"Hehe, this is why I appreciate your thinking!" Nuu's laughter filled the air.
"As for Lord Oga's concern… Yes, and even the likelihood of the child surviving is questionable. Only through trial and error will we truly understand the results," Yanis said casually, not acknowledging the mental and physical strain these women would inevitably endure.
Silence permeated the air for a moment before Oga resumed the discussion. "Now, the pivotal question remains: which Mertaru woman would be willing to engage in such a unique arrangement with us?"
Yanis contemplated for a moment before suggesting, "I would like to begin with Lady Nasha. Based on my observations, she appears remarkably fertile, and adventurous.
Depending on how her body reacts, it should indicate whether this experiment is feasible with their race."
"Nasha, you say?" Nuu inquired.
"Yes, Milord. She's one of the women who suffered the heartache of having her children kidnapped. If we were to approach Lady Priscilla about this matter, I believe the process would proceed more smoothly with her assistance, and we might gain a larger sample size."
Oga soon interjected to raise an important point. "Shouldn't Micah be brief on his next assignment?"
Nuu responded with a hint of disdain, "Micah is a breeding slave, and that's his sole purpose until death…..Why bother involving him in such matters? He should be grateful for the privilege of being with these beautiful women. Does he dare to question?"
Oga conceded, "You may proceed as you see fit; after all, he is your responsibility." With that, Oga redirected the conversation to a different topic.
"Yanis, juggling all these projects - The Airship Enterprise, Enchanted Carousel, Vice Head of the Research Department, and Head of the Seven Shadow - is quite a formidable feat for one individual. Do you not believe you could benefit from assistance?"
"Hmm, Lord Oga, consider this: among the 700 mortals recently brought in, there might be promising talent. Permit me to screen them. If I can identify a few promising candidates, I will take on the task of training them myself."
"Let me ponder this," Oga began, contemplating their predicament. "Finding mortals with runic talent won't be easy. Perhaps it's best to recruit them from a less prestigious institution."
Nuu chimed in, trying to ease their worries. "Brother, you're overthinking it. We already have two suitable candidates."
Yanis, his interest piqued, studied Nuu with intrigue. "Someone like that among us?"
"Indeed," Nuu affirmed.
" Phi's cousin!" Oga said
"Phi's has a cousin, when did that happen?" Yanis inquired
"Those brought back by Oga..." Nuu provided a brief overview of the event at Menos' birthday. Thus clarifying the fog of confusion.
"If Sadi is as skilled as he claims, then it would reduce my workload. All I need to do is install the runes," Yanis mused, pondering. "What about the next person?"
Nuu nodded confidently. "Xena. During her time at Murdock, she dabbled in Runic studies. When she realized her lack of talent in Alchemy, she switched to that department.
Although her abilities may not match yours, Yanis, with your guidance, could fulfill the role."
Remaining skeptical, Yanis asked, "But even with Xena, is it enough?"
Nuu reassured him, his patience wearing thin. "I've already given you the solution. She possesses a talent-seeking crystal ball. You can screen seven hundred slaves using the crystal."
An hour later, Nuu sighed deeply, deep in contemplation. "What should I do for my precious little Weasel?" Oga chimed in with a thoughtful suggestion, "Perhaps we should extend an invitation for him to partake in the experimental trial.
If your assertions about Splinter's extraordinary willpower are accurate, his odds of surviving the procedure should be significantly favorable."
"Right, it's a shame you didn't have him watch Felicity being ravished; I believe that would have strengthened his resolve to gain power at all costs. Don't you agree?" Nuu grinned devilishly.
"You're truly twisted," Oga replied, shaking his head. "If you weren't my brother, I'd definitely beat you within an inch of your life."
"Cease this pretense of righteousness; you're no better than I am. Let's focus on the matter at hand. You must comprehend the proposal I'm making." The banter subsided, and both men assumed a grave demeanor.
"So, it has come to this once more," Oga remarked, his expression solemn.
