Bouncy

Looking at Vespa’s constipated expression, Leon could more or less guess what she was agonizing over.

Though this cat seemed careless on the surface, she was quite a stickler for rules deep down.

Her conflicted look was so intense that her tail was practically tied in an ornamental knot behind her.

Unfortunately, reality was what it was; the rules of the system were an invisible mountain.

Since the note said the 'old geezer' wouldn't be back for three days, then as an 'outsourced' worker who hadn't been formalized, she would be derelict in her duty if she shamelessly followed the 'golden thigh' in front of her without an official document or transfer order. On a small scale, it was leaving her post; on a large scale, it was a protocol violation that would result in a disciplinary mark on her record.

She wanted to ask Leon to stay, but feared delaying the 'Imperial Envoy’s' world-shaking business.

She didn't want to speak up, but she truly couldn't bear to let go of this golden thigh she had finally managed to grab—one that could carry her to new heights.

Of course, Leon didn't know the specifics of these 'workplace hardships.'

He was simply wondering in his heart:

Is the Thieves' Guild management really this strict nowadays?

Is this a criminal underworld or a militarized organization?

However, adhering to the good habit of 'respecting what I don't understand,' Leon looked at Vespa, who was about to pluck her tail bald, and considered the situation for a moment.

"Alright, stop braiding your tail into a knot over there."

Leon couldn't watch any longer and took the initiative to bail her out:

"As it happens, I have some business to attend to in the city over the next few days."

He counted them off on his fingers:

"Gathering intelligence, going to the Mage Guild for rank certification, and figuring out a way to make some quick cash... Three days should be just about enough."

"Really?!"

Vespa’s eyes lit up instantly. Her tangled tail snapped straight and then began to wag happily.

"That’s great! I knew you were the most considerate person, My Lord! You’re practically a walking human space heater!"

...

Afterward, the group took a simple stroll nearby to confirm the locations of several key shops. As the sky grew dark, they checked into an inn.

Leon’s movements were skilled and fluid as he set up his defenses; clearly, this wasn't the first time he had done such a thing.

"As expected of My Lord! So professional!"

Vespa immediately gave a thumbs-up, flattering him with a fawning expression.

To be this cautious even inside the city—no wonder people can become official employees and live off the government! This level of awareness is just different from us temporary workers!

"Thank you... thank you for looking after us, My Lord."

Beside her, A-Ling also lowered her head and spoke in a small voice.

She seemed to want to follow her sister Vespa’s lead in sucking up to Leon, but her personality was naturally cold, and she wasn't good with words.

To express her gratitude for Leon specifically staying for three days on their account, she subconsciously tried to make her voice sound softer.

Thus, this normally frost-cold beauty deliberately constricted her throat, squeezing out a voice that was extremely stiff yet possessed an explosive contrast in its cutesy tone:

"Um... sorry for being a bother..."

"Ho?"

Leon raised an eyebrow. Looking at this ice-cold beauty who was blushing furiously while trying to act cute, he found it quite enjoyable.

"That voice is much better. Speak like that more often in the future; don't be as cold as an ice block all day."

"..."

Praised by Leon, A-Ling’s face instantly turned red down to her ears.

She subconsciously moved to bow.

As she leaned forward slightly, those staggering curves wrapped in tight leather armor underwent a violent, dizzying oscillation under the force of gravity, like jelly.

'Boing~'

It was as if some sort of springy sound effect echoed in the air.

Leon’s eyes were almost instinctively and uncontrollably sucked toward that surging scene. His gaze lingered in that bottomless abyss for a full 0.5 seconds before he used immense willpower to reluctantly look away, silently chanting 'Infinite Heavens' in his heart.

All of this was witnessed by Lucrezia, who was sitting by the bed.

Crack.

The wooden spoon in the girl’s hand was nearly snapped in half.

She stared death at Leon’s wandering eyes, then glared viciously at that 'shameless' bovine beauty who was shaking her chest and deliberately using a cutesy voice.

Vulgar! Shameless! Indecent!

That bovine beauty is definitely doing it on purpose!

Claiming she doesn't know how to speak... she’s clearly just seducing this peon!

And this damn peon!

Usually, he acts like a refined gentleman, but his eyeballs were about to fall into her lap!

Lucrezia was fuming with rage, but she couldn't easily lash out. She could only grind her teeth in secret, making a harsh note of these two 'vixens' in her little mental notebook.

...

After A-Ling and Vespa left.

Only Leon and Lucrezia remained in the room.

Lucrezia sat on the edge of the bed, her hands propping her up as she watched Leon perform the final touches.

As a top student of the Arcanum Public Occult Academy, she naturally knew quality when she saw it.

This kind of fine micro-manipulation—the distribution and concealment of 【Mana Threads】—was something even the Chief Mage Guard in the royal palace probably couldn't pull off with such effortless grace.

If she were still the princess in the greenhouse, she might have mocked this as unnecessary paranoia.

But after experiencing betrayal and pursuit along the way and seeing the wickedness of the human heart, she understood the value of this 'caution' better than anyone.

"Hmph... you, what exactly did you go through in the past?"

Lucrezia swung her dangling legs and looked away, muttering in a tone that seemed nonchalant but carried a hint of inquiry:

"Setting up layer after layer of defenses just to stay in an inn..."

Though she complained about him, her tense shoulders quietly relaxed the moment Leon finished laying the final thread.

If he hadn't done this, she probably wouldn't have dared to close her eyes tonight.

This guy... though his personality is foul, his mouth is poisonous, and he's both lecherous and greedy, when it comes to providing a sense of security, he really is... hard to hate.

However...

When she thought about how this guy had actually acted like a perfect gentleman while she was bathing earlier—not even peeking once!

Even his breathing rate hadn't faltered!

Yet when facing that bovine beauty just now, his gaze was so direct!

The sharp contrast made Lucrezia angrier the more she thought about it, and the more defeated she felt.

Is this princess really that lacking in charm?

She looked down at her own chest, which was delicate but admittedly flat, then thought of A-Ling’s exaggerated jiggling just now.

That Vespa might be a cat, but her figure was certainly supple...

And that A-Ling went without saying; she was just a shameless cow!

No! If this continues, this peon will eventually be lured away by those vixens!

He is my blade!

The hope for my kingdom’s restoration!

I absolutely cannot let anyone else have him!

An unprecedented sense of crisis and competitive spirit completely ignited the girl’s tsundere and chuunibyou heart at this moment.

Since conventional methods won't work, then I'll have to use the strong medicine.

Lucrezia looked at Leon’s back, a flash of determination and cunning crossing her red eyes.

'Hmph, peon, since you like to watch... then this princess will let you see your fill!'

'I must give you some sweetness and hook you like a prize trout!'

'I'll let you know... who your true master is!'