Mage Manual-Chapter 574 - 465 Poor Ash

A man in a dark red coat sat on a luxurious red leather chair. He crossed his legs, propped his cheek with his left hand, wore a face mask, and his unkempt bangs fell carelessly as he gazed out the window at the underground city, his eyes squinting slightly as if smiling.

Hanna’s brush moved briskly, and before long, the painting had begun to take shape, but she slightly furrowed her brows, "Don’t move."

"I can’t hold the same pose for too long," Ash complained. "I’ve never worked as a model before."

"But I can’t paint if you keep moving," Hanna said. "I have a good idea—Ash, don’t move!"

Ash’s body stiffened instantly, and Hanna, satisfied, continued painting with a smile, "It’s a pity the outside isn’t a burning world; otherwise, it would be just like the future number one on the ’Art List’."

"You’re not as mature as the ’you’ in the ’Art List’ though," Ash said. "But no matter which list, I look more or less the same."

"Not really, the ’Art List’ version of you is more wicked and madcap, the ’Family List’ version of you appears loud and proud, the ’Deceit List’ version is just like now. On the whole, the first three lists’ ’you’ become closer and closer to the real you, and after starting with the ’Happiness List,’ it gets weird. The ’Necromancy List’ makes you seem downright righteous."

"It’s strange, I appear on every list but don’t rank in any..."

"Weren’t you ranked with me? Although as part of my artwork... Thinking about it, you and I weren’t that close at the time; why would the Gospel weave a future where I paint for you?"

"That means the Gospel knew you coveted my beauty early on..."

"Are you sure you want to say that to someone who’s ranked on the ’Azura Beauty List’? I suddenly feel like drawing a nude portrait to verify your beauty—"

"Sorry, I was too arrogant, please forgive me."

Ash hesitated then couldn’t help asking, "I’m really curious, when did you start liking me? Forget I asked, if you can’t remember that would be embarrassing..."

"From the very beginning, right there in the underground hall," Hanna said nonchalantly.

Ash was shocked, "Σ(っ°Д°;)っ What, was it really love at first sight, a miracle?"

"Of course not, I was just curious about you, and then I started noticing you," Hanna smiled. "When I saw Igula and Harvey waiting for you to make decisions, when I saw you accepting Liss, when I heard you in the changing room saying you would wait 101 days to see how things are before deciding whether to get revenge—"

"You really bugged the changing room!"

"What’s a bit of eavesdropping to me?" Hanna snorted. "And seeing you choose to endure pain rather than trouble someone on my command, seeing you comfort Liss even while fleeing, seeing you defend me in front of Qinna, seeing you hurt your hand to save Liss, seeing you hope for Igula’s happiness..."

"...seeing you drive slowly through puddles on the side of the road, seeing you ensuring Banjee’s safety. That’s about it; the fondness built up little by little."

"You have such a good memory, I’ve forgotten so many of those things..." Ash said. "But I think you’ve glorified me in your memories—"

"Of course, I’ve glorified you," Hanna laughed. "Now, looking at you, I find even your eyebrows cute. How could I not have glorified you? Ah, done."

Hanna turned the sketchpad towards Ash; unlike the first-ranked on the ’Art List,’ it was a simple sketch portrait with a white background. The painting techniques were far from the elaborate grandeur shown on the ’Art List,’ and the figure was not nearly as wicked.

But the person in the painting had lifelike eyebrows and eyes, and a tender visage; the brush strokes brimming with love, it looked less like a painting and more like a confession.

Ash sighed softly, "Hanna, I..."

"You know that unless it’s work-related, I won’t ask about the Gospel," Hanna sat on his lap, summoning her Gospel Book, "but tonight I’ll make an exception."

"Gospel, who is my ideal lover?"

Hanna turned the Gospel Book to show Ash. The name ’Ash Heath’ glowed with a faint purple light on the white page, "Look."

