Become their wicked yet gentle lord.

Feeling Kania's soft and delicate embrace, Ryuka felt that no matter how hard the little witch exerted herself, it was like a comfortable massage to her.

"Well, it's not possible today. Let's do it another time."

Liu Xia smiled mischievously and narrowed his eyes. He could earn nearly 700 points every day, and the number would increase if the number of people in his territory increased. If he saved 200 points every day, it would be enough for one round of training.

However, Ryuga didn't plan to spend money like that, since he still had many potential trainees. If any of them learned new skills, unlocked new training programs, or accumulated points, he could level up quickly.

In addition, it's about the so-called 'rare commodity'~

"It's a deal then! You have to give me the next chance~" Kania pouted, considering herself the 'official wife' and thinking it was only natural for Ryuka to help her become stronger first.

Hetia's eyes burned with intensity. Although she didn't understand how Ryukatsu had done it, he was already shrouded in enough mystery. Hetia was a believer in the supremacy of strength, and while she knew that Kania and Ryukatsu were closer, she didn't want to give up easily.

So, she quietly pulled the reins, letting her mount move closer, nestled beside Liuxia, and parted her cherry lips slightly.

"Um, Master... when we get back, shouldn't you severely punish me for my mistake last time...?"

W-what?! Kania couldn't believe her eyes. The usually proud and shy Hetia had actually risked being overheard by calling Ryusha "master" in front of others!

And he started with a bombshell, directly tempting Ryūka with the promise of 'punishment'! Was taking Ryūka's humiliation not enough?! Was he going to steal his chance to become stronger too?!

Look at her, those eyes brimming with affection, those blushing cheeks... Shameless! Where did your previous arrogance and reserve go?!

Kania buried her face in Ryusha's neck from behind, breathing sweetly and warmly into her lover's ear:

"Hey, Ryuka~ Did it feel good last time you used my back? It felt really different, didn't it? How about we tease that place until it's so sensitive it gets to the point of climax even when we go to the toilet~"

Hiss... These words made Liu Xia gasp, and her body reacted involuntarily.

When it comes to being wanton and charming, Ryuka can't think of anyone who can compare to the witch Kania.

Shameless! I can't let myself be led by the nose by such vulgar words.

Sometimes, good things should be kept in your hands and shown to women, rather than easily given to them. Ryuka, enjoying the competitive flattery between the two, wholeheartedly agreed with this statement.

"Then I will too..." Hetia gritted her teeth. She had done it with Ryuka countless times, and now there was the temptation to become stronger. She was willing to go all out.

She adopted a shy, embarrassed expression and avoided eye contact as she said:

"Actually... I've been following my master's instructions... cleaning myself every day, and also consistently expanding..."

"Besides, I am a knight, in terms of physique..."

Hetia looked into Ryukyu's eyes, but ultimately couldn't bring herself to say, "It will be very tight!"

Watching the two fiercely competing in this area, Liu Xia finally understood what it felt like for an ancient emperor to be the object of jealousy and rivalry among his concubines.

Watching the two fiercely competing in this area, Liu Xia finally understood what it felt like for an ancient emperor to be the object of jealousy and rivalry among his concubines.

I should have known better than to let Melanie leave so hastily. When it comes to the desire for power, she's no less than anyone else. If the three of them were together…

Unfortunately, Ryūka cannot afford to neglect state affairs. He currently only controls a small territory and is embroiled in the struggle for imperial succession. Improving his strength is also crucial; otherwise, he might become a tyrannical ruler who "never holds court again."

Ryuka, Ryuka, you must persevere in being a Sigma man! You still have so much to do!

Thinking this to himself, the boy adopted a nonchalant attitude, letting the two beautiful girls argue as they pleased, and casually brushed them off.

"Okay, you'll all have a chance. It all depends on how you perform."

The two beautiful girls gasped. That wretched brat! He was clearly using this to whet their appetites, making them compete to please him!

but……

The two women exchanged a glance, neither willing to back down. After all, they knew very well that besides the two of them, there were more than a few eyes watching Liu Xia.

However, Ryuka is not someone who can be controlled by just that kind of thing, so the two of them began to demonstrate their own value.

"Once I get back, I'll immediately work with Kira to arrange the cooperation with Sochi City."

"In fact, I plan to recruit new soldiers from the able-bodied men of Linhu Territory, train them in basic martial arts and military discipline, and build a patrol team to supplement our military strength!"

"By the way, there are still many stubborn rich people and landlords in Linhu Town and its subordinate villages, right? How about I go back and do some 'ideological work' on them to get them to contribute more to the territory?"

"Hmm! I... I can try to get information from the capital to see what His Highness's plans are regarding the heretical ruins at Dongtian Lake..."

"Hetia, your stance has changed so quickly. Have you abandoned your loyalty to your former master so soon?"

"Hmph, hmph... There's nothing I can do about it. After all, I'm a 'slave' now, so I'm probably more loyal than an 'ally'..."

"I can still..."

"I can too..."

As Liu Xia watched the two of them arguing back and forth, she regretted stirring up their desires and competitive spirit.

