As I walked through the tunnel, my mind kept playing back everything. It had been mere hours since we arrived at this city, and from the very beginning, everything was nuts. I saved my new friends in the Misfits from being killed by a troll, and right after that, without even a chance to relax, I fought and killed a powerful Party leader who delighted in causing pain and misery to others, and helped to expose the rest of his shitty and depraved party to the city, and namely, the Duke. I let out all of the frustration in a long sigh.
"I just want to relax and fuck my horny kitten." I thought, and her image in my mind made me smile. Through my bond with her, I received a huge burst of love, pride, and of course, a LOT of lust. I just grinned as I turned the corner, and began to exit into the main lobby.
"ELI!" Cici shouted as she ran at me with speed that made everyone else gape in surprise.
The airborne floof crashed into my chest, wrapping her arms around my neck and her legs around my waist. I chuckled as I put my arms around her, and she began to nuzzle into my neck.
"You were so cool!" She said, her voice muffled by my neck.
I rubbed her back with one hand, while I put the other under her firm bottom to support her.
"I wish I could say the same. That guy was fucking nasty business." I said, grimacing at the thought of his words.
I saw the solumn and disgusted looks of everyone else that came to greet me.
"I've never been so happy to see someone get maimed like that before..." Serena said, her eyes full of sadness.
"To think... that man wanted to..." Clarissa said, shuttering at the thought.
"I'd never let that happen." I told her, and she looked at me with a grateful smile that began doing strange things to my heart.
"You were incredible, Master Elias! I've never seen anything like it!" Benji said, and I just sighed.
"You're not going to get him to stop." Cici said into my chest, and I just grumbled.
"Can we talk about how he just tossed around an A+ ranked Adventurer like he was a child??" Terroth asked in bewilderment.
"Yeah... Elias, you weren't just stronger than him," Sheila began, giving me a look that was between curiosity and starstruck, "It was like you were so much stronger than him, that it seemed like you were holding back."
Well, that was startlingly close to the truth. I was very much holding back, because if I hadn't, I would have not only killed him in a single hit, but would have probably leveled the entire arena, maybe the city block, if not worse.
"I'm sure he has his reasons for being so secretive about his strength." The voice of Martin called out as he approached from the left side, accompanied by both in front and behind him. The man behind him had Valeire walking beside him with her head down.
"Martin, good to see you here already. I assume the rest of Tempest won't be an issue?" I asked, and he nodded with anger burning in his eyes.
"They have been detained with mana shackles, as well as collars for good measure." He said, and then turned around and looked at Valerie, "I'm still unsure what to do with this one."
"Well, she was Delvin's slave," I said, reaching into the storage ring I obtained, and pulled out the crystal, "And since everything of his is now mine, that includes her."
I felt a little sick just saying that, but I had to make it clear that she was off limits. She had already been through enough.
Martin scowled, but he must have seen the look in my eyes, because after a moment, he nodded, and gestured for her to step forward. As she did so, I held the mana crystal out.
"I was told that this thing controls you. Tell me, Valerie, was everything that Delvin said true?" I asked.
"Y-yes." She said, before adding, "They are the worst people I've ever met."
I looked at her, nodded, and then turned to Martin.
"From what I know, she has to tell the truth because of this thing." I said, and then in a softer voice, I asked, "Did he force you to hurt people? Have you ever willingly harmed another."
Her head shot up so fast it actually made me jump a bit, which did have the slightly pleasant effect of making Cici's breasts bounce against my chest. Yeah, she still hadn't moved. It was a little awkward, but I wasn't about to tell her to move.
"OF COURSE NOT!" She said, tears beginning to well up in her eyes, "I begged and pleaded for him to stop...and to stop making me do these things..." She sobbed, the tears now streaming down her face, "But he wouldn't listen. He would beat me every day, even though I was forced to do everything he said! And-"
"That's enough Valerie. I'm sorry." I cut her off, making her blink in surprise, "It's painful for you to talk about, so I won't make you." That caused her to blink away tears several more times.
"T-thank you." She hiccuped, and I just gave her a small smile and nodded, "Things are going to be different soon, I promise."
The hopeful look she gave me when I said that made me feel a little better, but my mood was still soured because of these assholes.
"Martin, what are you going to do with those three?" I asked, and he gave a scowl.
"I'll force them to confess to their deeds although I already have enough on them after today to warrant execution. I sent some of my men to their house, and if what Delvin said is true, and we find those women in their basement, I'm going to make them suffer." He said with a growl.
"You think I could be of any use? I really, really want a room alone with that big fucker." I said, my growl just as fierce as his.
He looked at me for a while, and I actually got a little hopeful since he didn't outright tell me no right away.
"We'll talk more about them tomorrow. Today has been... a day." He said, letting out a heavy sigh. Then, he looked at me with a raised eyebrow, but in reality, he was staring at Cici, who was still latched on to me.
"This is actually pretty normal." I said, shrugging.
Despite himself, he actually smirked at the woman who began nuzzling into my chest again.
"I see. You must be an incredible person." He said, which made Cici turn around and smile wide at him.
"He's the best mate anyone could ask for." She said, before turning back around and burying her face in my neck again, and I just laughed.
"Well... at any rate, it's getting late. Would you all like to come back with me? I have plenty of rooms at my manor." He said, and then turned around to look at everyone else, "That invitation extends to all of you. These 3 are my extended guests, but I wish to know more about the 4 of you now as well."
Terroth, Sheila, Serena, and Benji all looked at each other, before nodding, and turning back to Martin.
"We will accept your gracious offer, Duke Seruud." Terroth answered for them, and they all bowed to him as one.
"Please, no need for that right now." Martin said, before turning to Clarissa, "We can talk more about why you are truly here tomorrow. For today, I think it would be best for us all to return, have a good meal, and retire for the night. I really need the comfort of my wife right now." He said, and his face did look troubled.
He then turned, and gestured for us to follow him. I looked down at Cici.
"You want to walk?" I asked, and she shook her head back and forth into my chest. I just chuckled as I gently ran a hand through her hair, "All right. Come on them."
I still kept my right hand firmly under her ass, while I wrapped the other around her back. Clarissa had already started following Martin, but Valerie had stayed behind, just staring at Cici and I with curious eyes.
"You truly don't care that she's a Beastkin?" She asked me, and I frowned at her, but soon I schooled my features, remembering the kind of people she was forced to be around.
"I'd love my wife no matter what race she is." I said, before adding, "Honestly, her features only enhance her beauty in my eyes."
Cici suddenly leaned up, and gave me a deep and passionate kiss, and I returned it with equal fervor. I loved this woman more than anything, and I'd let the whole world know that fact.
"Love you." Cici said once she decided I could breathe again, before burying her face into my neck.
"Love you too, kitten." I said.
I looked back over a Valerie, who now had a much more calm look on her face. She actually gave a small smile, which showed off her elongated canines, which looked razor sharp. Honestly... she was damn cute.
"Lets go Valerie. As long as you're with us, we'll take care of you." I said, and began walking, Cici's grip tightening around my body.
"Thank you..." Valerie said softly, and I just nodded at her as I made my way towards the exit with my fluffy passenger, with everyone waiting for us at the exit.
"No problem." I replied.
I was so fucking done with today it wasn't even right. I wanted food, I wanted to finish helping Valerie, and I wanted to be balls in Cici. That thought made her shutter in my arms, and I just grinned.
"Let's get the hell out of here." I said, increasing my pace.