Your dreams of getting a harem in another world have now become a reality.

Getting hit by a truck, meeting a goddess, and having a bunch of women that wanted to get in your pants? It was all part of the classic isekai experience. To have all of this happen to you made you feel like your luck finally turned around.

The crown jewel of your harem was said cute goddess that you met. She always stood by your side, devoting her entire being to you out of her own masochistic volition. She, along with your six other consensual 'slave-wives', were soon to mother your children.

As for you? You blessed with Lunacy Savantae: The power to build impossible things.

You were given a few names and titles — Mr. Doe, Savant Lord, the Master, Lord of Heaven's Landing — but your actual name, John Doe, was what most knew you by. It was, like nearly everything else in this world, a stock cliche.

And that was just the way you liked it.

You had spent more than a week in Centria — buying property, filling out paperwork, going to meetings, setting up a bounty for a murderer, among other things, you've finally returned home.

After a five hour flight on The Vixen's Luck, and the night covered all of Heaven's Landing, which was what you recently renamed your estate to, you returned home. You'd managed to avoid pirate ships and bad weather, safely bringing all of your materials, wives, and ghost.

Despite it all, nobody was demoralized.

"It's good to be at our love nest again, Master!" Herta said, giving you a small smirk.

"Funny how you're the one that's calling it that now." You reply as you step down from the airship.

Herta, the goddess that created this world, was as much of a smug and arrogant masochist as she always was. Once a known as a virgin goddess, she would soon become the proud mother of your twins: A fact that placated one of her deeper fetishes.

"That's pretty much what it is." Cattleya said with a meow. The near-amazonian catgirl took a good look at the place that she now called home, frowning as she set her eyes on the cheese cave by the cresting hill— the very place where she was nearly condemned to become a goblin brood mother. She turned back to you. "It's your land now, guv. An' no one else'll stake a claim to it."

"Well said, Cat." The smoky contralto following Ruby Rose's words spoke to you as she elegantly set foot onto the ground. "My gallant Master has already prepared in advance a million plans for any eventuality. Our successes in Centria are a testament to his schemes, fufufu~"

"Nevertheless we must always remain vigilant." Gerty said in a confident voice, the very image of a Holy Knight. "There are vultures gathering around us—Rostchilde and Forthwythe doubtlessly know of this place now."

"I think we have a bit of time left." Mel, ever cheerful and optimistic, saw the best case scenario. Not to say she was uncritical, however— Mel was easily the most intuitive of your wives. This was thanks to her class as a beguiler, her fairy lineage, and her detailed personality.

"Does it matter? Like, Master is totally gonna trounce them if they even look at us the wrong way." Bertha, on the other hand, had a simple mind and didn't care much for details. Though she more than made up for it with her raw physical strength and loyalty to you.

Bertha let out a breath she'd been holding as she stepped foot onto solid earth. "Finally some ground..." This warrioress had the unfortunate habit of getting sick when riding vehicles. She'd slowly made herself get used to these recent, temporary bouts of morning sickness, brought about by her approaching motherhood. Bertha usually loved watching the scenery pass by while she was on your airship or your mech.
It was all worth it to her, though.

"I must agree with Gerty and Ruby," Ayane said, "It is best to prepare and remain aware of our surroundings, since being too self-confident leads to defeat. Wouldn't you say, Master?" With a few wags of her tails, your shapely hag of a vixen gave you a soft smile.

"Dare any act in defiance of authority, without seeking the counsel of the forsaken specter known as Yumi the condemned spirit?" Said the ghost girl, referencing herself in third person again as she floated next to you. While she was initially hostile to everyone, she'd gradually warmed up to you, and the two of you now shared a type of trust. "Such audacity stirs the fury within my soul! As the spirit that haunts these lands, I cannot let this stand!"

"Let's focus on one thing at a time." You said. "We can always build more defenses later if we need to. Right now we need to check how things are going in the mansion."

"Yeah!" Mel exclaimed with a smile. "It feels like it's been waaay too long since we've been here!" She paused and took smelled the air. "You know, I've missed the freshness from this place."

"It's somewhat dulled because of the ocean's odor." Ayane said. Her animal-like senses, particularly her strong sense of smell, gave both her and Cattleya an edge in certain situations.

"Sure, we might be right next to the ocean, but," Mel continued, "It's also better than city's smoggy smell."

"I personally don't mind the ocean, mate." Your resident fish-loving catgirl replied.

And so you all went to the estate again, passing the time with small talk of meaningless things. And you found that everything was as you left it, for the most part.

"Speaking of smells, the heck is that stink?" Herta said as she covered her nose. There was a stench not too different from miasma. It was almost unbearable for your animal-like wives; Cattleya and Ayane ended up hiding their noses with cloths and scarves.

"Monster corpses." Bertha spoke from her experience as farm girl.

And the feelings of your Warrior were proven correct, as some monster corpses littered the vicinity— being too far for your housekeeping robots to clean them up. Still it was good to know that your clankers were doing their jobs.

After that was dealt with, you all decide to get some sleep.

Morning came, and so did you after fulfilling your duty to a certain needy goddess.

"Ah, Master~" Herta, now full with your love, snuggled up to you. "You really are the best~"

You reply by stroking her hair.

Suddenly you feel like your status board wanting to tell you about something. You follow this strange instinct and open it.

STATUS
Race: Reincarnator (Human)
Class: Mechwarrior
Skills: Appraisal, Devices, Engineering, Perception, Piloting
Abilities: Bonded Vessel [BoatMech], Custom Special [Mirror Blade], Tinkering, Strategist, Item Enchant

Would you like to replace [Mirror Blade] with another Custom Special ability?

Honestly, you liked Mirror Blade. It was one of the best abilities you've had so far, being able to reflect attack and the like. You wondered what this would look like when combined with your BoatMech. Not to say that Aether Wire or Shellstrike Gauntlets weren't fun or useful on their own. Although, as usual, a part of you was curious to see if there was anything new...

>Keep it. Stick with what you know. (Keep Mirror Blade for now)
>Swap it out. Get something fresh. (Will offer a choice next update)

"Hmm, Master... ?" Herta looked at you curiously. "Is there something wrong?"

"No. I just got the option to change my [Custom Special] again." Despite Herta and Ruby looking into it so much, you weren't fully aware about what the full capability of that ability was.

"I'm... oooh~" Herta makes a happy noise as you keep on petting her. "Master, have I also told you how wonderful your massages are?"

"Yup." All of your wives have to some extent.

"Master... I wish I could do that forever with you..." The goddess muttered, a blissfully perverse smile rising on her face as she closed her eyes. "Hehe... Master and I... forever..."

"We still got things to do, you know." You reminded her. That aluminum wouldn't make itself.

"Yeah, I know." She sighed. The she opened her eyes and frowned. "Wait a sec, no I don't! Master, what were we gonna do again?"

>You and Herta were going to begin making some aluminum. (Uses up both Herta's and John Doe's action for the week)
>Herta was still in the middle of looking into the cursed skill of Bad Luck. (Uses up Herta's action for the week)
>Have Herta look into how [Custom Special] could have a surefire way of changing to a past ability. (Uses up Herta's weekly action)
>"We'll figure it out as we go along." (Herta and John Doe have their weekly actions like normal)
>(Write-in).

Archive:
http://thisisnotatrueending.com/qstarchive.html?tags=NotIseQM

Character Info Lists:
https://rentry.org/IsekaiCheatQuestCharacters

Item Value Lists:
https://rentry.org/isekaicheatquestitems

My updating schedule varies, but I aim for every other day and not any later than 3 days.

Welcome back. We'll overlook that little thread blooper.
>>6266467
>Keep it. Stick with what you know. (Keep Mirror Blade for now)
I do like this ability
>Herta was still in the middle of looking into the cursed skill of Bad Luck. (Uses up Herta's action for the week)
While I want to get started on the aluminium, we need to finish dealing with Bad Luck sooner rather than later so we can give Ayane the child she wants without passing it on to them.

>>6266467
Welcome back, NotIseQM

>And the feelings of your Warrior were proven correct, as some monster corpses littered the vicinity
We should build a big wall around our territory and paint it white. Then Ruby could make her that project she talked about when we can move our defence futher up

>Keep it. Stick with what you know. (Keep Mirror Blade for now)

>>Herta was still in the middle of looking into the cursed skill of Bad Luck. (Uses up Herta's action for the week)
Aluminum is next

>>6266467
>Swap it out. Get something fresh. (Will offer a choice next update)
Tradition at this point
>Herta was still in the middle of looking into the cursed skill of Bad Luck. (Uses up Herta's action for the week)
Although Herta is doing this we can get started ourselves. Besides, she should be almost done by now, no?

>>6266472
Welcome back QM, for a second I thought an anon believed you went MIA and decided to become QM#3

>>6266467
>Swap it out. Get something fresh. (Will offer a choice next update)

>Herta was still in the middle of looking into the cursed skill of Bad Luck. (Uses up Herta's action for the week)

>>6266467
>>6266490
Changing as there could be something new

>Swap it out. Get something fresh. (Will offer a choice next update)

Rolled 1 (1d2)

It's good to be back. Thank you anons for bearing with the thread confusion lmao

>>6266467
1 is for swapping out, 2 is for keeping Mirror Blade.

>>6266844
Nevermind, it seems like the thread didn't load >>6266839 's vote change for me. Sorry about that, I'll get the update out soon.

>>6266846
It would have being swapping it out anyway. No harm no foul

===

John Doe, please select one of the following to replace [Mirror Blade

>Mirror Blade: A rapier that allows you to reflect attacks. [CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE]
>The Freeshooter. A finely crafted rifle that uses your magic to create powerful ammo... and can fire seven special magic bullets a day.
>Quick Scope: Allows greater reaction speed and accuracy in every weapon you use.
>Steam Bomb: Form a throwable ball of wind that you can explode on will.
>Elemental Reinforcement: Allows you to make multiple weapons get better resistance or infuse a single weapon with elemental powers per day.
>Reaper's Gambit: Gain a 1 in 5 chance to instantly defeat an opponent. However, losing will make you feel sluggish for ten minutes.
>Bullet Kick: Lets you attack at greater speeds.
>Laevantein: A sword that sears in flame and also acts as a whip.
>Gizmo Whisperer: Grants you the power to boost the power of a machine every day.
>Dance of Daggers: Magic Knives that let you throw copies of them as you move.
>Iron Body: Makes your body as strong as a suit of armor.
>Scarf Arm: A magical scarf that you control with your mind. Can grab things or tie people up.

Further integrations with your [Bonded Vehicle] will be available upon use.

Are you sure you want to swap out [Aether Wire]? [*Yes] [ No]

===

"Oh, right." Herta said. "I almost forgot I was looking into Bad Luck."

"Should I expect you to get it done this week, or are you gonna keep on being a useless masochist?" You gave your occasionally competent goddess a deadpan look.

"There's nothing to worry about, Master!" She said with a self-assured smile and a light in her eyes. "As the creator of this world, wrapping this up is easy."

You noted how she didn't answer your question.

"So," Herta changed the subject "What'd you get for your [Custom Special]?"

"I'll show you later." You said. "Speaking of, I was wondering how things were going in that front for you and Ruby."

"Eh, the usual. I've been thinking about changing my [Custom Special], but I'm not really a hundred percent sure how swapping it works. Sort of like one of those gambling phone games you had in your old world, Master."

"Mirror Blade is probably my favorite so far. It's fun and useful." You paused for a second. "Wait, what do you mean?"

"Ruby actually studied more about status board pop-ups than I did, but I don't think she understands half of what she's been looking into. I'm pretty sure that ability's randomness comes from-"

"No, the other part."

"About me having a [Custom Special]?"

"Yeah."

"Didn't I tell you I got it? I could've sworn I did."

"You didn't." You said, flipping her around.

"M-Master?" She said with badly hidden lust. "Kyaah! I'm sorry!"

"You need to stop forgetting about these things, you dumb sow!"

After you thoroughly 'punished' her rear, she told you she wasn't exactly sure when she got it, but she noticed she had the [Custom Special] ability on her status screen sometime before your second visit to Centria.

She then told you she didn't know what it was, but she had a feeling it was strong enough to kill a Guardian. You knew enough about cliches to realize that this was some sort of secret ability she'll unlock if you ever got into mortal danger.

"I bet it's locked because I don't have my full power." Herta seemed frustrated. "Sorry, Master. I want to do my best in obeying you, but with [Custom Special] it's like I'm trying to unlock the basement door all over again..."

"Hey. There's no need to make that face." You gave her a squeeze.

"Kyaah! Master is forcing himself on me~!" She said, even though all you did was show her a little affection. She looked at you lovingly. "It doesn't matter how strong I am, it's not like I could ever defeat the power of your thick, fat, throbbing-"

"Anyway, don't stress about it." You interrupted her. "All you need to fill that empty head of yours with is ways to please me." You finish with a kiss.

"Hah... Yes, Master." Herta gasped. "I'm sorry for being a dumb, useless goddess... I'll always be under you, Master. Always~"

With that settled, you made Herta whip up some breakfast for everyone.

The day started off slow with you and your wives getting some food served by the goddess. Soon you realized how tired almost everyone was from how long it took to get here. The only exceptions being painlovers like Herta and Gerty, or the ghostly Yumi who only could feel sleepy when in a ghost-capturing crystal.

As you were all eating another hearty meal Herta whipped up, the usual morning chaos brought about the usual morning conversations. Ruby was speaking to Gerty about whether digging out a bunker beneath the Dungeon or the Clank's Shelter would be better, Ayane and Herta were talking about the unique recipes from Oceanippon, and your remaining three wives requested something of you.

"Master!" Bertha started. "I wanna keep on being strong for you!"

"Same here." Cattleya added with a nod. "It feels like I haven't been getting any better in fighting lately."

"And I want to practice my fae magic. I've been putting it off for too long." Mel finished.

"So, you three wanna get extended morning workouts?" You ask.

"I wouldn't mind gettin' that stretched out much, guv." Cattleya said.

"Uh, I don't know about that," Mel gave a light smile and scratched the back of her head. She never really liked working out physically, though you were able to persuade her by 'rewarding' her with your passion, "I think we're all pretty fine with how we are. No need to stretch it out."

"I know I wanna get stretched out by Master's merciless training." Bertha giggled. "Also, I mean, we aren't gonna be at our bestest not too long from now." She gently rubs her own stomach.

"Yeah, that too." Mel had a sheepish blush on her face, stealing a few glances at you.

"I can see where you two are coming from," You said to the two wives you'd knocked up the same day, then you followed up by glancing at Cattleya, "But don't you always work out when you have some free time, Catty?"

"I just wanna be prepared, guv." Cattleya meowed after gulping down an egg. "An' make sure I can keep up, even if I'm a bit wobbly on me pins."

You considered it.

>Tell them that you'd allow it. (Uses up the weekly actions of Mel, Cattleya, and Bertha) (Mel will practice fae magic, Cattleya will increase her speed and master her gauntlets, meanwhile Bertha will be a better fighter with the chance to learn another Custom Special)
>You'll let some of them get stronger, but you had some other plans for another. (Choose which you want to have weekly actions and which you want to work on themselves)
>You'd tell them you'd consider it, but you still needed them to work on other things.
>(Write-in).

>>6266872
>>Laevantein: A sword that sears in flame and also acts as a whip.
Cool

>>6266896
>Tell them that you'd allow it. (Uses up the weekly actions of Mel, Cattleya, and Bertha) (Mel will practice fae magic, Cattleya will increase her speed and master her gauntlets, meanwhile Bertha will be a better fighter with the chance to learn another Custom Special)

>>6266872
QM, what is the range of reapers gambit and how often can it be used in a day?

>Tell them that you'd allow it. (Uses up the weekly actions of Mel, Cattleya, and Bertha) (Mel will practice fae magic, Cattleya will increase her speed and master her gauntlets, meanwhile Bertha will be a better fighter with the chance to learn another Custom Special)
If I am correct Mel and Bertha were training before we left and Cat was finishing up the telegraph station. I say getting them all better in combat is fine since we can replace their physical labour with construction bots. That, and I want to see how far we can take Bertha. Pretty sure if we stack strength potions on her she can start killing dragons easily

>>6266933
>QM, what is the range of reapers gambit and how often can it be used in a day?
You're not entirely sure, but you guess that it affects any enemy in range of your sight while also complimenting any sort of attack you make against an enemy. For some reason you feel like it can be used three times a day.

As a side note, Cattleya already finished building the radio and telegraph station thanks to the help of the construction clankers, some of your other wives pitching in, and your own help as well. All that's needed is building the needed radios/telegraph machines as well as also furnishing the place, the former of which John Doe or Herta can create in less than a day.

>>6267039
In which case I vote for
>>6266872
>Reaper's Gambit: Gain a 1 in 5 chance to instantly defeat an opponent. However, losing will make you feel sluggish for ten minutes.
I am a gambling man, I gamble that we find a window where we can see Rostchilde and Forthwythe and spam the skill until they die

>>6266872
>Laevantein: A sword that sears in flame and also acts as a whip.
It does what now
>Tell them that you'd allow it. (Uses up the weekly actions of Mel, Cattleya, and Bertha) (Mel will practice fae magic, Cattleya will increase her speed and master her gauntlets, meanwhile Bertha will be a better fighter with the chance to learn another Custom Special)
It's been long enough I forgot what they were doing, I think it was training. Have at it girls, may as well get continue to get strong before you get big.

>>6266872
>Laevantein: A sword that sears in flame and also acts as a whip.
Die monster, you don't belong in this world!

>>6266896
>Tell them that you'd allow it. (Uses up the weekly actions of Mel, Cattleya, and Bertha) (Mel will practice fae magic, Cattleya will increase her speed and master her gauntlets, meanwhile Bertha will be a better fighter with the chance to learn another Custom Special)
No reason not to.

Inspired by the commitment Cattleya, Mel, and Bertha displayed, you decided to test out your new [Custom Special] for a good chunk of the day.

The Laevantein sounded badass in both its description and use.

First appearances didn't disappoint.

You could make it change at will between its sword and whip forms, only using a small amount of your mana to turn the fire element it used on or off. It made you feel like you were gonna go off to slay demons and vampires.

"That's powerful weapon, Master." Herta said from behind a barrier Bertha created. "But it looks tough to control."

Those three wives of yours had decided to come with your for different reasons; Bertha to practice her own [Custom Special] — Barrier Shield. Meanwhile Gerty was here just in case anyone needed to get healed. Herta tagged along to get a refresher on how skills and abilities worked, and also to see what you'd picked as an ability. Though you suspected the goddess just wanted to be around you for a little while longer before getting back to work.

It also soon became clear to you that you needed to practice with it more— if how often you unintentionally hit Bertha's magical barrier was any indication. On a positive note, Bertha found it to be good practice.

"Yeah, it's cool, but Master has a 'weapon' in his pants that's WAY more powerful~" Bertha replied to the goddess, giving a smile while reinforcing her barrier. "But talking about that sword-whip Lava-thing, Master is already figuring it out super quickly even though it's not the type of weapon most would be good at using. Also I think it fits Master's style."

"Indeed it does." Gerty approved.

"I'm not saying it's bad." Herta continued. "It's strong, and Master always ends up controlling it in the end! Like when Master gets mad and spanks me."

"Or when he rightfully chides and corrects us with his other whip." Gerty added, referring to the dull-tipped cat 'o nine tails she bought for you to use on her in Centria.

"Getting harassed by Master is the dream of every woman." Herta nodded her head wisely. "It's almost like when Master shoves his meaty thing down my throat and I begin to choke~" You're not really sure what the connection between your cool ass sword and Herta's fetish was, but Herta wasted no opportunity to talk about the many different ways you 'punished' her.

"Well said." Gerty enthusiastically took mental notes of that. "I'll keep that in mind for when Master wishes to correct me."

As both masochists began to speak about theoretical ways for you to 'punish' them, you tested out your weapon on different clankers and monsters. While it could scratch and pierce the less armored clank types, even making a standard clank become immobile if you managed to wrap the whip around its legs, the Laevantein's true strength was against softer targets.

Brutally charring and slicing most types of monsters was its specialty, almost instantly making most slimes dissolve with a mere touch of its magical flame.

A few hours of practice made you feel more comfortable with the weapon.

"...and sleeping on the floor is amazing!" Herta beamed. "When Master wakes me up like I'm some sort of dog, it's bliss~"

"I see." Gerty was almost feverishly writing in a small notepad. "This shall make Master assert himself as our rightful owner. We slave-wives must always show our devotion to Master! As our bodies are for John Doe, and his alone." She spoke like it was some sort of mantra.

"Hey, Master," Bertha said as you approached, "I think I made my barrier stronger! Also, those two have been talking nonstop about how they love getting stepped on by you or whatever for hours."

"Congrats on the barrier." You said. "Hope you didn't suffer too much."

"Eh, you get used to it." Your warrioress shrugged. "Anyway, thanks! I'm gonna go and make some lunch! See ya, stud~"

After blowing you a kiss, she left.

"Herta," You spoke to the goddess "Don't you still have things to do?"

"Huh?" She gave you a blank stare. "Oh! That's right, the Bad Luck! I'll get right to it, Master!"

And after she scurried away, you were left with Gerty.

"Sir!" Said your Holy Knight. "I must commend you for your talent. A lesser man wouldn't of been able to master the Laevantein in such a short amount of time."

"Right, thanks." You're not sure if you can say you mastered it, but you're proud of the progress you've made. A few seconds pass. "Is there something you wanna say, or are you gonna stand there like some sort of idiot?"

"Forgive me for my lack of intelligence! I'm at your complete disposal." She saluted.

"Then you should get back to work too." You ordered, copping some feels of her body while you were at it.

"Sir, yes sir!" She marched away, now properly refreshed by your 'cruelty'.

As you watched her, you recalled what you and everyone else were doing for the rest of the week.

You:
>Interact with Yumi. Maybe make some items so you could share physical contact, or practice using the crystal wand with her.
>Work out, get some more muscle on your body and try to learn a spell. This should be easier with what Todred taught you.
>Train with a wife of yours to increase a stat. (Which wife?)
>Try getting Ayane to conceive your child.
>Upgrade a vehicle with ingots and materials (BoatMech or The Vixen's Luck?)
>Construct a large artillery piece.
>Start another construction project. (What?)
>Create more clank variants and get the factory running again. (Will require ingots and other materials)
>Tinker up something. (Weapon, gadget, set of armor, other?)
>Explore the surrounding region. (For settlements, resources, scrap?)
>Visit a place you know about. (Centria? Northumbridge? Vonstadt? Riverdale? Other?)
>Set off to visit Thea. (Bring any of your wives with you?)
>Finally forge the giant pearl into a Legendary Item.
>(Write-in)

(continued next post)

Ruby Rose:
>Make a detailed archive on everything that's happened so far.
>Go into the glass greenhouse and look into cultivating something beneficial.
>Look for more dyes that could be used.
>Have her modify some recall potions so they work on skin contact. With her books and the notes from the witch's hut this shouldn't be a problem.
>Read and practice the spells from the spellbook found in the woods. This should be easier with Todred's teachings.
>Continue studying [Custom Special]. The remaining research you knew about was for how to make past abilities more readily accessible when swapping.
>(Write-in)

Gerty:
>Practice her skills and abilities once again, this time with the intent to find her [Custom Special]
>Focus on expanding her moveset. You had a Blessed Blade and magical pistols that she could use, allowing her to practice with weapons other than the Holy Spear.
>Act as a military instructor and get both you and your wives combat ready.
>Continue her training in leading the clankers.
>(Write-in)

Ayane:
>Focus on training both magically and physically.
>Look around for any herbs that can serve as holistic medicines. She can brew a healing, recall, or stamina potion, as well as make some homemade medicines to help with morning sickness.
>Continue focusing on writing to her connections in Centria, including getting some news on what's been going.
>Make the graveyards more beautiful. Set up a small shrine in the one that had all the victims of the goblins.
>(Write-in)

>>6267214
>Finally forge the giant pearl into a Legendary Item.
We have cool materials now to make it even better

>>6267217
Ruby Rose
>Read and practice the spells from the spellbook found in the woods. This should be easier with Todred's teachings.

Gerty
>Act as a military instructor and get both you and your wives combat ready.
Most are training so why not do this too

Ayane
>Focus on training both magically and physically.
She should train how flexible she is after all she going to need it soon when bend her over :P

>>6267217
>Continue studying [Custom Special]. The remaining research you knew about was for how to make past abilities more readily accessible when swapping.
I would like this ability
>Act as a military instructor and get both you and your wives combat ready.
Especially to the other wives training. They'd benefit from it.
>Focus on training both magically and physically.
As she's been doing for a while now

>>6267214
>Finally forge the giant pearl into a Legendary Item.
If we can’t work on aluminum without Herta then we should do this since we have other materials now too. Perhaps armour considering our specials are usually weapons

>>6267217
>Continue studying [Custom Special]. The remaining research you knew about was for how to make past abilities more readily accessible when swapping.
A bigger selection is always good
>Act as a military instructor and get both you and your wives combat ready.
So far she is the only one who can lead people in combat (other than us) so best to make sure she is always ready.
>Focus on training both magically and physically.
Since this is a training week apparently

You FINALLY got to turning the giant pearl into a Legendary Item after putting it off for so long.

Feeling the Lunacy Savantae flow through your body and imbue your mind with divine revelations, the potential uses for this pearl become nearly endless.

Touching it reminds you what a rare boon this item is. It could help your BoatMech, it could improve the laser from the stone structures, it could even be a crystal ball. Either way, at long last, you'll finally be able to-

It's rude to keep a lady waiting, you know.

Half startled, you glance around searching for a voice that was everywhere and nowhere at once.

You could feel a giggle come from somewhere unseen soon after. Almost like there were emotions that weren't yours that you could sense, though you knew they were ancient and separate in a fundamental way. It was weird.

That shared otherworldly feeling made you realize that whoever 'spoke' to you was goofing around.

"Thea?" You say to the pearl in your hands. For some reason, you feel like there's a nod in response to your guess.

Another reply given to you came in a few trippy mental visions: After healing up for a couple of months in an ancient underwater structure, Thea was hiding herself as an island. Somehow she avoided getting caught by any Merfolk or sailors, though she did get a close call with three mermaids that were passing by. The description that she gave of them made you realize that she was referring to Mara, Peralia, and Amelia. Apparently those three had gotten into some sort of trouble with the local wildlife and needed to flee from a giant octopus or squid of some kind. They stopped by the island for a week before going further southwest.

One of the mermaids, bearing scars and a light tan, talked about a certain human Savant that lived by the sea. Apparently she spoke about him—you—on a daily basis, annoying her two companions. This mermaid was seemingly under the impression that you were always thinking about the merfolk after you had "Met an ideal mermaid like me". She also seemed to like talking about your legs for reasons Thea didn't understand.

"Huh, alright." You said, not really putting much thought into how Mara and her half-sisters must be doing now. "So, Thea, how are things?"

You sense a mental shrug in response, as well as a small tug of boredom. You felt Thea convey the fact that she might go into hibernation a couple of months from now or when snow began to fall— whichever came first— and that she'd awaken in spring, then she'd go to searching for the other Guardians sometime next summer.

This made you consider keeping the pearl as a way to communicate with the Thea, yet the giant one-eyed Guardian revealed that she only had a small amount of her power left in this pearl and wouldn't be able to contact you again through it unless she touched it again.

Thea ended this emotion based psychic phone-call with a clairvoyant yawn and by sharing her gratitude to you once more.

As strange as... whatever that was, it helped you gain better insight of the giant pearl: How to properly cut it, and that it could be 'melted' and 'reforged' while using a very specific amount of mana— though it returned to its original form soon after. However, you found that most metals were able to make it stay in a certain shape if attached in a certain way.

Some more tentative tests were made— with ingots of Holysteel, pieces of Hihiirokane, and the sheet of Mirrormetal — all giving you unique reactions.
You also attempted to use some more mundane materials, such as gemstones and bauxite, though the results were far less interesting.

This wasn't done for no reason. You discovered that, rather than just using the pearl alone as the sole material, you could add various types of metals and minerals to enhance it in different ways.

You had a few ideas on what to do with it.

>Turn it into a scrying orb. The long range magical qualities it had, and some use of Holysteel, Mirrormetal, and Hihiirokane/Scarletsteel to amplify it, would make for a powerful crystal ball that can help you see any nearly any place in this world you set your mind to.
>Use it to strengthen your BoatMech, along with some rare metals. It would greatly increase it's punching power, speed, and durability, while also giving it the ability to shoot out energy beams from its cannons.
>Have it power the mansion's defensive stone structures. Make the laser stronger and with a shorter cooldown, hide the estate from any magic that seeks to uncover you, and form a giant magical barrier to protect your estate.
>Create Legendary Weapons with unique properties. You weren't sure what these would be, but you knew they were extremely powerful.
>An amulet that could allow you to understand the emotions of whoever wears it.
>(Write-in)

Even as you finally decided on what you wanted to create, you were still curious about its properties.

Comparing the giant pearl to the broken crystal ball you got from the abandoned witch's hut gave some better results, as they seemed to share comparable properties. Though they hardly reacted much to each other, no matter if you used a bit of mana on them or connected them with metal, their designs had similar fundamentals.

It reminded you of how the once broken crystal orb gave Yumi a headache whenever you used it close to her, getting an image of her while using it from any distance gave a similar result.

This thought prompted you to bring Yumi.

"At long last, do you dare to tread the path of the arcane arts with this humble condemned servant, o cherished acolyte of heaven?" The ghost girl said with some hope.

"Nope." You held up the giant pearl. "You're gonna help me with this thing."

"And what grand design do you envision for this item?" She gave it a curious look.

"Just stay still while I try using it. Tell me if you feel anything."

There was a disappointing amount of nothing in terms of reaction between Yumi's ghostly magic and the giant pearl. However, Yumi described some sort of force pushing her away from it the more she attempted to go near it. It wasn't strong, but it was enough to stop her from trying to possess the item.

Immediately your mind, still flush with Lunacy Savantae, theorized about potential workarounds.

But those thought are interrupted as you heard Herta's footsteps approaching the Arcane Laboratory.

