Chapter 255 – Saucy Revenge Spoiler: Chapter Back amongst a certain dwarven household known for their incredible artefacts… “That one out there.” The servant accompanying me points into the air, directing us to the fourth shelf out of seven in this column. “This should be the last crate.” “Alright. Step back for a moment, please.” I nod and mentally navigate through my available skills. With some good hours put into this new ability, I’ve grown fairly efficient. It doesn’t take me longer than a moment to lock onto a decently useful spell, borrowing it a second later. Raising my hand, I send out a light breeze from my fingers, which reaches the wooden crate and wraps it in a gentle wind. Pulling the elemental whip back, I yank the box off the shelf, evoking a surprised squeak from my guide. The short lady covers her head in panic. But, after not hearing or feeling anything after a while, she peeks upwards once more, her eyes widening at the sight of the floating crate. It descends lazily towards us before I set it down on the ground with a delicate tap. In the end, it’s supposed to be filled with quite fragile cargo inside. “Apologies for the scare.” I recall the spell and glance at the local maid. The blond-haired girl blushes lightly. “No, I simply overreacted. I should have expected someone this great to have a way to safely bring it down.” Ah, yes. In just a few days, most of the staff in this compound have recognised me as the Human who is the Counselor’s mate, and thus categorised me under the highly capable tag. According to their usual customs, such a talented Dwarf wouldn’t go for any incidental partner, thus I had to be special in some way. And since we haven’t revealed much regarding my specific skills, that got the fantasising minds going. Well, we aren’t going to correct anyone just yet. This aura of intriguing mystery only works in our favour. Giving my helper a few apologetic pats, I turn to the sealed crate. I’ve caught myself multiple times doing just that, patting random Dwarf girls on the head by pure force of habit. At first, I dreaded about that fact, but it seems like they have turned it into some kind of a competition. A day after I accidentally brushed my fingers through three different heads, all the other female attendants began looking at me rather expectantly whenever they finished assisting with whatever task I had for them. So, now, I just let it be. I blame Sirgia for turning me into an even bigger headpat addict than I have already been in the past. Each time my brain registers a tiny lady in my close vicinity, it connects with the memory banks holding onto data related to my adorable little mate, and the body automatically deploys affection before the conscious mind fully processes the details. And in most cases, that means lovingly ruffling the target’s hair. One day, it will get me in trouble, I swear. In any way, I summon the draconic hilt into my hand and shape the formless blade into a dagger. One swift push later, the lid is leveraged open. The two of us peer inside, taking note of the contents, and I nod to myself in affirmation. My guide tentatively reaches into the box and brings out one of the ceramic dildos spread through the local market by those petty thieves. Her cheeks bloom a little as she rotates it between her fingers. “I’m going to miss these…” she whispers softly. “Many of us will…” Chuckling quietly, I pull the fake out of her grasp, placing it back amongst its clone brothers. “You deserve much better, trust me.” I wink at the pretty servant. “Did you receive instructions for today’s evening?” The maid tilts her head thoughtfully. “We are to gather at a certain address where we will be allowed to exchange a coupon for something. It’s supposed to be compensation for confiscating all of these from women in the clan. Everyone who returned one got the ticket. Of course… I have one too…” So, the patriarch kept it vague. I guess that’s a viable strategy. The girls won’t be spending the entire day thinking, talking, and dreaming about the things they are going to receive for listening to the abrupt directive. All in all, he knows how to keep the house free of unnecessary disorder. However, I foresee a great number of sick leaves tomorrow. With the amount of sweat these women are going to work out with their new toys, it will surely leave them feeling weak in the knees. I better warn the Clan Head ahead of time. “Good. Just in case, I’ll let you know that there’s no need to arrive too early. Unless you want to take a spot in the queue. But, I assure you that the stock won’t run out, no matter which model is going to be the most popular one.” I give her some more pats, which bring a nice smile on the girl’s lips. “Do you think you can keep a secret? And I truly mean that. Not the servant-type way.” She glances innocently aside. “I don’t know what you mean, Sir…” Shaking my head, I throw the crate into my spatial storage and bring out a chest of a similar size. There’s a familiar mark burned into the lid, one that is also present on the bottom of those illegitimate replicas. As the helpful maid stares at it curiously, I open it up. I barely hold in my laughter as a rainbow of colours reflects in her big eyes, which threaten to pop out of their sockets from shock and disbelief. She swallows heavily, her gaze jumping from one toy to another, as diverse in shape and form as in their hue. When her hand starts floating forward in a trance, I shut the lid down, causing her to jump. A moment later, I store the chest back, watching her attention snap to me in an instant. “Thanks for your help. And remember, if you hear any rumours about those still being in circulation, let someone above know. They are dangerous. There’s no need to take risks when you deserve much better.” I grin at her. “I’ll see you later.” Unsurprisingly, it doesn’t take her long to connect the dots. Before I even finish turning around, her face brightens in realisation. I can already hear her running when I take my first step forward. There’s no doubt the news about this is going to spread in a flash. Thankfully, the evening isn’t that far away now so it should be fine. Plus, the scene in front of the shop will be more natural with the customers chatting lively about the products they can’t wait to get their hands—and something else—on, instead of a bunch of uncertain individuals without an idea of what to expect. With that done, I consult my Partner radar and locate Sirgia. She’s been spending her time in plenty of different places during the last few days as we made ourselves more known around the family’s campus. You could either find her in some forge giving lectures and advice or overseeing practice to see if things have changed in her absence. We are going to change lots of policies and methods so she needs a good grasp on the current state of things. As of right now, she’s where I expected her to be the most. With a quiet whistle, Diana emerges from my shadow and nuzzles her head into my side. Smiling at the massive wolf, I grasp her fur and let her plunge us both back into darkness, coming out a few seconds later somewhere on the outside. I tried to copy her, but I need way more practice and bonding with the amazing lupine to access her powers just like that. Besides, she looks very happy to lug me around at my every whim so I don’t want to relieve her of that pleasure. Giving me an affectionate lick, she returns to watching over me from hiding. I look ahead and spot the sizable stone arch atop a slightly raised platform. It resembles the one in the Beastkin village, and for a good reason. This is the second gate that will connect with the first one. As soon as it’s finished. It still lacks about a fifth of the structure. And my lovely wife is currently etching runic script into the already prepared section, wearing her usual work getup. Her fellow family members are busy with construction all around her, preparing the ground as well as the arch itself. While at first it will serve just us, there’s no reason not to plan ahead. The clan might allow its use to other families for a small fee. Not that many would be interested in travelling into a wild jungle or the middle of Human capital, but one day, the gates will decorate the entire world. Returning the respectful nods I gather while moving closer, I hop onto the platform and make my way to the unfinished overhang. My crafty genius is attached to it with a safety harness that allows Sirgia to do her thing in peace without worrying about falling off. She does assume a slightly weird position, choosing to hang off the structure almost upside down, her hair following the laws of gravity. A pleasant noise of her chisel resonates through the air as she hits it against the portal repeatedly. Pausing for a moment, she takes a deep breath, relocates the tip, and strikes a new, untouched yet spot. But, the angle is a little off and the chisel slides aside, causing the hammer to follow it and bump into her hand. “Ah!” She winces as the former falls from her grasp. Groaning to herself, she bumps her forehead into the arch. Soon after, she draws her face back, blinking in confusion. Following the path of the falling tool, she looks towards the ground, wondering why she hasn’t heard it drop. She finds the answer right away, in the form of my person standing below her, holding the chisel between my fingers. “That’s it. Break time before you smash those sweet little fingers of yours into mush.” I smirk warmly, holding the mischievous equipment to her. “I’m quite attached to them, you know?” Her cheeks blossom with a splash of rosiness, her mind undoubtedly recalling plenty of moments where her cute digits have been put to work on other cylindrical instruments. She takes the tool from me. “I’ll just finish this part and—” “Not a single hit more. You get down here or I come up there after you.” I cut her off while squinting. “You are about to run out of space to carve in and it’s stressing your comrades out. Not everyone is okay with pushing this hard, you know?” Blinking a few times, she only just notices that she’s been approaching the edge of the arch. Leaning back, she glances over the construction site and notes the other Dwarves wandering around tiredly, trying to continue forming the portal and all the other elements so that they don’t fall behind. A few are completely drenched in sweat from exhaustion. Exhaling softly, Sirgia begins fiddling with the harness and I position myself underneath her. After the final strap releases with a click, she drops into my prepared arms, looking properly chastised. I nod at her firmly and give her cheek a small peck to show that I’m not that mad. “You guys and girls finish up for today too,” I exclaim loudly while turning us around. “I’ll handle this one myself.” My lover’s face reddens immediately, but it’s not really that which I have in mind. As she holds onto my neck dearly, resting her head against my head, I bring us to the locker room so that she can change into something fresh. “I’ll wait here while you—” “Come with me...” Sirgia interrupts me this time, looking into my eyes from below. “I could use some help getting those sticky clothes off…” I return the stare with a deadpan expression. “That’s the women’s changing room. In case you might have forgotten, which should be quite difficult with a clear lack of two characteristic protrusions that should currently be extending from the chest you are leaning on, I’m a guy. It will cause quite the panic—” “It will be okay,” she assures me. “They are okay with it.” Standing with her in my arms in front of the door, I glare at my bold mate. But, as much as I try to read her, there’s no hint of deceit or mischievousness in her intentions. It’s ridiculous, honestly, but I trust she wouldn’t make others uncomfortable knowing that I would be more than angry and disappointed with her. So, willing to test that theory, I step inside and close the entrance with my heel, expecting to meet chaos. However, there’s just silence. There’s no shouting, no screaming, no cursing, and especially no hiding. Whatever state of undress or dress the four ladies that I can see are, they make no move to conceal themselves. One is sitting atop a bench with just her bra on, her panties halfway up her calves as she’s been putting them on. On the opposite side, another has just finished pulling her top over her head, keeping her arms raised and her chest pushed up, her booty protected by a pair of shorts. The third girl is thankfully finishing putting on her outfit, pausing with the belts upholding her pants. Unfortunately, the last one stands under the open shower at the end of the room, one foot set on a stone stool and a hand between her spread legs, clearly in the middle of some intimate hygiene. Sirgia’s gaze roves over each of them before she buries her face in my neck again. The women stop paying attention to us as soon as she does. But, they are in no hurry to get back to their activities, to the point that it looks fairly intentional. I catch them taking evaluating peeks as I walk forward, checking if we are looking. Or more precisely, if I am looking. Now I wonder what kind of answers my silly little wife has given to some quite predictable questions for them to behave like this. Not paying attention to them in turn, I stop by the locker Sirgia points at and let her down. Opening it up with a trace of mana, she glances up at me expectantly. Snorting quietly, I lean down and help her with her uniform. The work pants go down first, revealing her pert ass and simple but sexy panties, clinging to her cheeks neatly thanks to how soaked they are, and not from arousal. As she raises her arms, I pull the shirt off her, making it clear she’s not had a bra on, the wet cloth dragging over her breasts. Finally, I crouch down and she daintily steps out of her underwear. Before I can tell her to get under the shower, she grabs my hand and drags me there. When we reach the one right next to the occupied stall, she gives me her best puppy eyes again. Sighing lightly, I give her a gentle shove and turn the warm water on, causing her to yelp. But, she shows a charming smile after turning around, spotting my lack of clothes that have just been dismissed. That earns me a few looks. Especially from the woman next door. There are no divisions here so her eyes immediately snap to my waist. Even with me making sure there’s no reaction there, she still seems positively surprised with what she sees. Making it obvious that I’m not going to humour this sly game for long, I wash Sirgia’s body for her as she takes care of her hair. That doesn’t stop her from humming and straight up moaning whenever I brush her sensitive parts, which do need to get cleaned too. My palms roam over her skin as she pushes her charms more into them whenever she can. The other times she presses herself into me, sneaking in a few pouts after noticing that I’m not letting myself get hard. Thank the Goddess, she doesn’t seem interested in washing me back. We all know what she would focus on the most. So, we spend a few quick minutes getting her clean and smothered in physical affection. It’s impossible for her not to enjoy my caresses and she doesn’t hide that fact. I somehow avoid any foul play, even though it gets dangerously close a few times when my fingers glide over her overeager mound. In the corner of my eye, I spot movement again, thinking that perhaps our companions have finally grown tired of her obvious teasing and gotten back to their own business. Unfortunately, the motions of the hand our neighbour keeps between her legs don’t seem to match with the commonly known washing techniques. I dare to say they are closer to ones that could end up making a mess instead. As soon as the two of us are done, though, I turn the water off. Sirgia frowns at me for interrupting her fun earlier than she had planned, but I’ve figured out she would just keep it running for many minutes more, just relishing my affectionate touch. Swiping her off the ground, I walk us back to the locker and sit her down on the bench, throwing her a towel for her hair. Knowing she is going to ask anyway, I grab another and start drying her off, beginning with her feet and then legs. Smiling at me beautifully, she cooperates properly, rubbing the fluffy cloth into her head. When I get to her thighs, she stands up so that I can get between them. A few moans follow as I navigate the ticklish material around her femininity, her hips swaying back and forth to extend the contact. Her stomach, chest, obviously breasts, and arms come after. Then, she wipes me off, that part I can’t avoid. She hops onto the bench to start with my shoulders, but ends up breezing through the top half like she’s in a race. As expected, she slows down when she gets to my crotch, drying my friend over there with much more care, and considering how she holds onto the towel always from below, intentionally with as much exposure as possible. I can feel all those pairs of eyes finding angles to catch a peek or two. Wrapping it up, Sirgia gives me a glance while kneeling in front of me, but I raise a challenging brow at her. She gets the message properly and withdraws with a flush, any ideas shoved aside for now. After she summons a fresh set of underwear from her storage, I guide those onto her, pressing a loving kiss to her tummy after getting her panties up, and another to her collarbone after pulling her sporty top down. With a flick of her hand, she materialises the rest, donning the maid-like uniform of our new shop. I get into my suit too. As we walk towards the exit, I don’t fail to notice the fact that all four girls are still more or less where they have started out. Though, the one previously almost ready to leave seems to have changed her mind, abandoning her pants. From what I can see, she might need to swap her panties too before doing so. I think she might have sat on something wet while we’ve been under the shower. The moment the door closes behind us, an impish giggle escapes Sirgia’s lips. I spin around and flick her on the forehead. “Ow!” She massages the spot, trying to pout through her happy smile. “That was mean, Master.” “And that wasn’t?” I ask, referring to the obvious. “That was just payback,” my lover replies. “Payback?” I put my fists on my hips. “Two of them were always a pain in the butt for me back then,” Sirgia explains with a sigh. “Making them a little jealous about something they will never get doesn’t seem like too much of a revenge.” “How did you know they would be there?” I frown at her. “I didn’t.” My nonchalant mate shrugs. “If they weren’t there, I wouldn’t put on this much of a show. We would have been done much quicker.” “What about those uninvolved?” I continue questioning her. “The ladies rarely get to see a healthy, athletic, well-endowed Human from up close. For some, it might be the very first time. They are more than excited to witness such a rare scene. It’s like a treat for them. Being partially naked during that opportunity isn’t as big of a deal for us than it would be for people in your world, Master,” she replies. “Also, I believe this might have earned us at least one additional customer for today.” “The girl in the stall?” I snicker while rolling my eyes. My scheming wife shows a knowing smirk. “The effect would have been stronger if she got to lay her eyes upon the true form of the original model, but her imagination seems to be vivid enough to form a captivating mental picture.” Shaking my head, I forcefully ruffle through her fragrant hair, taking her aside to spend a few minutes tying it into her beloved dual braids before we leave the building. It calms both of us, all the unaddressed tension slowly receding from our bodies. As much as I can control my physique, my mind has been fully aware of the close contact the two of us experienced. And Sirgia is no different. Soon after, we hop onto Diana and ride her properly back to Mevana’s place. Lilia and Lilie are tending to the storefront as we arrive, ensuring that the floral decorations are up to standard before the grand opening. I give each of them an appreciative kiss and let them focus on their task. They know I’ll gladly reward them afterwards. We enter the fully restored shop and look upon all the displays arranged into a neat labyrinth. The counter remained where it had stood before, now also bearing a few glass sections to show a specific line of products. Rows of dildos are arranged in groups revolving around styles, forms, themes, shapes, and many other classifications. Some other kinds of toys have their own spaces too, but those are kept to a minimum for now. No reason to go all out from day one. The entire place is now decorated with fabrics bearing our characteristic purplish shades, supported by glowing crystals that bathe the chamber in light violet. I’ve argued that such illumination makes it hit too close to a strip club or something similar, but the ladies seemed adamant that it’s just a preconception from my previous world. Sure, purple is still the pimp go to, but lamps aren’t exactly included. And, well, this is a sex shop in the end. “I need to go to the bathroom, you go meet the others first, Master,” Sirgia announces before pulling my vest down to place a peck on my cheek. She skips towards the stairs and disappears into the upper floor right after. Navigating through the maze, I find the entrance to the workshop in the back, give it a knock, and step inside. Mevana and Niel glance at me from one of the counters lined up with more cocks. The former is in her artisanal getup while the latter wears our clerk outfit. “How is it going?” I wave kindly, shuffling closer to them. “Well, I think?” Mev scrunches her cute nose and picks up one of the wooden products. “I’m finally getting the hang of this.” I accept the offering and give it a good look. She gives me one of a common Human size, with a slight bend for the upper half, and a rather slim tip. But, what she refers to are the carved out bits that start on the bottom and go inside. There, she will be able to place Sirgia’s magical pieces that have various functions like vibrating, heating, and so on. It’s been a challenge for our skilled carver. “Very nice. I knew you could do it. Ever since I saw your first designs. You have talent.” I grin at the thick girl. “I’m just a mediocre woodworker.” Mevana looks away bashfully. “Niel is the real star here. She helps me a lot. Whenever Sirgia isn’t there to instruct me, of course.” Turning to the purple-haired lady, I find her staring up at me expectantly. I chuckle warmly as she doesn’t try to deny her input. Leaning down, I give each of them a peck on the forehead. “You two make a great team. And you are sure you don’t mind working on sex toys instead of something better, Niel?” I tilt my head at Sirgia’s best friend. She shakes her head vigorously. “I want to be part of what Sirgia is doing. I didn’t intend to go back to artificing after her disappearance, but now, I kind of wish I kept it up, never losing hope that she would one day return. I’ve gotten rusty. Making things like these is a great training to get back into shape. Besides, with these, I know they are going to make many people happy, which has always been our dream. I’m glad to be here.” “Well, then you two are soon going to become the backbone of a new commercial empire.” I pat them both on the head. “Are you ready to join the richest and most influential women of the kingdom?” “There’s no way we’ll get that big.” Mev huffs to the side while waving her hand. “Never say never.” I wag a finger at her. “It’s a known fact that women run the world from the shadows. And you two are going to be supplying the greatest of them with products they won’t be able to live without. Even queens won’t be spared, soon dressing into cloaks and sneaking into the store for a chance to get their hands on the newest models. Trust me, I know from experience.” They don’t look completely convinced yet, but it’s just something they have to see for themselves. Niel already knows how big of a hit that stolen copy was amongst her clanswomen so she has a small headstart. Wrapping her head around a kingdom-wide craze still seems a bit too hard for her, though. “I’m here!” Sirgia storms into the workshop, joining us. “Let’s finish up and rehearse before the opening hour.” Leaving them to discuss their side of things amongst themselves, I walk out without any of the trio noticing and start making the final inventory of things. Mevana will be behind the counter tonight, with Niel guiding customers around the shop. Sirgia will stay in the backroom, and we will offer the more curious visitors a peek into her work, just a tiny glance from afar. I’m taking the front, making sure there’s order. Kind of like a bouncer and valet in one since a massive wolf lying next to the entrance would be too scary. Time flies as we all busy ourselves with checking stuff and adding the last polish everywhere. The opening comes close and everyone moves into position. There’s still a good moment before people even start to gather, but the girls are way too eager and nervous. I stop by the door and examine our shop. The floral arrangements are impeccable. But, the biggest gem amongst them is the sizable tulip housing two green females. Lilia and Lilie chose to become our criers tonight. We somehow talked them into wearing our outfits so that they are fairly decent for a public street. They look very pretty and sensual inside their flower. The vibrant cup meshes with everything else perfectly. Fifteen minutes later, the first customers show up. As instructed, they come in casual clothes. The mannerism remains, though, and I recognise them from the clan. They slowly trickle in and form a loose line, starting to chat with each other about what they are going to choose. From the looks they give me, my guide from earlier today has done her job correctly, leaking enough information as predicted. The group is already discussing options. Naturally, Sirgia’s family isn’t the only one to show