Chapter 31: Incoming Letter

"Whatever Miss Daphne is thinking, it's not just me who knows—even the dogs at Little Tom's house know. Don't tell me you don't understand."

David teased with a mischievous grin.

"Don't go making jokes about noble lords."

Rod had little interest in a little girl like Daphne; if anything, her older sister Isabella better suited his tastes.

Speaking of the Agil family.

The always outspoken Snow Hill Evening News once mentioned that the Agil family, which had originally declared neutrality among the kingdom's many factions, was now subtly showing signs of picking a side.

And the faction they favored was precisely the Third Prince's branch, which opposed the Yige Sect.

It would not be an exaggeration to say they were on the very front line of the charge.

As everyone knows, the casualties on the front line of the charge are always the heaviest.

Add to that the fact that the eighth-rank City Lord who fled back from Dusk City was actually a member of the Agil family.

The King dispatching a Yige Sect cardinal to the front to direct operations—it would not be wrong to call that adding fuel to the fire.

"Bad news?"

"What a coincidence, the bad news is also in the envelope. Hey, Mary~"

David greeted a brothel girl of about forty on the street as he spoke:

"You know what, Rod, I regret not listening to Old Bob's advice sooner. Sure enough, it's the older sisters who know how to treat a man right."

". Get to the point."

"Remember those two outsiders who got into a brawl at the tavern half a month ago? The two goblin brothers—from the Ruins Brotherhood. Well, the Ruins Brotherhood has now sent over a threatening letter. They demand the release of those two prisoners, along with fifty women and five thousand Jin Along as compensation, or else they'll level Shi Ying Town and Wind Wall Forest."

"Quite the big talk."

Rod wasn't worried about this.

The Ruins Brotherhood was challenging the authority of Shi Ying Town. As the territory of the Agil family, known for its iron-fisted rule, Shi Ying Town was very adept at handling such matters.

"A bunch of small-time thugs—when they talk, they always like to use bluster to intimidate."

The two chatted briefly for a few lines.

They soon parted ways.

When Rod returned to the ranger's cabin, he found Miss Xiao Ke already waiting with Little Little Bangde.

"Rod!"

Little Little Bangde spotted Rod in the distance at a glance.

She ran over quickly and leaped up to hang around his neck.

The horse girl was currently wearing a top identical to Miss Xiao Ke's, but for bottoms she only had a cloth wrapped into a skirt.

Perhaps because half-deer folk don't have lower-body clothing.

Her hair had been cut into a short crop, making her look like a little boy.

Honestly, Little Little Bangde's current appearance made him feel rather unaccustomed.

He froze for a moment before hugging the little horse girl.

Tally leaned against the doorway, her face sour with jealousy.

She had already learned from Miss Xiao Ke that this little girl was the big horse from the stable.

But she didn't care—this little runt posed no threat to her, at least not for the next few years.

After the Vivian incident, the sharp-witted succubus had already sensed something was off.

If even a desireless dryad could fall, how could a half-deer girl who acts like she dislikes him be any different?

Hmph!

From now on, those two are not allowed in my house!

Miss Xiao Ke hurried over and took Little Little Bangde away.

"No, Little Bangde, you can't get that close to a man."

"But he's Rod!"

"That's exactly why it's not allowed. Miss Xiao Ke taught you this—humans are all"

"PERR—VERTS!"

"That's right! Good job!"

Rod: "."

"Don't go teaching her nonsense."

He took out the clothes from the bundle and held them up in front of the horse girl.

Little Little Bangde's eyes lit up at the sight, and she hugged them, unwilling to let go.

"Go inside and change—let Sister Tally take you."

Tally was unwilling to look after children, but since it was her master's order, she could only comply.

Once the cabin's wooden door closed.

"Human."

The half-deer girl's little face was stern: "You should know she can't live in your nightly debauchery with the succubus. She's a child."

On this point, Rod had to admit she was right.

A succubus's three meals a day can't be skipped—every time, Tally's activities are both wild and loud.

God knows what kind of effect that would have on the little horse girl.

"Any suggestions?"

"Actually, you could let Little Little Bangde stay at my place. I like that child."

A gentle maternal glow appeared on Miss Xiao Ke's face, but when she saw Rod's smile, it immediately turned to disdain.

"What are you laughing at? I'm not doing this for you; I'm doing it for that child, and you need to cover her food costs. That child eats too much."

Clearly, Miss Xiao Ke was not the type to hoard human currency.

"That works, but I must train her daily. Little Little Bangde is a gifted child."

Miss Xiao Ke had no objection to this.

Moments later.

Little Little Bangde emerged wearing a new set of clothes.

Overwhelmed with maternal love, Miss Xiao Ke immediately rushed over, circling her and praising her endlessly.

"You're in trouble now; children are a huge hassle."

Tally, now appearing as a dignified beauty, leaned close to Rod's ear and said, "But it doesn't matter. During mealtime, I will temporarily pull her into the shadows."

Afterwards, the group arrived at a clearing in the forest.

After testing, with Little Little Bangde wielding the 【Scythe-Claw Shortbow】, the power of a standard spiritual arrow was around the mid-tier of the Fourth Rank.

Not particularly strong, but it made up for it in range.

With the absurd buffs of 【Eagle Eye】 and 【Extreme Long Range】, the arrow, starting from the Bai Yu zone, accurately hit a target in the Eucalyptus zone.

It meant that while she was in the forest, she could provide ranged support to Rod in Shi Ying Town.

Rod could only say that it was no surprise for a child with half-centaur bloodline.

He silently imagined.

How strong a combat squad composed of him as a tank, the assassin Tally, and the archer Little Little Bangde would be.

If speaking of a complete setup, they were still missing a mage and a healer.

Adding a control-focused character wouldn't be bad either.

The only thing that was bothersome was.

Perhaps due to 【Cowardice】, Little Little Bangde did not like using spiritual power and was unwilling to harm small animals as targets.

Night fell.

Rod leaned against the bed, with a sweaty Tally lying on his chest.

Only then did he free his hands and feet to read Daphne's letter.

【To the Not-So-Respected Rod:

Long time no see, Ranger Mr. Rod who keeps a succubus.

Are you dead? I assume not.

Given your disgusting behavior of keeping a succubus, I specifically used 'Not-So-Respected' in the salutation.

I am currently writing this letter while sitting on a hospital bed, and I have no desire to see you. Moreover, writing this letter is not my choice; it is something the Argyle family must do for their savior.

Ah! The Mage Academy in Windstorm City is so stifling; the air doesn't circulate at all. I really miss the Windwall Forest.

Perhaps it is because I have grown up? Time passes so quickly.

I clearly remember seeing you just five days ago, yet my sister tells me nearly two months have passed.

But I do not miss you at all.

Recently, mages have been walking in front of me every day with sour faces; it's so annoying.

They say I am sick, but I don't feel anything uncomfortable.

However, the only good thing here is that I don't have to study boring etiquette and cultural classes. It would be even better if I didn't have to drink those colorful Se De Mo Fa potions. It would be even, even better if I could return to Shi Ying Town for treatment. Why doesn't my sister just move the Mage Academy over there?

Just now, Mother cried secretly outside the room. I have never seen her cry before.

Perhaps I really are beyond saving.

I'm sleepy, I won't write anymore.

Sorry for lying to you, Rod.

Actually, I do miss you.

— Daphne, who is about to die.

】

(End of Chapter)