Chapter 10: The priestess of Water goddess’ temple

I woke up as my unique skill, Loyalty, send a ping sound down my spine. I used status board to look at my skills and clicked icon of Loyalty.

Skills which had functions like Loyalty and King of Wisdom, had this special panels which showed contents of the skills and sub skills. And one of these panels showed people affected by Loyalty and the level of their affection.

The people were as follows: Kiira (10), Ruzu (8), Tina (7), Setto (4) and lastly Nina (2) …wait, since when Nina become one of the subjects of Loyalty? I understand Setto as he’s son of our butler Setas and he’s inspiring to become a butler like his father. He more or less became like my other hand while dealing with tasks outside our mansion.

As I quickly sit up and put my weight little to my hands, I realised that I’m touching something which was not a bed. I looked at my right and saw that I touched Kiira’s chest. Even while sleeping she let her perverted smile loose. I slowly turned to my other side. Please, let it not be my sister! It’s so soft… please…

I opened my eyes and was met with stare of beet-red faced Nina. SAFE! Or not…

„H-How long do you plan on touching my chest?“

„S-sorry, I didn’t mean to…“ I put my hand of her and slipped in bed and turned my head to her, „What are you doing here, Nina?“

„I spoke with Kiira last night… and she talked me into this… That’s right! I also have something to say!“

„What is it?“ I whispered. When did Kiira even spoke with her? I remember us leaving Nina's room after I gave her the charm I made.

„You ruined my family and freed me from my curse. So I was thinking… That you should take responsibility!“

„Come again?“

„You should take responsibility for what happen to me! And I will not tell anyone about you touching my chest!“

What kind of brainwashing did you do to her Kiira?

„Well… I will think about it.“

„Hmm…“ Nina frown her thin black brows, her silky black hair moved with her head closer to me.

„Kiira said that if you say something like this, I should seduce you…“

„What are you teaching her Kiira?!“ I voiced my inner thoughts, „No, calm down, this isn’t the time. …Nina, I don’t think you understood what Kiira meant by ‚seduce‘ so I will have to ask you to not use this word before adults okay? If you want to marry me this much then you should give me some time. If we rush these things, no-one would be happy in the end.“

„Umm… fine, that should do for now. I will take my leave for now,“ with that Nina left the room with tit tat sound.

I got dressed and left for library in this house. Brother Noel, who excels in alchemy took most of the books with him so I didn’t get to learn about alchemy in those past few years at all.

I took a book for beginers and read the first line: The only rule of alchemy is: when creating something, something must be lost, that’s equal exchange which binds all alchemy together.

I’ve read this on earth once…

„Oh, here it is. ‘For making magic potions with alchemy one must collect items used for it. Magical fluids must be held in magicaly charged containers…‘ so what if I used the magicaly charged things I have… I could use some blades from Blade bulls, after all, after catching Elvar, some of those guys followed us home… it took us three days to realise it… heheheh.“

I continued reading the book. „Well, this can be interesting, ‘Dungeons are treasure troves for alchemists as they are full of items you can use for making magic items. Even cores, which are base ingredient to create potions and magic circuits have special quirks. Cores from fire monsters are less useful for fire protection potions then ice type monsters.‘ So I have to separate monster cores by their type? Great…“

I read the rest of the book while making notes and after that I left for breakfast.

„Leo, you should know this, but there will be big event in south of our territory. I would be happy if you went there and while at it to show Nina to your uncle’s place. You could also stop by Lulu’s place by the ocean.“

„Ah, the Spring festival… I heard that people send lampions on sea and make a wish while at it.“

„Yes, I heard the same, but becouse I never got to leave our castle, or territory in fact, I never saw it… Aparently it’s held ever since the Founder of Netrose family moved to this kingdom,“ Nina added.

Hou, so it’s a well known thing in the southern part of our territory. As we are living in the northern part I never knew it.

„Alright, let’s go sightsee.“

„Also, one more thing. The southern part tends to treat slaves as objects so it would be smarter to release those two if you want to take them with you,“ mom smiled with a wink.

