Magical Tool Master Dahlia Never Compromises ~ Starting Today: Life as a Freelancer ~

Her reaction was very different from those of the calm and composed noble women. Seeing her worried expression, Jonas suddenly had the idea of ​​playing a prank.

"It's okay, my pain sensitivity is relatively dull."

After saying that, Jonas began to peel off about six scales one by one.

The scales grew unexpectedly deep, tearing the skin anyway and causing blood to drip down.

However, as he said, he felt almost no pain. It felt as if it were happening to someone else.

In order to amplify the effect of the prank, Jonas deliberately caused the magic power in his body to fluctuate violently, causing the red and black pupil of his right eye to become vertically elongated.

Then he handed the peeled red scales to Dahlia.

(Illustration 009)

"Please accept it."

"this……"

Looking at Dahlia's wide-eyed, stunned expression, Jonas thought, as expected.

Regardless, people possessed by demons and those with scales are still terrifying beings to others.

Most women would either scream, or barely suppress a scream, and then find an excuse to escape the scene.

And when they see me next time, they usually look at me as if I were a monster.

"Why did you pull it out so hard all of a sudden?! Doesn't it hurt?!"

"Uh...if you ask me that..."

Faced with Dahlia's unexpected accusation, Jonas couldn't help but blurt out.

"At least you should start from the edge and gently remove each piece at a time... It must be very painful if you pull out so many at once..."

Jonas had no idea why Dahlia's eyes were filled with tears over this.

What confused him even more was that Wolf, who was standing next to Dahlia, was also looking at him with a worried look.

Didn't you take the initiative to learn combat techniques in order to protect this woman? In this situation, you should be extremely vigilant against those long pupils and the fluctuations of magical power.

Jonas was deeply aware of his own shortcomings in teaching students.

"Don't worry, I really don't feel any pain. It's a little messy, but if you don't mind, please feel free to use it."

"I'm so sorry for losing my composure earlier... Thank you so much."

Dahlia bowed deeply to him.

Although she reluctantly accepted the scales, her green eyes lingered on Jonas's descaled arm.

A dent appeared where the scales had been peeled off, and blood was slowly oozing out.

“That… blood…”

"It will stop soon."

"No, I still think it's a wound... If I touch it with my sleeve before it heals, it'll get dirty."

Dahlia pulled a handkerchief from her pouch and walked around the table toward Jonas. Then, naturally, she grasped Jonas's scaly arm, pressed the handkerchief to the bleeding area, and began to bandage it carefully.

Until this moment, Jonas had never expected that Dahlia would touch him on her own initiative.

Jonas was momentarily stunned when her warm fingers grasped his arm. The white bandage was too glaring, making his eyes feel uncomfortable. His pupils, which had been deliberately elongated, quietly returned to a round shape.

"I'm so sorry for pushing you... Thank you so much."

The handkerchief gradually seeped red. Seeing this, Dalia frowned, revealing a look of extreme worry. There was even a hint of tears on her face, before she hurriedly tried to conceal it. This woman's expressions were truly varied.

"I should thank you for tending to my wounds. Don't worry, new scales will grow back soon."

"Mr. Jonas, are you really okay?"

Even Wolf looked at him questioningly with worried golden eyes.

Seriously, how could these two be so overly worried?

He was Goode's servant and bodyguard, and such a minor injury shouldn't have caused such a big commotion.

Afterwards, Jonas took an unexpectedly long time to reject the two people's strong suggestions for disinfection, bandages, medicine, and seeing a doctor.

He noticed that Good was eating dry food as if nothing had happened, with a smile in his eyes, which made Jonas feel a little annoyed.

After the standing party ended, Dahlia was about to leave, and Wolf said he would take her back.

A red-haired woman and a black-haired man walked side by side on the path from the courtyard to the main house. They talked and laughed as they walked away, looking very compatible.

Guid, who was standing nearby, also smiled slightly and watched them leave.

"Well, before the next guest arrives, let's exchange opinions... In my opinion, she's 'white'. What do you think, Jonas?"

