Chapter 51: I don't think a trophy husband is a good idea.

"……"

LImon was silent for a while, but not because Li Chingwei had tried to describe how cunning she was.

After all, she was the princess of the Black Dragon Clan, masters of guile. Grand schemes, assassination plots, and covert disguises were their bread and butter. It was something they took great pride in.

Instead, it was her beaming face. An inexplicably seductive, aphrodisiac smile that contrasted her youthful, innocent face.

The elders were planning to sell her off. Planning to get rid of them first… It was fair game, right?

‘This girl…’

Her smile was as sophisticated as an allium in full bloom, as brilliant as the wings of a phoenix in flight, and as haunting as witnessing the last shed of sunlight before an eternal winter set in. It made it all the more beautiful.

As soon as he saw her smile, he could feel… No, he was certain of it.

He had felt it ever since he first met her.

‘…She has the potency of a siren.’

‘Siren’. A term coined to describe women who bewitched princes and kings with their unmatched beauty to bring down a nation.

Though, her appearance wasn’t what Limon was looking at. Much rather, he was judging how dangerous it was.

A beautiful woman could be the spark of chaos within a nation. Li Chingwei was more than capable of turning the world on its head.

‘I knew she wasn’t any normal girl when she practically sold off half her clan to maintain world peace, but…’

What, it was possible because she’s a princess of the Seven Dragons Association? It’s nothing special.

Nonsense.

Would you run around the world just because you can?

Would you start wars just because you can?

Would anyone donate every last penny they had just because?

It wasn’t impossible, no doubt. But there was a colossal difference between theoretically possible and actually doing it in practice.

The fact that Li Chingwei was the first in her long lineage to do what she did already said it all.

It was a difference of potency. The power to not put any limit on her potential, the omnipotence to take on any possibility.

And Limon knew that people with such omnipotence do not live life on a smooth road.

‘In anarchy, she will piece the world together. In peace, she will tear it all apart.’

It was different from the potency of a hero or a king. Whether it was through her beauty, charm, intellect, military might, or academia…

Regardless of the path she took, she was bound to exert an influence that would overturn nations.

Her potency to ruin nations… She could use it as a blessing or to spell disaster.

That was why Limon was so befuddled.

‘…Then, why is she using all of that almighty potency of hers against the Constellations?’

He knew unquestionably that Li Chingwei would have easily surpassed the other princesses to rule over the Seven Dragons Association if she had not plotted for world peace.

To use that incredible talent of hers to get Limon? He couldn’t believe it. It was truly an astounding waste of talent.

‘And why does she trust me so much?’

She wasn’t even trying to get blackmail on Limon when he was the biggest person to be wary of.

And not only had she given him the remainder of her clan’s assets, she actively supported his goal of taking over the Seven Dragons Association.

He couldn’t help but wonder just what was going on in that head of hers.

“Anyway. How far did you see?”

“Huh? What?”

“The Constellations’ objectives.”

Li Chingwei’s question left a perplexed expression on his face. She had timed the question in such a way like she’d read his mind.

But amidst the perplexion he gave her his honest answer.

“I can’t say I saw everything.”

He might have if he interrogated them. As deep as his resentment as and how fast the snake ran off, Limon regretted that he didn’t have the opportunity to torture it. He didn’t know if the snake had targeted him for personal reasons, or if it was on behalf of the other Constellations.

“But there are two things I am sure of.”

“What are they?”

“First, players are going to keep thriving if this goes on.”

“And the other?”

“…The prosperity of players doesn’t equate to the world’s prosperity.”

Limon recalled how Park looked when his body and soul got possessed by the snake.

Was that the price of making a deal with the Constellations?

What if all players were fated to become like Park some day?

No matter how much wealth and glory the players have accrued, there would be no room for humanity in the world they cultivate.

Only the Constellations, bearing human masks, and their livestock vessels would remain.

“That’s a relief.”

“What is?”

“That the Master of Swords also feels the need to change the world.”

“…I have been bracing myself for it since before.”

“But you only have the certainty you do now.”

She had hit the nail on the head, and Limon fell silent.

“I haven’t made up my mind to fight the Constellations yet. And I don’t know if I can beat them… for now.”

Limon was not a fool smothered in pride.

Even if it was a uniquely rare situation, a snake that wasn’t Monarch-rank had already exerted power that surpassed that of the Infinite Monarch. If a Monarch-rank Constellation were to appear…

What if he had to go against hundreds of thousands of them?

Limon wasn’t going to go down so easily, but he couldn’t be sure that he would win, either—Especially in the Iron Age, when the world revolved around players and there were no more Swordmasters to train with.

“That is enough.” She gave Limon a bright smile. His answer was satisfactory.

“As long as the Master of Swords is determined to fight, it is my duty as his future bride to raise his chances of winning.”

Whether she would threaten the elders or bring down the Seven Dragons Association in its entirety, she would support Limon.

She was beaming, and Limon took a long stare at her.

Finally he smirked with a nod.

“If you say so. Then, I guess you won’t just have the title ‘my future bride’.”

“I would like to take out the ‘future’ part while we are at it, so that I can call you ‘my dear husband’.”

“Oh yeah? Why don’t we just sign the papers now then?”

Li Chingwei grinned.

“All the better for me.”

***

***

“…Never mind. I concede.”

