Chapter 498: Borrowing People and Purging

Lay on the bed like a corpse for a while.

Luo De finally got up properly and put on some clothes.

Hanging around idle all day really felt inappropriate.

While tidying up the messy room, he suddenly spotted a small white vest-style bra in the corner of the bed.

Wow! Original!

No need to think about it.

It must have been left behind by Xiao Ke in her frantic escape.

Luo De held it up to his nose and sniffed.

A fresh, herbal fragrance—definitely her scent.

A certain respectable man raised an eyebrow and cheerfully tucked it into his chest.

No wonder ancient people always liked collecting girls' personal items.

You know what? Don't even say it.

These intimate garments carrying natural body scent are truly stimulating.

Just smelling it sent Luo De's thoughts back to last night's intimacy with Xiao Ke—he couldn't help but react.

At noon.

The witch Dimeya came to visit, requesting to borrow the ghoul Pan Ni.

It was said that old gentleman Humbert's communication with Teller's Town had received a response.

She needed the undead army's help to open a new trade route.

"A response this fast?"

Luo De couldn't help but be surprised.

Only yesterday at noon had the bait strategy been finalized—using the resumption of ore trade with Teller's Town on the eastern side of Ke's Plain to pre-position Jin Along as bait.

And already contacted today?

"Humbert probably didn't want to hold you back, so he paid a Harpy to deliver a letter to Teller's Town."

Dimeya smiled.

Miss Witch was unusually not wearing her robe today.

She wore a high-collared lace long-sleeve shirt, over which she draped a fitted deep purple velvet gown, its cuffs and hem inlaid with tiny gemstones.

Below, a high-waisted black silk long skirt, slit up the side to the knee, revealing glimpses of long legs.

Though fully covered,

her petite frame still showcased exaggerated curves—her broom pendant bounced with every movement, while her waist and hips sharply tapered, breathtakingly so.

A stunning figure.

But look up, and it was the innocent, babyish cheeks.

"Harpy. Harpy-witch? Their express mail isn't cheap."

"It's fine to chat privately, but you can't say those four words out loud."

Dimeya chuckled.

Harpy-witch.

Like witches, banshees, and succubi, another all-female race.

Possessing a female head and torso, with wings instead of arms and bird talons for legs.

Though similarly labeled as "witches" like banshees, they prefer to be called the Harpy race.

They are the race with the premier flight speed on the continent.

Their agile, nimble forms are nothing like the obvious negative-energy undead banshees.

Added to that, many of them work as couriers across the continent, their enthusiastic, hardworking nature earning goodwill.

As a result, many—including themselves—have spoken up for them.

Hoping to change this outdated, stigmatized racial name.

Several years ago, there was even a major uproar, with newspapers joining the chorus condemning anyone who directly called them "Harpy-witches."

Even elderly people who slipped and used the old term were universally attacked.

Like how, in the other side of the ocean in your past life, you couldn't directly call a Black man "Nigga."

"Really?"

Tally, who trailed behind yawning, asked.

Today she was a simple beastkin with sheep ears, dressed only in a plain, patched, pierced wrap dress to match her persona.

"My cousin once went to their nest to observe, trying to perfectly transform into a Harpy-witch—only to find the older generation called themselves Harpy-witches outright, with real pride. To me, this Harpy movement is just the result of people today being too full."

"Why did your cousin want to transform into a Harpy?"

"She knew about an underground auction selling Harpy-witches—human nobles there share your tastes, preferring non-human races. My cousin wanted to sneak in disguised, hoping to be taken as a noble's pet, so she could have five or six men taking turns every day and never lack essence again."

"Uh."

Of course you would. No wonder you're succubi.

"Want to go too? I know where it is—though I don't know if it's been destroyed yet."

"No need."

Dimeya still wasn't used to the succubus's bold speech.

She fanned her slightly flushed cheeks, silently filing the detail away to use in her next chapter's adventure of the hero Ophir.

She steered the conversation back to business.

"Perhaps precisely because Humbert spent generously, Teller's Town saw sincerity and replied swiftly, clearly expressing willingness to negotiate—even sending envoys to discuss directly. They should arrive within a few days."

"Understood."

Luo De nodded. "You plan to publicize this and, during this time, purge the unstable forces along the Dusk Hills trade route."

"No wonder you're Master Luo—if this succeeds, we won't just ambush the Black Dragon, but also open trade routes to Teller's Town, Shanlun City, and Star Dusk City!"

Dimeya laughed.

She could almost picture Shiying Town growing prosperous.

Luo De smiled too.

"In that case, not just Pan Ni—I'll lend you Amy and Chris too. Send them to Dusk Hills."

