This BL Novel Is Ruined Now - Chapter 261
Chapter 261
Translator: Yonnee
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Jehardt Castle, showing the indifference typical of lions, was dark, very dark.
The entire castle looked as if it were covered in ash spewed from a volcano, and the towers that jutted out irregularly were as sharp as shards of glass.
‘It’s a different kind of bleakness from Chantra.’
If the place where Reina grew up was a barren wasteland, this black castle was something else.
Perhaps it was due to its location next to the mountains and the gloomy weather combined? Stepping inside felt like it could choke the breath out of you.
Moreover, as if indicating that visitors were not welcome, there was only one path leading to the castle.
The cliff path, dangerously carved out with piles of charcoal-like stones on either side, seemed as if a slight misstep could send one tumbling down the cliff before even reaching the lions’ den.
Entering the castle, which seemed more like the den of the grim reaper than that of black lions, Reina immediately faced the elders.
After a brief greeting, she went straight to the point. Her explanation was brief, as the purpose was clear.
“This is the proposal for cooperation I am presenting to Jehardt.”
Her voice echoed smoothly in this space completely devoid of warmth.
An elder, who appeared to be the oldest, promptly responded.
“A very ingenious proposal. What does everyone else think?”
The elders seated in the center of the room stared silently at Reina, Ethan, and Eli, their faces inscrutable.
“Hmm. Cooperation.”
The middle-aged woman sitting in the center moved her red lips slightly. Despite her delicate appearance at an age of forty, her hands, which held a sword, were heavily calloused.
‘I knew this family was governed by the logic of power…’
She was the youngest looking, yet she was the head of the elders.
How to describe Jehardt? A family that is conventional yet exceptional in unexpected ways?
“The narrative is indeed novel. Certainly, our lions’ prestige isn’t what it used to be.”
An elder with white hair nodded slightly at the chairman’s words.
‘A sign of agreement?’
Honestly, it was hard to tell. The Jehardt lions always had such ferocious expressions. It was difficult to get a read on them.
But then, just as she was trying to grasp their intentions.
“However.”
A voice containing a twist burst forth from the far end of the elders’ seats. All eyes turned towards the woman.
“In a world where the logic of power is the law of nature, your efforts seem quite contrary to this, Saintess.”
‘Contrary?’
Reina frowned slightly without realizing, and decided to listen more before speaking.
The explanation continued unabated.
“I agree. It seems like an attempt to violate the rightful principle of survival of the fittest.”
“As both have said, the proposal presented by Your Eminence does feel quite artificial.”
Even the chairman of the elders, who had been silent till now, agreed.
‘Eli…’
What kind of environment had he grown up in?
Caught in a momentary different thought, Reina stepped forward and carefully chose her words.
“I fully understand that it may seem like an attempt that goes against natural laws. But, how about considering this?”
The chairman nodded briefly, indicating that she was willing to listen further, and Reina continued with a more confident voice.
“Gaining power through new technology and thereby gaining a survival advantage is also part of the natural order.”
However, the rebuttal came quickly.
“But that ‘power’ wouldn’t be obtained by one’s own power but through the grace of the Saintess, would it?”
“Yes, indeed. It’s questionable whether such power and survival are justified.”
Oh, good grief. Do they think of the empire as a wild Serengeti plain?
‘Is it even meaningful to try to convince them?’
But the one who’s desperate would be the one who’d lose. And so Reina, who was in need of allies, tried harder.
“No matter how much of my help is given, without personal effort, it will not turn into an opportunity.”
Thus, it was not ‘forced’ help but a ‘will’ toward transformation.
Whether they understood this meaning or not, silence once again fell in the council room.
The atmosphere, slowly depleting like oxygen, became stifling, and Reina endured it silently.
‘I have to win over at least one person to our side.’
Honestly, since they were lions with a strong desire for power, I thought they would join the plan without a second word like House Venzen.
But after discussing it, she wasn’t so sure anymore.
“Saintess.”
After a moment of private discussion among themselves, the elders seemed to have reached a decision and sat down again.
“We thank you for coming to us personally and proposing your compassionate plan.”
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