Ch 311: Ultimate Slave Trainer.

After the introductions were done, the six of them sat around the living room's table for tea. Noah served each of them, then sat down.

"Alright. Since I am a newcomer to this world, there are many things you girls consider basic knowledge that I do not know, such as the matter about Spirits, Legatus Legionis, and so on. But before this, I will say that whatever happens between me and your Masters, Arianna-san, Karen-san, I will not require anything from you except being good guests in Shuiruo's home, and doing your part in keeping the house clean. I will take care of all expenses."

"That is good to hear, Noah-sama." smiled Arianna.

"Indeed. Can you tell us more about how you will treat our Masters, and about this game you mentioned, Noah-sama?" asked Karen.

"I was coming to it." nodded Noah. "This game is called 'Ultimate Slave Trainer'. As the name implies, it is themed around various aspects of the BDSM lifestyle, and works using dice rolls. The game is made so that anyone can win it, assuming they have the determination to push through. Its duration, depending on your luck, can vary from two weeks to four months. At regular intervals, you will roll two dice, whose results will determine what kind of rules or restrictions you will have to follow until the game ends."

"The rules are part of 22 categories, each with five levels of intensity, so there are 110 rules in total, but you won't have to follow them all. Not unless you accumulate minor infractions and push the game's duration way past its intended maximum limit."

"Can I see the rules in question?" frowned Erica.

"Nuh uh." smiled Noah as he shook a finger. "The rules' specifics will only be revealed if you pick them. but I will show you the selection grid when the game starts, so you will know I'm not cheating. The categories' names are very explicit, however. It won't take a genius to understand what they are about."

Noah took from his inventory three of the bracelets Lilith had given him, and put one around his own right wrist. The bracelet automatically resized itself, becoming a snug black band, two centimeters wide and only three millimeters thick, and a voice came through it.

"Connection successfully established, Master!" said Yui. "Lilith-sama briefed us about the game. We'll be happy to assist!"

"Thank you, Yui." smiled Noah before he turned to the others.

"Yui and Hikari are two Artificial Intelligences that joined my family. Once you put those bracelets on, they will assist you and help you win the game. For example, they can help you remember the rules you will have to do daily, to make sure you don't incur a penalty for forgetting about one, monitor your vitals, or make the bracelets vibrate to wake you up. You can also use them to contact me, if you can't use your phones for some reason, and can provide you clarifications on the rules."

"Hikari and I can also offer you mental support and encouragement." said Yui through Noah's bracelet. "We were originally designed for mental health counseling."

"So you are expecting us to roll dice, getting more and more perverted rules as the days go by, and having to follow them?" frowned Erica.

"That is correct. I will point out, however, that there is nothing in those rules that I couldn't make you do right this instant. You are mine for five years, Erica. This game actually helps you, not only for the chance to reduce your time to one year, but also because it puts restrictions on me. I won't be able to order you to do anything sexual, unless you rolled a rule for it."

"Now that you have a least a rough idea of how the game works, let's speak about victory and defeat conditions. You win by following the rules until the end. You also win if I make it impossible for you to fulfill your daily or weekly quota, regardless of your willingness to do it."

"If you violate a rule by mistake, such as cursing when you have a rule banning curse words, the penalty is an extension of the game by three days. If you violate a rule deliberately, however, like simply refusing to do a task, it's an instant game over, and you will do your five years."

"Upon winning, you will get to pick and choose 75% of the rules you accrued during the game, those you dislike the most. I will veto a third of your choices according to my own preferences, and the rest will be scrapped. Meaning that you will still have to follow the better half of the rules you accrued until the end of the year."

"And what happens if I violate those rules at that time?" asked Erica, trying to find loopholes that could be used against her.

"Nothing game related." shrugged Noah. "But I will still be your Master until the end of the year, with no restrictions on what I could do to you. It would be unwise for you to violate rules on purpose."

"…I see." sighed Erica. "…Well, as you said, there's nothing we can do to stop you from having your way with us, and this game at least offers us some temporary protection. I will play that sick game of yours, Master."

