"It's delicious."
"Pass me those colorful meatballs. Each of them has a different taste, haha."
"Let's order one more plate of it."
The group was eating delicious food in the private open pavilion.
The surrounding was a pond, but the pond was glowing because those colorful fish were faintly shining, making the night look more beautiful.
'Alright, it looks like the night will be long. This food is highly energizing,' Arlott internally chuckled.
[Mainly because of your Vigor Sack. It also stores emergency vigor from food and vitality-type resources when your stamina, health, and other things fully recover.]
[You can use it in an emergency.]
[But it hadn't started storing yet since your semen pot has not recovered yet, haha.]
'If I focus, I can sense that process…and it feels strange,' Arlott wryly smiled.
…
The dinner was soon over as the party left, and then went to sit at the riverfront in the city's north area for relaxation and dessert.
"This ice cream is really good! No wonder it's famous," Luna's eyes shone while eating from a palm-sized ice cream cup.
"What's that flavor?"
"Sour-sweet Red Mango."
"I have Pirka flavor. Arlott, try this."
"Mhm, it's good. Haha, but the choco-chips hit the spot."
Alas, the group didn't expect to be visited by an unexpected guest.
The group was sitting at a round table at the riverfront's big ice cream shop with a reserved space, so when a person approached them, they quickly noticed her.
"Mind if I join your jolly group?"
[Wow, Arlott. Now, this is what I call a good coincidence. Take a look at her memories.]
"Um, sure. But who are you, young lady?" Zinnia curiously asked.
Iris and Luna looked at the beautiful girl with mixed black-red hair and were slightly amazed at her unique beauty and petite physique but still moderately developed bust.
She looked like a doll in her red-black strapless frock dress of gothic type.
"Name is Calista. Nice to meet you," Calista faintly smiled and sat at the only empty chair between Kiera and Luna.
"Any particular reason to choose us?" Arlott asked while a cold glint passed through deep within his eyes.
'She can become a good pawn to use if we play it right.'
[I am giving you a soul-type skill set called Haunted Senses. Quickly learn it and use Haunted Vision and Haunted Sound on her. It's basically giving us access to her vision and sound she perceives, so I'll be able to spy on her and gather information.]
'Awesome. This bitch is the closest we've ever gotten to the top ten ancient clans. Glad her fickleness and carefreeness brought her to us.'
Indeed. It was a pure coincidence that Calista ended up here because she was bored of a party club. She went and came here to get fresh air and ice cream.
"Well, you guys seemed more jolly than others, and so I thought I would help myself here," Calista shrugged with a smile.
[One thing is for sure: these brats of top clans sure know how to behave and hide their true nature. Did you see their upbringing?]
'We'll eradicate them,' Arlott resolved. 'Every single one of them.'
Calista soon meshed with the group as soon as she talked about her trip to the eastern continent.
"Let's have one more cup," Arlott said with a light laugh. "Miss Calista's talks are interesting."
"Yeah, I can easily eat one or two more," Luna said while grinning.
"Getting physically stronger also expands our appetite," Iris said and stood up with a smile. "I'll go bring more cups."
"Thanks," Calista smiled.
As such, the group continued spending time while Arlott only spoke occasionally and focused on learning the skill.
Since it was a skill set containing five skills and he only needed to use two on her, Arlott decided to learn Haunted Vision and Haunted Sound first.
Time passed, and after half an hour, he finally finished learning Haunted Vision.
'Damn, she might leave before I finish learning Haunted Sound.'
[Just focus on learning.]
'I'll speak to Luna and Iris in their mind and tell them to make her stay longer without being unnatural.'
[She might notice and get suspicious if they mess up. Hold off telling them about it for now. If push comes to shove, you can just use Marionette Authority on her, but that will be our last resort.]
'Alright.'
Calista was having a good time in a different vibe and environment, so she didn't mind hanging out for a while.
But after another half an hour passed, she said, "Alright, folks. I have to go now. If fate will, we might meet again."
Calista waved her hand with a gorgeous smile and calmly left with a blurry figure.
'Phew…it was close,' Arlott sighed in relief as he barely succeeded.
[Now, we have a pair of eyes and ears belonging to an heir of a top ten ancient clan.]
Arlott could indeed see another vision window at his will, allowing him to see and hear Calista's experiences.
[If your Haunted Senses get undone from her, we can assume that they have means to interact with soul powers or means to utilize them even though the Soul Path has not developed yet.]
'I am not hoping for the worst, but better to be prepared and explore their deep waters first,' Arlott internally chuckled in a devious manner. 'It will be more fun if they get sudden surprises from me.'
"Alright, ladies. We should also leave now," Arlott said with a chuckle. "You've all worked hard today, so let's have plenty of rest tonight."
…
After they arrived at the underground house, Arlott didn't enter and said, "You three can sleep together, but I won't be here. I need to look out for the kids."
"Kids?" Zinnia was confused.
"Luna and Iris will explain to you," Arlott faintly smiled. "So, it's better that you find out about that inside while on the comfy bed."
"I see," Zinnia smiled in understanding. "Alright, then, good night. Good night, Kiera."
"See you tomorrow, Zinnia. Kids, good night," Kiera nodded with a gentle smile.
As the trio descended downstairs, Arlott closed the secret entrance.
"Mom," Arlott licked his lips and smiled as he pulled her hands and pressed her on himself, "Our night will be sleepless. Are you ready?"
"Mhmm," Kiera nodded with a flushed face and eager eyes filled with love.
"Then let's go. We'll have to spend the night at Black Rattan House."
The duo sat in the car while Kiera's beating heart looked forward to being with Arlott.
'We'll get stronger more and…have a blissful time.'
'I don't care if this is wrong or right…but my son and I have a special bond like no other, and it has to have its purpose.'