Bone King: Welcome the Birth of the King.

Chapter 441 The First Time Laying an Irresistible Bait with Lana

Brambly Estate.

In the luxurious hall, the bright white light of the permafrost lamps mingled with the surrounding candlelight, creating a bright and warm environment.

The table was filled with exquisite dishes.

The central basket contains freshly baked soft white bread, thick red meat dripping with gravy, sweet corn, potatoes with cream, and various salads.

The moment Princess Lana entered the room, her golden beauty and bright blonde hair seemed to dim the light for a moment.

Looking at the figure I longed to see right across the table.

Princess Lana's expression held a twisted longing, which quickly faded into a normal smile. With her fair and delicate hands lifting her skirt, she walked over with elegance and impeccable manners.

"Hello, owner of the manor."

Lana walked to the side of the dining table, bowed slightly, and pressed one knee down in a very elegant and graceful manner.
"May I ask how I should address you in your current capacity?"

Princess Lana's eyelids curved into a smile as she raised her chin and asked with a beaming smile.

now.

Tang Zheng was not wearing his usual white priest's robe, but a red and black magic robe.

Princess Lana had already noticed that there was a white, faceless mask placed to Tang Zheng's right as he was eating.

"Just a little disguise."

Tang Zheng picked up the glass next to his plate, took a sip of warm water, and gently shook his head.
"It's already evening. It will take some time to return to the capital from this manor. Let's have dinner first."

"My pleasure."

Princess Lana lifted her skirt again and bowed slightly, sitting politely and gracefully opposite Tang Zheng, her smile growing even stronger.

This time, I came to Brambus Estate.

It wasn't just from the attitude of the guards at the manor gate that Princess Lana was invited; this could be inferred from the guards' demeanor when she first arrived at the manor.

In fact, this was Princess Lana's "sudden" and unexpected action.

It was precisely because it was a spur-of-the-moment decision!

From sending someone to greet you to the well-prepared dinner before you, everything shows that your unexpected actions have always been in the other person's sight.

Such a situation of being "surveilled" would likely cause unnecessary vigilance and defensiveness in the presence of an ordinary person.

however.

Princess Lana felt no tension or wariness whatsoever; instead, an overwhelming joy welled up within her.

I've always been the focus of His Excellency Tang's attention and concern!
Confirming that is enough.

click!
Princess Lana leaned forward unconsciously, picked up a piece of salad with her silver knife and fork, curled her pink tongue around it, swallowed it into her mouth, chewed it slightly, and licked her lips.

"How did you figure it out?" Tang Zheng looked at Princess Lana, who was dressed in a pure white dress.

"Money~"

Princess Lana immediately put down her knife and fork: "The funds you provided to the Mage Guild are difficult to investigate."

"But in the entire capital, there are not many who possess such a vast amount of funds and have the means to deceive the various nobles."

Actually, she was also somewhat surprised.

Such a powerful force as the Eight Fingers has actually been controlled by this man, who has mastered a crucial part of it.

To be precise, it should be 【Zhilanong】.

A barely perceptible glint of controlling desire flashed in Princess Lana's eyes; the man before her was becoming increasingly mysterious and alluring.

Renas, the "Free Will" squad, [Eight Fingers], [Chiranon].

This enormous force is now entirely under the control of this man, and the occurrence of the hill incident can now be definitively linked to it!

"Whoo~"

Princess Lana's nostrils twitched slightly, and her expression became even sweeter and more humble.

Each time she lifted one veil, she could perceive an even deeper veil hidden beneath, even now that so many secrets had been discovered.
In Princess Lana's eyes, Tang Zheng was still like a bottomless abyss. Even with her intelligence, she could not judge or analyze even a trace of Tang Zheng's purpose or what he was going to do.

Based at least on the strength and power currently perceived.

Princess Lana believed that the other party could easily overthrow the current "Rie Yesteje Kingdom".

"Is this so?"

Tang Zheng nodded almost imperceptibly.

What he was more curious about was how Princess Lana was able to determine the location of the manor where the security headquarters of the "Eight Fingers" was situated.

There are a few other points, but none of them matter now.

Tang Zheng looked calmly and seriously at the person opposite him. It was a waste to have such a mind left unused.

"Any progress with the Mage's Guild?" Tang Zheng asked casually, while inwardly pondering how to utilize Princess Lana's intelligence.

