Chains of Nothingness

Within the House of Iris's trading firm, amidst the fragrant smoke of expensive incense from the lower reaches of the Skarlesin River in the Lenofica Kingdom, Alice sat quietly, taking a sip of her unsweetened black tea.

Degas, the president of the House of Iris's branch in Leyden City, was conversing in a low voice with Ed on the side.

He had a naturally pleasant face, the kind that seemed to bring in wealth. His eyes were almost slits, and the smile that was always on his face invariably made people feel a degree of goodwill towards him.

Due to Leyden City's geographical location, he, as the branch president, had profited considerably. The silk robe he wore was even brighter than Alice's.

"It's good that Aili could come back," Degas said with a smile, playing with the bone signet ring on his finger. "But your complexion seems a bit poor?"

Alice glanced at Degas silently, shook her head, and said nothing.

Aili was her nickname, and not many people in this world knew it. However, her own uncle, Degas, certainly did.

"Perhaps Miss Alice had dealings with the heretical cultists?" Ed chimed in.

"Haha, in Leyden City, heretical cultists are the last thing we lack. Little Aili, I've told you before, you need a few guards around you in Leyden City, otherwise, you'll always run into unexpected incidents."

Degas didn't seem to take the matter seriously, instead bursting into laughter.

His laughter was exceptionally infectious. It even caused the unhappy Alice to involuntarily curl the corners of her mouth. However, she quickly suppressed her smile. "I don't want anyone following me."

"Why?" Degas casually pulled a long pipe from the nearby table, about to light it, but then remembered Alice was sitting in front of him and naturally put the pipe away.

Although this used the finest tobacco from the lower reaches of the Skarlesin River, improved by some unscrupulous alchemists who had even added hallucinogenic components, smoking it was enough to make one forget all troubles.

Yet, he still didn't want little Aili to be exposed to such things. Or rather, according to noble etiquette, a proper gentleman shouldn't bring out these minor indulgences, which could barely be called harmless hobbies, in front of a lady.

"Aili, Uncle Degas, you should know why," her voice was calm, but her tone revealed a firm resolve. "As a member of the House of Iris, I know my tasks and mission, and I know my responsibilities and rights. I won't do anything foolish, so you don't need to send anyone to monitor me."

As the two people closest to Alice, Ed and Degas exchanged a silent glance, carefully concealing the sighs and regrets in their eyes, and said nothing.

They knew Alice still had more to say.

"The family tried to send people to protect me, but I refused because I knew they weren't here to protect me, but to monitor me," Alice paused, a strange smile appearing on her lips, making it unclear if it was sarcasm or sadness. "In the end, they're still afraid I'll run away."

Only in mediocre knight novels would one find plots of noble ladies eloping with down-on-their-luck knights.

In the real world, a penniless knight couldn't support an eloped noble lady, and the noble lady would quickly grow disappointed with the knight's snoring at night and his smelly feet.

However, for the House of Iris, this Contract was simply too important, too important to not be fulfilled.

Alice remembered how the Patriarch, the current Grand Duke of Iris, Kalayan, had affectionately called her into his study and how he had earnestly analyzed the advantages and disadvantages for her.

She understood all of this, could comprehend it, and could also accept it.

If she truly didn't want to accept it, or was unwilling to bear the family's reputation and honor, like her fiancé, she could have run away midway and lived a short or eternal life of wandering.

After all, only in mediocre knight novels were noble ladies depicted as fragile vases awaiting rescue by brave and righteous knights.

But in reality, Alice was a vibrant young beauty capable of cleaving a strong man with a single sword strike.

"We're just worried about you, little Aili," Degas cleared his throat, showing a wry smile. "You should know that if we really wanted to monitor you, we could easily send more people in secret, but as you can see, I haven't sent anyone."

Alice took another sip of her black tea, taking a deep breath.

She knew Degas was telling the truth, but for some reason, she felt a bit stifled.

She said she didn't want anyone following her, yet when facing Silver Tier heretical cultists, and even "It," whom she still didn't know about, she felt a slight waver.

Perhaps, it would be nice to have someone stand in front of her?

Of course, that lazy and slothful fellow was an exception!

She thought of him, stuffing his face at the Lord's mansion banquet, and thought of him with fierce resentment.

However, she inexplicably began to worry. Even with the so-called "Blazing Sun Potion," could he really be saved?

If he died at the hands of the heretical cultists, would it mean that she could...

For a moment, she drifted into thought.

"Miss Alice?" Ed asked softly, looking at Alice, whose eyes were unfocused.

"Ah, what is it?" Alice snapped back to attention and quickly took another sip of black tea to mask her embarrassment at being lost in thought.

"I just feel you might need some rest. After all, you haven't slept for almost a day and a night for this matter. If you're just relying on black tea to stay awake..." Ed carefully chose his words.

"Uncle Ed, I'm fine," Alice forced a smile, but she was clearly distracted.

Is that guy dead or not?

This concerned her entire life...

As a Sword Affinity Transcendent, her physique was clearly much better than that of ordinary people. Occasional all-nighters were nothing.

Besides, she had just fought with heretical cultists and encountered that unspeakable "It." She was still covered in the strong aura of the heretical cult. If she fell asleep, she would likely have nightmares.

Rather than experiencing a nightmare in her sleep, Alice preferred to force herself to stay awake until the heretical cult aura dissipated a little.

Seeing Alice's expression, a mischievous smile spread across Degas's face. "Oh, my dear little Aili, don't tell me you've fallen for that person?"

Although Alice was distracted, she leaped up as if her tail had been stepped on. "Degas, don't talk nonsense!"

In her anger, she even disregarded etiquette and directly addressed her uncle by name.

"I was just wondering if this marriage could go on, after all, he's seriously injured. If he dies..." Alice unconsciously spoke her mind, but then forcefully swallowed the rest of her sentence, her face becoming unnatural, followed by a hint of annoyance.

Fortunately, she was facing those closest to her now. If there had been anyone else present, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

She, who had lost her composure for a moment, naturally didn't see the wry smiles in Degas' and Ed's eyes.

Aili, if only you could cast aside this heavy family honor…

Mmm, thank you all for your support~

The trial push wasn't a one-round elimination~

Lalala~

However, new problems arose, and the workload surged, meaning I can only maintain a double update per day…

I might slack off a bit more later, emmmm…

QAQ The Pit God is doing their best, working 996, getting home after 10 PM, coding until past 1 AM, and then waking up after 7 AM…

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I can only shamelessly ask for more recommendation votes and collection votes…

Let's push forward next week!