Silence descended like a heavy blanket.
At that moment, it seemed as though even the chirping of birds and the buzzing of insects had been chased away by the overpowering stench of blood, leaving behind a profound stillness in the surroundings.
It wasn't until some time later that a sound finally shattered the silence.
"Gulp..."
That was the sound of someone swallowing hard.
Meili was still slumped on the ground as she gazed at the vast pool of bloodstains and the scattered remains of Demon Beast flesh now coloring the ground crimson. Then, her eyes shifted to the sharp dagger aimed at her head, and she couldn't help but swallow nervously.
Especially under the piercing gaze of those ice-blue Mystic Eyes.
Under their scrutiny, Meili felt as though a block of ice had been thrust into her spine, causing the blood in her veins to freeze, making her unbearably cold.
In such a dire situation, Meili was so terrified that words failed her.
And in that moment, the twin maid sisters traversed the sea of blood and flesh to stand behind Fang Li.
"Elder Sister, Elder Sister, looks like this assassin is petrified by Lord Fang Li," One of the twins remarked.
"Rem, Rem, this little troublemaker seems to be petrified by that scoundrel," The other twin added.
Their words dripped with sarcasm, but Meili couldn't conjure a smile.
Because the twin sisters' gaze bore into her devoid of emotion, as though they were executioners deciding their next move, sending shivers down Meili's spine.
Helpless and lacking the power of Demon Beasts to aid her, Meili found herself utterly incapable of dealing with the situation before her.
Now, being stared down by a Murdering Demon and a pair of Oni sisters, Meili couldn't even entertain the notion of escape.
So, Fang Li, observing the frightened Meili, spoke again with a faint smile.
"How about it? Can we talk now?"
How could Meili dare to refuse?
At that moment, Meili could only nod repeatedly, akin to pounding garlic.
However, the twin sisters seemed somewhat dissatisfied with this.
"Lord Fang Li is too soft," Rem said somewhat tactfully. "Rem believes this assassin isn't worth keeping alive."
The implication was to swiftly end her life.
"Ram doesn't think this scum is worth conversing with," Ram said bluntly. "Since she dared to attack Lord Roswaal's mansion, she should pay the price."
The implication was also to swiftly end her life.
The Oni sisters' ruthless comments nearly brought Meili to tears.
Now, Meili could only cast hopeful eyes at Fang Li.
And Fang Li, seemingly oblivious to the twin maids' remarks, continued the conversation on his own.
"First, let me ask you a question." Fang Li raised the dagger in his hand, as if in threat, and questioned Meili, "Who hired you?"
"I... I don't know," Meili said, shrinking and trembling with fear. "I only accepted the Mission and don't know who assigned it."
This wasn't unexpected.
After all, many wouldn't want information about hiring an assassin leaked. If there was a risk of exposure, they'd think twice about hiring one.
Legitimate assassin organizations would definitely have rules to protect their clients' information, not for the client's sake, but to ensure business went smoothly.
Of course, it was also possible Meili was lying and withholding information about the client.
So, Rem and Ram's gazes toward Meili gradually grew more menacing, making her shrink further.
Fang Li was still indifferent and continued to inquire as though unconcerned about the matter, "Then let me ask you another question: Does your assassin organization have any information about the Witch Cult?"
"The Witch Cult?" Meili reacted to the term.
"The Witch Cult..." Rem and Ram also reacted to the term.
However, while the former's reaction appeared somewhat puzzled, the latter's response unintentionally revealed a hint of negativity.
It was only natural.
The ones responsible for the devastation of the Oni Village, leaving only Rem and Ram, were the Witch Cult.
Moreover, considering that Ram's horn had also been severed by members of the Witch Cult, regardless of Ram's reaction, Rem, much like the first time she heard the name of the Witch Cult in the restaurant, was exuding an air of fury.
Yet, compared to that time, Rem had already unlocked the Heart Bond and was no longer as consumed by it.
Thus, Rem managed to keep her emotions in check, though her gaze at Meili turned somewhat piercing.
Under Rem's intense stare, the weight on Meili's heart was immense.
