The weather was a bit cold, with gray, thick clouds gathering overhead, ready to send down heavy rain at any moment.

  "I still think it's not the best idea to bring her with us," Zern spoke up, riding his horse behind Reignar, who had Orsi sitting before him while Poli was floating at the front, standing on his sword. As he spoke, his words made Orsi sink into her Young Master's p, lowering her head while Reignar patted it, stroking her soft hair.

  "Rex." Poli smiled before Reignar could speak. "The road is safe now, and we are visiting our allies. There won't be any problems."

  "I can't leave her behind all the time," Reignar finally answered, "For one, my brother has a lot of things to take care of, and being alone in the pace is not something I would wish for anyone. It can become depressing, really fast," he expined, still stroking Orsi's head.

  "You could have sent her back to the Sect." Zern countered his words.

  "I'll take care of her; you don't need to worry." The third Prince waved his hand, deciding to close the topic, not wanting to argue about it.

  "Um… Lord Zern… I know you don't like me, but… I won't get in your way, I promise!" Orsi murmured with a soft, clearly hurt voice, making Zern take a sharp breath.

  "I-it's not like that!" He sighed, "Please, understand me when I say, I have nothing against you. It's just that the road can be dangerous, and you have zero means of defending yourself."

  "You have been going on about it since we left; it has already been four days... You should stop." Poli shook his head, still trying to mediate between the two.

  When the trio was sent on their mission, the Skyshark took them to the Capital, where they switched to horses, and Reignar picked up his little maid from the pace, pnning to bring her back to the Sect after they finished their mission. Not to mention, this was the best opportunity to let her see the world a little.

  "With the speed we have, we should arrive at the Pass by nightfall." Poli changed the topic, seeing them fall silent.

  "Who is in charge now?" Zern asked.

  "They named General Ultar as the head of the Pass. Also, the new Vanguard General selection is on its way as General Xendar is now Grand Elder Xendar." Poli ughed, shaking his head with a smile, "It is hard to believe that only ten or so years ago, I was the youngest cultivator for a day, but now I am a Harmony Realm expert with the title of Elder. And I am not even thirty yet. Most of the people I grew up with and trained with were only dreaming of reaching the Harmony Realm one day. The strongest in my family was at the sixth level of Body Refinement and over seventy years old... Heh!"

  "I know what you are talking about." Zern smiled the same way, "I am in the same shoes; my father never tried to break through. He says he feels the tribution would kill him, and he has a good life that he wouldn't want to risk for it. I don't think Master thinks or cares much about what she did, what she invented, but it will change the lives of those who join the Sect."

  "Tell me about it." Poli ughed while Reignar was listening in, finally joining the discussion.

  "When I was touring around, and Father sent me the manuals, I started to try it out, and it helped me a lot. When this mission is over, I pn to focus on it and apply everything I have learned... When that happens, I may need your help."

  "Ours? Sorry, we don't swing that way." Poli shook his head, being serious.

  "I'm already taken," Zern added.

  "You… sorry, but none of you are to my tastes anyway." Reignar rolled his eyes, not even trying to expin.

  "I can help!" Orsi cut in with an enthusiastic voice, with clear shining light in her eyes at the prospect of making herself useful for her Young Master.

  "Do not!" Poli and Zern almost yelled at her at the same time, while Reignar just ignored them.

  "You are already a big help." He chuckled, patting her tiny head.

  "Am I? Really? Really, really?"

  "Really."

  "Yey!"

  "By the way…." Reignar looked back at them, then turned towards Poli. "I was talking about theories, you two perverts."

  "..." Feeling tricked, Zern and Poli looked at each other before sighing, shaking their heads, "Sure. We can help with that."

  "By the way…." Poli started with a curious voice, "We heard you have multiple affinities. How? Or… how does it work?"

