Chapter 41

"Sign in!"

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[Reward obtained: Ten Commandments - The Magic of Purity (Combo Star)]

[Combo Star: Each consecutive combo strike increases your strength by 200,000 pounds. The more uninterrupted combos you perform, the higher the damage.]

200,000 pounds of force? Rhodes thought to himself, mentally converting the numbers.

That's roughly 90 tons of pressure per strike.

If he managed to land ten consecutive hits, that would amount to a staggering 900 tons of force.

In theory, as long as his combo remains unbroken, he could accumulate enough power to take down even the gods.

The only question was whether his body could endure such overwhelming strength.

---

"Impressive magical power... combined with devastating melee abilities," Rhodes murmured under his breath.

He mentally tallied up the abilities he'd unlocked so far—Sun Commandment, Loving Kindness, Robbery, Disaster, Critical Breakthrough, Combo Star, and Immortal Body. His current skillset provided everything: offense, defense, healing, and buffs. He had become nothing short of a boss-level monster.

---

Just as Rhodes stepped out of his room, he bumped into Aurora, dressed in a resplendent palace gown.

Both of them knew exactly what had transpired the previous night.

Aurora, who had once felt nothing but annoyance toward him, now found her feelings shifting in an unexpected way.

When she thought about the possibility of marrying Rhodes, the idea didn't seem as unbearable as it had before.

---

Watching the princess's unusually cheerful expression, Rhodes smirked and shook his head.

"It looks like Aurora's grown quite fond of you."

At that moment, the countess emerged gracefully from her room. Despite her slightly disheveled hair, her every movement exuded elegance and poise, as if trained from birth to embody nobility. She clasped her hands demurely in front of her abdomen, radiating a calm demeanor.

But Rhodes knew better.

No one would have guessed that this untouchable, aristocratic countess had served him so intimately just hours ago.

The memory of her flushed face and sweat-soaked skin crossed Rhodes's mind. He couldn't help but think to himself: The rumors say succubi are the most depraved creatures, but noblewomen like her are no less dangerous.

"Your kneeling posture was exquisite," Rhodes teased. "I quite liked it."

The countess's cheeks flushed slightly, but she responded coyly, "If you enjoyed it, you should stay a few more nights. Count Francis would be delighted."

Her words carried a subtle warning. Once Rhodes and Aurora completed their union and became the future rulers of the Francis Kingdom, such intimate services would no longer be possible. Though upper-class nobles were notorious for indulging in illicit pleasures, they still had limits. Once Rhodes officially became her son-in-law, any relationship between them would have to end. From then on, it would be Aurora's duty to serve him personally.

---

"How could I refuse the countess's kindness?" Rhodes replied smoothly.

"Kindness?" She smiled faintly. "You wanted to stay, so you stayed. If you didn't, I wouldn't have forced you."

The corners of her mouth curled up slightly before she quickly regained her composure. With a cold glance and a hint of moisture in her eyes, she turned away, her elegant posture reminiscent of a proud swan as she gracefully left the room.

"Aristocratic restraint, huh?" Rhodes muttered, shaking his head.

---

Later, at breakfast, Rhodes dined with Count Francis and his family. The atmosphere was surprisingly cordial. Even the count, usually stern and aloof, regarded Rhodes with warmth.

It seemed that, after receiving the countess's "service," Rhodes had been accepted as one of their own overnight.

The countess sat quietly, eating with perfect manners. Her graceful movements as she sliced her food with knife and fork carried an air of practiced seduction, her red lips subtly inviting.

The sight reminded Rhodes of the events from the previous night.

As if noticing his gaze, the countess dabbed at her lips with a napkin and glanced at him with a slight, teasing eye-roll.

The look was ambiguous—both a silent message and yet, nothing at all.

Impressive acting skills. I could never pull off something like that, Rhodes thought with a sigh. These nobles are in a league of their own.

---

After finishing breakfast, Rhodes left the palace. A group of soldiers escorted him back to the hotel by carriage.

As he stepped into the hallway, he found Yulia leaning casually against the wall, her expression sharp and sarcastic.

"So, you didn't come back all night," Yulia remarked dryly. "For a moment, I thought you'd been arrested."

There was a mischievous glint in her eyes, as though she knew exactly what had happened.

As a legendary archmage, Yulia had mingled with nobles for years. She understood their games all too well. She didn't need to ask—she could already imagine how Rhodes had spent his night.

"Let me guess," Yulia continued with mock amusement. "The countess herself prepared a little... feast for you?"

Noblewomen, especially those of high rank, were known not just for their cooking skills but for mastering certain "other" techniques, passed down through generations. They had a way of making men lose all sense of reason.

Rhodes, with his appetite, seemed to have indulged fully.

"A man shouldn't be eating from so many different kitchens," Yulia quipped, crossing her arms. "You're downright greedy."

Rhodes chuckled. "Jealousy doesn't suit you. Women should be more generous."

Yulia's eyes narrowed. "Jealous? Who's jealous?"

With an amused grin, Rhodes leaned in closer. "If I don't hunt wild game, should I just starve to death? What's wrong with enjoying a few meals outside the house?"

Yulia's face flushed with anger. "What nonsense! Do you think I care who you sleep with?" she snapped. "I'm a legendary archmage! Ever heard of the Flame Queen? There are enough men lining up to court me that they could form a procession across the Western Continent! Why would I waste my time on you?"

Her voice rose to a near-shriek, like a cat whose tail had just been stepped on.

Rhodes raised an eyebrow, amused by her outburst. "Why are you so worked up? I never said you were in love with me."

He grinned wickedly. "I just thought you were jealous that the earl invited me and not you."

Before Yulia could respond, Rhodes closed the distance between them. With one hand, he pressed her firmly against the wall, their bodies almost touching.

Yulia's breath hitched, and she tilted her head slightly, unnerved by how close he was.

The scent of his skin—warm and undeniably masculine—made her pulse race in ways she wasn't prepared for.

Rhodes leaned in, his tone playful. "You know, if you're really that interested in me... I wouldn't mind."

"Get lost!" Yulia shouted, shoving him away with surprising force.

"I've got magic lessons to teach, and I don't have time for your nonsense!" she huffed, storming off down the hallway.

Watching her retreating figure, Rhodes rubbed his chin thoughtfully.

That temper of hers... Could she really be into me?

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