[ - Author's Note - ]
I apologize if this chapter took a while to get out. I had a week long trip and wasn't able to write much during it and some family drama after getting back. I won't elaborate on it as I don't want to drag my personal life onto here. I will say it's had an impact and leave it at that for now.
More to the point, we have more Prim and Alicia in the chapter, meet Prim's parents and another family mentioned... Time and again before now. And learn a bit more about Halbert.
Yay...
We've also hit over ninety four thousand views; just another six thousand to one hundred thousand views now. In addition I'll have a new Straw Poll set to go. Link will be at the bottom of this chapter.
So, let's get started.
[ - Act I - Chapter XI: We All Have Ur-ges - ]
"I see, that's why they didn't come along..." Prim let off as she sighed sadly. "It's unfortunate but I can understand that." We were in the well furnished kitchen of Fortress Ur after the greetings in the foyer and Tiffany and Miria were whipping up the ice cream. Carmen and Cress were helping them, the former curious about what was being made and the latter to be close to Miria. None of the servants were present at the moment, Prim dismissed them for the moment. Makoto was standing back and just overlooking everything. We were a few minutes away from the batch being finished and as we waited we talked a bit. Prim had asked why my parent's hadn't joined us and I told them the truth; Roxford.
The trade talks went well and an envoy was being sent to Mungale that my parents needed to entertain. As such they had to remain behind to greet them. "They did send their greetings. Oh, there's a better way to express that!" I let off, smiling as I reached into my pocket. I pulled out the communicator from my pocket and looked at it. I used my magic to call my father and it started to ping to her surprise. Alicia also noticed what we were doing and moved over to see the brass thing in my hand.
"What is that suppo-" Before she could finish her words the response came and my father's face appeared over it as Prim and Alica gave off a gasp. That drew the attention of Cress and Carmen as well as my father smiled to me.
"Oh, hello James! Are you in Ur already?" He asked me as I nodded, giving him a wave. Prim gawked at the image (Well, aside from my group everyone present was gawking) as she blinked in a dumbfounded manner.
"Yup, we're here. The girls wanted to show off the ice cream maker right away." I replied, smiling. "As for the upcoming birthday girl..." I tend turned the device to face Prim who was still looking dumbfounded.
"Baron Merlin?" Prim let off as my father nodded. "How is this..." She let off as my father chuckled, but I was the one to answer.
"I made a little magical device to communicate. This thing can connect to others like it so people can talk at a distance." The image was perfectly clean too, which was nice. My father nodded in the image and smiled brighter.
"Indeed. If you want to know more you'll have to ask him about it. Anyway, I do apologize that myself and Saxon couldn't come and join you. Turning eighteen is a big day for anyone!" He said, moving his hand to stroke his beard. "I do hope you have a grand birthday. We did send a gift with our children and we do hope you enjoy it."
"Ah, I am sure you picked out something wonderful, no need to worry." Prim let off as she looked at it. "But still... How does this work...?" She let off, blinking her bright eyes at me. "Did... Did you modify a scry spell for this?" She asked which surprised me; I hadn't thought she'd pick up on it.
"Yeah, a heavily modified one. It's difficult to explain but one targets the other and-"
"And the second sends a signal back and the two communicates over that signal..." Prim finished for me as she crossed her arms in thought. "But the signal couldn't be picked up inside a place with anti-scry magic... Unless... Unless the spell is designed to constantly send out some sort of receiver signal that connected with the searcher one and then the two connect and make some sort of tunnel that connects outside of the anti-scry spell."
Holy crap...
"That's... Not quite it, but it's pretty damn close." I admitted as Merlin smiled.
"Your studies have come far, good Princess." He told her as Prim blushed in embarrassment from the praise.
"It's more that the 'tunnel' is kept open all the time and aimed upwards and waits for a signal from there." I started to explain. "When another calls it the two, for lack of a better term, agree to talk to only each other and send signals back and forth. I recently added an adaptation that will allow you to contact multiple devices at once." It was more like a radio, really, but with invisible antenna sticking up around three hundred feet in the air. It was the best, easiest way to make it work... But... "But that was what the first version of it was like, really."
"I'm surprised you worked out that much, Prim." Merlin admitted as Prim squirmed as she stood, unable to speak for a moment.
"She's more then a pretty face, you know?" Alicia said proudly, patting the girl on her shoulder as she gasped before giving a blush.
"Uncle?" Cress let off as he finally got close enough to speak to the device. "Is that really you?" My father chuckled a bit and nodded as Carmen moved to look over his shoulder.
"Aye boy, it is, it is. How have you been doing?" He asked my cousin who smiled back.
"Ah, r-really well. Father heard about the Roxford deal, he's really excited about it." Cress replied as my father nodded.
"Indeed, I spoke with him the other day. He spoke well of you. In his... usual way." My father added the last bit in because, well, Fredrick Bijoux was a bit of a character. His usual way of praising his son was honest, but... Unusual.
'Bah, so what if my son seems fairer then a blushing maiden! He's become a fine archer and sword hand and will only get better! And having a girlish voice makes him a better singer, makes those battle hymns really stick! And what girl wouldn't fall for such a cute, smooth skinned lad! Why I bet all his future concubines will help him groom and keep his looks as stunning as a princess!'
Maybe not the... Best encouragement a father could give, but at least it was... positive?
Don't get me wrong, man still expected the best of Cress, and the man trained him hard, but the fact that his son looked more like his daughter never really bothered him. There are so many people who would be a worse father for the guy.
"I do hope you can forgive me, but I do have work to get back to. Until next time Princess Prim! Cress!" My father let off as the image vanished.
"How long have you been working on this?" Alicia asked me as I put my device away.
"Over a month now. This version of it has been around for a couple of weeks, and I've been testing it quite a bit. If you can use arcane magic you can control it with that, but I've added vocal commands as well." I explained as Alicia set her hands to her hips.
"Instant communication..." She mused as she looked upwards. "Reports as things happen. Scouts reporting enemy movements without needing to ride for days or carry a pigeon or know a spell. Able to sit in on meetings while away at the front lines. The ability to call for backup immediately and without worry that the messenger would get killed along the way." She mused blinking upwards for a moment before looking right at me. "This could make a huge difference in any future conflicts with Garan."
"I thought so as well." I decided not to mention our brief meeting with Celestine yet; we could do that later. I reached into another pocket. "In fact, I decided to bring another two along." I said, pulling two more devices out; although these were half as long as the original I still used. I held one out to Alicia and one out to Prim. "I'm still doing some work with them, so input would be nice. Also, for the moment the amount I have is limited so these are the last two I have right now. I'll teach you how to use them later."
"Amazing!" Prim said, picking hers up and smiling, giggling and looking it over, fingering it lovingly as Alicia looked over hers with a more critical glance before pocketing it. Some Mana Armors had a built in bag of holding to make carrying things easier; hers seemed to be one of them.
"I appreciate it. Once more of these get around they should be really useful." Alicia said with a smile, hands moving to her hips.
"They're not quite gifts; I'm still putting them through their paces so you need to tell me how well they're working and if you have any issues I can fix." I told them firmly as both girls nodded to me. I then looked to Prim with a small smile. "And I do have a proper birthday gift for you, so don't worry about that."
"I never did need more then you coming. I'm just happy you're here." The pink haired girl said, smiling up at me. She was about to say more when another voice cut in.
"James my lad, you arrived safe and sound I see!" I turned and saw two more people entering the kitchen. The first was a tall, fit looking man with broad shoulders and red hair that had a tinge of pink in it. He had a well groomed beard that had a short, braided tip at the chin and well groomed, feathered hair pointing down around his head with a braided tail that ran down to his shoulder blades in the back. His eyes were a bright blue, matching Prim's in color tone. At six foot four I was looking up to him.
He wore a nice, red jacket with white strips down the outside of the arms, a gold colored sash running over the left shoulder and tied at the right hip with the Fiorire crest held over the heart on in. Black pants were fitted to his legs with a gold stripe down the outside of them, tucked into white, knee high boots, matching the color of his short gloves. On his head was a crown with three points rising up at the front.
