The afternoon sun crept into the conference room through the window, shining on the red leather sofa.
It cast a rosy glow on the silver-haired girl's beautiful face.
As if after a difficult internal struggle, Sophie whispered, "I agree."
Lian's expression suddenly turned serious. This was his first time Cleaning an Entry, and frankly, he wasn't completely confident.
He focused his mind, reached out, and touched the red [Bordering on Loss of Control] entry above Sophie's head.
The next second, as if it knew it was about to be cleaned, the red entry started to flee.
It moved from floating above her head to her hair, then to her neck, her cheek, her waist...
Forced to catch this red entry with its strong survival instinct, Lian had no choice but to touch the girl all over.
Sophie's cheeks were flushed, but she didn't misunderstand Lian.
Both of them could see the entry; the difference was that she could only see her own, while Lian could see everyone's.
The red entry shamelessly fled to a spot between the Miss Witch's legs.
Lian swallowed awkwardly.
"Miss Sophie, I'm coming in."
Sophie closed her eyes and nodded, a look of utter resignation on her face.
Lian focused, struck quickly, and hit his mark in one go!
He finally snatched the shameless entry just as it was trying to move higher!
"Got it."
The red entry began to struggle in Lian's hand.
Sophie also felt her Magic Power fluctuate, as if someone had grabbed hold of her magic channels, forced their way inside, and begun to extract the chaotic Magic Power within.
The reason Witches lose control is that their power comes from the True God Tiger.
However, they must bear this Magic Power with a human Physique. Over time, the Magic Power within them turns chaotic, spilling from its original channels into other parts of the body that cannot withstand it, leading to an inevitable physical collapse.
If this chaotic Magic Power could be extracted in time, the Witch's symptoms of losing control could be alleviated.
Sophie's face was deathly pale. Her body was in agony, feeling the chaotic Magic Power being drawn out of every single cell.
And that pain, transmitted through the red entry, was perfectly replicated in Lian.
In other words, however much pain Sophie felt, Lian felt the exact same amount.
No wonder the [Cleaning Entry] skill description mentioned that the ability to clear red entries was proportional to one's Physical Strength.
Before he was even halfway done, Lian could no longer bear the pain and wanted to let go of the red entry.
But he remembered the silver-haired girl's listless eyes, the will to live he had worked so hard to ignite in her, and the fleeting look of disappointment in her eyes when the very people she had just saved looked at her like a monster.
Lian gritted his teeth, endured the pain, and continued to clean the red entry.
Half an hour later, both of them were lying on the floor.
They were covered in sweat, panting endlessly.
Lian greedily gasped for air, feeling as if he had just died and come back.
Sophie was completely drained, but she felt as if she had been truly brought back to life.
The moment the entry was completely cleaned, Sophie felt a pleasure she had never experienced before and couldn't help but let out a soft moan.
The same was true for Lian, since their feelings were connected.
It was these two dissonant sounds that plunged the scene into awkwardness.
Sophie's face grew even redder, and Lian immediately explained,
"Miss Sophie, I'm really a decent guy."
"Mm."
'Mm? That's it? You could at least listen to my explanation!'
"Lord Lian, can you get off me now?"
Lian realized his explanation sounded a bit weak, because just moments ago, his legs had given out, and he had collapsed on top of the Miss Witch's delicate body.
He rolled over and lay down beside Sophie.
[Entry Points +1000]
[Item Mall Unlocked]
New Entries—
[One-star Knight](Green) You have firmly set foot on the path of a Knight. Physique +5, Swordsmanship +5, Speed +5, Power +5.
Exchange Cost: 1000 Points.
[Master of Deceit](Green) You possess excellent eloquence, able to persuade others to foot the bill for your schemes. Reduces the probability of being caught after absconding with the funds by 10%.
Exchange Cost: 1000 Points.
[One-star Assassin](Green) You have firmly set foot on the path of an Assassin. Physique +2, Assassination Techniques +8, Speed +8, Power +2.
Exchange Cost: 1000 Points.
