With the governor leaving the room only Rex and his three girls remained for the time being, and so they simply relaxed on the sofa as they talked about mundane things or some pelasant memories from the girls pasts. Since some snacks and tea had also been served even before the governor exited the room, they were having quite decent time, though Vivian did note that Izumi or Millie made better tea, eliciting a small laugh from Rex.
"I would expect no less. Our tea leaves are some of the best aviable, to the point that kitsunes themselves do not export them, and we have access to them purely because I have done them some services." Then he smiled deviously "You became mine because one of them."
Vivian, still sitting on his lap, arms around his neck and her lips pressed against it,moved her head just slightly, and whispered in his ear.
"And that is something I will forever be gratefull to Izumi for." Vivian could not even imagine her life in the future where she could not be besides Rex. He had shown her pleasure she had never thought possible, given her a family that looked out for her wellbeing, as well as provided her with such luxury no emperor alive could even dream about. And in addition to that, he himself had indulged in quite a few of her selfish whims. There is no way princeses have recieved even a sliver of what she had, not to mention a 'slave' like her. Yes, she was technically a slave, what with the brand and anything, but for her, just like the other girls with the proper brand, it was no mark of shame, of being a lesser. On the contrary, that was a mark of belonging to him. They were his, for eternity, and that thought warmed the hearts of his girls whenever they thought of it.
They had spent a few more minutes in such a calming and relaxing atmosphere when the door slowly opened, after a few light knocks. Then, once it was fully open, in came a beautiffull young lady, no lesser in terms of looks than Vivian. Long, waist lenght black hair flowing freely behind the girls back, a pin on either side of her face, sliding behind her ears, moving a few unrully locks away from her face so its beauty could be fully displayed. Black yet lively eyes with rather long lashes that elevated her beauty. Full, enticing red lips, almost begging to be kissed. Small and delicate nose. Together, her face made her seem like innocent and curious angelic being, with rare few flickers of mischief in her lively eyes.
She was wearing a rather modest, yet elegant traditional chinese style hanfu clothing, reminding Rex of the many illustrations of cultivator women dressing style he had seen in so many manvas and drawings. though simple in design, it still maintained the same color scheme as the other sect members patrolling outside, with the same Green flower on her heart and back, theough it was clear that the material was of much higher quality, as well as the style itself was more refined, while still being practical and elegant. The outfit emphasized the girls natural beauty, since Rex could not sense any makeup besides the lipstick that had been carefully applied. And even with the modest dress hecould still clarly make out the girls curves, noting her magnificent proportions and ample chest. All in all Rex could only say that she did indeed qualify to bear the same tittle of godess that Vivian did in their lands.
With her entrance in the room, Vivian only slightly adjusted herself in Rex lap so she could see her fiend, adversary and rival while still enjoying being in Rex embrace. A challenging smirk adorned her face as she looked at Roulan who was standing there, clear annoyance on her face due to Vivian showing off her man. Though the annoyance quickly dissapeared, VIvian, having interacted with Roulan quite often due to their statuses caught it, causing her to smile even more mischievously, She had achieved what she wanted, so now she could just relax in Rex's embrace.
With her annoyance quickly hidden back deep within her, Roulan gracefully bowed to Rex and the two Svergi women sitting besides him, their marital necklaces clearly in sight in the warm room. While aware of the custom, none outside the dungeon would ever be educated enough to be able to discern the beasts of origin for the teeth, so there was no need to be cautious about displaying the status of the two beauties since those in the know could clearly figure that their husband is even more of a monster than the rumors indicate. For Roulan, being aware said custom, it was a must to show the women respect since no matter the circumstances they were his wifes, and since Rex was a person of interest for both herself and her sect, it was better to act with caution, lest she anger the man.
With the few bows done, she spoke in a light and melodious voice.
"I am honored to be able to meet master Neo. I have heard many tales about your might and skill in battle. Thus, finding myself upon the opprtunity to meet such a person I could not quench my curiosity and had to request the meeting." Thne she once again lightly bowed "May I join you? There are so much I would like to ask, if it is not a bother to sir?"
"Sure." Rex answered, his voice calm and neutral. As if he was doing something mundane and not worthy of note. Then, once she had sat on the sofa opposite Rex group, and before she could ask some of her questions, Rex asked his own first and foremost.
