Chapter 120 – Branching Out Even More
<span style="font-weight:400">After reaching the castle’s main gate and walking into the za right in front of it, we all stop together by the carriages belonging to our establishment. Two distinguishable groups form. I’m standing with Cornelia while Vanessa stays amongst our Heroes as we face each other.
<span style="font-weight:400">Shino breaks this division and trots close to me. Already figuring out her intentions by the blooming blush on her cheeks, I lean forward a little to make it easier for her to pull herself up and gently peck my lips while on her tiptoes.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’ll be leaving with the others, for now, Sensei. You have your things to take care of and we have ours. We will most likely check out that vige Rossberg-san mentioned and help with the outbreak. Thank you for taking us with you to escort Ghilerie-san back home.”
<span style="font-weight:400">I nod at my adorable samurai girlfriend and ce a kiss on her soft lips too.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Got it. It was a pleasure and a lot of fun travelling with all of you. Let me know whenever you’d need something. And take good care of Vanessa.”
<span style="font-weight:400">She smiles sweetly and I pat her head from all that cuteness, evoking a quiet giggle from Shino. Ending with just that to not embarrass her too much, I nce at her and the others.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Good luck with your stuff. Be careful with Abyssals. We still don’t know a lot about them.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“We’ll be as careful as possible,” Paul replies first. “I don’t think we’ll be heading out right away so we’ll most likely drop by your ce at least once before that.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh, there’s no doubt about that. I’m not moving anywhere without saying <i><span style="font-weight:400">goodbye</i><span style="font-weight:400"> properly.” Marcia winks at me and I smile wryly.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Besides, we should spend some time with Vanessa-san and talk about things. We need to get our proper cooperation back in the correct ce after fighting by your side, Sensei. Things arepletely different when we are just by ourselves,” Shino adds.
<span style="font-weight:400">I chuckle and pat her some more. “Right. I can imagine that. Sorry for ruining the experience for you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“It kind of felt like we rode the bus with a stupidly over-levelled and over-geared yer through some random side-quest,” Nataliaments, making our mutual ck-haired friend chuckle at her remark.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I don’t really get it but I’m looking very forward to being relevant again,” Kamil grunts to the side.
<span style="font-weight:400">Marcia elbows him lightly whileughing. “Is our little star getting jealous of someone stealing its shine? Don’t worry, I’ll make sure to <i><span style="font-weight:400">polish</i><span style="font-weight:400"> you lots so you regain the radiance of the main protagonist again.”
<span style="font-weight:400">He rolls his eyes at her while groaning again and Natalie sighs softly.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I don’t even know which option is worse, you implying obviously what you are, or you actually talking about his armour.”
<span style="font-weight:400">She earns herself an elbow too and res at the energetic redhead. Their almost entire part begins friendly bickering with each other, with the exclusion of Vaness and Shino, while the rest of us watch the show.
<span style="font-weight:400">“They are truly a merry bunch.” Cornelia chuckles by my side.
<span style="font-weight:400">“That they are. I’m d everyone got ustomed to our situation. It hasn’t been that long since we’ve been thrown into this world and armed up.”
<span style="font-weight:400">I notice her smile gradually disappearing and getting reced with a slightly sour expression. Without thinking about it too much, I wrap my arm around Cornelia’s waist and pull her to me.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Don’t me yourself for this. What’s done, is done. Besides, if we didn’te here, I wouldn’t be able to meet you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Shino pulls us into a group hug by embracing Cornelia and me from the front and she nces at us with a warm smile.
<span style="font-weight:400">“And I wouldn’t be able to be one with Sensei. So, thank you for bringing us here. You made my dreame true, Cornelia-san.”
<span style="font-weight:400">A tinge of rosiness covers our magician’s fair cheeks as she tries to look away, clearly embarrassed from the unexpected gratitude. We chuckle together at her with Shino and hug once more before the shortie steps back.
<span style="font-weight:400">“We’ll be going, then. Take care of yourself, Sensei, and yourpanions too.” She turns her gaze to Cornelia. “Good luck. I’lle to see how you are doing before we depart, Cornelia-san. Definitely <i><span style="font-weight:400">this week</i><span style="font-weight:400">.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh, you little—”
<span style="font-weight:400">Before Cornelia brings her face to the front, the giggling samurai girl is already on the run to her friends while mischievously looking at us over her shoulder. I chuckle and peck my charming researcher’s cheek.
