While speaking, Lynn walked over to the woman in the mask.
He had no intention of showing mercy or gentleness as he pointed the gun barrel directly at her forehead without any hesitation.
Accompanied by his reasoning, the woman in the mask, who was interested just moments before, had now fallen completely silent.
She didn't seem to fear the dark muzzle, but rather seemed to be contemplating Lynn's astonishing statements.
After a long time, the woman suddenly raised both hands and gently began to clap.
"You're right, that fool Rhein almost missed out on a talent like you... just a bit smart? How ridiculous."
"Lynn Bartleion, you're becoming more and more intriguing to me," her cold, beautiful eyes now sparkled with an excitement likened to a hunter spotting their prey, "The more you act this way, the less I wish to let you go."
"Don't flatter me like that, miss, I might fall in love with you."
Lynn seemed to be flirting with her in retaliation.
Though his words were sugary, the gun in his hands did not waver in the slightest.
After all, the woman before him had made both Rhein and the Augusta Family bend their knees in submission, and even without knowing her power, he couldn't afford to take her lightly.
Even if she was just an ordinary person, she definitely had one or two powerful Extraordinary Items on her for protection.
Moreover, the unflappable demeanor she had maintained from the beginning gave Lynn a bad feeling.
But no matter what, in order to escape from here, he had no way back.
"Fall in love with me?"
Upon hearing this, the masked woman smiled and said no more.
Ignorant fool.
Would you still say the same if you saw what's beneath the mask?
She silently mused to herself.
However, Lynn didn't know what she was thinking, nor did he bother to guess.
He gently tapped the woman's forehead with the revolver, "Miss, let Rhein come in."
"Not so fast, I still have some questions for you," the masked woman ignored his threat, "There's something I'm really curious about."
"From what you said earlier, it sounds like you absolutely loathe the nobles of the Imperial Capital, and I don't have much affection for them either."
"Ultimately, our goals are aligned."
"What's more important to you, the satisfaction of a moment's triumph or joining forces against a common enemy? You should be clear about which is more significant,"
"As for the notion that my subordinates are a rabble, I won't deny that, but that's not your true reason for refusal."
Lynn met her crimson gaze through the mask.
"Digging too deep isn't something a lady should do," he tried to divert the conversation.
"Pointing a gun at a lady isn't the act of a gentleman, either," the masked woman said with a light chuckle.
Hearing this, Lynn sighed, "Alright, alright, since you really want to know the reason, I'll tell you."
"It's in the eyes."
"The eyes?"
The masked woman furrowed her brow slightly, seemingly not understanding.
"To me, your eyes are no different from those of the Imperial Capital's nobility," Lynn said with a smile, "Even though you're talking to me, your gaze has never truly been on me."
"Whether it's Morris who came to capture me, Rhein, or you."
"So, fundamentally, you and those you despise are the same."
"..."
The masked woman instinctively wanted to retort.
But when the words reached her lips, she found she had nothing to say.
"Alright, it's about time,"
Seeing her lost in thought, Lynn, not wanting to waste more time on such trivialities, gestured again.
Upon hearing him, the masked woman fell silent for a moment, then raised her voice, "Rhein, come in, please."
"Yes."
A response came faintly from outside the door.
Then, the blond man pushed the door open.
He thought it was the Princess who had concluded her negotiations with the man and needed him to handle what came next.
As he lifted his head, he suddenly froze.
At this moment, Princess Her Highness sat in her chair, arms crossed, while the prisoner who had once knelt below her had somehow freed himself from the handcuffs, now holding a gun pointed at her.
Seeing this scene, Rhein felt as if his brain was about to explode.
His eyes instantly became incredibly dangerous, and he instinctively reached for his gun.
But after feeling the empty space at his waist, he froze again.
"When did you..."
"Shh, don't make a fuss." Lynn put his right index finger to his lips, "If I detect any attempt by you to signal for help, I won't hesitate to fire six shots right here."
"Afterward, I'm certainly bound for death, but it would be worthwhile to see you join me in death for your failure to perform your duty."
Hearing this, cold sweat trickled down Rhein's forehead.
His eyes widened with fury, as if he wanted to execute him right there.
But Princess Her Highness was currently being held hostage in his hands.
Although he was well aware that with the Princess's abilities, she would not suffer the slightest harm.
But just the fact that a thug had pointed a gun at her, after such an incident, as a clerk, he could die a thousand times and still not escape blame!
"Put down the gun, let's talk this through."
Even the exceedingly proud Rhein had to face reality, speaking a rare soft word.
Looking into Lynn's calm eyes, Rhein only wanted to go back in time and slap himself hard.
Morris was right.
Such a dangerous individual, a madman who could turn the tables the moment he grasped a single opportunity, how could he possibly be described merely as "a bit clever"?
Seeing his bloodshot eyes, a hint of mockery surfaced in Lynn's eyes, "Are you finally willing to look at me properly?"
"Just don't do anything rash, and I'll agree to any terms you have."
Rhein held back his anger as he spoke.
"Agree to any terms?"
A sinister smile appeared on Lynn's face.
Rhein seemed to have a bad feeling but still steeling himself, he said, "Of course, I swear on the honor of the Augusta Family."
"Fine, now strip off all your clothes and walk out naked, shouting to everyone you see 'I am gay.'"
Upon hearing this condition, Rhein's expression twisted.
How could he not hear that Lynn was deliberately humiliating him, in revenge for having Lynn beaten earlier?
This guy...
Seeing his hesitant look, Lynn couldn't help but sneer sarcastically, "It seems that the safety of the lady and the honor of the Augusta Family are of no worth to you?"
"Do you have any idea who she really is..."
Rhein wanted to tell Lynn the truth, to make him aware of the noble being he had offended.
But before he could speak, a cold glare from Princess Her Highness stopped him.
As if she was saying: Shut up and do as he says.
Now Rhein was truly at a loss.
He didn't understand why Princess Her Highness would tolerate this young man's hostage-taking, why she didn't execute him on the spot, but instead, played along with his kidnapper game.
But as a subordinate, even if he didn't understand, he had to follow his superior's orders.
In the end, Rhein bowed his head in despair, as if his spine had been broken.
...
"You really do have a wicked sense of humor."
When she opened her eyes again, the masked woman saw only a pile of clothes scattered on the ground; Rhein had disappeared from the room.
She certainly didn't have the hobby of admiring her subordinates naked.
Moments later, a burst of exclamations and screams came from outside the cell.
Chaos ensued shortly thereafter.
"Alright, my beautiful lady, please close your eyes again for a little while."
Lynn pointed the gun at her while he began to take off his own clothes and put on Rhein's uniform.
At this moment, he looked just like her personal bodyguard.
After all the preparations were complete, Lynn tucked his gun-carrying hand inside his pocket, maintaining his aiming posture.
He then gestured for the masked woman to stand up.
"Let's go."