Chapter 320
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 320
Chapter Title: I Don't Mind, But...
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"Did the meeting go well?"
"Unfortunately, not really."
"...What happened?"
"It seems this country doesn't need our help after all."
A knight clad in splendid armor.
Lucas's face hardened as he listened to Rose's explanation.
She had carefully considered ways to aid this nation without violating neutrality.
Yet they had dared to insult and threaten her.
No matter that she was of the Blue Dragon Clan, it was enough to stir anyone's anger.
"We'll cancel the food aid routed through the UN Volunteer Corps."
"...Hold off on that for now."
"Is there any need?"
"The Sword Duke wouldn't want famine breaking out due to our Seven Dragon Society's disputes."
With that, she left the cleanup to Lucas.
Rose let out a small sigh.
Her conversation with Han Jeongguk had exhausted her that much.
'To make him figure out why their country couldn't grasp world hegemony...'
Rimon had saved this nation at least ten times, by her count alone.
What if he hadn't?
The country might have become a colony of another power long ago, or fragmented like the Zhonghua Federation.
Or even been utterly destroyed.
Yet they credited all achievements to their ancestors while shoving every blame onto Rimon.
It was absurd.
They had tried to discard Rimon, Humanity's Guardian Deity, for petty reasons.
But when facing her, a princess of the Seven Dragon Society, they froze at a mere light warning just because she had money and power.
'It's astonishing that someone like him is head of state.'
Of course, compared to the Crown Prince of the Great British Empire—who had become a specter of the Liberation Brigade—he was somewhat better.
But that was only relative.
By Rose's standards, asking if Han Jeongguk had the capacity to lead a nation made her frown in a way uncharacteristic of her.
Incompetent rulers could sometimes be more harmful than capable tyrants.
And he didn't even seem particularly virtuous.
So how had someone like him become president? Because he was a high-level player with an innate skill?
Or because the nation's people shared his mindset?
Or both?
Either way, it didn't matter.
Holding the people accountable for Han Jeongguk's rudeness just because he was president would be too harsh.
...Yes.
Too harsh.
Harsh as it was...
Still, she couldn't shake her frustration.
No matter how incompetent Han Jeongguk was.
No matter the influence of the World Peace Plan.
If Rimon had received even minimal respect here, they wouldn't have dared treat him like this.
That obvious truth grated on her heart, beyond logic or reason.
Even when everyone turned their backs during the London incident, she hadn't abandoned the citizens. That was why she now readily gave up on helping this nation.
Why help a country even the Sword Duke had forsaken?
She couldn't find a reason.
'Part of me wants to slap on some economic sanctions too...'
She suppressed the impulse that rose unbidden.
She was neutral now.
She couldn't impose sanctions, nor aid in lifting them.
'Neutrality is harder than I thought.'
She sighed once more at the exhaustion of watching over everyone without taking sides.
Rose steeled herself.
She had prepared for this since declaring neutrality at the Seven Dragon Society.
Above all, she was the princess of the Blue Dragon Clan—more just and stubborn than anyone, never yielding on what she believed right.
Bzzz.
"...?"
It was right then.
A call came in.
Puzzled by the caller ID, Rose answered anyway.
"Li Chingwei, what's up so suddenly..."
[Y-Countess. How have you been?]
"...Sword Duke?"
[Sorry if you were hoping for our princess's voice. I borrowed her phone since I have business with you.]
Stunned by the unexpected voice for a moment.
Rose composed herself and asked calmly.
"You said you have business with me?"
[I heard you visited the Blue House. Must've been upsetting. You okay?]
"...Why assume it would be upsetting?"
[They only call people there if they need a favor or want to pressure a guest.]
"Useful info. Thank you."
Info she'd have preferred before accepting the invitation.
A wry smile flickered briefly.
Rose spoke evenly.
"Then, the real business."
[Hm... Straight to it: I need a favor from you.]
"If it's about shares, regrettably..."
[No worries. Not asking you to side with our princess or sell shares.]
"Then what?"
Rose was puzzled.
She couldn't imagine what else Rimon might ask of her.
Even so, she resolved:
To refuse, no matter what.
Even a trivial favor would violate neutrality.
[It's nothing big.]
But the moment she heard Rimon's request.
Rose forgot her resolve entirely, freezing like stone.
