Chapter 342 - 342: Be My Maid
"Sorry, I can't help you."
Merlin's words hit Nysera like a bomb dropping straight onto her head.
She stared at him blankly and unconsciously asked, "You can't help me? W-Why?"
"[Ding! Heroine Nysera's affection has decreased by 5 points! Current affection: 35 points!]"
"[Warning! Don't lose any more affection points. Otherwise, it will be to your detriment!]"
Seeing the warning panel, Merlin wasn't panicked at all. Come to think of it, this was the first time he had seen a heroine's affection drop.
For some reason, it felt oddly unique to him.
"How should I put this…" Merlin feigned hesitation as he scratched his right cheek. "It's not that I don't want to help you, but meeting Calystron is incredibly difficult. As a dragon, I'm sure you know just how arrogant your race can be."
Merlin's response calmed Nysera's tense heart. She understood what he meant.
Even she, who was considered trash by the Silver Dragon Clan, still carried a strong sense of pride.
So how much more would that pride burn within Calystron, a figure revered as the messenger of the Dragon God?
Nevertheless, Nysera wasn't about to give up so easily. Meeting Calystron was the only way she could awaken her bloodline.
How could she just let this chance slip away?
Gritting her teeth, she stepped forward until her body pressed tightly against Merlin's.
Under his astonished gaze, Nysera wrapped her arms around his neck and stared at him with a serious expression.
"I know you can help me. Please, Merlin Clay! Just this once… can you help me? Don't worry, I know there's no such thing as a free lunch in this world. So I'll give you anything—even if it's… my body."
When she said "my body," her face flushed as red as a tomato. Although she always looked firm and courageous, it was only on the surface.
In reality, she was just a young dragon girl who had never done anything like that—unlike most of the younger generation of the Dragon Clan.
After all, she was the outcast princess of the Silver Dragon Clan. Without status or talent, she was treated as trash.
The only way to gain her clan's recognition was to become strong.
So how could she possibly have had the time to even think about such things, let alone do them?
Faced with her sudden offer, Merlin was stunned. He hadn't expected Nysera, who was known for her arrogance, to say something like that.
Unconsciously, his gaze drifted to her ample chest. Compared to Luna and Margaret, Nysera was clearly several sizes larger.
She had matured so quickly that people who didn't know her would assume she was already an adult.
However, Merlin wasn't someone easily swayed by desire. Although the offer was tempting, it would only backfire on him.
"System, if I accept, will the mission to conquer Nysera be considered a success?"
"[Ding! Logically speaking, yes, it would count as a success. But you must remember that the mission emphasizes increasing her affection points rather than sleeping with her. So think carefully before deciding.]" the system replied seriously.
Even the system, which usually acted silly and blunt, was warning him. That alone was enough to show that Nysera's offer could bring fatal consequences later.
Suppressing the burning desire within him, Merlin smiled, placed a hand on Nysera's shoulder, and gently pushed her away.
"Sorry, I'm not interested."
Nysera's face froze. She stammered, "W-Why? Am I not good enough for you?"
She was extremely confident in her appearance. Whenever she walked past, boys often stole glances at her chest and hips.
If she wanted to, she could rely on her beauty instead of her strength to get what she desired.
That was why she assumed Merlin would react exactly as she had imagined.
Who would've thought he would reject her?
Merlin brushed off his robe and explained, "Don't get me wrong. To be honest, you're attractive. You're no less beautiful than any of the pretty girls I know."
"Then why won't you accept my offer?" Nysera bit her lower lip and stared at him in disbelief.
No one would have guessed that Nysera—who had been so arrogant and fiercely competitive during the previous test—could show such a frustrated yet oddly adorable expression. Merlin was no exception.
'Could that crushing defeat be the reason for her change?' he wondered silently.
Pushing aside his confusion, Merlin smiled and clarified, "Like I said, you're attractive, but that's all. In my eyes, you're just like any other girl. I'm sure you're still a virgin, and so am I. I want my first time to be with someone I truly love. So… I'm sorry, but I can't accept it."
