With the discussion finally over, Obina used her magic to send the video into my bracelet, saying I could watch it again at any time, but only I would be able to see it. Obina then reminded me of the conditions stated in the Oath to Secrecy, mainly not releasing what I learned to anyone, with Sue being the exception once seven days have passed. I will get a notification when that time passes, so I won't have to worry about counting the days until then.
Once that was done, Obina called Ume and Ren back into the room, with the latter of the pair looking despondent.
"Everything went okay in there?" I asked them.
Ren was the first to speak, but with hesitancy, "... Master, you are tasked by such an important mission by Lady Mei. I have some experience helping with child rearing, so I'll do everything in my power to help raise your children strong and healthy."
"Hm? Ah, the saving Dragons from extinction thing. I'm still young and we aren't in a hurry, so we're gonna take it slow until we find a place to … wait, Lady 'Mei'?" I asked.
"Ren and I have gotten rather close over our talk," Ume explained with a reptilian hand to her bosom, "Us Dragons don't have a system involving slaves, though a few of us may like to take some from other places for collecting reasons. I might become one of them if we get more than what we have so far, but I'm seeing Ren as more of a close acquaintance and fellow lover of my husband's than someone below me. I figured it was best to have her address me as 'Mei' without formalities, but Ren was pretty stubborn about keeping our stances known. 'Lady Mei' was the compromise we came up with."
"Your orders still take priority, but I will follow and serve Lady Mei as I would for you, Master," Ren stated.
I nodded in understanding. I was just happy the two of them have gotten closer lately. Maybe spending the night together without me last night raised the flag for one of those bonding events I've heard about in some RPGs.
“Well, if Jinma took Scalybutt’s offer from the start, he’d be swimming in money, valuables, and bitches by now, but no, I guess he wants to do this the hard—oooooooww!” Nyra cried in pain after I gave a tsukkomi chop to her head.
You know, I’ve always wanted to retort this way since Nyra first spoke so crudely. I’ll look forward to more of these once I get her body back.
“That just makes me want my body back even less!” Nyra exclaimed while rubbing her head, reading my thoughts.
"Now, I know we've been here for a while and you wish to head back, but I'd like to present you with gifts before you leave," Obina said, which grabbed all our attention.
"Gifts?" I asked.
"It's a tradition for a Champion's companions to receive a gift from the Immortal they represent after coming here for the first time," Obina explained, "Erizora, Kalline, Tyvera, and Noire will receive one as well once they come here with you next time."
"I-I'm not worthy of such generosity!" Ren exclaimed while going into dogeza.
"Is that okay for me, as well? What about …" Ume trailed off while pointing to her Dragon horns and wings.
"That is a different matter for the Dragon-Kin as a whole," Obina said, "This will be a gift to you as Jinma's companion. Consider it a belated wedding gift if that makes you feel better."
"Then … I'll humbly accept the gift. Thank you, Goddess Obina," Ume said while bowing her head with a scaly hand on her bosom.
Huh, was there some secret agreement between the Immortals and the Dragon-Kin in the past? Wonder if Ume can fill me in later?
Obina then used her ethereal magic to produce a box with a hole bigger than my arm on the top side. It looked like one of those boxes you draw lots from for winning prizes.
“Reach into this box and pull out a paper slip. It will have a Skill, Ability, or rare item that is written on it that you’ll receive once you return to Raiza,” she explained, “We usually provide one of these as a blessing to those we choose as Champions.”
Whooooa, if I have multiple people with the same capabilities as Champions, that would really help me feel better about our chances of surviving the harsher times in this world.
Ume went first and reached her reptilian hand into the box. Despite how small the box looked, it seemed much deeper inside if she could put her whole arm in it. After a bit, she pulled up a paper slip and unfolded it.
“‘Ability … Legendary Housewife’?” Ume asked with a raised brow.
“Oooh, that’s a blessing available to female Champions who seek a successful and happy marriage,” Obina explained with enthusiasm, “It will provide you all the skills at max level and knowledge necessary for the ultimate housewife, and you earn EXP for how well you cater and spoil people around you. You get twice the experience if it’s your husband who you’re spoiling, and/or an additional fifty percent if it’s to your husband’s acknowledged harem members.”
At Obina’s explanation, Ume looked at me with half-lidded eyes and a mischievous smile, her Dragon wings fluttering and matching tail swaying enticingly. Thinking back, Ume was even willing to provide all the valuable money and possessions she had to have me be her mate and help save the Dragon-Kin from going extinct. I wouldn’t have to worry about working for the rest of my life and only focus on providing her with children, which means a lot of sex would get involved if I took her offer from the start.
Oh man, if she can spoil me to such a level, too, I might become less than a human being for how I won’t want to do anything. I made the resolve to not fall to such desires and become the ‘Legendary Husband’ that works on the same level of effort worthy for the treatment he receives from his wife.