  "Yes… and no." Reignar answered, thinking how much to share, "Mm… I have the same base affinity as my father or my brothers; it's… how to put it simply? Like Leinor, I came up with my own version. I assimited others' affinities and stored them inside me. It's a slow process. It took years to create what I call an affinity seed inside me, and right now I have seven of those, besides my main bloodline."

  "Seven? Whoa… what kind?"

  "Fire, water, earth, and air are the most common." He kept expining, "I already created a seed for those, and can use them whenever I want. Those are the ones that I truly can control... But still, if I do so, they will need to be replenished. As for the remaining three, they are still forming; if I try to use them, they will be gone for good. Those are lightning, light, and ice."

  "What do you mean by seeds?" Poli asked again.

  "I call them that because if I meditate, I see them as that inside me; they are surrounded by my original affinity that feeds them and keeps them in bance. Even if I use up every energy I store in them, I can replenish them when I meditate or cultivate with someone of that affinity. The tter is faster, by the way. Now... the other three, I'm still forming seeds from them; they are just a clump of energy clouds stored in my body. If I use them up, they will be gone, and I would have to start collecting from the start, which is the hardest part."

  "How do you get them?" Zern raised his eyebrow, curious.

  "Well…" Reignar smiled at the two, then put his hands on Orsi's ears, who looked up curiously, not knowing why she couldn't hear what he had to say next. "From doing the best thing in life: Sharing my pleasures with another. It's best if he or she is weaker than I am; that way, their resistance is little, and I can take more. While we give delight to each other, I assimite a part of their affinity. Of course, it's nothing detrimental for them, as it's like when you spend your powers, you can recover after resting. Furthermore, when I please them, I share my seed with them," he grinned, watching their twitching faces. "You all know what my bloodline is like. They will have the best orgasm of their life and also get a boost to their life force. They can live more healthily and for even longer, especially if they are mortals," he ughed happily, going through some of his memories in his head, releasing Orsi's ears after he was finished expining. The little one was curious about what they talked about, but wouldn't dare to ask. Not when her Young Master was the one who blocked her from hearing it.

  "Damn… Honestly… I am jealous of you…." Poli murmured in the end...

  "Ahahaha, thanks~ If you want, I can introduce you to some girls ter~!"

  "I'd be afraid to go with you." Poli twitched his mouth, gently refusing his offer, "My affinity is lightning. I don't pay attention and find myself at the wrong end of the shaft in the next moment..."

  "Don't worry, I told you, you are not my type." Reignar repeated, "Also, you are stronger than me. I would suffer injuries if I tried to take it from you... Both of you are safe. Rex!"

  "You are something else." Zern shook his head, not knowing what to answer.

  "We only live once." He shrugged, "We need to enjoy every moment of our life, or why are we even walking this earth? I always believed that. Everyone enjoys different things, and that is what makes it beautiful. I choose to try everything and see what I like and what I don't like. It is that easy."

  "There are things you don't like?" Poli ughed, finding it hard to believe, especially after what he was hearing.

  "Some, yes." He nodded, "Pain is one of those things. So I don't do it... Not that I judge those who do."

  "Pain is bad! Why would anyone like it? I don't get it, Young Master!" Orsi protested, not wanting to stay out of the conversation, even if she didn't understand what was happening.

  "Yes, it is bad, and you don't need to get it yet." he smiled at the small girl in his p.

  "Someone is coming." Poli perked up suddenly as the others became alert as well.

  Soon, on the road between the trees, a horseman appeared wearing the Empire's military outfit, making them rex.

  "You must be Elder Poli, the one we were informed about?" A man came up calmly, watching Poli at the front, easily recognizable because of his sword and a missing arm.

  "Yes." He nodded, still standing on his floating sword, awing the middle-aged soldier.

  "I am Nex, Corporal Nex." The man saluted, "I was tasked to meet up and inform you by General Ultar; the Pass received news that Thunder Valley is under attack."

  "What?" Poli straightened his back. "Expin!"

