Chapter 113: Training Rowena And Others

The morning sun cast long shadows across the common room of the Artisan’s Rest.

Alaric sat at a table, enjoying a leisurely breakfast with Ulriya, Kara, and Iridelle.

The atmosphere was relaxed, a stark contrast to the tension that had permeated the palace the previous day.

Ulriya and Kara flitted around him, attending to his every need, their movements graceful and efficient.

Iridelle sat quietly beside him, her gaze occasionally flickering towards him, a faint blush warming her cheeks.

Alaric noticed her subtle glances, the way her eyes lingered on his face and body, and a knowing smile touched his lips. He knew the dream he had woven for her had taken root, its influence subtly altering her perception of him.

After breakfast, Alaric excused himself, explaining that he had some urgent business to attend to. He left the inn, heading towards a pre-arranged meeting point – an abandoned warehouse on the outskirts of the city.

This location, like the ones they had investigated the previous day, was shrouded in an air of neglect, its crumbling walls and boarded-up windows providing a discreet backdrop for their clandestine meeting.

He arrived to find Rowena, Helena, and Petra already waiting for him. They stood in the center of the warehouse, their expressions a mixture of anticipation and apprehension.

“Good morning, everyone,” Alaric greeted, his voice smooth and confident.

“Good morning, Alaric,” Rowena replied, her violet eyes sparkling with curiosity.

Helena and Petra offered similar greetings, their expressions warm and welcoming.

“Alright,” Alaric began, clapping his hands together. “Let’s get down to business. We need to finalize our roles and rehearse our interactions before we infiltrate the auction.”

He paused, his gaze sweeping over the three women. “As we discussed, I’ll be posing as a wealthy collector. And you three,” he continued, a mischievous glint in his eyes, “will be my… companions.”

He gestured towards the bags they had brought with them, filled with the clothing they had purchased the previous day. “I trust you’ve brought the attire we selected?”

The three women nodded, their cheeks flushing slightly. They had indeed brought the clothing, though they were still slightly apprehensive about wearing such revealing garments.

“Excellent,” Alaric said, his smile widening. “Then let’s get changed. We have some practicing to do.”

The women exchanged glances, a mixture of excitement and nervousness in their eyes. They retreated to a corner of the warehouse, quickly changing into the outfits they had purchased.

Alaric watched them, his eyes gleaming with anticipation. He had carefully selected each outfit, choosing garments that would accentuate their natural beauty and project an image of sultry allure.

Rowena emerged first, wearing a dress of shimmering silk that barely covered her curves. The fabric clung to her body like a second skin, revealing the delicate lines of her figure.

Helena followed, wearing a top made of intricate lace that revealed a generous expanse of her chest. The top was paired with a tight-fitting skirt that accentuated her long legs.

Petra appeared last, wearing a dress of dark, flowing fabric that clung to her curves, revealing her figure beneath. The dress had strategically placed slits that revealed flashes of skin with every movement.

Alaric surveyed them, his eyes lingering on their exposed skin, his gaze filled with appreciation. “You all look… stunning,” he said, his voice low and appreciative.

The women blushed at his compliment, their nervousness momentarily forgotten.

“Now,” Alaric continued, his tone turning serious, “we need to work on your roles. Remember, we’ll be interacting with wealthy individuals, experienced negotiators, and hardened criminals. They’ll be observant, cautious, and quick to detect any inconsistencies in our behavior. The security will also be alert for spies of the Kingdom. We need to be convincing.”

He paused, activating his Heart’s Whisper skill, imbuing his words with a subtle magical influence. “You must act as though you are completely devoted to me, utterly captivated by my charm and wealth. You must refer to me as ’Master,’ and you must obey my every command without hesitation.”

The women felt a strange warmth wash over them as Alaric spoke, his words resonating deep within their minds. They felt a sudden surge of loyalty towards him, a desire to please him in every way.

“Yes, Master,” Rowena murmured, her voice soft and submissive.

Helena and Petra echoed her response, their voices equally submissive.

Alaric smiled, pleased with their immediate compliance. He then began to instruct them on how they should interact with him, how they should speak to him, how they should touch him. He even cut parts of their clothing to make them appear more revealing, more seductive. He explained that a wealthy collector such as himself would not be afraid to flaunt his wealth and his… possessions.

