Chapter 238: The Beast Tamer and the Shield Guard
On the bed, the sofa, the windowsill…
The study, the bathroom, the bathtub…
Every corner of the house was filled with the lingering scent of their lovemaking.
Lena, Lena, you can’t keep indulging like this!
You still have Diana’s wedding to prepare for, your little wives to rescue, how can you be so addicted to pleasure…?
After another day of revelry, Lena emerged from the bathroom, looking ten years older.
It was inevitable, she had experienced this before, after confessing her feelings to Mines.
Last time, it was Mines.
This time, it was Snow.
It seemed that among her harem, these two were the most insatiable, and Lena couldn’t handle their boundless energy.
“Who takes a dozen baths a day…?”
Lena, exhausted, went to her study, working on her paperwork.
She had neglected a lot of her duties, and although Phoenix had handled the most urgent matters, Lena still had a lot to catch up on.
She opened a file.
It was about [Origin Liberation].
Lena quickly scanned the document, nodding in approval.
“Quite efficient, send a copy to Diana and Hecate.”
Sharing intelligence was an important part of an alliance.
After all, the wedding’s security would be handled by the empire, with the Falmouths providing the arrangements.
Lena’s idea was to spread the news of Origin Liberation as quickly as possible.
If the non-humans did attack the Imperial City on that day, at least some of the soldiers would be prepared…
She moved on to the next file.
A black and white photo fell out.
The news of Red’s disappearance had spread like wildfire, and the protests had escalated into physical confrontations.
The empire seemed to be ignoring the matter, pretending it didn’t exist.
After all, they hadn’t expected Red’s disappearance to have such a huge negative impact. If they had known, they would have thrown Red under the bus from the beginning, instead of being caught in this awkward situation, like ants on a hot pan.
“Heh, cowardly sewer rats.”
Lena shook her head, crumpling the paper and tossing it into the trash.
But she kept the photo, Red’s figure clearly visible, his face blurred, yet his identity unmistakable.
It was clear that Lena was already aware of Red’s movements, and within a week, the Falmouths would uncover the whole truth.
It was just a matter of time…
Knock, knock—
“Come in.”
Snow entered.
Dressed in a maid uniform, her silver hair long and straight, her stocking-clad feet in high heels, she quickly walked over to Lena.
“W-what’s wrong?”
Before Lena could ask, Snow knelt down, slipping under the desk.
Her hands rested on Lena’s legs, like a baby bird waiting to be fed, her expression filled with anticipation.
“Wait, wait, wait! I don’t want to take another bath!”
“…I’ll catch it all.”
“Damn it!”
Lena cursed under her breath.
It had only been a few hours, couldn’t she get a break?!
“And what’s with the maid uniform, role-playing?”
“…Mm.”
Snow stared blankly, her silver hair swaying. “Miss?”
“Ugh!”
Lena clutched her heart in pain.
Snow’s appearance was too powerful, who could resist a silver-haired, expressionless beauty in a maid uniform?
“Come out first.”
Lena sighed, exasperated.
But Snow misunderstood, her hand reaching for Lena’s dress.
“I said come out!”
“Come out… oh.”
Snow blinked, she had thought Lena meant that kind of coming out…
But lately, she had been craving it, as if to make up for the lost time due to her own slowness, a series of vengeful demands and compensations.
“I’m sorry.”
Snow realized her mistake, next time she would be more direct.
Perseverance was her life’s motto, and Lena was the cornerstone of her beliefs.
It was said that an ice queen never fell in love easily, but when she did, it was for life, unwavering.
This was one of the reasons why ice queens were so popular.
“Is ‘I’m sorry’ all you have to say?”
Lena adopted a stern tone.
“You should say, ‘Miss, would you like some tea?’ and then serve it properly, do you understand?”
It was either hunger or lust all day, what was wrong with her!
Anyone would think the Falmouth mansion was a den of perverts.
After scolding Snow, Lena returned to her work, until sunset.
