Chapter 266 Aren’t you glad to see me?

Unfortunately for Adam himself, because of the third wheel, he and Lina could not spend time “talking,” so they were left with either reading books or chatting. Adam and Lina preferred chatting, but Richard read books.

“I wonder what Clinton City looks like now… I haven’t been there in a long time!” Lin said excitedly with a smile.

“Well… I wasn’t impressed by anything there. It’s a pretty ordinary city,” Adam modestly replied, not understanding Lina’s reaction, he added: “The capital is much cooler in every way. I’ve heard that everything there is done in the best way and crime is extremely low. Plus, most businesses are concentrated in the capital.”

“W-well… you’re comparing two incomparable things. Of course, everything is cooler in the capital, it’s the capital,” Lina replied, shrugging her shoulders. She only added: “I’m just excited that after so many years I will be living in the city again. It’s a little unusual, but I’ll get used to it quickly. I’m like a fish in water in such places.”

“If that’s more comfortable for you,” Adam replied, shrugging his shoulders.

His goals lay much further than the mere city of Clinton, which, although impressive due to its status as a business center, would have a hard time compared to the capital. In Adam’s case, he was also a little afraid of the capital, because there were many churchmen there who could very well detect his demon status. And by the way…

“Mrow… you’re all such bores. Why don’t you talk a little quieter?” a neutral voice sounded.

“Сalissa… you’ve been sleeping all day. You remind me of my grandmother,” Adam replied to her grumbling, picking up Calissa from the couch and ignoring her protests, began stroking her back: “You have such soft fur. You’re quite the lazy butt, but you take good care of yourself, don’t you?”

“Hshhhh! Let me go! I’m older than your whole family put together!” Сalissa said in annoyance and released her magical energy, which surprised Adam.

“Hm? Your magical energy is almost at the threshold of ‘Mortality Realm: Strengthening the Body.’ How did you manage that?”

“How should I know? Lately, all I’ve been doing is sleeping! And when I’m not sleeping, I’m eating!”

Adam couldn’t help but roll his eyes. He suddenly wanted to turn into a cat himself. However, in this case, he would have to give up the “deep” female embraces.

Meanwhile, Lina watched as Adam casually stroked Calissa, who purred.

…although Calissa seemed to resist, feeling the greatness of Adam’s hands, she decided to temporarily give in. 𝓯𝘦𝘸𝘯𝘰𝓿.𝒸ℴ𝑚

“Amazing,” Lina said, drawing attention to herself from Adam.

“Mm? What’s amazing?”

“I’m talking about Calissa. She wouldn’t let anyone pet her, although when it came to food, she was gentler than any cat,” Lina said with a strange expression on her face, and then smiled: “It seems that whether it’s a human or a magical beast if it’s a woman, they all fall under your charms.”

“Oh, stop it. I get goosebumps from such praise.”

The man did not want to imagine what it would be like if he acquired the passive skill “Aura of Charm.”

***

Two days later, the carriage was already at the gates of Clinton City. Everything went smoothly and they were immediately taken to the house that had already been vacated.

“Wow… what a beautiful place!” Lina exclaimed, and Richard looked at the two-story house with admiration.

It was impossible to hide the fact that the architecture of the building was impressive. It was made of light stone, although Adam had expected it to be some dark stone, which would have looked gloomy and cool.

There was a fence around the house, and behind the house was a garden where flowers could be planted. However, the previous owner was a military man who devoted all his time to training, so he was not interested in this.

“Oh, you can plant such a beautiful garden here! I’m thrilled!” Lina exclaimed, and her steps were bouncy. A satisfied smile did not leave her face.

Adam had no complaints. Although it was not the estate he was used to, it was still a cozy house. The inside was devoid of any furniture and there was only a magic-based plate to cook something.

“The equipment should arrive tomorrow… so let’s arrange everything, including the furniture. But we’ll also have to buy some equipment for training,” Adam thought and then began to calculate the expenses.

In general, it all came out to 250,000 rihm, which was relatively cheap.

Lina finished admiring the house’s furnishings and had already begun to check the places and say what furniture was needed. Moreover, she was actively looking for places for her confectionery needs and had already fully planned the kitchen.

Adam had no complaints – he didn’t need to eat much, so he rarely cooked for himself.

And so, standing by the exit, he shouted:

“I have some business to attend to. You guys settle in here for now,” Adam said.

He looked at the task and saw a timer. There was less than 24 hours left. And so, following the address, he began to walk to the designated place.

And as it turned out…

***

“E-this…”

His face began to twitch with desire from the excitement. The place where the task led him was the trading district… for slave traders.

