I chatted with the old man until sunset before returning home to greet a special guest.
The lingering rays of the setting sun slanted across the front of my mansion. From within this golden light, a legion of over four hundred soldiers protected a white carriage as it slowly approached.
"Her entourage is getting more and more extravagant," a young officer standing to my left said with dissatisfaction, but I could only smile bitterly to myself.
Because I knew very well that she didn't like such pomp, but rather that she lacked a sense of security in her heart.
The young officer beside me was the leader of our Ferbenley County's Knight Order, and also my cousin and good friend who grew up with me - Reanto Radell.
Standing to my right was, of course, my beautiful secretary. Besides them, there was also Karon, the leader of the army's Magic Corps, and Ayera, the leader of the Infantry Corps.
Amice and Karon were talents cultivated by my family to strengthen our power, while Riandao was from a collateral branch of my family, also committed to assisting our main lineage. Riandao is a professional swordsman and military strategist, Amis is proficient in economics, history, and management, and Karon is a high-level magician specializing in magic.
My two older brothers and I were assigned such talents as assistants by our father, and with the constant indoctrination of knowledge during our upbringing, their loyalty to my family was unquestionable.
As for Ayera, he was a burly man in his forties and was a local military officer when I first arrived in Ferbenley County. His martial arts skills were formidable, and he was steady and upright, making him a trusted general under my command.
The Imeloo Merchant Clan's entourage stopped before us, and the over fifty cavalrymen on either side of the carriage fanned out, forming a two-layered circle around the carriage. I took a few of my subordinates and walked through the parting knights to the carriage door, awaiting the presence of the Clan's leader.
The carriage door opened, and first to step out were two girls in pink dresses. These two girls had very similar looks and figures, with identical, lovely, and charming faces. They were both sixteen years old, with two adorable small buns tied on their light brown heads, and a pair of round, large, bright eyes that were very lively. But beneath their cute exterior lay a secret unknown to most: Both had once received the most professional assassin training. They were the twin sisters, Melusa and Meluna, who had served Anvy Imeloo for many years.
Following closely behind them was the person we were waiting for: the last recognized heir of the Imeloo family, the youngest and most beautiful magnate in the Empire – Anvy Imeloo.
The noble golden velvet long dress was especially captivating on Anvy's full and graceful figure. Coupled with her seemingly unapproachable and outstanding beauty, illuminated by the golden sunset, like a dazzling gem, so beautiful it made people dizzy. Including myself, the gazes of hundreds of people in the field were all drawn to this breathtaking beauty, and for a moment, no one could tear their eyes away from her.
She was only twenty years old this year, but already one of the Empire's few wealthy merchants, and a giant who dominated the industrial and commercial sectors of the Empire's northeast. Her appearance was extraordinarily beautiful; she possessed an astonishing allure for both sexes. This could be guessed from her long hair, which subtly reflected a purple luster and was styled into dozens of braids.
Purple hair, the mark of the Succubus tribe. Her charm and charisma were truly astonishing and was also the second woman in the world who could move me at first sight. I had indulged in debauchery for quite some time after a failed first love, until I met her, and my life was able to return to normal.
Under the envious gazes of everyone, I stepped before Anvy, took her soft, boneless hand, politely kissed the back of it, and then helped her carefully descend from the carriage.
"It's been a long time, Lady Imeloo. You're more beautiful than ever."
"Hehehehe... Lord, you're getting funnier too. Uncle Danny, please take the other attendants to his guesthouse to rest."
Danny was her top enforcer, tall, strong, and about thirty years old, a robust man in his prime. He also had a small amount of Orc blood flowing in his veins and was a loyal retainer who had followed Anfei for many years. Rumor has it that he once single-handedly killed two 500-pound giant tigers, and his contribution was undeniable in that Imeloo woman's successful escape when she was being pursued.
After settling her retinue, she and I discussed business matters in the study of the foreign guesthouse.
Imeloo family was once a renowned and wealthy merchant giant in the Empire, but unfortunately, they suffered misfortune in the previous generation. It is said that Anvy's mother was also a great beauty who inherited the Succubus bloodline, and the current prime minister, Herrus, was one of those who fell for her charms when he was young. However, his pursuit ended in failure, which led to an enmity with Anvy's father.
Five years ago, a fierce battle between the Orcs and pirates broke out in the Empire. In the chaos, Anvy's father was falsely accused of treason and imprisoned. He was eventually tortured to death in prison, and her mother, heartbroken, left her young only daughter and hanged herself, dying for love.
