Vol 3. Chapter 36: Greed
The moment Xue Tianao caught sight of the black-haired girl, an expression of utter astonishment appeared on his face.
His azure-blue eyes were filled with a mixture of surprise, excitement, and disbelief.
As for the appearance of the Black Rose Family's young lady, Xue Tianao had already gotten a rough idea from the photographs Perloqi had sent back.
However, upon seeing her in person, he still couldn't help revealing an incredulous expression.
The black-haired girl before him was far more beautiful than she had appeared in those photographs.
Whether it was because Perloqi's photography skills were lacking or because her unique aura simply couldn't be captured on camera...
either way, in terms of beauty, the Black Rose Family's young lady was in no way inferior to the Child of Destiny he had long coveted.
In fact,
in a certain sense,
he found this young lady even more intriguing.
Compared to Mengxi's aura of pure innocence,
the faint traces of wickedness and killing intent surrounding the black-haired girl drew Xue Tianao's attention even more.
Furthermore,
her aura had also exceeded his expectations...
Previously, Xue Tianao had suspected that she was Blood Butterfly...
But the aura surrounding her was unmistakably magical power.
Not the Shadow of Silence Power of an Abyss Demon.
Everyone knew that magical power and the Shadow of Silence Power couldn't coexist.
At the same time, this black-haired girl's strength was only at the Mid Seventh Tier, not the Eighth Tier.
She's really not an Abyss Demon?
Was my previous judgment wrong?
Are they simply two similar-looking people?
The thought filled Xue Tianao with confusion.
His handsome eyes were full of bewilderment.
As a result,
after seeing the Black Rose Family's young lady,
he simply couldn't take his eyes off her.
However,
after observing the black-haired girl more carefully,
he unconsciously held his breath.
His fists clenched tightly from excitement.
'T-This... this value?!'
After receiving the System's feedback,
Xue Tianao even wondered if he was dreaming.
His sudden loss of composure caused many nearby guests to look at him in confusion.
Even Toma, who had followed him for many years, couldn't hide his puzzlement.
After all,
throughout all these years,
Xue Tianao had almost never shown such a shocked expression.
'I never imagined...
this girl's value...
would also be "Beyond Standard"?!!'
The System within Xue Tianao's mind
was a blessing bestowed upon him by the Goddess.
Not only could it exchange all sorts of bizarre blueprints and items,
it could also evaluate every person's value.
This value represented how much assistance Xue Tianao would receive if he gained that person's loyalty, affection, or goodwill.
Most of the people by Xue Tianao's side whom he truly valued had been rated A-Class.
Existences like the Grand General protecting the nation had even reached S-Class.
However,
the highest possible rating was naturally "Beyond Standard."
Until now,
only the Child of Destiny had ever received such an evaluation.
That was precisely why Xue Tianao had been obsessed with obtaining Mengxi.
Mengxi was the Chosen One personally appointed by the Goddess to save the world alongside him.
Naturally, someone like her possessed such immeasurable value.
Xue Tianao had always believed
that no one in this world besides Mengxi
could ever possess a value beyond estimation.
Yet today,
he realized
he had been wrong...
The Black Rose Family's young lady...
also possessed a "Beyond Standard" value!
Only after fiercely pinching his own thigh and feeling the sharp pain did Xue Tianao finally confirm that he wasn't dreaming.
The pain also brought the slightly flustered Emperor of the Snow Night Empire back to his senses.
After all,
staring fixedly at a young lady for so long was extremely rude.
Thus,
after regaining control of his expression,
Xue Tianao immediately offered the young lady of the Black Rose Family an apologetic gesture and expression.
Afterward,
he calmly resumed speaking with those around him,
greeting the representatives of each major faction in an orderly fashion.
However,
even while chatting amicably with everyone else,
his attention never truly left the black-haired girl.
The corner of his eye remained fixed upon that breathtaking beauty.
The only reason Xue Tianao didn't immediately walk over to greet her
was because he wished to avoid appearing too abrupt.
He wasn't an idiot.
He had just spent so long staring at her.
If he immediately rushed over afterward...
wouldn't his intentions become painfully obvious?
Therefore,
he first politely conversed with the envoys from the other factions.
Since he intended to greet representatives from every faction,
it was only natural that he would eventually visit the Black Rose Family as well.
That way,
approaching the black-haired girl afterward wouldn't seem strange.
...
...