"I am interested myself in something. Do you yourself hold any interest in this coming conversation, or is it only due to the orders from your sects supperiors?" and before she could try to deny any such implications he added "Be carefull, I can tell if someone is lying. But note that since you are quite pleasing to ones eye, no matter your answers, there will be no reprimanding or retaliation this time, so speak freely and truthfully. Backstabbing and intrigue should be left to the old and decrepit fools, not the young people like us."
Roulan sat there for a minute or two, pondering some things. Was she only here due to the orders, because there were those obviously. But would she have waited the time she did had she not had any interest herself? Vivian was clearly having the time of her life besides the man she was hugging. Roulan could tell her fellow beauty had grown both stronger, so much so she was not sure she could even hope to be her match now, but the happiness radiating from her was also undeniable.
"Both." She finally said, having come to the conclusion. "I too was interested in meeting you. The info I had recieved about Vivis actions showed she had become more proactive, like she was enjoying herself, and now seeing her change personally I have to say it is more so than I could have imagined. And my interest started there. I wondered just what kind of man could give Vivi the wings she had never had. Sir must understand, Vivi here had always been the most stoic of us four, and yet here she is, smiling and up to mischief. I could hardly recognize her."
"Fair point. So, lets get the unpleasant business out of the way first, shall we?" Rex asked, now with a little more warmer tone. He knew the girl had spoken truth, so he was more than willing to be courteous to her as well. "What is it that your sect hopes to achieve sending you here to interact with me?"
His question caused yet another moment of silence, since Rouland had to think of all the instructions she had recieved from the elders and then to find a proper way to explain without making her sect appear in bad light while still ensuring she was telling a truth. At least a half truth.
"I suppose they want to take measure of your character for once sir. Such power is dangerous in the hands of lesser men, though that concern, I believe, is no longer valid, since there had been no uncalled for violence of savagery after your job here was done. On the contrary, from what my sources had gathered, sir even delved quite deep in the mystical dungeon in Xian-Wu city and after that was kind enough to offload at least a part of your aquisitions in the same city, greatly enriching it. Such actions indicate a rather lighthearted and calm character, not one to delve in meaningless chaos."
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"I asure you, I can be a monster when it is neccesary." Rex responded to her words, well aware of his coming campaign versus echlisiarchy.
"Surely, we did feel it on our own skin. The cultivators I mean, but that only indicates that there is always a reason behind your actions, no?" She responded.
"I suppose thats true. So, what else?" Rex moved the conversation further, They still had a few topics to cover before they could have some lighthearted talk after all.
Then she pursed her lip, slight conflict within herself regarding the next topci she had to raise, yet it was important to do so, otherwise she might accidentaly speak of the things she did not want to, nor did she liked.
"Another probable reason is their desire to figure out how the sect would benefit should I be offered to sir like Vivi was."
"I think Vivian told me you are not a descendant from a high ranking member of your sect. Am I correct there?" And to his question she just nodded, confirming his information.
"So, obedience is demanded and enforced. I guess there are a few other reasons that you would not like to disclose since they probably could incurr a wrathfull response, but we will leave them be for now. I can more or less asume their process of thought. So, answer me this Roulan. What is it that you want? Have you thought of yourself becoming mine to benefit your sect, or does the freedom and happiness Vivi is exuding seems enticing? You know no one on thi continent can hope to force anyone of my people to do something they dont want, unless of course they are willing to experience hell that is worse than death."
Rex knew his question was loaded, and almost a trap in of itself, since the girl could not lie to him.
The girl once again was silent, thinking over the questions she had recieved, not quite being able to find a proper answer that could satisfy her. Sure, if the order came, she could do nothing but act accordingly, she was too weak to resist after all, and she was not familiar enough with the man to entrust herself to him. Not as she was now. Seeing the girl in her deep thoughts, Vivian could guess the questions she was strugglin with, she had the same ones to overcome. But unlike Roulan, Vivian never had a choice, so it was easier to realize just how lucky she actually was. So, to help the girl out, since Roulan was the sweetest of the four, she spoke.
"Rou, as someone who had walked this path before you, let me give you a word of advice." her words withdrew the girl from her thoughts, causing her to focus on Vivians words.
"Should you wish for happiness and a family unlike any other, one that cares for you and protects you, you should join me. And I say that begrudgingly. Trust me, I dont want to help this scoundrell to get his hands on more beauties, but for your sake, as the most innocent and pure of us four, I am willing to make an exception. Unlike us three, you are worth protecting."
Roulan understood Vivian was reffering to the other two beauties of their quartet, and she very well knew why. The other two were quite spoiled and some would say rotten even, had they have the misfortune to spend more time in their company. Vivian was the cold one, but she rarely, if ever, lied or spoke half truths. If she did not have anything truthfull to say, she said nothing, so her words now carried a lot of weight.
