Chapter 376: Dragon-Slaying Assistance

Old fellow meets old fellow? Time to screw you over?

【Luo De: Seriously?】

【Kali Site: Coral Bay remains a threat to us. Those two Chromatic Dragons are terrifying in direct combat. This man has prior experience slaying dragons—he's useful. Use your enslavement spell to control him.】

【Luo De: Experience slaying dragons? That's certainly useful. Wait, didn't I tell you? My enslavement spell only works on females.】

【Kali Site:?】

A question mark was flung his way—its meaning layered. Luo De was certain part of it was contempt for his character.

Forget it.

The world's misunderstandings are nothing new. I, Luo De, am a man of dignity. I don't care about gossip.

Kali Site 's gaze flickered over.

Cold. Slightly hurtful.

Back to business.

To be honest, Bernhard gave a lot.

Luo De skimmed it quickly: one million Jin Along was definitely there, plus a pile of elf-developed grain seeds.

At least in his mind, it was more than enough to earn his help in freeing this male elf from Bicuiting 's control.

And taking direct control of Ashli, the third elder's daughter, proved his sincerity.

"I understand your request. But there's one more condition."

"I thought I'd already given enough."

Bernhard frowned.

"Enough? But this concerns the survival of the forest and Shiying Town. You know the dark elves and dragons of Coral Bay are watching."

"If it's about that, no problem. I'm willing to assist."

He visibly relaxed.

Can't be helped—being too handsome is a crime.

Humans have bizarre sexual preferences and are the race with the most inter-species marriages on the continent.

This forest warden is clearly a lecher. He's had girls from every race in the forest. Who knows? He might get a sudden craving to collect them all.

If it's just a fight now, it's simpler—just sweat. No sticky sweat clinging to you.

"Good. Tally, bring a contract."

Since they hadn't met often and weren't familiar, Luo De instinctively wanted a contract.

Bernhard didn't mind.

The soul contract's terms were normal—a standard trade agreement, unlike the previous unequal treaty.

Signed quickly.

"What do you plan to do with this?"

Luo De pointed at the unconscious Ashli, the third elder's daughter.

Bernhard gestured south—to the Kuo Plains, overrun with beast-plague victims.

Clearly, he intended to eliminate her.

"This is why we had to hide our presence from the start. No one can know we came to the forest."

"Then why not give her to me?"

Kali Site warned: "If someone recognizes her face and reports it to Bicuiting, do you know what will happen?"

"Fine, fine, Bernhard. Do as you wish. Cleanly."

Bernhard noticed how this cold, detached prodigy from Bicuiting had gently warned Luo De—and how the dominant forest warden accepted it without hesitation.

It was almost like an old married couple supporting each other.

He couldn't help but smile faintly:

"Before we arrived, Ashli tried to capture Kali Site and bring back the forest's secrets to Bicuiting. She thought money alone could buy Luo De's loyalty. Looking back, she was wildly wrong."

Luo De chuckled too:

"She overthought it. No one's taking her from me."

He glanced at the elf beside him—and froze at her expression.

Kali Site was rigid, gritting her teeth, forcing her usual sneering face—but the flush on her skin betrayed her.

Heat climbed from her neck, spreading over her flawless face and long elf ears, a cute contrast of innocent blush and proud defiance.

She swallowed, her pale throat turning pink, letting out a muffled hum.

"Hmph."

Bernhard sensed the tension. He had no interest in romance—his own or anyone else's.

"I'll take my leave. Handling the body will take time."

He grabbed Ashli, activated invisibility, and flew off without looking back.

Luo De watched him go, then turned to Kali Site.

They stared silently at each other, something tangled between their gazes.

Then a small head peeked into their vision from the lower right.

Tally pouted: "What are you two whispering about? Master is mine! No elves allowed at the party!"

Kali Site snapped back to reality and quickly looked away.

She feigned coldness, but her thoughts were a chaotic mess.

The tree spirit Vivian walked over, blinking her glowing white eyes, gently taking her hand:

"Luo De, very nice. Together."

Being stared at so innocently by the tree spirit, Kali Site felt inexplicably guilty—and strangely stirred by old memories and sensations.

Tingling.

"Vivian! Don't invite her! You'll split the food!"

"Girls shouldn't say things like that, Vivian." Kali Site ignored the screaming succubus, tucking the girl's greenish-blonde bangs behind her ear.

Then she shot Luo De a furious glare:

"What have you been teaching Vivian?!"

Luo De sighed: "I didn't teach her that. The 【Mark】 still affects her even when controlled—it seems to have healed her tree spirit's innate emotional deficit. At least the lust part."

Vivian turned to him, expressionless: "Vivian, not lusty."

"Of course, of course. Vivian isn't lusty at all. It's just because I wanted it that you cooperated."

"Yes."

Luo De laughed at her serious face, pulling her into his arms.

Vivian nestled obediently against his chest, pressing her belly, torso, and even her legs tightly between his.

Her smooth cheek rubbed against him, as if trying to erase every inch of air between them, to fuse completely.

"I want a hug too!"

Tally pouted, lunging forward—only to have Luo De pin her head with one hand, keeping her at a distance.

"Yaaah—!"

The succubus strained forward, but couldn't budge his broad palm.

Behind them, Yuna watched silently, swallowing hard, her palms going numb.

I want to hug Master too.

When Luo De looked up again, Kali Site was gone.

He didn't care. Elves were always like that.

"Luo De."

At that moment, the rabbit woman Aona approached, her expression serious as she stared at the mind flayer Hart at the forest's edge.

"That's..."

"Mind flayer. The new race from the super volcano. I didn't mention it because you've been busy. Don't worry—I've got him under control."

Hart had all his abilities suppressed by Luo De's enslavement spell—except for blocking the 【Unknown Rat Person's vision】.

Now, this mind flayer was just a weak, helpless octopus head.

(End of chapter)