Splash—
Hot water burst from the showerhead, cascading down over Roxia's body and thoroughly soaking her from head to toe. Streams of water slid along her smooth skin, tracing and emphasizing every intoxicating curve of her figure.
Her waist-length golden hair clung to her body under the caress of the water, like a waterfall of molten gold outlining her perfect silhouette. Steam and mist intertwined into a hazy veil, making her look like a celestial maiden drifting through clouds—or a seductive enchantress lurking in fog.
Carefully, Roxia applied body wash, meticulously cleansing every inch of her skin, washing away all the sweat and fatigue from earlier.
When the warm water had tinted her skin a faint, delicate blush, she gently turned off the faucet and murmured softly,
"…This is really convenient."
She then stepped in front of the mirror.
Roxia gazed at her reflection. That proud, snow-white fullness seemed to silently declare that she was no longer a little girl.
And—Her features were starting to resemble Loserine more and more, to the point that some of the older knights in the family often mistook the two of them for each other.
Still, compared to Loserine from ten years ago, she had many shortcomings yet to overcome.
Roxia sighed lightly and picked up a towel to dry herself. Just as she was about to use it, she suddenly remembered what Akira had warned her earlier—
Don't use the pink towel.
"Pink towel…"
She realized the one in her hands was exactly that.
Startled, she immediately switched to a pure white towel instead.
Does Mr. Akira like pink things?The thought slipped into her mind unbidden.
After drying off, Roxia got dressed and returned to the guild hall.
She saw Kurose Akira reclining lazily on the sofa, while Alice sat beside him, diligently kneading his shoulders and legs. The scene looked blissfully comfortable.
"Sit for a bit. We'll wait for Loserine to get back," Akira said, patting the seat beside him.
"Mm." Roxia nodded and lightly sat down on the sofa to the side.
Fresh from her bath, a faint lavender fragrance lingered around her body. It blended subtly with the cursed scent she naturally emitted, producing a sweetness that was difficult to put into words.
And then—
Akira recalled something.
Earlier, he had taken a sip from Roxia's cup of coffee.
Under normal circumstances, the coffee Alice prepared for Roxia should have been identical to his.
Yet for some reason, Roxia's coffee had tasted extremely sweet.
If the coffee itself wasn't the issue, then the only explanation was Roxia's cursed fragrance.
Even a single drop was enough to transform bitter coffee into syrupy sweetness.
No wonder Roxia never added sugar to her coffee.
There was simply no need.
She herself was like someone soaked in honey—cloyingly sweet from head to toe.
"By the way," Akira asked casually, "since the lord of Sunset City passed away, has the royal capital appointed a new city lord?"
"Yes," Roxia nodded. "Someone has already taken over. An old knight. He used to be an enforcement knight in Sunset City, but left for the royal capital for certain reasons. Now he's decided to return and assume the position of city lord."
"Is he trustworthy?" Akira asked.
"He is. He's from the same generation as my grandfather, and they were close friends. When I was little, he even taught me swordsmanship. His skill is actually greater than my aunt's," Roxia said earnestly.
"That strong?" Akira was genuinely surprised. There was someone in Sunset City even stronger than Loserine?
"But…" Roxia hesitated, "I heard that the old knight volunteered to leave the royal capital. He was a prince's royal knight and only one step away from becoming a Star Knight. I don't understand why he would return to Sunset City. Coming back here means giving up everything."
Akira nodded thoughtfully.
Compared to the royal capital, Sunset City really was too small. Even as a city lord, there was little room left for advancement.
"Oh, right~" Roxia suddenly remembered something. "Mr. Akira, do you remember Princess Vivian?"
"Yeah—what about her?" Akira was a bit surprised. What did that princess do now?
"She's been writing to me a lot lately, asking me to consider becoming her royal knight. She also mentioned that a Star Knight has pledged loyalty to her. If I go to the imperial capital, she can arrange for that Star Knight to become my mentor…" Roxia explained.
"Reject her."
Akira shook his head decisively, his tone firm.
"Stay as far away from royal power struggles as possible. Do you understand?"
"I—"
"Roxia."
Akira extended his right hand and gently rested it on her shoulder.
Roxia's body trembled slightly at the contact.
Due to the blessing of the Rite of the White Rose, all her attributes had increased by 100%, her danger perception by 100%——but her pain sensitivity had also increased by 100%.
