Chapter 243: Queen Disciplines Princess

Chapter 243: Queen Disciplines Princess

"Ah, I remember now."

Seeing the intense sparks flying in the air, I suddenly clenched my Fist.

"Older Sister, the Crawler, we haven't dealt with the Crawler yet."

Half trying to smooth things over, half genuinely regretting it, I had felt like I'd forgotten something right after coming back, but only now did I suddenly realize that I had forgotten to pick up the Items dropped after killing the Crawler.

"I thought something big had happened, turns out it was just this." With my interruption, Older Sister's sharp Gaze finally moved away from the Three-No Princess. As if by prior agreement, Marissa also lowered her Head in apparent humility.

"Crawlers and such, we can kill them anytime we want. Being too calculating isn't like a boy."

The Crawler, a Mini-Boss level Monster that was incredibly Powerful in the eyes of others, sounded like just a little Rabbit in Sister Sharna's Tone, something you could kill whenever you wanted. But Older Sister certainly had the Qualification to say that, because she completely possessed that Strength/Power. Uh, of course, I could too. Why is it that in front of Older Sister, I always forget the Fact that I'm also considered an Expert?

However, no matter what Older Sister said, my Heart still ached. You see, the last hit before the Crawler died was executed by me, so the Drop Rate should have been included. For a Minor Boss Level Monster, it wouldn't be strange to drop some Golden Equipment or something, and there was also proof. After killing the Crawler, you could take a small part of its Body using a special Potion and bring it back for the Mage Guild to verify. As long as you could prove you killed more than four Bosses, you would gain the Qualification to go to Kurast Docks.

Now I just Hope that the Items dropped by the Crawler will benefit some Adventure Team. But I think it's most likely that they were picked up by the Monster after Respawn and hidden somewhere unknown.

While I was secretly feeling heartbroken, Older Sister had already bypassed Marissa and me. She walked straight through the Corridor into the Great Hall. Although she didn't focus on material Enjoyment, seeing the lush Grassland and flower bushes outside the huge floor-to-ceiling glass, a hint of satisfaction flashed in her Eyes.

Taking off the light Armor on her Body, revealing a red, tight-fitting casual outfit, she then untied the Hairband that bound her Long Hair. Sister Sharna naturally found the wide rattan Lounge Chair I usually sat on. Her scattered, exquisite Hair Strands cascaded onto the Chair as she sat down, as if covering it with a layer of Golden silk.

Uh, that's the Master's Chair. I followed into the Great Hall and saw Older Sister elegantly half-reclining on the Chair with her slender, long Legs crossed, as if declaring that from now on, this Chair was her throne, and no one else was allowed to touch it.

I looked left and right. Damn Fat Pig King. He seemed to have completely forgotten about receiving Guests here, so in the entire spacious and elegant Great Hall, there was only that one large rattan Chair, as big as a bed, placed right in the center, as if deliberately highlighting and emphasizing his Status. Is this the common affliction of those with Power? Am I going to have to sit on the floor from now on?

"What are you standing there for? Hurry up and sit down." Seeing me standing dumbfounded at the entrance, Sister Sharna turned her Head back with displeasure and patted the empty spot beside her.

"Oh." I nodded blankly. This was indeed a good Idea. Having a big Chair was really convenient.

Just as I sat down, Older Sister's small hand already wrapped around me, hugging my waist. Her face, resting on my Chest, rubbed comfortably a few times, and she took a long, satisfied breath. Sigh, am I being used as a pillow?

At this moment, Marissa also followed from behind. Seeing this scene, for some reason, I suddenly noticed that in her emotionless Eyes, there seemed to be a burning Consciousness of defiance. Speaking of which, this Little Loli Princess is already 15 years old. Has the Sulking rebellious phase finally arrived?

I saw her approach, taking small, pattering steps to my other side. She suddenly knelt down, like a Kitten Act Spoiled. Her small hands, more soft and delicate than a pianist's, rested on the back of my hand. Her small face also pressed against it, one on my left and Sister Sharna on my right, both leaning on me.

"Master~~"

As a voice that was almost (?) sweetly tender sounded, the face pressed tightly against the back of my hand turned, and a pair of bright yellow Eyes looked at me.

