Maregof’s Scheming Maneuvers

With a single punch, no one’s eyes could follow that extreme movement—only a flash of white passed by, then Stro’s body was instantly sent flying.

Bang!

The blasted Stro slammed into a great tree, which broke apart, and only then did Stro’s body come to a halt. But at this point, stro already had broken wrists and ribs, and even the armor at his chest was deeply caved in.

A single punch!

It was hard to imagine that all this was caused by just one punch.

Everyone was stunned. Maregof was left in utter shock; after a moment, only then did a few beastmen collect themselves and rush toward Stro.

“Chief!”

They pulled up Stro, but by then he had already fallen unconscious from his severe injuries. While savable, injuries of this degree meant he would be bedridden for ten days or more.

“I suppose this means I’ve won.”

Aruka turned and said indifferently, while Maregof still wore a dazed expression of shock.

Before he could say anything, the Clan Chief of the Dwarf Clan spoke up first.

“Warrior, you’ve won. That was a splendid duel.”

This was the first time that Dwarf Clan Chief had spoken; if he hadn’t, Serea would have thought he was mute…

Upon hearing he had won, Aruka turned around, and seeing his current appearance—

Who’s this handsome guy?!

At this moment, Aruka was covered in silver-white fur, with pale blue eyes. Though his outward form had not changed much, his charm had soared to A+…

“Aruka!”

Avril seemed to have already seen Aruka in this form. She was not particularly surprised, but with worry in her heart, she rushed over and immediately noticed the wound on Aruka’s shoulder.

“You’re hurt.”

“It’s just a minor wound, nothing serious.”

“How can it be nothing? Hurry and drink this.”

Avril said as she handed Aruka a vial of potion, which he unhesitatingly downed. Avril then carefully cast healing magic on him.

With the battle won, Serea turned toward Maregof.

“Seems I am the victor.”

“Yes…yes, so as per our wager, this is yours.”

Maregof handed Serea the box containing the earrings and necklace, which Serea accepted and then—

“Aruka.”

“Mm?”

“This is your prize—take it. Perhaps your wife will like it.”

Serea tossed the box over, which Aruka caught in his hands.

Looking at the precious jewelry in his hand, Aruka accepted it without hesitation; he knew that for the Queen, such treasures were never in short supply.

“Thank you, queen Serea.”

Aruka replied nonchalantly. Judging from his calm demeanor, it seemed that ‘Primal Awakening’ had no side effects at all.

After accepting the jewelry, Aruka calmly opened the box and handed the ornaments to Avril.

“This is a gift from the Queen. Take it.”

Gazing at the jewelry Aruka offered, avril was overjoyed. In the past twelve years, this utterly straightforward man had only ever given her bone rings and bone necklaces—calling them the blessing of the great forest—but had never given her anything resembling real jewelry.

But now, facing the earrings and necklace from Aruka, avril was so moved she covered her mouth with her hand. It wasn’t about the value; rather, it was about what they meant.

After calming herself, avril decisively took off her own more valuable earrings and necklace, then rose on tiptoe.

“Put them on me.”

“That’s not really necessary, and the original jewelry looks better—why swap to these now?”

“Mmm…just do it.”

Frustrated with Aruka’s cluelessness, avril started to pout, so Aruka had no choice but to help her put them on.

Judging by his clumsy movements, Aruka clearly didn’t know how to handle human jewelry, nor did he understand its significance.

Witnessing this public display of affection, Serea, who had been single for over twenty years before reincarnating, could hardly bear to watch.

She was dogged out last time, and now once again by a couple…

“Oooh! Oooh!”

Suddenly, the dwarves cheered aloud, either for Aruka’s bravery or his care for his wife. These sincere dwarves always celebrated the wonders of the world.

“Miss Serea, that truly was an exciting match.”

“Yes.”

“So, have you considered my proposal?”

“I have. I believe people should be independent. Relying on others is not a good habit.”

As Serea spoke, maregof’s smile took on a more forced tone.

“So, you’re saying, miss Serea, that you’re refusing me?”

“Obviously, yes. I believe in myself more. I have the ability to secure everything you can offer by my own means.”

“I see. Then it seems we won’t have a chance to work together. As a businessman, I can only wish you prosperous business ahead.”

“I appreciate your kind words.”

They exchanged polite but insincere pleasantries.

“Since I have your answer, there’s no reason for me to remain here. I’ll have my assistant discuss any remaining matters with you—such as ‘peaceful development’ going forward.”

“Very well.”

“Then, I’ll take my leave.”

With that, maregof departed with the goblins. Having secured Serea’s rejection, he no longer needed to hesitate; for anyone who might threaten his rule, he would never allow them to develop in peace!

Maregof led his people away, and Serea’s group returned to the conference room for another round of ultimately fruitless discussions. Following Vandock’s example, Serea remained silent and left everything to Lola to handle.

The meeting continued for another half hour or so, while the departed Maregof rode his jungle hound with his escort through the woods.

“How did the meeting go, Lord Maregof?”

“As expected, I was rejected.”

As Maregof spoke, desellin’s voice rose a few notches.

“Outrageous! Who does Serea think she is, to refuse your personal invitation, Lord Maregof? I—ahchoo!”

Desellin sneezed loudly, having caught a terrible cold from braving last night’s blizzard to return to camp. Maregof showed a look of disgust.

“You ought to learn some basic etiquette, Lord Desellin.”

“My apologies, Lord Maregof.”

“Never mind. Did you get the information I asked for?”

“Yes. I was only inside for a short time, but I’ve learned everything about their camp.”

“Good. Then let’s teach her a lesson. And remember—never leave behind any evidence.”

“Don’t worry, Lord Maregof. I won’t let you down.”

As Desellin said this, he whistled, and a hawk landed on his shoulder.

Stuffing a scroll bearing information into the hawk’s leg tube, he set the bird free. The hawk soared straight into the sky.

(To be continued…)

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