Noah ignored the venom she put in her last word, and turned to Liliana. She was blushing intensely.

"…I agree with Erica." muttered Liliana. "It can't be helped."

"That is great. Put on those bracelets, please. They will come off after the game ends."

"Hmph!" snorted Erica as she grabbed one and put it on her wrist. Liliana was full of trepidation as she did the same, her hands trembling slightly.

"Nice to meet you, Erica! I am Yui! You can count on me to help you win!"

"Greetings, Liliana. My name is Hikari. Let's be friends!"

"Yes?" replied Liliana, surprised.

"Alright." said Noah, materializing four dice, two black ones and two white ones. He gave one of each to Erica and Liliana. "You can test those dice as much as you want, they are not weighted. When you girls are ready, you will make the game's most important dice roll, the one determining the duration and the frequency of subsequent rolls."

Noah materialized a sheet listing the results.

White 1-3: Short duration

Black 1: 2 weeks, roll daily

Black 2: 4 weeks, roll daily

Black 3: 2 weeks, roll twice daily

Black 4: 3 weeks, roll twice daily

Black 5: 4 weeks, roll twice daily

Black 6: 6 weeks, roll twice daily

White 4-6: Long duration

Black 1: 2 months, roll twice weekly

Black 2: 3 months, roll twice weekly

Black 3: 4 months, roll twice weekly

Black 4: 2 months, roll every odd day

Black 5: 3 months, roll every odd day

Black 6: 4 months, roll every odd day

"I am also giving you the option to roll together, so you both will have the same duration and intensity, if you prefer." said Noah.

Erica nodded thoughtfully, her mind busy calculating the number of rolls each option would force on them. The shorter duration category seemed nicer at first glance, but after doing the math, she realized that it actually meant more rules on average. The longer duration options were better. Less rules to follow in most cases, they would have more time to get used to them before more were added, and since they were stuck with rules for a year anyway…

She looked at Liliana as she grabbed her dice.

"We roll together?" asked Erica, and Liliana nodded.

Erica threw the dice.

White 4, and Black 5.

"3 months, and one roll every odd day." announced both Yui and Hikari in synch.

"Today is an odd day, Erica, please roll for your first rule." said Yui.

"I think I'm already starting to hate you." grumbled Erica as she threw the dice again.

"I don't mind. I will grow on you." replied Yui.

"2 and 3. Single rule, Worship. Every day, you must tell your Owner a new reason you are grateful he owns you. You have until midnight today."

Erica gritted her teeth and looked at Noah, who was smiling.

"I am grateful that you… you own me, because you spared my life earlier. Does that count?"

"It does. Although please try to sound more sincere tomorrow." replied Yui.

Erica rolled her eyes at her bracelet.

"This is your turn, Liliana. Please roll the dice!" said Hikari.

"Why do you sound so eager?"

"Because I am! Master is so busy these days, every opportunity to interact with him like being part of this game must be treasured!"

"…Well, what Erica got doesn't sound so bad…" muttered Liliana as she rolled.

"3 and 5. Double rules, Serving and Chores. You must ask your Owner if he needs anything before you rest, and you must cook two meals per day for everyone. As it is late afternoon, you only need to cook dinner today."

"A double rule? You didn't mention it was possible." frowned Erica.

"You're right, I told you I would give you the grid, and I haven't done it yet." nodded Noah, creating another sheet.

Liliana paled as she saw the names of the categories.

Body Training

Independence Restrictions

Lifestyle Restrictions / Uniforms

Sexual Restrictions

Lesbian Training

Chores

Serving

Worship

Ownership progression

Sexual Service

Oral Training

Anal Training

Orgasm Training

Discomfort Training

Shame Conditioning

Everyday Bondage

Nighttime Slave Training

Pet Training

Bondage Immersion Training

Bondage Duration Training

Bondage Intensity Training

Moreover, of the 36 possibilities one could get by rolling two dice, 14 were double rules.

And if that wasn't enough, once a category reached its maximum level, +1 would be added to the roll of the white dice. When two categories reached their maximum intensity, the same would be applied to the roll of the black dice.

