Chapter 61

“Chapter 61: Hey, I’ve Got an Idea!”

When Lynn changed into his formal attire and arrived at the manor gate with Greya, a luxurious and spacious four-wheeled carriage was already parked in the middle of the road.

From the thorny emblem carved on it, it was clear that this carriage belonged to that woman.

“Gentlemen, please get in; Her Highness has been waiting for quite some time,” the elderly housekeeper Kesha calmly gestured from outside the carriage.

Seeing this, Greya suddenly halted, seemingly struck by a thought. “Hey, I just got a sudden stomachache; why don’t you go ahead with Her Highness? I’ll catch another carriage and follow later?”

With that, he turned to leave. No way he wanted to be in the same room with that terrifying princess.

But Lynn wasn’t about to let him off the hook. If he truly ended up alone with that woman in the carriage, who knows what kind of hypnosis mess would occur.

He grabbed Greya by the neck, ignoring his struggles, and dragged him onto the carriage.

From the outside, this carriage already seemed top-notch.

Yet once Lynn stepped inside, he found the space was at least four or five times larger than it appeared.

Looks like they must be using some kind of folding space extraordinary ability.

At that moment, on a plush seat by the window sat a tall woman dressed in a rose-colored fringed gown, resting her chin on her hand and boredly observing the scenery outside.

She had exchanged her black patterned mask for a butterfly-style half-face mask tonight, revealing her snow-white chin and glistening red lips, which looked both sexy and alluring.

Upon hearing the commotion, Ivyst turned her head, fixing her gaze on the two newcomers.

Her eyes landed on Lynn first.

At a glance, the already stunning black-haired youth now wore a luxurious and exquisite button-up formal wear with a white lace lining, emanating elegance and nobility.

Ivyst felt quite pleased with her taste.

“Not bad, you look decent,” she commented blandly after examining him for seven or eight seconds.

After all, it was the outfit she had personally chosen.

According to the usual protocol, a tailor should provide a fitting sample for the person to choose their preferred style.

But Ivyst found it too much hassle and, in her controlling nature, had simply picked what she liked without even asking Lynn for his opinion.

“You look beautiful tonight as well, Your Highness,” Lynn said, bowing with appreciation in his eyes, despite Greya’s fearful gaze.

Upon hearing this, Ivyst offered a cold smile. “You’ve got some guts,” she replied.

But in the end, she didn’t impose any substantial punishment, perhaps because of the “lightbulb” in the vicinity.

After their brief exchange, Ivyst subtly glanced at Greya, frowned, and then shifted her gaze away.

Did the princess just find me annoying?

Greya’s legs felt like jelly; he found a corner and lowered his head like a quail.

He resembled a guilty schoolboy, too afraid to breathe.

All he hoped was that throughout the journey, the princess wouldn’t focus her attention on him.

Of course, reality proved he was overthinking things.

Lynn chose a seat across from him.

Then the carriage door slowly closed, and it set off smoothly.

Ivyst rested her chin on her hand, looking at Lynn. “What are your thoughts on the banquet later?”

“If Your Highness wants to build a closer relationship with the Tilius family, just give them what they like,” Lynn thought for a moment. “They want money, just give them money, right?”

Ivyst snorted lightly. “If it were that simple, why would I ask you?”

“To satisfy the three major legions under Duke Tilius with cash, even my wealthy brother would have to dig deep into his pockets,” he added.

“Rough estimates suggest the initial amount needs to be at least five hundred thousand gold coins.” Ivyst said indifferently, “Moreover, is an alliance built purely on money really solid?”

Basically, it’s about the lack of funds.

Lynn scoffed silently in his mind.

But he didn’t show it on his face.

After a moment of silence, Lynn suddenly seemed to have an epiphany. “Hey, Your Highness, I have an idea!”

“Let’s hear it.”

Seeing his eagerness, Ivyst’s expression relaxed a bit, and she nodded.

