Mixed Blessing System

"The emperor's situation?" Anneke repeated Lothur's words, interested in how this young man seemed not to mind speaking of such a figure so freely.

Leopoldine emperor was the strongest person in that state, someone who was undoubtedly among the most powerful in this part of Concordia.

And even if few people knew how powerful he was, Anneke had no doubts about the ability of someone capable of dominating for centuries so many organizations with cultivators at the 3rd stage.

So, she did not like to refer to such a person so casually and did not know much about the same.

"How would I know?" She asked in a jocular tone. "Do you think I have access to the imperial court to know these important details?"

"All I can tell you is what comes out publicly, like that person's desire to choose his successor in the next few years."

"Other than that, I don't know if he is well or injured, although I doubt he is unhealthy..." She said, thinking about how no one could oppose such an expert, which guaranteed him a great position.

"Oh? I see..." Lothur was not disappointed to hear that, but considering Anneke's answer, he knew that he might have to endure problems concerning the succession for months to a few years.

'What a headache...'

'Why don't these people just give up their leadership position? What's the point in leading a state?' He wondered, feeling bad for having to live through the consequences of power madmen.

In Lothur's view, there was no advantage in becoming a king, emperor, or president. To him, only masochists would seek so many responsibilities when more exciting options were available.

For example, on Earth, being the president of a country was a guarantee of trouble, constant stress, and hatred from parts of the population.

Every decision by such a person would be looked down upon by some part of the community. At the same time, problems would always arise, something easily seen in how quickly people in these positions aged during their times. Also, a good president would rarely be recognized as such while alive.

The best consequences of the actions of someone of such importance usually come with decades of development. But this could often even have its roots passed on to those who did not deserve it, those who would be in power when the best consequences had their effects.

That was only part of the problem of being a state leader, something that, in Lothur's opinion, only madmen would seek.

To him, it made much more sense to be behind the curtains, making the necessary moves from the shadows, using the fools who sought status with the public.

He understood that there could be advantages to being the emperor, especially in a cultivation world where democracy did not exist. But he judged that there were better options that did not limit one's life so much.

He sincerely doubted that the public face in command, the emperor, was the peak of power!

For these thoughts, he considered the competition of these people from the imperial family to be foolish. So, naturally, he felt annoyed that he had to deal with the consequences of this.

"Sigh..."

"Well, changing the subject, I think the Mouse Company might be behind that situation I told you about yesterday..."

"Last night, as I was returning home, a woman member of that organization tried to seduce me and take me to a casino." He looked into Anneke's eyes seriously. "I couldn't help but feel that they are plotting against me."

"Can you think of any reason for this? Maybe the Mouse Company is working for one of those enemy powers of the Frost family?"

Hearing that, Anneke wanted to laugh, surprised at this shameless man talking about a woman trying to seduce him. "A woman tried to seduce you? Are you sure it wasn't the other way around?"

"Of course!" He closed his eyes, feeling struck by Anneke's words.

"And you weren't seduced? Were you, by any chance, sick?"

"For someone who flirts with a classmate and his own teacher, I find it strange that you're telling me this..."

"Tsk!"

"I am not someone who tries to be with every woman in my path, Anne."

"What is this misconception you have about me?"

"Is that so? And why do you seem to flirt with every woman I see you with?" Her eyes sharpened.

"Because you've only seen me with worthwhile women. You included."

"You!" The cheeks of that black-haired woman grew hot as she looked at that bold fellow.

But she soon tried to breathe more calmly as she clasped her hands on her legs. 'At least you won't disrespect that young lady by hanging out with sluts...' She felt that Lothur was not that bad, noting how Elke would not have to be humiliated by being with some random womanizer.

She then answered his earlier question, ignoring the story of the woman who had tried to seduce him. "Well, I don't know why the Mouse Company is plotting against you, but that might have something to do with Alric's situation."

"Alric?" His eyebrows frowned with concern that Anneke knew about what he had done.

"Yes, Alric sought information about you with that organization before the incident days ago. Because of that, the Baier family has a disagreement with the Mouse Company."

"That might have something to do with what you told me..." She finally loosened her legs, feeling the previous heat passing. "But it could be for other reasons too. Who knows?"

"Sigh!" He breathed in relief, glad that person had not discovered that he was behind the Alric incident.

'Anyway, if they are after me for such a thing, then I have to be careful!'

After Lothur was silent for some time, Anneke finally asked about her payment. "So? Won't you tell me anything about your good fortune? I will not accept an excuse. You will not leave this place without telling me anything!"

"Hmmm?" He looked at Anneke thoughtfully, trying to find a way to please her without saying anything relevant. "Don't you think my telling you my secrets just for some information isn't too high a price?"

"No, you even had lunch with me. Nay, you even got a date with me. How many people won't wonder what's happening here?" She looked at the surroundings, where some individuals were watching them.

He then got up from his seat and walked over to Anneke's side, showing one of his hands for her to lean on and get up. "If this is a date, we need to make it look like one." He said into one of her ears, making her regret what she had said earlier.

As she felt one of Lothur's hands on her waist and his warm breath on her neck, Anneke shivered from head to toe, feeling nervous for the first time in a long time. She listened. "I don't think certain secrets can be discussed in public, so if you want to hear my story, we can talk about it in a more private place."

"Do you have a place in the local dormitory? I promise I will answer one of your questions if you agree to talk in a more tranquil place..."

Gulp!

'Bastard! What you want is to come to my room!'

'But you think I can't handle you?'

'Humph!'

'You need to improve a lot to make me interested, and I'm strong enough to teach you a lesson!'

"All right, student Ritter." She turned away from him, speaking loud enough for people in the surrounding area to hear her. "I'm already feeling better. So you don't have to keep supporting me..."

"Oh? That's fine."

"We can continue this conversation next Monday. I hope you don't run away from your promise." She handed him a piece of paper after saying those words in a low voice.

After seeing the location of her room on that piece of paper, Lothur smiled and said goodbye to Anneke.

...

Hours later, Lothur had already returned from the Morning Star Academy, having talked with Annaliese about them going out to train together at the local Cultivation House on the weekend.

After she agreed on the condition that he no longer talked about the previous subject, they parted ways, with Lothur going to his wife's residence to have dinner with her.

For some reason, Viktoria wanted to talk to him. So, after receiving a letter in his room, he promptly went to his wife's residence, curious.

"Dear, your beloved is here for you." He said with a smile as he knocked on the door of that residence.

Upon hearing that, a person on the other side of the door smiled strangely, as her hair color changed to a brownish shade after activating a specific item...