Chapter 64: The Laughable One |
...
[Liliana's Loyalty: 75%]
[Liliana's Loyalty: 80%]
Jonas let out a soft sigh.
He carried the limp Liliana from the window back to the bed.
Truth be told, Liliana's loyalty was remarkably easy to raise.
Despite being the most recently bound, her loyalty was already the highest.
Olivia, who had been bound from the beginning, only had 70% loyalty now.
Jonas stroked his chin.
...
In Olivia's room.
Olivia stood dazed, her mind filled with the image of Liliana leaving Jonas's room earlier - pale, voluptuous, pitifully charming, bearing marks of...
Does... does young master prefer this type?
But this... this is too embarrassing.
...
Beside her, Phil watched her sister.
"Still daydreaming? Your young master's being stolen away!
All you do every day is practice with that damn sword!"
Olivia: "But... but this is the only thing I can do.
And I must catch up to young master - he said I'm his most important retainer!"
Phil slapped her forehead in frustration:
"What on earth are you thinking?
You've been obsessively practicing swordplay lately, wearing that stiff fencing outfit like some soldier - who'd find that attractive!
Who wouldn't prefer someone soft, fragrant and gentle like Liliana?"
"Ah?"
Hearing this, Olivia looked downcast.
Her fingers unconsciously traced the calluses from excessive sword training.
"Oh sister, there you go being weak again.
I'm not telling you to stop sword practice!
Listen carefully!
I'll teach you - wear this, I specially asked the tavern girls about it.
They say young master has favored this style for a long time."
With that, Phil produced a black garment.
Rather than clothing, it was more like fabric scraps held together by black ribbons.
There were matching accessories too - anklets and bracelets.
Seeing this outfit, Olivia's face turned crimson: "Y-you... want me to wear this?
There's nothing covering anything!"
Phil rolled her eyes: "If it covered anything, why would you wear it?"
"I..."
"Think about it!
Since that Liliana arrived, hasn't young master visited you less often?"
"..."
Phil patted Liliana's shoulder: "My dear sister, you wouldn't want young master to lose interest in you, would you?
I believe in you~"
...
Zap—
"Mmm~"
After a full-body tremble and curl, Katdera collapsed onto the bed like a salted fish.
Her blank gaze fixed on the ceiling.
Occasional twitches ran through her body.
Perhaps the garter was too tight - she felt the electricity had penetrated her very marrow.
"Damn it!"
Just then, Jonas entered the room: "Miss Yaoluo, how persistent you are?
In such short time, that device has triggered eleven times.
So eager to escape?"
Eleven shocks - Jonas was starting to suspect she'd developed an addiction.
Katdera said nothing, only glaring fiercely at Jonas.
Though the effect was ruined by her intermittent twitches.
Or when a sudden spasm made her static-charged hair stand up.
Making her look rather cute instead.
Jonas waved dismissively, sitting on the bedside:
"Don't look at me like that. I'm not your enemy - unlike certain ungrateful wretches.
Letting someone who tried to assassinate me live this long shows my mercy."
Katdera struggled upright: "What do you mean?"
Jonas studied her dark emerald eyes.
"Nothing much. At least when I drug someone, I don't poison half their clan at once!"
At this, Katdera's gaze turned icy.
"How do you know about that?
And how did you learn my name?"
Jonas smiled: "Miss Katdera, surely you've heard of the prophetic profession?
Capable of discerning past and future.
While I'm no true prophet, certain knowledge comes to me."
Katdera: "You? A prophet?"
No true prophet had appeared in over a decade - the profession being too overpowered.
She wanted to mock Jonas, but remembering his terrifying swordsmanship, magical prowess, and investigative abilities...
The words died in her throat.
For such a monster, prophetic skills seemed almost expected.
...
Jonas's words ignited Katdera's killing intent.
But glancing at the five rings binding her, she deflated.
Turning her head away: "So what if you know?
Just more of your Empire's despicable methods.
Had our entire race been there, not one of Bostaya's nobles would've survived!"
She'd watched Imperial soldiers slit her clansmen's throats.
That searing hatred would never fade.
But what could she do now?
Recalling recent events, Katdera felt only helpless shame.
Hadn't she become just another noble's plaything?
Jonas turned her face back toward him.
"Actually, it wasn't Imperial troops who destroyed your clan - it was your leader, Deslar."
Katdera froze momentarily, then sneered: "Jonas, you say the most laughable things."
Jonas suddenly gripped her chin, forcing eye contact.
"Laughable?
I think you're far more laughable.
A young Nightshade.
Who, through curiosity and arrogance, brought the true murderer back to her clan.
Who even now remains ignorant, killing for the very culprit.
If your hundred dead clansmen knew what you're doing...
They'd never forgive you, even in hell."
Each word hammered Katdera's heart like a mallet.
That blood-soaked day seemed to replay before her eyes.
"Bullshit!"
She tried wrenching free, but Jonas's grip held firm.
His voice remained merciless.
"Bullshit? Heh...
With Nightshade stealth, do you really believe Imperial troops could've ambushed you?
As for poison - do you think they'd have had the chance?
Use that murder-obsessed brain of yours.
Stop fixating on strength and revenge.
You've been a fool from start to finish - can't even recognize your true enemy!"
"You—"
Jonas suddenly released her, letting Katdera collapse back onto the bed.
"Mm~"
Jonas: "Think carefully...
An assassin obsessed with killing me is useless.
I just hate seeing a pitiful creature kept in the dark."
Katdera clenched her fists, staring at Jonas.
Doubt began gnawing at her.
Memories resurfaced - details she'd overlooked.
[Katdera]
[Loyalty: -10%]
"I... I won't believe you..."
Even to herself, the words rang hollow.
Seeing the loyalty reading, Jonas smiled.
Once doubt took root, the rest would follow. Time for Deslar's entrance.
"Believe what you will, Miss Katdera.
Matters not to me.
I'll give you ample time to reconsider.
But to avoid troublesome escape attempts...
You'll have to endure some discomfort."
With practiced ease, Jonas produced red ropes.
"W-what are you— no... mmmph—"
Minutes later.
Jonas admired his handiwork - Katdera suspended midair in an elaborate bind.
Only someone with her perfect physique and flexibility could achieve such poses.
Liliana could never manage it.
But Katdera was ideal.
Jonas tickled her sole, making her swing slightly.
"Prepare yourself, Miss Katdera. I've already sent word to Deslar.
When next you meet, he might strike first~"
For strong-willed resisters like her, the first step was breaking that icy defiance.
Once obedience took root through these methods...
The rest would follow easily.
When Katdera finally accepted the truth, her breakdown would come.
That would be his chance to boost loyalty.
Stealth and Backstab - those skills would be his.
Bostaya's legitimate heir and second son.
Once I possess these abilities... let's see how you handle things.