Chapter 22: Meeting?
"Relax and focus on absorbing the blood crystals. If you want to rescue him now, I'll go right away," Ace said with a gentle smile as he gazed at her beautiful face.
She lifted her head, their eyes meeting in a quiet moment. "Thank you," she whispered softly, unsure whether to see Ace's kindness as a blessing or a subtle advantage.
But recalling the warmth of his touch, the passion they shared, and the overwhelming pleasure she had never known before, she couldn't deny that she harbored no regrets. For one, she had discovered the joy of embracing her womanhood without restraint. More importantly, he had helped awaken her hidden talent, enabling her to cultivate . The value of the resources he provided alone was astronomical—resources she might never repay even after decades of hard work.
With his support, rescuing Leighton and healing his broken leg no longer seemed impossible.
Besides, she was just a woman who needed someone to rely on. Ace possessed ample resources, and though he wasn't as handsome as his son, his eyes captivated her. His scent, his touch—they were things she liked deeply.
Like a shy girl, she hooked her arms around his neck and leaned her head gently on Ace's shoulder.
"Thank you, Ace. As compensation, I can be your wife tonight," Lilia whispered softly.
"Oh my God..." Ace thought inwardly, Even if you didn't say it, of course tonight you're mine—but since you took the initiative, it's even better.
"Of course, my wife. Tonight, you will be mine," Ace declared, gently turning her face toward his and pressing a tender kiss to her red lips.
Lilia responded eagerly, her hands locking around his neck, her flawless white legs wrapping tightly around his waist. Her moist red eyes, no longer cold or distant, shone with gratitude, gentleness, and joy.
Their tongues intertwined in a passionate dance, clashing and swirling as they slowly swallowed each other's saliva. They kissed with such intensity that Lilia soon found herself breathless.
Panting softly, she smiled like a blooming flower, her tender white hands cupping Ace's face with affection.
"Alright, let's stop it for now. I'll absorb the blood crystals first. Once I become a knight, I'll be all yours," Lilia said softly as she stood up from his lap and settled onto the bed.
Seated comfortably, she smiled warmly at the still-dazed Ace. Then, closing her eyes, she began to absorb the blood crystals.
Ace shook off his daze, captivated by her beauty—especially when she smiled. He couldn't help but feel a strong urge to draw her close again.
"Alright, let me take a look at her awakened talent," Ace murmured, opening her status window with a focused glance.
Name: Lilia
Beauty: 9
Favorability: 95
Age: 39
Talent: Gold
Affinity: Gold
Cultivation: None
Breathing Technique: Elemental Breathing Technique
Abilities: None
Innate Abilities:
- Golden Conqueror:
- The ability to manipulate gold elements.
- Gold elemental abilities comprehension increased tenfold.
With nothing else to do, Ace used the 100 system points he had earned before Nerissa's departure to purchase another Blue Grade Talent Awakening Potion.
Without hesitation, he drank it. To his disappointment, he only awakened a Blue Grade talent: Danger Perception—the ability to sense danger or animosity directed at him within a radius of 100 meters.
Feeling bored, Ace had no choice but to study the Elemental Breathing Technique and attempt to absorb the life energy flowing in the air.
Meanwhile, Nerissa had returned, and Nhor was still deeply immersed in absorbing the life energy around him.
"Nhor, you've been cultivating all morning until now. Take a rest while I go cook dinner," his mother said.
Still concentrating, Nhor abruptly opened his eyes at her words and looked around, surprised to see that darkness had already fallen.
He had been so engrossed in absorbing life energy, fueled by excitement at the prospect of becoming a knight.
"Okay, Mom," Nhor replied, glancing at his radiant and spirited mother. Although he hadn't witnessed what had transpired, he already knew that his mother had been intimate with Ace.
He shook his head with a mixture of frustration and resignation. Even though he didn't want to admit it, the undeniable truth was that his mother was cheating on his father. Moreover, she had already come to regard Ace as her lover, and any attempts to stop them would only drive their meetings into secrecy, away from his awareness.
Time passed, and six hours later, Lilia's body emitted a gentle gust of wind—a manifestation of life energy released from within—a clear sign she had become a knight.
Opening her eyes, Lilia scanned herself, feeling the flow of life energy and gold elements coursing through her veins.
She clenched her fists, noting that although they looked soft and delicate, they now contained a strength capable of felling a cow with a single blow.
"Congratulations on becoming a knight. How does it feel?" Ace asked gently from beside her.
"Thank you. I feel stronger," Lilia replied, her voice tinged with excitement. But then she sniffed the air, a grimace crossing her face.
"What's that smell? It's disgusting." She stood abruptly, looking around warily.
"It's only natural for your body to expel some impurities," Ace explained, pointing toward the rear door. "There's a flower bath in the back where you can clean yourself while I go call the receptionist to replace the bed sheets, blankets, and pillows."
Noticing the sticky black oil clinging to her skin, Lilia sniffed it and let out a startled scream. Ashamed, she hurried toward the rear door to wash herself.