He justified his actions by explaining that this was all part of their cover, that they needed to be convincing to avoid suspicion. He used his Heart’s Whisper skill to ensure that his explanations were readily accepted by the three women, subtly influencing their minds to accept his reasoning.

The women, under the subtle influence of his magic, readily complied with his instructions, their initial apprehension replaced by a strange sense of excitement. They found themselves enjoying the attention, the feeling of being desired, the thrill of playing a role.

Alaric spent the next few hours drilling them on their roles, correcting their posture, their speech, and their interactions. He paid close attention to every detail, ensuring that their performance would be flawless.

He emphasized the importance of maintaining eye contact, of using subtle body language to convey their devotion to him. He taught them how to respond to questions about him, how to deflect unwanted attention, and how to create a believable backstory for their relationship.

As the day progressed, the women’s initial nervousness gave way to a growing confidence. They began to embrace their roles, their movements becoming more fluid, their expressions more seductive.

Alaric watched them, a satisfied smile playing on his lips. He was pleased with their progress. They were transforming into the perfect companions for a wealthy collector, their beauty and charm a powerful weapon in their arsenal.

As the sun began to set, Alaric decided to conclude their rehearsal. He thanked the women for their hard work, praising their dedication and their quick learning. He then instructed them to return to their respective accommodations and prepare for the auction, which was scheduled to take place the following night.

He returned to the Artisan’s Rest, finding Iridelle still working diligently on the communication artifact. She looked up as he entered, her eyes widening slightly as she took in his appearance.

“Young Master Alaric,” she greeted, her voice soft. “You’re back. How did your… business go?”

“It went well,” Alaric replied, his smile enigmatic. He moved closer to her, peering at the artifact. “How’s the progress on this?”

Iridelle sighed, her expression slightly frustrated. “I’m still having trouble with the audio and visual recording function,” she admitted. “Even with your idea of using resonance matrixes, the quality is still subpar. I can’t seem to capture the vibrations cleanly enough to reproduce a clear image or sound.”

Alaric nodded thoughtfully, examining the intricate circuitry of the artifact. He could see the problem. The current design was simply not efficient enough to capture and store the complex vibrations of light and sound.

“We need a more sophisticated approach,” he murmured, his mind racing to find a solution. He thought back to his previous life, to the technology he had taken for granted. He needed to translate those concepts into magical terms, to find a way to replicate them using the resources available to him.

He spent the rest of the evening working alongside Iridelle, guiding her through various adjustments and modifications. He explained the concepts of data compression and signal processing, translating them into terms of magical energy and resonance.

Iridelle listened intently, her eyes wide with fascination. She had never considered such complex ideas before, and she was amazed by Alaric’s knowledge and ingenuity.

As the night deepened, they finally managed to achieve a significant improvement in the quality of the recordings. The images were now clearer, the sounds more distinct. It was still not perfect, but it was a significant step forward.

As Iridelle worked, she couldn’t help but be more conscious of Alaric’s presence. The memories of her dream, the intense sensations she had experienced, kept flashing through her mind, making her cheeks flush and her heart pound.

She tried to focus on her work, but she couldn’t shake the feeling that Alaric was watching her, his eyes filled with a knowing smile. She found herself becoming more and more flustered, her hands trembling slightly as she worked on the delicate circuitry.

~~

The next few days fell into a distinct routine. Each morning, Alaric would have breakfast with Ulriya, Kara, and Iridelle at the Artisan’s Rest, the atmosphere always a mix of casual conversation and underlying tension, especially for Iridelle, who struggled to reconcile her waking thoughts with the vivid memories of her dreams. After breakfast, Alaric would leave the inn, heading to the same abandoned warehouse to meet with Rowena, Helena, and Petra.

These meetings were dedicated to refining their roles for the auction. Alaric, using a combination of practical instruction and the subtle influence of his Heart’s Whisper skill, guided the three women through every aspect of their performance.

“Remember,” he would say, his voice smooth and commanding, “you are extensions of my wealth and status. Your beauty is a reflection of my discerning taste. You must act accordingly.”

He would meticulously correct their posture, their gait, their expressions. He would coach them on how to respond to various scenarios, how to deflect unwanted attention, and how to subtly gather information without arousing suspicion.

“Rowena,” he would say, “when someone addresses me, you should offer a subtle smile, a slight tilt of the head. It conveys both respect and possessiveness. It shows that you belong to me.”

