Taming The Villainesses - Episode 182.2

(EP-182.2) And Take #1

182 – Give and Take #1

‘As expected!’

Serazade had grasped it.

She possessed an extraordinary talent for detecting human desires. In negotiations, it was fundamental to stimulate the other party’s desires.

In that sense, the Half-Fairy’s desires were ambiguous and confusing, as he did not seem to favor either jewels or beauties.

But what was clear was that this was not the best route. Despite hearing about Tureuki’s famous dancers, he didn’t even react that much.

Then she remembered that this Half-Fairy was a mage.

He was able to compete with her younger brother, Kasim, who was the most talented mage she knew.

Kasim even said, “It doesn’t seem like he’s a battle mage who received combat training. But he is quite talented.”

Although Kasim was a troublemaker, his magic skills were acknowledged by the World Magic Society.

The fact that the Half-Fairy could compete with Kasim, who had undergone thorough training as a battle mage, meant that his skills could not be ignored.

There was no reason for an accomplished mage to reject gongcheong petroleum.

And as if she had already seized victory, Serazade continued.

“Gongcheong petroleum is nature’s elixir that can grant an ordinary person a long life without any problem or trouble. The effect is even better for mages, with a few drops yielding years-worth of meditation~.”

“Hmm….”

“Half-Fairy, you’ll be participating in the upcoming trial as the champion, aren’t you?”

“How do you know that?”

“There aren’t many who would go as the Queen’s champion. So, as preparation for the imminent duel, isn’t a drop of gongcheong petroleum perfect?”

“…….”

The man flinched.

Startle-.

It was only very little, but for Serazade, it was like a big vibration. A tiger’s whiskers would detect even the slightest of breeze.

Seureuk.

Finally, Serazade retrieved a tiny vial from the silk pouch at her waist.

A vial no larger than the pinky finger. Sealed with a golden lid, the small bottle held a drop of milky-white liquid.

It then ‘spoke’.

━Kyuiing.

Which surprised the Half-Fairy.

“Did that droplet just make a sound?”

“Yes. Gongcheong petroleum has a will. In Angmar, it is also called wildling, right? It’s a liquid with a will, like a slime. Here, drink, Half-Fairy, Theo Gospel.”

Seuk.

Serazade extended the vial to the man.

Accepting it, the man seemed hesitant at first, but soon uncapped it and let the content flow into his mouth.

━Kyuiing….

As the small droplet disappeared with a pitiful sound, Serazade’s lips seemed to curve into a smile.

‘He took the bait!’

Once a mage tasted gongcheong petroleum, they would become addicted and crave more and more. Now, he would willingly slave away for the Tureuki Kingdom to obtain extra!

Well, how about that?

Serazade inwardly wore a sinister grin.

* * *

I consumed the gongcheong petroleum that Serazade gave.

I thought a drop would just be a ‘drop’, but as it entered my mouth, a potent aroma began to spread within, which even shook my head.

Euaagh. It was so bitter that I almost spat it out.

A nymphophobic taste…

It was horrible!

My body felt like screaming!

━Kyuiing….

If only it hadn’t made pitiful sounds in my mouth, it might have been bearable. I gulped it down while mourning the poor droplet. If I spitted this out in front of the Empress, there would be an uproar.

Soon, letters appeared before my eyes.

「Patience is bitter, but medicine is more bitter.

Job : Mage 1+ Level

Mage Lv. 9 → Lv. 10

Wisdom and intellect dwell in you.」

「Your job level has reached the limit, you can advance to a higher rank job.」

「High Rank Job – Possible advancement to 《Archmage》.」

「Archmage : A job that only seekers of magic who have opened the door to truth can acquire. As the level increases, the power, effects, and success rate of spells also increase.」

‘Oh, I see.’ My guess was right. Indeed, unlocking the advancement to Archmage requires reaching Mage Level 10. I could become an Archmage like Aira now?

Very good. While satisfied with that thought, more letters came to my mind.

「Limited Job – Possible job change to 《Demon King》.」

「Demon King: A limited job that can be unlocked by certain conditions. However, there is always only one Demon King in an era. As the level increases, many things are significantly adjusted, and special privileges are obtained. However, it suffers negative karma and penalties by deterrence.」

Wait, this was also a job?

A Demon King was a job? I thought it was more like a title.

Anyway.

The adjustments were excellent, but the following statement about bearing negative karma and penalties due to deterrence caught my attention.

It was a job with great benefits and risks.

Typical high risk, high return.

I’d been told not to invest in such ventures.

Did Demon King Solomon also have such a job? Probably. That was likely why he was called the Demon King.

Then, Serazade, who had been watching me, spoke with a subtle tone.

“What do you think? Is it effective? Don’t you think it’s enough as a price for seeing the future?”

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