Chapter 103

Almost instinctively, Ines lowered her eyelids, her thick eyelashes like the most intricate veil, instantly concealing all the turbulent emotions in her eyes—astonishment, disbelief, and even a hint of apprehension she herself was unwilling to admit. When she raised her eyes again, only her usual coldness, tinged with mockery, remained in her deep red pupils.

It was as if that moment of distraction had never happened.

She even subtly tugged at the corners of her mouth, creating a near-perfect, playful, and aloof curve.

"Oh."

A very soft, ambiguous chuckle escaped from her nostrils. She slightly turned her head, avoiding Han Fei's scrutinizing gaze, her eyes seemingly casually landing on the shadows of the distant ruins. Her voice regained its previous calmness, even carrying a hint of deliberate languor.

"That's... an unpleasant confidence, Mr. Han Fei."

Only she knew that, hidden beneath her sleeve, her clenched fists were so tight that her nails almost pierced her skin. The momentary palpitation she had felt just moments before was perfectly sealed away deep within her body, leaving not a trace.

"Uh-huh?"

Han Fei raised an eyebrow, a playful smile curving his lips, and said, "Forgot what to call me again?"

Ines bit her lip and said, "Don't go too far."

Seeing their reactions, Lemuen became interested and asked, "Oh? So, what were you whispering to her just now?"

"It's just teaching the spoils how to put them in their proper places," Han Fei waved his hand, looking at Lemuen casually. "It's nothing important."

Ines's gaze darted back and forth between Han Fei and Lemuen. Her keen observation sensed that there was something ambiguous between Han Fei and the two girls, something more than just a simple boss-employee relationship.

For a fleeting moment, she wanted to stir things up again.

But with Texas's warning still ringing in her ears, Ines decisively abandoned the plan.

Don't flirt, or the sword will fall.

But her silence was something Ines found hard to bear.

At the very least, she couldn't let this guy flirt with her like that anymore, otherwise, Ines really couldn't guarantee that she wouldn't be able to resist punching him one day.

Then, after a suffocating few seconds of silence, Ines took a deep breath of air thick with the smell of gunpowder and dust, as if trying to forcefully suppress her surging anger. Her voice, taut like a drawn bowstring, rang out clearly:

"I am your guide, not your possession."

Upon hearing this, Han Fei turned his head, his gaze landing on her tense face with amusement, a familiar, infuriating smile playing on his lips.

"Certainly."

His tone was light, but his words were like the sharp edge of a knife. "But before becoming a guide, you are first and foremost my prisoner, that's beyond question, isn't it?"

The word "prisoner" was like a poisoned needle, precisely piercing Ines's most sensitive nerve. She felt that the string of reason in her mind, under Han Fei's precise prodding time and time again, was already groaning under unbearable pressure.

Her pale hands, hanging by her sides, clenched tightly, her knuckles turning white from the force, before she forced herself to slowly release them.

Suddenly, Ines took another deep breath, raised her eyes, and a cold flame burned in her deep red pupils, piercing straight at Han Fei. Her voice was not loud, but each word was clear, carrying a sharp edge of forced composure when pushed to the brink:

"Mr. Han Fei-- "

She deliberately emphasized the title "Sir," like a shield thrown out to smash the word "Master" that the other party had repeatedly used.

"-If you still expect us to maintain even the most basic 'cooperative' relationship," she deliberately emphasized the word "cooperative," "then I suggest you restrain your 'refined' interest in provoking others' anger."

She slightly raised her beautifully shaped chin, her tone carrying a hint of cold, almost threatening rationality:

"A calm guide and a guide whose reason has been consumed by rage... the outcome for your journey on this land will likely be drastically different."

"I think you're a smart person; you should understand the stakes involved, right?"

Seeing Ines's expression, Han Fei knew it was time to stop.

At least for now, we can't keep stirring things up.

Otherwise, Ines should have really given him a piece of her mind.

So Han Fei gave Ines a way out, nodding in agreement and saying, "What you said makes sense."

Upon hearing this, Ines breathed a sigh of relief—she had actually been worried that Han Fei would insist on calling her "master" regardless of the consequences.