The goddess herself bursted through the door after a heartbeat of silence. A bout of deja-vu entered your mind, though that was probably on account of how this was second time she'd burst in a room while you were speaking to Yumi.

"Master! Master! Guess what!" Herta said.

And then she paused, glancing at you, then Yumi, and finally at the Giant Pearl between the two of you.

"What the heck," Herta exclaimed after a breath "Are you two doing???"

"Figuring out what to do with the Giant Pearl." You summarize.

"I can see that." Herta huffed. "But... why?"

"What do you mean, why?" You asked. "We've talked about this before."

"She's jealous that you're spending time with the wondrous and beautiful spirit known as Yumi." Yumi puffed out her chest in pride. "Envy suits such a violent goddess."

"Master," Herta looked at you, "You know I'm not the type to get jealous. Heck, I want you to have a huge harem! Even if it means you decide to waste your seed in a dumb ghost every once in a while. It's-"

"W-what the heck are you talking about!?!?" Yumi was both flustered and outraged. "I'd never waste Master's- I MEAN, HOW DARE YOU CALL ME DUMB!"

"-just that you didn't tell me." Herta finished, ignoring Yumi's outburst.

"I did tell you." You deadpan. "I told you multiple times this week, dumbass. But you were so lost in your research that you didn't hear me."

"Oh." Herta blinked. "Oops."

You sighed.

"Still," Herta still continued, "A useless slave like myself should try her best to make Master's life easy! As the Goddess of Artifice-"

"This would be simple for you to figure out." You finish for her.

"Yeah!" Herta smiled happily.

"H-hey, don't ignore me!" Yumi demanded.

"You wanna talk about how you just called me your Master?" You said.

That shut Yumi up.

"You had some news for me." You reminded Herta.

"Huh?" The goddess blinks a few times. "Oh! Right. Ruby was able to find something, and after talking about it and looking over her notes I realized there we're on the verge of a potential breakthrough with [Custom Special]. If either one of us look into it, we can figure out how to make it happen."

>"She can look into that, then." (Uses up Ruby Rose's action next week)
>"Make sure to work on it once you get the chance." (Uses up Herta's action next week)
>"I'll have you both handle it." (Uses up both Ruby's and Herta's actions next week)
>"That's good to know." (Herta's and Ruby's actions will be free next week)
>(Write-in)

"Anyway," You continued "Why do you even care if I make the pearl or not? You usually don't bother me while I'm in the middle of doing shit." That wasn't exactly true, since Herta had a habit of helping you whenever she thought you needed it.

"I always care about you." Herta had a fervent look on her face. "Even now I'd be willing to drop everything and help you out, Master."

You were ready to rebuff her— but a goddess helping you, no matter how incompetent she could be at times, still had merit.

>You'll allow her to help you out. (Whatever the Giant Pearl is used for will be greatly improved and be given various positive bonuses) (Herta's research on Bad Luck will be temporarily interrupted and might need another week to finish)
>You'll chastise her and tell her to get back to work. (Herta will focus in curing the cursed skill of Bad Luck)
>(Write-in)

>>6267974
>Create Legendary Weapons with unique properties. You weren't sure what these would be, but you knew they were extremely powerful.
I agreed with that one anon that said we should not make it a weapon but cmon its going to be cool and fitting of our stature.

>>6267982
>"She can look into that, then." (Uses up Ruby Rose's action next week)

>You'll allow her to help you out. (Whatever the Giant Pearl is used for will be greatly improved and be given various positive bonuses) (Herta's research on Bad Luck will be temporarily interrupted and might need another week to finish)
Fine but she better get Bad Luck research ready soon.

>>6267974
>Turn it into a scrying orb. The long range magical qualities it had, and some use of Holysteel, Mirrormetal, and Hihiirokane/Scarletsteel to amplify it, would make for a powerful crystal ball that can help you see any nearly any place in this world you set your mind to.
It’s as OP as it sounds
>>6267982
>"She can look into that, then." (Uses up Ruby Rose's action next week)
I believe in Ruby
>You'll allow her to help you out. (Whatever the Giant Pearl is used for will be greatly improved and be given various positive bonuses) (Herta's research on Bad Luck will be temporarily interrupted and might need another week to finish)
If I remember correctly we have around a month to finish the aluminum before investors stop being interested. Since this is an important tool we need Herta to join us this week.
For next week we have to start working on the aluminum if we want to meet deadlines, or at the very least start construction of the facilities. Overall though I am not that worried since John and Herta seem confident

>>6267974
>>6267987
It just sounds too useful so am changing to it

>Turn it into a scrying orb. The long range magical qualities it had, and some use of Holysteel, Mirrormetal, and Hihiirokane/Scarletsteel to amplify it, would make for a powerful crystal ball that can help you see any nearly any place in this world you set your mind to.

>>6267974
>Turn it into a scrying orb. The long range magical qualities it had, and some use of Holysteel, Mirrormetal, and Hihiirokane/Scarletsteel to amplify it, would make for a powerful crystal ball that can help you see any nearly any place in this world you set your mind to.
Imagine what the acronym agencies back home would have given for this
>"She can look into that, then." (Uses up Ruby Rose's action next week)
keep putting that big brain to use eh
>You'll allow her to help you out.
Fine fine, kick it back a bit. How long until Ayane's heat anyway? Should be coming up soon.

>>6268272
>How long until Ayane's heat anyway? Should be coming up soon.
It'll happen to her a little after 3 weeks from this current week in-quest.

Between the forging of the giant pearl into an overpowered crystal orb and interacting with Herta to best get that done, you also participated in the lessons your Holy Knight was imparting. Gerty returned to the sergeant-like personality she had when managing the defenses before the Bandit King's invasion. Her current instructions holding as much organized professionalism as before. However you did note how she tended to be more lenient with you, and was always willing to give you special attention when she taught.

Those familiar with Gerty's leadership — Bertha, Mel, and Ruby Rose — would comment on Gerty's affection towards you while teaching in an almost highschool-like gossip, even though you were literally married to her. Mel and Rose would admit that, despite being members of Gerty's questing party, they weren't really a part of the guards Gerty had direct command over. This left Bertha as the sole member that regularly received orders from Gerty back in Riverdale. You found that Bertha, being of the Warrior class, would either act as a guard within Forthwythe's castle walls or be sent out on miscellaneous missions by Gerty herself.

You almost wondered how things were turning out in Forthwythe's place without someone with as much apparent importance as Gerty. Last you'd heard, Riverdale was raising up an army to counter the Bandit King's forces. Now with the Bandit King captured and waiting to be executed in Centria, the excuse for these levies mobilizing would've likely changed, if he even gave any, as you haven't heard anything from the newspapers.

Your other wives, unaccustomed the lifestyle, struggled with the strict knightly regimen. Even the usually strong and resilient Cattleya needed to rest every so often— you attributed this to pregnancy taking its toll on her body. All of your wives, save Ayane, seemed to have similar problems. Even Gerty would be out of breath after doing some target practice against clankers. All of your wives admitted that, were it not for your morale-boosting presence, they wouldn't of practiced half as much.

Yet these lessons weren't always physical. Unlike your own training regimen, Gerty focused on the technical aspects of combat and warfare. And again unlike the workout routine you made for your wives, she would focus on cooperation as a whole instead of individual training.

Gerty would also go on about strategy and tactics on a daily basis. Skirmishing, flanking, shock tactics, artillery barrages, dealing against or being a part of a mechanical army, guerilla fighting, where to hunker down and hold a position, even hit and run tactics. Many of these topics were already discussed before when the Bandits were here, yet none of you complained on brushing up on things. While her specialty was ground warfare, she knew enough about airship battles and naval warfare to hold some exercises in case you all needed to quickly use The Vixen's Luck or your BoatMech for rapid boarding and defense.

"Mass charges," She would say, "While impressive, are not very effective when against an opponent that's dug in, has superior technology, and is fortified." She presented her biggest proof as the attempted wave attack by the Bandit King's forces against your estate. Even though you were all outnumbered by the combined thousand-plus strong bandit forces, the invaders were completely wiped out to the last bandit, with only the graveyard and Bandit King remaining as proof of their existence.

If it wasn't obvious before, you were reminded how much Gerty liked speaking about military tactics. Every once in a while you would share some strategy from your old world, which would cause her to praise you for your 'military genius' much like when you introduced the idea of trench warfare.

"Sir!" This was one of those occasions Gerty would take you aside to speak with you, "I urge you to not consider line infantry as a standard. As much as I admire Westphalia, there are certain duchies within the region that retain such outdated military tactics. It would result in massive harm for our forces— even with the use of your machines. Although a line of armored clankers could use the tactic to great effect, it would do so in spite of the tactic rather than because of it."

"Line tactics are when a bunch of soldiers stand in a line on an open field, right?" You asked, vaguely recalling something about it in the history books.

"That is the essence of it, sir." Gerty replied.

"Yeah don't worry, I don't plan on using it." While it sounded interesting as a past concept, you liked your robots more.

Gerty saluted, and you both went back to coordinating with everyone.

In another of these occasions she'd theorize about the viability of using construction clankers and digging machines to quickly build fortifications and trenches. Bertha, gaining a begrudging respect for the machines after countless hours spent fighting them, agreed with the use of clankers in battle.

You yourself considered Gerty's ideas.

>And you made Gerty continue to train you all. (Uses up Gerty's action next week)
>And you let Gerty practice using the construction clankers to quickly build up fortifications. (Uses up Gerty's action next week)
>However, you wanted to keep her schedule flexible for when next week rolled around.
>(Write-in)

Besides the training which complimented everyone's morning practicing, there were random drills held throughout the week. These were both to attack and to escape, mostly focusing on evacuating quickly in the case of an emergency or in giving a rapid response to any attack, mostly focusing on quick-drawing weapons. Gerty's class wasn't Gunslinger, but she knew enough about guns to shoot accurately.

Bertha became a much better warrioress now that she had experience sparring with opponents that weren't low lever bandits, robots, or monsters. She was also got a prompt to change her [Custom Special], something she was very proud to attempt in showing you.

"Master!" Bertha said. "I think I'll have the stuff ready!"

"You mean your Custom Spe-"

"Yeah!"

"Alright. Go on."

"Umm." Bertha looked around. "Shoot, where the heck did it go?"

You wait for a few minutes as Bertha almost frantically looked around.

"Master..." She looked at you with quivering lips. "I swear, I just had it..."

After calming he down, mostly by allowing her to get a few good sniffs of your body, she requested that you allow her another week to train.

"Master, I promise I'll be useful to you." She said, determination filling her eyes.

"I already know you are. You don't have to prove that to me." You smiled.

"I know. But still." She remained determined.

>"Alright. But don't overdue it." (Uses up Bertha's action next week) (Bertha guaranteed to get another Custom Special)
>"You can focus on your skills this week, and we can see where to go from there." (Bertha will have her weekly actions like normal)
>(Write-in).

In other news, Cattleya gained more experience using pistols, air shot rifles, and the gauntlets you made her. Combined with her claws, animal instincts, natural speed and flexibility, she became a terror in combat. Despite her physical progress she was lacking in the magical department, not to mention she hadn't even gotten her first [Custom Special] yet. While outwardly she didn't say anything, you could tell she was getting a little frustrated.

On the opposite side, Mel was able to make good use of her fae magic. She'd been practicing it often, as it incidentally complimented her class as a beguiler. She could now use Woodland Stride, which allowed her to quickly run through woodlands and could better hide everyone's tracks when traversing these biomes. And she was certain, as she told you, that she'd be able to gain the ability to levitate before long.

Unlike Bertha and Cattleya, she updated her [Custom Special]. The [Fae Dust Cloud] was now replaced by the aptly named [Missing Melody]; an ability which could temporarily deafen any enemy by singing a failed version of a fae song. It made her voice become almost impossibly high-pitched — more than it already was. You knew this because she accidentally used it against you and a few others— thankfully for only a few minutes and without any injury other than a headache. While you were quick to forgive her for that misfire, you could tell that event led to her getting knocked down a few ranks in the hierarchy slave-wives had.

Ayane, surprising herself, also seemed to be doing pretty well. Though she wasn't able to keep up with the likes of Gerty or Cattleya, your vixen was still able to hold her own for much longer than before. Her fire skill, Kitsunebi, had increased dramatically since she first became your slave.

"To think," She'd muse to herself, "That I had such power at the tips of my tails."

That was a sentiment many of your wives happened to share.

===

You wiped some sweat from your brow.

Gerty had gathered you all early in the morning to get working on everyone's fighting skills.

Despite the chilly air, the practice you were doing was hard.

As you went to train yet another set of spell castings and sword thrusts, until you realized you were the only one doing them.

Glancing back, you see your wives staring at you. Pinkened and some with their mouths agape, they simply watched.

"So," You began, "Are you all just gonna stare, or-"

"Hey, Master~" Herta said, a lascivious grin creeping onto her face. "I think it's time to take a break~"

"I think, uh, I mean I'm pretty sure," Mel stuttered, the redness on her face furiously growing, "Um, Herta is one-hundred percent right! Haha! C'mon, Master, let's go! Please?"

"Woah." Bertha's smile nearly matched the goddess', though it was clearly lathered with confidence. "You've got things backwards, Master, we're the ones that should be spoiling you~"

"The gods have blessed us this wonderful day." Gerty, deciding to stop her teaching as an instructor for the time being, kneeled before you. "Master, please revel in our bodies, and use us until we can no longer think of anything besides you."

"Bloody hell, guv. Are you trying to make us go nuts?" Cattleya at least was straightforward with her thoughts.

"Now, all of you, while appreciating Master's beauty for a moment is a thing of celebration, this should not distract us from the task at hand." Ruby Rose sneakily went by your side. "We should control our baser instincts and continue to improve ourselves."

"Thank you, Ruby," You said, "With that said, let's-"

"Of course, Master and I shall be in the Control Room, drinking tea and enjoying each other's bodie- company." Ruby cleared her throat. "Yes, Master and I shall be enjoying each other's company."

Right. You turned to Ayane.

"Aren't you gonna add something?" You asked your vixen.

"I fear I may not be as eloquent as the others." Ayane gave you a soft smile. She's the only one that had some sense of composure, though her eyes still happily drank in your form.

"Is this some mortal thing I'm not getting?" Yumi asked.

The rest of your wives silently stared at the ghost girl.

"What?" Yumi blinked.

"You aren't able to smell anything cause you're dead, right?" Bertha said.

"Yeah? So?" At Yumi's words, the looks your wives gave her became those of pity.

"And you don't have the chance to touch my gallant Master either, right?" Ruby added. "No warm embraces, correct?"

"No?" Yumi frowned. "What are you talking about? I'm a ghost."

"You poor thing..." Ayane muttered.

"You might be a ghost, but I wouldn't wish that sort of fate to any woman." Herta added. "Ever."

The rest of your wives continued to give their condolences to the ghost, making Yumi get more and more annoyed.

"How dare you all look down on me!" Yumi exclaimed. She then shifted slightly in the air. "Am... am I missing out?" You barely heard her mumble out that last part.

"Yes." Mel replied.

"Master is great." Herta nodded, though you wouldn't be surprised if she just blurted that out randomly.

"He smells better than you can ever imagine." Bertha added.

"I..." Yumi suddenly shook her head. "No, wait! I almost forgot the universe is purposefully sabotaging me! Yeah. Yeah! HAHAHA! Haha... ha..."

As strange and amusing as these situations were, they ended just as quickly as they began. Like with any anime fluff, the comfortable status-quo imposed itself onto you all again.

While you went back to working on turning the giant pearl into a crystal orb, you found that Yumi was hanging around you more often. And, on an occasion that Herta needed to get some rest, the ghost girl took the opportunity to speak with you.

"Ah, fair seeker of shadows, what whispers of fate bring you to speak with Yumi on this fateful eve?" She greeted you.

"I should be the one asking you that." You replied, giving her the attention she clearly craved.

"It's abundantly evident that your soul yearns for the incandescent glow of my presence!" She said. "To linger alone in the abyss of time, trapped within the confines of one's solitary thoughts..." She suddenly had a very empty and faraway look in her eyes, but quickly shook it off. "But enough of this meandering reverie. Tell me, o Savant Lord, would it ail you to seek company?"

"O, wondrous Yumi," You replied again, putting on some airs and matching her speech, "I find myself entwined in the grand tapestry of destiny's weaving, with no place to settle my working hands this week."

"In that case," She looked away and played with her hair, "How about next week?"

"Oh? Are you asking me-"

"W-what!" She tried, and failed, at appearing aloof "Don't get this wrong! I'm not asking you out on a d-date or anything! I was just-"

"I was about to say— before you interrupted me— if you're asking to practice with that new ghost crystal wand." You smiled innocently. "I never mentioned a date."

Yumi's reaction was priceless, her face changing into varying shades of blue and her mouth spewing out stuttered inflections.

"The..." Yumi tried to gain her cool again, once again to mixed success "The wand. Yeah. Uh, that's what I was talking about." She cleared her voice. "So, next week we can practice."

"Is that a request?"

"Yes?"

You feel that shit-eating grin on your face again.

>And you told her you'd think about it, teasing her some more.
>And you said that it was a date. Getting a stuttering ghost as a response. (Uses up John Doe's action next week to practice ghostly magic with Yumi)
>(Write-in).

>>6268789
>And you let Gerty practice using the construction clankers to quickly build up fortifications. (Uses up Gerty's action next week)
She could pratice by starting to make that wall around our territory

>>6268795
>>"Alright. But don't overdue it." (Uses up Bertha's action next week) (Bertha guaranteed to get another Custom Special)

>>6268804
>And you told her you'd think about it, teasing her some more
Depends on bad luck research really

And when can we use the Crystal ball?

>>6268789
>And you let Gerty practice using the construction clankers to quickly build up fortifications. (Uses up Gerty's action next week)
We were planning on making a starfort to surround the mansion so I say do that now. It won’t help against explosive shells but against monsters and bandits who won’t have access to that this is good.

>>6268795
>"Alright. But don't overdue it." (Uses up Bertha's action next week) (Bertha guaranteed to get another Custom Special)
I want her to punch dragons to death

>>6268804
>And you told her you'd think about it, teasing her some more.
We will see depending on everyone’s schedule.

>>6268822
>And when can we use the Crystal ball?
It'll be available after you test it to see what it can do, which'll happen next week in-quest.
But if you mean when you'll generally be able to use it, then it'll mostly be in the background or if you want to see a specific place in the world as a suggestion in a vote. This is assuming you have the legendary item in your inventory/estate/along with you on your travels.

>>6268789
>And you let Gerty practice using the construction clankers to quickly build up fortifications. (Uses up Gerty's action next week)
Add combat engineer to her repertoire.
Later down the line, we could experiment with AFVs for frontal assaults. I'd like to see whatever this world can field go against a foot of RHA and anti-tank shells vrooming around at high speed.
>>6268795
>"Alright. But don't overdue it." (Uses up Bertha's action next week)
Fine fine.
>>6268804
>And you told her you'd think about it, teasing her some more.
We need our action next week to go chop chop on the aluminium, but it does appear that by now Yumi is basically a shoe-in for wife #8 or 9 depending on Aila. How we're going to hug n fug remains an open question.

After a long day of working with Herta on the legendary orb, you found Ruby Rose going about the mansion looking for books and papers. All of said books seemed to relate to the use of skills and curses, meanwhile the papers were from Herta's own theories and ideas.

Ruby Rose's hair was disheveled, and she had bags under her eyes. She was clearly occupied by the requests you've made of her.

You stop your Mastermind for a moment, intending on getting an update from her.

"How's the research going, Ruby?" You said.

"Hmm?" She glanced at you, blinked, and stifled a yawn. "It's progressing quite well. While I've been having some understandable issues concerning certain recommendations made for the direction of my studies. Yet the initial concept stage has gone well. For now, at least."

"Go on."

"Ah, it's merely that 'breakthrough' that the so-called goddess made me consider," Rose's eye twitched "Is giving me more trouble than anticipated. Mind you, I do not despise complexity. But dealing with powers beyond the human mind without a proper scheme feels like a waste of effort." She wasn't fond of picking up after the goddess.

"I see." That wasn't too unexpected. Despite her continued efforts, Ruby couldn't grasp the divine concepts that those with Lunacy Savantae can. Be they impossible engineering or the more abstract parts of a skill. "May I see your progress?"

"Certainly." She pulls out some papers and notes. To her credit they were all expertly organized, a far cry from the messes of strewn blueprints and notes Herta usually made after working.

A glance at Rose's work instantly leaves you impressed. Despite being mentally impossible for Ruby to understand certain concepts, she nonetheless found ways to give it sense and worked up a plan from there. Though you doubted she knew what exactly she was doing, she held onto any logic and ran with it to its conclusion — like one who was both deaf and blind had figured out how to write.

You give her some tips, as well as some ways to make her workload more efficient.

"And that would the most efficacious... ah, I see." She did her best at trying to understand it, the light in her eyes desperately creating a scheme out of it all. "Thank you, my Master."

"If you need any further help, just ask me or Herta."

"I shall visit you if I have any inquiries." She gave you a tired curtsy. "Once more, I must express my gratitu-"

You don't let her finish as you kiss her. "You've been doing amazing, darling."

"Mmm." She savors it, her energy returning and her morale up. "Ah, you alone make it all worth it, my gallant Master~"

Unlike with your Mastermind's research, Herta's progress seemed to stall when it came to figuring out how to cure the Bad Luck curse. You couldn't blame her too much, considering that she tended to get tired more easily due to how she was expecting, not to mention how much she helped you out otherwise; Herta's help was far more critical than you expected in terms of getting that scrying orb finished—she revealed ways to make the legendary artifact's final version much better than you could've figured out on your own.

"We make a great team, Master." Herta would say after working with you for hours on end. It would've been a pretty normal compliment were she not currently acting as your footstool.

"Oh?" You gave an almost playful scowl. "You say that even after you've procrastinated with the Bad Luck!"

"Kyaah~!" She'd happily cry out, even as you put some pressure on her. "Getting punished by Master... is seriously the best~"

And you continued to harass her in ways that she loved, making her—if not fully finishing her work— then at least coming close to finding a cure when you made her focus on it again.

Anyway, the week came to a close. And with it, there were some new things to consider for your wives.

You:
>Begin working on aluminum production.
>Continue interacting Yumi. Maybe make some items so you could share physical contact with her, or practice using the crystal wand so you could use her ghostly magic.
>Work out, get some more muscle on your body and try to learn a spell. This should be easier with what Todred taught you.
>Train with a wife of yours to increase a stat. (Which wife?)
>Try getting Ayane to conceive your child.
>Upgrade a vehicle with ingots and materials (BoatMech or The Vixen's Luck?)
>Construct a large artillery piece.
>Start another construction project. (What?)
>Create more clank variants and get the factory running again. (Will require ingots and other materials)
>Tinker up something. (Weapon, gadget, set of armor, other?)
>Explore the surrounding region. (For settlements, resources, scrap?)
>Visit a place you know about. (Centria? Northumbridge? Vonstadt? Riverdale? Other?)
>Set off to visit Thea. (Bring any of your wives with you?)

Herta:
>Begin working on aluminum production.
>Build a dockyard by the dungeon's entrance.
>Build a lighthouse.
>Continue to look into finding a cure for Bad Luck. (Potential to find a cure this week with a good enough roll)
>Create for you some manner of magic item.
>Charge up the little jewels with single use spells.
>Either create more of or upgrade the robotic sewing machines.
>Begin refurbishing one of the mansion's unused rooms into something else.
>(Write-in)

(continued next post)

Cattleya:
>Collect as much scrap metal as she can find from the estate.
>Chop down some trees from the nearby forest.
>Plant some saplings and seeds.
>Organize all the minerals, gemstones, and other items you've bought from Centria in a storage area.
>Start building a hangar for airships.
>Continue practicing her gauntlets and shooting.
>Use the magical fertilizer to make the cotton fields become ready to get picked again.
>(Write-in)

Mel:
>Work on her invisibility.
>Work on her mana's stamina.
>Work on her physical stamina.
>Continue practicing her fairy magic.
>Continue practicing her sharpshooting and sniping skills.
>Train in infiltration and ambushing.
>Scout around the estate.
>Lay some traps in the forest.
>(Write-in)

Ayane:
>Continue training both magically and physically.
>Look around for any herbs that can serve as holistic medicines. She can likely make medicine to lessen morning sickness. Can also brew healing, recall, or stamina potions thanks to the notes left by the witch.
>Continue focusing on writing to her connections in Centria. It should give you some more time in keeping their interest.
>Make the graveyard more beautiful. Set up a small shrine there.
>(Write-in)

And roll me a 1d100 with whatever choices you make.

Rolled 42 (1d100)

>>6269280
We
>Begin working on aluminum production.
Yumi will get her date after this, if other anons are not wrong this has time limit

Herta
>Continue to look into finding a cure for Bad Luck. (Potential to find a cure this week with a good enough roll)
And talk about time limits. NotIseQM can we get a bonus to this if we promise a reward for her

Cattleya
>Start building a hangar for airships.
More airships in future

Mel
>Scout around the estate.
Hmmm.....

Ayane
>Make the graveyard more beautiful. Set up a small shrine there.
Sounds like one time thing

Rolled 30 (1d100)

>>6269280
>Begin working on aluminum production.
Enough stalling
>Continue to look into finding a cure for Bad Luck. (Potential to find a cure this week with a good enough roll)
Aslong as it’s finished by the time Ayane gets into heat

>>6269298
>Start building a hangar for airships.
If we are going to ramp up aluminum production in the future, extra ships to carry it and of course ships to protect those will be needed
>Train in infiltration and ambushing.
We need Mel to be able to cause maximum mayhem behind enemy lines when we need be
>Continue training both magically and physically.
Basically our only magic caster

>>6269298
>NotIseQM can we get a bonus to this if we promise a reward for her
Sure.

>>6269414
I'll add ways you can encourage her next week along with any suggestions here.

>>6269416
She will get extra treatment for every day of this week until this week is over, however it will only start after she is done her job and we approve

Rolled 25 (1d100)

>>6269280
>Begin working on aluminum production.
Time to go. We should aim to have our first electrolysis bath set up by the end of the week.
>Continue to look into finding a cure for Bad Luck.
So, we've got three weeks to dispel this so we can get Ayane pregnant safely. Ayane's already walking on sunshine but soon she might be wondering if it's all for real - free of Bad Luck, soon to be a mother, being part of industrial history, in better shape than ever and being the one to break the big news to the rest of her clan. The next few weeks are going to compound on her existing happiness to feel like emotional ascension to her.
>>6269283
>Chop down some trees from the nearby forest.
We're going to need lots of wood soon for construction and fuel
>Scout around the estate.
Make sure everything is still in order and there's no ne'er-do-wells about
>Make the graveyard more beautiful. Set up a small shrine there.
I think she'd enjoy it, and taking a break from training. Don't spare the effort when it comes to spirits either.

Rolled 45 (1d100)

>>6269283
I agree with this >>6269298 plan.

You glanced at some of the robots you'd made as they cleaned scale from the boilers in the basement— those machines were proving their worth in the best of times— as you decided to finally begin smelting some aluminum.

But first — after what felt like an eternity of putting it on the backburner — you had an overpowered cheat item ready to test out.

Entering the Arcane Laboratory, you gave the now newly named Orb of Farsight one final polish, feeling the curious power overflow from it like fizzling soda.

This wasn't the first time you'd tested the Orb. It was a process that took all of last week: You'd been able to get images of places well enough, though these were often devoid of most life. It was almost like watching some sort of post-apocalyptic scene, where all the places that should be teeming with sapient and animal life were now empty, leaving biomes and buildings like ghost towns but without the ghosts. But with the help of a certain goddess, as she gave insight and assistance in a way that only the gods could, the pearl was now able to display images of people and creatures in the present time.

While you did a pretty good job with making it— being the spearhead of this Legendary Artifact and all— Herta's help was nothing to scoff at (no matter how much she would've wanted you to do just that).

Initially you could only use the Orb once a day for around ten minutes without feeling woozy out from a lack of mana. But with Herta's tinkering this was extended to an hour each day.

The only downsides were that you couldn't hear anything from the Orb other than a low droning hum, as well as there being a 'mana leak' which could give out the fact that someone was watching, but only to those most sensitive to mana. These were things that remained a mystery to both you and the goddess.

Speaking of Herta, you used your orb to look at her. She was hard at work with researching the Bad Luck skill, until she paused and began to look around— as though there was something she was trying to find.

You take a few glances at other places, not limited to your properties in Centria; the knights were building their small fortress in the plaza, and one of them seemed to be talking with a man in adventuring gear. Your castle was peaceful as always, though now it had the occasional kitsune pass by, granting the place a few check ups before leaving. As for your kitsune father in-law, you were glad to see the old fox peacefully fishing by that flying tower you'd lent to him, the ghost crystal holding Sumiko on a necklace he wore. Lastly you glanced at that wasteland you'd purchased, and found it without anything of interest. Not even animals scurried through the place— tough, much like before, an almost constant flow of airships passed over it often.

You consider looking for Thea in that island you thought she might be related to, just to check up on the big tiddy giant since this Orb was all thanks to her gift.

The island had no movement nor any apparent life other than some palm trees. Odd.

Even more strangely, you do get an image of Thea — in a blank void. She takes notice of you, smiles and waves, before the Orb becomes dormant once more.

After that interesting scene, you further test it to keep tabs on your non-divine wives as they work on their various jobs. There isn't much to say about it, as they all give it their all. Though you found something interesting when you watched Mel.

It takes no small effort to find a beguiler with fairy blood and the Woodland Stride ability, but you eventually manage to catch a glimpse of her. A sudden look of worry is plastered on her face moments after you do so. Cautiously, she goes invisible. You try to find what she might've been worried about, but you don't see anything nearby.

As you wonder about this, Herta barges into the room once more.

"Master! I have something to share with you!" She exclaimed, catching her breath.

"You have a cure for Ayane's curse?" You replied, letting the Orb return to its dormant state.

