Become their wicked yet gentle lord.

“What that woman named Adela said makes some sense. You have a share of the lords’ property, and I don’t object to that.”

Ryūka's smile seemed like that of an angel to the villagers, but he immediately changed the subject, speaking loudly and seriously:

"But she deceived you with these words! In reality, she used you to gain her own interests, exposing you to danger so that you would face my possible wrath!"

"If you are familiar with the policies of our Linhu Territory, you should understand that if I were to govern Sochi Territory in the future, the land she holds would be yours sooner or later! You wouldn't need to buy it, much less risk your lives to sabotage transportation and hand over the stolen money and grain to that woman as funds to purchase land!"

Ryusha's words immediately caused a strong reaction from the villagers. Not only in Mata Village, but also in other territories where people were doing the same thing, thanks to Melanie's adjustment of the crystal ball, these words could be heard.

Immediately, they began to discuss the matter. Most of them weren't directly deceived by Adela, but rather incited to take the risk. After Ryūka's words, they finally realized that Adela was using them to sabotage the transport team. She claimed to be selling land at a low price, but the risks they were taking were far greater than the money they were paying.

At that moment, a calm voice rang out from the crowd: "Sir, are you saying that you acknowledge our ownership of these lands and that we no longer need to pay Miss Adela?"

The one who asked the question was Elder Jack, the village chief. Although he dared not get involved in the matter, he still cared about the future of Marta Village.

"Well, we need to see what the previous lord's land records say. If the records state that these lands belong to you, then according to imperial law they belong to you."

Liu Xia smiled slightly, her meaning crystal clear. It meant that if Adela had secretly altered the lord's land records, it meant the land originally belonged to the villagers, and there was no question of her acquiring the lord's land and then reselling it.

On the other end of the crystal ball, Adela was pounding on the bathtub, her two snow-white breasts creating waves on the water's surface. Her beautiful face was contorted as she cursed incessantly.

"Damn it! What nonsense are you spouting! Isn't this just using my flowers to embellish your own image?! Why let these people go? Aren't you afraid that more people will become emboldened and continue to sabotage your transport routes?! Go ahead and kill them, you bastard! Are you really just letting me take advantage of you for nothing?!"

In Adela's eyes, Ryūka's smile became increasingly repulsive. But that wasn't all. Just as she was cursing Ryūka for being spineless, preferring to suffer losses rather than provoke these lowly people, Ryūka's next words made her lose her temper even more.

Just as the villagers of Marta were moved to tears, Ryusha suddenly became humble:

"Actually, people don't need to thank me, but should thank the empire's wise rule."

Wise rule? The villagers' lips twitched. They didn't know whether the empire's rule was wise or not; they only knew that the lord was their local emperor.

But since Ryūka said so, they couldn't refute it, so they could only listen to Ryūka continue speaking:

"Actually, I already knew about this matter, but I didn't know how to handle it. After all, as I said before, I was only temporarily in charge of the Sochi territory, and everything depended on His Majesty the Emperor's decree. So before I came here today, I consulted Miss Hetia, and then Miss Hetia asked Her Highness the Thirteenth Princess for advice..."

"Your Highness? Did Your Highness agree to let us go?"

Ryusha's words excited the villagers. As commoners from a remote and impoverished area, emperors and princesses were figures far removed from their lives. Although they were Ottus, they felt their only connection to Ottus was through the lords' tyrannical exploitation of them in the name of the empire.

For the first time in their lives, they felt like they were Ottusians, and that such an insignificant little place as Mata Village had been honored to be heard of by the princess.

Seeing their excited expressions, Ryuka smiled and nodded:

“Not only Princess Tipalotura, the thirteenth princess, but also Prince Elias, the fourth prince, felt that everyone should not be punished too severely. This decision was made by two princes who know His Majesty’s heart and are compassionate, so everyone should be more grateful to His Majesty and the two princes. I was just carrying out their orders.”

Melanie stared wide-eyed, looking utterly astonished as she watched Ryusha lie without batting an eye, trying to pin the credit on someone else.

She instantly understood what Ryukyu meant, and Adela, who had been secretly watching them, reacted at the same time.

"Ryu...Xia!!! Ugh—"

This kid admitted that he suffered considerable losses by letting the villagers go, and that it might even embolden others to have such thoughts! But he actually didn't let those losses go to waste!

