“Anyways, the reason I cannot stay here and work for you is because I am already an Adventurer. I simply won’t have the time.” Leo said.
“If it’s just that, you can be an Adventurer while working for me.” Lia said.
“I know, but it just won’t be the same… I care about my freedom above all. I don’t like to be restricted, even if it’s just a feeling. Furthermore, I have other things that I want to do. Maybe in the future I will change my mind and come work for you… If you’re still willing to accept me at that time.”
Lia closed her eyes and became silent for the next few moments.
Still with her eyes closed, she asked, “Is there really no way that I can make you stay with me?”
“I’m sorry….” Leo mentally prepared himself just in case Lia suddenly decided to stab her black dagger at him.
“Since you have already made a decision, I won’t continue to bother you. However, that does not mean I am going to give up. Leon, I want you, and when I want something, I always get it. It may not be today or even a year from now, but I will not give up until you’re mine.” Lia slowly opened her eyes to look at him with a resolute gaze.
Leo showed a relieved smile and said, “Thank you for your understanding.”
“Before you leave, can I see your phone?” she suddenly asked.
“Sure.” Leo immediately handed his phone to her, as he wanted to leave this place as soon as possible.
After fiddling with his phone for a few moments, Lia handed it back to him and said, “I have put my contact information in there. Call me if you ever change your mind. If you need help, don’t hesitate to ask for help.”
“Thank you.”
Lia left the bed and said, “I will show you the way out.”
Leo nodded and followed her outside the room, where Edwin could be seen approaching their room from the hallways.
“How are you feeling, Young Lady?”
“Normal.”
“That’s a relief. By the way, where are you going?”
“I’m showing him the exit.”
“I can—”
“No, you can clean the room.” Lia immediately rejected his proposal before he could even finish his sentence.
“I understand…”
Edwin stood in the hallway and watched as Leo and Lia’s figure disappeared from his eyes before entering another room to continue watching through the windows.
Once they were at the front door, Lia said, “Can you come back in six months to help me again?”
“If I am still alive by then.” Leo nodded.
“What are you going to do now?” she then asked.
“First and foremost, I am going to return to the Adventurers’ Guild to let them know that I have finished the mission so that I can finally be promoted to C-Rank. After that… I don’t know. I will probably continue doing missions for more promotions.”
“I see… Then maybe I will see you sooner than six months.”
“Maybe… Anyways, see you later, Lia. It was actually nice knowing you. You’re a very unique girl.” Leo said to her with a smile on his face before walking out the door.
Lia didn’t say anything and silently watched Leo until his figure could no longer be seen before returning inside the building.
“Edwin.”
When she returned to Edwin, she called for him.
“What are your orders, Young Lady.”
“I want all the information you can find on Leon. I don’t care how small.”
“I understand. I will have them ready as soon as possible.” Edwin said.
And he thought inwardly, ‘This is perfect. I was going to look up on him anyway. This will just allow me to do it more openly.’
However, before leaving, Lia spoke in a cold voice, “Edwin, I also forbid you from harming Leon.”
“Young Lady…? What do you mean—”
“Do you think I am an idiot, Edwin? I can see your killing intent even now.” Lia’s crimson eyes emanated a profound aura.
And she continued, “He will be part of the Scarlet Family in the future. I won’t allow anyone from my family to harm him. Do you understand?”
Edwin’s eyebrows twitched, and he responded in a calm voice, “I understand, Young Lady. I swear that I won’t lay a single hand on him.”
Lia turned around and disappeared from his sight shortly after.
Edwin gritted his teeth and muttered in a low voice, “As long as I don’t personally kill him…”
After leaving the Scarlet Family’s household, Leo released a loud sigh of relief, “Thank god I am finally out of that house! It was only three days, yet it felt like I had been there for weeks!”
“I am not surprised, considering that you had been confined inside a small room and had to use Mana Drain most of the time.” Lilith said.
“Anyways, now that I am free, let’s head to the Adventurers’ Guild and get my well-deserved C-Rank promotion!”
“I bet the Guildmaster will be very surprised to see you.” Lilith chuckled.
“Let’s just hope that he won’t attack me out of the blue like that damn old man.”
Sometime later, Leo arrived at the Adventurers’ Guild.
After taking a deep breath, he entered the building and walked straight to the front desk.
“I am here to report.”
He handed his ID to the worker and waited for his reward.
“Thank you. I have confirmed the competition of your special mission. However, the reward for the mission is currently still pending, so you will have to return at another time for it.” The worker said.
‘Pending? Is it because they didn’t expect anyone to survive it, so they decided to not put a reward?’ Leo wondered inwardly.
“Where is the Guildmaster? I would like to speak with him.”
“I’m sorry, but that is not possible. The Guildmaster left the city about two days ago due to an emergency. He won’t be back for another month or two.” The worker said.
“Seriously? What about his investigation into my bounty?” Leo asked.
“Give me a moment to look this up…”
The worker proceeded to look through his information on the computer.
