Since it concerned his core trump card, Grin naturally wouldn't explain it directly.
"Sorry, Crusch, some secrets cannot be spoken aloud."
"If you have concerns, you are more than welcome to withdraw your troops immediately after killing the White Whale; I certainly won't stop you."
Grin leaned forward, elbows propped on the edge of the table. His tone was casual yet carried a daunting sharpness, with certainty hidden within his smile.
Mimi, who had been focused on devouring desserts, suddenly stood up on the table with her hands on her hips. "Don't be afraid, Big Brother! Mimi will help you!"
Anastasia quickly pulled her down.
"You mustn't be so rude, Mimi. Get back to your seat at once."
At the mention of the White Whale, Wilhelm suddenly tightened his grip on his sword hilt, his eyes burning with battle intent.
But he didn't speak, because the one to make the decision now was his head of house, Duchess Crusch Karsten.
"The Karsten family doesn't have a habit of abandoning allies. Lord Gelin, if we cooperate fully, what are our chances of victory?"
Crusch's words were full of probing intent.
Grin narrowed his eyes slightly and slowly held up one finger.
Crusch's brow furrowed slightly as she asked, "Only ten percent?"
Before Grin could speak, Mimi scurried under him and placed her finger horizontally across his, forming a cross.
"With Mimi, the chances are a hundred percent!"
Grin pulled his finger back and gave Mimi's head a sharp flick.
"If you do all the showing off, what's left for me?"
Mimi crouched on the ground, clutching her head.
"Ah, it hurts! Mimi's brain is going to get weird! (Referring to dizziness)"
Grin held up a finger again. "What I mean is, we will definitely win."
Although she guessed Grin was well-prepared, this result still surprised Crusch.
The air around Grin was as solid as iron; there was absolutely no falsehood in his words.
She suppressed her racing thoughts and asked seriously.
"One last question, Lord Gelin. Do you have a way to deal with the Sin Archbishop of Greed?"
Grin responded with a reassuring smile. "At the very least, I can stall him. If there's an opportunity to kill him, I will seize it firmly."
Crusch closed her eyes, dispelling all extraneous thoughts. When she opened them again, only a look of determination remained.
"Though I still have some questions and concerns, the aura around Lord Gelin and the confidence in your eyes cannot be faked. I believe that someone who can produce an ancient relic will not disappoint me."
Seeing that his head of house had made up her mind, the Sword Demon Wilhelm could finally no longer contain himself and bowed deeply to Grin.
"Slaying the White Whale is my life's quest!"
"If I am still alive after the subjugation of the White Whale, I will risk my life to present the head of the Witch Cult's Archbishop of Sin to Your Excellency Grin!"
Anastasia's eyes crinkled as she dabbed the corners of her mouth with a white silk handkerchief.
"It seems we'll need to double our efforts in gathering military supplies. My mercenary group will also assist you, Green-kun. This will surely be the biggest business deal since the founding of Lugnica."
"Then it's settled. We'll settle the score with the Witch Cult and the White Whale together. Tomorrow morning, we set out for the Great Tree of Flugel."
Grin stood up, supporting himself on the table's edge, and stretched his numb body.
"Everyone, go and prepare. I also need to see how things are going on Otto's end."
...On the other side, Otto clutched his lapels and stumbled up the white jade steps of Priscilla's Mansion.
The stone surface was cold against his feet, yet Otto was drenched in cold sweat.
If he hadn't had the Mathers family crest in hand, he wouldn't have been able to enter at all.
He followed Al through the corridors in trepidation and entered the gilded main hall lit by candlelight.
Otto kept his head down, not daring to look around. His boots scuffed the floor, and his whole body was as tense as a drawn bow.
Only when Al spoke to remind him did he jerk his head up. His legs instantly went weak, and he nearly collapsed to the floor.
"Alright, kid, hurry up and say what you have to say. It's almost time for the Princess's nap."