He was on guard beforehand.

After all, given Princess Lana's intelligence, if she were to defect, she would reveal far too much crucial information.

Therefore, the tasks that Tang Zheng had Princess Lana do were not of paramount importance, and even if the information was leaked in the future, it would not have a significant impact.

And now!
Princess Lana's sudden arrival was an attempt to prove her worth to him.

“Those magicians are working on it, but progress is indeed slow,” Princess Lana said, bowing her head.

Developing "Tier 0 Magic" was the task Tang Zheng gave her, which is also why she has been in contact with the Mage Guild recently.

The official statement.

The intention was to draw the attention of royalty and nobility to magic, and to be the first to develop some simple and practical spells to attract their attention.

The kingdom has a "warrior culture," making it extremely difficult to absorb a magical culture all at once. The reasons for gradually increasing the importance of magic, coupled with the "Golden" princess's identity, will not arouse any suspicion.

"This has nothing to do with you."

Tang Zheng was not disappointed; on the contrary, he seemed to have expected it: "Just continue to provide additional funding."

Having the means to use skill points to upgrade "Tier 0 magic", he naturally had his own ideas about this.

Developing magic is not like cooking; even "level 0 magic" cannot be created in a short period of time.

It would be great if we could get results in a year or two.

and so.

Although Tang Zheng had made preparations and had ideas in this regard, he did not have high expectations, mainly because he did not have much time left.

If you want to acquire more powerful magic to enhance your strength and cope with the diverse battles of the future, there is only one way!
—World Item: [Nameless Spellbook]!
"Are you aware of what happened in the Great Forest of Tob on the border of the kingdom?" Tang Zheng asked suddenly, having made up his mind.

"The Great Forest of Tobu... I've heard of it."

Princess Lana seemed to sense something, quickly calmed down, and replied in a steady voice, "It is said to be related to [Zhilanong], probably a terrible monster like the 'Forest Ruler'."

"The specific situation must be more complicated?"

Several thoughts flashed through Princess Lana's mind in an instant, and a strong desire to explore arose in her heart.

She hadn't paid much attention to this matter, only occasionally hearing about it. The fact that Tang Zheng asked about it itself indicated that the matter was not simple.

"The problem of monsters has been effectively dealt with."

Tang Zheng smiled slightly: "However, unlike the rumors, it was not the Adventurers' Guild that actually dealt with this trouble, but the Slane Theocracy and the Council Kingdom."

As soon as these words came out!
Princess Lana's eyes widened in surprise, then a glint of light flashed in them.

"The two countries are currently at peace..." "It's 'unknown'!"

"Oh?"

"The Slane State and the Council State must have clashed over this matter, and as a result, both sides suffered losses."

Princess Lana's thinking was very clear; she made judgments and explanations simultaneously.
"Hmm~, the basis for this judgment is probably the Church's 'human supremacy concept.' The possibility of the other party cooperating with the reviewing country is extremely low, and the probability of conflict is very high."

Snapped!Snapped!
"A very correct judgment." Tang Zheng smiled and clapped his hands.

"Thank you for your praise."

Princess Lana bowed her head slightly in a humble response.

Tang Zheng leaned back in his chair and said, "The possibility of cooperation between the Church and the Council is indeed extremely low. So what methods are there to get the two sides to cooperate?"

Princess Lana pondered for a moment, then responded, "I believe that only a 'threat from a third party' or an 'irresistible lure' can create the possibility of cooperation."

“Historical feuds and ideological conflicts mean that any suggestion of cooperation from one side to the other will be seen as a conspiracy or a trap.”

"Even if a cooperation agreement is reached, it is still difficult to truly trust the other party, and various unexpected events may occur during the cooperation process."

This is indeed a difficult thing!

"An irresistible lure." Tang Zheng murmured these words to himself, lost in thought.

Princess Lana noticed this scene, her pink lips parted slightly, and she looked at Tang Zhengdao expectantly: "If we use some kind of intelligence advantage, and combine it with a trap, perhaps we can achieve the possibility of 'unconscious cooperation'."

Tang Zheng's gaze sharpened, as if he had thought of something.

"Your Excellency Tang, if you don't mind..."

Princess Lana immediately suggested that even though she didn't know what Tang Zheng was planning, she could still use the limited information she had to assist him.
"I can utilize the kingdom's cooperation."

