The air in the dining hall remained tense, thick with the weight of Atlas's staggering numbers. The scribes had barely finished marking the calculations before Jinhai finally leaned back, his fingers steepled in contemplation. His crimson eyes flickered with something unreadable—part intrigue, part irritation.
Layla took the moment of silence to probe for answers. Her mind was still spinning from the realization that this world mirrored the one she had once ruled. She gestured toward the ornate glass vials of scented oil placed delicately on the table.
"Why are they still in open vials? Wouldn't bottling them make storage and usage easier?" she asked, feigning curiosity.
Jinhai's gaze shifted to her, a brow arching slightly. "That has been done before"
"A queen named Layla Al-Zahira of the Eternal Crescent Kingdom pioneered it, alongside several other societal reforms."
Layla's breath caught, but she masked it well, keeping her expression neutral.
"She revolutionized the Middle East" Jinhai continued.
"She granted women equal rights, improved sanitation, and redefined the perfume industry. Her bottled perfumes became a symbol of her reign."
Layla listened, her pulse hammering in her ears.
It was me. This was the world that I died in. But if my name had become history, how much time had truly passed since my death?
Jinhai leaned back slightly, his gaze sharpening.
"I once considered implementing her policies here, but the imperial court requires unanimous approval for societal changes. And as for the perfume… I chose not to mass-produce it out of respect for that queen."
He exhaled. "A queen I greatly admired."
Layla clenched her hands under the table. The weight of his words settled deep. She was a legend in this world—a relic of the past. But she was here now, in a different body, in a time where her influence had faded into history.
She exhaled softly, composing herself. "That's… interesting"
Jinhai's gaze lingered on her a moment longer before shifting back to Atlas.
"Now, back to business. You may have proven your company's worth, but that alone does not secure your standing. I propose a test."
Atlas, ever the opportunist, smirked. "Oh? Do tell."
Jinhai's voice remained level. "There is a province suffering from economic collapse due to bandit interference and failing supply chains. If you can restore stability within three months, I will officially recognize Ryl Trading and facilitate the trade routes to Silver Lotus."
Layla frowned. This is a dangerous trap. If Ryl Trading failed, their influence would crumble.
But before she could object, Atlas leaned forward, grin widening. "I accept."
Layla's head snapped toward him, eyes narrowing. "Atlas—"
"Ah, but let's make it interesting" Atlas continued, cutting her off.
"Only my merchants and workers will handle the crisis. No military, no outside help."
Jinhai's expression remained impassive, but there was a glint of amusement in his gaze.
"And in return?"
"You start restructuring the trade routes to Silver Lotus immediately, regardless of whether I succeed or fail."
Layla nearly choked on her wine. She turned to Atlas, resisting the urge to strangle him.
"Are you insane?"
Jinhai .looked at Atlas for a long time before chuckling softly. "You are reckless. But fine, I accept. Let's see if you can back up your words."
Atlas, still grinning, raised a finger. "One last thing, Your Majesty."
Jinhai narrowed his eyes slightly. "Speak."
"This one's just between us. May I whisper it to you?" Atlas asked, his voice casual yet carrying
weight.
Jinhai studied him for a moment before nodding. "Very well."
Atlas leaned in, lowering his voice so only the emperor could hear. His grin never wavered, but his next words were anything but playful.
"Regardless of whether I fail or not, if for even a single day the construction does not begin by your command, I will kill Shen Jue."
Jinhai's entire body stiffened. His crimson eyes darkened, his fingers twitching slightly as the weight of the words sank in. A flicker of something rare—genuine fear—flashed across his face.
Atlas wasn't lying.
For the first time in their conversation, Jinhai realized something unsettling.
This man is a monster.
Jinhai's expression darkened, his crimson eyes narrowing. His voice was a sharp whisper, laced with controlled fury.
"How dare you threaten me? You think you can dictate terms to an emperor?"
Atlas didn't flinch and his grin widened,
"I wouldn't do that if I were you. Do you know why your brother has remained at Silver Lotus for so long? It's because of me. If I can convince your 'mysterious' brother to stay and sign a contract, then let's just hope you know what's good for you."
For the first time, he was unsure if he was dealing with a fool or a demon in disguise.
Atlas straightened, brushing off his robe as if he hadn't just threatened the most dangerous man in the East.
With an easy stretch, he turned back to his seat, sighing. "Ah, let's enjoy the food now."
Layla, still reeling from the silent exchange, leaned toward him, her voice a sharp whisper.
"What the fuck did you just do for the emperor to look like he's seen a ghost?"
Atlas smirked, lowering his voice so only she could hear.
"Told him I'd kill Shen Jue if he didn't keep his word."
Layla stared at him, utterly dumbfounded. Even as a hardened war strategist, someone who had faced emperors, kings, and warlords, she would never have dared to issue such a direct and reckless threat so openly. The sheer audacity left her momentarily speechless.
How is he still alive after saying something like that? Why is he acting so casual about it?
As they rose to leave, Yan stepped beside Layla, his voice low. "That man is more dangerous than I thought."
Layla exhaled sharply. "You think I don't know that?"
Yan's gaze flickered toward Atlas, who was still grinning as if he hadn't just gambled an empire.
"You might think you can predict him, but men like him always have an endgame. Do you know what his is?"
Layla hesitated. That's the problem. I don't know
As they reached the entrance, Atlas turned back to Jinhai, offering one last smirk.
"Oh, and don't worry about your empire falling apart, Your Majesty. That's my job now."
Jinhai remained seated, his fingers tapping against the armrest of his throne, his mind already racing. As soon as the doors closed behind Atlas and his group, he turned to the shadows.
"Wei Xian."
A figure emerged, bowing low. "Your Majesty."
"Find me everything—anything—on Atlas Ryland" Jinhai ordered
"I don't care how insignificant it seems."
Wei Xian hesitated before replying, "There is almost nothing, Your Majesty. The only official records we have are his trade papers from when he entered the Regime of Jin."
Jinhai's fingers curled slightly, irritation flickering across his face.
"Nothing? No past, no history? That alone is suspicious."
Wei Xian, sensing the emperor's frustration, offered one last piece of information.
"There is, however, one curious detail. In his documentation, he listed a guardian. The name: Gregor Faust."
Jinhai's body went rigid.
Gregor Faust. A name he knew well. A man as elusive as he was dangerous. One of the most manipulative bastards Jinhai had ever encountered. A man who could weave lies into realities and turn enemies into willing pawns. If Gregor Faust had been the one to raise Atlas—
Jinhai exhaled slowly, realization dawning upon him. "No wonder that boy is so brazen."
His eyes darkened further as he turned to his financial advisor. "Prepare labourers. In the thousands. I want the routes to Silver Lotus cleared immediately."
The advisor paled slightly but bowed. "At once, Your Majesty."
Jinhai leaned back, fingers still tapping against the armrest. He had taken Atlas's threat very, very seriously.