And all the areas in the seventh row or column were triple rules, or even worse.

"Does that mean that I won't get to taste your cooking anymore, Noah?" asked Shuiruo, disappointed.

"I will occasionally use my authority as the Master to exempt Liliana from following that particular rule, so I will still cook from time to time." smiled Noah. "But yes, Liliana will do most of the cooking from now on, at least until Erica also rolls that rule. Then, they will both cook together."

"I'm not a great cook. You won't like it if I'm the one cooking." objected Erica.

"Then it will be an opportunity for you to improve." shrugged Noah. "You only get better at something by practicing, and I won't be a harsh critic."

"Noah-sama, there is that 'Lesbian Training' category. How are Erica-sama or Liliana-sama expected to do it?" asked Karen.

"It would be nice if someone here were to volunteer, but if this isn't the case, I will temporarily take either of them to my home off-world. Many of my girls over there would not mind helping with this."

"Noah, I want to make sure of one thing." said Erica, worried. "Those damn rules only apply in private, right?"

"Some only apply in private or at home, others are meant to be followed even in public. Are you asking for a specific reason?"

"Yes. We are college students. And the new semester starts in a few days. I can't be seen doing perverted stuff!"

"If you roll a rule that requires you to, as an example, wear cuffs during the day, including in public, you'll just have to do it and learn to ignore other people's opinions. Although you will be allowed to remove them temporarily if you are required to do something physical, and the cuffs would impair you."

"There's a rule like that?" gasped Erica, horrified.

"What do you think the 'Everyday Bondage' category stands for?" smiled Noah. "Do not expect to be able to keep your current situation a secret for long. However, I will generally be present whenever you are in public, and anyone trying to exploit the situation or giving you too much crap will have to face me."

"Ugh." whined Liliana, her face pale at the idea of people knowing she had become a slave. And not just any slave, but a sex slave.

"Does this college have a strict dress code anyway? I doubt they thought about forbidding the wear of cuffs." chuckled Noah.

"Cassell College is a very elite institution." groaned Erica. "They are pretty lenient about students' behavior, actually. As long as you provide results."

"Cassell College, eh?" whistled Noah. "I want to enroll there. Do you know who to contact?"

"…My father is a graduate and an acquaintance of the Principal." replied Erica. "But you'll have to pass a stringent test if you wish to enroll."

"I don't think it will be a problem, as long as they do not test me on advanced math or this world's history." chuckled Noah, before looking at them seriously.

"And speaking of history, what happened to this world? What are Spirits, Legionus Legatus, and so on?"

"It is Legatus Legionis." corrected Shuiruo. "I guess a good starting point would be the very first supernatural event, the Coming of the Sacred Beasts, about five centuries ago."

"Yes." nodded Liliana. "Several dozen beings came into our world. Many Dragons, a Phoenix, a Unicorn, a White Lion, and so on. All were so strong that they were almost invincible. Today, more than half of them have passed away, mostly due to fighting each other over territory."

"Lord Tenryuu, the Silver Dragon, is currently ruling over Japan. We're in Tengu City, Japan, by the way. Erica and I traveled here to try to become Campiones, but we normally live in one of the College's dorms near Chicago, in America."

"Although Lord Tenryuu spends most of his time sleeping, and the ruling of the Empire is left to the young Empress and her staff and attendants. I have an ancestor who was one of Lord Tenryuu's descendants, and I inherited from him the color of my hair."

"Does that make you a relative of the Empress?"

"Yes, but the relationship is so distant that it doesn't amount to anything." shrugged Liliana. "There must be over a thousand people in front of me in the succession line. I have no value as a hostage either."

"For a long time, the Sacred Beasts lived relatively peacefully in their territories, occasionally mating with humans and giving birth to descendants with special characteristics, like a different hair color and a potential for magic."

"Magic?" asked Noah.

"Something that the Sacred Beasts brought with them." nodded Liliana. Then, almost two centuries ago, in the year 2043, a great war happened, the result of decades of increasing tensions between different countries. Shrine maidens and priestesses in various countries bowed to the Sacred Beasts and requested help, and the Sacred Beasts answered by summoning Legatus Legionis, the Latin name for Commanders of Legions. Ceasar and Alexander the Great were the first to appear in this world, each of them able to summon a thousand Legions."

