Chapter 6 : Preparation for travel.
"Oh... I almost forgot," Hal thought, rubbing his head.
"On our journey, we'll need provisions, girls! Does anyone want to go gather supplies?"
Freya and Freesia exchanged glances before Freesia volunteered.
"I'll go. I'll ask the fortress lord myself."
After all, merchants in such remote places are rare.
"All right, take this!" Hal said, and with a wave of his hand, a hundred gold coins appeared on the table.
"That's so many gold coins!" Freesia almost drooled at the sight. Freya narrowed her eyes, recalling how she had recently grabbed a pouch of silver and bronze coins and was nearly caught by the soldiers.
Yet now, her master casually produced a large sum of gold coins.
"Use this pouch," Freya said, grabbing a pouch from her chest and tossing it to Freesia.
Freesia caught it and opened it, surprised at first, but then her expression shifted to one of disdain.
"I thought this pouch would contain a large number of gold coins. I didn't expect it to hold silver and bronze coins," Freesia murmured disdainfully as she glanced at the pile of gold coins on the table.
Hearing her sister's mumbling, Freya felt annoyed and lightly knocked Freesia on the head.
"Ouch! Elder sister, what was that for?" Freesia asked, holding her head and glaring at Freya with mild irritation.
"Hmph. Go arrange our provisions for the journey. How dare you look down on the money I worked so hard to gather," Freya scolded angrily.
"Oh… is that so? No, no, elder sister, I didn't mean to disrespect your money," Freesia said, scratching her head apologetically.
Hal couldn't help but smile as he watched the sisters bantering.
"All right, pick it up and gather our provisions."
"As you wish, Master! Leave it to me," Freesia said, straightening her posture and declaring confidently.
She grabbed the gold coins eagerly and left the room.
Once Freesia was gone, Freya and Hal exchanged glances. Hal felt nervous at first but then mustered his courage. How could a man like him resist?
Freya was stunningly beautiful, and her affection for him had already reached the level of love.
Hal, having never experienced love or intimacy with the opposite sex in his previous life, wanted to experience it now.
He took a deep breath and stood up, moving closer to Freya.
Though she remained calm and composed, the slight pink flush on her porcelain face revealed her embarrassment as she watched Hal's actions.
Hal wrapped his arms around Freya's waist.
"Master, what are you doing?" Freya attempted to step back and resist, but Hal was determined not to lose this chance.
With strong resolve, he carried her to the nearby bed and carefully laid her across his lap as he sat down.
Freya lowered her head, but Hal leaned down and kissed her lips.
She tried to pull away, but Hal gently held the back of her head.
Though she struggled at first, she soon realized escaping was futile and responded with a tentative, clumsy kiss.
Their first kiss was awkward, but as time passed, it grew more passionate. They embraced tightly, their tongues meeting in a heated clash.
Hal savored the taste of her sweet saliva; as their tongues intertwined, he bit Freya's tongue softly and began to suck it.
Freya moaned softly, startled, as Hal's hand began massaging her rear.
"It's so soft," Hal thought, becoming captivated by it.
Meanwhile, in the castle hall, Melnard and Freesia sat on chairs.
Freesia, now dressed in a maid outfit with a mask concealing her face, spoke politely.
"Lord Melnard, apologies for the disturbance. I humbly request provisions such as wheat flour, dried meat, dried fish, and other daily necessities," Freesia said.
"We'll need these for our upcoming travels. Don't worry—we will pay for everything. The more, the better."
"Certainly, I can provide 100 pounds of wheat flour, 50 pounds of dried meat, 50 pounds of dried fish, and two pounds of salt," Melnard replied.
"Good. We also need blankets—preferably made from ship fur or wolf fur—pillows, and about twenty sets of ordinary clothes each and we also need soap."
"Okay, we have ship fur and pillows available, but we don't have any spare clothes," Melnard replied to Freesia. "I'll ask the merchants who haven't left yet if they still have clothing for sale."
"Alright. When you've finished gathering the supplies, let me know the total cost, and I will ensure it's paid," Freesia said. She took out thirty gold coins wrapped in cloth and tossed them to Melnard. "Consider this a down payment. I'll settle the full amount when the supplies are delivered."
"My lady, please, I cannot accept this," Melnard said politely, standing and returning the gold coins.
"Your kindness in saving this fortress from destruction is gratitude enough. As for the goods, please accept them as a gesture of goodwill on your Master's behalf."
"How can we not pay?" Freesia insisted. "Lord Melnard, please accept it."
"No," Melnard smiled firmly. "You have already done us a great favor by saving our people and providing powerful fine-grade weapons worth more than one hundred thousand gold coins.
"What?" Freesia's eyes widened, glowing with surprise as she stood up abruptly upon hearing the amount of gold coins mentioned.
Melnard smiled amusedly at the woman before him—her crimson hair catching his attention. Maybe a girl who had recently reached adulthood, he thought.
In this world, fifteen is considered the age of adulthood, and Freesia, at seventeen, was firmly regarded as an adult herself.
"I… since Lord Melnard insists, I will humbly accept this on my Master's behalf," Freesia said, bowing respectfully.
"My lord, I still have matters to attend to. I will take my leave."
"Feel free to tell me if you have anything you need. Please have a good rest," Melnard responded as he watched Freesia depart.
Inside the room, Hal was resting against the headboard of the bed. On his right side, Freya sat in her ordinary clothes, having carefully removed her maid outfit and set it aside.
Although Hal wanted to pursue his desires further, he respected Freya and knew she needed rest, especially after the intense battle she had faced just hours before.
"Master, what are your plans after we leave the fortress?" Freya asked.
"I plan to gather allies—specifically, qualified battle maids like you," Hal replied.
"For what purpose?"
"Of course, to survive and avoid being overrun by others," Hal answered.
He couldn't reveal that his motivation was largely due to the system rewards, or his desire for beautiful companions.
Having been given a second chance at life—and with the system helping him attract beauties—he felt no reason to hold back.
At the same time, Hal admitted to himself that he was a lustful man—but he respected women.
Of course, it depended on the woman; if she was his enemy, he wouldn't hesitate to strike.
Soon, Freesia arrived and opened the wooden door.
She saw her sister and Hal embracing on the bed with the curtain drawn open.
"Apologies for disturbing you. I'll take my leave now," Freesia said, turning to leave.
"Freesia, wait," Hal called out.
"Hmm? Why did you call me, Master? Didn't I interrupt you and my sister's intimate moment?"
"Not at all," Hal answered with a thick voice, though inwardly he felt as embarrassed as Freya.
"All right," Freesia said as she entered, closed the door, removed her mask, and came to sit beside the bed.
"Come here," Hal called softly, inviting her to sit on his other side.
Seeing his boldness, both Freya and Freesia blurted out in unison, "Pervert!"
Hal didn't mind and pretend to have a thick skin.
Freesia hesitated but still complied, settling by Hal's side.
Hal wrapped his arms around her waist and said, "Let's rest for a while," before closing his eyes.
Freya and Freesia exchanged glances. Although their enhanced strength and evolution kept them from feeling tired, their minds and emotions needed rest—especially after their mother had passed away just last night, a sorrow they were quietly hiding.
"Let's rest for a while," Freya suggested, closing her eyes. Freesia soon followed, both leaning against Hal as they drifted into slumber.
.