Become their wicked yet gentle lord.

Lindsay's voice grew softer and softer until it was barely audible, and the equally nervous Hafley finally noticed what was next to Lindsay.

A rectangular iron box, covered with a wire mesh, contains glowing red-hot charcoal. Skewers of meat, skewered on wooden sticks, sizzle and release an enticing aroma...

This is... barbecue?

The only one holding these meat skewers was a cute girl with short, light blonde hair, her expressionless face radiating seriousness. She fanned away the smoky aroma emanating from the skewers while muttering to herself.

“3、2、1，翻面……盐、辣椒面少许……3、2、1……下一把……”

A nun? Selling barbecue? In this alley at midnight? Why? And the pretty girl next to her, even though she's grilling meat, she seems overly serious about it? On the deserted street at midnight, Heflin looked at this somewhat eerie pair, unsure how to react.

This town had given Hefley so many surprises. She wanted to leave cursing, but her stomach started growling at the tempting aroma.

Gollum~~

What can I do?! I haven't eaten anything in ages! And it's all because that little devil forced those weird things down my ass!

Haifulian gritted her teeth in hatred. Deprived of her right to excrete for a day, she dared not eat anything today. Although her body could handle it, the smell of barbecue in the middle of the night was still too torturous!

And why is it that I've never smelled such a rich aroma even in the high-end restaurants in the capital? Just the smell of it makes my mouth water and my appetite whetted...

Seemingly sensing Heflint's eagerness, Lindsay mustered her courage and began to hawk her wares to Heflint:

"Delicious grilled skewers! Money back guarantee if you don't like them! I guarantee you'll want more after just one! Two skewers... Sizzle!"

The light blonde girl looked up at Lindsay and asked, "Did you bite your tongue again?"

"Ugh..." Tears welled up in her eyes, and Lindsay nodded pitifully, then looked at Hafley, who was standing there dumbfounded, with her adoring eyes.

"Buy it...buy it!" came the voice, pleading with a look of utter dejection, like that of a pitiful puppy.

Lindsay had no choice, because the church was really struggling to make ends meet.

Because of Luminova's previous actions, not only the townspeople whose roofs she had damaged, but even her fellow clergy members in Sochi sent letters demanding compensation. The donations from the faithful and Lindsay's income as a teacher simply couldn't cover the costs…

If this continues, even the statues of goddesses in the church will have to be pawned! But as a nun, Lindsay can't openly engage in commercial activities, so she has to ask her teacher colleague Atina to set up a stall, with herself as her nominal helper.

That's right! I was simply helping my hardworking friend increase their income! I invested all the capital myself! Taking seven-tenths of the profits is perfectly normal! This is a kind act of helping a friend! The goddess will understand!

As for why it's barbecue, it's because Atina really loved the 'barbecue' her brother Ryuka used to make, so she learned how to cook it. Ryuka also gave her some very precious spices. The spices Ryuka selected from the Merchant Guild Alliance, dried and ground into powder, were practically a miracle bestowed by a goddess! With this secret recipe, the losses caused by Luminova can definitely be recovered quickly!

To avoid suspicion, Sister Lindsay could only set up her stall at night with Atina, targeting the soldiers on night patrol. The tired soldiers loved this kind of late-night snack that they could eat on the go, simply tossing away the skewers afterward. If they wanted to stop, they could also buy a couple of cups of mead brewed by the lovely nun, leaving all the day's fatigue behind.

Although the price of these meat skewers wasn't cheap in Linhu Town, the soldiers from the capital with stable incomes naturally wouldn't skimp on their spending. So Lindsay and Atina's little business was doing quite well; at least it prevented Lindsay from having to pawn the silver statue of the goddess and the church's crucifix candlesticks…

"Um, I don't have any money with me."

Hefley swallowed hard, trying to tear her eyes away from the delicious barbecue and Lindsay's tearful, pleading expression.

She definitely didn't bring it, and Haifulen didn't want to leave anything unsightly when she was forced to use the restroom in front of Ryuka tomorrow...

However, her steps, which had just begun to make the sale, were stopped by the calm voice of the light blonde girl.

"You can try it, and come back if you like it. Buying on credit is also fine."

