The Little Witch’s Daily Struggle – Chapter 1946

Chapter 1946: An Alternative Bidding War

“Older Brother Jayad, don’t say that. You’re highly sought after now. Everyone wants to knight you, and titles like Baron or Viscount are within reach with a little effort.” I said with a smile.

“Parul, don’t tease me. I still haven’t fully adapted to the changes in my status and identity,” Jayad said with a dry laugh. He recognized his progress in strength but lacked the corresponding awareness of status.

The reason was simple: we had been too low-key before. Threatened by Albrisque and Rodrigo, we had always lived in anonymity, keeping a low profile and never seeking fame. Older Brother Jayad was even a laborer.

Now, suddenly becoming a favorite to win the competition made Jayad uncomfortable. He had the habits and experience of a thief, which was to absolutely avoid fame and not be remembered by others, otherwise, he would likely face trouble.

Fortunately, he was currently using a pseudonym and a disguise technique for his appearance. Otherwise, he would surely be restless.

“It’s alright, Brother, just relax. Look, someone else is coming to recruit you,” I said with a smile. After the Count of Deep Lake City made his move, other nobles couldn’t hold back any longer.

Soon, the Duke of Navarre arrived. This time, he directly offered a barony, but he didn’t say much, merely expressing his admiration for Jayad’s future before turning to leave after a toast, displaying the demeanor of a great noble.

Then, another Duke approached. He offered an earldom with very attractive terms. However, upon closer inquiry, it turned out he was the Duke of Peru, and the bestowed title was in the South American colonies.

After a few dukes departed, the lesser nobles began their entreaties. They knew their offers couldn’t match those of the great nobles, so they made promises from other angles.

For example, some offered Jayad military command, gifted him heirloom-level weapons, and one Count even promised his daughter’s hand in marriage, stating that he had no sons and Jayad would inherit his territory upon his death. They were truly going to great lengths.

The recruiters weren’t limited to nobles either. Soon, a fellow contestant who had also reached the Top 16 approached. He was clad in pure white armor, with a golden flying horse crest painted on his breastplate.

He introduced himself as the Grand Commander of the Divine Steed Knights Corps and invited Jayad to join their order. He mentioned that their knights’ corps possessed autonomous territory, its members were all knights of Christianity, and they knew of several pilgrimage routes to the Holy Land. Jayad’s joining would allow for mutual communication and progress with his peers.

Next came a hearty uncle whose scarred face clearly showed he was battle-hardened and weathered. He claimed to be the Vice Commander of the Silver Wing mercenary group, acting in a private capacity to protect a great noble.

He invited Jayad to join his mercenary group, boasting that the Silver Wing mercenary group was the second strongest in Iberian.

While the weight of such a title was unknown, Jayad, Older Brother, acknowledged that the man himself was indeed very strong. Even I could feel the suppressed, violent power emanating from his body.

The reasoning he used to persuade Jayad was quite interesting. He believed Jayad might be someone who wasn’t driven by fame or fortune, but solely by adventure, the pursuit of greater strength, or perhaps a desire for exhilarating battles.

In that case, a mercenary group offered plenty of opportunities, with daily intelligence on numerous powerful monsters and chances to participate in wars or treasure hunts.

He also promised Jayad absolute freedom, no compulsory missions, and acceptance regardless of his status, even if he were to be ennobled. He also had the right to join or leave at any time.

In reality, many knights chose to join a mercenary group during their adventures. Some even handed over their fiefdoms to others to manage after becoming higher nobles, while they themselves went out for trials or adventures under the guise of a mercenary. This was not uncommon.

Therefore, the Vice Commander’s terms, while seemingly few, were actually quite generous because they didn’t conflict with other offers. Jayad could accept ennoblement at the same time as joining the mercenary group.

However, Jayad still chose to refuse. Or, to put it more diplomatically, he said he would consider it. In truth, Jayad had no intention of accepting any ennoblement. His current hope was simply to live a quiet life with Parul and the other girls.

Yet, many nobles were still lining up, waiting to extend invitations to Jayad. Although they knew their offers couldn’t compare to those who came before, they decided to mention them anyway, hoping for a chance.

Jayad found it difficult to refuse, his face showing embarrassment. Thinking about having to deal with so many people gave him a headache. Just as he was considering taking Parul to the dance floor to escape, a beautiful figure approached.

She was wearing a white, low-cut formal dress, revealing toned, muscular shoulders and back. Her golden hair shimmered, and she was as beautiful as a goddess from a painting or statue, appearing almost inhuman.

Seeing her approach, everyone around them involuntarily took a few steps back, allowing her to approach Jayad and me with a glass of wine.

The newcomer was, of course, Alicia. Everyone knew that although she had narrowly lost to a contestant named Norton in the Top 32, it was due to bad luck and encountering him too early. In reality, like Norton, she was a major favorite to win.

However, not many people were trying to recruit her. The reason was simple: she belonged to the Royal Knights Corps and was already taken. In fact, most contestants who advanced to the fourth or fifth rounds were generally spoken for. Jayad, being single, was the rare exception.

Furthermore, those great nobles had some understanding of the true identity of the girl who used the alias Erica. They wouldn’t actively pursue a royal illegitimate daughter to avoid trouble.

“Excuse me, everyone, please stop. Lingering isn’t what a gentleman does. I have something to say to contestant Norton. Could you all please step aside for a moment?” Alicia said.

As soon as she spoke, all the guests who had been trying to recruit Older Brother Jayad actually agreed and dispersed.

Normally, her words wouldn’t have been enough to drive away these persistent nobles, but although Alicia’s voice wasn’t loud, everyone around could hear it.

And those who heard her words couldn’t help but feel that what Alicia said was right and obediently withdrew. She must have used a Divine Spell, employing a power similar to mental suggestion.

After all the guests had voluntarily departed, Alicia directly sat down next to Older Brother Jayad and raised a glass with a lemon, toasting him.

I looked at Alicia with displeasure, hugging Older Brother Jayad tighter. Jayad could only ask with a bitter smile, “Miss Alicia, you’re not here to recruit me too, are you?”

“Yes, I want to recruit you to be my husband. Will you?” Alicia said with a laugh, her words predictably returning to the same topic.

“I’m sorry, I still refuse.” With her, Older Brother Jayad didn’t even need to consider it.