Roxy groaned as she woke up, wondering why her neck and shoulders hurt so much. Opening her eyes, she saw the woman from yesterday standing just a few feet away, her back turned to Roxy. She was talking to some handsome man with deep red eyes, though why was she in her room. Stopping as a headache started to form with strange thoughts rushing into her mind. Compiled to look over at the neatly folded maid uniform.

Then she hears a voice in her head ‘Put the uniform on and get ready for the day.’ Roxy was still confused. She was the emperor's favorite concubine, so why was she dressed like a maid for the imperial palace. Again, she compiled for some reason, unable to concentrate on what the two are saying.

Once she was dressed, more orders were coming in as she walked up to both of them bowing to her mistress and master. Thinking about it, the headache slowly subsided as she realized the handsome vampire lord was her emperor, and the golden-eyed woman was the new emperors. “How may I help you today and um why are you having me work as the staff I thought I was...”

Roxy trailed off, unable to make sense of why she ever thought Jircniv was the emperor. Then again, he foolishly tried to control her new mistress and master, so perhaps he was being punished.

“Your awake good. If you have any questions, just ask the other staff or think about them and you will have an answer. As for your new station, you should already know now leave you're interrupting my time with my love.” Mistress Kathrin hissed and waved her off. As her order for the day came to her mind, not wanting to anger the mistress, she went to leave.

-POV change-

Once Roxy left the room Kathrin turned her attention back to lord Sitbaus with a frown. She very much didn’t like the little rat too plain and ordinary for her lord. Still, he insisted they shouldn’t kill anyone they didn’t need to.

“She is the last one my love aside from the three personal knights of the emperor though they won’t be a problem much longer.” Kathrin beamed with joy at the head pats she received.

For now, she would let them stay mostly organic; however, they were weak, and her army of loyal pack mate would need to grow stronger. Perhaps after they officially claimed the empire and moved the main lab form E-Rental to here. She could research a way to make the magic cores needed to make them automations more befitting her army of loyal followers for her master protection and happiness.

Her love pulled her over to sit on the maid’s bed; she was half tempted to try for some more pleasurable rewards. It is not like her packmates would mind. “Excellent work as expected of my empress. Sorry I was gone most of the night Shalltear required some special attention for her work. I hope it wasn’t too taxing on you is there any issue with the number of pack mates.”

Kathrin, for her part, simply reached out to the thousands of staff and guards now under her control. It had been a new experience to her having to sort through all the minds linked to her pack network. It did take some fine-tuning, yet the effort was worth the headache and time needed to sort out an order system to make them easier to manage. Even then, she couldn’t be sure how range would affect this delicate network.

“It was no trouble at all lord Sitabus. I take great joy in the confidence you have in me.” Kathrin pulled him into a hug loving the smell and warmth from his body.

“Alright, now there is the trouble of how to deal with the church. The crows where smart to take control of there. Perhaps I should send Clam-Chan and Leinas to deal with it.” She loved watching her love hum in thought, thinking of so many plans.

Even if he clearly already knew she was taking care of it. It brought a burst of joy to see him back to normal after yesterday, which was only more reason to make sure he didn’t slip back again. Kathrin would just have to find what was causing him to doubt himself and show him the scum only got lucky before.

Leaning him down onto the bed as Kathrin’s hands caressing his chest, all the while rubbing her body on his. “So thoughtful, my love, but I already have agents taking care of it. Just in case I had the assassin and Leinas keeping watch. With any luck, the knight sent by the emperor will die as well.”

fade to black

Kathrin husky voice still hungry for more. “I memorized serval books on the matter, in-between running the lab, approving or reading over documents from E-Rental, and keeping up with your daily orders. Among other skills, I have picked up in case you require them. my love, as usual, I will be ready for anything you should ask of me.”

Kyuketsuki gained a thoughtful look before recalling something. “Right, I programmed that into your bio. Even so, that is a lot to do for me, would you like a reward?”

Kathrin was ready to shut down the question. She didn’t need a reward. Knowing he would not leave like the other supreme beings is reward enough.

Kyuketsuki, as if sensing this, kissed her chin before stopping her. “I would feel I’m taking advantage of you if I didn’t give you something for all your hard work. How about this for the next week you can ask for anything I can reasonably give.”

Kathrin beamed with joy at this, feeling her heart soar. Kathrin’s fingers taring the bedsheets as joy-filled her core. “Well, if you insist my love, may we do the next round with your true form, I rarely get to see its beauty up close. After if it is not too much, could you tell me about…

what would be a fitting term to the first world he came from. Kathrin beamed happily as an answer came to mind-…tell me about your first world the one your real body comes from. I feel like since coming here I haven’t known you as best I could. Which brings me shame to think for so long I thought I knew everything about you, yet I didn’t.” Kathrin purred gently into Sitabus ear, rubbing his shoulders, feeling them tense had she go too far to ask the second part.

