As the hum of the private jet filled the luxurious cabin, Akiyama Ren activated the massage chair and leaned back, placing a silky eye mask over his face.
Noticing this, Liliana quietly approached, a gentle concern in her eyes. "Ren-sama, are you tired? Would you like me to give you a proper massage instead?" she offered softly.
No matter how cutting-edge the technology, a machine could never replicate the warmth and subtle touch of a person—especially a beautiful girl.
Ren lifted his eye mask slightly, giving her a relaxed smile. "Mm. Sounds good. Let's move to the inner room."
"Y-Yes!" Liliana nodded, a faint blush dusting her cheeks. She led him to the private suite in the rear of the aircraft.
Inside was a room that exuded opulence: a massive bed over two meters wide, plush sheets, a flat-screen TV on the wall, and ambient lighting that set a warm, intimate mood.
Ren casually removed his coat and shoes, stretching out on the bed with a satisfied sigh. Liliana, though a little shy, followed suit. She slipped off her boots and climbed onto the bed, kneeling beside him.
With delicate fingers, she began massaging Ren's shoulders. Her touch was gentle, skillful—a combination of noble upbringing and dedication.
"Is this pressure okay, Ren-sama?" she asked timidly.
"Perfect," Ren murmured with a small smile, eyes half-lidded.
It was undeniable. A real massage, especially from a girl like Liliana, was leagues better than any chair. There was something intoxicating about her scent—a subtle floral fragrance that seemed to radiate from her skin.
As he relaxed under her touch, Ren took a moment to study Liliana properly.
She was a prodigy of the Bronze Black Cross, rivaling Erica in both strength and fame. Despite their competitive fronts, they were close friends behind the scenes. Her full name was Liliana Kranjčar, and like Erica, she had attained the rank of Great Knight at just sixteen.
Her long silver hair was tied in a high ponytail that bounced with every movement. Her deep blue eyes held both pride and gentleness. Clad in a black short dress with a sky-blue shawl, white thigh-high stockings, and stylish brown ankle boots, her outfit was both elegant and bold.
In Ren's eyes, she was exactly his type.
Liliana noticed his gaze and blushed furiously, but continued massaging with determination. Her earnest effort, mixed with her shy demeanor, made Ren admire her even more.
Unable to resist, he reached out and gently stroked her thigh over the silky white fabric.
"A-Ah!" Liliana gasped, her whole body trembling.
"Don't stop. Keep massaging," Ren ordered calmly.
"Y-Yes, Ren-sama!" she squeaked, her face now as red as a tomato.
He continued caressing her thigh absentmindedly while Liliana did her best to stay composed, even as her heart pounded wildly.
Time slipped by.
Ten hours later, the jet was soaring above the skies of China. In just three more hours, they would be landing in Osaka.
By now, Ren had drifted into a peaceful sleep, lulled by the massages.
Liliana, who had been massaging him for three hours non-stop, was nearly at her limit. Her arms sore, she whispered to Erica, Lucrezia, Princess Alice, and Arianna, requesting help.
The girls took turns massaging Ren, making sure their King remained undisturbed. Even Princess Alice, usually reserved, joined in—her expression soft as she pressed gentle hands to his back.
As the plane descended toward Osaka, Erica leaned close and nudged Ren gently. "Ren-sama, we've arrived. The plane will be landing shortly."
Ren opened his eyes, blinking lazily. "Already? Time flew."
"Yes, King. We're entering Osaka airspace now," Erica said with a nod.
Ren sat up, stretching lightly before putting on his coat and shoes.
Meanwhile, down below at Osaka International Airport, chaos had turned into strict order.
The Japan government had cleared the airport entirely. All flights were grounded for the day. The airport perimeter was locked down, surrounded by the Self-Defense Forces.
Inside the terminal stood the country's highest-ranking officials and magic leaders. Among them were Sayamiya Kaoru, head of the Tokyo branch of the History Compilation Committee, and her right-hand man, Amakasu Touma.
There were also elders of the Four Great Mystic Families: Seishuuin, Kufazuka, Sayamiya, and Renjou. High-ranking psychics from the Musashino spiritual protection society, who safeguarded Kanto, stood in a respectful formation.
