Strategy

"It's up to you how you interpret my words." Daisy blinked her eyes at Vir again. "I've never cared what anyone thinks of me. It's unimportant and a waste of my time."

"Wow, you're very clear here!"

"Do you mind?" Daisy took another sip of her redbrew. "I thought you knew me well, or is it just me?"

Vir laughed and nodded. "Yeah, you're right. I was just curious. And as it turns out, your stance is pretty solid. I have to appreciate that."

There was a moment of silence between them before Daisy asked again, "In all seriousness, who was that little girl?"

"Oh my..." Vir let out a long sigh. "You're still so curious about her. She's a nobody."

"Umm..." Daisy tapped her chin. "Judging by her physical features, I think she's from the South."

Vir smiled. "If you already know, why ask me again?"

"I just wanted to make sure that you didn't kidnap someone's child."

"Oh my God..." Vir shook his head. "How bad am I in your eyes?"

"Who can know?" Daisy shrugged her shoulders. "After all, even now I'm still curious about you, who seems to be full of mysteries."

"Oh, really?" Vir wiggled his eyebrows in such a way. "Umm, does that mean you're letting me sleep with you tonight?"

Daisy almost laughed out loud. "Oh, God... Don't you ever get tired of chasing me?"

"For a woman as beautiful as you? Never!"

"Shit, I'm flattered."

"Great!" Vir chuckled. "Looks like I'm going to lose my virginity tonight."

"Jerk!" Daisy giggled again. "I've just complimented you a little and you've got the upper hand. What an asshole!"

"Gosh... I thought you were being serious."

But at least, by saying that, Vir was able to dodge Daisy's questions about his true identity and about Aira.

"Never mind, just forget it," Vir said a moment later. "Hey, about Magnius."

Daisy frowned. "Do you have a problem with him?"

"No, not at all," said Vir, who tried to hide his grudge against the people of the Central Empire, especially the emperor's family. "Don't take me wrong. I'm just wondering—well, let's say I'm a little curious because it's not usual for the imperial family to pass through a dead area, right? What's more, they suddenly came to see us."

"Yeah, that sounds very unusual."

"Even Magnius gave us some dry bread."

"Oh, there's also such a thing, huh?"

Vir shrugged his shoulders by expanding his hands in such a way. "What can I say? I don't understand this either."

"Two days before you showed up here," Daisy said. "I did hear that Magnius the Mighty was visiting the capital of this country, but that's it. I don't know about any other business, not at all."

"Is that so, huh?" Vir nodded.

"Hey, don't tell me that you know something?" Daisy said.

"What do you mean?" Vir frowned. "I just feel strange, unusual about the appearance of the Imperial Family, that's all."

"You know, I feel strange as well," Daisy replied. "Well, we all know that it's very rare for the emperor's family to visit other territories, right?"

"Uh-Huh," Vir sighed deeply. "While in the Southern Lands, I heard that they were getting serious about one thing."

Daisy frowned again. "And what was that one thing?"

"The ghosts that hunt down and kill riders and their mounts."

"Ahh..." Daisy nodded. "Yeah, I guess it's about time they paid attention to the cases of missing riders. Never mind, just forget about them! So, what are you going to do about Aira?"

Vir shrugged his shoulders. "I was going to leave her somewhere after we reached the Eastern Lands."

Daisy could understand that. After all, she knew Vir quite well, and the man probably didn't like bringing someone along on his travels. Yeah, Vir did prefer the nomadic lifestyle.

And with Aira by his side, Vir certainly felt overwhelmed because it also meant a great deal of responsibility for the little girl's safety.

"But she refused." Vir let out a long sigh. "I sent her away many times, but she kept coming back to me. Damn it, I guess I really am cursed."

The young widow giggled. "What a fool!" she said.

"But I'm serious!" Vir shook his head.

"Maybe," Daisy said, "she feels comfortable around you. You know, old-timers say that children have special senses that can sense the hearts of those around them."

"Yeah, hit me!" Vir sighed again.

"You're a brute, Vir. A rough guy," Daisy said. "But I'm sure, deep down, you're a very kind and caring guy. Maybe that's how Aira feels that she follows you around."

"I see, huh?"

Daisy took a deep breath and her large breasts puffed out even more.

Vir smiled at that. It must be nice to bury your face between those two beautiful, perfect hills, he thought.

"Do you think she likes this place of mine?"

"I don't know!" Vir shrugged his shoulders. "Hey, don't tell me you meant what you said earlier?"

"Why not?" Daisy replied by asking Vir back. "After all, I do need someone to accompany me here. Well, help me run this shop. And besides, I do want to have a child. And Aira, that girl for one reason or another, feels special to me. I could tell this to you the first time I laid eyes on her."

"Wow..." Vir nodded.

But that wasn't an exaggeration, he thought. After all, Aira was very special because she was the last Asurry. Although reluctant, Vir acknowledged that.

Also, he knew that at this moment Daisy was serious, and that's why he didn't want to say joking words like before.

"I can understand your loneliness."

"Oh, really?" Daisy folded her hands under her large breasts.

Vir nodded. "I mean it," he said. "You and I are not that different. You're lonely in this house your parents left you, and I'm lonely in my nomadic life."

"Yeah, I think you have a good point here."

"Have you asked her again?"

Daisy shook her head, reached for her cup, and took another drink of the red liquid. "I don't want to be pushy. What's more, she's just a kid. And if she doesn't like it, that means she'll feel restrained, right?"

"Yeah... You're right."

Vir felt the same way. Although he had often spoken harshly or even chased Aira away, he actually cared for the little girl. He just couldn't convey his feelings in a better way, that's all.

"What are your plans for tomorrow?"

The man sighed deeply, took another sip of his drink, and said, "Do you still like capculosus soup?"

Daisy laughed suddenly, shook her head, and pointed at Vir wordlessly.

"What?" Vir grinned, as if feeling innocent. "I'm just asking, is it wrong?"

"Oh, I know what you mean," Daisy retorted, still trying to control her smile. "You pervert!"

Vir stifled his laughter. "No, I was asking about the actual capculosus soup."

"What else do I have to do with you?" Daisy still couldn't contain her laughter. "Alright, alright. Yes, of course. But that fish is very rare now, maybe extinct, I don't know!"

"Okay, here's the deal," Vir became more excited.

"Nuts!" Daisy giggled again.

"I mean it, listen," Vir said. "If I manage to bring you that fish, what will I get from you?"

"Oh, I can see your point, Vir. You old fart!"