[Null POV] Year 5, Day 204 (Continued - Guest House)

  X continued, his casual demeanor shifting to professional interest.

  "After seeing the gift you've given—the seeds and the transformations and the enhancements—I really want to examine YOU properly. Review everything. I've never seen anything like that. The healing properties are outrageous. I've never seen anything even remotely similar."

  He paused. "There are side effects—absolute loyalty, some rules enforced. But let's be real here."

  He gestured broadly. "In the Syndicate? In high society? Everyone's bound to something. Soul oaths, blood contracts, family obligations."

  "Most get nothing in return except permission to exist."

  He looked at the healthy, enhanced maids. "Your deal? Loyalty for youth, health, power. That's... that's actually good value. Better than most contracts I've seen."

  His expression turned knowing. "People would kill for this offer if they knew."

  He gestured at himself. "Hell, I'm bound too. Soul oath of absolute obedience to my boss. Old bastard owns my soul. The cost of staying alive."

  Pause. Almost casual. "I'm 31 years older than 22. I heard when you guys found her, she was near death. Now?" He shrugged, looking at 22. "Look at her. Healthy. Functional. Your seeds did that."

  "My situation's similar. Been bound for centuries. Boss keeps me alive, keeps me useful. Cost? Total obedience. He commands, I obey. No exceptions. No negotiations. That's the deal."

  Another pause. "But he's a good boss. Hands-off. Reasonable. So it works."

  He glanced toward where the seamstress's estate spread around them. Casual gesture. Significant weight.

  "By the way? Same boss. The seamstress. Me. Same owner. He's everywhere. Syndicate's full of his people."

  He let that satisfying bomb settle into silence. Then continued casually. "My boss is one of the top dogs around here. Real power. Real influence. But even he's bound to his peers—he's not the only top dog in these parts. Others at his level, other powers, other obligations. Even at the very top, nobody stands truly alone."

  "Point is—binding isn't rare. It's universal at certain levels. Everyone serves someone. Everyone owes something. The question isn't WHETHER you're bound. It's whether you got a fair deal."

  His tone shifted then—warning, serious, the casual mask dropping completely.

  "But that information? About the seamstress, about me, about who owns what? Keep it locked. Don't mention it. Not to others. Not casually. Not ever." Eyes hard now. "You don't want what happens if you talk about this. Believe me. Makes dragons look like puppies."

  Pause. Explaining the rules. "There's a rule. Can't discuss life extensions over a thousand years unless everyone present has access or serious knowledge about it. That's why I could talk here—you all qualified. But outside this table?" He shook his head. "Silent. Understood?"

  22 asked suddenly. Direct. Clinical. "Is it gold elixir?"

  X just smiled. Said nothing. Didn't confirm. Didn't deny. Just that knowing smile.

  22 nodded once. "Thank you."

  Null looked between them. Confused. [What? Gold elixir? Thank you for what? He didn't answer.]

  22 turned to Null. Explaining. Educational mode. "Gold has unique magical properties. Theoretically, if someone could make elixir from pure gold, it would break the thousand-year limit easily. Just... nobody's ever succeeded."

  She continued, warming to the topic. "Every great alchemist who's ever existed has tried. All failed. The reactions don't work at small scale. Gold just... doesn't cooperate with standard alchemical processes."

  Pause. Theory forming. "But some reactions only work at massive scale. What if the Syndicate—richest organization in existence—is using mountains of gold? Literal mountains. Running perpetual reactions on top of gold reserves so vast they're measured in... I don't even know. Continents worth?"

  Her voice carried genuine professional interest. "Perpetual reaction. Forever-running process. Extracting tiny amounts constantly from impossible wealth. Given what I've seen here..." She gestured around. "They have the resources to succeed where everyone else failed. The scale to make impossible chemistry work."

  X's smile widened. Still shameless. Still amused. "Sorry. Can't answer that. But I appreciate the theory. Very creative thinking."

  [Non-denial. Confirmation through silence. 22 figured it out. X acknowledged it without saying it.]

