Not wanting to waste any more time, we head straight for the Bureau of Architectonics. To be precise, Daisy and I follow Cecil, who knows the way the best. She might not have been to the place before, but such an important location couldn't escape her attention as the heir of her branch. Even if she supposedly isn't qualified enough to use its services.
It's not far from where we currently are, so we opt for a quick walk instead of employing Diana's help this time. That allows us to listen to the masses moving around and fish for any rumours or news related to our recent actions. We catch a few pieces regarding the Pleasure Queen and the vexations of the Stockhawkers, but nothing of use yet.
Soon, we arrive before our target, and I can't help but shake my head with a wry smile.
What stands in front of us clearly belongs to the governing body and doesn't intend to hide that fact. Whereas plenty of mansions or residences we've seen during our stay here have been impressive and stylish, this establishment easily blinds the onlookers with its barely contained opulence. White and gold dominate the colour palette, while the design of the bureau resembles that of a small palace.
I guess a royal agency dabbling in construction should be expected to display its capability to a certain extent.
Daisy produces the identity token designating her as the heir of the main Forgegraver branch and secures us an entrance into the premises of this flashy mansion. The sentries act polite to her, but I don't miss the sharp gazes they give the two of us. Mostly me.
Getting out of earshot, the rusty-haired princess twirls around to face us, setting her palms on her hips. "Alright. As I mentioned before, leave everything to me. This place is a battlefield of status, and a single mistake can lose you the entire war, not just a single battle. Yes, they are this petty. No matter which clan you are from, they tend to treat you like nothing. It's quite a challenge for many family heads to keep their temper under wraps while dealing with these crown-privileged vultures."
A small grimace slips onto her pouty lips before she continues.
"So, no talking unless directly addressed," Daisy adds with a slight frown towards Cecil, then looks up at me. "And no talking from you, period. Bringing a Human in is already bordering on crime for these people."
"What?" The fierce adventurer girl frowns. "But we are here to find a property for his company."
"And that's why I'm willing to take this risk. Even if it might cause issues for the main family from the slightest incident." The other short lady nods resolutely. "Keep silent. Don't gaze around. Stay by our side at all times. Ignore everything anyone says. Avoid looking the employees in the eyes. Listen only to my orders."
"Alastair is not a slave!" Cecil growls, taking a step closer to her kin-sister.
"I know that, idiot!" Daisy doesn't back down, meeting her halfway. "But he has to be if he wants this plan to succeed!"
Sparks fly between them as they challenge each other, prompting me to rest a hand on their shoulders, catching their attention.
"Daisy is right. We don't have as many options to choose from as we would like. Thank you for worrying about my honour, but a little acting won't change anything. I've already been your hired escort; an indentured servant isn't that far off." I smile kindly at the warrior woman.
She studies my face for a moment, then backs off with a soft sigh. "Fine. I'm sorry for blowing up. I'll do my best to play along, too. I don't want to ruin this for you."
A tiny, victorious smirk flashes onto our princess' lips before quickly disappearing as she schools her expression, throwing a worried glance at me. I give her a light nod, showing my approval and appreciation. She might have started being less of an ass to the other female after learning about me, but it's not easy to change completely in such a short time. It's commendable she's trying, though.
Moving my palms to their backs, I give both ladies a slight push, and we get moving. They walk side by side, Daisy just a little bit ahead, while I obediently follow behind them. We enter through a magnificent double gate and step into the mansion-like lobby. A prim and proper Dwarf maid approaches us right away, and Daisy explains the reason behind our visit. Right after, we are led through the rich marble corridors.
She brings us into a small but lavish meeting room with two sofas and a table between them. The girls take a seat on one while I position myself behind them. No longer than three minutes later, someone enters the chamber. I fight the urge to turn my head while my companions do so and wait for the newcomer to show themselves in my cone of vision.
A man in a pristine black suit strolls toward the other sofa. His dusty blond beard is almost wholly shaven, save for a stylish goatee extending down from his chin in a triangular fashion. A twirly moustache adorns his upper lip. Surprisingly, he's completely bald, his naked head almost reflecting light with how much polish it has been subjected to.
Before plopping down his own sofa, he offers a slight incline of his head. "Lady Forgegraver. It's an honour to be of service to you today."
"Likewise, sir…" Daisy mirrors the motion.
"Blonche, My Lady." The man displays his best smile. "So, how can I help the esteemed Forgegraver clan today?"