The black tea on the table was lukewarm, and Snow had accompanied Lena until she finished, night falling.
She took the teapot, pouring a cup for each of them.
The flower petals and red tea leaves created a fragrant aroma, and with Snow’s skillful brewing, the flavor was even more exquisite.
“Wonderful.”
Lena sipped her tea, watching Snow tidy the study, her meticulous movements exuding a wifely charm.
Having two good wives, life was beautiful, how could a single word describe it?
If only they weren’t so demanding in… other aspects.
Sigh…
“Are you free in a few days? I need you to pick up two people with me.”
Lena said, not looking up, signing the last document.
Snow stood by the window, the cold wind ruffling her silver hair, a beautiful sight.
“If you’re not free, I can go alone.”
Lena closed her pen.
After all, the hero and her teammates would meet eventually, there was no rush.
“I’m free.”
Snow agreed.
“Fine, I’ll take you with me then.”
Lena was looking forward to seeing Snow’s reaction when she met the other two, it would be quite a show.
…
Three days later, two slender girls entered the bustling Fran Black Market, their stunning beauty and curious expressions immediately attracting the attention of the market manager.
“Young ladies, this is not a place for you.”
A burly man with a scar on his face pointed in a certain direction, his voice cold. “The world is not safe lately, the black market is temporarily closed to outsiders.”
In other words, get lost.
“But someone asked us to come here.”
Nicole, carrying a large “pot” on her back, its unique shape unlike any shield, said.
Cheryl nodded. “Yes, if you send us away, what if we miss our appointment?”
They were both polite, their attitude a stark contrast to the usual rough crowd.
This made the scar-faced man, used to vulgarity and rudeness, feel uncomfortable. “Just leave, I don’t want to repeat myself.”
“Uncle, you’re so rude to girls, don’t you have any patience? No girl will ever like you.”
“I’m married!”
The man gritted his teeth, a vein throbbing on his forehead.
“Really?” Cheryl’s expression was skeptical.
“Fine, fine, you don’t believe me.”
The man, flustered, took out a pocket watch, revealing a family photo.
“Two sons and a daughter, all in school! See for yourself!”
“Wow, your sons are so handsome.”
Cheryl took the pocket watch, and Nicole also leaned in, the two of them showering the man with compliments.
“Your sons have such happy smiles.”
“Yes, a family photo is so wonderful…”
“Indeed, with such a reliable man like you, how could they not be happy?”
“It’s a pity Eileen isn’t here to see this…”
The man’s expression softened, but his tone was still gruff.
“Seen enough?! You two little brats, get out of here before you get into trouble, there’s no one here for you…”
With that, he straightened up, his glare scaring away the curious onlookers, then he led them towards the exit.
Who would have thought these two would not only be unfazed by his threats but also compliment him? How strange.
But he was quite pleased, after all, it was the first time he had been so appreciated.
“This is the exit, go home now.”
He escorted them to the gate.
At this moment, the man’s usual fierceness was gone, his expression relaxed.
He had thought Cheryl and Nicole were just two pampered rich girls who had stumbled into the black market, their appearance and demeanor quite deceiving.
And he actually quite liked these two girls, otherwise, he wouldn’t have helped them.
“Uncle, if you send us away, that gray-haired lady won’t be able to find us.”
Cheryl put her hands on her hips, twirling her hair.
“Gray hair?” The man was surprised.
“Yes, gray hair.” Nicole put down her round shield, the ground sinking slightly under its weight. “We were invited by an old acquaintance, we just arrived in the Imperial City today.”
“An old acquaintance…”
The man frowned.
Were they not pampered rich girls?
Were they really here to find someone?
“Ahem!” Cheryl cleared her throat, taking out a mithril chain, her expression proud. “Let me reintroduce myself, I’m Cheryl Sommerfeld, a rank six Beast Tamer, this is my adventurer’s plaque.”
