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Chapter 79: The Sword Princess and the Thousand Elf's Intentions
"Hyacine, you are my savior! My lifelong happiness rests entirely in your hands!"
Aiden excitedly reached up and grasped Hyacine's small hand, speaking with utmost sincerity. "Don't worry, the spot of the first wife will definitely be reserved for you."
"Pfft, who wants to be your first wife?"
Hyacine's face flushed. She rolled her eyes affectionately and firmly pulled her hand back. "I only said I'd help you. I never said I was joining in. Don't go getting ideas."
"Fine."
Aiden immediately looked disappointed. He thought he could secure one right then and there.
Guess I'm still too green. Nearby, Robin and Tifa, who had finally managed to calm the bristling Furina, were completely oblivious to the little conspiracy taking place behind them. They had no idea that their good friend was already preparing to backstab them.
Early the next morning, when Aiden answered a knock at the door, still half-asleep with a piece of freshly toasted bread hanging from his mouth, he froze completely.
Standing outside were two visitors he would never have expected in his wildest dreams.
"Miss Lefiya? And—Miss Ais?"
The Loki Familia's "Thousand Elf," Lefiya Viridis, and the renowned "Sword Princess," Ais Wallenstein, stood quietly at the door. Each was holding a heavy bundle.
"E-Excuse the intrusion, Mr. Aiden."
Seeing Aiden, Lefiya's cheeks flushed slightly. She nervously offered the bundle in her hands.
Aiden quickly swallowed his bread in two bites and took it, looking confused.
"This is—?"
"It's, it's Valis," Lefiya explained. "Regarding the Midsummer Courtyard Domain Instance we found on the Twelfth Floor... after our Familia cleared it, we reported it to the Guild, and they gave us a reward. But the Focalors Familia was the first to discover the Domain, so this finder's fee rightfully belongs to you. Our Captain asked us to bring it over."
Aiden opened the bundle and saw neatly stacked, large-denomination Valis.
"I see—I'll gladly accept it, then."
Aiden didn't decline.
They were the first to discover the Domain, so taking this reward was perfectly justified.
Yesterday, he had done something stupid for a million Valis. Today, there was no reason to reject money that rightfully belonged to him.
He accepted the bundle, but noticed that the two girls didn't seem to have any intention of leaving.
"Also," Lefiya took a deep breath, as if summoning a great deal of courage, and spoke up. "Besides delivering the reward, Miss Ais and I also wanted to thank you, Mr. Aiden. Do you happen to have time today?"
This rare, socially adept elf was trying her hardest to show a side of herself vastly different from the typical aloof elf.
"? Thank me?"
Aiden blinked, completely lost. "I can understand Miss Lefiya thanking me, but—why would Miss Ais want to thank me?"
Hearing this, Ais looked at him earnestly with her golden eyes. Her lips parted slightly as if to speak, but no sound came out.
"It's like this," Lefiya immediately took over, explaining the ultimate fate of the Adventurer's Experience book to Aiden. "Miss Ais was the one who used that Adventurer's Experience book. And that book was part of the loot you shared with me, Mr. Aiden. Therefore, Miss Ais believes she owes you a debt of gratitude."
"So that's how it is."
Aiden chuckled upon hearing this. "But honestly, it's really not necessary. Miss Lefiya, you helped us clear the Domain, you provided the magic stones to open it, and your magic played a huge role. Taking a share of the loot is only fair. Miss Ais should be thanking you, not me."
"Please don't decline, Mr. Aiden."
Lefiya's tone grew unexpectedly firm. "Miss Ais is very serious about this. Just be a good boy and accept our gratitude."
The inarticulate Ais simply nodded vigorously in agreement.
"Haha, you're quite interesting, Miss Lefiya."
Aiden couldn't help but laugh.
The elven girl, who had previously been blushing and flustered in front of him because of Loki's terrible advice, was now acting like a social butterfly. The contrast was so massive it only made her seem cuter.
"If I keep declining, I'll just look stubborn," he shrugged, conceding defeat.
"It's settled, then."
A look of joy spread across Lefiya's face. However, since it was her first time inviting a boy out—even if it was just to thank him—her cheeks still flushed slightly. "Will you let us plan out today's schedule, Mr. Aiden?"
"Sure," Aiden nodded.
There was no reason to turn down an invitation from two top-tier beauties.
"But before that, I need to make a trip to the Hephaestus Familia's weapon shop."
He hadn't forgotten his main objective. The freshly acquired White Tassel was still sitting at home, waiting to be sold for cash.
"No problem! We'll go with you."
Lefiya's eyes lit up; this suited her perfectly.
To thank Aiden, she had originally planned to custom-order a weapon for him as a gift. The observant elf had noticed long ago that Aiden's enchantment magic possessed immense destructive power, but it also caused staggering wear and tear on his weapons. An ordinary blade simply couldn't survive more than a few fights.
As for Ais's gift, Lefiya had asked her earlier, but Ais only shook her head and refused to say. Judging by her confident demeanor, however, she clearly had a plan.
"What's going on? Are you guys going out to play? Take me with you!"
Just then, a small head popped out from behind Aiden. It was Furina.
There was still a dab of cream on the corner of her mouth, clearly from sneaking a bite of the breakfast cake Tifa had made.
"None of your business."
Without even turning around, Aiden reached back and pushed Furina's head away, casually wiping the cream from her face with his thumb in the process.
"Isn't the Ganesha Familia hosting the Monsterphilia today? Go have fun with Robin and the others."
"Damn it!"
Furina broke free from his arm. When she caught a glimpse of Lefiya and Ais at the door, she instantly recognized them and had an immediate stress reaction. "Wait, they're from the Loki Familia! Aiden, don't let yourself be seduced by their beauty!"
After all, it hadn't been that long since Loki had openly tried to poach him right in front of her.
"Don't overthink it."
Aiden smiled, ruffling Furina's soft white hair to comfort her. "Go grab that spear we got yesterday for me. I'll bring you back something tasty later."
"—Fine."
The promise of good food immediately weakened Furina's resolve. "Just don't fall for their honey trap!"
She pushed Aiden's hand away in mock disgust, the white ahoge on top of her head standing up stubbornly. Then she turned and scurried into the storage room, her footsteps echoing with a rapid thud, thud, thud.
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