up. The patriarch made sure to use his connections to spread the news about an official store of the Pleasure Queen opening in the capital. Many Dwarves that I don’t recognise join the crowd. Some in pairs, women with their husbands for support or in case it proves to be some kind of a joke or scam. Soon enough, the street is so full it kind of obstructs the traffic. Which captures even more attention in its own way. Onlookers come closer to see and ask what’s going on. Many stay, some rush to spread the news, and so on. When the nearby bell tower strikes true, I clap my hands to silence the flock of thirsty girls. “Hello, everyone. Thank you for your patience. We’ll be opening the shop in just a moment. Inside, you’ll find a plethora of interesting gadgets and curios. Keep in mind that our stock is massive so there’s no need to fight over specific items. We have a load of every product,” I begin. My words evoke a wave of snickers and chuckles. “You can view our current stock through the displays, note the number, and ask for packaged copies at the counter, or attract our reliable hostess to open up the cases and let you examine the goods before purchase,” I continue. “I implore you to keep those examinations solely to your fingers. We don’t mind if you get handsy with our display copies, but the more in-depth testing should be left for more personal environments. We support an exchange policy if your chosen goods aren’t exactly the best fit for your needs.” More giggles and a lot of crimson cheeks. “Also, there’s an option for custom orders, but these will take a moment to produce. You can leave your contact info with the clerk and we’ll get back to you after tonight to arrange a meeting where we can discuss the details. Please, try to not overwhelm our girls with your requests today. Believe me, they are as excited about this opening as you are, but they need to last the entire evening with barely any room for rest in between the rounds.” With one final chorus of laughs, I bow to the crowd. “Having said all of that, I officially invite you into the Pleasure Queen. By women, for women, made with effort and care rivaling royal wares.” I nudge the door open. “Because we all know deep in our hearts that every woman is a queen of her own.” I’m fairly sure the last remark makes a few ladies swoon, but the line is merciless and they are moved forward alongside everyone else. I greet everyone respectfully while hiding a mechanical counter in my hand, ticking down the visitors. It’s both for the traffic reports later and knowing how many have entered so far. Part of my job is making sure the shop isn’t overfilled. So, short of reaching our comfortable capacity, I politely stop more people from going in. It doesn’t make the leftover individuals happy, but this is something that can’t be argued with. They still get to peer through the entrance, their eyes gleaming with wonder at the sight of so many unique toys. Things move fairly calmly, with the servants from Sirgia’s family getting their first picks and exchanging their vouchers for a free copy. However, as expected, few of them stop at that. They leave the shop with multiple additional models, paying full price without batting an eye. Barely anyone haggles, wanting nothing more than to run straight home and give their new acquisitions a test run. Or a test ride in this scenario. Two hours in, the crowd more or less disperses. We still have plenty of visitors, but the front isn’t clogged anymore. One more hour later, I can finally move inside and help watch over the store, still counting the customers as they trickle in. Niel happily advises whoever seeks her guidance or help with making a pick. Mevana mostly operates the cash register, but she also chats with the guests over the displays at her counter. It looks like a night without any accidents. Which makes it obvious that things are way too perfect. Soon enough, I hear Lilia’s voice in my head. ~A group of three male Dwarves are heading in, Master. They don’t look happy about that.~ Sharing the news with the others, I give them a nod and turn to the doors. As soon as the first guy appears, I cross his path, stopping a trio dressed in rather simple suits. “Welcome to the Pleasure Queen! All of our attendants are currently busy but I’m more than glad to be of assistance! Are you looking for a gift for a wife? A surprise present for a girlfriend? Or maybe something for yourselves?” I give them my best customer-service smile. Naturally, the unintended jab makes the frontman bristle. “We are not here to get your pathetic cocks shoved into our arses!” he bellows back at me. “In fact, you are going to be the one getting fucked!” Bringing a hand to my lips gingerly, I take a step back. “Oh, dear customer, I’m afraid those aren’t the services we are selling here. But… For a handsome guy like yourself… Why don’t you visit about an hour after we close up… I’m sure we can work something out…” His brain shortcircuits for a moment, freezing long enough for one of his cronies to shove him aside. “Enough of your games, Human!” the second guy shouts too. “We are here on official business! You are infringing on a known trademark and have three days to close your operations before the case is taken to the authorities!” Our guests are getting a bit anxious about this stand-off so I better wrap it up quickly. “And whose trademark are we infringing on?” I ask innocently. “The Stockhawkers!” the first man chimes back in, bringing up their symbolic ceramic dildo. “See this brand here? You should have made a better job at copying our shit! Can’t even be arsed to remove the logo!” Now, that’s rich. But, I shouldn’t lash out. There’s always a chance that the majority of the family doesn’t know and these are just grunts sent out to secure their rights, not aware that the whole thing is bullshit from the ground up. “I think there’s some kind of a misunderstanding.” I wave my hands placatingly. “This is and always has been our official brand sigil that’s been used in our other business locations and enterprises. And since we have only just moved into the Dwarf lands, there shouldn’t be any of our goods distributed here yet. I would like to kindly ask you to provide information on where you got that imitation.” “Imitation?!” He growls like an animal. “Boy, you have no idea what you are talking about! You better stop this before we add defamation to the case! Or should we go straight to the crown? You wouldn’t want that, would you, swindler?” “Actually, we would.” A new voice joins in, and Sirgia walks out from behind me. “And who the fuck are you supposed to be?” The second crook frowns at her. “Gentlemen, meet Sirgia Forgegraver.” I gesture at my lover like a great butler. “The one true Pleasure Queen and the hands behind over ninety-nine percent of designs you can see over our shoulders. The other one percent is combined effort.” “Ha! And I’m the Patriarch of the Stockhawker Household!” The main villain cackles openly. “Goddess, I so fucking wish. I would have dealt with all you conmen on the spot.” “But you can’t,” Sirgia says sternly. “And I’m more than happy to deal with your thieving clan as the Forgegraver Patriarch’s Counselor. So, if you are this eager to get yourselves stripped of all your rights and privileges, run back to your owner and tell him to arrange a meeting at the Ministry of Patent Safekeeping. I’ll bring our stamped documents for verification anytime.” As they stare at her incredulously, she throws her arm towards the door. “Now get out of my shop before I have my guard throw you out like the trash you are!” she yells at them. The leader opens his mouth to say something, but pauses when he sees and hears me cracking my knuckles. They might be chonky, but going against a person almost twice your size when you are standing in the doorway isn’t the best decision. He sneers at my mate while turning his group around. “We’ll see how you’ll sing in front of the court! You’ll pay for this humiliation!” They hastily retreat, unfortunately tripping over the short stairs out, falling like bowling pins, bouncing off one another. A few onlookers chuckle at their clumsiness and the band of red-faced Dwarves sprints behind the corner. I spot a few greenish vines slithering back from the steps and give our poster girls thumbs up. When I come back inside, the girls have already finished reassuring the remaining customers that everything is alright and it’s just been a typical obstruction of business as someone now sees us as their rival. Just half an hour after the incident, the Lilies note another fellow rushing our way and I move to intercept, surprised that the trio has already had enough time to act. A butler stumbles inside, catching his breath by the inner wall. Seeing my tense posture, he takes a step back. “I bring a message for Lady Counselor!” he states hesitantly. Sirgia saunters to my side. “Yes?” “The main branch has sent a missive,” the man shares. Well, that was faster than either of us thought.
Chapter 256 – Under Investigation Spoiler: Chapter Stepping closer to the exhausted messenger, I bring out one of my water bottles, holding it out to the man. He frowns at the object initially, and I don’t blame him, but my waterskin isn’t there for some reason. I might have left it somewhere on the floor above while refilling everything. Still, he receives the metal cylinder and even figures out how to unlatch the cap. The rest is just as easy. Hearing a sloshing noise from inside when he shakes it, the parched Dwarf immediately takes a swig, gulping down the entire capacity in one go. It’s just water, but in these situations, it could be liquid gold. “So we know what the message is?” I ask after he hands it back with an appreciative nod. “The Patriarch wishes to open it with the Counselor present,” he explains. “Will it be possible to schedule a meeting today or should I let him know to set one in the morning?” Mevana shows next to my and Sirgia’s side. “We can handle the remaining time on our own. You two should go. It might be something important.” Niel nods along, standing just behind her coworker. Sirgia and I exchange a glance and find no reason to disagree. “We will visit the Patriarch right now,” she announces. “Take a rest in the residential area above the shop. There’s no need to rush back as we can move there in a matter of seconds.” “What she says.” I gesture with my head at the stairs leading up, then turn to the two cute ladies behind us. “You sure you’ll be alright?” Mev waves me off. “There’s barely any traffic at this point and if those bastards decide to try anything, I’m sure your friends will intervene, Mas—Sir…” “It’s closing time in just a moment anyway,” Sirgia’s best friend notes. “Okay.” I smile at them gratefully, then lean in to give the curvier girl a quick peck on the cheek, but she twists her face to catch it on her plump lips. Squinting at the sly woman, I move back. “Thank you, ladies. We’ll be back in a blink.” I ruffle the vixen’s hair a bit. Before turning away, I spot Niel gazing up at me somewhat expectantly. Can’t really leave a girl like that, can I? Sliding my palm along her cheek, I press a kiss on her forehead. This one doesn’t try to cheat in any way and gratefully accepts my thanks. With both of them properly rewarded for their sacrifice, I finally turn to Sirgia and the two of us step outside. “You like her, Master,” my sweet mate points out. “It was professional. Both were supposed to be,” I reply as Diana emerges from the brick road. “Besides, you say it like there’s anything not to like about her. She’s a kind girl with a big heart who fought hard for the sake of her friend’s family.” “Mhm.” She hums to herself. Knowing that I have no chance of winning this argument, I simply leave it at that. This naughty Dwarf would match me with pretty much anyone who is a looker and thinks positively of me. I miss the times when she was just a shy cookie worrying about receiving enough of my affection. Actually, okay, maybe not. Sirgia was way too anxious about her feelings and her self-worth was at the very bottom in the past. I guess I still prefer this version over her fearful face full of doubt that I actually do see her charms in a positive way, lightly speaking. Nevertheless, Diana transfers us back to the courtyard and we take it from there. The artefacts that serve as lamps illuminate the pathways with an orange glow and we find our way into the main building. Heading straight for the Patriarch’s quarters, we catch one of the maids so she can tell him ahead of time. It would be rude to just show up without a warning at this hour. Another servant guides us to our destination, taking a roundabout route to give her colleague enough time to finish her task, and we arrive in one of his offices. Entering through the doors that are held open for us, we meet the man behind a heavy desk. Both of us curtsy respectfully. “Patriarch,” I greet the Clan Head. He grunts deeply. “Just forgo those tense pleasantries when it’s simply us. You are supposed to be my aides, are you not?” “Very well, Grimm.” Sirgia trots up to his desk. “We’ve received the news of a missive.” “I hope my messenger didn’t rush you.” He raised an inquiring brow at her. “It’s an important evening for your business.” “The prompt response was our own choice,” I answer, seeing no reason to cause any trouble for the other guy. “Plus, we were just wrapping up. The shop is mostly empty, with just a few final customers still pondering over their choices. The variety surprised many of them.” “I’m glad to hear that.” The Patriarch chuckles openly. “Any trouble?” “A little bit,” Sirgia reveals. “But nothing we can’t handle. Stockhawkers sent a delegation demanding our closure or they are going to take us to the crown for infringement.” “Bastards!” Grimm smashes his fist into the wooden surface. “Really? Infringement? They dare?” “They’ve been dealt with,” she adds. “Though, they did cause a scene in the middle of the store.” “Which is actually a good thing for us,” I say, capturing their attention. “How so?” The man frowns lightly. “Those who witnessed the dispute heard every word, listening to our confident deflection of the baseless claims. We are more than happy to go the court route and are in possession of all necessary documents. Plus, we mentioned our origins from abroad,” I sum it up for them. “This will start some rumours and every bit of doubt towards them is to our advantage. We are just starting here so our slate is perfectly clean. Stockhawkers can’t say the same about their reputation amongst the smaller business owners.” The Patriarch stares at me for a few seconds before exploding into a hearty laugh. “You are a devil!” He points his thick finger at me. “They have no idea who they are up against, do they?” “What can I say?” I shrug nonchalantly. “I’m kind of an expert when it comes to the convoluted fields of marketing. If they choose to go to war with us by utilising tools from that sector, it’s not going to end well for them.” Sirgia giggles adorably as she gazes up at me. “Master is right. His ideas made our establishment soar. He knows his stuff.” I fluff her soft hair with a grin. “Anyway, that’s a topic for later.” I turn back to the Clan Head. “The missive?” “Right, right.” The rough man picks up a sealed letter from his desk. “Let’s get to it, shall we?” Using a stylish letter knife, he slices into it and pulls out a folded parchment. We give him a moment to read through it and observe his reactions. It doesn’t look like it’s something horrible as he only briefly scowls and lets out a tired sigh. “Long story short, and they do love their official speech, they are sending a representative to discuss the matters of the Farscope,” the family leader informs us. “Since they do not address anything else, it’s just an obvious excuse to investigate the hints regarding the clan that we slipped into our report. That representative will most likely want to talk with the creator of the item, and drag their stay out by demanding to watch it being constructed multiple times just so they can sniff around for the one thing that matters to them, which is the chance that their asses might get set on fire.” “As expected.” Sirgia shakes her head. “Do we know who they are sending?” “One of the Grand Patriarch’s officers, who in this case, if my memory serves me right, is one of his granddaughters.” He squints at the paper. “Yeah, I think that was her name. She’s a piece of work, for sure. If you thought our Elders are haughty, just wait until you see her. It’s a mystery how she doesn’t scratch her nose over the top of the doorframes wherever she goes with how high she holds it.” The two of us snicker at his obviously exasperated words. Spoken from experience, no doubt. “It’s okay. Master knows how to handle that type well. She’ll be eating out of his hand in a matter of hours. Or out of something else.” My lover sends me a knowing wink. I stare at her. Before asking who she even means, a few ladies flash through my mind. It stops on Cornelia as the beautiful Court Magician’s face comes to me through my bond with Sirgia. I want to disagree immediately, but to some extent, I understand why she thinks so. While our icy magician isn’t exactly the extremely prideful type, she does have her tsundere moments and it did take a bit of work to break through that wall. However, I still shake my head. “We aren’t going to seduce the Grand Patriarch’s granddaughter. That’s a shortcut to getting us all beheaded or worse. Befriend? Perhaps. But you better not be making any schemes in that pretty little head of yours already.” She bats her charming lashes at me innocently and I snort. “Now I gotta figure out who to send for the escort.” The annoyed man rests his elbow on the desk and his forehead atop his palm. “Escort?” I glance at him. “It’s a custom where the recipient of an envoy is expected to meet the representative midway and bring them to the clan,” Sirgia fills me in. “Just politics, nothing more.” “Kind of wish we had brought some girls from our mercenary corps with us.” I stroke my chin. “Why not establish a branch here, Master?” She tilts her head curiously. “When the gateways are up and running, it will be easy to move the members between the locations.” “We could use an honest and capable company around here.” The Clan Head grunts idly. “I assume our rank and history from the Human lands don’t directly transfer here?” I ask. “The local guild might want to test you if they think you are overselling it, but mercenary work is quite universal so it shouldn’t be that big of an issue,” the Patriarch answers. “But, you certainly won’t make it in time for the journey so I have to pick someone from our garrison. With my oldest sons still being away, our representative will have to be my daughter. She should be returning this upcoming morning, and since she hates staying cooped up here, she’ll gladly take up the task immediately.” “Then, Master should accompany her,” Sirgia offers without any thought of consulting it with me. “You won’t have to delegate any of your valuable guards that way.” “Just him?” The man squints at me. “Patriarch, you saw the power behind my artefacts,” she continues. “Master is not only bursting with them but wields abilities many times stronger on his own. Even fully equipped with my mightiest creations, I don’t feel confident in taking him down at this point in time. There’s a reason why a dozen savage mercenary females from multiple races follow him like tamed kittens.” I don’t think he is worried about the safety of his daughter. Not in that context, at the very least. “Do I get any say in this?” I smirk amusedly. “Did you forget that we just opened a shop and pretty much started a war with a corporate giant?” “That’s part of the reason behind my suggestion.” Sirgia turns to me with a hint of pleading in her gorgeous eyes. “I implied the Pleasure Queen’s connection with the clan so it’s not impossible for them to try something against the family too. Sending out a greeting party becomes an appetising opportunity to mess with us.” “You do have a point there.” I scratch my head. “Besides, from what I remember, the Patriarch’s daughter has always been focused on the practical application of offensive artefacts and weapons rather than their construction. As he said, she likes to be out there more than here with everyone. She could be a potential first member of our corps in this region,” she pitches in her idea hopefully. “The Third Regiment is already under training, but the Fourth is yet to be formed. Eden Delta could be our face here and we would have a self-sufficient force stationed for future trouble with business and other things.” Snickering quietly, I give her a proud nod. “Looks like someone is paying close attention to our plans and strategies back at home even as much as she locks herself in her tiny forge.” Sirgia’s cheeks darken deeply and she grinds her shoe into the floor shyly. “Fine. Let’s go with that. I’ll take just Diana with me and leave the others to watch over you girls,” I agree in the end. “I simply can’t say no to you.” Kneeling down, I give my lovely wife a passionate kiss, to which she responds in kind, pulling me into her more. But, I don’t overstay my welcome. There’s an important person in the room with us. “And you are sure just you are going to be enough if we assume to expect an ambush?” The Clan Head watches me studiously. Taking a deep breath as I stand up, I briefly release all my aura that’s usually under the wraps. A Demigod and a Tier 7 is a rather explosive combination. That’s why, when all that spiritual pressure descends onto the room, it’s like the chamber suddenly gets put in stasis from the sheer pressure and tightly condensed mana filling the air. As quickly as it begins, the magical storm ends just as abruptly. Grimm gasps like a fish out of water and grabs his heart, sweating profusely, his visible eye threatening to pop out of its socket. I catch even Sirgia stumbling a little, offering her my elbow. Thankfully, her connection with me and how powerful she is on her own spares her from the point-blank impact. “W-What was that…?” the shocked man chokes out. Summoning my info panel, I filter it out to just show my Tier and Stats, making it visible before I flick it his way. A pitiful noise escapes his throat as he registers the unbelievable data, the pink window disappearing soon after. The Patriarch’s frantic eye locks onto Sirgia. “What kind of monster have you brought into our home…?” She, in turn, rolls her eyes and copies me, flinging him her own rectangle, filtered similarly. It makes him even paler. It’s not a surprise. She’s right on my heels when it comes to advancements, recently hitting Tier 6. And by being my true love who reciprocates those feelings, her numbers are just as insane as mine. “Goddess almighty…” The Clan Head slumps into his comfy chair. “Just the two of you could turn this city upside down… The Stockhawkers have no idea of what they are fucking with…” “See? Everything will be okay.” My short mate grins at him. “Your daughter is in good hands.” He leaves it at that, clearly too drained to even respond. I pick that as the moment to leave the poor guy be and take Sirgia away after politely bidding farewell to the family leader. He should be back to good after a restful night. Hopefully. As for us, I yank my cheeky girlfriend’s ear up as we walk down the corridor. “Ow, ow, ow!” She squeaks kind of adorably while rising to her toes. “Is trying to lure Niel into my bed not enough for you? Do you plan to devise some grand Dwarf orgy that involves every royal, noble, and respectable clan daughter of this kingdom?” I give her a few more tugs before moving my fingers to her hair. “I need to limit your time spent with Shino, Nat, and perhaps a few Beastkin women.” “Wouldn’t you enjoy that, Master?” Sirgia whines faintly, a tiny smile curling up the edges of her mouth as she relishes the headpats. “Don’t change the topic.” I press harder into her head. “It’s not about enjoyment. I could always enjoy you. Or is this because you are getting bored of having to warm my bed?” “NO!” She whips around in a blink, smashing into my chest. “I’m sorry, Master! I didn’t mean to!” “Shhh, all’s good.” I crouch down to give her a proper hug. “I was just teasing. But, you have to admit, it does kinda sound like that.” Her face nuzzles into the crook of my neck. “I’m just… excited... I’ve been your only Dwarf for a long time, Master… I just… Uhm… It will sound so silly…” “You can tell me anything, you know that.” I brush her back lovingly. “I know you love me for me and my body pleases you greatly… But my brain is still a little stupid… It worries sometimes… And I think… Seeing you appreciate others like me… Proves to it that you truly are attracted to Dwarves for what we are… And my body does excite you properly, not just because of romantic feelings…” She gives her best explanation. Bringing her face up to mine, I give her cute nose a tiny peck. “It’s not silly. I think I understand where you are coming from. You are scared your figure is just like something exotic for me, a rarity, a fancy. And it makes you feel uncertain of your beauty, your sensuality.” “Maybe…” Sirgia tries to think deeply along with my soothing words. “So, I’ll state it clearly right now. You are gorgeous, and so are many other females of your kind. I think often about ravishing many of you. With some, I do more than just think, see Mevana.” I boop her on the forehead and she snickers exquisitely. “And I promise you, I’ll ravish many more. You don’t need to actively seek them out for reassurance. I don’t forbid you from being my wingwoman, of course, but I can tell you’ve been much more extroverted since we arrived in your homeland. Are you just coming out of your shell or do you feel like you need to be like that?” “I might have been forcing it here and there,” she admits honestly. “But I also find it fun to tell others how great you are, Master. Not just in bed, of course.” “Feel free to act however you like, just