Uchiha Soren's low, regretful voice echoed through the throne hall.
(What does he mean by that? Is he telling me I should devote myself entirely to the shinobi? Or that, because I am a human from this world, my value is limited?)
Questions fluttered through Lana's mind, but she reacted instantly—lifting her head with a gentle, honey-sweet smile.
"Supreme Leader, if I had not been born in the Re-Estize Kingdom, I might never have had the honor of meeting you. In that sense, being born a princess… may truly be my good fortune."
Soren chuckled lightly.
"Such a sweet tongue. Much better than those rude barbarians from the Hidden Cloud."
He had always preferred people with manners and eloquence.
Uchiha Lei, watching quietly from the side, felt a bitter knot form in his chest.
(…Ah. As expected, the Supreme Leader has taken an interest in the Golden Princess.)
(If this ever becomes public knowledge, Konoha will be in chaos…)
Uchiha Zhili, Uchiha Mitsu, Minamoto Kaori—each one a terrifying powerhouse.
If conflict ever erupted over jealousy, only the two Uzumaki matriarchs might be able to restrain them.
As a man who lived under the reign of a fierce wife, Lei deeply believed:
If Soren's household remained peaceful, then the entire shinobi world would remain peaceful.
So he hurried to redirect the conversation.
"Supreme Leader, Princess Lana's three proposals for managing the capital have already stabilized public order with remarkable speed."
"She has also expressed willingness to serve Konoha and the shinobi world. Her only request is that her beloved retainer—her adopted knight, Climb—not be harmed."
After delivering his report word for word, Lei sensed the delicate atmosphere thickening.
He dared not remain as a third wheel.
With Soren giving him the slightest nod, Lei fled the hall as though chased by a monstrous tide.
The cold wind outside struck his face and cooled his tense nerves.
He sighed inwardly.
(Konoha's future… is beyond my ability to save.)
Inside the hall, only two figures remained.
The vast space felt even more silent.
Lana felt a gaze settle on her—intense, unrestrained, and probing.
It traced her features with deliberate focus: her nose, her lips, her pale throat… eventually settling on her collarbone, where her dress revealed a faint line of delicate skin.
Her heartbeat quickened.
She could feel the weight of that attention—overbearing, analytical, almost predatory.
Her breath hitched slightly. Nervousness and tension fluttered beneath her composure.
Soren spoke.
"Lana. Come here."
"As you command, Supreme Leader."
Though unwillingness stirred like a shadow in her heart, Lana's steps remained light and poised—
like a breeze carrying a gentle fragrance.
Every movement held refined softness, as though she were a daisy blooming in early spring.
She stopped before Soren, posture flawless.
She was small in stature, but her proportions were elegant and balanced, graceful in a way that felt sculpted.
Soren leaned back.
"Lana, take a guess. What do you think I want you to do right now?"
"Guess right—there's a reward. Guess wrong—there's a consequence."
His eyes locked onto her like an eagle sighting prey.
His tone carried teasing authority, though not overtly indecent.
(Climb… forgive me. My first vow may not be given to you.)
(But I will try—everything in my power—to escape the Supreme Leader's grasp.)
Flushed with mixed emotions, Lana lowered her head.
Shame, irritation, unease, and guilt toward her beloved knight tangled within her.
She steadied her breath, then answered softly:
"Supreme Leader… you wish for me to offer the kingdom's final jewel."
She lowered herself to one knee, eyes shimmering like water, her voice clear and bell-like.
"A jewel shines only under sunlight. Please grant me your permission—to become the brightest gem upon your crown."
Soren raised an eyebrow.
(So by "brightest," you mean you refuse to let yourself be sullied…)
(And you consider me the corruption.)
He couldn't help a faint smile.
He did not pursue the implication—there was no need.
As long as Climb remained in his grasp, this clever little flower would eventually submit to the soil he planted her in.
"To become a radiant gem… requires more than pretty words."
Setting aside the emotional battlefield entirely, Soren shifted the conversation.
He questioned her about the kingdom's internal affairs.
Knowledge from the anime was far too shallow.
Under Lana's calm, methodical explanations, Soren reconstructed a complete picture of the kingdom in his mind.
She even provided sharp, distilled analysis of the neighboring Empire.
(Using her only for affection is indeed a waste.)
(And Nazarick's arrival shouldn't be far off now.)
Soren found genuine appreciation rising within him.
Lana's insight was extraordinary—almost frightening.
Her explanations touched all the key points he cared about.
Of course, in the original story, she had willingly fed her entire kingdom to the jaws of Ainz Ooal Gown for the sake of sharing her knight's eternal lifespan.
If she did not get what she wanted—
And if she encountered Nazarick—
She would betray everything.
(Should I do what Ainz did—rewrite her settings?)
(A direct rewrite would be distasteful… but a sharingan-based "Transcription Seal"? That is acceptable.)
The Transcription Seal:
A sharingan user could seal a technique into their own or someone else's eye.
The seal would automatically activate under a preset condition, unleashing the technique instantly.
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