Chapter 235

All that admiration was just being misled by appearances. She admitted that 'Lin Qi' was indeed charming, but she was a thorny... no, a poisonous rose.

Haino really wanted to advise Ryan, "Someone like you can't find any girl."

Putting everything else aside, Magana may be a bit short, but she's great in every other way.

If compared side-by-side, she felt that Ryan's charm as a man was far greater than Lin Qi's charm as a woman. She swore that this wasn't just the Power of Desire influencing her; it was genuine. Looking at Ryan, she felt a natural attraction and a strong urge to get closer to Ryan.

Under the influence of desire, if Haino hadn't maintained her elegant demeanor as a woman and her noble status as the headmistress, she might have even taken the initiative to show goodwill to Ryan.

What a good child... Haino's mind wandered, and a strange scene flashed through his mind.

Just a few seconds later, Haino was startled and quickly brushed away these chaotic thoughts... No, the influence of desire is getting stronger and stronger, I have to get back the Pot of Greed right away.

"I'm sorry, Ryan, I really shouldn't have said that about Lin Qi... Now let's put aside these prejudices and focus on our deal." Haino was a little impatient. "What about that relic?"

"Yes, it's on me."

"That..."

"I might need to use it to deal with heretical forces soon, so I called you here to let you know. I'll keep it for now."

-Mio? Hachi 283098

"???"

Haino paused for a moment, then his expression turned strange. "Lord Ryan, you won't go back on your word and break the contract, will you?"

"Of course not, but the contract doesn't specify a date, does it? Does Ms. Hainuo think I'm the kind of person who breaks their word?"

"Of course I trust your character, but if there's a real emergency, then there's nothing we can do..."

Haino instinctively felt he should ask Ryan for the Pot of Greed back as soon as possible, but then he felt it wasn't right to force Ryan, as this might be an excuse to get the Pot of Greed from 'Lin Qi'... He decided to let it go for now, since Ryan would definitely return it to her anyway.

Even Haino herself didn't realize that her attitude towards Ryan was subtly changing under the influence of the Contractual Power. She couldn't be hostile, couldn't cause any form of harm, couldn't have negative emotions... all sorts of constraints. In other words, if placed in an eroge world, even a complete Manual Control could easily collect all the CGs!

If the contract is fulfilled, then the binding force will naturally cease to exist. Therefore, Ryan has no intention of giving the Pot of Greed to Haino right now. After all, if Haino gets the Pot of Greed, he will choose to keep his distance from him immediately.

This was also Haino's previous thought. Of course, she was aware of the effects of the contract, but she chose Ryan's character over the unknown dangers.

There was no other way. If I didn't choose, I would be controlled by that devil 'Lin Qi' for the rest of my life. Haino didn't want to experience those dark times again. As for Ryan... didn't he just want me to help Magana?

Because of her instincts, Haino didn't think Ryan would do anything to her. So, based on her subconscious perception and the effects of the contract, if there were a favorability rating system, she would find that Haino's favorability was slowly increasing.

"Ms. Haino, you are such a beautiful, kind, and understanding girl," Ryan said earnestly. "Don't worry, once I've resolved the matters concerning the Eye of Dawn and the Blood Cult, I will definitely return the keepsake to you!"

"The Eye of Dawn? I heard from Caslathdi that they seem to be very active."

As a member of the High Lord, Caslathdi naturally knew about this matter.

"Yes, according to my investigation, these Heretic are colluding with the Blood Cult to plot a huge conspiracy. I am not yet sure how big the impact will be, but it is certainly enough to overthrow the empire's rule."

"Oh?" Haino asked in surprise, "You've already found out what they're planning?"

"I have a rough idea of what's going on, so I need to be fully prepared."

"Why not go and discuss it with Empress Vainay? If it were her, she would definitely be happy to help, wouldn't she?"

Ryan chuckled, "Ms. Haino, you should know my position. To the Empress, I will always be the Grand Duke's man, and she can't possibly trust me. So, I will pass this on to the Empress, and what she does is up to her. As for me, I can't trust her either, do you understand? I follow the Grand Duke, and once I've made that choice, I won't betray him."