His eyes briefly scan my person, but not spotting any reaction, they return to his conversation partner.
"Sir Blonche, I come to you with my local heir-sister with a very time-sensitive request. You might be the only one who can save our family a lot of trouble. It is a serious matter that requires my personal involvement, as you can see. If you manage to solve our problem, the Forgegraver clan will definitely not forget the courtesy," Daisy introduces our case calmly.
Looks like the battle has already begun. She's striking first. Some might think she's foolishly revealing our desperation in front of someone who definitely is a shrewd businessman, but the tactic she's employing is one of the bolder approaches. Having the decision-makers of a clan indebted to the bureau, or even particularly to him, is undoubtedly an enticing prospect.
And, from what I can tell, the guy understands that too.
"Oh, my. Then, let us not waste your precious time, My Lady. I swear that as long as what you require is in our power, I'll do anything to see your wish fulfilled. Naturally, such an abrupt demand might involve higher fees during the process. My position in the bureau might be rather good, but even I'm unable to effortlessly avoid our usual procedures." He rubs his hands together.
I'm sure Daisy is aware he's testing the waters here. This all sounds like a flower-coated load of bullshit for the sake of an obvious bribe. My bookish companion is smart and educated enough to read between the lines, answering with a knowing smirk.
"As long as we achieve satisfactory results, I'll gladly show my support to the bureau." She makes a ladylike gesture with her palm. "As you wish, I'll get straight to the point. I require a worthy estate for the business endeavour I'm pursuing. Since I need to register it under my name in less than twenty-four hours, I can't go with the usual construction order. The government has to approve of my establishment, or else they might revoke the given permission to conduct my affairs."
His expression shifts a tad away from pure enthusiasm as he joins his fingers under his chin.
"That sounds like a truly complex legal situation, My Lady. Almost as if someone has it out for you. But, it's not my right to pry into your matters, as long as everything is legal." Blonche pretty much announces that he'll be raising the price, catching this tidbit of information in his favour. "What are your requirements then, My Lady?"
"Nothing too grand in terms of size, but with enough space to house about… two dozen employees living on site. A respectable meeting chamber for negotiations. Storage doesn't need to be much high. Instead… Something like a dance hall could be useful. Due to the nature of the business, an open area where the staff can freely move around without bumping into each other is necessary. Throw in everyday utilities like kitchen and bath, and that should be plenty," Daisy lists thoughtfully, neatly concealing the true purpose of our facilities. "Location doesn't matter much. I'm confident in my ability to attract a crowd."
Our clerk stays silent for a while, going through her demands in his mind.
"These might not sound like a lot… but in this particular configuration, things might be a tiny bit problematic." His brow furrows. "As you must be aware, the number of fully finished estates that we keep on hand is extremely low. They disappear like hot buns in the morning. We do have a couple awaiting release, but I'm afraid they have already been reserved; their new owners already submitted an advance."
"We'll offer more." Daisy doesn't let that put her down.
"A generous suggestion, My Lady. One I would be heavily inclined to consider, if it were only up to that." Blonche releases an exaggerated sigh. "Our reputation is at stake here, too. Annulling a previous agreement could offend the clans that made the first bid. And those aren't small families, unfortunately."
She mulls it over for a few seconds, almost glancing my way, but stopping herself in time. The man doesn't miss the beginning of the motion, but from where I'm standing, he should assume she was going to peer at her heir-sister rather than some unimportant slave.
"And if I provided you with a stamped permission to direct all the responsibility to our family, allowing you to divert the attention solely to us?" she offers.
"That would be equivalent to directly challenging the other clan." His brows lift a bit. "Are you sure it is worth it?"
Daisy makes a show of considering her approach again, then I notice her figuring something out. "Is one of the locations you have in mind perhaps on its way to join the properties of the Stockhawker Household?"
That causes the guy to blink at her slowly. "There… might be one."
Our ginger-haired lady grins maliciously. "Then yes, it would be more than worth it."
The insinuation that there's something between the two families is clear as day. It should divert any attention from the bureau as soon as both parties realise who they are dealing with. Yet, it turns out that this might not be enough.
