V2 Chapter 79

"... ..." Cian frowned.

Feeling slightly apprehended that someone other than the greatest genius he had met in his life; Blue Bird, his greatest adversary to understand him here in this City.

He had always been confident by the fact that he was an unpredictable and difficult-to-understand person. It makes him gives off a mysterious aura and enables him to catch enemies off-guard. He was good at controlling his self and best managing his feelings and emotions. And yet, other than his Demon Mother; Sitana and the monster; Blue Bird, for someone else to be able to catch on his drift makes him quite uncomfortable for some reason.

However,

No, that should not be possible…

Displeasure appeared inside his heart but Cian didn’t show it on his expression and continue smiling as if he was not bothered about anything. He continued to rub Sibylla’s hair with the utmost care he can offer, and then after took out the white cloth and planted a faint kiss on her lips, “And done,” he said with a gentle smile.

Sibylla giggled in sweetness. Their relationship had grown stronger as time passed by. Although Sibylla retained her firm persistence on her chastity, this small playful display of affection didn’t faze her anymore. In fact, sometimes she would even take the initiative herself.

If not for the ongoing war and turbulence in the Imperial Capital, Sibylla knows that they would have been married a year ago. Although it’s a pity, she knows that marriage of alliance at this moment would be a critical move.

Right now, the Second Prince is still out of the radar for the succession of the throne but if this marriage occurred, it would be like announcing to the world that the Second Demon Prince is now officially taking a step into the chaotic politics. If that happens, he would not be invisible anymore and instead be the focus of a new aggressive party and all focus would be on him.

To the current him, it was a pressure—

Especially against the First Prince Lucifalion!

The First Prince had never let his guard down towards the Second Demon Prince, Faran’s appearance at that night was an example to that.

Sibylla hated the narrow-mindedness of the court but she doesn’t have a choice.

This is the real world... the twisted world full of tribulations and risk.

If she wants to attain real happiness, not a short-lived one, she had to endure…she had to be careful!

In any case, their current relationship, their current life, Sibylla was quite enjoying all of it. Although women dream of having a grand wedding to the person they love and cherished, including her, however, it was not a necessity. As long as she was with him, that she knows that she has a vital place in his heart, she is already satisfied.

As she sat down on the chair opposite of Cian’s, she suddenly turned around and look through the window just behind Cian, something caught her eyes. There, she caught a glimpse of the tower’s roof, and to her surprise, she thought she saw a wisp of smoke.

“…?!”

She stopped and stared, shading her eyes against the winter sun. Yes, there was definitely a thin trickle of smoke above the tower’s roof.

Seeing this, Sibylla couldn’t help but gave a gasp of alarm. What happened? Enemies?! Are we getting invaded?

“Don’t be alarmed,” Cian who noticed her expression and followed her gaze was also looking behind him. His lips arching into a faint smile. “The tower’s not on fire, nor there were enemies attacking,” he reassured her. “What you see is smoke coming from the chimney I’ve had built in the East District. It just so happen it was in line to the defense tower."

“A Chimney?” Sibylla frowned. “What did you built?” Sibylla turned to look at him, unaware that there was a faint expression of reproach on her face.

Cian smiled innocently, “Just some little project for [Adam’s Company],” but he saw Sibylla’s expression didn’t subside and instead, turning even darker. Cian could only raise his hand in a placatory gesture, “All right, all right. So I did wrong not to consult you.” Cian chuckled in amusement.

[Adam’s Company] is actually not just with him alone, but Sibylla as well. Since Cian didn’t like managing this kind of business and was just not in his character and settings, even if he is a genius, he was not omnipotent. There are bound to be limits on things he can do outside of his specialties. Then, Sibylla came into the picture without any warning and full of surprise.

Sibylla seemed to have a gift and talent in developing business. Her acute sense and business decisions were above that of Cian, even though she didn't live in a modern world and study business course. If she would, she would have rocked the business world in Earth after just a few years.

Just that, Cian would give her some business ideas, guidance plans which she would perfect in no time.

Thus, in regards to [Adam's Company], she was the one was truly managing it.

