Chapter 428: You're Overexcited
Nautilus Tavern.
Milisen held Philipa by the hand, sitting on the bedside, asking about her recent life, how she was eating and dressing, and urging her to behave properly outside.
At first, Philipa listened for a few moments.
Then she grew impatient, fidgeting and looking around.
On the way here, Wu Heng had advised her.
Not to speak too much to Milisen about pirate matters, especially since Milisen had just become a Professional and came from a village.
It was hard to say what might be uncovered in an investigation.
Philipa remembered these things, so she avoided mentioning specific details during their conversation.
Eventually, tired of the talk, she waved her hand and said, "Alright, alright, I got it."
Milisen didn't press further.
The biggest reason the mother and daughter had been released from prison was Philipa's remaining value.
Otherwise, they likely would have been executed with the other pirates.
After the conversation, Milisen's gaze shifted back to Wu Heng.
"My lord, Philipa has caused you trouble," Milisen said again.
"Philipa has done well and has helped me a lot at work," Wu Heng replied.
Philipa raised her head proudly.
"It's her blessing to be able to help you, my lord," Milisen said.
Philipa turned her head sharply. "Milisen, why are you talking like that?"
Wu Heng indicated there was no need to be so formal.
Seeing both of them looking at him,
he took out four bottles of Level-1 corpse core potions from his space ring.
"You've both had these before. They can enhance your physique. Two bottles each," he said.
Both women had consumed these potions before.
They were well aware of their effects.
Their eyes lit up upon seeing the potions.
Especially Philipa, who had been skeptical last time and used one bottle to experiment on her parrot.
She had nearly regretted it to death.
For pirates, strength was always the top priority.
Without sufficient strength or harsh methods, it was hard to control subordinates.
Now there were more potions, and even her mother had some.
"Thanks!" Philipa said, grabbing the potions eagerly.
Milisen glanced at her daughter, bowed slightly, and said, "Thank you, my lord."
"Go ahead and take them. I'll watch over you," Wu Heng said.
Both nodded and glanced at each other before opening their potions and drinking them.
The painful side effects made their bodies curl up and tremble slightly.
Soon, the effects passed.
They felt their bodies and once again showed joyful expressions.
"Drink the second bottle," Wu Heng said, seeing they were fine.
The mother and daughter opened the second bottle.
They tilted their heads back and drank it.
Again, there were brief side effects before they returned to normal.
"Thank you, my lord," Milisen said again, gratitude evident on her face.
Philipa stood silently to the side, her gaze now showing a greater sense of reliance.
"Good. As long as you're improving, I'll provide more when there's an opportunity. Work well, and I won't treat you unfairly," Wu Heng said.
"Yes, we'll do our best for you," Milisen said quickly, pulling her daughter to join in.
Philipa pouted and echoed, "Do our best."
"Good," Wu Heng nodded.
At that moment, light footsteps sounded outside the door.
The three stopped talking, listening as the steps paused at the door. The bartender's voice came through, "Boss, a guest wants to change rooms. Could you come out and handle it?"
It was a busy time for customers.
Milisen quickly tidied her hair and clothes, speaking softly to Wu Heng and Philipa, "I'll step out for a bit and come back soon."
With that, she opened the door and left.
...…
The room was left with only the two of them.
Philipa shrugged her shoulders, crossed her legs, and asked, "Are you leaving tonight or staying with us?"
"Staying?"
"Where would you stay?" Philipa countered.
"I'll go back to my place tonight and return to pick you up in the morning," Wu Heng said.
"What about the support you promised?" Philipa pressed.
Wu Heng reached out and produced a wooden barrel of silver coins and some alchemical grenades. "Use them sparingly. I can't keep funding you forever."
"I've been very frugal," Philipa said gleefully, taking all the silver and grenades.
Wu Heng brought out four more potions. "Take these too. Drink two every couple of days."
"Wow!"
Philipa exclaimed and threw herself onto him, straddling his lap. "Thanks, Dad!"
The momentum caused the chair to scrape noisily across the floor.
Wu Heng caught her. "You're a bit too excited."
"I knew you were the best to me," Philipa said, hugging him.
