"There's such a thing?"
Luo Shu, hearing this for the first time, showed a surprised expression.
Lacus and La Folia were actually friends? And the very close kind at that?
However, after the brief surprise, Luo Shu quickly sensed something amiss:
"No, it can't be that simple."
"From what I know, La Folia's personality means their relationship couldn't possibly be that pure."
Though he hadn't studied it in detail, based on his past life's impressions, the character La Folia was undoubtedly raised strictly as the crown princess of Aldegia Kingdom.
This character was inherently political—beneath that silver beauty and the cunning she displayed lay a natural inclination to prioritise royal interests.
A La Folia like that couldn't possibly share a purely friendly relationship with Lacus.
"That so-called 'if one were male, they'd definitely date' must mean both sides possess something the other desires, right?"
Though currently recognised as Lacus's boyfriend, Luo Shu was well aware their relationship wasn't exactly pure.
Behind that harmony and trust lay blatant exchange of interests.
Even as Lacus's partner, Luo Shu understood that Lacus was fundamentally similar to La Folia in nature.
Any close friend she had would inevitably bring something beneficial to the SDS's development.
Friendship, when it came to Lacus, naturally carried an undertone of transactional benefit.
So, was their relationship something like plastic sisters bound by mutual interest?
If that were the case...
"Without offering something tangible, we can't exchange for the benefits we want?" Luo Shu frowned, muttering to himself.
Seeing Luo Shu's reaction, Meer showed no surprise. Propping her cheek on her hand, she smiled and said:
"Shu-kun's mind always works so quickly~"
Luo Shu glanced at Meer and retorted irritably:
"Do you call a friendship based on money a close friendship?"
"Isn't that perfectly reasonable?"
Meer tilted her head, pressing a finger to her lips as she questioned:
"Being able to exchange desired things using mutual benefit as bargaining chips without conflict, without worrying about backstabbing - doesn't that qualify as a close friendship?"
Luo Shu was momentarily stunned by Meer's argument.
By that definition, it really would count as a close friendship!
After all, between nations or organisations, having a trustworthy ally who won't stab you in the back would indeed qualify as such...
Even if this friendship was mixed with interests and not entirely pure...
"Following your logic, I suppose it could be considered a close friendship."
Luo Shu exhaled slowly, pinching the bridge of his nose to relax slightly:
"Although from my perspective, this approach naturally forfeits the chance to gain maximum benefits at minimum cost, if you can obtain what you want without risk, there's really no need to invite trouble."
Setting aside other relationships, Lacus and La Folia's friendship, in Luo Shu's view, simply meant they didn't need excessive caution during transactions or constant consideration of how to outmanoeuvre each other.
Under these circumstances, if Luo Shu wanted to obtain the Aldegia Kingdom's Soul Summoning Art, he'd undoubtedly have to pay substantial compensation.
And not just substantial - it would have to be something that truly tempted La Folia.
'But, benefits tempting enough for a crown princess...'
Luo Shu's mouth twitched as he recalled Nia Honjo's earlier words.
'Does this really mean I'll have to use my masculine charms?'
This wasn't just a joking reference, but something more fundamental - the intertwining of interests.
Essentially, it meant establishing shared interests with La Folia, similar to his arrangement with Lacus.
And establishing shared interests with a crown princess like La Folia... it would be utterly impossible without involving the Aldegia Kingdom itself.
Given La Folia and Lacus's friendship, there must already be undisclosed interest exchanges between the SDS and Aldegia - they might even be outright allies.
Therefore, more forceful methods were basically off the table. Yet what Luo Shu wanted was their lifeblood—the Soul Summoning Art...
One must understand that Aldegia's entire magitech foundation derived from this art's applications.
Through Soul Summoning, Aldegia created warships and mechs powered by Spirit Power, transforming a nation of under twenty million into a force capable of opposing a Primogenitor's empire in their world.
Based on Luo Shu's understanding of a Vampire Primogenitor's destructive power, they were essentially equivalent to a high-tier Demigod in terms of devastation.
Meaning Luo Shu was essentially asking for the technological foundation Aldegia used to oppose Demigod-level threats.
This was no different from demanding the launch codes to someone's nuclear arsenal...
"I feel like things have gotten even more troublesome..." Luo Shu sighed in frustration.
Seeing him like this, Meer found it rather strange: "What exactly are you after from La Folia's family? Why do you look so troubled?"
As she spoke, Meer's eyes flickered mischievously before she asked with a smile:
"Could it be that you've taken a fancy to La Folia herself? Wanting to develop the same kind of relationship you have with me now?"
Luo Shu shot her an exasperated look before hesitating and explaining his needs:
"Right now, I need the Aldegia Kingdom's Soul Summoning Art."
"..."
Meer instantly fell silent, soon revealing an indescribably complex expression: "How about you change your request and let me help you marry La Folia instead."
"If I marry her, can I obtain the Soul Summoning Art?" Luo Shu countered.
Meer shook her head without hesitation: "No, but at least La Folia wouldn't mind using the Soul Summoning Art for you."
"But what I need is for Eriri to learn the Soul Summoning Art. It's the foundation for her to acquire a Class."
After saying this, Luo Shu paused before adding:
"Eriri has Nature Spirit blood in her. I need her to obtain a Class so I can acquire the Essence Blood of a Nature Spirit."
"In other words, this matter involves materials for my advancement to Demigod."
Meer froze for two or three seconds upon hearing this, then said with a wry smile:
"You might as well say it's to please Eriri, or to please her mother."
"Would I do something so trivial?" Luo Shu clicked his tongue, his face showing some disdain. "Wouldn't that make me a beggar on my knees?"
"I'd rather you were just trying to beg on your knees this time. At least then I could heartlessly refuse."
Meer sighed, climbing up from the sofa and straightening her skirt to cover her legs.
Now she wasn't in the mood to tease Luo Shu anymore. Instead, she nibbled on her fingernail worriedly:
"If that enchantress La Folia finds out we want the Soul Summoning Art, she'd probably be overjoyed."
"This time, we're really going to have to pay through the nose..."
'Weren't they supposed to be good friends? Calling her an enchantress already... 'Luo Shu looked at Meer speechlessly, feeling rather peculiar about how drastically her stance had changed.
Thinking this, Luo Shu sighed: "I'll pay the price. You just need to make the connection."
"It won't work."
Meer shook her head before saying:
"Knowing La Folia's personality, if information control isn't maintained and that woman finds out about you, she'll absolutely demand that you marry into the Aldegia Kingdom."
"Absolutely!!"
Hearing this, Luo Shu fell silent before saying:
"Why do I get the feeling you're actually La Folia's closest friend?"
Otherwise, how could she know La Folia so well?
As for Lacus being La Folia's closest friend, Luo Shu found that hard to believe.
Meer stuck out her tongue at this point, saying nothing, yet her expression spoke volumes.
At this, Luo Shu's mouth twitched, but he didn't expose her. Instead, he asked directly:
"So, is there any way I can obtain the Soul Summoning Art without paying a huge price?"
"Ah, this..." Meer gave Luo Shu an awkward look, her eyes seeming to say, 'What kind of wishful thinking is this?'
However, the terrible thing was that this matter absolutely had to be accomplished.
'In that case... There aren't many options left...'
Meer pondered for a long time before finally looking up at Luo Shu.
Just as Luo Shu thought she had some brilliant idea, Meer scratched her head and laughed:
"Why don't we consult the invincible Miss Lacus?"
Luo Shu: "..."