The morning suns beat down on the parade ground, warming Crixus's armor as he prepared for another training session. His muscles, accustomed to the brute strength of his natural form, felt strange and awkward inside the humanoid armor. He stared at the warrior, a veteran of the former queen, who seemed hesitant, almost embarrassed.

"Begin when you are ready, Coszca," Crixus said, his voice husky and deep, a little different from what the warrior had expected.

The veteran choked, clearing his throat. "Y-yes, Lord Crixus. But... perhaps we can..." He gestured to his sword, looking uncertain.

"Tell me what's on your mind, Coszca. There's no need for ceremony."

"It's just... I'm afraid I might cause you harm." The veteran stumbled. "And that could bring great misfortune to me and my family."

Crixus frowned, understanding the warrior's difficulty. "Are you afraid of reprisals, Coszca? Don't worry, my skin is as tough as steel and my body regenerates like a troll. Let's do this, if you can get blood from me I'll grant you a noble title and lands."

"No! That's not it! It's just... I don't know what to say, my Lord... Thank you." The veteran bowed again, unable to find the words.

Crixus sighed, feeling the strangeness of the armor. "Alright, General. We can train however you prefer. But know that my natural form is the most powerful. And it's the one I feel most comfortable in. This form I'm currently in doesn't please me very much. But I want to try something."

"I-I know, Lord Crixus. But..." The veteran hesitated, looking at the sword. "Perhaps... perhaps we could skip the training... there's no need to..."

"Need for what?"

"With... with... taking risks?!" The veteran choked, the words seeming to catch in his throat. "With... using real weapons?"

Crixus laughed, his laugh deep and resonant. "Coszca, there is no need to worry. I understand your hesitation. But if you do not wish to train with me, I will choose someone else."

The veteran took a deep breath, his eyes fixed on the sword. "Very well, Lord Crixus. But... I promise I will do my best."

Crixus nodded, feeling a weight lift from his shoulders. "I know you will, Coszca."

And so, the training began, with the veteran fighting back his fear, feigning blows and movements, while Crixus moved with a stiff body, missing his natural form, each movement a pitiful sight.

Hethress, Lord Crixus’s first wife, watched the fight in the parade grounds with a worried expression. Her dark, normally bright eyes were clouded with a shadow of apprehension. She squeezed the hand of Meikosil, his second wife, who also looked uneasy.

“What is he doing, Meikosil?” Hethress asked, her voice low and strained. “This fight…it doesn’t look like training.”

Meikosil, with her silver hair and piercing green eyes, frowned. “I don’t understand either, Hethress. Crixus was never a skilled warrior, but this fight…two children fight better. And that warrior, he fights with fear, as if he’s being forced to fight.”

The stern-eyed Patriarch Akaos watched the scene with an impassive expression. He is the advisor and spiritual guide of his father, Crixus, and he knew the Lord better than anyone. He knows what his father wants from this fight.

Know your limits.

"He is testing your limits, Hethress," Akaos said, his voice grave and deep. "Father Crixus seeks to discover the extent of his power. The traitor has shown him that he must not let his guard down, and as Father said, in his great wisdom, "He who does not know himself is bound to be defeated. He is seeking confirmation of something he has suspected for some time."

Hethress took a deep breath, trying to control the anxiety that was consuming her. "But why this man? He is not a worthy opponent for Crixus."

"Strength is not measured by skill alone, Hethress," Akaos replied. "Crixus is learning to fight against doubt, against fear. This man, with his weakness, is the reflection of the fears that haunt Crixus's mind. Father's wisdom is infinite, as is our love for him. Nothing that Father does is by chance."

Meikosil, who had been watching in silence until then, interrupted: "But what is the purpose of this, Akaos? Crixus is not a man, he is a divine and immortal creature, what he felt with the traitor was not fear, it was disappointment and hurt. A husband would never let himself be overcome by the fears of mortals or worldly things, but if that were to happen, we, his family, will always be by his side."

"He is preparing for something, Meikosil," Akaos said, his eyes shining with an enigmatic light. "Something that will require all his strength, all his courage. And he needs to be ready."

The three women looked at each other, their faces marked by uncertainty. What was Crixus planning? What challenge awaited him? And what led him to fight against such an inferior opponent? Hethress, Meikosil and Akaos continued to watch the fight, each struggling with their own thoughts and concerns. The scene in the parade ground was an enigma to all who observed it.

Hethress, Lord Crixus' first wife, clasped hands with Meikosil, his second wife, as they watched the fight in the parade ground. Both shared the same uneasiness. The fight was brutal, without technique, and the opposing warrior fought with visible fear.

