Aile told them that as he was involved with them and they will be living together in the future, a decision that could affect him for a long time, they should have an input on it. However, this created an uncanny situation.
Aile had not publically shown his relationships or announced it among them. Now he had done that, and they were all looking at each other as rivals, in a sense. This was the first harem meeting, and it took them by surprise.
Leia had a bewildered look, as she studied Emily and Hazel, she already knew about Aile and Diana. In such a situation, she was thinking if Aile liked only mature women.
Emily and Hazel looked at Diana in astonishment, they never expected Aile to have her as a lover too.
Diana was observing Emily, she was surprised that Aile declared Emily the independent as his own, she was the most reclusive. Although she had shown goodwill towards Aile on many occasions, Diana never thought Aile was close to her, the most reserved one. She had already guessed something between him and Hazel.
After a short moment, Emily sighed and said, "Why don't we all talk later at night, I am sure there is a lot to discuss. For now, Aile is facing a problem, and we should address the problem of... 'our lord'."
Humph
Snort
Eye rolls
Everyone had a bit of blush, but soon they started to discuss with Aile about which path would be optimum. It lasted for quite some time.
Emily and Diana were not too concerned about picking a more bloody path for Aile. However, Leia and Hazel convinced them to opt for one that would not make him too careless about the life of people.
After a lengthy discussion, they had come up with the path that would be least destructive to Aile. Aile too had come up with that. However, they were not pleased with it, they all had a tinge of red. Zero who had been standing near the door was most surprised. They all wanted to escape after the reveal of his harem, and they were unsure of how to act. They had an inkling of what to expect, but nonetheless, they were caught off guard. Aile prevented two of them from leaving first. He asked to talk with Emily first then with Diana. He was going to meet Hazel and Leia after their harem meeting.
Soon after Emily was the only one left and Aile asked about how everyone was doing in Fort Bot. She gave a quick recount. They had gotten their hand on the castle that Fort Bot was named after. Most of the business was under their control, and the merchant hall they created was called Star Merchant Union. They also created an adventurer's union, which was getting on par with the town's military.
She also told Aile that Sara and Sophie had become the two princesses of the town and they were looting their suitors. Aile got a bit angry that they were bothered by flys. Emily then chuckled telling Aile to not worry and that his mistresses are kept safe. She said that she had put one of the strongest people to protect them. They charge people 1 gold coin, and every group of 30 people can meet them, in a room, that is divided with a veil in the centre covering their identity. The people, in fact, only breath the same air as them in the room and get charged 1 gold coin and occasionally hear them talk. This happens once a month. Emily said that their business is more profitable then Aile's. She also told Aile that the castle that has now become their stronghold is very unique and Aile should come and check it out.
Aile agreed to meet her at Fort Bot soon. Then Aile told her that he will help her improve now, to which he received back a glare. Aile chuckled and said, "Not with my dark element," said Aile as he continued to mumble, "At least not just yet."
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Emily flushed, and after a few seconds asked, "How then?"
Aile then asked her to transfer her cultivation method to him. Soon she did, and Aile upgraded it for her, it took 20 minutes to upgrade.
Aile took this time to chat with her and flirt with her for a bit. He asked her to change to her actual appearance, her face changed to a heart shape, and the tinge of red in her cheeks made her more attractive. Her light almond brown eyes with sparks of gold into it held Aile's attention. Her reddish-brown hair made her more captivating, after which he gave her a passionate kiss. The time accelerated in this state, and Aile got back cultivation called Wind's Dominion.
Aile passed the improved cultivation to Emily and told him to cultivate this instead of her previous one. She was conflicted initially, however after seeing how it was not a new method but somehow a more evolved version of her cultivation. She could not help but hold him into her embrace very tightly.
She then said, "Thank you."
Aile happily replied, "It seems someone is happy to spend the rest of her life with me."
Emily remembered her deal but did not stop grinning, and just held him into her embrace, again. She had promised to stay by his side forever if he can give her a method to improve quicker then she would advance alone. Before leaving, she said, "In a few years when we are strong can you help me with something."
With a kiss, Aile gave his affirmation. After this, Emily cheerfully left.
Soon Diana arrived into the room, she was wearing gloves. Aile asked her about Ellie. She was grateful to Aile, and she thanked him for saving her. After talking for a bit more, Aile finally got to the reason he called her.
"Diana, what happened? What is wrong with your hands?" Aile had noticed that Diana was not well and had seen her hands tremble not long ago. That, along with the gloves, made him curious.
Aile then gently removed her gloves and could not see her beautiful, soft and smooth hands. The surface of her hand and skin turned flaky, and her smooth hands have become rough with some discolouration. After examining it, Aile noticed an oily substance that has transferred to his hand, that made it itch.
"Sorry..."
Aile talked with her, and after a while, he found the reason. She had started to cultivate toxic plants. With her nature's element, she could grow and change the plants' qualities.
She knew that Aile had been looking for different poisons over the years, therefore to make herself useful to him, she wanted to take this path. In a recent accident, she had been sprayed a poisonous substance from a flower.
Aile reprimanded her for being careless, she did not even have a scroll guide or book to learn from. This was very risky, and he was not content with this current situation. After a while, Aile made the decision to stop her from cultivating poisonous plants, and he told her to focus on advancing with her new cultivation.
However, he noticed that she was reluctant to give up on it. Seeing her disappointed expression, Aile felt downcast. Therefore he told her that she can continue to study it only if she finds a proper method, like a book. Aile also mentioned to her that he, along with the merchant halls, will search for poison and herb growing methods. So she should just stay put and focus on cultivating for now, and, soon enough, she can continue on the noxious-botany path. She glanced back at Aile, and a joyous smile bloomed on her face for Aile's concern and care for her. It did not take long for her hands to tremble again as her face contorted in agony, seeing her in such a state hurt Aile.
Aile could not abandon her like this. First, he wanted to find her a healer. However, quickly he realized that he can cultivate one of his light element seeds and heal her with his new affinity.
Aile then created his first light seed of restoration. After a short 15 minutes, it was complete, and using the restoration seed, he started to treat her. At his current level, he had to touch her physically to heal.
As half of her upper body was affected, Aile had to touch and massage her skin by gathering the light element in the tips of his fingers. With each touch he would send the light-element with restoration affinity into her, curing her of the poisonous flower. One hour later, Diana was restored, and she rushed out with a red face to get to the harem meeting.
In the meantime, Aile continued to cultivate the two light seeds, the seed of restoration and seed of altruism.
He then started with the dark-seeds, the seed of desire and seed of avarice.
The seed of restoration would act as the counterbalance for the seed of desire.
The seed of altruism would rectify the effect of the seed of avarice.