Ryuji's orders were carried out swiftly. After all, no matter how you looked at it, he was the supreme emperor of this nation. Commanding such matters was well within his authority.
As for concerns like "draining the people" or "wasting resources", to be honest, he felt nothing about that at all. The wealth accumulated by the nobles was still more than enough for him to squander for a long time.
And tax revenues could certainly keep up.
After all, compared to the original course of history, things were already far less tragic now.
But Ryuji was more concerned about another matter.
For instance, the Elven Goddess Celestine, who in the original story surrendered almost instantly, without the slightest resistance.
Ryuji personally went to the dungeons to inquire about the goblins' situation. After receiving the same answer Chifuyu had given, he confirmed that the gods of that other world had no intention of invading this one. Instead, both sides had decided to let the humans of their respective worlds deal with the issue themselves.
Still, given the utterly terrible performance of this world's goddess, Ryuji couldn't help but ask:
"So, you really are a goddess?"
Like Esdeath, he could sense the immense power within her body. And precisely because of that, he was deeply curious: what kind of situation would cause such a goddess to give up resistance?
"Yes, I can see your confusion. You're wondering why, despite possessing such power, I still watch humans suffer, correct?"
Celestine looked at Ryuji with a smile full of divine radiance and began to explain.
"Because everyone in this world was created by the Goddess, they are all my children. How can a mother interfere in her children's conflicts, in their struggles to live their lives? For a god, setting an example and offering guidance is enough."
Her face was full of smiles, not a trace of shame in her expression.
Ryuji thought about it for a moment, then decided not to dwell on the bizarre logic. Instead, he reached out his hand, grasping that plump, soft breasts that were whiter than milk and more majestic than a mountain peak.
"So, in other words… even if I sleep with you, you wouldn't use divine power to kill me?"
He was quite worried about this.
"Of course not. Although you are not my child, you are still human. And I am currently mortal. So, you may do anything you wish to me."
"Alright then."
Ryuji nodded, somewhat speechless.
"Then you'll come with me to the Seventh Fortress and help me resolve this problem."
After Ryuji finished speaking, Esdeath, who was standing to the side, seemed to want to say something. She desperately wanted Ryuji to first enjoy the prey she had brought back before leaving. Because that way he would also eat her. But since he was prioritizing this so-called mission, there was nothing she could do.
After all, at the end of the day, she was Ryuji's slave.
Although Esdeath didn't show it openly, Ryuji could still sensed her dissatisfaction. He let out a quiet sigh.
"Esdeath, bring them along as well. They'll serve as entertainment along the way."
Having said that, Ryuji quickly left the dungeon. He still needed to inform Origami and Asuna.
There was something he had always found strange: the selection mechanism of these missions.
In the previous mission, Misato, though she hadn't received any rewards like he did. However, unlike Origami, she didn't continue to follow him on the next mission, nor did she remain behind. Instead, she simply returned to her own world.
Similarly, Mai was the same. Ryuji had not yet observed her timeline, nor had he encountered her in any subsequent mission world.
"I forgot to ask about this properly in the Sailor Moon world."
Ryuji frowned slightly, somewhat dissatisfied with himself for forgetting to ask about the important matters.
What intrigued him was whether this mission system had an exit option. After all, Asuna wasn't particularly suited for combat as a fighter, so he planned to have her leave his mission team.
But the specific mechanics were unclear. The only thing he knew now was that the key similarities between Origami, Mai and Misato was that they hadn't made any meaningful contribution to the world mission while in the mission world.
So, Ryuji intended to test it.
Was it that those who contributed but weren't outstanding would be sent back to their own world, while those who made no contribution at all would continue to linger?
Or were the others still undergoing missions, and he simply couldn't see them?
"After this mission is over, I'm definitely going to visit Mai."
Ryuji made up his mind just as Asuna and Origami arrived.
"Is there something you need? Let me be clear first: having me sleep with you is impossible. I already have someone I like."
Origami looked at Ryuji, asking the question with her usual expressionless face.
Seeing her like this, Ryuji covered his face. Was his public image really that bad?
"Why do you think I called you here to sleep with you?"
Origami's swiftly raised her hand and pointed towards Roxanne, who was standing to the side.
"She told me on the way here what positions you like."
Ryuji's gaze instantly shot towards Roxanne, who immediately used a bottle full of milk to cover her face.
Seeing this, Ryuji felt somewhat helpless but had no intention of reprimanding her. He simply waved his hand, signaling for Roxanne and the others to leave.
"Never mind... Roxanne, you all leave for now. I have other matters to discuss."
Roxanne clutched her chest, thinking she had displeased him, her face full of guilt. But Ryuji didn't think it was a big deal. After all, he'd be sleeping with Roxanne the day after tomorrow, so such a minor issue would naturally resolve itself then.
As for why the day after tomorrow?
Well, tomorrow would either be the elf goddess or "Charlotte".
When had Ryuji ever gone back on his word?
"Anyway, this is about the mission. In the direction of the Seventh Fortress, monsters that do not belong to this world have been discovered. Our mission is most likely related to that."
Ryuji's expression quickly turned serious.
"So, we set out today, heading directly to the Seventh Fortress to complete our mission and prevent other problems from arising during the task. But since the situation is unclear, you two must stay safely within the fortress and remain with Esdeath."
Ryuji was genuinely afraid these missions would pull some unexpected trick, given that each one had presented unimaginably powerful foes. He quickly briefed Origami and Asuna on the goblin situation and made his own arrangements.
But as he spoke, he couldn't help but think of an anime.
Goblin Slayer.
The situation of the goblins invading this world was remarkably similar to the goblins in that world. The goblins in that world were all about dark, brutal, and deep tragedy.
Of course, due to content restrictions, how truly dark and tragic they were wasn't described in excessive detail.
