The girls flop on the floor and take their time to rest.

"Having fun?" Alissa asks.

"Yeah, just two dragons 'wrestling.'"

"I'm under Hana, now," Aoi says.

"Uh, no, you aren't," I say.

"Muh! Not literally! I'm her… uh… underling…?"

"So you take orders from her, now?"

"Yes! I challenged her and she bent me to her will. I'm hers now." Aoi giggles.

"What about Wolfy?" Alissa asks, a little annoyed.

"He owns me. Hana is above me, but she doesn't own me," Aoi answers.

I knew that dragons were hierarchical, but I didn't know the details.

"So, because I'm the leader of the harem I 'own' you?" I ask.

"Yes. Alissa is on top of the harem, below you, then comes, Hana, then the position is tied for the other three."

"What's the difference between me owning you and you being Hana's underling?"

"You can order me to do whatever you want. Hana can only order me in battle and - bed."

"Didn't you say that you were only going to follow me if I didn't abandon you?"

"Yes, and that's still true."

"It sounds kind of similar to how Hana views the Blood Slave business."

"Huh… I can now see how similar dragons and dragonkin are," Alissa says.

No wonder the dragonkin love to sell themselves as Blood Slaves; they seem to work well with hierarchies.

Once Hana has recovered, we clean ourselves off and change our clothes into the more "revealing" elven sets, then we go upstairs to the pool.

As we enter the Victoria's Secret runway, we straighten our postures and walk with confidence and grace.

Hana links her arm with mine and her smile turns proud. "I always saw Mom walking like this with Dad. To think that I'm actually doing it with my own man feels like a small dream come true," she says.

I squeeze her hand and give her a small smile. "Tell me all of your dreams so I can make as many of them as I can come true." She blinks blankly and then enters deep thought. "So you don't have any other dreams?" I smirk at her.

"You've realized most of them already." She shrugs.

We find a set of sun lounging chairs and remove the covers so we can sit. There's a small adjustable sunshade that can be used to shield your eyes. An option which is necessary due to the lack of sunglasses in this world.

The other guests come from a wide variety of backgrounds, so we don't stand out. The commoners are overwhelmingly elves, but for the people with money, the High Forest is a popular place to spend a vacation.

As the day nears its end, the girls come back, except for Klein, who's still fitting better armor for herself with her parents.

With a range of confidence, the girls make their walk alongside the pool until they reach our secluded corner. Lina's posture hunches over the more she walks, and when she reaches us, she immediately lays down on my chair and hugs me tight so she can "recharge."

"How did the day go?" I ask them.

Lina hugs me tighter and smiles shyly in response. Ciel and Alissa give tired smiles, having played with the children all day. Roxanne doesn't hear me; she's tipsy from drinking with Oura and so, she crawls on top of Hana, then they start making out.

Ciel casts [Purify Body] on Roxanne and then I tell them all about the stalkers and Aoi's hierarchical view of the harem.

"I noticed some odd stares as we walked. I thought it was the elves being awed at my beauty," Hana says with a wry smile.

"I think they really were. The ones who were stalking us were watching us from the back and were much more discreet," I say.

"Oh…"

"There's not much to do about these stalkers. Just make it clear that we can see them," Roxanne says with a shrug, now with her mind clear of drunkenness.

"If we knew their strength, we could bait them to attack, but since we don't, I think what you are doing is the correct choice," Lina says.

"I'm not too worried about the stalkers. The problem will be when we leave town," Ciel says.

"We got attacked by either Darean or Katasko already, so there might be another attack coming soon," I say.

"Then we have to prepare mentally so we can keep Klein and the others safe," Hana says.

"Can I eat, a humanoid's, heart?" Aoi asks, tilting her head cutely.

I look at Ciel and she shrugs. "It would be very disrespectful to the body, but they are our enemies and if doing this can give us an advantage, then it can be justified," she says.

"I'm going to have to burn the bodies anyway," Roxanne says with a hint of displeasure.

"Waste of good, meat!" Aoi says happily and Alissa nods in agreement.

"Well, there's not much we can do right now, so let's enjoy ourselves," Ciel says with a kind smile.

"Does anyone know how to swim?" I ask.

Only Hana and Roxanne raise their hands.

I lift Lina into a princess carry and jump in the pool.

"HIIH!" She shrieks as we crash into the water.

I land in a shallow part, so Lina can't drown when she stands up.

"Then I'll teach you how to swim!" I yell to the girls.

The clothes we're wearing stick to our bodies when wet, leaving very little to the imagination. The same happens for all other guests that enter the water; this is just the standard style of elven clothing.

I have to control myself - in the pool, but then I see an elven man proudly sporting - while floating on the surface of the water. We can't see his -, but we can see - the tent inside his elastic shorts.

Fuck it, then.

