Morning arrived. As usual, Elric and Amber shared breakfast together. Neither of them spoke much — there wasn't much left to discuss.
Everything that could be planned had already been planned. Everything that could be anticipated had already been anticipated. Now all that remained was to meet the final variable.
Dante.
Amber quietly stirred her tea.
"So... what kind of person do you think he'll be?"
Elric thought for a moment.
"If Lexa is anything to judge by... he should be intelligent. Confident. The type of person who speaks little while revealing very little."
Amber nodded.
"Someone capable of recruiting people without relying on intimidation. Someone who knows exactly what he wants."
She smiled faintly.
"And someone who somehow looked at my skill... and saw something nobody else ever did."
Elric couldn't help but agree. Anyone capable of recognizing value where everyone else saw mediocrity would naturally possess unusual insight.
At least, that was what they expected.
Half an hour later, three figures appeared outside their residence. The protective barrier quietly shimmered.
Standing beyond it was a handsome young man with deep blue eyes — an elf. His appearance alone would have drawn attention almost anywhere.
To his right stood a breathtaking half-elf, long crimson hair, scarlet eyes, curves so absurdly perfect they bordered on unfair. Even standing still, she attracted attention.
On Dante's opposite side stood a dark elf, clothed in a fitted black outfit more suited for assassination than conversation. Compared to Vexion she lacked only a little in appearance, yet she was beautiful enough that almost anyone would instinctively look twice.
Dante glanced curiously at the barrier.
"I wonder if I could break this."
Lexa immediately answered.
"...Please don't."
"I wasn't going to."
"You were thinking about it."
"I was."
"But I wasn't going to."
"...Those are two different things."
"They are."
The barrier quietly disappeared.
Inside the residence, Amber watched through the window. The first thing she noticed wasn't Dante. It was Vexion. Her eyes widened slightly.
...Beautiful.
Even she couldn't deny it. That woman possessed the kind of appearance capable of making countless noble ladies feel inferior. Unexpectedly, Amber relaxed.
Good. Then he truly isn't recruiting me because of my appearance.
Elric reached the exact same conclusion.
Anyone walking around with a woman like that isn't interested in Amber because she's beautiful.
Oddly enough, that made both of them far more comfortable.
Moments later, the three guests entered. Greetings were exchanged.
Tea was prepared. Everyone sat around the living room. Amber and Elric waited, expecting Dante to begin the conversation.
Instead, Dante casually pulled Vexion onto his lap. She landed sideways against him with a small squeak, her cheeks immediately flushed.
"Master..."
"We're meeting people."
"I know."
"So... shouldn't we act a little more properly?"
Dante frowned thoughtfully.
"I tried."
"...Tried?"
"I failed."
Amber blinked. Elric blinked. Lexa slowly lowered her head — she already knew exactly where this was going.
Dante sighed dramatically.
"You see... I encountered a serious problem this morning."
Amber and Elric instinctively listened.
"We overslept."
"..."
"..."
Vexion hid her face. Lexa covered hers and Dante continued completely seriously.
"So now... I have a sword problem."
Amber stared.
"...A sword?"
Dante nodded gravely.
"My sword wishes to leave its sheath. The only person qualified to sheath it..."
He gently squeezed Vexion's thigh.
"...is currently sitting on my lap."
Silence.
Absolute silence.
Elric slowly turned toward Amber. Amber slowly turned toward Elric. Both of them reached the exact same conclusion.
'...Is this man serious?'
Lexa finally snapped.
"Master! I begged you. I specifically begged you. Just this once. Behave like a normal human being."
Dante looked genuinely confused.
"But I'm an elf"
"Master you know what I mean"
Fair if you meant behave like a normal person, I am."
"No! This isn't normal!"
"It is."
"It absolutely isn't!"
He calmly gestured toward Vexion. His hand moving to her lower back squeezing her ass cheek
"Allow me to explain. There are only two possible outcomes. Either Vexion sits somewhere else, and everyone here spends the entire conversation staring at the magnificent sword trying to escape my trousers. Or..."
He looked up at Vexion, giving her ass a gentle squeeze.
"...the problem is discreetly concealed."
He smiled proudly.
"I selected the more dignified option."
Vexion couldn't help giggling.
Lexa looked ready to bury herself alive. Amber pressed her lips together to stop herself from smiling. Elric wasn't sure whether to laugh or question every assumption he had made over the last twelve hours.
Lexa buried her face in both hands.
"...I'm so sorry. I genuinely don't know what to tell you. I promised he was reliable. I still believe he is. I just... wish he'd stop talking."
Vexion gently smiled. Seeking to help Lexa out with grace. "Please don't misunderstand Master."
Amber looked toward her.
"This isn't normally how he behaves."
'That is the biggest lie you've ever told,' Lexa immediately thought.
Vexion continued with complete sincerity.
"We simply overslept today. I was still trying to understand the new skill Master bestowed upon me. So... our morning routine had to be skipped."
Amber understood immediately and chose not to ask. Elric also wisely decided against asking.
Instead, Amber simply looked at Dante. Curiosity had completely replaced her earlier nervousness. Oddly enough, this ridiculous first impression made him seem less intimidating — not less dangerous, just more human.
She took a quiet breath.
"To be honest... I only have one question."
Dante looked toward her.
"You truly intend to recruit both of us?"
He nodded immediately.
"Yes."
"No hidden meaning?"
"No."
"You really mean... both of us?"
"Correct."
He pointed toward Elric.
"I want him."
Then toward Amber.
"I also want you."
Elric wasn't surprised — his skill naturally attracted attention. But Amber couldn't stop herself from asking.
"...Why?"
Dante tilted his head. "What do you mean?"
Amber hesitated. "My cousin's value is obvious. Mine isn't. My family thinks my skill is disappointing. My instructors thought the same. So..."
She looked directly into his eyes. "...why me?"
Dante frowned, then looked genuinely puzzled. "I'm confused."
Amber blinked.
He continued. "Why are you asking as though your skill isn't incredible?"
This time, it wasn't only Amber who froze. Even Elric's expression changed. For the first time, someone had responded to that question as though the answer should have been obvious.