After settling the matter with the sea monster Iva, August returned with the money pouches of the three companions.
Stunk and the others were still standing in place, and when they saw August approach, their faces lit up with joy.
Whoosh~
August tossed the three money pouches directly in front of them.
"Ah, my money pouch!"
A delighted Stunk picked up his pouch, opened it, and found it missing five thousand gold coins.
He wasn't alone—both of the others had the same experience.
"I've taken back the money I lent you. You guys can forget about spending all your savings at a succubus shop."
"Uh, August, that was an accident, definitely an accident."
"Whether it was an accident or not, I don't know. But what I do know is that this isn't your first time. Medori told me you once lost all your money at a succubus shop before."
"Don't bring that up if you want us to stay friends."
"Learn your lesson, Stunk."
"By the way, August, how did you get the money back?"
"We've got connections."
"Damn, you're just a 'wealthy' and 'well-connected' guy, aren't you?"
August didn't care, putting on a smug look like he owned the world.
However, this time the gains were substantial—thirty-six mermaids, a new lackey, and a sea beast trading route. These were all valuable assets.
"Still up for shopping?" August asked Stunk.
"No, no more shopping! This trip has been a disaster."
"Your luck was just bad."
"Damn it, you were the only one having fun!"
"That's the charm of a handsome man, something you can't learn."
That comment almost made Stunk explode with rage. The difference between people was too much. This guy had a mermaid clinging to him last night, while Stunk was conned out of his money and spent the night freezing outside. Sure, he got his money back, but the loss was all his.
"Alright, I feel bad for you guys, so I'll let you take a ride in my personal vehicle. Remember to be grateful."
"Who'd want to ride with you~"
Before Stunk could finish his sentence, a golden ripple spread through the air.
A flying vessel made of gold and emerald slowly appeared by the shore, drawing the attention of everyone—humans, sea tribes, and other races alike.
Vimana, the celestial throne of kings, the personal vehicle of Gilgamesh.
A radiant 'boat' made of gold and emerald, capable of soaring through the skies.
Powered by solar crystals fueled by mercury, it could perform high-speed flights in defiance of physical laws. It possessed formidable firepower, equipped with numerous Noble Phantasms and even ancient nuclear warheads.
There was no exaggeration in calling it a war machine—a superweapon capable of nuclear dIvastation.
August flashed and appeared on the throne of Vimana, instantly proving his identity.
He controlled Vimana to descend, and Stunk and the other three were stunned.
None of them had ever seen such a godly artifact before, especially one with this level of grandeur.
"Hop aboard, everyone," August said calmly to the four.
Stunk, Zel, Kanchal, and Brooz exchanged glances, then quickly boarded Vimana.
People from all around gathered, their hearts shaken by the appearance of such a wondrous vessel.
August ignored their gazes and promptly controlled Vimana to soar upward, as Stunk and Zel let out startled cries. A protective barrier formed around them.
If not for the barrier, the others would have been thrown off by Vimana's speed.
"Hey, August, how fast is this thing?" Stunk asked nervously.
"Speed?"
"Yeah, what's up?"
"You'll feel it for yourself."
Before Stunk could reply, Vimana's magical power surged, and it shot forward, tearing through the air.
Its incredible speed left nothing but a fleeting trail of light in the sky, a testament to its velocity.
In that instant, Stunk and the others were paralyzed with fear. The speed was beyond their imagination.
Though they were protected by the barrier and didn't feel the impact, the scenery flashing by was breathtaking.
"Is this some kind of divine artifact? The speed is terrifying," Zel muttered, his shock evident.
The other three were speechless. The impact had been too much for them. Zel, with his experience, was handling it better than the others.
"August, who are you, really?" Zel asked.
"I'm the current leader of the House of Demon. You can think of it like being the head of one of the Elf clans."
"The head of a clan?" Zel was stunned. He was just an ordinary elf, and elf clan leaders were high-ranking beings. Not to mention, leading an entire clan of high elves was a monumental status.
The fact that August, such a high-ranking figure, would hang out with them and visit succubus shops was shocking.
This twist was too much, but it made Zel fully accept August as a friend.
A friend willing to set aside his status and fool around with you was truly rare and valuable. And August was exactly that kind of friend.
August had no idea what Zel was thinking, but if he did, who knows how he would have reacted.
The reason August revealed Vimana and even fabricated connections and power was simple: he was laying the groundwork for the future.
August planned to collect both magical and sea beasts in large quantities, and these guys were crucial to that.
Even though they were just adventurers, their networks were extensive. By leveraging those connections, August could rapidly expand this 'business.'
Most importantly, both wealthy and powerful people often had privileges.
By spreading his identity around town through their word of mouth, August could minimize trouble.
Never underestimate merchants—they would do anything for profit.
Since August could only stay in this world for one year, he had to grow the World Tree sapling as much as possible in that time.
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