The Stupid Cannon Fodder is Stunning Today

Chapter 22: If Love Be Blind

This chapter is brought to you by It's a small world by King Gnu. 

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Nine was carried into the target's estate like some rescued damsel, which made it all the easier for the rest of his unit to infiltrate the estate without drawing attention to themselves. 

The target kept staring at him, and Nine kept staring back. 

The eye contact was truly exceptional, and if he was not there to murder him, Nine would have complimented him for the audacity. 

"Surveillance spell has been activated in the building. I have a full view of the estate. The target is known to perform tests on his pets, especially if they are similar to his old lover. Depending on how well you do, he will bring you either to the dungeons for his men, to his personal cell for training, or to his bedroom to make love,"  Venus told him. 

Just as Nine was given this information, the target started to speak. 

"Do you like to sing... Fine?"

"Did he... did he forget the name you gave him?" Venus deadpanned. 

But Nine didn't bother to correct the target. The man was foolish and had little going on in his head other than coitus. 

He simply nodded his head like a marionette and accepted that he would be momentarily called "Fine" for the next hour or so. 

He watched as the target's lips curled in delight. 

"Won't you sing me a song?" the man asked, his eyes narrowing into what he believed was an attempt at temptation. 

His skill was quite poor, and if Robin were here, he would have shamed him for his lack of talent. 

Nine would really rather not have to sing, but for the sake of the mission, he reluctantly hummed a few tunes he heard from the Peony Garden.

They were easy-to-remember melodies that sounded pleasing enough to the untrained ear. 

"You have such a beautiful voice," his target chuckled, "Can you sing some more?" 

"Don't do it," Venus warned, "He likes to play chase. If you're too obedient, he might not bother with you anymore." 

Nine closed his mouth firmly and stared at the target once more distrustfully. 

The smile on the target's face curved into something self-deprecating. But then he smiled as if he hadn't meant to reveal that previous expression of hurt.

He asked in a kind tone, "Who gave you that collar?"

"Give him some competition. He's stupid like that," said Venus. 

So Nine closed his eyes and took a deep breath before delicately placing a hand over the collar. 

"Buckle up, Cat. We just passed the hall that leads to the dungeons."

Nine inwardly sighed. 

Seduction was so very boring.

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Cesare was envious of whoever collared Fine. But he also believed his new pet's previous owner must have been foolish to abandon a beauty like him.

He was displeased by the fact that Fine still held some semblance of affection for his previous owner, but nothing like some training would do the trick to rid him of those thoughts. 

Oh, Cesare could already picture what he would do to Fine. 

"Put me down," the crooning voice of the nightingale spoke again, tickling against Cesare's ears.