Chapter 14: Farewell to the Beautiful Lady, For Now

Draxel helped Marnid to his feet, gently brushing the dust off his clothes. Marnid was inwardly touched by such uncommon humility from a noble count. It was the first time he saw a noble be so approachable and devoid of airs.

“It’s great to hear you say that. I am more than willing to follow you. But…  but first, I must return home to bring my wife and children,” Marnid replied with a sense of resolve.

“You honor your family, that’s admirable,” Draxel responded warmly. “I’ll have the Uxkhal guards welcome you by name and guide you to me.”

Draxel was satisfied with this arrangement and wasn’t worried about Marnid’s safety on his journey back home or to Uxkhal. Being an NPC character, he wasn’t likely to die without reason.

“Thank you, Lord Count. I’ll bring valuable family treasures. Perhaps I can make a fortune in Uxkhal,” Marnid said with a hopeful glint in his eye.

“I’ll be waiting, Marnid,” Draxel affirmed, handing him 200 Denars. “Have a safe journey.”

Their conversation was friendly, and as they parted, Draxel felt he had invested well in a potential money-making asset for the future.

Settling the tavern bill, Draxel encountered Ronnie, now in an elegant black gown. Their eyes locked, a subtle spark between them.

‘She has a charm of her own,’ Draxel mused, admiring her allure.

“The malt beer is 100 Denars,” Ronnie announced, her tone tinged with a hint of playfulness.

“Here’s 200 Denars, double as I promised,” Draxel replied, meeting her gaze.

Ronnie graciously accepted the money and leaned in to give Draxel a hug and a friendly kiss on the cheek. Before Draxel fully processed the gesture, she gracefully retreated, leaving a trail of playful ambiguity.

“Handsome, make sure you visit again~,” she called out before disappearing upstairs, leaving Draxel to reflect on the brief encounter.

‘She has quite the fragrance. Good thing Safiya didn’t see that,’ he thought.

Meanwhile, Safiya was occupied with Owens, purchasing essential supplies for the rest of their journey. 

Draxel, driven by curiosity, checked the system, which surprisingly responded.

[Character Recognized: Tavern Owner Ronnie]

[Current Status: Ronnie ?, Level ?, Strength ?, Agility ?, Intelligence ?, Charm?]

[Evaluation: Your data vastly differs from the character’s, preventing an accurate assessment.]

‘What? Is she a major boss character?’ Draxel mused, consoling himself that his generosity might have earned him some goodwill.

On his way out, the burly bouncers engaged Draxel in conversation.

“Count, you’re quite fortunate. Our ‘Chohuang’ rarely shows such affection. Even a simple hug is a rarity.”

“Chohuang? That’s Ronnie? Interesting name,” Draxel responded, intrigued.

One bouncer elaborated, “Our Princess Ronnie built her fortune through mercenary commissions and her tavern business. The more she ‘extracted’, the larger her enterprise grew. She’s well-known among mercenaries across the continent, earning her the nickname ‘Chohuang’.”

“Oh, I see. So I’ve met a rather impressive woman,” Draxel mused, intrigued by Ronnie’s reputation.

The visit to the tavern proved worthwhile, as Draxel had successfully secured Marnid for future collaboration. And concerning the intriguing ‘Profit Empress’ Ronnie, Draxel believed their paths would cross again.

Filled with anticipation and longing, Drexel and his group completed their preparations and resumed their journey to Uxhall.

By a strange twist of fate, during their travel, Safiya got quite close to Draxel and noticed a distinct perfume scent on him. Despite her sheltered life in the Abyssal Mountains, she recognized it as a woman’s fragrance, similar to what she had smelled in the tavern.

Angered and embarrassed, Safiya fiercely pinched Draxel’s waist, causing him intense pain.

Draxel cried out in agony, “What the hell are you doing?”

His exclamation of shock and confusion went unanswered, as Safiya, without remorse, drenched him with cold water while still shouting, even causing him to choke on a few mouthfuls.

The icy water felt like cutting winds and frosty blades, chilling him to the bone and making him cough and shiver simultaneously.

At this moment, Draxel felt a surge of anger.

Draxel felt a flare of anger. As a revered Swadian noble and the lord of Uxkhal, respected for defeating the brutal Nayan Tu Lu, such treatment, especially in front of his loyal troops, was deeply embarrassing. How could he maintain his dignity and authority after this?

But before Draxel could express his indignation, he was abruptly interrupted.

“Nothing really, just clearing that scent off you. You’re covered in Ronnie’s stench.”

“Me… Are you perhaps jealous, Safiya?”

“Jealous, my foot. It’s just that the smell is too unbearable, it’s ruining my mood.”

While Safiya denied it, the faint blush on her cheeks was evident to Draxel.

‘Could it be that she has feelings for me?’ he wondered silently.

“Safiya, I’m sorry for bothering you with the smell. But next time, could you spare me some dignity, especially in front of Owens?”

“My noble lord, I assure you, I saw nothing,” Owens replied, his tone respectful yet amused.

Owens’ words lightened the mood, making Safiya burst into laughter. He had spent some time with Sofiya and understood her fiery temperament. 

“See, he didn’t take it seriously. You’re just overthinking, Count~”

Draxel joined in the laughter, no longer dwelling on the earlier incident. He believed that being understanding and forgiving was essential for a good husband.

“How about this, charming Safiya? To make up for my mistake, let’s visit your home village of Nomar first, it’s still quite beautiful. Then we’ll head to Uxkhal. Does that sound good?”

At this, Safiya’s face lit up with a radiant, joyful smile, her eyes sparkling with excitement.

“Yes, yes it does. Let’s go. Draxel, you’re the best~”

[Your friendliness with Safiya has increased by 2, current level: 44.]

[Evaluation: I see what you’re doing, trying to charm her.]