It was now closed because it was a deep night, but there was still activity.

And when Adam reached the designated point, he blinked and arrows lined up in front of him, as if he had set a point on the map while playing a racing game.

“…I won’t comment on this.”

Nevertheless, he could only shrug his shoulders and follow the arrows. In the end, avoiding the guards and other strangers, he reached the warehouse where the slaves were kept.

It was dark, very dark. However, thanks to his natural characteristics, Adam saw very well in the dark.

“Hm… a slave trader’s warehouse.”

It was easy to imagine what a person in this profession had. More than ten cages were located throughout the room. Each cage was filled to the brim and most of them were girls, and a smell of cheap perfume emanated from them.

“Sex slaves. Well, I’m not even surprised.” Adam thought, rolling his eyes.

Slavery in the Empire was allowed, but there were fierce taxes on this business, so few wanted to get involved in it. However, due to the high demand, the business was flourishing.

And so, step by step, he began to make his way to the cage that the arrow pointed to. Approaching closer, he stood in front of the cage, in which there was only one person.

And when this person heard the sound of footsteps, she turned and looked at him.

Silence hung.

“Eh…”

Adam twisted his lips in disappointment, but there was also surprise in his eyes.

“Now I understand what was meant by returning to the roots.”

***

“He’s already back?” Barbara asked, setting aside a stack of papers. She looked at Arnold, the head of the city of Clinton’s knights, and seeing his nod, said: “You need to train him a little. Elrion is an important part of my plan to make my city a major center for all trade. The old men from the Traders’ Alliance insist that before I conclude a major agreement with them, I prove that I deserve it.”

“Arrogant,” Arnold noted.

“Yes, but they have the right to be. My little traders’ alliance in Clinton City is just a pitiful parody,” Barbara reacted to Arnold’s words with a smile, crossing her legs and propping her chin on her hand on her throne: “However, this young man refused me he doesn’t want to get involved in such a dangerous business.”

“I think that’s a wise decision,” Arnold said and then added: “Adam is a man with a questionable past and he knows that he will be tested not for a month or two, but for several years. I’ve heard that he has a lover and he takes care of her, so we can use this as leverage…”

“Stop.”

Barbara sharply cut off his words and Arnold fell silent, not daring to utter a word. He lowered his head, waiting for the words of his mistress.

“I know what you’re thinking, but I believe that resorting to this method is necessary only if he turns out to be a very suspicious personality. Although it’s impossible to establish his past, I don’t want to delve into this matter. Who doesn’t have dirty laundry?” Barbara said and snorted, crossing her arms over her chest: “Besides, Elrion feels a strong sense of gratitude to his benefactor, and I don’t want to lose such talent. Plus, Adam can be used to attract many rich women who can become investors… hehe…”

“…”

Arnold sighed and shook his head. He already felt sorry for Adam, as he was born with such a handsome appearance, but did not yet possess enough power. As a man, he admired Adam, as he was able to easily make even aristocratic women, who were always arrogant, fall in love with him, but…

“I am only a humble subordinate.”

Therefore, he could only shrug his shoulders and listen to the orders of his mistress.

Barbara finished laughing and then changed the subject.

“It seems that too many slave traders have settled in this city, don’t you think?” she said, narrowing her eyes.

“You’re right…” Arnold replied, and his posture became straight: “Apparently, this happened because of a very unusual slave who belonged to the elf race. They are hard to find, so the demand is high.”

“How disgusting. The only reason I allow these scumbags to live is that they bring me profit. Otherwise, I would have killed them all to the last,” Barbara replied with contempt.

“Well… they bring us income. What can you do.”

Arnold was helpless in this matter. If Barbara wanted to create a major trading city, she had to make concessions and allow the slave trade business, which was immoral, but still brought in profit.

And so, while they were discussing something, Arnold received a message. He read it and was very surprised.

“What is it?” Barbara asked, blowing away nonexistent dust from her nails.

“Em… I received a message from my subordinate, to whom the slave trader, who owned the elf slave, had passed on a request. It seems that she has disappeared.”

“Hm?”

***

Adam sat on a small boulder near his house and looked at the woman next to him.

“And how did you end up here?”

“Hehehe…”

The woman had long golden hair that flowed down her slender back. Her ears were long, and her eyes were green. She was beautiful and had a seductive body. She was wearing a jacket that Adam had put on that day.

“Aren’t you glad to see me?” the woman asked with a smile, patting him on the back.

“No, I would prefer Amarantha,” Adam replied and took out a cigarette from his pocket, then lit it with a match, answering:

“Amaria.”

To be continued…