"You think I came here just to see your ugly mug? Nah, I'm here to get this appraised."
I pulled out an elegant long box, placed it gently on the counter in front of the old man, and opened it. Inside lay a gleaming red strap. The moment the old perv saw it, his eyes lit up like a wolf spotting fresh meat—uh, typo, I mean sharp as a hawk. He snatched it up eagerly, examining it with trembling hands like he was having a Parkinson's episode or something.
The more he looked, the more excited he got. He whipped out a magnifying glass, muttering "Nice" three times under his breath.
"A masterpiece among treasures! Made from a full strip of aged red dragon leather, with a titanium buckle that'll never wear out. The hide's soft yet tough, with perfect grain—gotta be from the rare dragon snout section. Whoa, even titanium etched with such fine patterns? How'd you pull that off?
Damn, even the inside's lined with top-grade silk to prevent chafing the wearer's neck. Hell yeah! Worthy of the Empire's top alchemist's handiwork."
"Heh heh heh… cut the flattery, geezer. Like you, this ninth-rate black-market hack, I'm just the Empire's ninth-rate trainer at best."
Seeing how the old man was clutching that strap like his life depended on it, I knew I'd hit his weak spot.
"Lord, how about 500 gold coins? I'll take it off your hands."
"Nope. Not for sale. Just brought it to blow your mind."
The old perv 's face darkened, but his eyes stayed glued to the strap. I made a move to take it back, but he held on like a vice.
"I'll go… 700… no… 800 gold. Or trade for anything in the shop—pick whatever you want."
"Oi, let go! 800 gold? You senile or what? I'll give you 800 if you sell me one just like it."
"Fine, let go—I'll do 1,200 gold! Let go!"
"Dead old fart, what the hell you need this for? You don't even have a dog at home. What's a collar for? Whoa—you're choking me!"
"You little shit, I've been playing with bitches… uh, I mean raising dogs since before your balls dropped!"
Fuck, if someone walked in right now and saw two grown men wrestling over a damn collar, we'd both lose all face.
After a struggle, I finally yanked the premium collar back and boxed it up. I swung the box left—the old man's eyes followed. Swung it right—eyes followed. I traced a star in the air—his eyes drew a star too.
Hah, kinda fun.
No wonder. Rumors say this geezer runs some secret underground "Doggy Den" where he's built a whole clan of beauty bitches, and he's the pack leader. A top-tier collar like this? Irresistible bait.
"Enough fun, old man. I'm here for three big favors."
As I spoke, his eyes stayed locked on the box. Sigh… this guy…
"How about this: help me out, and the collar's yours."
A "ding" echoed from somewhere, snapping the old perv out of his trance. In a flash, he plastered on his most sincere sleazy grin.
"What can this old bag of bones do for you, my lord? If I can manage it, I'll walk through fire, shatter my bones, even cum myself to death if needed!"
"Heh heh heh… no need to bust a nut that hard, maybe just shatter a few bones. First favor: round up everything on this list."
I handed him a slip. He glanced at it and his eyes nearly popped out.
"You… you ain't joking, right? Fresh emerald jade, golden pearls, premium steel. All top-shelf rarities. And… Water God's Ring? That's a forbidden artifact—you can't just buy that shit. Whole list 'll run at least 30,000 gold—enough for three whole cities!"
"Hah, three cities? Ain't it four? The rest lining your pockets?"
Busted on his scam, the old perv just chuckled like nothing happened. Classic top-tier black-market slime—face thicker than dragon hide.
"You got four days. Deliver to my place, I'll wire the gold."
"Four days?! That tight?"
"Damn right, or why bother your ancient ass? Second favor's easier: use your network to send a message to the orcs. Details later. Third: draw me a map to dark elf territory. Piece of cake for you."
We haggled till sunset before I headed home to greet a special guest.
The dying sun cast golden rays on my mansion gates. From that glow, a 400-strong escort guarded a white carriage rolling in slow.
"Her entourage gets flashier every time."
The young officer on my left grumbled. I could only bitter-smile inside. I knew she didn't love the pomp—it was her deep-seated insecurity.
The kid beside me was our Febenli knight commander, my cousin and childhood buddy—Riando Rubia.
On my right: my bombshell secretary Alice. Behind: magic corps leader Karan, infantry commander Aira.
Alice and Karan were family-groomed talents to boost our power. Riando's from a branch family, loyal to the core. He's a pro swordsman and tactician; Alice aces economics, history, management; Karan 's a high-level mage.
Me and my brothers all got these aides from Dad, drilled with absolute loyalty from birth.
Aira? Forty-something brute, local officer when I first arrived. Strong fighter, steady and honest—solid general I can trust.
The Imelo caravan halted. Fifty-plus riders on each side fanned out into a double-ring guard around the carriage. I led my crew through the split knights to the door, waiting for the clan head's arrival.
Door opened. First out: two girls in pink dresses. Twins, mirror images—cute round faces, perky and adorable. Eighteen, light brown hair in twin buns, big bright eyes full of spark. But under that cuteness? Pro assassin training.
They're Fina's lifelong twin maids: Melusha and Meluna.
Right behind: the one we waited for. Imelo family's last heir, the Empire's youngest, hottest mega-merchant—Fina Imelo.
