Chapter 4: Increased Loyalty, Olivia's Willing Submission |
Jonas turned around: ?????
The soft sensation made him instinctively withdraw his hand.
Holy shit...
Playing it like this?
He quickly realized she had misunderstood his intentions, but this was actually a good sign.
Loyalty... hmm, that term covers quite a broad meaning.
Casually, he patted Olivia's head and said, "Let's go... take me to see your sister."
To get a high enough ability return rate, the loyalty level needed to be sufficiently high.
Clearly, to increase loyalty, he would need to focus on Olivia's sister.
In all her years, this was the first time she'd done something so shameful.
Watching Jonas turn away, she finally exhaled in relief - she hadn't messed up.
At this point,
Olivia had no choice but to pin all her hopes on Jonas.
She knew she had no bargaining power.
"I hope you won't go back on your word."
On the road.
Arcaso following behind Jonas couldn't help whispering: "Young master, are you really planning to take in the Albino?"
Albinos were considered ill-omened, avoided by most nobles who inherently discriminated against them.
"Yes."
"The lord probably won't approve!"
After all, his underperforming son bringing back such an ill-omened slave would surely anger him.
Jonas waved his hand: "Don't worry, I'll handle any problems."
Soon they arrived where Olivia and her sister Phil lived.
Their living conditions were appalling - just a corner propped up by a few wooden planks.
It was hard to imagine anyone could live here.
Arcaso beside them covered his nose as Jonas followed Olivia inside.
He hesitated to speak.
Finally tugging Jonas's sleeve, he said: "Young master, be careful of the Black Toxin disease."
Though Black Toxin spread through blood and bodily fluids, caution was still necessary.
If the young master contracted it, his own fate would be dire.
Seeing Jonas's determination, Olivia said: "Would you prefer to wait outside? Or just give me the Black Toxin suppressants and I'll go with you."
Jonas waved dismissively: "It's fine. Let's take her to my residence.
The physicians there will give your sister the best treatment."
Arcaso immediately objected: "Young master, you can't! If the lord finds out you brought back an Albino with Black Toxin, he—"
"Enough. No more.
Carry the girl inside to my mansion, and summon the physicians and maids."
"Huh? Me carry? I—"
"Arcaso, you talk too much! Seems you'd prefer returning to the army—"
"Young master, I'll do it right away!"
Despite his reluctance, Arcaso immediately lifted the unconscious girl.
Jonas looked at Phil's snow-white hair.
He took the thin blanket from the bed to cover her head.
Then taking Olivia's hand, he said: "Let's go!"
"Huh?
Oh..." Olivia watched everything Jonas did with complex emotions.
Pursing her lips, she numbly allowed Jonas to lead her.
Young master Jonas wasn't at all like the rumors of being lecherous and extremely fastidious - instead he seemed quite gentle...
Olivia whispered: "Thank you..."
Since she and her sister could remember, no one had ever treated them this way.
They were like stray dogs by winter roadsides, ignored by all.
She never imagined their first helper would be Jonas.
[Ding—]
[Loyalty: 15%]
[Ability Return Multiplier: 3x]
Seeing the loyalty increase, Jonas couldn't help smiling.
Triple return on S-rank talent training? This was practically cheating.
But he still needed more loyalty.
Smiling, he said: "Just remember what I told you."
Hearing this and seeing Jonas's smile, Olivia recalled her earlier actions and the collar around her neck, her face flushing slightly again.
They soon reached the streets.
The glaring sun made Olivia instinctively pull up her grayish-black hood.
She didn't want to embarrass Jonas in public because of herself.
At Rejin Castle.
In the physician's residence.
"Young master Jonas, you truly intend to treat this Albino's Black Toxin?" The physician asked with disgust.
On the sickbed, unconscious Phil frowned slightly, her lower body already showing some atrophy with visible black veins.
The Black Toxin had progressed severely.
Jonas: "No more words. Just treat her."
"But the city lord—"
"I'm father's only son. Are you disobeying me now?"
"My apologies, young master. I'll begin treatment immediately."
Every imperial citizen bore deep-seated discrimination against Albinos, nobles especially.
In these lands, Jonas was the first noble to ever treat an Albino's Black Toxin.
Watching through the window, Olivia clenched her fists.
Compared to their previous circumstances, this was incomparably better.
Without young master Jonas, someone of their status
would never have access to such treatment conditions for her sister.
Seeing Phil receiving proper care in this environment, Olivia bit her lower lip.
After much thought, she still couldn't understand what value she held for Jonas.
But now, no matter what outrageous demand Jonas made, she would comply willingly.
[Ding—]
[Loyalty: 20%]
[Ability Return Multiplier: 4x]
Inside the room, Jonas's lips curved slightly.
Four times!
Excellent.