Chapter 7 – At the capital (1)

“Oh man. I’m not sure how I should take this.”

“That’s how desperate we are for your help. And, the advantage is that it hasn’t yet been revealed to the world. So, tell me. I’m ready to offer myself to you.”

In other words, it was the same thing as offering Jade a blank check.

And, that showed just how desperate they were.

It was enough for the princess to give herself to him.

“I think you’re overestimating me.”

“I honestly don’t have the discerning ability to know what level your skills are at mister Jade. However, it’s different for sir Heinze. He is a knight of the royal family and is also known as the sword of the kingdom. That type of person told me that you were of equal level to him or higher.”

“That’s quite the trust for him.”

“Yes, he is more or less like a father to us. And, he had brought us to this point while putting his life on the line.”

Jade nodded his head.

He knew exactly what the relationship was like for the three of them.

“…..Can I hear your answer?”

Laney continued to ask with a nervous expression.

She felt she had given Jade plenty of time to think.

“I’m sorry to say but I don’t think your proposal will work. I don’t think I would match as your partner.”

“Ah……”

Laney’s face turned pale with the indirect refusal.

And, at the same time, her eyes shook.

She was at a loss for what to do.

“Instead, I would like something else.”

“W, what is it?”

“You told me you could give me a title.”

“Yes!”

Lloyd would undoubtedly become the king once they cleared the rebellion.

However, she had the power to make these types of decisions for herself.

It would be difficult to make Jade a Duke or Marquis, but she should be able to make him a Count at the least.

And, with enough time, he would be able to rise in ranks.

“I want to receive a title.”

“……Can I ask for your reason? I’m asking out of personal interest.”

Laney asked with an awkward smile.

Looking at her face, it seemed like her pride was slightly hurt.

However, even though Jade had noticed this, he decided not to point it out.

He instead revealed a secret that nobody else knew.

“I’m honestly Baron Varrys Leon’s bastard child. Although, there are only two people that currently know this information. Myself and Baron Varrys.”

“…….!”

“That’s why I need a title. A title even higher than that of the Baron’s.”

Laney’s eyes were wide open.

However, the tumult was brief.

She now understood why Jade stayed in the Great Forest even with his outstanding skills.

Additionally, she now knew what Jade wanted and understood why he was telling her a secret that only two people knew.

He was exposing himself to her as she had compromised her pride for him.

“Do you want revenge?”

“At first, I didn’t have any particular thoughts and I’ve also gotten stronger. It makes me think, is it really even worth it. Only, with the way things have been flowing, I’m getting greedy. I also have something I want to ask him face to face.”

Beat. Beat.

His heart suddenly began to beat louder, regardless of his will.

‘Is it what you want as well.’

Jade smiled because it was as if the original Jade also wanted the same thing.

They wanted to crush the Baron not through physical power, but with the so-called incredible status of a noble.

It wouldn’t be fun to simply crush him with pure strength.

‘It’ll also give me a sense of justification.’

It was clear why Laney wanted to give herself to Jade.

It was all for the purpose of making sure Jade didn’t turn to the enemy’s side.

Of course, Jade didn’t have any such thoughts, but Laney, Lloyd and Heinze wouldn’t believe him even if he was to take an oath.

Which was also the reason why they wanted to tie him up through blood relations.

‘Well, I’m sure they’ll still have suspicions but since I told her about my relationship with Baron Leon, her suspicions should be a little less.’

Although Laney had offered herself to Jade, the chances of that coming true were slim.

Lloyd and Heinze would immediately pick her up and take her away.

That’s why, his proposal was just about right.

“Baron Leon huh. That’s great. We had something to settle with that family as well.’

“I think this is more than enough as an answer.”

“Of course. Although I’m not completely satisfied. Am I not to your liking?”

Laney jokingly asked.

However, unlike her smiling face, her eyes were serious.

She held quite the grudge.

“There’s no way. You are the most beautiful girl I’ve seen thus far. And, I’m sure you’ll become even more beautiful.”

