—————————————————————–
Translated By Arcane Translations
Translator: FusionX
—————————————————————–
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
Thump, thump.
The tremors originating from the lobby spread throughout the building, shaking it subtly.
Though not strong enough to knock things over, the vibrations were noticeable enough to unsettle the guests.
The Leviathan staff were busy attending to their duties, calming the guests, securing their areas, and receiving reports from the affiliates.
But on the top floor, in the penthouse, a man and a woman remained undisturbed by the commotion below.
“It seems they are a formidable opponent.”
“Well, they wouldn’t have charged in alone if they weren’t confident.”
“If they were truly confident, they wouldn’t have wasted time with schemes.”
Li Chingwei added with a gentle smile,
“Unlike you in the past, Sword Saint.”
“I’m just a brute with a sword.”
Limon shrugged and asked abruptly,
“So, what do you think?”
“About what?”
“About the intruder. Can the Silent Dragon Unit handle them alone?”
“Well, it’s hard to say without knowing more about them… but this is the Leviathan.”
Li Chingwei smiled meaningfully.
Limon chuckled.
“I suppose fighting a snake in its own den is never easy.”
“A snake’s den is a bit harsh. This is the world’s finest hotel.”
“But it’s not just a hotel.”
“That’s true.”
The Leviathan was more than a hotel, it was the headquarters of the Black Dragon Clan, a fortress with branches all over the world, a place even Limon, an absolute being in the Heroic Age, had been wary of.
Knowing its true nature, he found the “hotel” facade amusing.
That was why Li Chingwei, despite sensing the tremors from below, kept her gaze fixed on the cityscape outside the window.
“The problem is the affiliates.”
“Are you worried?”
“If even the branch with Head Wang, a master-level expert, only has a fifty-fifty chance, we could lose all our domestic affiliates.”
Li Chingwei admitted calmly that the affiliates couldn’t handle the rampaging Ryu Kang-chul alone. It was a cold but realistic assessment.
Ryu Kang-chul was a Duke-level player who required at least a master-level expert, or dozens of skilled warriors in formation, to be subdued.
Few of the Black Dragon Clan’s affiliates possessed such strength. If even the Shanghai Royal Family, with Wang Ki-neung and their Martial Force Unit, only had a fifty-fifty chance, it would be a miracle if more than ten domestic affiliates remained by sunrise.
“No, it won’t be that bad.”
“You think so?”
“Yes.”
Limon dismissed her concerns with surprising certainty. He took a sip of whiskey and explained to the puzzled Li Chingwei,
“We have a backup plan for situations like this.”
“Right.”
Limon chuckled at Li Chingwei, who pretended to have forgotten.
He had known that the Ryu Kang-chul he killed was a fake, and he had anticipated this attack.
He hadn’t taken further measures for several reasons, but the main one was his confidence in their backup plan.
“Considering that, what are our chances now?”
“Hmm, about 99%?”
“That’s a generous estimate.”
“That’s me being conservative.”
Li Chingwei looked at him with a strange expression as their chances, which had been fifty-fifty with just the Black Dragon Clan’s strength, suddenly jumped to almost certain.
Limon chuckled and, with the mischievousness of a former PAB agent, said,
“No matter how powerful your Seven Dragons Association or the Liberation Brigade is, there are other thugs in this town.”
“That’s a harsh assessment.”
“Is it wrong? Do you know how much money those thugs have extorted from me?”
Li Chingwei chuckled at Limon, who grumbled as if truly fed up.
“You don’t have to worry about such trivial expenses. It’s a small price to pay for the safety of our affiliates.”
“That small price is enough to save a country.”
“That’s why I called it small.”
Li Chingwei tilted her head, as if a country or two wasn’t that expensive.
Limon inwardly clicked his tongue.
He knew the Seven Dragons Association had a distorted sense of money, but hearing her say this made him realize anew that she was truly a princess.
‘To think I’ve been fighting these people who treat money like water for hundreds of years…’
Li Chingwei suddenly asked, looking at Limon with a puzzled expression,
“But Sword Saint, our backup plan only covers the affiliates that are part of the Guardian System, right?”
“Of course.”
“Then the other affiliates are still in danger.”
After successfully repelling several attacks, more affiliates had entrusted their security to the Guardian System, but it was still a small percentage overall.
Less than half of the Black Dragon Clan’s domestic affiliates were part of the system, due to the lingering resentment, grudges, and distrust towards Limon within the clan.
“It can’t be helped. They’re the ones who stubbornly refused our protection.”
Limon wasn’t particularly bothered by this either. He and the Seven Dragons Association were enemies.