<span style="font-weight:400">“She got you good, didn’t she?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Shush it,” she huffs at me.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Or what? You won’t <i><span style="font-weight:400">ride</i><span style="font-weight:400"> with me back home?” I ask in a hushed whisper, nibbling on her ear a little.
<span style="font-weight:400">“We are <i><span style="font-weight:400">NOT</i><span style="font-weight:400"> fucking in the carriage again. Goddess, I don’t know if bing a Primordial with that ss is a blessing or a curse. You are insatiable.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m pretty sure you do know which one it is. And I do wonder who here is truly insatiable. Besides a certain lewd Queen, perhaps.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Cornelia snorts quietly and rolls her eyes. “Alright, let’s end this before I have to clench my thighs together. I’m still not wearing underwear if you forgot and you aren’t exactly helping.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“What about the <i><span style="font-weight:400">ride</i><span style="font-weight:400">, then?”
<span style="font-weight:400">She nces at me with an upturned gaze. “I’ll see about it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">We again chuckle at each other and head to the carriage waiting for us patiently. The others return to the castle so the second one is going to follow us back home empty. I could suggest it to a certaindy hiding away Goddess knows where, but I have a feeling that Hecate prefers roaming free rather than being locked in a moving box. I’m really curious how she catches up with us without getting noticed by anyone.
<span style="font-weight:400">After informing our driver about our next destination and getting inside, we sit side by side and Cornelia raises a brow at me.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What? Did you think I would really go after you again after this much?” I raise one at her in return. “I was just teasing you, as usual.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I mean… Not that I would mind, you know…” she answers, ncing slightly away.
<span style="font-weight:400">I shake my head with a smile. “I’m really an insatiable pervert in your eyes, am I?”
<span style="font-weight:400">She leans on my side and lovingly kisses my neck. “Don’t worry, we all are. Just not everyone shows it openly.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Surprising her a little, I get off the seat and kneel in front of Cornelia. A shade of crimson surfaces on her cheeks and she slowly spreads her legs with some uncertainty, most likely thinking that I’m going to act on the moment. Her beautiful slit gets revealed to me as the material of her dress rises a bit.
<span style="font-weight:400">I take her right foot into my hands and lean forward, beginning to ce tender kisses on her skin. Slowly but surely, I climb with my lips higher and higher, leaving a trail of pecks on her calf while moving one palm to her other leg and grazing up it too.
<span style="font-weight:400">Cornelia sighs faintly as I continue the gentle caresses. As I near her thigh, she moves the front of her dress away,pletely uncovering her hips and waist for me to see while watching my slow movements with clear anticipation.
<span style="font-weight:400">As I finally cover the entire length of her marvellous thigh and reach her underbelly with my mouth, I ce a loving kiss on her skin and… withdraw myself with a smirk, bringing my face up to match hers.
<span style="font-weight:400">“What?” Cornelia blinks at me repeatedly, confused as hell.
<span style="font-weight:400">I chuckle and skip down with my eyes. She follows them and notices sexy dark purple panties covering herher regions, growing even more confused. I’ve slowly snuck them onto her precious ce with my hands while distracting Cornelia with sensual kisses and stroking her skin with my fingers.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You look extremely alluring down there but it would be a shame if you caught a cold from going fullmando through the open city,” I say with a grin.
<span style="font-weight:400">She finally registers everything and her brain processes all the information after seeing it. Almost immediately after, Cornelia starts hitting my chest with her fists.
<span style="font-weight:400">“You fucking tease! I hate you! I hate you so fucking much! I swear, you are just the worst!” she shouts but slowly stops the assault and chuckles to herself with her face cast down. “You bully…”
<span style="font-weight:400">I lean forward again and kiss her lips from below. “I would like to shower my incredible wife with something more delicate and romantic than just rough pounding in a random carriage or she will really take me for an insatiable horndog. Besides, you’d rather not have the servants at Jericho’s ce notice your state, would you?”