Next to him was another woman, standing some five foot even. Her snow white hair was split into two, waist long braids that looped up to form a pair of hoops behind her head. Kind, pale blue eyes looked back at me as she smiled. She had an hour glass figure and breasts that were close to G-Cup on a woman that short. Her dress was a sky blue, princess style dress with white trim a heart shaped brooch set between her breasts... However, said dress had the sides of the skirt cut away and was short enough to show the bottom of her white, stocking clad legs, set into sky blue shoes.
These were the Grand Duke and Grand Duchess of Ur, Samuel and Primrose Fiorire.
(-)
Name: Samuel Fiorire
Title: Fighting Grand Duke of Ur
Class: Warrior/Grand Duke
Level: 40
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 64
Status: Healthy, Happy, Relaxed
Known Traits
[?]
[The Best Defense] Half of the average of your armor's defense resistances is added to your weapon's damage bonus
[Unbreakable Shield] Any shield you hold has it's durability doubled. Additionally increase your Con by 15% when using a shield
[The Good Duke] You are a leader invested in your people's well being. +3% All Stats to soldiers loyal to you. +1% All Stats to all civilians loyal to you
The Ruler of Ur, the Grand Duke comes from one of the longest line of rulers in Eostia, dating back to the Seven Shield Maidens. House Fiorire has always prided itself on it's humility and willingness to help their people. Taking over the crown from his corrupt grandfather he's since dedicated himself to making Ur as powerful and free a nation as possible; and has led his people in more then three conflicts with Garan on the front-lines, earning his people's respect.
(-)
Name: Primrose 'Rose' Fiorire
Title: Quiet Grand Duchess of Ur
Class: Grand Duchess
Level: 5
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 53
Status: Healthy, Calm, Joyous
Romance Rating: N/A
Corruption Rating: 4
Known Traits
[Single Target Sexuality] You're only attracted to one person at any one time. +300 Romance Rating for that person. Cannot have a Romance Rating for anyone else
[Behind Every Man] You are naturally quiet and let your significant other take the lead.
Not much is known of the early life of Rose, beyond that she came from a line of minor nobility in Iron Heart with ties to Roxford. A naturally feminine, quiet woman who would rather blend into the background she is still well loved by the people of Ur for her beauty and kindness. It is known that she is more intelligent and shrewd then she lets on and it's well known she advises her husband in his rule.
(-)
"Ah, good to see you once more Grand D-ook!" I began to speak to the man who quickly and suddenly slapped both of his hands to my shoulders, squeezing firmly.
"James my boy, no need to be so formal with us!" He all but bellowed out with a chuckle. "For what you've done for our daughter, you might as well be family!" He told me, chuckling softly. Primrose, who often went by just 'Rose' nodded behind him and smiled to me, but otherwise said nothing. "I saw you talk about those devices there. Are you planning to make more of them?" He asked as he grinned to be, stroking his braided beard as I nodded.
"Ah, yeah. I'm working on a way to speed up production of them. Not sure if it'll work, but if it does I can churn out a lot in a hurry." Rose gave a surprised look, as did Prim. I just said I could enchant a lot of these things in a short time. Keep in mind that weaving the same spell into an item over and over and over would be like, say, rewriting the same thing over and over and over. Mental exhaustion was a thing and led to defective items more often then not. "I'll have to do some test when I get home."
"I see. I don't how that kind of magic works, or magic in general really, but if you say you can do it then you can do it." The Grand Duke said with a nod to me. Before he could say anything else Miria spoke up.
"Ice cream's ready!" She called out, surprising the royal couple as I moved over to join them, Prim and Alicia flanking me as I went. The royal couple followed as Miria and Tiffany worked on getting the dessert into a set of bowls. I took a moment to introduce Samuel and Rose to Tiffany and Makoto who were warmly greeted. I had declined a bowl of the desert for the moment; that meant a small bowl for each of the girls, Cress and the royal couple. Spoons were added as I watched on; the ice cream was plain for the moment. Likely to show off the base flavor. Prim was the first to dig into the ice cream with a spoon and lifted it up. She looked at it only for a moment before setting it into her mouth.
"Hmmmfhph!?" She let off in surprise, eyes wide as she started to blush and smiled as she quickly got another spoonful. "Ooooh, it's so chilled but sweet!"
"A-amazing..." Alicia gasped out after her first bite. "I've never had a thing like this before!"
"Ahhh... It's tasty and creamy..." Cress let off, looking into the bowl after his own first bite. "You really came up with this, James?" He let off as I nodded once.
"By the Goddess! What a concoction!" The Grand Duke had finished his first bite with a smile. "I am amazed."
The oddest reaction, however, was from Rose. She let off a soft, throaty moan from tasting it, smiling it before she looked up to her husband. "Sam. We should make more for Prim's party for the guests." Her voice was soft, gentle and sounded like a light breeze yet it carried through the room in full. I recall Rose didn't speak much, and I can't recall a time where she raised her voice.
"I agree! I feel there is a bit of a tale here, but would you loan us this device and recipe for our use?" The Duke asked me as I chuckled slightly.
"I brought it as a gift for your family, Samuel. Use it as you see fit. The recipe is simple enough, and adding various flavorings isn't that hard." I replied as Prim's head all but snapped as it turned to look at me.
"Wait, you can make it taste better?" She let off in surprise smiling at me. Her bowl only had a tiny, small bit of half melted cream in it, the rest already gone. I nodded to her with a chuckle.
"Yeah. Although you'll likely need a lot for the party, so you might want a mage with ice magic to keep it cold until it's time to serve." I said as I gave a soft chuckle. "Using it doesn't require magic though; just press on the stone on the mixer and it'll start itself up after a moment."
"So easy to use..." Samuel let off, humming a bit. A glance about showed he was the last one with ice cream left, and not much of it. He quickly finished it off and set the bowl and spoon down. "Mmm. Really, I don't see what problems Halbert has with such a clever lad."
"If I may ask, Your Highness..." Makoto began to speak, as she collected bowls and spoons and started to move them to the sink. "While I've only seen the man once, the reaction to him suggests he is not the most... Polite of servants."
"He's an ass." Carmen said openly and bluntly. It was note worthy that neither Samuel, Rose or Prim moved to correct or chastise her for the blunt statement.
"I was... Trying to be more diplomatic but yes, he does seem to be an... ass." Makoto said, sighing. "If I may ask, why do you keep such a rude servant about? In so high a position no less?"
That was something I wanted to know as well. Really, I had planned to ask once I found a chance to do so, so Makoto was saving me a bit of time. And I needed to know because it was clear I'd be dealing with the man in one way or another, and likely soon. He was a jackass to start with, but the hidden title was what worried me the most. Mandeville and his gang of thugs were the only ones that I couldn't see a title for before and I had to fight all but Mandeville himself. And what titles did they have?
Red-Eyed Hunter of Slaves.
Mercenary Flesh Hunter.
Enslaved Bodyguard.
All hinting to a nature that was, somehow, a warning in itself. A warning that they were either slavers or a slave in service to one. A warning that they would, somehow, be a threat to me and those close to me. While one example did not a trend make, it was still worrying to me. And even if I could see his title, well, he's still an ass. I needed to deal with him, somehow. I didn't consider myself a manipulator or the like, so I was lacking ideas no how to deal with Halbert but learning more was a good idea.
"Ah. Indeed, Halbert is... A handful..." Samuel let off as he sighed, slowly crossing his arms over his chest. "However there is a reason we keep him around, namely his Uncle." He said before sighing once more. "Let me explain. His father, Hargon, was a minor lord in Faircas. About two and half decades ago the Barony was in a period of downturn, not helped by the Baroness being ill and bedridden and her two daughters unable to decide who would take her place. This meant the minor lords had much more freedom to govern their sections of the Barony as they pleased." Rose nodded once, her face turning sad as Samuel kept speaking. "His father went a bit... excessive with his tax policy, to say the least. He also declared Jus Primae Noctis as a routine." He added the last part with a bit of disgust.
