...

Place: Private lounge, Wintersleep Hotel

Time: Hours after discussing Narsiz's early departure (~Midnight)

Alexander looked at his pocketwatch, yawning and hoping that nobody would involve him in one of those discussions around him. For now, he was just happy that he could relax a little after giving Ocilia the task of calculating some things for the black powder production.

Usually, he would be busy for the next few days, trying to create a miracle by force-feeding slimes feces and urine so he would have enough potassium nitrate, the only bottleneck in the creation of back powder.

Fortunately, he knew his luck and was thorough, having already hidden a good chunk of it, which he could use. Nonetheless, it was always good to have more, and he wanted to keep Ocilia busy as she became otherwise grumpy.

'Fuck so tired...'

Looking with half-open eyes around, Alexander could barely follow anything they said. Even the wake-up tea didn't help anymore since his body seemed to break down any substances that stimulated him in any way too fast—a negative consequence of his body enhancement.

He glanced at the table before him, seeing an empty teapot with the most potent brew he could find. It was empty. Alexander drank the equivalent of a palette of those energy shots from the gas station, making his tail jitter like crazy.

'Hm, I need to discuss the weapons with Nars... who? Sarah?'

Alexander was in delirium, slowly losing consciousness, and not able to resist sleep, 'Just a minute.'

After admitting that he couldn't think as usual anymore, he closed his eyes briefly, trying to relax, thinking he would be as new after this break, 'Just a quick minute.'

...

"Alex? Are you awake?

"Is Master asleep?"

"Not for long... look at Ms. Sarah's mischievous smile."

"Ms. Sarah, maybe for a bit? He is still young."

"Hehe, don't worry, he will be fine."

...

"Alex!"

Alexander jumped up. His heart pounded fast, and his mind was a hectic mess. After someone screamed his name, he did not know where he was and became confused.

"What?! I was just thinking! It was called scorched earth tactic which fucked over Napo..." He looked around, seeing how Sarah was directly over him, with him barely seeing her face as her giant chest covered his sight. After another moment, he remembered again where he was, getting irritated, "...take your giant milkers out of my damn face, you cow!"

Sarah snickered, returning to her seat but looking proud, pushing her chest out even more when she sat down, "I will say, you think it's an insult, but my figure is actually great."

Alexander looked at her more closely. There was no denying it. Evaluating her from a human (Earth) perspective, she was undeniably beautiful. She had a great ass, great breasts, and a lovely face, fitting her perfectly, even after she started her physical training. Otherwise, it would look ridiculous if Sarah still had her girlish soft face with all the baby fat and looked downwards like a female Schwarzenegger.

From reading some literature, it seemed this was a beast kin perk. They were, on average, more attractive than most other races. Their charisma was higher, and their body built better, giving them specific advantages.

Even Anastasia reaffirmed it. Like in video games, every race had its perks besides their various divine skills. Orcs had strength, goblins could talk and argue like no other, and beast kin were the most fuckable. That was life.

Looking back at Sarah, he sighed, wanting to compliment her since she seemed so proud of herself, "You are right. You are gorgeous... now..."

Alexander wanted to continue, but a heavy scent intruded into his nose, making him stop, 'Wow, she really is going through something.'

Without even looking, he knew the smell came from Sarah, with her pheromones going wild. She evidently reacted too positively to his compliment. Alexander tried to ignore her reaction entirely since he was still uncomfortable with it.

However, because of her relatively rough circumstances, like with Narsiz and his weird behavior, Alexander gladly ignored it. Only Janina would be his cuddle pillow for the following months, even though she couldn't shut up when he wanted to sleep.

Janina only talked about marriage and what her favorite boy should look like. They changed weekly, depending on the story she read, which reminded Alexander of his former sister, who would go crazy every couple of weeks for a new boy or band or a boy in a boyband.

Alexander decided to do the most pragmatic thing he could: Ignore it. He looked at his pocket watch, wanting to know how long he had been knocked out, 'Two hours, tsk.'

Looking around the room, everyone was still awake, though visibly tired, "Did I miss something?"

The first to answer was Aurum, "Master, you should maybe sleep for a couple more hours. We can continue it tomorrow, and while you have an exceptional constitution, you are the only one here who didn't have their legacy."

