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Chapter 88: Nia Tastes Good

“Look at you all worried, has learning about that stuff been postponed again?” Nia’s voice echoed from the kitchen.

Today, Alice was off for practical training, and Charlotte was busy with faction matters, so Nia was supposed to be in remedial classes. But she skipped out, claiming she was ‘accompanying her boyfriend,’ and Roy couldn’t really say anything about it.

“Yeah, but there’s nothing I can do about it. I’ll go visit once the dust settles,” Roy replied, putting down the letter.

Feeling a bit down was one thing, but he understood the situation.

They said there was a suspected leak within the Purple Mage Society, and the guild was swamped with this issue, not that they had time to attend to him.

Besides, Roy didn’t want to wade into murky waters.

What if he went to the guild and ran into a cultist colluding with a Purple Mage? He’d be in hot water.

Speaking of which, how come he kept running into those cultists? Were they like rats?

Thank goodness he went with Leanna to the auction earlier and got the Certificate of Kingship, or he’d have gotten nothing this semester.

“So the Purple Mage Society really is in cahoots with cultists? Tsk tsk, what a decline in morals.”

The elf girl in an apron walked over, carrying a freshly cut plate of apples, and sat beside Roy.

No matter how many times Roy complained, she always dressed like this at home: a bra on top, hot pants on the bottom. And now, with that apron wrapped around her, it barely hid anything—if anything, it drew more attention.

From the front view, the black apron was struggling to contain Nia’s assets, seeming a bit tight and only just barely covering her thighs. From behind, one could see plenty of bare skin along her back and waist, almost like a legendary ‘naked apron,’ full of suggestive vibes.

Too bad, as soon as Nia sat down, she tossed the apron aside, leaving Roy a bit disappointed.

Nia crossed her legs, cradling the plate, and while stabbing at the fruits with her knife, she murmured, “I heard at the underground auction, a cultist exposed the Purple Mage Society’s shady dealings? Weren’t you there? That must’ve caused quite a stir!”

“It did. But someone took care of it.”

“Oh! It was the Sword Demon, right?! I heard he single-handedly took on cultists that even adventurers and wanted criminals couldn’t handle!” Nia swallowed a piece of fruit, suddenly brightening up, looking at him meaningfully: “Did you meet the Sword Demon?”

Just as Roy was about to grab an apple, he froze a little.

Though revealing the truth might shatter Nia’s fantasies, did he really need to keep that secret from her?

As he was about to explain, Nia suddenly sliced into the apple, splattering juice everywhere.

“I heard there’s also a super-pretty witch next to the Sword Demon! Their relationship isn’t simple, huh?!”

Looking at Nia’s seemingly friendly smile and the glint from her knife, Roy felt an inexplicable chill.

Nia frequented the Adventurers’ Guild, so it was normal for her to know about the auction.

But why did he feel like there was more to her words…?

He lost his appetite for fruit and shifted his gaze anxiously. “How would I know?”

“Maybe they just happened to team up to seize a treasure?”

“Is that so?” Nia took a bite of her apple and shot him a sidelong glance, casually saying, “Just like you and Leanna, huh?”

Roy couldn’t help but be startled at her words.

What did she mean?

Could it be that Nia already knew he was the Sword Demon, and Leanna was the Serpent Eye Witch?!

Recalling their affectionate hand-holding at the auction and that night spent together, Roy immediately grew tense.

But he held himself together.

A true strong man is unafraid of facing a girl’s tests!

Besides, even though he and Leanna had shared moments that could easily be misconstrued, nothing improper had happened. They were completely innocent!

“How the Sword Demon is, I’m not sure; anyway, my collaboration with Leanna ends here.” Roy shrugged, adopting a calm demeanor.

“You’re really going to just give up on her?” Nia raised an eyebrow.

“What do you mean give up? It’s just a partnership…” Roy paused, “Besides, she’s just my senior.”

Leanna was just having a bit of fun; why should he care?

Hearing this, Nia finally smiled, relieved.

Surviving life and becoming closer in adventure can spark feelings between boys and girls.

But even so, it was only temporary.

Without daily interactions to nurture those flames, it’s just a fierce blaze that burns out quickly.

Most importantly, Nia knew exactly what Roy wanted.

Although Leanna’s charm posed a threat, just good looks and family background weren’t enough.

From what Roy said, Leanna was just a bad woman who talked a lot without knowing the truth.

If it was just about playing around, teasing, or flattering, there was no way she and Roy would connect!

Of course, Nia had no idea that, before the auction, Roy and Leanna had already had enough intimate moments to attract attention—Charlotte’s threat was merely talk, and after some sweet-talking, she had completely forgotten about it, without telling Nia a thing.

Just like Nia right now, she had also pushed what happened between them at the auction out of her mind, planning not to report it to Charlotte.

“Did you run into cultists? Did you fight?”

“Just a brief skirmish. The Sword Demon handled it in the end.”

Roy recounted the event in an indifferent tone, and Nia listened intently, clearly intrigued.

“Sigh, such an exciting thing—next time, can I come along?” Nia whined with a pout, nudging Roy’s shoulder playfully, her enthusiasm bubbling over.

Thinking back to the time he faced the Undead Knight, nearly having to use the Blade of Elysium, Roy couldn’t help but chuckle, “That wasn’t fun at all.”

The changes in the young man’s expression didn’t escape Nia’s notice.

Nia softened her gaze, mumbling helplessly, “That’s why I want to go with you, you silly.”

“Hmm? Did you say something?”

“I said you’re silly! Open wide!”

Nia speared a piece of apple and held it up to Roy’s mouth with bright anticipation.

“Is it good?”

“Not really; it’s just cutting an apple, it’s not cooking—so what’s there to rave about…?”

Roy’s complaint trailed off abruptly.

Because that elf girl took a piece of apple into her mouth, like a little bird wanting to share with its companion, and leaned closer, lifting her head slightly.

Looking into her emerald eyes that sparkled with expectation, and the blush on her fair face mixed with smugness, Roy gulped.

He leaned in and shared that fleeting sweetness with the elf girl.

“Is it good?” Nia blushed a bit.

“Eating too fast, I think I didn’t taste it well.”

How could Nia not catch the meaning behind that?

“Can’t help you at all…!”

The elf girl sighed while smiling helplessly, pinching another apple piece, ready to pop it into her mouth, but unexpectedly, the boy could no longer hold back and leaned in to taste it.

The white apple fell to the ground, glistening in the afternoon sun.

After a while, Roy finally pulled away, satisfied, whispering into the tips of Nia’s long ears.

“Honestly, it’s pretty good.”

The soft, round tips of her ears trembled slightly, soon flushing a lovely shade of red.

 

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