Yet, Oga could see the bitterness in Gregor's face. Though he had served his lordship for so long, Gregor still respectfully nodded and accepted the items with care.
"Lift your head, Gregor. Did you think I'd forgotten you?" Oga inquired.
"I wouldn't dare... Milord," Gregor quickly hid his thoughts.
"What I have for you is my blood essence!" Oga said. This immediately caught Gregor off guard. His body trembled in disbelief, and he fell to the floor, cowering.
"How could a lowly peasant like myself dare?" Gregor stammered.
"You're worthy of it. However, I must warn you first. Once I've given you this great boon, you'll be bound to me. I won't lie to you. The blood I possess holds the potential of reaching godhood, but since you'll become a blood kin, you will never surpass me in cultivation. Your life and death shall be at my whim. Are you willing?" Oga asked.
Gregor was even more surprised now. 'Would it not be better for his lordship to hide that fact? Or did he trust me as one of his own? This truly confused the man. Yet he took great pride in the fact that his lord did not deceive him.
And so what if he were to be asked to die? He was just a pawn, but the dream he never dared to have—becoming a Divine Knight—was now within his lord's grasp. Forget being a god. That's a distant dream' He must accept to compete with Sir. Yanis.
However, what Gregor didn't realize was that Oga was smirking throughout the process. To Oga, Gregor was merely a test subject—could he become a vessel for a hostile takeover? If so this changes the game. If he didn't have to take possession of his children, that would be ideal.
"I shall devote my soul to Milord; this humble servant is your loyal dog for eternity! You only need to point and I shall fetch!" Gregor declared.
Oga tossed the Nine Essence of the Ancient Nephilim.
A faint, ethereal chant—both angelic and demonic—drifted from the vial, audible only to those of the same bloodline.
"Once you ingest it, you will undergo the bloodline inheritance. This process may take up to a month, so prepare yourself. It is like having your bones crushed and your skin repeatedly flayed, all while lemon is rubbed onto your exposed flesh. Endure, and you will become my kin. Fail, and death will be your fate." Oga explained.
"Your loyal dog understands!" Gregor repeated, bowing deeply with his face pressed to the ground and his ass elevated toward the sky.
Oga, feeling a pang of embarrassment, decided it was time to dismiss Gregor.
"Tell Fabian to come up!" Oga instructed as Gregor was about to leave.
On this day, a miracle occurred. Gregor, a man renowned for his stern demeanor, actually smiled at the servants who greeted him.
The news of this unprecedented event spread quickly. Even Potter, who had known Gregor for decades and had never seen him smile at any of his jokes, was left speechless.
A few minutes later, Fabian walked into the office. His hair, a striking mix of white and black, framed his face, adding an unusual charm that often left women weak at the knees. His voice was rough, a characteristic of his life as a mercenary.
"You must be Oga?" Fabian asked, seating himself without waiting for an invitation, his disregard for formal etiquette evident.
An uneasy silence filled the room.
"Did you receive any formal education, Fabian?" Oga finally broke the quiet.
"Not really," Fabian replied, shrugging. "I learned what I could on the streets. But I'm guessing you didn't bring me here to discuss that?
The silence returned, heavy and uncomfortable.
Oga was baffled. The man before him seemed oblivious to the subtlety of an insult.
"Whenever you encounter a noble who isn't your equal, it's essential to address them correctly according to their gender and status," Oga instructed, striving to keep his patience in check.
"In my case, you may refer to me as Lord Oga. If you were one of my subordinates, you would call me Milord. For women, the proper titles are Milady or Lady. Is that clear?"
Fabian listened intently, though he looked perplexed.
"Why? Isn't it more straightforward just to call them by their names?" Fabian asked, genuinely puzzled.
Oga felt a strong urge to slap Fabian, but he restrained himself, knowing that Fabian's ignorance was not intentional.
"I understand you have little experience with nobles," Oga began, his voice tinged with frustration. "But what I've just told you could be crucial for your safety. And if you claim to be a bastard of the royal house, you should have learned these basics. Didn't your mother teach you?"
Fabian bristled at the implication. "Are you insulting my mother?"
"You've misunderstood me," Oga explained, trying to maintain his composure. "If what you say is true, then your mother most likely has been a maid in the imperial palace, which would mean she received formal training in dealing with nobility. Am I correct?"
Fabian's expression softened as he understood the point. "Oh, I see what you meant now. Well, my mother never served in the imperial household. She worked as a tavern wench, where she caught my father's attention….She didn't receive any formal education; people like us manage on our own."
Oga fell silent, grappling with the absurdity of the situation.
Oga murmured to himself, "You expect me to believe that a tavern wench caught the attention of that man?"
Fabian replied with a touch of arrogance, "I'll have you know my mother is very beautiful; Men line up from one street to the next just to have a moment with her—more so than your wife!"
Oga felt his anger rise, his hand instinctively clenching as if ready to turn Fabian into a mess. Yet, with a great effort, he forced himself to stay his hand. How could a lowly tavern wench compare to his wife? 'Impossible!'
