CHAPTER 252: CHAPTER 252

---An Hour Later---

Once the survivors were reunited with their families on the ground, my family and I set off for the Caspiel Empire. Deciding not to jump straight to the throne world, to avoid inciting mass panic, I would announce my arrival at the border. Once the government was aware of us, we would visit some of Aremus’ favorite places, then head to our primary objective.

...and that is everything I can recall about the Caspiel Empire. Most of my knowledge is outdated, so a lot of things have probably changed. (Mystical Sword of Agamotto)

"I assumed as much, but it is nice to have a reference point.", I said, committing everything he said to memory.

Receiving a completion notice from the medical capsules, I began reviewing the women’s brain scans while they slowly regained consciousness.

"Lord Stark... How bad is the damage?", Alicia Viewstroem questioned as the capsules slid open. "Are we too far gone, or is there still some hope for us?"

The women sat up slowly and gazed at me anxiously. Projecting their respective scans before them, I gave them their prognosis.

"Overall, the seven of you are incredibly lucky. Based on the damage to your brains, I would assume you have only undergone the brainwashing process two to three times.", I informed them, with a comforting smile. "The damage is contained to your prefrontal cortex and the hippocampus. This is expected, as Bohgan was attempting to make you his faithful puppets."

"What is the status of the devices affixed to our skulls? Also, is medical treatment still feasible for us?", Naomi Evans asked, rubbing her arm nervously.

"Approximately ten percent of your personality has already been transferred over to it. It will be easy enough for us to move it back into your brains.", I answered, hearing footsteps approaching us. "Treatment will take roughly ten hours, and recovery time is four to five days. There is a slight chance some physical and speech therapy will be needed, but the risk is fairly low."

Releasing a collective sigh of relief, the seven women were overjoyed to hear that. Eager to put this nightmare behind them, they laid back down in preparation for the procedure. As I was about to close the capsules, Archduchess Maya Cordelia abruptly shot back up.

"In all the chaos, I forgot to ask you something crucial. What is this procedure going to cost us?", Maya questioned, causing the others to sit up. "As the saying goes, nothing is free in this life. We have no money or resources to pay you with..."

"Consider this as an apology from the Caspiel Empire for abandoning you in your time of need.", I said, certain they had nothing of value to me.

"This and that are two separate issues, Lord Stark.", Alicia asserted, hesitantly looking at her cousin. "If I may... Would you consider marrying Maya? You have only a few wives, so it should not be too much trouble. If she is not enough... I... I would also- "

As they loudly entered the room, Angelica, Deirdre, Ionica, and Mylene gave ferocious smiles to the women. Sizing one another up, the partially brainwashed women quickly realized they had not met my entire family yet. Profusely apologizing to the four women, Alicia made it clear she did not want any trouble with their benefactor’s harem.

"How many wives do you have, Lord Stark?", Kilia Jech questioned, since Alicia and Maya were frozen in place.

"I have forty-seven beautiful wives.", I proudly proclaimed, much to the four women’s joy.

"Only forty-seven? Huh... You must really love your wives, Lord Stark.", Beatrice Kushan said with an approving smile. "Most monarchs and affluent noblemen have at least fifty wives and several hundred concubines. Emperor Aremus was rumored to have had five hundred wives and close to ten thousand concubines throughout his reign."

Upon hearing the outrageous number, my wives turned their attention to me. Reminding them Aremus was immortal, it made complete sense for the number to get that high. As he would have outlived all his lovers, remarrying after their passing would be inevitable.

Unlike Aremus, I would never need to remarry, as my wives were forever twenty-five years old. We would stay together forever and reign over the Caspiel Empire until we got bored. Like Gid, once I was ready to retire, the mantle would be thrust onto my eldest son or son-in-law.

"I will consider the offer, Lady Viewstroem. For the moment, focus on recovering from this betrayal.", I insisted, motioning for them to lie down. "We can speak more about this later."

Laying their heads down, I closed the capsules and put them under again. With nanites carrying out the delicate procedure, the only thing left to do was wait.

"Loki told us what happened to these poor women. It is terrifying to think such dastardly people exist amongst the stars.", Mylene stated, her tone softening as she looked at the capsules.

"Anyways...", I said, getting off the gruesome subject. "What brings the four of you down here?"