  The weight of that revelation hung briefly. Then X shifted topics smoothly—moving from dangerous secrets to safer curiosity.

  "There's one thing I never got a clear answer about." He pointed at Void. "How did you two meet? How did this—" he gestured at Null "—end up serving him?"

  Null was uncertain. How much to share? What details were safe? What information was appropriate?

  Through the network, Spy's voice came. ?Answer honestly. He can't expose it. He's safe.?

  "Desert," Null said simply.

  "More details please?" X asked.

  "He saved me."

  X's expression showed confusion and genuine puzzlement. "Saved you? Please explain more."

  "I killed a convoy of slavers. He was there. He saved me," Null said.

  "He was one of the slaves in the convoy?" X asked, clarifying.

  "Yes."

  "And he saved YOU?" His disbelief was clear.

  Null nodded with simple confirmation of an obvious fact.

  Null felt confused by this point. Why repeat the same thing several times? X should be smart. Should understand. Why was he asking again?

  Finally X asked directly and specifically. "Okay. Please explain HOW Void saved you. What did he actually DO?"

  Null thought about how to explain so this guy would understand.

  Null spoke, trying to explain what she barely understood herself. "Master gave me purpose. Master takes care of me. Master makes me happy. Master values me as a person, not just a tool. Master saved me from emptiness. From meaninglessness. Master IS salvation."

  The words flowed out genuinely. True on a level she couldn't fully articulate.

  X listened. His expression shifted. Then he started laughing.

  Uncontrolled. Genuine. Overwhelming amusement mixed with disbelief.

  He hit the table repeatedly. Loud impacts drew everyone's attention.

  Minutes passed before the laughter subsided.

  Finally composed, X addressed Void. "You're the luckiest bastard in the world. Walking through the desert in chains. Meeting THIS." He pointed at Null. "Who then imprints on you and follows like a devoted companion. Incredible luck."

  He paused, thinking. "Though perhaps I have that phoenix game in mind too much. It's probably more like petification."

  Null felt confused. Looked at the others for hints.

  Master looked embarrassed, his expression suggesting he wasn't fully happy with where this was going. 22 had a visible grin on her face. Kira seemed to have no idea what X just said.

  "Petification?" Null asked.

  X went into educational mode. "Petification is well-documented among apex monsters. They see or find something cute and attach themselves to it. Or it attaches to them, depending on perspective."

  He tried making an example. "Think of it as a kid getting a puppy and becoming attached."

  Null made an angry comment. "Master is not a puppy."

  X backtracked, trying to defuse. "Perhaps I made a bad example with the puppy. Perhaps Dragon Queen Selyra would be more fitting. Every scholar uses her as the primary example."

  Null noticed both 22 and Void looking at X with total confusion and disbelief.

  Void finally asked, "This story is actually true?"

  22 demanded also. "I also want to know the truth about this."

  X answered seriously. "It's true. Every piece of it. Syndicate doesn't only collect gold but also knowledge—from every corner of the world. Including from dragons. Those massive archives are, in my opinion, one of the main draws here. How they recruit archmages like nobody else can."

  22's eyes showed clear greed and interest. "Can I get access to those archives?"

  X thought for a moment, more serious. "Old you—male archmage with your tower—never. I actually inquired about you a century ago when you hinted in a letter about declining health. Answer was quite clear: NO. Power-hungry archmage like you? Zero chance you'd give a soul oath. Or even if you gave one, you'd probably find ways to steal or betray sooner or later."

  22 nodded slowly. "You're probably right. Without the things I did to myself to increase trustworthiness—without the seed—I'd probably have rebelled eventually. Sooner or later."

  X showed happiness that 22 understood. "Good you get it."

  He thought more. "Current you though? Not that hard to arrange. New you is submitted and broken in ways they appreciate. Useful but not individually dangerous. And the things you guys are doing in Borderwatch link to their systems quite nicely already. Plus Void's slavery past makes him less likely to do anything crazy."

  "I'll check once I'm back at work. Shouldn't be that complex to arrange. If anything, it'll be seen as general investment in the system."

