Theo felt reluctant to leave them in this condition. He wanted to help them, especially since they seemed desperate and couldn't ask anyone for help. Their situation reminded him of the old Theo, before he had transmigrated to this body. Moreover, seeing the little girl cry tugged at his heart. After all, he wasn't an unemotional, cold-blooded murderer who could just ignore this
"Can you handle them?" Theo inquired.
“No problem, they're too weak to match my current strength,” she replied, drawing her Roseate Sword from her spatial ring.
“Not yet… Put it away for now. Let’s see if we can resolve this without violence. I don’t want those kids getting hurt,” Theo advised.
Upon entering the building, all eyes turned to the duo.
One of the elven men, with gray hair, who appeared to be the group's leader, sneered, “What's your business barging in here?"
Theo responded with a chilly voice, "Why have you detained my little sister?"
The man, along with his companions, burst into laughter. “You, a human, and she, an elf? How could you possibly be siblings? What did your father do, take a wrong turn on his way to the market and end up in the Elven Nation to sleep with a beauty?”
“I’m half-human,” Theo replied, not technically lying but not revealing the whole truth either. He mused to himself with a hint of humor, 'Maybe my human parent took their adventure a bit too seriously, embarking on an exceptionally poor sense of direction for a 'scenic route' that led straight through some mystical nation, and voilà, here I am, half-mystery, half-human.'
The elven lady, who had been observing the exchange, rose from her black chair and placed her glass on the table. "Your little sister and that boy Lorian owe us forty-six gold coins from a loan six months ago. With interest, it now amounts to roughly 100 gold coins. Tell that ungrateful boy to sign over the deed of the inn to us, and we'll release her."
She appeared confident, having noticed Theo's lack of mana and sensing no threat from Lilith, who was keeping her deadly aura concealed.
Without hesitation, Theo approached the table and placed a hundred gold coins on it. "This should settle the debt."
He then gently lifted Neria, who wrapped her arms around his neck, murmuring, “Big brother…” Then, turning towards the boy on the floor, he offered his free hand to Lorian, who, with an impassive expression, accepted. Together, they exited the building.
As they left, the leader of the group inquired, “Madame Marisa, why did you let them leave so easily?”
Marisa, reclining on a sofa, replied, “Didn't you recognize their attire? They're clearly nobility from the Lighthaven Empire.” She reached for her drink.
“And what about our original plan?” the man pressed, his expression showing annoyance.
“We'll wait for the Eclipse Guild to send reinforcements. Then we will kidnap her,” Marisa mused, a cunning glint danced in her eyes as she sipped her drink.
***
Back at the inn, Theo gently set Neria down. Lorian, his tone softer, said, “Thank you for saving my sister. I'll repay you as soon as I can.”
Understanding Lorian's proud nature, Theo nodded without stretching it further. He reached into his Golden Vault and pulled out a small bag, crouching down a bit to be at eye level with Neria. “This is for you,” he said, extending the bag toward her.
Neria's eyes sparkled with joy. She rose onto her tiptoes, her small hand clutching the bag, and planted a quick, grateful peck on his cheek. “Big brother is the best…” she murmured, her voice carrying an innocent lilt.
With a wave, Theo said his goodbyes and they made their way back to their room. He barely managed to close the door when he felt an ice-cold stare on the back of his neck. He turned to find the chilly aura emanating from Lilith. The temperature seemed to drop a few degrees.
"Okay, what's with the icy treatment, demon cupcake? did I forget your birthday or something" Theo asked, attempting to lighten the mood as he cast a portal to his farm.
"You carried her and even let her kiss you. Why haven't you ever carried me?" she demanded, arms folded tightly across her ample chest, looking every bit like a dangerous yet adorable, pouting demoness.
He blinked, startled by the revelation, and scratched the back of his head. "Um, carrying you? I mean, I value my spine. Not that you're heavy! Just, you know... very powerful and all. Besides, she's just a little child."
Yet, his explanation did nothing to soothe Lilith’s grumpy expression, and she kept staring at him, waiting for a satisfying answer.
With the feeling of treading on thin ice, he quickly escaped into the portal, hoping the farm would be a safer environment. Lilith followed closely behind, still offering her disgruntled expression and silent treatment.
At the farm, Theo busied himself by harvesting eighteen acres of nightshade tomatoes. After storing his harvest and replanting the nightshade tomatoes, he left the farm to complete his half remaining daily quest and eat dinner before sleeping.
<<<<
[Quest Complete: "The Weight of Destiny"]
[~Congratulations! You've successfully tackled the challenge to counteract the mysterious bug's poison. The sweat-soaked clothes and aching muscles are proof of your will power. Your determination and commitment have paid off.]
