Initially, Shao Xuan had considered the possibility of the lion beast man and the princess putting on an act as the timing of their appearance was too much of a coincidence. However, after the close encounter with death, Shao Xuan had dispelled that notion.
“What are you blabbering about? You’re the one that I wanted to kill, not the princess!” The lion beast man said panickily. What Shao Xuan had said was a serious crime; one that would get their nine generations of families beheaded. Furthermore, from his peripheral vision, he could see his men hesitating to draw their swords against him and the princess's mages already in the midst of casting their spells.
“Have you no respect for the princess? Killing me is the same as slapping the princess in the face! I am the hope of the town! Are you trying to ruin the princess’s plan from the get-go? Everyone attack this traitor at the count of three!”
“Y —You! Tch! Count your lucky stars, human. You might want to watch your back. Do anything wrong, and I’ll slain you personally. Men, let’s go.” The lion beast man said hurriedly as he waved his hand, beckoning the soldiers to leave the throne room with him. Staying any longer in the room would be detrimental to him. There was no rush now, his plan was well in motion and there was no stopping it.
Although it was aggravating, the princess was powerless to stop him from leaving.
A while later, after all the soldiers had left the extravagant throne room, the rest of the young female mages and the princess finally had their tension released, breathing a sigh of relief.
“Princess Felix, you’re hurt!” The lesser demon fox rushed over to the princess’s side and held her right hand while expressing a concerned face.
Blood was dripping down from the princess’s purlicue, it was torn apart by the momentum of the beast man’s claws during her clash with him.
“This is nothing compared to the suffering that people are experiencing.” Felix said coolly while stealing a glance at Shao Xuan.
Unfortunately for her, Shao Xuan wouldn’t fall for such cheap tricks. He ignored her pitiful looking eyes and her attempt at invoking his sympathy.
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Seeing her attempt failed spectacularly, Princess Felix started to stare at him more blatantly. She believed that after seeing the bouts with Captain Shi Zi, Shao Xuan couldn’t ignore her offer, especially when he had thoroughly offended him. They are partners in crime now.
“Jiiiiii…”
After being stared intensely by the princess for an indeterminable amount of time, Shao Xuan finally relented to her request. He agreed to help her temporarily, at least until the town was in a better shape.
“Let me be clear first, I have no special power or cheat. The only thing I have is my knowledge of accountancy. I guess I could help, but I'll need more information about this town before I could attempt to solve its problems. So, first of all, give me a rundown on this place.” Shao Xuan yielded and said nonchalantly.
“We are at Greenwich, a border town located between the Demon territory, the Human and the Elves. The Demon race had been at war with the Human race for 20 years now while the elves mainly stayed within their territory. The demon's race hatred for human runs deep. Although the town is situated at the frontlines, it is relatively peaceful compared to other places due to its lack of strategic value and the presence of the Elves.” Princess Felix gave a brief background introduction to Shao Xuan with a smile of relief.
“As for the person just now, that was Captain Shi Zi, the former governor in charge. He is now in charge of the security of the town.”
“Is he someone that can be used?” Shao Xuan asked the important question. If he was someone untrustworthy, he would need to get rid of him just like how he got rid of the orphanage headmaster in the past.
“No. The political climate and relationship is too complicated. He works for my elder sister and had ties with several nobles in the capital. Regardless, it is impossible to convert him to our side.” Princess Felix answered in a regretful tone.
“It’s fine. We just have to make do with what we have in our hands.” Shao Xuan consoled her. Problem solving involves forward thinking, it’s useless to dwell on the past. “What are the resources that we can work with? Money? Connections? Support?”
“Money? Are you referring to gold nuggets? We only have 3 gold nuggets currently; we have spent most of it feeding and relocating the homeless and the poor. As for the rest, I’m ashamed to say that we have none of them except the 10 mages that are under me.” The princess replied with her face flushed red with embarrassment.
“What does 1 gold nugget get you here?” Shao Xuan asked as he wanted to get a sense of the economy of Greenwich.
“Erm… you can get a moderate sized house in Greenwich or 10 slaves.”
“Understood. Alright, I need a guide to show me around the streets. I need to see the situation first-hand.”
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Shao Xuan sat down on a wooden chair with a grim expression on his face. In front of him was the supposedly lunch on the table. Sitting across the table was Princess Felix in a worn-out dress giving him a wry smile. The lunch that was served was just a bowl of porridge and a few thin slices of bacon. Though it may seem unfitting to treat a guest of the royalty so badly, Shao Xuan was understanding about it.
The porridge was actually the best meal the princess could gather. What Princess Felix was having for dinner was much poorer. Meat was a luxury even to her now.
The lavish throne room and the exquisite dress and hoods were all just a facade. Every personal belonging that belonged to the princess and her court mages had been sold off ages ago, to raise fund for the principality's day-to-day operation. The pinkish white dress that she wore during the summoning was the only remaining dress that she kept. It was a memento of hers.
She had done a lot for the people, they were all useless efforts that had done more harm than good.