Chapter 211 The Devil who is now an Angel
Angel became a trademark in the potion industry easily, due to all the potions it released. All of them were high grade potions which showed miraculous effects on everyone. No matter their race or origin.
With the growing reputation of the company, Rio, who was the sole owner of it, also became famous.
When he joined the academy and the world learned of his academic achievements and talent, they were all spread to every corner too.
It didn't take long for the term 'Angel' which was just symbolic to a potion business company, to be attached with his own image.
The Devil who was destined to die, became known as their Angel.
That is what Rio wanted.
How dangerous the effect of the public belief, and normal image in the eyes of commoners could be, Rio knew all too well.
After all, he had seen all too many celebrities and famous people getting their lives ruined due to bad publicity and anger from common people on earth. Getting canceled or boycotted - that was the trend and fear of the modern world.
Even forgetting about the earth, he knew the effect some wrong rumors or stupid prophecies could cause in Arcadia.
Wasn't the original Rio doomed due to him being labeled as the mass murderer and incarnation of Devil.
Wasn't the rich and powerful Blake family cornered and surrounded by everyone due to the image of criminals they received.
Rio had no intention of repeating that cycle. He killed Noah to avoid all that fate, and this company and the name, was his second route.
He wanted to make his and his family's image so good and positive on the surface, that no one would dare believe any other stupid rumors.
If any day, due to some stupid fate or novel's setting, the plot of some other Noah popping up and declaring a prophecy happened, he wouldn't even need to worry about fighting them, as he'd have his own support group to surround them and boycott them.
Fighting public opinion with public opinion.
He didn't have the habit of a hero who liked being called a savior, but still the title of Angel sounded much better than the Devil.
Even the system approved of his idea and gave him 50000 points for that change in image and title after it came online.
Since Rio himself didn't know anything about business management or had any other talent for negotiations or marketing, he could do nothing about his business and give it to other people.
After all, he was too lazy back on earth and learned nothing. Hell he preferred online shopping, so he wouldn't have to go through several shops and bargain like idiots. If he didn't like it, he'd just return it after enjoying the 7 day refund period. For stuff he couldn't find online, he'd pay whatever price the shopkeeper asked many times, cause he didn't like the hassle of it. Saving 50 rupees after arguing for 15 minutes was simply a waste of time and energy in his eyes.
Mostly it was because he didn't have family or anyone else who depended on him for money, so he just spended whatever he earned on whatever he wanted. If he lost all his money, he'd just go to Nashi's clubs to fight, or help Ali with his games and Aarvi.
So Shiva was basically just a newb at everything business related.
That's why Rio did what every other transmigrated or reincarnated villain does. Find the loyal supporters of his own villain camp, and idiot supporters and vases of the protagonist - and have them both work for him.
Since the world of Arcadia was the type to follow the law of strength, every side heroine and important character who wasn't a good fighter or helper to Leon, was just a vase in the author's eyes. Which were introduced for a couple of chapters and then forgotten forever.
So Rio just used his family's connection and novel's knowledge, to find all these vases and give them a job.
Those from the villain camp were suppressed, fooled or forced and then given a candy named profit. Those from the protagonist camp were happy to join the company which was righteous and working to profit the world and all that bullshit.
So many capable characters working under one roof. When all these people worked together to improve the image of their company, how hard could it be?
That's why even after Rio's supposed death in the dungeon, Artemis didn't shut down the company or transfer it back to their family name. She handled it from the backseats just like before in Rio's name.
She believed he was alive and he'd come back one day. So there was no need for her to take back a gift she had already given out.
In the two years he was gone, their company didn't release any new products at the beginning. As all the previous things were given out and improved after Rio's approval.
Many people believed Artemis would shut off the company or they wouldn't get any more new products.
It was only after Ayla mastered the potions and recipes Rio had given her before as a gift, that Angel started working again.
Artemis knew about Ayla and trusted her. She also knew about the recipes Rio had given her as a gift, so when Ayla learned everything, she agreed to mass produce those potions and release them publicly.
—
"Can I talk to you for a moment?"
Ayla and Rio were talking and walking towards the form, when they stopped as they heard a voice from behind. Glancing around Rio noticed Katherine standing there with that same high strung cold expression.
Rio frowned upon seeing that look.
It wasn't because he didn't like her, or that he cared enough about her to make her smile, or warm her up and win her heart - any of that usual cliche novel bullshit didn't even come to his mind.
He just didn't like that expression. Like why're you always looking exactly like that. Doesn't your face hurt always being so broody and groody, like fucking Sasuke from that anime Naruto.
"I just have a small request." Seeing him silent, Katherine continued without any change in expression.
'What the hell? You're requesting something. Asking for help, and you're showing me THAT expression.'
Why're you glaring at me? Do I owe you money? Or did I kill your family?
[Well technically you did kill someone from her family.]
'Fuck off, system'
Rio said, shutting up this system, who just likes to watch drama and comments all day.
[She's just sad and lonely - that was her character setting even in the novel. And now with the death of Noah, it's obviously gotten worse.]
'You know what Noah had in store for his sister's future. It's good that he's dead. Atleast she won't have to sell herself to the protagonist, or let Noah push her on a platter to protagonist.' Rio said remembering about all the events which Noah knew but let it happen so Katherine can get close to Leon and he can survive when the Devil really destroys the world.
[She doesn't know that. She just lost her last family member who was innocent in her eyes. With the members of Winston family she grew up with, it's no wonder she's like that.]
'Whatever the reason is, It's like talking to a robot.' Rio said to the system, after waving goodbye to Ayla. And started walking towards Katherine.
'I don't like that cold look.' Rio thought, as he looked at Katherine up close. And it annoyed him even more. He didn't know why, but he just didn't like that look on her face.
Maybe it was because he read too many cold beauty president type novels and was already way over this trope. And was getting disgusted by it.
Or maybe it was because…
[Because you've heard about her personality through my voice, and in that, she always looked cheerful and happy.]
"Or that." Rio said, as he heard the system's reply. Even though he didn't remember anything about Katherine or Kajal from his earth life, he had heard from the system about who she was and how she behaved.
Thinking one of his best friend was being a bitch now - maybe that's what was annoying him.
(Yupp, totally not a subconscious action, that just wants to give her a little happiness this time.) System thought as it read Rio's thoughts and shook its head.
[Why don't you befriend her? Teach her about love and friendship.]
'Urghh' Rio made a disgusted expression hearing that cliche tone. 'I have no interest in getting her on my side. If anything, I wouldn't mind dropping her dead if she turns out to be like Lisa.'
[...]
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