Vile Evil Hides Under The Veil

Eren quickly grasped the implications of Wilfer's words.

"I see. It seems the newly appointed city guard is part of your network within the city," Eren remarked, observing Wilfer, who nodded and continued.

"That's right. It's not every day Sunhaven welcomes an E-Ranked Practitioner who buys permanent residency on their first visit. So it was only natural that you would be noticed," Wilfer explained, leaning back in his chair.

"In other words, you had your eyes on me from the moment I entered Sunhaven," Eren stated matter-of-factly. Wilfer acknowledged that Eren was aware of being observed by some of his subordinates in the city, and there was no need to conceal it any longer.

"I planned to observe you for a few days before proposing you work for me," Wilfer admitted, sighing and shrugging. "But my cousin intervened and complicated things. By the time I could intervene, you had already taken care of them. You were very decisive and gentle at the same time. So I thought there would be no better time than now to introduce myself."

'Gentle? Just because I made them leave without causing a ruckus?' Eren chuckled inwardly.

"You give me way too much credit, Royal Highness. I am not as nice as you think I am."

The butcher replied, savoring another bite of his meal and the taste of wine. Reen smirked at Eren's statement, glancing at Wilfer. However, she remained silent, allowing the two to continue their conversation.

"In any case, I would like to offer my friendship—" Wilfer began, raising his hand for a handshake, but Eren interrupted.

"If you want me to work under you, then you are barking up the wrong tree, Your Royal Highness. I am not interested in being leashed with restrictions by you or your subordinates," Eren said sternly.

"The royal faction supporting me would offer you plentiful rewards," Wilfer countered, unsurprised that Eren had deciphered his intentions.

"The last time I interfered in royal affairs, it did not go well for the royal family or the entire kingdom," Eren added with a cryptic smile. "Trust me, you don't want me involved."

"Hehe. The last time you were involved with royal affairs, things didn't go well for the entire world, Erni," Reen's cheerful voice echoed in Eren's mind, but he chose to ignore it as if he hadn't heard her.

"But—" Wilfer attempted to argue further, yet Eren raised his hand in a "stop" sign, signaling for him to hold his thoughts.

"Let me finish. I said that I didn't want to work under you. But that doesn't mean that I can't work for you at the right price from time to time. Feel free to place your potion orders with me, and I'll do my best to meet your expectations," Eren said, a smile playing on his lips.

Wilfer carefully processed Eren's proposition, finding it reasonable. After a deep breath, he agreed to form a symbiotic relationship with Eren.

"That… that works as well," Wilfer admitted, though it was evident he wasn't entirely comfortable with the arrangement. He didn't want to pressure Eren into anything. Regardless of the world, potion-makers were always respected, and Wilfer, with his Grand Seer powers, could deduce that Eren was a special existence. He didn't want to offend a hidden expert just to advance his standing in the Eldorathian royal court.

"Here. I want you to have this, Rook Ren," Wilfer handed Eren a medallion with the royal symbol etched on it. "This will help you a bit in Sunhaven," he assured. "Thanks," Eren didn't bother with modesty and promptly stored the medallion in his Inventory.

"We'll stay in touch. If there's nothing else, I will take my leave," Wilfer decided to leave Eren and his companions to their devices after formalizing their agreement. However, Eren's casual question halted him. "Where are you going?" Eren inquired.

"Um, I was just about to—" Wilfer, confused and at a loss for words, felt compelled to answer Eren about his plans. But before he could declare them, Eren clarified the situation.

"Royal Highness, you ate food by our table. Surely you don't want to engage in an eat-and-run activity here, do you?" Eren asked, casting an inquisitive gaze at Wilfer.

"What?" Wilfer was taken aback by Eren's blatant thriftiness. "I… I just ate a little—" Shocked by Eren's shamelessness, he found it challenging to explain his side of the situation.

"The portion of the food that you ate doesn't matter; the fact that you ate it does," Eren said with a dramatic sigh. "Forget it, Your Royal Highness. If it's too much for you to pay right now, I shall cover the bill with my own money."

Wilfer's difficult-to-read expressions transformed into a mirthless smile as he regarded Eren in a new light. "You are indeed way different from what I expected you to be, Rook Ren," Wilfer remarked while scratching his right cheek.

"On second thought, it would indeed be shameful of me to let you pay for the food on our first meeting. If I want to befriend someone in my capacity as a royal, I should act like one. I will take care of the bill for you, don't worry," he assured before getting up from his chair.

Bidding adieu to Eren and the rest, Wilfer exchanged a few words with the head manager of the restaurant before making his exit.

'This young chicken thinks he can use me by dangling a carrot, but he's still too wet behind his ears if he believes he can manipulate me into doing things for him,' Eren shook his head in amusement.

'He doesn't know that I'll eat the carrots without a second thought and still choose not to help him. It's good that I let those guys keep an eye on us though so I could meet this kid. I'll surely make use of his position. His connections with the temple of Sekhmet will also benefit me in the future,' he concluded his thoughts before refocusing on the food.

"Did you hear, Mr. Tour Guide?" Eren clapped his hands with enthusiasm as he looked at Arman. "Today's bill will be covered by the royal highness. Let's make good use of it," he declared before delving back into his meal with even more gusto than before.

Reen laughed in agreement, following Eren's lead. Arman stopped eating after some time, his stomach fully overloaded, but the other two continued to order and devour various delectable dishes with unabated enthusiasm.