On the crimson velvet throne atop the dais, Priscilla sat reclining. Her blonde hair and red dress were like a spreading wildfire, and her posture was tall and elegant.
Her red eyes were half-open, casually glancing down at Otto.
The royal arrogance and disdainful nobility radiating from her nearly suffocated Otto, making him afraid to even breathe.
"Oh my~ What is Grin's intention in sending a clown over?"
Priscilla's voice was lazy, yet it carried a bone-chilling contempt.
Otto hurriedly bowed, his back bent so low it touched his knees, his voice trembling.
"This humble servant, Otto, is a friend of Green-kun. I have come to visit today to invite the Sun Princess to join us in subjugating the White Whale and the Archbishop of Sin! Afterward, the lords can share in this honor..."
"Boring."
Priscilla sneered and leaned back lazily, her blonde hair and red dress spreading out like flames, her tone full of impatience.
"I never share anything with anyone."
Otto's heart instantly sank to the bottom. Returning empty-handed would make it impossible to face his friend.
Thinking of this, he gritted his teeth, summoned his courage to take half a step forward, and continued his persuasion.
"Please reconsider, Princess! If we truly manage to subjugate both the White Whale and the Witch Cult, your reputation will surely increase tremendously. It would also be a great benefit to the kingdom's residents!"
He prattled on incessantly, listing the advantages of the coalition and the post-war glory. Even Al couldn't help but admire the guy's persistence.
But Priscilla on the throne kept that amused, mocking smile on her lips.
There was not a ripple of emotion in her eyes; she was neither annoyed nor angry, simply watching him struggle like a clown.
Seeing this, Al couldn't help but shake his head. One look at the Princess's expression and he knew there was no hope.
"I say, kid, you should just give up. Grin knows the Princess's temperament as well; I'm sure he won't blame you."
Priscilla wasn't finished playing yet and quickly raised her hand to stop him.
"To receive such cold treatment and still want to help your friend... This friendship is indeed admirable. I shall be merciful and grant you an opportunity..."
"Really? That's wonderful! The Princess is truly a benevolent ruler!"
Otto's eyes immediately lit up, and he beamed with joy.
Priscilla smiled mischievously, her tone dismissive and arrogant, as if granting a trivial favor.
She adjusted herself into a comfortable position on the throne and kicked off a shoe, revealing a smooth, jade-like foot.
"Lick it. Kneel on the floor, endure the shame and humiliation, and like an ugly beast, offer a kiss to the top of my foot."
"What?"
The joy on Otto's face froze instantly. His color drained away, and his lips trembled, unable to speak. He felt a surge of humiliation rush to his head.
He gripped his lapels, his knuckles turning white, his legs feeling as heavy as lead.
On one side was his friend's trust; on the other, the extreme humiliation of a noble. In his struggle, cold sweat rolled down his forehead and dripped onto the cold white jade floor.
If Green-kun were here, he would surely have cursed this Princess to high heaven.
But he was different; he was just a merchant. Enduring some humiliation for a friend seemed like no big deal.
Green-kun was his best friend, after all!
Reclining on the throne, Priscilla urged, "It seems your friendship isn't that deep. If you can't do it, don't waste my time."
Seeing Priscilla about to pull her foot back, Otto made up his mind and spoke to stop her.
"Wait... I'll lick it..."
He bent down trembling, his back hunched like a lowly beast, his fingertips digging into the floor as he crawled toward the throne.
Al was slightly stunned and started to speak, but was ultimately stopped by a faint glance from Priscilla. He lowered his head and backed away.
The closer Otto got, the more Priscilla's expression filled with disgust.
This lowly and lazy behavior made her feel somewhat nauseated. If Otto had shown some spine, he might have had a chance.
Priscilla had already decided to give this man a hard kick the moment he tried to kiss her.
Otto took a deep breath, and just as he was about to lower his head, a sudden change occurred.
Grin appeared at the hall's entrance, filled with immense rage, and shouted in frustration:
"Damn it, Otto! I sent you here to be a negotiator, and you're here eating ice cream?"