"I… I apologise, My Lady, but I'm not sure my superiors would be willing to take such a risk…" Blonche replies, the claws of Stockhawkers reaching even into governmental organisations, it seems. "I'm afraid there is nothing I can offer you as of today when it comes to a finished product…"
The Forgegraver princess deflates faintly. It was her idea to try this place, and even when she tried really hard to make it work, things just refused to fall into place. I wonder, is there really no way to make it work without a typical construction order? It's not like we need something sophisticated, just a bit of space that's been approved for legal use is all. In the end, mercenaries are accustomed to living in much worse conditions, so it's not like that would be a huge issue.
Right. We just need a place. It doesn't have to be finished, as mentioned during our conversation earlier. Surely, the bureau wraps up construction and paperwork before fully dealing with interiors and furnishing. An error in any step before could incur massive, unnecessary costs.
Damn, I so wish I could use Whispers to nudge Daisy to ask. But the closest to forming a bond with either of them was the quick blowjob Cecil happily offered me. Even then, I held back from bringing her into my circles. Maybe I shouldn't have been so reserved. Sirgia even expects me to get close to the Dwarf ladies that I find likeable.
The past is in the past, though. Can't change that. But, there might be a different way. Maybe I can borrow a telepathic ability from one of my—
"Is there anything you would like to add, Miss Cecil?" Daisy's voice suddenly yanks me out of my internal musings.
Her adventuring kin-sister must have somehow caught her attention, and I missed it as the princess is currently tilting her head at the other woman, a spark of hope swimming in her disappointed eyes.
"My Lady, I wouldn't want to be rude towards the main house after you took over the case due to our lack of capability, but I might have another idea if I were permitted to share it?" Cecil plays her hesitant, subservient role well, even if it's obvious to me how much she internally struggles with it.
"I'll hear it." Daisy responds with a curt nod.
"Then, I'm confident in our joint ability to fully prepare an estate for proper use in less than half a day, as long as the matters of construction have been completely finalised," the other girl speaks with more certainty. "If Sir Blonche is aware of any recently built properties that await furnishing, we could mayhaps give them a chance too. Naturally, not forgetting to show the sir our gratitude for going out of his way for us."
Thank the Goddess Cecil is such a clever girl. Both of them are, honestly, but I'm glad she's pretty much read my mind without any input.
"I see. What say you, Sir Blonche?" The princess hastily grabs the thrown lifeline with all she has.
The man perks up again, his mind racing. "That… That might be achievable. I can think of two properties like that, one of them receiving full approval earlier today."
"We'll take the more expensive one, then." Daisy doesn't slow down, pushing hard. "That should net you a bigger commission, right, Sir?"
A wide smile grows on his lips. "My Lady certainly knows her stuff about business. Since we are in a hurry, shall I relay this matter to all the necessary departments right away?"
"That would be greatly appreciated." She matches his expression while standing up. "As always, it's a pleasure cooperating with the bureau."
He hops up too, offering a hand. Their hands find each other and they shake on it. I sense a flighty trace of mana and spot one of his rings glimmering delicately. Looks like Daisy has already taken care of her gratitude. Very good. We don't want him getting any ideas about messing with our stuff just because his fee came in late.
The four of us leave the negotiation chamber, and the clerk calls in for a maid to escort us to the lobby, where we'll process the payment after he wraps up everything on his side. The man practically sprints away while we leisurely stroll with our guide. Half an hour after we find ourselves in front of an accounting counter, the clerk behind it receives the green light to take us through the final steps. Daisy takes care of all the formalities, signing the payment obligation contract. Taking it to a bank, she'll be able to easily have them transfer money between accounts.
I'll be sure to reimburse their family for it later. Couldn't have been a small sum.
Papers, permissions, keys, and all the other necessities in hand, we basically jog out of the establishment. Crossing a few intersections, we stop in one of the alleys to catch our breath.
"That was a great save, Cecil!" I laugh warmly while ruffling through her black mane. "Thank you for bearing with it for me. It must have been hard to keep yourself in check."
The fierce mercenary chuckles quietly, letting me mess up her hair, her cheeks growing a tad rosier. "Eh, it was nothing. I wasn't even the one who brought up unfinished buildings earlier, just remembered Daisy mentioning it. Thankfully, the table was big enough to conceal me kicking her under it to let me speak."
Reminded of the other half behind our success, I turn to glance at our capable princess, finding her standing with her head slightly lowered, a wry smile adorning her lips as she holds onto her arm self-consciously. It's such an unexpected sight that I immediately get what's going on.