"Nope." She shook her head. "Worse — I felt some weird magical energy earlier today, but I couldn't figure out where it came from!" She looked to her sides, then whispered in an almost conspiratorial tone. "I felt the presence come from here the most. I think there's a pervert that's obsessed with you, Master." Ironic, coming from her.

"Hmm." You use your orb again, conjuring an image of both you and Herta as you both stood in the Arcane Laboratory.

"Master." She got deadly serious as her voice went low. "I don't want to alarm you, but I can sense that magic again."

"It's the Orb, you idiot." You chided her, setting the Orb of Farsight to look into the room both you and Herta were in. "See?"

"Huh? Whoa." She became fascinated by the effect of having the Orb show an image of you holding the Orb as you held it, almost going infinitely. "Weird..."

You did get the feeling that someone was watching you as you used it to get a look of yourself. After some tests, you knew that the Orb used mana as a sort of tunnel to give you a picture of what you wanted, and would leak out a very small amount in the places you saw it in, though only those that were the most sensitive to mana could tell when was something off. At least that's how Herta explained it— also mentioning that it'd eventually 'seal up' after an unknown amount of time.

"Hey." You put it down and wave a hand in front of her. "Do you get it now, you useless goddess?"

"Huh?" Herta blinked. "Get what?"

At that moment Mel seemed to take the opportunity to appear before you.

"Master," She said. "I hope I'm not interrupting, but I have some important news."

"Go ahead, I'm not doing anything important." You said.

"I felt an unknown presence nearby, and-" She glances at the Orb you held, and gives you a sheepish look as she scratches the back of her head. "Gosh, this is embarrassing. I must've sensed that Orb you made."

"No worries." You reassure her. "Anything else I should know about?"

"There's some high level monsters near the mountains and the sea." Mel said. "And I found the remains of some sharks washed up in the shore."

"Huh???" Herta looked between you and Mel, pouting all the while. "Master, why the heck are you so calm with her and angry with me? We both didn't know about the Orb!"

"Maybe because Mel didn't have any context and figured it out with a look, meanwhile you're the goddess that helped me build it and still did know somehow?" You said. "It's clear you're a dumb maso-bitch goddess that's only good as a breeding sow, but you still should've been able to tell since you literally explained it to me."

You used to feel strange when dishing out so many insults to her at once, but it's become a habit for you at this point. Also it always made Herta happy, so that was a plus.

Case in point— the goddess blushed and smiled.

"Kyaaah~! Master, you're so mean to me~"

Besides, it was always fun to tease a cute chick. Herta was no exception to this rule.

"Um," Mel scratched her head again "Master, I'm gonna go do some more reconnaissance. If, uh, that's alright with you?"

"Go ahead." You allowed it.

"Thanks, um." She gulped. "I love you, Master." She added quietly, departing soon after you gave her the go ahead.

"Master," Herta's smile took a more lascivious turn. "What terrible things are you gonna do to me, now that there's no witnesses?"

"You," You began, "Are gonna finish finding a cure for Bad Luck."

"Eh?" Herta looked confused for a moment. "Master, you don't have to tell me to do that. If you're mad with me you can always just slap me-"

"And once you're done," You continued, drawing close to her "I'm gonna give you an extra 'punishment' this week for slacking off, every day. As long as you don't half-ass things. Understood?"

"Huh?" Another bout of confusion, and Herta blinked a few times in succession.

"What the hell are you waiting for!" You put on a good scowl for her. "Stop standing around like an idiot and get to it you lazy, petulant goddess!"

"Master!" Her eyes light up with energy. "Yeah! That's the stuff! I'll figure out the cure by at least the end of the week!"

With that Herta gave you a kiss, you returned it with a light feel of her behind, and she happily went off to do some eggheaded armchair investigation that only this goddess was capable of.

===

Ruby Rose came to you sometime later in much better spirits than before.

"My gallant Master," And she continued by calling you that name she got from her favorite book, The Baron's Bandit, "I come bearing good tidings on the work you've assigned to a humble slave like myself."

"Madame," You said, also referencing that book, "Any news you bring, no matter how grave, shall have its sting lessened by the elegance of your words."

"What a gentleman~" Ruby replied, her smoky contralto pleasantly lathering her voice like honey.

She would tell you that the breakthrough had gone well, making tons of progress. Reading her research made you realized [Custom Special] could become overpowered as shit. It dealt with actually being able to control when the prompt for [Custom Special] became available, but only a special version of the screen — letting you switch between past abilities you've already had at your whim. Unfortunately this didn't extend to newer powers, so you couldn't just spam it until you got every ability you possibly could on standby.

At least not yet.

Ruby Rose remained pretty happy about her progress, despite not knowing what half of it meant. She promised to wrap it up by the end of the week.

It reminded you of how invigorated Herta was after that little talk you had with her. You gave the goddess a good scolding every time you saw her, and stressed the importance of getting things done.

"But Master-" Herta would say "I couldn't finish it because I was working with you!"

"Are you gonna keep on making excuses, or are you going to stop being such a lazy noodle-armed bitch?"

"Kyaah! I'll do it, Master~!"

And so things went for the duration of the week. However, you did feel like you could do some other things to encourage her.

>Just keep things going as they are. Herta seemed pretty enthusiastic as is.
>Spend some more time with her. Giving you goddess some attention always helps. (Herta will be more likely to find a cure) (John Doe's weekly action of starting up aluminum production won't be fully focused on)
>Continue to mount the pressure on her, some rougher 'sessions' could do wonders. (Herta will be more likely to find a cure) (Herta will be exhausted after this)
>(Write-in).

On another note, Gerty had been doing well with her building practice. She tended to focus more on what she could do in the midst of battle, foreseeing the need to build in crisis situations.

Given that she would split her time learning how to lead the constructions clankers in many different ways, you expected your competent Holy Knight to have a grasp on how to use the robots. Yet, with an apology and a salute, she asked if there was anything in particular you wanted her to practice.

"Why not everything at the same time?" You queried.

"Sir!" She said. "Focus is key to grasping onto something!"

Well, it seemed like that was how she learnt things.

(Note; Gerty will learn about all of the below and more, but this will help her get the clankers to build something specific in a short period of time in case of an emergency)

>Ladders and siege buildings.
>Bridges and clearing pathways.
>Walls and general fortifications.
>(Write-in)

Happy 4th to all the burgers!

And give me a 1d100+30 roll for Herta's research on Bad Luck along with your vote, Bo3

DC: 40, 65

Rolled 85 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>6269959
>Just keep things going as they are. Herta seemed pretty enthusiastic as is.
I have faith that she can get it done. We meanwhile need to focus on the aluminium and I don't want to push her to exhaustion for health's sake and that we need her up and about.
>Trenches and distributed fortifications.
We need the ability to turn our manor into a mini Verdun at a moment's notice.

Rolled 58 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>6269959
>Just keep things going as they are. Herta seemed pretty enthusiastic as is.
"You have earned it, my beautiful breeding sow"

>Walls and general fortifications
I would still want castle walls around our territory

Rolled 100 + 30 (1d100 + 30)

>>6269959
>Spend some more time with her. Giving you goddess some attention always helps. (Herta will be more likely to find a cure) (John Doe's weekly action of starting up aluminum production won't be fully focused on)

>Bridges and clearing pathways.

>>6270054
Lets goooo

>>6269959
>Just keep things going as they are. Herta seemed pretty enthusiastic as is.
I have faith in her
Also being able to switch our special between our already discovered ones at will is pretty amazing
>Walls and general fortifications.
We can build little murals on the walls once it is finished for fun

>>6270054
Total Goddess Victory

Today was a good day for Herta.

Your promise must've made something click in her brain, because she was suddenly way more focused than before. Those extra 'treatments' for the rest of the week seemed to be her sole goal, as she spent the entire day feverishly researching in a nearly endless frenzy of Lunacy Savantae — presenting the finished research to you the morning after.

Bowing to you, head nearly to the ground as her skimpy outfit, the poor excuse for clothing as it ever was, lay in folded pile next to her. Before you she presented a non-exhaustive compilation of her research.

"Master, it is this filthy slave's pleasure to inform you that she's completed the task you've assigned to her."

"And what do you have here?" You took a cursory glance at it.

"Like I said," A excitedly smug expression graced her face "As the Goddess of Artifice, this was easy for me to do."

"Don't get cheeky, you maso-slut." You took the offered papers, instinctively placing your foot on her head. Your efforts were rewarded by the happy sounds the goddess made.

Any suspicion that she might've half-assed her research to get it done quickly was dismissed as you skimmed through her work.

Detailed descriptions about the nature of skills, focusing in particular on cursed skills — both in their differences and similarities — was explained flawlessly. The more you read the more exhaustive it became. Doubtlessly, it'd help in understanding what skills were at a fundamental level. It was written in such a way that it wouldn't be impossible for anyone who wasn't a Savant to understand it. Yet the most important fact was the claim that she found not one, but multiple ways to get rid of Bad Luck today with the resources you currently had.

This was above your expectations.

"Impressive work, for a lazy goddess like yourself." You put on some airs for this eccentric wife of yours. "And for that, you shall be given your reward."

"Hah, aah~" Herta breath was heavy as you applied some more pressure. "Yes~! YES!!!"

Keeping your word, you gave her an extra dose of your 'protein' every day for the rest of the week while also indulging her masochism as an added bonus.

Her arrogance skyrocketed enough for you to 'bring her down' and her ego inflated for you to pop it as you 'put her in her place' — much to her pleasure.

And to top it all off she still had time to, in her own words, "Keep getting bossed around by you, Master~"

>Just take it easy and let herself get spoiled by you.
>Help you work on the aluminum production.
>Build a dockyard by the dungeon's entrance.
>Build a lighthouse.
>Create for you some manner of magic item.
>Charge up the little jewels with single use spells.
>Either create more of or upgrade the robotic sewing machines.
>Begin refurbishing one of the mansion's unused rooms into something else.
>(Write-in)

Herta enthusiastically explained the multiple ways to get rid of a cursed skill.

The first suggestion was to create a blessed potion, which Herta explained was like a specialized version of Holy Water. A few spells cast by Herta on some clean water, mixed with herbs that you had in the pantry (those glowberries Mel bought in Centria were apparently important for this), all mixed together and boiled. Finally it would be blessed by Herta again, and when Ayane drank from it the cursed skill would be permanently neutralized. You considered how these could be easily handed out to your in-laws to cure them too.

Another way was simply remotely cutting the curse from its source. This sounded more confusing on paper than it did in reality— it involved Herta using the aether to sever the curse from Ayane, balancing your vixen's karmic weight in this life. This required some magic circles to be drawn, again in the purified sanctuary known as Herta's Haven, and would take some meditation on Ayane's part (which thankfully your vixen was already good at doing). Unlike the first option, this had more to do with correcting her karmic imbalance in her Status Screen.

The third was transferring the curse onto another item or person. While this seemed the simplest, it involved getting an item that was strong enough to hold such a powerful curse. Luckily you had some inactive mana crystals from the goblin cave that Herta purified, of which at least one could serve as a vessel to transfer the curse into. You'd get a crystal bearing a curse of Bad Luck if you did this, if you wanted to have crystal with captured cursed energy for whatever reason.

Herta also spoke about a divine ritual being to fully purge all curses in Ayane. Since Ayane's cursed skill of Bad Luck was considered a mistake according to divine law, it made matters easier. This ritual required Herta to make a lengthy prayer in her own name— as the Goddess of Artifice— while Ayane was surrounded by some Savant-made artifacts all standing on the sacred grounds that you'd allotted to Herta. And, after an hour of chanting and prayer, Ayane would begin to levitate for a few seconds, and then would be free of her curse soon after.

Ultimately Herta was able to confirm that the skill known as Bad Luck acted like a magical disease of sorts.

There were also other options, such as killing the person(s) that placed a curse on Ayane's ancestor or otherwise exorcising the dark presence from where it began—but this proved to be a difficult thing for multiple reasons, likely necessitating taking a trip to her Oceanippon (which would take weeks) as well as potentially having to hunt for monsters or evil spirits. There was also the possibility of simply suppressing the skill, though Herta advised against this due to it not being a permanent removal, merely placing the curse into a hibernation of sorts, and since it also needed the help of at least two Guardians to properly suppress it.

Herta had knew how to do all of those cures and assured you that there would be no side-effects or anything out of the ordinary going on.

"And you wouldn't call getting rid of a thousand-year curse out of the ordinary?" You asked.

"Eh." Herta shrugged. "I've studied purification, curse removal, and purging corruption for a long time. There's usually multiple ways to go about fighting curses or corruption, even tricky ones like cursed skills. Honestly, things just seemed to work out when I was looking into that. Maybe because I was studying how fortune worked, a little bit of it was left on me?" She cleared her throat. "Not to say I was lucky. This was all because of my genius!"

"Right." You couldn't help but smile. You don't think you're ever gonna get tired of this silly goddess of yours.

Nonetheless one thing was certain; no matter which cure was used, the curse would no longer get passed down from parent to child.

Ayane was currently in the middle of tending to a newly made garden in the graveyard, and was committed to making it a much more pleasant place to live in, with a shrine she was planning to build being one of the main points of interest.

Little did she know that in less than a day she'd be free from the jinx that had been ruining her life.

You considered how you wanted to do things in terms of curing her Bad Luck— since she has already expressed her faith in you, deliberating to you in these matters more than you'd expected. The again you'd already proven to be reliable when it came to helping her against misfortune; making lucky artifacts or putting that luck-increasing spell on her wedding ring were just a few examples, and that didn't mention all the personal issued you helped her get through.

Though the choices all ended the same way— with Ayane getting the curse that plagued her removed— this was still a huge moment for your kitsune. While all of the ways to cure her ultimately didn't make much of a difference, save for those that would send you around the world, Ayane requested that you be with her. Considering this wouldn't eat into your time making aluminum, you happily obliged.

As always, the choice was yours.

>Create that blessed potion.
>Use the aether to balance her karmic weight.
>Transfer the curse onto an empty purified mana crystal.
>Do the ritual.
>(Write-in).

>>6270603
>Help you work on the aluminum production.
I want money
>>6270615
>Create that blessed potion.
Not only is it the easiest but the cheapest too, and the best way to cure all our in laws. When we do get around to curing them as well I suggest we get a few of them to do the crystal one just for the sake of having them.

>>6270606
Okay, question. How scalable are the second and fourth methods? Do they have to be done one at a time, or can we bring the entire extended family here for a mass ceremony?

>>6270603
>>Just take it easy and let herself get spoiled by you.
Reward was promised and a reward shall she get. If she wants let her with aluminum production otherwise let her be spoiled.

>Do the ritual.
Its says all the curses, before we do ask Herta what other curses would she had

>>6270623
Second method depends more on how well the person can keep their mind clear. It can be done for many people at the same time if everything goes right.
Fourth could have a mass ceremony, but it'd take a lot out of Herta without a mana crystal/any source of extra mana to help her out.

>>6270624
>Its says all the curses, before we do ask Herta what other curses would she had
That was a typo on my part. Meant to say that it's like purging any potential curses she might otherwise have, not that Herta knew if there were any other curses on Ayane.
As far as you're aware Ayane only has a curse of Bad Luck. Though it's possible she might have other curses, neither you nor Herta nor Ayane have found evidence of it.

>>6270651
>As far as you're aware Ayane only has a curse of Bad Luck. Though it's possible she might have other curses, neither you nor Herta nor Ayane have found evidence of it.

But curse are all not-positive

>>6270656
Unless the Bad Luck curse was only there as a seal to an even greater curse

>>6270656
Yeah curses do pretty bad stuff. Some are easy to get rid of, some aren't. A few are subtle, but most are noticeable.

>>6270657
I won't confirm or deny this. But I will say that Herta's crit success will help you guys deal with any curse shenanigans.

>>6270669
Just checking all kitsune dont have this bad luck curse

>>6270603
>Just take it easy and let herself get spoiled by you.
We promised her a reward, and she'll get it in full for such good work. Let her luxuriate for a bit while we come and give her some desired treatment and commit such appalling degeneracy as cuddling and rubbing her bump.
>Do the ritual.
Let's give this one a go. I want to start prepping for curing the extended family in a series of mega-rituals (fuck knows how many potions we'd have to make), so it'd be good for her to practice now with Ayane and prepare some mana boosters.

>>6270677
Yeah not all of them have it, but so far kitsune are the only ones you've seen with the Bad Luck curse.

>>6270657
Terrible luck?

>>6270679
This method would require the kitsunes to come to our sacred cave and that many Kitsune flying in with bad luck I can only assume will invoke the Hindenburg

>>6270733
I mean, they did manage to stuff themselves all into one room without everything catching fire and exploding, so I think we can put them on an airship. At least in a few batches.

>>6270733
>and that many Kitsune flying in with bad luck I can only assume will invoke the Hindenburg
This would only happen if they didnt have their luck artifacts for some reason

>>6270603
>Just take it easy and let herself get spoiled by you.
>Help you work on the aluminum production.
Maybe this is just me greeding but given Herta's proclivities, I can see John slavedriving her on the aluminium as part of the leisure by scratching the masochist itch. Probably won't be as good as doing it purely for business but it does kill two birds with one stone.

>>6270615
>Create that blessed potion.
Just very portable and convenient.

>>6270603
>Just take it easy and let herself get spoiled by you.

>>6270615
>Create that blessed potion.

>>6270603
>>Just take it easy and let herself get spoiled by you.


>>6270615
>Do the ritual.

You, Herta, and Ayane are at the Holy Sanctuary — Herta's Haven.

A circle of artifacts made by your hands glow with divine energy. They surround a fox-eared woman.

The Goddess of Artifice chanted directly outside the entrance. She wore the intricate garments befitting of a goddess, yet these struggled against the form of a woman soon to be a mother. Her voice could be heard echoing throughout the cave system.

"How're you holding up?" You asked Ayane, the both of you outside as Herta continued to pray and chant.

"I'm-" Ayane paused and took a breath. "I'd be lying if I denied how nervous I feel. Thank you for being here with me, Master. Despite how doubtlessly difficult and time consuming your work must be, I doubt I could go through with this without you."

"No problem." You'd begun automating a few parts for the aluminum production, and where now waiting for the results. The timing was such that you could spend time here with Ayane.

You passed the time by speaking to your fox merchant. Mostly about things like aluminum, a subject which interested you both for different reasons. Though she already knew about concepts like electrolysis, and of how much of a pain it was to use — considering non-magical electricity was already inefficient to produce, and magical electricity had its own weird properties, among slews of other issues — she would help with suggestions that, knowing your otherworldly origins, could help inspire you and grant a new perspective. You came to consider mana and crystals as a blessing, almost as great as machinery was. You already got used to steam a long time ago, adjusting your mindset (and even entertaining thoughts of diesel shenanigans). The price to pay for that steampunk — electricity — was something that you were beginning to overcome.

With your familiar presence a clear source of comfort for Ayane, the two of you continued to talk. Of merchants, materials, mechanisms, and other matters, until things fell into a peaceful lull. You took note of the blades of grass beyond the clearings and pathways, gently swaying in autumn's breeze almost like waves. And golden rays of yellow were reflected on them— both divine energy from the artifacts and beams of this afternoon's sunlight that managed to pierce through the canopy.

The plants and the water and the light between the leaves made you recall how Herta was able to create a small batch of blessed potions—mentioning how you all needed to get some more glowberries and soulsalt if you wanted to have more. It was enough to give to your entire kitsune family.

"Ah, Master." Said Ayane, "I think it's happening."

For a split second you think she was getting taller, but that thought was quickly rejected when you realized that levitation was the culprit.

She began to glow as well, and the Savant-made artifacts dimmed. Yet these objects gently raised themselves over the ground alongside, beginning to spin around her.

Herta came close by, having stopped her divine prayer. She looked at the now flying foxgirl with a stony expression.

"Curse Dispel!" She chanted one last spell at your vixen after a few seconds.

What looked like a dark aura slowly got pulled out of Ayane, slowly vanishing into nothingness.

As suddenly as the final part of the rite began, it ended. Ayane fell, and luckily you were close enough to catch her before she hit the ground, holding her princess-style.

"Master!" Ayane looked up at you, a faint hint of red on her face. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah, I'm good." You felt a little touched that she thought about you before anything else. "What about you?"

"I'm..." She blinked a few times. "Lighter? Everything feels more alive."

You set her down as Herta approaches. A smug smile graced the goddess' lips as Ayane confirmed she was feeling fine, and you made a mental note to 'punish' the goddess for it later.

"What do you mean?" You said to Ayane, wanting to know how your fox is feeling.

"Ah, how to explain..." Ayane seemed to try looking for the right way to say it. "Have you ever had an old wound with a constant, chronic pain? And it's been there for so long and your body is so used to it that you don't realize you have it? Well..." She gets lost in thought.

"Go on." You said.

"It's like that. A heaviness in my soul that I've had since before I can remember has suddenly disappeared. Colors are vibrant, and I feel more... alive." She looks towards nothing, yet from her movements you're sure she just opened her status screen. "Yes, it's gone!" She hugs you. "After all these decades! Master, thank you so much!"

She kisses you. Multiple times. It feels pretty nice.

"Hey, I was just here for emotional support." You said with a grin. "I didn't do much other than be here."

"There's no need to be humble." Ayane chuckled. "You're the most important part of my life— as it should always be."

"Ayane's right. I don't actually care about curing her." Herta said. "If it weren't for you, Master, I would've been fine with just letting her stay with that curse."

"Sounds irresponsible." You raised an eyebrow towards the goddess as your kitsune continued to shower you with kisses.

"Eh, I mean, it's not anything serious like mental corruption." Herta shrugged. "And cursed skills can be managed with lucky artifacts. Don't get me wrong, curses are still bad and I'll dispel them when I get the chance. But a family having unlucky lives is pretty low on the priority list for me." You could only imagine what the 'priorities' Herta had would look like, given how she spent her days craving your 'cruelty'.

Still it was callous of the goddess to say, and it threatened to bring down the mood, but thankfully Ayane was too happy— or too distracted by you— to give Herta's comment any weight.

You decide to return one of the kisses Ayane gave you, keeping it going until she lost her breath.

"Master." Ayane spoke as tears of joy threatened to fall from the corners of her eyes. "Words cannot express the happiness I now feel."

And none were needed as your soft tailed wife continued to embrace you.

===

Flickers of light abounded. It was a warm welcome to most, but a great annoyance in the eyes of a certain ghost.

Yumi floated around the graveyard as she followed you—a habit the both of you were getting used to. She flinched when passing under a particularly strong ray of sun, grumbling but otherwise unaffected.

You didn't say a thing as you went about your business. Today you were here to evaluate some materials Ayane had spotted; your vixen happened to find some tin ore by the surface when noticing a few gold coins hidden by the ground, finding both of these things as she was watering the newly added plants by the two graveyards— bandit and innocent both. Yet only one of these places held a shrine, noted by the distinct gate (a torii, you think Ayane called it), that almost welcomed you towards it.

"Even wretched scoundrels and forgotten slaves are given respect and honor." Yumi noted. "And this was your idea, Maste- Savant Lord?"

"Yeah, it was." You confirmed. "It just didn't feel right to not have anything."

And you might need it for someone in the future. But that wasn't a thought you liked to have in your head.

"But for such lowly life? And names you know nothing of?" She looked at you curiously. Seeing your unchanging expression, she continued "You are a strange one, Savant."

"Well, to be fair my wives and I initially burned and threw out a bunch of bodies the first time the Bandits invaded. Remember that?"

"Fate's cruel hand weaves the mundane, bespeaking actions already done and foretold." She basically said that that's how people usually deal with corpses.

"I mean, it wasn't pretty. We were too tired to dig up graves after dealing with the invasion, but if we just let them out in the fields we would've had to deal with the stench and the monsters."

"How curious, the reverence you bestow upon the deceased, like whispers of forgotten legacies dancing in the twilight of your actions."

"This sort of thing wasn't too uncommon back in my old world."

"Maybe so." Yumi sighs. "It reminds me home. Even that fox woman of yours, though she makes graves better and honors the dead, still doesn't fully understand what it's like to honor the dead."

"Hey, you can't deny she's trying." You defend Ayane's clear attempts to give those that passed some honor.

"Did she think about making a grave to begin with?" She asked. At your silence, she sighed. "Whatever the case, I appreciate the gesture you've made to us spirits— whether we wander this world or not— o Savant Lord."

You let the subject fall at that.

Speaking of Ayane, she was here as well. She greeted the both of you politely.

A glance revealed her handiwork: Red spider lilies and white chrysanthemums adorned the newly cared for areas. You noted that yellow carnations could only be found in the bandit's graveyard. Nonetheless both gravesites held themselves beautifully— Ayane had outdone herself.

A few tree seeds were planted near the edges of the clearing and the pathways. Given some magical fertilizer, these would soon grow into cherry blossoms. When you asked her about the choice for sakura trees, Ayane responded that they represented the cycle of life, death, and rebirth, "Although I would be lying if I didn't say I planted these to remind me of Oceanippon. I hope you'll forgive my selfishness, Master."

Within the main graveyard a small shrine had been built by one of your construction clankers, a torii gate accompanying it. Ayane said that the shrine was to honor the memory of this place, and wasn't necessarily meant for any deity (unless you counted Herta, since she was also in the place place), gate divided the area between the sanctity of the shrine and the rest of the world.

The fox and ghost seemed to have much to talk about. Despite Yumi and Ayane being from the same country, they were born in wildly distinct regions and time periods, and weren't similar in personality. Yet seeing them speak about how much has changed was interesting to hear about. Now that Yumi wasn't so temperamental anymore, they got along well— despite Yumi's earlier comments of Ayane not truly understanding how to respect the dead.

You were able to get some insight into what Yumi's life was like when she was alive. It made you consider how she'd ended up here to begin with. As they spoke you made your assessment of the tin ore; not enough to make an ingot, but it could help Mel or even Cattleya track down a bigger deposit somewhere. If there was any more to begin with, that is.

Eventually you all reach the mansion. Ayane excused herself to meet with Bertha, as they were the ones making lunch this time, and Yumi flies off to read some books after some quick banter was shared between the two of you.

Herta was soon to greet you, easily finding you by using the spell you placed on her golden collar.

You then proceeded to spoil the goddess with love and attention, the very same that would appease her masochistic tendencies as you'd done ever since she finished making a cure for Bad Luck so quickly.

"Master~" Herta said, guiding your hand to her stomach. "You feel that? Our babies are kicking. They must be happy to hear your voice."

You didn't know what to say to that. An indescribable emotion warmed your heart.

After sharing some more intimate moments with her, the two of you found yourselves by the dining table hand in hand. The rest of your wives soon followed suit.

Bertha came by, with Ayane following behind. The latter was carrying a comically large tray with many types of western and asian foods.

Ayane tripped— but quickly regained her composure. Though the same couldn't be said about the trays of food she was carrying.

Strangely enough there wasn't anything to worry about. All of the plates landed directly in front of everyone by the table— along with utensils and napkins and other items that were needed for eating— all perfectly set up, much to everyone's glee.

"Yay!" Bertha said. "This stuff looks delicious!"

"Weren't you there to cook with her?" Ruby queried to Ayane, not questioning what just happened.

"Yeah? So?" Bertha rebuffed. "Just because I helped cook doesn't mean I can't enjoy the food."

"That a new ability, mate?" Cattleya glanced at Ayane. "A skill, spell, or artifact shit to set the table?"

"No." Ayane shook her head. She was the very picture of composure in almost every situation, this one none the different. "I don't believe so."

"So you're saying what just happened is just a coincidence?" Mel said as she tried (and failed) to use some chopsticks. "I've heard that you've gotten your Bad Luck removed, but-"

"Congrats on that again, by the way!" Bertha interrupted.

"Indeed." Gerty continued. "It is by our Master's grace that you've been cured."

"-yeah, we're happy for you." Mel cleared her throat. "But I don't think that means you've suddenly become super lucky, right?" She glanced between you, the goddess, and the fox.

"Not that I'm aware." Ayane then placed a finger to her own chin in thought. "But now that you mention it, I have had some rather fortunate things happen to me as of recent."

"Well it isn't some sort of karmic reversal, that's for sure." Herta spoke as she kept on embracing you like she was touch starved. "I didn't increase her luck or give her blessings. I just cured her from any curses she might've had." Herta did tell you that if there were any curses Ayane had that you didn't know about, the ritual fully got rid of them. She also mentioned something about 'giving Bad Luck one final purge' before it was removed from Ayane's body, though you weren't entirely sure what that meant. She was likely being cautious again.

"It's honestly not that complicated." You said as you looked at what you had to eat. It was takoyaki, you think, by how savory it tasted. And you wondered how she managed to make this so quickly.

"It's her wedding ring, isn't it?" Mel guessed, turning to you. "I mean, you put a lucky spell on that. Right, Master?"

"Yeah, I sure did." You said. A little bit of luck wouldn't Ayane, you felt.

From there conversations devolved into other things.

Most prominent of these was a small argument that emerged between Cattleya and Gerty.

"Listen, mate," Cattleya repeated what she'd said for the fifth time now "I just need the bloody clankers for a little while to help with the fookin' hangar."

"And once more, I will ask for how long exactly?" Gerty replied, her voice like a wall. "I must organize this with my schedule, considering that a particular number of clankers are needed to-"

"Bloody hell, how about a week? Sounds fair, innit?" Cattleya meowed after eating another egg.

"If the Master is willing, I shall do it." Gerty countered.

"Um," Mel decided to throw her opinion in the ring. "I actually need some clankers as well... Not construction ones! Just a few regulars or an armored one. Cause there's some high level enemies coming over when I was scouting the base of the mountains, and I'd like to have some defenses. I mean I wouldn't be against looking through the forest again, since it'll help me practice Woodland Stride. And, uh, in that respect... why can't we share how many clankers we all get?"

Both your Cat and your Holy Knight looked poised to rebuff your beguiler, but with a word you were able to nip this emerging argument in the bud.

As usual, the choice fell on you.

>Let Gerty keep on using all the construction clankers to practice. (Hangar will take at least another week to complete)
>Have most of the construction clankers help out Cattleya. (Gerty's training will take a pause, and she'll try to do things manually)
>Split the clankers between them. (Some construction clankers might be destroyed due to the increased workload)
>(Write-in)

While for for Mel...