Resting her head on his shoulder, she sniffed lightly. "Why do you smell so good? Do all nobles smell this good?"
Uh...
"Women shouldn't say men smell good," Wu Heng pushed her away lightly.
"But you really do smell nice," Philipa said, still sitting on his lap. She began to touch him playfully. "Why not stay? My waist strength is unmatched. I guarantee I'll take you to the heavens."
Hearing her clearly borrowed vulgar line, Wu Heng was speechless.
Waist strength?
What does a woman's waist strength have to do with anything?
And she dared to use it on him.
Wu Heng lightly patted her waist. "Stop fooling around. If your mom sees you like this, she'll kill you."
"She can't beat me," Philipa muttered but stood up and moved aside.
She gathered the potions from the table, hooked an arm around his shoulder, and asked, "What's your next plan?"
"The same tasks: gathering pirate intel, blank envelope leads, and treasure map details. Keep an eye out for any related info," Wu Heng said, taking out the pirate history book and its treasure map.
Philipa leaned in to examine them closely.
She tossed the history book aside and focused on the map.
After studying it, she said, "No clue. Could the author have just made it up?"
That was possible.
The pirate history books weren't unique. A batch seemed to have been distributed at some point.
Similar copies with identical maps existed in Imiro.
"Keep it for now and stay alert for any clues."
"Got it," Philipa said, storing everything. Then she added, "Tomorrow morning, bring some beast feed. I promised that stupid bird. If I don't, it'll nag endlessly."
"Alright."
"Also, get seafood soup from the tavern by the guild entrance and some fruit pies. Their pies are the best. Other places don't compare."
"Fine, I'll bring them tomorrow morning," Wu Heng said with a smile.
Recently, Philipa's personality had grown more exaggerated, but she had indeed been helpful.
Continuing to rely on her for intel, Wu Heng aimed to keep her spirits high.
"Hehe, thanks, Dad!"
Creak~!
Milisen entered, carrying a blanket, and froze in place.
Her face and neck turned red. She hesitated to leave but felt it was too late.
Instead, she came in quietly and began making the bed.
Wu Heng stood up. "Alright, you two talk. Philipa, stay in the room. The island's pirate investigation is strict right now."
"Got it. Goodbye, Deputy Steward," Philipa said awkwardly.
Wu Heng donned his veil and left the room.
He called for a carriage and headed home.
...…
Back at his residence.
The sky had darkened.
Minnie was reading a manga in the living room. Seeing Wu Heng return, she sat up immediately. "Master, have you eaten?"
"I ate at the tavern," Wu Heng replied, sitting on the sofa and pulling the bunny girl into his lap.
He wrapped an arm around her shoulders, sliding a hand into her collar to grasp her soft curves.
"Master, what were you doing during the day? Why didn't you come back with Sister Viel?" Minnie asked, leaning into him and breathing lightly.
"I had some business at the port. There seem to be more guards lately," Wu Heng noted.
"Yes, today some soldiers came to investigate. They were attacked by skeletons. If I had gone out any later, they would've been cut down," Minnie said, squirming slightly.
The residence had five Level-15 skeletons and the rest were all Level-10.
Surviving an intrusion here meant those soldiers were no pushovers.
"What were they investigating?"
"Probably tenant information. I told them this property belongs to the consortium and to contact them instead. Then I shut the door," Minnie explained.
"Smart, Minnie!" Wu Heng praised.
The residence was rented from the consortium.
Whatever their purpose, directing them to the consortium was the best move.
"It's all thanks to what I've learned from you," Minnie said, twisting slightly.
As they spoke, Andviel came downstairs.
Seeing the two snuggled on the sofa, she approached and nestled into Wu Heng's other side, curling her white legs onto the couch.
Wu Heng wrapped an arm around the little fox girl's shoulders, slipping his hand into her collar.
He compared the two's differences.
"Master, Deputy Steward Sheila Grey has returned," Andviel said.
"Hmm. Is she safe?"
"I met her today and chatted briefly. I heard the steward of 'Lopez City' has gone missing. Until someone from headquarters arrives…" Andviel trailed off.
Missing?
Fled?