without the need to worry anymore.” I pinch her rosy cheek. “Get back to working on Niel before you rope the future Clan Matriarchs into it.” My gingerly mate nibbles on her lip. “So you do want to bed her, Master.” I throw my arms into the air. “Woman, I just told you Dwarf girls get me going! She’s like you but purple-haired!” Laughing delightfully, she jumps up to peck my cheek. “You’ll have us both soon, Master. Or three of us? I’m sure Mevana will want to join.” Rolling my eyes, I cross my arms over my chest. “That’s it. The day I find the three of you naked in my bed, you’ll be going through every single toy in our current assortment before you get any of me, one full orgasm per product.” Her smile disappears, replaced by an expression full of trepidation. The massive blush continues to bloom, though. The rest of our trip back continues in silence. We get home shortly after closing, Mevana and Niel already tidying up the shop from the evening’s matters. They spot the crimson bloom on Sirgia’s cheeks as she meets their eyes and raise intrigued brows at her, but the tiny minx escapes to the residential floor before anyone can say anything. While she recovers in peace, I fill the ladies in on the recent dealings. They agree that a respectable mercenary company would be sought after as the market is supposedly monopolised by one group, fully made of Dwarves, naturally. I bet it’s just some family force like we introduced ours in Evalitia. The duo doesn’t try to stop me from joining the escort mission either, Mev actually insisting on it. She does have first-hand experience with our unit, I guess. When Sirgia rejoins us, we go through the data we gathered from the first day of work. Money isn’t the most important right now, but it still feels nice to see both Niel and Mev light up at the numbers. It’s obvious they have never earned this much in one go before. Especially the former, who has been on a clan stipend and Sirgia’s parents’ pocket money for most of her life. When the two of us suggest they take it all and split it between themselves, they argue for a moment, but Sirgia smacking a sack full of platinum coins onto the counter silences them instantly. They knew she had to have some funds with everything we’ve been doing, but seeing money for money always makes a statement. Since it’s getting late, we leave discussing our next steps for the morning. Even though most of it is already planned out. A good business plan looks fairly ahead. We’ve spent some time brainstorming it with Sirgia during the last few days. It should be pretty solid, taking into consideration plenty of variables and risks. So, we all head to our respective beds on the upper level. I share a room with my sweet mate, obviously. Mev and Niel have their own quarters. Yet, the stout girl still sneaks into ours for some cuddles. We welcome her wholeheartedly and doze off together. I’m not surprised the bed fits us all easily. Having Sirgia’s plots in mind, she must have picked it for that very reason. In the morning, everyone prepares for the day in the communal area. The shop opens early now that the debut has taken place. Our employees are more than just excited to work in their own store and workshop. I can easily understand that. Mevana has always been a business-oriented artisan with some struggles and Niel experiences the freedom of leading her affairs for the first time. They are going to do great. And that’s why, the three of them guide me outside to see me and Diana off, my cordial wife making the few last adjustments to my adventuring gear, assuring I look as dashing and dangerous as ever. “I’m kind of torn between staying and begging to come with you,” the chunky girl admits. “It’s so exciting with you as an escort.” “I assure you, I don’t fight off a band of criminals buck naked and with a raging hard-on for every client.” I snicker at her. “Just the special ones.” Mev blushes furiously, fanning her neck. Sirgia catches Niel glancing at me ponderingly. “Don’t worry. Master will take you for an adventure soon too. I’m sure you would love to see the lands beyond the family compound.” The purple-haired girl sprouts a fair flush too, her eyes fleetingly jumping to my waist and back up. I think she might be imagining a different kind of adventure than implied. Oh, well. My fault for reeling her into my sexy time with Sirgia. Speaking of which, the person in question ends her fussing over me and spins around to face them. “I’ll bring Master to meet his travelling companion and be right back. A letter left by a messenger said that the Patriarch was feeling a bit weak this morning. As a Counselor, I have to take up this duty of his.” I do my best to hold in my chuckle and not smile stupidly. Mevana struts forward and I go down to one knee. She daintily grasps my coat, bringing our lips together in a hearty kiss. I make sure to run my palms all over her delicious curves to give her my appreciation. Sirgia might not be the only one conscious of her figure. So, Mev should know that I desire her appetising thickness very much. When I’m freed, Niel trots closer too, looking a bit less sure. Acting carefully, I hold a hand out to her and she slides her cheek into it gracefully. I let her be the one to offer me a little kiss while my thumb strokes her rosy face. But, as she turns around, I give her perky rump a light smack, causing her to squeak in shock. The others grin at her, and judging by the peek she gives me over her shoulder, she doesn’t mind. Perhaps even finds it a little intriguing. Something new. I wonder if she had any suitors before. Might have been a tad hard when she reduced herself to a servant. Leaving that thought for another day, I touch Diana’s fur while Sirgia joins me. With one last wave, I disappear along with the two females, reappearing in front of the grand central mansion. Giving me an affectionate lick, the big wolf hides in my shadow. My very important wife starts guiding me through the building, clearly receiving the details earlier. Many bow to her politely, showing proper respect for her position. As they should. She deserves all of it. Soon enough, we find ourselves in front of a sizable door to what has to be someone’s sleeping quarters, located in the high-ranking section. The Patriarch’s chambers aren’t that far from here. My dear partner knocks on the wood gently. “Miss Cecil?” “Enter.” A feminine voice comes muffled from the other side. Sirgia pushes the door open and we are presented with an… interesting sight. The entrance doesn’t even swing half of the way before my mate stops. A very noticeably girly frame enters our sight, recognizable especially thanks to the two delectably round and full mounds tipped with dark peaks that hang proudly from their profile. Their owner stands in front of an open dresser, just finishing pulling up her pants. When her green eyes give us a passing glance, she does a wild double-take, losing her balance for a second. An undignified squawk echoes through the chamber as her narrowing pupils lock on my face. She doesn’t rush to cover her mesmerising assets, surprising me a tad, and instead lunges forward and climbs onto the very dresser, using the bottom drawer as a stepping stone. My brows rise in shock as she grabs the hilt of an ornamental sabre hanging above the furniture and jumps down with a mighty thump. “GET OUT!” The half-naked lady reels her athletic arm back. My hand is already on the knob and I slam the door shut an instant before a third of the sharp blade pierces right through it, the tip halting right in front of my nose. I go cross-eyed for a moment, then glance down at my just as flabbergasted mate, slowly mouthing the word feisty to her. She slaps her palm over her mouth to silence the incoming giggle. We don’t want to piss the already riled-up princess any more. Five minutes later, we receive another invitation, this time much more tense. The woman stands with her fists angrily on her sides and throws me a glare like she wishes I would drop dead this instant. Her black reinforced pants are now joined by a matching vest, metal breastplate, and a cape attached to the respectable armour. As noted earlier, her eyes are green, her hair matches the feathers of a raven, and she wears it dreaded towards the back, the sides of her head mostly uncovered, only one or two bundles adorning her fierce face. Which would be even more ferocious with its sharp and rough angles if not for all that crimson covering it. She taps her foot impatiently for some reason. “You told us to enter?” I raise a brow at her, not willing to be blamed for this. “I wasn’t expecting a male!” the girl snaps back. “Oh, so flashing your tits to another female is no deal?” I ask, matching her stance. “We are both women! We see each other like that all the time!” She sneers at me. “So do I.” I roll my eyes. My words throw her off as she blinks at me in confusion while Sirgia smiles on the side. “Lady Cecil, I’m going to honestly apologise for this incident, because there’s an inkling of a chance that we should have thought of this possibility, but you can’t act like that was my fault,” I say my piece. “Can we just forget it happened or does it have to become a bigger issue?” Considering her snarl, my bet is on the latter. “I was the one who brought him here so if anyone other than you would be put to fault, it should be me,” my lover declares softly. Cecil’s intense gaze moves onto her. “And you! I’ll have you fired by midday! Who do you think you are to just bring a man to my chambers without announcing him?! Did your masters not teach you anything? Just wait until Father learns of this!” “Ah. I’m sorry.” Sirgia looks down at her shop uniform and snaps her fingers. Her attire is replaced by her adventuring outfit too, one a battle-hardened veteran wouldn’t be shy of. Then, she reaches into an inner pocket and pulls out a pin that depicts what looks like a contour of a forging furnace with some kind of a tool inside, resembling a chisel or such. It takes me way too long to recognize it as a graver. The entire badge is made of a shiny chromatic metal. “C-Counselor?!” The girl takes an unstable step back. “I mean, Lady Counselor! It’s an h-honour!” She bows halfway to the ground, the scarlet fury quickly making space for the pale terror. Seems like Daddy has managed to inform his daughter about the most crucial matters before our arrival. “Now, back to where I was.” Sirgia raises her gaze from the pin, making the other woman shiver. “Would you like to submit a complaint about my inadequacy?” “N-No, Lady Counselor!” the warrior girl stammers out. “I’ve made a shameful mistake that involves only my own shortsightedness! I carry no slight towards Your Grace or the male!” “The male bears the name Alastair and is to be your guard and companion for this escort mission,” my mate replies with a firmer tone. “Did the Patriarch not explain that?” “Excuse us, Lady Counselor! Father has been ill this morning! He yelled something out about the most powerful mercenary who has stepped over these lands before fainting!” Cecil explains quickly. My genius girlfriend rubs her forehead. “Looks like I’ll have to check on him before going back. The medicinal supplies I carry should be enough so you don’t need to delay yourself for this, Master.” “M-Master?” The black-haired female drags her eyes over to me. “Ah, greetings Mercenary Master! As an aspiring wandering sentinel, I hope to learn much from you during our travels!” Sirgia snorts but doesn’t correct her. Not that I want her to. “Likewise, Lady Cecil.” I give the girl a cordial nod. “Please, just Cecil, Mercenary Master.” She tries to smile kindly. “Just Alastair or Al, then,” I follow suit. “Are you ready to leave or do you need some more time?” “I just have to fetch my bags and I’m good to go!” Cecil straightens up, saluting to her chest. “Should we meet by the stables?” “Yes, let’s do that,” I agree with her idea. “Do not rush it. It’s still early. Being in a hurry can lead to mistakes in packing up. It’s better to verify everything twice rather than have to come back for something crucial.” “Yes, sir!” She thumps her chest. Inclining my head once more, I turn to leave, Sirgia walking out right behind me. The door closes in tense silence, the sabre still lodged in the planks. Moving a safe distance away from the bedroom of the Clan Head’s daughter, we glance at each other and snicker openly. Never a boring day. My petite lover pulls me in for a fluffy kiss before continuing on her way to the Patriarch’s chambers, aiming to get the man back on his feet. I take the long way to the stables, giving Cecil an ample amount of time to get everything in order. When I arrive there, she’s just leading a full-sized horse out of the nifty barn, the animal fully saddled and bagged up. “You got your steed? Let us depart, then.” I give the mighty beast a few pats on its side. “Where’s your horse?” she asks, frowning as I don’t enter the stables to fetch one. “I’m not letting you ride behind me, Human. Or get any closer than a greataxe’s swing, for that matter.” Looks like she does still carry a grudge, in the end. And with the Counselor absent, I’m just a Human, huh. “I’m riding a different kind of mount,” I reply with a grin. “One that would make the nearby stallions quite uncomfortable.” Cecil climbs onto her mare from a stepladder and groans while rolling her eyes. “Please, tell me you aren’t riding a donkey because it learns faster and doesn’t buck as easily.” Grabbing her reins, I take us closer to the nearby gate and step aside. The sentries meet my gaze as I bring two fingers to my lips, one guy’s eyes flashing knowingly. He elbows his compatriot with a smirk. I whistle sharply and my massive Lupus Voidis emerges from my shadow into a jog. She draws a majestic circle around us, making Cecil’s horse neigh anxiously, before stopping by my side, nuzzling her canine snout into my palm. Playing with the elongated muzzle, I flash the Dwarf girl a smile. “Cecil, meet Donkey.” The Donkey sneezes into my fingers and brings her ominous violet eyes to my level with an expression that can be deciphered as something akin to a wolf deadpan. “Alright, alright, it’s Diana.” I chuckle and roll her head between my hands. “Close enough, I would say.” My valiant steed gives my face a few punishing licks before laying down and letting me hop into the masterful saddle. After she gets up, bringing me as high if not a bit higher than Cecil’s seat, I throw my arm forward. “Onwards!” The mouth-agape Dwarf doesn’t answer, her mare following after me on her own, guided by her training most likely. This is going to be a fun little trip, I can feel it.
Chapter 257 – Road Rage Spoiler: Chapter As we ride through the town, I lead the short procession. The streets might be wide around these parts, but there’s no need to take up most of them, especially with all those wagons and caravans moving in each direction. Diana’s presence is already a tad disruptive, even though my incredible lupine friend is somehow masking her aura and ferocity. I bet she learned that just for me so she can carry me even more in many places. I should have a chat with Lumina during a free moment, perhaps tonight, and ask how exactly monster evolutions work. Safi and Emi weren’t able to talk and picked that ability up during their advancement to communicate with me. I wonder if other entities can do the same or, at the very least, something similar. It would be so much easier to discuss our matching affinities if we could use something else than thoughts and intentions. I have a feeling she would be a great teacher for my Void element. Soon enough, we reach the outer gate and slowly pass by the sentries. I give the guards a polite nod while Cecil doesn’t even spare them a look. I guess the clans don’t have much respect for the nation’s soldiers, most likely depending almost solely on their own forces, considering the garrison the Patriarch mentioned. Still, being nice to first-contact workers doesn’t cost anything and can potentially pay out in the long run. Just imagine getting mugged one day, and the guard that witnesses it is the one you were rude to, deciding he’s not being paid enough to care. As soon as we trot out of the city, quite a few minds reach out to me and connect deeper, their inquisitive probing evident. I explain to the ladies spending their time mostly outside of the walls that I’m just going on a brief trip. We exchange a few words, and I listen to what Ianthe’s girls have been up to besides the moments they assisted my ladies and their Den Mother. It’s a decent pastime while following the road. Lilia and Lilie chime in, sad that one of them can’t accompany me, but they are bound to the same flower, in the end. Splitting up like that over great distances would be extremely uncomfortable or even painful if not straight up dangerous. But, they have their mission to protect our new place and new friends, assuring me that they are going to do their best, especially after receiving a tasty reward the previous night, being at the peak of their performance now. I promise to take them during the next task, if there is one, and refocus on my companion, who has been riding in silence this entire time. Cecil’s horse has moved to Diana’s side by now, getting used to the giant wolf that didn’t show any dangerous mannerisms towards it. My steed is focused on our path and our surroundings, her ears flicking around from time to time. I make sure to scratch her neck now and then for the good job she’s doing. “So, you travel lots?” I casually fling a question at the Dwarf girl. “So, you are one of those Humans who keep yapping throughout the entire journey?” She scowls at me, not moving her face away from the front. “I can do either.” Shrugging, I return my attention to the road too. “Just feels like a waste not to get to know each other a bit if we are to work together.” “You are my escort. You protect me. There’s no need for us to share our deepest secrets to do that.” Cecil snorts to the side. “Just don’t get in my way and everything will be perfect, Human.” “Fine by me.” Chuckling, I lean ahead to give Diana some ear scritches. The fierce doggo lets out a sweet rumble from within her throat while pushing her head more into my hand. However, the silence doesn’t last long. “What rank is your company even?” my client asks. “I certainly hope it’s at least A-rank if not higher.” “In Human lands, Utopia’s Mercenary Corps are currently at C, though the girls have been undertaking numerous missions back to back, so we might have already reached B,” I explain. “But, I literally just got here, so we need to establish a base of operations before getting officially recognized in the region. Do you know a good place, perhaps? Or some capable and loyal people?” “C? Really?” Cecil decides to ignore my questions. “I have no idea what kind of scam you have pulled with Father to get this job at such a low level. He would never pick someone of this caliber for such sensitive matters associated with people of high standing. Mercenary Master my ass.” “It’s the law.” I shake my head. “The law?” She frowns at me. “Can’t register a company with a higher rank, so we’ve been given C after the assessment,” I explain. “Even the King couldn’t change that if he wanted. The other companies would make a fuss about preferential treatment and whatnot.” “That’s stupid.” Cecil sneers. “If the participants are good or even excel, just give them a joint mission with someone to see how they fare. No wonder there aren’t any high-level Human mercenary groups. They all must quit after getting drowned in shit requests while trying to crawl out of that swamp.” She might not be wrong. As rough around the edges as she is, Cecil has some decent smarts and awareness of how the world works. It shows her experience out there. If we could somehow mend this already burning bridge between us, and the incident that sparked all of this was damn hot, she could be a great squad captain. The leader needs to be a bit harsh and hardened. “Back to the topic, though. I guess you haven’t heard much of what happened in the clan recently since it hasn’t been even a day before you were sent out again.” I steer the conversation back on its original track. “Ah. That’s right.” She suddenly looks like she has figured out some grand mystery. “The lost girl that miraculously returned a genius, taking the Heir Showdown by storm with her creations, securing herself a spot next to the Patriarch.” Cecil’s enlightened face turns to me. “And the mercenary who’s glued to her side like a faithful dog,” the girl continues. “Aren’t you ashamed of yourself? Riding on a woman’s coattails so pitifully? Or are you perhaps secret lovers so she keeps feeding you good deals out of sympathy? I bet you haven’t worked for that rank a day of your life, simply abusing all the artefacts your sugar-momma rains upon you.” So close, yet so far. It looks like the news about us being mates hasn’t had enough time to reach her ears. “Those artefacts might save your life one day.” I snicker, playing along, not denying nor confirming anything. “I can take care of myself.” She huffs indignantly. “Try not to get us killed with your toys, and the rest will be just fine.” Taking her face directed ahead as the end to this pleasant exchange, I leave the proud Dwarf woman with her own thoughts. But, if we aren’t engaging in entertaining chats, there’s no need to take things slow. We wouldn’t want to be late and get an earful from the supposedly even worse Grand Patriarch’s granddaughter, would we? Reaching into one of my rings, I pull out a pretty harmonica Sirgia made for me and give it a few taps. It’s one of the simpler instruments and on the list of my favourites. I have no doubts Natalie would show me who is boss with any musical tool considering her talents, but I played around with this one back on Earth enough not to make a fool of myself while borrowing one of her spells. Symphony of Wind fills the air around us, and the flowing melody I have chosen for the ability permeates through our mounts. They feel the difference right away, both animals looking my way with curiosity shining in their intelligent eyes. After a few gentle beats, they speed up and reach the heights of their full gallop. Diana could go even faster, but she matches the horse’s limits. As for Cecil, her saddle is a more common one, so she’s forced to lean forward greatly and hold onto the reins for her life. Mine is a bit more advanced, and I can barely feel inconvenienced by the pace, continuing to play. With the first enchantment underway, I switch to a more vigorous and lively melody that aims to energise our steeds and make it easier for them to keep up the tempo. And thus, we charge through the forests like lightning, zipping around the other travellers who move at snail’s pace compared to us. There’s only one major path the inspector and her entourage can take between the capital and the hometown of the Forgegraver clan, so there’s no risk of us missing each other. Therefore, Diana can lead and the horse can follow. We cover a lot of distance before it starts getting late. Cecil doesn’t want to stop for a snack or any other break when I ask, so we keep going until the sky goes dark. I’m not sure if she’s trying to act tougher than she looks, which would be an achievement because this lass is a fine badass, or if she doesn’t want to let it show that I can endure more than her as I look completely unbothered the entire way, juggling songs during the sprint. Unfortunately for her, I could keep going for days at my current level. Finding a comfortable spot a bit off the path, we hop off our mounts and look around. I let out a free moan while stretching, hearing my back crack the good way as it receives some love. My companion looks hella stiff and barely drags her limbs around. “What the hell… was that…?” Cecil peers at me while catching her breath with her hands against her knees. “What was what?” I feign ignorance. “Just a travelling melody I use to get around. Since we weren’t going to talk, why take longer when we can show up at the meeting point early and just wait for our allies there in comfort?” She groans and turns around to unlatch a bundle of stuff from her horse. It provides a small challenge considering how small she is, but she’s done it enough times in the past to succeed fairly quickly. Pulling out what seems to be parts of a tent from the cloths, she eyes me intently. “Don’t tell me you didn’t pack yours.” The spunky Dwarf misinterprets my staring. “I hope you enjoy spending a night under the stars, then.” I briefly consider whipping out the suitcase since Sirgia has insisted I take it for the trip, but while Cecil is part of the lineage, she isn’t exactly a trustworthy friend yet. We haven’t introduced the reality-bending mansion, and she might run straight to the Patriarch with such a catch or simply spill everything out in her post-mission report. Thus, I choose the pavilion for now. “You can let that thing go.” I wave my hand in a shooing motion at her. “I’ll have something better from my sugar-momma.” She doesn’t look convinced or willing, but I simply ignore her and dig out all the necessary parts out of Diana’s spatial bags. Standing in front of the IKEA-worthy arrangement, I hum to myself. This might take a moment alone, and I bet Cecil won’t be interested in giving me a hand. “Oh, well.” I shrug and reach into myself. “Mind helping me out a little, ladies?” The Dwarf girl blinks weirdly at me talking to myself, then flinches when multiple shapes emerge from the ground. A few very charming and very nude rock females form ahead, wearing enchanting smiles on their gorgeous lips. “We are always happy to assist, Den Master.” They all incline their heads after one responds. In a group, the construction takes no time and the impressive tent-house springs into existence in a flash amidst cute giggles and ensnaring songs. Thankfully, there are no other men besides me here, and I’m fairly resistant to their charms. Though they do try their best to use