16.6

Even as Ralph rushed to open the door for his niece, Eve turned to watch the door to both professors’ rooms open. Professor Swift and Bloodwood looked like they’d had a rather eventful night. Her eyes narrowed at a few corpses littered the floor in their room. It wasn’t close to the number Ralph had fought, but it was a respectable amount, to be sure.

Her remaining marble of Water moved until it hovered at chest height directly between the professors and her. Both men glanced at the tiny orb before slipping to her cleavage and then looking back to her face. Eve gave them a thin-lipped grin. These two were slowly growing from annoying to true blue irritations.

Once their false colors are revealed, I can dispose of them. Eve thought, shifting her clothing to block their eyes. Her eyes grew barely luminescent. Killing them now is out of the question, but I have other options as a Witch.

Eve wove a small set of concealed Curses in runes onto her cleavage. She shifted her clothing back to the normal setting and watched with satisfaction as both professors glanced down a second time. The concealed runes rippled with silver light on her skin before triggering a burst of invisible power.

Lechers, beware. You are in for a scare. Eve thought as she watched the suddenly green-tinted faces of her irritations. Go now, pray to thy porcelain gods.

“Ah, we appear to be mildly reacting to the recent unpleasantness.” Professor Swift said, backing into his room hastily before being followed by Bloodwood.

“Oh, that’s terrible,” Eve said sympathetically, turning to face them fully. She also slightly shifted her tunic to prominently display both weapons of mass destruction. Each man glanced down at them again, almost reflexively. “Is there anything I can do to make it better?”

Both men turned an even deeper shade of green as their thoughts drifted from her suggestive words. Eve’s sparkling laughter accompanied the slamming of the door to Room 301. Satisfied with her petty revenge, she turned to the contracted guard. Witch’s Dust kept her immaculately clean, so there was no need to freshen up. Gesturing at the Rasmuchein guard, Eve said, “Let’s go. Charlotte will need you to corroborate her claims. I don’t need to tell you what will happen if you decide to play the fool, right?”

“No, demon. The contract has made it abundantly clear. I couldn’t forget even if I wanted to.” The guard said with a pained expression.

“Excellent,” Eve said as the metal snap sounded at the end of the corridor, signaling a certain butler’s lost patience. “We'll be off after Ralph has finished paving the way.”

Eve headed towards the end of the corridor as the silver runes she’d cast began disintegrating and dissipating into nothingness. Where she walked, the area became pristine. Witch’s Dust scrubbed out blood, and damaged areas were repaired. If they were going to meet the inn’s owner, it was only polite not to leave a mess. She remembered countless stories in her brother’s anime collection that didn’t have people half as thoughtful as her.

As if leaving a disaster when negotiating with someone wasn’t a power move of idiocy. Eve waved at Charlotte, who glanced back as the hallway repaired itself. The younger girl would doubtless press this into a form that fit her generated facts. As she reached the end of the corridor, Eve dropped Savage Survival Mind into the background of her mental landscape once more with a release of willpower. The construct waited like a guardian in her mind, able to surge into the fore once more if the situation demanded it.

Reserving it in the background has a cost, but it should be bearable long-term. Eve assessed as she exited the stairwell and followed Charlotte’s party down. The guard paced behind her with dead footsteps. Should I craft armor to create a force multiplier?

While she hadn’t had the time, it should be a viable solution with the right number of resources. Armor would boost Eve’s combat prowess, but more than that, it would be something she could leave behind as insurance for her allies.

While the offshoot of Kudzu could protect Charlotte’s territory and her family for generations, it was by design stationery. If the offshoot moved around, the coordinates Eve would depend on could fluctuate. However, it was unlikely that Charlotte would desire to be housebound for eternity, much less any children she might have.

If making armor is a mistake, I can always change the pattern in the next place I’m summoned. Eve thought as she followed the rest of the group to meet with a waiting Manager Hans. The Rasmuchein wasn’t completely unaware of what went on in their territory. Perfection is a process, after all, not a final goal. I can craft armor here and see how it plays out.

Even though she had decided to make the armor, it wasn’t like she had the resources on hand. Her current gear was the absolute limit her suppressed Tier could bear. Creating armor would place a burden akin to releasing the Charm Stat on her body and wouldn’t be advisable from a sanity standpoint. Doing something like that was likely to end in her rather gruesome death.

