Chapter 77: Chapter 77: No Means No!
Heart of Baelgard, City of Chaos.
A month later, Aster Grant and his party finally arrived at the core city of Baelgard.
As soon as they landed, Aster unexpectedly noticed a familiar figure.
"Master Aster!"
Sally stood among the crowd, excitedly waving her small hand, her face beaming with joy.
Aster walked over with Lazuli and Lady Vera.
Seeing this, Sally immediately bowed respectfully.
"Master Aster, Lady Lazuli, Lady Vera!"
Aster smiled helplessly and advised:
"Sally, no need to be so formal, just call me by my name."
"No way!" Sally shook her head firmly, "Master is master!"
Seeing her so determined, Aster didn’t insist further and let her be.
However, he was still curious as to why Sally was here.
After handing the Beastkin Clan over to Orion Winslow earlier, Aster hadn’t paid it any more mind.
Through Sally’s explanation, Aster finally understood the reason.
Since allowing the Xenos within Draconia’s borders still posed some risk, it was decided after negotiation to relocate the Beastkin Clan to Baelgard.
This place was already a blend of various races; adding one more Beastkin Clan wouldn’t cause any ripples.
Later, at Sally’s enthusiastic invitation, Aster decided not to head to the Aegis Academy’s station but to stay at her residence first.
As they walked through the streets of the City of Chaos, Sally guided them while introducing the city’s rules to Aster.
"The most precious resource in Baelgard is the Star Stone."
She pointed to the towering exchange hall in the distance, "For a Beast Tamer, it can enhance their constitution; for us Xenos, it can purify our bloodline."
Aster nodded thoughtfully.
However, Star Stones are quite precious.
"Do you have to hunt Demon Clan to exchange for them?"
"Yes, different Demon Clan have different points values, and you can use points to exchange for Star Stones of corresponding quality."
Learning this information, Aster nodded.
Hunting Demon Clan improves Guardian Beast Level and provides resources...
A perfect arrangement!
As they chatted, they arrived at the Cat Clan’s territory. Clan Leader Ron saw Aster and immediately led the entire clan in a bow.
Upon learning that Aster needed Star Stones, the elderly man with white hair immediately instructed his clansmen:
"Fetch all the Star Stones from the warehouse!"
"This won’t do!" Aster quickly waved his hand.
But Ron insisted on handing over the beast-hide bag full of Star Stones, tears glistening in his eyes:
"Master saved our entire clan; this bit of gratitude is nothing!"
Seeing his hand clutching the bag tightly, refusing to take it back, Aster sighed helplessly.
Fine...
He solemnly accepted the Star Stones, secretly noting in his heart:
He would return them all after hunting some Demon Clan.
Immediately after, Sally led Aster to the guest room to rest.
But Sally didn’t leave; instead, she stood waiting nearby with a respectful expression.
"Sally?"
"Master Aster!"
The girl suddenly bowed deeply.
"I... I specially took maid courses! Please allow me to serve by your side!"
Aster opened his mouth, only to be interrupted hurriedly by her...
"I promise not to bother you! I just want to take care of your daily needs!"
After saying this, Sally bowed deeply again.
This wasn’t a request...
Aster looked at the young girl’s tightly pressed lips, as if he could hear the "Or I’ll cry!" threat.
Aster could only agree helplessly.
He figured he wouldn’t spend much time in the city anyway, and Sally would only be a nominal maid.
Seeing Aster agree, Sally’s face lit up with joy.
"Then, Master Aster, please rest. I’ll just be outside the room; call me if you need anything."
Aster wanted to reach out, but Sally left the room in a rush.
Never mind...
Aster shook his head, signaling to Lazuli and Lady Vera that they could move freely while he turned his attention to the beast-hide package on the table.
Upon untying the knot, dozens of Star Stones shimmering with starlight rolled out, producing crisp sounds on the table.
Star Stones!
Though they were only the lowest grade!
According to Sally, using specific materials could significantly enhance one’s constitution.
Unfortunately, the Beastkin Clan’s physical prowess was so strong, they didn’t need auxiliary materials, having merely collected the Star Stones themselves!
Aster suddenly raised his eyebrows, focusing his consciousness on the Beastbond Space.
Ripples spread through the Spring of Life, and the leaves of the ancient tree moved without wind.
Speaking of auxiliary materials...
Could there be anything better than these?
However, considering that both items were, after all, Holy Artifacts of the Elven Race, Aster decided to seek Lady Vera’s opinion first.
"Vera, I’d like to use some of the Spring of Life and World Tree leaves..."
"Use them!" Before he finished, Lady Vera excitedly jumped up, "How much do you need? I’ll go get them!"
Aster was momentarily at a loss for words.
Wait...
Isn’t her reaction somewhat off?
Logically, weren’t these two items the Holy Artifacts of the Elven Race?
But Lady Vera’s behavior...
Before he could regain his composure, Lady Vera had already dashed into the Beastbond Space.
Three seconds later—
"Whoosh!"
A massive oak barrel landed heavily on the ground, filled to the brim with the emerald-glowing Spring of Life, atop which floated dozens of leaves with golden patterns.
"Master, is this enough?" Lady Vera’s eyes sparkled, "If not, I’ll go pick more!"
Bathing in the Spring of Life...
If news of this got out, he might be hunted by other Beast Tamers!
While he was lost in thought, Lady Vera was already about to dart back into the Beastbond Space.
Aster quickly grabbed the hem of her clothes:
"Enough, enough! Any more and it would be wasteful!"
After confirming he had all the materials, Aster undid a button on his coat, suddenly freezing as he realized something.
Turning his head, he indeed saw Lazuli and Lady Vera staring at him intently, their eyes filled with anticipation.
"You two..." Aster rubbed his forehead, "How about going back to the Beastbond Space first?"
"No way!" x2
Both Beastbonds replied in unison, though their bodies edged slightly closer.
"..."
Aster made a swift decision, grabbing each by the back of their collars and tossing them out of the room.
"Bang!"
The closing and locking of the door was one smooth motion.
Immediately, thudding sounds and whimpers of grievance came from outside.
Men and women shouldn’t have intimate contact!
Not even with Beastbonds!
In the hallway outside the door, Sally tilted her head, confused, looking at Lazuli and Lady Vera who had been "invited" out.
"Why are the two ladies outside?"
She blinked her emerald cat eyes, her tail swaying curiously.
When she learned that Aster was taking a bath, she instinctively wanted to push the door open.
"I’ll go help Master Aster scrub his back!"
"Halt!" x2
Lazuli and Lady Vera simultaneously moved, standing firmly like two walls in front of the door.
This cat...
Is she genuinely naïve or just acting silly?!
Looking at Sally’s face filled with pure innocence, the two Beastbond ladies only felt a throbbing at their temples.
"But it’s a maid’s duty, isn’t it?"
Sally asked, counting on her fingers, "Prepare towels, adjust the water temperature, massage the shoulders and neck..."
With each word, Lazuli and Lady Vera’s faces grew darker.
"In any case!" Lazuli pressed down on the eager-to-move cat tail, "Not allowed in means not allowed in!"
Lady Vera even used a skill to weld the door shut!
...
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