<span style="font-weight:400">She pecks me back while throwing her arms over my shoulders and we start lovingly making out. I push myself a little bit higher and press Cornelia into the back section of the carriage. She pursues my lips for a good minute before stopping with a contented sigh.
<span style="font-weight:400">“All you want to do is just to tease me. You won’t convince me otherwise.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“My wife is so smart.” I smirk at her.
<span style="font-weight:400">She smiles at me and shakes her head. “Thank you. If you really want to be such a good husband then better get to kissing already.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Your wish is mymand, my queen.”
<span style="font-weight:400">For the rest of the road to Jericho’s mansion, we keep exchanging soft pecks while tenderly embracing each other. It doesn’t grow too heated and we avoid getting too much into it, leaving our loving caresses almostpletely pure and wholesome.
<span style="font-weight:400">As we arrive at our destination, Cornelia sits sideways on myp and rains kisses onto me from above while I delicately rub her back and stroke her neatly arranged hair. We wrap it up the moment the carriagees to a halt.
<span style="font-weight:400">Helping Cornelia stand up I smile at her. “How was the less carnal version of our <i><span style="font-weight:400">ride</i><span style="font-weight:400">?”
<span style="font-weight:400">She smiles back. “Pleasant, very pleasant. I’ll allow more of it, husband. Now, let’s focus on the matters at hand.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“You mean these?” I ask, brushing my fingers up her thigh and squeezing her soft bottom.
<span style="font-weight:400">She ps my hand away while chuckling softly. “Those are for the second part of the return trip. Show some restraint.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“And who is the tease now?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Weugh together and exit the carriage, growing slightly more serious as we step into the fancy za in front of the main entrance to the mansion. The butler I’m already well familiar with makes a polite bow towards us and we follow him inside.
<span style="font-weight:400">Not that much changed here since myst visit but I know it only looks like that from the outside. If things really seeded just as the girls told me earlier, quite a bunch of things should have changed their state, including a certain group of women and a certain <i><span style="font-weight:400">poor</i><span style="font-weight:400"> man.
<span style="font-weight:400">It doesn’t take long before we stop in front of the office I visited in the past and the butler announces our arrival. Jericho’s voice responds from the inside and we are invited to join him.
<span style="font-weight:400">The man himself stands up from behind a massive desk and quickly paces to me while extending his hand.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Ah, Sir Carter, it’s so good to see you again! So much time has passed since ourst conversation! Please, sit, both of you.”
<span style="font-weight:400">We exchange a firm handshake and he respectfully nods at Cornelia, who lowers her head a little in response too. As instructed, we plop down on the sofa in the resting area and Lord Jericho takes thefy chair opposite us.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Has your journey brought positive results, Sir Carter? I hope everything went well,” he begins, pouring each of us a ss of wine.
<span style="font-weight:400">Receiving one, I nod. “You can certainly say that. Like everything in life, it wasn’t as simple as it seemed, but we managed to ovee all the difficulties and reach our final goal.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s great. I’ve heard about the discovery in a few of the rural viges and your involvement in it. It’s hard to believe something like that took ce right under our noses.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“We were very shocked, that’s true,” Cornelia joins in. “But, the world is full of monsters wearing Human skin. Plenty of them are much worse than the demi-humans so many still openly despise.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I agree. In my eyes, racism is the worst thing to exist amongst the inhabitants of our world.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“May I ask why?” I raise a curious brow at the alchemist.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Of course. It’s very simple. We are missing out on so much knowledge, experience, and information on alchemy amassed by all the other races, species, and such. We, Humans, are very… nd. We are <i><span style="font-weight:400">good</i><span style="font-weight:400"> at everything but that’s pretty much all. Meanwhile, countless races excel in various fields. Yet, due to the past grievances, it’s extremely hard to gain enough trust to share any of that.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I see.” I nod repeatedly. “And I wholeheartedly agree. It’s nice to find a great man with such positive views.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Nevertheless, that’s just pointless chattering.” He waves his hand at us. “You two didn’te here to listen to me bbering about the current state of the world but to talk about the case that concerns all of us, right?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“It is as you say, Lord Jericho. I’m already aware that you have seeded in my request and I wanted to thank you personally for your aid and all the support.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh, stop it. We both know that I had a very important reason to give it my all and its existence was only possible thanks to your suggestion and offer, Sir Carter.”
