Arcane Collegium.
Acheron and Arthur glanced at each other, immediately understanding the context of what Araxie said.
"You were…" Arthur tried to force words out of his mouth, but he just couldn't.
Araxie did not have a clue in the world about what she was saying. She thought having that kind of intimacy was normal for everyone, since it had been done to her since she was a kid.
Acheron could not say a thing, knowing fully well whose fault her story turned out the way it was.
They did not bother to ask any further questions and told her to sit while they talked.
"What do we do? We can't leave her alone by herself, with anyone for that matter…" Arthur said, leaning on the tree.
Acheron was quiet for a while, then she looked at Araxie who gave her a cheerful smile in response. "Let's take her to the mansion."
"Are you sure father will approve of this?" Arthur asked.
Acheron did not answer the question. She went over to Araxie and said, "How would you like to work in our mansion?"
"R-Really? You would let someone like me…" Araxie lowered her head.
"Yes… I would."
Araxie got up and hugged Acheron. "Thank you…sniff …so much!"
Arthur dropped the leaves on the chair and sighed. "I'm going to class…"
"Thank you… Arthur." Acheron called out as he waved his hand, disappearing into the building.
---
Sunken Isles, Anaxagoras mansion.
Acheron arrived through the teleportation chamber, Araxie leaning on her as they walked into the halls, stopping at the guest chamber.
"Stay here, let me get you some clothes." Acheron left quickly, heading for her room.
She moved fast to her room, scattering her wardrobe to find something suitable to wear. She picked up a casual long shirt that could also be worn as a short gown and turned to leave.
Then she remembered the leaves which Arthur had collected earlier and took them out of her uniform pocket.
The 『 Alluring Flower 』with its distinctive seven pointy leaves.
She examined them closely to see if they were the actual ones, flicking the pointed areas one by one to see if they glowed.
「 What do you plan to do with such a weird item? 」Stellar noticed the strange erotic energy it gave off.
Acheron smiled, tucking the item safely into a pouch. "It's a surprise."
「 … 」
She left the room, heading back toward the guest chamber.
The halls were a little bit too quiet, even her own footsteps didn't make a sound.
She stopped for a second, hitting her leg down to make an impact. But still there was no sound.
Then she heard a voice call her from the study room.
"Acheron…"
She froze up instantly, immediately recognizing the voice.
'Oh shit… he's not supposed to be back yet!'
She turned slowly toward the study door. It was slightly open, and through the gap she could see her father sitting at his desk.
"F-Father…" She stammered, trying to find the right words.
"You're back… what about the trip?"
The duke looked down at his papers, sorting each one out. "There were some minor issues in the Elf kingdom, the negotiation for the 『 Camel of Light 』was postponed."
'Camel of Light? The elf king needs help from humans to raid a dungeon? How difficult is it that he would stoop so low in their context?'
The duke set down his pen and looked directly at her. "There is an unfamiliar presence in the guest chamber. Mind telling me who it is?"
Acheron's grip on the cloth tightened. "I… I brought someone back with me… a beastkin girl."
The duke stayed silent for a moment. "You bring a stranger into our mansion without seeking permission from me or Claire?"
"I…" Acheron lowered her head. "I am sorry, father."
The duke slowly rose from his chair, walking toward the door as he thought, 'My baby girl is already bringing home a boy… I better go see if he is up to my standards.'
His standard: must be able to defeat him (Impossible)
Acheron watched her father's faint smirk and followed him. They passed through the corridors, the maids bowing occasionally.
The duke opened the door.
Araxie was curled up on the comfy chair. She saw the duke come through the door and immediately jumped from the chair, her breasts bouncing in unison.
The duke's eyes landed on her for a split second before immediately turning away. 'It's a girl? My baby likes… girls?! More importantly…'
"Why is she barely wearing any clothes?!" The duke exclaimed.
Acheron stepped forward, holding up the shirt she brought, helping Araxie put it on. "Put your arm in here… there you go."
The duke turned back to face them after she was wearing something, still revealing but suitable for a noble man's eyes.
"Acheron, explain what the meaning of this is." He said with a calm voice.
Acheron took a deep breath, then began narrating. She told him how Arthur came across her, saving her from the nobles, about how her mother sold her off and how the nobles used her for their personal satisfaction then threw her out like she was garbage.
The duke listened attentively without interrupting. When she finished, he turned to face Araxie. "What is your name?"
"A-Araxie…" She stammered, trembling like she was being punished.
"How old are you?"
"S-Sixteen…"
The duke took another full look at her, then exhaled deeply. A sixteen year old girl with no parents, no home and most importantly, no protection. Sold by her mother and molested by the nobles who should have treated her well.
And based on the fact, she didn't even know what she was doing at the time. She barely even does now.
What kind of man would he be as a noble to send her away? That would just tarnish the reputation even more.
Furthermore, bringing her in as a maid would be no different than bringing her in as a slave. And she's sixteen!
She deserved better.
His father's side took over, then the strangest and most shocking thing came out of his mouth.
So strange, Acheron had to ask Stellar to perform a quick mental test on his mind, although she could not penetrate as the duke's power level was nowhere near Acheron's or hers.
He stretched out his hand to her. "Araxie… how would you like to become an Anaxagoras?"