Alexander shook his head, looking at the blackboard to see if his colleagues had written down something new. He found nothing special but some miscellaneous supply route markings, which he tried to figure out while still answering him.

"Mom doesn't allow me to sleep here. She wants to have me at the estate. I can't stay overnight here for no reason. For deals, research, and cases- sure, but nothing more.."

These little rules here and there made him still think like a puppy, which was far more reasonable than first thought. His years on Earth would translate to him being around the same age as Lorient. Adding those seven years of his now, he would be at most twenty-six on Orbis.

Even though it sounded like a lot, it wasn't. His Parents were more than seventy years old. While it sounded like a lot, they were still very young, not even reaching the equivalent of 35 years in Earth terms.

Narsiz interrupted Alexander's thoughts, "Mother does not allow you to sleep here?"

Alexander shook his head, "Obviously. I am still a pup, as much as I hate it."

Sarah chuckled, joining their conversation joyfully, "Yeah, she told me the same thing when I visited the city in the past."

While Narsiz and Sarah had their dialogue and all the others did a break, Alexander had a deja vu, remembering his past. When his parents were alive, and he was still a puppy, he wanted to stay overnight with a friend, only to be told by his parents that he wasn't some gypsy without a home and should sleep in his bed.

Little to say, even though his parents were highly educated, they weren't from a liberal Western country, which meant that discriminatory sayings were the norm. However, those random comments he remembered always made him laugh, as they came unexpectedly and were usually followed by a barrage of arguments between his parents about whether [Insert this group of people] was genuinely like that or if those were just rumors.

Was Alexander, by observing those arguments and loud fights, how he learned to argue? Maybe, but whatever the case was, he suddenly remembered a situation a few days ago, having realized that he had been thrown into a similar family, 'My... Moms are the same?!'

His current Mother said something similar. When they had breakfast, he would ask to stay at the hotel since it would be easier for him, which she didn't allow.

After making a logical argument about why he couldn't stay in the city, which involved securing the hotel would become too complicated, she also followed it up with an odd remark about how he shouldn't stay overnight somewhere else since he could be mistaken for one of those strange avian kin, those who were moving from north down when it became cold.

From a human (Earth) perspective, such a remark did not seem insulting, but the maids didn't like it. Evidently, as directly after having eaten and while changing clothing, one of his maids, Francesca, a swan kin, told him that they weren't all the same and that those crane kin were highly disloyal, dragging the avian kin's reputation through the dirt as they often changed their Masters or Mistresses, never staying at one place.

Alexander usually handwaved away those comments, not thinking much about it since everyone said something like that, thinking their particular race was the best and that others would ruin their reputation.

Did you know this story is from Royal Road? Read the official version for free and support the author.

Spider-kin would see other spider-kin races as lesser who didn't have the skill to create threads. Avian kin detested those flightless colleagues, and bear kin races would divide themselves into two kinds: big and small, thinking of the other as lesser.

However, while these views existed in smaller groups, there was literal discrimination against avian and insect kin coming from central Mal-Gil. Only Moorgrel accepted everyone equally into their fief and all positions, even though they would think of them in bizarre ways.

His Mother was the same. She accepted everyone equally even though she had those views. As Alexander tried to remember his former Mother, she was similar. She also had those views that others were strange but never saw someone as lesser, always trying to be helpful.

Something clicked in Alexander's mind, 'They are... really alike, huh?'

Before he could try to find more similarities, Helena brought him back. She sounded skeptical, having something on her mind. However, she still gently asked him, "Mr. Alexander, are you ready to continue?"

Holding back a sigh, Alexander nodded at her, affirming that he wanted to continue. He guessed that because of the relatively harsh schedule now, they needed to rush a lot of things, and because those were his funds, they wanted him to be at least present so no misunderstandings occurred. At least they would let him have the nap, knowing that he was still too young for those crazy all-nighters.

"Let's say everything will work out, hypothetically..." Her smile widened, looking at him a little nervously, "...for how long will we keep it a secret?"

Alexander wanted to answer her immediately but remembered that there were too many laws when it came to this, making him frown, "Honestly, how the fuck should I know this? But..." He frowned, "...now that you mention it... when we get successful, we can use the time to do some lobbying..." His frown became more pronounced, "...I really hate it, though."

From the side, he heard a whisper, Sarah asking Narsiz, "What's lobbying?"