<span style="font-weight:400">I smile at the man. “How are the results of your personal research then, Lord Jericho?”
<span style="font-weight:400">He chuckles lightly and a relieved expression takes over his face.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It worked. It simply worked. After countless failures, I managed to partially cure my son. I can’t express my gratitude to you and your followers, Sir Carter. Even after we were finished with the research for the charmed women, they remained focused and assisted with my own study without being obliged to.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m d to hear that they were useful, then. I was a little afraid that theck of experience for most of them would have been an issue there. Only one or two people knew anything deeper about alchemy amongst our ranks.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“That might be true but the people you assigned to the task showed a great deal of self-motivation. Everyone tried to help however they could. There was not a single person left out during our brainstorming session. You are an extremely lucky man, Sir Carter, to have such incredible followers.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thank you, Lord Jericho. I know that well.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“It’s not just luck. He’s a born leader. Not many can have so much charisma and <em>charm</em>,” Cornelia adds while ncing at me.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Indeed.” The ck-haired man nods sagely.
<span style="font-weight:400">“<i><span style="font-weight:400">Ekhm</i><span style="font-weight:400">. How is your son then, Lord Jericho?” I try to divert the topic before I actually blush.
<span style="font-weight:400">“He’s currently under rehabilitation but he’s making steady progress. I don’t think it will be possible for him to fully regain past capability but at least it’s something.”
<span style="font-weight:400">I’m not exactly sure how they are rehabilitating <i><span style="font-weight:400">that</i><span style="font-weight:400"> part of him but I guess it''s working out. Are they repeatedly trying to get the guy hard or subjecting him to some <i><span style="font-weight:400">deeper</i><span style="font-weight:400"> stimtion? Somehow, I can’t get the picture of that jerk pushing his hips back and forth on one of those gym machines sparking so many memes of guys using them wrong.
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s great. Good for you,” I reply, pulling my mind back from that unnecessary scene.
<span style="font-weight:400">“It is. It truly is. I’m eternally grateful for it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“What about the girls?” I ask.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Everyone is fine now. Most of them returned to their friends and families after their initial treatment. We, of course, made sure there were no lingering aftereffects before letting them go. A few decided to stay and recuperate here, epting our suggestion to let them fullye back to themselves at our expense.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“That’s very kind of you, Lord Jericho. I’m sure they appreciated it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh, but I made it sound like everything was just about me. You can rest assured, Sir Carter, that all of them have been notified about your and your people’s involvement in the research, without omitting any details that could make a false impression that it was our side that did the most.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Isn’t that right, though?” I stroke my chin while pondering.
<span style="font-weight:400">Jericho shakes his head. “Not in the slightest. We wouldn’t get anywhere without your help, Sir Carter. We wouldn’t have been able to even begin. Don’t forget it’s all thanks to you and your incredible serum that we are where we are. And one of your very passionate about alchemy employees was a key figure during the research too.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Knowing exactly who he has in mind, I lean slightly forward and rest my elbows on my thighs.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Speaking of which, I’ve checked out theb that was built under your guidance. I don’t know much about that stuff but it is certainly amazing. I’m extremely grateful for it. But, also, I might have a small favour to ask, rted to that person.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Refilling our sses, Jericho smiles joyfully. “Please, I’m all ears, Sir Carter. How can I help you? I don’t think this debt of mine is going to be repaid anytime soon so feel free to give me ways to at least reduce it bit by bit.” He chuckles.
<span style="font-weight:400">“As you have mentioned earlier, various races possess various knowledge, and that includes Humans too. Our resident Lizardfolk who took part in the research would like to deepen her expertise in the field of alchemy. She’s familiar with cruder ways more suitable for less developed viges and wants to learn. I was wondering if you didn’t perhaps know anyone who wouldn’t mind mentoring her,” I exin.
<span style="font-weight:400">He closes his eyes and enters deep thought while rubbing his temples. We wait for a moment as Jericho is clearly going through various options in his mind. After just a few seconds, he returns to us with an enthusiastic smile.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I believe I do know a person. I would happily take that role myself but that would have been terribly difficult with my current responsibilities. If you would like, I can introduce you to that someone even today and we can ask them if they wouldn’t mind fulfilling your request. Rest assured, though, they care not for one’s race and other such trivial things,” he replies.
