Fisher listened calmly until Valentina Turand finished speaking. He keenly felt that the death of Helldor and the last message he gave her, along with the Grey Bird Species Mark he had unwaveringly sent, finally unlocked the bolt of trust in Miss Valentina Turand’s heart... Although it was only a small crack, having a start was a good thing after all.
And the secrets hidden within the Turand Family, as well as the purpose of their search for the Frost Snow Phoenix Tree, were finally laid bare before Fisher’s eyes,
"An inherited disease? Is that why the Turand Family is searching for the Frost Snow Phoenix Tree?"
Fisher glanced at her figure which still appeared graceful even when sitting in a wheelchair, not discerning the "deformities" she mentioned; however, obviously, he would not ask such a discourteous question and simply went straight to the most critical issue.
Valentina’s pale fingers continued to rub her ring, then nodded and said with an ironic smile while looking at her own broken body,
"The family’s books and stories passed down through generations all indicate that the curse our family suffers from is related to the legendary Frost Snow Phoenix Tree... Through history, many enlightened members of the family have tried to find the Frost Snow Phoenix Tree to resolve the issue, but all their efforts ended in nothing. The so-called ’ended in nothing’ means that they all died a miserable death."
Her words were delivered in a calm manner, without any avoidance when speaking of the fate she was chasing,
"Anyone in the family involved with the Frost Snow Phoenix Tree met with a terrible death, and I am supposed to meet with the same fate... But perhaps because I can wield the Moon Princess Sword, I have gone further than all my ancestors. The tomb of the Grey Bird Species that I discovered at the start was a clue I sensed in some indescribable calling on Sema Snow Mountain, and so far, including the Grey Bird Species Mark you’ve given me now, I’ve obtained three marks."
"These words, I haven’t shared with any other subordinate I’ve hired. I always felt that maintaining the most straightforward employer-employee relationship would keep me further away from my destined destruction. I do not wish for any subordinate to die because of the Frost Snow Phoenix Tree, you included... Therefore, even if you promised Helldor to help me find the Phoenix Tree, it’s better to decisively leave when you’re at a dead end. But before that, the Turand Family will help you escape from your ex-girlfriend’s clutches."
At the mention of the "ex-girlfriend", Fisher smiled somewhat helplessly, but he still shook his head with a smile and said,
"Then it seems I will disappoint you, as I have reasons I must go to the Frost Snow Phoenix Tree."
Valentina looked at him, the pale silver light in her eyes flickering slightly as her movements stopped abruptly, and she said jokingly to Fisher,
"Too bad, even such a declaration of intent won’t move me... Maybe if you added, ’My reason for going to the Frost Snow Phoenix Tree is for you,’ I might waver for a second."
Emhardt’s smile brightened again; indeed, there were still women in the world not deceived by Fisher’s smooth talk.
This world, is truly too wonderful!
Unexpectedly, Fisher was slightly taken aback, shook his head decisively, and said to Valentina with a smile,
"Rest assured, it’s not for Miss Valentina."
Valentina began to fiddle with her ring again, slightly slower in responding to Fisher’s words by a second, causing Emhardt’s smile to fade slightly, feeling as if he had been manipulated by Fisher just like Valentina had been.
Right after this conversation, the atmosphere in the room quieted for a moment. Valentina had just opened her mouth to speak when the door behind her suddenly opened, revealing Heidlin’s worried face,
"Miss, you haven’t eaten your dinner yet, would you like to... ah, Mr. Fisher? You’re already up, why did you come to see Miss Valentina as soon as you got out of bed?"
At this, Valentina’s body stiffened slightly, her eyes darting between Fisher and Heidlin; her fingers became slow and irregular once more.
Fisher, however, was unperturbed because he clearly saw reproach and annoyance in Heidlin’s eyes, as if she were irked that her previous hints had been ignored, yet he appeared quite enthusiastic about Miss Valentina... Actually, it seemed he was not particularly enthusiastic about Valentina either.
Heidlin’s eyes seemed to be saying, "Oh, so you’re into this type... Not happening!"
"It’s nothing like that, I just got up and wanted to carve a bit of magic, and just happened to bump into Miss Valentina."
Heidlin’s response held a note of lingering thought, Fisher’s thick skin—no, rather unwavering composure meant he was unfazed, but Valentina seemed to rub her temples with a headache-inducing motion, cutting Heidlin off mid-sentence,
"Just bring the dinner here... Is there anything else you need to tell me?"
Upon hearing Valentina’s words, Heidlin patted her headpiece with some excitement and said to Valentina,
"I nearly forgot there was something important to say... Miss, the family has sent word that the Snow Fox Clan Patriarch has given preliminary agreement and wishes to speak with you later about the matter of the Seal, within Mia territory!"