"'Wolf-fish canned food'? What's that?" Audrey and Islant both revealed puzzled expressions—only, one dared to ask, while the other hesitated to speak.
As ladies of Backlund's upper class, neither of them had ever been to sea, so it was natural they had no understanding of "wolf-fish canned food."
"'Wolf-fish canned food' is a dish from the eastern coast of Feysac, the Gargas Archipelago, and similar places. It's made from salted wolf-fish, and it's rather popular among sailors… Well, because its flavor is quite pungent, and this suitcase's appetite is also heavy, I deliberately chose it as the suitcase's 'meal replacement'..."
Ebner explained with a straight face for a few sentences before adding, "Because I've 'changed' its taste, it can no longer 'graze' on others. It can only use the abilities it currently has…"
The suitcase's appetite being heavy… It was actually fine before. Only this afternoon did it suddenly 'relapse,' and its appetite grew heavier and heavier… Islant retorted in her heart but didn't say it aloud.
Meanwhile, Audrey puffed out her cheeks a little in secret… After all, she had long since realized that what the suitcase always wanted to 'eat' was her…
But how am I considered heavy taste? I… No, wait, I'm a human. Eating people probably is pretty 'heavy'… But something still feels off…
Just as Audrey's thoughts drifted further away, Ebner handed the suitcase to her, then turned toward Islant with a half-smile and said:
"Now then, let's talk about your problem, Miss Islant.
"You drew danger onto the Hall family and brought it before Miss Audrey. You can't possibly think there would be no price to pay."
Here it comes! Islant thought silently, then lifted her skirt and gave a curtsey, speaking with "sincerity": "I won't defend myself. My actions did indeed bring great danger to Miss Audrey… I am willing to accept punishment."
She had already anticipated this, but at that time the situation had been urgent, and she had no chance to weigh the consequences. And in any case, being punished by Miss Audrey was far preferable to being locked in a church basement by an official team or turned into an experimental subject.
A clever response. She must be relying on Audrey's good temper, certain that the punishment won't be too heavy. Ebner chuckled inwardly, glanced at Audrey who had just returned to herself, and smiled as he said, "Miss Audrey, what do you think?"
At present, he was playing the role of the Hall family's bodyguard, so naturally he had to defer to his "own" lady.
"This suitcase was sealed by you. It's better for you to decide," Audrey said after pondering for a few seconds, pushing the decision back to Ebner.
Seeing this, Islant wasn't surprised. Her eyes, however, were filled with unease as she looked at Ebner. After all, the man before her was a genuine demigod. No matter how noble Miss Audrey's status was, she couldn't possibly order a demigod to follow her will. Yielding the authority to him was the smart choice.
Glancing at the two beautiful ladies watching him, Ebner thought for a moment, then raised three fingers at Islant and said, "Three things. As long as you agree to three things, I will no longer pursue the matter of you endangering Miss Audrey."
"Three things…" Islant's heart tightened. Her intuition told her it wouldn't be simple. But now, there was no room for bargaining. After taking a deep breath, she asked, "What exactly are the three things you speak of?"
"First, from today onward, the ownership of this suitcase belongs to Miss Audrey," Ebner said with a smile, then gave Audrey a discreet signal to temporarily accept it.
After all, the suitcase was Ebner's spoil of war and should have been his by right.
As a "Psychologist," Audrey easily "read" Ebner's meaning. She nodded and thought to herself: Ebner's signals are even easier to understand than Susie's…
This time, Islant didn't hesitate at all. "That's not a problem!" she said.
After all, she hadn't wanted the suitcase for quite some time.
"Second, you must work for Miss Audrey for three years, becoming her… slave—no, her 'personal assistant'! During this time, you cannot disobey any of her requests… Of course, requests that would seriously harm your physical or mental health are excluded.
"I will draft a notarized contract afterward, and you must sign it."
"Personal assistant"? What a nice-sounding term… But what you wanted to say just now was definitely slave or servant! Islant grumbled inwardly, then began to seriously consider this demand.
If it were for someone else, I'd rather die than be a servant… But Miss Audrey is kind-hearted. She surely wouldn't mistreat me. It's actually acceptable… Besides, it's only three years…
Though my identity may not allow me to stay by Miss Audrey's side often… Thinking this, Islant voiced her concern.
Ebner merely smiled unconcernedly. "That's not an issue. I'll resolve it for you."
