Wulio's expression immediately changed as he replied.

"Are you crazy? First Brother is a lunatic. He would have my head cut off if I decided to join someone with a Chrole Bloodline. No, wait! Isn't Calina hiding here so she won't be hunted down? Wasn't that the reason you faked your death?"

​​

Calina shook her head as she answered.

"I'm also a direct descendant, so I have the right to the throne as well. I want to become the empress so I can stop this war between Sasamil and Chrole from happening."

Hearing that, Wulio burst out in laugher.

"Hahahaha! Really? For real? Hahahaha! No way! Hahahaha! That's too funny! That's definitely the best joke I've heard in a long, long time."

However, seeing Calina's dark expression cut off his laughter in an instant.

"Oh boy... You can't be serious, right? There's no way you can make it! Trust me, this action will be nothing more but akin to suicide. It has nothing to do with your rights to fight for the throne or not. None of the princes and princesses fighting for it will allow someone with a Chrole Bloodline to intervene in the dispute."

Calina then took a deep breath before saying.

"I know that very well. However, I can't just give up and let it happen."

Roan was more interested in another problem, though.

"You just said it yourself. None of the princes and princesses would allow that. However, what about you? What do you think about Calina joining the fight for the throne? After all, you're a direct descendant with a pure Sasamil Bloodline."

Wulio nodded after hearing that as he responded truthfully.

"To be honest, I don't like the idea either. After all, the Sasamil Empire has always been ruled by those with the purest bloodline and best skills. I can't say I would feel comfortable knowing that someone with a mixed bloodline took the throne."

Sure enough, it would be a miracle if Wulio suddenly thought differently from the others.

He then looked at Calina as he smiled, saying.

"I have nothing against you as a person, but I don't think it's the right thing for you to join the fight. At least, I wouldn't support you since I can't guarantee that Chrole won't use you somehow. That's how I feel."

Malaka, Rean, and Roan narrowed their eyes. However, Wulio understood what they were thinking.

"Are you afraid that I would go and tell on everyone now that I know that Calina will enter the fight for the throne?"

Roan nodded in response.

"Shouldn't I?"

Wulio shrugged his shoulders.

"You should. However, you don't need to worry because I won't."

Calina immediately asked.

"Why?"

"Simple. I'm absolutely sure that you won't take the throne even if you participate. You have no background, no support, no influence, no achievements, nothing! Besides, you're extremely young. Since you're a princess of the Empire, then you should know that Imperial Father won't last long. Simply put, you don't have that much time to grow into a person that could threaten First and Fifth Brother."

For Rean and Roan, that was more than enough. Of course, as long as that was true.

'What do you think, Roan? Can we trust him?'

Roan shook his head as he replied.

'It doesn't matter if we do or not. We can't do anything to Wulio to start with.'

Rean had to admit that Roan was right.

'That's true. Wulio's very strong and has never dropped his guard in front of us. Even if we use the Lakure Race or the Dalamu Sect, he could simply reveal his identity. Even worse, he could reveal Calina's identity.'

Roan nodded.

'That would definitely be a bad thing for us. However, I do believe Wulio is telling the truth. That's what my countless years of experience tell me.'

Rean didn't doubt that. Roan's judgments were usually right.

'Good. Wulio doesn't know about our talk with Huan Qelol, so I can understand why he thinks like that. Let's keep it like this.'

However, Malaka wasn't satisfied with Wulio's answer.

"Then, what does Calina need to do to gain your support?"

In the end, she just wanted to help Calina. However, her own power was too limited for that. Wulio was different. Even if he showed no interest in the throne, he was still one of the Emperor's sons. Rean and Roan also admitted that Malaka had asked a good question.

Wulio was taken aback by that question.

"What she needs? Hmm... I haven't considered it. However, I don't think it's a good idea to ask me."

"Why?"

"Because if she finds out what it needs to gain my support, that means she has a chance of reaching the throne. That's not something I want to see happening."

Malaka immediately shook her head as she said.

"That's not what I meant at all! Let me rephrase it. What would Calina need to gain your trust and, after that, your support? Calina truly wishes to stop this war. She isn't going to betray the Empire."

Calina felt a little emotional seeing Malaka say so much for her sake. However, she quickly recovered and looked at Wulio.

"I want to know that as well. There must be something I can do to convince you."

Wulio shook his head as he replied.

"Even if there was, it would be useless. After all, I don't want to take part in the fight. However..."

Wulio began to walk around Calina as he looked at her from head to toe.

"Hmm... Not bad at all. I might consider it an option if you decide to marry me. This way, I can prevent you from betraying the Empire in the future if you become the empress. Besides, you're quite the stunning beauty at the moment. How about that?"

One must remember that Calina was already nineteen years old. She was a true beauty as well, no doubt. Of course, that was because she used a Yin Energy Cultivation Technique.

"I..."

Sure enough, Calina didn't know what to say as her face flushed red. That was way too sudden. Sure, that would give her a huge advantage. Unfortunately, the one she liked was Roan. Then again, what was more important? Her feelings or the Empire?

Wulio then laughed out loud.

"There's no need to make your decision now. We have several years ahead of us inside this natural formation. You can give me an answer later."

Calina could only nod in the end.