Become their wicked yet gentle lord.

But Adela was no longer the same person she once was; she felt no regret whatsoever, only anticipation. She waited to see Ida suffer the same fate as herself, to see this proud noblewoman completely subdued and trained by her master.

Especially from the moment she said she didn't want to leave Ryusha, this choice with no turning back made her emotions even stronger!

Ah~ I'm feeling like a complete drowsy ghost right now~

Just wait and see. Whether it's Ida or Monica, these high-and-mighty, pretentious noble ladies, once their masters tear away their glamorous facade, they will ultimately be more depraved and more wretched than Adela herself, the merchant's daughter whom they look down upon!

Chapter 40: Slow at First, Fast Later

Meanwhile, Ryūka also received a report from Adela, and the situation was completely under control. Even the fact that Ada possessed the enhancement potion was within reasonable expectations.

only……

"She's also a young high-ranking official, isn't she? Her situation is similar to Monica's. Is it life magic triggered by potential? It seems the Chosen Ones have more methods for winning over Gavin than I thought. But do these people know that their lifespans will be shortened as a result? How interesting~"

Enjoying Gerberi's sobbing voice and her tight, warm body, Ryusha curled her lips in disdain. The enhancement potion found on Gavin Reed, while similar in effect to K18 developed under Tipalotura's leadership, was slightly inferior in both effectiveness and safety. This might be because some of the potion's ingredients were purified and processed using traditional manual or magical methods instead of machinery, inevitably affecting the potion master's skill.

Before K18 was put into use, the risks of berserk mode and death had been reduced; as long as two were not used simultaneously, it would be fine. However, enhancement potions are a different story; judging from the purity of the potion, it's not safe enough. But both Gavin and his daughter Ida dared to use them—what does that say?

They weren't outlaws, but nobles with fiefdoms. Even without colluding with the Chosen Ones, they could have lived peacefully as vassals of the Otus Empire for their entire lives. Either they harbored ambitions to restore their kingdom, or they were all reckless madmen, or they were completely unaware of the dangers of this potion, perhaps even unaware that potential activation would shorten their lifespan!

"Let's verify this with Monica! But right now..."

Ryuu smiled as she glanced at Gerberi beneath her. Despite Tipalotura's urging, she had slowed her pace, but her battle-hardened physique and the raging dragon were no ordinary thing. Ryuu occasionally used a faint burst of spiritual energy to stimulate Gerberi's tender flesh, making it barely perceptible to her, only causing a tingling, numbing sensation. Even with the slowest movements, she could thoroughly explore every nerve within her body. With Tipalotura holding her waist and back to control the pace, the effect was already evident!

"Ah...ah..."

As Liu Xia relentlessly and slowly chipped away at her, Gerberly's expression had long since melted, becoming sticky and unfocused. Her eyes were vacant and slightly rolled upwards. Although she still had a sliver of clarity, they were unfocused as if she were drunk, making her appear somewhat unbearable.

This gentle process of adjustment resulted in her body and Ryūka's body becoming perfectly intertwined, clinging tightly together with almost no gap between them. Even the slightest movement from Ryūka could be felt by Gerberly, as if she herself had become a Fiji cup growing beneath him.

Again, again... um...

Gerberi's lower abdomen tightened, her abdominal muscles becoming more defined. Her body skipped a small jump, and a surge of heat flowed to Ryūka's front. The fragrance in the room intensified again, clearly telling Ryūka that Gerberi had had another small orgasm...

After mentally explaining the current precautions for Thunder Fortress to Olivia and Melanie, Ryusha looked up at Tipalotura and smiled:

"Your Highness, if you don't let me exert myself, how can her desire be relieved?"

Hearing this, Tipalotura frowned slightly:

"What? Gerberly was clearly already..."