When Ume came back and touched her shoulder to mine with intimacy, Ren stepped up and reached into the drawing lot box next. “‘Item, Great Servant’s Collar,’” she read aloud.
“That will allow the selected servant to be granted a power boost in proportion to the master registered in the collar; however, they’d be eternally bound to their master, following them even after death, and neither of them can ever take it off,” Obina explained, her tone turning serious.
Not even a second after that, Ren rushed back and looked up to me with excited determination in her eyes. “Master! Please register the collar as the master and put it on me!” she exclaimed, her tail wagged erratically.
“Uh, Ren, you realize this is different from a Slave-Master Contract, right?” I asked apprehensively, “Unlike the contract, which I can set to release you as my slave should I die, the collar would pull you down with me, whether I want that to happen or not. This can't be removed, either. You'd be stuck with me for the rest of your life, for as long as I'm alive."
Ren nodded, "I know that, all of it, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Master. Even if you give me freedom from the contract, I can't imagine living in a world without you at this point. I won't ever be happy knowing I outlived my own master who I swore to protect with my life. There'd be no harem, slave or otherwise, without its male. Moreover, you entrusted a great secret to me that shouldn't be known to others. If this collar can grant me the strength I need to protect my master, the females in his harem, and such secrets, I would be more than honored to accept this power and all that comes with it."
I still have questions regarding Ren's values, whether they're from her as a Werewolf or her own being. Still, it looked like her mind's made up, and forcing it further would just be pushing my own values and selfishness onto her. It's better for each person to learn for themselves what moral and ethical values best suit them. So long as it doesn't hurt anyone else, I'd leave them alone. As for this case that involves me, I had already planned to protect Ren and have her as a lover from the start. I hold some of the responsibility for her safety, so giving her a power boost will give me a better peace of mind that she can look after herself when I'm not around.
After taking some time to think it over, I looked at Ren, "... Alright, if you're ok with me, I'd be more than happy to take you on as my official servant."
"Yes! I won't let you down, Master!" Ren exclaimed with resolution.
"In that case, let's get this underway, shall we?" Obina said before snapping her fingers.
The paper slip in Ren's hand exploded in a puff of smoke. Once it cleared, a dark blue leather collar with numerous characters written on the inside replaced the paper slip in her hands.
"Night sky blue is your favorite color, right, Ren? I made sure the collar's design was to your taste," Obina said.
"I-It is. Thank you very much, Goddess Obina," Ren thanked while deeply bowing her head.
Obina then lent me a sharp knife that ignored my high defenses to draw and drip blood anywhere on the collar's inner side of the strap to register me as its master. I'll admit it was a bit unnerving now that I know Sue did it to me last night, but since I did the same thing for Noire not too long ago, I shook the nerves off and bit the bullet. The characters written on the inner strap glowed a faint red after my blood dripped on it.
"Huh, odd, I never saw the characters reacting like that before, I wonder ..." Obina muttered, it was too faint for me to catch it.
"You ready for this, Ren? There's no shame in turning back now," I reminded her while holding up the collar's inner side toward her.
"I'm ready, Master. Please put it on me," Ren said.
I sighed and carefully looped the collar around Ren's neck before it somehow adjusted itself to fit her snugly. The contact sent shivers down her spine, all her hairs stood on ends, and the glowing red characters shone through the strap before disappearing. Ren's eyes somehow made a similar pattern as they briefly changed from yellow to red before they reverted back to their original color. Once the magic was over, she took shallow breaths with a hand clutching her chest.
"Ren, are you okay?" I asked worryingly with both my hands on her shoulders.
"Y-Yes, I'm … fine," she answered before catching her breath, "I just felt a great rush of power pouring into me, and somehow … I leveled up to the cap of my Thief class, acquired the [Peak of Thieves], [Kotori Family's Subordinate], and [Concubine of the Boss] titles, and learned the [Insightful Mapping] and [D-Release] skills."
Part of that was exactly what happened to me after killing that mob of White Rapture spies back in Dondegarm. But, what are these [Kotori Family’s Subordinate] and [Concubine of the Boss] titles? And [D-Release]? Just as I had that thought, notices appeared.
| Conditions met. The skill [D-Subordination] is now revealed. |
| You have achieved the [Kotori Family Lieutenant] title! |
“W-What the?! The fuck is this?! [Kotori Family Lieutenant]?!” I exclaimed.
“M-Me too! I suddenly got the [Wife of the Boss] title, the [D-Zone] skill, even my race became a ‘D-Dragon’!” Ume added.
Obina only sighed, "I figured this would happen. Umeiyon being the [Wife of the Boss] was to be expected, and with how high-leveled Jinma is, of course Ren would reach the level cap of her class already. I figured we’d do the class promotion here soon afterward. Still, I had a feeling, but I didn’t think Jinma putting the collar on Ren would be the same as swearing an oath to the family, nor did I expect Umeiyon to become a ‘D-Dragon’ and acquire the [D-Zone] skill.”
