"I expected a lot," admits Lehid as she lowered the letter from Silver that had arrived just this day. "But not that Silver would run straight into a civil war."

"I am honest. I am caught off guard as well." Admits Kuran with a shrug. "The only letter I seriously had expected was that he failed in his endeavor of getting those wolves but got something else that could aid our kingdom." To which his Skeith mistress shrugged as she couldn't have foreseen herself. Her experience of the world is quite limited.

"What will you do?" Asked Lehid to that as she leaned back: "Thinking of interference in this?"

"While worth a thought, I won't unless I am certain I win something from this. Silver will properly try to see if something could be won if we ally one of them. And who would be the better victor." Reasoned the Overlord and lifted his hands, holding them as if he were weighing two objects. "If we were to help, I would be off for months to get over there and establish at least one Portal there. Not to mention the efforts we must place in just getting our troops ready to fight in a desert. Such investments must be worth the outcome. Not to mention the risk of somebody using my absence to start trouble."

"Who would do that aside from the Remnants of Steadfast?" wondered the bird girl, referring to the remaining troops of the former Lord by their now self-given title. "They are the only ones who are still opposing your rule."

To which Kuran shakes his head. "They are the only ones that do it out in the open. There are still those who go in the shadows." then he gestures to the map of the continent. "Not to mention, not all our neighbors are ignoring us. The Felitons in the desert we have are not interested in conquering due to their people's way to spread and have never been a species of large numbers. The orcs that come through the desert are weakened from the trip itself."

"Then we have the dwarves… while Bloodthorn is interested in a business relationship, the other Dwarf Clans might think we are an easy target to spread their influence. In fact, I dare to say this civil war of their own is the only thing keeping them in their own lands. Then we have the Northern Kingdom Asgor. While that one odd Orc leader is wrecking the place quite well, they are also known to invade others to get a quick fill of their coffers. Not to mention I must think how to approach them for the one place of theirs I like to have." Then he pointed to the south: "And down there we got the swamp of the Nagas and the Empire of Urain. While the Nagas I worry little due to invasion is rarely worth the effort in their pursuit of new knowledge and magictec, Urain worries me a bit as they were conquering the southern lands quite thoroughly now. In fact, only the Kobold Kingdom of Ares seems fine due to the dependency of their medical knowledge… and the fact that they are the only puffer between them and the Asure Caves."

"The Asure Caves?" asks Lehid and rubs her chin, "What are they?"

"One of the Monster Birthers." answered Kuran "Monsters spawn in those cases and try to get out to kill anybody they could find. And only one of two that are fully explored by now. Also, there is one of the seven grand headquarters of the Adventure Guild." Then he shrugs, "Thought, as the name suggests, there are multiple exits, and the Grand Ares Town is only covering the largest ones. The Kobolds and their wolf-like cousins, the Canbolds, are pretty much a living shield to keep the monsters coming from the small exits from spreading too far. And plug any new exit that monsters dig up."

"That makes sense… and also I understand why the Empire doesn't want to invade the only place between them and a constant flow of monsters, risking that they might unplug the holes." mused Lehid but then looked to Kuran. Then she returns to the closer places "So… the North could try to rip you off just because you want something, and they need gold. While the South might just invade us for the principle of it."

"Indeed. I think the only thing that kept them so far was my predecessor… and then the fact the entire kingdom was indebted… a debt that they feared might be taken from them in doubt," explained Kuran. "And I have honestly no clue if they know this is no longer a topic."

"Anything we could do if they plan something?" asks Lehid slightly worried.

"At this point?" asks Kuran while looking at her, "Making them believe that only a Pyrrhic Victory is achievable by fighting us. We lack the numbers and strength to hold back an empire's worth of attackers. Even with the advantage that we control the air through your people."

