Become their wicked yet gentle lord.

"Ryuka! How are you?!"

Just as they were deep in thought, Paruru and Tavis finally caught up. Looking at the chaotic aftermath of the battle, they asked somewhat nervously:

"Where is Hinatil?"

Ryuga gave a simple answer, then looked at Paruru: "I can keep my promise and take you to see your Holy Spirit, but besides you having to teach me the means of psychic communication, I also need the support of you Vino people..."

"Support? What kind of support?"

Paruru frowned. Ryusha hadn't mentioned this condition before, but if it was just about her father helping him in imperial politics, that would be fine... Anyway, after seeing the hope of his people's prosperity, her father, Weston, no longer intended to pretend to be an 'honorary Ottusian'...

Ryūsha will leave that aside for now; he intends to discuss the crucial issues directly with Weston. Paruru is merely a representative of faith; real power rests with the chieftain…

Then Ryuka turned to Tavis Duke and gave him a meaningful smile:

"Lord Tavis, thank you for your help, but there is one more thing I need your and Lord Ronald's assistance with..."

June brings the sweltering heat of summer. The Sochi Plain is scorching hot, and in just a few months, this land has undergone tremendous changes, so much so that its inhabitants feel that everything is changing rapidly every day.

The farmer, wearing a straw hat, sat on the edge of the field, greeting the familiar road workers and inviting them into his home for a cup of hot tea. Among the workers were former farmers, slaves, and even a magician, but now they wore neat orange-yellow uniforms and walked side by side like close brothers.

Yesterday, the road was only built to the west end of the village, and today it has reached the east end. The enthusiastic farmers watched as the magician compacted and leveled the land, while the ordinary workers poured layers of ash from the cart. Under the mixing of the water magician, it turned into mud, which was then spread evenly on the compacted dirt road. The fire magician then gently dried it. And so, a solid, flat, and hard 'cement road' named by the governor was completed.

The old farmer puffed on his pipe, his eyes narrowed to slits: "This is unbelievable. Could you share some of this stuff with me so I can fix up my house?"

The workers laughed, "That's a good idea! Although this is a byproduct of the Magic Workshop, production is limited, and the Governor strictly approves its use!"

The old farmer nodded with his hands behind his back, hopped a couple of times on the cement road, and grinned from ear to ear. This sturdy road wouldn't break even after several horse-drawn carriages, and there was no need to worry about it becoming muddy after rain. It would also be much easier to get to Sochi. His village was truly lucky, situated right next to the road construction designated by the governor; his cousin in the next village was probably green with envy.

"Is this going to be repaired all the way to Linhu Town? When will it be finished? Will the Governor-General come to cut the ribbon again?"

"Uncle, it should be called 'Linhu City' now! The governor said it needs to be fully repaired by September. Our section is fine. But it won't be so easy for the brothers in charge of the mountains during the rainy season!"

The old farmer patted his thin but strong shoulders and said to the road workers in front of him, "If the governor needs more people, this old man has plenty of strength! I don't want wages, but could you share some of this cement with me? I want to build a new house for my son! A house as beautiful as the Sochi College in the city!"

The magician in the group laughed and said to the old farmer, "Why don't you send your grandson to Sochi Academy? I heard it's almost finished, and they'll be enrolling students this summer and starting school in September! Once we have more and more capable people in Sochi province, we'll have enough to go around!"

"Heh! I only have one grandson, and he's not exactly a bookworm. He works with his father in the garment and textile factory run by the governor! Look at these clothes I'm wearing, he bought them for me!"

Friendly laughter echoed along the roadside; this was a common sight across the Sochi plains. There seemed to be endless work every day, yet no one seemed tired. Initially, everyone thought that providing for the migrants from the south would be a major challenge, but now there was a shortage of manpower. Even the children in the villages helped the adults with chores, doing so with unbridled joy, as if it were a game.

The reason is simple: since Governor Ryūsha took office, not only the military, but also a large number of knights and mages among adventurers have been conscripted to various positions, using their extraordinary abilities to participate in agriculture, animal husbandry, various factories, magic workshops and construction.