[Reward: +1 Basic Elixir of Stamina Gained]
[Current Body Weight: 134 kg]
>>>>
By the next day, her sulking had taken a more serious form. She planted herself firmly on her bed and declared, "I'm not going to Elwyn City." The girl flat-out refused to accompany him.
Theo could only exhale deeply, reminding himself that It was probably safer this way. It's not like they were dating or anything. Their bond was more of a contractual nature, not anything romantic involved. Although, to be honest, he did consider her a close – if occasionally terrifying – friend.
After harvesting and replanting eighteen acres of nightshade tomatoes, Theo decided to check the auction house. His brow furrowed slightly as he noticed three new items listed under the "[Special This Week]" section.
<<<<
[Demonic Truehearts Seed]
- Price: 1 seed = 100,000 Abyssal Coins
[Infernal Aphrodisiac Orange Seed]
- Price: 1 seed = 63,000 Abyssal Coins
[Heart Delicacy from Beyond]
- Price: 3 Serving = 21,000 Abyssal Coins
[Limited to One Purchase - Remaining Time: Seven Days]
<<<<
Clicking on the ‘(?)’ icons beside them, detailed descriptions popped up.
<<<<
[Demonic Truehearts Seed]
[~ This is the Demonic Truehearts Plant Seed. It grows a plant that yields one "Truehearts Berry" every seven days. If someone, who already feels very loyal to the master of the demonic farm, consumes this Trueheart berry, they'll transform into Truehearts, intensifying their loyalty to the master of the demonic farm where it grows. A small mystical mark will appear on the wrist of both the Trueheart and the Demonic Farm's master, which can only be seen by Truehearts and their master alone.
Truehearts are bound by an ancient magic that prevents them from betraying the demonic farm's master or revealing any of the master's secrets. If a Trueheart even attempts such a betrayal, a concealed curse will activate immediately, making them vomit blood or endure severe internal pain, effectively silencing them, and this could even cost them their lives if they persist. However, the master can't force a Trueheart to act against their own will or morals.]
[Caution : A Trueheart berry won’t work if the person who is consuming it doesn’t feel any loyalty and affection for the demonic farm's master.]
[Infernal Aphrodisiac Orange Seed]
[~ A seed of the Aphrodisiac Orange plant, sourced from the deepest infernal realms. Consuming this fruit revives dormant wild hormones, especially in those affected by age. It reignites youthful vigor and passionate desires, ensuring memorable intimate moments. Not recommended for the faint-hearted!]
[Heart Delicacy from Beyond]
[~ A famed dish from the world of immortals, prepared using the heart of a mysterious creature. It's a delicacy celebrated in its native realm for its unmatched taste, which takes years of careful preparation to achieve. A flavor truly otherworldly.]
>>>>
"The Truehearts seed is impressive; it can create a stronger bond of loyalty while allowing freedom. As for the Aphrodisiac fruit seed, I can fetch a high price from those whose 'dragons' have fallen asleep. The third item is of no use to me. But..."
As he glanced at his balance, he sighed. He was tempted to purchase the infernal aphrodisiac orange seeds to sell in the market, but he felt the Truehearts seed should be his priority.
After doing a quick calculation, he realized he might have more than enough Nightshade Tomatoes to afford the Truehearts seed. However, for that, he needed to sell them in the auction house.
He quickly opened the [Sell & Auction] option. As the interface loaded, he saw that various crops were listed there, including new seeds that he had grown recently. He noted the absence of the option to list the Lunar Slumber Blossom and Agilitybane Thistle but wasn't particularly upset about it.
He clicked the second option and listed all his [Nightshade Tomatoes] for 1 Abyssal coin for every batch of 100 and set the 'Buy It Now' price at 3 coins.
After that he decided to practice his newly acquired skill ‘[Blink]’, knowing Demoness had no desire to go to Elwyn city and was engrossed in her book.
This was his first time attempting a skill that seemed magical to him. It was something he had never tried before, having only witnessed others, like Lilith and Elena, perform such feats in front of him.
<<<<
[Your Nightshade Tomatoes have been sold at the 'Buy It Now' price.]
[Your Nightshade Tomatoes have been sold at the 'Buy It Now' price.]
[Your Nightshade Tomatoes have been sold at the 'Buy It Now' price.]
>>>>
As he was readying himself, he saw messages flashing before him, indicating that his Nightshade Tomatoes were being purchased at the 'Buy It Now' prices. He chose to ignore them for the time being, noting that they were being sold at a slower rate than previously. Still, he was satisfied that they were selling at the ‘Buy It Now’ prices, rather than going through the bidding process.
Standing beneath the crown of the Radiant Yggdrasil tree, he took a deep breath, preparing himself for his first attempt. Closing his eyes and focusing on the skill, he whispered, "Blink."
