Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Aether leaned in and whispered under his breath, ”Sheʼs doing her best, okay? Compared to before, sheʼs improved. Like, she evolved. Sheʼs trying to be stealthy. As her lover, I need to appreciate her growth...”

Of course, heʼd noticed her long ago. She wasnʼt even subtle. Heʼd tried to call her through telepathy, but she just ignored it and kept sneaking behind them, probably thinking she was invisible.

Seraʼs lips twitched. ”Lover, huh...” her voice dipped, dark and slightly ominous, as her glare focused on Helenaʼs clearly visible boot poking out of the alley. But then—

”Of course, youʼre doing your best too~” Aether leaned close to her ear, his breath warm and teasing, ”holding back like a good, obedient wife~”

Her cheeks flushed red instantly. She jolted like someone poked her with a divine spear, and without replying, she stomped toward the carriage and climbed in.

Aether chuckled, casually following her... completely ignoring the sound of a brick wall in the alley cracking.

Yup... Letʼs pretend that didnʼt happen.

As Sera took away Aether from Helenaʼs searching eyes!

Some Time Later...

They arrived at the location, a wide, open area stretching near the edge of the Empire. The carriage came to a stop, and the moment the door opened, a dry wind brushed past their faces.

Sera stepped down first, her robes fluttering gently. She looked out over the vast, empty land—dusty, barren, untouched.

It was enormous.

”This,” she said, spreading her arms dramatically, ”this whole place is completely yours.”

Aether stepped out, blinking at the land as he adjusted his collar. The place stretched on and on, almost like a sea of dirt.

Easily five thousand acres, maybe more.

”...All of it?” he asked, eyes wide.

Sera nodded.

Aether blinked again, staring at the endless stretch of barren land before turning to her with raised brows, ”Are you... serious?”

Sera nodded once more, her expression calm, yet holding a mischievous glint.

Aether bit his lip, his gaze shifting back to the dusty horizon. It wasnʼt worry that gripped him... it was disbelief. Shock, even. That she was giving this much land—just like that—to an outsider like him?

ʼJust what is she thinking...?ʼ he wondered.

If he were that Aether—the Iteration No. 25—he mightʼve understood it as a necessary investment for his divine mission. A tool. A base of operations. Something strategic. But this... giving away an entire land just for some Thrusters?

It felt too much.

He tilted his head, suspicion mixing with curiosity, ”So... Let me get this straight. Youʼre saying I can take this land, build on it, live on it—without any issues from other priests or... Motherʼs authorities? And I could literally do anything with it?”

Sera nodded again, her lips curling into a soft, teasing smile, ”Exactly that... except for one little thing—you need my approval before doing anything major here,” she added, voice sweet, like she was granting a favour and a threat at once.

Aether blinked. That was... expected, actually.

”Fine then,” he shrugged. He wasnʼt going to complain about free land.

Sera, however, looked a little hesitant before speaking again, ”Also... about the Thrusters. We cannot allow outsiders to work on them here. Itʼs a sacred boundary... You would—”

Before she could finish, Aether raised his hand, nodding in understanding, ”Donʼt worry, I get it. Iʼll create jobs for the locals. No outsiders except for one person. My... uhh...” He paused, searching for the right word, lips twitching with hesitation. ”...Secretary?”

He was thinking of Lyirrs—the one who handled all his tasks with terrifying efficiency.

Seraʼs eyes narrowed slightly.

”...Is that a woman?”

Aether opened his mouth... then closed it. He simply nodded.

”I knew it!” Sera exploded, throwing her arms up with an annoyed pout that couldʼve powered an entire village.

”Come on now!” Aether defended, frowning seriously. ”She just works under me!”

Seraʼs eyes drifted down—landing squarely on his crotch.

”Under, huh...”

Aether blinked, realising too late how that sounded. His cheeks flushed. ”Oh come on!! Thatʼs not what I meant!!”

He had said it totally normal! It was her who twisted it into something dirty!

Not him!

Sera gave a smug shrug, turning away with a victorious hum, ”Anyway, letʼs go visit the locals. They should see your face and know whoʼs taking over this land.”