A twist of fate had led to his engagement with Li Chingwei, but he was as indifferent to the Black Dragon Clan as they were distrustful of him.
“Yes, it’s their own fault.”
Knowing this better than anyone, Li Chingwei nodded readily at Limon’s words, then said subtly,
“But wouldn’t it be a shame to let the affiliates suffer because of their pride?”
“What do you mean?”
“Exactly what I said.”
Li Chingwei explained calmly,
“The Black Dragon Clan’s affiliates are interconnected. So, damage to one is a loss for the entire clan.”
Like most conglomerates, the Seven Dragons Association’s affiliates were closely linked, not just for profit maximization, but also due to the clan’s traditional emphasis on unity.
“If nearly half of our domestic affiliates collapse at once, the damage will be significant.”
“It’s still a drop in the bucket compared to your clan’s total assets.”
“It’s not about the money. It’s about our influence and market share.”
Li Chingwei replied calmly.
The Seven Dragons’ affiliates weren’t just businesses, they were strongholds of their influence.
“If our affiliates fall and create a power vacuum, there are plenty who will try to take advantage of it.”
“The Ten Great Guilds?”
“Or perhaps companies from other clans.”
“Hmm…”
Limon understood her point.
He was no businessman, but he was a veteran of countless wars. He had seen allies and enemies alike turn on each other the moment a power vacuum appeared.
In that sense, it was natural for Li Chingwei, who aimed to absorb the Seven Dragons Association and confront the Constellations, to be concerned about the affiliates’ vulnerability.
It was natural, but…
“You’re the one who decided to accept that risk.”
“Yes, I am.”
“And now you’ve changed your mind?”
“I didn’t expect such a large-scale attack.”
She hadn’t anticipated Ryu Kang-chul’s ability to create dozens of clones and attack multiple affiliates simultaneously.
Li Chingwei sighed softly.
Limon tilted his head.
“You didn’t see this coming? You?”
“I’m not the White Dragon Princess.”
Limon stared at Li Chingwei, who ran a hand through her silky black hair with a regretful expression, then scratched his cheek.
“Fine. Let’s say the damage is greater than expected. So what? It’s too late to request additional contracts.”
“Yes, it is.”
“We don’t have any more Martial Force Units or experts to deploy.”
“You’re right.”
“…And yet, you want to protect the remaining affiliates? Even if it risks jeopardizing the plan?”
“Protecting the clan is my duty as a princess.”
Limon looked at her as if she were the biggest liar in the world. But she didn’t flinch or avert her gaze. She simply smiled sweetly.
“So, may I ask you a favor?”
It was a vague request, like a hollow promise. But Limon, as her fiancé, understood her intentions. He looked at her intently, then said,
“You said you’d let me freeload after we got married, but aren’t you working me too hard?”
“We’re engaged, not married.”
“That’s a sneaky answer.”
“I’m the Black Dragon Princess.”
Li Chingwei’s smile implied that her title was explanation enough. Limon chuckled and downed his whiskey in one gulp. He stood up.
“Fine. Even if my foolish in-laws are making a mess, it’s a fiancé’s duty to help when his bride-to-be begs for her family’s safety.”
He didn’t care what happened to the affiliates. He was doing this solely because she asked.
Making his motivation clear, he glanced at Li Chingwei.
“But Princess, I’ll be collecting on this favor later.”
“Ask for anything you desire. Everything I have is yours, Sword Saint.”
“Is that so?”
Limon chuckled at her nonchalant reply.
He leaned down, placed a hand on her shoulder, and kissed her.
“??????”
Li Chingwei’s eyes widened in surprise at the unexpected kiss. But he didn’t pull away, holding her shoulder, savoring the soft touch of her lips until she finally registered what was happening, her face, ears, and neck flushing crimson.
“Ha!”
Finally released, Li Chingwei gasped, remembering how to breathe.
“Um, Sword Saint? That… what was that…?”
She looked dazed, as if her brain cells had short-circuited, having completely lost her usual composure.
Limon chuckled.
“What’s with the surprise? It was just a seal.”
“A… seal?”
“Yes. So you can’t claim you don’t remember later.”
“It’s a bride’s prerogative to kiss her fiancé goodbye, isn’t it?”
Limon said casually as he walked towards the window.
“Good luck. Don’t overdo it.”
Flutter!
With a casual farewell, he leaped out the window and vanished.
Li Chingwei stared at the empty space where he had been, then slowly raised a hand to her lips, still tingling with a unfamiliar warmth.
“…This is a contract that could lead to bad habits.”
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇
