Yuanxi Palace arrived in a hurry and left just as quickly, as if she had made a special trip just to see the other Branch of Prosperity of the same age.
Before leaving, however, she left the Half-Elf Maid behind, instructing Rozana to note down the requirements for Westheid's prosthetic limb.
"Duke Qinghui, if you would please step into the next room to discuss the details."
The emerald-haired Half-Elf placed her hands before her stomach and gave an elegant curtsy.
"Of course."
Westheid stood up and followed Rozana into an adjacent lounge.
The moment he entered the dimly lit room, a warm, fragrant, and soft body threw itself into his arms.
"Duke Qinghui... West..."
Rozana hugged Westheid tightly. The Half-Elf Maid had lost all trace of her earlier cool and stunning demeanor. She desperately inhaled the man's refreshing scent, a pheromonal aroma like that of a mellow fruit wine, as if trying to brand it into her very soul.
"I never would have guessed you were one of Yuanxi Palace's attendants."
Westheid stroked Rozana's emerald locks, marveling at the fragrant, voluptuous, and mature body in his arms.
That's right. Among the tales of Duke Qinghui's utter debauchery, Rozana was one of his "glorious achievements."
Rozana said, a hint of resentment in her voice:
"I did tell you. It's just that you... probably don't remember at all, do you?"
As Luyetan's confidante and Yuanshi Territory's agent in the Imperial Capital, Rozana would attend various salons in the city, which was how she met Westheid.
Normally, as an attendant to one Branch of Prosperity, she should not have had much contact with another.
But the moment her eyes met that pair of melancholic, deep purple orbs, Rozana's once-quiet heart began to stir, and her world brightened.
All her caution and reverence for rules and worldly conventions vanished without a trace. Her reason was burned away, leaving only adoration and fervent passion for the beautiful young man.
Naturally, Rozana became one of Westheid's lovers. And unlike the noble ladies with whom he'd only shared a night or two of passion, their relationship was rather long-term. Even in his previous self-destructive state, Westheid had been quite fond of the Miss Half-Elf's lewd body and had fucked her brains out on multiple occasions.
Later, Rozana was recalled to Yuanshi Territory, and the two lost contact.
Reunited after so long, all of Rozana's long-suppressed feelings erupted at once.
"I heard you haven't been attending any parties recently. Many a noble lady has been quite disappointed. Heh, have you had a change of heart?"
The Half-Elf Maid said, kissing Westheid's neck.
"I can't keep living so ridiculously forever. It's time I started putting in some effort."
"Hmph, does a scumbag like you even have the right to say that? You're just moving on to even more ridiculous things."
Rozana spoke to Westheid with contempt, then gave his lips a light peck before kneeling down.
A moment later.
Westheid sucked in a sharp breath, his back going rigid.
He slowly stroked Rozana's head, feeling the silkiness of her hair flowing through his fingers.
"I don't mean to spoil your fun, but it seems more important to get the prosthetic limb crafted first."
"Hmph, has Duke Qinghui gone senile? Do you expect me to go bother the masters in the Imperial Capital in the middle of the night? Just state your requirements for the design. I'll be listening."
The beautiful and coolly stunning Half-Elf Maid glanced up and said sarcastically.
'Looks like tonight won't end peacefully. It's going to be a fierce battle.'
So, Westheid tried his best to focus, laying out his requirements one by one in the... vacuum-like environment.
He wasn't surprised by Rozana's contradictory behavior—how her mouth could scorn him while her body acted with such greedy, love-struck foolishness.
It was because of her Elf bloodline, a part of which came from the Elf Royal Family. Even though it was just a tiny fraction, it was enough to ignite her fervent passion for beauty.
The bloodline of Emperor Qianlu was always moved by ultimate beauty, and the Qinghui Bloodline originated from the Pure Holy Spirit, a being focused on Charm.
In other words, although it didn't appear on his status panel, Westheid did indeed possess a Talent for Extraordinary Charm.
'My Qinghui Bloodline certainly has potential for development. While Charm is useless most of the time, it would complement the mechanics of Heart and Soul's Gift perfectly.'
........
Early the next morning, Westheid was awakened from a deep sleep as bright, warm sunlight filtered through the gaps in the branches and leaves of the Holy Tree Illusion.
The first thing he saw was a panel pop-up.
[The web of love you have woven has yielded results.]
[You have shared Rozana Jade's Specialty: [Royal Court Flower Sword].]
[Royal Court Flower Sword]
[A Noble Swordsmanship popular in the Thousand Laws Royal Court. A Secret Technique used to train Coordinated Spellcasting and Posture Balance.]
[Enhances body balance; grants the ability of Arcane Coordination.]
Reiya, his main target, hadn't given him the Tier T0 Talent he'd been hoping for, but Rozana had given him a Specialty first.
This was normal, though. Rozana was already obsessed with his handsome looks, so her affection level must have been high enough for a long time. This was just him reaping the rewards.
Although [Royal Court Flower Sword] was only a Tier T3 Specialty, it was better than nothing. Any increase in power was welcome, and Westheid certainly wasn't going to complain.
'That makes three Specialties now. Not bad.'
Westheid opened his character panel to take a look:
[Westheid Qinghui]
[Tier: Elite (Tier Two)]
[Human (Purity Forest Bloodline)]
[Talent: In Purity]
[In Purity]
[The bloodline of a Holy Spirit Descendant from the Purity Forest. Those who stand in the hallowed ground of Purity and bathe in its clear light shall be blessed.]
[While within the Purity Forest's range, all of your attributes are enhanced, and you may freely use the Holy Land's Magic Pool.]
[Specialty: Vast Knowledge and Strong Memory; Strong Body; Royal Court Flower Sword]
[Vast Knowledge and Strong Memory]
[Due to extensive reading, you have accumulated a considerable amount of knowledge. You could be called a sage among mortals, but only a mundane one.]
[You gain proficiency in Appraisal and Languages.]
[Strong Body]
[Prolonged training and blessings have granted you a healthy and strong body of flesh and blood.]
[Your Constitution is enhanced, and your saving throw level against fatigue and poison is increased.]
Westheid glanced to the side. The Miss Half-Elf Maid had just finished putting on her black and white maid dress. However, since her black silk stockings had been ruined last night, she had to switch to a pair of over-the-knee socks to adorn her full, slender legs.
"I thought you had turned over a new leaf, but it seems I was worrying for nothing. Duke Qinghui, you are as lewd as ever."
Rozana looked at Westheid and chuckled softly.
Her lovely face was exceptionally bewitching and radiant, and a faint smile played on her lips. It was hard to imagine just how thoroughly she had been... irrigated.
'Wait, who's the lewd one here?'
Westheid was plunged into deep confusion. Rozana's open and forthright demeanor made him doubt his own memories of last night.
Even with the bonus from his [Strong Constitution] Specialty, he had to give his absolute all just to maintain his "undefeated legend."
As for what this "undefeated legend" was, it was just a bit of gossip circulating among the noble ladies of the Imperial Capital—not something to be shared with outsiders.
Westheid sighed in frustration, "Alas..."
'My Tier is still too low. With such feeble strength, how am I supposed to make the whole world... stronger?'
'If I could just get the [Saint of Flesh and Blood] Specialty, forget one Rozana—I'd take down a thousand, even ten thousand Succubi!'