  "We received news from a fairy named Rem that scorpion demons attacked the vilge... multiple times. They are still resisting and have suffered no casualties, but they are requesting immediate aid!"

  "Did General Ultar send out a team?"

  "No." He shook his head. "He says it can be a distraction to assault the Pass. He wouldn't risk it... not for demons..."

  "Tsk... "Zern clicked his tongue, making Nex furrow his brows, but he said nothing in response. Orders were orders and... demons are demons.

  "Go. You are faster." Reignar spoke up, "We will go to the Pass and meet up with you from there."

  "Hurry." Zern nodded, and Poli, deciding they were right, soon took off, leaving behind a strong gale as thunder boomed in the sky while he bsted off, literally. Just the power behind his explosive speed was enough to almost make Nex fall off his horse, while the poor animal became agitated.

  "Lead the way, Corporal Nex." Zern rode forward, calming down his horse as they hurried towards the Pass.

  "Elder Poli can fly really fast…! Young Master, are you able to fly too?" Orsi whispered, still amazed by the showcase of strength.

  "No, not yet. But there will be a time when I will. When I can, I'll take you up to the sky!"

  "Whoa! Promise! It's a promise!"

  "It is~"

  …….…..

  It didn't take long for Poli to arrive, and when he flew down from the skies, he was greeted by Niji.

  "You came fast! What about the others?"

  "Zern and Reignar are on their way. Master with the others is on a different mission, so she won't come. What's the situation?" He looked around, assessing the situation. It was clear that the apes and fairies were nervous as they patrolled on the already-completed walls, surrounding the vilge. Thankfully, none of them seemed as frightened as when the baboons attacked.

  "A few scorpions came up a week ago," Niji expined quickly, "They were demanding that we accept and bow to them as our new leaders. Of course, we refused. They left, and since then, they have come back twice. The first one was only a show of strength, threatening to conquer us by force if we did not comply. The second time, they tested our defenses, but only from afar."

  "Mmm… it seems they are taking their time. Before we first met, we dispatched scorpions along Swordscar Pass..." Polu muttered, remembering, "They tried to build bridges to more easily come into the Empire's territory. Back then, it was theorized that they were under the rule of others, maybe obeying orders of a different cn of demon folk. If that is true, the cn behind them must have given them some new orders, and they are here to execute them, whatever they are. Is Rem here?"

  "No, she stayed at the Pass, waiting for you." Niji shook his head.

  "Poli." Kang came up in the meantime, seeing his arrival.

  "Kang, good to see you. Are you okay?"

  "Yes. They do not fight. Yet."

  "Hopefully, we can avoid a bloody battle if possible." Poli said with a shrug, "When they come again, I will try to speak with them. In the meantime, I'll write an official letter! Get me some fast-flying fairies, send it to the Pass, and tell them to take it directly to the Emperor."

  "Bugs, come again, see you, a fight happen," Kang warned him, crossing his arms.

  "Let them try! This is the city that is under my Master's protection!" He snorted, "They can try and take it, but only over my dead body!"

  "We don't give. It's home; we protect." Kang nodded with the resolution in his eyes.

  Looking around the growing little city, it had houses everywhere, a stone wall surrounding it, and different groups of demon folks living in a surprisingly good harmony. Wherever one looked, the houses were covered with exotic flowers, painting a colorful picture. At the same time, the nearby small ke had orangutans sitting on its banks, zing around as always, and gorils helping the chimps with various tasks, who were still learning how to live like this. It seemed the gorils were the quickest to adapt, which was no surprise, since they had lived amongst human ruins before, easily teaching the younger chimpanzees how to adapt. In the air and around them all, small, sparkling little butterflies flew from flower to flower, many times following above or behind other demons, or just perched on their heads, while multiple, grown-up forest fairies tended the trees and flowers, humming happy little songs. Just as he was watching them, one tiny blue butterfly slowly floated towards Poli, nding on his head and gently fluttering its enormous wings, which were much smaller than its body, making Poli smile to himself.

