Chapter 437: Research and Discussion
Haruto nodded in understanding.
It was probably only a goddess who remained hidden in the shadows and had ample free time who would research such a unique type of magic.
Of course, it was also thanks to Liala's own exceptional talent in magic.
If it were a simple spell that could be created effortlessly, other deities would have already developed it long ago.
"Can the difficulty of mastering this magic be reduced? It's fine even if the effects are weaker," Haruto said.
Haruto planned to work with Liala on modifying the communication magic to make it more widely applicable. If they succeeded, the two of them might even leave their mark in history.
Though neither Haruto nor Liala cared much for such empty fame.
"Hmm..."
After a moment of thought, Liala replied, "It should be possible. The main challenge lies in the application of spatial magic. If we reduce the level of confidentiality, the difficulty would decrease significantly."
While confidentiality in communication is important, most of the time, people are just exchanging trivial information.
Take mobile phones in the human world as an example—almost everyone uses them to communicate under the constant risk of eavesdropping.
If true confidentiality is needed, one would have to use a dedicated satellite phone alone.
The same logic applies to communication magic. If confidentiality is required, one could either learn the original version or a more complex variation.
Indeed, Haruto not only intended to simplify the communication magic and spread it across the Three Realms but also planned to develop a more advanced version exclusively for internal use.
Going from 0 to 1 is difficult, but progressing from 1 to 2 is much easier.
Once the communication magic becomes widespread, there will inevitably be those who study its principles and expand upon it.
Liala isn't the only magic genius out there. Without thorough preparation, Haruto's hopes of profiting from this magic or influencing the situation of the Three Realms would likely fail.
Whether it was leaving a legacy, making a profit, or revolutionizing communication in the hidden world, none of these were Haruto's primary goals.
His main intention was to enable his growing number of female companions to communicate with each other at any time.
Only with a highly versatile magical communication method could the two major organizations led by Takamine Kasumi and Sakura-machi Touko formally advance into the hidden world.
Through continuous dual cultivation with Haruto, the girls' strength had grown to the point where their organizations could rightfully be called the two strongest in Tokyo.
Moreover, with one operating openly and the other in secrecy, other forces found it impossible to redirect trouble, ally with one side, or target the other effectively.
Aside from the lack of top-tier experts—to be precise, only Haruto qualified—the organizations were almost on par with the pure-blooded demon families after the Three Factions War in all other aspects.
After breaking through to the divine level, Haruto had a sudden impulse to check on their progress. To his surprise, he found that his casual arrangements had developed to such an extent. While astonished, he was also immensely pleased.
As the mastermind behind the scenes, he intended to resolve the key issues hindering the girls' further development into the supernatural world.
Thus, after discovering the potential of communication magic, he promptly devoted his attention to it.
Haruto and Liala became engrossed in their discussion, while Sheila and the other girls listened for a while before finding it uninteresting. After dinner, they gradually dispersed.
At the invitation of her close friend Sheila, Sapphire also went to her room to catch up, incidentally settling on a temporary room to stay in—one right next to Sheila's.
...
...
More than a week had passed since Sapphire and Liala arrived in the human world. Rias had finally wrapped up all her affairs in the Underworld and returned with the members of the Occult Research Club.
Haruto didn't inquire about the specific gains, but judging from Rias's enthusiasm and initiative that evening, the Gremory family had undoubtedly profited handsomely this time.
It was worth mentioning that Ravel, who had accompanied Rias on this endeavor, managed to break through her bottleneck.
Early in the morning, just as Haruto was about to continue discussing improvements to communication magic with Liala, a beautiful young girl in a pink princess dress stopped him.
"Ravel, is something the matter?"
"Lord Haruto, tonight..."
The tsundere young lady with golden twin tails shyly clutched her skirt, hesitating for a moment before finally saying, "I've become a High-Class Devil now. I can help Xuelan and Isabela with their treatment tonight."
Haruto hadn't forgotten about the two girls who still needed treatment. He had long wanted to "devour" the Chinese qipao girl and the masked girl.
However, these two were too loyal. Because Ravel had spoken, they preferred to endure their ailments rather than engage in Dual Cultivation with Haruto.
Faced with such a situation, Haruto couldn't say much.
The more loyal they were to Ravel, the more loyal they were to him.
Since he would eventually "devour" them anyway, he had put the matter on hold.
"No need to wait until tonight. Let's start now."
Haruto was an experienced driver. Even though he had just risen from a pile of beauties, he enthusiastically pulled Ravel toward the bedroom.
"With the three of you together, one night might not be enough. Starting now is just right."
Watching Haruto's retreating figure, Ravel felt both shy and immensely joyful.
As Haruto's Queen, being so desired by her King couldn't help but make her happy.
Not just Ravel—any woman would be pleased to see the man she likes desiring her so much.
As the saying goes, "A woman adorns herself for the one who appreciates her." It couldn't be more true.
Conversely, if a girl doesn't like you, no matter what you do, it will only disgust her.
If you encounter a "green tea" type, she might even start keeping you as a pet—a simp.
