Chapter 297: 296 “You all, will never understand. Chapter 297: 296 “You all, will never understand. About ten minutes later, Shane left Luoqi’s room.

In the room, only Luoqi, Liya, and Shanai remained.

Shanai was still quietly standing behind Liya, just watching Shane’s departing figure.

Luoqi and Liya faced each other in silence until a while later when they finally broke the silence.

“You really did provide him with a lot of convenience and benefits,” Liya said, her voice tinted with a hint of melancholy, “The Kingdom so keenly wanted to recruit him primarily for his taming abilities and the combat strength of Artlu’s Black Dragon. Yet, you actually granted him such freedom. Now, both the Royal Family and the Nobles are probably furious.”

“Perhaps,” Luoqi responded indifferently, “If they have any complaints, they can come to me directly.”

“How dare they?” Liya retorted irritably, “A Taming Master and an almost invincible King of Demons, how could they compare to you, the Kingdom’s Treasure?”

Indeed, her words were rough, but the rationale behind them was sound.

For the Kingdom, Luoqi was the real treasure. A Taming Master linked with an almost invincible King of Demons was certainly tempting, but it all depended on who they were compared with.

If compared with Luoqi, then it meant nothing.

After all, not only did Luoqi possess potential rivaling that of her ancestors, but she also had the attention of the Divine Race and the support of the people. In terms of importance, she was incomparably higher than Shane.

Thus, the Kingdom would definitely prefer to give up on Shane rather than to offend Luoqi.

Otherwise, a single word from Luoqi could incite a public uprising sufficient to overwhelm any Noble, possibly even toppling the Royal Family. It was indeed terrifying.

If not for this, why would so many Nobles willingly stoop so low, hoping that Luoqi would spare them a glance?

“He who wins Luoqi, wins the world.” This phrase was utterly apt here.

“I just don’t understand, why are you so desperate to make him stay?” Liya finally voiced her internal doubts.

Luoqi fell silent.

Liya, as if seeing nothing, continued, “He possesses abilities highly valued by the Royal Family, but according to your character, you wouldn’t recruit someone so aggressively just for the monarchy or the Kingdom,” Liya spoke unhurriedly, “I have heard that the neighboring Ragna Empire and some other countries have started making moves specifically targeting him. But is that really your reason?”

Indeed, the neighboring Ragna Empire and a few other countries had already become aware of Shane’s existence and had all made some targeted moves.

The Kingdom valued Shane so highly, and naturally, other countries did too.

Whether it was to snatch such a rare talent or to prevent the Kingdom from gaining such a powerful individual, they had all taken various actions to some extent.

Now Shane’s importance had completely changed, elevated to a national level, though still incomparable to Luoqi.

The Kingdom wanted him to become the second Taming Master, to tame a large number of demons led by Flying Dragons, continuously strengthening the national combat strength.

Other nations were already wary of the Kingdom’s Flying Dragon Army. Now that the Taming Master who could tame Flying Dragons was about to die of old age, they naturally did not want to see a second Taming Master emerge, nor did they want the Kingdom to become a formidable nation capable of taming Dragon Species.

With Shane’s talent, it was understandable why other nations would take action.

“Especially the Ragna Empire, which had dealt us a heavy blow just ten years ago. Seeing nearly half of our Kingdom Knights decimated, they must be more than glad, all eagerly stirring in the background. How could they just stand by and watch a Taming Master capable of taming dragons join our Kingdom?”

At this, Liya’s tone turned somewhat icy.

“They must be gearing up to do something.”

Liya’s words made even Shanai, standing behind her, tense up.

But Luoqi, on the other hand, remained calm.

She knew what Liya was trying to say.

“Are you worried he might be taken away by a neighboring nation?”

Liya looked directly at Luoqi.

Luoqi remained silent.

Until…

“I just have a hunch,” Luoqi murmured dreamily, “If I don’t find a way to make him stay, he will leave.”

Liya was momentarily at a loss for words.

This was no mere trivial matter.

Luoqi’s premonitions were likely linked to the Blessing of the Goddess of Fate.

Given that, this premonition was very likely to come true.

But this also confirmed a fact.

“Are you really so desperate just to make him stay?” Liya asked incredulously, “Just for this man?”

Clearly, Liya had not expected Shane to be so important in Luoqi’s eyes.

Not to mention Liya, even Shanai was taken aback.

But how could they understand?

“To some extent, he has become an indispensable part of my life.”

With these thoughts of her interactions with Shane, Luoqi gripped her teacup a bit tighter and, uncharacteristically, voiced her feelings.

