Chapter 4

Duke's study.

Fifteen minutes later, Luosen was summoned again.

He entered the study, his expression calm and humble, exactly like an ordinary minor noble heir.

In the study, Princess Selena's face remained radiant, but her flawless jade-like eyes hid a hint of apology.

The Duke's face, however, showed a hint of anticipation, as if he were waiting to see a good show.

Luosen bowed respectfully, calling him 'Duke'.

As he lowered his head, he silently chuckled: 'Grand Duke, you yourself sent the princess to me, so I'll gladly accept it, hehe.'

Through some covert means, he had already learned in advance of the Duke's prank.

And he intended to go with the flow, thus marrying the princess.

Accepting the princess certainly brings great risk, even mortal danger from the moment he nods in agreement, but it also means great reward.

Because according to Weilan tradition, if the princess bears him a big, fat son in the future, he will then be eligible to compete for the Duke's throne.

An ordinary baron would certainly not dare to agree, but having transmigrated for ten years and lived in Dawn City for ten years, he is ninety-nine percent confident he can safely bring the princess back to White Sturgeon Island.

At this moment, the Duke spoke, his voice very calm.

'Luosen Sachsen, I hereby appoint you lord of White Sturgeon Island, Hank Island, and Shengan Island, as well as the central sea area of the three islands.'

Luosen 'startled': 'Duke, how come?'

'Don't interrupt me!'

The Duke 'angrily' slapped the tabletop, producing a booming 'Bang!' that drove Luosen's following words back into his belly.

Luosen silently curled his lip: 'For the princess's sake, I'll play along with you.'

'You must firmly safeguard Weilan's northeastern sea domain, especially by suppressing the Sea Fishmen's power, preventing them from growing strong and posing a security threat to Weilan's maritime trade.'

'Do you understand?'

Luosen wore a 'confused' look, yet he humbly nodded: 'Yes, Duke.'

The Duke's voice sounded again: 'Don't get too excited yet; I have additional conditions.'

He pointed to Princess Selena beside the desk.

'My sister, Lady Selena Elridan, will become your wife, and the two uninhabited islands plus the additional sea area are my brother's dowry for her.'

Luosen 'stood dumbfounded', seemingly completely unprepared for such a turn of events.

'Duke, I didn't catch that. Why is Princess Selena becoming my wife?'

'What, you're not happy?'

The Duke narrowed his eyes, tightly staring at Luosen, like a beast poised to pounce.

Luosen swallowed, his face showing 'nervousness', and turned his head to look at Princess Selena.

Princess Selena was looking at him with a rather peculiar gaze.

His deep magical power and the sensitivity from his past life told Luosen that the princess's mood must be extremely conflicted.

She has taken a liking to him, wants to go with him, but because of various worldly bonds, she dares not go with him.

This is also quite normal, given that his body in this life is truly excellent; sometimes when he looks in the mirror, he feels quite satisfied.

Individually, his features might not stand out, but together they are remarkably well-proportioned—belonging to the type of face that isn't striking at first glance but grows more appealing the longer you look.

The princess is also young, so her taking a liking to him is understandable, but this is a romantic quality unique to young maidens.

When they grow older and gain experience, they will no longer indulge in such unrealistic dreams.

Time ticked by second by second, and Luosen remained silent.

The Duke's face gradually showed a look of victory, while the princess, while secretly sighing in relief, also revealed a hint of disappointment she herself hadn't even noticed.

The lover who secretly admired her ultimately could not withstand the trial of worldly power, and amid repeated similar disappointments, the romantic maiden gradually grew into a realistic woman.

Just then, Luosen spoke, his voice clear and steady.

'I am honored to have won the favor of the Dawn Princess, and I am more than willing to become her husband, for which I feel great glory.'

At that moment, the Duke's raised lip froze into astonishment, while the princess, though her face showed surprise, her eyes deep within brimmed with intense joy.

Luosen watched the Duke's astonishment gradually turn to anger, while inwardly he smirked coldly.

This world, individuals possess no great power.

That is common sense.

True great power exists only in large collectives such as royalty and the state.

That too is common sense.

Even the mightiest Six‑Ring cultivator at the peak of practice cannot withstand the siege of twenty well‑equipped, well‑trained high‑level warriors.

According to his knowledge, Dawn Castle holds at least five hundred high‑level warriors, and even stations at least five four‑ring Battle Masters.

