[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-the-adventures-of-hulim":3,"chapter-the-adventures-of-hulim-the-adventures-of-hulim-chapter-299":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"english","The Adventures of Hulim",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},1882350,2498,"Chapter 299: The Temple Trap (Part 1)","the-adventures-of-hulim-chapter-299",299,"\u003Cp>No noble in Langard was unaware of this person......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The world’s greatest prodigy in a thousand years—someone who had defeated countless high-rank powerhouses at just twelve years old and claimed victory at the Royal Martial Tournament.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath this deceptively youthful appearance lay the immense power of a high-rank warrior, far beyond what her looks suggested!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Against her, he stood no chance at all......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I-I surren......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Whoosh——!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before he could finish the word \"surrender\", a beam of light struck Berzera Ud square in the forehead.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His eyes rolled back, and he collapsed to the ground, unconscious.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking down at the subdued Berzera, Hulim Heyerar said flatly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"This is too much trouble. So please just go to sleep.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hum——!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At that exact moment,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>the floor of the entire hall suddenly lit up with the glow of a Magic Circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim tapped her toe and prepared to leap out of the circle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But before she could escape,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>rings of light converged around her, forming glowing halos that encircled her body.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim glanced at the halos trapping her—and instantly understood their effect.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Magic Circle designed to seal Fire, Light, and Non-attribute magic, as well as restrict movement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......You’ve certainly prepared for every eventuality.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tap, tap......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Footsteps echoed through the hall.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Welcome, Hulim Heyerar!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A man with a scale tattoo on his forehead smiled as he spoke to Hulim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim’s calm gaze swept over the group, finally settling on the man with the scale tattoo.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A scale tattoo......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>So this is the one behind it all?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Who are you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim asked coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"My apologies for the lack of manners~! Let me introduce myself: I am ‘The Investor’—someone who travels between nations to invest in those with ‘potential’.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"‘The Investor’? That hardly sounds like a real name.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe, you’re right—it’s just a codename. But I abandoned my real name long ago, so you may as well treat this as my identity~.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hulim studied \"The Investor\" carefully before speaking slowly:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I have a question for you.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"By all means. I’m in no hurry~. After all, I have plenty of time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Investor\" replied casually, looking completely at ease.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Despite his overly relaxed demeanor, Hulim showed no reaction, her expression remaining calm.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is your true goal? To incite civil war in the empire?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe, you seem to have misunderstood something.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Investor\" chuckled,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I must clarify: we are pacifists. We never use such crude methods as you imagine to achieve our aims.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......Pacifists?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I know what you’re thinking—you believe I’m simply stirring up conflict to make everyone fight to the death, don’t you?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is that not the case?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Of course not~! Let me ask you this: what do you think wealth is?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As he’d claimed, \"The Investor\" seemed in no rush at all. Instead, he appeared eager to converse with Hulim.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Most people think wealth is money—and in many cases, the two are interchangeable. But to us, money? Treasures? No, no! None of these are true wealth! The essence of wealth——\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Is value!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Anything with value is part of wealth: people, territories, organizations, even status—everything that holds worth is wealth. This is the true meaning of wealth!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What we control is never something as shallow as gold coins. It is the ability to mobilize valuable things at any time.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the means to control that value is investment! Give a little support, and in return, you gain far more than you gave! That is why we call ourselves ‘The Investors’.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And since it is investment, we would never make a bet that offers no return from the start, would we?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......I see. So your investment in Drehack is genuine? But from what I know, Drehack would never accept your investment.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You’re absolutely right,\" \"The Investor\" replied with a smile. \"Drehack would never take our investment—he’d order us executed the moment he laid eyes on us.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"But you must understand: a faction is not made up of a single person.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is a complex collective of interests. What Drehack refuses to do does not mean others in his faction will reject it......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Rewind to a day before the attacks on Alicia’s and Felena’s factions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One of the core members of Crown Prince Drehack’s faction—Marsim Letyer—was visited by a strange guest......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What is your purpose here?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marsim asked coldly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had heard of this man—a figure with an unsavory reputation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Please calm yourself, my lord. I come bearing sincerity~.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Investor\" said with a smile.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hmph! Sincerity?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marsim scoffed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Someone like you would know nothing of that!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe~, it seems you have many misunderstandings about me. But even if you intend to dispose of me, would you hear me out first before making your decision?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marsim studied \"The Investor\", who showed not a hint of nervousness, in silence for a long moment before speaking:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......Very well. Let me hear what you have to say.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Thank you, my lord~!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Investor\" bowed slightly, then continued: \"Lord Marsim, what do you think of Crown Prince Drehack’s current position?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"A foolish question. There is nothing wrong with his position.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Let me rephrase: do you believe his Highness will ascend to the throne?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"What did you say!?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Anger flared in Marsim’s heart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Crown Prince Drehack will certainly claim the throne! That much is obvious!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe, is that truly the case? Lord Marsim, do not deceive yourself~!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You——!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marsim flew into a rage, as if he was about to throw the man out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But in the end, he did nothing......\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"See? You did not drive me away, which means you know the truth deep down, do you not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marsim remained silent, refusing to respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Investor\" pressed on:\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"It is true that Crown Prince Drehack is currently the most promising heir among the four contenders—but only if......\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Princess Alicia of the Ninth Rank does not exist~.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"You are aware of the talent Princess Alicia has displayed at Manacos Magic Academy, are you not?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"......I am. But what of it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Marsim said stubbornly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"Hehe~, what of it?\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"The Investor\" said slowly, unhurried.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"If Princess Alicia graduates at the top of her class, it will be irrefutably proven that her talent is unmatched among the current royal family.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"And the Serions royal family has always chosen the most capable as heir. Do you think~,\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"when Princess Alicia becomes the acknowledged heir with the greatest talent, Crown Prince Drehack’s position will remain secure?\"\u003C\u002Fp>",1073,"2026-06-10T06:36:37.918Z",1,"novelbin.me","32609791f071f3d848dd3e0e65a45395d4921c173c314e46d664ba4d280ba372","the-adventures-of-hulim-chapter-300","the-adventures-of-hulim-chapter-298",528,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Fthe-adventures-of-hulim-cover.jpg"]