[Ding!]
[Quest (Dao Companion) is complete!]
[New system feature unlocked!]
[New system feature unlocked!]
[Obtained: Ability—Holy Demon(can be evolved), Rolls x5]
[System feature: Store]
[System feature: Contribution Points]
Vincent was pleasantly surprised by the notifications. The rewards this time were quite nice. Any feature of the system was welcomed as it provided more opportunities and items.
Checking the store feature, Vincent saw a simple online store-type user interface where he could purchase stuff with Contribution Points.
'How do I get Contribution Points?' Vincent asked curiously.
[Actions that directly advance the Main Task will result in obtaining Contribution Points.]
Vincent didn't understand a single thing. The formal tone and professional message was too much.
'Translate that into human language.' Vincent instructed nonchalantly.
[In simpler terms, as long as the host does anything that will help in defeating the Demon Lord(Main Task), the host will earn Contribution Points. The amount depends on how great the contribution is. After a set number of points, the system will upgrade.]
'Oh? It's like that? How many points for the upgrade?'
[Contribution Points: 0/1000]
'That's a lot.' Vincent thought.
He then checked what the new Ability of his was.
[Holy Demon: Passive. Automatically adjusts the user's aura to align with the surrounding dominant force. Within holy domains, the user is perceived as divinely blessed; within demonic realms, the user is perceived as inherently abyssal. No energy expenditure. Effect alters perception only, not actual nature.]
'Does this mean that I will appear holy and divine when in church to the church people and demonic to the demons?'
[Translating system message to host's IQ…]
'...'
[The host did not ask for translation. Bug detected. Fixing bug…]
[Apologies for the error there, host. Answering your question, yes, that is the case.]
'You bastard, do you think I don't understand?' Vincent was really done with this dog system.
[It was a bug.]
'You definitely did that on purpose. You're looking down on me.'
[It was a bug.]
'Tsk.' Vincent didn't bicker further and opened his eyes.
The sun had set and the family conversation was coming to an end.
Jasmine's father, Gerald Forger, leaned to her side and asked something in a whisper.
Jasmine felt her cheeks heat up as she listened and nodded with some hesitation.
Gerald turned to the Baroness and said with folded hands, "To express our sincerity to the Baroness, we will stay in the Barony until the lady has finished appraising the equipment. We will set off after a week."
Vivienne had a faint smile on her face. "Our guests from afar can stay in the manor until then."
Gerald shook his head. "There is no need. My brothers wish to see the weapons in the local market and try local delicacies and wine."
Vivienne clapped her hand lightly upon hearing that and a butler appeared beside her. "Escort our guests to wherever they wish to go."
"Understood, My Lady." The butler bowed lightly and went back to his position.
Vivienne then turned to Gerald and continued, "The Forgers can venture outside, but I wish to have Jasmine stay so she can learn a few things about the D'Arc house."
This was the main essence of their conversation. The two families did not have to talk about it beforehand, they just knew this had to be brought up.
Gerald nodded and stood up. "Then, we'd be leaving our daughter in your care until next week."
The rest of the Forgers stood up too, followed by the D'Arc members.
A final few farewell pleasantries were exchanged and the Forgers finally left, leaving behind a red Jasmine.
Vivienne walked up to her and rubbed her head. "If there is anything you need, don't hesitate to ask. This is also your home from this day onwards."
"Thank you, Lady Vivienne."
Jasmine was about to bow but was stopped by Vivienne.
"When we are in private, there's no need to be so formal. You can just call me Mother." Vivienne said with a smile.
"The room you went to have private talks is your room. You can choose to stay there or head to Vincent's. Make yourself comfortable, I'll retire now."
With a short hug, Vivienne left without saying a word more, dumbfounding Vincent who spread out his hands and thought, 'What? Not even a goodnight? Does she not love me anymore?'
Vincent walked up to Jasmine and gave her his elbow. "Shall we?"
Jasmine's face lit up brightly and she held his arm. Leaning to the side, she whispered, "I'll be in husband's care for a week."
The maidservants were watching so she had to be discreet in saying so.
Vincent chuckled and walked out of the dining hall with Jasmine in tow.
Walking into the main hall, he saw a red-haired beauty coming in his direction with a blonde-haired maid.
Vanessa stopped in her tracks when she noticed Vincent and Jasmine. Scrutinizing the two briefly, she nodded curtly and walked past him.
"Have a good meal, Venny." Vincent waved his hand as he walked away.
Vanessa stopped and frowned, knitting her brows hard.
'Who's he calling Venny?' Turning around to scold Vincent, she found him long gone.
"Young miss, you mustn't bicker with Young Master Vincent when he is with his fiancé." Anastasia advised from the side.
"Get dinner ready. I'll retire early tonight." Vanessa replied and went to the table, still thinking about the sudden change in her brother's behavior towards her.
An hour later.
It was dark outside but Vincent's room had a warm glow from the oil lamps and candles made from animal fat. The room had a hint of meaty and smoky smell due to burning of these things, and it took Vincent quite a few minutes to get numb to them.
'I really have to do something about this primitive world.' Vincent thought while he gently caressed Jasmine's head.
The young lady of the Forger family was soundly sleeping beside him, having one arm wrapped around his waist. She was tired from today's affairs and wanted to go to bed early.
Vincent was reclined on the bedrest, waiting for someone.
This someone soon knocked on his door and asked, "Young Master Vincent, you called?"
"Come in." Vincent said calmly.
The blonde-haired, blue-eyed Anastasia walked in. She was not in her maid attire anymore but a loose linen gown. The clothing was so thin that Vincent could see the maid's pointed cherries.
Anastasia appeared before Vincent and had a neutral expression. Although on the inside she was wondering why this man had suddenly called her. This had never happened before.
"Take that chair and sit here. I have something to talk to you." Vincent pointed to the area beside him.
Anastasia obeyed and sat beside him on the chair.
Vincent collected his words, before saying, "Where will you escape to?"
His words weren't registered by Anastasia's brain as she stared at him with a confused look.
"Sorry?" She asked.
"Tomorrow night," Vincent emphasized. "Where will you go tomorrow night after leaving the D'Arc house?"
A sudden chill ran down Anastasia's spine when she heard this question. Her eyes widened and she pointed at Vincent with trembling hands. "H-h-how did you know?"