Primordial Villain with a Slave Harem

Chapter 1388  Final Goodbye

Vex froze.

<Ah!!>

Her eyes flew open, staring straight at him.

<You are not pulling away…?> he continued, amusement threading through the spell. <You know, you could correct the mistake.>

Instead, her tongue slid back in. One hand caught his wrist. The other followed. She guided both down, pressing them firmly against her backside, leaving no doubt where they belonged.

<It is too late for that,> she shot back, words buzzing with indignation. <But I am still mad at you. How dare you call me a wrinkly hag?!>

A low sound escaped him as he returned the kiss properly now, unhurried and full, hands staying right where she put them.

<I said you were an ancient lady,> he replied.

<Same thing!>

<Is that so?>

<That is so!>

<But I love ancient ladies.>

<You're very bad at this!!>

She kissed him again for emphasis, shorter this time, then finally pulled back. Her grip loosened. Her shoulders eased. Whatever tension had driven her forward drained away, leaving her close and content, forehead brushing his jaw.

Vex smiled to herself, satisfied at last.

Quinlan let the moment settle before gripping Felicity's necklace artifact.

The call connected almost immediately.

A sigh came through first. Deep. Weary.

"What is it?" King Alexios asked.

Quinlan smiled. "You are not even demanding to see your daughter?"

A pause.

"Whenever we speak," Alexios replied flatly, "I am unfortunate enough to hear only your voice. She is in good health, correct?"

That alone said more than any declaration could have. Trust, however begrudging, was still held. While they were enemies, there was a basic respect between the two men. Alexios believed Quinlan to be an utterly shameless, opportunistic scumbag. But not a man who'd use his daughter against him.

Through their many exchanges, a mutual honor of sorts was developed.

"Hello, Father!" Felicity chirped suddenly, leaning toward the necklace with bright eyes.

There was a sharp inhale on the other end.

"Daughter. How have you been?" His tone shifted to a much more joyous one. It was clear he'd much rather speak to Felicity than Quinlan. For some odd reason.

"Everything is fine!" she said quickly. "You do not have to worry."

Then her shoulders dipped.

"I am sorry, Father. I helped Quinlan multiple times. I betrayed you and the Valorian family."

Silence followed.

"You have nothing to apologize for," Alexios said at last. "You were not forced to act against your will. Is that correct?"

"Yes!" Felicity nodded eagerly. "Quinlan and his wives are all amazing! There is even a bratty kid here. She became my friend!"

"Hey! I'm older and more mature than you!" Feng snapped.

"Keep dreaming! Hehe!" Felicity giggled.

"The daughter?" Alexios asked.

"Yep! Though that was just her criminal alias. She is not related to Quinlan by blood. He picked her up from the side of the street. She was probably munching on garbage or something."

"I'll beat you up."

"Try me!"

Another pause.

"Another deception," Alexios muttered. "I am not surprised."

Then his voice sharpened.

"Felicity. You have my blessing to do what you believe is right."

Her breath caught.

"Father… I love you. Please stay safe! And when the time comes, come to a peaceful resolution with Quinlan…"

"I love you too, Daughter, but I might have to disappoint you."

"…"

Quinlan cleared his throat. "Apologies for interrupting, but I have to leave."

"Leave for another city of mine to conquer, you bastard?" Alexios snapped.

"I have no idea what you mean~" Quinlan replied lightly. "I am not conquering anything."

A beat passed.

Then…

"I am leaving, Alexios."

Silence answered him.

"You are out of time, my favorite king," Quinlan continued, tone turning serious. "I am meeting the Goddess now. So let us hear it. Do you have a question for her? I will relay it."

"So you were not lying," Alexios muttered.

"No. I was not." For once, Quinlan was entirely serious as well. He knew that this was a moment that deserved respect. Alexios was his enemy, but perhaps the closest thing he had to a friend as well.

While calling them friends was a giant stretch in reality, especially if one were to ask Alexios, Quinlan respected this old bastard enough not to ridicule him when it came to a moment like this.

As a denizen of Thalorind, he'd been praying to the Goddess for a thousand years. Joking in this moment would've felt far too rude even for his standards.

The line stayed open.

Breathing carried through the artifact. Heavy and hard.

"When I am gone…" Alexios began with a voice that was roughened by years rather than age, "Will my people sleep easier?"

The words did not come quickly. They sounded weighed, tested, and finally released because keeping them inside had become heavier than saying them.

Quinlan did not answer at once.

Felicity's fingers tightened around the necklace. She looked at Quinlan. He looked back. Her lips parted. Her breath hitched once.

"Father…" she whispered with teary eyes and a voice that was small despite herself.

Silence answered her.

Quinlan inclined his head slightly, acknowledging the gravity of the weight Alexios was carrying.

"I will relay your question," Quinlan said at last. On the other end, Alexios exhaled. It sounded like a man setting down a burden he had carried too long to remember when he picked it up.

"I am grateful."

The connection held for another breath.

Then the call ended.

Feng was the first to move.

She stood from where she had been leaning against the stone railing and crossed the short distance without a word. One hand landed on Felicity's shoulder, light but steady. Lyra followed a heartbeat later, coming in from the other side, her palm resting between Felicity's shoulder blades.

Neither spoke.

Felicity's grip on the necklace loosened at last. Her shoulders sagged forward just enough to show how much she had been holding in. She bowed her head, strands of hair slipping free as she drew a slow breath and then another.

Any child would struggle hearing a parent speak of the end. Even more so when she herself was standing on the other side of his rule, quietly aiding those who wished to tear it down.

It was a heavy place to stand. Especially for a young teenager with a giant heart.

Quinlan watched the three girls for a moment longer than he needed to. Feng muttered something under her breath and gave Felicity's shoulder a gentle pat, sincere. Lyra leaned in closer, her presence calm, grounding. Ria closed the distance as well, and even Iris looked troubled, wondering if she could help.

He found himself thankful that Felicity had found companions who cherished her this much.

Then he reached out through the link.

<We're leaving.>

The reply came almost instantly.

<Good luck, Quin! Offer my greetings to my pair of mothers-in-law.>

Hearing Jasmine's voice, a small smile tugged at his mouth.

<Will do. Are you sure you're fine?>

<Right now, the situation in Miri Town is extremely delicate. My presence is needed. I'd be a horrible governor of my husband's lands if I decided to go on a vacation when I was most needed at my station.>

While Quinlan hoped his absence would either be instant or only last a few hours at most, it was impossible to know for sure. In the primordial dimension, time did not pass. However, depending on the mission he was given, even years could pass in the real world.

<I'll take you with us the next time.>

<Sure! I can't wait!> Jasmine chirped back.

A brief pause followed. Then she added with a sing-song voice,

<Love you!>

The warmth settled in his chest before he could stop it.

<I am blessed to have met you.> Her reply came lighter, teasing.

<Hehe… You are feeling guilty, hm? I told you not to worry, I'll be fine! And if we're talking about being blessed, who is more blessed than me? A random merchant girl, earning the favor of the big bad Primordial Villain?>

<You're not a 'random' anything. But if you say you're fine, then I'll take your word for it… See you, my Jasmine.>

<See you, my Quinlan! Mwah!>

She blew him an audible kiss, and the link went quiet.

Quinlan exhaled and lifted his gaze.

He took all his companions in.

Then he straightened.

"I am ready to depart. Let's go."

Quinlan's soul realm opened, which was the method of transportation that would allow his family to meet his mothers.