What a stubborn kid.
But judging by her figure, Iris definitely had promising prospects. At such a young age, she had already surpassed the Goddess of Fortune. With so effort, the probability of her growing into a golden-haired, blue-eyed beauty with a great figure was very high.
However, as everyone knew, I, Eiji, was absolutely not a lolicon!
"Here's the thing. You're still young and might not fully understand the feelings you're holding onto right now."
After pondering for a mont, Eiji continued speaking.
Iris pouted in dissatisfaction. Did she really seem that naive?
"My suggestion is to wait a few more years! Take this ti to cool down. Maybe once you're older and understand what true feelings are, you'll et soone you genuinely like. If after all these years you still feel the sa way, then I'll give you my response."
Wait a few years first?
Iris thought about it and found it acceptable.
She was confident she wasn't so fickle woman. As long as she persisted, Brother Eiji would have no reason to refuse her by then. Moreover, during this ti, she could work hard to improve her figure, making it even more aligned with Brother Eiji's preferences!
"I understand."
Iris nodded obediently.
"What about this ring..."
"Brother Eiji can keep it."
Iris smiled brightly, her expression resolute.
"Alright then."
After so consideration, Eiji decided to accept it.
Since Iris had already compromised, refusing would be too heartless. Besides, it was just a ring. Even if it carried her feelings, there was no harm in accepting it.
Rein finally let out a sigh of relief.
While the outco wasn't exactly ideal, it was much better than before. If things had continued as they were, she would've been facing execution at noon. Now, it was postponed to autumn—almost rciful in comparison.
"I'll take my leave now."
Eiji stood up once more to bid farewell.
But then he suddenly rembered sothing and turned to ask the two of them.
"Oh, by the way, was that noble who offered the body-swapping necklace to the royal family caught yet?"
"Oh, I completely forgot!"
Rein smacked her forehead upon hearing this.
"Too much has happened these past two days—I haven't had ti to pay attention to that. But the noble isn't particularly powerful either. Sending troops over should make for an easy capture. It's just that the palace is short on available hands right now."
The entire palace was busy dealing with the aftermath of last night's events. Claire, too ashad to show her face, had temporarily returned to Duke Symphonia's residence. There were very few people available in the palace at the mont.
"What's the noble's na?"
Eiji pressed.
Since he wasn't particularly busy right now, he might as well go catch that greasy uncle who had designs on his sister's body. A good beating would teach him the horrors of society!
"His na is... uh, what was it again?"
Rein was about to answer but suddenly drew a blank.
"Your Highness Iris, do you rember who the noble was that offered the necklace?"
"I don't know."
Iris shook her head. The necklace hadn't been offered to her in the first place—it was just given to her by her elder brother. Naturally, she didn't know who had presented it.
"Let's check the records then."
Rein suggested.
The three of them left Iris's room and headed to the archives where the tribute records were kept.
The necklace had been offered as tribute not too long ago, so it shouldn't be hard to find.
"That's strange. Why isn't there any record?"
Rein flipped through the docunts several tis but couldn't find any ntion of the necklace being presented as tribute.
"Let's go ask Brother. He'll definitely rember!"
With no other choice, Iris made the suggestion.
"My dear little sister Iris, I'm so happy you ca to see ! I don't even need lunch now!"
Prince Jedis, a golden-haired, blue-eyed young man with a sunny disposition, greeted them with an overly enthusiastic smile.
"Your Highness, it's like this…"
Rein repeated the issue to the prince.
"The na of the noble who offered the necklace? I actually forgot about that… No, I didn't forget. I was planning to discuss it with you this afternoon. How dare they target my beloved Iris's body—such a thing is unforgivable! Of course, I know his na. It's—"
No, actually, they were targeting you. You just passed the necklace to your sister, bringing the disaster upon her.
But that wasn't important right now. Eiji watched the prince intently—the most crucial thing at the mont was the identity of that noble.
Just as he was about to say the na, the prince suddenly paused.
"How odd… Why can't I rember?"
He tapped his forehead in confusion, looking utterly bewildered.
"..."
The group exchanged glances, speechless.
"Then… I'll contact you once we find out the noble's na, Mr. Nangou."
Left with no other option, Rein had to conclude the matter hastily.
"Fine."
Eiji nodded silently, but a faint sense of unease crept into his mind.
If the records didn't ntion it, it could be dismissed as an oversight. But for both Rein and the prince to forget the person's identity—wasn't that a little strange?
Still, the secret of the Body Swap Necklace had been exposed, so Iris was safe for now.
And she had the holy sword for protection. As long as she held it, no one could harm her.
Eiji soon left the royal palace.
"By the way, where is that terrifying necklace now?"
Rein suddenly thought of it again. Just the thought of that thing made her shudder. If it could be destroyed, she'd wholeheartedly support it.
Iris didn't answer, only scratching her cheek awkwardly.
Because the Body Swap Necklace had already been quietly slipped into Eiji's pocket.
...
In a certain city of the kingdom stood a vast noble estate.
Not a single ray of light entered the place. Only a few oil lamps cast dim glows, filling the murky room with a stifling, swamp-like atmosphere.
A shadow suddenly rose from the ground, crawling upright before morphing into a pitch-black, faceless figure.
"You're still alive?"
A low voice questioned him.
"No, I did die once. But Lord Asuk revived ."
The faceless figure—the Shape-shifting Demon—let out a frustrated growl.
This plan had been a complete failure.
Not only had he failed to swap bodies with the king, ruining all subsequent sches, but he had even sacrificed his core to open the gates of hell and summon Lord Asuk himself—only to return empty-handed in the end!
"I told you he was strong, but you wouldn't listen. You all thought my daughter and I were incompetent, slacking off on the job. How do you feel about this outco now?"
The man let out a cheerful laugh.
Stepping out from under the oil lamp, his wrinkled old face appeared unbearably irritating in the shapeshifter's eyes.
Even with a Grand Duke of Hell personally taking action, they still couldn't do anything about that man.
Strangely enough, the old Demon King's mood had beco much calr.
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