Chapter 198
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 198
Chapter Title: Repay What You've Received
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Lucas had worked tirelessly.
He'd spent the entire night directing the Azure Dragon Clan to restore order while racing around London himself without a moment's rest.
Thanks to his tireless efforts, most of the chaos in London had been brought under control.
Of course, fear and panic still rippled through the populace, but aside from the psychological toll, they had at least weathered the immediate crisis.
That was why Lucas had come striding boldly to see Rose early that morning.
Yesterday, with London in turmoil and Rose's resolve so unyielding, he'd backed off. But today, he was determined to persuade her.
The rest of the clan supported him wholeheartedly.
What Carl had done was enough to make the Azure Dragon Clan willingly brace for war.
But at this very moment...
Lucas found himself forgetting every ounce of his resolve and determination.
"I even offered rights to the North Sea oil fields, but he turned it down."
"Pardon? North Sea oil...? He refused?"
"I recalled the Gold Dragon Clan's maxim—'If money won't do it, throw even more money at it'—but he didn't seem the type to be swayed by cash."
"M-More money than the North Sea fields...?"
"That's why I'd like your advice, Lady Rose. Any ideas on how to win him over?"
"Ah, well, um..."
Lucas hesitated for a moment, watching Rose's earnest face as she sincerely sought his input, just as always.
He took a deep breath.
Then, to clear his jumbled thoughts, he forced a calm tone as he asked,
"In short, you want to hire someone as the exclusive musician for the earl's family?"
"No. Not for the earl's family—for me personally."
'Is there a difference...?'
Swallowing his rising questions, Lucas posed a few more clarifications until he finally grasped the point.
His revered princess was willing to spend a fortune to recruit a single musician.
The musician had scoffed and refused.
Yet Rose hadn't given up; she was pondering ways to secure him, even if it cost her a king's ransom.
'...???,'
That was why.
Once Lucas understood the situation, he only grew more bewildered.
Rose, one of the world's richest, lived frugally—donating nearly everything beyond the bare minimum needed to maintain her dignity.
And now she was offering oil fields to hire one musician?
In times like these, no less?
If he'd heard it from someone else, he wouldn't have believed it.
No, honestly, he was still half-convinced he'd misheard.
But that bewilderment didn't last.
Despite yesterday's events, her face—which had looked so worn these past few days—was fresh and clear again.
If anything, she seemed strangely vibrant.
Seeing Rose like that, Lucas steadied his shaken heart.
'Lady Rose must have her reasons.'
Unlike the other headstrong princesses, everything she did had to have a crucial purpose.
Judging coolly, Lucas focused to meet his revered princess's expectations.
"Well, for someone unmoved by money, the standard approach is to offer something he needs besides cash."
"Sadly, I've already tried that."
"And that insolent fool still rejected your offer, Lady Rose?"
Lucas bristled unwittingly.
Then froze.
"Retract that."
"Pardon?"
"He's not insolent. Our interests simply aligned such that I couldn't use what he needed as a bargaining chip."
"I-Is that so...? Then it was my misunderstanding."
"Good, as long as you understand."
Normally, he'd have brushed it off with a wry smile.
But momentarily flustered by Rose's icy expression—utterly devoid of humor, laced with psychokinetic chill—Lucas felt an inexplicable dread and blurted out,
"Ahem! How about an emotional approach instead of material?"
"You mean winning his favor?"
"Yes. People indifferent to money often act based on personal bonds or sentiment."
"That's a fair point."
Rose nodded seriously, the chill forgotten.
Her earnest face turned to him.
"So, what methods would you recommend to earn that favor?"
"It varies by person, but the most straightforward is frequent meetings—showing goodwill first to build rapport."
"Indeed. And?"
"For quicker results, gifting something he'd like."
"What if that fails?"
"...If he's picky, befriend those around him first."
"Any other ideas?"
"Hm... Subtle thoughtfulness, helping in tough times, showing your best side...?"
"Anything else?"
"..."
His initial joy at advising Rose faded quickly.
Bombarded by endless questions no matter how he answered, Lucas began to sweat coldly.
Even as an elite of the Azure Dragon Clan, he didn't know hundreds of ways to win favor.
Yet with his revered princess gazing at him expectantly, he couldn't just say he'd run out of ideas.
In the end, he wracked his brain desperately.
"Otherwise... Treat him to a meal...? Or the honey trap?"
"Honey trap, you say?"
"Handsome men or beauties easily spark affection. Introducing them could build ties."
"I see."
Rose nodded admiringly, as if it were a brilliant idea.
