Chapter 140

Posted by Kuze, ? Views, Released on February 6, 2025

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Chapter 140

#140. Level-Max Omnimaster’s Soft Power Cultivation (6)

“Even in the imperial capital’s high society, there’s a rumor going around that Chairman Jin is leaving Lenslet and will soon seek asylum in the Empire.”

Entaire reported on the recent happenings in the imperial social circle.

“No way! How did such distorted rumors spread…?”

I stopped mid-argument, realizing how absurd it was.

If fake news can cause all sorts of trouble on modern Earth, it would be even worse here.

‘But why didn’t I hear about this? Even if we were preparing secretly, there’s no way our company’s intelligence division in Frosthaven could have missed it. Did Ariana and Isabel get involved?’

Currently, most of the key personnel in Arad Group’s intelligence department are from Frosthaven. In name only, I’m the boss, but in reality, Ariana and Isabel are the true leaders.

‘I need to slowly replace some people.’

As I pondered these increasingly serious thoughts, Entaire continued.

“Chairman Jin is the most famous and most watched man on the continent. Every little detail about him becomes big news.”

Entaire looked at me with an unusually serious expression.

“By now, this news must have reached Badenheim too. It’s highly likely that the kings and great lords of the alliance are already searching for suitable princesses or daughters.”

“Hmm…”

“But! There’s something more important, Chairman Jin!”

“Something more important?”

“Yes! The marriage between Lady Mary and His Highness the Duke!”

“…What?”

I signaled for him to continue with my silence.

“Both Lady Mary and His Highness are perceived as being very close to you, Chairman. This perception has been established not just in the Northern Region, but across the entire continent long ago.”

“That…is so?”

“Therefore, their marriage is practically impossible now. Ah! As for His Highness, I don’t know, but Miss Mary will have a tough time.”

Since I knew Mary would soon become Ariana, I felt less guilty. But unaware of this, Entaire looked at me as if I were some kind of incorrigible rogue.

“I believe Chairman Jin is a responsible man before anything else.”

“Wait…”

“The best option would be for Your Highness to marry and maintain a de facto relationship with Lady Mary behind the scenes. This way, we can counteract what’s spreading across the continent…”

“Yes, yes! Understood. I’m considering this matter seriously, so let’s leave it at that.”

Thud.

Unable to listen any longer, I threw down the magic card I was holding without much thought.

‘Ahh! I played the wrong card!’

Realizing my mistake too late.

“Oh! Looks like I win this round.”

Seeing this, Entaire broke into a triumphant smile and played his devastating counter-card.

* * *

The Inner Palace of the Glorious Palace in High City.

Ariana Rune Lenslett’s office.

Huff…

Taking a deep breath, Ariana extended her arm.

“Then I shall begin the pulse diagnosis, Your Highness.”

Arad carefully took her wrist and began the examination.

Ariana nodded slightly in response.

There was complete silence between them during the diagnosis.

Until Arad’s gaze finally broke the heavy silence.

“…”

Arad’s eyes were fixed on the white sword Snow Cry hanging at Ariana’s waist.

“This sword, right? I liked its appearance, so I took it from Mary.”

With arrogance in her tone, Ariana replied.

Though Mary would soon become Ariana, as far as she knew, Arad was still unaware of this fact.

Thus, her current actions could give Arad a bad impression.

‘This is fine. This is correct.’

This was Ariana’s intention.

An intentional move to create distance.

‘Arad needs to meet a healthy, fertile woman who can bear children, not someone barren like me.’

She believed this was for the best.

‘Ultimately… Though the lineage of our house may end, Lenslet must continue to flourish.’

Lensretians’ glory required Arad to remain in the land and wield ancient magic.

‘On my behalf, Arad and his descendants should rule this land and its people generation after generation.’

Unfortunately, Ariana’s current condition couldn’t even fulfill this simple and obvious duty.

“For your birthday gift, I shall present you with a newly forged sword.”

Is this message reaching Arad properly?

“There’s no need. This…stolen sword is enough.”

“When the magical circuit factory in High City is completed, we must experiment with producing mithril and orichalcum. Perhaps I’ll forge weapons using those materials to present to you.”

Arad showed no emotional reaction upon seeing Snow Cry, supposedly taken from Mary.

“Ah… If you say so, then there’s nothing I can do.”

Arad’s response was dry and emotionless.

“You’ve fully recovered.”

Arad released Ariana’s wrist.

“What’s the point when nothing changes?”

After Arad finished examining her, Ariana looked down at her abdomen with a bitter smile.

“Not true.”

Thud.

“!!”

Suddenly, Arad firmly grabbed both of Ariana’s hands.

“Don’t give up, Your Highness. There must be a way.”

“…”

Is this a dream?

Staring blankly at the man before her, Ariana was completely at a loss.

In the past, he had been as unyielding as stone when she placed him on the throne.

Yet now, he was acting unpredictably, even though she wasn’t disguised as Mary.

‘Ugh… What is happening…?’

Arana was bewildered by Arad’s unexpected behavior.

“I’ll try everything possible to find a solution.”

Though sudden, his words and actions weren’t unwelcome.

Each word from Arad felt incredibly reliable and grateful to Ariana at this moment.

“A waste… Rather, use that effort elsewhere.”

“Why is it a waste?”

