Ambush

"We already had three scholars agree to publish an article under our joint names, and we'd contacted newspapers and publishers... That's enough. Next, according to My Lord's will, we'll publish The Wealth of Nations immediately. At the very least, we'll make sure every educated person in Ingsman hears of it..."

Donald got out of the carriage and silently mulled things over.

He was keeping a low profile, dressed in black with his collar turned up high to cover half his face.

Originally, the plan had been to turn down every invitation and stay home to build his reputation.

It was easy enough to turn down invitations from others, but Sir Thomas was a powerful figure in Malan Port, with connections everywhere. Donald couldn't afford not to come.

Besides, Sir Thomas had been very sincere.

"Hmm? This place... doesn't seem to be Sir Thomas's villa... Mond, you..."

Donald abruptly turned around, only to see his coachman staring blankly before suddenly crumpling to the ground.

"Are you Donald?"

A beautiful woman in a bright red dress stepped out of the house ahead. "You seem rather ordinary. Come with me!"

"Why should I?"

Donald's lips moved, but then, to his horror, two beams of light shot from the woman's pupils and plunged straight into his eyes.

An ordinary person subjected to such a trick would have instantly become a walking-corpse puppet, entirely under her control.

Donald thought it over, but didn't reveal himself. He let the light invade, obediently, and his face promptly went blank.

"Hehe... Good boy. Come with me!"

The woman was clearly confident in her abilities. Humming smugly, she led Donald into the wooden house.

"Haha... That was easy!"

The woman brought Donald down to an underground chamber and stretched languidly. "Of course... Even if it was easy, I still