Achoo!
Finn rubbed his nose, mildly suspicious that someone, somewhere, was currently talking about him. But considering the utterly absurd reality he had found himself in, being gossiped about was perfectly normal.
He turned his head, glancing across the massive king-sized mattress. Bisca, Ultear, Meredy, Sorano, and Flare were all sleeping soundly beside him, their bare, stunning figures tangled in the silk sheets.
"It's a good thing I'm rich," he muttered under his breath.
Then again, as his empire had expanded, he realized that simply hoarding mountains of gold was somewhat pointless. What truly mattered was leverage. With his current level of influence, he could live an obscenely comfortable, debaucherous life without ever fearing bankruptcy. It wasn't just because of the Manager's flawless calculations. It was because he had become structurally indispensable to the continent.
If Finn went bankrupt, the entire economy of Fiore would collapse. Millions would lose their jobs, and the arrogant nobles and politicians whose rise to power was tied to his investments would be plunged into poverty. He had literally become "Too Big to Fail." Even if he stopped working entirely, the powers that be would fight tooth and nail to keep him prospering, simply because their own survival depended on him.
Finn, can you step out for a minute?
The sudden voice echoing in his mind startled him. It was Telepathy Magic. And there was only one person nearby who would use it right now.
I have the suite next door booked under my name as well. The door is unlocked. Let's talk there, Finn replied mentally.
Okay.
He slipped out of bed quietly, careful not to wake the exhausted women. He probably should have woken Bisca; her family was definitely wondering where she was. She had initially claimed she could only sneak away for two hours. Clearly, that time limit had long expired. Fairy Tail was likely still up celebrating Laxus's victory, which had given her the perfect cover to slip away, but she was pushing her luck.
Truthfully, it wasn't entirely his fault she was still here. Flare had been the one to extend the invitation, and Bisca had been the one begging to stay, forgetting her family. But Finn knew that the one in the next room was the one he really needed to worry about.
He stepped into the adjacent suite. Erza was waiting for him.
"Sorry to make you wait."
"No, it's fine... It was very sudden, after all." Erza wore a deeply complicated expression. Her face was flushed scarlet. Her mind was clearly replaying their own intense encounter from earlier that night, juxtaposed with the muffled, joyful cries she had just spent the last few hours listening to through the wall. Yet, looking at him now, he appeared perfectly composed, as if he hadn't just exhausted five powerful mages.
"I'm sorry," Finn said suddenly.
"...Why are you apologizing to me?" Erza blinked, thoroughly confused.
"You asked me to break things off with Bisca, right? So..." Finn offered an awkward, genuinely apologetic smile.
Inwardly, however, he didn't feel a shred of guilt. Bisca had walked through his door entirely on her own. Was it really his fault that he had introduced her to a level of pleasure that made her temporarily forget about her guild, risking giving little Asuka a sibling just to spend a few more hours in his bed?
"No, you aren't at fault." Erza shook her head softly, her knightly logic overriding her frustration. She knew Finn hadn't kidnapped the sniper. Bisca simply couldn't stop herself.
"Then, can you do me a favor and keep this a secret?" Finn asked gently.
"Hmm?" Erza looked at him in surprise.
"If her secret gets out, it will destroy her family, and she'll be devastated. I don't want that for her. So, can you keep your mouth shut?"
Erza stared at him for a long moment, conflicted but ultimately swayed by his reasoning. He was a scumbag, undoubtedly, but he was actively trying to protect her guildmate's domestic life from collateral damage.
"Don't worry," Erza finally sighed. "I won't say a word. But I will remind her to be far more careful."
"Thank you," Finn sighed in relief. Erza truly was a remarkably good woman. She would protect her guild and the people she cared about without hesitation.
It made Finn acutely aware of his own moral bankruptcy. He knew exactly how incredible she was, yet he had still shamelessly pulled her into his web. But playing the "good guy" in Earthland was a fast track to an early grave. He was perfectly content being a lawful evil character.
He turned to head back to his room, but Erza's voice stopped him.
"Is that it?"
"What do you mean?" Finn paused, looking back at her.
"If you want to buy my silence, shouldn't you offer me some... compensation?" Erza's face was practically glowing with heat, but she stepped closer, unable to deny the lingering, addictive ache in her own body.
Finn realized with absolute clarity that Titania was completely addicted to him.
Being a good guy really is too much trouble, Finn sighed inwardly. If helping Bisca keep her secret meant he had to "sacrifice" his body to Erza once again, then so be it. He let his shirt drop to the floor, allowing Erza to push him back onto the mattress as she completely let go of her knightly restraint.
Yet, despite how reluctant he appeared, he had to admit that this felt so good, he thought.
Fortunately, an hour later, Erza and Bisca managed to slip out of the hotel together, having seemingly reached a silent, understanding truce on their walk back to the Fairy Tail lodgings.
Finn breathed a sigh of relief as he returned to his primary suite and climbed back into bed.
"Everything sorted?" Meredy mumbled sleepily, cracking an eye open. "Are you planning on sleeping with the entire Fairy Tail roster eventually?"
"No way. I'm not that easy," Finn scoffed.
All four conscious women in the bed collectively rolled their eyes in the dark.
"We still have a little time before dawn," Sorano purred, wrapping her soft arms around him and pulling him back down against the pillows. "Let's do a little more. You make my magic feel so much healthier."
Finn couldn't exactly argue with that logic. And so, as he generously continued his "healing treatments," the sun slowly rose over Crocus, signaling the dawn of the second day of the Grand Magic Games.