Chapter 59

“Oi…”

Billy thought he heard a sound behind him, but the sound of his heart shattering was loud enough to drown all external noise.

“Hey, big man!”

A sudden hand on his back and a warm smile greeted Billy, jolting him forward in surprise.

He turned to find a stranger, relaxed and nonchalant.

This stranger sported a black eyepatch over one eye, contrasting sharply with his long, flowing black hair.

He had strands of beard protruding from his chin, and he was outfitted in a high-quality black robe.

Billy had initially wanted to smack the man for hitting him so suddenly, but he chose not to after contemplating it a little.

‘I wouldn’t want to accidentally kill him…’ His thoughts trailed.

The man had a stupid grin on his face which made Billy angrier. He didn’t realize when he was frowning at the total stranger.

“What do you want?” He asked in mild annoyance.

If this guy was here to comfort him, then Billy could already see himself clenching his fist and getting ready for what would come next.

“Hey… hey man, relax! I saw everything that happened, and you know what…?”

Billy was ready to throw his punch the moment he heard anything unnecessary. The last thing he needed was someone analyzing his situation.

It was already bad enough that Alicia had publicly humiliated him, but now he was about to be pitied by an absolute stranger like this?

It was unacceptable.

"...I think that lady is just confused," the stranger continued, surprising Billy.

‘H-huh?’ Billy’s brows shot up in surprise.

He had anticipated many things, but not this perspective.

“Confused…?”

“Yes, my guy! Girls are like that when they’re that age! My daughters were also the same way.”

Billy’s brows remained raised. He was still confused, but more than that, he found himself agreeing with the stranger.

“What she needs is something to prompt her certainty. If you’re up for it, I have just the thing.”

Billy felt his heart racing as he stared at the grinning eyepatch man.

Something about the whole thing felt sketchy, but he couldn’t resist the allure.

If there was a chance to win Alicia’s heart, he was willing to entertain any idea.

“What do you have in mind?”

“Let’s not discuss here. It’s a very important matter to talk about, so why don’t we go to my office?”

Billy felt a bit skeptical about following a stranger anywhere, but he weighed his options. With loneliness as his only companion for the next few hours, he decided to take a chance and hear the man out.

‘If it’s a waste of time, I can just leave.’

And if the stranger ended up being some shady individual, he could just easily defeat him.

‘I’m among the strongest in this world, after all…’

After training for this long, Billy was confident in his strength.

No random stranger could get the jump on him.

“I can see your skeptical look, young man. But don’t worry! Once I’m done, you’ll see it’s an offer you can’t resist!”

The stranger’s words were persuasive as his heart raced in further curiosity.

“Alright. Take me to your office.”

********

Billy’s eyes widened as he took in the man seated across from him.

He had just heard the unbelievable, and he was still recoiling in shock as he sat on a very comfortable sofa in the vast room.

First and foremost, this stranger introduced himself as Evals Redart, and his office was nothing short of extravagant.

It was well-decorated and spacious. There was a chair and desk close to the very large window, and a pair of couches opposite each other, with an exquisite table at the center.

The room’s ambiance was inviting, thanks to the warm glow of carefully placed lights and the grand chandelier hanging from the ceiling.

‘It’s nothing compared to the Royal Estate, but this place looks really nice.’

Billy had known he was a man of means when he saw his clothes, but he didn’t think it was to this extent.

Despite the surprising display of wealth, what truly stunned Billy was the nature of Evals Redart’s proposal.

“T-that is a little…” Billy struggled to find the right word.

“Yeah. Unethical … right?” The man's smile widened knowingly as Billy nodded in agreement.

“Well, it’s up to you, big man. If you want some things in life, you have to get your hands dirty. You feel me?”

Billy clenched his fist as he contemplated all that the man had just said.

He had never tried something like that in his life.

“It won’t work. You wouldn’t even be able to restrain her.”

“That’s where you come in. Just give her this…” Evals Redart slid a potion across the table, its pinkish-red liquid swirling inside the glass bottle.

“… And she’ll be susceptible to the plan. She won’t resist in the slightest.”

“Alicia would never trust me enough to drink that!” Billy protested.

“Then place it inside her food or drink or something,” Evals suggested casually as if it were the most obvious solution.

“W-well… that is…”

Billy knew Alicia was confused about what she wanted, but he also knew that she currently didn’t want to have anything to do with him.

There was no way he would have access to her now.

“Okay, okay. I see. How about this…” Evals interrupted the tense silence, producing another item.

It was a special ring, adorned with intricate writings on its black-iron surface.

A gleaming red gem, adorned its top, emitting an aura of something… forbidden.

“Use this Enchanted Item.”

“I told you she won’t accept anything fro—”

“No, you won’t give her. You will wear it. It’ll allow you to alter your appearance.”

This was the ‘Ring Of Deceit', a powerful artifact that granted its user the ability to take on the appearance of the person whom their target trusted the most.

“All you need to do is place the ring’s gem on Alicia’s skin and you’ll be able to transform into the person she trusts most.”

Once that was done, Billy could then coax her into drinking the red potion.

It was the perfect plan!

“I… I see…”

Billy’s throat felt dry and he considered the plan, as well as the choices that stood before him.

‘If I do this… am I guaranteed to win her love and affection?’

Sure, the plan was definitely a winner!

If he pulled it off well, he would be able to get into Alicia’s good graces.

But Billy couldn’t help but wonder if there was a safer approach.

… Something easier.

“W-what about something… like a Love Potion. Don’t you have that?”

He had a Gold Coin burning a hole in his pocket, ready to be spent on anything that could win Alicia’s heart.

‘If it’s more expensive, I’ll find a way to get the money somehow!’

He could even flash his Royal Badge to show he was trustworthy.

Right now, Billy was just desperate.

“Good things never come easy, my man. Love Potions are only temporary. If you want something with a more permanent effect, this is your best shot.”

As he heard those words, Billy felt like his choice had already been made.

‘I… I don’t want to lose Alicia. I don’t want to lose to Rey…’

He clenched his teeth as he looked at the red potion and gleaming ring.

They beckoned to him.

“So… what will it be, lover boy?”

“I… I…” Billy stuttered as he considered all his options.

Right here and now, he had to make a decision.

*

*

*

[A/N]

Thanks for reading!

What choice do you think he’ll make?

Sorry for the distraction called Billy. We’re going back to Rey now.