Bhenkumbyrznaax, Crixus' fourth wife, a brutal, arrogant, sadistic and cruel, but to please her beloved husband she was in a draconian form, her exotic beauty chosen from her lover's desires, with a penetrating gaze, she observed the environment around the parade ground, with an impassive countenance. Her eyes, however, were not fixed on the fight, but wandered around the courtyard, the walls of the wall and the sky, as if she were searching for something, or someone.

"Bhenkumbyrznaax, what do you see?" Hethress asked, noticing the fourth wife's lack of attention to the fight below.

Bhenkumbyrznaax, without looking at the first wife or the fight, replied in a low, grave tone: "I sense something... a strange presence. Someone is trying to watch us. Trying to penetrate the veil that prevents this kind of magic from working right here on this continent. Fools"

Patriarch Akaos, who stood behind the three women, watched the fight with a stern and experienced gaze. He knew Crixus better than anyone else.

“I feel it too, but it is useless. The entire valley is resistant to divination, and the Father is immune to the magic of mere mortals.”

Bhenkumbyrznaax finally looked away from the courtyard and faced the other women. “He is preparing for war,” she said, her voice firm and certain. "I feel it in the air, in the smell of the earth, in the energy of the battle. Thousands have died under the power of the Husband, rivers of blood have fed his soil, infinite riches will be his treasure, his power will cover the entire land, all who dare to oppose him will be slaughtered, their flesh given to worms, their bones ground to nothing but dust and their souls eternally held in suffering for such audacity."

Hethress and Meikosil looked at each other, their faces marked by uncertainty, nothing of what the fourth wife said they saw in the mind shared with their husband. But if what the fourth wife said was true, so it would be done, all to bring happiness to her husband, that was all that mattered, is his happiness the happiness of all family members!

Hethress, Meikosil and Bhenkumbyrznaax, along with Patriarch Akaos, continued to watch the fight, each with their own thoughts and concerns. The scene in the parade ground was a pity. They just hoped it would end soon.

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The training continued for an hour. Lord Crixus signaled and both ended the training.

“Thank you Coszca, that’s enough for today.”

“Always at your service, my Lord.” Coszca bowed and walked backwards for 3 steps before leaving the arena and turning to leave the Courtyard.

One thing was clear: with my basic attributes, I can fight any normal person; my raw strength and agility are enough. But as for technique, using a humanoid body is like a person without arms eating with chopsticks using his feet. By the way, now i remember this being a comic book character from my past life, spider-man, but now I don’t remember if he was half spider or just had a spider name. But he was definitely black and white.

Another thing that was useful was that during the fight with Coszca, since he was focused on not hitting me, his mental defenses were very low. I was able to search through his memories of the royal family. How can such beautiful and majestic beings, Feathered Serpents, with the colors of a peacock at carnival, be such corrupt, evil and perverted beings? No one in the family is saved, from the Queen to her youngest son. Will it be a racial thing, a genetic characteristic of the family or environment plus upbringing. Well, it doesn't matter, their fate is already sealed, they will all be eliminated and I will only keep a copy of the Queen and let her rule under my guidelines.

Another meeting with the lords of the city, Akaos wants an expedition to search for a Artifact of the royal family of the Giants, but for that I need to copy the King and Queen first, then copy Cōpa, I really need a secretary. And then there are the two dragons, the bodyguards of my wives, my illusions are useful and powerful, capable of affecting the real world, but as the Vizier demonstrated, they are illusions. I have to copy the real bodies of the two dragons. There is still the matter of the quest and my plan to divert attention from myself. So much. I just wanted a week off... aaahhhh, a month, a month and I would have my batteries rested.

Later in the council chamber.

The city council chamber, normally vibrant with sunlight streaming through the Gothic arched windows, was now plunged into a heavy gloom. The tapestries adorning the walls, with their designs of dragons and legendary warriors, seemed to absorb the light, leaving the room charged with a tense atmosphere.

Lord Crixus, in shining armor and with a stern gaze, took the place of honor at the solid oak table. His slender fingers drummed impatiently on the polished surface, while his dark eyes roamed the somber faces of the other Lords present.

"Gentlemen," Crixus began, his deep voice echoing in the silent room, "the occupation has brought undeniable hardships to our city. Although there has been no loss of life or destruction of property, there is still uncertainty about the future, and this distresses us deeply."

A murmur of agreement ran through the table. Lord Aethelred, a burly feathered serpent wearing an ornate belt, nodded. "It is true, my Lord. The people are still in fear, the economy is in collapse, and morale is in tatters."

"That is why we are here today," Crixus continued, "to find a path to peace and reconstruction. We must ensure a smooth and just transition of government, so that together we can rebuild our city and restore order."

Lord Elara, a piercing-eyed feathered serpent with black scales and feathers, raised her head. "But how can we ensure the safety of the people under your rule, my Lord?"