-

Night comes and we start feeling like leaving the pool.

Alissa is the first to notice the - change in atmosphere. The low light makes it harder to see, but things quickly escalate -.

"I won't ever share any of you, so I think it's time for us to leave," I say.

"We could just watch you," Alissa says with a shrug.

"I would rather not have him - go with strangers like that," Ciel says and Roxanne agrees.

-

Our bath is quick because we've been in the pool for a long time. After that, we head out of the inn and follow Klein to meet up with Anton. It's time for the most awkward dinner that I'll ever have.

Anton greets us stiffly and I feel him holding back his muscles from crushing my hand. Krista gives me a warm hug and a kind smile, making her husband feel even more awkward.

Ignoring her father's displeasure, Klein excitedly tells us about her day and then we share ours.

"You two will make amazing mothers one day," Krista says to Ciel and Alissa after they tell of their day playing with the orphans. Alissa smiles so brightly that she shines while Ciel goes red and sends me repeated glances.

Klein chuckles and says, "Yeah, and they will need all the help they can get. With five women… how many children are you planning on having?"

"Two with each," I say casually.

Klein laughs out loud and Krista shows an amused smile.

"If one is already a lot of trouble, imagine ten?" Krista asks.

Not counting Aoi's.

"I want at least five!"

"Klein is not part of the count?" Anton asks.

"I'm just here temporarily," Klein happily answers for me.

Anton turns to Klein and asks while staring her straight in the eye, "So all you do is - play around while he pays for everything for you?"

"Yep!"

"You know what they call women who do that?"

"Prostitutes!" She slings Hana's arm over her own shoulder.

Everyone has a varied reaction. I keep my face calm to not egg Anton on any further.

Anton's face twitches in anger and Krista has to pull him around so he doesn't trample over anyone caught by his stomps.

Still angry, he turns to Hana and says, "I didn't expect you to be the one to use my daughter like this."

"We all use one another, no matter the relationship," Hana answers and shrugs.

Something inside him finally breaks. He facepalms and starts chuckling like a fool.

"You always knew she was free-spirited," Krista says and squeezes her husband's arm, which he must have barely felt with those thick logs he has. "You couldn't keep her to yourself forever."

"What… I…" Anton look lost for words.

Krista then turns to Klein, her eyes look sharp and her tail is stiff. "And you will learn that this 'arrangement' of yours is not so simple. All of you will." Her gaze sweeps across us and ends with me.

"We know, or at least, I know. Sex and love are sometimes hard to separate, but we will deal with whatever comes, together," I say.

I feel something for Klein, but I won't let it grow, since our time is limited.

Gih.

Yeah, I might not fully control how love blossoms.

Alissa speaks inside my head, "I see what you mean. Maybe we might fall in love with her, but I won't regret the time we had together. And I do like Klein."

Krista stares at me for a while and we all go quiet.

Soon, we finally reach the restaurant they chose. A middle-class location that they can pay for. Inside, there's a nice and comfy atmosphere that doesn't lose out to the higher-class competition. The selection of food is modest, but you can never go wrong with recipes that are thousands of years old and are made with care.

"So, how long will it last?" Krista asks, breaking the silence.

"After we finish this job, we will rest for a little while and then search for a dungeon to conquer," I say.

"Two days after we reach Goldport, Rande wants to make the way back through Glorampina," Anton says, flatly.

"So, until then."

Klein sighs and her long tail finds her way to my waist. Krista shows some concern over Klein's dampened mood.

"On the contrary to a certain person, I only want Klein to be happy. Just remember to not hurt each other when the time comes to leave," Krista says.

I nod with a faint smile and [Massage] Klein's tail.

After one last sigh, Anton suddenly stands up and extends his hand. "Let's start again. For now, I will consider you Klein's 'husband' and leave her in your care."

I remain stunned for a moment, my spidey senses tingling, then my brain starts to process his words.

To be her 'husband' has some connotations. It would also open the chance for us to confess love to each other, since I'm her 'husband' and not just a sex-friend. Maybe this can work as an excuse to tell Klein the truth about me. If she knows the future that truly awaits us, then maybe she won't be as keen on following us.

I look at Klein and she seems a little stunned too.

People here marry easily, but marriage is something you go into with conviction. Trying to just put a label of 'husband' on this relationship without any responsibility is just bullshit and not something Anton would ask for.

I look at the girls around me. "Opinions?" I ask. Anton turns awkward as I leave him hanging, but the opinion of The Council takes precedence.

"I'm more comfortable with this," Ciel says.

"Seems the best for us all," Lina says.

"Better than just being a harem 'member,'" Hana says.

Alissa and Roxanne just shrug.

I look at Klein and she shyly nods, then I stand up and finally grab Anton's huge hand. "I agree, I'll be her 'husband' until then."

