Chapter – 03
They Actually Drugged Me?!
Lin En was wary of being burned to death by Rena, but he never expected that his repeated changes of heart would send Galron into a towering rage.
But there was still room for redemption!
“Lord Galron! My loyalty to you is as true as the sun and moonâheaven can bear witness!”
Lin En immediately activated his skill [Silver Tongue].
This was the solution he’d come up with to break the deadlock.
It seemed… persuasion was his only option.
Lin En professed his loyalty while explaining his value.
He also clarified that his actions weren’t meant to mock Galron, but rather showed genuine repentance and respect for the rules of the “lottery for wives” game.
ăTo enhance the skill’s effect, would you like to use points to upgrade the skill?ă
Points could be used to upgrade skills? Lin En couldn’t have asked for better!
He currently had 1800 points and made a snap decision:
Use half firstâif the effect still wasn’t obvious, he’d use the rest!
ă900 points used to upgrade skill ‘Silver Tongue’.ă
ăSilver Tongue Lv.1 â Silver Tongue Lv.4ă
The effect of the upgraded skill was immediate!
Lin En’s defensive arguments became vastly more persuasive!
This was evident from Galron’s shift from blind rage to slowly lowering his spiked mace.
“Strange… what you’re saying actually makes some sense?” Galron’s murderous intent had largely dissipated.
Alger, standing nearby, chimed in: “Lord Galron, Lin En is the most honest human I’ve ever metânot one for slick talk.
He’s genuinely repentant now and respects the lottery rules.
Besides, he truly excels at crafting and improving bowsâa talented man who can serve you well.
In my humble opinion… why not let him atone through his deeds?”
Alger’s words were crucial. Now Galron the Great had a way to save face.
Lin En never expected this goblin “brother” to be so loyal!
ăYour groveling before and service to the demon race fills Rena with utter disgust. Once the assassination mission is complete, she’s determined to eliminate you, traitor to humanity.ă
ăYour act of holding Rena’s hand and risking your life to protect her moved ‘True Love Invincible’ to tears!ă
ă’True Love Invincible’ has subscribed to your channel.ă
ăYour channel has gained a 2nd follower. Reward: 500 points, Skill ‘Mental Fortress Lv.1’.ă
ă’Mental Fortress’ builds a solid barrier around your mind and thoughts, preventing attacks, intrusion, and contamination.ă
Hearing the notification, Lin En suddenly realizedâhe was still holding Rena’s hand!
This god, Sequence No. 108, named “True Love Invincible,” had absolutely no clue that Rena actually wanted to kill him!
How could such a muddled idiot be a deity?!
Lin En secretly badmouthed the god in his head, grateful the being couldn’t hear him.
His fake hand-holding with Rena was all an act for Galron’s benefitâto show that he accepted the lottery result without objection.
Who knew it would earn him “True Love Invincible’s” subscription, 500 points, and another skill…
With Lin En’s silver tongue and Alger’s backup, Galron tossed his mace back to his guard:
“Lin En, I’ll allow you to atone through deeds. You may go.”
“Thank you, Lord Galron!” Lin En pulled Rena down to kneel together.
He’d managed to save his skinâfor now!
No immediate incineration from Rena, no instant crushing from Galron.
Of course, the danger was far from over.
He was still deep in a demon’s lair, now saddled with a Holy Church saintess as his “wife”âjust thinking about it gave him a headache.
Lin En led Rena back to their seats.
Rena stood demurely beside him, pouring wine:
“We truly owe that to you, Lord Lin En. In the days ahead, I shall devote myself wholly to serving you.”
Lin En silently watched Rena put on her act.
This Holy Church saintess, with her “Oscar-worthy” flair, sure could perform.
Putting Rena aside for now, Lin En raised his glassâhe had to toast his goblin big brother:
“Thanks to you pleading for me before the King, brother. Bottoms up!”
Lin En downed half a glass of wine in one gulp.
ăMental contamination detected. Skill ‘Mental Fortress’ passively triggered.ă
Lin En: “…”
Did getting dizzy from alcohol count as mental contamination?
After the skill activated, Lin En felt no tipsiness whatsoever.
Downing half a glass of wine felt no different from drinking half a glass of water.
This… this was great!
No more fear of getting drunk!
Lin En’s gratitude meant little to Alger.
He’d vouched for Lin En for two reasons: first, Lin En was genuinely talented; second, Lin En was his recommendation.
If Lin En got smashed to death by the King on charges of “disrespect,” wouldn’t that cast suspicion on Alger, his sponsor?
Alger had saved Lin En partly out of self-preservation.
He’d wanted to scold Lin En a bit, but Lin En had immediately drunk in apology, making harsh reprimands awkward. Still, some words had to be said:
“Lin En, remember this: favor or punishment, both are the sovereign’s grace.
Even if this church knightess is the ugliest woman alive, you’ll take her as your wife and treat her well!”
Lin En: “…”
Rena: “…”
ăRena has decided: after the assassination mission, she’ll chop off your headâand that goblin’s too!ă
“Yes, yes, yes,” Lin En agreed readily. “Thank you for your guidance, brother. No more wordsâit’s all in the wine.”
Lin En downed another glass.
Alger was delighted: “This is our demon-kin’s fine brew. Most humans can’t handle more than half a glassâyour tolerance is truly remarkable!”
Lin En: “…”
He’d had no idea the wine was that potent. Fortunately, Alger didn’t overthink it; he was just pleased that Lin En could drink heartily with him.
Lin En hadn’t botched his relationship with Alger after all.
He already had a plan in mind:
Being forced to take Rena as his so-called wife was an unchangeable fact.
Rena probably wouldn’t make a move on him until she’d successfully assassinated Galron.
So, in the meantime, he absolutely had to win Alger’s trust and secure an opportunity to go out on missions!
Escape the dungeon, escape the Misty Forest, escape to the outside world!
With the “lottery for wives” game over, the banquet hall filled with a merry atmosphere.
Female captives who fell into these monsters’ hands rarely met good ends.
Lin En had no time to pity othersâwasn’t he walking on a knife’s edge himself?
After distributing the rewards, Galron drank a toast with the chieftains, then solemnly announced:
Starting today, everyone must prepare for the upcoming “Autumn Offensive”!
Next time, they would conquer the border stronghold of the Cedric Kingdom, then relocate from the Misty Forest dungeon to live a life of ease inside human cities.
Galron’s ambitions soared; the chieftains cheered wildly, all shouting “Make the Demon Race Great Again.”
“Cheers!!!”
The banquet hall was a frenzy of demonic revelry, boisterous and chaotic.
Lin En had no choice but to down another half-glass of wine.
ăDetected ‘Obedience Potion’ causing severe mental contamination. Skill ‘Mental Fortress’ passively triggered.ă
ăSkill ‘Mental Fortress’ is too low-level to fully resist…ă
The notification rang in his ears, striking Lin En like a thunderbolt!
No doubt about itâthe wine couldn’t have magically contained “Obedience Potion.”
The wine just now had been poured by Rena.
It dawned on Lin En:
Holy crap!
They actually drugged me?!