Thus,
after barely managing to get through conversations with numerous representatives from the various factions,
Xue Tianao finally arrived at the dining area,
standing before the black-haired girl at last.
Looking at the beautiful girl standing only a few steps away,
her entire body seemingly radiating the brilliance of "value,"
the corners of Xue Tianao's lips slowly curled upward.
Deep within his azure-blue eyes,
an emotion called greed quietly emerged.
Driven by that emotion,
he gracefully inclined his head.
"Welcome to the Snow Night Empire, Miss Yu of the Black Rose Family."
Although he still had no idea why the woman before him possessed a "Beyond Standard" value,
if the System had assigned her such an evaluation,
then there had to be a reason.
In any case,
there was no way Xue Tianao could let someone like this slip away.
He absolutely had to establish contact with her.
—
Meanwhile,
"..."
Meeting Xue Tianao's enchanting azure eyes,
Miss Yumo fell silent for a brief moment.
Watching him visit the representatives of each faction one after another,
she had already realized that he would soon come to her.
No—
strictly speaking,
she had guessed as much the moment he started staring at her earlier.
After all,
the corner of that guy's eye hadn't left her even once.
Sensing the unmistakable interest hidden within his gaze,
Yumo frowned slightly.
'Don't tell me...
this guy's trying to hit on me?'
Even though he already has such a massive harem?
And now he wants to flirt with me too?!
Are you kidding me...
Does he want every woman he lays eyes on?
I seriously don't understand...
why the Goddess would choose someone like him to become the Child of Destiny...
'He's completely unworthy of that girl...'
And besides...
that look in his eyes...
it's disgusting.
A trace of irritation quietly surfaced within Yumo's sapphire-blue eyes.
Without realizing it,
she arrived at that conclusion.
Originally,
because of what had happened with Karina,
all the goodwill she once held toward Xue Tianao had already been exhausted,
leaving her feeling conflicted.
But now?
Her opinion of Xue Tianao had officially dropped below zero.
Still,
annoyed as she was,
basic etiquette couldn't simply be ignored.
She couldn't disgrace the Black Rose Family.
Thinking of that,
Yumo reluctantly performed an elegant curtsy.
"Greetings, Your Majesty Xue Tianao. Thank you for your welcome."
"No, no, no, Miss Yu, there's no need to thank me."
Seeing her curtsy,
Xue Tianao hurriedly adopted an expression of complete humility.
"Actually, I'm the one who should be thanking you. I'm truly grateful to the Black Rose Family."
Hearing those words,
Yumo raised an eyebrow.
"Hm? May I ask why, Your Majesty?"
"I know very well that after the northern border was invaded by the Abyss Demons, it was your Black Rose Family that helped defend the frontier and rebuilt vast sections of the border wall. More recently, your family also drove the cultists out of Wind Facing City, saving countless civilians. As Emperor, I naturally owe you my gratitude. Thank you for saving my people."
As he spoke,
Xue Tianao even put on an expression of heartfelt gratitude.
Then,
right in front of everyone,
completely disregarding his own status as Emperor,
he bowed respectfully to Yumo.
Several Royal Knights beside him immediately followed suit.
The surrounding guests couldn't help showing looks of surprise.
Afterward,
under Yumo's rather strange gaze,
Xue Tianao revealed another dazzling smile capable of captivating countless young women.
"In fact, I'd like to invite you to the Snow Night Imperial Palace the day after tomorrow to visit my treasury. I wish to personally choose a piece of jewelry for you as a token of my gratitude."
The moment those words left his mouth,
Miss Yumo fell silent once more.
Meanwhile,
the young ladies nearby all revealed dreamy expressions,
looking at Yumo with eyes filled with envy, jealousy, and resentment.
As for Xue Tianao,
he quietly activated the power of his Eyes of Destiny.
An invisible force slowly enveloped the black-haired girl.
As golden light rippled faintly within his eyes,
a confident smile gradually appeared on his face.
If I can obtain this girl...
the rewards I'll gain will surpass anything I can imagine.
Besides...
she should be even more enjoyable than Talovise and the others~
However,
just as Xue Tianao was indulging in those thoughts,
a beautiful female voice suddenly rang beside his ear.
It was as melodious as the song of an oriole,
yet carried an indescribable chill.
"Excuse me. Would you mind stopping that?"
?!
Mengxi?!
Turning toward the silver-haired girl who had somehow appeared beside him,
her expression icy and gloomy,
Xue Tianao froze in astonishment...