Chapter 791 - A Quick Interrogation

A small, winged body no larger than a tarsier.

A smug face that deserves nothing but be punched repeatedly.

And a dazzling glow as arrogant as its wielder.

All these traits belonged to the newcomer, who was of course no other than Asteria herself.

And she looked just as unhappy as Alina.

******************

******************

Just like what Alina expected, her words were able to summon Asteria to her side.

In fact, the former was surprised on how fast the latter had appeared.

It was as if Alina's threat over Asteria's salary was even more important than her own life….

"…."

And not only did the fairy appear instantly, she even changed the way that she addressed Alina.

[Oi hooman, this is not the time to cross-examine me. You just threatened me, right?]

"…."

[Hmph, I don't like the way that you look at me now, so why don't we talk over your threat on me…]

"…."

[I am open for discussions, but don't expect me to be docile on you!]

Gone were Asteria's pleas for her salary.

It was instead replaced by a hardened voice, one that she used to seemingly threaten Alina too.

[I don't recall you having that much clout over Alex, so don't think you can threaten me this easily!]

[Hmph Alina, if you just have any idea on what I can do, you will surely be-]

"So you choose to appear now, Asteria. You should have done this earlier." Alina was obviously ticked by the sudden change in Asteria's mannerism, and it showed on her aggressive words . "Why are you even this late, anyway?"

"You should have been with us all this time, especially with your Traveler this compromised."

[Wha-what? Um….]

"And now that you are actually here, you still chose to try and threaten me? Come on, little fairy. You know I won't be accepting of that action."

***************

If it were earlier, Alina could have felt happy after seeing Asteria coming in to aid her.

But after all the trouble that Alina went through, along with the fact that she is in desperate straits right now, the fairy's mere presence just served to irritate her more.

No, Alina was actually pissed, and she was happy to showcase it on the fairy.

[Umu…. Are you angry at me, Alina? And what do you mean by me threatening you? I was just trying to reason with you….]

Even the dense Asteria could see how pissed Alina is, so the former could only deflate her haughty attitude.

[You do understand that I am just joking, right?]

"…."

[….]

"…"

Not that it helped that much, since Alina continued to glare holes on the small Guide.

[Umu Alina, you are scaring me with that look. Can you please be more gentle to me? I don't feel comfortable with-]

"I don't give a f**k about your salary or your feelings, Asteria. What I only want now is to survive this ordeal, and I know that you have the answer to that."

[!!!]

"So come on, spit it out. What exactly changed in this mission?" Alina was already tired on being angry at Asteria, so she went straight to the reason she summoned the latter.

"Answer this question well, and your salary's fate will depend on it."

[Umu… what are you talking about, hooman? What is this 'change' that you want to know? I have no idea about it…]

"Asteria, I have the All-Seeing Eyes, which means that I can see through your lies. So don't even think of lying to me again."

[Hiii!!!]

"Huh, so you just remembered that you can't lie to me now? Tsk, tsk, tsk, you really are a bad Guide if you have forgotten that too…"

[Hey! I did not forget about your powers, hooman! I was just-]

"LIE."

[Ugh! Um, okay, so I forgot about your eyes. So what about it? It's not relevant here!]

"I am befuddled by your logic, Asteria, but that does not matter here. What I just want is for you to answer my next question."

[Um Alina, I don't think I can-]

"Asteria, WHAT EXACTLY CHANGED IN THIS MISSION?"

[…..]

"…."

[….]

"So you won't even answer me? What a disappointment, Asteria. And here I thought you can be more trustworthy than this. Sigh, then I guess your hard-earned money will have to go bye-bye now-"

[I-I am sorry hooman, but I really cannot answer your question! I… I just can't!]

"TRUTH, huh. Now that's interesting."

[….]

"…"

[….]

"…"

[…]

"Hmm, now I get it. You CAN'T answer my last question, so it means that something is stopping you from telling the truth to me. Am I right with that assumption?"

[…]

"Since you are not answering, then I guess whatever is stopping you from talking is still at work here. Am I right about that too?"

[….]

"Fascinating. You seem to be under a spell that prevents you from divulging a secret. In this case, that secret is about the 'change' in this mission…."

[…]

"Since you still won't talk, then I will assume that I am still right here."

[….]

"Hmmm… so I have already confirmed that there is indeed a 'change' in the mission. The only problem is on how I will discover that exactly this 'change' is.''

[….]

"Since Asteria can't say anything to me, asking her will be difficult. But as long as I ask the right questions, then maybe I could glean something more…."

[….]

"…."

[….]

"…."

[…]

"So Asteria … let me ask this question first. Do you like honey?"

[Of course I do, hooman! I love it so much!]

"…Ok, so as long as I ask Asteria questions unrelated to the secret, then she can answer me. I can use that to narrow down my options…"

[Hey, why are you asking me about honey? Will you give me some later? I promise to answer your questions, so please give me honey!]

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. I will give you honey if you can help me survive."

[Really? Hahaha, thank you, hooma-]

"What is your fetish?"

[Wha? What are you-]

"Do you like muscular men, or do you prefer curvaceous women?'

[Hey! What is with that question? I don't want to answ-]

"Do you like your father or your mother more?"

[Argh! Screw this! Okay, I-I like my mother more!"]

"Did you ever badmouth the Endless Monarch whenever you have time?"

[Y-yes! Oh please don't ask me questions that could harm my reputation…]

"Missionary or from behind?"

[What does that question mean? Argh… fine, from behind!]

"Do we have a bonus mission right now?'

[…..]

"Hoho, so that's what this is all about huh. A bonus mission…."