The threads of his clothing loosened.
A towering shadow swayed across Iridia's fair, delicate face.
She widened her eyes in shock, gasping, "Oh my god.....! Thi—mmph!"
…..
Meanwhile.
Crystal led Medusa and Black Bolt, sneaking closer toward Maximus' royal palace.
Seeing the heavily-guarded grounds, the little princess felt uneasy and muttered, "Maybe we should wait for news from Ye before moving. If Maximus already used Borgona's foresight to predict us, we might not get away...."
As she spoke, she glanced toward Black Bolt.
Clearly asking if he was ready to act against the guards.
Crystal knew her future brother-in-law's indecisive nature all too well....
Blackagar's brows furrowed, hesitating a long while before finally nodding.
Medusa, worried he might falter at a critical moment, reminded her sister, "Perhaps we should first strike at the control chamber, project his lies onto the city's shield, and expose Maximus' deceit to the people."
"But..."
The princess pouted, whispering with reliance,
"Maybe we should ask Ye's progress first..."
"Don't worry, you know your man well enough."
Medusa, having seen Ye Li's strength firsthand, spoke with confidence,
"He's very strong, he can handle it."
Crystal's face flushed.
"Big sister.....how do you know he's strong..."
"?? I didn't mean that..."
Medusa's cheeks reddened too... remembering how long he endured when she used her hair...
"Ah? I.... I didn't mean that either..."
The little princess' face turned scarlet, stammering,
"N-not like that... I don't even know what you mean..."
"...."
Black Bolt, watching the sisters' cryptic exchanges, grew more and more suspicious....
"Alright!"
Crystal forced herself to straighten up and quickly changed the subject,
"Let's just contact him and see."
Medusa nodded.
"Good idea."
[Beep————]
The communicator rang.
But someone had just finished striking deep behind enemy lines, already encircling the "target."
So, he freed one hand, lifted the communicator to his lips, and preemptively asked: [How are things on your end?]
[We're thinking of going to the control chamber, but worried Maximus already foresaw it. So, we came to ask your progress.]
The princess finished, then frowned curiously:
[But on your end... why does it sound like running water?]
[Oh.....that——]
Ye Li brushed it off:
[I accidentally stepped into a river.]
??
Crystal blinked in confusion:
[We don't have rivers in Attilan.]
[Oh.....is that so——]
Ye Li thought fast, then added:
[Actually, I stepped into a drainage ditch. Your Attilan public infrastructure clearly needs work. You must understand, princess, public facilities directly affect citizens' quality of life. You really should prioritize these projects...]
On the other end.
Crystal narrowed her eyes, suspicion rising: [Tell me the truth! Do you really think I'm that easy to fool just because you "claimed" me?]
[Cough... alright...]
Ye Li sighed, realizing she wasn't buying it, and admitted: [I fell into someone's bathroom. I accidentally broke the water outlet. I'm helping to fix it.]
[Oh, so that's it...]
The princess' expression softened, relief flooding her. She laughed lightly: [I thought you were secretly fooling around with another woman during a mission... Turns out I misunderstood you... Sorry, Ye, I shouldn't have doubted your character~]
Ye Li: [Of course not. Do you even need to doubt what kind of man I am?]
[Mm.]
Crystal pressed on: [So then, what about your progress? Did you learn from Iridia when Borgona will return home?]
[En....]
Looking at the fluttering butterfly-girl in his arms, wings flapping in excitement....
Ye Li paused, carefully choosing his words, before replying seriously: [Iridia's lips are a bit stiff. She refuses to talk.... But don't worry! I'm giving her accelerated interrogation. She won't hold out much longer. I'll have results soon!]