Chapter 16: Airael’s Great Victory II
“Looks like she’s in danger now.”
As I mentioned earlier, considering the current strength comparison, it’s going to be tough for Airael to take Axi down.
If Axi decides to launch a sneak attack while she’s unprepared, the outcome would be something anyone could guess with just their toes.
“Hey! Were you just thinking something bad?”
With all those thoughts rushing through her mind, Airael blurted out her question in a panic.
Axi quickly shook his head.
He knew for sure that even a white lie at this moment would be way better than nodding, or he’d end up in a really terrible situation.
To Axi’s reaction, Airael said, “I’ll trust you for now. Let’s continue our Q&A.”
Seeing Axi’s seemingly sincere response, she decided to trust the intel about his character.
If it came to it, even if he was smitten by her charm, she figured he wouldn’t do anything too overboard without her consent.
And thinking it over, Airael found it would be really amusing if things turned out that way.
First, you’d ignore me now, but later, you’d definitely regret it!
By then, I’ll make sure to get my revenge for how you treated me today!
Hehe~!
Lost in her happy thoughts, Airael couldn’t help but chuckle internally.
Of course, on the surface, she was looking all serious at Axi, and she continued, “Question two: …”
Before Airael could finish her sentence, Axi interrupted her, looking very confused, and said, “No need to say more, I give up!”
The moment Airael asked the first question, Axi knew he’d fallen into Airael’s trap and was sure to lose.
Mercenaries were indeed different from adventurers and travelers.
Yet, there were many commonalities among the three professions.
For instance, many adventurers and travelers would also take on side jobs as mercenaries.
After all, it could help them earn some extra cash on the road.
Adventuring and traveling can burn through money quickly!
So knowing he couldn’t win, he decided not to waste everyone’s time anymore.
Hearing that Axi willingly gave up saved Airael a lot of effort, of course, and she was thrilled, “You said that yourself, not that I forced you!”
“I said it myself, not because you forced me,” Axi admitted reluctantly.
He realized he had definitely lost his mind to agree to this bet.
Now, he had to carry this big trouble around with him.
Airael, however, was completely oblivious to Axi’s gloomy mood.
Victorious, she remained lost in the joy of winning, “Since we’re now companions, shouldn’t we introduce ourselves next?”
“Axi, a mercenary! My introduction is done.”
To this, Axi replied nonchalantly.
Airael puffed her cheeks in dissatisfaction, “Hey, can’t you show a little more sincerity? We’re going to be living together and building a life-or-death friendship here!”
“A life-or-death friendship?” Axi looked at Airael, puzzled.
“What’s wrong? Isn’t that the case?” Airael shot back, equally puzzled.
The two just stared at each other in confusion.
Axi shook himself out of it and decided to get things in order, “Wait a minute, could you clarify what you meant by that? You’re not just tagging along, but are you also going to help me with tasks, right?”
Caught up with Airael, his mood had already soured, and now his intelligence was taking a hit too.
It was like Airael was dealing a blow to his brainpower!
Airael nodded energetically, “Exactly! Since we’re partners now, helping you with tasks is only natural.”
At this, she patted her chest and reassured him, “Also, don’t worry, I won’t let you down. But in return, you have to share some of the task rewards with me.”
But after saying that, she emitted a whiff of street-smart vibes, or perhaps a hint of a money scent.
Years of royal living had dulled Airael’s concept of money.
But out here, one really can’t do anything without cash!
Everything seemed to revolve around money.
Take, for example, how she acquired intel on Axi.
Without cash, how could she ever buy that information?
Even though she didn’t care about money when buying things she needed, it still required having enough funds in her pocket first!
Money! Money! Money!
There’s a saying: money may not be everything, but without money, nothing is possible.
The more money she had, the better!
“If you can really help me out, then splitting the rewards isn’t out of the question.”
Even so, Axi’s face showed some skepticism.
Despite Airael’s earlier behavior resembling a little rascal, he had garnered some ideas about her potentially noble status from various small hints.
The first was the cloak Airael was wearing.
At first glance, it seemed like an ordinary, unremarkable cloak, but anyone observant enough would realize something felt off about it.
Things that seem too normal usually have something going on, which indicated this was no ordinary cloak.
Furthermore, Airael occasionally revealed parts of herself from underneath that cloak.
For example, her hands, which were remarkably well-maintained.
When she chased after him earlier, Airael demonstrated impressive skills, proving she had trained in combat.
Being able to keep her hands looking so good while also practicing martial arts must require substantial financial backing and resources.
From that alone, it’s clear Airael must be of a rich and noble background.
And not just any kind either.
Ordinary folk simply wouldn’t have such treatment.
So, he didn’t believe Airael would tolerate much hardship.
Her approaching him must’ve been a fleeting whim.
Once her interest waned or she couldn’t handle the heat, she would back off.
Thinking about this, Axi came up with a plan to potentially make Airael leave on her own.
It might be a bit ruthless, but for his own sake, he felt he had to do it.
“Then it’s settled.”
To this, Airael replied with a carefree tone.
Words matter less than actions, after all.
As the conversation dropped, Airael suddenly remembered something and said, “Oh right, I almost forgot to introduce myself!”
Axi looked at Airael with keen interest, waiting for her self-introduction.
