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“They just want to be treated fairly,” Kastina said with a smile.

“I assumed the xenos here would be different,” Yaeger shrugged, quickly changing the topic. “Kastina, are you content with your current situation?”

Kastina blinked and shook her head. “No.”

“You’re a princess. You live comfortably and can do whatever you want. What could you be dissatisfied with?”

“Compared to ordinary people, I live well. But there’s no safety,” Kastina sighed.

As the Empire’s least influential princess, life wasn’t easy for her. Her aggressive demeanor masked her deep insecurities.

“Don’t you want to change that?” Yaeger asked, patting Kastina’s shoulder.

“I do. It’s all I think about. But intent alone isn’t enough.”

“If you don’t act, nothing will change,” Yaeger said, withdrawing her hand and looking into the distance.

“That’s easy to say. I have no power or influence, just a bit of money. What can I do?” Kastina grumbled.

“I’m very dissatisfied with my current state,” Yaeger said, looking up at the sky. “I want to stand at the pinnacle of the world. I’ll keep ascending at all costs until I get there,” she said, her voice emotionless.

Kastina was shocked by the ambition in Yaeger’s words. Yet, it also seemed like a laughable delusion. Did Yaeger truly understand how vast the world was and how high its pinnacle?

Kastina wanted to extinguish the delusional enthusiasm of the young beauty before her and wake her up. No one should live in a state of delusion. However, something about Yaeger’s calm expression and indifferent tone gave her pause.

Kastina had a strong hunch that Yaeger could actually achieve it. That hunch was very strong! How did it come to this? She had no idea.

At that moment, “This Empire is the greatest aid to reaching the pinnacle. That’s why I must claim it,” Yaeger said, turning to Kastina with a solemn expression.

Kastina was stunned, as if struck by thunder.

‘The lowly slave wants to rebel?’

Her eyes widened, pupils shrinking rapidly, as she stared at Yaeger in disbelief. They had just been discussing discrimination—how had the conversation shifted to treason? Was she seeking her own death?

“Lowly slave, do you aspire to stand beside it?” Kastina asked, suppressing her shock and pointing at the sun.

“That’s fine with me,” Yaeger replied calmly. “Once I surpass humanity and ascend to a higher plane of existence, it won’t be difficult at all.”

Kastina was left speechless by her words.

“Humans have limits, but Demon Gods and Divines do not. That’s why, Kastina, my goal is to become an unrivaled being like them. Only then can I reach the pinnacle and gaze down upon the world,” Yaeger explained, ruffling her wind-tousled hair.

She spoke as if surpassing humanity and becoming a supreme being was completely natural. Kastina was in a daze.

If an ordinary person had said that, she would have laughed hysterically. However, hearing it from the dazzling younger beauty, she found herself unable to laugh. Instead, it felt natural, given Yaeger’s personality.

“Kastina, will you help me reach the pinnacle and witness the unique view it offers?” Yaeger asked, extending her hand with a radiant smile.

That dazzling smile and those words struck her soul deeply. Kastina found it hard to breathe as her heart pounded and her mind went blank.

‘Is this… a declaration of love?’ She clutched her chest, trying to suppress her excitement. ‘Ah, my heart is about to burst! How could this lowly slave do something so unexpected?’

After sneaking a glance at Yaeger and seeing her sweet smile, Kastina’s heart raced even faster.

‘What should I do? Should I accept her confession? But if she commits treason, it means I’m betraying my father…’

She was deeply conflicted. Although her father was incompetent, he was still her father, bound by blood. Besides this, Kastina feared the rebellion might fail. Her father was exceptionally strong. Compared to his might, the two of them were powerless.

“Don’t worry, I’ll handle everything,” Yaeger reassured her, smiling gently. Her voice was as gentle as a warm spring breeze.
“Can you really do it?” Kastina asked, still in disbelief.
“Of course,” Yaeger nodded.

Noticing Yaeger’s calm and confident expression, Kastina sensed there was something she wasn’t grasping fully. After a moment of hesitation, she exhaled deeply, staring straight at Yaeger, and spoke slowly.

“If… hypothetically, the rebellion succeeds, can you promise to keep him alive?”
Yaeger nodded firmly. “Yes. We never intended to kill him.”

Kastina felt a wave of relief wash over her upon hearing that. Her lingering attachment to her father had been her greatest mental obstacle.

“Hmph! Since you’ve earnestly sought my assistance, I shall be merciful and help you this once!”

Kastina’s worries vanished with Yaeger’s promise. She quickly regained her usual prideful demeanor, pressing her slightly trembling hand on Yaeger’s, which was so delicate she almost wanted to keep it as a trophy.

“Then I am truly grateful,” Yaeger said with a bitter smile, quickly taking Kastina’s hand. It was incredibly soft and tender.

“Ah~” Kastina suddenly stumbled, falling against Yaeger as if she had lost her balance.

Yaeger immediately caught her, keeping her steady. At that moment, a system notification sounded.

The notifications continued until Kastina’s relationship status with her displayed as three question marks.

‘Three question marks? What does that even mean? Alicia’s relationship with me is also three question marks. How high is their Favorability towards me?’

Yaeger was utterly puzzled as she looked at the beauty in her arms. Kastina’s face was flushed, and her gaze was vacant. With her keen intellect, Yaeger realized that Kastina had deliberately fallen.

‘Since she practically jumped into my arms, does it mean I can pursue her anytime I want?’

As someone with zero romantic experience, Yaeger was completely at a loss. But more importantly…

‘Even if I could pursue her, I can’t. C̲o̲c̲k̲, please come back!’

Feeling Kastina’s softness, Yaeger felt a mix of frustration and longing, screaming internally.