Since there's no energy or manpower to manage it anyway, why not just give it away as a favor, and do two at once! Not only will these commoners be grateful to him, but Ryusha will also be giving this reputation to Tipalotura and the others!

Just imagine! What would happen if this matter were brought to the imperial court? Anyone with a discerning eye could immediately see that these villagers were being instigated by someone! And Liu Xia's methods not only enhanced his own prestige but also flattered the emperor and the two imperial heirs!

The various factions were already trying to undermine each other, and Adela had seized this opportunity to fabricate evidence of Ryukyu's tyranny to provide strong support for the Third Prince Clovis. But now, the situation had suddenly reversed!

Adela gripped the crystal ball tightly in her hand, her fair knuckles bulging with the force of her grip. Her chest heaved violently; aside from her still striking beauty, she was completely unlike the adorable woman she had been when deceiving Mark.

Unlike her hatred for Ryukyu, the villagers of Mata Village now wholeheartedly hoped that Ryukyu would become their true lord. But everyone knew that another regular punitive expeditionary force was about to arrive; what would become of Sochi Territory and their fate?

"Lord Ryusha, I heard that His Highness the Third Prince will lead his troops to attack this place, is that right? Then what will you do then..."

"Nonsense!" Ryuka said to the questioner with a reproachful look.

"His Highness Clovis was ordered to suppress the rebellious Duke family. Although the Duke family has now been destroyed, His Majesty the Emperor's order to withdraw his troops has not yet arrived, which is why there are all sorts of rumors."

Liu Xia spoke with righteous indignation, which enlightened the villagers below the stage.

"As for me, I'm merely temporarily managing the chaotic Sochi territory for the Empire. The conscription is to maintain order in various regions, not to amass power. Everything depends on the official order from the capital. So everyone, please don't believe or spread rumors. Also, from today onwards, please abide by the law and never repeat the mistakes of the past!"

As for the woman named Adela, I hope that anyone with information will provide it. Whether it is her or her accomplices, their actions of instigating internal strife within the empire are unforgivable!

Now, please welcome the reformed Mr. Mark to the stage and tell us how he was deceived by that woman named Adela with her beauty and sweet words!

Caught off guard, Mark was ushered onto the stage and, under Ryūsha's control, tearfully recounted how he had been deceived by Adela, gradually fallen in love with her, and devoted himself to her cause. This horrified the 'Marks' in other territories who were receiving the footage!

This experience is so similar to my own!

Schwarz's birthplace? She told herself she was from Belberg!

The same applies to sending greetings from time to time!

No, that's not right! What she told herself must be the truth!

I... I haven't been scammed, have I?

The villagers below the stage applauded enthusiastically, while the other victims who saw the video felt bitter and heartbroken. Although Ryusha said she would not pursue their responsibility, they were now more concerned about whether they had been deceived and exploited by Adela.

Adela's face was contorted in extreme pain, and her whole body was trembling. She was completely unaware that her maid, Yurina, had reappeared behind her.

“Miss Adela, you… have a video from Mr. Hayden.”

An enraged Adela took her main crystal ball. Inside, there was no image of Hayden, only his helpless voice:

"I already said that Ryūka is a tough opponent... Also, why did you use your real name..."

*Smash!* The crystal ball shattered into pieces, and Adela screamed wildly.

Hayden received the message at the same time! Sure enough, his father had told him about his plan! It was bad enough that he had failed! But to be mocked like this was unacceptable!

"Ryuka! It's all this guy's fault! He actually has the ability to make those people I fooled so completely talk back! No! Not only that! His despicable scheming methods are too!!!"

Seeing Adela's distraught state, Yurina, though trembling, couldn't help but ask:

"Miss, what about His Highness Clovis?"

"I'm not going! I need to think carefully about how to get revenge!"

Adela bit her finger tightly, staring at Ryusha's figure in the crystal ball. She watched him smile as he ended the image transmission from the crystal ball, his last glance seeming to know that she was being spied on.

……

Meanwhile, in Marta Village, Ryūsha prepared to leave amidst the cheers of the crowd. He looked at Melanie beside him and asked:

"Was it all recorded?"

Melanie raised an eyebrow: "It's been recorded, and then you're just going to upload it for me, right? You little rascal, you're always up to no good!"

Liu Xia chuckled, then wrapped her arms around Melanie's slender waist from behind, kneading it wantonly: "So, do you want to help me expel this 'bad water' again?" You have plum blossoms in the sky, but you don't have a forest...

