The joy of taming

In the room, Lily's sobs gradually subsided, but from time to time, there was still a whimper.

At this moment, Robert suddenly spoke again: "In that place, were there any other children your age besides you?"

Taking the tissue Robert handed her, Lily wiped her tears and softly replied, "No, just me."

"Have you ever thought about why you ended up there?"

Lily had actually thought about this question for a long time, but she had never truly confronted it.

The priests of Mara were never kind people. Why did they choose to adopt a mixed-race baby like her? Perhaps she had a deep-seated answer in her heart.

"Have you ever tried to find your parents, and what happened to them?"

"They... were both killed."

"Have you ever tried to find information about who killed your parents?"

"What do you mean?"

In response to Lily's question, Robert firmly and confidently stated, "Yes, I believe that Mara's followers killed your parents. Originally, you should have been killed alongside them, but they discovered your special talents."

"So, they brought you into the church and trained you to be an assassin."

Staring fixedly at Robert as he spoke confidently, Lily fell silent for a moment and then asked, "Then why doesn't the Lord... the god, respond to my prayers anymore?"

Lily was still struggling, but Robert wouldn't let this opportunity slip through his fingers.

In his recollection, there had been a conflict between Mara and the God of Suffering during this period. Both sides were engaged in a divine war within the realm of the gods, so they had no intention of responding to the prayers of their followers.

The realm of the gods contained an accumulation of divine power amassed over countless ages. A battle within the realm of the gods was like two beings with unlimited energy continually using massive destructive weapons, making them invulnerable. They could casually use high-level healing spells to recover from any injuries.

Therefore, determining the outcome of a divine battle within the realm of the gods was very difficult. Such a war could last for centuries and still not yield a clear victor.

In other words, during their conflict in the realm of the gods, while...

It's not just Lily who can't get a response from Mara, but all the followers as well! For this reason, the Dark Brotherhood interpreted this operation as tacit approval from Him. However, Robert clearly wasn't going to tell Lily this.

["Deceiver!"]

["But I like it!"]

Ignoring the data that appeared before him, Robert spoke, "What if Mara wasn't the one responding from the beginning?"

What?

Lily's eyes were filled with shock as she looked at Robert in disbelief.

"You're not a priest, you don't have access to spells and oracles from the divine. At most, you might hear a booming voice or see a radiant light. And any holy priest can do that."

(They can't! It's a lie!)

Looking at Lily with compassion, Robert leaned in and whispered softly in her ear, "I'm sorry to tell you... your entire early life might have been a deception."

Thump, thump, thump!

Anger!

A surging rage consumed Lily's will! She was so close to Robert that he could even hear her heart beating rapidly in her chest.

"Is anger the source of power?"

"No, it's not. It's controllable."

The short hair on Lily's head continued to turn white and lengthen, but eventually, it slowly returned to normal. The transformed Lily seemed somewhat weaker, looking more listless as she lay on the bed, staring blankly at the ceiling.

"Weakness is the price, which is relatively normal."

Instead of pushing away the hand that was gently stroking her head, Lily felt warmth and tenderness.

After a long silence, she spoke, "So what should I do?"

"Do you want revenge? Do you want to seek vengeance against the church that destroyed your life?"

Silence spread throughout the room, and the answer was self-evident.

Robert didn't wait for her response and continued, "But you're not even a legend. What do you have to fight against them with? Without the support of the church, your progress will slow down, and I can offer you that."

Even if Mara was only a lesser deity, their church wasn't something a high-level assassin could easily provoke. No deity could be easily provoked!

"...What's the price?"

Years of life as an assassin had taught Lily one thing: there was nothing in this world that came for free. Everything bestowed had a price set long before it began.

Hook, line, and sinker! She let out a crazy laugh in her mind, then calmed herself and asked, "The price? You said it doesn't require a price."

"I already told you, didn't I? I will be your new master, and I'm not a stingy one."

This time, Lily didn't rush to tackle Robert and pin him down. She simply gazed at him with her purple eyes and asked, "Why?"

Why?

