Chapter 44: A Dangerous Request and a Softened Heart

Despite her disappointment, Eve shook her head gravely after hearing Xiluo’er’s question.

“No, Xiluo’er,” she declared.

“I’m sorry, but I can’t agree to this.”

Xiluo’er, nestled in Eve’s arms, paused, stunned. She had not anticipated Eve’s refusal would be so swift and absolute, leaving no room for her to even begin her usual antics.

After all, Eve always maintained a clear distinction between personal and professional matters. A commission was a commission, and regardless of anything else, venturing outside the city to encircle and suppress demonic beasts was simply too perilous for Xiluo’er.

However, Xiluo’er saw things differently. If she couldn’t participate in the autumn encirclement, all the plans she had meticulously prepared would be stillborn.

Feeling Eve still drying her hair from behind, Xiluo’er knew she needed to quickly devise a compelling reason to persuade Eve. Otherwise, she would lose her chance.

After a moment of silence, Xiluo’er pitifully raised her small head. She carefully composed her tone, then uttered a single, dry word:

“Why?”

Seeing Xiluo’er’s utterly pathetic expression, Eve’s heart softened instantly. She stroked Xiluo’er’s head and explained in a gentle voice:

“It’s mainly because it’s too dangerous, Xiluo’er.”

“While Lord Serol’s preparations are always meticulous, it’s still a demonic beast encirclement. If anything were to go wrong, my heart would ache terribly.”

As expected, Xiluo’er knew Eve would use this very reason to reject her.

It made sense; even if Eve didn’t suspect Xiluo’er had ulterior motives, a normal person wouldn’t allow a child like her to participate in such a perilous activity.

“Can I just stay by your side, Big Sister Eve? I promise I won’t run off.”

“That’s still not allowed, Xiluo’er. Who knows what might happen then, right?”

“But…”

Xiluo’er was momentarily at a loss for words. Eve’s stance was far more resolute than she had imagined.

Noticing the anxious look on Xiluo’er’s small face, Eve paused, then softened her tone as she asked, “Xiluo’er, why are you so eager to go along?”

“Because…”

Xiluo’er blinked, a sudden flash of inspiration striking her.

“Because I want to see the forest. Big Sister Eve has been so busy lately, and I’m a little bored staying in the city alone…”

Xiluo’er chose to employ another major tactic children use to plead their case: strategically playing the victim.

“And Big Sister Eve is always away; I want to spend more time with you.”

As Xiluo’er spoke, she secretly lifted her head to observe Eve’s expression… though there wasn’t much to observe on that emotionless face.

Watching Xiluo’er’s cautious demeanor, Eve felt her heart struck by something soft and warm.

It made sense, though. She had indeed been busy with commissions lately, leaving little time to spend with Xiluo’er.

While unavoidable, given that she had been temporarily assigned to Kana City by the Guild Master and handling these commissions was her duty, she realized she had indeed overlooked Xiluo’er’s feelings.

A child Xiluo’er’s age, left unattended for extended periods, would certainly feel lonely.

Ah, so that’s why Xiluo’er had recently made such strange “friends.”

With this thought, Eve reassuringly patted Xiluo’er’s shoulder.

“I’m sorry, Xiluo’er. I have been a bit busy lately. I promise you, once I’m done with the autumn encirclement, I’ll spend plenty of time with you, alright?”

Though Eve still hadn’t agreed to her request, Xiluo’er keenly detected the concession in her words.

There was hope!

“The autumn encirclement won’t take much time. Once I’m done with this…”

Eve’s words were cut short as Xiluo’er suddenly turned and grasped her hand.

Since there was hope, she should intensify her offensive and expand her advantage!

Xiluo’er unleashed her skill, pressing the attack.

Clutching one of Eve’s hands, Xiluo’er gently swayed it from side to side.

“Please, Big Sister Eve, just this once, can you say yes?”

Although she had planned to use a pouting tactic before coming, when Xiluo’er actually tried it… she felt a bit shy.

Oh, sigh, indeed, pouting was far too embarrassing.

Not daring to look up at Eve’s expression again, Xiluo’er lowered her head, her small face flushed.

However, in Eve’s eyes, this demeanor took on a different meaning.

‘This child seems afraid to look at me.’

Eve recalled that Xiluo’er had always been a rather timid child. Ever since Eve had taken her in, she had never asked for anything.

‘After all, she’s a child who has experienced war…’

Thinking this, Eve found herself in a dilemma.

It seemed Xiluo’er truly wanted to go this time, but there genuinely might be danger…

“Big Sister Eve.”

Xiluo’er’s words interrupted Eve’s thoughts.

Looking down, Eve saw the immense longing in Xiluo’er’s large purple eyes as she blinked up at her.

“Please, Big Sister Eve, I’ll agree to anything you want.”

With a “gulp,” Eve instinctively swallowed. Xiluo’er’s appearance at that moment was indeed quite devastating.

Because both of Xiluo’er’s hands were holding and shaking Eve’s arm, the bath towel draped over her body had no secure fastening. This caused the fabric to loosen and slide down, revealing a glimpse of what lay beneath the material previously folded across her chest.

Moreover, as Xiluo’er continued to sway her body, this alluring sight seemed to be on the verge of expanding further.

Watching the incredibly tempting Xiluo’er stare at her so pitifully, uttering such seductive words as “I’ll agree to anything you want,” Eve admitted that her rationality had gone offline. Something else entirely had gained the upper hand at that moment.

‘You just said you’d agree to anything, right…’

The profound vortex in Eve’s eyes had just begun to gather, only to be forcibly suppressed by her.

‘Cough, cough, not quite. It’s not the right time yet.’

However, Eve no longer resisted. Instead, she sighed and agreed to Xiluo’er’s condition.

“Alright, then Xiluo’er can come along after all.”

“But you must promise me that you won’t leave my side, understood?”

The pleading plan was a huge success!

“Yay!”

Xiluo’er happily jumped up, and at that moment, her bath towel finally met its Waterloo. Startled, Xiluo’er quickly bent down to pick up the towel and re-drape it around herself.

Watching the scene unfold before her, Eve coughed rather unnaturally.

“Oh, right, Xiluo’er, you just said you’d agree to anything, didn’t you?”

“Yes, I did. What’s wrong, Big Sister Eve?”

Xiluo’er blinked. While she had indeed said that, wasn’t it just a common phrase used when pouting? Was there a problem?

‘Could Eve actually be planning to make her do something?’