Become their wicked yet gentle lord.

“Uh…” Liu Xia’s eyes twitched as she looked at the snow mist rising from the white beast’s rear.

Well, I had anticipated this situation.

But Melanie chuckled: "Hahaha~ You expect the beast to be grateful and team up with you against me?"

"I had hoped for it, but I didn't count on it," Ryuka frankly admitted.

"I just don't want to see bad women fooling cute little white animals and then stabbing them in the back."

Ryuka was equally adept at verbal sparring. Even though she was alone, she knew that even if she couldn't win, she could still escape, since she still had [Witch's Corruption] as her trump card.

Well, I've learned a little bit of dark magic from Kira. Although it's not very powerful, it might have unexpected and wonderful effects if used in conjunction with [Charm] as a means of scheming.

The question remains: what exactly is Melanie doing here?

A powerful mage from the rival family had appeared behind her mountain without her noticing, and Ryuka was worried she wouldn't be able to sleep that night.

Even when being gently served by Kania and Hetia, he couldn't fall asleep.

"Hehe~ It seems you're quite confident in your abilities. By the way, I haven't asked your name yet. Your name is Ryuka, right? What's your surname? Which family are you from?"

Melanie didn't rush to make a move, seemingly considering Liuxia insignificant.

The only thing that could be considered important was the relationship between the boy in front of her and Hetia, right? Melanie kept wondering which family's hidden heir had secretly joined the thirteenth princess's camp.

"It's just Ryukyu."

"No family?"

"Well, if you marry me and have a few more babies, then you'll have them."

"You must have a teacher or a boss, right?"

Who knows?

Melanie's eyes flickered as she looked at the enigmatic young man before her, who was expertly chuckling at her.

If it weren't for this strange boy, she could have captured Hetia last time. Regardless of what nobles say about killing a classmate, killing Hetia, the lord of Linhu Town, would at least disrupt many of the thirteenth princess's plans.

But the young man in front of them suddenly ruined the good thing that had come to them. After the investigation, they found that there was no detailed information about him in the capital.

The changes in the capital city caused most of the forces in Sochi to waver. Count Duke remained on the sidelines, and the orders from the Third Prince of the capital and others also instructed Melanie to stand by for the time being.

Melanie's presence here was also due to her own 'indirect connections' learning that there were 'treasures' here that could greatly enhance her ice and snow magic...

But what stood in his way was this Ryuka again.

Could it be... that he really is a complete novice genius who was just discovered by the thirteenth princess's faction?

Chapter 17 Melanie is both calm and steady

Melanie seemed completely unconcerned about her verbal flirtation.

This woman seems to be much calmer than Hetia. Just like last time, she didn't get caught up in a fierce battle and decisively withdrew. Her personality seems to be the steady type.

It seems that there are quite a few talented people in the Third Prince's faction, and it's not as bad as I thought.

"I'm telling you..." Neither side made a move easily, each calculating their own thoughts, when Melanie suddenly laughed.

"How about you consider coming to my side, or even collaborating with me?"

"What do you mean?" Liu Xia smiled, showing no surprise or cluelessness.

"Literally speaking, I don't think you're a direct descendant of the Princess's faction." Although Melanie offered to negotiate, her fighting stance remained unchanged, as if she was slowly adjusting her magic recovery.

She's a woman who leaves no room for error.

"If someone like you existed, you would have attracted attention in the capital long ago, wouldn't you? The prince behind Hetia is the kind of person who makes the most of everything."

"Although I don't know where you came from, there are always some extraordinary talents who emerge inexplicably in the world, and anything can happen in the long river of time."

"So I don't think there's any need to become your mortal enemy. All the unpleasantness in the past was caused by Bran Duke. I was just there keeping an eye on the lovely junior students. Now the struggle between the two successor factions has come to a temporary end."

"So, you have no reason to fight me to the death here, right?" Mei, are you free? Lin, are you available?

As she spoke, Melanie conjured a throne-like chair from ice behind her and gracefully sat down. However, she didn't lean back, and her exquisitely pert buttocks only occupied about a third of the seat, while her legs were positioned as if they were ready to unleash a sudden attack.

