Clementine's lips curled upward as her body suddenly went slack. She leaned backward, resting against Lock, her dagger sliding teasingly along his cheek as she drawled in a syrupy voice:
"In big sister's eyes you're a biiig per vert~~."
Soft warmth, faint fragrance—Yett Lock's expression didn't change in the slightest.
He shifted his shoulder and casually pushed her aside.
"Words coming from a pervert's mouth have no credibility," Lock replied flatly.
"Remember that."
Ignoring the problem child entirely, he turned his gaze toward Gagaran, who was struggling to remain upright.
"Vier," Lock said calmly, "heal this muscle-brained woman. She's about to bleed herself to death."
"Huh? You… little… pretty boy… said… what…?"
Gagaran wheezed, glaring even while panting.
Lock didn't bother to look at her.
"If you still have the strength to talk, you might as well save it for breathing. An Adamantite-ranked Adventurer reduced to this state is unsightly."
As he spoke, Vier was already beside Gagaran.
A soft green glow bloomed from her palm.
In an instant, torn muscles knit together, deep wounds vanished, and shattered flesh returned to its original state—as if the brutal battle moments ago had never happened.
"…!"
Gagaran stared at her own body in disbelief.
"Gagaran! Are you alright?"
Ibirui rushed forward immediately.
Gagaran flexed her arms slowly.
Earlier, Clementine had nearly severed the muscles entirely—she shouldn't have been able to move at all.
This wasn't ordinary healing.
"…I'm fine," she finally muttered.
Her gaze shifted to Vier, then to Lock, irritation flashing in her eyes.
"Pretty boy. Your maid healed me, but my equipment was destroyed by your subordinate. Don't expect a thank-you."
"Fine by me," Lock shrugged.
"Your strength is respectable. How about working for me? As compensation, I can make you stronger."
Gagaran's face twisted instantly.
"Hah! Strength gained by selling my body? No thanks!"
Lock froze for half a second.
"…That's not what I meant."
She had clearly taken Clementine's earlier nonsense seriously.
He sighed inwardly.
Recruitment clearly wasn't something that succeeded on the first try—this wasn't some fantasy where heroes knelt the moment they met him.
"Relax," Lock said calmly.
"I have no interest in muscles like yours. I simply value strength. Adamantite-ranked Adventurers are rare, and I'm undertaking something that requires manpower."
He glanced at Ibirui.
"Though judging by your teamwork, I can already guess the answer."
"I wouldn't say that," Ibirui replied coolly.
"We'll consider your offer seriously."
"Oi— Ibirui!?" Gagaran snapped.
"Be quiet," Ibirui said flatly, then looked back at Lock.
"If there's nothing else, we'll be leaving."
"By all means."
Ibirui lifted Climb, who was still weak and barely conscious, and exited the inn with Gagaran in tow. Their pace was… hurried.
The moment they were gone—
Clementine drifted back beside Lock, hands clasped behind her head, smirking.
"Oh my~ Our handsome and powerful Baron Lock got rejected. How tragic. Want big sister to comfort you?"
Lock's eyes flickered red.
The temperature around him dropped subtly.
"It seems," he said mildly,
"That your mouth needs to be shut for a while."
Clementine's grin froze.
Her lips parted—
But no sound came out.
Her eyes widened in shock.
"Consider this a warning," Lock said without looking at her.
"Behave yourself."
He walked out of the inn.
Elsewhere — Blue Rose
Ibirui walked briskly down the street with Climb slung over her shoulder. Gagaran followed beside her, still irritated.
"Hey," Gagaran muttered.
"Why were you so polite to that pretty boy?"
"Use your head," Ibirui replied coldly.
"How strong do you think that woman who fought you really was?"
Gagaran went silent, then frowned.
"…Very strong. Stronger than Lakyus. And she wasn't even serious."
"Exactly," Ibirui said.
"And the maid who blocked me wasn't weak either. Yet we've never heard of any of them before. That alone proves Lock is dangerous."
She continued evenly:
"Until we know how many subordinates like that he has, clashing head-on would be idiotic."
"But he was following Climb," Gagaran argued.
"And he's clearly targeting the Golden Princess. Our leader is close to Her Highness—we can't ignore that."
Ibirui glanced at her.
"We'll report everything to Lakyus. She'll decide the next move."
She looked down at Climb.
"You recovered yet?"
"Y-yes… Lady Ibirui."
She released him.
"Then tell us. Why did that man target you?"
Climb swallowed.
Memories of Vier's casual spell—of being helpless on the floor—made his stomach churn.
"…It's because of the Princess," he said finally.
"Baron Lock came to the Royal Capital to seek an engagement with Her Royal Highness."
"…Engaged?"
Ibirui and Gagaran exchanged shocked looks.
Climb explained everything—his anger, his helplessness, and Lock's arrogance as he saw it.
Francia Palace — Golden Princess's Chamber
"What!?"
Lakyus nearly jumped out of her seat.
"You're being married off to that Baron!?"
Across from her, Princess Lana smiled faintly, lifting her teacup.
"The tea is sweeter today," she said softly.
Lakyus stared.
"…This makes no sense. His Majesty dotes on you. Why would he agree to something like this?"
"The Albert Family made a request," Lana replied gently.
"In exchange for Lady Catherine serving as Court Chief Magician."
"Catherine… the Starlight Witch?"
Lakyus frowned. "Is it true she rides a dragon?"
"Yes," Lana nodded.
"Warrior Captain Gazef confirmed it himself. A massive golden dragon."
"…Even so," Lakyus muttered,
"That can't outweigh you."
Lana's smile dimmed slightly.
"…Father had no choice."
Lakyus stiffened.
"…Why?"
Lana lowered her gaze.
"Because Baron Lock said that if his demands were refused… he would march his Tiger Knight Order on the Royal Capital."
Silence fell.
"For the sake of the people," Lana said quietly,
"Father agreed."
---
A/N: Advance Chapter Has Been Uploaded. Please Check It Out. It will really help me out and will keep me motivated to continue.
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