In this world, where information is dispersed through art forms such as singing and drama, I had strategically formed my own groups to wield such influence and power.

Now, it was time to elevate them to fame and profit. Looking at them, I nodded in happiness at my accomplishment.

My gave automatically shifted towards the most talented one among them- Leonis.

As I observed Leonis, the man who had managed to deceive me with his cunning facade, I couldn't help but feel a twinge of frustration.

In truth, my downfall was a result of my complacency. Having grown accustomed to the straightforward nature of common folk, I had failed to recognize the subtleties of Leonis's deception.

So, I helped him with Gold to set up a Music troupe.

It was only through the AI's astute analysis, drawing comparisons from various behavioural texts, that I began to discern the flaws in Leonis's demeanour.

Like noticing the flaws in a familiar film upon repeated viewing, the flaws became glaringly obvious once pointed out to me.

Yet, despite his cheating me at the initial encounter, I couldn't deny the singular talent that Leonis possessed - his ability to act.

It was a skill honed to perfection, allowing him to seamlessly blend into any situation and manipulate those around him.

Seeing this talent, I spared no expense in commissioning an investigation.

Utilizing the connections made during my time at the Citadel, I reached out to the underworld, using their myriad resources to gather info on Leonis.

What I discovered was both surprising and disappointing. Despite his mediocre singing abilities, Leonis had managed to carve out a niche for himself as Singer through his exceptional acting skills.

He had used his talent not only to deceive me but also to manipulate others, particularly in his endeavors to woo women.

In essence, Leonis was nothing more than a con artist, using his charm and acting prowess to exploit those around him for his gain.

So, I immediately used wealth, threats he ended up loving now (Marriage), and a passionate job to put his talents to the test- as a stage artist.

[In this era-it is called a Mummer.]

Amidst the bustling activity of preparations, the voice of my pseudo-student, Garmond, caught my attention. "Sir, Your luggage is moving and shouting?"

Realizing I had forgotten about the last member of our Travellers, I hurriedly responded, "Sorry about that, I forgot about him. Open the sack, but just enough to let out his head."

The sack was opened to reveal a familiar face to me—Huric—intensely scrutinizing his surroundings, while Smallfoot looked to me for answers. Walder on the other hand is scrutinizing Huric's face. Everyone seems, to be scrutinizing something.

So I broke this chain by announcing to them, "Guys meet Huric, he is a core member of our The Travellers where everything is done and possible, Everyone here is more or less the core of our group, each new place, we will recruit the newer member enticing them with education, livelihood or skills."

I introduced Huric to the group, explaining our philosophy of inclusion and recruitment at each new location.

But Huric's response was far from enthusiastic. "No, I don't want to leave the city for all the dangers, especially with this group," he protested. "It's already like a Lord's escort in numbers. Managing it is insane—food, earnings, security. You madman even want to expand this group. I've rejected it a hundred times. But you, you kidnapped me."

Walder chimed in with his discovery. "You're the guy who threw sand in Kerith's eyes during the melee and orchestrated a trap for him."

Huric didn't deny it. "Because he wouldn't take no for an answer," he retorted, frustration evident in his voice.

As I observed the reactions of those around me, I could sense the unease lingering from Huric's words. It was clear that buying their loyalty would require more than just promises and grand gestures.

Time to rest their Hearts in realms of peace.

"Everyone, please welcome my Guards, led by their fierce leader, The Bautista"

Under the rhythmic sound of marching steps, accompanied by the ding of armours and weapons worth Hundreds of Gold Dragons rang out.

I clapped my hands and extended a warm welcome to Bautista, the father-in-law of the miserable Leonis. Through my intervention, Leonis had found stability with his abandoned girl, albeit "voluntarily," and in return, I gained the loyalty of the father of the girl, a man well-suited to lead my mercenary group.

Now, as a result of my newfound status - a Knight, they would officially be known as my Guards.

Bautista, a formidable figure with muscles like a wrestler and a characteristic rocking bald head, knelt alongside his men, a sign of their commitment to me.

I replied from my heart and political mind, "My loyal friend, Your place is not at my feet but in my heart.''

I embraced him warmly, his words of gratitude ringing in my ears.

"I will always remember your help in saving my daughter's honour and her future," he said bluntly, his sincerity evident.

I chuckled at the memory of our first encounter when I attempted to control Leonis. I felt guilty at using his loyalty to represent the status of loyalty for me, but the words I felt were from my heart.

In a clear-cut social hierarchy, a friendship with a landed knight like me is a point of reputation and wonder to commoners.

I could see the looks of respect and envy towards Bautista. He represents a clear path to success for them. So, they will follow it.

Speaking of Bautista. I turned towards his son-in-law Leonis, once a proud peacock, who fell silent in the presence of the burly warrior.

At that moment, as my Guards surrounded my group as we travelled through the gates of Oldtown, I felt pure unadulterated excitement.

I knew I was right in using the relations to expand my core personnel. Yep, Nepotism is the most reliable way to ensure cohesion and loyalty in this society without the means of strict supervision, like the CCTV cameras.

For example, the current case of Bautista, Leonis and his wife. Another example would be Garhammer and Garmond.

It was a step-by-step process. At last, after years worth of effort I had a group of varying skill sets.