Eyeing Li Chingwei like she was a thief, Limon lightly shook his head.

He felt like she would actually bring the marriage certificate for him to sign if he had said yes, even as a joke.

She really was an unpredictable future bride. Although, that’s what also makes her more dependable.

‘At least I don’t have to worry about the wedding.’

He would have been a little concerned if it was anybody else.

The elders weren’t going to go down so easily, as was the cunning nature of the Black Dragon Clan.

But surprisingly, he wasn’t worried at all when Li Chingwei was the one holding the threats.

There was no way she wouldn’t be able to take on a few elders when she was the woman who made Limon of all people hold up a white flag. Rather, he pitied the elders.

“Then what do I have to do?”

That was why Limon could ask her with a carefree mind.

As long as Li Chingwei had a plan in mind, he figured that all he had to do was to give her his hand.

Or it was, until he heard her answer.

“Nothing.”

“…..What?”

“Uhm, to be more clear, I was hoping you wouldn’t do anything.”

Li Chingwei reiterated with a bright grin.

Limon looked at her, flabbergasted.

His eyes darted to the sky, then to the ground. Only after looking back at her did he realize his ears weren’t the problem.

“So you want me to do nothing while you’re blackmailing the elders?”

“As expected of the Master of Swords. Your insight is spectacular.”

“I want to hear why I can’t do anything, not compliments a three year old or a grandpa with Alzeheimer’s would like to hear,” Limon begrudgingly asked.

Not to show off, but he was a Swordmaster — an unmatched absolute ruler, a human weapon whose mere existence was a danger.

Maybe not to the current generation, but a single word from him would hold great influence to the elders, who knew of his true power.

Why was she asking him to stay still instead of getting his help?

Her answer was simple.

“I don’t think you would be interested in scheming.”

“Is that your go-to option?!”

“That is simply the way of the Black Dragon Clan.”

From the beginning, persuading the elders was to get her marriage with Limon approved.

Gathering support from the other clans and the elders was only the first step in laying the foundation to taking over the Seven Dragons Association.

It was not a good idea for Limon to take part in that process.

Threats with brute force may bring immediate effects, but it was bound to get backlash later.

Then was it okay to blackmail them?

Surprisingly, yes!

In fact, it was even applaudable!

The Black Dragon Clan took pride in their conspiracies and schemes, and elaborate threats were considered to be a strategy among their repertoire. In fact, having someone holding a weakness against them was to be shamed for.

‘What the hell is wrong with your Black Dragon Clan…’

Limon clicked his tongue at the true essence of the Seven Dragons Association. As expected of the descendents of the dragons, they truly surpassed the nature of this world.

“I’m not going to stop you if you wish to take part. But the Master of Swords dislikes showing off his powers when it’s not necessary, right?”

“…You know me a little too well.”

“I am his bride, after all.”

“You forgot ‘future’. ‘Future’ bride.”

Though he bantered, he did not deny what she said.

He didn’t hesitate to use his sword when it was needed, but he did not take it out at all if it wasn’t.

Considering Limon's own principles, this case was clearly the latter.

Though he would have helped her as he held the title of her groom, it was true he didn’t want to show off his strength when Li Chingwei was fine on her own.

Plus, he could guess what she wasn’t bothering to explain to him.

‘So it’s a leadership issue, huh?’

Limon was the one getting married into Li Chingwei’s home.

From a third party’s point of view, Limon not only getting Hotel Leviathan’s stocks, but also leading their marriage would look like he was threatening Li Chingwei.

With that being said, it was rather crucial that Li Chingwei led the marriage instead.

It would show that she supported this marriage.

“Besides, I promised you.”

“Huh? Promise what?”

Nodding as he understood the situation, Limon quickly stopped.

Li Chingwei smiled brightly.

“That I would let you live without ever having to lift a finger as long as you married me.”

“…You were serious about that?”

“Of course I was.”

Not giving him work was part of the marriage terms. Asking him for help before they even had a wedding…

Limon put on an odd expression at Li Chingwei’s casual attitude.

“I appreciate that and all, but if I do as you say, I would just be a trophy husband leeching off the money of the woman I married.”

“Is that wrong?”

“Are you really just going to make me a trophy husband?!”

“The Master of Swords is a secret weapon against the Constellations. Secret weapons aren’t meant to be used so easily.”

You’re not wrong, but…”

Limon looked conflicted.

In terms of strategy, it was the right move to keep Limon as a human weapon on standby.

But was it morally okay to live as a trophy husband after getting married to a much younger woman?

“Besides, you’re already being charged for treason. It would be better for the Master of Swords to lay low for now,” she answered nonchalantly.

“Oh, you don’t have to worry about that.”

“What?”

“It’s going to get resolved soon.”

“...???”

Question marks formed above Li Chingwei’s head.

He wasn’t just framed. He had also live streamed himself holding the President hostage.

Even with all her wit and scheming, she couldn't think of a way out of those charges.

It was only natural for her to be skeptical that it would get ‘resolved soon’.

But she wasn’t skeptical for long.

“Uhm… So you’ll be able to go around publicly in the near future?”

“I don’t think anyone’s going to arrest me, at the very least.”

Despite the vague and groundless answer, Li Chingwei did not question further.

She trusted it would get figured out when Limon said so himself. After a while of thinking, she smiled brightly.

“Then I might have something you can help me with.”

——

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