Chapter 44: Submit or Die |
...
Liliana lifted the blanket and looked at her disheveled, embarrassing clothes, her face flushing even redder.
How could such a powerful man have learned... these kinds of things?
Yet she had to admit that some part of her seemed to enjoy it.
Thinking back to how she had begged for mercy earlier, she realized she'd said so many shameless things.
"Mmm~"
How utterly embarrassing!
She was always the one giving orders from her lofty position, so how... how could she have said such things!
This shouldn't be possible!
After calming her emotions, Liliana stood up.
As she rose, her exhausted body suddenly weakened.
She nearly lost her balance and fell, barely catching herself by gripping the edge of the table.
"Dammit," she gritted her teeth involuntarily.
Slowly straightening up, her gaze was drawn to the food and flowers on the table.
There was a glass of fresh milk and some bread.
Beside them lay a single flower.
Next to the flower rested a pale purple collar, intricately patterned and adorned with several sparkling gemstones.
Liliana's eyes immediately locked onto the collar as she picked it up gently.
The collar felt soft and smooth, its exquisite patterns complemented by the luxurious gems that added an air of nobility.
Against her will, her heart fluttered with delight.
Beneath the collar lay a note.
Unfolding it, she recognized Jonas's handwriting:
#President, you've expended too much energy - remember to replenish your strength. This meal is prepared for you.
The gift beside it is something I know you'll wear.#
"Contains three stored magical attacks."
The note's contents warmed Liliana's heart.
"Hmph~
What a scoundrel."
She continued reading:
#Next time, I hope the President can last longer.
And remember what to call me when begging for mercy, otherwise.....#
Reading this, Liliana felt an inexplicable tremor run through her.
Last longer...
How could she possibly endure more?
...
She carefully folded the note and returned it to its place.
Then she stared at the collar with mixed emotions.
In the Empire, collars were worn by slaves - the lowest of the low.
They symbolized the basest status.
Was Jonas demanding she abandon her dignity by wearing this?
Reason told her not to.
Yet some inexplicable longing made her imagine how she'd look before Jonas wearing it.
Remembering earlier events...
Perhaps... it wouldn't be so bad.
"......"
As if possessed, she picked it up and cautiously fastened it around her neck.
The moment the collar touched her skin, a cool sensation trickled down her neck.
Instead of discomfort, she felt an indescribable sense of rightness.
Her body trembled involuntarily.
She moved slowly to the mirror.
Her normally clear eyes now appeared slightly dazed in the reflection.
The collar fit perfectly around her neck, as if custom-made for her, blending seamlessly with her skin.
The purple collar stood out starkly against her pale skin, creating a striking contrast with her disheveled clothes and the marks on her body.
The combination made her appear both noble and debased.
No one would ever imagine the lofty president of the Golden Cloud Chamber of Commerce wearing a slave's collar.
Yet this absurd thought excited Liliana strangely.
"Sigh... no one will know anyway."
Seeing the marks on her body, Liliana grabbed a long-sleeved outfit to conceal everything.
She raised the collar to hide the necklace.
Tap tap tap—
Just then, hurried footsteps approached from outside.
Instinctively, Liliana adjusted her collar higher.
Two swordsmen burst in moments later.
"Madam! Are you alright?"
Seeing Liliana unharmed, they sighed in relief.
Leaning casually against a chair, Liliana's golden eyes instantly regained their usual composure before them.
Her calm voice carried a barely perceptible hoarseness: "What could be wrong?
Did you two actually think you could protect me?"
The swordsmen immediately looked embarrassed.
They'd taken the president's magic crystals, swearing to protect her with their lives.
Yet they'd been knocked unconscious instantly upon confrontation.
Now it was already afternoon.
Though honestly, who could blame them? Jonas was practically a monster.
"Both of you - one less magic crystal this month."
"Wha—? No, madam!"
"Are you questioning my decision?"
"N-no, we understand, madam."
"Go assemble the Chamber members. We're not leaving."
"Yes, madam."
Only after they left did Liliana relax her collar slightly.
The contrast between her authoritative commands and the hidden marks/collar made her cheeks flush faintly again.
...
Meanwhile.
Jonas had begun his slaughter.
His reign of terror left Tars City's nobility trembling in fear.
Like an unreasonable brute, Jonas offered only two choices: submit or die.
Many nobles began banding together.
...
In a secret meeting room.
Nobles packed the space.
A portly noble slammed the table.
"Damn it! Several families have already been wiped out by that bastard Jonas!
Soon it'll be our turn!"
"Curse Kuroth! That traitor actually became Jonas's lackey!"
"Damn right! How can we fear some petty lord's son?"
"Exactly! The only reason he's picked us off one by one is our lack of unity."
"If we unite now, we can definitely kill this brat!"
As these words left his mouth, so did his head.
The scene left the assembled nobles wide-eyed.
Silence descended instantly.
A young man pushed the headless corpse aside and took its seat.
Surveying the nobles with a smile, he said: "All gathered here?
Perfect, saves me hunting you down individually.
Gentlemen, any other thoughts you'd like to share?"
"......"
Dead silence filled the room.
The previously vocal anti-Jonas coalition opened their mouths... but no words came out.
Him... why was he here?
As blood pooled from the corpse, some weaker nobles instinctively rose to flee.
Whoosh—
Flames instantly engulfed the first to move, reducing him to charcoal in seconds.
The intense heat made nearby nobles sweat profusely—whether from fear or heat was unclear.
Everyone swallowed hard, staring at Jonas in terror.
With a gesture of mock generosity, Jonas tossed black collars onto the table.
"Come now... one each.
Submit or die."
...