Become their wicked yet gentle lord.

“‘Scorpion,’ right? You’ve been reported for forging and selling entrance exam questions for Sochi Academy. Now you’d better come with us…”

The crowd fell silent, watching as the once-powerful intelligence brokers of the city's underworld were reduced to such shady dealings, a stark reminder of how quickly times have changed. But after the city guards escorted the man away, the atmosphere instantly livened up again. Everyone forgot the earlier incident, and the focus shifted from external news to recent developments in Sochi.

First and foremost, their young governor, Ryusha, introduced a large amount of funds to revive the market, and Sochi's workshop market finally regained its former glory! This also made the tavern business better again. After all, after the changes in Sochi over the past few months, the main consumers of the tavern had changed from street ruffians and various adventurers to workshop workers, junior mages with formal jobs, and ordinary soldiers who had finished their training.

The workers were relieved to have escaped the unemployment crisis, while the soldiers discussed the new equipment the army had received: not only were there a large number of magic guns, but the number of magic cannons had also been greatly increased. However, the name 'Anjaberg-Ryusha Type 001 88-caliber Field Magic Heavy Cannon' was a bit too long, so they preferred to call it '88-01 Cannon' to distinguish it from the smaller caliber '75-02' infantry magic cannon that was later deployed.

The topics discussed by the commoner magicians were more 'sophisticated'. Most of them were apprentices or full-time workers, working in various workshops or collective farms and arsenals under the governor's jurisdiction. Although their former noble status as magicians was gone, as 'intellectuals' they were always interested in other topics.

For example, scholars in the capital city, at an academic conference initiated by the emperor, termed the recent massive changes in the Sochi province as a 'magical industrial revolution,' while the Mage's Association held mixed opinions on lower-ranking mages participating in various manual labor jobs. Some mages also shared their after-get off work side hustles—tutoring young men and women preparing for the Sochi Academy entrance exams with magical theory, which even some soldiers of former commoner knightly origins listened to with rapt attention, wondering if they could also earn some extra money. This was far more lucrative and comfortable than hunting goblins in the mountains near their villages… As for whether their current lifestyle was decadent or respectable, let those powerful figures in the capital city, sitting high in their towers, discuss that.

Ah, the pub—a perfect place for young people and adults to kill time and vent their emotions, and it's bustling with activity today as well.

In a corner, the food and wine on the table looked rather meager. Two cloaked travelers listened to the various conversations taking place in the tavern and began to whisper cautiously to each other…

“Your Highness, I mean, Miss… do we really intend to hide here for a while instead of heading straight to the capital of Otus?”

"Shhh-keep it down!"

The petite figure addressed as 'Your Highness' looked around and, finding no one paying attention to their table, whispered to the person beside her:

"Go to the capital? Who will pay for our trip? We've already sold all our jewelry, not to mention the Vatican's dogs are chasing us. We won't make it there..."

But here in Sochi, everyone already knows that the Vatican doesn't have the final say...

After the 'lady' finished speaking, she picked up her wine glass, brought it to her hood, took a small sip, and reluctantly put it down, as if she was unwilling to take a big sip.

"I heard that the thirteenth princess of Otus is about to visit Sochi. It's much faster for us to find an opportunity to meet her directly than to go to the capital. The Bauhinia Kingdom is a vassal state of Otus and has always been in a power struggle with the Papacy. Their princess will protect us if she sees us..."

"But...but..." The figure beside the 'Miss' cloak trembled slightly, "...how will we manage our livelihood before she arrives?"

"It's alright, I still have some money, enough for us to find a hotel to stay in temporarily. Although we may not have much choice in terms of environment, things are different now than before. We can endure this humiliation for now, and there will always be a chance to restore our kingdom... I also have a backup plan. I heard that my mother had a younger sister who married a nobleman from Otto, and he is currently in Sochi. Although we haven't been in contact for a long time, this is a way out in case of emergency. Befriending nobles within Otto will be of great help to our future restoration. However, we cannot go to see him in our current destitute state; we must at least obtain the help and approval of the Otto royal family..."

