Contract (1)

I removed my cloak and gently draped it over Lily's slender, snow-white body.

Lily's gaze suddenly became strange as she looked at me, and her cheeks flushed with an enchanting blush. Based on my past experience with women, she was most likely naked in front of a man for the first time.

"My lady, I'd like to ask you a question. You burned and destroyed my property, which I can buy again. But you injured my servants with your own hands. If I were to act as if nothing happened, how do you think I should explain this to my loyal followers?"

As I spoke, I stared coldly at Lily. She froze in place, her face openly showing recognition and regret.

Actually, the situation wasn't as serious as I made it sound, but the question I asked was very important. This was the first step in testing her character and winning her over.

From Lily's reaction and her earlier angry outburst, I could tell she was a simple girl without scheming thoughts, unable to hide her feelings. Her current expression of regret showed her kind nature, which matched the general personality of elves, and she was also someone who understood reason.

But most importantly, I wanted to use this incident to let her know that I was a reliable leader, and to plant the image of myself as a heroic figure in her heart.

"I'm truly sorry. How are the injuries of those ladies earlier? I am willing to apologize to them for what happened."

"I've already sent a physician to treat them, but if any of them die from severe injuries, Lily, I'm sorry to say that even though you are a holy maiden of the allied elf tribe, I must deal with you according to the law. Please be mentally prepared."

Lily's face finally showed the reaction I had been hoping for - first deep self-blame, then resolute determination, nodding to show she understood my meaning and was willing to accept any punishment.

I finally felt relieved, knowing that the effort and money I had spent on her hadn't been wasted, because I now understood she was someone with a strong sense of responsibility who would stake her own life for the mistakes she made. This was exactly the kind of person I needed - I didn't want someone who would run away from responsibility.

Dear audience, don't question why someone so young became the lord of a northern territory. I didn't earn this reputation for nothing - this is my way of reading people.

"Let's set aside the matter of the servants for now. Can you tell me why you secretly infiltrated our country's borders, and why you were attacked by dark elves?"

I had Lily sit across from me. She still seemed uncomfortable being naked with only a thin cloak draped over her.

This was actually a little trick of mine. I couldn't possibly have her remain completely naked in front of me, a stranger. By giving her a cloak that was practically useless, she could at least try to maintain this sensual posture in front of me.

Though she was embarrassed, the urgency of the situation forced her to talk with me this way.

A month ago, they discovered that the dark elves and orcs were beginning to act strangely. For safety reasons, they sent envoys to our country hoping for military support. But the envoys never returned any news, so the elders of the Holy Elf clan had no choice but to secretly send their most outstanding warrior of the new generation and a holy maiden who had just completed her training.

However, on the way, they encountered an ambush by ten high-ranking dark elves. The two of them defeated five of the dark elves, but the warrior traveling with Lily died in battle, and she was also severely injured. Fortunately, she met me, otherwise she would either be dead or disabled by now.

"So what do you plan to do now?"

"If possible, I hopes... um, sorry, I haven't asked your honorable name yet, sir?"

"My name is Avanti Radell."

"A... Avanti?"

For some reason, Lily suddenly jumped up, looking at me with complete disbelief.

"Avanti? Are you really... the lord of Ferbenley... Lord Avanti?"

"Yes... that's right, I am Avanti. Do you know me?"

"Of course I know you! My uncle often mentions you, and you're even my idol."

What kind of situation is this? I'm only twenty years old, yet I'm being idolized by an elf who's over two hundred years old. No matter how I look at it, I don't feel happy about this - instead, I feel like I've aged considerably.

"Who is your uncle?"

"My uncle is an elder who holds the second highest position in our tribe. He's always paid attention to your affairs, sir. Starting at fifteen, you led troops against the orc tribe. Though you didn't achieve glorious victories, for three consecutive years you exhausted the orc army's supplies, making them afraid to invade the empire's borders again. After that, you were granted the title of baron by the royal family, becoming the youngest knight in the history of the Vorust Empire."

Lily became more and more excited as she spoke, and I almost thought she was talking about her own achievements.

"Uncle once said that although you keep a low profile and don't have outstanding martial skills or magical power, you are actually the spiritual leader of the ten northern territories. The three northern tribes have a total force of over 600,000, but you effectively command the combined defensive tactics of less than 100,000 troops from various territories, making the entire northern part of the empire as solid as a fortress. So you alone is equivalent to 500,000 soldiers. Uncle privately calls you 'the magician of the battlefield.'"

"It's nothing serious."

Damn!

Look at those eyes - she looks like she wants to capture me right here. The worst part is that when it comes to fighting, ten Avantis wouldn't be a match for this holy maiden.

I am a proud alchemist of lewdness and cruelty, so how could I face my elders? This situation puts me under great pressure.

"Excuse me, My lady, could you please not stare at me with those eyes?"

"Sorry, I was too excited."

"Let's get back to the topic. What do you plan to do now?"

"Ah, right! I must immediately rush to your country's imperial capital to meet with your king, hoping they can send troops to support my tribe."

"No, it's too late. You were unconscious for a full seven days. The allied army of dark elves and orcs will soon reach your sacred land. Not to mention that our country still needs to hold meetings to decide whether to send troops, even if our country were to send troops immediately, mobilizing soldiers takes time, and traveling from the imperial capital to the sacred land would take more than ten days. By then, we'd probably only be able to collect your tribespeople's corpses."

Lily was stunned, unable to react for a moment. The survival of her entire tribe rested on her shoulders alone, but after being attacked and unconscious for seven days, even if she reached the imperial capital to meet the emperor, it would be too late.

"Lord Avanti, please, I beg you, please think of a way. Can you gather the northern allied forces to march?"

"I'm sorry, since the two-tribe alliance isn't attacking our country, I have no reason to request other territories to send troops for support. And even if we gathered a large army now, there still wouldn't be enough time."

"Then... then what should I do? Lord Avanti, I am willing to be your slave, please find a way to save my people."

Got her!

Seeing Lily's panicked and desperate state with reddened eyes, I was actually pleased inside. The best time to capture a girl's heart is when she's helpless and confused - appearing as a hero extending a helping hand. Of course, I wouldn't reveal these thoughts.

Though it's despicable, I believe readers would support me.

I pretended to sigh, stood up, and paced two circles in front of Lily to strike a pose. Her expression became more and more anxious, but the only thing she could do was rely on me.

"Lord Avanti..."

"Lady Lily, saving your elf tribe is not entirely impossible, but..."

"But?"

"To save it, I must personally make a trip to your territory. But this journey is extremely dangerous - the chances of life and death are fifty-fifty. I personally am not afraid of death (just kidding!), but if something happens to me, millions of people in the entire north would lose their support. If you were in my position, what would you do?"

Lily wanted to speak but stopped, fell silent for a long while, and finally began to cry slowly. At this moment, I naturally knew what I should do. I sat beside Lily and carefully embraced her to comfort her.

"Don't cry, silly girl. How about we make a deal?"

"A deal?"

"That's right. I'm willing to take this risk for you and save your entire sacred elf tribe. But you must make a contract with me, serving me as your master and taking full responsibility for protecting my personal safety."

"Make... make a contract?"