Demonic Dragon: Harem System

The blade stayed close, but the tension eased slightly. "Prove it," she said, not lowering her guard.

Strax surveyed the entire area without turning around; he had much to think about and much to do in his mind...

"Attack her already, she's annoying! Just kill her!" Ouroboros said. Any minimal threat to him made her ready to fight the whole world, especially in this situation where he was completely unprotected. But on the other hand...

"Calm down, say that if you haven't hurt the girl or touched her body, just state what you came for. Sincerity can win people's hearts, considering we can't sense her, she is a Grand Master or above," Tiamat said, being more rational. After all, she was the rational and fair side, while Ouroboros was the strong and impulsive one.

"You two..." He murmured while still keeping his arms raised, feeling the sword passing close to his head. Its edge was indeed very sharp... A slightest movement and his head would be flying.

He looked back, observing every small detail, trying to find something that could serve as proof of his sincerity, following Tiamat's advice. He finally turned to the ordinary girl in front of him. "The girl," he said finally. "If I wanted to hurt her, I would have killed her immediately. Instead, I'm here, ready to leave if it ensures her safety.

Besides, your soldiers know about me, you can ask them what I was doing... Of course, I wanted to know about this cultivator who was sleeping, someone strong let so many die... don't you think that's enough?" He questioned, many things there were true, of course, he exaggerated the story, but it was an easier and simpler exit.

The woman examined him completely; he could feel her scrutinizing him until her gaze fell on the swords he carried at his waist. She had some thoughts about them but only sighed, "A thief wouldn't have something like this in their possession." She thought for a moment before finally lowering the sword. "If it's a lie, you won't get a second chance." She said.

"Yes, miss, I'm telling the truth. Call the gray-haired soldier out there; I'm sure he'll confirm I'm not such a big threat. Also, why is this guild after you?" Strax asked, feeling he wouldn't be attacked immediately.

"Attack that bitch already! Tear her apart!" Strax heard again; it seemed that... Ouroboros didn't like this woman very much.

"My name is Strax. I am with a group of three more people. We were recently attacked by this same guild with these uniforms. I stole the cloak from the leader of the previous convoy, and when we saw it, we hid the carriage and I came ahead to see what was happening." He began to explain, feeling that the woman still didn't want to talk to him, nor understand him in any way.

He wasn't honest at first, but now he was betting on it.

He carefully chose each word to avoid getting into trouble and finally heard something: her steps passing by him, and she finally appeared before his eyes.

She was imposing; her presence showed a certain authoritative air and a strange aura. She wasn't tall, her build was quite average, but her posture was very upright, and the way she held the blade as if she would draw it immediately conveyed the level of skill she had... Her dark, deep-toned hair fell in loose waves to the middle of her back, with a small part tied up in an elegant bun.

Her face was beautiful but marked by a fierce look as if saying, "Move and you will die." The armor was a dark, almost black shade, with subtle silver symbols indicating her high status.

Over her shoulder, a dark cloak flowed with her, adding a touch of elegance and an air of mystery. The cloak had a red lining, visible only when she moved, adding a vibrant contrast to her predominantly dark appearance.

"I thought I would see a brutish woman, but I ended up with supreme delicacy before me," Strax thought, seeing how the woman appeared strong and delicate, like an Obsidian gem.

She moved calmly as she lifted and placed the other unconscious girl into a less... abandoned state? She simply sat her on her lap, laying her down properly. "Is she alive?" Strax asked, seeing that the unconscious girl seemed truly dead, despite her cultivation being palpable...

"She has an illness," the woman said, still not revealing her name, and Strax became curious, finally asking her, "What is your name?"

"Lyana, just Lyana." She said while finishing adjusting the girl on her lap, who slightly moved. "I won't reveal my master's name until she is able to speak." Lyana said, appearing more concerned about her master than about the pseudo-thief in front of her.

"What illness does she have? Her heartbeat... is almost non-existent." He said. His perception of the environment was much greater since his physique returned to 100%; now he could see much more than just mana in the environment, and this girl... was on the brink of death.

"We don't know exactly what it is, but whenever she sleeps... Any minor problem could cause her to simply die. She has fainted many times in the last few months..." Lyana explained, concern evident in her voice.

Strax frowned upon hearing the description of the girl's condition. His mind was filled with questions and possible solutions. "If her condition is so serious, why not seek a specialist? Is there any treatment you've tried?"

Lyana looked at him with a mix of skepticism and curiosity. "We've tried everything. Many healers have shown interest, but none have been able to diagnose or treat the illness successfully. Some said it's a rare disease and only someone with exceptional abilities could help. Others just abandoned the case after a failed attempt."

He considered helping, but he knew his skills were not up to that task. So he decided to just accept it, "I see... that must be complicated..." Strax kept his gaze fixed on Lyana, his mind spinning with questions. "Why are you being attacked? What is so important that the guild is after you?"

Lyana, adjusting the position of the unconscious girl, looked at Strax with a tired expression. "We're heading to Eldoria. There, a divine medicine capable of curing any illness will be auctioned, something rare and valuable. The auction has attracted the attention of several factions, and this idiotic guild is among them."

Strax frowned, processing the information. "They wanted to attack those going to Eldoria? They were targeting the wealthy who wanted to go to the auction... It seems our destinies are intertwined; you want to buy some medicine, don't you?"

Lyana sighed, concern visible in every line of her face. "Yes, the medicine is the only hope. Without it, she won't last much longer. What you need to know is that, despite everything, we need to reach Eldoria before the situation becomes even more critical. The threats we face are not just from the guild, but from others interested in the medicine."

Strax, now understanding the urgency and importance, took a moment to reflect. "And what is your plan for the auction? Do you have any allies in Eldoria or someone who can ensure safety?"

Lyana looked at Strax with a scrutinizing gaze. "We have a few contacts in Eldoria, but we can't trust everyone. The city is full of intrigue and treacherous alliances. The auction will be a battlefield of conflicting interests. If you truly want to help, your presence could be useful. But again, if you have other plans, I understand.

The priority is my master's safety."

"I never said I would help, just wanted to know the circumstances. I have my own plans. Unless, of course, you want to hire me." He said, looking at her with a smile. "Damn mercenary..." She murmured. "I'm not in the best position to help people for free, especially easy targets. I'm not a bad person, but if I were, do you think you'd still be alive?

Despite being a Grand Master, I imagine you've just advanced." Strax said, analyzing her with his crimson-red eyes.

She merely nodded; she already knew where this conversation was going, and she respected him as he thought. "So, you're willing to negotiate. This could be advantageous for both. But remember, what do you really want in exchange for this help?"

Strax smiled, pleased to have finally reached an understanding. "Something simple, really. Money would be good, but since you must have enough of that, ask what your master would offer me if she knew... that my subordinate is working to protect the Event." Strax said with a smile, drawing a curious look from Lyana...

"Subordinate? You? You seem just like a thug..." She murmured incredulously. Well, she had her own methods of thinking, and certainly, this guy didn't look like he had the money to have subordinates... It's a shame she didn't know that he didn't pay anything for a subordinate as loyal as Christine...

"Understood. When my master regains consciousness, we'll discuss the details," Lyana agreed. "But know this: if anything happens to my master due to your betrayal or failure, the bill will be collected. I don't leave debts unpaid."

"I don't intend to disappoint you," Strax replied, grinning mischievously.