Chapter 204 Manipulating His Cousin Fiora

“Master Steele,” Saintess Ceanna said softly, her golden eyes still troubled as she considered his unbelievable confession and his even more unbelievable offer. ‘This is… too much to take in at once.’

“This is a momentous decision you are asking of me,” she continued, her voice barely above a whisper. “To sever my connection with the Radiant God… it is the foundation of my entire life, my very being.”

‘Of course,’ Alaric thought, a hint of impatience flickering within him. ‘I didn’t expect her to jump into my arms immediately. But the seeds of doubt are planted. That’s what matters.’

“I need a little more time, Master Steele,” Ceanna said, her gaze drifting towards the horizon. “I need to see… I need to understand what my Radiant God’s Nation is truly planning.”

‘Smart girl,’ Alaric mused. ‘She’s not completely blinded by faith. Good. Makes things easier in the long run.’

“If they have come to the Eloriath Kingdom with genuine intentions to help, to fight against these demons alongside us…” Ceanna paused, her expression conflicted. “Then perhaps… perhaps my path remains clear.”

‘But you already suspect they haven’t, don’t you?’ Alaric thought, sensing the doubt that lingered beneath her words.

“However…” Ceanna continued, her voice gaining a touch of steel, “if I discover that their arrival is merely a guise, a way to take advantage of our weakened state, to seize control of our lands and our people’s faith…” Her hands clenched slightly. “Then… then I will seriously consider your words, Master Steele. I will consider becoming the Saintess of your… system.”

Alaric nodded slowly, a satisfied smirk playing on his lips. ‘That’s all I needed to hear. The doubt is strong. The rest will follow.’

“That is perfectly reasonable, Saintess,” Alaric said, his voice now filled with understanding. “I would not ask you to make such a profound decision lightly.”

‘But I will certainly guide you towards the ‘right’ choice,’ he added in his thoughts.

“However…” Alaric continued, his tone shifting to one of genuine concern, “I must urge you to at least temporarily break your connection with the Radiant God, for your own safety.”

Ceanna looked at him, surprised. “My safety? What do you mean, Master Steele?”

‘She’s still a bit naive when it comes to the machinations of the divine,’ Alaric thought.

“Think about it, Saintess,” Alaric said, his voice low and urgent. “If you are even contemplating becoming the Saintess of another power, and the Radiant God were to discover this intention while your connection remains strong… who knows what he might do? Divine wrath is not something to be trifled with. I would not want anything to happen to you.”

Ceanna’s eyes widened slightly. She hadn’t considered that possibility. The Radiant God… his power was immense, his will absolute. If he sensed her wavering faith, her potential betrayal… the consequences could be dire.

‘He’s right,’ Ceanna thought, a shiver running down her spine. ‘The Radiant God… he demands absolute devotion. Disloyalty would be… unthinkable.’

Touched by Alaric’s apparent concern for her well-being, Ceanna nodded slowly. “You… you are right, Master Steele. I had not considered that.”

She took a deep breath, closing her golden eyes. Her lips began to move, forming silent words, the ancient syllables of a chant designed to sever her connection to the Radiant God. It wasn’t a permanent break, she told herself. It was merely a temporary disruption, a precaution. If she chose to, she could re-establish the link at any time.

As Ceanna chanted, Alaric watched her intently. He could feel the subtle shift in the air, the fading of the divine aura that had always surrounded her. It was like a protective shield was being lowered, leaving her… more vulnerable.

As soon as the chanting ceased, Alaric slowly released her hand, a subtle smile playing on his lips. He reached out with his senses, focusing on Ceanna.

‘Yes,’ he thought with satisfaction. ‘The divine protection is gone. My Harem God System’s influence is no longer being directly countered. She is now… susceptible.’

He could feel the subtle threads of his charm weaving around her, the gentle whispers of his Heart’s Whisper technique finding purchase in her unguarded mind. Just like any other woman, Saintess Ceanna could now be conquered, her will bent to his.

Ceanna, lost in her thoughts and the strange sense of detachment that followed the severing of her divine connection, did not notice the subtle change in Alaric’s expression, the calculating glint in his ruby eyes.

