Chapter 44 - Back To The Capital

We arrived outside onto an area that had been cleared for the riders and their mounts. It was a good sight to see them and even better to know that none had died, though it was somewhat diminished by the fact that some looked very sad. While none of the riders had died, some of the mounts had, and from the way Asara had described it, losing a mount must have been a very painful thing. It was some sort of bond that linked the two and not only gave the rider power, but now I also knew influenced the rider in other ways, which meant the bond had to be pretty deep to do so, or at least that's what I was guessing.

When they caught sight of me, the reaction was quite different from the first time we'd meant. Some looked way in embarrassment, while others gazed at me longingly, clear hunger and passion waiting to be let out, In their eyes. I smiled back at any who met my eye and gave respectful nods to those who I could tell had lost a mount. I'd see about working something out with Asara so that when I eventually laid with them, they would go first.

Still can't believe it, I thought, but it's true.

There were also injured riders here and there, covered in bandages, but with the healing in this world, I knew that they eventually be back to full health, hopefully, sooner than they thought since I was hoping I got a summon that could heal soon. I needed one, not just for myself, but for the riders and others. There were also injured mounts but none severely so, and all looked ready and able to fly, which was good since I imagined that ferrying a mount was harder than ferrying a rider since it would probably take two mounts to pick up another.

Asara was waiting for me at the center, surrounded by other riders and clearly in the middle of a discussion. She gave me a smile when she spotted me and quickly dismissed those around her and walked forward.

"Your majesty," she said with a bow. "Everything is ready. We'll be making two trips to get everyone back to the capital. Would you like to be with the first or the second?"

I could tell she was nervous from the way her cheeks were slightly pink and her eyes refused to meet my own, but I chose to ignore it, not wanting to embarrass her in front of her riders.

"I'll be going with the first group on my wyvern," I said," but before that, I want to says something."

She stiffened at my words and I gave her a small smile before raising my voice. "Everyone, listen up. I have something to say."

The area was devoid of anyone but the riders and their mounts so I wasn't worried about anyone else hearing what I was about to say. Most of the riders looked nervous at my words while some looked confused. Clearly, not everyone had been told what Asara had said or requested.

"Your commander has had a talk with me," I began. "She told me of your customs and the way you feel towards me. Now I will admit it was... unusual to hear at first and even now it is a shock to me. I spent some time thinking it through and have come to a decision."

Every single rider looked to be holding their breath, including Asara, whose eyes were filled with hope, fear, and a burning desire. I smiled at her before turning my attention back to the rest of the riders.

"I'm not used to any of this," I said, honestly. "And have never been in a relationship like this, but I have decided I will give it a chance."

The cheer that rose up at my words was deafening and I glanced over at Asara whose shoulders had sagged in relief. She raised her eyes to meet mine and gave me a brilliant smile.

"Thank you, your majesty," she said. "You will not regret this."

I nodded and looked back at the rest of the riders who all looked extremely happy. They were cheering and patting each other on the backs like this was some sort of grand accomplishment. The sight made me smile slightly which only grew in size when I saw that those who had been sad only moments ago now looked far happier, like they'd been given a burst of energy. Their shoulders weren't slumped and they had genuine smiles on their faces, though I knew that it would still take a while for their wounds to heal, and even then, the loss of a close relative or friend could linger, hopefully, I would be able to help them even more. Seeing the rider's reactions and their happiness at my words reaffirmed the decision in my head to give this a chance.

"You're going to have a busy time ahead of you after the war," Leone said. "Thank god you've got Migi and an altered body or I think you'd died if you tried to sleep with this many women with a normal body."

"I'm not going to sleep with them all at once," I said. "Maybe a few a day? I don't bloody know. I was just some damn introvert before all of this, and now I'm a king with a harem and incredible powers. Sounds like the plot for some isekai anime. I'm still figuring things out."

She nodded then gave me a serious look. "Me and the girls first, You've been putting it off long enough."

"I haven't been putting it off," I replied. "It's just been busy, and you don't have to worry. When we get back to the capital after I've given a few orders to Richard and Susana and sorted out the traitors we can retreat to my room and... relax."

She nodded and gave me a pleased grin. "Good."

It took a long moment but eventually, everyone calmed down and took to their mounts with renewed purpose. I summoned Rath and hoped onto him with Leone while sending Lilah back to storage. Asara took the lead and together with the riders I took to the skies behind her, sending a mental command for Rath to follow.

The wyvern let out a roar and picked up speed until he was beside her. She turned her head to me, wind whipping her hair wildly, and gave me a smile filled with far more love than I expected from someone I'd only met a day ago.

I smiled back as we rode back to the capital