Chapter 45: Time's Almost Up~ |
Looking at the shoddy-looking black collars, the group of nobles couldn't help but twitch at the corners of their mouths.
They were nobles of the Empire - how could they wear such things?
But everyone feared death!
They truly couldn't comprehend how Jonas had entered this place without the guards noticing.
And with all this commotion inside, where had all the guards gone?
Jonas slowly drew his sword, lightly tapping it against the table.
The "thud thud thud" sounds made the atmosphere unbearably tense.
"Time's almost up~" Jonas said, his voice echoing through the air.
Yet the room remained deathly still - no one dared move a muscle.
He raised his right hand.
Then with a "swish," another head went rolling like a kite with its string cut, blood spraying everywhere and staining the ground red.
This sudden scene terrified the nobles out of their wits.
Instinctively, they grabbed for the collars.
Many gritted their teeth and put them on.
However, as they kept taking them, the remaining nobles were horrified to discover there weren't enough collars left!
Looking at the now empty table, the last few turned pale as paper, their bodies trembling uncontrollably.
"J-Jonas... Lord Jonas," one stammered, "there aren't enough collars..."
Jonas smiled. "Opportunities are for those who prepare.
You weren't proactive enough!
It seems you still don't wish to submit."
The men answered fearfully: "No, that's not..."
But Jonas gave them no chance to explain. With a flash of his sword, another body fell to the ground.
When establishing authority, one must do it thoroughly.
Blood gushed like a fountain, staining the floor and splattering onto those nearby.
Pitiful wails rose one after another, unbearably shrill in the silent space.
The collared nobles witnessing this bloody scene trembled violently, their throats moving involuntarily as they swallowed hard.
Their hearts filled with both terror and relief - relief that they'd taken collars early.
Feeling the rough collar around their necks, each experienced for the first time what it meant to be a slave.
Jonas turned his head. "As nobles, you should understand this collar's function better than I do."
Hearing this, the nobles scrambled to answer: "Yes, Lord Jonas!"
Satisfied, Jonas nodded. "Good. I'd hate to see anyone replaced."
"Yes..." the crowd answered, their voices tinged with fear.
Jonas waved his hand for silence.
Then he looked toward the door and called, "Kuroth, come in."
As his words fell, Kuroth entered from outside.
The retainer's gaze first fell on the bloody scene, then slowly shifted to the cowering nobles.
The corners of his mouth lifted slightly in a barely perceptible smile.
These nobles who always carried themselves with such arrogance, who ordered others about so imperiously - now they crouched like stray dogs at Lord Jonas's feet, submitting without dignity.
As for Kuroth himself, though just a retainer, he'd been the first to wear a collar.
Not only that, he'd gained governance over Tars City - an immense authority.
Thinking this, Kuroth even felt a surge of pride.
Wearing this collar wasn't shameful, but an honor.
And today, he'd been completely awed by Jonas's thunderous methods.
In such short time!
Every obstacle had been swept away by his lord.
....
Jonas said to Kuroth: "Take control. Have them hand over their magic crystals."
"Yes, my lord!"
With that, Jonas rose and departed.
Tars City's affairs were settled.
Time to return to Liliana.
A day had passed. Jonas had worried that without him present - without his "special methods" -
Liliana's Loyalty might drop. Yet looking now, not only hadn't it dropped, it had actually increased?
Already at fifty-five percent.
What was this situation?
Was Liliana... conquering herself?
....
As Jonas opened the door, the nobles inside saw the scene outside.
They were stunned.
They'd assumed Jonas had sneaked in, blaming the guards for failing to act despite the commotion.
Now they saw the guards outside strewn about haphazardly.
The nobles were dumbfounded.
No wonder...
A single man had taken down so many without those inside noticing?
Just how strong was Jonas?
.....
In the towering Golden Cloud Chamber of Commerce building, offices stacked floor upon floor.
Every employee aspired higher, for height symbolized wealth and status.
And at the very top was the office of that noble, peerlessly beautiful and ruthlessly capable president - Liliana.
....
Now.
Liliana had locked her office door tight.
She sat on her chair, gazing somewhat forlornly out the window.
Her gold-purple dress clung to her voluptuous figure, accentuating her full, rounded curves and enhancing her mature charm.
Her fingers lightly touched her neck.
The purple crystal felt slightly rough.
Though uncomfortable, Liliana found herself inexplicably drawn to it.
Looking at her skin - fair as jade -
She had excellent ointments; her body had recovered quickly under their application.
Though physically healed, her heart couldn't shake this sense of loss as she stared blankly out the window. Would Jonas come again?
And what of those strange little toys...
Thinking of them, her face flushed pink...
....
The next instant, someone appeared behind her.
Gently tugging the collar around Liliana's neck.
The slight suffocation and familiar scent made Liliana shiver.
Her breathing grew slightly rapid.
Her heart inexplicably swelled with joy.
Compelled by Jonas's pull, she rose involuntarily.
"You... mmph!!"
"You... finally... no, Jonas, let me go..."
Jonas: "Madam President, your words don't match your heart."
"I... do not!!"
Jonas's right hand moved, his spatial ring glowing.
Suddenly familiar ropes appeared.
With practiced motions, Jonas bound her.
But unlike last time when she'd struggled fiercely, this time Liliana was incredibly compliant.
"What were you expecting?"
"Nothing... I... really nothing?"
With his Eyes of Desire, Jonas knew exactly what Liliana needed now.
Jonas tugged the overlapping knots on Liliana's back,
making her feel the restraints intensely.
"Madam President, made up your mind? Will you come to Thunderkeep as my retainer?"
"That... depends on your 'sincerity.'"
"'Sincerity'? Then my dear president, my apologies."
"Mmmph!!!???"
....