Of course, it's because beautiful women are treasures of the world! How could he pass up this opportunity? Though he felt excited inside, Robert didn't show it. He chuckled lightly and calmly stated, "You need to understand one thing. I'm not negotiating with you, I'm informing you. This is the estate of a legendary sorcerer. Do you think you can escape? Don't expect to take me hostage, you can't even lay a finger on me. You either choose to serve me, or you die here."

Swallowing hard, Lily spoke bitterly, "Aren't you a holy knight? Why..."

Is this the justice you believe in?

"I am indeed a holy knight, but you are equally wicked. I'm using force to counterforce."

"And as for holy knights, they should at least be more trustworthy, shouldn't they?"

The icy demeanor on Robert's face instantly melted away, and he replied with a bright smile, "Since this world is full of deceivers, why not choose me? At least I won't abandon you. "

After a long silence, Lily sat up and stared at the beautiful man. He seemed frail, but he made her feel afraid. His ability to see through people's hearts was more terrifying to her than his killing skills. It was like being fixated by a venomous snake. Underneath his beautiful exterior, there seemed to be a cold and malevolent heart.

Reluctantly biting her lip, Lily spoke softly, "I... submit."

No other choice, right?

"Very well! But that's not enough."

Confused by Robert's playful expression, Lily furrowed her brow and asked, "What do you need me to do to prove my sincerity? Do we need to make a pact?"

Shaking his head, Robert leaned closer to her face, and his presence made Lily step back slightly. "I want you to pledge your loyalty. Do you know how animals show loyalty to their pack leader? Like a little puppy?"

His fingers lightly touched Lily's lips, and Robert's eyes emitted a faint purple glow.

"Mesmerizing Gaze!"

Feeling a bit flustered and attempting to turn her head, she was gently redirected by Robert. Lily lowered her head and said softly, "Are you not afraid of this face?"

Not entirely afraid, just a bit uncomfortable. But for the sake of a cute and lovely beast-eared girl in the future, she could do it!

"As long as your soul is pure, you are beautiful in my eyes. And these scars can be removed as well. Now, it's time for you to show your sincerity."

Her mind felt hazy as she looked at the lips so close to her own, and there was a unique attraction.

A kiss! Just a kiss...

Lily let out a gentle sigh and whispered, "You really are a devil."

Upon hearing this, Robert chuckled and said, "What are you talking about? I am a holy knight..."

Feeling the trembling lips, Robert's heart, which had been hanging in suspense, finally relaxed.

"Success!"

[Her heart was filled with confusion.]

[Perhaps she will regret this in the future.]

[But right now, all she wanted was to find a bit of warmth.]

[Lily's progress: 28%]

"Alright, it's time to start telling her about the future arrangements..."

"I'm a bit tired..."

Robert's lips were just about to part as he was about to instruct Lily when she took a deep breath, unbuttoned her newly changed clothes, and then turned around, lying face down on the bed.

!!!!!!!!

I shouldn't have used animal analogies!

...

Maybe... it's not so bad?

Trembling, Lily lay on the bed, unable to see Robert behind her. She nervously spoke, "Robert?"

A pair of warm hands touched her body, and Lily shuddered. She heard a light chuckle from behind, "Yes, my master."

"...Yes, master."

"Mas...ter!"

[Received reward: Mastery of Instinctual Evasion]

[Mastery of Instinctual Evasion: It's difficult for you to be ambushed unless the attacker's Rogue level is at least 4 levels higher than yours.]

[Received reward: Trap Awareness]

[Trap Awareness: You have some sense of hidden traps nearby.]

...

"I really like dogs."

"They are very obedient."

"They are very well-behaved."

"The joy of taming them is unparalleled!"

"Will I end up with a long-suffering white-eyed wolf, or a loyal and devoted watchdog?"

"I'm looking forward to it!"

[Lily's progress: 35%]

...

Outside Robert's room, Wilder stood nervously beside Ellena, wanting to speak but not daring to. He wiped his sweat anxiously. As she turned the doorknob, the door was pulled open from the inside, and a figure rushed into her arms.

"Master! You're back...?"

Lydia, who looked weary, soon sensed that something was amiss. Despite both of them wearing armor, this person lacked the gentle feeling of Robert. Timidly lifting her head, Lydia stuttered, "Prin...cess Highness!?"

"You, how did you come here?"