Neia sighed deeply.
She still didn’t know if she was making the right choice, but then again... weren’t her choices very limited, to begin with?
’Mum told before I left her back then... That I must survive no matter what.’
Neia had promised her mother.
She had sworn.
That ant she had to do whatever it takes to survive.
’Even if it ans becoming the subordinate of this young noble before ...’ Although she gritted her teeth inside, she could not reflect her true thoughts to this man.
This... extrely dangerous man.
’He must have intentionally gotten captured. He tricked us with that Lag and made it so that we would all be exterminated. Judging by how my survival didn’t take him aback, he must have already known I was still alive. Is that why he remained by the treasure?’
Most likely.
Even when she saw him from above, completely calm and defenseless, she knew he could not simply be spacing out without a reason.
This person was baiting her.
He wanted to see what kind of move she would make.
And, after agonizing over it for only a brief period, Neia knew she had to surrender.
’He wasn’t satisfied with my pledge of allegiance. Instead, he forced to offer my Seal of Obedience instead. But does that an he knew I had it? How? Hold on... I am currently in my original form, which ans he could have deduced that I look like a Noble, and if he were to activate Status Awareness, he would be able to figure it out easily...’
That would explain why he would suspect her of holding the Seal of Obedience.
’Back then, when I ran away, I only grabbed the things I could take. That includes the Flight Ring, the Strength Belt, my Protection Charm, the Seal of Obedience, and a few others. Unfortunately, after all these years on the run, only those four remain.’
That was why she joined the Six Eyes of Infinity.
Neia had actually planned to rob them of their items and wealth so she could get back on her feet and consolidate her strength.
After all, survival was rely one of her goals.
’I still want to have my revenge!’
Her blue eyes fell on Richard for a mont, and she had a sudden thought.
’Maybe... he can help . This could be fate. Perhaps it’s why I am drawn to him... to his great power.’ Neia felt sothing thump in her chest. ’If he helps have my revenge on that wretched family, then I don’t care if I have to serve him!’
After all, she had nothing else she cared about in this world.
As long as she was alive and she could make the Bleu Family suffer, there was nothing she couldn’t do to achieve these goals.
Even if she had to beco a lowly slave or a loyal dog.
It didn’t matter!
’If it’s my body he wants... even if it has been unclaid by any man all these years, I would gladly give it away. He is strong enough to protect , and he is powerful enough to help with my revenge!’
Right now, Neia’s eyes were flaring with great ambition.
She had no idea... how wrong she was.
Richard wasn’t actually that strong, and he also didn’t even think of her as so kind of slave.
The Seal of Obedience was simply his insurance.
He didn’t completely trust her and thus could not risk betrayal, especially since this was a world where treachery ran rampant.
Richard actually empathized with Neia and would gladly help her out if he could.
However, how could she—a lowly slave—simply ask this of him?
She knew she would have to plan a great deal.
’I will have to cent my position by his side and increase his dependence on . I must make myself appealing to him as much as possible... so that he will eventually heed my request.’
Neia licked her lips at that mont.
She felt a surge of ambition rise within her chest as she shook in excitent.
’If he could just create a few of those weapons he unleashed just now... we could wipe out the entire Bleu Family. I don’t know how much power it would take from him, but... these are the things I must start to investigate while standing by his side.’
"Alright, Neia... Let’s make the deal."
Richard and Neia shook hands and activated the stamp-shaped item in his hand.
The contract...
"You will never betray , lie to , or so anything to go against . In exchange, I’ll do what I can to protect you as long as it is within my capabilities. I think that’s fair."
... Was for more lax than she expected.
’E-eh...?’ Neia was stunned beyond words. ’That’s it? That’s all he’s going to do?!’
She had thought he would limit her autonomy to the maximum, but the only binding thing about their agreent was that she could not harm him in any way—whether directly or indirectly.
That was so strange!
’Is this so kind of test? Maybe he wants to see how I can take initiative without so kind of compulsion informing to do things.’
Her eyes shone with brilliance at this point as she began to smile.
’I understand the assignnt! I’ll do my best!’
Neia was actually not a fool like Richard, but she was also misunderstanding things.
But who could bla her?
As soone who had lived in this world for over nineteen years, she had seen all kinds of things.
