You've found the Gusha-hime Knight, so put your hair up in a bun!

After all, she was a young girl with a youthful heart, and Fufro also fantasized about whether she would be favored by the young master... no, the master, and thus become a concubine, to carry on the lineage of the Wells family and achieve her ultimate goal of repaying a debt of gratitude.

However, after seeing the two stunning beauties accompanying Shiloh, Fufro felt that such an opportunity probably wouldn't come her way.

But today! Now!

The master's deep gaze seemed to announce something very important.

Difficult! How can it be explained?!

Fro swallowed again, looking at Shiloh with some nervousness.

"The torture devices you've created are no simple feat; it's not something that can be done just by being skillful. So, I need you to make the parts shown on them for me, is that alright?"

Looking at the little things placed in front of her, some of which she couldn't understand but were inexplicably lewd, Fufu looked hesitant and unsure of what to say.

Chapter 52 Agent: Elena, making her grand entrance!

"Ah... um. Since it's Master's order, of course I have no problem with it."

Although she hesitated to speak, after glancing at the structure on the design drawings, Fufu felt that this little gadget should be no problem for her.

Hearing that Fufu had agreed, Xiluo's expression relaxed, and the corners of her mouth unconsciously curved up. After patting her on the shoulder, she said, "Come find me as soon as the sample is ready. The contents of this sample must not be disclosed to anyone without my permission, understand?"

Seeing how solemnly Shiloh announced it, Fufro also sensed the importance of the matter, so her expression became very serious, and she nodded to indicate that she understood.

Watching Fufuro's departing figure, Shiloh couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief.

These little gadgets are easy to make, but since they are to be sold as high-end products, they obviously cannot be designed to be too simple, lest people feel that they are too cheap.

In terms of magical tool design, Shiloh can be described as "ambitious but incompetent".

Although he had a broad perspective thanks to his mother's upbringing, theory is one thing, but when it came to hands-on work, which is extremely dependent on experience, he ultimately didn't have enough experience and could only make simple items.

"Should we set up a dedicated manufacturing shop next?"

Compared to the shy Cecilia, Elena appeared calmer and immediately understood what Shiloh wanted to do.

"I want to build a brand."

Shiloh spoke frankly, while Elena, upon hearing this, rested her chin on her hand and fell into deep thought.

"We're probably the only ones in the world making this kind of device, and it will definitely set a trend for a short time. But after that, we'll need to worry about the issue of technology being copied, since this little gadget isn't particularly technologically advanced..."

Elena rattled off a long list of precautions and risk management tips, prompting Sidlow to exclaim in surprise, "You seem to have quite a knack for business!"

"Eh?"

Elena was taken aback. She didn't think she had any talent; she had just said everything she wanted to say.

"Hey, I have an idea."

Sylvie held up one finger, then sat down next to Elena, put her arm around her slender waist, and said with a smile, "How about I let you manage the brand store I set up later?"

These words left Elena's eyes blank for a moment. She then pursed her lips, frowned, lowered her head, and nervously gripped the hem of her skirt.

"Why all of a sudden—"

Halfway through his sentence, Shiloh suddenly stopped speaking, and after a few breaths of silence, he pulled Elena onto his lap amidst her gasp.

What are you thinking about?

Silo's eyes curved slightly as he gently smoothed Elena's hair with his long, slender fingers.

Elena wanted to shake her head in denial, but under Shiloh's gentle gaze, her pounding heart couldn't hold back any words.

"I'm afraid that things will become distant between us."

After venting her worries, Elena wrapped her arms around Shiloh's neck and buried her face in his broad chest.

gap?

Shiloh raised an eyebrow, and recalling Elena's experience, instantly understood the other party's concerns.

Are you worried that I'm testing you, or that I might become wary or suspicious of you later for the sake of the shop's interests?

Although the words weren't pleasant to hear, that's what Elena truly thought.

After nodding, Elena quickly raised her eyes, looking at Shiloh's dark eyes with a hint of grievance, and said softly, "I know you're not that kind of person, but... but I just am..."

