As soon as they reached the guild's building and it was their turn to talk with the receptionist, Arthur grabbed the opportunity to ask about the monsters inhabiting the dungeon while giving her the loots of the poor monsters that got hunted by Mariane.
Ignoring her surprised expression as he took out monsters parts out of thin air one after the other, she also explained that the dungeon in this city wasn't that deep, but was a good start for newbies, and also gave him a few descriptions of the monsters inside.
Listening to her and remembering his experience of the game, he could only sigh when he learned that none of the monsters there could help him with a three star or higher.
With a defeated feeling in his heart, as he thought that he would have to change city sooner than later, at least, he knew that his budget was growing with each accomplished mission, especially as they didn't need to take care of equipements and such.
And finally, when they came back to the inn, there was someone waiting for them.
" .. Welcome back, sir. "
It wasn't just Luce, which seemed to have calmed herself along with her feelings, but someone he barely saw once for a few minutes at most.
" Arthur.. "
Vivianne Darianno, the daughter of a count, who would act like a small princess, actually waited for his arrival even this late in the night, and staring at her lightly flushed cheeks as she called his name, she was also looking to the priest next to him.
" .. Did you use your devil's like power against a priest ? "
" What's devilish about my power ? It was just a bad joke on my side, though I never expected for you to run away afterwards, and also, this girl is a virgin, I haven't done anything to her. "
Quickly putting a stop to the masquerade he created himself as well as explaining that she, Stella, wasn't following him because of his skills in bed, he could bet his hand that she would be surprised to learn that the one he used his skills against was still inside the room with the three of them.
" A-a bad joke ? You dared to lie to me ?.. "
" Shouldn't you be happier ? That such a 'unique' power is a bad joke from the start ? Or did you come to find me because of something related to it ? "
Defusing the situation, Arthur just stared at the betrayed expression of someone way younger than himself, though her expression quickly changed for a deep blush.
" H-how dare you.. ! Who would come find you for something like that in the first place ?!.. "
Keeping a smirk from coming out, he still sent a meaningful glance towards Luce, and as she felt it, she quickly avoided his stare as her body froze under the pressure of being exposed, but luckily for her, Arthur didn't stare at her long enough for Vivianne to remark that something was wrong with her.
" Alright alright, enough joking around, what did you come to find me for ? "
Letting her calm herself first, he waited patiently her answer, and only when she felt like talking again could he hear her ' grand ' reasons.
" Arthur, you aren't a noble, are you ? I made some researches around, and I'm sure that you don't even belong to a faction, so I came with an invite for you to join our house ! "
Hearing the words of the little girl, he could only think of one thing.
' Ah... How annoying. '
For him, the unique first, to be invited under the wings of someone else ?
It was bound to hurt his pride.
" Thank you but no, I'll pass on that offer. "
" ... Heh-.. What did you say ? "
Her expression, showing incredulity to his words, as if she didn't hear him, or more like, she wasn't able to understand his words, had him repeat his intentions...
" I don't want to join any factions, it's annoying, I'll be forced to stay here, and you'll probably command me around.. No matter how much advantages you can offer me, I don't see how I win anything from that. "
.. Though he was a bit more cooperative this time as he explained why he didn't want to do it.
" O-our house can give you a manor along with countless maids ! The fame one could only dream off as a commoner, monetary support and even protection ! And you just have to share a bit of your time with us and promise to not join any other faction ! "
Hearing her conditions along with the rewards, he couldn't lie when he thought that it would be a tempting offer, but it's just that it wasn't for him.
Countless maids ? Protection ? He didn't need them, Mariane was enough for him, and he would only get more cards as time passed by, meaning more people by his side.
Fame wouldn't do him any good, and while money could be good, he was already living an easy life as of now.
The only good thing that he didn't have but wished for was a home for him, but couldn't they just take back the manor when they wanted to ? Plus, if he intended to travel, he wouldn't be able to take it with him either in his journey.
" Sorry to break it to you, but your offer is nowhere enticing enough to tempt me. "
So with nothing that would do him any good, his answer to her demand about joining her faction was pretty much obvious from the start.
" ... Really ? Seriously ? "
" Yes. "
Was it the second time in a day that he was making someone sad ?
' Well, compared to this morning, that's nothing. '
As he thought so, it couldn't be helped, the situations were clearly different, from one who wished more with him, to the other wishing to possess him, it was completely another matter.
" ... I see.. That's too bad then. "
Fortunately for him, it seemed that she wasn't much affected by his refusal, though it was clear that there was a hint of regret in her eyes which she couldn't hide from him.
" That's how it is. "
Shrugging his shoulders, since the conversation was done with, he started walking towards the stairs, but was quickly stopped by her curiosity, once again.
" By the way.. Do you really have a unique ability ? Or did you lie about that as well ? "
Her questions, which made him stop in his tracks as he turned around to look at her, she was obviously also staring at him, doing somewhat of a cute pose, as if thinking, but even something that seemed cute couldn't bring his guard down as he answered calmly.
" I do have one, but I won't reveal it. "
" .... Even if you were offered the position of being a noble for it.. ? "
Her voice, filled with hesitation, reached his ears while his eyes glanced at her flushing cheeks.
" .. That's not the kind of responsibilities I want to take on. "
He knew what she tried to mean, as if asking for him to take her hand for the purpose of researches, or maybe to even keep both him and Mariane on the side of her family, but even being a noble wasn't something he desired.
" .... "
With such a conversation finally ending, it was time for Arthur to go, and heading towards his room while being followed by two girls, he ignored the stares of the two that stayed behind him in the hall.
' Now, what should I choose ? '
Support below gold cards could only strengthen one attribute at a time, and even a gold one wouldn't show much more improvement to a weaker unit, with only the five star cards being somewhat viable if not good.
An assassin or an archer could be a great addition to the team, and besides the mage where he thought about keeping this position for a four star, they were the only two classes he could have with a blank card.
But the real problem was coming from somewhere else than to choose which one to summon.
' Seeing that Mariane still hasn't accepted even Stella.. '
Of course, it would somewhat hurt her if he were to summon another girl, and while he knew about it, he also knew that he could put the new character in the same position as the bunny priest, but to do such a thing..
' .. Let's just try and get a good card first, if it doesn't work, I don't have to summon it yet. '
As such a thought traversed his mind, he made sure that the door of his room was closed before he started to move under the stare of his two other girls.