NOVEL NEXT Chapter 259 A Tentative Cooperation
Chapter 259 A Tentative Cooperation
"Holy White Deer?"
Vanessa had never expected to hear this term from Felix.
However, since he was the Dragon Shadow, it wasn't particularly unusual for him to know some things about the Five Great Families.
Besides, the "Holy White Deer" wasn't exactly a secret, merely known to a select few.
Considering that they weren't yet allies, Vanessa wasn't keen on readily agreeing to Felix's request — this was a prime opportunity for her to negotiate and secure benefits for herself.
"Lord Felix, there's no issue in providing the power of the 'Holy White Deer'... however, in return, I would also like you to agree to some of my requests," Vanessa said with a smile.
"Miss Vanessa, what are your requests?" Felix seemed unsurprised by Vanessa's move and naturally continued the conversation.
And so, Vanessa cleared her throat and stated her "requests".
Firstly, Vanessa wanted to define the "duration and evaluation criteria of the probation period" so she would know how to exert her efforts.
Secondly, she wished to understand Felix's upcoming action plan so that she could utilize her abilities and resources to smooth the path for him.
Lastly, Vanessa proposed to sign a cooperation contract - one for the probation period and another for the official cooperation.
"This will help us build a relationship of trust, don't you think, Lord Felix?"
"No problem, we'll define the cooperation details as you said."
Surprisingly, Felix agreed very readily, much to Vanessa's surprise.
— (Strange, he's usually so meticulous, why would he agree so quickly to such an important matter? )
"Alright, then I'll prepare the specific contents tonight and come to confirm with you tomorrow morning, is that acceptable?"
"Yes, I'll be waiting for you at the inn tomorrow morning."
Given how smoothly things were going, Vanessa could only assume that Felix intended to go over the details with her thoroughly in the next stage.
But Vanessa wasn't worried because during her years of exchange in the Azure Lizard family, the majority of her work was related to various agreements and documentation.
"Alright, Lord Felix, I truly appreciate the opportunity you've given me. I won't disturb you any longer tonight..."
"Wait a moment, Miss Vanessa."
Just when Vanessa thought that the conversation was winding down for the night, Felix called her back.
"Since we've agreed on your requests, let's talk about the 'Holy White Deer'."
"A-...Ah, are we going to discuss it in detail tonight?"
"Yes, I hope you don't have a habit of going to bed early."
.
Felix got straight to the point and told Vanessa that he needed the power of the 'Holy White Deer' because his companion, Heloise, had been infected with a curse known as the 'Parasitic Blood Serpent', which could only be purified by the sacred power of the 'Holy White Deer'.
— (So that's how it is…)
— (I didn't expect Felix to understand the power of the 'Holy White Deer' to such an extent, but...hehe...)
Upon hearing Felix's plea, Vanessa felt more reassured.
Firstly, it showed that he was a person who valued camaraderie, and secondly, it confirmed that this "aid" was a one-time thing and wouldn't evolve into an incessant demand for resources from Vanessa.
"I see, no problem. However, why not go to the church in Emerald City? Receiving baptism in a real church would have a better purification effect, no?" Vanessa asked.
"Indeed, our original plan was to go to the church, but since I'm cooperating with you, I don't think there's a need to go to the church anymore."
Felix's answer was reasonable, and Vanessa had no doubts. Moreover, she had already started to hatch a little plan of her own.
Thus, Vanessa followed Felix into the inn, to the room where the white-haired girl Heloise was staying, while Captain Garvit stayed outside the door.
.
"Wha...what...what is happening? Has the apostle of the Nefarious Tiger King seen a scene that doesn't belong to this timeline?"
Witnessing Felix entering the room with Vanessa of the Snowy Hart family, Heloise was rendered immobile.
She thought to herself: It's already so late, yet Felix is bringing another woman into his room. Could it be that he plans to accommodate another person?
Although the clan leaders and elders within the tigermen tribe all had three or four wives, if Felix intended to start building a "large family" so soon, she wasn't ready for it yet!
"Heloise, this is Miss Vanessa from the Snowy Hart family."
"Miss Vanessa, this is Heloise from the tigermen tribe." Felix introduced them as if it was the most natural thing, then stood aside.
Heloise was unsure of what Felix was planning and became extremely nervous. Meanwhile, Vanessa was curiously sizing up Heloise, seemingly contemplating something.
At that moment, Felix's words came to Heloise's rescue.
"Heloise, Miss Vanessa is here to help you purify the 'Parasitic Blood Serpent'. You just need to relax and cooperate."
"Eh?... Eh??"
Heloise was confused, but then she noticed three cute little deer coming out from behind Vanessa. They were curiously playing around the room and seemed quite friendly towards Heloise.
— (Ah, it's the deer I didn't get to eat that night!)
Once she relaxed, Heloise finally remembered. She had been invited to have roasted rabbit by the coachman serving this Miss Vanessa when she was hungry!
"You... you are the one in the white carriage that night...!"
"You finally remember, but it took you quite a while."
Vanessa responded with a slight smile. She had noticed it a long time ago but chose not to mention it since it wasn't a significant matter.
.
"Miss Vanessa, how should we assist you?" Felix inquired.
"No need for assistance, you just need to observe."
Vanessa drew a silver flute from her waist and began playing a short tune, gentle and melodious, akin to a spring rain nourishing the earth, inducing relaxation.
Upon hearing the melody, three little deer obediently gathered around Vanessa, no longer frolicking freely.
"Next, I will invoke the power of the 'Holy White Deer' to purify the malignance within Heloise. However, I cannot guarantee absolute success. Are you certain you wish to proceed?"
Heloise, unsure, looked to Felix. Felix, however, responded with a firm nod.
"Very well, then I shall commence."
It had been a long while since Vanessa last harnessed the power of the 'Holy White Deer', and she was rather pleased.
Moreover, she harbored a secret anticipation.
In the tales passed down within the Snowy Hart Family, it was said that using the power of the 'Holy White Deer' in the presence of the opposite sex would make them fall for you.
The reason Vanessa agreed to Felix, in part, was due to this anticipation.
— (Fall madly in love with me, Felix... In doing so, you will become my exclusive Dragon Shadow ?)