All of them watched anxiously as Ren's jet touched down.
The cabin door opened.
Out stepped Akiyama Ren—handsome, calm, and exuding an unmatched aura. Behind him followed a group of strikingly beautiful girls, each with a presence that demanded attention.
Whispers immediately broke out among the Japanese high command.
"He's surrounded by women... So the rumors were true. The Seventh King enjoys female company."
"This could work to our advantage. We should offer him shrine maidens and elite onmyouji as gifts."
However, just as the whispers became murmurs, a chilling pressure descended.
Azril, who stood beside Ren like a shadow, stepped forward.
Her golden eyes glinted with disdain as she addressed the gathered leaders.
"How dare you speak so casually in the presence of the God King? Insolence!"
With a mere flick of her will, a crushing spiritual force swept across the tarmac.
One by one, Japan's highest officials and sorcerers were forced to their knees.
"B-Baka na...! This aura...!" someone choked out.
"Presumptuous mortals!" Azril's voice rang like a divine bell, sharp and absolute. "Insolence before Ren-sama shall not be tolerated."
Even the most seasoned elders of the Great Clans were trembling. Cold sweat soaked their collars. Their knees refused to lift from the ground.
The Seventh King was beyond comprehension.
If even his maid could wield such devastating power, then how terrifying must the King himself be?
Erica, Liliana, Lucretia, and Princess Alice exchanged uneasy glances.
It was the first time they had witnessed Azril fully unleash her strength.
If Azril, a celestial maid of the Flügel, could suppress an entire gathering of political and magical elites with a single burst of divine pressure, then what of Jibril-san, who shared her heavenly lineage? And Schwi-chan, the emotionless mechanical girl with unknown parameters—what kind of force lay hidden beneath her gentle demeanor?
It became painfully clear to the girls: their Master wasn't just strong—he was an apex existence. And those who served by his side weren't mere retainers, but world-shaking beings in their own right.
Even Erica and Liliana, both proud and elite knight-magicians of the Bronze Black Cross, felt an unshakable pressure settle over their hearts. As fellow maid guards, they realized just how far they had yet to go. The gap was no longer merely between themselves and Ren-sama, but also with those who flanked him in loyal servitude.
"O-Oh honored Ren-sama, we—we are unworthy! Please forgive us!" The high-ranking officials of the Japanese government and the heads of the magical organizations fell to their knees, their heads pressed to the ground.
It was the scene of absolute subjugation. No pride, no resistance. The moment Azril's divine aura hit them, all sense of superiority had evaporated. Gone were the cool bureaucrats and noble magi; in their place were trembling mortals before a god.
Ren sighed lightly. "Azril, that's enough. Give them a little scare, not a heart attack."
"As you command, Ren-sama." Azril gracefully reined in her divine pressure. The atmosphere instantly lightened, though a lingering tension remained in the air like residual lightning after a storm.
The kneeling officials gasped with relief, but none dared move.
Ren clicked his tongue and waved his hand dismissively. "Tch. Stand up already. You're not statues. Don't kneel like turtles flipped on their backs—it's unsightly."
"Y-Yes! Right away!" The officials and magi scrambled to their feet, lining up respectfully to form a human corridor as Ren and his entourage exited the airport like royalty.
Outside, a gleaming fleet of Rolls-Royces awaited.
Phantoms, Cullinans, Ghosts—even a custom Wraith. Each one an ultimate symbol of luxury and status. The Japanese government clearly pulled out all the stops.
Ren casually selected a black Phantom and slipped into the backseat, joined by Azril, Jibril-san, and Schwi-chan. The girls tried to follow, but the seats were already full.
"Ughh, seriously? Baka Jibril, you took my spot!" Erica-san grumbled, pouting adorably.
"Fufufu~ Too slow, Erica-senpai," Jibril teased, resting her head on Ren's shoulder like a smug cat.
With no choice, Erica-san, Liliana-san, Lucretia-san, Princess Alice, and Arianna boarded a Cullinan nearby.