She'd been there so many times... even her expression was starting to look confused. Ryuka knew what she was going to say and shook her head:

"Don't forget, without some extreme measures, it won't be enough to 'release her fire'~ Although she'll be fine in three months, we've probably bought her more than half a year, right? But there's no guarantee that during one of those all-out battles, the witch's power might still be uncontrollable."

Ryusha's meaning was clear: Gerberi's witch desires had been somewhat mitigated, but not by much. If she didn't want them to recur periodically, it would be better to use a "stronger" approach all at once. This made Tipalotura hesitate, her eyes wavering.

Perhaps it would be better to go all the way this time? After all, given Gerberly's personality, it probably wouldn't be easy to get her to submit to Ryusha again next time.

Hearing Ryuka's words, Gerberi snapped out of her daze and struggled to prop herself up. She did feel that the power within her body had been harmonized considerably. Before she knew it, she had broken free from the control of the gel tentacles, shattering the gel on her wrist into pieces. She was about to push Ryuka away and end this absurd act.

"Guh... You don't need to worry about what happens in the future..."

Unfortunately, although she could shatter the magic gel at this moment, when she pressed her palm against Ryusha's chest, it immediately felt like pushing a mountain. The boy's solid chest did not budge, and the scorching heat came through her palm, making Gerberly feel ashamed and embarrassed. She gritted her teeth and tried again, but still found it useless.

"You, you get off...get off me! Ugh!"

Liu Xia merely thrust hard into her waist, causing the struggling Gerberly to fall back onto the bed like a bouncing shrimp, her face filled with misery and helplessness. In particular, her beautiful and heroic appearance was ruined by the nose hook, making her look like a domestic animal, which made her seem even more like someone who could be bullied!

Seeing that Gerberi remained oblivious, Tipalotura sighed. Compared to this half-baked 'treatment,' she naturally wanted Gerberi to be in a safer situation. So she put away her pitying expression and asked Ryūka:

"Liu Xiaqing, were you paying attention to the situation inside Thunder Fortress during that moment when you were distracted? How did things go?"

Hearing Tipalotura's question, Ruka knew that she was probably going to withdraw, so she smiled and said:

"There were some minor mishaps, but also some gains. Things are back on track now. While Lady Sophie was celebrating Olivia's breakthrough, the people of Linze Fort activated the magic shield and are about to rescue Gavin. But everything is under the surveillance of the Thunder Fort scouts..."

Tipalotura nodded in agreement. Controlling this matter was no challenge for Lady Sophie at all, especially now that Olivia had also broken through to the Heavenly Rank. Facing two genuine Heavenly Rank cultivators, even a group of highly skilled suicide squads from Linze Fortress who recklessly used enhancement potions would be useless.

"Yes, they can rescue the people, but the spies and informants they planted in Thunder Fortress, as well as the magical technology they received from outside the Empire, must be left behind. By the way, we can take this opportunity to 'punish them' when we head south. This also aligns with the plan Father Emperor mentioned."

What Tipalotura was referring to was, of course, the news circulating in the capital—about the emperor's plan to have Governor Ryukyu lead an elite delegation to directly control the capital of the Bauhinia Kingdom, thereby holding its young king hostage and suppressing the entire kingdom.

Although this matter was not yet finalized, Tipalotura deliberately said:

"It seems that tonight's matter is almost certain, but we can't afford to be careless. I'll go see Mrs. Sophie in person; I'll feel more at ease if she's there."

Having said that, she used this excuse to escape from Ryūka's room at lightning speed. Only after her figure disappeared did Gerberi, who had just been stunned by Ryūka's advances, realize what had happened!

"Your Highness, Your Highness...?"

However, what greeted her incredulous gaze was Ryusha's radiant smile! Gerberly immediately realized her situation—she had been betrayed by His Highness!

Unable to bear seeing Gerberly being humiliated, yet also unwilling to see her half-heartedly cursed with the desire to be satisfied, Tipalotura made an excuse to escape.

Realizing that only she and Ryuka were left, Gerberi's face immediately contorted with rage at the thought of what would happen next:

"No, no! You! Let me go!"

