It was a bit past midnight when Rex returned from his meeting with the kitsunes, and to his suprise all the main girls were waiting for him. Val informed him of the results of her mission, improving his mood even further, and eliciting a smile from Aina. The elf was trully happy she would not be seperated from her mother, and since her mother becoming a concubine of the king was because of her beauty and out of necesity, she was quite sure of her wellbeing and ability to peacefully adapt to a new life together with her daughter. Rex lightheartedly scolded Aisha, Mel and Irina, because they should ensure they are well rested. lack of sleep was detrimental to their beaty, and that could not be had. The rest of the girls still had some reason, besides longing to wait for him after all.
After a small chuckle, and a gentle caress of the girls faces, he kissed the trio on their foreheads and sent them to sleep, havign instructed Aisha to prepare the meal for the people present here starting tommorow separatly from the rest of the maids. Girls here would start consuming the heaven grade meat in one of the meals each day. As her had named it- the core girls of his house. Since he would have quite a few more servants in the future, he had planned to divide them in three tiers. Core group- basicly his lovers, then maids, and lastly servants.
There would be little difference between maids and servants, but core group would have quite a few privilages. The ability to order other two groups and havign the heaven grade meals was the most notable. They would also be responsible for the operation and management of his mansion and properties he would aquire in the future, and any businesess he might create or aquire. He also informed them of the offer he had made to Izumi, and that she would likely accept.
"Rex, could we talk for a moment?" Aina asked him as the remaining group was prepearing to sleep, a hint of worry in her voice.
"Of course." Rex agreed and gestured her to follow him, and they both walked to one of the studies. Once inside and both had sat on a sofa, Rex asked
"What's on your mind?" and seeing her contemplating, he added "You know you can say anything to me"
"I am afraid you are changing, and not for the better." She spoke somewhat quietly, but Rex could hear it just fine. Aina was also looking at the ground, as if either ashamed, embarased or maybee even scared to look him in the eyes. Rex frowned a little, and first asked a quiestion
"How long since you noticed any changes happening?"
"I saw hints of it today at the auction, and from your short recount of the kitsune meeting, more there." Rex frowned a bit more at that, temporarily utilising all of his processing power to analyse his day, and then it hit him like a truck. Fuck, fame was getting to him. He was quite the unsocial person, trying to avoid dealing with people as much as possible with the exeption of his girls, and even then he loved to spend days in the dungeon. He saw how he had enjoyed the attention and the fame he had recieved at the auction hall. His every move, almost revered, nobles moving according to his wims. It was a feeling like a drug, one always wanted more, and got addicted to it very quickly. And unlike fear and respect one earns with his own personal strenght, he had recieved their act because of the benefits he could bring them. They did not apreciate Rex, what they wanted was the favour of the blood mage.
"Aina," he spoke, gently lifting her chin, so her eyes would meet his. Even in those odd eeys of his Aina saw only warmth and apreciation right now "thank you. Thank you for keeping an eye one me and for not only noticing but also warning me of it. i could turn in one of those conceited and arrogant nobles, if you had not warned me in time. Fame is indeed a corrupting power. While personal power can be guided and focused for a purpose, thus containing the possible posoning of ones true self, fame is much more dangerous, since you can trully chanel it in the same manner, giving it purpose. Please, always keep your eyes on me, and warn me when you see it happening again." As rex spoke he had hugged aina, gently stroking her back.
The elf was worried that Rex would indeed grow conceited, as he had started to display the properties of the arrogant, self agrandizing young masters who believed everyone else to be beneath them, a comodity that he they can use as they see fit. And she was worried that he could lash out against her, for pointing it out. Thats why she started with only mentioning the change, whitholding the specifics, seeing how he would react. She had averted her haze in hear of his anger, something a young master was quick to sink into, but to her relief, he had analyzed the problem, and not only understood the issue, and seek for a solution, he also thanked her, and asked her to keep a watchfull eye over him. Then a stray though shot through her head
'Wait , did he just unknowingly proposed to me?' she thought in her head as she was starting to blush in his embrace.'He did ask me to watch over him forever.' She was feeling both embarased and elated at the same time. She had developed some feelings for the man, and his obvious care for her showed he apreciated her a lot too. Maybee not as a love interest right now, but Aina was sure she just had to make a move, and she would be on his bed faster just like that. The man had some insane libido, and that was also a reason why both she adndAisha, while both already quite willing, were hesitating to take that last step. But thankfully, Rex was more than willing to wait for them- he already had a few girls to slake his thirst.