Hanna’s words felt like a necromantic miracle, Ash felt his vitality draining away; the words he had carefully considered in his mind became immensely heavy. And the more she did this, the more uncomfortable Ash himself felt. He struggled to say, "Hanna, can you give me some time to think—"

"No."

Hanna suddenly wrapped her arms around his neck, pulled off his mask, and kissed him on the chin. The tender touch permeated his mind as he saw only those captivating eyes.

Huh?

Huh huh?

Huh huh huh?

Ash wanted to move, but the problem was Hanna had just told him not to; he couldn’t resist the binding force of the Contract! The only thing he could move were his teeth and tongue, could he bite back—

Tsk.

Ash felt the tender little tongue awkwardly trying to pry open his teeth, her exquisite body pressing tightly against his, as if trying to squeeze into him. Looking into Hanna’s defiant eyes, Ash’s heart softened, a small breach opened in his defenses, and the enemy forces swarmed in, the guards unable to resist, the two armies intertwined, sweating profusely, and then the enemy even lured the guards out of the fortifications, pulling them into their own territory and devouring them thoroughly.

Ash had been thinking that Hanna and Qinna were nothing alike, but now he was absolutely certain that they were definitely mother and daughter!

Both so assertively domineering!

After a while, their lips parted, a low panting drawing a glistening thread, the warm breath seemingly sharing their deepest feelings. Just when Ash’s heart finally calmed down, he heard Hanna whisper in his ear, "Meet me."

"Hold me up."

"Play me."

Suddenly, the Gospel Book sprang open, and Ash realized that he had unknowingly rolled onto the bed. Hanna glanced at the glowing Gospel Book, "The speed of the Gospel Weaving has increased... but the Gospel List can be checked anytime, now you are only allowed to look at me."

"Weave me."

Your boss at work, the slave owner in the contract, making such unreasonable demands, Ash felt he could barely withstand it!

Bang! Bang! Bang!

"Daddy! Daddy! I know you’re in there, come out!"

Hanna and Ash exchanged glances, Purple Moth sat up and adjusted her robe, then pulling the bewildered Cult Leader with her to the door, pushed him to the outside Liss, then hooked his neck and whispered in his ear:

"This ends tonight, the rest will continue after the Weaving Festival." Hanna’s warm breath lightly puffed on Ash’s earlobe, "This is my weaving future."

"But—"

"No buts, have you forgotten? Your contract doesn’t end until August 15th, and according to this progress, we must act by the 20th at the latest. That means after the Weaving Festival ends, I still have 55 days to deal with you, by which time we might nearly have children."

"I am the ruthless director of the firm, you didn’t think I was asking for your permission just now, did you? Fool."

Hanna quickly pecked Ash’s face and then waved, "Good night."

After closing the door, Hanna jumped onto the bed, and after a moment of stillness, she tossed and turned, her hands touching her burning cheeks, her heart still pounding fiercely, her breathing still erratic.

"The future is the greatest hope..."

She turned her head to look at the newly painted portrait, tilting her head and observing it for a while, with a slight smile curving her lips, the worry that had overwhelmed her brows slowly easing, and the fear of death in her heart finally subsiding somewhat.

"My life may soon be coming to an end," she murmured softly, "but I’m now looking forward to the start of the next half as soon as possible."

...

Outside, Ash and Liss stared at each other in a deadlock.

Liss pondered for a moment and turned to leave. Ash asked, "Where are you going?"

"To find Auntie Bokin."

"For what?"

"To discuss how Hanna is going to become my stepmom."

"Why discuss it with him!?"

Ash grasped Liss, crouching down slightly guiltily, "How did you know I was here?"

"Because Aunt Hanna just messaged me." Liss replied expressionlessly.

Ash was startled, then grasped Hanna’s scheming!

Damn it, using a honey trap on him, luring him with the future after the Weaving Festival to act even more desperately! Yet, this was an overt scheme, and even though Ash was aware of the trick, he still fell for it a little—not just a little, but he allowed himself only that much.

Poor Ash, played by a wicked woman in the palm of her hand.

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