Chapter 51
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 51
Chapter Title: Isn't Being a Pillar Husband Too Much?
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"……."
Rimon fell silent for a moment.
It wasn't just because of Li Chingwei's words, boasting about her own cunning as if it were something to be proud of.
After all, she was the Black Dragon Princess.
For the Black Dragon Clan, skilled in schemes and plots, with assassination and intrigue as their trade, cunning was nothing to be ashamed of—it was something to flaunt.
Yet the reason Rimon was at a loss for words...
It was the smile on her face.
She claimed that since the elders had tried to sell her off, it was only fair for her to cast them aside in return.
Her fresh, innocent face bore a strangely seductive, lascivious smile as she asserted this as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
'This girl...'
High and noble like a blooming thousand-year flower.
Dazzling like a seven-colored bird with wings spread.
Chillingly beautiful like the first snowflake holding the light of the setting sun.
The moment he saw that smile...
Rimon knew it instinctively.
No, he finally became certain.
Of a fact he'd vaguely sensed since first meeting Li Chingwei.
'She's a vessel of nation-toppling beauty.'
A term coined long ago to describe peerless beauties whose allure alone could bewitch kings and emperors, tilting entire countries.
But Rimon wasn't judging her merely by her looks.
He was assessing her danger.
Just as a supreme beauty could shake a nation...
She was a vessel capable of overturning the world single-handedly.
'I knew she wasn't ordinary when I heard she'd sold off half the Black Dragon Clan to maintain world peace...'
Because she's a princess of the Seven Dragon Society, so it's possible? No need to think highly of her for it?
What nonsense.
Just because it's possible, does everyone circumnavigate the globe?
Just because it's possible, do they casually pull the trigger on war?
Just because it's possible, do they donate their entire fortune?
Those things are certainly possible, but there's a vast difference between possibility and actually doing them.
The fact that no previous princess of the Seven Dragon Society had accomplished what Li Chingwei did proves it.
That's the difference in vessels.
It's the power of a great vessel that places no limits on its own potential, accepting anything it deems possible.
And from Rimon's experience, those with such grand vessels never live ordinary lives.
'Born in turbulent times, they'd unify the world; in peaceful eras, they'd ruin a stable nation with ease.'
It's different from a hero's vessel.
Different from a king's vessel.
Whether through beauty, charm, intellect, military prowess, or scholarship—regardless of the path, they wield influence enough to topple countries.
Thus, it's a nation-toppling vessel.
A talent that could be a blessing or a calamity, depending on how it's used.
That's why Rimon felt uneasy.
'...But why is she pouring this incredible vessel entirely into keeping the constellations in check?'
He was certain.
If she hadn't been scheming for world peace, she could have easily seized control of the Seven Dragon Society, outshining the other princesses.
Yet she was wasting that immense talent just to win him over.
It was a colossal squandering of potential.
'Why does she trust me so much?'
Li Chingwei had even dug up the elders' weaknesses.
But she hadn't tried to find a single flaw in Rimon, the one she should suspect most.
On the contrary, she'd handed over her remaining clan assets and fully supported his goal of devouring the entire Seven Dragon Society.
What on earth was she thinking?
He couldn't help but wonder.
"More importantly, how much did you see?"
"Huh? Of what?"
"The constellations' intentions."
Rimon gave her a strange look at Li Chingwei's question.
It was perfectly timed, as if she'd read his mind.
Despite his unease, he answered honestly.
"Not everything."
If he could have captured and interrogated it, maybe.
But with its deep grudge and swift escape, Rimon regretted not having the chance to torture the snake.
He couldn't even be sure if it was acting on personal orders or the constellations' collective will.
"But I have two certainties at least."
"Which are?"
"One is that if things continue like this, players will definitely prosper."
"And the other?"
"...Player prosperity doesn't necessarily mean humanity's prosperity."
Rimon recalled Park Hyeon-gun, whose body had been taken by the snake that devoured him, his soul even eroded.
If that was the price of contracting with a constellation?
It just wasn't ripe yet.
If every player eventually met that end?
No matter how much glory and wealth they enjoyed, advancing the world...
There'd be no place for humanity.
Only constellations in human guise, and livestock raised in human form to serve as their vessels.
"That's a relief."
"What is?"
"That the Sword Duke senses the need to change the world too."
"...I've been prepared for that."
"But not with this level of conviction, right?"
She'd hit the nail on the head.
After a brief silence, Rimon reluctantly spoke.
"I haven't decided to fight the constellations yet. I don't even have confidence in winning 'now.'"
Rimon wasn't arrogant enough to let hubris cloud his judgment.
Even a non-lord snake had wielded power surpassing Lee Cheongi.
What if a lord-level constellation stepped in?
Or if he had to face thousands or tens of thousands at once?
He had no intention of losing easily, but he couldn't guarantee victory.
Especially in this Iron Age, where the world revolved around players, making allies to fight the constellations alongside him nearly impossible.
"That's enough."
But Li Chingwei didn't seem disappointed by his answer.
She just smiled faintly.
"If the Sword Duke resolves to fight, it's my job as your fiancée to boost those odds."
Whether by blackmailing the elders...
Or offering up the Seven Dragon Society...
She beamed, insisting supporting him was her role.
Rimon gazed at her with a peculiar expression for a moment before chuckling and nodding.
