“You know, I never pictured you as a big shot, running a massive company. I figured you’d be some kind of adventurer,” Erick said, his voice casual but with a hint of admiration.
Gabrielle was in the bathroom, changing clothes. If she walked out still wearing that tight, sexy outfit, every eye in the village would be glued to her. Even Anna couldn’t help but sneak glances at her own body, comparing herself to Gabrielle’s curvy, seductive figure. Her eyes would flick back and forth, and the faintest crease formed between her brows. She was being too adorable, though, and I almost told her not to worry. But I held back, just enjoying her quiet insecurity.
“Well, I’ve just been lucky, I guess. It’s not like I built it all by myself,” I said, thinking back to when I was practically nothing. Amon and Gabrielle had been the real driving force behind it all, laying the foundation when I had barely started.
“But none of it would’ve happened without you,” Erick said, his tone more serious now. “Your leadership made it all possible. The company you own is proof of that. Honestly, it makes me feel more at ease, knowing Anna’s with you.”
He said it with such confidence, like he didn’t even care that I had a harem of women. The fact that he was still fine with giving his daughter to me, even after learning I wasn’t exactly monogamous, was surprising. I guess it was a difference in beliefs. Having multiple women wasn’t as big of a deal here as I thought.
“Master, I’m ready,” Gabrielle said, stepping out in an entirely different outfit. The kind of outfit that clung just enough to show off her figure but still let her move freely. It was practical, built for the heat of this village, with fabric that would breathe even when she started sweating. Yet, even in something so simple, she looked near perfect—every curve still noticeable, her body radiating confidence.
Anna, on the other hand, couldn’t take her eyes off Gabrielle’s chest and hips. She stood there, staring, her own hands unconsciously brushing over her body as she compared herself. Gabrielle’s frame was toned, seductive in a way that drew eyes. Anna’s body was softer, rounder, with a bit more plushness, and it was clear she felt a little intimidated by the comparison. But honestly, I loved Anna just the way she was. That softness? It made her perfect to hold.
Knowing she needed reassurance, I spoke up. “It’s fine, Anna. You don’t need to change anything.”
“W-What…? B-But…” Her eyes flicked again to Gabrielle’s full breasts, then back down at her own, self-doubt creeping into her expression.
“I told you, it’s fine. I’m not bothered by it. Not at all.” I walked over and wrapped her in my arms, pulling her close. The moment I did, I was enveloped in warmth, her soft body pressing into mine. She was like a cushion of heat and comfort, and I wasn’t about to let her feel insecure, not about her body or anything else. To me, every one of my women was perfect. “Are you okay now?” I whispered.
“Y-Yeah,” she muttered, her cheeks turning a soft pink. It didn’t take much—just a little reassurance to calm the worry in her heart. Then, she bit her lip and closed her eyes, her face tilted up toward mine.
I leaned in and kissed her, her lips soft and warm, a perfect fit against mine.
Off to the side, Erick let out a little laugh, practically bouncing on his feet. I swear, he was the most supportive father I’d ever seen, getting all excited like this.
After that, Gabrielle and I headed over to where the woman was tied up, but before we did, she led me to her car.
“I told you earlier, didn’t I? That I was going to introduce you to someone,” Gabrielle said, her tone carrying a hint of mystery.
She opened the back door, and there, lying in the seat, was a woman, fast asleep.
“Oh…”
I recognized her right away—or at least, I’d seen her a couple of days ago. She was the one who had been scoping out Rose’s car when we were still at Rakkan’s inn. Her metallic arms glinted in the dim light, making her look like she belonged in some other realm entirely. She was definitely intriguing. At first, I thought she might be another one of those Chuunibyou types, like Isiliraiellyn, but no… she had a certain air of legitimacy. This woman was the real deal, probably a full-on cyborg or someone with metallic limbs. If I was remembering correctly, her name was…
“Isn’t she Scarlet Alekseev?” I asked, glancing at Gabrielle.
“Oh? So you’ve already met her?”
“Yeah. I ran into her a couple of days ago and gave her directions to the Holy City.”
“I actually saw her in the Holy City. She was roughing up a few thugs,” Gabrielle said, with a smirk. “But they weren’t your run-of-the-mill street trash.”
She pulled out her phone and showed me a photo. The men in the image were bound in thick green vines, their faces contorted in agony. I noticed a symbol on their wrists.
It was the Eclipse symbol.
“Have you found anything useful from them?” I asked.
Gabrielle shrugged. “Not really. I’ve only uncovered their unshakable devotion to their faith, but beyond that? Nothing.” She sighed. “Which is why I’m curious. What kind of faith could make them blindly believe like that? I want to know what drives them, what makes them so fanatical.”
I raised an eyebrow. “So, what’s the connection between Scarlet and the Eclipse? And why’d you bring her here? I assume you didn’t bring her just for me to dominate her, right?”
Gabrielle chuckled darkly. “No, Master, not just for that. I came across some information from one of the villages in the Empire. Apparently, a woman—deemed a hero—was protecting the entire village. The description fits. She had metallic arms and was incredibly skilled in combat. She singlehandedly fought off several members of the Eclipse.” Gabrielle’s eyes gleamed with interest. “In other words, she might be useful to you down the line, Master.”
