Become their wicked yet gentle lord.

However, now, let alone the Otus Empire, where are there any dragons on the entire central continent? Even heretical races can't be found, so the path to advancement is becoming increasingly difficult.

In addition... there are the clergy of the Holy See. The holy energy they cultivate is said to be obtained through faith, so their path to advancement is different from others.

However, regardless of the method, reaching realms beyond the Heavenly Rank requires external assistance. It's unclear whether Ryūka's special ability, as mentioned by Kania, falls into one of these categories.

After all, he possesses heretical abilities, and if so, then Ryūka's value in Hafren's eyes would be quite different.

Even so, Hefleen refused to back down and stubbornly said to Hetia:

"Hmph, wait till you become a Grand Knight before I do..."

"An insincere guy."

Hetia shook her head indifferently. Then, under Kania's supervision, the two of them practically explored the entire town of Linhu. They not only sampled local delicacies together, but also playfully bickered while picking out clothes for each other in a clothing store. Although the two knight ladies still couldn't let up, the atmosphere did indeed ease somewhat during this girls' party-like activity…

While they were enjoying their holiday, Ryuka was in deep trouble.

It wasn't that he didn't want to go shopping with the two knight ladies and perhaps play some mischievous pranks. Rather, a letter in his hand was currently causing him deep unease…

'To Mr. Liu Xia, Governor of Linhu Territory'... Looking at the beautifully embossed gold envelope, Liu Xia frowned. "You Lin, I'm here, I'm in Linhu, you Lin, are you here, are you not here..."

"What's wrong, Ryuka? This is a letter from Her Highness the Princess! Aren't you going to open it and read it?"

Inside the magic workshop, Anyaberg was fiddling with the various instruments and tools she had retrieved from Hefren. Her pretty face was covered in grease, and not only were her shorts and gray cotton stockings reeking of machine oil, but various wrenches and screwdrivers were also tucked into her slender waist. Even the exposed patch of her fair skin was covered in sticky oil... But she skillfully assembled these things, and lathes and workbenches powered by magic crystals began to operate, allowing her magic workshop's production capacity to reach a new level.

Not only her, but all the engineers in the entire magic workshop were working hard and didn't feel the slightest bit of winter cold.

The reason was simple: right after they acquired the equipment, instructions from the capital city reached them.

With ample resources and the opportune moment, I hope you all can achieve a 'breakthrough' in the spring of Ottus calendar 327...

The elusive and untold princess gave Anjaburg only this brief instruction. But the 'breakthrough' here, of course, referred to attempting to decipher the heretical ruins of East Heaven Lake…

This order came at such a perfect time! We just acquired the equipment that had been blocked for so long, and the order from the capital arrived immediately. Considering the time it takes for the letter to travel, it's as if everything was predicted from a thousand miles away!

In addition, there was the letter in Ryukatsu's hand.

The instructions given to the engineers were only a short sentence in a regular envelope, but the letter I received was extremely formal in its mounting.

The princess already knows about him? That's understandable, though, given his reputation as the governor of Linhu Territory has spread throughout half of the eastern part of the empire, centered on Sochi Territory. But…

The princess did not go through Hetia, who was the lord, but sent a private letter directly to herself!

This is a princess of the empire! No matter how famous she is in the area, she is communicating with someone she has never met, who is not a noble but just an official, and who even bypasses her confidante Hetia...

'Her Highness seems to possess some kind of precognitive ability.'

Hetia's speculation echoed in Ryukatsu's ears again, making him very uncomfortable.

Had her secret been exposed? Liu Xia frowned and opened the envelope.

A faint fragrance wafted through the air, refreshing the mind amidst the mixture of machine oil and magical crystal powder in the magic workshop. On the pale blue stationery, delicate handwriting in gold ink flowed; the mere sight of those lively yet neat lines made one imagine what a beautiful young woman had written them…

However, the content was like a raging storm.

"Mr. Ryusha, I have long heard of your esteemed reputation and achievements in the capital. It is precisely because of your efforts that Linhu Territory has been able to unleash tremendous vitality in such a short period of time, thus having sufficient manpower and resources to advance the work of Anjaberg and others."

