Harem System In A fantasy World - Chapter 121: Mysterious Women II
Chapter 121: Mysterious Women II
His expression just now… do you think he saw through our disguise?
Outwardly, Esmeralda remained perfectly composed. Her posture was elegant, her hands folded neatly atop the table, her red lips curved into a faint, pleasant smile. To anyone watching, she looked like nothing more than a refined daughter accompanying her mother.
Ophelia did not move.
Her fingers lightly traced the rim of the empty glass before her, her expression warm and composed. Not a single muscle betrayed that she had received a message.
It is very unlikely, Ophelia replied through the same mental channel, her tone calm and controlled. The artefacts we are wearing are Divine-grade. Even most Saint-ranked mages would not be able to perceive through them. Unless he possesses something of equal or higher authority, he should see nothing.
Her eyes lingered briefly on Elion’s face.
Perhaps it was a coincidence. Or youthful nerves. Let us not jump to conclusions yet.
Esmeralda’s eyes softened slightly, though the faint tension did not leave them entirely.
Yes, mother.
We will observe him a little longer, Ophelia continued. Watch how he handles himself. If he truly saw something, it will reveal itself in his behavior. Only then will we decide whether to take him from here.
Their mental exchange ended as smoothly as it began.
To the outside world, nothing had happened.
Both women still wore calm, pleasant expressions. Their breathing had not changed. Their posture remained relaxed. Even their eyes appeared warm and mildly curious, as though they were simply enjoying a quiet conversation with an attractive young man in a tavern.
Elion, unaware of the silent discussion taking place across from him, kept his own smile steady. Three people sat at the table. All three were pretending.
Elion leaned back slightly in his chair, folding his hands together on the table as he studied the two women with renewed calm.
“So,” he said lightly, “are your names all you’re going to tell me?”
Ophelia’s red lips curved faintly. “That depends.”
“On what?” Elion asked, keeping his tone casual.
Her eyes held his steadily. “On whether you would be willing to continue this conversation somewhere quieter.”
There was no rush in her voice or pressure. Just a casual suggestion.
“After you eat, of course,” Esmeralda added smoothly.
Elion nodded slowly. “I have no issue with that.”
He paused, then gestured lightly toward the counter. “Would you like something to eat? My treat.”
Both women smiled politely.
“We’ve already eaten,” Ophelia replied.
“Thank you,” Esmeralda added.
Inwardly, Elion exhaled in relief.
Good.
He had very little money on him. If he had to cover meals for two obviously highborn women, he would have walked out of this tavern nearly broke. He mentally calculated the coins in his pocket and grimaced internally.
Two weeks.
He needed income. While he was out of the academy.
Maybe I should register as an adventurer, he thought. Grind a few jobs. Earn some quick coin.
He made a mental note to visit the Adventurers’ Guild once this situation concluded.
Outwardly, he remained composed.
“In that case,” he said, “I’ll finish up quickly.”
As they waited, the flustered waitress returned, setting down his food with trembling hands. She barely dared look at him directly.
“W–Would the ladies like anything?” she asked timidly.
“We’re fine,” Ophelia said with a gentle smile.
Esmeralda nodded in agreement.
The waitress lingered for half a second longer than necessary before retreating.
Elion began eating. He could feel their eyes on him the entire time. Not in a hungry way. Neither were they impatient.
Just… watching and observing him calmly.
It was oddly uncomfortable. He was used to attention, but this was different. As if he were being studied.
Still, he ate smoothly, neatly, without haste or sloppiness. Every movement was controlled, and every bite measured. If they were observing him, then they would see composure.
Inside, however, his thoughts were sharp and alert.
This could work in my favor, he thought.
If they wanted to move somewhere quieter, that meant they wanted privacy. And privacy meant fewer witnesses. That could be good—or very bad.
It could either work well in his favour, and he would be able to complete his mission without incident. If not, maybe he wouldn’t even know how he died.
He didn’t even feel elated about the number of points he would get if this went as he hoped, and he bedded women as powerful as they were.
He was more on edge. And how did he feel about bedding two women he had randomly met? Not a hint of doubt. As he was now, if any beautiful woman threw herself at him, he would take her innocence without so much as a hint of guilt or hesitation.
The incubus bloodline hadn’t just given him useful skills and traits; it felt like he was gradually being changed fundamentally.
Still, he was hesitating right now. These women were just too mysterious. And if he had learned anything in all his years of living, it was to trust your instinct. But being too cautious would also be a detriment.
Sometimes, the difference between success and failure was about who took more risks. As a famous man once said, you miss a hundred percent of the shots you don’t take.
But, there was another reason why he was going to take such a risk despite everything
Four hundred and seventy years old. One hundred and twenty. Race and rank were concealed even from the system’s normal sight. Once you saw this much, you would immediately know something was not right.
These women had a purpose. Whether that purpose was him, or not, only time would tell. The point was, the system wasn’t telling him anything, but it had system had given him that quest.
A reward for that quest. Poison Immunity. The reward was practical, suspiciously practical. But the penalty? It was obviously coercive!
The system definitely knows something, he thought. It wouldn’t throw me into this without reason.
At least, he hoped so.
He wanted to believe that the system, if it possessed anything resembling intention, did not act against him. It had guided him this far. Strengthened him. Protected him in its own twisted way.
Even if it did so with absurd penalties.
After finishing his meal, Elion wiped his mouth cleanly with a cloth, stood, and placed the appropriate coins on the table.
He cleared his throat lightly and faced the two women, who rose gracefully as well.
“Shall we?” he asked, offering them an easy, charming smile.