"Guess I have no choice then." Aina now spoke in a cheerfull manner, having calmed down a bit in the embrace "And from how things are looking, I will have to enlist my mom to help me out."
"Thanks, I will be counting on you."
"By the way, does that mean I am also in the core group?" she asked in a half wisper, quite curious about the heaven grade meal taste.
"Of course, you have always been in there." Rex replied, looking at her with a smile, ''Your mother will also be there. We will show the Silvermists what it means to sacrifice family for some silly gains."
Aina smiled at his words, with great courage gave him a kiss on the cheek, then escaped both his embrace and the room they were in.
"Arrogance and self assurance through strenght is okey, since I need it to protect what is mine. The same from fame and is poison. Have to keep myself in check regarding the latter." Rex spoke in barely a wisper, more to affirm his pland and countermeasures to the threat he had just discovered. Thankfully, Aina was now there to help and keep him in check. He steeled his resolve, and dedicated a single thought process to keep himself in check. He would add a few more to the same task once he had expanded his mental capacities even more.
Breakfast was incredible. Every girl present was elated beyond belief at the taste and effects of the meal. They coudl feel the mysterious energy purifying and strenghtening their bodies. Aisha, Miliie and Rika could also feel their bloodline strenghtening a bit. The feeling was impossible to put in words, but all three of them felt the effect on an instinctual level. Afterwards everyone went to do their own things. Aina had Rika follow her as she went to spoil the cats a bit, Val and Mel and irina went to train a bit, and Millie remained on standby, waiting for the kitsune tutor to arive. His maids were informed of the change and the new tier system, but since nothing trully changed in how they lived and were treated, they had nothing to complain about. They were happy beyond belief as it was, seeing that they lived better than most ordinary people adn even better than some nobles if one mainly paid attention to their meals
This tale has been unlawfully lifted without the author's consent. Report any appearances on Amazon.
Eventually the time came and Ven Hersts arrived for their audience. Since the tutor from kitsunes had already arived with a sample set of fine teas from their homeland, he was prepearing the tea for the discussions and Millie was paying full attention to what she was thaught. The girl had talked with maids in the mansion asking what kinds of master they were serving. There was a stark difference between the treatment of ones favorites and ordinary slaves within a mansion. And she was confused innitially, when she learned of their treatment, that was better than most noble kids, when it came to meals at the very least. What do they eating earth grade meat in every meal time? Whats worse, there was no ordinary graded meat in the mansion whatsoever. Even the cats were fed earth grade. She was bevildered untill she saw the cats. She got scared for a moment, untill she felt the masters mark on them too, indicating them as an absolute non danger to her. As explained by Aina, they were here to be petted. And to protect the mansion, Val had added as she had heard Ainas comment while passing by.
Ven Hersts were suprised when they saw the kitsune man, accompanied by Millie serve them tea, showing the girl proper manners when serving guests. Rex shorlty mentioned he had done a favor for them, in exchange for Millies training in the art. He was short and concise, much more stoic and calm than at the auction. Here was no place to be drunk on fame, as they would be conducting business as equals. And while still very polite and cooperative, they had to gain as much benefit as they could for the treasures they offered to attain this opportunity.
"Be frank, how many brands and what ranks do you think your offered gift is worth?" Rex asked as they had drank the tea, enjoying the vibrant taste "I need to understand your percieved value of both the branding and the gifts I have recieved. While we may consider different value, no offense would be taken, regardless of your estimated value. So please, speak freely."
"Is it safe to asume sir can reliably brand high and peak A class entities?" asked the representative of Hersts- Alistar.
"You should be already aware of my valkirie" and to rex words the man nodded "So yes, it is not a problem whatsoever."
"And if we may ask regarding the S class?"
"Depends on the precise power level. innitial S class could maybee be considered. Anything above is muhc more valuable than anything I have seen so far, as you must be aware." Rex words stunned the man for a while, but it was only natural. If, as he had suggested, he can brand even middle, and god forbid high or peak S class. That would change the whole dynamics of the noble families as a few branded peak S class monsters working in tanded with a proffesion and specialized army could take down other noble families with relatively minor losses. But of course the innitial cost would also be quite insane to subdue such an entity, so the mage can brand it. "I belive you will treat this knowledge as a secret of utmost importance." Rex added, one the man was out of his stupor.
"And yes,this information will be aviable to the other two families who earned the right to negotiate this time." rex had to provide his potential customers some exclusive info, the clubs secrets so to say. Or VIP privileges. The three clans offered something unique, and recieved as well, in the form of information- priceless information. Alistar nodded again. This was something shared only with the patriarch of the clan and select few grand elders.