“At least, I no longer wish to return to the dull, unchanging days of the past.”

This statement, Liya and Shanai surely did not understand.

For they knew nothing of the real Luoqi, nor of the tremendous pressure she bore before, the loneliness, or the solitude.

They could not know how agitated, how restless Luoqi felt when she sensed that Shane might leave.

Thus, be it the interests of the Kingdom or the concerns of the Royal Family and the Nobles, they were all irrelevant to Luoqi.

Luoqi had only one thought.

And that was to make Shane stay.

Otherwise, she might never see him again.

This was what truly frightened Luoqi.

“Luoqi…”

Liya’s look towards Luoqi had changed.

An idea in her heart made her unable to resist asking,
“Could it be, you and that man…”

Before she could finish, Luoqi’s gaze stopped her.

“Sister Liya, you know I’m not interested in the throne, and I will never become the queen. This Kingdom will eventually be yours,” Luoqi said. “I just hope the Royal Family won’t do anything foolish. I don’t want to be your enemy.”

Hearing this, even Liya couldn’t help but gasp internally.

Shanai also understood something, her face full of shock.

For this was a warning from Luoqi.

Luoqi was warning Liya and the others from the Royal Family not to disturb Shane because of her.

Otherwise, she wouldn’t hesitate to do something drastic.

“…Has he become that important to you?”

Liya’s face was full of disbelief.

Luoqi remained unflustered.

“You wouldn’t understand.”

Her soft words echoed in the room.

“None of you would understand.”

The lonely princess’s sigh lingered for a long time.

No one could truly grasp its meaning.

…

At evening, in the Razahad family’s home.

In the dining room, Shane, scratching his head, announced that matter to everyone.

“You… You’re going to become a noble…!?”

Vivian, Tielle, Lu Muya, and Merica, the group of four, exclaimed in astonishment.

“Well, it’s just an honorary title,” Shane chuckled dryly, quickly adding, “I don’t plan on serving in the Kingdom; I reckon I’ll continue being an Adventurer.”

Yet, Shane’s explanation couldn’t stop the commotion from the women.

“This is all too sudden, isn’t it?” Vivian said, surprised. “Although with your achievements, receiving a title is well deserved, didn’t you previously resist the idea of becoming a noble?”

“…Did something happen?” Tielle, perceiving something, quietly gazed at Shane and said, “Something must have made you change your mind, right?”

Hearing Tielle say this, Shane inexplicably felt as if he’d been caught cheating, overwhelmed by a sense of guilt.

…If he told Tielle that it was because of Luoqi’s unusually desperate actions that he couldn’t help but soften his stance, would he be chastised?

While Shane was feeling guilty, Lu Muya and Merica started speaking.

“So… does this mean Mr. Shane will soon become an Honorary Viscount?”

Lu Muya tentatively spoke.

“Then… will Mr. Shane stay in the Royal Capital? After all, you have a house here!”

Merica leaned forward, looking a bit anxious as she inquired.

Alas, Shane hadn’t really considered this.

“Even if you ask me that, I haven’t made up my mind yet,” Shane said with some reluctance. “I was thinking of going back to Lamijion before, but now I might consider making this place a base.”

Shane didn’t feel much attachment to Lamijion.

He hardly could, having stayed there for no more than a month; how could he feel any attachment?

It was only because there were too many troubles in the Royal Capital and Vivian and others were expected to return to Lamijion, that he thought of going back with them.

Now that he had a house here, considering this place as a base felt like a natural progression.

(Could this have been the princess’ intention all along?)
Suddenly, this thought struck Shane.

However, as Shane pondered this, Vivian and the other three exchanged glances.

Tielle and Merica became silent, seemingly lost in thought.

Lu Muya, not thinking too much, continued to sigh.

Only Vivian smiled at Shane.

“Actually, it’s good if you stay here,” Vivian softly said. “After all, Lamijion isn’t like the Royal Capital. Although this place is complex with various powers intermingling, one can’t deny, there are many opportunities here, suitable for someone who wants to grow stronger.”

“What about you guys?” Shane asked, a bit troubled. “Do you think I should stay while you all go back to Lamijion?”

This was a scenario Shane didn’t want to face.

The reason was simple; he had spent quite some time with them already, and their relationship was different from the past. Shane really didn’t want to separate from Vivian and the others.

Especially Tielle, whom Shane had grown quite fond of; he truly didn’t want to part from her.

If there was no other way, Shane would still follow Vivian and the others back.

Just then…

“If you decide to stay, I’ll stay with you.”

Tielle suddenly spoke, uttering such a sentence.