"Lord Chouri, since you won't listen to my advice, I'll have to offend you."
A sly glint flashed in his eyes, but Sora's face showed helplessness. In a flash, he disappeared from where he was and reappeared beside the girl Spear.
"Beautiful Miss Spear, could you please cooperate with me for a moment?"
A sly curve appeared at the corner of Sora's mouth. He lightly patted the girl's shoulder. Spear, who hadn't yet recovered from the shock, let out a delicate cry, and the weapon in her hand clattered to the ground.
Someone who was already ill-intentioned naturally wouldn't miss such a good opportunity. He immediately locked the girl into his arms from behind, while a sneaky hand pressed against Spear's fair, tender, and smooth neck.
"General… Sora…"
Her face instantly flushed crimson, and her heart was overwhelmed with shyness. The strong masculine scent of the man in front of her made her whole body tremble slightly.
At the same time, Spear was extremely shocked in her heart. She was well aware of her own skills. Not to mention her peers, even the warriors she had encountered before were no match for her!
In fact, because of her overly "brave" nature, she still hadn't found a partner and was often teased by her father about it. But even someone like her was completely powerless against this man!
However, the girl felt no fear or resentment. On the contrary, a strange excitement and anticipation arose within her. Finally, she had met a man even stronger than herself…
"What are you doing? Let go of Spear immediately!"
Old man Chouri, standing nearby, finally realized that his daughter had fallen into the hands of this scoundrel and was shocked. Having a daughter late in life, Spear was the most precious treasure in the world to him. Even if she were harmed a single hair, he would be heartbroken!
"What are you all standing there for? Hurry up and rescue the lady!"
Seeing the soldiers frozen in place, Chouri shouted angrily at them.
The soldiers looked at each other and could only smile bitterly.
"Old man, the one standing in front of us is the legendary Demon General who makes the entire continent tremble. You want us to go over there? We don't even qualify to serve him food!"
Though they thought this, the soldiers had no choice but to obey. After all, this old man was their direct superior. Although he was stubborn and Miss Spear was strong-willed, they had to admit that in this chaotic world, they were among the few truly good people. They had received much kindness from them.
But then—
Puff puff puff puff puff…
Countless icy spikes glittering with cold light burst from the ground, blocking the soldiers' path and preventing them from getting any closer to Sora and Spear.
"Anyone who dares to move will be killed!"
The cold voice of Esdeath rang out. The queen lightly touched her thin cherry lips, wearing a devilish smile. She would not allow these people to disturb her beloved and the sister who was about to join them!
"Beautiful Miss Spear, I truly do not wish to harm you or your honor, so could you please cooperate with me a little?"
Sora nodded toward Esdeath and whispered softly into the girl's ear.
"Mm…"
The warm breath near her ear made the girl's heart flutter even more, and her blush deepened. Spear inexplicably agreed.
Looking at this adorable girl, Sora's lips curled into a sly smile. He really had to thank that stubborn old man Chouri—he had gained another beautiful girl!
"Boy, let go of Spear at once! I'll agree to anything you want, just release her!"
The anxious voice of old Chouri. Having witnessed Esdeath's dominance, the old man finally stopped being stubborn, fearing that Sora might harm his precious daughter.
Seeing Chouri's worry, Sora laughed. Although the old man was stubborn, he wasn't crazy yet—there was still hope!
If he had met a real hardhead, not only would his daughter be harmed, but the old man himself might have recklessly charged into danger, showing his unyielding spirit and justice. That would be truly entertaining!
"Rest assured, Lord Chouri, I will not harm Miss Spear. I only wish to invite her to my residence as a guest."
"You are a wise man. If you promise not to enter the palace again and leave immediately, I will not make things difficult for you, nor harm Miss Spear. What do you say?"
Knowing the old man's weakness was his daughter, Sora naturally wouldn't miss this chance. Though his expression was polite, the threatening tone was unmistakable.
"Alright, alright, I agree, I agree! Just release Spear quickly, I'll agree to anything!"
Desperate for his daughter's safety, Chouri was flustered. At this moment, he was just a father worried about his daughter, forgetting all about his duties to the people and the country.
"Heh heh heh, that won't do."
Sora's smile grew wider. He found the old man quite amusing. Earlier, he was so resolute, but once his weakness was exposed, he abandoned everything.
Old man, where is your integrity?!
Of course, Sora would never let Spear go. His true goal was this beautiful girl. Letting her go? Was he stupid?!
"What? You brat, you're tricking me!"
Snorting and glaring, Chouri was furious. As a civil official, if he had some strength, he would have charged at Sora long ago!
"No, no, how dare I trick Lord Chouri? I'm just worried that after returning Miss Spear, you might go back on your word. So I plan to have her stay at my residence for a while. You should go back alone."
Feeling shameless, Sora knew he was detaining someone else's precious daughter but still gave such a righteous excuse! He knew deceiving an old man was wrong, but why did it come out so smoothly?!
"What!!! You… you…"
"Villain, release my daughter at once! Or I will report to His Majesty and have you torn limb from limb!"
Almost driven mad by Sora's audacity, Chouri was furious that his honor was questioned. As a senior minister of the empire, was he someone who would break his word? This was an insult, an absolute insult!
Even the phrase "torn limb from limb" came from the old man's mouth, showing how angry he was.
"Hmph! Since you are so stubborn, I have no choice but to be rude!"
Knowing that soft tactics had failed, Sora's expression turned cold. He increased the pressure slightly, causing Spear in his arms to let out a delicate cry and go limp.
"No!!!"
Thinking Sora was hurting his daughter, Chouri was shocked and lost all his earlier momentum.
"Boy, I agree, I agree! Just don't hurt Spear, I'll agree to anything!"
Seeing his daughter's "pain," Chouri's heart ached. But to protect her, he had no choice but to negotiate with this wicked brat.
Seeing his father's concerned and pained expression, Spear felt even more embarrassed. She wanted to tell him she was fine and that General Sora was gentle, and that her cry was just because it felt too comfortable. But she couldn't bring herself to say it…
"Heh… Lord Chouri, you are truly reasonable! You should go back first. I promise to take good care of Miss Spear and will return her intact once this period is over."
Sora smiled slyly at the old man.
Though he knew he was deceiving the old man again, he couldn't tell him that he would never return his daughter, let alone intact. He had to give him some hope, some longing, right?
"Alright, alright, I'll leave. Just don't harm my daughter!"
The scholar meets the soldier—reason cannot prevail. For the first time in his life, the old man felt helpless. He regretted giving up the sword for the pen. If he had strength, he would have cut down this brat long ago!
Sora didn't care about the old man's thoughts. He was thinking about how to train this beautiful girl he had gained.
As for Queen Esdeath, she saw the old man as a stubborn bone that needed breaking. She had tried to negotiate with him before, but he refused. Now, after a few lashes and losing his daughter, he finally behaved…