Haruto's own room was spacious, but at the moment, it was occupied by the succubus mother and her two daughters, as well as Yuuki Kiba and Akeno Himejima.
Since Ravel and the other two were experiencing their first time, such an environment was naturally unsuitable.
Thus, when the golden-haired twin-tailed devil young lady snapped out of her shyness, she found herself standing in a familiar room.
"Ah? Lord Haruto..."
"Don't call me 'Lord.' It always feels strange to me."
Haruto interrupted, "If you're not used to calling me by my name directly, then like Mio, call me Brother Haruto."
Naruse Mio and Ravel were the same age. Both had twin tails, were slightly tsundere, and possessed a bit of a sharp tongue.
The only difference was that Ravel's bust was slightly smaller—otherwise, the two would be like differently colored humanoid Pokémon...
"Well, Brother Haruto, shall we do Dual Cultivation in my room?"
"You don't want to? If we do it in my room, we'll probably get an audience."
"No..." Ravel imagined the scene, her expression firm. "Let's do it in my room. I'll go call Xuelan and Isabela right away."
"No need for the trouble, I'll handle it."
Haruto wrapped his arm around the slender, graceful shoulders of the young girl and smiled. "I'll also test out the results of our efforts these past few days."
Haruto and Liala had spent a week researching, and the communication magic had indeed improved quite a bit, though there were still many issues.
At this point, it was less like "making a phone call" and more like forcibly transmitting spoken words to another location through spatial magic.
If you were lucky, it would reach the person you intended to call. If not…
Either no one would pick up, or someone else would overhear.
This time, Haruto was lucky—Xuelan and Isabela received the message.
However, since it was only the transmission of sound, the other girls around them also heard it.
At his own home, Haruto didn't mind at all.
But the two beauties, blushing deeply under the teasing gazes of their close friends, couldn't even lift their heads the entire way.
After notifying Xuelan and Isabela, Haruto didn't just wait idly. He sent another full-version targeted communication to Liala.
He informed her that today's research session would be postponed.
When Liala curiously asked for the reason, Haruto didn't hesitate to tell her the truth.
In response, he received an indignant huff. Even through the communication magic, Haruto could sense the goddess's disdain.
Over the past week, the two of them would often end up entangled together while researching.
At first, Liala wasn't used to it, and their research would suffer as a result. But later, except for reaching climax, they could discuss serious matters while engaging in Dual Cultivation.
This was a testament to the formidable self-control and multitasking abilities of divine-level powerhouses.
After strengthening his soul, splitting his focus was no challenge at all.
"If you don't mind, why don't you join us? We can continue our research while doing Dual Cultivation anyway."
"Ugh, you're such a pervert! Go ahead and exhaust yourself!"
As someone who enjoyed a good time, Liala didn't mind joining in on the fun, but since this was someone else's first time, it wouldn't be appropriate for her to intrude.
A week ago, during her own first time, no one had interfered, and she had practically monopolized Haruto for almost the entire day.
At the time, she hadn't realized it, but after this past week, Liala understood just how rare that opportunity had been.
Haruto chuckled lightly and deliberately added, "Researching magic while rapidly boosting your strength—most people would kill for an opportunity like this."
"Hmph…"
Liala cut off the communication and lazily snuggled back under the covers, her fair, delicate hand restlessly reaching for Sapphire's full, ample bosom beside her.
Lately, Sapphire's enthusiasm for going out to look for a house had waned.
It was comfortable living here, with her close friends and niece around. Once her son returned, it would also be convenient for them to meet.
Even when Rias, the actual owner of the house, returned, she didn't say anything about it. Instead, she warmly welcomed Sapphire, who then naturally stopped bringing up the idea of moving elsewhere.
Sapphire shot her a glare and swatted her hand away in mock annoyance.
"What's wrong? No research today? Got snubbed by someone else?"
The teasing tone in her voice was obvious enough for even a fool to notice.
Sapphire might be inexperienced, but that didn't mean she didn't have desires of her own.
Every day when Liala returned, she was brimming with springtime allure, carrying that peculiar masculine scent with her.
The frustrating part was that after monopolizing Haruto all day, Liala would come back at night to sleep with her, and wouldn't even rest peacefully, always getting handsy with her.
Yet having shared a bed for so many years, it felt inappropriate to kick her out.
If she really forced her out, it would make her seem like she cared too much.
After all, Liala always bathed and cleaned up when she returned, and those sleeping gestures had actually happened between them before.
It's just that as Liala gained more experience, she seemed to have become more indecent.
After a week of this, even Sapphire started feeling strange.
The most irritating part was that after Liala's antics, she could find someone to vent with the next day, while Sapphire could only endure it.
Finally catching an opportunity this time, of course she had to tease her properly.
"Dear sister, you already have a child, yet you've never experienced that feeling - how tragic."
Not one to be outdone, Liala said with feigned innocence, "Why don't you just give in to that boy Haruto then? Say what you will about him, but he's definitely well-endowed and skilled."