"Damn..." I let off shocked, my eyes going wide. That was... Extreme to say the least.
"I beg your pardon." Makoto let off, blinking in confusion. " Juis Primay Nocktus?"
"Jus Primae Noctis. It was a law passed by Verlangen during his reign before the Seven Shield Maidens defeated him." I explained to her, serious look to my face. "It means the right to the first night. Specifically the right to a woman's first wedding night. In bed. Breaking her in. Regardless of if she wants it or not."
Makoto gawked at what I said, Cress nodding and lifting a finger upwards as he took over. "Joanna of the White Cloth outlawed it not long after the Aegis Accords were signed. There was some grumbling, but after she said she would allow her husband to claim it on any and all daughters of the lords gathered they decided to outlaw it as well." He said, shaking his head. "It does some what live on in some spots, but it's not unwilling in those cases. Usually a lord offering a first night with a maid he enjoys, but usually that's an indication he wants to make her a concubine."
"But back to the topic at hand..." Samuel said, shaking his head. "The people under his father's rule had enough after a few years. At first it was a series of protests and minor riots that were put down in a heavy handed manner. Then larger riots. Soon a small uprising. All put down with ruthless force." He sighed and shook his head. "Hargon made a show of raping the Mayor's wife and daughters publicly as a means of sending a message. He thought it would prevent another uprising. Instead the people pooled what money that had and hired a large band of mercenaries to join them in the next uprising. The result was a siege of Oxford Manor, and it's eventual razing."
He took a breath before continuing to speak. "Most of the Oxfords died there, that day. Most of the rest save a handful were found and murdered by the people. The Baroness of Faircas, upon hearing it, named her nephew her successor so he could restore order and just rule. It took a decade for things to smooth over. As for Halbert, a young boy at the time, he found himself with only his sister and aunt running away to another friendly house in Pinewall. His Uncle, Arburn, was away in the military at the time. He would take a leave to visit his family before returning. It was on the front-lines of a conflict with Garan when I finally met Arburn."
He took a brief pause, looking upwards as he recalled his memories before speaking. "I was a strapping lad at the time; sixteen and fighting as I knew that was my duty. And being young and cocky, I found myself in over my head more then a few times." He lowered his head to look at us directly before carrying on his tale. "Arburn took me under his wing and taught me what it was to fight in a proper, smart manner. And he saved my life, well Goddess, I've lost count really... It was... Well, one of those times he pulled me from the jaws the death that he found himself in it in my place. He took a javelin to the gut while we were cut off. No healer, no medicine, nothing. In his dying breath he bade me to make a promise; that I would take unto my house what family he had left. That I would see them not suffer for Hargon's errors and arrogance. That they could grow, live and learn to love."
He let his words sink in for a moment as I nodded. "I see..." A promise from a dying mentor was... A powerful motivator...
"I offered Halbert a place as a servant, first as an administrator in the city then a butler in the fortress. As his father had... preformed his duties poorly to say the least he would likely not ever join a noble house himself again, but I endeavored to give him a position from which to rebuild and build a comfortable life for himself." Samuel carried on. "His sister was, eventually, married off to a well off merchant. She was doing well, last I heard; two daughters and a son; although Halbert never liked her husband. As for his aunt, well, she married a knight and... Sadly, she died with her child in childbirth." I winced. I think everyone did. That was tragic by any standard.
"I see. That is rather tragic to hear." Makoto said, echoing my thoughts. She sighed as she shook her head, crossing her arms over her chest as if to protect herself from bad vibes.
"Still no excuse to be an absolute ass to everyone." Miria said with a frown, hands on her hips as her tail swayed roughly behind her. "I'm amazed you guys kept him around so long despite it."
"I... I admit, despite our efforts he won't change. And we have spoke of retiring him." The Grand Duke said with a sigh. "As loyal as he is, as diligent as he is, as much as I owe his uncle this act is wearing thin."
Huh. Maybe I didn't need to manipulate things after all? All I had to do was wait and let things play out.
Still...
Still, I couldn't help but worry... And couldn't help but think that there was something else about the bastard butler that I was missing; a detail that would explain a lot more.
Rose reached up and tugged on Samuel's sleeve, looking up to him and tilting her head, She said nothing but the man seemed to get what she wanted. "Yes, yes, enough of these heavy topics." He said, smiling once more clasping his hands. "We are reunited with friends and joined by new ones. Let's have a happier discussion and learn of each other, shall we? We've a grand spot by the garden; let us have the staff cook lunch for us as we speak."
[-]
From his spot he glared down at the gathering around the table. The watcher stood at the window of the third floor of the keep and looked down to the garden below. More to the point to a large, long, oval table. A seat was set to the heads of both, and each of the two sides boasted four seats. The table was made of marble with carved designs set into it filled with gold, the Fiorire Crest in it's center with the colors painted in. The seats were well made and boasted red cushions, each plush and comfortable. Flowers surrounded them on all sides on the stone circle the table sat on. Sitting there were ten people, one to each seat. At it's head, as was proper, was the good Grand Duke, half a bowl of soup left before him. To his right sat his wife, who sat quiet and demure, eating her own soup silently. Seen and not heard, like a good wife should be.
From the Rose's right started his issues. The woman who thought she was some sort of samurai sat next to the Grand Duchess holding a cup of tea up to her lips. Likely an exotic whore seeking better cock then what her barbaric homeland had to offer. To her right was the feminine lad Cress, eating his sandwich and looking across to the... thing opposite him of the table. Decent lad, knew his place it seemed. Save that he liked that... thing. To his right was the blonde with twin tails. She seemed decent enough, but clearly was a girl who needed to be shown her place and have her overly loud and talkative nature curbed; she talked loudly and only paused to eat as others spoke.
The seat to the blonde's right. sitting at the foot of the table was Carmen, the so-called bodyguard of the Princess. The peasant born filth had a second helping of soup, drinking from her spoon with unbidden greed and gluttony; food far better then the slop she deserved. To the right of her was Alicia, one of the respectable ladies at the table. There was a woman of Eostia; a lady knight born from a royal line. Commanding on the battlefield and with the grace a future Queen would need; at least until she had a husband to lead for her. She smiled to what was on her right between sips of tea, the... mongrel.
He frowned deeper as grit his teeth. Why would a family of any good standing adopt a... A... flea ridden, barbaric catalan and call her a daughter. It was beyond his comprehension. House Noxdecus clearly forgot the good ideals and purity that brought Eostia to greatness! It was a sign of insanity and that clearly a better house should rule over Mungale! Not that the Grand Duke or High Queen would accept such a reasoning. Bah! And then on it's right...
The scoundrel himself, James Noxdecus. He wasn't sure how he managed to arrive 'just in time' to save the Princess, or how in Larentia's good name she couldn't see how unworthy he was of her. A lowly son of a lowly Baron from a lowly Barony, with nothing to offer but sweet nothings and a deceitful smile. Someone who decided serving the whims of peasants and the rabble from the Adventurer's Guild as opposed to the military and try and make something better of himself beyond a naive boy. Really, given how the Noxdecus family were like it wouldn't surprise him if the Baroness slept with a town drunk to get fat with child!
And to his right, sitting between scoundrel and father both was Prim. More lovely then the goddess, greater then the goddess reborn. A smile brighter then the sun and a laugh sweeter then honey. A voice worthy of song and a soul worthy of worship. Too many saw her face and saw her figure and fell to simple lust. It was too be expected; what man could not help but want to see and be with perfection in human form?
He looked to her as she looked to her left, laughing at something the Scoundrel let off before leaning in to speak to... it. Her only flaw was she felt the need to be kind to those so far beneath her station. To grant them her smiles and words, to grant them her laughter and humor, to grant them her presence and a glimpse at perfection. He sucked in a breath. How could she stand to be with... With the rabble with so little concern?