However, I am fully aware that you are neither my vassal nor a vassal of my vassal; quite the opposite, in fact. But I firmly believe that your presence is more beneficial than harmful to me, therefore I am writing to state this clearly to show my sincerity, and to offer suggestions and advice:

I hope you can assist Anyaberg in completing the relevant plans as soon as possible, and treat Hethia and Anyaberg well. Whatever your ambitions may be, believe me, as long as you achieve the corresponding merits, I will grant them. If one day your path no longer intersects with mine, believe me, you will regret becoming my enemy.

Furthermore, a storm is approaching; please guard Linhu Territory well, as well as what you are about to obtain.

Princess Otus thirteen

Sincerely, Tipalotula Yon Ottus

"What's wrong, Ryuka? You don't look well."

Across from her, Anjaberg took off her goggles and blinked her ruby-like eyes. Except for the skin around her eyes, which was still fair and delicate, the lower half of her face looked like a kitten's.

"nothing……"

Ryuka put down the letter, her heart pounding uncontrollably, her face extremely grave.

As expected, the princess knew that she wasn't one of Hetia's locally chosen subordinates...

How much does she really know about herself? Besides herself, does she also know about Kania and the witch?

Since arriving in this world, Ryuka has felt an unprecedented sense of oppression for the first time, apart from life-or-death moments in battle. She didn't even feel this suffocating feeling when facing Chloe, who claimed to be a god.

The princess, located thousands of miles away, spoke politely yet with a strong sense of intimidation, without explicitly stating how she knew these things. Her words conveyed only one meaning:

I know you're special, but I'm not special either, so we'd better cooperate and not push me to the point of falling out...

She seemed open and honest, but I had no idea how she did it! It was like a ghost lurking in the darkness gently tapping your shoulder from behind, reminding you of its presence, but when you turned around, there was no trace of it, only a low growl and a sinister laugh that came from the darkness, sending chills down your spine...

“Tipallotura…” Ryuka couldn’t help but murmur the name, unconsciously crumpling the letter in her hand into a ball.

Chapter 4: I Will Not Go Back on My Promise with You

Anjaberg couldn't help but look at Ryusha. Not only did he not answer his question, but he also solemnly recited the princess's name, which made Anjaberg frown.

To be honest, Anjaberg didn't care about anything or anyone outside of magic technology and her daily life. But whether it was the princess who valued and sponsored a large number of students in the magic department of the Imperial Military Academy, or Ryuka, with whom she now worked and lived, she considered them both very important people and didn't want any conflict between them.

After all, in her eyes, there were no such things as empire, ambition, interests, or stances...

But Ryūka's gloomy expression made her unable to ignore it. She couldn't help but stare at this 'colleague,' but didn't know what to say or ask, so she could only speak up to remind her:

"There are words on the back of the letter too..."

Liu Xia was taken aback. She flipped through the crumpled letter and saw a passage written on it in strokes that were completely different from the neat and earnest handwriting on the front.

"The saying goes, 'A fool worries unnecessarily,' but you're probably not a fool, so please don't overthink it!"

The handwriting is light and cute, and there's even a cute funny face drawn at the end.

Even Ryukatsu, who was worried and fearful of the princess, couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Is this some kind of cute act?! The main text is clearly full of threats and warnings...

This did improve his mood considerably, at least making him realize that the princess opposite him was a capable yet adorable person. However, if this was a tactic by the other party to gain his favor, then this princess was truly a woman of flexibility and tact, able to maintain composure while also swallowing her pride.

Wouldn't it be even more terrifying to be an opponent like that?

"What's wrong? She was just making a face, and now she's smiling again..." Anyaberg muttered, but didn't press for more details. She just wanted to test the newly acquired magical equipment as soon as possible.

The prototype test must be completed at least before the 'Holy King Festival' at the end of the year...

As night fell, Ryuga stared intently at the huge map on the wall in his room. It showed the power structure of the entire Otus Empire, marking as much information as possible about every territory he could obtain.

