Game World: I Can Share Talents

Chapter 381 - 18: A Firm Foothold at Last

Faticia tucked her chin, her neck as graceful as a swan’s.

Westheid had intended to explain, but he changed his mind the moment his eyes met Faticia’s.

She was clearly a voluptuous, mature beauty, yet her demeanor was more pliant than that of a young girl. It was hard to believe a High-tier Tuner could have such a personality.

’So she’s going for that kind of contrast, is she? Well, I’ll have to tease her a bit. Since she practically invited it, it would be rude not to indulge.’

A faint smile played on Westheid’s lips. He gripped Faticia’s delicate shoulders and pinned her against the corridor wall.

The Purple-haired Elf’s pointed ears shot up, her lovely eyes widening. A rich, intoxicating scent wafted from the man, assaulting her senses and nearly overwhelming her reason. Crossing her arms over her chest did nothing to protect her; it only served to accentuate her flawless, exquisite figure, highlighting her dramatic curves and sending soft ripples across her bosom.

"No, she wasn’t entirely wrong. I can’t tolerate any potential liabilities by my side. You keep swearing your loyalty to the Wind Law Queen, but as far as I know, Her Majesty doesn’t have any real leverage over you, does she? How can I trust that you won’t betray her?"

’Westheid’s words were utter sophistry! Why did loyalty have to be secured with blackmail? Even for the Thousand Laws Royal Court, a place rife with conspiracy, this was going too far. It’s not like he was planting a spy!’

But under the man’s aggressive, dark violet gaze, Faticia found herself unable to utter a single word of protest. She could only stammer:

"I... I wouldn’t! I have sworn to serve Her Majesty to the death! That, at least... is absolutely, undeniably true!"

Westheid raised an eyebrow. "Oh, is that so? I’m not convinced. You heard Ailorus. I have the authority to eliminate any and all obstacles. If you’re as loyal as you claim, then prove it to me."

"D-Duke Qinghui, what do you mean...?"

Westheid leaned closer to Faticia’s face until the tip of his nose brushed against her veil. He lifted a lock of the beautiful Elf’s purple hair, letting the strands slide through his fingers.

"Your old social circle must include quite a few from the Grand Law Officer’s faction, right? And even if they aren’t, it doesn’t matter. Anyone who holds a key position in the Royal Court will do. Your colleagues, your ’sisters’... could you introduce me to them?"

The Elf Royal Family was a textbook case of yin flourishing while yang waned; the gender ratio was extremely skewed. Even within the Royal Family, most male Elves had no desire to pair up with females of their own kind.

This was why Half-Elves were so numerous. An increasing number of Pure-blood Elves chose humans as their partners. In a way, this could be attributed to the influence of Emperor Qianlu’s Enchanter Attribute; the Elves instinctively craved more stimulation, and their own kind could no longer satisfy them.

This presented the perfect opportunity for Westheid to take an unorthodox approach, using unconventional means to achieve his goals. After all, his Charm Attribute had a very limited effect on members of the same sex, at best inspiring admiration. Eliciting their absolute, unquestioning submission was nearly impossible.

But with the opposite sex? It was as if he’d launched a hypnosis app.

’Too bad that damn Eilvette wasn’t a beautiful Elf maiden. Otherwise, my job would be so much easier.’

"You want to... Isn’t that a bit... a bit too wanton?"

"Wanton? You don’t even know the meaning of the word!"

Westheid’s eyes glinted coldly. "Then let’s just start with you."

Faticia’s face paled in terror. She waved her hands frantically.

"I... I understand! I’ll do as you say!"

Under Duke Qinghui’s debauched tyranny, Faticia had no choice but to humiliatingly play the accomplice, using her network to introduce her former colleagues, one by one, to Westheid’s bedchamber.

It was like a contagious meme. What started with Faticia’s network soon grew into a massive web as more and more people were added.

Then, over the next while, some particularly titillating and ambiguous rumors began to circulate through the Central Royal Court.