"Halbert." He turned, pivoting on his feet as he lifted his cane, setting the tip back down to the floor, looking at the maid addressing him. "More guests have arrived. We're bringing them to rooms right now."
"Very well. See to their comforts." He said curtly as she bowed and turned to leave. The maid was a well trained one and did her job well enough. She wasn't worth remembering beyond her face and a name for address. After all, she was just a peasant.
No better then those who burned down his home.
No better then those who cut down his father without mercy or quarter.
No better then the one who threw his mother to the ground, raped her like a savage animal and strangled her to death with his bare hands.
Only the rubble hid him, his sister and his aunt from the sight of the animal who ended his father's life and ravaged his mother to her grave. He never forgot the sight of the... lowly dog with the claymore who did that. If only the hidden passage didn't collapse before they could escape. If only his father had less to drink and made it with them, to hide and flee.
"Filthy peasants..." He growled out before turning to leave. It was the grace of House Refectio, another minor family in the Barony of Pinewall, that they were able to live on. That and of course of Grand Duke Samuel Fiorire. He worked in the city under the mayor for sometime until he was twenty-four. It was then he was called upon to serve in Fortress Ur under the Grand Duke and his family directly. It was then he met her.
She was six at the time, but something told him she was special and was in need of protection and guidance. He helped with her upbringing, of course, but hadn't known the sort of woman she'd grow to be, not back then. It wasn't until she was thirteen that her aura of femininity started to hit him and he realized what she was; a budding goddess in the form of a girl. He wanted nothing more to sweep her into his arms, hold her forever more, claim her as his own and never let her go. She was everything he could ever want and ever need.
However he was a butler, and as the son of a minor noble (He would never admit that he was the son of a failure of a noble) with no land or remaining title he knew he had no right to her hand. Watching her from afar was all he could do, even as he wished he could do more, be more for her. To hells with almost two decades of an age difference, what would that matter to his love and passions for her?
That said there were issues. While Alicia was more then capable of a companion to the girl the same could not be said of her... Bodyguard, Carmen Shard. A rat off the street, no better then a barbarian or a goblin. Yet Prim in kindness fueled naivete thought to raise her into a servant and bodyguard; a peasant better forgotten treated as a friend and acted as if the smell of the gutter had been washed clean from her. He expressed his displeasure and how he believed being rid of the girl was for the best, but Prim ignored him and kept her like a friend as opposed to a pet; and her parents allowed it!
Unthinkable!
Still, the... Peasant was a minor nuisance compared to the scoundrel.
How he arranged a pack of goblins to attack the princess he wasn't sure but it was the only excuse for the little monsters to be so close to the heart of Ur and be able to lay hands on his Prim. The little bastard acted all heroic as he carried his Prim back and when he tried to have the scoundrel and his... Mongrel 'sister' dealt with the Grand Duke fell for whatever ploy the lowly lordling had made. What was worse was he had made off with the one thing he himself had desired for two years at that point...
Prim's heart.
He snorted. Something had to be done... And it had to be done soon... He turned on his heel to another hall and walked down along the carpet towards his room.
Come hell or high water his Prim would be saved from the scoundrel...
And herself if needs be...
[-]
"A spell from your feet? You can do that?" Prim let off in surprise as we spoke after lunch was finished. I nodded to her as I finished off my tea while myself and Tiffany spoke of our brief spar at the Manor.
Lunch was a simple affair. Good soups, good sandwiches and some small crackers with ham and cheese on them. We were seated at a well made table outside in the sun, surrounded by flowers, a few small fruit trees and good company. Prim and Alicia had been talking about their adventures as Shield Princesses and Carmen added a few stories of being the bodyguard of one of those Princesses. Cress gave a few tales of his jobs at the Iron Road Adventurer's guild as well, and by the sounds of it he's been busy. Makoto had focused on her arrival in Mungale, how we met and the affair with Mandeville.
The only two not telling tales were the Royal Couple. Not sure why the Grand Duke wasn't adding to the tales; maybe he was content on listening? Rose not adding to it wasn't a surprise though; she is a quiet one.
"Wasn't the first time I did it; saved me from a goblin that came close to overpowering me once." I said, pausing to sip at my tea. I finished speaking once I swallowed. "He never saw it coming, the dumb bastard."
"I'll need to practice that sometime." Carmen added finishing off her second sandwich; given her background I could understand why she'd want to load up on extra food whenever the chance came up. "It sounds like it can be useful."
"I can attest to that." I said, my eyes turning to the side and up a bit and... yup, there he was. As we talked and ate I could see Halbert up there in the keep, looking down and watching all of us. Damn bastard was going to be a problem, I knew it. But how to deal with him? That I wasn't sure yet.
I suppose I could provoke him into acting out, but I'd need to do in a way that was one) not obvious that I was baiting him and two) that would make him seem like the aggressor in full or overreacting in major way. How do I do that? ... I dunno. I never considered myself a manipulator before, and having to do it now was awkward for me to think about. I suppose I'd just have to wait for a chance; knowing Halbert I shouldn't have to wait for too long.
"I'll have to keep it in mind myself; my own spells are limited when I have my summons out." Tiffany mused as I turned to look at her now. She was tapping her chin as she held the last bit of her sandwich in her hand. "Any flexibility I can drag out is good." I nodded as Prim giggled.
"I can see some uses with it as well. Maybe I'll practice Sparkle Trail with it." The princess let off as she smiled.
"It is good for your control, dear." Rose spoke softly, one of the few things she added in our talk so far. Prim nodded as her mother sipped her tea.
"Sparkle Trail?" I asked, unsure of what was being referred to. A second glance upwards and I noticed Halbert was missing; off to do actual work maybe.
"Oh, it's a mostly simple spell. My great-grandfather created it." Prim said puffing her cheeks in a cute manner before holding her hand out, turning so her palm was over the ground. I turned to watch and soon small sparks came from her hand and drifted to the ground. The sparks of mana were white but as they slowly fell they had a small prism effect; a rainbow of colors tinting their edges. A spark came out every three to five seconds as Prim focused on the spell and then...
And then the small, slow trickle of sparks speed up to a stream of larger ones as Prim frowned and slowed the amount of sparks as Carmen giggled then spoke. "It's a spell that leaves a trail of sparkling mana behind the user; hence Sparkle Trail. It was used as a means to keep from getting lost in a maze and mark a trail for others to find in the middle of the night. It's a spell that requires very little mana, but a steady stream of it so it's good to help train someone with a large amount of mana, but difficulty controlling it all."
"Sounds like a good use for an exercise." I said, nodding as I smiled to Prim. "You'll need to teach me how it works sometime." She seemed quite pleased with those words, even as she gave a simple nod, ending her spell. "Anyway, on a different note..." I began pulling out my communicator and let everyone see it. "I'm hoping to get these spread out through Eostia. Mostly in the military. It would be a good way to get information to and from the front-lines."
Alicia nodded and grinned. "I can see how. I guess you were hoping for the Grand Duke's help in this?" She asked as the royal in question smiled a bit more.
"Well, I was planning to go through Prim and yourself first, but yes, I wanted to petition his help too. We had a... Surprise visit that would help get the ball rolling anyway, but doesn't hurt." When Samuel asked what I meant I explained my modified public address system and that Celestine (Which caused a bit of a jolt around the table) had seen it first hand and the demonstration we had given her. As the shock wore off I spoke once more. "The thing is it's not just communicators we need; we need a means to signal boost them. It can be a bit unclear from far distances and it would be horrible if Feoh and Throne needed to exchange information and something got lost from the distance."
"Well my lad, you can count of the full support of Ur in this endeavor." Samuel let off as he banged a fist into the table lightly, Rose nodding softly as Prim beamed, clapping her hands softly together. "The potential to save the lives of our soldiers is invaluable."
"Feoh will also support this in full." Alicia added in a firm, official tone. Alicia, friend and comrade was in the backseat now. Alicia, Princess Knight of Feoh was now in the driver's seat. "And once the next Shield's meeting comes you can rest assured that I will convince everyone to adopt and support these devices."