<span style="font-weight:400">Cornelia puts a hand on my shoulder. “That’s great. I’m sure Dhosk would appreciate it. When could we meet them?”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Whenever you wish to do so. She is part of one of the teams under my jurisdiction and currently working at this mansion.”
<span style="font-weight:400">My frosty magician sends me a knowing nce and I roll my eyes at her. It’s not like every woman we meet and bring back home is going to end up like that. Elise and Ria are proof enough, and a bunch of other girls who arrived much earlier in the establishment and still didn’t take part in any special activities with me.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Let’s go after we finish here, then. There are still a few matters we should discuss,” I say, ignoring Cornelia’s gaze.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Indeed. We can leave at any time. Before that, though, let me just mention that I have stored a few letters of gratitude from the women we have healed from their unfortunate condition. I just wanted to let you know in case I forget about it. It would be rude not to pass them onto you.” Jericho nces towards his desk.
<span style="font-weight:400">“We’ll remember about them, then, don’t worry,” I reassure the master alchemist. “Regarding the healing, where and how is the production of the cure conducted?”
<span style="font-weight:400">He gestures around with his hand. “Fully inside the walls of my home, specifically speaking, in thebs underneath us. It’s the safest and the fastest. I personally keep an eye on the security and all the people working there. The production is not an issue, for both the cure for the charmed state and for simr conditions to my son’s. From what I’ve heard from the King, you don’t mind negotiating to share those with the kingdom, right?”
<span style="font-weight:400">I nod. “That’s right, I promised the King to see if anything useful thates out of this can be utilised by the kingdom. I would be happy to leave the production in your hands, Lord Jericho, if you don’t mind.”
<span style="font-weight:400">The man quickly shakes his head and hands. “Oh, no, no, no, not in the slightest. It’s a good experience for the alchemists working on those. I’ll deal with the production while you can focus on the trade. I think that’s the most secure option. No one should dare to mess with us. No offence for you or your ce, of course.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“None taken, don’t worry, I think the same.” I smile. “Now, besides those two cures, there’s one more thing I’m aware of, isn’t there?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Jericho thinks for a moment and gasps quietly. “Ah, you must mean the side effects!”
<span style="font-weight:400">Cornelia chuckles, covering her mouth. “Definitely. That was a truly groundbreaking discovery.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I’m wondering about our options here. It’s just too good to pass on. Can we somehow divide it into a moremercial version and one meant for the kingdom and more medical use?” I ask.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I think so. We could introduce some simple, non-intrusive changes to differentiate the two. If you would like, it should be possible to instruct a small team at your ce to be able to create those fully on their own in small supply. That could be good practice for the person you mentioned,” Jericho replies.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Wonderful. This could be big if introduced properly. And, if we y our cards right, we won’t need to bother you with it too much, Lord Jericho.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I do believe that it’s an amazing idental discovery,” he agrees. “It’s always so fascinating how much we can learn along the way while pursuing a specific end goal. Fun trivia, most of the innovative inventions came to be exactly that way.”
<span style="font-weight:400">I chuckle lightly. “Yes, I’m aware. It’s not that umon where I’m from too.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“The only issue is the single ingredient we can’t acquire by ourselves. As you can imagine, it’s the core element of any of the mentioned solutions, which you have been so kind to provide for us, Sir Carter. It’s no doubt it''s thanks to it that we’ve been able to achieve any meaningful results. I’ve nevere into contact with a substance this potent and mysterious.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Trying not to smile wryly at the man, I nod to his words. “I guess I’ll have to work on <i><span style="font-weight:400">producing</i><span style="font-weight:400"> some more of it, right? Do you have any of it left and how much do you need to operatefortably?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Cornelia snorts to the side, also doing her best not to show any weird reactions.
<span style="font-weight:400">Jericho rubs his chin while thinking. “We have pretty much run out but the dose you have delivered ussted for the entire research and development process without an issue, which took a few weeks as you are aware. Now, after everything has been mostly finished and is in the phase of final tweaks and polishing, the same amount would be enough for a month or two at the current pace of production.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Great. Now I’ll have to regrly donate my jizz to the royal alchemists so they can make more wonder pills for me and the King. The hell is even this situation? I guess I need to wank into a vial or three now and then.
