This should have been an utterly mundane phrase.
Yet, from the mouths of those ungrateful, it was a phrase impossible to hear.
Ivyst was such an example.
She was nasty and temperamental, always carrying herself with a cold arrogance that made everyone want to stay away.
In Lynn's original conception, this phrase was something that could never possibly come from Ivyst.
Unless her brain had malfunctioned.
Yet tonight, Lynn seemed to have witnessed this once-in-a-lifetime scene.
She... actually thanked him?
This arrogant, haughty, and malicious woman had actually uttered those words to someone?
Not only that, he was somewhat flabbergasted.
Because it was truly astonishing.
So astonishing that he couldn't believe it.
Under the influence of the Lie Swallowing, he maintained a serious demeanor, unsure of what to say.
Just as Lynn was lost in a whirlwind of thoughts, he heard Ivyst speak again, "Additionally, there's something I lied to you about."
She seemed to be talking to the hypnotized person before her, yet also seemed to be facing herself.
Curiosity stirred again in Lynn's heart.
"You're actually the first dog I've ever raised." She gently held her chin, gazing out the window, "The one I mentioned before was raised by Hillena."
"To get back at her, on her birthday, I personally strangled her most beloved puppy."
Despite describing such a hair-raising deed, Ivyst's lips curled into a slight smile, as if she was recalling some fond memory.
Lynn didn't know that this was the biggest secret she had harbored in her heart before the age of 12.
Why she chose this moment to reveal it was unbeknownst to him.
Hearing Ivyst's words, Lynn's face darkened.
Damn it, do you think this kind of talk will make me happy?
Your first dog and all that... no, that's not right.
Reflecting further, he seemed to have taken many firsts from this woman.
First hypnosis, first time actively coming to her rescue, first time giving stockings, first time saying thank you...
He truly was a man of deep sins.
And he didn't know to what extent the storyline would deviate when he eventually made his escape from her side.
"Forget it, what's the point of saying this to 'you' at this moment?" Ivyst shook her head, then raised her hand to release the hypnosis, "Forget everything I just told you."
The next second, Lynn's consciousness returned to his body.
"...How did my mask fall off?"
Lynn looked blankly at the crow mask lying nearby, his acting suddenly intensifying.
That was something he had forgotten... Hearing his confusion, Ivyst's brow furrowed slightly, but she was not alarmed.
"Don't be afraid." She seemed to revert to her usual demeanor, her lips curling into a nasty smile, "I just hypnotized you for a moment to make you perform a striptease, and you ended up forgetting to put the mask back on afterward."
"I must say... your dancing wasn't bad."
Damn it, this woman was adding her own dramatics again.
Lynn complained inwardly.
But outwardly, he had to maintain a somber composure and sat back in his seat.
Seeing this, Ivyst felt somewhat bored and casually shifted the topic back.
"And the agreement with Uncle Tierus, are you confident?"
"Then go ahead and do it, let them see just how excellent my subordinates are," Ivyst Laurent Alexini declared.
"You actually came back alive?"
Upon returning to the manor, Glaya greeted him with a look of shock on his face.
He had witnessed Lynn's awe-inspiring actions throughout the evening, one thrilling twist after another, as if riding a roller coaster.
Unexpectedly, the Iron-blooded Duke, a military man, also spared his life.
While dodging Glaya's physical examination, Lynn shook his head and said, "I merely killed two dogs. What price should be paid?"
"Those were the heirs of the Mosgla family!"
Glaya corrected him loudly.
"There are many heirs in the Mosgla family, not just him," Lynn shrugged. "Besides, they're just heirs."
"As long as that family's core pillar, that damn Valkyrie, is alive, they can regroup at any time."
Less than a month remained before their return to the Imperial Capital.
Lynn had already begun planning some matters in advance.
However, there were more pressing matters that needed his attention now.
Helping Duke Tierus reclaim taxes and, to a certain extent, weaken the faith of the Heavenly Principle Church.
The former wasn't actually that restrictive.
He merely needed to retrieve enough money to serve as military funds within ten days.
Of course, it had to be cake seized from the local church for Duke Tierus to get his revenge and earn money while standing.
As for the latter, it was even simpler.
Ultimately, to weaken a church's faith, one only needed to act in a way that would shake the people's hearts.
To put it simply, make them question the faith they had always held.
Just make these ignorant people feel as if they have been deceived like never before.
With that thought, Lynn spoke, "Rest well tonight, we are going to be very busy in the coming days."
Glaya pondered, "You already have a plan?"
"Of course," Lynn nodded, "Collecting taxes is just done in two ways."
"Forceful collection and administrative collection."
"How about forceful collection?"
"Just raid their houses directly."
"Fuck, and administrative?"
"First find a suitable reason, then raid their houses."
Glaya was stunned, "Is it really that violent?"
"Just a joke," Lynn patted his shoulder. "But that's more or less the framework."
"Otherwise, do you really think using just those soft methods would make those greedy parasites spit out everything they've swallowed?"
"Oh right, remember to arrange for more manpower to make these items overnight..."
Amidst a whispering breeze, Glaya's brows furrowed even tighter.
"Will this really work?"
"You'll find out soon enough."
Accompanied by noisy clamor, countless citizens and passersby crowded the City Square of Orn City, the largest in the city.
Located near King's Avenue, this district was already the busiest and most congested in the city, and today, the flow of people had multiplied several times.
People whispered among themselves while looking towards the center of the square.
What were those things for?
Observing a line of glass cases suddenly appearing on the square, they all had the same question.