“W-What does this mean …” I trailed off, having some idea of what happened but partially didn’t want to acknowledge it.
“Following the traditions of your bloodline, you’ve been recognized as a subsidiary leader of the Kurokichi Clan. Ren, from this day forward, you will be directly serving under him as a member of his own subsidiary in the clan.”
“I get to serve Master as part of his historic clan? I couldn’t feel more honored,” Ren said before turning to me and knelt before me, “I swear to not be an embarrassment to your clan’s legacy, Master. I will make you and everyone in your lineage proud.”
“Whoa whoa whoa! Time-out!” I exclaimed while forming a ‘T’ with my hands before turning to Obina, “I know I learned a lot about my lineage over our talk, but I didn’t say I want to be a part of … ‘this’! I’m not interested in my clan’s ‘activities’! I don’t even know if there’s someone from the clan close enough by!” Since Obina didn’t say ‘yakuza’, I had to be careful of my choice of words if it could break the oath I made with her.
The Goddess of Lust lightly shook her head, “If you were to avoid following your clan’s traditions, you could probably avoid this outcome; however, swearing an oath is a serious thing under those same traditions, and since you are a D-Human, you are subjected to all events that could affect you, your status, and your relationships, even if you stumble upon them on accident. It’s doubly so for possessing the [Devil Eyes], as well, as you have an opportunity to get to the highest rank as chairman of the clan.”
“Uh, yeah, not happening, not at all,” I said before turning to my Werewolf and pulled her up from kneeling to standing position, “Ren, despite what my race as a D-Human dictates of me and my title as a ‘lieutenant’, I’m not interested in joining the Kurokichi Clan, so there’s no need for you to get so serious out of respect for them. Other than the collar around your neck, nothing that drastic will change between us”
“Is that so? But I still got titles that are connected to you, Master, along with a new skill I’ve never heard of. You seem to have gained something new, too, and it would be a waste if you can’t use it …” Ren said while deflating, looking disheartened.
Oh come on, don’t give me that look! Fuck, a Werewolf’s puppy dog eyes are the real deal.
“Okay, okay, lighten up and listen. Instead of joining the clan, why don’t we pull what my ancestor did and make our own?” I suggested.
“You can do that?!” Ren exclaimed, brightening back up in excitement.
I shrugged, “I don’t see why not? I mean, we kind of got something going with everyone as part of the harem and an adventurer’s party, anyway. We can build something from there … though, now that I think about it, wouldn’t I have a title that’s higher than ‘lieutenant’ already?”
“Under your bloodline’s traditions, that is not the case,” Obina answered while shaking her head, “You’re marked as ‘lieutenant’ because of your current level and influence you’ve made in a community. Getting to a rank that high is usually not an easy task for most in the bloodline. Furthermore, there are people in this world who stand above you in rank as [Kotori Family Captain], [Kotori Family Patriarch], and finally the [Kurokichi Clan Chairman]. As a Kotori, it’d be impossible to make up a clan on your own because the majority already serve for the Kurokichi Clan. You’d have to pull a coup to overthrow the clan’s current leadership in order to own it and have it become the Kotori Clan.”
“Huh, is that right …” That means the current family captatin and patriarch is living somewhere in this world, as well as the chairman running the clan under public’s noses. Well, it’s not like I’m going to search the entire world for them.
“All is not lost, however,” Obina continued, “As you’ve seen, Jinma, you have acquired the [D-Subordination] skill. Though it’s through a different means from what happened with Ren, but if you have a human or a demon swear a family oath to you, they will become your subordinates, with the human becoming a [D-Human] while acquiring the [D-Zone] skill, and the demon acquiring the [D-Release] skill.”
“What’s [D-Release]? This is the first time I’m hearing about it,” I said.
“[D-Release], short for [Demon Release], is similar to [D-Zone] for D-Humans,” Obina explained, “It grants demons a power boost that will release all limitations in the body and perform at their peak condition; however, this only lasts for five minutes, and when that time is up, the demon won’t be able to move for a while.”
Five minutes may not be much in Earth’s time, but it’s much different here in Raiza. Still, if Ren activates it until time runs out, she would be completely vulnerable to enemy attacks if left alone. I’ll have to make sure she doesn’t use it carelessly.
"Was Jin’s [D-Subordination] part of why I became a ‘D-Dragon’ and learned the [D-Zone] skill, as well?" Ume asked, “And what of those from the Demi-Kin?”