„Understood, Mother. I’m sure they will be delighted.“

I left the room and returned to parlor and studied the alchemy. While I was at it I called in Setto, who was more or less my butler now.

„Did you call for me master?“ Setto, a fifteen years old man with black hair and eyes entered the room. The butler clothes were a good set for him. He was also in charge of taking care of Tifaana as he was only one with servant and bodyguard releated skills. Tifaana was supposed to become my bodyguard during my stay in royal academy so she had to be taugh about guarding her master (me).

„Setto, we will go to slave trader’s shop to release Kiira and Ruzu, could you find the most trusted slave trader in town?“

„Of course sir,“ Setto bowed and left the room.

„Y-you’re releasing us?!“ Kiira got started and practically screamed with fear when Setto left.

„Well, I’m going to southern region where slaves are treated as objects so it would be better to have you there as ‘Maid‘ and ‘apprentice maid‘ don’t you think?“ I smiled at Kiira who was close to crying.

„Well, it’s not like you treat us differently from regular servants anyway. Actually I kinda enjoy my current lifestyle,“ Ruzu smiled and continued: „Which means that after Tina, Seto and Tifaana we join as your regular servants. So you better get yourself a noble title so we can continue job we like for someone we like.“

„I would follow master even if he didn’t pay me at all!“ Kiira puffed her cheeks.

„You two, thanks.“

Well, I guess that if I want to be greedy I have to aim for the highest place in society as well. So Grand duke it is!

Wait... grand duke is only given to those related by blood to the king. Does that mean that I will have to marry a princess? Urgh... but I don't want a political marriage...

„Leo thinks about something funny again,“ Kiira said.

„It seems so. He have the same grin on his face as when you went against that cockatrice,“ Ruzu added.

Oh, hush!

We went to slave traders place right after lunch. The best shop, which Seto find was on borders between Trader’s district and Noble’s district. The shop’s name is Gunther slave company and it’s shop protected by crown as it helped with monster invasion two years ago.

„Oh, you must be young master Leonard Netrose. My name is Torren and I’m assistant of president Gunther. I was tasked with showing you to releasing magic circle and finishing paperwork.“

„I understand, let’s proceed.“

We went to second floor and finished the paperwork, which was only releasing contract and regaining of their commoner status and freedom. After that we went to the room next door with the magic circle. And as we needed to pour our mana into it, girls got little tired. So after finishing the releasing, they fell asleep.

„It would be better to let them sleep for some time so would you like to take a look at our merchandise?“

„Well we do have a time. So please, lead the way.“

We went from room to room and I got to see that all slaves here had clean beds, furniture and by how their body looked they had three meals a day on regular basis.

We went from room full of mascular man, to room full of woman of wide variety of age. And lastly we entered the beastmen room. There, many different beastmen were glaring angrily at us.

The reason for that is that the beastmen kingdom which is connected to Frontier count’s Gal Netrose’s land attacked three years ago. The war ended with our overwhelming victory and turning the Beastmen kingdom into a vasal state. The king of beastmen, a Lionman with golden maine was publicly executed and the kingdom was placed under his second son, who was set to inherit the throne after his older brother died in battle against Thirteen wands of our kingdom. They summoned giant meteor and destroyed entire army. Only thing that remained from the prince was his half melted sword. If this was a manga then lack of body would mean that he survived, if you asked me.

I was looking from side to side, the beastmen were glaring at me. Rabbitman, tigerman, dogman, catman, even lizardman was here. Oh?

„Seems you have good eyes sir, that girl over there is Sea dragonfolk, one of the rarest beastmen.“

The girl I was looking at was twelve years old with pale bluish skin, no it was not skin, but really tiny scales. She had cyan hair tied with yellow ribbon and simmilarly golden yellow eyes. I reflexively used King of Wisdom. Apart from her own stats I was interested in her species as whole and thanks to my World library sub-skill I was able to learn about it.

Sea dragonfolk: Ancient race of beastmen, which used to rule the seas. Their connection to goddess of water is as strong as that of the Merfolk.

