It was long past midnight when I arrived at our home. I opened the doors to the bedroom and looked at the five women sleeping without a single care in my bed. I smiled softly and closed the doors behind me quietly so as not to disturb their sleep. Sitting down in front of the fireplace in the living room, I gazed at the charred hearthstone inside it for a long time, allowing my thoughts to wander aimlessly. After taking a deep breath, I teleported to the Magic Tower. Stella was sitting in her laboratory, focusing on her research, surrounded by young men and women despite the late hour.

"Your Majesty!" She spotted me and bowed deeply.

"What are you all doing here so late?" I asked in shock, looking at the students.

"Late?" They kneeled in front of me, making me frown.

"First, you do not have to kneel in front of me except for very special or official occasions, like when you finally discover something so important I will elevate you to a noble’s status or, I hope that it never happens, you commit a crime so heinous that I will be the one who decides about your fate. So? Why are you here?" I asked, making all of them chuckle.

"Coffee and energy drinks, my Lord." One of the students replied, gesturing widely in excitement, making me sigh.

"I knew it would end like that... Go to sleep everyone, before I ban coffee and energy drinks on campus! Shoo!" I waved at them with a smile, and they left the laboratory with waves of laughter. After we were left alone, Stella avoided my gaze, but finally, she sighed.

"I should pay more attention to their sleep habits, my Lord. I still forget that Mortals need to sleep."

"Trust me, coffee and energy drinks will keep them on their feet, but soon enough, you will find them looking like living corpses. It was the same in my old world... Anyway! I came to ask you about your projects. How are they going?"

"I'm so stuck on the most important one that it's shameless to even admit it. I almost figured out Blink, but I just can't make it work," she sighed heavily.

"What about the Lich's grimoires and his spell books?"

"I managed to lift all curses and other protection spells he cast on his library. But…" she sighed again before hesitating. After a few moments, she finally picked up a complicated key and put it into a masked hole in the wall, opening a hidden passage. "You must see it for yourself, my King."

I followed her through a narrow passage into what I assumed was a secret chamber. It was a fairly big room where right in the middle was standing a black shelf that Ian had brought from the Lich's lair. Stella picked up the first book within her reach and handed it to me, with something I could only describe as a poker face. I opened it, expecting to see some dark magic spells or...

"Huh... Interesting." I swiftly flipped pages and after a moment, I opened the book randomly. "Everything is written in this language?"

"This is a language?!" Stella grabbed another book and opened it randomly. "You can read that, my Lord?!" She pointed at something with hope.

"No. It's pfff... I think Japanese, but I might be wrong. It's one of the languages of my old world." I replied, making her sigh with disappointment. "We can look for some clues in the world, or we can ask the Eternals. Everything is written in this?"

"Not exactly..." She pointed with disgust at the separated pile hidden behind glass doors.

I opened them, and after making sure it was safe to pick them up, I opened the first of the smaller tomes. Just one glance at the random page made me sigh heavily. I closed the hentai manga back in the glass cabinet and hesitated for a moment.

"Burn this Stella, or lock it somewhere where no one would find it and let's pretend we never saw this, please."

•••

Before dawn, I was sitting in my small office in the Palace looking through the reports. It was apparent that Korkas's failure was far more spectacular than I anticipated, and nearby countries were ready to attack Cridia. Fortunately, I managed to convince some of them and intimidate others. An interesting exception was the Hilgvar Kingdom, ruled by the young and brilliant queen. After direct contact with Sebastian, who personally contacted her on my behalf, she fully trusted the intel I gave her. Unfortunately for her, Verksa's forces were three times bigger than her entire army. I rolled my fingers on the table and started wondering what should I do. Queen Mia Francesca, for God's sake, was not an idiot, and surely she was a neighbour I could somehow trust during more peaceful times. On the other hand, King Gilmour of Verksa was a horribly ambitious, arrogant, hot-headed moron so that hardly passed as a choice. Gilmour would probably beat Mia's army and force her into marriage, seizing control over her domain.

I looked at the reply she sent to me; a straightforward letter in which she was thankful for the Elixir that saved her sister and information that couldn't save her kingdom, but surely was going to ruin Gilmour's plans.

"I'm looking forward to meeting you one day in person, Lord Theon. Yours sincerely, Mia Francesca, the Queen of Hilgvar." I read the last sentence aloud and sighed heavily.

"Why won't you help her directly?" Luna was standing at the doors, still in her nightgown, looking at me with a hand on her face that tried to hide her yawn.

"It's too early to wave a sabre at anyone other than Korkas. One war at the time for this moment is enough for me to wage, my Foxie."

"War? Verksa can hardly field twelve thousand soldiers. One of your legions could make a difference and save them." She put her hand on her hip and approached me slowly. "You said that for yourself. Mia is not a moron."