"Fine," Oga said, trying to regain his composure. "Your mother is beautiful. Now, let's get down to business. Your contract with Xena expires in three months, correct? After that, you'll need to return to your family?"
"That's correct," Fabian responded with a straight face. "So, what do you need from me? I'd be willing to beg on all fours if that's what you desired!"
Oga dismissed the absurd suggestions with a wave of his hand and took a moment to think. Conversing with this man was vexing.
"Here's the deal," Oga said firmly. "For the next month and a half, I will collect your essence once a week in exchange for your freedom. What do you say?"
Fabian was silent.
"My mother always said my blood is precious and not to be given away," Fabian finally responded, only to find himself face down on the floor, gasping for air as if he were a fish out of water.
"Have you come to your senses?" Oga asked.
"Yes, Lord Oga," Fabian managed to reply, his voice strained and his eyes bloodshot.
"As for your return," Oga continued, "I plan to visit Bervin City, so I'll drop you in the nearest town….If you accept my second proposition, I can provide your cultivation resources, but you'll need to discuss it with your mother. Would you like to hear more about it?"
Fabian nodded reluctantly. For the next half-hour, Oga elaborated on the details of the offer. "I look forward to your response. If you do decide to show up, I will only wait a few days and no more…. Have Phi and Sadi come see me." Oga instructed
The robust dwarf Phi, with his flowing white hair, entered the room accompanied by Sadi, a lean and muscular halfling who could easily be mistaken for a human. Skipping any formalities, Oga gestured for them to take their seats.
"It's good to see you again, Brother Phi!" Oga greeted warmly.
"Likewise, it's been quite a while, Brother!" Phi responded with a genuine smile. His happiness for Oga and Madame Zamira was palpable; they had done more for him than he could ever have hoped. Not only had Oga provided housing for Phi's family, but he had also reunited him with his cousin.
"This should be our first time speaking, Sadi!" Oga addressed the halfling. There was no need for Oga to extend courtesies to Sadi; he was neither a cultivator nor a person of noble standing. In fact, without Phi, Sadi might have been condemned to slavery.
"I'm honored to meet you, Milord!" Sadi said hurriedly, bowing deeply. Despite Oga's calm and smiling demeanor, Sadi couldn't shake the feeling that this man was dangerous, even more so than Phi.
"You need not be nervous," Oga said, his tone reassuring. "Just do your job as Brother Phi does. First, I want to thank you for restoring my family's house." As Oga stood and offered a genuine bow to Phi, the dwarf was momentarily frightened, hastily dropping to his knees and pleading for Oga to stop.
After a few minutes, Oga unfurled a detailed blueprint covered with intricate drawings of buildings and residences. Phi stared at it, awestruck.
"You drew this yourself?" Phi asked.
"I tried; it's a little embarrassing, isn't it?" Oga replied modestly.
"Embarrassing? This is breathtaking," Phi thought, still in awe.
"How many years will it take to fulfill my dream?" Oga asked.
"Brother, this is a monumental project. Are you sure you want me to build an entire city from scratch?" Phi's voice held a mixture of excitement and disbelief.
"If not you, then who?" Oga joked. "So, how long do you think it will take?"
"Seven years at best," Phi murmured, tracing his fingers over the intricate designs.
"I'll lend you a hand," Oga declared. "Let's aim to complete it in three to five years!"
Phi considered this, finding the timeline plausible.
"Sadi, you'll oversee the shipyard. We're going to mass-produce airships. Can you handle that?" Oga asked.
"I've only worked on sailing vessels and know little about airships, but if you provide me with detailed blueprints, I can make it happen. However, if I'm not mistaken, Milord, do you have someone in mind for the power source?" Sadi replied.
"I do," Oga responded with a slight smile. "You'll have the opportunity to meet him soon." He reached into a concealed pouch and carefully withdrew a set of blueprints.
"I was fortunate enough to acquire these designs. They differ significantly from our household airship, but I find these more suitable for commercial purposes."
Oga had not merely enjoyed leisure during his visit to Bervin; he had secured the blueprints through rigorous negotiation with an elderly gentleman. Sadi's focus remained on the blueprints themselves rather than their origins. His excitement grew as he examined the intricate designs.
"This is a truly elegant creation," Sadi remarked. "The streamlined hull resembles a giant manta ray. Such brilliance! Not only does it reduce air resistance, but it should also enhance maneuverability. Lord Oga, do you know what materials were used in this design?"
"Enchanted titanium and moonstone," Oga explained. "These materials give it a shimmering, translucent quality. The moonstone will allow the airship to blend with the sky, providing partial camouflage.
I intend to mass-produce these as two-person vessels. This particular snake-like design is meant for transporting cargo, and this snowflake motif will be used for the cruise ship version."
Sadi nodded in agreement. "Do you have names for all three designs?" His gaze lingered on the snowflake-inspired model with admiration.