Her direct superior, Stephen Hampres, had already become a Sealed Artifact, taken into Ebner's "Quiz Labyrinth." And the current "Pride," Hvin Rambis had long since been replaced by the "Dragon of Imagination," Ankewelt.
Although he didn't yet know the results of Vera's side, since the old dragon hadn't descended directly into Stephen but had only triggered a preset persona, that meant Vera had successfully intercepted him.
Through this, He must have also realized the power behind "me." Sending a subordinate as compensation was practically effortless, and Ebner was certain He wouldn't interfere.
Seeing the Saint before her so confident, Islant couldn't tell whether he had some collaboration with the Psychological Alchemists. But since he had taken on the responsibility, she said no more and nodded. "I accept this condition as well."
"Excellent!" Ebner nodded with satisfaction. He casually grabbed a sheet of stationery from Audrey's bedroom, then, with his "Forgery" ability, instantly produced a contract filled with detailed terms of agreement.
The "notarization" came from the illusory "Sun" behind the "Pure White Eye," from the illusory "White Angel"! A contract notarized like this was almost impossible even for an ordinary angel to interfere with.
After reading the detailed clauses, and finding nothing immediately unfavorable to her, Islant resolved herself and prepared to sign.
But Ebner stopped her, directly taking a drop of her blood to merge with the contract. Then, with a half-smile, he said, "This way, once you break the contract, punishment will descend immediately. Both Miss Audrey and I can be at ease."
Islant bit her lip but said nothing. After all, he was a Saint. She had no power to resist his decision.
Just as she was filled with indignation, Susie grew alert and stared at her for a long moment.
Previously, Susie hadn't known what "personal assistant" meant, so she hadn't thought much of it. But after secretly reading the contract, she suddenly realized that her own "territory" had been invaded.
Obviously, Audrey's best assistant is me! For some reason, Susie thought of the "hound" selection from years ago, and her heart blazed with fighting spirit.
At that moment, still unaware she had become a golden retriever's rival, Islant took another deep breath and asked, "What's the final condition?"
Perceiving everything in the room, Ebner gave her a strange look, then secretly glanced at Susie. Holding back his rising amusement, he solemnly said, "The last condition is actually a supplement to the second…
"I need you to take responsibility for caring for the 'Corrupted Suitcase.' That means regularly preparing its food and, when Miss Audrey requires it, carrying it into battle."
"Corrupted Suitcase" was the name Ebner had given the item. A Sealed Artifact of the Shepherd pathway that liked to eat wolf-fish canned food—yes, in a way, it truly was "corrupted."
"That simple?" Islant asked in surprise before she could stop herself.
She had thought the third condition would be harsher than the second.
Girl, you don't understand. This third condition is actually the cruelest… In a way, it's your true punishment.
Ebner thought this silently but outwardly asked, "So, do you accept?"
"I accept!" Islant hurriedly replied, afraid he might regret it.
"Then I'll take you somewhere else first. Tomorrow you can formally visit Miss Audrey, gain the Earl Hall's consent, and become her official assistant." Ebner smiled and nodded. Then, "casually" adding, "Oh, by the way, you must already know that the 'Corrupted Suitcase' dislikes packaged food. When I 'modified' its appetite earlier, I didn't remove that trait. So remember to open the can when feeding it wolf-fish.
"Otherwise, it might throw a tantrum and refuse to cooperate in battle."
Islant already knew the suitcase's habits and didn't mind. She answered offhandedly, "I understand!"
Afterward, Ebner again gave Audrey a signal to discuss things later, then dispelled the "Hidden" space in the bedroom. He brought Islant and the suitcase to a cemetery outside Enmat Port.
Since he had entrusted Islant with feeding the "Corrupted Suitcase," it was necessary to let her learn more about wolf-fish at a nearby port.
After the two and the suitcase disappeared, Audrey squatted down to hug Susie tightly. Outwardly she "scolded," but in truth she was "moved": "Susie, don't do something so dangerous again… If it hadn't been for the 'Tower'… for that gentleman's intervention, you might really have been eaten by the suitcase just now!"
She was clearly speaking of how Susie had bravely stood in front of her earlier.
"But Audrey… it preferred you… I couldn't just watch you be eaten!" Susie used the mystical art "Hand of Lyon" to pat Audrey's hair. Then, recalling that woman who seemed to want to challenge her position, she declared firmly, "Besides, this time, I won't lose again!"
"Eh?" Audrey, still touched, missed the chance to "read" Susie's inner thoughts. A trace of puzzlement appeared on her perfect face.
(End of Chapter)