the physical ones to give me a show and capture the attention of my wandering eyes. As soon as they are done, forcing me to stay aside and observe, the girls saunter up to me and make a fancy bow with a flourish that puts even more focus on their varying pairs of breasts as they hang off their chests firmly. Trotting up to me, each stone seductress presses a chaste peck to my cheek before melting back into the earth. I give the last one an appreciative smack on the butt, evoking a pleased gasp and a bite to her bottom lip as she shakes that ass while disappearing. Cecil hauls herself closer in a slight daze. “Were those…” “Oreads?” I raise a brow at her. “Yeah. I have a small agreement with their caretaker. She would be sulky if I didn’t ask them for help once in a while. You gotta be careful with those minxes, though. The moment they catch you with your pants down, those aren’t getting up anytime soon.” My little joke seems to go over her head as I chuckle to myself. “Anyway, get in.” I give her a light smack on the back. “I’ll put up a few safety measures and follow right after.” “If you think I’m sleeping in the same tent as you, Human, then you are dreaming.” She glares at me. Rolling my eyes, I push her forward. “See first, decide later. I’ll be further away from you there than I would be if I slept over by that rock back there.” That confuses her but she stumbles into the pavilion while I quickly throw a few alarm and protective spells, ensuring our animal friends are comfortable too. When I finally slip into the tent too, I find Cecil standing in the middle of the main chamber and slowly spinning around with an open mouth. Her attention snaps to me as soon as she finishes another turn. “How is this possible?” “Magic.” I spread my arms nonchalantly. “Your room is on the right. Mine is on the left. Each has its own bathroom. You can take care of yourself first. I’ll prepare some food.” Leaving her standing still out there for a while longer, I head to the kitchen complex and cook up a simple meal with lots of meat and tasty veggies. As I’m setting it all down on the table in the center, Cecil returns, wearing a simple linen t-shirt and pants, the former bending noticeably as its pushed forward by her considerable breasts, which poke into the material with hard nipples. Watching myself not to ogle her, I smile at the feisty lady. “Dig in. Leave the dishes in the sink and I’ll take care of them in the morning. I already ate while cooking, so take your time. See you tomorrow.” Figuring out she wouldn’t want to socialise with some low-rank Human, I retreat to my section and jump into the tub too. That’s when the Oreads show up again and insist on helping out. Quickly smacking a silencing rune on the material wall, I let them, because why not. As it turns out, that isn’t their only goal, and they end up receiving rewards for their earlier assistance. By the end of me sharing my gratitude with them, we all need a good wash again. Bidding me goodnight with a lot of lovely kisses and brushes, they return where they feel the most comfortable to, the ground deep below. At this point, it feels like I’m compensating my employees with sex instead of money, but I guess that’s pretty normal for who I am now. The most valuable currency of a Demigod of Lust is most likely his seed. And all the fun and pleasure they get from a good romp. They are Nymphs, in the end. As I’m sliding under the covers for the night, one of them reaches out to me mentally. ~Den Master, our Den Mother reports seeing a group bearing the Stockhawker insignia leaving the Dwarf city shortly after you. We apologise greatly for forgetting to mention it earlier. We’ve been… distracted… but that’s not an excuse for the failure to uphold our duties,~ she conveys with a trace of guilt and anxiety. I hastily send her reassuring thoughts. ~It’s okay. I’m the cause of your distractions. Thanks for the information. There’s no way they kept up with us, so we are fairly safe for now. Have a good rest, my dear.~ The Oread expresses her gratitude for my leniency and tunes out. I wonder why Ianthe hasn’t messaged me herself, but then realise that she might have intended the girls to approach me with it as an excuse, hoping something like this would happen. Seriously, I’m their Den Master, if she wants me to pamper our subjects a bit, she can just say so and I’ll gladly show them some love. When the dreamland welcomes me, it draws the picture of an impressive throne room filled with rather naughty mosaics and motifs all over. It doesn’t take me long to figure out where I am, considering all those pink shades, and I will some clothes onto my nude form. A delicate chuckle tickles my ears, and my eyes move onto the white-haired divine beauty lounging atop the royal throne. “So quick to cover yourself every time.” Lumina graces me with a heart-warming smile. “You know you can feel completely free and unrestrained here in the depths of your soul, right?” “And so can you, but I don’t see you parading around in all your celestial glory.” I smirk, slowly walking closer. The Goddess raises a soft brow at me, then her white toga shimmers and disappears. I freeze in place. This must be the first time I have directly laid my eyes on her sacred figure of true femininity. And it looks positively delicious. I swallow thickly at the sight of her smooth belly, full and tender breasts tipped with heavenly rosy nipples, and the perfect pouty slit nestled between her luscious thighs, currently crossed one over another and revealing only a peek into the core of her divinity. There’s a tuft of pale greatness adorning its entrance, looking like the finest silk one would be able to snuggle into. With a snap of her fingers, more as a trigger to bring me back than to resummon her garments, Lumina fills the hall with her harmonious little laugh again. “See why I continue doing so? We wouldn’t get any talking done if I went around like that. But, I do admit, you take my divine charm much better than I expected. You are rock hard, but you haven’t released just from that brief peek.” “Would it be too forward to say that I’ve been holding back so I could release somewhere more worthy than into the open air?” I offer her a slightly cheeky smile. The rosy tinge adorning her elegant cheeks tells me that it isn’t. “But, enough of that, I can tell I can’t withstand the might of your passion yet.” I shake my head to clear my thoughts. “So, if it’s not that, what makes you so happy?” “Pardon?” The Goddess blinks at me in surprise, her brilliant smile continuing to shine. “I’m just happy to see you. That’s all.” “No, that’s not it.” I cross my arms over my chest. “Each time, there’s always this kernel of worry within you, even if you are glad to meet again. This time, however, you are absolutely joyous, like something good happened. You aren’t anxious about my reaction to it, certain that it will be more than positive. Lumi, you are gushing with delight and satisfaction. I’m a Demigod now, I can sense some of this stuff.” That brings a bit more of the blush onto her beautiful face. “Maybe you are just unused to those new senses of yours yet, noticing things you previously haven’t,” Lumina tries to explain. Rolling my eyes, I sigh cordially. “Sure. Let’s go with that. If it’s something you don’t wish to address, then I trust it’s not crucial. I’ll generously change the topic. You know my question already.” “Diana.” She nods gracefully. “Slimes are a bit different since they can consume a lot of things from their victims, but she will grow more capable through the usual ways. And since I know from your memories that you aren’t of the same predispositions as the original Primordials who sired the currently known races, that leaves the simplest option. More fighting, battles, and absorbing the essence of fallen enemies.” “Yeah, I might be quite open, and even more after getting summoned here, but that still feels like a bit too much,” I agree with her. “Thanks for sharing.” “It’s of no problem, my Hero.” Lumina chuckles warmly. “The connection you two share already speeds up her progress, just at a lesser pace than with your physical Partners. Have her hunt a little more from time to time and she’ll be evolving again and again. I concur that leveling up your Void Affinity is a wise choice. It might turn out to be helpful in your grand quest.” “Alright. Appreciate it again.” Reaching her spot, I lean in to place an affectionate kiss on her cheek. “Loved the lavish gift. You are a glorious woman. Gives me motivation to keep growing stronger.” The Goddess smacks me on the chest lightly but doesn’t rebuke me. She truly deserves some honest love and attention and it pains me not being able to offer it to her. Especially since I’m currently the only person with such potential who isn’t her sister. Waving at my patron deity cordially, I leave the cock palace. In the morning, I wake up fairly early, but still get beaten to it by the Patriarch’s daughter, who reclines on one of the sofas with a cup of fragrant tea, wearing the same casual combo as in the evening. I stroll into the room in one of my purple button-up shirts, currently open loose, and comfortable pants. She takes a moment to note my physique, her sharp eyes lingering on my muscles, before returning to staring into the material wall. “How was the night?” I ask, getting myself some hot tea too. “Good.” Cecil grunts. “It’s a fine home. Your owner certainly pampers you.” Oh, if only she knew who was who. Walking up to the entrance, I peek outside, sipping on the tasty warm liquid. “What are you doing?” The experienced girl notices that it’s not just idle gazing. “We’ll be having company today, most likely.” I smack my lips. “Just debating if we should wait a little longer or meet them on the road.” “Who?” Her brows furrow. “How do you even know?” “I’m your escort, Lady Cecil.” I turn to her with a smile. “It’s my job to know.” She scowls aside but brings her attention back to me with a shadow of curiosity in her eyes. “I have my means of getting in touch with many of my allies,” I explain vaguely. “We expected something like that, so they’ve been on alert. As to who is going to greet us, it’s hard to say. After my talk with the bounty hunters, I would assume not many would dare to take up the job of messing with my clients the second time.” The astute wandering warrior senses a story there, but most likely doesn’t want to show her intrigue too much after continuing to play hard to please. “I have no idea if you are even correct, so let’s not delay.” She gets up, marching towards her apartment. “Be ready in ten minutes.” Ten minutes later, she walks out of the tent, and I bring in the girls to help me collect it in a blink. They are very lively after last night, which doesn’t surprise me. We are soon packed up and leading our steeds back towards the road. Hopping in, we get moving. But, we don’t get that far without an interruption. About an hour later, we spot a commotion ahead. It looks like someone fell off their horse and got stuck under its weight, the animal either unconscious or dead. Judging by the blood by its head, the latter. Diana growls into the trees, and I borrow Sense Lifeforce from one sweet Vampire lady, seeing multiple red shapes all around us. Judging by their sizes, definitely Dwarves. “Really?” I sigh openly as we reach the struggling man shouting for help. “One of the oldest tropes? The wound is literally on the wrong side of the horse’s head, idiot.” He stills, not knowing what to do after being found out. “We are in a hurry, so get over here while I’m being nice!” I shout loud enough for everyone to hear. Cecil frowns at me, but her brows rise the other way when about ten rough-looking Dwarves come out of hiding. They all seem quite tired, and rightfully so if they have been riding the entire night to catch up with us. As they are, none should pose a threat to me or even my companion. But, when she pulls off the weird shape off her back that I first assumed was some bizarre shield, the thing actually turning into a greataxe as it unfolds section by section, I hold my arm in front of her. “What kind of an escort would I be if I let my client get their hands dirty.” I smirk, ignoring the glare she’s throwing at me. “Give us but a moment, My Lady.” Sliding off Diana’s side, I make a headcount to check if no one else is getting sneaky, and pat my dependable companion on the head. “All yours, girl.” My fingers fluff her sharp ear. “Eat up and grow strong.” A vicious growl spills out of the big and scary wolf’s muzzle, and the sudden tension in the air that gets drowned in her ominous aura makes the group ahead recoil. Shadows seep out of Diana’s fur, her eyes and insides of her mouth glowing even more purple. With one leap, she disappears into her own shade. Before our opponents have a chance to think about where she has gone, the apex predator peeks her head out of another splotch of darkness underneath one of the Dwarves and her jaws snap shut around his entire leg, evoking an agonising scream from its owner. A blink later, he is yanked into the ground, the scream cutting off. When Diana reemerges behind them, she has the man’s decapitated head in her fangs, continuing to growl like a merciless monster. Staring at her prey intently, she chomps on the skull like on a treat and swallows the delicious meal whole, turning to our attackers, thirsty for more. I think she might have taken my words a bit too literally, but oh well, I’ll know for the future. What ensues next can be described with one word. Chaos. The Dwarves lose it, throwing everything at her, from the usage of their normal weapons, through magical spells and techniques, to even some artefacts that seem dangerous. But, Diana dominates the battlefield like the beast she is, tearing off limbs and heads one after another. Her figure moves between them like black smoke, avoiding every incoming blow. Her own counter-attacks in the form of shadowy spikes or claw slashes that send out arcs of mana to mutilate the poor party. It takes her maybe about two minutes to wipe out the poorly coordinated team. She could have done it quicker, but I feel like she put on a show for us, displaying her strength. And I don’t blame them for panicking. She is literal death on four legs that instills nightmares in those who get to live after meeting her. Finished with her task and leaving a patch of bloody carnage behind her, Diana proudly parades back to us. I grin widely and welcome the fierce wolf into my arms, starting to fluff her muzzle and ears as she licks my face, staining it with a bit of leftover blood. “That’s my girl!” I laugh lovingly at the giant wolf. “Who’s my good girl? Who is? You are!” Contrary to her threatening exterior, Diana responds to my baby talk with those canine whines and groans they let out when they are happy, playing around with my silly praise. Her tail is wagging like crazy. She might be a brutal monster, but even the most savage beasts deserve love. If they don’t aim to murder you, that is. Finishing our cuddling session, I step back and glance at our friend. Cecil gapes at the murder scene with disbelief but also a somewhat haunted expression. I don’t think she expected my docile mount to pack this much power and ferocity in her tame frame. She has just massacred a troop of decently equipped Dwarves from a rich clan. “Fuck!” My client swears under her breath. “You should have left one alive for interrogation!” But, of course, Cecil doesn’t know that yet. “They were sent by Stockhawkers,” I fill her in. “Most likely belonged to the clan or its subsidiary. If we search them enough, we should find the insignias somewhere on their bodies.” “How are you so sure?” She blinks at me. “Allies, remember?” I tap the side of my head. “Besides, we are currently at war with them after they stole our product and brand, showing them off as their invention. With the original creator coming out of the shadows, they are trying whatever they can to scare us off. Going after the Patriarch’s daughter is a clever move.” “They were after me?” Cecil’s eyes widen. “Yeah, sorry about that.” I incline my head apologetically. “Part of the reason why Sirgia insisted on my coming. I’ve already dealt with their kind before. Or rather, those they hired.” Leaving the shocked girl alone for now, I work with the Oreads to bury the bodies and clean up the place. After we are done, there is barely any trace of what has transpired on this road. Wasting no more time, we continue with our journey. Cecil keeps quiet the rest of the day. I can tell she’s still processing everything and racking her brain to make heads and tails of it. Mostly about me and my strength, most likely. Or the strength I borrow from so many people and entities who are happy to aid me. And I don’t mean the ability-based borrowing, just the wilful assistance everyone keeps showing to me out of the goodness of their hearts. It must look so suspicious to her. We don’t talk much in the evening and over the night either, and I don’t mind. But, we are pretty much forced to regroup in the main section of the pavilion as my warning systems announce someone’s approach. Cecil sprints into the room in her casual wear, holding onto her greataxe, and I do the same, wearing only a pair of shorts, an empty draconic hilt in my hand. She gives it a confused look, but I wave her off. “What is this?” A charming feminine voice with a pleasant undertone reaches us from the outside. Soon after, a matching adorable head pops in through the slit. Our visitor has short curly rusty hair completely framing her sweet face. Her cheeks are adorned with a splash of freckles, further enhancing her lovable visage. A pair of round spectacles sits atop her button nose, finishing her bookish appearance. Her amber eyes roam over our bodies before that pretty nose scrunches. “Ugh, am I perhaps interrupting an… interracial… affair?” Cecil releases an angry growl. “Who the fuck are you to poke your nose into someone else’s tent, bitch?” “Watch your words, vagabond.” The woman raises her face haughtily. “I’m no vagabond, you skank!” My companion snarls. “I’m Cecil Forgegraver, First Daughter of the Forgegraver Patriarch, and I’ll have your head for intruding on my privacy!” “Ah. So you are the representative sent to greet me.” The girl glances at us again. “Not the best first impression, I must say.” Before Cecil can show her a much better second impression, I put myself between them. The newcomer’s gaze meets my pecs before moving up, forced to raise her head to look straight at my face. “With all due respect, but you have yourself to blame for that, My Lady. If you announced yourself properly and requested permission to enter, we would have had time to equip ourselves after our rest.” I meet her eyes firmly. “Now, excuse us as we put our gear on and get ready to depart. I’m no use to anyone as an escort parading in just my underwear, and my client’s safety as much as comfort is my utmost priority. Your arrival unfortunately disrupted that. Please, wait outside.” By the end of my spiel, one of my hand gestures leads her to glance aside, and she finally registers that something is not right with this place. Her eyes glimmer with wonder as she figures out that the outside doesn’t match the inside. Considering her looks, I dare not risk her being the relentless researcher type, so I gently push her outside with my body before she rains questions upon us. Slapping a silencing seal on the zipped-up entrance, I turn to Cecil. “She can’t hear us anymore. Quite a piece of work that one is, huh?” The black-haired girl eyes my figure for a moment before catching herself and looking up. “I knew this was going to be a pain in the ass when I heard we are bringing her back.” “That famous?” I snicker. “Pompous know-it-all who thinks theory trumps practice every single time.” Cecil scoffs, crossing her arms under her chest, which does wonders to her unrestrained breasts covered only by the loose t-shirt. “Wise Lady Daisy Forgegraver, the Ancient Magitech Research Extraordinaire. She’s the Grand Patriarch’s most prized and prided jewel.” “Sounds fun.” I sigh heavily. “Come on. We better not make the princess wait or it will be off with our heads. And I’m quite attached to both of mine.” A faint curl touches her fierce lips at my joke, her gaze briefly jumping to that other head bulging my shorts before she spins around and marches into her bedroom. I follow suit, and we meet three minutes later, ready to head out. We find our target waiting amongst four Dwarf men clad in pieces of leather and metal armor marked with the Forgegraver symbols. Those must be her personal guards or something. They are throwing wary looks in the direction of my eerie wolf still napping without a worry next to Cecil’s horse. Daisy stares daggers into Diana, but it feels more intrigued than malicious. Same with the glances she directs at the pavilion. Now that I note her full figure, she is fairly slim like Sirgia and wears high-quality scholar vestments. Those innocent amber eyes of hers almost pop out of their sockets when a group of Oreads shows up and helps me disassemble the giant tent. Her escorts ogle the gorgeous females with leery gazes, but the girls pay them no attention. Well, maybe save for the bits where their flirting with me gets a bit more pronounced, their bodies brushing against mine more often, or their dazzling lips sneaking a peck or two to my cheeks. The Nymphs retreat as soon as we finish, waving their fingers at me seductively. I bring the parts into Diana’s bags and hop onto my noble steed. So does Cecil with hers and we trot up to the other five. “Just you two?” The haughty princess gapes at us incredulously. “Is the outer branch doing so bad they can’t even hire a proper escort?” Cecil growls at her again. “He is more capable than all of you combined.” I’m not sure she believes that, but anything goes when you are getting back at someone who is openly offending your family. Daisy snorts cutely, which isn’t as adorable as it could be with her arrogance. “Sure, sure. Just hide behind us or something.” My companion grinds her teeth but decides that it’s not worth it right now. However, it becomes worth it enough soon after we move out, after just one more insult. The two start cursing at each other, their families, and so on, engaged in a pussy measuring contest or something, I don’t know the female equivalent. Do they compare depth, grip strength, texture, or what? I gotta ask Shino next time. The trip continues in either anxious silence as they glare at each other or with jabs flying from one side to another. There’s no in between. The only silver lining to all that is the fact that they seem to have forgotten about me. I ride a bit ahead, enjoying my time with Diana, playing some mental games with the clever wolf like who spots a rabbit first or such. Current score is nine to one. Guess the loser. Our peace is disrupted a few hours later, however, as I pull us to a stop, signaling at the guards with a universal mercenary gesture of danger ahead. The four bring their horses to me, and they pale a bit. We’ve reached the spot of my and Cecil’s previous scuffle. As much as I was meticulous about cleaning it up, it seems not to have been enough. A small gaggle of beasts is having a field day digging for the buried body parts, somehow able to sense them deep underground. And judging by the soldiers’ reactions, those aren’t some simple animals. After catching a good look at the moving shapes, I recognize the chonky bastards. There was that meme image back home with a ridiculously round bear, pretty much a sphere. Well, that guy has nothing on these homies. They are literal balls with legs and muzzles. Their size is about that of a van in terms of mature individuals. And we have two in this family of four. From what I remember, they might look comical, but their hide is almost impervious to your usual physical attacks and can even deflect some magic while they roll at you. Yeah, they tend to do that. And one has just spotted us. I jump off Diana as she gets ready to lunge forward, sensing the impending threat. “Leave some to me this time, girl. I need to earn my keep too.” As the group turns to us, she melts into her shadow, leaving my side, which shocks the four guys a lot. Drawing my empty hilt, I start walking forward. The leader of the pack senses my intentions and snarls my way before pressing its head and limbs completely flush into its mass, somehow being able to manipulate its surface. Then, I see him rolling. And I’m not hating. Shaping up a shiny katana of seductive violet with the mesmerising mist, I stop and sheathe the blade in an invisible sheath on my other side, symbolised by the ring made by my thumb and index finger. Taking the drawing stance, I close my eyes, focusing on my hearing. Everything seems to fade away, save for the rumbling of the approaching enemy, its representation visible through my mind’s eye. I ignore the worried feminine shouts reaching my ears and swing upwards just before the impact. A dark purple arc of energy rushes forward, zipping past the Rollo and drawing a deep trench in the road. The monster makes one more rotation before splitting right in the middle, both halves tilting to their respective side and missing our party completely as they tumble away. Opening my eyes, I cast a glance at the remaining beasts, out of which one is already gone too. The youngest is missing its head, replaced by a deep hole peering into its thick insides. The remaining parent and child are under Diana’s assault, her sharpened claws mutilating their round forms. They keep rolling in circles in hopes of repelling her assaults until she makes a mistake. But, I’m not gonna wait for that. Borrowing Earth Magic from another of my Partners, I raise my foot, which gains a sandrock layer, and slam it back down, kicking into the earth down to my shin. A powerful tremor shakes the place, and two stone pillars launch the Rollos like oversized pinballs, sending them flying straight up. The columns then quickly sharpen into deadly spikes, and I look up. Diana senses my intentions and nimbly bounces from one pillar to another, pushing herself higher and higher. Reaching their ends, she tenses her muscles and leaps after the still rising monsters. She doesn’t reach them, but that isn’t her goal. Stealing Shino’s Shadow Step, I can somehow lock onto the wolf’s body. Not daring to question how she herself is considered a usable shadow, I disappear into the darkness and reappear on her back in a crouch. Using Astrea’s Nightwalker’s Five Relentless Steps, I shoot myself off her and make five kicks in mid-air that send me slightly above the halting Rollos. Then, switching to another of her techniques, I pick one out of Twelve Palms of the White Tiger, using both hands to slap the spinning spheres of fat and muscle with enough force to send ripples through their bodies. There’s a resounding thwack, and both beasts are flung downwards. One blink later, they crash right into the prepared spikes and burst like fingered grapes, splattering all over the nearby ground. Physical Resistance doesn’t mean Physical Invulnerability. You just need enough force to pierce through. Before faceplanting into the ground too, I aim for one of the shadows cast by my party’s horses and pop up right beside it, spooking the animal a tad. Moving forward, I scan the battlefield in search of any further threats. Finding none, I Shadow Step to Diana and stare at the even worse bloodbath than before. Someone gotta put one of those road signs here that mark frequent accidents or something. But that’s not my job. My job is cleaning this shit up better than the last time. So, I pick the most surefire way to do that. Fire. With another copied spell, I release powerful flames from my palms and completely burn every single hint of what happened here. No bodies, no grave digging. Sure, the road and the nearby grass might end up a bit charred, but that’s better than becoming a hotspot for monster attacks. Satisfied with my work, I nuzzle Diana’s muzzle and take my seat in her saddle. When we arrive back at the group, everyone gapes at me with wide eyes. No one seems willing to say anything in their stupor, so I just turn my trusty steed around and begin leading us forward. No longer than thirty seconds later, Diana is surrounded from both sides by horses, one carrying a fierce black-haired warrior and the other a bookish rusty-haired scholar. They are both peering up at me with gazes intent on undressing me completely to learn every juicy secret my body might be hiding, fascination apparent in their intrigued expressions. There goes my peaceful ride back home.
