Late-Night Deals and Secretarial Seduction
Deep into the night, I'd shared several conversations with Manila alongside my secretary, even committing to investments. Fortunately, the discussions had gone exceptionally well. Developing a perfect gate detector was one of Manila's own goals, after all. With my memories from my past life, I understood its importance better than anyone—and I even had a rough grasp of the underlying principles.
"Gates are different from ordinary mana. Detecting their flow is the key."
"Rural territories might get away with simpler devices, but magic towers or places with lots of mages will need something far more refined."
"Oh... exactly! You catch on quick. Have you studied magitech engineering by any chance?"
"No, but I know a thing or two about gates."
Manila beamed like she'd found a kindred spirit and continued her explanation with glee.
"To make a proper detector, we'll need specific materials. There are some I haven't tested yet. And for mass production, we'll need more technicians too."
"We'll handle that on our end. Whatever you need, just say the word—focus on perfecting it."
My conviction that the gate detector was the top priority hadn't wavered. The damage from every future gate outbreak would be catastrophic. If there was a reliable way to anticipate them, lords and merchant guilds wouldn't bat an eye at the price.
And in the process of 'preparing' for gates, we can generate even more revenue.
What I had in mind right now was building the hunter system and developing gear for those hunters. Once a gate had already erupted and everything was in ruins, there'd be no time to deploy hunters. But if we could predict when and where they'd appear, giving us ample preparation time? Everyone would scramble to summon capable hunters and resolve it somehow. That's where my hunter system would shine.
Though I do regret not having enough affiliated hunters yet.
Even if I recruited other hunters and trained the knight order, there were limits. No matter how hard I pushed, I was still just a rural lord. Realistically, tackling massive projects was a stretch.
This kind of thing should be a national effort. But the kingdom's not likely to act on my word alone.
I had no real connections in the capital, no political clout—just a fresh-faced young lord. Who would listen to some country bumpkin? They'd probably dismiss me as talking nonsense.
For now, I'll protect our territory and build strength steadily. Influence comes from military might and money, after all.
If Armeina Territory set the example first, it wasn't impossible for the system to spread across the kingdom. In that sense, the territory's rapid growth was a blessing. Budget worries were a thing of the past—we could spend freely.
"My lord, I've wrapped up the talks with the merchant guild. We should find quick buyers and turn a solid profit soon."
Tavi entered the office with her report.
"Good work. That's a hefty amount—you handled it fast."
"With the gate crisis blowing up, demand's through the roof for everything. Money matters, but not as much as survival."
Mana stones were prime materials for weapons and magitech devices. They even powered the devices themselves. As gates led to more combat and chaos, demand would skyrocket. Supply had increased thanks to the stones from gates, but it still couldn't keep up for various reasons. Selling mana stones swiftly amid all that had netted us substantial profits.
"We're lining up buyers for the contraband too—it'll clear out fast. Apparently, it's popular with provincial nobles."
"Most of it's luxury goods, right? Nobles are still hoarding that stuff in times like these?"
"That's probably why. They see the chaos as the perfect investment window. With nobles dying off, vacancies are opening up."
"Trying to bribe their way into those spots, huh. Typical."
Setting aside my personal disdain, it wasn't a smart move. Gates would keep appearing—what then? They might eke out minor gains if timed right, but big wins? Unlikely.
Might as well invest in mercenaries instead.
Still, I was grateful for their foolishness. These were spoils from executed criminals, after all. Capital flowing in when we needed it most was a godsend.
"Hehe! Thanks to this, we've posted unprecedented profits in the territory's history."
The numbers on the documents and the incoming gold must have been jaw-dropping. Tavi's face—a rare sight—was lit with an unrelenting smile. Her energy was noticeably higher than usual.
"We've got a nice pile of capital now. How do you plan to spend it?"
"Set aside the investment for Manila first. Otherwise, we'll recruit adventurers and mercenaries."
"Adventurers make sense, but mercenaries too?"
"Relying on adventurers alone would take too long."
As I'd mentioned before, this romance-fantasy world had no adventurer guilds.
Adventurers and mercenaries aren't that different anyway.