<span style="font-weight:400">Gods, that’s so bizarre. I can already see a number of girls very willing to <i><span style="font-weight:400">give me a hand</i><span style="font-weight:400"> in the process. As if the whole nutrition experiment in the desert wasn’t enough of apletely bonkers proceeding. Things somehow keep getting better and better every day.
<span style="font-weight:400">I return my gaze to Jericho after making myself look like I have been calcting things in my head and smile at the master alchemist.
<span style="font-weight:400">“We will see what we can do. It shouldn’t be a problem. I’ll have one of my employees deliver the next batch as soon as it’s ready. I need to <i><span style="font-weight:400">prepare</i><span style="font-weight:400"> for it.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Mentally, that is.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, then. I’ll wait for your notice, and for the word from the King regarding the earlier matters. Take your time, Sir Carter, there’s no hurry. We have achieved our goal much faster than I would have dreamed and everyone deserves a good break. That includes you, naturally, after returning from your journey.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“I will, thank you.” I stand up and Cornelia follows. “Now, not to bother you for unnecessarily long, Lord Jericho, let us move on to the next part. In case something importantes up regarding the matters discussed earlier, we’ll be in touch.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Please, I enjoy every minute of it, Sir Carter. But, I agree that time is an invaluable resource and shouldn’t be wasted. Let me just grab the letters I mentioned earlier and we’ll move to one of thebs.”
<span style="font-weight:400">We wait for the man to shuffle through his desk and watch Jericho bring out a packet of neatly bundled envelopes from its depths, tied up with a single string. He walks up to us with it and I receive the letters, already noticing some scribbles on top of the paper. I’ll read through all of them after getting back home.
<span style="font-weight:400">Then, just as promised, he leads us outside of the office and takes us on a short tour around his mansion while taking the chance to exin a few facilities and showcase them as we pass by. There are many moreboratories and workshops here than I would have assumed.
<span style="font-weight:400">Soon, we arrive at a lower level and enter a small,plex facility. A bunch of people scurry around while clearly working on something at their own pace. They operate more mechanical-looking appliances and contraptions but also attend to some that look very magical at their core.
<span style="font-weight:400">I notice that this room isn’t that far off from the one that has been built at our ce, perhaps even a little bit outdatedpared to it. Jericho truly went to the full extent of his resources to bring us ab second to none as he promised. Now, we just need to fill it with talented people.
<span style="font-weight:400">Gods, what are we even bing? A brothel with a forge, a painting studio, an alchemicalboratory, soon most likely a tailoring workshop too, with a slowly collected professional mercenary unit and many more unusual departments. Things might be getting a little out of hand.
<span style="font-weight:400">My pondering is shoved aside for the time being as we stop in front of a certain section of thisb, behind a woman with shoulder-long brown hair working on some solution with the utmost attention.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Velen, would you mind sparing us a moment of your time?” Jericho asks with a calm and soft voice, most likely not to spook the researcher.
<span style="font-weight:400">No answeres immediately and he nces back to nod at us. We respond with the same, understanding that we should wait and not disrupt her until properly prompted about it. Thest thing we want is to ruin someone''s experiment which has been ongoing for who knows how long.
<span style="font-weight:400">She doesn’t make us wait long and puts the ss vials she has been focusing on away after around two or three minutes. I’m not exactly sure about the time since I got a little lost in the mesmerising process of her mixing various colourful liquids together and noting down the results.
<span style="font-weight:400">As she turns around, we are met with a young woman, perhaps in her mid-twenties, wearing brown pants, a tidy, blue shirt, and a long, whiteb coat on top. A pair of sses slightly bigger than Cornelia’s adorn her pretty face, with round and thin frames, and you can spot a faint trace of freckles on her skin. Her amber eyes fit her slightly curled brown hair very well.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Lord Jericho, what do I owe this pleasure?” she asks with a calm tone and expression, shooting a nce at us standing behind the man.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I might have an offer for someone of your talents, Velen. I believe you are the right person for the job and can benefit from this arrangement greatly. Naturally, you don’t need to agree with me on that or give an answer immediately. Would you like to hear about it?”
