“I’m not lying to you. I really am of common birth. When I was just six months old, my parents were murdered by soldiers dressed as bandits. It was my adoptive father who raised me… All that I have today is because of my hard work and luck. Even luck is only possible because I took that first step, else everything would have merely been a pipe dream.” I explained to the disbelief of the bandit leader.
The eyes were the window to one’s soul, at least that was how the saying went. Even if the bandit leader *** interim village chief did not believe me at first, when he looked deep into my eyes, he could tell I wasn’t lying at all. Naturally, of course. I wasn’t lying, I merely left out the part about me becoming a Devil and what not. However, even if that was true, it was still a fact that one had no choice but to work hard if they weren’t born into fortune.
“I’ll go see if there are any refreshments in the kitchen…” The bandit leader stood up somewhat in a fluster then left, “It has been a while since I came home, I wonder if the food is still edible…”
“It’s fine, we brought our own food.” I quickly replied, then without waiting for him to even say anything, I glanced towards Jezsere who promptly took out some bread and fruits from her dimensional ring.
Seeing us take out our own food, and especially from a dimensional ring, a hint of resentment flashed across his eyes, though he quickly suppressed it. His expression stiffened up significantly at this point, having realised that we were still wary of him.
“Then… I will make some for myself…”
I did not pay much attention to his words. Instead, I waved warmly at Nicole and Neneth, “Nicole, Neneth, how about joining us for some food.”
“Wah!! Sister Maid actually has a dimensional ring! I heard those things are expensive -you must be rich!” Neneth animatedly gushed about the rareness of the ring. Yet it didn’t take long before her attention was immediately captured by the food on the table.
“Wooo~ that fruit salad looks really fresh, the bread is really cute looking too!” Saliva was practically dripping from the corners of her mouth at this point. Poison be damned, what was risking one’s life to a little glutton when compared to inhumanity of starving oneself?
Nicole, on the other hand, was more composed about the whole situation. She did not make a scene about the dimensional ring, nor did she show any outward reaction to Neneth accepting our offer. It was only after I took a bite first out of the food that Nicole was finally reassured enough to eat as well.
I picked up an apple and handed it over to Regine beside me, “This is for you.”
“Thank you, Master.” Regine gingerly took the apple from me, doing her best to avoid any bodily contact.
It was at that point that Jill threw me a quick look -seems like she wants her dues now. I couldn’t blame her for wanting to turn in her mission now. After all, she was here to help us find Nicole. Now that Nicole was found, her work was done.
I gently ruffled Jezsere’s soft hair then smiled, “I’m a little worried about the defenses, you guys go ahead first. I’ll go have a look with Jill. Jezsere, Regine, you guys have fun with Nicole and Neneth in the meantime”
“Eh? Jezsere is staying behind?”
“What’s wrong? Aren’t Regine, Neneth and Nicole here to keep you company as well?” I chuckled then flicked her lightly on her forehead. “Be good, your master will be back soon. While I’m gone, I’ll leave my maid in your care, Lady Nicole, Neneth.”
Regine stayed silent, showing her consent for this arrangement.
“No problem. Neneth will take good care of Sister Maid!” Neneth happily answered before taking a huge bite out of the bread. Yet she didn’t seem all that satisfied by it, saying, “If only there was some meat…”
“Meat?” Jezsere considered for a second then reached into her dimensional ring once more. “Here’s some of the roasted meat we bought this morning. It’s a little cold. Should I heat it up in the kitchen?”
“Wooo~ there’s actually meat now! Sister Maid is the best… is there anything you do not have in that dimensional ring?!”
When it came to gluttons like her, whoever fed her was a friend. That was the law of the land, nothing could change it.
Upon leaving the bandit leader *** interim village chief’s house, we walked down a deserted alleyway. By now, the sun had already set. If everything went according to plan, our Vampire should be making its appearance soon to pick up a snack.
As she walked shoulder to shoulder with me, Jill unabashedly said, “I’ve found the person you wanted, now about that gold…”
“For you. As promised.”
I tossed a sack of gold coins at her; within was a hundred gold coins. She quickly caught it in one hand, and without even opening, counted the amount through sheer feeling.
“It’s rare to see a forthright employer like you.” She happily slapped me on the shoulders as she kept the sack of coins. “If there’s anything else you need of me, I’ll happily give you a discount.”
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