The Eternal Sanctum (Holy Knight Headquarters)

Charles might have thought he wasn't a masochist, but it seemed to Sakura that he was at least an emotional sadist who directed most of his pain-causing antics inward. It was basically the same thing. Regardless, he seemed to think that her words about waiting for his decision made her like a slave, or a maid and such a confession came with a reddening of his face. She looked at him even as he tried to clear his throat and move past it, and smiled, the smile she used when she felt rather suddenly capable of taking advantage of the lad. He liked that idea did he? "You left me in charge of looking after you, such a term could apply, Char-kun~" the girl gently teased. She was more than a little aware of Astolfo moving around in this room, but at this point if Charles hadn't noticed it was beyond her conception of their friendship for her to make that part obvious. What was more, Charles claimed she could make her own decisions, "Saying no to one's soul shouldn't feel right, but you still don't really understand that part yet..." she murmured close to his face. "But fine, if it would upset you less to not have to make the decision... I'll do it for you~" she affirmed. Her own understanding of the world was much better than Charles as a higher tier being, she could easily make all the decisions that his human brain and free will wouldn't allow him to. These things would in fact, balance his soul and likely help his mind and body function better, whether he realized it or not. With Astolfo properly hidden behind her throne, she sat up straighter those dark clothes of hers beginning to turn into strips around her body as her flesh and active mana circuits were revealed. Those glowing red lines along her body had a very specific function and would entice the lad in truth. A single hand of hers shifted down his body in an effort to free his manhood and thus leave her in prime position to begin the act the lad desperately needed to undertake.

At the same time, Ailen seemed to be showing quite a bit of himself in a singular moment. The smile that crossed Yume's face at the elf's 'professional' opinion was likely demonic in nature. More so than that, the words made Anais blush and her heartrate shift immediately. "Hai, Shishou..." Anais managed. Just the same her soul was screaming. 'HOT! THIS IS HOT! Our, Shishou fits this role perfectly! And then, we can be what we want!~' Sinais mentioned. Anais supposed a slightly devious older man with a bit of authority was exactly the kind of person her inner devious self liked the idea of manipulating, in sexual situations. She could blame her reading list or many other things, but ultimately her own soul was making easily attainable demands and arguing against things that made her happy was not ideal. This whole thing was a bit taboo and that made it better, didn't it? "Hoh? I didn't know you had it in you, Ai-aniki... " mused Yume, that little bit of kink a tiny bit of darkness, and Yume could see herself enjoying Ailen's company. This man really made her friend's soul sing and that was a positive no matter what. "And I always knew you'd end up lost in the sauce~ I'm watching you, Mi-chan~" she teased the girl just a bit which did nothing to stop her. This was all fine, actually there were only a handful of people in any world that Anais could be this comfortable around and her invasive friend was one of them. "I have that information for you, Shishou~" Anais said leaning upwards and offering her lips to his without much hesitation.. Yume had no intention of giving the information that Ailen wanted mostly because she wanted to see her friend have such a moment, she'd come such a long way from the shy girl she'd been before who couldn't even give a small speech with people looking at her.

The term could be applied, said Sakura. Which one? Well, the two weren't incredibly far apart when viewed objectively, bar the latter's pay and... the very interesting uniforms between them. "Eheh... yeah, I'm sure it could," he muttered abashedly. Sakura claimed it shouldn't feel right to disagree with the soul, which he frankly agreed with after the past few days. Still, his life would be very different if his soul had different desires recently. "I'll bet. It feels like it should feel wrong," he said. Of course, there was little else in his mind worth saying. Why? Well, Sakura's decision had become obvious. Her clothes were unraveled in a blink, and so was Charlemagne's sense as he stared endlessly into unguarded flesh. Sakura was already reaching for his manhood. Those trousers hardly stood a chance, nor would they be receiving any defensive assistance from Charlemagne, who was willing to let the lass do whatever she pleased.

