Chapter 20
Chapter 20
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 20
Chapter Title: Fortress City (2) - Anne
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1.
"A knight-level mana cultivation method. And upper-grade elixirs or higher."
The people around me jumped in surprise at my words. Whispers broke out immediately.
"He's insane."
"Lost his mind."
Yeah. I knew it too. How unreasonable my demand was.
A knight-level mana cultivation method was something passed down through generations in noble families, and even nobles couldn't just obtain elixirs whenever they wanted. Especially upper-grade ones.
It was already a stretch to ask for just one, but I was demanding both. The count must be dumbfounded. But was it truly unreasonable?
This kind of opportunity might never come again.
So I had to take as much as I could while I had the chance. After all, thanks to the blood contract, they had no choice but to meet my demands.
Would they really abandon their daughter?
Everyone watched the Bardi Count's reaction. Even Anne and Amelia Bardi.
"Hah, what a bold demand. You're the first to make such a request of me."
The count's mouth was smiling, but his eyes were icy cold. A sign that he didn't like my earlier proposal. But he couldn't refuse either.
"Very well. I'll accept your demands. However, now's not the time, so shall we discuss it later?"
In the end, the Bardi Count had no choice but to agree.
"Understood. Then I sincerely hope you enjoy the banquet."
I bowed my head slightly and stepped back.
Retainers swarmed around the count immediately. They occasionally glanced my way, clearly discussing the deal I'd just made.
They wouldn't kill me the moment I get the elixirs, would they?
Uneasy, I downed some alcohol. The sweet-bitter taste and the booze calmed my nerves a bit.
"What the hell were you thinking, making a demand like that?"
As I munched on the appetizers on the table, a familiar voice rang out. I turned to see Anne frowning.
She didn't like it either, huh.
Of course. As a knight with high loyalty to the count, she wouldn't welcome my proposal.
"What do you mean? How often do I get to bargain with nobles? When I can, I squeeze out everything I can."
"You think the count will just hand it over nicely?"
"He will. He has no choice."
With his daughter on the line, there was no way he'd break the contract. No matter how precious the mana cultivation method or elixirs were, they couldn't compare to his daughter.
"Fine. The count dotes on Lady Amelia, so he'll give them. But what then? What happens after you get them? The blood contract will be gone by then."
"I'll figure it out when the time comes. If I'd been thinking that far ahead, I never would've made such a reckless demand."
"Then why did you?"
"Because my situation doesn't allow me the luxury right now."
Anne fell silent. Her eyes lingered on my face for a moment before she turned away. And that was the end of our conversation there.
No one approached me at the banquet. I wanted to retreat to my room, but with the count possibly summoning me anytime, I couldn't.
He might call, but...
In the end, I killed time by eating and drinking, and I ended up staggering out of the banquet hall dead drunk.
"Ugh..."
The world spun before my eyes. I felt like I might puke up everything inside, but I couldn't vomit in the mansion's hallway, so I forced it back down.
"...Fucking hell."
I stumbled down the corridor.
A dark passage lit only by moonlight. If I saw a maid, I'd at least ask for directions to my room, but strangely, no one was around. I ended up wandering the halls endlessly.
"Eek..."
As I trudged through some unknown spot, a faint voice reached my ear. It was so soft most people wouldn't hear it, but the silence made it audible.
What the...?
Gripping the wall, I slowly headed toward the sound. It didn't take long to find the source.
I crouched in front of a door in some obscure corner—I had no idea what floor. Then I quietly pressed my ear to it.
"Nngh..."
A sweet voice followed immediately, forcing me to swallow hard.
This is...
Anyone could tell it was a woman's moan. Just hearing it made my lower body throb, and I clenched my fist.
Come to think of it, I hadn't relieved any urges lately with all the rushing around. Since arriving at the mansion, I'd been too busy to even think about it.
Normally, I would've ignored it. Curiosity might've piqued, but I'd have walked past. But the booze and lust egged me on.
Who's in there?
In the end, I had no choice but to grasp the doorknob.
I swallowed and slowly, ever so slowly, began opening the door.
"Nn... Hnngh..."
The moans grew clearer. I peeked through the narrow gap. Inside the plain room, a woman lay on the bed.
Black bobbed hair and the sharp, cat-like features so familiar.
Anne?
The source of the moans was the knight right here, Anne. I'd thought it might be a mansion maid, but her? No way.
Crazy.
