Chapter 373: Chapter 373: Heartless·Extreme Intent Skill Level Increasing...

After hearing her out, Lance began to ponder as well.

’Based on what Nieve said, it sounds like Elvira is already making moves for the future—recruiting allies and trying to win me over.’

’If that’s the case, then why, in the future branch of fate I saw, did the two of them working together still lose to Cecilia?’

Lance sucked in a sharp breath at the thought.

’This means that even with Nieve on her side, Elvira is no match for the future Cecilia!’

’Just how monstrously powerful will she become?’

’She’s that strong?’

Just as Lance’s scalp tingled at the thought of the future Xiuluo Scene, Nieve, who was leaning against his shoulder and sitting on his lap, suddenly frowned.

"But Nieve thinks... the way Her Highness looked at Nieve was a little strange."

"Strange? How so?"

Lance asked, puzzled.

As their fusion deepened, Nieve had not only regained her sense of touch and taste, but under Lance’s patient guidance, she was also gradually developing her ability to perceive complex human emotions.

"The way Her Highness looked at Nieve back then..."

Nieve thought for a moment, as if searching for the right analogy. "It was a lot like the look Philis had back in the Underground City, watching Lilia eat a small cake."

"That little cake was specially made by the head chef for Lilia alone. It was the only one in the entire camp, so Philis could only hide off to the side, drooling as she stared at the cake."

"Today, the way Her Highness looked at Nieve was exactly the same as Philis."

After saying this, Nieve pushed herself up and flicked her hair, even splashing the remaining water droplets onto Lance. Her chest heaved, bouncing a few times.

Then, Nieve stared straight at Lance, her icy blue eyes narrowing slightly.

"So Nieve thinks Her Highness wants to eat Nieve’s little cake, too."

Lance was stunned by this conclusion.

He never would have thought that Nieve, who usually seemed so airheaded, would display such astonishing intuition and talent when it came to being possessive of her food!

Her seemingly absurd analogy had, on some level, precisely captured Elvira’s desire to claim Lance for herself.

’Is this kind of emotional intuition a woman’s instinct?’

Lance was amazed, but on the surface, he acted nonchalant, trying to bluff his way through it.

"That’s not it. You’re overthinking things."

"Nieve is not overthinking!"

Nieve shook her head, uncharacteristically firm this time.

"Nieve wants all sorts of resources to get stronger. If Her Highness needs it, Nieve can help her fight bad guys... but the cake is one thing Nieve will never give up!"

Then, Nieve added in a small voice, "Besides, Her Highness hasn’t even had a bite yet."

’So you can still tolerate it, is that it?’

The last sentence was practically overflowing with a hint of pride and possessiveness.

Indeed, Nieve didn’t care about others’ feelings for Lance. Just like how Philis sometimes wanted to get close to Lance—as long as she didn’t actually do anything substantial, Nieve didn’t mind.

But if she ever caught them in the act, it would be a disaster. The entire room would freeze over on the spot.

Elvira probably thought that by promising enough benefits, the simple-minded Snow Lady would loyally stand by her side and help her deal with Cecilia.

But she never expected the Snow Lady’s determination to protect her food to be stronger than anyone else’s.

"Alright, alright, your hair is dry now."

Lance tossed the slightly damp towel onto a nearby rack, placed both hands on Nieve’s shoulders, and began to speak earnestly.

"In a couple of days, when you go to the Royal Capital, you must learn to protect yourself."

"Elvira is fundamentally trustworthy. Although she has some of the Royal Family’s pride, she’s a good person at heart and would never deliberately harm anyone. But you must remember..."

At this point, Lance’s expression turned serious.

"The situation in the Royal Capital is even more complicated than in the Underground City."

"If you ever encounter a situation that you feel threatens your safety, or if someone tries to force you to do something you don’t want to, you must learn to refuse. Then, contact me immediately through our pact, you understand?"

Nieve looked at Lance’s concerned gaze and blinked earnestly. "Mhm, Nieve will remember."

Seeing her agree, Lance was about to give her a few more instructions when he realized the atmosphere had shifted.

Because her beautiful eyes were still staring straight at him.

Then, Lance saw Nieve’s slender throat bob slightly with a faint gulp.

He could even see a glistening thread of saliva threatening to spill from the corner of her mouth.

’Holy crap!’

’Is she really that hungry?’

Nieve moved closer, wrapping her arms around Lance’s neck.

Although her face still held that cool, expressionless look, her voice seemed to contain a sort of charming naivety.

"Nieve is hungry again now. Lance has to fulfill his promise."

Lance sighed in resignation. He held up his right hand, waggling five fingers in front of her.

Seeing only five fingers, Nieve’s brow furrowed. She felt that number was very wrong.

"Wrong. Lance remembered wrong. It should be 100 times."

Although her face betrayed no emotion, Lance could hear in her voice that she was very displeased with him casually docking her rations.

Faced with her unreasonable demand, Lance decided to be firm.

He adopted a serious posture and began to lecture her on the problems caused by "overeating."

Nieve fell silent as she listened to Lance’s words.

She didn’t argue. Instead, she countered, "Then how many more days will Lance be in White River City?"

"I leave the day after tomorrow. I still have some things to take care of tomorrow."

Lance answered honestly.

Hearing this, Nieve said nothing. She silently raised both hands, extending all ten fingers in front of Lance.

"Then I need to eat ten times tomorrow."

This time, Lance actually saw Nieve pouting and frowning as she stared at him, stating her terms in a somewhat threatening tone.

"Fine, fine..."

Nieve slid down.

"Mhm!"

Nieve nodded, indicating her agreement with Lance’s plan.

[Heartless·Extreme Intent: Skill Level +1]

"Mhmm~"

Nieve nodded, feeling that what Lance taught her today made a lot of sense.

[Heartless·Extreme Intent: Skill Level +1]

Lance’s brow furrowed. He felt something was off. This Skill...

’This isn’t right, is it?’

[Heartless·Extreme Intent: Skill Level +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1 +1...]

[Gained insight in battle through "Heartless·Extreme Intent." Silver Mercury Production Amount +1%]

Σ(°ロ°)

’Was the Skill that old man taught me really a proper one?’

’After all...’

Silver Mercury was a rare Alchemy Material made by mixing and blending multiple ingredients.

It was a common material used in occult rituals.

Very precious.

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