Chapter 46: This Is Your Reward |
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[Loyalty: 60%]
[Loyalty: 65%]
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"Stop... stopstop—
I'll go with you... huff... I'll go with you, alright?
I'll go... to Thunderkeep..."
Jonas's lips curled slightly as he gently lifted Liliana's chin: "Then what should you call me? Honorable President."
He discovered that despite Liliana's noble appearance, her loyalty was actually the easiest to raise.
Higher even than Olivia's.
"M...Master?"
Jonas said leisurely: "President Liliana is quite clever, isn't she? Then how should you demonstrate your loyalty?"
Liliana froze.
Demonstrate loyalty?
In her current state and condition, how could she demonstrate loyalty?
"I... I I I...
Woof?"
Jonas's expression stiffened: "....."
Uh...
Holy shit!
Let it be known that he had never given any hints.
This was entirely the other party's own idea.
He really just wanted her to become his retainer and show loyalty.
He never expected it to happen this quickly.
"Ahem ahem..."
"Wouldn't it have been better to say so earlier?"
Liliana: "I... wuwu?"
"Then this is your reward."
"??????????"
**************
Liliana's entire body turned pink.
...
Later, overwhelmed once more, Liliana fainted again.
When she woke up, Jonas was sitting beside her.
Feeling Jonas's presence, Liliana didn't even dare open her eyes.
She even wanted to pull the blanket over her head and play ostrich.
This was already the second time she'd fainted.
This... this was simply outrageous!
Jonas, he he he... how could he play like this?
She had never imagined that one day, such a man would barge into her life and do such things.
Jonas, who had been flipping through books on Liliana's desk, noticed her slight movement.
And that sudden blush told him she had awakened.
"President? How are you feeling?"
Hearing Jonas's words, Liliana knew she couldn't pretend anymore and immediately covered her head with the blanket.
Seeing her ostrich act, Jonas grabbed one of the fair little feet sticking out.
And tickled it.
"Mmm—"
Liliana shivered involuntarily, her delicate toes turning pink.
She instantly retracted her foot.
Jonas: "The President is quite sensitive, isn't she!"
"N...no I'm not!"
"Then why did you faint so quickly?"
"I..."
How could this vile man, with all his tricks, blame her for fainting so quickly?
What a despicable bastard!
....
Jonas yanked the blanket away and, amidst Liliana's startled cry, pulled her out.
"St...stop it..."
"Don't worry, I won't mess with you anymore."
"Huh?"
"Let's talk business. I want you as my retainer because of your management skills.
If you go to Thunderkeep, you can definitely accelerate its development.
Later, you'll become one of my top strategists."
Liliana: "Thunderkeep, that..."
Jonas smiled: "You want to say Thunderkeep is just a tiny territory, right?"
"I didn't..."
Jonas waved his hand: "Don't worry, with the Empire in chaos, Thunderkeep will gradually develop.
I will be the final victor."
"You might think I'm delusional, but time will prove everything.
And right now, I need you."
Liliana: "Me?"
Jonas was so powerful, yet he needed her?
Jonas nodded and continued: "I've looked into you, Liliana Beck."
"I was thinking, the Beck family is one of the Empire's most powerful families, right?
How did you end up in Tars City?
Running a small chamber of commerce."
The Golden Cloud Chamber of Commerce had originally been insignificant, only flourishing under Liliana's management.
Liliana pursed her lips and said nothing.
Jonas went on: "So, let me guess, you're the daughter of some Beck family bigshot's mistress?"
Liliana suddenly became agitated, shouting: "My mother wasn't a mistress!!"
She clenched her fists, looked at Jonas, then for some reason deflated.
"Don't you say that about her...."
Jonas looked at the woman before him, patted her head, then pulled her into his embrace.
"Tell me, I'll help you."
Liliana lowered her head: "Actually, the so-called Destiny Army is nothing compared to a behemoth like the Beck family.
The Beck family, as one of the Empire's retainers, holds political and military power—their strength is unimaginable.
And you still want to help me?"
"Of course. My target is the Empire itself."
"Impossible..."
Jonas: "No one believed we could stop the Destiny Sixth Army either, right?"
Hearing this, Liliana stared at Jonas for a long moment, then exhaled: "My mother was an ordinary Empire citizen, taken by that man, and then there was me.
But the vast difference in their statuses made it impossible for him to give my mother any recognition.
Later, he married a woman from another great family.
So my mother became the so-called 'mistress.'
How laughable?
Then, my mother mysteriously died on the streets.
In the eyes of those important people, we were like ants.
I'll never forget those looks—heartless, indifferent, as if we were stray dogs.
I wanted revenge, wanted to investigate, but young me showed no talent whatsoever, whether in magic, swordsmanship, or any other profession.
So I was driven out of the Beck family. To avoid trouble, I came to Tars City in the most remote Postaya Province.
Even the Golden Cloud Chamber of Commerce was initially just his charity to me.
After all this time, I'd almost numbed myself.
How could one Golden Cloud Chamber of Commerce compare to such a behemoth?
Now that I see the Empire in turmoil, I feel genuine excitement—how wonderful it would be if all these people died in the war!"
Jonas stroked Liliana's head: "Showing no talent might have been for the best, or you might never have come here."
He continued: "Talent isn't just about physical strength.
There's also wisdom and intellect.
Sometimes, killing doesn't require bloodshed.
A single scheme can leave corpses strewn across the land."
"Huh?"
Jonas then explained modern business theories to her, along with various classic scams.
"Using specific theories or models to amass wealth, driving people to madness and death—the most classic being the Ponzi scheme."
Jonas directly applied concepts from his world to explain to Liliana.
The Ponzi scheme, with its rich early returns and clever construction, could attract hordes of investors in no time.
Swindling massive fortunes.
It left many bankrupt and suicidal.
Then Jonas explained the pyramid scheme... and many other modern theories.
These were all scams that had once driven countless people mad.
Liliana listened in stunned silence.
Then, snapping out of it, she immediately said:
"Sir... no, Master, wait a moment, let me get a notebook to write this down."
Here, she had always believed her understanding and concepts surpassed most, and this unique perspective was key to expanding the Golden Cloud Chamber of Commerce.
Yet she never imagined Jonas's understanding would be even deeper, those classic scams and theories opening her eyes as if she'd found a kindred spirit.
Every word Jonas spoke was like a key, unlocking new doors, immersing her completely.
Jonas was no brute, but a profoundly wise man.
At this moment, her worship of her master Jonas reached new depths.
His wisdom and insight filled her with sincere admiration, and suddenly she felt confidence in the future.
The Empire—perhaps it wasn't impossible to overthrow after all.
She might truly be able to destroy the Beck family.
Jonas looked at Liliana before him, satisfaction in his eyes.
As expected of someone with S-level talent, understanding these concepts and examples perfectly after just one explanation.
Truthfully, while Jonas knew many theories and examples, this world differed from his original one—whether he could apply this knowledge smoothly remained unknown.
But through his exchange with Liliana and her capabilities' feedback...
As the Empire descended into chaos, he would surely amass great wealth, ensuring ample magic crystal reserves.
Thus providing solid support for Thunderkeep's rapid development.
"Go on, we have plenty of time."
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