Chapter 96
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: Chapter 96
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Translator: MadScientist
Chapter: 96
Chapter Title: 22. Greedy Princess. (5)
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Even after securing the vote from 10th Rank Leader Jione Ballac to expel that rootless Dagon bastard, Elizabeth waited a full two more days, but she received no response whatsoever from Leader Allen.
...
It was an utterly ridiculous situation, but it was now an undeniable fact that her proposal had ultimately been rejected.
"Haha."
...Yeah, if it were that easy to snag, it wouldn't be any fun. Sister must have poured a ton of effort into him. This much wasn't nearly enough, huh? Good thing he's not some boring guy. If he'd been a faithless mutt, I might've actually been disappointed. Yeah, this is better.
However, unfortunately, the princess currently had no more spare time to devote to that man. Her top priority was Dagon's expulsion. It meant a long expedition all the way to the imperial capital, so she couldn't afford to waste too much time here. With yes votes from both Viola and Leader Jione, her business in Vermandua was finished.
Now it was time to leave.
Honestly, the princess wanted to track down Leader Allen and taunt him about seeing just how long he could hold out, but that would make her look like a shameless slut, so she held back with dignified restraint.
Still, after staying so comfortably at Viola's place all this time, she ought to at least see her sister's face before going. Offer proper thanks. With class.
"...You're leaving tomorrow?"
"Yeah, time to go. Business is wrapped up."
Vice-Leader Elizabeth sensed a strange mix of confidence and delight on Leader Viola's face. ...Of course, it might just be her imagination.
The princess smiled as if congratulating her rival's victory.
"...Looks like you win, sister. Congrats. That guy held out strong. He's more than just passably decent."
"Did he?"
A calm tone and expression, as if she'd expected as much. ...It needled the Bellver Princess's pride even more, but a loser had to keep her mouth shut and slink away—what could she do?
"Thanks for everything these past days, sister. Appreciate it. Thanks for the vote too. Swing by my place sometime. I'll treat you right."
"Yeah... Safe travels."
The two women exchanged a light handshake.
...And the next day, the elegant platinum-blonde mage departed Vermandua at the crack of dawn. Just as abruptly as she'd arrived.
...Fuck, she finally left.
Allen let out a sigh of relief only after hearing that the greedy princess had departed at dawn that day.
Honestly, he couldn't deny the proposal had been tempting. And her promise of active support was likely genuine too. ...But the problem was, no matter how grand it ballooned, he'd just end up as her hunting dog in the end.
Naturally, a hunting dog gets tossed aside once it's served its purpose. Just like Leader Rados, wagging his dick in slavish loyalty, was probably destined for.
True partner? Alliance? Union? Those were terms that didn't apply to the princess. Even if the support fell a bit short, Viola was far superior. At least she wasn't the type to discard people so heartlessly.
Still, the real issue was whether that insanely greedy bitch would slink away so neatly. She'd left without dragging out the Dagon matter further for now, but she sure as hell wouldn't let go so easily next time they crossed paths.
Ugh, what a shitty game-changer life—!
He couldn't wrap his head around why the achievement [Heart's Eye] was tied to that woman's gaze, but with things as they were, he'd just have to suck it up. ...Avoid running into her as much as possible, that's the plan.
Anyway.
Allen finally showed up at the roadside office after blowing off two whole days thanks to the greedy princess.
Seeing those ugly mugs brought him crashing back to reality.
After shooing away a few morning customers, a female clerk from the Viola Mercenary Corps office stopped by. Leader Viola's message: could he swing by the office for a quick chat?
Allen handed things off to Kallisman for a moment and headed to Viola's office in the guild house with the clerk.
Leader Viola, diligently handling her paperwork without a hint of slacking, set her tasks aside briefly as Allen entered.
"Long time no see, Leader Viola."
It had been since collecting the reward fee after their last mission. ...About ten days, give or take.
"Has it? ...Come, have a seat."