<span style="font-weight:400">The woman fixes her cuffs a little and nods. “dly, Lord Jericho. You know that I’m always looking for new ways to develop myself. What’s this about?”
<span style="font-weight:400">He gestures at us. “These good friends of mine are looking for someone to mentor theirpanion in the ways of alchemy. She’s a Lizardfolk with some basic experience and techniques learned in her vige, freshly fascinated with a more advanced approach. I owe them a lot and would like to help them find the best possible person for the task.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Velen doesn’t reply for a moment after he finishes and I’m not sure if she’s considering her answer, thinking about how to escape the unfavourable situation, or trying not to look offended. It’s always hard to judge those researcher types without knowing them well.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Now, I guess I should mention that this man here is the person who initiated our recent research on the Wonder Fluid and provided the marvellous substance himself.”
<span style="font-weight:400">I almost choke on air when he calls my semen Wonder Fluid and I catch the woman nce at me with a visible spark in her eyes.
<span style="font-weight:400">“His friends were the ones you have consulted with during the recent weeks and I made sure to provide them with the best possible working environment so you wouldn’t becking anything in terms of equipment and necessary supplies,” he continues. “As long as you don’t mind technically working at a brothel—no offence, Sir Carter—then I think this would be a great opportunity for you with a lot of potential gains. A fresh perspective can be really helpful.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“None taken, again. It is what it is and I’m all for others knowing exactly what they are getting into. Well, she wouldn’t be getting into <i><span style="font-weight:400">that</i><span style="font-weight:400">, but the location is still the same,” Iment with a smile.
<span style="font-weight:400">We share a nod and turn to the female alchemist again. She’s clearly much more interested in our offer now and it’s visible, even if she doesn’t show that much emotion on her pretty face.
<span style="font-weight:400">“When can I start?” she suddenly asks, looking at Jericho.
<span style="font-weight:400">“I think we should discuss the details first before you make a decision, Miss Velen. I do believe beingfortable with the workce ys a big factor in this,” I suggest.
<span style="font-weight:400">She moves her gaze onto me and shows a very faint smile. “I see no issues there. I’m blessed with wonderful focus and my brain can tune out everything other than the things I work on so even if myb would be located right next to a room with very intense activities taking ce inside, I wouldn’t even notice. Honestly, I don’t think I would even if it was the same room. And the environment doesn’t bother me, Sir Carter.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Jericho chuckles and pats her shoulder. “That is true. Velen is a very dedicated person. I’m d you are on board with the idea. I truly think this will let you reach new heights in the pursuit of your passion.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“And not only in that,” Cornelia adds in a whisper and I bump her with my hips, causing her to chuckle quietly.
<span style="font-weight:400">“If you allow for it, Lord Jericho, I would like to excuse myself to pack my things and prepare to move. I’m very curious about theboratory in which construction you have personally taken part, and very eager to meet my new coworkers. If I’m allowed to stay at my new workce, that is.”
<span style="font-weight:400">“Very well. I’m pretty sure Sir Carter would appreciate having you around at all times so you don’t have to worry about amodation,” Jericho answers before I can.
<span style="font-weight:400">Velen makes a polite bow and jogs away. I really wanted to mention a certain very particr detail about this week but they just don’t want to give me a chance. Well, I guess we’ll see how much the <i><span style="font-weight:400">environment</i><span style="font-weight:400"> really doesn’t bother her in a bit.
<span style="font-weight:400">I turn to the man and extend my hand. “Thank you for this, Lord Jericho. Please, tell Miss Velen not to rush things. She can arrive whenever she is fully ready.”
<span style="font-weight:400">He takes it and we share a firm handshake. “Don’t speak of it. And I will, naturally. Let’s start tomorrow morning to keep things proper. You can expect Velen to reach you around that time in one of my carriages.”
<span style="font-weight:400">We exchange a few more words and slowly head to the exit together. Jericho sees us out and we jump into the carriage. I close the door behind Cornelia and we plop down on thefy bench together.