>Allow her to bring a couple of clankers with her. (Scout places by the foot of the mountain-passes) (Mel gets some experience fighting alongside clankers)
>Let her practice Woodland Stride, even if she doesn't scout as much in other places. (Mel gets stronger but only scouts the immediate estate and the forest)
>Instead you'll send her to the coastlines with a few of your aquatic clankers. Maybe she could find what was killing those sharks. (Mel will scout your land's coasts)
>(Write-in)

As you were giving your orders to her, another thought was brought to you. You knew that she wanted to discover more about fae magic, as it was clear it was generally in the back of her thoughts every single day.

"So, Mel," You said casually as you petted Herta. "How're you doing with your fae magic?"

Your beguiler's eyes lit up. Mel was always happy to speak about fairy things when given the chance, and this time was no different as she went on about levitation and fairy dust and those little fairy stones she bought or even the book of fairy tales she has.

>You'd have her practice her fae powers next week. (Uses up Mel's action next week)
>You didn't say anything about it, however. (Mel will have her weekly action like normal)
>(Write-in)

>>6271878
"Ayane's right. I don't actually care about curing her." Herta said. "If it weren't for you, Master, I would've been fine with just letting her stay with that curse."
Looking at some of the things Herta has said in the past she really doesn’t care about the world she has made, feel like that is going to be an issue later

>>6271883
It’s nice to see Ayane happy and hopefully with the in laws cured later our clout will go up too

>>6271911
>”Master~" Herta said, guiding your hand to her stomach. "You feel that? Our babies are kicking. They must be happy to hear your voice."
Amazing, how much longer until they are born?


>>6271919
>Have most of the construction clankers help out Cattleya. (Gerty's training will take a pause, and she'll try to do things manually)
Honestly neither are too pressing so I am fine to switch votes if it comes to a tie
>You'd have her practice her fae powers next week. (Uses up Mel's action next week)
She really wants to so why not

>>6271919
>>Split the clankers between them. (Some construction clankers might be destroyed due to the increased workload)
We can always build more and if they dont get totally destroyed they can be always fixed

>>Allow her to bring a couple of clankers with her. (Scout places by the foot of the mountain-passes) (Mel gets some experience fighting alongside clankers)
Sure

>You'd have her practice her fae powers next week. (Uses up Mel's action next week)

>>6271929
>Amazing, how much longer until they are born?
It was assumed by the doctor week or two ago that she would have around 2 to 5 months left before giving birth

>>6271919
>Have most of the construction clankers help out Cattleya.
The hangar is about the least pressing thing we're doing right now. What's an extra week when we don't even have any regular airship traffic right now?
>Allow her to bring a couple of clankers with her.
But we should investigate the shork deaths next week.
>You'd have her practice her fae powers next week.
Should be a regular thing for her

Nice about the tin, we can follow that up easily since cassiterite is a dense mineral that we can pan for. Even better if it's an alluvial placer deposit since that's so much easier to extract than hard-rock mining.

How's the progress on making our wives' maternity wear? Is it something that's happening in the background or do we need to dedicate some time to it? While our clothes-wearing wives' bumps haven't come through yet (except Gerty, though Ruby should start showing very soon), I'd feel much better if Gerty and Bertha had suitable heavy armour to protect their bellies sooner rather than later given they might be called on to fight at short notice.

I do wonder if we missed a trick here by not capturing the curse. It would have been funny to put it in a crystal, set the crystal to break when its box is opened and anonymously mail it to Forthwythe.

>>6271929
It's funny considering Herta was the one to originally suggest working on a cure, if only as practice. I'm not worried since it's always been very clear that her world mostly consists of her, us, her children and her fetishes and she doesn't have the brainpower or initiative to care about much else. That's just how it is, and it's likely how it always will be with Herta.

I look forward to Ayane writing that letter to her family - possibly the most important letter they have ever received. I imagine it'll torch any remaining doubts about us in the family and get us a lot of favours once we work out the logistics of extending a cure method to them. Combine that with a more unified and suddenly more prosperous mercantile family and they could play a more important role in our business affairs going forward.

It's getting increasingly difficult to keep track of the weeks but I think Herta is 16? weeks (14wks + 2) pregnant. With the children beginning to kick strongly and potentially responding to sound, it seems like she's late in her second trimester, which tracks with my earlier assumptions of her pregnancy developing about 50% faster. At this rate, I think she'll give birth in around 10-12 weeks (or thereabouts).

>>6272216
>How's the progress on making our wives' maternity wear?
It's going well so far. All of them have light clothing (loose dresses, shirts, and robes) to wear for when they begin to show. Cattleya and Herta have a few outfits even though they don't need them.
Bertha was sewing a few dresses on the side and your other wives bought some clothes in Centria, which helped.
>Is it something that's happening in the background or do we need to dedicate some time to it?
Getting casual clothes has been happening in the background and has been accounted for. But getting armor depends if you want to have someone (including yourself) dedicate a week to making it.
>It's getting increasingly difficult to keep track of the weeks
I've been trying my best to keep tract of weeks too and all the actions happening in them. It's starting to clutter my notes lmao I have it that Herta is just 13 weeks in, so already I might've messed up somewhere. I'll need to dedicate a day or two to rereading the quest again and reorganizing my notes kek

>>6272414
Chuck making them the best suits of maternity armour this side of Centris onto the todo list then, since our wives did ask for them. I assume that by this point Gerty is really struggling to squeeze her bump into her regular armour. Also, does Ayane have enough physical conditioning to wear armour by now?

I came to week totals anywhere from 13 to 16 weeks and had to reread it several times, eventually settling on 14 (+2 weeks to convert it to traditional gestational age, though the formula (i.e. time since last menstruation) may differ in this world given menstrual cycles are wonky) - I may have rounded up to the end of this week, if that accounts for the discrepancy. I'd have a live-updating reminder of what week it is and keep a list of weeks and what happened in them to make a coherent timeline.

>>6272668
>I assume that by this point Gerty is really struggling to squeeze her bump into her regular armour.
She hasn't been using her Holy Armor ever since the return from Centria lmao
>Also, does Ayane have enough physical conditioning to wear armour by now?
She's able to wear some medium and light armor by now, but being able to run in metal plated armor for more than a few minutes without getting exhausted is still a bit beyond her.
>I'd have a live-updating reminder of what week it is and keep a list of weeks and what happened in them to make a coherent timeline.
I'm working on that, and I've considered making another rentry thing and wrapping it along with the detailed archive Ruby Rose has as an action when its selected but I'll probably have something up by the time the next thread comes along.

It has been some time, but after hours of plans and tests you'd decided to finally begin a test run in mass producing aluminum.

You'd set up a few robotic arms, repurposing factory and boiler rooms in the dungeon to create the goods. Though far from ideal or even close to what you needed, it still managed to get the job done. Somehow. You didn't question what didn't need to be questioned.

"This isn't going to work, you know?" Herta as she lounged on a sofa behind you. "You need dedicated machines to separate the materials, siphons, not to mention all the space that-"

"Doesn't a lazy goddess like you have other things to do instead of bitching and whining?" You gave your words just enough bite to make her shiver happily.

"I wanna spend as much time as possible with you this week, Master." She gave a lustful smile and shuffled around, letting a leg lazily dangle from the furniture's edge as she wiggled her hips a few times to gain your attention. How she even managed to bring a whole sofa down here remained a mystery.

You gave your attention back to the machines after that little display. And, as the whole room came to life with whirs and spinning clockwork, you smiled at the fruits of your handiwork.

Herta wasn't wrong— in its current state things wouldn't work out. But it also wasn't as though the whole place would collapse. A few tweaks here and some tinkering there, and you'd get a test batch of aluminum running before you'd know it. While there were still parts missing — replaced by measures that were good enough — everything was being held together by the combined perceptions of a Savant and a deity. Which was at least marginally better than being held together by dreams and duct tape.

While you were pretty good with building stuff, you weren't the type that could just create robots or automatic conveyor belts from memory. Lunacy Savantae came in to save the day each time you came to a pause. It was almost like a boundless spring of inspiration—controlled insanity—gave you strength and focus without losing creativity.

From the corner of your eyes you saw some of the drills gathering dust. It had been some time since you'd used them for anything important, but you imagined that actually digging out a large room to house your aluminum ambitions would need them greased up again.

You glanced at half-done machinery. Though you were proud of what you'd accomplished in so little time, you realized there was so much more to do.

>And you decided to spend another week working on things here. (Uses up John Doe's next weekly action to continue focusing on producing aluminum)
>And you considered how you'd spend your next week. (John Doe will have his weekly action like normal)
>(Write-in)

Herta's presence was more useful than not. While she could be an incompetent pain-addict, and a part of you feared that she'd be too clingy while demanding your undivided attention, the goddess had a mind of helping you out wherever she could.

Not to say all things were constant work. In between supplying her with a steady stream of your 'treatments' of 'protein' as her meals, the affectionate spanking sessions, massages— yes, in between all of these things that made your goddess refreshed and happy, moments of soft intimacy followed. The ones that you felt were the most tender would involved the times when you'd embraced her and felt for yourself the light movement from what your wife carried.

Yet the Goddess of Artifice, while content with remaining your 'personal toy to play with', insisted on assisting.

And assist she did; fixing the place up and doing everything she reasonably could (so long as it didn't interrupt her pressing schedule of sleeping and getting spanked by you) to make aluminum production more convenient. She'd even drawn up suggestions on where the best places to build this foundry was and how to use the energy and factory rooms to most efficiently power it up.

You considered how happy she was when building things, but her energy and enthusiasm were clearly from the fact she was with you. She drank in every moment you 'took advantage of' and 'forced yourself' on her.

Still she was always eager to help.

>And there was no reason to stop this natural help she was giving you. (Uses up Herta's weekly action in helping with aluminum production)
>But you still had other plans for her. (Herta's weekly choices will be given as normal)
>(Write-in)

After hours of hard, tedious work, deciding on how to power some newly built furnaces, eventually ending up using the boilers to create steam energy. Figuring out the best way to make things work out was no easy task — goddess' help or not. You were sorely tempted to use Lunacy Savantae to speed things up in this particular step of your plan, yet you knew that getting too wild with it could mess things up down the line.

However that wasn't to say that Savant-made things like rooms had no place in when making space. The two of you, lost in Lunacy Savantae, did well as a team. Even as you drilled out some more space to in turn make even more space within by some sort of Savant trick, without making the entire dungeon collapse. Although Herta never forgot your promise to give her extra 'treatments' every passing day, and you were more than happy to spoil your needy goddess.

Before you knew it, you already had a couple of large spaces set up.

"Part of me wants to ask how this is possible." You look at the underground rooms that were bigger on the inside than out. "But I already know the answer, as much as I can't put it into words."

"It's because you're a genius, Master." Herta complimented. "A cruel genius that rightfully forced me to work like the cow I am," She was the one that insisted on helping you. "And when you get frustrated you grab me with your strong arms and slap me silly and pin me down and use me until I'm filled with your-"

"Hey, Herta," You interrupt as a sudden thought occurs "How strong are you?"

"Huh?" She blinks at the sudden question.

You repeat yourself, this time being specific about her divine powers.

"I'm less strong than I was when I was in Heaven, but more than when I first arrived here. I think. But I can replenish my divine energy faster when I'm near the sanctuary you let me have. Other than that?" She shrugs. "I don't know."

"But you'd at least be stronger than an average Savant like me at your full strength." You mused aloud.

"No." Herta said, expression serious. "Even if I had my full powers as a goddess back, you'd still defeat me. Maybe not in a day, but eventually you would." She ended with a confident twinkle in her eye.

"Okay." You're almost startled by how certain she was. Though at the same time you felt like it was true for some reason. "And you don't know if you'll get your powers back soon? I mean, you're already strong with your Lunacy Savantae."

"To answer your first question: I have no idea." She lounges, becoming aloof again. "As for the Lunacy Savantae; I might be strong, but I've been getting tired more often. I'm pretty sure it's because I'm carrying your growing seeds inside of me, Master~"

"And what about Savant powers in general?"

"It's probably because Lunacy Savantae is a mirror of my powers as a goddess, I think? I'm not sure. I honestly don't know how it became such a thing in this world." She gives a hum in thought. "Master, haven't we had these conversations before?"

"Yeah, we have." You confirm. "I just wanted to know if anything changed since you got that sacred sanctuary."

"Other than being able to purge corruption and curses better? No idea. Unless you're talking about what I said earlier with replenishing my divine energy faster."

A few minutes of silence pass. These moments are peaceful, only broken by the occasional burst of steam or the whirring of gears. You occupy your thoughts and actions with building things as Herta rocks back and forth to entertain herself, as she usually does when there's nothing on her mind. As you build a particularly tedious machine, your mind wanders to the subject of your first wife— reclining and taking it easy after being satisfied by your 'rebukes' and 'punishments'.

Eternally masochistic, arrogant, and completely devoted to you: She was always found joy in the work you gave her and never shied away from any physical punishment you dished out to her, only occasionally did she whine if it became too difficult for her to deal with (like when she decided to work the bellows or when a puzzle becomes too hard for her to solve).

"How much do you care about this world, Herta?" You glance at her as you make the sudden question.

"Huh?" She gave you a confused stare. "It's good, I guess. I mean, I'd be pretty miffed if the World Creation Engine messed up something, but everything seems to be going alright even after tens of thousands of years. But other than the corruption and some Guardians going rogue, the world is fine."

"Do you care about anyone that was born in this world?" You try to rephrase the question.

"Should I?" Herta blinks again. "The only one that really matters to me is you, Master. As much as I care about any kids we have together, and our great great grandkids, you're still more important than anything and anyone else, Master. If it was a choice between you and the rest of this world's life, I would always choose you. H-hey, don't look at me like that! Ouch! Stop pinching my cheek! I'm not some murderous psycho! I even helped destroy some magical corruption in this world! Which pretty much translates to making the world a better place for everyone anyway! Heck, if I see a demon I'd kill it on sight!" After you calm her down with some spanks and massages, she continues. "Ah, that felt good. Your hands are always so strong, Master... Wait, before I forget; I still like knowing more about the stuff I made. And it'd be sort of sad to see it all be destroyed. I just don't want anything to get in the way of what you and I both have, Master."

While Herta's worldview was unsurprisingly centered around her fetishes and devotion to you, as well as general indifference towards everyone else, a part of her was consistently adamant about purging demons and magical corruption. You knew that she'd always been tasked with planning/fighting against mental and magical corruption, and was familiar with how deadly it could be. But upon further questioning you find that she didn't particularly care about the fate of the world, thinking more in terms of how this would ruin the pureness of her fetishes and destroy your life.

"Why are you doing all of this?" Was another question that popped into your mind.

"What do you mean?" Herta tilted her head.

"All of the help you've been doing for me, all the devotion you show to me. Hell, you just helped me make a few aluminum ingots even though you said it wasn't gonna work out."

"Because I love you, Master." She didn't miss a beat. "I always will and I always have, since the day we first met."

It didn't take you by surprise, but it was a good reminder of how much she cared. How much all of your wives cared.

You decided to celebrate your success here by showering your first wife with love and attention.

And she, like always, happily took pleasure in being pushed around and bullied by you.

===

Bertha was excited about something.

She was practically dragging you around to show it to you. From what you gathered, she'd been able to do something with her [Custom Special], though what it could be was lost between her happiness. Until you both stop at her room and she opens a chest, nearly diving into it.

You didn't complain about the view she was giving you.

"Master, Master! Check it out!" Bertha takes something out of there and presents it to you with a simple flourish. "Ta-da!"

She acts as though she's holding something, yet nothing but air could be seen.

Except...

"You have something invisible in your hands." You notice.

"It might look like I don't have anything but- huh???" Bertha stopped and stared at you, impressed. "Whoa! How could you tell?"

"I have high perception." You waved it off. "Anyways, this doesn't look like it's a spell."

"That's cause it's a robe that uses up invisible string!" Bertha said with pride.

"Must've taken some effort to actually make. Well done."

"Thank you, Master! You have no idea how tough it was to figure out."

She went on a slight tangent describing how strange it was to actually begin sewing it. However, once she got the system down, it was easy for her to finish it up.

"Honestly," You gave her a shit eating smile "I think you'd look great in it."

"You think so~?" Bertha responded with a sultry grin of her own, immediately knowing what you were implying.

"Yeah." You go for a cop of her butt.

After a few moments of passion, you both cool off by going outside for a bit.

"So, you mentioned something about getting another [Custom Special] earlier?"

"Oh, yeah that's right! I almost forgot that the entire reason I was sewing stuff was to figure it out. I have the prompt and stuff ready!"

"The prompt for your status board?" You asked, wondering how sewing had anything to do with getting another ability unlocked. Bertha nodded her head in reply. "Tell me what it says." You continue.

"Alrighty, Master!" Bertha said with a smile. "Here's the stuff: Weapon Boost, Pink Pompom Cuteheart Pow-Punch, and Skullbreaker Deathstorm."

"Ok." You didn't comment on the names. "What do they do?"

"Huh?"

"Their descriptions. What does the descriptions say?"

"Dunno. It just has the names and if I wanna replace Barrier Shield with any of them."

"... are there any other choices?"

"Nope."

Right.

Well you could guess what Weapon Boost did, but the other two...

>"Go for Weapon Boost." You knew what you were getting with this.
>"How about the Pink Pompom thing?" Bertha would probably like this, if only for the name.
>"Skullbreaker Deathstorm." It sounded badass.
>"Actually, Barrier Shield doesn't sound too bad." Have Bertha keep her old Custom Special.
>(Write-in).

"Your sewing has the potential to be be pretty useful." You said after some more was discussed about abilities and skills.

"Thank you, Master." She said. "I learnt it from my mom. As a Warrior I gotta have at least something to make myself attractive to my hubby."

"You're already plenty attractive." You countered, your eyes happily taking in her natural beauty.

"Aw, thanks Master. You saying that actually means a lot to me. Especially since my talents are mostly just about armor and weapons."

"You know, while I've an idea on what that's generally about, I'd like to hear what it means from you since you have them."

"It basically just means I can use and fix up weapons and armor better than normal."

"Can you make new armor pieces?" You didn't hide your interest.

"I mean, like, I'm probably a little rusty? I'd be pretty good at it even if I didn't try, but my dad also taught me how to fix up my own armor, so I guess I'm pretty alright with it."

"I'm only asking this to know if you can make custom armor to fit pregnant women." You decide to be blunt about it.

"Oh. Well, yeah, I can do that if you want me to, Master. While I can enchant armor or weapons with some basic protections, I can't do any of the fancy enchantments or blessings cause I'm not an Artificer or a Savant. But I can make it so that they're easier to enchant and bless, Master."

You asked her to explain more about it, and Bertha revealed that she could probably make a few pieces of armor next week. Although, for whatever reason, she seemed more enthusiastic about sewing and practicing with her hammer than about making armor. At the same time she'd assure you that she'd be more than happy to help you out here, and was experienced enough to make excellent and resilient sets of armor—after brushing up on how to start again, that is.

>Have Bertha make some suits of armor for pregnant women. (Any specific designs and/or materials used? Bertha will otherwise make some Holy Knight's Armor, chainmail, and Adventuring Armor that'll fit pregnant women) (Uses up Bertha's action next week)
>Have Bertha brush up on her sewing, culinary and other household abilities. She seemed pretty proud of these things. (Uses up Bertha's action next week)
>Have Bertha's schedule remain flexible for what you wanted her to do next week. (Bertha will have her weekly choices like normal)
>(Write-in).

Other than that, you noted the now nearly built airship hangar. Because of your decision to let Cattleya use the construction clankers for most of the week, it was almost complete.

It was...

>On the roof of your mansion. Though not exactly the largest, it got the job done. It could always be vertically expanded.
>On the rolling green fields someways beyond your crops and the small stone fence, less than a half-hour walk from mansion.
>Near The Clank's Shelter in the forest, convenient to your clanker patrols. Another clearing had been made close to it.
>Near the dockyard's beach. It required a bit of creative building, but your clankers managed it.
>Inside of one of the hills, where the bandits used to hide in. It was a little further off, but not too out of the way. It was well hidden at least, and you had the potential to dig a route towards it.
>Connected to the cliffside, emulating a few of Centrian places where you could dock airships.
>In... the clouds??? It was a port that was meant to fly— you'd also seen a couple of these in Centria. But you needed to use your Lunacy Savantae and some ancient enchantments to make it airborne.
>(Write-in).

>>6272923
>>And you considered how you'd spend your next week. (John Doe will have his weekly action like normal)
I wanna see the choices


>>6272924
>And there was no reason to stop this natural help she was giving you. (Uses up Herta's weekly action in helping with aluminum production)

>>6272943
>"How about the Pink Pompom thing?" Bertha would probably like this, if only for the name.
If this is a choice between goth Bertha and cutesy Bertha, then it is outrageous that we cant have both

>>6272945
>Have Bertha brush up on her sewing, culinary and other household abilities. She seemed pretty proud of these things. (Uses up Bertha's action next week)
Personally I think armor for pregnant women is like bodyarmor for a child, something has already done terrible wrong for it being in use.


>In... the clouds??? It was a port that was meant to fly— you'd also seen a couple of these in Centria. But you needed to use your Lunacy Savantae and some ancient enchantments to make it airborne.
This better not take more time

By the way have we gotten any mail and can we sent it?

>>6272962
>If this is a choice between goth Bertha and cutesy Bertha, then it is outrageous that we cant have both
Don't worry it isn't, it's just a choice on what her [Custom Special] is though I'm glad someone could figure out she was potentially characterized 'goth' and 'cute' sides.
>This better not take more time
Time? No, it'll be finished in the background by Cattleya. But not without some effort on your part and some extra materials.

>>6272966
>By the way have we gotten any mail and can we sent it?
Eulia brought some mail in the background before you did the ritual that cured Ayane and had the blessed potions ready. She didn't bring anything except newspapers and a letter from Todred. He wrote that there's been some unforeseen complications when dealing with the exploding wand (just some scrambling around as the Academia higher ups and Mage's Guild caught realize that their magic wand design somehow got leaked to the black market). Though he mentioned they were dealing with it all pretty well, all things considered I was planning on writing about the letter along the end of the week update/new week choices, but may as well say it here too since it already happened in the background.

Eulia will likely return early next week.

>>6272990
>Eulia brought some mail in the background
No mail from elf. Have we lost our powers over women, have we lost our magic touch, did we rud her ears too hard, oh the humanity

>>6272994
>did we rud her ears too hard
kek
I can't say anything else without spoiling things sorry lol

>>6273010
Either we did something only husband and wife should do or we asked her hand in marriage. These are my guesses

>>6272923
>And you decided to spend another week working on things here. (Uses up John Doe's next weekly action to continue focusing on producing aluminum)
Important.

>>6272924
>And there was no reason to stop this natural help she was giving you. (Uses up Herta's weekly action in helping with aluminum production)
Let's get it done quickly.

>>6272943
>"Actually, Barrier Shield doesn't sound too bad." Have Bertha keep her old Custom Special.
She's practiced with it.

>>6272945
>Have Bertha's schedule remain flexible for what you wanted her to do next week. (Bertha will have her weekly choices like normal)
Don't feel too strongly about it, so I'm fine with changing this if there's a tie.
>Inside of one of the hills, where the bandits used to hide in. It was a little further off, but not too out of the way. It was well hidden at least, and you had the potential to dig a route towards it.
Keep a hidden one for now.
If we can also have the flying one I'll vote for that too. But not if it'll take more time.

>>6272923
>And you decided to spend another week working on things here. (Uses up John Doe's next weekly action to continue focusing on producing aluminum)
Can’t stop won’t stop

>>6272924
>And there was no reason to stop this natural help she was giving you. (Uses up Herta's weekly action in helping with aluminum production)

>>6272939
Honestly, pretty normal reaction, at least she isn’t insane.

>>6272943
>"How about the Pink Pompom thing?" Bertha would probably like this, if only for the name.
I have high hopes

>>6272945
>Have Bertha make some suits of armor for pregnant women. (Any specific designs and/or materials used? Bertha will otherwise make some Holy Knight's Armor, chainmail, and Adventuring Armor that'll fit pregnant women) (Uses up Bertha's action next week)
Need it sooner or later
>Connected to the cliffside, emulating a few of Centrian places where you could dock airships.
If we are expecting a lot then having it close is good

>>6272923
>And you decided to spend another week working on things here.
>>6272924
>And there was no reason to stop this natural help she was giving you. (Uses up Herta's weekly action in helping with aluminum production)
gotta keep trucking with that metal. I do question the wisdom of trying to do all of this below ground, it'll be a nightmare for ventilation and much more difficult to scale. When we graduate to fully-fledged industrial facility in the future, it will have to be above ground. I still haven't given up on my plans for a hydroelectric facility either, who cares if electricity is less efficient when your power is free and you have as much as you need on tap?
I hope Herta's couch is leather or some other firm fabric. Otherwise it's going to get filthy very fast from all the dust and dirt down there.
>>6272943
>"Actually, Barrier Shield doesn't sound too bad." Have Bertha keep her old Custom Special.
I like what she has and can keep practicing with it
>>6272945
>Have Bertha make some suits of armor for pregnant women.
I've already set out my stall on this. While we won't be sending them into battle personally when they're advanced enough in their pregnancies to need them, their other combat and support roles (whether that's slinging spells, commanding clankers, being a medic etc.) that they can perform even when heavily pregnant will still place them in a battlefield environment where some form of protection is warranted. That and there's always potential emergencies or non-battle incidents.
If we have enough aluminium spare, how about we forge it from duralumin alloy? It's strong and very lightweight and a suit of armour made out of that - even disregarding the maternity aspect - would be a massive upgrade over steel in terms of mobility and much easier for less strong individuals to wear. Telescoping laminar plate for Gerty, chain with adjustable buckles for Bertha and maybe some lighter kikko armour for Ayane?
>Connected to the cliffside, emulating a few of Centrian places where you could dock airships.
It'll be a good use for the cliffs and allow level loading and unloading without needing to land or faff about with getting things up and down from high places as well as being close to the future port for any transshipment.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>6272945
1 for Pink Punch, 2 for Barrier Shield

You found Ayane writing another letter for her family, adding some elegant pieces of origami to them. She'd been working on making those items of paper art ever since she finished decorating the graveyards and built the shrine.

Ayane then critically glanced at the most recent origami piece she'd made— a nine-tailed paper fox. She discarded it with a sigh, returning to writing her letters.

"A shame Eulia left so soon." You commented idly.

"Ah!" With a small sound your vixen looked up at you, startled. "My apologies, Master. With all the excitement that I've gone through, I cannot seem to get my mind on things."

"Yeah." You glanced at some of the origami pieces "I can see where Ryko and Shizuku learnt to make origami so well."

"Quite the opposite." She giggled. "They were the ones that inspired me to begin learning."

"Oh? You seem like a natural."

"Thank you, my love." She bowed her head. "I've had much time to learn."

"Right, you seem to be doing alright." You said. "Tell me if you need anything."

"Ah, Master, wait." Ayane said. "Would you mind telling me what your favorite color is... actually, nevermind. I have a much better idea."

"Oh?" You smiled. "Planning something for me?"

"Hmm." She gave you a playful smile. "I would tell, but that would ruin the surprise, Master~"

Some more warm conversations followed, making you recall the notes that were given to you by Eulia not too long ago. While it was mostly garbage— from advertisements to news from the Adventurer's Guild, even the owner of Cinnamon Inn, Ein Tiller, contacted you again. But hidden between some bureaucratic letters you'd found Todred's note...

To the honorable Savant, John Doe, and his wives,

Greetings. May health be upon your house...

Todred went on for a few pages about greetings and giving you some details on what was going on in the Academy. He described how Marigold, who was an important and influential member of the research department, was leading talks to better comprehend what was going on with that exploding wand, now given the name Duin Mor-01. And that led to the wand's research getting delayed for fear of a mole combined with attempts to replace all the wands in the Mage's Guild and the Academy. He expressed how, while inconvenient, the faculty had to confirm none of the students had any wands like the one you gave him as soon as possible.

I regret to write with hardly a word of good news, and yet I will once more assure that in the following days, which shall likely be over by the time you read this letter, I would have discerned the origins of it's placement. Once you return to Centria, I request that you visit me to discuss these matters, whose sensitive topics seem to have accumulated before my eyes.

With my best regards,
Todred Thaumat

While that was more than a bit annoying, you were more concerned over the fact that the mail harpy didn't have any letters from any non-bureaucratic elves.

Hearing that news disappointed you in a way you hadn't felt for a long time, and made you think about things you didn't like. While this world had treated you well so far, you couldn't help but assume you'd done something to scare her, or worse pushed her away with your domineering personality.

Then again it might not be a problem on your end. Maybe she was simply too busy to send a letter, or she'd gotten unlucky and it was lost in the mail. It could've gotten intercepted by a third party, like her family. Maybe said family found out you'd gone on a date with her, and now she was on the run from them. What if she died somehow? What if she'd become forcefully engaged with Forthwythe or Rostchilde? She could've been kidnapped for whatever reason. What if she was dead?

You shook the thoughts away from your head. There was no reason to be so affected. You already had such a beautiful harem that was willing to spoil you and unconditionally love you.

Yes, nothing could be done about her not talking to you, not now. So thinking about it did you no good. Especially when you were hugging the heavenly fluffiness that were kitsune tails. The woman these tails happened to be attached to had a comparable softness, though you now felt she had some muscle to go with it. Seems like all her training was beginning to pay off.

Ayane gladly indulged herself as you hugged her, not wasting the opportunity to share an intimate moment with you.

After you were done, Ayane falling asleep soon after, you happened to visit Ruby Rose in the Control Room.

"Master!" Rose starts, almost surprised by your entrance. She rises from her seat, hair only slightly disheveled, and approaches you. "Forgive me for my reaction, Master. After I occupied my thoughts with ideas on what you would desire so soon, I began once more to attempt in comprehending the nature and conceptualization of [Custom Special], as you entrusted me with it. I drew a blank, and then you suddenly appeared from the corner of my vision." She sighs. "Alas, to my dismay, my mind cannot match the natural genius of a Savant."

