Chapter 17: with translation of chapter title

In the Harbor District, the Blue Whale Mansion is a landmark building and also the most luxurious hotel.

Wealthy celebrities from all over the world stay there to display their immense wealth.

The mansion's rates are indeed high; even the most ordinary room costs 30 ogres per day, more than a regular dockworker earns in a year of hard work.

When an ordinary hired carriage carrying the two drove toward the main gate of the Blue Whale Mansion, even the carriage driver became unsure.

"Sir, madam, are you sure you want to stop at the mansion's gate?"

His is just the most ordinary hired carriage; stopping at the mansion's gate would get them chased away.

Luo Sen smiled: "No need, just pull over here."

After getting out of the carriage, Luo Sen led Selena past a rosebush by the road.

After walking out, they had become a middle-aged gentleman and lady dressed finely and with elegant bearing.

They didn't take a carriage but walked toward the Blue Whale Mansion's main gate in a leisurely manner.

Selena looked at the ahead, palace-like grand building and whispered spiritually: "Luo Sen, we actually don't need to stay here; it's not only expensive, but also very conspicuous."

Luo Sen whispered an explanation: "The cost is indeed high, but I have sufficient reasons for choosing this place."

Seeing Selena return an inquiring gaze, he then explained in detail.

"First, safety."

"This is Shahelamu Master's property; no one would dare cause trouble here."

Shahelamu Master also holds many positions: he is the rotating chairman of the Mage Guild and one of the three arcane advisors to the Dawn Duke.

At the same time, the Shahelamu family is one of the three ancient great families of Dawn City, and the Master is the foremost arcane practitioner in the family.

In short, no one would lightly cause trouble in his holdings, including the Aaron people.

"Besides, everyone knows we have no money, so they'd never expect us to stay in such an expensive hotel."

Selena nodded in agreement: "Mm, that makes sense."

Luo Sen then raised a finger: "Second, because I also plan to make some money here."

Selena raised her eyebrows slightly: "I understand safety, but how will we make money?"

By then, the two had reached the revolving glass door of the mansion, and Luo Sen casually handed a gold coin to the attendant beside the door.

The attendant quickly glanced at their boots, seeing that both boots and pant legs were spotless, and immediately respectfully pushed open the door for them.

After entering the mansion's hall, Luo Sen pointed to a notice posted on the right-hand wall: "There, that's how I'll make money."

The notice read: "Victory Chess Championship held here; become the day's chess king and win a huge prize!"

Selena was very surprised: "How can you be so sure you'll become the chess king?"

She of course knew this championship; in fact, it is Dawn City's most famous international tournament and a major feature of the Blue Whale Mansion.

But she was very aware of the difficulty of the chess king championship.

Anna had a period of strong interest in Victory Chess, even signing up to compete, but after only three games she gave up completely.

"Let me tell you, those who enter are all top chess players of the Natural Alliance; they do nothing but study Victory Chess, and their skill is off the charts."

Luo Sen gave a slight smile: "I've studied Victory Chess carefully and think it's not difficult."

Victory Chess is an otherworldly version of Chinese chess with increased difficulty, where victory depends entirely on skill.

And this kind of purely skill-based board game is Laifu's forte.

Another reason is that his mentor, Lady Agneth, bought a huge collection of chess manuals to improve his skill, including the replay manuals from past Victory Chess tournaments.

These manuals became Laifu's training data, raising his chess skill to a remarkably high level.

Most crucially, the Victory Chess tournament is played as blitz, giving only 20 seconds per move, which is a human weakness but Laifu's strength.

So, the chess king prize is essentially free money.

Selena, who already had large eyes, widened them even further.

"Victory Chess isn't difficult?"

"Heh~ you and Anna really are master and disciple; you say exactly the same thing."

Luo Sen of course understood what Selena meant, and smiled: "My mentor's chess skill is indeed quite ordinary, far inferior to her arcane ability, but I am different."

He tapped his own head: "Madam, I've said before, I may learn slowly, but I will eventually master it."

