Ryan grinned. "Well, I wouldn't be opposed to giving you some of my meat to taste for dinner."
The Zol'Gan Empress's eyes sparkled, and she licked her lips. "Is that so? But that will have to wait. I hear we have business to discuss."
Waving her hand, a table and a set of chairs appeared in front of her. On the table sat piping hot tea, fruit, bread, salads, and an assortment of cheeses.
"Let us get down to business then," the Empress said, sitting across from Ryan with an expectant smile.
Ryan shivered at the sight. 'I thought this woman only smiled when bad things were about to happen...'
[I think something bad is about to happen,] Yoko said as if reading his mind.
"I heard from Velmuuth that you took an oath against the Human Empire, but you know one can never be too careful. Would you mind me seeing it?" The Zol'Gan Empress asked while taking a sip of her tea.
'I was expecting to have to do this anyway.' Ryan shrugged and extended his arm, allowing part of his critical-level oath to show.
"My, it's more wonderful than I was expecting," she said, eyes filled with awe, lust, and obsession. "Your cause is so noble. To completely eradicate the Human Empire... Now tell me, why did you choose such a noble cause for yourself?"
"It's personal," Ryan replied. "I hope you understand."
She giggled as a dark fire lit up her eyes. "Don't worry. I can see everything I need to in your eyes."
"The hate in them makes me shiver with delight." She reached out a long graceful finger to touch his cheek and caress it softly.
"You know, I've never met a male so... different before. I can see that my daughters were blessed to have found someone like you who could cure their condition and be their future Master."
Ryan was a little surprised. He hadn't expected Lizzy and Izzy's mother to be 'happy' that they were under a man's control.
Seeing Ryan's confusion, the Zol'Gan Empress sighed deeply. "You have no idea how distraught I was after discovering that my only two daughters were born cursed..."
"I am eternally grateful for you, and if there's anything you need," she purred, pausing her hand on his cheek to look into his eyes, "I would consider it a great honor you were the father of both of my daughter's children when they are ready to breed."
"I'd also be willing to have your children," she said, looking down at the table. Her fingers toyed with the teacup.
Ryan didn't know what to say. His jaw dropped in shock as he looked at her.
He knew from experience that mothers and daughters married the same man, but she was so forward about it.
'Not that I mind,' Ryan grinned.
"I think we could arrange that," Ryan said, running his eyes over her form once again.
"But before that, I must insist you join my alliance."
"If you join, I require you to help me fight against the Holy Alliance with all the resources in the Zol'Gan Empire."
"In return, I promise that the Zol'Gan Empire will remain independent if you so wish it, and when we take over the land and resources of the Kheaweth Empire, you can share in it's riches."
After talking, Ryan sent an offer for her to join the 'Emerald Family'.
The Zol'Gan Empress mulled over the offer and shook her head.
"I don't need anything like that," she said.
"All I want is for me to be able to see that bastard Grand Empress dead. And her head mounted on a spike."
[Komma Argallod has joined 'Emerald Family']
As Ryan grinned and stood up, he started advancing when he suddenly stopped, and his eyes opened wide with shock.
"They found it!" Ryan gasped.
"Who found what?" Komma said, a slight quiver in her voice.
Truth be told, she wasn't the ruthless woman she portrayed herself as. At least not to her family. To those she cared about, she would do anything for them.
Kill anyone who touched them, kill anyone who thought about possessing them or even made them frown.
When she had gotten the message from her daughters that they had found someone, she had vowed that if that person would have her, she would join her daughters if he was a man of worth.
"Come with me," Ryan said as he took the Zol'Gan Empress's hand and hopped on his sword, taking her toward the World Dungeon.
===
"Master, it's been too long," Hannah said, tears running down her cheek as she silently sobbed.
Over the past few weeks, she had been away from Ryan. She regretted more and more her decision to betray Ryan and keep the information about Yoko and how they didn't tell Ryan Veronica, Shade, and her were employed to take her away in secret.
Ryan nodded to Shade, Dianna, and Hannah and checked their loyalty levels.
Ryan chuckled as he saw that Shade and Hannah were up a few points each, but Dianna stayed the same, the lowest of any of his servants or knights.
"This is Komma, Lizzy and Izzy's mother and the Empress of the Zol'Gan empire," Ryan said, introducing his flying mate.
"Speaking of Lizzy and Izzy, I think it's time they joined us."
"Joined you?" Komma asked, raising her eyebrows.
Ryan chuckled as he sent a prompt for his five harem members inside his palace to come out.
With a flash of light, Emily, Grace, Zoey, Lizzy, and Izzy appeared.
Lizzy and Izzy immediately ran over to their mother and hugged her.
"It's good to see you girls, too," Komma said, with a big smile plastered on her face.
Shade and the rest of the girls shivered at the sight. Ryan only chuckled at how uncomfortable they were with the fanged woman's eerie smile.
"So, where is this entrance?" Ryan asked, turning to Shade.
"You're standing on it, my Lord," Shade replied, pointing to the ground underneath Ryan.
"All we needed was a heaven's chosen at the entrance, and it will activate, as Yoko previously told us."
[I like this feline,] Yoko said into his mind. [He pays attention when the important people speak.]
[Yeah, whatever,] Ryan replied. [Just tell me how to activate it.]
[First, you must get the ten people you want to stand over the marking. Are you sure these 10 are the ones you want?]
Looking at Shade, Hannah, Dianna, and Komma, Ryan hesitated, but after thinking a few moments, he nodded.
They were all his allies, and excluding them would only lower their loyalty even more.
He would have rather given this chance to Joy or Vimmi as their specialties were of higher rank, and the dungeon was specifically designed to help increase the rank of the participant's specialty.
The consequences of not including them could be catastrophic.
Hannah, Shade, and Dianna were the backbone of the cat servants. If they became disloyal, he would have a hard time keeping order.
As for Komma, well, he doubted saying no to her would be the most advantageous thing to do right now, seeing as she held the key to an entire Empire worth of resources inside his Emerald Family.