To which Lehid nodded in understanding. While thanks to their contact within the forest and they are officially a community Skeith have joined them under the following promise: As long they accept shared rules and pay taxes, they can form their own communities under the wings of the Yuma Community as it is called by her people, the numbers are not much yet. It works better than hoped since they were established weeks ago, but not in the numbers they would need to face an empire.

And even she could see that, sooner or later, they would find a counter to Kurans' use of their air force.

As for troops… there is a limit to the minions they can rely on and still be able to feed. The same counts for any volunteering soldier. And they already have only a small troop of battle-ready soldiers, aside from the minions.

Her beloved made a point, that any non-minion soldier should be at a level that most countries consider elite. Hence why their army has high dropout numbers.

After the civil war was over, of the army that Kuran and the lords gathered, only a tenth was still in service. Most went back to their regular work. And from the rest, Kuran went through strict training. He even joined himself, to sort out anybody that isn't living up to his expectations.

Though Lehid admits that this served Kuran also well. While he claimed it was to get back in shape, the effects on his body were still undeniable. Heck. The midwives that are currently taking care of her were eyeing Kuran quite a lot. Not to mention many other females that did not have a partner yet.

She considers it a good thing that Kuran was more for quality than quantity when it comes to his girls. Even if the announcement that he and Sunkren will marry in a couple of months did surprise her… she didn't consider the succubus to be that type of girl or that Kuran would marry anybody else in the foreseeable future. Leaning on him she rubs her head on his shoulder and places a hand on his chest while his legs landed on his lap. "Say Kuran… what will you do next?"

"After having some nice time with you?" grinned the human to the Skeith, "I want to get the dwarves handled. As soon we can ensure Bloodthorn is not going to backstab us and end this civil war, we can start working on gaining resources from their mountains. Only the how is still up to debate."

"I am sure you will get a plan together soon."

"Yeah… you're right," and he pulled her in and shares a deep kiss with her while wrapping his arms around her upper body.

Overlord: Kingdoms Rise

Claret was smiling from her seat as she saw the grumbling Gnarl taking a seat in front of her table and looking at her. "Now I am sitting here, you tentacle thing! And I have little time. So, what do you want?"

"Just wanting to talk a little," stated the Meratrix, not bothering to correct the old minion. "Namely regarding… the proneness of Minions towards accidents," and she put a hand on a pack of paper. "Namely those here. They got three things in common, Gnarl. One is that the minions involved took quite a scenic route to do their job. There were abnormally many minions doing the task… and the ones ending up dead are those who offended you somehow."

"What are you getting at?" asks Gnarl with a raised eyebrow and leans slightly forward.

The red Meratrix was just smiling, "Just one little thing… if you have trouble with somebody try not to kill them. Good help is hard to find after all. Also, I prefer not to have to report it to Master Kuran… you don't want to handle his disappointment, and I don't want to dig how deep that rabbit hole you made is. I am already shocked at how many I found for the last two months."

Not being happy would be an understatement in Gnarl's case right now… he would bloody murder her but is aware that this woman is hard to kill for one thing. The other is that he doubts he could hide it as an accident simply. The master would want a proper investigation and would properly find out if something is amiss.

Not to mention she could have prepared something just in case. Rubbing his forehead, the old minion asks, "And if you don't plan to tell the master, what do you want from me?"

"Next time you are unhappy with somebody, talk with me. Then we can do something subtle to get him out of your non-existent hair." was Meratrix's simple reply while spreading her arms "No more deaths, the quality of the man not lost and any negative effect on master's reputation is gone."

"You know girl…" mused Gnarl while rubbing his chin, "You got me here with that one." And decides to put her on a better opinion… and as an easy way to redirect the work of getting rid of idiots, he cannot stand somebody else. Perfect. "Consider that as agreed on." and grinned wide, matching Claret's own grin.

Overlord: Kingdoms Rise

Ahya was panting hard as she had just teleported back into her room… avoiding the anti-teleport fields she helped to set up and getting to the place she needed to go and back without anybody noticing took quite a toll on the Naga.

