CHAPTER 833: CHAPTER 833 - COUNTERATTACK

Another two days of near-full-time research later, Erik had finally left the library to take a break. Naturally, he decided to take that break in the most relaxing space inside his dimension: the bathing room.

After reaching the third rank, this room had been his reward, as bestowed by the internal workings of this structure that even Elora didn’t have access to. Quite literally built for relaxation, he’d spent precious little time here since unlocking it.

A deep sigh of contentment escaped his smiling lips as he sat on the stone bath’s edge, feet dangling in the steaming water. He was naked, with elbows resting on his knees as he leaned forward a little.

Emma had come with him, of course, and her situation remained unchanged. Her body still bound in tight bondage, her mind on autopilot, and the space between her legs dripping endlessly.

Right now, she was serving her master by giving him a very ineffectual, yet extremely pleasant, massage. How did she do that without her hands? Why, by pressing her firm breasts against his back and slowly rubbing up and down, of course.

At the same time, her golden disc-turned-serving-plate was hovering just beside Erik, carrying a number of beverages and snacks.

Closing his eyes, Erik sighed again. Despite inevitably feeling extremely comfortable, Emma’s movements were slowly raising his lust. He felt his lower body stir, causing his smile to slowly turn into a devious grin.

Tossing a snack into his mouth, he then glanced behind him at Emma’s veiled face with obvious intentions. "I thin—"

He stopped mid-sentence. One eyebrow shot up, and he glanced at the door leading into this room. Emma stopped her movements and looked like she was getting ready to satisfy her husband and master, anticipating what he wanted. Yet, she didn’t know what Erik had just sensed.

Suddenly, the door flew open, and an annoyed Seraphina stormed inside. Soon after, the reason for her annoyance followed as an animated Zahra had clearly been hurrying the vampire since she didn’t know the way.

Erik immediately sighed sadly. He suspected what this was about and realised he was going to have to suppress his lust.

"Counterattack!" Zahra growled as soon as she saw Erik. The scene in front of her gave her pause for about half a second before regaining her focus with narrowed eyes. Despite their interaction in the library, Zahra had been a third-rank ruler and warlord-by-name for years now—she wouldn’t get flustered at a time like this.

"Counterattack...? Maybe..." Erik muttered to himself, not loud enough for Zahra to hear over her own voice.

"The hunters are marching in force again!" she continued rapidly, looking at him intensely. "Our warriors are gathering to meet them in battle in a few hours! Will yo—"

Without letting her finish, Erik rose to his feet, naked in his full glory and dick at full mast. "Yes, I’m going," he nodded somberly at her.

Zahra’s eyes widened, and her voice died in her throat. Whether she was more shocked by being so suddenly confronted with his impressive naked form or his quick acceptance, no one knew—perhaps not even her.

Even the annoyed Seraphina couldn’t help but throw an appreciative glance, despite rolling her eyes.

"O— Oh...." Zahra stuttered, blinking. Still, she quickly recovered and coughed. "R— Right, well... good!" She’d obviously not been a hundred per cent sure he’d actually be willing to move out with barely any information.

Erik ignored her stuttering and waved his hand. Instantly, harem pants appeared to cover his legs, and Eira’s medium, the Runeguard, appeared on his right forearm.

Meanwhile, he crouched down next to Emma. Her previously trance-like mind was showing signs of recovering and worry as her subconscious realised what was happening. Despite being unable to hear, she could still see a little with her omnisense, as well as sense Erik’s emotions through their bond.

"It’s fine, my love, we talked about this before we started, remember?" he reminded her gently, smiling lightly. "I’ll take the portal with me, so if I really need you, you’ll be there in a snap. Don’t interrupt our fun over something that’s probably nothing. Wait here for me, and I’ll be back soon, probably in need of some relief."

He chuckled at the end, and his words appeared to penetrate Emma’s absentminded mental state as she quickly calmed down again, her mind retreating back into its relaxing depths.

Her body relaxed, and she knelt down on a nearby pillow, head bowed. There, she would wait for her master’s return... or his call for help.

Seeing this, Erik jumped to his feet once more and waved a hand through his hair. "Alright, let’s go," he smirked as he started towards the exit. "You’ll stay here to protect the city, Zahra. Seraphina, you’re coming with me."

Still a little shocked, Zahra was getting the impression there was something more going on here. It looked like Erik had always been expecting this counterattack, and had always been planning to go there, though perhaps not for the obvious reason.

Regardless, she realised she was missing part of the puzzle, and Erik was already gone before she could ask...

***

A few hours later, a surge of sand was racing across the desert. Strangely, a string of curses echoed from it. Inside this surge, a transformed Erik was sprinting on three limbs, while the fourth was clutching an irate Seraphina who’d been slung over his shoulder.

She’d given up on resisting a while ago, but she continued cursing loudly as her body was subjected to the uncomfortable ride, arms flailing behind her.

"Fuck! Shit! This is no—ah!—no way to travel!" she complained with a fury only tempered by her Bond of Service.

Erik’s wolfish lips curled up into a mischievous smirk. "If you reached the third rank, you wouldn’t have to... I’m always willing to help, you know?"

"Screw you! I’ll get there on my own!" Seraphina cursed, knowing full well what his help required. "Master..." she then finished unwillingly, satisfying her bond.

Erik chuckled and didn’t insist. She’d give in eventually... or not. He was curious to find out.

Regardless, he leapt over a final sand dune and reached his destination...