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Noticing how these people were easily influenced by things such as gifts due to their poverty, Vlad quickly made up a small plan—or, well, fitting of his kind, a scheme.
"Please take this, a souvenir to perhaps seal our new friendship."
The young, handsome Vampire Prince quickly gifted every nun a beautiful black bracelet decorated with red jewels—a wonderful accessory full of Arcana, one of the many "duds" that he had mass-produced and just stashed away for either selling or using in emergencies.
He could have given some to Chris or Ermelinda or even Gofumina, but he intended to use them as materials to make better accessories. There was no way he would gift a "dud" to his friends, even less Chris.
Chris, of course, didn't know that Paul was planning to craft him a beautiful ring of very high quality—an impeccable Arcana Accessory—but that would take a while to get done with how things were currently. So he glared at his Avatar with a slightly angry expression, thinking Vlad was once more flirting with other people or something.
The nuns were immediately pleased by these gifts, to the point of having their eyes shining brightly—especially the Goblin Nun.
"T-This is…!"
"Truly? Such an expensive item…"
"It's not really… necessary!"
"Oh my… Your Majesty…!"
"It's a beautiful bracelet! Thank you so much, Your Majesty!"
As the nuns were happy to see these bracelets and equipped them instantly, feeling much stronger, they were completely charmed by the prince's kindness!
…And perhaps his good looks also helped.
Ding!
[The Trust Level of [Elder Werewolf Nun, Grayshade] has increased from 28 to 100!]
[The Trust Level of [Young Yellow Goblin Nun, Landy] has increased from 17 to 100!]
[The Trust Level of [Young Banshee Nun, Oblivia] has increased from 31 to 100!]
[The Trust Level of [Young Blood Elf Nun, Bloodilia] has increased from 27 to 100!]
[The Trust Level of [Elder Blazing Majin, Mother Scarlet] has increased from 64 to 100!]
Vlad smirked lightly as he saw the system notifications. It was much easier than he ever imagined. He was ready to have some sort of speech related to the church or the goddesses of the moon to seal the deal.
But it seemed that this was more than enough to earn their complete and total trust!
"Perfect…! Scarlet could become an incredible vassal! I had no idea she even existed a few minutes ago, but I won't let go of her now… But aren't they all too easy to win over? Max-level trust immediately after gifting them food and bracelets… It's a bit weird."
Meanwhile, as Vlad schemed, Chris glared at him with a face full of disdain.
So hard was his disdain that Vlad could feel it stinging on his back like long, sharp needles.
"Ugh… Chris is staring daggers at me; I can feel his aura all the way from here… He should stop being so jealous, especially with game characters…" Paul sighed internally. "Well, whatever the case… I should probably offer more and then propose to Scarlet to turn her into my third vassal. By just sensing her aura and seeing her enormous body, I could immediately tell the incredible talent dwelling within her. I need her to become this city's guardian! But how can I incentivize her…?"
As he thought, the vampire prince gave a glance at Chris, who was being annoyed by countless children. Ermelinda was enjoying the experience quite a bit, but Chris hated it.
"That's right, the children…!"
Although it might seem cruel, as a ruler, he had to use every tool at his disposal for the protection of his city, even if he had to manipulate others.
"Ah, well, it is but a small showcase of my gratitude to all of you for taking care of these children," Vlad said, smiling kindly and charmingly. His red eyes, long, silky white hair, and handsome face made half of the nuns blush and nod fascinatedly; only the two eldest ones weren't completely charmed by his appearance or words. "Children, as some say, are the future, and I highly value every single one of them here… That's why I…"
Suddenly, he looked pained and slightly sad as Paul put his best acting skills into play!
"I am… very sorry!"
Almost shedding a tear, the nuns gasped as they saw the prince lowering his head and apologizing to them!
"P-Prince?!"
"What are you doing, Your Majesty?"
"What are you sorry for? Please raise your head!"
"A prince shouldn't be lowering himself before us lowly nuns…"
"No… I insist, I am very sorry for what I've done… It is my fault! My irresponsibility as a ruler is that these children and you have struggled this far," Vlad said, suddenly shedding a small tear assisted with water magic. "I… I…!"
He grabbed his chest while looking visibly pained; the nuns gasped.
"I've been sick for many years; I was born a cripple… It was only recently, when I was chosen to be a Player, that my life has begun to change… But there's so much left to change and improve for this beautiful city… I've been trying my best, but it is a slow process… These children— I've been thinking about coming here for a while, but only today was I able to find the opportunity." Vlad muttered. Even the elder nuns were beginning to be moved by his words. "I hope you can forgive me for my own irresponsibility… I will do everything I can to assist you in raising these children…!"
"Y-Your Majesty… Please, don't cry anymore; we get it…!" Landy muttered, grabbing her handkerchief to wipe the snot and tears in her eyes and nose from being moved by the prince's acting.
"You have no fault in any of this…! You're such a virtuous, kind, and beautiful person…!" Bloodilia almost threw herself over the prince; she was head over heels for him.
"Such great humility… I can now see why you've been chosen by the Crimson Moon Goddess, Your Majesty," Grayshade smiled calmly. "We will be forever grateful if you could ever extend but a small part of your resources toward the development of these children…"
"Indeed! I am so, so, so moved! I could cry right now! But my eyes… Well, I have none!" Cried Mother Scarlet.
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