Could what Li Pei said really be true?
But the more Ron thought about it, the more something didn’t add up.
If Li Pei was telling the truth…
Then his family shouldn’t be declining, right?
So, Ron voiced the doubt in his heart.
“Even if what you said is right,”
“Why hasn’t my family been affected by me?”
“My younger brother has been around me all the time, and there are many elders as well.”
“Why weren’t they influenced by my ability?”
Faced with the question, Li Pei was already prepared.
“Your ability only works on people who are loyal to you,”
“Not everyone can be affected by it.”
“Those who are hostile toward you won’t be influenced!”
With this explanation from Li Pei, Ron felt like a fog had suddenly lifted.
So many things that didn’t make sense before now had a clear reason!
“No wonder…”
“Because I have zero magic power, most of the family just looked down on me…”
“And those who looked down on me really aren’t very capable…”
Seeing the stunned, enlightened expression on Ron’s face, Li Pei showed a faint smile.
“Now you understand, right?”
“Why your family is declining.”
“In fact,”
“It’s precisely because of your existence”.
“That your family has managed to maintain even a surface-level strength.”
“If you weren’t there, your family probably would’ve declined even faster!”
Listening to Li Pei’s stunning conclusion, Ron couldn’t help biting his fingertip.
After a brief moment of thought, A twisted smile crept across his lips.
He could stimulate the potential of those around him — but only if they were loyal.
And who could be absolutely loyal?
The first thing that came to Ron’s mind was: slaves!
With the binding of a contract, there’s no fear of nurturing an ungrateful backstabber!
If what Li Pei said was all true…
Then Ron had already thought of a clear path for his future growth!
He couldn’t use magic — but that was fine!
He only needed to act as a summoner!
A three-year deadline.
And this remote territory, far away from the center of his family’s power struggle.
Heh.
This was the perfect environment to develop in peace!
“Ron… young master?”
Seeing the slightly creepy expression on Ron’s face, Li Pei was momentarily stunned.
At Li Pei’s reminder, Ron finally withdrew that twisted grin.
“Ah, sorry.”
“I just thought of something…”
Just as Ron was feeling a little awkward, The door suddenly opened.
“Young Master Ron, the carriage is ready.”
“We can head to the furniture factory at any time.”
It was Perica who spoke.
Kendo, the furniture merchant, was standing beside her, peering into the room with anticipation.
Their interruption conveniently eased the awkwardness.
Looking at Perica’s robotic, poker-faced expression, Ron let out a faint smile.
“Let’s go.”
“Let’s head to the furniture factory.”
“Perica, you come too and help me pick a few things.”
Whether what Li Pei said was true or not—
Ron figured he could always verify it later.
At Ron’s call, Everyone got into the carriage and set off toward Kendo’s furniture factory.
Kendo’s business was quite large.
Even in Ron’s territory, he had a branch factory.
This branch was located in the town center— Very different from the peaceful fields surrounding Ron’s estate.
The town center was bustling with people.
Street vendors shouted their wares as people passed by in waves.
Unlike the capital where the main family resided, This town felt less rushed and more rustic.
When Ron’s carriage arrived, The pedestrians and vendors naturally made way,
And many cast reverent glances toward the passing vehicle.
“Hey, isn’t that carriage…”
“Yeah, that’s the Castrellero family’s carriage.”
“Ah! Could that be the new lord?”
“I heard he’s the family’s eldest legitimate son!”
“Let’s hope he’s not some tyrant…”
Whispers spread among the townsfolk as they discussed Ron.
Inside the carriage, Ron looked out the window curiously, observing the passing people.
“Perica,”
“This is part of my territory, right?”
In response to his question, Perica nodded.
“Of course.”
With the confirmation, Ron sighed in admiration:
“So lively…”
Hearing Ron’s comment, Kendo, sitting across from him, chuckled softly.
“This is nothing. It’s just a free-trade area for the townsfolk.”
“Here, you’ll only find agricultural goods and production tools.”
“But just a few streets over, there’s a trade market for traveling merchants.”
“That’s where the real excitement is.”
“Porcelain from the East, fruits from the West, weapons and armor for adventurers, magic crystal ore—everything rare you can imagine.”
“And of course, all sorts of slaves.”
“Monster girls, dark elves, half-elves…”
“If you can imagine it—or even if you can’t—it’s all there!”
“Oh, right!”
“That adventuring team that explored the Dragon’s Nest? They just came back recently!”
“And a large merchant caravan from the imperial capital is currently in town!”
“Some of the items they’re selling came straight from the Dragon’s Nest—super rare stuff!”
Hearing Kendo’s enthusiastic explanation, Ron raised a curious brow.
“Dragon’s Nest?”
“Isn’t that place a desert?”
“What rare items could come from there?”
At that, Kendo gave a knowing chuckle.
“Ah, that’s where you’re mistaken!”
“The Dragon’s Nest is full of good stuff!”
“Not to mention the multiple mineral veins out there—”
“Let’s talk about the native specialties of the local tribes!”
“Jewelry and jade prized by the wealthy, all kinds of spices—”
“And of course…”
“The rarest thing of all: exotic slaves captured from foreign lands!”
As he spoke, Kendo’s smile turned a bit sleazy.
“Now those are true treasures—priceless and hard to find!”
“The merchant caravan’s only staying in town a few days.”
“If you’re interested, Young Master, you definitely don’t want to miss it!”
Listening to the pitch, Ron simply gave a small nod and filed the info away.
Coincidentally, he was planning to buy some slaves to test his ability.
“A caravan from the Dragon’s Nest, huh…”
“Maybe I could even pick up a dragon girl as a pet?”
The thought had barely crossed his mind before Ron dismissed it with a scoff.
In this world, dragons were incomparably noble and mysterious.
Even royalty had failed to acquire a single true dragon.
How could a minor noble from some backwater territory hope to get one?
The very idea felt laughable.
As Ron pondered, The carriage finally arrived at their destination: Kendo’s furniture factory!
After getting out, Kendo eagerly came over to greet them.
A manor this size clearly needed a lot of furniture—
This was obviously going to be a massive order.
But to Kendo’s surprise, Ron declined his company—
Instead, he asked Li Pei to show him around!
He does know that for loyalty to happen the person needs to care for him and not forcibly bound to him. But knowing how it’ll be written they’ll get the boon anyway