Become their wicked yet gentle lord.

"Sasha, take us to your master's house~ Heflian, what are you doing standing there? Come along."

Heflian was furious as she watched Ryusha's retreating figure, but she gritted her teeth and told herself not to cry, and instead strode forward to catch up.

As she entered the village, Ryuka's face blurred and her appearance changed. Having witnessed Ryuka's many abilities, she was no longer surprised.

However, what truly shocked Heflian was the sight inside the village: hunched, starving children and listless slaves everywhere. Even the children of slave owners treated the slave children of their own age like livestock.

In the center of the village, on the rack, the corpses of dead slaves were hung as a warning.

What I saw and heard was far more extreme than anything I had ever seen in any other village.

"Because this place is very close to Linhu Territory, the slaves who dared to resist and escape have already run away. What remains are slaves who lack the courage or ability and can only be slaughtered at will..."

Liuxia said quietly.

"In order to vent their dissatisfaction and intimidate the remaining slaves, slave owners would only treat them more harshly, instead of using a combination of kindness and severity to prevent them from escaping. After all, in the eyes of slave owners, it was only natural for slaves to risk their lives for them, so why should they improve their treatment to prevent them from escaping?"

"Isn't that an interesting idea? So the closer a village is to Linhu Territory, the worse the treatment of slaves. Some slave owners even deliberately intercept other slaves fleeing from the interior of Sochi Territory to Linhu Territory, and then dispose of them as if they were found property..."

Heflian listened silently to Ryusha's story. What happened next was pretty much what Heflian had expected. After Ryusha arrived at a magnificent residence, she said to herself indifferently, "Do whatever you want."

Sasha raised her head: "My Lord, aren't you going in to spread the gospel of Lord Chloe?"

"Sister Haifulian will go for me."

"Is she also a follower of Lord Chloe?" Sasha tilted her head. A sinner, is she the same as their slave?

"No, but she knows what she's supposed to do, right?"

Ryuka smiled as she looked at Hefren, who gripped the sword hilt tightly, her knuckles turning white, and used her fighting spirit to slash open the door and walk inside.

"Who are you?! Lady Knight?! What, what are you going to do... Ah!!!"

Instead of covering Sasha's eyes and ears, Ryuka whispered in Sasha's ear, who was filled with fear:

"Father and Mother will be very happy with Lord Chloe~"

"really?"

Sasha looked at Ryusha with some fear, and after receiving a gentle reply, she asked a question that Ryusha had never expected.

"My Lord, is this the way to spread Lord Chloe's gospel?"

“If so…” Sasha blinked.

"Can I also spread Lord Chloe's gospel in the future?" (You Lin, you want me but I'm busy, you Lin, are you here...)

Liu Xia paused for a moment, then chuckled, "Okay, but starting today, you need to eat well, exercise regularly, and study hard."

After a series of screams from men, women, and children, Heflene emerged, covered in blood.

"Is it all done?"

"Hmm." Haiflian nodded. "What should we do next?"

Seeing the intense killing intent emanating from Heflian, Ryūka realized it wasn't just an emotional outburst after days of suppression. Under Ryūka's gaze, Heflian's lips trembled slightly...

"They...they treated slaves like livestock, keeping them in filthy enclosures...even the adult male slaves looked like skinny boys...and they all had one eye gouged out and one hand cut off...and the young female slaves..."

Heflian couldn't bear to continue. Compared to them, the treatment she received in Liuxia was like heaven.

Compared to her agitation, Ryusha and Sasha were remarkably calm, as if this were perfectly normal. But the more they acted this way, the less Hafren could accept it.

The world seemed different from what she had imagined. At this moment, Hafren could no longer accept her former self. Why had she betrayed her family and allied with others, even causing the deaths of her subordinates, all for the sake of a moment of pride?

Even though I already have so much.

"So what do you mean?" Ryuuka pretended to be stupid, forcing Hefren to take the initiative to say what was on her mind.

Heflian gritted her teeth. She knew that even if she killed all the slave owners, the only one who could save and care for the remaining slaves was Ryukyu, the governor of Linhu Territory, not herself.

Especially since most of them are disabled, even churches that give alms will only generously allow them to beg in the area near the church, and then give them a bowl of thin porridge every day.

But that doesn't count as living at all!

Heflian had heard many rumors about Linhu Territory. But in the past, she had simply regarded them as unbelievable gossip, since what she had heard was mostly the nobles' mockery of Linhu Territory.

'Redeem all the slaves and give them land? That's probably just the slaves and poor people dreaming and spreading rumors. How could anyone be so foolish? The young lady of the Tartu family couldn't have fallen for some silly pretty boy and made him the governor, could she?'

But after spending time with Ryuka, Hafren felt more and more that although Ryuka was evil, there was something about him that made her admire and fear him.

Perhaps those rumors are true...

