"Elaphia is an advisor I specifically hired. I will ask her to assist you. She is much more reliable than those clerics in the city. You can ask her about many things. And just as I trust the hero's abilities, I also trust her character."
The Duchess invited Elaphia to a seat, filling a glass of wine for her and herself.
Patunasankus felt that Elaphia gave her a very familiar feeling, as if she had seen her not long ago.
But she could never match the other's face with anyone in her memory.
Since she couldn't remember, it meant the person wasn't important, so there was no need to dwell on it.
After all, the evil dragon forgot thousands of things every day, so she might as well forget this too.
"Well, back to the point," the Duchess straightened her back, staring into Loranhir's eyes. "Will you do it, or not?"
Loranhir remained silent, but the Duchess didn't press her, and so a good while passed.
Patunasankus knew very well that, given Loranhir's nature, she would certainly refuse, then drag her away from this place without looking back.
But the evil dragon didn't want to leave so quickly. She hadn't had enough fun yet.
Patunasankus thought for a moment, gradually formulating a plan in her mind.
The evil dragon obviously didn't have any innate ability to love people, but that didn't prevent her from imitating it.
Then, Patunasankus lowered her head and closed her eyes tightly.
"Uhuu hic... Evelyn..." she softly spoke the name, her tone becoming sorrowful. She looked at Loranhir with a weak, helpless, and yearning gaze.
"I think she must be in so much pain. She was my best friend, but now she has become so ugly."
"Great Hero, can we help her, please?"
Seeing that touching, pitiful appearance, even Duchess Pascal was momentarily stunned, then likewise revealed a painful expression, giving a strong sense of mutual understanding.
Loranhir fell silent, a strong sense of guilt arose spontaneously. She didn't know which of her nerves had misfired, or if she simply had a death wish, but her throat seemed to disobey her and uttered a single word.
"...Agreed."
She wished she could take it back immediately, but it was obviously too late.
"Loranhir." The Duchess called the hero's name for the first time. She stood up, taking a heavy money pouch from an attendant's hand, placing it in Loranhir's hands before she could react.
"I trust you," she said. "I know how strong your abilities are. I've heard about the aftereffects of your battle outside the city. I'm certain no one is more suitable than you. This is an advance payment. As long as you can save my daughter, I'll do anything."
Loranhir weighed the heavy money pouch, while beneath her calm exterior was a heart that wanted to cry but had no tears.
She should have just refused directly, why did she have to be stubborn and say "agreed"!
Now she truly couldn't escape even if she wanted to.
Seeing that things were developing according to her wishes, Patunasankus nodded with satisfaction. Whether it was the joy built on the hero's suffering or some other reason.
In any case, her mood suddenly became very good.
"I knew you were the best."
Patunasankus hugged Loranhir, smiling sweetly, revealing a pair of lovely dimples.
Her smile seemed very infectious, making Loranhir's face flush slightly red, momentarily almost forgetting what predicament she had fallen into.
The Duchess was also pleased.
Only Elaphia at the side remained silent.
She had been pondering how to get the invincible hero away from the princess.
Elaphia glanced at the princess, who was smiling very happily.
Such a naive sweetheart...
Should be easy to deal with?
Just as the four people in the room were each harboring their own schemes, a fierce argument erupted outside the Duchess's mansion.
"Everyone, this is private property. You cannot barge in," Butler Craig said.
Patunasankus looked out the window. There was a private armed force, led by a fully armored knight whose head was wrapped in a full-face helmet like a can. Beside him was a war cleric wearing chain mail, with a skull-sized iron hammer at his waist.
"Holy knights and war clerics from the Layang Empire?" Patunasankus muttered in surprise.
The evil dragon couldn't possibly be mistaken.
Because both men bore the sword and rose emblem unique to the Layang Empire. The evil dragon had seen this badge countless times before; adventure groups that came to raid her lair often included such upright fellows.
Of course, they all ended up as charcoal.
"They're adventurers hired by the Church of the Eternal Flame. Recently, they've been gathering forces. They believe Evelyn is a monster through and through and want to kill the ferocious beast… kill my daughter," the Duchess explained. "But I believe Evelyn wouldn't kill people. After all this time, not a single victim's body has been found. She must have some purpose for kidnapping so many young women..."
"Of course, if Evelyn really did this." The Duchess turned around, something flashing in her eyes. "Kill it."
Loranhir instinctively gripped the holy sword in her hand.
Ugh, she couldn't draw it out.