Family system

Jack watched Ela with amusement as she tried to regain her composure. The way she crossed her arms and gazed out the window, pretending as if she hadn't just been thoroughly teased, only made him smirk. He let her stew for a moment before finally stepping up behind her, his hands settling lightly on her hips.

"You're cute when you're frustrated," he murmured against her ear.

Ela huffed but didn't move away. "And you're insufferable, Master."

Jack chuckled. "Yet you wouldn't have it any other way."

She sighed, tilting her head slightly as his fingers traced lazy circles against her waist. "No… I wouldn't," she admitted, though her voice carried the barest hint of reluctance.

Satisfied for now, Jack gazed at the city beyond the window. Lunaris was thriving, its streets alive with people moving between shops, market stalls, and entertainment districts. The once small and isolated city had grown into a powerful trade hub, drawing the attention of outsiders. And, as Ela had pointed out earlier, not all that attention was good.

"So," Jack said, shifting back into a more serious tone, "tell me more about these so-called lesser gods who've started taking notice of this world."

Ela exhaled, her playful mood shifting as well. She turned to face him, leaning against the windowsill as she folded her arms. "They're… nuisances for now. Minor deities, ambitious but weak. They see this world as an opportunity, a place without a dominant divine hierarchy."

Jack narrowed his eyes. "Except there is one. Freya, Amaterasu, Kali, Tyche… and me."

"Exactly," Ela confirmed. "As long as we're here, they can't do anything. They don't have the power or the influence to challenge gods of your level. But…"

Jack sighed, already knowing where this was going. "But the more the world develops, the more powerful these lesser gods will become, and eventually, one of them will either be foolish enough to challenge us or clever enough to gain outside backing."

Ela nodded. "It's only a matter of time. Right now, they're just observing. Testing the waters, whispering to mortals, trying to stir something in the shadows. But if Lunaris, Goldspire, and the other cities continue growing at this rate, it won't be long before they start making actual moves."

Jack rubbed his chin thoughtfully. "Then we'll need to be proactive."

Ela smirked. "I figured you'd say that. I've already started gathering intelligence on the problems that are most likely to become problems. Most are minor gods of fortune, agriculture, or trickery. But a few… a few have more dangerous domains. War, conquest, bloodlust. Those are the ones we'll need to watch."

Jack's gaze darkened slightly. He'd been in this position before—ruling over people meant enemies would always come. He just hadn't expected divine ones to start taking an interest this soon.

"Let them watch for now," he finally said. "If any of them cross the line, we'll deal with them."

Ela nodded, then gave him a knowing look. "Speaking of watching… do you plan to visit the cult while you're here, Master?"

Jack smirked. "Are you inviting me?"

She shrugged, feigning indifference. "The followers have been dying to see you again. And after that little ordeal, you put them through last time, they've been training extra hard."

Jack chuckled. "Well, I wouldn't want to disappoint my devoted followers."

Ela's smirk widened. "Then shall I lead the way, Master?"

Jack extended his hand. "By all means."

Ela took his hand, and they left her office together, heading toward the heart of Lunaris—the grand temple dedicated to him. As they walked, Jack couldn't help but think about the future. Lunaris was growing. The world was changing. And soon enough, the divine politics of this universe would no longer be something he could ignore.

For now, though, he had more… intimate matters to attend to.

Jack smirked as he walked through the streets of Lunaris, his gaze scanning the vibrant city that had become a beacon of his influence. The people here lived purposefully, their faith in him evident in every glance, whispered prayer, and act of devotion that filled the air with an almost tangible energy. The cult thrived under Ela's guidance, and it was about time he visited them.

As he made his way toward the grand structure at the heart of the city, he couldn't help but take his time to visit all sorts of stores that weren't there when he was here last time. He bought some things that he found interesting before finally making his way over to the cult.

At the entrance, a pair of strikingly beautiful guards dressed in ceremonial robes immediately dropped to one knee as soon as they saw him. "Master," they intoned in perfect unison, their voices filled with reverence.

Jack waved a hand dismissively. "Rise," he said, his tone carrying amusement. "No need for formalities. I'm here to check in on things."

The women stood, their eyes shining with admiration as they stepped aside to let him pass. "The high priestess is expecting you," one of them said, motioning toward the grand doors that led into the heart of the cult's sanctum.

Jack chuckled. "Of course she is."

As he entered the vast hall, his eyes immediately fell on Ela, who stood at the center of the room, directing a group of followers in preparation for an upcoming ceremony. She looked radiant as always, her red dress hugging her curves in a way that left little to the imagination. When she sensed his presence, she turned with a knowing smile.