“An average healthy adult’s blood volume is about 8% of their weight, roughly around eighty thousand drops.” Lynn’s eyes sparkled. “According to my stats, there are over five thousand clergy members from the Church of Heavenly Justice in Orlen City alone. If we were to capture all of them and toss them into the Greed Magic Box’s containment room, that might…”

“Okay, stop right there. You shouldn’t say anymore,” Ivyst interrupted, a hint of a headache flashing in her eyes as she rubbed her temples. Greya, huddled in the corner like a quail, was sweating bullets.

Goodness, this is living hell!

It felt like compared to Lynn, the originally terrifying princess was starting to look kind-hearted.

“I had thought of that too, using death row inmates to exchange for money,” Ivyst contemplated for a moment and then shook her head. “But the Greed Magic Box is not as simple as you think.”

“As the blood amount it absorbs increases, the ancient being sealed inside will gradually awaken. Long story short, it’s gonna get very complicated.”

So, you already had this considered?!

Greya immediately decided to retract his earlier thoughts.

The atmosphere fell silent once more.

And so they traveled on in silence.

Ten minutes later, the carriage came to a slow stop on a spacious street, and the carriage door opened.

At this moment, night had fallen and the lights started to glow.

What greeted their eyes was a noble’s mansion that wasn’t particularly extravagant.

Though it occupied a large area, it exuded a sense of refinement and subtlety, unlike the garish mansions of the local nouveau riches in Orlen City.

However, at that moment, the street was filled with various types of carriages, blocking the once spacious road completely.

Clad in elegant clothing, nobles strutted into Tilius Manor, accompanied by their servants, looking all glitzy and glamorous.

“Let’s go.” Ivyst stood up. “Also, I’m attending the banquet in disguise; you two better be careful with your words and actions.”

In her red dress, she radiated noble demeanor, resembling a queen attending a grand event.

Knowing that very few people were aware of her being in Orlen City, even with a mask on, it was hard for people to associate her with the notoriously infamous third princess.

Lynn nodded.

Under Greya’s watchful gaze, he pulled a beaked raven mask out of his pocket.

“What’s that for?”

Greya asked, somewhat puzzled.

Hearing this, Lynn’s expression turned serious. “If I don’t wear it, wouldn’t Your Highness be the only one with a mask in the whole place? For those judgmental stares, at least this can help share some of the burden for you.”

“And you, as a subordinate, don’t even have this awareness!”

With that, he confidently put on the raven mask.

Greya was stunned, as if he had just realized the wickedness of human nature for the first time.

Holy moly, is this aimed at me? He looked around but found nothing to conceal his face, his expression darkened as he had to give up the idea.

Meanwhile, he silently boiled with resentment.

This dude really knows how to flatter!

No wonder the princess dotes on him.

Indeed.

Upon hearing Lynn’s words, Ivyst, who was in the lead, paused for a moment, her lips curving into a fleeting smile.

“Bishop, about the banquet later…”

In a discreet carriage at the street corner, such inquiries were heard.

“Hmm, I know.” The middle-aged man referred to as the bishop said blandly, “Our local forces led by the Church of Heavenly Justice are likely to receive some tough questions from Tilius, but that was anticipated.”

“If he’s smart, he should accept our olive branch; then he can leave with some cash. Otherwise, he won’t get a single coin.”

Upon hearing this, the subordinate seemed confused, “But he’s still a duke and has an army…”

“There’s more than one real power duke in the Saint Roland Empire.” The middle-aged man sneered, “Besides, the waters are very deep in the border cities, and he hasn’t even been appointed as the governor for a year, so he’s not looking to get involved.”

“Otherwise, why do you think he hasn’t used the army to enforce taxes?”

“I see… Hey, wait, Bishop, who’s that?”

The subordinate caught sight of something outside and seemed to have noticed something.

Upon hearing this, Mozell, the bishop of Orlen City, lifted his eyes to look outside.

“That person… is it the rumored third princess Ivyst? She’s also attending this banquet?” Mozell frowned, “But I didn’t see her on the guest list.”

“She probably came in disguise,” the subordinate speculated.

Upon hearing this, Mozell seemed to ponder.

After a long silence, a trace of coldness flashed in his eyes.

“What if, at the banquet later, someone accidentally reveals that ‘cursed princess’s’ identity? Wouldn’t that be quite the spectacle?”