He had no choice but to reach out and pinch each person's soft, warm, even damp, inner thigh, ending the farce with two muffled groans. The three led the group, slowly heading back towards Linhu Town…

The summer rainy season is coming soon.

Chapter 25 I only wear eight sets of clothes for all four seasons!

A light rain was falling outside the window. A week had passed since the peace treaty was signed between Linhu Territory and Sochi Territory.

Earl Duke kept his word, and cooperation between the two territories commenced in earnest. Timber, minerals, and mountain products from the Linhu Territory were centrally sold to Sochi. In return, Sochi sent in high-quality, inexpensive goods, such as finished tools and large quantities of cloth.

Farm tools, nails, and improved seeds were all things that the common people of Linhu Territory desperately needed. Even the lowest quality fabrics in the big cities were considered exquisite goods by them. Farmers who were used to living in fear and uncertainty did not know how long these good days would last, so they rushed to buy necessities while prices were low. Almost everyone got a new outfit and some handy farm tools.

Although the style is simple and the colors are monotonous, it has given Linhu a brand new look.

The goods sold by Linhu Territory were planned and organized by Liuxia and the lord's mansion. Not only did the people of the territory earn more, but Linhu Territory's finances were also greatly replenished, with gold and silver coins clinking against copper coins.

And naturally, the people began to sing praises to the most important young ruler. As a result, Ryūsha's approval rating increased, and his daily [Hero Points] rose to around 700 points.

Meanwhile, many impoverished civilians from surrounding territories have come to Linhu Territory to try their luck, and the territory's population is still rising.

But while some people are happy, others are not.

"Competing with the people for profit? Merchants and nobles can do it, but we can't? Besides, I didn't spend a single penny of this money on myself."

Inside the lord's mansion, still a wooden building, Ryuka sat behind the governor's desk and slammed a stack of letters onto it.

These letters were mostly from local landlords and merchants, or from various chambers of commerce from other places, protesting that Lin Hu's monopolization of trade routes to every village and town severely impacted their interests, constituting a form of vicious competition!

Liu Xia slapped the man hard, making him tremble and immediately nod and bow.

"Yes, yes, you're right, but please, sir, give us some way to survive... After all, you'll need our strength sooner or later..."

The man before her was a representative elected by various merchant guilds. He had come to Linhu Town to deliver a letter, but was passed around like a ball by Hetia, Kania, and Kira. He only arrived in Liuxia after each of them gave him a gift.

"Of course I understand, but right now is a crucial period for development. After all, Linhu Territory is still a sparsely populated and underdeveloped territory. Wouldn't it be better if we waited until we were more developed before you merchants came to do business with us?"

Liu Xia put on a smiling expression and dealt with the chamber of commerce representative in front of her.

These large merchant guilds are scattered throughout the empire, situated between lords and nobles and the lower classes. From compradors, tax farming, monopolies, and lending... to facilitating trade and economic exchange across the central continent, transmitting information and intelligence, and even participating in wars between smaller nations and territories, their presence is felt everywhere.

There are both good and bad things, but the one thing that cannot be denied is that the [Chamber of Commerce Alliance] is a force that cannot be ignored or underestimated.

“I understand that~ But we business people also want to contribute to the development and construction of Linhu Territory... How can we entrust such a heavy task to you, sir?”

The chamber of commerce representative stepped forward with a smile, presented a thin booklet, and then respectfully withdrew.

Strange, why do I always hear a faint sound of water when I get close to this young governor? 'Gurgle, gurgle~' Could it be that the window is leaking?

Moreover, for such a small child, the desk in front of him is so tall. Doesn't he find it inconvenient?

Ryuka opened the booklet, and the first thing she saw was a gold foil sheet with exquisite patterns, and the number 300 was printed in the center in common language.

"Oh, this is something rare." Ryuka knew what it was.

In this world, a 'silver note' can be exchanged for 300 gold coins at a bank under the guild's name using this gold foil.

A single gold coin could buy an ordinary slave or the compensation a nobleman would pay for killing a commoner. Commoners, on the other hand, generally circulated only copper and silver coins, and could barely accumulate a few throughout the year.

In other territories, positions like governors like Ryusha or secretaries like Kania receive a monthly salary from the lord ranging from one to several gold coins, depending on the territory's strength and how stingy the lord is.

Of course, this figure only represents their official salaries; they have plenty of ways to make money behind the scenes.

But this gold note, worth 300 gold coins, would have driven an official to risk being hanged by the lord and to exploit it for years. After all, Earl Duke only spent 1,000 gold coins to redeem his son's life.

Liu Xia looked up and sized up the merchant representative in front of her. Although he appeared humble, he spoke with a pure capital accent, and his clothing details even surpassed those of most minor nobles.

“Sir, you are dressed very well. I feel ashamed in your presence.”

"Your Excellency is too kind. Just call me Hayden. You are young, promising, and exceptionally handsome, and you deserve fine clothes. If you like, I can have my merchant guild select a few outfits to give you as a gift."

Hayden smiled demurely. Seemingly sensing that Ryūka's attitude had softened, he toned down his previous fawning manner and instead used more polite and enticing words.

