"He actually proposed collaborating to put you in power?"
Meer's large, dewy eyes widened as if she'd heard something utterly unbelievable:
"Even if he's unaware of the organisation's current situation, this is beyond ridiculous!"
In the current SDS, if Luo Shu insisted on pushing through a new policy, even Lacus would follow procedure without question.
This was the Chief God's dominance over their Familia.
To put it another way, the Chief God's will was an unstoppable tide.
The Familia could only make minor adjustments to minor currents, never altering the greater flow.
Under these circumstances, the SDS was effectively already under Luo Shu's control.
If he was already the de facto leader, why would he need old man Carlisle's support to 'rise to power'?
Wasn't this just setting up a puppet, a scapegoat to take the fall?
"That old man's got wicked intentions!!"
"And he's utterly shameless about it."
Luo Shu added gloomily:
"Nearly seventy years old, yet still lusting after Mrs Clyne. Has he forgotten that while Siegel is only thirty-five, he's practically halfway to the grave?"
Though the current Mrs Clyne was a few years older than Siegel, she was only thirty-eight, still within the range of a mature woman.
That Patch Tribe young lady might have married Siegel for political reasons, but by all accounts, she'd never stepped out of line.
Whether supporting Siegel's career or assisting with Lacus's affairs, she'd contributed significantly.
The Patch Tribe members in Logistics and Finance who followed Lacus's orders did so partly due to her influence.
As a stepmother, she'd done nothing wrong—yet this old bastard Hugh Carlisle, who could be her father, dared to harbour designs on her.
Utterly shameless!
"That old creep has designs on Madam Marlene..." Meer's expression twisted briefly before she couldn't help adding, "Wait, wasn't he supposedly in love with Madam Marlene's mother, Grandma Lina? Since when did it become Madam Marlene?"
After a thoughtful pause, Luo Shu ventured uncertainly: "Perhaps... because men always prefer younger women?"
"Oh, is that how it works?" Meer rolled her eyes beautifully, lightly punching Luo Shu's chest with her small fist as she said meaningfully: "What about you then, Luo Shu~? Do you also prefer them young?"
Luo Shu caught her wrist and explained matter-of-factly:
"No, I prefer beautiful ones. Age isn't really a factor."
Although he hadn't yet encountered a Familia member who was 1,000 years old yet still a maiden in her prime, Luo Shu was well aware that the world of anime held infinite possibilities.
That's precisely why he refused to be bound by meaningless constraints, such as age.
"What an unapologetically naughty boy you are."
Seeing Luo Shu like this, Meer could only sigh in resignation, allowing him to hold her hand as she took the lead.
"That old man probably wants to push you into power while pulling strings from behind the scenes, doesn't he?"
"More than that."
Luo Shu gently squeezed Meer's hand as he smiled and said:
"He's probably also hoping to make Lacus experience the betrayal of an ally, to teach her that even interest-based alliances can't be trusted in this world - only one's own interests are reliable."
"A man quite similar to me, yet far more extreme."
At the very least, Luo Shu would still give some change to disabled beggars, even if he suspected they might be professional panhandlers.
But if it were Hugh Carlisle? He'd consider the beggar's approach a gross dereliction of duty by his bodyguards and fire them on the spot.
That old man's heart held no compassion for anything beyond himself.
This was likely why the Patch Tribe had resorted to controlling him through other means, rather than using marriage alliances to win him over, as they had with Siegel.
While Lacus undoubtedly had potential, Siegel's methods were far more honourable than Hugh Carlisle's.
Hearing Luo Shu's assessment, Meer looked surprised:
"You knew Carlisle harboured ill intentions towards you, yet you did nothing? That doesn't seem like your style."
Luo Shu gave Meer a peculiar look: "So what exactly is my style in your eyes?"
Meer arched her slender willow-leaf brows, considering as she spoke:
"Hmm... excessively cautious, never lets go of grievances, lustful but not lecherous..."
"Stop right there - not a single compliment in sight."
Luo Shu rolled his eyes in exasperation before turning away with casual indifference:
"I did do something to that old man."
"What?"
"Let him experience the magic of AIDS." Luo Shu said meaningfully.
"Oh... that..." Meer's expression turned slightly uncomfortable at the mention of the sexually transmitted disease. "Several SDS members have treatments for that. Should I remind them?"
"No, let them work hard on the treatment."
Luo Shu rejected Meer's suggestion with curious interest:
"That old man is, in a sense, my current control group."
"I've enshrined the disease I bestowed upon him - meaning the calamity affecting him is now being worshipped by me, a Calamity Priest."
"So I'm genuinely curious - what reactions might occur with the calamity I'm worshipping while he undergoes treatment?"
Meer looked momentarily stunned: "You're joking... you're using that old man as a test subject for your Class abilities?"
How utterly tragic.
A Calamity Priest nearing Demigod status, constantly reinforcing the calamity upon him - one could only imagine the complications.
At this thought, Meer couldn't help but click her tongue: "It seems I'll have to squeeze some value out of that old man Carlisle before he's played to death."
At that moment, Luo Shu said with a smile:
"I've already had him approve the virtual gaming company proposal."
"After all, happy cooperation~"
When Meer heard Luo Shu say "happy cooperation" with a smile, goosebumps rose on her arms:
"To Carlisle's ears, your so-called cooperation probably means something entirely different, doesn't it?"
Luo Shu smiled without responding.
Meer stuck out her tongue in response.
Since it was their political opponent suffering, she saw no need to probe further.
Rather than dwell on it, she was more interested in seeing Luo Shu's reaction when he met someone later.
With a mischievous grin, Meer quickened her pace and pulled Luo Shu towards a lounge.
Upon entering, Luo Shu saw Lacus sitting on the sofa with a slightly peculiar smile, beside a tall, middle-aged man with short golden hair, a well-groomed beard, and considerable charm.
Seeing him, Luo Shu's eyelid twitched involuntarily.
The golden-haired man was Siegel Clyne.
Lacus's father.
Considering Lacus's odd expression earlier...
Had her father come to settle accounts with this flower thief?