"That was easy."
I muttered on a balcony in a hotel located beside Nina's whore house, sitting on a soft chair while looking at the scenery. The wolf girl from earlier was also in the room connected to this balcony, and I could see her sleeping soundly with her clothes on.
This hotel was managed by the Vampire girl, who introduced herself as Lucienne Brunet as I told them about their new jobs.
The sight of Border City under me that I could see from the fourth floor, which was higher than any buildings here, made me realize once again that this was truly an Underground City.
There was a fight in every corner. Drunkards destroyed some boxes on the street, and those who solved those kinds of things belonged to Raven Group, the group that was now under Beatrice's rule as their leader had become her pet.
And I realized the tattoo on the left chest of the man called Raven was supposed to be a raven, but I mistook it for a hawk. The tattoo artist in this world wasn't as skilled as I thought.
I was given this room after I finished my explanation to the leaders and told them about my goal. They were quite surprised to the point Nina's smile broke off her face. I quite enjoyed their reactions at that time.
Talking about the meeting, I could understand why the Succubus girl accepted my demand easily. It was because of Beatrice, according to what I heard from the black-haired Succubus.
And then the bunny girl, Nina. She was in a hard position where the other two had agreed to work under me, so she accepted my demand, too, in order not to be crushed. If she was the only one who rejected my offer, it was clear that her group would become the minority, and I would target her.
For someone who worked in the prostitute world, she was sensitive and could manage the danger that could be targeting her.
Lastly, the Vampire girl. I honestly couldn't understand what was in her mind. She even provided me with this suite room so I could rest for the day as I ordered Beatrice to take over Raven Group.
'If I don't understand, I just need to ask.'
"Now then… What do you want?"
My eyes turned toward a bat that was hanging on a beam on the ceiling. From my radar, I could see a yellow dot from where that bat was, meaning it was an individual and not just an ordinary bat.
"I wanted to ask something." The bat answered with a soft, familiar voice. I remembered it belonged to the vampire girl from earlier, and my guess was right.
It flapped its wing and suddenly multiplied, covered in a black haze.
From that black haze that suddenly appeared, a long leg covered in white socks and high heels appeared, landing softly on the balcony.
A ruffling black skirt with red frill danced in the air, and the sleeveless black dress hiding modest breasts appeared next with oversized detached sleeves covering her hands.
Lastly, a beautiful face with pale skin and crimson blood eyes looked at me as her white hair tied in twin tails danced due to her movement.
One of the leaders, Lucienne Brunet, the Vampire girl, appeared after transforming from a bat. She looked at me expressionlessly with curiosity and… anger hidden beneath her crimson eyes, waiting for my response.
"A question?" I asked, smiling softly. "Feel free to. I can hear what my subordinate says anytime."
"Subordinate…" Lucienne muttered with a tone filled with sarcasm. "The way you entered the scene, just say you will take no for an answer, though. You forced us to become your subordinate, and my question is regarding that. How well will you treat us in the future?"
"Oh? You're not questioning my goal, but how about I will treat you guys, huh?" My smile widened, interested in what she said.
"I care about my kin and my peace more than the people of this city or my rule." She replied seriously, narrowing her eyes. "I said I agreed to be your puppet and heard your goal. But you've yet to tell us how you plan to use us besides 'Do what you did before until further instruction.'"
"Isn't that already clear?" I asked, looking at the serious Vampire girl. "You can do what you did before I came. I will tell you and the others about my other plan when it's time. Before that, just rule this city like before. Of course, I will intervene in some parts to make this city… better than now."
I turned to look at the city once again. This city was big, probably 2/3 of the size of Academy City. That said, it talked more than how many people were staying in this kind of city that could be called a slum. Academy City itself had more than a million people living in it.
If only it wasn't located underground and could gain more resources from a legal place, the building in the outer area wouldn't be so dilapidated and would look better than that.
'That's why they only focused on fixing the buildings in the inner area that surrounded the center of the city, which was the clubhouse.'
At least having an area with a nice view to bait Nobles instead of having none was better. And they purposely made the end of the city look like a ruin because they didn't want the Nobles to venture that way, to hide something rather important.
Furthermore, the security in that area was especially bad. No one but the residents of that area approached it.
If I was asked how I would treat my subordinates and my plan for this city, then the answer was clear.
"On my name as a Paladin, I promise to give you lives better than before. I will rebuild this city and make it look habitable." I looked straight at Lucienne's face and showed my Paladin Crest.
This was the best way to make her believe that I was the real Paladin. A shock in her eyes couldn't be hidden, although she tried to maintain her expressionless state.
My Paladin Crest was gone almost instantly.
I wasn't a Saint. But I would change this city.
If it looked like it was now, no business would come, and no income would be generated. I had no need for money, but it would look bad if a city with me as a real leader looked like a slum.
Of course, the leaders had already been briefed to hide my real identity, and I made sure to talk in a low voice while in that clubhouse. No rumors would escape this city; that was why I also told them I was a real Paladin.
And the reason for fixing this city was no more than my self-satisfaction and for my own sake too.
So even if you smiled, it didn't change a thing, Lucienne Brunet.
"Is that so?"
Even if you kneeled like that, the happiness of your people would still be in your hand, not mine.
"Then I shall make an oath right now."
You also didn't need to bite your thumb and drop your blood on your palm in front of me.
"I, Lucienne Brunet, as the representative of the Vampire Races in Border City, shall follow Arthur Vainglory as long as he follows his promise to make this city better and treat my kin with fairness."
Of course, I would be fair. That was as long as you didn't betray or plan something against me.
"I shall be your nose in this city." She ended with a smile and looked up at me. "Will you accept my blood oath? If yes, please give me a drop of your blood."
