Chapter 800: The Protagonist’s Love Story (Part 7)
Translator: RaidenTL
Chapter 800: The Protagonist’s Love Story (Part 7)
"Sigh."
Looking at the Pink Bear, who was clearly in high spirits, Marquis Angus could only let out a helpless sigh.
The war between the Empire and the Kingdom was still ongoing, having reached its most grueling stage. Her Majesty the Empress had personally gone to the front lines, leaving the Pink Bear—a high-ranking member of the imperial family—to oversee the rear. This was originally intended to stabilize the situation; after all, the imperial bloodline was currently thinning, and no one else besides the Pink Bear was qualified to hold the fort in Belland.
But with the Empress away and the former Saintess departed on business, who was left to restrain this fun-loving... no, helpful Imperial Great-Uncle?
Naturally, no one.
Although the Empress had left Angus behind with the title of supervisor, this wasn't exactly a matter of state. Was he supposed to knock the Pink Bear unconscious to stop him?
Wait—in a sense, this was a matter of state.
If the Empress ever found out that the Pink Bear was helping her future husband woo another woman, the resulting bloodbath would be unimaginable.
At the thought, Marquis Angus tightened his collar. With his aging, frail body, he doubted he could survive even the aftershocks of that future storm.
Then again... what did that have to do with a plain old man like him?
Imperial Minister? Nonexistent. Right now, he was just an ordinary grandfather concerned about his grandson’s love life.
"I’ve given my warning. I just hope you don't make too much of a scene."
The logic held, but it didn't stop Marquis Angus from continuing his earnest admonitions. Based on his decades of experience navigating the political shark tank, he knew he had to distance himself as much as possible now to avoid getting splattered with blood later.
"Oh, relax. I know where to draw the line."
The Pink Bear waved him off impatiently. "Muen has already set the stage himself. I’m just giving him a little nudge from the shadows. As long as I keep it subtle, who’s going to know it was me?"
"The stage?" Marquis Angus blinked. "What stage?"
"Wait, you don't know?" The Pink Bear chuckled. "I have to say, that grandson of yours is willing to spend a fortune to get the girl. That thing sprang up from the ground in just three days. It’s already caught quite a few eyes."
With a flick of his finger, the Pink Bear sent a newspaper drifting into Marquis Angus’s hands. The Marquis adjusted his monocle and carefully read the headline printed in bold, vibrant font.
"This..."
Half a minute later, Marquis Angus looked up, his face a mask of astonishment.
"The boy is being such a spendthrift, and his father hasn't beaten him to death yet? And Lorne, too—he actually allowed his son to pull this? I recall that aside from two well-hidden estates, he’s nearly sold off everything else, hasn't he?"
"I just got word that Duke Lorne’s two most private estates have also been temporarily mortgaged to the Imperial Bank," the Pink Bear said cryptically. "Most of that money was likely poured into this project."
"..." Marquis Angus nearly choked on a lungful of air.
It was truly bizarre. Back when his grandson was a reckless youth, the Campbell family was wealthy and vast. Now that the boy had supposedly matured, the entire Campbell fortune was shrinking at a visible rate.
He felt a pang of sympathy for his son-in-law. He had the nagging suspicion that before long, Lorne wouldn't even have enough left in his coffers to buy a coffin.
"Alright, alright, don't be angry. We were all young once. Who hasn't done something impulsive for a beautiful girl?"
The Pink Bear patted Angus on the shoulder with mock gravity. "Now do you see why I’m important? Think about it: if Muen puts in all this effort and still fails, how much face would the Campbell family lose?"
"I feel like the probability of failure increases significantly the moment you get involved," Marquis Angus said, rubbing his temples.
"Nonsense!" The Pink Bear turned serious. "I’ve come fully prepared this time. I’m dead serious about making some fun... I mean, helping Muen. I’ve even brought in a professional!"
"Another 'professional'..."
"This one is the real deal, trust me." The Pink Bear clapped his hands. "Come in!"
The meeting room door pushed open, and a breeze swept in, seemingly clearing away some of Marquis Angus’s worries.
The Marquis tilted his monocle to look at the newcomer.
It was a well-dressed middle-aged man with handsome features and a tall, straight posture—a man who would stand out by any standard.
Furthermore, every detail of his appearance, from his bowtie to his cuffs, was meticulously groomed. Not a single flaw could be found, save for a hint of stubble that, combined with his deep, soulful eyes, seemed to promise a story that would make anyone stop and listen in the dead of night.
"Good afternoon, Lord Oranriel, Lord Angus."
The man bowed respectfully. His noble etiquette was flawless, yet Marquis Angus noticed that the buttons on his cuffs lacked any family crest. He was no aristocrat.
"Allow me to introduce him. Famous throughout Belland as an emotional consultant, a man who has rescued countless singles and pining lovers from the depths of despair—the Love Godfather, Mr. Pars Eden."