"However, when it comes to matters concerning the safety of the empire, I don't mind helping the Empress if it's in the empire's best interest, just like this operation against the Kingdom of Lotte and Wildea. The people of the empire all say that I, Ryan, am a villain who will cause chaos in the empire, but they are wrong. They misjudged me yesterday, they misjudged me today, and they may misjudge me tomorrow, but I am still me."

Hainuo was taken aback.

"Earl Ryan, you are the greatest imperial minister I have ever met."

"Great? Ms. Haino, you've misjudged me too," Ryan laughed. "I'm just an ordinary person who knows right from wrong and knows when to do what."

"If everyone were as 'ordinary' as you, Augustus would have been unmatched long ago." Haino suddenly smiled with relief. "Now I know why Caslathdi doesn't hate you at all. It's because you did what you were supposed to do. That child often talks about when he'll have afternoon tea with you."

"Your Her Highness the Princess," Ryan nodded slightly, "I'm all for it, as long as she's willing."

"How about tomorrow afternoon?" Haino said immediately, then realized he seemed a bit too hasty, so he coughed lightly. "It might get very busy afterwards. There's something about the construction of the Mage Tower, you can talk to Caslathdi Dido about it... Hmm, she'd really like to see you."

There are some people you feel comfortable talking to, Haino has to admit that, but it always feels strange if she asks for it herself, it goes much more smoothly if she uses Caslathdi's name.

"Perhaps I can also lend a hand in dealing with the heretics," Haino added.

"Is it really possible?"

"Of course, this is also part of our deal, isn't it?" Haino smiled. "Don't forget that I am also a member of the Gate of Janus. When heretics run rampant, I have an obligation to stop them."

Oh, that laugh of yours, Dean! Just how youthful and girlish are you?

Ryan felt like he had discovered another way to win over the headmaster. It wasn't about simply taking the right path, nor was it about using the Pot of Greed to force his way in through the back door. This way seemed pretty good too.

After all, Seventh Tier Transcendent. If possible, Ryan does intend to 'get along well' with her. He can take advantage of the contract's terms. Forced relationships may quench thirst, but they are not sweet. And not everyone is as easy to manipulate as Elvian.

"Thank you very much, Ms. Hainuo."

"No need to be so polite... Oh." Haino suddenly remembered, "Um... if it's alright, could you give me the relics temporarily? I need to use them now."

"Now?"

"Yes, I'm sorry, I don't know how to explain it, but I really need it right now."

Oh, I understand.

Seeing Hainuo's slightly flushed and embarrassed expression, Ryan knew what she was about to do.

"I've already temporarily refined it, is that alright?"

"No problem, you turn it on and just cooperate with me."

The relic needs to be refined and adapted, but Haino doesn't need to possess the Pot of Greed; she simply seals away the emotions of desire.

She was already very experienced in this kind of thing, and as long as Ryan cooperated properly, theoretically there was no possibility of any accidents.

"Good."

Ryan pulled out the Pot of Greed.

Haino placed her hand on it, and soon a milky white light burst forth between her palm and the pot. In this light, Ryan felt the power of desire.

"Ryan, turn it on," Haino urged.

Emotional collection is one of the abilities of the Pot of Greed. It collects emotions and then amplifies them through the pot to achieve ten or even a hundred times the effect. It is simple and direct: absorption and release.

Now, all Ryan needs to do is absorb it.

He channeled his Magic Power into it, activating the Pot of Greed's effect, and then saw the emotions released by Haino being absorbed into it.

A hint of joy appeared in Hainuo's eyes.

As long as her emotions can be released, it doesn't matter if Ryan doesn't return the Pot of Greed to her for a while, as long as it's not in the hands of that demon 'Lin Qi'... Hmm?

Haino saw that on the Pot of Greed, two kinds of Magic Power were intertwining and merging together.

One was for her, and the other came from Ryan.

Then Ryan's power began to flow in the opposite direction of her Magic Power, like a tadpole swimming upstream, and finally burrowed into her body.

Hainuo suddenly felt a tremor run through his body.

Immediately afterwards, the emotions within him began to flow into the Pot of Greed under the influence of Ryan's Magic Power.

This is a normal process, because the Pot of Greed draws emotions from others by force. Haino used to use it on herself, so she didn't feel anything. But now... for some reason, she has a strange feeling that her desire hasn't decreased?