"The effort is still appreciated." You replied, noticing how she brought out some paperwork for you. "Your research, I presume?"

"My research, indeed." She gives a coy smile. "As much as I would enjoy to explain the many intricacies I've found within, the subject eludes me — but I repeat myself."

"Don't worry. It's hard for me to explain it too, and I know what it actually means." You perused through it, and as expected you found that she stumbled her way to theoretically swapping between past abilities. It would need some practice on your part to test out, and would eventually spread from there to the rest of your wives, but it was only a matter of time before you understood everything there was to understand about [Custom Special]. Upon hearing this your Mastermind became smug.

"It's not surprising," She said, a coy smile spreading across her lips, "That even in my ignorance I am able to weave such abstract concepts together. And under a much better time limit than that goddess' own research, no? Fufufufu~"

"Sure," It was true that Herta did take a while in figuring out what Bad Luck was all about, but when she did put her mind to it she passed with flying colors. "But Herta's research into cursed skills, for example, was brilliant."

"But I doubt it would compare to my own research, no?" She fluttered her eyelashes as her smile became slightly brittle.

"Yeah, your work is extremely impressive, especially given the fact you're not a Savant." You said, making Ruby beam. "But as foolish as the goddess might seem, she's intelligent in her own right. It just so happens that she's good in dealing with skills."

Ruby Rose tended to treat things she didn't understand like puzzles that needed pieces to complete instead of actual scientific research with a clear method.

"I see." Ruby grit her teeth, but then gave a small sigh of defeat. "I suppose she has some degree of intellect, as uncouth as she is."

"She is the Goddess of Artifice, and likely the most powerful Savant in the entire world. I'm willing to give her some credit for all the work she did for me and say that she's earned her spot as my crown jewel."

"It's not surprising that you hold her in such high regard, Master. Considering that she was the only one that thought about suggesting to celebrate..." The rest of her words are too soft to hear.

"Would you mind repeating that, madame?"

"Ah, it's nothing. Not that us humble slaves wishing to honor you for all that you've done would escape your notice, my gallant Master. But I will say this: That goddess cares about you more than you might expect, Master."

"I see." You already had a good idea of how devoted Herta was to you, if her behavior meant anything.

"That's not to say, however," Ruby's tone had a more determined air, as her eyes gained a glint of ambition. Never did she stop speaking in that beautiful voice of hers. "That I shall quietly stand down to those wenches and accept my lot as second or fourth wife. No." She shook her head. "If you are willing, my gallant Master, I shall one day ascend to the honor of being the first wife — finally putting me in my rightful place as your right-hand woman. You and I shall then work together at all times, side by side, every day and night. I will not disappoint you, my gallant Master~"

That declaration surprised you. While it was no secret that Ruby was always aiming for the spot of first wife, she'd rarely say it to your face. Yet more uncommon than this was her bluntness. Usually she'd enact some overly complicated scheme to weaken Herta's position in the hierarchy, then followed by subtle attempts to win your affections. These plots would almost always go wrong and backfire, leaving her like a recurring villain from a Saturday morning cartoon.

While everything always worked out in the end, with things returning to normalcy (well, more like a return to the usual chaos than anything normal) you still kept an eye on her schemes. There was no reason to believe she'd cross the line, as she was definitely aware that doing something drastic was off the table, her schemes would devolve into chaos as they inevitably fell apart. You were there to patch things up and make sure no collateral damage would happened.

After giving Ruby an ear nibble and a kiss, you next you met with Gerty. Your Holy Knight had been practicing all day by herself with a couple construction clankers, the small practice fortifications around her providing evidence of the fact. You went to where she was standing, which were some walls she'd made in less than an hour.

"Fortuitous moment that it is... What would Master desire for such an occasion... ?" Gerty seemed deep in thought.

"For what occasion?" You asked, approaching behind her.

"Sir!?" She nearly jumped as she turned around, saluting when you came near. A fierce blush emerged on her face. "My apologies, sir!"

Gerty was wearing skimpy clothes. Usually it was long pencil skirts or armored plates, and other things that'd keep her entire body covered.

You knew that Herta had been slowly convincing Gerty to be more open about her masochistic tendencies, at least over her usual dutiful and honorable nature. But whether her choice of attire was a product of that, or simply as a means to get your attention, you weren't completely sure, until later today when she'd asked if you'd noticed anything different about her as her face reddened, making her intentions to get your attention obvious.

Considering your wives wore tight pants, miniskirts, bikinis, leotards, and other skimpy outfits on a daily basis, it wasn't something to initially comment on. Still this was a pretty big step for Gerty, especially without a direct order from you like when you'd punished her enough to make her loyal to you.

"What the hell are you apologizing for, you perverted maso-slut?" You take a feel of the softer bits of her toned body as 'punishment'.

"For my failures in the tasks you've given me." She became even more flustered as you continued to harass her. "I haven't been able to finish my practice creating greater walls and fortifications due to most of the construction clankers serving other purposes."

"Are you blaming me for that?" You chide, making your groping rougher.

"N-no! I'd never blame you! Oh, that feels amazing, Master..." Her breathing became labored. "I-I've been practicing as much as I could. I can now build with a limited amount of construction clankers-"

"Don't give me more excuses for your half-assed job!" You give her rear a slap, getting a pleased yelp from your Holy Knight. "We all know that a maso-bitch woman with an obscene body like yours is only good as my sex slave!"

"Yes, Master!" She looked rather happy by your words as you continued to harass her.

You almost regretted going this far, since she proceeded to go on a tangent about her love and devotion and duty to you— sparing no detail about her deepest masochistic fantasies.

But you couldn't complain. Having a complete monopoly over her body had its perks in moments like these. You did with her as you pleased while she rambled on, now with varying levels of coherence. Things culminated until you ended up filling her to the brim with your love, 'threatening' her with things that would only bring out her badly hidden fetishes.

Eventually you had to leave your now weak-legged Holy Knight, and found Bertha practicing her new ability some ways off.

Bertha's [Custom Special], which she didn't fully understand, was called Pink Pompom Cuteheart Pow-Punch. After it created a bunch of cutesy hearts and other adorable figments Bertha would throw a punch—literally. It was a long-range attack. The speed and accuracy depended on how much mana and stamina Bertha had. This also had the bonus of making her fist attacks, energy or physical, at least twice as strong and cause double the knockback if she wished, and it also had good chemistry with her Hammer Tornado move for some reason.

Your warrioress was also the first one so far that wasn't startled or had been muttering to herself when greeting you, though you didn't know if it was because she was being her usual airheaded self or if she was out of the loop.

Cattleya was content with herself after the hangar was done. There wasn't much else to comment, besides how she'd keep on taking cat naps as often as usual and requested more massages from you. The latter of these you were happy to oblige, always looking forward to feeling up your toned, chocolate catgirl. She was always near the same area as she and the construction clankers finished the finishing touches on the hangar connected to a cliff.

Mel, on the other hand, needed to get rescued by you.

Your beguiler got some very good experience from fighting monsters when she was initially scouting the base of the mountains. Yet she and the clankers got trapped between a mountain pass after an avalanche. Thankfully the radios still worked, so you were able to be in constant communication with her. It was there that she was able to find some Monster Rooms near the surface; places where monsters would gather.

She also encountered monster nests for rock wolves and slime tyrant territories.

Mel would've gotten in trouble were it not for her invisibility and your intervention with the BoatMech.

Despite her detailed and perceptive mind she wasn't able to figure out how this avalanche had begun.

You'd piloted the BoatMech back with her on it, scaring away the smarter monsters and easily crushing the braver ones. Thankfully Mel and the clankers hadn't gone too far up the mountain; you didn't want to find out how the BoatMech would fare climbing up a mountain. Although in theory it should be possible, considering it had hands and feet.

"Master." Mel said. "Thank you so much for saving me!"

"Don't worry about it." You replied.

"And, um, sorry about needing your help. Again. Hahaha..." She sheepishly scratched the back of her head. "I've been doing pretty good staying safe until today."

"Hey, we've been over this. I said you could rely on me, didn't I?" You reassured her, getting a beaming smile from the beguiler.

You saw those two clankers tailing behind your mech's footsteps. While you considered putting them in on the deck, there was too much clutter from all the modules there to fit them.

"So," You wanted to ask how those clankers did in mountainous terrain, "Mel, did you-"

"Um, I'm not planning to make any special gifts for you! Yeah, definitely!" Mel quickly said, looking like she wanted to facepalm immediately after.

"-notice what the clankers were fighting?" You finished.

"Oh." Mel blinked. "A bunch of rock golems, rock wolves, mountain slimes, giant wyrms, owlbears, and some goats."

"Some goats?"

"Yeah. There's goat herds over there. They were also pretty common in the path me and the girls first took when coming over here." She paused for a second. "You know, I thank the gods for letting them live there, cause goats were pretty much the only consistent source of food for us to eat when Forthwythe sent us to go over the mountains."

That made you consider the applications that goats could have. You even entertained the idea of domesticating them, despite not knowing the first thing about goat keeping. Maybe Bertha could help in that regard? She lived in a farm, surely she'd know.
Well you were sure that one of your stronger wives would be able to get a few from the mountains.

The week ended with you loving Herta so much that she couldn't feel her legs for days.

Cattleya:
>Collect as much scrap metal as she can find from the estate.
>Capture some goats from the mountains and make an enclosure for them.
>Chop down some trees from the nearby forest.
>Plant some saplings and seeds.
>Use the magical fertilizer to make the cotton fields become ripe again.
>Organize all the minerals, gemstones, and other items you've bought from Centria in a storage area.
>Continue practicing her gauntlets and shooting.
>(Write-in)

Ruby Rose:
>Make a detailed archive on everything that's happened.
>Go into the glass greenhouse and look into cultivating something beneficial.
>Look for more dyes that could be used.
>Have her modify some recall potions so they work on skin contact. With her knowledge, and the notes from the hut, this shouldn't be a problem.
>Read and practice the spells from the spellbook found in the woods.
>(Write-in)

Gerty:
>Use the Construction clankers to build something. (Walls? Lighthouse? Another airship hangar? Other?)
>Capture some goats from the mountains and make an enclosure for them.
>Lead some clankers to destroy a few of the Monster Rooms near the mountains.
>Practice her skills and abilities once again, this time with the intent to get a [Custom Special]
>Focus on expanding her moveset. You had a Blessed Blade and magical pistols that she could use, allowing her to practice with weapons other than the Holy Spear.
>Continue to be a military instructor for both you and your wives.
>Continue her training in leading the clankers.
>Continue her training in using the construction clankers for quick construction.
>(Write-in)

Ayane:
>Continue training both magically and physically.
>Look around for any herbs that can serve as holistic medicines. She can make medicine to lessen morning sickness. Can also brew healing, recall, or stamina potions thanks to the notes left by the witch.
>Continue focusing on writing to her connections in Centria. It should give you some more time in keeping their interest.
>(Write-in)

Roll me some 1d100s along with whatever choices you make for an event. One roll for every anon willing to give one.

Rolled 36 (1d100)

>>6273989
Cattleya:
>>Capture some goats from the mountains and make an enclosure for them.
Free food

Ruby Rose:
>Make a detailed archive on everything that's happened.

Gerty:
>Lead some clankers to destroy a few of the Monster Rooms near the mountains.
Girls can help each other if need be

Ayane:
>Continue training both magically and physically.
She can train herself to in best shape

>>6273998
Is it for birthday party?

Rolled 86 (1d100)

>>6273989
>Cattleya:
>Capture some goats from the mountains and make an enclosure for them.

RR:
>Read and practice the spells from the spellbook found in the woods.

Gerty:
>Use the Construction clankers to build something. (Walls)

Ayane:
>Continue training both magically and physically.

>>6274019
I thought this too.

Rolled 33 (1d100)

>>6273989
Gerty, as nice as it is to have a full view of your beautiful, fit, fertile body, you look even sexier when dressed for war. Need lady knight.
>Organize all the minerals, gemstones, and other items you've bought from Centria in a storage area.
Just tick this off the list. They've all been in a big heap for months and I'm fed up of seeing it.
>Make a detailed archive on everything that's happened.
Big up for QM torture
>Lead some clankers to destroy a few of the Monster Rooms near the mountains.
The only good monster is a dead monster. Remove them before they can continue to cause trouble. And maybe field-test her new armour if it's ready in time.
>Continue training both magically and physically.
She's made good progress so far. By the time this endless training montage finishes, Ayane will be one scary battlemage.
I wonder what we can do to help Ayane get even more tails for even more fluff.

>>6274025
If we're going to build a wall, we should decide what we're looking for in a barrier. Do we only want it around the immediate estate grounds, or around more of our lands? Do we want to only keep roving monsters out, or use it as a more serious obstacle to any intruder? What sort of wall do we want?
>Palisade
Pros: Sturdy, tall and simple
Cons: Requires a lot of raising poles, looks kinda ass
>Fence
Pros: Cheap and quick
Cons: Weak, needs more maintenance
>Masonry wall
Pros: Strong and long-lasting
Cons: Needs a lot of stone and foundations
>Ha-ha
Pros: Low profile, easy to make tall, basically indestructible
Cons: Less effective versus people, needs a lot of digging

>>6274031
>build a wall
Bastion wall

Rolled 83 (1d100)

>>6273989
>>6274031
+1
I was making my vote but then realized this is basically what I was going for.

Rolled 63 (1d100)

>>6274031
Support
Also, masonry wall since eventually it will constitute the inner part of our total estate

>>6274031
Also support Gerty wearing full armour over bikini armour

>>6274031
>I wonder what we can do to help Ayane get even more tails for even more fluff.
Get her pregnant is a way to get one more for sure

>>6274165
I'm thinking Ayane will gain her sixth tail when she gives birth to her first child. We should sit down with her and have a proper discussion about how she got her previous tails, what other achievements we can help her hit to get more and what exactly having more tails does other than being fluffier and some abstract connection to power.

Side note QM, Ayane still has Bad Luck on her character sheet.

>>6274332
>Side note QM, Ayane still has Bad Luck on her character sheet.
Should be fixed now. Thank you for pointing that out.

You, Ayane, and Herta were talking and walking just outside of the mansion.

The three of you carried the blessed potions, with Ayane suggesting that they should be placed in a spot safer than the storage room. It was very fortunate that Ayane had found you and Herta while you'd been taking a break from working on aluminum production. You and the goddess were trying to make it so that there was a ventilation system by means of artifacts and enchantments, but it became complicated to make Savant-made artifacts properly connected to a Savant-made room.

That area, though large when compared to most rooms in the dungeon, was still small. You and Herta considered building the actual factory above ground, yet this area would serve as a good way to test if things could go well. Besides, it didn't hurt to have backups.

Thoughts about your work went to the back of your head as you helped your kitsune carry the blessed potions. Both you and Herta answered any questions Ayane had concerning this item.

All was going as expected until you heard a familiar chime.

"Letter for John Doe! Letter for John Doe!" A woman chirped from somewhere above you. "Letters for the Lord of Heaven's Landing!"

It was Eulia, the delivery harpy, and she arrived with the mail. A few more words from her revealed her getting promotion last week sometime after she delivered the mail to your estate. She now had a Bag of Holding, which was extremely convenient to carry packages in.

But the good fortune didn't end there; Ayane had just finished writing letters and making gifts for her family this very morning. Not only that, but Ayane also happened to be carrying all the letters and gifts that needed to be sent on her person own person. And that wasn't mentioning the fact that you were all holding the blessed potions.

"Congrats on the promotion." You sent a compliment towards Eulia's way.

"Thankyouandhowareyou!" Said the harpy, taking out some envelopes from her Bag of Holding and handing them to you.

"Much better after seeing you again." You said as a smile grew on your face. "Anyway, I've got some stuff I wanna send."

"Cyan is here at your service!" The harpy said with pride. "Oh! Also also also, there's tons of strong monsters on the mountains throwing rocks and they're mad!"

"We're dealing with them, don't worry." You reassured her.

"Thankyouitmakesmyrouteeasierif-"

"Hey, look," Herta interrupted "Master and I appreciate you coming around here since this place is way out in the middle of nowhere, but could you give us a schedule for when you come by? It can get pretty annoying." You felt like Herta already had this conversation with Eulia before.

"I already said I can't tell you when I'll be here cause I don't know! Sorryreallysorry!" Eulia gave a quick chirp in apology.

"Any reason why you don't know?" Herta frowned. "Just as a reminder for us."

"Well," Eulia took a deep breath "TheweatherisweirdmonstersalwaysthrowprojectilesandIgottaavoidthepiratesand-"

"Ah, Master." Ayane turned to you while Eulia continued speaking at match speed. "Shall we send the potions to my family? I've written a letter with the details concerning blessed potions."

Right. Though the blessed potions weren't tested yet, Herta assured you that there was absolutely no chance of side effects. And while Herta could be incompetent or reckless, there were occasions when she'd actually do a surprisingly good job. This was one of those times — if Herta's double and triple checking was anything to go by, as you witnessed her do just that as she concocted the potions.

Ayane gazed up at you with loving eyes, ready to patiently for your response. You knew she wouldn't hate you even if you told her you didn't want to give her family the cure, but you're not sure if you could bring yourself to go that far.

>"Of course." How could you say no? It was about time this curse was torn off from your fluffy tailed relatives.
>"I'd like to give it to them in person." It might cause less worry if you and Ayane are there to reassure them.
>(Write-in).

Herta seemed to get a better understanding of Eulia's troubles when it came to coming here; both seemed to agree that the flight was a dangerous one that left much to chance.

The goddess would then rather bluntly ask about the murders that have been happening in Centria.

"Murders?" Eulia blinked and tilted her head in confusion. "Broken eggs?"

"I honestly don't really know or care too much about a bunch of harpies getting killed." Herta said. "But it's affecting some of Master's properties, so it's bad."

"What? Propertymurdersharpies?" Eulia glanced at you, more jumbled inquiries on her lips.

You proceeded to explain what you knew, with the harpy girl's expression getting more serious as you went on.

"...and while I hired some adventurers to find the murderer, you should watch out." You concluded.

"Got it." Eulia gave a nod. "But it's mostly against harpies with eggs, right? So there's less of a chance I get turned into fried chicken."

"Yeah, but still." You warned her.

"Noworries! Iwillbecareful!" The harpy woman said, though your high perception made you sense her unease.

After that serious conversation, Eulia began flirting with you. While it might seem inappropriate, you've come to expect this sort of mood whiplash ever since interacting with anyone in this world. And you didn't like letting a chance to tease a cute girl go to waste, so you happily flirted back. Teasing Eulia proved to be pretty fun— her happy, innocent personality and manic energy being enough to make things entertaining.

Eventually it had to come to an end, since Eulia still had to send your letters and go on her route. With a final wave, she shot up to the sky and pierced the clouds.

With the three of you alone again, you all returned to the mansion.

But before you went your separate ways, an accidental brush of one of Ayane's tails against your side reminded you to talk with your kitsune about the power behind her fluff.

Although you had to admit that a part of you was using this as an excuse to touch Ayane's softness. Could anyone blame you? It was relaxing for your mind. And you wanted to have a rested mind, because a glance at some letters Eulia gave you made you feel worry.

But that was a problem for the not-so-far future John Doe. Now you focused on the heavenly softness of a foxgirl's tails.

Times like these made you happy that Ayane took such great care for herself.

A few moments of silence passed. Herta rocked back and forth the entertain herself. Ayane practiced control over her own fire magic. And you were forming a question for your vixen.

"Hey, dear," You spoke to your kitsune as she attempted to make a fire orb "Can you tell me how kitsune get their tails?"

"Ah." She made the fire bubble extinguish mid-air. "Forgive me, my love, but such concepts tend to be shrouded in mystery, even for kitsune like myself. Though I do have a general understanding of such concepts, the same as most kitsune. Have you heard of it before, Master?"

"Kitsune usually gain more tails with age or strength." You surmised.

"Indeed." Ayane nodded.

"I'm not asking you to figure out some ancient mystery or act like a shrine maiden." You said. "I just wanna know what your experiences are when you get another tail. 'How did it feel when you got another tail? Did you feel stronger afterwards?' That sort of thing."

"I'd be happy to assist you in any way I can, my love." Ayane said with a smile on her face.

You all get comfortable, with Ayane getting some tea for herself and for you. As you used one of Ayane's tails as a pillow, so Herta rested her head on your lap.

"Very well, ahem." Ayane began, clearing her throat. "The more tails a kitsune has the more powerful said kitsune is, the more spells a kitsune has access to, and the more mana a kitsune can use on a daily basis. Multiple tails are a sign of prestige and wisdom. Multiples of three are seen as desirable, with nine being considered the perfect amount. However, it's understood that a healthy kistune in his or her prime has four tails." She took a sip of her tea. "While more tails usually indicate better health, age tends to nullify that.

"That's not to say aging affects us all: Eight tailed kitsune are said to live a few centuries more than the average kitsune—depending on who you ask. But getting there is practically unheard of in the modern age.

"Most kitsune tend to pass away in less than a couple of years after gaining a sixth tail. Nine tailed kitsune were a thing of myth, and are at the very least considered demigods. Most known nine-tailed kitsune were known deities like the Tenko, though any kitsune with nine tails might be able to ascend to godhood at that point. In theory, at least. Other than that I've heard that kitsune with seven tails are able to levitate, cast complex illusions, turn into a fox for a short amount of time, as well as use Kawarimi without problems."

"Kawarimi?" Herta asked.

"A log substitute." Ayane explained. "A burst of smoke is created, and the person casting the skill will instantly flee the scene. When the smoke clears something will be in the place the caster once was—this is called a 'substitute' and it's usually a block of wood. Useful as it sounds, the drawback is too great to be worth the risk: It uses all of the caster's mana and causes a temporary connection to the substitute for around half a day— meaning that any attack done towards the substitute will harm the caster for that period of time. As far as I'm aware both kitsune and tanuki can use Kawarimi, but it's not a common skill to see in action for these reasons."

You talked with your fox about these matters and more, getting some more insight into the special magics kitsune had. Apparently fox fire had some unique spiritual properties, affecting spirits and 'burning away' corrupted creatures, which explained how it did so well against Oghlurk.

The subject ended up touching Ayane's history with her tails.

"I obtained my second tail when I was a young woman. I was slumbering, so the exact moment eludes me. But I recall that it happened after a difficult day of mastering my Fox Flame powers, both to impress my parents and disparage my sister in front of Eisho." She gave a nostalgic smile, but that soon became a frown with her next words. "I don't know when I obtained my third tail, but it happened around the time I had fallen into the depths of my own sorrow, so long ago...

"The years melted into each other as I hid underneath my father's roof. Upon one of the rare occasions I stepped out of my room, my father mentioned that I had another tail — I didn't even notice it was there." For a moment her eyes became empty. She shook her head, sighed, and regained her composure. "I wish to believe that I obtained my third tail at the news of my mother's death, or perhaps when I mentally decided to slowly rise out of my spiral of self-destruction. But it's just as likely that it was merely a product of old age."

"Ayane..." You embraced her, giving her a soft kiss.

"Master, do not worry." Ayane gave a genuine smile. "Those days are far behind me thanks to you, my love. You've been here to warm my heart, give me hope, making me dare to believe in a brighter future." In her gaze there was strength and her words carried an absoluteness to them.

"Master!" Herta whined. "What about me? I also want your kisses, Master!"

"You want more attention, you greedy goddess? Even after a whole week of having my extra treatments fill you up? Even after all the added spankings I gifted you? Fine, I'll give you some attention!" You said as you pulled her hair and pushed her around, finding ways to bully this careless goddess of yours as she squirmed happily.

Ayane giggled at the display. She continued after you and the goddess calmed down: "The story behind my fourth tail was a bit more dramatic— it all began when my sister Ai was in labor. A snowstorm had descended on all of Centria, one of the worst of its history. But that wasn't the end of our troubles. A surge of Bad Luck passed over Eisho's household as the Lucky Artifacts there were left behind at a neighbor's house. Not only that, but the harpy bringing the items I needed for Ai wasn't here. I slipped out into the blizzard and, goodness, I thought I was going to perish." She chuckled. "But then I felt a sudden surge of energy as I continued to search for what was needed. I was able to get the lucky artifacts that were missing and some pinkberry leaves to stop Ai's internal bleeding. I even saved the life of that harpy who was supposed to give me my items. From what I recall hearing, that harpy moved back to Archipelegea after that whole debacle." Ayane frowned. "There were rumors that she abandoned her eggs here a few months afterwards, but I can neither confirm nor deny that. The only reason I bring it up is because I recall her looking similar to that mailbird that visits us. However, I will make no assumptions."

"But I digress. We all know what happened afterwards; Aneko was born healthy, my sister remains alive to this day, and by the time it was all over I realized I had another tail." Ayane said. "You were there for when I obtained my fifth tail, Master. So I need not repeat that which you already know about."

"You've lived a very interesting life, darling, tails or not." You said.

"Oh, not at all, my love." Ayane smiled. "I merely lived as any kitsune ought to. And I shall continue to live for your benefit, Master. As you said, 'tails or not'."

"Speaking of, what you're saying makes me think kitsune can get a tail when doing something that might mean life or death." You mused, recalling how Hisashi spoke about getting another tail in his trade mission after killing the giant Roc.

"It might seem to be the case, Master." Ayane said. "But it might be incomplete to see it like that. There's been other occasions where life was risked and no tails emerge; like when I attempted to protect my nieces from the bandits. Or take any of the life-threatening situations Risae has been in her adventures, she'd have at least eight tails by now."

"So, how exactly did you feel when you got a tail?" You asked.

"I don't know how to put it into words." Ayane pondered. "It was as if a piece of my soul was being restored."

"What do you mean?" You asked her to elaborate.

"Perhaps I said that in too poetic a way." Ayane remained composed. "It's as though some disease had been cured, or having a limb that was once numb and paralyzed come back to life."

There was definitely an ingredient none of you knew about when it came to getting a kitsune a tail. But you felt like you were one step closer to solving this.

"So, Master," Herta grinned, "You like Ayane's tails, huh?"

"They're soft and fluffy, yes." You said with confidence. Ayane seemed proud of herself at your comment.

"I bet I could make you something nice with all those hairs she sheds~" Herta suggested. "Maybe a shirt or some boxers, Master~? You could have a part of her to wear the whole day and night~"

Ayane paled, guarding her tails behind herself.

"..." You frowned and looked at your goddess with some concern. "Herta, that's sort of..."

"Eh, what's wrong?" Your goddess was oblivious to why you and Ayane were both unnerved.

"Master," Ayane hid herself behind you as she kept a wary eye on Herta. "May I request that I personally dispose of any hair I shed?"

"You may." You granted that much.

More was discussed, but things mostly devolved into smalltalk. Eventually the three of you parted ways, with Herta needing sleep and Ayane needing to practice her magic.

And you were left alone with the letters Eulia brought.

Two of them stood out to you; an official note from the embassy of Elfalior, from Centria, and letter with no name and from an unknown source.

The first went as followed:

To the Savant John Doe,

We salute you in the name of his Holiness, King Aldaron II, who rules in the name of the gods from the elfland forests...

It had a very serious tone to it, demanding that you come to the embassy in Centria as soon as possible, for this was an urgent matter. They wouldn't specify what exactly was so urgent.

The second letter apparently had a complex enchantment placed on it that kept anyone that wasn't a Savant named John Doe from opening it. The envelope wasn't marked with any name, but the letter itself made it clear that this was from Aila.

To John Doe, who brought my heart close to his and lifted my spirits so effortlessly,

Please forgive me for how long it has taken to write, but my thoughts refused to be expressed in words and my shaking hands could not give justice to the feelings of my heart. You came into my life like a shooting star, John Doe, and you made my mind a jumbled mess of feelings. All the diligence I've held onto with so much pride has melted within hours of our last meeting. What a fool I was, to not realize our feelings are so closely entwined.

I feared that you might consider me less, or worse, scared by me, were you to know that I've been lying to you about-

There are some lines crossed out. You can make out the words 'saintess' and 'princess' a few times.

Needless to say, I have not been entirely honest with you. But those feelings we both shared, the fun we had while you showed me around the city? That was all real. More real that I could possibly imagine. Given that I've hardly had the time to explore on my own, that moment was more precious to me than what you might realize.

I do not wish to pressure you to return to Centria so soon, but if you do, please visit me— I wish to give a proper reply to your feelings in person. For I hold no faith that these trembling fingers of mine will do it justice.

Humbly yours, if you are willing,

Aila Imryll Aut-Elleth

Post-Script: Please do not meet with any elvish embassies if they summon you. I know this might be asking for much, but please trust me when I say that it shall cause trouble for us both if you do.

Well, that was interesting. Thankfully you weren't one of those dense anime protagonists, so you knew she wanted to confess her love to you and admit that she's the saintess-princess or whatever. However, that mention of not going to the elvish embassy was concerning.

Yet you can't help but feel great relief settle down upon you for reasons you can't really put into words.

Curiosity got the best of you, and you decided to use the Orb of Farsight to look for Aila. Things wouldn't be that easy, since you didn't find the Academy as you expected it.

Instead of the halls of learning and courtyards that adorned the prestigious building, you found a fuzzy image that vaguely resembled the Centrian Academy. You quickly realize that this was some sort of defense system that Todred must've set up. Thankfully, you're able to mostly bypass it after being clever about what places you wanted to see in the Orb. But then you realize how difficult it'd be to find Aila between all of the other students, and how much mana was gonna get wasted with your bypasses. And so, not wanting to spend all of your mana today, you decide to put a pin on it for another time.

While thinking about Centria, you realize that you might've missed the 'What We Know of Hybrid Breakdown' presentation at the Academy. After perusing through the newspaper you'd gottne this morning, you found that there was apparently a second version of that lecture coming up soon.

The 'What We Know of Hybrid Breakdown' and 'Corruption, Curses, And Mana Mutation' were both apparently being held this week in the lecture hall. In the same day, no less, but thankfully not at the same time. Both had 'Second Edition' tacked after their titles, making you assume that they organized it so that things would happen this way.

