Over the past few days, Karl intensified the slave-hunting operations in the Snow Country.
This was Inan’s way of applying pressure to Shenina. It was hard to imagine a man who could be so tender to your face while stabbing you in the back.
Nancy also prepared to return to the Imperial Capital. This time, she was bringing Inan, that country bumpkin, to see the city’s sights.
Inside Inan’s carriage, Luo Ling sat by his side. The little fox had returned to her usual appearance as a maid and lay nestled in Inan’s embrace.
“You little vixen…” Inan tilted Luo Ling’s chin, his eyes flashing with affection. “Are you satisfied?”
She had already cast a soundproofing spell, so outsiders couldn’t hear their conversation inside the carriage. After their intimate moment in the carriage, she was feeling a bit dazed. Hearing Inan’s question, she finally looked up.
“Master… I love you so much. Do you know that?” Luo Ling gently raised her hand to caress Inan’s cheek. “If possible… I hope I can stay by your side forever, just like Aurora.”
A complicated look flashed across Inan’s eyes. Luo Ling, this little fox, had to fight for him because he couldn’t find anyone else to replace her. Luo Ling sensed Inan’s internal conflict and nuzzled into his chest.
“I know… I’ve always known. My Lord needs me to prove my worth before you can bear to let me stay by your side…”
Inan looked at the girl in his arms, his heart filled with conflicting emotions. This little fox was essentially the “white moonlight” of his life in this world. Beyond that, Inan didn’t dare gamble on whether her 100% obedience would drop. He wouldn’t fall in love with any woman; he only thought about possessing every valuable beauty he found.
Therefore, he could only comfort Luo Ling. “Luo Ling, it won’t be long. I’ll marry you, you know?”
Hearing his promise, tears welled up in Luo Ling’s eyes — a mixture of emotion and joy. She hugged Inan tightly, her voice trembling slightly. “Master, I knew you wouldn’t abandon me. I’m willing to wait, no matter how long it takes.”
Seeing her so affectionate, Inan simply stroked her hair. “Luo Ling, once there is no more need for you to fight, how about you give me seven or eight little fox babies?”
A shy blush crept onto Luo Ling’s face. Hearing this, her heart filled with sweetness and anticipation. Thus, Inan comforted the little fox in his arms, and the two were like dry tinder meeting a flame. Inan could only use intense passion to compensate for his guilt.
Yes, he felt guilty. Luo Ling was the first woman to offer him 100% loyalty, yet he couldn’t give her the companionship she desired. The System couldn’t change these girls’ wills; they possessed these abilities solely because of their devotion to Inan.
Inan didn’t believe in eternal love either, as his experiences on Earth in his past life told him that even the most sacred vows could crumble as mountains moved and rivers changed course. Power was the only thing Inan eternally pursued; he was willing to sacrifice everything for it.
The two shared their affection in the carriage until they entered the Imperial Capital. Nancy had intended to take Inan around the city, but a servant whispered in her ear, necessitating an immediate trip to the palace.
“Viscount Inan, my apologies.” As an elegant woman, she remained polite even though Inan was her subordinate. “I’ll take you around the capital tomorrow. For now, I must take my leave.”
Inan smiled and nodded, exchanging a few polite words with the grace of a gentleman. Nancy gave Inan the address of a manor and ordered her servants to drive toward the palace. She warned Inan to keep his temper in check; this was not a place to act recklessly.
In the Imperial Capital, where every inch of land was worth its weight in gold, even a commoner might have connections beyond one’s imagination. Inan wasn’t foolish. This was the center of power for the Isore Empire — not the chaotic Northern Territory. Therefore, when his carriage encountered a Count’s carriage on the street, he moved aside to make way.
However, the capital was incredibly prosperous, and the traffic was far beyond what one would find in the backwater regions. The streets were so crowded that traffic would jam unless someone backed up. Inan was about to have his driver pull back, as he didn’t want to cause trouble — but then, a man stepped down from the other carriage.
He had dark skin. It was clear he was a mixed-blood Mording. Seeing the man, Inan felt that backing down would be a personal insult. A wave of uncontrollable fury surged within him. Even if the other carriage backed up, Inan had no intention of letting this inferior Mording off for crossing his path.
The Mording were a neighboring race often captured as slaves by the Isore Empire. Over time, nobles had fathered offspring with them. This was different from the silver-haired beauties of the North; they were of Snow Race descent and possessed exquisite features, so they didn’t face discrimination.
The Isore Empire contained many mixed races. While the Isore people held a superior status, they didn’t openly look down on other mixed-bloods. Even attractive beastmen were treated with a degree of civility. But mixed-blood Mording were different. They were born with appearances that made it impossible for others to show them kindness. Theft, robbery, and murder were crimes associated with their bloodline, with over 60% of crimes originating from this sinful lineage.
This led the otherwise inclusive Isore Empire to look down on this bloodline, universally recognizing them as the lowest class. If you had even a drop of Mording blood, people would act as if they didn’t know you. Many dark-skinned mixed-bloods could be seen in the capital. 3,000 years ago, they were born to be abandoned or enslaved. Through generations of effort, they had banded together and now held significant influence within the empire. Despite the locals’ disdain, they were still a force to be reckoned with.
“Hey, kid! You’re in a carriage with a Viscount’s crest, yet you don’t even step out to greet a Count?” the dark-skinned mixed-blood Count roared as he stepped down.
Inan slowly descended from his carriage. Seeing the man’s complexion, his eyes filled with deep disdain — the kind only a pure-blooded Isorean could harbor. Even a pure-blooded Isore commoner would look down on a Mording. Since Inan possessed pure Isorean blood, he looked down on all other races. This wasn’t just discrimination; it was an innate, visceral disgust.
Their appearance and the faint, unpleasant odor they seemed to emit made everyone feel this race was lowly and base. No matter how long they lived in Isore, people still privately referred to them as “black slaves.”
The Count saw the intense contempt in Inan’s eyes and lost his temper. “What are you looking at?! Apologize to me this instant!”
Inan’s eyes showed undisguised contempt. He didn’t want any interaction with these lowly Mording, yet this lowest race dared to offend a high and noble pure-blooded Isorean?
“What kind of creature are you?” Inan looked down at the dark-skinned Count. “You’re making me nauseous. Get lost.”
The dark-skinned Count never expected Inan to humiliate him so publicly. Even though he was a mixed-blood with half Isorean blood, he was still looked down upon.
“You… you reckless fool! How dare you be so rude to me! Do you realize I am a Count?!”
Inan walked slowly toward him. “I said, get lost.”
“And if I don’t? What are you going to do to me — ugh — “
Right there on the street, Inan drew his sword and slit the Mording Count’s throat. He didn’t want to cause trouble, but to him, these dark-skinned curs were no different from ants. He could kill them as he pleased. Why would a pure-blooded Isorean waste words on a Mording? It was a waste of time.
Inan’s sudden action left everyone present in a state of utter shock.