She's internally beating herself down for forgetting her own words and almost failing the task she's been faithfully given.
Taking my palm away from Cecil's black strands, I move in front of the distressed girl, getting to one knee so that she won't have to look up at me.
"You were amazing too, Daisy." I gently lift her chin up. "We wouldn't have been able to get this done without you. The way you led the conversation under all that pressure and lured the official around was incredible. Even so, I knew you could do it. Cecil might have had to act, but from our first meeting, I had no doubt you would fill the role of a high-status noble heiress effortlessly."
Her cheeks keep heating up as I'm complimenting her from up close, all until the last part, where she blinks at me owlishly before flashing a haughty sneer and pushing my chest away.
"You just called me a pompous, conceited asshole, didn't you?" She huffs while crossing her arms over her chest. "Just wait until my grandpa hears about this. Insulting a lady from the Forgegraver Household will be your last mistake, you dirty merc."
I snicker at her seemingly offended response, which evokes a small giggle from the tiny lady as she peers up at me, trying not to grin back. Meanwhile, Cecil looks between us somewhat confusedly, not sure what to think of our interaction or which statements to take at face value.
Daisy's mood improved, my goal achieved, I stand up, dusting my knees. "Alright. Shall we see our new property? There's still work to be done around it."
Everyone agrees, and we employ Diana to cross the distance quickly. The clerk shared some details regarding the building with us, but seeing is believing. Can't perfectly understand our situation without personally assessing it.
We find our new headquarters in no time, arriving in front of a small, barebones mansion. The front isn't even painted yet, displaying its dark grey structure, made of some durable rock. This isn't meant to be some royal palace, thus the materials used in construction thankfully aren't extremely pricey, reducing our costs a little. Perfect for our situation.
Daisy uses the heavy key to open the metal gate leading into the short front yard, currently fairly empty and devoid of garden decorations, and we make our way to the entrance. Unlocked in a blink, it reveals the slightly sad state of the residence hidden behind it. And that means everything is just as grey inside as it is outside. And just as empty.
Sure, things like wall lights, chandeliers, and all the necessary elements are already in place, but they can't properly shine in what looks like a bare asset from a game displayed in editing software. Just as we wanted, this place is finished with its construction, and nothing more.
"I know I shouldn't have… but I kind of expected more…" Daisy lightly scrunches her nose as her pretty eyes wander all over the entry hall.
"We solved one issue and already stand before another," Cecil comments dejectedly. "I would really like to think that throwing in a few chairs and cabinets is going to be enough to satisfy the inspectors, especially since there should be no regulations or requirements other than the integrity of the structure and its capability to be utilised, but I have a feeling they are going to search for any reason to deny us."
The princess scowls to the side. "I have to begrudgingly agree with that cur. And they aren't going to be easy to bribe, already being on that receptionist's payroll."
"We got the place, but can we even make it presentable in time?" Her kin-sister ignores the jab at her, showing a worried expression. "Going on a spending spree is easy, but getting everything delivered, set up, and so on will take a shitload of time, even with Diana and gigantic spatial storages. Just like the properties, lots of furniture is made on order, examples are placed in display cases to choose from. And we need tons of it by morning."
I scratch my head. "And even if I asked Mev, my woodworker friend, no matter how hardworking, talented, and willing she is, she won't be able to produce even a fraction of the stuff we need in such a short time. Oh, she would certainly try to the point of exhaustion, but that's not the point. Once again, we can't rely on conventional methods. Any more ideas swirling in those gorgeous heads of yours, ladies?"
Both of them peek at me with a shadow of timidness, meet each other in the middle, and twirl around with a snarl, growing pensive afterwards.
Perhaps I shouldn't find it amusing, but I can't help myself. I'll just do my best not to escalate their conflict and rivalry too much. They've been on a decent path to making up their differences as of late.
Unfortunately, our brainstorming session doesn't yield much fruit in the next quarter or so.
"Argh! Patriarch's stone ballsack, why is this so hard?!" Daisy finally breaks and kicks a nearby wall in irritation. "Damned guild! Damned Stockhawkers! I swear I'll ruin their entire lineages! Useless!"
It's clear the last bit is directed at herself as she keeps assaulting the inanimate structure in dissatisfaction. She's not used to things not going her way, especially with simple things like these. My arrival and matters connected to it might have been the first frustration. Now, there are even more cases she finds herself lacking in. Doubly so now that she's learned about my true nature and wants to do her best so that I can help her family.
