La Folia maintained her calm and composed expression as she stared at Luo Shu for three seconds before suddenly looking at him with a peculiar gaze:
"What did you say?"
"Pay more?!"
La Folia stared blankly at Luo Shu before bursting into laughter upon realisation:
"Don't you find this amusing, Luo Shu?"
"Just yesterday, you were the dominant party forcing me to sign those terms... Hmm, it could be called a 'treaty under duress,' right?"
"After making me agree to such harsh conditions, you now want to add more?"
"Though I'm not one to tattle, have you even discussed these additional terms with Lacus beforehand?"
La Folia might as well have outright accused Luo Shu of exploiting negotiations for personal gain.
Given her lack of understanding about Luo Shu and Lacus's true relationship, such an assumption was understandable. Thus, Luo Shu calmly explained:
"Based on the intelligence I currently possess, the Phenex Society's target is likely women with Spirit Medium constitutions, to be used as sacrificial offerings for a certain ritual."
"This is also one of the reasons why they actively attacked you."
"Of course, there are deeper reasons for why they chose you specifically, but overall, their need for a Spirit Medium is undeniable."
Hearing Luo Shu say this, La Folia gave him a somewhat surprised glance before stroking her cheek with her right hand and saying:
"My, my, so it was my misunderstanding after all?"
As she spoke, La Folia wore an expression of regret:
"I thought Mr Luo Shu was going to make some unreasonable demands of me, a poor, helpless girl stranded in a foreign land."
"Like taking a bath together while I'm in a maid outfit, or cooking you dinner wearing nothing but an apron."
Upon hearing this, Luo Shu replied with an impassive expression:
"I think the Aldegia Kingdom's education department can be completely disbanded."
What kind of education did you people give your princess?
At that moment, La Folia naturally shifted the topic:
"So, Luo Shu, are you planning to do something about the Spirit Medium candidate? Like replacing them with a puppet or something similar?"
Hearing this, Luo Shu gave La Folia a slightly surprised look.
In response, La Folia smiled cheerfully:
"There's no need to be so surprised, is there?"
"You should know, I'm good friends with your Supreme Chairwoman!"
"Given that, wouldn't it be strange if I didn't know she dislikes harming innocents and would prioritise protecting ordinary citizens whenever possible?"
"Or perhaps Luo Shu hasn't read the SDS's founding principles?"
"In my impression, Lacus is the type who arms her mind with pacifist ideals, then uses absolute force to maintain the peace she desires."
"That's why whenever she encounters someone unreasonable, she always teaches them a lesson first..."
"To me, she's quite an extreme person too."
"After all, from the perspective of a royal princess like myself, this world isn't divided into the black and white she sees, but rather a refined shade of grey~"
Luo Shu's eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't respond to La Folia's words.
This attitude made La Folia curl her lips into a smile as she said:
"As expected, Luo Shu and I are the same kind of people~"
"This way, I can somewhat understand why Lacus was stolen away by you. Hmm, a gender-swapped version of me? That would indeed be an opponent Lacus couldn't easily defeat."
Hearing this, Luo Shu's mouth twitched before he sighed:
"I must say, in terms of narcissism, you're truly the most impressive woman I've ever met."
"Should I take that as a compliment?" La Folia smiled charmingly.
"That's up to you," Luo Shu replied calmly.
Seeing this, La Folia placed both hands on the table and gazed at Luo Shu with a smile:
"So then, Luo Shu, what exactly are you planning to do with the Spirit Medium candidate?"
Luo Shu glanced at her before speaking in a tone that brooked no refusal:
"Kanon Kanase will soon be stationed at the Hidden Management Department garrison under my protection."
"During this period, I need the Aldegia Kingdom to spread rumours identifying my designated candidate as a long-lost princess."
Hearing this, La Folia showed slight surprise:
"I see, I understand your plan now. But wouldn't this require extremely strict criteria for the designated candidate? Could it really be the puppet I mentioned earlier? Does such a rare Abyss Artefact truly exist?"
In response, Luo Shu gave La Folia a calm look before saying:
"Here's a free piece of information for you - the candidate is a fake body created by an SDS member using their ability."
"They can be manufactured or recalled whenever needed."
"Wow!!"
La Folia exclaimed in amazement, her eyes sparkling as she said:
"To think it's a fabricated individual even capable of deceiving secret societies?"
"Was it the work of a Demigod-level figure within the SDS?"
Luo Shu glanced at La Folia upon hearing this, his expression openly disdainful.
"Well~ since you've already given me a piece of information, one more won't hurt~"
La Folia puffed her cheeks slightly, speaking to Luo Shu in a coquettish manner.
To this, Luo Shu merely responded with a cold laugh:
"I'm just asking if you'll help or not."
La Folia quickly presented her conditions:
"Allow me to visit the Hidden Management Department garrison and meet my aunt whenever I wish, and I'll agree."
"That shouldn't be difficult for you, Luo Shu-kun?"
Luo Shu looked at La Folia before asking:
"Is the Aldegia Kingdom planning to include Kanon Kanase among the candidates?"
La Folia wasn't surprised, instead smiling as she replied:
"Isn't this exactly the outcome you wanted when you deliberately drew attention to that child's existence?"
Luo Shu didn't deny it, but suddenly said, "Kanon Kanase doesn't have to be among those candidates. If conditions permit, I'll provide her Class myself."
Hearing this, La Folia blinked in surprise before looking at Luo Shu with hesitation:
"May I ask something presumptuous?"
"Luo Shu-kun, are you trying to become my uncle?"
Luo Shu narrowed his eyes, staring expressionlessly at La Folia.
Mistaking his silence for denial, La Folia covered her cheeks in mock embarrassment:
"My my, could the target be me instead?"
"Wouldn't that be unfair to Lacus?"
Faced with this teasing, Luo Shu said calmly:
"That child should have arrived at the Hidden Management Department by now. Would you like to meet her?"
La Folia immediately brightened up:
"But of course~!"