​Elara stared at the impossible piles of gold, then slowly turned back toward Sunny, her expression a mixture of awe, suspicion, and calculation. She was kneeling before a man who had casually displayed both overwhelming power and infinite wealth.

​"What's your gain in all this?" she asked, cutting straight to the heart of the offer.

​"Simple," Sunny replied, meeting her stare with a cool, strategic intensity.

"Change the focus of your guild. Transform your notoriety into reputation. Spread my name—Alex—all over the Human Kingdom, but through acts of immense public good. Of course, you won't do this with empty hands."

​He raised his hand again, pulling forth another staggering figure. "I will give you one billion gold coins—not for your monthly pay, but for investment. You will use it to spread my influence by demonstrably helping the poor, building houses for villagers, funding infrastructure, and more. Naturally, you will send me audited lists of the villagers and settlements you have aided."

​Elara's mind, sharp and trained in the politics of the shadows, raced instantly, processing the strategic depth of the move.

​'This... Is he going after the throne?!' Se thought in horror.

'He's winning the hearts of all the commoners before the Succession Competition even begins. If he loses, they will vouch for him, and if the administrative bodies refuse him the throne, a civil war might break out!.'

​'This guy is even more brilliant than I thought.' She concluded. 'One simple contract, starting as a mercenary hiring, can instantly turn into a powerful political backer with the public trust of the masses.'

She exhaled slowly, the magnitude of the plan forcing her respect. She nodded her head decisively.

​Sunny, who heard her thoughts, blinked in surprise. 'Wow... This woman is exceptionally smart. She discovered the entire framework of my plan in just seconds.'

​"Ok..." Elara finally agreed, her voice firm.

​"Alex," Sunny corrected.

​"Ok, Sir Alex," she amended respectfully. "I am the leader, but we also have three elders who form the decision-making council. While I am ready—"

​At that exact moment, the bedroom door opened. Josephine walked out. She was dressed in a soft white blouse and long black pants—a simple, practical outfit that still managed to convey regal grace. She blinked, her emerald eyes registering the kneeling, heavily armed group in her sitting room with surprise, but not fear.

​She walked towards Sunny, her movements fluid and confident, and wrapped her arms around his neck from behind, resting her cheek against his temple. The deliberate, possessive gesture immediately established her bond and rank.

​"Love, who are these people?" she asked, her gaze sweeping over Elara with a cold, assessing intensity.

​Elara frowned: 'Even his wife is a Second Order... But why is she looking at me like I want to steal her husband?'

Elara inwardly dismissed the possibility. 'How could I steal a Fourth Order powerhouse from her... Not to mention, her spiritual energy seems almost as potent as his, incredibly chaotic and close to his own terrifying aura.'

​With her decision final, and seeing the absolute power of the couple, Elara quickly moved. She brought out a small, ornate dagger.

​Josephine and Sunny watched as she unflinchingly cut open her palm, drawing bright blood, and immediately placed it on the scroll.

​"I don't care what my elders decide," Elara declared, looking straight at Sunny. "But I am with you." She then looked at her four silent, kneeling men.

​The men understood the shift in power instantly. They, too, cut open their palms, placing their bloody hands firmly on the scrolls hovering before them.

​The five Alliance Bond Scrolls glowed brightly for a few seconds. They then dissolved, transforming into two beams of light each. One beam entered the skull of each mercenary, binding their loyalty. The remaining five lights flew toward Sunny and entered his skull, completing the bond and making him the absolute master of their will.

​"What was that?" one of the men asked in surprise, feeling the strange, mental connection that suddenly linked them to Sunny.

​"Soul bond," Sunny explained simply, his tone carrying the authority of one who wielded forbidden knowledge.

"That way, none of you will be able to betray me, or even harbor the thought of killing me. Now, you are truly my workers." He turned back to Elara.

​"Did you come with a ride?" he asked, shifting into command mode.

​"Yes, Boss. We all have mounts." Elara answered, her immediate submission clear in the use of the new title.

​"Good. Go get ready. We will be down soon," Sunny commanded. "We are going to your base. I need a secured command center in Biden Town, and I know your guild base will suffice."

​"Ok, Boss. We will be outside," Elara said, bowing deeply—a deference she had never shown anyone. She grabbed one of the heavy gold bags, and her four men, recovering from their shock, quickly took the remaining bags and followed her out the door.

​The moment the door closed, Josephine moved around the couch and sat directly on Sunny's lap, crossing her arms around his neck, pulling him close.

​"What if they're lying? I mean, what if they run away?" Josephine asked, her emerald eyes filled with concern.

​"They can't. The Soul Bond is absolute, and their greed is even more binding than magic," Sunny dismissed with a smirk, resting his hands on her waist.

​"So what now? Heading to the guild headquarters? What about our mission to get stronger? We just got here." Her confusion was replaced by anticipation.

​Sunny's eyes hardened, his previous tenderness replaced by the blazing ambition of a conqueror. He lifted his gaze, staring out the window at the clear blue sky of the Upper World.

​"Oh, my beautiful wife. I am God Wolf, the Emperor of the Lower World. An emperor cannot truly be an emperor if he does not conquer," he stated, redefining their mission entirely.

"We aren't only here to grow stronger; we are here to actively take over. First, the Human Kingdom. After that, the Wendigos kingdom, and lastly, the Elves."

​He turned his gaze back to Josephine, his eyes burning with absolute conviction. "I am here to not just increase my power level, but to rule the entire Upper World."

​"After we seize the Upper World, we will visit the Great World," he continued, his voice lowering with solemn intent. "But first," his gaze hardened:

"We must get back and protect our world from Lester. We have six months to conquer the entire Upper World, and with you on my side..." He planted a deep, commanding kiss on her lips.

​"...I can achieve anything," he finished.

​"I know you can," Josephine whispered, separating from the kiss.

"We will get what we want, and save our world from that bastard called Lester Blood. And yes, after that, we will take over the Great World. I will be with you all the way to the very end." She hugged his neck tightly, her own ambition matching his.

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