Devouring Monarch: Rebirth of the Profane Phoenix

Asura spent a long time soaking in the bath. He enjoyed the subtle mixture of fragrances and the beautiful walls surrounding him with portraits of his goddess and god. Because of such a different atmosphere, it felt like a holiday for the group.

"It's a rare treat to have us all in the bathroom with you, darling. Are you feeling weary?" Xavida's gentle hands caressed Asura's chest, now covered in soapy suds and fruity bubbles, as she lovingly cleaned the dirt and blood from his wounds, her voice filled with affection.

"I am a little tired, plus being here with you all makes me feel so happy." Asura's deep voice sounded tired with a slow, drawn-out tone. He stroked the cheek of Xavida while running his fingers through her silky hair with the strange honey and almond shampoo that Verana handed to him. "What about you? Are you alright, Xavida?"

"Nn~ it was fun to fly around, and Verana complimented my scales, hehe." Xavida's eyes looked at the raven beauties beside Asura, both Helliana and Verana scrubbing his back with a strange sponge that felt rough to the touch, creating a scratching sound as they cleaned his back. "Does the strange scrunchy feel good?"

"Ah... it feels great, that's the spot, Helliana."

"I'm glad your back is so tough. I'll give you a massage tonight, okay?" Helliana's soft voice, like a silk cloth wrapped around his shoulders and brushing along his cheeks, soothed Asura.

Asura experienced the most wonderful pleasure a man could endure, with two raven beauties scratching his back, a lovely dragoness on his lap cleaning his chest, and his hands being massaged by his lovely maid and teacher.

On the opposite side of the bath sat another of his women, her crimson hair flowing atop the water's surface as she lay spread out with closed eyes.

"This is paradise~ my exhaustion is fading," Lorem whispered while gazing at Asura from the corner of her eyes. Unable to hide her affectionate feelings, her alluring body was on full display, causing her to blush the moment their eyes interlocked.

Lorem didn't fight the others to serve Asura; instead, she enjoyed the silky water filled with various herbs and minerals that made her skin feel divine. "Asura, what is the plan from now on?" she asked only because the feeling of him watching her exposed breasts made her feel a heat growing in her abdomen that she wanted to avoid—at least for now.

"Hmmm..." He touched his chin, the bubbles from Xavida and Mu Xue's head covering it like a beard of foam. "I think we should speak with Maria, though I want her to retain her status. She needs to become mine..." He then realised that it sounded wrong before continuing as he felt the eyes of the lovely women burning him. "I mean professionally, I will make her my liege vassal."

"Oh? Did my lovely Asura grow up?" Lorem's body slipped closer, her words slightly teasing, but Asura didn't mind, and the others showed varied responses to his choice. "If she doesn't agree, what will you do, my love?"

"I will make sure to crush her will and make her accept. No matter what, I must have her and the noble Alan become my Vassal and complete an oath." His eyes narrowed, a sharp glint in them as he grasped the soft chest of Xavida, twisting on her soft cherries, causing her body to quiver and her little lips to release cute gasps. "Otherwise, I cannot trust them."

Mu Xue leaned forward, letting his arm slip through her cleavage, a soft, soapy sensation from her glossy skin covered in the special cream provided by the maids to help soften and improve blood circulation of the skin and muscles.

"It's so sexy when you speak with such a rough and commanding tone, but poor Xavida is going to make a mess in the bath if you keep making her feel so good." Her hands grasped his wrists before slipping them off the small swollen buds and replacing them on her own, swaying blossom. "See?

Aren't these also great to touch and squeeze, husband?" The moment he released her, Xavida's body fell forward, her small mouth panting as she hugged his chest tightly.

'Since the time on the ship, Mu Xue has become more open and direct... But she isn't wrong.'

"You're right, though I love all of you for your little differences and the way you are." Asura closed his eyes while taking the time to enjoy his moment of peace with his beloved woman. He felt they might become distance due to Vela becoming his first wife, due to the politics of the kingdom and many nobles demanding it.

'Still, Vela seems to be maturing rapidly...'

Vela left the bath earlier, with only a simple kiss and letting Asura wash her hair before she moved to the room beside them without complaint.

"What are you thinking about, Asura?" Verana's warm body pressed against his back, pushing Mu Xue away slightly, while her arms wrapped around Xavida, causing a huge sandwich to be formed with Asura in the middle. "Do you want to go and play with your wife in the other room?"