"Thank you, but I still won't... um!"

Before I knew it, the expressionless girl had appeared before me. She held a small fan, constantly fanning the aroma of the meat skewers towards my nose. Her unwavering gaze was fixed on me, and her calm tone was like a hypnotic murmur:

"Try one, sir."

This was a secret recipe taught to her by her brother Liuxia, and Atina couldn't wait to share it with everyone. Seeing the expressions of each guest who couldn't get enough after tasting it, Atina felt that Liuxia truly lived up to his name; not only was he a good person and capable, but his culinary skills could also win over everyone.

If anyone could resist this temptation, it would be a blatant disregard for Ryuu-nii's taste! And the young lady in front of me, judging from her attire, doesn't seem like someone without money! If she doesn't eat, it would mean she's rejecting Ryuu-nii's culinary skills!

Atina will not tolerate the existence of such a guy!

Heflian looked at the girl in front of her. Although her gaze was calm, it sent a chill down the spine of the knight.

Why does it feel so dangerous? It's like I'll die in some gutter if I don't buy it tonight...

"Then, I'll have one skewer..."

"One skewer won't do. With your size, you'll need at least ten."

Without a word, Atina shoved a skewer of meat into Hefleen's hand and then silently returned to her seat.

"Hey, Atina, what if she doesn't come to pay the bill later...?"

Behind Hafley, Lindsay's barely audible murmur drifted out.

"It's alright, I... I've memorized her appearance."

Haifulian shuddered. Wasn't this just outrageous bullying, forcing people to buy and sell? Linhu Town really was an evil place, just like that demon! Even the nun and the seemingly frail girl were doing such outrageous things!

Yes, that's right! It's outrageous! We have to find a way to eliminate them!

Mmm, it's really good. The texture is just right—soft and bouncy—and the caramelized layer on top is incredibly fragrant. Especially the seasoning... even the emperor's chef might not be able to make something like this...

That's right! Eliminate them! Let's start with the meat skewers in our hands! Haifulian frowned and chewed, already putting the shameful things that would happen tomorrow out of her mind.

In the blink of an eye, she had arrived at the lord's manor. Although she still had a few skewers left, she was already feeling a bit regretful. Not that she regretted eating them, but that she regretted not buying more skewers and a large cup of mead to enjoy while taking a bath.

She was already quite familiar with the guards at the lord's manor. Although they were Hetia's subordinates, these soldiers dared not make things difficult for Heflian. She simply said, "I have something to discuss with your governor," and was let through. As for the bundle of dirty clothes she was carrying, that was naturally "a gift for your governor"...

But as she entered the courtyard, Heflene remembered something crucial.

Oh no, I forgot to ask Kira where the bathroom was. She didn't want to wander around the lord's manor and run into some damn little devil who wasn't asleep yet.

"I'll just ask one of the servants," Heflene said casually, wandering around the perimeter of the mansion, hoping to find a servant or maid on night duty.

Ding!Ding!Ding!

The sound of a hammer striking nails came from around the corner, presumably from the craftsmen and gardeners employed by Ryūka and her family. Heflü followed the sound, turned the corner, and asked directly:

"Hey, the bathroom is in that direction... Ouch! It's you?!"

Squatting on the ground, looking utterly bored, and using planks and a hammer to repair the huge hole in the wall, was the very nun who had kicked Quaid away, turning the tide of the battle and getting herself captured...

Sure enough! They're in cahoots! I knew it was such a coincidence that a nun of high rank would suddenly appear on the battlefield!

Heflene glared angrily at Luminova, who was squatting on the ground, her heart filled with both anger and fear.

Even the high priestess of the Church, the Battle Sister, has been corrupted by that demon? He's even worse than I thought.

Luminova looked up at Heflian and frowned in confusion:

"Have I seen you before? Well, never mind... There are so many people in town, I can't possibly remember everyone."

This guy! He doesn't even remember himself! He suffered so much humiliation, half of which was caused by this nun!

However, for Luminova, Hefren was just an insignificant nobody on the sidelines during that battle, so she had no recollection of it at all.

However, she recognized the meat skewers in Haiflian's hand.