"We were thinking three peak A class would be equivalent, but would be entirely happy with two, if esteemed sir was willing to listen to our requests in the future."
"Done. Affinity elevation is indeed something valuable." Rex spoke as he looked at the vial in his hand, containing a milky white liquid that sometimes pulsed like a heartbeat.
"When can we expect the specimens to arrive at the very least near Blythe?" he asked next. A smile appeared on Alistars face, he bowed lightly
"As soon as I return to our residence and inform our clan, they should arrive within a week."
"Come and inform my servants once they are here." Rex thought for a second then continiued "I believe that is all then for the time being?"
"Yes sir. We thank you for your services once again. Untill our next meeting." Alistar bowed once more and was escorted outside by Val.
"I want to thank you monetary, if that is not an offense." Rex spoke to the tea master "What would be apropriate amount to show my gratitude?" he asked when the master nodded in aproval.
"I believe anything above fifty gold would show sincerity" the elder kitsune replied, and Rex gave the man a few platinum coins.
"I thank you for the magnificence you have created and will continiue to create." The master was quite satisfied with Rex's gesture. Noticing a slight difference in his demeanor and attitude from what he was expecting after the report from his bretheren. There was no trace of the budding overconfidence and arrogance of the young nobles his compatriots had sensed in the mans actions yesterday. Either that was an act, or the man had noticed it and stopped to correct it.
The next few hours were spent in the company of Aina an Rika, as he listened to some of the stories they had to share of their time together. Mels Mind healing magics together with a familiar face were trully wonderfull for healing and pacifying ones fears and past trauma. Riaks was already exibiting signs of full recovery, as she sometimes was energetically gesturing during their storries. He thanked the girls for their stories and company, leaving a light peck on Ainas cheek, and a few pats on Rikas head. The catgirl was stunned with the speed he had utilised to get them in since the girl would likely be too timid for now to actually stand there and take them in stride.
AS with Ven Hersts, Al Merhads were lead to the same study where new tea was served, providing the same answer regarding the kitsune masters presence. And just as before Rex went right into the meat of the matter after their brief moment in the bliss of the magnificent tea.
"We belive a couple peak A class brandings are of similar value to our gift. As we belive Ven Hersts gift is more valuable, if we have guessed correctly. It probably should have been their affinity raising elixir, we estimate should be worth three peak A class brands. And while we would like for nothing more than to ensure the probability of further deals, we are in no position to ask for less, as there is quite an emergency back in our domain." Since Rex had emphasized his like for direct and clear talk, both clans had opted for exactly that. The people sent to negotiate were some of the best empaths each clan could send, ensuring their side was on the same wave as the mage they had to deal with.
"Would you mind elaborating?"
"Yes sir. Much of our land is covered in deserts, both a bane and a blessing due to the unique flora and fauna that manages to live there. We share the deserts with another species. Half human, half snake, but do not mistake them with lamias. The main difference between them is that unlike lamias, who are only female species, thse snake tribes have males. We believe a warlord has emerged among them, and is conquering the other tribes. And we fear that once united, they will come to destroy us, as the males are rather savage in their nature. Both canibalism and a taste for humanoid flesh is rather common among them."
"And visually?" Rex asked, curiosity peaked.
"The easier comparison for males would be snake like bottom half and reptilian like humanoid upper half. As for the women of the tribe they are like day and night. Imagine beauties like queen of Nyx Ifritti you saw yesterday. Upepr body of ushc proportions, and the lower body of a snake. However, once they reach a certain age they can shed their tails and be like most humanoid women, though they rarely do so. They are also strangely immune to both warlords mark and slavery magic. And yes, blood magic seems to work on them.
"I have heard some of the nobles have initiated and started to create a Gate network in Blythe. Is your clan also part of the innitiative?" Rex asked, even more interested in the species.
"Yes of course, we pride ourselves in our oasis cities, and hope to foster better relations with Blythe as it is surely going to become one of the hearts of trade in the future."
"I dont mind branding the two beings you want, and I am also quite interested in these snake ladies you have over there. Once yoour gate is constructed I will personaly go there for the branding and the local cuisine." Rex was okey with this kind of arrogance, since it stemmed from his personal strenght.
"We thank you for your generousity" Merhuun, the representative of Al Merhads thanked him, assuring that they will double their efforts in the building of their gate. The remaining of the day was spent with his girls, and a bit of training since quite a lot of calculating and theorising had been done in his paralel thought proceses. he would soon need to test a lot of new things and he was exited for that, but for now, another day and an interesting queen with a retinue of sucubuses awaited him.