"It's not just the Shields we need to get on board." Cress said, raising his hand. "The other five kingdoms will need their leaders convinced." I nodded on that; aside from Prim and Alicia the only Shields that were related to the rulers were Celestine who ruled all of Eostia and Lulu, who was a princess of Ansur although around fifth or sixth in the line of succession. Kaguya was the High Priestess in Throne, Claudia was not related to the ruling family of Geofu and Maia was a former mercenary; none direct rulers. In addition while Celestine ruled all of Eostia from Ken there was also a King of Ken who ruled over the land directly.
"Not just them, but we have to get the Council of Lords on board as well." Miria said, crossing her arms under her bust as she gave a thoughtful frown.
"Yeeeeeah, the Council can be a pain to deal with." Tiffany agreed with a nod.
"Well, we have the leader of Ur on board and the leader of Feoh as-good-as-on-board. And I don't think talking Celestine into it would be too hard." I said, replying to that. "Between her, Claudia, Alicia and Prim I don't think it would be hard to get all Seven Shields on board. I imagine a lot of the local lords would get on board then. We don't need them all to agree, just enough. I need to run tests at some point, but if we can cover all of Mungale and the Grand Duchy from Argon then that's a good chunk of the map."
"Ah, I see. Depending on how much you cover you can skip less agreeable territories." Alicia said, nodding as she crossed her arms under her bust. "And once you have an idea of the distance you can then plan where you need them." I nodded once as looked at her.
"Agreed. I'm still in the early stages of it, and working out the flaws." I said as I smiled. "Once I have if I can start making a network of the boosters we can coordinate across the realm."
"Well clearly you have flaws, Lord James. Like the name." Carmen said teasingly as she leaned in, making her breasts hang into her outfit and show off a lot of cleavage. "Communicator? You couldn't pick anything but the most boring of names?"
"I mean... It's describes what it does, what more do we need?" I asked, shrugging. "I mean I don't want to give it a name that sounds lousy or silly."
"I mean just call it something like... Hmmm... Voxlux." Carmen suggested as Prim perked up, smiling wider.
"Voice Light? Hmm, it does use speech and light to connect us all." She said as I blinked.
"I don't think-"
"Voxlux does have a nice ring to it." Alicia said, nodding softly. "And it can be shortened to just 'Vox' if needed. Less syllables means it's much quicker to say in the heat of the moment."
"Well, I still-"
"It's also fun to say!" Tiffany said, clapping her hands together with a grin. "And doesn't sound boring at all!"
"Guys, I'm the one who made-"
Miria sighed and set a hand on my shoulder and squeezed firmly. "Your outvoted."
Well fuck.
[-]
In the end I couldn't fight the name change of the, ughhh, Voxlux name. Still, it was easier to say then communicator I was forced to admit. Anyway, after our lunch and chat we went our separate ways. I went to my quarters for the time being to chill out and consider what I would do for my relay network. From what we talked about Gregory was going to loan out use of his com, err, 'Voxlux' out to one of his scouts and have him test how far he gets before the signal starts to degrade. At that point we'll know how far the relays reach and after that get an idea of how many we'll really need.
I only had some basic idea of how far it could reach; we could be looking at one to two dozen depending on the reach. I was confident that getting the system adopted wouldn't be hard; I had Ur and Feoh backing it and I was certain Celestine would be on board as well. Her stumbling over the public systems on it's first test was a stroke of good luck and I would be a fool not to take advantage of the situation.
I had also noted something else as I considered things; I would need the support of the Seven Shields. Not for the Voxlux, but to save the realm.
I had known that it wasn't something I could do on my own from the start, but the biggest issue I had was I didn't know what the threat even was. I would have to assume then that no one else did either. I was working in the dark on what I'd have to deal with and sooner or later I'd have to go out and find whatever the threat was and I could only do so much from Mungale. The only ways I could figure out what the threat was from there was either with blind luck or if the final boss sent me a hand written letter explaining his grand, evil, master plan and what lair I could find him in.
The first was possible but I couldn't count on it. The second would only happen if the threat to the realm wore a dunce cap and rode in on the short bus.
If I could get around the realm I could maybe get a better idea of what was going on and from there get an idea of what could be the force looming over the realm or maybe find common problems that pointed me in the right direction. I could only afford to wait for so long; building up levels was important as well, but the sooner I could recon the enemy the better.
I sighed as I moved from my seat at the desk and looked out the window. My room was up in the northeast tower and high enough to see past the trio of walls defending the fortress and out to the city beyond. Stonewall, compared to Argon, was huge at almost seven times the size. The main street was full of white washed buildings with splashes of color here and there, although with a lot of gray roofs. The buildings had more and more color as one got away from the main street and plain wooden structures were further out. The slums and lower income districts stood out; darker and unwashed in coloration, sadly. It was a sad fact; one could only do so much about poverty.
My thoughts were cut off as a knock sounded on the door. "Enter." I called out as the door opened and Carmen stepped in. Her outer mini-jacket was off, leaving her in her leotard (A strapless one, as it turned out). She shut the door behind her and I saw her hand linger at the knob for a moment, her thumb moving slightly. I didn't hear the click, but I think she locked the door.
This seemed familiar...
"What brings you by, Carmen?" I asked as she walked up to me, a bit of a swing in her hips.
"Hmm, I have come to entice you, Lord James." She let off, smiling to me as she stopped before me and leaned up and pecked my lips softly. "Prim has her aims with you. And I have... Parallel aims of my own to explore, if you'll indulge me." She let off one hand moving right to cupping my groin, giving a soft squeeze as she smiled up into my face.
"Do those aims have anything to do with you fondling my dick right off the bat?" I asked playfully. She giggled and slowly undid my pants, slowly fishing a still soft but now growing dick from my pants.
"Clearly, Lord James. I hope you will see fit to bless me with your..." She let off, looking down to what was growing in her palm. "Presence for a while... I hope you don't mind too much." She smiled brighter as she squatted down, kissing the tip of my dick and pilling it into her lips as my hands moved to undo my jacket then shirt. It was clear what she wanted and if I said I wasn't interested I'd be lying.
Despite how long I've been in this world the openness towards sex could still surprise me. Doubly so how damn forwards these girls could get.
Once I was topless she was sucking herself down my shaft which was still growing in size, her tongue pressing on the underside of my dick. As she worked her hands moved to her leotard, stripping it down her body to her waist before closing her legs enough to work them along her thighs, over her knees and to her ankles. She popped her lips off and smiled, looking at my cock, now fully hard and stiff. "My word, you've become such a big boy, Lord James." She gave a giggle as she stood up and moved to the dresser, putting a noticeable swing in her hips, stepping out of her leotard and drawing my eyes to her plush rump. Once at the dresser she parted her legs and bent over, hands on the dresser as she looked back at me. "I only regret duties means I don't have the time for a... Longer bit of fun."
As she spoke I was walking up to her, pants about my mid thigh as I set two fingers to her sex, rubbing it up and down. She was already wet and almost dripping as I stood behind her. "And how long have you been hoping for this?" I asked as she presented her pert, full ass to me in such a seductive manner.
"Longer then I care to admit, Lord James." She said, giggling as I moved in closer, setting the tip to her sex. "No need to be gentle for me, Lord. I can handle a bit of roughness."
"If that's what you want." I replied, one hand moving to give her ass a crisp smack with an open palm. She gasped softly as I pressed myself up into her firmly; neither fast nor slow. I pushed in until I bottomed out in her. I groaned out loud a bit as I held her hips firmly before starting to thrust my hips. Slowly at first, but once I found my range of movement I started to pick up speed and force, groaning out over her as I leaned over to cup her bountiful chest as her sex squeezed down on me. I squeezed her teats firmly, catching her nipples between my thumbs and forefingers. "I know Prim's aims for me, well enough. Anyone here can tell..." I hissed into her ear. "So, what is your aim?"