As the convoy rolled out, Self-Defense Forces cleared the streets ahead, forming a mobile royal procession. Traffic halted for blocks as flashing lights and military vehicles guided the Rolls-Royces straight to Osaka's most prestigious luxury hotel.
Even the traffic lights bowed to Ren-sama's arrival.
Inside the Phantom, Ren observed the spectacle. "Man... the Japanese sure know how to grovel when it counts."
Ten minutes later, they arrived.
The hotel—ordinarily reserved for diplomats, billionaires, and heads of state—had been entirely cleared. No guests remained. No staff unrelated to Ren's entourage.
It was his domain now.
Rather than splitting into multiple rooms, Ren had the hotel open up its top-tier presidential suite. A full-floor residence with a dozen interconnected bedrooms, multiple lounges, and a panoramic city view. Spacious enough to house his entire harem—er, group—comfortably.
After dropping off their belongings, the girls stretched, stomachs rumbling in unison.
Fourteen hours on a plane, and airplane food just didn't cut it.
"Ughhh~ I want meat! Medium rare steak!" Lucretia-san whined, clutching her stomach.
"W-We only had snacks on the plane... It wasn't enough," Princess Alice added softly, her cheeks faintly pink.
Ren shrugged. "Let's go eat then. I'm not that hungry, but hey—good food is still worth enjoying."
With that, they descended to the hotel's private restaurant.
A small army of chefs awaited them—elite masters from all over the world. China, France, Italy, Spain... Each one handpicked, each one a culinary virtuoso.
"Oooh~ They even brought Chef Morita from Shanghai! That's the guy who made roasted duck float like a phoenix once!" Arianna whispered excitedly.
Ren waved his hand magnanimously. "Order whatever you like. Go wild."
The girls beamed, flipping through the ornate menus like children at a candy shop.
As for Ren, he gave the head Chinese chef a mischievous smile and listed his orders:
"Wensi Tofu. Boiled Cabbage in Clear Broth. Squirrel-shaped Mandarin Fish. Soup-Filled Yellow Croaker. Three-Layered Duck. Buddha Jumps Over the Wall."
After the Chinese chef saw the array of dishes Akiyama Ren-sama had ordered, he broke into a strained smile, beads of sweat trailing down his temples.
"Mou... this is gonna be a pain," he muttered under his breath. He wasn't trying to be disrespectful—but seriously, Chinese cuisine was like a bottomless abyss of complexity!
China's culinary tradition spanned thousands of years, divided into the Eight Great Regional Cuisines, each with countless subcategories. To master even one school was already a lifetime achievement. But to fully master all eight? That was the stuff of culinary legends!
And of course, Ren-sama had unknowingly ordered dishes that belonged to various major schools. The elegant Wensi Tofu hailed from the meticulous Huaiyang style under Su Cuisine. The light and fragrant Boiled Cabbage in Clear Soup was rooted in Sichuan Cuisine. Buddha Jumps Over the Wall was the pride of Fujian Cuisine. These weren't recipes that just any chef could prepare.
Ren-san glanced over, noticing the troubled expression clouding the chef's face. "What? Can't make them?" he asked casually, not unkindly.
"I can make them, Ren-sama! But... I'm not highly skilled with Buddha Jumps Over the Wall. That dish needs hours to slow-cook properly. I worry it will take too long and not meet your expectations," the chef answered honestly.
Ren nodded thoughtfully. "Then skip that one. What's your specialty?"
"Su Cuisine! I trained under a master from Yangzhou, Ren-sama!"
"Ohh? Then switch Boiled Cabbage for Lion's Head. That works better, ne?" Ren-sama said, his tone relaxed. His understanding demeanor instantly put the chef at ease.
"Hai! Right away! Please give us a moment!" the chef responded with a bow and hurried back into the kitchen.
Erica-san, who had been silently watching the entire exchange, leaned toward Ren with curiosity sparkling in her crimson eyes. "China has so many cooking styles? Like, that many different schools?"
"Mm, more than you can count. If you tried a different dish every day, you still wouldn't finish them all in a lifetime," Ren said with a chuckle.
"Uwahh~ That's amazing! I wanna visit China when we get the chance!" Erica squealed, clinging onto Ren's arm.
