Master Ito had just said that he had created enough strength to make his 2nd rate family to become part of the big families.
That was something that Eric couldn't let it slide. If there was one thing he needed right now was strong servants to help him with the preparation.
Certainly, those guys loyalty would be with Master Ito at best, and really dubious at worst, but he didn't need them to be loyal.
He didn't want them to create his foundation, he needed them to perform certain tasks for him, mostly killing, fighting, and security.
Without losing time he immediately asked him,
"What was that about the strength you created? Where are they now? Would they come back if you asked them to?"
Master Ito was a bit surprised, especially after he had said that sad story to him, which Eric had easily brushed aside, but still Eric's orders took precedence so he answered,
"Their strength was almost enough to make my family a big family if needed, but I dispersed them after losing my own strength.
I guess that if I were to call them now, a good part of them would return! After all, they were all carefully selected people."
Those words made Eric quite happy actually as he had just received a surprise gift, even though it was unknown how big the gift was, it didn't change the fact that it was a gift.
"Very well, immediately from tomorrow send them a message to gather up once again, and send them to me! I will take care of them from now on!"
Master Ito was a bit startled, and surprised hearing that, as they were people that he had trained and grown, so he said,
"Master…"
But he wasn't able to continue, as Eric cut him suddenly,
"I think there is something you don't understand Ito!
Surely your story was beautiful and sad in its own way, but I don't really care about it. No longer than 2 months ago we weren't even aware of each other's existence.
So, don't expect me to feel sad, or pity about you! Your maid, or your women should do that job just fine.
I am not your lover, I am your Master! I say, you obey! Its as simple as that, I own you and everything you have from the moment you became my slave!
Was I clear!?"
Normally these words would make a character like Master Ito really angry, and he would start screaming at Eric for saying such nonsense, but he couldn't.
That slave seal he had placed upon him wasn't anything to joke about, he couldn't go against Eric's words, and wishes no matter what he himself wished on the inside.
He was forced to do whatever Eric ordered him to, and serving Eric at the best of his capabilities was his life's goal, and greatest pleasure.
So, no matter how he really felt inside, he had to answer with a,
"Yes Master!"
Eric understood that as well, but it didn't matter much to him, right now he was using him because he found him useful, if one day his usefulness would disappear, he wouldn't mind cutting him off.
He had no intention of making all his slaves serve him for eternity, after all it would be a pain in the ass to try and grow them to stay by his side after some point, so he could just find new ones to replace them.
Master Ito was a genius of his time if his story was right, but his time had already past, and it was his own fault for giving up, and admitting defeat.
If there was one thing that never failed was hard work. As long as someone had the determination and resolve to work hard enough, and never give up, he would most certainly reach his goal.
Eric truly believed in hard work, that was precisely the reason why he would never give up, no matter how difficult it looked to walk forward.
But now wasn't the time to think about stuff like that, as he immediately continued,
"Very well, now continue with your report!"
Master Ito didn't understand himself how he felt inside at those moments, as he was having a lot of conflicting thoughts, and emotions, but he couldn't go against Eric's words, so he continued,
"The weirdest news I have received these days Master, is that the leader of Vipers Venom organization is headed for Tokyo.
There are people who say that he has already arrived, and people who say that he will arrive soon, but nobody has a certain information."
Normally this would have been some juicy news for Eric, but he didn't show quite the surprise in his face, as a matter of fact his next words were quite shocking,
"She has already arrived in Tokyo!"
Master Ito had thought that this news would surprise Eric, but the whole situation was turned upside down, as now he was the one that was completely surprised, as he asked,
"She!?"
It was at that point that Eric remembered that the identity of the Viper's Venom organization would be made public only around 1 year after the S-day.
At this point in time people still had no idea who the leader was, or how he looked like, and even less know that in fact it was a she, and not a he.
But he knew about her, and he also knew that she was already in Tokyo, in fact he couldn't help but be a bit apprehensive of their meeting in the future.
Perhaps this time they could have another fight where he could use all his battle prowess, and subdue her totally.
It would be a shame to have her as an enemy after all. He would need to reform her organization a lot, as there were all kinds of rats in there, but she had already passed the vibe check.
Waking up from these thoughts, he looked towards Master Ito with a calm and cold look as he said,
"Yes, the leader of the Viper's Venom organization it's a woman, and quite a beauty at that, but you don't have to worry about her!
Now what about that other matter I left you to take care about!?"
Master Ito certainly didn't understand why his Master would have such information, or what kind of relationship he had with that famous leader, but he couldn't pry into it either, so he just answered,
"That matter is already taken care of Master!
The orphanages are already functional, and we have already admitted around 200 children in there, and started their treatment at the Villa!"
Eric was really satisfied with the answer he got, as that was a really important part of his preparations for the S-day.
"Anything else to add!?"
Eric felt that this month had been truly fruitful for him, even though this was just the groundwork, as really soon he would have to start working really hard.
Master Ito seemed to be in a dilemma for a few moments, as he finally said with a weird voice,
"Actually, there is Master, my dau-daughter seems to have taken a liking to you, and she had missed you very much!
If possible, I would like Master to take that girl by his side, and help her grow. I know I am asking too much, but as long as you take care of her, I swear to always obey you, and never issue a word of complain!"
Even Eric had to admit that he was quite surprised, and shocked by those words. It wasn't that he hadn't any plans for Akiha, it was just that she wasn't that important to him.
Everything would depend on their interaction in the future, but he didn't expect her to have such feelings for him, and even less have her own father offer her to him like that.
No matter how he looked at this situation there wasn't any loss for him, in fact there were only benefits for him, and it wasn't like he didn't like that girl either.
So, without losing much time, he said in a clear, and normal tone,
"Ok, you have yourself a deal Ito, but you will have to add your wife to the mix, what do you say!?"
Master Ito was clearly surprised by the sudden request, but he didn't explode in an uproar, he just asked with a timid voice,
"May I ask why Master?"
It didn't look like Eric was asking for her due to his romantic interest, or due to his lust, and the truth was that it truly wasn't due to his lust or romantic interest.
It was for something much more important than that, as he answered,
"You already know this better than I do, right?"
Master Ito was surprised, in fact for a moment his face was in shock, but he managed to recollect himself quickly as he said,
"You noticed that so easily!?"
"Well it wasn't like its difficult to notice anyway. If one thinks deeply enough about the story you just told, most probably that would be their first doubt, and suspicion."
Master Ito had a face of being hit by sudden realization, as he took a deep breath, released it with a sigh, and said,
"Sigh~! I understand!"
"Well don't get too disheartened Ito, just do your best to forget her, I am sure your maids will be willing to help you out!"
With that said, Eric turned around and disappeared as the first rays of morning his Master Ito's office.
Master Ito was still seating on his chair but he looked like he had suddenly aged for more than a few years, as there was a teardrop falling from his left eye…