Herrus was obsessed with the breathtaking beauty of Anvy and her mother. He even dispatched an army to capture both women. Over a hundred members of her family were captured or killed overnight, but under the desperate protection of several loyal and brave retainers, she successfully escaped the Imperial capital, intending to flee the country from the north for temporary refuge. I had only recently become a lord at that time, and my subordinates discovered Anvy and her group's whereabouts. The moment I met her then, I can never forget.
At only fifteen years old, she was already tall, slender, and captivatingly beautiful. When I discovered her secretly crossing the border hidden in a hay cart, her expression of both fear and fright, yet also endearing vulnerability, brought me an unprecedented shock and amazement. I couldn't suppress my possessiveness towards Anvy, and as a result, I kept her hidden in my mansion and made a secret deal with her, vindicating her family and giving her a chance to rise again.
Anvy inherited the extraordinary intelligence of the Succubus tribe. With her meticulous management of the Imeloo family, and my covert assistance with resources and connections, their prosperity has now surpassed what it was back then. Today, she reported to me the enormous profits of the past few months and was also preparing to purchase new sources of goods.
"This season, due to the harvest festival, the sales of general products have increased by half a percent compared to last season. If you can provide more goods, I believe sales will be no problem at all."
"No, although Ferbenley City currently has strong human resources, there are still limitations to increasing production. However, I can offer you other new products, which I believe will attract new customers and orders."
Anvy smiled sweetly at me, her powerfully electric gaze shaking my soul.
"Have you considered my previous suggestion?"
"Hmm, with my family's current influence, we still cannot expand to the south. Furthermore, to develop in the south, we must first establish an intelligence network, and finding suitable talent to lead it is not easy."
Seeing me decline her suggestion, a flicker of regret crossed her eyes before she lowered her head and remained silent. Just that fleeting look of regret deeply touched my heart, causing an involuntary pang of sadness.
The south was the Prime Minister's sphere of influence. I understood that Anvy was eager to avenge her parents and family quickly. In fact, I might have wanted to eliminate Herrus even more than she did. However, based on my observations in the south, that fellow's power was currently formidable, whereas my wings were not yet fully grown. I was truly unwilling to confront him directly at this time.
Although she was eager for revenge, with her intelligence, she still understood the importance of timing, and she had reasons why she could not disobey me.
I glanced at her, who had gently raised her head, and caught a fleeting ripple in her eyes. I walked from my seat to the balcony, and Anfei, knowing what I wanted, followed behind me.
With a hint of a satisfied smile, I gently pulled open the pink silk scarf around her neck. A flash of gold revealed a symbol hidden behind the scarf, one that was completely out of place with her noble status—a pure gold slave collar.
The slave collar on her neck was cast from pure gold, completely sealed with no opening, a slave ring that could not be removed unless her head was severed. On the ring itself was carved a mark of a triceratops head, the insignia of my family. This collar was proof that she had given up all human rights and voluntarily became a piece of my family's property.
Her delicate, fair face, tinged with red, suddenly became flushed. Her eyes, originally full of intelligent spirit, transformed into confused desire.
"It's been a long time since your master enjoyed your beauty."
"Thank you for the compliment, Master."
Without a hint of hesitation, Anvy immediately shed her long dress on this open balcony, facing the garden and main entrance of the guesthouse, revealing the delicate body of the noblewoman.
Anvy stood on the open balcony, her pale silhouette bathed in the soft glow of the starlit sky. The warm summer breeze brushed against her skin as she gazed into the night, her otherworldly grace unmistakable. Though she bore the delicate beauty of the Succubus tribe, she lacked their supernatural strength—yet her ethereal presence far surpassed that of any mortal. Even I, once ensnared by her allure, had nearly paid for that fascination with my life
When we first met, we had made an agreement: I would provide her with resources to rebuild her family, and in exchange, she would give me her body and soul. At that time, being hot-blooded, I didn't think much about it. After obtaining this incredibly precious body, I immediately subjected her to all the most outrageous techniques I had ever imagined, training her into an absolute lover of mine. However, to this day, I regret it, because I discovered she was secretly building her own military power behind my back, waiting for an opportunity to take revenge on Herrus.
Her body had been thoroughly trained to be completely submissive, but I still wasn't sure what her feelings for me were. What frightened me even more was that I found myself developing feelings for her, fearing that she would be harmed in her quest for revenge.
I gently placed my hand before her lips, but only in the air, not pressing down. The heat in the air still flowed between my palm. Anvy stood with her arms straight at her sides. Without my instruction, she dared not make any movement, just trembled slightly.