Primordial Villain with a Slave Harem

Chapter 1318  Ria's Realization

Author: I've been told by some readers that yesterday's chapters read as Quinlan being incredibly arrogant and condescending in how he spoke to Feng about her and her friends, especially Iris. My intention was never to have Quinlan treat Iris and all that she has been through as if she were just as naive and ignorant as the two young teenagers, as that would be incredibly disrespectful of her character.

To that end, I revisited the last chapters and made some edits to ensure this came through properly. All members of Quinlan's gang, including him, are naive to a degree and have things to work on, just like Iris. Hopefully, I managed to relay this with the edits I made. Quinlan's attitude, which might've read as overly smug and self-important to some of you, has also been turned more appropriate for his character.

And don't worry. This note, while inside the main chapter, won't cost you guys extra coins. I always make sure not to go over the word count when an author's note is included in the chapters.

…

Ria stood stiffly near the edge of the platform, a step apart from the others as if she wasn't sure whether she still belonged in the same conversation. Lyra rested both hands on her sword and shield, having taken up arms once again. Felicity, meanwhile, kept glancing back at the giant undead vehicle, knowing Feng and Quinlan were having a private conversation somewhere in there.

Iris simply stood by with an unreadable expression.

None of them said anything for the past minute.

That was until Felicity finally exhaled through her nose. "I wonder what they're talking about… I hope Quinlan can drive her guilt away…"

Ria hesitated, then asked quietly, "Was all of this her idea?"

Felicity looked at the blonde assassin and let out a small giggle. She motioned for Ria to come closer. "You could say that. And don't stand off like that as if we suddenly turned into strangers. We might've hidden who we were, but it doesn't erase everything we went through these past two months."

Ria raised a suspicious eyebrow. "… You know, I always found you a bit too well-spoken for a girl your age, but-"

"-but me being a royal princess sort of explains it?" Felicity finished with a bright grin. "I failed a bunch of classes, sure, but I can still talk with big words!"

"Unless you get flustered and start acting your age," Lyra murmured under her breath.

"Huh?" Felicity snapped her head around toward the pink tanker with her eyes narrowing. "Did you say something?"

Lyra smiled at her with perfect innocence, blinking a few times in confusion, even having a little question mark practically hovering over her head.

Felicity squinted harder. "… I didn't know you were this playful. Did hugging Quinlan rub some of his primordial arrogance onto you or something?"

At the mention of that hug, Lyra's cheeks went pink in an instant. Her grip on her shield tightened as she shifted her weight, as if she didn't know where to look. "I-I- no! Why would you frame it like that?! What if I just decided to let myself relax for a moment after spending 3 months straight babysitting your butt!!"

The girl even scoffed and turned her pink cheeks away from the princess.

Despite being told off right now, Felicity beamed in triumph. It felt great to interact with the 'off-duty' Lyra.

Then she turned to the blondie who was still standing a bit away from the group despite Felicity's earlier words and patted her thighs. "Come on, Ria. I told you to stop being a stranger."

Ria sighed, a truly mentally exhausted one, shoulders dropping under the weight of everything that had come crashing down on her that day. "You know, I might be a fan of Ghost, but I'm not a dog." She pointed at her human ears. Then wiggled her behind. "No tail either."

"Blossom's first impression of you would be very bad if she heard that," Iris spoke up suddenly.

Ria stared at her for a moment, confused. "What do you mean?"

"She's a dogkin, a humanoid displaying a few dog-like physical features and behavioral tendencies, not an actual dog," Lyra explained while refusing to look at the princess. "She hates being called one. Even Lord Quinlan isn't allowed to refer to her as that, or imply that she is one."

Ria's eyes widened instantly as realization hit her poor, overloaded brain. "I didn't mean it in a bad way!" She clapped both hands together and bowed. "Sorry!"

Felicity blinked and then grinned, having an amazing time. "Why are you apologizing to us? Did I grow a lush purple tail while I wasn't looking?"

Ria let out another long sigh. "… I don't even know anymore. My brain isn't working. I'm too overwhelmed. Having all of this happen on top of being kidnapped by the undead and almost assaulted by those disgusting freaks as well…"

Felicity giggled. "I can only imagine." Then her eyes brightened as she hopped excitedly in place like a little bunny. "Tell me! Did meeting your idol live up to your dreams?"

Ria didn't even hesitate. Her exhaustion vanished like smoke. Her eyes lit up with fierce excitement.

"I feel like I can die happy now."

The girls exchanged warm smiles at that. They understood exactly what she meant.

Quinlan always knew how to make a dramatic entrance when he wanted to. He certainly didn't disappoint with his newest dramatic appearance; all of them had to agree on that point.

Ria's blissful declaration faded into a proud grin from all of them.

Then, she froze. Her eyes widened.

"Wait."

A sharp inhale followed.

"WAIT! Wait just a second… I realized something."

She jabbed a finger at all three girls.

"You bastards!!!"

All three turned toward her, startled.

Ria pointed accusingly, voice rising with outrage and betrayal.

"You bastards listened to me rave about my hero like some down-bad fanatic while personally knowing him! You pretended and pretended and pretended! You called him 'Quinlan Elysiar' and 'Primordial Villain' like he was some distant stranger, but then he comes bursting in to save your asses in the last minute like a handsome knight! You must've had the time of your lives at my expense ever since meeting me!!!"

The confusion vanished instantly from their faces.

And, as one, they turned away from her.

Suddenly, the forest, the floor, the vines, the far-off tunnel… everything around them became very interesting.

Ria's eye twitched. "Oh, I see how it is."

Her gaze sharpened dangerously as she examined the three very suspicious backs.

She pointed at Felicity first.

"It's one thing if this horribly chatty and drama-starved girl enjoyed it. And the same goes for Feng-"

"Hey! I'm not drama-starved!" Felicity yelped. She puffed out her cheeks. "Okay, maybe a little bit… Okay, maybe I did have to hold back laughter every day because of you… Okay, maybe I did laugh myself to sleep every night-"

As she kept digging herself deeper, Ria's expression grew darker by the second.