If Cian was the free-spirited CEO, then Sibylla was the most trusted secretary.

Just that, sometimes, if something popped out in Cian’s mind, he would certainly work on it without Sibylla’s knowledge and just pick some people to work on it. And the moment Sibylla learned about it, another work would pile up in front of her.

And besides, Cian’s interest would never last long. He’s like a frog jumping from one work to another and the one to catch it after he throws it away would be Sibylla. Increasing the latter’s work and frustrations.

Cian heaves a sigh and muttered with a wry smile; “But really, Sibylla, you’ve become such a cantankerous, bad-tempered, impossible sort of girl these past few days that I haven’t been able to pluck up the courage to approach you!”

What he meant was that he had not forgiven her for the clash of wills that had occurred at the end of last month about expanding the [Adam’s Company] to the Beast World, she was thinking. But Sibylla didn’t want to reduce her disagreement about the fact that Cian was trying to become an underground arms dealer to them, even if it means associating with the high nobles of the Beast Kingdom.

To Sibylla’s impression, Beast Kingdom is a group of nothing but savages and barbarians that likes going to war and shedding blood.

Giving them weapons is, in Cian’s favorite words, like loading a bullet into a gun.

It would surely cause further unrest in this war!

But that is what Cian wanted!

To make war even more chaotic. So that he could prepare and move in the shadows as much as he wanted without anyone noticing it. Of course, he couldn’t say that or else the little lady would surely flip on him.

“But right or wrong, the factory is almost ready, and I’ve incorporated nearly all your ideas to the goals and policies. I admit I’ve had one or two changes made, such as in terms of weaponry and the likes, but I hope you’ll approve. The war wouldn’t stop for a short time and probably we would find ourselves in the middle of it, whether we like it or not. I don’t like being pushed by the waves and tides. So this is just a necessary preparation for that time to come,” Cian heave a sigh, “I don’t want anything happening to you, to us, so even if indeed extreme, we would need to do it…I hope you understand my concerns.” Cian smiled wryly as he grasped Sibylla’s hand and squeezed it softly.

“Is that really what you feel?” Sibylla eyed Cian with suspicion.

“More or less,” Cian grinned.

Sibylla rolled her eyes. “Whatever, you are the boss so whatever you said, will do…” she gave out a helpless sigh. She then placed down the dessert in her hand. “Let’s not revisit that argument now. It’ll just make my day bitter,”

“Afraid you’ll lose?” Cian teased.

“Afraid we’ll both die of boredom." Sibylla glared at him. She then rolls her eyes; "Anyway, actually I was thinking of giving Aunt Avidhorn the Golden Phoenix Hairpin, one that had yet to be out for the market, as a present. What do you think about it?”

“I don’t mind… the company’s yours as much as mine. You can just use it as much as you like,” Cian replied.

Golden Hairpins was one of the most famous popular products of [Adam’s Company]. With their beautiful and intricate designs, golden texture and color as well as cheap prices, noblewomen and men alike were scrambling to buy it.

However, supply never meets demand. Of course, it was not because there was less manpower but instead, Cian ordered to create only small batches at a time.

There was a saying, the rarer it is, the more precious it will become.

Obviously, the product was not made from real gold. If not, the cost would reach the ceiling and would not be able to retain any profit at all.

Instead, they are products created from cheap bronze then gilded. Intricately designed hairpins created from bronze or any cheap metals will be plated by gold. This kind of plating technique had not been discovered by this time yet but was a knowledge completely brought from the Modern World.

Simply using ceramic jars all according to the Baghdad battery theory, one can easily pull off this kind of miraculous way of gold-coating technique.

The products made by the [Adam’s Company] were no worse than items made entirely of gold, while the cost was less than one-tenth of the price and yet, it still rakes profits like sitting on a rocket.

“I hope she’ll like it,” she said, smiling shyly.

The Golden Phoenix Hairpin was actually one that she had designed, so she was a bit nervous if people would like it or not.