<span style="font-weight:400">“So, another poor schr is going to be corrupted by your ways,” she teases with a knowing smirk.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Oh, stop it. Besides, you were already deep into it even before meeting me. I bet she’s another freak too. All the scientist chicks are.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Cornelia chuckles as she leans on my side and rests her head on my shoulder. “You might be onto something there.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Chilling together, we arrive at home after a rxing drive and step out of the carriage with the help of the driver. Afterwards, he takes our ride away, leaving us alone in front of the grand entrance.
<span style="font-weight:400">We share a look with Cornelia and I grin at her. “Ready?”
<span style="font-weight:400">She takes a deep breath and starts walking. I follow after her and we move inside. Shortly after we get a little further from the entrance, she stops, nces at me over her shoulder, and moves her hands to the sp of her dress at her neck.
<span style="font-weight:400">The smooth fabric falls to the ground and reveals her dazzling figure from behind. With a slightly hesitant movement, she reaches towards the panties I have snuck onto her butt earlier and slowly brings them down, shing me a little bit of her precious ce in the process.
<span style="font-weight:400">I quickly approach Cornelia and hug her from behind, cing a peck on her flushed cheek.
<span style="font-weight:400">“If it bes too much at any point, just stop. Teasing and jokes are teasing and jokes but I would hate to make you really feel ufortable.”
<span style="font-weight:400">She smiles weekly and grabs my crotch. “Get out of your clothes before I assume you are afraid to fulfil your end of the bet,” she says, trying to act tough despite her clear embarrassment.
<span style="font-weight:400">In a sh, my outfit disappears and her hand gets in direct contact with my junk. Cornelia blushes even more while ncing down at it. She starts gently fondling my package, which rests close to her butt.
<span style="font-weight:400">At least until someone clears their throat right in front of us and she jumps away from me in panic. Directing our gazes towards the source, we find Rene standing there with a faint trace of rosiness on her adorable cheeks, and something in her hands. Her tail makes cute wags behind her back.
<span style="font-weight:400">For a moment, Cornelia doesn’t know what to do with herself and switches the cement of her hands over her body quite a few times, covering various precious parts in turns and finally ending up with her arms crossed under her beautiful, naked chest.
<span style="font-weight:400">I nod at Rene as the slightly chubby Dogkin girl walks closer to me, sneaking a few nces below at my waist.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Master, this letter came to you while you were gone. I don’t know who the sender is, we didn’t see anything and just found it at our doorstep.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Ruffling through her soft hair and petting her fluffy ears, I leave a kiss on Rene’s forehead.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Thank you, my dear.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Very curious about the contents, I open it in front of them and check the message.
~~~
<i><span style="font-weight:400">Dear Mr Carter,</i>
<i><span style="font-weight:400">We have taken notice of the sessful development of your fresh establishment and would love to invite you to discuss the trade amongst the people well-known in this profession. It will be our honour to wee you to our group. There are plenty of things we would like to discuss with you, especially about your way of operating in this field in our beautiful city.</i>
<i><span style="font-weight:400">Please, pay us a visit during our monthly gatherings which happen on the fourteenth day of the month, this time, located at the Travelling Tit, one of the establishments of our proud members.</i>
<i><span style="font-weight:400">Best regards,</i>
<i><span style="font-weight:400">Evaneheim’s Night Service Association.</i>
~~~
<span style="font-weight:400">I raise a brow at the letter.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Looks like we have finally be a thorn in someone’s side. How typical. They never help the neers but instantly rush to curb thepetition the moment it grows too much.”
<span style="font-weight:400">Cornelia sighs while shaking her head. “I was pretty sure there were no such cliques in this trade.”
<span style="font-weight:400">We then both nce at the sweet doggirl in front of us and notice that Rene is looking down at a certain ce without paying too much attention to us. A small trail of saliva escapes the corner of her mouth.
<span style="font-weight:400">My charming magician snorts at us and rolls her eyes. “Get a room, you two, would you?”
<span style="font-weight:400">Rene breaks out of her stupor and blushes heavily while ncing up at me. I smile at her and pat her head.
<span style="font-weight:400">“Well, thinking about this can wait for a little, I guess.”
<span style="font-weight:400">She shows a happy, wide smile after feeling the slight pressure I lightly put on her hair and moves to her knees as her tail bes a smudge from how fast it flings from side to side.
<span style="font-weight:400">And so it begins.
<span style="font-weight:400">This is going to be one hell of a week.