Chapter 258 – Two Sides of One Family ❤ Spoiler: Chapter I have been wondering how long it will take them to speak up. The silence hangs in the air thickly as both beauties simply keep staring at me from the sides, each buried deep within their turbulent thoughts. Cecil might be revisiting all our previous interactions while reevaluating everything she knows, while Daisy is most likely attempting to pick her brain for any information related to me that she can remember. Which wouldn't be that surprising with the little display they have witnessed just recently. Regarding that, I know it wasn’t exactly too necessary. While the guards might have had some issues with that pack of Rollos, the two Forgegraver ladies feel competent. Ignoring their fairly special attitudes. Working together, it would have been possible to handle the threat with minor injuries. And if we count Diana in, most likely with just some scratches. Why bother, then? Because I know this type. One is like a seasoned veteran who can’t be bothered to care about those below anymore after some rather unpleasant experiences or such. Considering the respected family values, she is also kind of a rebel, choosing to live a life of a mercenary rather than that of an artificer. That must have brought a fair amount of vexations over the years, so I don’t blame her too much for ending up a bit of a cynic. A show of strength that shatters the assumed preconceptions is the fastest way to gain their interest. The second is clearly a talented scientist holding onto a very important position that handles an extremely valuable field of learning. She’s been put on a pedestal since the early years, most likely, and thus developed a slight superiority complex, especially if her efforts kept bringing impressive results and earning her lots of praise. At the same time, that definitely attracted individuals with less savoury intentions, and I hope her overbearing personality is partially a mask to deter those. In this case, a show of something curious, fascinating, and unprecedented is the most efficient way to appear intriguing enough for the person to chase after. Judging by the piercing looks I’m getting, the plan was a success. Now it all depends on how things are going to develop going forward. The groundwork has been laid down. Time to start cultivating the crops. As long as the two of them don’t suffocate each other to death by stealing their rival’s resources. Their clashing natures are highly noticeable and obvious. A typical trope of a musclehead hating the egghead. With a handful of hierarchical and status issues sprinkled on the top, one coming from the top and the other from the bottom. A pleasant explosive mixture just waiting to blow up. Anyway, the answer to my initial question is about sixty minutes, give or take. When Daisy’s gaze flicks to Cecil’s face and her lips part, it’s clear she’s going to start asking questions. But her opponent doesn’t miss that detail either, and her mouth opens right away. That results in both women beginning at the same time, pausing, glaring at each other, then trying again but louder. Needless to say, I can’t understand a word they are saying. “Alright, enough. Neither of you will get anywhere with that. One at a time.” I interrupt them, giving each a measuring glance. “Right side was first.” The black haired lady clicks her tongue and looks away while crossing her arms. My apologies but I’m going to play fair. “Who are you really?” Daisy asks directly. I let out a light chuckle. “Alastair Carter, at your service. I’m whatever the situation needs me to be. A manager, public relations guy, field recruiter, bouncer, adventurer, investigator, hero, friend, husband, lover. But, right now, I’m a mercenary on a mission, as you can see. And no matter what I’m doing, I always strive to be the best for the sake of those who rely on me.” “I’m surprised you aren’t a bard. You have a way with words to avoid the heart of the question this neatly.” She sniffs haughtily, but it doesn’t seem that I truly offended her. “What’s your Class?” Cecil doesn’t waste time and takes her turn just as her kin-sister finishes. “Classified.” I easily dismiss the rude question, both of them aware that it’s not something revealed easily. “Don’t even try to guess. You don’t stand a chance. According to ancient records, it’s one of the worst ones amongst Humans. Only a tad better within other communities but still trash.” “You have an ancient Class?” Daisy’s eyes widen. “Yes,” I answer, and smirk at her as she’s rushing to continue. “Taking that as your question. The ball is on the other side of the court now.” Her cute chin clamps shut with an audible clack, and she grinds her teeth in frustration. “I’ve been told by a trustworthy source that it’s one of the rarer Classes due to the prerequisites related to the owner’s character,” I add to mollify her a little. “It’s also one of the toughest to develop as its vertical progression relies a lot on the goodwill of others and how positively they see you. Easy to imagine, Humans aren’t exactly well-liked by most of the world.” “Must be some kind of a priest or preacher if it requires a following.” The smart cookie is already cracking into it. “You! Ask him about the abilities!” My client isn’t happy to be ordered around, sending the prissy princess a harsh glare, but I can tell the request overlaps with her current agenda, so I’m not surprised when she reluctantly complies. “You showed quite a plethora of skills back there. It might have been possible as a Spellsword or something similar, but that doesn’t sound as viable after hearing your previous answers,” she begins. “What’s the nature of your abilities, and how do they affect your fighting style?” The adventurous girl isn’t far behind in her cleverness department either, forming a vague inquiry instead of a direct one this time. Depending on my answer, she might still learn a lot, but I’m not forced into a simple yes, no, or giving a textbook definition. “My nature is a supportive one. Most of my abilities focus on enhancing my partners. They receive a lot passively too,” I explain to a certain extent. “You can say I’m as strong as my companions are.” “The wolf…” Daisy eyes Diana attentively, stroking her chin. “It used the same ability to move through the shadows as you did… Which means it somehow received it from you… Or maybe there’s more to this and you were the one to receive it from the beast…” It’s always so dangerous to speak with geniuses. Even if what she’s talking about comes from Shino, the fact that both skills are shadow-related and look alike still stands. Unless I deny it firmly, her lucky guess might turn into a possibility or even certainty. “Or I used a few nifty trinkets given to me by a close ally,” I say with a shrug. She snorts, looking up at me like I’m an idiot. “You are in the presence of two Forgegravers. Even that plebeian there would have caught on if you triggered any respectable artefacts. And what you did can’t be replicated by some shabby third-rates and fakes.” “I’m with the princess there. Don’t take our family lightly.” Cecil shakes her head. “Never did.” I smile at them. “Practically every useful gadget and piece of armour you can see on me comes from one of the most brilliant minds birthed by the clan. There are no things impossible with their creator in the picture.” “Who?” The bookish lady frowns. “Lady Counselor.” The tough woman grunts. “He seems to be her personal escort or something. And she seems to be quite generous with her equipment.” “Ah, that. Heard a thing or two about it. My opinion of you rose a little after the recent fight, but the two of you are not off the hook just yet. I’m still convinced this is just some elaborate scam she’s pulling off.” Daisy raises her nose haughtily. “If you voluntarily confess right now, I can promise to put in a good word about your person to the Grand Patriarch. You won’t have to continue playing along with her schemes. But, since it would be a waste of a great talent to just banish or accuse you of cooperation, you could instead come work with us.” “What?” Cecil’s head snaps her way. “He’s my security! Appointed by Father! You can’t just steal him from us like that!” And moments ago she would have been happy to never see me again after the task was finished. “His prowess is wasted on you. What does your small outer branch even need a powerful mercenary like him for? Watch the forges or warehouses?” The higher-born female sneers at her. “We’ll pay you double what they promised. No, triple.” “Listen here you little—” “That will be difficult because I’m not getting paid for this,” I interrupt their upcoming spat. “I’m here on a request and also because it aligns with my goals.” “And what goals are those?” Daisy asks, undoubtedly searching for something she could grab onto. “Well, to start off, gaining some recognition so that I can set up a base of operations for my mercenary unit here without any legal issues. Helping out a lost daughter return to her clan and then aiding them with a thing or two sounds like it could be a good opportunity for that,” I reply thoughtfully. “At the same time, this has gotten a bit more personal since the moment the Stockhawkers have gotten involved in one of my side businesses that I opened here, so I’m most likely going to take them down sooner or later.” “We can help find a good place for your local headquarters in our city and handle the registration,” she quickly offers. “And you are planning to go against an entire clan? Alone? That’s suicidal and unadvised. They have people and resources to crush you the moment they mark you as a threat. It doesn’t matter if you are Tier 3 or even 4. There’s simply no way you can survive the onslaught. Be it military or legal.” Cecil scoffs to the side. “Typical main branch. Not even bothered to involve themselves when others are suffering because their relationships and image are too fragile to risk. You didn’t even suggest relaying a request for assistance, no matter the response.” “Watch your tone, peasant.” Daisy’s lips scrunch nastily. “These are matters way above your understanding. The politics of the main clan are way out of your league. Leave important matters to your betters and focus on what you exist for. We’ve registered a decrease in artefacts produced in your workshops in the last few years. Can’t even handle a bunch of mid-grade curios anymore?” “You bitch! I’m the daughter of the Patriarch! Clan politics are in my blood!” The black-haired female snarls savagely. “And both of us know those quotas are bullshit, made up just so our people have no time to focus on their personal projects! Only in case there’s the slightest chance someone from the bottom outperforms one of your precious prodigies who piss higher than their cunts are! How does it feel up there with all that pleasant golden rain nourishing your immaculate visages?” “You dare insult the core bloodline?!” The rusty-headed cutie isn’t as adorable with her face twisted in monstrous fury. “And how does it feel down there having to clean steaming shitstains from carpets everywhere you go with how your blown-out assholes drag over the very ground, you dirty fucking lowborn?!” Jesus. Dwarf women are a real something, aren’t they? I might have been lucky for an angel such as Sirgia to fall into my arms. Before they start throwing fists right over Diana, I flick them both on the forehead. Cecil groans as her head snaps back while Daisy whimpers in a rather pleasant-to-the-ear way, if only this were the bedroom instead of the middle of the road. The fiery women glare daggers at me, the latter sporting a faint blush, aware of the undignified sound she has let out. “I enjoy some crass banter as much as the other guy does, but you are taking it a bit too far. You girls are one family, in the end, even if kind of separated into two households. And honestly, neither of you is painting an attractive image of it, making me question my choices and future plans. Remember, nothing is set in stone. I can just pack it up and leave to find a more suitable environment,” I chastise them a tad. My words seem fairly effective as the heiresses quickly calm down under the threat of losing the partnership of such a capable mercenary. They still send each other glares, but we are back to a relative silence. “Besides, it might be personal for me, but it isn’t for everyone.” I sigh heavily, aiming to steer the conversation back onto the rightful path. “The clan is already involved. And I can’t imagine the upper branch just staying idle and sitting there twiddling their thumbs as their rivals are looking for an opportunity to dismantle their outer branch through this incident.” “How so?” Daisy peers up at me again, shadows of curiosity swimming in her amber eyes. I pull up one of the ceramic dildos, making them both flinch. “Recognize this?” “W-Why do you have a glass cock on you?!” Cecil nearly squeaks, her face reddening, but not from anger. Her counterpart isn’t as easily embarrassed, though, and she takes the toy into her slender fingers, studying it carefully. “I heard about these. They are fairly new to our city but gaining popularity rather quickly. I admit, the simplistic design is clever and easy to mass produce, but the material…” I snap my fingers, producing a specific spectrum of vibrations through a borrowed skill, and the penis replica shatters into pieces, making them both jump. “Goddess Almighty…” Our hardened adventurer shudders. “Imagine if that was inside…” “Yeah. Not the way you would want one of these to make you cry out at the top of your lungs.” I snicker, evoking a slight curl at the cusp of her mouth. “Now this…” With another flourish, a more realistic depiction appears in my hand, made of much more pleasant and elastic stuff. “Woah… That looks almost lifelike…” Cecil’s brows rise in honest surprise. Then, her gaze falls to my crotch before returning to my face, her sharp cheeks tinged with more rosiness. I snort at her. “No, it’s not mine. Albeit, not that far off, I guess.” Enjoying how the reddish tint blooms, I pass the dildo into the palms of the science lady. “This is nice. So much better than the previous one. I assume it’s supposed to depict a healthy and desirable male specimen, but I’m wondering about one thing.” She also gives my package a quick glimpse. “Why are they Human penises and not that of a Dwarf?” “You see, that’s where things get interesting.” I wink at her, and reach out to take my toy back. However, she pulls it away, clearly intent on examining it more, stroking the length up and down. I frown at that slightly, then notice the roguish grin on her pouty lips, and find our friend on the other side unable to stop blushing from the obscenity of the situation, keeping her eyes forward as much as she can. Which isn’t a lot considering she keeps sneaking in a peek often. Sure, if they want to fight, it’s better with teases than vile curses. The princess doesn’t seem to possess much of a shame so she has an advantage on the field. “Anyway, the first one is what Stockhawkers are making and selling. However, they aren’t the original creators or even designers of these toys. They appropriated one of the products offered to the guests of a certain brothel that caters to females too, located in the Human capital. Changing pretty much only the base material, they flooded the market with it, not even bothering to remove the brand marking at the bottom,” I sum it up. Daisy pauses her stroking and flips the cock balls up. “It does have the same symbol.” “Which is registered under one very gifted lass named Sirgia Forgegraver,” I add. She freezes. Cecil turns to me, realization evident in her dark eyes. “They have stolen from us and dare to sell it as their own?” The researcher girl faces me too. “Add to that a few assassination attempts on a nice wood artisan lady for trying to make her own version from shaped timber, some attempts at preventing the opening of the shop belonging to the patent owner, and the promise to take things to the crown on the opening day for appropriation of protected ideas, and you’ll be up to speed.” I chuckle amusedly. “The audacity!” Daisy squeezes the cock in a death grip as she shakes her fist, making the long pole wobble around. “Do they think we are a joke?” “With how little you care about our branch, they might,” Cecil chimes in with a growl. The princess becomes quiet, staring into the rubber dick intently. “There might be more to investigate here than I first thought. This is a serious matter. And if you are telling the truth as it is, not just dancing around half-lies…” “Can’t swear on anything on their side, but everything related to the original toys and their creator is a fact supported by authorised documents and written evidence.” I give her a firm nod. “Then this might be a prime opportunity to finally squash those bugs.” She chokes the poor Mr Johnson again. “They have been swiping our artefacts for discount prices from the outer rim and reselling them for an inflated amount on the mainland for ages. Slimy bastards continue to ignore offers of official partnership, knowing they can earn more doing it the shady way.” Very nice. Looks like our little scheme is turning out to be a win. We might not yet be in the clear regarding the issues that brought her to the external branch, but I don’t think she will let things with the Stockhawkers go after learning this much. And it’s only going to get worse when she starts asking around and gathering information. A potential ally secured. If we even manage to earn her trust and respect, which might not be too simple a feat, it might be possible to touch upon the matter of the old passages through the mountains. “You have my full support on that. And of the external family for that record. The Patriarch agrees that they have gone too far. I’m going to do whatever it takes to secure the safety of my client and my friends,” I declare openly. “Now, give that back. It’s mine. You can buy your own in the city.” With a motion quicker than she can react to, I steal the cock back, causing her to blink at me in shock. Tossing it up and down a few times, I shove it into my storage once more. “That went into a spatial inventory, didn’t it?” Daisy notes. “You must be well off to have gotten one.” “I received a few old hand-me-downs.” I shrug, then pat the saddle. “But I mostly use those made specifically for me. No offense to the respectable antique rings, but their systems are kinda outdated. With proper materials, modern models have much better sorting methods which take a lot less space.” “You know someone who can not only make them but also improve the artefacts?” She appears taken aback. “I’ll introduce you after we get back.” I nod softly. “Don’t ask me about the details. I’m just a common man lucky enough to get my hands on some of that.” From that point, our discussion slows down considerably. Sure, they still ask a lot of questions, but the chat gets more casual and less like an interrogation. They might not even notice when both of them start showing more honest interest in my stories than only in who and what I am. Cecil inquires about my adventuring and mercenary experience while Daisy tries to probe my artefact background, but we end up talking a lot about our respective lives through that. Since our party is much bigger now, we take a bit longer to cover the same distance as before. Still, we arrive at the spot we had first camped around late evening, deciding to take a night there. The area has already been confirmed to be relatively safe by the three of us. Save for the small ambush point we have already passed. The Oreads make another appearance, happily helping me out with the chores. Daisy watches them like a hawk, and even finds enough courage to approach one of the stone ladies, but from what I can hear, she gets shot down politely, told to speak to me if she wishes anything of them. That focuses all her attention on me again as I weave between the nude beauties and build the pavilion with them. Receiving a few cordial pecks and slaps on the ass for their help, the cheeky Nymphs return to the ground. Our important princess takes that chance to saunter up to me with an inquisitive gaze. “Why do they seem so infatuated with you?” Daisy wonders out loud. “Oreads are supposed to be more solitary creatures, preying on males near their dens deep in the mountains. Yet, they are out here, in the wilds, obediently doing things for you while… intently shaking their assets.” I laugh merrily at her observations. “Sometimes it pays to be kind to others without any hidden agenda. Plus, I might have won a little bet with their caretaker once in the past. That seemed to impress them.” “You slept with a Nymph and lived?” As expected, she catches on momentarily, that astute cutie. My response is something akin to tongue out and a shrug. Maybe, maybe not. “Nevertheless, get in. All of you. Make yourselves comfortable in the common chamber while I finish adding the safety measures.” I dust off my hands, ignoring her adorable squint. “That reminds me, how did you know about the tent? It should have been invisible to the naked eye.” “I’ll tell you if you answer one of my questions honestly.” Daisy smirks deviously. “Sure. But it depends on the question itself.” I turn to her with my hands on my hips. “It’s the same one from earlier,” she replies shrewdly. “Yes, I fucked her so hard she wasn’t able to move for half an hour, just lying there, twitching, and leaking cum from all holes. Since then, the others have been itching for some of that magic cock.” I try to mess with her a bit by being extremely crude. “But, that’s not the only reason why they are happy to aid me.” My attempt succeeds only partially as she valiantly holds eye contact with me even as her graceful cheeks grow redder and redder with each graphic word. Turns out, she isn’t completely immune to dirty things. “Your turn.” I raise a brow at her, watching Daisy’s cheeks truly blossom. “To answer, I mean.” Blinking owlishly, she finally comes out of her imagination and sneers at me. “I knew perfectly well what you meant, you gross pervert! My Class lets me sense mana more accurately than others can and I felt it ripple as we were passing!” “Ah. That’s understandable. I don’t think we have any countermeasures for innate talents like that.” I tap my chin ponderingly. “Thanks for the feedback. I’ll pass it on to the creator to have that covered. Now, excuse me.” “I’m going to watch.” The petite heiress stomps after me as I move away. “What if I’m going to take a piss?” I glance at her over my shoulder. Her steps falter, her hand going to a dagger at her side. “You whip that thing out in front of me and I’ll cut it off!” Laughing again, I proceed to lay the traps and alarms while the others file into the pavilion. Accurate to her words, the pretty scholar observes closely as I set up a few artefacts here and there, turning this place into a small magical fortress. She tries to drill holes in my back as we walk to the tent. After getting in, she forgets about everything else temporarily and marvels over the spacious interior, getting a real chance to understand what she has seen during our first interaction. Her guards look just as mesmerised, and no one blames them. Cecil is standing off to the side and having fun watching their reactions. “Attention, please. This establishment has two guest rooms