Auren, Goreinu, and their new business associates, Ura and Oron, sit in the small meeting room on Auren's airship, his items securely loaded into its cargo hold.
"So..." Auren begins, his tone calm but deliberate. "I'm willing to make you an offer. First of all, you told me there's around 800 million Jenny left in the budget, correct? Now, should you choose to decline my offer, I'll expect you to return 600 million of that to me. Consider the rest a bonus for a job well done... as well as a payment for your silence regarding this entire matter. And of course, I also consider it a polite, but firm request that you don't interfere with my business in the future."
His eyes shift between them, his expression serious.
"That includes buying the types of items I'm interested in—continuing to chase them, driving up the prices, and becoming my competition. I have no sympathy for my competition, I have to tell you.... I think this is a rather generous offer, so you might want a clean exit and leave with a lot of money."
"No," Ura says immediately. "We want to hear your real offer."
"I wonder why," Auren says, watching her carefully. "Surely people with your skills could find employment elsewhere... no. That's not it."
His eyes narrow as a certain rat's face comes to mind.
I knew it.
"It's Pariston, isn't it? He's got you by the balls. You need a way out, right?" Auren asks.
Oron's face twitches. His jaw tightens, and then finally, he sighs. "You... you're smarter than I thought."
"Not really," Auren replies flatly. "I just know how Pariston operates. I've been dealing with his antics long enough. I know the kind of sick joy he gets from tormenting people for no apparent reason. He doesn't care whether you're friend or foe—he just wants to mess with you. He pushes people until they snap. Until they lose their minds. Don't try to understand him, he's just fucked up that way."
"Yeah..." Oron mutters. "That bastard. I've honestly been thinking about killing him for months now. He's relentless."
"So then," Auren continues, "here's what I'm offering."
"I'm negotiating directly with Pariston. From now on, you'll be working for me... and only me. I'll raise your monthly pay to ten million, Jenny. Each. And that's not all—I'll give you performance-based bonuses when I see fit. The 200 million I just mentioned? That's yours as well. Divide it however you want. I recommend giving some of it to your people... I can't accept people stabbing us in the back, and I don't want you to lowball your people and cause strife. Tell them that money comes with strict conditions—they need to realize the consequences of betraying us."
He pauses for a moment, letting his words sink in.
"I'm also willing to pay anyone new you hire to work under you—as long as you keep them under control as well. Should you discover that someone among your ranks has betrayed us... you deal with them. Immediately. Without mercy. If you need help, don't hide it and tell me. I'll help in emergency cases."
His tone darkens slightly.
"However... if you betray me, I won't show mercy either. I have a very large organisation backing me. Don't fool yourselves. There's not a place on this lake where you could hide from me. I know more than one person who can track down anyone I ask for—as long as I'm willing to pay."
"We'll accept," Oron says right away.
"Lake?" Ura mutters.
"If you want to know more, you have to earn it. Anyway, I wasn't finished," Auren cuts in immediately.
"I'll also ease up on your ridiculous bookkeeping. That level of micromanagement is unnecessary—as long as you maintain a baseline of proper standards. But don't get any funny ideas. If I find out you're fixing the books or embezzling funds... I'll make you regret it."
There's a brief silence before Oron speaks again.
"Is there a chance... for us to join you permanently? We have a certain request... something very personal."
"Is it connected to the Empire?" Auren asks, not missing a beat.
"Yes," Ura replies instantly.
"Fine," Auren says without hesitation. "Prove that I can trust you. Show me that you can fulfill your duties—not just now, but long-term. If you do, then one day, I'll reward you. With money... or, if you prefer, something more personal. We'll talk in a few years."
"We'll accept," Ura says without pause, looking determined.
"Yeah," Oron adds, his voice lower now. "Honestly, even without the generous pay, I would've accepted. As long as it means getting away from Pariston's psychotic control... I'm all in."
"Good," Auren replies. "I'm planning to hand you twice the amount as last time—20 billion, and I can top it off at a moment's notice. Are you ready to expand your operation? If not, tell me honestly. I'm fine with some inefficiencies, but I need you—and more importantly, the helpers you hire—to keep a low profile. I don't want the world knowing what I'm collecting."
He pauses, then adds, "You can also gather more items as long as they contain residual Aura. I'm only interested in a few things myself, but the rest... I can trade them away. Worst case, we just sell them for a profit."
"Deal!" Oron grins. "It's nice to have a rich client. I'll make sure you walk away satisfied."
"..."
"You're the one in charge, right?" Auren asks, turning his gaze toward Ura.
