Bridget had shoulder-length brown hair and hazel eyes with medium-sized breasts. She was pretty, and Astrid had shoulder-length brown hair and hazel eyes with small breasts. Ethan felt relieved that they sat behind desks, their skirts dangerously short. Wendy and Lucy were gawking at the officers outside. He noticed that all of them were pretty. Out of the twenty ladies, he could not spot one that was normal-looking or ugly. They were all in their twenties with the officer's shoulder-length haircut. Astrid looked at them with a grin.
"You have noticed it is part of our condition. You will not find one of us that does not have beautiful looks. We know what you are thinking, especially Wendy. It is written all over her face."
Bridget motioned for Melody to come in, and she spoke, sounding grateful.
"Thompson has a contract with all of us. The side effect makes us attracted to him and aroused. He has ploughed us many times, and we are grateful for that."
Melody placed the tray down. Her skirt lifted, and her bare ass showed. Wendy looked disappointed because her side was turned to them. Lucy grinned as she looked at Wendy and Ethan, their disappointment evident. Astrid went on to tell the story like she was narrating a fantastical adventure of heroes.
"Thompson was of royal blood, born in Ghost Flower Village like King Helgar and Ludo. Thompson could have any girl he wanted and had money and lineage. Thompson had competed in the Magus trials and came eighth in the land."
Bridget and Astrid looked at each other and took a sip of tea. Bridget continued in a dark and sinister voice.
"We were young back then. Grace was a baby back then. Maple and Lara were young children. A mere constable, Thompson would travel by train daily into the city. He would bring us treats when we ate at the Shepards Inn. He was upright, and the noble ladies tried to court him."
Astrid placed her cup down and pointed at a poster on the wall. It showed a man with a cross painted over him, a poster for the festival of the purging. She looked at Bridget and continued.
"Thompson had warned our parents that the festival would soon take place. At that stage, the palace did not help. The previous king was a tyrant who hated demi-humans and avidly supported the purging festival."
Bridget interrupted her, talking loudly.
"King Helgar and Ludo defeated the man. They were saving thousands of lives from ruin."
Astrid cleared her throat as she looked at Bridget.
"As I was saying, the festival happened suddenly. We were not prepared. Thompson and Shaw fought the nobles that overran the town, carrying us and the women you see today to the Shepards Inn. Shaw was a nightmare; he felled more nobles than any other magus in town. Thompson took on the Magus trial nobles. He was severely injured, but he prevailed."
Astrid sat back, crossing her arms. Bridget leaned forward, her chin on her hands.
"Four days later, Thompson had picked up the condition. As we grew older, we succumbed to it as well. Thompson and Helgar came to see us, and we were listed as officers. We gladly went into a contract with Thompson, our hero who saved hundreds of lives."
Melody came into the office, taking the empty cups and teapot. She spoke softly.
"Thompson treats us with care and love. He is my hero, and I will do anything for him."
Ethan could see competition for his affection, hence the revealing clothing. They wanted his attention and craved it. Thompson must have a lot on his plate with all these women vying for it. Ethan took Wendy and Lucy's hands, looking at the two girls and then at the two women.
"We believe the nobles are planning another festival for Ghost Flower Village. We have discussed it with Shaw and Grace, and they have come to the same conclusion. We need Thompson and his team to help stop these radical nobles."
Bridget pulled a file from her desk.
"We have had reports from other areas near the coastal line of festivals. King Helgar sent soldiers to support the villages and suppress the nobles in those areas. We live in Ghost Flower Village."
"Squee, where is your house in the village? We have not seen you there."
Astrid pointed to a map on the wall of Ghost Flower Village. The Shepards Inn is visible amongst other familiar buildings, such as the supermarket and Maple's Herbalist shop.
"We are your neighbours at the back of the inn. The big three-storey house with the balcony facing the forest. It is dark grey with double doors to the front. We have train passes to ride free from the palace as civil servants."
"Alas, how many live there with Thompson."
Bridget had a grin that said she was going to shock us.
"All the women here stay there with Thompson. We number twenty-seven women and Thompson. We have a schedule for who sleeps with him. It helps keep the peace."
Lucy turned red, and Wendy grinned like she had just found a juicy storey in a tavern. Wendy's eyes glistened like they were on fire. Ethan did not find this strange, as dual cultivator sects had hundreds of women and a few men who cultivated. The women were some of the strongest cultivators in the Divine Nexus.
"Alas, may we leave this matter in your hands. We will play our part when the time comes."
Astrid nodded.
"We have lived through a festival and know what to expect. Thompson and Smith will organise a resistance."
Thompson stood in the door.
"My angels, did I hear festival and resistance. Tracy called Smith for me. We need to talk and tell him the festival is back on our priority list."
A young girl stood and saluted, disappearing down the stairs. Thompson caressed the two lieutenants' backs as he stood between them.
"Good morning, team. It's good to see you in good health. We will organise with the village. I assume you have laid out a plan already."
"Alas, I have experience defending cities, but this is on a smaller scale and easier to accomplish. We will cut casualties by seventy per cent if we get everything in place. Unfortunately, the enemy's casualties will be high."
Thompson bent down and kissed Astrid, who had a flushed look on her face. Bridget fidgeted in her chair. Ethan felt it was time for them to leave. Melody and four other officers stood near the door. Thompson lifted Bridget from her chair, seated himself, and placed her on his lap. Wendy looked on in fascination. Ethan also wanted Wendy and Lucy to sit on his lap, then noticed Bridget. I just knew it, he thought. Her skirt was way too short. It was blue.
"Miss Finch has been arrested for the murder of Professor Lark. Finch is being held in the cell downstairs. I told Finch you would be coming to see her, and she would tell you what you need to know. Follow up on her lead. We will talk tomorrow."
As they left, Melody and the four entered the office and closed the door. Ethan felt sorry for the man. Keeping all these ladies happy was a massive endeavour. He asked at the desk, and an officer with short black hair showed them the way. He seemed pleasant enough and seemed to value adventurers who helped the police. Miss Finch was sitting on the bed reading a book when they opened the door to the cells. She looked up, her face pale. Ethan thought it might be from the stress of the situation.