"The Demis like Elves and Dwarves would have the [D-Zone] skill and would become what's called a 'D-Demi',” Obina explained, “Their races would change to things like 'D-Elves' and 'D-Dwarves'. I've never seen a Dragon under a [D-Subordination]'s effect, but because you’re under a marital vow with Jinma, it seems you’ve become a 'D-Dragon' as a result. Also, with the [Wife of the Boss] title, you’ll have a similar level of authority for Jinma’s subordinates in his subsidiary.”
“Wait, if Ume is a D-Dragon now, then what will become of our kids?” I asked shakily. I also realized then I hadn’t considered what would happen if she had offspring with a D-Human like me than a regular Human.
Obina’s expression deflated, “To be honest … I am unsure. We have not run into a case where an offspring is born with the blood of more than two kin, let alone two races, especially if at least one of them was under [D-Subordination]. Those influenced by that skill’s effects have gone through violent frenzies that killed a number of people because they’ve not undergone proper training to control the [D-Zone] skill. Due to the lack of knowledge of this phenomenon, the ‘pure-blooded’ races retaliated and executed them before they could do further harm.”
So, like those under [Devil Eyes] effects, even D-Humans with only the [D-Zone] skill could get violent if pushed to the edge … does that mean, Hyo-chan and Komi have undergone something like that at some point?
While that thought was concerning enough, what’s really worrying me now is what my wife thought of all this. She was so excited to hear that a healthy child will be guaranteed after marrying me, now we suddenly hear this bleak history of those born under [D-Subordination]’s effects. I had little knowledge of D-Humans other than the name by the time we tied the knot, and in hein’s sight, I should have thought more of what would happen if Ume had a child with one like me.
“L-Lady Mei … I’m so sorry,” Ren apologized suddenly, “If I hadn’t pushed Master into putting the collar on me, we wouldn’t—”
“Stop,” Ume interrupted, putting a reptilian digit on Ren’s lips, “When I set out on finding a mate to help save my kin from going extinct, I didn’t anticipate for a second that our child would be a pure-blooded Dragon. From what I heard of the other Dragons and where they stood, I feared we would leave this world if we didn’t do something different with our methods of survival and reproduction. They were too stubborn that having a child with someone not a Dragon was impossible, and even if it was, they’d be an abomination for not being ‘pure’ like us. Heck, some Dragons have looked down on the Demon-Kin’s Lizardmen, the Demi-Kin’s Drakes, Wyverns, and other similar monsters as ‘Lesser Dragons’ because they’d never stand on the same level of strength and magic as us. I’d imagine the ‘abominations’ would be lumped in that same group.
“I personally don’t care whether these ‘Lesser Dragons’ are ‘pure’ or not. What annoys me is that they think they stand on the same level as us without ever truly seeing us and our splendor, let alone trying to fight us to see where they really stand. If they even have the gall to stand up to us despite knowing the difference of power between us, I’d at least acknowledge they have the bravery or stupidity to take us on. As for my child, I’ll tell them everything we Dragons are known and stand for,” Ume continued with a claw to her bosom, “I’ll teach them what true strength is, and have their father be the prime example that even the strongest of beings can be defeated if the challenger has ways of getting around those odds. I’ll raise them so that if a Dragon ever calls them an abomination, they can stand up, fight back, and show them that they don’t just have a Dragon’s blood, but also a Dragon’s heart and spirit, that they’re the child of a loving, proud Dragon and D-Human who can beat their asses better than they would.”
“Ume …” I muttered.
“So, a child of a D-Human will be more likely to get violent when aggravated, you say?” Ume asked Obina, “That’s nothing more than a temper tantrum to Dragons who have gone through something similar with their own offspring. It will just be a little tougher in my case because they’ll have a Demon’s blood inside them, but there’s nothing a Dragon’s discipline won’t fix, and I’m sure Jin’s mother has beaten things into him that can be passed down to our child, too.”
She’s got that right.
Ume then turned to me with a furrowed brow, “And what about you, Jin? What do you think about having a child that will grow into a being like that? Would you be willing to kill your own child if it meant saving the lives of many?”
“... No fucking way,” I said sternly, “I may not be ready to raise a kid yet, but even I wouldn’t ever go that far, or I’d be worse than the old bastard who abandoned Mom and I. If the discipline beaten into me doesn’t work for my kid, then I’ll do whatever I can to set them straight, because no one in my family is going to be left alone when they’re in trouble. I’ll never give up on them until they know how much they mean to me.”
Ume smiled and crossed her arms, “Mm. Exactly what I want to hear from my husband. You better not go back on your word, or I’ll beat you straight back up.”
“I could say the same to you, honey.”
Off to the side, Nyra sniffled and wiped her eyes, “That was so beautiful.”
Ren was standing alongside the Arch Pixie trying to avoid her eyes from pooling, but at least she didn’t look as guilty as she was moments ago.
Obina smiled sweetly, “I guess I can let up my worries a bit if you’re like this. With that bit of drama out of the way, shall we decide what Ren’s promoted class will be?”
