The Suzaku Guard Captain said: "But these are all just your speculations — they aren't necessarily facts. And even if what you say is true, it means nothing, because we have no evidence to prove that the person you mentioned is the mastermind behind all this."
Rulu said: "If there's no evidence, then we go find it ourselves. We can use this competition to gather intelligence and collect evidence. If we can find proof that the person I just mentioned is the true mastermind, then it doesn't matter even if we lose the competition."
The Suzaku Guard Captain turned and glanced at Lady Jessica, and Lady Jessica glanced back at him. Both of them could see the surprise in each other's eyes.
Lady Jessica said: "So this is your true purpose. Proposing the competition was just a pretense — your real goal is to use it as a cover to gather intelligence. The outcome of the competition doesn't actually matter. As long as we find evidence to prove that Lord Euphemia was framed, we will have won."
Rulu said: "Exactly."
A look of delight appeared on Euphemia's face as she said: "I think this plan could work, but what exactly do we need to do? Competing while collecting intelligence at the same time won't be easy."
Rulu said: "That's fine. The format of the competition is ours to decide, which works greatly in our favor. We can make the competition last long enough to give us sufficient time to gather intelligence and evidence. Also, the competition should ideally take place in an environment free from outside interference — if we compete in full public view, our every move will be monitored, making it inconvenient to collect intelligence and evidence."
Seeing how thoroughly Rulu had thought everything through, Euphemia was even more pleased. She said: "Then I'll leave this matter in your hands, Mr. Qin."
"No problem." Rulu said with a smile. Then suddenly, his smile faded, and his expression became very serious. "However, my plan does have a flaw. We may encounter dangers during the competition, and you will be no exception, Lord Euphemia. If that is the case, are you still willing to adopt my suggestion?"
"Well…" Euphemia hesitated. The Suzaku Guard Captain quickly said: "Absolutely not. We cannot allow Lord Euphemia to be put in danger. Mr. Qin, you'd better think of another approach — one that ensures Lord Euphemia's safety as much as possible."
Rulu said: "But if we want to successfully gather intelligence, a competition environment full of danger is necessary. Otherwise, this plan of mine will be very difficult to pull off."
The Suzaku Guard Captain insisted: "Even if the plan fails, we cannot let Lord Euphemia face danger."
Rulu looked toward Euphemia and said: "What do you think, Lord Euphemia? Are you willing to take the risk, or do you need to ensure your own safety? If you are unwilling to accept my proposal, then there is no reason for me to be involved — you will have to handle this matter on your own."
Euphemia was taken aback. She looked at the Suzaku Guard Captain, then at Rulu, and finally her gaze settled on Rulu. She said slowly: "It's alright. Even if I have to face danger, it's alright. I can't always stay somewhere safe while letting others take risks on my behalf. So please, Mr. Qin, tell us your full plan."
Several days later, both the participants and the format of the competition were finalized. The match would be held between the 399th Princess Meiyu and Euphemia. Upon learning that their opponent was the 399th Princess Meiyu, Euphemia's side was somewhat surprised — this 399th Princess was quite popular within the Sanctuary, maintaining good relations with many princes and princesses. She frequently attended various social events in the Sanctuary and was highly skilled at building connections with others. She held considerable status and influence in the Sanctuary's social circles, and could be described as the Sanctuary's social butterfly.
Although this 399th Princess was well-liked within the Sanctuary, her Psionic power level was very low — she was only a beginner-level Ultra-capable — and as a result, she was not favored by the Emperor and had never managed to become a Lord. Even so, through her exceptional social skills and extensive network of connections, the 399th Princess had cultivated a large number of loyal subordinates within the Sanctuary, making her faction one of the stronger ones there.
As for the format of the competition, it was a team survival challenge. The contest required each side to send out roughly ten or so members, carrying no weapons, tools, or food, to enter an extremely dangerous uninhabited region and remain there for a minimum of ten days.
During these ten days, both sides would have to find shelter and food in the wilderness, fend off attacks from the wild beasts inhabiting the area, and remain completely cut off from the outside world throughout the competition. They would receive no assistance of any kind from the outside and would have to rely solely on their own strength to survive. Even in the event of casualties, no outside aid would be provided to either side.
There was only one way to determine the winner of this competition: the moment one side gave up and conceded defeat, the competition would end. Before the competition began, both sides would be given an emergency distress device. Pressing the button on the device would send a signal to outside personnel, who would then enter the region to assist the participants. Whichever side pressed the button first would be declared the loser.
Once the participants and format were settled, all that remained was the Emperor's approval. The Emperor's stance on the competition was clear: he fully supported it and would not intervene in any way, allowing both sides to resolve the matter themselves.
No one was surprised by the Emperor's attitude. Everyone knew that the Emperor respected the strong and looked down on the weak. He believed that only the strong had value and deserved a place in the Sanctuary, and deciding the choice of Lord through competition suited his sensibilities perfectly.
That morning, in a large room within Euphemia's palace, about twenty or so people had gathered. Most of them were members who would be participating in the upcoming survival challenge. According to the rules of the competition, Euphemia and the 399th Princess could only bring their own trusted aides and subordinates — they could not borrow personnel from other members of the royal family. Each side could field a maximum of fifteen members, and those members did not have to be human; non-human beings were also permitted.
"Hey, Rulu — are we really going to compete on behalf of that Euphemia?" Kallen sat in a chair in the room, surveying the people around her as she spoke to Rulu, who was sitting beside her.
"Yes, haven't I already told you? Why are you still asking?" Rulu replied with a slightly impatient tone.
Kallen said: "Nothing, I just wanted to confirm it again." Then a sly look crept across her face, and she lowered her voice: "Besides, I know your real purpose isn't to help Euphemia win the competition — it's to go to that place and find that thing…"
"You already know, so why bring it up — someone might hear." Rulu quickly reached out and covered Kallen's mouth, then swiftly scanned the room to see if anyone had noticed.
Kallen moved Rulu's hand away and said: "Alright, I won't say any more." She glanced at C.C., who was seated beside Rulu, and said: "But is it really okay to only have me and C.C. go with you? Aren't you bringing Nana and Shari along?"
A look of worry crossed Rulu's face. "Honestly, I don't want to leave them here either. But this competition is quite dangerous. Nana and Shari are ordinary people — they have no ability to protect themselves. I think it's safer for them to stay here."