“Nicole Edith, a rank seven Shield Guard, ah, my adventurer’s plaque is in…”
Nicole crouched down, fumbling inside her shield, then her face fell. “I think Sasha ate it.”
“Rank six… rank seven… monsters…”
At this moment, the man was completely stunned.
He had thought he was the tiger, but he had been played by these two young girls.
“Uncle?”
Cheryl waved her hand, and seeing the man’s dazed expression, she poked his stubbled cheek.
“Uncle, are you okay?”
Nicole also asked with concern.
“N-no problem!” The man shook his head, his heart pounding, cursing his own blindness, how could he have dared to drive away a rank seven expert?
How could he appease them now…?
“Ahem, you two ladies have come from afar to find someone, but the black market is temporarily closed, you see…?”
The man’s tone was cautious, his posture subservient.
This was the art of opportunism, as the manager of the Fran Black Market, he had his own ways of dealing with people.
“Hey, Uncle, you’re acting so disgusting.”
Cheryl shrugged, her interest gone.
And hearing the man’s fawning laughter, Nicole also put on her shield, whistling loudly.
In an instant, the ground shook.
Sand and dust fell from the walls.
The man barely managed to stay on his feet, then he saw a giant creature before him.
“A… a bear!”
“Wrong! It’s a Stromness Great Moon Bear!”
Cheryl, riding on the bear’s back, chuckled. “Uncle, want to try riding it? Only one chance!”
A King-level Great Moon Bear, wielding the power of the moon and stars, the undisputed king of beasts.
And this person could actually tame such a ferocious beast, even keeping it as a pet?
“Sasha, say hello, how rude.”
Under the man’s horrified gaze, Cheryl slapped the Great Moon Bear’s face.
The bear let out a soft cry, its large paw covering its nose, its black pearl-like eyes filled with grievance.
Cheryl’s eyebrows furrowed. “I barely touched you, why are you looking at me like that! You rude child!”
“Roar—!”
The bear’s roar shook the heavens.
Sasha reluctantly moved its massive body, approaching the man, opening its mouth and licking him with its rough, barbed tongue.
His clothes were instantly torn to shreds.
Although Sasha had retracted its barbs, the force of a King-level monster’s lick was too much for a human to withstand, sending him flying several meters, a layer of skin scraped off.
It wasn’t Sasha’s fault, its size was simply too big, and it was just following orders.
Cheryl, realizing her mistake, exclaimed, “Waaah, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I forgot!”
She jumped off the bear’s back, helping the bloody man up, Nicole also rushing over, using her alchemy potions to heal him.
“Thank goodness for Eileen’s potions, you almost lost your face! I’m so sorry!!”
Cheryl, flustered, bowed repeatedly.
The man waved his hand, his wounds healing under the effect of the potions. “This is the first time I’ve been licked into submission by a bear… haha… cough!”
“Cheryl is sometimes a bit reckless,” Nicole explained. “Sasha is her childhood companion, they often get into trouble.”
“I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry…”
Cheryl continued to apologize, her long, curly hair flying.
Sasha sat on the ground, rubbing its face, yawning lazily.
What had started as a playful prank had almost resulted in a death, something no one had expected.
Cheryl was almost traumatized.
“It’s fine, just a small scratch.”
“Really?”
“Of course!”
The man puffed out his chest, revealing a set of bright white teeth. “You’re looking for someone, right? Uncle will help you find them!”
After the thrilling experience, they had become closer.
This was a case of “no discord, no concord.”
“Oh, by the way, I’m Hollis, you can just call me Uncle.”
“Uncle Hollis,” Nicole said first.
“Yes.” Hollis beamed. “Follow me, this isn’t a place to talk.”
“Mm-hmm.”
Cheryl grabbed a tuft of Sasha’s fur, whispering a few words.
A flash of light, and the thousand-ton Great Moon Bear disappeared.
Hollis was stunned again, muttering, “I’ve seen a ghost, I’ve seen a ghost all day…”
“Let’s go, Uncle Hollis.”
