Chapter 415: I Am

Betty left.

But as she turned to look back one last time, her eyes brimmed with resentment, as if to say, "I'll come back."

That's a bit too villainous, sis.

The beautiful priestess listened to her youngest daughter's footsteps until she was completely gone.

Only then did she sigh, crossing her serpent tail as she sat on the wool rug inside the tent.

She slowly turned her head, and even this simple motion carried the grace of a mature woman.

"Young man, I'm sorry."

Unlike her forceful tone when capturing him, her voice here was noticeably gentler.

"I didn't take you to kill you—I'm offering you a rare opportunity."

"Opportunity? What do you mean?"

Luo De feigned fear and asked.

"You needn't fear—I won't take your life. Perhaps you don't know, but our land Naga have a tradition: every eligible girl chooses a handsome man as her husband, and they live together for life. You are the one I've chosen for my eldest daughter. Unlike my little one, she's more like me—and even more beautiful."

"But I heard Naga devour their husbands. How can they live together for life?"

"Just rumors—spread by jealous men outside who can't get their hands on such tender, alluring Naga wives, so they spread lies to scare you away and keep the advantage for themselves."

"Is that so?"

Laughable.

Sounds just like the truth.

Luo De had actually asked Eve about this before.

She was reluctant to speak—proud and arrogant land Naga didn't want to reveal their race's secrets.

Only after a two-hour battle in the forest ranger's cabin did she grit her teeth and tearfully spill the truth.

And the truth was even more horrifying than the rumors.

After a unilateral divorce by a land Naga woman, the man becomes a sacrifice, consumed piece by piece by a circle of female Naga to honor their ancestors.

"Of course, our land Naga are a thoroughly kind race."

The beautiful priestess smiled, gentle as water, like a mother's tender care.

Luo De put on a face of hope and fantasy.

"Is your eldest daughter really as beautiful as you, my lady?"

"No—she's younger, and even more beautiful. If you please her, you'll be well taken care of."

"Forgive me, but I can't imagine any girl more beautiful than you."

This statement invoked the Domain of Illusion: 【True Deception】.

It was dripping with genuine emotion.

Luo De shifted, sitting up.

His chest had been torn open, revealing clearly defined pectorals and abs.

Bound as he was, he couldn't close his collar, leaving it exposed to the air.

Or perhaps he'd done it on purpose.

The mother-in-law blinked, clearly taken aback.

Gazing at the man's earnest, handsome face and his bare, powerfully masculine chest, her heart skipped a beat—and a tingling warmth stirred low in her belly.

It was a sensation both unfamiliar and nostalgic—she hadn't felt it since her last husband was devoured, years ago.

She shifted her waist slightly, smiling softly:

"Such sweet words—my eldest daughter will surely like you."

Too much praise loses its value.

Even with the power of 【True Deception】, it still held true.

Luo De didn't press further; instead, he changed the subject and introduced themselves.

Lilian Scripconco Bular Mirror Desert.

That was the beautiful priestess's name.

Luo De checked Eve's name in the enslavement spell—Eve Scripconco Bular Mirror Desert.

His guess was right—they were mother and daughter.

"Just now, that one was your youngest daughter. If I become her brother-in-law, I wonder if…"

Luo De wore an expression of interest mixed with concern.

"Don't worry—her sister isn't the type to be bullied, and I keep her in check. She won't dare harm you. Though… that girl is truly mischievous."

With that,

Lilian rubbed her shoulders, looking weary and troubled.

Of course—such a full chest would strain the back and shoulders.

Luo De raised an eyebrow.

"My lady, I know a bit of massage and kneading techniques. Why not release me? I'll give you a rubdown."

"Hmm?"

The priestess mother-in-law glanced at him hesitantly.

"No need for massage—but being tied up isn't right either."

Then Lilian pulled a red collar from her spell satchel and tossed it over, while summoning a wind blade to slice through his ropes.

"Don't blame your mother-in-law—it's just a precaution. The collar suppresses your physical strength. Put it on."

Luo De brushed off the severed ropes and swiftly slipped on the collar.

As expected.

The suppression was about 3%.

After all, under his Illusion Domain, his outward strength was merely a third- or fourth-rank novice—not worth a high-grade magical item.

He calmly adjusted his collar, then walked toward his mother-in-law with a gentle smile.

"Honestly, my lady, my massage technique is truly unique—try it. If you feel discomfort, I'll leave immediately."

"Mmm."

Lilian hesitated a moment, and under the power of 【True Deception】, she didn't refuse.

She let Luo De step behind her.

Why not? Even a mage couldn't ignore the weight of gravity.

But—

When those scorching hands settled on her shoulders,

the searing heat pierced through her clothes, searing straight into her skin and heart.

In an instant, she panicked.

Her heart pounded wildly.

What's happening??

Just as she was about to pull away, two warm streams flowed precisely into the tense muscles of her shoulders.

It felt so good she nearly moaned.

Luo De noticed her slight shiver and couldn't help but smile.

【Green Vine Mutual Healing】

A healing skill activated through physical contact.

Even through clothing, healing mere shoulder strain was effortless.

But his mother-in-law was still magnificent.

Standing behind her to massage her shoulders, he didn't even mention the faint, alluring scent—her modest robes somehow clung to her curves so perfectly.

As for going further—

No rush. One can't eat a whole fatty in one bite.

This was enough now. Rushing would only breed resentment.

So—

The massage continued for a long while.

Just as Luo De was about to summon Liu Xiaohui's virtue and pull away from his mother-in-law's shoulders, her question nearly stunned him.

"You look so young—have you ever been with a woman?"

"Huh?"

"Forget it. If you have a companion, you must have."

Luo De fell silent, then sighed.

"To be honest, my lady, my companion is a very conservative girl. Even physical contact is rare—let alone anything before marriage. She's my first girlfriend, so I've never…"

"Oh?"

Lilian turned slightly, her mature, beautiful face filled with amusement, her eyes shimmering with misty ripples that obscured her true thoughts.

"So you're still a virgin?"

"Mm."

(End of Chapter)