Chapter 382
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 382
Chapter Title: I Cannot Allow It.
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"?"
"A joint venture between Hotel Leviathan and Infinity Guild?"
"...Is that even possible?"
The launch of didn't just shake up the country—it set the entire world abuzz.
Leviathan, affiliated with the Seven Dragon Society.
Infinity, one of the world's top seven guilds.
No one could have imagined these two powers teaming up to form a single corporation.
Even that alone might have been understandable.
Everyone knew about the brutal economic sanctions hitting East Asia and the Middle East lately.
To break through that crisis, it wasn't out of the question for the two sides to join hands out of sheer necessity, like allies in the same boat.
Yet there were two reasons why captured the world's undivided attention.
One was their lightning-fast dominance over an entire nation's food service and distribution industry overnight.
The other was their inexplicable production capacity, with origins no one could trace.
"...Wasn't East Asia in the grips of a severe food shortage because Apophis locked down all the warehouses?"
"It's a miracle there haven't been any starvation deaths yet."
"So where the hell are these guys getting all that food from? They're selling it nonstop like it grows on trees."
"People are dying to know the truth—literally, there are mountains of them lining up for answers."
The food industry was collapsing left and right amid the shortages.
But didn't just fill the gap overnight—they were handing out relief supplies like candy. It was beyond astonishing; it was downright baffling.
Those with access to intelligence networks were even more baffled.
Dig as they might, they couldn't uncover the source of that food.
So the frustrated minds racking their brains eventually landed on a suspicion.
"What if this is all a staged act?"
"A staged act?"
"Think about it. Who else but Apophis could secretly supply that much food?"
"That's ridiculous. Why would Apophis, who started the sanctions, pull a stunt like this now?"
"Why not? It's let Leviathan swallow up the domestic food industry and market whole."
"...You're saying Apophis took a hit on purpose to help another company break in?"
"They're both under the Seven Dragon Group anyway. Who knows what backroom deals went down."
A truly outlandish conspiracy theory.
But shockingly, plenty of people bought into it.
On top of 's unnatural food supply, the Seven Dragon Society had used similar tactics to devour markets when they went legit.
That sent the stock market into another frenzy.
If this was all part of a hostile takeover, a massive stock rebound could follow.
It was the kind of reckless speculation you could only make without knowing why the Seven Dragon Society's economic sanctions began—like jumping into fire with a barrel of oil.
But no one could laugh it off.
Even those in the know couldn't make sense of the situation.
"No connections to Apophis."
"I've checked every angle, but no traces of Red Dragon Clan involvement."
At Quetzalcoatl headquarters.
In the lab of that iconic Brazilian skyscraper, a stunning woman with lush green hair and a strikingly slender figure in a white coat picked up a vial.
Maya listened quietly to her two aides' reports before speaking softly.
"Rimon... that man's up to his old tricks again."
"You think this is the Sword Duke's doing?"
"Weren't you suspecting the Red Dragon Clan of teaming up with the Black Dragon Clan?"
Like sisters, indeed.
Barbara and Arbela wore similarly sour expressions.
They had suspected Red Dragon Clan involvement behind , too.
But Maya merely curled her lips into a cold sneer at their words.
"Does Hasneti strike you as the type to stoop to such petty schemes?"
"Well..."
Barbara looked troubled.
The Red Dragon Princess would sooner start a war than play these duplicitous games.
Especially not after allying with the Gold Dragon Clan.
Still, Arbela pushed back.
"What if the Black Dragon Princess is involved?"
"Not an invalid point."
Whether through blackmail with leverage or sweet temptations,
the Black Dragon Clan excelled at manipulating hearts for their schemes, and Li Chingwei was their princess.
Especially with all the suspicious elements in that recent African war—Li Chingwei's interference wasn't impossible.
Arbela beamed triumphantly at Maya’s agreement, while Barbara scowled in frustration.
Then came the icy rebuttal.
"But if so, why haven't you found traces of the Red Dragon Clan transporting massive amounts of food?"
"...They might've used skills like spatial transfer or item storage."
"Know any players or guilds who could secretly move food for millions without a trace?"
"..."
"It'd be more plausible if not just Hasneti, but even Rose, allied with Li Chingwei."
Arbela bowed her head.
This wasn't a few truckloads.
Only the Blue Dragon Clan, who dominated global logistics, could move dozens of cargo ships' worth undetected.
But the idea of Rose herself breaking neutrality for this? Even Arbela found it absurd.
"So you believe this is the Sword Duke's handiwork?"
"Indeed. No matter how cunning the Black Dragon Clan, they can't create something from nothing."
