Chapter 80: The Return Journey and Adrian Empire’s Troubled Times (Part 2)

Chapter 80: The Return Journey and Adrian Empire’s Troubled Times (Part 2)

Ximengsi Continent’s southern region, Steinbeck Fief’s core area, outside Stanley City

Clyde and Princess Saras held a reception banquet in a fancy hotel to bid farewell to Light Church’s investigative team. “Radiant Saintess” Suhiya, Bishop Nichols, and the others all participated in this event.

Suhiya seemed to be somewhat at a loss. While investigating the Needham Plains, she had lost many members of her investigative team. Bishop Nichols was calm because all the people who had died had been people from Suhiya’s side and had nothing to do with him. Light Church had a very high compensation rate for members who died in action, but Bishop Nichols wouldn’t need to spend any money.

“Lord Clyde, the Needham Plains... Adrian Empire has already given up that piece of area and intends to put it under Steinbeck Fief’s jurisdiction.”

“Bishop Nichols, many thanks for your help.”

“Don’t mention it. The emperor originally anyway wanted to pass the buck. This time, Franconia Empire’s army launched a surprise attack from the Needham Plains, and the undead didn’t even interfere, letting Clark Alliance’s army smoothly pass through it.”

Clyde pretended to know nothing. Now, the demonic creatures of Needham Plain had already been completely suppressed. Those mummies under the command of Cursed Queen Lafania and her younger sister Nightmare Queen Mephis had forcibly incorporated the local demonic creatures into their own forces. Those demonic creatures that hadn’t accepted their arrangements had effectively all been exterminated.

When Franconia Empire’s army had entered the Needham Plains, they naturally hadn’t run into any obstructions caused by demonic creatures. The mummy army had already thoroughly suppressed those thorny demonic. The only thing that somewhat concerned Clyde was that they still hadn’t find those fishmen troops who had attacked the saintesses and the others that night. They seemed to have escaped via the nameless river, and he had no clue about where they had fled.

Now, the Needham Plains were assigned to Steinbeck Fief. Nevertheless, it was still a desolate piece of land. Before assigning it, Adrian Empire hadn’t even sent someone to Steinbeck Fief to explain the circumstances. Fortunately, Clyde now had the entirety of the Lamina’s wealth that itself was derived from numerous conquered empires, so it was not difficult to rebuild the Needham Plains. Otherwise, he would have gotten himself into an awful mess.

According to the ranking specifications that were determined by landmass, after the addition of the Needham Plains, Steinbeck Fief could advance from being an ordinary fief to being listed as a third-rank principality, also known as a small principality. The Suzerain’s noble rank would also be promoted to Earl. The Human Race of Ximengsi Continent calculated a principality’s rank according to the landmass annexed, and there existed three ranks: Small Principality (Third-Rank Principality) where the Suzerain’s highest noble rank would be an Earl, Principality (Second-Rank Principality where the Suzerain was limited to the Marquis rank, and Grand Principality (First-Rank Principality) where the Suzerain would be a Duke (Grand Duke).

The former Suzerain of Steinbeck Fief, Grand Duke Andrew had in face been entirely self-proclaimed, nothing more. His real rank was just a Baron. His Grand Duke title had never been acknowledged by Adrian Empire and had only been used for typical self-amusement. Clyde had received formally acknowledgement that he had taken over the Needham Plains and could acquire the Earl rank.

Now, Adrian Empire was focusing all its military strength to staunchly defend the areas neighboring the capital while resisting Franconia Empire’s army. As long as they could struggle for several days, the reinforcements of other Victor Alliance nations would arrive to assist them. At that time, Franconia Empire would only be able to withdraw. Adrian Empire had no time to concern itself about Steinbeck Fief at the border.

“Lord Clyde, if this place advances to become a small principality, then our Light Church can collect a faith fee. Rest assured. When the moment comes, we will give you a 50% discount for the first year.”

“Cough, cough. Bishop Nichols, let’s discuss this matter later. At that time, I will arrange for someone to speak at length with you all.”

After the banquet, “Radiant Saintess” Suhiya and Bishop Nichols got up and left, returning to Light Church’s headquarters along with their groups to report on their tasks. Although the banquet’s cooked dishes had been exquisite, for these members of Light Church who were used to eating delicacies from all the land and sea, it was not tasty. Most of them just symbolically ate a mouthful or two, nothing more. After Light Church’s people left, Clyde returned to the palace area to discuss their new plans.

Just before parting, “Radiant Saintess” Suhiya, after hesitating for a moment, took advantage of the time when the other two saintesses were absent and quietly pulled Clyde’s sleeves to lead him to a hidden corner.

“What’s wrong, Suhiya? Is there something you can’t say in front of Bishop Nichols?”

“Nothing important. Just if... if your place truly advances to become a principality, then can you leave me a place? I also want to build a church here. Rest assured, your fief wouldn’t need to pay any money. I myself...”

“No problem, our fief can bear all the expenses, so you don’t need to spend any money. Our fief is bearing all the expenses of Maria and Tiffany, and we don’t lack money for you.”