"Dang… it was too long since I last teleported," she muttered while shaking her head. "Hope nobody missed me today." And slithered towards her bed and falls on it. Normally if she needed information, she would have called one of her contacts or underlings to do so… but for what she was looking for, her personal presence was necessary.

"At leasssssst it was worth it in ssseveral viewsssss" She smiles and looks at her staff. "My enemiessss were bussssy with each other too much to even notice I wassss not around… or tried to act on the weaknesssssessssss they showed." and looks at the ceiling. "And with the new info, I dug up… I ssssshould be able to turn the recentsssss developmentsssss into a nice opportunity." and reaches for a small bell and ring it. It was magically enchanted so that people bound with it can it hear it… wherever they are. And to this specific one is Isadel.

Who came soon in and smiles, "Hello Ahya. I was already wondering why you haven't left your room yet and was on my way to check on you."

Ahya smiles at him and her tail whipped slightly, "Don't worry Isadel. I jussssst ssspend the day for a number of magical ritualsssss and that winded me quite a bit."

The Dark elf nodded and moved to the bed and crawled on it, laying down on the snake and kissing her while, while Ahya wrapped her arms around the blue-skinned girl. Their tongues danced together for a bit before breaking it. They gazed into each other eyes as they glowed sightly as Ahya reinforced her hypnotic hold on the princess before stroking her cheek.

"You are properly curioussss of why I called you," whispered the Naga and rubs her nose against her, "I wassss thinking about usss… and I think we sssshould let Kuran know about usss. You are hisss Misssstresss after all."

Isadel's smile brightened by that and wondered: "Do you plan to tell it by dinner this evening?"

"I thought of inviting him to a hot bath. Ssssso he can check out what you have on me." suggested Ahya with a slight hiss with her tongue, "I would even pack out our ssspecial bathing potion for it."

The dark elf beamed, "Oh, really? I bet Kuran will love it." and smiles more "Should we invite some of you to the others as well? Unor is questionable due to her duties with her tribe, but I bet Lehid and Sunkren would love to help."

Ahya noted that the queen wasn't mentioned but again… that marriage between her and Overlord Kuran is strictly political… and since her crowing was rarely seen in the tower self. For the rest. The Naga considered it. The Skeith won't be a problem for her. But the succubus was a different story. If she were a normal one, she would have no trouble. But her position was one of power within the Abyss. And that is something she cannot simply ignore. In the end, she answered, "Sssssure. And any other girl you think sshould sssshare the bath with usssss. Just remember that there isssss an upper limit due to the bath ssssize" She smiles.

"Of course, Ahja," smiles Isadel and places her head down on the snake's chest, who in turn began to stroke the silver hair of the elf self, grinning to herself and her tail flicked more than before.

Overlord: Kingdoms Rise

Kuran and Claret were talking about a few things that landed on her desk but required the overlord's attention as well, as Isadel came in and Kuran looked up from the papers the two were going over. "Isadel!" he exclaimed in surprise, "I thought you were hanging out with Ahya. What brings you here?"

Isadel had told Kuran some time ago that she and Ahya have a relationship running and Kuran showed that he had no trouble with it. After all, if he can have multiple partners, why not her as well? It doesn't also hurt that Isadel rarely took the effort to know any secrets that might endanger Kuran's position as Overlord or his plans.

Smiling the dark elf moved over and sat down on Kuran's lab, an arm around his neck while the other stroke over his chest. "I am here to invite you dearly," and gave him a kiss on the lips, "Ahya and I are planning to have one big hot bath… and aside from the other girls I thought of including you as well. And she doesn't mind it."

"That is ni-" but stopped before his eyes boggled and stared at her. "Wait, what? Ahya, a woman I have only political contact with is inviting me into a bath?"

Now to come to think of it… he barely has seen her since the tournament. Not to mention not talking with her at all. Not for the lack of trying either… she simply never answered any of his invitations to talk.

