Lord of The Red Planet

"My Lord! My Lord! Look, there are so many humans here!"

"Is this the first time you've seen so many humans, Lily?" Arthur turned to the little girl beside him. Her eyes were sparkling, her face filled with an expression of pure joy and happiness.

Lily nodded enthusiastically. "Yes, My Lord! I've never seen so many of them!"

That's right, Arthur thought. Lily has always been on the Fifth Floor, Elavin. Although there's a bustling city there, it's mostly filled with Elves, Dwarves, Demi-humans, and Heteromorphs. In Avanheim itself, there are no human-race NPCs.

"But our purpose here isn't for a vacation; it's to find a suitable place for the company Avanheim is going to build," Arthur said, trying to get them back on track.

"Oh…." Lily immediately lowered her head. Her tail, which had been wagging with enthusiasm, now drooped limply.

Seeing this, Arthur crouched down and patted Lily's head. "Of course, after I'm done finding a suitable place, we can explore the city and enjoy our vacation. How about that?"

Hearing this, Lily's eyes immediately lit up. She looked at Arthur with a very cute, enthusiastic expression. "Yes!"

"Alright. In that case, Epsilon, do we have a destination?" he asked Epsilon, who was standing beside him with perfect posture.

Epsilon took a document from her coat pocket and handed it to Arthur.

"My Lord, this is some data that Lord Belial gave me for you."

Arthur took the paper, read it briefly, then looked at Epsilon. "Next time, could reports like this, especially while we're still on Earth, just be in a digital file?"

"My Lord… is there a problem with the data I provided?" Epsilon's face immediately filled with worry and panic.

"No, no. It's just that I think this method of data delivery is inefficient. Haven't I already taught Octavia and Emma about the technologies called computers, phones, and the internet?"

"My Lord, I believe… as for that matter… I haven't learned it at all. And Lady Emma and my sister, Octavia, haven't either."

Hearing that, Arthur was surprised. "Why not? Why didn't they teach you?"

"That's because… according to my sister and Lady Emma, we don't need to learn the technology made by lowly humans. Their technology isn't even comparable to our magic, so why should we learn it?" Epsilon paused for a moment, then lifted her chin.

"And… I think they're right."

Arthur covered his face with his palm. This problem again. I know the residents of Avanheim consider humans an inferior species, but to this extent… This can't be allowed. It will be bad for Avanheim in the future. I can still tolerate them thinking humans are lowly, but if it gets to the point where they refuse to learn human technology, this cannot be allowed.

True, human technology can't be compared to magic, especially magic above the Fifth-Sequence. But that doesn't mean human technology is useless! There are so many technologies that Avanheim can adopt. And most importantly… they don't use any magical energy at all and can be used by everyone!

Arthur looked seriously at Epsilon. "Epsilon, I am very displeased with that line of thinking. From now on, you must accept and learn about human technology, because in the future, Avanheim will be adopting a great deal of their technology. And as for Emma and Octavia, I will reprimand them later."

Epsilon bowed her head deeply.

"Understood, My Lord."

"Good. I hope you remember what I just said. In that case… Lily, let's get in the car." Arthur grabbed the back of Lily's collar, who was about to make a run for an ice cream truck across the street.

"Hmph!" Lily puffed out her cheeks and walked into the car with a slight huff. Epsilon, still looking guilty, got into the driver's seat and started the Toyota Yaris.

Arthur sat in the front passenger seat. Suddenly, he felt someone contacting him. He touched his finger to his ear.

"Emma, is that you?" he asked softly.

"Yes, My Lord. It is I," a voice replied from the other side of the Message spell. Her voice was soft and pleasant to hear.

"So, what is it? Did something happen in Avanheim?"

"Nothing, My Lord. I just wanted to report that the land you requested to be used as a warehouse and for the Gate portal has been found. You just need to meet with the seller."

Hearing that, Arthur narrowed his eyes slightly. "I see. You go there first to represent me. I will go there with Epsilon and Lily."

"Yes. I will wait for you, My Lord." Emma immediately cut off her Message spell.

Wait a minute. Is the location Emma mentioned the same as the one in Belial's data? It seems so….

"Epsilon, go to the location in that data. We will meet Emma there," he commanded.

"Understood, Lord Arthur!" Epsilon replied, her face looking happy.