Eve watched as the negotiation between Manager Hans and Charlotte started. The middle-aged manager was a deft handler of people, as seen with the skill he used to treat Charlotte. The group had been led into a comfortable room of luxury and served with appropriate drinks and food first, even before any words of negotiation were spoken.

Taking a sip of her exquisite tea, Eve listened to the delicate words between both parties. The idea that if you couldn’t solve a problem with force, you weren’t using enough was more in line with Eve’s ideals. However, society at large required a veneer of civilization to conceal such a base truth. There was also the fact that even if you threatened someone, unless you had a manner of watching constantly, forever, the moment you were gone, so was your threat.

In order to motivate others, sometimes honeyed words and poisoned profits were the best tools. It disgruntled Eve that solutions wouldn’t always be cut and dried. On the other hand, that didn’t stop her from watching Charlotte work with a master’s touch. If she ever needed to do the same in the future, Nota’s Eternal Memory would prove beyond price.

Eve wasn’t gifted at such manipulation, but she could learn it.

After all, time was a finite resource for most. On the other hand, Eve could take centuries to master a brushstroke if she so desired. The thought of how much time she had was thrilling on the one hand but terrifying on the other. If her previous Tiers hadn’t slowly altered her thoughts, the concept of eternity might have driven her mad. Thankfully, such things were not a concern now or in the future. She didn’t love the System or treat it as a deity like others, but there was a smidgen of thanks for what it did for her. Granted, it was out of self-interest, but Eve knew there were probably countless ways the System could have slit her metaphorical throat while keeping its code clean.

Just another example of how Matt is a nightmare that transcends realities. Eve thought, taking a sip of tea and combining it with a scone. The higher I climb, the more I see. Standing on the shoulders of giants will eventually allow me to grasp my little brother’s true worth.

Eve knew that the price her brother Matt must have paid wasn’t something that could be measured in gold or silver. Her transformation over time had hinted that the reality she understood was a tiny slice of truth. Instead, what she didn’t know filled an ocean of infinite allegory. Half the fun of existence now was unraveling the reel of fate and peeking behind the curtains of causality.

No matter what I learn, one truth is certain. For all my brother’s power, it has limits. Eve thought morosely. If it didn’t, I would be next to him right now, basking in the benefits of being an elder sister.

Eve sighed softly, waving off Charlotte, whose keen eyes had noticed it from her chair. The current furniture setup was a two sofa, two chair affair positioned around a central coffee table island. Adjacent to each sofa and chair was a small discrete rectangular table from which the food and drinks were allocated. It allowed the hovering servants in the background to refill and replenish without drawing excessive attention.

Clearly, the Rasmuchein had also taken education from the Aiqen continent regarding personnel training, most specifically from the Othuven kingdom. It made sense that a hospitality enterprise such as this chain of inns would seek to provide exquisite service. Essentially, the same service as a noble or higher would be used, especially when negotiating with one, like Charlotte.

Watching her micro-expressions, Eve understood that even if she didn’t admit it, Charlotte subconsciously appreciated the goodwill gesture.

“The Rasmuchein is one of the best-known inns among the nobility,” Charlotte said, sipping at her teacup as she faced Manager Hans sitting on the sofa across from her own. A professional of the same caliber accompanied the manager as Ralph. Both butler-kin stared at each other with faceless meins that gave nothing away.

“Oh? I’m honored. To have our hospitality known among those of the upper echelons of society is a great accomplishment!” Manager Hans said. As a manager of the vaunted Rasmuchein inn that had lived for decades, he didn’t rattle easily. Eve suspected if the previous fact of a missing floor wasn’t linked in some way to Charlotte, she might not even have gotten a face-to-face chat.

“Indeed. The weather here is reminiscent of a calm spring. Of course, all springs have a few storms.” Charlotte said, crunching down on a scone cracker for emphasis.

The communication that was practically a code moved back and forth between both individuals. Nota was rather impressed with some of the more hidden meanings. The magical tome bound to her was having a blast deciphering everything. Eve’s attention was taken by the appearance that Manager Hans had. The inn’s manager was dressed in a standard three-piece suite like most men who served near or around nobility. Eve’s discerning eye, however, could pick out the opulent cufflinks, tie clip, and suede shoes effortlessly as originating from a planet akin to Earth. They added a subtle style that Ralph’s suit lacked, even though it was quite fancy in its manner.

