CHAPTER 272: CHAPTER 262: ANDREW’S PLAN

Finally, they roughly understood the current problems and situation at the Royal Court. To say there’s no pressure would be a lie.

The room was very quiet, as was the entire Royal Court, showing no signs of any issues for the time being.

But this temporary calm was only due to the King’s injury from breaking through, as he was temporarily not leaving his chambers.

It was easy to foresee: as long as their group continued to stay at the Royal Court and proceeded with the negotiations and competitions as planned, the King would surely be present during the competitions.

That would be the truly difficult, even extremely dangerous time!

"To a large extent, the King and Queen are the ’referees’ of the negotiation competition."

Andrew was well aware of this.

Even before crossing over to this world, Andrew had seen in the previous one just how significantly a biased referee could distort and affect a game.

Not long ago, right before the Royal Court, he had personally experienced: facing powerful enemies (such as the Dragon Taming Lady and others), while simultaneously having a biased figure like the Warrior Chief on the side, was immensely disadvantageous.

It’s no exaggeration to say that it could truly lead to death!

However...

He still felt it was worth negotiating, should negotiate, must negotiate.

And they could win the negotiation.

"Andrew, do you think we can win?"

Dean Charlie and others looked over, their expressions filled with surprise and astonishment.

Susan, known for her fiery temper, after an initial surprise, showed a bitter smile and shook her head, saying: "Though I hate to say it, it’s really hard, extremely hard."

After a pause, Susan sighed: "The second young lady actually blames herself a lot, saying that had she known, she would not have suggested negotiating in the Royal Court.

The original idea was to secure a home court advantage for our Commerce Association, but now it seems more like the opponent was making a calculated move, feigning to let us have the home court advantage, when in reality they had long turned it into their home ground and our away ground."

"So Aunt Susan also feels that the conditions for continuing negotiations at the Royal Court are no longer valid or sufficient?" Barbara frowned.

"Yes, that’s what I think."

Susan said, as if recalling some unwanted memories, "Negotiating and competing in a non-neutral ground, the opponent almost certainly will deliberately injure or even kill our people during the competition.

Just like the time when I... never mind, let’s not get into details.

I’ll just say one thing: the negotiation competition I participated in back then was forced upon us under similar circumstances, and in the end, I lost, my physique spiraled out of control, my professional limits got damaged, and that was already a blessing in disguise, because everyone else who participated in the competition with me died. I was the only one who survived."

At this point, Susan’s gaze was very dim, her voice low, as she looked at Andrew again and said, "I understand the sentiment young people have to overcome difficulties. But sometimes, you can’t just rush in headfirst. We can entirely choose other times and places to negotiate."

Andrew replied, "But if we do that, wouldn’t it invisibly weaken the speaking power we gained in the previous Double Fire War by more than half? Also, I don’t think withdrawing from the negotiation now would really achieve our desired outcome.

We’re already on their territory, it’s like meeting a fierce beast in the wild, face to face with it!

If we show weakness or even turn to flee rashly at this time, we might die even faster."

Susan’s heart stirred; she, too, understood the principle that one couldn’t just run from a fierce beast out of fear.

But what good solution was there? Susan, not known for her gentleness, frowned at Andrew: "So, do you have any good solution, kid? With your head full of ideas to confront difficulties, do you insist on ending up like me, or even getting yourself killed to find satisfaction and happiness?!"

"Susan, watch your attitude." Dean Charlie raised a hand to signal Susan to calm down, then seriously looked at Andrew, "You seem to... have some ideas?"

Since arriving at the Royal Court, Andrew had performed excellently but was ultimately not the leader, only a crucial variable.

The commanders on their side were still Catherine and Dean Charlie.

Could someone like Andrew really have a good plan? Besides Dean Charlie, others like Susan, Havier, and even Barbara cast doubtful or puzzled looks at Andrew.

Andrew didn’t deny having some ideas but didn’t speak immediately.

Instead, he first asked, "I want to confirm two things; the first is the specific timing of the negotiation competition. Has it been decided?"

Dean Charlie said, "According to the original plan, the negotiation competition will start tomorrow.

Tomorrow we will have two one-on-one negotiations out of three debate competitions, where the third young lady and I will represent the young and older generation of the Commerce Association respectively in the contest.

The day after tomorrow is the two-on-two showdown, where you, Andrew, and the third young lady will team up for the battle."

Andrew nodded after listening: "Then the second point, can Her Highness Catherine be ensured to attend and be present at the negotiation site on the days of the competition?"

"That’s no problem!" Susan affirmed, "The second young lady’s injuries are not light, but the root cause of the injuries has just been resolved. Attending the event is certainly not an issue."

At this, Susan’s heart stirred again.

Although Catherine, ultimately, was a notch below the King in terms of strength.

But honestly, the King was injured after all, and although Catherine was also injured, they had Andrew as a healing expert on their side.

Could it be that this lad Andrew had a way to restore the second young lady to peak condition within a day?

