As they continued forward the group seemed to draw a lot of attention as people seemed to be throwing themselves at his group clearly trying to collect the bounty. The Weapon Master Sieg moved with lethal Hope, cutting down the would-be attackers with an artistry that stemmed from countless battles seemingly hoping for a challenge. At one point, with a glint of challenge in his eye, he even discarded his weapons entirely well saying he wanted to "test the efficacy of unarmed combat" as he disarmed and subdued a surprised foe with surprising speed. For those who sought to exploit range or to attack form the shadows, the Strategist Chio, was an invaluable counter. His gaze spotting them clearly, making use of his many years of battlefield experience to point them out. He anticipated ambushes after the announcement already making plans to counter them, calling out hidden threats before they could strike and guiding Ivy's magic with pinpoint accuracy to neutralize distant threats and stealthy assailants alike, the very few who had slipped by meeting a swift end at Saya's blade, said girl having fallen into a hushed conversation with Angel well Ash seemed to be getting to know Aria better.
Eventually the attacks began to slow, allowing the group to catch their breath. They had even managed to capture and interrogate a few 'Chaos Marauder' scouts whose bravado quickly crumbled under pressure and Saya's tender mercies when he allowed her to 'play' with them. They quickly got the location of the Marauders' main camp and, more critically, the coordinates for the Warlord's Dominion's primary base where their leader was situated. This information was exactly what they were after and earned the captives, whatever was left of them, their freedom. Word of their group's lethal competence seemed to travel at speeds beyond what they thought possible as many of the opportunistic raiders, initially tempted by the prospect of big gains quickly concluded the rewards weren't worth the risks, feeling their lives where worth more than the chance of short-term gains. Choosing to leave the group to the more desperate or larger factions.
Z, however, seemed rather put out by it. Fewer skirmishes meant fewer looting opportunities. Yet they couldn't deny that the gathered loot, regardless of their amount and value still paled when compared to what John had and, if their instincts and his words where to believed, could continue to get. A grudging smile eventually creased Z's face, followed by a rare concession: a promise to give John a fair split of the profits if he let them sell it for him.
As the sun dipped below the horizon, painting the sky in fiery oranges and deep purples, John took stock of their surroundings before announcing they would be setting up camp there for the night, his voice carrying calm authority. "It's getting late and I want us all well-rested for tomorrow especially since we haven't even had lunch, only breakfast and that already doesn't settle well with me. At our current pace, we should reach the outer perimeter of the Warlord's territory." He announced before turning to his statues and Clockworks. "Establish a tight perimeter. You," he added, pointing to a specific clockwork sentinel, "I want you to guard my resting area exclusively. If anyone approaches within the perimeter and makes it explicitly clear they are not hostile inform us and leave at least a single guard to watch them. Otherwise, eliminate them." Then, with an innocent smile, he turned to Z. "And as for you, I highly doubt you're trusting enough to let any of us borrow your personal store tent for the night to rest in right?" They narrowed their eyes, seemingly daring him to try and argue to let them sleep in their store for the night. "I thought so, in that place could you provide us with some suitable ones for everyone? Just deduct the cost from my share of the loot." There response was a low growl and narrowed eyes at first, a silent but clear protest against John's casual financial demands before, with visible irritation they began to rummage through there pack and eventually producing five deceptively small, compact bundles that were tossed onto the ground in front of him.
"Here," Z grumbled, gesturing vaguely at the bundles. "They're even self-setting. You just plop them down and they expand into a full tent that's a little bigger on the inside, sleeping bags and all essentials are already included. Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm off to my personal shop to sort through the spoils of war. And yes, I'll be making sure to deduct from your… fifty percent… no, your forty percent of the loot, just to figure out how much you still owe me." With a final, suspicious glance Z seemed to climb into their bag, leaving only an echo of their grumbling that quickly faded.
John watched Z disappear, then turned to the group. "Alright, standard allocation: two per tent. So, Aria and Angel, you two share one will share one. Our strategist Chio and Sieg will take another. Ivy and Hope, the third tent is yours and lastly Ash and Saya, you'll be sharing the fourth. That leaves one for me." He paused, sweeping his gaze across their faces. "Any objections or problems with the current arrangements?" Aria's hand shot up almost as soon as he finished talking.
"Could we sleep with you Master?" Aria purred, her gaze melting into a feigned innocent shyness as she subtly shifted, pressing her arms beneath her bust to try and accentuate her curves in a deliberate display to tempt him. "We would definitely feel safer that way… and maybe we could have some fun as well?" Her voice was a low and suggestive murmur. Angel seemed to take this moment to chime in. "This one would greatly enjoy it as well. The proximity between this one and Master being small would greatly increase the bond between us. Its only logical, is it not?"
John rubbed his temples as a sigh threatening to escape. He glanced at the pair before his gaze flickered to Ivy and Hope who he noticed casting quick, hopeful glances at him. He sensed a similar silent desire from Ash and Saya, a collective will to bend his decision though they lacked the brazenness or convenient 'safety' excuse causing him to let out a actual sigh now. "Firstly," John began, his voice firm, "the two of you are among the strongest individuals here if earlier was any indication." He pressed on, preempting any further arguments. "Secondly, I have… issues… when I sleep and I wouldn't want to disturb you." He told them but noticed that none of his arguments where accepted, there determination clearly still set in stone. "Lastly, I hardly know any of you beyond a few days, even shorter in regards to our new additions. So no, I will be sleeping on my own."
