Chapter 169

Chapter 169

"Clink."

A hand suddenly reached out from the side, holding a crystal goblet that clinked against hers with an air of familiarity. Qin Mengde turned, her gaze meeting Eve's sapphire-blue eyes.

"Good evening, Your Highness," Eve smiled, twirling the engraved bracelet on her wrist.

The Medici family's internal history was so fraught with conflict that every indoor space secretly housed numerous alchemical cameras. Ordinary technology couldn’t detect or evade their surveillance, which was why Eve had specifically worn a device to block alchemical scrying.

"Good evening," Qin Mengde replied, her eyes drifting downward. She noticed that the elegant hem of Eve’s snow-white skirt was gone, replaced by an irregular cut. "What happened to your skirt?"

"It was in the way, so I cut it off."

Eve swirled her glass, her gaze lightly sweeping the surroundings. Some nobles who had been curiously examining her skirt immediately fell silent and averted their eyes, fearing their gazes might unintentionally offend the notoriously ill-tempered young lady.

She withdrew her gaze and said indifferently, "Seems like no one really cares. I guess it’s no big deal."

Qin Mengde: "..."

Seeing Eve still so unconcerned with convention, she felt an odd sense of relief.

"I haven't congratulated you yet. I suppose the heir's position will soon be yours? I thought you might struggle to adjust," she said, raising her glass to clink with Eve’s again. The first clink had been Eve’s social gesture as a subordinate to her superior; this second was Qin Mengde’s genuine congratulations on Eve’s rising status within the Medici family. "I’m glad to see you like this. But I just saw you leave with Lorca earlier—where is he now?"

"He's busy with something," Eve replied.

She didn’t feel like seeing Lorca at the moment, so she’d made up an excuse to send him away. Lorca hadn’t wanted to leave, but Eve had settled him with a couple of well-placed punches.

Like a child who needs regular discipline. After being tricked by him tonight, Eve found herself reflecting on whether she’d been too lenient with him lately.

Fortunately, Qin Mengde’s interest in Lorca’s whereabouts was merely polite. She quickly moved on to the matter she’d originally intended to discuss.

She glanced at Sophia, who understood and stepped back, shooing away other nearby guests. Once the area was finally clear, Qin Mengde spoke: "About the Zerg Venom—the alchemist you recommended has already examined me. She said there’s nothing seriously wrong, that pain when using spiritual power is normal, and the toxin will be absorbed naturally. But she had her face covered and seemed distracted while talking to me. Is she really reliable?"

If Gu Zhaoxi wasn’t reliable, there were hardly any usable alchemists left in the empire. Her distraction was likely due to surprise that Royal Zerg Venom could interact with the Otto family’s bloodline—a coincidence so striking even Gu Zhaoxi found it remarkable.

Eve gave a nasal hum of agreement. "She’s highly skilled. I stopped by her place a couple of days ago and already asked her about it. Besides that, she should have given you a formula, right?"

"Yes, she said it could ease the pain."

"Not just pain relief—that formula also helps absorb the Zerg Venom. But only a Three-Star or higher alchemist can prepare it. You can request it directly from the Alchemist Association." After all, the organization behind it was the Oliver family.

At this point, Eve couldn’t help but think how fortunate Qin Mengde was to be immune to Zerg Venom. With such an invincible bloodline, the Otto royal family would actually be the ideal candidates for the battlefield.

The thought was too rebellious, so Eve hid her true thoughts behind a smile.

Qin Mengde thought for a moment before asking, "The verdict for the Flying Bird case will be out by next week at the latest. Are you planning to attend the trial?"

"No. Making sure they get convicted is what matters to me. The process itself holds no special meaning."

She wasn’t a murderer who enjoyed revisiting the scene of the crime—just a busy professional short on time. Why bother watching?

Qin Mengde let out a calm "oh," entirely unsurprised by Eve’s response, and continued, "The Flying Bird case is moving slowly because it involves too many parties, but the collusion between the 18th Legion and the space pirates is already confirmed. The military court issued its final verdict this morning: death penalty for the main culprit, demotion and exile to a lower planet beyond the Milky Way for their family. Besides that, the emperor said he’d compensate me extra but didn’t specify how. What do you think he’ll pawn off on me this time?"

"It might not just be brushing you off. This incident may not seem related to the crown prince, but that doesn’t mean the emperor is clueless—our emperor has always been highly suspicious. Once he starts distrusting the crown prince, your good days will begin."

Eve lowered her head and chuckled softly, then sneered. "Your original Mythological Mecha was severely damaged, so as I expected, he’ll probably replace it with another Mythological Mecha, at least one of the top-tier Twelve Seraphim models. Besides that, there’s control over the 18th Legion. After this debacle, the emperor won’t hand that power unconditionally to the Cavendish family again—it’ll likely end up with you."

"With these assets, even if the crown prince has the Cavendish family’s backing, you’ll be able to hold your own against him for several rounds. Besides, the Cavendish family’s support may not be reliable."

All in all, the situation seemed to be improving, but the crown prince taking Louis Oliver away still bothered Eve.

Although Anthony’s Spiritual State hadn’t awakened an oath ability, he still carried the Otto family’s bloodline. What if he also turned out to be immune to Zerg Venom and, under Louis’s care, managed to awaken a proper oath ability? The Cavendish family might switch sides again.

She hadn’t shared her suspicions about Louis’s whereabouts with Gu Zhaoxi for this very reason. As a Five-Star Alchemist, Louis enjoyed the favor of the entire alchemist community, but if necessary, Eve would have to take action against him.

Perhaps due to shared goals, the Oliver family had also chosen to conceal Louis’s escape.

After a moment’s thought, she asked, "By the way, what’s your impression of the crown prince?"