The Pink Bear enthusiastically recounted the legendary achievements of this "Love Godfather." He even leaned into Angus’s ear to whisper some juicy gossip:
"Word is, this guy was once a hopeless romantic himself. After being dumped by his true love, he had a sudden epiphany and started 'leveling up' like crazy. By now, he’s dated at least several hundred women—noble ladies, wealthy heiresses, even political powerhouses. He sleeps in a different woman's room every night, and he’s still maintaining relationships with dozens of them! He’s ten times the playboy Muen is! And most importantly, he hasn't been hacked to death by a cleaver yet. That alone proves how deep his skills are!"
"Is that so..."
Marquis Angus was speechless. He didn't quite buy everything the Pink Bear was selling.
While the man certainly looked experienced and his list of conquests far exceeded Muen’s, quantity was one thing—could the quality even compare to a single hair on his grandson’s head?
Just look at the people Muen provoked. A single Imperial Empress could turn those noble ladies, heiresses, and political powerhouses into a river of blood. And the others weren't exactly simple characters either.
"Can he really do it?"
"Relax, he definitely can!" The Pink Bear thumped his chest.
"Lord Oranriel overstates my abilities." Pars maintained a calm, humble smile in the face of the praise. "I hardly deserve the title of 'Love Godfather.' I am merely dedicated to bringing the gospel to suffering women. Of course, providing a helping hand to someone else’s romance is also within my professional scope."
"Good, good." The Pink Bear was very pleased. "All the information on the girl is right here. Once the objective is met, I won't be stingy with your reward!"
"I shall do my utmost." Pars bowed slightly.
Supported by noble ladies, heiresses, and even a sixty-year-old political titan, he wasn't actually short on money. However, the chance to strategize for the legendary Muen Campbell—to conquer someone even he couldn't normally reach—certainly piqued his competitive spirit.
Of course, there was another reason he had accepted this task...
"Then I shall begin."
Without further ado, Pars entered work mode, picking up the file on Ariel and flipping through it.
In truth, although the Pink Bear had gone out of his way to collect data on Ariel, her "low-profile" behavior and her habit of leaving few traces meant that much of her history remained a blank—much like how many of Muen’s deeds remained unknown to the public.
But for Pars, even this public trajectory was enough to analyze a great deal.
"Lost her mother at a young age... this woman named Ariel must be incredibly independent and strong. Such women have their own set of principles; it is very difficult for outsiders to truly enter their hearts," Pars noted.
"Exactly." The Pink Bear nodded solemnly.
"Her mother was a maid in a Count’s manor, yet she was abandoned by her biological father. She must despise the nobility and have no faith in love!" Pars frowned slightly, as if sensing a challenge.
"Right!" The Pink Bear clapped. "That girl clearly hates nobles. She usually gnaws on black bread to discipline herself, and she even personally brought her father’s family to ruin. She’s got a spine of iron."
"I see. This is difficult..." After skimming the file, even the Love Godfather sighed. "A woman like this, even by my standards, is on 'Infernal' difficulty. Especially with the labels Young Master Muen carries—son of a Duke, playboy... he’s basically dancing in her 'strike zone' of things she hates. It’s a miracle she hasn't stabbed him just for getting close."
"Then..."
"Fear not. Infernal difficulty does not mean there is no solution. It is the challenge I live for." Pars’s deep eyes sharpened. "I’ve seen through it. This woman named Ariel has a very obvious weakness."
"Oh?"
"She is starved for love. Yes, based on the intelligence, she has lacked the nourishment of love since childhood. Losing her mother young, growing up in solitude, enduring hardships... it is precisely these experiences that have given her a hard shell. It is a self-defense mechanism."
Pars’s tone shifted. "However... the harder the shell, the softer the heart within. If we find a way to break through that shell, Young Master Campbell will surely win her heart!"
"I see... Look at that! Look!" The Pink Bear, cigar in hand, shouted happily at Marquis Angus. "That’s what you call a professional!"
"As I said, it is a minor matter," Pars said, remaining modest. "To me, women are like pearls within oysters. With the right method, one can always make their soft interior shine. Of course, for different types of women, one must project different types of masculine charm. The right medicine for the right ailment—otherwise, it will backfire and cause the woman to snap her shell shut."
"Exactly right!" The Pink Bear slapped his knee. "What a brilliant theory! If I’d had your knowledge back then, would I have been reduced to hiding my erotic books in secret? After this is over, the Godfather must teach me everything he knows. I shall be an eager student."
"You flatter me..."
"I insist..."
"Too kind..."
"Don't be humble..."
"..."
At the side of the long conference table, ignoring the mutual flattery, Marquis Angus finally finished reading the intelligence provided by the Pink Bear.
The report was identical to the one Pars had, but after finishing it, Marquis Angus seemed to notice something. He adjusted his monocle and suddenly asked, "Masculine charm?"
