Noah Drake looked at the three beautiful women, as if they had stepped out of a painting, kneeling before him with their heads bowed in remorse.
"Lalatina told them about the story I made up this morning. That's why this happened..."
Something's not right.
Even if that's the case, something still feels off... Why are they dressed so well? Are they testing me about what happened earlier? Noah silently observed for a moment, looking at the three women. It seems I haven't been found out yet... If they catch me lying, I'll be in serious trouble...
He sighed, then spoke up.
"Lalatina, you mustn't spread that story around, you understand? While I don't mind, it's still a personal matter of mine."
Lalatina lowered her head, her voice filled with regret.
"Master, I was wrong. It was my fault. I only told them because I felt they didn't understand how respectable you are, and I wanted to help them see that. Please, forgive me."
Noah sighed and turned his gaze to the sky at a 45-degree angle.
"I told you there's no need to be so formal. And while the past is the past, this mistake cannot go unpunished."
"I punish each of you with three spanks. Now, lie down face-first on the bed, one by one."
The three women were shocked into silence. The master wanted to spank them? Seeing the serious look on his face, without a hint of playfulness, they realized he wasn't joking.
Lalatina remained silent. Luna Hart looked flustered, and Aurelius Liora was completely confused. Why spank them? Was this like the times her brother would spank the women in Lotus Blossom Pavilion?
Luna Hart bit her lip and asked, "Master, could you choose a different punishment? Spanking doesn't seem very dignified."
Aurelius Liora chimed in, "Master, why would you spank us? I've never heard of such a punishment before."
Lalatina's face turned red as she softly spoke.
"Master, it's my fault. I'll take the punishment for both of them... but can you change the punishment, please?"
Seeing Lalatina's blushing face, so breathtakingly beautiful, and hearing the hesitation in her voice, Noah could sense her underlying meaning. She didn't seem completely opposed to the idea of being spanked. Ah, the irresistible charm of the protagonist. Is there even a need to change the punishment?
"No. You've made a mistake, and I must punish you. Lalatina, do you even understand the implications of what you've just said?"
Lalatina's voice was firm.
"Yes. I take full responsibility. Please, master, be fair."
Noah had been waiting for this. Without looking at the reactions of the other two, he confidently proclaimed,
"Very well. I'll give you nine spanks total. But since you were brave enough to take responsibility, I'll delay the punishment for now. You owe me."
"Do you have any objections?"
With a flushed face, Lalatina looked up, seeing the master's eyes free of any improper intentions. He remained as serious as ever. Right, this matter wasn't too big or too small. The punishment was reasonable.
She bashfully said, "Thank you for your mercy, master."
Noah nodded, then looked at the other two.
"As for the two of you, if you dare speak of this again, your punishment will be much worse. Understood?"
Luna Hart and Aurelius Liora, seeing how serious Noah was, were frightened and quickly bowed their heads in agreement.
Noah silently looked at Lalatina, her red face lowered in submission, and almost couldn't stop himself from embracing her. Shaking his head. No, it's too soon! But to the three women, his action seemed like one of great disappointment.
"Alright, get up."
Then, for the first time, the three beautiful women helped him put on his clothes. Feeling awkward was unavoidable, but Noah kept chanting in his heart. In the future, this would be the norm. As the protagonist, rising to the top, with a harem and the world in my hands… I can't let a single flower distract me from the bigger picture. First, I need to stabilize the manor.
"Follow me as I take a walk around the manor."
The women respectfully nodded, displaying flawless etiquette. He suddenly remembered—they were all noble ladies, yet their manners were impeccable. This other world truly is different. Noblewomen here, beautiful and full of grace... Unlike in the modern world, where most are only concerned with reckless pursuits...
Stepping out the door, he lifted his head high. The food issue had been solved, and clothing didn't seem to be a problem either. Next up: hygiene, daily affairs, and gathering information about this place.
"It's been a long time since I've left the mountain. What's the situation outside? Can you tell me?"
The three women exchanged silent glances, and finally, Luna Hart stepped forward to answer.
"Master, a war is brewing down the mountain. The world is currently divided into two factions, each led by a sage."
"Sage? There are sages in the world of cultivation?" Noah asked in surprise.
"Do you know who these sages are? And why they are at odds?"
Luna Hart's voice was as clear and serene as autumn water as she replied,
"One is the Celestial Star Sage, who understands the heavens, and the other is the Red Dust Sage, who understands the human heart."
"The two sages have different philosophies, and that's why they're in conflict. One believes in acting according to the will of heaven, while the other believes everything depends on human action."
Noah thought to himself. These sages don't seem all that powerful... Isn't the principle of action supposed to balance heaven, earth, and humanity? These sages are strange.
"Don't they realize that creating a war would bring disaster to countless people?"
Luna Hart thought to herself, truly, the master is a great man with a compassionate heart.
"Master, sages have an enormous influence on the world. Each one is deeply respected and admired by many. The philosophies they teach spread widely and are often regarded as truths. When a new sage with an opposing philosophy emerges, those who follow the first sage can't accept the new ideas, and so conflict arises."
Noah sighed. So it's like a fan war in another world… No, wait. These are sages, they shouldn't be so petty...
"So, do these sages even know what's happening? Are they not trying to stop it? Surely they aren't so shallow as to start a war over this?"
Before Luna Hart could respond, Lalatina stepped forward and answered in her place.
"Master, the conflict actually started with the sages themselves, and it's dragged five kingdoms into the fray. The situation is on the verge of an all-out war."
Noah… ???
Oh, I get it now. There's a political plot involving the five kingdoms. There's no way they'd go to war over such a ridiculous reason. This must be the mortal world, where wars are fought over land, resources... typical stuff.
But there are three beautiful maids here in this manor, and I can't let them be harmed by a pointless war.
"Do any of you support either side?"