Gerberly's long, slender, and firm legs began to struggle, but unlike the beautiful muscle lines above, her attacks were ineffective against Ryuxia. Instead, Ryuxia grabbed her ankle, and her sweaty, fair feet kicked weakly towards the ceiling, her thighs twitching, but she couldn't pull herself out of Ryuxia's grasp at all.

"Hmph~ The troublesome person is gone, now it's just the two of us~ Miss Gerberly! Looks like you've regained some strength, that makes things more interesting~"

Ryusha looked down at Gerberly with a cruel smile.

Then, a sweet yet alluring scream echoed throughout the room. The fierce crying and ecstatic sound almost broke through the magical barrier of the tower, and had the power to resound throughout the entire Thunder Fortress...

Chapter 41 Silent Clash

As night fell, Thunder Fortress, which should have been under curfew and silent, was now brightly lit and bustling with activity. The crimson glow that had recently shot into the sky announced Olivia's successful breakthrough to the Celestial Realm, and Sophie Orlando immediately ordered the curfew lifted, allowing the entire city to celebrate.

The good news spread throughout the city, and soldiers and civilians alike let down their guard and indulged in revelry. Street vendors lined the streets, smoke filled the air, and children wearing masks and wielding wooden swords ran and played. The entire Ironblood Fortress was transformed from its usual austere state into a vibrant and lively place.

Inside the military camp banquet hall, soldiers sat around raising their glasses, their laughter echoing through the air. Amidst the clamor, Adjutant Tallin remained tense. Avoiding the gaze of the crowd, he quietly approached Madam Sophie's side, lowered his voice, and spoke with some hesitation.

"General, is this alright? Didn't you say..."

"What's wrong with that? Thunder Fortress has gained another Heavenly Rank expert, let's make everyone happy."

Lady Sophie gently held her wine glass, her eyes crinkling with a smile, softening the lines of time around her eyes. She knew Tallinn's concerns; with the city in a state of jubilation, defenses would inevitably be lax. Tonight, Ada Reed and her group planned a prison break, and Tallinn feared that this lack of vigilance would lead to uncontrollable chaos and disturb the city's inhabitants.

But Mrs. Sophie was already confident and calmly offered her guidance.

“Tallin, rats are creatures that will rampage up the stove and sneak into the cellar to destroy stored grain if they see people sleeping. But if the surroundings are noisy and bustling, they become quite timid. Even if their master is drunk and the doors are wide open, they will only dare to timidly pick up the scraps scattered on the ground and then quietly retreat, satisfied.”

These words enlightened Tallin. Given Linze Fort's meager resources, breaking through Thunder Fort's defenses head-on and carrying out a prison break was already an impossible task. If he were in charge of the enemy's operations, he would definitely create unrest everywhere, using the opportunity to distract the defenders and conceal the true prison break escape route.

The city's current revelry and dense crowds may seem to provide an opportunity for the enemy to conceal their movements, but this is not the case. The infiltrators, who are in a completely disadvantaged position, will only become more cautious and hesitant in such a lively environment, and their available methods and room for maneuver will be greatly reduced.

Moreover, the secret passage that these opportunistic "rats" used was a deliberate flaw.

Seeing that Tallin seemed to be deep in thought and had already understood, Madam Sophie's smile deepened. She looked Tallin up and down and spoke in a meaningful tone.

"Speaking of which, Thomas seems to have disappeared."

Tallin's eyes narrowed, and his face darkened: "So it really is him? General, you asked me to keep an eye on his actions last time... This guy has truly failed your training."

Mrs. Sophie shook her head slightly, her expression calm: "Straightforward and stubborn people like you are rare. The enemy doesn't always appear in front of you, fully armed and sounding the horn. Even your own subordinates aren't always entirely trustworthy..."

She looked at most of the generals of Thunder Fortress, some of whom were already marquises and generals of the south before they were even born. Many of them had even received her care when they first joined the army, but at this moment, her warm eyes revealed a hint of unfamiliarity.