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With the discussion finally over, Obina used her magic to send the video into my bracelet, saying I could watch it again at any time, but only I would be able to see it. Obina then reminded me of the conditions stated in the Oath to Secrecy, mainly not releasing what I learned to anyone, with Sue being the exception once seven days have passed. I will get a notification when that time passes, so I won't have to worry about counting the days until then.
Once that was done, Obina called Ume and Ren back into the room, with the latter of the pair looking despondent.
"Everything went okay in there?" I asked them.
Ren was the first to speak, but with hesitancy, "... Master, you are tasked by such an important mission by Lady Mei. I have some experience helping with child rearing, so I'll do everything in my power to help raise your children strong and healthy."
"Hm? Ah, the saving Dragons from extinction thing. I'm still young and we aren't in a hurry, so we're gonna take it slow until we find a place to … wait, Lady 'Mei'?" I asked.
"Ren and I have gotten rather close over our talk," Ume explained with a reptilian hand to her bosom, "Us Dragons don't have a system involving slaves, though a few of us may like to take some from other places for collecting reasons. I might become one of them if we get more than what we have so far, but I'm seeing Ren as more of a close acquaintance and fellow lover of my husband's than someone below me. I figured it was best to have her address me as 'Mei' without formalities, but Ren was pretty stubborn about keeping our stances known. 'Lady Mei' was the compromise we came up with."
"Your orders still take priority, but I will follow and serve Lady Mei as I would for you, Master," Ren stated.
I nodded in understanding. I was just happy the two of them have gotten closer lately. Maybe spending the night together without me last night raised the flag for one of those bonding events I've heard about in some RPGs.
“Well, if Jinma took Scalybutt’s offer from the start, he’d be swimming in money, valuables, and bitches by now, but no, I guess he wants to do this the hard—oooooooww!” Nyra cried in pain after I gave a tsukkomi chop to her head.
You know, I’ve always wanted to retort this way since Nyra first spoke so crudely. I’ll look forward to more of these once I get her body back.
“That just makes me want my body back even less!” Nyra exclaimed while rubbing her head, reading my thoughts.
"Now, I know we've been here for a while and you wish to head back, but I'd like to present you with gifts before you leave," Obina said, which grabbed all our attention.
"Gifts?" I asked.
"It's a tradition for a Champion's companions to receive a gift from the Immortal they represent after coming here for the first time," Obina explained, "Erizora, Kalline, Tyvera, and Noire will receive one as well once they come here with you next time."
"I-I'm not worthy of such generosity!" Ren exclaimed while going into dogeza.
"Is that okay for me, as well? What about …" Ume trailed off while pointing to her Dragon horns and wings.
"That is a different matter for the Dragon-Kin as a whole," Obina said, "This will be a gift to you as Jinma's companion. Consider it a belated wedding gift if that makes you feel better."
"Then … I'll humbly accept the gift. Thank you, Goddess Obina," Ume said while bowing her head with a scaly hand on her bosom.
Huh, was there some secret agreement between the Immortals and the Dragon-Kin in the past? Wonder if Ume can fill me in later?
Obina then used her ethereal magic to produce a box with a hole bigger than my arm on the top side. It looked like one of those boxes you draw lots from for winning prizes.
“Reach into this box and pull out a paper slip. It will have a Skill, Ability, or rare item that is written on it that you’ll receive once you return to Raiza,” she explained, “We usually provide one of these as a blessing to those we choose as Champions.”
Whooooa, if I have multiple people with the same capabilities as Champions, that would really help me feel better about our chances of surviving the harsher times in this world.
Ume went first and reached her reptilian hand into the box. Despite how small the box looked, it seemed much deeper inside if she could put her whole arm in it. After a bit, she pulled up a paper slip and unfolded it.
“‘Ability … Legendary Housewife’?” Ume asked with a raised brow.
“Oooh, that’s a blessing available to female Champions who seek a successful and happy marriage,” Obina explained with enthusiasm, “It will provide you all the skills at max level and knowledge necessary for the ultimate housewife, and you earn EXP for how well you cater and spoil people around you. You get twice the experience if it’s your husband who you’re spoiling, and/or an additional fifty percent if it’s to your husband’s acknowledged harem members.”
At Obina’s explanation, Ume looked at me with half-lidded eyes and a mischievous smile, her Dragon wings fluttering and matching tail swaying enticingly. Thinking back, Ume was even willing to provide all the valuable money and possessions she had to have me be her mate and help save the Dragon-Kin from going extinct. I wouldn’t have to worry about working for the rest of my life and only focus on providing her with children, which means a lot of sex would get involved if I took her offer from the start.
Oh man, if she can spoil me to such a level, too, I might become less than a human being for how I won’t want to do anything. I made the resolve to not fall to such desires and become the ‘Legendary Husband’ that works on the same level of effort worthy for the treatment he receives from his wife.