If that were the case, Catherine, in her peak condition and infinitely close to War God Level, against a King who, although at War God Level, couldn’t fully recover from his injuries, seemed... didn’t actually have that much of a power gap?

If so, maybe they really could continue with the Royal Court negotiation this time?!

"I can ensure that Princess Catherine will appear tomorrow in perfect condition for the negotiation and competition."

Andrew spoke slowly, with a tone that was very calm yet incredibly confident.

At this moment, Andrew’s confidence was so certain that even Havier couldn’t voice any doubts!

Dean Charlie stared at Andrew and asked, "Do you think that’s enough?"

"Of course... it’s not enough," Andrew replied, "That’s why I actually have another plan."

Without holding back, he directly explained the plan he came up with after listening to the current situation of the Royal Court.

Andrew spoke earnestly.

The others in the room listened, but the more they heard, the more shocked, surprised, and even appalled they appeared.

"...Ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous!" Susan was the first to oppose after hearing Andrew’s plan, "This plan won’t work at all, it’s too risky! Damn it, Andrew, you little devil, what kind of nonsense are you thinking? I thought you had a plan, but this is not a plan, this is a gamble!"

Havier hesitated for a moment and said, "But why do I feel, somehow... that it makes sense?"

Susan and Andrew both: "?"

No one expected that Havier, who often opposed Andrew, would stand by Andrew this time!

"I agree as well," Barbara said, "Although the plan sounds really risky and crazy, the rewards are huge. At least, I think it’s worth a try!"

Susan couldn’t help but feel anxious: "Miss, you..." She looked at Dean Charlie, seemingly wanting him to help persuade.

But Dean Charlie seriously looked at Andrew and asked, "In your plan, the most crucial part requires you to personally intervene, right?"

"Yes."

"How confident are you? If you’re not confident enough, the first one to bear the risk won’t be you, but Miss!" Dean Charlie said, his expression stern.

"More than seventy percent confident," Andrew said, calmly meeting Dean Charlie’s gaze while gently holding Barbara’s hand.

Dean Charlie looked deeply into Andrew’s eyes, nodded after a while, and said, "Alright, let’s decide on that."

Susan saw that everyone else in the group agreed with Andrew’s plan except her, and she moved her lips but didn’t say anything more, only thinking to herself, "Now, there’s really no retreat."

Soon, according to Andrew’s plan, everyone sprang into action—

Dean Charlie and Barbara eliminated distractions and focused entirely on preparing for tomorrow’s one-on-one negotiation and competition.

Andrew carefully asked Susan about the occupational characteristics of the Crimson Knight and then used Water Magic to make a special, custom-made Snickers for Catherine.

Then he asked Susan to have Princess Catherine take it once she wakes up.

"Is this Snickers special?" Susan asked, somewhat skeptical, "A temporarily made Snickers can help the Second Miss recover fully before tomorrow’s negotiation and competition and return to peak condition?"

Andrew nodded, "Yes."

Indeed, this Snickers was "temporarily made," but it’s anything but ordinary!

First, it fully considered the characteristics of the Crimson Knight, making it highly targeted.

It particularly contains a Tier Four Water Magic named "Heavy Water Technique" used for "Deceleration."

And the root of Catherine’s injuries was due to an issue with deceleration.

Secondly, Andrew considered the "Formless Blade Fire" within Catherine.

This temporarily made Snickers will interact with the "Formless Blade Fire," producing an effect similar to the "Water and Fire United" between himself and Barbara.

This is the most crucial reason why Andrew is very confident that he can help Catherine quickly recover to peak condition.

It’s just temporarily inconvenient to explain.

So on the surface—it seemed like getting two people to prepare for tomorrow’s negotiation and competition and temporarily making a Snickers of unknown effect—Andrew’s plan seemed very "conventional," not much special at all.

Susan felt uneasy but didn’t understand healing, so she didn’t say much.

She turned and asked, "Why not let Havier stay here to wait for Miss to wake up? I’ll go with you, Andrew?"

In Susan’s view, Andrew’s plan was really "nothing special" so far.

But the next step, which Andrew would personally undertake, was very crucial.

Havier said as well, "Sure, I can stay here and wait for Aunt to wake up."

Andrew shook his head, "Let me go alone. Too many people might have a bad effect." With that, he turned and left the living room.

A Frost Guard stood outside the door and immediately saluted upon seeing Andrew.

Indeed, doctors are one of the most respected professions no matter where.

"May I ask what instructions you have, Mr. Andrew?" the guard asked respectfully, "Before the Princess transmitted to us, during her retreat and recovery period, to fully meet any requirements of Mr. Andrew, without exception."

"Oh? Is that so?" Andrew thought to himself that this would save him much persuasion, and without standing on ceremony, he said directly, "Where is the Magic Guild’s Third Saint Son, Yorkshire, currently detained? Please take me there."

The guard felt slightly strange but did not ask further, saying politely, "Please follow me."