Being defeated and captured is already an unpleasant and even humiliating experience. If, on top of that, simply becoming a guide isn't enough, and he also has to call him master, Ines would rather die than submit to him.

Lemuen silently observed everything, and she clearly realized that Han Fei probably wanted more than just Ines to be a guide.

They might have made even more outrageous demands; otherwise, why would Ines have reacted so strongly?

This was actually somewhat beyond Lemuen's expectations. After all, Han Fei was a really nice person when she was with him, and he didn't have any particularly strange behaviors or quirks.

--Foot fetishism isn't particularly rare, and besides, it's a matter of mutual consent, so it's not worth mentioning.

But Lemuen had no intention of stopping Han Fei. Lemuen still remembered the arrow she had just drawn. Even if it wasn't Ines shot it, her mercenaries wouldn't have acted rashly without her permission.

Under these circumstances, Han Fei's attempts to provoke Ines's rationality and his assertive behavior, constantly trying to take the lead, were all seen by Lemuen as nothing more than venting her anger.

He vented his anger on behalf of both Han Fei and her.

It was just verbal humiliation, nothing to be surprised about. If it were her, this Caprinae woman pretending to Sarkaz wouldn't be able to be saved at all.

From Lemuen's perspective as a Sankta, allowing Ines to live, and only subjecting her to verbal humiliation, is already a form of tolerance.

In Laterano, such Sarkaz mercenaries would have been executed long ago.

That's why the usually gentle Lemuen chose to sit idly by.

As long as Han Fei doesn't actually sleep with this prisoner, Lemuen isn't that concerned about anything else.

Even though Lemuen noticed that Han Fei's eyes would occasionally wander to Ines's legs, she didn't say anything.

Foot fetish, those who know, know.

Not only Lemuen, but Texas and Exusiai actually had similar thoughts.

It is truly an act of tolerance to let her live and only suffer verbal abuse.

The Laterano of today have no intention of showing mercy to the Sarkaz, and the Siracusa family is all about annihilation.

Not to mention anything far removed, in recent years, Texas is not the only country whose entire family has been wiped out.

However, Texas didn't want Han Fei to waste too much time on this woman; she was just a prisoner of war.

So she spoke up, "Boss, the mission is more important."

"Too."

Han Fei also wanted to finish this damned mission as soon as possible; the mission items were heavy and took up a lot of space.

So he casually opened the map and marked the mission location.

The 27-kilometer journey suddenly gave Han Fei a headache.

He clicked his tongue, frowned, and said, "That's really far, twenty-seven kilometers."

"Let's search all the way."

Texas, however, showed no reaction, saying calmly, "We might find something else along the way."

That makes sense.

Han Fei casually pointed to the mission location and asked, "Over there, about twenty-seven kilometers away, what's that?"

"That is..."

Ines looked in the direction Han Fei was pointing, pondered for a moment, and then recognized it. "If you're not mistaken, that's the Banshee Valley."

"Most of the Sarkaz Banshee live in seclusion over there, and if I remember correctly, their king might also be there."

Ines looked away and said, "Are you sure you want to go?"

"Eh?!"

Han Fei was immediately startled, thinking, "What the hell? Banshee?!"

Han Fei's only knowledge of Banshee was of Logos and his mother.

I'm not really familiar with him. Logos is fine, but this guy is pretty strong. Han Fei has used him quite a bit before.

But here's the problem: at this point in time, Logos should already be at the Babel.

Therefore, the only character Han Fei remembers in the River Valley is Logos' mother, Lamat Ducanfaris.

This is someone I'm really not familiar with.

However, upon further reflection, Han Fei relaxed slightly.

Lamat Ducanfaris – the current ruler of the Banshee Court, a powerful and unfathomable figure.

Han Fei recalled that during the storm of the Kazdel civil war, this ruler of the royal court did not seem to personally intervene. However, her act of sending her own son, Logos, to Theresa's camp was itself a silent but powerful statement.

This clearly shows that she prefers to support the moderate Demon Lord Theresa rather than her warlike brother Theresis.

