novelnext Chapter 115: Who can resist being a lolicon?
Chapter 115: Who can resist being a lolicon?
Luo Ning, however, did not rush to turn hostile. His smile remained unchanged as he spoke calmly:
"I understand, Viscount Walker. We can discuss the workers' reforms later. The reconstruction of the hive and the clearing of the mines will require your and the clan chiefs' continued assistance in the future."
Upon hearing Ronin's confirmation, Graham's impatience vanished instantly, replaced by his usual fake smile.
He slowly stood up, patted off imaginary dust from his clothes, as if staying even a second longer would lower his status.
"If you need anything, Lord Luo Ning, please feel free to contact my steward. By the way, I have also prepared twenty carefully selected slaves for you, both men and women, right outside the Governor's Mansion. Please don't hesitate to use them."
Ronin nodded slightly, but before he could speak, Graham had already turned and walked out, leaving behind only a light, dismissive remark:
"I have other matters to attend to, so I won't disturb Lord Luo Ning's rest any longer."
The other nobles quickly bowed and followed him out in single file, not daring to utter a single word from beginning to end.
The heavy wooden door slowly closed. Ronin gazed in the direction Graham had left, the smile on his lips still present, but his eyes were now icy cold.
He leaned back in his chair, his fingertips lightly tracing the tabletop, making a soft rubbing sound.
He leaned back in his chair, his fingertips lightly tapping the table, the soft sound particularly clear in the quiet office.
A family that has held sway for five hundred years? A deeply entrenched power? An arrogant disregard for human life?
It's okay.
These people's initiative in showing their fangs saved him the trouble of conducting a covert investigation and saved him a lot of effort.
As his thoughts wandered, the guards led the group of slaves into the room, where they stood neatly in front of the desk.
Luo Ning looked up and saw that all twenty people were young men and women, their skin pale and bluish from being hastily washed, clearly indicating that they had been roughly treated.
The cold handcuffs and shackles were connected by iron chains, making a crisp clanging sound with every step; a metal collar was around his neck, with the key tied to it forlornly, like a brand for tethering livestock.
They were wearing tattered cloths that could hardly be called clothes; the boy was barefoot, and the girl wore only a worn-out cloth shoe.
Upon meeting Luo Ning's gaze, everyone hurriedly lowered their heads, their eyes filled with cowardice and fear.
They were so well-trained that they had long since internalized their identity.
These slaves were all of exceptional appearance; they were indeed carefully selected and were clearly playthings chosen by the nobles.
"Raise your heads," Luo Ning said, deliberately softening his tone and losing some of his coldness.
The boys and girls slowly raised their heads, but none of them dared to look him in the eye; their gazes darted away, and their bodies trembled.
Luo Ning raised his hand and pointed to the girl who was the most beautiful and had the most delicate skin: "What's your name?"
The girl trembled, seemingly never expecting to be called upon. Her voice was very soft and trembling, but she still tried her best to answer:
"Master, I have no name. My number is 751236457."
Luo Ning nodded slightly. Without needing to ask any further, he knew that everyone was like this, stripped of their names and merely a tool recorded with numbers.
Just then, there was another knock on the door, and Garland strode in.
"Sir, over at the mine..."
His words trailed off. Garan looked at the scene inside, paused slightly, then looked embarrassed: "Is it inconvenient for you now, sir? Perhaps I could come back later?"
"Come in." Luo Ning chuckled and shook his head. "What happened at the mine?"
Garan stepped in, glanced at the group of slaves, and reported solemnly to the leader:
"The slave owner in charge of the mines sent word that there is no need for the army to clear the mines; the nobles' private armies will handle everything. Our troops are strictly forbidden from entering. He also said... this matter has been approved by you."
Upon hearing this, Luo Ning couldn't help but chuckle softly, but there was no warmth in his laughter.
Do you believe it?
Garland was taken aback, then shook his head.
"Those nobles came by earlier, trying to coerce and bribe me into becoming a hands-off manager." Ronin raised his eyes, pointing to the slaves in front of him and the boxes on the table. "These are the gifts they brought. It's clear they don't want outsiders to interfere in the mines, simply because they're afraid of cutting off their source of income and destroying their privileges."
Garland felt a chill run down his spine when he saw the unusual smile on Ronin's face.
The two were good friends in private, and he knew Luo Ning's personality all too well.
Such a smile is not one of happiness, but rather a prelude to murderous intent.
"My lord, do you need me to prepare manpower?" Garan asked solemnly.
"No rush." Luo Ning slowly shook his head. "They dare to be so arrogant, they must have some trump cards. It's not too late to investigate everything before taking action. If we act rashly and make a mistake, the planetary control that our brothers risked their lives for might be handed over to someone else. Our foundation is not yet stable, so we must not be hasty in anything."
He chuckled softly, his tone laced with undisguised sarcasm:
"These parasites, when the Greenskins were rampaging, hid in their bunkers to survive, relying on their private armies to protect themselves, turning a blind eye to the survival of the planet; now that we have fought our way back to reclaim our lost territory, they have jumped out to act like noble lords, it's really laughable."
"But let them run wild until everything becomes clear. Let's focus on our own things first." Luo Ning changed the subject, "Any news from the Inquisition?"
"Not yet," Garland replied.
"Okay." Ronin nodded slightly. "Help me invite Colonel Fisher over. The situation in this hive city is more chaotic than we thought. We need the help of the locals."
Garland accepted the order and quickly left the office.
Luo Ning looked at the young men and women in front of him, who stood there helplessly, their heads always down.
He slowly walked forward and unlocked the chains on them one by one.
But at that moment, a voice suddenly appeared in his mind.
"If I kill him, my family and I will never have to be slaves again."
That was an incredibly strong inner voice, which is why Luo Ning could hear it without even actively trying to eavesdrop.
The person who made that sound was the girl Luo Ning was unlocking his handcuffs with; she was the most beautiful of the girls he had just asked.
When she noticed Luo Ning staring at her, a hint of panic flashed in the girl's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by extreme obedience. She lowered her eyes and brows, as if she simply dared not meet his gaze, leaving no room for doubt.
Luo Ning smiled, ruffled the girl's hair, and said slowly, "I like you very much. Tonight, you can sleep in my room."
The girl suddenly looked up, a hint of barely concealed glee flashing in her eyes, but her mouth uttered insincere words of thanks in a soft, gentle voice:
"Thank you for liking it, Master."
Luo Ning looked at her feigned obedience and simply smiled gently.
Graham really underestimated himself.