Narsiz chuckled, "It's Alex's way of saying that he needs to kiss some asses."

Alexander nodded, not liking it at all, "I'll need to put my nose so deep in so many asses, it will be quite the experience."

Lila and Ariana chuckled, with Sarah visibly confused, "What do you mean? Why should you suck up to anyone?"

Alexander shook his head while chuckling, "Oh dear Sarah, oh innocent young naivety..."

Crack!

Seeing how a vein popped on her head as she simultaneously broke the couch's armrest by pressing too hard, he decided to explain it voluntarily, "Let's say hypothetically, we have success with our plan and then get our territory. Then whose island is it?"

Sarah was silent, tilting her head slightly, confused, "Ours, obviously, right?"

Ariana tried to remind her, "The Moorgrelian Knightages under the Count have an odd agreement with the Crown and the council led by the Higher Nobility when it comes to their territory, remember, Ms. Sarah?"

Sarah looked at her dumbfounded, trying to fake it, "Suuuure..." Fortunately and surprisingly, Linuel answered for her, "It's that we can't acquire and lose territory, right?"

Everyone looked at Alexander, who gestured unsureness, having some problems explaining it easily, "Well, it's complicated..."

However, before he could explain the current situation, everyone needed a lot of background to understand what it meant to own territory. As such, he tried to explain it in rough terms.

Generally, it was all about recognition. For example, if the Leonandra Household took the whole island now known as Dog-Pudding-Island, who would recognize it? Obviously, their allies, like the Eros Alliance, while others, primarily their enemies, like the Essence Alliance, would dispute their ownership.

This would be the end of the story if the Leonandra Household had autonomy akin to a kingdom. Still, they were subordinates under Count Moorgrel, who theoretically pledged his loyalty to the Crown, Mal-Gil. This meant there was another layer of complications, and one should at least roughly know the history.

The history of Count Moorgrel was quite sad. After being thrown away with the Knightages for nonsensical reasons, they still could prevail, taking over a big chunk of the territory.

However, this was not where it ended, with everyone having a happy end. Moorgrelians needed vital resources like food and building materials since they were fundamentally a new territory, with aggression from multiple factions coming from every possible side.

Seeing the Count's dire position, the Empire basically blackmailed him into taking an unfavorable deal for essential support. These unfair agreements were also the reason for the current predicament.

They were to give away part of their territory to the vassals of the higher nobility, and the Moorgrel's Knights weren't allowed to change the size of their territory, including Moorgrel as a whole.

Because of that, they were in this bizarre position. While external parties could recognize the territory as part of Moorgrel, they weren't allowed to do so internally only because Alexander's Master signed an agreement thousands of years ago.

However, now Alexander circled back to what it meant to conquer a piece of land for them. Was it stupidly convoluted? Yes. Yes, it was, but like with everything in life, it didn't matter as he would need to work in those bounds.

After speaking for some minutes, trying to explain it as easily as possible, he asked everyone, "Therefore, who would be the rightful owner of the dungeon after we take over the island?"

Everyone looked confused at each other, with Lila being the first to answer, "I... think... no one?"

Helena shook her head, "Can't be. The one who is defending it, obviously, right?"

Jorsh carefully tried to answer, knowing it was far outside his specialty, "Well, if nobody claims it, wouldn't it still be whoever was the last ruler?"

Aurum sighed, "A dungeon shouldn't be theoretically a piece of land, right? How would one even define it then?"

Lila, though, had a compelling idea, "Shouldn't it be possible to claim water? Why not simply flood it?"

Everyone looked at Alexander expecting an answer, but he simply shrugged, "Who the fuck knows? It's impossible to determine, but the more interesting and important question is, who will be allowed to administrate it, going by Moorgrelian law?"

Alexander continued explaining, as it became essential to know why he needed the Count's support and the one from every Guard Household, "It will be a shitshow, impossible to determine whose territory it is since we are not allowed to claim it internally. Others will try and insert themself into this, trying to argue that part of the income and resources from the dungeon should also go to them while sending their soldiers down there..."

Alexander looked around interchangeably, smiling cheekily, "This whole thing will not end well if I don't have the goodwill of every household when I reveal the dungeon and want Mom not to take it away..." He turned toward the fire-djinn sisters, "...which answers your question, probably five to ten years? After that time, I should be able to be so deep in everyone it would be impossible to take it away."

