Chapter 250

Chapter 250: Filial Daughter

"What would you need this for?"

Simon regarded her with suspicion, while Philid beside him furrowed his brow.

"So this really is a Remote Speaker! Ah, you see… it’s been ages since I last contacted my mother," Lvzi explained, her voice trailing off.

"Ah, I see…" Simon chuckled. "But the Remote Speaker only connects to others possessing the same device, and even then, its range is limited. Practically speaking, you could only reach Nuquel Town’s lord or the Adventurer’s Guild to the north."

"Very well then… I’ll amend my request."

Lvzi dismissed the Remote Speaker with a wave, her gaze deliberately avoiding the device.

Having learned of Lvzi’s supposed motive, Simon and Philid exchanged relieved glances.

"What new condition do you propose?"

"I wish to see your Flying Beast Army!"

"The Flying Beast Army?"

Simon blinked in surprise before letting out an amused snort. "Miss Lvzi, you aren’t thinking of riding one of the Flying Beast Army’s flying monsters home to visit your mother, are you?" His previous assumption colored the question.

"My, how transparent I’ve become!" Lvzi tilted her chin upward proudly. "Mother adores me most of all her children, you know."

The two women flanking her stiffened but held their tongues within the lord’s domain.

"An easily granted request," Simon conceded. "But heed this—the Flying Beast Army remains in training, and those winged creatures are temperamental. Should you master them, visiting your mother becomes possible. The challenge rests entirely on your skill, Miss Lvzi."

"Understood! Ah, but only I will join the knight order. Army Lady and Stealth One prefer remaining with the Adventurer’s Guild."

"But why?"

"They relish the adventurer’s life more."

"A pity," Simon murmured, studying Lvzi before nodding. Though failing to recruit all three, their evident camaraderie suggested securing one might prove equally advantageous. Simpler too, he noted privately, than managing three strong-willed women.

When noon bells chimed, Simon escorted the trio to the castle’s banquet hall. Though the lavish spread paled beside Worker Liquor’s culinary artistry, the ruby-hued wine earned Stealth One’s quiet approval.

Throughout the meal, the self-assured lord found conversation flowing only with Lvzi. Her companions alternated between perfunctory responses and contemplative sipping of their wine.

While feeling some dissatisfaction toward the two maidens, Simon found Lvzi increasingly agreeable to his eyes.

Understanding the wisdom of gradual progress, Simon had his soldiers escort the three girls back in a carriage after the banquet. He instructed Lvzi to formally join the Guard Knights the following day and collaborate with the other knights.

…

After departing the lord’s residence, the carriage halted before an apothecary.

"Then I shall take my leave, ladies."

"Mhm."

The accompanying soldier drove the carriage away.

"Tch! How dare a mere human race member covet me!"

The green-haired girl scoffed and pursed her lips after the carriage vanished from sight.

Though Simon believed he’d concealed his intentions well, his occasional revealing glances had betrayed him.

"Remain vigilant hereafter," Army Lady cautioned. "Open confrontations matter little, but guard against their underhanded schemes."

The golden-haired warrior’s warning carried bitter memory – the lingering discomfort of being intoxicated and nearly ambushed by humans still fresh in her mind. She refused to let her sisters endure similar humiliations.

"Ohhh? Is Lady Ji actually worried about me?"

The emerald-tressed girl clung to the blonde’s arm again, azure eyes sparkling through fluttering lashes.

The daughters’ resemblance to Lin Yu momentarily deceived Army Lady’s senses as Lvzi pressed close, making her breath catch with transient confusion.

Yet-

"Rest assured, I’m not as dim-witted as Lady Ji~"

Lvzi’s teasing remark shattered the illusion, earning her an immediate flick to the forehead.

"Ouch!" The green-haired girl rubbed the afflicted spot.

"Concern for you? Don’t flatter yourself. Move along."

"Oh…"

Truthfully, even if poisoned through human treachery, the Stealth Ant sisters lurking in their shadows provided ample protection.

"Advance, Stealth One."

"Understood."

The reply came steady, though Stealth One’s footsteps wavered unsteadily.

"You’re clearly intoxicated."

"Not… initially. The swaying carriage…"

"Let Lvzi escort you back."

"But-"

Before refusal could form, the green-haired girl bounded over eagerly.

"Yaaay! My specialty~!"

The tipsy Stealth One proved no match for Lvzi’s enthusiasm, drifting away supported by the cheerful girl’s shoulder.

Army Lady watched their departure with amused smirk before turning toward the apothecary. Her hand froze mid-reach as the door abruptly opened.

"Miss Army Lady?!"

The startled pharmacist nearly dropped his "Closed" sign.

"Closing?"

"Only open mornings currently," Manfel explained, hanging the placard before ushering her inside.

He’d ignore other patrons, but never the source of those premium red fruits – nor did he possess the courage to refuse.

The man’s weary countenance drew her inquiry.

"What troubles you?"

"Sigh… I underestimated crafting high-quality Life Recovery Potions. Your red fruits remain impeccable!" he hastily added.

"The other ingredients pale in quality and consistency, making proportional adjustments arduous with my limited skill…"

Another sigh escaped him.

"Numerous medium-grade potions completed, but high-grade eludes me still."

Though superior to standard medium-grade versions due to the premium fruits, these wouldn’t satisfy his ambition to surpass pharmacists Red and Lit by becoming the town’s undisputed master.

"Apologies for rambling… How may I assist? My Magic Recovery Potion stock remains depleted since our last transaction."

"Not here for those."

Army Lady produced Blue Face Grass, Lan’er Fruits, and Lan’er Fruit Tree bark – core ingredients for Magic Recovery Potions.