Over the next few weeks, Arnott and Nara cleared jobs while Kenna worked on getting the allegiance of the clerks, which worked to an extent, but not too well. Arnott opened his follower list.
Followers:
Nara Tharspin
Kenna Baker
Laura Smith
Opal Talan
Iris Tanner
'Three more...' Arnott thought to himself as he looked at the list. 'It's not bad, rather, it's good progress, but I should probably get them introduced to the power structure, though, I would prefer to have all the female staff here under my control first...' Arnott thought. 'For now, let's look at their stats.' Arnott thought as he tapped Laura's name, opening the attribute appraisal window.
Laura Smith:
Strength: 8
Dexterity: 7
Consitution: 14
Intelligence: 12
Wisdom: 10
Charisma: 19
Luck: 24
Magic: 17
'Her luck is exceptional, which makes me wonder if being under my control is lucky...' Arnott thought as he looked over the numbers, then moved on to the next girl. 'Now, the elf.' He thought as her window opened.
Opal Talan:
Strength: 10
Dexterity: 12
Constitution: 8
Intelligence: 19
Wisdom: 16
Charisma: 22
Luck: 4
Magic: 44
'Overall, it's pretty decent. The magic is high, but I've heard she's a novice mage, so it makes sense. Low luck, so probably should keep her at the base once I have a more permanent one.' Arnott analyzed her status. 'Now, the last one.' He thought as he moved onto the last girl he has.
Iris Tanner:
Strength: 14
Dexterity: 8
Constitution: 24
Intelligence: 6
Wisdom: 2
Charisma: 34
Luck: 28
Magic: 0
Arnott's thoughts silenced upon reading her status. 'A charismatic idiot with the devil's luck...' He thought to himself after a few moments.
"Is something wrong, master?" Nara asked from across the table with worry in her eyes.
"I'm just... Exasperated over some information, is all." Arnott said with a sigh. 'She also has no magic. Literally none whatsoever.' Arnott thought. 'Well, let's use talent appraisal on her.' He thought as he pressed her name and a new window appeared.
The window has a picture of the girl as well as a list of her top three talents and her lowest three talents. The girl has brown hair and green eyes and very pretty features.
Iris Tanner:
Talents:
Farming
Nurturing
Brawling
Disinclination:
Business
Magic
Puzzles
'... Puzzles?' Arnott thought to himself. 'This girl... She... She's perfect for making idiotic goblins with high charisma...' Arnott thought as he sighed. Arnott stood up and walked over to the desk where Iris is currently standing.
"What can I do for you, Mr. Aries?" Iris asked with a cheerful tone and expression.
"I have a riddle for you, mind answering for me?" Arnott asked. She nodded.
"I will!" She said happily.
"You walk into a tavern. Who walked in?" Arnott asked.
"Umm... Is this a trick question?" She asked.
'So she isn't entirely incapable... Good.' Arnott thought.
"I think... Umm... Can I have a hint?" She asked
'Fuck.' Arnott thought with disappointment. "Want me to say it again?" Arnott asked. She nodded. "You walk into a tavern. Woh walked in?" He repeated the riddle.
"Uh, a mage?" She asked. Arnott shook his head. "Is it a ranger?" She asked excitedly, thinking she had the answer. Arnott shook his head again. "Wow, this is really, really hard! I think I'm gonna give up, I can't solve it." She said a bit disheartened.
"It was you. You walked into the tavern." Arnott said. "You did well." He said as he patted her on the shoulder, then went back to his table.
"What was that about?" Nara asked.
"Her wisdom is very low, so I was testing it..." Arnott said as he sat down.
"... I see..." Nara said.
A while later, Kenna came into work and Arnott approached her. "Have the other three come to your place tonight, I'm gonna speak to them." Arnott said.
"Yes, Mr. Aries." She said, then went behind the desk.
Later that day, they all met at Kenna's house and waited for Arnott's arrival. Eventually, Arnott and Nara arrived and the meeting started.
"I heard you wanted to speak with us." Opal said as she leaned back in her chair.
"Yes. Though it may be easier to show you." Arnott said as he approached Opal. He put his hand on her head, then kissed her. After stepping back, he looked around the room and saw that the other two new girls seemed surprised. Arnott sighed. "Everybody strip." He said.
Everybody did without hesitation. opal, Iris, and Laura seemed confused as to why they were following his orders.
"You three, as well as the other two, have sworn fealty to me. You are now mine." Arnott explained. "I would think it goes without saying, but don't tell anyone unless you have my permission and do not talk about it outside of this building, understood?" Arnott said. They all nodded sheepishly.
"There are only a few abilities that allow for something like this." Opal said.
"And what ability do you think I have?" Arnott asked.
"It goes against reason, but goblin lord, king, or emperor, would make the most sense." Opal said.
"You'd be correct." Arnott said. Laura gasped.
"That's impossible! You're a human!" She exclaimed.
"I have special circumstances." Arnott said. "And once again, it should go without saying, but the same rules as before apply to my ability." Arnott said.
"Of course." Opal said.
"Good. Now, your assignment." Arnott said. "Iris, you keep doing what you've been doing at the guild, Opal, and Laura, you two will work with Kenna to subtly get girls to swear fealty to me." Arnott said.
"Sir, I have a question." Opal stated.
"Go ahead." He said.
"Why haven't you taken any goblins as followers?" She asked.
"How do you know I haven't?" He asked. Opal was about to speak, but then started thinking. "You are right though, I haven't. The reason is that I don't have enough women yet. When I do have goblins, I don't want them to be exterminated immediately, so I'll work on building a female force for breeding, then get goblins." He explained.
"I see. That does make sense. I apologize for not being able to see such a plan." Opal said.
"Don't worry. Most people wouldn't, that's why it'll work well, or at least, it should." Arnott said.