"That's a good one. Didn't know princesses had it in them to swear off their respected elders." Cecil sniggers from the side, no hint of irony in her voice.
"Yeah? You think only scum from the bottom of the barrel like you know how to curse?" Daisy's face whips to the other girl, her tone not carrying much venom either. "Grandfather's stock rock cock! Grandmother's cavernous clay cunt! Mother's tungsten tattered tits! Want me to go on? I can conjure these all day!"
Her outburst brings Cecil to laugh openly, both of them smiling. Even I smirk a little watching them bicker playfully, then something she said hits me.
Conjure…
"I mean, that could work?" I mutter to myself, still loud enough to make the duo pause, turning to me.
"How can cursing help get us furniture?" Daisy tilts her head at me adorably.
I snort a tad. "No, not that. Conjuration. Magic. Or rather, innate abilities."
"I'm not sure I follow." Cecil scrunches her cute nose.
"I hope I'm not digging too deep into racial stereotypes, pardon the pun, but Dwarves generally appreciate stoneworks, right?" I carefully say.
"Not entirely wrong." Daisy looks like she doesn't want to agree, but also doesn't want to lie to me. "Why?"
"What do you think about decorating this place with rock and stone?" I spread my arms to the sides. "Not in a shabby way, of course. As finely and intricately as possible. Instead of applying another style, use this natural state to create something unique. Sure, we would still need cushions for seats and such, but this would reduce our furniture needs by like ninety percent."
They share a glance before coming back to me.
"How, exactly? Stone is even harder to process and transport than wood, taking even longer to wrap things up." Cecil doesn't hide her doubts.
"Like this." I snap my fingers, and a feminine figure emerges from the stone floor by my side. "My lovely Ianthe, did you catch our conversation?"
"But of course, Den Master." The mesmerising Oread smiles charmingly, proudly displaying her ashen charms. "You wish to know if my sisters can fulfil your wish in time, don't you?"
Without waiting for a response, she flicks her wrist sensually, and a cube of rock rises from the ground. All of us watch as it shifts and morphs until it forms one of the most intricate sofas I've ever seen. It already looks unbelievably comfy, even with the fake cushions. The style is worthy of a king, which doesn't surprise me considering how she perceives me.
"Is this level of attention to detail sufficient for your desires, Den Master?" She searches my face for approval or rejection, hoping to have done a good job.
"I think we should ask the experts." I nod towards the short pair. "Not that I don't consider you and your kin as experts already, of course."
Ianthe allows herself a seductive chuckle. "I understand, Den Master. We might be experts in mineral manipulation, but we are no craftsmen. Then, dear Dwarf sisters, do you think my work is passable in front of true artisans?"
"I could count sculptors of similar talent that I've seen on one hand if not less," Daisy exclaims in awe.
"Aye." Cecil just nods with wide eyes. "That shit is prime. Father's personal office doesn't have anything as fancy. Can't speak for the Grand Patriarch, though."
"Trust me, he would pay a fortune for this thing," the princess adds.
"Then, that's it." I clasp my hands together. "Can I rely on your group to finish this entire place? I know that's a lot of work. And I've been doing nothing but throwing tedious tasks at you since the village."
"My master, we are more than happy to make use of our gifts in your name." Ianthe bows respectfully, bringing one palm to her captivating chest. "The girls are excited to help with anything."
"I'll never be able to pay you ladies back enough." I shake my head with a grin. "But, I guess I have some ideas of how to reduce that debt now and then."
Sensing the hidden note in my words, Ianthe nibbles on her bottom lip. After just one step from me, she's wrapping her arms around my frame and eagerly offering herself. I show my appreciation with a deep kiss that makes her sigh blissfully into our connection, my fingers kneading her tender ass.
Remembering that we do have an audience, I step back without getting too serious, and turn to my Dwarf companions, one with a quite intense expression, and the other red from embarrassment.
"You two know much more about this than I do, so can I ask you to assist them with designs for each room and their purposes?" I ask. "That will allow us to split work and finish faster."
"Sure." Cecil nods instantly, Daisy inclining her head more reservedly.
"Great. Another problem solved." I smile at them gratefully. "That should leave only one. Though, I'm hoping you will say it isn't an issue."
"What else is there?" Daisy gets a hold of herself and meets my gaze.