Angel though was undeterred, tilting her head as she seemed to narrow her eyes. "This one feels that is all the more reason Master should allow them to reside within the same tent. It would prove to be safer for Master, to have strong guardians nearby during moments of vulnerability and allow Master to grow closer to us." She managed an almost imperceptible puff of her chest, a hint of pride in her own unwavering logic. The argument devolved into a stubborn back-and-forth between John and the girls but as it went on, he knew he was destined to lose this argument but still tried his best. Eventually, he threw up his hands in surrender, unwilling to waste more energy on a pointless argument. "Fine! Do as you like," he conceded, his tone laced with exasperation. "But I'm warning you again: I have issues with sleep. I will not be responsible for whatever may happen during that time." His warning was met with a chorus of seemingly smug, triumphant looks being exchanged between them. 'at least it brought them closer.' He thought to himself as he busied himself with setting up a small fire and cooking spot.
The aroma of a simple meal, cooked over a crackling fire, courtesy of Z's surprisingly practical provisions he had bought before leaving. filled the evening air. As they ate, the initial stiffness of the group slowly melted away, replaced by a tentative camaraderie. Even Z had left there pack demanding a large share of the food claiming they needed to replenish their strength to continue sorting through the loot he had dumped on them, but even so he could see the amusement in their eyes, clearly not bothered and instead quite excited.
The quiet evening offered a rare opportunity to truly get to know one another. Sieg spoke first, his voice rumbling as he spoke about his home, it sounded to John like it was a true world of fantasy, teeming with vicious beasts, undead and insidious demons that corrupted humans. He recounted being on the losing side of a desperate war, his city falling to demonic assault the opposing kingdom had brought down upon them and being taken as a spoil of war before being sold into servitude that eventually led him here.
Chio soon followed, telling them how his world knew no magic, but was instead governed by the subtle energies of spirit stones and 'chi,' the very essence of strength and cultivation being the dominant force. He told them how it was a society obsessed with power and whoever had the bigger fist was the one in charge, how he was born unable to cultivate beyond the most basic stages causing him to be perpetually looked down upon. Denied physical prowess, he honed his mind instead, slowly climbing the ranks through sheer intellect and helping his chosen lord refine his own power and control till they became a royal power, only to be cruelly betrayed by them when they felt he had lost his usefulness, casting him into slavery and eventually into John's care just like the rest of them.
The sisters seemed to remain guarded though as they spoke in soft whispers at first before deciding to share a little of what they had went through well clinging a little closer to each other for support, their gazes wary as Ivy's frequently darted towards the men yet something seemingly different came forward when they landed on him. They took turns explaining how they were forced into war, raised as weapons and all but brainwashed and taught from young that there only purpose was to be used. It was only due to Hope developing a thirst for knowledge and books that they learnt what was happening to them. How right before a large invasion they had tried to flee only to be captured, there captor using the malls slave market as a means to get them gone. The promised to share more when they felt more comfortable before once more whispering to one another. Angel and Aria were, perhaps, the most enigmatic. They remained tight-lipped about their origins and why they had chosen to go with him, stating only that their history was 'personal' and that they would only entrust it to their Master once they had more time to observe and judge if their choice to follow him was the correct one. At this, he simply nodded, an understanding smile on his face, assuring them there was no pressure and he wouldn't push them for details. This unexpected display of patience and respect earned him a strange, almost surprised look from the pair, seemingly having expected him to press them.
Z, meanwhile, seemed entirely preoccupied with the food, occasionally interrupting to try and make offers to 'acquire' some of his mall items, the beast cores and magic stones there main focus much to John's amusement as he just smiled and declared everything had a price, causing Z to growl in theatrical frustration, undoubtedly already calculating new exorbitant fees.
Soon after the meal and ensuring the statues and clockworks where patrolling as ordered, John retreated to his recently set up tent, liking how much space there was inside before finding himself face-to-face with an inevitable reality. Climbing into his sleeping bag, he saw the girls come in one by one with their own sleeping bags. True to their word and expanding their interpretation of 'you' beyond Angel and Aria, all the girls had seemingly decided his tent was the safest or most interesting place to be. Their excuses, when he asked why it was everyone over only Angel and Aria ranged from not wanting to be alone to a collective desire to 'protect' their Master and even, as Aria winked mischievously, 'a form of test to see if his strength of will would be enough to resist temptation.' He should have known this was coming though with the way Chio and Sieg had been sending him amused looks before turning in. Hw, however, just accepted it. He knew that attempting to argue against a united front of strong, determined women was a battle he could never win, having lost once already earlier. So with a resigned sigh, he simply positioned his sleeping bag against one side of the tent, turning his back to the collection of girls who began to settle in around him, it was his silent plea for personal space in a now very crowded tent.
And just like that, despite the close quarters and the unusual company, sleep slowly took him. The familiar falling sensation enveloped him.