-That’s a lie! I’m prettier!

-I can’t agree with what you just said either. I have quite the looks too.

As soon as Jade finished speaking, the two spirits fiercely reacted.

It was as if they would never agree with Jade’s statement.

Although Laney wasn’t able to hear them, Jade had a hard time containing himself as they were loudly yelling around him.

His ears felt like they were going to burst as they continued yell on his shoulders.

“Really?”

“Yes.”

“I’m glad to hear that.”

Laney beamingly smiled.

She was strangely happy to hear his simple lip service.

Then, she suddenly stared at Jade with an expression different from before.

“Is there anything else you’d like to say?”, asked Jade.

It was obvious she had something to say as she nodded her head.

“This is something I’ve been meaning to ask you since we first met, but do Lloyd and I have any affinity to spirits?”

“I’m sorry to say this, but I don’t think so.”

“As expected.”

Laney forlornly laughed.

She had a slight bit of expectation, but as expected, they did not have any talent in that field.

“Why did you ask?”

“To be honest, our mother is a quarter elf. Although the world doesn’t know of this. That’s why Lloyd and I have a little bit of elf blood in us, so I thought we might have at least a little bit of talent.”

“Ah.”

Jade nodded his head.

If that was the case, then it was more than enough reason for her to have had some expectations.

Different from humans, elves were part of the fairy family and had quite the relationship with spirits.

Only, it seemed as if that bloodline did not continue forth to the two siblings.

“It’s a pity but there’s nothing we can do. Affinity with the spirits is something one must be born with.”

“At least you guys will gain many things from now on, right?”

“I hope so. No, I’ll make sure that happens without fail since you said you will help us.”

“I hope you don’t hold too high of an expectation towards me.”

Jade could tell how much trust and anticipation Laney had towards him through the look in her eyes.

However, even with his words, Laney stared at him with warm eyes.

“I’m sure we will win. Especially because the other side doesn’t have much information regarding you. You are in a sense our secret weapon.”

“They probably haven’t been against a summoner.”

“That goes to show how rare it is to see a high-level summoner.”

“Haha.”

Jade did not confirm nor deny; he just beamingly smiled.

However, it was the same for Laney as well.

She had the same expression as Jade.

“We’re going to take the teleport gate tomorrow and head straight to the capital. So, if you have anything left to do here, you should try and get it done today.”

“Alright.”

“Let’s have dinner together later.”

“Sure.”

Now that they were on the same boat, Jade did not refuse her proposal.

He was actually looking for someone who had as much experience as Haynes.

‘A living Master will definitely be helpful. Even more so because sir Heinze has been around for a long time.’

As Jade stood up, the quietly sleeping Hwid also got up.

He had woken up from Jade’s movement.

Then it cheerfully flew around him once again.

Click.

As Jade and Hwid left the room, Laney stared at herself in a serious manner.

Although Lloyd hadn’t noticed anything, Laney had put a lot of effort into her clothes, makeup and hair for this meeting.

Even then, she had still been completely refused, and this hurt her pride.

“Aren’t I okay? I even have elf blood in me.”

Laney toucher her body.

Big breasts and a slender waist.

And, past the waist was a voluptuous buttock that would make any man happy.

She had even worn clothes that made her body even more noticeable.

“….There’s no way he can’t be attracted.”

Objectively speaking, Laney was more than enough to fall into the beauty category.

And, even if a little, she had elf blood in her so she aged differently from regular humans.

Even then she had been refused so she didn’t understand what was going on.

“Quite frustrating.”

She was always on the choosing side.

However, now that she was on the opposite side and had been refused, she was extremely unhappy.

At the same time, an unyielding spirit was born within her.

“Just you wait.”

Laney clenched her teeth as she recalled the calm demeanor Jade had shown when she offered herself to him.

She was willing to do anything she could to recover her pride.

Anyhow, she had to appease herself without fail.