"Even now, the people of Thunder Fortress have different thoughts. Some are from noble families who only served on the border for a few years to gain experience, but they stayed. Others are still thinking about climbing the ranks, so they naturally want to make more connections. No matter what kind of organization it is, it can't be monolithic. Thomas is no exception. After all, he was useful in the past. That's how people are."

Her words seemed to have a hidden meaning, adding a somber atmosphere to the otherwise joyous celebration. Tallinn straightened his shoulders and, after a moment's thought, spoke silently.

"I am but a talentless warrior, entirely relying on the General's guidance." Tallin bowed his head humbly, then looked up at Olivia, who was receiving congratulations in the center of the room, his gaze firm. "Whether it is Miss Olivia or that young governor, as long as they are the ones you designate, I, Tallin, will wholeheartedly assist and support them."

"That's so heartening!"

Lady Sophie chuckled softly, rose, and patted him on the shoulder. Tallinn's statement had completely transcended the duties of an imperial soldier, no longer bound by the rigid formalities of loyalty to the Autus royal family, but purely expressing his heartfelt allegiance and submission to Sophie herself. This meant that the core military circle of Thunder Fortress had formed a private stance independent of the imperial court, with Sophie at its absolute center.

Amidst the endless infighting in the imperial court and the undercurrents surging on the southern border, Lady Sophie, who commands a large army, has remained aloof from the succession struggle for many years. Unburdened by family lineage and having spent half her life protecting Thunder Fortress, she has long since become indifferent to court intrigues and the vicissitudes of life.

But in the past year, things have changed. Her daughter Olivia, whom she hadn't seen for many years, has returned. After more than a decade, she has reunited with the young princess Tipalotura. In addition, the arrival of Ryusha has given rise to new plans and expectations for her, which were originally indifferent to worldly affairs.

She was subtly hinting at this to her disciple, Tallin, without revealing it aloud.

"In that case, you should go and have a good drink with your brothers, and don't get involved in the rest of the meeting."

Lady Sophie withdrew her gaze, picked up her cane and stood up, ignoring the puzzled looks from the crowd, and walked straight toward the gate of the military camp.

The soldiers looked at each other, utterly bewildered. Just then, solemn ceremonial music drifted in from outside, and the banners of the Royal Guard entered, facing the Thunder Fortress battle flag. The magnificent royal carriage slowly drove in, and Lady Sophie bowed first, followed quickly by Olivia to greet it.

Only then did everyone realize that the princess had arrived, and they all stopped their banquet to pay their respects, feeling honored. Only Tallin stood there, deeply shaken, having completely grasped the deeper meaning behind Sophie's instructions.

Tallin suddenly realized, "Don't get involved in the next meeting," the general was deliberately reminding him to draw a clear line.

Tipalottura is the legitimate princess of the empire, representing the highest existing legal lineage. Normally, subjects should cling tightly to imperial power and side with the royal family. Even now, various factions are aligning themselves with either the prince or the princess. Yet, at this crucial moment of the princess's arrival, Sophie deliberately sent her trusted deputy away, her intentions crystal clear—Thunder Fortress's future path would no longer be tied to the imperial family.

The empire was corrupt and decaying, and its fortunes were declining. Sophie had long foreseen the end result. She was unwilling to let the future of Thunder Fortress be buried with the crumbling dynasty, so she deliberately supported new core members: Olivia, who had just been promoted to the Heavenly Rank and was in charge of the military forces in the Southern Frontier, and Liu Xia, whose origins were unpredictable, whose growth rate was terrifying, and whose character and methods were all top-notch.

Not to mention the relationship between Olivia and Ryusha. Although Tallin and the other generals were unaware of the details, Tallin, who was Sophie's confidant, knew that Ryusha was the person Sophie had chosen for Olivia.

