Chapter 344
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 344
Chapter Title: Special Measures
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The Blue Dragon Clan was righteous.
The Black Dragon Clan excelled at schemes.
The Green Dragon Clan was thorough in grudges and favors.
Just like that, each of the Seven Dragon Society's seven clans generally inherited traits from their ancestors.
In that sense, the Red Dragon Clan was passionately fiery, strongly pursuing power and conflict.
But one mustn't forget.
Flames can sometimes flicker out pathetically in a sudden shower or sway in a gentle breeze.
In other words, among the Red Dragon Clan, there were those who burned quietly like embers rather than roaring infernos, or poured their passion into unexpected places.
Like collecting men obsessively.
And hiding it so tightly out of shame when discovered.
Of course, that's nothing surprising. Tastes vary in the world, and plenty of people hide theirs.
...If only it weren't the story of the Red Dragon Princess, Hasneti.
[So, when that team... no, the one you like, came here before, you were startled, worried he'd find out about this place?]
Nod.
[You dragged him out in a rush, but acted too forcefully and think you ended up disliked?]
Anxious nod.
[Even though you heard he was disappointed at not seeing his 'sister' for so long and started visiting often, his reactions are oddly curt because of that?]
Energetic nod.
[So you want to apologize, but lack the silver tongue and confidence, and are looking for a good way...?]
Nod nod.
[......]
Still a cold expression.
Sharp, chilling gaze.
Wrinkle-free military uniform.
Her appearance screamed heartless soldier and ruthless tyrant.
Yet Yuna Kyung stared in stunned awe at Hasneti earnestly seeking love advice with that serious face.
'...Isn't this straight-up false advertising?'
She was somewhat used to princesses like Li Chingwei, who hid sweet cores beneath tough exteriors.
But even for Yuna Kyung, Hasneti's true nature was mind-blowing.
Who'd have thought this intimidating princess's reticence stemmed not from stoicism, but sheer lack of eloquence and overflowing shyness.
She even consulted clever birds because dealing with people felt burdensome.
It was hard to believe even seeing it.
But what could she do?
That subtly averted gaze, as if even eye contact was too much.
No matter how you sliced it, she was a shy girl incarnate.
"Are the questions done?"
[Uh, for now?]
"Then counsel me now."
Yuna Kyung sweated coldly under Hasneti's gaze—cold on the surface, but brimming with hot anticipation.
'No, what answer do you expect asking a lifelong singleton like me?'
Back as a human, she'd have laughed it off, begged Rimon for drinks, and gotten plastered.
But as a 0-year-old chick facing this? Absurd.
She scratched her head with her beak.
[Look, I don't think I can give good advice? You should find another counselor.]
"Do it anyway."
[Even if you say that...]
"Do it."
[Ah, I can't!]
Yuna Kyung finally yelled.
Hasneti fell silent, then asked.
"...Really can't?"
[Of course not! You came to the wrong bird from the start!]
"Is that so...?"
'Ugh, my conscience...'
Where was the general demanding infallible strategies on the battlefield?
Hasneti hung her head, openly sulking. Yuna Kyung averted her eyes guiltily.
She'd just spoken her mind.
Yet it felt like scolding a pet begging for food.
But she couldn't actually counsel.
Ignoring her conscience, Yuna Kyung dodged Hasneti's eyes.
"Regrettable."
[I'm regretful too that I can't counsel...]
"Thought I'd found a good Horus, but now I have to burn you myself again."
[...Pardon?]
Yuna Kyung froze mid-consolation.
She asked hesitantly.
[W-what did you just say?]
"Said I'd burn you."
[Burn... you mean kill me???]
Nod.
[Why?!?!]
Too shocked for thought, Yuna Kyung gaped belatedly in horror. Hasneti sulked.
"To silence you."
Like Hasneti now.
Red Dragon Clansmen trained in the Hundred Beasts Intent Form Style could converse with animals.
Spare Yuna Kyung, and her secret might leak anytime, dooming Hasneti to shamefully avoid her clan forever.
Non-cooperation meant silencing for secrecy's sake.
Yuna Kyung goggled at the earnest Hasneti.
[To hide your crush on soldier sis, you'll roast me whole!?]
"Yes."
[Th-th-that, does that even make sense? You're embarrassed about your crush getting out, yet you'll burn a young, cute bird like me to silence?!]
"Why not?"
[Well...!]
Hasneti stared straight at the gaping Yuna Kyung and murmured.
"No different from burning a person."
That instant.
Yuna Kyung froze solid.
No flush now, like before was fake.
Hasneti's face chilled to ice.
Her blood-red eyes bored unyieldingly.
Yuna Kyung realized.
Hasneti wasn't threatening.
She genuinely regretted it, but meant to burn her anyway.
A suspicion dawned.
[Um, soldier sis? I heard you like birds... is that why...?]
"Burning people is a hassle, but no one cares about a few birds."
