7. Did you hold back? No!
As the Supreme Leader of the Merli United Kingdom, Lin Ke, the last time I saw her, she was practically begging to have a bodyguard entourage by her side. Yet this time, not only was she alone, but even the people in her luxurious ancient castle were pitifully few.
However, thanks to this, after sending Lin Ke—who truly knows how to pick her moments—away, the entire night passed without any further disturbances for me and Ke Fei Er. As for what Ke Fei Er and I did after Lin Ke left, during that long, sleepless night…
Haha~ I really couldn’t hold back. Sigh… What can I say? Men are just creatures who resist with their mouths but are honest with their bodies, right? Nilu’s constant following made Ke Fei Er eager to find a moment alone with me, and honestly… it made me feel a bit “unable to hold it in” as well.
Then, morning came.
As the sunlight streamed in, Ke Fei Er, clutching a pillow and completely unclothed, was surprisingly easy to talk to today. Not only did she agree to my request of “Nilu and I going to the capital of the Merli United Kingdom for a ‘preliminary investigation’,” but she even stated that she wouldn’t follow us. After “savoring the charm,” Ke Fei Er wanted to test Lin Ke’s “sincerity” a bit, in her capacity as a “member of the Great Ying Empire’s royal family.”
At this moment, in the capital of the Merli United Kingdom, Nilu, dressed as a maid, and I moved through the streets in the most natural of identities.
Our previous hurried march had left us no time to take in the sights, but today, fully prepared, we arrived in the capital only to discover: the prevalence of “trade” in the Merli United Kingdom was no mere gossip; everything here could be described as a “metropolis of commerce”!
“Come take a look! This is the magical firearm just imported from the Prussia Kingdom… what was it called again? Anyway, it’s a gun! Model number UZ-I, free trial with one magazine! Come see if it works for you!?”
“We have a batch of young orcs from the Austro-Hungarian tribe! Strong and robust, seven times a night is no problem, and the price is cheap and practical! Wealthy ladies, don’t miss out!”
“Lizard eggs from the Great Ying Empire! It’s said that after raising them for decades, they can turn into dragons! Raise them for a few hundred years, and they can even become girls! Three gold for one, ten gold for three!”
…
Setting aside the last one, which was clearly a scam for the gullible, the Merli United Kingdom truly had “everything for sale.” Countless goods from other kingdoms flowed in, sold at high prices, while everything this kingdom didn’t care about, like “antiques,” was exported out.
The frequent discoveries of “antiques” are enough to prove that the land of the Merli United Kingdom must have a rich historical foundation beneath it. To be honest, selling off collectibles feels rather unappreciative. But… perhaps this is just the lifestyle of the kingdom’s people, led by Lin Ke; I can’t interject.
As my gaze fell, I noticed Nilu, who seemed to have just finished conversing with the surrounding merchants, walking towards me. She held a basket in her hand and stuffed a stack of receipts into her pocket.
“Sorry to keep you waiting, Mr. Oujili De.”
Unlike her demeanor at the church, today Nilu, even with the rare opportunity to be alone with me, didn’t cling to me. Rather, she seemed serious and busy from the start, wandering through the commercial district of the capital, much like a girlfriend who drags her boyfriend out on a date but quickly gets absorbed in shopping.
“What are you buying?”
“I’m placing large orders with various trade associations, which will then be shipped to the Rodmar Empire for its construction. Have you forgotten? The future parts of the Empire’s altar are still a wasteland. This is a rare opportunity; rather than gathering bits and pieces, it’s better to place a complete order right here.”
As she spoke, Nilu wrapped her arms around mine.
“You wouldn’t think I’m just trying on clothes, would you? That would truly sadden me. Everything I do is for you, you know~”
While saying this, Nilu glanced at me, and for a moment, I felt as if I had some “secret” that she was about to uncover.
What happened yesterday—surely it hasn’t been discovered, right…? But then again, why am I so flustered in front of Nilu?
“Mr. O’Keefe? What are you daydreaming about? You can’t possibly have…”
“No, no! Of course not!”
It didn’t matter whether I was flustered or not; I hurriedly tried to cover it up in front of Nilu. As for her holding onto me… whatever, as long as the boss is happy.
“Then, please come with me.”
Nilu said, shaking the basket she held in her other hand. “Let’s find a suitable spot to prepare lunch for you, and by the way… I’ll share with you the clues I just gathered about the ruins, so you won’t recklessly use your dangerous abilities again.”
After that, Nilu led me away from the noisy and chaotic trading area, heading instead to what could be considered the most important place in the capital—the vicinity of the “Black Palace,” where the Grand Leader of the Meri United Kingdom resides. Unlike other kingdoms that would go to great lengths to protect the place where their “king” resides, while there were bodyguards here too, even ordinary people could “visit” the periphery. The area around the “Black Palace” is also a well-known tourist spot.
After choosing a patch of grass a distance away from others, Nilu knelt down to spread out a tablecloth and began to get busy. The maid and the “BOSS” were both hard at work, which made me feel a bit guilty about what I had done yesterday.
“I believe you should have noticed even faster than we did that Miss Rinka is somewhat concealing information regarding the ‘ruins.’ So recently, I specifically inquired about this, and the merchants here indicated that there have indeed been some ‘artifacts’ for sale. However, upon further inquiry, I found that most of them were just scattered items, fundamentally different from the ‘big deal’ Miss Rinka told us about.”
I looked towards the “Black Palace,” where Rinka must be working as the Grand Leader of the Meri United Kingdom.
“Then, these merchants’ wares should be the odds and ends picked up from the site. From this perspective, it proves that Rinka didn’t lie to us; she indeed found the so-called ‘ruins.'”
“May the ‘King’ bear witness. However, even though she found them, she doesn’t take us along, and even lies about it, which should indicate that Miss Rinka… can’t take us there now.”
Nilu’s addition was spot on, and with that clarification, only a few reasons remained.
So…
In the next moment, before I could even glance at the script, Nilu’s finger pressed against my mouth.
In the blink of an eye, Nilu had already set up lunch, practically leaning into my face.
“Mr. O’Keefe, the business is done, and now it’s ‘date’ time.”
“So, from now on, you’re not allowed to use your ‘abilities.’”
The distance was so close, it felt as if Nilu was telling me, “If you look at the script, I’ll kiss you right away so you can’t see it.”