Chapter 828: 425 Three Goats Meet and the Summoning

Finally… finally…

Watching Li Ang reach out to cradle Princess Wang Nuwei's cheek and forcefully invite her to join him in "doing something big," the Black Goat couldn't help but hold its breath, its goat face faintly flushed with excitement.

Finally, I've waited for this!!!

This kid is too cautious—he never moves without certainty. I originally thought I'd have to wait three to five years, even seven, until he grew strong enough to be driven by his own desires and begin unleashing his fury upon this world.

But after joining the Cleanup Bureau, he merely worked diligently for two months, and already he couldn't suppress the fire in his heart—he's begun targeting this human kingdom!

And once he uses this foolish woman as a stepping stone to gain the power to act without restraint, the rage that has been fermenting in his heart for over two months, finally ignited by the King of Nightmares, will sweep everything away!

Merely imagining that beautiful future, the Black Goat—long suppressed—began trembling with excitement.

At that time, if I can draw even a fraction of his mad, rampaging fury as sustenance, I will undergo a qualitative transformation—I finally…

"I'm finally going to become it!"

Amid the Black Goat's stunned expression, a cry brimming with delight violently pierced its soul.

"Magnificent! This is truly magnificent!"

Through the Black Goat's eyes, sensing the wild surge of desire, 【Wild Ambition Heart】 couldn't help but laugh aloud—as if witnessing a seed it had labored over for years finally breaking through the dark soil, tentatively pushing up a tender green sprout.

"This ultimate ambition will bring ultimate power, and ultimate power will breed ultimate arrogance! When he fully controls the entire kingdom, this swollen, boundless greed will surely help me return to my peak!"

"…."

Wait… aren't I the first one here? Who the hell are you to be yapping like this?

Unexpectedly, someone—some demon—was even more insane than itself. The Black Goat's fury exploded, but just as it prepared to curse the Goat Heart within its soul, another voice, wildly excited, rang out.

"This is greed! I sense boundless greed! It wants to dominate everything, to make the entire kingdom obey him…"

"Are you blind? This is clearly boundless ambition!"

"But I clearly saw…"

"Bullshit! You two blind demons can't see a damn thing! This is absolutely rage that destroys everything!"

"Heh, who the hell are you? I'm the strongest, so if I say it's arrogance, it's arrogance!"

"I believe whose eyes they are doesn't matter—once I have this boundless greed as sustenance, your eyes will eventually become mine."

"Get out! Don't come in! Get out of my head!"

…

While the three goat spirits were screaming and insulting each other over Li Ang, Princess Wang Nuwei—equally troubled by Li Ang's words—gazed at him helplessly and whispered:

"Li Ang, I really don't know what to do. Your words are… too sudden. Could you give me more time? Let me think it over carefully?"

"Of course. After all, this must be your decision. Whether or not you do it must respect your will."

Seeing the expression in Princess Veronika's eyes, Li Ang understood he had reached the limit of what he could press for. He nodded, then withdrew his right hand from her cheek.

"Thank you…"

As the scorching palm left her cheek, Princess Veronika involuntarily exhaled, then bit her lower lip and asked softly:

"Li Ang… I didn't nod just now. Are you disappointed in me?"

Li Ang fell silent for a moment, then shook his head.

"I am disappointed—but not in you. After all, you never owed me this."

You could simply return home, make a clear statement that you're willing to abandon any proposals that might harm the royal family's interests or dilute the King's power, and you'd have a strong chance of inheriting the throne—no need to take such a risk."

"On the contrary, I've been exploiting your kindness, pushing you to accept my proposal. So no matter what you choose in the end, I'll understand."

Understand… but not necessarily agree?

Hearing the unspoken meaning in Li Ang's words, Princess Veronika bit her lip again, then spoke with a complex gaze:

"Li Ang… everything you just told me—if the kingdom or the Cleanup Bureau found out, your fate would be grim. Aren't you afraid I'll betray you?"

Li Ang looked at her, his fingers pressing against the Black Goat beside him, then asked seriously:

"Will you?"

"No."

Through the Black Goat's soul-vision, Li Ang glimpsed the Princess's true nature, then nodded:

"Then I'm not worried."

"…."

Watching Li Ang, who immediately trusted her after only her word, Princess Veronika's heart warmed slightly, and she softly spoke with tender eyes:

"Li Ang… may I ask you one final question?"

"Ask."

"I want to know—why do you think I can change this country if I become queen?"

"Hm?"

Li Ang blinked in surprise, then asked in return:

"Aren't you already changing this country?"

I… am already changing this country?

Hearing Li Ang's reply, Princess Veronika also froze slightly, then clenched her fists unconsciously.

Yes—though I haven't shattered this stagnant pool yet, as Li Ang said before, I've always done the right thing!

Even Li Ang's willingness to risk everything to share his thoughts with me stems from recognizing my efforts. So all these years, my actions weren't useless. Perhaps… I've truly shown some people a glimmer of light.

"Thank you…"

Filled with overwhelming affirmation from Li Ang's response, the Princess—her heart nearly overflowing—took a deep breath, barely holding back her impulse to say yes on the spot.

"I'll go now. About your proposal… I'll think about it carefully."

Saying this, her chest burning hot, she quickly left the private room and the restaurant, stepping swiftly into the chilly night air of the capital.

Li Ang, too late to stop her, was about to follow when the waiter stationed at the door suddenly stepped forward, politely but firmly blocking his path.

"Sir."