Meanwhile, there were a couple of different reactions to Ailen's mannerisms. Anais seemed to take things an exceedingly positive way, while Yume appeared to draw the line at a form of intrigue. "You shouldn't be so surprised. When one marries a goddess, one eventually discovers a need to be more... flexible than most," he asserted. It was only natural to develop a certain quality of deviance in such a case. Ailen may not have been so open in his more perverse qualities than other Myouou, but that changed nothing about what lay underneath. Whatever the case, Anais offered the information he required about butter. It was without hesitation that he leaned forward to claim the knowledge directly from her lips. It was not often that Anais had knowledge to give, but she was quite forthcoming with it when there was. Good; this was meant to be very much a give-and-take relationship.

The maid versus slave debate was one which would leave Sakura questioning things, but perhaps the girls would have some better understanding of that sort of thing. No matter what, she'd make sure to look after the lad, it was her current chosen duty. "Hm, I'll look into if you want~" she mentioned. Having already moved into place while taking her clothes off, she decided to address the matters of soul which Charles seemed to be missing. "I was told that to starve the soul was to starve the self, and this includes not just nourishment in the magical sense but experience and desire," she explained as she raised herself. The way goddesses functioned was truly a thing of wonder, she was already fully able to accept him and after lining herself up would lower herself in a single, smooth motion. "So take all you need~" she offered herself once more. Ah, this enhancement to his manhood was quite delightful. Sex had been fine and fun before but now it was something beyond enjoyable. Her nether pulsed around him as she began to move, intent to take her first meal of the day. If Charles struggled to make the choices right for his soul, Sakura would do it for him and thus preserve him for the return of Angelica. Their audience was of little consequence to her as well, she liked watching and assumed she'd also enjoy being watched...

At the same time, Yume was finding herself developing a new hobby by the day. She watched the approach between Ailen and Anais with wide eyes. Girls often shared stories with each other, but it was very different to see, and know you would get to experience it one day. "Flexibility, huh? I find myself into so very different things in the last 24 hours..." she was teasing but watching intently. This was kind of hot. Anais had gently parted lips and Ailen had leaned into her. Their bodies were arranged in a way that she could see all of the coming contact. They were two fit, and lean individuals, but she found herself studying both of their forms. Maybe she did like a few girls? She felt strangely about Miwa and now she was feeling equally strange after spending the night snuggled next to Anais. Actually, there was a valid mana related explanation for this, human sexuality was so weird to consider, still she wasn't sure if she was ready to make a leap like that yet. But... she'd definitely watch.

At the same time, when Ailen's lips met Anais's she moved her tongue forward into his mouth. She needed to give him all the information she had in her mind about the production of butter. Doing so first would allow her to sink in and enjoy the moment. She could also feel Yume's eyes on her which had a strange effect. 'We could seduce her too!~' Sinais mentioned. It was such a strong and heartfelt thing that Yume felt it and knew that her friend had already gone quite native, or maybe... she'd always been that way. Yume was... flattered, her face blushing, "Eh? I feel like I wasn't supposed to hear that one. I didn't know you were gonna go Jinx on me, Mi-chan~" she murmured lost in thoughts and the sight. "Inside voice is inside for a reason, but now you know~" Anais mentioned breathlessly as she broke a rather intense tongue kiss with her mentor. "Anything need clarifying, Shishou?" she asked quickly before diving back in, this was mostly just because she'd tasted honey again and wanted more. 'Still, I suppose if I was going to try...' Well this was an evolving thought. If she had sex with the man version of her friend and the girl version she could probably figure out both her sexuality and her general preferences besides the obvious one she had for Mugen. It would also help her deal with her residual feelings and shyness surrounding Miwa, and... Anais was her friend and seemed to be a bit devious beneath the surface, they could definitely enjoy themselves. It'd be so taboo!~

On the long list of things Charlemagne needed to know, Sakura's willingness to research slaves and maids was not present. He could have gone the rest of his life without hearing that, and he would know peace. Now, however, he'd be plagued randomly by mental images that could only be called dubious in nature. "Uh... right. Yeah, keep that in mind," he said. Why did he say that? He shouldn't have said it aloud. Oh well. Sakura went on to address starvation of the soul and self, though the chance of Charlemagne retaining the verbal message lowered in the same moment Sakura lowered her body into his lap. As always, his mind blanked with haste. This had suddenly gone from something he couldn't say no to, to the best decision he could have made consciously. There was hardly any thought involved in the movement of his hands, which landed on Sakura's hips and settled there. His hips seemed to be forcing their own movement beneath the lass, much to the observant Astolfo's surprise and satisfaction. Perhaps the dog was here after all? He'd stick around to find out.

