Chapter 82

As Aria and I entered the hall, we found that there were already people inside. A man and a woman were sitting in the main seats, and they appeared to be the owners of the mansion, Arya's parents.

The middle-aged man was somewhat overweight, with a kind smile on his face. The woman, on the other hand, was pretty and approachable, her gentle demeanor inspiring goodwill.

"Oh my... why is my darling daughter so happy today?"

"Oh, Aria, you brought people back again?"

Upon seeing Aria's return, the noble couple were very warm and friendly, their eyes filled with loving affection as they looked at their daughter.

Looking at it this way, they really do seem to be a very harmonious family of three.

When they noticed that Aria had brought Clara back with her, they were slightly taken aback, never expecting that their daughter would bring back such a beautiful little girl this time.

This kind of prey is very rare!

But without a doubt, such prey is all the more exciting.

Then, the alluring young woman, with her slender figure, turned her gaze to her husband. Sure enough, his reaction was even more blatant; his lust was fully revealed, and he almost lost his facade of gentleness.

Not to mention compared to the country folk my daughter used to bring home, it would be hard to find such a beauty even in the top places in the capital.

If I were to die from playing for just a few days, I'd probably be reluctant to let it go!

Noticing her father's loss of composure, Arya's beautiful face twisted in a jealous and resentful expression. She knew it... no man could resist such a vixen.

However, she quickly hid herself again. Regardless of what she did, she was just prey for their family from now on. Since Father liked it, let him have his fun.

Arya forced herself to appear cute again, deliberately coughing a few times to remind her father before beginning her introduction.

"Father, Mother, this is Clara, a friend I just met. She's encountered some difficulties, so I thought I could help her."

"Oh, it's Miss Clara. Welcome... you're very welcome to my home."

Aria's voice jolted the two of them awake, and the atmosphere gradually became more lively. However, Clara had already seen all of their expressions.

Aria's father skillfully concealed the desire in his eyes within his smile, which also made him appear very enthusiastic.

"Yes, although Aria helps many people, it's rare to find a true friend like her. We should stay a little longer, have dinner, and stay for a few more days before leaving."

It's still early. Good things take time, and it's best to do them in the evening. Besides, some things haven't been prepared yet...

They sometimes prefer the other person's surprised expression to taking direct action.

Chapter 16 The Prey in Sight

Clara was "forced" to stay there by the warm hospitality of Aria's family.

Especially after learning that she was staying in a small hotel, and that the area wasn't very safe, they figured it was better for her to stay with them until she was settled in the capital. That way, Aria would have company, and they wouldn't be short of food.

The rest of the time, Aria took Clara to her room and found her a pair of shoes, but they didn't fit.

Aria said she would take the girl to buy new things tomorrow, but that was just an excuse. She never wanted to give her things to a stranger like that, and she didn't want to take her shopping.

Besides, she doesn't have a tomorrow. Tonight is the time to close the net. After pretending for so long, she can't wait any longer.

Suppressing her inner anticipation, Aria then led Clara to arrange an empty room for her.

The arrangements from top to bottom were very thoughtful, and there was nothing amiss. However, the occasional glances from the guards and servants towards the girl were filled with other thoughts.

It's fair to say they were all incredibly patient in order to provide a better experience.

Then it got to night.

Aria invited Clara to dine with her. When they arrived, the noble couple from the mansion were already there, with servants by their side and guards standing watch outside the door.

"Miss Clara, please make yourself at home."

The host warmly invited Clara to sit down, but his gaze toward the girl was as if he were sizing up prey.

He had prepared a great deal of things beforehand for the pleasures to come. He glanced at his daughter Aria with satisfaction; she was truly his good daughter, bringing back such excellent prey.

As for her father's gaze, Aria simply smiled cruelly behind Clara's back, no longer pretending to be kind.

"So abundant..."

After sitting down, Clara looked at the dinner on the table in front of her and found it to be very lavish. There was chicken, duck, fish, and meat—almost everything imaginable.

While cannibalism was rampant elsewhere, the nobles in the capital had grown tired of feasting and began to exploit the lives of others to satisfy their perverse and twisted interests.

Behind the red gates, meat and wine go to waste; on the roads, the bones of those frozen to death lie.

"Let's eat first, don't be shy... make yourself at home."

The male host spoke kindly, then started eating himself, clearly indicating that he hadn't put any drugs in the food; there was no need for that.

They needed to eat their fill to have the energy to continue, and seeing that the others had started eating, Clara finally stopped being polite.

At this moment, the master gave a wink to the servant beside him, who immediately understood and soon brought out a bowl of fresh soup.

"Master, this is the White Jade Black Chicken Soup that you asked me to prepare specially."

"Hmm, it does look quite good. Let's give Miss Clara a bowl first."

The master smelled it, was very satisfied, and then spoke to the servant.

The stuff inside isn't some secret medicine or poison, but something much more interesting that will greatly enhance the fun of the upcoming projects.

It was something he specially prepared for the beautiful young woman in front of him.

"Yes."

Upon hearing this, the servant took out an empty bowl, filled it for Clara, and placed it in front of her.

"Miss Clara, please enjoy your meal."

"This is a good thing, very nourishing, perfect for a girl like you, Clara. Try it and see how it goes."

