Gift

“Your Highness is truly bold.”

Faced with the Evernight Crystals Vivian produced, Angst didn’t refuse.

She accepted them with evident delight—a mutual exchange of gifts that left both parties satisfied and pleased.

“These crystals carry quite some weight… Tell you what, I’ll throw in a personal gift for you.”

Angst smiled, snapping her fingers.

“First collaborations call for reciprocity—come in.”

At her words, the tent’s curtain parted slightly.

Two slender, petite figures shuffled in, trembling like startled fawns.

Their heads were bowed, golden hair cascading like sunlight, nearly obscuring their faces.

Only their delicate chins and pale, quivering lips were visible.

They wore outfits similar in style to Angst’s, yet far more revealing—dancer’s garb.

Thin, shimmering silk barely covered key areas, leaving vast expanses of translucent, alabaster skin exposed to the cool air, smooth as fine jade.

The attire was less clothing and more a deliberate design to accentuate their curves and allure.

Slender waists, long legs, and the faint, youthful outlines beneath the gossamer fabric radiated a fragile yet fatal charm.

These two elves were undoubtedly a devastating temptation to men.

“Allow me to introduce,” Angst’s voice carried a lazy boast, “Lolo and Lili, an unexpected prize from a recent raid.”

Vivian studied the elven dancer girls, noting their pure golden hair, flawless skin, and the fresh, natural aura that clashed with the demonic air around them.

Their pureblood high elf heritage was unmistakable.

Yet, something about their faint, familiar presence tugged at her senses.

“They’re yours to enjoy, Your Highness.

They may look delicate, but they’re a qualified druid and life priestess.

Low-level, sure, but they can heal minor wounds or coax plants to grow.

Keep them close—they’re both pleasing to the eye and handy as an emergency ‘medkit.’ Isn’t that perfect?”

Angst waved her hand grandly, as if gifting trivial trinkets, and handed two s*ave contracts to Vivian.

“Oh? So generous?”

Vivian’s tone was flat, her heart unmoved.

Had she still been a man, the sight of these delicate elven girls might have sparked fantasies of indulgent nights.

But now, she remained utterly composed.

“These two are quite the treasures.

Twin sisters, no less.

Even in demon markets, they’d fetch a decent price, but in human lands?

They’d spark a bloodbath at auction, probably selling for enough to buy half a small town.

Chief Manager, this ‘small token’ of yours carries no small weight.”

Vivian continued, her tone measured.

These weren’t mere trinkets but twin elf sisters who could ignite a frenzy in human underground auctions.

Their origin from demonic slavers?

No one in the black market cared—they’d only see their ‘rarity.’

Even at exorbitant prices, few could afford them.

“Hahaha!”

Angst let out a hearty laugh, clearly pleased with Vivian’s words and demeanor.

“You’re not wrong, but alas, we’ve no plans to deal with the human black market next.

Our caravan’s headed straight to the imperial capital for trade, resupply, rotation, and rest, with maybe some small deals along the way.”

She laughed again, toying with the Evernight Crystals Vivian had given her, her golden eyes brimming with satisfaction.

“So, it’s a pity.

They could’ve fetched a fortune, but there’s no window for it now.

Better to gift them to Your Highness as new ‘toys’—a small gesture of my goodwill.”

The dark elf leaned forward slightly, her words casual but deliberate.

“Even if we don’t reach an agreement, these two darlings are yours, a modest visiting gift from this humble caravan manager.”

‘As expected of a merchant,’ Vivian thought.

Turning a profit-losing “commodity” into a valuable gift for a Demon Lord—a brilliant move.

It built goodwill, piqued the Demon Lord’s curiosity, and indirectly boosted the perceived value of the Evernight Crystals.

A triple win, executed with cunning precision, impossible to refuse.

And… it didn’t annoy Vivian.

This was a dark elf bold enough to claim [Blade of Freedom]—her schemes and finesse matched her title.

“Rebuilding the territory keeps me busy, so I won’t linger. I’ll take my leave.”

Vivian had no intention of staying longer and rose, speaking curtly.

Angst reclined lazily, waving a hand with the ease of farewelling an old friend.

“Safe travels, Your Highness. I won’t see you out.”

As for Lolo and Lili, the elf sisters whose s*ave contracts had been transferred, they hurried after Vivian with small, timid steps, their bodies still trembling faintly.

“Aria, go attend to your duties.”

“Yes.”

Vivian glanced briefly at the two elves, then dismissed Aria.

The head maid left without a word, leaving only the three of them.

“Follow me.”

Her voice was flat but carried an undeniable command.

She led the two elf girls toward another tent, a nearby storage for tools and miscellany.

Lolo and Lili trembled in unison, clinging closer to each other but not daring to disobey.

Like lambs to slaughter, they followed Vivian with bowed heads.

Vivian waved a hand, casting a sealing and soundproofing spell.

The tent’s already dim light grew darker still.

She turned, her gaze cold and unyielding, fixing on the two “commodities.”