Absolute Beast Dominion

The next morning...

7 AM

"Sorry for the late greetings, Lord Leo," Zharrissa greeted Leo right in front of the door leading to his room the next morning.

When Leo came out, she was already kneeling before him.

Her voice was silvery and pleasant to hear.

Leo noticed that her body was still very weak, and she seemed to be exerting herself just to remain kneeling.

"Stand up."

He then signalled Thalvyr behind her to support her, which he promptly did.

"How are you feeling?" Leo asked.

"I am fine. Thank you for worrying about me, Lord."

Leo waved a hand.

"It's natural for a Lord to worry about their subject. But what about the environment? How long do you think it will take for you to return to peak condition?"

"The environment here is bearable, and I should be fine within 4 months."

Leo nodded. Ember City's temperature was slightly more than normal, so it was normal for her to take more time.

Too long. He thought. It would be better to use the [Earthpulse Lifecore], but he would do that only after knowing what price it would fetch at the auction, based on its appraisal. At least he would have an idea of how much the next lifecore would sell for.

"Alright, you go rest, and have Cindriss go along with Naelith on a shopping trip to get your necessities."

Leo then turned toward Thalvyr.

"What about you? You'll be accompanying me today at the banquet. Would you like proper attire or good armour?"

The banquet would begin at 5 PM, and the auction would begin at 8 PM, so there was plenty of time.

"I-uh, I don't need those things. I am fine."

Leo looked at Thalvyr's muscular body, his chest exposed, his legs bare up to the thighs, and a spear slung across his back.

Yeah, no.

Thalvyr would look proper among the Lizardmen, but not among humans.

Even if Leo didn't care much about other people's opinions, he wouldn't go looking like a beggar somewhere. His subordinates and servants needed to look presentable.

Seeing Leo looking at her husband's appearance with reluctance, Zharrissa pinched Thalvyr on the back with the same hand she was using for support with her sharp claws, momentarily stiffening him.

He immediately understood what she meant.

"If it's necessary, then I would like armour," Thalvyr said.

Leo nodded.

"Be ready and decide what you want within 3 hours. We will go together."

"And don't worry. I will leave Naelith back with Zharrissa for safety."

Thalvyr nodded, and then Leo called Lyswenna. After explaining the shopping trip with Cindriss and giving her 500 Gold coins, Leo came to the main topic.

"Those 17 girls, how are they?" Leo asked. Apparently, the city official had brought 11 more girls, all of whom had just crossed the age of 18 not long ago, left them in the hall of Leo's quarters, and departed.

"Lord, these people are very cunning. They have purposefully gathered orphaned girls so that their disappearance would have no effect on any family, and nobody would raise an issue," Lyswenna began.

"I asked their ages, and apparently, they have indeed just crossed the age of 18. On further interrogation, they revealed that no girls were allowed to come into contact with any man. It seems that it is due to the Emperor's strict laws related to underage crimes."

Leo nodded.

"So they haven't crossed the line, huh..." Leo muttered. He couldn't help but respect the Emperor a bit for it.

"But..." Lyswenna hesitated.

"What? Speak."

"Lord, they said that other girls from different groups were trained using toys to perfect their skills in pleasing men. So, it can be said they are teetering on the edge." Even Lyswenna seemed a bit embarrassed saying such things in front of Leo.

But Leo didn't fret over these matters.

In other words, they are simply not crossing the line because they are prohibited. Leo concluded.

"Well, at least the Emperor seems sensible in these matters. Looks like the main problems are the people in the Empire."

Leo knew that some—or rather, most—of the ruling system was designed to keep those in power satisfied while also appearing good on the surface to the masses. Because at the end of the day, the masses are controlled by the people in power.

And from what Leo had observed by now, the Emperor seemed to be implementing rules that would have benefited the masses if the people in power didn't play around with them. And the Emperor couldn't even be too oppressive toward those in power because they would simply leave the Empire and look for a better place in this vast world.

Who knew there were other Empires besides the Humans, Elves, and Demons that were yet to be discovered—or hadn't been revealed by the top authorities even after being discovered?

Or at least, this was what was being talked about in a conspiracy book Leo had read in the library.

And the Emperor would never want his people, even if they were corrupt, to join the demons.

That would be simply disastrous.

"God damn..." Leo couldn't help but utter aloud when he realised this.

How smart, calculative, controlling, and strong would a person need to be to handle such a vast Empire—one spread across an area wider than the entire perimeter of Leo's previous world?

No wonder people respect the Emperor this much... He might have looked ruthless and tyrannical to me when I first came here because of the standards I brought from my previous world... but what he is doing is simply incomprehensible to my brain yet. Leo thought, gulping nervously just imagining the pressure the Emperor had to endure while handling everything under his rule.

Leo finally snapped out of his thoughts.

"Since they are ready to go with us, tell Naelith to inform them of the basics while we shop. Their primary duty will still remain that of maids, but they don't need to fear for their lives or living conditions," Leo said before looking toward Lyswenna with a sly grin.

"W-what happened?" Lyswenna asked. A bad premonition arose in her mind when she saw Leo's expression.

"Now you all will finally be able to focus solely on defending the territory and fighting. In other words, no slacking off. We will also begin the planned mercenary tasks soon."

Lyswenna's face shrank at that. Only now did she realise why Leo had so enthusiastically accepted all those maids.

So, Lord's enthusiasm indeed had some truth to it!

"L-Lord... At least give us a few days of rest..." Lyswenna muttered, knowing that her sisters back in the territory were already running around the academy area securing those mana-generating treasures. There was simply no rest!

"HAHAHAHA."

Leo simply laughed and walked off to eat.

It was time for the banquet preparations.

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