From Eriri's perspective, the girl's outfit wasn't just peculiar, it was downright bizarre. Who dresses like an old cow?
I can't hold it in anymore!
Eriri decisively turned her head away, no longer looking at the other person. She was afraid she'd burst out laughing, which would be incredibly embarrassing.
Compared to her, Ashley was clearly much calmer. She seemed to have been mentally prepared, her expression unruffled. "It's been a while, Cousin Jessica."
Cousin?
Eriri suddenly understood. No wonder Ashley chose to stay here. So this female lord was related to their family. This was probably one of the reasons Ashley was confident she could persuade her.
Of course.
Eriri didn't believe Jessica would wholeheartedly help Ashley just because they were cousins. After all, blood ties among nobles were also part of a web of interests.
Ashley herself understood this, otherwise, she wouldn't have told Eriri to act as the situation dictated.
"You still call me cousin?" Jessica stepped forward, gazing at Ashley. "You surprise me. I thought you'd completely cut ties with family."
"If that were the case, I wouldn't have chosen this place to stay, would I?" Ashley said calmly.
"Is it because of family, or to escape the Empire's pursuit?" Jessica placed her right hand on her long sword, standing in front of Ashley. "My dear cousin, who betrayed the Empire."
"I didn't betray them, I just chose to resist." Ashley signaled Eriri with her eyes not to worry, that it wasn't time to fight. "The one who truly betrayed us is Rian Bright."
Rian Bright was the name of the Divine Martial Emperor of the Vandersai Empire. In the Empire's law, directly speaking the Emperor's name was a grave offense, punishable by at least fourteen days in a water dungeon and the loss of citizenship.
Ashley openly disregarding the taboo in front of Jessica, an imperial lord, was equivalent to confronting her cousin directly.
Jessica's right hand tightened on her sword hilt, as if she were about to draw it.
But after a long silence, the female lord ultimately didn't act. "I'll pretend you didn't say that, and I can pretend I haven't seen you. But you must leave in half a month. Do you understand?"
"Even a viper gets scared sometimes?" Ashley's lips curved into a faint, mocking smile.
Shing.
As soon as she finished speaking, a flash of sword light suddenly appeared. Jessica's long sword was now pointed at Ashley's forehead, severing a few strands of hair.
Ashley remained unperturbed, her composure intact. "It seems I was wrong. Your fangs are still sharp."
"Hmph, don't underestimate me." Jessica sheathed her sword and looked to the side at Eriri, who had her Zanpakuto held at her neck. "No wonder you could break through the blockade. Are you a Saint?" She spoke the last sentence in a special regional dialect.
"My master is more than just a Saint," Ashley replied in the same dialect.
"Master? It seems a lot has happened during your trip to the other world," Jessica said, clearly hinting at something.
In this world, Adwen Continent, the word "master" was equivalent to husband or boyfriend. This greatly surprised Jessica, knowing her cousin's discerning taste, as she hadn't even fancied the Holy Son of the Holy Church.
Yet, she was so close to this person who hid their face. This was clearly unusual.
Ashley's lips curved into a charming smile. "If you'd like to know, Cousin, I'd be happy to tell you."
Seeing the two cousins fall into a lengthy conversation, Eriri didn't interrupt. She stood beside Ashley like a bodyguard. She then took out her phone and took a flattering picture of the female lord, posting it: "Female lord from another world. Does this hit your G-spot?"
Shark-Faced Guy: …
Curly-haired Guy: Whether it hits the G-spot, I don't know, but Gin-san here had his funny bone tickled.
Machete Girl: This… is this the taste of upper-class people from another world? Amazing, truly amazing!
Lazy Kitten: Honestly, if her style wasn't so weird… her looks are really something. Her facial features and skin are probably comparable to those superstars, right?
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Looking closely, yes. If she dressed up a bit, with a different style, she'd definitely be a great beauty!
Foul-Mouthed Mask Guy: Wow, in that case, our little Eriri hit the jackpot again this time! Another one for the harem!
Amegakure Village's Angel: Harem +1.
Soul Society's Villain: Harem +1.
Machete Girl: Harem +1.
Doujin Artist: You guys are too much! What the heck is this repeating? You're sick, you're definitely sick!
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: Hahaha. Eriri's getting angry. But it's actually fine, everyone's just wishing you well.
Doujin Artist: What kind of well-wishing is this? There's no such way to wish someone well! If you call this well-wishing, then I wish you and Misaka Mikoto and your mother-in-law a happy centennial!
Skirt-Flipping Maniac: ????? Eriri, you've gone too far!
Doujin Artist: Come on, let's hurt each other!
Amegakure Village's Angel: You two are really something else.
Konan sighed inwardly, her gaze shifting to Jiraiya, who was slowly walking towards her. This Sage of the Toads from Konoha had been here for nearly two months and was almost tanned black.
However, he looked much more energetic, and his eyes seemed much clearer than before.
"Konan, you were looking for me?" Jiraiya asked, confused.
"Yes, your sentence is up." Konan took out the prepared documents and handed them to him. "Pack your things and leave. We'll also settle your wages for this period."
Leave?
Jiraiya blinked, frozen in place. If he had been allowed to leave freely two months ago, or even one month ago, he would have cheered.
After all, this Amegakure Village was extremely strict. He couldn't gather materials or find women to drink with. For Jiraiya, who enjoyed such things, it was torture.
But now, with his mindset cleansed and transformed, he felt a tinge of melancholy at the thought of leaving. Outside of Amegakure Village, where else could he experience the joy of labor?
Holding the release certificate, Jiraiya fell into deep thought.
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