"She is not, but so what, Luna?" I grabbed her by the waist and made her sit on my lap. "Should I risk sending the entire Legion to save her kingdom, even if I know they could arrive too late? Should I risk other countries to attack us if Gilmour calls for their aid?"

"You are right. Sorry for suggesting something silly again." Luna leaned on my chest and wrapped her hand behind my neck.

"Don't say that, Luna. It wasn't silly at all. There are many merits in saving Hilgvar. If I could coordinate the arrival of my forces with her, she might have a chance." I kissed her neck and Luna moaned with pleasure. "As you suggested, I sent her a warning. Besides, I'm sure she is going to figure out something."

"I saw you ordered our spies to retreat from Hilgvar for now." She rested the back of her head on my arm and looked up straight into my eyes with a playful smile. "Was that necessary? Infiltrating these lands again might be troublesome in the aftermath of war."

"Not really. Gilmour is going to attack me sooner or later anyway and our agent's network in Verksa Kingdom is working flawlessly, thanks to some Cute Silver Fox." I tickled her and she laughed uncontrollably.

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"Stop it!" She gasped for air, but she kissed me when I stopped. "What plans do we have for today, my Darling?"

"Dealing with the Dragonkins, probably." I rested my head on my hand. "But before that, I think we should eat breakfast."

•••

Aoi and Hestia had to be woken up because they were sleeping even deeper than Irene. Hestia seemed to be delighted as someone who finally returned home after years of travelling through the wilderness, but Aoi seemed to be a bit lost in the luxury of life I provide to my Queens. It was to be expected somewhat. Aoi's village was, simply put, poor and underdeveloped, while Hestia was a goddess who lived on Mount Olympus, which I suppose was luxurious in its own right. At first, Aoi ate so little that I was afraid she didn't like the food. But when Luna put a huge pile of scrambled eggs on her plate, Aoi's self-control broke loose and she started eating to her heart’s and stomach’s content. After we were done eating, Aoi became the centre of attention, to her slight embarrassment.

"Aoi, are you ready to exile some of your people?" I asked, taking a sip of an apple juice.

"No." She sighed heavily. "But I am going to do it, anyway. However, I am still weak in the eyes of my kin..."

"Aoi, I am going to kill anyone stupid enough to even look badly at you. I have no patience left for their pettiness." I sighed, and she giggled, thinking I was joking. I wasn't so sure if I was joking, but I smiled back anyway.

"Don't allow anyone to talk back to you, Aoi. No matter what happens, we will protect you." Amber put down her teacup and winked at her. "I won't allow anyone to hurt my little sister."

All the other Queens started reassuring her, and I looked at the sight in front of me with a smile. It was much more lively in our home than ever.

"Before we go anywhere, however, we are taking Aoi and Hestia to Wendy." Amber and Irene looked at me and Luna.

"Good idea. You can check Rubby's shop as well. My order should be ready by now." I smiled and scratched the back of my neck lazily. "I have some paperwork to do, dungeon things to look upon and so on... Before I'll finish, it will be evening."

In the face of my latest statement, Luna decided to go with them. I was left alone and decided that some changes were needed in our home before I could focus on anything else. First the bedroom. We needed a far bigger bed, and since a bed this big was absurd to craft, I had to improvise. It took me about an hour to realise my folly in trying to create a frame this big. So instead I made a large platform made from soft but sturdy wood on which I put the enormously large mattress and called it a day. This definitely was the biggest and most comfortable bed I had ever seen. The bedroom itself also had to be expanded, and I decided to simply remove the wall behind it since there was an empty bedroom no one ever used. With this simple action, our sleeping space doubled in size. The wardrobe space for my Ladies also doubled or even tripled, so it was a win-win situation. The wardrobes were separate rooms which I decided from the beginning to be spatially enhanced. That way I could expand the space inside them with mana, instead of building a few additional floors overtime…

Our living room... Oh damn... There were more upgrades than I anticipated...

•••

The whole day passed since the last time I watched Dragonkins arrogance and somehow it wasn't getting any better watching them again. Surely they split and one group was looking just lost while the second, far smaller, was obnoxiously arrogant, and angry. I turned away just in time to see my Queens' arrival in the Royal Carriage. They stepped out in full glory, wearing the newest dresses tailored by Wendy. My Ladies were chatting among themselves and laughing, showing the newest jewellery made by Rubby. They took the seats, and I noticed that Zephyr, Zeus and Hera were absent this time. I shrugged and smiled at Aoi, who sat this time on my left and at my right was Amber.

"The time you were given has ended," I stood up and gazed at the crowd.

"What is your decision?" Aoi asked and looked at the people whom she had known for her entire life.

