Liquidation: From Big Boss to Bloody Demon Sauce Chapter 27: Chapter 27: On The Payroll

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“No need to feel disappointed, Grimora. I didn’t formally bind you to my side just to have you act as a mindless meat shield,” I reassured her, extending a warm tendril to brush against her arm. “We need to rapidly expand our network. We need allies, labor, and actionable market data. I personally think that you will do much better operating as my executive assistant and head of acquisitions.” “But...” she started, her brow furrowing in deep confusion at the strange terminology. That proved that they only used the words properly, but didn’t understand them unless used in context, but I didn’t give her a chance to stall. “That doesn’t mean you won't be able to flaunt your lethal skills," I continued, adopting my best boardroom cadence. "I need you to impress them, intimidate them, and extract as much information as you possibly can. We are a new startup in this sector. We need to thoroughly understand our competitors, our potential subsidiaries, and the geographic layout of the glade itself. Dead trolls can't draw maps.” Grimora was quiet for a moment, processing the logic, before finally nodding. “Alright. If you truly think that this is the most optimal way to utilize my talents..." I smiled—or projected the aura of one—and then concentrated on the tall, lean, heavily muscled creatures that were finally breaking through the tree line. "That is not to say that I won't need you to occasionally handle hostile terminations until I can hire a dedicated security team." "Why don't I just permanently take over that role? I am sure that you can find some weak, mindless imp to take notes for you," Grimora complained, clearly insulted at being sidelined. I snorted, making a loud bubbling noise. "Oh? You do realize that whoever fills the frontline security role will be spending all their time out in the mud, far away from me, right?" Grimora stiffened instantly. A massive, territorial wave of possessiveness rushed through our bond, so strong it almost made my slime ripple. "No!" She replied instantly, her voice much sharper than intended. Her eyes widened slightly at her own outburst. After a tense pause, she sighed, her aggressive expression softening as she mumbled in a much lower, devoted tone, "I mean... I would highly prefer to stay by your side, master." I was a bit taken aback by her brutally honest, magically enforced confession. However, it brought a deep sense of security knowing that Grimora had already developed an unbreakable protectiveness towards my physical safety. It was the direct result of our intimate pact, binding her ambitions entirely to my survival. "I see," I replied, keeping my voice perfectly firm and composed. "Then I need you to step up into the executive role. The fiscal quarter ahead of us is going to be challenging, and I cannot afford a single mismanaged asset. I can't build this without you, Grimora." Her pink eyes sparkled with renewed purpose as she nodded in absolute agreement. I let out the equivalent of a relieved sigh. Now that internal HR disputes were sorted out, it was time to deal with the external contractors approaching our position. Each of the five trolls had only patchy tufts of rough, wiry black and white hair standing straight up on the tops of their elongated, misshapen heads. Their faces were an ugly parody of human features, dominated by bulbous noses and massive, jutting underbites filled with rotting, jagged teeth. From the dried, crusty blood smeared down the front of the ragged leather scraps they wore, this group was clearly a wandering gang of raiders, aiming to plunder whatever market they stumbled into. The heavy, iron-banded clubs they dragged behind them were simple but brutally intimidating. "Let's handle this negotiation sensibly," I said grimly as the massive brutes fanned out, forming a tactical semi-circle around us. "Follow my lead, but trust your instincts." We hadn't actually drawn up a concrete plan, but I figured projecting absolute confidence would throw the dim-w