Chapter 155: Research and Gift-Giving

Shi Ying Town, Town Hall.

The witch Demia's office.

She let out a sigh.

"Honestly, Mr. Rod, if there's nothing going on you could at least let me know — we even sent people to search last night!"

"My bad."

Rod sat down on the sofa.

Apologizing while savoring the memory of last night.

The wilds weren't exactly convenient, but the thrill it brought was truly extraordinary.

Around midnight.

They ran into a patrol of soldiers Demia had brought along.

Eve and Tally were both the type to moan loud and lewd, and under that double wall of sound they nearly got discovered.

Fortunately Rod had noticed early on.

One slung over his shoulder, the other prodded along with his gun — he ran several kilometers before finding a secluded spot to continue.

He'd originally planned to head back early this morning.

But then Rod caught sight of Eve and Tally's alluring sleeping poses.

In the end he still woke the two of them with a pat, and they had a double morning bite.

Which delayed him a bit.

"So even Mr. Rod couldn't catch that assassin?"

"She had a large number of magic rings on her — nothing I could do."

Rod shrugged.

Naga Eve had her own hiding place, and after the good-morning bite she left.

To reward her efforts.

Rod specially channeled one 【Growth Spirituality】 into her.

【Eve has acquired skill: Ley Line Resonance】

【Details: Growth Spirituality activated a primordial spirituality technique Eve had yet to master. Eve establishes a connection with the earth, triggering tremors or upwellings in the surrounding ground, dealing damage to enemies and potentially knocking them down or trapping them.】

Although the skill wasn't exactly powerful.

Eve was thrilled about it.

She said it was a spirituality technique she'd been unable to master despite long training.

Her obedience rose by two points as a result, reaching 49 — just one point shy of sharing a skill.

In any case she still held a grudge against that traitorous priestess, so she likely wouldn't be leaving Shi Ying Town anytime soon; there'd be plenty of chances to approach her.

Rod wasn't in any rush, either.

"What about that good-for-nothing — what's his situation now?" he asked.

He had already shared the intel Tally had gathered.

"He's a man of the Agle family, Mr. Rod."

The witch said helplessly, "Mr. Fried himself wasn't much startled — early this morning he was already wandering about the town, chatting away with Sheriff Captain David quite a bit; calling them sworn brothers wouldn't be an exaggeration."

"What's your take?"

"Just as Mr. Humbert said, this is the Agle family's Shi Ying Town, not the property of any one individual. We've already secretly dispatched people to Stormwind City — we just don't know if they can spare the manpower on that end."

"In short, I suggest you keep a close eye on this noble heir — something feels off to me."

"I know today is Sharon's treatment day, so I'll have to trouble Mr. Rod to come help again."

Back to the forest.

Rod arrived at the zombie Selina's little cabin.

He'd previously given her one of the rarely used ranger cabins — it was remote enough to satisfy her need to immerse herself in spell experiments.

The research notes on the Overload Ring had already been handed to her.

These past few days she'd been charging ahead at full steam.

In truth Selina specialized in cosmic life-form research.

But everyone who knows anything about that stuff knows — it's dangerous.

At the present stage she was forbidden from conducting related research experiments.

"A potion that exempts one from the state after heavy intake of 【Charm Bodily Fluid】?"

Selina's face was blank.

The land-dwelling Naga Eve was rather pitiful — word was that since that three-hour outdoor labyrinth session last time, she'd been abstaining the whole way until now, unable to even take care of it herself.

Last night's frenzy.

With the Nu Yi Zhou in place, staying faithful wasn't an issue, but he couldn't just leave her unable to handle it on her own.

"Do you have a sample of that young lady's bodily fluid?"

"No, but I can bring one over later."

"Actually it's not that important — your own sample, Master, is the more important one."

"Would sweat or saliva do?"

Selina shook her head and took out a glass test tube from beside her.

"Whatever was originally ingested, provide me a sample of the same."

Hearing that, Rod took half a step back.

Guarding his chest.

"Until you've adjusted your body, I'm not interested in you, Selina."

Half a ruined face, a body skeletal and devoid of any beauty.

Sorry, even if you have designs on me, I won't lay a hand on you.

When all's said and done, a bro is still a creature driven by perception.

Enslaving you back can be said to be purely a matter of coming to work; don't harbor any improper thoughts toward me.

Crack—

Selina, expressionless, crushed the glass test tube in her hand.

"What I mean is, please have that succubus Young Lady help with the microscopic-level body molecules—it's far more complex and active than you imagine. Please stay away from my laboratory while carrying out that juice-squeezing behavior."

Uh.

Rod could sense she was a little angry.

Leaving the small experiment hut.

Arriving at the Willow District.

As expected, he found the elf Lady Kali adjusting the modified willow there.

The tree spirit Vivian was also beside her; she had cast the spiritual art 【Spring of Life】.

Then Lady Kali used her Tu Mu Fa to shape an exquisite rock fountain.

In this way, as long as the spiritual art was cast periodically, the spring water would never cease.

He'd heard Lady Kali's modded willow needed water badly; this must be why she'd called Vivian over to help.

Seeing Rod walk over.

The elf merely cast a cold glance.

The tree spirit, meanwhile, kept a blank expression but walked toward him.

Then she flopped softly into his arms, rose on tiptoe, and kissed his cheek.

Sweet and soft.

Look at that.

This is the three-no girl I wanted.

Not a zombie girl with half her face rotted away, who looks calm but is actually hot-tempered.

Rod took the chance to warn Vivian never to leave the forest alone—there were bad guys lately who kidnapped tree spirits.

"Isn't there one right here?"

Lady Kali said coldly.

"You watch out too. A noble descendant has come to town. You know what these people are like—greedy and lecherous. Your looks are far too eye-catching; don't let them set their sights on you."

"Trying to win over an elf by flattering her appearance? You're quite the character."

"I'm not trying to win you over."

Rod gave a wry smile and handed her the unicorn stone sculpture he'd picked out the day before yesterday.

Lady Kali froze for a moment.

She took the sculpture and examined it closely under the sun.

"Terrible foundation and clumsy technique. In Emerald Court, even a seventy-year-old child could carve better than this."

"A seventy-year-old child. Sure, why not."

That stall owner was just a middle-aged woman in her fifties, that's all.

"Human, with your shallow knowledge, I wager you don't even know what giving an elf a unicorn carving means."

Her expression soured.

She turned the stone carving in her hand, and it refracted a dazzling prismatic light under the sun.

This time it was Rod's turn to be stunned.

The meaning of giving a unicorn carving?

That he really didn't know.

He said with a laugh:

"It can't be a proposal, right?"

"Not bad."

"Uh"

Rod was speechless. "How about I get you a different one?"

"So humans do have a habit of taking back gifts they've given. How very you."

"Then?"

"Ignorance is no crime. Since you didn't know the meaning behind it, it doesn't count. I'll just accept it."

The atmosphere might have been a touch ambiguous.

But whether it was intentional, he couldn't tell.

In the distance, the zombie Selina happened to appear.

She shouted: "Master, where's your essence? Aren't we supposed to do the experiment on being unable to defend ourselves after a massive injection of 【Charm Fluid】?!"

"."

(End of chapter)