  [Broken in ways they like. Both 22 and Void. Investment in systems. System really works well here. Binds everything together. Controls everything. Makes everyone useful. Makes everyone safe. Makes everyone trapped. Functional. Effective. Complete.]

  But then Null decided to ask about the new example. "What about this Selyra? Dragon Queen?"

  X smiled. "Oh, this is a nice story. Selyra is one of the Dragon Kings—or well, Queen in her case. Perhaps the most ominous of the bunch. Extremely controversial. Entire foxkin race worships her as a living deity. While she's also linked to more atrocities than anyone can count."

  He gestured at 22 and Void. "You have two scholars here who can probably talk more about various legends surrounding her. What's relevant now—she has a pet goblin. And she goes to crazy extremes for him."

  He continued in his shamelessly inappropriate way, delivering the details like gossip. "Changed her body to some kind of legal loli based on goblin fantasies. Forces her entire family to use human forms when her pet is present so he won't feel like an outsider. Complete reversal of dragon customs—most dragons never bother with human forms at all. Or if they do take them, they'd never use those publicly. Cultural taboo. Pride issue. Status thing. But Selyra? Makes it mandatory. For a goblin's comfort. Completely un-dragon behavior."

  22 stared. "You're joking."

  "No," X said seriously. "I've talked to people who visited her court for tribute payments or business deals. It's quite different from any other dragon family. They all use human forms constantly—makes things easier in some ways, but also super complex."

  He paused. "Easy to forget who sits on the other side of the table when they look perfectly human. Easy to forget you're negotiating with dragons carrying the bloodline of one of the most murderous beings that ever lived."

  Kira asked, confused. "The dragon does things with a goblin?"

  Null felt something through the bond. Kira's dragon instincts having some kind of crisis. Hearing "dragon" and "goblin" and "intercourse" in the same sentence—like some context was lost. Like missing pieces. Like not understanding how those connected.

  X laughed shamelessly. "Well, goblins have one superpower." He laughed again, inappropriately. "Actually, most gigolos in Central are goblins. There's a reason for that."

  "And speaking as a healer," he continued, barely keeping his laughter in check, "they're actually perfect for dragons. Immune to mana imbalance during intercourse. Anyone else would die on the spot while having fun with a dragon. Goblins? No problem. Perfect compatibility."

  He leaned back. "But yes, Selyra does it. Made it happen in front of our entire Syndicate delegation once. The goblin had needs. Why should a dragon care if ants are watching?"

  Pause for effect. "Afterward, she suggested her pet goblin go sample some dragon worshipers if he wanted more variety while she handled business talks. Casual. Normal. Like offering refreshments."

  Silence fell over the table. Heavy. Uncomfortable.

  If you spot this tale on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.

  More than anyone had expected to hear. More than anyone wanted to know. More than anyone could easily process.

  Then X's tone shifted to become more serious and focused as educational mode emerged.

  "So what do you know about your seed? And I don't mean surface things like strengthening and healing and loyalty binding. I mean deeper stuff. Actual mechanics. Real effects. True implications."

  Null was uncertain. What did she know? What HAD she known? Just instinct. Just ability. Just doing without understanding.

  X looked toward Spy directly and knowingly. "Perhaps your friend can enlighten everyone. He literally exposed himself to break the deadlock here because we had more and more topics where we just got stuck for unknown reasons. Your influence, obviously."

  Spy's voice came through heavily and seriously and with concern.

  ?Host. It seems your seed's influence is much deeper than we thought.?

  ?We only have a sample size of three here—Void and Kira and 22. But there's no doubt all the other maids are affected similarly. And the non-maids—LOVER, Mia, Black Wings party—probably show different patterns.?

  ?I watched for approximately an hour. X was trying to ask questions about certain topics. We discussed in the seed network what could be shared and what couldn't. Everyone agreed on answers. Then the actual responses came out totally differently. They weren't able to say certain things. Weren't able to stick to the plan. Something prevented it. Something controlled it.?

  There was a pause as weight built. ?It was like watching a dark comedy show. Absurd. Frustrating. Incomprehensible.?

