For Sale. Fallen Lady. Never Used.

Chapter 339: Like The Claw Of A Platypus (3)

The equipment Faye made was well-received by everyone else as well.

The custom performance was impressive, but it was also because she made them in shapes similar to what they usually use to shorten the time needed to get accustomed to them.

For instance, in Carla’s case, since the staff she recently received from the Imperial family was already quite good, Faye only made magical tools in the form of clothes and a hairpin.

The clothes followed the design of the riding outfit I once bought, which adventurers often wear, adding just a few functions.

The hairpin also replicated the blue flower shape, which was a symbol of the Lindelheit family that Carla usually wore.

That was probably why, even though it was new equipment, it didn’t feel new but rather familiar.

For me, with the help of the system’s correction, I could handle any equipment easily as long as it didn’t deviate too much from the norm, but it was different for others.

Incidentally, Carla’s clothes, like my robe, focused on defense, but because of the larger surface area, the output was stronger.

And what about the flower-shaped hairpin?

Considering her style of calmly preparing for a big shot, it was a masterpiece focused solely on increasing power and improving mana efficiency.

Amplifying mana that had already been amplified once by a staff was quite challenging, similar to how holding two staffs wouldn’t make you twice as strong.

However, Faye managed it. The equipment for others had a similar feel.

Effects tailored to each individual’s combat style, familiar designs, and excellent performance to boot.

While everyone was slightly excited about trying out this equipment in the upcoming operation…

Knock, knock, knock.

Someone knocked on the door of the room. There was only one piece of news that could come at this time.

From beyond the tightly shut door, Eda’s polite voice was heard.

“Count Lindelheit. Chancellor Milone has finished all preparations.”

“Alright, we’ll head out now.”

Let’s see how much they’ve gathered.

Upon arriving at Milone’s office with Eda’s guidance, the piles of documents were still there, but unlike before, Milone wasn’t alone.

About twenty people, each with a significant presence, all turned to look at us at once.

These must be the people Milone gathered.

“Hmm… so that’s him.”

“Younger than I expected?”

“He really is young.”

“Tsk. How many women does he have with him?”

“The weakest woman here is probably on your level, so please, shut up.”

Whispers and murmurs. Thanks to my senses being sharpened by the Blessing of the World Tree, I could hear them as clearly as if they were speaking right beside me.

Most of it was out of curiosity, but I’d grown accustomed to hearing this kind of talk back at the Academy.

Ignoring them, I calmly surveyed the gathered individuals.

Most were elves, but there were a few from other races mixed in, and I recognized some faces, though it was mostly one-sided recognition on my part.

Anyway, as I felt when I first entered the office, the overall level seemed quite high.

Most were at the level of intermediate mages, but they were strong for their rank, and there were even two who appeared to be Aura Experts and a cardinal-level priest.

However, there was one issue: the number of people was fewer than I expected.

Even considering they were hastily assembled, was this all of them? Alfheim, which controled the Great Forest, was no small nation, even if it wasn’t as large as the Levantin Empire, which controlled half the continent.

Elves had a low birth rate compared to their libido, but they lived long lives, so their population wasn’t small.

My confusion was short-lived as some elves frowned upon seeing Elisha and Iris, who followed me in.

“Tsk.”

“Shameless.”

Some even clicked their tongues openly.

They were all elves, oddly enough, all appearing to be middle-aged, which by Elven standards meant they were quite elderly.

I get it now.

High Elves were caught trying to summon spirits at the Sylvan Magic Tower, which was established to replace spirits.

And now, they were living as slaves under a man notorious for being a lecher? With their mana cores still intact? How?

They must think this brought shame to their race and nation.

Perhaps due to their gazes or the subtle pressure they exerted, Elisha shrank back a little.

Reacting to her response, Carla and Iris stepped forward as if to shield her.

Carla was smiling her usual friendly smile, but Iris seemed to be trying to look intimidating by widening her eyes… not realizing it made her look even cuter.

The unusual atmosphere made others watch us with growing interest.

Sensing the brewing trouble, Milone seemed ready to intervene, but…

“Ah, it’s fine.”

