Chapter 210: Hard to Figure Out
Adventurer's Paradise, Adventurer's Inn, Top-tier Suite.
"A Top-tier Suite is truly great, even the air is exceptionally fresh."
Sitting on a large chair covered with unknown soft Beast Hide, my legs crossed, and my feet resting on the fluffy Red Carpet, I took a deep breath and sighed, feeling quite pleased with myself.
After a trip to the Sewer and back, my wallet was bulging, so naturally, improving my living conditions was a priority. After returning from the Palace, the ordinary room was immediately upgraded to a Top-tier Suite. Three meals a day also had to be equipped with Fruit, Dessert, and Fine Wine. Although I seemed to have more Money than I could spend for the moment, I still wanted more comprehensive services, like a Private Hot Spring or something. Unfortunately, the level of luxury in Diablo only went this far. Any further would involve places like the Casino or Brothel, or buying a comfortable and luxurious Villa and finding some Singers and Dancers to have fun with. I didn't have such plans for now. Please, with this lovely Little Saintess right before me, why would I go to those places?
"I say, Alice, aren't the Fruit sliced yet?"
I deliberately put on the air of a Parvenu, complaining in a booming voice.
"Yes, my Lord, please wait a moment, it will be ready soon."
At the Table not far away, the Little Ghost held a Knife, seemingly respectfully placing slice after slice of cut Fruit onto a Plate. However, looking at her beaming expression, it was less about being docile and more about finding the work of a Maid fresh and curious.
Unfortunately, a certain person who was getting carried away didn't notice this Fact, still thinking that our Saintess had suddenly become obedient.
"Hmph, clumsy hands and feet. Looks like I'll have to consider hiring a new Maid."
I casually dug my ear.
"Clang—"
Just as the words fell, I felt an unusually piercing Metal vibration sound. Looking down, I saw a gleaming Fruit Knife. A trace of sticky Fruit Juice still lingered on it. With incredibly swift Strength, it pierced through the Beast Hide above and was nailed into the Chair, embedded deeply. Its position was right next to my vital point three inches below my navel, missing by a hair's breadth.
"Wow!!"
Our Saintess Highness let out a characteristic exclamation, pretending to look curiously at her empty right hand, then looked at the Fruit Knife only 0.1 millimeters away from my vital point.
"Oh, I'm sorry, Lord. My hand slipped."
The Saintess made an Expression of Realization, stuck out her tongue, and covered her face with her two slender hands, smiling and explaining with the utmost gentleness and shyness.
"What did you just say, Lord? Your Servant didn't hear clearly, could you say it again?"
She humbly walked over, her two small hands' fingers gently wrapped around the Hilt of the Knife, but then she suddenly pulled it out like a female Butcher, causing my heart to tremble violently.
Her pink little tongue licked across the glittering Blade sticky with Fruit Juice. Then, she tilted her head cutely and leaned down to ask me, who was stiffly slumped on the Chair. Her close smile became even gentler.
I opened my mouth wide, wanting to say something, but not a single word came out. I looked like a toad puffing air, only able to desperately shake my head, looking at her pitifully with a begging Gaze. Getting carried away truly is the original sin!
"I'm thirsty."
The noble Saintess Highness puffed out her cheeks, angrily burying her small body in my arm and pushing hard, the Fruit Knife in her hand waving wildly.
"Yes, my noble, beautiful, elegant, moving... (omitting N words) Saintess Highness, please allow this insignificant Human to prepare Fruit for you."
Seeing the shining white Blade constantly sweeping across my Body, I immediately stood up straight and saluted.
"Hmph."
Successfully occupying enemy territory, Alice lazily lay down on the Chair. The spacious Space was enough for her to roll around like a child, stretching out her lazy and sensual Figure.
She seemed very satisfied with my performance and gently handed the Fruit Knife to me.
Very good.
I gently took the Weapon, the humble Expression on my face immediately turning indifferent. With a slight squeeze of my hand, the entire Fruit Knife was crushed to powder like a pancake.
Hearing the cracking sound, our Saintess Highness finally realized something was wrong, but it was already too late.
