25-105

EP.105 [Vivian’s Overt Seduction.] 

‘Did she wait until all urgent matters were finished? There were a lot of things over the past three days, but it all felt pretty uneventful...’ 

It was now past midnight, and at this ominous hour, Vivian had summoned Eugene Schneider to her bedroom. 

Of course, it could be seen as a normal thing for someone being guarded to call their bodyguard for a discussion about security. But for three days, Vivian had shown no such behavior. 

‘She seemed to care about her reputation. Maybe she was making sure that no rumors would arise among the other guild members about something between us.’ 

Eugene also seemed to understand why Vivian maintained that attitude. If the bodyguard had been from the Iron Cross Knights as originally planned, it wouldn’t have mattered. But Eugene, with his rough mercenary appearance and large, barbarian-like build, would have caused a stir if seen entering Vivian’s room by other guild associates especially during tense negotiations. So, during the past few days of important negotiations, Vivian had kept a careful distance and maintained proper decorum with Eugene. 

“I don’t think there’s anything on the schedule tomorrow. What’s the reason for calling me at this hour?” 

Eugene, having assessed the situation, spoke first. 

There was no schedule for tomorrow, so there likely wasn’t anything urgent about security. Even though the bedroom doubled as an office, with no schedule, the bedroom aspect was more pronounced. 

“Because there’s no schedule, I called you. I wanted to have a very personal conversation with Eugene Caesar, the assault captain of the Red Fox Mercenary Band.” 

Smile...! 

Vivian responded with a smile to Eugene’s rather dry and matter-of-fact tone, and at the same time, she stood up from her desk, where she had been checking documents just moments before. 

‘A personal matter... The way she looks now, it feels very suggestive.’ 

As Vivian rose from her desk, Eugene gave her a look that showed he wasn’t taking her lightly. 

His gaze took in Vivian’s entire figure. ‘Isn’t that an incredibly clingy see-through? Isn’t that a bit too blatant?’ 

See-through Vivian’s dress was so sheer that not only her underwear but even her skin was clearly visible. 

At about 175 cm tall, Vivian was similar in height to Jeanne, with a comparable bust and even sturdier lower body. 

‘It’s a very exotic see-through. I’ve seen Elysium-style see-throughs a few times, but never like that. Is that what desert nomads wear?’ 

The outfit had a distinctly exotic feel, making it even more provocative. Eugene had noticed that Vivian, as someone who controlled external trade, often used goods from foreign cultures. Even the telescope she used to watch Jeanne and Eugene a few days ago was one used by desert nomads. 

“Come sit over here. Since it’s a very personal topic, I want to set the mood.” 

Wiggle, wiggle, wiggle. 

Vivian, as if sensing Eugene’s gaze on her see-through outfit, seductively swayed her hips as she led him toward the bed. 

‘Will you accept this? It’s a token of appreciation for your efforts as my bodyguard.’ 

Despite her provocative outfit and suggestive invitation, Vivian’s first gesture as they sat together on the bed was rather demure she handed Eugene a carefully wrapped gift box. 

“Oh, this is a fountain pen?” 

It was a high-quality fountain pen. 

“I noticed you didn’t have a pen when signing documents. In the future, you’ll need a pen as much as a sword. So I prepared this for you.” 

During his rounds, Eugene sometimes had to sign contracts for security reasons, but he’d never had a writing instrument. Vivian had noticed and prepared the pen as a thank-you gift. 

“Thank you. I’ll use it well, and I’ll keep your advice in mind.” 

Eugene had been curious about what the gift would be. He’d thought that if it was something too suggestive, he’d have to refuse. But since it was a fountain pen, he accepted it without hesitation. 

“But I don’t think you called me here just to give me a pen. Please, get to the point.” 

Eugene, sensing this wasn’t the main reason, pressed her directly. 

“Hohoho... This is a bit of a blow to my pride. It’s the first time I’ve gotten that look and attitude from someone in your profession.” 

Snap...! 

