Chapter 004: Persuasion Only Requires Going in Circles
"You two look very well-matched." Pandora nodded as she looked at the two hands joined together before her. "What do you think, Mr. Archi?"
"I... of course..." Archi, suddenly addressed, was momentarily stunned before responding with some complexity.
"And what about the little princess?" Pandora didn't mind his reaction and turned to Emilia instead.
"Well..." It was evident that although she still felt some fear toward Pandora, her resistance had lessened considerably.
After all, the current Pandora was much easier to get along with than before—almost as if... she were a different person?
"Alright, are you satisfied now?" Fortuna glared at Pandora after avoiding Geuse's line of sight. "So, please leave now, immediately, right away."
"Why would you say that..." Pandora sighed in response. "I wonder if the kind Miss Fortuna would be willing to take in someone like me, who has nowhere to go?"
She didn't possess Pandora's corresponding memories, so naturally, she had no idea where she used to live.
Of course, even if she did know, could she really be expected to stay with that group of abnormal Archbishops? Wouldn't it be much better to stay here?
"Sorry, as a guardian, I cannot allow anyone who has shown interest in the protected object to remain in the forest," Fortuna responded firmly. "Don't misunderstand—this is purely a matter of principle, with no personal feelings involved."
Of course, that's what she said, but whether it was truly the case... even she wasn't sure.
"Miss Fortuna, I believe you've heard," Pandora shook her head and smiled. "I have no interest in the seal now."
"But who's to say you won't become interested someday while living in the forest!"
"I promise, that day will never come."
"Why should I believe you!"
"Is that so..." At this point, Pandora sighed. "So, subjectively, compared to others, you don't trust me."
"I..." Fortuna was left speechless. "Are you twisting my words?"
"No, I never have." Looking at the somewhat agitated silver-haired woman before her, Pandora wore an utterly innocent expression. "I've only been making a request."
"Then I deny your request!"
"Why?"
"I won't allow anyone who has shown interest in the seal to live in the forest!"
"I have no interest in the seal."
"But who's to say someday..."
As she spoke, Fortuna suddenly stopped.
She had circled back to the same argument...
This infuriating creature! She couldn't defeat her in a fight, and she couldn't out-argue her either...
"Fine, I admit it's because I don't trust you..."
In the end, she had no choice but to concede.
"So Miss Fortuna's impartial judgment is filled with personal feelings." Watching the defeated Fortuna, Pandora's smile widened.
This left Fortuna momentarily dazed.
During their previous battles, she had never sensed any emotional expression from Pandora—only calm detachment. But now...
"Yes..." She could only nod in agreement.
"Then this isn't the kind of emotion a manager should have." Seizing the opportunity, Pandora continued, "However, since you insist so strongly, even to the point of contradicting your own principles to expel me, I suppose I'll have to wander homeless."
With that, Pandora turned to leave.
"Lady Pandora!" Seeing this, Petelgeuse hurriedly called out. "What about your residence?"
Hearing this, Pandora stopped in her tracks.
"My residence? I don't remember... Petelgeuse... Never mind, may I call you Geuse instead?"
These words made Geuse, who had just begun to relax, freeze for several seconds.
"Of course! It would be this subordinate's honor!"
He never expected Lady Pandora to be so approachable!
"Geuse, what exactly are you thinking..." Fortuna sighed at Geuse's grateful expression, then turned to Pandora with a resigned look. "Alright, alright, you can stay..."
Upon hearing this, Pandora clasped her hands together.
"Is that so? Thank you very much, Miss Fortuna."
However, she was met with Fortuna's slightly cold gaze.
"Let me make this clear first. First, during your stay here, you are not permitted within ten meters of the seal." She raised one finger, then a second. "Second, you must not get closer than three meters to Emilia."
This was the limit of what she could tolerate.
"Understood." Pandora simply nodded. "Anything else?"
"Finally, the most important point..." Fortuna turned to Archi. "During your time in the forest, you must not leave Archi's perception range."
After speaking, Fortuna stared intently at Pandora, trying to read something from her expression.
After all, weren't Witches supposed to have their own pride? How could they accept being monitored and so many restrictions?
"I agree."
"Then quickly leave..." Contrary to Fortuna's expectations, Pandora agreed instantly without any hesitation.
Just as Fortuna was about to say something else—
"May I ask..." Pandora spoke up. "Does this mean I'll be watched at all times?"
Hearing this, Fortuna, who was already stunned, took a moment to process the question.
"Aren't you a Witch? Don't you need to... do those things!" She exclaimed with some embarrassment and annoyance while looking at Pandora.
"Miss Fortuna has misunderstood..." Pandora waved her hand in response. "I meant, doesn't Mr. Archi need to rest?"
"I... I'll arrange for others to take shifts." Realizing she had misinterpreted, Fortuna turned her head away. "Archi, can you help me with this?"
Meanwhile, Archi hadn't yet recovered from his shock.
This Witch... was actually going to live in their forest, and... Lady Fortuna had agreed!
Moreover... she wanted him to "monitor" the Witch!
"Of course!"
But so what!
It could be said that Archi accepted this task with a "do-or-die" determination...
"Thank you for your trouble." Seeing Archi agree, Fortuna breathed a sigh of relief.
"Are you alright?" She then turned to Geuse, whom she was supporting. "Should I carry you?"
"No need, I can still manage..." Geuse shook his head in response.
Besides, if anyone should be carrying anyone, it should be him carrying her...
Just then, Fortuna suddenly felt someone tugging at the corner of her clothes.