"Indeed, it seems there's no other option. Should I triumph, you will give up Baba's Eternal Crystal and Yvette," Nuu stated.
"Agreed, but remember, she must remain unharmed. I require every bit of knowledge held within her Sea regarding Murdock Academy.
As long as she is alive, no one will suspect anything amiss; it's not uncommon for a professor to go missing for a decade or two," Oga explained, his gaze narrowing.
Meanwhile, he silently cursed his luck—Nori currently held the Eternal Crystal. However, revealing this fact to Nuu was not an option.
The man, gripped by an intense Oedipus complex, would undoubtedly lose his composure. One cherished memory embedded within the crystal prominently featured their late mother: Tulu.
"Hehe, you worry too much," Nuu shrugged.
"And if I emerge victorious?" Oga's smile broadened.
"I'll grant you a week with Hilda. How does that sound?" Nuu proposed.
"You're truly shameless—exchanging another man's wife for a Divine Being? Are you kidding me, Nuu? I don't need your permission to lay with your whore." Oga exclaimed.
"Hilda isn't enough; add something else!" Oga demanded.
Nuu's voice transmission resonated in Oga's mind, "I'll divulge the name of my newfound ability, and you won't be disappointed."
You're going to such lengths for Yvette, yet I can't help but feel shortchange," Oga expressed, his words trailing off.
"Sigh! How about this: I'll infuse your innate ability into that blade at your waist?" offered Nuu.
"Deal. We'll discuss its coating and appearance later," Oga promptly replied.
How could he have missed out on such a fantastic opportunity?
Though Oga had little interest in the way of the sword, he greatly admired Nuu's forging skills. How could he have passed up the chance to obtain a personalized blade?
"You, better not throw the fight!" Nuu said
"Need not worry, I'm not like you!" Oga tease
All this took place within a few breaths.
However, to Yanis's eyes, these two seemed to be intently staring each other down.
"Milord," Yanis inquired, seeking clarity amidst the confusion, "have you overlooked our true purpose here?"
"Ah, we have yet to tell him," Nuu acknowledged, realizing the necessity of sharing the complete truth.
"Inform me of what?" Yanis's curiosity was piqued, urging Oga to disclose the concealed knowledge.
"Magus Yvette has already been captured by Consort Zamira and she's currently being held in the dungeon of House Maverik," Nuu reassured Yanis.
"How?" Yanis turned to Lord Oga and hastily inquired. From the memory he traced, Yvette should have an Elemental Essence Conversion of 52%. If Zamira could easily deal with such a woman, that could only mean Lord Oga's wife was not far away from breaking into a Rank 2 Divine Knight.
"You needn't worry about the process; simply understand that it's taken care of. Three pressing matters require your attention:
The Enchanted Carousel, Informing Nori that should she fail to make a breakthrough before your return, she should brace herself for punishment instead of a reward.
Concerning the final task, we have identified the identity of this Royal Lech. We now know the man's name is Tomlin thanks to Nori's message, and his son is a favored Consort of the 2nd Princess."
"Do you require me to eliminate him?" Yanis inquired.
"Perish the idea. This is a godsend opportunity, and I won't let it slip from my grip. You're heading over there as a representative of House Thornbrick; this is an official visitation into the Royal Palace.
You're to seek an audience with Her Majesty and convey what is written within this parchment, requesting Tomlin to take down his wanted poster and issue an official apology for smearing the honor of House Thornbrick." Oga said
"Lord Oga, if I could…You're sending me to my death, aren't you? The likely chance of receiving an apology is less than 1% In fact, I would be lucky to escape with my head.
House Thronbrick at the moment has no real power, and I'm sure the Royals are already aware. " Yanis couldn't help looking at Oga wearily
" You need not worry…I'm not holding my breath for an actual apology. It's simply a probe into where the Khan Dynasty stands concerning our Household." Oga took out the official seal from his pouch.