During Duke Qinghui’s stay in the side palace to train and prepare for war, the maids working within the Royal Court saw, on more than one occasion, their female masters—be they glamorous, innocent, or aloof—entering Westheid’s wing.

They would often spend all night alone with this Human Monarch from Qinghui Territory, sequestered in a guest suite or bedroom, "discussing" how to integrate their forces in preparation for the upcoming reclamation war.

What was puzzling, however, was that these captains of the Stringed Swordsmen, Elites of the Rhythm Mages, and Execution Officers of the Royal Court... they all came and went with great frequency. According to eyewitnesses, many of them, after their first visit, could barely even walk straight when they emerged.

They claimed they had been "sparring" to gauge Westheid’s combat strength, but their disheveled appearances and the languid, seductive aura they exuded made it difficult not to imagine other possibilities.

Moreover, it was rarely just one at a time. Sometimes, a dozen or more guests would visit at once: elegant and maturely alluring Elf noblewomen, pure and beautiful young mistresses, and impossibly charming Female Knights of the Royal Court. As they "deliberated" on the details of war preparations, their visits to Westheid’s bedchamber became increasingly frequent.

Sometimes they would stay inside for several nights in a row. Other times, they would hold "group meetings" in the garden, or leave... traces... in the palace’s long corridors and empty conference halls late at night.

Later, however, the rumors about Duke Qinghui began to die down. This wasn’t because the scandalous affairs in the side palace had ceased, but because the very maids who had been spreading the gossip started to clam up about anything concerning the duke.

The Elves who frequented the Royal Court during this time noticed that the pretty maids, with their slender and graceful figures, had somehow gained a new, bewitching maturity.

Their once delicate figures had become fuller, more prominent, and they radiated the enchanting aura of newlyweds. Their gentle, limpid eyes overflowed with tender affection.

Many of their originally demure, ankle-length, black-and-white maid uniforms gradually became more revealing and sensual. The conservative long dresses were replaced by semi-transparent, openwork lace designs, with skirts so short they barely fulfilled their purpose.

Their shapely, snow-white legs, once clad in simple garter stockings, were now one-by-one being sheathed in various styles designed to ignite a man’s primal desires: hip-hugging black silk tights and sweet, innocent, lace-trimmed white thigh-highs.

If anyone unaware of the situation dared to ask, these maids, who managed the day-to-day affairs of the Royal Court, would remain tight-lipped or brush off the questions perfunctorily. Their confidentiality was, one could say, impeccable.

"Brother, you’ve really gone too far this time. You’re turning the Royal Court into your own private den of debauchery."

Inside a room in his side-palace bedchambers, Yolanda leveled a complaint at Westheid.

"It’s like we’re back in the Imperial Capital... No, it wasn’t even this outrageous back then, was it?"

Westheid was currently reclining on a chaise lounge. The person in his arms was no Royal Court Elf, but Miss Hecate, the Courtier who was one of the first to join Qinghui Territory. The alluring Miss Witch, radiating mature charm, sat in his lap, licking his cheek with an infatuated gaze.

It wasn’t just Hecate; the other Ring of Clear Skies Witches who had accompanied him on this trip had also been summoned. The red-haired Witch simply couldn’t resist making the first move.

While dealing with Hecate’s enthusiastic affection, Westheid righteously retorted to his sister:

"I just want an environment where I can feel secure! What have I done wrong?!"

"Exactly! My Lord is simply ravaging the Royal Court with a different form of conquest!"

Mephit, who supported Westheid’s actions one hundred and twenty percent, immediately jumped to his defense, retorting:

"You have to remember, we’re on their home turf here! The Royal Court controls our only way out. Building a network within the court is crucial for securing our position. And it’s been quite effective, hasn’t it? We’ve already established a firm foothold in the Thousand Laws Royal Court."

Yolanda sighed, pressing a hand to her forehead. "You’re really something else..."

But she didn’t know how to argue, because damn it all, he was right!