Battle Harem of the Heavenly Sword

On the way to the Justice hall, Gil walked in front while Krayto walked way behind, of course, Hiro hung around Krayto chatting up a storm, leaving Gil in an awkward position.

"Ojisan, you believe I didn't do anything to Rhyne right?" Alabarda didn't utter an answer but simply nodded. Ecstatic that someone believed him, Hiro then proceeded to ask the things that made no sense to him.

"Can I ask a few questions then Ojisan?" Krayto hmphed while grumbling in an exasperated voice. "Even If I said no, you wouldn't leave me alone anyway! Why bother even asking you twit!" Hiro couldn't stop himself from laughing out loud at the strict persona of Krayto. People like these were the most interesting people to mess around with.

Hiro then proceeded to ask. "Ojisan, why do our health bars not diminish no matter how much we get beaten up? In my duel, I already felt like dying but my health bar were still full. What's up with that?" The old man then stopped walking while he stared at the transmigrator. It should be noted that his stare felt like he was staring at the stupidest monkey in the empire.

"How are you not dead yet? Never mind, the system protects the entire continent. Within cities, it is not possible to kill anyone, unless one intentionally declares to the system he is willing to be branded a murderer. When that happens the lords of that city will be notified of the change in mindset of the person.

"It's a handy thing if you are on the side of the authorities. But it's not foolproof, the only thing it prevents is death, if the body is put into a really bad position it's not different from being a zombie. For example, the poor here cannot die from hunger or thirst, the same in prisons. Other crimes like theft, rape, and fraud are still possible as only death is prevented.

"Once a person is branded by the system as a murderer, he or she can be killed without penalty by everyone else. So only the strong and the insane actually become one. It's much easier to kill someone outside the city."

The transmigrator who heard the rule felt there lay something deeper in it. But he was sorta glad, at least that means dying within the city isn't something to be worried about for now.

"Then what about why I failed the binding ceremony? Rhyne gave me a spouse-ranked link, while I gave an enslaved offering. But the calibration failed and the lighting bridge dissolved.

"Then we got system alerts saying Domination Rank insufficient, she then smacked me around saying I was impotent, my little brother works fine so I'm sure I'm not. What did she mean? Things have been happening so fast I don't even have time to process anything."

Krayto who heard the information couldn't help shaking his head before answering. His aged voice sounded somber and exhausted.

"Impotent from the battle harem system's point of view means people who have mentalities that no longer trust others. The system reads the hearts and wills of the people, it cannot lie thus if the submissive has given up on trust and love, the binding's success would fall on their ranks. If their domination rank is equal the connection would be broken off permanently.

"Once turning Impotent only those of three ranks higher may forcefully attempt another binding. Rhyne must have chosen to believe you were impotent than the alternative."

Hearing information that seemed to give him a glimpse of the truth, Hiro then asked what the last statement meant. "Alternative? What do you mean ojisan?"

"The Battle Harem system follows a certain set of rules. the main one being the Submissive must also have a disposition below that of the Dominant. She should have told you how Domination ranks are determined right?" Krayto who felt like he was getting a headache stopped walking as he stared into the distance.

Hiro thought for a bit before answering, stopping beside Krayto as he did so. "Yes, she did. Rhyne said it was by birth, outlook, strength of will, and resistance to failure. All four have an equal chance in raising or lowering one's domination rank."

Krayto Alabarda then looked to Hiro in all seriousness as he asked. "What is your Domination Rank Hiroyuki Mitsurugi?"

Alarmed at the change in tone and pressure of the old man Hiro didn't respond immediately. If earlier Krayto gave the impression of a strict elder, now his demeanor was like a veteran warrior, even almost king-like.

"It says N/A, I understood it as non-applicable does this place have another meaning to it?"

The old man took a moment to make a pondering expression, then looked at Hiro as both his eyes turned gold. Power emanated from his large frame like golden wisps, gales were generated under his feet due to the strong pressure that drove the wind away. His beard and hair fluttered due to the currents that followed.

A few seconds after Krayto Alabarda returned to normal losing the majesty he demonstrated and regaining his ojisan persona. His quiet musings were almost inaudible, "So that's what it was, but why go through all this effort? To think even the demons are at work. I need to find out why."

Hiro, who was in awe of his adoptive father-in-law couldn't understand his soft murmur, growing impatient he asked in a clear voice. "Ojisan, you there? Hello….. What was that light show just now? Don't leave me hanging."

Krayto who only remembered Hiro asked him a question and straightened himself up as he gave his reply.

"Rhyne Fair Dominii is the crown princess and commands one of the most powerful battle harems in the empire, it is no secret that her domination rank is among the highest at SS rank. This implies that she can dominate almost everyone should she choose to. Only those at SS or higher can resist her.

"If she could not dominate you due to an insufficient rank the possibilities are quite a few. One, you are impotent of rank B, A, or S. Two, you are an SS rank who has little to no trust in her."

Hiroyuki interjected while the old man explained. "How can the second be possible I gave her an enslaved offering!"

"I know, didn't anyone teach you matters to shut up and listen when an elder is speaking?" Krayto rebuked.

Seeing as he got ahead of himself Hiro calmed down and listened to the old man once again.

"Only fools give enslaved offerings but I won't comment on why you attempted such a stupid thing. Back to the reasons, there is a third explanation.

"The battle harem system's ultimate rule is that only the weak can come under the strong. This reason is probably the one Rhyne refused to accept.

"If even the Crown Princess with a domination rank of SS failed, the third possibility is that you are of a higher rank. This means you have a stronger will than she does, which would put you on par with her father, the Emperor of Valorius. Leonidas Eisen Dominii the strongest man on the continent."