The woman's tone was confident, seemingly full of wisdom and consideration. But after she patted the pocket at her waist, the half-exposed face beneath her cloak froze instantly...

It was empty... A finger emerged from the bottom of the pocket, which had been ripped open.

Who said Sochi was safe?! It's not much better than their Bauhinia Kingdom!

The attendant beside her seemed to sense something was amiss, and before she could ask a question, her mistress changed her mind:

"Okay, let's select the backup plan now..."

"Find your relatives or nobles? But do we have a way to make them believe us? After all, all the tokens have already been..."

"It's alright, they'll believe us. But there are more important things to do now..."

The "Miss" sighed, her tone still brimming with confidence. She reached into her hood, her weary fingers twirling a few strand of her meticulously styled pink hair, then her emerald eyes gave the maid beside her a subtle hint:

"Leave quietly, don't make a fuss..." (The rest of the text appears to be a jumbled collection of characters and phrases, possibly from different sources, and doesn't form coherent sentences.)

As they spoke, the two slowly rose from their seats, heads bowed, and walked towards the door. Until…

"Hey! You two! You haven't paid your bill yet!"

The two slender figures, shrouded in cloaks, paused. The young lady slowly turned around and spoke in a clear voice to the tavern waitress who approached with a frown:

"I'm sorry, I forgot..."

Hearing that the voice was that of a girl, and seeing that the girl's delicate figure confirmed it, the tavern waitress felt slightly relieved and watched as the customer put his hand into his pocket.

Then, a burst of sparks instantly ignited from her outstretched hand!

"Run! Sienna!"

The firework wasn't particularly dangerous; upon closer inspection, it was just a child's toy firework. However, it still startled the maid when it was thrown. But by the time she recovered, the two little rascals who dared to dine and dash had already vanished, leaving her only a glimpse of a billowing cloak and the somewhat tattered dress beneath it at the doorway…

"My hair! Help! City guards! Someone's dine and dash!!! Damn it! Can't even afford a meal that costs a single silver coin! Is everyone in their family dead?!"

The maid chased after them to the door, the cursing reaching the ears of the two fleeing figures, stirring a surge of anger in the runaway young lady. She turned back, raised her arm high, and gave them the middle finger. A stubborn expression flashed beneath her hood, making the maid feel inexplicably familiar with her.

"You're absolutely right! It's just a silver coin! I'll pay you back! I just hope you don't go down to join them too soon!!!"

"Ah~ Ah~ Achoo!!!"

Inside Sochi Castle, Esther Miller, who had come to visit, suddenly sneezed. She shivered twice, prompting the two girls beside her to ask with concern:

"Sister Esther, are you sick?"

"No...it's just that my nose is a little itchy..."

Esther took out a handkerchief and rubbed the tip of her nose, wondering why she had just felt a chill. She looked at the two twin sisters sitting opposite her, Evelyn and Elena. These two girls, about her age, were said to be orphans adopted and cared for by Kira, and had been living in Sochi for some time now, having moved there from Linhu Town.

Firstly, they were of similar age, and secondly, they were both preparing for the entrance exams to Sochi Academy. This led Esther, who frequently visited the Governor's mansion, to become friends with them. Besides the sisters Evelyn and Elena, they also had a mysterious young girl friend named Violet, though she was recently being frequently invited to visit Weston's territory by his daughter, Paruru.

Esther had glimpsed the mysterious white-haired girl and Weston's shaman daughter, Paruru, from afar during their confrontation outside the Sochi church, but had never had the chance to meet them. The twin sisters, however, readily invited her to go out together the next time Vitry returned, which filled Esther with anticipation.

