Chapter 35: With a Price
Loti Shana was mulling over whether Night Lan had just underestimated her with his last comment.
What did he mean by “too early”?
Could it be that he thought such thrilling games weren’t suitable for her age?
Of course, he still treated her like a kid!
White-sama’s lover sure has some twisted sense of fun.
At this point, Night Lan started shifting the conversation while munching on sweets.
“Saying that… Loti Shana, have you heard anything inexplicable outside? Like things beyond common sense?”
Loti Shana recalled.
“Seems like there’s something. There’s a legendary merchant named Hilo who can trade almost anything, even life and power. He apparently has branches in our country too, but I haven’t confirmed it.”
“Hilo, huh~”
Night Lan sighed.
Hilo’s reputation was slightly higher than other first-generation folks.
Charlize is almost completely cut off from reality in his dreams.
Lanber is traveling all around with no intention to create a big commotion.
Oya acts as the puppet master behind numerous powerful families and isn’t exactly famous herself.
William Moore fares somewhat better.
His tragic stories are art pieces that easily travel across the border—he might be known as a tragic genius everywhere.
Though, people probably never pegged him for having mysterious powers.
Even if Loti Shana knew of him, she wouldn’t connect him with possessing star powers.
Si Ma Yi Nan, Shen Tu Xiu Ming, and Wen Ren Zuo from the East Coast are just starting and quite far away. Only Lanber might bump into them.
Hilo built his business empire very visibly, and everyone high up knows him; he’s highly respected globally as a legendary businessman.
It’s normal Loti Shana, as a queen, knows about Hilo, though she doesn’t know he has star powers.
When Kuro brought back the first generation, he didn’t mention other humans have similar abilities.
If they randomly crossed paths, sparks would fly.
NIGHT STAR LAN assumed this was on purpose.
Maybe Kuro wanted to witness a brawl among the first generation.
A collision between star holders could cause more uproar than future supernova eclipses.
Many would get swept up in it.
Kuro’s plans were his own affair. She just wanted to go with the flow.
“Did you know, Loti Shana, that Hilo was given powers by Kuro and Luo Xi?”
“Gurgle? Really?”
“Absolutely! When Kuro brought him back, I saw everything clearly with my own eyes.”
To quickly heat things up with Loti Shana, NIGHT STAR LAN figured talking about topics she liked was better.
Getting too close might make her uncomfortable, like some clingy creep.
Talking about the first generation was perfect for this.
Loti Shana pondered.
“So, not just me favored by Grandmaster Kuro and White-sama. What kind of person is that Hilo?”
“Well, a boring bloke. If you ever meet him, don’t take him lightly. He might snatch away everything—your lands, your throne, even your subjects—without blinking an eye. Though Kuro and Luo Xi gave you guys powers, they didn’t say you couldn’t mess with each other.”
NIGHT STAR LAN remembered when she subdued Loti Shana—using Hilo’s ‘No Gimmicks Allowed’ ability to strip her down to nearly nothing.
Though it was supercharged by the Wish Machine then, something similar could happen here too.
If Hilo was stronger than Loti Shana now, it’d be a one-sided beatdown.
Loti Shana’s stars required full national control to unleash their godlike powers.
But if Hilo targeted Loti Shana, he could easily dismantle her realm.
Unless she found a countermeasure.
The only way left was to be even stronger or stand at par with Hilo, avoiding being the victim of forced trades.
Based on what NIGHT STAR LAN knew:
Loti Shana and Hilo’s mental strengths grew the fastest.
While the former gained strength by expanding territory, the latter got stronger through deals.
Loti Shana runs a massive empire, whereas Hilo owns trading companies spread over many countries, conducting countless transactions.
Who knows how close they stand?
Loti Shana solemnly nodded after NIGHT STAR LAN’s warning.
“I’ll be careful. Thanks for reminding me.”
“No problem at all!”
Wasn’t she getting Loti Shana’s approval now? Piece of cake!
But only because someone else had to foot the bill.
“And speaking of, Kuro and Luo Xi didn’t just give you and Hilo powers. Seven others also received it. Wanna hear about them?”
“You mean it’s okay to listen?”
Loti Shana was hesitant.
After all, Kuro and White hadn’t informed her about these others.
Violating their wishes felt wrong.
But NIGHT STAR LAN appeared indifferent.
“Don’t worry. Kuro’s my mate and Luo Xi is my lover. I decided to tell you. Even if it breaks rules, it’s not your fault.”
NIGHT STAR LAN’s way of basking in adoration.
Her choice to pursue Luo Xi wasn’t casual.
In the old world, she ruled through the Wish Princess; here, she does through Luo Xi’s protection. Pretty much the same.
Loti Shana was conflicted but curiosity won out.
“Then please tell me…”
“Mmm~ But there’s a catch. You gotta promise me something afterward.”
“Gurgle! A deal? Can I renege?”
“Nope, can’t undo it once set!”
NIGHT STAR LAN planned to exploit Loti Shana.
Even without ‘No Gimmicks Allowed,’ she could toy with purple-red-lolita Loti Shana.
“This is so unfair…”
Loti Shana felt dizzy again, fearing NIGHT STAR LAN’s insatiable appetite.
Misery is such an illusion, right?
NIGHT STAR LAN ignored Loti’s resentful glare.
“I’m about to start! First up, a guy named Charlize. He wields dream powers and infiltrates countless slumbering minds.”
“Second, Hilo. His deal-making powers give him the ability to exchange anything for any price—in short, he can strong-arm his way to possession.”
“Third, Lanber. Has shifty teleportation abilities, making any location fair game. If stronger, he may even relocate your nation.”
“Fourth, Oya. A woman like you, but more mature. She manipulates probabilities, turning impossibilities into possibilities.”
“Fifth, William Moore. Wields tragic-making powers, quite renowned especially in theatres across the nations.”
At this, NIGHT STAR LAN paused.
“These five are your likely adversaries. Investigate thoroughly upon return.”
“Thanks, I will prepare.”
“Hehe~ No need to thank me. Next, promise me something else!”
“Gurgle… Okay…”