Theo felt reluctant to leave them in this condition. He wanted to help them, especially since they seemed desperate and couldn't ask anyone for help. Their situation reminded him of the old Theo, before he had transmigrated to this body. Moreover, seeing the little girl cry tugged at his heart. After all, he wasn't an unemotional, cold-blooded murderer who could just ignore this
"Can you handle them?" Theo inquired.
“No problem, they're too weak to match my current strength,” she replied, drawing her Roseate Sword from her spatial ring.
“Not yet… Put it away for now. Let’s see if we can resolve this without violence. I don’t want those kids getting hurt,” Theo advised.
Upon entering the building, all eyes turned to the duo.
One of the elven men, with gray hair, who appeared to be the group's leader, sneered, “What's your business barging in here?"
Theo responded with a chilly voice, "Why have you detained my little sister?"
The man, along with his companions, burst into laughter. “You, a human, and she, an elf? How could you possibly be siblings? What did your father do, take a wrong turn on his way to the market and end up in the Elven Nation to sleep with a beauty?”
“I’m half-human,” Theo replied, not technically lying but not revealing the whole truth either. He mused to himself with a hint of humor, 'Maybe my human parent took their adventure a bit too seriously, embarking on an exceptionally poor sense of direction for a 'scenic route' that led straight through some mystical nation, and voilà, here I am, half-mystery, half-human.'
The elven lady, who had been observing the exchange, rose from her black chair and placed her glass on the table. "Your little sister and that boy Lorian owe us forty-six gold coins from a loan six months ago. With interest, it now amounts to roughly 100 gold coins. Tell that ungrateful boy to sign over the deed of the inn to us, and we'll release her."
She appeared confident, having noticed Theo's lack of mana and sensing no threat from Lilith, who was keeping her deadly aura concealed.
Without hesitation, Theo approached the table and placed a hundred gold coins on it. "This should settle the debt."
He then gently lifted Neria, who wrapped her arms around his neck, murmuring, “Big brother…” Then, turning towards the boy on the floor, he offered his free hand to Lorian, who, with an impassive expression, accepted. Together, they exited the building.
As they left, the leader of the group inquired, “Madame Marisa, why did you let them leave so easily?”
Marisa, reclining on a sofa, replied, “Didn't you recognize their attire? They're clearly nobility from the Lighthaven Empire.” She reached for her drink.
“And what about our original plan?” the man pressed, his expression showing annoyance.
“We'll wait for the Eclipse Guild to send reinforcements. Then we will kidnap her,” Marisa mused, a cunning glint danced in her eyes as she sipped her drink.
***
Back at the inn, Theo gently set Neria down. Lorian, his tone softer, said, “Thank you for saving my sister. I'll repay you as soon as I can.”
Understanding Lorian's proud nature, Theo nodded without stretching it further. He reached into his Golden Vault and pulled out a small bag, crouching down a bit to be at eye level with Neria. “This is for you,” he said, extending the bag toward her.
Neria's eyes sparkled with joy. She rose onto her tiptoes, her small hand clutching the bag, and planted a quick, grateful peck on his cheek. “Big brother is the best…” she murmured, her voice carrying an innocent lilt.
With a wave, Theo said his goodbyes and they made their way back to their room. He barely managed to close the door when he felt an ice-cold stare on the back of his neck. He turned to find the chilly aura emanating from Lilith. The temperature seemed to drop a few degrees.
"Okay, what's with the icy treatment, demon cupcake? did I forget your birthday or something" Theo asked, attempting to lighten the mood as he cast a portal to his farm.
"You carried her and even let her kiss you. Why haven't you ever carried me?" she demanded, arms folded tightly across her ample chest, looking every bit like a dangerous yet adorable, pouting demoness.
He blinked, startled by the revelation, and scratched the back of his head. "Um, carrying you? I mean, I value my spine. Not that you're heavy! Just, you know... very powerful and all. Besides, she's just a little child."
Yet, his explanation did nothing to soothe Lilith’s grumpy expression, and she kept staring at him, waiting for a satisfying answer.
With the feeling of treading on thin ice, he quickly escaped into the portal, hoping the farm would be a safer environment. Lilith followed closely behind, still offering her disgruntled expression and silent treatment.
At the farm, Theo busied himself by harvesting eighteen acres of nightshade tomatoes. After storing his harvest and replanting the nightshade tomatoes, he left the farm to complete his half remaining daily quest and eat dinner before sleeping.
<<<<
[Quest Complete: "The Weight of Destiny"]
[~Congratulations! You've successfully tackled the challenge to counteract the mysterious bug's poison. The sweat-soaked clothes and aching muscles are proof of your will power. Your determination and commitment have paid off.]