with personal bathrooms and one common room with a shared toilet, a kitchenette, and everything else you can see around.” I gesture at our surroundings. “Lady Daisy shall receive the western quarters while Lady Cecil has already claimed the eastern side. As for you, my brave compatriots, make yourself at home in the middle area. There are enough couches and furs to suit everyone, and there are more things for sleepovers in the boxes out there. Each section is silenced at night, so don’t worry about snoring or being loud in any other way.” “What about you?” The raven-haired warrior tilts her head. “Obviously, I’m staying with—” “I’ll graciously allow you to rest in my quarters,” Daisy declares while peering into her section. “It’s quite spacious, and all of this belongs to you so it’s only natural you should be able to fully enjoy the benefits this locum provides.” “W-What?” Cecil chokes at that, then marches to the middle. “He is my personal escort, so it’s obvious he is going to sleep with me!” “I didn’t know the Patriarch’s only daughter had it this bad for Humans.” Coming to face her, the bookish girl grins as her rival catches the implication of her own wording and turns crimson. “I’m the most important person here, so if he is going to watch over anyone, it should naturally be me.” “You have four sentries! Just take one!” The rugged female swipes her arm at the group of males. “Or all of them at once if that’s what you are into.” It’s Daisy’s turn to blush furiously. “You are dreaming if you think I’m letting any of those fat hairy things into my room! It’s making me want to puke just at the thought of one!” Oof. I’m sorry, my bros. You didn’t deserve that. But when women get into a catfight like this, no one is safe from the collateral. And I have to agree, you could take slightly better care of your beards. Before the entire tent combusts with flames of rage, I step between the two. “My job is to keep everyone safe, but I did promise the Patriarch to keep his daughter well-cared for, so I’m obliged to go with her if she requests it. My apologies, Lady Daisy.” Looking taken aback that I have the audacity to deny her, the slender girl gazes into my eyes vehemently before huffing in annoyance and retreating to her assigned bedroom, zipping the entrance shut. You can’t win them all. Yeah, I could have said I’m going to stay with the guys as I intended to, but someone needs to curb the princess’ expectations a bit if she’s going to work with us in the future. At one point, she gotta learn that not everything she says goes. There is an order to some things, and she can’t disturb it on a whim. Now, if she had used that cunning intellect of hers to come up with some reasonable excuses, I might have succumbed. Cecil needs to understand that she can’t treat me like a pet just because I’m technically protecting her for her dad. If she mistreats me, I’m just gonna leave like anyone else. Today, however, she gets her way, even if the result makes her somewhat uncertain after all the ashes and debris from the battle fall down. I hold the flap open for her and encourage the stocky lady inside. After some insisting, she goes to wash herself first, coming out in her usual combo of a loose top that cuts off at her midriff and a pair of tight panties. Acting as respectfully as I can, I take my turn, not bothering to hurry without anyone waiting to get theirs after me. Done with everything, I walk back into the bedroom in my shorts and a towel over my shoulders. Cecil sits on the edge of the bed while swinging her short legs off it, clearly in wait. Her attention snaps to me right away. “I’m gonna take that sofa facing outside. Let me know if you need something.” I incline my head towards my target. She snorts knowingly. “Can’t trust yourself to sleep next to a female without losing control of your male urges?” Her eyes slide down my front until they reach my bulge. Having an idea of what’s going through her mind as she stares at it, I roll my eyes. “No, I already told you they are different.” She flinches as I clearly hit the mark, then shows a derogatory smile. “I bet. You must be so ashamed of it if you are trying to keep so much distance between us.” I deadpan at her in silence. “Should I inform you about the fact that I usually sleep naked?” I cock my hip to the side. Cecil’s gaze flicks up to meet mine after following the motion. “You don’t have the balls.” Fuck it, we ball. With a thought, only the towel around my neck remains, though it could have hung from something else as it presents itself at half mast, which I allowed just in case she takes it this far. The short lady instantly locks on it, her eyes widening to the brim. It takes her a few seconds, but she doesn’t quit yet, dragging her focus back up with visible effort. “Knew it.” She tries to force out a smug smile even as her cheeks flush crimson. “No wonder you were scared to show off. It ain’t much, even for a Human.” Sighing inwardly, I allow my little friend to grow. That fact doesn’t escape my roommate, and she watches the process as it passes through all the stages up to the final form. I catch her swallow thickly as she peers right into the boldly saluting pillar. Pretty sure I spot slightly sharper points pierce into her top at the same time. When the quiet tension lasts for way too long, I snort to the side. “Look what you have done. It’s all your fault. Now I have to take care of this before bed or I won’t be able to sleep.” Turning around, the sudden switch from my cock to my ass wakes her up. I hear feet land on the wooden panels as she jumps off the bed. “There’s an attractive girl in front of you and you choose to go and jerk off instead?” Cecil looks downright offended as she takes a few steps after me. I turn back to look at her, and to her credit, she only peeks down for a second at my profile before glaring at my face, her fingers curled into fists by her sides. “Cecil.” I match her with a firm and neutral expression. “As you have said, I’m your escort. Helping out your father, the Patriarch. Whose daughter—” “So, you are just like all of them, aren’t you?” She scowls at me, but I detect something else in there, like the tiniest trace of genuine hurt. “Daughter this, daughter that. Patriarch this, Patriarch that. You can all talk mad shit but when it comes to man up your cocks suddenly wilt at the thought of offending the great leader whose wife popped up a female heir. If I was a guy, women would be lining themselves up to get fucked every night out in the wilds, but because I’m a girl, suddenly it’s the greatest offense known to Dwarf to get in there? Fucking pathetic! Complete bullshit! Fuck you and every single male in this Goddess-forsaken world!” I remain silent while she pants for air after her abrupt outburst, finishing her rant with a vicious snarl. Then, I finally manage to grasp the full picture. “You wanted an adventurous life. The whole adventurer package with traveling, sightseeing, exploring, fighting, and most importantly, fucking.” A small smile curls my lips up as I put the pieces into a whole, more and more impressed with the fierce girl. “But your father only agreed to make you an enforcer so you could have an escort of trusted people around. And you are too honest to run away or even lie about your identity to other mercenaries that you might have worked with during your journeys, not wanting to put them in danger out of pure selfishness. You try to make yourself look rough and vulgar, but deep down, you are an honorable and kind person.” Her sharp jaw turns quite pronounced as she grinds her teeth together at my recount. “Now I get how someone this free-spirited and boisterous is still a virgin,” I add, nodding my head in understanding. All I hear is a growl, and there’s suddenly a Dwarf on top of me, taking me to the floor. We roll on the ground for a moment before Cecil succeeds in getting me below her. She practically mounts me while latching her fingers around my neck, her furious face peering at me from above. “How the fuck do you know that?!” she bellows. “One of my weird abilities,” I answer honestly, surprising her with how easy I’m able to talk as she does her best to choke me. “I apologise for blurting it out like that. I didn’t mean to rub it in your face. Speaking of rubbing, though…” Frowning, she looks down at our bodies and finds me pressed quite heavily into her. With the lucky difference of one person still wearing their underwear. Nonetheless, the hard pole is snugly embraced by the two plump cushions that it’s resting between, enjoying the heat transferred into it. Instead of jumping away, lashing out, or starting to stammer bashfully, Cecil breaks all my expectations and stays where she is. Well, almost. I can tell from the sensation that part of her is moving. The damp cloth that seems to be traveling up and down my length makes it more than obvious. Feeling a little bit bad for it, I still interrupt my entranced friend’s fun and roll us over. She gasps quietly, not expecting me to be this strong. We end up in an equally improper position, with my member resting against her panties with her legs open. She doesn’t fight it, though. Her palms release my neck and move to hold onto my arms as she gazes expectantly at me. “What are you going to do… now?” Cecil asks, swallowing softly. Offering her a gentle smile, I shake my head. “Certainly not take advantage of a distressed lady.” She stares at me in a bit of disbelief as I sit up and offer her a hand. Letting out a deep sigh, she accepts it and joins me, but her face turns away. She’s blinking a little faster than usual, which I don’t miss. “Cecil,” I call to her, and she glances back at me, her eyes a tad more shiny in the warm light. “You are a gorgeous woman that many men dream of having even once in their lives. A badass beauty with a killer body, lots of courage, not afraid to speak up, and even caring under all that hardened adventuring persona. If you are looking for a quick one-and-done, I will help you after you ask properly one more time. But, if it’s something deeper that you want, you must understand that I’m not just some normal guy. Being with me might change your whole life, the least of it is having to be one of many wives or partners I already have. If you convince me that’s what you want and that you are certain about it, I’ll do anything you want. But not before.” She bites into her lip while listening, then gives me a small nod as she wipes the corner of her eye. “I understand… I’ll think about it… I’m not sure if I would be fine with things staying… just casual…” We sit together like that for a while, my hand subconsciously drifting to her hair and stroking her head. But, she doesn’t swat it away, letting me brush her dreaded hair. Looking at this always confident and strong girl slump pitifully like that tugs at the strings of my heart a bit, though. Ultimately, I’m just way too soft. “I’ll let you suck on it a little.” I sigh in resignation. Cecil perks up immediately, her face brightening as she again looks at me. “Really?” Nodding, I get us up and bring her to the bed by hand. The moment I sit down, she is already slipping between my legs, laser-focused on my stiff cock. But, she doesn’t jump at it right away, taking glances at it and my face in turns as the thick member stands proud in front of her nose. “No swallowing, though.” I warn her. “Why?” She frowns, but those brows rise soon after. “Your abilities. They have something to do with it, and you don’t want them to influence my decision.” Is every woman in this damned family so fucking smart? “I’m just going to lick it a tiny bit. Promise.” Cecil takes me into her hand and languidly rubs her rough fingers along the shaft. “I’ll back off as you tell me when.” I can respect that. She understands boundaries. As she leans in after not hearing any more rules, she takes note of something else, backing off again. “Should I take my top off?” The warrior girl tugs at her clothing. “You don’t have to, but if you want to show them, I’m not going to stop you.” I grin at her. Matching my grin and getting back into her usual self a bit more, she pulls her upper garments over her head, making her full and round breasts bounce deliciously. They are as hefty as I remember, displaying their youthful firmness that defies common logic. Athletic otherworldly ladies have it so good. “I’m sorry for overreacting back then,” she adds with a snicker, giving them a few more bounces with her hands. “Nah. It was a good reaction.” I wink at her. “This is different. They are very pretty. Your entire body is. I can tell how much you train. And no, it doesn’t make you less desirable. You are hot and better remember that.” “Thank you.” Cecil inclines her head and uses that as an excuse to drag her tongue over me for the first time. I let her play around since this isn’t anything too serious yet. The fierce girl observes me intently while kissing, nibbling, and licking my dick all over. It’s all new to her, and she clearly enjoys figuring out what to do while also having fun just tonguing my mast. I can feel her curious excitement even under her rough exterior, which is now fully back. Receiving my permission, the badass lass gives the tip a few testing sucks too before bobbing her head a little. She needs a moment to find a good angle as Human cock takes quite a bit of space between her considerable for her stature but still fairly small lips. Because Dwarf dicks are much wider rather than longer, I think I can tell why my offer has raised her spirits so much. She most likely didn’t think she would get to experience this in a pleasant way. We spend a few minutes with her just exploring it and me providing some hints here and there. Even as thrilled as she is, Cecil continues respectfully, often making sure I’m not cumming just yet so that she doesn’t break her word. She doesn’t know I can control that yet, so I don’t intend to prolong it too much. “You should move out of the way now.” I graze her cheek to guide her back off my tip. “Not even on my face?” She asks hopefully. “Yeah? And can you trust yourself not to take even one curious lick?” I quote her. Sporting a fair blush, Cecil doesn’t answer. Obediently leaning to the left, she doubles her efforts in jerking me off. Announcing myself with a soft grunt, I let her witness a release from up close. Her mouth opens in awe as ropes of pearly seed fly past her head one after another. The volume is more than just impressive, the delivery going on for a while. After it’s done, she turns around to look at the mess. “It feels like such a waste for all of it to land on the floo—” But, she pauses when my cum rests atop something grayish instead of the wooden panels. The feminine front of one cheeky Oread is very clearly covered from top to bottom in my offering as she holds the ripped-off boards in her hands. Letting out a sweet giggle, the Nymph descends into the earth and closes the gap she has opened in our flooring. Cecil gapes at the scene for a good few seconds before glancing up at me and snorting. “My first hard-earned load stolen by some magical slut… What a story…” “Look at it from the bright side. We don’t have to do any cleaning.” I get up while giving her a few pats. Before I can summon my underwear back, I hear rustling and find my companion slipping her panties off. I catch the briefest flash of her quite alluring slit, which is glistening a lot, adorned by some dark forests before it's again mostly obstructed by her strong thighs and butt. “I sleep naked too.” Cecil throws over her shoulder with a big smile. Giving me enough time to appreciate her backside, she jumps under the covers, smacking the bed next to her. Seriously... Maybe I shouldn’t have offered her that confidence-boosting blowjob…
Chapter 259 – The Ways of Entitlement ❤ Spoiler: Chapter Unsurprisingly, I wake up with a few of my limbs partially restricted. It’s not anything new at this point, but considering that I went to sleep in the same bed with a relatively new friend of the opposite gender, such situations shouldn’t be the norm. Yet, as I come to be in the pleasant morning, my hands grasp some quite soft features while my entire front radiates cordial warmth from top to bottom. Especially near the middle. Opening my eyes, I find Cecil nestled right in my chest while playing the role of the little spoon. The fierce adventurer with gorgeous black dreads has pushed herself into me as far to the back as she could over the night, her plump behind nuzzling my rather energetic southern self. She has also stolen my arms and wrapped them around herself, holding one of my palms hostage right over her tender breast, sinking its fingers in her delicate flesh, while the other is forced to stroke her athletic tummy, fairly close to grazing her femininity. I lost count of how many times I found myself in this particular position with Sirgia many moons ago. It appears that this might be something akin to an instinctually desired embrace that the ladies of her race subconsciously seek out when accompanied by individuals from bigger species whom they find attractive. Easy to admit, Dwarf girls make the best little spoons. But, as much as I enjoy this blissful skinship, we have established last night that we aren’t yet at the level of such casual everyday intimacy. Naturally, I’m not going to blame Cecil for something she did while unconscious. I might be partially at fault here for allowing her to get touchy with me before we dozed off. No doubt she got a little excited after our sensual interaction. However, all nice things have to come to an end. And we have stuff to do. Stuff that isn’t a Dwarf girl currently squeezing Alastair Junior between her thick thighs. Since my hands are greatly restricted, I do my best to wake my nighttime companion up by doing the only thing my fingers are capable of under the current circumstances. And that is gently tickling Cecil’s warm skin. It’s pure coincidence that there’s an endearing nipple in range of one of the palms, of course. Daring to show up so close, it receives a few delicate rubs and tugs. The combination of all the action draws out a cute moan from the sleeping beauty, followed by a full-body shudder. My short but stocky ally then stretches as she gradually wakes up, finally freeing my limbs from being held hostage. At the same time, the motion brings the core of her womanly pride further down, pressing her pouty folds into my member from above. She freezes, obviously noticing the ticklish sensation, especially considering the slight trace of moistness I feel in return. If I can discern her faint heat spreading over my length, she has to understand what’s warming up her womanhood by nuzzling into the puffy lips. We both remain still while her hazy morning brain processes everything. Not sure what I expect, but I don’t think it’s Cecil starting to sway her wide hips back and forth, starting with a slow and curious pace. Pausing after a few full swings, she appears to be listening in or something. Only after she again drags her girly parts from the tip to the very root of my male existence do I realize that she’s checking if her machinations have woken me up, unaware that I’m the one who interrupted her dreams. This cheeky little lass thinks she can sneak in some good rubs without me knowing? Bold. And very dangerous. Watching from above her head, I can see the fierce Lady Forgegraver bite into her lip to keep her voice down as more wetness stains my morning wood. Moving as carefully as possible, I lean further and further, extending myself almost as far as to catch her entire face. Seeing her flushed expression, I smile to myself knowingly. “Lady Cecil, what do you think you are doing right now?” I ask with a nonchalant tone. The naughty girl jolts hard, startled by my voice, her head snapping up as she stills immediately. Her pretty eyes find mine, and her cheeks turn so dark you could paint whole pictures with their scarlet shade if you had a way to extract it. The sight would be very adorable if not for the mortified look the owner of this colour currently wears all over her face. “Ummm… I… Well… I was just…” Cecil struggles to find excuses for her behaviour, finally giving up and letting out a massive sigh. “I’m so sorry…” Chuckling lightly, I ruffle through her hair. “Apology accepted. I would appreciate getting released now. And I’m not talking about that kind of release.” My small quip brings out a quiet snicker from her, and she nods. Another, much more sensual sigh reaches my ears as her extraction results in one last stroke where my crown grazes all the most pleasurable parts of her slit and the tiny button adorning its entrance. It’s not intentional, that much is clear, so there’s no need to raise a fault with the lively princess. Cecil sits up and pulls the covers away, revealing her brawny figure. Her gaze wanders to my frame as she shows me her stimulating profile, holding one arm under her sizable breasts, pushing them up a little bit. She doesn’t seem to be aiming to seduce me. The hold is rather self-conscious. Most likely because she feels guilty of betraying my trust. Nonetheless, the evidence of her playfulness becomes clear the moment the sheets come off. My cock is completely coated in her juices and I can see her pussy still dripping with need as she stands on her knees, its folds reddened from all the stimulation. She got herself warmed up with that stunt, and it’s clear she is going to stay hot and bothered for a while. Which isn’t the best state to be in while riding a horse. She realises it too after she notices where my eyes are directed, squirming a tad in her shame. “We are both adults here, are we not? There’s nothing to be embarrassed about when it comes to bodily reactions.” I shake my head softly. “Feel free to take care of your needs. I can wait for my turn in the bathroom a little.” My comment reminds her of our conversation from yesterday, where I was going to do exactly that after her rude teasing. Glancing towards the other compartment, she takes a moment to ponder over my suggestion, then returns her attention to me, finding my gaze. I watch as this dazzling girl stares right at my face while one of her palms slides down her toned stomach until her fingers run into the sensitive pearl at the apex of her femininity. Reaching their objective, they begin tracing hesitant circles over the shy nub. As I raise an intrigued brow at her, Cecil swallows thickly. “You allowed me to watch yesterday… So… I’m just returning the favour…” This girl… I guess it would be rude to reject the offering. “Sure.” I shrug lightly, my fingers wrapping around my length to give her a nice view in turn. “Can’t see much like this, though.” The black-haired lady realizes that I’m right, and some more of her previous boldness returns as she switches back into her motivated and confident self that comes up when she is aiming not to fail at fulfilling her goals. Turning fully to me, she sits down on her plump butt and spreads her legs open so that I can adore her slit directly, witnessing the beads of love nectar trailing down onto the sheets from the bottom cusp of her opening. Graciously accepting my kind submission of stimulating material, Cecil takes a peek at my hard cock and begins rubbing herself up and down, dragging her strong fingers along the wet crevice. Bit by bit, she speeds up her stroking, pressing her digits harder into her flesh to drag the moist curtains to the sides with each other turn, flashing me her pink, untainted yet insides. Slowly getting lost in her fantasies, she even brings her other hand down and resumes mashing her clit alongside all that brushing. Her breathing grows faster and shallower with each second. The strength and speed of her motions intensify too. She’s positively gushing in mere moments of playing with herself. “Ahhh… Ahhhh… Ahhmmm… Mmmhmmm…” Cecil’s lips part to grace me with a few sensual gasps before she nibbles down on the bottom one, switching into carnal whimpers. “Mhmmm… Mmmmm… Mmmmm…” Noting that she’s getting closer and closer to her peak, I give myself a few nice squeezes, watching her eyes widen with desire. Before I can blink, she shoves two fingers into her pussy and starts pounding herself mercilessly with so much strength that our compartment is instantly filled with powerful wet slaps and smacks. “Ahhh! Ahhhh! Ahhh!” The gorgeous girl is panting by this point, slouched forward as her high arrives near. “A little more! Ahhh! Ahhhhh! Please! Ahhhh! Ahhh!” Her attention jumps to my face, and I crawl a bit closer. She raises the tempo even more, kneading her clit right into her flesh as her digits rail her flooding channel repeatedly. Her thighs are starting to tremble, and even her calves lift off the bed from the intensity, her legs spread as far as they can go as she drills herself senseless. It’s quite impressive how she manages to balance only on her ass while giving me such a majestic show. Naturally, I make it clear that I’m watching her blasting her sweet mound open for me as intently as I can. “Oh, Goddess! Oh, Goddess! Ahhh! Ahhh! I’m going to cum so hard!” Cecil’s entire frame trembles and she shoves her knuckles into her passage one last time. “Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!” Her cute feet dangle and shake in the air as she reaches a mighty orgasm, her eyes snapping shut and her sharp face scrunching in ecstasy. A few tiny spurts of love nectar gush out of her stretched pussy, staining the sheets with hot love, her sensitive pink inner flesh glistening with lots of droplets. I continue observing the warrior woman spasm and quiver at the pinnacle of her carnal satisfaction. Riding her high to its limits, Cecil soon drops onto her back limply, her enticing chest rising and falling as she catches her breath. Even though she has just peaked, her fingers still daintily caress her beautiful flower, from within which a steady trickle of liquid flows onto the bed. It’s such a breathtaking sight. Especially from this battle-hardened woman. She must have gone through