Chapter 310
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 310
Chapter Title: We're Screwed
-----------------------------------------------------------------
"Excellent work, Princess."
"I want to know if Tata thinks so too."
"Of course."
Tata nodded.
She then gazed in admiration at Ainsha, who had gulped down Crembo—still munching away.
"Not only did you stand up to the Gold Dragon Princess, but you boldly confronted the Silver Dragon Princess as well. Tata is truly impressed."
"Naturally. I'm a princess too. No reason to back down."
As if it were no big deal.
Ainsha replied with a blank expression.
...Though her puffed-out chest and upturned nose betrayed her triumphant mood.
Tata chose not to point it out.
What Ainsha had shown today was that impressive.
Teased by Yekateriche.
Tricked by Li Chingwei into handing over money.
Receiving help from Rose, sneered at by Maya, outright ignored by Hasneti.
Recalling the humiliations from past Seven Dragon Society meetings made the difference feel like night and day—enough to bring tears of emotion.
But as her close aide, Tata had to remain rational, advising the princess with candid words.
Even amid the感動, she asked coolly.
"But Princess, are you sure this is wise?"
"I'm not hungry anymore."
"...Of course, you skipped breakfast entirely, so filling your stomach is important. But I meant your decision to side with the Black Dragon Princess."
Ainsha froze mid-sip of her milk tea.
Tata offered serious counsel.
"In Tata's view, purely by terms, supporting the Gold Dragon Princess would have been better."
"......"
If Ainsha backed Charlotte now, she could secure a majority stake and make Rimon her consort.
Given Charlotte's honorable nature, she wouldn't deny Ainsha a chance.
"Of course, claiming the seat beside the Sword Duke would be harder, but conversely, winning his heart might have been easier."
"......"
Besides, Charlotte, Hasneti, and Yekateriche were only after Rimon's psyonic power for now.
They weren't the type to compete fiercely for his affection, making them easier opponents in that regard.
"So, may I ask why you chose the Black Dragon Princess?"
Whether as her sole family.
As the nanny who raised her.
Or as her loyal aide.
Tata had advised her after considering everything.
Ainsha stared at her blankly for a moment before replying curtly.
"Tata doesn't need to know."
Caught off guard by the unexpected response, Tata's eyes widened briefly.
Then she pressed on.
"So there is a reason, then?"
"Yes."
"Understood. I'll leave it at that."
Though puzzled, if the princess wished it secret, Tata wouldn't pry—as befitting an aide.
She continued calmly, as foretold by her own foresight.
"Still, be cautious, Princess. Now that you've declared opposition, the Gold Dragon Princess won't stay idle."
"Doesn't matter. We have Ri on our side. Li Chingwei too. It's a fight we can't lose."
For brute force, Rimon.
For schemes, Li Chingwei.
Now allies, they could rely on their help.
She'd just provide occasional foresight and ride their coattails.
Watching Ainsha speak bluntly, Tata looked impressed once more.
"To have thought that far ahead... Truly brilliant, Princess."
"Of course. I'm New Ainsha now. Can't compare me to the old—"
"Princess? Why the sudden—?"
Ainsha halted, mid-boast about how this was basic for Rimon's bride.
Tata also fell silent, staring into space instead of asking why.
As if seeing something invisible.
After a moment, the White Dragon Princess and her aide withdrew their gazes, facing each other with blank faces and indescribable eyes.
Riiiing.
[Hello? Ainsha, can you hear me?]
And so.
Their foresight came true.
Though she hadn't answered yet, the smartphone lit up on its own, a cheerful voice ringing out. Ainsha wasn't startled.
She asked flatly what it was about.
"What do you want?"
[Why ask? You've already foreseen why I'm calling.]
"...Confirming. Answer if what happens from now is your doing, Yekateriche."
[Come on, you think I'd do it alone?]
"Lies."
[Lies? It was 'our' doing, so not just me!]
"......"
As if hurt at being called a liar.
Yekateriche spoke cheerfully.
Then giggled.
[So, regretting handing your shares to Li Chingwei yet?]
"No regrets."
[Really? Call me if you do. This big sis will mediate for a hundred kisses...]
Click.
"Hello? Hello~?"
Calling out insistently several times.
Yekateriche, perched on the windowsill, tossed her smartphone to Kana.
"Hanging up on me? Ainsha's grown bold."
"Looks like persuasion failed."
"Well, our Ainsha's stubbornly set in her ways. Might need a good scolding to listen?"
"We'll see."
At Charlotte's words, sipping tea in her chair, Yekateriche tilted her head.