"How could I possibly accept that? Although I am favored by Miss Hetia and fortunate enough to become a consul, I only have eight sets of clothes for the four seasons and one set of armor and two warhorses for battle. I am not fortunate enough to enjoy such things."

Ryusha deliberately touched the gold note, making a satisfied face for Hayden to see, and then closed the booklet.

"I will discuss this matter with Miss Hetia. Mr. Hayden, please go back first."

"Thank you very much then..."

Once Hayden's footsteps had faded into the distance, Ryusha sneered. Bribery had come to him, little did he know that this "government officer working for the lord" was actually the one in charge of the Linhu Territory.

If she can receive 300 gold coins, what about the others? Although Ryuka trusts Kania and the others, what about the others?

Production and trade, patrols and communications, development and construction... the operation of a territory requires many people at all levels. Are these people, large and small, in any of these roles, now or in the future, susceptible to bribery?

Linhu Territory is no longer a forgotten island on the border of the Empire, but has begun to connect with the outside world, and it seems that many new challenges lie ahead.

"Hissing~ Hissing~ Glug~ Glug~" Mei, I'm not free, Lin, are you...?

As Hayden left, the sound of water gradually grew more and more unrestrained from under Ryusha's desk...

Ryuga glanced down. Megan Payne, the great knight's bruises had long since faded. Her beautiful face was adorned with seductive makeup meant to please her master, her soft cheeks were sunken in, and her full, thick red lips were moving back and forth, leaving rings of red marks.

Ryuga casually grabbed her hair and gave it a gentle tug. The mature female knight straightened Ryuga's clothes and then obediently climbed out, her tall figure kneeling respectfully beside Ryuga.

"Go, give this gold note to Kira and have her add it to the territory's treasury. Also, give her this 'cooperation application' to look at. Don't take it too seriously, but summarize the information from the names of the chambers of commerce and the types of terms that appear in it."

Chapter 26 A New Opponent

"Yes, Master. May I ask... should I investigate Hayden's background?"

Liu Xia glanced at Megan's submissive and respectful demeanor, sneered, and slapped her across the face.

*Slap!* A clear slap echoed across the tall female knight's face, but Megan showed no sign of resistance. Instead, she became even more subservient, her eyes displaying an even stronger desire to please.

This vicious woman has become a completely different person after a week of 'education', but Ryuka will not easily trust and forgive her. Even with the slave contract, Ryuka can clearly sense that her loyalty to him is far less than her fear, and all her obedience is merely a facade based on her wicked nature and current situation.

"Do I need to tell you? Someone will do this. You're almost two meters tall and conspicuous, and you're going to investigate people? Are you afraid of being discovered? I think you're tired of living."

Ryusha coldly reprimanded Megan, understanding that she wanted to demonstrate her loyalty and value through this behavior in order to gain better treatment. But she was different from Hetia, who was also an arrogant knight. Hetia's past arrogance and evil deeds were based on her military stance and the general character of the world's nobles, but she had now genuinely changed a lot, while Megan seemed to be inherently wicked.

"Yes! You are right! It was this lowly servant who overestimated himself and spoke out of turn!"

Megan was slapped, and immediately put her hands on the ground, her forehead touching the floor. Her large, plump buttocks were raised high, making her sturdy waist appear incredibly slender. The prone position showcased her tall but stunningly curvaceous figure; even lying face down, her full breasts brought her body up to Ryusha's knees.

"Hurry up and go. What? Do you want to be punished again?"

Megan's body trembled. More than any physical humiliation, torture, or punishment, she feared Ryusha's extraordinary 'illusion magic'. In that illusion, the pain and death felt so real that Megan never wanted to experience it again.

She quickly withdrew, feeling utterly humiliated that a dignified knight was now dressed as a servant, doing errands and serving tea.

After Megan left, Ryusha leaned back in her chair and squinted her eyes slightly.

"Hayden and the Chamber of Commerce are working together..."

Outside the window, a crow, hiding in the tree canopy, spread its wings in the drizzle and followed Hayden, who had just left, in the sky.

Meanwhile, the crow's vision was synchronized into Ryukatsu's consciousness.

He certainly enjoyed the vying service of Kania and Hetia during this week. Under the influence of witch lust and the cultivation of followers, Kania's witch abilities evolved once again. The power of [Charm] was no longer limited to controlling the animals around her to complete simple commands, but could be used by them like true familiars within a certain range.

And Ryuka, of course, learned this skill immediately.

In my field of vision, after Hayden left, his humble demeanor vanished immediately. He returned to an inn in Linhu Town and had the waiting servants help him change his clothes and serve him tea.

"A country bumpkin like me, and I have to fawn over him? He won't even let me sit down! Even the difficult Lady Duke wouldn't treat me like this!"

As he muttered to himself, there was a knock on the door.

After the servant opened the door, several prominent figures from Linhu Town appeared.

Several landlords, merchants, and former officials began to inquire about Mr. Hayden.

"Mr. Hayden, how is the situation?"

"How was it? Not bad, although the process was a bit bumpy, and we didn't get to negotiate directly with Lady Tartu, but we still managed to see that brat."

"Then Ryūka, he..."