The sudden notification sound in his ears revitalized Lian's flagging spirits.
'The torment I just went through wasn't for nothing!'
Considering that the ability to use [Cleaning Entry] was proportional to his Physique, he decisively chose [One-star Knight], the well-rounded warrior option.
The overly specialized [Assassin] would be his backup choice, something to exchange for next time if he had enough Points.
As for the second entry, Lian felt it was most likely just filler.
'I have impeccable morals. When have I ever deceived anyone?'
Lian completed the exchange and immediately felt the weakness in his body ease.
Probably because of the increase in his Physique, he felt like he was good to go again.
'I could even take on another Miss Witch.'
'Hm, better not.'
Lian had no desire to experience that pain again anytime soon.
[New Entry Acquired: One-star Knight]
[Current Physique 6 (1+5), Swordsmanship 5 (0+5), Speed 6 (1+5), Power 6 (1+5)]
[You have set foot on the path of a Knight and become a rookie among them. You can barely defeat a squad of less than 10 lightly-armored Guards. If there are more than 10, you should consider running.]
"Thank you, Lord Lian."
Sophie's eyes reddened slightly; it was the joy of being reborn.
"I swear my Loyalty to you. From this day forward, I am the blade in your hand, ready to be aimed wherever you wish."
Sophie wanted to kneel and swear her oath, but her legs were too weak, so she could only remain lying down.
"Sophie, remember to keep this a secret for me. This cannot be told to anyone."
"Okay."
Lian noticed that the description of Sophie's entries had changed.
Not only had the [Bordering on Loss of Control] entry disappeared, but a new one, [Unyielding Loyalty], had been added.
[Unyielding Loyalty]From this day forward, she will be absolutely loyal to you and will never betray you.
When Anna and Annie entered the conference room with food, they happened to see the two of them lying on the floor.
Combined with the heavy breathing and their sweaty, disheveled appearances, it was hard not to get the wrong idea.
"Lord, did we come at a bad time?"
A thoughtful Anna asked.
"No, your timing is perfect. I'm in desperate need of some energy."
Lian helped Sophie to her feet, his own legs still trembling slightly.
"Sophie, eat with us."
Sophie gave a slight nod.
Anna and Annie exchanged a look.
They had been undercover in the Lord's Mansion for years and had never once seen the Ice Witch Sophie dine with anyone.
'Could she have been conquered in just half an hour?'
To the two Maids' astonishment, Lian and Sophie enjoyed a sumptuous dinner together.
After the meal, Sophie picked up the Collar, bracelet, and shackle that had fallen on the floor, intending to put them back on.
"Sophie, what are you doing?"
Lian asked.
"I..."
Sophie trailed off, hesitating.
Lian understood she was trying to keep his secret by wearing these things as a disguise.
"You don't have to wear these anymore. The fact that you had the [Bordering on Loss of Control] entry was just a lie you and your father concocted. We don't need that lie anymore. You won't be losing control anytime soon, right?"
'Since Moria left me to take the fall for the entire Green Shade Territory, it's fine if he takes the fall for this little thing, right?'
'His dear father probably fled Green Shade Territory long ago to seek refuge with other relatives. He won't be getting news from here anytime soon. And even if he did, he wouldn't dare come back to check.'
'There are probably quite a few people who want to assassinate him.'
"Yes."
Sophie put down the bracelet and shackle. She picked up the Collar, hesitated for a second, then placed it around her neck.
"You don't need the Collar either."
Lian said, "You're my partner, not my slave."
Anna's and Annie's eyes lit up as they savored his words.
"It's against the rules."
Sophie said, but still put the Collar on.
She trusted Lian.
"Lord Lian, even if you are not afraid, other people will be. If the Ice Witch Sophie appears anywhere without her special Collar, she will cause a panic."
Anna reminded him.
"Unless you plan to hide her in your bedroom forever."
Annie added.
Lian narrowed his eyes, looking at the two identical Maids who finished each other's sentences.
"You two aren't letting your imaginations run wild with any strange ideas, are you?"