Chapter 175: The Queen's Revenge – Rong is Right Outside, You Don't Want to Break Her Heart, Do You?
Inside Dreamland, none of this mattered to the succubi, and even less so to Shia.
At that moment, Shia sat across from queen Eden in a private meeting.
With incense curling in the air, he finally revealed his true intentions.
"I want to use Dreamland to build my own intelligence network."
"The current system lacks organization and sophistication.
"While it generates profits by selling information, it doesn't fully realize its potential as an intelligence network.
"I can help you refine and expand Dreamland's operations, turning it into the ultimate underground force."
Though Shia's tone was gentle and composed, queen Eden saw ambition in his eyes.
While he had no intention of ruling the world, he clearly desired enough power to secure a stable and peaceful life for himself.
The queen, however, shed her playful demeanor, reverting to the cold majesty of a ruler.
Her black-stockinged legs crossed elegantly, exuding a regal authority.
"And what's in it for me?" she asked, admiring her manicured nails.
"This intelligence network is my creation. Why should I share it with you for the sake of 'systemization'?"
Shia smiled.
"What if I could help you build the divine kingdom the demons failed to achieve?"
He dropped a bombshell, knowing it was an irresistible temptation for her.
Queen Eden's expression froze.
Her sharp gaze locked onto Shia, now filled with a mix of suspicion and intrigue.
Her deepest secret—her most ambitious desire—laid bare by this boy, who was barely older than her daughter.
"How do you know about that?"
Her disbelief was palpable.
Shia simply smiled, remaining silent, and waited for her decision.
'Who doesn't love keeping a little mystery?'
After her initial surprise, queen Eden took a more serious look at the boy before her.
Handsome, with an unclear family background, a natural talent for brewing, and a first-year student at Seven Shields Academy.
Beyond that, there wasn't much else to him.
It was surprising that he knew such deep secrets, but ultimately… he was still too weak.
A master brewer and a student at a prestigious academy sounded impressive, but in the face of building something as monumental as a divine kingdom, he was insignificant.
She couldn't sense any magical fluctuations from him, meaning he wasn't capable of cultivation.
The queen shook her head slightly.
'Too weak.'
Someone like him had no business making such bold claims.
The establishment of a divine kingdom—something even the great Demon Wars couldn't accomplish—was no trivial endeavor. Coming from his mouth, it sounded as absurd as a child declaring they'd conquer the world.
And yet…
Though his words seemed laughable, there was a magnetic quality about Shia.
It compelled people to believe him, even when common sense dictated otherwise.
The queen lowered her eyes, pondering for a moment before a serene smile crossed her face.
"You've convinced me."
After all, this was the boy her daughter had set her eyes on. Dreamland would eventually be Rong's dowry anyway.
Letting him familiarize himself with its underground operations in advance wouldn't hurt.
As for the supposed benefits he mentioned, she didn't take them too seriously.
---
"Very well, let's discuss how to properly structure an intelligence network."
Shia's tone became focused as he started explaining.
"A complete intelligence network requires three components: collection, transmission, and processing."
"Dreamland excels at gathering intelligence, and its transmission systems are sufficient. But the real issue lies in how the information is processed after it's collected."
As he spoke, Shia grabbed a piece of paper and began sketching out a plan.
At first, The queen wasn't particularly invested—his age made her doubt he could surpass her years of experience.
But the more she listened, the more engrossed she became.
Her sharp mind raced to keep up with his ideas, her eyes shining with newfound excitement.
She'd never considered intelligence operations in such a way before.
It felt as if a door to an entirely new world had been opened.
Her previous methods now seemed crude in comparison. With Shia's insights, she was confident she could elevate Dreamland's efficiency to new heights.
As she studied the boy in front of her, her gaze brightened.
He was always full of surprises.
Her admiration for him grew stronger.
---
Once the serious matters were settled, it was time for something more personal.
Suddenly, The queen shifted closer, her soft, voluptuous figure pressing against him.
Shia nearly choked on his tea.
"Master Shia~."
Her warm breath brushed against his ear, her sultry voice sending shivers down his spine.
Her enchanting eyes sparkled with playful mischief, and her mature allure was impossible to ignore.
Queen Eden, exuding charm, seemed intent on pampering her chosen young man.
Shia instinctively raised his hands, pressing against her ample chest in an attempt to create some distance.
"Wait a second!"
His hands sank into the plush softness, the curve beneath them almost sinful in its sensuality.
The queen glanced down at his hands before looking back at him, a teasing smile forming.
"Oh… so this is what you like?"
Shia stammered, "No, that's not it! I just think… this isn't appropriate, is it?"
His eyes darted toward the door.
But queen Eden had already anticipated this.
Shia clearly attracted attention, and with Rong's naïveté, she'd surely struggle to keep up.
As The queen of Succubi, and as Rong's surrogate mother, it was her duty to ensure Shia's heart remained tethered.
With such an impeccable excuse in hand, The queen felt no guilt about indulging her instincts.
"This is all for Rong's sake!" she declared.
Shia's face was filled with suspicion.
"…Really?"
While her words sounded reasonable, her actions said otherwise.
Her lack of persuasion didn't bother her. Convincing him was never the point—his resistance only made things more interesting.
The queen's full succubus nature emerged, her smile seductive and her entire being radiating irresistible allure.
Shia tried to pull away, but in the next moment, he found himself pushed down onto the couch.
The queen reached back to loosen her cascading hair, letting it flow freely over her shoulders.
A delicate, intoxicating fragrance filled the room.
Though no alcohol was involved, Shia felt as though he were drunk.
The queen looked down at him, her hands on either side of his head, her long hair draping around them like a curtain.
The room felt isolated from the rest of the world.
She raised a single finger to his lips, silencing the protest that was about t o escape.
Her enchanting eyes glimmered with a tantalizing smile, drawing him in like the depths of a dream.
"Shh… be quiet. Rong is right outside, and you wouldn't want to upset her, would you?"
Her soft murmur made Shia freeze, his body stiffening.
His mind filled with frustration.
'You know she's outside!? You know about our relationship!? Then what the hell are you doing!?'
The answer was obvious—revenge.
The queen's eyes gleamed with excitement, her thrill escalating at the thought of what she was about to do.
And knowing that Rong was just outside, unaware, only made it all the more exhilarating.
---
'Let the hunt begin.'