"'Pure white'. 'Red', perhaps even more so."

"Can you tell me the basis for your judgment?"

"She came alone, without an attendant. She didn't even notice me in the room at first, and even when I stood slightly behind her, she didn't seem particularly bothered. Furthermore, despite your suggestion that it might be a nuisance to Lord Wolff, she had tea and snacks without hesitation. Of course, this might also have something to do with the bracelet she was wearing."

"Indeed, she has a pretty good appetite."

Good said with a chuckle.

Jonas agreed. In aristocratic circles, it was rare to see a young woman devour two pieces of cake in one sitting, or chew on dry food in large mouthfuls in front of a man. This was quite refreshing.

However, Jonas decided not to tell Wolff about these observations.

"I deliberately changed the plates faster, but she didn't react. I placed a knife in front of her, but she didn't notice. She didn't even react to the sound of me drawing my sword behind her. I wondered if she couldn't hear me, but she heard the words 'Guide's dinner should be reduced,' so I can only assume she's completely unprepared for such things."

Jonas deliberately increased the speed of changing the plates and placing the knife in order to observe her reflexes.

If it's an assassin or someone trained in combat, the body will react instinctively no matter how disguised it is.

However, Dalia just stared with her eyes wide open as if she was watching a strange magic show.

"When you changed the plates, I was actually a little nervous. I almost stood up."

"What's more disturbing to me is you talking about your waistline and munching on snacks and dry goods."

Goode didn't answer, but just smiled.

Although Jonas really intended to suggest that today's dinner should be reduced in quantity, he also knew that Guyd would probably use a smile to get away with it again.

He could only pray that the day would never come when he would need to go all out for exercise.

"Judging from the fact that she was paralyzed by Lord Wolfe's meager aura, she has almost no combat experience. Even after seeing my arm or sensing the fluctuations of my magic power, she showed no signs of alarm. Based on this, I can confirm that this woman is safe for both Lord Wolfe and this family. Even if someone wanted to manipulate her, her overly simple nature wouldn't be exploitable."

Jonas had researched Dahlia Rossetti's background and found her past to be almost impeccable.

At the academy, she was an excellent student; after graduation, she was quite capable as a magic tool maker, but not particularly impressive. Aside from being broken off from an engagement, she had almost no trouble or disputes.

However, her life had changed dramatically since she met Wolf. She had founded her own guild, established a relationship with the Zora Guild, suddenly became the designated supplier for the monster-suppression force, and was even appointed an advisor—all these changes had occurred in just over three months, leaving even Guyd and Jonas baffled.

They had investigated thoroughly—confirmed that Dahlia had no connection to any family, had not been replaced, or received any orders.

Today's meeting is the final confirmation.

As someone who has received some combat training, Jonas can roughly guess the opponent's strength and judge whether the opponent has combat experience or relevant education.

However, the woman's problem goes far beyond her strength.

She's nervous, but lacks vigilance. Not only does she lack combat skills, but her motor skills are also quite slow. She has no sense of danger, and isn't even afraid of her own half-monster self.

However, she became immobilized in the face of Wolf's intimidating aura, suggesting that she is not completely without fear.

Jonas wasn't sure if all civilian women were like Dalia, but to him, Dalia seemed too innocent and simple, and thus dangerous. He even felt a little sympathy for Wolff, who was constantly on edge.

"I judge her to be trustworthy, and as someone close to Wolff, I hope to support her. I think there shouldn't be any problems reporting this to my father. What do you think?"

"I agree. She's just an ordinary commoner who doesn't understand the rules of aristocracy... No, maybe not quite ordinary."

"She's a very brave and kind lady."

"Indeed. I didn't expect her to get her handkerchief tangled in my scales."

Jonas looked at the white handkerchief still wrapped around his arm and couldn't help but smile bitterly.

Even when her fingertips touched the cold and hard scales, the woman remained unmoved.

As they left, Dahlia wrapped the scales, stained with his blood, in another aquamarine handkerchief, like a treasure. The sight of her white fingertips carefully holding the scales was a strange sight to Jonas.

