Lucas had worked exceedingly hard. All night, he had commanded the Blue Dragon Clan's efforts to restore order while racing frantically around London himself.

Thanks to his tireless efforts, most of London's chaos had been brought under control. Of course, fear and unrest still lingered among the people, but aside from those psychological issues, it was fair to say the immediate crisis had passed.

That was why Lucas had come to see Rose early that morning, striding in with confidence. He had backed down yesterday because London's situation was dire and Rose's wishes were so firm, but today, he intended to persuade her.

The other clan members wholeheartedly supported him, too. What Karl had done was enough to make the Blue Dragon Clan willingly risk war.

Yet at this very moment, Lucas could only forget every last bit of that resolve and determination.

"I even offered him the rights to the North Sea oil fields, but he refused."

"Pardon? The North Sea oil—he refused?"

"I considered the Gold Dragon Clan's maxim that if money does not work, one should offer more money. But he does not seem like someone who can be swayed by money."

"M-more money than the North Sea oil fields?"

"That is why I would like your advice. Can you think of a good approach?"

"Ah, um, well..."

For a moment, Lucas could only stare in bewilderment at Rose, who was earnestly seeking his opinion with her usual conscientious expression. Then he took a deep breath. Struggling to appear calm, he asked a question to help organize his confused thoughts.

"In short, you wish to hire someone as the house's exclusive musician?"

"No. I want him as my personal exclusive musician, not the house's."

'Is there a difference...?'

Suppressing the questions rising within him, Lucas asked a few more and finally understood the gist of it. His revered princess had offered an immense fortune to engage a musician. The musician had dared to scoff and refuse. Yet Rose had not given up and was looking for a way to secure his services, even if she had to spend an even more astronomical sum.

'...???'

That was precisely why understanding the situation only left Lucas more confused.

Despite being one of the richest people in the world, Rose practiced thrift and frugality, donating everything beyond the bare minimum necessary to maintain her dignity. And now she had tried to give away oil fields just to employ a single musician? At a time like this, no less?

He would never have believed it if anyone else had told him. No, to be honest, even now he wondered whether he had misheard something.

But his confusion did not last long. Despite what had happened yesterday, Rose's face had completely lost the haggard look of the past several days. In fact, she seemed strangely full of life. Seeing her like that, Lucas steadied his wavering heart.

'Her Highness must have something in mind.'

It might be different with the other, willful princesses, but anything Rose did was bound to have an important reason behind it. Having reached that cool-headed conclusion, Lucas sank into thought, determined to meet his revered princess's expectations.

"Hmm. In any case, if money will not move him, the most common approach would be to offer something else he needs."

"Unfortunately, I have already tried that."

"You went that far, and the insolent fellow still refused Your Highness's offer?"

Lucas bristled without thinking. Then he froze.

"Take that back."

"Pardon?"

"He is not insolent. Our interests simply coincided, so I could not use what he needed as a bargaining chip."

"I-is that so...? Then I misunderstood."

"As long as you understand."

Ordinarily, she would have brushed such a thing aside with a rueful smile. Lucas was briefly taken aback by her icy, utterly unsmiling face—and the psionics she was emitting. Sensing danger for reasons he could not explain, he hurriedly spoke, almost on instinct.

"Ahem! Then how about appealing to his emotions rather than offering material incentives?"

"You mean I should try to win his affection?"

"Yes. I believe people uninterested in money are often more inclined to act on personal feelings, such as friendship or attachment."

"That makes sense."

Forgetting the chill she had radiated moments before, Rose nodded gravely. Then, with an earnest expression, she asked:

"In that case, what methods do you think I should use to win his affection?"

"It varies from person to person, but I believe the most straightforward approach is to see him often, take the initiative in showing goodwill, and build a friendship."

"I see. And what else?"

"If you want results quickly, you could also give him something he would like."

"What if that does not work either?"

"... If he is difficult to please, you could first befriend the people around him."

"Are there any other approaches I should consider?"

"Hmm... You could be attentive to his needs, support him when he is in trouble, show him your good qualities...?"

"And besides those?"

"..."

His delight at being able to advise Rose had lasted only a short while at the beginning. As the barrage of questions continued endlessly, no matter how many answers he gave, Lucas gradually broke into a cold sweat. Elite member of the Blue Dragon Clan though he was, he did not know hundreds of ways to win someone's affection.

Yet with his revered princess gazing at him so expectantly, he could hardly say he had run out of ideas. In the end, Lucas had no choice but to rack his brain and somehow squeeze out another answer.

"Other than that, you could treat him to a meal... or try seduction?"

"Seduction, you say?"

"Handsome men and beautiful women win people over easily. Simply introducing him to such people could help you build a friendship."

"I see."

Rose nodded in admiration, as though this were a truly remarkable idea. Inwardly relieved that she had finally stopped asking questions, Lucas spoke.

"If you wish, I can find someone among our clan members whom the musician might find attractive."

"..."

"... Your Highness?"

"On reflection, I do not think seduction is appropriate. I cannot sacrifice a clan member just to hire one exclusive musician for myself."

