Ch.295Above Running (2)

There’s a saying: “A rigged game of Go-Stop.”

It refers to the act of pretending to know nothing while secretly colluding to deceive someone—perfect for making a fool out of people.

Usually used as slang in match-fixing or fraud, though sometimes friends use it jokingly in everyday life.

‘Good thing I knew about this beforehand.’

Marie was one of the people who had jumped into this rigged game of Go-Stop.

Naturally, the target of deception was Hyria sitting across from her, currently wearing a blank expression after hearing Marie’s answer.

Marie almost burst out laughing at that expression but managed to suppress it. This was the moment when her practiced facial control from social gatherings came into full play.

The reason Marie could respond so nonchalantly was thanks to none other than Issac.

After Cherry noticed Hyria’s stalking, Issac had informed Marie about the situation, since she could meet him privately without any issues.

If he had met separately with Cecilly or Rina, Hyria would have immediately noticed, but fortunately, they were currently absent due to state affairs.

The stage was perfectly set, and they knew all of the opponent’s cards. All that remained was how they would play their hand.

After discussing with Issac, they concluded that revealing his identity would be like exposing their strongest card, so they decided to keep it hidden for now.

The card they held wasn’t just powerful—it was strong enough to require national intervention. But there was no need to show it yet.

Hyria could spend her time as she wished, and Issac could buy time as well.

Even if Hyria grew impatient and jumped to her own conclusions, it wouldn’t matter—they had prepared countermeasures long ago.

‘Let’s see how she responds first.’

As Issac’s reliable fiancée, Marie had decided to take charge of political matters long ago.

Though she was a member of the Housen Reckyless ducal family, she wasn’t a princess of a nation like Cecilly, nor did she provide direct assistance like Adelia.

Because of this, Marie had harbored subtle feelings of inadequacy, but in situations like this, she proved extremely helpful.

Unlike Cecilly and Rina, she had been publicly announced as Issac’s fiancée, so they could meet anytime, anywhere without issue.

When Issac found himself in difficult situations like this where he couldn’t meet others, she could serve as an intermediary to help navigate the challenges.

‘What is this bitch planning anyway?’

Marie looked at Hyria, who was lost in thought after hearing her answer. The other side had shown all their cards, but how they would proceed was the key.

Specifically, would she continue as usual, become more suspicious, or jump to her own conclusions?

Even if she did reach a conclusion, the question was whether Hyria would act as an individual or as royalty.

If she acted as an individual, any outcome would be favorable. Even if Issac’s identity was discovered, they could silence her through negotiation (or blackmail).

If the opposite happened, situations like this would repeat. Her un-royal-like petty vindictiveness would obviously continue to bother Issac.

The only way to resolve such situations was through dialogue and persuasion. Otherwise, they would need to find Hyria’s weakness and use it as leverage.

But all these considerations only applied if she acted as an “individual.” If she took the stance of “royalty,” the situation would become much more complicated.

Reveal that he’s Xenon? The Kingdom of Teres wouldn’t keep the secret, and they would use all sorts of nonsense to harass Issac.

Hide that he’s Xenon? Then Hyria would become more aggressive, and the situation would deteriorate into diplomatic conflict.

‘She really picked the wrong person to mess with.’

Marie inwardly snorted as she watched Hyria still deep in thought. The man she loved wasn’t just an ordinary great writer—he was Xenon.

If this had happened a few months ago, Hyria might have gotten away with just a barrage of curses, but now Issac was practically deified.

No exaggeration—one wrong move and an entire country could literally be destroyed. He wasn’t just a powder keg; he was a hydrogen bomb.

“…Is that true?”

After contemplating for a while, Hyria looked directly at Marie and asked cautiously. Her eyes still held suspicion.

But suspicion was just a step toward certainty. Marie decided to turn that suspicion into conviction.

“Yes. Issac being Xenon? That’s absurd. What made you think that?”

“If you’re trying to deceive me, you’d better stop.”

“If he were really Xenon, I would have threatened you instead, Your Highness. How dare you challenge Xenon? Could the Kingdom of Teres fight the world alone?”

“…”

Hyria pressed her lips together at Marie’s sincere response. The suspicion in her sky-blue eyes gradually began to fade.

However, a trace of doubt still remained. Her expression suggested she hadn’t yet reached a firm conclusion.

Eventually, Hyria stared at Marie for a moment before asking another question in her distinctive husky voice.

“Then why does Princess Rina protect him?”

“Pardon?”

“I’ve noticed that Rina tends to shield him. It was particularly evident at the exhibition.”

When Cecilly made eye contact with Issac during the Helium speech, it could be dismissed as coincidence. But Rina’s case was different.

Rumors about Hyria trying to take Issac hadn’t spread yet. She was trying to delay unnecessary gossip as much as possible.

In other words, only people connected to Issac knew about the current situation, and Marie, being from the Housen Reckyless ducal family, was connected to the imperial family.

Yet for a royal to directly protect Issac when not even rumors had spread? It seemed excessive, even for business partners.

If she could resolve this doubt, she could reach a conclusion. Hyria fixed her sharp gaze on Marie.

“Well… this is rather difficult to explain…”

Aha! Caught you. Hyria smiled at Marie’s troubled reaction.

Yes, it was suspicious for royalty to provide such protection. Even to elevate a ducal family’s status, it seemed excessive.

Of course, Marie might have personally pleaded for help, but that possibility was extremely low and could be ruled out.

