Chapter 94
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 94
Chapter Title: 22. The Greedy Princess. (3)
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- What an astonishing person you are. This is a gift infused with my respect.
The [Insightful Eye] skill, which revealed the achievement count, typically prompted characters to spout something along those lines before handing over achievement rewards. It was like a sort of 'perk.'
Of course, those rewards varied by character, making even the perks random. ...Talk about a luck-based trash game gone mad!
But it was clear Elizabeth wouldn't offer any such perk reward. This was reality based on the [Guild Master] system, after all. No perks here.
Naturally, Allen couldn't let on that he'd glimpsed her inner thoughts, so he played it cool and struck up a casual conversation.
"By any chance... aren't you Vice Leader Elizabeth?"
The platinum-haired beauty, who had been silently regarding him, curved her lips into a faint, elegant smile before replying.
"Yes, that's right. You've got a sharp eye."
"How could I not recognize the famed vice leader of the Top 10?"
Her smile deepened a touch as she extended her right hand toward Allen, palm down in a delicate gesture. Guessing it was a call for a respectful kiss, Allen gently took the elegantly proffered hand and brushed his lips lightly against the back. Glancing up to gauge her reaction, he saw she seemed quite pleased.
"But what brings you to this humble establishment...?"
"Oh... nothing in particular. I heard from my sister that she had an exceptional mercenary leader. ...By the way, Viola-sister and I go way back like sisters."
"An exceptional mercenary leader? I hardly deserve such praise."
Truth be told, no matter how elite a mercenary corps was, they were mere minnows before the Top 10—like wrinkles on a chrysalis. Accepting their praise at face value would do him no favors. Especially not from a greedy princess teeming with sly foxes in her belly. Humility was always the safest bet.
Suddenly, Elizabeth crossed her legs with a flick and flashed a peculiar smile.
"Is Mercenary City worth sticking around in?"
"Well, sure. Where else is as good for a mercenary as Mercenary City itself?"
"I find it a bit too rowdy. Too many people, and nothing much to see."
"The sunset over the river is breathtaking."
"We've got plenty of those back home."
"Haha... I see."
Elizabeth stared piercingly at Allen, licked her upper lip lightly with her tongue, then uncrossed her legs. She rose from her seat, tilting her head back to proudly display that long, elegant neck she clearly wanted him to devour, and gave him a casual nod. A true elegant mage. ...Crude as it sounded, she was damn hot.
...No wonder she was a regular in doujinshi.
As a Top 10 vice leader, recruitment was impossible unless it was endgame or her ducal house collapsed entirely. Still, her immense popularity made perfect sense. In the allure department, she outshone every woman he'd seen so far.
But for the current Allen, she was a fruit too lofty to even gaze at. ...And in some ways, far more dangerous than Leader Viola herself.
"I'll be going now. ...No need for an escort."
The princess vice leader shot Allen one last enigmatic smile, pulled up her leather hood, spun on her heel, and strode out of the street office with refined steps.
Allen let out a heavy sigh and addressed old hound Kallisman Rowner, who had been standing silently in the corner like he wasn't even there.
"Let's call it a day on business..."
His heart was pounding too hard; he couldn't handle any more today.
···
Back at Viola House, Elizabeth settled quietly into the parlor, sipping her tea and lost in deep thought. She'd shooed away the incessantly chattering Leader Rados because he was annoying her. ...Now wasn't the time to waste on such a trivial man.
...138...
Her experience proved that greater figures had higher numbers. Long ago, at a Top 10 summit, she'd met 'Sword Emperor Magnus,' owner of the peak score of 31. All Top 10 leaders had 20 or above. ...And it had never been wrong. Not once.
...Except for that one man...
Elizabeth's heart raced oddly, her mouth parched. It was undeniable excitement rooted in anticipation and curiosity. ...She'd come to crush that rootless bastard Dagon, never imagining something like this.
Did her sister know?
The thought sent tingles from her fingertips to her toes, her hair standing on end.
Leader Viola could surely see a person's potential. Not exactly like Elizabeth, but a similar gift. ...She couldn't have kept such a man close without ever glimpsing it.
She saw it. Definitely. No doubt.
The princess vice leader lifted her cup to her lips, only to find it empty, and set it down again. Her thirst persisted.
How high was his? Must be sky-high. That's why that woman fusses over him. Otherwise, it makes no sense. No wonder...!
Elizabeth had known Leader Viola for over a decade and never once seen her wear body jewelry. ...Except that necklace...! For that stubborn, picky woman to make an exception for the first time meant he was special to her.
...But it wasn't fully confirmed yet. She'd probe a little when she returned later.
A sudden greed surged within her. Mad, insatiable greed—her nature that demanded she possess anything she coveted.
Whether that man Allen was precious to Leader Viola or not... she wanted him. Even if he was precious, she wanted to steal and claim him.
A man with 138... Whatever potential he held, that alone was enough to ignite Elizabeth's possessiveness. And he was handsome enough to flaunt on her arm.
...He already seemed to fall for my seduction...
Elizabeth recalled that courteous, gentle kiss on her hand. And the burning passion in his gaze as he looked at her...!
Of course, how could anyone resist my charms? A woman as beautiful as me—
The elegant genius mage brimmed with overflowing confidence.
···
Leader Viola returned from the guild house after finishing her duties and learned the princess wanted a private dinner just the two of them. The leader gladly agreed.
In the third-floor room with the best view of the beautiful sunset, Leader Viola met Vice Leader Elizabeth.
"Sister, you're still the same. You could leave the office to the kids."
"It doesn't satisfy unless I do it myself."
As they chatted idly, dinner was served. Only after the table brimmed with dishes could the two women converse undisturbed.
Elizabeth, barely interested in the food, merely mimed cutting while keenly observing Leader Viola. ...Then she dropped the bombshell.
"I met Leader Allen today."
Viola's hand froze for an instant before resuming. She feigned nonchalance, but under scrutiny, the oddities were glaring.
"...Oh? He's a decent fellow."
"Handsome, right? No wonder you fell for him."
"That's not what I meant."
"Just kidding, kidding. Hohoho. You need to loosen up, sister."
Leader Viola's mind grew immensely complicated. It wasn't widely known, but those in the know were aware Elizabeth had a similar ability. ...Still, what the princess saw differed from Viola's view. Viola recalled her saying she perceived a person's 'prestige.' Thus, Allen, with few accomplishments, should show a low number. ...Not fully reassuring, but best not to show it.
Then Elizabeth set down her fork and knife.
And struck straight at the heart.
"What was his score?"
".........Pardon?"
"The number. The one you see."
Though momentarily flustered, Leader Viola answered as calmly as possible. As if it were nothing.
"288."
"...Really?"
"Yes. You think I'd keep someone close without checking their number? ...He's just decent enough."
Of course, she couldn't reveal the true figure. Not even to Elizabeth.
...Especially not to Elizabeth. Her greed and obsession even gave Viola pause.
Somehow, yesterday's chill vibe had felt off. ...But she hadn't expected her to move this fast.
"I see..."
Yet that same chill vibe emanated now.
In that moment, Leader Viola felt her heart jolt.
"Rados was never quite satisfying anyway... This works out perfectly."
Elizabeth let out a disarmingly innocent laugh.
"Then, can I take Leader Allen off your hands?"
...The princess had declared war.