Chapter 336: Surge in Outsiders

Powerful curses are extremely troublesome.

Moreover, the requirement for a saving throw is very high; once infected, it clings like a bone-rotting ulcer, greatly reducing combat effectiveness.

After identifying the 【Curse Thorn】, Rod once impulsively tested the effect of its curse.

He didn't expect it to be truly unsaveable; fortunately, it could be dispelled, otherwise it would have really caused a disaster.

He activated the 【Emerald Energy Shield】 and tried the curse again.

It saved.

Rod rubbed his chin.

Hmm.

This spell's curse resistance isn't necessarily strong, but it did indeed weaken the curse's power, just enough for his constitution to save against it.

The protective effect of the 【Dragon Scale Spell】 is rather single-purpose; it would be good if it could add resistance to negative effects.

Rod shook his head, not indulging in unrealistic fantasies.

He didn't spend much time learning the new spell.

He had Tally transform into the appearance of the Fungal Warrior Gorgon on the side.

Carrying the 【Grass Frog's Tongue】, he simultaneously performed physical training while constructing the form of his Psionic War Soul.

The succubus was unwilling to turn into this ugly form, but unfortunately, she had to obey her master's orders.

Not far from the training ground, the drow spider Watching Yuna, who had appeared at some unknown time, was holding a clean towel for wiping sweat and a waterskin, waiting for her master's needs.

Rod had naturally discovered her long ago.

This enslaved girl was more willing than any other girl; since she could walk, she had been by Rod's side without leaving his side for a single step.

There was no need to mention the varied breakfasts, lunches, and dinners, or cleaning the bed that was made a complete mess every morning; even when he went to the toilet, she stood at the door waiting.

Rod didn't say he was unaccustomed to life with a girl following him.

After all, Tally was by his side at all times; sometimes when Rod didn't want to hold on while using the toilet, it was her who reached out from the shadows to help.

However, he still preferred that the girls had their own things they liked to do.

While sweating and exercising, he said:

"Watching Yuna, you can find some things you are interested in and try them."

"Watching Yuna's whole self belongs to the master; she needs no interests."

Watching Yuna said respectfully.

The key was that she was smiling with a face full of happiness, her eyes looking at Rod filled with gratitude and admiration.

This blocked the words Rod had been about to say next.

"Sister Watching Yuna is doing very well, Master, just leave her alone~~ And doesn serving you count as an interest? My interest is the master's body~~"

The succubus, transformed into Gorgon, spoke up for her.

Tally never spoke up for any girl.

Ever since learning that Watching Yuna had taken over the tasks of cooking and cleaning the room for her, allowing her more time to slack off, her evaluation of Watching Yuna had plummeted upward.

Furthermore, drow spiders have no reproductive system; how could she compete with her for the master?

"As Miss Tally said, Watching Yuna's interest is staying by the master's side."

Watching Yuna was wearing Rod's shirt.

The shirt had been recut to become decent and form-fitting.

Her still-weak body could be clearly seen, but the beauty bestowed upon her by the dark elves added a sickly aesthetic to it.

Rod was just about to ask her if she had eaten enough recently.

At this moment, a girl wearing leather armor walked out of the forest.

The girl had a neutral style, a delicate face, light red skin, and demon horns and a tail.

Tiefling Cecile.

The Tiefling girl stared for a moment at Tally's transformed Gorgon, then glanced at the drow spider not far away, and finally smiled and nodded at Rod.

The smile was a little forced.

【Jealousy +13】

"Good morning, Cecile."

"Good morning, Mr. Rod, practicing spells again today?"

"It's already finished; it was simpler than imagined."

"After all, it's Mr. Rod!"

"As for you, I haven't seen you training much recently; won't the lessons your teacher assigned you fall behind?"

That guy Falshard is really something.

He left behind an apprentice, got entangled in a romantic relationship with another female disciple of the same gender, and hasn't returned to this day.

Cecile's talent as a Psionic Warrior is indeed good; Rod, having seen her often, also felt a pity for her talent.

"Recently, the influx of outsiders in Shi Ying Town has increased greatly; the Adventurer's Guild has more matters than imagined."

The Tiefling girl gave a bitter smile.

Rod nodded.

Having matters to deal with isn't bad; handling such things will gain rare experience.

Although he didn't want Cecile's cultivation of spiritual accumulation to fall behind due to her being busy with this, he wouldn't specifically lecture her, and he had just reminded her.

At this time, choosing to believe is enough.

"Has anything interesting happened?"

He asked with a smile.

"Nothing interesting, but plenty of annoying matters."

Sesshia relaxed a little. She unconsciously stepped two steps closer to Rod, her mouth speaking of troubles while her brows smoothed out.

Presumably hoping to chat a little more with someone.

"There's an evil aura lingering on Olei, Old Frazer's daughter at the ore processing plant; the local workers on the Shi Ying Town expansion and relay station relocation have gone on strike; rumors of beast-sickness are spreading among the farmers in the farm district; and... and the haunting at Henry Farm, and so on."

"No."

Rod was amused. "The haunting rumors at Henry Farm were already going around a few months ago. I remember after I bought it, they stopped spreading, right?"

"... Recently there are a lot of outsiders, so the locals always love to rack their brains digging up old, unknown rumors to boost their own standing."

Sesshia laughed along too.

Unable to help herself, she stepped a few steps closer to the man again. "Don't worry, Mr. Rod, I'll do my best to debunk the rumors for you!"

"Then I'm counting on you."

Rod patted her head.

The girl squirmed, a sweet smile on her face.

They didn't chat much more.

The tiefling girl soon left.

The drider Watching Yuna came over and stood behind Rod, watching the girl's departing back together with him.

"Master, would you like Watching Yuna to tie her to the bed?"

"... What?"

Rod thought he had misheard.

But Watching Yuna's face was perfectly calm, not at all like she was joking.

"Watching Yuna, the girls who live in the forest all have some connection with me. When it comes to taking that step with a girl I have a connection with, one should be Yao Shen Zhong about it."

"Understood. Girls outside the forest don't require Yao Shen Zhong."

"Er... can't exactly say that's wrong."

After lunch.

Rod returned to the cabin, planning to take a leisurely nap.

Lately, Claw Valley Mountain had plenty of hands, and with the witch Demia's comeback, his own active involvement was no longer really needed.

After all, Demia's spell range was large enough, and her efficiency was much greater than his chopping them down one by one.

Tally climbed onto the bed, obediently leaning against the side, her fair, tender fingers drawing circles on his chest.

"Master~ can I have a snack~~"

"No. Be a good bolster for me."

"Okay..."

Rod pulled the soft body into his embrace, burying his cheek in her neck, breathing in the sweet scent.

His body and mind gradually relaxed, his consciousness sinking downward.

Tally giggled, kissing his forehead.

She gently patted his back, as if soothing a child to sleep.

"Maybe I'd unexpectedly make a good mom."

But unfortunately—

Leisurely time always passes especially fast.

Rod, who had been buried against Tally's chest, suddenly opened his eyes.

Demia used 【Far Voice Chain】 to send a message—someone at Claw Valley Mountain was looking for him.

(End of chapter)