It was the barbecue that Lindsay and Atina were selling! Luminova swallowed hard. This food, made to make up for the losses she had caused, hadn't been allowed to taste even once by Lindsay. Despite her numerous pleas, Lindsay had coldly refused to let her eat even a single skewer.

'If you want to eat, you have to work! Sister Luminova, if you go and fill in all the holes you made at the lord's mansion last time, I'll have Atina grill you a few skewers!'

That's why she was still here late at night, banging on the wall, even though Ryusha had repeatedly told her not to, since her culinary skills were truly appalling. But Luminova firmly believed that only after she fixed the problem would Lindsay allow her to taste the long-awaited kebabs and her favorite mead.

Although the work wasn't finished, the meat skewers were right in front of me.

Luminova stood up and rushed over to Heflin's side, startling Heflin so much that she took a half step back.

What is she trying to do? This is a very important position, one that I can't currently contend with...

"If I tell you where the bathroom is, can I have this?"

Under Luminova's intimidating gaze, Hefleen had no choice but to nod stiffly.

With a whoosh, the skewer of meat in her hand disappeared, while Luminova wore a blissful expression.

"Mmm... I wish there was a glass of Lindsay's mead! The bathroom, right? This way!"

*Bang!* The wooden plank that Luminova had just nailed up was ripped off in an instant. Luminova pointed to the large hole and then ignored Heflian.

Heflint peered through the hole and saw a large hole in each wall, leading to a straight passage that led to the bathroom...

She looked at Luminova, who was happily munching on a wooden stick, and came to a conclusion.

Everyone in this town is sick.

Chapter 7 Heflian's Nighttime Adventure in Lakeshire (Part 3)

The bathroom is right in front of me! I haven't had a proper bath since I came to Linhu Town. At most, I've just showered in public bathhouses. I haven't even been to the hot springs that I've heard so much about.

If I can get to that place, all my hard work this day will be worth it!

Looking at the spacious room at the end, Hafley's eyes lit up, and then...

"Ah~ I didn't expect anyone else to come. How about we come in for a bath and have a couple of drinks?"

In a spacious bath that could accommodate more than a dozen people, a high mage with short, ice-blue hair casually exposed half of his body, leaning against a stone platform by the pool. His fair, jade-like fingers held a wine glass, and the wine bottle on the platform reflected an alluring luster under the magical lamplight.

The moment Heflene saw Melanie, her heart skipped a beat, and she couldn't help but squeeze the beads behind her tightly a few times...

Why?! I just wanted to take a nice, relaxing bath! Why did I run into so many people tonight?!

"Hmm? What's wrong? Aren't you coming down?"

Melanie observed Haiflian's somewhat awkward posture, noticing her tightly clenched legs and slightly bent waist, as if she were enduring and hiding something. A look of retreat appeared on her blushing face.

"Ah~ you're the young lady from the Alvarez family~ Come to think of it, we used to be on the same side, and we still are now~"

Melanie recognized Haiflian, whom she had met once in the border village, and then a knowing glint appeared in her intelligent eyes.

"So, as your senior, I have a suggestion for you: there's no need to feel ashamed in this room, since everyone's pretty much the same. Ah~ but I'm an exception~"

Melanie smiled. She was right. Among Ryūka's lovers, only she and Kira had experienced relatively few "tricks". After all, they were neither slaves, prisoners, nor subordinates, but rather "friends" who voluntarily shared pleasure with Ryūka, so Ryūka had to be somewhat considerate of their level of acceptance.

However, this is an exception when you get really into it!

"So, what did he do to you? Did he insert a toy? Or apply an aphrodisiac? Or both?" Melanie's gaze swept over Haiflian, the shame of being scrutinized making her skin tingle...

“Melanie Snowfield…”

Haflian frowned, muttering to herself with some annoyance. Although the two hadn't interacted much before, they were both beauties in the capital's aristocratic circles and had naturally heard of each other to some extent. In particular, the biggest reason Haflian had come to the eastern part of the empire with Quaid was that Melanie, originally sent by the Third Prince, had lost contact with them.

Therefore, Hafulen was not entirely ignorant of this young great magician.

"Although the Snowfield family is far less prestigious than the Alvarez family, it is still an ancient magical family. I never expected you to betray the side your family chose and hang out with that brat..."

