"She’s safe," Noah confirmed, watching Lola’s expression soften as she noticed Leo’s obvious worry.
"Where did you get this Golden Mane? They’re nearly extinct." Lola’s expert gaze assessed Leo with appreciation. "He’s already at apprentice rank too. Based on my knowledge, he should reach adept rank with enough nutrition and hunting."
She recognizes Leo’s species and potential. Makes sense for someone with her experience.
"From Vex," Noah explained simply.
Lola nodded with understanding. "That explains it. That viscount has many rare things.’
"How did you save me?" Lola asked, her mind processing the impossibility of her survival. "The healing bread wasn’t enough for that level of blood loss."
"Beef jerky," Noah replied, gesturing toward the empty wrapper. "Vitality enhancement instead of healing acceleration."
Different approaches to the same problem. Enhance the body’s life force rather than just repair damage.
Lola scanned her restored body, testing responses and energy levels. Her eyes widened with recognition as the enhancement’s effects became clear.
"The effects... they’re identical to the protein bar’s pattern." Her voice carried growing amazement. "This must have been expensive. How much do you want for it?"
She’s calculating debt.
Noah stopped looking at her, his attention shifting to the window where royal guards maintained their siege positions. "It’s fine, don’t worry about it. I’ve used it to save your life. I wasn’t expecting anything."
Her life was worth more than money. Simple equation.
But Lola shook her head with stubborn determination. "I refuse to accept charity. Especially not something that valuable."
Succubus pride. She won’t accept gifts without reciprocation.
Noah thought about it before sighing. "Just give me whatever you want."
If it makes her feel better about being saved, fine.
Lola checked her dimensional storage with careful consideration. "You’re a swordsman, aren’t you? I’ve seen you fighting those fireflies.
I have a swordsmanship manual. After comprehending the full techniques, you should be able to become an adept swordsman. Price should be around six hundred golden coins."
Adept-level swordsmanship knowledge. That could accelerate my development significantly.
Lola materialised a tome bound in midnight leather, its pages emanating subtle power. The moment she handed it over, Noah’s system responded immediately.
[Congratulations on your first sale of ]
’What? That counts? I thought my chance of receiving the automaker was gone alongside the daily income...that’s pretty good.’
[Level 1 Auto-BeefJerky is now in effect]
[Beef Jerky Income: Tier 4 Swordsmanship Manual]
The daily income is a swordsmanship manual. That’s... not particularly useful. System, change it to dollars. I don’t want a swordsmanship manual every day.
[Beef Jerky Daily Income: $60,000]
Much better. I need more money, I still have to save for my next items, including that Idle Room.
System, can you give me each item’s income separately?
[Bread & Iced Tea Daily Income: Demonica Moonburgh ($5,000)]
[Protein Bar Daily Income: Tier 5 Wind Orb ($130,000)]
[Energy Drink Daily Income: $100,000]
[Beef Jerky Daily Income: $60,000]
Noah studied the breakdown with a growing understanding of his wealth accumulation. The Demonica plants were multiplying beyond usefulness—he already had five specimens providing enhancement.
Too many plants had diminishing returns on cultivation benefits. System, change the Demonica income to dollars.
With that done, I have three items that give me money daily.
[Energy Drink Daily Income: $100,000]
[Bread & Iced Tea Daily Income: $5,000]
[Beef Jerky Daily Income: $60,000]
Perfect. Now I’m earning $165,000 plus a wind orb daily.
The second wind orb from today’s income waited in his dimensional storage, unused due to the crisis that had consumed his afternoon. Two tier 5 orbs representing accelerated magical development.
Two orbs. Enough to push wind manipulation towards higher levels.
Leo padded closer to Lola, his juvenile curiosity overcoming wariness. "He’s adorable," Lola observed, offering her hand for Leo’s inspection.
"He’s adorable," Lola observed, offering her hand for Leo’s careful inspection.
"Isn’t he? named him Leo."
"Leo... that’s a nice name."
Noah’s expression grew serious as he studied the siege formations outside his window. "So what’s your plan with those people?"
Lola’s usual confidence wavered as she considered her options. "I don’t know, to be honest. I don’t think I can leave."
Prince Malphas’s voice suddenly boomed through the mystical barriers, cutting through their conversation with a tone that made the shop’s walls seem thinner.
"Shopkeeper Noah! Return Black Visage to the royal family immediately! Otherwise, we will bring a Grandmaster to destroy this place. We promise not to hold this act against you, and we’ll provide magical items as a reward for helping with the capture!"
Grandmaster. That’s an escalation beyond anything I expected.
Lola turned toward Noah with a smile that carried dangerous amusement despite their circumstances. "They’re planning to bring a Grandmaster here. That means the current king himself. He really isn’t playing around."
Her ruby eyes sparkled with mischief that seemed inappropriate given the gravity of their situation.
"What’s your plan? Are you going to sell me?"
Noah rolled his eyes with exasperation. "Don’t be stupid. I wouldn’t have brought you here and saved you if I had the thought of betraying you."
Noah approached the window and shouted toward the royal entourage with a volume that carried across the plaza.
"Shut up! I don’t want to hear your voice! It’s irritating me! You keep barking like a dog—what kind of prince are you? Bring whatever fart you want, I’m not returning anyone!"
Lola’s eyes widened with genuine shock as the implications hit her like a physical blow. "You...What you just said...there’s no return from this."
He just declared war on the royal family. For me. Lola thought with growing shock.
Noah shrugged with indifference that belied the magnitude of his decision. "So be it. I’m leaving this place."
Time to reveal my exit strategy.
"Look, do you want to come with me? I’m not staying in this kingdom."
Lola’s confusion was immediate and obvious. "How are you planning to leave?"
"I’ve got my ways. Do you want to come? But if you do, you have to sign a contract with me."