Ascension from Dual Professions

Chapter 56: Chapter 56: Rosalind’s Personal Quest

There was no question of whether he should try to learn more.

After all, he held all the cards. What was the harm in finding out more?

So...

”You just mentioned... turmoil? What was that?”

Jon resumed stroking Rosalind’s delightfully smooth stomach, his voice softening and returning to its earlier, gently teasing tone.

”If you want me to accept this transaction, you ought to be clear about these things beforehand, don’t you think?”

Hearing the hint of concession in Jon’s voice, Rosalind couldn’t help but let out a quiet sigh of relief as her tense nerves relaxed slightly.

But the subtle sensation that immediately spread from her abdomen broke through her already shattered defenses, making her voice tremble once more.

”Ah... Mmm... Mr. Jon... Have... you heard of the Oswald family?”

”The Oswald family...”

Jon thought for a moment. The name didn’t ring a bell, but that didn’t stop him from playing along.

”Yes, I’ve heard of them... So, what does that have to do with anything?”

”Mmm... it... it’s related...”

The silver-haired, silver-eyed woman tightly gripped the hand Jon had placed on her neck. Her other hand was clenched into a helpless fist as she desperately fought against her own shame, trying not to stop his mischievous hand.

”This... unh... It all started ten years ago...”

”I... am... mmmph... the last blood of the Oswald family...”

”My true name is Rosalind Neivandt Oswald...”

And so, within that charged atmosphere, Rosalind finally managed to tell her story in fits and starts, each word seemingly squeezed from between clenched teeth, yet carrying a lingering, breathy cadence.

As her story concluded, a quest notification, glowing with blue light, finally popped up in front of Jon.

[You have heard Rosalind Bennett recount her past and have learned partial information about ”The Oswald Tragedy” from ten years ago.]

[Eleven years ago, the Oswald family of the Ice Flower Territory became involved in the succession dispute for the title of Count Heta. They sided with Zachary Heta, the third son of the Heta family at the time. However, they were implicated when Zachary’s plot to assassinate his brothers in collusion with the Eternal Frost Sect was exposed. The family’s power was dealt a severe blow, forcing them to withdraw and confine themselves to their fief, Radino Castle.]

[Ten years ago, an investigative delegation sent by the Imperial Noble Council was attacked by the Eternal Frost Sect upon their arrival in the Ice Flower Territory. The leader of the delegation, Count Bulcan Gilbert, was grievously wounded. Enraged, the Noble Council dispatched the Red Falcon Knight Order to forcefully occupy the Ice Flower Territory and assist with the investigation. During this process, to resist the inquiry, the patriarch of the Oswald family performed an unknown ritual, sacrificing his own family members and freezing the entirety of Radino Castle.]

[The Oswald family was annihilated as a result. Affected by the ritual, the Ice Flower Territory was plunged into an eternal Blizzard and has been desolate ever since.]

[Quest Triggered]

——

[The Last Scion of Oswald Ⅰ (Rare · Personal Quest)]

[Rosalind Neivandt Oswald is the second daughter of Viscount Oswald. Ten years ago, when the incident at Radino Castle took place, she was studying with her mother’s family and thus escaped the calamity. However, she was still affected by the ritual, which changed the color of her hair and eyes. With the help of Yed Xavier and her maternal uncle, Antoni Nayifan, she concealed her identity and returned to live in Heta County. Now, in order to repay her debt to Yed Xavier, she seeks to offer you a Soul Contract in exchange for the protection of Reya Xavier.]

[Option 1: Go to the ’Frozen Ruins, Radino’ and investigate the truth behind the destruction of the Oswald family.]

[Option 2: Accept Rosalind’s terms and receive her Soul Contract.]

[Option 3: Reject Rosalind’s terms.]

[Option 4: Other]

[Basic Reward: 8,000 general Experience Points, 1,000 reputation with an unknown faction, the Soul Contract of Rosalind Neivandt Oswald.]

[Bonus Rewards: Based on quest completion, bonus Experience, a reputation reward multiplier, and the Oswald family legacy (including inheritance rights, treasury, territory, etc.).]

”Note: Accepting the Oswald family’s legacy will cause changes to your reputation.”

”Note: Accepting only Rosalind’s terms will not grant Experience Points or reputation rewards.”

”Note: Rejecting Rosalind’s terms is considered abandoning the quest. You will not receive any rewards.”

——

’This quest is pretty interesting...’

Jon’s hands didn’t stop toying with Rosalind, but years of gaming experience had already allowed his instincts to extract a great deal of useful information from the quest notification.

’So the Frozen Ruins dungeon is Rosalind’s old home. No wonder the base reward is 8,000 experience; it’s a level 22 ten-man dungeon, after all...’

’As for accepting the Oswald legacy changing my reputation, that must be referring to the members of the noble delegation that was attacked in the Ice Flower Territory. They obviously have no love for the Oswald family, so taking their legacy would definitely make them hostile.’

’And that 1,000 reputation with an unknown faction... That must mean there are hidden secrets to uncover in this quest...’

After analyzing these points, he turned his attention back to the options.

’Even if I don’t do the quest in the Frozen Ruins, Rosalind will still offer me her Soul Contract, just without the experience and reputation... That’s something that would never happen in a game...’

In the game *Yino*, after all, the handsome and beautiful NPCs were often one-of-a-kind. Their personal quests were incredibly complex and convoluted. Even if you beat out countless competitors for the chance to take on their quest, there was no guarantee you’d win them over in the end.

But here, all Jon had to do was nod, and he could have a stunningly beautiful woman of ancient noble blood.

’As I thought, real life doesn’t follow a script. It’s all about seizing the opportunity...’

But when Rosalind finished her story and felt the man behind her fall silent once more, she couldn’t help but grow tense.

’If it were me, I’d probably hesitate too when faced with such a complicated and risky background.’

So, in an effort to convince Jon, the silver-haired, silver-eyed woman swallowed her shame and spoke in a tone bordering on subservient.

”Mr. Jon... I... ngh... I gave up on my family’s past long ago. All I want now... is to see Reya live a peaceful life...”

”Oh, is that so?”

Hearing her ”additional explanation,” Jon gave a noncommittal reply. He tightened his grip on her neck, forcing her to keep her head tilted back, looking up at him.

In truth, after learning the full story behind this ”transaction,” he had no intention of refusing. He was just greedy.

He wanted the woman, and he was going to do the quest, too.

So, maintaining that gentle, teasing tone, he whispered softly in the ear of the woman in his arms as the hand that had been on her stomach quietly slid lower.

”Now then, Rosalind, what should you be saying at a moment like this?”

”GUHH—”

At Jon’s action, Rosalind shivered and whimpered, but she knew that she had finally achieved her goal.

Shame, joy, relief, and a sliver of fear and worry for the future all flooded her heart at once.

The woman forced herself to endure the unfamiliar sensation and said in a trembling voice.

”Yes... ahn... If you are willing to accept... I can offer you my Soul Contract right now...”

”Excellent. I accept the deal.”

Jon nodded, satisfied, and immediately issued his first command.

”Now, offer me everything.”

”Yes... Mr. Jon...”

In the dim light, a faint fragrance wafted through the air. The silver-haired, silver-eyed beauty gracefully sank to her knees, offering up a faintly glowing sigil that had been hidden over her heart.

Jon, without any hesitation, reached out and took hold of the sigil.

[Ding! You have chosen to accept the Soul Contract of Rosalind Neivandt Oswald.]

[Ding! The quest information for ’The Last Scion of Oswald Ⅰ’ has been updated.]

[Ding! You have gained a new follower.]