"Time," Crixus agreed. "Time will show my intentions, and short of the loyalty I demanded and the freeing of the slaves, all will remain the same. You, dear Lords, must be wise and cautious. Violence will only breed more violence."

"I see." Said Lord Gareth, a thin, nervous feathered serpent with a suspicious look on his face. “We will honor our word. You can trust us, my Lord.”

“Trust is a luxury that only my family is afforded,” Crixus replied, “but the need for peace is imperative. As long as their treachery and petty ambitions remain in their minds…but once they come out into the real world, my wrath will spread throughout their bloodline.”

A heavy silence hung over the room. The Lords, each with their own fears and ambitions, pondered Crixus’s words.

“So, my Lord,” said Aethelred, “what do you propose? How shall we show the people that all is well?”

Crixus smiled slightly, in his fire giant form, a Machiavellian glint in his eyes. “That is the question, gentlemen. That is the question we must discuss, debate, and find an answer to. Together. Because your future depends on it.”

“A royal wedding feast, with Queen Calxochitli, with games and food and drink for the people.” Akaos suggested.

A murmur of agreement ran through the table.

It is decided then, a wedding feast. Akaos, consult my wives on the matter. Gentlemen, we will see you tomorrow.

The lords bowed in greeting and left the room.

As soon as the doors closed.

“I understand your situation! Father has many challenges ahead: the expedition to find the artifact, the need to copy the King, Queen and Cōpa, the protection of your wives with the dragons, the need to copy the dragons’ bodies, the quest and the plan to divert attention from you, Father. Really, Father, you need a secretary to organize all of this! And a family member is adequately qualified for that role. It is understandable that you are overwhelmed. Organization is essential to deal with so many responsibilities. How about we start by prioritizing the tasks? First, let’s analyze the expedition. We have to find the artifact, but to do so, we need to copy the King and the Queen. Which one should we choose? The King is a powerful warrior and the Queen is a good magic user. And I advise the Queen. He is a more adaptable asset. The King is just brute force. Next, the issue of the dragons. You need to copy their bodies to ensure the safety of your wives. This creates another problem. The fourth wife doesn't like them. So first, we have to soften the fourth wife up. Finally, the quest and the plan to divert attention from your grace.”

Crixus assumes his natural form. “I have a headache. Can we deal with it tomorrow?”

“I'm sorry, Father. I'll see you at the coffee, tomorrow. Until then, I'll try to present a detailed plan to you. Good evening, Father. Should I call your wives?”

“I've already called them, Akaos. Good evening.”

The solid oak door, carved with the image of a serpent-people warrior, creaked open, revealing a room truly fit for a queen. The ceiling, almost ten meters high, was high enough to allow the former queen, with her immense serpentine body, to move freely without bumping into things. The bed, carved from a single trunk of a tree of the same type as the 3rd wife, was a monument to grandeur, with enough space to comfortably accommodate the queen's various consorts. The bedspreads, woven with silk and vegetable wool threads, were soft and cozy, adorned with gold embroidery and precious stones that sparkled under the light of the hundreds of candles that illuminated the room. Opposite the bed, an imposing fireplace, built with volcanic stone, roared with the fire that consumed enormous logs of wood. The heat emanated into the room, warming the room and dispelling the night's chill. Above the fireplace, a mirror made of rock crystal, silver and gold reflected the image of the room, and now he. As you approached, you could admire the beauty of her real body.

On the other side of the room, a wooden door in a rich red tone, inlaid with mother of pearl, led to a private suite, an oasis of luxury and privacy. The floor was made of white marble, polished to a shine. In the center, a pool, carved from a single piece of jade, crystal clear water, fed by a magical spring with medicinal and hygienic properties, invited you to take a refreshing dip. The walls of the suite were adorned with mosaics of precious stones, which represented scenes from the queen's life and her heroic deeds.

The queen's room was a reflection of her strength, her beauty and her grandeur. Now it was his, a place where he could rest, have fun and receive his wife in the right way. The Queen had good taste and, as they say, copying is a form of homage, he would probably use this room as inspiration. The pool was a touch he would never give up again. Being submerged was a source of pleasure and peace in itself. His wives were already anxiously waiting for him in the huge bed. They also said they felt much more pleasure than him, which was a lie that, given the shared link, would never come true, 4 women to show their virility, dream that any....monster? He laughs at his own joke. With 6 tentacles, he thought he could handle 6 wives at the same time, but lately an idea had been growing in his mind: "we have to get them all" - copy one of each being, object or material. In the case of wives, have one of each species. Crazy? Definitely! But to keep this crazy dream under control, he would only marry definitely evil beings. And under his control, they would be a force to build good and great things. "

Follow your dreams and don't let anyone stop you!" He saw this phrase somewhere, but he doesn't remember where.