CHAPTER 218: 217. COLORS

After they ate, well, after Asher ate and fed Valerie what little she could manage, he stood, brushing crumbs from his coat.

It was time. The maid who cursed him... she was the only real lead he had, and if he wanted answers, he’d have to chase her down. But he couldn’t just leave Valerie alone, not in her condition. He needed help. Fortunately, he had just the people in mind.

Opening a Dimensional Door, Asher stepped into his Harem Town. He smiled when he saw the girls running to him and greeted him with bright eyes and open arms. He asked them how they’d been, trying to make up for the time he hadn’t given them much attention. He felt guilty about it, and he hated that he was now showing up only because he needed their help. These girls deserved more than that.

"Sorry I haven’t checked in for a while," he said, settling on the couch between Rin and Tama. "Things have been crazy on my end." He added with a sigh. "But I promise I’ll make more time for all of you, alright?"

Rose wasn’t around. She was off in the demon realm, handling whatever business demon lords handle.

Rin smiled warmly, resting her head against his shoulder.

But Tama puffed her cheeks in a pout. "It’s been sooo boring without you, Master!" Then she leaned in, her eyes flicking nervously. "And... I have a problem."

Asher turned toward her, concerned. "What kind of problem? It’s not, uh... that time of the month, is it?"

She shook her head, clearly annoyed. "No! But..." She hesitated, biting her lip. "My stomach... it’s not growing."

He blinked. "Stomach?"

"It’s not getting big!" she whined, her tail curling tightly behind her. "I don’t think there’s a baby in there. I thought by now I’d feel something... but there’s nothing!"

Asher gave a tired sigh, rubbing the bridge of his nose. "Tama... I didn’t fertilize your egg. That’s why."

Her eyes narrowed. "But you said you’d help me rebuild my clan!"

"I never promised that," he growled, though the corners of his lips twitched in amusement. He ruffled her hair. "Anyway, I need your help, girls."

Rin looked up at him with sparkling eyes. "Rin wants to help!"

He filled them in on his situation. They listened carefully, and without hesitation, agreed.

Moments later, they were back in Valerie’s room. He assigned them roles. Rin being so overpowered would take the guarding role, then Tama had a more critical task

"You can do it, Tama," he said, placing a hand on her shoulder. "Remember what I told you when we first met? Your skills were made for espionage. It’s time to use them."

Tama’s ears perked up, her eyes gleaming with pride. "I’ll try my best, Master! And... you’ll reward me by making me pregnant, right?"

Asher gave a tight, nervous smile. "I’ll think about it."

"Pffft. Mean," she pouted. Then, tail twitching, she vanished into the shadows like a streak of smoke.

From the bed, Valerie stirred weakly, lifting her head with visible effort. Her tired eyes landed on Rin, who stood beside the window, bathed in soft golden light.

"Who... who are those beautiful girls?" she asked, her voice breathy and weak.

Asher raised a brow. Beautiful? She wasn’t freaking out over Rin’s horns or Tama’s black cat ears?

He smiled. Maybe her illness blurred her vision. A normal person would’ve panicked. "They’re my wives, ma’am," he replied.

Rin beamed where she stood, and Valerie even managed a soft smile.

"Oh... young love," she whispered. "Beautiful. You deserve to be in colors."

"Colors?" he repeated.

She closed her eyes with a peaceful sigh. "Mmm... the brightest ones."

Asher frowned slightly, watching her drift back to sleep.

Colors? Did she mean... paint? Was she the one behind the hidden paintings in the other rooms? He made a mental note to think about it later. For now, he had a maid to hunt.

He stepped over to Rin and pressed a kiss to her lips. "Look after her, honey. I’m counting on you."

Rin gave a firm nod. "Rin will do as Master says!"

With that, Asher turned, closing the door behind him. The warmth vanished from his face, replaced by a cold scowl, anger etching sharp lines into his expression. He activated Invisibility Mode and maxed out his Stealth Buff. Thanks to his recent level gains and the copious pleasure points he hadn’t even been using much lately, his buffs now lasted 30 full minutes with only 5 minutes of cooldown. A major upgrade from before.

Tracking the maid was child’s play. His System Terrain Map painted a glowing red dot where she was. She was lounging in one of the side rooms, unaware of the silent predator stalking her until the door to her room creaked open slowly by itself.

She jumped off the bed, startled, mid-snack. The door shut behind her and then she heard the lock click.

Her heart pounded. Was it a ghost? A spirit of someone she’d killed? No, she told herself. That’s nonsense. I’m the powerful witch from the north! I don’t get scared.

She yanked a sachet of powder from her dress and blew it into the air, whispering strange words as runes flickered briefly around the room.

Satisfied, she threw herself back on the bed.

That should banish any evil spirits...

Until she felt a weight pressing her down.

Before she could scream, a cloth was shoved into her mouth. She couldn’t speak.

Asher deactivated Invisibility, looming over her with a smirk.

"You cursed me, didn’t you?" he asked.

She shrieked into the gag, shaking her head, eyes wide with panic.

How does he know?!

He had her hands pinned above her head. Without them, she couldn’t cast spells to defend herself. Her wand was out of reach on the dressing table as well. She grunted in frustration, struggling beneath him.

"Well, lady..." Asher said darkly. "You picked the wrong person to mess with. Now... you’re going to tell me everything."

She screamed into the gag, wild-eyed, but it was useless.

Only muffled grunts and the sound of her struggle echoed in that room for the next half hour.

TBC