In contrast, he himself is alone, possessing hardly any decent magical implement, not even having had time to buy a staff.

By common sense, he should have no room for resistance whatsoever.

However, lacking arcane might does not mean he lacks the strength of a hundred foes! Lacking arcane might does not mean a strong one must be humiliated by the weak.

When faced with the antics of the weak, he often does not bother to retaliate, simply because he is too lazy to; but when core interests are truly at stake, he never yields! Taking the princess back to the island, farming and seizing the dukedom—this is now his core interest.

The Duke is merely a three‑ring high‑level warrior, whereas he, after ten years of dedicated cultivation, commands power that even ten dukes could only hope for but never attain.

Before the Duke's anger even surfaced, Luosen bowed again.

'Duke, thank you very much for the investiture. If there's nothing else, please hand over the investiture document; I'll take my wife back to the island right away.'

In this world, when a king marries a princess, it's called a match made in heaven.

When a baron marries a princess, it's like a wild chicken taking a golden phoenix.

Not only is it not a good thing, it will also invite deadly disaster.

So, he must hurry to take the princess away, then properly lay out his counter‑plan.

The situation far exceeded the Duke's expectations; he held the investiture document in his hand but delayed handing it to Luosen.

He was also unwilling to hand it over, because it was not part of his plan at all.

So he contemplated how to change his words.

He actually thought of one, looking at his own sister with a threatening gaze.

The meaning was clear: "If you don't refuse, the Baron must die."

Selena obviously understood; though she was extremely unwilling, she still spoke: "Baron, I—"

Luosen, of course, also knew this and immediately interjected: "Your Highness, I am fully aware of the consequences of my actions, but I must say, even knowing them, I would still make this choice."

"And even if I die because of it, Your Highness need not feel any guilt, for this is the path I chose voluntarily, and I have no regrets."

When the Duke heard this, he thought inwardly that things were going badly, because he knew his sister's temperament best.

And the Baron was the man she loved; once those words were spoken, that innocent little girl could not possibly bear it!

Sure enough, Selena's tears went "Swoosh" and filled her eyes, her radiant face showing extreme joy and deep emotion.

"Oh, Baron, I am deeply grateful for your affection, but I cannot watch you die with my eyes wide open."

Luosen, in a righteous tone, refused: "I ask you to grant it, Your Highness!"

Selena was completely overwhelmed, tears streaming down her face at once: "I will grant you, Baron, I will grant you."

"If you die, I will die with you." The Duke erupted in fury! These two wretched lovers were putting on a love drama before him, as if the Duke meant nothing!

As the chief wedding priest?! He stared at Luosen: "Baron, have you thought this through!"

Luosen nodded solemnly, speaking in a peculiar tone: "Lord Duke, I trust that with your mercy, you will allow me to take the Princess away."

The Duke was startled, then instinctively nodded: "I will let you take the Princess, but I will not let you take her away easily."

He turned his head to look at his own sister.

"Selena, Ms. Adrian, from this moment I strip you of all the family's bestowed glory, your magical implements, clothing, carriage, even all the assets under your name; they must all stay in Dawn City."

"Except for a coarse hemp skirt used to cover modesty, don't even think of taking a single copper to Bird‑Poop Island!"

"Remember, not a single copper!"

Selena's mind was already dazed by her lover; without hesitation she replied: "As you wish, Lord Duke!"

As she said, she slammed the gem‑adorned staff in her hand onto the Duke's desk, producing a "Bang!" and then ripped off the jewelry on her head, throwing it to the floor, and began stripping in the study.

Luosen also jumped in shock, thinking: "Ah, love truly makes people blind!"

The investiture document already clearly stated that she was his wife, so both emotionally and logically he had to fulfill the basic duty of preserving his wife's face.

He immediately removed his spacious cloak and draped it over Selena.

Soon, Selena stripped off the last silk underpants, then seized the investiture document from the Duke's hand and proudly said, "Lord Duke, farewell!"

Having said that, she was the first to leave the study, and Luosen quickly followed.

When they reached the doorway, the Duke's voice came from behind: "Little Baron, you will soon pay the price for this."

How could Luosen not know this? A poor‑land Baron marrying a Princess is like a mayor of a north‑west town in a past life marrying the daughter of a Middle‑East king.

Such sky‑splitting wealth costs lives!

At a time like this, what is most important?

Of course, information is paramount.

