“...Having an artificial island would bring significant synergy to all my business ventures. First, installing a private prison on the island would make inmate management far more convenient and, in emergencies, allow it to be removed from the mainland... (continues)...”

I had memorized nearly ten full A4 pages of this. All for the purpose of convincing my aunt.

Why I need the island, what I plan to do with it, what benefits she would gain by giving it to me.

All of these things I’d practiced reciting without a single mistake to present before her.

Of course, I didn’t write this script alone. I used all the manpower I could.

There’s Lim Soo-ah, once a police team leader, now the manager at Prestige; Seo Eun-mi, a former National Intelligence Service spy now employed at Prestige, capable of hacking into the prosecutor’s office; Seo Hyun-joo, who leads a team at a well-known news agency and is often mentioned for promotion; and finally, Lee Na-eun, an elite prosecutor by profession.

I gathered everyone who seemed to have a knack for strategy and had them draft this. Naturally, I didn’t just sit back; I made sure to supervise, occasionally adding “motivation” to keep them encouraged.

I believe that with all my objectives and my envisioned future woven into this, I’ll be able to persuade my aunt. After all, this is like, “I’m not just giving it to you, so at least put on a bit of a show.” It should be fine...

“Though it does bother me that I’m showing off my thorough preparation...”

Any insecurities, I’ll cover with a gift. By giving her something she’ll love, I’ll lighten the mood before my presentation and ensure a favorable result.

“But... what should I give her?”

That’s the problem. I have no clue what my aunt likes.@@@@

With Chairman Go Yeong-man, it was well known that he loved the game of Go—even appearing in official interviews for a game company. So, I gave him a board crafted by a master.

But for Go Min-young? I have no idea. Should I just give her a teddy bear, considering her name...?

...

I really don’t know.

Koryo Group is wrapped in a bit of mystery, so I have no choice but to rely on Go Muyeol’s drug-hazed memories. And this brat, who barely remembers his own parents, naturally has no clear memories of his aunt either.

“This useless druggie...”

In the end, I asked for help.

I called Go Min-young’s daughter, Go Min-ji.

Apparently, she wasn’t busy, as she answered immediately.

“Oh my, what’s the occasion? You’re actually calling?”

“Good health, as always—”

“Skip the small talk and get to the point.”

How curt.

“Ahem, I’m scheduled to visit Military Headquarters this week.”

“Oh? Is it already that time? Yeah, I guess it’s about right.”

“Also, to deliver Aunt Baek Seol’s custom weapon and, uh, enhance my... assistants.”

“Ah, that? Makes sense. It’s about ready by now. So?”

“My aunt mentioned giving me an artificial island. I feel I should give her something in return, but I can’t figure out what she’d like, so I’m reaching out to you.”

“What about me?”

“Pardon?”

“Aren’t you getting me anything?”

“....”

What exactly did she do?

“Playing favorites, are you?”

“Oh... no. Of course, I’ll prepare something for you as well...”

“I don’t need anything physical. Just come to my villa sometime. I’ve been setting up that thing I told you about.”

That thing... could she mean that ridiculous plan she mentioned, with women gathered at a villa, me acting out scenes, and her hunting with a bow? It was such an outrageous and disturbing concept, I nearly fainted.

“...Alright. I’ll try to come by someday.”

“You promised. Don’t back out on me.”

“....”

I’ll try to hold off and visit as late as possible.

“My mother, huh? Hmm, what would she like?”

“....”

“Come to think of it, I’ve never seen her like anything in particular. Maybe we’re just not that close?”

“Wouldn’t you at least give her gifts on her birthday?”

“Gifts? Why would people like us bother with that? We just make a courtesy call.”“You were just thinking that I’m not helpful, weren’t you?”“You arrogant little—”“Don’t bring any cheap nonsense. Just take care of yourself. Seeing her nephew in good health would be the best gift.”“Why not show a bit of healthy masculinity? She’ll appreciate it.”“So unenthusiastic. Well, you’ll understand once you see for yourself. What good is talking about it?”“No, I’m in the Pacific~.”“Yeah. Took a real vacation and crossed the Pacific. I bought a boat recently. Wanna see?”“Yep.”“Yeah. It was idle, so I bought it.”“I’m planning to do a bit of piracy with it. Haha.”“Wouldn’t it be fun to capture an island, kill the men, and spare the women?”“Oh, hey, they spotted an inhabited island. Time for work. Take care.”

“Yup.”

“You know a lot of peculiar things, Master. Like that haunted Go board...”

“What’s peculiar? You’ll fall for it once you see it.”

“Oh my, that much?”

Chatting with Soo-ah, I climbed the cliff. Although steep, it didn’t require any coastal rock climbing; it was just a regular mountain hike.

After going deeper in, we reached a dense forest of trees. This part was a bit tricky, as I recalled.

“...Stay close.”

We circled around for about two hours to reach the destination. I should probably cut down all these trees.

“Oh? That...”

Soo-ah pointed in one direction, her face lighting up despite the exhaustion and sweat.

“Wow... is that what you were talking about?”

“Yeah.”

I guess it’s true—women recognize it right away.

“Master, I’ve never seen anything like this.”

“From the haunted Go board to... this.”

I moved closer and reached out carefully.

“Master! That’s dangerous—”

“It’s fine. It’s not hot.”

I plucked the blazing red rose and gently placed it into the transparent storage case I’d brought.

The “Undying Enchantment.”

A rose that burns but never burns out. Just watching it, it feels like it captures your very soul.

“It’s even more stunning in person.”

With this, even my rough-around-the-edges aunt should be pleased. Hardly any woman dislikes flowers.

Especially a live flower that never wilts? No doubt about it.

“Um... but, Master.”

“?”

“Are you really giving that to your aunt?”

“Yes.”

“....”

“What?”

“It’s a rose, isn’t it? A bit...”

“What’s wrong with a rose?”

It’s the most popular flower among women.

“...Nothing, forget it.”

Soo-ah... why leave your sentence hanging?

“Let’s go. We don’t have much time.”