At that moment, Meili hastily spoke up, "I... I only know that the Witch Cult seems to have recently crossed into the kingdom's borders and is gearing up for something. I don't have any further details."
Having said that, Meili paused for a moment and cautiously added, "However, there's reliable chatter going around that those folks seem to have their sights set on the Silver-Haired Half-Elf."
The information provided echoed what Elsa had mentioned previously.
"Is that all?" Fang Li queried directly. "It's been several days since then. Has your organization not received any updated intel?"
"I've been tied up with missions and haven't had a chance to report back to the organization," Meili replied somewhat anxiously. "So, what I've shared is all I know."
Upon hearing this, Rem and Ram exchanged glances, both falling silent.
Fang Li also furrowed his brow, unable to suppress a sigh inwardly.
Was it truly impossible for any fresh intel to surface in just a few days?
If so...
"I'll call you Meili," Fang Li addressed her.
"Now Meili, let me ask you a question, do you value your life?"
This question warranted no verbal response.
With an even more desperate demeanor than before, Meili nodded repeatedly.
Observing this, Fang Li offered a faint smile.
"Well then, let's strike a deal!"
Seeing Fang Li's seemingly mischievous grin, Meili's heart suddenly sank with a foreboding feeling.
Shortly after, approximately half an hour later, Fang Li's entire group emerged from the forest.
However, perched on Rem's shoulder was an additional captive girl, bound and wearing a dejected expression on her face.
It was only at this moment that the notification sound from the system chimed in Fang Li's mind.
"Serial Number 11273 completed B-Rank Side Quest, Gained 20000 Exchange Points."
Though completing a Side Quest netted Fang Li 20000 Exchange Points, there was still a shortfall of 10000 Exchange Points to meet the target of Fang Li's Main Quest Three.
Moreover, Main Quest One and Main Quest Two remained incomplete. Fang Li sighed softly.
"It looks like I'll still be quite busy for a while."
...
You can read ahead up to 70 chapters on my patreon and I've also activated (date to date) subscription model on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/GGS6395
As long as I reach 200 dollars on my Patreon, I will start posting 2 chapters per day of this novel.
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1. I am not Interested In Devil Fruit
2. Marvel Disassembler
Roswaal Mansion, Top Floor Study.
"Is it the 'Demon Beast User' who came as an assassin?" Roswaal sighed, uncertain whether to feel relieved or disappointed upon hearing Ram's report.
"It seems that this incident is also related to the Royal Selection and it is not an issue of the Witch Cult."
By now, darkness had settled outside.
After returning from Oni Village, Fang Li had Rem watch over Meili while he and Ram came here, with Ram explaining the entire situation to Roswaal.
Naturally, Emilia was also present here.
"I'm sorry, Fang Li," Emilia said apologetically. "I've involved you in my affairs again, I'm really..."
"Alright, no need to apologize," Fang Li interrupted. He had been interacting with Emilia for some time now and knew that once she felt indebted to someone, she would apologize endlessly.
So, with a slightly firm tone, he continued, "I've done plenty myself, and with Rem and Ram assisting me, I don't feel like I'm at a loss."
Isn't that right?
Although this matter had nothing to do with Fang Li initially, triggering a Side Quest meant that Fang Li couldn't just stand idly by.
Therefore, even in terms of self-interest, Fang Li had enough reason to act.
In fact, when it came down to it, Fang Li himself benefited from this.
After all, this Side Quest was a B-Rank, and according to the settings of the Main God's Dimension, the chances of completing it were only one in ten.
Fang Li seemed to have completed it smoothly, but in reality, without Rem and Ram's help, Fang Li would have had to put in a lot of effort to find the target person. It wouldn't have been so easy.
Therefore, the fighting part of this Quest was the easiest, while finding the target person was the most difficult.
Thanks to Rem's sense of smell and Ram's clairvoyance, Fang Li was able to complete it so smoothly, and Fang Li himself benefited the most.
Of course, this couldn't be stated explicitly.
However, just because it couldn't be stated didn't mean that Fang Li would disregard it and accept Emilia's gratitude without a second thought.
In this situation, Fang Li smirked and spoke up.