"Of course," she replies with a smile, while Oron quietly sighs in frustration.
"I'll trust you... both," Auren says, pulling out his phone. "Give me the accounts you use for business. I'll begin the process of wiring you the money."
"Understood..." Ura nods.
Ten minutes later—and 20 billion Jenny lighter—an ecstatic Oron and a more composed and cautious Ura leave Auren's airship.
Before they go, Auren offers one last warning. "End your other businesses. Especially the ones for Pariston. After that, focus solely on the tasks I've given you. As I said, you can ease up on some of the bookkeeping... but I'll still be watching. And I have my ways of knowing if someone lies to me."
"We understand," Ura says firmly.
Oron just shrugs. "Yeah, yeah... we'll finish up our leftover jobs fast, then shift everything we've got to your business. Looks like things will get busy... I'll reward myself today by hiring a few... well you don't need to know..."
Auren turns around, the conversation over for him. He briefly hears a slap and a scream from Oron, but decides to ignore it completely.
With the deal done, Auren turns his attention elsewhere. He quickly prepares a message addressed to Pariston.
He outlines the situation clearly, including his formal request to take Oron and Ura off Pariston's hands. He finishes it with a few carefully chosen words about their future partnership—framing it as a personal favor.
He better not get in my way.... We're planning to work together soon. He won't risk our business relationship for those two.
Seeing that neither Neffi's team nor Jean's shopping group has returned yet, Auren turns to Goreinu.
"Come on," he says. "Follow me."
He leads him back into the airship and straight into the gym. Once there, he orders Goreinu to sit down.
Drawing Eternity, he approaches him and swiftly cuts off his bandages in a swift motion.
"What are you doing?!" Goreinu asks, instinctively pulling his hand back.
"Shut up and be silent," Auren snaps at him.
Without another word, he activates Azure Restoration. His Aura glows a familiar deep azure as it envelopes his body. Grabbing Goreinu's injured hand, Auren focuses his Aura on it, immediately feeling the injuries lessen.
He deliberately slows the process down, controlling the flow, and after just five minutes, he stops entirely.
The skin is mostly healed. The fractures have mended—but he leaves behind a few scars, some lingering inflammation, and a touch of pain.
"That's all I can do," Auren says, pulling back. "You'd better keep your mouth shut about this."
"I... of course..." Goreinu mutters. "Thank you."
"I'll take another look at my new purchases," Auren says, walking out and heading into the cargo hold. "You can relax for now, very soon I'll also have an offer for you... with superior terms, of course."
Leaving behind a confused Goreinu, Auren begins his work again.
Several hours pass as he carefully inspects the crates. He spends most of his time examining the Ben's Knives—one by one—checking their condition, presence of Aura, and ensuring none are fakes or damaged.
Eventually, his phone buzzes.
A message from Pariston. A single emoji: 'OK ✨'
Good. One problem less. What a surprise... Pariston didn't fuck around this time. He must be busy... he'll soon be Vice-chairman after all.
Auren heads back to the main room—and sees Jean, her sister Joanne, Eren, and the kids returning... carrying what looks like an endless amount of shopping bags, the large table completely covered in them.
"Done shopping?" Auren asks.
"Yes," Jean says, grinning. "Thanks for sponsoring the trip."
"I just spent 20 billion. No need to mention the few million I gave you," he replies, shrugging.
That amount doesn't even faze me anymore... as long as they are happy.
Despite that, Mio, Kai, Killi, and Ella all approach him one by one, offering their thanks with warm smiles. "Thank you, Auren," they repeat one after the other, Eren looking satisfied when Mio and Kai smile at him, looking extremely happy and grateful.
"Are you satisfied, Auren?" Marsha asks with a gentle smile. "I've been teaching them some manners. My daughters are a bit lacking in that department, so I've taught them personally."
"Quite," Auren replies.
So now we're just waiting for Neffi, Vanessa, and Konrad.
Finally, Neffi, Vanessa, and Konrad arrive, everyone dragging an airport cart, usually used for suitcases.
Neffi immediately runs towards Auren. "It's perfect... you'll be so happy!"
Let me take a look then! The items I requested... if they work, as I've imagined, I'll become unstoppable.
-----------------------------------------
A/N: Always thankful for Power Stones, Comments, and Reviews. Thank you for reading!
If you are interested, then please support me at patreon.com/FRWriter
35+ Early chapters available
New Chapters every Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday, and Sunday!
Bored? Complains? Demands? Check out the Discord: https://discord.gg/puVqWsf3y9
Thank you for supporting the story with Power Stones!