She moaned out under me, rocking her hips back as she smiled back to me, reaching back with a hand, holding the back of my neck. "Mughhh... W-well, Lord James, if you must know... I int-ahh-intend to pledge myself to the man my Mistress marries as con-ahh-concubine..." She moaned out as my eyes widened in response. "He he he, do not worry. I assure you, I would, mmm, would be more then pleased with a man like you."
"Even if I had Prim as a bride? Or even others?" I asked her, thrusting harder into her as I groaning myself. "I wouldn't ask someone to, ahh, devote themselves like that."
"You need not ask..." She mewled under me as I groaned out as I slammed into her, the two of us moaning and groaning together. I pinched her nipples as she squeezed down on my cock, turning her head and catching my lips with her own. We kissed deeply for a long moment as I slammed into her harder and harder as we mated.
I lost track of how long we went at it, a session of sex with little foreplay but no lack of passion as we groaned into each other as I drilled into her. Finally she clenched down on me before triggering my own climax as I pushed hot, thick cream into her sex. She moaned deeply, quivering in her own climax as she mewled in my grasp.
"Fuuuuuck, I needed that..." She let off as I slowly pulled free of her, giving her ass a soft pat. A soft trickle of white dripped from her as we panted. "He he he... Too bad I can't stay long; I would love to have more of that..."
[Fucked List]
Banged Carmen Shard=75xp x 5 First Time Bonus=375xp
+20% Dark Horse of Eostia Bonus
Gain 450xp Total
"I'm sure we'll have time another day." I gave her ass a firmer pat as I moved to fix my pants, Carmen herself moving to grab her leotard. She slipped it on as I slipped my shirt on, hearing her giggle.
"Indeed. As I said, I've duties to see done. Princess Prim will desire your company after dinner tonight, I'm sure. If in a less... Carnal manner" She said before turning to the door.
I couldn't help but watch that ass go.
[-]
Prim hummed to herself as she relaxed in the bath, filled with scented oils and petals of roses soaked the water. She wanted to be at her best for dinner that day; it was the first time she'd seen James in awhile after all and wanted to make a good impression. "Hmm... What dress should I wear to dinner? I want to tempt him enough to look at me as much as I can make him, but but I don't want to come off as indecent or easy... Maybe I should wear something on my birthday for him?" She let off as she thought then pouted. "Ugggggh, but if I don't tempt him enough he might be tempted by someone else... I mean, I suppose he is allowed to marry more then one girl, but I want to be important to him, like he is to me... But do I want him to marry other girls? I-I mean c-concubines are expected and I hope he accepts Carmen as one, but still..."
The one difficulty in cultivating a relationship with James for her would be his status; he was a baron's son and she a princess. While he was a choice for her groom by tradition he was still on the lower end of her choices, status wise at least, and she knew there would be eyebrows raised if she were able to try and wed him now. If his status could somehow be raised, however, then that would become a non-issue, and his Voxlux creation was a possible key to that end.
In truth she had many suitors across Ur as well as across Eostia and even in neighboring countries. She was not unaware of how desired she was, even if she didn't fully understand why so many desired her over others. She wasn't as strong or stalwart as Alicia, as smart or tempered as Kaguya, as free-willed or adventurous as Maia and definitely not as powerful or wise as Claudia. Aside from large breasts what did she have that they didn't? ... Well, they all had large breasts too, except for Lulu, so what did she have that they didn't?
She pouted a bit, sinking down into the water until the liquid touched her chin. What did she have to offer anyone beyond her body and face?
It was part of the reason she wanted to learn and master magic, to join the Shield Princesses as one of their number, to do something other then entertain guests and arrange flowers. She wanted to be more then the Pretty Princess Prim, she wanted to be... Someone worth being with, someone worth more then someone with a birthright born from luck and bloodline.
She sighed once more. What worth did she have as a bride for James if all she was ended up being a pretty face when he could have other, more able women in his life? Her thoughts were interrupted by a knock on the door; two sharp knocks followed by one sharper knock then two dull knocks. She sat up, bringing her body up until her cleavage was showing and after a moment the door opened and the nude figure of her bodyguard opened the door and stepped in, shutting the door behind her. In a way she was often jealous of Carmen; it may have been Prim that offered her the opportunity but it was Carmen who ran with it and became more then anyone could have ever thought she could be.
The darker-skinned girl walked over to the tub and stepped into it, sliding down into the water and sighing as she had a seat. "Well?" Prim prompted as Carmen grinned like a cat who ate the cream.
"Mission accomplished, your highness." She proudly declared before giggling softly. "I just wish time permitted me to stay longer to enjoy him more."
"Well, that's good to know." Prim said with a nod, smiling to her bodyguard as she started to blush. "... So, umm... how big...?" Carmen grinned wider and brought up her hands, holding them a distance from each other. Once Prim realized what she was referring to her eyes widened only to watch as Carmen dropped one hand and turned the other, making a circle with her thumb and middle finger with the two digits not quite touching each other with a small gap between them. "Th-that big!?"
"Oh yeah. Not the... Largest dagger in the land, I'm sure, but more then generous for any lady." Carmen replied, smiling as she leaned back in the tub, resting her arms on the outside edge.
"H-how does something like that even fit down... Down... Down there!?" She let off, glancing down to her own groin, obscured by the water and petals. She couldn't imagine something so large going inside her without causing her to split in two!
"It's a bit of a tight fit to be sure, but it does indeed fit." Carmen said, grinning a bit wider. "Although I do admit, my first time was scary as hell too." It wasn't made easier given that she was a child who was willing to whore herself out to prevent the meeting of her ribs and spine, but that was another story. "Really, he's a good size although given how small you are it might seem more... Daunting."
"Oooooohhh..." Prim let off, hanging her head down slightly before taking in a deep breath and sighing. "W-well, thank you for telling me. I'll ask you to please him in my stead until I am ready for... That." She let off with a deep blush.
"With pleasure your Highness!"
[-]
Dinner came sooner then I expected, but just about as I was starting to feel hungry one of the maids escorted myself, Tiffany, Makoto and Miria to the dining room with it's huge table. When I say huge, I mean huge; the one in my old house in my old world was maybe three feet or so long. The one in the manor in my home on this world was some fourteen feet long. This table was thirty feet long, and still covered in one, large tablecloth. It was designed to seat twenty four people at the table. At the head, of course, was the royal couple and Prim. The maid guided us to our seats, myself on the nearest seat to Prim, with Miria to my right. Cress was seated down the table, closer to the foot on the opposite side with Alicia to his right. Tiffany and Makoto were directed to side tables, near the main table.
In addition to us were over another dozen odd guests, some I knew and some I didn't; other nobility from Ur. Among which were Countess Jamaica Galeraven of Ferra, Baron Harold Terrasa and his wife Olivia of Cameron as well as Baron Uther von Victor of Rockquarry. In fact everyone here was a noble from Ur with their guests at the various nearby side tables. There were two notable absences however, one unsurprising and one surprising.
Unsurprising were that the Duke and Duchess of Greenwave, Gerald and Justica Onglave, were missing from the table. While they did send a minor lord in their Duchy to bear their gifts and wishes to Prim for her birthday both were mourning over the death of their only son, Hector. I didn't know the circumstances, but I knew it was some sort of sickness.
The surprising absence, however, was of House Blitzhaus. While Count Arnold von Blitzhaus was not someone I cared for and his relationship with House Fiorire in general and the Grand Duke in particular were strained, he was one of the most notable nobles in Ur so his absence was strange, doubly so the lack of someone attending for him. Either he was snubbing the royal family or he aimed at being 'fashionably' late. I expected the second.
There was idle chatter across the table although a few paused to look or glare at Miria, with some of them being of disgust or disdain towards the Catalan sitting at their table, and some looked at her as more of a curiosity or oddity. That said there were a few on hand that treated her normally; most notably Cress, Count Ellion Rongan of Bemul and his wife Sasha as well as Lord Arnold Hexson, the a minor lord in Greenwave who was representing the Onglaves. Also glaring at her was the bastard butler Halbert who, thankfully, seemed to keep his mouth shut on the subject. He had been guiding some of the guests to their seats and ensuring everyone's comfort (Aside from a few choice guests, myself and Miria included).