"Although the Curse User isn't affiliated with the Witch Cult and doesn't match my target, I still gained something from it."
"Gained something?" Emilia tilted her head in confusion.
So, Fang Li spoke confidently.
"Firstly, Roswaal has agreed to reward me, so I'm not doing this for nothing."
"Secondly, I made it a condition to spare Meili's life and have that girl help me with something."
"All in all, I've gained enough this time, and there's no need for thanks or apologies anymore."
Fang Li's words piqued Roswaal's interest.
"Having the 'Demon Beast User' help you with something?" Roswaal asked with interest. "Can I hear what it is?"
"Don't worry, you'll know in due time," Fang Li replied, avoiding the question. "Anyway, because of this, I hope you treat that prisoner well. Just keep an eye on her and don't let her escape. Don't execute her, okay?"
"Well, that's a bit tricky," Roswaal said, his words contrasting with the amused expression on his face. "She's a serious offender who attempted to murder one of the Royal Selection candidates. Keeping her alive might give us a headache, you know?"
"So, consider that part as part of the reward," Fang Li glanced at Roswaal with a meaningful smile. "Don't tell me you can't do it, or I might just change my mind."
"Aiya, what a rude request," Roswaal said, spreading his hands. "You were supposed to deal with the Curse User, but now it seems like you're asking us to keep the character who triggered the incident?"
"But as you said, I only need to deal with the Curse User, not necessarily kill her," Fang Li said confidently. "Besides, if we calculate it, when I helped Rem eliminate the curse within the body, it could be considered solving a problem caused by the Curse User, couldn't it?"
"...That's hard to argue against," Roswaal finally chuckled.
"Well..." Emilia raised her hand, smiling somewhat perplexed. "Actually, I also think it's better not to kill her."
"What?" Ram couldn't help but speak up. "Even Lady Emilia feels that way?"
"It's...it's just unavoidable," Emilia explained clumsily. "Fang Li has helped me, and I want to repay that favor. Since the other party is useful to Fang Li, I should let it go. Besides, that child didn't actually harm anyone here..."
As Emilia desperately explained, everyone fell silent.
"Still the same flawed argument as always," Fang Li said helplessly. "Just say you can't bear to kill a young child, Hime-sama."
"I-I'm not like that!" Emilia puffed her cheeks, retorting. "Also, I'm not a princess, just a candidate for the throne."
Generally speaking, isn't that status even more noble than a princess?
Fang Li secretly laughed in his heart.
Conversely, Roswaal seemed accustomed to this.
"Since even Lady Emilia says so, there's no choice."
Roswaal turned to Ram and said, "Ram, tell Rem to keep that 'Demon Beast User' under house arrest in the mansion. Treat her according to the standards of a guest, except she can only move around within the mansion."
"...There's really no choice," Ram said bluntly. "Although Ram doesn't want to do this, since Lord Roswaal has said so, Ram will comply."
It seems that Ram doesn't have much fondness for Meili.
But then again, wouldn't that be natural?
After all, the other party is the Curse User who nearly killed her Little Sister. Even Ram wouldn't turn a blind eye to that.
"However, since the Curse User isn't affiliated with the Witch Cult, when will the Witch Cult come knocking?" Roswaal's words, like a song, silenced everyone present.
Fang Li felt the same.
Actually...
(I probably know when the Witch Cult will show up.)
In the original story, the Witch Cult appeared in Mathers' territory after the Royal Selection began.
Because Fang Li wanted to take the initiative, he didn't want to wait until then to act. He had been actively facing the issue of the Witch Cult and was even seeking them out.
Now it seems that he can only obediently wait for them to come to him.
"Truly, the most hateful kind of enemy is the one lurking in the shadows..."
...
You can read ahead up to 70 chapters on my patreon and I've also activated (date to date) subscription model on my patreon https://www.patreon.com/GGS6395
As long as I reach 200 dollars on my Patreon, I will start posting 2 chapters per day of this novel.
I have also posted 2 new novels on My website and web novel. They are-
1. I am not Interested In Devil Fruit
2. Marvel Disassembler
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