Alex was on the verge of collapse from the aura, yet he didn't show any reaction on his face.
When he was about to pass out, the aura vanished.
"I have to admit, you either have balls of steel or you're insane," Sylvana said.
She was genuinely surprised that his only concern, even in the face of danger, was his family.
"Guards, bring a mana potion and a healing potion," Sylvana ordered.
Moments later, a guard returned with what she asked for.
She opened the cell and approached Alex, uncorked the potion, and reached for his face.
"Excuse me," she said, mimicking Alex's tone from back then.
"You're excused," Alex said weakly.
Sylvana chuckled. That was exactly what she had said to him before.
After feeding Alex both potions, his condition improved considerably.
Sylvana stood up but didn't leave; instead, she asked,
"How did you know where that Saint's Tear was?"
"Secret," Alex replied.
"And the secret stash?" Sylvana continued.
"I found it while I ran from Aurethia," Alex said nonchalantly.
"Oh? So you're not from here? And how did you escape a continent without official transport?" Vanessa asked from behind.
Alex realized he had revealed too much and shut his mouth.
"Come on, it's not like it'll kill you to answer," Vanessa said, stepping closer and giving him a light kick.
"I have my ways," Alex replied simply.
"What else do you know about Dyonisus?" Sylvana asked.
"The symbol they use," Alex replied.
"Oho? That's useful. Can you draw it?" Sylvana asked.
"I can't," Alex answered immediately.
"You can. I know you paint pretty well," Vanessa said.
"Do you want me to spank you?" Sylvana shot back, clearly annoyed by his refusal to cooperate.
"I don't," Alex replied. Just the thought made his butt hurt.
"If you were willing to heal me, only to refuse helping me fight afterward, why help at all?" Sylvana asked.
"I hoped you'd do your job—nothing more, nothing less. You expect me to hand everything to you on a silver plate? Classic noble," Alex said.
Vanessa chuckled.
Sylvana kneeled and flicked his forehead, making him dizzy.
Alex grunted, but still muttered, "Abusing your saviors. Classic noble."
"Hahaha," Vanessa burst into laughter.
Sylvana's eye twitched. It seemed the kid really was begging for a spanking.
"Wait here. I have something to discuss with the queen," Sylvana said.
They walked out and closed the cell. They knew that if given even the slightest chance, Alex would escape.
They headed to the palace and reported everything to the queen.
"What an interesting kid… what to do with him…" Alicia murmured.
On one hand, he was a ruthless murderer; on the other, he saved her sister and is actively trying to protect the realm.
"I'm against letting him rot in a cell, Mom," Vanessa said.
"Explain," Alicia replied.
"Well used, he could be a great ally—and an even greater asset," Vanessa said.
"You told me he hated nobles," Alicia said.
"Well, his hatred is grounded. He's suffered a lot at their hands. We just have to erase that hatred," Vanessa said.
"Easier said than done. How do you plan on reversing that amount of hate?" Alicia asked.
"Simple. I'll keep him as my aide and expose him to nobles who aren't rotten. He'll see there are as many good nobles as there are bad commoners," Vanessa said. Then she nodded at Sylvana and added,
"Besides, his potion-making skills are top-tier, and I was already trying to recruit him before learning he was the vigilante. Now I can make it a condition."
"Yes, I can confirm that his potions are among the best I've tried," Sylvana said.
"By binding him to us, we also gain access to his information network," Vanessa continued.
"He's also highly intelligent and has his heart in the right place," Sylvana added.
"When you say it like that… it does feel like a waste to bury him," Alicia admitted, though still unsure.
"And most nobles he killed were the worst of the worst," Vanessa added.
"Well… fine. But he's your responsibility. If he screws up, it falls on you—so keep the chain tight," Alicia agreed.
"I'll prepare a top-tier magic contract," Vanessa said excitedly.
Sylvana smiled and followed her.
Back in the cell…
"I refuse," Alex said.
"You'd rather spend life in prison?" Vanessa couldn't believe he was rejecting her proposal again.
"I would, instead of being your lap dog," Alex said.
"Associate," Vanessa corrected.
"Sure," Alex said sarcastically.
"Does your hatred for us really outweigh your desire to see your family? What did we even do to you?" Sylvana asked.
"Bad memory? Let me refresh it for you. Your guard almost killed my sister the same way you nearly killed me—and both times, I never did anything to any of you. I even healed you." Alex's voice grew angrier.
"So don't you dare ask what you did to me. You nobles seem to find torturing commoners trivial, huh? Forgetting it so easily. Not even a month since, and I'm already regretting healing you, Sylvana."
Sylvana had no retort. She really had used her legendary aura on the person who saved her, with his mana sealed—no better than using it on a regular commoner.
"Sorry," she whispered.
"Fuck off," Alex snapped.
"But your contract is with me. What did I do to you?" Vanessa said. "And when I tried to gently arrest you, you poisoned me."
"That's why I'm even willing to listen to your offer. But what guarantees you won't pull what your aunt did?" Alex said.
'My curiosity burned the bridge between us…' Sylvana thought, disappointed. She had no one to blame but herself.
"A magic contract," Vanessa said.
Alex looked at her.
Vanessa uncuffed him and handed him the contract.
He read it. It basically stated:
They could not hurt each other willingly, nor betray each other willingly.
Alex would become Vanessa Morningstar's aide, assisting when needed and to the best of his abilities. In exchange, he would receive monetary or material compensation, as well as protection for himself and his family to the best of Vanessa's abilities.
It also had some other clauses about his information network and the alchemy shop.
The duration was five years—the maximum allowed for a magical contract.
"The length is your punishment for what you did; even if the nobles you killed were pigs, they should have been judged in a court of law," Vanessa said, knowing what part he was staring at.
Alex continued reading and found nothing sketchy.
He thought of Sylvana's earlier words:
'Does my hate really outweigh my desire to see my family again?'
The answer was no.
He sighed and signed the contract reluctantly.
Vanessa snatched it lightning fast, grinning widely.
He felt a heavy magical binding settle around his soul.
"You're one hard nut to crack, Alex, but welcome to the team," Vanessa said.
"There's a lot to do."
"Fuck me…" Alex muttered.
Two sentences in, and he was already regretting his decision.