Ten to one odds on the owner of the Rasmuchein being a man. Eve thought, her eyes looking bored. Manager Hans and Charlotte moved from pleasantries into actual business after almost five minutes of underhanded communication. It was enough to drive any poor Witch mad! Those below tend to mimic those above, after all.

“With the reputation of the Rasmuchein, it was never in doubt to me that compensation for this horrendous incident would be forthcoming,” Charlotte said, sipping her tea once more as she gave a cold look at Manager Hans.

While the manager wasn’t sweating, Eve could detect his elevated heart rate. She didn’t blink an eye before passing the information to Charlotte. Was it fair that one side of the negotiations could read the other like a book?

Of course not, but so what? Fair was a word, not a law.

The manager’s heartbeat is spiked. Eve sent.

I should think so. He’s a cold fish on the outside, but the reputation of the Rasmuchein was built on bones. Charlotte said as she casually held her cup to the side for a refill of the chocolate and cream concoction she enjoyed.

The Rasmuchein is likely a demon akin to me. I can’t be sure without seeing him, though. Eve said, noting the slight quiver in the younger woman’s cup.

Are you stronger? Charlotte said. Even though she tried not to, the emotion of faint fear crept into the mental speech.

I am stronger than anything on this planet in my full form. Eve said firmly. Even if the Rasmuchein is strong, he cannot win against me directly. The rules of this world would constrain us both.

Excellent. Would there be any other issues you would like to ambush me with during delicate negotiations? Charlotte snarked.

I encountered a Blue Mage outside the mercenary groups poised to assault the town. Eve said with a mental grin.

Truly? Luvec managed to hire the Blue Serpents? Charlotte said, blinking in surprise. Fascinating, they have a long history of having midnight chats with employers that withhold information from them.

Luvec couldn’t predict me. Not even the College would give him an accurate portrait of my power. They would be well aware I cannot die. Eve said, getting a refill of her excellent tea as Charlotte effortlessly held her end of a three-way conversation.

Oh? Then why send Swift and Bloodwood with us? Charlotte mused. You’ve already threatened them. Killing us would be suicide. Spying on us wouldn’t be worth it, either.

I suspect they don’t want to kill you and Justin. You’re just collateral damage. Eve replied.

Wipe out a House? Charlotte sent her mind sparking. They want to wipe out the main family and place their puppet into play!

Exactly, I suspect Luvec is slightly less trustworthy than he looks. Eve replied.

As a cousin, he wouldn’t be able to inherit. Unless the entire main family and any in-branch families above him departed. Charlotte said.

Exactly. Air to counter Air, and Blood to make the kills quiet. Eve said. Justin will be able to counter Bloodwood due to natural talent very soon.

Unnatural talent, you mean. Charlotte said.

Talent is talent. Whether you get it from an eldritch entity beyond Space and Time or me makes no difference in the end. Eve replied, miffed.

“So, we are agreed?” Manager Hans said with a smile interrupting Charlotte’s return shot.

“Indeed. The Rasmuchein will provide a company of mercenaries to assist in making travel safer, free lodging, and stay out of the minor dispute in the Zienfer family.” Charlotte said with a demure smile. “In return, my people will speak only in glowing words of recommendation. This place's reputation will not be besmirched by me or mine.”

I’ll send out anonymous letters besmirching this entire place. Just see if I don’t! Eve threatened.

I dare you to see if you ever get tea as good as your gulping down ever again! Charlotte shot back.

Their reputation will survive only because they know the proper procedures to bribe me. Eve said, depleting the last chocolate-coated rice cakes on her side tray.

“Excellent.” Manager Hans said with a genuine smile. “I’ll have everything ready within the hour. Thank you for staying at Rasmuchein, and safe travels!”

Charlotte nodded before draining the last of her teacup and placing it to the side. As the duke’s daughter rose, so did everyone at her party. Eve waved at Manager Hans and said, “Hello, this guard felt he had some crimes to confess to you. Please take your time.”

“It appears that breaking wards isn’t all you can do, is it?” Manager Hans said. His eyes gave a cold look filled with the taste of winter’s bite at the guard.

“I’m a woman of many talents,” Eve said as she turned away.

“If you ever need another occupation, please do not hesitate to apply to Rasmuchein. We have wonderful benefits, free lodging, and five-star chefs on hand at our main office.” Manager Hans said with a deep bow to Eve’s departing back.

“I’ll think about it, ciao!” Eve said, smirking at the Manager’s surprised expression as she exited the room, following Charlotte.