"I'm the only member of the company here right now. Will that make things difficult too?" I raise a curious brow at them.
Once more, the girls share a glance and grimace almost at the same time.
"I wouldn't put it past them by this point, even if it's within the rules," the princess replies.
"Agreed," the mercenary supports her statement. "But, I should be able to convince at least a few Tempest Wolves to transfer even today. And there's myself too. I hope I can consider myself part of the force already?"
She gazes up at me guiltily for making such an assumption, yet still expectant.
"I trust you." I reach out to pat her head. "But, when it comes to others, I wasn't all joking about a special training regime. Not everyone can make it into our squads. And, to be perfectly honest, I'm not the one who handles selection. Even if my word can technically override any decision, no matter if positive or negative. I just respect my instructors and their judgment. I apologise."
"No, no, no!" Cecil quickly waves her hand. "It's your company, you have all the right to do things your way! I'll do the training too if you want, even if none of my peers agree! I just wanted to help fill in the numbers for the inspection!"
"As I said, I've witnessed your prowess and how you handle yourself, so I can vouch for you." I chuckle softly. "You are in. I won't deny you the chance to meet the instructors, though. They are extremely serious about our image."
"It all sounds so mysterious, from selection to training. How does the entire process look inside your company, then?" Daisy inquires curiously.
"Well…" I rub my neck nervously. "Things are a little special… Or rather were… You see, before we managed to alter the slavery laws in the Human Kingdom just recently, we were managing something akin to a safe haven for unlawfully captured and abused slaves from other races… Which also doubled as a brothel for those willing to stay… And starting a mercenary company provided another option besides that or being released, which is always the main goal… So, a few of my most capable subordinates searched for suitable slaves and offered them our martial ranks, even without prior experience… Months of rigorous physical training and general studying later, twelve individuals receive the honour to create a new regiment… That's pretty much it in a short story, though things might have changed a little now that the king has abolished nonconsensual slave hunts."
They stare at me dumbfoundedly for a little while. As for me, I'm waiting for either of them to call me a bastard or abuser.
But what greets me are almost sparkling eyes of Cecil. "You provided slaves not just with martial training but even extended education? That must cost a fortune. It's almost unheard of. People usually direct their servants down one specific path."
"My companions believe that the members need at least this much to represent my face." I smile wryly. "I do think that some things are too much… but I can't ignore the results. Eden Beta, the second regiment, turned out on an equal level to the king's royal guard, I would say, hah."
"Recruiting slaves instead of random people is a wise move. You don't have to worry about loyalty or insubordination while holding their contracts. It's not that rare to buy a few to fill up the ranks, but they mostly end up as meatshields rather than proper members." Daisy strokes her chin thoughtfully, then peers up at me. "Since all we need are numbers to satisfy, why don't you pick a few slaves now, dress them the part for the inspection, and send them to train after we pass? It follows your usual procedure, and you gain time to settle your company while they are taught, able to solve the occasional issues that might show up in the meantime?"
Ah, right. I forgot that both of them are kind of highborns. The prospect of slaves and servants is a bit different in their eyes.
But…
"How does slavery exactly work in these lands?" I inquire.
"Most likely just like back at your home, minus the unlawful capture and dealing," Cecil answers. "The crown controls the slave market thoroughly. Rules of servitude and additional clauses vary from person to person, just like their origin, be it financial, legal, criminal, or voluntary."
"I guess that's not an entirely bad idea…" I give it a moment of consideration. "But, while my mate is constantly looking forward to me getting to know more Dwarves other than her, I think I should first at least discuss this with her and my instructors. Ah, if it wasn't obvious before, our forces are made up solely of females."
They stare at me for a few seconds in silence.
Daisy finally snorts. "Pervert."
"Thankfully, Father only allows me to surround myself with women if they aren't under his thumb, so Tempest Wolves are mostly female too." Cecil chuckles. "Some even prefer calling them Tempest Bitches, but they don't appreciate it much."
"Okay, thanks for all the ideas, Cecil, Daisy. First things first, the building. I'll leave you two and the Oreads here and get in touch with Sirgia. Can I count on you?" I peer deep into their eyes.
The adventurous lady salutes to her chest within a blink. Seeing that, the princess copies her a bit more awkwardly, her freckled face set in similar determination. I give them a big smile, which causes her to blush slightly.