"I will kill the other slave owners and rescue the slaves here!" Haifulian said resolutely to Ryusha.

“Rescue? How? You’re still my prisoner yourself~” Ryuka laughed as she looked at her.

Haiflian stomped her foot in anger: "You want me to tell you?! That's exactly what I thought too! Of course, we should rescue them in Linhu Territory!!!"

"Alright. But... you killed the slave owner, and you saved him. So, you should at least take responsibility for their resettlement after they arrive in Linhu Territory, right?"

Ryusha's words startled Hefleen.

Is this... is this why he made me do it?

"When you're saving someone, you have to see it through to the end and take responsibility, Miss Heflin~"

Chapter 40 Haiflian's Three Rules

Although she realized this was Ryūka's little scheme, Hafren remained unusually calm. With a grim face, she asked Ryūka:

"You've done so many terrible things to me, and now you want me to join your ranks?"

"That's right, it's not just you, it's your subordinates too."

Ryusha's words made Hafulen laugh in anger: "Why should I? Just because I can kill the slave owners I want to kill if I listen to you? I have to work for you?"

“No, it’s because you have no other choice,” Ryuga said quietly. “You’ve already killed a slave owner. My appearance has been changed, but your appearance has long been remembered by the people of this village. If you can’t eliminate the threat completely, the news will spread that after the Alvarez family’s young lady was abducted by the demon, she will reappear and slaughter someone in some village.”

"So what?" Haiflian seemed completely unconcerned.

She was a noble knight, and although the slave owner she killed was the village's leader, he was just an ordinary person, so it was no problem for her.

"Think about it, what will your men do when they catch up here and hear that their young lady committed murder?" Ryuka's mischievous smile made Haiflian suddenly realize that things weren't so simple.

Upon seeing a group of knights, the village chief and other slave owners, unable to distinguish their identities, would mistake them for soldiers of the local nobles and report their situation to them.

As for his subordinates, even if they couldn't understand why he did what he did, given their personalities...

They would definitely kill someone to cover it up, just to protect their own reputation!

Thinking of this, Hafulen's gaze towards Ryūka began to tremble. He wouldn't want that...

"Ah~ if only they could have done it cleanly, if, I mean if, a few people were 'lucky' enough to escape unscathed and then spread the word..."

Ryūka's words made Hafren understand what he meant.

At that time, his men will have nowhere to go in the Sochi and Linhu territories.

One's own affairs can be explained as being coerced or controlled by demons, but if one's subordinates kill the people of the local lord, it will become a mess. Not only will one not receive the support of the local nobles, but one may also be cut off from supplies and besieged.

“Although they are elite knights, they have been chasing us for several days and their stamina is almost at its limit. It would be too pitiful if they were to become ‘mountain bandits’ like this.”

Ryūka's gloating words made Hafren grit her teeth in hatred. She glared at Ryūka angrily: "You promised that as long as I make you, make you 'satisfied'... you wouldn't lay a hand on them! What does your reputation matter?!"

“I didn’t lay a hand on them. I didn’t force you to kill anyone. It was your own idea. I didn’t intend to do anything to them. I was just doing a good deed and helping a few ‘poor people’ who were about to be killed by them escape.”

Hefren found Ryusha's words shameless. She couldn't understand why Ryusha was toying with her like this. He was clearly capable of defeating her and his subordinates, yet he was forcing her to make a seemingly 'voluntary' choice.

Looking at Haifulian's unpredictable expression, Ryuka seemed to have seen through what she was thinking.

Ryuka is playing a taming game...

Without a slave contract available, if he wanted to subdue Hafren and her knights, he had to gradually psychologically subdue her. After blocking all of Hafren's escape routes, he would then offer her the only way out.

After all, it would be a waste to just imprison such a beautiful and capable woman as Hefleen and make her a slave. Ryuka wanted her to be willing to serve him.

Just like in a game where you always try to persuade a favorite enemy general to surrender, it's even more true that Hafren has a rather important background. Count Duke's warning to Ryūka made him realize that perhaps chaos was imminent. Considering future talent reserves and the fact that he couldn't rely on slave contracts to subdue future enemies forever, Ryūka felt it necessary to train himself in the so-called 'art of managing people'...

That's right! It's a walkthrough for a visual novel with no options!

Ryuka has already grasped Hefren's personality and weaknesses through her diary, making Hefren seem like a relatively easy person to tame and train with.

Thinking of this, Ryuka boldly made her move, saying to Hefren without any attempt to hide her intentions:

"Because I want you, Heflian Alvarez."

"Wh-what?"

"Aren't we alike? Neither of us is satisfied with our current situation and wants to gain more. You crave recognition and achievements, while I crave territory and power to fulfill my ambitions. For this, we are both willing to take risks, which is why I actually admire you..."

"As for the 'unpleasantness' between us, it's entirely because you posed a threat to Linhu Territory. If we met on the battlefield, you wouldn't hesitate to kill my soldiers, would you?"