Ailen's lesson would be coming along well in the same timeframe. When Anais's tongue entered his mouth, the influx of information had him visualizing the creation of butter. From simple milk with little else done, this golden, spreadable thing could be made. It all occurred during the swapping of saliva as Ailen's tongue swabbed against Anais's repeatedly. Being observed by Yume was of no consequence, naturally. In fact, it would not have mattered to Ailen if she got herself involved. Three connected mouths was nothing new, after all. Ah, but was there something in need of clarifying? Well... "I suppose once more for retention would be wise. It would be terrible to ruin the process due to misinformation," he said. Interestingly enough, Anais was moving toward his mouth again regardless. That would undoubtedly be welcomed with lip and tongue alike, while... something else occurred.

There were three knocks upon the door of this room. The likes of Ailen and Anais would not be able to hear it, as the knock did not truly exist. No hand would be found on the other side banging away, nor would there be a person at all. For Asakura Yume alone, a gentle knocking sounded.

Charles seemed to think her line of thinking was worth keeping. That was different... well, there was no reason to consider it much now. Whether the lad retained the things she said or not, didn't truly matter as she was now doing what she wished, starting off the morning the way all in creation who did so should, by correcting the flow of mana in her body and Charles. This was of course done through sex, but a morning spark of wisdom, triggering the brain after sleeping and all that was all technically great for everyone. Besides that, she found that Charles mind was confused, his emotional traits tormented, but his body... was honest. She found herself looking down at the lad as he met that smooth movement with the shifting of his hips. She'd look down at him that almost demonic smile crossing her face as she began the gentle rise and lower of her grasped hips. A gentle backward arch would leave the lad buried within her but experiencing various tightness throughout his shaft. All the while her own motions began moving her towards a casual morning orgasm.

At the same time, Yume was watching two nerds flirt and considering her options. While her liking and understanding of Miwa felt complex, her close female friend already had a thing for her and... her mentor was apparently open and slightly manipulatable. This could be an interesting experience regardless of what would happen. At the very least she could figure out the nature of a bit of girl on girl action. Besides that... there was quite a bit of nerd energy to their sexual endeavor. They truly fell into their roleplaying with little to no hesitation. Ailen even seemed to be a top tier enabler, giving the elafia a reason to continue prodding his mouth. 'This really is nerd romance novel hot! I didn't know I'd be interested in something like this...' At the same time, Anais was lavishing strokes of her tongue along Ailen's while her ever moving hands would find themselves tracing the roots of his blonde hair tugging gently. She might be a bit too into this, but there was nothing wrong with getting absorbed in a lesson. She'd make sure the process of butter making was super clear, in the initial parts of this exchange only to continue moving her tongue and lips against Ailen's. Whatever the case, she was far too absorbed to hear actual knocking, she definitely wasn't hearing the supernatural knocking.

Actually, that sound also went unnoticed by Yume for just a moment. In fact, it would be the second and third knocks which finally made Yume's eyes shift away from the pair. "Why would someone be knocking? I didn't sense anyone nearby..." she questioned. Ah, but still she wouldn't interrupt the pair, no instead blue flames had her donning her clothing and going to answer the door while leaving the pair to their lesson though not without a backward look which really made her consider ignoring it to join in.

That smile returned. Every time Sakura wore it, it was akin to some murderous villain prepared to eviscerate an opponent. For some reason though, Charlemagne thought it was the most erotic thing he'd ever seen. Was he actually some sort of degenerate? Well, that was probably the case by now, if not some time before. It didn't help that his body was currently doing whatever it wanted. He was almost unconsciously thrusting up against Sakura's undercarriage while her back arched to alter everything he felt during penetration. Oh, this wasn't going to last very long at all, he thought. What sort of issues would he encounter this time? Would it be another occurrence of early conclusion, only for his body to decide it wasn't done? In watching Sakura's expression change and seeing the movements of her body via periphery, he could only assume that eventuality. Ah, but there was so much they should be doing ─ he just didn't seem to care now that his body was active. Why could that be? Charlemagne could only wonder.