"Can't the Sword Duke say the same?"
"It would've been true when he was just a lone Sword Master. But now he wields the eighth Dragon Psionic."
Sword Masters were, at their core, swordsmen.
Unrivaled in combat with a blade, but far removed from productivity or versatility.
That was why Rimon had been sidelined as the world knew peace.
But Dragon Synonics were different.
Lacking the broad utility of skills or magic, they brimmed with infinite potential—the power of dragons.
"Remember: that man is beyond our common sense."
"...Yes, Princess."
"Understood."
Barbara and Arbela finally acquiesced to Maya's words.
Having witnessed the miracle that blanketed the entire Amazon, they knew just how absurd Rimon was.
That was why.
Barbara's eyes gleamed as she spoke.
"Then, Princess, why not use this opportunity?"
"Use it how?"
"Fabricate evidence of contact between the Red and Black Dragon Clans, Arbela."
Arbela stared in stunned disbelief at her words.
"Barbara, are you trying to spark a civil war in the Seven Dragon Society?"
"With the Blue Dragon Princess staying neutral, it won't escalate that far. But we could stir trouble among the other clans."
"...True, it's possible."
Arbela grudgingly agreed.
Without experiencing Rimon's Dragon Synonic firsthand, no one would pin it on him outright.
But plant evidence implicating the Red Dragon Clan?
It could destabilize the alliance of Charlotte, Yekaterina, and Hasneti—while tightening scrutiny on Li Chingwei and Einsha.
For the Green Dragon Clan acting independently, it was a golden chance to eliminate rivals at once.
"Hmph. Think such a cheap trick would fool Charlotte?"
But Maya scoffed coldly.
The Gold Dragon Princess was the most flawless among the Seven Dragon Society's princesses.
No improvised plot like this would slip past her, even after years of meticulous preparation.
Especially if Li Chingwei was involved?
Better to bury real evidence than try scheming against the Black Dragon Princess.
It was as foolhardy as flaunting swordplay before a Sword Master.
Worst case, you'd turn not just Charlotte and Li Chingwei, but even neutral Rose against you. The risks were too high.
"If you're going to waste time on useless schemes, put in some overtime instead. Once this research is done... *cough*!"
In that moment.
Maya coughed and dropped the vial.
As Arbela snatched it in panic, Barbara rushed to support her from the other side.
Or tried to.
If Maya hadn't raised her gloved hand to stop her.
"No need for hysterics. It's not a full seizure."
"But Princess..."
Barbara and Arbela couldn't hide their worry.
No blood in the cough, but her pallid face and bluish lips were alarming.
Above all, the silver flower pinned in her hair—its luster nearly gone—filled them with dread.
They remembered how vibrant she was when its shine was pristine. Her current frailty hit harder by contrast.
'As expected...'
'The poison control is slipping.'
It was only natural, really.
Her lifespan shortened from the Monster Lord battle, Maya stayed healthy only thanks to the Dragon Synonic in Rimon's fragment.
But months had passed since he left.
As the Synonic in the fragment depleted, so did her health.
So Arbela bit her lip slightly and ventured,
"Princess, shouldn't we contact the Sword Duke?"
"..."
"You said to call when the flower's Dragon Synonic ran out. Just say the word, and he'll gladly provide a new fragment."
"...And so."
After a moment of silence,
Maya fixed her somber green eyes on Arbela and asked mockingly,
"You're saying I should beg him for a new flower because I don't want to die?"
"Yes."
"Arbela!"
Barbara glared at the bold reply.
But Arbela pressed on, undeterred.
"If you're worried about the Black Dragon Princess exploiting it, I'll beg on my life if needed. Please, just allow it."
"You..."
Barbara could only groan in frustration.
Maya clearly needed a new fragment.
In that sense, Arbela's insistence was the duty of any loyal aide prioritizing their princess.
"I cannot allow it."
"Why not?"
But Maya rejected the plea outright.
And stated coldly,
"I've already declared that making him fall for me will serve as both my revenge and repayment."
"..."
"I cannot accept any more free favors from him—especially not ones born from guilt over our clan's deaths."
Accepting the flower would prove her worth as his bride, after ensnaring his heart.
Until then, no unearned mercy.
The two sisters watched the resolute Maya with conflicted expressions, then quietly closed their eyes and bowed.
"...If that's your will, Princess."
"We'll obey."
As the unforgiving Green Dragon Princess,
And above all, as a woman who sought not mere Dragon Synonic, but one man's heart.
To stand as his equal partner.
Nothing more they could do but silently watch their revered princess pour herself into research, frailty be damned.