The line was thin: affiliated with a mercenary band or operating in small parties. Gathering them would take ages regardless.
And quality-wise, it's the right call.
Typical adventurers lacked skill. If they were strong, they'd already be mercenaries or knights somewhere. Sure, standouts like Iana appeared in the novel, but I knew their names and locations—I could scout them directly.
"Find reputable, trustworthy mercenary bands. Recruit them and train them as hunters."
"Hmm... so not just hiring them, but integrating into our territory."
"Given the situation, they won't mind."
Gates were spawning monsters everywhere. At a glance, mercenaries might love the chaos... but reality was harsher. Nobles treated them as disposable tools now—perfect for gate assaults, no great loss if they failed.
Mercenaries thrive on safety and trust. Who'd rely on nobles in this mess?
It was like how Iana's group had accepted my scouting offer so readily. Veterans would recognize how revolutionary my hunter system was for the gate crisis. If the terms were right, they'd have no reason to refuse.
"Understood. I'll prioritize skilled adventurers and mercenaries."
"...Things are piling up, but you look thrilled."
"Of course—it's tangible proof our territory's growing. And it'll only get bigger."
How much did she love this place? Her face sparkled like a kid's while working—it was almost mesmerizing.
"Mm... but it's a shame you're so busy we barely spend time together."
"Really? Aren't you the one I spend the most time with?"
"...Are you playing dumb, or are you really that oblivious?"
With a soft rustle, Tavi shrugged off her jacket. Then she undid three buttons on her blouse. Between the white fabric peeked black lace bra and a deep, dizzying cleavage.
The room warmed a touch, a subtle fragrance teasing my nose.
"You ravaged me so fiercely that night, but back in the territory, you never called despite my waiting. Do you know how long I endured?"
Tavi sidled up, embracing me from behind. Sitting in the chair, I felt the plush press of her breasts against my head—vivid and soft.
"I wore short skirts on purpose, thrust out my hips, even flashed my panties to tempt you. But you kept ignoring me."
"...That night we were alone, and since returning, I've been swamped."
Squeeze. Tavi hugged tighter, her full, yielding breasts squishing delightfully.
"I never forgot you amid the busyness. But you did, didn't you? Was my body not satisfying enough?"
"No way. How could it not be? You're incredibly alluring, Tavi."
From her face to her figure, and those lewd reactions—no man could resist her nude form and breasts. I was confident of that.
"Really? Does seeing my body stir your dirty thoughts too?"
"Of course... it does."
I felt led on, but answered honestly.
"Hehe! Just in case, I studied all sorts of things since you returned. Want a demonstration? Slurp...♥"
Tavi flicked her tongue over my ear. The wet sound jolted my brain, spiking my arousal. Her hand slid slyly downward, lightly grasping my half-erect cock, already stirred by her breasts and teasing.
A faint pleasure rippled through, hardening the shaft further.
"...Your cock really is impressive, my lord. I still wonder how it fit inside me."
She started exploratively—stroking the shaft lightly, fondling my balls, sweeping slowly from base to tip.
Smooth... smooth...
Not gripping hard, just teasing touches. The subtle stimulation only heightened my excitement. Meanwhile, Tavi fully shed her blouse. The sensations spreading through my cock, paired with her alluring black bra and pale breasts, brought me to full erection.
"Good thing. Guess I'm still desirable in your eyes♥"
Tavi ramped it up, stroking with perfect pressure. The handjob felt amazing. Her grip was a bit soft still, but firmer might make me cum too soon.
From her expression, though, she had no intention of stopping there. Maybe frustrations had built up since our return—I'd been all work. After that intense night, nothing for a model employee like Tavi must have been torture.
"You're awfully aggressive. Planning to do it in the office?"
"Books say men love this—getting serviced by a suited secretary in the office♥"
Tavi licked her red lips.
"Don't you like it, my lord?"
"Love it. Feels incredible."
"Then I'm glad...♥"
With lust-filled eyes, Tavi knelt before me. A voluptuous secretary on her knees, ready to serve—it was every man's fantasy. Her slender fingers unzipped me, freeing my cock.
"Mmm... schlop...♥"
It didn't take long for her lips to engulf the head.