[Countess, wanna go on a date with me?]
Her expression complicated for a moment.
Rose took a deep breath.
Then, facing Rimon across from her, she asked steadily.
"You're saying you're going to Africa yourself to resolve these economic sanctions?"
"Yeah."
"And you want me to come along?"
"Pretty much."
The reception room of Hotel Leviathan, where she'd rushed after that shocking call.
Recalling his in-person explanation, Rose sighed unwittingly.
It wasn't just relief—or disappointment—that his "date" wasn't literal.
She felt troubled instead.
"That's a difficult request."
"I get your position. I know it's pushing it."
Rimon shrugged.
Agreeing to it could even be seen as taking his side, to some extent.
So Rose asked, puzzled.
"Yet you think I'll agree?"
"Yep."
"...Why so certain?"
"Because whether you come or not, I'm going anyway."
"..."
His task was set; she just had to choose.
Facing his certainty, Rose was at a loss for words.
She understood his situation.
To lift the sanctions ASAP, crafting the Cauldron of Dagda was essential, not optional.
But saying it outright...
To Rose, now more conflicted, Rimon asked with a mischievous grin.
"So, gonna try stopping me?"
"You know I can't."
"True. That'd violate your neutrality too."
Rimon chuckled.
Rose had one way to stop him:
Tell Hasneti first.
But that would mean siding with Hasneti against him, unusable.
Her options boiled down to two:
Let him go.
Or join him.
"You sure you're okay with this, Countess? If I go alone and get caught, it'll spark war."
"..."
"But if a certain neutral princess is there to intervene, we might avoid it."
He teased: she'd declared neutrality to prevent Seven Dragon Society civil war—would she just watch one unfold?
Silent before his sly smile, Rose finally sighed.
"You win."
"Oh, you'll come?"
"I have no choice anyway."
Rose smiled wryly.
Had she hung up immediately, maybe.
But hearing details locked her in.
"Sorry, Countess. Old folks like me get anxious traveling far without a guardian."
Seeming apologetic.
She even laughed unwittingly at his shameless "elderly" excuse.
Then Rose turned serious.
"One condition."
"What?"
"First, promise no one from your clan accompanies or deploys to Africa besides the Sword Duke."
The more people, the higher the chance of Red Dragon Clan notice.
Only Rimon goes.
No others.
Rose stated firmly.
"No problem."
"Agreed. Everyone's busy anyway. We lack manpower even if we wanted to."
Li Chingwei and Aynsha, beside her, accepted readily.
They couldn't spare many, hence Rimon going personally.
Searching alone was tough, but they trusted him to manage.
Li Chingwei wore a subtle smile.
"Second, disguise yourself thoroughly so you don't get caught."
"Don't worry."
"Yeah, fake identity's all set. Won't get busted unless you're reckless."
"They won't notice even right in front of them. I guarantee it."
Rimon frowned.
Li Chingwei giggled oddly.
Aynsha deadpanned her assurance.
Puzzled by their reactions, Rose accepted.
She knew Rimon's transformation magic well—from hiring him as a violinist.
With Li Chingwei handling the alias, detection was unlikely barring flashy antics.
"Finally, in Africa, follow my orders in any situation."
"Worried I'll do something conspicuous?"
"Our positions differ."
Rose said earnestly.
Rimon prioritized the Seven-Colored Bird, risking minor issues for it.
But Rose prioritized Seven Dragon Society stability—no risks, however small.
"Follow orders, huh..."
"Doesn't sit well?"
"Nah, I don't mind. Just worried if you'll be okay, Countess."
Worried about what?
Gazing at her puzzled, lovely face and pale skin, Rimon suddenly asked.
"Countess, never been to Africa, right?"
"Not personally, but I know what it's like."
"Yeah? Then no issue."
Rimon smirked at her crisp reply.
Having lived long, he knew the vast gap between "knowing" and reality.
Especially Africa, for a noble princess like her.
But he didn't point it out.
Just extended a hand.
"Looking forward to it, Countess."
"Understood."
"Oh, and if you wanna change those terms, just say."
"...?"
Why did he look at her like a veteran eyeing an eager rookie heading to war—mischievous?
Though puzzled inwardly, Rose took his hand.
...Unaware what her choice might bring.