[Reward: +1 Basic Elixir of Stamina Gained]
[Current Body Weight: 134 kg]
>>>>
By the next day, her sulking had taken a more serious form. She planted herself firmly on her bed and declared, "I'm not going to Elwyn City." The girl flat-out refused to accompany him.
Theo could only exhale deeply, reminding himself that It was probably safer this way. It's not like they were dating or anything. Their bond was more of a contractual nature, not anything romantic involved. Although, to be honest, he did consider her a close – if occasionally terrifying – friend.
After harvesting and replanting eighteen acres of nightshade tomatoes, Theo decided to check the auction house. His brow furrowed slightly as he noticed three new items listed under the "[Special This Week]" section.
<<<<
[Demonic Truehearts Seed]
- Price: 1 seed = 100,000 Abyssal Coins
[Infernal Aphrodisiac Orange Seed]
- Price: 1 seed = 63,000 Abyssal Coins
[Heart Delicacy from Beyond]
- Price: 3 Serving = 21,000 Abyssal Coins
[Limited to One Purchase - Remaining Time: Seven Days]
<<<<
Clicking on the ‘(?)’ icons beside them, detailed descriptions popped up.
<<<<
[Demonic Truehearts Seed]
[~ This is the Demonic Truehearts Plant Seed. It grows a plant that yields one "Truehearts Berry" every seven days. If someone, who already feels very loyal to the master of the demonic farm, consumes this Trueheart berry, they'll transform into Truehearts, intensifying their loyalty to the master of the demonic farm where it grows. A small mystical mark will appear on the wrist of both the Trueheart and the Demonic Farm's master, which can only be seen by Truehearts and their master alone.
Truehearts are bound by an ancient magic that prevents them from betraying the demonic farm's master or revealing any of the master's secrets. If a Trueheart even attempts such a betrayal, a concealed curse will activate immediately, making them vomit blood or endure severe internal pain, effectively silencing them, and this could even cost them their lives if they persist. However, the master can't force a Trueheart to act against their own will or morals.]
[Caution : A Trueheart berry won’t work if the person who is consuming it doesn’t feel any loyalty and affection for the demonic farm's master.]
[Infernal Aphrodisiac Orange Seed]
[~ A seed of the Aphrodisiac Orange plant, sourced from the deepest infernal realms. Consuming this fruit revives dormant wild hormones, especially in those affected by age. It reignites youthful vigor and passionate desires, ensuring memorable intimate moments. Not recommended for the faint-hearted!]
[Heart Delicacy from Beyond]
[~ A famed dish from the world of immortals, prepared using the heart of a mysterious creature. It's a delicacy celebrated in its native realm for its unmatched taste, which takes years of careful preparation to achieve. A flavor truly otherworldly.]
>>>>
"The Truehearts seed is impressive; it can create a stronger bond of loyalty while allowing freedom. As for the Aphrodisiac fruit seed, I can fetch a high price from those whose 'dragons' have fallen asleep. The third item is of no use to me. But..."
As he glanced at his balance, he sighed. He was tempted to purchase the infernal aphrodisiac orange seeds to sell in the market, but he felt the Truehearts seed should be his priority.
After doing a quick calculation, he realized he might have more than enough Nightshade Tomatoes to afford the Truehearts seed. However, for that, he needed to sell them in the auction house.
He quickly opened the [Sell & Auction] option. As the interface loaded, he saw that various crops were listed there, including new seeds that he had grown recently. He noted the absence of the option to list the Lunar Slumber Blossom and Agilitybane Thistle but wasn't particularly upset about it.
He clicked the second option and listed all his [Nightshade Tomatoes] for 1 Abyssal coin for every batch of 100 and set the 'Buy It Now' price at 3 coins.
After that he decided to practice his newly acquired skill ‘[Blink]’, knowing Demoness had no desire to go to Elwyn city and was engrossed in her book.
This was his first time attempting a skill that seemed magical to him. It was something he had never tried before, having only witnessed others, like Lilith and Elena, perform such feats in front of him.
<<<<
[Your Nightshade Tomatoes have been sold at the 'Buy It Now' price.]
[Your Nightshade Tomatoes have been sold at the 'Buy It Now' price.]
[Your Nightshade Tomatoes have been sold at the 'Buy It Now' price.]
>>>>
As he was readying himself, he saw messages flashing before him, indicating that his Nightshade Tomatoes were being purchased at the 'Buy It Now' prices. He chose to ignore them for the time being, noting that they were being sold at a slower rate than previously. Still, he was satisfied that they were selling at the ‘Buy It Now’ prices, rather than going through the bidding process.
Standing beneath the crown of the Radiant Yggdrasil tree, he took a deep breath, preparing himself for his first attempt. Closing his eyes and focusing on the skill, he whispered, "Blink."