"Did you ask the others already?" wondered Kuran at first to buy a little time to think.

Isadel nodded and gestured to the door "Lehid already said yes, Sunkren as well. Arlene declined as she didn't want to leave the castle as close as she is about to give birth. And Unor thought it is a good time for bonding. So, she comes over for that event. Alise comes if she finds anybody to watch over Alexandra for the moment. And Claret is here with you."

Kuran tilts his head. "You want to invite the two Meratrix as well?" he wondered and looks at the red Meratrix who was rather caught off guard as well.

"Not that I mind, but I am wondering… why are Alise and I invited?" she asked while leaning over, "After all, we are not part of the harem. But his belongings."

"Honestly, at first I didn't know what to think… you are after all made to serve him, not much better than slaves. Or so I thought. But then I realized… you are more like minions. Specially designed compared to minions and much smarter but still born to serve Kuran." explained the dark elf, "As to answer why the invite… of what I have learned from your servants I think you are also something like Kuran's lovers or combines. And as such I like to know you better as well."

Claret looked at Kuran who looked back and then simply shrugged at her. The red Meratrix smiles, "Then I take your invite gladly."

"I am coming as well," nodded Kuran while his mind wondered what's the game here… such an invite doesn't come out of nowhere. ESPECIALLY from a person he has little contact with. No matter how close he and Isadel are in return. At least the two heavy hitters of his mistresses are included. He doubts that Naga will try anything with a Taumin in a room. Not to speak with a Succubus.

Speaking off… he worries more if she is pulling something to satisfy her demonic needs than of anything he is suspecting Ayha off.

Overlord: Kingdoms Rise

Later as Kuran arrived in the bath with only a towel wrapped around his hips, he saw that he was the last of the invited females. As far as he could judge that. Unless Isadel had invited a few more. Moving to the hot liquid that is filling the bathtub, which of course dominates the room itself, Sunkren smirked. "Come on Kuran… most of us have seen your impressive part already. Why hide it"?

"Basic decency?" chuckles the dark Overlord, shaking his head at the antics of his succubus. If it were up to her, that kingdom would soon face quite the overpopulation. Anyway, he moved into the water and only removed the towel once it was at the risk of getting wet, allowing only a fleeting look at what he was covering.

And instantly he lets out a heavy sigh "Yes… that feels nice."

"Glad that you like it," mused Ahya with a grin. "From what I had heard, you didn't really have time to enjoy a relaxing time for a while."

Kuran didn't counter it, even if he can guess what she is referring to. While Sunkren and Lehid are moving to him and snuggling on his sides while his arms are wrapped around their shoulders. Instead, he opted for the other route. "Just out of curiosity… why did you invite all of us for this little event?"

The Naga just smiled, "Becaussssssse I am thinking about ssssomething regarding our partnership," she said to him with a slight hissing sound which sounded more of being amused than threatening as most normal snakes would do. Her hand absently stroke over Isadels hair as she snuggled with the reptile female. "Namely that we need ssssome… change of our rolesss," and freed herself from the elves snuggle and litter over to Kuran while gazing into his eyes. "After all… there are better things to what we agreed…" and smirks while looking at his eyes.

Kuran was confused about what she was about before noting the glow of her eyes. "Cut off what you are doing!"

Which caught everybody by surprise, but Ahya nearly yelped at this surprise. Especially as she got shoved off by the succubus and the Skeight.

Sunkren was the first to realize. "You tried to mind-control Kuran?" to which everybody was getting up and showing hostile body language. Ahya knew she had only seconds before she would be overwhelmed. So, she quickly went to pounce on Kuran and bit him with her fangs, but instead into his shoulder, her fangs bite the arm that was suddenly wrapped around her face. Two more arms grabbed her arm and twisted it behind her, while a fourth punched hard into her, grinding the kidneys.