her greatest orgasm just now, and it’s a little pitiful that it was this late into her life. Being aware of her circumstances, it only makes things even more touching. I said all that about her thinking things through, but my heart does ache a tad at the thought of this poor girl being unable to experience the wonders of true intimacy. She deserves to feel the touch of another. Perhaps this whole Demigod thing is starting to affect me stronger the more followers we get. However, I’m still going to stand by my promise. I’ll gladly embrace Cecil after she comes to a decision that isn’t made in the heat of the moment. Just as guys sometimes tend to think with their dicks, it’s not that impossible for girls to think with their pussies. And we have a prime example of a lady who has been yearning to have hers pounded for years, if not longer. Moving closer so that I can hover over Cecil’s attractive body, I give her a proud smile. “That was unbelievably sexy. It’s truly a mystery how not even one of your companions has ever caved in before such a beguiling female.” She grins a little, this time squeezing her breasts together consciously. “It’s the first time that I showed this much to anyone. Or came this hard from masturbating.” “They say a good company makes great things even greater.” I smirk at her, extending my hand. Cecil takes it gladly, sitting up, still a bit wobbly, which makes her fall onto my chest, her pleasant nipples dragging over my skin. “My apologies. I didn’t intend to take advantage of you again.” I laugh openly. “I know. Don’t mind it. Let me help you to the bath.” Lifting the bulky girl into my arms, I bring us into the partitioned bathroom and we quickly take care of ourselves so as not to delay our departure too much. Neither of us want to make the prissy princess even more bitchy just because she had to wait for us to get ready, which somehow offended her slim majesty. Cecil washes herself in the tub while I grab a quick shower. Since there is no cabin, she is graced with quite the view, and I have to remind her that we don’t have the time for her to start round two in there while admiring my backside, which causes a faint splash, confirming that I’m right on point. As soon as that’s done, we dress up and leave our chambers. Daisy’s guards are already up, which isn’t a shocker. They are clearly used to waking up early, most likely chastised whenever their lady managed to start the day before them. We all share a courteous nod, and I dive into the kitchen complex to make a simple breakfast for everyone, using all the ingredients provided by my beloved chef wife. The guys get a set of bacon and eggs each, while the two of us opt for some sandwiches with tomatoes, lettuce, boiled eggs, and a sprinkle of salt. A chorus of appreciative grunts fills the common section as everyone digs in. At least until Daisy strolls in like she has just woken up, her hair as messy as possible. The guys fall quiet, waiting to see what she’s gonna do. Offering them a stink eye, she marches to us and plops down on my other side, nabbing one of my sandwiches. Cecil frowns and opens her mouth to admonish the ill-mannered girl, but I signal at her not to. It’s more than obvious that our princess is an actual princess. Not just her hair is in total chaos, her attire is just as disorderly. The belts are obviously latched through the wrong holes all over her pants and multiple satchels. Some buttons are pushed into the wrong holes. Her upper garments half poke out of her bottoms. And her cloak is about to fall off. I share a look with Cecil, and she understands too. Daisy is clearly unused to not having an attendant at hand. She’s most likely been coddled by multiple servants her whole life, from having her food made, her body dressed, up to maybe even her ass wiped. Who knows, in the end? These two are such polar opposites it’s not even funny. As I reach for a new sandwich, so does Cecil, and our hands brush together briefly. She clears her throat, switching her aim for another one. Somehow, Daisy catches that byplay. “One night of getting dicked down by a Human cock and you are reduced to a blushing maiden?” The main heiress snorts haughtily. “The auxiliary bloodline is so pathetic.” This time, it’s me who is stopped before getting a chance to respond. “Ignore her. She just wishes it was her instead, jealous bitch.” My raven-haired companion scoffs to the side. “And for your information, no, we didn’t fuck, just slept next to each other.” Daisy sputters and chokes on her food, her face tainted with a rosy shade. “You insolent whore! I would never let myself be penetrated by a Human penis! Disgusting!” “Oh, yeah? What’s so abhorrent about Human dicks, then?” Cecil glares at her challengingly. “Besides the fact that they can easily fill an entire Dwarf pussy in one go and still have leeway to push further? Oh, I get it now. Your majesty’s tight little cunt is so tiny it can’t fit anything bigger than a thumb!” The other woman slams the table with both hands. “My vagina isn’t tiny! I can fit all kinds of cocks in my snug and soft channel! Contrary to your muscle-laced hole that’s so tensed and sinewy from all the physical strain that not even a pinky is able to slip past its coarse labia!” “Prove it, then!” The brave adventurer copies her. “Why don’t we borrow that realistic toy from Alastair and see who can take it deeper, huh? A common Human cock shouldn’t be a challenge for you, should it, princess? I bet you’ll call quits after just the tip!” Daisy’s cheeks bloom pink at the bold challenge. For a moment, she glances my way as if considering it, but after meeting my eyes, she sneers to the side. “Why do I have to answer to your idiotic provocations? I don’t need to prove anything to a lesser blood.” She raises her nose into the air. “Sure, sure.” Cecil snickers. “Your appearance is proof enough already. Do you always go around looking like a cat dug out of a trashcan?” “Shut up!” Daisy snarls at her. “It’s not my fault my personal maid fell sick right before the journey! You should be begging to take care of me in front of such an opportunity!” “Tough luck.” The rougher lady laughs at her. “Why don’t you ask the four over there? They seem like a bunch who know how to groom one’s hair well.” We all peer at the sentries, who do whatever they can to not pay attention to our side. Their charge looks rather repulsed at the very thought of having them touch her. She gets almost green at the prospect, having great difficulty swallowing her saliva. It might be a slightly over-the-top reaction, but I wouldn’t let male Dwarves anywhere near my hair either. And neither would Cecil, judging by the way her lips twist in distaste. She knows she might have taken things a bit too far, wishing her enemy much worse than she would ever want to experience herself. But her veteran pride won’t allow her to back down now. Unfortunately, their spat might have just soured Daisy’s mood for the rest of the trip. If our princess can even bring herself to continue without someone proper assisting with her morning routine. Sighing silently, I lay my food down. “I’ve tended to a lady or two before and can help out if you would like,” I offer, and her face snaps to me, brightening in a blink. “But, I’m not your servant and neither a slave. I’m not going to charge you for something like this as a mercenary, of course. You’ll just have to ask nicely. Not that bad of a deal, isn’t it?” Her smile wavers, the meaning behind my condition clear. Everyone else catches on too, the tent suddenly filling with silent tension as the guys observe what’s going to happen. From their experience, they most likely expect her to blow up at such discourtesy. And if she does, there’s not much that can be done about it. Ultimately, it’s her choice. And she currently stands between two paths, either to swallow her pride and go with my offer, or to swallow her disgust and order one of her retainers, which most likely won’t end well for her. Cecil, thankfully, doesn’t poke any more fun at her even as she witnesses the princess’ internal struggle. Daisy’s fingers tighten into fists as her lips draw a tense line. When her forehead lowers, her face partially obstructed by her messy hair, the men curl into themselves, perhaps recognising some of the signs of an upcoming outburst. Yet, the snobby miss doesn’t explode. “Are you able to… tend to my… morning preparations?” she manages through gritted teeth. “I’m able to tend to whatever needs you have if only you kindly request my aid,” I respond calmly. It takes her a while to reply, convincing the others that this is as far as she can go, but they are surprised once more. “Would you mind… helping me out with my appearance…” Daisy whispers with lots of trouble. “Please?” “It would be my pleasure.” I incline my head politely. As soon as the last word leaves my mouth, she storms out of the common area, disappearing into her designated chambers, followed by the disbelieving stares of her security detail. When she’s out of our sight, they gape at me with equal incredulity. Ignoring all the attention, I get up, taking a glance at Cecil. “Throw the dishes into the sink when you are done if you may. We’ll set out as soon as I finish.” “Good luck. You’ll need it.” She smirks at me and returns to her breakfast. Not wishing to make our princess wait again, I head after her, slipping into the living quarters on the other side. I find my quarry seated in front of a simple dresser desk with a small mirror, which doesn’t match the general theme of the tent’s furniture. She must have brought these out of her personal spatial storage. Daisy doesn’t urge me to get to work with any lordly quips, simply sitting at her spot and glaring at me through the reflection, which is a nice welcome. Arriving behind her, I pause before doing anything else. “May I?” She gives me the slightest nod. Aware that even if I’m the better choice, it doesn’t make me that much more trustworthy, I opt to tread carefully and with respect. She must be feeling anxious deep down, letting a stranger this close, going as far as even giving them permission to touch her. Thus, I decide to start with her hair, bringing out one of the combs that should work perfectly for her style. The highborn lady surveils my actions keenly, but seeing how attentive and gentle I am, her posture slowly relaxes. My fingers thread through her locks alongside the comb as I try my best to recreate the charming visage she donned the day before. With so many girls around who enjoy being cared for, this is something I have gained a bit of skill already, and it visibly amazes her. In just a few minutes, she is back to looking gorgeous, if I’m allowed to say so myself. Daisy seems to agree with my evaluation as she gingerly pokes her hair, turning her face in all directions, having a tough time accepting the reality of the situation. She looks damn cute without that permanent overbearing sneer on her lips. Not as much as Sirgia, but her lovely face must have stolen dozens of hearts. It just begs to be nuzzled and protected. “I’ll now move onto your clothes if that’s okay,” I announce, giving her time to stop me from proceeding. Drawn out of her musings, she meets my eyes again and slowly turns around on the stool, setting her dainty fists atop her lap. Going down to one knee to match her level, I check her attire piece by piece and fix all the small mishaps she has created after getting out of bed. When the turn of tucking her shirt comes in, she straightens up and inhales sharply, but otherwise doesn’t stop me from pushing the fabric behind her belt, even as my fingers graze against her soft skin. Soon, it’s all done. I throw one more look at the bookish girl and wrap it up by cleaning her cheek with my thumb from a sneaky smudge, most likely from yesterday’s journey. The unexpected contact makes her go still, even as I move away, her wide eyes following my hand. “There we go. Prim and proper as a respectable lady should be.” I smile at the short cutie. “It’s not so bad being courteous to others sometimes, is it?” She gives me an absent-minded nod. We might have reached the limits of how far out of her upper-class bubble she can be dragged, so I leave it at that. The two of us return to the social hall where the others are wrapping up their own preparations, done with their breakfast. Daisy throws a longing glance at the empty plates, and I nudge her with my elbow. Her brows rise a little at the sight of another sandwich that I’m presenting to her, but she accepts it right away. I have thrown one into my storage just in case, and it has proven to be a good precaution. Fast forward fifteen minutes, and we are all outside with the pavilion packed up. After making final checks, we resume the journey. Cecil takes the front by my side while Daisy, for some reason, lags behind a tad, leading her horse between us and her entourage at the back. The black-haired adventurer tends to peek over her shoulder at her kin-sister from time to time, catching the prideful lady grazing her cheek with a thoughtful expression. “Hey.” After a few times, Cecil leans closer. “Be honest with me. I swear I’m not going to get angry or anything. Have you boned her back there during those ten minutes? She seems awfully quiet since you two came out.” Chuckling quietly, I shake my head. “I’m afraid ten minutes is hardly enough to get me going.” She bites into her lip as her eyes begin to wander. “I can imagine…” And so, the rest of the trip takes place in this weird unspoken atmosphere with one girl sending me rather lusty glances and the other ponderingly locked on my back. By no means am I complaining, though. It’s a much better alternative than traveling in constant bickering. A bunch of hours later, we spot the walls of the grand dwarven city and head for the closest gate. Any thoughts of finally coming home are rudely interrupted by the pair of sentries who cross our path, blocking us from going in. Seeing that, Daisy rides up to us with a deep frown, stopping at my other side. “What is the meaning of this?” She glowers at the bold guards. “Please, take no offence at this stop. It’s just a routine check we are obliged to make for any incoming traffic. We just need you to answer a few questions and provide as much information as you are able to,” the left guy answers roughly. “Yesterday, one of the main houses reported their travelling party missing after the group failed to abide by their daily check-in with their superiors. The family insists that their people were ambushed by a rival lineage during their mission. If we are not mistaken, your company moves under the banner of Forgegravers,” the right guy adds with an equally stern tone. “Have you come across any signs of procession bearing the sigils of the Stockhawker family?” I can see Daisy already bristling at the implied suspicion, but before she has the opportunity to throw a fit, I quickly take the reins of the conversation. “We might have missed each other if so. Our party departed from here a day before that report, and even with a magically enhanced gallop, we didn’t run into any big groups from notable houses. But, there’s a chance they left the city after us.” I tap my chin while recalling the events of the last three days. “Oh, wait a moment. We did stumble on the traces of some people on our way back, however, they were already dead.” The guards grip their weapons firmly. “What do you mean by that?” The first one squints at me. “We ran into a pack of Rollos before setting up a camp last night. They were weirdly gathered right on the road. After dealing with them, we realised they were digging up fresh corpses buried next to the path. We scorched the ground to prevent further incidents and burned the dug-out pieces, but there still should be a few untouched graves left beneath the charred soil,” I explain, spreading my arms regrettably. “Although, these individuals seemed to be dressed in bandit garbs for some reason, judging by the one poor fella brought fully out of the earth. They did wear some kind of patterned robes beneath, but I don’t remember the symbols.” “Anything similar?” The second sentry draws the Stockhawker sigil in the dirt road. I snap my fingers at him. “That’s it! Sorry, I’m still a fairly fresh mercenary in this region and haven’t memorised all the important insignias. Escorting Lady Cecil Forgegraver on her task of welcoming Lady Inquisitor Daisy Forgegraver from the main clan is kind of my first request here.” “He speaks the truth. You can inquire for more details with my father, the Patriarch.” The black-haired heiress gives a curt nod. “And my entourage can attest to his statement too. We watched the mercenary dispatch the Rollos and make the road safer.” The rusty-haired heiress crosses her arms over her petite chest. “You may also consult the time of our departure from Dwarguhlim with the local Chief Constable, who recorded our expedition after receiving the request from the Grand Patriarch.” The pair shares a look before withdrawing their halberds. Things have gotten way too sophisticated for their stations, that much is clear. They both bow their heads to the two noblewomen. “We appreciate your cooperation and shall pass this information onto our superior,” the left warden says. “Thank you for aiding the investigation,” his colleague continues. “Your house shall be properly rewarded if your assistance proves crucial to solving the case.” When they step aside, we move on. A few intersections further, I slow down our procession, positioning myself between the girls. “Thanks for going along with it.” I flash them a smile. “This is going to help secure our alibi and throw a wrench into the schemes of those bastards. Not like anything can point towards us. The wounds on their bodies are clearly beast-made.” I pat Diana on the side. “It’s only natural.” Daisy preens before us. “Any opportunity to fuck those pricks over is a good opportunity.” “I’ll fill my father in on everything so he can get his version aligned with ours.” Cecil offers me a respectful incline of her head. “I have a feeling they are going to throw accusations our way considering the fact that their squad was aiming for us.” Without further ado, we ride through the streets, heading straight for the Forgegraver family compound. The closer we get, the more our quiet princess returns to her previous self, starting with her posture. When we hop off our mounts by the stables, she’s already back to normal, looking at everyone around with an aura of authority, causing many servants to escape to the sides, sensing the presence of an important figure. Leaving the quartet of escorts behind, Cecil and I follow Daisy as she marches to the Patriarch’s office, knowing the layout like the back of her hand. I wonder if it’s something she had to memorise as one of the Grand Patriarch’s adjutants or if both locations are more similar than one would think. In any way, we are at our destination in a flash, and the little bundle of bottled storm and impudence charges right in, not bothering to even knock. Patriarch Grimm jumps in his comfy armchair, his face snapping to the entrance of his study, ready to admonish the offender. However, his expression changes the second he recognises the invader. “L-Lady Daisy?” The Clan Head quickly recomposes himself. “Patriarch.” She waves him off, then spots the girl in a maid uniform standing by his desk. “Oh, good. I’m going to borrow your personal attendant. My thighs are killing me after three days in the saddle.” Mine and Sirgia’s gazes meet as the fiery heiress snaps her fingers at my lovely mate while throwing herself onto the nearby sofa stomach-down. And I’m not sure I dig the spark of mischief that flashes through her brown eyes. Surely, she follows the other female like a good servant should, dutifully taking off Daisy’s cloak and leaning down over the prone girl’s backside. Things are going to get messy as hell in just a few minutes.
Chapter 260 – Connections Make the World Go Round Spoiler: Chapter “What are you waiting for? Don’t tell me you don’t even know how to do something this simple?” Daisy complains mere seconds after plopping down on the sofa, urging Sirgia to hurry. “We don’t have the whole day to waste.” My sneaky mate doesn’t respond, simply getting to work. We watch as she finds a comfortable way to sit on her knees over the other woman’s calves and rolls up the bossy girl’s pants. Revealing the princess’ thighs, she focuses on softly kneading the delicate flesh with a tiny smile adorning her sweet lips. The first few brushes evoke a quiet moan from the important lady. “Good. Continue like this. You might not be as useless as you look.” Daisy lays her head down on the armrest and turns her face to the side so that she can look at the Clan Head. “This has been one of the most annoying journeys here I have ever taken. Not on your account, however. What even is the crown doing when roads are infested with monsters? Having that in mind, I should express my gratitude for assigning me a capable escort. The mercenary has been of great help to ensure my safety.” The Patriarch looks a little pale from what he is currently witnessing, sending both me and his daughter rather anxious glances. Cecil is just as confused and uncertain, while I simply shrug at him. Whatever Sirgia is cooking, all I can do about it is simply watch her schemes unfold. “Ah, yes. It’s only natural that I choose the best for my daughter and the Grand Patriarch’s envoy.” The man nods stiffly. “After my dependable Lineage Counsellor introduced him to us, I had no doubt he would be a perfect fit.” “Right. One of the reasons why Grandpa sent me here. You realise how abrupt that decision was? I hope you prepared all the documents for me to review ahead of time. I don’t intend to stay cooped up in this place for Goddess knows how long. My time is extremely valuable.” Daisy yawns lazily. “Of course. Every certificate and related paperwork has been gathered and sorted for your inspection.” Lord Grimm pulls out a sealed packet and places it down at the edge of his heavy desk. “Here is a detailed summary alongside the catalogue of every corresponding piece of paperwork. We take these matters seriously and follow the usual code to the letter. You’ll see that the person assigned to be the Subsidiary Lineage Counsellor has more than proven herself in front of not just me and the Elders but even most of the outer branch. She’s just that incredible when it comes to ancient and modern artefacts.” “So I’ve heard. You tried really hard to justify yourself in your report. If that female is so great, when are you intending to introduce me to her, hmmm? Or are you trying to hide her from—” Daisy suddenly cuts off her tirade, whipping her face over her shoulder. “Did you just grope me?” From how it looks, Sirgia’s palms are certainly resting on her butt. To further dismiss any doubts, my lover gives her two more squeezes, each hand cupping each cheek once, pushing them slightly aside. “I’m just checking the quality of goods.” The cheeky girl hums to herself. “Your bottom can definitely boast a respectable softness, but it lacks definition. I would advise you to perform more squats, because as it stands now, it might not be enough to captivate Master no matter how you present it to him.” The young lady blinks at her in disbelief for a moment, then switches her attention to the man of the house. “Do you have a death wish? Does the position of the Patriarch make you think you can lust after the direct daughters of the main clan? What are you even teaching your personal servant, you old pervert?” The Patriarch clears his throat awkwardly. “Ummm… I don’t have a personal servant…” She stares at him with both brows raised. “What? Then who…” As Daisy rolls over to take a better look at the mysterious maid, Sirgia politely inclines her head, still sitting over her legs. “Greetings, Lady Daisy. My name is Sirgia Forgegraver, the new Subsidiary Lineage Counsellor of this family. It’s an honour to finally meet you.” “You? What?” The bookish Dwarf’s chin drops in shock. “Why the hell are you posing as a servant?!” Sirgia steps off the sofa, keeping up her adorable smile. “This is my work uniform. I oversee a workshop and a store in the city, whose employees dress in this matching style. The main clan encourages starting your own enterprise alongside putting efforts in bettering oneself in the family’s craft, does it not?” Daisy is at a complete loss for words, reduced to a blinking statue of a lithe girl lying on her back atop the royal couch. “Now that the introductions are finished, should we move on to the important matters?” My lover ignores her reaction and turns to us. “How was the trip, Master? Did anything unexpected happen during your journey?” “Master?” The flabbergasted heiress comes back out of her stupor just to frown again while looking between the two of us. “Alastair is the Mercenary Master supporting Lady Counsellor,” Cecil chimes in. Sirgia raises a curious brow at me. “You haven’t corrected her?” “Well, she’s not exactly wrong.” I spread my arms to the sides. “It’s not that much different.” “It is, though.” She shakes her head. “I’m not calling you Master because of your prowess. I call you Master because you own me.” “He what?!” Daisy sits up with a squawk, her eyes gliding over to the Patriarch. “You made a slave into a Counsellor?!” “She is not a slave.” I squint at her coldly. “It’s been a while since her release, which took place as soon as I got her out of those heinous cells.” “Am I not your Little Dwarf, Master?” Sirgia pouts charmingly, batting her gorgeous lashes at me. “You might not own my chains anymore, but do you not own my heart now?” “You are. And you always will.” I smirk a bit, then walk up to her to pull the tiny vixen into my chest, leaning down for a loving kiss. “Wait. She’s one of the females you spoke about?” The princess’ eyes widen in realisation. “Mates…” Cecil connects the dots too, working with a bit more information thanks to our additional intimate chat. And while Daisy