"I've studied many manuals; at first it was indeed difficult, but now I find it simple."

Selena grew more doubtful: "Studying manuals? That means you've never played against anyone?"

"Not yet."

"Oh~ then I think you're wasting time, and also wasting the entry fee."

"Give it a try."

"All right, but if you lose, I'll mercilessly mock you, just as I once mocked Anna."

While speaking, the two arrived at the mansion.

Luo Sen first spent 100 ogres to book a superior room at the front desk, got the room key, then walked over to the nearby challenge registration desk.

He handed over the room key and the 100-ogre entry fee, while stating his identity.

"I am Sir Heilik, a high-tier mage from Levinde, intending to participate in today's chess king championship."

He had long learned that being a guest of the mansion and having a respectable status are prerequisites for entering the championship.

And this identity wasn't made up; he had previously asked someone to inquire and found it to be a real, existing identity, only Sir Heilik is not currently in Dawn City.

The attendant at the registration desk, upon hearing this, first lifted his head to size up Luo Sen, his gaze sweeping over him, then finally turned to Selena behind him.

Naturally, Selena's appearance had also been altered by Luo Sen to look exactly like Sir Heilik's wife.

The attendant then asked: "And this lady is?"

"Oh, this is my wife, Lady Auvina, a high-tier mage; she's accompanying me to the competition—is that a problem?"

The attendant nodded repeatedly: "Of course, we warmly welcome the two esteemed mages to today's chess king championship."

He quickly registered Luo Sen's alias, then seriously explained the rules.

The Chess King Championship will start at seven after dinner and continue until eleven at night.

If the knight intends to contend for the Chess King, please be sure to arrive on time.

Luo Sen nodded: "Thanks for the reminder, I'll be there on time."

It's only seven in the morning now, and he and Selena just finished an all-night crafting of a magic device, so they'll first return to their rooms to rest.

The mansion is huge, with many rooms, but fortunately there are attendants guiding them, so they don't have to worry about getting lost.

At first it was quiet, but when they reached the stairs, they brushed past a pair of gentlemen, and the gentlemen's conversation drifted over: "I never expected His Highness would actually choose the Bird Poop Baron as a husband."

"This is really interesting; I heard Sir Yalak went early this morning to argue loudly with the Duke, calling him a lying cheat."

"Why would he scold him like that?"

"Because the Duke had promised early on not to interfere, but then secretly hid the Princess and the Baron, causing the Aaron people to busy themselves all night for nothing, not even finding a trace, haha."

Those two gentlemen had just walked away a moment when whispers drifted again down the hallway.

"Dawn's golden rose is really willful."

"Who would disagree? The Adrian family has really lost face this time."

"The most embarrassing should be King Dange; before it was just his body that smelled, now even his reputation reeks."

"That's true; do you think Aaron will declare war on Weilan?"

"Who knows? Maybe it will."

"I think not; if the alliance therefore falls into civil war, that giant fortress would belong to Empress Zhuo Ya."

The situation is obvious; after a day of spreading, Selena's affair has spread throughout Dawn City, and as the involved parties, the Duke and the Aaron royal court have both lost face.

Selena listened quietly, but her hands gripped Luo Sen's arms tighter and tighter.

Finally she couldn't help but whisper: "Luo Sen, the situation seems off."

She seems to have greatly underestimated the Aaron people's overbearing nature.

If the Aaron people really react this strongly, Luo Sen will die because of it, his brother will fall into endless trouble, and even war could break out—all of which she does not want to see.

Luo Sen fully understands her feelings, but the regret medicine is gone.

Because he has already spent a night outside with the Princess, and this matter has spread all over the world.

So, there's no going back.

Seeing Selena full of shame and even dejected, he immediately gave her encouragement.

"Madam, don't worry; since the Duke could agree to your leaving, he must have already planned a follow‑up strategy."

"As for us, madam, you have even less to worry about—no one even knows where we are. You also heard that the Aaron people searched for us all night, and we're still fine, right?"

Selena's mood eased a little: "I feel very guilty now."

