The bright moon hung high in the sky. On this late night, we were riding in a carriage, hurrying home through a remote and desolate mountain path. The occasional crack of the whip and the sound of wheels rolling into the compartment felt like a subtle rhythm, carrying a faint sense of unreality.
It was nearing October, yet the weather remained oppressively hot—especially when you were sitting inside a carriage, alone with a sexy and beautiful woman.
"Young Master, that batch of magic stones was certainly a bargain, but their origin is unclear. I'm afraid it won't be easy to sell them."
Inside the spacious carriage compartment—large enough to lie down sideways—there were only the two of us. She was my assistant and secretary, an orphan raised and trained by my family since childhood. Her name was Alice.
Short golden hair, a gentle yet striking beautiful face, and a sexy evening gown in deep blue that exposed her shoulders and was cut short, revealing mouth-watering full breasts and smooth, slender legs. Even though I had been with her day and night for five years, I still couldn't help stealing extra glances.
"I'm sorry, Alice. I didn't expect the meeting to drag on so late."
"Young Master is too kind. This is part of my duty."
Leaning back on the soft sofa across from her, I carefully pulled my gaze away from beneath her tempting skirt, idly playing with a ring on my middle finger while slowly looking out at the night scenery beyond the carriage window.
Alice gave a faint smile, showing no displeasure at my dodging her question. Ever since the family assigned her to my side, she had never been able to read my thoughts. Or rather, I deliberately made sure she couldn't.
I come from the influential Rubia family, a noble house that controls military power in the Empire. From a young age, I was sent to the Empire's highest institution, the Chiariella Military Academy. Yet I gave up the most popular subjects and chose to study summoning arts and alchemy—fields others dismissed as useless. Because of that decision, I even had a big argument with the old fossil at home, the one known as the Imperial Great General, the bastard who accidentally fathered me.
My grades at the academy were always dead last, simply because I couldn't be bothered with those boring assignments and exams. To this day, I'm still an over-age repeating student who hasn't graduated, breaking the academy's 1,100-plus-year record for the longest time without graduation.
But just when everyone mocked me as the disgrace of the family, a turning point came in my life. Political rivals of my family set me up and sent me to a declining border city in the north—Febenli City—forcing me to defend it with five thousand ragtag soldiers against a 150,000-strong orc invasion.
Those nobles had intended to borrow a knife to kill me, but since I'm still comfortably sitting here in a carriage admiring a beauty, the outcome of that battle is obvious without saying. Because of that victory, the imperial family appointed me as lord of the northern Febenli region and granted me the title of baron. The bald prime minister who pushed me into that death trap had a look on his face like he'd been punched in the gut—my father and brothers laughed themselves silly over it.
"Alice, how are the preparations for the Harvest Festival going?"
"Please rest assured, Young Master. Everything is proceeding smoothly. About eighty percent of the major merchants across the nation have replied, and we estimate at least seventy-five percent attendance. The festival arena north of the capital is in its final stages and should be completed within a week. The parades, fireworks, and various ceremonies have also begun rehearsal."
"Good. You've worked hard. I just hope it won't be this hot when the time comes."
In the Empire, the Harvest Festival is the grandest celebration of the year, held once annually but in a different location each time. Ever since I took charge five years ago, this once-declining region has shone brighter and brighter. Back then, Febenli City was mockingly called "Waste-benli City," but in just five years it miraculously rose to become the Empire's third-largest city, controlling 1.75% of the nation's economic output.
This year, I used my wealth and influence to outbid the other fifty-six regional capitals and win hosting rights for the festival. The reason I could create this miracle lies in my despised alchemy.
By pure chance, I had originally been trying to refine the ultimate aphrodisiac. Though the main experiment failed several times, I produced some highly profitable by-products. Among them was a resurrection drug… not for the dead… I called it Big Cock. Besides Big Cock, there was stamina-boosting divine oil, breast-enhancing pills for women, and slimming tonic.
At the time, I approached the daughter of a merchant falsely accused of treason, used my family's influence to clear her name, then invested in rebuilding her family business and gave her exclusive distribution rights for my alchemical by-products.
When the products hit the market, demand was so overwhelming it even shocked me. I never imagined so many people in the Empire had sexual problems.
"Alice, when will the Imelo merchant delegation arrive?"
"They should arrive tomorrow evening. I've already assigned a specialist to receive them, and I'll notify you the moment they do."
Looking at the beauty before me, her undeniable allure aside, her competence was also top-tier. So far, I hadn't found anyone who could replace her.
I wasn't sure if the carriage was getting hotter or if thinking about that certain person from the Imelo merchant group was making my blood boil, but I finally couldn't hold back and took action.
"In the name of Sorola, I summon thee—Snowball!"
A small fluffy white ball suddenly appeared in my palm. The once-stifling compartment gradually cooled. A very special expression flashed across Alice's face opposite me—something between surprise and sadness, yet to me it carried an extra touch of breathtaking charm.
This was the first time in five years I had used summoning magic in front of her.
"I never thought the Young Master would finally be willing to use this kind of spell in front of me."
"Did I? Sorry, besides women and money, I tend to forget everything else."
Alice stared blankly for a moment, then shot me a reproachful glance. Perhaps because of that look, I suddenly felt a strange sensation—as if tonight was no ordinary night.
I gently released my hand, and the little fluffy ball floated slowly in mid-air. Alice gazed at it curiously, clearly enchanted by the adorable little thing.
This fluffball was actually another failed experiment—its abilities were extremely limited, only its appearance was presentable. Of course, being a firm believer in making the most of everything, I would still fully utilize its strengths.
While Alice's attention was drawn to the snowball, I secretly stole another peek beneath her skirt.
Suddenly, Alice's expression changed dramatically, and I jumped in surprise.
Shit, did she catch me…?
As I hurriedly shifted my gaze away, I finally realized what had caused her reaction.
Outside the carriage, an abnormally powerful wave of magical energy was pulsing.
I burst out of the compartment, pushed aside a knight, and borrowed his horse. At the same moment, a blinding flash erupted ahead. Without hesitation, I galloped toward the source of the light.