This was a silent pledge of allegiance, a pre-emptive entrustment and paving the way. Tallin felt a chill run down his spine, fully aware that from now on, he and his soldiers would no longer be loyal to an aging empire, but to the new force chosen by Sophie. Even if this move carried a hint of rebellion…

The carriage curtain was lifted, and Tipalotura stepped down gracefully, her bearing elegant and noble, exuding natural royal majesty. She gave a slight nod to the soldiers below, her posture poised and dignified, before stepping forward to exchange pleasantries with Lady Sophie.

"Lord Orlando, please forgive my uninvited visit. How is everything?"

"Of course, of course! It was my rudeness, Your Highness. Please forgive me." Lady Sophie smiled warmly and gestured to Olivia beside her. "I didn't expect her to break through in one night. I thought it would take two or three days. Tonight is just a temporary celebration. I would like to invite Your Highness to the formal banquet."

Both were deep thinkers, their understanding unspoken. Tipalotura was supposed to stay at Lucia's residence tonight, preoccupied with Gerberi's condition, and had no intention of attending the banquet. But this private matter, though understood by Lady Sophie, was not revealed. She skillfully concealed it with tactful words, maintaining the facade of harmony between ruler and subject. Yet, both men's eyes held a cautious probing, the atmosphere gentle, but undercurrents surging.

During the pleasantries, Tipalotura's gaze landed precisely on Olivia, scrutinizing her closely.

At this moment, Olivia was dressed in a new haute couture military uniform that perfectly blended Western aristocratic elegance with military sophistication. She was resplendent, sharp, and stunningly beautiful. The entire garment was made of top-grade matte purple-black satin, its texture heavy and luxurious, exuding an understated aristocratic aura. The crisp, tailored stand-up collar was adorned with finely engraved gold patterns, and an intricately detailed thunder insignia was subtly hidden within the fabric, shimmering brilliantly in the light, both solemn and opulent.

The ultra-tailored high-waisted cut perfectly accentuates her figure, highlighting her strong, defined shoulders and giving her an upright posture and resolute bearing. It combines the dignified strength of a soldier with Olivia's proud and elegant curves. A double-layered, gilded belt cinches her waist, creating a neat and sophisticated look. The pure white custom-made military trousers have clean, sharp lines that accentuate her long, strong legs, resulting in a clean and sophisticated appearance. She completes the look with shiny high-top military boots; the sleek, structured design and moderate heel add a sense of composure and power. Every design element is perfectly balanced, seamlessly blending aristocratic refinement with the cool, resolute strength of a soldier, creating a striking and effortlessly powerful aura.

Tipalotura observed quietly, her deep blue eyes swirling with thoughts, her mind heavy with worry.

She instantly recognized the style of this outfit; it was identical to the custom-made gown worn by Ryuka at her investiture ceremony. This was far from a simple copy; it was a personalized style, a unique aesthetic imprint. Ryuka had imbued Olivia with her own aesthetic and her own distinctive symbols.

"Is this... the same design as the outfit Liu Xiaqing wore during her investiture ceremony?"

"Yes, Your Highness, that's what I heard." Olivia's red hair was neatly styled, its strands glossy and warm, which made her bright and sharp eyes stand out. Her expression was calm and composed, and she answered neither humbly nor arrogantly.

“Is that so?” Tipalotura raised an eyebrow, her tone tinged with a playful probing. “Although I didn’t witness the scene that day, I’ve heard about Lady Liu Xia’s unique creativity in fashion aesthetics. Seeing Lady Olivia’s dashing attire today, I couldn’t help but recall what I’d heard before. It suits you very well.”

While her words seemed gentle and complimentary, alarm bells were secretly ringing in her heart.

Regardless of the special relationship between Ryusha and Olivia, it remains their private matter. Now, his exclusive designs and personal aesthetic system have been worn by the newly promoted Celestial Rank members of Thunder Fortress and displayed before everyone.