"Hmm?" Pars didn't understand the old Marquis’s question. "What do you mean, Lord Angus? If not masculine charm, then what? Feminine charm?"
"I think if it were feminine charm, the probability of success would be much higher..." Marquis Angus closed the incomplete file and sighed. "I knew this guy was unreliable. When he invited you here, did he fail to mention the most important detail?"
"The most important detail... what?" Pars was puzzled.
"Nothing, it’s just..." Marquis Angus tapped his finger on the photo on the cover of the file. It was a picture taken when she entered St. Maria Academy; Ariel was in her school uniform, looking no different from the other bright, youthful girls around her.
But if one looked closely, they would see that her gaze wasn't focused on the source of the image-recording magic, but on the other beautiful girls in uniform passing by.
That look wasn't exactly lewd, but it certainly wasn't a friendly glance between peers. To describe it... it was like a starving wolf scouting for prey.
"If my information is correct, this girl doesn't like men. She likes women." Marquis Angus said, "In short, as you young people say... she’s into her own kind."
"...Huh?"
The confident expression on Pars’s face froze instantly.
*
The carriage creaked as it rolled along.
Ariel gazed at the scenery outside the window, her eyes occasionally following the beautiful girls passing by on the street. But when the breeze caught the hems of their skirts, letting those lovely scents linger in the sunlight, she suddenly lost interest.
"Where exactly are we going?" Ariel looked impatiently at Muen, who sat across from her.
The breeze also rushed in through the carriage window, but it didn't reveal any "lovely scenery." Ariel rarely wore skirts, especially soft ones like this. Consequently, the moment she sat down, she pressed her skirt down firmly, as if afraid Muen might catch a glimpse of something.
She didn't realize that this action only served to better outline the firm, powerful contours of her thighs. The mysterious space between the hem and her fair skin was even more prone to sparking the imagination.
"Guess," Muen said with a gentlemanly smile.
"I’m not guessing." Ariel curled her lip, having no interest in this kind of "flirtatious" banter. She said directly, "Just tell me!"
"We’ll be there soon." Muen still didn't reveal the destination. Instead, he pulled out a black silk scarf. "A surprise should look like a surprise. Would you mind covering your eyes with this?"
"Blindfold me? What are you planning?" Ariel immediately became guarded. "You’re not planning to take me to some... 'indescribable' place, are you?"
Like a love hotel, a couple’s inn, or a resort with mixed-gender baths...
"I don't know what’s going on in your head, but if I wanted to do something 'indescribable' to you, wouldn't the Duke’s estate have been the perfect place?" Muen’s mouth twitched.
In those three days, if he had really wanted to do something to Ariel, she would have been "broken in" long ago. No matter how powerful a Destined Heroine was, she wouldn't be able to withstand being locked in a dark room and "trained" for three days and nights.
"True." Ariel realized he had a point and nodded. "Fine, I’ll listen to you for once. Let’s see what you’re up to."
"Thank you." Muen stepped forward and tied the black silk scarf around Ariel’s eyes.
As the world went dark, Ariel’s body instinctively tensed up again.
Normally, being blindfolded wouldn't be a serious issue for her. But now, all her power was bound by restrictions. Her body was devoid of strength, making her no different from an ordinary person.
Thus, when the darkness descended, she felt a rare sense of helplessness. It was as if she were drifting in the middle of the ocean, all alone, with nothing around her, waiting to sink.
"Do you need me to hold your hand?"
Until that voice cut through the waves.
"No." Ariel shook her head. "Just let me hold onto your sleeve."
"Alright then."
Ariel felt a familiar scent approach. She reached out, fumbled for a moment, and successfully caught Muen’s sleeve. It felt as if she had finally stepped onto solid ground, and she let out a silent sigh of relief.
"Let’s go."
"Mhm."
Although Ariel said she only needed to hold his sleeve, Muen still reached out to support her as they stepped down from the carriage. Ariel didn't refuse.
"This way." Muen led Ariel forward.
The world was still full of wind, and there was the faint rustle of leaves. They were likely no longer in the bustling city center, but somewhere quite remote.
Ariel followed closely, stepping carefully. Muen also walked slowly, occasionally supporting her arm to help her step over obstacles. Ariel didn't know if she was stepping over a branch or a stone, but she could feel the path becoming smoother and easier to walk, until...
"We’re here."
Muen stopped and helped Ariel remove the silk scarf.
Light flooded back into her world, and Ariel instinctively squinted. It wasn't because the light was suddenly piercing—even with her powers sealed, her physical constitution remained, and she could adapt to this level of brightness in a heartbeat.
What made her eyes glaze over was something else entirely.
It was a massive structure in the shape of a castle, crystal clear and incomparably magnificent. Sunlight refracted through countless layers, emitting a brilliant, jewel-like radiance.
"This is..."
"A Crystal Palace."
Muen gazed at Ariel, with that grand, majestic structure behind him. He said seriously, "I built it specifically for you... a Crystal Palace."