When Ume came back and touched her shoulder to mine with intimacy, Ren stepped up and reached into the drawing lot box next. “‘Item, Great Servant’s Collar,’” she read aloud.
“That will allow the selected servant to be granted a power boost in proportion to the master registered in the collar; however, they’d be eternally bound to their master, following them even after death, and neither of them can ever take it off,” Obina explained, her tone turning serious.
Not even a second after that, Ren rushed back and looked up to me with excited determination in her eyes. “Master! Please register the collar as the master and put it on me!” she exclaimed, her tail wagged erratically.
“Uh, Ren, you realize this is different from a Slave-Master Contract, right?” I asked apprehensively, “Unlike the contract, which I can set to release you as my slave should I die, the collar would pull you down with me, whether I want that to happen or not. This can't be removed, either. You'd be stuck with me for the rest of your life, for as long as I'm alive."
Ren nodded, "I know that, all of it, and I want to spend the rest of my life with you, Master. Even if you give me freedom from the contract, I can't imagine living in a world without you at this point. I won't ever be happy knowing I outlived my own master who I swore to protect with my life. There'd be no harem, slave or otherwise, without its male. Moreover, you entrusted a great secret to me that shouldn't be known to others. If this collar can grant me the strength I need to protect my master, the females in his harem, and such secrets, I would be more than honored to accept this power and all that comes with it."
I still have questions regarding Ren's values, whether they're from her as a Werewolf or her own being. Still, it looked like her mind's made up, and forcing it further would just be pushing my own values and selfishness onto her. It's better for each person to learn for themselves what moral and ethical values best suit them. So long as it doesn't hurt anyone else, I'd leave them alone. As for this case that involves me, I had already planned to protect Ren and have her as a lover from the start. I hold some of the responsibility for her safety, so giving her a power boost will give me a better peace of mind that she can look after herself when I'm not around.
After taking some time to think it over, I looked at Ren, "... Alright, if you're ok with me, I'd be more than happy to take you on as my official servant."
"Yes! I won't let you down, Master!" Ren exclaimed with resolution.
"In that case, let's get this underway, shall we?" Obina said before snapping her fingers.
The paper slip in Ren's hand exploded in a puff of smoke. Once it cleared, a dark blue leather collar with numerous characters written on the inside replaced the paper slip in her hands.
"Night sky blue is your favorite color, right, Ren? I made sure the collar's design was to your taste," Obina said.
"I-It is. Thank you very much, Goddess Obina," Ren thanked while deeply bowing her head.
Obina then lent me a sharp knife that ignored my high defenses to draw and drip blood anywhere on the collar's inner side of the strap to register me as its master. I'll admit it was a bit unnerving now that I know Sue did it to me last night, but since I did the same thing for Noire not too long ago, I shook the nerves off and bit the bullet. The characters written on the inner strap glowed a faint red after my blood dripped on it.
"Huh, odd, I never saw the characters reacting like that before, I wonder ..." Obina muttered, it was too faint for me to catch it.
"You ready for this, Ren? There's no shame in turning back now," I reminded her while holding up the collar's inner side toward her.
"I'm ready, Master. Please put it on me," Ren said.
I sighed and carefully looped the collar around Ren's neck before it somehow adjusted itself to fit her snugly. The contact sent shivers down her spine, all her hairs stood on ends, and the glowing red characters shone through the strap before disappearing. Ren's eyes somehow made a similar pattern as they briefly changed from yellow to red before they reverted back to their original color. Once the magic was over, she took shallow breaths with a hand clutching her chest.
"Ren, are you okay?" I asked worryingly with both my hands on her shoulders.
"Y-Yes, I'm … fine," she answered before catching her breath, "I just felt a great rush of power pouring into me, and somehow … I leveled up to the cap of my Thief class, acquired the [Peak of Thieves], [Kotori Family's Subordinate], and [Concubine of the Boss] titles, and learned the [Insightful Mapping] and [D-Release] skills."
Part of that was exactly what happened to me after killing that mob of White Rapture spies back in Dondegarm. But, what are these [Kotori Family’s Subordinate] and [Concubine of the Boss] titles? And [D-Release]? Just as I had that thought, notices appeared.
| Conditions met. The skill [D-Subordination] is now revealed. |
| You have achieved the [Kotori Family Lieutenant] title! |
“W-What the?! The fuck is this?! [Kotori Family Lieutenant]?!” I exclaimed.
“M-Me too! I suddenly got the [Wife of the Boss] title, the [D-Zone] skill, even my race became a ‘D-Dragon’!” Ume added.
Obina only sighed, "I figured this would happen. Umeiyon being the [Wife of the Boss] was to be expected, and with how high-leveled Jinma is, of course Ren would reach the level cap of her class already. I figured we’d do the class promotion here soon afterward. Still, I had a feeling, but I didn’t think Jinma putting the collar on Ren would be the same as swearing an oath to the family, nor did I expect Umeiyon to become a ‘D-Dragon’ and acquire the [D-Zone] skill.”