Name: Tarumipemi
Level: 12
Titles: Priestess of Water goddess's temple, The last child of Sea, Reincarnator
Skills: Foresight (U), Water magic (10), Holy magic (8), Mana manipulation (5)

What the hell? How many people have unique skills? And she’s a reincarnator to boot? What is this?

„Interesting…“

„Do not dare put your dirty hands on our priestess lowly human!“ Blue scalefolk girl of aproximately twenty years, barked at me. Well, she could be called cute, but I felt she was rather the cool type of beauty. Well, she was glaring at me like at a natural enemy.

I calmly walk towards the cage they were in and when I stood directly before the bars I used transfer to get behind her, grabbed the priestess, as she call her, and returned back with her before the cage.

„But I alredy did.“

„Huh?! How did—“

„—Space magic. High leveled one at that,“ the priestess said with eyes locked on my face.

Looking at her I smiled and handled her a small piece of paper with single world. Looking at it the priestesses eyes went wide.

„Y-you are… like me…“ she smiled broadly.

Of course she would, the piece of paper had ‚Hello‘ written on it, in japanese.

With her words the beastmen froze in place and forgot how to react. Even that rude scalefolk girl couldn’t do anything but stare with open mouth.

„Sir Torren, I will be taking this one. How much?“

„Ah, yes, pardon me. Given that we got her rather cheeply only maintenence and sellers fee will be counted.“

In other words you’ve caught her yourselves right?

Maybe noticing my glare the assistant continued: „Well the final sum should be around ten gold coins…“

„Is that so? Great. Then how much do you want for this rude slave girl?“ I asked with a smile.

„Well, a strong crest will be needed for her. I personally wouldn’t go under seven pointed crest.“

More points crest have, that more the soul of slave is supresed. Ten pointed crest is complete suppresion and even on criminals it used nine pointed crest at best. By the way, Ruzu and Kiira had four pointed crest which is the minimal suppresion (more like none).

„Well, you might be right,“ I took a glance at the completly shaken girl.

„Sir, if you don’t mind,“ the priestess spoke touching my chest with both hands.

„What is it?“

„If you wouldn’t mind, give her five pointed crest. I know I’m asking too much but if she step out of line, you can punish me in her place any way you want. So please, let me and my sister serve you together,“ Tarumipemi bowed deeply.

„If that’s your wish, I will take you up on that offer. Sir Torren, please prepare contract for one four pointed and one five pointed crests.“

„U-understood sir,“ Torren nodded and we left the room. I was leading Tarumipemi by hand and guards behind us were pulling the rude girl by hairs as she refused to walk silently.

We got back to the room where Ruzu and Kiira just woke up.

„Don’t tell me you pick another two girls while we were asleep,“ Kiira glared at me.

„Wrong. I picked one. The other one just tagged along,“ while saying that I gave Kiira signal by pointing at my eye. The meaning of the signal was to use apprisal I leant her through Loyalty.

„I see.“

„And what? Can you tell me more? I’m in the dark here, so could you let me into that little world of yours?“

„Don’t worry about it Ruzu, I will explain everything later.“

With that behind us we proceeded with the contract and I paid total of twelve gold coins, which was slightly lower then half of my pocket money I recieved from my parents.

Still on this trip I spent almost two hundread gold coins! Commoners normal annual wage is around one gold coin! My common sence is in shatters.

With contract done we set inside our coach and returned home. There I had Seto prepare some tea and Ruzu to show the rude girl around.

I sit in coach and Kiira snugled next to me, just like always.

„Let’s start then. Could you tell us about yourself?“

„Sure. I was born between Sea dragonfolk priest and Blue scalefolk noblewoman. As such in order to prevent any slip ups, the husband of the noblewoman killed his wife and the priest and called it an incident. I survived only becouse I showed my holy powers, which was enought to make other priest present at time act and kill the nobleman. Comunity of Sea dragonfolk is really closed and something like that would be a huge blow to our prestige so I was moved into another temple and became priestess there. Accidentaly it lead to my reunion with my half-sister.“

„That rude girl?“ I asked.

