Chapter 42 - Taking the Field


    Arthur was running along the city streets that morning, as was his usual morning routine. Afterwards,


    he hurried to a small cafe in town, summoned by someone who was adamant that they needed to


    Contentt bel0ngs to N0ve/lDra/ma.O(r)g!


    speak with him immediately.


    As Arthur pulled up to the fancy cafe, he noticed Alicia standing there with a cheerful smile on her face,


    waving at him in greeting.


    She was a stunning young woman with long, glossy ck hair and porcin skin. She was dressed in


    a winter ensemble consisting of a navy-blue coat that reached her knees and a white scarf to match.


    On her head was a white beanie, and ck bootspleted her look. Her face was breathtaking, with


    bright eyes and rosy cheeks, and her appearance was graceful and fashionable.


    "Arthur Oppa!" Alicia eximed with delight, her face glowing with joy. She ran towards him excitedly


    and gave him a tight hug.


    Alicia embraced Arthur tightly and then bounded around with glee like a little kid. "I''m so excited to


    finally meet you!"


    Releasing her hug, she beamed a dazzling smile. "I''m so looking forward to this, I really can''t wait to


    see you!"


    "Hey," Arthur asked with a caring smile, "are you doing all right?"


    She nodded in response and said, "Yes, I''m doing okay," and the two of them walked into the cafe.


    Once inside, they quickly ced their orders for meals and drinks.


    "Wait!" Alicia eximed firmly. "I''ll pay for the meal today."


    She paused, then continued in an even more determined tone. "Not only that, you haven''t even told me


    your bank ount number. Do you really think I want to take such arge sum? You''re making this way


    too easy for me, Arthur Oppa! I''m notfortable epting such arge donation when I''ve done so


    little work. This is way more than I expected!"


    Alicia enthusiastically exined, then let out a chuckle as she looked at Arthur. "Having Mr. Glitzy


    around is more than enough to make me happy. I''m also grateful for the donations that Marc and Harry


    gave me; it was enough for me to rent a new ce and livefortably these past few days."


    "Alright," Arthur replied, giving Alicia a reassuring smile.


    He was impressed by her hard work and determination and wanted to offer her an alternative n that


    would be even better for her. He wanted to make sure he took her feelings into ount before making


    any decisions.


    "Don''t just say ''Alright'' - I need a better response!"


    Alicia wasn''t being a hypocrite; she wanted money, but she genuinely wanted to be friends with Arthur,


    too, not just take advantage of him. She was definitely not a gold digger - if she wanted to hang out


    with Arthur or do things for him, it was purely out of her interest in him.


    In Alicia''s eyes, Arthur was the wealthiest and most self-sufficient man she had ever encountered in her


    life. Despite his desire to be of assistance to her, as a poverty-stricken girl, she was of little worth in the


    eyes of many.


    "Instead of giving me back my money, why don''t you just work for me, Alicia?" Arthur continued.


    "What kind of work would that be? Are you looking for me to be Alice in Assnd exclusively for you?


    I''m sure you don''t have enough time to listen to my insignificant ramblings during the live stream, do


    you?" she replied with a giggle.


    "You''re good at fighting, right?"


    “Wait!” She suddenly looked shocked. "What kind of job do you have in mind?"


    “I have ten bodyguards who are reliable and trained in physical and shooting skills; however, I need


    someone to be theirmander. I may need to recruit even more people in the future.”


    “Wait! What the heck! Are you nning to build an army and rebel against the country? Why do I find


    this so intriguing? But, are you sure this 19-year-old girl can do this task for you?”


    Arthur slowly nodded in agreement. "Those ten people have been taught to obey orders without


    question and have grown ustomed to relying on others to make decisions for them. I believe you


    could be instrumental in helping to direct them and increase their skills by teaching them martial arts


    techniques."


    Alicia paused for a moment, then began shoveling the food in front of her into her mouth. "Wait, let me


    think for a second," she said between mouthfuls. "I can think better if my stomach is full," she continued


    before continuing her meal.


    Arthur had previously requested Edna''s assistance to gain insight into Alicia''s past, and he soon


    discovered that Alicia was not as impulsive and thoughtless as she had appeared to be in the presence


    of the public.


    Alicia has been an aplished martial arts athlete since she was a child, having won numerous


    medals in her discipline. She is currently pursuing a degree in Communications at a university, and her


    grades are quite highpared to her peers. This being the case, Arthur thoughtfully considered


    Alicia''s credentials before offering her the job. Alicia''s skills and experience make her an ideal


    candidate and deserves the best.


    Alicia put her ss down and looked up eagerly, awaiting a response after she had just finished


    drinking the guava juice in front of her. “Will you still permit me to stream VTuber after I work for you?”


    she asked.


    “Yes, sure.”


    “And will I be allowed toplete my studies alongside the work schedule you provide me with?” she


    continued.


    "Absolutely,"


    Arthur replied with a warm smile that revealed his enthusiasm. "I only need a leader tomand the


    army I''m hoping to assemble."


    Alicia''s face brightened with relief, then her expression changed to one of sadness. Unable to contain


    her emotion, she began to cry. Through her tears, she managed to utter, "Give me a week to prepare


    and I''ll see you again."


    "Thank you for taking the time to meet me today," she said as she rose quickly to her feet.


    "Unfortunately, I have to get going; I have a livestream to do." With that, she bid Arthur goodbye and


    departed the room.


    Arthur shook his head in disbelief, whispering to himself, "She is so cute." as he watched Alicia


    scampering away.


    [Host, you must be aware that those who suffer the most often put on a brave face and try to remain


    cheerful. What you''re doing may seem insignificant to you, but to that unfortunate girl, it''s likely


    something she would never even dare to dream of.]


    Arthur nodded slowly, his lips curving into a small smile as he said, "Yes, because I''ve also been in the


    same situation. It''s just that maybe I''ve never smiled as much as Alicia does. Or maybe I am now?"