Chapter 54: The Fallen Princess and the Awakeners’ Team

For the first time, Lin Feng found himself approached by a foreigner, and not just any foreigner—a noble lady embodying beauty, grace, and elegance.

Her skin was as smooth as white jade, her features delicate, with a high nose and large blue eyes reminiscent of the fabled goddesses of Western myths.

The jeweled necklace around her white neck and the golden crown atop her braided blonde hair suggested a prestigious background.

"Uh..."

"Hello."

Lin Feng, slightly at a loss, spat out the prawn head he had been sucking and replied simply.

The noble young lady standing before him, poised and elegant, gave a gentle smile and spoke again.

Her voice was as melodious as a nightingale, a result of the refined training typical among nobility. While it served no practical purpose, it naturally engendered goodwill in conversations.

At that moment, it was enough to hold Lin Feng's attention:

"Mr. Lin, please allow me to introduce myself. I am Betty Charmant, the First Princess of the Rorai Kingdom."

Lin Feng raised an eyebrow, surprised at the noble identity but not expecting it to be so exalted.

A princess of a kingdom, albeit one that was a small nation in the Western alliance, with territory equivalent to two federal states.

Nonetheless, she was a princess of a sovereign monarchy, not merely the daughter of transient politicians. Her power and status were incomparable.

In the past, Lin Feng would never have had the chance to be approached by a princess. Even now, it seemed surreal.

Surprised but cautious, Lin Feng nodded politely:

"Specialist Lin Feng, at your service, Your Highness."

Betty maintained her smile, self-deprecatingly saying:

"The kingdom is nearly gone, so I'm just a princess of a fallen nation. Please, don't call me 'Your Highness.'"

Lin Feng was taken aback; Betty seemed far more approachable than the typical aristocrat.

"Princess Betty, may I ask why you've sought me out? In times like these, shouldn't you be negotiating with officials for asylum?"

Betty shook her head, a trace of desolation in her eyes:

"What's the use of that? In these chaotic times, only guns and personal strength can promise any semblance of safety."

Lin Feng nodded, noting that not all nobles were foolish. On the contrary, they were astute, though the princess hadn't yet explained her purpose:

"So you attended this military-hosted banquet. Unfortunately, I'm not strong enough to offer you protection. As a federal citizen, I can't accept any employment or allegiance to you..."

"Even if you offer yourself as bait."

With that, Lin Feng boldly appraised the high-ranking princess before him, her petite stature under five feet tall, yet with a perfectly proportioned figure.

She resembled a national treasure-like porcelain doll, her innocent face suggesting she was barely out of her teens, though her mature demeanor belied any inexperience.

Lin Feng withdrew his gaze, shrugging:

"Me? The federal law sets the age at eighteen, so I'm not interested in young girls. Besides, I already have a perfect partner."

Princess Betty glanced at the woman in the pale yellow dress among the crowd, saying:

"In our country, the age is sixteen, and I've just had my coming-of-age ceremony. Besides, how long can laws hold sway in these times? As an awakener, you understand this better than I."

"As for your perfect partner, that lady seems more a business associate than anything else."

"You have no emotional ties, only mutual interests."

Lin Feng nodded, cracking open a king crab leg, squeezing lemon juice over it, and scooping out the meat with a spoon before wiping his hands and mouth with a napkin, replying between bites:

"You're right. But I lack the strength to offer you protection, and as a federal citizen, I can't accept employment or allegiance to you..."

"Even if you offer yourself as bait."

He unabashedly scrutinized the noble princess before him:

"Honestly, aside from your age and status, you don't stand a chance against the voluptuous, open-minded Western women downstairs."

Princess Betty's smile froze, unprepared for such blunt rejection, and his coarse behavior was like that of an uncultivated brute.

"Anything else? If not, let me enjoy my meal."

Lin Feng shrugged, losing interest after assessing her intentions.

Princess Betty took a deep breath, regaining composure and smiling stiffly:

"You're right, which is why we're seeking a new form of cooperation. We'll do our utmost to support you in expanding your power, in exchange for future protection."

"I found something familiar in you, beyond the strength."

Lin Feng squinted, halting his departure, turning back to the beleaguered princess:

"Oh? What's that?"

Betty's smile vanished, her tone steady:

"Ambition. The scent of ambition."

"With our resources, we can help you achieve your goals swiftly."

Lin Feng chuckled, asking:

"Ambition? What do you think my ambition is?"

Betty gazed at him, seemingly seeing through him, and said deliberately:

"Absolute power and... defeating the bug race."

Lin Feng shrugged, indifferent:

"Every awakener seeks power, and the Federation can handle the bugs."

"Look at the impregnable defenses; flesh and blood can never beat steel walls."

Betty smirked coldly, whispering:

"Do you truly believe that? The stronger awakeners know the terror of those alien bugs."

"Concrete defenses won't halt their advance."

"And while the Federation appears strong, it's fragmented. Each state acts on its interests, never unified."

"In chaotic times, harsh measures are needed to unleash war potential. We're well-versed in this, thanks to our monarchy."

"What's the word you federal folks love? Ah, yes, angel investment."

"Consider this my angel investment, and you're the investment, Mr. Lin."

"Here, we lack a legitimate standing. Should you ever need anything, please let me know."

With that, Betty handed him a solid gold card before curtseying and leaving.

The heavy card was the size of a third of his palm, weighing twenty grams and worth nearly ten thousand.

The royal family was indeed generous.

The card bore three lines of contact information, including Princess Betty's private number.

By then, Han Yuxin had returned to Lin Feng's side, having noticed Princess Betty's approach from afar.

Seeing the card, her curiosity piqued, and she leaned against Lin Feng, her tone slightly sour:

"Isn't the princess charming?"

"Did she win your heart? Don't forget I'm still here."

Lin Feng rolled his eyes at her:

"Jealous? Did you find any interested buyers? If not, you might try Betty. They have plenty of money."

As long as the industrial system remained intact, gold would always outvalue paper money.

Entrusting the live bug business to one person made Lin Feng uneasy. Perhaps Princess Betty was a suitable partner.

He preferred dealing with intelligent people.

Despite the nobility's ingrained arrogance, which irked him, if he were the one they sought to please, he was more than willing. After all, as a princess, her status alone overshadowed countless beauties.

Han Yuxin noted the contact details, nodding:

"Right, these royals will pay handsomely for awakening packages. Their foundations here are shaky, and promises of protection are less reliable than personal strength."

"Keep in touch; not everyone gets a princess's private number. Even a dying camel is bigger than a horse. With their help, we can expand faster."

Seeing Han Yuxin's meaningful glance, Lin Feng shrugged, politely declining:

"There's no such thing as a free lunch. You should know that better than me."

Setting aside his plate, Lin Feng glanced into the distance.

At the entrance to the VIP area, a man in his thirties, accompanied by his wife and daughter, made a grand entrance.

Instantly, they drew attention and applause.

The main attraction of the banquet was none other than Major Qin Hu.

Lin Feng's gaze moved past him, focusing on the other accompanying officers.

Compared to the Lv13 Qin Hu, these low-profile officers were all Lv16 and above, having reached the later stages of the first tier!

There were even several Lv19, top-tier awakeners!

With such a formidable team,

The Thirteenth Army's strength was indeed formidable!

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