At first, people couldn't accept this change in identity, but after the first batch of products rolled off the production line, everyone's thoughts changed.

Not only were daily necessities such as soap, cement, cloth, and clothing wildly sought after in the market, but a new decree from the Ryukyu version was also issued.

Once approved by the relevant authorities, residents of Sochi, whether commoners or nobles, can apply for a business license. As long as they pay for it, the Governor's Office will send people to help them establish workshops suitable for their needs. These workshops vary in size and production, but the one thing they all have in common is that production and sales must be subject to the unified supervision and licensing of the Governor's Office!

Suddenly, capable and resourceful people sprang into action, and mages and knights no longer considered participating in such work a disgrace. Whether applying for their own workshops or being employed by others, it became fashionable. Compared to conscripts who risked their lives in wartime and faced unemployment for idleness, this stable work was more suitable for most people.

The streamlined army was also reorganized. Apart from standardized uniforms and flags, the number of troops in Sochi was reduced to five thousand. One thousand of them were city defense troops scattered throughout the city, while the four thousand regular combat troops were divided into four regiments. Each regiment consisted of ordinary people serving as magic lancers, knights, mage squads, artillery units, and logistics and medical personnel.

The First Army Corps was the most elite, consisting mainly of Ryukyu's old guard, and was directly commanded by him. The Second and Third Army Corps were handed over to Hetia and Hefren, while the Fourth Army Corps was jointly managed by the old and young duo of Baron and Luca.

Although significantly reduced compared to wartime, even Earl Duke had never maintained such a large standing army before. After all, the lords' main fighting force consisted of their prized knights and mages, with armies only conscripted to bolster their numbers during wartime. However, the vast majority of Ryukyu's current army were ordinary civilians, and the cost of equipment was far greater than their regular pay. But with the rapid development of the Sochi province, these expenses had become a minor concern.

After all, no one could have imagined that in just a few months, Sochi would transform from a simple grain-producing region into a major commercial hub where various goods were popular throughout Otto. Even other principalities outside of Otto could find products made here…

But while some rejoiced, others lamented. Within the same province of Sochi, other noble territories that had not participated in the development plan of Ryukyu maintained their old ways. Sometimes, within a few kilometers, the territories presented two completely different situations.

“Your Excellency, this month has only just begun, and three northern noble families have already come to plead on my behalf, hoping that you will allow them to join your development plan.”

The former Sochi Castle, now the Governor's Mansion, looked at Esther in front of her as if she had become a different person, speaking to her in an extremely dignified tone.

She wore the latest summer dress produced by her own clothing factory. The gorgeous dress, which perfectly balanced coolness, a figure-hugging fit, and elegance, made the beautiful young woman look like a princess from some country. It was impossible to tell that just a few months ago she was a poor noblewoman who had to steal silver forks at her own banquet.

Even the attendants behind her had changed from Beth's sour face to two dignified maids. Beth, meanwhile, had donned the brand-new armor she had longed for, becoming the captain of the knights in the Miller family's territory. Esther, holding her teacup with the air of a noblewoman, made Ryuka burst out laughing, asking her:

"Is it really necessary, Miss Miller? You look like a nouveau riche." (You, Merlin, are you free? You're not here...)

"Nouveau riche, huh? Your Excellency's words are quite amusing."

She slowly put down her teacup, smiled, and sighed, seemingly melancholic. But Liu Xia exposed her true colors with just one sentence:

"Ahem, Esther, if you keep this up, I might have to consider ending our cooperation with your family."

"Hey! No, no, no! I was just pretending! Can't people enjoy themselves a little now that they have money?!"

Esther instantly reverted to her angry and aggrieved demeanor, crossing her arms over her chest. Her once slender figure had now become slightly fuller, suggesting that she was doing quite well.

