"Brother Vaan's words are very reasonable," Captain Rhys agreed with Vaan's opinion.
"Although I don't know much about Dark Organizations, at the very least, I am aware that these Dark Organizations have tacit agreements with the upper-class witches to operate."
"If they want to continue operating in the kingdom, they have to avoid hits on members of the noble households. And in the unlikelihood that they do accept the tasks, they have no other choice but to muddy the water to obscure their tracks."
Linette quietly listened before she appeared convinced that her aunt really did commission the Assembly of Silent Night to kill her and her sister.
Sigh…
Linette felt torn by the internal conflict in the family.
"Let us put aside this matter for the time being. We have a more pressing matter to deal with," Vaan calmly stated.
After getting everyone's attention, Vaan continued to speak, "Given the intelligence of the Rank 3 Dark Hellhound, it will not leave us be—not after we kill so many of its kind. Thus, it will most likely guard the stream until we reveal ourselves."
"However, the streams are shallow, and the small riverbed isn't big; it won't be possible to slip away under the cover of water, nor did we bring any ration to hole up here and pin our hopes on a rescue team."
"There's no way we can outrun nor defeat a Rank 3 Dark Hellhound," Captain Rhys frowned before asking, "Do we have no choice but to starve to death here or die trying to escape, Brother Vaan?"
"Well, if you believe we don't have a chance against the Rank 3 Dark Hellhound, then there really isn't any other way. As an Aura Master, you should understand the saying; as long you don't give up, the chances aren't zero, but if you do, it definitely is."
"But there needs to be a basis for us to even have a fighting chance!" Captain Rhys argued before stating, "We don't have a single Senior Witch nor Aura Grandmaster among us."
"We don't need one. We just need the fighting power of one," Vaan calmly stated.
Captain Rhys and the young warriors furrowed their brows with skepticism, finding Vaan's words too arrogant and contradictory.
"Without years of diligent training and a wealth of precious medicine, it'll be impossible for me to even touch upon the power of Rank 3 Aura Grandmasters. Thus, Brother Vaan must be pinning your hopes on Lady Linette."
"I don't want to sound rude, but do you really have that much faith in Lady Linette? Do you really think she can reach the same level as Senior Witches within the little time we have hiding in this cave?"
"I do," Vaan lied.
To be exact, he had faith in himself.
Nevertheless, Linette was touched by Vaan's words and felt warm yet astonished, not expecting him to have so much faith in her.
"Although I have no idea how I can reach the Senior Witch level in combat power, I want to live up to your expectations. You must have a plan, right?" Linette asked.
Vaan nodded.
"But first, we need you to recover some mana. Everything else comes after."
"Then… for me to recover mana quicker, I'll place myself in your care."
Linette slightly blushed and moved closer to Vaan, making Captain Rhys and the young warriors frown with envy.
"Lady Linette, I don't want to brag, but I have studied the pleasure course and attained first-level pleasure skills. I can also help you recover mana quicker," one of the young warriors said.
"Same here. I can also help."
"Me too. I have also attained first-level pleasure skills."
The young warriors began offering their services.
However, Linette refused them all with a frown, "Although I lack experience, I can tell Vaan's pleasure skills are higher than the second level. So if you're not even on his level, don't even think about touching me."
That being said, she didn't want to be touched by any other man either way.
After all, she was still the young lady of the noble Delarosa Household. She had to be somewhat mindful of her status.
The young warriors expressed their disappointment while Captain Rhys furrowed his brows with puzzlement over Linette's claim.
"Men with second-level pleasure skills or higher are highly sought after, even from Senior Witches. So Why would Brother Vaan brave the dangers of leaving the city instead of serving under a Senior Witch?"
Linette and the young warriors immediately glanced at Vaan with doubt.
However, Vaan calmly replies, "Because I seek a bigger stage. My skills shouldn't be confined to a small city like Blackmoon."
"Hahaha, even men should be a little ambitious," Captain Rhys softly laughed with respect.
No one doubted Vaan's reason.
After Vaan measured the vacant space in the cave, he spoke to Linette, "Let's take it somewhere more private. Lady Lillias could also use a more comfortable environment to rest."
Linette quickly understood his intention and tossed out her special tent box before watching it grow in size.
Shortly after, Linette carried Lillias and entered the tent with Vaan.
The entrance was sealed after they entered before Linette tucked Lillias into bed before turning her attention to Vaan.
"There's obviously a few days' worths of ration stored here, and I don't believe that you haven't seen them, so why didn't you mention it to the others?" Linette softly whispered.
"Without your permission, I wouldn't carelessly reveal it," Vaan calmly answered before adding, "But, more importantly, they need to feel the urgency to be more cooperative, my Lady."
"I see…" Linette nodded with understanding before saying, "I should reward you for your thoughtfulness."
Shortly after, she approached Vaan and wrapped her arms around his neck daringly before softly whispering with a slight blush, "I don't think a simple massage can satisfy me. I want the full service."
"As you wish, my Lady." Vaan smiled.
Although it was questionable who was actually doing the rewarding, he wasn't one to nitpick on the details when presented with the opportunity to grow stronger.
Without further adieu, Vaan tasted the supple cherry lips presented before him as he slid off Linette's wet dress…