Vivian, who had been sitting demurely, now crossed her arms and legs, giving off a formidable vibe. 

“In the past few days, everyone I’ve met knights, mercenaries they all try so hard to win my favor. But Eugene Schneider, you don’t seem to care at all.” 

Vivian then began to reveal her true intentions. 

Eugene had thought Vivian’s reserved behavior was just her being proper, but in fact, it was her way of showing genuine interest and confidence. As the head of a major guild, she’d seen how much knights and mercenaries cared about her power and wealth. For her, being too forward was amateurish; showing herself as a powerful patron was the real move. 

So, for three days, Vivian had tried to win Eugene’s favor by showing her strength and confidence. But Eugene hadn’t picked up on any of it, which left Vivian a bit exasperated. 

‘Oh, so that’s what it was?’ 

Eugene realized what was going on. 

Vivian didn’t know that Eugene, though an adopted son, was from a grand ducal family, so her approach was based on that. Likewise, Eugene, not thinking like a typical mercenary, had misread her actions. 

‘So she was waiting for me to say something first, but since I didn’t, now she’s going to say it herself.’ 

With that, Eugene could now guess what Vivian was about to say. 

“I want to bring Eugene Caesar, the assault captain of the Red Fox Mercenary Band, into our guild as chief of security.” 

Vivian said exactly what Eugene had anticipated. Vivian Saint-Pierre, who had a very bad history with Jeanne, wanted to pull Eugene away from Jeanne. 

“Being chief of security doesn’t mean you’ll be tied to our guild forever. You’ll only handle my core security, and beyond that, I’ll support you in leading your own mercenary band.” 

Vivian’s offer was truly extraordinary. She was offering both a political and mercenary career. Through key security work for Vivian, Eugene could build connections with high-level Elysium political and business figures, and with Vivian’s overwhelming financial backing, he could run a powerful mercenary band. It was every mercenary’s dream. 

‘This is an incredible offer. And she’s making it to spite Jeanne? Isn’t this bait a bit too big? Does she think too highly of me?’ 

Eugene’s initial thought was that Vivian was trying to get back at Jeanne by making a move on him. If that were the case, the offer was too generous if she just wanted to use him as a tool, she could have made a much smaller offer. The risk was too high for a disposable pawn. 

Vivian, who had plenty of experience with knights and mercenaries, surely knew this. So the fact that she was making such a big offer meant  

‘She really does want to recruit me, for real.’ 

Aside from her grudge against Jeanne, Vivian genuinely wanted Eugene Schneider for herself. 

“Isn’t this too much for me?” 

Eugene immediately tried to get to the heart of her intentions. 

“I’m only 21, with no real career. I’m just the assault captain of a small mercenary band. Since meeting you, I haven’t even shown any particular skill. Is this offer really for someone like me?” 

If Vivian truly wanted to recruit Eugene as her chief of security, the reason would have to be his ability. But Eugene didn’t think he’d shown any such ability. 

Smile...! 

Vivian smiled mysteriously. 

“I need a leader for the mercenary band that will work with me. And I know exactly what kind of leader I want. Eugene, you fit that perfectly. Your unwavering presence right now proves it. In fact, my offer might not even be enough for someone like you.” 

She spoke with even more conviction, her eyes shining. 

‘That look... I’ve been seeing that a lot lately.’ 

Eugene instinctively leaned back, feeling a bit overwhelmed by her gaze. 

“Hmm?” 

At that moment, he noticed something. 

“What’s that reaction, Eugene Caesar?” 

Vivian, who had been watching Eugene intently for about ten seconds, also noticed his gaze. 

“May I ask about the portrait next to your bed? Who is it?” 

Eugene had spotted a portrait on the dimly lit wall beside the bed. 

“Oh! You noticed my father’s portrait? Yes, that’s my late father.” 

It was a portrait of Alexis Saint-Pierre, Vivian’s father. 

Eugene stared at the portrait in silence after Vivian’s confirmation. 

‘There it is the reason!’ 

He had finally figured out the second reason why Vivian wanted to recruit him.