Relieved she'd finally stopped asking, Lucas added,
"If you'd like, I can scout clan members who might appeal to the musician."
"..."
"...Lady Rose?"
"On second thought, the honey trap feels wrong. I can't sacrifice clan members just to hire one exclusive musician."
"Just an introduction—nothing more. They might even take a liking to him."
"Still, I won't drag the clan into something so impure. If it must be done..."
Ignoring Lucas's bafflement at her abrupt reversal, Rose paused as if struck by a sudden thought.
She pondered deeply, then turned to him.
"Sir Lucas, am I a beauty?"
"...What did you say?"
"I'm asking to confirm if my looks would appeal to a man."
"Of course. Who else but you could claim the title of beauty in this world?"
Flustered but sincere, Lucas replied from the heart.
It wasn't mere flattery for his revered princess; Rose was the acknowledged beauty representing the British Empire.
News magazines featuring her outsold fashion glossies of popular models.
"Is that so..."
For some reason, she nodded gravely, as if it were a matter of utmost importance.
As Lucas gazed at her in bewilderment...
He suddenly remembered his original purpose and cleared his throat.
"Lady Rose, more importantly, what are your plans for Count Carl?"
"Plans for what?"
"...I'm asking about measures for the atrocity he committed yesterday."
"Ah, that."
"..."
It had been just last night, a massive uproar.
Yet Rose nodded as if only just recalling it, having completely forgotten.
A faint smile played on her lips.
"I already have something in mind for Count Carl."
"You've decided?"
"Yes."
Rose nodded.
Recalling her conversation with the man who'd lent her his shoulder all night—and the plan they'd devised together—she continued softly,
"This morning's consultation with a certain someone finally solidified my resolve."
"You mean...!"
Flames ignited in Lucas's eyes upon hearing her.
He and the entire Azure Dragon Clan stood ready—at her word—to wage total war on the Makers Guild, fearless of death.
Every executive, guild member, anyone even tangentially linked—they'd execute every last one without mercy.
"First, we'll give them a taste of their own medicine."
"Understood! I'll summon all knight orders at once and shove it down that old bastard's... Pardon?"
Lucas replied energetically, then blinked in confusion.
Rose stated calmly,
"They say candy's sweetest just before it knocks out your teeth. So this time, let's yank out every last tooth from that shameless old coot."
"..."
"To that end, Sir Lucas, you'll be working overtime today."
She explained there was much to do to craft a big, tasty treat.
Seeing his perfect princess with her usual earnest expression, Lucas could only let his jaw drop to the floor.
"...Kid, are you in your right mind?"
"More than you, old hag."
"Doubtful. I'm starting to seriously question that now."
"Suspecting nonsense is an early sign of dementia, old hag—didn't you know?"
[Hey, Team Leader? Objectively speaking, the one sounding most demented here is you?]
Syr, perched on her shoulder, and Yuna Kyung stared at him like he'd lost his marbles.
But Rimon didn't care.
He just stated flatly,
"Don't doubt it—accept it. This is the most logical conclusion."
[How do you 'logically' deduce something so absurd?]
"I reviewed the key points using the Azure Dragon Clan's intel from yesterday. Half was just my gut, though."
[...No matter how I think about it, it still makes zero sense.]
"Can't ignore it entirely, though."
Yuna Kyung and Syr grudgingly conceded.
Having known Rimon for years, they knew how razor-sharp the Sword Master's instincts were.
"If you're that sure, why not act now?"
"No evidence yet. Rash moves could make things worse."
[Worse how much?]
"Hard to say. World War scale, maybe?"
[That's not 'worse'—that's apocalypse-level!]
While Yuna Kyung recoiled in horror, Syr flashed a sly smile.
"Not the only reason you're holding back—what else?"
"Can't leave London empty-handed after coming all this way. Figured I'd grab a souvenir."
"And the real other reason?"
Syr smirked knowingly.
"Don't ask the obvious, old hag."
"Still no mercy in you, kid."
"Compared to you? Amateur hour."
Rimon snorted; Syr chuckled briefly.
Then she asked point-blank,
"So, what next for this poor slave to feed that punk some candy?"
"What else? Prep what you do best, old hag."
"...You're serious?"
"Dead serious."
"Heh heh. This'll be fun—been too long."
"Enjoy yourself. I give permission."
Syr's sultry laugh brimmed with anticipation; Rimon's smile was ice-cold.
Yuna Kyung could only pray for the soul of their target, faced with these two ominous old monsters.
"Oh, and before that—one thing for you to check, old hag..."