Her overly bouncy assets—affectionately nicknamed her 'big white rabbits' by jealous rivals—pressed shamelessly against Ren's arm, eliciting a sensation of softness and elasticity that was frankly criminal.
The other girls all shot her death glares.
"That shameless kitsune…!" Liliana-san thought bitterly.
Azril narrowed her eyes menacingly, her blood-red pupils glowing faintly. That woman had dared to rub her impure body against Master! Unforgivable! If it weren't for Ren's strict orders not to hurt normal humans, she'd have already smote her down with divine lightning.
"All right, all right, I get it. We'll visit when we have time," Ren said, patting Erica's head.
"Yatta!" Erica-san beamed triumphantly, sticking her tongue out playfully at the other girls. She basked in her moment of perceived victory like a smug queen.
Lucrezia-san, her patience worn thin, smirked and said, "Ara ara~ Erica-san, why don't we spar a bit after dinner? It might help with digestion, ne~?"
Erica's eyes gleamed. "I've always wanted to see how the Witch of Sardinia fights. Don't go crying when you lose, Lucrezia-senpai~"
Tension crackled between the two, while Princess Alice sipped her tea with the calmness of a chess grandmaster observing foolish pawns.
As the girls traded banter, the master chefs got to work behind the glass-panel kitchen. The open layout allowed everyone to witness the entire cooking process with clinical precision.
Clean, orderly, and almost theatrical in execution, the chefs began their ballet. Live seafood and fresh vegetables were dispatched and prepared with dazzling knife skills.
For the Squirrel-Shaped Mandarin Fish, the chef caught and filleted a live mandarin fish right in front of them. Each slice was precise, and when deep-fried, the fish's shape resembled a leaping squirrel.
Meanwhile, the Wagyu steak Erica had ordered was cut from a freshly prepared slab, still slightly twitching when brought out. The marbling shimmered with a buttery glow. Ren didn't witness the cow's fate, but even he was impressed by how fresh everything looked.
Arianna-san, ever the diligent one, stared fixedly at the chef preparing Su Cuisine. Her eyes were practically laser-focused, like a disciple watching a sensei during sword training.
She had been researching Chinese cuisine nonstop since learning of Ren-sama's preferences. For her, this was not just dinner—it was an opportunity for culinary enlightenment.
After a whirlwind of sizzling oil, swirling ladles, and fragrant steam, the final dishes were presented.
One by one, the dishes arrived at their long dining table: glistening Lion's Head meatballs in clear broth, steaming Wensi Tofu so delicate it danced with every breath, perfectly crisp Squirrel Fish, and more.
The girls' eyes sparkled as they stared at the feast. They were already drooling.
Ren-sama tried his first bite of Lion's Head and nodded in approval. "Mm. Not bad at all. This guy really knows Su Cuisine."
Even as a former Jiangsu native himself, he couldn't find fault with the chef's rendition. The flavor was rich yet subtle, and the texture of the tofu was practically divine.
Since Western cuisine was served individually, the girls finished their steaks quickly and cast hungry glances at Ren's shared Chinese dishes.
He raised an eyebrow and chuckled. "You don't have to stare. Just dig in, girls."
"Hai!" came the chorus of delighted responses.
With no need for further permission, they descended like ravenous wolves. Everyone fell in love with Wensi Tofu—it was the star of the meal. The silky tofu practically melted in their mouths.
Even Schwi, the little mechanical girl, gave a quiet "Delicious" with her expressionless face.
After the feast, Ren and his harem returned to the massive presidential suite upstairs.
Downstairs, the restaurant manager and staff all collapsed into chairs, exhausted but relieved.
"To think we'd serve the Seventh King himself... Hahh... What a terrifyingly beautiful entourage," one whispered.
Another nodded fervently. "More like terrifyingly divine! Did you see the one with the wings?"
***************
Too much of the red flag here, tell me what you think because at this point, I'm akmost determined to drop this!!!
Food aside, the domineering young master trope has been increasing by chapter. I shudder to think what will happen when he goes to China.
Also, I don't like how the girls have to stick with him just because he's the big bad.
Share your thoughts, very crucial!!!