Linuel waved her hand in dismissal, "Nine-Fire would never do something like that."

Narsiz nodded at her, agreeing but contextualizing, "Well, of course. Besides us sharing blood, there is also the case with Nila, Patricia, and Fiorello. There is no way your household would suddenly force your way into the territory."

"What about the Northern, Western, and Southern territories? Would they not want a piece of that?" Asked Lila.

Aurum dismissed the question, "The Northern and Western Knightages have no say at all. There is a discreet agreement not to intervene in our respective regions. Otherwise, it could destroy our traditions by raising the future Knights in the East, which is necessary because of the [Divinity Line]."

Ariana looked questioningly at him, "What about the Southern ones?"

Aurum raised an eyebrow, confused, "Southern? We don't have any knightages there, only retirees and those who lost the battle to the title. They defend the South because it is the least dangerous border since it is full of sea monsters, but other than that, they have literally no say."

Seeing this exchange, Alexander started counting on his hand, giving them an overview, "I can say with certainty that I already have the goodwill of the Nine-Fires, Cold-Snouts, and Silver-Tails..." He looked around, smiling nervously, "...anyone knows how to get all the others? For your information, I strongly prefer a peaceful solution."

Linuel shrugged, smiling, for some reason mischievously, "Just get a girl from every household and marry them? Isn't that your uncle's way to forge diplomatic relationships?"

Alexander rolled his eyes and answered sarcastically, "A harem made from every girl from every household? Yeah, let's catch them all."

His uncle, Brutus R. Cold-Snout, was a true gentleman of culture, collecting canine kin women from every household, Alexander thought so sarcastically.

However, while he collected those women, Cecilia, his first wife, managed them like Bill. All of them used Brutus as if he were a sex slave, getting pregnant continuously. How did Alexander know this? With every letter Emma sent him, a puppy was born, which she proudly told about.

He created a big household, spreading his genes like there was no tomorrow, and everything happened intentionally and consensually. If one had a strong enough body or specific skills, they could deny a pregnancy.

While it sounded like the easiest way for Alexander, he wasn't such a guy. He already had difficulties entertaining his Cold-Snout cousins when they visited, and they quickly overwhelmed him.

One would be perfect for him, but he would push away this decision until much later. With an age expectancy of ~250 years, without counting the increase through one body modification by 50%, he was sure to wait a long time before deciding. He was a guy who, when deciding on a partner, would choose someone forever. No half-way bullshit. Only fully in or out.

Alexander ignored such a crazy suggestion, waving his hand in dismissal, "Whatever, but in one aspect, you are right. I need everyone to come to me, hm..." He tapped his cheek, thinking about what he could do, and suddenly remembered something from elementary school, 'This was really cringe but also quite fun.'

There was a cultural exchange month, during which everyone made their national and ethnic food with the class. The teacher and parents obviously helped a lot, but it was so everyone learned about other cultures through the only thing everyone cared about: Food.

He learned that every culture had practically the same kind of dishes, only changed through their available resources. Dumplings or pancakes, for example, existed in almost every culture in one way or another.

However, what he remembered the most was that many cultures had peasant dishes, which were historically eaten by the poor due to the costs of certain foods. Funny enough, almost all these dishes became national culinary symbols, like borsch for Russia and sushi for Japan.

However, this gave him a novel idea for this world, "I want to create a ball! One where we share ideas, techniques, and skills! As such..."

Alexander started explaining while everyone listened to him intently and skeptically. He was a liberal cuck through and through, loving the exchange of ideas and cultures that could facilitate goodwill and advancement.

Even though his foremost goal was to brown-nose everyone, he became excited about sharing ideas and skills. Alexander always wished for some kind of exchange since all the Guard Households were unique in their history and accumulation of knowledge.

For example, he learned from Matilda some sword skills which the Cold-Snout were proud of, and while he sucked at those, it was nonetheless a significant enrichment that he could use in some other way.

Alexander looked into the round, trying to explain his idea. When he was done, everyone was too honest in their answer.

"Stupid."

"No way!"

"Yeah, sure. Why not give them the dungeon while at it?"

"Master, who gave you alcohol again?"

"Mr. Alexander, by all due respect, this sounds incredibly moronic."