"Good thing I'm an Emanator who can fight."
After hearing the fate of Calderon Chadwick, Herta patted her chest with a relieved expression.
It was hard to tell whether she said it deliberately or not.
"Good thing I can create Emanators and fight back."
Su Ran also patted his chest.
However, this made Jade, who was standing there, feel extremely awkward.
"Don't look so embarrassed. You're younger than Herta, and she joined the Genius Society later than Chadwick. This matter obviously has nothing to do with you."
Seeing the elegant lady looking so uncomfortable, Su Ran kindly tried to reassure her.
Although he cleared her of responsibility,
Jade still looked embarrassed.
After all—
These matters were supposed to be company secrets.
To protect the company's reputation, they should never be leaked.
Yet now—
They had been revealed right in front of her.
And worse—
They had been revealed to a Genius Society Emanator of Erudition, someone the company had to treat carefully.
Now the situation was far from trivial.
"Mr. Su Ran, I sincerely apologize that this matter has affected your trust in the company."
Jade could only apologize.
Even though she had nothing to do with the event.
Even though it happened long before she was born.
But she was still a company employee.
So the negative consequences naturally fell upon her shoulders.
"It's fine. As long as I'm strong enough. Doesn't the company's behavior prove one thing? Without strength, you're just meat on the chopping board."
Su Ran did care about whether the company might take action against him.
But he wasn't afraid.
Because he stayed in Teyvat, a place the company couldn't locate.
If things really escalated—
He could simply transport several unstable stars to the company headquarters.
The resulting destruction might even surpass the Antimatter Legion.
So Su Ran had no reason to fear the company.
"Although I won't join the company, Miss Jade, you could consider switching sides and joining me. That way you'd become one of my founding employees. Your future prospects would probably be far greater than being a company executive."
Before Jade could persuade Su Ran—
He had already started poaching her instead.
"Are you planning to… compete with the company?"
The sudden invitation surprised her.
But wasn't that idea a bit naïve?
The company was a colossal organization spanning countless civilizations.
Even though Su Ran was a genius and a member of the Genius Society—
There were already many geniuses who cooperated with the company.
Trying to compete with them sounded unrealistic.
Even a genius probably couldn't do that.
"You know I'm a member of the Genius Society. But do you know how vast the universe is? How far the Trailblaze Aeon has explored? Could the multiverse be real? What might other universes look like?"
Just from the fact that Teyvat existed outside the influence of the Paths,
Su Ran concluded that the Aeons hadn't yet reached every corner of existence.
Which meant—
There was still room to grow.
"I'm sorry. My ties with the company run very deep. I cannot leave it. I appreciate your kindness, Mr. Su Ran, but I cannot accept your invitation."
Jade rejected the offer without hesitation.
The promise sounded grand.
But leaving the company would cost her a great deal.
It wasn't worth the risk.
Jade was a shrewd businesswoman.
As a lender, she understood the risks of investments.
And this investment—
Had far too much risk.
She couldn't afford it.
"However, I'll pretend today's events never happened. I heard nothing."
In the end—
She was still a clever person.
Although Jade refused Su Ran's invitation,
She didn't completely shut the door.
She left behind a small gesture of goodwill.
Something that might be repaid in the future.
"That's fine. I don't like being fed empty promises either. And it's true that I can't show you any immediate returns right now."
Unlike the company,
Su Ran didn't use underhanded tactics.
For Jade to promise to bury what she heard today—Was already more than enough.
Of course,
Part of that decision might simply be self-preservation.
But Su Ran had no intention of silencing her.
Jade might not be the most interesting person—
But she was capable.
If the day ever came—
He could simply recruit her then.
Maybe even bring Topaz along with her.
"I still have matters to attend to at the company. I cannot stay any longer, so I'll take my leave."
Now that Jade understood why Su Ran refused to cooperate with the company,
There was no point in staying here.
She needed to return and report.
Unlike Topaz, She knew what could be said and what should remain unsaid.
Once Jade disappeared around the corner,
Herta elbowed Su Ran.
"Why didn't you silence her? She knows your secrets. If the company learns about them, they definitely won't let you go."
That had been such a perfect opportunity.
They could have simply kept her here.
If they liked her—
Just brainwash her.
If not—
Eliminate her.
Simple and efficient.
Yet he had just watched her walk away?
Was he really that unconcerned about the company?
"Because I have more conscience than the company. Is that good enough? Besides, they can't find me anyway. If they come after you instead, I'd be happy to take you in."
Su Ran had already planned everything.
Jade might not be as kind as Topaz—
But she was certainly smarter.
If she reported this to the company,
She would also offend him.
And that wasn't worth it.
Offending an Emanator—
Could lead to retaliation from two Emanators.
That would be a disastrous loss.
The company might not even protect her.
What if all she got in the end was a half-day memorial service?
Or maybe not even half a day—
Just three minutes of silence.
She wouldn't gamble with her own life.
But if she said nothing—
Then nothing had happened.
She paid no cost at all.
And by leaving a trace of goodwill—
If Su Ran's future plans actually succeeded,
She might still have the option to jump ship later.
That was something Su Ran appreciated about her.
But still—
She wasn't nearly as interesting as Topaz.
—------------------------------
Pat reon Advance Chapters: patreon.com/YonkoSlayer