Sitabus subtly shifted again uncomfortably, looking away from her. Kathrin cursed her foolishness; she should have known it was painful to hide this part of himself. Bringing his face back to stare into hers, yet he wouldn’t look into her eyes. ‘Great, this is ruining the mood.’

“What if seeing these parts only leads you to despise me. Or worse hurt you that form has changed here. It feels like it’s alive. I could-

Kathrin cut off Sitabus argument with a deep kiss, not allowing doubt to rise back up. Kathrin would wash it away in waves of pleasure. She refused to lose him to see him leave like every other supreme being in Nazarick. Convinced if she just poured her love over It, she could make it vanish like every other insect which dared hurt lord Kyuketsuki.

Gasping as they parted lips a trail of saliva connecting as Kathern repositions herself to guide his rod into her maidenhood. Earning a gasp from Kyuketsuki, Kathrin smiles Velvet might have done this differently, but she knew her way would work too. “The only thing you could do to hurt me is disappearing on me, my love. I know you can control it again, break anything in your path. I will help you. If I must, but please don’t shut me out now. I want to feel all of you, know all of you, and have all of you here with me is enough reward to ever have.”

Kathrin watches her lord hesitantly groan under her grappling with something before finally shifting to that lovely appearance. Kyuketsuki’s long tong enters Kathrin's mouth as she moaned into the kiss. Kathrin will spend all day like this if this is what it takes to finally crush any doubt in her love. ‘That’s it, my love leave fear behind along with all those walls, let us feel nothing but bliss. I will show you how much I love everything about you.’

-At the temple of the four gods-

Nimble was a proud knight and supporter of the bloody emperor, as he was commonly called. Which is why he still couldn’t understand how he had lost in seconds to the woman. She wasn’t even taking them seriously infuriating grin on her face the whole time. It was terrible enough Kettor’s group had spent the entire day just wondering the palace and city or evading their trails.

That whole group couldn’t be trusted; they are arrogant, selfish, and unloyal to the emperor. Still, the emperor said he had a plan to deal with them, so he would just have to trust Jircniv on this. Not that they really had a choice in the matter from what his connection to friends he working within the empire army. They were stretched thin and losing numbers far faster than they should.

Turning on to the street of the main temple, he was shocked to see it blocked by a massive crowd as a voice boomed from the stand near the entrance to the main temple of the city.

“Good people our emperor does nothing to contain the threat of the demi-humans which are raiding the countryside. Why just this morning, I heard an adamantine rank adventuring group who was slaughtered by the beasts! Which is why we must rally and call for him to see the rising danger they have in our cities.”

Nimble was shocked by the cheering of the crowd Infront of him he could not even get to the into the main temple like this. Seeing other guards nearby, he approached. They were failing to contain this mess.

“What is going on here?”

The two shared a nervous glance. “Sir, we are too low on numbers we sent for reinforcement to help quill the crowd, but they haven’t come back, and it has been almost an hour.”

Nimble was at a loss; he wouldn’t even be able to get through a crowd like this. He turned back to the watchmen. He would find out what was taking so long later, for now, the emperor’s task came first. “I will look into it but help me clear a path to the front I need to speak with one of the head priests,” Nimble Yells over the crowd just to be heard.

It took several minutes of pushing and shoving to get through all the people who were so antagonized by the speaker's words they barely notice them. They were good at making sermons, but not this good. Finally, the priest takes notice of him as did all of the crowd. He did not like this feeling of hate and anger filling the air, all of it pointed at the three. He might have to fight his way out of this if the Slane Theocracy was really doing this.

“So, the emperor finally takes notice of us; you see the four gods have answered our call. What news do you bring of our call to action of these devils, undead and demi-human scum?” The priest called the people cheered along with his words.

Singling the guards to be ready should anything happen. Something was Cleary going on the emperor needs to know about. Nimble stepped forward closer to the podium, the preacher on the wooden stand over his head. “I did not come to talk about that. I merely came on the emperor's behalf to talk to one of the head priests of the church about private matters.”

Nimble could swear he saw the priest smirk vanishing just as quickly as it showed, it was Replaced by a glare. “Then you have been sent to silence us and the rumors of beast-man attacking cities destroying the army piece by piece, is it?”

He really didn’t like the mood of the crowd; still, he hopes to avoid killing anyone if he could prevent it. With so many people gathered around him, he would have to be careful not to get overwhelmed. “No, I am mealy here to talk to you in private or someone else if you are busy, and I will gladly pass your message along to him.”

The sinking feeling in his gut only got worse as the priest spread out his arms to the crowd. “Why should we need privacy unless you mean to silence me. When your little watchmen, are too scared to move with such a large crowd.”

