Chapter 457: Remuneration and the Naga

"Not bad at all."

Rod smiled and patted her head.

Tally chuckled, emboldened now that she knew she'd earned her merit.

She pulled the hand from her head, slipped her index finger into her mouth, gently bit it, and cautiously raised her eyes to look at her master.

Rod raised an eyebrow and hooked a finger against her pristine white teeth.

The girl let out a soft, coquettish hum, as if her teeth too possessed sensitive touch.

Moreover, she offered no resistance; with a mere hook, she obediently lifted her head.

Revealing a smooth, poreless, snow-white neck with fluid lines, pure and flawless, yet paired with Tally's dazed, seductive expression, it grew even more lewd.

She breathed lightly, her scent drifting into Rod's nose, causing a slight numbness.

"Master..."

"What? In broad daylight."

"Watching Master fight, I can't quite handle it..."

"Later. Tonight, we'll try the 【Sensitivity Adjustment】."

This skill had been available for some time, but it remained unused solely because Rod had forcibly sealed and forbidden its use.

"Really!? Yay!"

Tally, extremely excited, suddenly leaped into his arms, wriggling back and forth.

Then she insisted on burrowing inside his clothes to press against his skin.

Rod paid no mind, letting her be, and glanced over at the waiting Miss Miss Puwei.

This youngest daughter of the Miss Puwei family stood motionless, quiet and elegant, gazing at him with a complex expression.

"Mr. Rod... the terms of the contract..."

"Let's just call it an unexpected windfall."

Rod tossed the gold ring containing the recording; Miss Miss Puwei hurriedly caught it.

"You may stay here to continue inheriting your father's title, or go to Deepwater City to be your newspaper reporter; it makes no difference. It's on my way, and I've obtained what I wanted. Oh, and the Lilith bloodline."

Hearing this, Miss Miss Puwei realized he intended to leave.

She pressed her lips together, hesitated for a moment, then spoke:

"Mr. Rod, could you... could you stay here a few more days? I mean, I fear some may still wish to take my life. Rest assured, I will certainly continue to pay you sufficient remuneration."

"No need to worry. Judging by the militia captain's attitude, they've likely been suppressed by the private army all along. Now that you've set things right and returned, they'll be only too eager."

"But... but I'm just a girl who knows nothing. The merchants, the militia, and the series of policies in Axe Beach—Father didn't have time to teach me. If... if..."

Miss Miss Puwei clenched her hands tightly, her face flushed red, with dependence and fear flashing in her wavering eyes.

"If... if Mr. Rod could stay here, Miss Miss Puwei would be willing... willing to share control of Axe Beach with Mr. Rod."

"Aren't you afraid I'll fabricate some charge like the Zhentarim did and kick you out?" Rod laughed.

"No, Mr. Rod is not that kind of person."

Miss Miss Puwei's tense, serious little face looked at Rod, full of hope.

Rod was no fool.

He naturally understood what she meant.

She's craving my body. I can only say I'm used to it.

They're everywhere on the streets. Look, there's a succubus in my arms already sticking out her tongue and wagging it wildly.

But unfortunately.

Rod's interest in human girls remained not particularly high, even though Miss Miss Puwei, among humans, was a girl of beauty and sufficient cuteness; it was the same.

"What? You still want to rely on me, just as when your father was alive, to live carefree here?"

"Ah?"

"Miss Miss Puwei, that won't work. I am, after all, an outsider; I cannot protect you unconditionally like your father did."

Hearing this.

Miss Miss Puwei's face instantly turned deathly pale; in an instant, mist filled her eyes.

"No, what I mean is..."

Rod pushed the increasingly bold succubus out of his arms, walked over, and patted Miss Miss Puwei's head as if comforting the pony-girl Little Little Bangde.

Her pale blue hair was smooth and thick, emitting a faint fragrance of maidenhood.

"There are many girls on the continent who are like vines; without clinging to others, they cannot survive. Without finding a backer, they feel they accomplish nothing, never intending to rely on themselves."

"I... I..."

"But I can tell you clearly, Miss Miss Puwei, you are not. Although we haven't spent much time together, your choice to remain hidden in Axe Beach under these circumstances, and your rapid return to reason during our transaction, is sufficient proof that you are a person strong and independent enough."

Miss Miss Puwei paused, stunned.

She looked up, confused and lacking confidence, at the man revealing a gentle smile.

"... Really?"

"Of course. The Miss Puwei family has controlled Axe Beach for over a century; every generation has produced remarkable figures. You must be one of them."

"Mr. Rod..."

Miss Miss Puwei lowered her head again.

After a while, she stepped back a few paces, voluntarily withdrawing from Rod's hand.

Her expression became firm, with less weakness.

"I will return. I cannot let Father's efforts vanish like this."

Rod said nothing more.

"But before that, Mr. Rod, could you grant me a small request?"

"That depends on what reward you offer me." He shrugged.

Miss Wen Na's cheeks flushed slightly as she stole a glance at the succubus watching coldly from the side.

"The request and the reward are one and the same."

Saying this, she stepped forward lightly, carrying a faint fragrance, and threw herself into Rod's arms, burying herself tightly against his chest.

Before long, Miss Wen Na immediately left without even saying goodbye, turning to head toward Axe Beach Town.

All that remained was a stunning silhouette and ears turning red above her hair.

Rod smiled: "Why make things so ambiguous? Wait until Lady Kali returns, and I still need to draw your Lilith bloodline."

Half an hour ago, the Naga camp.

Naga Priestess Lillian maintained her elegance and solemnity, watching as the Nagas packed up the camp, preparing to flee back to the Mirror Desert.

Today she wore a slightly fitted wool robe, plus a satin jacket embroidered with Naga patterns.

Viewed from behind, the jacket completely concealed her delicate, waist-thin figure, but whether looking upward or downward, her curves were breathtakingly full.

Though Lillian wore a solemn expression, her mood was excellent.

This time, she made a huge profit!

She hardly did any work, barely used any spell components, yet her wages were paid in full!

And much of this was thanks to her eldest daughter, Eve; without her ability to unleash power equivalent to the eighth rank, the series of negotiations would not have been so easily concluded.

Since helping her quell the rebellion, Eve had grown increasingly mature, implicitly securing the position of second-in-command within the Brar clan.

During the trip to the White Dragon Tomb, she seemed to have found some good method, advancing greatly in rank, reaching the peak of the sixth rank in just five days.

Moreover, it seemed she had not yet reached her limit; even after returning to camp, she had been preparing tirelessly, with a faint trace of dragon pressure lingering within her!

Lillian couldn't help but feel gratified in her heart.

"When she reaches the seventh rank, it will be about time to gradually hand over the position of power to her."

Then my time afterward will increase; with more time, I can spend a little longer with little Rod.

Thinking of this,

Lillian couldn't help but glance toward her own magnificent tent, her heart pounding uncontrollably, filled entirely with attachment and sweetness.

(End of this chapter)