Abyssal Chronicles

Chapter 412 - 413: A Handy Demon [9/14]

"Pipi, please, will you go with me to the Red Leaf Empire?"

Aya clasped her hands together, looking at the purple-haired man in front of her with hopeful eyes.

Faced with this request from her ’master,’ Pipi first frowned. After a brief pause, his expression turned to one of shock and complete annoyance. Without missing a beat, the maid pointed his index finger firmly at Aya’s forehead.

"You! Do you think I’m going to work overtime again? No chance!"

"Pipi~, it’s a special situation this time. It’s not me who wants to go; it’s an order from the elders. I have no choice."

"I don’t care!"

Unwilling to hear Aya ramble on, the purple-haired man crossed his arms defiantly and looked away.

"I’ve been working so hard for so long! Finally, I’ve got a vacation. I plan to enjoy life to the fullest. No overtime! Dream on!"

"Umm... so, Pipi, how about going with me this time, and I’ll give you extra days off later?"

"Huh? Extra days off?"

Upon hearing this, Pipi’s eyebrows twitched uncontrollably. Clearly, the term triggered some bad memories in him. A flash of ’menace’ appeared in her dark purple eyes.

"You’ve got to be kidding me with these extra days off stuff! You said the same thing last time, and the time before that! Every time, it’s the same promise but you never follow through! I don’t trust you anymore. I’m taking my vacation now!"

Pierre yelled furiously, a terrifying aura emanating from him and spreading rapidly, enveloping the entire training ground.

Normally, anyone facing this aura would have passed out. However, Aya, despite only being a mid-stage fifth level, managed to withstand Pierre’s aura due to her incredibly strong willpower, honed through years of hardship.

Afterward, the green-haired girl tilted her head, her voice filled with guilt and pleading:

"I’m really sorry, Pipi. I’ve been extremely busy lately, and that’s why I couldn’t give you your days off... I promise, you can have them after we return. Is that okay?"

"No!"

Faced with Aya’s request, Pierre once again decisively rejected it.

"You say that every time! Don’t think I’ll help you this time!"

"Hahhh... okay..."

Hearing this, Aya seemed to have given up persuading further and dropped her head in disappointment.

"So be it. I’ll go by myself then..."

"Hmph, glad you get it."

Seeing that he had won, Pierre placed his hands on his hips triumphantly.

Despite his seemingly cute gesture, Pierre’s annoyance level seemed to skyrocket, almost as if he were mocking Aya.

"Then, go by yourself. I’m off for my vacation..."

As he spoke, Pierre turned around, preparing to leave.

However, just as the purple-haired man was about to leave, Aya’s slightly sorrowful words drifted into Pipi’s ears.

"Pipi, if I don’t make it back alive, the treasury password is 768789. Go and collect your payment."

"What?!"

Hearing this, Pipi stopped in his tracks, looking back at the green-haired woman with a puzzled expression.

"What do you mean by that? Why bring this up all of a sudden?"

"Just in case."

"In case of what?"

"Smart Pipi should know. I’ve just become an imperial executive, and my background is weak. There are many people within the empire who would like to replace me. This mission to Red Leaf Empire offers them a perfect opportunity. Also, if I do get the Heart of the Sacred Dragon, many people will try to steal it from me. They might even kill me for it."

"Oh, I see..."

"So, if something happens to me, I wouldn’t want to shortchange you, Pipi. You’ve helped me for so long. Keep some of the money and treasures for Vika and the others; take the rest. That’s all I can offer you."

"..."

Saying this, Aya smiled and nonchalantly waved her hand.

"Don’t worry, Pipi. The Adventurer’s Association has assigned me ten powerful fifth-level personal guards. They might lack experience, but they look reliable. There are also several mercenary groups provided by various families. Even though those soldiers look ominous and might turn against me, they are probably good people. So, all in all, there shouldn’t be any problem with this journey. Pipi, go enjoy your vacation."

With that, Aya slowly got up, picked up the scattered clothes beside him, and walked towards the training ground’s gate, leaving the purple-haired man standing alone, lost in thought.

"..."

After hearing Aya’s words, Pipi was lost in an eerie silence.

He, who was just getting excited about enjoying his free time, but now he felt a wave of anxiety sweep over him.

’What if... what if she actually dies? Wouldn’t all my previous efforts be in vain?’

’What’s the use of the currency in the treasury? That’s not my goal at all!’

’My goal is to control a large empire!’

’To make my sisters look up to the great me, to make Mom proud!’

’Not to collect some worthless money!’

"Damn it!"

Thinking of the possibility of losing everything he worked for, Pipi couldn’t help but curse inwardly.

He wanted to enjoy His vacation, but given Aya’s situation, he couldn’t really relax...

’Damn it! Why is she so weak?’

After wrestling with his emotions and weighing the pros and cons, Pipi finally chose to abandon his original vacation plans.

"Never mind. I’ll just take my vacation after I make sure she gets back safely,"

Thinking this, Pipi disdainfully turned his head to look at the green silhouette—Aya, his current contract partner.

"Hey!"

The purple-haired man spoke coldly,

"Is Red Leaf Empire fun?"

"Hm?"

Hearing the words from behind her, Aya looked back, somewhat puzzled. "Well, it’s the top empire on the continent, so it should be interesting. But why ask all of a sudden, Pipi?"

"No reason. I just thought, since my vacation is so long, why not spend some time traveling to the Red Leaf Empire? Staying in Holy Lomari all the time isn’t that fun."

"Heeh~~!"

Upon hearing this, Aya blinked in disbelief. Then, her pretty face lit up with excitement.

Aya turned around excitedly, rushing to Pipi:

"Pipi! Are you willing to go to Red Leaf Empire with me? So, you are worried about me after all!"

"Huh?"

Due to Aya’s sudden closeness, Pipi’s face flushed slightly. But after a moment of hesitation, the purple-haired man snorted and turned his head away dismissively.

"Hmph. Who says I’m worried about you? Don’t flatter yourself. I’m just thinking of changing my vacation spot, and it happens to be on your way."

Saying this, Pipi ignored Aya, pouted his lips, and resolutely turned away, vanishing from the training ground in a flash of dark purple light.

...

When the purple-haired man had disappeared without a trace, Aya slowly lowered her clasped hands, thoughtfully surveying the dust-filled training ground.

After a moment, the corner of Aya’s mouth lifted slightly, revealing a smile that was both helpless and full of indulgence.

She thought to herself, "Such an easy-to-handle demon, huh~"