The group made its way to the city, followed by the other groups. Even though most of them wish to return to their territory they still need to prepare to traverse through long distances, as the journey would be filled with perils.
As for the ones that originated from the Barony, they were met with adoring looks. While they didn't know the full details, the part that was revealed to the public, or so they believe was that the group went on an expedition to harvest resources necessary for the upcoming war at the beast territories.
With the stories being spread and rumors generated by the prominent families themselves, it was widely believed to be true. While the citizens would believe it wholeheartedly, the spies sent by the enemy wouldn't believe such a thing so easily.
After all, there are too many groups going to prepare themselves to make just the barony sending people to grab some materials. Even so, the rumors would make a perfect cover for them, and unless any of the group talked about what they were doing, then the secret would remain, well, a secret.
As for Ryker, because of him being a relatively neutral party, though he leaned more toward the Hal Family because of his friendship with some of the members of said family and maybe even more, he didn't spend more time with the group, heading towards the Hal Family Estate where his family remained during the expedition.
At this point, the Hal Family Estate had become something akin to their safe house, used when there were menaces lurking around or as a mere precaution against possible threats. He decided to stay there for the night before heading out.
After all, with the gain he had, he was ready to ascend to the next major realm. The only thing he needed was a suitable place, one that had been recommended by the Baron himself. With that said, rest was what he needed before his ascension to the next realm.
-x-
"Ryker, what are you planning? " Ina asked, hugging him from behind as she put her chin on his shoulder.
Ryker turned his head, giving her a small smile as he looked at the rest of his family, "Just planning my ascension to the Genesis Core realm," he nonchalantly said, making Mashia look at him like some kind of weirdo.
"So soon?" she commented, Ryker, nodding at her words, making the dragon princess sigh. When they first met, her cultivation realm was higher than his, even if it was just a few minor realms above him. But now, he would become stronger faster than her.
Looking at her face, Ryker could somewhat guess what she was thinking. "If you do not want to be left behind, you have to work harder," he advised the dragoness, giving her a tight hug while saying it.
"Humph! That is without saying it. It just ascending to a higher realm requires a lot of resources, plus because of my nature of being a Divine Beast, I need something that would help improve my bloodline," she told him.
Ryker remembered something, that one of the Cultivation Arts left behind by his parent could achieve that. However, he refrained from saying anything until he took a better look at the Cultivation Art in case he was wrong.
Still, he at least has a possible method to improve her strength, not to mention the more unorthodox method. "It's a pity we need to stay here for the time being. If not, I would love to dual cultivate with all of you,"
The exasperated sigh he let out made them blush harder, as they also wished to spend more intimate time alone with their lover after he had done with the expedition.
"Why can't we return?" Era asked, taking her turn to get close to him. "Because, while I could easily beat up those mercenaries coming after the treasure I got, the same couldn't be said about all of you.
For now, we just have to contend with this arrangement, at least until the commotion dies down and fewer people will come after me. Though I will go to the house and stay there for a while, just to bait those fools,"
Hearing he would return made all of them frown, as they had to be separated again after a week of being apart. "Do you have to?" Miriam said with a pout, hugging him as her breast touched her arm.
"This will mean we can go to the house quicker if they relearn why I'm so respected by the Great and Noble Families," he explained, making all his lovers let out a discontent sigh.
"But for now, I would stay at the Estate, at least until I reach the Genesis Core realm," he told them. This made him get pinched on his side, "Then said so earlier!" they shouted at him.
He grimaced, and while he could handle a lot of pain, getting pinched and shouted at was not pleasant. He then thought of something to punish them, after all, he needed to show them his version of love (bullying and teasing) towards them.
His hand went lower until he groped Mashia's butt, making the dragon squeak. His other hand did the same thing to Ina, though a moan escaped her mouth instead. Seeing his hands on the others, the other two were about to say something when he created several tendrils of water and held them both, binding their hands and legs.
Several tendrils also did the same thing to Ina and Mashia, essentially sealing their chances of escape. He let out a slightly wicked laugh, "Looks like I get a bunch of girls. Too bad I didn't finish those books of yours, or you don't buy more. They gave me so many ideas on what to do with all of you,"
As he said it, the tendrils began to trail on their nether lips. Even if their nether lips are clothed and they are wearing undergarments, they could still feel the pressure on their crotch, making all of them squirm and moan.
He then stopped his action, the tendrils disappearing as his lovers let out another moan, and maybe a bit of disappointed sigh. He lightly pokes at Ina's crotch, making her shudder from the touch.
"Even though I didn't do anything yet, you are already so wet, and the same to all of you," he teased them, making all of his lovers pout and blush and the same time. He gave them all a kiss on their lips, making all of their pouts gone and replaced with a slightly dazed smile, their face red enough for them to be mistaken for a berry.
"Don't worry," he said ominously, "When I'm all alone, I'm going to read those books of yours for inspiration. When we get back to be under the same roof again, I'm going to show the fruit of my research,"