He could only enjoy the sensation and turned lightly, noticing the teasing gaze of Lorem and Helliana, who moved to the side, watching him in this state with warm eyes. "I do, but I'll check on her after we all finish. There are many women in my heart, after all."

"Ooh~ good answer." Helliana joked, flicking water at him.

This action seemed to trigger a war after the bubbles sprayed the face of Xavida and Mu Xue, who retaliated...

Thus, the long, relaxing bath session ended.

****

An hour after finishing his bath, Asura sent the other girls to their room. While he stood before Vela's door, preparing to knock, he heard a voice: "Come inside, Asura. I've been waiting."

Vela's room appeared larger than the one in the castle. Several decorations on the wall reflected the light with a golden shimmer. The bed in the centre appeared enormous, and the curtains surrounding it were the colour of fresh grass and decorated with flowers.

In the middle of this bed sat Vela wearing a lovely dress with a light pink hue. The buttons at the front of her blouse were undone and revealed her long legs in the slit of her dress.

"Has everything been sorted?" She patted the bed, welcoming him with a sultry smile that couldn't hide the slightly flushed cheeks. A small bottle of wine was empty on the side table; Asura couldn't help but shake his head and walk towards his wife. His arms scooped her up into his embrace while sitting on the edge of their bed.

"You mean the bath or Maria?" he asked while pressing her soft body against his, letting her inhale his pleasant scent from the bath, hoping she would sleep well tonight.

"Both, of course." She nuzzled into his shoulder. Her voice muffled as she pressed her lips against his neck, a single hand tracing her fingertips along his jawline, admiring his face. "I wondered if you would take me with you or not. Am I being too clingy, wishing to be there?"

Before she could speak any more unconfident lines, his finger closed her lips, and he looked at her with his deep crimson eyes; Asura shook his head. "I would love for you to be with me. Keep watching me from beside me as you desire. To see what kind of man you have made your future king."

His words soothed Vela, who let out a satisfied sigh, her luscious, rosy lips pulling apart like blooming roses. "Then will you take me?" Her question seemed to be a double entendre, causing Asura's lips to curl into a satisfied face.

"Shall we go meet Maria and see what the future might bring our kingdom? My princess?" His voice became grandiose and pretentious, causing Vela to giggle, her eyes closing as she leaned against his chest. Her breathing was shallow while he lifted her off the bed and walked towards the door, grabbing a small woollen robe and placing it around Vela's shoulders. Then he whispered.

"To keep my lovely wife warm and in good health."

"Idiot..." Vela muttered, her face light pink as she clutched the woollen robe around herself as if feeling his tight embrace.

"Your idiot," Asura answered while taking the silent path towards the chambers in which Maria would be resting.

The halls of the academy were strangely quiet, but the occasional footsteps echoed through the silence. They passed several servants along the way; most gazes were filled with curiosity towards Vela and the tall man carrying her, but no one dared to speak.

When Asura arrived at Maria's room, he didn't even knock, kicking the door open without warning the beautiful woman behind the door. Maria's room was on a lower level, and it seemed she gave Vela the best room out of respect, which Asura found appealing.

Maria's room had only one bed, but it appeared quite comfortable. The lovely sheets appeared as though she just climbed out of bed, and the red light from the lamp reflected on the walls as a strange flutter sound drew Asura's eyes to the corner of the room.

"That's so uncouth! Barging in like you own this place!" Maria yelled. However, she stopped in surprise at Vela's current state. Asura enjoyed the nightdress that appeared loose on her petite frame, revealing her thick thighs that caused his eyes to linger as he placed Vela on the bed and gently stroked her cheeks, which felt soft and spongy, but Vela herself looked at him with a dreamy look.

"As the future king of this country, I believe it is only natural that I would act like that." Asura didn't want to act weak, though he helped the maid. His goal coming here was one. Thus, he would make that clear and see if she would accept or reject him.

"The future king!? Preposterous! This is Romantica, not Silvara!" Maria's chest swayed with her violent movement. She stepped forward towards Asura, who looked at her with a quiet and cold gaze, his hand grabbing the one that reached out to slap him. "Ah... it hurts...

please...!" Unable to use magic in this state of exhaustion, Maria's face became pale as her stance weakened, and she looked more frail.

Asura looked at her before he shoved her back, watching the pretty woman fall to the ground, yet despite her nudity being exposed as her dress slid up her both and over her shoulder, he remained calm. "I don't believe you are a fool. The cultists have taken your capital; not only is your king dead, but the West is already being conquered by Silvara. Do you really think you have much of a choice?

Shall I kill you now and just take what I want instead?"