The Elusive and Mysterious Leading Man, Part Thirty-Two

After he had finished speaking in one breath, the system whined pitifully, “I’ve told you everything I can and everything I can’t. I won’t hide anything from you ever again. Please don’t be mad.”

Its soft, childish voice kept sniffling and sobbing, as if it were truly heartbroken.

Si Jiu said, speechless, “You talked for ages, and still didn’t tell me what he really is.”

The system’s crying stopped at once. It fell silent as though not a breath remained in it.

With a mocking smile, Si Jiu said, “I believe you when you say you’re on my side and would never harm me. After all, you’ve already admitted that your interests are tied to my performance.

“Still, Zero Two Three, I dislike being made a fool of more than anything.

“I don’t care what you and that main system are up to behind my back.

“I don’t even care about this strange department or these bizarre methods for carrying out missions.

“So you, and whatever exists behind you, should prepare yourselves.”

The system asked, “...Host, what are you planning to do?”

Si Jiu arched a brow and gave a “kind” smile. “Of course I’m going to do the mission properly. Isn’t that what you’ve all been hoping for?”

The system: ...I have a very bad feeling about this.

...

The high priest’s treason caused a tremendous uproar in the Kingdom of Valenjir. The temple, which had once stood on equal footing with the royal family and in some respects even above it in the eyes of the people, fell from grace overnight and nearly became an object of universal condemnation.

Before postwar reconstruction had even begun, the kingdom almost plunged back into internal unrest.

The cabinet and the constabulary were also thoroughly purged.

Had the Dragon God not remained in command, the kingdom would likely have had to face foreign invasion as well.

Fully aware of this, the people now held both Lord Dragon God and Jan Yu herself in deep esteem.

Princess Jan Yu had humble origins and no trace of aristocratic airs. She was kind, approachable, and often helped the weak. She liked mingling with commoners.

People could always see her in the districts where ordinary folk lived, distributing supplies, bringing physicians to visit and treat those wounded in the great battle, or delivering aid funds to those who had lost homes or family.

Wherever she appeared, a black-haired man was always at her side, never leaving her for a moment. Later, everyone learned that he was Lord Dragon God.

Sometimes another person would be with them as well. That one everyone knew too: Sir Charles, the kingdom’s foremost warrior.

The three of them were all striking in appearance and exceptional in bearing. Wherever they went, they made a scene of moving beauty.

“Princess Jan Yu is truly too kind. She’s like an angel sent down from heaven.”

“The presence of Lord Dragon God is so overwhelming. I don’t even dare look their way. But Princess Jan Yu is really so gentle.”

“Sir Charles is as handsome as ever, and he’s not at all outshone by Lord Dragon God. Hm? Come to think of it, do they look a little alike?”

With a smile on her face, Si Jiu listened to these remarks in fragments. She greeted a little girl who had been furtively peeking at her. “Are you little Jenny? I’ve come to see your mother. May I come in?”

These were all family members of soldiers who had died in the last invasion. Si Jiu had taken over the work of postwar compensation and consolation.

The little girl looked fearfully at Hugh, shrank her neck, and said timidly, “Y-yes. P-please come in.”

Si Jiu patted the child on the head and immediately felt the heated gaze beside her fixed on her hand.

She shot Hugh an irritated look. “Don’t be so fierce. You’re scaring the children.”

Hugh did not speak, but the meaning in his eyes was unmistakable. He even bent slightly and leaned his head toward her.

Under everyone’s watchful gaze, Princess Jan Yu casually ruffled Lord Dragon God’s hair, and Lord Dragon God immediately revealed a satisfied smile.

Everyone: H-how is he so easy to appease?!

Charles, standing nearby, had a dark glint in his eyes and looked a little ready to move, but then he received the prince’s cool, warning stare.

He cleared his throat and straightened even more, pretending nothing had happened.

Si Jiu turned and took the little girl’s hand as she went inside.

Behind her, the black-haired and blond men locked eyes. Sparks flew; battle intent surged.

But very soon, the two of them looked away as though nothing had happened and followed her in.

Over the past month and more, they had gone from fighting every time they met, and being thoroughly disciplined or glared at coldly by Si Jiu in turn, to learning their lesson. Then they began sneaking fights in private. By now, they could already pretend to get along on the surface while secretly sparring with their eyes, or clashing over minor matters at every turn—but they would absolutely never let Si Jiu catch them.