Chapter 539: She Even Gave Me a Backdoor Key

Isis’s flower could extend one’s life. After all, it could directly elevate a person to the Palace Level.

Bloodline herbs were the same. If one’s ancestors possessed a powerful bloodline, consuming the herb offered a high probability of strengthening their constitution and extending their life. If they happened to have the blood of a long-lived species like a Giant Dragon, living for a few extra decades wouldn’t be an issue.

Leech stated bluntly, “I haven’t found any, nor do I want to look.”

“Yes, you already have that territory,” she sighed.

In any case, the Duke hadn’t set a strict deadline. With Leech’s power growing so rapidly, the so-called covert mission was no longer about fulfilling the Duke’s request, but about whether Leech himself wanted to complete it.

Leech didn’t want to get bogged down in the topic. “But you’ve become a Baroness,” he said.

Her smile vanished for a moment, a clear sign she wasn’t happy with her title as Baroness.

Her reproachful gaze landed on Leech, as if to say, “I’ve always wanted to be *your* Baroness.” But Leech pointedly ignored her. He had seen similar blatant advances years ago.

‘My neck isn’t in the best shape. Not suited for wearing hats—especially not for a dozen, or even dozens, of green ones.’

“I didn’t come away empty-handed either,” she said. “I’ve found quite a bit of useful information about Iron Valley. If you’re interested… you know where my room is.”

Becky blinked, then lifted her skirt and hurried past Leech, her voice trailing off behind her. “The ball is about to start, Lord Leech.”

‘Damn, this woman is dead set on riding me!’

Leech thought to himself. He had absolutely no intention of seeking her out. He probably already knew whatever information she had obtained. There was no need to sacrifice himself for such a trivial gain.

‘I have too many good things of my own to unearth. It’s just not necessary.’

By the time he arrived, the ball had already begun.

A reasonably handsome man with a rather square face was gently holding Becky’s hand, his other arm around her waist. The pair danced gracefully in the center of the hall, capturing everyone’s attention.

Leech had arrived late and without a partner. As it happened, he wasn’t in the mood to dance anyway. He walked to the side, picked up a glass of wine, and watched the couples on the dance floor twirl to the music, remarking to himself, ‘The extravagant life of the nobility is truly wonderful.’

Eat, play, and then sleep.

It was a lifestyle he wouldn’t have even dared to dream of in his past life, yet it was so easily attainable in this one.

When the song ended, some of the ladies gathered together to chat in low voices and exchange information.

The men, meanwhile, either continued searching for their targets or gathered around someone important to discuss business.

Not a single man approached Leech, even though he had already made a name for himself and become a fairly well-known noble lord.

‘I knew this bunch was here to suck up to Baron Fray, but this is the first time I’ve seen them be so decisive about it. I have to admire their style. Once you pick a side, you should grit your teeth and stick to it. Otherwise, even an enemy like me would look down on them.’

The ladies, however, were another story. They kept glancing over at Leech, whispering amongst themselves. When Leech happened to look their way, they would abruptly stop, cover their faces, and burst into endless giggles.

Finally, a lady took the initiative and came to ask Leech for a dance.

“I’ve heard Agnes speak of you, my lord. Won’t you ask me to dance?” She raised her hand, inviting Leech to take it.

Leech raised an eyebrow slightly. “You’re from the Three-fork River?”

“No, East Port,” she said, shaking her head with a smile. “Agnes is my older sister.”

‘But your hair isn’t red.’

He didn’t say that out loud.

Not having the signature red hair of the Golden Thorn Sword Clan meant that one’s bloodline was impure.

Of course, it could also mean… she might not possess the red-haired bloodline of the Golden Thorn Sword Clan at all.

“May I have this dance, Miss Leopold?” Leech stood and reluctantly took her hand.

“Of course~”

The dance was over quickly, but the black-haired Miss Leopold was not a very good dancer. She nearly fell into Leech’s arms several times, but he managed to evade her each time with his masterful footwork.

He kept a firm hold on her hand, making things look less awkward and preventing a dance-floor incident.

The result was just a bit too flashy. Every time she “accidentally” tried to fall into his arms, Leech would sidestep, grab her hand, and pull her back with an incredibly flamboyant move.

—A move as dazzling as a spinning top!

For most of the dance, the beautiful, black-haired Miss Leopold was spinning.

Leech was confident that after this dance, her skills would have improved by leaps and bounds.

After the song ended, however, her expression was rather sour. “Lord Leech,” she said, “you’re such a wonderful dancer!”

‘Why is she gritting her teeth? I’m the one who saved her from making a fool of herself.’

Leech had been to too many balls. He knew how to stop people with ulterior motives from getting handsy. When noble ladies and their daughters targeted you and weren’t shy about spreading their legs, it was like being locked onto by fire-control radar. Failure to evade meant being blown to smithereens.

And at this particular ball, there was no one for whom Leech was willing to be blown to smithereens.

He returned to his corner to drink his wine.

That “instructive” dance from just now hadn’t served as much of a deterrent. Soon, more people came over to chat.

They were, of course, all women.

A few of the noblewomen looked familiar. After thinking for a moment, Leech remembered them: they were seasoned veterans of the ball circuit. Their entire lives revolved around attending one party after another.