As a result, even Akira's light touch made her delicate body shiver.
This was precisely why Roxia always wore armor and minimized physical contact with others.
But now, fresh from her bath, she had no effective way to block it.
"I want you to understand this," Akira said, looking straight into her eyes, warning her with the seriousness of an uncle. "Royal struggles may bring opportunity—but they also force you and the Yerman Family behind you to choose sides. Do you understand?"
Roxia's beautiful eyes flickered.
She understood perfectly.
As the head of the Yerman Family, she had to judge everything from the family's standpoint.
"I understand! Thank you for your advice, Mr. Akira!" she replied immediately.
"As long as you're willing to trust me," Akira said with a small smile and a nod. "If you want to grow stronger, I'll have Loserine return to the Yerman Family regularly to guide your swordsmanship. Her growth within the guild will also feed back to you."
Both aunt and niece possessed excellent talent. They were worth cultivating.
"Thank you so much, Mr. Akira! I don't even know how to repay you!" Roxia felt a deep surge of gratitude rise in her chest.
"There's no need," Akira replied calmly. "I'm your aunt's guildmaster. This is only natural."
Compared to what Loserine had contributed to the guild, this was nothing. Taking care of her niece was only right.
As they spoke, white light flared from the teleportation array—Loserine and the others returned to the guild.
"We're back."
"Good work."
Akira stood up to greet his guild members.
"Well? Any improvement in your swordsmanship?" Loserine asked immediately, her concern obvious.
"Yes. I've gained a deeper understanding of swordsmanship," Akira replied seriously.
"Well done."
Loserine nodded with satisfaction, then turned her gaze to Roxia.
"Roxia, put your armor on. I'll take you back."
"Alright, Aunt."
Roxia quickly stood and began donning her armor.
Once she was fully equipped, Loserine led her out of the guild and back toward Sunset City.
Akira sat back down on the sofa and submitted the prerequisite quest.
[Quest Complete!][EXP +1000! Silver Coins +10!][Special Commission Unlocked!]
[Betrayal from the Night][Recommended Level: 30][Quest Description: Once, the Witch of the Night captivated all. Betrayal ran through her entire life. She betrayed the Witch Cult, betrayed the nation, betrayed love, betrayed kin—and in the end, even betrayed herself.][Objective: Obtain the Witch of the Night's letter from the Witch's Hut!][Quest Reward: Random Trait (Player)][Upon completion, player evaluation increases to E+, and an Adventurer Recruitment Scroll (Green) is obtained.]
"A new trait…?" Akira's face lit up with unmistakable delight.
At the same time, confusion stirred within him.
This special commission was once again tied to the Witch of the Night.
His entanglement with her seemed to be growing deeper and deeper.
But wasn't she already dead?
…No.
Thinking from another angle, perhaps the Witch of the Night's influence on this country was far more severe than Akira had imagined—so pervasive that her shadow was everywhere.
Speaking of the Witch of the Night…
Akira took the Witch of the Night's Demon Eye out of his inventory.
It was like a gold mine—brimming with unknown, mysterious power.
He still hadn't used it and had no idea what effect it would have.
Would it be similar to Princess Vivian's Demon Eye?
A power of domination?
[Use the Witch of the Night's Demon Eye?]
"…Let's try it."
Akira took a deep breath and steeled himself to obtain the power within the Demon Eye.
[Fusing Demon Eye…]
The moment he confirmed, the Demon Eye burst into dazzling light. Wisps of magic spilled forth, converging into what looked like a jade-white hand that reached straight toward Akira's left eye.
The hand grasped his eyeball—firmly, mercilessly—and squeezed.
"AH—!"
The pain was unbearable. Akira screamed.
"Mr. Akira, what's wrong?!"
"Master~! Are you okay?!"
"Guildmaster!"
Ivsha and the others rushed toward him in alarm.
"I—I'm fine!" Akira grit his teeth.
The agony felt as though his left eyeball was being crushed in reality. Bloody tears streamed down from his left eye, dripping to the floor.
Then—As the pain gradually faded, a system notification appeared in his vision.
[Demon Eye Fused — Illusory Annihilation Eye!][Illusory Annihilation Eye: You may ignore the effects of any Demon Eye. If a Demon Eye wielder activates a Demon Eye effect against you, they will suffer an equivalent counter-effect.]
"…!?"