Along the guests at the side tables included, as mentioned, Makoto and Tiffany but also various guests and hanger-ons consisting of mostly notable merchants, generals, minor lords and other assorted people of importance. I noted among the guests there were three pig beast-men, one I knew (Or 'knew' I should say) and two I had never seen before, wearing matching outfits and sitting next to each other. Related maybe? Brothers?
Before each seat was a single wine glass trimmed with gold and the Fiorire Sigil on them outlined in gold as well, plates with patterns set in gold on each one, forks and knives of silver and more. The large windows of the room faced the back of the keep, giving a large view of the back gardens and the defensive wall beyond. Four maids went about filling each wine glass with a red vintage, which by the label was from a good year (Not that I knew my wines that well) as the Grand Duke stood up and gave a loud, hardy trio of claps to get everyone's attention. The chatter died down quickly as we all turned to look towards the leader of all of Ur. He paused to look over at everyone before speaking.
"Well since all of our guests, but a bare few, are here we shall begin. In three days time my daughter will celebrate her eighteenth birthday with us and others from across our fair realm. It has been rather amazing to see my little Prim grow up, over the last five years in particular." He paused to look about with a proud smile on his face. "Despite early, stumbling steps she has grown as a woman, as a mage and as a member of the Shield Princesses. She has risen from a bud and bloomed into a true flower of Ur and Eostia's Princess of the Blossoming Moon." There was a brief cheer among the guests as Prim blushed, squirming in her seat next to me. I stifled a chuckle at her as Samuel carried on.
"Indeed, I am more then aware she has more growing to do, but she has those around her to help guide and teach her. More then I could teach and show her on my own. As a father I am worried for the things she must do, yet as a father could not be prouder of her and her growth. Really, it seems not so long ago she was a small babe I bounced on my knee. But no more, she is a woman now. And to her growth, to her health and to her future I would propose a toast. To Prim!"
"To Prim!" The room let off as everyone grabbed their wine glass and lifted them up. Prim blushed deeper someone, looking damned adorable as she did, and everyone moved to have a sip. From the corner of my eye, however, I couldn't help but notice Halbert giving me an odd look. Not his usual glare but something else I couldn't place... and as the glass set to my lips...
The doors were pushed open with no lack of force causing a bit of a bang to sound through the room. "I apologize for our tardiness!" A voice let off. I sighed and set the glass down before I had a sip of my wine, as did others around the main and side tables with only a handful having gotten to taste their drink. I turned in my seat to look behind me. "The roads before we reached Ur was not as well paved as they should have been." The man let off, looking right at me with a grin. He was a larger man, some six foot three or so and with a powerfully built body. His black hair was full on his head but grayed on the sides from age, and his neatly trimmed beard was almost fully gray save a streak of black hair at his chin. He wore a dark purple great coat over his torso with a short, red cape that dropped to his elbows that covered his shoulders and back. It was trimmed with gold colored fabric and boasted six gold buttons at the front, three to each side. Black pants tucked into dark brown, knee high boots. Black gloves were over each hand as he grinned, brown eyes glancing over the room. Two figures flanked him on each of his sides, three males and one female total. "I, Arnold von Blitzhaus, have finally arrived!"
Yeah. Great. They're here now.
(-)
Name: Arnold von Blitzhaus
Title: Commanding Count of Elddale
Class: Warrior
Level: 38
Alignment: Hostile
Reputation: 32
Status: Healthy, Prideful
Known Traits
[?]
[Monkey's Grip] You can wield a single, two handed weapon in one hand with no penalty. You may not wield a second two handed weapon along side it, but may wield a single handed weapon, shield or item in your off hand.
[?]
[Right of the Master] All sexual stats are boosted by 15% when engaged in sexual relations with a slave. +5% more if that slave is your own.
[?]
Arnold is the twenty first of his line to rule over Elddale ever since the collapse of the Haraglon line due to a combination of incompetence, sickness in the family and suspected betrayal. The Blitzhaus line have been one of the largest advocates of slavery as a tradition in Eostia and Arnold is no exception. He believes the strong must lead the weak to greatness; kicking and screaming if need be. As such he spent a lifetime mastering warfare, economics, politics and history. While his popularity varies among his peers all respect his abilities.
(-)
To his left the lone female of the incoming group sighed. "Really father, fashionably late is a rather tired cliche, isn't it?" She let off in a tired tone. She had brown hair in a short cut and light brown eyes set into a face that while lovely was ruined by how utterly bored she looked. "I mean if we left earlier I could have had a nap before dinner..."
She stood at about five-three and bore D-Cup sized breasts. Her body was clad in a strapless 'I' shaped dressed, a dark purple thing that wrapped tightly around her bust, a red strip going down the front to a connect to what was more or less a dark purple miniskirt with the edges trimmed in gold, and two gold, lightning bolt buttons set over where her nipples would be. A set of black, three inch heeled shoes (With the heels of said shoes being made of gold) over black, thigh high stockings which matched the bicep long gloves on each arm, a gold bracelet on each wrist and gold ring on her right, middle finger with a large ruby set into it's center. "Really, can't we just sit and eat now...?"
(-)
Name: Dulce von Blitzhaus
Title: Aloof Lady of Elddale
Class: Priestess
Level: 13
Alignment: Neutral
Reputation: 31
Status: Healthy, Bored, Disinterested
Romance Rating: 75
Corruption Rating: 41
Known Traits
[?]
[Lazy But Brilliant] All stats gain +25% when the subject is considered interesting. All stats lose -15% if the subject is uninteresting.
[Tap For Mana] You know how to use magic to it's fullest. All magic costs 5% less mana.
[Can't Be Bothered] You're uninterested in most psychical activity. -5% Str, End and Agi. +15% Lck.
Second child and the only daughter of Arnold von Blitzhaus and born from one of his favored slaves she was raised by a wet nurse before being raised as a lady of the court. At her father's insistence she learned magic as a means to have power of her own... Although she choose the healing arts because they seemed easier to her. Easily bored, lazy and uncaring she has her personal slaves do as much as possible for her. Despite this she's popular among those slaves; mostly because she's not interested in punishing them for mistakes or failures.
(-)
"Errr, do we have to call attention to ourselves like this?" The youngest looking of the sons let off, standing to his sister's left. He stood around five foot eleven and had black hair tied back in a short ponytail with a pair of bangs framing his face. He was a bit androgynous but unlike Cress was clearly male of the 'pretty boy' variety, helped by light blue eyes. He wore a coat with tails, red on the outside and the inside of it was dark purple. Gold colored lines ran up the sleeves of the jacket to a set of gold colored epaulettes. His pants were dark purple and tucked into a set of black boots with gold colored trim at the top and matching laces. He then looked over to me and gave a smile and a small wave. "Oh, hi James!" I sighed and waved back.
"Hi Channer..." Of the Blitzhaus bunch he was the only one I could say I liked. Really, aside from the slave issue he was a good guy. He was about six months or so younger then me and about two months from eighteen and my old classmate from when I was learning enchanting.
(-)
Name: Channer von Blitzhaus
Title: Cheery Mage of Elddale
Class: Mage
Level: 9
Alignment: Friendly
Reputation: 52
Status: Healthy, Calm, Nervous
Known Traits
[Tap For Mana] You know how to use magic to it's fullest. All magic costs 5% less mana.
[?]
[Staff Fighter] You are able to fight in melee with staves and staff like weapons. +5% to Str, End, Dex and Agi when using such a weapon
[If It's All The Seme To You] You are bi-sexual; but only to feminine partners willing to take your dick. +5% to all sexual stats when using your penis on others
Youngest child of Arnold von Blitzhaus and a favored slave, Channer is a prodigy mage, but is unusual among his family of Traditionalist slavers by being a Reformist. Despite how strongly Traditionalist his father is the two still get along, his father treating him as simply in need of further guidance. As such he's the most popular among the slaves of House Blitzhaus for his kind nature and willingness to be lenient and understanding with them. Even many opponents of House Blitzhaus like him and wished he would be the heir of Elddale, if only to improve the quality of life for the slaves there.