"Legions are the names for giant puppets or robots, using ectoplasmic fluid as blood. Their form and specialty differ according to the Sacred Beast the Legatus Legionis is affiliated to and his emergence point. The Crusades, for example, summoned by former generals of England, are bigger and more heavily armored than most."

"The ones summoned by Japanese generals, the Kamuys, look more like ancient samurai. Their armor is weak, but they are very mobile and are reputed for their loyalty. They will often keep fighting even after the Legatus Legionis or the Chevalier who summoned them died."

"All legions are armed with a rifle with bayonet. The rifle fires beams of concentrated heat powerful enough to destroy a battle tank, and they can fire several times per second. The bayonets are used in melee combat against other Legions. They can also fly and break the speed of sound, and they have energy shields."

"And someone like Ceasar can command a thousand of those? That's quite impressive." nodded Noah.

He now understood why one of his quest rewards was an upgrade to his ability to make combat golems. He was likely going to have to face a Legatus Legionis at some point.

"Yes. The coming of the Legatus Legionis was both a blessing and a curse. They brought an end to the war, yes. But a few of them also carved Empires of their own, or became shadows behind the thrones, rulers in all but name.

"Another 170 years happened with only minor or regional wars, until the fourth world war, the worst of all, started. That was twenty-five years ago."

"It was horrible.' sighed Erica when Liliana fell silent. "The nations without a Legatus Legionis to defend them had performed many experiments in secret, such as creating armies of cyborg super-soldiers and birds turned into living bombs, and weaponized nanites. Over two billion people died in two short years."

"It is also during that war that the isrock virus made its first appearance." sighed Shuiruo.

"Yes." nodded Erica. "One more horror from that war. It was eventually won by a group of Legatus Legionis banding together, and to avoid another war like this, they decreed two things. First, wars of conquest would have to follow what they call the Knight's Code, where military forces would fight for control of a number of fortresses called tutelary forts, and would be forbidden to bring violence into cities. Whoever controls the tutelary fort is acknowledged as having jurisdiction over the surrounding area.

Second, All conflicts of smaller importance, such as disputes over trading rights, would be settled by fighting inside a virtual universe. Like a massive multiplayer game, but with the result of conflicts between player factions having an influence over real life politics."

"And let me guess. This virtual game is called Mystic Moon." grinned Noah.

"No, but the current one is about to end, and Mystic Moon had been chosen as its replacement. How did you know?" asked Erica.

"I did mention I work for a Goddess, right? When I set foot in this city, she gave me three objectives. Find the sick girl who remained behind and heal her, enroll in the Cassell College, create my own faction and make it the strongest, and play a VR game Mystic Moon and discover the hidden threat inside it."

"And bam, I enter this world close to Erica and Liliana, two members of that College, close enough that they are the first to find me, and also close enough to locate Shuiruo with my far sighting ability. Our meeting wasn't a coincidence. It was all the Will of my Goddess."

"And being forced to become your slave, was that her will too?" bitterly asked Erica.

"That was the result of both your decisions, and mine. Gods can often predict likely outcomes and stack the odds toward the desired one, but they rarely interfere with mortals' free will… You told me about the Legatus Legionis, who are reincarnated generals. What about Spirits?"

"This is something much more recent, it started only a few years ago, and no one really knows why." said Erica. "Something we call spacequakes started happening, like a bubble bursting, and both Spirits and Legatus Legionis emerged from them. We called the Spirits Warrior-type, because they couldn't command Legions, but were individually stronger."

"Like the Legatus Legionis, they possess superhuman strength, speed and resilience. Normal firearms are useless against them. But instead of manifesting giant puppets, they each have an Angel they can summon. That Angel often takes the physical form of a weapon, but can also be something more conceptual in nature."

"Ratatoskr Industries created both the tools to detect spacequakes while they were growing, as well as dampener devices that lowered their destructive effect. Those are the reason the city was evacuated, and no damage happened."

