manynovel Page 371
Page 371
"Isn't this the same as being a slave?!"
Aozaki Aoko interrupted angrily, red magic gathering in her hand. Although she knew it might be futile, she was still ready to fight.
Surprisingly, Kuonji Yuzu did not show anger. Instead, she fell into deep thought, and after a moment, she raised her head, her gaze sharp as a knife.
"I cannot accept such conditions."
Her voice was unusually calm.
"If you are truly sincere, you should at least add time limits and binding clauses for you."
Shiraishikawa raised an eyebrow, seemingly surprised by her reaction, then gave a meaningful smile.
A reasonable suggestion.
So, how about a month? During this period, I guarantee I will not harm you or your property, nor will I issue any orders that you strongly oppose.
Aozaki Aoko looked at her friend in disbelief.
"Kuonji Aratsu! You wouldn't actually be considering—"
"Aozaki Aoko."
Kuonji Yuju interrupted her softly.
"As losers, we don't really have many options."
She turned to Shiraishi River, her eyes gleaming with shrewdness.
"I need to see the specific contract terms and there must be reliable guarantees."
Shiraishikawa readily agreed, took out a piece of parchment with a faint golden glow from his pocket, and casually made a few strokes in the air. Immediately, dense magical characters appeared on the paper.
With a gentle push, the paper floated towards Kuonji Yuju.
"Self-mandatory certification, an upgraded version."
He explained.
"Made by a magician from the Age of Gods, its effects... are quite terrifying. Ishtar can act as guarantor."
The Venus goddess, who had just been named, was busy counting the gems she had just received. Upon hearing this, she looked up, her face blank.
"Ah I?"
Shiraishikawa gave her a wink, and Ishtar immediately understood, puffing out her chest and striking a dignified pose.
"That's right! I, the goddess, guarantee in the name of Venus that this contract is absolutely fair and just!"
Kuonji Yuju took the parchment and began to read it carefully with Aozaki Aoko.
As Shiraishikawa stated, the contract imposed relatively loose constraints on her, while the restrictions on Shiraishikawa were quite detailed—he was not allowed to harm her personal safety, seize her property, or violate her basic moral principles.
"this..."
Kuonji Yuju looked up, somewhat puzzled.
Are you sure this is the contract you want?
Shiraishi's smile remained unchanged.
"Any questions?"
"No, it's just..."
She was prepared to sign a ten-year or even longer contract, but she didn't expect the other party to only ask for one month, and with such generous terms.
Aozaki Aoko still looked doubtful.
"There's something fishy going on! You can't sign the document at Kuonji Temple!"
Kuonji Yuju pondered for a long time before finally letting out a soft sigh.
"As the loser, this is the best possible outcome."
She looked at Shiraishi River.
“I need to add one more clause—during this period, you must not harm Aozaki Aoko in any way.”
Shiraishikawa readily nodded.
"can."
As the final stroke was made, the parchment burst forth with dazzling golden light, then transformed into two streams of light that disappeared into the chests of Kuonji Yuju and Shiraishikawa respectively. The contract was established.
Shiraishi chuckled inwardly.
Kuonji Yuzu is indeed intelligent, but she is too naive.
The reason he made so many concessions on the contract was to lower her guard.
A month is enough time for him to implement his plan, and once the contract ends... he can sign as many new contracts as he wants.
His gaze shifted to Ishtar, who was playing with the gemstone, a sly glint in his eyes.
"Ishtar."
he called.
Regarding our collaboration...
The goddess immediately became alert and clutched the jewel in her arms tightly.
Chapter 466 A Pleasant Deal
"What? These are already mine!"
Shiraishikawa laughed.
"No, what I meant was that we can establish a long-term partnership. Each time I summon you, I'll start with ten gems as the base price, increasing the price based on the enemy's strength. How about that?"
Ishtar's eyes lit up, but she quickly regained her composure and raised her chin.
"Hmph, you think you can make this goddess come at my beck and call with just ten gems?"
"Pay in person."
Shiraishikawa added.
"Never delay payment."
The goddess Venus pretended to think for a few seconds before finally nodding "reluctantly".
"Alright, seeing how sincere you are..."
Just as she reached out to take the new batch of gems from Shiraishi Kawa, a flash of light appeared, and Ishtar transformed back into a golden stone statue, while the gems landed steadily back in Shiraishi Kawa's hand.
"you--!"
Ishtar's angry voice echoed from within the stone statue. 553
Shiraishikawa patted the stone statue's head happily.
"That was a very pleasant transaction. Keep up the good work next time, Ishtar."
Kuonji Yuzu and Aozaki Aoko stared in disbelief at the scene.
Shiraishi Kawa gently stroked the rat talisman that shimmered with a faint blue light with his fingertips.
His gaze fell on the statue of Ishtar, and a playful smile appeared on his lips.
"This is such a useful thing."
He muttered to himself, and with a flick of his fingers, the talisman's light suddenly intensified.
The statue of Ishtar began to tremble slightly, and the stone surface gradually revealed the luster of skin.
Her long, golden hair moved without wind, and her cold, stone eyes gradually regained their sparkle.
Just as she was about to fully awaken, Shiraishi suddenly withdrew the power of the talisman.
"Snapped!"
With a soft sound, Ishtar's movements came to an abrupt halt.
Her expression froze between shock and anger, and her body returned to its cold, stone-like state.
At the same time, the gems embedded in her body fell off one by one, drawn by an invisible force to fly into Shiraishi Kawa's hand.
"Thank you for your patronage."
Shiraishi chuckled as he caught the priceless gems and carefully placed them into a specially made velvet pouch in his pocket.
"But don't worry, I'm not the kind of person who would embezzle offerings from the gods."
He approached the statue, his fingers gently tracing Ishtar's frozen face, a mischievous pleasure in his eyes.
"What kind of expression will you have when the real you see these jewels adorning you again?"
Shiraishikawa imagined that scene and couldn't help but laugh out loud.
"It's really exciting."
Not far away, Yuju of Kuonji Temple quietly watched all of this.
She had just signed a contract with Shiraishi Chuan, and her tense nerves were finally able to relax a little.
The contract bound her to believe that, at least for the time being, this dangerous man wouldn't do anything excessive to her.
"What are you thinking?"
Shiraishikawa suddenly turned his head, his gaze piercing straight into the eyes of Kuonji Yuju.
Kuonji Yuju was slightly startled, but quickly regained her composure.
"I was just wondering why you did that."
"Because it's interesting."
Shiraishikawa spread his hands, his eyes gleaming with a dangerous light.
"The result is important, but the process is what truly brings enjoyment. Just like now—"
Before he finished speaking, a strong surge of magical energy suddenly came from afar.
Kuonji Yuju immediately turned around alertly, only to see a figure rapidly approaching.
"It seems our audience has all arrived."