Following the return to their quarters, Konrad a.s.signed his delegates various tasks meant to hasten the Royal Palace's cleanup.

　　"Tenth elder, tonight, your task is simple. Enforce the allegiance of the royal guard commander and his top captains."

　　Konrad ordered while delivering a batch of orchids.

　　"As you command, master!"

　　The tenth elder bowed, before turning into a beam of light and shooting toward the royal guard commander's mansion. As for the other delegates, they carried similar tasks.

　　Krann returned to his quarters, leaving only Cobra-Yvonne, Konrad, and the freckled girl.

　　"What's your name?"

　　Konrad asked, ending the brief moment of silence.

　　"E-…"

　　"Forget it. From now on, your name is Astarte."

　　Cut before she could properly introduce herself, the freckled girl was startled. Still, she regained her composure and bowed with clasped hands.

　　"Thank you, master, for bestowing a name!"

　　"Mhm."

　　 Konrad then re-examined her while circling her body, the indifference within his eyes making Astarte unable to know whether she should feel delight, shame, or fear.

　　"You need some physical readjustments. Otherwise, in the future, you might not fit in."

　　Astarte, who didn't understand the meaning of Konrad's words, blinked in incomprehension.

　　"What do you…"

　　"Shush. Hold still."

　　Again, Konrad cut, and without further ado, he cupped Astarte's cheeks into his hands. Purple mist coated his palms as he kneaded her cheeks, nose, lips, and forehead.

　　"Huh?"

　　Astarte wanted to inquire on what the h.e.l.l was going on through her new master's mind. But since he required silence, she restrained herself.

　　Konrad's following move made her restraint hard to maintain.

　　His hands lowered to her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, which he copiously kneaded just like her face.

　　"Ah!"

　　A yelp escaped her lips, and her cheeks flushed in shame. Unable to shoulder the sight, she closed her eyes, surrendering to the ministrations. Konrad's eyes showed no l.u.s.t, only the professionalism of a crafter working on his new piece.

　　With a yank of Astarte's shoulders, he turned her on one-hundred-eighty degree, making her face the wall as he tended to her rear. Wherever his hand went, she could feel a strange force spread through her body, causing a comfortable sensation to soothe her from within.

　　"Done."

　　Konrad stated and stepped back to admire his work.

　　"What did you…"

　　Astarte began. Feeling her chest heavier and her hips wider, she couldn't help but wonder what sorcery had been used on her body.