This Game Is Too Realistic-Chapter 456.1: Ultimatum

It had been more than a week since the Lion Kingdom had reclaimed all its territory. Somer had initially seen the hope of national restoration.

But what he didn’t expect was that despite having such a huge advantage, the New Alliance’s army had halted at the northwest border of Oasis No.9. Not only did they show no intention of advancing further, but they even began digging trenches and building fortifications on the spot. And that wasn’t all.

What made Somer even more uneasy was that, from a familiar source within the Lion Kingdom, he learned that the king was considering solidifying the alliance with the New Alliance through marriage.

And it wasn’t just King Edward.

Prince Wint had also set his sights on the still-single administrator.

It was just that he didn’t have a daughter of marriageable age, so he was currently considering adopting a foster daughter from among his subordinates. Even more shameless was a certain duke who wanted to send his daughter to the administrator’s place as a maid!

A pampered noble lady doing hard labor? What a joke! What could she even do? Somer didn’t need to think hard to figure out what kind of scheme that guy was plotting!

Shameless!

Unlike the Honey Badger Kingdom, the Lion Kingdom had no restriction on the number of wives one could take. And because of the abundance of heirs, those nobles who claimed to uphold tradition didn’t actually care whether bloodlines were diluted.

Just imagining those shameless old foxes selling off their daughters like bargaining chips made Somer restless.

As such, he immediately requested an audience with the New Alliance’s Administrator.

Staring at the administrator seated on the couch, Somer took a deep breath and got straight to the point in a serious tone. “Honored Administrator, may I ask what you think of my sister, Afrni?”

Chu Guang was slightly taken aback, casting a surprised glance at the young man. He had just been wondering if Somer had come to pressure him about the slow progress of the war.

Why suddenly bring up Afrni?

After a moment of thought, Chu Guang answered, “Afrni is a diligent young lady. Everyone who has worked with her speaks highly of her. You don’t need to worry about her.”

Though he hadn’t had much direct contact with her recently, for diplomatic reasons, Chu Guang had inquired with the head of the Merchant Guild.

According to Frost Snow, the young princess from the Honey Badger Kingdom was gentle, kind, and courteous. She was nothing like a spoiled noble girl. She was also quite respectful toward the library’s books. Though the impression may have been slightly biased, the fact that she left such a good impression meant she had to have had many endearing qualities.

People don’t form favorable impressions of others for no reason.

However, his answer didn’t seem to satisfy Somer. He pressed on, undeterred, “Rather than others’ opinions, I care more about yours, Honored Administrator. Or to put it more directly, how do you see her, from a man’s point of view?”

Chu Guang raised his eyebrows and shot him a strange look. “I don’t really have any special thoughts about her. Why?”

Seeing the administrator completely miss the hint, Somer felt a headache coming on.

Maybe subtlety didn’t work with him. Perhaps he needed to be more direct.

Gritting his teeth and swallowing his pride, Somer took a deep breath and said, “I asked my sister, and she spoke very highly of you. She said your wisdom shines like the stars, and just standing beside you brings peace of mind. If she could, she’d love to spend the night in deep conversation with you.”

Chu Guang let out a dry cough and interrupted him. “Just say what you came to say. No need to go overboard with flattery.”

If he let the dude go on, he was afraid he’d start curling his toes from secondhand embarrassment.

Hearing that, Somer almost choked on his own spit. He thought he had already been pretty blunt, he even improvised a cheesy love poem!

How much more direct could he be?

Completely giving up, he sighed, “I’m here to propose on behalf of my sister. Will you take her as your wife?”

... So that’s it...

This guy came to see me at night just for this?

Chu Guang sighed internally and leaned back on the couch. “In the New Alliance, personal relationships are private matters. We don’t mix public affairs with private ones, and we certainly don’t play political marriage games.”

He hadn’t expected Chu Guang to reject him so directly. Somer looked disappointed but tried to press the matter further. Yet Chu Guang spoke again. “I believe I’ve said this before. Anyway, if you have nothing else to say, then I’ll ask you to leave.”

Leaving the shelter, Somer stood in the square feeling at a loss, unwilling to give up. After hesitating a few times, he finally went to see his sister.

After listening to his recount, Afrni let out a soft sigh, closing the book she had borrowed from the library along with her handwritten notes.

Somer glanced at the book cover from the corner of his eye.

[A Study on Classical Economics: Contradictions and Evolution of Productive Forces and Relations]

He vaguely remembered she had been reading this same title the previous time. How long had she been reading it?

“You shouldn’t have gone to him.”

“Why not?” Somer didn’t agree. Even though nothing came of it, he didn’t think it was a mistake.