"Hiss—"

I sucked in a cold breath. All three hundred and sixty pores on my Body felt as if they were filled with the legendary ten-thousand-year-old ice often encountered by Protagonists in martial arts Novels, tingling non-stop. Goosebumps spread from the back of my right hand to my entire Body at the Speed of bubbles rising from boiling water, just short of my Body shaking violently and gaining hundreds or thousands of years of Internal Force.

No, no, it's not that the Three-No Princess's Voice was unpleasant. On the contrary, it was very evocative. But think about it, what kind of scene would it be if this sweet "Master" was paired with those emotionless Eyes? It was like a synthesized Voice coming from a square robot. Could you get excited facing a cold block of iron?

Moreover, there were certain legendary female Protagonists who had a similar effect to the Three-No Princess right now – they would smile purely and innocently while using Weapons like Cleavers and chainsaws to turn living people into meat paste. Could it be that she wasn't in a rebellious phase, but rather Hatred was rising? I haven't deceived her Feelings, have I? I haven't played with her, have I? I haven't gotten her pregnant and then abandoned her, have I? Heaven can testify!

While I was Trembling with Fear and planning to definitely clean out all the things in the house that could become Weapons later, the Three-No Princess continued her spine-chilling performance.

"Master~~, didn't you promise that after you came back, you would fill Little Molly's Body with Love?"

Little... Little Molly? Can someone tell me how I should even begin to complain?

I stared blankly at the Three-No Princess's cold Eyes, which conveyed the complete opposite meaning of the words she spoke, and asked with an Affirmative Tone.

"Those Books... you still have them, don't you?"

Such familiar lines... I swear to God, this girl definitely still has a set of those Erotic Books I confiscated last time. No, maybe even more than one set. Who is it, in this Sanctuary already plunged into dire straits, who is still writing such obscene publications that poison the minds of young people? If I find them, I must thoroughly scrub their rotten and filthy Brains with steel wool a hundred times.

"There's no such Thing."

Marissa immediately looked away guiltily. This Little Loli, is her ability to hide things also at a child's Level?

Unexpectedly, another hand suddenly grabbed my arm, pulling it sharply away from Marissa's palm and cheek. I turned my Head back in alarm, only to see Older Sister glaring at Marissa with a cold face.

"A Maid should act like a Maid. If Master didn't call you over, then obediently squat in the Corner for me."

Hearing the Three-No Princess's words, Sharna felt an inexplicable surge of anger. Although she didn't know exactly what "injecting love into the Body" meant, her female Intuition made her feel very uncomfortable. Originally, the other party was just a small Mercenary, someone she usually didn't even put in her Eyes. Dealing with this Cannon Fodder Tier Adventurer was no harder than stepping on an Ant.

But her female Intuition told her again that this Matter - although she still didn't understand exactly what Matter it was - couldn't be solved with Fists. Her Intuition told her that if she used force to coerce the other party, she would fall into a disadvantage, or even lose. Therefore, the proud Her Majesty the Queen Sharna patiently dealt with the Three-No Princess. If it were her former character, she would have shot this little fellow dead long ago.

"I only have one Master, and he is the only one." Seeing her hand pulled away, the Three-No Princess simply knelt and lay on my lap, looking determined, as if she belonged to her Master in Life and would be his ghost in death.

"I am her Older Sister. Her things are my things. Therefore, her Maid is also my Maid." The small hand around my waist suddenly applied force. Before I could react, my Body was pulled to the other side by Older Sister. The Three-No Princess was even more caught off guard and fell to the ground awkwardly, landing face first in a spectacular tumble.

"Pat pat—" She stood up, patting the Dust off her Clothes with her small hands. She looked at Sharna expressionlessly.

"I only have one Master. Besides him, I won't listen to anyone else's words." Saying this, she tried to scramble back over to hug my leg.

"Hmph—" Older Sister hugged me and pulled me back.

*Tap tap*— The Three-No Princess circled around again.

"Hmph—" She was pulled back again.

*Tap tap*— The Three-No Princess continued to follow, determined not to stop until she touched me. Seriously, do you really like my leg that much?

Pulled back again...

"Enough, you two." Being spun around like a toy, I finally couldn't stand it anymore and sat up.

"You." I pointed at Marissa.

"Go make Dinner. I'm hungry." Whatever happens, I need to separate these two first, otherwise I'll become the first Sacrifice in their open struggle.

