Primordial Villain With A Slave Harem

I don't know why this Eric guy is being so generous with me today, but I'm starting to feel nervous. Perhaps this amount of money is a pittance to a count, but even then, why throw it at an outsider like me? Is he trying to recruit me or something? Or is this simply a situation akin to that of a billionaire tipping hundred bucks when all he bought was a morning coffee?

I act as overjoyed as I can muster to not arouse suspicion, "oh! Thank you, lord Eric. I'm blessed by your generosity." Acting as if I'm so grateful makes my stomach churn a bit but I bear with it. Well, I really am thankful, but I don't like groveling in front of others as if they are superior to me.

"Don't mind it, sir Quinlan. Remember to give me a visit once you are ready to talk. Now then, it's time we get to work."

The guards reply with an "Yes, My Lord!" shout before dispersing.

Me and Ayame say our goodbyes to the women we've rescued. I receive a lot of heartfelt words amidst their hopeful-for-the-future sobs. Emily even gives me a hug, a gesture which I reciprocate. My clothes have already been ruined by all the blood and gore that I lived through today, so I don't care even if she is rather dirty.

To be fair, I have enough social skills and empathy in me that even if I wore my best suit I would still welcome her to an embrace with open arms.

Seeing this, 'Pumpkin', whose actual name I still don't know, jumps on me once Emily distances herself. I also hold her tightly. Poor young girl has been through so much in just two days. I just hope that neither she, nor her mother got pregnant in that short time frame. She misses almost all her teeth, probably thanks to a hobgoblin's punch.

I come to that conclusion using contextual clues, namely that a goblin's fist would've been too small to create so much damage and the troll would've taken her entire head with such a motion. Though, now thinking about it, the troll probably didn't participate in this particular activity as otherwise none of the women would be alive.

Pumpkin starts sobbing uncontrollably while whispering; "daddy… daddy…" Which makes me immensely uncomfortable but I bear with it like the champ I am.

After a few more minutes of pampering Pumpkin we finally manage to slip away and begin our short journey back to Aldoria, with Blossom accompanying us as her part of the job was finished as well.

All three of us are dead tired but we still chat amongst each other along the way. We've only known the precious dog-girl for a few hours but I can tell that Ayame is also warming up to her nicely. Blossom's timely intervention that saved our lives compounded by the fact that she was also unjustly enslaved probably plays a big role in their quickly forming bond.

Furthermore, how can anyone dislike such a cute girl? She is rather simplistic and very honest, alongside her third person speech pattern creates an utterly adorable image that flares both of our protective instincts up.

"So, Blossom, what's next for you? Do you get some time off, or do you have to report to him as soon as possible?" Ayame asks.

She thinks for a few seconds before replying. "Blossom usually needs to report back instantly, but this time Master Ian only told Blossom to clear the quest. He didn't specify that Blossom had to rush back to him immediately."

A satisfied grin erupts on Ayame's face before asking; "then what do you think about visiting an inn to have a meal together with us so that we can celebrate all the good stuff that has happened today?"

Blossom blinks confusedly, "but Blossom is not Master Quinlan's slave… Furthermore, do you really get to eat restaurant meals? Blossom can only eat the food that Master Ian throws on the ground for her…"

Yikes. Poor Blossom. I can't help myself as I unconsciously reach my hand out to pet her head, a motion which startles her greatly. She yelps and dodges my outstretched limb before I can touch her hair and then stares at me with accusatory eyes. Clearly, she is thinking that I was about to hurt her and that she made a big mistake in trusting me.

I realize my impulsive mistake and hurry to correct it. "Ayame, be a dear and come here." I make a hand gesture as if I was reeling her towards myself. I can see understanding shine in her eyes as she grasps the meaning of my actions, and then I can see a heated internal debate happening in her pretty little head regarding whether she should play along with me or not.

After a few seconds of standing still and staring at me with cold eyes she sighs tiredly and steps closer. I raise my hand to the top of her head and begin gently petting her. I then turn towards the by-now curious onlooker dog-kin girl, "you see, Blossom, I just wanted to do this. I've been told that young ladies such as you two find this motion comforting, relaxing and simply pleasant in general.

I had no intention of bringing harm to you."

I can see her tail begin wagging as she walks around us in a circle, observing the two of us from many different angles. She occasionally stops and leans in, she sniffs Ayame or me a few times. She even squats down to see the action from down below.