Chapter 376: Nah, I'd Win

"It's just a tale you have to spin to get them to believe you. You can say that you were fighting four Phantom League members and he hit you in the back. There's no shame in that at all." I tried to get her to agree with putting her in a much better light.She scoffed, "no, I would still dodge it, or at least not get taken out of the fight so miserably."

I could only smile wryly at her antics. Iris was giving off a very strong 'nah, I'd win' vibe.

"Alright, then come up with a more believable explanation if you want. Abudha, please also go back with her. You should also come up with a similar story. Ambition, you're free to leave too, or you can stay in my home if you feel like it for as long as you want - though it's still heavily under construction from what I can see." I stated the last part jokingly.

"We're working on it, Demigod Boss!!!" Ronan shouted from the back of the crowd, earning a chuckle from me and my girls.

Naturally, I couldn't trust Iris to play along with my wishes. For all intents and purposes, she was a woman I didn't know well at all. More than 10 years had passed since her life's simulation ended, and a lot of change could happen to her in that time. However, even if she completely betrayed me, which was a real possibility, it would not be the end of the world. She had no clue where my stronghold was located at, all she could do was make me wanted by the Consortium too if they learned of the wealth and secrets I hide.

That was the reason I sent Abudha with her. Through my newly acquired spell - Overlord's Eyes - I could perfectly listen in on not only how Iris acted, but how the three disciples of Black Fang reacted to the news of us disappearing - that is if they survived the scuffle with the Phantom League.

I didn't feel comfortable going back, honestly. Too much had happened in our battle, and it was possible that these existences could watch me from afar. It's not too outrageous to expect someone like Orianna - the woman who teleported into the battle to fight Mordecai, the leader of the drug empire of the Phantom League, basically making him be Black Fang's equivalent - to have a spying plant or something like that, or someone might've just straight-up been watching us all along.

After all, I had no clue that Raika, the black-haired disciple with the badass title of 'The Brutalizer', was following us in silence. There could be more who never showed themselves.

I believed that it was smart for me to act with the attitude that they already know too much about me, thus I planned to remain away from the Consortium until things became more clear, even if it meant giving up on the Trials and thus not becoming Vesper Phenoms.

That rank would make my life much easier with its numerous benefits, but it wasn't worth taking such a risk for. After all, there were other opportunities to exploit all over the Iskaris continent.

"… Understood." Abudha nodded. He was not very happy to be my slave, but evidently the many revelations I dropped on him forced him to think a bit more - or something like that. I didn't expect him to like being my slave, not at all. He was a strong combatant, but that was it. He was the sacrificial pawn I was sending into the maw of the beast, so to say. I could just as easily send Blossom, Ayame, or Seraphiel, but they were too important for me to risk losing them.

He was not.

Once Selene and Cedric healed, I would send them back to the Consortium and thus have planted five Phenom candidates into the Consortium's ranks. Selene, Cedric, and Abudha being my completely obedient slaves, and Ambition and Iris being my allies, though the latter girl might be a bit too much to claim as a friend instead of a neutral force for now.

With my three slaves I planned to probe the Consortium to get a feel about my situation.

"We would like to stay a bit." Ambition stated.

I happily accepted her answer, then I summoned a portal a good distance from the battle. Maybe someone was standing there, ready to step through. One could never be careful enough.

"Head north, you will reach the battle site in a few miles." I informed them, and the duo departed.

"Uhm, Master Quinlan - or what should I call Your Majesty? I would like to inquire as to what my future might have in store for me if I may be so bold." The pink haired tanker spoke up, clearly uncertain how to address me properly. I was not only her owner, but the literal leader of her race.

"You can refer to me as master, or Quinlan if that's more comfortable. You will have the basic rights all of my slaves enjoy, which are:

1, You will be treated humanely, meaning not I, nor anyone else in my Ascendants faction will act demeaningly towards you. You might not have rights in the eye of the corrupt Vraven Kingdom's book of laws, but in my faction you do. Just to be clear, what I consider demeaning is acting like you're trash, lowlife, subhuman, etc. Me sending you into a fight where you might meet your maker is possible, but as a combat slave that's part of your job description, not me treating you as if you were trash.

2, No one has the right to force themselves upon you. I abhor rape and sexual abuse, so if anyone tries such acts, you have my permission to fight back with all your strength.

3, As part of your humane treatment, no one will beat you for 'fun'. The only way you can receive such punishment is if you deliberately act against our interests, though at that point a beating will be the least of your worries.

4, Good work deserves rewards. There's not a point system or anything elaborate like that in place yet, but basically once I deem that you've done enough, you can ask for something reasonable. Time off, chance to visit your family or friends - of course, you will be strictly forbidden from revealing anything about us without my explicit permission. In your case as a combat slave, your reward could also be expensive gear you believe will make your combat prowess greater, but Soren refused to buy. Starting a family of your own in the future is also possible.

I think that's the gist of the basic slave rights in my employ. As for my plans regarding you in specific, Lyra, I need some time to debate, but what I can say for certain is that you will be a respected combatant in the Ascendants faction with the ability to rise very high in our ranks. After all, the second in command is also a slave of mine, and she's not that high in the ranks because she is my lover. She deserved the position, thus she got it. As simple as that."

With my long-winded explanation done, I could see that her soft features were beyond shocked. I just left this girl truly flabbergasted.

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