Chapter 150: White Dragon X

Chapter 150: White Dragon X

While watching Bahamut, Empress Roseveta seemed to be asking if he had something to say.

Bahamut, in the calmest tone possible, carefully opened his mouth while looking at the Rose Empress, who could send him away to the netherworld with a single blow.

“First of all, I would like to apologize for the earlier rudeness, Your Majesty.”

“It’s rude. Well, you did commit a pretty big rude thing. A mere merchant tried to touch the imperial princess...”

“No, that’s not what I’m apologizing for, Your Majesty.”

“What is it, then?”

Bahamut’s words brought up an unexpected topic. Suspicion deepened in the empress’ face, and Bahamut continued to speak calmly while watching her.

“What I want to apologize for is what happened at Benessa the other day. I am referring to the situation that prevented Your Majesty from purchasing the sword at that time.”

“Benessa? Ah... that thing... ha... ha ha...” Empress Roseveta smiled at Bahamut’s words as if a bit dumbfounded. Then, with a slightly chilled expression on her face, she looked at Bahamut and said, “I thought you were a smart person, but now I see you’re just a fool who doesn’t grasp the situation well. You mean to say that playing with one sword was more trouble than my daughter being in danger?”

“Yes, it certainly was for me, Your Majesty.”

Bahamut responded so confidently that the empress felt mild anger, and Bahamut continued in a clear voice while watching her.

“As Your Majesty knows, I am a merchant, one who values profit above all and works toward it.”

“I suppose so,” the empress replied quietly, recalling Bahamut’s earlier rejection of Elios’ offer.

“However, in order to achieve greater profit as a merchant, one must follow an essential principle. It’s called trust.”

“Trust?” Empress Roseveta showed a slightly surprised expression at Bahamut’s words. It was understandable—merchants, as she knew them, generally thrived on deception. Inflating prices or distributing false information to leave greater profit was a common practice, as Bahamut had earlier mentioned.

In fact, hadn’t she herself been deceived back in Benessa?

“Isn’t that concept ill-suited to those who make profit with their tongues?”

“You might see it that way. But, Your Majesty, what I’ve learned after spending half my life in this trade is that maintaining trust is the criterion for whether or not a merchant can truly grow. In other words, it’s about how much faith you can inspire in others.”

Though speaking out of necessity, Bahamut addressed the empress sincerely. While he may have had shortcomings as a merchant, during his life as Bahamut, he had always tried to uphold trust as the foundation of his business. This principle had guided him in judging and treating those he encountered.

He had punished Isolda for betraying his trust.

At that moment, a sharp voice rang out.

“Princess Elios!”

Andersen, Isaac, the Royal Guards, and several adventurers finally arrived with their swords drawn, shielding the injured Ophelia. Though they were not as badly injured as Ophelia, whose arm was severely wounded, they too bore minor injuries.

Empress Roseveta glanced at them with slight regret.

“It seems that the people I prepared failed to capture the emperor. It’s a shame, despite my best efforts at a surprise attack.”

She turned slowly, her eyes meeting theirs.

Astonishment and fear registered on their faces as they recognized her.

“No... it can’t be! The Rose Empress!”

Originally, Emperor Carol had set a trap to lure Elios into danger. But when Andersen arrived, he found Emperor Carol himself in peril, fending off an unexpected attack with Isaac struggling to hold them off. Andersen’s timely intervention allowed them to retreat, but the close call had shaken them all.

‘I never imagined the Rose Empress herself would be here...’

Instead of an easy prey, they had found a predator far more dangerous than they had expected. Even Isaac and Andersen, though skilled, dared not attack. Everyone present was exhausted and injured from the ongoing battles. Filled with regret and fear, they eyed the Rose Empress warily.

Empress Roseveta gently placed a hand on the injured Elios’ shoulder and spoke softly.

“When it comes to this, I have no choice but to admit it. We’ve lost, this time.”

Indeed, the Dragona Empire’s army, which had been attacking the outskirts, was unable to break through the defenses and had begun retreating. The detachment that had invaded the interior suffered heavy losses and withdrew.

Looking at the situation on the surface, the Holy Empire appeared to be the victor of this war.

However, no one dared utter the word “victory” in the presence of the Rose Empress. It was clear to all that she could annihilate everyone here and even Emperor Carol if she wished.

Yet, she declared defeat for the moment—not as an act of submission but as a concession for now.

As she left with Princess Elios, people, including Andersen, were left feeling a mix of doubt and relief. The Rose Empress and White Dragon Princess disappeared from sight, using mana tools before anyone had a chance to react.

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