I Maxed Out My Luck Stat-Chapter 23: Neia’s Misunderstanding (Part 1)

Neia sighed deeply.

She still didn’t know if she was making the right choice, but then again... weren’t her choices very limited, to begin with?

’Mum told me before I left her back then... That I must survive no matter what.’

Neia had promised her mother.

She had sworn.

That meant she had to do whatever it takes to survive.

’Even if it means becoming the subordinate of this young noble before me...’ Although she gritted her teeth inside, she could not reflect her true thoughts to this man.

This... extremely dangerous man.

’He must have intentionally gotten captured. He tricked us with that Lag and made it so that we would all be exterminated. Judging by how my survival didn’t take him aback, he must have already known I was still alive. Is that why he remained by the treasure?’

Most likely.

Even when she saw him from above, completely calm and defenseless, she knew he could not simply be spacing out without a reason.

This person was baiting her.

He wanted to see what kind of move she would make.

And, after agonizing over it for only a brief period, Neia knew she had to surrender.

’He wasn’t satisfied with my pledge of allegiance. Instead, he forced me to offer my Seal of Obedience instead. But does that mean he knew I had it? How? Hold on... I am currently in my original form, which means he could have deduced that I look like a Noble, and if he were to activate Status Awareness, he would be able to figure it out easily...’

That would explain why he would suspect her of holding the Seal of Obedience.

’Back then, when I ran away, I only grabbed the things I could take. That includes the Flight Ring, the Strength Belt, my Protection Charm, the Seal of Obedience, and a few others. Unfortunately, after all these years on the run, only those four remain.’

That was why she joined the Six Eyes of Infinity.

Neia had actually planned to rob them of their items and wealth so she could get back on her feet and consolidate her strength.

After all, survival was merely one of her goals.

’I still want to have my revenge!’

Her blue eyes fell on Richard for a moment, and she had a sudden thought.

’Maybe... he can help me. This could be fate. Perhaps it’s why I am drawn to him... to his great power.’ Neia felt something thump in her chest. ’If he helps me have my revenge on that wretched family, then I don’t care if I have to serve him!’

After all, she had nothing else she cared about in this world.

As long as she was alive and she could make the Bleu Family suffer, there was nothing she couldn’t do to achieve these goals.

Even if she had to become a lowly slave or a loyal dog.

It didn’t matter!

’If it’s my body he wants... even if it has been unclaimed by any man all these years, I would gladly give it away. He is strong enough to protect me, and he is powerful enough to help me with my revenge!’

Right now, Neia’s eyes were flaring with great ambition.

She had no idea... how wrong she was.

Richard wasn’t actually that strong, and he also didn’t even think of her as some kind of slave.

The Seal of Obedience was simply his insurance.

He didn’t completely trust her and thus could not risk betrayal, especially since this was a world where treachery ran rampant.

Richard actually empathized with Neia and would gladly help her out if he could.

However, how could she—a lowly slave—simply ask this of him?

She knew she would have to plan a great deal.

’I will have to cement my position by his side and increase his dependence on me. I must make myself appealing to him as much as possible... so that he will eventually heed my request.’

Neia licked her lips at that moment.

She felt a surge of ambition rise within her chest as she shook in excitement.

’If he could just create a few of those weapons he unleashed just now... we could wipe out the entire Bleu Family. I don’t know how much power it would take from him, but... these are the things I must start to investigate while standing by his side.’

"Alright, Neia... Let’s make the deal."

Richard and Neia shook hands and activated the stamp-shaped item in his hand.

The contract...

"You will never betray me, lie to me, or so anything to go against me. In exchange, I’ll do what I can to protect you as long as it is within my capabilities. I think that’s fair."

... Was for more lax than she expected.

’E-eh...?’ Neia was stunned beyond words. ’That’s it? That’s all he’s going to do?!’

She had thought he would limit her autonomy to the maximum, but the only binding thing about their agreement was that she could not harm him in any way—whether directly or indirectly.

That was so strange!

’Is this some kind of test? Maybe he wants to see how I can take initiative without some kind of compulsion informing me to do things.’

Her eyes shone with brilliance at this point as she began to smile.

’I understand the assignment! I’ll do my best!’

Neia was actually not a fool like Richard, but she was also misunderstanding things.

But who could blame her?

As someone who had lived in this world for over nineteen years, she had seen all kinds of things.