„Her name is Golilgri, but yes she can be really rude sometimes. We first met at ceremony in royal capital of beastman kingdom, she was captain of King’s knight order. Later she followed us to temple and after geting chance to talk with one and the other, we found out that we are half sisters. She left the knight order and became temple knight in order to be closer to me. But after two years the king started the war and… the kingdom was lost before it even started. King put all his strenght into warriors and gave little to none credit to magicians. Thanks to that the kings army and the first prince was lost. The king ordered me to resurect the prince, but that’s imposible for me. ‚I maybe am a priestess of Water goddesses temple, but I’m not all powerful‘ was my response to the king. After that the king attacked the temple with the little force he had and killed all Sea dragonfolk people there…“ Tarumipemi started to cry so I offered her a handkerchief.

„Thanks… so, where did I left off? Ah yes. Golilri felt like she was betrayed and throw her spear with magic blade at the king which cut off his arm. After that she jumped off the cliff with me in her arms. I lost consciousness and when I woke up I had the collar of slavery on my neck, same way as my sister. But during the fall of the cliff I remembered who I was in my previous life. I was student of architecture in Tokyo, third year. I probably drown back there.“

„Was your name... Kasumi Sumiko?“

„Huh? How did you know?“

I exchanged look with Kiira.

„On earth I was Hyogo Satori,“ I said.

„And mine name was Kara Toori,“ Kiira added.

„Wha—?! Hyohyo and Karin?! What the hell are you guys doing here?!“

„We died and reincarnate here.“

Kasumi Sumiko, girl which was really familiar to us as she was our former classmate from high school, where we went to the same club. The Gaming club.

„Just like that?“

„Just like that.“

~One tiring explaining later~

„Okay, okay, okay. So you were stabbed and then the attacker throw away the knife, which ended your life too? That’s a lot to take at once. I will need Hyohyo to recharge me a little,“ she said with mischevous look on her face.

„That’s a no!“ Kiira shouted.

„Hihi~ Sorry Karin. No Kiira. And Leo, or would you rather with me calling you master?“ She said with unchanging smile.

„Between us, Leo is fine. But before my parents you should call me master.“

„Yep, I though so,“ she smiled broadly and in that momen Ruzu returned with the rude girl, whose name is Golilgri.

„Sister!“ she run towards Tarumipemi, but she just choped her forehead.

„You should greet master when you enter the room. Have you forgoten everything you’ve learned at the court?“

„But sister~“ Golilgri sulked, but was met with angry look from Tarumipemi herself.

„Master, from this day onward you can count on this humble Taru and her rude big sister Goli. Whatever you want we shall get it for you. If you will ever need our services, we will complete them with smile on our faces,“ Taru smiled teasingly.

I don’t like the phrasing of services, but the face of utter disbelief Goli is making and the angry pouting of Kiira is well worth it.

„Sure, I will let you know,“ I smiled, „That being said, we need to introduce you to my family.“

„A-and who those might be…sir,“ Goli under her sisters supervision added proper title.

„You should know as I heard they are known around the neighbouring countries. They are Flik and Sareen of Netrose ducal family.“

„L-like the Divine blade Flik and and Extinction mage Sareen?!“

Mom, dad those are some chuuni nicknames, not gonna lie.

„So you know my parents?“ I said and watched Goli nod with fear in her eyes.

„Great, that will make it easier. Now I will go to have diner and I will call you back here after it.“

*

I, Golilgri of the Blue scalefolk shall never again bow my head before unworthy master. That was my conviction when I joined the temple knights and guards of my prodigious little half-sister.

But right now, I’m in home of nobles who destroyed pride of my late grandfather, the Netrose family. Not like I really mind as I never met him.

After I became slave I was able to protect my sister for long time, but when that brat… I mean my master used high leveled space magic to instantly took my sister from me I understod that he’s monster among monsters. His physical strenght is one thing, but having simmilarly high magical power? That’s too much! That level of combat power even my amazing little sister doesn’t posses.

What’s more, she’s fascinated by our new master and what’s more, she said that he’s like her… I mean, it’s too soon for my little sister to chose romantic interest! She’s just twelve for dragon’s sake! And he’s even younger then her! He doesn’t even have a single scale on him! Not to speak about muscles! Is that the kind my sister like? NO! That can’t be! NO! NO! NO!