With regard to Suhiya’s request, Clyde expressed acceptance. After advancing to become a principality, the new principality would rebuild the local Light Church branch cathedral to make it more ostentatious, so it wouldn’t be a problem if Suhiya came. After seeing all her secrets, Clyde had subconsciously regarded her as one of his own people. Like Maria and Tiffany, she was also a saintess of his side.

On the same night in the conference hall deep in Steinbeck Fief’s palace, a high-level conference was being held. “Punishment Saintess” Tiffany and “Light Saintess” Maria were busy supervising the construction rates of their exclusive cathedrals. In addition, they were not regarded as members of Steinbeck Fief’s higher-ups. Therefore, they were not participants in this secret conference.

The members of this secret conference were the nominal Suzerain Princess Saras, Clyde’s younger sister Lucifer, Ancient Demon King Andrisno, Witch Ista, Miss Sigrid, General Princess Natalie, and Miss Jenny, as well as Cursed Queen Lafania and her younger sister Nightmare Queen Mephis. Clyde was the sole man on the scene. In fact, in the entire palace, Clyde was the only man present; all others were beauties. As for the guards, all were demonic creatures, and demonic creatures lacked genders.

Although it was supposed to be a secret conference, Clyde felt that it more resembled a bedroom gathering of girls. These beauties didn’t treat Clyde like an outsider. In front of him, they wore private garments and didn’t feel any danger at all. The beauties were basically exposed to him. In fact, they didn’t even try to cover themselves up; after all, he had already seen them bare.

Princess Saras wore a golden openwork series bra and panties with the addition of a garter clothing, definitely belonging to the appeal-style. Witch Ista and Miss Sigrid had purple and blue string bras and panties respectively. The small rope knot seemed to be easily loosened, also creating that appealing feel.

Both Princess Natalie and Miss Jenny chose black, very transparent bras and panties. Like not wearing anything, all the scenery within could be seen. Cursed Queen Lafania and her younger sister Nightmare Queen Mephis wore the most expensive bra and panties that belonged to the gem-type. Those pieces of variously colored gems barely covered their secret areas.

The Ancient Demon King Andrisno and Lucifer instead wore the most conservative clothing. Both wore Lolita series undergarments and didn’t expose as much as the other beauties. Andrisno’s was a black corset style that barely covered her illegal Jade Hare. In terms of cup size, she was not any bit inferior to other beauties. As for her panties, they were of the Lolita style, which surprisingly seemed the most conservative in this gaggle of women.

Lucifer wore a pure white Lolita-styled bra and matching panties. This was absolutely a fraudulent color. Who would think that Lucifer wearing this color that symbolized purity was the most wicked here? She simply was the root of all evil. However, without her assistance, Clyde also wouldn’t have won so many beauties. As the person who had received the most benefits, Clyde wisely didn’t raise any opinions.

“With regards to the matter of the Needham Plains, I still think we have to take it over. Sigrid, that place was once your family’s territory. After it is regained, you will be responsible for the necessary matters.”

“Got it. However, Lord Clyde, I still know only a little about managing a fief.”

While the secret conference continued, the atmosphere felt very ambiguous. These beauties were too exposed. This could not even be labeled as hinting at, but rather a clear indication of an amorous scene to come. Other than Witch Ista and Miss Sigrid, all the other beauties had already come into intimate contact with Clyde. Most could even be regarded as having shared skinship with him to a certain extent.

Princess Natalie and Miss Jenny were quite direct. They knelt in front of Clyde and massaged his legs. Cursed Queen Lafania and her younger sister Nightmare Queen Mephis did the same to his left and right, helping him massage his hands although they actually held his hands between their bosoms, using a special way to massage him. From his hands, Clyde could feel the soft and elastic Jade Hares of these two queens. Princess Saras stood behind Clyde, massaging his shoulders.

In fact, no one was honestly concentrating on the meeting. Witch Ista and Miss Sigrid sat far away with red faces. The scene in front of them was truly too ambiguous. The impact they received from this environment was quite clear. The Ancient Demon King Andrisno had intentionally sat near the door in accordance with Lucifer’s advance instructions to prevent any beauties from escaping the room.

This arrangement had clearly been Lucifer’s intention. The table was covered with bottles of good wine, and the sheet of the big bed in the center of the room was an ambiguous pink color, resembling sheets used in lovers’ rooms. On the walls, various strange, wicked items were hung. From a quick glance, he could see leather-thonged whips, small balls and collars. There were so many items that Clyde wasn’t even able to name all of them.

The beauties at the scene selectively ignored the wicked items on the walls. With regards to those items’ wicked uses, it was impossible for them to not know since their functions could be determined at a glance. Princess Saras and the others hadn’t carried weapons and defensive treasures when entering this room. If Clyde wanted to do bad deeds, it was impossible for them to resist. To be fair, even if they had had weapons, they would not have chosen to resist.

“How about this... I will make some preparations and organize a militia tomorrow, and we will then see whether we can help Adrian Empire a little or not.”

“Lord Clyde, it’s already late! Stay here tonight. The other rooms are still not thoroughly cleaned-up. Only this room has no issues!”

“Eh, why are you so deceitful?”

“Ha ha. You’re right. I am deceitful. Big Brother Clyde, my arrangement schedule, what do you think of it?”

“Lucifer, you...”