[...!]
She'd secretly collected Rimon's memorabilia thanks to past Horuses' sacrifices.
Yuna Kyung swallowed dryly at Hasneti's gravelly voice.
Her massive misconception shattered.
Eloquence lacking or shyness abundant.
Pining for first love 10 years.
Hasneti's flaws surfaced only with romance... no, Rimon involved.
Otherwise, she was the tyrant who'd burned thousands on battlefields without blinking.
And now, Yuna Kyung was marked for silencing.
"No more words...?"
[I do!]
"What?"
[Counsel! I can do it!]
"...Didn't you say wrong bird?"
[That was humility! Ever hear of three visits to the thatched cottage? Talented birds hide their talents!]
Hasneti paused her rising hand.
Gazed intently a moment.
Lowered it slowly, asked seriously.
"Got a good way?"
[Of course! I'm an expert on romance!]
Total lie—lifelong singleton across lives.
Barely held men's hands beyond geezer mentors or kid siblings.
But Yuna Kyung boasted boldly.
Any hesitation, and who knew what'd happen.
"...What way?"
Bluff worked, luckily.
Hasneti perked ears, leaned close—not missing a word—demanding the secret plan.
'Screw it!'
Not fully committed, but dead birds give no advice.
Yuna Kyung shut her eyes, resolved to counsel Hasneti's love life.
One issue.
Could she give proper advice...?
'It'll work out! I've seen tons of shojo manga and dramas!'
[Well, that good way is...]
"...Pharaoh, got a party today or something?"
"No."
"Then what's with the outfit?"
Golden staff in hand.
Dragon-ornamented crown.
Dress highlighting tan skin.
Jewelry veiling flesh over sparse cloth.
Ditching her uniform for sultry, traditional pharaoh garb, Hasneti broke a brief silence.
"...Don't worry about it."
"Well, if the Pharaoh says so..."
Rimon shrugged awkwardly but resumed sculpting, ignoring her.
Thus abandoned, she stared wistfully, grabbed the finished sculpture, and left lonely.
Then got chewed out by Yuna Kyung.
[No, I said wear pretty clothes, not Pharaoh cosplay!]
"Not cosplay. Real."
[Anyway, where's the pretty in that...? It looks good, sure! But wrong vibe!]
Why were all Seven Dragon Society princesses knockout beauties acing ancient traditional wear?
Yuna Kyung swallowed resentment, as Hasneti asked gravely.
"Vibe matters?"
[Huge!]
"How to fix?"
[Boost the vibe, obviously!]
"How?"
[Well...]
Next day.
Hasneti visited Rimon again, launching Plan B.
Clap.
"Brought a gift today."
Right after Hasneti's clap.
Slaves hauled in booze—tons.
Per Yuna Kyung's advice: alcohol best for amorous vibes. Raided royal stores for top-shelf liquors.
Including Green Dragon Clan's poison brew that'd inebriate Sword Masters.
Any excuse to ply it, spark good mood...
"Got booze? Pass."
"...Why?"
"Why? Do I look like a teen drinking age? Already buried in sculptures."
"......"
Actual age aside, teen-boy looks. Hasneti fell silent.
Call out age, risk identity slip in confession.
Dismiss sculptures, lose excuse to keep him—and she coveted them fiercely.
Stuck, Hasneti froze.
"Still, thanks for thinking of me."
"......"
Rimon flashed a bright smile.
Infinitely better than uneatable gold lumps.
But then.
He tilted his head.
Hasneti, seeing his smile, suddenly covered her face with one hand.
Like hiding it.
"Pharaoh, you okay?"
"...Don't misunderstand. Not a gift for you."
"Weren't you just saying it was for me?"
"For public show."
"Showing off giving me booze? For what?"
"......"
"Hey, Pharaoh? Explain before you go!"
Rimon called bewildered from behind.
Hasneti didn't turn.
Too busy hiding her blush.
Heard thanks, saw that smile—mission success.
Thrilled beyond expectations, Hasneti strode off like a triumphant general.
[Ahem, ahem, so that's what happened?]
Moments later.
Hearing the report, Yuna Kyung nodded, then grinned slyly.
[Soldier sis, total noob, huh?]
"What?"
[No, I said booze to boost vibe, not dump as gift outta nowhere! Even dramas don't hit on like that anymore!]
"......He said thanks anyway."
[Polite nothin'! And even hearing that, you should've built the mood—why bail?!]
"......"
[Argh, so frustrating!]
Yuna Kyung thumped her chest with wings.
Opponent being who he was, she'd half-assed it at best, no real intent to seriously advise.
But Hasneti's fumbling was unbearable.
Thus.
She clenched her wings.
[Fine! Time for special measures!]
...Forgetting why she'd come here to counsel Hasneti's love life.
The 0-year romance rookie chick huddled with Hasneti, plotting the ultimate Rimon seduction scheme.