Her pale skin was flushed red, and her face twisted in pleasure below it.
"Hnngh, haa... Nnnghh..."
Unfortunately, the blanket covered her, so I only glimpsed her face now and then. But that was enough. A knight masturbating.
Excitement surged, and I clamped my hand over my mouth while gripping my crotch. If this weren't the hallway, I'd have jerked off while watching.
Gulp―
Her short hair swayed with every pant. Whenever she arched dramatically, letting out a lewd cry, it was torture to hold back.
"Nngh... Haa... Ahhhngh... Ahhn...!"
How long did I watch? Suddenly, her eyes widened hugely, and the blanket heaved. A loud moan followed, along with a wet splashing sound.
"Ahh... Haa... Haaa..."
Her eyes glazed over, and languid breaths came. After basking in the afterglow for a while, she sat up in bed. I quickly shut the door and bolted down the hall.
I won't sleep easily tonight.
◇◇◇◆◇◇◇ "Is the food not to your taste?"
I snapped my head up at the middle-aged voice. The count stared at me with displeasure.
"No, it's not that."
"Good. Eat up. Who knows when you'll taste food like this again?"
"You're right."
I sliced the meat in front of me and popped it into my mouth.
Juices exploded the moment my teeth sank in, the ecstatic fat flavor coating my tongue. The beef slid down my throat after barely any chews. The pinnacle of tenderness.
Damn, it's good.
I tore off some white bread, slathered it with jam and butter, and bit in. The sweetness and buttery aroma were intoxicating.
Yeah. It was delicious. Maybe, as the count said, too delicious—who knew when I'd have it again.
But I can't focus for shit.
Every little movement from Anne, sitting right beside me, made me twitch. The scene from last night kept replaying.
"Hoo..."
Occasionally, her scent pierced the food aromas, making my crotch throb.
Focus.
I forced myself to concentrate on eating. Once the food was gone, maids set down tea and cake.
Insane.
People outside were scraping by on a single bread slice, and here we had cake. Unreal.
"So, you wanted a mana cultivation method and elixirs? Upper-grade ones, at that?"
As I sipped tea, the count spoke up. I gulped it down hastily, my throat burning, but I didn't let it show.
"Yes. That's right."
"Hm. Young mercenary, as you know, mana cultivation methods are family secrets passed down generations. They were once priceless, unobtainable no matter the offer. You know that?"
"Yes."
"Hm. And you still demanded it. Bold indeed."
The count stroked his chin beard briefly before continuing.
"Alright. Here's the deal. I'll give you the elixirs first. Lower, middle, and upper-grade—all of them."
All of them?
Was he substituting them for the mana cultivation method? That'd suck.
"Um..."
"I'm not skipping the mana cultivation method. Don't be so hasty."
"Yes. Understood."
Sharp guy, as expected.
"Elixirs work best when taken in sequence by level. Upper-grade ones at your current level would be poison. Right, Lady Anne?"
"Correct."
"So I'll provide them to you progressively, matching your level. And later, the mana cultivation method too. But in exchange, I have another contract to propose."
So that's his goal.
I wondered why he was suddenly being accommodating.
"When you entered Edanbora by carriage, what did the city look like?"
"Very impressive and sturdy."
"Yes. It looks fine from the outside. But that's an illusion. Edanbora is rotting from within. Everything but a few districts is overrun by beasts."
He downed his tea and continued.
"For now, knights and soldiers are holding it back somehow. But it's only a matter of time. If the beasts breach the walls or winter comes, the city falls. That's why I need you."
"You need someone to clear the beasts. And as an outsider, I'm perfect for it."
The count's eyes widened slightly. He hadn't expected me to grasp it so quickly.
"Exactly. If you cleanse this city, I'll give you the mana cultivation method plus more rewards. What do you say?"
"Can I have a moment to think?"
"Of course. But decide here and now."
"Understood."
The situation wasn't bad.
Not getting the mana cultivation method immediately was a bummer, but extra elixirs made it a win.
I didn't know you had to take elixirs in order.
I almost wasted the precious stuff.
XP, gold, elixirs, and a real connection with the count.
Turning this down would be stupid.
"I'll do it, Count."
"Hahaha! Good, I look forward to working with you!"
The Bardi Count laughed, smiling at me for the first time. He raised his teacup, and I grinned, raising mine too.
Good choice, right?
Everything was a gain. So why this nagging unease?