"You useless goddess." You chided Herta as you brought it up at dinnertime. "Why didn't you tell me it was being held last week?"

"Kyaah! I forgot! I'm sorry!" Herta exclaimed.

"Master," Gerty, wearing full metal plated armor in all places except her stomach, rose from her chair and stared at you in the eye. "I am equally to blame! As your useless bitch-sow, it was my duty-!"

"Gerty, why the hell are you standing?" You asked.

"I'm showing my commitment to you, sir!" Gerty declared.

"Gerty, sit." You commanded. Gerty immediately complied. "And now tell me why you're wearing that."

"Yes, sir," Gerty tried to explain. "Parts of the Holy Armor I usually wear don't fit me anymore, so I've opted to wear as much as possible without harming the precious package you've placed inside of me!"

"Let me rephrase that; why the hell are you wearing armor at dinnertime?" You clarify.

"You ordered me to wear armor, sir!" Gerty explained.

"When I said you needed to wear more armor instead of that bikini stuff, I didn't mean you always needed to wear full plated armor." You said.

"Forgive me, Master!" Gerty said. She was about to strip, but you stopped her before things got any stupider.

"Master," Bertha said. "I'm almost done with Holy Armor thingy, don't worry about it!"

"Thanks babe." You were grateful.

"Wait a second." Yumi, who had mostly kept to herself all day, finally began to speak. "Does this mean another journey shall be undertaken? Lead once more to the bustling realm of merchants known as Centria? All for the sake of a trivial gathering of the learned at the hallowed Academy? Such vanity is beneath this accursed servant's designs!" She said in a theatrical voice. "Except perhaps the wandering spirit known as Yumi would like to come with the Savant Lord..." Yumi quietly added.

"Obviously my gallant Master planned this all along." Ruby said with a smug smirk. "He waited for the optimal time to go there, predicting that a refined lecture would be available, slowly weaving his web."

"Master, wait! Hold on!" Herta said, looking nervous. "Um, if we go to Centria, let's only stay there for a day! There's, uh, some super important aluminum stuff to do here!"

That's right!" Mel added. "And there's, uh, some special fae ability I'm learning that needs me to be in the estate!" Your beguiler laughed nervously. "Which means we need you here, Master! Because... I want to show it to you?"

"Oi, Gerty, didn't you find some tin or iron shit on the clankers' foots?" Cattleya meowed, changing the subject.

"I did." Gerty revealed, successfully getting your attention.

"Which means we should at the very least return here soon, no?" Ruby Rose took the thought to its conclusion. "To ensure that we can trace the area where it originated from, before any natural disasters ruin our plans."

"Well I'm ok with going to Centria for the rest of the week." Bertha said, getting some annoyed looks from the rest of your wives. "I mean, like, I can still make the armor while we're in Centria. Sure, it'll be harder since I wouldn't have the forge stuff this place has, but it's still my skill, so I can, like, make more armor and stuff."

"Bertha." Mel gave your warrioress a deadpan so strong that it could've killed an entire kitchen of cooking utensils. "Are you for real?"

"I knew that this could happen." Ruby muttered.

"Huh?" Bertha gave your beguiler a blank stare. That was when the proverbial lightbulb lit up on her head. "Wait a sec, that's right! We were all planning to give Master-"

"HEY MASTER!" Herta suddenly shouted, drawing close to you after shoving a load of bread into Bertha's mouth. "I just thought of an idea on how to bring ventilation to the aluminum stuff underground! It might be a little complicated, but with some Lunacy Savantae..."

Your wives were all so cute.

Anyway, would you go to Centria this week?

>Yes, but only for a day. It was enough time to at least see the lectures and meet with some people.
>Yes and you'd stay there for a while. (Will interrupt everyone's weekly actions)
>No, you'd skip it this time. Even if that means you won't be there for these specific lectures.
>(Write-in).

While Centria held your interest, it didn't change the fact that Gerty had might've found something important. She talked about how, when practicing with the clankers on how she'd purge the Monster Room, she happened to find clay and black sand attached to their legs. After some more inquiries, you figured that there were likely some softer areas that contained iron and tin were either in nearby sandy shores of the sea and/or by some rivers in the forest.

You considered how useful it could be for the future.

>Have Mel look into it next week. She had a very detailed mind, maybe she might find something else. (Uses up Mel's action next week)
>Send Cattleya to survey the areas. Your catgirl had enough animal instincts to accurately pinpoint the location. (Uses up Cattleya's action next week)
>(Write-in).

>>6274854
>"Of course." How could you say no? It was about time this curse was torn off from your fluffy tailed relatives.
Send a note with it saying we are coming to Centria for a day if they need us there

>>6274882
Oh Herta

>>6274884
Yippee elf confession

>>6274897
>Yes, but only for a day. It was enough time to at least see the lectures and meet with some people.
Meet with elf, lectures, Toldred if he wants and what else? Hmmm.
>Have Mel look into it next week. She had a very detailed mind, maybe she might find something else. (Uses up Mel's action next week)
>Send Cattleya to survey the areas. Your catgirl had enough animal instincts to accurately pinpoint the location. (Uses up Cattleya's action next week)
Both why not? Send to different areas to find what they can.
Also
>Use Orb on Elf Embassy
Why not? Let’s see what the diplomats are planning

>>6274854
>>"Of course." How could you say no? It was about time this curse was torn off from your fluffy tailed relatives.
Put a letter with it telling that we are coming to Centria too and they should tell us immediately if there is any side effects as there should not be any.

>I wish to give a proper reply to your feelings in person. For I hold no faith that these trembling fingers of mine will do it justice
Ha ha yes, we still have the magic hands and she will be trembling in our arms

>"You ordered me to wear armor, sir!" Gerty explained
Since Gerty clearly likes dress up, she should wear a dress with sexy underwear next

>>6274897
>Yes, but only for a day. It was enough time to at least see the lectures and meet with some people.
I wonder is the elvish embassy and the king against Aila's wishs to be our or is there more than meets the eye

>>6274897
>Have Mel look into it next week. She had a very detailed mind, maybe she might find something else. (Uses up Mel's action next week)

>>6274897
Yeah why not both
>>Send Cattleya to survey the areas. Your catgirl had enough animal instincts to accurately pinpoint the location. (Uses up Cattleya's action next week)

>>6274854
>"Of course." How could you say no? It was about time this curse was torn off from your fluffy tailed relatives.
With a note explaining exactly what they do, what's in them, how we made them and that we'll be on hand shortly if they would like our presence.
I do wonder how it will affect Ai. She should be very early pregnant at the moment, so will curing her also cure her embryonic child? Consult your doctor before using this medication.
>>6274897
>Yes, but only for a day. It was enough time to at least see the lectures and meet with some people.
A flying visit for a day or two, I'm still Centris-ed out from last time. We don't have to take everyone, we can just take ourselves and a couple of wives for an overnight trip to Centris if the others want to stay here. Herta will obviously not leave our side, Ayane may want to come to deal with her family, we're still carting Yumi around and we could take the opportunity to drag Ruby out of her nerdcave.
>Have Mel look into it next week. She had a very detailed mind, maybe she might find something else. (Uses up Mel's action next week)
Go forth and prospect. Cassiterite and haematite can easily be panned for.

Must work on ticking off tails for Ayane. Perhaps we can interview a few other kitsune of the family to understand how they got theirs too.
Imma be real, I'm not really feeling Eulia. She's best in small doses methinks and the smooth-brained manic energy would go from amusing to exhausting very quick. With Aila and Yumi seeming to be cruising for the 8th and 9th harem spots, who takes the 10th will be a very important decision if we're sticking to 10.
I wonder if the elves are about to try and bundle us into a shotgun wedding because ear touching is an extremely intimate act that is only for married couples or something and we basically proposed to her under elven law by doing it and have to take responsibility for it now. It is the sort of trope that would be very at home here, after all.
I think more than one of Herta's fetishes might have rubbed off on Gerty. She's more openly masochistic, tried being exhibitionist and seems to be increasingly devoted to her pregnancy. I hope she stays as stoic, serious and honourable as ever since that's the other side of her coin that makes her so precious.

>>6275276
>who takes the 10th will be a very important decision if we're sticking to 10.
10 is the limit we chose and so it shall be. As for who it should is a good question. Alia manages to fulfill the nobility, princess, mage, saintess and elf traits so who knows who should take #10. Maybe an Eastian wife considering everyone is mostly Westian?
>I hope she stays as stoic, serious and honourable as ever since that's the other side of her coin that makes her so precious.
Me too, we already have our openly exhibitionist masochist, let Gerty be her own thing. Still gotta do that 3some though.

>>6275276
>I'm not really feeling Eulia.
In her defence we have only ever seen her at work, and she is workholic

>who takes the 10th will be a very important decision if we're sticking to 10.
Personally I have been wondering about 10 limit as its likely true limit for normal man but is it a true limit for savant?

>>6275381
>Maybe an Eastian wife considering everyone is mostly Westian?
Technically Cattleya is from Eastia and if I remember correctly only Gerty is stated to be from Westia. But yes we should go to see Eastia and Westia both and in Eastia find Cecilia if for nothing else then to thank her for her useful potion notes

Oh and we should learn some more magic before meeting Cecilia as she likes "hot, sweaty, muscular wizards"

>>6275527
Though Gerty grew up in Westphalia, she was born to Eastian parents (from what she's been told, they defected to Westphalia and died in battle shortly after she was born). She was raised by a very militant Knightly Order in Westia since she was a baby, and was taught to be an honorable Westphalian knight there. Gerty still proudly says she's from Westia though, despite how complicated her background is lol
The other three that came from Riverdale were born in different regions of Westphalia.

Both you and Herta were still hard at work making sure the mass production of aluminum goes well. Things got exponentially smoother as Cattleya continued to organize the materials in the storage area, leading to less headaches and more efficiency. It was interesting to consider how small things like that could decrease the workload.

The underground ventilation system setup was going decently well— some Lunacy Savantae and enchantments went a long way to keep the room fresh. Although you were inspired by the magical larder in terms of ensuring a good air circulation and quality, there was an undeniable stuffiness that took hold of the entire room if there wasn't anyone (or any machine) to work the air pumps and bellows. Automation sounded like an easy solution, but it was weirdly difficult to do in this situation. Though that might just be because you and Herta were basically brute forcing Savant-made things to work together. This all was, in many ways, new territory for both your Lunacy Savantae.

One thing was certain, and that was the fact that the two of you working together made things far easier and efficient.

While this was bound to be finished soon and would bring about the steady flow of aluminum bars into your supplies, you considered making a factory above ground instead this time. Herta suggested this offhandedly, mentioning that building it on the surface would get rid of all the needless complications and confusions Lunacy Savantae could bring. This was especially useful if you wanted to expand the factories at a larger rate.

Refining and smelting the materials you had into aluminum would never be efficient underground, though it would help if you wanted to keep things hidden from airships and better protected from potential design thieves. But making an industrial facility or twenty on the surface would also be useful for multiple reasons. Although, with both you and the goddess, it was possible to do both next week at the same time, if you were fine with a less efficient rate of construction. On another note, it might do you and Herta some good to look at some other projects instead for now.

>Make another smelting factory above ground. (Uses up John Doe's and Herta's action next week)
>Continue as you were, expanding underground facilities and experimenting more with Lunacy Savantae. (Uses up John Doe's and Herta's action next week)
>Why not both? It should be manageable if the two of you work on it. (Uses up John Doe's and Herta's action next week)
>Actually the two of you should take a break from this and focus on other matters. (John Doe and Herta will have their weekly choices like normal)
>This wasn't a bad idea, but you felt like it didn't need the two of you to complete. (Who continues the aluminum production? The weekly action will be available for the person not doing it)
>(Write-in)

Ayane said that this underground construction reminded her of a tatara; an underground furnace used to make swords and armor.

Your kitsune would say that she didn't know much of the engineering and blacksmithing behind it, but she was aware that it was a method many artificers used to create certain enchanted weapons and armor.

Speaking of such things reminded you of the armor Bertha was making.

A certain busty Warrior of yours had made some armor for your wives, and was now in the process of showcasing it to you and Gerty. Your Holy Knight was here to help Bertha make armor that would suitably stand in for Gerty's original Holy Knight's Armor.

It ended up with mixed results. It wasn't exactly a failure, but design was... interesting, to say the least. Though it was a bit ridiculous with how much space it gave by the stomach.

"This isn't the final version." Your warrioress began. "Like, it can be kept this way I guess, but this is just as an example cause it isn't even enchanted. I'm gonna be looking at enchanting something in the gear I make so it can instantly fit and feel comfortable no matter how big any of us get." She looked determined to do as good of a job as she could, though it was still clear that this wasn't a passion project of hers. "I was also gonna work on that eastern armor thing that Ayane wanted. I've never really made 'samurai' armor or whatever its called, so it should be fun." And after answering a few questions, mainly details about the materials she was gonna use, she left.

"Master." Gerty said when Bertha was gone. "The armor feels airy." Gerty then tapped the comically large part of her metal 'stomach', a hollow echo resounding.

"Well Bertha said she'd fix it later." You reminded her.

"That's not what I'm referring to, sir." Gerty continued. "There are parts that, while not terrible, feel more like enchanted Adventurer Armor in than Holy Armor."

"Are you complaining about Bertha's hard work?" You chide.

"I'm-"

"You will go around in your underwear since you hate it so much." You finished.

"Sir, yes sir!" She saluted and began to strip.

Clenching her fists when she was done, a furious blush spreading across her face all the while. Given her fierce and unchanging expression, one might've easily mistaken this reaction for anger. But you knew her better than anyone else. Little cracks upon her countenance began to show, her masochism revealing itself the more you bossed her around.

Despite Herta's influence, Gerty still wasn't much of a exhibitionist. Although she'd gotten more comfortable with you feeling her and using her as you wanted while in front of others.

Yet a constant remained in how she was willing to publicly humiliate herself for your sake and for the sake of her duty. This could easily be brushed off as her being a good slave-wife, but you realized this was just her love for getting abused badly hidden behind a layer of formality. Further proof of her masochism was her carefully honor threatening to crack the more you harassed her.

Still she would never break unless you openly declared your intentions to her.

Her righteous and honor-bound behavior prevented her deeper desires from showing themselves in a natural way, not being perverse about any order of yours despite how purposefully ambiguous your commands can sometimes be.

Though it was painfully obvious to anyone paying close enough attention to know that she was a masochist who craved punishment, she still remained formal and competent enough to inspire heroism.

You had to commend her for her self-discipline.

"Did that maso-slut brain of yours finally turn you into a bitch in heat?" You smirked at her display.

"Sir!" She gazed at you with pure devotion. "Any woman should realize what an honor it is to be under you! I am no different, sir! It is my pleasure to serve you with this obscene body of mine!" Her tone took a more lustful tilt as she began to repeat herself, and apologized for "being a sow that can't think properly when around you, sir".

Satiating both your desires took a few hours. You ended up engaging your Holy Knight with some pillow talk. It was then that she informed you about her strategy on destroying the Monster Rooms: Lighter battle clankers would climb and lead the assault, baiting the monsters to come out. Some armored clankers and standard clankers would then flank them when the battlefield was better. After this she would use some of the armored clankers in the back to start a barrage against the monsters. Gerty planned on using a few mortars to thin their numbers as well.

Gerty would, however, float the idea of throwing some construction clankers into the mix. You both knew that Gerty had been practicing with them to make quick fortifications, so you were confident that she'd get some good use out of them to enhance her tactics. The downside was that construction clankers weren't meant for battle, and so were more likely to be destroyed.

>Let Gerty take a few construction clankers with her to help fighting the Monster Rooms.
>Only allow Gerty to take the battle clankers with her.
>(Write-in).

===

As you were taking a break, and as Herta was sleeping, your mind eventually went back to the subject of Centria. The question behind Aila's warning was still bothering you—until you realized you had an all-seeing cheat item that you could use.

And just like that the Orb of Knowledge was used upon the Elfalior embassy in Centria. There you found various wood elves wearing robes, guards wearing strange looking armor, and even what appeared to be elf nobles. The latter only consisted of two elves who, wearing fancier garb than their companions, clearly stood out from the rest. These two elves—your perception telling you this was a brother and sister pair—carried themselves with a degree of elegance that only Ruby could match. They were in the middle of a meeting with a couple of humans and another elf. Upon closer inspection you find that this third elf was none other than one of the highest ranking bureaucratic elves in Centria — Elre.

Unfortunately you're not able to hear their conversation, but you are able to see various magical artifacts and papers being exchanged.

Sadly your Appraisal didn't work through the Orb, so you couldn't get an exact description of what they were about, yet the artifacts seemed mundane, not possessing the intimidation factor most weapon artifacts had. Although, something about these items made you feel unnerved for some reason.

After the meeting ended, the humans and Elre departed. Not too long after they were gone, what appeared to be some sort of small cyclops with wings appeared in a burst of energy in front of the two elf siblings. This newcomer seemed to be an expected arrival, given the familiar reactions the two noble elves gave it. They all exchanged some words, then a few notes, and the cyclops drank a recall potion and disappeared in another burst of energy after saluting to them. Other than this there was nothing much that seemed to be of note in the embassy other than soldier movements.

You spent some time looking at your Centrian properties again for a couple of hours and found everything to be as usual. You even decided to look around the estate, and even found some of the Monster Rooms that your Holy Knight was planning to fight. You considered how useful this could be for Gerty, and you resolved to help her with this.

Though it wasn't like Gerty was gonna fight the monsters all alone. You and your wives would be helping out here and there, with Cattleya, Ayane, and Mel even volunteering to fight as well, the fae-blooded woman saying that she'd have a few tricks up her sleeve that would help with her style of battle. Your kitsune was starting to become a formidable opponent, and she wanted to prove how strong she'd become under your guidance. Meanwhile Cattleya would meow and boast about how "I can still throw some claws like the best of 'em, guv". Bertha would have them all outfitted by the time you got back from Centria.

As you were thinking these thoughts, Herta eventually woke up and came by to bother you, needy as ever. Her desires effectively ended your little adventure with the Orb, not that you were complaining about having a beautiful woman desire you.

But these things brought up another question: Who were you going to bring with you to Centria?

>No one. You'd go alone.
>Take Herta, Ruby, Ayane and Yumi with you.
>Bring along all of your wives.
>You'd take a few specific people along. (Who?)
>(Write-in).

>>6275601
>>Actually the two of you should take a break from this and focus on other matters. (John Doe and Herta will have their weekly choices like normal)
If am not wrong the next week is Ayane's heat week, so its time to have fun with fox

>>6275621
>>Let Gerty take a few construction clankers with her to help fighting the Monster Rooms.
We can always build more and fix the broken

>>6275622
>Bring along all of your wives.
Everyone can come if they feel like it.

>>6275601
>Continue as you were, expanding underground facilities and experimenting more with Lunacy Savantae. (Uses up John Doe's and Herta's action next week)
Keeping it hidden is the best choice for us right now

>>6275621
>Let Gerty take a few construction clankers with her to help fighting the Monster Rooms.
Let’s see what she can do with them

>>6275622
>No one. You'd go alone.
About time we had a solo adventure, and I am sure our wives will be happy to continue preparing their surprise whatever it is

>>6275601
>Continue as you were, expanding underground facilities and experimenting more with Lunacy Savantae.
Keep it underground and hidden all the while it's still a small outfit. When we're ready to gear up into real mass production, then we go onto the surface. A surface factory would just be a big metal shed anyway, the only way anyone would see is if they physically get inside.
To make a large factory, we're also going to need a lot of supporting infrastructure for it. We're going to need huge amounts of electricity (hydro.....), better logistics (I want that seaport and trains - how far is it to the nearest rail connection?), better defences and security, potentially an actual biological workforce, more formal contracts for import and export and to keep it all above board. Urk.
>Let Gerty take a few construction clankers with her to help fighting the Monster Rooms.
Let's see how they perform as sappers.
Gerty, if that armour is too spacious for you, you're just going to have to grow until you fill it out then, won't you? Better get used to it, because you're going to need it a lot in the future.
>No one. You'd go alone.
We actually haven't been alone since we arrived here. It'll be an experience, that's for sure. Let them cook their surprise.

>>6275381
We do have the full cast of fantasy races and archetypes available, there's sure to be something there even if we have ticked a lot of boxes already. Mayhaps we'll stumble across a powerful dragoness, catch a cute rogue breaking in or find a mysterious woman in a bush who doesn't know anything about herself or something.

>>6275527
I'm not sure off-the-clock Eulia is much different. Based on what we've seen "thoughts go nyooom" seems to be a general harpy trait, not just a Eulia trait.
We can juggle more than a "normal" person, but I wouldn't want to go above that or, at least, far above it if we make a special exception for someone. It's on a meta level too, the bigger the cast gets, the less screentime each one gets so I'd rather a smaller and tighter cast than risking characters being neglected.

>>6275781
>a cute rogue
You mean Mel

>>6275787
Eh, I suppose Mel's class and skillset are rogue-adjacent but she doesn't strike me as a particularly roguey rogue. I mean the stabbing-stealing-spying sort.

>>6275781
>how far is it to the nearest rail connection?
Around 100 miles east until you either get to Vonstadt or Weisserhafen. Eastia is big on trains and railways, according to Cattleya.

>>6275869
Big oof. Thassa long way.

Still, depending on the terrain, I think it would be very viable to construct a narrow-gauge (2ft 6in maybe) railway out that far with a large workforce of construction clankers and enough metal, though given the sheer volume of metal and metalwork we could see if we can contract rail manufacture out to the Eastians over having to procure and work all that steel by ourselves. The question then becomes "is it worth it" - I think yes eventually, since having an actual ground transportation connection would open up a world of logistics to us and make doing industry significantly easier in the long run.

>>6275622
>Actually the two of you should take a break from this and focus on other matters. (John Doe and Herta will have their weekly choices like normal)
Its not like we cant always chooce aluminum anyway

>>6275621
>Let Gerty take a few construction clankers with her to help fighting the Monster Rooms.
We should start that wall soon

>>6275622
>Bring along all of your wives.
I agree with the other anon that we should let everyone chooce if they want to come or not. Even if in my heart I want to solo

Rolled 2 (1d2)

>>6275622
1 for doing something else, 2 is for continuing to expand underground facilities.

>>6275622
1 is for bringing them all (if they feel like it), 2 is for going alone.

Rolled 1 (1d2)

>>6275622
Alright, let me try that again.
1 is for bringing them all (if they want to), 2 is for going alone.

You were getting prepared for the flight to Centria. When you announced that anyone who wished to come with you could do so, there was immediate discussion and more than a few whispers about that surprise they were planning for you.

Herta, of course, wanted to be with you whenever possible.

"Hey, um, Herta?" Mel approached the goddess. "If you're leaving then how is the, uh, you know, the totally-not-a-gift thing gonna get completed in time?"

"Eh, don't worry about it." Herta waved her off. "I'll figure something out."

Ayane, Bertha, and Yumi also ended up tagging along. Ayane wouldn't miss an opportunity to meet her family again, Bertha because this was one of her 'clingy' days, and Yumi wanted to see the city lights again. The ghost girl insisted that "It-it's not because I wanna be with you or anything!" all the while with a blue blush coloring her face.

Ruby Rose was torn between going with you or helping with the surprise for your wives had been planning. Eventually her self-proclaimed web-spinning won out as she convinced herself that this was the more complicated choice to take between the two (while also 'interpreting' your amusement as an order for her to remain in your estate for a 'scheme' you were plotting). She also offhandedly mentioned how she'd attempt to remotely connect the telegraph tower from here to Centria, though she made no promises.

Gerty, after having a back and forth with you about what you wanted her to do (a simple 'Do you want to come with me or not?' was only good enough to make her reply that she'd unquestioningly follow any order you gave her), remained here to continue practicing with the clankers to purge the Monster Rooms.

Mel was obviously still doing things for your surprise, and remained here to do just that. Though she'd fall back on her excuse of 'practicing fae magic' whenever you teased her about it.

Cattleya was busy with organizing materials, which had incrementally gotten worse as the weeks passed. She was also helping out with whatever celebration they were planning for you, as you distinctly recall hearing Ruby mention that "With Bertha gone, that Cat will have to fill her place doing the heavy lifting".

It was cute to see them scurry around as they tried to figure out what the most optimal way of celebrating you would be.

The wives of yours that were gonna remain in the estate wished you the best as they hugged you.

"Come back soon, Master!" Mel had a sad smile.

"Safe travels, sir!" Though Gerty tried to have a strong face, she nonetheless seemed a bit anxious to see you leave.

"Don't keep us waiting, alright guv?" Cattleya meowed with a softer tone than usual.

"I can assure you, my gallant Master, that this mansion shall be in pristine condition upon your return." Despite Ruby's smugness you wouldn't be surprised if she spent all day in the Control Room. She'd already begun the archive you made her do, if the interviews and questions she'd ask you and your wives were any indication.

These goodbyes were much more emotional than warranted, as each stood in line to give you a deep kiss. Despite any reassurances you'd make about being back in a day, two at most, they all seemed on the verge of requesting to come along at the last moment.

But you couldn't just stall forever, and so with another goodbye to them you left the estate.

It was convenient to have your slaves deal with the airship's inner workings, making sure she remained air-worthy, yet you couldn't help but think about the ways you'd be able to manage doing this alone. Soon you realized that you really wanted to do a solo adventure at some point. Maybe one of those sneaking missions at night that most MCs ended up doing for some reason or another would be fun. With how things are developing with Forthwythe and Rostchilde you felt sure you were gonna get your chance one day.

You ponder these things as Herta stays by your side, relishing in your presence and occasionally helping out as an engineer or co-pilot or as stress relief for you. Eventually there's a lull in the flight, and you let things go on autopilot for a bit as you silently stare out the window with your first slave-wife.

The farmlands of your estate turn to grasslands and forests and hills as your ship soars above it all, only for the scenery to be abruptly cut off by a mountainous range. Said mountains surrounded your lands on all sides, making travel difficult — but not impossible. Your four Riverdale wives would talk to you about their experiences surviving the mountainous wilderness whenever you asked.

This was looking like any other flight, except one difference; the mountains were active and teeming with monsters— rock golems, much different from the golems once found in your dungeon, mechanically patrolled and climbed certain routes like abandoned toy soldiers, at times requiring some cannonfire to make sure they didn't throw a boulder up at you. You found some rock wolves, as Mel called them, fighting lesser leveled monsters and also throwing the occasional stone at you whenever The Vixen's Luck got too close — thankfully they didn't waste their time against you, being smart enough to realize it was impossible to bring you down. You caught glimpses of giant snakes with dragon heads slithering across the area— these were the giant wyrms, apparently— and the occasional owlbear prowling around in search of food. Goats somehow made a place for themselves in this ecosystem, avoiding and (impressively) fending off any monsters that approached their herds with a headbutt.

With air travel sliding into a mundane ocean of endless clouds again, you considered the things you brought with you. The bare necessities, a few luxuries, as well as a few pieces of furniture to furnish your castle, were all a given. However there was one item that took some deliberation on your part: The Orb of Knowledge. There were many positives and negatives to bringing it with you or letting it remain in the safety of your estate, where it would be protection behind countless traps (courtesy of Mel).

>You took the Orb with you. It was too good of an item to just leave at home.
>You left the Orb in your estate. It was too dangerous to bring with you. Also, your wives might like to check up on you once in a while.
>(Write-in).

The sun set, and you all traveled through the night up until you were met with the smog and light rising up from the city, carelessly mixing in the sky.

You're able to land The Vixen's Luck near your castle. It should be close to midnight by this point, and sleep seemed to be the only thing on everyone's minds.

However that would have to wait, since a small flying boat was docked near the front entrance of the castle. From there a familiar kitsune comes out— you think his name is Daisuke— and very quickly you find out that he hardly speaks any Common. However Ayane says a few things in Japanese, likely answering questions like 'For how long are is your Master going to stay here? Do we need to keep checking on the place?' as well as translating between you both. You allow your wive and your uncle in-law to catch up. He then turns to you, gives a respectful bow, gets on his little airship and leaves.

After that little interaction you and all of your wives go to bed and soundly sleep a deep, dreamless slumber.

===

It's morning. Just before sunrise.

You decide to step outside and get some fresh air, downing a stamina potion all the while. The city lights quietly dim as the sun sparkles down upon the roads like gold. It's quiet and peaceful, as always.

For some reason you're reminded of the lectures. Although it's not like you were forced to attend them, they were the main reason you came to Centria in the first place.

Would you go listen to the two lectures today?

>Yes. It would also be a good opportunity to visit Todred. (Uses up today's afternoon/evening action)
>No. You wanted to do something else instead.
>(Write-in).

The day was still starting. You hear Herta's footsteps behind you, and a gulp as she also drank a stamina potion. You didn't blame her, especially after she'd spent nearly all night helping you pilot.

"Master," Your goddess yawns out, leaning on you as she hugs your arm. "You want anything special for breakfast?"

"Just the usual." You smile innocently, giving her a sneaky grope with your free hand.

"Oh~! Master, everyone can see~" She seemed really happy at that fact.

You still had Herta make some food, though you ended up feeding the goddess some of your 'protein' under the table as a reward. While everyone was having breakfast you noticed that Ayane, despite her outwardly composed nature, was excited about your in-laws being cured of their Bad Luck. You allowed her to see them, not being able to bring yourself to keep her from visiting them.

What did you want to do today?

>Meet with Aila.
>Personally visit the Elfalior embassy.
>Go with Ayane and visit your in-laws again. You're sure at least Ryko will be happy to see you.
>Go to the stores. There was a wider selections than before, mostly thanks to you becoming more familiar with Centria.
>See one of your Centrian properties. (Plaza, tower, wasteland?)
>Visit a guild. (Which? Adventurer, Merchant, Artisan, Mage, Apothecary, Mercenary, Blacksmith? Try to find the remnants of the Thieves' Guild? You could also try to find a specific guild for something, but take in mind that it might not be found in Centria)
>You still had enough leads to go snooping around again for any of the moves Rostchilde was doing. You recollect hearing that some high-ranking allies of Rostchilde should be around Centria by now.
>(Write-in)

>>6276326
>Meet with Aila.
Entire reason why we came here, what we decide to do after depends on what she says and does

>>6276313
Imagine around 20 years from now how long it will take to say goodbye to the wives and all the children.

