Scum? Pervert?

After explaining everything—or rather, muddling his way through it—Ryan left the study with Annie and bid the two elders farewell.

The hallway was silent and dark.

"We haven't been alone together like this in a long time, have we, Annie?"

Walking ahead, Ryan suddenly felt a little sentimental.

Over the past ten years, not only had he been busy with the Haulers Group, but he also had to spend at least three hours every day dealing with Suzuki Satoru's world.

The only time he had left to spend with Annie was during their daily meals.

And after he had fallen into a life of sensual indulgence, the time he spent alone with Annie became even scarcer. During that period, Annie had even given him the cold shoulder for quite a long time.

If not for that accident three years ago that had nearly cost him his life, his relationship with Annie might have remained deadlocked like that... no, it probably would have become even worse.

"Alone? Not really. We see each other at home every day, after all. But if you mean taking me out by yourself, then I guess it's been about two years." Annie tilted her head and thought for a moment before answering.

She had never complained to Ryan about such things.

Two lonely people living together had to sacrifice some time together in exchange for a better life.

And since she enjoyed everything Ryan provided for her, she had no right to complain.

"Really? You remember that clearly. How about I take you out tonight, then?" Ryan said with a smile.

"No... forget it! Take me out after the company matter has been settled!"

Annie hesitated before rejecting the proposal that had tempted her.

Ryan's company was in danger, and Ryan himself was in danger. At a time like this, she needed to work hard and become stronger!

Teacher Demiurge had said that the early stage was when one improved the fastest. Perhaps their eventual comeback would depend on her.

"Is that so? What a pity! I was finally in the mood to find somewhere to relax!" Ryan said regretfully.

"Hey, you aren't planning to call over some trashy women again, are you?!"

Hearing that, Annie instantly recalled some unsightly memories. She pressed Ryan against the hallway wall and demanded an answer.

"Act like a lady! Besides, your big brother is at the peak of his vigor. Isn't it perfectly normal for me to find women?"

Pinned down, Ryan replied unhappily.

"I! Don't! Like! It! And you can still bring yourself to sleep with women who knows how many men have already slept with? Tch, disgusting!" Annie crossed her arms, looking utterly repulsed.

"You can't expect me to go after little girls who are still virgins, can you? Leaving aside how rare women like that are in the United States and how terrible they are in bed, someone like me, who's only looking to have some fun, definitely shouldn't ruin their lives. Isn't this better? A fair transaction. They're satisfied, and I'm satisfied," Ryan said irritably.

"You can actually say something so explicit to your own sister! I really misjudged you. Pervert! Scum!" Annie's face flushed upon hearing those blunt words. She glared fiercely at Ryan, then stomped down the stairs on her own.

"Pervert?"

"Scum?"

"If I made a move on you, then I'd be scum!"

He muttered under his breath, straightened his slightly wrinkled clothes, and headed downstairs.

Outside Mocha's apartment building.

Sebas and Demiurge were gathered together, speaking quietly.

"Miss Annie has already learned her first spell? Her rate of progress is truly astonishing. As expected of the sister of a Supreme Being!"

Listening to Demiurge's somewhat boastful account, Sebas praised her.

"Yes, even I was surprised. Her physical progress could be credited to the Arcane Energy Training Grounds Alva created, but learning magic depends on Miss Annie's aptitude." Demiurge's eyes gleamed as he spoke.

"It truly is enviable.

If not for that unexpected incident, the task of teaching Miss Annie should have fallen to this old man." Sebas said regretfully.

"Haha! That is also a matter of luck. But since the Supreme Being entrusted such an important honor to me, I, who bear such glory, must serve Lord Ryan even more diligently in the future!" As he spoke, Demiurge suddenly became fervent.

Sebas sighed faintly at the sight. Being flaunted at right in front of him made even someone of his temperament feel somewhat displeased, especially when the one flaunting was Demiurge, with whom he had never gotten along particularly well.

"Have you made all the preparations for Lord Ryan's orders? And what about Miss Annie's safety? Although the ordinary humans of this world are very weak, their weapons still pose a fatal threat to Miss Annie," Sebas asked, changing the subject.

"Of course."

Demiurge adjusted the glasses that did not currently exist on his face.

"Regarding Miss Annie's safety, aside from items that protect against instant death, I will accompany her throughout the operation. I guarantee with my life that no accident will occur!"

"As for the four groups in the plan, I have already dispatched subordinates to gather most of the evidence of their illegal activities. Once the plan begins, this will be detonated online as the first wave of attack."

"Then, when those companies react and hold press conferences to clear their names, they will discover that the people they sent out to make those statements will expose even more under the media's scrutiny."

"After that comes the final step. Every insect that dared plot against Lord Ryan will suffer the most unbearable torture in the world before dying! And their companies will discover at the same time that most of their industries have been forced to halt for varying lengths of time for all sorts of reasons."

"Under such internal and external pressure, pushing those companies to the brink of bankruptcy will not be difficult. Then, with the Haulers Group owned by the Supreme Being and the outside assistance of the group called Stark Group taking over, we should more or less achieve the intended goal."

"What a pity. Given this world's rules, if Lord Ryan had not forbidden large-scale casualties within those companies, killing tens of thousands of their people through accidents would have accomplished the goal without any need for help from the Stark Group."

Demiurge sounded somewhat regretful. Upon hearing this, Sebas said, "Lord Ryan is a very kind person. I imagine he simply does not wish to see too many people die because of his plan."

"Yes, Lord Ryan is a kind Supreme Being. He is also immensely tolerant toward servants like us. Being able to serve under such a Supreme Being is truly a blessing!"

Demiurge sighed, then suddenly remembered something and asked, "Why haven't we heard any news of Pandora's Actor lately? What is he doing now?"

Ever since the Supreme Being had brought him and Pandora's Actor to this world two days ago, there had been no news of the latter.

Demiurge did not know whether Lord Ryan had some other plan, or whether he was qualified to know about it...

"He is serving as a mid-level manager in the group. Since he may need to act as Lord Ryan's double in the future, he must understand the image Lord Ryan presents in the eyes of others."

"However, I heard Lord Ryan intends to make him an internal inspector for the group, specifically responsible for corporate corruption."

"I heard he has achieved quite a bit recently as well, digging out quite a few rats from the company," Sebas answered calmly.

"Rats?"

"Those traitors should all be killed!"

A cold gleam flashed through Demiurge's eyes.

"Mm, this old man unusually agrees with you on that point. But according to this world's understanding, commercial betrayal like this apparently does not warrant the death penalty, and Lord Ryan does not seem to wish to break the rules."

"Then I..."

At that moment, faint footsteps came from the direction of the stairwell. Demiurge, whose words had stopped short, looked up and saw Annie walking toward them.

"Looks like I can't keep talking with you, Sebas."

With some regret, he merged his figure into the darkness. By the time Annie arrived, he had already vanished without a trace.