Lilith's Wager

Another day dawned. 

Lilith rose early, attending to various chores before carrying a sumptuous breakfast into Leo Vickery's bedroom. 

As a slave and maid, this was part of her daily duties.

But today was slightly different. 

Leo had already awakened without needing her usual prompt. 

Moreover, his condition seemed much improved from the previous day's weakness. 

Lilith even noticed a hint of joy on Leo's face, though whether it was due to some exhilarating event or something else was unclear.

Putting aside these tangled thoughts, Lilith approached with the breakfast. 

"Your Highness, your breakfast is ready," she announced.

Leo yawned and glanced at the tray held close to Lilith's chest. 

On it was a cup of holm oak juice, milky and nutritious, a staple for many nobles. 

Some highborn ladies even used it for bathing, believing it made their skin smoother and more delicate. 

Alongside the juice were two slices of bread and a roasted quail, its golden-brown, crispy skin emitting an enticing aroma. 

Lilith's culinary skills were indeed trustworthy.

However, Leo didn't rush to eat. 

Instead, he eyed Lilith with a mischievous look. 

"Lilith, the outcome of our bet will soon be revealed. Are you ready?" he asked.

Lilith's cheeks flushed, but she remained silent. 

Yet silence sometimes failed to serve its purpose, and Leo didn't intend to spare the maid any discomfort. 

He stuffed a piece of the roasted quail into his mouth, chewing it thoroughly before downing the holm oak juice. 

Then, he gently lifted a stray lock of hair from Lilith's forehead, deliberately saying, 

"Compared to roasted quail, I'd much prefer to savor your taste."

Lilith trembled slightly, feeling humiliated by his words.

Seeing Lilith's anger, Leo Vickery felt a sense of satisfaction. 

He refrained from further provocation and instructed, "Go and prepare the guest hall; Rain will be arriving soon. I suspect my brother will bring ample sincerity this time."

"Yes," Lilith replied, nodding her head, though internally she was skeptical.

The members of Lionara's royal family, often referred to as the 'Gold Lions', were known not only for their strength but also for their characteristically obsessive nature. 

Rain Vickery might be magnanimous with others, but such generosity was unlikely to extend to Leo.

So, she was confident about winning the wager.

But as she pondered her next steps, confusion clouded her thoughts. 

If she won the bet and gained her freedom, where would she go? 

Return to the royal city, to her father, only to wait for him to accumulate debts again and sell her off to another master?

Was this the life she wanted?

Lost in her thoughts and uncertainties, a noise came from outside the door.

Stoneton, with its sparse population and minimal guard, was a quiet place. 

The luxurious courtyard where Leo Vickery, the town's lord, resided was once a noble's estate. 

Upon his arrival, Leo had forcibly claimed it as his own, turning it into both his office and rest area.

In the entire courtyard, there were only two people: Leo Vickery and Lilith. 

There were no guards.

The guards who had arrived with Leo Vickery were assigned to watchtower duties, constantly vigilant for dangers lurking around the town. 

The low walls of Stoneton were no match for the fierce jackalfolk. 

However, the jackalfolk themselves showed little interest in Stoneton. 

The scant population, mostly elderly, was hardly a tempting target for them, and their flesh was not considered particularly appetizing.

"Prince Rain, please come in," 

Lilith hastened to the courtyard upon hearing the commotion, inviting Rain Vickery and his entourage into the guest hall. 

Leo Vickery was already seated in the place of honor, having been waiting for some time.

"My dear brother..." Rain began, only to be interrupted by Leo.

"Hold on, Rain. I believe I mentioned yesterday that anyone wishing to enter the town must pay a hundred gold coins each."

"Now, by entering Stoneton without my permission, you have violated the sovereignty of my territory. According to the laws of the kingdom, I could have you killed for this offense!"

Rain's face turned ashen, but he quickly regained his composure. 

He pulled out a special gold coin emitting a faint golden glow. 

The coin bore the image of a wand, not the likeness of King Vickery III of Lionara, and on the reverse was a simple mana absorption pattern, designed to store mana from the air and be absorbed by the bearer in critical moments.

Such coins, known as mana gold coins, were highly valuable. 

"Here is a mana gold coin, which by current estimates is worth twelve hundred ordinary gold coins, more than sufficient to cover the entrance fee to the town," 

Rain said, tossing the coin to Leo.

Leo caught it effortlessly.

Rain's brow furrowed slightly, sensing something amiss. 

Leo's strength seemed to have increased significantly. 

As an advanced knight, just a step away from becoming a divine knight, Rain's perceptiveness was far beyond that of ordinary individuals. 

He could clearly sense a considerable augmentation in Leo's aura.

Had Leo begun knight training? 

But wasn't he supposed to have recovered his magic talent? 

What exactly was going on?

Rain's thoughts were in turmoil, but his purpose for this visit remained clear. 

Yet, once again, he found himself anticipated by Leo.

"Lilith, take Captain Basilo outside for a moment; I have something to discuss with Rain. Oh, and the courtyard still needs some cleaning, doesn't it? Why don't you assign them some tasks to tidy it up properly," Leo commanded unceremoniously.

"Leo, they are my personal guards!" Rain struggled to keep his anger in check.

Leo smiled calmly, 

"I know, Rain, no need to raise your voice. And since you've come to see me, don't you want to know about—" 

He lowered his voice for the last few words, "—the secret of magic?"

Only Rain heard these words, while Basilo, Lilith, and the others only saw an enraged Rain Vickery suddenly soften, yet still sternly instructing his guards, enunciating each word, 

"Basilo, take your men and clean the courtyard thoroughly, leaving not a speck of dust behind!"

"Yes, Prince Rain," Basilo complied, leading his men away.

Once everyone had left, Rain spoke fiercely, "Leo, if you're playing me, I'll make sure you understand the meaning of pain!"

"My dear brother, why would I ever play you?" Leo responded, still smiling.

"As the second prince of the kingdom, you fear the authority of our eldest brother, Horn Vickery, the youngest divine knight of the kingdom, renowned for bringing great prestige and wealth from his many campaigns."

"At the same time, you fear my magic talent, and you used a special potion to destroy it."

"But what you didn't anticipate was the restoration of my magic talent."

"So, you're incredibly anxious, fearing that I might usurp you, and you've come up with a crazy idea—"

"You too, want magic talent!"

"Because that's the only way you can seize the throne from Horn Vickery."

"And so, you came to me."

As Leo laid bare Rain's innermost thoughts, Rain calmed down. 

He looked at Leo, asking curiously, "What do you want, Leo?"

"If it were the old you, you would have flaunted your achievements in front of me for revenge."

"But now, you're talking a lot, trying to infuriate me, but this only indicates one thing - that the method to restore magic talent works for me as well."

"And you, you want to use this method to gain some advantage. It seems you've grown a lot in these days in Stoneton, Leo. As your elder brother, I'm happy for you."

Rain said with a smile, ready to raise a toast. 

However, realizing there were no drinks or food on the long table, he awkwardly lowered his hand.

Hearing Rain's words, Leo seemed surprised, his pupils contracting slightly. 

Rain caught this reaction, his eagerness intensifying.

The power of magic was about to flow into his veins.

Then, Leo spoke, 

"Rain, I don't ask for much. But as you know, Stoneton isn't exactly prosperous. It's a poor, backward place with a sparse population, at risk of being overrun by jackalfolk at any moment."

"So, I need..."