"With this seal, your audience with the Queen Dowager should be given, it might take a week, but I believe you can endure the wait.
Remember, you represent our interests; you need not fear death, especially with your new abilities." Nuu interjected, only to continue, "Honestly, I would have loved to confront that bitch and journey with you, but Oga is concerned I might 'accidentally' flirt with the Empress and find myself imprisoned."
"....."
Once all the discussions were concluded, Oga shamelessly tucked a few additional items into Nori's bag, surreptitiously including the pilfered daggers.
"Take your time, and seize the opportunity to return to Higrave and spend some intimate moments with Jayla. Once you've completed the Enchanted Carousel, accompany Nori with 150 slaves out of the 700," reassured Oga.
"Make sure not to forget to convey my regards to Nori. Additionally, present this as a gift to the Queen Dowager," Nuu said, presenting an exquisite, well-crafted box.
Yanis couldn't help but tremble at the sight of Nuu's gift.
"If her grace inquires about our absence, inform her that House Thornbrick has prepared a gift. Deliver to her this box of dark chocolate as a gesture of apology, accompanied by a small chest of Aether, expressing our condolences for the loss of Emperor Modu." Nuu said
"Is this not Milord's semen upon the bar?" Yanis was taken aback. "Lord Oga, this..."
"You'll handle it gracefully," assured Oga, as he mentioned, "The Queen Dowager has a well-known sweet tooth; this is a novel flavor. If she craves more, Nori of the Orchid Pavilion is the one to contact." Oga's smile bore an air of helplessness.
Yanis spoke no more, proceeding towards Higrave Castle. Throughout the ensuing week, he partnered with Jayla to fulfill their assigned tasks.
The atmosphere wasn't devoid of noises — passionate, yes. Those laboring with them could only exit the room.
Soon enough Yanis departed from Higrave and set course for the Royal Capitol with a large group by his side.
Meanwhile, the unsuspecting Nori was unaware of her impending changes. Her relatively peaceful life centered around reconnaissance and harvesting young men were about to undergo a significant transformation.
Yanis presented her with a new assignment and product needed, as he took his leave to complete his next assignment.
Upon achieving his goal, Yanis departed for the inner sanctuary of the capital, where he caught the eyes of none other than the fifth Princess Mona the II. But that steamy encounter is for later.
After Yanis's departure, Nori's actions began to draw the keen interest of the 7th Prince. She swiftly moved from acquiring a villa to establishing an Auction House and an Elite Club, expanding her ventures at a rapid pace as she endeavored to keep up.
Upon encountering Yanis again, she was taken aback not only by his changed appearance but also by the elusive aura that surrounded him—clear signs that he had ascended to the rank of a Grand Knight.
Nori could only shake her head in bitterness, realizing she had to redouble her efforts to surpass him. As the retainer of the House Master, slacking off was a luxury she could ill afford.
Nori soon found herself stepping into the spotlight because of the auction of valuable goods. As the influence of the Shadow Maiden grew among the corrupt nobility, Thornbrick's wealth followed suit. However, that's a tale for another day.
After Yanis' departure, a series of intriguing events began to unfold. Let's rewind a few minutes to the conversation between Nuu and Oga.
"You can't seem to hold back, can you?" Oga jest
"Of course, the most effective approach is to create desire. Once she tastes our nectar, the woman remains a woman, doesn't she? Empress or not, she'll desire more. The best way for Nori to move freely is to have the trust of the royals.
Your original plan was decent, but mine is better and requires less time. With the establishment of a branch in the capital and having Nori lead it, we can not only make a name for ourselves but also entice those lustful noble youths. Isn't that much better than your idea of her just aligning with the 7th prince?" Nuu boasted.
"I see you've learned a lot from Nylah over the years," Oga remarked, eyeing Nuu intently. His inner thoughts were in turmoil; what Nuu was doing was no different than; what those drug cartels did in his previous world—mass-producing addictive substances.
"..."
