Legacy of the Dark Sage

Kyran was not convinced that Estrid set her eyes on them because of the items he submitted for the open auction. Most of them, though high in quality were everyday miscellaneous consumables. Venerate Alchemists could easily concoct them. They might have trouble concocting a Mind Clearing potion, but as long as they knew the recipe and concoction method, it was not entirely impossible to produce them.

Its recipe was now considered rare, but the old clans should have a record.

Considering this, Kyran was more inclined to believe that Estrid was interested in his discerning eyes. The way her eyes glinted as she looked him over was enough to convince him of this fact. Moreover, she was so interested in his discerning eyes that she would even tolerate his disguise.

A flash of light enveloped Kyran, Reynard, and Estrid before the scene before they changed.

They were transported to a receiving room of some sort and were greeted by two mages with the same attire as Reynard. The only difference was that there was a golden band on each of their arms.

"Welcome back, Lady Estrid," they greeted with a low bow.

"Have you escorted our lady guests to their room?"

"Yes, milady. We also assigned a few servants to help them change."

Kyran tried his best not to react to their short exchange, but his brow still twitched involuntarily. Worse, Estrid glanced at him sideways with a coy smile when it happened.

"I hope you don't mind me offering them a change of clothes. I felt bad for inviting them for dinner on short notice and wanted to gift them with a dress at least. Rest assured that I have nothing against their style. You can even consider my reason for gifting them a new dress as an excuse to dress them up. You have very lovely lady companions, sir Null."

"…"

Estrid was lying between her teeth, and though Kyran knew this, she still shamelessly pretended that everything she said was nothing but her pure will.n/o/vel/b//in dot c//om

"I've met a few clans heads with three lady companions, but they never brought them along together for obvious reasons," Estrid continued, starting some idle chatter. She gestured for the two mages who greeted them to lead the way before following behind. "I am amazed that you can bring them along without any problems. Can I assume that you are able to equally satisfy their… yearnings?"

Reynard and the two mages discreetly listened to the conversation, but that did not stop them from blushing at the meaning behind their lady's words.

"You are mistaken," Kyran had no intentions of playing along and denied Estrid's implication. "They are my companions, but we don't have that sort of relationship."

Not wanting Estrid to know his relationship with Cyneah, in case she used it against him, Kyran simply said that they were all regular companions.

Estrid giggled, "Surely you jest. To be in the company of such beautiful ladies and yet not being anything more than normal colleagues? Or is it that your preference is quite special?"

She looked at Kyran sideways once more with a very suggestive smile.

"…"

"Ahahaha…!" Estrid barely burst out laughing at Kyran's speechlessness. She reined in her laughter and said, "I hope you won't take offense, sir Null. I am simply unable to accept the idea that you are not interested in any of your lovely companions."

She then reached out a hand and slid it down his arm in a very seductive way. With a smile, she said, "Because I will be troubled if I won't be able to win you over with my beauty."

Whirr!

Sizzle! Sizzle!

A small amount of magic energy seeped out from Estrid's fingertips and tried to enter Kyran's body. However, Shaiha reacted at once, and the Void core, sensing foreign and harmful energy trying to invade his body, immediately responded and forcefully circulated the Void magic energy in his body.

Estrid's golden eyes instantly glowed as if sensing her allurment being hindered. She looked at Kyran, who did his best not to show any reaction by saying, "Please don't tease me, Lady Estrid. I am only a lowly mage with somewhat good Alchemy skills. I am not worthy."

Estrid's eyes narrowed, but she retained her beautiful smile and even intertwined her arm with Kyran's. She gently pulled him close and whispered using a very gentle and seductive voice, "I'd like to tear down that mask and see what you truly look like, sir Null. I find the small slips in your emotionless expression amusing, but I'd rather see those slips without the mask."

Once again, Estrid's magic energy swirled, and blended into her voice, before making their way into Kyran's head.

This time, the Void magic energy could not block her magic energy completely. It was a different magic attack from when Celine used her sound magic to make Kyran listen to her commands. If he had to compare, it was similar to how Deception combined her Illusion magic with scent, which was how she succeeded in trapping Kyran inside her illusion.

Kyran's face distorted at once as Estrid succeeded in getting her energy inside his head. It was only a tiny amount. But because of her advantage in mage level, being an Overlord, he was helpless before her influence.

Whirr!

Shaiha worked double time, enhancing and increasing the amount of Void magic energy circulating in Kyran's body. However, no matter what she did, Estrid's influence continued to spread in Kyran's head. The speed at which it grew started to become evident even in his sea of consciousness as silvery gold threads swirled above Shaiha's body.

Aillos warned Kyran of Estrid's cunningness. However, he still fell short in his preparation because he never expected her to make a blatant move in front of her subjects.

No.

That was not entirely correct.

Estrid had only exerted a small amount of her magic influence on Kyran, so her subjects probably did not notice it. In their eyes, her flirty moves toward him were normal and did not mean anything. This was proven by Reynard and the two mages' blushing at their lady's moves and yet remaining silent even then.

Estrid smiled as she tugged on Kyran's arm to pull him closer.

A part of Kyran wanted to pull away. However, Estrid's influence, even negligible, was so overwhelming for him that she managed to lead him around very easily.

"There is still an hour before dinner is served. Let's take this chance to discuss our business."

"…Okay."

Kyran found himself responding against his will. It was strange to be self-aware but physically lose awareness.

Estrid smiled broadly as she looked at Reynard and the two mages.

"Sir Null and I will talk in my room. Make sure to attend and keep his lady companions entertained until then."

"As you wish, Lady Estrid."

The three replied and bowed respectfully.

Estrid waved her hand, and in a blink of an eye, she and Kyran disappeared.

The next moment, the two were transported inside a luxurious red and gold room. The furniture glistened from the lights hanging from an enormous diamond chandelier. In the middle of the room was a large four-poster bed with silk red curtains hanging loosely on each side.

The bed covers were also red, with gold assets and even flower petals. In fact, the whole room, or to be specific, the floor, was covered with red and white flower petals. Because of this, there was a sweet yet strong flowery scent that most would find repulsive.

To Kyran's horror, the smell did not repulse him. Instead, he found himself falling even more under Estrid's influence.

Whirr!!!!

Kyran could feel Shaiha working double time, assisting the Void magic energy and preventing Estrid's magic energy from spreading inside his sea of consciousness.

"Now then…" Estrid spoke after a short pause. She loosened her hold on Kyran's arm and slipped her hand to his. She led him toward the bed, saying, "Shall we discuss business?"

She looked at Kyran with a sultry smile before guiding him to sit on the bed. To her surprise, he did not budge when she gently pushed him down to sit.

Instead, Kyran's other hand moved slightly, albeit shakily, as he grabbed her wrist.

"…I… prefer to stand… L-Lady Estrid."

Estrid's slitted pupils constricted as she stared at Kyran in surprise.

However, instead of getting angry at his blatant attempt to fight her control, she was filled with excitement.

When was the last time someone tried to fight her influence? It had been such a long time. So long that she had grown bored with each and every being she initially took an interest in.

"I see you haven't completely fallen into my influence."

"…"

"When did you notice?"

"…S… Right… from the s-start…" Kyran struggled to respond. However, he did not want Estrid to think he was easy prey and did his best to fight, even if it was only to 'speak.'

Estrid's golden eyes glowed in amusement as she smiled in glee, "Interesting. I want you even more now."