CHAPTER 44: OFFER FROM HARLEY LANNISTER

Max stared at Harley, waiting for her answer. There was a chance she was just visiting one of her company’s branch, but that was too coincidental.

After a few seconds of silence, Harley smiled and said, "I see that you have done your research. Very well, I can help you forge your identity and link it to your CID and the Main Database."

"How much will it be?" Max asked.

"It depends, but I’m more interested in forming a relationship with an upcoming top hunter," Harley said, resting her chin on her palm.

Her gaze chilled Max, but he still pretended to be calm and asked, "I wonder what you want from me?"

"Maxwell Corelhelm, Son of Edward Corelhelm and Alice Painter, supposed to have blocked Mana Viens and was thus treated very badly in the Royal Palace," Harley said, taking out a file out of nowhere.

She slid it across the table and continued, "The weak boy suddenly asked the King to enter the Labyrinth and everyone assumed he was doing suicide, especially when he never returned."

Max looked at her for a moment and then sighed in exasperation, ’Of course, she will know all of that. She’s the Queen of Underworld!’

But even then he couldn’t understand why she was here in the Godshine City. A bastard like him wouldn’t interest her because there were other bastards with a much better future out there.

He took a deep breath and repeated his question, "I wonder what Miss Harley wants from me?"

"Oya! You actually recognised me?" Harley exclaimed lightly before giggling. "Ah! I’m so famous even a horse caretaker knows me. What to do with so much fame?"

Max’s lips twitched, but he couldn’t even deny her words.

"Anyway, you are being straightforward, I will also tell you everything upfront," Harley stopped laughing and said. "I can see that you have some secrets that you don’t want others to know and I also won’t pry into those. Everyone has their secrets and opportunities."

’She must have sensed my Level, huh,’ Max thought.

"What I know is that you have changed and turned into a genius somehow and I want to make friends with a future top hunter," Harley finished, still having her annoying smile.

"You want me to believe that?" Max asked with a flat tone, though he was really afraid of whatever Harley was planning.

"Well, I at least tried," Harley giggled lightly and said. "And what I said isn’t completely wrong. My eyes are special, kiddo, and I can see things even those Imperial Appraisers would fail to find."

Her eyes glowed once again, scanning Max up and down. He shivered, feeling as if his whole being was naked before her.

"What I see in you is a dormant limitless potential and... something more terrifying. Whatever you have will change the world if you don’t die early. And judging by your eyes, I’m sure you also know it," Harley said, shifting her spectacles slightly.

’I should have expected this. Her Heaven Eyes can’t see the Heart’s Desire but she can sense its lingering aura,’ Max sighed, his mind running at full speed to come up with some ideas to deal with this situation.

He took a deep breath and decided to just face it head-on, "I have heard about your Heaven Eyes but they’re even more powerful than I expected."

Harley raised an eyebrow and said, "You certainly know a little too much for someone of your age and status."

"I have my way of gathering information," Max smiled and said.

He had revealed that intentionally to set their relationship in a balance. He couldn’t let her think she had the advantage, even though she technically did.

"Haha!" Harley put her hand on her lips and laughed. "Fine! You are one impressive man. How about this, I will give you a new identity, will make sure your deeds and former identity remain hidden, especially what you did with Shamal Clan, and I will also give you my support."

She smiled and said, "If you know so much about me, then you should know what my support means."

"Of course, I know. Who wouldn’t want to have a Diamond Rank Hunter supporting them," Max said, smiling as he saw the mild shock in Harley’s eyes. "But I’m still confused. Are you really doing this because of my potential?"

"Somewhat, yeah. You’re weak now, but what about in a few years? My Auction House will have powerful hunters supporting it," Harley said. "But that isn’t my goal for approaching you."

She turned her face to the side and, for the first time, Max noticed a serious look on her face, "Things are changing and soon there will only be chaos. Before that, I want to have a few powerful, but trustworthy allies and I want to train you to be my ally who can have my back in tough times."

Max stared at her for a few seconds and then asked, "Is this about some Labyrinth Raid?"

"You catch on quick, sadly you’re only half right," Harley said, turning back to her normal self. "While I do want a few trustworthy allies for my Labyrinth diving, the chaos I’m speaking of will be on the outside world."

"You’re hiding something, aren’t you?" Max asked, still feeling something amiss in her words.

"Ah! I thought you would be mesmerized by my beautiful face and ignore it," Harley sighed in overreaction and put her hands on her cheeks. "I will need to work on my expressions then."

’Man! Why do I feel like she’s trying to kill me?’ Max wondered, ignoring her behaviour.

While she was beautiful, probably one of the most beautiful women in the Empire, Max knew how deadly and vicious this woman could be for her goals.

[What do you think she’s planning?]

’It is probably because of my Bloodline,’ Max thought. ’Soon, the Corelhelm Kingdom will be in chaos along with other Kingdoms. She probably wants to use my status to force me onto the throne. Then, she can expand her influence even more.’

Harley Lannister loved her influence and family fame to death, so she would do anything to grow her influence.

’She probably already has a few candidates for other Kingdoms. But the main problem is, how does she know about the plans of Profound Beasts? That should be impossible!’