Nimble gritted his teeth, what could he do to change their minds. “Look I will leave my sword out here if this is what you wish, but I only want to speak-

Before he could finish, fire rained from the sky all around them. Nimble was blown off his feet by the blast as raging flames consumed the crowd before he could even figure out what had just happened, he saw it a towering armored undead charging through the crowd. Butchering and crushing all who were unlucky enough to get in its way.

He just barely rolled out of the way as the undead monster bashed through the temple entrance, followed by magic casters following in as the chaos outside only rose people running in fear. Turning to see Fluder landing nearby with a grin on his wrinkled face and what Baziwood had described seeing the servants having on.

“What in the name of the four gods are you doing!” Nimble could not believe this had the old wizard gone mad. The emperor would have a nightmare dealing with the backlash after this.

“Doing what is commanded of me.” He paused as if thinking about something with a gleeful grin, which was anything but good. “Jr. told me of the plot the temple leaders were planning.”

Nimble was shocked; this must have been a lie, but then was it Kettor’s group at work? It only got worse as the priest somehow survived his skin severely burned and charred still, he stood despite the injuries. “You see, the emperor has been corrupted turned against us by the monsters and beasts. Flee and spread the word, do not let this blasphemy go unpunished, or you may be next.”

Nimble took notice of the few commoners still close enough to witness as Fluder gathered more flames to his hand with [Grand Fireball]. Trying to stand, but he was too late to stop Fluder as Nimble watched the priest vanish into the fire. Nimble turns with narrowed eyes to Fluder. Why would the emperor ask him to see the priest if he already planned to attack?

Realizing were Fluder was headed, Nimble follows him into the main temple where chaos and flames were already spread quickly. Watching in shock as the undead knight was just cutting loose. The mages were Cleary with Fluder and gave no mercy as they destroyed everything around them.

Nimble had to roll out of the way as part of the roof had fallen from the upper floor where he was standing before. Nimble had to do something to at least minimize the damage and backlash this would bring on Jircniv.

He rushed past the death and destruction trying to catch up to Fluder, who was oddly much faster than he remembered him being. Nimble was forced to draw his blade to stop something launched at him cutting down whatever it was, turning to the attacker he was shocked to see Jasper head priest of God of Water.

Only something was wrong with him. His skin was bloated out green, black, and red veins pulsing. In fact, he barely looked human with some kind of tail and tentacle wings. Nimble gasped in shock, barely raising his sword to block faster-moving projectiles.

“So, the fool playing emperor found us out, would you tell me what tipped him off.” The distorted voice of the monster asked, pushing Nimble back. Killing off a few mages with black spines.

“He didn’t. I just came here to talk. Though now I know it’s not the Slane Theocracy. Fluder just attack, which has almost killed me twice now!” Nimble grumbled, annoyed with this whole mess activating [ability boost] and [greater ability boost], he charged the monster getting close enough to unleash [three-fold slash].

Only to be shocked at some kind of barrier shattering halting the attack. The changing tentacle monster gave up any hint of humanity moving behind him with inhuman speed and flexibility. Gripping Nimble’s arms tightly. Nimble was forced to drop his sword before his arms broke.

The ex-priest chuckled at his struggling, failing to break free. “Don’t think you can beat me. Our original has been planning the fall of your emperor for years. It was bad enough you slew his master. But then they dare forget his killer like killing our master was nothing! Your arrogance will be your downfall when we bring him back.”

Nimble could only use the last of his energy to gasp out a curse, feeling those green vines starting to strangle him. How did this day end up like this? All he had to do was talk to a priest and return to the palace. His vision started to fade, clawing at the arm for air. He could only hope the emperor would be able to deal with this.

-Outside the Temple on a Nearby Rooftop-

Clementine glared at the woman next to her before turning back to the collapsing burning temple as smoke billows out of the crumbling roof. Licking her lips at the blood splattering the ground and humans below screaming and running away.

Leinas signed, trying not to look at the assassin. “Can you not do that it creeps me out. You use to be human too.”

The girl giggled her tentacle hair flailing around her body, her hands touching her blades. “I still love to join in the blood bath human or not. But lady Kathrin is a killjoy she hasn’t’ even let me play with a few ‘stray sheep.’ At least Shalltear, let me have some fun.”

Leinas looked disgusted by the comment, why Kettor tolerated his woman was beyond her. Then again, Kathrin seemed to keep taking about humans like they were sheep, sending a sympathetic look at those below. As Kathrin said, ‘This was necessary for the future of the empire.’ She flexed her light brown feathery arm watching her clawed hand move. At least is what she told herself, she had not seen much of Kettor after he vanished the other day. So, it was hard to know his thoughts on this mission.

“I would say this is an improvement, wouldn’t you say.” Clementine giggled much to Leinas annoyance.