I pounced on her lecherously, pressing her small body down beneath me. Let this Little Ghost get carried away! Today, I shall act on behalf of the Moon and eat you! Haha~!
"Wah!! Big Pervert, Big Liar, you're bullying me, sob sob"
The Little Ghost pressed beneath me struggled weakly.
"Wahahaha~~, scream, scream harder, it's no use no matter how loud you scream."
I smirked, eagerly leaning in to block her slightly panting, tender cherry lips.
The Saintess Highness's silver eyes were already veiled with a layer of crystal mist, her cherry lips, exhaling like orchids, unconsciously muttered to themselves, and she curled her body tighter, unbearably shy.
Just as I was about to make my next move, an untimely knocking sound rang out.
"Wah!!"
The Saintess Highness, who had already become completely aroused, immediately sobered up, exclaimed, clutched her Robe tightly with both hands, glared at me fiercely with a blushing face, and with a "swish," drilled into her Necklace, leaving me frustrated and lying on the Chair, speechless for a long time.
The knocking sound rang out again.
"Hmph—"
I pulled the Door open with an angry face, wanting to see which oblivious fellow dared to interrupt at the most crucial Moment. If they dared to placate me with an Excuse like "Sorry, I'm just passing by," I would definitely sink them, person and stone, into the Twin Seas, letting them see if the Deep Sea Canyon truly hid a super giant ten-thousand-year-old Man-Eating Octopus King.
"..."
Our Gazes met in Mid-air. We maintained this Posture, staring blankly at each other, until the Little Ghost in the Necklace couldn't stand it anymore and coughed fiercely. Only then did I suddenly sober up.
"May I know what matter Princess is looking for me about?"
The veins on my forehead pulsed at a high Speed. My Body did not move aside, clearly indicating: No entry for idlers, speak directly, and scram when finished.
"It's very important."
She replied indifferently, her small body impolitely drilling directly through the Opportunity beside me.
I can guarantee that this Princess is definitely not someone skilled at reading expressions and observing demeanor. Otherwise, she wouldn't fail to notice the thought of murder and sinking the body currently plastered on my face.
"Then, respected Princess, what important Matter has troubled your esteemed presence?"
I sat by the Table, gritting my teeth, holding a Dagger in my hand, and sinisterly chopping the Fruit that the Little Ghost had already cut and arranged, bit by bit, into Jam.
"It's very important."
She still replied this way. A fair and slender small hand, with the Speed of lightning covering ears, took a piece of Fruit that had not yet been ravaged by my poisonous hand. It was so fast it was as if the piece of Fruit had disappeared from my sight out of thin air. The next moment, this Princess's small mouth beneath her Veil was gently chewing.
Hey, hey, you came this time just to provoke me, right?! You want to literally anger me to death, right?! It must be like this!!!
"Then, let's get to the point."
The Princess, chewing something in her mouth, said indistinctly, completely unaware that a certain person was already on the Edge of going crazy.
"Together with me, overthrow Imperial Father."
The next moment, Marissa raised her head, raising her hands high, her small appearance trying hard to put on a valiant and imposing Presence. Her bright yellow eyes gazed intently at me, revealing a seriousness and solemnity I had never seen before, her mouth still chewing non-stop.
The Atmosphere froze instantly. Only the sound of me subconsciously viciously chopping the Fruit seemed particularly piercing.
"Hiss—"
A stream of Blood sprayed straight up from the Table.
"Damn, I'm bleeding."
I jumped up from the Chair, holding my injured index finger. For a moment, I hadn't noticed that what I was holding was a genuine equipment-type Dagger. Although it was just Normal, I couldn't stand self-harm like this.
"You bastard. Did your Brain get burned out, or are you here to cause trouble? You're deliberately teasing me, right!!"
I said, sucking on my injured finger, no longer bothering with politeness, glaring fiercely at Marissa, who was still sitting there blankly.
"Look at me, I, am serious."
"Shut up, swallow what's in your mouth first before you speak again."
After a leisurely chewing and swallowing sound...
"Look at me, I, am serious."
"You bastard, do you want to go home with your Hat upside down on your Head? Very good..."