"Lord Arthur! The human city has so many tall buildings, and the traffic is so busy! It's almost like Avenia City!" Lily exclaimed in amazement, pressing her face against the car window. Her large eyes watched the passing cars, pedestrians, and buildings.

Arthur turned to the window, looking at the bustling city scene.

After I successfully conquer Japan, the first thing I'll do is ensure Avanheim's power is firmly rooted here. I will declare martial law, change the constitution, dissolve the monarchy, and make it a one-party republic. With that, Avanheim can easily maintain its power.

Besides that, I will also negotiate with the United States to withdraw their troops and cancel the unfavorable treaties for Japan. If they refuse… then the only option is war. I will build and recruit an army to defend this new regime. Of course, all of this must be done from behind the scenes. Avanheim's existence must absolutely not be known to the world before I am ready.

By turning Japan into a dictatorship, Avanheim can easily obtain resources and use the full power of this country for its own interests. After the new regime is stable, then I will reopen isolation and free trade as before.

I know… this action will cost many lives. Many people will lose their wealth and their jobs…

The fate of 120 million humans is now in my hands. Arthur looked at his pale palm. His blue eyes seemed to dim for a moment.

But… this is all for the survival of Avanheim. He clenched his fist. His eyes once again shone with a burning determination.

This is reality. The strong devour the weak. I am no exception….

If anyone feels this is unfair… then you are right.

Because the world was never fair to begin with.

He looked sharply at the crowd of people walking on the sidewalk.

…

Arthur got out of his car with Lily, who looked happy beside him. There, he saw Emma, still in her white dress. The difference was, this time she was wearing dark sunglasses and a retro, 1950s-style wide-brim fedora.

Beside her stood an old man with white hair. With a friendly smile and typical Japanese features, he held a black briefcase in his hand.

"So… he's the seller?" Arthur asked Emma.

Emma approached him, bowing her head slightly in respect. "Yes, Lord Arthur. He is Sato Yujiwara, the owner of this vast land," she said, pointing to the forest land behind them.

Arthur nodded. By the way, Emma has a lot of free time to be able to come for something so minor. Uh… I guess I'm the same.

He extended his hand to Sato Yujiwara. "Yujiwara-san, please allow me to introduce myself. I am Arata Leon, the person who wishes to buy this land."

Sato Yujiwara shook his hand warmly. "Mr. Leon, welcome to Fukushima Prefecture. You must be tired coming all the way from Tokyo. Please, stop by my house first for some coffee or tea."

"Thank you, Mr. Yujiwara, but I have other business after this," Arthur replied with a polite smile.

Lily looked curiously at the human in front of her, then shifted her gaze to the dense forest behind.

Emma waited patiently.

Arthur glanced slightly to his left and right. Those must be the monsters Emma sent as guards.

"In that case, what a shame." Sato Yujiwara lifted his briefcase, opened it, and handed a document to Arthur.

"Mr. Leon, this is the official certificate for this land. Please take a look first. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to ask."

"Alright, thank you. I'll check it." Arthur took the certificate and read it.

Wait a minute… isn't this the same document as the one in Belial's report? That Belial… did he duplicate Mr. Sato Yujiwara's land certificate using magic?

That guy….

"Emma, I see this land certificate is the same as the one in Belial's report. What's the meaning of this?" he asked in his mind using the Message spell.

Emma immediately replied, "My Lord, about that… initially, Belial thought of just seizing this land from that human and killing him. According to him, Avanheim doesn't need to waste resources buying land from humans. But I thought otherwise. If we do that, besides tarnishing Lord Arthur's image, Avanheim itself is not short on money right now. So, I rejected his suggestion. That's why Belial handed over the certificate he had copied with magic."

"I see. I understand," Arthur replied.

That Belial… his thinking is too extreme. Everything is about killing. It's a good thing Emma is here. At least Emma wouldn't do something like this, would she?

Honestly, if Belial had done this, I would have been very disappointed. Look at this frail, kind-looking old man. Killing him just to seize his land? Isn't that the same as the scumbag land mafias I hate?

I don't care if Belial does this to corrupt officials or criminals. But to a seemingly good person like Sato Yujiwara… It's better not to.

I do intend to do illegal business like that logistics plan, but I still have 'healthy business morals.' Buy if you have the money. If not, don't. It's as simple as that!