After all, she was only a sixteen-year-old girl. Dealing with territory and family affairs every day, as well as the insincere interactions within the noble ladies' circle, was exhausting. She longed for some close friends. She used to hope that person would be Ryuka, but now…

After all, she was only a sixteen-year-old girl. Dealing with territory and family affairs every day, as well as the insincere interactions within the noble ladies' circle, was exhausting. She longed for some close friends. She used to hope that person would be Ryuka, but now…

She glanced at him somewhat defiantly, her gaze seemingly penetrating through several walls and floors, as if she could see into another room in the castle.

That guy has become quite a character ever since he tamed Adela! Last time I visited him, I had Miss Kania lead me in, only to find Ryuga playing some kind of 'master and pet' game with a naked Adela while simultaneously holding what Kania called a 'business meeting'! Esther was so scared that she fled in terror!

Damn it! What are those gold chains and rings connecting that blonde vixen's chest and crotch?! This is so weird, Ryuka!!!

Chapter 12: Nine-tenths similarity, rounded up, isn't that exactly who I am?

Although Esther was precocious, the scene was still too shocking for a sixteen-year-old girl.

Just thinking about it made Esther blush, and even the knowledge she had just learned seemed blurry. She quickly shook her head, banishing those delusions that were making her mouth dry, and refocused her attention on her exam preparations with her twin sisters.

Like the main campus of the Otus Empire Military Academy, Sochi Academy adopts the same structure, generally divided into military and general departments. The military department includes essential subjects for training combat personnel and commanders, such as martial arts, magic, and military theory. The general department encompasses everything from magical engineering to management, economics, and even literature and art... some are designed to train logistics personnel for the military, while others are majors that ordinary people can also study.

Elaina, the elder of the twin sisters, aims for magic and economics, while Evelyn aspires to study martial arts, magical engineering, and military theory. Students must choose a major to take the entrance exam, but the minor depends on individual ability and desire. Therefore, Esther Miller, who has already received the green light from Ryūsha, plans to major in military theory, while minoring in anything that interests her!

After all, as the sole heir of the Miller family, she needs to cultivate herself into a multi-talented individual.

As for student recruitment, Sochi Academy differs from its main campus in the capital. In addition to the junior high, senior high, and university departments that accept entrance exams based on age, Ryusha also offers an elementary school and an 'adult education' to promote basic education. These two departments do not teach according to subjects; their purpose is to enable literacy and popularize basic knowledge.

Of course... Ryūsha also included a lot of his own ideas in the textbooks to make his subjects aware of their governor's 'greatness and noble character,' so that he could gain more followers...

The opening ceremony is in September, the day Princess Tipalottura arrives in Sochi. Entrance exams are held in batches from early to mid-August, and time is running out, which is why Esther and her sisters have gathered together to encourage each other. Although they are quite confident of passing the exams—Esther, after all, is of noble birth and has received a good education, while the twin sisters, from a poor background, have an extraordinary thirst for knowledge and have made rapid progress over the past year—their rankings and grades will determine scholarships, classes, dormitories, and even their social standing, which sets higher expectations for the three girls.

Thinking of this, Esther couldn't help but glance at the twin sisters who were studying diligently. Although they hadn't said it, Esther knew perfectly well that the reason these two sisters were studying so hard and practicing martial arts and magic in their spare time was simply to become Ryūka's ally...

After all, for them, Ryuka was the one who changed their lives. They were even close in age, and given Ryuka's personal charm, Esther felt that Ryuka probably held a very high place in the hearts of these still-young sisters!

It's probably not as simple as repaying a debt of gratitude...

Esther sighed, a thought creeping onto her mind. If the two girls knew what their revered "Brother Ryuka" and "Mr Ryuka" were doing in a nearby room with Adela, dressed as a pet dog and tethered by several gold chains, would their idealized image of them shatter...?

Or perhaps, in two years, the two of them will willingly join that 'game,' just like Miss Kira who takes care of them.

Damn it, thinking about it this way, Ryukatsu is truly sinful!

As Esther was thinking this, a familiar voice suddenly came from behind her.

