At night, Airella wore loose pink pajamas and clutched her pillow tightly.
Her delicate body pressed against the soft quilt, leaving her a little dazed.
She turned over, hugging the pillow even tighter, her mind uncontrollably replaying the scenes from earlier that day.
What was this, really?
She had never thought that Lin Yue’s unintentional actions could leave her so restless.
She had always supported Lin Yue in finding a partner of equal status—she really shouldn’t be having thoughts like this…
Even though Lin Yue’s strength right now couldn’t be called overwhelming, all the various skills he possessed, along with his sharp judgment of situations, made Airella realize this was not a man she could ever hope to match.
She had always told herself, deep down, that she and Lin Yue were just plain friends, and she had nothing to feel guilty about—she had never tried to limit or possess Lin Yue… right?
Or perhaps, just by staying by his side all this time, she was already acting rather strangely.
A country girl sticking close to a notorious young master expelled from his family—how could there not be rumors swirling around them…
“Impossible. I can’t have those kinds of thoughts about him…”
Airella shook her head fiercely, trying to erase his figure from her mind, but she simply couldn’t do it.
I’ll go see him again tomorrow.
Once we meet, everything will become clear.
“Ah ha…”
Airella’s face flushed, staring at her hand that Lin Yue had tightly held, a string in her mind seemed to snap.
“If it’s him…”
She recalled the way Lin Yue had pressed her against the wall before, and her body shivered suddenly.
“It’s just… just a physical need… Mmm~”.
Maybe it’s okay to be a little bad…
…
In the forest, the evening wind swept through the depths of Avilina.
A girl with long, pale-purple hair floated in the air, her indifferent expression as emotionless as a death god’s, searching for something.
“It’s this kind of stone again.”
She reached out and plucked it free, examining it seriously and squeezing it in her hand, but couldn’t crush it no matter how hard she tried.
Though her magic was powerful, when it came to physical strength, she was still far from someone like Lin Yue, who came from a warrior family.
“Forget it.”
Crash!
The stone was crushed by her spatial magic.
She noticed this stone was even more hidden, its aura faint, making it very hard to locate their hiding spots.
These people really were just as arrogant as before—setting up their schemes even before everyone had left.
Lia crossed her arms and looked down over the bustling districts of Avilina.
The usually bright and lively streets, from this height, appeared as faint, glowing dots, strung together in a chain.
It had been so long since she last ate at Lin Yue’s place—she’d just been too busy lately.
She could teleport there anytime, but Lin Yue always seemed to have important things to do, so even though she hadn’t seen him a few times, it didn’t really matter.
“Whatever tricks you try to pull, if you want to make a move, I’m always ready to play along…”
Remembering her deep, bloody grudge against the Church, she couldn’t help but hope those people would come knocking on her door looking for death.
One thing was clear: for Avilina, these two weeks would definitely be anything but peaceful.
…
Early the next morning, Lin Yue crawled out of his tent, planning to get to the front gate ahead of the academy’s expedition, and to visit the café to see Mapel.
At least, he should hand over the mission.
As for Mapel, he didn’t really mind running into her.
In the game, she was just a pure NPC passerby—nothing problematic about seeing her in the first act.
Ding-ling…
The bell above the door chimed as Mapel, dressed in her work uniform, looked up. Hearing a customer, she first looked puzzled, then instinctively greeted him: “Welcome, customer—oh, it’s you.”
Mapel glanced at Lin Yue, who wasn’t wearing any disguise this time, and curled her lip.
“So, did you finish yesterday’s task? The Saintess spent all her time wandering around Avilina’s core district. I tried to follow, but didn’t get any interesting intel.”
Mapel set her tray aside and addressed Lin Yue.
“So you actually get hands-on? I thought you were just a hands-off boss.”
Lin Yue pulled out a chair and sat down, a little surprised.
Mapel rolled her eyes and muttered, “If I really were a hands-off boss, how would you have ever seen me changing clothes? I’d have already been upstairs drinking coffee till I puked…”
Why was she bringing that up again…
Lin Yue thought about how his connection with Mapel always seemed tied to some “lucky pervert” situation, and felt a headache coming on.
He truly had no interest in this woman’s body, but she always seemed to leak some strange timing in front of him.
What could he do?
“I did gather a few of the Saintess’s living habits…”
As soon as Mapel heard he had information, she changed her expression instantly: “Really? Tell me quickly!”
Such a quick change—didn’t even deduct any points.
“When will you give me the benefit you promised last time? I’ll tell you as soon as you do.”
Lin Yue made it clear he didn’t care, which annoyed Mapel a little.
No reward, no work—so annoying.
But as a merchant, she understood the rules.
In fact, this kind of exchange made her feel more secure—at least it was all out in the open, and she wouldn’t owe a favor she couldn’t properly value.
She turned, rummaged behind the counter, and pulled out a wooden box, sliding it over to Lin Yue.
“Here, you tell me first, and I’ll give it to you after~”
Mapel flashed a bright smile, clearly looking forward to what he would say.
