Although magic was the mainstream in this world, a small number of martial arts experts did exist.
They might not be able to reshape the terrain with a wave of their hands like High-tier mages, but in close-quarters combat, their speed and strength often reached levels that left mages of the same rank utterly dumbfounded.
And in this world, Greg only knew of one person who could unleash a sword aura like the one just now.
“Allie, I knew it had to be you! I was just planning to look for you.”
The moment he rushed into the alley, Greg immediately spotted the familiar figure illuminated by the slanting rays of the setting sun.
She stood deep in the alley, half of her body bathed in golden light, while the other half was hidden in the shadows cast by the wall.
She was a beautiful girl with dark gold hair.
Her long hair was tied into a neat, high ponytail, exposing her slender, fair neck.
A few strands of hair fell along her cheeks, glowing with a soft luster under the setting sun, and she held a longsword that she had just sheathed.
Judging by the dress she was wearing, she was likely just out for a walk.
She had probably only drawn her sword to help because she happened to hear the commotion and saw Greg when she came over to investigate.
Otherwise, knowing her personality, she would have most likely walked away, minding her own business.
Greg expected to be greeted with a barrage of sharp-tongued remarks first, but to his surprise, Allie only let out a cold snort, turned her head, and marched deeper into the alley.
She walked briskly, with no intention of waiting for him, her ponytail swaying in a sharp, clean arc behind her.
There was only one explanation.
Allie was angry.
Greg was stunned for a second, then immediately chased after her.
Although he had no idea what this silly maid was angry about this time, he knew very well that if he didn't soothe her temper now, his subsequent plans would never go smoothly.
After all, he was still counting on her to be his main fighter for conquering the Empire Dungeon.
“Oi, Allie!”
Greg caught up quickly and walked side by side with her, turning his head to observe her expressionless profile.
“You look like you're in a bad mood. It's a waste of such a pretty face.”
Allie didn't look at him, only snorting coldly again as she turned her head to the other side.
Refusing to give up, Greg circled around to her other side and continued:
“It's still early. How about I treat you to a nice meal, just the two of us? You can have whatever you want! Barbecue? Seafood? Or maybe that dessert shop you said you wanted to try before?”
“Hmph!”
Allie's response was still just that cold snort, and she didn't even lift her eyelids.
Greg: “...”
Two rejections, and he hadn't gained any useful information.
Ordinarily, with his personality, he would have probably given up and waited for her to cool down.
But he couldn't do that this time. Since the next dungeon conquest depended heavily on this powerful ally, he had to resolve the issue today.
Thus, he decided to use his ultimate move.
Greg took a moment to build up his emotions, then reached out and grabbed Allie's wrist. His voice softened, carrying a rare sincerity:
“I'm sorry, Allie. I know I messed up. I promise I won't do it again next time.”
This was the final trump card a man would play when left with no other choice.
Even if he didn't know what she was mad about, he would admit fault first to break the ice and start a conversation.
Hearing this, Allie indeed stopped in her tracks.
She turned her head, her eyes coldly staring at Greg, though her expression didn't soften much.
The corner of her mouth curved into a mocking arc, her voice dripping with sarcasm:
“Hmph. How could a person as clever as you make a mistake, Young Master Greg? The one at fault must be me, a mere maid whose cooking you can't even stomach.”
Greg immediately protested:
“Who said your cooking is bad! I think... the food you make is actually really delicious! Besides, compared to your intelligence, mine is like a tiny firefly trying to compete with the bright moon! So I am definitely the one at fault! You did absolutely nothing wrong, Allie!”
Allie's eyebrow twitched slightly, but her expression remained mostly unchanged.
She stared at Greg, remaining silent for a moment before she slowly spoke, a hint of suppressed anger in her voice:
“Since you know you were wrong, why were you still hanging out with that woman? And looking like you're rekindling an old flame, no less?”
“That woman...?”
Greg was taken aback for a moment, but he quickly realized that 'that woman' Allie was referring to had to be Vivian.
But he remembered that Allie and Vivian should have known each other for a long time. After all, as the personal maid who had been by his side since childhood, there was no way Allie wouldn't recognize the blue-haired girl who had once been betrothed to him.
Because of this, he had ultimately agreed to walk the streets with Vivian, believing that even if the two of them crossed paths, it wouldn't be a big deal.
But now, looking at Allie's expression, which clearly suppressed a deep rage, he suddenly realized that things were not as simple as he had imagined.
Allie seemed to detest Vivian even more than she did Victoria and the others.
Why on earth was that—
...
A few drops of cold sweat broke out on Greg's forehead.
He suddenly had an inkling.
He only just remembered that three years ago, when his engagement was called off, Allie had single-handedly marched into the royal capital to vent her anger on his behalf, causing quite a stir.
Back then, she had truly felt indignant for him and genuinely wanted to get justice on his behalf.
So, from her perspective, seeing him today standing shoulder-to-shoulder in battle with Vivian, looking as if they were rekindling an old flame, would naturally make her incredibly upset.
After all, during that whole engagement annulment fiasco, even though he himself had been an absolute scumbag, she had stood by his side with absolute loyalty.
However, Greg noticed the most critical detail—the premise of Allie's anger right now was that he and Vivian had rekindled their old flame.
But in reality, he hadn't rekindled any old flame with Vivian at all!
Although he had successfully helped the sisters, Vivian and Lilith, resolve their conflict, slightly changing his previously nonexistent relationship with Vivian, Greg didn't think this change was that significant.
At most, they went from being strangers who would never speak again to acquaintances who occasionally exchanged favors.
Walking the streets together today was only because he happened to run into Vivian, and she probably just wanted to buy something to return a favor.
This was nowhere near the level of rekindling an old flame!
Rate on N.U.