“Pardon?”

I stopped her.

“These are all the people who will join us in attacking the Grotesque Proliferation’s forces, right?”

“That’s correct, but…”

“So, they’ll be fighting under my command, even if only temporarily.”

“Ah.”

Milone, understanding that I would handle it, nodded and stepped back half a step.

“Yes. You, Count Lindelheit, were the one to notice the plans of the Grotesque Proliferation, know the most about them, and have the most experience fighting cultists. It’s only natural for you to lead.”

With Milone’s words backing me, I gave a brief nod of thanks and then scanned the room.

From left to right, with a slow, deliberate movement as if to take note of who was present. But I intentionally lingered longer on those who were openly exerting their presence.

Of course, none of them would back down just from this. If they were the type to retreat, they wouldn’t have been projecting their presence in the first place.

After making eye contact with everyone, I smiled and continued.

“Pleased to meet you. And thank you for coming to fight. My name is Yandel Lindelheit. Though it’s only for this operation, it seems I’ll be leading you all…”

I narrowed my eyes and smirked after saying that.

“Anyone with any objections, speak up now.”

Boom.

The mana of a magician nearing the pinnacle of the higher level took over the entire office. A touch of dragon’s fear was added as a bonus.

“Ugh.”

“What is this?!”

“He was definitely an intermediate mage…”

This wasn’t even in my dragon-human form, nor was I exerting my full power, but hadn’t I made good use of the intimidation enchantment on my mask before?

Remembering that feeling, I learned to emit some fear even in my normal state.

I looked down coldly at those who were choking as if their breath was being cut off. At best, they were intermediate mages.

Well, it was natural for them to react like this when someone they knew, who was once above them, fell from grace rather than someone they didn’t know at all.

I might have reacted out of anger, but from their perspective, who didn’t know Elisha’s innocence, this was a reasonable response.

As for Iris… well… it was karma, but she was essentially my slave now.

However, it would be foolish to mess with someone when their master was standing right in front of them.

Seeing them stagger, almost about to collapse, I withdrew my presence and let out a deep sigh.

“Huff…”

“Haah… What was that…?”

“How could he, at that age?!”

Still feeling some aftereffects, the elves clutched their throats in dismay. I smiled gently at them, taking inspiration from Helena.

“I look forward to working with you all.”

“…”

“…”

“…”

As expected, there was no response, but that silence was the clearest answer.

“Remarkable. I thought they’d be difficult to handle because they are all so prideful…”

“Huh?”

“But you subdued them all at once, albeit a bit forcefully.”

“Huh?”

“Hmm. The more important the task, the more one should look at ability, yet there are always those who don’t. Count Lindelheit, if no one else, at least I… I can understand.”

“What?”

After greeting the gathered allies and parting ways, Milone asked me to stay because there was a response to the support request I sent to the Levantin Empire.

Milone kept saying nonsensical things. It seemed like there was some misunderstanding.

Was I the only one who felt the conversation wasn’t syncing? Milone asked with a slightly confused look.

“…Wasn’t it to establish dominance because those unnecessarily prideful people might act out due to you being an outsider and young?”

“No? I just got angry because they were pressuring Elisha and Iris.”

“…”

“…”

We looked at each other in confusion for a moment. But upon realizing I was serious, Milone’s expression turned to one of disbelief.

“Good heavens. So that was the real reason.”

“Well… as long as the outcome is good, it’s fine, right? Now they’ll show a bit more cooperation, won’t they?”

“That’s true, but…”

Is this right? Is it really okay to just move on like this?

Milone blinked for a while with such an expression, but eventually nodded, coming to the same conclusion as me.

“Anyway, since the result was good, it’s a good thing.”

“Exactly.”

I shrugged and checked on Elisha’s condition.

Far from shrinking, she sat upright with her shoulders back as usual.

When our eyes met, she rolled her eyes around before giving me a grateful smile.

While I was blankly watching this, Milone, coming back to her senses, cleared her throat and brought up the real reason we stayed.

“Ahem. On the matter of the support request you sent last time…”

“Oh, right. What was the outcome?”

“To get to the conclusion…”