"How astonishing."
La Folia murmured softly:
"Though there have always been rumours that the SDS possesses methods to stably produce Demigods, I never imagined such speculation might actually be true?"
Neither Luo Shu nor Lacus reacted to this statement.
Ever since the SDS introduced the sorcerer evaluation system and designated the Demigod title, numerous organisations had speculated that the SDS harboured Demigods within its ranks. Some bolder theorists even claimed that the SDS had mastered mass production of gods - such outrageous conjectures existed.
Thus, Luo Shu typically ignored these baseless speculations, even when some happened to be correct.
After all, he and his colleagues weren't foolish enough to publicly confirm them.
But given La Folia's current refusal to trade, Luo Shu felt it more prudent to lay his cards on the table rather than engage in tedious brinkmanship.
So he stated plainly:
"For a sorcerer to ascend to Demigod status, what's essential is a power called Class - a type of composite ability."
"You can think of Class as something like a martial arts sect in games or the 'Hero' archetype in Japanese RPGs."
"In other words, for a normal Hero Rank to become a Demigod, they must possess a Class - specifically a Demigod Rank Class."
"Only this allows a standard Hero Rank to fully ascend to Demigod status."
After this explanation, Luo Shu gave La Folia a meaningful look and added:
"Beyond this, I'll offer one more piece of information free of charge."
"The gap between Demigods and those below them is vast - even greater than between Primogenitors and those beneath them."
Though surprised by Luo Shu's mention of Primogenitors, La Folia wasn't shocked.
The Aldegia Kingdom and Warlord's Empire had been locked in conflict for millennia, and as a nation that descended from the Abyss into this world, some intelligence leaks were inevitable.
After all, even the legendary Abyss Artefact, within the Five Great Powers, said to rationalise descending Abyssal phenomena to protect the world, wasn't omnipotent. It couldn't make everything appear reasonable.
"More terrifying than Primogenitors..."
La Folia murmured softly after Luo Shu's revelation, showing mild surprise."I had expected you to use the Skill Demon God, or perhaps that grand plan known only by the codename Copernicus yet never revealed, as bargaining chips."
"Yet to my surprise, the final chip turned out to be a Demigod."
La Folia's remark made Lacus open her eyes slightly to glance at her.
Though she had suspected it earlier, the fact that even the name Copernicus had been leaked confirmed that La Folia had indeed planted spies within the SDS.
Moreover, the spy's position must be quite high-ranking.
Lacus said nothing about this, but outside the tearoom, Utaha Kasumigaoka suddenly felt an inexplicable chill.
"Rather than a bargaining chip, I'd call it a last resort."
Luo Shu interjected suddenly, turning to La Folia with a shrug:
"Class abilities are essentially composite powers formed by combining multiple abilities through specific methods and ratios."
"And since they're composite, there's naturally a hierarchy between primary and secondary, core and non-core components."
At this point, Luo Shu spoke as if completely unguarded before La Folia:
"Currently, one of the Classes we've mastered has a particular core ability, or rather technique..."
He paused meaningfully, locking eyes with La Folia:
"I presume Her Highness can guess what it might be?"
La Folia's expression grew subtly uncomfortable. Studying Luo Shu's composed face, she suddenly found it amusing:
"I see. So the Soul Summoning Art serves as a foundation for a Class? That's why you're so determined to obtain it?"
Instead of answering directly, Luo Shu said calmly:
"Once a Class takes form, the Aldegia Royal Family can designate only one inheritor per generation. Moreover, the inheritance must be supervised by the Hidden Management Department to be completed."
"Of course, the Hidden Management Department faces no such restrictions internally. Our only obligation is to notify the Aldegia Kingdom - we accept no other conditions whatsoever..."
Hearing these terms, La Folia's expression gradually twisted:
"Does Luo Shu believe he has me completely at his mercy now?"
In response, Luo Shu merely curled his lips into a provocative smile:
"Your Highness might try guessing how many complete Demigod Classes the Hidden Management Department possesses."
"Feel free to speculate wildly - even exaggerate to your heart's content."
Hearing Luo Shu's words, La Folia immediately pursed her lips, her expression unusually grave.
She wasn't clear how many Demigod Class routes the SDS possessed, but she couldn't ignore the cost of abandoning the Class based on Soul Summoning Art.
Admittedly, La Folia could refuse and conceal the existence of this Class, but there was no guarantee that Lacus and Luo Shu wouldn't inform the Aldegian royal family.
La Folia was willing to trust Lacus, but she couldn't say the same for Luo Shu.
And when a close female friend acquires a boyfriend, that friend becomes somewhat... unpredictable.
Once the royal family learned of the Demigod Class based on Soul Summoning Art, even knowing the harsh conditions, they would still hold opinions about this princess who refused the deal.
This generation of Aldegia had three princesses. Though La Folia was confident she could suppress her two younger sisters, if certain factions within deliberately supported them...
La Folia didn't continue that train of thought. Instead, she looked up at Luo Shu, glanced at Lacus, then sighed before saying:
"You've really picked quite the man, haven't you?"
Hearing this, Lacus looked at Luo Shu before smiling and replying:
"Thank you for the compliment."
La Folia merely snorted in response, crossed her arms, and sighed:
"You two have really landed me in trouble."
After saying this, she looked at Luo Shu and added:
"I'll need time to persuade the royal family. Until then, I assume Luo Shu won't mind providing me with more information?"
Luo Shu studied La Folia's seemingly resigned expression for a moment before smiling:
"With pleasure."