"Tell me your proposal." Tang Zheng snapped out of his reverie and smiled at Princess Lana.

"In terms of national strength, although the Slan Theocracy is the strongest among all human nations, it cannot compare with the Council. As the weaker party, the Theocracy should be the one most wary and under the most pressure."

"We can use this to make the Church make a wrong judgment."

"for example……"

Princess Lana's voice trailed off slightly, in a nonchalant tone: "My brother has been attacked by the Empire~"

Tang Zheng narrowed his eyes.

He could clearly sense Princess Lana's indifference, even her lack of concern, towards her brother.

Was it just an "attack"?

The reason it's not about killing is because the impact of keeping them alive would be greater, right?

Tang Zheng did not speak, but waited for Princess Lana to continue.

"The Kingdom and the Empire have just ended their autumn war, so it's normal for the Empire to retaliate. However, in terms of overall national strength, the Kingdom is far inferior to the Empire."

"Given the risk of further retaliation from the Empire, seeking external assistance is only natural."

Princess Lana spoke in a light tone, as if she were talking about something completely ordinary, her gentle pretense vanished.

Do not!
This is the real face of the other party.

“But…” Princess Lana blinked and looked at Tang Zheng with a contented expression.

Tang Zhengdao: "It's just that we lack an 'irresistible bait'."

Princess Lana replied respectfully, "Yes."

Tang Zheng smiled calmly, refocusing his attention on the dinner in front of him, and casually said, "From today onwards, you will control the power of [Eight Fingers]."

“I understand,” Princess Lana said.

After a while.

With a soft "click".

Princess Lana left the hall and came to the lawn in the courtyard.

"Your Highness!" Clem came running up from a distance, panting. "What are you doing here?"

"The wines here have a great reputation."

"I made a special trip to visit the owner of this estate and asked him some questions about wine, which I can share with you later, brother."

Princess Lana responded with a cheerful smile, full of innocent charm.

"Her Highness the Princess remains as kind as ever."

Clem knew that the two princes hadn't treated the princess very well, and he thought to himself, somewhat rudely:
"The two princes are so lucky to have a sister like the princess, yet they don't know how to cherish her."

"Has the wine been loaded onto the carriage?"

"It's all set up, Your Highness."

"Let's go then, Clem, thank you for your hard work."

"This is what I should do!"

Inside the manor hall.

As Princess Lana departed, a slender figure walked down the stairs with her arms crossed and a cold expression on her face.

Her purple ponytail swayed with her slender waist.

"Looks like I can leave this godforsaken place now," Imina said calmly, her tone completely unwavering.

"Oh, are you unhappy?"

Tang Zheng remained seated in his dining chair, turned his upper body, and smiled at Imina on the stairs:
“You’ve never really liked this place, and now we’ve found someone suitable to take over the job for you.”

Imina's eyes stiffened slightly, her expression gradually turning cold as she stared at Tang Zheng: "So... you're trying to get rid of me."

"what?"

Tang Zheng feigned surprise: "We're companions, why would we send you away?"

"With your current strength, there is no need for you to stay in [Eight Fingers] any longer. Brian is more than capable of controlling you."

Imina frowned.

In fact, with the arrival of Brian and Alshe, the positions of the other two newly recruited six-armed members were squeezed out.

She had a vague feeling that Tang was about to make a new move.

However... she was still somewhat unhappy.

Imina wasn't sure where her displeasure came from either. After a brief pause, she looked towards the doorway with her narrow eyes and said, "I think that woman is somewhat dangerous."

"I think so too." Tang Zheng nodded in agreement.

“You…” Imina’s eyes widened.

"Haha, speaking of which, Renas is now a big celebrity in the kingdom, while you have always stayed in the shadows, hiding in the [Eight Fingers]."

Tang Zheng shrugged and gave a light laugh: "I just think it's time for you to step into the open."

Wow——!
Imina leaned against the stairs, expressionless, and took out the "Magic Gun - Sniper Rifle" from behind her back. She then took out a purple handkerchief from her waist and gently wiped the barrel.

"Would you be interested in going home for a visit?"

Seeing that the other party did not intend to speak, Tang Zheng smiled with interest and asked, "Not the Empire, but the real home, the kingdom of the forest."

(End of this chapter)