Suitors were lining up on the Lion Kingdom’s side. If they didn’t act now, wouldn’t they just be handing over the advantage?

Seeing her brother unconvinced, Afrni continued, “He probably values the New Alliance more than himself. How could he agree to something like this? Something that might come with strings attached at such a critical time?”

Somer replied without hesitation. “What’s the conflict in that? If he values the New Alliance that much, then he should consider producing heirs even sooner.”

Afrni shook her head. “The fact that you’d say that proves you don’t understand the New Alliance.”

Don’t understand?

And you do?

Somer almost snapped at her, but thought better of it.

He suddenly realized that while he had spent some time managing refugee camps with Teresa in Falling Leaf City, Afrni had gone to the capital, Dawn City, to help organize the library. He wasn’t even sure anymore if he understood the New Alliance better than his sister.

After a brief pause, Afrni continued gently, “The New Alliance doesn’t belong to any one person. It’s an alliance of all the suffering survivors. He always says that, and whenever he does, Frost Snow’s eyes lights up.”

“Frost Snow?”

“Yes, she’s my friend. And not just her, everyone is like that. They rally behind the banner of Shelter 404 and serve the administrator. But their loyalty isn’t just to the man. The New Alliance belongs to them, it’s not the other way around.”

“At first, I didn’t understand what kind of kingdom this was, but gradually, I came to understand.”

“Understand what?”

Afrni answered with serious eyes. “The New Alliance is not a kingdom. The New Alliance is the New Alliance.”

There was a certain longing, or perhaps hope, in her voice.

Somer looked at his sister, who now seemed a bit unfamiliar.

When she did change?

After a while, he gulped once and asked, “Have you considered changing jobs?”

Afrni paused. “Why?”

Somer carefully chose his words. “These books have influenced you too much. You should read something more age-appropriate.”

“Picture books?” Afrni stared straight into his eyes. “You told me I’m not a child anymore, so why should I read childish things? Besides, you know those stories are fake.”

Somer sighed, “But at least they won’t give you strange ideas...”

Afrni answered seriously, “I don’t think there’s anything strange about it. Problems won’t disappear just because we ignore them. As productivity evolves, sooner or later, we’ll have to face them.”

Somer coughed, cutting off the debate. “Let’s talk about your marriage instead.”

Of course, he knew about those problems.

But from the standpoint of royalty, that wasn’t his concern. His duty was to maintain the Honey Badger Kingdom’s rule over Oasis No.3. Only then could he worry about improving the lives of the people.

That was his responsibility.

Afrni nodded and fell silent, waiting for her brother’s decision.

Everyone has the right to pursue happiness, but she knew this didn’t apply to someone born into royalty.

Being in the royal family gave her many privileges. She was expected to answer that with responsibility. If she forgot all that just for ‘freedom’, that would be too selfish.

“We need the New Alliance’s friendship, both now and in the future.” Somer paused. After some time, he continued, “But the administrator doesn’t seem interested in my marriage proposal. I hope you can take more initiative. Of course, how far you go is up to you.”

Afrni quietly sighed in relief.

Although she had mentally prepared herself to sacrifice personal happiness for her family, emotionally, she still hoped to marry for love.

It was a blessing not to be forced to marry someone else.

“I understand. But I still think you were too hasty.”

“Our war with the Army is not over. That man surely doesn’t want to be distracted from the battlefield. Talking to him about this now might have the opposite effect.”

Somer furrowed his brow, realizing she was right. Maybe he had been too impatient. Perhaps the New Alliance’s lack of movement was not abandonment, but simply because they were preparing to do something big.

Regaining his composure, he looked at his sister and asked, “So what can I do to fix this?”

Afrni nodded slightly. “Of course. If you want to gain his approval, the best way is to achieve something he can see, not sit around in Dawn City where he thinks you’re idle.”

Somer asked earnestly, “Where should I go then?”

Afrni replied, “Going back to Falling Leaf City would be a good start. The New Alliance plans to extend roads and railways to the Lion Kingdom, using it as a transport hub between the Sunset Province and the River Valley Province.”

“Falling Leaf City’s development is key to what will happen next. Every time the administrator inspects the Merchant Guild, he mentions that place the most. He hopes the Guild can formulate more supportive policies to help its growth.”

“Commerce is one thing, but refugee resettlement is another major issue. Look at Teresa, she’s working hard to prove she can handle it.”

Seeing her brother deep in thought, she added, “There’s no royal court in the New Alliance. Maybe you need to change your thinking. As for me, you don’t need to worry. Our time to shine will come after the war, not now.”

“Please, just give me a little time.”

...