Even when robbing, you have to see who the target is…

He turned his gaze back to Sato Yujiwara. "I've seen the certificate, Mr. Yujiwara. It's authentic. By the way, why do you want to sell such a large piece of land? And it seems… this is like a deliberately planted forest?"

If you looked closely, the forest on the land did indeed seem to consist of commercial plants.

"That's right. As you can see, this is indeed a commercial forest," Sato Yujiwara replied. He let out a long sigh, his gaze directed at the trees behind him. "I've been planting Cryptomeria japonica trees here for almost fifty years. This is our family's business, passed down through generations. But, you know… lately, for some reason, the sale of wood for construction materials has been declining."

He paused for a moment, his voice sounding a little sad. "Maybe it's because of the rising cost of living, which makes some people no longer able to afford our products. Maybe they've switched to cheaper alternatives, or maybe it's because the declining population means fewer people are building houses. Well… for all those reasons, I decided to close my family business and sell it." Sato Yujiwara bowed his head. "Ah, I'm sorry for making you listen to this old man's complaints and wasting your time."

"No, no. Please raise your head, Mr. Yujiwara." Arthur gently touched the old man's shoulder.

"I should be the one thanking you for being able to hear such a great story."

Sato Yujiwara smiled sincerely. "I haven't seen a young man so polite to an old person like me lately. Thank you, Mr. Leon."

Arthur gave a small nod. "In that case, let's talk business." He then turned to Emma. "So, how about it? This fifty-hectare piece of land… what price did we agree on, Emma?"

Emma, standing beside him, answered calmly, "Twenty-five billion yen, My Lord."

TWENTY-FIVE BILLION YEN, YOU SAY?!Arthur screamed in his head. Damn it! That's a huge amount of money! I've never even held that much money! His eyes nearly bulged out of their sockets at the fantastic figure.

He had no idea the assets of the Red Lotus Organization could be worth that much after being sold.

"Yes… twenty-five billion yen," he repeated in a tone he tried to make sound casual, though his heart was pounding.

"As we discussed with the young lady over there," Sato Yujiwara pointed to Emma.

"I agree to that price."

"In that case, as for the payment… can it be in US dollars?" Arthur asked. He knew that most of the money from the sale of the Red Lotus assets was still in US dollars.

"That's fine," Yujiwara replied casually.

"Emma, give it to me," Arthur requested.

"Here, My Lord." Emma produced a bank card from behind her palm. Arthur took the matte black card. It had the Bank of America logo with the words Premium Rewards Elite in the corner.

Yujiwara immediately took out his payment device. Arthur was a little surprised to see the old man had already prepared a Smart POS machine. He tapped the bank card on top of the machine, then typed in the amount of money to be transferred in dollars, which was 172 million US dollars.

He typed in his password, and after pressing the Send icon, he waited. Soon after, a paper receipt of the transfer came out of the device.

Transfer successful.

"The payment has been successful, Mr. Leon." Sato Yujiwara handed over a stack of documents after seeing the notification of the money entering his account. "Here are the land certificate, title deed, and other documents."

"I accept these with pleasure, Mr. Yujiwara." Arthur took the stack of documents with a smile. "Oh, before that, we should probably take a photo to avoid any problems in the future. How about it?"

"Of course, no problem," Sato Yujiwara replied happily.

Arthur took out his phone and handed it to Emma. "Emma, could you take a picture of us?"

"Of course, My Lord." Emma's face beamed. I'll take some extra photos for my own collection later, she thought.

"Me! I want to be in the picture too!" Lily, who had been quiet all this time, finally spoke up with enthusiasm, her eyes sparkling.

"Lily!" Emma hissed, looking at her with some annoyance.

Seeing that look, Lily immediately lowered her head, looking sad.

"It's fine. Come on, get in the picture." Arthur smiled gently at the little girl.

Hearing that, Lily's expression immediately brightened again. She ran to Arthur's side to be in the photo.

"Alright, everyone ready…."

Arthur looked at the camera while holding the land certificate in front of his chest and smiling. At his side, Lily and Sato Yujiwara also smiled broadly.

"One… two… three…."

CLICK!

Emma pressed the button on the screen with a slightly awkward motion. She looked at the photo.

I have to admit, some of this human technology is impressive. They can create a device this small to capture such a clear image, without any magic at all, she thought, a little impressed.