Chapter 342

The Imperial City had undergone a tumultuous period of upheaval in a short span of time.

It was only natural for the people to be anxious and uneasy.

However,

The citizens of the Imperial City seemed surprisingly calm.

There was a reason for this.

“Is that true? Your house was really left untouched?”

“I’m telling you, it’s true. The soldiers didn’t even come near my house.”

The Celtrine allied forces were an occupying army.

It was common knowledge that occupying armies often turned a blind eye to looting by their soldiers, especially after a hard-fought battle, to maintain morale.

But the Celtrine allied forces hadn’t looted anything.

“It seems like the rumors are true. They say that the rebel princess’s army strictly forbids looting.”

“Hey, watch your mouth! R-Rebel, you say? Do you want to die?”

“G-Gulp… I-I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to…”

It was understandable that he would be confused.

It had only been a few days since the Imperial City had changed hands.

After the brief moment of panic, the conversation resumed.

“Ahem, anyway, the undefeated Max is a remarkable man. Even if the princess ordered them not to loot, they could have easily done it and pretended they didn’t know anything.”

“That’s true.”

They knew.

That it was impossible to completely prevent looting, even if there was an order forbidding it.

But it was different in the Imperial City.

It showed that Max Celtrine was a righteous man, and that his army was well-disciplined.

“No, it’s not just that.”

“What?”

“What is it? What happened?”

“They’re even giving money to the families of the soldiers who died in the battle! To help them make ends meet!”

“Huh? The families? The families of the soldiers who died came to the Imperial City?”

It was a natural question.

They assumed that he was talking about the Celtrine soldiers who had died.

But,

“No, I’m talking about the Imperial City’s soldiers! The soldiers who died defending the city!”

“Gasp? W-What?”

“W-Why would they do that?”

“What do you mean why? Because they were our enemies before, but now they’re our fellow citizens. It’s an amazing thing to do. It’s not easy.”

“Wow, that’s incredible. Even if they have plenty of money, it’s still a big deal to open their coffers like that.”

“He’s a saint! that guy just forced us into military service and treated us like slaves.”

They were now calling the Crown Prince “that guy.”

It was a sign that the times had changed.

Anyway, one thing was clear.

Max was quickly gaining the support of the people of the Imperial City.

It was a strategic move.

He knew that the support of the people would be a powerful asset.

And while Max and the Celtrine allied forces were winning the hearts and minds of the people, the princess’s main army and the western army finally arrived at the Imperial City.

* * *

*Squeeze!*

Princess Oscar surprised Max as soon as they met.

She smiled brightly and grabbed both his hands.

Even Max, a master of acting, almost lost his composure.

He hadn’t expected her to act so impulsively.

Especially in front of so many people.

“You’ve achieved a great victory. No words can express my gratitude.”

“You’re too kind. I just did what I had to do, and thanks to everyone’s efforts, we were able to achieve a good result.”

“Hehe, you’re so humble. But the whole world knows of your great achievement.”

They looked like the perfect ruler and subject.

They were a textbook example of a harmonious relationship between a ruler and their subject.

“The ruler is benevolent, and the subject is humble. They’re a match made in heaven.”

“I don’t understand those fancy words, but they look great together. A beautiful princess and a handsome, undefeated general. Wow, they’re perfect for each other.”

“There are rumors that they’re actually a couple, you know?”

“Huh? Really?”

“Now that you mention it, I’ve heard that too. They say that they’re already lovers.”

“Wow, so the undefeated general is going to become the new emperess husband?”

“He’s so talented that I can’t even be jealous. I just hope they rule the empire well.”

“I don’t think we have to worry about that. With such a benevolent princess and such a capable husband, they’re sure to be wise and just rulers.”

“Hey, those are just rumors. Don’t jump to conclusions…”

The people of the Imperial City were already gossiping.

The important thing was that their reactions were mostly positive.

It meant that Max’s strategy to win the hearts and minds of the people was working.

And one more thing.

The princess’s public image was still very positive.

It was understandable, since she had never revealed her true nature.

‘Why is she acting so strange?’

Max, on the other hand, was confused.

He knew.

That the princess was probably angry.

Because he had only pretended to obey her order.

He had sent ten thousand soldiers to Lambert Castle, so he had technically obeyed her order.

But that was just a formality.

If he knew the princess, she would be holding a grudge.

He had expected her to show it, even if it was just a little.

But she was acting overly friendly and casual, as if nothing had happened.

It made him even more wary.

‘What is she planning?’

She must have an ulterior motive.

She might be acting innocent, but he knew her true nature.

‘Whatever you’re planning, bring it on. I’m going to survive this, no matter what.’

He had experienced countless deaths and hardships in the game.

And he wouldn’t let it happen again.

He was prepared, and he had the advantage.

He wouldn’t let his guard down.