"It's so good that I didn't miss my developmental period," Liu Xia glanced at her, finished her tea, and asked her:

"So, what brings you here today? You're not here just to plead for a few northern nobles, are you? I'm very busy, so please get straight to the point."

“You’ll be interested.” Esther smiled slyly. As one of the first northern nobles that Ryukyu had won over, she and Weston had completely sided with Ryukyu in the past few months.

"The Chamber of Commerce you asked me to monitor has finally made its move. As expected, they're trying to target the Papacy in Sochi."

Chapter 11 'Getting Heaty' is really pitiful.

"Oh?"

Ryūka became interested. Over the past few months, he had spent a considerable sum cultivating relationships with the capital. He not only rendered the Sochi Cathedral virtually useless but also made the temporary church set up outside a permanent fixture. Apart from Lindsay, almost all the clergy borrowed from the capital were now on his side. The cathedral, on the other hand, remained under strict lockdown. Although supplies were maintained, the clergy inside strictly adhered to silence and, as Ryūka had instructed, regularly reported false information to the Holy City that everything was fine.

After Hinatil fell into a coma again, the two leaders, Rocco and Joel, completely abandoned their plans to oppose Ryukyu. They became as docile as little rabbits, and all their external communications were scrutinized by the city's defense forces. After all, Hinatil, whom they relied on, remained unconscious due to the corrosive effects of demonic energy and poison, and they were still gathering the power of the priests to continue healing her.

As the saying goes, the enemy of my enemy is my friend, so when Ryūsha heard that the Chamber of Commerce was planning to contact the Holy See, he wasn't too surprised.

After all, thanks to the success of developing its own territory, the merchant guild's trade around Sochi was almost completely destroyed. Apart from a few wealthy nobles who were still their regular customers, the sale of daily necessities and even magical items like communication crystals was completely controlled by Ryukatsu.

Ryuka tapped the back of her hand and asked Esther, "Tell me, how did you get this information?"

"Do you remember Adela?" Esther, no longer maintaining her composed demeanor, waved to the maids behind her and relaxed on the sofa after they left the room.

“I remember, she was previously in charge of supplying materials to the northern nobles and Clovis, including carrying out sabotage against my side.”

“That’s right, but do you remember? I’ve seen her interacting with the Harvey family, who are under the Fourth Prince’s command. This woman, or rather, the Merchant Guild Alliance, is not simple, so I pretended not to know and maintained contact with her… It’s too hot. Don’t you know ice and snow magic? Can’t you cool the room down?”

Ryuka watched as Esther kicked off her black leather shoes. Maintaining such an elegant attire in the sweltering summer heat was hardly comfortable. She relaxed and sat cross-legged on the sofa, her toes and heels, encased in brand-new silk stockings, revealing glimpses of her rosy skin.

Although she arrived by carriage, Ryuga, with his keen senses, still detected a faint, youthful scent amidst her perfume. Melanie, also a magician, wouldn't have this problem; her ice magic allowed her to remain cool and dry even in the sweltering summer. But with Esther, Ryuga had long since discovered, after months of interaction, that this young lady from the renowned Miller family of magic was incapable of casting spells.

Watching Esther massage her feet while tugging at the neckline of her dress, causing a slight sheen of sweat to appear on her fair neck, Ryuka couldn't help but laugh:

"You're really acting like you're at home, not caring at all that I'm still here. If you're hot, at least dress more lightly, instead of pretending to drink hot tea..."

"What's there to be afraid of? Anyway, Sister Kania is here. With her around, I'm not afraid of you touching me inappropriately."

Esther rolled her eyes at Ryukyu, a smug smile on her face, and looked at Kania next to Ryukyu.

"Right, right, Sister Kania?"