“Thank you, Master Steele,” she said, opening her eyes, a newfound sense of… freedom? Or perhaps just uncertainty, in her gaze. “I believe that was the prudent course of action.”

Alaric nodded, his expression now one of polite concern. “Of course, Saintess. Your safety is paramount.”

He then shifted the topic, his mind already moving to his next course of action. “Speaking of safety… I believe I should head towards the Royal Palace tomorrow. Princess Griselda… she is now my fiancée, as per King Thaleon’s decree. Even though our engagement is recent, I feel a responsibility towards her. I cannot simply leave her to fend for herself in a kingdom overrun by demons.”

Ceanna nodded, her earlier anger towards the King seemingly forgotten in the face of the larger crisis. “That is a noble intention, Master Steele. Princess Griselda is a kind and good woman. I would be grateful if you could ensure her safety.”

“Indeed,” Alaric said, a thoughtful expression on his face. “And if possible, I will try to secure the safety of as many members of the Royal Family as I can.”

‘Though my primary concern remains Griselda,’ he thought. ‘A fiancée from the Royal Family… that has its own set of benefits.’

Saintess Ceanna looked at him, a glimmer of hope returning to her golden eyes. “That would be a great service to the Eloriath Kingdom, Master Steele. They are our leaders, and their survival is crucial.”

Alaric thought for a moment, considering the logistics and the potential dangers. The Royal Palace would likely be a prime target for the demons. Rescuing the Royal Family wouldn’t be easy.

‘But it would certainly earn me favor with the kingdom… and with Ceanna,’ he mused. He nodded decisively. “Very well, Saintess. I will do my best.”

~~

Before embarking on his journey to the Royal Palace, Alaric sought out his cousin Fiora. He knew how deeply she cared for him, her affections having blossomed into a passionate intimacy over time. Fiora was, in every sense of the word, devoted to him.

‘She’ll do anything for me,’ Alaric thought, a hint of a calculating smile touching his lips. ‘And her devotion will serve my purposes perfectly.’

He found Fiora in the training grounds, practicing her swordsmanship with a fierce determination. She moved with a grace that was both captivating and deadly, a testament to the training he himself had overseen.

“Fiora,” Alaric called out, his voice warm and affectionate.

Fiora immediately stopped her practice, her face lighting up at the sight of him. She rushed towards him, her eyes filled with love. “Alaric! I was hoping to see you before you left.”

Alaric embraced her, holding her close for a moment. He could feel her body pressed against his, the familiar warmth and softness a comforting sensation.

‘She’s so eager to please me,’ he thought. ‘This will be easier than I anticipated.’

“I need to speak with you about something important,” Alaric said, his voice serious. He led her to a nearby bench, and they sat down together.

“I am planning to leave for the Royal Palace tomorrow,” Alaric began, watching Fiora’s reaction carefully.

Her brow furrowed slightly. “The Royal Palace? Why, Alaric?”

“King Thaleon himself betrothed me to his Sixth Princess, Griselda,” Alaric explained, his gaze meeting Fiora’s. “Her beauty is said to be unmatched in the entire kingdom.”

He paused, letting his words sink in. Then, he looked directly into Fiora’s eyes, a hint of a teasing smile on his lips. “Perhaps… perhaps I will be so captivated by her charms that I will end up spending all my time at the palace from now on.”

Fiora’s face crumpled. Her eyes, which had been filled with love just moments before, now welled up with tears. “Alaric! No! You can’t mean that!” Her voice trembled with distress. “Please… please don’t ignore me. I… I can’t bear it.”

Alaric reached out and gently took her hand, his thumb stroking her knuckles. “I don’t want to ignore you, Fiora. You are very important to me.”

He leaned closer, whispering in her ear, his voice low and intimate. “But you need to increase your importance, my dear cousin. And to do that… you must do a task for me.”

Fiora looked up at him, her eyes wide with a mixture of hope and apprehension. “Anything, Alaric. I’ll do anything for you.”

