Chapter 535 Fiery Rose (2/2)
Emily was somewhat surprised after meeting this 'Miss Seren' as she had never expected her to be this beautiful. Although Emily knew that she wasn't an outstanding beauty herself, she was still confident in her own appearance. But, after meeting 'Miss Seren' and her two maids, Emily felt that she was no different from a village farmer and had lowered her humility… This was an inevitable competition between females and she wasn't too mindful about that. Instead, she became more and more curious. Wasn't a beautiful lady like her bringing two pretty maids along afraid of facing any troubles? Emily had often heard of merchants complaining about bandits around the mountainous regions, other cunning merchants, and those notorious places that put risks to their lives and possessions. Even if merchants hired mercenaries, they would worry about the mercenaries turning into traitors after accepting a bribe… Although merchants could be considered one of the more indispensable classes on this continent, they had to worry about many problems with their innate weak strength unless they were merchants of large Trade Associations who could afford to hire private bodyguards.
It seemed like this young lady from the Country of Light wasn't such a person. There weren't any bodyguards except for the two pretty maids. Weren't they afraid that they would get robbed? What would they do if they were robbed or eyed by evildoer who harbored malicious intentions?
Emily led Rhode's group with these thoughts clouding her mind. She would turn around and ask curiously while Rhode responded with his usual gentle smile. It wasn't difficult for Rhode to answer Emily's strange and bizarre questions since he had experiences in dealing with trades in the game. Emily was full of praises as she listened to Rhode's depiction of exotic stories.
”Wow… I didn't know that such places existed…” A glint of curiosity and expectation flashed in the red-haired young lady's eyes. At this moment, she stopped along the corridor, opened the door before her, and beckoned for Rhode's group. ”This will be your room.”
Rhode entered the luxuriously decorated room that was apparently prepared with utmost care. He nodded in satisfaction and turned toward Emily with a smile. ”Thank you so much for your hospitality, Miss Emily. Frankly speaking, I have somewhat suspected the environment in this town. But it seems that it was only my prejudice. I think we will have a great and pleasant business transaction.”
”I hope so too, Miss Seren. Father would surely be thrilled if he had heard these words from you.” Emily narrowed her eyes delightfully and she looked at Rhode in uncertainty as though she was reminded of something unpleasant. ”Erm… Miss Seren, perhaps this request may sound rude, but… can we have tea together after dinner? I am very curious about your traveling stories and if it is possible…”
”Sure, Miss Emily,” Rhode nodded warmly.
Everything had gone according to plan. It seemed that Emily was interested in him and if he could seize this chance to get along with her even further, it would surely be helpful for the plans tomorrow. By then, Rhode would enter the mine in the name of inspecting the purity of the silver ores. If everything went on smoothly, he would easily arrive at his destination with Emily's company.
”Ah…” Emily grinned from ear to ear like a blooming flower in spring. She bowed excitedly to Rhode and scampered off after closing the door. At this moment, the trio heaved sighs of relief simultaneously. It was unusual for them to experience such a situation.
”How disgusting, Master.” Celestina plunged onto the chair and curled her lips into a mocking smile. ”A man dressed up as a woman and even speaks to another woman so affectionately… This is unbearable. I would be full of goosebumps if it were me.”
”Oh?” The corner of Rhode's mouth twitched and he turned around. ”I'm surprised to hear these words from you, Celestina. Aren't you Demons the best at double-crossing disguises?”
”I wouldn't be shameless enough to do that.”
This remark of hers immediately offended 95% of the Demons in the seven floors of hell. She lifted her chin proudly and snorted. ”That is why I can never understand, Master. You degrade yourself in this neither manly nor feminine appearance just for the sake of accomplishing a mission? Did that Angel chick really attract you that much that you needed to humiliate yourself just to win her favor? Although this is your freedom, I feel that this is really…”
”Big Sister,” Celia puckered her brows and interrupted. Celia was also curious as to why Rhode would take it this far, especially after the conversation they had after the Grosso massacre where she realized that Rhode had a strong desire in gaining victory. Although Celia couldn't figure out why Rhode revealed such emotions, she felt that Celestina shouldn't have ridiculed him. What if she infuriated him?
”Everything is for the sake of victory,” Rhode simply smiled in response. He sat down, shut his eyes, and crossed his arms together. At this moment, his voice returned to its initial deep and aloof tone. The calm, tender smile across his face faded like leaves that were swept away by the autumn wind, as though it were a total disguise.
In fact, that was a disguise.
”Perhaps you could never understand, Celestina. The thing that you regard as important has no value to me. I don't need honor and dignity because I wasn't born that way. Position, strength, and glory—the premise for these is obtaining victory. Without victory, there can be no pride. Losers will be mocked and I lack the qualifications to be a loser.”
”…”
Celestina's fingers twitched slightly. She widened her eyes, exchanged looks with Celia, and each saw a similar doubt. They couldn't understand what Rhode meant. It would be easier to understand if he said that he lacked the qualifications to be a victor. But what did he mean when he said that he lacked the qualifications to be a loser? Did one even need qualifications to become a loser?