He turned and looked at Dalia on the bed.
Dalia was still basking in the afterglow, her skin flushed as she lay on the bed.
"I'll be here for two more days. I'll teach you how to use the drone and the other equipnt, and then I'll have to leave for a while," Fang Zhen said.
"When you're gone, I'll lose a great deal of my sense of security," Dalia said, turning over to face him.
"How do you plan to stabilize the Ashton Territory and rge the Montagu and Von Klei Territories?" Fang Zhen asked.
"I still know so influential people in the Royal Capital. Of course, they aren't trustworthy like Viscount Perrington. They'd only be willing to help for profit. But if I have an army, power, and money, those noble friends could be of much greater use," Dalia said, sitting up.
"The supplies you brought will be a great help, primarily as trade goods. I'll be able to raise a large sum of money. I'll use that money first to build up my own strength, consolidate my control over the army, and improve its capabilities. Then I'll bribe my noble friends in the Royal Capital to persuade the King or Queen to recognize my right to rge the three territories. After that, they can have my rank raised, granting
the title of Countess."
"Of course, it will cost a fortune, but if I handle it correctly, it's a price I can afford to pay."
Fang Zhen listened, then asked, "Won't rising so quickly bring you danger and resistance?"
"It might. That's why I'm preparing a fallback plan to keep myself safe," Dalia said. "I'll go through Matthew to open a channel to the Tade Church and gain their covert support. If necessary, I'll ask the Church to station Holy Knights in my territory."
"The Tade Church has imnse influence within the Kingdom. It's the largest faith in Zambein, and there are rumors it will beco the state religion."
"At the sa ti, I'll invest in and sponsor Matthew to help him climb higher and faster within the Tade Church. That will be better, and safer, for both of us."
"And the drone you gave
in our trade will give
so ability to protect myself."
Fang Zhen smiled.
He said, "You've thought this through very clearly. Your ideas and your ability to execute them are stronger than most n's. I believe in you. By the ti I return, you might already be a Countess."
"But even if I achieve all that, I'll still feel like I have nothing to lean on," Dalia said, revealing her emotional side.
Fang Zhen walked over to her. "Don't worry," he said. "You can do it."
As he spoke, he took a gift bag from the small backpack he'd brought with him from his world and handed it to Dalia.
"What's this?" Dalia asked, a little surprised.
"A gift," Fang Zhen said.
Dalia opened it and saw a bottle of exquisitely packaged, high-end perfu.
Fang Zhen sprayed a little onto Dalia's pale neck, then gently took a sniff.
"The other supplies I brought are rchandise. This is a gift, just for you."
"After all, you're my woman now."
Dalia caught the scent of the perfu. As she listened to Fang Zhen's words, she felt her cheeks flush all over again.
…
Over the next two days, Fang Zhen spent his days teaching Dalia how to operate the drone and the diesel generator. He patiently went over the most common malfunctions and how to fix them, using the instruction manuals and tutorials he'd downloaded from the internet.
As a teacher, Fang Zhen was extrely satisfied with his student, Dalia.
Dalia was truly brilliant—diligent, with a sharp mory, strong comprehension, and a ticulous nature. She wrote down everything Fang Zhen said, and her questions were always practical.
In just two days, Fang Zhen had taught Dalia everything she needed to know about using the drone and the diesel generator.
He was her teacher by day, and by night as well, instructing Dalia in a great deal of new "knowledge."
Through their intimate contact over these days, he discovered she was most accustod to the missionary and cowgirl positions. He was a little curious why she favored two styles that were so different.
He later learned that those were the only two she knew. The first was passive and sothing anyone could do, while the second ca naturally to her because she was an equestrian.
Upon learning this, Fang Zhen made sure to give Dalia so redial lessons. After all, with the information-rich modern world at his fingertips, he had access to a vast and profound sea of knowledge.
Two days passed.
Fang Zhen finished the drone tutorials, and the ti for his departure had arrived.
Over those two days, he could feel that Dalia had grown dependent on him—emotionally, psychologically, and physically.
Parting at a ti like this was always a little lancholy.
Even Fang Zhen felt a little uneasy leaving Dalia here on her own.
「Dusk, outside Ashton Castle.」
For once, it wasn't raining. The sun, long absent, made a rare appearance, though it only cast the lingering glow of sunset.
The horizon was painted with red evening clouds, lending the farewell an even more sorrowful air.
Dalia erged from the castle to see Fang Zhen off.
Behind her, Matthew and her one-eyed female guard had also co to bid him farewell.
As she prepared to part with Fang Zhen, standing in the twilight of the setting sun, Dalia's eyes were tinged with red. Unlike her usual rational self, she was overco with emotion.
Seeing her like this, Fang Zhen felt a pang in his heart.
'But in a situation like this, as the man, I can't let my emotions run wild.'
"I'm only leaving for a little while, it's not like I'm never coming back," he said.
"After I'm gone, rember to take care of yourself. Don't drink too much tea in the evening. I've noticed you're sensitive to it—drink a little too much for afternoon tea and you won't be able to sleep."
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