With a sympathetic glance at Li Ang, abandoned by his companion, the well-dressed waiter hardened his expression and smiled politely:

"Your dishes are already being prepared. Is there anything else you need?"

"…"

What I need… I need you to call back the one who paid the bill!

Looking at the waiter, who eyed him warily as if fearing he'd flee without paying, Li Ang's lips twitched twice, but he ultimately couldn't bring himself to call the Princess back.

"Well… uh…"

After recalling the menu prices, the cash-strapped rebel leader cleared his throat awkwardly and ventured:

"Are there any dishes not yet prepared? My… companion had to go home. I can't eat all this. Can I return a few?"

"I'm sorry, all dishes are already being prepared. But I can hurry them along for you."

"Alright…"

…

Wait… what was I even here for again?

As Li Ang sat before a lavish feast, gritting his teeth as he ate the most expensive meal of his life, Princess Wang Nuwei, seated in her carriage, suddenly remembered her original plan—prompted by her growling stomach.

Wait a minute?

I just wanted to invite Li Ang to dinner, to strengthen our bond so he wouldn't keep thinking about breaking off our engagement? How did we go from ordering food and chatting for a few minutes to armed coup, suppressing nobles, seizing the throne?

And I haven't even eaten yet…

Pressing her rumbling stomach, recalling the absurd turn of events, the Princess blinked in disbelief.

It's always like this… every time I'm alone with Li Ang, something goes wrong.

We went to the theater and got attacked by an anomaly—turned from watching a play to acting in one. Then I visited to reconnect, ended up teasing him too much, and he dumped me on the sofa to sleep all night.

Today was the worst—I just wanted a simple dinner, and to ask him to show up at the upcoming council meeting to help push my proposal, and nearly got convinced to launch an armed coup…

No matter what my original intention, whenever I meet Li Ang, everything veers wildly off course. He drags me onto a path I never imagined, leading to a result utterly unrelated to what I originally planned.

Strange man… hmm… but it's not bad.

At this thought, for some reason, Princess Veronika raised her hand and gently touched her left cheek.

Just minutes ago, a scorching palm had firmly cradled this very spot, demanding she answer him honestly.

Who would've thought—this little man who couldn't handle even a little teasing—could be so forceful…

She mimicked Li Ang's motion, cradling her own cheek several times, but couldn't recapture that strange, yet not unpleasant feeling. She lowered her hand, leaned against the carriage wall, cleared her swirling thoughts as best she could, and began pondering Li Ang's proposal.

If I refuse Li Ang, after the council meeting in three days, Father will likely use his royal authority to terminate my engagement to Li Ang and marry me off far away.

At that point, I won't just lose Li… lose all the effort I've poured in for years—I'll lose the chance to truly change the kingdom, forced to watch countless others like "Li Ang" and "Anna" continue struggling in suffering.

But if I accept Li Ang's proposal, I sever the last thread of filial bond. With Father's stubborn nature, he'll likely never speak to me again before he dies.

Father has been king for nearly twenty years—his prestige remains high. To ensure the kingdom's stability, I must imprison him. Given the inevitable backlash from the old nobility after reforms, this imprisonment will last at least ten years—possibly longer.

Father has been ill for six years, his health poor. If imprisoned now, with his illness and rage combined, he may not survive until the situation stabilizes and the confinement ends…

What should I choose?

After returning to the palace by carriage, the Princess, her eyes filled with indecision, entered her bedroom and stood before the shelf beside her desk, staring blankly.

On the top shelf of the cabinet sat a row of slightly worn but clearly well-maintained photo frames. The largest photo showed a young, healthy couple and a girl beaming with joy.

Though the photo was old and faded by light, careful inspection still revealed the girl's facial features—the genuine laughter shining through.

In the photo, the girl wore a crown of wildflowers, seated on a swing made of wooden planks and vines, swinging high into the sky, her eyes clear and innocent, utterly free of the cunning and pretense of adulthood.

Behind her stood a young man with deep tear grooves beside his nose, yet smiling warmly—he held his arms outstretched, pushing the swing with all his strength to send her soaring.

Nearby, a young woman, only half visible in the frame, sat on a chair beside the swing, gazing tenderly at her husband and daughter's play.

"Father… Mother…"

After brushing her fingers over the old photograph, the Princess clenched her fist slightly, then tore her gaze away from it and lowered her eyes one level.

A tin doll, half its face shattered, its expression like a mournful smile, rested quietly on the shelf; two emerald glass eyes, filled with an inexplicable sorrow, timidly gazed at her.

"…"

Cornwall City six years ago… the ruined factory at the end of the alley… pools of vivid syrup spilled across the floor… survivors hiding in the warehouse… a little girl clutching a doll, trembling as she looked toward her… fuel bombs descending from the sky… syrup ignited… a roaring sea of orange and yellow fire…

Seeing the tin doll's eyes—the same color as the girl's—the nightmare that had tormented the Princess for six years surged uncontrollably into her mind again.

Gently tracing the burn marks on the doll's arm, remembering the expression on Li Ang's face as he spoke of his past, the Princess bit her lip once more.

What must I…

"Tap. Tap-tap."

As the Princess wrestled with her inner turmoil, a knock came at the door.

"Your Highness."

After receiving the Princess's permission, two ladies-in-waiting opened the door and entered the bedroom, bowing respectfully to report:

"His Majesty has learned of your return and wishes to see you, to hear your account of today's meeting with the Prime Minister."