©NovelBuddy
My Goddess is Good at Pretending-Chapter 652: That Escalated Quickly
Terminal 10998, one of the ten city-sized terminals of the Aegis Starship, was filled with a whirlwind of activity as delivery shuttles zipped in and out, loading and unloading cargo for the distinguished customer.
ES Nirvana, the city-sized mothership-class spaceship was a marvel of engineering. Since it was classified as a Duke-class spaceship, nobody dared to offend the one with such combat power.
Moreover, dozens of robots and hundreds of drones were on standby around ES Nirvana, keeping an eye on everything. It would be a death wish if anyone dared to cause trouble there.
However, the controlled situation was disrupted by the arrival of three imposing royal entourages, each bearing the emblem of a different princely house. They were also followed by quite many curious onlookers.
As the three royal entourages landed at Terminal-10998’s parking area, the air grew tense as the princely shuttles’ ramps lowered, revealing the three imperial princes, each dressed in ornate robes signifying their status. They came down, followed closely by their respective elite guards.
Prince Althar was leading the charge, the 5th imperial prince, known for his cunning and unrelenting pursuit of power. Beside him was Prince Cedric, the 6th imperial prince, a man who masked his ambition behind facades.
And the last one, Prince Lucien, the 10th imperial prince, the brash and impetuous man with a notorious temper known for his lecherous personality. He was crazy for beautiful women, especially androids and clones.
Despite the different issues behind their arrival, the three princes were united by one common grievance. The mysterious new merchant had outbid and outmaneuvered them at the imperial marketplace, snatching away their desired purchases.
They had kept an eye on the best products in the imperial marketplace like the strongest spaceships, the most powerful mechs, the highest-tier gorgeous clones, and the most potent weapons. However, someone else had snatched what would be them soon.
The imperial marketplace’s rules were strict and the price was unbelievably expensive, commensurate with the quality and greatness offered. Even though a particular merchant had bought what they wanted legally, that didn’t mean they would just let it go.
As they stormed into the Terminal-10998’s port, their guards formed a phalanx around them. Robot workers and dock officers scattered to avoid the confrontation.
"Where is this so-called Guardian of Dream Merchant Group’s leader?" Cedric asked with an arrogant demeanor. His voice echoed through the terminal. "I want to see the one who dares to outshine royalty!"
The princes stopped in their tracks as a group of professional agents emerged from the city-sized ship a moment later, exuding an air of authority.
Those professional agents wore sleek black uniforms with the merchant’s insignia. The leader of the group, a composed, cold lady with a sharp gaze, flew down with four gorgeous demi-human assistants by her sides.
Yuuki, Sylvia, Luna, and Vanessa served as the Xentia’s bodyguards for this confrontation to resolve the issue as peacefully as possible. However, they were fully prepared if the other parties wanted to make a fuss and fight it out.
They reflexively glanced to the side, looking at Lady Fortuna and their master who were mingling among the curious onlookers.
"My lords." Xentia greeted with no gesture of respect. "This terminal is under the privileged protection of the Aegis System. I must ask you to state your business."
"Business?" Althar sneered. "We’re here because your employer has made a fool of us. The items we sought were sold out. We demand answers. Who is this person? Do they think themselves above the royal houses?"
Prince Lucien stepped forward. His tone was smooth but laced with a veiled threat. "Pretty girls... Surely, you can understand our curiosity. After all, one doesn’t simply outbid three princes without attracting attention."
After saying that, he licked his lips as he blatantly stared at the five beautiful ladies’ bountiful big hearts. His fury got drowned by at least a quarter just because the ones who confronted him were five rare beauties.
Xentia’s expression didn’t waver. "The one you seek is not currently available. However, rest assured, their business dealings are fully legitimate. Any grievances regarding market transactions should be directed to the Market Arbitration Council and Aegis System."
Prince Cedric’s face turned red with anger. He never felt like he was being taken for granted with such an indifferent attitude like this. "How dare you dismiss us, the imperial princes! Do you realize what your actions will bring you?"
"We suspect that your transaction activities need to be investigated further. If you cannot provide us with clarity on your source of funds and your employer, then we have no other choice but to confiscate all purchased items." Althar sneered.
He could use this opportunity to his advantage. Even if this merchant could still provide the clarity at a later date, he could still make their lives difficult by complicating things. In the meantime, he would grab the strongest spaceships and mechs for free!
"Sir, please pardon me for reminding you about this. If you suspect the transactions purchased by AGC, which is supervised by the Aegis System, are you saying you also doubted the Aegis System’s authenticity?" Elysia raised her hand as she spoke out loud.
"W-what? Who’s talking? What do you mean by saying that?" Althar frowned as he turned around, looking for who spoke so boldly to the princes with that kind of tone.