Facing Melanie, whose strength surpassed her own, Hafren showed no courtesy whatsoever. Rather, it would be an understatement to avoid using terms like "self-degrading" or "shameless" to maintain decorum among nobles. Firstly, knights and mages were often at odds, and secondly, even if she hadn't lost her mind and joined the Third Prince's faction, her first mission wouldn't have been here.

The ice beauty was unfazed by Heflian's resentment; she wasn't one to get angry easily. She simply smiled without a trace of pity:

"Looks like you're not quite satisfied yet~ Want me to go and coax Ryuka to give you some more intensity? Not that red-haired, violent woman, but seeing the other female knights getting tortured by that kid until their eyes rolled back, tongues lolled out, and all sorts of juices flowing everywhere~ I'd be happy to oblige~"

"Ugh... You! You also come from an ancient noble lineage! How can you say such a thing!"

Hefley couldn't help but imagine herself being toyed with and making that terrible expression. Her face flushed red, but her voice lowered several octaves obediently, and she turned to leave.

That beast rode that bitch! I'm not washing anymore!

Seeing Haiflian's sullen expression, Melanie couldn't help but smile and apologize. She could imagine how aggrieved Haiflian would feel after coming to Lake Forest. Although their personalities were different, Haiflian seemed to be just as dishonest as she had been in the past.

Moreover, in Linhu Town, she deliberately isolated herself from Liuxia and her group of girls. She didn't like anyone except Kania. This isolated and helpless situation reminded Melanie of herself when she first switched to magic, so she couldn't help but soften her attitude.

"Alright, alright, let's not argue. I mean, if that kid had a treasure that could help you advance to the Heavenly Rank or even the Saint Rank, you'd probably consider joining him, right?"

"A treasure for advancing to the Heavenly Rank? Dragon blood or something like that?" Haifulian, who was about to leave, stopped and turned back to look at Melanie with a puzzled expression.

"Alright, alright, let's not argue. I mean, if that kid had a treasure that could help you advance to the Heavenly Rank or even the Saint Rank, you'd probably consider joining him, right?"

"A treasure for advancing to the Heavenly Rank? Dragon blood or something like that?" Haifulian, who was about to leave, stopped and turned back to look at Melanie with a puzzled expression.

"I was just giving an example. There are no treasures for knights, but there are some that are suitable for me."

Melanie sipped her wine. Indeed, the holy statue in the Snow Spirit Cave had a high compatibility with her ice and snow magic, and was a treasure containing immense magical power. She wouldn't dare call herself a Saint-level mage, but becoming a Heaven-level mage was already an achievement Melanie was determined to attain.

Although strictly speaking, it belonged to Vitris, not Ryuka, her heretical cousin adored Ryuka like a sled dog, and it was only a matter of time before she and the treasure both fell into Ryuka's lap.

Oh, no, if Vitry wasn't so naive and childish, mistaking her dependence on Ryuu for friendship, they probably would have confessed their feelings long ago.

"So that's how it is..." Haifulian muttered. If Liuxia had a secret treasure that could help a great knight advance to the Heavenly Rank, not to mention her, even a more noble and powerful female knight would probably be tempted.

Well, besides that, the fact that I enjoy everything with that kid is also a major reason... Melanie secretly raised her eyebrows, of course she wouldn't say this to Heflian.

"Got it? I also want to advise you not to be too resistant to that kid; he's not a bad person at heart. And besides magical treasures, he does have other ways to enhance people's abilities..."

Melanie spoke very frankly about how Ryusha could enhance them, without even hiding anything about the ambiguous and romantic parts. This shocked Hafren and also eased her shame in front of Melanie.

After all, the other party was so open and honest; it would be petty for her to be secretive and evasive... Heflian gazed at Melanie's naked body. Unlike herself as a knight, this ice and snow archmage had a slender and delicate body, with skin so smooth it seemed like it could be broken with a touch. From her long, jade-like neck to her sculpted collarbone, her perfectly proportioned breasts and the delicate pink tips were like works of art that one dared not touch.

but……

"Doing that kind of thing with him will make you stronger? Really...?"