Meanwhile, an identical ice chair also appeared behind Ryūka.

“Let’s have a good talk. Please have a seat.” Melanie looked at Ryusha with a provocative gaze, while extending her long arm in a gesture of invitation.

Was she testing my composure and courage, or was she deliberately provoking me...? Ryuga looked at the ice chair, pondering.

"Don't you dare? Hearing Hetia's horrible moans last night, I thought you'd be a man with guts~"

Upon hearing Melanie's words, Ryuka's eyelids twitched.

Last night... she was actually near the cabin...

Furthermore, she didn't make a move, which suggests that Melanie is indeed a very steady person. In other words, unless she is forced into a desperate situation or has a necessary reason, she won't take any risks.

Moreover, based on the feedback she received after blocking that ice spear, Ryuka estimated that Melanie was a greater threat than she had imagined.

In short, although I don't know what Melanie wanted to do by attacking the white beast, it must be related to her growing stronger, and I have already stopped her from doing so.

Moreover, unlike generating an ice chair, powerful magic always has a pre-casting animation or chanting sequence, so...

Ryuka sat comfortably in the spacious chair, leaning back against the backrest, her left leg resting on the chair surface, while she held the longsword in her right hand with the tip protruding from the chair surface.

Meanwhile, faced with Melanie's 'hospitality', Ryuka took out the dried meat rations he carried with him, shook them, and asked.

Have you eaten?

Upon seeing this, Melanie quickly let out a silvery laugh and gently waved her hand again. An ice table slowly formed in front of Ryusha, and the chair beneath her seemed to glide across the ice to the other side of the table.

As expected of a magician... every move he makes exudes such elegance.

Ryuka pouted. No wonder everyone says that magicians are the noblest profession in the world.

He divided the food into two portions, and pushed one portion onto the smooth, mirror-like ice table for Melanie. The noble female magician showed no airs or wariness, and began to eat the coarse rations.

Incidentally, she also created two ice cups, tapped a glass water pouch at her waist, and a pale blue liquid flowed into the cup in front of Liuxia and herself respectively.

"Magic elixirs can replenish a magician's magic power and can be used as an emergency nutrient solution."

Melanie raised her glass first, then elegantly took a small sip.

Liuxia also picked it up and took a sip. The cold temperature stimulated her mouth and tongue, and it was a little bitter, but not unpleasant to drink. Especially the small bubbles that popped slightly in her mouth gave it a sparkling water feel.

Let's just think of it as bitter iced cola from another world. Ryuka took another sip, and a surge of energy flowed from her stomach into her limbs.

"As expected, you are the type who can absorb magic power."

Watching Ryukatsu's reaction, Melanie leaned back in her chair, swirling her wine glass between her fingers, observing Ryukatsu through the crystal-clear magical potion.

"While those who cultivate both magic and martial arts are often hailed as geniuses, considering the vast population of the world, there are actually quite a few people who can do it..."

Melanie gave a cold laugh, then quickly relaxed. She put down her cup, crossed her hands on the table, propped her chin up, and continued speaking to Ryusha.

"Of course, there's another possibility: heretical abilities. But even so, you probably wouldn't admit it, little brother, would you?"

Faced with Melanie's probing, Ryuka neither admitted nor denied it, but instead showed a sunny smile.

“You need to provide evidence when you speak, don’t you, Miss Snowfield?”

"You're overreacting. In this world, the least prejudiced against heretics are us magicians."

Melanie doesn't need Ryusha to admit anything. Even if Ryusha is a heretic, if he's hiding under the princess's plan, no one can touch him. After all, the Holy City of the Church has already sent people to Linhu Town...

"The origin of magic in ancient times was born from the interaction and integration between humans and various other races."

This was the first time Ryuga had heard of such a thing, but he didn't say anything. Instead, he focused on chewing his food and watching what Melanie would do next.

"And among all of His Majesty's heirs, the one who is least concerned with birth or background is the third prince, Prince Lavelle."

"Of course, that's only because he's a capricious guy. I'm not trying to flatter him. But thanks to him, we have all sorts of people here. We'll try to win over anyone who can be of use, saints and villains alike."