appears stunned, she in turn assumes a rather determined expression. My beloved mate doesn’t miss it and the pair hold each other's gazes for a few seconds, silent understanding passing through the two women even without any mental communication abilities connecting them. “Alright. First things first.” The princess waves her hands in the air, once more turning to the Clan Head. “Once a slave, always a slave. Were you fucking drunk selecting a compromised female as your advisor, giving someone so untrustworthy access to this much confidential information?” “Lady Sirgia proved her dedication to the clan and showed us great wisdom and experience after returning home.” The Patriarch’s forehead shows multiple beads of sweat. “She has overcome many challenges, but never forgot about her roots. Her foresight appears to be extraordinary as well. Her inventions dominated the Heir Showdown she herself invoked, setting down her honour and future on the line.” “Or you simply rigged all of it because she provided you the slightest hope of overtaking the primary house.” Daisy scoffs to the side. “Those recordings were too good to be true. I bet she’s nothing in reality.” “Have you not seen the artefact we attached to our message?” Sirgia asks the incensed girl. The ginger-haired female snickers derisively. “Please, anyone from the central branch could come up with something like that. A far-seeing scope? Really? Are niche trinkets all you can invent? Is there even anything that makes you worthy of the position you have usurped?” “There’s plenty.” I wrap my arm around my mate’s waist. “And you are being rather unreasonable.” “Is that so?” Daisy laughs at us. “You think beating some senile geezers from an outer branch is an achievement? Try someone significant instead. Like me, for example. Who are you even in front of my expertise? Being creative is all fine and dandy, but everyone knows the true power of artefacts lies buried beneath the ancient ruins and magical solutions. You need to understand the past to build a better future.” “I have been studying techniques from the old world too.” My genius girl straightens up more, puffing out her chest as she’s challenged about the craft she loves so much. “Not without help, but I even managed to recreate a few lost devices and trinkets.” “Impressive.” The prideful researcher snorts mockingly. “It’s obvious you are full of shit, confident in your con because you have managed to seduce a strong Human to back you up. But, if you are so willing to get humiliated even more, I’ll give you a chance. Catch.” We watch as she summons a fist-sized cube out of her spatial storage and tosses it to Sirgia. My lover catches it easily, giving the object an inquisitive glance. There’s not much I can say about it, but I’m sure she is able to spot many things I might be missing, like the dark patterns carved into this thing’s walls. “Our top scholars have been studying this artefact for months, right under my supervision,” Daisy adds with an arrogant tone. “If you figure out what it is right now right here, I’ll bow to you and admit your superiority. A prodigy of the ancient era shouldn’t have any problems describing the remnant’s functions, should they?” Sirgia lifts her pretty eyes from the cube between her fingers. “I never claimed to be adept in the knowledge of the old world’s ways.” A victorious grin makes its way onto the haughty female’s lips. “But, I know someone who is.” My clever mate peeks up at me. Daisy’s brows furrow a tad, her triumphant smile waning. Then, pinkish mist flows out of my chest and spirals around me and Sirgia, surrounding us with a mystical cocoon of spiritual smoke. I catch on to what is happening about the time when it begins forming a feminine silhouette with wings, horns, and tail. Soon enough, one very hot and skimpy dressed Succubus of a light violet skin tone pops up out of it. Ailish manifests in front of us and locks onto me with a beaming expression. Her sultry eyes practically sparkle with mirth as an alluring giggle escapes her, her perfect teeth nibbling on her bottom lip. “Master. Harem-Sister.” The demoness curtsies before us, her gaze staying on me the entire time. “What’s with that look?” I chuckle lightly due to how infectious her good mood is. “Nothing.” She twirls her tail innocently, swaying her luscious hips from side to side. “I’m just excited, that’s all.” “And why is that?” I peer at her. “Oh, things are just going really well, that’s all. We are making a lot of progress with the tasks you assigned us, Master. I can’t wait for you to see the results of our efforts. You definitely won’t be disappointed.” Ailish giggles musically again. “But, that’s not why I’m here. We know you are very busy with your own matters in this region. What do you have for me, little one?” My short lover holds the cube up to her, both women paying no attention to how taken aback the rest of the room is by the current events. “Ah! Where did you get this? It’s been ages since I saw one of those.” The sexy Succubus brings the object in front of her face, whistling appreciatively. “Do you know what it is?” Sirgia asks kindly. “Of course! It’s a gravitational transporter! One of the staple elements of most mansions and establishments back in my day!” Ailish tinkers with the artefact with her fingertip. “I just need to trace this path… Refill this circuit with some mana… And press this symbol… Here we go! Point it at something heavy and tap this blinking rune!” My dainty mate accepts the now gleaming block and tilts her head at the flashing trinket. Seeing the expectant expression of our lusty friend, she takes a step closer to the Patriarch’s weighty desk. She aims the front of the cube forward and touches the designated spot with her fingertip. The sudden unfolding of the square object makes her jolt as all but one of its side walls open up, revealing a yellow gem inside. This curious box tugs her upwards, and I hastily approach Sirgia to hold onto her sides as her feet leave the floor. She lets go of the floating artefact and we watch it spin in the air freely, releasing a concentrated beam of energy into the desk. Cecil’s father takes his hands off the sizable furniture as it begins to glow with a similar hue, covered by a translucent layer of golden light. Ailish then moves to its side, pinches the protruding edge between her fingertips… and hoists the whole thing above her head. Needless to say, we all gasp at the unexpected display. Snickering at our reaction, she waves the undoubtedly hefty piece of office decor like it’s nothing more than a feather. Somehow, all the documents and other objects stay glued to its surface, kept in their spot by whatever magic spell this intriguing box stores inside its spiritual arrays. Sirgia comes up to her, and Ailish passes the desk along. Hesitant at first, my little Dwarf mate gives it a few pokes, but after confirming to herself that it’s not going to change back this easily, she pops it up over her tiny frame like a professional powerlifter thrusting a massive block of cement above their head. She walks around with it for a while, the cubical artefact following after her, before setting the desk down on the other side of the office. “See? Isn’t that convenient?” The violet-skinned seductress waggles her brows at us. “Naturally, most Succubi and Incubi were fairly strong, but thanks to these, even children were able to move bigger things around. And not everyone was willing to get all sweaty just to shove a wardrobe aside if it didn’t involve furniture-breaking sex.” “Are these difficult to recreate?” Sirgia ponders out loud, observing the flying wonder of ancient technology. “With your talent? You should be able to figure it out in under an hour after I point out the most crucial enchantments.” Ailish waves her off. “They are about as complex as the more advanced toys you are already making, so it’s of no issue for someone this capable. You would be able to mass produce these in a flash if you wanted to.” “Thanks.” My smart girl smiles at her warmly. “No biggie.” The tall Succubus ruffles through her hair. “Now, about my payment… You know, the services of an Arch Succubus aren’t exactly cheap… And my time is currently quite valuable…” They both turn to me, directing two sets of beautiful eyes my way, one highly expectant, the other charmingly pleading. Rolling my own eyes, I stroll up to them and right into the carnal demoness. Ailish throws her arms over my shoulders as my hands move to her ass, grasping a bubbly cheek in each palm. Hoisting herself up, she wraps her legs around my waist as our mouths crash together in a heated kiss. My fingers knead her voluptuous behind while her tail coils down my leg, sensual moans spilling into my lips. Breaking the passionate exchange with a teasing nibble on her own lip, I peer deep into her eyes. “Will this much be satisfactory? I’m rather busy myself, as you might know.” The stunning female representation of all that’s erotic whimpers needily but willingly climbs down from me. “I would have loved something more potent and direct, but I appreciate any kind of your affection, Master. Be sure to call me whenever you feel pent up, alright? Though, considering the company you are surrounding yourself with, I doubt that’s going to happen anytime soon.” She throws a fleeting glance at the two Forgegraver ladies remaining stunned on the sidelines, grinning wider at the black-haired daughter of the clan. Cecil shivers under her lustful stare, sporting the faintest trace of a blush over her sharp cheeks. Winking at the adventurous girl, the horned and horny woman turns into mist again, seeping into my chest. Sirgia then turns to Daisy. “Do you still think I’m inadequate? It’s true that I might not be your equal when it comes to ancient wisdom, but connections are just as important when it comes to research and development of new and old artefacts. Don’t you agree, Lady Inquisitor?” “D-Did she call herself an Arch Succubus?” The wide-eyed heiress lifts a shaking finger at the empty air where Ailish has stood. “That’s correct.” My sweet wife nods delicately. “How old…” Daisy continues to stare into that one point with her mouth agape. “Centuries, as far as I’m aware.” Sirgia shrugs nonchalantly. “You’d have to ask Master. He is the one Ailish has sworn herself to. I’m only able to receive her generous aid thanks to being one of her sister-mates.” The bookish girl gapes at me. “Oreads? Arch Succubi? What else…” “Nevertheless, I believe we have been in the process of addressing the important matters.” My tiny lover brings the Patriarch’s desk back and jumps up to catch the flying box, deactivating it. “Did you have any trouble on your journey, Master?” “They sent a hit squad after us, but their party barely caught up with our enhanced pace, so they ambushed us while utterly spent.” I sigh with disappointment. “It was supposed to look like a bandit attack, but they still wore Stockhawker attire beneath their gear. Diana put them in the dirt for us, so there should be no issues with the law. And a pack of Rollos feasted on the remains we buried, which I took care of during our return trip. The gate sentries received our report less than an hour ago.” “It was a sizable group. Over a dozen. Things might have gotten ugly even with Lady Inquisitor’s guards counted in.” Cecil grimaces. “Bastards.” The Clan Head slams his fist into his desk. “Thank you for ensuring the safety of my only daughter. I owe you one.” “I was just doing my job.” Showing a professional smile, I cross my arms over my chest. “Besides, she’s part of Sirgia’s family. It’s given that I do my best to protect her household to the best of my abilities.” “Looks like their harassment campaign is in full swing.” The Patriarch strokes his chin. “One of the businesses we have been working with for generations had their auxiliary shop burned down while you were gone. The militia insists that it’s been an accident, but the timing is way too obvious.” “What about the Pleasure Queen?” I glance at Sirgia with a note of concern. “Lilia and Lilie have taken care of all the unsavoury attempts,” she replies reassuringly. “They did note the increase in their occurrence, though.” “Cursed vipers!” Cecil growls in annoyance. “Why do we have to play nice when they clearly make nothing of the crown and the law! We should hit them right back! They aren’t the only ones who can feign ignorance!” Her father shows a deep frown. “Normally, I would disagree with your opinion as our operatives aren’t that experienced in this kind of tactics… But there are variables that weren’t on the table before… Variables still largely unknown to the public…” All the Dwarf faces turn to me. “I mean, I’m not against going as far as necessary when I’m confronted or certain about the nature of my quarry, but I would rather not harm common labourers or servants if it’s avoidable,” I declare. “I would never ask you to hurt innocents, Master.” Sirgia trots up to me to give me a cordial hug. “However, I don’t think one or two wagons’ worth of inanimate objects shouldn’t be too much of an issue, should they?” Noticing a cunning spark in her brown eyes, I snicker softly. “I guess. Just point me in the right direction and I’ll take care of the rest. I’d rather not raise a hand at some poor first-contact employee, but I’m not exactly a saint either.” She graces me with a cute giggle, pulling on my collar to bring me down for a fluffy kiss. “I’ll let you know when the details of the operation are approved. Now, you deserve to rest properly after returning from another mission. It’s almost dinner time, and I’m sure my parents wouldn’t mind your company during their meal. We can handle the politics on our own, and Lady Cecil should be more than enough to answer any questions we might have regarding your recent expedition. Isn’t that right?” “O-Of course, Lady Counsellor. I’m at your service.” The burly woman gives my lover an uneasy grin, most likely thinking of their previous interactions again. Seeing no reason to argue, and knowing that Sirgia can always reach out to me through our connection, I agree with her suggestion and leave the family matters in her capable hands. She receives one more squeeze from me to boost her spirit and confidence before I respectfully nod at Cecil’s father and excuse myself. I’ve already familiarised myself decently well with the clan compound, so it takes me just ten minutes or so to reach the personal quarters of my dear wife’s parents. To be perfectly honest, I’ve been kind of avoiding spending time alone with Sirgia’s mother and father. This might be another world with a completely different culture, but you can’t get rid of all the old ways that easily. Meeting with your girlfriend’s parents is always a somewhat anxious and awkward activity. Especially when you know that she must have talked about you a lot with either of them. Like, good day sir, madam, it is me, the guy who bones your daughter regularly, a pleasure. Oh, and I’m also not a Dwarf but a Human twice her size, but she loves it, I tell you. It’s kind of like the equivalent of a petite Japanese girl from a traditional family bringing home a western stud built like The Rock and gushing all over him to her folks. Okay, maybe not as big, but the point remains. But, you can’t keep running away forever, or it’s going to become discourteous. Even if they are aware of how busy things around the clan can be. It’s not like we haven’t spoken once since our initial introduction or anything like that, but Sirgia has been glued to me in eight out of ten cases, happy to always accompany me in her home. Perhaps she realised that her parents won’t fully open up to me with her present, and it’s time to let them have an uninfluenced talk with me. Thus, a casual family dinner seems like a prime opportunity to do that. Reaching my destination, I knock on the door and step inside after being invited in. The familiar short pair of a bald man with a silvery beard and an older version of my beloved with a single big braid lounge in one of the relaxing corners of the chamber while two servants set the table. As usual, he wears a neat white suit while she boasts typical workshop attire, albeit changed for a clean set for the upcoming dinner. “Lady Siriel. Lord Giacolo.” I give them both a polite bow. Sirgia’s mom snorts as she waves dismissively. “Please, not so stiff. No one calls us that. Well, actually some people now do after our daughter’s sudden rise in the ranks. Nonetheless, we are closer than that, aren’t we? First names are enough if you would rather not reserve more familiar titles for your actual relatives.” “Alright.” I crack a more open smile at them. “Mother.” Her husband reciprocates it with a happy expression while she grins back. “Much better.” She hops off their perch. “Isn’t it? Now, come. We are about to eat. Would you like to join us?” “I’m afraid I need a bit of practice with such terms as they have always felt a tad sour on my tongue.” I chuckle quietly. “But it will be my pleasure to share a meal with you.” Her grin dissipates quickly, replaced by grim realisation. “Aw, fuck… Not even five minutes in and I already made an ass out of myself…” Giacolo wraps an arm around her shoulders. “Please, pardon my wife for bringing up painful memories. As smart as she is, she sometimes can be a tiny bit thoughtless when it comes to social interactions.” “It’s all good. Past is in the past, and it’s not like you intentionally poked fun at it or anything. If I had any problems with any of that, I would have asked Sirgia to keep certain aspects between us. I don’t mind things being brought up for discussion when it’s not done maliciously,” I reassure them, taking a seat on the opposite side. Siriel sighs deeply, following suit. “Still, I’m sorry. I should have been more considerate. As my husband said, I’m kind of stupid when it comes to that. Maybe I should just keep my mouth shut and let him talk before I ruin our image in your eyes even more.” “Trust me, I’m as nervous as you are.” I smirk knowingly. “Let’s just be ourselves. In the end, we all want what’s best for Sirgia, and she would hate us being all uncomfortable about everything.” She becomes brighter and more relaxed as I speak, smiling to herself by the time I’m finished. “You are a good Human. Every bit of a man Sirgia has told us you are in her never-ending hymns and praises.” “Most of them exaggerated to the heavens, without a doubt.” I shake my head. “I don’t know. Certainly not all of them.” My mate’s mother smirks impishly, then puts her arm up and forms a ring around her wrist with her fingers, moving its position up or down as she tries to find the right stop. “Are you as big as she claims you to be?” I catch on to what she’s doing about the same time as her husband does, his face turning redder. “Dear! Don’t be crass!” Unable to help myself, I laugh out loud. “I’m surprised she hasn’t shown you instead of painting the picture with words.” “Shown?” Siriel tilts her head confusedly. “Remember those realistic toys?” I ask, and they nod together. They blink at me briefly with a visible lack of comprehension, then figure it out as I gesture with my eyes at the woman’s forearm, making her burst into adorable giggles. “I completely forgot she mentioned that the first day you returned!” She slams the table with her palm repeatedly. “I bet she’s been intentionally distracting us for that reason! Oh, I’m going to have a talk with her as soon as she’s back!” “Dear, don’t be too much. He’s our daughter’s man, not yours. It’s not your business to see for yourself how big his penis is.” Giacolo drags his hand down his face. “As long as she feels comfortable with their intimacy, of course. No offence, young man. Our physiques do differ a little. But, judging by the strong blush and dreamy look she dons whenever that topic comes up, I don’t think we have anything to worry about.” “I swear I’m being as careful as I need to be, sir.” I stifle a snicker. “I was worried myself at first as the place where I come from doesn’t have Dwarves, but Sirgia showed me that she can accept any form of my love without forcing herself to do it through pain and torture.” “Good.” His wife gives me a proud look. “A satisfied wife is a happy wife. I might be helping myself out with a thing or two whenever Giacolo is not around, but nothing comes close to being embraced by the man I love. Sirgia deserves to experience such bliss too, instead of having to rely on her fingers or the polished shafts of her tools. Oh, have I told you about the first time I caught her and Niel masturbating next to the heat of a burning forge…” And so, we slowly dig into our respective dishes while having a completely normal family chat over dinner. Yep. Wherever you go, mothers will always bring up the most embarrassing stories from their children’s past. And when you live in a world that’s much more open about sexuality, some of those tales are bound to touch on rather explicit moments. Naturally, the times Sirgia’s parents witnessed her flicking the bean or dozed off to moans muted by a pillow aren’t the only ones we discuss. There are also parts of her childhood and growing up as a member of a rather competitive family. I share a bit from my own life each time I receive a new trivia about the girl I love or her relatives. They are slightly unsure in the beginning, but I manage to convince them that I truly don’t mind talking about myself. When the conversation slows down by the end of our feast, I catch Father peering at me thoughtfully. “Is something the matter?” I ask in a polite voice. “Son, what do you think of Niel?” Giacolo strokes his sharp, triangular beard. “Oh, right, I almost forgot! Thank you, dear!” His wife gives him a peck on the cheek as she chuckles a bit. “You might have been out for a few days, but you must have shared a moment or two with her before that, no? How is she?” “Niel is certainly a sweet and hardworking girl. After getting to know her a little more, I completely understand how caring and dedicated she truly is, and I’m not surprised she volunteered to stay by your side after Sirgia went missing. She—” I pause after noticing the way both of them are looking at me. “You are asking if I’m attracted to her the same way I’m attracted to Sirgia, aren’t you?” Siriel joins her hands together over the table as a delicate smile touches her small lips. “I’ll allow myself to speak boldly before I mess it up again. Do you see yourself offering her your bed and one day perhaps a fragment of your heart?” Giacolo places his palms atop hers. “We are grateful for how much joy you bring into the life of our Sirgia, and if it’s not too much to ask for, we would be elated to see our adoptive daughter be able not just to experience such a blessing too but also share it with her best friend if possible.” They do surprise me with their request a tad, but thinking about it, I’m kind of already on that path due to an incident or two. “You are fully aware that I have dozens of lovers at this point, right?” I rest my elbows on the table, assuming a serious posture. “I hate how this is going to sound, but considering how my life develops, that number is only going to grow. Are you okay with both of them ending up as one of many?” “That’s a sign of a great man.” The lady giggles charmingly. “I would definitely not be able to stand up to such an arduous task.” Her husband wipes off his brow. “But Sirgia makes it sound like you aren’t constrained by such notions, able to reciprocate the affection of all your sweethearts.” “From what I understand, Sirgia has been the only Dwarf girl in your close circles until now, so we aren’t sure if she’s just that special to you or if our females do actually fit your preferences as a Human. In either case, we don’t want to push you towards anything, but we would be unspeakably grateful if you at least gave Niel a chance too.” She watches me with a somewhat uncertain expression. I reach out and add my hands to their pile. “I can’t guarantee anything, but I can admit that I do find your ladies as alluring as women of most other races. And, well, there are things in motion that might involve her and maybe a few other exquisite individuals.” “What things?” The man’s brows furrow at that. “Let’s just say Sirgia presses rather strongly that there aren’t enough Dwarves in my harem.” I shake my head while moving back. “I’m fairly sure she has her eyes on Cecil and Daisy too.” Lady Siriel snorts cutely. “This girl. Is she planning to drown you in Dwarf pussy or what?” “Dear!” Lord Giacolo smacks her on the shoulder, making her roll her eyes. “All things considered, she certainly aims high. The Patriarch’s daughter and the Grand Patriarch’s granddaughter. Unbelievable.” His wife rubs her eyes while still snickering under her breath. “It seems like we didn’t have to worry as much.” We share a good laugh before I get a message from the devil herself. Thanking them for the entertaining dinner, I explain that work calls and promise to visit more often in the future. Accepting a handshake from my father-in-law and a small hug from my mother-in-law, I slip back into the winding corridors of the family estate. A few turns later, Sirgia joins my side with a shrewd smirk. “You haven’t been wasting time, Master.” “Huh?” I look down at her confusedly. “Both Lady Cecil and Lady Daisy vehemently insisted on coming with you on your next assignment,” she replies amusedly. “I had to stop them from getting into a fight right in the Patriarch’s office.” “Cecil, I can understand, but Daisy? Isn’t she a scholar?” I squint at her. “According to her, she has more useful artefacts at her disposal than the other woman possesses offensive skills.” My little Dwarf shrugs. “Ultimately, they agreed to respect your decision. Who are you going to choose, Master?” “I assume neither isn’t on the list of available choices.” I chuckle mirthfully, bringing out a timid giggle out of her. “Therefore, you most likely already have guessed my answer. So, when is my romantic midnight date with a brave raven-haired adventurer?”