“W-What does this mean …” I trailed off, having some idea of what happened but partially didn’t want to acknowledge it.
“Following the traditions of your bloodline, you’ve been recognized as a subsidiary leader of the Kurokichi Clan. Ren, from this day forward, you will be directly serving under him as a member of his own subsidiary in the clan.”
“I get to serve Master as part of his historic clan? I couldn’t feel more honored,” Ren said before turning to me and knelt before me, “I swear to not be an embarrassment to your clan’s legacy, Master. I will make you and everyone in your lineage proud.”
“Whoa whoa whoa! Time-out!” I exclaimed while forming a ‘T’ with my hands before turning to Obina, “I know I learned a lot about my lineage over our talk, but I didn’t say I want to be a part of … ‘this’! I’m not interested in my clan’s ‘activities’! I don’t even know if there’s someone from the clan close enough by!” Since Obina didn’t say ‘yakuza’, I had to be careful of my choice of words if it could break the oath I made with her.
The Goddess of Lust lightly shook her head, “If you were to avoid following your clan’s traditions, you could probably avoid this outcome; however, swearing an oath is a serious thing under those same traditions, and since you are a D-Human, you are subjected to all events that could affect you, your status, and your relationships, even if you stumble upon them on accident. It’s doubly so for possessing the [Devil Eyes], as well, as you have an opportunity to get to the highest rank as chairman of the clan.”
“Uh, yeah, not happening, not at all,” I said before turning to my Werewolf and pulled her up from kneeling to standing position, “Ren, despite what my race as a D-Human dictates of me and my title as a ‘lieutenant’, I’m not interested in joining the Kurokichi Clan, so there’s no need for you to get so serious out of respect for them. Other than the collar around your neck, nothing that drastic will change between us”
“Is that so? But I still got titles that are connected to you, Master, along with a new skill I’ve never heard of. You seem to have gained something new, too, and it would be a waste if you can’t use it …” Ren said while deflating, looking disheartened.
Oh come on, don’t give me that look! Fuck, a Werewolf’s puppy dog eyes are the real deal.
“Okay, okay, lighten up and listen. Instead of joining the clan, why don’t we pull what my ancestor did and make our own?” I suggested.
“You can do that?!” Ren exclaimed, brightening back up in excitement.
I shrugged, “I don’t see why not? I mean, we kind of got something going with everyone as part of the harem and an adventurer’s party, anyway. We can build something from there … though, now that I think about it, wouldn’t I have a title that’s higher than ‘lieutenant’ already?”
“Under your bloodline’s traditions, that is not the case,” Obina answered while shaking her head, “You’re marked as ‘lieutenant’ because of your current level and influence you’ve made in a community. Getting to a rank that high is usually not an easy task for most in the bloodline. Furthermore, there are people in this world who stand above you in rank as [Kotori Family Captain], [Kotori Family Patriarch], and finally the [Kurokichi Clan Chairman]. As a Kotori, it’d be impossible to make up a clan on your own because the majority already serve for the Kurokichi Clan. You’d have to pull a coup to overthrow the clan’s current leadership in order to own it and have it become the Kotori Clan.”
“Huh, is that right …” That means the current family captatin and patriarch is living somewhere in this world, as well as the chairman running the clan under public’s noses. Well, it’s not like I’m going to search the entire world for them.
“All is not lost, however,” Obina continued, “As you’ve seen, Jinma, you have acquired the [D-Subordination] skill. Though it’s through a different means from what happened with Ren, but if you have a human or a demon swear a family oath to you, they will become your subordinates, with the human becoming a [D-Human] while acquiring the [D-Zone] skill, and the demon acquiring the [D-Release] skill.”
“What’s [D-Release]? This is the first time I’m hearing about it,” I said.
“[D-Release], short for [Demon Release], is similar to [D-Zone] for D-Humans,” Obina explained, “It grants demons a power boost that will release all limitations in the body and perform at their peak condition; however, this only lasts for five minutes, and when that time is up, the demon won’t be able to move for a while.”
Five minutes may not be much in Earth’s time, but it’s much different here in Raiza. Still, if Ren activates it until time runs out, she would be completely vulnerable to enemy attacks if left alone. I’ll have to make sure she doesn’t use it carelessly.
"Was Jin’s [D-Subordination] part of why I became a ‘D-Dragon’ and learned the [D-Zone] skill, as well?" Ume asked, “And what of those from the Demi-Kin?”