Ryuka couldn't help but suppress a laugh. Compared to Kira, who had been so affectionate with her before, Esther actually found Kania to be a decent person. This had to do with Kania's public persona; she always managed to befriend girls easily, then help Esther win them over at the opportune moment. Melanie and Hafulen initially saw her as a pure, cheerful, and elegant beauty, and Esther did the same, little did they know that Kania was the most 'dangerous' one…

Is this also a witch's power and malice? Ryuka looked at Kania beside her. She hadn't told Kania about the appearance of the 'cruel witch' yet, because she truly didn't know how to bring it up. Should she tell Kania that her ancestor, the progenitor witch, still existed? Should she tell her about gods? What would she think? Would her understanding of her purpose and destiny be rewritten?

Ryūka was worried this would have a negative impact on her. Although he found the 'Cruel Witch' Bell extremely dangerous, Kania was Kania, irreplaceable to him. Perhaps he should be honest with her, but only after he had a better understanding and grasp of the situation…

Kania, dressed in a cool dress, stood up and smiled at Esther: "Don't worry, I won't let the Governor do anything to you. Just make yourself at home~ Would you like some fruit tea, Esther? It's a new product developed by Ryūsha, with colorful fruits, honey, and ice—perfect for summer~"

"Long live Sister Kania! You're practically a saint! Being Ryūka's secretary is such a waste of your talent!" (You Merlin isn't here...)

Esther cheered, completely unaware that Kania's action of adjusting her skirt as she stood up was actually her lifting her skirt towards Ryusha. Between her full, white buttocks, two bulges appeared beneath her black lace panties, allowing a trickle of fluid to flow down the little witch's inner thighs, forming a languid, wet trail…

This guy always likes to play these kinds of tricks, turning everyday scenes into something incredibly erotic. Liu Xia even watched as she turned back to smile at him, her sweet-smelling, plump, white buttocks gently clenching twice, causing the plug beneath him to twitch back and forth. Combined with her spring-like eyes, Liu Xia couldn't help but cross his legs and put his arms on them to cover his erection.

Ryūka couldn't help but cough lightly and then looked away, pretending not to have seen anything. This made Kania feel a little resentful. Lately, Ryūka had become increasingly indifferent to her advances, and even to other girls. At first, Kania thought he was too busy with territory affairs to be interested, but it had been almost three months! The frequency of Ryūka's intimate encounters with her had dropped to once a week! And it was just a very bland one!

Little did she know that Ryukyu was also enduring immense frustration. Due to the existence of the cruel witch, Ryukyu restrained himself from any extreme actions, fearing that he might further deepen his power connection with Bell.

This grudge that prevented her from indulging in unbridled joy—she would exact her revenge! Ryuka thought of the archbishop within easy reach in the cathedral, and Anyaberg, with whom she had already made a promise. Whether it was the witch, the Vatican, or the heretical ruins, she would find a solution this summer!

After Kania returned with three glasses of fruit tea, each filled with a beautiful, crystal-clear glass, Ryusha effortlessly used her magic to conjure snowflake-shaped ice cubes within the glasses, which refracted beautiful colors in the sunlight. This caused Esther to widen her eyes, gazing at the fruit tea in her hands as if it were a jewel.

"How do you always manage to come up with things that make girls excited? Damn! This looks so tempting! If we opened a summer drink shop in Beijing, we'd make a fortune! Even here in Sochi!"

Esther picked up the cup, took a small sip through the silver straw, and the sweet taste and cool texture instantly gave her a refreshing and comfortable feeling. Her eyes sparkled as she looked at the fruit tea in her cup, her mind racing with ideas on how to adapt the drink to the purchasing power of Sochi City…

Although Ryūsha has begun producing glassware, even skilled glassmakers can't make too many of these ornately designed pieces in a day. Currently, it's primarily a product aimed at making money from the wealthy. To expand its reach to the general public, simply replacing the glass with ordinary cups would suffice. The thin silver straws could be replaced with straws or something similar, or even unnecessary; simply holding the cup while drinking would be enough. As for ice, if it weren't for these elaborately shaped ice cubes that aggravate magic consumption, two apprentice ice mages could easily run a beverage shop.

