The Legacy System

At the moment, Eric considered as a true danger to his future only Master Takeshiba, Master Yoshida, and the Council of 5.

Everyone else was just a nobody in his eyes! While they could create him a little headache, they wouldn't be able to be anything beyond that.

But if he had to go against these three, then he would have to be prepared to lose a leg, or an eye, even though it would grow back later, it would still be a huge loss to him.

So, for the moment he had to be extremely careful when he dealt with these guys, he couldn't allow these foxes to smell something they shouldn't.

With these thoughts in mind, there was no other option available to him besides playing along with his father-in-law and joining the party.

While he was sure that he would certainly create a few obstacles to him in order to test him, at the end of the day he wouldn't allow his family members to take it too far.

Not to mention that he wasn't some green, soft sprout either, and he could take care of them himself.

Thinking like that he immediately called Takeshiba Aika, and told her to come to help him find a good outfit, as he also wanted a report from her.

Takeshiba Aika certainly wouldn't disobey him, as in fact she seemed to have been expecting this, and was more than happy to help.

This time they didn't have much time to look for his outfit, so they directly went into the best shop in the town, and in no time found something good.

He was really pleased with the results even though he had to pay more than 50k $ for the suit. Not long ago that sum was his goal, but now it was nothing more than a simple purchase.

Thinking of rewarding this beauty that had helped him more than once, even though it was her duty, Eric bought a dress for her that would combine with his suit.

But more than rewarding her, he bought this dress to show those idiots that he wasn't after their money, as he already had more than enough himself.

He knew that this wasn't a really valid move, but at least Takeshiba Aika seemed happy with the gift, as she started reporting on her work.

At first, she started giving him information on the people that would attend tonight's party, their interests, and roles.

Most of them were only cousins of his father-in-law, as Master Takeshiba's only sibling was his sister that had married into the Shiba family.

According to Takeshiba Aika, more than the rest he had to be aware of three people who each had a fraction of the Takeshiba house behind them.

The first was her father's oldest uncle, Takeshiba Tomoya. This guy was the troublemaker of the family, and also her father's biggest critique.

He seemed really angry at her grandfather, and the family for not appointing him the family head after her grandfather retired in seclusion, and still vied for the family head position.

He had three sons, and two daughters and these were only the legal ones, as the number of his illegitimate children surpassed 20.

This guy was not only narrow-minded, but also really vindictive, and would always find a way to cause troubles.

Lately, he had been trying with all he had to marry his youngest son to Takeshiba Aika, and Eric's appearance had completely busted his efforts, so he was sure to hold grudges.

The second one was her father's second uncle, Takeshiba Inosuke. This guy didn't have much of a reputation in the family, but her father respected him a lot.

In fact, in Takeshiba Aika's view, he was the person that her father respected the most in the family, and would always ask for his opinion.

He had no children of his own, and from what she knew he had been the one to raise her father.

Last but not least was one of her father's second cousins, Takeshiba Shindo. From what she knew this guy was a shrewd one.

He had been in love with her aunt before she got married, and even their wedding had been almost set up.

But due to some unforeseen circumstances her aunt had refused the wedding and had gone to marry into the Shiba family, from then on, he had been leeching off the family.

Not only had he married two beautiful ladies of the family, and had an honorable post in the company, but he was also intending to marry one of his sons to Takeshiba Aika.

Everybody knew of his intentions, and there were a lot of family members backing him up, but his plans had been disrupted by Eric.

In other words, the moment that Eric entered the Takeshiba Mansion for the party, he already had two enemies and should be careful of a possible third.

Matters were really complicated as each one of them had its own goal, and plans, but Eric couldn't understand something.

Since Takeshiba Aika knew about this, then it was certainly impossible for Master Takeshiba to not know about it.

But if that was the case, then why the hell was he keeping them around him? Shouldn't he already have gotten rid of them without raising a single speck of dust?

He wasn't the person to care much about familial love, and relationships, he only saw profit, and safety, so just why was he leaving these guys be?

Certainly, he must have his reasons, but that was what Eric was curious about! Just what were his reasons to do something like this?

Still, it wasn't like he would find any answer no matter how much he thought about it, so he decided to place those thoughts at the back of his mind for now, and return later.

Right now, he had something more important he needed to listen to, as Takeshiba Aika was telling him about a few other members of the family, and what she had achieved these days.

One thing that surprised Eric with her was the fact that she told him that she had even prepared a list with possible targets if he wanted to go after other ladies in the high society.

But he was soon absolved of his surprise when he heard her say,

"Well this is pretty common in the high society as there are many men who set their eyes on other ladies, and even though normally they do this behind their wives back, and knowledge, my position is special.

Furthermore, even though this might sound a bit weird at the moment, these ladies are the best spies he can hope for.

They are frustrated with their husbands, fathers, or brothers, so they would do anything to release those feelings.

Not to mention that you could use them to upheaval your social standing in society. The number of rumors these ladies process is by far larger than any big spying organization!"

Hearing her words Eric was left speechless for a moment, but thinking about it her words made sense.

He had heard so many times the expression that behind any successful man is a great woman, but the contrapositive was true too, behind any destructed man was the rage of such a woman.

Furthermore, it wasn't like he would lose anything from this, as in fact, he would be able to win a lot, and the difference would be some more ladies to his harem.

Thinking like this, he finally broke his silence and said in a somewhat serious voice,

"Very well, I approve of your proposal, but be careful to clearly select the candidates, and also separate their possible standings.

I want you to separate all three of them into three big categories, just usable ones, usable ones with potential for more, and possible additions to my side!

Do you understand what I mean?!"

Takeshiba Aika had complex feelings when she proposed such a thing a moment ago, but now that her Master had approved of it, she could do nothing else but accept it.

She was a bit surprised by his sudden request, but also satisfied with it because this showed that he still had a limit.

With these thoughts in mind, she just made up her mind to accomplish success with her new assignment, but then she was reminded of something and asked with a weak voice,

"Master, what about my mother, and sister? What category should I place them into?"

She didn't understand what to think of it, and what to make of it! Even though she didn't have strong feelings towards her family, she still didn't think she could throw them away.

If they were to ever cross paths with her Master then she would do it, even though she might feel sad, or broken-hearted. But as long as that didn't happen she would prefer for them to live by her side.

Her mother and her sister weren't really close to her, but if her Master truly wanted he could easily subordinate them, she had a blind belief in him.

So, it was dependant on his wishes what became of their fates, so she wanted to know his standing on this matter.

Now that she asked though she regretted it because she felt like she had done something wrong to ask that question, as her Master might misunderstand her.

And her regret grew bigger as she saw his face went dark for a moment, so she immediately continued with a hurried voice,

"Please don't misunderstand me, Master, I have no intention of telling you what to do, or ask you to save my family!

I just want to know so that I can prepare for the future! Even though I have decided to throw them away if they cross your path, they are still my family!"

The next moment she was shocked, and startled as…