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Chapter 267 - Supercharge
🕑 Added 2025-03-18 07:00:06 +0000 UTCLeyvi nodded. "That's right. That's how things are. Do you know what friends do?"
"What?"
"Friends help and trust each other," Leyvi said, his voice earnest. "And as your friend, I'll try to help you become a more likable Crown Prince, a more likable fiancé. But now, I need your help too. When I made my plan, I accounted for your abilities. All you have to do is trust me. How about it? Are you willing to help your friend here?"
Friends help and trust each other. The phrase echoed in Dastan's mind, over and over. Crown Prince Dastan had never had a friend before. The sudden declaration from Leyvi filled a gap he hadn't even realized existed. For the first time in a long while, he felt a flicker of something other than pride or frustration—something warm and unfamiliar.
Finally, Dastan nodded, a small but genuine smile tugging at the corners of his mouth. "Alright, Leyvi. This prince will trust you. Let's do this."
Leyvi smiled inwardly. Anda mode succeeded. I'm sorry, Crown Prince Dastan. I used Anda's emotional manipulation technique to make you agree with my plan. But don't worry, I'll try to treat you like a friend from now on.
"Hahaha! Good! This is how friends act with each other," Leyvi said, his tone warm and encouraging. "Dastan, let me tell you another tip. If possible, try to act like friends with the people working under you. I guarantee they'll like you more."
"Is that so?" Dastan asked, his curiosity piqued.
"You're already my friend. Why would I lie to you?" Leyvi replied, his voice sincere.
Crown Prince Dastan nodded, clearly considering the idea.
"Later, when your reputation as a likable Crown Prince spreads, I'm sure more beautiful ladies will want to join your harem," Leyvi added, trying to lighten the mood.
Contrary to Leyvi's expectation, Dastan frowned. "But this prince has no interest in other women."
Leyvi was momentarily stunned. Is this guy surprisingly monogamous? As a Crown Prince? Now that he thought about it, Dastan had bragged about many things but never about women.
"Are you a virgin, then?" Leyvi asked bluntly.
"Dammit, Leyvi! What's wrong with being a virgin? Are you making fun of this prince?" Dastan snapped, his face red with embarrassment.
"I'm just asking. Why are you getting so angry? Don't tell me your reputation is so bad that no lady wants to hit on you, the Crown Prince? Tsk tsk. Now I'm curious about your reputation. Maybe I should ask your Royal Guards later," Leyvi teased.
"No! You don't need to! Why are you so nosy about this prince's private life?" Dastan protested.
"You're the one having trouble with your private life. I'm just trying to help as a friend. Oh, I get it—are you impotent or something?"
"Dammit, Leyvi, enough! Let's get back to the plan!" Dastan shouted, clearly flustered.
"Hahaha! Look at us, wasting time like this. Let me tell you, Dastan, you made the right decision to help me and go along with my plan," Leyvi said, steering the conversation back on track.
"Why is that?" Dastan asked, still curious. "What's good about risking my life?"
Leyvi rolled his eyes. "Do you really think I'm risking your life? Did you forget that I saved you when we were ambushed by the earthworms?"
Dastan was stunned. That was true. Leyvi had gone out of his way to save him, even though he had no obligation to do so. As the Crown Prince, Dastan had taken it for granted that everyone should protect him, and he had been taking advantage of Leyvi's willingness to help.
"Tsk, tsk. This is going to be another problem. How are you so lacking in common decency as a human? Did you grow up with a donkey or something? Next time, grow up with a panda," Leyvi said, shaking his head.
Dastan looked confused as he thought. How is growing up with a panda any better?
"Listen here, Dastan," Leyvi said, his tone serious. "If your people do something for your benefit, even if it's small, you need to show them appreciation or reward them. This is how you gain their trust and loyalty. If you don't, sooner or later, they'll feel unappreciated and start to resent you. You better pray it hasn't reached that point yet because, if it has, who knows what could happen? They might join your enemies and eliminate you." Leyvi made a slicing motion across his neck for emphasis.
Crown Prince Dastan gulped, suddenly feeling uneasy about facing his Royal Guards again. "Ley-Leyvi, how do you know so much about this? Aren't you supposed to be a bumpkin? You sound like my Royal Grandfather's Grand Chancellor."