A soft knock on the door and light footsteps sounded behind him. Kania entered carrying a dinner, first handing Ryūka a glass of water, then leaning her alluring figure against the table. She didn't disturb Ryūka, but silently watched him take a sip of water, then fall into deep thought until the dinner on the desk had gone cold. Only then did she ask Ryūka, who had turned around:

"Is the situation really that serious?"

Ryusha shook his head and said with a wry smile, "I don't know, I know too little. Although there has been a lot of internal pressure in Otus these past few years, with the people suffering and small-scale rebellions constantly occurring, as long as there is a regular army composed of knights and mages, the lower classes can't cause much trouble. But the key issue is..."

“Financial and administrative problems,” Kania continued, picking up where Ryukyu left off. The Autus Empire’s finances had been plagued by problems for the past decade; even a drunken vagrant could complain about which policies were detrimental to the people’s livelihood, which taxes were unreasonable, and which territories hadn’t received any government funding for years…

"Yes, but we in this position don't know which high-ranking nobles are at odds with each other. So far, all we know is that two princes and princesses are fighting each other. As for this being the fuse that will overthrow the empire? I don't think so..."

Ryusha shook her head, but both the princess's letter and her conversation with Earl Duke clearly indicated that a great storm was brewing. They must know far more than she did to reach such a conclusion.

But Liuxia neither understood the reason nor was told the result, which left him at a loss and unsure of what to do next.

"A storm is coming; please defend Linhu Territory well."

What kind of storm could there be? What could they possibly use to defend it? A few dozen knights and mages and a bunch of new recruits? Even if the Linhu Territory were to massacre peasant soldiers now, it wouldn't be able to produce many more! If it weren't for some remaining friendship with Earl Duke, and the fact that Sochi Territory wasn't an enemy, Ryusha really wouldn't be able to sleep at night.

Moreover, Ryusha didn't understand why the thirteenth princess Tipalotura valued the Linhu Territory, and what exactly were the heretical relics behind the Linhu Territory.

Seeing Ryūka's worried expression, Kania parted her red lips slightly, hesitated for a moment, and finally said:

"How about replying to that princess and getting to the bottom of things?"

"What a joke! She's a high and mighty princess. She's the one who sends me letters; I have no right to ask her anything. Besides... we don't know her, but she clearly knows I'm not Hetia's subordinate. Is it possible that she also knows about you? About the witch?"

What troubles Ryuka the most is the princess's so-called precognitive ability. Does she know that Kania, who wants to overthrow the royal family, is by her side, and what role does she play in her plan?

"Seeing how troubled you are, why don't you just become one of her people? Anyway, with your abilities, you'll be in demand anywhere, Ryuka~"

Kania suddenly laughed, grabbed Ryuka, and started patting his head.

"I promised to help you. Although I didn't think too much about it at the time, I meant it."

Ryūka looked at Kania speechlessly. He knew Kania was deliberately asking the question out of unease, given her and the princess's naturally opposing positions. Yet, if just a princess could make him so uneasy, what about the emperor? What about the Tenth Heavenly Rank and the Three Saints Rank?

"You can always go back on your word, after all, you don't owe me anything, and unlike me, you don't need to live long without you."

Kania rubbed her face against Ryusha's, her tone light, but her arms around him were stiff, as if she was afraid of hearing an answer she didn't want.

"Ha~ Is this a witch's strategy? Deliberately provoking me?"

Ryuka broke free from Kania's embrace, looking at her with an extremely serious and stubborn expression:

"No matter what you think, you're mine. I won't abandon our promise just because of some problems. Instead of trying to provoke me and hear some romantic words, let's think about what to do right now."

Kania was taken aback at first, then a hint of melancholy appeared on her beautiful face: "My silly Ryusha~ Your words are romantic enough~"

Then she laughed again: "Actually, what I just said wasn't meant to provoke you, um! You Lin Zaiyou, you're free, you Lin Zaiyou, are you not free...?"

Before she could finish speaking, her soft lips were pinched by Liuxia. The boy looked at her eyes speechlessly and said:

"No need to say anything more."