"Master," she greeted him, dipping into a deep bow that only emphasized her devotion. "It's an honor to have you here."

Jack strode toward her, reaching out to tilt her chin so she could meet his gaze. "You always know how to make a man feel welcome," he teased.

Ela smirked. "I should know by now."

His fingers brushed against her jawline before he finally let go. "So, tell me, how have things been running here? Are my followers behaving?"

She laughed softly, stepping back. "As if they would dare misbehave under my watch. Everything is in order. Our numbers are growing, and the faith of our people has never been stronger. The recent influx of new initiates has required some adjustments, but nothing we can't handle."

Jack nodded, pleased. "Good. And the merit system? Are they making proper use of it?"

Ela's eyes gleamed with excitement. "More than I expected. The merit system has given them a purpose beyond just worship. They compete, strive to improve, and push themselves to greater heights in your name. It has turned faith into action."

Jack smirked. "Exactly as I planned."

He glanced around the room, taking in the sight of his devoted followers—some in deep prayer, others engaged in training, all of them dedicated to him. He could feel their devotion and desire to please him, and it was intoxicating.

Ela must have sensed the shift in his demeanor because she stepped closer, her voice dropping to a sultry whisper. "Would you like a more… intimate report, Master?" Her fingers lightly traced the fabric of his sleeve, teasing but never overstepping.

Jack chuckled. "You always know how to keep things interesting."

"Only for you," she replied, a playful glint in her eyes.

He exhaled, shaking his head. "Not yet. Business first."

Ela pouted, but there was amusement in her expression. "Very well, Master. But I hope you'll allow me to express my devotion later properly."

Jack smirked. "I wouldn't dream of denying you the opportunity."

Turning back to the matters, he gestured for Ela to walk with him. "Come. Show me what's new. I want to see firsthand how our cult is evolving."

As Jack and Ela stepped onto the training grounds, clashing weapons and swift footfalls filled the air. The women here were unlike any others—fit, toned, yet still feminine in every way that mattered. They moved with lethal grace, their bodies honed from rigorous training, but what truly caught Jack's attention was how undeniably hot they all were.

His gaze roamed over the warriors as they trained, each dressed in tight, form-fitting combat gear that clung to their bodies like a second skin. Their large, perfectly shaped breasts bounced with every motion, barely contained by the reinforced fabric designed to keep them supported. Sweat glistened on their exposed skin, dripping down toned stomachs and sliding between the deep valley of their cleavage.

Their hips swayed naturally, wide and full, designed by the gods to be utterly mesmerizing. The way they twisted and turned, the curves of their asses straining against the snug material of their training shorts, was almost hypnotic. Thick thighs flexed with power as they sparred, and every shift, every roll of their bodies, was a tantalizing display of strength and sensuality combined.

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Jack couldn't help but appreciate the sight before him. These were no mere soldiers—they were goddesses in their own right, sculpted by training and enhanced by the divine influence of the cult's blessings. He imagined how they must look out of their training gear, glistening bodies pressed against one another, slick with sweat as they—

A soft chuckle broke his train of thought.

Ela smirked up at him, clearly having caught the way his gaze lingered. "Enjoying the view, Master?" she purred, stepping closer to him, her voice dripping with amusement.

Jack exhaled through his nose, a slow smirk curling on his lips. "I'd be blind if I wasn't."

Ela tilted her head, her red hair cascading over her shoulder as she eyed him knowingly. "Oh, I know. Your eyes practically devoured them. It's cute."

Jack gave a low chuckle, unfazed. "I admire hard work, that's all."

"Mmhm," she hummed, clearly unconvinced. "Hard work. Right." She let her fingers graze over his arm as she leaned in. "They all work even harder when they know you're watching. Some of them train hoping to earn your personal… attention."

Jack quirked an eyebrow. "Is that so?"

Ela smirked, clearly enjoying herself. "Oh yes. They're all so eager, Master. But you already knew that, didn't you?"

Jack looked back at the training grounds, watching as one particularly voluptuous woman spun with a spear, her ample chest bouncing from the momentum, her thick thighs flexing with each precise movement. He knew.

He turned back to Ela, his smirk deepening. "Maybe I should start supervising training more often, then."

Ela laughed, her eyes glinting with mischief. "I'm sure they'd be thrilled to have your guidance."

Jack exhaled, shaking his head, amused at the teasing. "Let's not get too distracted now. We still have things to discuss."@@novelbin@@

Ela nodded but didn't step away, her voice still laced with playful intent. "Of course, Master. But you know…" She leaned in just enough to whisper in his ear, her breath warm against his skin. "You can always reward the best ones later."

Jack chuckled darkly. "I'll keep that in mind."