Leinas narrowed her changed yellow bird eyes sent a glare the assassin way. It was odd enough getting use to the changes the potion caused. The wings and lighter body helped her move faster, though, with the mood of the crowd below, she would have to hide her demi-human feathers for a while.

Leinas was not even sure what she was, too scared to ask. It was shocking enough to learn about Heteromorphic races as Kathrin was all too happy to lecture her about. Even still, she couldn’t deny the change did not take away from her beauty. If anything, the new feathers on her arms, legs, and hair only help highlight it.

One thing for sure was whatever bird-like demi-human she had become: could fly, was light and fast, and had an almost hypnotic voice to everyone she talked to.

Leinas could not say how shocked she was to be Complemented by her voice and looks again. For so long, the curse had taken this from her, with no one wanting to get close. Now it was gone, maybe she wasn’t human still so far, the price had not been too bad. If Fluder would hurry up, she hated watching this unfold.

Leinas turned away from the horror below to ask something if nothing else then to take her mind of what was happening. “So how did you join Kettor’s group anyway? I don’t see what need he has for someone like you.”

Leinas regretted asking the question at the creepy lewd face Clem was making. Leinas doubted she was ever sane by the mad blush and crazy fanged smile. “We met in a cemetery had a beautiful dance, before he wormed his way into my heart through moonlight dates where I got to play with my food. Then he gave me this awful potion, and here I am one of his lovely brides.”

Leinas skeptically looked at the woman with narrowed eyes, she didn’t want to know what she counted as dates or dancing. However, the most unbelievable thing was her getting any kind of position in bed. It was like inviting a viper into bed. “Right like any sane person would trust a sadist like you not to stab them while there sleeping.”

She didn’t like the way her evil grin only got wider at her comment. “Oh, you wound me with such harsh words.” She fainted being hurt, which Leinas didn’t buy for one moment.

“If you must know just a few days ago, I got to share some special time with Shalltear and my only master. Would you like to see my proof!” Clem never lost her grin, pulling out some kind of magic paper written in a langue she couldn’t quite read at first. Shifting to legible words as a marriage certificate-

“What!” was the only thing she could think to say skimming over it. Before finding the wording 3rd bride, though, the name was Cleary rewritten. “Your telling me you are the last of three women I suppose that doesn’t surprise me. As much as you being able to get off without murder or blood.”

The deceitful glint in the assassin told her there was more to the story. “Oh, I was fourth of five if you most know. But placement doesn’t matter as much as remembering the feeling of master incredible- Leinas put her hand over Clem's mouth, not wanting to hear these kinds of details. Either it would be very bloody and gruesome or sensual in nature, either way, she didn’t need to know.

Not pulling back her clawed hand despite the tongue licking her feathers. ‘I will never get along with this woman nor understand what he finds remotely interesting in this sociopath.’

Then her eyes caught movement below some kind of monster dragging along…Nimble! Deciding to act if nothing else, she could say she was keeping them from escaping as Kathrin had asked. “Stay here and keep any others from getting away!”

Jumping off the roof, flying quickly to keep up with the moving mass of whatever the creature was. Leinas might not know what it was; however, it was not human.

Tracking them carefully, pulling out her spear taking aim. Activating several martial arts with skillful aim before swooping down. If nothing else, Nimble would owe her after this.

Leinas was surprised when her attack didn’t take down the monster in one shot. A few odd tentacles had been cut off, but it was still standing the spear sticking out of it. Then Leinas noticed the height difference. She jumped back, flapping her wings to help distance herself from the monster’s range. Glancing at Nimble, he was out cold. Dangling from the vines like tendrils, which were its arms.

“Ah, you must be another of the four, yet you look far different.” The monster's eyes watched her raising one arm and launching out vines of green at her. Leinas cut and slice everything which got close with her claws.

Leinas was worried her armor only covered her chest and body till she could get new armor made. She couldn’t get her spear back without risking getting close. Narrowing her eyes and readying her claws for a fight.

“Run along little ant I don’t have time for you right now.” The tentacle monster turns away to leave down an alleyway.

Leinas was still new to her body’s changes, so she didn’t want to risk fighting in a cramped alleyway. Charging the monster slashing at the limbs holding Nimble, dodging back at the black spines launched her way.

“So be it ant you will be joining your friend.” Growled the mass of vines, its red eyes glaring as it whispered and started to launch more spines Leinas way. Which she evaded thanks to her much lighter and more agile body. Leinas began to sweat as the battle dragged on; this was a harder battle then she bargained for. Not helped by the fact it just kept regenerating limbs every time one was cut off.

Thankfully it had a limited range; it could stretch. Despite knowing this, it was only thanks to her martial arts Leinas could keep up. Which was quickly proving to be a losing battle.

-End of Chapter-