Ryūka laughed:

"So, regardless of whether I am a direct descendant of the thirteenth princess or not, you will still try to persuade me, is that right?"

"That's right, there's no harm in giving it a try."

Melanie readily admitted it.

"I won't say too much polite talk. You seem like a smart young man. If you're willing to join my side, or even just cooperate with us privately, the 'reward' will exceed your expectations."

"Really? Can it surpass what I have now?" Ryuka raised an eyebrow.

"Ah... if it's the kind of 'dedication' Hetia is at, then I really can't do it."

Our group acts entirely on a voluntary basis. Therefore, we wouldn't say things like, "I'll bestow a beautiful woman upon you," after all, there are quite a few women who can compare to that red-haired woman, and as for me…”

Melanie gave a slight bow, seemingly unconcerned about showing off her figure.

"If you can help me get that white beast, it's not impossible for us to start by going on dates."

Chapter 18 Ryūka is both steady and calm

Ryusha had no interest in such temptations, but he was curious to know what the white beast was and why Melanie wanted the blue ice crystals.

"Is that what you came here for?"

"That's right, this blue ice crystal greatly amplifies ice and snow magic, you should have noticed that too, right?"

Melanie pulled a pendant from her neck; the end of the thin cord was roughly tied to a finger-sized blue ice crystal, which swayed back and forth, refracting a dazzling light.

"What exactly is that white beast?" Liu Xia asked after taking a look.

“The Legend of the White God.” Melanie put away the pendant, revealing a playful smile.

"The so-called 'White God' is actually a heretical creature called Snow Spirit, and the one we just saw was probably their last bloodline on the Central Continent."

“Records about it are scarce now, and I only learned of the existence of ‘Snow Spirits’ by chance. Yes… that legend you’re familiar with, the great snowfall in the east in Imperial Year 302…”

"Although many people believe it was just a special weather phenomenon and did not leave a trace in official records... in fact, it was someone who deliberately wanted to cover up the event."

Melanie stopped there with a smile.

Looking at her nonchalant demeanor, Liuxia understood that she meant, 'You don't need to know what happens next'...

This woman always gives off an annoying vibe of being confident and in control...

Ryuka sighed and asked in return, "So, you want me to join you, or assist you, or help your enemy do something that will make you several times stronger?"

"Yes, money, status, unique resources... anything you can think of, you can mention it."

Liu Xia was not a member of the Princess's faction, and in the end, she did not have any deep-seated hatred with the Third Prince's faction. She was just caught up in the struggle between the two sides.

There was no personal grudge between them regarding Melanie... except that defeating her would increase Hetia's favorability and loyalty, but given Melanie's current strength, it seemed unlikely that this would be possible.

But Ryuka still didn't want to agree to her conditions.

For no other reason than that he didn't want to follow the crowd and let others take the initiative and lead him by the nose.

Who knows if Melanie will change her mind after becoming stronger?

“Impossible.” Ryuka shook her head, gripping the hilt of her sword tightly.

"What's the reason?"

"You're such a bad woman who would even lie to small animals; your credibility is very low."

"To think that I would put myself in the shoes of a wild animal, does that mean all men are wild animals at heart?"

Melanie showed no disappointment or anger at Ryusha's rejection; she simply stood up slowly.

"So, shall we have a fight here? This is my home turf."

She looked at Liu Xia and smiled provocatively. "Mei, are you free? Lin, are you available? Lin, are you not here yet...?"

"It's clearly the mountain behind our house, who knows when they might come to our aid." Ryuka also stood up and stretched her wrists.

The scene, which had just been filled with pleasantries over drinks, suddenly became tense, but the two only exchanged harsh words and neither made the first move.

The wind and snow gradually intensified, obscuring visibility and impairing hearing.

Ryuu had no intention of winning, while Melanie didn't want to fight an unnecessary battle; she wanted to conserve her strength to continue chasing the white beast.

On this vast snowfield, if she wanted to escape or hide, no matter how many people Ryusha and Hetia sent, they would not be able to track her down.

As for trying to win over Ryūka, it was just a side project. Although the boy refused, Melanie at least clearly understood that Ryūka was not a loyal follower of the princess.

The reason for the refusal is simply that I cannot trust myself right now.