Re:Zero -Starting Life in Zero

Since it concerns his core trump card, Green naturally wouldn't reveal it directly.

"I'm sorry, Crusch, but some secrets can't be told."

"If you have any concerns, you can withdraw immediately after killing the white whale; I will not stop you."

Green leaned forward, elbows on the edge of the table, his tone casual yet sharp, his smile revealing certainty.

Mimi, who had been showing off her dessert with her head down, suddenly stood on the table, hands on her hips, and said, "Big brother, don't be afraid, Mimi will help you!"

Anastasia quickly picked him up.

"You can't be so rude, Mimi. Go back to your seat right now."

At the mention of the white whale, Wilhelm gripped the hilt of his sword tightly, his eyes filled with fighting spirit.

But he did not speak, because the decision was now up to his patriarch, Duke Crusch Karsten.

"The Karlsten family has no habit of abandoning allies, Lord Green. If we fully cooperate with you, what are our chances of victory?"

Crusch's words were full of probing.

Green narrowed his eyes and slowly extended a finger.

Crusch frowned slightly and asked, "Only ten percent?"

Before Green could speak, Mimi darted down to him, placed her fingers across his fingertips, and formed a cross.

"If we add Mimi, we'll have a 100% chance of winning!"

Green withdrew his finger and flicked Mimi's head hard.

"You've already finished pretending, what am I supposed to pretend for?"

Mimi crouched down on the ground, clutching her head.

"Ouch, that hurts! Mimi's brain is going to go crazy! (referring to dizziness)"

Green held up one finger again: "I mean, we're going to win."

Although he had guessed that Green had made ample preparations, Crusch was still somewhat surprised by the result.

Green's aura was as solid and firm as iron, without the slightest falsehood.

She suppressed her turbulent emotions and asked the question seriously.

"One last question, Lord Grin, do you have a way to deal with the Bishop of Greed?"

Green responded with a reassuring smile: "At least I can hold him off, and if there's an opportunity to kill him, I'll seize it."

Crusch closed her eyes, banishing all unnecessary thoughts from her mind. When she opened her eyes again, only a resolute expression remained.

"Although I still have some doubts and concerns, Lord Green's aura and confident eyes are undeniable. I believe that you, who can produce ancient relics, will not disappoint me."

Seeing that the patriarch had made up his mind, the sword demon Wilhelm could no longer bear it and bowed deeply to Green.

"Slaying the white whale is my life's desire!"

"If I survive the defeat of the White Whale, I will risk my life to offer Lord Grin the head of the Archbishop of the Witch Cult!"

Anastasia smiled and wiped her mouth with a clean white silk handkerchief.

"It seems we'll have to double down on military equipment. Our mercenary group will also assist you, Mr. Green. This must be the biggest deal Lugunica has ever made since its founding."

"Then it's settled. We'll wipe out the Witch Cult and the White Whale together. We'll set off for the Great Tree of Friguel first thing tomorrow morning."

Green stood up, using the edge of the table for support, and stretched his body, which had become numb from sitting.

"Everyone, go and prepare. I also need to go check on Otto's situation."

……

On the other side, Otto clutched his clothes and staggered as he stepped onto the white jade steps of Priscilla's mansion.

The stone surface was so cold it hurt his feet, but Oto was covered in cold sweat.

If it weren't for the Mezas family crest, he wouldn't have been able to get in at all.

I followed Al cautiously through the corridors and into the main hall, which was illuminated by gilded candlelight.

Otto kept his head down, not daring to glance around, his boots scraping the ground, his whole body tense like a fully drawn bow.

It wasn't until Al spoke up that he suddenly looked up, his legs went weak, and he almost fell to the ground.

"Alright, young man, hurry up and say what you have to say, it's almost time for the princess's afternoon nap."

On the crimson carpet throne on the high platform, Priscilla sat reclining, her golden hair and red dress like a raging fire, her figure tall and graceful.

Her red eyes were half-open as she glanced at Otto casually.

The royal arrogance and haughty disdain emanating from him made Otto almost unable to breathe, and he didn't even dare to breathe loudly.

"Oh dear~ What's the purpose of Grimm sending a clown?"

Priscilla's voice was languid, yet carried a chilling contempt.

Otto hurriedly bowed, his back bent so low his knees were almost touching his chest, and his voice trembled.

"I, Otto, am a friend of Grin-kun. I've come to visit to invite Princess Sun to join me in the fight against the White Whale and the Archbishop of Sin! Afterwards, you gentlemen can share this honor..."

"Boring."

Priscilla chuckled, leaning back languidly, her blonde hair and red dress billowing like flames, her tone full of impatience.

"I never share anything with anyone."

Otto's heart sank to the bottom. He couldn't face his friends if he went back empty-handed.

With that thought in mind, he gritted his teeth, mustered his courage, and took half a step forward to continue his persuasion.

"Your Highness, please reconsider! If you can truly defeat both the White Whale and the Witch Cult together, your reputation will undoubtedly increase significantly, which would be a great benefit to the kingdom's inhabitants!"

He went on and on, recounting the Allied forces' advantages and post-war glory, and Al was somewhat impressed by the man's perseverance.

Priscilla, seated on the throne, always wore a faint, amused smile.

Her eyes remained completely calm, showing neither agitation nor anger, as she quietly watched him struggle like a clown.

Seeing this, Al shook his head. He knew from the princess's expression that it was hopeless.

"Young man, you should just give up. Green knows the princess's temperament, so he probably won't blame you."

Priscilla hadn't had enough fun yet, so she quickly raised her hand to stop her.

"Despite such cold treatment, you still want to help your friend. This friendship is truly admirable. I will take pity on you and give you a chance..."

"Really? That's wonderful! Her Highness is truly a benevolent monarch!"

Otto's eyes lit up immediately, and he beamed with joy.

Priscilla laughed mockingly, her tone casual and haughty, as if she were bestowing a trivial favor.

She adjusted herself to a comfortable position on the throne, kicked off one shoe to reveal her smooth, jade-like foot.

"Lick it, kneel on the floor, suppress your shame and humiliation, and like an ugly beast, offer a kiss to the instep of my feet."

"What?"

Otto's joy froze instantly, all color drained from his face, his lips trembled, and he couldn't speak, feeling a surge of humiliation.

He gripped his clothes tightly, his knuckles turning white, and his legs felt as heavy as lead.

On one side was the entrustment of a friend, and on the other was the ultimate humiliation of a nobleman. In the struggle, cold sweat slid down his forehead and dripped onto the cold white jade floor.

If it were Green here, he would definitely give this princess a thorough dressing-down.

But he was different; he was just a businessman, and it didn't seem like a big deal for him to suffer some humiliation for his friends.

Green is his best friend!

Priscilla leaned back on her throne and urged, "It seems your friendship isn't very deep. If you can't do it, don't waste my time."

Just as Priscilla was about to pull her foot back, Otto made up his mind and spoke up to stop her.

"Wait... I'll lick it..."

He trembled as he bent over, his back hunched like that of a lowly animal, his fingertips digging into the ground as he crawled toward the throne.

Al was taken aback, hesitated to speak, but was ultimately stopped by a faint look from Priscilla, and retreated with his head down.

The closer Otto got, the more disgusted Priscilla's expression became.

This base and lazy behavior made her somewhat wicked. If Otto could be a little more assertive, he might still have a chance.

Priscilla had decided to kick the man hard when he tried to kiss her.

Otto took a deep breath and was about to lower his head when something unexpected happened.

Green appeared at the hall entrance, his face contorted with rage, and shouted in exasperation:

"You damn Otto, I sent you here as a mediator, and you're here eating ice cream?"