After a few more hours of discussions and decisions, the Council officially approved the creation of the University as something close to an autarchy, that is, an independent agency, both in internal regulations, budget and personnel.
The expansion and diversification of F11's products, as well as the new plants were moved to the execution stage. Another point was the upgrading of the explosives to those used in the Embassy Battle, whose cost would be basically the same, due to upgrades in machinery, employee insights and agreements with suppliers. However, their price would be three times higher.
The Military Academy had already been extensively discussed and its existence defined in previous meetings. In this meeting, only a few adjustments were made due to its new size.
With the meeting concluded, the Council members left with tired faces but filled with internal excitement. The foundations of the Haller clan were becoming increasingly solid, and their present and potential importance was reaching new heights.
Of all the participants in the meeting, only the Patriarch, Ian, remained seated in his place. He had managed to have everything he wanted accepted and received many contributions from the Council members, improving the projects. The atmosphere of this new organization was extremely prosperous, with dedicated and talented individuals.
Even Ian didn't expect to build something so promising in such a short time. Soon, they would have three Fantasy Realms!
Speaking of Fantasy Realms, Ian remembered that he hadn't met with Zero yet. She was still imprisoned, albeit in one of the best rooms at the Headquarters, initially well-treated, with the only prohibitions being to leave and having her cultivation sealed. It was time to pay her a personal visit...
The truth was that Ian didn't know what to do with Zero. He had been impulsive in making the bet of marriage, after all, who likes being constantly belittled? Seeing how his subordinates viewed her as a goddess in their hearts, taking her would make the spectacle even better. Of course, his calculations were correct; this greatly boosted the news and put F11 in the sights of all higher organizations in Sombreal.
The problem was that living beings don't always act according to the plans of others. There was a high possibility that Zero would do something for revenge.
Lost in his thoughts, Ian soon arrived in front of the place where Zero was detained. He knocked on the door three times. He could have simply entered, but there was a woman inside, so it wouldn't be appropriate to barge in without notice. No response, he repeated the act. Again, silence. So, he decided to enter.
The accommodations could be called luxurious. The decoration was somewhat dark, as it hadn't undergone the proper renovation and maintained its original state proposed by some bloodthirsty Vampire magnate. It was intentional, based on Ian's recent experience, as Dark Elves and Vampires shared some macabre tastes, although they couldn't be said to be equivalent, they had some similarities. In this way, he thought of leaving Zero with a greater feeling of "home."
A blood-red carpet with golden details covered the entire 10m² area. The walls were completely covered with tapestries depicting battle scenes between demons and other entities, such as creatures resembling Western dragons and dinosaurs. The dim lighting came from the chandelier in the center, which exuded antiquity and wealth due to the precious stones embedded here and there. As Ian looked around for the first time, he couldn't help but think that his own room was far inferior.
Ian quickly found Zero. She was as beautiful as ever, with her curves almost on display in her provocative clothing, leaning in the farthest corner possible. The difference between her now and before was in her swollen face, red eyes, cracked lips, and dark tear stains. The impulsive, powerful, and arrogant Zero, commander of the Numbered, a young and highly talented Fantasy Realm, found herself in a pitiful state.
A sigh was inevitable. Ian, thanks to his Soul Constitution Blessing, found it relatively easy to control his emotions and maintain composure. But that didn't mean he was insensitive; he acted according to the situation. In a battle and after its conclusion, the need for values, emotions, and decisions would be different. That sight truly touched him.
"Miss Zero, I apologize for not visiting you earlier, but you can imagine how busy I've been in recent days." Ian began speaking, and Zero raised her face and stared at him. The remorse reflected in her eyes was quickly replaced by anger.
"You can just go and forget about me. I really don't need your apology, I am even disgusted to hear your voice." Zero spoke with a tone that bordered on sickness.
"I can't say the same, your beauty is still among the skies and your voice as melodious as ever." Ian teased, resulting in a spit aimed at his shoes from Zero, which was duly deflected, leading to further indignation that was soon suppressed by a blank expression. The Elf put her head on her knees and stood there, ignoring the surroundings. Ian's mood turned sour.
"Zero, I will speak frankly. One side of me feels bad for your decadence, yet there is another side that is cheerful. When you had me kidnapped and put in a trunk for hours, did you think in your worst nightmares that I would have my revenge? That overbearing idiot who tried many times to separate my neck at the time, today is buried seven feet in the ground. People reap what they sow. I would have sold just as well if you had knocked on my door and treated me like people. We could have closed advantageous deals. No one would have died, you would have been free to continue your mischief around unimpeded. You should have talked to the illustrious Sage Hai, an Elf who lives up to his title. I am sure things would have been different." Ian vented as he looked at the malicious woman.
"Zero, I'm not sure how far the limits of our spoken contract extend, but I realized that you can't take your own life. Otherwise, you would have done so given your troubled state of mind. Besides, you are truly my wife, there's no doubt about that. During the time you were under my power I treated you with dignity, contrary to what you would do. I'm here to negotiate an agreement with you that will bring benefits to both sides." Ian proposed, attempting to make amends with the Dark Elf.
"Ahahah, very funny. Unfortunately, even if I wanted to, I can't do that," Ian didn't bother to explain, and Zero didn't bother to ask. He turned and left the room. He wouldn't give up so easily on acquiring a Fantasy Realm, but trying to get blood from a stone was foolish. He would return whenever possible, and how long it would take would depend on her willpower. If she continued to resist he had means of persuasion, after all, everyone has a price.
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The news about what became known as the Battle of the Dark Elves Embassy ran throughout the powers that be and caused a variety of reactions. Many sought out F11 to make deals, others tried to plant some spy, and even some began their schemes to stop the growth of this nascent influence.
In the Royalty, with the newfound popularity of F11 and its weapons, the Fifth Prince gained extra points in the competition for the crown and had his status elevated. After all, he was the direct contact of Gnel with that company and was directly responsible for Shortyty's master, who had a great influence with Ian. If the Fifth Prince and his background were pleased, his adversaries were not.
The Guilds didn't respond initially. But with rumors of a university being founded, they started to worry. Strong Hammer even sent a director to understand what was happening. Ian had to explain that it was an inclusive educational institution that would conduct scientific research on subjects of interest to F11. Only then did the Haller clan escape the pressure from this second power in Gnome society.
The Factions were on high alert. After all, F11 was a private company and was deviating from the usual path of a common Gnel enterprise. Not only was it growing rapidly, both economically and in influence, but it was now creating branches in the fields of science and military.
The Reds sent representatives to congratulate Ian and warn him that he was in the sights of the other Factions, offering any support he might need.
The Blues filed a lawsuit against F11 for public disorder and terrorism. However, Ian didn't even have to attend a hearing as the case was quickly dismissed. After all, F11 didn't launch an attack within Gnel's jurisdiction but rather in the diplomatic territory of the Dark Elves. As for the Dark Elves, they couldn't argue anything against Ian since he acted in retaliation to an attack he received, it is self-defense.
The F11 itself did not seem very anxious about the events, but its members were more busy than ever. It even increased its recruits and began to expand. Now the costs for all this, too, began to pile up...