After saying that, Merlin almost wanted to give himself a thumbs-up.
Back in Japan, social norms were very liberal. It wasn't uncommon for middle school students to have already lost their virginity.
It could be said that, from the very beginning, Merlin had been an anomaly in this liberal, free-spirited society.
Even so, Merlin didn't hate himself. Those principles had helped him rise to become the best editor in his company and maintain stability, even with an incredibly annoying boss.
Without realizing it, those principles had carried over into this world as well.
That was why he refused to touch Luna, despite the hints she had given him both directly and indirectly.
Nysera stood frozen after hearing his words. At first, she thought Merlin was rejecting her because he didn't like her body.
But the reason he gave was completely unexpected.
"You're really strange and… unique," she muttered absentmindedly.
"Strange and unique? Is that a compliment?" Merlin smiled.
Nysera nodded and explained, "Among dragons, there's no such thing as love or anything like that—only self-interest. What's a first experience? Nothing matters as much as benefits. So your principle is truly unique… and admirable."
"[Ding! Heroine Nysera feels great admiration for you! 1,000 system points have been added!]"
"[Ding! Heroine Nysera's affection has increased by 10 points! Current affection: 45 points!]"
Merlin glanced at the panel with a satisfied expression.
"Alright, I understand," Nysera continued as she shook her head. "Sorry for bothering you. I realize my behavior just now was incredibly rude. I've embarrassed myself."
She had thought this was her chance, but it seemed she had gotten her hopes up too high.
Yet suddenly, Merlin said something that made her freeze.
"Although it's difficult, I can actually help you."
Nysera's eyes widened. She asked frantically, "Are you serious? You're not lying to me, are you?"
Merlin nodded calmly. "In theory, it's possible. Calystron and I have a pretty good relationship. It's just that getting permission from the royal family is the tricky part."
He feigned a helpless expression.
Nysera clutched Merlin's right hand and pleaded in a weak voice, "Can you help me? I'll do anything!"
Merlin smirked and patted her shoulder.
"Alright, I'll help you. But you don't have to give yourself to me. How about this instead? I want you to be my maid for a whole year. Do you agree?"
"A maid!?" Nysera's smile froze.
"Yes, a maid. But don't worry, it won't interfere with your studies. In front of everyone, our relationship will stay the same as usual. But behind the scenes, you'll be my maid. Just one year—it won't be that long. What do you think?"
Mentioning maids reminded Merlin of his beloved maid, Maya.
It had been a long time since he had seen her, and he missed her quite a bit.
Nysera fell silent for a moment. Becoming a maid was something she had never imagined.
She was a proud member of the Silver Dragon Race. How could she possibly agree to this?
Still, she wasn't in any position to refuse or negotiate. She was the one who needed Merlin, not the other way around.
After thinking it over for a while, she looked at Merlin with a firm gaze and replied, "Alright, I agree!"
Merlin was a bit surprised by her answer. To be honest, he had doubted that Nysera would accept it. The girl was so arrogant that he thought it would be impossible for her to agree to such an offer.
However, it seemed he had underestimated her. For the sake of awakening her bloodline, Nysera was even willing to become a maid.
This was good news for Merlin. If Nysera became his maid, he would have plenty of chances to win her over.
"Great! I'm looking forward to working with you."
Merlin smiled and extended his hand toward her.
Nysera felt inexplicably annoyed, as if she had just been tricked by Merlin. But there was no turning back now, so she could only accept her fate.
"Me too. It's nice to work with you…"
Merlin pulled his hand back and said, "Well then, I'll head back for now. See you at the party tonight."
After saying that, he turned around and walked away.
Nysera stared at his back in a daze. Then she lowered her head and looked at the hand that had just shaken his.
"Becoming a maid, huh? Looks like my life is going to change completely from now on…"