Luo Sen continued to encourage, speaking softly: "Madam, you shouldn't feel the slightest guilt."

"What the Weilan people should really do is not sacrifice the Princess's happiness to appease Aaron, but to break free from Aaron's control and gain true independence."

Selena shuddered slightly, lifted her eyes and locked gazes with Luo Sen.

Luo Sen also met her gaze with steady eyes.

"I admit this will cause some ripples, and Weilan will lose some benefits because of it. But our White Sturgeon Island is actually not small—it spans sixty to seventy kilometers in radius, and with the extra islands and sea areas granted by the Duke, its development potential is enormous."

"And once we develop it, we can fully make up for today's losses."

Selena was half‑believing, half‑doubting.

"But I've heard White Sturgeon Island is extremely barren, everywhere steep mountains and forests; the woods have nothing but bird droppings and savage forest spirits, with very few places fit for habitation. Most of the sea is also occupied by Sea Fishmen—how can we develop it?"

Luo Sen naturally knows the island is barren, but he had already prepared his explanation.

At this moment he immediately began to sketch a picture of the island's future.

Or rather, he started to draw a big pie.

"What the madam said is indeed correct, but if you think the other way around, it could actually be a great thing."

"There are many forests on the island, most of which are occupied by Forest Spirits—that's true, but it also shows the forests have never been explored; who knows, maybe precious mineral deposits are hidden somewhere."

"Most of the sea surrounding the island is indeed occupied by fish people, but that in fact shows how rich the sea is."

"With my Transmutation Alchemy, ore can be turned into powerful magic devices, and as long as we can find a way to drive away the Sea Fishmen, we will have a vast fishing ground."

"Powerful magic devices can both earn huge amounts of coins and build strong armies; a rich fishing ground can provide abundant food and also yield pearls, cold‑water coral, seabed minerals and other resources."

"Once developed, it will not only bring vast wealth, but also enable us to build a strong fleet."

"Then we can roam the oceans, specifically raiding Aaron's merchant ships, to repay today's indignities in full."

Selena listened, her heartbeat quickening slightly, still half‑believing, half‑doubting.

Really. Is it really that good?

If it were before, she would never believe such a near‑fairy‑tale future vision, but last night Luo Sen's display of outstanding ability gave her great confidence.

Luo Sen pressed on.

"Madam, do you think I must inherit the title just for a yearly surplus of a few hundred Ogre?"

"I could casually sell a few magic devices and earn ten to a hundred times more than that."

"I am willing to stake my future precisely because I have seen this deep development potential."

"That makes perfect sense, making Selena ever more moved, yet she still feels guilty and can't let go of her responsibility to the Adrian family."

Luo Sen noticed this and spoke his final words in a solemn tone.

"For a long time, we Weilan people have lived in the shadow of the Aaron Kingdom. Aaron's bunch of bastards treat Weilan as a backyard where they can romp at will."

"But madam, not every Weilan person enjoys being ridden on the head by Aaron day after day."

"The Duke doesn't want it, the Count Robert of Shire County doesn't want it, and I don't want it either."

"So, even if you don't truly wish to marry me, I will absolutely not hand you over to that foul‑smelling king!"

Weilan's golden rose is worth my life to protect.

Selena's body trembled slightly as she heard it, her eye sockets reddening uncontrollably, and she felt a surge of passionate hot blood like volcanic lava surging in her chest.

She walked all the way to the guest room door before she slightly regained her composure.

"Luo Sen, can Weilan truly escape the control of the Allen Kingdom?"

"I don't know. But I know that if we don't do it, it will forever be impossible!"

"But if we start doing it, perhaps our generation won't succeed, but our descendants will continue."

"And as long as we do it, even if we fail 99 times, as long as the 100th attempt succeeds, our Weilan will no longer be under Allen's control."

Selena lacks many qualities a leader should have, but she definitely does not lack courage.

Luo Sen's words made her blood surge, and she deeply agreed.

"Alright, then let's start from us!"

(End of chapter)