Battle Harem of the Heavenly Sword

Back in the room with the empresses.

Raylene then opened up a new topic as they all spoke. "Speaking of Tsugumi, I am worried for her."

Unsure what would be cause for alarm, Jei and Nessa waited for the blue-haired empress to speak. "The story darling shared of her past, and the person who possessed Tsugumi, I think this [One with Sword] is a Venator. Darling mentioned Tsugumi's personality drastically differed when in combat and when idle."

Due to being part of Savior royalty, all three knew truths most people would not know. This allowed them to gain an edge but also gave them concerns no one could be able to understand. Vanessa tried to articulate her sister's concerns.

"Then you are scared that if [One with Sword] encounters his root, his support to Tsugumi would vanish? I agree Venators both in hiding and incarcerated will be forced to cease when the root is present. But what can we do about it?"

Similarly Jade started thinking up a plan. "Husband said [One with Sword] ceased appearing in front of him after sister-in-law got reborn. Then we need to force a battle beyond her abilities. If the Venator protected Tsugumi all this time she needs to experience powerlessness by herself only then will she grow."

"Tsugumi is similar to Hiro, battering her would be useless. We will beat her husbands to an inch of their lives instead. Once she seems their miserable states she would need to either kill us to protect them." Declared Raylene.

Like Hiro, all three of his wives adored their sister-in-law. Being versed in what Venators were they do not wish for Tsugumi to be put in danger because of her dependence on one. Venators were extremely dangerous entities. Most are in a certain world because of their own selfish agendas, not altruistic reasons.

Vanessa who grew sad at the pain they would inflict on her beloved sister grew hesitant. "Is there no other way? What if [One with Swords] root is already gone? I do not wish for Tsugumi to suffer as we did." Although Tsugumi was technically older, they noticed that she had the emotional maturity of a child. Nessa's motherly instinct naturally wanted to protect her.

"Husband said Tsugumi wishes to fight as well. If that is true, she will experience hardships along the way. Relying on a Venator is dangerous Nessa. Like a drug their power is addicting, we cannot coddle her if we wish for her to grow properly." Asserted the princess of the Gracyeanor.

Knowing the differences in outlook were immediately apparent, Raylene noticed Vanessa would be the type to spoil her kids rotten. Meanwhile Jade showed she has a no-nonsense parenting style that valued outcome over process.

Clear to all that they were at an impasse Raylene mitigated between the two.

"Let us hold this matter for next time. We can enact the plan when we are able. Arguing about how to raise Tsugumi right now is moot. An Issue I want to focus on is how we help darling more. Getting stronger is fine. But I feel it is not enough. Jei can you share what you think?"

"Agreed. If we wish to help him more, we need to be strong enough that he can leave things to us. His goal should be to gain power. We need to take husband's burdens for everything else." Answered the pink-haired empresses

Raylene who felt her sister had more to say asked. "Can you elaborate? What do you mean Jei?"

But as if of one mind the one to answer her was Vanessa. "You mean to take care of the invasion right Jei? If Hiro-sama is the arrow, he should not be the bow, as well as the archer."

Nodding Jade continued. "Timely Intelligence, financial independence, military strength. There is nothing more he needs now that these three. His focus should only be on increasing strength. This is where we can help."

"I can understand military strength but why financial independence?" asked the princess of Valorious.

Vanessa then took out a coin and flipped it into the air. "Money makes the world go round Lene. There are many situations that can be solved with money. Hiro-sama may have a lot of money, but right now it is useless. I went undercover as a merchant assistant or child mercenary so I know, the ability to make money and invest makes most problems nonexistent."

Raylene who lived a life of simplicity had trouble understanding, she crossed her arms as she inquired further. "How so?"

The princess of the Dominii, placed her finger to her chin as she started to think. "Buying mercenaries, training troops, aiding financially in case of catastrophes. Research grants that evolve the development of calibers and warfare to hasten rapid growth, finally saving talented people who encountered hard times. These would be the biggest benefits.

"The more immediate results would be buying powerful slaves, and gaining land for constructing strongholds. The impact you can have on the economy by providing jobs would affect both its crime and social order. I understand the Valorious empire is a warrior society. But this is also the reason why it is the smallest of three destroyed empires."

Vanessa did not fail to notice the sad look in Lene's eyes. She knew it wasn't Raylene's fault the woman thought this way. Valorious seldom focused on economic stability. They valued virtue and martial prowess. They looked at money with disdain and only worked enough to maintain frugal lifestyles.

This warrior mindset came directly from emperor Dius. They might be the smallest of the four empires, yet for the same reason, no one would suspect a Valorious soldier of graft and corruption as most of their citizens would rather die than receive such a stigma. This allowed the Valorious empire to lead the others even after emperor Dius disappeared.

Jade then intersected. "Lene, money and merchants have their uses, but they are a means to a goal. We do not need merchants on the front line, we need soldiers. But the invasion has yet to come if we focus too much on soldiers we will always be lacking in everything else.

"This is also the same with lacking timely intelligence. Movements by nobles, the underground, monster invasions, opportunities for gain, political strife, rebellion, and sinister plots. The impact of foresight is just as important as money.

"Husband needs the ability to know things ahead of time. I, who can see the future on occasion will use this as my main focus. My battle harem will be one geared towards Intelligence gathering." Declared Jei.

Nessa nodded and expressed her own opinions. "Then I will take financial stability as my battle harem's purpose. I will train merchants and artisans to generate funds for Heavenly sword. With the memories of Hiro-sama's life, I can have some of the products from earth adopted by the Valorious continent."

Both women then looked toward Raylene with smiles on their faces. Raylene may not like complicated stuff and was frugal to a fault but in terms of righteousness and work ethic, the princess of Valorious remained unrivaled.

Understanding the thoughts of her sister Raylene embraced both in a hug. The princess of Valorious constantly had an inferiority complex. Aside from blacksmithing and fighting, she had no other skills.

Unlike the social butterfly Nessa or the high Intellectual Jei, Raylene knew she is often lacking. Seeing the care of her sisters in giving her a role Raylene felt extremely grateful. They could have just chosen to exclude her altogether but they didn't.

No one wanted to be left out, with their action gave the message she didn't know she craved desperately. "You are not lacking, you belong here with us." Feeling emotional Raylene then nodded and said in a teary voice. "Then I will focus on Heavenly sword's military might. I will forge an army powerful enough to withstand the coming storm, you can count on me!"