She also didn’t have the luxury of experiencing the more modern and civilized Earth, so her perception of human rights and bodily autonomy was skewed.

How could she have known that a modern man like Richard would not ask her to be his ’slave’ but instead would try to secure his own safety by enforcing such an agreement. In fact, he even added a binding clause for himself as well, making the situation more transactional than it was detrimental.

’He will... protect me, huh?’

Neia felt something in her heart tremble at that moment.

When last had someone said those words to her?

All this time, she had been alone... trying her hardest to struggle and survive in this harsh world.

But now—

’Someone this powerful and wise has chosen to take care of me...’

A brand new surge of energy and a desire to be loyal began to form within Neia in that moment.

She slowly developed a kind of respect for Richard.

It was born out of a deep misunderstanding, but it remained genuine nonetheless.

"Alright. The deal is sealed."

The Seal of Obedience glowed brilliantly for a moment before dying out.

Then, Richard placed the item in his pocket. "I’ll be holding onto this for some time. Hope you don’t mind that."

"N-no, of course not!" Neia stuttered while speaking, her eyes narrowing slowly. ’Is he testing me? Does he want to gauge my reaction by asking me for permission for such an obvious thing?’

She could not understand this Richard fellow.

He was too mysterious!

"Alright, Neia... If you don’t mind, could you help me gather all the treasures into the box? I’ll make sure to compensate you for the task."

"Y-you don’t have to!"

"What?"

"I can do it without any compensation, please trust me, sir!"

"... Erm, okay then."

Richard was slightly confused.

He admired the girl’s enthusiasm, but he didn’t understand why she would turn down compensation when she was in such dire straits.

’I planned to give her a portion of the goods, but I guess she doesn’t want that. Is she that grateful towards me? Maybe I can use her gratitude to manipulate her or something, like all those smart characters I read about in my light novels. Hehe... This is good. More stuff for me, then!’

What a fool Richard was.

There was no need to manipulate Neia, because in her mind... she was his slave.

She would do anything for him anyway—and for free of charge.

Helping him gather the treasures was no big deal, and so she completed the task in no time at all.

"I am done with everything, sir!"

"Just call me Richard. I’ll call you Neia."

"A-ah, I couldn’t possibly—"

"Please... I insist. Also—" With a single flourish, Richard brought out a long gown from distorted air and thrust it at her.

"—You can cover yourself with this. If you need anything else, let me know."

"O-okay... Thank you very much, si—I mean, Richard."

"Good..." Richard patted her bowed head at this point, his smile warm and lovely. "Good girl."

In his mind, he thought he was being manipulative.

Like his favorite genius main character in a certain high school light novel.

However, his actions only served to confuse Neia more.

’Why is he being so kind and considerate to me? I... I don’t understand this level of generosity.’

Left with no other way to interpret it, Neia felt her respect for Richard deepen.

His mysterious actions puzzled her and left her in awe at his charms and inscrutable intellect.

She could not read him at all.

"T-then... allow me to change."

"Okay—"

Before Richard could look away, Neia began to strip in front of him.

Her pale skin, her slender waist, her overflowing bosoms, and her curvaceous figure...

Everything was laid bare before him.

’Argh! What is this girl doing?!’ He wanted to scream at first, but then he realized that perhaps he could be overreacting.

’Although I’m much older in my mind, I currently have the body of a ten-year-old. I haven’t even begun puberty yet, so maybe she feels like I am too innocent anyway...’

By screaming or chastising her for this action, he would simply make her embarrassed.

Due to all of these reasons, Richard made his choice.

’I shouldn’t react at all!’

So, he rigidly stared at her, trying his best to act innocent, as she changed from her tattered wear to the gown he bestowed upon her. To him, he was being considerate of her feelings.

However, she saw it completely differently.

’He isn’t even moved by my appearance. Even my naked body can’t get a reaction from him. Just what kind of person is this...?!’

Unable to decipher this mystery, Neia’s awe deepened even more.

"Since you’re done... we should depart now."

"Yes, sir—I mean, Richard."

"Good, Neia... You are learning." Richard patted her head again—though he had to lean up a little to reach her head.

To help him reach it better, she actually lowered her head.

’How embarrassing...’ He thought silently. ’But most importantly, I have to start asking myself the most important question.’

Richard looked around him and sighed in despair.

’How do I get home from here?’