Hacking the Game Didn't Go as Intended

CHAPTER 170: All in Agreement? The Palismaire Flower

"May I ask the reasoning behind your request?" the witch asked softly, her expression unreadable.

"...With the current state of affairs," Lumielle replied, "I believe it's far more sensible to place my trust in a credible stranger than in anyone within the palace. Haxks also has a history with the Mhaledictus, and his skills in espionage and reconnaissance are invaluable."

"I see," the woman mused, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "For a moment, I feared you had lost your resolve and abandoned your claim to the throne. But your plan is to leverage this boy's skills to sift through the treacherous layers of nobility."

Daisuke shot a glance at Lumielle, clearly surprised.

"Precisely," she nodded, her gaze unwavering. "While my safety is important, the greater priority is ensuring that I don't fall into the hands of the enemy. I need to identify who among the court can be trusted to support my cause."

The woman chuckled softly, a glimmer of amusement in her eyes. "And here I thought your hesitation to curry favor in the court was due to an inferiority complex, but it seems you were simply exercising caution."

The woman paused for a moment as her expression shifted, a shadow of concern crossing her face. "In truth, I'm relieved to hear you say that as there have been quiet whispers of a campaign to seize Myst Mountain once the war concludes."

Lumielle's eyes widened in alarm. "They're... after the vast natural resources believed to be there."

"That's correct," the woman replied, her tone grave. "Harnessing the resources of Myst Mountain is a strategic move to recover from the financial strain of the coming war. But if they encounter resistance from the monsters guarding the land, I fear they may resort to burning the forest to clear their way."

"What?!" Daisuke exclaimed in disbelief. "Would they really go that far?"

"Myst Mountain holds resources that could rival even the empire's, and its geographical location is perfect for maritime trade," the woman explained. "If you were a capable king, wouldn't you seize such an opportunity?"

"By destroying thousands of acres of land and slaughtering countless creatures? Absolutely not!"

"Then you are a fool."

"Better a fool than a monster," Daisuke shot back firmly.

A faint smile tugged at the corners of the woman's lips at his response before her gaze shifted back to Lumielle. "Anyway, I would much prefer to see you succeed to the throne," she said. "You are reasonable and your morals are just. But your sniveling older brother will only end up as a puppet to those degenerates, much like your father."

The princess pressed her lips into a thin line. "Then... will you help me? I believe Haxks will raise less suspicion if he's disguised as a woman."

The woman looked the boy over with the scrutiny of a butcher appraising prime monstron. "Well, I did attempt turning him into a snail earlier, though it didn't quite work. Still, I'll accept your request and the challenge... for the right price, naturally."

"This greedy ol' bag," Daisuke scoffed beneath his breath. No loyalty to her country at all. And to say all that without even flinching.

Lumielle lowered her head in a deep, graceful bow. "Thank you very much."

Daisuke sat there, his mouth slightly agape in shock. For a fleeting moment, his mind flashed to that scene from The Little Mermaid where Ariel, commanded to sing, had her voice sealed away by Ursula. This was in exchange for giving the starry-eyed girl two left feet and a chance to land a hunk of a man with an odd fascination for fish.