"Miss Esther, what's written in your notebook?"

"Brother Ryukatsu! (Mr. Ryukatsu!)"

The twin sisters immediately cried out in delight, while Esther shivered!

It's Ryūka! Esther instantly clutched her notebook. In her moment of distraction, she had unconsciously scribbled and drawn her jumbled thoughts into the notebook. Next to the military theory section was a simple sketch: a boy was leading a long-haired beauty with heart-shaped eyes on a dog leash, while two girls nearby were eagerly joining in…

"N-nothing!" Esther covered her notebook, both embarrassed and annoyed, and glared at Ryukyu. "Our busy Governor, weren't you in a 'business meeting'?"

"Oh, you mean that one?"

Although he understood that Esther's "business meeting" referred to his illicit affair with Adela, Ryusha seemed completely unfazed, as if his extreme behavior was perfectly normal. Esther was amazed by his shamelessness.

"To my dismay, something interrupted me..."

Ryusha reminisced about the scene where he had just used three thin gold chains to pull Adela's sensitive spots, making her walk around the room like a crab, while she reported to him how many gold coins and assets his army had recovered from the information she provided.

Unfortunately, a small incident interrupted his enjoyment, allowing Ryusha to have a simple and quick pleasure with the triple service of Kania, Adela, and Yurina before it was over.

"what's up?"

Esther noticed Ruka looking at her with interest and keenly sensed that this matter must be related to her. But what exactly it was, she didn't know...

Business? Government affairs? Or...?

"The city defense team just arrested two travelers who dined and dashed in the city."

"Does this kind of thing really require the Governor's personal attention?" What does this have to do with me? Esther looked at Ryusha suspiciously; the boy's ambiguous smile clearly indicated that he hadn't finished speaking.

"They said they were relatives of the Miller family and specifically asked to see Cooper Miller or his daughter, Esther Miller."

"they?"

The Otto word for women instantly put Esther on alert. Could it be one of her father's past affairs? Viscount Cooper Miller, a wizarding geek, had been fooled by countless socialites, losing money and getting nothing in return. And after the Miller family rose to prominence, there were always women trying to climb the social ladder based on past connections, much to Esther's annoyance.

Esther's tone instantly turned unfriendly. She waved at Ryusha and said with obvious disdain, "We don't have any relatives!"

“Is that so…” Ryuka stroked his chin. “But according to the soldier who came to report, the female prisoner who made that claim looks nine-tenths like you.”

"Huh?" Esther immediately exclaimed in dissatisfaction, "What do you mean by looking nine-tenths like me?"

She jumped up from the chair, her leg, clad in white stockings and brown summer shoes, slamming aggressively onto the chair, the hem of her dress fluttering in the wind, her delicate face almost touching Liu Xia's.

"You mean, you look nine-tenths like me, this incredibly cute girl? A female hoodlum who dines and dashes?"

The girl's angry breath hit them, carrying a hint of expensive perfume. Even the twin girls behind her couldn't help but nod in agreement. Indeed, in terms of looks, even Evelyn and Elena, both beauties with a nine-out-of-ten chance, felt they paled in comparison to Esther. In their minds, even their caregiver, Kira, was only slightly taller than Esther. But considering that sixteen-year-old Esther still had a promising future, perhaps the only one who could be compared to her was Miss Kania.

If she resembles Esther by nine points, she would definitely be an absolute beauty. It's hard to imagine that she would be the one who dined and dashed and got caught by the city guards...

Looking at Esther's small face so close to his own, Ryuka smiled and shrugged, "Ah, let me correct you..."

Seeing Ryuka's words, Esther took a half-step back with satisfaction, lowering her leg off the chair. That's right, how could someone possibly look nine-tenths like her?! Ryuka must have finished with that blonde bitch and now he's using her for his own amusement!

"She looks nine-tenths like Miss Miller, but is much prettier. Those are the soldier's exact words..."

