{Chapter 40} The rules of love are very subtle

“Wait a minute...”

Cassie spoke with a dark expression, his gaze adjusted shifting.

“There's still one thing I don't quite understand...”

Cassie turned his head, looking towards Kaelis.

“Given your status... how could you possibly end up selling weapons?”

Earlier, he had dared to accept items from Kaelis because he assumed she was merely a servant from a fallen noble household, selling off belongings.

When he heard Hafa mention that the pocket watch belonged to Kaelis, perhaps she was cooperating with the patrol squad in a sting operation.

But just now, the underling he had previously sent to investigate Kaelis's identity returned, reporting that there was absolutely no information about Kaelis anywhere in the capital...

That was strange.

Although royal maids were trained in secret locations, someone like Kaelis, who had already begun bolstering her master's work, shouldn't have left zero traces at all?

“...Hmm?”

Kaelis tried to pretend she didn't understand, attempting to leave directly.

But the underlings nearby were already growing restless.

This made Kaelis sigh deeply. After her fingers twitched slightly, she finally turned back and looked over.

“What do you want to say?”

“...According to my investigation, you have no background in the capital. That means the person you serve isn't within the capital. Yet the fact that you're selling things... suggests your living conditions aren't exactly comfortable. Yet someone in your situation possesses such a pocket watch..."

Cassie appeared exceptionally calm. He analyzed the situation bit by bit, carefully observing Kaelis's expression.

Seeing no trace of emotion on Kaelis's face, he narrowed his eyes slightly.

“Currently, the only ones in the capital are the Eldest Princess, Third Prince, Fifth Princess, and one... Seventh Prince. So, may I ask, whom exactly do you serve?”

“...”

Kaelis didn't answer directly. Instead, she smiled faintly, then casually sat down in her seat under their wary gazes, tilting her head slightly.

“You investigated quite thoroughly, didn't you?”

“...I have modest connections.”

Hearing Kaelis's words, Cassie confirmed it, she wasn't the kind of person he originally thought she was.

This realization left him both startled and pleased.

Startled because he had nearly been tricked by her again... He, Cassie, an official member of the Sea Voyage Association, had already been thoroughly deceived by one person three times!

Pleased because his decision to send someone to investigate Kaelis immediately after his release from prison had finally paid off, key information had indeed arrived.

But that could wait.

Now that he knew Kaelis wasn't someone of high status, Cassie's attitude changed once more.

Slowly rising to his feet, he suddenly turned his back, straightening his clothes with exaggerated care.

"I must admit, as an ordinary person, you do possess remarkable courage, enough to deceive me twice...

But your good luck...seems to have run out."

As Cassie spoke, three tall men silently adjusted their positions, faint white mist beginning to emanate from their bodies.

“I know you're a second-stage Ascender. At your age, you do have some capital to be arrogant... But, child, the world is far wider than you imagine.”

Cassie's tone remained calm and collected, his slightly raised voice sounding like a victor's declaration.

Meanwhile, Kaelis sat obediently in place, watching with amusement as he put on this performance.

Only after he finished speaking did she narrow her eyes and smile.

“Done talking?”

“Uh...”

Kaelis's calm words momentarily stunned Cassie.

His body twitched, as if he intended to turn back, but he forcibly restrained himself.

All for the sake of maintaining his current aura of intimidation...

“How wonderful. Young people always carry that enviable boldness... I hope you still have it later.”

“I don't quite understand why you always insist on acting like this...”

Kaelis wasn't in a hurry.

In truth, Cassie's earlier words had already exposed his plans.

Clearly, he never expected that Kaelis had already reached the third stage Ascender.

Third stage versus second stage... Although both belong to the category of Ascenders, the gap in strength wasn't something a mere three or four people could bridge.

At the very least, Kaelis didn't believe any of these men here could withstand a single attack from her Horned Wyvern.

Of course, using the Horned Wyvern on these people would be somewhat wasteful. So Kaelis chose something simpler.

Quietly pulling out her sketchbook, the previous pages depict Brotherhood assassins had disappeared, leaving only one page where she had deliberately drawn a fierce man in an illustrated style.

Eight feet tall, broad-shouldered and powerful, his eyes shot cold starlight, his thick brows like freshly painted ink...

And in his hand, he tightly gripped the throat of a great beast...

Besides that, Kaelis had also prepared a few slightly more refined paintings of Horned Wyvern, ready for emergencies... At her current level, she no longer needed highly detailed artwork to summon such extraordinary beings.

Glancing at the painting, Kaelis smiled, then tilted her head up, looking at Cassie before her.

“Though you're putting on quite a show, I'm still a pacifist. How about we just end things here?”

“How about?” Hearing Kaelis's words, Cassie burst into loud laughter.

He clearly misunderstood her meaning, turning back to look down at the frail girl surrounded by his men.

His eyes were vicious.

“No one... I mean, no one can deceive me, Cassie, and walk away unharmed!”

“Then I think I can be the first.”

“...Save your daydreams for later, girl.” Cassie snorted coldly, straightening his body. “I hope you still have some moments after I sold you off... Of course, someone like you might even become a top performer.”

Having said that, he turned to leave. The surrounding men were already prepared, waiting only for Cassie to reach a safe zone before making their move.

Kaelis let out a faint sigh.

Well, no wonder novels often depict situations where things could have been resolved completely, yet still end in fighting.

Looks like she had underestimated human diversity... Especially someone like Cassie, who believed he had gathered all intelligence, made sufficient preparations, and thus already had victory assured.

Such people started enjoying their imagined victory the moment they made their arrangements.

At such times, any attempt at peaceful negotiation only makes them think you're afraid.

If that's the case...

Then there's nothing more to say.

“The matter shouldn't escalate too much. That painted creation still needs a bit of time. Let's exercise some restraint...”

Kaelis pondered.

But just then, one of the underlings spoke up inappropriately.

“Cassie... What about... what should we do with that old man?”

“You mean Struth? Kill him off casually...”

Although the person was unfamiliar, Cassie wouldn't have forgotten something his underling just mentioned.

According to intelligence, Struth had recently been frequently helping Kaelis.

Although Struth didn't hold much grudge against him, to demonstrate his capabilities, there was no need to keep Struth alive.

Eliminate him together.

Immediately, someone nearby, eager to please, stepped forward.

“I already arranged for people to handle it... They're professionals, guaranteed to clean it up completely..."

“Mm, excellent. You truly understand me.”

Cassie smiled, feeling extremely pleased.

However, he failed to notice that every word he spoke had been clearly heard by the girl beside him.

A moment later.

The girl's eyes narrowed slightly...

“Owaaa!!!”