All the while, that knocking would not be heard by Anais, nor Ailen. It seemed they would not have registered it even if it were real. Ailen's tongue was met by Anais's, the latter's fingers entwined in the former's hair as his hand wrestled her neck gently from the rear. He clearly had no need of additional information regarding butter. Alas, it seemed they were both just... back to some casual exploration. One could easily assume Yume would soon join the fray, but she was heading toward the door while mentioning some sort of knock? He hadn't heard a thing, but that didn't matter either way.

As for the knock, Yume would soon discover that an open door would not lead to the hallway. Behind it would instead be an entire realm belonging to King Solomon, a grand and ethereal structure. Its architecture was a blend of intricate patterns and towering columns, adorned with symbols of power and mysticism. The temple radiated an otherworldly glow, with cascades of golden light cascading down its façade. Arcane sigils and symbols were etched into its surface, exuding an aura of ancient knowledge and arcane might. The interior was a labyrinth of grand chambers and hidden passages, each resonating with the echoes of Solomon's mastery over magic. Overall, this realm seemed to be a place where the convergence of magic and history intertwined in a mesmerizing spectacle... and high up a great orichalcum staircase was the man himself, awaiting the ascent of the girl he summoned.

Sakura was busy moving her hips and looking at Charles. By her own approximation he liked what he saw, the movements of his body implied he liked what he was feeling. Human emotions truly didn't make sense to her if the outcome of his boundaries was keeping him from something that made him happy. By her own approximation he definitely wasn't considered anything close to degenerate but perhaps he had different standards for his understanding. Whatever the case, she was happy to move the way she was, feeling a rather deep penetration and feeling gentle pulses that would push her body closer and closer towards bliss. Her own pacing was steady and she found herself easily matching the lad below her. Withdrawing as he did, and pushing forward at the same time, for maximum penetration which sent sensation tingling through her body. She found herself bracing a single hand against his chest as her angle changed once again and she leaned forward, she pressed her lips against his willingly aiming to invade his mouth with her tongue.

Ailen and Anais were both rather deeply involved in what they were doing. From butter to deviance, Anais had found herself taking advantage of the opening provided by her mentor to calmly explore. She knew her friend well enough to assume she would join, if she felt like it, and had the strangest feeling given her earlier response that she would feel like it. But soon enough she was claiming there was a knock at the door and no one else could hear it. 'Oh? I figured he'd be more... abrupt than that...' but figured no harm would come to the other girl. So, just the same she'd continue knowing that Kaguya wasn't the type to throw open a door with people already in it. That kiss Anais was engaged in, only became deeper as she though of the act of nourishing her soul, by... indulging in her mentor.

At the same time, Yume slipped the door open just a crack and stepped out making sure not to flash the people inside. And when she turned around she saw a ridiculously arcane looking space the likes of which she'd never seen before. "Sugoi! I've been a demon one day and I've been summoned... I wonder by who?~" she knew Mugen's room, she would have felt his energy and she doubted he would have cared about appearing in front of either Ailen or Anais at this point. So... who was this, assumably one of the other Myouou, still, she'd remain skeptical, openly gawking as she made her way up the stairs. "This place is amazing!~ So magical my skin is tingling~" she claimed. she always did enjoy a full mage, if nothing else, she and whoever was here could bond over that. As such the dark haired girl with her teal eyes ascended white steps approaching a seated male who was becoming clearer and clearer to her eyes by the moment. 'No way!' she mentally chimed.

The moment Yume passed the threshold of that door, the path was sealed. She had entered a realm set within a very different time-space, becoming incapable of interacting with the outside world. At the top of that staircase she climbed was a male with flawless, tan skin, flowing wavy locks of white that featured a golden ethereal glow, and eyes a similar shimmering gold to what one might find within the Holy Grails' liquid. "Shinomiya Kaguya, or even... Asakura Yume. Welcome," spoke a voice that resonated throughout the dimension. Its tone was heaven, its cadence a choir of gentle spirits in a tranquil oasis. "Forgive my intrusion. I'm afraid your path is set, and you mustn't veer from it. Your friend would be fine, but I believe... in this timeline, you were soon to decide Ailen was worth experiencing."