Since I had already spoken, the Three-No Princess couldn't easily defy my Command now. She reluctantly glanced at me with a Gaze that seemed filled with deep Hatred, and walked out under Sister Sharna's elegant and smugly provocative Gaze.

"Older Sister, why are you stooping to her Level and causing trouble?"

I turned back helplessly, looking at Older Sister, who was simultaneously displaying an Expression that said "My Victory is a matter of course" and combing her Golden Long Hair that could make all Headwear look Dejected in comparison.

"Younger Brother, your Heart is too soft. Even a mere Maid is so arrogant. Won't she climb over your Head in the future? I'm just helping you discipline her properly." Older Sister lightly twirled her Hair Strands. The Smile on her face was calm and filled with Confidence. As if seeing my worry, she continued.

"Don't worry, because she is your Thing, Younger Brother, I won't Damage her."

"Eh—"

Having my thoughts seen through by Older Sister, I could only respond with a foolish Smile. Actually, I was breaking out in a cold sweat over Marissa's behavior just now. You know, since the Rogue Encampment, besides Kashya and a few other old-timers, I've never seen anyone dare to defy Older Sister's wishes. Given Older Sister's unpredictable character, even if she suddenly smiled, pulled out her Weapon, and casually Hack Marissa in half, I wouldn't find it too strange. At that time...

"Oh, you—!"

Seeing my relieved Appearance, Older Sister suddenly sighed. She gently hugged me, burying me back into her fragrant embrace, and lightly stroked my Hair.

"Originally... originally you should have been mine alone. According to the Tribal Rules, all those other women should have been killed. But..."

She sighed heavily again. "Seeing you always so indecisive, I really can't bring myself to be ruthless. I keep thinking, 'Forget it, as long as Younger Brother is happy, nothing else matters.' If the other Amazons knew I had such an Idea, they would laugh themselves to death."

"Didn't Older Sister say not to care about other people's Vision/Insight?"

I wrapped my arm around Older Sister's Spine. I suddenly realized that Older Sister was surprisingly petite. I really don't know how such a seemingly fragile Body could erupt with Strength that surpassed even men.

"Little brat, you sure know how to talk back. But you're right, why care about other people's Gaze?" Older Sister's small hands hugged tighter, as if trying to Suffocation me with the force of her proud Chest.

"..."

"Dinner is ready."

Just as the Atmosphere was warm, a mechanical, monotonous, and emotionless Voice sounded at the right time. I reluctantly lifted my Head from that gentle embrace, only to see Marissa struggling to carry a half-meter-tall Clay Pot and walk in. So fast, it was ready in less than three minutes. Is she the legendary ace chef of a fast-food restaurant?

"Excuse me. Can you tell me what this is?"

With a black line on my face, I pointed at the Liquid in the Clay Pot that emitted a disgusting array of colors and a strange Scent, and humbly asked.

"This is 'Special Soup'."

It was indeed a concise and apt Name, but doesn't that mean nothing? What is this exactly! How do you even make this kind of colored Liquid that even Picasso couldn't mix!! I was frantically flipping Tables in my mind.

"Don't underestimate this pot of Soup."

Perhaps it was just a Feeling, but a sharp Light seemed to flash in Marissa's usually indifferent Eyes. She held up a few fingers to me seriously.

"This is a painstaking creation that went through over ten processes and more than twenty days."

"..."

I admit, I was stunned by those two astonishing Stats. I stared wide-eyed at the unknown Liquid that looked like polluted river water with a layer of industrial Oil floating on top, revealing disgusting colors. Is this what they call "Soup cannot be judged by its Appearance, and its Taste cannot be measured"? Like Velas's Momo Noodles, which look unremarkable but taste surprisingly good. No, it's not like that. Momo Noodles can only be said to have somewhat complex colors. This pot of Soup has completely surpassed the boundary of complexity; only "bizarre" is sufficient to describe it.

"Can you tell me exactly how you made it?" I swallowed a mouthful of saliva and asked, still uneasy. Drinking this pot of Soup requires a certain amount of Courage. At the very least, I need to know the Ingredients first.

"First, a piece of high-quality Steak. Oil and Flour."

"Oh, oh!"