What worried her even more was that Madam Sophie, a pillar of the Southern Frontier and a veteran Heavenly Sage, not only didn't shy away from this, but tacitly approved and indulged it, allowing the bond between the two to deepen. This couldn't be explained by private family matters; after all, military uniforms involved many political implications!

"Yes! Thank you, Your Highness. This new military uniform was a gift from Miss Adela. I think it's perfect for such an occasion as today's breakthrough."

Olivia smiled slightly and added, "The other officials and their subordinates also favor this design, so I suggested to Mother that we order a batch of these new military uniforms from Sochi to be used as dress uniforms and promoted in Thunder Fortress."

The moment those words were spoken, the gentleness in Tipalotura's eyes vanished completely, replaced by a faint chill.

Promoted throughout the entire army!

This is no longer just a matter of personal attire. Once implemented across the entire army, Ryūsha's designs and symbols will become the unified standard and representative military dress of the entire Thunder Fortress army.

In other words, from now on, this most important military fortress in the southern border of the empire, the iron army that the empire relies on to guard the south, will bear the mark of Ryukyu.

The imperial banner still flies, the royal majesty remains, but the morale, spirit, and sense of belonging of Thunder Fortress are quietly changing. Sophie and her daughter intend to use Olivia's breakthrough to the Heavenly Rank as an opportunity to completely integrate Liu Xia into the foundation of Thunder Fortress, transforming him from an outsider into a half-master in the spiritual realm of Thunder Fortress.

This was a silent process of stripping away and surrendering. Stripping away the imprint of the imperial family and surrendering to the emerging power represented by Ryukyu.

Tipalotura knew perfectly well what was going on, but she couldn't lash out or point it out.

Even though she and Ryūka had a close relationship at this time, they were still independent individuals with their own paths and ambitions. She could be silly with Ryūka and indulge him in various ways. But she was, after all, a princess of Otus, and that girlish behavior could only be a temporary display of softness and indulgence.

But while she could control herself, she couldn't control others. At this moment, everything Sophie and Olivia were showing made Tipalotura realize one fact: no matter what she did, they had already chosen Ryukyu.

After all, the Empire has given little to Thunderhold, or even to many other vassals, over the years. Therefore, perhaps he simply has no right to criticize them…

At this moment, with everyone watching, as a princess, she could only maintain her composure and suppress all the fear, vigilance, and resentment in her eyes, hiding her true intentions.

Lady Sophie keenly noticed the fleeting somber look in the princess's eyes and knew that the atmosphere was already extremely delicate. If they continued talking, they would inevitably give themselves away. So she coughed lightly and smiled to smooth things over.

"Ahem! Alright, Your Highness, let's take our seats quickly! My old bones are about to give way!"

This was, of course, an excuse. Tipalotura understood immediately, suppressing all the turbulent thoughts in her heart, concealing all her sharpness, and maintaining her gentle and graceful princess demeanor as she took Lady Sophie's arm and sat down side by side.

On the surface, the two exchanged pleasantries and maintained a harmonious relationship, but in private, they whispered amongst themselves, avoiding any mention of open conflict as they secretly plotted the prison break that night. Their words were gentle and mild, yet beneath the surface, they were constantly testing each other, maintaining a delicate balance of power, and the power struggle never ceased.

Olivia stood silently watching the two figures disappear into the distance, a hint of understanding flashing in her eyes. She clearly sensed the princess's emotional fluctuations and understood the deeper meaning of her own words, yet she remained composed and at ease. She paused briefly, then quickly followed, gracefully blending into the grand banquet, a place of dazzling lights and undercurrents.

Meanwhile, in her room, Liu Xia secretly curled the corners of her lips into a smile, silently thinking to herself:

"Well done, thank you for your hard work!"

"It seems Tipalottura still cares about this matter. But there's nothing I can do; I'm not a follower of her vassals. Even though playing with her witch guards right now seems a bit immoral, there's nothing I can do—after all, it's Olivia and Lady Sophie's choice."