Leader Viola kept her lofty air. ...Whether she knew he'd wavered slightly at the elegant mage's proposal recently was anyone's guess.
Truth be told, when Vice-Leader Elizabeth dangled something ten times better than the current inn building... it had genuinely tempted him. He'd stalled back then partly to mull it over. Ten times—what the hell kind of payout was that—!
"How've you been?"
"Same old. Meeting mercenaries, turning 'em all down..."
Heh. Leader Viola let out a faint smile at the lame joke before schooling her features.
"...How was it with Vice-Leader Elizabeth? ...Not prying or anything, so don't feel obligated. Just share what you want. Or skip it if you'd rather."
Of course, even calling the greedy princess a pain wouldn't change that she was 10th Rank. Soft-pedaling his words would benefit him all around.
"A fruitful meeting. We chatted about this and that. ...Should I get into that too?"
"No need. That's private. ...Just curiosity. You're like a little brother to me. ...Worried she might've been a burden."
"Not at all."
The conversation lulled there. With her hands lightly clasped on the desk, Viola tapped her index fingers a couple times before resuming.
"...I heard Vice-Leader Elizabeth made you a proposal."
"Ah, yeah. She did."
"Must've been tempting... Why turn it down?"
So that's what she'd been dying to know.
Allen flashed a charming smile.
Turning down the princess vice-leader to stick with Leader Viola? Might as well butter her up. ...Who knows, maybe some crumbs would drop.
"Had to refuse, obviously. ...I've got you, Leader Viola."
Her steadily composed eyes widened a fraction before settling back. But she couldn't fully mask the joy blooming on her face.
"...I see. Even though I haven't looked after you much lately..."
"You're always got my back, don't you? That's strength enough for me."
Pure bullshit, of course. It didn't give him jack.
...But touching, right? She'd wanna toss him something now, yeah?
This time, her fondness showed even clearer.
As expected, Leader Viola said nothing, instead retrieving something from her desk drawer and sliding it his way. A sealed envelope bearing her seal. Jackpot—crumbs delivered. Mouth gotta earn its keep.
"You're running that inn these days, right? Must need plenty of foodstuffs. This is a contract for steady supply from a trading firm in mid-city Maljir. Transfers part of our quota."
Allen blinked in mild surprise. Food supplies, of all things. ...Big crumbs for scraps.
He'd been scouting cheaper vendors since Vermandua imports were pricey as hell, and this hit perfect. A firm patronized by a 10th Rank? Gold standard reliability.
"No way, this is too much...!"
"Haven't checked in on you properly. You trust and follow me—this is the least."
Reward for loyalty, not biting at Vice-Leader Elizabeth's bait. Had to be.
"Thank you. Needed a solid supplier just like this, and you've sorted it perfectly, Leader."
"Glad it works out."
The vibe was downright cozy, edging toward toasty.
"I'll head out then."
"Yeah, take care."
Allen, nursing faint regrets over that tenfold inn tease, departed in high spirits with a quick nod.
The instant he was gone, a long whoosh of breath escaped.
Leader Viola slumped forward onto the desk, hands planted, replaying his words.
- Had to refuse, obviously. ...I've got you, Leader Viola.
- You're always got my back, don't you? That's strength enough for me.
...How does he make words sound so pretty...?
Her heart thumped wildly.
An irrepressible smile spread languidly across the leader's face.
She'd believed he wouldn't betray their bond. ...The man who'd gifted her that precious necklace wouldn't buckle to fleeting temptation.
...Was I too stiff today? Could've softened up a bit?
Her compulsion to treat every union merc corps equally made favoritism tricky. And sweet-talk wasn't her forte anyway.... That contract was bold even for her.
......What if he gets the wrong idea and, like, proposes or something? What then...?
Just picturing it flushed her cheeks and set her limbs fidgeting.
Leader Viola quivered face-down a few times before bolting upright.
"Ugh, get a grip..."
...Of course, she had no clue a certain woman had floated that tenfold inn business.
...Probably for the best.
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