"Well, since you're going that far, I guess I can drop the 'nominal' from nominal groom."
"It'd be even better if you let me skip 'fiancée' and call you my husband."
"Oh? Why not get a seal stamped while we're at it?"
Rimon asked incredulously.
Li Chingwei took it in stride with a grin.
"I'd be grateful if you did."
"...Forget it. I shouldn't have said anything."
He eyed her like a thief trying to snag goods without paying.
Then he shook his head.
If he joked back with "Sure, let's do it," he'd end up with a marriage certificate and his seal stamped before he knew it.
She was one fiancée he couldn't let his guard down around.
Which made her all the more reliable.
'Hmm. At least I can trust her with the wedding preparations.'
Anyone else, and he'd worry.
The Black Dragon Clan's schemers wouldn't obey just because their weaknesses were exposed.
But if Li Chingwei held those weaknesses?
Surprisingly, he had zero concerns.
If she could make even him wave the white flag, a few elders were no match. He'd pity them instead.
"So what do I need to do?"
That's why Rimon could ask so casually.
If she had no plan, sure.
But with preparations and plans already in place, he figured he'd just lend a light hand.
Until her answer, that is.
"Nothing at all."
"...What?"
"Well, precisely, I'd prefer you do nothing."
Li Chingwei repeated it with a beaming smile.
Rimon stared at her blankly for a moment.
Glancing at the sky, the ground, then back at her, realizing he'd heard right, he asked uneasily.
"So, you want me to just sit around twiddling my thumbs while you convince the elders?"
"As expected of your keen insight."
"Spare me the empty praise that'd thrill a three-year-old or a dementia patient. I'd rather hear why I shouldn't step in."
Rimon asked uneasily.
Not to brag, but he was a Sword Master.
An untouchable absolute, a strategic human weapon whose mere existence was a threat.
To those unfamiliar with modern ways, like the Seven Dragon Society elders who knew his power well, even a single word from him could sway them greatly.
So why request not his help, but his inaction?
Li Chingwei's answer was simple.
"Because the Sword Duke has no interest in plotting schemes or intrigues."
"You're assuming intrigue is involved first off?!"
"It's the Black Dragon Clan's way."
The goal in convincing the elders was to gain approval for her marriage to Rimon.
Then rally the clan's support behind the elders to lay the foundation for dominating the Seven Dragon Society.
Having Rimon step in wasn't ideal.
Threats through force might work short-term but breed greater resentment.
What about blackmailing with weaknesses?
Surprisingly, that was fine!
No, it was something to admire!
The Black Dragon Clan, proud of their plots and schemes, viewed cunning blackmail as legitimate strategy. Being caught was the shame.
'This damn Black Dragon Clan...'
True to dragon descendants, Rimon stuck out his tongue at the Seven Dragon Society's transcendent pursuit of profit.
Li Chingwei spoke calmly to him.
"If you insist on stepping in, I won't stop you, but you hate flaunting power when it's unnecessary, right?"
"...Don't you know me too well?"
"I'm your fiancée."
"Add 'fiancée,' fiancée."
He nitpicked her beaming self but didn't deny the point.
He never hesitated to draw his sword when needed, but wouldn't if it wasn't.
By his own principles, this was clearly the latter.
He'd only wanted to help as her groom; if she could handle it alone, he had no desire to show off.
Plus, Rimon could guess what she hadn't explained.
'It's about control, huh?'
He was entering as a son-in-law.
Snagging Hotel Leviathan shares as dowry wasn't enough—he'd be seen as dominating the marriage too?
From an outsider's view, it might look like he was coercing her into it.
Thus, her leading the elders' persuasion was unexpectedly crucial.
It proved she supported the marriage herself.
"Above all, I already promised you."
"Huh? Promised what?"
Nodding to himself as he pieced it together, Rimon looked puzzled.
Li Chingwei smiled faintly at him.
"That if you just marry me, you can do nothing and live carefree."
"...Were you serious about that?"
"Of course I was."
Her marriage condition was no chores, yet asking for help before the wedding? Contract breach!
Rimon gave a subtle look at her innocent claim.
"I appreciate the consideration, but if I do as you say, I'll just be a pillar husband mooching off my wife's wealth and idling away."
"Is that a problem?"
"You really plan to turn me into a pillar husband?!"
"You're the secret weapon to check the constellations. You don't use an ace card lightly."
"That's not wrong, but..."
Rimon's expression grew subtle.
Strategically, keeping a human weapon like him in reserve made sense.
But marrying a much younger girl and living as a kept man? Was that okay on a human level?
To the uneasy Rimon, Li Chingwei said innocently.
"Besides, you're facing treason charges in this country right now. Better to avoid public activity."
"Ah, no need to worry about that."
"Pardon?"
"It'll be resolved soon."
"...???"
Question marks floated over Li Chingwei's head.
This wasn't just a false accusation; Rimon had captured the president and broadcast a flashy hostage crisis.
Even she, adept at plots, thought this was impossible to hush up.
Yet it would be resolved?
She couldn't help but wonder.
But her doubts didn't last.
"Hmm... So you'll be free to act publicly again?"
"At least no one will come to arrest me."
A vague, baseless reply.
Yet Li Chingwei didn't press further.
Trusting that if Rimon said so, it would happen, she pondered briefly before smiling faintly.
"Then I might have to ask for your help after all, Sword Duke."