Chapter 40: Life Is Hard, Let Daddy Zachary Pamper You!

"Monetize them?! For real?"

How was that possible? Lydia’s eyes sparkled at the thought.

She had been collecting Magic Crystals and Mana Stones without knowing how to turn them into a reliable source of income.

If she could finally make money from her collection, wouldn’t that be wonderful?

"Excuse me."

Zachary reached for her wrist and pressed his bracelet against hers. Unlike the usual white surface and blue lights, his was sleek black with golden light flowing across it like liquid metal.

"Did my bracelet catch your attention?"

Lydia nodded as she examining the unusual design.

"You do realize that Ludenberg created most of our technologies, right?"

Zachary smirked warmly before releasing her wrist.

"Here, I’ve added some new features to your bracelet, Lydia. For you? It’s free, my deerling."

Free?

Did Zachary add some hidden features or upgrade her bracelet?

Lydia quickly checked her bracelet. Her eyes widened as soon as she opened the menu.

Unlike its usual blue glow, every interface now shone with a brilliant golden light. Even the familiar System Menu had changed, displaying a notification she had never seen before.

[Status: User > Main Admin 01]

[Hidden Features Unlocked!]

[Extraction: Magic Crystal and Mana Stones, Monetization, and Unlimited Storage features are now accessible!]

"Status upgrade? Main Admin 01? What does it mean, Senior?"

"I granted it to you, Lydia." Zachary leaned back in his chair, looking far too pleased with himself. "You can use it to access all Ludenberg facilities for free, my lady. All across this continent and even beyond this planet."

Lydia nearly dropped her teacup.

"Wait. Don’t tell me?"

"Yes, deerling. I’m the one behind Ludenberg Systems. Main Admin 00, or..." He paused dramatically. "The MASTER."

"Whaaaat?! But you’re still really young, Senior. You must be a genius. But why did you do this?"

"So I can pamper my Queen to the fullest, of course."

Lydia immediately pressed both hands against Zachary’s lips.

"Your words can get us put on trial for treason, Senior!"

This man was suicidal!!

Did Zachary have any idea how dangerous those words were? He had just announced that he wanted to pamper Lydia like a queen while she was still engaged to the Crown Prince!

If someone overheard them, she might not even live long enough to enjoy her newfound privileges.

Zachary merely laughed.

"You do remember that I’m a Ludenberg, don’t you? Everything is possible."

"Even against the Empire?"

"Whoever said money can’t solve your problems must not have had enough money to solve ’em. I can easily buy this entire continent if you really wish so."

Lydia fell silent at his absurdity. So the rumors were true.

Even Emperor Regulus couldn’t do much against the Ludenbergs. They didn’t need to boast about their influence or parade their power before the public. Their money did the talking.

And now, Zachary had just granted her free access to his family’s wealth!?

"Sugar Daddy Zachary!" Lydia beamed him a radiant smile.

Unfortunately, Zachary wasn’t prepared for such an ambush! It was super effective!

".....To hell with Ephraim," he muttered, hurriedly hiding his blush. He didn’t even gave a damn care about the dark chocolate éclair that slipped from his fingers and landed on his lap.

After taking a moment—and coughing a few times—to regain his composure, Zachary returned to his usual carefree smile.

"You almost sent me to my early grave from a heart attack, deerling. No wonder that bastard always gatekeeps you." He shook his head with an exaggerated sigh.

"Let Daddy Zachary rain diamonds on you as long as you keep beaming that 24K smile at me forever. Life is hard, let Daddy pamper you, ’kay?"

A notification appeared in Lydia’s mailbox after Zachary tapped something on his bracelet.

"What’s this?"

"Just read the file that I just forwarded to you, deerling. Read it aloud~"

"Article 21 of the Sentinel and Guide Act (Multiple Mark Bonds). A Guide is legally allowed to form Mark Bonds with multiple Sentinels, provided that all Bond Marking requirements are met and all parties give their consent."

Her eyes widened.

This law explicitly allowed Guides to form bonds with multiple Sentinels! Basically, a law that allowed her to build her harem of Sentinels!

Guides were much rarer than Sentinels, with a ratio of 1:10. Forbidding multiple bonds would leave many Sentinels without a partner.

Even the Emperor couldn’t remove Article 21 without causing serious problems for both Guides and Sentinels.

Zachary grinned devilishly as he casually cleaned the smear of chocolate éclair from his shirt.

"Just in case you never knew, deerling."

That’s a green light to have multiple Sentinels! We sure speak the same language. I really could go along really well with Senior Zach.

Isn’t he the best?

Lydia pressed her lips together before asking, "What’s Magic Crystal and Mana Stone extraction? And the monetization part?"

Zachary’s expression grew more serious.

"I’m well aware that you know the main reason Dimensional Rifts began appearing, right?"

"Yeah. Mana has been declining rapidly over the past 300 years. The magic holding this world together has failed, causing our floating Ceras continent to literally crash down into the ground. And that was when Dimensional Rifts and miasma started to happen."

"Correct. Rift monsters drop Magic Crystals and Mana Stones, which can be extracted into Energy Cores. The Ludenberg family will buy the Magic Crystals and Mana Stones from you."

"Wait. So I can sell the extracted resources and still keep the Energy Cores?"

"Exactly, deerling."

I’m going to be filthy rich!

Energy Cores weren’t ordinary resources. They powered everything from lights, electricity, household appliances, to public transport, and large machines.

And in a continent where it was limited? Their value was extremely valuable!

Thanks to Zachary, Lydia could now turn the resources she collected into Gold while keeping the Energy Cores for herself. No more piles of Magic Crystals and Mana Stones taking up space in her storage!

Hoard more, process more, and earn more.

Lydia’s mind raced as she imagined the possibilities.

For the first time in a long while, her financial future looked brighter than ever.

And it was all thanks to her beloved Sugar Daddy Zachary.