After contemplating for a while, Marie glanced at Hyria and sighed deeply, as if she had no choice.

“Sigh… I really shouldn’t reveal this… But first, why do you keep questioning whether Issac is Xenon when you have no evidence?”

“Because there are many circumstances that only make sense if he is. It’s also strange that a lady of the Housen Reckyless ducal family would marry into a mere baronial family.”

“I was the one who confessed to him! Our engagement came after we were already dating.”

“Enough, just tell me the reason.”

Rude bitch. Marie inwardly cursed Hyria before reluctantly speaking.

“Do you know about the Empire of Minerva’s border region? It borders Alfheim but is essentially a lawless area.”

“You mean the northern region?”

“You know it well.”

“Of course I do. Until a few decades ago, it was an area where monsters and barbaric beastmen roamed freely.”

The Empire of Minerva boasts vast territory, making its borders much wider than other countries. This is why they need a stronger military—more border guards are required.

Fortunately, they have the economic power to support their military strength. Otherwise, they would have had to abandon territory and would have been helpless against foreign invasions.

The northern region that Hyria mentioned was a place of extreme cold, powerful monsters, and even “barbaric beastmen.”

It’s also where the Navy Knights, known as the empire’s strongest order, primarily serve. Though it has become more peaceful recently, it still contains many dangerous elements.

“Have you heard of the Red Lion?”

“I’ve heard of his reputation. He’s known as the protagonist of the Askanal incident. But it’s just rumors, so I don’t fully believe it.”

“What if the Red Lion actually exists?”

“If that’s the case… Wait.”

Hyria stopped mid-answer and looked at Marie with a “really?” expression.

In response, Marie wore a confident expression and brushed her fallen hair behind her ear before speaking.

“Your Highness is correct. The Red Lion does exist, and he is Issac’s father—my future father-in-law.”

“Don’t lie so blatantly. Why wouldn’t they publicly showcase someone as significant as the Red Lion?”

Hyria’s doubt was perfectly reasonable. When displaying a nation’s power, military strength is undeniably important.

Unlike Earth, in this world, a nation’s power can vary dramatically based on the strength of specific individuals.

Look no further than Alfheim, which despite losing the racial war, still maintains its status as a hegemonic power, and Helium, which has risen as a counterforce.

That’s how important individual military power is. So what about the Red Lion, who reportedly subdued a rampaging dragon? Especially a soldier rumored to have pacified the chaotic border region?

Any country would immediately showcase such a figure to the world, proclaiming they have someone comparable to an elven warchief.

That single promotion would strengthen the Empire of Minerva’s national power and reduce other countries’ means of checking them.

But not showcasing such a figure? As a princess, Hyria couldn’t understand it.

Even she, a princess, only knew of him through urban legends and rumors—imagine how little other countries must know.

However, it’s worth noting that the Kingdom of Teres has had no direct military conflicts with the Empire of Minerva.

In contrast, Alfheim shares a border with the Empire of Minerva and has had frequent military clashes, so the Red Lion’s reputation has reached their ears.

When Issac visited Alfheim, it wasn’t strange for Kayre to be reminded of Hawk upon seeing his red hair and golden eyes.

“That’s because our empire’s military strength doesn’t solely rely on the Red Lion. While he’s undoubtedly a powerful force, we’ve respected his wish to remain low-profile.”

“Nonsense. Politics doesn’t work that easily.”

“It does when you’re dealing with the Red Lion.”

“…”

When Marie responded clearly, Hyria had nothing to say. That’s how powerful the reputation of the Red Lion—Issac’s father, Hawk—was.

And as Marie said, the Empire of Minerva isn’t weak enough to depend solely on Hawk. They have countless soldiers they could showcase.

They’re relatively lacking in culture, which is why the Kingdom of Teres can form a rivalry with the Empire of Minerva in that aspect.

“Anyway, the reason Princess Rina protects Issac is because of my future father-in-law. If he were to become dissatisfied with the empire, it would be a headache for them.”

“…”

“Does that make sense now?”

“Yes.”

She had to accept it. Hyria nodded readily, unaware that she had been deceived by Marie’s eloquent speech.

However, unable to completely dismiss her suspicions, she asked one more question.

“Is he really not Xenon?”

“Of course not.”

“Could you give the same answer before Luminus?”

“Yes.”

Luminus would surely forgive this level of lie. In response to Marie’s unhesitating answer, Hyria slowly tilted her head back.

The suspicion that had been deeply etched in her sky-blue eyes gradually disappeared, leaving only a certain conviction.

After thinking deeply for a while, she snickered. At the same time, a crooked smile formed on her face.

‘How dare he confuse me…’

While irritation welled up, she found herself increasingly drawn to him. His appearance had already passed her standards, but his background was also impressive.

If she married Issac, it would mean removing the outstanding talent that was the Red Lion, and she could also satisfy her desire for revenge against Adelia.

Killing two birds with one stone. Hyria slowly formulated a plan in her mind.

First, she needed a “justification” to draw Issac to the Kingdom of Teres. On his home turf, even the empire’s royalty couldn’t do anything.

She needed to make Issac commit a wrong against her. For that…

‘Adelia. I’ll use that bastard child.’

As Hyria openly plotted her sinister plan…

‘Walking straight into hellfire.’

Marie inwardly clicked her tongue, mocking her arrogance.

‘Why does he have to be so unnecessarily handsome? I’m going to bite him a bit today.’

This dirty feeling could only be resolved by seeing Issac’s face.