National Salvation Association

Hai Zhu gazed at Lyte.

‘Truly ruthless.’

‘To sacrifice his own kin merely to gain the kingdom’s trust.’

‘Indeed, he lives up to Reinhardt’s reputation for ruthlessness.’

However, this was also attributable to the Empire’s abundant supply of Gold-rank experts, seemingly as common as dogs.

The loss of one or two peak Gold-rank individuals held no consequence for the Empire.

In contrast, the kingdom would be distraught over the loss of even a single peak Silver-rank.

Yet, considering the Vermilion Bird Grand Array within the city, which restricted entry for those above the Martial Noble rank, the Empire had indeed invested heavily.

No, it would be more accurate to say Lyte’s intentions were profoundly intricate.

Having just been spared by Hai Zhu yesterday, he immediately acted as if nothing had happened, seeking to ingratiate himself with Xie Shenhong, who shared a close relationship with Duanmu Yun.

Today, he had orchestrated this entire spectacle, ensuring Hai Zhu witnessed him personally execute his compatriot, and his very first words upon meeting her were an apology, thereby completely eliminating any opportunity for others to question his actions.

‘Truly outstanding.’

‘She genuinely wished to recruit him into her ranks.’

Indeed, Hai Zhu’s current attitude towards Lyte was one of admiration and delight.

“My knight, Lyte,” she said with a faint smile, “your true intention was to protect the kingdom. The fault lies not with you, but with the Imperial spies. You need not feel any self-reproach.”

“But!” Lyte once again enacted his feigned reluctance, stating with profound distress, “It is a fact that I caused damage to the city. If I am not punished for this, how will the people view the Knight Corps…?”

“No, you are mistaken. If you were to be punished, that would be the truly lamentable and far worse outcome, for should such incidents recur in the future, people would become hesitant and constrained. Your actions, without a doubt, represent the correct path, far more so than allowing criminals to act with impunity.”

“But what if someone were to exploit Lady Hai Zhu’s leniency as an excuse, seizing an opportunity to cause destruction? What then should be done?”

‘Truly exceptional, to have considered this point so swiftly.’

Hai Zhu stepped before Lyte, extending a slender, jade-like finger to gently hook his chin. Her crimson eyes, capable of captivating any soul, fixed upon him as her delicate lips slowly curved into an enticing arc.

“Then, my knight, did you undertake this with the intention of destroying the city?”

She uttered words that, at first hearing, seemed cool and detached, yet truly carried a hint of playful amusement, and when savored, proved utterly enchanting.

It was as if a doting mother watched her mischievous child, who, having finished their antics, stammered to find an excuse.

Even a cunning and treacherous individual like Lyte found his mind utterly captivated by Hai Zhu in that moment.

Yet, it was but for a fleeting instant.

Subsequently, Lyte swiftly shifted his body backward, his face flushed scarlet as he lowered his head.

“Of course not!”

He declared sharply, seemingly intending to use his fervor to regain his composure. “From beginning to end, my sole thought has been to protect the kingdom and its people!”

“Then that settles it, doesn’t it?” Hai Zhu’s satisfaction deepened. “Of course, words alone are not enough. Return and write a detailed report for the Disciplinary Department. As for other matters, you need not concern yourself.”

“Lady Hai Zhu… thank you.”

Although this time there were no elaborate embellishments or prostrating gestures, it was the most heartfelt gratitude Hai Zhu had ever heard from Lyte.

It seemed to encompass all his accumulated gratitude, along with boundless reverence and affection for her.

Had Hai Zhu not been privy to future events, she might almost have believed him.

Nevertheless, to her, Lyte’s ability to act so convincingly despite his true intentions made him a truly rare talent.

‘So… should she continue to probe him?’

Hai Zhu hesitated for less than half a second before her cherry lips parted.

“Lyte, the next time you encounter such a situation, do not force yourself.”

Lyte froze slightly, lifting his gaze to meet hers.

Hai Zhu displayed a gentle expression tinged with sorrow. “I do not wish for your hands to be further stained with the blood of your compatriots.”

“It’s alright, my only compatriots are the people of the kingdom!”

Lyte hastily clarified, but then seemed to realize his reaction had been somewhat excessive and perhaps too dismissive of past ties, so he quickly lowered his head.

