Chapter 127 - 54: Happy Cooperation

Chapter 127: Chapter 54: Happy Cooperation

The girl’s answer was without hesitation, leaving no room for negotiation.

Lucian was taken aback for a moment before he reacted. "...For now?"

"Does ’for now’ mean... you’re not considering it at the moment, but might have thoughts of making it public in the future?"

He was as sharp as ever.

Lilia nodded.

She didn’t intend to keep this "technology" hidden permanently. However, if she handed it over now, it would greatly affect her future plans. This was also why she had previously disagreed with Veronica sending the news back to the Royal Capital Magic Academy.

Since she had her own plans, Lucian naturally wouldn’t force the issue.

He was about to stand up and take his leave, planning to use the time to ponder why he felt such a profound sense of familiarity when facing Lilia—one that made his very heart tremble.

But the girl’s next words interrupted his movements. "However, I have no objections to a partnership."

Lucian looked up at her.

That incredibly absurd feeling—as if the two of them had already engaged in countless conversations before this very moment—washed over him once again.

"...How do you propose we partner up?"

"If my guess is correct," Lilia said, meeting his gaze, "you are in urgent need of an achievement right now.

"You aren’t satisfied with the position of Viscount. To achieve your goals, you need to stand at a much higher vantage point.

"And this incident is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for you."

The more Lucian listened, the more solemn his expression became.

He hesitated to speak several times, and the surging thoughts in his mind eventually boiled down to a single question.

How did she know all of this?

Up until a moment ago, he had assumed Lilia’s claim that they had met a long time ago was just a casual joke. But now, whether it was a joke or not, it was clear she possessed an incredibly deep understanding of him.

This realization should have put him on high alert. Yet, for some inexplicable reason, he couldn’t muster the slightest bit of defensiveness.

The conflict between these two mindsets caused a rare look of inner turmoil to appear on his handsome face.

"What’s wrong?" Lilia just had to interject. Her tone was innocent, though she clearly knew the answer. "Did I say something wrong?"

"..."

How wicked.

Lucian lowered his head and chuckled softly. It felt as if he had been caught in the palm of her hand and toyed with at will.

"No, what you said is absolutely correct." The young man rested his arm on the sofa in a completely relaxed posture. "So? This partnership you’re proposing—you can help me achieve a great merit?"

Lilia nodded.

"And the compensation?" Lucian asked. "What kind of compensation do you require?"

"Ovis." The girl said, "Once you sit high enough... I want Light and Ovis to forge a profound alliance, sharing a common destiny and standing united through thick and thin from then on."

Lucian wasn’t surprised by her ambition.

"Why choose me?" he asked. "I am only a Viscount right now. It will likely take a very, very long time for me to climb to the position you desire."

Despite saying this, an inexplicable tension gripped his heart.

Did she... know something?

She understood him so well. Since she understood him so well, did she also know the true identity he had hidden for nearly twenty years?

Lucian’s heart was a turbulent sea, but his face remained calm and collected. "With the same terms, if you sought out the Royal Family descendants of Ovis who are currently vying for the position of Crown Prince, it would undoubtedly be much easier than partnering with me."

As his voice fell, the girl let out another soft chuckle.

"...What are you laughing at?" Lucian furrowed his brows slightly. He didn’t think there was anything wrong with what he had said.

"Nothing. I just think that you really haven’t changed at all."

Lilia thought back to her first loop, the time he had come to find her in the infirmary, and the conversation they had shared. Back then, he was exactly like this—using a wary yet nervous tone to ask her why she had chosen him instead of the much more familiar Caius.

Now, everything had changed.

Yet, it felt as though nothing had changed at all.

Meeting Lucian’s puzzled gaze, Lilia smiled and answered, "Because compared to those Royal Family descendants in Ovis, you are the one I met first.

"In my heart, you are the best candidate for a partnership."

Silence. After a long silence, the corners of Lucian’s lips curled up slightly. "You say those words very smoothly.

"If you don’t mind, could you tell me the truth... what number am I on your list of partners?"

"The first, of course."

Lilia paid no mind to his inexplicably sour remark. Some people appeared on the surface to be clear-headed individuals immune to mind games, yet the affection in their hearts was already silently soaring.

Therefore, Lilia didn’t panic in the slightest. "I have never said those words to anyone other than you."

"...Perhaps. To be honest, I don’t really care." Lucian raised his head. "Back to business." A hint of relief seeped into the young man’s tone. "How exactly do you plan to help me achieve this great merit?"

***

Outside the reception room.

Veronica had never wandered far. She had obtained an investigation report from Knight Harvey regarding the biographical information of the Ovis Viscount, Lucian Williams.

Born in the Lien Kingdom, he was the only child of Duke Zion Williams. Because his family was in decline, he wasn’t arrogant, rude, or unmotivated like other nobles. On the contrary, he worked extremely hard during his studies at the Lien Royal Magic Academy, excelling in both academics and networking. After graduating with honors, he secured a significant position under Prince Theodore.

To ensure Theodore’s path to power was smoother, he left his homeland and volunteered to go to Ovis. Relying solely on his own efforts, he gained the recognition of the nobles and was exceptionally granted the title of Viscount.

Even after achieving a legendary success that an ordinary person would struggle a lifetime to obtain, he still didn’t stagnate. Instead, after the Demons appeared, he took the initiative to lead troops to support Light...

It had to be said that even though Veronica was scrutinizing this file with a critical eye, she had to admit that Lucian Williams was indeed outstanding.

But it was precisely because he was so outstanding that Veronica felt increasingly displeased.

Did he think that having a bit of competence gave him the right to approach Lilia? What a fool’s dream!

"Your Highness." As she finished reading the dossier, Harvey stepped forward. "Viscount Williams has sent over quite a few men. He says they can help repair the defensive fortifications on the city walls..."

"Not needed." Veronica kept her face cold.

There was no such thing as unprovoked kindness in this world. Furthermore, judging from the dossier, this guy was a scheming old fox. Sending them manpower and supplies now meant he was probably brewing some wicked plot behind the scenes. She wasn’t about to sell Lilia out for a few petty benefits.

Just as she was thinking this, the doors to the reception room were pushed open.

Veronica immediately went to greet them, only to hear Lucian say in a brisk tone, "It’s getting late. Do you need me to walk you back?"