Chapter 441 - 222: Forest of Serenity and the Hunting Competition (2)
Chapter 441: Chapter 222: Forest of Serenity and the Hunting Competition (2)
"Last year, Flora was the one who won the Hunting Competition. That’s how she made a name for herself and came to be known as the Kingdom’s once-in-a-century magical genius... Not long after, she became a mentor at Saint Antonia Academy."
Shaya quickly explained why she was reminiscing. "Incidentally, I was last year’s runner-up."
Her skills were actually a bit stronger than Flora’s, and she had a high chance of winning in a direct confrontation. But alas, she was an Assassin and Flora was a Mage. It was just too difficult for an Assassin to compete with a Mage in terms of mob-clearing efficiency.
It was during that event that they first crossed paths and, after a rocky start, became friends.
"Sounds interesting..."
Lin Mo looked intrigued. For a competition of this scale, winning first place would surely come with generous rewards in addition to fame.
"But the Hunting Competition is usually held in the fall, a while after the season begins. During that time, Demons become more aggressive because they need to hoard food for the winter. That’s why they need to be cleared out promptly, to prevent them from encroaching on human territory."
"Plus, the Demons are easier to find at that time."
"The autumn and winter seasons... Doesn’t that mean there’s still over a month to go?"
It was currently around August. According to Flora, the event would likely be held sometime in October.
"More or less. In any case, there’s still some time. In comparison, there’s... never mind."
Flora shook her head, cutting herself off abruptly.
Lin Mo pouted. "There’s what? At least finish your sentence."
’Either say it or don’t. This starting-a-sentence-and-not-finishing-it thing is the worst. So annoying to be left hanging.’
"It’s really nothing..."
Flora waved her hand. "It’s just some personal business. It has nothing to do with you, so just pretend I didn’t say anything."
Lin Mo rolled his eyes, not bothering to press her further.
He leaned back in his chair. He didn’t even have to say a word; the moment the thought crossed his mind, Shefilya was already standing behind him, massaging his shoulders.
The pressure was neither too light nor too heavy—just right.
"Ahh~"
Lin Mo let out a long sigh of comfort, half-closing his eyes and sinking into the pleasure.
Nearby, Feney was engrossed in a book from the Church.
The Priest was a rather special Profession. Beyond their own diligent practice, the deeper their understanding of the Holy Light, the closer their connection to it, and the more they were recognized by it, the faster they would grow.
That’s why Priests often read the various scriptures from the Church, to enrich their knowledge and deepen their understanding of the Holy Light and its doctrines.
Lena was also holding a book, this one about planting. She studied it intently, occasionally taking notes.
The Gale Horses were fast, but a special stabilizing Array had been set up inside the carriage, so there wasn’t the slightest jolt. You could even read without worrying about getting dizzy.
Flora and Shaya were chatting idly. Lin Mo was enjoying Shefilya’s massage. Only Ali had nothing to do and was staring into space, bored.
After a while, she couldn’t stand the boredom any longer and sidled up to Lin Mo.
"Lin Mo, play with me~"
Her voice was coy and charming, a far cry from how she had been when they first met.
Lin Mo glanced at Flora’s teasing gaze and said helplessly, "What is there to do for fun in a carriage?"
"Umm..."
Ali couldn’t think of anything either, so she simply clung to Lin Mo, wrapping her arms around his neck and resting her head on his shoulder.
Lin Mo casually grabbed her large tail, kneading it for a moment before pulling out a comb and starting to brush the fur.
Ali stopped bothering him, content to close her eyes and enjoy it.
After her tail, he brushed her hair, and then it was Lena’s turn.
The Little Cat Girl was too shy to ask herself, but Ali was a good friend. After Lin Mo finished with her, she brought Lena up.
Lin Mo figured it made sense. He simply pulled the shy Little Cat Girl onto his lap and began brushing her fur as well.
At first, Lena was completely tense, her body stiff. But eventually, the pleasant sensation made her slowly melt into Lin Mo’s arms, her mouth half-open, twitching with pleasure.
The atmosphere in the carriage suddenly became a little strange.
Feney could no longer focus on her book, her eyes fixed wistfully on them.
’It looks so nice...’
She didn’t have that much fur to be brushed. Shefilya had styled her hair perfectly this morning.
’But if I had known, I would have rather not styled it.’
Flora and Shaya were still watching like spectators, but Shefilya was getting anxious.
She watched Feney just staring without saying a word, and a sense of exasperation washed over her.
’Miss Feney, why are you just watching?’
Lena was now nearly asleep in Lin Mo’s arms. She rested her head on his thigh, curled up in a ball. Her small frame truly looked like an adorable kitten.
Lin Mo had finished brushing and was now gently stroking the cat girl’s head, enjoying the soft, fluffy texture.
"Miss Feney."
Shefilya finally couldn’t hold back any longer. "I seem to recall you mentioning that you wanted to try a new hairstyle."
"Eh? I... Right, yes."
Feney’s reaction was quick. After a brief moment of confusion, she immediately nodded in agreement and looked at Lin Mo. "Mr. Lin Mo, could you help me?"
"Me?"
Lin Mo pointed to himself, completely baffled.
He could handle combing hair, but something as difficult as styling it was asking too much of him.
"Master, I believe that as a considerate gentleman, you should try learning about this sort of thing..."
Lin Mo glanced at Shefilya, who had suddenly spoken up. If he remembered correctly, just a few days ago, this little Maid had told him to leave all such matters to her.
He wasn’t an idiot. Seeing Feney wringing the hem of her clothes with a shy expression, and Shefilya, who looked calm but was practically fuming with impatience, he instantly understood what was going on.
’Building a harem is a skillful art.’
Sighing to himself with a bit of emotion, Lin Mo then beckoned to Feney. "Well... I’ll do my best."
"Mhm!"
Feney’s face lit up, and she walked over with light, happy steps.
She turned around and slowly sat down with her back to Lin Mo, her soft body leaning into his embrace bit by bit. The increasingly real sensation felt like a scene from a dream coming to life.
A faint, refreshing fragrance emanated from the lovely girl—not strong, but subtle and captivating.
Her beautiful golden hair was like the finest silk, smooth to the touch.
Lin Mo untied the hair ribbon Shefilya had put in, combed through her hair carefully, and then clumsily gathered it to try and braid it.
To be honest, he didn’t really know how, but thankfully Shefilya was there to guide him, so he managed to get it done in the end.
It wasn’t much different from her original hairstyle, just with two thin braids on the sides. His technique was rough, and the result wasn’t great, but Feney was so beautiful that she looked good no matter what.
Even though it wasn’t done well, Feney clearly loved it, her face full of joy as she caressed the braids Lin Mo had made for her.
"Thank you, Mr. Lin Mo~"
Her voice was soft and sweet, and her perfect touch of shyness felt like a gentle tickle on the heart, making one’s own heart flutter.
Although there were no further intimate actions, it wasn’t appropriate to be too close in front of so many people. Progress like this was already very good.
Shefilya had achieved her goal and nodded in satisfaction.
Miss Feney’s status and personality meant she couldn’t just get everything done in one go like she could.
’There’s plenty of time later, anyway. It’s not bad to let the young miss experience the feeling of falling in love bit by bit. As long as she makes progress faster than that dazed Cat Race Half-Beastman over there, it’s a success.’