Fruit is still quite expensive, but I've heard that the agricultural magicians under Ryūka's command are already working on something called 'off-season cultivation'. As for honey, Ryūka has already mastered large-scale sheep farming, and Esther believes it won't be difficult for him to turn some farmers into beekeepers; she's heard there are high-quality bee farms south of Sochi. So, all things considered…

Esther instantly put on a smile and asked Ryukyu in a sweet voice:

"Your Excellency, have you considered the formula and sales agency for this beverage?"

Seeing Esther's obsequious expression, Ryusha couldn't help but say, "Aren't we talking about serious business? The Chamber of Commerce Alliance and the Holy See! Esther Miller! You're not short of money now, are you? Why are you still acting like this!"

"Frugal and hardworking! Frugal and hardworking! Ha~ If Miss Qila weren't currently busy with the province's financial management, I believe she would be even more enthusiastic than me!"

Esther toyed with her pink hair and said sweetly to Ryuka, "Trust me~ this stuff can make a lot of money! Especially since the common people in Sochi are all rich now, they're definitely willing to spend money on enjoying their daily lives~ small things like food, clothing, housing, and transportation are actually the most stable ways to make money!"

"Of course I know," Liu Xia said calmly, taking a sip of her iced fruit tea. Although it was not as luxurious as the drinks in her original world, it was definitely a top-tier luxury for the nobility in this world.

"So my plan is to spread the word, let the residents develop their own flavors and sell them, so that the residents of Sochi will have another way to make a living. As long as we control the supply of fruit and honey, it will soon become a unique feature of our territory..."

Indeed, seemingly simple products are often determined by the most basic level of productivity. If the cost of fruit and honey cannot be reduced, this kind of drink can only be an enjoyment that a small number of people can afford.

Esther sighed, resting her chin on her small hand, her gaze passing through the fruit tea in her glass as she looked at Ryusha across from her. This guy always had countless good ideas, and he always 'shared the joys' with the people in this regard, yet he firmly grasped the core technology and production, leaving other nobles and merchants only able to watch with envy.

And the public's support for Ryukyu will only become more and more fervent.

“If this continues, Sochi’s population will rise again. Now it’s not just Sochi, but also Linhu City, which you helped Hetia upgrade and expand; Melanie’s Blue Flower Town; Haifulian’s Weihe Port; Megan’s Dragon Creek Valley… Can your territories still accommodate so many people?”

Esther's question was not without merit. Due to Sochi's rapid development, people from other surrounding territories were constantly flowing in. Especially in the directly administered territories of Ryūsha and his group, whether settling down or coming to make a living, this presented a challenge to Sochi's security situation.

Not to mention the protests and hostility from nobles in other territories...

“Your concerns are not unfounded. I’ve heard that the Chamber of Commerce is trying to control grain prices this year in conjunction with other lords, attempting to use grain to restrict our development… but that’s not the topic today!”

Ryuka tapped the table impatiently, trying to get Estella back to the main topic:

"The Chamber of Commerce Union and the Cathedral!"

"You're in such a hurry. Your Excellency, you've been getting increasingly impatient lately. Is this what you meant by 'getting a sore throat'? Let me finish my drink and cool down before I tell you..."

Esther slowly picked up the cup, closed her eyes, and enjoyed the sweetness and coolness of the iced fruit tea, a happy smile on her face.

Then, she secretly opened her eyes a crack and looked through the glass at Ryuu's crossed legs, noticing a noticeable bulge in the middle of his pants...

Sure enough, he's just too hot-tempered. Oh well, what can he do when he's facing such pretty and cute girls like me and Kania? Looks like Miss Kira and the others haven't been trying hard enough lately.

Ryuka, remember to cool down in the summer! *glug glug* The girl thought to herself as she sipped her drink.

Chapter 12 Double Agent Esther

Esther's furtive glances did not escape Ryuka's notice.

Hey you little pervert, why are you always peeking?

Esther, oblivious to the danger, thought she was hiding it well. She sipped her drink leisurely, and for the inexperienced girl, peeking at the boy's predicament through the glass seemed like a thrilling and immoral pleasure. Her long eyelashes fluttered occasionally, her beautiful eyes darting around, always pretending to casually dart at the boy's face and crotch, revealing a curious yet excited expression.

