Madrid's dusk painted the city gold.
The streets shimmered, wet from a brief rain, while evening life stirred in cafés, wine bars, and museums. It was the kind of city that whispered old power beneath its cobblestones — a perfect place to find a voice for the empire.
Arthur Ashford stepped out of his private vehicle in Salamanca district. Tailored black slacks. Linen shirt, sleeves rolled. No tie. A quiet man among the loud elegance of the capital.
Target Identified: Carmen AlvarezAge: 26Languages Spoken: 11Active Contracts: 34 (Legal, Diplomatic, Underworld)Known Alias: "The Bridge"
Status: Independent Interpreter & Linguistic FixerROI Projection: 290%
Emotional Profile: Self-contained, proud, highly disciplinedLoyalty Estimate: 69%
Strategy:
Mutual Respect → Revelation of Higher Purpose → Intelligence Division Offer
Projected Empire Role: Head of Global Diplomacy and Inter-Agency Comms
Rank Upon Acceptance: Dame
Arthur smiled faintly as he saw her.
Carmen stood outside a university arch, speaking in flawless Japanese to a group of visiting students, then switching mid-sentence to Portuguese, then French — a performance, but not a show.
It was who she was.
The Approach
He waited until she was alone.
"Excuse me," he said, softly.
Carmen turned. Her eyes were almond-shaped, sharp brown like tea steeped too long. Her hair was pinned in a tight twist, not a single strand loose.
"Yes?" Her accent was clipped, cultured — Spanish-royal by education, not birth.
"I'm Arthur Ashford," he said. "I have a proposition."
"I don't do casual offers," she replied immediately, turning to leave.
"It's not casual."
She paused.
"I don't sleep with clients."
"I'm not a client."
"I don't work for governments."
"I own mine."
That made her stop.
"I'm listening."
El Retiro – 7:43 PM
They walked through the park in silence. Lanterns flickered. Somewhere, a violinist played Por una cabeza.
Arthur handed her a phone.
Onscreen: encrypted files. Memos from embassies. Internal chatter from major news agencies. Corporate betrayal contracts in six tongues.
Carmen scrolled, expression never shifting.
"Where did you get these?"
"I control where information goes," he said. "And I need someone who can speak in every hall, on every floor, in every language."
"I'm not for sale," she said flatly.
Arthur paused. "That's the difference between you and the rest. I'm not buying you. I'm handing you a throne."
She arched an eyebrow.
"Throne?"
He turned to face her.
"You'll be the Voice of the Empire. Every negotiation, trade treaty, underground alliance, and black market peace accord — all run through you."
A beat.
"I don't believe in empires," she said.
"You will," he replied.
The Test
He offered her a name.
"Marcelo Vega."
Her face turned to ice.
"I don't work with snakes."
"He's planning to sell your name to the Interpol blacklist in exchange for immunity."
She didn't blink.
"I'll handle it."
Arthur smiled. "Already done."
He handed her a copy of a contract — forged under Vega's name, placing him at the center of an arms smuggling scandal.
"He'll be arrested by morning."
Carmen stared at the paper.
"You... weaponized words."
"I built an empire from silence. You will be my voice."
Midnight – Rooftop Hotel Bar, Gran Vía
Carmen sat across from Arthur, legs crossed, sipping a dark espresso.
She wore a crimson silk blouse now, her hair down in soft waves. For the first time, her guard had lowered.
"Let's say I accept," she murmured. "What binds me to you?"
Arthur leaned in, voice low and precise.
"Your word. Spoken under oath. If you betray it, your body won't obey your mind."
She studied him.
"An unbreakable vow."
He nodded.
"Like old magic."
She held out her hand.
"Then say it clearly."
Verbal Agreement RegisteredInitiating: Unbreakable VowLoyalty: 100% (Bound)Assigned Domain: Global Diplomacy & Intelligence Network
Carmen Alvarez – Loyalty: 100%Rank: Dame
System Update:Candy → BaronessNora → ViscountessRoxy → MarchionessBella → Marchioness
Arthur → Marquess
New Passive Skill: Sovereign's Speech
All negotiations involving the host now result in favorable terms unless outmatched by a deity or higher system-tier being.
That night, Carmen sent out a single encrypted message to all her black market and diplomatic contacts:
"I have joined something greater.Don't try to follow.But listen closely — he speaks for the world now."
And just like that, the world's whispers bent slightly toward Arthur Ashford.