“You ‘hope she’ll like it?’,” Cian playfully mimicked her prim tones, “Is that all you have to say? Of course, she will. The Golden Phoenix Hairpin’s design is something even professionals would surely praise. You have outdone yourself this time, it’s so beautiful that I even wanted to own one and keep it for myself, all to commemorate the first finished product you personally designed. And yet, here you are, giving it to that annoying woman… I don’t know what to say,”

Sibylla rolled her eyes at him. Then, she let out a laugh, delighted with his praise. “If you want it, I’ll give it to you. It’s not like it would be the only one…I actually made several to give to Elder Sister Oriel, Mother and her Empress as a present.”

A helpless thought flickered through Sibylla’s mind, thinking that it was quite a pity that Cian was on such bad terms with the Marquis lady, though she didn’t know why or where did it had gone wrong on the road—and, as a consequence, with her guests. It would have been so pleasant to have been able to meet the Marquis lady on easy friendly terms and perhaps to be able to acquire their support for him. But this could never be…

Unconsciously, she gave vent to a sigh.

“Why so mournful, Sibylla?” Cian asked with a doubtful look after seeing her staring at him with a bitter expression.

Marelys Avidhorn, the wife of the esteemed Marquis of Okmahun City and was well-known in the noble circle as one of the wisest women in the Northern Border. Not only coming from the illustrious noble clan of the Avidhorn Family that was not any less inferior than the Guardian Clan of the Northern Border; The Stormblade Family, she was referred to as the woman behind the Marquis and also an influential figure within the Imperial Council of the Okmahun City.

Successful and respective person—idolized by most young women in the populace. Furthermore, she also has an amiable character. In fact, even Sibylla herself was among those who look up to her, so being called an annoying woman by her lover, Sibylla didn’t know what to say.

Sibylla shook her head. “Oh, I was just thinking that the [Adam’s Company] now is already the top of the market in the entire City. What’s your next move?” she asked him evasively. Not actually entire City... but to the entire Empire, almost rivaling the [Lilith's Sin] was in terms of Business Success.

Although still can't rival in power and influence, their momentum is already chasing the stage of the three great mysterious organizations of the Demon Empire!

Cian didn’t care about it and answered, “Nothing for the moment. Just waiting for the right time. In fact, I had just received a message from my mom that Lucifalion would be returning to the Imperial Capital for a moment and a celebration will occur to welcome him. And guess what, we are invited…”

“His Highness Lucifalion? That is unusual,” Sibylla frowned.

“Unusual as it is, I don’t have any choice but to hasten the plan of my impending debut.” Cian smiled wryly. “I cannot ignore it. Big Sister and I needed to return to participate in the celebration, if not it would be a huge scandal that would be likely be used against us if otherwise, we failed to appear. And from what I had heard Situel too would be returning from the Demon Academy. The Four Great Royal Children are finally meeting each other again after a long time, how interesting that could be....?" Cian smiled with a tone full of sarcasm. "...Nevertheless, I had expected this to happen sooner or later. Lucifalion and I needed to meet at some point.”

“After then, what…?” Sibylla asked worriedly. She suddenly feels a bad premonition towards this sudden return of the first prince.

Cian grinned. “After then, that depends on the meeting. I want to assess Lucifalion’s attitude towards me first.”

“This is dangerous…” Sibylla frowned.

“Dangerous is my middle name,” Cian chuckled. “…when there is a danger, there is an opportunity as well.”

“… …”

“Besides, I don’t think Lucifalion will dare move me for the time being.” Cian put down the milk jug with an exasperated little crash. His tone was confident. Hiding within it was also sharpness that seems to have the ability to cut anything, whether it is schemes or ill-intentions, “The Human World is gaining momentum in the war, and with the appearance of the so-called Heroes, the forces of the Demon World has been at a disadvantage. Fighting within ourselves at this moment would be a foolish action. Lucifalion would not dare make an enemy out of the wolves when he was facing a tiger in front.”

Sibylla nodded her head, “However, you still need to be careful with him.”

“That’s a given,” Cian grinned confidently. "Since he has the courage to gamble with my life, he should give me a life in return. I have always been one to give an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth. If he dares make a move, I would not mind playing with him."

"I need to let him know that not everyone can do as they please."

Cian's eyes darkened as it emanated with coldness.

… …