Before she finished speaking, a warm, large hand covered Elena's head, gently stroking her and gradually calming her down.

“I know you have such experience, so you must be very sensitive about things that involve your interests. I didn’t think of that, and I apologize for not considering it carefully.”

Elena was stunned as she gazed at the genuine apology in Shiro's eyes.

A few breaths later, Elena's slender body began to tremble slightly, and then her purple eyes instantly became misty, shrouded in tears.

Tears, like pearls from a broken string, slid down her delicate face, gathering at her smooth chin and wetting her clothes.

Seeing this, Cecilia, along with Shiloh, also smiled with emotion.

"No, don't look... Waaah~"

Elena wiped away her tears, but she couldn't stop them.

In the end, she could only sob and, unable to say a word, buried herself in Xiluo's arms, then silently soaked his clothes with her tears.

Gently patting Elena's back, a rare tenderness appeared in Shiloh's eyes as he patiently waited for her to finish venting her emotions.

Three minutes later, Elena slowly propped herself up from Shiloh's embrace, then opened her beautiful, swollen eyes and looked at him earnestly, saying, "I want to help you manage the brand store, but I will not accept any legally binding power."

"In a delegated management model, you are still the one who makes the final decisions, and I am your agent... Is that acceptable?"

"Of course, no problem."

Silo pinched Elena's cheek and said with a smile.

Upon hearing this, Elena breathed a sigh of relief.

Although Elena was deeply moved by Shiloh's empathetic words and it made her believe once again that he was different from those profit-driven individuals, Elena would still feel very uneasy if she were given legally recognized management power.

If that's the case, then it's better not to do it.

"but--"

Shiloh leaned close to Elena's ear and drawled out his words.

Meeting Elena's questioning gaze, Silo smiled and said, "But as punishment for wrongly accusing me, you have to be the first to try those things after you're done, okay?"

咕咚

Elena swallowed hard, then turned away, her face burning, and nodded almost imperceptibly.

Seeing the two of them so affectionate, Cecilia smiled, but felt a pang of jealousy. So, taking advantage of the moment when the conversation ended, she asked, "So, are we going to prepare for Irene's awakening ceremony next?"

Reminded, Shiloh patted Elena's buttocks, got up, and called to Irene as they went upstairs.

"Get everything ready; the awakening ceremony will begin soon."

"understood."

When it comes to serious matters, the two of them are extremely efficient.

Seeing Cecilia rushing to move the ritual items over, Elena suddenly called out to her.

"Miss Cecilia...when do you plan to do it?"

Cecilia turned her head, looking bewildered, and asked, "What... are you doing?"

Elena remained silent, but simply pointed to the other woman's lower abdomen.

Seeing the direction she was pointing, Cecilia finally understood what Elena was asking.

Chapter 53 [Maple Nest Workshop]

Cecilia blushed deeply, unconsciously averting her gaze and remaining silent.

Seeing the other person's appearance, Elena naturally knew the outcome.

Although the two are sometimes "enemies" vying for a gun, Elena still cautioned, "If you don't hurry, there will be more and more girls coming from behind, you know?"

After saying that, Elena turned and left, leaving Cecilia with a complicated expression.

"It might hurt a little afterward, but don't worry, I'll always be here for you."

Beside Irene's bed, Xi Luo sat on the bed, gently rubbing the little girl's head as he spoke.

"Hmm... I'm not afraid."

Irene's fair and smooth skin was on full display, with only a towel covering her waist.

The girl was lying on the bed, waiting for the awakening ceremony to begin.

Xi Luo nodded, took out the prepared medicinal herbs, mixed the liquid, dipped a little into it with a sharp engraving knife, and then lightly applied it to the fair back.

The knife tip was extremely sharp; even a slight touch caused beads of blood to seep out immediately.

Irene's shoulder trembled slightly, clearly the sudden pain was making her uncomfortable, but she bravely refrained from uttering a single groan.

Seeing the little girl like this, Xi Luo naturally felt a pang of heartache, but if he wanted her to end her suffering as soon as possible, he needed to imprint the awakening mark on her.