Such normal Ingredients! I started to have some Hope for this pot of Soup. Maybe it would actually taste unexpectedly good.

"Then, Life Potion, Mana Potion, Antidote Potion, Dissolve Potion."

"Uh—" My scalp started to tingle.

"Dip the Steak in Flour, fry it in Oil until it's eighty percent cooked, then soak it in Life Potion for seven days and seven nights."

"..."

"Dip the soaked Steak in Flour again, and continue frying it in Oil until it's eighty percent cooked..."

"Where is it eighty percent cooked?! It's already completely cooked, you idiot!!!!" I suddenly felt an urge to flip the Table.

"Then soak it in Mana Potion for seven days and seven nights."

Ignoring my frantic complaints, Marissa continued. Actually, she wasn't taciturn; she just didn't want to waste a single word on things she wasn't interested in. Once she got into her Domain of interest, she would enter a state of self-absorption, like now.

"Dip the meat patty, soaked for the second time, in Flour, fry it in Oil until it's eighty percent cooked, then soak it in Antidote Potion for seven days and seven nights."

I'm telling you, that piece of Steak must have already disintegrated.

"Dip the Steak, soaked for the third time, in Flour, fry it until it's eighty percent cooked, then soak it in Dissolve Potion for seven days and seven nights."

Enough, Spare that poor piece of Steak.

"So, where is that piece of Steak?"

Looking at this full pot of Soup, I suddenly became interested in the color, shape, and Size of that Steak. Of course, I would absolutely not eat it, absolutely!!

"..." The Three-No Princess seemed a bit confused by my words. She tilted her Head and looked at me with a puzzled Gaze.

"I mean. Where is that poor Steak that you fried four times and soaked for twenty-eight days? Wasn't it the Main Course? How is there only Soup left?"

"What are you talking about? That Steak was just an Ingredient. The real Main Course is this Soup. Finally, mixing the Life, Mana, Antidote, and Dissolve Potions that the Steak was soaked in is the essence of this dish. How could that piece of such unpalatable Steak be left behind?"

Her expressionless answer was like throwing a piece of charcoal into a volcano that had been dormant for a hundred and eight thousand years, instantly making me erupt.

"Is there something wrong with your Brain? Are you sure there isn't? Why is the Steak that went through over ten processes and was soaked for twenty-eight days just an Ingredient, while this insignificant Soup became the Main Course? If that's the case, wouldn't it be the same if you just mixed the four types of Potions together at the beginning and then put the fried Steak in to soak for seven days and seven nights? You ate that Steak, didn't you? You definitely ate it. And you just said it was unpalatable, so you must have eaten it. If that's the case, will this Soup taste good?"

I said all this in one breath, having held it in for a long time.

"..."

Marissa looked at me blankly, then paused. Just when I thought she was reflecting, she suddenly adopted a thoughtful posture and mumbled softly.

"I see. It can be done like that. That would save twenty-one days. Maybe the Taste would become even more special. I'll try it next time..."

"Don't try it again, you idiot! To what Degree do you want to waste the Potions that Adventurers cherish as Treasures before you're satisfied?" I couldn't help but frantically rub her Hair.

"It's not wasting, it's Equivalent Exchange." Marissa covered her messy Hair with her hand and looked up at me.

"Equivalent Exchange? Where did you get the Money?" I was a little curious. Even a Princess couldn't be that wealthy... No, I should say, Fallen to this Degree.

"When I left, King Father secretly ordered me to take all the Treasures from the Treasury." The Three-No Princess answered honestly.

"..."

That old fellow Jerhyn is truly ruthless. I think the Fat Pig King must have shed Tears over the empty Treasury for more than one night. Nearly ten cubic meters of Inventory Space is enough to sweep away all the valuable things inside.

In that case, isn't this Three-No Princess equivalent to a Mobile Treasury? This is carrying the National Treasury Treasures of the entire Western Kingdoms!!

"Let's not talk about this first."

I waved my hand weakly. "Pour this pot of Soup away. Of course, if you think your Skill/Craftsmanship isn't bad, you can drink it all."

When I turned my Head back, I found Older Sister had already come closer. She dipped her index finger into the surface of the Soup, then gently put it in her mouth. Her brows immediately furrowed.

"As a Maid, you dare to bring out something like this?" Older Sister, with a face like frost, immediately activated her Queen mode. She was just short of shouting, "Bold slave, why aren't you kneeling?"