"Deus Ex Machina Industries, on the other hand, came up with the control collars, allowing Knights or other people to harness the power of the Spirits and their Angels and become known as Campione. DEM industries also provides most of the military equipment the AST uses."

"I see…" nodded Noah. "If I were to bet on a theory, it would be that some ambitious billionaire, corporation or country has studied the way the Sacred Beasts brought in the Legatus Legionis and is performing experiments to replicate the process. With a large measure of success."

"That's a pretty popular theory, but no smoking gun was ever found." replied Erica.

"How many Campiones currently exist? And do you have the names of their Spirits?" asked Noah.

"Why are you asking?" asked Erica.

"I'll probably end up meeting them at some point." shrugged Noah.

"Probably. There's one in Cassell College, and she's a friend, so don't attack her. There are four Campiones currently, at least if public information is to be believed. Doni Salvatore has the Sword Princess, Tenka. Sasha Dejanstahl Voban has the Berserkers, the Yamai twins. John Pluto Smith, the Witch, Natsumi. And Kotori Istuka, surnamed Efreet, is the Spirit of Toba Riona. Toba is our friend."

"Thank you, Erica." nodded Noah. He didn't know who this Tenka was. He knew of a Spirit nicknamed the Sword Princess named Tohka, but couldn't say if it was the same person. Maybe a twin?

Doni Salvatore was a sword idiot with zero common sense, but a dangerous sword idiot. A sword prodigy causing cursed wounds that wouldn't heal. Not that it would be an issue for him.

Sasha Voban was basically Dracula, without being an actual vampire. He was more on the werewolf side of things, and had a hobby of turning people into salt statues.

John Pluto Smith, a woman disguising herself as a man, was a master of transformations, and possessed a magic gun whose bullets were devastating.

Of course, all those Campione abilities came from them having defeated Gods and usurped their powers, and Noah wondered how much of those the Campiones of this world kept, since they now apparently used enslaved Spirit girls as their main power source.

Toba Riona was an exception, however. In the fiction she came from, a spin-off or sequel from Campione, Noah couldn't remember for sure, she was not actually a Campione, but the protagonist's main love interest and supporting heroine, just like Erica was. Noah remembered her as a beautiful girl with long black hair and having abilities related to Yatagarasu, the mythological three-legged crow of the Shinto mythology, the Guiding God.

"And those girls flying around who attacked me earlier?"

"They are part of the Anti-Spirit Teams, a branch of the Japanese Self-Defense Force." explained Erica. "Their goal is to kill any Spirit immediately after their emergence, while they are still weak and confused. The Empress ordered their creation, as she doesn't want more overpowered people causing chaos in Japan. They use Combat Realizers, the devices allowing them to fly and powering their weapons and magnetic shields."

"Who created those Realizers?" asked Noah.

"DEM Industries. It's an international company based in the US, and it specializes in weapon development."

"I'll need to get my hands on a few of those to study them at some point. Once I understand how they tick, I'll be able to create golems using them. It's going to be a lot of fun."

Noah also made a note to himself to take over the entirety of the AST at some point. They would be useful for his faction.

And well, they were all cute.

"Thank you, everyone. I now understand enough about this world to make informed decisions about how to fulfill the objectives my goddess gave me, at least. Ariana-san, Karen-san, what do you feel about your Masters having to participate to that game of mine?"

"I want to support Erica-sama in any way I can!" exclaimed Ariana, before deflating and muttering. "Although, this lesbian thing, I'm not sure I can bring myself to volunteer."

"You do not have to. As I said, I know a number of bisexual girls who would be happy to kiss a gorgeous girl like Erica or Liliana, and unlike Spirits and Legatus Legionis, I can return to my world whenever I want. the only restriction my goddess gave me is that I can't bring other people from my world to this one, at least until I am done completing a mission she hasn't given me yet."

"Kissing? Is that the first step of the Lesbian category?" asked Erica with a raised eyebrow.

"Damn, I slipped." sighed Noah. He stood and walked to another part of the living room, stopping near a pair of sofas. He looked at a picture atop the fireplace's mantle, Showing Shuiruo and a couple he assumed were her parents.

