[They didn't tell you?] Yoko asked, puzzled.
[Whatever, let's continue this conversation later,] Ryan sighed as they approached the Dragon Empress's private beach-side vacation home.
A luxurious white beach mansion with a dark red roof sprawled out on an immense estate. A lush green forest covered three sides of the estate, hiding what looked like some small buildings.
The fourth side of the immense mansion was covered in glass panels, had four long decks that ran the length of the building, and faced the ocean.
The helicopter landed on the home's roof, the blades twirling to a stop.
As they took in the elaborate setting, Dennis and Robbin's mouths hung open as they crawled out of the helicopter.
Ryan had to admit that the sight evoked similar feelings inside of him, but Yoko's voice caused the scene not to be as picturesque as it could have been.
[She dares call this a vacation house?!]
[My mother's servants have better bathrooms than this!]
Ryan tried not to laugh at the last comment as Lady Gwen appeared from behind one of the buildings wearing a bikini made entirely from diamonds.
It sparkled like stars, the shine bouncing off her translucent skin.
'If only she had a better face,' Ryan thought, shaking his head.
"Welcome contestants to the final showdown between Dennis, Robbin, and Ryan," said Lady Gwen, putting on a friendly smile while pointing to each of the three men in turn. "You are here because you've passed the tests we have put forth before you."
"Each of you has risen to the top, and your contributions have allowed us to narrow down our list for choosing a new member of the Dragon Empress's harem."
A dark shadow suddenly fell over all their heads as all three noticed something descending from the sky.
The clouds were torn apart by some kind of great winged beast as it landed upon the beach with its enormous feet sinking deep into the soft white sand. It wore armor composed entirely of crimson-red scales.
Its tail whipped back and forth angrily with every movement, almost causing the three to jump out of their skin with fright.
[A lizard playing dress-up. Pathetic.]
Yoko's voice rang in Ryan's mind as Yoko released a sliver of her aura, causing the Dragon Empress, who had wanted to make a big show, to shiver with fright.
[Why did you do that?] Ryan asked, refraining from face-palming.
Yoko huffed. [She deserved it. The lizard was acting all high and mighty in front of my Master.]
"I-Is there a great one here?" the Dragon Empress asked tentatively.
After a few moments of silence, the Dragon Empress shook her head and muttered, "I must just be too anxious."
Changing into her human form, Ryan saw a stunning silver-haired beauty with gigantic mounds and soft, supple skin appear in a black bikini top and tiny shorts.
Her large breasts looked so plump they were about ready to burst out of her tight outfit.
"Welcome, my three potential harem members. You have done well in this competition."
She paused to give each of them a once-over.
"You all look very well endowed, but only one man will get to join me in bed," she said, giving Ryan a slight glance.
"Tomorrow, the three of you each will get to plan and execute a date with me somewhere on this property," she said, turning to Gwen.
"Lady Gwen can give you further information on what type of amenities and activities we have available that you can choose from."
"Let's see, James, you can go in the morning, Dennis in the afternoon, and Ryan in the evening."
The Dragon Empress then gave the three a sweet smile. "Good luck to all of you!"
As if by cue, lightning flashed, and as the light diminished, the Dragon Empress disappeared.
[So dramatic,] Yoko rolled her eyes.
[Using a lightning spell like that.]
[She could have at least called in a lightning elemental,] Yoko muttered.
Clearing her throat, Lady Gwen waited for Robbin, Dennis, and Ryan's attention before speaking.
"Please get acquainted with our facilities before asking me any questions about possible date spots."
"No," she said, seeing Robbin start to raise his hand. "I will not give you suggestions."
With a nod towards the three, she left, her barely-covered rump a sight to behold as it bobbled away.
===
A pixie-like girl stood in front of the three contestants, her arm bent and her palm outstretched. "Please accompany me to your rooms."
Robbin asked, "Are we bunking together, or do we each get a separate space?"
Ryan snorted, "As if!"
Taking her job very seriously, the girl trotted ahead and responded in a clipped tone, "Each contestant will be supplied with their own luxury suite and spa room. In addition, we have updated your holograms with a map of the mansion, your schedule, and an updated meal list for any food you would like delivered to your room."
Dennis responded, "A cold beer and a steak sounds good about now."
As she walked, the pixie opened her hologram, found the food screen, and ordered Dennis' food without missing a step. "Your food will be ready when we get to your suite."
"Awesome," Dennis exclaimed as the three contestants looked at each other and grinned.
They each took in the fantastic decor as they continued to their rooms.
Glass partitions allowed the natural light to bounce through the rooms.
The light highlighted white and beige marble floors, columns embedded with pearls and sea glass, and creamy mosaics featuring whimsical dragons.
It was too much, and Ryan started to zone out and think about his date.
Ryan didn't have to think long before he knew what he would do for his dinner date.
However, he would have to change his strategy if one of the other two contestants chose the same idea.
"A sunset picnic on the beach," Ryan muttered, looking at the mesmerizing waves as they crashed against the shore.
"Those guys are going to overthink it and believe that the Dragon Empress wants to be wowed on their date with a fancy activity, but how can poor men wow an Empress?" Ryan laughed.
'As Aliza always taught me, if you're a pauper, don't use your copper to make yourself look proper.'
As Ryan entered his room, he picked up his conversation with Yoko.
[Now, what did you mean that my servants are Master-Ranked?] Ryan asked.
Yoko yawned. [All the servants and knights are Master-Ranked cultivators, although most will never rise above that rank.]
[All of them? Even Shade?]
Yoko sighed. [Yes, there is a big discrepancy between people in the same ranks.]
[So even though Shade could battle all of your other servants and come out unscathed, he's still the same rank.]
Ryan whistled. [Wow, but how strong would that make them on Ravier if they only had 5% of their energy?]
[It's not just 5% of their energy. It also limits how much they can use per ability use,] Yoko said, dampening Ryan's enthusiasm.
[But still, they would be quite powerful,] Yoko said, giving Ryan a little hope.
[They'd be ranked somewhere around S-Rank, maybe SS-Rank.]
[Shade though, he might be equivalent to a late-stage SSS-Rank cultivator,] Yoko said after thinking for a few seconds.
That gave Ryan some hope, but he still didn't know how he'd be able to deal with the Grand Empress, who, in all likelihood, was a Master-Ranked cultivator.
And unlike his servants, she wasn't under any penalty.
As he was trying to think of a solution, Ryan received the message that he had been expecting and hoping for ever since he had asked Sienna to visit his mother.
[Message From Harem Member: Sienna Vanroth]
[She's in.]
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