"Yes," Oga said proudly. "The Manta Ray, Verdant Sky Serpent, and Frostwind Glider. You needn't worry about the materials; I'll have them ready within a few months."
The three men deliberated the project's feasibility and explored potential improvements. Phi and Oga debated various ways to separate the main household from the commerce district, even considering the possibility of clearing the forest that had stood on their land for generations. Yet, Oga remained adamant about preserving it.
Eventually, Phi and Oga reached an agreement: they would construct the commerce district in a pyramid layout, with Oga's household at the pinnacle. Roads would lead to various districts, and an enclosed wall would circle the perimeter.
Gayle once again arrived to remind Oga of his next appointment, having spent the past three hours with Phi and Sadi.
"I almost forgot to ask," Oga said with a hint of curiosity, "how did you find our service, Brother Phi?"
The look of embarrassment on Phi's face was clear as he turned to Gayle.
"Gayle, step out of the room and give us a few minutes," Oga ordered.
"Understood, Milord," Gayle responded with a bow and left.
Once Gayle was gone, Phi relaxed and said, "Brother, I had no idea such services were available. My aches have vanished, and I feel so much lighter!" Phi added with a playful gesture toward his lower waist.
Oga nodded, acknowledging his mistake. "Yes, I should have mentioned it earlier. The women at the Pleasure House are not only skilled in massage but also in catering to any other desires you may have."
Sadi's interest was piqued. "Pleasure House?" he asked.
"Are you interested?" Oga inquired with amusement. He could already gauge Sadi's personality and saw this as an opportunity to leash a dog.
"Yes, and that woman who just left—does she work there?" Sadi asked, referring to Gayle.
"Ah, there seems to be a misunderstanding," Oga explained calmly. "In our household, there are women who can be approached freely, but Gayle is not one of them.
She is reserved for men of high status and significant contributions to the family. The Pleasure House, on the other hand, caters to a variety of desires, with services available for a fee based on the woman's rank and experience."
Phi and Sadi leaned forward in their chairs, their interest piqued.
"Do I have to pay for the service my son and I received?" Phi asked.
"Not at all," Oga explained. "That was a reward for fixing the old house, so it's free."
"Oh! May I ask a question?" Phi ventured, his tone cautious. "It might be a bit forward."
"Nothing you say here will offend me," Oga reassured him. "Go ahead."
"I heard that the new manager is Sage. I've had a great massage from her in the past. Does this mean I could receive the extra service from her?" Phi asked nervously. Like Oga, Phi too love curvy women with big asses.
"That's a tricky question," Oga replied thoughtfully. "Sage, Nylah, and Yaya primarily serve the men of our household.
To have any of them as your patron, you would need to contribute significantly to the main house. If I were to quantify their worth in currency, it would be thirty million Aether, which is equivalent to three hundred million ducats. And that's just for a day of their time!"
[Aether is worth ten times the value of ducats: A million Aether = Ten million ducats.]
Both brothers gasped at the figure. That sum was enough to purchase an Eternal Memory Crystal—an item even more expensive than an airship.
"Don't be discouraged," Oga continued. "There is another option: the House of Breeder."
Sadi's eyes widened with interest. "The House of Breeder? I've heard rumors…"
"Indeed," Oga confirmed with a nod. "To become a part of the House of Breeder, you must fulfill three essential criteria as a man: Handsome, Healthy, and possessing a Unique talent that can be passed on."
As Oga spoke, Phi sighed; he met only two of the three criteria. While he wasn't unattractive, his looks weren't extraordinary enough to leave women spellbound.
Sadi, however, was thrilled. From what he had heard, the women there were wild and enticing.
"Who should I talk to to participate?" Sadi asked eagerly.
"Madame Zamira or Sir Gregor," Oga replied. "However, keep in mind that if any of these women become pregnant, their offspring will belong to our household, and you will have no parental rights."
Sadi nodded eagerly, clearly impressed.
"And what if I wanted to take the woman out of her duty to your household?" Sadi quickly inquired.
Oga paused for a moment, holding back his thoughts. 'Is he foolish enough to think he could turn a breeder into a housewife?' But Oga kept his thoughts to himself.
"It's the equivalent of purchasing an airship," Oga said
"Why are they less expensive than an Eternal Crystal?" Sadi murmured.
"Their value lies in their status within the main household," Oga replied, his voice firm. "That status holds sway over the lives of any servants, like yourself. Thanks to your cousin Phi, I elevated you from a slave to a servant.
However, you will still owe me for the next ten years, working on my project. Normally, you would have earned your full income since you're no longer a slave and your work is substantial enough to start a small clan.
But I'll take seventy-five percent of your 2 million annual salary, for the next 10 years!" With that, Oga fell silent, leaving Sadi to his thoughts.
Sadi's expression darkened like a storm brewing on the horizon.
"Brother Phi," Oga continued, turning his attention back to Phi and ignoring Sadi's presence. "There's no reason to feel down. With two beautiful women by your side, you're certainly not missing out on anything."