With that said, the king of this realm rose from the throne. He stepped forward just once, not reaching the first step, but leaving enough space to be joined where he stood. "I did not call you to stop that decision. I called you to to offer my teachings, that you might make that decision without altering your path of enlightenment. The choice is still yours, however," he added. "I am Seidou Myouou: Solomon. Along the path of enlightenment, my alignment is Wood. If you wish to accept what Ailen offers, it is recommended by your path that my teachings are explored first. Oh, and don't fret over time. This realm is set apart from Alaya. You could spend years here, and lose only seconds there."

As she walked up the steps and took in the sights, Yume was greeted in a manner which made her stop moving for just a moment. Hearing wasn't even one of her better senses, but within this realm she was certain that voice was rubbing against her soul and making her loins ache. Why did anyone need a voice that smooth? And to go along with such a smooth voice, the man also had an amazing visage. He was literally something straight out of a manga series, and probably her favorite of such people. "I am pretty sure you can call me either of those things... or a pet name, I do like those~ I don't really mind," she managed though the rest of his sentence implied that he knew quite a bit about her previous thoughts. She shouldn't veer from her path and the choice was hers... that was nice. "Yeah... I am a bit prone to being impulsive and in fairness, my mind has gone a lot of weird places in the last 24 hours. This world is doing some interesting things to me," she admitted. Right just now for instance, she was glad to have been stopped because she was sure this man would be well worth entertaining regardless of what he taught.

Maybe she really was slutty? She had just been considering having sex with a female friend and her mentor just because it looked hot. And though she'd completely thrown herself into the idea of studying in this group and ingratiating herself into the harem lifestyle it seemed to be quite a treacherous path suddenly. Moreover she apparently didn't even need to worry about anything, taking this step first, through Solomon would allow her exploration and give her what she needed to proceed. Apparently she was even outside of time/space and didn't even have to worry about missing out on her morning thoughts. Her mouth opened in a tiny o as she expressed her surprise. People kept surprising her lately. "That's really nice of you, Solomon-sama, yoroshiku onegaishimasu!~" the girl offered taking the last step and finding herself staring at the man. She was glad she'd not gotten completely lost in his voice but she was sure she only translated the gist of that conversation. "Seidou Myouou... huh, I'm going to have to tell Miwa-sama that her taste is immaculate~" she said in an odd way that was a compliment as she stared into golden eyes. She could do this...

When Solomon spoke, Yume halted her movements. That was nothing out of the ordinary. He knew the reason well, but would not bring unnecessary attention to it. According to Yume, he could address her by either name, or some pet name. "You do seem quite fond of those. Over time, you will accumulate quite a few. As for your impulsiveness, it is nothing to be concerned about. Be true to yourself. The Myouou will make sure your path remains true by staging interventions like this one," the male explained. These apprentices were free to decide new things for themselves whenever they wished, but without that conscious decision being at play, these interruptions would occur.

According to Yume, his actions were nice. Solomon could not agree to that notion, though he understood why the conclusion was reached. "Think nothing of it. I knew this moment would come. This is the allotted timeframe for our meeting, as it was always going to be," he said. There were many things that required his involvement, many of them having much to do with the Myouou apprentices. Yume would only be the first he met with so directly, though another had already received his invitation. "You have much ahead of you. The potential you hold is no less endless than your teacher, but you've yet to determine practical ability, correct? The ability to create a Living Artifact has already been discovered. Since that is the case, you are already on your way. I can teach you how to... hmm, let's see... in the most understandable terms I can manage, evolve any existing Mystic Codes. For clarity since you never observed that video game, Mystic Codes are the foundation of all matter ─ the lines that make up a soul, if you will. Your every form is comprised of many code lines, as is every tool and every blade of grass or speck of dirt, in various amounts. I hope that makes things clear enough without sounding too technological for you."