  ?Eventually I just exposed myself and answered directly. It was like some door unlocked. Topics became normal again. Restrictions lifted.?

  ?It seems you've applied—probably without ever knowing and without ever intending—all kinds of restrictions into seed recipients. Most of what we've found are probably your influence. Strange. Stupid sometimes. But present. Real. Affecting behavior.?

  ?Void seems mostly free except when talking about your true nature. The Ealdred discussion is probably fine because you accepted his authority once and submitted to training, so restrictions don't apply there. But here with X? Totally blocked until I exposed myself and talked about it. Then it was allowed.?

  ?For the maids though? For 22 and Kira? It's much MUCH more extensive.?

  X took over aloud and continued the explanation with clinical tone and professional assessment.

  "I noticed something was wrong with 22 last night during the blood wine session. Wine usually makes people horny. It lowers inhibitions and brings desires to the surface. But every time I tried moving the focus there—every time the conversation shifted toward intimacy—it was like hitting a wall. Complete blockage. Total shutdown."

  He gestured broadly to encompass both 22 and Kira. "When I did checkups here, I discovered that both 22 and Kira are sterile. And I have no idea why. There's no medical reason. No physical cause. Just sterile. Impossible to conceive. Biological function disabled."

  22 spoke up with her voice carrying certainty and professional assessment matching X's. "It's probably something from Ealdred's rules about maids. He's quite clear and explicit and extensive. You're the master's servant now. No fun with others. No babies that could make your master troubles. No complications."

  She paused as understanding showed. "So the seed just subconsciously made all maids sterile. It implemented the rule biologically and permanently without asking and without awareness."

  X continued with more discoveries. "Additionally, sex with outsiders doesn't even register as an idea for them. 22 and Kira can't really think about it. The concept feels totally alien. Like trying to imagine colors that don't exist."

  "Within the household though? Different story. Fine inside the network—maids with each other, Black Wings males, LOVER. Or via night services. 'Night with maid' arrangements. Both said they don't WANT to do it. Don't desire it. Don't seek it. But it's something they can think about. Can conceptualize within service context."

  He looked at Null directly. "That's probably where you set the boundary. Connections within household? Acceptable. Personal desire for outsiders? Doesn't exist. Can't exist. Blocked completely."

  Another pause brought more information and examples. "Oh, and one more interesting thing I heard from Kira. You don't like sharing Master at all. In earlier days most maids tried getting into Master's bed. Approaching him. Offering services. Testing boundaries."

  "But they all gave up after you became aware of it. After you heard about it. After you reacted somehow. Later attempts? None. New maids never tried. The pattern just ended. Ceased completely."

  X asked directly. "So did you set these limits consciously? Or is this all subconscious? Unintentional programming?"

  Null thought about it and remembered the discomfort. The territorial rage. The possessive fury every time she'd heard about maids approaching Master. Attempting intimacy. Seeking his attention that way.

  It had also annoyed Master. He had issues even with her presence—she wasn't an elf. Dirty to him on some level. Wrong species.

  The maids had the same racial problems but worse. Master had feelings for her—love or something close to it, she wasn't sure exactly what—which made him more accepting despite the racial wrongness. With the maids though? Only pain when they approached. No feelings. No desire. No acceptance. Just suffering and rejection.

  So when it all stopped, there was happiness. Relief that new maids didn't even try anymore. Relief that Master wasn't suffering. Satisfaction with the current arrangement where nobody approached and nobody hurt.

  She shook her head. No. Not conscious. Not deliberate. Just reaction. Just feeling. Just instinct expressing through seed mechanics without awareness or intention.

  X nodded with understanding. "See? Subconscious. Unintentional. But present. Real. Affecting everyone."

  "We found one more nice example. Washing maid dress. Clothing care. Equipment maintenance."

  "It seems to have an equivalent with the maids' pasts. Those who'd washed their own clothing—servants with poor backgrounds and practical experience—started doing it with fanaticism. Obsessive attention. Religious devotion."

  "However those from fancy backgrounds—nobility and wealth with servants doing everything—found the idea alien. Foreign. Uncomfortable. So they had more strength to ignore the ideas the seed pushed into them. They could resist longer. Could maintain original patterns better."