Lin Yue didn’t mind—sooner or later, it was the same.
He didn’t think Mapel would give him anything that great, so he told her everything, leaving out only the fight between Sefina and Allen.
After hearing, Mapel buried her face in her hands, thinking, then tapped her fingertip on the box.
“I didn’t expect the Church’s Saintess to look so serious on the surface, but in private, she’s such a sweet girl. Maybe even a bit clumsy. Such a two-faced person…”
Two-faced?
You’re one to talk…
Looking at this girl who looked so harmless on the outside, but was actually a cunning little fox behind the scenes, Lin Yue was speechless.
“What’s with your face? Careful or I’ll dock your pay…”
“I get paid? Aren’t I free labor?”
“Even the Chris Chamber of Commerce is one of the top forces on the continent—how could an adventurer not get paid?”
Lin Yue considered it.
“Leaving rewards aside, I’m curious: how did you deduce her true personality just from a few living habits?”
Lin Yue hadn’t told her how he tracked the Saintess; aside from living habits, he wouldn’t share anything else with this woman.
He was a bit worried this smart woman would deduce something dangerous.
“I already told you. I’ve been in business since I was little and met all kinds of people—see enough of them, and you can deduce most things.”
“To be honest, for the next student council election, I even considered going to Allen, who entered the elite class with you. He’s easier to handle than you…”
Mapel shrugged, and continued.
“Though he resists the Nightingale, and doesn’t want to work with us deeply, at least I wouldn’t get groped.”
Let me just remind you again, you were the one who pressed my hand there!
“I gave up in the end—not because he has no potential, but because I found a better option…”
She pointed at Lin Yue.
“You.”
“Me?”
Lin Yue didn’t see what made him worth her attention.
“You can do everything, and you’re calm and rational—not the hot-blooded type like Allen. At this stage, I need a deputy who can restrain himself and quickly understand the situation.”
How did I end up your deputy…
“Take this. It can save your life against a high-level Mage—only once, so use it well~”
Lin Yue watched her mysterious act, opened the box, and found the contents inside extremely valuable.
The item in the box glowed with a blue light, making Lin Yue’s pupils sparkle.
Mapel really was willing to spend—she was giving out an item that was hard to get even in the game.
This was worth far more than any paltry coins.
“You… you’re really giving this to me? Are you sure…?”
A reward undeserved.
Lin Yue felt this woman might want to buy him as her slave.
“I’m generous to my own people. As a merchant, making an appropriate investment is perfectly normal.”
“If you really can’t accept it, then get ready to work for me for the rest of your life.”
Mapel winked playfully.
When it came to giving benefits, Lin Yue really couldn’t find any fault in her.
He’d wanted to curse her as a greedy capitalist, but she was simply too generous.
“A lifetime is too long—can’t I trade it for something else…?”
Looking at the hesitant Lin Yue, Mapel felt a sudden urge to tease him.
She suddenly stood up, grabbed his tie, and put on a domineering female-CEO look.
“Sure—you can be my boy toy, help me deal with some noble brats, and sometimes pay for items with your body. Then I’ll trade you for something else.”
“I’d rather just work for you forever.”
Lin Yue sighed, wondering how many more times she would tease him.
“Ha?”
Hearing his quick refusal—even as a joke—Mapel suddenly felt a bit irritated.
She was one of the world’s rare beauties, and not only did he reject her outright, he even turned down being kept?
Annoying!
“Oh, such a quick refusal. Mister Hawk must be very popular, huh? You don’t need me to keep you?”
If you could help me beat the game, I wouldn’t mind being a kept man, thought Lin Yue.
“Not really…”
“It’s just, I’m used to being free, just like you. I don’t want to depend on anyone.”
But when it came to hugging a big leg, that was a separate matter.
“Heh…”
Mapel looked at his fake-cool act, obviously not convinced.
“Mapel… I have a favor to ask.”
Suddenly, Lin Yue turned serious, his face a little cold, catching Mapel off guard.
“Oh? You want me to do something after taking my gift? What a good deal.”
A major event was about to happen.
He needed to set a backup route for the story.
“Didn’t you say we were equal partners? Isn’t it normal for me to make a request?”
“Go ahead. As long as it’s within my ability, this lady won’t even blink.”
“…”
He began to speak, and what he said made Mapel’s eyes widen.
“You, how can you be so sure…”
Lin Yue shook his head, signaling her not to dig deeper.
Mapel pondered, then sighed.
Thinking carefully, Avilina had been weak for a while now, and many forces already saw it as a thorn in their side.
The odds of something happening were quite high.
Anyway, maybe it was just his own imagination.
No harm in agreeing.
“Fine, but… I’ll handle it in the Nightingale’s name, so he probably won’t be so resistant.”
“Thanks.”
Lin Yue breathed a sigh of relief, not expecting her to agree.
Seeing Lin Yue’s relieved expression, Mapel couldn’t help but think he really was an endlessly interesting guy.
“You’re welcome~”.