Seeing that Clara was staring at the soup bowl without moving, the host smiled and began to talk about the benefits of the soup.

"No need, Clara doesn't like soup."

Although Clara is young, it doesn't mean she's stupid. She naturally understands that there's something wrong with the soup and wouldn't drink it even without Svarog's reminder.

He was just focused on eating his food.

Compared to the food stalls outside, Aria's food is indeed much better.

Seeing that Clara wasn't taking the bait, the man frowned; this wasn't what he wanted to see. An outsider, so ungrateful.

He then gestured to Aria, asking her to help persuade them.

"Just have a little bit of Clara. It's delicious and good for your health. My father specially had it made for us; we don't usually get to drink it."

Noticing her father's gaze, Aria smiled and began to persuade Clara. She was well aware of her father's purpose, but she had no objections.

As long as you don't break it and end up not being able to play anymore, it's fine.

Is that so?

Listening to Aria's constant urging to drink some and praising its benefits, Clara hesitated for a moment before saying very seriously, "Such a good thing, Clara can't drink it. I just need to eat vegetables."

"Miss Aria should drink more."

"You..."

Upon hearing this, Aria's expression changed instantly. She almost couldn't hold back and was about to take action, no longer wanting to play along.

The male homeowner standing to the side also looked extremely grim. This stuff was specially meant for the beautiful young woman in front of him; why was his daughter drinking it?

"Although the food is good, Aria drinks it at home all the time, while Miss Clara rarely comes over, so please don't be shy!"

The mature lady stepped in to explain, and her smile made it easy for people to lower their guard.

"Yes, I drink it often. I know it works well, so I recommended it to you, Clara. Look at your body... you're so thin, you really need to eat more."

Aria realized what was happening and could only grit her teeth and say that she drank this stuff all the time. Then she looked at Clara's body, feigning concern for her.

Clara looks a little thin; she'd be healthier if she were a bit heavier.

However, many men just like this kind of thing, and they don't feel that way anymore when they gain weight.

"Oh well..."

Clara seemed to be persuaded. She bit her fair finger as if she was thinking, and after a few seconds she smiled and said, "But I think we should drink it later."

"It'll get cold soon and won't taste good anymore, really. Come and try it."

Aria was getting a little impatient. Why was this girl making such a fuss over something as simple as drinking soup? She couldn't keep up the act with her any longer.

"But Clara likes to drink it after meals, because it tastes better when it's cold."

"Yeah?"

Upon receiving the same answer, Arya's originally cute face instantly changed expression. Since being gentle didn't work, there was no need to continue acting.

Her patience had reached its limit, and she no longer cared about what her father thought.

"Since you don't want to drink, then don't drink!"

"Father, I can't stand this guy anymore, I can't keep up the act. Why don't you hand her over to me first... just take her to the dungeon and torture her for a few days, then she'll behave."

Chapter 17 Preparations for Annihilation: Leave No Survivors

"If you don't want to act, then you don't have to. It's okay."

Seeing that Aria was no longer acting, the male protagonist said he didn't mind. Although it was not quite what he had imagined, it didn't affect anything.

If she doesn't drink it here, you can force it down my throat directly, it's just a little more troublesome.

However, the master stopped Aria from taking him to the dungeon right now.

"It would be such a waste to take it to the dungeon now. Such a good prey is extremely rare, even in the entire capital."

If you take her to the dungeon and let Aria torture her for a few days, the little beauty in front of you will probably be completely broken, and then you'll lose a lot of the fun.

We should wait until he's had his fill before discussing it further.

"Anyway, my dear daughter, thank you for bringing back such a fine prey. I like it very much. Let me play with her for a few days, and then I will hand her over to you."

The male head of the household spoke his mind directly. Strangely, not only Aria, but even his wife didn't seem to mind, as if there was nothing wrong with it.

Instead, the hostess stopped pretending to be harmonious and began to carefully examine the white-haired girl in front of her.

"These are indeed rare finds, Aria. Let's enjoy this for a while longer this time. It would be such a waste if we played with them too long!"

"So you were lying to Clara? Are you... bad people?"

Clara swallowed the food in her mouth, looked at the group, a hint of doubt appearing on her beautiful face, and asked innocently.

Seeing the three people stop acting, Clara breathed a sigh of relief. She had almost thought that they had become better in the real world and were no longer like the characters in the anime.

Now it seems she was overthinking things; their family is still as twisted as ever.

"Haha, very good,"

Looking at Clara's innocent expression, the middle-aged man became even more excited.

"This is wonderful! I love these innocent little lambs. Guards, seize her and take her to my room."

"Remember, don't hurt her. If you even scratch her, you'll be going to the dungeon."

The master of the house did not intend to do anything directly there, but instead summoned the guards outside.

"Yes."

The guard entered the room, and upon hearing the word "dungeon," he seemed to recall something terrifying, and quickly responded. Then he strode towards Clara.

"What... what are you trying to do? Don't come any closer."

Clara isn't afraid of you!

As the tall and imposing guard approached her, Clara stood up and quickly took a few steps back, but her heel bumped into the stool.

Her fearful yet resilient demeanor evokes pity, but to a pervert, it only excites him more.

"If you don't want to get hurt, you'd better cooperate!"

The guards didn't care about any of that; all they wanted now was to get her safely to the head of the household's room.