Adelle looked at Jones with suspicion.
"We are still brothers, rest assured," Jones said with a smile. "Don’t investigate Adolf anymore; that’s all in the past. He will help you solve your problem. He promised me."
"I don’t know either, and I feel no need to know. His target is my adoptive father. Besides, it doesn’t seem adversarial. He just wants to confirm some commonly known matters."
After hesitating, Adelle finally nodded and shook the banknotes in his hand, saying, "I’ll keep these first. If you need anything, let me know. We are brothers. If I find out that you’d rather borrow from someone else instead of from me, I’ll be upset. After all, money is the only way I can help you."
"Alright," Jones nodded.
When Jones walked out of Adelle’s castle, he suddenly felt the air of the entire world become clearer. Incomparably clear.
Who Adolf was, he had no clue, but what did it matter?
That was the world of big players. No matter who he was, the world of people who could casually throw around half a million gold coins was unrelated to him. He was simply a minor lord, without Gray’s grand ambitions, just wanting to manage his own territory well.
Even though he harbored no fondness for the slave system, he would only free the slaves within his own territory, those belonging to him, and wouldn’t concern himself with others.
Yes, that’s exactly who he was—a person holding over two hundred thousand gold coins, owning a piece of land, with loyal subjects of his own. Though they were dwarves, he was already content.
"Hmm... I think I should buy some slaves of different races."
"Why emphasize ’slaves of different races,’ Lord Jones?"
"Haven’t you noticed that our entire territory is filled with dwarves?"
"Forget it, the zombies. They can’t even communicate with us properly. I need to think about what slaves to buy. Elves? They seem too expensive. Even two hundred thousand gold coins wouldn’t buy many. Goblins? Definitely not—the first to be excluded. I still haven’t entirely overcome the shadow of the Goblin Kingdom. Maybe slaves from the Blood Clan or gnomes could be a good choice... But of course, only after I find a new profitable business."
Flying all the way back, Jones rambled on endlessly, with Dora quietly listening beside him.
"Hey, Silverhammer! Is the refinery still running smoothly today?"
"Everything’s fine! It should officially start operations tomorrow!"
"Barrel! Is the mine still normal today?"
"What could possibly go wrong? You just asked before you left, and I’ve only just woken up. At night, we don’t mine unless you provide extra manpower."
"By the way, there’s a letter for you; it’s already placed on the desk in your study."
Flapping his wings, Jones landed on the balcony of his study with Dora, transformed back into human form, and walked inside.
"Who could’ve sent me a letter this time?"
Excitedly, Jones picked up the letter lying on the desk and opened it.
"Jones Dracula, greetings. We’ve received your father, Count Dracula’s request for assistance regarding your new territory. We aren’t entirely clear on what happened between you and Count Dracula, but here’s a reminder: before you come of age, Count Dracula, as your guardian, holds custodial obligations towards you and simultaneously has the authority to manage all your property. We heard there’s a Hydra in your territory? In accordance with Count Dracula’s request, we will soon be taking over your territory located on the western edge of the Kolin Peninsula mountain range. Signed, Dark Night Deacon Council."
After reading, Jones’ eyes widened, his entire expression froze in place.