Westheid knew Hecate had designs on him. The effect of Heart and Soul’s Gift had even appeared, so there was no room for doubt.
For a deeply sinful Qinghui Enchantress, flirting with anyone of value was an instinctual reaction.
So, after a mont’s hesitation, Westheid imdiately wrapped his arm around Hecate and said:
"What’s wrong with ? Is there sothing improper about expanding into the Chaos Domain?"
Miss Witch shook her head, speaking in a dreamlike tone:
"No, I’ve just heard too many grandiose excuses. The people of the Realm of Order are content with the status quo, unwilling to take the slightest risk. They value their own power and interests above all else."
"It’s as if those outside the Realm of Order... aren’t even considered people."
’Well, she’s not wrong.’
’What are mortals without the protection of a Celestial God? Just worthless fodder. They’re just NPCs in the borderlands that respawn every few decades. The major nations don’t even take these people on the fringes into account.’
"It seems the reclamation of Qinghui Territory has given you all so encouragent. This is a great honor."
Westheid smiled, then asked tentatively:
"In that case, it seems there’s a possibility for Qinghui Territory and the Ring of Clear Skies to find common ground. What do you think?"
The Ring of Clear Skies was founded because they couldn’t find help to reclaim their holands, forcing them to beco self-reliant. In truth, the Witches had always wanted to find allies. However, their deep mistrust of the Lands of Order made them extrely cautious in their selection.
’But now that we’ve reclaid Qinghui Territory together, I should be able to gain the Witches’ trust.’
Hecate didn’t answer right away. The charming, voluptuous Witch stood on her tiptoes, her delicate nose touching Westheid’s neck. She nuzzled against him for a while before seeming to co to her senses.
"Ah, my apologies. I couldn’t help myself. This is probably... the price for borrowing the power of the Master of Greedy Banquet."
’An orgy’s a party too, huh?!’
’Let tell you, don’t think I don’t know about the Master of Greedy Banquet! There’s none of this stuff at His banquets!’
’You’re just in heat, plain and simple!’
However, Westheid didn’t call her out on it, just smiled gracefully.
"It’s no matter. This too is the price of power. I understand."
Duke Qinghui repeated his request. Hecate considered it seriously for a mont before replying:
"I will propose it to the council. Given the situation in Qinghui Territory and your sincerity, I imagine quite a few of my sisters will be interested in you."
’Interested is good. Interested is very good!’
’Although Westheid couldn’t rember the personalities and preferences of every Witch on the Ring of Clear Skies’ council, making it difficult to tailor his approach for a specialized conquest...’
’But it doesn’t matter. The Qinghui Enchantress will make his move!’
’Westheid also rembered that the Ring of Clear Skies was full of talent. He had to snag them all, whatever it took!’
"As for myself... Duke Qinghui, I was wondering if your court has any openings for a Courtier?"
Just as Westheid was pondering how to poach talent from the Ring of Clear Skies, Hecate bit her lip and asked.
"A Courtier?"
Westheid was taken aback, not expecting Hecate to make such a request at all.
Miss Witch brushed her vibrant red hair away from her ear. "Yes, Duke Qinghui. Your territory seems to be sorely lacking in experienced Casters. If you intend to continue expanding into the Chaos Domain, High-tier Casters are indispensable."
Nobles with their own lands enjoyed a high degree of autonomy in their domains. Naturally, they would establish courts that functioned as governnt bodies. Besides recruiting ministers from their own territory, they would also have outsiders join their court, serving as guest Courtiers.
The Ring of Clear Skies itself had strategic ambitions, and many of its mbers served as Courtiers in the border territories to exert influence over the Imperial governnt.
Westheid naturally agreed with delight. "Of course, that’s no problem. I just didn’t expect a council Witch from the Ring of Clear Skies to take up the post. Isn’t that sothing an Apprentice would do?"
"Because an Apprentice cannot bear such a heavy responsibility. I had to co myself."
The red-haired Witch bit her lip, panting softly as she spoke:
"Besides, even if you had Liliana and the others serve as Courtiers, they couldn’t really help you, could they, Duke Qinghui? On the contrary, you’d have to tire yourself out guiding them."
Westheid heard the hidden aning in Hecate’s words and chuckled.
"Oh, *that* kind of guidance. It’s not exactly tiring, but it certainly is ti-consuming."
"However, Qinghui Territory is currently rebuilding from scratch, so I may not be able to offer much in terms of compensation... Simple wealth is probably aningless to you, right?"
Hecate pressed a hand to her chest. "As for compensation, I don’t need any as long as I’m fighting Chaos. But frequently using Demon Power has a price. Since this price is being paid to defend Qinghui Territory, I just ask that you help deal with it. In fact... it’s becoming difficult to suppress even now."
Westheid t Miss Witch’s bewitching, demonic eyes and imdiately understood.
’This excuse of yours... Okay, okay, so this is what you were waiting for. ’The price of demonic power’ is just a convenient excuse you can use whenever you need it, is that it?’
Westheid had no choice but to pretend he was being kept in the dark.
So, Duke Qinghui furrowed his brow, pretending to think for a long ti before saying gravely:
"Sigh... there’s no helping it. Helping you research this demonic subject is also my duty."
Thus, Duke Qinghui and Miss Witch silently slipped into a nearby room to conduct a serious, proper, and entirely unambiguous academic discussion.
The topic was the difference between the Holy Spirit Bloodline and the Evil Magic Vein, and the developnt of a close-quarters Fighting Technique applicable to both.
Although Hecate’s Tier was not low and her knowledge was vast, her developnt of the Fighting Technique was less than satisfactory. She was soon crying in sha from her failure, covering her face with her hair.
Without even a mont to mourn for the incompetent Witch, the one to imdiately rush to the battlefield was her lovely and charming Apprentice.
"Ah, Master! I’ve been looking for you for so long. So you were here!"
Seeing her master in distress, Liliana charged forward without hesitation and also joined the discussion of the topic. Should one say that Witches are truly worthy of their profession as rigorous Scholars? They were truly thirsty for knowledge.
However, even her teacher had been defeated by Duke Qinghui; the lovely Witch Apprentice was even less capable. Just after Liliana surrendered, the Lady of the Golden Iris and her daughters appeared from out of nowhere:
"Duke Qinghui, I wonder if this is also part of the banquet?"
Although it was posed as a question, she walked into the room as if she owned the place.
Following closely behind was a certain Half-Elf Maid who was either not self-aware, or perhaps, far too self-aware.
"Duke Qinghui, your rewards for your subordinates are not yet complete."
Seeing this, Duke Qinghui feigned a great rage and bellowed:
"Ha! You think you can bully because I am alone? My sword is not without its sharpness!"
"Co! All of you, co at at once!"
And so, today’s victory banquet gradually took on a different flavor. Duke Qinghui easily crushed the invading enemies who dared to challenge his academic authority.
"First Conquest: The Crouching Dragon Erges!"
"Double Strike: Fad in a Single Battle!"
"Triple Strike: The Whole World Is Stunned!"
"Quadra Strike: Unrivaled Under Heaven!"
"Hahaha, all of you, fall before ! FALL BEFORE , YAH!!"
"........"
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