Simultaneously, the other two princes and the nearby curious onlookers turned to the young lady among the crowd.
"Although a new merchant, they have a Duke-class combat power. Please consider the consequences, esteemed princes. Their employer is definitely not an ordinary person since they can pour out billions of AGC at once." Elysia kindly reminded.
"You woman, shut up there. One more word from you, and I’ll take it as a serious offense to the royal house." Cedric raised his brows, feeling utterly displeased.
"Huh? What do you mean by saying that 6th prince? She kindly reminds you about the consequences behind your actions, and is that your response to this caring lady?" Euphemia, the 12th imperial princess, known as the Blue Stellar Princess, arrived with a scowl.
She jumped down from her mini aircraft and landed gracefully, flapping her four bluish wings and flicking her long shiny blue hair. She stood beside the brave young lady who took the trouble to remind her stupid brothers.
"Tch, just mind your own business, half-blood." Cedric clicked his tongue with a feeling of disgust.
"Heh." Euphemia snorted in contempt.
"..." Elysia looked aside, staring curiously at the newly arrived imperial princess.
’Her name is Euphemia. She’s just like me. I mean, our races are similar.’ Fortuna observed the shiny blue princess, feeling this princess was her distant kindred.
The three princes were authentic humans, but this girl was a mix of human and bird races.
’You are a divine owl, then what about her?’ Elysia checked the difference between Fortuna and Princess Euphemia. Fortuna’s human form was flawless, hiding the bird’s features. But Euphemia couldn’t hide those wings, feathers, and wing-like ears.
The Blue Stellar Princess was a ripe beauty with a mix between the grace of human form with the shiny stellar blue bird race. Euphemia’s long, flowing hair shimmered like strands of starlight, a deep azure interwoven with feather-like patterns.
The most conscious things that easily caught anyone’s attention were Euphemia’s four pairs of bluish wings, wing-like ears, and a pair of hair strands that stood upright against gravity, serving like a pair of antennae.
’She is a bluebird. Considering her title, perhaps, the stellar blue bird.’ Fortuna couldn’t be so sure because it was her first time seeing a bird race in outer space.
"I commend your bravery, but you need to watch your attitude and words next time. The royalty can be unreasonable once you piss them off." Euphemia rested her elbow on the pretty young lady next to her.
"Thank you for your advice, princess. But, are you going to let them pick a fight with this merchant?" Elysia flinched a bit, wishing to brush off the elbow on her shoulder, but since it wasn’t heavy, she let it be for the time being.
"Why should I? I want to see what this merchant will do. They offended three princes, and this will not end peacefully."
"Then, will you side with your brothers if matters escalate further?"
"Well, they are on their own device. It benefits me if they suffer. The more the better. I originally wanted to see this Guardian of Dream in person, and something interesting happened."
"Oh my, do you perhaps have a history with the Guardian of Dream, princess?"
"No, but this merchant caught my attention. I want to teach its leader a lesson as well, but those princes are ahead of me."
"U-uhh? If you don’t have a history with them, then why do you wish to teach its leader a lesson, princess?"
"You are such a curious crow. I will forgive you because you are a cutie, little sister. This Guardian of Dream pissed me off just recently. The pirates that I wished to destroy got ruined by them, and my treasure stolen by those pirates was taken by them. Not to mention, they literally pissed me off. She thinks she’s so great just because she’s a distinguished noble? If not because of those princes, I might be the one who confronted this merchant and made them pay for their arrogance. They thought they were invincible with just this city-sized Duke-class mothership, eh?"
Elysia conversed a bit with Euphemia, but what she got was just a new potential enemy. The Guardian of Dream never ever once offended Euphemia, but this princess was being unreasonable just like those princes. These imperial descendants just begged to be whipped.
"How dare you, arrogant btch! I challenge you to a duel! The sacred duel to settle all grievances in the Stellar Arena! The loser will follow the winner’s condition. Not even your employer can save you." Lucien threw a handkerchief at Xentia’s face, but it got caught instead.
The 5th and 6th princes were shocked, but they couldn’t let the opportunity slip by. They shouldn’t allow the 10th prince to swallow this big fish alone. Whoever employed this merchant, both parties would suffer after offending them.
"You sure are loud. A duel wouldn’t be complete without an equal wager. You’re after our recent purchases, but what will you offer to match it?" Xentia burned the thrown handkerchief, but she accepted the duel anyway.
"Hm?" Elysia was a bit surprised because Xentia truly triggered the three princes and led them to a duel with a bet at stake.
Updated from freewёbnoνel.com.
She didn’t really follow the argument between them because of Euphemia, but the matter had escalated further. The princes were truly trying to seize her purchases for free, and also made her Guardian of Dream suffer a huge loss.