Chapter 627: Interview

Above the Montes Sea.

Against the salty, sticky sea breeze, the docks of Coral Bay sank gradually below the horizon.

"So first, let's return to our initial question, Mr. Luo De."

The recording stone in the sea elf Laura's hand floated up above her head.

In her other hand, she held a notebook and a feather pen—dual recording methods for safety.

"Is this escort mission merely a cover? Is your real goal to legally capture one or two Sirens or Ghost Pirates as maids?"

It is well known that illegally enslaving non-human races in Aetheron carries a minimum five-year prison sentence. Have you ever registered with any official non-human race protection association?"

If not, can we assume your female companions in the forest are all illegal bigamy cases?"

Luo De looked utterly exasperated.

Protecting navigation safety around Coral Bay is something worth publicizing.

That's why he agreed to let Miss Laura ride along on his 【Group Flight Technique】.

The number of new residents and migrants to Coral Bay has indeed grown considerably.

But it hasn't yet reached the necessary level—population growth remains an unavoidable topic for development.

More publicity can never hurt.

"Laura? I remember you—you're the adopted daughter of the editor-in-chief of the Coral Bay Times. Your father left the Snow Hill Evening Post to seek new opportunities. I recall my assistant waived at least three months' rent for you."

Laura frowned.

"Are you playing the emotional card, Mr. Luo De? I'm a fact-based journalist."

"I'm simply telling you that slandering me won't benefit Coral Bay or its operations."

"Hmm, okay, scratch that. Let's start over."

The girl manipulated the recording stone above her head, deleting the previous footage.

She restarted it.

She cleared her throat twice: "We all know Coral Bay has deep ties with Shi Ying Town, and you, Mr. Luo De, are the forest warden of Shi Ying Town. This mission even includes Shi Ying Town's administrator, Miss Di Miya. Is it true, as rumors suggest, that you two are romantically involved?"

Luo De blinked. "Involved? What kind of involvement?"

The witch Di Miya, who had been smirking beside him, froze.

"Reliable sources report that you've repeatedly escaped through the window of Di Miya's villa on Xin Lanke Street in Shi Ying Town. Local residents believe you two meet in secret."

"Nonsense. We're friends."

Laura looked skeptical. "Really? Then check the footage."

She pulled out a recording orb.

After tapping it, a scene appeared: Xin Lanke Street in Shi Ying Town.

Immediately, a man in a constable's uniform entered the frame.

—Constable David.

Laura's off-camera voice said: 【Constable, hello. We're doing an interview. Do you know the forest warden Luo De?】

David froze at the mention of Luo De's name: 【Oh! Of course! We're best buddies! When he wasn't busy, he drank with me every day at the Violet Rose Tavern!】

【Hmm, and how familiar are you with his romantic life?】

【Well, it's not right to pry into others' privacy.】

【Understood. Then, between the witch Di Miya at city hall and the forest warden Luo De—do you think they're involved?】

David hesitated.

After a moment, he asked: 【Can you blur my face?】

【Of course. We're professionals.】

At that moment,

a black stripe appeared on-screen, covering David's eyes—making him look like some escaped criminal.

He lowered his voice: 【Of course they're involved! Luo De has told me multiple times that he thinks Di Miya is adorable and has a great figure! If he could marry her, he'd even trade ten years of his life!】

The footage paused.

Laura stared at him with skeptical eyes.

Luo De's face darkened. David's lying about me.

The dog-woman Sharon flew over, watching him with amusement: "Oh? Trade ten years of your life?"

"This is pure fabrication."

Luo De turned back. The witch's face was flushed red; she hid behind Tally, stealing a glance at him over her shoulder.

"."

Don't take it seriously!

Hmm… though honestly, even if you did, it wouldn't be so bad.

The sea elf Laura glanced at Sharon, sensing the teasing and jealousy on her face, and seized the opening:

"Who is this? Is she also one of Luo De's romantic interests?"

Luo De answered quickly: "She's Sharon. She's my girl."

The words calmed Sharon's mood. She snorted, her tail swaying gently.

Laura realized: "Sharon? Oh! Di Miya's roommate from Bahadur Academy!"

"You know that?"

Luo De was baffled.

But she ignored him, pressing on: "Your boyfriend confessed he'd trade ten years of his life to marry your best friend. What do you think?"

Sharon crossed her arms, looking utterly unconcerned.

"I don't think much of it. Men are lustful—that doesn't need explaining."

"Miss Sharon is remarkably open-minded. Do you approve of your best friend's relationship with Luo De? They've met in secret, after all!"

"Strictly speaking, no. I've been staying at Di Miya's place… Luo De comes to see me."

"Oh! So that's it!"

Laura's eyes lit up. She scribbled furiously in her notebook: 【Bedroom in Best Friend's House, Glass Sisterhood Confirmed】.

Luo De's face turned black. He reached over and tore out the page.

Laura jumped, but dared not resist.

She asked again: "What if Di Miya has feelings for your boyfriend? You know, Mr. Luo De is a celebrity here."

Sharon spread her hands. "Not bad at all. Di Miya's soft—I like hugging her to sleep. Luo De? He's not bad either. At least he's comfortable. If I could hug both at once, that'd be even better."

"Sharon!"

Di Miya shouted in outrage.

"What? I'm telling the truth."

"You still shouldn't say it like that! She's from the newspaper!"

Beside them, Tally's cheeks flushed slightly: "Comfortable… Miss Sharon speaks so boldly."

"."

Sharon tilted her mouth and pushed Luo De playfully: "What about you? What do you think?"

Luo De shrugged. "David's words aren't entirely fabrication."

Di Miya's face was now crimson: "Luo De! Why are you joining in on this?"

Laura scribbled furiously in her notebook.

Her face glowed with excitement.

"Next question, Mr. Luo De. It's well known you've had countless women. What's your secret? Any advice?"

"None. Just good health."

"Have you considered endorsing a stamina potion? I know three potion companies have approached you."

"No."

"The cloud elf singer Lai La Xingyu is coming to Coral Bay for her 【Peace Concert】. You have no cloud elf among your companions—would you consider pursuing Lai La Xingyu to win her heart?"

". No."

"Among all your female companions in the forest, which one do you like the most?"

As soon as the question was asked,

Sharon, Di Miya, and Tally all perked up their ears.

Luo De refused to answer: ". Look, can't you ask something serious?"

But the girls clearly weren't satisfied. Their gazes fixed on him, silent and piercing.

At that moment,

a strange aura stirred in the sea wind.

Luo De turned his head and saw a translucent ghost ship cutting through the waves, charging toward another vessel with a broken mast.

On its deck, countless ghost pirates brandished swords and screamed.

Luo De beamed. He quickly changed the subject:

"Interview's over. Time to work."

(End of Chapter)