"Given this stance," Han Fei pondered to himself, "Perhaps... there's still a sliver of a possibility of avoiding conflict?"

After all, his purpose for this trip was simple—to deliver a quest item and place it properly.

They're not here to challenge the entire Banshee Court; they don't need to compete with it.

"Perhaps, maybe we can talk?"

A glimmer of hope ignited in his heart.

Even when facing the incommunicado "rat" in Delta Force, didn't the players invent ways to use coded signals?

What's more, this is the real Terra, and we all speak the same language!

I strongly advise against you going.

Ines's voice interrupted Han Fei's thoughts. Her tone carried the pragmatism and directness characteristic of mercenaries. "If it's just you and Miss Lupo, the risks are still manageable. You might actually be able to complete the mission."

Her gaze sharpened as she turned to the angel sisters, as if assessing two enormous sources of trouble:

"But they are a problem that cannot be ignored." She deliberately emphasized the word "problem." "The Banshee Court's attitude is currently ambiguous, and as your guide, I have a responsibility to remind you: the chaos and danger in Kazdel right now far exceed your imagination."

She paused, her voice lowering, carrying a heavy sense of anticipation:

"The two kings of Kazdel have already broken ties, and the rulers of the court are either siding with one side or observing from the sidelines. And you, at this most sensitive time, have led a pair of Sankta sisters deep into the heart of the land, heading straight for the Banshee Valley..."

Ines's eyes seemed to be fixed on an impending tragedy:

"I even suspect that you might not even make it to the Banshee Valley. The Sarkaz hyenas along the way, driven by greed and smelling the scent of 'fat sheep,' would be enough to tear you to pieces!"

Upon hearing this, the eyes of Lemuen, Lemuen, and Texas immediately focused on Han Fei.

Although they were unaware of the dangers lurking in Kazdel, their eyes held no doubt, only absolute trust in his decisions and unwavering commitment to following him.

"First, I need to correct you on one point."

Han Fei met Ines's gaze, his expression calm and composed, carrying an air of knowing the inside story. "You say the Banshee Court's attitude is ambiguous? That assessment is inaccurate. In reality, Lamat has already clearly chosen her side—she stands with Theresa, the true Demon King of Kazdel."

He held up one finger, presenting his key argument:

"Otherwise, why would she personally send her heir, her own son Logos, to serve under the Demon King?"

"What are Theresa's claims?"

Han Fei's gaze seemed to pierce through people's hearts as he looked directly at Ines. "Peace, coexistence, the future of Sarkaz shouldn't be just war. I think you, as a Kazdel person, should understand this better than I do. Since the Banshee Queen chose Theresa, it means she is by no means a warmonger. This is where the room for negotiation lies!"

Secondly,

Han Fei raised an eyebrow, his tone carrying a hint of "you underestimate me," and said sarcastically, "Who told you we're going to fight? We're going to 'deliver goods,' understand? Does delivering a package mean we have to fight with the recipient to sign for it?"

Finally, he turned around, his gaze sweeping over the three girls with a gentle yet powerful intensity:

"As for the Sarkaz we might encounter on the road," he asked softly, "Are you afraid?"

Volume 1: Chapter 138 A Chance Encounter at Night

Lemuen's smile was like a spring breeze, carrying a rock-solid peace and gentleness. "Isn't my decision to walk with you this far clear enough?"

"That's right!"

Lemuen immediately chimed in, waving her little fists with boundless energy, like a little sun dispelling the gloom, "Mere Sarkaz! As long as there are enough bullets, I'll let them taste what a barrage of bullets is like!"

Texas remained silent, but took a half-step forward.

Her eyes were as cold as a quenched blade, and she exuded an invisible sharpness; her voice was deep and resolute.

"Boss, I'll be behind you. No—"

She paused slightly, then spoke with firm conviction, "I am your sharpest sword and your strongest shield; wherever your will points, that is the direction of my sword."

"Look, my friends trust me completely."

Han Fei smirked and said confidently, "As for the dangers on the road, let them experience them. Who's afraid of who?"

"Having confidence is a good thing, but..."