Chapter 733: The Cost of Throwing Away Decency

「……」

Damn it! If only this brat could be even dumber!

Seeing Leon's face—five parts shock, four parts stunned silence, and one part profound disgust—the Red-haired Director let out an audible tut, then blinked her sultry fox-like eyes, cheeks flushing as she gripped the hem of her dress.

"What are you talking about? How could I possibly… from your mouth…"

"You're definitely thinking that!"

Leon instantly saw through the Red-haired Director's clumsy act. He hissed, drew in a sharp breath, and quickly pressed his lips together as he stepped back two paces.

No wonder you've been so nice to me today! You even wasted such a precious wish to help me obtain a suitable anomaly—all this time, you were waiting for this!

Tch! Guess I can't fool you anymore!

Watching Leon retreat several steps, lips sealed and guarding himself like a thief, the Red-haired Director blinked once, then spoke with a hint of sadness:

"Leon, today's my birthday. I only get to celebrate once a year—I just want to take one sip of something delicious. Can you…?"

"This isn't about whether it's your birthday or not!"

Alert to the Red-haired Director's emotional ploy, Leon firmly shook his head.

"If you want to drink, I'll treat you after we get back. I'll even borrow money from the Princess—whatever you want, I'll buy it for you. But this…"

"But this isn't something you can just drink casually!"

Looking at the small bottle in Leon's hand, the Red-haired Director pouted pitifully:

"That's steeped in the bead of the God of Wine—it contains trace amounts of the 【Fine Wine】 Authority. All the wine in the world combined can't match it, not even close. Even the finest wine available in the Capital is at least two tiers below it."

"Leon, good Leon, I just want to taste one sip today, on my birthday. I won't do anything else. Besides, you already promised me—how can you back out now?"

"I… I did promise you, but I didn't know you…"

"Don't worry, just one sip!"

Seeing Leon's resolve waver, the Red-haired Director beamed with delight. She crept forward slightly, raising her hand to swear:

"I swear—if you let me take one sip, I'll never bother you again! And I won't tell a soul about this!"

"…"

"Good Leon, today's my birthday. I granted you a wish on my birthday—can't you grant me one in return?"

"…"

"You know I left my parents when I was young and joined the Clearance Bureau. Every birthday, I've always been alone…"

"Stop… stop talking… I… I give in…"

Unable to resist the Red-haired Director's relentless coaxing—and fearing she might resort to outright force if her desires went unmet—Leon gritted his teeth and reluctantly agreed to this absurd, shameless request.

"Aha! I knew you'd give in! Don't worry—I'll be quick! Close your eyes, it'll be over in a second!"

Seeing Leon finally yield, the Red-haired Director's eyes flickered with triumph. She urged eagerly:

"Drink, drink! Yes, yes! Take more!

Keep going! Take a bigger sip!"

"Mmm!!!"

Hearing her urging, Leon gulped down a full mouthful, cheeks bulging. He glared at her, face flushed with anger.

That's it! If you want more, you'll have to swallow it yourself!

"Alright, alright. That'll do."

Reading his meaning in his eyes, the Red-haired Director sighed regretfully, carefully capped the bottle, tucked away the remaining half, then wrapped her arm around Leon's neck and tiptoed slightly.

"..." Truth be told, though her personality was insane, the Director was undeniably a rare beauty—even equal to the Princess, famed as the most beautiful woman in the realm.

Following the pull of her arm, Leon lowered his head slightly. His gaze traced down her sly fox eyes, past her smooth, upturned nose, finally settling on her slightly pouted, pink lips. His heartbeat skipped half a beat; his throat moved involuntarily.

Honestly… I might've felt just a tiny bit…

"Oh no! Don't!"

Seeing Leon's Adam's apple twitch, the Red-haired Director instinctively clamped her fingers around it, forcibly halting the swallowed wine in Leon's shocked gaze.

?!!

My heart just… stopped.

"Uh… sorry…"

Realizing what she'd done, the Red-haired Director gave Leon an embarrassed smile, then quickly pressed her warm lips to his. Leon, whose heart had already died before it even stirred, reluctantly parted his lips, face dark.

Mmm…

Though the process and reason were utterly absurd, the presence of the fine wine made this impure kiss still feel fragrant and…

Fiery!

A searing heat surged straight into Leon's core. His eyes flew wide—he instinctively tried to pull away—but the Red-haired Director reacted faster, shoving him back and turning her head to spit out the wine.

Yet before they'd fully separated, a rose-colored horn-shaped rune appeared on the small bottle. The remaining half-bottle of fine wine instantly transformed into blazing red chili oil.

"Pah! Pah-pah-pah!"

After frantically spitting out the chili oil, Leon's tongue had gone numb. The Red-haired Director fared no better—her pale pink lips had turned a fiery red, swollen from the burn.

"Hmph!"

With a familiar growl both recognized, the rune on the bottle faded. The crimson chili oil inside, nearly seeping through the glass, reverted to clear, fragrant wine—as if nothing had happened.

The chili oil they'd spat onto the ground quickly pooled together, leaving a vivid red, angry message on the pale soil of the Dead Realm.

"You two have truly opened my eyes."

"…"

"…"

…

"You're back."

Hearing footsteps behind her, Emma turned from where she sat on a round stone by the lake, stroking a Deathcrow. She was about to ask how things went when she froze.

The reason? Leon and the Red-haired Director walked side by side—but their gazes were fixed left and right, never meeting.

One looked like a thief caught red-handed—embarrassed and ashamed. The other looked like a thief who failed—sighing in bitter frustration.

Judging by their expressions… did they get caught stealing the coffin?

Thinking this, Emma's heart tightened. She set down the Deathcrow and hurried over, eyes filled with concern:

"What happened? Was it the Third Generation…? Wait—what's going on? Why are both your lips swollen?"

(End of Chapter)