This transaction, which had drawn the attention of many interested parties, ultimately ended in failure.
The middle-aged man left in a fury, storming off without the slightest intention of staying even a second longer.
Although Royal Capital Magic Academy and Royal Capital First Military Academy had seemingly stepped in, in truth, they had only made their stance known.
The person behind this matter had sent him to negotiate simply because they no longer wanted to drag things out.
After all, he represented the Church of the God of War, and beside him stood the support of the Church of the God of Life. It wasn't as if they truly feared the two great academies.
However, during this incident, many other forces had seized the opportunity—using God of War's suppression of Ron as a pretext—to try and wrest control of the flower shop for themselves.
Previously, the two churches hadn't minded being used. As long as the goal of suppressing Ron was achieved, whatever losses Ron suffered had nothing to do with them.
But now that the two great academies had stepped in, if the churches continued charging at the front under their pressure—shielding other factions from the storm—that would be sheer stupidity.
After all, there weren't many people willing to serve as a meat shield for their teammates.
Especially when those "teammates" weren't even truly on your side.
Thus, selling the shop back to Ron once again became an option worth considering.
There was no need for Ron to buy it back at full price. Selling it at cost—or even slightly below—would suffice. Both sides could save face, and the matter would be perfectly resolved. Wouldn't that be ideal?
But from Ron's perspective, it was a completely different story.
You were the ones who started the trouble.
Now you're also the ones asking for reconciliation.
Wasn't that the same as slapping someone, then—when you realize a teacher is about to be called over—rushing back to offer a handshake, claiming it was just a joke, and suggesting everyone laugh it off?
At a moment like that, how could you not return the slap?
And hit even harder.
At worst, after you've slapped back, you can take the initiative to offer a handshake yourself.
Call it a mutual joke—call it even.
Ron lay back down on his recliner, comfortably continuing to fish, while letting his consciousness descend into the puppet in City of Chaos to spend some quality time "bonding" with Nora.
…
The next morning, after finishing his morning training and breakfast, Ron left the house with Sylvie in a carriage.
The carriage stopped and started repeatedly along the way, giving Ron a nostalgic taste of traffic congestion from major cities in his previous world.
It took more than an hour before the carriage finally crawled to a stop in front of Royal Capital First Military Academy, located in the northern part of the Royal Capital.
The two guards at the entrance immediately recognized Sylvie, who had visited several times before, and promptly opened the gates to let them in.
One of the guards escorted them through the academy grounds and brought them to the principal's office.
Knock, knock, knock.
"Come in."
Ron and Sylvie pushed the door open and entered.
"Principal Felton, this is our first meeting. I am Ron André."
Ron stepped forward to the desk and offered a formal greeting.
Sylvie silently bowed at the side, leaving the conversation to Ron.
Felton's hair was streaked black and white, faint wrinkles lining his face. His actual age had already surpassed one hundred.
With a warm smile, he rose from his office chair and gestured for the two to sit on the sofa.
"Your Highness Ron, this isn't our first meeting. When you were one year old, I even held you in my arms."
That was… awkward.
After all, who remembered anything from when they were one?
Even if he hadn't actually held him, there was no way to refute it. Ron could only let him claim the advantage.
But since the man was the principal of Royal Capital First Military Academy, why quibble over whether it was true?
Ron immediately put on a thick skin and replied, "No wonder. I felt a sense of familiarity the moment I saw you."
Beside him, Sylvie quietly turned her head away.
Felton chuckled and exchanged a few pleasantries, remarking on Ron's growth and such. In reality, they weren't familiar with each other.
Yet in the previous incident, though they had never met face to face, they had already reached certain tacit understandings. The conversation between them flowed naturally enough.
After a few minutes of small talk, Ron steered the discussion to business.
"Principal Felton, I'm a straightforward person. I'll speak plainly—would that be alright?"
"Go ahead. I'm listening," Felton replied with a gentle smile.
"You likely understand the course of events even better than I do, so I won't repeat it."
"In my view, cooperating with your academy—as well as the neighboring Royal Capital Magic Academy—is the most secure option."
"I'll first outline the conditions I can offer. After hearing them, you may add anything you wish. How does that sound?"
Felton had long been prepared for this and nodded. "Very well."
Ron cleared his throat and spoke at an unhurried pace.
"First, whenever the academy holds events in the future—such as grade competitions, military drills, tactical tournaments, and the like—my flower shop can provide plants centered around Scalevine as prizes, sponsoring your activities free of charge."
Felton looked at Ron with interest and chuckled lightly. "A very good idea."
Seeing no objection, Ron continued.
"Each year, I will allocate one-tenth of the annual profits from the Royal Capital branch of Ron's Wonderful Flower Shop to establish two awards at your academy."
"One will be a semester scholarship for outstanding students, such as those selected from the annual top candidates. We can discuss the specific selection process later."
"The other will be a financial aid fund for students from underprivileged backgrounds—particularly those who were admitted from other regions. The goal is to allow them to focus more on study and cultivation, without being distracted by daily financial concerns."
Felton fell silent for a moment after hearing this.
Then he raised his hands and applauded twice, his tone appreciative.
"Your Highness has given this thoughtful consideration. As for the underprivileged student fund, the academy can share the responsibility with you."
"These are only preliminary ideas," Ron said modestly with a smile. "We can work out the details later."
He continued, "In the future, whenever the flower shop releases new plant varieties, your academy will have priority purchasing rights. The shop will be obligated to prepare the required plants for you first."
"Mm." Felton nodded with some satisfaction, then asked, "Is there anything else, Your Highness? You understand that the more you are willing to offer now, the more we will correspondingly contribute in future matters."
The room fell quiet for a moment.
"For the final condition," Ron said slowly, sitting up straighter, "I believe you will be very satisfied."
"Once the flower shop officially opens, your academy and Royal Capital Magic Academy will receive exclusive purchasing rights for the Royal Capital branch's Nether Orchid and Crimson-Gold Chrysanthemum."
"In other words, from that point onward, the Nether Orchid and Crimson-Gold Chrysanthemum in the Royal Capital branch will be sold only to your two academies. No one else will be entertained."
"As for whether you use them yourselves, stockpile them, or resell them at a profit—that will have nothing to do with Ron's Wonderful Flower Shop."
"The Royal Capital branch will only be responsible for doing its utmost to meet your demand for these two plants."
"Principal Felton—what do you think?"