A simple bait won't necessarily work.

Since the Black Dragon Mikhail is raiding the Dusk Hills trade route to replenish his stock, Shiying Town must strengthen all defenses—ideally leaving Mikhail no chance to raid, or to succeed if he tries.

Only under such high-pressure conditions can the mass transport of Jin Along truly serve as bait.

"Wonderful! The Beast Plague front in Claw Valley has been stable lately—the Wendigos can spare some hands, and with Luo De's Blizzard Mercenaries watching over town, we can rest easy!"

Miss Witch brightened.

Shiying Town's military strength had always been a problem.

Seventh- and sixth-rank warriors were rare and insufficient.

Now, finally, they could spare manpower to clear the chaos-ridden Dusk Hills!

"By the way, Luo De, the city hall's offered rate is this—take a look. Uh, if we add Miss Amy and Miss Chris—"

Friends are friends, but business is business.

Dimeya was skilled at handling people and immediately revised the draft contract.

Luo De waved his hand.

"Talk to them directly. Let them decide what they want—I'll call them over."

"Ah oh."

Dimeya stole a glance at his face; she had the feeling this man spoiled his subordinates too much.

"By the way, Chris will demand an outrageous price—stick to the city hall's budget. Don't give her extra just because of me."

The banshee Chris was greedy—if left to her own devices, she'd bankrupt the city hall.

As he spoke,

Luo De had reached the Cedar District, nearing the Jade Tree.

Dimeya arrived as he began his daily patrol; after dealing with the Death Desert sand tornadoes, she hadn't wandered much, so she walked along with him.

Just passing a wild plum tree, the large tree suddenly shuddered and made a sound.

"Oh—Master Luo, good afternoon."

"Ah!"

Dimeya was startled, tripped by a tree root bursting from the ground.

As she fell, Luo De reached out to catch her.

She crashed into his arm and instinctively grabbed hold with both hands.

His arm had been resting just above her abdomen, but due to momentum, she dropped further—so her large rabbit-like chest was suddenly lifted by his arm.

Soft, plump warmth surged instantly through his skin straight to his brain.

Luo De: "."

Dimeya's pale-pink face flushed crimson; she quickly let go and stepped back.

Her eyes darted around, landing on the speaking tree.

She exclaimed: "Nature Spirit?"

The fruit tree slowly turned, revealing an ancient face.

"That's right, old man Xiao Lizhi serves Lord Luo De. I'm terribly sorry, Miss, I frightened you."

The Spirit of Nature, Xiao Lizhi.

Born from the Emerald Tree's 【Emerald Domain】, previously Lord Luo De had invested points in him and unlocked the 【Dawn Dew Fruit】, which enhances mana accumulation.

"Luo De, your forest has spawned a Spirit of Nature?"

Dimeia's astonishment remained undiminished—Spirits of Nature only emerge in forests saturated with immense natural power.

Nowadays, with too many people on the continent, the Emerald Court has been affected, and Spirits of Nature are rare.

The Windwall Forest has a relatively short history, let alone compared to a forest of the Emerald Court's caliber.

Luo De waved his hand and smiled:

"Just a small trick."

Xiao Lizhi, standing nearby, glanced at Luo De, then at Dimeia.

As if understanding something, he volunteered:

"Lord Luo De, a new batch of 【Dawn Dew Fruits】 has matured. I recall you said you wanted to give some to a certain mage girl as a gift—who is it?"

As he spoke, he lowered his branches, revealing three radiant, spirit-filled red fruits.

Luo De gave him an approving look.

"The one right here."

Dimeia, still blushing, was suddenly struck with surprise.

"For me?"

"Of course. With you holding the line at Shiying Town, the forest has enjoyed its current peace. Good things must be reserved for you."

With that,

the 【Dawn Dew Fruit】 was placed in her hand.

Feeling the sentient fruit in her palm, Dimeia opened her mouth but could not speak.

For a witch who had been pushed too hard under high expectations, then utterly broken and fixed at the early stage of the sixth rank, being remembered was an uncommon feeling.

After Luo De and her close friend Sharon adjusted her internal mana circuits, her progress surged, allowing her to break through to the mid-stage—and now signs of further advancement were already emerging.

Having settled their matters, the two naturally parted to attend to their own affairs.

Before leaving, the witch Dimeia said:

"With this fruit, I can ascend to the high stage of the sixth rank tonight. Tomorrow, I'll have greater confidence in clearing the chaos of Dusk Hill."

Well then.

It seems the hardest part is just getting started.

The next morning.

Luo De was still cuddling with Tally in bed when Dimeia's plea roused him.

(End of Chapter)