It's just that the situation in that world was rather awful.
To put it simply, the gods of that world were playing a tabletop RPG. The entire world was the gods' playground. Population, equipment, everything could be increased out of thin air based on dice rolls.
Just like these goblins that couldn't be exterminated no matter how many you killed. Even if you wiped out every goblin in your kingdom today, with one throw of the dice and a lucky roll, countless goblins would still appear in your kingdom.
Moreover, humans in that world also somewhat overlooked goblins. But this wasn't because they didn't care about the populace; it was because there were facing even greater threats.
Things like demons, dragons, every one of them much more terrifying than goblins.
"I hope it's only a goblin invasion."
Ryuji couldn't help but think this way and began explaining his arrangements.
His plan was actually very simple and straightforward. Esdeath, Asuna and Origami would stay at the Seventh Fortress to gather soldiers, defend and conduct reconnaissance. He himself would lead troops to the location where the portal appeared to set up camp and explore.
If the situation turned out to be relatively simple, he'd bring them over to complete the mission together. If the mission proved difficult and the situation critical, he could rely on his own strength to retreat quickly or hold out until Esdeath arrived with reinforcements.
There was no other way. He didn't really trust the prisoners, nor did he trust the moral integrity of people in this world. Only Esdeath was reliable.
And since these were Ryuji's orders, Esdeath had no objections.
"Understood. After all, it's an opponent that even you are being cautious about. Being careful isn't a bad thing."
Origami had no issues with this. Staying alive was always better than dying. While she longed to gain power to change the reality of her own helplessness, she didn't believe an opponent that made even Ryuji cautious was one she could handle.
"As long as you understand."
Ryuji nodded, then looked at Asuna who was standing beside him with a worried expression.
"In short, be careful in everything you do. You two go prepare. I need to get ready to depart as well."
Asuna tightly gripped Ryuji's arm, her eyes filled with concern.
"You be careful too."
She was genuinely worried about Ryuji. Unable to help herself, she leaned into his embrace, took a deep breath and kissed his lips.
Ryuji quickly responded, kissing Asuna back. If not for his self-imposed restraint, he would definitely have made Asuna moan in pleasure right there.
Origami watched from the side, her stomach churning with sourness, so she silently left to prepare her things.
After all, relying on Ryuji's influence, she had managed to learn some of this world's power.
After spending some intimate moments with Asuna, Ryuji headed toward the treasury with Esdeath.
The treasury was filled with countless treasures plundered from nobles, though their quality was generally mediocre, all trash compared to Ryuji's titanium alloy greatsword.
But on the eve of a major battle, Ryuji couldn't help but think of one thing.
"The two most powerful mages in this world should both be with me, right? And one of them is even a goddess!"
Realizing this, Ryuji quickly summoned the elf goddess Celestine and the Dark Elf Queen Olga to the treasury, along with 'Charlotte'.
When they arrived, Ryuji didn't look at the two obedient elves. Instead, he turned to Charlotte.
"Esdeath said you could fight her. I trust Esdeath's judgment. So, pick out some weapons and armor that can help you fight. If there are any treasures you want, take them and use them. Once this battle is over, your companions will be released."
Having said that, Ryuji turned to Esdeath.
"You too. While you looked down on this world's equipment before, but this time you should take it seriously. So, pick out some gear as well, and have Olga and Celestine help enhance it."
Esdeath clicked her tongue. These so-called treasures weren't as useful as the swords she could casually condense out of ice. As for the so-called magical items, they mostly came with strange side effects. But since it was Ryuji's order, she went to choose a few things.
Meanwhile, Ryuji addressed the two most powerful mages in this world and took out his titanium alloy greatsword.
"Ladies, could you help me turn this sword a true enchanted blade?"
While he spoke, Esdeath wandered off to one side to select weapons. After casually picking two sturdy swords, she lost interest and started browsing.
But when she saw a collar, the corner of her mouth couldn't help but curl into a smile. She glanced towards Chifuyu, who was busy selecting weapons nearby.
Esdeath had learned about what Ryuji said to Chifuyu. She knew Ryuji didn't like forcing people like her. So, she picked up the collar and walked over to Chifuyu, who was concentrating on choosing armor and weapons.
"Although my Master respects you, you should at least have some awareness of being a slave, right? My Master intends to take you onto the battlefield. Naturally, I have to worry about whether you might harm my Master."
This collar could force the wearer to go into heat and lock their desires onto the first person they see after putting it on. They would become obsessed with that person and be unable to refuse commands from the one who placed the collar on them.
While people with strong willpower could resist the collar, Esdeath felt that with her around, this woman who called herself 'Charlotte' wouldn't dare to successfully resist.
Chifuyu's hand, selecting a weapon, paused. The styles of the powerful armors here were already embarrassing enough for her.
Wearing a collar on top of that…
She instinctively looked towards Ryuji, only to see him fully absorbed in discussion with Celestine and Olga about enhancing his sword, paying no attention to her. So, she sighed.
"…Alright."
A mischievous smile appeared on Esdeath's lips.
"That's a good girl."
She swiftly turned Chifuyu's face towards Ryuji's direction. While Chifuyu was confused, Esdeath fastened the collar around her neck.
The moment the collar settled into place, Chifuyu knew she had been tricked!
Because her lower body became intensely uncomfortable, her chest felt itchy and she desperately wanted Ryuji to hold her!
Most importantly, Esdeath whispered softly in her ear.
"Tomorrow, go seduce our Master. Understood? Then, in front of him, use your own fingers to open your pussy and say..."
Her tone turned playful.
"'Please punish this lewd and slutty woman severely, Master. Fill my insides, impregnate me and satisfy this wanton slut.'"
~~~~~~~~~~
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