Chapter 235 - 43: A Bold Setting No One Dares to Use
Ailu’er’s bold declaration immediately earned her sidelong glances from her Witch sisters. A few of them, led by Hecate, stared wide-eyed at her.
’Seriously, how could you jump the gun like that?!’
’We’re all just incredibly tempted and itching to make a move, but we haven’t worked up the nerve to actually do anything yet.’
’Where’s your sense of decency? Are there no rules anymore?’
But the elegant and beautiful young woman completely ignored her sisters’ petty feelings. She had her own perfectly valid reason.
’Research! I must research him thoroughly! This is purely for the sake of academic curiosity, and absolutely not because I’m attracted to Duke Qinghui’s Charm.’
’Absolutely not!’
Westheid had to continue the class-change procedure for the Qinghui Guard, so the members of the Ring of Clear Skies were led to the guest rooms in the manor.
Ailu’er supported herself with the tip of her umbrella, walking with a light gait. Her crescent-moon eyebrows arched as she glanced at Hecate, whose pretty face was as cold as ice.
"What’s wrong, my dear Hecate? You aren’t angry, are you? My apologies, but I’m just so terribly curious about how Duke Qinghui’s Charm truly manifests itself."
"No... As someone who’s been through it, I just have to warn you not to underestimate Duke Qinghui."
"Otherwise, you will definitely regret it."
Seeing her colleague’s flippant attitude, Hecate couldn’t help but sigh. She wasn’t jealous, as Ailu’er had implied—it was impossible to be jealous.
Because that man... he was simply a Monster. ’What kind of Powerhouse would even have the ability and willpower to think of possessing him all to herself?’
"Hmph. Stingy."
Ailu’er clearly didn’t take her sister’s well-intentioned advice to heart. She just thought Hecate didn’t want to share her man, a classic case of judging a noble heart by one’s own petty standards.
That night, she arrived as planned and confidently proposed the classic line—to research Demonology.
"I hope Duke Qinghui will be willing to teach me everything you know, without holding anything back."
Ailu’er placed a hand lightly on her chest, raising her long, graceful, swan-like neck.
Westheid asked in surprise, "Are you sure?"
"Heh, of course. That is precisely why I’ve come. Great beings possess a Charm that transcends the mundane, but can a mortal’s Charm touch that same threshold?"
"It’s an interesting research topic, isn’t it?"
In Ailu’er’s opinion, although she had no practical experience, she at least possessed the theoretical knowledge.
She had heard some rumors but had scoffed at them. Even if they were true, she figured it only proved that the noble ladies of the Imperial capital were spoiled and delicate.
She was a high-Tier Transcendent, and her physical constitution was nothing to sneeze at. How could she be compared to pampered noblewomen?
However, she didn’t seem to realize that in this idealistic Extraordinary World, many things truly couldn’t be explained with common sense.
Because it was only through long-term practice that Westheid discovered the many wonderful uses of the Charm attribute, something he had once considered worthless.
At Duke Qinghui’s level, his Charm had reached a setting that even the protagonists of certain adult-rated games wouldn’t dare to use.
And so, this naive and energetic Miss Witch was soon met with defeat.
A complete and utter defeat, carved deep into her very soul!
When Ailu’er returned to her companions the next evening, she wore a smile of unprecedented fondness, languor, and satisfaction. She spread her arms and said:
"Hecate, you were right. I completely agree with you now... I really was... overestimating myself..."
Miss Witch used the last of her strength to finish the sentence, then fainted.
’It’s not just Hecate... Even Ailu’er...’
’Why did she have that kind of expression?’
Once their curiosity was piqued, it could no longer be suppressed.
For the next period of time, Westheid focused on dealing with the Witches. Perhaps due to the precedent set by Hecate and Ailu’er, the Witches, who were supposed to be aloof and reserved, couldn’t sit still any longer.
Soon, they came to him one by one, whether under the guise of research projects, using the pretext of discussing collaborations, or simply by engineering "accidental" encounters... their imaginations were quite rich.
To this, Westheid had only one thing to say:
’It’s wonderful that you’re all delivering yourselves to my doorstep.’
’Whether they’re aloof or innocent, coquettish or stoic... Bah, bring them on! I’ll take you all!’
’Mere weaklings, do you think you can overwhelm me with numbers? Fall before my Destruction Reincarnation Technique and Celestial Dao Puff Fist!’
Westheid would only break a sweat when facing T0 opponents like Reiya and Mivana. As for the others... heh, they were nothing but pushovers. The Witches, being Casters and researchers, were especially pathetic and couldn’t put any pressure on Duke Qinghui at all.
And since Mivana hadn’t been at Su Yue’s residence recently, Westheid could cast aside his last remaining concern.
Actually, he wouldn’t have to worry too much even if Mivana were around, because the Lady Knight had already started trying to practice abstinence.
Although her progress usually went: Day One of the Abstinence Challenge, Day Two of the Abstinence Challenge, Day Three of the Abstinence Challenge... and right back to Day One of the Abstinence Challenge.
But Mivana was really trying!
Westheid’s investment of time and energy was not in vain. Faced with his all-out seduction tactics, how could these Witches, who had no prior romantic experience, possibly withstand such an assault?
Furthermore, Westheid generously shared the power of the Master of Extinction with them. So, they all went with the flow, expressing their willingness for a deeper cooperation and, more or less, submitting pledges of allegiance.
’The Ring of Clear Skies’s infiltration of the Borderland is deeper than I imagined. If that’s the case, annexing it later will be much simpler.’
Late at night, for a change, Westheid wasn’t busy "plowing the fields." Instead, he sat in his study, examining the materials the Witches had given him.
CREAK—
The study door was gently pushed open. Without looking up, Westheid said reflexively:
"Rozana, there’s no need to attend to me in bed tonight. Just leave the late-night snack there."
But he immediately realized the newcomer wasn’t the emerald-haired Half-Elf Maid, because the approaching footsteps were firm, powerful, and rhythmically elegant.
Only one person walked like that: the second-in-command of the Qinghui Clan, Yolanda.
"Brother, you don’t have a date tonight?"
Yolanda walked up to Westheid’s desk and asked him directly.