Chapter 20

No one expected the conflict over Sochi to end with such an unexpected outcome.

When news of Ryūka's actions in Mata Village reached the Imperial Capital, the comparison of military strength between him and Clovis became less important. Ryūka believed that as long as Tipalotura in the Imperial Capital could provide adequate support, he only needed to hold Clovis back here and buy time for the Imperial Capital.

For Tipalotura, Elias, and others who didn't want Sochi to fall into Clovis's hands, if having this bargaining chip still couldn't gain the upper hand in court and persuade the emperor, then Ryūsha might as well just give up Sochi. After all, without support within Otus, relying solely on his own strength to resist the will of the entire empire would be tantamount to throwing an egg against a rock.

If even this can't hold Sochi City, then Ryusha might as well take Kania up the mountain and start a guerrilla war, openly rebelling.

In the Aries Palace, a thousand miles away in the imperial city, in a simple yet elegant room, a chestnut-haired man sat at the head of the table. He appeared to be in his thirties, dressed elegantly and impeccably, with a clean-shaven face and handsome, refined features that also possessed a rugged masculinity. Opposite him, a young woman wearing a veil and headscarf calmly observed him, and after the image on the crystal ball on the table finished, she asked:

"Brother Elias, what do you think?"

The man opposite him was Ilias, the fourth prince of Otus. He looked at his sister Tipalotura and asked with a playful smile, "What is it? Is it about the territory of Sochi, or about your rising subordinate?"

"Of course it concerns the territory of Sochi."

Tipalotura completely ignored Ilias's joke and spoke with utmost seriousness.

"The matter was over when he delivered the crystal ball to the capital."

Elias toyed with the crystal ball that Ryūka had seized, his deep eyes lost in thought as he began to speak to himself: "Although Father's health is declining, his mind is still clear. He's pretending to be confused, watching us fight and waiting for us to break the deadlock ourselves. But you, Ryūka, have given him exactly what he wanted to hear..."

A glint of light flashed in Elias's eyes as he murmured, "A stable Otto, where everyone is dutiful, the monarch wise, the ministers responsible, and the people loyal—just like Otto was a hundred years ago when it was at its zenith… Father wants Otto to return to its peak, but he always considers checks and balances. He doesn't want to let Brother Clovis get out of his control, nor does he want to provoke him too much. He does the same with us and the ministers; the more he does this, the weaker the empire's control becomes…"

Tipalotura's eyes narrowed: "This is not something we should be discussing. Father is just... tormented by his injuries. If he can break through to the Heavenly Rank, his condition will improve."

"'Injuries and illnesses'?" Elias smiled. "Does my sister mean that the mad curse passed down in our family bloodline is just a disease?"

“A curse with an antidote is ‘illness’…” Tipalotura retorted to Elias with a calm yet firm gaze. Elias looked at his sister, whose demeanor was as serene as a lake, and the smile on his lips gradually faded.

"So, you're pinning your hopes on overseas? That heretical world that's been rejected for a thousand years?"

Tipalotura did not answer, but instead steered the conversation back to the Sochi territory:

“Brother Elias, you will speak with me at tomorrow’s court meeting, won’t you?”

Seeing that Tipalotura was unwilling to continue the topic he had brought up, Elias smiled helplessly:

"Sure, but..."

“One-third of the southern territory of Sochi is yours. In addition, a portion of the northern plains can be used to satisfy the appetites of your other brothers and sisters.”

Tipalotura abruptly interrupted Ilias's "however," and Ilias raised an eyebrow:

"I have no problem with that, but the Northern Plains... is it going to be someone else becoming a shield for your young subordinate?"

"With your abilities, you will make them accept it willingly. After all, they have no reason to refuse land that is given away for free."

After seeing Elias nod, Tipalotura rose slightly to bow, then left the room with the female knight Gerberi standing behind her.

A silence fell over the air. The tea on the table was still steaming, but Tipalotura hadn't taken a sip. Elias tapped his knee lightly with his fingers and sighed softly. He stood up and looked at a painting hanging on the wall.

On the left, a shirtless warrior raises a glowing holy sword, about to pierce a twisted, black monster. On the right, the monster seems to let out a terrified roar, its thick, dark purple pus already enveloping the warrior's ankles. Behind the monster, several naked girls crawl out of the black slime.

