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Running his fingers over the double-spear circular shield badge that Prince Okamoto had handed to him, Colin suddenly laughed.

Because he had realized what Okamoto was really up to.

“So, you are hoping that the North Territory can successfully take control of the Half-Elf Kingdom, and even better, send troops across the Angry River to engage in a bloody battle with the East Territory.”

“In this way, Duke St. Hilde will naturally be unable to look after his rear, and your Troll Empire would also be able to gain some respite.”

Prince Okamoto chuckled, neither confirming nor denying Colin’s conjecture: “Our Troll Empire has already gotten into a peace agreement with the North Territory, thus, we are now friends.

It is certainly my duty to help a friend in need.”

“Oh really?” Colin looked at Prince Okamoto with a knowing smile and asked,

“Then I would like to know, who is this friend called Cis? What is his heritage? What is his identity in Silver Moon City? And, what kind of help can he provide to me?”

Prince Okamoto shrugged, “You’re overthinking it. Cis is merely a half-elf merchant I’ve known, he probably can’t offer you much help.

I introduced him to you because I know you’re not very familiar with the

Half-Elf Kingdom, and it might be helpful for you to know a local.”

Colin rolled his eyes, clearly not believing that this Cis was just an ordinary half-elf merchant.

But since Okamoto was reluctant to speak more on it, Colin didn’t press further.

Perhaps, in Okamoto’s view, Colin’s mission to the Half-Elf Kingdom on this occasion must be to carry out an important mission from the Duke, to win over the high levels of the Half-Elf Kingdom.

But in reality, Colin hadn’t received any instructions from the Duke at all.

And also, he could not quite understand why the Duke insisted on sending him to act as this marriage envoy.

However, no matter what the Duke’s plan was, Colin had his own clear plan.

He must prevent Vera from marrying Prince Topaz!

Even if it meant turning Silver Moon City upside down, or causing the Half-Elf

Kingdom to completely lean towards the East Territory, or even losing the North Territory’s opportunity to cross the Angry River to launch an offensive to the East, he was willing to disregard the consequences.

As for the Duke St. Hilde’s plan…

That was none of his business.

Right now, the image of Duke St. Hilde in Colin’s mind had completely collapsed.

A politician who would stoop to any level for his own gains and whose mind was filled with schemes could not earn Colin’s respect, let alone his loyalty.

It seemed to have fulfilled its purpose, Prince Okamoto’s enthusiasm for speaking clearly waned, and after idly chatting with Colin for a while, he took his leave.

It was now late into the night.

Everyone in the camp had gone to bed, with only a few on duty patrolling the surrounding area.

Yet Prince Okamoto was still not asleep. Instead, he was staring intently at a chessboard in front of him.

The chessboard was filled with clearly differentiated black and white chess pieces.

This was a game called Othello, where players took turns flipping the opponent’s pieces, and the winner was determined by who had more pieces on the board at the end.

It was also known as “Reversi game”, and was quite popular among the nobles of the Bright Empire.

Prince Okamoto was playing this Othello game, alone, playing both sides of the field.

It seemed that he had found some problem, as he propped his chin on one hand, staring at the chessboard, not making a single move for a long time.

After an unknown amount of time, a flicker of light and shadow swept across the camp, and before Prince Okamoto, a figure appeared as if out of nowhere. He was dressed in a large black robe, acting as if he had always been there.

“Thud!”

The robed man reached out and flipped over a black chess piece in the lower left corner of the board, revealing the white color on the other side.

Prince Okamoto didn’t mind the interruption of his game, looking at the sudden change of situation on the board, he laughed uproariously,

“Impressive, Mr. Ji!”

“Just a little trick,” Mr. Ji replied indifferently.

Prince Okamoto scattered the chess pieces on the board in a sign of surrender, saying with a sigh, “This Reversi game is more suited for you humans, I better quit.’

Mr. Ji just smiled and didn’t continue to pursue the topic, instead, he asked,

“Have you introduced Cis to Viscount Angler?”

“Yes,” Prince Okamoto nodded, then a puzzled expression crossed his face, “but I didn’t sense anything from Viscount Angler, it’s as if the young man knows nothing about Duke St. Hilde’s plan.”

“As expected, Viscount Angler is highly regarded by both Marquis Garcia and Duke St. Hilde, naturally, he has some remarkable qualities, and won’t likely be easily fooled by you,” Mr. Ji replied.

“How can we respond without knowing Duke St. Hilde’s plan? And about Cis…

Isn’t it rash to expose him so quick?”

Seeing Prince Okamoto’s worried expression, Mr. Ji lightened the mood by tapping lightly on the chessboard.

Then he spoke, “Your Highness, just like in Reversi, if you hesitate to make a move because you can’t figure out your opponent’s intention, you’re bound to lose.”

“Makes sense.” Prince Okamoto nodded, but the doubt remained on his face. He tidied up the mess on the chessboard and invited, “Mr. Ji, would you care for another round?”

Mr. Ji slightly nodded his head, “An honor indeed!”

The tent fell silent once again, with only the slight sound of chess pieces falling onto the board lingering.

After a long while, Prince Okamoto, staring at the chessboard, fell into hesitation once again as he faced a new dilemma.

“Mr. Ji, why would Duke St. Hilde send Viscount Angler as the envoy for the marriage proposal? It seems the Viscount is somewhat reluctant towards Vera, isn’t the Duke worried he might sabotage the marriage proposal?”

Mr. Ji looked at the chessboard, responding with a question, “Your Highness, how do you know Viscount Angler isn’t just a smokescreen Duke St. Hilde intentionally set up?”

“A smokescreen?” Prince Okamoto pondered, “Could it be there’s someone else who’s actually carrying out the Duke’s plan?”

Mr. Ji nodded, then shook his head.

Seeing this, Prince Okamoto became even more puzzled.

Prior to asking a follow-up question, Mr. Ji spoke first, “Your Highness, do you know the best response strategy when you don’t understand your opponent’s intentions?”

“What is it?”

“It’s to not respond at all.”

“Not to respond?”

“Right,” Mr. Ji raised his head, his profound eyes met Prince Okamoto’s, “you make your move, and I’ll make mine. Don’t guess what the opponent wants to do, only focus on perfecting your own layout.

Until the moment comes for a head-on confrontation, then we’ll counter move for move.

Prince Okamoto stroked the chess piece in his hand, and it seemed he had finally understood something.

A moment later, he laughed lightly and placed his piece on the board. He praised, “Mr. Ji, you truly are a master of strategic games! With you here, the chessboard of the Half-Elf Kingdom will undoubtedly become more intriguing! ”

However, Mr. Ji chuckled bitterly, “Your Highness, life is like chess, but people are not chess pieces. They have thoughts, desires, and ambitions…they do not passively yield to your manipulation like chess pieces. Because of this, my previous layout in the North Territory failed and inadvertently aided Duke St. Hilde…”

Prince Okamoto hurriedly comforted him, “Mr. Ji, don’t blame yourself. Apart from deities, who can truly foresee everything?”

Mr. Ji laughed lightly, “Don’t worry, Your Highness. Such a minor setback won’t dishearten me. As I’ve said, people are not chess pieces, they won’t let you manipulate them at will. The endgame of the Half-Elf Kingdom is going to exceed everyone’s expectations!”

Prince Okamoto lifted his head, looking thoughtfully at Mr. Ji.

As though thinking of a certain reluctant Viscount.

Then, he showed a knowing smile..