Chapter 31: The Letter

“What Daphne’s thinking? Even Tom’s dog knows—don’t tell me you’re clueless.”

David smirked teasingly.

“Don’t joke around so lightly with noble lords.”

Luo De had little interest in little Daphne; if anything, her sister Isabella better matched his taste.

Speaking of the Argyle family.

The Snow Hill Evening Post, known for its bluntness, noted that the Argyle family, once neutral amid the kingdom’s factional chaos, now showed signs of aligning with one side.

And the faction they favored was none other than the third prince’s group, which opposed the Igo Church.

One could even say they stood at the very front line of resistance.

As everyone knows, those on the front line always suffer the heaviest casualties.

Added to that, the eighth-rank city lord who returned from Dusk City was, in fact, from the Argyle family.

The king sent an Igo Church cardinal to the front to direct operations—calling it adding fuel to the fire would be an understatement.

“What’s the bad news?”

“Funny enough, the bad news is another letter. Hey, Mary~”

David greeted a forty-year-old prostitute on the street as he spoke:

“You know, Luo De, I regret not listening to old Bob’s advice—turns out older women really know how to take care of a man.”

“Stick to the point.”

“Remember those two outsiders who fought in the tavern half a month ago? The goblin brothers—from the Ruin Brotherhood. Now they’ve sent a threatening letter demanding the release of the two prisoners, plus fifty women and five thousand Jin Along as compensation, or they’ll level Shiying Town and the Windwall Forest.”

“Bold words.”

Luo De wasn’t worried about it.

The Ruin Brotherhood was challenging Shiying Town’s authority—and as the territory of the powerful Argyle family, Shiying Town excelled at handling such threats.

“Just a gang of street brats—they always talk tough to intimidate.”

The two exchanged a few brief words.

Soon they parted ways.

When Luo De returned to the forest guard cabin, he found Xiao Ke waiting with Bond.

“Luo De!”

Bond spotted him from afar.

She sprinted over and leapt onto his neck.

At this moment, the mare-woman wore the same top as Xiao Ke, but below she had only a cloth skirt wrapped around her waist.

Perhaps because half-pegasi lack lower-body clothing.

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

To be honest, Bond’s new appearance made him feel uneasy.

He paused a moment before hugging the small mare-woman.

Tally leaned against the doorway, looking sour.

She had learned from Xiao Ke that this little girl was the big mare from the stable.

But she didn’t care—this tiny thing posed no threat to her, at least not for the next few years.

After the Vivian incident, the clever succubus had sensed something off.

Even a tree spirit with no desire had fallen—how could a half-pegasi who outwardly disliked him be any different?

Hmph!

From now on, neither of you two are allowed in my house!

Xiao Ke hurried over and picked Bond up.

“No, Bond, you can’t get so close to men.”

“But he’s Luo De!”

“Precisely because he’s Luo De—you know what Xiao Ke told you, humans are”

“BIG PERVERTS!”

“That’s right! Good job!”

Luo De: “...”

“Don’t teach her nonsense.”

He pulled out the clothes from the package and held them up for the mare-woman.

Bond’s eyes lit up at once; she clutched them tightly, unwilling to let go.

“Go change in the room—let Tally help you.”

Tally had no interest in caring for children, but as her master’s order, she had no choice but to comply.

Once the wooden door of the cabin closed.

“Human.”

The half-pegasi’s face turned serious: “You should know—she can’t live amid your nightly debauchery with the succubus. She’s a child.”

Luo De had to admit she was right.

The succubus couldn’t go three meals without her rituals—each time Tally made her noise, it was loud and lewd.

Who knew what effect that might have on a little mare-woman.

“What’s your suggestion?”

“Actually, Bond could stay with me—I like the child.”

Xiao Ke’s face softened with maternal warmth, but when she saw Luo De’s smile, she instantly grew disgusted.

“What are you grinning at? I’m not doing this for you—I’m doing it for the child. And you’ll pay for her food—she eats too much.”

Clearly, Xiao Ke wasn’t the type to hoard human gold.

“Fine. But I need her to train daily—Bond is a gifted child.”

Xiao Ke had no objection to this.

Moments later.

Bond emerged wearing her new clothes.

Xiao Ke, brimming with maternal affection, rushed over and praised her endlessly.

“You’re in trouble—kids are a huge hassle.”

Tally, now transformed into a dignified beauty, leaned close to Luo De’s ear: “But it’s fine—I’ll temporarily pull her into the shadows during meals.”

Then the group headed to the forest clearing.

After testing, Bond, wielding the [Scythe Claw Shortbow], fired ordinary spiritual arrows with power equivalent to mid-fourth-rank.

Not strong, but excellent in range.

With the absurd bonuses of [Eagle Eye] and [Extreme Range], her arrows struck targets in the Eucalyptus Zone from the Baiyu District.

In effect, she could provide long-range support to Luo De even while stationed in the forest.

Luo De could only say—no surprise, a child with half-horse blood.

He imagined silently.

How powerful a combat team would be: himself as the tank, Tally as the assassin, and Bond as the archer.

To complete the setup, they’d still need a mage and a healer.

Adding a control-focused character wouldn’t hurt either.

The only troubling thing was.

Perhaps due to [Timidity], Bond disliked using spiritual energy and refused to harm small animals as targets.

Night fell.

Luo De lay on his bed, Tally, drenched in sweat, resting on his chest.

Only now did he have the chance to read Daphne’s letter.

[Not-So-Respectful Luo De:

Long time no see, Luo De, the forest guard who keeps a succubus.

Are you dead? I suppose not.

Given your repulsive habit of keeping a succubus, I’ve deliberately used “Not-So-Respectful” in addressing you.

I’m writing this letter from my sickbed—I have no desire to see you. And I didn’t write this willingly; it’s an obligation the Argyle family owes to their savior.

Ah! The mage academy in Windstorm City is so stifling—the air doesn’t circulate at all. I miss the Windwall Forest.

Is it because I’ve grown up? Time flies so fast.

I clearly remember seeing you just five days ago, but my sister says nearly two months have passed.

But I don’t miss you at all.

Every day, mages walk past me, scowling—so annoying.

They say I’m ill, but I don’t feel unwell.

The only upside here is I don’t have to learn boring etiquette or cultural lessons. If only I didn’t have to drink those colorful magic potions—better yet, if I could return to Shiying Town for treatment. Why doesn’t my sister just move the mage academy there?

Just now, my mother cried outside my room—I’ve never seen her cry before.

Maybe I really am beyond saving.

I’m sleepy. I’ll stop writing.

Sorry for lying to you, Luo De.]

I actually missed you.

——Daphne, who is about to die.

]

(End of Chapter)