"But that's not the only thing I've learned," Nuu replied with a cheeky smirk.
"..."
"You may not be aware, but the 7th Prince controls most of the brothels and entertainment sectors within the capital. Without his approval, none of your ideas will come to fruition... Tch Tch." Oga couldn't help but knock the wind from Nuu's sails.
"I have faith in Nori's persuasive prowess, as her master you should as well!" Nuu retorted, maintaining his smirk.
________________
Present Time
A significant pause lingered, pregnant with unspoken thoughts and uncharted territories. Oga broke the silence, steering the conversation, "Did you also catch a glimpse of 'them'?"
"Only briefly. Their shadow appeared distorted even then. But their emotions varied; some were taken aback, while a few emanated strong displeasure and hostility… It seems I'm not able to sense their location," Nuu recounted, recalling the chilling encounter.
"It would be odd if you could," Oga chuckled.
"Wait, does that mean you can?" Nuu's eyes lit up.
"Yes, but a few have already taken precautions against me. At most, I can sense 13 out of the previous 21. And among them, only a handful seem receptive and willing to comply," Oga responded.
A trace of worry crept into his voice. The fact that eight were able to swiftly block his prying eyes raised a red flag.
Nuu's expression turned grave as he grappled with this revelation. 'The remaining eight are going to be problematic? I always believed the Conquest of the Maternal Plane failed.
How are there so many of our kin still around could this be their offspring?' Nuu pondered, a sense of foreboding washing over him.
"If you were to summon those willing, would they respond?" Nuu asked, eyes reflecting a mix of curiosity and excitement.
"Yes, but I can't force them to come. The distance is too great. I would need to be at least two hundred meters to compel them to obey their King," Oga explained, considering the risks and implications.
Silence hung in the air, heavy with unspoken fears and uncertainties. Although excited about the possibility of encountering their kind, Oga recognized it as a challenging path.
"At this moment, we should refrain from engaging with them. We have just stepped into Divinity with a combined Elemental Conversion of 42%. If they come to us, so be it. But don't summon anyone," Oga advised, emphasizing caution and restraint.
"I'm not naive, brother. Relax," Nuu reassured, a flicker of irritation crossing his face.
"Alright, enough chatter. Draw your blade. Let's see what you've gained," Oga said.
"It truly has become a tradition with each breakthrough," Nuu laughed, brandishing the bloody Bonari from his chest cavity.
"Oh, your body has become its sheath," Oga marveled, his eyes fixed on Nuu's ebony wing ablaze with a brilliant white flame upon his back.
"I still can't fathom that you possess the Monarch Flame and double wings. I always imagined we'd, at the very least, have similar flames and wings. Do you think it's due to the difference in purity?" Nuu inquired.
As Nuu's gaze locked onto Oga's back, igniting into a violet flame and the black wings sprouting outward, much different from his own, he felt a profound sense of reverence and a strong pull to kneel.
As Nuu's mind wandered, he suddenly sensed Oga's fist closing in on his face.
However, Nuu's swift reflexes allowed him to parry Oga's attack, leading to a lightning-fast exchange of punches and a display of expert swordsmanship.
A fierce and intense battle erupted, filling the air with the resounding clash of metal and the relentless pounding of fists for the next half hour.
With every tightly clenched fist, Nuu felt his hands growing numb, shockwaves rippling through the air and parting the clouds.
"Damn," Nuu lamented. "Brother, your strength has doubled since our last encounter." The substantial difference in Oga's strength made each exchange increasingly arduous, akin to striking against a sledgehammer wielding 9 tons of raw power.
Soon enough, Nuu found himself hurtling through the bedrock like a cannonball. It became evident that he could no longer sustain this struggle; indeed, it was foolish to confront the demon directly.
The colossal force of the impact reverberated through the landscape, carving a crater. Nevertheless, Nuu remained far from defeat.
He offered the herculean Oga a parting gesture—a deep exhale, releasing a mist of crimson blood.