Silence lingered in the Flower Hall.
Madam Kyra finally spoke, her gaze steady.
"Temporary alliance… very well. I'll give you a chance So Let's do that."
Norax tried to rise, but she lifted her hand.
"But I have two conditions."
Norax tensed.
He nodded.
"Please tell me your conditions. I hope they're not too difficult."
Her eyes sharpened.
"First, I don't know how you found out about my daughter… but I won't ask.
However, I want to use your information group in return. Not fully—just when necessary."
Norax nodded calmly.
"That information network is private They only follow my orders.
But yes… I can share certain intelligence with you."
"Good," she said softly.
"I'll send a letter soon."
Her expression hardened.
"My second condition:
You will take Elsie with you. Starting today."
Norax froze.
"…What? Take her? She's your daughter."
Madam Kyra turned her eyes toward the window.
"I know. But the Redlight District is not a place for her.
If you fail to save me—and I die…
I want someone responsible to look after her."
Her voice trembled faintly.
"I still do not fully trust that you can cure my illness."
Norax sighed quietly.
"So you're giving me a hostage… to keep me from betraying you."
She smiled behind her veil.
"Exactly."
"But unfortunately for you," Norax replied lightly,
"I never had plans to betray you to begin with."
Her smile grew.
"I'm glad to hear that. So… what is your answer?
If it's 'no,' then you may leave."
Norax's mind raced.
Someone who dies in the war.>
Six months.
A long enough time to prevent disaster—and avoid the main plotline of the Seven Curse Princess
He exhaled.
"I'll take her But her choice matters too.
If she's willing to come, I will fulfill your second request."
Madam Kyra's eyes softened.
"I see. Then our alliance is complete, Sir Norax."
She rose."Let us go. They should be waiting outside."
They walked out to the courtyard where Celestia, the guards, and Elsie were waiting.
Madam Kyra called out,
"Elsie, come here."
Elsie ran happily.
"Mama! I missed you so much! I walked here by myself, okay?
They didn't do anything, so please don't kill the ugly man!"
Norax nearly coughed blood.
<…Ugly? Why does she keep calling me ugly?>
Madam Kyra sighed.
"Elsie. The man in front of you is equal to me in status He is the leader of the Blue Crescent.
The third powerhouse of the underworld."
Elsie froze, then turned slowly toward him.
"…Huh?"
Her eyes widened.
"But he's the same age as me! And annoying! And ugly!
How can a kid like him be a powerhouse? Whatever
Mama is stronger anyway!"
She clung to her mother like a stubborn kitten.
Celestia patted Norax's back kindly.
"Master, you did well. Don't take a child's words seriously."
Norax stared at her"You don't look upset at all that they're insulting me."
He turned to Madam Kyra.
"Madam, we need to move to the next place.
So I hope you explain what we discussed."
Madam Kyra nodded and placed a hand on her daughter's head.
"Elsie Lunawer.
I have decided your punishment."
Elsie blinked.
"…Punishment?"
"You will stay with Sir Norax Duskgale and his organization until I call you back."
The girl's jaw dropped "W-wait! Mama, I'm sorry! Don't say that! This is my home!"
Celestia tugged Norax's sleeve and whispered,
"…Is this really alright?"
"It's fine," he murmured.
"She's not harmful.
And this is part of the alliance."
Celestia nodded reluctantly.
Meanwhile, Elsie tried desperately to stop her mother.
"Mama, please! I don't want to go!"
Madam Kyra's eyes were cold but trembling.
"This is my decision.
You said you didn't like being trapped in your room, didn't you?"
"Yes, but that doesn't mean I should leave you!" Elsie cried.
"This is for us, Elsie," Kyra said sternly.
"If you disagree… then you cannot remain as a member of the Flower Hall."
The guards around them whispered nervously.
"Why is she sending her daughter away…?"
"Is this really okay…?"
Elsie's eyes filled with tears.
"Mama… are you really sure?"
Madam Kyra smiled faintly and pulled her into an embrace.
"You are my precious daughter.
I will tell you everything when the time comes.
So please… trust me.
And trust him."
Elsie cried harder.
"Okay… but help me pack my things."
"Of course."
Norax glanced at Celestia and the guards.
"Let's wait outside."
Celestia nodded.
"Yes, Master. I think giving them privacy is better."
They stepped out, leaving mother and daughter alone.
Madam Kyra personally came to send off her daughter. After a few hours of preparation, Elise finally stood outside the Flower Hall with her luggage stacked neatly beside the carriage.
The guards bowed and loaded the last trunk.
Madam Kyra turned to Nox with a faint smile.
"Sir Norax, next time, please… inform us before coming.
Our district will treat you well if you give notice."
Norax scratched the back of his head.
"No need. I understand what you mean, but I already have someone who takes care of me… extremely well."
Clestia, standing behind him, narrowed her eyes.
"Extremely well? Hmph. He has good stamina in bed, but he's an idiot."
Norax nearly choked on air.
Madam Kyra giggled behind her veil.
"My my… what a lovely woman she is. Sir Norax, take good care of her. And don't overthink things too much."
Madam Kyra raised a brow.
"Why are there two carriages?"
Norax answered calmly,
"We're heading to another place—the Black and White District. I need to handle something else. My guards will take Elise's luggage to my mansion. The three of us will move to the next destination."
The Black and White District—located on the border between the Underworld and the Wistar Kingdom.
A strange place where nobles and criminals coexisted as if it were normal. Shops, mercenaries, black market dealers… it was a melting pot of both worlds.
And more importantly, it was where Norax's information network operated, run by his third commander Sanya and Ark, the café owner.
Madam Kyra pulled out a sealed envelope.
"Here is the letter with the information request. It isn't urgent, so don't rush."
Norax nodded.
"Are you sure you're okay letting something this important pass through me?"
She looked at him with calm eyes.
"Even if this is a temporary alliance, trust is still necessary. You're young, so I understand your worries. But I'm glad you asked."
He reached into his inner pocket and handed her a blue gemstone.
"Next week, I'll send the medicine. And this—this is a communication stone. If you need to talk to me, use it. It's linked directly to mine."
Madam Kyra accepted it carefully.
"I'll use it only in emergencies."
Her guards left, and soon the carriage with Nox, Clestia, and Elise rolled onto the evening road.
Inside the Carriage
Elise glared at Nox with puffed cheeks the entire time.
"What did you do to Mama? Why would she send me away with you? You ugly—"
Norax rubbed his forehead.
"Can you stop calling me ugly? I have a name."
"It's too long! And I don't like talking friendly with you!" Elise snapped.
Norax pointed at Clestia.
"But you're friendly with Clestia."
Elise immediately clung to Clestia's arm.
"She's a girl, and she's pretty! Also, she's a good friend!"
Elise smirked softly.
"Her sense in clothes is good, but her sense in men is… questionable."
"So choose someone better than him, Clestia!" Elise declared proudly.
Norax leaned back with a long sigh.
As night settled, both Clestia and Elise fell asleep, leaning against each other. Nox watched the moon through the window.
A soft sound echoed in his mind.
@Applepie: Good work, Mr. Author. You earned 2% story change.
Norax blinked.
"But without a villain, romance fantasy can't start. That's why I created Blue Crescent…whatever I'm going to sleep "
Another message appeared.
@Applepie: Due to changes in world fate, the chance to meet the Princess of Curse has increased to 50%. Please help the princess—
But Norax was already asleep, his head lightly tilted against the window, completely missing the last urgent message.