Upon hearing this, Esther was not angry at all; instead, she smiled with a mixture of exasperation and amusement.

After all, Esther only acknowledges Kania as someone more beautiful than her.

Ryuka, Ryuka! It's true that boys are all like this at this age, with their minds full of trying to get girls' attention, but you shouldn't be like this!

As expected, Miss Kira and Miss Kania... even Adela, whom you recently captured, is no longer enough for you. Now you're finally going after me! But I didn't expect you to use such a clumsy tactic of 'provoking a girl to get her attention'~

Esther's expression of 'absolute disbelief' made Ryuka surrender. Since the person involved didn't believe him, he had nothing more to say.

"Since you don't believe me, then forget it. I'll handle this~ Hmm~ Someone who looks nine-tenths like Esther, but even prettier~ That's something to look forward to~"

As she spoke, Ryuga turned and left, her mutterings sending a chill down Esther's spine.

"What...what do you mean by this?"

Hearing Esther's question, Ryuka turned around and put on a matter-of-fact expression: "Of course I'm going to see that girl! Eating and dashing is a small matter, but impersonating a noble and tarnishing the reputation of a noble is a serious crime. Of course I have to go see who's so audacious!"

After saying that, Ryuka turned to leave again.

Despite Ryūka's innocent tone and matter-of-fact expression, Esther immediately thought of Adela, now a captive and a pet slave deprived of even basic human rights! And this was the young lady of the prestigious Golden Dragon Merchant Guild! Perhaps to other nobles, a merchant was just a merchant. But Esther, with her keen business sense, understood that the young lady of the Golden Dragon Merchant Guild possessed wealth and status no less than that of princesses from certain duchies or even daughters of high-ranking noble families! The only difference was their titles.

Despite Ryūka's innocent tone and matter-of-fact expression, Esther immediately thought of Adela, now a captive and a pet slave deprived of even basic human rights! And this was the young lady of the prestigious Golden Dragon Merchant Guild! Perhaps to other nobles, a merchant was just a merchant. But Esther, with her keen business sense, understood that the young lady of the Golden Dragon Merchant Guild possessed wealth and status no less than that of princesses from certain duchies or even daughters of high-ranking noble families! The only difference was their titles.

But that woman was molded into such a shameful state by Ryūka! And he didn't care at all that the Golden Dragon Merchant Guild was a massive organization occupying half the continent! If Adela met such a fate, what would become of a captured female prisoner…

Esther felt a chill run down her spine! It wasn't that she sympathized with Adela or the girl being mentioned; essentially, she was a traditional noblewoman and believed it was common for someone in power like Ryūka to toy with several girls. Rather, she thought Ryūka only targeting women who had offended him was already quite principled…

But what she couldn't accept was that the girl about to fall into Liu Xia's clutches looked nine-tenths like her! (You, you, Lin Xiangyong, I'm empty, you, Lin Zaizai, are you...)

Rounding up would be like turning yourself into his toy!

And that's exactly what Ryuka meant with her deliberately chosen words!

This is absolutely unacceptable!

"Wait, wait!" Esther, who had just been completely skeptical and thought it was just a lie made up by Ryūka, immediately panicked.

Esther's flustered voice came from behind, making Ryuka's lips curl into a smile. He turned around with a mischievous grin: "Hmm?"

"I...I'll go with you!"

After saying that, Esther angrily rushed ahead of Ryusha, leaving the twin sisters looking at each other, looking like they wanted to follow and watch the show but were too embarrassed to speak up.

Ryuka smiled slightly at the two sisters and said, "Good luck with your exams!"

Just that one sentence made Evelyn and Elena blush. They nodded vigorously, giving up their desire to go and watch the excitement.

Amidst the clattering of Esther's little leather shoes, Ryuka slowly spoke to her retreating figure:

“Miss Esther, you’ve come to the wrong place, this is the way.”

The pink-haired girl blushed, stopped, turned her head, and clicked, clicked, clicked...