Read Novel Full Chapter 206: Task Three
Chapter 206: Task Three
A burst of relief— so strong that it makes my legs feel weak. This is possibly the closest feeling to an orgasm I’ve ever had.
“That worker made the most expensive mistake of their— Eieegh!”
I pick up Evelyn, with my hands under her butt, and spin her around in joy.
Wohoo! I did not destroy the painting! They won’t make me pay for it!
“Haha, wait, I am getting dizzy!” Evelyn protests with a laugh, and I put her down.
“What happened to you? You seemed down a second ago, and now you look as if you’ve won a lottery. Do you hate art that much?”
Hate art? Oh, she thinks I am celebrating because the painting got destroyed.
“No, I love it,” I tell her while pinching her cheeks. “But I love you more, and I don’t want to see you so sad. Did I cheer you up a bit?”
Evelyn beams.
“Yeah. Just a little,” she says playfully. “But if you really want me to cheer up, go on a date with me. I was really looking forward to today.”
“Sure,” I answer at once. “Let me plan for it, though. I think I have a place in mind that would serve a somewhat similar purpose as the museum!”
“Really? That would be the best! I cannot wait!” She hugs me again.
[And what is that place?]
Hehe.
“Anyway, sorry, I seem to have… eh… disturbed you.”
Evelyn glances to the side, towards the bed. Nina is lying there with her back turned against us, wrapped in a blanket. Usually when she sleeps, her wings are tightly folded against her body in a comfortable position. And because of that, from here, she looks just like a normal girl, not a harpy.
Otherwise, I am sure Evelyn would’ve recognized her immediately.
“No, you didn’t disturb me. It’s okay,” I assure her.
It’s not like I want to hide Nina’s identity from her—or any of my women, as a matter of fact—but I am not in the mood to give a follow-up explanation about how she got here and everything.
I will do a proper introduction after the egg is found.
“Well then, hit me up when you’re ready to take me on the date!” Evelyn says excitedly.
“For sure.”
We share a final kiss before Evelyn leaves. As I close the door, a wave of fatigue hits me. The lack of sleep is finally catching up.
{Master, if I may say something…}
What’s up, Black?
{I don’t think we should rest easy just yet. You may not have destroyed the painting, and that saves you from immediate trouble, but you also couldn’t steal it. The thief, Saria, may not appreciate it.}
Yeah, I know. Saria, or whosoever the thief is, definitely won’t appreciate it… But it’s not like I could’ve done anything about it. I tried my best, but the situation was out of my hands.
So, I will worry about that when I have to…
*Ring* *Ring* *Ring*
… and I guess the time for it is right now. Fuck.
I check who’s calling. And of course, it’s a new unknown number. I guess a simple text message won’t do it this time; the situation warrants a phone call.
“Speak,” I say rudely, picking up the call.
…
“… You failed the second task.”
Again, the hoarse and unrecognizable voice answers back.
“Yeah, but it’s not my fault,” I tell them defiantly. “The painting got burnt down before I could do anything. It’s the fault of the museum staff. You probably saw the news, too.”
“No excuses. A failure is a failure,” they say calmly.
“Yeah? Do you tell yourself the same thing when you keep failing against Ilyrana? Maybe you will become less of a loser if you turn off that fuck-ass voice filter, Saria,” I say angrily.
Obviously, I don’t expect the person to actually turn off the filter (or whatever it is). I just want to see their reaction if I rile them up. Wouldn’t Saria become a little enraged?
“And the punishment for failure is the destruction of the Harpy’s egg.” It doesn’t work. The person continues speaking calmly, totally ignoring what I just said. “But I am benevolent, and I believe in second chances. If you succeed in the next task, I shall forgive you.”
“How many of these tasks are you going to make me do!?” I ask, my temper rising for real this time. “Because my time and patience are running low.”
“As many as I want… but if you are lucky, this may be the last one,” the person replies ambiguously. “Now, check your pocket.”
…
I use my shoulder to keep the phone next to my ear, and check both of my pockets at the same time. In the left one, I find something solid— a small and plain metallic ball.
Since when did I have this!? It was right next to my SIS (system information stone), so I didn’t even feel its presence.
“Keep this ball with you, and go to the top floor of the academy. Same time limit. That’s your third task,” the person tells me.
…
“… and what do I have to do after that?” I ask, confused.
*Beep*
The person hangs up without answering.
That’s it? What kind of task is that?
I look at the metallic ball closely, squeezing it between my hands, and even tapping it against the wall— finding nothing extraordinary about it.
These tasks are getting weirder and weirder. The first one, I get it— it was to hurt Ilyrana. The second one was maybe for financial gain…? That painting was priceless, after all. But this third task? I don’t have the remotest idea as to what this would achieve.
And honestly… that’s what makes it scarier.
[I feel the same way, buddy. You need to think about this one. What could this be about? Because I bet it can’t be as simple as it sounds.]
I know, but there isn’t much to go on either.
{If I may suggest something, master. Why don’t you get someone’s opinion on it? Someone who has experience with criminals, their activities, and their motives.}
I’ve been warned against that, Black. The thief said they will know if I tell the guards.
{You don’t have to tell the Elven guards. You have someone close to you who is in a similar profession.}
… Anna?
{Yes, and even with her, you can just get her opinion in an indirect way. You don’t have to tell her the whole situation.}
You might be on to something. I will have to do the task regardless of what ends up happening, but it’s better if I can know what I might be getting myself into.
…
…
…
I take a quick, much-needed nap, and freshen up before leaving my room. I don’t have to go running around the town this time. Anna’s room is just a few steps away.
If I remember correctly, she’s been sharing her room with Debbie. But I hope she is alone in there right now.
*Knock* *Knock*
“Who’s there?” Anna’s voice comes, sounding as imperious as always. I hear footsteps next, and the door opens.
“Oh… you.”
To my surprise, the moment Anna sees me, her expression turns cold. She instantly turns around and walks back inside the room without saying anything.
What? I was at least expecting a hug, if not a kiss.
Confused, I follow her inside and close the door, finding her sitting on a chair, facing away from me. Thankfully, Debbie isn’t here.
“Is there something wrong, Anna?” I ask, moving around her so that she faces me.
But she promptly turns her head in the opposite direction.
…
I keep trying to talk to her for a few minutes, wondering why she’s acting like this, but to no avail. She simply won’t respond.
Finally, I give up and resort to desperate measures.
Pink, activate beast’s mind read!
[On it!]