“I have been… somewhat dissatisfied lately,” Alaric confided, his voice laced with a hint of frustration. “When we are together… you are wonderful, of course. But… you cannot truly endure me, Fiora. Not for long enough to truly satisfy me. And that… that causes me great dissatisfaction.”

Fiora’s face flushed with embarrassment. She knew he was referring to her stamina in bed. It was something she had always felt insecure about.

Alaric continued, his voice soft but firm. “I promise I won’t ignore you, Fiora. Not if you can help me with this… issue. I need… I need a night of true satisfaction. And for that… I need the company of some… extremely mature beauties. Women on the same level as your mother, Cassandra, or my own mother, Lyra.”

He watched Fiora’s expression carefully, noting the confusion and dawning understanding in her eyes. He wasn’t explicitly telling her to bring Cassandra or Lyra to his bed. He was merely guiding her towards that conclusion.

“I need you to find such women for me, Fiora,” Alaric said, his gaze intense. “Women who can match their allure, their… experience. The deadline is until I return from the Royal Palace with Princess Griselda.”

Fiora’s mind raced. Where would she find women like her mother and aunt? Cassandra and Lyra were renowned for their beauty and captivating presence. Finding anyone who could truly compare to them would be an impossible task, especially within the confines of the Steele Family’s territory or the nearby villages and cities.

‘They are truly exceptional,’ Fiora thought, a sense of despair washing over her.

Unbeknownst to Fiora, this was precisely Alaric’s intention. He knew she wouldn’t find anyone who truly matched Lyra and Cassandra. And when she failed, her desperation to please him, to regain his undivided attention, would likely lead her to the only logical conclusion – to offer him what he truly desired: Lyra and Cassandra themselves.

‘Once I have a night with both of them,’ Alaric mused, a triumphant smile playing on his lips in his thoughts, ‘then I can be more open about our relationship. At least in front of Fiora and the other women in my life.’

But he knew he had to be careful around Saintess Ceanna. Not yet. She was still too steeped in her religious beliefs. The idea of a son being intimate with his mother and a nephew with his aunt… it would likely be too much for her to bear, too obscene for her to accept. That revelation would have to wait until he had solidified his influence over her, until her doubts about the Radiant God had fully taken root. For now, Fiora would be his unwitting accomplice in his grander scheme.

~~

The following morning dawned bright and clear over the Steele Family mansion. Alaric awoke in his chambers, the lingering scent of Cassandra’s perfume still faintly present. He stretched languidly, a satisfied smile gracing his lips as he recalled their intimate moments.

‘That was… quite invigorating,’ he thought, a warmth spreading through him. He glanced around the room, expecting to see Fiora already bustling about, eager to attend to his needs. But she was nowhere to be seen.

‘Hmm, that’s unusual,’ Alaric mused, a slight frown creasing his brow. Then, a realization dawned. ‘Ah, of course.’ He smiled, a knowing look in his ruby eyes. ‘She must be in a hurry.’

He could just picture Fiora, her beautiful face etched with determination, already scouring the nearby cities and villages under the Steele Family’s influence. She would be desperately searching for a woman who could possibly meet Alaric’s impossibly high standards, someone who could rival the allure of her own mother, Cassandra, or Alaric’s mother, Lyra.

‘Well, if she manages to find someone, good for me,’ Alaric thought, a hint of amusement in his mind. ‘Though I highly doubt anyone around here can truly compare.’ And if she didn’t? Alaric had no doubt that Fiora’s deep-seated feelings for him would compel her to take the next logical, albeit to her perhaps unthinkable, step. Moral obligations would likely crumble before her desire to please him.

With a final stretch, Alaric rose from his bed, his mind already focused on his next destination. After a quick breakfast, he bid farewell to Lyra and Cassandra, offering them both a lingering kiss, and then soared into the sky, heading towards Eryndal, the capital of the Eloriath Kingdom.

He didn’t waste any time. Channeling his magic and even drawing upon the latent power of the Azure Spirit Lion within him to boost his speed, Alaric flew with incredible velocity. The landscape blurred beneath him as he cut through the air, his destination drawing closer with each passing moment.