Thinking for a while longer, still conflicted by the brainwashing of her sect, that it is her duty to work in elevating the sect ever higher, being scared of the possible punishments she could recieve should she fail, and her desire to be happy and enjoy life, she suddenly came to a rather briliant conclusion, thus she looked towards Rex and asked, somewhat unsure, but with hope filling her. Maybee, just maybe she could do both? Give back something to her sect, while attaining the happiness that Vivi was having.
"Would sir be willing to take Roulan? I am quite simple, as Vivi must have said, and dont understand much of the politics, and I dont think I would be of much help. And surely my sect would ask a lot for me."
"Tell me Roulan. Are you a slave or a servant of your sect?" Rex asked the gril back, who in return shook her head vigorously.
"No, I am just a simple girl who has a pretty face and a bit more tallent than most in cultivation." she responded shyly.
"She is secluded most of the time, so she is rather shy and naive about the world and people around her." Vivian added.
"Well, isnt that easy then?" Rex asked "Since you are no servant or slave, it is your choice what to do with your life. If you want to repay your sect for whatever they had given you till now, while at the same time you want to join Vivian and learn how fun life can be, I could offer them something on your behalf. Something they would have sold you to anyone for, mind you. And I mean that in a litteral sense of the word."
"They woud not. They have been nice to me." Roulan quickly denied Rex words.
"Ahh, you sweet and naive girl." Vivian sighed "Since it seems you want to come with me" she smiled "let us show just how low they trully think of you."
"So, say Roulan, do you have a way to contact the elder council of yours from here?" Rex asked, clearly understanding Vivian intentions, and agreeing with her plan wholeheartedly. And with Roulan confirming his question, he added
"Remeber, whatever you will learn in a few moments is not supposed to be heard by you, since they will likely ask you to exist the room once the negotiations will begin. Once that happens, walk towards that rune circle next to the door." Rex pointed his had towards a runic engraving that was appearing on the ground near the door." And know that Vivian wants to show you this to ensure they dont succeed when they will inevitably try to use you for more benefits in the future. It will hurt, but please endure it, Vivian and my other girls will be there for you to mend whatever pain you will feel. It will get better. I asure you, but it is necessary to show their true faces."
Roulan bit her lip, looking more towards Vivian and her warm and friendly smile, trusting more in her aquintance/friend/rival known by them for her truthfulness and straightforwardness.
"I will listen to Vivi. She never lies." And with that Rouland withdrew a few items from her storage ring, and set them up on the table. Then, after a few precisely planted monster cores the small cilindric items lit up as they were connected with energy beams. Then above the energized field a display of a table with several people meditating around it appeared, and with that Roulan bowed towards the projection and spoke.
"Roulan greets the elder council. I have met sir Neo, and he has expressed his interest in a conversation with the elder council."
With her words the meditating seven people slowly started to open their eyes, as their gazzes fell on Roulan for a moment, and then moved to focus on Rex. Vivian had already moved from his lap to sit next to Diana and Mary, who were enveloped in the same rune formation as the one Rex had ordered Roulan to enter once she was sent outside the room. The council had no idea there were more than just two people present.
"My, my. It is quite an honor to recieve your attention so soon after Roulan was sent to find you. It seems she had garnered quite the attention." one of the seven spoke, a cunning smile on his face.
"What would you like to discuss with us at this time of the day, I wonder?" the same elder asked, quite happy with the posibilities and implications of such early comunication. They had mostly asumed Roulan would have to beg him to have a conversation with them after quite unsuccesfull meetings. Vivian was just that good after all. Roulan was too pure and simple minded after all, not able to utilize her entire arsenal of feminine charms.
"You should be well aware of the reason. My question is, do we start now or would you like to converse in private?" His tone and body language were confident, as if nothing his opposition had could ever faze him, so the council members were incredibly overjoyed in their minds. His arrogance was clouding his judgement. They could clearly milk him for benefits more than just once. Roulan was just that naive.
"With clear understanding, they all noded to one another, and their spokeperson once again talked.
"Roulan, leave the room. What is about to be talked about should not leave the upper echalons of the sects leadership. You have done well."
And with his words, Rouland once again bowed and left the room, or so it seemed to the elder council. They could sense that withing the small barrier around their projection only Rex was present, so now sure that there were no other listeners, their attitude changed ever so slightly.