After stepping through the dimensional gate, Hoshimi Miyabi finally understood what Victor meant by "far, but not far."
This wasn't the same world.
She'd figured it out through careful observation.
This world had developed technology similar to her original one, but it lagged behind significantly in most areas. More importantly, in her world, the widespread Hollow explosions had saturated the air with ether particles, invisible to most but unmistakable to a Void Hunter with her sensitivity.
The air here was completely clean. No ether contamination at all.
Those two details alone confirmed it: she'd crossed into another world entirely.
The revelation only made her more curious about her new master.
"Ah, this must be Miss Miyabi!"
Shinobu and the others had been waiting in the living room for quite some time. Belle had already sent word through the group chat that Miyabi would be following Victor home, so her arrival came as no surprise. In fact, they'd prepared a warm welcome.
"Who are you?" Miyabi asked, slightly startled. She didn't recognize any of these people. How did they know her name?
"My name is Shinobu. You can call me Shinobu, or just Shinobu, whichever feels comfortable."
"I'm her older sister, Kanae."
"Kanao Tsuyuri."
"Kujo Sara. Nice to meet you! Also, can I touch your ears?"
"Erina."
"Hisako Arato."
"Krul Tepes. You can just call me Krul."
The girls introduced themselves one by one.
Victor added, "Except for Erina, Hisako, and Kanao, the others are my wives, that is, your mistresses."
"Not yet," Kanao corrected quietly, her voice barely audible as she disagreed with Victor's introduction.
Victor just smiled at her protest.
After hearing the introductions, Miyabi showed genuine surprise. So many mistresses? Let's see... counting Belle from Sixth Street, that made five total.
That seemed... excessive.
She hadn't expected her master to be such a playboy. Still, Miyabi found she didn't mind. After all, it was perfectly normal for powerful men to attract many women. If anything, it spoke to Victor's strength and appeal.
Except for Krul, the other girls quickly warmed to Miyabi. Worried she might feel uncomfortable arriving alone in a strange place, they pulled her aside to chat and learn about this new world.
While the girls were getting acquainted, Krul quietly tugged Victor out of the living room.
"What's wrong? Where are you taking me?" Victor asked, though he had his suspicions.
Krul blushed slightly and rolled her eyes at him. "You know exactly where. Time to pay your taxes!"
The once-proud vampire queen had become remarkably shameless under Victor's continuous... education. Of course, this boldness only showed itself when they were alone. In front of others, she maintained her cold, aloof demeanor.
Time passed quietly, day by day.
More than two weeks had gone by since Miyabi arrived at the manor. During that time, Victor had devoted most of his attention to training her. Occasionally, when Erina and Hisako had free time, he'd ask them to spar with Miyabi as well.
After all, the three of them were at roughly the same cultivation level, and Miyabi's combat experience made her an excellent training partner for the two aspiring chefs.
[Gu Yuena: @Victor, are you there?]
A notification sounded in the chat group just as Victor finished Miyabi's morning training session.
[Victor: Of course. What's up?]
[Gu Yuena: Do you want a maid? I'll give you one for free!]
[Victor: A maid? What maid?]
[Gu Yuena: Remember that hundred-thousand-year-old rabbit? I've finished training her, and I'm giving her to you.]
[Victor: Yes! Absolutely! I'll come get her right away!]
Gu Yuena was truly wonderful, she'd even trained the rabbit specifically for him! While she likely had her own reasons for wanting to please him, Victor certainly wasn't about to refuse when it came to beautiful women. He'd always had a generous acceptance policy in that department.
Thinking back to Xiao Wu's adorable appearance made Victor feel a flutter of anticipation. She was already a beauty in her current form, but in a few years, she'd be absolutely stunning. And then he could dress her up as his personal bunny girl!
Hehehehe...
With that delightful thought in mind, Victor wasted no time. He immediately opened a dimensional gate and stepped through to his medicine garden in the Spirit Hall Continent.
The garden had undergone dramatic changes since his last visit. Several luxurious buildings now surrounded the hot springs, and the previously haphazard arrangement of spiritual herbs had been reorganized into neat, orderly sections. Even plants of the same species had been transplanted together and grouped into dedicated areas.
Clearly, Dugu Bo had been taking his role as "caretaker" very seriously, working diligently to maintain the garden.
Sensing Victor's arrival, Gu Yuena flashed through space and appeared at his side instantly. Next to her stood Xiao Wu, dressed in a black-and-white maid outfit, looking like something straight out of an anime.
The young rabbit girl stood timidly behind Gu Yuena, occasionally stealing glances at Victor with barely concealed uneasiness and fear written across her delicate features.
Heaven knew how terrified she'd been when she learned that the Silver Dragon King intended to give her away to this... this murderer! Her little heart had nearly stopped!
Still, she couldn't resist the Silver Dragon King's orders, so she'd been forced to accept reality. Now she could only pray that this killing god wouldn't actually kill her, and that he wouldn't... break her completely.
After living in human society for a few years, she'd learned exactly how twisted some nobles could be.
As for revenge? She didn't even dare entertain such thoughts. Although initially she'd harbored intense hatred toward Victor, the man who'd killed her mother, Gu Yuena's "training" had long since extinguished that flame. After all, her feelings for her mother weren't as deep as they would become later in life, after more time together.
"Go ahead," Gu Yuena said, glancing at Xiao Wu beside her.
"Yes, my lady."
Xiao Wu nodded obediently, then walked toward Victor with small, hesitant steps. When she stood before him, she bowed slightly in the practiced manner of a proper maid. "Xiao Wu greets her master."
Victor nodded approvingly. "Stay by my side for now. I'll take you back with me shortly."
"Yes, Master."
"Then I won't disturb you further," Gu Yuena said. She'd completed her task, and she had cultivation to attend to. Without waiting for a response, she vanished in a flash of silver light, returning to her private chambers to continue her practice.
Victor brought Xiao Wu along as he made his way to the section of the medicine garden where the spiritual herbs grew. There, he found Dugu Bo and his granddaughter Dugu Yan, both busy fertilizing and weeding the precious plants.
"Master Victor, you've returned!" Dugu Bo called out upon noticing the approaching footsteps. He turned around, and seeing it was indeed Victor, quickly set down his tools and knelt on one knee before him, speaking with undisguised respect.
Even Dugu Yan followed her grandfather's example, kneeling respectfully.
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