Fidgeting around uncomfortably, Angelica, Deirdre, and Ionica looked like they wanted to say something. Certain our guest’s situation was making them hesitate, Mylene gave them a little push.

"Dear, they have something they would like to share with you.", Mylene spoke, giving them a reassuring nod. "Do not worry about those women right now. Just share the good news with our husband."

"Victor... We are pregnant.", Angelica stated as the three women presented me with Vaugh’s paperwork.

Staring at the positive results for a moment, I knelt before my wives and pulled them into a hug. Overjoyed to learn our family was going to get even bigger, they hugged me back as the tears began to flow.

"Angelica and Deirdre, we need to tell your families when we return home. I am sure they will want to celebrate the arrival of their first grandbabies.", I chuckled, imagining their strong reactions. "Ionica, how do you want to play this? We will absolutely tell Abbess Vahl and my grandfather, but what of your subordinates?"

"Honestly, I am still coming to terms with the fact I am expecting a baby. A year ago, I was a humble Sister Superior in a nearly extinct Adepta Sororitas order.", Ionica stated, looking up at me. "Now... Now I am engaged to the Emperor’s grandson and carrying his child. It... It is a lot for me to take in, but I would not have it any other way. Meeting you was the best thing to ever happen to me, and I am excited to bring our child into the universe you are creating."

Touched by her kind words, the two of us exchanged a passionate kiss. Sharing my joy with Angelica and Deirdre as well, we continued to hold each other for several minutes.

Forgive me, sir, but you are needed on the bridge. We are nearing the Caspiel border. (Jarvis)

"Understood, heading there now.", I said, letting my lovers go. ’Time to see how bad my distant relative has fucked things up.’

Leaving our guests to rest peacefully, the five of us ascended to the bridge where the rest of my family and our guests were lounging around. Taking a seat in my chair, Mylene shared another tidbit of information with me when no one was looking.

"Angelica, Deirdre, and Ionica are not the only ones who tested positive today. Hanna (Blue Twi’lek) and Nalen (Red Zygerrian) are also pregnant as well.", Mylene whispered, glancing over at them. "The two refused to join us because they would rather not ruin Angelica and company’s special moment. We tried to assure them not to worry about it, but they would not listen to us."

Weighed down by their troubled past, the former entertainers were having trouble settling into their new lives. We had been working steadily to improve their confidence, but it appeared we still had a way to go.

"Thank you for telling me. I will shower them with extra love and attention this evening.", I promised, giving her a wink.

"Save some for the rest of us.", Mylene giggled, kissing me on the lips.

Attention, we will be dropping out of warp in thirty seconds. (System Announcement)

Hurriedly taking their seats, the women strapped in just as the cityship began decelerating. Dropping out of warp space, we came upon the sea of refugee ships Princess Alexandria told us about previously. Gathered in dense clusters, several dozen groups had fused together, creating small space hulks.

"And here I thought our galaxy had it bad...", Bo-Katan commented, taken aback by the sheer number of ships present here. "So, how do we get in contact with the military?"

Speak of the devils, they are hailing us now. (Cleare)

Answering their call, an exhausted human soldier appeared on the viewing screen. Fixated on the document before him, he tiredly asked for our country of origin and the number of souls on board.

"If you look up for a moment, I think you will figure it out pretty quickly.", I said, in a calm voice.

"Ugh... Not another one...", he groaned, slowly lifting his gaze. "Sir or ma’am, do you know how many ship captains have tried to bribe me since I started my shift today? No amount of money or women is going to secure your..."

Locking eyes with him, the soldier’s expression hardened in shock. Vigorously rubbing his eyes, he blinked dozens of times to confirm he was not seeing things.

"Em... Em... EMPEROR AREMUS!!!", he screamed, leaping out of his seat to salute me. "Thank the heavens you have returned."

"I assume it has something to do with the ongoing invasion?", I inquired. "The rest of my fleet is assisting what remains of the resistance."

"The invasion is certainly a problem, but that is not why I am so relieved to see you, sir.", he said, tears welling up in his eyes. "I will send you our space station’s coordinates. Please come aboard so we can apprise you of the ongoing situation here in the empire."

Transmitting the coordinates, he promptly signed off to alert the local commander of my arrival.