Meanwhile, Ace went towards the receptionist, requesting to replace the beddings.
At the same time, Nerissa and Eureya were at the knights' stronghold.
Eureya sat on a chair, her eyes open wide, having just advanced in her journey to becoming a knight.
After her bath, she made her way to the backyard to practice the Water Arrows ability Ace had given her.
Simultaneously, Nerissa, blessed with her rainbow talent, absorbed the blood crystals and advanced to the middle stage of a first-tier knight.
She stepped out into the backyard and began training to control the four mithril daggers and swords with precision and skill.
The emerald moon hung high in the night sky, casting a gentle glow that illuminated the surroundings. Nerissa stood quietly, recalling her training. She retrieved the daggers and sword from her Spatial Ring, focusing her mind to control them. Suddenly, she noticed a figure standing in a backyard seven houses away from her own.
Is that Eureya's house? And that silver hair—that must be Eureya. What is she doing outside at this hour? Nerissa wondered, silently observing.
To her surprise, Eureya was weaving shapes through the air. Though the form was faint, the way the moonlight reflected off it revealed the figure as water.
Could it be? She's a knight too? Nerissa thought in awe and decided to approach Eureya.
Eureya concentrated on creating water arrows, shaping each with care. Her excitement grew, but suddenly her control faltered and the water burst apart as she heard footsteps approaching.
"Who's there?" Eureya quickly leapt backward, eyes searching the darkness.
"Is that... you, Nerissa?" she asked, startled.
Nerissa nodded calmly. "I didn't expect you to have already become a knight."
Eureya narrowed her eyes, surprise and frustration mixing within her. She hadn't anticipated her secret would be discovered so soon after becoming a knight.
"What are you doing here?" Eureya asked, her voice tinged with seriousness.
"Don't worry," Nerissa replied, letting the daggers and sword hover and spin gracefully before rising higher in the air. "Just like you, I've been trained to control my abilities."
Eureya's eyes widened as she noticed the weapons suspended effortlessly in front of Nerissa.
"You're a knight too?" Eureya asked, genuinely surprised.
"Yes," Nerissa confirmed, stepping closer to stand just a meter away from Eureya. As a gentle breeze passed them, their long hair danced in the wind, Nerissa caught the subtle scent of Eureya's fragrance.
Where have I smelled that before? she wondered.
It's from Ace, when he returned to the inn.
Recalling Ace's words about admiring three women at the stronghold, Nerissa observed Eureya carefully. In terms of beauty and curves, she's no less than me. No wonder Ace admires her—and to my surprise, she had already become one of Ace's women before Lilia.
Since Eureya was already among Ace's women, Nerissa felt she had no choice but to accept her. However, the main wife belongs to me, she thought solemnly.
Eureya looked at Nerissa with serious scrutiny, her eyes narrowing as if sizing her up like a rival. She was surprised by the intensity of Nerissa's gaze but wondered if it was just her imagination.
"Little sister, did you meet Ace this afternoon?" Nerissa asked directly.
Eureya's eyes widened at the question, her expression turning serious. Then she composed herself. Maybe she's just asking because she saw us near the stronghold gate.
"Are you also one of his women?" Nerissa pressed again.
"What are you saying?" Eureya responded, but her eyes widened in surprise. "Also? What do you mean by that?"
"Just as you heard," Nerissa said with a sigh. "Like you, I'm one of his women too. I didn't expect that you would even fall for him."
Eureya took a deep breath. "Aren't you angry?"
"I am a little angry and jealous," Nerissa admitted, "but with how vigorous and resourceful he is—plus, he's a bit of a pervert—there's no way I can have him all to myself. Besides, I'm just an older woman with a husband. Even though I'm one of his women, I'm not shameless enough to try to stop him."
"Moreover, I can't handle him alone," Nerissa continued, shaking her head helplessly. "That's why I allowed Lilia to become his woman as well. But I didn't expect you to be his woman too."
"What? Even Lilia?" Eureya asked in shock, surprised that the typically indifferent and cold woman had become his woman as well.
"Well, since you just became a knight, why don't we train together? And we can discuss how to keep this all a secret," Nerissa suggested, grabbing Eureya's hand.
Eureya nodded, and the two of them headed toward Nerissa's backyard.
Meanwhile, inside the inn, Lilia finished bathing, and the bedding had been replaced.
Ace lay on the bed, waiting patiently for her.
Soon, Lilia returned, wearing only a towel that barely covered her chest and hips.
Although Ace had seen her body before, he couldn't help but be captivated by her beauty once more.
"Wife, you're beautiful," Ace praised, rising without hesitation to carry her onto the bed.
"Ahh..." Lilia gasped, her cheeks flushing with warmth. "Why don't you wait until my hair dries?" she whispered softly.
"And what if your hair stays wet? I can't wait any longer—I want you now," Ace replied, before gently pressing his lips to her thin, red lips.