Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Scott Fellman.
I must say, the magic and development skills were quite interesting, especially the ones that were particularly special.
Tione possessed List Iorum, a binding spell that restrained the target, its success rate depending on Tione's magic stat. She had a decent amount of magic for a melee warrior, but nothing compared to what I had access to. I really wanted to discover just how strong they could become and whether they were stronger than my Malice Nest from Baiser.
The other surprises came from a Cat person, from someone named Anakitty Autumn, and yes, that was her name, but putting that aside, what she could do was really interesting.
Starting with her magic, Paw Bash, with empty hands, was a type of punch magic that was influenced by the user's Strength stat; if she had a bladed weapon, it transformed into a cutting magic influenced by the Agility stat.
Then there were her Skills: first, there was Cat Walk. It increased her agility and improved her jumping ability, and its effects were even more pronounced on rough terrain.
And second place was Cat Return, which increased the user's agility when near someone they felt affection for; if that effect exceeded a limit, it moderately increased strength and dexterity and greatly increased agility.
They did seem quite interesting, but more importantly, I really wanted to know if it was possible to make it work without a Falna. Since I didn't have any proper stats without a Falna, I wasn't sure if it would use my normal 'agility' as a benchmark or something similar.
If I really needed any Falna, that would truly be a problem. I momentarily set that worry aside as I continued to watch the magic and skills come and go. Once the people had finished their demonstration and the gold had been handed over, they began to leave the area, finally leaving Lucy and me with Loki and her executives.
Finally, Bete took a step forward while clicking his tongue.
"You'd better have those boots ready." Bete grunted as he began to chant Hati's magic. The chant was long, too long, and annoying. But when Bete finished, his entire body and the area around him burst into flames, great fires erupting from him before concentrating on his hands and legs.
And just as they appeared, the flames disappeared. Bete made a face of disgust and hatred before spitting on the ground.
"That better have been enough, I won't do it again," Bete spat angrily. "Now, you're part of the deal." Bete growled. I hummed and ignored him, raised both hands, grabbed the star inside my newly formed Reality Marble, and used it.
" Hati." I said easily, a huge burst of flame, even larger than Bete's, erupted from me before concentrating in my hands and legs. That... was interesting. I could feel the increase in power.
I blinked slightly before beginning to use vast amounts of demonic power to feed Hati. The flames grew in intensity, becoming hotter and stronger by the minute.
That... was interesting. The increase in power wasn't negligible at all. It's a shame it's only melee magic; the destructive power is only concentrated in my hands and legs, unless...
I clapped loudly. The flames on my arms collided. I began to manipulate Hati. It was terribly… easy. Although using magic on Hati made it consume it, it was absolutely nothing compared to how cunning the Six Eyes were.
Hati's manipulation came to me with such ease that it was almost ridiculous. I fused both flames in my hands into one before I absorbed the flames from my feet. A huge, intense, multiplied fireball erupted in my hands.
I clapped my hands again. The fire hit my palms, and this time, as I began to mold Hati, I extended my left hand. The tip of an arrow formed between my fingertips. I grabbed the flame with my right hand and extended it lengthwise, as if it were a real arrow.
I let the arrow not only absorb my magic, but also feed it with Solar energy created from my light. Hati began to reach new and horrifying temperatures as it fed more and more.
Hati could grow infinitely; it had absolutely no upper limit, so it kept feeding the flames to colossal levels, to the point that even I began to feel the heat, but that pain fed Hati again; it really was too dangerous a magic.
"Don't fire that!" I heard Riveria's shriek, which snapped me out of my concentration. I looked up and saw Riveria standing with a translucent shield in front of her, protecting all the other members of the Loki Familia and Lucy, who were staring at me, on high alert and a little horrified. I looked at the ground around me, which seemed to be melting and scorching from the heat Hati had generated.
"Ah," I said stupidly. I moved my hand and squeezed the arrow between my fingers, making it disappear instantly. I moved my hand again, and everything around us immediately returned to normal as if nothing had happened. "I... I'm sorry, I got carried away," I said timidly.
"You're a monster." Loki snorted dryly, wiping away her sweat. "I'm really grateful you don't have anything planned for Orario," she added just as dryly.
"Do you know... female devils can have children with other women?" Tione asked, looking at me intently.
"Yes, we can." I said easily.
"Don't answer that!" Riveria exclaimed, turning slightly red-faced and looking at me. "And don't you try to seduce my fiancée," Riveria said, striking Tione with her staff.
"But did you see what she can do? She's super strong! She almost killed us all without a second thought! " Tione added, as if that were an answer.
"It's the second time." Lucy pointed out dryly. I glared at her; she wasn't helping. She just smiled mockingly and shrugged.
"I already got sick about that," I said with a pout while looking at Riveria.
"Wow, you're really strong, miss! I thought they were lying to me, but they definitely weren't doing you justice! " Gareth said cheerfully.