-Forests around Oldtown, after 2 days of travel-

I couldn't help but reminisce about the challenges of setting up a spy network. It was no easy task, especially considering that spies tended to be as cunning as they were elusive. Many of them were adept at playing multiple sides to their advantage, making it difficult to discern their true loyalties.

Yet, despite the complexities involved, even unreliable spies were better than no spies at all.

I could only hope that my teacher would be able to find the truth behind this latest incident.

"You pathetic worms, give us all your riches or we will take them ourselves."

As I surveyed the ragtag group of bandits before me, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disdain at their rough and unkempt appearance. They were the epitome of the classic definition of criminals, with their gruff demeanour and various signs of competing ugliness.

One particularly repulsive individual caught my eye, with files protruding from his mouth and nose in a grotesque display. It was a sight that turned my stomach, yet I forced myself to maintain composure in the face of such depravity.

As I continued to observe, another bandit caught my attention for all the wrong reasons. He was shamelessly indulging in lewd behaviour, openly masturbating while leering at the women among us—cooks, washerwomen, and singers alike.

The sight filled me with a mixture of anger and disgust, but I knew that I couldn't afford to lose my cool. In situations like these, maintaining control and composure was paramount, even in the face of such blatant depravity.

I could see there were 143 bandits, which is actually a stupendous amount. I wouldn't be surprised if this is all the bandits on the path to the next town.

Their gathering requires a leader even worse than them, ensuring a leadership based on violence. The other factor was benefits—our group would be the ones to provide those benefits. But who had sent the news to them?

I heard Huric screaming out from his position in the sack, peeking his head out, "Hey, Kerith just gave the gold. or the produce or something. Even if your guards are trained and well-equipped, it will be a pyrrhic victory."

I had forgotten he was an elite coward, but I frowned at the expectant looks from some of my group.

It seemed everyone was expecting me to use my wealth for a comfortable life. Perhaps I had been too friendly. I was still new at this nobility thing, but I am a fast leaner.

After all, a man in a position of power should always maintain fear or respect to ensure proper behaviour from his subordinates.

It was time to establish that authority.

"I am broke," I shouted out.

Huric just dumbfoundedly said, "Huh!"

"I am broke, you idiot."

"What the fuck? What happened to all the wealth from the pen business and the famous rewards of the Sealord?"

"I spent them on some additions to my manor. Except for my manor, I mortgaged the rest for more money. Which I spent again," I explained, looking at the dumb expression of the bandits and other illiterates present.

"I am broke. Otherwise, why would I roam the world for money and opportunities?" I continued.

Well, it wasn't a complete lie. The rolling wealth of the business and warehouses, coupled with a well-placed inn in Oldtown, was enough to clear my debts in a decade. But if I wanted, I could clear them right now.

"So, I have no money. But luckily, you guys arrived. Looking at the size of your group, I'm sure there must be some wealth stashed somewhere by you."

With that, I walked forward and soon turned into a sprint to the shock of everyone.

I caught my Gada thrown by Garmond towards me and used the running force to turn it into a rotating one.

I released the head of the Gada, striking the pervert's head into pieces.

Rolling my shoulders, I said to them while standing chill with the reddened weapon, "Better be careful, you idiots. In the forest, I tend to be more natural, calmer, and also more violent. Let's just say it's a matter of perspective."

I laughed as the weapons rang out while part of the guards formed an encirclement around the group. The other part was led by Bautista to tear the idiots apart with his hammer. It truly spoke of their experience and my well-placed equipment so that they easily handled the pests.

Though, I felt a small relief that none of the fighters ran, while the non-combatants huddled themselves into sitting ducks. I noted that, along with basic education, I must add emergency protocols to these guys.

I could hear the laughs of the bandits attacking me and the roars of my friends telling me to watch out as I contemplated things in the middle of a battle.

I had no worries because I had the best assurance of safety. A roar stunned everyone, followed by screams as various lions and tigers, each reaching 8-10 feet, arrived, cutting through the bandits.

"Mommy."

"Fuck."

"AHHH."

I turned towards my huddling group and walked their way while crushing the bodies of those who stood in my path. I shouted out to them, "I am broke because I financed this journey and also for trading the products owned by me. Only me."

Looking at various members who agreed to safely accompany me to profit, I said, "You will pay your part in the Travellers. You will pay a small amount of earnings as a way to keep this going. At the same time, you will understand and follow my orders."

At the last point, I could feel Simba positioning himself behind me. He further strengthened the point by tearing a bandit apart by holding him down and tearing him apart with his claws.

While the rain of blood dripped on me, I ended my speech, "Don't expect me to babysit you guys. Rather, it should be you who should babysit me. Do you get that, Harwin? Do you get that, Huric?"

The spoiled brats in my group gave an "Aye! Ser."

"As for the answer to your previous question, Huric, I donated thousands of old dragons to your father. Impressed, he declared you will be his representative to me."

He frowned at that, which was frankly eerie as the rest of his body was still in the sack. Not wanting to dim the effect, I had Simba's pride which was covered in blood gather near me.

As I lazily leaned back, I could already imagine the gruesome scene unfolding before their eyes.

A 12-year-old me covered in blood and tissues leaning on a Liger surrounded by various carnivores feasting themselves on various dead bodies. A rather crimson scene.

"Unlike you guys, when I throw a tantrum, it becomes a Bloody Mess. So, Spoil me well."