Her noble golden velvet gown hugged her curvy figure like a dream, matching her untouchable beauty. Bathed in sunset gold, she sparkled like a gem—dazzling enough to stun. Hundreds of eyes, mine included, locked on this heart-stopping stunner. No one could look away.
Fina's just 22, but already one of the Empire's top tycoons, dominating northeast trade. Her looks? Beyond gorgeous, magnetic to men and women alike. That purple-glinting hair, braided in dozens? Dead giveaway.
Purple hair: succubus clan mark.
Fina's charisma hits like a truck. She's the second woman ever to make my heart skip on sight. After my failed first love led to a wild phase, meeting her got me back on track.
Under envious stares, I stepped up, took her soft-as-silk hand, kissed the back politely, and helped her down.
"Long time no see, Miss Fina. You're even more stunning."
"Haha… Lord, you're getting funnier. Uncle Danny, take the entourage to the guest wing for rest."
Danny's Fina's top enforcer—huge, ripped, mid-thirties prime. Bit of orc blood, loyal for years. Rumor says he bare-handed two 500-pound tigers, saved her ass during a chase.
After settling her crew, we talked business in the guest study.
Thanks to the Harvest Festival, sales spiked 50% over last quarter. If you can supply more stock, no problem moving it."
"Nah, Febenli 's got manpower, but ramping production has limits. But I got new products for you—guaranteed to hook new customers and orders."
Fina flashed a smile, her electric eyes zapping my soul.
"What about my last proposal? Any thoughts, Lord?"
"Hmm, with my family's current reach, expanding south ain't feasible yet. Need an intel network first, and finding the right guy to run it's no joke."
Seeing my polite no, regret flickered in Fina's eyes before she looked down quietly. That sad gaze stabbed my heart, making it ache.
South's the Prime Minister Herus 's turf. I know Fina's itching for revenge on her folks and clan. Hell, I want that bastard dead more than she does. But my south spies say he's too strong now; I'm not ready. Don't wanna clash head-on yet.
She's eager for payback, but smart enough to wait for the right moment. Plus, she's got reasons she can't defy me.
I glanced at her lifting head, catching a fleeting lusty glint. With a satisfied smirk, I led her to the balcony overlooking the garden and gates.
Tugging off her pink neck scarf gently, gold flashed—revealing a symbol clashing with her noble vibe: a pure gold slave collar.
The seamless gold ring around her neck had no clasp—chop off the head or it stays forever. Etched with my family's triangle dragon head. Proof she'd surrendered all rights, becoming Rubia property.
Her fair, rosy cheeks flushed red. Wise eyes turned hazy with desire.
"Fina Slave, your master hasn't admired that hot naked body in ages. Time to feast my eyes."
"Thank you for the praise, Master."
No hesitation. Right on this open balcony facing the garden and gates, Fina stripped her gown, baring her gorgeous nude form.
Her flawless snow-white body glowed under starlight, summer breeze teasing her skin, radiating raw female allure.
Succubus blood alright—no demon power, but god-level looks and figure. Mortal women can't compare. I was obsessed once, nearly died for this body.
Back when we met, we cut a deal: I fund her clan rebuild, she gives body and soul. Hot-blooded me didn't think twice—unleashed every wild kink I'd dreamed on her, training her into my absolute obedient fuck-slave. Regret it now though. Found out she's secretly building her own forces, plotting revenge on Herus.
Her body's fully tuned to obey, but her feelings for me? Mystery. Scarier: I'm catching feelings, scared she'll get hurt chasing vengeance.
I hovered my hand over her pink nipple tip, not touching—just heat flowing between palm and peak.
Fina stood rigid, hands at sides, thrusting out her full tits. No command from me, no move. Her body quivered, untouched buds hardening lewdly.
"Master hasn't even played yet, and you're already hard. What a slutty nipple."
"Sorry, Master. Please forgive Fina Slave's whorish nature."
Fina's breathing ragged, already in full heat from mind-fuck alone. I grabbed her firm tit sudden— she yelped sweetly.
"Little slave, your tits feel bigger. You been jilling off every day?"
"Fina Slave hasn't masturbated, Master."
"Why not?"
"Because Fina Slave's tits and whole body are Master's property. No permission, no touching."
"So these past three months, no self-love?"
"Without Master's approval, Fina Slave has no right to satisfaction."
"So this bitch in heat's been desperate as fuck?"
"Yes, Fina Slave is Master's bitch. Please use this whorish bitch."
Grinning satisfied, I toyed her bouncy breast flesh freely, tugging those tender pink peaks now and then.
Watching this empire-famous beauty, chased by countless suitors, reduced to my total submissive sex-slave? Male conquest high? Pure bliss.
**Author's Note:** Standard class rankings: Warrior > Swordsman > Sword Master > Great Sword Master > Sword Saint > Great Sword Saint
Caster (Magic Apprentice) > Junior Mage (Monk) > Mid Mage (Priest) > Senior Mage (High Priest) > Archmage > Super Archmage (God or Demon God)
Soldier > Squad Leader > Centurion > Millenarian > Commander > General > Governor > Grand Marshal
Knight > Noble > Lord > Baron
Baron > Viscount > Earl > Marquis > Duke
Protagonist stats: Sword Master, Junior Mage, General, Lord, Baron
Strictly speaking, only one semi-Super Archmage appears in this story, with power enough to annihilate gods or demons.