Mutual Exploitation

"Then let's talk. What do you want to say?"

Durandal was famously straightforward. Since they were going to talk, they might as well get started.

But after Durandal put it that way, Han Jiang suddenly had no idea what to talk about.

He couldn't exactly ask low-level questions like what food she liked or what hobbies she had.

"Come on, hurry up. I'm waiting."

To Han Jiang's surprise, Durandal actually began urging him on.

"Um..."

Han Jiang stared at the first-floor banquet hall. When he casually glanced elsewhere, he happened to spot Auguchi.

"Something's happening on my end. Let's put the bonding aside for now."

Auguchi had appeared in a room next to the banquet hall. He had just arrived and was speaking with a woman.

Han Jiang pulled out professional listening equipment from his pocket, attached it to the wall, and carefully listened to their conversation.

"Only the capable deserve to rule. The situation around the world is complicated these days, Lord Auguchi. You could become a warlord in your own right. There's no need to remain under Anti-Entropy's thumb."

Auguchi was a man in the prime of life. Thanks to good maintenance, he had avoided the usual troubles of hair loss and a sagging figure. He could still barely be called handsome.

"Your proposal is excellent, but I've heard there are traces of the Dominance Herrscher in my jurisdiction. If I cannot rely on headquarters, what am I supposed to do when a Herrscher attacks?"

As he spoke, Auguchi walked toward the window.

From this position, he could see most of Gaha State's inner city. Auguchi swept his hand through the air.

"Gaha State is a city inhabited by nearly ten million people. I must answer to the people living here, and to the councilors who support me."