  He paused for clinical assessment and professional observation. "We found more similar examples when reviewing behaviors. Testing boundaries. Exploring what's influenced versus what's original personality."

  Null asked a question directly and with concern, needing clarification. "So I've been brainwashing maids?"

  X considered this while thinking and choosing words carefully. "Yes. Though 'brainwashing' might be too strong. More like unconscious programming. Automatic restriction implementation. Instinctive boundary setting."

  He thought more and added nuance. "All the examples we found were about maid things. Maid-related skills. Service standards. Professional behaviors. Equipment care. Master protection. Loyalty expression."

  "Except hiding your true nature—that one's different. That one's survival instinct. Self-preservation. It makes sense separately."

  Then he said, "I would really like to talk with some of the non-maids. LOVER, Mia, those Black Wings people. See what restrictions applied to them versus the maids. They didn't get maid training, didn't follow standard patterns. Different backgrounds, different roles, different purposes. Probably show completely different programming than what we're seeing here."

  Null was uncertain and not sure what to think as she processed the revelations and understood the implications.

  She'd never wanted to brainwash anyone. Never intended restrictions. Never meant to program behaviors.

  But the examples made sense. Babies would make Master look bad. Ealdred had given many examples about that. About complications. About problems. About maintaining proper standards.

  Plus every maid needs to take care of their dress. That's basics. That's fundamental. That's a professional requirement. Not brainwashing—just proper training. Just correct standards. Just necessary behavior.

  Right?

  Null looked at 22 and Kira directly. She needed to know. Needed to understand. "Are you angry about getting brainwashed?"

  Both shook their heads.

  Null was not sure, was it also the result of brainwashing or they just accepted it as is?

  22 spoke with her typical bluntness. "Did I not make myself clear when I joined?"

  Null thought about how 22 had removed her own name and cut off her own ears. She was still wearing those ear covers now. It was kind of hard to forget something that dramatic. So she just nodded.

  22 continued with clinical assessment and professional concern. "But there is one thing you should be careful about with these unconscious commands. Those weakly applied commands can make cracks in the target's mind which in extreme cases can cause a house of cards effect where the entire control may collapse or go totally wrong. So when we get back home we should review what you've applied and then you need to decide to make it properly or give up those specific parts."

  Null processed this with confusion. "You WANT to be brainwashed?"

  22's response was matter-of-fact. "Everyone who accepted the gift knew the cost. But there is one thing I would suggest reviewing right now." She pointed at X. "Since this bastard suggested paying for it, he clearly caused a contradiction that would probably already drive someone weaker crazy."

  Kira added her own experience. "I've seen during my adventuring days how badly placed brainwashing spells can make someone go insane."

  X nodded with unusual seriousness. "They're right. It's no joke. You should decide how to handle this properly."

  Null felt a bit lost about how to handle this situation. Ask Master Void? No, that would only cause him displeasure and worry.

  Oh right. 22 worships Spy. Let Spy handle it.

  The moment she looked in Spy's direction, he started becoming transparent like he wanted to run away. But then he seemed to understand there was no running. He could always be reached via the seed network anyway.

  Spy's voice came through with clear resignation. ?Dammit. It's your free time. Go have fun if you want. Just finish Null's hot springs later, or it will be your last fun ever.?

  22 held her head for a second after something shifted. "Damn. That was a strange feeling."

  X watched this exchange with obvious interest and amusement. "So the Divine One can adjust restrictions directly? Fascinating. That's unprecedented level of control over seed mechanics."

  He looked at Spy with genuine professional curiosity. "You really are something unique. Modify loyalty bindings on the fly that were created by your... companion? Partner? Whatever the proper term is here."

  Through the network, Spy's dry voice came directly to Null. ?I'm filing a complaint. This wasn't in my job description when we broke Heaven.?

  Null felt something settle. The immediate crisis was addressed. The contradiction was resolved. 22 wouldn't go crazy from conflicting commands.

