Primordial Villain with a Slave Harem

Chapter 1284  Greeting The Ladies

Quinlan inwardly sighed.

He truly wasn't meant for sneaking. But, well, neither did being found out surprise him. These ladies were mighty perceptive ones.

Truth be told, he hadn't even tried to listen in. He simply hadn't found a natural opening to walk in without feeling like he was stepping on something important. The four of them had known each other for over a century; their reunion was not something he wanted to butt into. Still stroking Vex's lush white hair, he met her gaze and offered a small smile, one that neither played along with her teasing nor pushed her away. She pouted when he didn't bite.

His eyes shifted to Raika.

The far too hot and dangerous brawler woman narrowed her gaze at him with her jaw tightening.

Quinlan let a grin rise to his face with unshakable confidence. "Do we even need to count, Raika?"

Indeed, their competition, seemingly never-ending, included today's kill count as well. But, unluckily for Raika, she challenged a man with not only numerous minions to do his job for him, but also with a portal ability that let him appear wherever he pleased - and he or his slaves had their eyes on, of course.

Seeing his expression of utmost supremacy, Raika's entire posture tightened. She stamped her foot once, sharp and disgruntled. The movement sent the muscles along her legs flexing in a way that was both fierce and strangely enticing, like a wild boar trying to intimidate a rival… except prettier.

A lot prettier.

"I challenge you to a duel!" she declared.

"Again?" Quinlan sighed.

"That one didn't count." She didn't blink.

He chuckled and shook his head. "Sure. I could use a sparring partner to work on my martial skills."

"Hah?" Raika looked like she had been stabbed through the guts. Her face twisted in a way that made her seem ready to explode. Shoulders flaring. Breath flaring. "I'll show you," she vowed through clenched fists.

"I accept. Later," Quinlan said, tone light. "We need to rest and plan our next moves."

Raika clicked her tongue but gave a small, tense nod.

Reluctant acceptance.

Quinlan then turned to Orianna.

Her attire caught the eye immediately. A pink, floral-patterned, robe-like dress that was designed for combat. It was built light, agile, sleeveless.

The fabric was not covering everything, however, revealing the trail of floral tattoos winding across her shoulders, arms, neck, and legs. It was the type of ink that seemed to bloom when she breathed, utterly gorgeous and hard to look away from.

Before he could truly take in the details, Vex jabbed an elbow into his ribs.

He coughed into his hand.

"It's good to see you back among the living. We haven't spoken to one another yet in person, so let me greet you in my home, Orianna. It's my pleasure to meet you. Oh, and please forget the nonsense this woman spouts. Don't take her too seriously."

"Hey!" Vex yelped, hand flying to her chest like he had stabbed her right in the heart. "Did you hear that?! Ayame!! My own lover betrays me! We girls need to band together and teach him an important lesson about loyalty!!"

Ayame's grin was immediate, sharp, and delighted.

"First of all, 'our' lover, Vexie. And, yes, I heard it loud and clear. Sign me up. Even Mr. Primordial Arrogance needs to have a limit. The duty of reminding him from time to time falls to us."

Vex gasped and grinned dramatically, clutching Ayame's sleeve. "Exactly! You do get it!"

Ayame nodded with grave seriousness. "Though… we have to exclude Blossom."

"Oh, obviously," Vex said, waving a hand without hesitation. "She'd defend him to her dying breath."

They both nodded sagely, then leaned in toward each other, whispering in rapid-fire little bursts, their expressions shifting between mischievous and downright devious. It was like watching two cats plot a home invasion.

Quinlan and Orianna did not spare them a single glance.

Orianna responded to his greeting. "Don't worry. If I took Vex seriously, I'd have gone insane already."

She paused, observing the man before her for a few silent moments. Then she nodded. "And I greet you as well. Thank you for letting me recover in your home's rich soil; it made the process quicker." Then her eyes sharpened, pinning him with a direct stare. "But… While Vex might be 'a tiny bit' messed up in the head…"

Vex offered an offended gasp from the background, which was promptly ignored by her elder sister,

"… She wouldn't invent such an outlandish tale. Not even she has that much creativity."

Quinlan's confident smile froze for a fraction of a second.

Then it resumed, but a bead of sweat slid down his temple.

Because Orianna clearly knew. And now so did Black Fang and Raika.

"… I'm happy Rosie made a good friend. She might be a handful, but please treat her well." Quinlan instantly switched topics and, as the perfect opportunist that he was, tried to secure the alliance of this woman even further. If she became great friends with his daughter, who was loyal to a fault, wouldn't Orianna become an immensely beneficial asset?

'Nice going, Rosie. You'll receive your extra headpats, that much is for sure.'

"I would sooner end my existence than harm a single strand of hair on that perfect creature," Orianna replied, speaking with a nonchalant, matter-of-fact tone as if it were not even a question.

Her expression was such that even Quinlan paused for a moment. "… Great. I can rest easy knowing she has such a protective friend. Rosie might be strong and more knowledgeable than she likes to admit, but she still needs the guidance of us adults."

Orianna nodded, looking a bit visibly happy. Quinlan could only guess that it was because the woman was speaking with her friend's father. Orianna must've realized how obsessed Rosie was with Quinlan, so she knew that if he did not approve of her, the little lady might distance herself as well.

It was at this moment that Quinlan realized that this was the reason why Orianna had been more accommodating to him than he expected… He didn't know how to feel.

But he did not have time to dwell on this, because Black Fang spoke up.

"What do they have to say?" …