Thus, after exiting the Duke's study, Luosen felt a surge of internal magical power; he curled his left finger and gave a gentle flick toward the corner of the wall outside the study, then quickened his steps to keep up with the Princess.

In this world, the more explosive the news, the faster it spreads.

The news of the Princess rejecting the marriage and fleeing was as explosive as a nuclear bomb.

While following the Princess, Luosen saw all sorts of strange gazes: confusion, amazement, schadenfreude, and anger.

Especially the angry one, a middle‑aged man in dark‑red herringbone leather, sporting an Aaron‑style side‑swept haircut.

Luosen met his gaze; the other man's eyes did not dodge, but glared viciously, as if saying, "Kid, you've got a good show for me."

Luosen thought: "Seems to be a messenger from the Allen Kingdom, probably on behalf of King Dange seeking a marriage alliance, and now the Princess has become my wife—hiss— I'm feeling a tiny spark of impulse."

Although it hasn't been heard that the Duke accepted the marriage contract, rumors of a marriage proposal have already begun to circulate.

Thus this matter is essentially slapping King Dange in the face.

If it were Levinde or the Kaowangguo, their envoys would at most protest a few sentences, the Duke would make reparations and apologize, and the matter would end without any terrifying aftermath.

But Allen is different.

The Allen Kingdom's power is at its peak, King Dange's prestige is superb, so actions are naturally very domineering, and Weilan has always yielded to Allen's authority, almost becoming its subordinate.

Therefore, the Allen Kingdom will definitely wash away the disgrace with blood.

Whose blood?

The Duke cannot, the Princess cannot, so it must be that little Baron of his.

Obviously, the Duke and the Princess both know this.

The Duke messed up, not expecting to encounter this anomaly.

The Princess's passion is currently high, but once it subsides, she will likely regret it.

Unsurprisingly, shortly after he leads Selena out of Dawn Castle, he will have to face assassins from the Allen Kingdom.

At the same time, the Princess will be frightened, will regret, and will think of protecting her lover's life by submitting to the Duke.

Therefore, bringing the Princess back to the island without leaving a large lingering threat is truly very difficult.

Sending the Princess back now? That's even more impossible.

There's no reason to pick up gold nuggets and turn them over to the police; what to do? Of course, counter each move.

At present, information is scarce; we'll take it one step at a time.

Thus, he subtly flicked his finger at the suspected Allen messenger.

Afterwards, under the escort of various gazes, the two finally walked out of Dawn Castle.

Luosen, where is your carriage?

I have no carriage; I came on foot.

Selena lightly patted her forehead, lowered her gaze to her bare feet, and let out a soft sigh.

Oh~~ I was really muddle-headed just now, actually forgetting you have no carriage. I should at least have left a pair of boots.

Luosen immediately said: "Your Highness, shall I carry you?"

Carry me?

Selena looked at Luosen somewhat shyly: "I only have a long cloak all over."

As she spoke, light surged over her body, but it was merely an illusory disguise of a dress via phantom technique; this did not change the reality.

Luosen glanced at the Princess; though her hair was disheveled, she remained radiant, and he thought to himself: "I would like to take advantage, but the timing isn't ripe yet."

A romantic maiden is like a shy deer; if you press too hard, you'll shatter her fantasies of love and then scare her away.

It needs to be simmered gently over a low fire.

Thus he spread his hands: "Madam, this is only a makeshift solution; or perhaps you could use a Flight Spell?"

"Flight Spell? That works; after all, the distance isn't far—lend me your staff for a moment."

The Flight Spell consumes a great deal of mana; with her high-level peak mana, at full power she can fly only about four or five kilometers.

It is also hard to control, so she needs the aid of a staff.

After all, flying is no joke—either nothing happens, or if something goes wrong, it's a deadly matter.

Luosen spread his hands: "I don't have a staff."

"There are still mages without a staff?"

Selena was somewhat doubtful, sizing Luosen up and down; indeed she found nothing that could be called a staff, a long rod-like magical implement.

Luosen spread his hands again: "Your Highness, you should be well aware of my financial situation."

Selena lightly tapped her forehead: "That's right, I indeed understand."

Ah~ forget it, just carry me; fortunately this cloak is wide and long enough.

In the end, the radiant, noble and elegant Dawn Princess Weilan still climbed onto Luosen's back.

"Luosen, first take me to see Anna; I want to borrow a set of clothes from her."

Who is Anna?

Of course, she is Luosen's mentor, Lady Agneth.

(End of chapter)