I was chained, accused of being a slaveholder, and dragged to the Emperor's Palace. My girls were searching for me, but by then, I had already left the Hinabata District and entered Takahata City, right into the heart of the Kyouro Palace.
Weakened and pale from not eating after the last battle, I stood restrained before the thrones of Emperor Takahashi Kyouro and Empress Hanabira Kyouro. Only the Emperor looked at me—with disgust. Koru, the noble who had accused me, sobered up and arrogantly claimed I was the slave hoarder who had violated him.
I tried to explain, but my words fell on deaf ears. I noticed the Emperor didn't care much for the geisha Koru mentioned. Meanwhile...
---
My Girls
Merlin pulled the carriage to a halt. Aisha and Yuki jumped out, sprinting to follow my trail. Alice and Seraph flew above the district. Reshia, Luna, Hilda, Sasha, Lisa, and Merlin remained behind.
The girls caused a commotion, pursued by the Kyouro Guards. They darted through the streets with supernatural speed, dodging everything in their way. Sasha even sang a lullaby to put the guards to sleep without harming them.
---
Judgment
"Your Majesty, I suggest he be executed," Koru announced.
"Then... execution it is," the Emperor replied coldly.
"Just to clarify—may I take and release his slaves?" Koru asked smugly.
"Fine by me," the Emperor smirked.
Their words confirmed everything I needed to know. I glanced toward the Empress—an elven woman—who looked worried. Her expression told me she knew something wasn't right.
"He's hoarding slaves—wolf-kin, lizard-kin, lamia, fox-kin, boar-kin... and gods know what else," Koru spat, still unaware of the full extent.
"I want the fox-kin. You can have the others," the Emperor said arrogantly.
My fury boiled, but before I could act—BOOM!—the palace wall exploded as Hilda smashed through. Aisha and Yuki sprinted in.
The entire court was stunned. Koru trembled, but the Emperor remained still, descending the stairs.
"What is the meaning of this?" he asked. "Who are you?"
"We're here to take our Darling back!" Aisha shouted.
"Darling!?" the Emperor scoffed. "You brainwashed them, didn't you, peasant?"
"We're not brainwashed!" Yuki shouted.
"Oh, so this is the fox-kin," the Emperor said, eyeing Yuki from head to toe. "Interesting…"
"What are you looking at, you bastard?!" Yuki snapped.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY?!" the Emperor roared, swinging his dull blade at her.
My eyes burned red as I watched Yuki get sent flying.
"OI! EMPEROR! THAT'S NOT HOW YOU TREAT A WOMAN!!!" I shouted, shaking the palace with my voice.
I shattered my chains, stepped forward, and caught the Emperor's blade mid-swing—breaking it into pieces. His face went pale; his centuries-old weapon destroyed in an instant. But I wasn't finished.
He ordered the guards to restrain my girls—but they pinned his men instead. The Emperor now realized he had messed with the wrong man.
"Why scared, Your Majesty? I'm just a Tamer, you know," I said casually.
"T-Tamer? How can a Tamer be this strong?"
"My girls are the monsters I've tamed. And I'm not a slaveholder—you are." I shouted while pointing at Koru
"I needed to know who the true slaver was," the Emperor said. "And now, I do."
"LIAR!" Koru screamed. "He's lying! The girls are his slaves!"
"Fools," Seraph said flatly. "Master doesn't need slaves. What he needs are... wives. Right, Master?"
"True—wait, WHAT?! WIVES!?" I nearly choked.
"Aren't we your wives, Master?" Sasha asked. "You saw me naked, so... you'll take responsibility, right?"
"HAHAHAHA!" The Emperor laughed. "These are your wives? How lucky you are."
"Why are you laughing?" I asked.
"Because I'm no slaver. I only wanted to expose Koru's trafficking ring," he admitted. "Sorry for the misunderstanding. Is your fox-kin alright?"
"She's fine. But… your blade?"
"Eh, I'll just make another one," he shrugged.
"So... what happens now?"
"Simple. Guards—seize Koru!"
"WHAT!!" Koru shouted.
---
New Allies
Koru was imprisoned, and the Emperor apologized to the Empress, who had known nothing of his schemes. The Empress took my girls with her geishas while I spoke with the Emperor. He asked how I ended up with so many girls and suggested I officially make them my wives.
I explained that I'd already given some of them my surname—but not the newest ones. He admitted he was intimidated after I broke his blade. Curious, he asked for my name and origins.
"Ares Meledric. From Uruste Village, Astarte Kingdom."
He muttered my name under his breath.
Just then, a massive, glowing beast appeared before us: the Legendary Violet Mane, guardian of the Kyouro Empire. Towering, muscular, and majestic, it bowed to me.
"Amazing," the Emperor gasped. "Can you tame it?"
"I need Aisha's permission first."
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Violet Mane
We returned to the throne room. The Empress walked in with my girls—all dressed in beautiful kimono and yukata. My jaw dropped.
Aisha pouted when she saw the Violet Mane. I knew that look. She had decided it was worthy.
"Darling! If you're bringing her in too, don't forget the rest of us!" she yelled.
"Hehe…" I scratched my head.
"Hmph! You can tame her... because I love you. I believe you'll take full responsibility."
"What!?... I... yeah…" I scratched my head again. Aisha wasn't just my first girl—she was my heart's compass. If she said yes, I followed.
With her approval, I cast Tame on the beast. It glowed—transforming into a tall, dark-skinned lion-kin girl with long violet hair, glowing violet eyes, and a muscular yet curvy build. She knelt naked before me.
"Thank you for freeing me, Master," she said.
Her voice, once a roaring presence in the sky, now trembled with something far softer—hope.
"You're welcome, Violet," I named her and handed her a cloak.
Blushing as she realized she was exposed, she said, "Thank you, Master…"
Her status appeared:
> Name: Violet
Race: Lioness-kin (Violet Mane)
Class: Shogun
Magic: Void, Sakura
Level: 350
Ability: The Ruler – Boosts all stats of self and allies within radius by 100%
The Emperor and Empress were speechless, seeing a mythical beast become a woman.
He invited us to a feast. I refused—but Violet dragged me in anyway. We dined together on the finest food the Empire had to offer.
---
Meanwhile…
Near the Kyouro Empire, in a darkened place...
"I love having your body all to myself, Cynthia," said Byjack, Evil God of Diligence, embracing her.
"Me too, Byjack," replied Cynthia, Evil Goddess of Love—void of emotion.
"With your powers, I can summon dungeons at will," Byjack sneered.
All around the continent, dungeons began manifesting.
Far from the chaos, our royal carriage arrived at the Astarte Kingdom—while I, unaware of what was unfolding, quietly read the Grimoire of the Seven Heavenly Gods And within the deepest, darkest dungeon... something ancient finally stirred.