Without further ado, I summon Diana and jump into the shadows with her. The last thing my eyes catch is the sight of Ianthe's tribe surfacing in the lobby. In just a moment, we are back in front of the Pleasure Queen. Following the thread leading me to my lovely little Dwarf, I walk upstairs and catch Sirgia actually taking a short break for once. She has felt my presence and greets me with a loving hug the moment I enter her vicinity.
"Master, how did it go?" This sweet workaholic wastes no time asking about my day.
I sit down on the nearby couch and pull her into my lap, allowing my little wife to snuggle into my chest. "A lot happened. Like, a lot lot. No complications on your side?"
She shakes her head. "Smooth sailing since you left, Master. I assume not so much for you three."
"First of all, I might have involved you in a little bit of a technological deal without consulting you beforehand," I admit guiltily.
Sirgia giggles quietly, pressing a kiss to my cheek. "I can't wait to hear about it, Master. If it comes from you, I'm sure it's another entertaining idea."
So, I tell her about our day from start to finish, including the cooperation with the cart-producing clan. I have to employ lots of kisses to stop her brilliant mind from diving right into the topic, fascinated by what I tell her, and also already experienced from working on the carriages back home to make them as comfortable for our girls as possible. We go through the rest of the events and conversations until I reach the recent development.
"Good thinking with the stone furniture, Master." My dear mate praises me honestly. "We'll chime in with Mevana and Niel to make the place even more splendid. As for the members of the mercenary corps… Picking from local slaves is also a decent prospect that matches our usual process… But… There might be a much easier solution if you need verified numbers quickly."
"Oh? And what is it?" I run my fingers through her fragrant hair as we talk.
"The gate in my family's compound is pretty much done. I just need to add finishing touches, and we can turn it on right away," she reveals shyly, as if worried that I might be angry at her for not letting me know earlier.
"You are such a capable little Dwarf." I pepper her soft cheeks with a myriad of pecks. "How does that help, though?"
Forcing down the giggles evoked by my attack, Sirgia gently pushes my face away, her eyes avoiding mine as she peers into the floor. "You see… Shortly after we departed from the village… Half of Eden Beta was sent on a… practice mission… to deliver supplies there… Lyona thought it useful for them to gain experience with longer, out-of-nation journeys, and our discovery of the mountain passage provided a great opportunity… As far as I know… They are still there… So we could fetch them at any moment… And they would definitely be more than overjoyed to serve directly under you again…"
I gape at her in silence as she sneaks timid peeks at me, hastily escaping down again as soon as our eyes meet.
"That's… convenient." I smirk delicately, which for some reason makes her tense up. "Luck must be on our side for once."
"Y-Yeah…" Sirgia laughs melodically. "And I'm sure you would love to see your mom again, right, Master?"
"You little…" I tickle her sides, making her laugh even more. "So, that was your objective all around, huh? You beautiful vixen."
We fall onto the sofa while chuckling and giggling, me on the bottom and Sirgia on top of me. She peers into my eyes with heavy breaths after I stop tormenting her. I can't help but notice increasing warmth passing into my crotch through the material of my pants, clearly coming from her feminine core. She is aware of it too, her dainty cheeks growing crimson.
Leaning into a long, passionate kiss, I then stroke a strand of hair behind her ear. "Should I show you my appreciation for everything?"
Sirgia's panties grind over my bulge a few slow times before she sighs with a small shiver. "I… I can wait… Until the night… To receive Master's love… We should focus on the important matters first…"
Taking a moment to make sure that is what she truly wants, I sit us up, still keeping her in my lap. "Are the needs of one of my first mates not an important matter?"
She glances down at her hiked-up maid skirt, which shows our intimate connection, then strongly shakes her head, not as an answer but to clear her mind from the salacious haze.
"I… I won't say no if Master wants to… But…" Sirgia whispers into my collar.
Seriously. How can these girls be so selfless?
"Sorry. I won't tempt you any more." I place a chaste kiss on her forehead. "Let's take care of our things and get that gate working. I'm looking forward to it as much as you do, I promise."
Gracing me with a stunning smile, she brings me one last peck on the cheek and moves off with my help. From there, she practically drags me away, filled with thrilling excitement.
If I didn't know her any better, I would think something much bigger drives her forward than the prospect of setting up long-range spatial travel between nations.
But, there's nothing else in this world that makes this bundle of passionate workaholism this lively than her interest in magical artefacts.
No chance.