Qin Mengde didn’t hesitate. "A complete bastard."

"......Don’t project the previous generation’s grudges," Eve said, rubbing her forehead, amused but holding back laughter. "Just judging him as an individual, what do you think? Give me some specific evaluation."

It was difficult to separate from the past generation’s grievances, so this time Qin Mengde took a long time to coldly reply, "Extremely hypocritical—not as benevolent as he appears. He’ll stop at nothing to achieve his goals. If he gets the chance, he won’t spare me. So don’t expect me to spare him either."

"Why would I try to persuade you to spare him? I’m just gathering information."

After hearing Qin Mengde’s opinion, Eve weighed the situation internally. She stood there squinting her eyes for a while, carefully calculating the forces she could currently mobilize.

Not many, but it should be enough.

She slowly exhaled. The main goal for the night had been achieved. As midnight approached, guests began to leave one after another.

Eve turned to Qin Mengde. "Mind giving me a ride?"

-

The high-end hovercar with its emblem removed came to a stop at the entrance of the First Empire Academy. Eve had already received a message from Frank saying he’d left earlier. After thanking her for bringing him to the event, he firmly declared that he was severing all ties with the Medici family and asked not to be invited to similar events in the future.

Eve glanced at the message, put down her terminal, and slumped back in the seat, covering her eyes. Qin Mengde, who was driving, noticed her lazy posture and asked, "What’s wrong?"

"Just a friend’s personal matter," she chuckled. "I helped him with a small favor, and he helped me confirm some things about the family head."

For instance, Frank’s biological father was indeed someone else. Also, Zuo Li and the Medici family head must have struck some private deal—otherwise, given Sparti’s cautious nature, he probably wouldn’t have let Frank, a remnant seed, live.

It might seem like trivial gossip, but it didn’t hurt to know. It might come in handy someday.

Whenever Eve started being vague, it meant she had her own plans, so Qin Mengde didn’t press further.

The hovercar’s speed lever was pushed to the max, and it shot through the sky like a golden meteor, heading toward the distant, majestic academy.

The weekend’s relaxation passed in a flash, and amidst the lamentations of most students, a new week began.

Although Eve’s spiritual power was sealed, her foundation was solid, and the Medical Department's classes focused on theory rather than practice, so she had no trouble with regular classes—except for one required course taught by Agnes herself. As the forcibly appointed Department Chief and course representative, she couldn’t skip it even if she wanted to.

Eve remained cautious but wasn’t overly worried about Agnes doing anything to her. Since Agnes had used that restraining alchemy on her, it meant that rather than killing her, Agnes wanted her to submit willingly.

As long as it wasn’t a death blow, she could handle whatever came her way.

But Eve’s lack of concern didn’t mean others felt the same.

The alchemy theory class was scheduled for the morning. After finishing her physical training on the second floor, Eve heard the mechanical alert of a visitor at the door. Wondering who’d come to see her so early, she threw on a jacket and hurried downstairs.

When she opened the door, her expression froze. "......Why are you here?"

"The Medical Department has Agnes’s class this morning," Lorca said, lowering his eyelids. His voice was soft but firm. "Your Spiritual State is sealed by her alchemy. I was worried she might harm you, so I wanted to go with you."

"Unnecessary. Agnes won’t try to kill me yet," Eve replied after a brief glance, rejecting his offer. "Besides, you coming with me won’t help. You’re no match for her."

Sending one person to their doom or two—what was the difference?

Lorca: "...I carry a custom-made defensive charm made for me by the alchemist of my family. It's really powerful. If Agnes intends to harm you, you can use me as a human shield."

"That impressive?"

Eve raised an eyebrow, and just as Lorca thought she would agree, she changed her mind and refused: "Thank you, but it really isn't necessary."

Her mind was made up. Knowing further persuasion would be futile, Lorca fell silent, simply gazing at Eve with his bright green eyes, his expression conveying a single question: Are you really that sure she won't hurt you?

Based on Lorca's experience with Agnes, she was not a being whose actions could be understood through human emotions.

"You don't need to worry too much. I have means to protect myself. If Agnes really turns hostile, I have a way to escape," Long Quan had specially prepared a potion for Eve that could temporarily break the alchemy seal on her back. Out of caution, Eve had kept it close to her ever since receiving it.

But that was only one of her reasons for refusing Lorca.

It had to be said, Lorca's previous attempt to exploit her sympathy by feigning misery and pitifulness to deceive Eve had truly crossed a line, making her reluctant to see this cunning fellow over the past few days.

"Need I remind you, Young Master Oliver?" Eve sneered, standing on the steps and looking down at Lorca, speaking unhurriedly, "Have you forgotten that I still have to maintain two identities? If you walk with me, are you afraid people won't realize that Lu Qing of the Medical Department and Eve of the Mecha Department are the same person? Or do you want everyone to know that you're getting close with both girls at the same time?"

Lorca's eyes widened slightly, and it took him a while to respond: "Lu Qing's identity is registered under the Oliver Family. Walking with you wouldn't arouse suspicion about your true identity."

Eve said with a smile, "Then you should be even more careful. Since you're so intent on marrying into the Medici family, don't let others find out you're getting close to other girls outside. Otherwise, it'll make me look bad in the future."

This warped but airtight logic left Lorca at a loss for words. Even though they were the same person, Eve made it sound as if he was being particularly indiscreet.

As dawn broke and students began passing by on their way to class, Eve practically shoved him out of the area to avoid others seeing the Chief of the Investigation Department standing at the entrance of the girls' dormitory early in the morning.

The cool wind blew fiercely, finally helping clear Lorca's head. It was only then that he belatedly realized something, his face flushing red to the tips of his ears.

Eve had just said that him getting too close to other girls would make her look bad... Did that indirectly acknowledge their relationship?