"...I didn't expect you to let her touch your right arm."

"What are you suddenly saying, Good?"

The topic suddenly changed, and Jonas couldn't help but stare at his friend's profile.

Goode's gaze had shifted from the two people disappearing in the distance to the pond in the courtyard.

The wind instantly drew complex ripples on the water surface, and then it returned to calm.

"Although I am willing to grant your wish, please be restrained, at least towards her."

Jonas was dumbfounded by Goode's serious tone.

This stupid brother behavior has reached its end. What is he worried about?

They have known each other for a long time, and Guyd should have some idea of ​​the type of women Jonas likes.

The woman just now was not his type at all.

"She's not on my radar. While I do think even her blood tastes sweet, I have no desire to eat her flowers."

Jonas replied with a hint of sarcasm, and his friend still didn't look at him.

There was another more important reason why Jonas would not approach her.

"That's a flower that students cherish and protect. I can only admire its bloom from afar."

Volume 5: Intermission: Tea Party between Merchants and Marquis' Heir Continues

Ivano poured the sparkling wine in front of him down his throat without hesitation.

In this rather luxurious room, crystal wine glasses sparkled and the wine in the glasses exuded a rich aroma.

It’s a pity that he was not in a relaxed mood and couldn’t savor it leisurely.

Today, he was urgently summoned to the royal city, thinking it was something important, but it turned out to be just to check the accounts and production quantities of magical equipment such as waterproof cloth to be delivered to the magic corps. Only then did he suddenly realize what was going on.

Dahlia was summoned by Wolf's brother, Guid Scafalot. His purpose was probably to get her away from him and have her come to the meeting alone.

Although Dahlia shouldn't be in any danger with Wolfe present, he was still a little worried.

He decided that if he still couldn't get in touch by evening, he would first check with Wolfe. If that didn't work, he would contact Gabriela, and then Fortu of the Costume Guild and Gulat of the Monster Suppression Force.

Then he forced himself to remain calm, completed the confirmation work calmly, and left a few hours later.

After returning to the carriage, the driver handed over a strange invitation letter issued in the name of Goode, saying "Continued Tea Party".

Since Dahlia had already gone ahead, he naturally couldn't refuse. Ivano immediately accepted the invitation.

At this moment, he was waiting for Goode's arrival in the reception room of the Wolf Villa, which was borrowed by the Roseti Chamber of Commerce as its address.

Before him lay undoubtedly expensive sparkling wine, paired with a variety of rare cheeses, lustrous smoked salmon, crackers with a variety of toppings, and bite-sized sandwiches with beautiful cross-sections. These dishes looked more like a full dinner than a simple tea party, and he had already tasted them all.

Unfortunately, I’m afraid I won’t be able to enjoy the food cooked by my beloved wife today.

Fortu had once told him that when a merchant was forced to wait in a noble's house, unceremoniously enjoying the food was a sign of "I'm not on guard." Judging from the lack of reaction from the protective bracelet hidden under his right sleeve, the food at least wasn't poisoned.

As Ivano was taking the second glass of sparkling wine from the waiter, the door suddenly opened.

"I'm so sorry to have kept you waiting."

Following this soft voice, a man with a gentle temperament walked in.

He had silver hair with a hint of blue and deep blue eyes, a completely different color tone and face from Wolff, looking more like a civil servant than a knight.

Behind him, a rust-red-haired attendant followed closely. Even Ivano, who was not familiar with this area, could sense that this person was definitely a guard.

He had expected Wolf and Dahlia to come along, but it seemed they were not there.

"Thank you very much for your consideration. I am Ivano Mercadanti, a member of the Rosetti Chamber of Commerce. I am deeply honored to be invited here today."

"Welcome, Mercadante. May I introduce myself?"

"No need. I know you are the future marquis, Lord Guid Scafarot. You are also under the care of your brother, Lord Wolffred."

Ivanor stood up and saluted, and Guid responded with a smile and gestured for him to sit down.

"Please just call me 'Guid'. After all, Wolf and I both have the last name Scafarot."