CHAPTER 273: 273. YOU MAKE A GOOD WIFE

"Before it gets dark outside, this is what the kingdom demands as payment for the destruction caused by Asher Reynolds," Grand Chancellor Nadia said, handing Mr. Martinsville a folded sheet of parchment.

The Duke took it smoothly, and scanned it with a neutral face.

"Two hundred platinum coins... and a lifetime ban on Asher Reynolds ever setting foot in Zephandria again," he muttered.

"It is the verdict of the noble court!" the King declared from her throne, voice sharp and unyielding. "For a man who destroyed our infrastructure, and even lied that our kingdom’s guildmaster harbored an underground facility full of monsters and demons—this punishment is merciful. Were it not for certain considerations, these transgressions would warrant execution!"

Max’s father, sitting just beside the Duke, nodded outwardly in agreement. Inwardly, however, he was angry.

If only they’d executed this brat already! He’s been a thorn in our side since the very beginning!

But he forced himself to exhale slowly. From the looks of it, his partner had no plans of killing Asher. At least not just yet. If nothing else, letting the boy be punished publicly would at least tarnish his growing reputation. Everything Asher had built these past weeks would come crashing down. That’s an indirect win.

Meanwhile, Asher knelt in chains at the center of the hall, head bowed, lips curled into a faint smirk. Two hundred platinum coins, huh? And they’re banning me from coming back here. No more platinum from Zephandrian nobles then... after all the strings Valerie pulled for me.

His gaze flicked briefly to Sir Irvine, whose contempt was palpable. That cold, arrogant sneer on his face was almost identical to Max’s. Guess the apple really didn’t fall far from the tree.

Whatever. Paying the fine means nothing. Every journey doesn’t just go smoothly. There are times like these were obstacles get in the way, trying to pin you down and stop you from achieving your goals. However, this is nothing to me. I still have more money to make, more connections to build—this fantasy world doesn’t end at Zephandria.

At last, the meeting adjourned.

Still shackled, Asher was yanked roughly to his feet by Commander Ravaine, her raccoon ears twitching in irritation. "We knights will escort this delinquent out of our precious kingdom at once, my King!" she declared with a stiff bow.

"Oh, don’t trouble yourself," the Duke interrupted smoothly, smiling as he stepped forward. "Unshackle him. I’ll take him home myself."

Ravaine blinked in disbelief. "B-but sir... you came in a phantom chariot! Surely, a commoner like him doesn’t deserve to ride in the same carriage as you! I’ll see him out on a horse, or—"

"It’s fine," the Duke interrupted gently, smiling as if the boy’s very existence amused him. "Despite his... rather barbaric behavior, Asher is still one of our most valuable citizens. He’s a talented merchant and, unofficial as it may be, Eldoria’s newest S-rank hunter even if we haven’t celebrated it yet. His party is still under preparations."

That revelation that Asher was an S-rank made Ravaine falter. So that explained his overwhelming power—the ease with which he shattered her shield, the endless fireballs he hurled without getting tired, or mana-drained.

She bit back a retort, shot Asher a sideways glare, and begrudgingly unlocked his shackles.

Asher stretched his arms, rolling his neck with an audible crack, then grinned at her.

Ravaine tugged him closer by the leash around his neck as she tried to removed it, too. They stood close now.

"You know..." Asher said quietly, his smirk infuriatingly confident. "You’d make a good wife."

Her ears shot straight up. "W-wha—?! What the hell are you saying, you damn fugitive?!" she sputtered, fumbling the key at the lock.

"I’m serious. A raccoon demi-human, huh? Makes my mind wander with all sorts of ideas. Tell me, Ravaine... what’s the secret to your heart?" His voice dipped low—just enough for her to hear, and not the whole throne-room.

Her face turned crimson. We’re in front of the King! The nobles! Everyone! Yet her heart thudded so violently she feared they’d hear it too.

"A-as if I’d let a delinquent like you anywhere near my heart!" she snapped, cheeks still glowing.

Asher feigned a stumble, "accidentally" falling forward and his hand brushed the base of her tail.

Ravaine froze, the touch sending an electric jolt through her entire body. Her knees weakened, breath faltering as her face flushed an even deeper shade of red.

Both of them toppled to the ground—her flat on her back, Asher landing squarely atop her.

Gasps erupted throughout the throne room.

Ravaine shoved him off instantly, her flustered expression masked behind a forced scowl. Asher, ever the actor, went limp as though unconscious.