They each had their own unique style, yet all wore numb faces like those of newborns.

In the upper center of the image is a faceless goddess with countless wings spread out. The golden light emanating from her dispels the darkness of the entire scene. Beneath her outstretched hands is a priest who is drawing upon her power.

Elias's gaze darted back and forth between three parts of the image, muttering to himself, "Injuries, huh... Heh..."

After saying that, he continued to say to himself, "You heard what she said, right? Go and do it. Let this matter be settled at tomorrow's court meeting."

Inside the room in the Aries Palace, the magical light flickered briefly before returning to stillness...

In the courtyard outside the palace, Gerberi quickly caught up with Tipalotura and whispered:

Will His Majesty approve your proposal?

“As long as Father still has his senses.” Tipalotura walked gracefully, her steps quick beneath her skirt, yet her posture remained perfectly elegant. Even the female knight Gerberi found it a little tiring to keep up. Besides Elias, Tipalotura had many other people to meet today, and she had to ensure that nothing went wrong at tomorrow's court meeting.

"What about that kid named Ryusha? Will he obediently hand over a portion of Sochi territory? Everyone treats him as Your Highness's subordinate; they have no idea who he is..."

“That’s not important,” Tipalotura interrupted Gerberi’s rambling. “You know what I care about, Gerberi.”

It's across the sea, over there lies territory, resources, and... something essential that the central continent lost a thousand years ago...

Therefore, regardless of whether Ryūsha is a member of Tipalottura, as long as the development of the heretical ruins can be guaranteed, Tipalottura doesn't care about anything else. Territory, power, or the future throne—this princess doesn't need any of them.

"He's a smart young man who knows that no matter how powerful he is, he can't defy the will of a nation. That's why he said those things in the video he sent, meaning he was willing to follow our arrangements, but at the same time making the Emperor realize that he was the most suitable administrator of Sochi. At least more suitable than handing it over to his brother Clovis..."

As Tipalotura was speaking, a panicked cat suddenly appeared in front of her. The cat meowed at Tipalotura, appearing very anxious.

Tipalotura frowned and looked at the cat in front of her, asking, "Beverly, what happened? Why are you in such a hurry? Come out first."

"Meow?" The cat paused for a moment, then realized it had been speaking cat language. Suddenly, its shadow lengthened, and a girl with short, dark blue hair leaped out as if floating on water. If Ryuka were there, she would recognize her as the exhibitionist girl who had sneaked into her room.

Beverly was only wearing a tight-fitting tube top and shorts, yet she didn't feel cold at all. Across from her, Gerberi picked up the unconscious cat and stroked it with interest, while Beverly anxiously spoke to Tipalotura:

"Sister You! The magician who brought the crystal ball has gotten into trouble outside and is stuck in the Capricorn Palace, unable to leave!"

"Melanie Snowfield?"

Tipalotura raised an eyebrow. The crystal ball was a gift from this great mage, and she had traveled through half of Otus without stopping until she reached the capital, where her magic was almost depleted.

Tipalotura naturally treated this talent, who originally belonged to Clovis's brother's camp, with courtesy, and she could guess what kind of trouble Beverly was referring to.

She nodded, letting Beverly take the unconscious cat and leave on her own, then quickly returned to her own Capricorn house with the reluctant Gerberly.

Compared to the Aries Palace, Tipalottura's palace was not particularly luxurious in appearance, nor was it very large. It had far fewer guards and was located on the outer perimeter of the palace complex, with only one main gate serving as the entrance.

Flying and the use of magic are forbidden within the imperial city; this is an ironclad rule of the empire. Therefore, as long as the main gate is blocked, it's very difficult for anyone inside to escape. Forget about trying to enter the imperial city through the back of Capricorn Palace to find another exit. Not only are the other palaces within the spheres of influence of other princes and princesses, but the royal guards in the courtyards are not to be trifled with. (You're asking, "Are you free, Lin Zai Zai?")

When Tipalotura returned to her chambers from the palace gardens, Melanie was sitting in a chair, looking icy and lost in thought.

"Is he/she from your family?"

Upon seeing Melanie, Tipalotura went straight to the point, asking her a question. Melanie paused, realizing the princess was before her, and was about to bow when Tipalotura waved her hand to stop her. Melanie then smiled wryly and looked towards the main gate of the palace.

“It is my grandfather, Your Highness.”