The girl's fair, rosy cheeks flushed slightly, and the ends of her bright pink hair swayed gently as she tilted her head back to drink. Her slender, white neck bobbed up and down with each swallow. Under the guise of drinking the crystal-clear fruit tea, even her breathing became heavy and unrestrained. Though she was constantly sipping water, dry breaths escaped from her delicate nose, creating a slightly ambiguous sound in the quiet air. Her slightly accelerated heartbeat did not escape Liu Xia's keen ears.

This infuriated Ryuu, who was already forced into abstinence. It was all Kania's fault for teasing him earlier, coupled with the shadow of Bell, leaving him caught in a dilemma. The young man really wanted to take Kania and Esther right there and then, his heart burning with desire. Not to mention the stark contrast between Esther's usually arrogant, cheerful, and self-possessed personality and her current voyeuristic behavior. The once poor yet strong noblewoman was now sitting relaxed on the sofa in front of him, her beautiful little feet encased in black stockings propped up, the glimpses of white skin and slight sweat peeking through the black stockings making his mouth dry.

Desire surged within her, and Ryuka seemed to hear again the cruel witch Bell's giggling laughter, echoing in her ears like a ghost. Meanwhile, in the Hall of Consciousness, Yu, seeing the purplish-black demonic energy churning in the rift, roughly guessed what was happening outside. She sighed softly and gently advised Ryuka to calm down. This caused Ryuka to snort coldly, averting her gaze from Esther, and forcing herself to focus on various political matters before downing her ice-cold tea in one gulp to suppress the witch's demonic energy within her.

Thump! The cup was slammed down on the coffee table, the dull thud startling Esther. She watched as Ryūka leaned back, turning her face away to look out the window, ignoring her. Her heart skipped a beat.

Did he...did he notice me glancing at him? Or is he annoyed that I'm drinking too slowly and not bringing up the chamber of commerce alliance? Is that why he's angry? So petty...

But the young man before her was her major benefactor. The Miller family's rise to prominence was entirely due to their business partnership with this young governor, not to mention that Esther currently had something she wanted to ask of Ryūsha. This immediately changed her attitude. She coughed twice and then switched to serious mode to begin her explanation:

"This story begins some time ago. My father attended a private gathering of Northern nobles. He doesn't usually like going to such occasions, but I heard that one of the attendees brought a novel magical artifact. Afterwards, he told me that he had a very pleasant conversation with the host of the banquet, and the two of them hit it off on their views on magic. But listening to my father's animated retelling, I felt that the other party was more like a businessman than a nobleman, and he kept probing my father's stance on the Sochi affairs."

"It sounds like this gathering is bait." Ryūka's eyes flickered slightly. Esther was not only perceptive but also recounted the events perfectly, clearly articulating the suspicious points. This was why Ryūka had grown to admire her and maintained their collaboration.

“That’s right, I had someone check it out, and the organizer is someone you know.” Ais nodded, then softly uttered a name that Ryuka was very familiar with.

"Hayden".

It was indeed him. After Sochi entered its development phase, Hayden had tried to see him several times. However, because the Chamber of Commerce was an untrustworthy organization, and given Adela's situation, Ryusha had kept making excuses.

Ryuka nodded, signaling Esther to continue.

"In fact, many of the northern nobles who hoped I would intercede and join your development plans were instigated by him behind the scenes. Unable to compete openly, the Chamber of Commerce seems to want to participate in your development plans in the Sochi province through the agents of other nobles. But the interesting thing is not that..."

As Esther spoke, she seemed to recall something interesting, and a slight smile crept onto her lips as she said, "Adela, that woman came to visit me too. Interestingly, her stance is opposite to Hayden's."

"She tried to get me to abandon my cooperation with you and instead join forces with them to fight against your control of Sochi and the surrounding markets. As for her entourage... guess?"