He would then demonstrate the desired expression, his own features shifting into a charming yet subtly possessive smile. Rowena would diligently mimic his expression, her violet eyes focused on his face.

“Helena,” he would continue, “when we’re moving through a crowd, you should always be within arm’s reach. A gentle touch on my arm, a subtle brush against my side. It reinforces the image of intimacy.”

He would then demonstrate the desired touch, his hand lightly grazing Helena’s arm, sending a shiver down her spine. Helena would then practice the same touch, her hand lingering on Alaric’s arm for a moment longer than necessary.

“Petra,” he would say, “your role is to observe. To blend into the background, to watch and listen. But when I require your attention, a single glance, a subtle nod. It shows that you are always aware of my needs.”

Petra would nod silently, her dark eyes fixed on Alaric, her expression unreadable.

Alaric’s instructions were not merely about outward appearances. He was also shaping their inner thoughts, subtly influencing their minds to accept their roles as his “playthings.” He would use phrases like “Master’s pleasure,” “Master’s will,” and “Master’s touch,” imbuing these words with a subtle magical influence, making them resonate deep within the women’s subconscious.

He would often use physical touch to reinforce his instructions, a casual hand on their shoulder, a gentle squeeze of their arm, a lingering touch on their waist. These touches, combined with the influence of his Heart’s Whisper skill, were slowly but surely eroding their inhibitions, making them more receptive to his touch, more willing to obey his commands.

He would even occasionally grab hold of their buttocks or breasts or even smack their buttocks if he wanted to and they wouldn’t mind it at all and would even show pleased looks as if wanting their ’Master’ to do it more.

The women, under the subtle influence of his magic, didn’t fully realize the extent of his manipulation. They simply felt a growing sense of loyalty and devotion towards him, a desire to please him in every way. They found themselves naturally adopting the behaviors he had instructed them on, their performances becoming increasingly convincing. It had become second nature for them.

Meanwhile, Drustan and Kaelith were busy with their own preparations. They had traveled to the nearby city of Porthaven, a bustling port town known for its thriving black market. They had established a discreet base of operations in a rundown tavern on the outskirts of the city, using their network of informants to gather information about the auction.

“The auction is being held in an old warehouse near the docks,” Drustan reported to Kaelith one evening, spreading a map of Porthaven on the table. “It’s a secluded location, perfect for a clandestine gathering.”

“And the security?” Kaelith asked, his brow furrowed.

“Tight,” Drustan replied. “They’ve hired a number of mercenaries, and there are rumors of magical wards protecting the perimeter. Getting in undetected will be difficult.”

“We’ll have to rely on Steele’s plan,” Kaelith said, his voice laced with a hint of skepticism. “I still don’t trust him entirely.”

“Neither do I,” Drustan admitted. “But we have no other choice. This is our best chance to get close to the Phantom Assembly’s leadership.”

Back at the Artisan’s Rest, Alaric’s evenings were spent with Iridelle, continuing their work on the communication artifact. The progress they were making was remarkable. Iridelle, with her natural talent for enchantment and artifact creation, was proving to be an invaluable asset.

“I think I’ve finally managed to stabilize the recording function,” she announced one evening, her voice filled with excitement. “The quality of the images and sounds is much clearer now.”

Alaric leaned over her shoulder, examining the artifact. He could see the improvement. The images were now crisp and detailed, the sounds clear and distinct.

“Excellent work, Iridelle,” he praised, a genuine smile on his face. He was truly impressed by her skill and dedication.

Iridelle blushed at his praise, her heart fluttering slightly. She was becoming increasingly aware of Alaric’s presence, the memory of her dream and the lingering sensations of his massage making her feel strangely flustered whenever he was near.

“It was your ideas, Young Master Alaric,” she murmured, her voice soft. “I simply implemented them.”

Alaric chuckled softly, placing a hand on her shoulder. “You’re being too modest, Iridelle,” he said. “You have a remarkable talent. You should be proud of what we’ve accomplished.”

As the days passed, the preparations continued. Alaric refined his plan, ensuring that every detail was accounted for. Drustan and Kaelith continued their reconnaissance in Porthaven, gathering valuable information about the auction and its attendees. And Iridelle continued her work on the communication artifact, pushing its capabilities further and further.

The stage was set. The players were in position. The infiltration of the Phantom Assembly’s secret auction was about to begin.