Primordial Villain with a Slave Harem

Chapter 541: We Never Bow

During times of peace, the economy boomed, letting opportunistic merchants and nobles stuff their pockets.

During times of war, chaos reigned supreme, letting opportunistic combatants reap immense benefits.

It was time to welcome chaos into the lands of the Greenvale duchy.

”[Warp Gate]”

After my casting, the swirling dimensional gate materialized in front of me. I loved this spell dearly, the utility it provided me with over the months couldn’t be said enough times. Even my home depended on it we would struggle to reach it without my teleportation gate. However, the twins didn’t seem to share the sentiment as they flinched upon sensing it.

”Stand up and come to me.”

My order was received instantly; they were puppets whose strings were entirely in my hands. Vivienne stood from her kowtow while Amara got up from her bed and rushed to stand before me.

Their eyes were a mixture of hatred for me, misery for their situation, and utter hopelessness - they couldn’t imagine a brighter tomorrow where they would be freed, for my orders bound them. The twins weren’t even allowed to think about going against me.

Before they could make a move that would signal to their allies the kind of predicament they were in, my magical chains would flare to life, forbidding them from going through with their plan. Naturally, it would also alert me, after which an amicable conversation would take place between me and the twins.

”Do you remember the story?”

Amara fervently bobbed her head, while Vivienne merely tried her best at stopping her tears.

I had to observe Amara for a moment; I was surprised how obedient she became all of a sudden. Lucille got bored of tormenting her quite quickly; my beloved woman was a battle maniac, yes, but she didn’t gain joy from spending hours of her time torturing someone, even if it was her personal enemy. Lucille found it useless; she instead spent a few hours of the night merrily chatting with Sylvaris, intent on getting to know my mother-in-law. As a fellow mother, maybe a friendship would blossom between the two.

Before she did that, though, Lucille gave Selene a call, who happily took over the position of torturer - hence Amara’s traumatized obedience. The Pyromancer was a cruel woman who had a lot of bottled-up emotions in her heart, which she released onto Amara.

”Alright. Remember, I’m always watching. I’ll know if you’re scheming something or merely aren’t doing your best to do my bidding. However, I’m a harsh but fair master; if I like your acting, you won’t have to come back to my stronghold for the next three nights.”

Their eyes immediately brightened, and a semblance of gratitude even found its way into their hearts. I found it to be quite interesting, as I was their tormentor, the sole reason behind their suffering. Be that as it may, I didn’t dwell on this curious psychological phenomenon.

And, naturally, letting them sleep in peace for three nights was not mercy on my part, merely a precaution. After their return, I imagined all eyes would be on them - including the duke’s. If nothing strange occurs for the next few days, they will all slowly begin to relax, making everyone’s lives easier.

”Good. Now go.”

My words were received well, and some life even returned to their features.

”Rest well, Liora. Thank you for all you’d done for me.”

As Seraphiel was unavailable, she alone tended to the numerous injuries the Ascendants suffered over the entirety of last night, only for me to ask her to heal the twins as well in the morning. It was unfair of me to do so, especially because she had to shoulder this burden just so that I could enjoy my alone time with my elf. However, I did so because Liora assured me she could heal everyone without Seraphiel’s help and that she would call me if something happened that needed our attention. ꭆΑƝ𝖔βÈṤ

The priestess-looking healer gasped at my words of gratitude, clearly not expecting a ’thank you’ from me. I imagine Kai never said those two words to his slaves. In his mind, they were his property; thus, it was only natural for them to go out of their way to help him to the best of their abilities, no matter how tired they were.

I disagreed with that sentiment. Clauseless slaves were living beings as well with their own emotions - just because they were legally your objects didn’t mean they turned into literal robots whose sole wish was to serve their masters to their utmost.

A slave’s motivation reflected in the result of their work. Highly motivated slaves simply did a better job than dejected ones. This was the other reason I allowed the twins three peaceful nights. I hoped the prospect would motivate them to put on their best act for my benefit.

A sloppy performance could alert the duke if he has keen eyes, ruining my plans as I might even have to go as far as ordering them to bite down on their tongues to choke on their own blood before they could be researched for signs of manipulation. It’s not that finding a trail leading to me would be easy or even possible in the first place, but their usefulness as my assets would become null, so I might as well get ahead of any possible headaches by eliminating them.

”I’m unworthy of your words, Lord Quinlan.” Liora said while bowing deeply in my direction. Her voice cracked mid-sentence; she was overcome with emotions.

The fact that such a minor act of mine made her this emotional showed just how harsh her life was thus far.

”You’re not unworthy.” I decreed while stepping closer to her still-bowing person.

I put my pointed finger on her forehead and made a gentle pulling motion while stating, ”You’d bowed and groveled enough for a lifetime due to the cruel hand fate had in store for you, but you’re an Ascendant now, Liora. The time to hold your head high has officially begun, and it will not end for as long as I breathe. Remember: the Ascendants don’t bow to anyone.”

A small jolt of electricity traveled along her spine before she straightened her back as asked. Tears welled in her big eyes as she looked up at me with a gaze full of gratitude and admiration.

”Thank you… My Lord.” She managed to get the words out with great difficulty.

I don’t believe I deserve such strong emotions from this woman. However, I can easily understand why the Goddess would grant her the Healer class; Liora is a truly wonderful person.

”As I said, it’s time for you to rest. You’d done well.”

Instead of replying, she merely bowed once again…

Sigh.

It’s hard being so respected by your subordinates. I’m assuming she took my words about the Ascendants not bowing to anyone to have an exception to the rule in my person. If it makes her feel better, then she can keep acting as such toward me; I have no issues with it.

I stepped out of the room and found Lyra, after which I called Blossom over as well.

Then, I sat down under the nice, breezy shade provided by a large oak tree and activated [Overlord’s Eyes] while my two stalwart protectors would diligently watch over me.

The chance of getting ambushed in my own home was almost nil due to the many traps around us, but as they say, better safe than sorry.

I closed my eyelids and let my senses merge with Vivienne’s.

”D-do you think... H-h-h-h-he is truly watching?” The woman whose senses I shared without her knowledge asked. I didn’t inform the twins of any of my abilities; I saw no benefit in doing so.

”Shhh!” Amara hissed while putting her pointer finger to her mouth. ”Things are already horrible; I can’t get more punishments!”

”W-why are you so scared? It’s me who is worse off...”

”Hah?!” It seemed Amara was about to punch Vivienne; she couldn’t believe the words coming from her sister’s lips. ”You just have to sleep around while I’m getting tortured for hours on end!”

”I just have to sleep around?!” Vivienne whispered sharply; she was offended as well. ”You make it sound like I went on a honeymoon with the love of my life, not had disgusting, smelly men force themselves upon me!”

Silence descended as the duo thought inwardly while they ran toward a town of my choosing. The twins were meant to be running from the enemies, acting as if they thought they weren’t safe from their pursuers.

I didn’t believe the current way they acted was representing that order of mine correctly.

”AHHHHHHHHHHHH!!” Amara shrieked and tripped on her own legs, falling face-first into a pool of mud, while Vivienne immediately fainted, following her twin to the ground with a loud splash.

Due to the target of my spell fainting, I was forced to swap to observing from Amara’s point of view.