"Thank you," I said with a crooked smile. "I'll leave the tests of the other magic for later, when I can go somewhere where I won't destroy an entire city," I said with a tired sigh. Then I raised my hands.
" I am the Root of all Mystery." I began to project the boots I had promised Bete. They were identical to her Flosvirt boots in appearance, but a different color, or at least one of them was. One was still completely white, but the other was a deep red.
"This works like a Twice Critical, but an improved version. It can grant three boosts that double your stats with each boost. You have to wait 30 seconds between each boost, but it can last as long as a regular Twice Critical after the last one." I said as I raised the red boot.
"And this is its opposite, a very degraded version of something called Divine Dividing. If I had to give it a name, it would be Half Critical. It's capable of halving your opponent's power. Unfortunately, I don't have that much experience with Divine Dividing yet, so it can only divide the enemy's power in half once."
"But it's capable of splitting the entire stats, both physical and magical, completely in half, and not only that, any attack, even after being launched, can be split in half to reduce its power; you just have to hit it with the boot." I said as I lifted the white boot.
I handed them to Bete, who grabbed them with a wild grin.
" Aww, why do he and Ais get all the good things?" Tione complained.
"We're already getting plenty from her, don't complain." Riveria sighed wearily. I shrugged.
"Okay, I have some time. What do you want? I can't promise anything, but I might be able to get something," I said easily, Tione's eyes gleaming slightly.
I just smirked as I began a long conversation with the Loki family, along with Riveria. It started with her asking for weapons, but quickly moved on to more normal topics as time passed.
It was nice, but it was a shame I had plans for the rest of the night. I said goodbye to them, and to Lucy too. Rebecca had returned, so they both went off to continue exploring Orario together at night. Bellatrix checked back in with Miach while I walked through the streets of Orario to my next destination.
I looked at the Entertainment District as I walked through its crowded streets; there were many shops, bars, and buildings offering typical entertainment, but the main attraction was the brothels and other sex establishments.
There were half-naked women everywhere trying to attract customers, women seducing any man who passed by, and much more.
I couldn't help but compare it to the red-light district in my city. It had its similarities; broadly speaking, they were alike in some ways but different in others. The main difference was the atmosphere—I absolutely hated it.
At this point, I had a different value and opinion about prostitution and all sex work; the whole thing with the succubi in the city and my added memories had greatly changed my thinking about it.
I had no problem with it; I even served as a facilitator in my city. I ensured that all succubi were completely comfortable doing whatever they wanted as long as they didn't harm anyone.
The succubi of the city who chose that type of work were more than happy to work as prostitutes or any sex work they chose; you could feel it in the air. They thrived in it; the atmosphere was intoxicating, completely joyful, overflowing with euphoria.
But this… I could sense them from afar; I could see them in the air, and it disgusted me as I looked at the various brothels and even at some of the women on the street who were simply holding signs. Many of them definitely weren't enjoying offering their services, even though they were definitely willing.
I grimaced at that; resorting to prostitution as a method to earn money was something that was done normally. There were very few of them in Pentagram City, but even they weren't as unhappy as I could sense the women in these brothels.
Next came the slaves. Disgust, hatred, and resignation were easily felt. Slavery was forbidden in Orario, but it meant nothing; the bandits always found a way. After all, Ishtar had bought Haruhime to work in her brothel.
And then some weren't willing in the slightest, those I could feel Ishtar's charm upon them, compelling them to act as if she wanted to. I recognized the charm easily; after being exposed to Freya's, it was easily recognizable, though Ishtar's was... deficient, not even close to the raw power of Freya's charm, pathetic.
Unfortunately, that charm was enough for most mortals. I wrinkled my nose as I continued walking. The sooner I get out of here, the better.
Luckily, I had done enough research to find out which brothel Haruhime was working at, so I headed straight there. I was on my way when the buildings completely changed to an architecture straight out of Japan.
I walk around the buildings until I find the right one, I look it up and down before entering with ease.
"Well, well, what do we have here? Are you looking to become a prostitute, darling?" asked the Amazon who greeted me with a smile.
"No, I want to hire someone, I heard that... there's an adorable Renard with blonde hair around here." I said with a smile as I held up a bag brimming with Valis, which seemed to surprise the woman for a few seconds before she smiled.
"Ah, Haruhime, an excellent choice," the Amazon said. They exchanged easily. I simply tossed the bag to her; she caught it effortlessly, opened it, and her eyes widened once more. I suppose I had given her too much. There were 500,000 Valis in that bag. "T-this will be enough, honorable client. Please follow me," the Amazon stammered for the first time.
She started walking quickly, leading the way. I followed without any problem, watching the Amazon's back. I could barely feel their strength, so either they didn't have a Falna, or they must be at level 1.
"Please make yourself comfortable. Haruhime will be here in a few moments." The woman said as she opened one of the rooms. I glanced at the Japanese-style room and stifled a sigh. I entered slowly, and I heard the door close quickly, ignored the futon on the floor, and went to the window. I conjured a comfortable chair and sat down lazily, gazing out at the street.