  But the larger questions remained. The implications. The extent of unconscious programming. The responsibility.

  Filed away for later. For home. For proper review with 22's expertise and Spy's guidance.

  Null asked directly. Needing to understand. "Why can't X report everything if he has oath of absolute obedience? Wouldn't his boss command him to share information?"

  22 pointed at X's neck. At a tattoo Null hadn't noticed before. Symbol with snakes and something else. Divine-looking.

  "Hippocratic oath," 22 said. Clinical. Educational. "Special oath for healers of his level. Divine role. Comes with massive power boost. But also responsibilities."

  She listed them. "Can't kill directly. Need to help those in need—though that rule has many holes in practice. Can't expose information gained through healing or given under the oath. Breaking these rules?" Pause. Weight. "Fate worse than death. Divine punishment. Inescapable."

  22 looked at X. "He just gave oath—everything discussed here, he won't expose. Bound by divine contract now. His boss can command anything else, but not this. Divine oath supersedes even soul ownership."

  [Makes sense,] Null thought. [Beta—one of the Letter Girls, healer—gave some oath in the temple once. She has something on her neck too. Probably this.]

  Spy's voice was curious. ?Does anyone know where this 'Hippocratic oath' naming comes from? That's... specific terminology.?

  Silence. Nobody answered. Two archmages present. Neither had any idea.

  [One more isekai thing,] Null thought. [Exposed accidentally. Like bowling. Like so many other things we've seen over the years.]

  X continued, tone shifting. More serious. Educational.

  "Proper masters respect those under them. My boss would never order me to expose what I swore not to. Would never ask me to betray oldest friend. Master-servant relations here—the real ones, the absolute ones—they're taken seriously. Sacred almost."

  He gestured broadly. "The more absolute the bond, the more respect required. The more loyalty given, the more protection owed. That's how it works when done properly."

  Pause. Darker now. "Failure masters? They get drunk on power. Don't understand what they have. Don't respect their people. They die. Sooner or later. Always."

  He looked at the group. Example forming. "About fifty years ago. Right here. This lovely seamstress had a customer. Rich guy. Needed some repair work. Had to wait."

  "Customer offered one of his maids gold. For 'fun time' during the wait. Keep him from getting bored."

  X's expression showed distaste. Genuine. "Seamstress got very angry. Kicked him out immediately. Repair cancelled. Customer banned."

  "Later that week, assassin guild bounty appeared. Customer's name. Significant price."

  He let that settle. "You can imagine how that story ended."

  X returned to the earlier topic. Professional mode. Advisor mode.

  "Your usage of mind control—it's both practical and childish." Direct assessment. "Practical because it addresses real concerns. Childish because you're doing it unconsciously, randomly, without plan."

  He leaned forward. Teaching now. "My advice? Use as few rules as possible. Mind control—when forced, when unconscious—can backfire in near unlimited ways. You've seen some already. The contradictions. The walls. The problems."

  Pause. Emphasis. "If you need to set something up? Let them know. Everyone accepted the seeds anyway. They chose this. Make the rules explicit. Conscious. Agreed-upon."

  "Better yet?" He gestured broadly. "Reinforced learning. Building habits. Training. That's more stable. More reliable. Habits built through practice don't break like forced commands do. Ealdred understands this. That's why his training works. That's why it lasts."

  Null processed this. The advice. The warning. The professional assessment from someone who understood these systems.

  [Need to review when we get back. Need to understand what I've done. Need to decide what stays, what changes, what becomes explicit.]

  [For now though—]

  The evening stretched ahead.

  That evening, the group decided to experience Central properly—to sample what the greatest city on the world had to offer.

  X took the role of enthusiastic guide, leading them through various establishments. Each one offering different specialties and atmospheres and experiences.

  Food delivery had been impressive, but actually visiting the sources? That was something else entirely.

  They tried delicacies from establishments spanning multiple cuisines and cultures. Dishes Null had never encountered. Flavors she couldn't have imagined. Preparations that seemed impossible but tasted incredible.

  The Twins were in heaven. Literally. Two bodies meant twice the tasting capacity. One consciousness experiencing everything doubled. They kept making synchronized happy sounds with perfect unison.

