"I'm in, Jules. But I'd need some time to prepare. Like a few weeks to two months. Will it be okay?"
Eren raised his condition. Jules was expecting this so she agreed to it immediately:
"That would have been the case even if you didn't ask about it, Ronny. My organization also needs to look for more rogue anthropes to join us in our exploration. Plus, we need to analyze purgatory and find out to whom it belongs.
This is an ancient purgatory, Ronny. Ancient even by purgatory standards. So we can not let our guards down. We can take all the time we need and prepare ourselves for the unthinkable before we even think about entering that separate dimension.
So take your time. We are in no rush."
Eren nodded at Jules after hearing her reply. He had already started thinking about the things he'd need to explore purgatory.
Eren would have suggested Agatha join the exploration as well. Unlike him, she was a genuine anthrope after all. But her association with the real him was part of the official kingdom record. His name would get linked up if he tried to sneak an ally into the exploration team.
Maybe he could talk with the guys that were caught by Eren's team while they were on their way towards the city of Silvermoon and get them onboard. But they were now part of the city administration's resources. It wouldn't just hand them over to him because he needed them.
Eren needed to come up with a different approach. Agatha was his valuable pawn because of her involvement in his business. She had started handling his business well these days. He couldn't just put her at risk for this exploration even if he finds a way to sneak her inside the exploration team.
Renar and the rest his the team would serve perfectly as his disposable weapons within the exploration team. But to release them from the clutches of the city's administration, he needed to come up with another shady plan.
'I didn't want to do this. However, exploring purgatory is far too critical. *Sigh. Blackmail it is.'
Eren immediately thought of a makeshift plan and kept it aside for the future. The details needed to be fine-tuned so his hands do not get burned in the process.
"You are spacing out way too much Ronny. Are you sure everything's alright?"
Julie's concerned voice landed on Eren's ears and he snapped out of his inner thoughts. He smiled at her before replying:
"Oh, I was just remembering the last night we had. It seems I was so hyped about our time together that my memories have become fuzzy. Hehe! Would you like to create new ones with me in their place?"
Julie rolled her eyes before replying in denial:
"Oh cut me some slack Ronny. I like things to be a bit rough, yes. But it'll be beyond torture if I engage anymore in those activities with you."
Eren chucked before agreeing to Julie's decision:
"Haha! You can't blame me for trying my luck. Anyway. Where are we heading next?"
Jules shook her head before clarifying her stance:
"WE are not going anywhere. You are. I come here to relax often. And I'd like some time alone. So…"
Eren nodded after understanding what Julie was talking about. He bid her adieu by kissing her on her lips before departing from the place.
Julie was left all alone. She waited by the pond for quite some time, watching her reflection in the water below.
The dawn break arrived. And with it, came a shadow that appeared behind Julie. The illusionist could see the reflection of that shadow on the surface of the water.
The shadow was of a mature lady who seemed to have a huge scar on her left cheek. Her features made her a very attractive woman in her 40s. But the scar gave her a domineering vibe.
"Lady Zee, did you find him to be suitable for our mission?"
Julie turned around and bowed in front of Zee. The latter sized up the illusionist before replying with a hint of tease in her voice:
"I'm surprised you can still stand on your own two feet after your rigorous activities last night. Do you need some more time to recuperate?"
Julie's cheeks turned red after listening to Zee's comment. But before she could come up with a satisfactory reply, the latter carried on:
"Alright. No need to get flustered. It was part of the mission after all. So I understand. And there's nothing wrong with seeking pleasure in the work you do.
That boy seems quite suitable for our mission. I was keeping tabs on your spell execution with my artefact as well.
You were dangerously close to breaking your spell. Thank the heavens, things worked smoothly and our vetting was successful.
The person who tipped off the city of Silvermoon about the Beast Blood's hideout has done us a huge favour. There are a good number of rogue anthrops roaming around in this part of the kingdom because of it.
We just need to find enough of them before we think about our next set of plans. So far, you did a fabulous job. Keep in touch with this Ronny guy. Use "any means necessary" to get inside his head again if you find a chance to do so."
'This bitch thinks I'm some chea*p slut who'd open her legs for anything that remotely resembles a di*k.
Well, to be honest, I'm indeed a slut. But I sure ain't cheap. And with Ronny, it is more than just a casual fling.
This granny won't get it.'
Julie thought to herself before nodding at Zee's instructions. There was no point in telling her senior about what she felt about Ronny. The lady was one stone-cold bi*tch.
It was now Julie's time to retire from the place, leaving Zee all alone. Once she was alone, the lady looked in the direction Ronny had gone off to and couldn't help remembering what she had felt back then when she was observing Ronny from a distance:
"Why do I get the feeling I wasn't the only observing party last night? It feels like there was someone keeping tabs on me as well."
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AN: Thanks GojoVir for your gift.