Chapter 88: Marriage? Robbery!

“Hey, is there any way to save this one’s ‘soul out of body’ state?”

Ever since entering this room, Eveleel had been staring blankly, her eyes lifeless, as if her body had been hollowed out.

For someone with a lovesick mind, just imagining “the person you like getting engaged to someone else” is enough to know how hopeless that feels.

If, in the future, this happened to Chlorel…

Terrifying. But she was the only Royal Princess of this country, so an “Irresistible Engagement” like this shouldn’t happen to her.

“She’s beyond saving. Hilvi will probably just become that stupid Prince’s bride. At least, Eveleel, you can still be their bridesmaid. That’s not so bad.”

“No way!!!”

“She’s alive again.”

The shock therapy worked wonders. Just try putting yourself in her shoes…

Ouch, it really hurts.

I never realized I was this possessive.

“Eveleel, how did things turn out like this? Do you have any idea?”

This was just idle gossip. The reason Hilvi was being targeted was simply because she provided those “luxury goods.”

That she’d managed to drag things out this long without being targeted by the Vichy Royal Family must be thanks to all the effort this Princess put in behind the scenes.

“I… I don’t really know either. The Vichy Royal Family has been short on money because of the war. After convincing Hilvi to ‘donate,’ I also spread plenty of rumors about her being an ‘illegitimate daughter of a rural noble.’ That should have been enough, unless…”

“Unless?”

Su Yao rested his chin in his hand, deep in thought.

The Vichy Royal Family’s financial needs had been met, and “illegitimate daughter of a rural noble” was a pretty good shield.

A country noble from an enemy nation, and an illegitimate daughter at that—stacked with so many Buffs, if someone announced a marriage to her, there would be opposition from the bottom up in their own country, right?

Of course, it’s possible some greedy folks might try to seize Hilvi’s Chamber of Commerce under the guise of marriage, but doing so would leave them with a “political stain” they’d never be rid of.

The nobles who value their own reputations probably wouldn’t dare.

This Royal Princess’s method was nothing short of ingenious.

But even so, the Prince from that enemy kingdom still insisted on getting engaged to Hilvi, even going so far as to use underhanded means.

“Is the Vichy Kingdom really short on money lately?”

Thinking it through, that’s the only explanation. Either they’re planning something big, or the Southern Front is running low on funds—or maybe it’s both?

Wait a minute, could it be that “True Ancestor” is stirring up trouble? Probably not, since the fiancé is that idiotic Prince. Even if the “True Ancestor” did “crave young girls,” he wouldn’t go about snatching Hilvi in such a roundabout way.

So it’s still just that the Vichy Kingdom is short on cash! If you want to get money quickly in this world, nothing beats robbery.

In a sense, marriage is a kind of robbery too…

Her answer was quickly confirmed by Eveleel’s nod. Looks like the Vichy Royal Family’s funds were so tight they couldn’t even care about saving face anymore.

If “donating” was done in secret, then this wedding was daylight robbery.

Sigh, poor Hilvi. She probably didn’t know the saying “an innocent man gets into trouble for his wealth.”

No choice, I’ll just have to help her out this time.

“Eveleel, do you have any way to find Hilvi?”

Hilvi’s status panel had a state called “Mark of Vengeance.” The only person who could have left it was this Princess herself.

Come to think of it, the mark that intelligence peddler left before never appeared on Chlorel’s panel. Strange. Maybe that guy wasn’t an ordinary information broker?

Anyway, back to the topic. Eveleel definitely had “yandere” potential—you could see it just from this “mark.”

Things like “pure and sweet” or “lovesick fool” were just a disguise. The real Eveleel was a twisted yandere with intense possessiveness and a need for control.

Hmm, maybe she’s developed “persecution delusions” too. There can’t possibly be that many conspiracies in this world…

“I do have a way, but… what if she really does want to become my brother’s wife?”

So that’s what she’s worried about? How could such a naive and kind Princess possibly be a “yandere”? Sorry, I really shouldn’t have thought of her that way.

How should I answer her? Maybe just telling her that Hilvi isn’t doing this of her own will would be enough.

But before Su Yao could speak, Chlorel cut in first.

“Are you really just going to sit back and watch the one you love get taken away by someone else? At the very least, shouldn’t you ask Hilvi about her own wishes in person?”

“Besides, if you confess your feelings and get rejected, that’s one thing. But if you give up without even telling her how you feel, that’s just running away!”

Wow, the Royal Princess’s words are harsh, but that’s exactly how it is. She even seems a bit cool…

Sometimes this blunt girl really can say some good things.

Chlorel’s words made the Princess finally resolve herself.

“I… I want to see Hilvi again. Please, help me.”

That’s more like it. Looks like Su Yao didn’t need to reveal his own abilities.

As long as the Princess saw Hilvi’s current state, there was no way she could stay indifferent.

“No problem, right, Chlorel?”

“Hmph, I don’t like you, but I hate that warmongering Prince even more. Besides, there’s no way I’ll hand over my people or her assets to the Vichy Kingdom.”

Mmm, it’s been a while since she’s acted this tsundere. It seems like she and Eveleel are getting along better. That’s worth celebrating.

“Let’s discuss the operation. Eveleel can pinpoint Hilvi’s location, but we can’t be sure about her current state, so let’s be ready for the worst-case scenario.”

Sorry, I told a little lie. I already know all about her state.

“First of all, Hilvi most likely didn’t leave with that idiot Prince of her own will. That much can be confirmed from the fact that she hasn’t returned to the Chamber of Commerce. Also…”

Su Yao used the two Debuffs on Hilvi to subtly guide them into believing that Hilvi had been captured by the man named Valenrian Veshi.

According to plan, Eveleel would bring her and Chlorel to infiltrate wherever Hilvi was being kept. Although this Princess was only around level sixteen, her magical talent was unexpectedly high.

Su Yao just had to demonstrate the Concealment Spell and teach her the incantation, and she mastered it immediately!

Unbelievable! So she’s the real genius?

Of course, just the Concealment Spell wasn’t enough. Su Yao spent another twenty-three thousand DP to purchase two Space Magic Tools that could conceal one’s presence, and a Universal Antidote Potion.

Unlike Chlorel’s Ring, these two Magic Tools were necklaces, and the concealment effect lasted only half as long as her Ring.

As for the antidote, it was of course to cure Hilvi’s “Weakness” state. While the plan was just for Eveleel to meet her beloved, if possible, Su Yao wanted to get Hilvi out as soon as possible.

After all, with magic as a “cheat” in this world, if she was locked up for too long, who knows what could happen.

“If there are no objections, let’s get some rest. We’ll set out at dawn!”

Late at night, as silence filled the dungeon, Eveleel tossed and turned. In a shadowy corner where no one was watching, beneath her dim and dull eyes, the corners of her mouth curled upward ever so slightly…