"Surely there is no harm in merely introducing them? The clan member I introduce might take a liking to the musician, too."

"Regardless, I have no intention of involving a clan member in something so improper. If it truly must be done..."

Lucas was dumbfounded to hear that from the very person who had admired the improper method moments before, but Rose paid that no mind. She suddenly fell silent, as though something had occurred to her. After looking deep in thought for a while, she turned to Lucas and asked:

"Sir Lucas, am I beautiful?"

"... What did you say?"

"I am asking because I want to confirm whether my appearance is likely to appeal to men."

"Of course it is. If Your Highness is not beautiful, who in the world could be?"

Bewildered though he was, Lucas answered sincerely. He was not saying it simply because she was his revered princess. Rose truly was a beauty who represented the British Empire, acknowledged as such by every Briton. Current-affairs magazines featuring her even outsold fashion magazines featuring most popular models.

"Is that so...?"

For some reason, Rose nodded solemnly, as if this were an extraordinarily important fact. Lucas watched her in puzzlement for a moment. Belatedly remembering his original reason for coming to see her, he cleared his throat and spoke.

"Your Highness, more importantly, what do you intend to do about Lord Karl?"

"About what?"

"... I am asking what measures you intend to take in response to Lord Karl's outrageous conduct yesterday."

"Ah, that."

"..."

That uproar had happened only last night. Yet Rose nodded as though she had completely forgotten it until this moment. Then she spoke with a faint smile.

"As for Lord Karl, I have already decided on a course of action."

"You have reached a decision?"

"Yes."

Rose nodded. Recalling her conversation with the man who had lent her his shoulder all night, and the plan they had devised together, she continued quietly.

"Thanks to a discussion with someone this morning, I was finally able to steel my resolve."

"Then you mean...!"

Fire flared in Lucas's eyes at her words. He and every other member of the Blue Dragon Clan were already prepared to risk death in an all-out war against the Magus Guild, if only she gave her permission. They were ready to execute not only its officers and members, but anyone with even the slightest connection to Magus, leaving not a single fucking dog alive.

"For a start, I intend to give him a very sticky sort of payback."

"Understood! I will summon every knight order at once and give that old man a sticky—pardon?"

Lucas's spirited reply dissolved into bewilderment. Rose spoke to him calmly.

"I hear that the sweeter a piece of taffy is, the more likely it is to pull out your teeth while you eat it. So I intend to take this opportunity to pull out every tooth that shameless old man has."

"..."

"With that in mind, Sir Lucas, I will have to work you rather hard today."

There was much to do, starting now, if they were to make a large, delicious piece of taffy. As his perfect princess explained this with her usual conscientious expression, Lucas could only let his jaw drop to the floor.

* * *

"... Child, are you in your right mind?"

"More than you are, old hag."

"Well, I am beginning to seriously doubt that."

"Don't you know that doubting every little thing is an early sign of dementia, old hag?"

["Um, Team Leader? Objectively speaking, you're the one here saying things that sound the most like dementia."]

Cir and Yu Na-gyeong, who was perched on her shoulder, stared at him quite openly as though he were a lunatic. But Limon paid them no mind. He merely spoke matter-of-factly.

"Stop doubting it and just accept it. This is the result of the most logical deduction."

["What kind of logic and deduction could possibly lead you to such an absurd conclusion?"]

"I went back over the key points, using what happened yesterday and some information the Blue Dragon Clan had. Well, half of it is just my gut feeling."

["... No matter how I think about it, it really makes no sense."]

"Even so, we cannot ignore it."

Yu Na-gyeong and Cir reluctantly conceded the point. Having known Limon for as long as they had, they were well aware of just how sharp a Sword Master's instincts were.

"If you are that certain, why not act immediately?"

"Because I don't have proof yet. If I make a rash move now, it could make the problem a little bigger."

["How much bigger is a little?"]

"Well, if I had to put it into words... enough to start another world war?"

["That is not something you can call a little bigger!"]

Unlike the horrified Yu Na-gyeong, Cir gave a curious smile.

"I doubt that is the only reason. What else have you not told us?"

"I've come all the way to London. I can't go home empty-handed, so I thought I'd pick up a few souvenirs."

"Then what is the other reason, beyond that?"

Cir wore an enigmatic smile.

"Don't ask the obvious, old hag."

"You are as ruthless as ever when it comes to things like this, Child."

"I've still got a long way to go compared to you."

Cir chuckled for a moment at Limon's snort. Then she casually asked:

"So, what must this poor slave do now to give that ill-mannered bastard his sticky payback?"

"What else? Get ready to do what you do best, old hag."

"... Are you serious?"

"Yes."

"Hehe. Well, things are going to be interesting for the first time in a while."

"Enjoy yourself as much as you like. You have my permission."

Cir laughed alluringly, looking forward to something, while Limon wore a cold smile. Watching the two old monsters exude a truly sinister air, Yu Na-gyeong could only pray for the repose of their target's soul.

"Oh, and before that, there's something I'd like you to check for me, old hag..."