Shiloh's eyes were like an eagle's, as he calmly and keenly manipulated Irene's back.

Among the combat skills he had practiced in the past were many throwing techniques, which honed his hands into precision and steadiness.

During the engraving process, as the medicinal liquid seeped into the blood and bone marrow from the skin, Irene's body temperature began to rise. Before long, she looked as if she had been roasted, her whole body turning bright red.

Seeing this, Cecilia knew it was time for her to take action, so she began to cast a healing holy prayer.

hum-

Cecilia of the [Stairway to the Stars] undoubtedly provided an extremely good healing effect, and the physiological tissues that had been damaged by Irene were healed in the next moment.

About half an hour later, the engraving covering the entire back was finally completed. Then, Shiloh helped Irene sit up from the bed by supporting her shoulders.

Although a towel obviously doesn't cover much, Irene doesn't mind at all... and is even quite happy to let Shiloh see everything about her body.

"Come on, eat this. This is the final step."

Shiloh fed Irene a bottle of alchemical potion, then nervously observed her reaction.

The next moment, a sharp pain exploded in Irene's mind, causing her to finally let out a groan.

Just as Irene was about to cross her arms and try to suppress the pain with her own, she was pulled into Xiluo's embrace before she could.

"I'm here, I've always been here... I will always be by your side, if you can't bear it, just hold my hand tightly."

A guiding voice softly sounded in her ear. In her hazy consciousness, Irene obeyed Shiloh's voice, snuggled into his arms, and held his large hand tightly.

Feeling the pressure on his hand, Shiloh's expression remained unchanged, but his hand was already red from being squeezed.

At this moment, the markings on Irene's back seemed to come alive, turning into shadowy tentacles that spread outwards. In no time, these markings covered the girl's entire body, somewhat like body paint.

These shadow patterns represent the Shadow Walker's high affinity for the dark element. In normal circumstances, they are hidden on the skin's surface, but when the power within is fully unleashed, they will appear, just like the holy golden mark that appears on Cecilia's body when she uses her full power.

After awakening the [Shadowwalker] bloodline, Irene will officially step into the realm of extraordinary cultivation and advance to the [Dust-Bound Rank]. Therefore, her current strength is not insignificant to Xiluo.

Inside the room, twisted shadow tentacles writhed and groveled. At this moment, Cecilia, whose own elements repelled her, was unable to help Irene. She could only use her divine light to protect the room and its contents from damage.

Half an hour later, the shadowy tentacles around Irene slowly retracted, and the patterns on her body gradually disappeared.

The awakening process was extremely taxing. At the moment of success, Irene only had time to take one last look at Shiloh's gentle gaze before slowly closing her eyes and falling into a deep sleep with calm breathing.

After carefully laying Irene flat on the bed and tucking her in, Shiloh and Cecilia left the room together.

"Little Irene will probably sleep until evening. Come with me to the factory first."

After leaving the lord's manor, Shiloh summoned Elena and Cecilia, and together they went to the women's underwear factory to check on the current production progress.

As soon as the carriage stopped, the administrator inside, who had received the news, immediately came forward respectfully, bowing deeply and saying, "Welcome, Lord!"

Shiloh casually waved his hand, pointed at Elena, and said, "Elena will be your leader from now on. Her orders are my orders, understand?"

The manager glanced at the aloof and noble Elena and instantly knew that she must be the lord's lover. He bowed again without any hesitation and said, "Yes! I understand."

Shiloh nodded and then followed the manager inside.

"As you instructed, we have produced a batch of samples. Of course, the materials used are absolutely the best."

Xilu waved his hand, and the manager presented the intimate clothing, which had only been touched by the female workers during the production process, with both hands.

After gently stroking the clothes, both in terms of feel and practicality, they perfectly matched Shiloh's expectations.

"Hmm, not bad."

After nodding in approval, Xi Luo looked at the two women beside him and asked, "What do you think would be a good name for our brand?"

Cecilia was taken aback by his words. After frowning and thinking for a few moments, she shook her head in resignation. She was terrible at naming things.