The Return of the Mistress
Right in the middle of some heated fun with a flushed and feverish Linda,
a message arrived that would change Victor's fate.
Mathilda Nagumo, matriarch of the Nagumo family, had returned to Halzy Port City.
Whether it was because of all the teasing from his uncle and Admiral Ozawa,
that night's Linda was burning up hotter than ever.
Mufufu, I was thinking this was gonna be one hell of a fun night—only to have cold water dumped on me the moment I unleashed a thick load deep into her scorching, sopping wet pussy.
The report that the merchant ship carrying the Nagumo matriarch had arrived offshore.
Even at this late hour, we had no choice but to gather and discuss our next moves.
With the requisitioned mansion now serving as the provisional governor's office,
the executives—including Uncle Robert—convened in the reception room.
"Victor, you were in the middle of some fun, huh?"
Uncle Robert hit me with that sleazy question the moment I walked in, escorting Linda—aka Knight Rosen.
"Yeah, we were just getting to the main event."
I took a seat and fired right back at his sleazy query.
Linda's face turned beet red, while the civil and military officials all smirked.
"Man, what a mood-killer that matriarch is—interrupting your good time like that."
"Tell me about it. I'd love to strip that mistress buck naked as payback."
"Gahaha! That's the spirit, Victor—keep that fire!"
I straightened my expression.
"Anyway, enough joking around. The real question is how she'll move come morning."
"Yes, sir. For now, I imagine she'll gather intel and observe us closely."
One of the civil officials replied.
"You think so? The Nagumo family's a major trading house—they've gotta have their own info network."
"Still, I doubt she'll barge right in."
"Doing that would take some serious guts on her part."
Uncle nodded in agreement.
I let out a slow breath and spoke up.
"I'm assuming she does have the balls for it."
"Hm? You think so, Victor?"
"Yeah. While we were conquering this place, she wasn't here—she was in Ryojun Port City."
"And?"
"She's a merchant. A big one, with major stakes across the Halzy Archipelago."
"Ah!"
One of the civil officials piped up.
"Young master, are you saying she was in Ryojun even though she risked losing all those holdings?"
"Exactly. She placed a gamble. I don't know the exact odds yet, but she bet everything she had."
Everyone in the room fell silent.
"What the hell was her plan if she lost it all?"
Uncle finally asked me the obvious question.
"South Continent or North Continent, there are nobles hungry for a slice of this pie. She'd stir them up, play them like puppets, and take it back by force."
The Halzy Archipelago was three days' sea voyage from Crystal Bay, the Togo Earldom's capital—or from the Togo Islands where Uncle was stationed. But from the nearest port on the North or South Earl continents? Less than a day.
If a surprise force hit us hard, reinforcements wouldn't make it in time. The garrison alone couldn't hold.
"Y-Yeah... that's plausible."
"But she bet it all figuring the Togo Earldom wouldn't go that ruthless. Now that it's in our hands, she's rushing back to gauge the situation."
"I see."
"She probably has a few scenarios lined up for after the Halzy Party's fall. That's why she might come charging in without missing a beat—to seize her gamble's winning chance."
"So you wanna hear out those scenarios, Victor?"
"Exactly, Uncle. Otherwise, we can't figure out what she was gunning for with that bet."
"Good thing you're here, Victor. We'd be on the back foot for sure otherwise—got me sweating just thinking about it."
The civil and military officials nodded along with Uncle's words.
The next morning, just as I'd predicted, a messenger from the Nagumo family showed up requesting an audience for their matriarch with me—the provisional governor of the Halzy Archipelago.
The messenger introduced herself as Lily: a stunning blue-haired beauty in a short-cut style, dressed in a revealing maid outfit.
"I am Victor von Togo, provisional governor of the Halzy Archipelago."
"It is my utmost honor to behold you, Lord Victor. I am Lily, a retainer of the Nagumo family."
Lily dropped to one knee in greeting. The black garter stockings peeking from her miniskirt stirred something down below.
"I hear your mistress wants to meet me. What's this about?"
"Yes, milord. First and foremost, she wishes to personally thank you for your gracious handling of our family docks on East Isle."
"I see. Though it was pretty careless of her, don't you think?"
"Yes... it is deeply embarrassing. Our mistress is still young, merely twenty-five."
Hah, she sure says it with a straight face. With our hot night interrupted and all, I was a bit pissed.
"Even so, I can't buy that the head of a powerhouse like the Nagumo family was totally in the dark about our moves."
"...No, milord. Our mistress is woefully ignorant when it comes to military matters."
Hmph, as if.
"Your mistress—I've heard she's a real knockout. That true?"
"Yes. Even the late Halzy Party leader, who sadly fell in battle, was utterly smitten with her."
"Ho ho, now that's something to look forward to. I do love a stimulating chat with a beautiful woman."
Though what I really crave is a physical one.
"So, does that mean you'll grant her an audience?"
"Mm. Things are busy on our end, though. Three days from now, first thing in the morning—think that works?"
"Three days?"
That's right. I'm gonna strip that Nagumo matriarch bare and see what makes her tick—in three days flat.
Though for real, I'd love to take her literally naked.
"Mm. She's the head of the archipelago's top trading house—we'll treat her with the respect due for future dealings."
"Understood, milord. On behalf of my mistress, I offer our deepest gratitude for your generosity."
"Mm. Tell her I'm looking forward to it."
"Yes, milord!"
Not far from the requisitioned mansion serving as the provisional governor's office stood an elegant villa.
This was the residence of the Nagumo family, the archipelago's premier trading dynasty.
In one room, Matriarch Mathilda gazed out at the streets of Halzy Port City, wine glass in hand.
"Lady Mathilda, I've returned."
"Good work, Lily. How'd it go?"
"Yes, milady. I've secured a meeting three days from now."
"Three days? Did our movements rattle him?"
"No sign of it. If anything, he seemed to anticipate our move this morning."
"I see. Lord Victor... what do you make of him?"
"To be blunt, milady—that man might be a monster."
"Oh? So my read was spot on?"
"Yes. He may even have seen through your intentions."
"Archipelagic self-rule under merchants? From a noble?"
"That's why I called him a monster."
"Ufufu... a monster, you say? How thrilling."
"Yes... I hate to admit it, but I got a little excited in his presence myself."
"My, even a woman like you?"
"Yes. A genius of that caliber... you're the only other one I know, milady."
"Ufufu, this is getting better and better. Lily, prepare my finest dress."
"That one?"
"Yes. He's a pirate turned grand noble now—no holding back. Merchant Mathilda Nagumo is going all-in on the gamble of a lifetime."
Victor figured Mathilda had placed a bold gamble.
Determined not to miss her winning chance, Mathilda played her card.
To pinpoint her aim, Victor needed more intel—so he set the meeting for three days later.
The continent's history turns another page (lol).