He chuckles once and his permanent frown deepens for a moment. We shake our hands a few times and then sit down again.

"Well… it's finally settled, then," Krista says with an amused smile.

"Of all things, I never imagined I would have to do this… Now that my heart is settled, bring me the dessert!" Anton orders.

All's well that ends well…?

Gih.

Well, what else could happen in the future? The only thing that could happen is if I actually marry her, now.

Gih-hih-hih.

Gify laughs smugly inside my head.

You don't have foresight, don't say things like that.

Gih!

The dinner ends with more of a casual conversation and we go our separate ways.

Since we're waking up early tomorrow, we all just trade kisses and wish each other goodnight before going to sleep in the huge bed, all tangled together.

Klein sleeps in the arms of Hana and tries to wrap her tail around a part of me, but the only free appendage that's free is my dick.

Today is the 18th.

-

When Ciel gets up, Lina giggles evilly and sends me a glance. "How far can we corrupt her?" She whispers.

We quickly get dressed and have our breakfast.

"Oh, look, Soseji," Hana says. She points to a large sausage that looks like pepperoni. I cut a slice for myself and eat it; yep, it's not-pepperoni.

"Now where did this one come from?" Alissa questions.

"Someone brought food from Ryutake and sold it as something exotic, but it doesn't fit in that well with this breakfast full of fruit."

"It's lacking milk and other cold meat cuts," I say.

"Exactly."

We finish eating and go find Rande's caravan. We came through the western gate and now Rande is leaving through the eastern one.

With Klein guiding us, we easily cross the morning mist and reach our destination.

Most of the commoners are gone, Rudito included, and only a few remain. But now there's another carriage being flanked by two horsemen and five foot soldiers. It's clearly part of Rande's caravan.

We search for him, and once he sees us, he excitedly waves for us to come over and meet him. Beside him are three very well dressed golden elves. They each are wearing traditional elven clothing and I see golden embroidery in the fine white cloth. Certainly upper-class.

Once we are close enough, Rande starts the introductions, "Good morning, Helios. These are our three new passengers: Nobleman Ento, Noblewoman Silvina, and Root Lord Ricardo." With a short bow and a delicate wave, he points towards the trio beside him.

"A pleasure to meet you," Silvina talks first. She's a very tall and thin woman who towers over Hana.

"Likewise," I say.

As the leader, I grab her hand for a short kiss. The others are introduced as my wives (even Klein, which makes her blush), so they merely touch her hand with their foreheads.

"Greetings and good day," Ricardo says without much enthusiasm. He's an average-built man and one of the elves who wears flowers in his golden beard.

Reluctantly, I kiss his hand, but thankfully the others don't have to do the same.

"Greetings," Ento says and I see his smile twitch with discomfort. He's a chubby man who keeps his golden wand very visible on his wait. His eyes suddenly lock on Aoi, who's curled around Hana's neck. It was only for a short moment, but most of us noticed it.

The longer the greetings go on, the more that Ento's smile strains. When Hana greets him, he forces himself to not look at Aoi, which makes him even more suspicious.

"These nobles will accompany us until Goldport. Merely continue with your job as usual and everything will be fine," Rande says. His usual more casual tone is gone and he speaks with perfect enunciation. He doesn't seem to be forcing it; he's a natural at being polite when he wants to.

We bow lightly and silently leave. None of the nobles seem interested in striking up a conversation with us. Once we turn around, they resume speaking in Ingua.

Nito hands us our horses and my usual "monster" neighs with some mild interest once he sees me.

"You've been doing a good job in keeping him happy, thank you," Nito says softly and my heart tightens at his cuteness.

"You're welcome, but I just like taking good care of animals," I say.

Roxanne's horse seems excited to see her. He didn't forget the "stimulation" that Roxanne provokes in him.

Nito watches Roxanne mount her horse with a mix of confusion, worry, and mirth. Then he turns back to me and nods. "Anyway, keep up the good care."

We leave Escanso in the mist of the morning and Ciel sighs as we aren't given one last view of the beautiful lake and rings of farms above it.

Soon after we reach the ground, the Weepers start their cries again, now much stronger than they were before.

The nobles' carriage suddenly lights up in response. The source is a huge crystal light on the roof that gives blinding radiance. This light causes the cries of the Weepers to reduce by a lot, though it doesn't make the Weepers themselves actually go away.

Rande guides his horse towards us and says, "Can you deal with the Weepers now? They should be fairly close and I don't want to annoy the nobles."

"I'll see what I can do," I answer.

Rande nods once and leaves us again.

I cast [Swift Foot] on the few remaining commoners, who happily thank me again. I also summon a light elemental and see that the nobles stare at it with curiosity. Then I spread out five Hollys, three of which will go deep into the forest to search for those pesky Weepers.