Haino could feel Ryan's Magic Power coursing through her body, like a long snake slithering across her entire being. Every time it reached a certain place, the sensation of the Magic Power colliding and rubbing against her body was almost unbearable for her.

This is a different kind of pleasure!

"Ryan ... well, something seems a little strange," Haino said, biting his lip.

"Huh? Really?" Ryan was bewildered. He hadn't done anything; he had simply activated the Pot of Greed's absorption effect.

"Stop, stop now, let's stop here..."

"Good."

Ryan stopped using Magic Power.

When the effects of the Pot of Greed wore off, Hainuo swayed and almost collapsed. Fine beads of sweat appeared on her forehead without her noticing. She was panting heavily, and the sweat slid down her collarbone and into her groin, leaving faint marks on her fair skin. As her body temperature rose, her body odor became more pronounced, a unique fragrance of a beautiful young woman.

A question mark appeared above Ryan's head.

By the grace of the moon goddess, he really didn't pull any tricks.

No, Dean Hainuo, was this intentional or accidental?

"Phew!" Haino breathed a sigh of relief, and it took him a while to come to his senses. His eyes showed confusion. "How could this be?"

She felt that her emotions were draining away, but it wasn't lust that was draining away; it was other emotions like anger and laziness. Only lust was not draining away; in fact, it had increased.

Even now, Haino can still feel Ryan's power flowing freely within her body, and she is somewhat captivated by the 'savagery' that erupts from within!

Could it be because the Pot of Greed belongs to Ryan?

Because Hainuo has never let anyone else absorb his emotions, he is not sure, but... why is it that only lust remains?

She looked at Ryan with some suspicion, but when she saw the confusion and naivety in his eyes, her doubts were immediately dispelled.

How could Ryan do such a thing? It must be because of the Pot of Greed... Damn God of Desire, He's toying with me!

Haino was somewhat angry, but that anger was directed at the God of Desire. Unfortunately, the gods were high above, and mortals had no chance to resist their trickery.

"Never mind, I... I'll go back first."

Haino felt that if she stayed any longer, she would slowly become strange. Now, just looking at Ryan made her feel "so fragrant." This shameful thought made the usually proper Haino feel ashamed. Had she actually become the kind of vulgar woman who had such lewd thoughts?!

Damn God of Desire!

"Won't you stay a little longer? Maybe have some late-night snacks or something?"

"No, no need. See you tomorrow, Ryan."

Haino hurriedly tidied his appearance, then silently chanted a spell, transforming into a beam of holy light and disappearing out of the room.

They're leaving already?

Ryan scratched his head. How should I put it? The plot seems to be developing in a rather... strange yet smooth way.

He glanced at the Holy Number 6 on the back of his hand. Could this thing have secretly done something again?

Who cares, damn God of Desire.

When Caslathdi woke up in the morning, she found that Haino had set up a sunshade, a table, and exquisite teapots and cups in the courtyard. They were not the kind provided for them in the castle, but rather Haino's own collection.

"Teacher, what are you doing?"

"Caslathdi asked, puzzled."

Hainuo left suddenly last night, and she didn't even have time to ask what happened.

"Let's make some simple arrangements," Haino said with a smile. "How about it? What else would you like for a tea party for three people here?"

"It's already very good..."

Caslathdi tilted her head. She could tell that Haino was in a good mood. Strange, her teacher had been worried these past few days. Why did he suddenly become like this?

Oh well, it's a good thing anyway.

"Teacher, if it's a tea party, I might not have time in the morning. Ryan has returned to Baron, and I'm planning to pay him a visit," Caslathdi said.

"No need to go," Haino chuckled. "He'll be here this afternoon."

"Huh? Did he say that? When?"

"It was last night."

"Last night?"

Caslathdi's expression turned strange. "Teacher, did you go to see Ryan last night?"

So late?

"Um, I went... to discuss some serious business." Haino felt inexplicably guilty. She wouldn't tell anyone what she had done in her room after returning from Ryan's place. The thought that she had actually fantasized about Ryan, who was so much younger than her, made Haino want to crawl into a hole.

With this kind of character, he's unworthy to be a teacher!

"I see. Let's talk about it this afternoon."

Caslathdi smiled and didn't suspect anything.

After all, what could she possibly suspect about her teacher and Ryan?

"Then I'll... go and dress up a bit, since I have nothing else to do anyway."