Chapter 2282: Madeline’s Love

Chapter 2282: Chapter 2282: Madeline’s Love

The family joyfully ate breakfast together, during which Shard also mentioned his Dragon Language Spell.

But even the Grand Witch didn’t understand this peculiar power, so they couldn’t offer any effective advice.

As for after breakfast, Shard didn’t forget to take out this week’s gift from [God’s Gift Box]; he regarded it as post-meal entertainment.

Currently, only he and Mia in this house qualified to take gifts, and this week Shard reached into the bottom of the box himself. After feeling around a bit, he pulled out a bound document:

"Hmm? What’s this?"

The document was over thirty pages long, and at the title position was written "Draft Report on Appointment and Removal of the First Army Minister of Draleon Kingdom."

"This is the document to be discussed today, it should be in the drawer of my nephew’s study right now."

Miss Galina said, taking the document from Shard’s hand, flipping through it a few times, and then handing it to the curious Lecia:

"Yes, see there’s a seal at the end. Shard, you can even pull out such things as gifts?"

"What’s this, Angelina even pulled out a crown."

Shard said carelessly, causing the Witch to look at her grandniece; if she remembered correctly, the crown also appeared last night.

Lecia immediately asked with concern:

"So what do you need to do this week?"

"At least three mornings, I have to read the newspaper; actually, according to my habit, I do this every day."

Placing the obedient cat on his lap, Shard had no intention of retrieving the document:

"In any case, I’ll continue the investigation at Moon Bay this week. The arrival of Miss Benanis and others will probably make Miss Belindel determined to seek revenge against the [Light Worshipper Training Association]. I’m really curious if other people are also beginning to gather Dragon Scales symbolizing the Seven Great Families like us."

"Be wary of that Thirteen-Ring Sorcerer Light Chaser, and remember to protect Emilia."

Luviya reminded him, before smiling and saying:

"I’m actually looking forward to meeting the Great Witch of Destiny of Moon Bay; she sounds like a very easygoing lady. We’ll become friends."

Miss Galina, Lecia, and Luviya quickly left, and Shard began a brand new week of adventure.

Mia stayed behind to guard the house, as usual, and upon reaching Moon Bay, Shard didn’t go to the Belindel Estate immediately, but instead took a carriage from the northeast of the city at Saint George Stone Bridge, traversing the entire city diagonally to Earl D’Armanin’s Mansion at the western edge.

Though it wasn’t raining today, the earl’s mansion, standing at the end of an uphill road, still appeared serene and strange under the hazy sky.

The beautiful Countess had clearly received news in advance that Shard would be visiting today, so she waited cheerfully at the entrance of the estate.

Fortunately, this time, the Countess, who was evidently no longer human, and those pretty, enchanting maids did not attempt any physical gestures towards Shard. While taking Shard to the basement herself, dressed in red stockings, the Countess didn’t forget to praise:

"You cleared out the demon invading this city; you truly are the great hero of Moon Bay."

Shard pretended not to hear.

He entered the lift alone, and when it smoothly reached the lowest point, he opened the door and stepped onto the rocks beneath the sea cliff.

Listening to the waves crashing against the rocks, he gazed at the sea as thick fog surrounded him from all sides. A massive shadow flickered underwater near the coast, and when Shard could no longer see any ships on the distant sea, with the sound of splashing water, a beautiful woman’s head emerged from the edge of the rocks.

Honestly, if the head wasn’t pretty enough, the scene would have been quite horrifying.

With an aesthetically graceful gesture, she flicked her hair, scattering water droplets from her golden locks all around. Shard held his breath, adjusted his emotions, and actively asked:

"I’ve cleared out Fanarius, as agreed. What do you want from me?"

This time he came alone, without holding any girl in his arms, thus speaking with much more confidence than last time.

Droplets of water slid down the fair cheeks from the head by the rocks as she smiled at Shard, generously praising him:

"The Crow died from greedy desire, truly an excellent play.

I originally thought Fanarius might create some trouble for you, never expected you could think of using that naïve elf to draw the sword."

"Hmm... how does this not look like my plan?"

Her eyes bent into crescent shapes with amusement, she certainly wasn’t here to conduct a "post-war summary" with Shard. In the dense fog behind, the sound of water being stirred could be heard; her tone light as she spoke:

"By eliminating that Crow, you’ve proven to me you indeed have the intention and means to protect this City of Desire that belongs to me. I wish to offer you some assistance for your following actions, but, heartless man, even so, you still harbor suspicion towards me, do you?"

The more she acted this way, the more Shard naturally became vigilant, but he would not let it show:

"Helping me... perhaps long after, on a day where I discover the entire city council are your people, I might regret what I’ve done. But, alright, what do you need me to do this time?"

