Snowflakes drifted down.
One landed right on top of Ailundun’s head, looking like a little patch of white hair had gathered there.
“Whew, that was tiring.”
Ailundun gently brushed the snowflake from his head and let out a soft sigh.
He gathered everyone together again.
“I told you, there’s no way we’d fail even the Newbie Assessment…”
Ailundun laughed smugly.
“Newbie Assessment…”
Leisha’s mouth twitched slightly.
Surviving against Lami’er in his berserk state.
And in Ailundun’s view, that was just a Newbie Assessment?
He truly had no idea what that meant.
But she couldn’t deny it; their victory in this examination was entirely due to Ailundun’s tactics.
“Everyone did very well…”
Isabella’s eyes shone, her dazzling golden hair cascading down to her waist.
The group huddled around the campfire, sitting close together.
Ailundun and Luofulei finally allowed themselves to relax a little.
The examination was over.
The screens outside would no longer be showing their feed.
From now on, they just needed to wait patiently for the Secret Realm to close.
Ailundun resumed his old task, starting to grill meat again.
He smiled and handed a skewer to Luofulei.
“Leilei, do you want more?”
Luofulei hesitated briefly but accepted the grilled meat.
Isabella watched the intimate scene between Luofulei and Ailundun, a glint flashing in her eyes.
Reflecting on the entire examination, the roles she and Leisha played weren’t that significant.
Anyone else in their positions could have done the same.
But Ailundun and Luofulei were absolutely indispensable.
She had witnessed firsthand the coordination between Ailundun and Luofulei.
Whether it was controlling Lami’er or linking their actions, they performed flawlessly.
“They didn’t give Lami’er a single moment to breathe, moving with such tacit understanding it felt like they could read each other’s minds.”
Could even the members of the Royal Knights, without rigorous prior training, pull off such coordination?
“Is this what real couple-level tacit understanding looks like?”
Thinking this, her eyes flickered slightly. She couldn’t help but sneak a glance at Leisha, then guiltily looked away.
But this cautious movement was caught by Leisha, a Holy Knight.
If Isabella had been straightforward, it might have been fine, but this very action made Leisha completely misunderstand.
“Your Highness…”
Leisha’s eyes couldn’t hide her disappointment, her gaze dimming.
‘So… I’m still not strong enough?’
‘Otherwise… why wouldn’t Her Highness look at me directly?’
‘Is she afraid of hurting my feelings?’
But after a brief moment of melancholy, her eyes regained their firmness.
‘No matter what… I must not fail Her Highness’s expectations.’
As Her Highness’s childhood friend of many years, she knew her habits all too well.
Normally, if there was something, Her Highness would tell her directly and openly.
For this situation to arise could only mean Her Highness felt guilty.
Having finished grilling the meat, Ailundun felt increasingly comfortable.
He looked at Isabella and Leisha sitting close together not far away and stroked his chin.
At the moment, only one question remained worth his consideration.
Ever since last time, an idea had sprouted in his mind.
That was… how to use Isabella and Leisha to reap rewards from the Fate Roulette.
Once this thought appeared, it was deeply engraved in his mind, uncontrollable.
The reason he was so sure this path was viable was entirely due to his informational advantage.
This silly princess… actually thinks Leisha likes me.
And Leisha… judging by that sad expression, probably thinks she’s just not strong enough yet.
He stroked his chin, quietly watching the two fools.
Yes, he had seen through everything.
In short, a gathering of geniuses.
After his previous contemplation, he had gradually figured something out.
That was… how to reap rewards from the Fate Roulette through the people around him.
The Fate Roulette game only required him to change the world’s fate, with rewards increasing gradually based on his influence.
But as for what exactly the world’s direction should become, it gave no clear answer.
That left a huge amount of room for manipulation.
Therefore.
Since the future world could become anything.
Then even if it turned into a pile of dung, it had nothing to do with him right now.
What mattered most was the present; tangible rewards were what he needed.
Luofulei noticed Ailundun’s focused expression.
She paused slightly, following his gaze toward Isabella.
Isabella was looking down, fiddling with her skirt, her posture noble and dignified, her golden hair tied back.
She looked like a little girl who had done something wrong and didn’t know what to do.
For some reason, Luofulei’s heart couldn’t help but feel a momentary pang.
“Your Highness, could we have a little chat?”
Ailundun stood up and walked to Isabella’s side.
He kept his voice as low as possible, his expression solemn.
“Of course, please sit beside me…”
Isabella gazed at Ailundun who was now close, a smile appearing.
She slightly lifted her skirt, making room for Ailundun to sit next to her, the princess’s demeanor on full display.
“Sorry, Leisha, could you please sit with Miss Luofulei for now…”
“One could only say, as expected of a princess capable of unlocking a ‘Defeat CG’.”
Even her smile looked heartbreaking.
No wonder Leisha tried so desperately to protect Isabella.
He just didn’t know if Leisha’s CG would be unlocked eventually too.
Of course, all of that would have to be asked of the expert, Luofulei.
Ailundun sat down beside Isabella, placing his hands near the campfire to warm them.
Sparks flew from the flames.
Ailundun took a deep breath. With a perfectly measured look of gravity, he opened with a bombshell.
“Your Highness, Miss Leisha might actually like you…”
Across the fire, Luofulei and Leisha couldn’t hear their conversation, but the glances they occasionally stole betrayed their intense curiosity.
“Huh?”
Isabella was stunned.
“Based on my observations, the reasons are as follows.”
“First, pure friendship doesn’t involve this many complications. Leisha’s attitude toward you is exactly like that of a young girl who has just begun to experience romantic feelings.”
“Second, if she truly just wanted to protect you, she wouldn’t need to become a Holy Knight. A mage with healing abilities would be a much better choice.”
“Third, Miss Leisha doesn’t have a boyfriend, and probably never will. She’ll continue to stay by your side. This point, mainly this point, is very dangerous. Time changes everything. Even if she doesn’t like you now, what about in the future?”
Ailundun raised an eyebrow.
“That can’t be, right?”
Isabella was taken aback, unable to meet Ailundun’s eyes.
Her gaze held some awkwardness and guilt, and her hands clutching her skirt tightened further.
“Ailundun, actually, do you think there’s a possibility…”
“What?”
Ailundun lifted the corner of his eye.
“That I might be the one with the problem…”
Isabella said in a voice as faint as a mosquito’s buzz, her tone clearly lacking confidence.
After speaking, a faint blush colored her cheeks.
This time, Leisha’s protection had also made her realize something.
Perhaps… protection is also an expression of affection.
It’s just that, for some reason, she felt that way around Ailundun too.
“Huh?”
Ailundun froze on the spot.
‘Did I actually manage to bend this princess?’
‘Let’s hope the royal family doesn’t find out and come after me.’
Regardless, things were still unfolding as Ailundun had predicted.
In short, he had successfully changed the fate of the world again.
“…”