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"A favor?"
Amagiri Ayato's words caused Fang Li's hand, which was holding his coffee cup, to pause slightly.
Meanwhile, Ayato continued to stare at Fang Li, his expression unusually serious.
Seeing this, Fang Li silently placed the cup he had been about to drink from onto the table and met Ayato's gaze.
"Let me guess what you're about to ask," Fang Li said with a faint smile. "It's about the 'Ereshkigal (Lone Poison Strega)' and the 'Blaze Strega,' isn't it?"
After all, considering what had just happened, anyone would assume that was the reason Ayato had come.
And as it turned out, Fang Li's guess was correct.
"Julis seemed pretty shaken after everything that happened," Ayato admitted with a bitter smile. "Claudia thinks that if this continues, it might affect her performance in the 'Gryphon Festa.' So she asked me to talk to you."
"So, this was President Claudia's idea?" Fang Li raised an eyebrow, mildly surprised. But after a moment's thought, it made sense.
With her insight, there was no way she would remain passive after an incident like this.
Even so…
"I don't think Her Highness would let something like this affect her." Fang Li spoke plainly.
"Maybe today's events did shake her a little, but given her personality, she should be able to regain her focus and understand what's at stake."
That was Fang Li's honest assessment of Julis.
She had a strong sense of pride and discipline. While this made her seem difficult to approach, she was also pure-hearted, kind, and hardworking.
To put it nicely, she was meticulous. To put it bluntly, she was rigid.
But her self-discipline was unwavering. Even after what had happened with Orphelia, she wouldn't let personal matters interfere with her responsibilities.
What happened with Orphelia was important, but the 'Gryphon Festa' was just as critical— it was directly tied to the orphanage's survival.
After failing to win the 'Phoenix Festa,' Julis undoubtedly had high hopes for the 'Gryphon Festa.' There was no way she would allow her personal emotions to jeopardize the competition.
That was what Fang Li wanted to convey.
Ayato seemed somewhat surprised by this perspective and couldn't help but remark, "I didn't expect you to think so highly of Julis."
Fang Li smirked. "And I didn't expect you to be surprised by that." He shot Ayato a knowing look. "What, did you think that after today's tension between us, I'd have a poor opinion of her?"
Ayato's expression turned slightly awkward.
Clearly, Fang Li had hit the mark.
Without hesitation, Fang Li continued, "I think you've misunderstood. Everything I've said about this matter is just a straightforward truth, there are no personal bias, no subjective feelings. And even if I did have emotions tied to it, they'd only be directed at the 'Ereshkigal (Lone Poison Strega),' not the 'Blaze Strega.'"
That was the truth.
Fang Li was simply stating the facts, without any personal judgment.
If he did have any strong feelings about the situation, it was his hatred toward Orphelia— not Julis.
Every word and action of Fang Li's was simply a direct and incisive statement of the truth.
Beyond that, there was nothing else.
"So, I don't hate Her Highness. On the contrary, I somewhat admire her," Fang Li said with a hint of mockery. "Anyone would know which is more admirable: someone who sticks to their convictions or someone who abandons everything and goes with the flow."
Amagiri Ayato was momentarily at a loss for words.
At the same time, he gained a deeper understanding of Fang Li.
Therefore, Amagiri Ayato stopped beating around the bush and directly stated his request.
"I'd like to ask you to help arrange a meeting between Orphelia Landlufen and Julis, giving them a chance to talk."
Hearing this, Fang Li's eyes narrowed slightly.
"A talk?" Fang Li said with a somewhat indifferent expression. "Do you think the issues between them can be resolved just by sitting down and talking?"
If it were that easy, Orphelia wouldn't be left with only sadness, allowing fate to dictate her life.
As Fang Li had said, that Strega had already lost her heart, and even Fan Xinglu was greatly disappointed in her, let alone Julis.
Perhaps Julis's will was incredibly strong, and her relationship with Orphelia was not something that could be explained in a few words; logically, she should have enough determination to bring Orphelia back.
However, determination is one thing, and ability is another.
Even if Julis could reach Orphelia's heart, there was still one final barrier she had to overcome.
The cursed power within Orphelia's body.
It was the root cause of her tragic fate.
Even if Julis pleaded with all her might, as long as she couldn't break through that barrier, all her efforts would be meaningless.
Unless Julis could defeat Orphelia.
Otherwise, Orphelia wouldn't listen to a single word from her.
But was that even possible?
Julis's strength was considerable, but at most, she was on par with Zhao Hufeng and Cecily.
Facing Wu Xiaofei, she would likely be defeated in an instant.
If she couldn't even handle Wu Xiaofei, how could she hope to defeat the strongest Strega?
"I'm not trying to pour cold water on you," Fang Li said, looking directly at Amagiri Ayato. "If it ends up turning into a battle, what do you think will happen to that princess?"
Amagiri Ayato's expression stiffened slightly.
"Don't tell me that kind of thing won't happen," Fang Li said frankly. "Rather, it would be strange if it didn't happen. As long as the 'Ereshkigal (Lone Poison Strega)' refuses to listen, and that princess stubbornly refuses to give up, in the end, won't it just come down to a showdown?"
"That…" Amagiri Ayato fell silent.
Seeing Amagiri Ayato like this, Fang Li picked up his coffee cup again and finished it in one go, leaving behind a final remark.
"I don't mind doing you a favor, but I won't be responsible for how things turn out in the end."
"So, once you all have thought it through and discussed it, contact me again."
"Of course, the premise is that before that, Orphelia Landlufen is still with me."
After saying this, Fang Li stood up and slowly left the shop under Amagiri Ayato's gaze.
Amagiri Ayato could only watch Fang Li's departing figure, ultimately falling into silence.
(End of Chapter)