[AUTHOR NOTE: A friend suggested that I ask readers for powerstones and reviews. It will help my fic reach more people. I know that readers are lazy. So I will give 3 extra chapters for 15 good reviews. 1 chapter for 5 review. And 1 extra chapter for 100 powerstone. I think this motivation is enough. Have a good day.]
I waited a while longer.
But no more words appeared on the pages of the Gospel.
'Where is the description? Where is the user manual? This whole page has, at most, twenty words!'
Are you kidding me?
No matter how frustrated I was, the text remained static. It seemed to be implying that new abilities needed to be explored by the user.
However, the names of the abilities weren't particularly difficult to decipher.
[Lustful Predatory Ability: Vitality Absorb]
Since it used the word "Predatory," it implied taking something from the other party. In this case, energy or stamina.
It was no wonder Capella—who should have been physically overwhelming as a Dragon-blooded royal and a nascent Sin Archbishop—had performed so poorly in our "negotiations." In the end, she had lost her temper and fled simply because she couldn't take it physically. I had drained her dry.
This ability was terrifyingly powerful. It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say it was a divine boon for a man with a harem.
But could I seize other things? Abilities? Authorities?
It was worth exploring, but I needed a cooperative partner. I glanced at the girls around me. There would be plenty of opportunities later; no need to rush.
Next was the other new ability: [Contract].
Usually, when people in this world hear "Contract," they think of Spirit Arts—knights binding with spirits, like that gray cat Puck.
But I knew that wasn't how this ability worked.
I was certain because I had personally witnessed the result on Capella.
Before she fled, I had seen it. On her lower abdomen, a beautiful, intricate, tattoo-like crest had appeared.
I was very familiar with this concept from my previous life's "research" (anime and manga). It was a mark often seen on magical girls or succubi in specific genres.
Although I hadn't confirmed the specific magical effects yet, the implication was clear. It was a brand of ownership.
The "Senior" transmigrator who left this book behind was truly a man of culture. He was definitely one of my peers. When I have time, I really must burn some incense and pay my respects to his memory.
After sorting my thoughts, I put away the black book and focused on the food. I needed to replenish the energy I had spent "taming" the Princess.
I ate quickly. But after finishing the small amount of leftovers Lycoris had given me, I found I was still not satisfied.
"Ugh."
Feeling a little depressed, I rubbed my empty stomach.
"My benefactor, if you don't mind, you can have my portion too."
The woman sitting next to me pushed her plate forward.
"Are you sure? I shouldn't..."
"Of course not. Please, take it."
As she responded, her gaze kept drifting towards my abdomen. Until just now, they had been gossiping about me; now, seeing me act like a starving child seemed to soften their wariness.
At that very moment, the dam broke.
"Um... if that's not enough, you can have mine too."
"Mine too!"
"Please eat more, Benefactor!"
After one took the lead, the girls became much bolder. One by one, they brought their plates to me.
The final result was... predictable.
Because the girls contributed too much food, my belly actually became round. And I still hadn't finished it all.
Seeing me force myself to eat to be polite made the girls feel a little embarrassed.
"Sorry," I wheezed, slumping back. "I'm already full."
I gave up the idea of finishing the mountain of meat. No matter how enhanced my body was, eating for a hundred people was impossible.
Lycoris looked at me, slumped over and defeated by dinner, and couldn't help but chuckle. She quickly suppressed the smile, trying to remain dignified.
"My benefactor, you don't need to apologize."
"Everyone's enthusiasm was a bit too high. I caused you trouble."
"I don't think this is a problem at all. It's... nice."
"If you really want to... hic... give me more, I can take it... sob..."
As I spoke, I let out a loud burp, rubbing my round stomach pathetically.
Pfft.
This broke the tension completely. Most of the girls burst into laughter, and even the shy ones hid smiles behind their hands.
I laughed awkwardly along with them.
Of course, this was mostly calculated.
I was deliberately acting harmless and a bit foolish to lower their guard. I wanted to win them over. None of them had given their answer yet regarding the "inheritance" of the harem. I really didn't want to use coercive methods unless absolutely necessary.
"My benefactor, you are truly an interesting person," Lycoris sighed, her eyes soft.
She wasn't a scheming person. She genuinely believed I was just trying to be polite.
"I'm sorry, I was very rude," Lycoris said, composing herself and returning to her poise as a noblewoman.
But seeing her like this, and seeing the smiles on the faces of the women around the table, a dark thought rose in my mind.
I wanted to inscribe the [Contract] on all of them.
I wanted to prove that they all belonged to me.
This strong desire—this possessiveness—was not just my male instinct. It felt like the influence of the Authority of Greed mixing with the newly awakened Lust.
Seemingly sensing the intense heat in my eyes, Lycoris blushed and looked away. To distract herself, she raised a question that had been on her mind.
"My benefactor... about Princess Capella. What happened to her just now?"
Faced with the question, I immediately composed myself. I couldn't show too much of the "wolf" before the sheep agreed to enter the pen.
"Capella has been chosen," I said seriously. "She is no longer the Princess of the Kingdom of Lugnica. She is now the Sin Archbishop of Lust."
"Sin Archbishop... responsible for Lust!!?"
"That's right. We had a bit of an... unpleasant time together while she was awakening. Which is why she said those things just now."
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