—the Crown Prince.

The current emperor of the empire is aging, but has yet to appoint a crown prince. Seven electors have already traveled to the capital to campaign for their respective supporters. If the previous rivalries between the candidates were covert, now they are open attacks.

Enshia, the empire's third-largest city, has no electoral marquises; the previous one was eliminated by the current emperor. Even so, the nobles of Enshia must choose sides. Previously, they had followed Grand Duke Antins in politics, but now that he is dead, they need a new leader.

And Loran is the most suitable candidate.

Lorraine knew this, but he didn't say it outright. He didn't like this kind of thing, but he didn't hate it either. If there was a suitable reason to convince him, he wouldn't mind endorsing a candidate.

Just use it to pass the time; no matter who comes to power, they won't be able to settle scores with him anyway.

But could these nobles give him a reason?

"His Majesty is aging, and the Empire needs a wise leader. Doesn't Earl Morganflore wish to take things to the next level? If we could support a new emperor, our Enshiya City would surely be able to claim the largest share of the Empire's future plans..."

The nobles talked amongst themselves, discussing many things that could bring them benefits, but in the end, none of them gave him an answer as to whose side he wanted to support.

This is not hard to understand. If Lorraine chooses to support someone but ends up losing, they can easily shift the blame and say it's all because Count Morganflore's judgment was poor.

A little boring.

However, just as Loran was about to leave with Serena, Mia suddenly strode over, her beautiful face bearing an elegant smile, making it hard to believe that this silly maid could have such poise.

"master."

Mia spoke up: "We have guests visiting outside."

"guest?"

Loran was a little curious. All the nobles of Enshiya had received invitations, so why would someone only come to visit now and need to ask for an audience?

"The visitors identified themselves as Victoria and Anna."

Mia paused for a moment before saying, "It's the Seventh Princess and the Ninth Princess."

Loran suddenly smiled; finally, an interesting person had arrived at this social gathering.

"Invite her in."

Serena saw through Loran's thoughts and spoke with a smile. The other nobles wanted to say something, but were interrupted by Loran's cold gaze.

"Everyone."

Loran spoke softly, "Since none of you seem to have anyone you wish to support, why don't you meet this person first?"

The nobles fell silent.

With the sound of synchronized footsteps, the noisy hall quieted down, and everyone looked towards the entrance.

Two teams of guards stood in rows on either side of the mansion's entrance, and today, two girls, one older and one younger, dressed in elegant attire, arrived hand in hand.

Regardless of what the nobles were really thinking, they still obediently bowed and said, "Greetings, Seventh Princess; greetings, Ninth Princess."

"Yes, everyone, there's no need for such formalities."

The older woman with light blonde hair spoke, then looked at Loran: "I apologize for my unauthorized visit without a formal invitation; I hope Earl Morgan Fleur will not take offense."

"Not at all."

Loran gently shook his head: "Your Highness is joking."

Serena spoke up at the opportune moment: "It is our honor that Her Highness Victoria and Her Highness Anna have come."

"This must be Miss Serena."

Princess Victoria smiled and said, "I've heard so much about you. Seeing you today, you are indeed exceptionally beautiful."

"No, it's just idle gossip."

At this moment, Charlotte came to Lorraine's side and bowed to Victoria: "Greetings, Your Highness."

"Hello."

Victoria smiled and said, "This must be Miss Charlotte. I heard that Earl Morganfleur's adopted daughter is here as well, so I prepared a small gift. I hope the Earl won't find it offensive."

Loran chuckled softly, "It's quite a trouble for Your Highness."

"What's this?"

Victoria clapped her hands gently, and the guards brought in a long box. Inside was a magnificent sword: "This is a sword that my father once bestowed upon me, named Watcher. I am not skilled in swordsmanship, so I gave it to Miss Charlotte."

Loran raised an eyebrow slightly. A silver-grade weapon was already quite a fine sword; above that was gold-grade, and then sacred artifacts. Although it couldn't compare to the quill Lucifer gave Charlotte—that thing, though unremarkable, was a genuine gold-grade weapon—it was still a rather valuable sword.

"This is too valuable, how can I accept it?"

Although Charlotte didn't know the sword's rank, she could tell it was extraordinary, so she declined. But Victoria insisted, and with Lorraine also speaking up, Charlotte had no choice but to accept it.

“Speaking of which, my sister Anna and Miss Charlotte are the same age. Anna, this is Miss Charlotte.”

The little girl with chestnut hair beside her gave an elegant bow: "Nice to meet you, Miss Charlotte."

"Nice to meet you, Princess Anna."

The two little girls greeted each other, and Loran spoke up at the opportune moment: "Charlotte, why don't you show Princess Anna around?"

"Ah."

Knowing that Lorraine and Princess Victoria had something to say, Charlotte wisely took Anna away.

Loran gave a faint smile: "Your Highness's visit here at night is probably not just for the purpose of delivering a gift."