That's true. Hafulen seemed somewhat hesitant, especially with Ryūka's earnest tone and expression—it was practically a confession! But this kid is a heretic! And he did...and did those things to her...

Hafren pursed her lips, racking her brains to think about how wicked Ryusha was. Ryusha, however, gently waved her hand, sending Sasha to sleep, and then suddenly cornered Hafren against the wall.

"Besides, you're already mine. A woman as beautiful, strong, and eager to prove herself as you is someone I'd want no matter what."

What... what is this guy talking about?! Coming up with this now, does he think he's some loveless little girl?!

Heflian dared not meet the boy's gaze, but she still felt a sense of tension and an unprecedented flutter of excitement because of his straightforward words.

However, just the fact that I was recognized, just the fact that I was recognized, made my heart beat very fast.

Ryūka's subsequent analysis shattered Hefleen's last psychological defenses.

"To be honest, it's not impossible to force you to submit through violence. But I'd rather you follow me from the bottom of your heart. After all, you're also dissatisfied with what's happening in this village, right? But besides following me, who else can lead you to do what you want?"

"Hmph...Hmph! All you do is talk the talk! If you really approve of me, then just let me go! I promise I won't reveal anything about you! I swear on the name of my family!"

Heflian desperately resisted the aura emanating from the boy. Her body had already reacted after several days of training, and this reaction disturbed her mind, making her hopelessly want to submit to the boy who had already conquered her body.

"If that's really what you think, letting you go isn't out of the question..." You Lin, you don't have my mind, you Lin are here, aren't you...

Hafulen paused at Ryuka's words. She had only said that to prove that Ryuka's words were all lies and that he didn't really want her at all.

"But what happens after I let you go?" Ryuga felt Heflian's rapid heartbeat and pressed his advantage.

"Quide has failed. Sochi is still in Earl Duke's hands, and he has already formed a strategic alliance with me. As for you, you can only slink back to the capital with your men..."

What awaits Haifulian after she returns to the capital?

It was his father's wrath. He had unilaterally allied with other factions, merely seeking to prove his ability to achieve merit, but in doing so, he had dragged his neutral family, a trusted confidant of the emperor, into an even deeper struggle…

For Hafran herself, returning to the capital like this meant she was a complete loser and a clown, a disgrace to her family. But for her father and the family, perhaps dying in the eastern part of the empire was the best outcome, allowing them to shift all the blame onto her and maintain the family's neutral stance…

He could survive if he escaped back to the capital, but his life would be over, and he would never be respected by anyone again.

Ryusha's words made Hafren realize that she had nowhere else to go.

"So why not join me? You've already joined the Third Prince's faction for a shot at it, so why not join the Thirteenth Princess's faction in Linhu Territory? At least make a name for yourself in the East before considering returning to the capital..."

Hafulen was tempted. According to Ryuka, this path seemed to be the best choice for her. But she always felt that if she agreed to Ryuka's offer, she would completely lose to this boy.

Not only was her body taken over, but she also lost miserably in terms of ability and mentality! If she were to stay by such a person's side for any longer…

Hefren seems to have completely fallen for her, and she fights desperately against Ryusha to prove that she will not give in easily.

"Hmph, I can listen to you for now, but I have a few conditions."

Tell me about it.

"First of all! I joined the Linhu Territory of the Thirteenth Princess's faction, not you! This is not surrender! Nor is it being taken prisoner!"

"Okay~"

"Secondly! You must treat me and my men well! You must also compensate the fallen soldiers! And you must not do anything excessive to me again!"

"This next one is a bit difficult. How about once every three days?" Liu Xia's hands kneaded Haifulian's body wantonly, quickly arousing her and making it difficult for Haifulian to maintain her senses.

"First, once a week! And it can't be done using those degrading methods... and it can't be discovered by my subordinates..."

Heflian soon began to breathe heavily, the small ring between her thighs being manipulated by Ryusha. Then, a strong stimulation was accompanied by a soft snapping sound as Ryusha pried open and removed the ring, which was covered in bodily fluids, and waved it in front of Heflian...

"Deal~ And I'll take down the two on top for you too, how about that?"

"Get out! Get out! I'll do it myself! Your promise is valid from now on!"

Heflian turned away in shame and indignation, and with a few skillful maneuvers, removed the two rings.

She held the two rings made from jewelry her mother had given her, unsure whether to throw them away or keep them. Finally, looking at Ryuka's outstretched hand, she forcefully threw the two warm rings into Ryuka's hand.

She held the two rings made from jewelry her mother had given her, unsure whether to throw them away or keep them. Finally, looking at Ryuka's outstretched hand, she forcefully threw the two warm rings into Ryuka's hand.

"Third, if you break your previous promises or do anything I don't approve of, I have the right to leave!"