Chapter 23 They Are Females... Not Some Plaything

[Are you sure you would be okay with this?]

Applying a sad emoji at the end of its words and ellipses beeps continuously as it awaited Hisha's answer.

'I need to know that they are truly willing to do this. What's the point of having them by my side if they were poorly selected in the first place?' Hisha replied.

[You don't seem to see the innocent facade of the phoenictix or the mischievous witch as poorly chosen]

HTC countered with a chuckle afterward.

Clearing his throat, he could tell HTC was merely trying to pull his strings and gauge his reaction–that he wasn't going to concede.

"Today marks the day you choose your path for yourselves." Hisha pressed on to the females.

He could recall the scared faces of some of his meretrix one when he had met them, it was as though they were reluctant to stay in that room, that had left a hard impression on him.

If some could feel this way, there were some others in the other batches he hadn't met with that would feel the same or much worse.

He wasn't going to bound them to his side just because they were chosen, they should be willing to be by his side.

When the willingness was there, only then could he attempt to approach them.

With the tournament which would be rescheduled to the next day, more of the weaker lot who had tried to prove their worth by staying would still be let off.

In his defense, this was a way of allowing those who had been taken from their first loves to be returned.

Best

'Heck! There's no way this body could attract such many harems that would love me genuinely.' He thought and snapped out of the dream he thought he was in.

All of that was purely in his fantasy and he needed to wake up.

The mild-tempered ones needed to live a normal life, and find someone who could fully reciprocate their true feelings. There was no way they could survive by his side without being solely dependent on him.

Taking it up on himself, he chose to handle the daring ones, they could work together to grow in strength.

[How much longer do we have to wait for those who would make a decision?!]

HTC whined in frustration, it was a simple offer that needed a simple response.

Kritz bit down on his bottom lips as he tried so hard to hold back his thoughts from spilling. If these ladies were to back off from being part of his harem without being let off by Hisha personally, they might be ostracized by their families and the community.

This was the supreme overlord they were talking about, having a daughter in their lord's harem was a great privilege. This would be a tricky decision for them.

Making up his mind to alert Hisha on what he thought on the issue, "my lord–"

Hisha's attention was drawn to a raised hand among the crowd. Her arms have been covered to about her elbows. The sleeves are a loose fit and, in a way, help put focus on her soft skin.

The others all focused their attention on the female who was courageous enough to speak up. They all pushed back so Hisha could have a better view of her.

"Lord Hisha..." She said with a high-pitched voice, her hands slowly pulling on her green locks to calm her nerves as soon as she realized all attention was focused on her.

Hisha cast his gaze on her, a bit uninterested in her dragging on with what she wanted to say.

"My family, I–I would be..." She croaked, her hands trembling and unable to continue, she broke down crying, placing her hand on her chest tightly and hyperventilating.

Some of the females around surrounded her and knelt to comfort her.

'What the hell is going on?!' Hisha furrowed his brows at the weird display.

The scene almost looked to him like he was oppressing them without lifting a finger.

[Ability: Time manipulation]

[Host, I might have skipped on a few information]

HTC coughed out, knowing how displeased Hisha would be. He had promised to alert Hisha whenever something was amiss.

'This is so not cool, HTC! You had promised!' Hisha hissed in his thoughts, narrowing his eyes at the crowd below, specifically on the little group that had surrounded the female.

[Being in your harem was considered a privilege unrivaled and higher than those given over to the beast tribes ]

'The tribal idiots?' Hisha questioned with a raise of his brows.

HTC was left stunned by the choice of words but fully recovered and clarified. [That... They are all marked and can't be given out nor touched without your rejection]

'Isn't that just a foolproof harem?' Hisha sarcastically replied with a burst of bitter laughter.

He shook his head at how troublesome it was thinking of the numerous females he would have to reject once they couldn't meet his standard or the tournament.

[If they were to leave without your rejection, the majority of those leaving would be in danger and can never move on with another]

'Great! Just great! How do I unmark them?!' Hisha sneered and clicked his tongue.

[You just say the word while looking directly into their eyes, there should be a glow right after signaling the severed bond]

Pushing back his hair, he had a smug look on his face, if that was what some of these ladies needed, he was going to give out just that.

After his time manipulation was deactivated, he looked towards Kritz who had been staring at him for some while.

Kritz walked over to his master and gave a slight bow awaiting an order.

"Allow those who are willing to leave access here." He ordered.

Kritz froze for a second at how strange that sounded, but nodded and did as he was told.

"To those who choose to reconsider, I would aid you by freeing you of the mark," Hisha explained.

His gaze locked on a strangely determined look on Solara and Zui.

They looked unfazed by what he had offered and he could tell that they didn't consider his offer as did the majority.

[Did you say poorly chosen?]

HTC mocked with a chuckle, never missing a chance to remind him of his words.

'Shut it!' Hisha hissed while he laid back on his chair and tilted his head to the right unto his clenched fist.

HTC couldn't contain its excitement at two opinions that could be open for a discussion with its host.

[Who do you think is going first?]

[Can you guess how many harem members would stay to compete for your attention?]

Cross popping veins made their way to Hisha's forehead at the questions. He had tried to concentrate as he watched Kritz speak on his behalf and lead the ones that wanted out.

'They are females with feelings just like every other and not some plaything!' Hisha spat, immediately remembering the sort of system he had.

'They should be given the chance to back off and save their hides, that's what matters. Alta is still unstable, I will not let her engage with those who can't hold their lot and not 'die' against a fellow harem member.' He announced to his system.

[...]

'Yeah that's it, think about what you said wrong.' Hisha snapped and watched as the females walked up the stairs in their numbers to meet with him.