>>6276319
>You took the Orb with you. It was too good of an item to just leave at home.
Just in case something happens at the mansion, or we wanna be sneaky later

>No. You wanted to do something else instead.
Depends on next option

>>6276326
>Meet with Aila.
Depending on what she says and does could change things so let’s keep it mostly open for now.

>>6276319
>You left the Orb in your estate. It was too dangerous to bring with you. Also, your wives might like to check up on you once in a while.
It's not dangerous to bring with us, I just don't think we need it and so our wives at home can reassure themselves.
>Yes. It would also be a good opportunity to visit Todred. (Uses up today's afternoon/evening action)
Kill two birds with one stone. I want to see him anyway.
>>6276326
>Meet with Aila.
What does elf want? I'd like to come home tomorrow, so if anything gets thrown up by this we can still do something tomorrow morning.

>>6276335
By then, our eldest children will no longer be children so we and our wives will have some help to wrangle the increasingly demigod-heavy horde. We'll never stop giving our wives a big kiss before we go though.

>>6276319
>You left the Orb in your estate. It was too dangerous to bring with you. Also, your wives might like to check up on you once in a while.
It will give them some peace of mind

>Yes. It would also be a good opportunity to visit Todred. (Uses up today's afternoon/evening action)

>>6276326
>Meet with Aila.
Time to make the elf, our elf.

>Go with Ayane and visit your in-laws again. You're sure at least Ryko will be happy to see you.
If we have time today it would nice to see our in-laws, we did promised Ryko that we would come see her and the in-laws next time.

>See one of your Centrian properties. (Plaza)
Again if we have time today to see it. As we should see how have the knights done their job

>>6276319
>You left the Orb in your estate. It was too dangerous to bring with you. Also, your wives might like to check up on you once in a while.
I'm sure we can keep the Orb safe. Nobody even knows about it.
But still it's good for our wives to have.

>Yes. It would also be a good opportunity to visit Todred. (Uses up today's afternoon/evening action)
Efficient.

>>6276326
>Go with Ayane and visit your in-laws again. You're sure at least Ryko will be happy to see you.
This first and then
>Meet with Aila.
More elf ear-rubbing.

Might take a little longer than usual to update since I've been feeling a little sick lately. I'll try to get something out in a few hours but I won't promise anything.

>>6277588
Okay, no problem NotIseQM, take your time.

Sorry for taking so long. I've been a little more sick than I first thought lmao. Ended up sleeping through almost the entire day when I wasn't sneezing, and I still feel tired despite that lol

Update is almost ready though.

While neither you nor your wives suffered from a broken sleep, the exertion from yesterday's travel still lingered. This didn't help the fact that Bertha once more came down with a smothering of morning sickness. The warrioress even joked with your foxgirl that "I must've caught your Bad Luck, don't you think?" as said vixen prepared to depart.

As a small chuckle was shared you decided to schedule the day out before Ayane split off. You'd already shared the plan of attending the Academy's lectures, and your present wives all unanimously wanted to come with you. Though you feel like Ruby would've liked to hear the lectures, and your Mastermind was in fact very tempted to leave everything behind in the estate and come with you to do just that, she seemed rather insistent on helping with the surprise— likely wanting to take credit for and place her own spin on the celebration Herta was planning for you.

Anyway, Ayane mentioned how she wanted to meet up with you in the Academy again before the lectures started, and you in turn told her how you planned to meet with your kitsune in-laws later today as well. You assured Ayane that if there were any changes in the plans you'd try your best to contact her about them.

The small goodbye kiss you shared with her turned deeper, ending as she gasped for air, leaving a very content Ayane to bid you farewell. While seeing her leave, you recall the promise you made to a certain-fluffy tailed niece of yours. While you did want to visit Ryko again, there were still much more pressing matter that took urgency. Specifically, the feelings of a certain elf. You'd be lying if you denied how curious you were about Aila after she'd practically confessed to you by letter.

Your slaves, wanting to be useful, decided to help you. If nothing else, your wives proved to love you; Bertha could provide some muscle, as Ruby Rose would so aptly describe, and Herta would help you out in one of the few specific things she was really good at doing.

However you still ran into a few hiccups as you attempted to enter the Academy— apparently recent rules were stricter with guests.

"Halt." Said one of the guards, as he and his cohorts crossed their spears in front of you and your slaves. "None are allowed to pass."

"Alright, look," You began. "We've been through here before, and Todred assured us we could-"

"The former provost is currently busy assisting the organization of the lecture halls, and thus won't be available." The guard cut you off.

"Don't interrupt Master!" Herta demanded.

"Are you guys seriously gonna try to push around Master?" Bertha looked exasperated. "Again???"

"There's nothing we can do, ma'am." The guard continued. "We have our orders to protect against suspicious activity-"

"Suspicious?!?!" Bertha repeated.

"Hmm." Herta thought about it for a second. "Would you guys let us through if we gave some gold?"

"That would be considered bribery." The guard's voice took an icy tone. "I sincerely hope you weren't implying that-"

"Sheesh, I'm just checking." Herta huffed. "Mortals usually just do whatever if you give them enough gold. Master and I, being Savants, should have this available by default since we're super rich. So yeah, get out of our ways. We even got the paperwork to prove Master and I are Savants." Herta elaborated. At the mention of a Savant, both guards simply looked at each other, hints of worry only barely slipping though their stoic expressions.

"C'mon, we already went through this!" Bertha said to the guards, her patience beginning to dry up. "At least let Master through!"

"Please calm down, ma'am." Said one of them.

"I am calm!" Bertha exclaimed. "It's you guys that are being a bunch of stupid heads!"

Things seemed to be quickly deteriorating, though you thankfully were able to reign in your wives before they did something reckless like starting a fight. As much as you sympathized with Bertha here, you didn't want to chance the ire of the Academy. It'd do you well if you had a diplomat like Ayane, a smooth-talker like Ruby, or even the knight/guard savvy Gerty. At the same time you also considered sneaking in the place by yourself, as your perception gave revealed cracks in the defenses of this place. But unfortunately you couldn't bring your very pregnant wives along for this, unless you risked them getting harmed.

Both Bertha's and Herta's stubbornness tempted you to second the former's thoughts and begin punching your way into this. You doubted these could fend off a Savant, much less the strongest Warrior you knew and a literal goddess helping his side.

An unlikely face come to the rescue as Marigold arrived at the scene.

"What is the commotion this time?" She asked, annoyance clear in her voice. You're left to assume that she must be dealing with many of these sorts of things recently.

"Ma'am!" The two knights said in unison. Yet the one that was talking with you elaborated. "These people are attempting to enter the Academy grounds without permission."

"We have permission." You said, finding some slight amusement as you repeated yourself. "I believe you might recall us, Mrs. Marigold. Todred was with us at the time."

"Indeed I do, Savant." She said with some coldness. You almost forgot she didn't like Savants for some reason. This elf professor and witch gave a sigh. "I can confirm that the Savant has clearance. Let them carry on."

Though not the elf you were looking for, Marigold proved to be helpful. If begrudgingly.

After some further explanations, as the irked Marigold went about her way, you and your wives were able to go about freely in the Academy. But before that.

"Hey, Marigold." You said as the elf woman began to leave. "You know when Todred might be available?"

"After the lectures." She gave a sharp reply, not even turning around to face you. "If his routine remains the same, he shall be in the laboratory with some other magicians."

"Alright, thanks. By the way," You continued casually. "Do you know where Aila might be? She wanted to talk with me about something, so I've been trying to get a hold of her."

She paused, giving you a side glance, her eyes squinting.

"No." She replied. "I am sorry, but I don't make a habit out of memorizing of each individual student's dorm."

"I see." You replied with a smile. So, Aila was staying at the dorms then. You suspected that Marigold might know how important Aila is, but you elected to not antagonize the witch professor (for now, at least).

While you're happy to be inside, you discover something on the outside— a few armored elves, wearing the same gear as the elvish guards from the embassy, were demanding to be let in. None of them bothered to even glance your way, yet you were bothered by them even being here to begin with. If Mel were around you'd have the option to sneak better and eavesdrop, which was always helpful. The addition of having someone on hand that matched you in perceptiveness was always a nice bonus.

Finding where Aila lived proved to be annoying, even with your clearance to look around for as long as you were here. But because of your high perception (and more than a few interrogations), splitting up while you communicated with your wives through the radios they have on their collars, and by some raw luck, you manage to find Aila's dorm. She had the entire room all to herself, you suspected her family payed it all off, had been abandoned.

"Dang it." Herta said. "I feel like I wasted my time lockpicking that door..."

While Mel was the expert in that field, Herta wasn't bad at it in the least. Especially considering this was a lock protected by magic.

Aila's room was minimalist, yet filled to the brim with books and papers and the bare necessities and half-finished magical projects. It would've appeared orderly, had there not been evidence of someone hastily packing some things before leaving.

"Are you doubting my wisdom, slave?" You chide the goddess, much to her joy.

Though finding anything of interest took more time without Mel around, Bertha was able to find a clipped newspaper article; it summarized how "A Savant, a Feligyptian catgirl, and an abnormally tall fairy were able to fend off some thugs in Cinnamon Inn". The name of the inn was underlined by whoever was reading this article. And with that you managed to find a lead to where Aila might've gone to.

===

The three of you were back inside Cinnamon Inn.

"Didn't think we'd come here again so soon." Said Bertha.

"At least its not Rostchilde's hotels." You replied, sauntering up to a familiar mousegirl who now acted as a receptionist.

"Welcome to Cinnamon Inn, how can I... ah, Lord John," The receptionist's smile became more sincere as she saw you. "It's a pleasure to see you again."

"The pleasure is all mine." You returned her smile with a grin. "Looks like you got a promotion."

"Heh, I wish." She giggled. "I'm just filling in for my sister."

Bertha eats some of the complimentary foods that the hotel was giving out, while Herta just wandered about. After you and Rattica share some smalltalk she asks you what you're here for.

"I've just been looking for a friend." You proceed to name and describe Aila.

"Hmm, I don't think we have any elves called... wait," Rattica pauses "No, actually, there was one elf girl that stayed here recently. She was wearing a scarf, so I couldn't get a good look at her face. But everything else sounds just like you described."

"I see." You said.

"Also she called herself Alia." Right, that basically confirmed it.

"Could you tell me where she went to next?" You ask.

"She mentioned something about 'Oak & Iron Lodging', which is a few streets down and to the right." She tried to be helpful by giving directions, but you already knew about the place.

"Alright. Thank you, Ms. Squeek." You began to gather your wives.

"Wait, before I forget." Rattica squeaked, taking out a piece of paper from a drawer. "Mr. Tiller wanted to expand by setting up a hotel in your plaza, but he needed your approval to rent out anyplace. He was wondering if you could, uh, approve of him renting a lot there?"

"Don't you need to have a place in mind to rent out first?" You asked.

"Well, since the place is pretty much a dump—no offense—he thought you might choose a place we could demolish and rebuild from the ground up."

"Is Ein Tiller here?"

"He's at the Merchant's Guild, meeting up with some of the other hotel owners about something or another. He said he'd be there all day."

Interesting.

If you were understanding this correctly, they were gonna demolish, rebuild, and personally be responsible for fixing up a place all while giving you money for the right to stay there. You weren't much of an expert, but this sounded like a decent deal. Ayane would likely know what the right choice here was.

>"Let me make the place more presentable first, then I'll send the paperwork back to you." You wanted to at least make sure the plaza was safe before bringing any business.
>"I'll get back to you once your boss and I can talk face-to-face about it." You wanted to talk with him first.
>"Alright, thank you." It was an interesting offer, but you wanted to have Ayane's opinion about it first.
>"I'll try to get to you soon about it." You would take this deal, and next time you came to Centria you'd be sure to make a decision.
>(Write-in).

===

The large building that jutted up towards the clouds indicated your arrival at Oak & Iron Lodging. You found a few dwarves and humans running around the place.

It doesn't take long to talk to the receptionist; a cheerful dwarvish girl with a hearty laugh.

"Morning." She said. "Wanna get a room for you an' your wives?"

"No, thank you." You said. "I'm just looking for someone. And elf girl around her height." You pointed at Bertha. "A little shy and bookish. Pretty good with magic." You went about describing Aila again. "Her name is Aila, but she might be going by Alia recently. We heard that she might be around here."

"Right then." She said, smile faltering somewhat. "How can I trust ya aren't gonna cause us trouble? You know, you three wouldn't be the first trio to try and make grief."

"Hey, Master John Doe was the one that stopped all of that!" Bertha was quick to defend you. She turned to you. "Right Master?"

"Mel, Catty, and I did, that's right." You confirmed. "We made sure the Drag On Gang won't cause trouble anytime soon." At least, they wouldn't cause trouble to you. Who knew what sort of shenanigans they were up to now.

"Yeah!" Herta said, offended on your behalf. "We don't do bad things to people unless they make Master unhappy. And we don't attract misfortune! I personally made sure of that! You should be honored to be in the presence of a goddes- a Savant! An ordinary Savant. Master is also a Savant!"

"Really?" The dwarf woman looked at you with interest. "Would ya care to have a dwarf as prime slave-wife material, so?"

"Well-" You were about to politely avoid the conversation when you were interrupted by the dwarf woman's hearty laughter.

"I'm just pulling your leg, bud." She wipes a tear from from eye as she continues to chuckle. "Right, right, I'll see what I can find." She takes out a thick book from under the greeting table, flips through it, and taps on something. "You said Alia, right?"

"Yeah." You replied.

"Hm." She grunts, then takes out what seems like a small crystal with a cone attached to one end, then taps it a few times. You consider this interesting invention, though just at a glance you realize this is a primitive magical radio. After a few seconds you hear a familiar voice.

"What is it? I'm trying to sleep." Said Aila.

"You got company." The dwarf woman said.

Things go silent for a few seconds, but you can hear some shuffling and a window being opened.

"Tell the embassy guards I'm not here." Said Aila.

"No embassy guards here, knife ears," The dwarf woman looks at you three "Probably. Just a man named John Doe and his two slaves."

Another moment of silence, suddenly interrupted by a shout.

"HUH???? Why didn't you say that in the first place!!!" Aila's words were frantic. "Tell him I'll be down there! No, wait, tell him to come up here! No, hold on, tell him to go to the park and I'll be there with him! He should know which one I'm talking about! Actually- agh!" You hear a crashing sound and some broken glass.

"Any damages to the room'll cost ya more gold." The dwarf woman said said.

"Um, tell John Doe to meet up with me!" Aila said, then proceeded to stutter out the directions to her room.

"No need to." The dwarf replied. "He can hear ya already."

"Sup, Aila." You said.

"... WHA-" You hear another crash, and then the radio-crystal dims.

You, Herta, and Bertha all exchange looks.

"That'll also come outta her purse." The dwarf bellowed with a scoff. "Anyway, I can point ya to where she's stayin' at. Just up the elevator, then..."

Soon the three of you are in near Aila's room. Crashes could still be heard from behind the door. You give her door a knock.

"I'll be out in a minute!" Said the muffled voice of an elf princess. You think you hear some more shuffling around and more crashing sounds. Finally the door opens.

You are greeted with an elf in a stunningly beautiful white dress. A thin veil drapes down her face, doing nothing to hide her blush or her beaming expression. For a split second you're stunned by her natural beauty. But you quickly get recompose yourself, internally thanking the fact that beautiful women freely confessed their love for you every day. From the corner of your eye you see Herta looking at you with a frown on her face.

"John Doe." Aila looks like she'd been summoning as much of her courage as possible. That determined look on her face was adorable. "I'm not sure if this is the most romantic place to say this, or if it's even appropriate to say aloud, but I won't hold my feelings back for you any longer." She looked from side to side in the hallway. "But please come inside. There's too many ears out."

Aila invited you all in her room. Much like her dorm in the Academy, it had an orderliness to it that was lost in a sea of chaos. Though this one seemed more recent than the other, you could tell there were some silence spells that made it difficult for others to hear conversations going on in here. For the most part, at least.

"Hehe, sorry about the mess." Aila apologizes. "I was so focused on finding this dress that I didn't paying attention to what I was doing."

Aila cleared her throat, before adopting a serious expression. "While I still need to tell you... the truth." She put an anxious emphasis on that word. "But before that, I need to admit something: You've invaded my everyday thoughts. My grades have fallen, I find myself unable to concentrate on my studies, my magic misfires on a daily basis, and the memory of your touch — especially that wondrous, impossible moment — gnaws at me in my sleep. The time we've spent together, though far too fleeting, was always precious to me. But now that you've declared the strength of your intentions, it has now been given a new meaning. While I would be remiss to deny how my heart fluttered ever since you saved me from my tormentors, I did not know you felt the same way."

You could tell she'd rehearsed this little speech, though that didn't take away the emotion behind it. You could sense that she was speaking from the heart.

"But before I go on, I will confess this: I'm not who you think I am, John Doe." She took a deep breath. "Though I am an elf, I am not a humble one. No, I'm-"

"The Princess and Saintess of Elfalior." You finished for her. She looked at you in shock, her mouth agape. You continued. "And you're also a High Elf, correct?"

"Y-yeah." She nodded. "How did you figure it out?"

"Experience." You shrugged your shoulders.

"Wh-what." Aila blinked. "But... but I was trying so hard to keep it a secret..."

"Don't sweat it." You reassured. "I'm actually pretty perceptive about these things."

"Yeah!" Bertha backed you up. "Master is great at figuring things out!"

"That must be your gift as a Savant..." Aila mumbled. She blinked. "Wait, you don't mind?"

"Mind what?" You said.

"The fact that I'm royalty? And a Saintess? You're not... intimidated? Or resentful?"

"Should I be?"

"I... I don't know." Aila sounded confused and frustrated, yet her wiggling ears spoke of her happiness.

Another moment of silence gently lingers on.

"John Doe," Aila seemed to have regained her nerve. "I shall gladly become your slave-wife." She takes your hands and gently guides them to her ears.

"So this is all because I rubbed your ears, then." You smile. This felt ridiculous, yet you couldn't help but also feel happy.

"Yes." Aila confirmed. "One of the greatest declarations of desire and marriage in elven culture is when a Master rubs the ears of his slave. Especially if she's a maiden without a Master-husband, then-"

"Huh?" Bertha looks between the two of you in confusion. "What? Wait, is that why she's wearing that weird dress?"

"Yes. I've been preparing myself for my wedding with John Doe." Aila said.

"Wedding?" Bertha was even more confused. "What's that?"

"It's a celebration for when a Master takes a slave-wife in marriage." Aila explained. "It's not surprising you don't know; within human civilization, elvish culture isn't common... knowledge..." Aila suddenly realized something. She turns towards you. "Does that mean you didn't know the meaning behind rubbing an elf's ears?"

"Nope. Not when I did it to you, at least." You replied.

"It's the deepest form of confession between a Master-husband and the elf slave-wife he chooses..." Aila looks deflated. "Gosh... I've really been a dummy, huh?"

"Maybe." You teased.

"I know, I shouldn't call myself- Wait, h-huh???" Aila became more flustered than she already was. "At least push back on that a little!"

"But I know you meant everything you said in your letters." You finished with a shit eating smile.

"T-thank you." Aila said, cheeks still on fire. "Hearing you say that means a lot."

"I still don't get it." Bertha said. "Like, what's the point of a wedding? Is it just an excuse to wear nice clothes?" Your warrioress stopped and blinked. "If that's a yes, then I can see the appeal."

"It's a bit hard to explain." Aila said. "Look, I have some food in the back. I can answer any inquiries you all have over some tea."

"We'll take you up on that." You replied. "I have a bunch of questions."

Questions such as 'Why she wasn't in the Academy today' were revealed when Aila mentioned that most classes were put on hold since last week due to some difficulties with replacing/upgrading the wands of everyone in the Academy.

Weddings were a tradition primarily followed in elven and dwarven culture. They basically followed the same formula that weddings in your old world had. Though there were exceptions, and Aila herself said that weddings could be officiated by anyone that had a connections to Holy Power, at least in elvish culture. You had a feeling Aila was referring to Gerty, yet Herta could easily act as a priest if Aila's words were to be taken at face value.

And for why she decided to come here in the first place instead of staying in her dorm...

"Well, I went to Cinnamon Inn first when I realized you went there once. But then when I heard that my cousins were in town, I knew that it wasn't a good idea to stay. They'd want to talk to me, and I knew they'd be able to figure out what happened since they're pretty intuitive. Those two usually bring trouble with how clever they are. But I also realized that they'd never expect me to hide in a place that was manned by dwarves."

"Are your cousins siblings?" You asked.

"Yes, they are. How did you know?"

"I'm pretty sure I them once. Anyway, start at the beginning."

"Alright; I was sent here in secret, after I got a vision from the Goddess Artemia to go on a sacred mission purging some growing corruption and save some ancient spells from being lost to history." At the mention of corruption, Herta gives her full attention. "I was able to purge the corruption, which was slowly festering in the wilderness, but I haven't had any luck with the spells."

"Who knows about your identity?"

"My family, the embassy, you guys, and most faculty members of the Academy. Yet the Academy does not know my mission — my family used the prestige of the place as an excuse to send me here."

"And why are there elf guards looking for you?" You press on.

"It's been my responsibility to write to the embassy ever since I arrived here. But I must've been acting strangely in their eyes, since my grades have dropped and I've been neglecting to write to my parents. And now they somehow figured out that I've fallen for someone. Although they've been really nice about things, considering they haven't been barging down doors and lockpicking places." Apparently their consideration was better than yours and your wives'.

"Why not just talk it out with them?" Bertha queried.

"I don't want them to take me away from John Doe." Aila answers plainly, a pained expression donned on her face. "Although I'll admit that it's not something they'd do unless they thought I was in mortal danger. If they heard that John Doe was a Savant, maybe they'd would see him and I as a favorable couple... but I can't be that selfish.

They would turn this into a giant scandal that would put a bunch of eyes John Doe and I."

That didn't sound like the worst thing in the world, since your place was already 'officially acknowledged' by the Knightly Orders and the postal service, while also being on Forthwythe's radar.

"Also, besides that," Aila continued. "There's something strange going on around here in Centria. I don't know how to describe it, but it feels like there's some sort of tension in this city. Although the vision I got from Artemia specifically told me not to worry about it, I can't help but-"

"Artemia can be a huge jerk, especially when it comes to visions." Herta said, but doesn't elaborate.

"Well," Aila continues. "This might sound horrible but, even if there's something bad happening I don't want to be a heroine. Saving the world is fine, but I'd rather spend my days with someone I love." She glanced at you, then bit the bottom of her lip. Really laying it thick, wasn't she? "Um, I'd rather be with the man I love than go around the world collecting magical thingies for some holy weapon. Although I'd be fine with traveling if I was beside my Master-husband. The main reason I even came here was because I felt like there was a holy request made of me after my vision was over. I'm not sure how to describe it, but it felt like it was important if I became a schoolteacher. But only after-"

"Oh!" Herta interjects. "Master, I think Aila might be one of the babysitting candidates!"

"What?" You and Aila said at the same time.

"Yeah!" Herta seemed rather proud of herself. "I made a request to get someone to help take care of our babies once they're born, Master! Someone who's motherly and well meaning, but not so much that she'd think she know better than the real mom."

"But I'm not motherly..." Aila protested.

"Maybe not now, but once Master is done with you you'll be." Herta rubbed her own swollen belly for reference, a content look on the goddess' face.

"We're gonna talk about this later." You said to Herta, then turned back to face Aila. "Are you feeling alright?" You could swear you were steam come out of Aila's head.

"Um, well," Aila looked around sheepishly, her cheeks pinkening. "I often daydreamed about having... b-babies with John... I wanted to elope with you, Mr. Doe..." She then glanced away. "But if you aren't interested I'm perfectly fine with things going back to how they were!" She quickly added, then got up and went around the corner before you had a chance to respond. But not before giving your ears a gentle touch.

The four of you continued to talk about things, and that talk became eating when Aila presented some glasses full of fruit (although Herta didn't eat anything, as usual), and that eating turned to walking after Bertha felt like stretching her legs, and that walking turned to going around Centria for a while after Herta became bored. This went on until Bertha started to feel sick again and needed to return to the castle for some rest.

But that didn't stop Herta from playing matchmaker between you and the elven princess. The goddess was very open about how she thought you should get more wives, actively pushing you and Aila together whenever possible.

Regardless of Herta's silliness and Bertha's illness it remained pretty nice day. The three of you went around seeing the sights once again, though Herta was nudging you both towards a certain direction until you were at a very familiar park.

"Oh, Master~" Herta said. "I just remembered something I needed to do." She winked at you, then she leaned in close to your ear and whispered. "Make sure to go in for the kill soon~! I'll be keeping watch to make sure no one disturbs you two~" And with that Herta skipped away.

"This is the same park we had a date in." Aila stopped by the fountain. "I like this place."

"Yeah, it's pretty scenic." You nodded. "And private, too."

None except a very skilled beguiler could escape your magical perception, and right now you couldn't feel anyone other than Herta strolling around another part of the park, Aila in front of the fountain, and your own unique mana signature right were you stood.

"Yes, it's..." Aila looked at you, a blush fully taking over her face. "Very wonderful."

"Aila." You began. "About what you mentioned earlier..."

"It's fine." She said, her eyes almost threatening to spill forth a river. "Even if things don't work out, I'm still glad for all the memories we've had together."

The moment seemed to stretch on.

>Rub her ears. You'll accept her feelings and make her yours.
>Give her a hug. Though you couldn't respond to her love, she was still your friend.
>Don't say anything.
>(Write-in)

>>6278290
>"Let me make the place more presentable first, then I'll send the paperwork back to you." You wanted to at least make sure the plaza was safe before bringing any business.
If new businesses immediately face danger it will be hard to attract new ones in the future

>>6278337
>"Maybe not now, but once Master is done with you you'll be." Herta rubbed her own swollen belly for reference, a content look on the goddess' face.
Thank you Herta

>>6278348
>Rub her ears. You'll accept her feelings and make her yours.
Elf wife, also political clout. Mostly Elf wife though.

>>6278290
>>"I'll get back to you once your boss and I can talk face-to-face about it." You wanted to talk with him first.
Maybe better to talk with him first about the state of plaza first

>>6278316
>If they heard that John Doe was a Savant, maybe they'd would see him and I as a favorable couple... but I can't be that selfish.
Maaybe the family will not be a problem, nice.

>>6278337
>"Oh!" Herta interjects. "Master, I think Aila might be one of the babysitting candidates!"
Its not Herta's fault, yet it is Herta's fault

>>6278348
>Rub her ears. You'll accept her feelings and make her yours.
Yes

Y'know, I'm not a big fan of increasing even more the already big number of girls. But Aila is alright, I suppose. Kinda stretching it thin.

Again sorry about the wait. I'm still feeling sick and tired, so updates might be slower/shorter.
Thank you guys for your patience!

>>6278352
Its fine, NotIseQM. Get well soon.

>>6278351
We have our limit of 10 but after Alia (I am going to count Yumi as already being in) we have enough tropes fulfilled so I am content. Other anons may want to get a 10th though.

>>6278352
Get better QM, try not to overwork yourself

>>6278282
>"A Savant, a Feligyptian catgirl, and an abnormally tall fairy were able to fend off some thugs in Cinnamon Inn".
We should tell girls when we get back that they are famous. Also how can everybody tell that Mel is a part fairy, does she have butterfly wing in the back?

>>6278337
>while also being on Forthwythe's radar.
How? And we should deal with this old fart, permanently. Maybe he has more unloved beautiful wifes to be saved.


>>6278351
>>6278364
Well I want go to at least to the limit. Personally am somewhat conflicted with Yumi becoming our wife, I like her but if she cant somehow give us children I feel it will be cruel against her surrounded by our children yet unable to give us her own children. Maybe we can do something about her ghostness and make her more living somehow.

Now about the 10th, personally I would want somebody special (and am not saying she cant be human), somebody that would even for second make Herta jealous as has our Aila done already. Herta will work hard to get us stunned the sameway as Aila has.

But I would like to meet Cecilia and Artemia and get to know poor Marigold more (even if she is happy married but for some reason unhappy in it) before choosing. Although I would really like to hear Herta's opinion before if we said we were going after her sister for real (And if she were against it then it would be the end of it).

Now I would like to hear other anons and NotIseQM opinion about "concubines", I have being toying with this idea for some time now, as there is more women yearn us but we have our limit of 10 at least for now.
Something like friends with benefits kind of deal except we wouldn't mind if they got pregnant as an example we want somebody loyal to look after our plaza and running its day-by-day business and Mrs.Pomegranate would like very much our whole body massage and she already lives there. Now tell me if am just being greedy and we should just hire people to run it or should we go and spread our love.

>>6278467
>Now tell me if am just being greedy
You are just being greedy, 10 women is already a ridiculous amount.

>>6278467
>how can everybody tell that Mel is a part fairy, does she have butterfly wing in the back?
Probably because we are the ones saying it out loud Kek. It’s not like we are hiding it either
>How?
He attacked our house? Pretty sure he knows where we are, more so now since we are becoming more public.
>somebody that would even for second make Herta jealous as has our Aila done already.
She can continue to do so
>Now I would like to hear other anons and NotIseQM opinion about "concubines"
I think we would just be cheating at that point.
>Now tell me if am just being greedy
You are

>>6278495
>He attacked our house?
He has?

>I think we would just be cheating at that point.
I feel you could have point in that but at same time this world has harems as normal way of life and I feel this is way expanding it without make it as big hassle as going over our limit of 10.

>>6278505
>He has?
No, the bandits just so happened to have a bunch of Calvary, an airship and a 100 well equipped and armoured troops for no reason.