She also didn’t have the luxury of experiencing the more modern and civilized Earth, so her perception of human rights and bodily autonomy was skewed.
How could she have known that a modern man like Richard would not ask her to be his ’slave’ but instead would try to secure his own safety by enforcing such an agreent. In fact, he even added a binding clause for himself as well, making the situation more transactional than it was detrintal.
’He will... protect , huh?’
Neia felt sothing in her heart tremble at that mont.
When last had soone said those words to her?
All this ti, she had been alone... trying her hardest to struggle and survive in this harsh world.
But now—
’Soone this powerful and wise has chosen to take care of ...’
A brand new surge of energy and a desire to be loyal began to form within Neia in that mont.
She slowly developed a kind of respect for Richard.
It was born out of a deep misunderstanding, but it remained genuine nonetheless.
"Alright. The deal is sealed."
The Seal of Obedience glowed brilliantly for a mont before dying out.
Then, Richard placed the item in his pocket. "I’ll be holding onto this for so ti. Hope you don’t mind that."
"N-no, of course not!" Neia stuttered while speaking, her eyes narrowing slowly. ’Is he testing ? Does he want to gauge my reaction by asking for permission for such an obvious thing?’
She could not understand this Richard fellow.
He was too mysterious!
"Alright, Neia... If you don’t mind, could you help gather all the treasures into the box? I’ll make sure to compensate you for the task."
"Y-you don’t have to!"
"What?"
"I can do it without any compensation, please trust , sir!"
"... Erm, okay then."
Richard was slightly confused.
He admired the girl’s enthusiasm, but he didn’t understand why she would turn down compensation when she was in such dire straits.
’I planned to give her a portion of the goods, but I guess she doesn’t want that. Is she that grateful towards ? Maybe I can use her gratitude to manipulate her or sothing, like all those smart characters I read about in my light novels. Hehe... This is good. More stuff for , then!’
What a fool Richard was.
There was no need to manipulate Neia, because in her mind... she was his slave.
She would do anything for him anyway—and for free of charge.
Helping him gather the treasures was no big deal, and so she completed the task in no ti at all.
"I am done with everything, sir!"
"Just call Richard. I’ll call you Neia."
"A-ah, I couldn’t possibly—"
"Please... I insist. Also—" With a single flourish, Richard brought out a long gown from distorted air and thrust it at her.
"—You can cover yourself with this. If you need anything else, let know."
"O-okay... Thank you very much, si—I an, Richard."
"Good..." Richard patted her bowed head at this point, his smile warm and lovely. "Good girl."
In his mind, he thought he was being manipulative.
Like his favorite genius main character in a certain high school light novel.
However, his actions only served to confuse Neia more.
’Why is he being so kind and considerate to ? I... I don’t understand this level of generosity.’
Left with no other way to interpret it, Neia felt her respect for Richard deepen.
His mysterious actions puzzled her and left her in awe at his charms and inscrutable intellect.
She could not read him at all.
"T-then... allow to change."
"Okay—"
Before Richard could look away, Neia began to strip in front of him.
Her pale skin, her slender waist, her overflowing bosoms, and her curvaceous figure...
Everything was laid bare before him.
’Argh! What is this girl doing?!’ He wanted to scream at first, but then he realized that perhaps he could be overreacting.
’Although I’m much older in my mind, I currently have the body of a ten-year-old. I haven’t even begun puberty yet, so maybe she feels like I am too innocent anyway...’
By screaming or chastising her for this action, he would simply make her embarrassed.
Due to all of these reasons, Richard made his choice.
’I shouldn’t react at all!’
So, he rigidly stared at her, trying his best to act innocent, as she changed from her tattered wear to the gown he bestowed upon her. To him, he was being considerate of her feelings.
However, she saw it completely differently.
’He isn’t even moved by my appearance. Even my naked body can’t get a reaction from him. Just what kind of person is this...?!’
Unable to decipher this mystery, Neia’s awe deepened even more.
"Since you’re done... we should depart now."
"Yes, sir—I an, Richard."
"Good, Neia... You are learning." Richard patted her head again—though he had to lean up a little to reach her head.
To help him reach it better, she actually lowered her head.
’How embarrassing...’ He thought silently. ’But most importantly, I have to start asking myself the most important question.’
Richard looked around him and sighed in despair.
’How do I get ho from here?’
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