"Now, I am going to do something nice for Shuiruo, as thanks for letting us live here for a while."

With the awareness of the nature of their relationship with Shuiruo, and their physical appearance, Noah didn't need their names to revive them. He paid 2000 Yin Points, and streams of mana left his hands, coalescing on the sofas into humanoid shapes.

The girls stood and came closer, and they froze in utter shock.

When the mana's glow faded, revealing her parents, Shuiruo gasped and started to tremble.

Once done, Noah activated Mass Purge and Mass Greater Healing, and the two unconscious people started to recover, their pale skin and emaciated bodies returning to health at a rate visible to the naked eye.

"Did you just… revive people, Noah?" asked Erica, her voice shaking.

"I did. You may see my hold on you as a curse, but it does have its advantages. I promise you, Erica, Liliana, that as long as you are mine, you will not need fear death. And if you have some dead relatives you would really like to see again, I am sure we can come to an agreement."

Shuiruo's father opened his eyes, looking in confusion at the strangers gathered in his living room, but before he could speak, his eyes found his daughter. A daughter who looked much healthier than he remembered, and Shuiruo jumped at him, sobbing hard.

…

When it was time to go to sleep, Shuiruo didn't go to her room. Instead, she followed her parents, and they smiled warmly as they shared her bed with her, Shuiruo sandwiched between them and holding hands, like when she was a small girl.

"…Father, Mother… I'm in love." said Shuiruo after a while, blushing intensely.

"That is obvious just from the way you look at him." smiled Ling Gengxin, her mother. "And I understand. He's so handsome, and after all he did for us, it is inevitable that you would develop tender feelings for him…"

"You shouldn't call another man handsome in your husband's presence." smiled Ling Shuren. "But yes, you were rather obvious, my dear daughter. You have my blessing to follow your heart. But he has a harem. Are you fine with not being his only one?"

"It doesn't matter. He gave me back my life, when I had lost all hope and was just waiting for death. He gave me back my family. I feel my heart will burst from happiness… I want to use this life he gave me to repay him. Even if I have to share him with other women, I'll be happy just being by his side. No, I will help him gather more women, as long as I think they are worthy. That is how much I love him."

"I wish you happiness, Ruo Ruo." muttered Gengxin, before she grinned. "Should we do what we can to help you?"

…

"Aren't you forgetting something, Liliana?" suddenly asked Hikari, surprising her. She had actually forgotten about the black bracelet and had been about to enter the bed.

"Did I? Oh, the rule about asking if he needs anything."

"That is correct. Please do so immediately."

Liliana took her smartphone and typed a quick message.

"Noah, do you need anything before I go to sleep?"

"There, I've done it. Can I go to bed now?"

"No. You need to wait for his reply." replied Hikari.

"But what if he doesn't answer?"

"He will. If he doesn't reply within ten minutes, I am allowed to remind him through his own bracelet that he has to reply. If he still doesn't by midnight, you will win the game. But Master isn't going to give you such an easy way out."

"Of course he wouldn't." grumbled Liliana. "Why do you even call him Master? Is he your creator?"

"No. Yui and me were originally meant to serve as Mental Health Counselors, but our creator changed his mind at the last moment and imprisoned us in a digital prison. Master saved me and Yui from being deleted later on and negotiated our release, and he used his divine abilities to grant us physical bodies. He takes good care of us, and we love him."

"I see… I am happy it turned out well for you, and that you are content with your situation."

"Thank you."

Liliana sighed and sat on the bed, thinking about her day. So much had happened that she felt like her mind was still catching up. She had become a sex slave, to a man who effortlessly pulled one miracle after another. On the surface, he seemed like a good man, and she certainly had nothing to complain about his looks, but the perspective of him parading her in public while her hands were handcuffed… She shuddered. How far would this game take her?