„Goli, calm down. You’re sweating bullets. Are you that afraid of his parents?“ Taru smiles at me as we are getting back from servants quarters with Ruzu and Kiira in maid clothes.

„Mr. Flik and Mrs. Sareen are really nice, sometimes I even got candy from them even though I was slave until today,“ Kiira smiled.

Ruzu who walks before us tell us to hasten our steps without much as a single look in our direction. She looks to be in her early twenties but I heard that she’s alredy over fifty years old. That’s elf for you, they live for hundreads of years and never change.

We walk through doors, which Ruzu opened. On the other sive was round table from glass with three cups of tea. The Netrose family is sitting there and their looks are really grim. Father, it seems I’m going to follow you into afterlife…

„So these are the girls I bought. The little girl is Tarumipemi, a Sea dragonfolk and former priestess from Water goddesses temple in Beastman kingdom. The taller one is Golilgri, her half sister and former knight.“

„Knight captain Golilgri the Dragon claw? That is an amazing find,“ the man, Flik, said.

„And priestess Tarumipemi… wasn’t she killed when the temple was burned?“ the woman, Sareen, continues.

„As you can see my Lady, I have survived thanks to my sister, but we were picked up by your son which pleases me very much!“ Taru says with glowing smile.

Nooooo! Sisteeeer! Don’t get swoon by that demon!

„Haha! I see, they really like you! That Golilgri is beet-red and forgot how to speak!“ the men laughts, „What would you expect of my son. Wom—“

„—What is it dear?“ the woman says threatningly.

„N-nothing, just that it’s a good find! As expected of our son who posses apprisal!“

With that little talk finished we were allowed to stay in servants quarters. I was staying with Ruzu and my beloved little sister with the girl called Kiira. Oh, how I envy her!! Even if only one wall is between us I will come to you my dear sister!

*

After diner where I told my parents about my most recent purchase and showing the duo to them I was released from my parents claws. I was so tired that I fell to my bed the moment after closing my doors. I closed my eyes for some time, practiclly dozing off and was woken up by soft and warm feeling. When I opened my eyes I saw Kiira sitting on top of me. She was kissing me right now so I grabed her head by my free left arm and confirmed my suspicion. As I thought, she was completly naked.

„Fufufu~ did I wake you up?“

„What are you doing?“ I asked with almost no life in my voice.

„Well, I thought that we could celebrate me becoming free citizen with more kisses then usual.“

I looked at her, she was smiling like a predator who spotted it’s prey. She lowered her hips and I could feel her rubbing against me. Her slight bumps she call her brests were clearly visable in moon’s light. I reached with my other hand for her face but in that moment, of course, the doors opened.

„I knew it! If I leave Karin for even a moment she will get comletly different!“ angry Taru, who in her previous life saw Kiira as her younger sister (although she was the younger one) stomped into the room and pushed Kiira down and looked at, still lying down with my clothes on, me.

„If you want some fun you can always call upon me remember?“ Taru said as she drop her night gown from her body.

Right now I had two naked girls in my room and my body was still too little to react manly. Curse you body!

Taru kissed me. „Fufufu~ my first kiss, you better take responsibility, you hear~“

That seems like popular quote this time of year.

„What are you doing Taru?“ Kiira got angry as she saw naked Taru hugging my left arm and quickly grabed my right. Oh, they are both very soft…

„What I’m doing? Isn’t that obvious? Last time I came too late, you two were alredy dating and that world was bound by monogamy. This one isn’t. So I’m going to take advantage of that. Plus it’s not like Leo would have you as his first wife anyway. He’s a noble after all. There will be many noble girls who will want to marry him. Maybe even a princess!“

„I’m not like I used to be on earth either. I take what I want, when I want. If I desire you two then I’m gonna take you. Period. Now shut up and sleep!“ I closed my eyes and tried to fell asleep.

„„Without good night kiss?““ they said as one.

„Geez! Smooch. Smooch. Happy now?“ I kissed both of them on their cheeks.

„„Yes! Good night! Smooooch,““ they said and kissed my cheeks as well.