Uh, Older Sister, you're looking for trouble, aren't you? You're looking for Marissa's trouble, aren't you? For some reason, facing these two Princess and Queen who were incompatible, all the Strength in my Body suddenly felt as if it had been drained, and my shoulders drooped powerlessly.

"Tell me!" Ignoring my pale Appearance beside her, Sharna walked towards Marissa with majestic Paces, looking down at her from above. She reached out and pinched her Chin, lifting it up, making her indifferent Eyes look at herself.

"Have you tasted this Soup?"

"..."

"If you've tasted it, you still brought it to your Master even though you knew it tasted bad. If you haven't tasted it, then it's even worse. You didn't even know how it tasted or if it was poisonous, and you presumptuously let your Master taste your experimental product? Either way, as a Maid, it's enough Reason for you to be executed."

"..."

A hint of panic flashed in her stubborn Eyes. Marissa really didn't expect this. It wasn't that she didn't understand the Rules; she just childishly wanted to oppose this woman she strongly disliked and make her angry. And usually, Master's temper was very good, so good that it even made her forget many of a Maid's duties. Her current behavior, just as this hateful woman in front of her said, was indeed enough to warrant a death penalty.

"Eh—" I was about to speak, but Older Sister turned her Head back and glanced at me with a Smile that hid a knife.

"However, it's not impossible to Spare you. Although for a lowly Maid like you, understanding Master's benevolence is simply impossible."

"Then, as punishment after forgiveness—" Older Sister suddenly let go of Marissa, turned around, and pressed me down onto the Chair, while she stood beside me.

"Let's follow the Tribal Rules of our Amazon Tribe. For a slave who has done something wrong, if the Master is magnanimous, they only need to humbly lick the Shoes clean."

"Huh—?" Why is the fire burning on me again? Besides, I'm not an Amazon.

Marissa clenched her Fists, glaring resentfully at Sharna, who had a cold Smile on her face.

"What, you're not convinced? Since you've done something that brings shame upon yourself, punishing you with humiliation is only right, isn't it? Or are you saying you don't even understand this basic principle? As a Princess? Hmph—?"

The last sentence seemed to provoke Marissa. She almost bit through her delicate lips. Large Tears continuously fell from her beautiful big Eyes, a sight that made one feel pity.

Her Body trembled violently. She took one step after another, each step seeming to require all her Strength to move. Slowly, she walked to In Front of me, squatted down, and struggled to lower her Head...

"Forget it—" Sister Sharna suddenly pulled my leg away.

"I suddenly remembered, this is a punishment formulated by the Tribe to deal with disobedient men. You are a woman, so I'll Spare you."

*Thump thump thump*— Marissa, covering her face as she left, left a trail of crystal-clear water droplets on the floor. I looked at Older Sister with a helpless expression.

"I thought with your character, you would definitely stop me halfway." Older Sister stroked my face and said with a light Smile.

"Because Older Sister just said she wouldn't Damage my people. I believe Older Sister." I shook my Head and gave a Bitter Smile.

"But, doing that seems a bit too pathetic, doesn't it? She's only 15 years old after all, and she's Fallen from a Princess to a Maid."

"Hmph—, 15 years old, when I was—" Raising her willow brows, Older Sister's Tone paused.

"Younger Brother, your Heart is too soft. Whether dealing with disobedient subordinates or willful women, you must use both kindness and severity. Being solely gentle and tolerant will only make them more arrogant."

"I think it's fine. I don't like looking down on others from a high position, nor do I force others to obey or serve me. As long as I can live in my own way, even if I indulge the people around me a bit and let them feel happy, I don't think it's a Bad Deeds."

"Oh, you, what should I say? If that's the case, don't provoke so many in the first place..." She mumbled, and finally, Older Sister's Voice gradually became softer.

"Huh? What?" I didn't hear the latter part clearly and asked again.

"I mean, why aren't you going to comfort your willful Little Maid now? Otherwise, be careful of resentment later." Older Sister suddenly patted my shoulder hard, pushing me towards the door.

This is the so-called Method of using both kindness and severity. The human Heart is a complex Thing, like a spring. Just being good to others doesn't necessarily lead to a good Result, and might even cause a backlash—