In just about a day of relentless flight, the sprawling cityscape of Eryndal came into view. As he approached the Royal Palace, situated at the heart of the capital, Alaric observed a scene of utter chaos unfolding below.

‘What in the world…?’ Alaric thought, his brow furrowing in surprise.

The magnificent walls of the Royal Palace were surrounded by a large, unruly mob. People from the capital, their faces contorted with anger and desperation, were attacking the palace gates, throwing stones and shouting slogans. They weren’t particularly strong, mostly just common citizens armed with makeshift weapons, so the royal guards stationed on the walls were easily repelling their attacks. But their numbers were vast, a seething mass of discontent.

As a Grandmaster Mage, Alaric had no trouble bypassing the chaotic scene at the gates. He simply flew over the high palace walls, landing gracefully within the inner courtyard. The royal guards stationed inside immediately recognized him. His face, as the kingdom’s most prodigious magical talent, was widely known.

“Master Steele!” one of the guards exclaimed, bowing respectfully. “What brings you to the palace?”

Alaric approached them, his expression serious. He produced the royal decree that King Thaleon had issued, the seal of the kingdom clearly visible. “I have come to meet my fiancée, Princess Griselda. I believe King Thaleon himself arranged this.”

The royal guards examined the decree carefully, verifying the seal and the King’s signature. Finding everything in order, they nodded respectfully. “Of course, Master Steele. Please, follow us.”

As he followed the guards through the opulent palace grounds, Alaric couldn’t help but recall his last visit. ‘If I remember correctly,’ he thought, his gaze sweeping over the various buildings, ‘there were actually four main palaces within this complex.’

He mentally cataloged them. ‘First, there’s the Palace of Governance – that’s where general affairs are handled, where officials meet, and where petitioners come to report their grievances. Then there’s the Sunken Pearl Palace, the King’s harem, managed by the Queen herself, filled with beautiful maids and, of course, the King. Over there is the Dragon’s Ascent Palace, for the King’s male heirs. And finally, the Moonlit Blossom Palace, for the princesses.’

Alaric realized he needed to make his way to the Palace of Governance first, as it was the designated place for meetings with individuals not directly part of the Royal Family. He informed the guards of his intention, and they immediately dispatched a messenger to inform Princess Griselda of his arrival. She would be meeting him there shortly.

While he waited in a lavishly decorated reception room, Alaric turned to the captain of the royal guard, who was standing nearby. “Captain,” Alaric asked, his brow furrowed with concern, “what is the meaning of the unrest outside? Why are the people of the capital revolting?” He suspected it was related to the devastating news from the Demon Fortress, but he wanted to hear the official account.

The captain, a stern-faced man with a weary look in his eyes, sighed heavily. “It began shortly after the news of the defeat reached Eryndal, Master Steele. The people are… distraught. They are scared, and they are looking for someone to blame.”

The captain continued, his voice grim as he recounted the events of the past few days. “Initially, there was just widespread panic and grief. But then… elements within the city began to stir. Certain… individuals from the Temple of the Radiant God have been actively spreading rumors against the Royal Family. They are whispering that the King’s leadership was weak, that he underestimated the demonic threat, and that the Radiant God has abandoned us because of the Royal Family’s failings.”

Alaric listened, his expression impassive, though inwardly he was taking note of this development. ‘The Radiant God’s temple, eh? Taking advantage of the chaos to increase their own influence. Classic.’

“They have been inciting the populace, Master Steele,” the captain continued, his voice filled with frustration. “They are telling the people that the only way to appease the Radiant God and ensure our survival is to… well, to put it plainly, to overthrow the Royal Family and place their faith entirely in the temple.”

The captain sighed again. “And unfortunately, their message seems to be resonating with many. The temple has been quite active in the city, spreading their teachings, offering comfort to the grieving, and even… performing minor healing miracles. Their influence is indeed growing.”

Alaric nodded slowly, absorbing this information. The situation in the capital was far more complex than he had initially anticipated. The demonic invasion was not the only threat the Eloriath Kingdom faced. There was also the rising power of the Radiant God’s temple, exploiting the kingdom’s vulnerability for its own gain. This could prove to be… interesting.