Clarifying the situation

In the morning, after breakfast you sit down with Iris. “I hope you rested well?”

The banshee nods. “Better than I have in weeks. I thank you.”

You shake your head. “It was as much Uzume and Clarissa as anyone. I am not a particularly good fighter.”

She nods. “Your…family, then. Regardless, the hunters were dispatched with seeming ease. It is no wonder you were able to defeat the demon lord with such aid.”

You smile. “I wouldn’t be alive without them. All of them helped in some way.”

She regards you curiously. “Just how many women are in your…family?”

You chuckle. “Thirteen. It’s a bit crazy, but I love all of them. And we’ll be growing soon, with the pregnancies.”

She blinks in surprise. “So many! And are they all as formidable as they seem?”

You smile. “I don’t think I will answer that. We only just met, and I don’t want to give away secrets. No offense, but their safety is far more important to me.”

She shakes her head. “I understand, I did not mean to pry. Simple curiosity. It’s very…interesting to see such a large group together, even for monster girls. It speaks well of you that they all seem happy and devoted to you.”

You nod. “Thank you. They’re all special to me. Now, if you don’t mind, I’d like to talk about why you’re here. What exactly is it you want from us? I won’t be sending the army on your word alone, nor will I endanger myself or any of the girls on so little evidence.”

Iris shakes her head. “I wouldn’t expect you to, your majesty.”

You stop her. “Just Josh is fine. You don’t need to be formal with me in private.”

She pauses, seemingly flustered. Her delicate hand brushes aside some of her dark purple hair in a nervous gesture. “O-of course. Josh, then. As I was saying, I wouldn’t expect you to immediately respond to my request. I can provide the means for you to penetrate the veil over my home, wether in person or magically.”

She produces a small rod, though from where you don’t know. “This is a key that will open the barrier, though only for a short time. Afterwards, it must charge for a day before it can do so again.”

She hands you the rod, and you examine it. It’s a simple obsidian cylinder, small enough to fit in the palm of your hand. Delicate silver runes dot its surface. “I can feel the power here. Are they difficult to make?”

She nods. “Very. Only the vampire queen has spares, and we have no one who can make more. Only a powerful rune mage can make them, and the vampire queen has the only one in our lands.”

You nod. “And the only one I know is an enemy. You hold onto this, then. Later we will get Yura and Lynn to help us decide. However, even if we decide to help you, I can’t leave for some time, not with Maya so close to giving birth. I promised her, and my girls come first.”

Iris nods. “I understand. Your affection does you credit, your maje-…I mean, Josh.”

You swear that if she were capable of blushing, she would be. “In the mean time, feel free to talk to everyone. I have things I need to get done, but as soon as I am free we will get started.”

She nods quickly, rising to her feet. You take a moment to marvel at her figure, barely concealed by her translucent dress. Tearing your eyes away, you surprise a ghost of a smile on her face, quickly hidden. As you stand, you smile. “Feel free to explore as well. Make use of any of the facilities we have here. Just stay out of my room for now.”

Her eyes widen. “Your room? Wha-…oh. Oh!”

Her hand covers her mouth in embarrassment, and you chuckle, leaving the flustered banshee as you head out of the room.