“No, what I meant was that I am irreconcilably opposed to those Imperial villains who seek to destroy the kingdom’s peace.”

Hai Zhu couldn’t help but inwardly chuckle.

A cunning and treacherous Lyte, flawless in his deceit, was naturally exceptional.

Yet, a Lyte who showed a slight flaw, then desperately tried to cover it up and explain himself like a primary school student… was also highly amusing.

Hai Zhu desired Lyte even more now.

She stepped forward and helped him rise.

“Lyte.”

“Lady Hai Zhu, I…”

“Do you truly despise the Empire?”

‘Despite being an Imperial prince.’

Hai Zhu did not voice these words, but Lyte evidently grasped their unspoken implication.

Although he had just made a blunder, facing a question that, if answered poorly, could spell his complete ruin, Lyte lived up to Hai Zhu’s high regard, quickly composing himself.

He then revealed a gaze filled with disdain and hatred.

“Yes, I utterly despise the Empire.”

For this one instance, Hai Zhu did not believe Lyte was merely acting.

‘A perfectly legitimate Imperial prince, abandoning wealth and glory, traveling thousands of miles to become a spy here… it was impossible to imagine.’

‘Patriotism?’

‘At the very least, the future Reinhardt was a man utterly devoid of such a sentiment.’

****

Not long after, the Azure Dragon Knight Corps, responsible for this region, along with the patrolling guards, arrived on the scene.

“Greetings, Lady Saintess!”

“No need for formalities.”

Under Hai Zhu’s direction, the matter was resolved swiftly, and Lyte was acquitted after a few brief questions.

However, Hai Zhu did not continue speaking with Lyte afterward.

Yes, she intended to turn Lyte.

Yet, this was not a matter to be rushed. At the very least, she needed to recover her strength to the War Noble level before the kingdom would possess sufficient leverage to compel his allegiance.

Indeed, her thinking was that instead of perpetually defending passively, it would be better to preemptively strike, replacing defense with offense, attacking the Empire until they no longer dared to harbor thoughts of resistance against her.

If she could conquer the Empire and unify the three nations, that would be even better.

Only a unified human nation would stand a chance against the demon race.

A three-nation alliance would undoubtedly be fraught with internal strife. In her previous life, the Empire had, in fact, shown no concern for the fate of the Great Desert Khanate.

Ultimately, however, they had shot themselves in the foot, turning human civilization into a mere joke.

“Very well, I shall take my leave.”

With these words, Hai Zhu instantly teleported away from the scene.

Her reappearance found her at the headquarters of the Deep Sea Crimson Knight Corps.

Although it was already past ten in the evening, the headquarters remained remarkably lively.

Noticing this, Hai Zhu’s mind stirred. She cast a magic spell to interfere with perception and cognition, then nonchalantly strolled towards the crowd.

“Have you heard? Lady Hai Zhu appeared in the city and even dealt with a peak Gold-rank Imperial spy!”

“That’s incredible! Truly worthy of Lady Hai Zhu!”

Hai Zhu felt no stir within her heart regarding the crowd’s attribution of the credit to her.

For the Deep Sea Crimson Knight Corps would never allow a true hero to be forgotten; afterward, everyone would certainly realize it was Lyte’s doing.

However, it was not these sentiments she wished to hear.

Arriving at a less crowded office building, Hai Zhu deliberately made her way to a somewhat secluded room, and finally—

“Ugh, what’s with this? She skipped the emergency press conference held yesterday morning, only to run into the city today and steal a knight’s job!”

“Shh, quiet down! How dare you speak such things here?”

“Don’t worry, I’ve already cast a soundproofing spell and extended my senses. There’s no one nearby right now.”

Hai Zhu conjured an ice chair and table, settling nearby to listen to the two whisper.

“Even so, one shouldn’t speak ill of Lady Hai Zhu…”

“If she were the true Saintess, I naturally wouldn’t do such a thing… but the problem is, that’s just an impostor!”

“Don’t speak carelessly! The matter of an impostor hasn’t been confirmed…”

“There’s no solid proof, but everyone already knows the truth of this rumor in their hearts. Not to mention anything else, in the past five years, have you ever seen that impostor display the power of a War Noble?”