Harem System In A fantasy World

Chapter 478: Zenovia’s Dilemma

Zenovia flung the hood of her cloak over her head and fluffy ears as she walked out of the Triad Alliance’s headquarters in Silvergrove City.

She had just bid farewell to Aeron and thanked Marilyn for the kind hospitality, yet she had still politely declined her offer to join their organization.

She frowned as she looked up at the bloody, cloudy skies.

"When is this weird eclipse going to go away?" she muttered aloud as she took in the view, before moving her gaze to the city’s mossy rooftops.

The bloody atmosphere was unsettling. It was like a bad omen signaling that something terrible was coming, but that was not her problem.

As long as she could take care of herself, everyone else could fuck off for all she cared. She did have one blaring problem, however: She did not have a single dime on her person.

So she had to find a way to earn a bit of coin to fend for herself, or cover the basics at least. Food, decent lodgings, and, God forbid, a lady needed a warm bath once or twice a week.

Her best bet was the Adventurers’ Guild, and she had little doubt that, with her strength, she would do well. However, she still did not know how the Assassins’ Guild had dealt with her apparent betrayal.

Unfortunately for her, the guilds in different cities kept in close contact, especially on such matters, regarding rogue former employees.

It would not be surprising if the local guild had already been alerted to keep an eye out for her, especially since her parent guild was not too far away, in the next city, Westmere, a few hundred kilometers south of here.

To that end, perhaps the Adventurers’ Guild had also been informed to blacklist her and keep an eye out for someone who looked like her.

Considering she had something similar to an associate before, it was very likely. So she was a bit apprehensive about walking directly into the Adventurers’ Guild as she was.

Maybe if she changed her name and appearance a bit, it would be more difficult to pinpoint her.

’I will try that.’

She pulled out a lock of her beautiful hair to look at it. She would also have to find a trustworthy alchemist to dye her hair.

These purple strands were far too conspicuous, and if she could cut it to a shorter length as well, the combination would be perfect.

’Maybe I should also integrate the bloodline I got.’

Thinking about how drastically Elion’s physical build had changed after gaining a new bloodline, perhaps that was exactly what she needed to mislead any potential bounty hunters who might be after her head.

But that would still require preparation. It would also require a trustworthy person to look after her while she underwent the integration.

Unfortunately, she had no such person in her life. For some reason, her mind wandered to Elion when she reached that point.

Zenovia immediately frowned and shook her head. "That bastard is not trustworthy!" She hissed through her teeth and smashed a clump of soil on the pavement beneath her foot.

"All he does is seduce and collect women like trophies!" A few people looked at her sudden outburst with dumbfounded expressions.

Zenovia stiffened.

Then she quickly picked up the pace and left the scene with an embarrassed expression.

Though she hated to admit it, a part of her knew that Elion would probably help her if she asked.

Seeing as he had not bothered to hide his intentions to woo her, he would most likely think of it as an opportunity to gain her approval.

But that was exactly why she would not ask for his help. She hated being in someone’s debt, especially a shameless alpha male who thought they could have any woman they wanted.

"And the bastard just up and left without saying anything too," she hissed through her sharp canines.

He had probably gone off somewhere to collect more trophy wives for himself. Did the bastard seriously have no sense of urgency!?

He had a very important duel waiting for him in a few days, and he had just... left!

Zenovia had been a little curious to see how the duel would turn out, but if he did not care about it, why should she?

Then again, Elion was just that powerful. He probably did not place any importance on the stupid duel at all.

Her stomach suddenly growled while she was deep in thought, and a faint pink blush coloured her cheeks.

"I knew I should have paid a visit to the kitchen before leaving that place!"

Zenovia had one terrible problem.

Her body was like an endless abyss that always craved to be fed. No matter how much she ate, only a few hours needed to pass before she felt as though she were starving again.

So the biggest problem right now was food. Unfortunately, food required money, and money was the one thing she did not have.

Zenovia stopped walking and glanced along the street, her eyes drifting toward the numerous stalls and small restaurants lining the road.

The scent of roasted monster meat, freshly baked bread, sweet pastries, and spiced stew drifted through the air, assaulting her empty stomach from every direction.

Her stomach growled again, and a passing woman gave her an odd look. Zenovia’s expression darkened.

"What are you looking at!?" She hissed. The woman immediately looked away and quickened her pace.

Zenovia clicked her tongue before turning her attention back toward the food stalls.

She could steal something; it would be far too easy.

Most of the stall owners were ordinary people, and even the few guards patrolling the streets would never notice her taking a loaf of bread or a piece of meat, but she dismissed the thought almost immediately.

She was an assassin, not some petty street thief!

There were standards. Low standards, perhaps, but standards nonetheless.

Besides, getting arrested over a loaf of bread after surviving everything she had gone through would be humiliating beyond belief.

Zenovia sighed and pressed one hand against her stomach. "I need money." She looked toward the direction of the Adventurers’ Guild, a deep frown marring her face.

Going there without changing her appearance first was risky.

But wandering around hungry while waiting to find an alchemist was not exactly practical either.

Up to this point, one might wonder why she didn’t just join the Triad Alliance, since they seemed to treat their members so well, but after her experience with the assassins’ guild, Zenovia didn’t think she trusted herself to so easily join another major organization.

Especially one as closely knit as this one.

The guild was good because she could maintain a bit of anonymity, since they were unlikely to look into her past as long as she cooked up a story and gave an alias in case someone asks.

Perhaps she could take a small job that did not require registration. Something unofficial like escort work, monster disposal, or debt collection.

There were always merchants and nobles willing to pay someone strong enough to handle problems quietly.

Her eyes narrowed.

’That might work.’

She only needed enough coin for food, decent lodgings, and whatever preparations were necessary for changing her appearance and integrating the bloodline she had stored away in her small storage ring.

After that, she could decide what to do next.

Zenovia pulled her hood lower over her face and continued walking, following the scent of food while pretending she was not. A few steps later, her stomach growled for the third time.

She clenched her teeth. "Shut up."

The organ did not listen.