  Kira maintained professional bearing but her appreciation showed through. Quality she recognized. Standards she respected. Establishments operating at levels Borderwatch couldn't match, something for them to target.

  Though she nearly lost herself when the fish dishes appeared—her dragon side completely overwhelmed by feline instincts she'd spent years suppressing. The tigerkin in her absolutely owned the dragon the moment fresh seafood hit the table. Professional composure barely maintained through sheer willpower while internally her cat-tiger side was having an absolute victory celebration.

  Void was comfortable. Relaxed. The blood wine hangover completely gone. The cultural connection from the night before still warming him. He smiled more than usual. Laughed at X's shameless stories. Enjoyed the evening without the weight he usually carried.

  22 and X kept up running commentary about everything. Sometimes agreeing. Sometimes arguing. Always entertaining. Their dynamic was fascinating to watch—centuries of history showing through every interaction.

  Spy manifested periodically to offer dry observations about the absurdity of ancient beings acting like tourists. But even he seemed to be enjoying himself in his own way.

  Null observed it all. Tasting when offered. Participating when appropriate. But mostly just watching Master be happy. Watching their strange group function. Watching companionship develop between unlikely people.

  This was nice. This was good. This was something worth experiencing.

  As the evening grew later and the establishments grew more... specialized in their offerings, the group began splitting naturally.

  Void looked tired. Content but exhausted. The day had been long. The previous night even longer.

  Kira noticed immediately with professional attention. "Master, shall I escort you back to the guest house?"

  The Twins perked up at this. "We can fly! Fast! Fun!"

  X glanced at 22 with obvious interest and shameless invitation clear in his expression.

  22's face showed internal conflict. The restriction about intimacy was gone now. The contradiction resolved. But that didn't mean desire suddenly appeared. Didn't mean she wanted what X was offering.

  But she could think about it now without the mental wall. Could consider it. Could make an actual choice rather than hitting a barrier.

  She looked at X for a long moment. Calculating. Assessing. Deciding.

  Then sighed with what sounded like resignation mixed with something else. "Fine. But if you're insufferable about this afterward, I'm making you regret it."

  X's grin was absolutely shameless. "I'm always insufferable. You knew that when you agreed."

  They departed in a different direction from the rest of the group. Two ancient elves with centuries of history between them. Walking together into Central's night. Toward whatever private reunion they'd negotiate.

  Null watched them go with analytical observation. Interesting. That's what it looked like when people made those kinds of choices. When the restrictions lifted and actual agency returned.

  She hoped 22 had enough brains not to cause problems for Master with this newfound freedom. That intelligence and loyalty went deeper than just seed programming. That 22 understood the boundaries even without forced restrictions.

  The rest of the group headed back toward the seamstress's estate. The Twins transformed to dragon form and offered rides. Void accepted gratefully. Kira maintained professional position. Null simply existed alongside them.

  The flight back was peaceful. Central's lights spreading below like captured stars. The city never sleeping. Always moving. Always alive.

  When they landed at the guest house, Void went straight to his room. Exhausted. Content. Ready for actual rest after a long day.

  Null just stood there in the living room. Not sleeping, just existing. Monitoring. Ensuring safety. Ensuring peace.

  The Twins retrieved a blanket and placed it on the floor in front of Null. They settled down, curling up together in their two fox-girl forms—always two bodies, one consciousness. It gave Null a feeling of home, as the Twins often slept like this in her presence.

  Through the bond she felt Void's contentment. His happiness. His comfort.

  Master had a good day. That's what mattered. That's what made everything worthwhile.

  The questions about brainwashing and restrictions and unconscious programming could wait.

  For now, Master was happy. Master was safe. Master was resting peacefully.

  That was enough.

  Notice name Selyra: Dragon Queen who will appear in person in Book 4.

  Selyra was provided by Mintyfeel for writing a review on ScribbleHub.

  For RoyalRoad readers: Same offer active also here - first 5 reviews can provide character name(s). Just PM me after your review and we can work out details!