Shadow of the Abyss

Chapter 363 The Dukes Vassals III

Altair wiped the sweat off his brow and pulled himself out of Tasha. She squirmed, moaning a delightful sound, her cunt dripping with his seed. It seemed almost endless, pillaring from between her legs onto his bed. The sight alone might have stirred something in the young emperor were he not so tired. Fortunately, Tasha had fainted once more.

She was doing that more and more; each night, Altair bedded her as he found himself experimenting in a way he might not have with Ren or Syris.

The nights were always long, longer, when Nia or Alyssa often found themselves peeping through the door as they were now, with a palm between their legs.

Altair had sworn Tasha to secrecy, forbidding her from even making lewd jokes until he was ready to deal with them.

[Charm 29 → 35]

Parching his throat with a pitcher of water, Altair stared at the System Message, curious about what such an attribute meant. He had half a mind to use his Omniscience to demand the answer but did not allow himself the satisfaction. Not when he had a limited amount of uses pertaining to his ability. He had better things to worry about.

It was still grey and dark when he finished with Tasha, throwing on a tunic and trousers before opening a portal to his serpent's outreach. It had been too long since he had returned, and he needed an answer for the upcoming war.

He found Aurora in his office, asleep at the desk, a sliver of drool on her lips, lord Thanatos at her side, watching.

"That's a little creepy," Altair said, surprising the god of death.

"Your back."

"Not for long. Ten minutes tops," Altair admitted. "Let's talk outside. We wouldn't want to wake her."

Thanatos silently followed after Altair, closing the door on his way out. "What is it?"

"How much do you know about the enemy heading towards Earth?"

"Aerettel? They are a somewhat powerful empire. To my knowledge, they are not a part of the Republic. They keep refusing to join Genisis, choosing to remain independent."

"Independent?" Altair scuffed. "All that tells me is that they simply lack the adequate resources to be deemed important enough."

"True," said Thaan. "But compared to us. They are powerful. Especially with the two allied forces joining them. Intora, and Bavica. They are smaller kingdoms, but they both own multiple solar systems.

When they arrive, we'd be vastly outnumbered."

"What is Zag doing?"

"Zag and Megaera are currently leading two small armies to cut off near the Andromeda Sector. We—"

"Who stands with them?"

Thanatos smiled. "Of course, all of Olympus, your grace. Have you ever heard of the Spartans?" Altair blinked; he could vaguely recall them in Earth's history. "They are extinct amidst the Old Era of Earth, but in Gaia, their culture and kingdom still live proudly. Artemis and Athena gave the command, and they came running. Same with the Amazonians alongside a dozen others."

"And the Ilvarians?" Altair questioned.

Nia frowned, those strange dual pupils of hers shimmering fiercely. "Aren't they all conditioned?"

"Yes, but to my knowledge, the conditioning was done partially by the imperial family. While they are still loyal to house Nier. That loyalty begins to fade when it comes to the Imperial Family."

'You mean..." Nia realized.

"Yes. The Baron isn't foolish enough to simply try to kill me on the order of theViscountt. That would be the height of idiocy. My theory is that the imperial house is somehow involved and is trying to weaken House Nier. The baron father is an example of that."

"The baron did say that his father was stabbed during the Siege of Dragon Horn," Alyssa voiced.

"Correct. What the Baron failed to mention was that it is tradition for all men or women who take up a noble title to be Transcendent. To my knowledge, the Baron is neither a transcendent nor possesses the potential to become one. Of course, I could be wrong, and theViscountt holds dangerous aspirations. I've no proof, but there are strange signs that I can't pass up."

"Then Dutchess..." Alyssa covered her mouth, and everyone smiled.

"You're getting sharper," Nia slightly teased. "The Dutchess could be working with the imperial family."

"I don't believe that's the case. "Altair shook his head. "But I do believe they are influencing her decision, or at least someone is. To treat Nox the way she had is rather interesting. Especially since none to my knowledge tried to stop her."

"This is confusing..." Alyssa muttered. "But don't worry, master! We'll obey!"

Altair glanced at Nia, who nodded. "I'll take care of her.'

***

Three days later, carriages lined the duke's estate one by one as noblemen and women, young and old, hurried down the hall. It was late notice, but House Nier had never cared for such formalities.

The former duke, attended by the dutchess, was there to greet her guess, forcing a smile as, one by one, many began to approach her. She was scared. Scared of the young man's footsteps echoing from behind her down the stairs.

"Quite the gathering, wouldn't you two say?"

"Someone tried to kill you, and that's all you have to say?" Elgar scuffed. "That's a Nier for you. What do you have planned?"

Altair gave a gentle smile at a few noble women who only just recently had their commoning-of-age ceremony, amused by the way their cheeks glowed brightly.

"As the Heir to House Nier, it's my duty to maintain order. This little gathering is merely a formality to see who is still loyal to House Nier."

"And the Baron?" Corsant asked.

"You mean my witness." Altair chuckled at Corsants' sullen expression, which vanished as she kept her noble bearing. "He'll be here soon. I'm sure he has a lot of interesting secrets that some people would rather not be heard."

Corasnt made a tsking sound and said, "Some secrets are best left unsolved."

"Perhaps, but not when someone is trying to kill me. Wouldn't you agree?"