"How was it? What score would you give my performance just now?" Lock glanced at Clementine beside him and asked with a smile.
Perhaps because the clothes she was wearing didn't suit her style at all, Clementine shrugged her shoulders. With her strength, normal fabric would tear! Was it made of magic material?
"Zero points," Clementine said disdainfully. "Although you have some basic foundation, you're a complete amateur when it comes to using martial arts. You can bully novices, but if you encounter a powerful warrior, you'll be easily killed!"
"Heh heh, before you say that, let's get one thing straight. The 'amateur' you speak of once killed a powerful warrior like you," Lock said mockingly.
This left Clementine momentarily speechless, but soon a sneer appeared on her face. "Hmph, you're just relying on your physical prowess to bully people. The same martial arts performed by someone with stronger physical abilities wouldn't show a different effect; isn't that an obvious truth?"
"Speaking of which, how exactly did you obtain that level of power? Don't tell me, beneath this human exterior, you're actually hiding a disgusting Ogre? Ugh, just thinking about it makes me want to vomit!"
Lock completely disregarded Clementine's taunts; this woman was just feeling indignant.
The enhanced Soul-Consuming Curse Mark had imprinted on her soul the effects of not being able to commit suicide and not being able to harm the caster. Aside from verbal jabs, she had no room to resist.
Retaining this bit of autonomy for her, instead of completely manipulating her like a puppet, was due to Lock's personal interest.
I just love seeing you curse and swear, while your body has no choice but to be honest!
Thinking of this, Lock couldn't help but reveal a doting smile, which made Clementine even more displeased, her teeth clenched.
"Let's find some time to have a good spar. Then you can guide me," Lock said. "I want to learn all of your martial arts in the shortest possible time."
"Without that innate special ability, you're just a good-for-nothing! If you want to learn my martial arts, go back and practice for another ten or eight years."
She hadn't quite understood before, but in the morning, Lock had controlled her to perform all the martial arts she knew, and then they came to the central plaza to duel that novice warrior whose physical prowess was as outstanding as his.
Even an idiot could see that there must be some reason for this.
Clementine, a former Black Scripture cadre, was no stranger to such things. Everyone in Theocracy with an innate special ability was registered, and their numbers were very high.
She easily connected the dots to this possibility, and her contempt for Lock grew even stronger.
Of course, this referred to his abilities as a warrior.
Being controlled by a spell like the Soul-Consuming Curse Mark, Clementine naturally knew that the man before her was not just a warrior; he was probably quite accomplished on the path of a Magic Caster as well.
At the very least, a spell with the effects of the Soul-Consuming Curse Mark was definitely above the third or fourth tier, as miraculous as the fifth-tier 'Resurrection of the Dead.'
What a terrifying man!
In the history of Theocracy, a land rich in talent, there had never been anyone who reached the heroic realm in both warrior and Magic Caster aspects.
Perhaps only those two monsters from the Black Scripture, Theocracy's strongest divine beings, could rival him!
"Hmm? This isn't the way back to the inn?"
Following Lock forward, it was a while before Clementine realized they had unconsciously walked into the commercial street, surrounded by shops.
"We'll be leaving E-Rantel soon, so we need to prepare in advance," Lock said mysteriously, then scanned her up and down. "Before that, let's get you a change of clothes. I imagine you're quite uncomfortable in this uniform."
"What do you want to do?!"
Clementine instinctively sensed something was wrong, but it was too late.
Lock slowly approached her, putting his arm around her slender waist, as intimately as lovers. "Let's go, my dear."
"You fiend!" Clementine glared at Lock with murderous eyes, but a strangely sweet smile appeared on her face. Leaning against his shoulder, they walked into the nearby clothing store with somewhat stiff steps.
About three hours later, a man and a woman emerged from the clothing store.
The man wore a well-fitting tailcoat and a top hat, his black short hair just reaching his ears, and an unhealthy pallor on his handsome face.
Beside him was a woman in an exquisite white gown, her black short hair slightly curled at the tips, paired with a lovely face, exuding a youthful aura.
The gown cinched at the waist, perfectly showcasing her impressive figure, boldly featuring a lace design at the bust, with a wavy hem adorned with sparkling Broken Gems, and white silk gloves on her hands.
"What exactly are you planning?"
Clementine whispered into Lock's ear, but her tone clearly conveyed a sense of anger and humiliation, indicating she was not doing this willingly.
"What's wrong? Weren't you quite happy when you were trying on clothes just now?"
The two walked slowly forward, leaning into each other, and Lock also spoke softly.
"Heh heh, you're the only one who was happy! As expected, all men are the same. If you're so capable, face me head-on!" Clementine sneered, then couldn't help but swear.
"You're too confident in yourself. I'm sorry, I already have someone in my heart, so I cannot accept your affection." Lock put on the air of a gentleman, but the faint smile on his face had already revealed everything.
"Bah! Trash, bastard, a useless man with no masculine abilities!" Clementine cursed.
During those three hours, her body was controlled to try on every single outfit in the clothing store, as if she were a clothes hanger!
Rather than being humiliated like this, she'd prefer a real fight.
"Oh, a question for you," Lock completely ignored her mood and spoke to himself. "Do we look like two fat sheep right now?"
Huh?
Clementine just wanted to see what he was thinking, of course, the kind where she'd open his head to see.
To avoid adding to his amusement, Clementine chose to stay silent, but she glared fiercely at his neck. If her body wasn't restricted, she would have unhesitatingly bitten through Lock's throat.
"Here we are, the Traveling Merchant Guild."
Lock looked up at the three-story building before them.
Although E-Rantel had establishments like the Adventurers' Guild, most merchants passing through would hire Adventurers to protect themselves and their goods when traveling to other cities.
However, this didn't mean that other carriage services had no market.
After all, hiring AAdventurerswas quite expensive, while renting a carriage was considerably cheaper.
Although fewer customers rented carriages recently due to the presence of thieves, rumored to be disguised former mercenary groups, there were still impoverished nobles short on cash who came to patronize the business.
As soon as Lock and Clementine entered the Traveling Merchant Guild, a service attendant warmly greeted them.
After all, the clothes they were wearing clearly looked very expensive, exuding an aura of 'wealthy people.'
"Welcome, both of you! How may I help you?"
"We wish to travel to the Royal Capital to visit relatives, and we'd like to rent a carriage," Lock said in a somewhat weak voice.
The attendant glanced at Clementine, who was nestled in his arms, then at Lock's slightly pale face, and couldn't help but reveal a knowing smile.
This young man clearly didn't know how to exercise restraint.
"Alright, do you have any specific requirements for the carriage?"
"Preferably spacious, and with good soundproofing," Lock said, a hint of unnaturalness in his expression.
"I understand. Then please follow me..." The attendant was about to introduce the guild's products to Lock when he was interrupted.
"Esteemed sir and beautiful madam, would you consider hiring my carriage? I guarantee it will meet both your requirements."
The speaker was a somewhat shifty-looking man. His gaze occasionally swept over Clementine, but he didn't overtly show it; instead, he was very respectful and seemed polite.
The moment Lock saw him, the corners of his mouth subtly curved upwards in a hidden smile.
---
A/N: A New Fanfic Is Out "Bleach: Reborn As Ishida Uryuu"
A/N: Advanced Chapters Have Been Uploaded On My Patreon
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