  "Don't worry, Kang. No one can threaten this pce."

  …..A few weeks ago...…..

  "Big sister Emi! You are back!" The tiny little fox girl Liya rushed at her returning sibling.

  "I am~ Oh my, you have grown? You seem taller!" Emi ughed, picking her up for a hug before putting her back down.

  "Teehee! Yes! I did! Wah… Big Sis! You are injured!" she excimed with fear in her eyes, seeing the scar that was very much jarring, how much it contrasted with her fair skin.

  "Don't worry about it. It's nothing; I am already fine."

  "Y-you sure? It… was the humans? It was?" she gulped, holding onto her waist, trying to lick the scar to make the pain go away.

  "Ahaha, that tickles! Yes, it was a human who did it, but it was I who made him do it."

  "I… I don't get it…." Liya muttered, feeling confused.

  "You don't need to. But let go, for now," Emi chuckled, pushing her off gently, "I'll come back and py with you, but I need to see the Queen. It can't wait!"

  "Ah… yes, yes! Um, Big Sis, someone came to see the Queen while you were away!"

  "Who?" Emi raised her eyebrows, turning serious all of a sudden.

  "It was a tiger; he was really big and muscur... It was scary!" She whispered, afraid the beast might still lurk close by, her eyes on the woods, as if watching for his return.

  "A tiger…? Here? What for… sorry, I need to see Lady Rumira, Liya. I'll come by when I finish, okay?" She stammered, feeling sudden fear rising inside her heart.

  "Um! I'll tell mom, and we will make your favorite dinner!"

  "Thanks~" She kissed her forehead before hurrying to Lady Rumira's cave.

  When she arrived, her Queen was waiting for her inside, sitting in a meditative position as her existence was fused with the surroundings, barely distinguishable. As soon as she stepped into the deepest part of the cave, her mind grew groggy, and she quickly forgot why she was hurrying there... It was... just too much to think in that moment.

  "Come… take a bath in the hot spring, my child; it will help you expel that vicious energy inside you." Her Queen said in a soft, caring voice, not opening her eyes, as she slowly finished her cultivation, moderating her aura. Even then, as her eyes remained closed, Emi still felt as if Rumira was looking at her, seeing everything she had gone through with just a sniff of the air.

  Her body trembled at the enchanting voice, and she immediately grew flustered as she stripped bashfully, walked up to the pool, and slowly submerged herself, letting out a troubled breath as she felt every problem wash away.

  "After it cleanses your body, I'll heal that scar for you, my dear."

  “Please… no, Lady Rumira.”

  "Oh?" She opened her eyes slightly, a surprised yet curious smile on her face.

  "I want to wear it as a reminder of my mistake."

  "Tell me about this mistake of yours." She whispered, slowly standing up and joining her in the pool, almost making Emi lose herself for a moment, wanting to jump on the unbelievably beautiful body of her Queen. “Rex… come here…” She murmured, patting her head.

  Emi carefully held her hand while Rumira pulled her between her breasts, stroking her back, as her fingers gave Emi pleasure and rexation simultaneously... Most importantly, after her touch, tiny red sparks left her skin, dissipating between Rumira's fingers, unable to do any more harm to Emi. Feeling the relief wash over her, she went limp in Rumira's embrace, letting her do whatever she wanted, while she started telling her everything that had happened.

  "I see." The Queen nodded after Emi told her that she was falling asleep in the end, no longer caring about the news of a tiger's visit. "You did well…. Rest, my child," she whispered as she looked around and watched the cw marks on the cave's walls. "You will have a difficult mission, my dear little daughter. Some already feel threatened, but you did well... Maybe I should invite some humans here to see for myself... You are still naive and can be tricked," she smiled a little, turning her gaze to Emi, continuing to caress her back gently. "I, on the other hand... am not that easy to trick."