The sound of splashing water continued from the dense fog behind her, and her laughter remained as light as the wind brushing against grass shoots:

"You can consider this help as a reward for eliminating the crow that invaded my city. But just like before, since I offered it, you can’t refuse."

Her pale right hand emerged from the water like a great white snake, holding a red crystal dagger in her palm, very similar in design to Shard’s "Love God’s Sting":

"This dagger can be used twice. Even the strongest humanoid angelic-level relic, like your pair of butterflies, would be severely injured if hit by it. Like that disgusting corpse in the Clock Tower over the weekend, it would probably never appear again for hundreds of years if struck."

The pale hand placed the dagger on the edge of the reef:

"There’s still an unwelcome guest in the city. Find it and kill it with this dagger. As for the remaining use, feel free to use it against anyone."

Shard’s pupils slightly contracted:

"Wait, you’re not trying to tell me there’s another entity in the city as dangerous as Fanarius, are you?"

She covered her mouth with her right hand and chuckled softly:

"Of course, it’s not that dangerous. Why would I encourage you to do dangerous things?

I’m talking about a fool who’s worn a mask for too long to take it off, a fool who thinks he’s just but always brings disaster. Oh, this is not wordplay, it’s really just a target.

You needn’t feel burdened; it deserves to die. Go, kill the intruder, and afterward, I’ll tell you where you can find one piece of dragon scales you’re looking for."

"So you do know..."

"Yes, yes, little boy, I know everything. The seven dragon scales are part of a contract between the Seven Great Families and a certain dragon, which is also related to the Chosen One."

Those purple eyes met Shard’s gaze, but Shard only held it for two seconds before looking away:

"So, you want me to use this ’Dagger of Desire’ to eliminate the fool you mentioned, and in return, I’ll receive information about a dragon scale and a dagger with only one use left?"

"Your ability to name things doesn’t yet measure up to your prowess with the ladies in bed."

The beautiful head in the water laughed and commented:

"[Madeline’s Love],that’s the name of this dagger.

Madeline was truly a foolish girl. She once wielded the ’Love God’s Sting’ you now possess, and she was once a believer of the God of Love. When she died, she offered her soul to me, which forged this weapon of revenge."

"Revenge? So, is the target you want me to deal with related to this Miss Madeline?"

The beautiful woman gently bit her lip, leaving a very noticeable mark on her pale skin:

"It was long ago, after being betrayed by love, Madeline briefly became my messenger, much like the Countess now, but more capable. Madeline died of her own foolishness, and I have no intention of avenging her. But since that guy was drawn here by the swirling fate of the Whispering Verses, I thought resolving some old grudges might be nice."

The dagger flew automatically to Shard; when he grasped it, he found the crystal dagger was surprisingly warm. This weapon contained both miracle and whisper elements; it was indeed a forbidden creation made through the soul of a mortal by [Desire].

Like the Perfume Bottle, it could be classified as a Relic Derivative of the Unclassified Level [Desire], but clearly, this dagger was much stronger than the Perfume Vial.

"Deal with it, to display your justice, intriguing soul. Complete this task before the seventh Chosen One performs their ritual, and trust me, it will be beneficial for you too."

"Please wait a moment!"

Seeing the head drawing back on the water’s surface, Shard called out again. The purple eyes smiled at Shard, waiting for him to speak. It took him a moment to ask:

"Am I... have I already been corrupted by you? Recently, in a very inappropriate setting and towards a very inappropriate target, I had a very inappropriate thought."

This referred to the incident in the desert with the God’s company.

"Although you provided almost no information, I know what you’re trying to express."

The pale tongue licked her red lips as the head in the water slightly lowered, but the purple eyes still gazed intently at Shard:

"Desire itself is something inherent to humans or beings like humans. You know, I’m a bit angry; your heart clearly harbored its own fancies, yet you credited them to me.

If you can’t understand, then my current mood is like a pretty lady shyly telling you she’s reached a climax because of you, but in truth, you did nothing."

Because this example was so straightforward, Shard instinctively felt he had indeed spoken something excessive:

"So, hmm... should I apologize? I probably got sunstroke and got confused."

"Heh~ Men."

The beautiful head slid back into the fog, and seeing the expression on Shard’s face at this moment, she laughed and vanished into the depths of the dense fog.

Soon afterward, those strange mists quickly dissipated within a few dozen seconds, and under the sky shrouded in black mist, the somewhat dim distant view of Moon Bay Harbor reemerged before Shard. A few seabirds flew in from afar, landing at the edge of the reef for rest, oblivious to what had just transpired here.