Lorak Sar stepped out as arrogant as earlier and pointed his finger at Aoi. "Si'zunna."

I looked at Aoi, who paled, and I saw a triumph on Lorak's face. Elder Loriana, in panic, ran in front of us and she fell straight to her knees, almost crying. "Benovelant King Theon! I beg you to not associate us with the House of Sar and their madness. We wish to swear fealty to you!"

"What does it mean? Si'zunna?" I demanded and saw the mixed emotions on Aoi's face; sadness, fear, and finally growing anger. She stepped towards me and snuggled herself to my side. She lowered her voice, as if she tried to add menacing tones to it, but she was just sad.

"Theon." She looked straight into my eyes, making Lorak not only pale, but step back. "Si'zunna is a declaration of challenge. He challenged me to a duel where the stakes are usually rights of leadership. Traditionally, Si’zunna ends with the death of one of the participants, only for a special cases…" She looked at the wickedly smiling man and almost recoiled in disgust. "He might feel so low that he wants to take me as his wife during Si'zunna."

"You are too weak to lead us! Know your place and surrender to me already! I waited for so long to challenge you and now I finally can. I denounce Zephyr as my God!" Lorak regained his colours and smiled viciously. "You know the rules! You must fight yourself or your husband can fight as your proxy, but oh? Such a pity as you don't have a husband and never will! Be happy that you will become mine after that duel. If anyone else enters the duel, even your fiance, the only thing that awaits him according to our traditions is death! Every warrior of our kin will fight you if you interrupt us! You and your crown will be mine, Princess!"

"Lorak, my name is Aoi Sora va'Theon, the Flame of Avalon. I am the Fifth Queen of Avalon. By the blessings of Gods, and acceptance of the World's Words, King Theon Avalon is my husband," she declared proudly, but I felt her hands trembling. "As the tradition demands, he will be my proxy."

I very slowly stepped forward, boiling in rightful rage. When my feet touched the podium we were standing on, a wave of my Intimidation and Despair Auras mixed together, creating an atmosphere of inevitable doom. All of the Dragonkins trembled, and some of them even fainted. I left Aoi with her sister Queens and walked towards the lonely figure standing right before the podium in front of me. Lorak Sar, with an empty gaze, dropped to his knees in the foul stench of his urine.

"You dare to challenge my wife? You dare to raise your hand on the Queen of Avalon? Stand up." I almost whispered, putting all my wrath in my voice, but in the silence that surrounded us, it was like a roar. "Stand up!" I ordered, using my Royal Authority.

Lorak stood up, and I summoned two swords, which I threw in front of him. A single blade shined in my own hand, reflecting the sunbeams. Lorak had not even dared to look at them but instead, he stepped back, almost tripping.

"Allow me to apologize..." He squeaked through his suddenly dry throat.

"Pick up the swords!" I yelled at him, making him feel the despair he liked others to feel. "You raised your lustful gaze and extended your foul hand towards one of those I hold dear, one of my wives, and you expect forgiveness? There is none, Lorak Sar."

"I beg you to spare my son!" Viccar Sar ran towards us and picked one of the swords, dooming himself to death, according to their own traditions. "Kill me instead!"

"Pick your sword, Lorak!" I ignored the old fool, softly jumping down from the podium. Viccar roared in anger and rushed towards me with a raised sword. I yelled once again at Lorak. "Pick it up, or you will die like the coward you were your entire life!"

I deflected Viccar's swing and cut off his head. He failed as a father, but long before that, he failed as a person. I didn't need him alive to sap his poison to those still willing to listen to him. That finally made Lorak shake from his stupor and cry in anger. He slowly bent down for the sword lying in front of him and stood up on his feet again. His world of lies was shattered, he no longer was the most powerful being and those around him were no longer obliged to do his bidding. He never would be a ruler of the Dragonkins, and Aoi would never be his.

"I hate you!" Lorak roared, unleashing all of his fury.

"I don't care." My cold voice sent the shivers across Lorak's body, but he put the sword in front of him, trying to intercept my clearly telegraphed attack.

I slashed my sword across his guard, there was no elegance in my attack, only the raw strength. I pushed away the sword he held and cut across his chest, almost cutting him into pieces. The warm blood sprayed on the ground from the lethal wound, killing Lorak on the spot. His body dropped in a wet thump of splatting blood and I turned away to return to the podium, indifferent to the shock and a few lingering gazes of hate from the crowd.

"My Lord!" Loriana looked at me, but seeing my face, she knew there was no mercy in me anymore.

She looked over the majestic faces of my wives, but she hadn't found any more compassion in them than I had, until she met Aoi's gaze.

"Queen Aoi Sora va'Theon of Avalon! The rightful Queen of Dragonkins, I beg you to have mercy upon your people!"