I narrowed my eyes slightly as I watched the Amazon who had guided me run down the street toward the towers that should be the Ishtar family's home. Well, let's see what they have planned.
My head turned as the door opened smoothly; Haruhime, kneeling on the floor outside the room, smiled gently. She bowed slightly with elegance.
"Excuse my lateness, honorable client. I will be serving you tonight. My name is Haruhime." Haruhime introduced herself, then stood up again, blushing slightly. "I must apologize from the start. I... I have no experience with... with women, so I must apologize for my inexperience," Haruhime said shyly. I chuckled softly.
"Don't worry, come in, I'm sure it will be an unforgettable night," I said playfully. Haruhime blushed, but nodded, stood up, entered with the same gentleness, closed the door, and approached the futon.
" P-please, t-tell me what to do, honorable client, I will do my best not to disappoint you! " Haruhime said, completely serious and determined, while staring at me. I blinked before bursting into laughter.
"You really are a gem, Haruhime," I said playfully. Haruhime blushed even more. "Alright, let's begin," I said as I stood up, walked slowly toward Haruhime, circled her slightly, then knelt behind her, placing my hands on her shoulders. Haruhime squealed and trembled slightly.
I laughed again, but I didn't stop. I grabbed the edges of her kimono over her shoulder and slowly began to undress her. Her shoulders were bare as the kimono fell down her arms. I gently caressed her soft, bare skin and—
Finally, I heard a squeal as Haruhime went completely limp in my arms after fainting. I blinked slightly before chuckling. I wasn't really going to sleep with her; I wanted to see how far Haruhime would go without fainting, but apparently, even with a woman, her mental stamina was really low.
I chuckled, snapped my fingers as I stood up, and Haruhime's clothes magically rearranged themselves, her body floating slightly as she settled comfortably onto the futon.
Haruhime settled down in her sleep. I walked back to my conjured chair and sat down, glancing at the street again as I waited. After a few minutes, I saw an Amazon rush into the building. In the distance, I saw the Amazon, who had guided me, trying to catch up.
I only had to wait a few seconds until someone gently knocked on the door.
"Come in." I said, easily. The door opened, and an Amazon appeared. The Amazon didn't even look at me; she only looked at Haruhime. I could feel her shoulders ease slightly, even though her face didn't change in the slightest.
Once she was sure of Haruhime, she looked at me and smiled seductively.
"Greetings, honorable client. My name is Aisha Belka. I must apologize for Haruhime; she... has a delicate constitution. I hope you're not upset." Aisha said, bowing her head apologetically as she entered the room. My eyes lit up in recognition. "If you'd like, I can refund your money and add a small compensation for the inconvenience, or—"
Aisha smiled seductively as she reached behind her back and undid the bandage covering her plump breasts, leaving them completely bare. But she didn't stop there; her hands moved to her waist, and she began to slowly and seductively pull down the transparent dancer's pants she wore along with her underwear.
"Or, I could offer you a... service as compensation, I could even call one of my colleagues to... serve you." Aisha said in a seductive purr, completely naked. I smiled slightly. That was perfect and completely rehearsed; it was something she had repeated dozens, maybe hundreds of times flawlessly, and I was sure no man had ever rejected that option. After all, Aisha was definitely beautiful.
It was a shame that I was here for something else.
Malice Nest. I moved my hand, and the demonic power transformed into a web that ensnared Aisha, instantly immobilizing her. Aisha's eyes widened, and she tried to break free, but my webs were far stronger than a level 3 adventurer's.
"I am the Root of all Mystery." The words spilled from my mouth as I began to project a Rule Breaker. The ceremonial dagger appeared in my hand, and I focused on Aisha. She had a look of terror in her eyes. I just smiled slightly. I suppose this situation could be interpreted as such, but it wasn't necessary.
I looked closely at Aisha, and I could see it: my eyes saw Ishtar's influence over her with extreme ease. I could see her charm so easily, like a poison that wrapped around her neck, like a collar forcing her to follow Ishtar's orders.
I walked slowly towards Aisha, who tried harder to break free, opening her mouth to speak or scream, but I silenced her, and not a sound came out of her mouth, which only increased Aisha's terror.
I raised my hand and didn't even hesitate to plunge Rule Breaker into Aisha's neck. I could see how the Charm of Ishtar shattered instantly and scattered with ease. The blade of Rule Breaker didn't even need to break Aisha's skin. Aisha became completely rigid before shuddering violently, and then she went completely limp as unconsciousness took her.
I hummed softly; I didn't want to wake Aisha immediately. Having her will completely violated by Ishtar and being forced to follow her orders without being able to avoid it would be a great trauma for her mind, especially when the Charm was completely broken at once. It would be better to wait for her to wake up on her own; it shouldn't take more than a few minutes.
I released Aisha from my Malice Nest and levitated her next to Haruhime. I raised a time bubble as I approached the chair, sat down, set Rule Breaker aside, took a book from my Pocket Space, and began to read idly while I waited for them to wake up.