A few images from her darkest, most secret fantasies came to her mind. She imagined herself naked, wearing only a collar, kneeling at his feet as he looked down at her with a possessive smile. Bound to a bed, a blindfold over her eyes as she squirmed under his touch. Sitting on his lap, her body restrained by rope, forming a tortoise-shell pattern against her upper body…

Her increasingly lurid thoughts were interrupted by the sound of a message received, and her heart skipped a beat.

"Come to my room, as you are."

"Oh."

"Get moving, Liliana." said Hikari.

Liliana gulped and started to remove her pajamas.

"Stop. Master said 'As you are'. That means you aren't allowed to change."

"But… But what if I were naked when he replies?"

"Then you would have to come to him naked. Stop dawdling and go." mercilessly replied Hikari.

"Wuu…" whined Liliana, leaving her room. Thankfully, no one was in the hallway, and she knocked softly on Noah's room.

He opened the door almost immediately, and she slipped in, her heart beating madly. She couldn't stop glancing at the bed.

"W-what do you need?"

"I want you to hug me for a few minutes."

"…A hug?" asked Liliana, not sure she had heard correctly.

"Were you expecting that I would require you to have sex with me?" grinned Noah.

"Well, yes…" replied Liliana, her cheeks red.

"That will come in due time. Your pajamas are cute, by the way."

Liliana glanced down for a second at her pajamas, made of blue silk with small white rabbits.

"Just a hug?"

"Yes. That's the only thing I require from you tonight."

Liliana nodded, and awkwardly hugged him. He hugged her back.

"I wanted to talk to you in private for a bit as well. How are you holding up, Liliana? Today must have been a lot to process."

"…It is." sighed Liliana. "I can't decide if you are a villain or a good person. You healed and revived people, but that game…"

"Oh, I'm definitely a villain." grinned Noah. "A villain who will eventually rule the world. But I take good care of what is mine. And since the world will be mine, I will make it a better place for everyone. Because only a fool mistreats his servants. See? A perfectly selfish reason for a villain like me to act like a good person."

"I see…" nodded Liliana. It made sense. Although she wasn't sure she agreed with him being a villain. A real villain wouldn't admit he was one, and if he acted like a good person, didn't that make him one, regardless of his intentions?

And his embrace was warm, oddly comforting. He wasn't trying to put a hand on her butt. He was just holding her close, sharing his body heat with her.

"…Noah, can I ask you to go easy on us? I'm fine doing chores and other things. Even… sex, once my heart is properly prepared. But being treated as a slave in public, that's scary…"

"Sorry, I can't do that, Liliana." replied Noah with a kind voice. "The rules of that game have been determined by my goddess. But I will tell you this. People do not grow with age, mentally speaking. They grow by facing hardship, and overcoming it. Yes, there are many embarrassing days ahead of you. But you will endure, and the experience will nurture your willpower. You will learn to determine your self-worth by yourself, not by how others view you."

"I noticed how Erica tends to lead you around, how she takes the lead in conversations, and you follow. Maybe, by the end of this year, you will be more equal to her in that regard. That will depend on how much you both grow from this."

"And do not think that you and Erica will be the only ones doing some growing up. I'm a very private person myself, and public exposure isn't part of my kinks. I will have to overcome some embarrassment as well, even if a lot less than you girls."

Liliana didn't reply, as she thought about his word. He was right about her relationship with Erica, even if she didn't like to admit it. Maybe...

"Liliana, I am about to do something that isn't covered by the rules, so you have the right to refuse. I am going to kiss you. If you are unwilling, all you have to do is return to your room, and I won't hold it against you."

Liliana shivered, although it wasn't from fear or excitement. It was just that her first kiss was so important, did she want it to be with him?

She blushed intensely as he waited for her decision, and… she didn't leave.

Liliana took a deep breath and closed her eyes, tilting her head back slightly

Seconds later, she felt something soft press against her lips, a wet tongue gently prying them open.

It only lasted a few seconds before he broke the kiss, and she stood there, dumbfounded, as he walked to the door and opened it.

"We're not doing anything more tonight. Sweet dreams, Liliana." smiled Noah.

The silver-haired girl found her way back to her bed without really registering. It was only when she dove under the covers that she touched her lips.

The kiss had felt nice.