"You think Ainsha will stick with Li Chingwei to the end?"
"Simple stubbornness could be swayed, but Ainsha is of the White Dragon Clan."
"Didn't seem like she foresaw anything specific."
"But doesn't it seem odd she'd decide without any basis?"
"Hmm, fair point. Fair, but..."
Nodding once in agreement.
Yekateriche trailed off, then fixed her gaze on Charlotte.
"Charlotte, I know Ainsha best. So don't pretend to understand her?"
Playful tone.
Smiling mischievously.
Yekateriche said lightly.
"—It makes me want to kill you."
Spout that nonsense again, and alliance or not, she'd end her right there.
Despite eyes brimming with 100% killing intent, mismatched by her smile, Charlotte showed no tension.
She just smiled, amused.
"If you can, try it. That too would be entertaining."
"Hmmm... Really?"
Seeing Charlotte dismiss her warning as mere fun, Yekateriche giggled back—
Boom!
A gale surged.
Their distance vanished.
Yekateriche appeared before Charlotte, frozen mid-thrust at her throat.
As if blocked by an invisible barrier.
Charlotte remained unfazed.
Calmly tilting her teacup from her seat.
Seeing that leisure, Yekateriche's smile deepened.
Frost spread from her hand, blanketing the room white.
In the frozen space, as the silver-haired girl began to move again—
Whoosh!
An explosion of flames erupted around them.
The fiery torrent vanished as suddenly as it appeared.
In their ears rang a husky voice.
Charlotte unmoved in her seat. Yekateriche back on the windowsill.
"Enough with the games."
A red-haired woman, cigarette in mouth, leaning against the wall.
Hasneti eyed them with blood-red eyes, speaking lowly.
"Waste more time on this nonsense, and I'll join in."
Her face cold as steel. Yekateriche narrowed her eyes briefly, then scratched her head.
"Eh, forget it. No fun playing with you, Hasneti."
"Pity. I was enjoying it."
"What can you do? Scary soldier sis says no more pranks."
Against Yekateriche or Charlotte, others might not back down so easily.
But not Hasneti.
She didn't joke, didn't go easy. Fighting her meant someone might die for real.
No point ruining their hard-won alliance over this.
"Anyway, too bad. Wanted to see Ainsha's face right now."
"No need to regret. Keep the pact, and you'll see her anytime."
"True."
Giggling briefly.
Yekateriche asked casually, as if it just occurred.
"Hey Charlotte, we gotta hunt down that Liberation Brigade hard from now on, right?"
"Why ask?"
"No biggie. Just confirming you still okay with me keeping the bounties on the Liberation Brigade I catch."
"Naturally."
"For real?"
Beaming innocently.
Yekateriche said with a bright smile.
"What if I solo them all, snag 51% shares with the bounties, and cut you out to monopolize the Sword Duke?"
Alliance would be pointless then.
Even as she spoke calmly with a smile, Charlotte didn't flinch.
She just chuckled.
"Unnecessary worry. With me here, that's impossible."
"We'll see."
If anyone could gather 51% alone, it'd be her.
So hunt the Liberation Brigade, buy out other clans' shares—go wild.
Watching the haughty Charlotte.
Yekateriche smiled meaningfully.
Hasneti flicked her spent cigarette into ash mid-air, speaking huskily.
"Do what you want, but don't forget: the ones we must watch most are the Sword Duke and Li Chingwei."
"Hahaha! Funny joke. Li Chingwei competing with us?"
"I agree with Yekateriche."
Charlotte slowly turned her gaze.
Beyond the window where Yekateriche sat.
Against the vast sky, Leviathan Hotel towered.
She smirked coldly.
"Li Chingwei won't compete with us—she'll be too busy figuring out how to survive the war ahead."
[...What do you mean, something's happening?]
Right after hanging up on Yekateriche, the white-haired girl flew to Li Chingwei and Rimon.
Ainsha slammed her head on the table blankly, recounting the future she'd seen.
"If things continue, the Holy Alliance and Chinese Federation plunge into chaos. Tiamat and Leviathan go bust. We're screwed."
Stunned by the absurdity, Yuna Kyung blinked blankly for a moment.
She turned to Li Chingwei, who wore a wry smile as if she'd expected it.
[Princess sis? That war you mentioned... it can't be...]
"Yes."
Li Chingwei nodded.
Recalling what Charlotte, Yekateriche, and Hasneti were plotting, she said calmly.
"What starts now isn't a bloody war. It's an economic war fought with money and power."