“It’s meaningless to heal the body if there’s no man to have children with.”

Joy mixed with unnecessary embarrassment enveloped Ariana.

Looking away, she muttered.

“A man… What about me?”

To which Arad responded with a question.

Their conversation strangely resembled one they had in the depths of the Magic Realm long ago.

“Eh?! Eh?!”

Too shocked to react, Ariana quickly glanced around.

Besides her and Arad, there was no one else present.

‘What? Why is no one here?’

Before she could dwell on this thought…

“Please accept my proposal, Your Highness.”

Because Arad suddenly knelt, pulled out a ring from his pocket, and slipped it onto her finger.

“I… I… You’re moving too fast…”

It was joyful beyond belief. Too surreal to be real.

Wait? Is this a dream…?

As this strange feeling crept in, Ariana tilted her head in confusion.

“How is this sudden when we’ve shared so much time together?”

Arad’s expression and tone changed dramatically while kneeling and offering the ring.

Instead of looking at the noble monarch of Lenslet, his gaze was that of someone looking at his beloved secretary.

Then his lips slowly moved.

“Isn’t that right, Mary?”

“!!”

Her heart skipped a beat as awareness shifted.

“Kyaaa!!”

Ariana bolted upright in bed with a scream.

Panting heavily, she looked around her bedroom.

‘It was a dream… Just a dream!’

Relief and disappointment washed over her simultaneously.

“Your Highness? Is something wrong?”

The voices of maids who noticed the commotion in the bedroom reached her ears.

“No! It’s just…a strange dream.”

After reassuring the maids that everything was fine…

“Haa…”

Ariana sighed deeply and got up.

‘That’s right. Something that could only happen in a dream. Who would like a woman like me?’

Of course, if you really looked, there would be some men.

Some might prefer an infertile queen for their own gain.

But Arad, the only man Ariana truly cared about, was not one of those opportunists.

‘Rather, it would be better if Arad loved me for my background… No way. What would he be lacking?’

That’s what she thought.

* * *

Following her usual routine and movements, Ariana discreetly left High City.

Snow-white hair and deep gray eyes.

Disguised as Lady Mary, Ariana wore a tunic made of Rian fabric with a coat draped over it.

Unlike her usual self as Mary, her waist felt empty today. Normally, she always carried Snow Cry, but perhaps influenced by the dream, she didn’t bring the white sword.

Despite being completely unarmed, she walked through High City without concern. Lenslet was that safe these days.

‘Truly a peaceful, bright, and warm atmosphere.’

Walking through the streets, Ariana smiled at the lively scene.

Children happily walking with gifts in their arms. Parents watching those children with loving gazes.

Music from street bands echoing everywhere.

Buildings and streetlights in High City decorated with sparkling ornaments.

This was a sight that could be seen simultaneously throughout all major areas of Lenslet.

‘This is also thanks to Arad.’

Didn’t they call it soft power? The businesses he started through newspapers.

Manga, novels, horse racing, toys, card games utilizing illusion magic, dolls… Truly unbelievable achievements coming from one person.

However, the upper echelons of Lenslet, including Ariana herself, didn’t find this strange.

‘The Golden Age was culturally prosperous too.’

They believed Arad was reviving the cultural heritage of the ancient Golden Age.

Wowww!!

Suddenly, cheers echoed into Ariana’s ears while she was enjoying the scenery.

Lost in admiring the streets, she had unknowingly reached outside High City near the racetrack.

‘This racetrack brought many hidden goods into the open economy.’

Looking at the large racetrack, Ariana smiled contentedly.

‘As Arad called it…the underground economy?’

Though it was just one racetrack, it significantly enriched her secret funds – a fact she didn’t need to elaborate on.

Until now, she had awkwardly asked Arad for off-the-books money.

It was embarrassing to ask for funds from Arad, who invested heavily in everything from giant soldiers to airships, roads, magical circuit factories, water supply systems, railways, and more.

But now, she didn’t have to do that anymore. Most things could be handled with the racetrack fees.

‘Horse racing is truly remarkable. Unlike the coliseum, it doesn’t harm warriors’ bodies, and it also promotes the breeding of quality horses.’

Horse racing was a business Ariana personally managed from A to Z. Though the idea originally came from Arad, its execution and establishment were entirely her work.

‘To start with the first racetrack in High City, I’ll build more in major cities across Lenslet!’

For these reasons, Ariana had particular affection for the racetrack.

Her destination, however, was not the racetrack but Arad’s workshop.

‘Hmm…’

Perhaps because she’d been intentionally keeping her distance from Arad recently, approaching the central building of the industrial zone felt somewhat cautious.

The dream from earlier amplified this sensation.

Still, as she slowly headed toward the central building where Arad would be…

‘Hm?’

There was a large, luxurious carriage and over ten horses parked there.

‘So Bishop Entaire is here.’

The carriage bore the emblem representing Bishop Company, and Red Wolf mercenaries were guarding it.

“Ah! Lady Mary!”

As she approached, the waiting Red Wolves greeted her warmly.

“It’s been a while, everyone.”

“Indeed, Lady Mary. We heard you’ve been working mostly in High City lately?”

“Yes, that’s right.”

“We visited High City yesterday with our employer.”

“Oh, I heard about that. I was busy elsewhere and couldn’t greet you then.”