"The Demis like Elves and Dwarves would have the [D-Zone] skill and would become what's called a 'D-Demi',” Obina explained, “Their races would change to things like 'D-Elves' and 'D-Dwarves'. I've never seen a Dragon under a [D-Subordination]'s effect, but because you’re under a marital vow with Jinma, it seems you’ve become a 'D-Dragon' as a result. Also, with the [Wife of the Boss] title, you’ll have a similar level of authority for Jinma’s subordinates in his subsidiary.”
“Wait, if Ume is a D-Dragon now, then what will become of our kids?” I asked shakily. I also realized then I hadn’t considered what would happen if she had offspring with a D-Human like me than a regular Human.
Obina’s expression deflated, “To be honest … I am unsure. We have not run into a case where an offspring is born with the blood of more than two kin, let alone two races, especially if at least one of them was under [D-Subordination]. Those influenced by that skill’s effects have gone through violent frenzies that killed a number of people because they’ve not undergone proper training to control the [D-Zone] skill. Due to the lack of knowledge of this phenomenon, the ‘pure-blooded’ races retaliated and executed them before they could do further harm.”
So, like those under [Devil Eyes] effects, even D-Humans with only the [D-Zone] skill could get violent if pushed to the edge … does that mean, Hyo-chan and Komi have undergone something like that at some point?
While that thought was concerning enough, what’s really worrying me now is what my wife thought of all this. She was so excited to hear that a healthy child will be guaranteed after marrying me, now we suddenly hear this bleak history of those born under [D-Subordination]’s effects. I had little knowledge of D-Humans other than the name by the time we tied the knot, and in hein’s sight, I should have thought more of what would happen if Ume had a child with one like me.
“L-Lady Mei … I’m so sorry,” Ren apologized suddenly, “If I hadn’t pushed Master into putting the collar on me, we wouldn’t—”
“Stop,” Ume interrupted, putting a reptilian digit on Ren’s lips, “When I set out on finding a mate to help save my kin from going extinct, I didn’t anticipate for a second that our child would be a pure-blooded Dragon. From what I heard of the other Dragons and where they stood, I feared we would leave this world if we didn’t do something different with our methods of survival and reproduction. They were too stubborn that having a child with someone not a Dragon was impossible, and even if it was, they’d be an abomination for not being ‘pure’ like us. Heck, some Dragons have looked down on the Demon-Kin’s Lizardmen, the Demi-Kin’s Drakes, Wyverns, and other similar monsters as ‘Lesser Dragons’ because they’d never stand on the same level of strength and magic as us. I’d imagine the ‘abominations’ would be lumped in that same group.
“I personally don’t care whether these ‘Lesser Dragons’ are ‘pure’ or not. What annoys me is that they think they stand on the same level as us without ever truly seeing us and our splendor, let alone trying to fight us to see where they really stand. If they even have the gall to stand up to us despite knowing the difference of power between us, I’d at least acknowledge they have the bravery or stupidity to take us on. As for my child, I’ll tell them everything we Dragons are known and stand for,” Ume continued with a claw to her bosom, “I’ll teach them what true strength is, and have their father be the prime example that even the strongest of beings can be defeated if the challenger has ways of getting around those odds. I’ll raise them so that if a Dragon ever calls them an abomination, they can stand up, fight back, and show them that they don’t just have a Dragon’s blood, but also a Dragon’s heart and spirit, that they’re the child of a loving, proud Dragon and D-Human who can beat their asses better than they would.”
“Ume …” I muttered.
“So, a child of a D-Human will be more likely to get violent when aggravated, you say?” Ume asked Obina, “That’s nothing more than a temper tantrum to Dragons who have gone through something similar with their own offspring. It will just be a little tougher in my case because they’ll have a Demon’s blood inside them, but there’s nothing a Dragon’s discipline won’t fix, and I’m sure Jin’s mother has beaten things into him that can be passed down to our child, too.”
She’s got that right.
Ume then turned to me with a furrowed brow, “And what about you, Jin? What do you think about having a child that will grow into a being like that? Would you be willing to kill your own child if it meant saving the lives of many?”
“... No fucking way,” I said sternly, “I may not be ready to raise a kid yet, but even I wouldn’t ever go that far, or I’d be worse than the old bastard who abandoned Mom and I. If the discipline beaten into me doesn’t work for my kid, then I’ll do whatever I can to set them straight, because no one in my family is going to be left alone when they’re in trouble. I’ll never give up on them until they know how much they mean to me.”
Ume smiled and crossed her arms, “Mm. Exactly what I want to hear from my husband. You better not go back on your word, or I’ll beat you straight back up.”
“I could say the same to you, honey.”
Off to the side, Nyra sniffled and wiped her eyes, “That was so beautiful.”
Ren was standing alongside the Arch Pixie trying to avoid her eyes from pooling, but at least she didn’t look as guilty as she was moments ago.
Obina smiled sweetly, “I guess I can let up my worries a bit if you’re like this. With that bit of drama out of the way, shall we decide what Ren’s promoted class will be?”
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