Leyvi was momentarily dumbfounded. That much is enough to be a Grand Chancellor? Are you sure you're part of a great kingdom? Don't tell me even Mr. Bison could become an Imperial Scholar over there. Everything Leyvi had said came from the stories Sayu had read to him over the years. After their night battles, she would read him novels—romance, cultivation, mystery, and more.
"Alright, alright. That's enough for now. We keep getting distracted. Back to the plan," Leyvi said, refocusing the conversation.
With Crown Prince Dastan now fully cooperative, Leyvi explained the plan again in even greater detail. He even demonstrated the tools he would use against the Commander-Level Demonic Earthworm to ensure their victory.
"Daa hahaha! What amazing stuff you have there, Leyvi! Now this prince is convinced the plan will succeed and isn't afraid anymore. Later, this prince will use an armored vehicle spirit artifact to act as bait. You can focus on what you need to do!" Dastan declared, his confidence restored.
"You have so many amazing vehicle spirit artifacts. Why didn't you use them to save your life back then? You might not have even needed my protection," Leyvi said, puzzled.
"This prince told you they're part of my collection. Of course, this prince would be extremely reluctant to use them. But now, after using a few, this prince doesn't feel reluctant anymore. In fact, this prince feels more appreciation and admiration for the collection after using them! This prince has to thank you for that, Leyvi. Daa hahaha!" Dastan laughed.
Leyvi's mouth twitched. Every single vehicle spirit artifact Dastan had used so far was tier-5, and he hadn't even planned to use them initially. What a waste, Leyvi thought. If Dastan had used any of them earlier, the Demonic Caracal would never have dared to chase him.
Later, Leyvi and Dastan silently moved to the huge entrance tunnel where all the other tunnels converged. They stopped using illumination Qi and moved toward the lair's entrance in complete darkness. The closer they got, the thicker the smell of the Demonic Earthworm's mucus became. Both of them had to add more layers to their filter Qi to combat the gross stench.
When they reached the entrance of the lair, they immediately sprang into action.
Crown Prince Dastan summoned an armored vehicle spirit artifact and climbed inside through a hatch at the top. The vehicle had a thick armored body with a massive barrel in the middle that could be rotated. As soon as Dastan activated it, the sound of array plates operating filled the air, and the vehicle began to move forward on its treads. Bright lights shone ahead, partially illuminating the lair.
"Daa hahaha! Let's go, Crown War Tank! Let's wake up the sleepy earthworm!" Dastan shouted from inside, steering the vehicle toward the center of the lair. His voice was amplified by the tank's speaker reverberating through the lair, intending to draw the earthworm's attention. However, he wasn't sure whether the Demonic Earthworm had evolved to be able to hear or not.
Suddenly, a loud screech echoed throughout the lair as a massive Demonic Earthworm emerged from the large pit, towering over them. It had been on alert since Leyvi and Dastan arrived but had chosen to observe first. However, the sight of the strange vehicle rolling toward its eggs enraged it. As a Commander Level Demonic Beast, it naturally evolved far beyond what it used to be, developing organs to see, hear, teeth, and more. The earthworm screeched in fury, determined to kill the intruders.
"Daa hahaha! Come closer to this prince, you stupid earthworm!" Dastan taunted.
Suddenly, the Crown War Tank began to slow down. Using his spiritual sense, Dastan noticed that the mucus beneath the tank was hardening, though it wasn't enough to stop the powerful vehicle completely.
"This must be one of its bloodline abilities," Dastan muttered, his tone slightly surprised.
Crown Prince Dastan had always assumed the mucus was just a byproduct of the Demonic Earthworm's existence. He never imagined the creature could control its hardening state. If he and Leyvi had tried to sneak in and steal the Earth Essence Beads, they would have been caught instantly by this ability. The realization sent a chill down his spine.
Meanwhile, Leyvi, hidden in the shadows, was ready to act. In his right hand, he gripped the tier-5 Metal Bat, its surface pulsating and glowing intensely with concentrated Qi. The weapon vibrated violently, charged to its limit. Leyvi had been pouring his Qi into it since the plan began, preparing for this moment.
The Metal Bat had a unique ability: it could render its target unconscious, depending on the amount of Qi supplied and the force of the strike. The last time Leyvi had used it against a Commander-Level Demonic Earthworm, the effect had been minimal—barely a split-second interruption before the creature retaliated. But that encounter had further convinced him of its special ability that with enough Qi, the bat could affect even Commander-Level beasts. Perhaps even General-Level ones.
So the plan this time was to buy him enough time to supercharge the metal bat with his Qi.