(-)
"You still consider him a friend, Channer? Really?" The next male let off, standing furthest to Arnold's right hand side. Blonde hair cropped down to an inch in length and brownish red eyes set into a smug face. He was the tallest of the lot at some six foot five, but where his father was built powerful he had a lean, rather lanky look to him. He wore a rich, red tunic with a golden lightning bolt over the heart and a set of dark purple tights under black boots. A rich, red half cape with a gold colored inner lining hung off his left shoulder that hung down to cover his hip. Black gloves covered both hands, but the fingers tips of the right hand were cut off. A set of gold plated goggles with slightly tinted lenses sat on his forehead with a trio of points sticking up from the top of it, as if it were a crown. "Next you'll tell me you plan on wooing his... Pet cat." He drawled out.
(-)
Name: Jaeger von Blitzhaus
Title: Haughty Crack Shot of Elddale
Class: Gunner
Level: 20
Alignment: Hostile
Reputation: 29
Status: Healthy, Bemused
Known Traits
[?]
[Crack Shot] Your aim is very steady when you're not actively under attack. +15% to Acc when not a target
[?]
[Rapid Reload] If you are under attack you can reload your weapon in half the usual time. This can be used once every thirty seconds
Second son and third eldest of Arnold von Blitzhaus and borne of his favorite slave, Jaeger had a fascination of the odd technological advancements the dwarves have come up with; their firearms in particular. A practiced hunter he prefers to use long rifles compared to other firearms. He boasted that he killed a boar through the eye at over a hundred and fifty yards once with his favorite gun. While self centered he believes highly in the social order; all above him are to be treated with respect, all below treated as needed or desired.
(-)
"Now, now, my brother. Bestiality is still a crime in these lands." The last of the newcomers said, Miria hissing softly next to me at the words he spoke. Standing directly right of his father, the last Blitzhaus had pure, jet black hair and brown eyes and stood at around six foot one. He looked the closest to his father of the three sons in build and facial structure, although like his two brother's he was clean shaven. He wore a great coat as well, but a pure red one with eight gold buttons on the front; four on each side. The coat was trimmed with gold colored fabric that was twisted like a rope. Over his legs were black, tight pants tucked into a pair of dark purple boots with gold trim at the top and laces. Black gloves were on each hand with brass studs over the knuckles, likely some padding between the glove and the metal. A gold circlet was over his forehead with a ruby set into the center of it with a pattern carved around it like a wreath, the etching painted a dark purple.
In case you didn't know, the Blitzhaus banner used red, dark purple, gold and some black as the main colors. They really loved the family colors; more then I did my own.
"Really, I'm glad we made a... Small scene." He let off, stepping forwards a bit towards us, more specifically Prim, with a bit of a strut. "I can add my own little speech before the toast."
(-)
Name: Victor von Blitzhaus
Title: Conquering Heir of Elddale
Class: Hero
Level: 23
Alignment: Hostile
Reputation: 17
Status: Healthy, Cocky
Known Traits
[?]
[Monkey's Grip] You can wield a single, two handed weapon in one hand with no penalty. You may not wield a second two handed weapon along side it, but may wield a single handed weapon, shield or item in your off hand.
[Dual Strike] You are exceptional at using two weapons at the same time. +5% Dex and Agi while using two weapons at once.
[?]
[Right of the Heir] All sexual stats are boosted by 10% when engaged in sexual relations with a slave. +5% more if that slave is your own.
First born child of Arnold von Blitzhaus and his favorite slave. The heir to all Elddale he sees his father as the pinnacle of what a man and leader should be; strong, intelligent and dominant. Like his father he seeks to gain strength in all forms and enforce it on those he considers weak or lesser then himself. He is a very capable fighter, but lacks the experience, wisdom and temperance of his father as well as an understanding that sometimes one must defer to their lessers for what knowledge they have.
(-)
Fucking Victor. Bastard saw fit to be a bit of a bully to me during my stay at Elddale. His father, despite the... rivalry with my own was polite to me, even if in a backhanded way. Victor? He was an asshole. He started to half walk/half strut to the corner of the main table where myself and Prim sat as Samuel scoffed at him.
"Mind your place, boy. You're late, as is your whole family." The Grand Duke said, turning to face him, his glass set down as he crossed his arms over his chest. The whole room was looking to one, the other or swapping between looking at one then the other. "You should take your seats and join us for dinner, not to make a show of it." Rose nodded beside him, giving Victor a stern glare.
"Oh, come now my Grand Duke, surely you are not opposed to hearing more praise for your lovely rose of a daughter." He said, reaching the table and setting his hand on the corner of the table as he leaned over Prim who huffed in response as she crossed her arms. "A rose with sweet, pink... petals, filled with dew, awaiting the honeybee to... Pollinate it." I could tell Prim was resisting the urge to roll her eyes. From the corner of my eye I could see Halbert was fuming and glaring daggers at Victor, clenching and unclenching his fists.
"You realize all the worker bees that pollinate flowers are female, right Victor?" I asked, moving to grab my wine glass, making a small show of swirling the liquid in it as giggles sounded from the room. Prim moved her hand to cover her mouth but it didn't hide her snickering at Victor. I could feel Miria smirk beside me. I moved to take a sip only to have the glass snatched from my hand by Victor who huffed.
Halbert seemed to give off a panicked gawk as the asshole (Victor, not Halbert. Well, not Halbert this time) let off a scoff and sneered at me. "Really, you think you're so clever, Noxdecus. As if you know how the touch of a maiden's flower feels." He let off, swirling the wine in the glass as he looked at it.
"Says the man who needs his women chained and collared to bed them." I shot back as he glared down at me with a scoff, snickers sounding around the room.
"Bah. Chained, unchained, what matters is power. I have it, your family is losing it." Great, now it was a pissing match. "And I am sure in the end we can all agree that the man who is fit for a princess is the one who stands with more power." He said before tilting the glass to his lips and downing the whole damn thing at once. I rolled my eyes. Prim, Samuel and Rose glared at him and Halbert looked ready to have a fit of constipation. Samuel finally started to walk around the table as Victor swallowed tossing the glass to the table, making it bounce on the table cloth (How it didn't just shatter was beyond me; didn't even crack) and smirked down at me... Before his eyes shot wide. I had a moment of concern before his hands moved to his throat, stepping back as he made a choking sound.
All amusement ended as he seemed to choke more, as some sort of foam started to seep from his lips. The thought of what was happening hit me the moment that I could hear a woman (I would later learn Ferra's Countess Jamaica Galeraven) shout out a single word as Victor collapsed to the floor.
"Poison!"
[ - Author's Note - ]
Huh, I think this is the first real cliffhanger I left a chapter on.
Well we finally met the Blitzhaus family and before anyone asks, yes I have a banner for them. It'll come up when it's relevant to the plot.
The new poll is ready to go at (slash) 5qw7s8vv2 and it's one I've wanted to ask for a bit now.
Would you want to see Rape of any Canon/Major OC Characters in Eostia: Harem Quest?
The reason I ask this is because of two things; the nature of the source material and the aims of the story.
Kuroinu, as you likely know, is an extremely rape heavy story about the conquest of women by all means; sex above all others. As such it's hard to separate the source material of the visual novels and animated hentai and rape.
On the other hand, Eostia: Harem Quest is all about preventing the conquest of the realm and I am aware that some of the readers are opposed to that sort of content. I do plan to have some rape in the story down the line of random and background characters, but I am curious about what people think about possible rape of canon and major OC characters. Hence the poll.
Give me your honest opinion, as always. I can take some criticism. Let me know what you liked, what you didn't like and leave a review. Thanks for reading and see you next chapter.
~~Eostian Scribe