>I feel you could have point in that but at same time this world has harems as normal way of life and I feel this is way expanding it without make it as big hassle as going over our limit of 10.
Anon we have impregnated 6 women with 2 more (3 if ghost) soon to be. We do not need more women

>>6278513
>No, the bandits just so happened to have a bunch of Calvary, an airship and a 100 well equipped and armoured troops for no reason.
Yes but not he himself, and we dont know how much proxy of his the bandit king was in the end.

>Anon we have impregnated 6 women with 2 more (3 if ghost) soon to be. We do not need more women
I did not say need but want. I want to stay in our 10 limit if possible but I also think there is possibility anons want more.

>>6278521
>Yes but not he himself, and we dont know how much proxy of his the bandit king was in the end.
Enough of a proxy he could give him all that stuff, also remember he sent a letter to is the exact same time BK did so yeah, he knows us

>I did not say need but want. I want to stay in our 10 limit if possible but I also think there is possibility anons want more.
10 is the hard limit, the more wives we have the less time we can spend with each of them.

>>6278524
>Enough of a proxy he could give him all that stuff, also remember he sent a letter to is the exact same time BK did so yeah, he knows us
Oh yeah the letter of annexation and etc. Shame in a way we could have monte cristo'ed him. Oh well the plan B was always to burn his everything down.

>10 is the hard limit, the more wives we have the less time we can spend with each of them.
Its all fun and games until we want Twins

My man is sick and he drops this chonker
>>6278290
>"I'll get back to you once your boss and I can talk face-to-face about it." You wanted to talk with him first.
If he wants to do it and is aware of the risks of Leftbridge, he can go ahead, but I'd like to consult about how we can make it work given the place's current challenges that we should hopefully be tacking over the coming months.
>>6278348
>Rub her ears. You'll accept her feelings and make her yours.
Called it. Moved a bit faster than anticipated but that's on me for forgetting this classic trope when I wanted to rub her ears to start with. Now, about those half-elves.....
Next steps are to settle up any damage bill with the hotel, make this above board with the Elfalior government to calm the political uproar of a missing princess (they know we're involved and the situation could escalate quickly, especially if she's spotted with us) and decide whether she wants to remain at the Academy to finish her studies or not now we've put her mind at ease. We'll help her complete her mission if it gets her released.

I think we should have both Gerty and Herta as wedding officiants - Gerty to perform the formal service and Herta to bless the union. Why have it done on behalf of the gods when you can have one do it themselves? Depending on whether it'll remain a small affair just between us or whether her family will insist on it being a Big Grand Thing.
Ah yes, we'll have to let her in on the whole goddess thing now. It should be a fun reaction.

-----

Regarding the >10 topic, strong no. Cautionary tales of uncontrolled cast growth are many and it's disappointing to see once important characters fade into the background because there's just not enough room on screen for them all any more - all our wives are interesting and unique people and we should keep the main cast compact to maintain that. Just juggling all of our children will be enough of a challenge. No more than the ten we've already settled on to control character dilution and trying a network of FWBs isn't in the spirit of this and risks making a big personal mess for us and others.

>>6278531
>Oh well the plan B was always to burn his everything down.
Can’t since he is a noble of Westphalia. If we were also noble there then it could be chalked up to a feudal war but since we are not we are going to get dogpiled if we tried.

>Its all fun and games until we want Twins
Still gotta do that 3some with Gerty.

>>6278600
>Next steps are to settle up any damage bill with the hotel
Bill it to the embassy

>calm the political uproar of a missing princess
Speaking of princesses, although we are considered consort and not a noble, this is still a giant leap for us, right? Being a royal consort and a savant has to give us a lot of political clout.

>Just juggling all of our children will be enough of a challenge.
Bright side is for a good while the kids are just going to be too small to have personalities. When they grow older though then that’s when the fun starts. I can only imagine what some of the kids will be like but I guarantee that Berthas son will be the equivalent of Robert Baratheon

>>6278613
>Being a royal consort and a savant has to give us a lot of political clout.
Elfalior is pretty distant and a title there doesn't seem like it'd have much clout here in Centris or in Eastia or Westphalia for that matter beyond affording us some personal respect. It would be funny if it amounted to a de facto citizenship though, considering we are still de jure stateless. Besides, these are elves after all and we may have a difficult time getting taken seriously (a human in the royal family! The horror!) where it might actually have some weight to it. We also don't know where Aila is in the royal family, she could well be rather low on the pole (which might actually be preferable because it means less political bullshit).

Fraid I'm not familiar with GoT at all so I know almost nothing of its characters. Imagine demigod teen drama and, much later on, having kids of all ages running around.

>>6278647
>beyond affording us some personal respect.
It depends on how prestigious the title is that distance becomes less of a factor. Consort of a royal princess is pretty up there to the point nobles can’t shrug us off and common folk will of course treat us with greater respect. Once we get our estate larger and richer this compounds everything.

>Besides, these are elves after all and we may have a difficult time getting taken seriously
True but I am sure we are up to the task

>We also don't know where Aila is in the royal family
If I remember correctly she is a direct child of the King so that is already up there. She is also the Saintess which immediately boosts her back up even if she is a lower numbered child.

>>6278600
>she wants to remain at the Academy to finish her studies
If she wants that then we should just make her a fast ship so that it take only hour to get to Centria and then always come back at end of school day.

>>6278647
>a human in the royal family! The horror!
It would not first "hostile" family we have turned around although this time it maybe the whole family

>>6278467
>Also how can everybody tell that Mel is a part fairy, does she have butterfly wing in the back?
You and Mel haven't exactly been keeping it a secret, especially while chatting with acquaintances like Rattica.
>How?
The other anon explained it better than I could lmao
>NotIseQM opinion about "concubines"
If anons vote for it I'll try my best to deliver. But I probably won't be able to keep track of so many characters without sacrificing flavor. I don't want to spread myself too thin or get overwhelmed if I try to handle too much at once.

>>6278647
>>6278670
>Aila royalty
Although Aila herself hasn't directly confirmed the details of her royal status (other than being a princess), you're pretty sure she's the youngest daughter of King Aldaron II.

>>6278903
>she's the youngest daughter
A crown princess would have being certainly more work on family side for sure.

>>6278909
I don't think a crown prince or princess would be afforded Aila's high degree of autonomy. It remains to be seen how far down the line she is but a direct child of the monarch will always have that extra royal sparkle over a more peripheral member of the royal house. Could make for interesting family dinners.

>>6278955
>Could make for interesting family dinners.
Am sure it will

You reach out to her, purposefully cupping her face in your hands. Almost looking like you were going to go for a kiss.

Instead your hands glide up to her ears, giving them a good rubbing.

And just like that, you confirm your love for her.

Confusion dawns on her face, but only for a moment, before she realizes what you've done. Her expression predictably morphs into many different things, before settling into a flustered smile.

She was already bright red since you'd found her again, but now it's gotten to the point were you fear that she might pass out. Thankfully you're able to quickly use your hands to give her shoulders a tactical rub down. Though initially awkward, it does its job and she regains a semblance of relaxation.

You were already good at flustering women, and even better at massages, so this wasn't an entirely unexpected outcome.

"Are..." Aila speaks after what seems like ages of silence. "Are you sure about this?"

"Do I need rub your ears again?" You smiled.

"No." She paused. "But I'd like it if you did~"

There was a clear hint of lust there, almost reminding you of how Ruby Rose would like getting her ears nibbled. But Aila's tone was riddled with jittery inexperience. Ears were definitely a sensitive spot for elves, a similarity this species shared with beastfolk. The apparent exception to this rule was Ruby Rose, yet the difference between Aila's and Ruby's sensibilities were easily contrasted. The former was a natural response any elf woman would have, with a cultural tradition that had many millennia to develop, while that particular lustful proclivity your Mastermind had was nothing more than a fetish developed from reading a romance novel.

Still you entertained your newly acquired slave princess with some more ear rubs while you amused yourself by thinking these things.

You aren't sure how much time passed in silence, as the minutes melted into one another, but you eventually manage to walk about the park and get a conversation going. Once again you were grateful for the privacy this place had, especially around these hours of the day.

Things started out slowly, but eventually you both found a good way to engage in speaking. A few more urgent topics were covered, with the foremost being the trashed hotel room.

Aila assured you that there was no need to worry about the bill.

"You sure you have enough? I could always pay for it." You wanted to hear her reasoning.

"Positive." She replied. "I was given thousands of gold coins to pay for any expenses before coming here, which I have in my Bag of Holding. And I'm also given a weekly allowance to live off of." She revealed. You were glad you also had a Bag of Holding too; they made life so much more convenient. "After seeing how expensive it was to enroll in the Academy I decided to be frugal with my gold, just in case. So I should have enough to pay for my stay and for any damages."

"Master!" Herta emerged from the bush she from where she spied on you from. "We don't need to worry about paying for her stuff. But even if you did insist, it wouldn't be a problem since Master will be rich soon."

"Hmm?" Aila said. "I suppose I could convince my father to give a dowry for my... Master... my Master and owner, John Doe." She smiled as she tested out the phrase on her tongue.

"Honestly you don't really have to worry about money." You dismissed. "If everything goes right then I'll be rolling in cash before winter's end."

"I don't doubt the ingenuity of Savants." Aila respected those with Lunacy Savantae. Maybe not as much as Cattleya did, but still enough to be noted in her personality. "And you've already proven to be a very intelligent and resourceful Master." She complimented.

Even after that, you once again offered to help her with the expenses. And Aila once more reassured you that it was unnecessary, though she did say that you could repay her "W-with some more ear rubs..."

She didn't have to coax that out of you, since you were more than happy to indulge in that yourself.

Still you wanted to make sure things were alright in that front.

You returned to Oak & Iron Lodging with one woman less and an elf now clinging to you.

"Mornin' again." The dwarven receptionist said, her eyes glancing between you and the blushing elf girl that clinged onto your side. "So, ya decided to get hitched with a knife-eared lady, huh?" There was an amused tilt to her words, and you felt that even if you weren't able to see the gregarious smile on her face you'd of still discerned it to be there.

"Pretty much." You gave Aila a pat on the head.

"Heh, I gotta take back my offer of bein' yer slave." The dwarvish woman bellowed. "No offense to a man like ya, but I can't see myself sharing a roof with a knife-eared klutz. Sorry, stud!" Her hearty laughter echoed through the entrance room.

You wondered how deep the hatred between elves and dwarves went in this world.

"Are you sure?" Herta pressed on. "Master still has a few free spots open for his main wives, and-"

"Anyway," You changed the topic "I came here to ask about something else."

"Yeah, my Master was wondering about what Aila broke." Herta added.

"Aila?" The dwarf said. Your elf stirs beside you.

"She means 'Alia'." You clarified, giving your elf a side-hug as you used her alias. "Same elf from this morning that broke a bunch of stuff."

"580g" The dwarf lady didn't miss a beat.

"Master..." Aila, with a small whine, peeled herself off of you, took out a small pouch from under her cloak, and then poured out a comically large pile of gold.

"Here. This should be enough to pay for the damages." Aila said.

"Thank you, 'Alia'" You smile.

"It's just the inverse of my name." Aila mumbled. Her face threatened to become a bashful pout, but her smiled seemed impossible to tear down. "I thought it was cute."

"Yeah, that just about covers it." The dwarf grunted as she scooped up the coins.

You stayed here for a few more minutes talking with her, and learnt that the dwarf woman's name was Ulmth Redbrawn. Your elf, your goddess, and you then went to Alia's room again, this time to privately talk about what to do from here.

The issues of weddings, holy missions, and the immediate future all lay before you. Herta opted to rest her head on your lap while you and Aila discussed other matters. You brushed the goddess' hair with your hand as she napped.

"I can handle the embassy." Aila said.

"Are you sure?" You said. "Didn't they figure out that you fell in love with me? And you mentioned your cousins are supposed to be these clever people, too."

"I'm sure I can." Aila brimmed with confidence. "I was feeling in the clouds after I thought you confessed to me, and I ended worrying about silly things while neglecting my responsibilities. The only reason they're worried right now was because of that. Sure they might know that I'm going out with a guy, but I'm almost sure they don't know who you are yet. At most, they have a vague picture of you and some second hand knowledge." While Aila was being optimistic, you couldn't help but think about that bureaucrat that talked with Aila's cousins. You tell your newest wife as much, and she thinks about it. "Well, either way if I show that I'm still doing my mission then they'll be thrown off for a bit. I could easily say that I've been working with the Academy to find out more about the wands, which is true by the way. It's completely understandable that I disappear for a few days so I could figure out more." She paused. "Master." She added your title, the word tumbling out of her mouth as though it's the most important part of her vocabulary.

"Feels like they'd react better if we're open about things." You said.

"I wish it was," Aila looked forlorn. "But trust me on this. If it was only my parents, I'd be all for that plan. But my cousins are the type of nobles that would try to get as many concessions out of you as possible, demand that you come to Elfalior to be their personal architect... and usually act like the snobbish High Elf stereotypes you see in the satire section of a newspaper." She sighed. "But I know they care about me, and might even leave this to my parent's judgement if they hear it from me, since they've always thought of me as a baby. Although it would've been better if my father or the old ambassador were here in their place."

"Alright then." You didn't like the sound of these guys. But you still had hope that Ayane at least could be able to talk with them. "Tell me how we could contact the ambassador or your parents without dealing with..."

"Paimene and Valatea. And you already know they're brother and sister." Aila mentioned.

"Those guys, thank you." You said. "But I wanna know if it'd be worth going directly to the king or the ambassador without dealing with them, or if doing that would cause more headaches than we need right now."

"Well, um," Aila thought about it. "Maybe write a note saying that you want my hand in marriage would be best. I'll give my signature and also write a couple letters saying I want to be with you, and then I'll send it directly to my parents. That way I'll be able to make my case directly to them while making my cousins less interested in you. Oh and before I forget; they also have a magical familiar that looks like a small deformed cyclops." So that's what that thing was. "I'll send you a letter when it's the right time to introduce yourself." Aila gave made a humming noise. "Now that I say it out loud, I might need an artifact to make my cousins get off my trail..."

While you still held some private reservations, your perception told you she knew how to maneuver around these two cousins of hers from experience, which might be another story you looked forward to easing out of her. You half wished Ruby and Mel were here, since they'd doubtlessly have more ideas you could bounce off of.

Your mind went back to Ruby. You could practically hear her add some more convoluted steps to every suggestion made, simultaneously making it worse and better and leaving you to iron things out and plug any holes in her scheme.

"I could just make a small airship for you to travel from my estate to the Academy." You offered.

"That's not a bad idea." She said. "But I'd need someone to drive it... although I have always wanted to pilot an airship."

"I can take you. I have a couple of wives that are decent pilots too. We can show you how to fly after enough times."

"I'd like it if you taught me." Aila beamed, but then she frowned. "But, well, it'd definitely make suspicion go up if they find me coming out of an airship. But then again, I was given a few illusion-granting artifacts that can hide my voice and appearance." Ponnamie had a voice changing artifact as well, you recalled. "I was able to successfully hide myself so far while using it." Your elf said. "It's ironic that they're being used against the very people that gifted them to me."

"Are there any other options?" You asked.

"We could always do my original plan and elope to your estate," Aila twiddled her thumbs "They can't afford going after me — my father has been trying to keep Elfalior out of Westphalia's grasp, so them sending any military stuff to Centria or searching unknown lands could jeopardize that. But then again my dad is the type that would send an envoy protected by military guards if they locate us to demand an explanation. It wouldn't be the end of the world, but it definitely won't help if you want to make a good first impression."

"I have a telegraph station back at my estate." You decided to reveal this useful piece of information. "And Eulia also comes by once a week."

"Eulia? Are you talking about Cyan, that famous mail harpy?" Aila asks, and you confirm it with a nod of your head.

"Eloping might not be a bad idea then." Aila said. "We can just hide there and write letters to dad about me and get his blessing directly before things go crazy back home."

"How would they know I'm not keeping you hostage, or if the letters are forged?"

"There's a bunch of magical signals I've been taught to use and place in things, just in case I get kidnapped. It goes without saying, but I won't use them. I also plan on making it very clear in any letter I write that I'm in love with you, Master." She was undeterred. "The only downside I can think of is that I'd have to sacrifice finishing my studies if I move to your estate."

"Do you want to keep going to the Centrian Academy of Science and Magic?" You inquired.

"I wouldn't really mind dropping out." Aila revealed. You personally weren't too surprised, considering she didn't have any friends and the closest thing to social interaction she had there was getting bullied or doing assignments. "Although there's a chance this study cycle I'm in the middle of will teach me a couple of specialized ally-strengthening spells, so I've been sticking around for that. It'll only be for two more weeks at most until I can either find an ancient spell and leave or try again by re-enrolling."

"What about your mission?"

"It's important..." Aila looked conflicted, but then gained a determined look in her eyes "But I'll follow you and devote myself to you instead, Master, as any good slave-wife should. Even if it means fighting against the Goddess of Creation Herself." She cleared her throat and looked nervous. "Um, please don't fight against the gods, Master. Gaining their ire usually doesn't end well for the mortal."

"I don't think that'll be an issue. I'm on really good terms with one of the gods." You gave Herta's butt a squeeze, and the Goddess of Artifice made a happy noise in response.

"-Phew- That's a relief." Aila wiped some sweat from her brow.

"Anyway, would you still have to finish the mission even if you officially became my slave? How would it work if you're not in the Academy anymore?"

"To that first question: Almost definitely yes." She deflated. "Following a vision from the gods is usually considered important. Unless there's an acceptable reason you can't do it, then you're pretty much bound by the Church to follow it. As for the second part; going to the Centria and saving the spells was in my vision, being in the Academy wasn't specified. I was sent there since it would've made things easier."

"Don't worry about that. I could make some artifacts or look into ancient shit." How hard could getting some ancient spells be?

"Thank you, Master." Aila gave you a small smile.

"Hey, you're my property now. It's only right I make sure you're safe and happy."

"It's not the only option you have." Aila shifted nervously. "If I'm, um, if you put a b-baby in me then I'll be exempt from doing the mission. At least until that baby grows up. That's one of the the main 'acceptable' reasons I can be exempt from it."

"Huh, cool. Any chance you're having a dangerous day soon?" You asked a bit too casually.

"In 52 years maybe." She replied with an equal aloofness. "Or a little after I turn 100."

"You don't have to worry about that." Herta had immediately woken up when the conversation's subject became changed to this. "Being the genius that I am, I made it so that in this world women will get buns in their ovens if their Master-husband fills them up all day everyday!"

"It's true that women's bodies respond to excessive daily copulation in that way." Aila nodded. "Especially if the man is, um, persistent enough. Though it won't work once a woman reaches a certain age, at least for most species." Aila was confused when your first wife took credit for this fact of the universe, though the most Aila did was shoot you a worried expression.

"Only a week of deep loving, and there shall be half-elf babies running around before you know it!" Herta finished.

"We'll have to look into how to take care of human-elf halflings." You said, then turned to Aila. "You mentioned not having any experience taking care of children?"

"None at all." Aila said. "Other than the feeling I had about wanting to be a schoolteacher after the vision sent to me, but that is... that's..."

It was here that the implications of the subject at hand began to catch up to Aila, and the poor elf nearly passing out after realizing what she'd been talking about so casually. She offered to make some food for you, but Herta butted in and offered to cook up "Something only a genius goddess could make!" instead. Before Aila could get a word in edgewise the goddess had already gone to the kitchen.

That only left you and Aila to talk once more. And talk you did.

Though it remained succinct, you nonetheless were able to glean a few things from each other. You learnt that she, like almost all other elves (except dark elves), had a vegetarian diet. While she could eat meat, it didn't give her any nutrition.

You'd also learnt that she was a powerful healer and could buff allies mid-battle, but only knew a few weak attacking spells. Said offensive spells came from a self-described "embarrassing teenage phase" where she wanted to be sent out to a war like the first Saintess did against the Demon Lord. Aila eventually grew out of it.

But the most notable thing Aila spoke of was when she confirmed that her father is King Aldaron II — and Aila was his youngest daughter, with 9 older sisters, an older brother, and one younger brother. Said king was over 400 years of old, was the current acting Supreme Pontiff and Prelate for a large chunk of the elvish species, and the King of Elfalior. His position sounded like a mix between a Pope and a King.

You realized that you and Aila had been unconsciously inching closer to each other. There was barely enough room to fit a piece of paper between you both, and the intimacy of the moment began to muddle both your minds as your lips almost graced each. The two of you slowly leaned in to each other...

Until Herta barged in the room again.

"Hey, Master!" The Goddess of Artifice and unknowing anime interruption exclaimed. "I was making some angel cake, but then realized I wouldn't have the time if we didn't want to be late!" With a blink, she realized what was going on. "Wait, since you're both going to do that, I'd at least like to get my protein lunch!"

"Protein lunch?" Aila was confused by the words coming out of Herta's mouth once again. "What do you mean- what are you doing with Master?!"

"Getting some protein!" Herta said as she desperately tried to pull down your pants. You, on the other hand, were prying this lewd goddess off of you.

"Alright, time for you to calm down, Herta." You said, quickly realizing that the more forceful you were the more lascivious she became, so you enacted a change in strategy. "I'll treat you to a spanking session later if you behave, you mindless sex addict."

"Yes, Master!" Herta immediately stopped and giggled. "Master is treating me like a useless bitch in heat again~"

"Spanking sessions? In heat?" Aila blinked, not really processing what just happened.

"Don't worry about it." Herta gave your elf princess a thumbs up and a sincere smile. "I'm sure Master will want to turn your insides white too after he's done punishing me!"

"W-what?" Aila's blush nearly overwhelmed her again, and you swear you saw her pupils turn into swirls. "I'm, um, it's just, wait, I need to think about the wedding Master and I will have! Please excuse me!" She jumped up from the couch, nearly tripped over herself, and went around the corner to the kitchen.

"What's up with her?" Herta asked.

"You stupid bitch." You glowered, groping her softer bits. "You ruined the moment. Just when I was gonna kiss her, too."

"Kyaah~! Master, you're being too rough!" Herta moaned.

"Keep your voice down." You ordered, turning her around and giving her cushions a firm spank.

Maybe it was a good thing that Herta came by when she did. You could even hear the distant chime of the many clock towers spread throughout Centria, urging you to not waste more time than you already had. Also you felt energized after giving Herta some light punishment, but that said more about how successful Herta had been in normalizing you to her masochism.

Your goddess decided to touch on a topic while Aila was away. It concerned none other than the elf herself.

"It's a shame she's an Artemian Saintess." Herta lamented. "It'd make things way easier if she were more aligned with me."

"What do you mean by that?" You asked.

"Artemia's blessing has been over her since birth." Herta nearly grumbled.

"And your blessings aren't able to overwrite it?" You said.

"No, that wouldn't make any sens-" Herta paused, a smug smile crawling onto her face. "Actually, Master, that's genius idea! And if Aila hangs around the Holy Haven you built me often enough she'll slowly fall under your influence, Master. And you're way better than that dumb stinky nerd goddess." You didn't know what she meant by 'your influence' but it sounded like something you were gonna talk to her about later.

"Hold on, let me get this right; you're saying there's more than one Saintess?" You asked, trying to change the subject before Herta crystalized a reckless plan in her mind.

"Well, yeah. Probably." She shrugged. "It's not like there's a hard limit in this universe. I know there's a Saintess that uses my blessings somewhere else in the world. Probably an elvish High Priestess."

"So we're also dealing with a girl Pope too?" Your question was only half rhetorical. "Do you know where the other Saintesses are?"

"How would I know?" Herta flopped down, turning around and resting her head on your lap again. "The lore didn't really get into details about modern age Saintesses."

"You useless goddess." You muttered, giving her posterior another slap.

"Master is so wonderfully cruel to me~" She appreciated it.

"Sort of cheapens things to have multiple living Saintesses at once, don't you think?" You ignored her moans. You were more used to there being only one Saintess in shows that had the trope, though having more than one wasn't completely unheard of. Still you liked the standard cliche better.

"I agree." Herta nodded. "The more Saintesses there are, the less powerful they become. The less powerful they become, the harder it is to purge magical corruption. The lore said that there was only one Saintess back when the Demon Lord was around. She single-handedly purged tons of corruption. But then she got beaten before she could join the Heroes' Party, and the world was without a Saintess for a few years."

"Did she straight up die?" You were a bit surprised.

"Well, no. She got captured by a magic crystal, body and soul. Sort of like what happened to Yumi, except way stronger and the crystal was life-sized and her body was also encased in a magical crystal."

Her mention of the ghostgirl made you consider what Yumi was up to. Yumi insisted on remaining in the castle at least until it was dark outside, despite getting multiple offers and chances to accompany you and your wives. Right now she was likely reading and practicing with the magic crystal wand that was once her prison. At least the ghostgirl now had some company in the form of Bertha, affected by morning sickness as she might be.

"Eventually," Herta continues "A bunch of Savants freed her with the help of the Everlasting Empire. And then she led armies against the Demon Lord, and then they all defeated the demons and killed the Demon Lord.

"I didn't really look into it that much, but I'm pretty sure there's more than one Saint or Saintess in the world because of what happened to the first one— just in case one of a Saintess dies or gets captured the remaining ones can take her place. I'm pretty sure there's more than one Saintess alive, at least."

"You're 'pretty sure'? Didn't you just say there were more than one?" You deadpanned.

"How do you expect me to know for sure?" Herta said. You felt like that was just her excuse to be lazy.

After ordering Herta to stop being a lazy dumbass and look into the lore of the world again, you went to check up on Aila. You found the elf girl writing something in what looked like a stereotypical diary.

"Aila," You knocked on the wall. "You alright?"

"Eep!" She jumped again and slammed the book shut, a blush painted on her face once more. "Yes!"

"Sorry about-" You began.

"I'm sorry about-" Aila said in unison.

The two of you blinked, a few chuckles followed.

"Right," You took the lead. "Sorry about Herta, she can be a little bit enthusiastic."

"And I'm sorry about leaving so abruptly." Aila said. "I'm not used to lewd things since I'm still a vir- did you just say your first wife is named Herta? As in, after the Goddess of Creation?"

"Yeah." You said.

"Did you... was she renamed after becoming your slave-wife?"

"Nope. She came that way when I made her mine, masochism and all."

"Hm." Aila was thoughtful for a moment. "She must be from a religious family, especially since there's many divine blessings. Her holy magic is very obvious to those that can sense even basic mana."

At this rate it was only a matter of time before she realized that it was actually the Goddess of Artifice who was your first wife.

Anyway, the two of you go back to the living room to reunite with Herta, and the goddess goes from staring into an empty wall (obeying you as usual) to speaking with you after you harass her.

Everything was ultimately up for you to decide.

For the future...

>You'd let Aila handle things until she requested your presence. This was mostly so she could remain in the Academy. Maybe you'd make an artifact or two for her once you returned to your estate, just to give her some more leverage.
>You'll bring your elf wife to Heaven's Landing, where you will 'elope' to hide against elvish guards. This ironically sounded like the safer option, at least in a certain way.
>You'd do both: You'd create a faster airship and have her commute daily between the estate and the Academy. (John Doe won't be as effective with his action this week (aluminum) due to spending time making an airship for Aila).
>You didn't want to waste any time, and choose to go to the embassy right now despite any potential difficulties. (Choose between being late for the lectures or not going to the kitsunes in the evening)
>You knew some trustworthy people that might care for her. The kitsune tended to seclude themselves, and you were planned to meet them today anyway.
>(Write-in).

And as for marriage...

>You wanted to make things big, worthy of a princess. Aila knew a few priests that could preside over this in a traditional way.
>You'd have the wedding be smaller, more private, and personal. Herta and Gerty could safely preside over it. Why settle for some random priest when you have the Goddess herself to bless you?
>Why not have Gerty preside over a large, news-worthy wedding? Make it big and personal at the same time. You considered having Herta publicly bless your union, but declaring/revealing her as a deity in such a public event might have consequences...
>It was too soon to decide on something right now. You wanted to wait first before doing starting anything. Maybe this could give your wives a chance to plan things.
>(Write-in).

You'd agreed to meet up with Ayane and Bertha when going to the Academy again. Aila, due to her love for listening to these types of things and her desire to be with you, wanted to come with.

And so your elf used an artifact, a small pin, to don a disguise. It didn't really change much about her other than give her glasses that hid her eyes, a different hair color, and a ponytail. She assured you that none could tell it was her to begin with, noticing your skepticism.

And honestly, with how the rules of this world worked, you believed her.

But on your way to the Academy, you notice a racoon girl talking with Marigold and a few other professors. You don't think they notice you, but you catch a few words from they said...

Roll me some 1d100s with whatever choices you make, Bo3

DC: 20, 50

Thank you all for being so patient. I've been starting to feel better, so updates might come a little sooner after I get some sleep. I really need to stop making such big updates when I'm sick lmao

Rolled 58 (1d100)

>>6279881
>>You'd do both: You'd create a faster airship and have her commute daily between the estate and the Academy. (John Doe won't be as effective with his action this week (aluminum) due to spending time making an airship for Aila).
Its future proofing to have this. Maybe useful for those solo adventures too

>You wanted to make things big, worthy of a princess. Aila knew a few priests that could preside over this in a traditional way.

>>6279882
Get well NotIseQM

Rolled 84 (1d100)

>>6279881
>You'd let Aila handle things until she requested your presence. This was mostly so she could remain in the Academy. Maybe you'd make an artifact or two for her once you returned to your estate, just to give her some more leverage.
She says she can handle it so I trust her, plus I want her to learn those spells before the semester is over.

>You'd have the wedding be smaller, more private, and personal. Herta and Gerty could safely preside over it. Why settle for some random priest when you have the Goddess herself to bless you?
Being personally blessed by a Goddess is a pretty important thing imo.

These choices were probably the hardest for me to choose on compared to any others Kek.

Rolled 46 (1d100)

>>6279881
>You'd let Aila handle things until she requested your presence. This was mostly so she could remain in the Academy. Maybe you'd make an artifact or two for her once you returned to your estate, just to give her some more leverage.
She says she can handle it, I want to trust her on this
>You'd have the wedding be smaller, more private, and personal. Herta and Gerty could safely preside over it. Why settle for some random priest when you have the Goddess herself to bless you?
More people means more problems and more scrutiny, Keep it a more intimate affair.