The three months Faust spent locked in the basement, smothered by Cinderella's obsessive love, were months he'd never forget.
How to describe it? Simple disgust and fear didn't cut it. Faust wasn't scared, just profoundly shaken.
You have to understand, in the past, even though Faust claimed to be annoyed by his mysterious gift, he secretly loved it. He basked in the worshipful, adoring, awed looks people gave him.
The maids who regularly warmed his bed, the noble ladies who occasionally stayed the night, weren't they all utterly devoted to His Highness?
Until he ran into "Cinderella" and met his Waterloo.
That mechanism he was so proud of? Worthless in the face of absolute numbers!
Sorry for not being able to satisfy Lady Cinderella!
He'd never seen anyone bottle things up like that. Absolutely terrifying.
Viviana really was repressed, but it was never sexual frustration. It was love that had been held back.
Faust's indifference all this time was the real source of her repression.
As long as the Prince of Aurum stopped treating emotions like bargaining chips with that calculating mindset of his, Viviana was satisfied.
So what if he slept around? That was nothing! It would actually be perfect if His Highness really could lose himself in pleasure!
When Mistoria heard about this couple's antics, confusion flickered across her beautiful face, and she frowned.
"I don't really get it, but someone with your habits doesn't seem like the one from the prophecy..."
The Elven lady imagined what it would be like if Faust fooled around with her princess the same way he did with those maids...
"Smack!"
Mistoria slapped herself hard across the face. The force was so strong it rippled through the air.
Faust was alarmed. "Teacher Mistoria, what was that for? I really don't mind you seeing my private life."
If anything, knowing that a gorgeous Elven was watching actually boosted his performance.
The Elven instructor clenched her fists, and for the first time, her lovely face showed regret and agitation. Her whole body trembled with anger.
"I deserve death... to have such blasphemous fantasies about Her Highness..."
Faust raised an eyebrow at that.
"Hmm?"
The "Her Highness" this Elven Martial Saint mentioned definitely wasn't him, which meant... the Princess of the Kingdom of Darkfold?
From the looks of it, Teacher Mistoria revered this princess to an extreme degree, wouldn't tolerate even the slightest disrespect.
This piqued Faust's curiosity, though unfortunately Mistoria never discussed the internal affairs of the Elven kingdom.
The Kingdom of Darkfold was quite mysterious to the outside world, and so far away.
No matter how extensive Faust's intelligence network was, it couldn't possibly spy on news from the Elven royal court.
Faust hadn't cared before. After all, the Kingdom of Darkfold was just too distant. Even in his dreams of conquest, he would never have included Darkfold in his plans.
That kingdom's ancient history wasn't something these short-lived human nations could compare to; it stood firm through every storm.
But now that Mephisto had loaned him into some unknown fate script, he couldn't help but pay attention.
Mistoria patted her slightly puffed cheeks with both hands, then shook her head vigorously.
"Anyway, this isn't for me to worry about. My job is simply to trust the Elven's revelation, pass on my martial arts to you, and continue training. Let's continue, Faust."
"Yes, please guide me, Teacher Mistoria."
Faust also shook off his curiosity.
Whatever fate awaited him in the Kingdom of Darkfold, if even a Elven Martial Saint felt helpless about it, then it certainly wasn't something his current self could resolve.
...
Mistoria's training continued. Faust eagerly learned the Elven instructor's techniques while constantly absorbing knowledge.
No political worries, no scheming and backstabbing; it was a rare period of fulfillment and leisure.
One afternoon, Faust walked toward the regent's hall.
Today, Mistoria hadn't called him to practice. She'd given her student a rare day off, saying rest was important too. Even rigorous training didn't mean staying tense all the time.
She'd already fully recognized the Prince of Aurum's discipline and dedication; no need to watch him constantly anymore.
So Faust decided to check in on state affairs after all this time.
Since handing everything over to his sister, he'd only felt briefly uncomfortable before thoroughly enjoying his freedom.
He'd heard Eleanor was doing well. A high-level Mage's powerful computational ability let her single-handedly streamline the inner court's bureaucratic structure. Had to give her credit...
As soon as he entered the quiet palace, the Prince of Aurum heard his sister's icy voice:
"Faust, you actually dare show your face."
The silver-gray haired princess stood by a column, her cool, elegant figure like the embodiment of moonlight itself.
A beige trench coat draped over her shoulders, and her clear, sacred blue-green eyes glared at the prince with displeasure.
Faust didn't hesitate and immediately apologized. "Sorry, I've been too busy these past days. Ignoring your affairs was indeed inappropriate of me."
"If you'd actually ignored everything, that would be fine."
Eleanor looked at the prince with contemptuous eyes that said, "What act are you putting on?"
"But you really pulled off something major without a word."
What did I do now?
Faust thought he'd spent this entire time either training in martial arts or buried in the library reading. He'd been incredibly diligent. He had no idea why Eleanor was angry.
Seeing her brother apparently intent on playing dumb to the end, the princess put a hand to her forehead and sighed.
"Do you know the Empire sent us a letter?"
"The Empire?"
Faust's voice rose at first, then he asked:
"Which Empire? The original one or the Second..."
"Of course the Second Empire. Otherwise they wouldn't even acknowledge Aurum's independence. Stop wasting my time."
Eleanor's graceful brows furrowed slightly. She seemed unwilling to keep going in circles with Faust and explained reluctantly:
"The Second Empire sent a letter expressing their desire to form an alliance with the Kingdom of Aurum.
As for the specific treaty, they've already dispatched an envoy who's on the way."
Huh? What's going on?
"Does Aurum even have anything worth allying over?"
Faust said, confused. Though the Kingdom of Aurum was one of the kingdoms that gained independence by rebelling against the Empire's tyranny, there were over a dozen such kingdoms.
Aurum's geographic position wasn't important, and it had nothing special in terms of resources. There was absolutely no reason to attract the Empire's attention.
And they weren't talking about vassalage either, but an alliance that suggested more equality?
"Who knows?"
Eleanor lifted her snow-white, delicate chin and glanced at him meaningfully.
"They specifically named you. The letter explicitly said they'd only negotiate with you, that you would fully represent the kingdom.
Maybe they're not here for Aurum at all, but purely for you."
"Anyway, I haven't even told Father about this. You caused this mess, so you handle it."
The silver-gray haired princess handed the letter to Faust and turned to leave.
Just as Faust was completely baffled, Mephisto spoke up:
[This matter was arranged by me]