"nature."

Victoria also gave a faint smile.

"Please come into the study to discuss this further."

"Being respectful is worse than obeying orders."

Chapter 37 When negotiating terms, one should always focus on what the other party needs.

The dim light cast a mysterious atmosphere over the study. Lorraine and Victoria sat facing each other, and Caroline served tea before taking her leave.

"It was my mistake not to send an invitation to Her Highness the Princess."

"Not at all, I came here with the news concealed."

"Let's skip the pointless small talk, Your Highness."

Loran took a sip of tea and crossed his arms: "What brings you here, and what are your needs?"

“Count Morganflore should know that.”

Victoria smiled faintly: "It's simple, I want to become the Crown Princess."

"Yes, Your Highness, I understand why you've come."

Loran fiddled with the hourglass on the desk, watching the soft white sand slowly fall: "But Your Highness, why should I choose you?"

Without waiting for Victoria's response, Loran continued, "The eldest prince has the support of three electors, the eldest princess has the support of two electors and controls the empire's largest port. The second prince has the support of the Grand Duke of the North, who truly holds military power, and also has the support of an elector."

"As for the last Elector, he is still waiting for the right price."

"And you, Seventh Princess, you have no political backing, no business backing, no military backing, and no support from the Elector. Why should I choose you?"

There was no such thing as instant affinity, nor was there any Longzhong Dialogue between Liu Bei and Zhuge Liang. Loran simply stated his question: Why?

Why would he give up a stable life to help this powerless seventh princess? Given his status, he could easily have switched to any other candidate and received a decent reward.

Why bother with all that effort?

Just because the Seventh Princess is young and beautiful?

Stop joking, is the eldest princess really that bad?

"My elder brother is weak-willed, hesitant, and indecisive."

Victoria slowly began to speak: "My eldest sister is good at petty tricks but lacks strategic vision, good at manipulating power but lacks the talent to govern a country; my second brother is stubborn and self-willed, and although he has ambition, he lacks the ability to match it, being more aggressive than steady. The rest of the crown princes are all mediocre."

"If these people come to power, the Isnar Empire will surely decline."

"Yes, that's a very fair analysis."

Loran clapped lightly, then continued, "But so what? Your Highness, what does it matter to me whether the Isnar Empire declines or not? I control the Antoya Merchant Guild, and the Count's Territory still has an army. No matter which country I switch allegiance to, I will be an honored guest."

He said softly, “The so-called ‘Make Isnar great again’ rhetoric may suit sincere idealists, but it can’t convince me.”

Victoria paused for a moment, then a slight smile appeared on her lips: "Of course."

She paused for a moment, then continued, "I am indeed inferior to them. They have a wealthy family background, a prominent maternal clan, and all kinds of resources. This is my weakness, but it is also my strength."

"My team is clean enough that no one wants to share my cake."

"Lord Loran, instead of seeking some petty gains that you look down upon, why not support me and then reap the greatest benefits?"

The princess with pale blonde hair pointed at Loran: "After this is accomplished, you will be the Elector."

“That’s a very good point, but Miss Victoria, you seem to have forgotten something.”

Loran disagreed, and continued, "I don't need it."

"..."

"I don't need the status of Elector or the interests of the Isnar Empire."

His aura surged forth, causing the fragile princess to tremble slightly: "I am a seventh-ranked being, known in the mortal world as a seventh-ranked saint."

"These things are of no use to me."

"......I know."

To Loren's surprise, however, the princess, despite her pale face and trembling body, still opened her mouth under his imposing presence.

“I know, Loran, no, Lord Lorian.”

Loran narrowed his eyes.

For Emperor Isnar, his identity was not difficult to guess. After all, after he killed the entire family of Grand Duke Antins, Emperor Isnar received letters from both the Elven race and the Holy City.

The only mage with such power is probably Lorian, a mage in the Saintess Squad.

But how did Victoria find out? You see, the Emperor of Isnar wouldn't be foolish enough to reveal his identity; even his most favored crown princes were unaware of this.

This unloved princess, who hasn't even set foot in magic or martial arts, is not as simple as one might imagine.

But Lorraine didn't bother to wonder how she knew all this, because it was pointless.

"So, now that you know all this, what are you planning to use to convince me?"

"Your Holiness the Holy Maiden".

Victoria continued, “I know you must care about how to resolve Her Majesty’s situation. You might be able to find a solution on your own, but it will take a lot of time.”

It's not difficult to understand Messiah's situation; those of higher status or those who are observant can sense that something is amiss with her. However, very few dare to say it so bluntly.

But Victoria said it without a care, looking at Lorraine:

"Help me, and then I'll help you."

"...Hahahahaha!"

Lorraine suddenly burst into laughter: "Interesting, very interesting, Victoria."

Loran looked directly at the princess: "The nobles of Isnar have all underestimated you."