I extended my demonic claw, grinning sinisterly, and grabbed towards her Hat. If I turned her Hat upside down, she would look like she was wearing a pot on her Head. Isn't that very ethnic minority style?
"Could it be, you don't want to resolve the current Conflict?"
She didn't block or dodge, her eyes looking straight at me.
"Then, please tell me, a moment ago you were filial enough that even being a political Sacrifice didn't matter, and now you tell me you want to overthrow your Imperial Father. How can I believe you?"
I sighed, withdrew my hands, and sat opposite her, staring back without giving way.
"That was then, this is now. If something cannot be done, one should seek other methods."
"Meaning, your purpose is still for your Imperial Father? That's ridiculous. Overthrowing him for his sake?"
I said with merciless Sarcasm.
"Yes, everything is for Imperial Father. Although Imperial Father has talent, his mind is too narrow, and his suspicion is very heavy. He is not suitable to be a King."
Marissa looked at me with a Gaze as quiet as autumn water, containing a Calmness and determination that left me speechless for a moment.
"However, the Conflict between Imperial Father and the Adventurers is becoming increasingly serious. If he continues like this, within ten years, the Conflict will erupt. Do you understand what I mean now?"
"So, you want to take advantage of now to overthrow him, at least to preserve his Life?"
I drew in a sharp breath. So decisive and resolute. I couldn't help but ask myself, if it were me, even if I could think of such a Method, facing a cherished Relative, could I really steel my heart to implement it like her?
For the first time, I felt this Princess before me was a little terrifying, that Character that only pursues the best Result and disregards everything else.
"Even if I believe what you say, this kind of Matter isn't something that can be done just by saying it. How to overthrow him? Who will succeed to the throne after overthrowing him? Who can guarantee that he will be more suitable than your Imperial Father? Also, we must consider the possible turmoil that could appear throughout the Western Kingdoms. Furthermore, we Adventurers, as transcendent Existences, have always avoided such Conflicts. Directly participating in it is also not possible. Princess, you must know, what you're saying isn't playing house."
I rubbed my temples, listing out all the problems I could imagine in one breath, but for some reason, I always felt these problems weren't a big deal, if it was this Princess before me.
Is it because of the calm and composed Temperament that naturally emanates from her Body?
"No problem."
As if she had expected it long ago, Marissa gently nodded, putting the last piece of untouched Fruit on the Table into her mouth. This time, I finally saw clearly—her right hand extended from her wide sleeve, thumb and index finger lightly pinching the Fruit, while her left hand simultaneously gently lifted the Veil from below, revealing a small part of her delicate Chin, then quickly stuffing it inside. The Speed of her Movement and the skillfulness of her Technique were definitely not a day or two's Effort.
While eating, she continued to add.
"No problem, (chew) a suitable Candidate, (chew) already, (chew) exists..."
"Casualties, (chew) are unavoidable, but (chew)..."
"You should finish eating before you speak."
I powerlessly interrupted Marissa, whose mouth was busy non-stop.
A little while later...
"Casualties are unavoidable, but they have been reduced to the minimum through the optimal Method. The Western Kingdoms will absolutely not experience turmoil. As for the Adventurers, they only need to slightly assist from the side."
She raised her head, her bright yellow eyes flashing with a firm and confident Glow.
"Rest assured, this is my homeland. I will absolutely not let it head towards destruction, provided, you agree."
"Give me some Time to consider it. This isn't something I can decide alone."
Lightly tapping the tabletop with my index finger, I pondered for a long time. Undeniably, I was moved by her words.
Slightly nodding, Princess Marisa glanced regretfully at the Fruit that had already been chopped into Jam, calmly stood up, patted her Clothes, and left without saying a word.
"Three days later, I'll come find you."
After leaving this sentence, the Door gently closed.
She's truly full of Confidence, as if I would definitely agree. Do I really look like someone who can be easily manipulated?
I smiled and shook my head, tasting a bite from the Dagger covered in Jam.
Damn, what is this taste? Did I unintentionally comprehend Aunt Qiuzi's Secret Recipe for Jam that isn't passed down?!
In short, today was a disaster day!