Chapter 13

“So how did the interview go? You’re back earlier than I expected.” Faye asked.

“Well I have interviewed and picked out a staff. The harem interview was a disaster though.” I admitted wondering how Faye would react. Before she had mentioned that having a harem was important for swarm knights and lords. Of course that didn’t give me any indication about what her true feelings were. It was something that we hadn’t discussed.

“What happened?” Faye asked, giving me a concerned look.

I shuddered a bit at the memory. “All those women are beautiful, but I don’t get the feeling that any of them care about me. All they care about is that I’m a swarm knight.”

I could tell that Faye didn’t understand the problem. Although maybe I just wasn’t explaining it very well. I tried again. “They were acting like I was their prey.”

Faye didn’t say anything for a moment as she thought about what I was saying. For a moment I thought she was going to argue with me. Then she sighed and gave me a chagrined look. “How was I any different?” She asked.

My mind froze as I tried to process that question. I wasn’t sure exactly what the difference was. Faye hadn’t had quite the same predatory gaze mixed with desperation that the other women had. Her actions had been similar but at least she had talked to me first. Overall there was very little difference though, just a gut feeling that I had that she was different.

“I can’t point to anything specific. It just feels different. Besides, I'm supposed to have children with those women. What type of childhood would those children have? I’d be treating their mothers as little more than walking wombs and the only thing their mothers care about is whether they become a swarm knight.” I said.

“I suppose it’s difficult to understand if you didn’t grow up under the swarm system. What do you want to do?” She asked me.

“Do I need to have a harem?” I asked.

Faye nodded. “Having as many children as possible is one of the best ways to increase the number of swarm knights and swarm lords.” She said in a clinical voice like it was a fact that everyone knew.

I grimaced. “I guess more importantly do you really want me to have a harem?” I couldn’t help but ask. I really wanted to dig into what her feelings were.

Faye gave me a surprised look And then actually took some time to think about the question before answering. “I’ll admit that earlier today I was worried about you picking a harem. I was afraid you would cast me aside when you saw how much more beautiful the women you could have were. It’s important though. Increasing the number of swarm knights is the most important thing you can do.”

“I’d never cast you aside. I care more about personality than looks.” I said reassuring Faye.

“You still need to pick a harem though.” Faye said firmly.

“Aren’t there any alternatives? If I have to, I'll interview all those women but I’d be amazed if I find any I’m actually interested in for more than a one night stand.” I said with a sigh.

“Then don’t pick any of them. There is no rule that says your harem members have to be picked from among them. There isn’t even a rule that says they have to come from the assembly. Many swarm knights just pick a core group from the assembly. Then they pick more whenever one of the swarm civilians or squires under them attracts their attention.” Faye said with a shrug.

The last part made me stare at Faye in shock. “Are you saying that they force women to join their harem?” I said a bit more coldly than I meant to.

Faye winced a bit at the tone of my voice. “Some swarm knights do but most simply need to offer a woman the position and she will agree. Forcing someone to join a harem happens but it’s rare. For one thing it’s likely to get the swarm knight or lord ridiculed. Unless you are ugly or unreasonably cruel it would be rare for a woman to say no.”

Her reassurance that it was rare didn't do much to calm me. It was disturbing to realize that something like that wasn’t illegal. If I became a swarm baron I’d make sure that none of my knights were doing anything like that. I wasn’t quite sure what I’d do if someone above me did though. I guess it depended on whether I thought I could stop them. I was enough of a pragmatist to know that it wasn’t like I’d be able to stop a swarm duke or king from doing whatever they wanted.

Once I calmed down I realized that Faye did have a point. I was pragmatic enough to know that even on Earth most women would throw themselves at me. I’d be rich, powerful, and could even offer to greatly extend their lifespan. The last made me feel kind of bad but I also knew that I wouldn’t be able to stop everyone on Earth from aging. Family and loved ones would get priority.

As I was thinking about this I thought of an idea. “Would you be opposed if I put you in charge of my harem?” I asked Faye.

Her eyes widened and she stared at me in shock. “Why?” She finally managed to ask.

“I think it will be easier that way. I care about you and the last thing I want to do is add people to my harem that you don’t at least get along with. Plus I’m already uncomfortable with the entire idea of having a harem. For some reason it just seems like the right idea.” I said, trying to explain.

Faye finally nodded. “Okay. As long as you promise that you won’t oppose anyone I pick without a good reason.”

I wasn’t quite sure how I felt about making that promise. Then again just the idea of not having to interview and pick women for my harem filled me with relief. I’d need a really good reason to undermine Faye by refusing anyone that she suggested. “Okay I promise.” I said.

“What now?” I said with a lecherous grin.

“Well someone just gave me a massive job to do. So I think I’m going to be busy interviewing harem candidates.” Faye said, grinning back at me.

I fake frowned at her. “I thought I was in charge.” I said barely managing to keep frowning at her.

Faye just laughed. “Don’t worry I’ll be back tonight.” She said as she got up and left the room.

For a second I thought about what to do. Glancing at the file about Earth I decided to take a look at it. After a few minutes I realized that it was mostly information I already knew. It was mostly cultural based. Although some of it appeared to be classified information from various countries. Some of it would have been worth killing for if I was a politician back home. It was useless for me though. Even if I returned I’d be returning as a swarm knight or lord. The political situation of Earth was insignificant compared to the politics of the entire universe.

The only thing truly missing from the file was any detailed information on nuclear and biological weapons. Instead there was a note saying that access to that information was restricted. Only the swarm kings and above that were in charge of the galaxy could access this information.

After half an hour I grew bored of reading through the file. Putting it down I yawned and realized this was the perfect time to take a nap. Opening the door I found one of the servants and told them to make sure I was awake in four hours. That would give me plenty of time before I was able to purchase my third nano factory.

A servant woke me exactly four hours later. I felt immensely better but could have easily slept for a few more hours. However, my swarm was far more important than getting a few more hours of sleep. Going to my core factory I found that I still had a few more minutes until I could build my next nano factory. Instead of finding something else to do I just stared at the numbers. As soon as I hit enough nano fabricators I purchased the factory.

Time: 2,601

Resource points: 805,282,083

Nano Cores: 1498

Nano Drones: 962,306

Nano Fabricators: 0

Nano Factories: 3

Purchase Swarm Mental Connection (100,000,000,000 Resource Points Required)

I now had around four hours. My resource points had also nearly reached one percent of the required amount. The exponential growth was amazing to watch. Still I was eager to get it over with.

Exiting my rooms I found one of the servants. “Where’s Faye?” I was surprised that she hadn’t returned yet.

The servant shrugged. “She is busy interviewing candidates for your harem my lord. Would you like me to have someone tell her that you wish to see her?” He asked.

“No. I was just curious about where she was. Can you have someone wake me again in around three hours?” I asked.

“Of course my lord.” The servant said.