A cry of pain escapes her… one for the punch at a sensitive spot of hers and the other from the feeling of her poisonous fangs breaking off stone hard skin. "You are not hurting Master Kuran!" she heard a voice… and it was the voice of that dang green Meratrix named Alisa. Before the arm shifted to a suffocation hold, which Ahya tried to fight off, without success… and soon were limb from the lack of air.

To which everybody else notices Isadel starts groaning loudly and falls into the water, thought quickly recovered by Lehid. "What's wrong?" the bird asked.

"She was under the influence of that snake," snarled Sunkren and grabbed the snake's head, and lifts. "For that she deserves death!"

"Let her live," stated Kuran, "We still need her for our plans… but try to find out why she is pulling that stunt. And ensure she is not trying again… and take care of Isadel as well."

Sunkren considered her future husband's words and nodded. "Alright. She must answer a lot. Especially as she just tried out of desperation to poison you with her personal variation… to make your life depend on you." and gestures to Unor. "Pick our blue-skinned girl up… we are going to my place. There I can treat her… and take care of this snake."

Unor nods and picked the dark elf up and moves to Sunkren. Looking back at her future husband she grinned. "And Kuran… in return, place give your Meratrix some nice reward for that. For the hard work… and what they did for you." She snapped her fingers, and the water glowed a bit, "Anything that snake might have sneaked in is gone… as well as any remains of her fangs." And within a flash, they were gone.

Lehid took the hint of Sunkrens words and nodded and went to leave the place. "I will take care of our egg in the meanwhile.

Alisa looked confused as the only two people left in the room… Kuran and Claret. Alise wondered, "Why should the master give me a reward? I only did my duty for him."

"Because you did more than what your job dictates, many wouldn't risk being bitten as 'it's not their job,'" she purred, "She only had to try and prevent the bite. Not take it, despite our abilities. And being selfless in the way you where she should be rewarded, shouldn't she maaaaaaster~?"

Kuran thought that for a moment. "I agree. Even if you are immune to poison or can make your skin so hard that the fangs broke off… it was a risk as you could have underestimated everything." and nodded. "Thought, given that it was Sunkren suggesting to give a reward… I am not sure if this kind of reward is the true one."

The green Meratrix got instantly what he means and couldn't help but look at the spot where she could see Kurans proof of being a man… if it weren't for water. And her instincts are drawn to it. She had seen it before and desired it… but she was to serve him. Not to bed him.

"Is there any small thing you would want from our lord as a reward?" She asked and leaned into her with a friendly smirk. She looked like she wanted to hug her as if she were a child's plushie, and she shifted her smirk to a smile that was more normal for herself.

"I… I like to have… a special treatment from master," she stated and looks up. "One that only… his mistresses ever got so far." and turns her head away in a heavy blush. Kuran looked and was about to say he isn't sure about it… but couldn't… somehow, he found the idea appealing as he saw the form of the Meratrix in front of him, exposed. Like the species would prefer it. To move without any clothes on their bodies.

Looking to Kuran "Well, isn't it part of their species to… crave? Such things as nourishment?" Her hands tipped motioning at the girl "It seems rather reasonable to me my dear."

"It's… true," nodded Alise. "Our… species can… take it as… meal." and looks at him. And then was pushed by Claret. She gave a shriek as she stumbled forward and landed at Kuran, two of her arms on his chest, the other two holding onto his arms while his hands are holding her sides now. Her heart-shaped eyes looked at him and they stared at each other for a while, while Claret moved to their side, and they turned their faces towards the red-skinned girl.

Claret stroke both of their checks and whispered, "I think it is feeding time~" and murred loudly at the thought, while Kuran and Alise nodded as well…

All three were unaware that Sunkren's cleaning spell… left something else in that encouraged them to go a bit further than it would have naturally. Not that the succubus will ever tell them that part of the true story. Kuran suddenly gets a feeling that someone is giving him a treat but ignores the feeling and carries on.