In the citadel,
Walking side by side were Hisha and Kritz, none willing to speak on their encounter in Straton.
[What's with the awkward silence? Man up as you should be as an overlord!]
HTC snickered in Hisha's head and took full amusement in teasing its host.
'Do you have an off switch?!' Hisha threatened, feeling downhearted and irritated after his points had felt like a waste.
[If I did, you would hesitate in pressing my buttons]
Hisha let out a sigh and let Kritz lead the way toward the next batch of harem members he was meant to meet.
'Do I have to do this? How about hosting another tournament and let's watch them kill each other and reduce the number drastically?' Hisha tried to reason with his system.
[Don't be so impatient in achieving your goals, without a driving force to be loyal, there is no way they would stick by just because of your power and good looks!]
Hisha's lips drew into a thin line, this was one of the few times that HTC made logical reasoning and he was stunned and speechless.
He knew HTC was right, at first he had not understood what was the reason behind visiting the meretrix in their room.
After careful consideration, he realized this was the only way to effectively bond with them on a personal level and observe those who could work together to perfect their coordination.
'You're right, I need to think of the long-term benefits. Yoru can't defeat me alone and vice versa.' Hisha affirmed.
Staring at the back of Kritz, he wondered what could be going on in the thoughts of his assistant.
"Kritz..."
Stepping to a halt, he turned around to listen to what his lord had to say. "My lord..."
Hisha narrowed his eyes, unsatisfied and disturbed that even at a confusing moment for Kritz, he had to force down his suspicions and thoughts because of loyalty?
This triggered an underlying urge to question what he had been longing to get answers to.
"Why are you loyal to me?"
Kritz was taken by surprise by the question and his brows furrowed at the sudden interest by his lord.
"I owe you my life." He blatantly answered.
Inwardly facepalming at the response, Hisha shook his head and folded his arms.
"There is more to it, and I know it. I had saved you, but there must be a reason you have stuck by me even when you know how well the tribal chiefs are plotting against me." Hisha pointed out, poking at Kritz to get him to express his true feelings on the subject.
Kritz had opened his lips slightly but the words couldn't be voiced in a way that he would be comfortable with. Looking down in disappointment at how cowardly he was in the face of Hisha.
"I know you're favored by the celestials, even though others might not see it, but I would never go against the will of the supreme beings." Kritz voiced out timidly, having his head low all the time.
Hisha had heard so much about the celestials that he had gotten sick of the notion, but was also shocked Kritz had an idea of what they had done in his previous host's life and at the moment.
In an attempt to test him, Hisha pressed forward. "What if I lose the favor I currently possess?"
Kritz shook his head, "I would never betray you willingly, nor would it ever get called to mind, I would never bite the hand that fed me."
Hisha had a smile at the genuine and heartwarming revelation by Kritz.
"You always have a reasonable conclusion to situations and I respect that, my lord." Kritz hinted at what had transpired at the tavern with a wide grin.
Hisha nodded his head and made mental preparation for the new batch of harem members he was to visit.
"I appreciate that," Hisha smiled and patted Kritz's shoulder as they continued in their walk towards the delegated door.
[Task: Have a natural conversation with one harem member]
[Reward: A rare item from the inventory with no cost on the coins and the charismatic ability]
'What does the charismatic ability do?' Hisha questioned, unaware of the potency of its usefulness.
[Have you ever wanted your word to be the final say? No arguments ever needed, nor the will of your opponent or ally to resist your voice?]
Hisha bit on his bottom lip to stifle a peal of laughter from getting to the ears of an oblivious Kritz, it sounded more to him as though HTC was advertising a product for his consumption.
[Are you mocking me, host?]
An eye-narrowing emoji could be seen in zoom-in and out fashion.
Hisha looked away and pretended to be intrigued by the intricate patterns on the beams that supported the walls and ceilings.
"We're here, my lord." Kritz gestured and pulled on the door handle.
Click!
Before Hisha could get in, his nose was graced by a pleasant scent.
Taking a big whiff, he let out a satisfying sigh of amusement and thanked Kritz for his understanding.
Kritz nodded his head and gave a fair bow in respect. Unlike the last time he had dashed out without thinking, he backed away just a wicked grin before personally closing the door.
[Time to put your skills to work]
'What skills?' Hisha questioned in confusion, wondering what his system was talking about.
[...]
'HTC don't you fucking leave me to guess what you me-'
"Welcome lord Hisha." They all greeted him in unison, getting his attention.
He looked at them with disinterest even with the beautiful women biting on their bottom lips or twirling on their hair.
They were all dressed in matching lace two pieces.
Unlike meretrix one, these were more confident like how Zui had done and took a few steps towards him.
They all had their hands pushing up their bust and augmenting their cleavage.
Hisha held back the urge to cringe at some of them which looked extreme and with an O-cup bust that looked as though the bra would rip anytime soon.
[Meretrix: 14]
Hisha had a smile at the reduction in the number of harems he had to meet at a time, it brought confidence in him being able to accomplish the task faster when he finds the chance to spark up a conversation like he had been given.
'Just how the heck am I meant to spark up a conversation?!' Hisha narrowed his eyes at the daunting task of picking just the right one for the task.
[When you make a connection, you would know]
'Sure, another bunch of confident harem, ready to devour a conversation virgin.' Hisha countered.
He had realized that these ladies had chosen to be with him after the let off, that would also mean that they would be more determined to have him by their side or in'side' any one of them.
When Hisha had made a slight progressive move towards them, they all waited in anticipation of what could be done to either one of them.
"He's going to pick me first." A sultry voice bragged to the rest.
At a glance, Hisha noticed her striking green hair and yellow-slitted eyes staring at him with blazing lust.
[Meretrix 02-9]
Hisha's eyes took in the floating stats above her head and chuckled at how full of herself she must be.
Intentionally moving towards her, he had made sure to keep her hopes high.
With rekindled hope, she smiled and waited eagerly for his approach, but at the last minute, Hisha took a sharp curve to the right to meet the very one that was bragged to.
'Sike!' Hisha internally whooped and took the fair hands of the harem member.
[Meretrix 02-14]
Gently kissing it, he raised his head to get a glimpse of her flushed cheeks.
[Exp+2]
White, shoulder-length hair awkwardly hangs over a full, wild face. Dazzling amber eyes had been clouded with desire.
Smooth skin elegantly compliments her hair and cheekbones as she couldn't control her emotions.
'Finally, I'm back to the normal exp placement without my Sux draining.' Hisha let out a sigh of relief at the difference the rest of his harem had on him unlike Alta and had his hand trace her cheekbones.
"My lord, do consider us all too, we are willing to do anything you please." Another commented, seeing that they were still ignored after the drastic displacement and reduction of their numbers.
Hisha pulled her closer to his face to have a good look at the same one before him, her smile only broadened as she prepared to introduce herself.
*****
A/N
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