He was determined to see this through to the end.

‘Hehe, I can hear your thoughts racing, Senior. That’s what I like about smart men.’

The princess suddenly tightened her grip on his hands, as if she were playing a prank.

Ugh?

Max barely managed to maintain his composure as he felt the sudden pressure on his hands.

‘…Seriously? You’re resorting to physical force?’

He might have become stronger, but he was still no match for one of the strongest warriors in the world in terms of physical strength.

What was she doing, acting so unladylike?

Fine, if that’s how she wanted to play it, he would play along.

Max, who had been kneeling on one knee and looking up at the princess, suddenly lowered his head.

He was looking at her hand.

It looked like he was about to kiss her hand.

It was a perfectly normal gesture, considering their public image and the rumors surrounding them.

But,

*Chomp!*

Instead of kissing her hand, he bit it, like an angry dog.

‘Let go of my hand, you crazy princess.’

“Huh? Huh?!”

Even the princess was surprised. Her eyes widened.

But she quickly regained her composure and leaned closer to him.

Her lips were close to his ear.

And then,

“Woof, woof.”

She barked like a dog, her voice so low that only he could hear it.

“Cough! Cough! Cough! Cough!”

Max burst out laughing.

It seemed like he couldn’t handle this attack.

‘It’s not fair to bark at me with that face!’

It was too much for any normal man to handle.

‘Hehe, an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth, a bite for a bark.’

The princess smiled triumphantly.

She was happy that she had gotten back at him, even if it was just a small prank.

“W-What?”

“What was that?”

The people around them were confused.

They had no idea why they were suddenly acting so strangely.

Meanwhile,

The Safia family was also confused.

“…Are you sure you told Her Highness everything?”

“Y-Yes… I’m sure!”

“Then what was that… that… intimate… display?”

Marquis Safia couldn’t bring himself to say the word “flirting.”

Emily shook her head vigorously, her eyes wide with denial.

“N-No! I’m sure I made our intentions clear to Her Highness!”

“Hmm, I’ll have to visit Her Highness again soon.”

“Ugh…”

Emily’s face fell. She felt like she had messed everything up.

But it wasn’t her fault.

It was all because of the princess’s personal feelings.

“Now, let’s go inside.”

The princess smiled and led Max inside, as if she were escorting him.

Max still seemed flustered.

The princess was holding his hand,

And there was a clear bite mark on her hand.

* * *

“We have to march south and annihilate the Crown Prince’s forces immediately.”

“No, our soldiers are exhausted from the constant fighting. We need to regroup and reorganize.”

The lords were divided.

They all looked at two people.

Max and Marquis Safia.

They knew that their opinions were the most important.

But,

Max wasn’t planning to express his opinion.

‘They’ve probably already colluded.’

His actions to seize the initiative had been successful, and Marquis Safia had suffered a crushing defeat. The balance of power had completely shifted in their favor.

So what would Marquis Safia do now that he had lost the initiative?

He had two options.

Continue to fight a losing battle, or submit to the princess and become her loyal dog.

Marquis Safia would obviously choose the latter.

He was an ambitious man, but he wasn’t the type to risk everything for a lost cause.

Then,

‘There’s no need for me to waste my energy here.’

Whether they chose to launch an immediate attack or regroup, their chances of winning wouldn’t change much.

So he would just go along with their decision.

But,

Marquis Safia had a different idea.

‘You’ll definitely argue for an immediate attack.’

He believed that Max thought they had the advantage.

So he would want to end the civil war as soon as possible, before any unforeseen circumstances arose.

He was almost certain of it.

‘Let’s see if things go your way this time.’

He smiled inwardly.

He was planning to thwart Max’s plan and damage his authority.

“I believe that an immediate attack is unwise. It would be more beneficial to regroup and reorganize at the Imperial City.”

He finally spoke.

And he looked at Max, his gaze challenging.

As if he was daring Max to express his opinion.

But Max remained silent.

‘What is this guy doing?’

Marquis Safia’s jaw clenched.

But he quickly calmed down.

He assumed that it was just a petty tactic to gain a psychological advantage.

He looked at the princess, his eyes pleading for help.

Max might ignore him, but he couldn’t ignore the princess.

‘Hehe, this is amusing. Let’s see where this goes.’

She wanted to see them argue.

“I’d like to hear Senior Max’s opinion as well.”

She interjected.

Marquis Safia immediately prepared his rebuttal.

A rebuttal he had carefully crafted.

‘It’s logically flawless. You won’t be able to…’

“I agree with Marquis Safia.”

“Huh?”

The Marquis’s voice cracked in surprise.

‘What?’

Even the princess tilted her head in confusion.

The Marquis’s eyes were filled with disbelief.

“W-What?”

“Why? Is there a problem?”

“N-No…”

His voice trailed off awkwardly.