Volume 1 Chapter 81

Volume 1 + Chapter 81: The Clown’s Entrance Is Strange And Varied 

However, the Dragon-Pride Protagonist considered himself far more clever than ordinary people. Since Vivian chose to disappear, then it must be her foul temper flaring up again.

If it weren’t for the fact that he was currently in a rather downtrodden situation, the Dragon-Pride Protagonist would never have bothered trying to coax Vivian.

Had his plan to bring Leah into his hands not failed, the Dragon-Pride Protagonist would have long since ruthlessly kicked Vivian aside.

He had given her advice and strategies, helped her ascend to the position of Holy Maiden, yet once this girl got what she wanted, she raised her chin high, acting all superior. Even when he asked her to do a small favor, she would hesitate.

Truly, did she not know who had placed her on the throne of Holy Maiden in the first place?

If the Dragon-Pride Protagonist had wanted to ruin her, he could have simply exposed her ingratitude and the fact that she had been raised by a witch. With that, even if she betrayed her own mother, she would never have climbed up to her current position.

After all, everything has two sides. Once you tilt too far to one extreme, the result could be completely different.

Under the momentum stirred up by the Dragon-Pride Protagonist and his cronies, Vivian had been painted as someone who endured hardships for years, understood right from wrong, and courageously exposed the evil witch who had infiltrated the Empire.

With this halo, she had swept past the competition in the Holy Maiden election, becoming the one with the strongest support.

Yet, the Dragon-Pride Protagonist and his cronies could just as easily create another wave of momentum, claiming that Vivian was selfish and profit-driven, that although her actions seemed righteous, she was willing to use any means for her own future—something utterly unfitting for a Holy Maiden.

Two different voices determined two completely different fates for Vivian.

It was precisely this ability to manipulate another person’s destiny at will that gave the Dragon-Pride Protagonist, for the first time, the thought that perhaps he truly stood above all others.

He relished the feeling of holding someone’s life and death in the palm of his hand…

Unfortunately, this intoxicating power had temporarily slipped away from him.

Without the support of the powerful families behind his cronies, the current Dragon-Pride Protagonist found it hard even to toy with the fate of a stray dog on the roadside…

Worse still, he might even get bitten by the dog.

“No matter what, I’ll just go and make do at Vivian’s place for tonight.”

The residence prepared for Vivian by the Church was large, spacious, and very quiet. That was because Vivian disliked being surrounded by layers of guards and maids whenever she rested.

So the Church had only set up hidden sentries around, without any obvious security.

The Dragon-Pride Protagonist staying there for one night would be no problem at all.

But before that… the Dragon-Pride Protagonist felt he ought to humble himself and coax this girl a little.

Of course, just this once. After he had finished using Vivian, he would still toss her aside.

Thinking of this, the Dragon-Pride Protagonist couldn’t help but feel regret—why had his plan failed?

If he had managed to take Leah into his possession, the mere fact that she was favored by the Empress would have been enough to make him secretly rejoice.

That was the best chance to get close to the Royal family!

Sadly… that chance had slipped through his fingers.

The more the Dragon-Pride Protagonist thought about it, the angrier he became. In the end, he slapped his thigh and stomped his foot, staring at the scattered luggage at his feet. He recalled the arrogant faces of those lackeys who used to follow behind him, calling him “Young Master Dragon” at every turn.

With his so-called backbone, he decided firmly not to bend down. He would just leave that scattered luggage behind.

After all, wasn’t he a man of integrity?

And anyway, could Vivian really let him sleep on the streets?

As soon as he arrived, she would surely treat him as an honored guest, prepare brand-new bedding, and even clear out the master bedroom for him.

Until he completed the construction of his business empire, he could still enjoy a life of ease at Vivian’s side, where food and clothing came without effort.

After all, it was thanks to his planning that she had even been lifted into the Holy Maiden position in the first place.

Thinking of this, the Dragon-Pride Protagonist shouted a couple of curses at the tightly closed dormitory door, then muttered something like “thirty years east of the river, thirty years west of the river,” and strode quickly away from the Church Academy.

When he reached the academy gates, he couldn’t resist glancing back at the gilded words “Church Academy” behind him.

He thought to himself… when he returned one day, he would make the Dean of the Church Academy kneel to welcome him.

The future business magnate, Zhang Bo, Young Master Dragon—one day he would reclaim everything he had lost.

The Dragon-Pride Protagonist took a deep breath, pulled his coat tighter around him, leaving behind the Church Academy a graceful, yet somewhat thin figure.

After he left, a parade troupe from a nearby circus happened to pass by the academy gate. For some reason, the clown’s red nose seemed especially bright.