"Commander Ravaine?" the King asked, brows arched in suspicion.

"Ah—th‑the delinquent seems to have fainted!" Ravaine stammered. "I’ll... I’ll carry him to the Duke’s phantom chariot right away!"

Goddess, strike me down now! I can’t take these stares!!

She hoisted him up, gritting her teeth.

"Damn, you’re heavy! What the hell do you eat?!" she hissed under her breath.

Asher cracked an eye open, peering cheekily at her cleavage through the gap in her armor. "What a nice view you’ve got there, Mrs. Raccoon."

She nearly dropped him, choking on air, but forced her face to stay neutral as nobles still watched. Her grip tightened painfully on his arm.

"You’re warm," he whispered. "Your hands feel nice on my skin."

"Y-you pervert!" she hissed, her racoon long ears burning red.

Outside, the crowd of furious Zephandrians waited for his execution.

Asher suddenly slipped free of Ravaine’s grasp, landing lightly on his feet.

"I can walk now. Thanks for the ride," he said smugly before closing his eyes, sensing his sister’s mana. She was nearby, somewhere in the crowd. He walked into the angry crowd, searching for Sharon.

"Hey! Wait for the Duke!" Ravaine barked.

He ignored her completely.

"I said stop, you delinquent!!!"

Minutes later, Asher reunited with Sharon.

"I was worried brother dearest!! I thought they’d exwcute you!!" Sharon muttered to Asher.

He grinned. "You know l won’t go down that easily!!"

Ravaine seethed as she dragged them both toward the phantom chariot, furious at his blatant disobedience. This delinquent wasn’t even listening to any damn word she said.

And then she noticed how Asher and Sharon walked with arms linked, and far too close for comfort.

Lovey‑dovey?! With his sister?! This degenerate!What in the hell is going on?! Calm down, Ravaine. It’s none of your business. You’re a respected knight commander. A woman who deserves a respectable man... This shouldn’t trouble you! Yes, you’re still a virgin! Yes, you’ve never been complimented that you’d make a good wife by a man, but that doesn’t mean anything! The delinquent was just running his foolish mouth.

But Asher’s words kept echoing in her mind—What’s the secret to your heart?

"Ughhh..." She stomped over to a nearby wall and banged her forehead against it repeatedly.

"You okay there, Raccoon?" Asher asked, fingers loosely entwined with Sharon’s.

"I’m fine, thank you!" she snapped, face still red. "And my name is Ravaine—not Raccoon!"

"I don’t know... Ravaine, Raccoon... sounds the same to me."

An empty bottle flew past Asher, shattering at his feet.

"How can he just walk away after all that destruction?!" someone yelled.

"If the kingdom won’t punish him, then we will!" another shouted.

"Yes, let’s teach the boy a lesson!!"

Stones, bottles, even eggs began flying toward him.

Asher casually raised a hand, summoning a gust of wind that blew every projectile high into the air, sending them crashing back down onto the mob.

"Tsk. Know your place, morons," he muttered coldly.

"Hey!!" Ravaine hissed, yanking on his shoulder. "No magic inside the kingdom—it’s illegal!"

"That was self-defense," Asher replied flatly. "You saw it yourself, didn’t you?"

She growled. "You really are a delinquent!" And then she yanked his arm out of Sharon’s as the girl approached. "And quit cuddling with her!"

Sharon looked up at Ravaine from under her hood, eyes glowing faintly. "You looking for trouble, insect?"

Ravaine’s ears flattened. W-what is with that gaze?! Terrifying...

Soon, the angry crowd began to disperse, though a few women lingered around, gawking at the Duke and Sir Irvines as they exited the palace. He reached to them and thanked Ravaine politely while she stiffly saluted.

"Thank you for keeping them in line, Knight General," the Duke said smoothly.

Ravaine straightened, saluting. "It was my duty and honor, sir." And maybe the most embarrassing day of my life.

When Sharon’s eyes met the Duke’s, however, her face turned sour. She’d never liked him, and never would.

"Come inside," the Duke said pleasantly, opening the door.

Asher and Sharon climbed in. The Duke took the front passenger seat, while his driver popped a mana pill and started the engine.

As the vehicle hummed to life with an ethereal glow, Asher leaned back with a scoff. "So... why don’t you drop the act and tell us why you personally insisted on taking me back to Eldoria?"

Tbc