My Girlfriends Are Hardcore Yanderes - Chapter 166

Chapter 166: The Deal Part 1
Queen Nala’s lips pressed into a thin line as she sat on her throne. Her king mirrored her actions.

“You speak of the Dragon Core as if it’s an errand easily completed,” she said, her tone skeptical. “Do you understand the risk you’re asking us to take by lending you the Storm Eagle? It’s not just a treasure; it’s a symbol of Alarath’s strength.”

Lucia didn’t flinch. “We’re aware of its value, which is exactly why we’re asking for it. The Dragon Core’s power could stabilize your entire region. Imagine a future where Alarath leads with unmatched influence and wealth—because you made it happen.”

Nala raised an eyebrow, tempted but not yet convinced. The royal family only had one Storm Eagle, and for good reason—it was hard to come by.

These creatures were massive and fast, with enough space in their bodies to carry a full room. They were also incredibly strong, one of the few beings capable of flying without rivals in the sky.

One of the reasons Lucia wanted the Storm Eagle was simple: the journey to Eryx would be full of danger. Using an airship, though fast, would mean navigating around hazardous areas, which would only extend the travel time.

The Storm Eagle, with its powerful aura, could solve that problem. Its presence alone would scare off other flying beasts, making their journey much safer and faster.

“You told me that Dragon Cores are nearly impossible to acquire, even for someone of your status. So, what’s changed?”

Lucia’s lips curved into a small, confident smile.

“What’s changed is we have him. He’ll join the Battle for the Strongest Sorcerer. When he wins, he’ll be named a Great Sage. With that title, getting the Dragon Core will be much easier.”

Nala paused, studying him from head to toe. Now that she was looking at him more closely, she felt a slight itch on her bottom half. In her mind, it wasn’t a bad trade, but she still needed to play hard to get a little longer.

“Your confidence intrigues me… But—”

Before she could finish, the grand doors creaked open, drawing everyone’s attention.

Two figures entered. Asher’s eyes narrowed as he immediately recognized them—Anastasia and Selene.

The younger Dryad, Anastasia, looked delighted as she spotted him. Selene, on the other hand, carried herself with elegance.

Nala narrowed her eyes, unamused by the interruption. “To what do I owe this… unexpected visit?”

Selene bowed slightly, though the gesture lacked sincerity. Nala might be the ruler of Alarath, but the Dryads owned the very lands her kingdom was built upon.

The Dryads could survive without the Beastkins, but the Beastkins could not survive without them.

Still, for someone as authoritative as Nala, such a blatant display of disrespect grated on her nerves. However she maintained a professional expression, hiding her displeasure behind a carefully neutral face.

“The Queen of the Dryads wishes to extend an invitation to Sorcerer Asher Aurelius to visit the Emerald Palace,” she announced.

Asher raised an eyebrow, exchanging a quick glance with her. “The Emerald Palace? What does your queen want with me?”

Selene’s posture remained straight as she replied, “Her Majesty has heard of your exploits and is intrigued by your… capabilities. She believes your presence could be of great benefit to our people, and she wishes to discuss matters of mutual interest.”

Lucia’s expression turned serious, her suspicion evident in the way she looked at the two Dryads. She had a bad feeling about it. As a woman herself, her instincts when it came to these things were much sharper.

“And what does the Queen stand to gain from this? Dryads don’t just ‘invite’ people without an agenda,” she spat out.

Selene didn’t falter. “The specifics will be revealed should Sorcerer Asher choose to accept. But rest assured, this is an opportunity, not a threat.”

Anastasia stepped forward, her bright eyes locked on Asher.

“You should come! It’ll be fun. The Green Palace is the most beautiful place you’ll ever see. And who knows? Maybe you’ll finally realize how beneficial it is to marry me.”

Asher pinched the bridge of his nose, letting out a breath.

“Not this nonsense again,” he mumbled aloud, not bothering to hide his frustration.

Nala, who had been quietly listening to the exchange, was taken aback. Though she was the queen of the Beastkins, the Queen of the Dryads held far more influence over the tree and its domains.

And then there were those words about marriage. She would have dismissed it as a joke, but the girl in question—Anastasia—was no mere playful nuisance. Her identity was not something to be taken lightly.

Nala couldn’t help but wonder, ‘What is happening? Why is he attracting so many big names?’

It was as if Asher was a magnet, pulling in powerful figures wherever he went.

First, there was Lucia, a force to be reckoned with in her own right. Now, the Dryads were showing interest, with even their queen’s involvement looming on the horizon. And then there was Anastasia—bold, playful, and far more dangerous than she looked.

She had seen many sorcerers, warriors, and politicians cross paths in her time, but few had the ability to attract such… attention, especially not from the likes of these figures.

‘Was it his power? His face? His charisma? Or was it something else entirely?’

She even suspected that he was a strategist playing a much bigger game, one that could put her position in jeopardy. He acted like he didn’t care about such things, but was that really the truth?

Maybe he was just pretending, making himself appear less interested so that everyone would chase after him. It was like selling an item—the rarer and harder to get he seemed, the more valuable he would become.

‘I need to be careful around him, or he might devour me,’ she made a mental note, placing him far above Lucia in terms of danger.

Little did she know that he too was tired of his natural skill to attract women. He just wanted to live in peace if possible.

“I don’t want to. I still have things to attend to,” Asher broke the silence. He needed to make his stance very clear, or they would just take him for a ride again.

Without waiting for their response, he turned to Nala.

“Lend us the Storm Eagle, and I’ll make sure to help you get your portal working.”

“Deal.” Nala agreed quickly, seeing it as a way better option than risking him meeting the Dryad Queen. In a way, their presence made it easier for Asher to get what he wanted.

Seizing the moment, he pressed, “Let’s go. We can’t waste anymore time,”

Nala, reading the room, agreed without hesitation. She gestured for the two sorcerers to follow her.

Selene opened her mouth to protest, but Nala stood up, cutting her off.

“Pardon us, but Sorcerer Asher is on a mission of national importance. I’ll ensure he visits the Emerald Palace afterward,” she declared, then motioned for them to leave, quickly leading the way.

Anastasia’s eyes narrowed in annoyance. She was about to create a scene, but before she could, a hand gripped her shoulder.

“Don’t do it,” Selene shook her head.