Kania understood. The young man before her would not abandon her. He would rather face immense difficulties and risks to fulfill his promise to her than compromise with that mysterious princess for an easy and comfortable life...

Then she should do her best to help him. Although overthrowing the royal family was for her own destiny, Kania felt that her little lover was more suited to be an emperor or something.

No, perhaps it's a god? After all, Ryūka once mentioned Chloe and the fragments of godhood.

Although Kania knew nothing about gods and considered it all just a fantasy, that didn't stop her from being willing to do anything for Ryukyu and become anyone for him.

Hmm, like that arrogant princess, one day I'll make her my little lover's toy too~

She blinked, freeing her small mouth from the boy's fingers, and rubbed her moist lips with a hint of resentment.

"If you pinch me too hard, how will you compensate me?"

"Pay you my ass!" Liu Xia rolled his eyes. He had no interest in flirting with Kania. He knew that once this little devil started acting cute, it meant the rest of the night would be in a flirtatious mode…

"I have a ton of things to do... What are you doing!"

Kania looked at Ryusha with her alluring purple eyes, then slowly knelt down beside him, her soft hands stroking down the boy's trouser legs to his thighs, before reaching for his belt amidst the irresistible caresses.

"What kind of things? For example, establishing intelligence agencies to gather information from all over the empire? Or spreading the faith of Kuroel and building temples in the territories of surrounding nobles? Or adjusting the recent internal affairs of the territories?"

Looking at Kania's smiling face, Ryuka couldn't help but ask:

"You wouldn't... hiss—"

"I already finished it for you~"

Kania's soft little hands moved back and forth, her flushed and hot face pressed tightly against her lover's thighs. Her cherry lips, fragrant tongue, and smooth cheeks caressed her lover's sensitive skin, using her moist saliva to awaken the boy's most primal desires little by little.

"You are our true lord~ Although you think it's better to do things yourself~ it's time to learn to delegate~ Whether it's me or Kira, as long as you entrust the task to us, we will definitely be able to complete it for you~"

Kania licked her tongue back and forth, speaking indistinctly.

"Wait, didn't you go to be with Hetia and Hafren today? Where did you find the time..."

"Aren't you underestimating the witch? I don't need to do these things myself..."

Kania smiled slyly. As her magic improved, she could control more and more people, and the range and effects became increasingly powerful. Just like she had planted intelligence agents in Sochi, she was spreading the same methods to the surrounding territories. And now she only needed to stay in Linhu Town to remotely control various places, so she could stroll around with the two knight ladies while carrying out intelligence gathering and spreading the Chloeel faith in various places according to her own wishes.

Seeing Ryūka's sudden realization, Kania held the erect member with obvious affection, her warm breath whispering in Ryūka's ear as she pleaded:

"So you'd better make this witch stronger and stronger~ Feed me well and I can do more and more things~ Be your most considerate and virtuous wife~ My little adult~"

Hiss… Before even reaching her full-fledged role, Kania's witch abilities have already exceeded my expectations. After all, unlike me, she doesn't have many mixed powers; almost all of her power is focused on witch abilities, naturally making her much stronger in terms of control…

Feeling the alluring aura emanating from her, Liu Xia's blood was already surging. Her hands roamed freely over the soft, fragrant body, climbing up the tender hills and exploring the moist valleys, quickly eliciting soft moans from the little witch...

"You keep calling me 'Lord' and 'Sir,' and you keep using such polite terms. Is this the kind of thing you want to do tonight?"

Kania giggled: "My little sir~ such a grown man~ if you raise me to a high-ranking position~ you won't have to worry about intelligence and internal affairs~"

Liu Xia raised an eyebrow: "How are you going to feed me?"

How else can you feed her? For a witch, the way to increase her strength has never been through training her magic, but rather...

Kania's cherry lips brushed against Ryusha's ear, and she whispered in a soft, melodious voice, like a nightingale's song:

"I want you to have a good time with me~"

Her soft words ignited a furious rage within her, and Ryuka couldn't help but tear Kania's clothes to shreds, roughly slamming her alluring body onto the table...