My CEO Harem Cultivation System

Li Yang already knew that the circumstances in this world were different from earth. One of them was the mere fact that the High Priestess sat on a throne and platform that elevated herself from him and anyone in the hall.

Was this really what it meant to be a High Priestess? She acted like a god in this world. Two majestic pillars stood on either side of her as she looked down on him. 

"Buy the Beast Cores from you?" the High Priestess' lips curled into a smile as if he was telling a silly joke or speaking to someone who was lesser than human. 

"Yes." Li Yang raised a brow. He sometimes forgot how matriarchy dictated this world too much.

High Priestess Rhelea rested a hand underneath her chin and looked at him. 

"After everything that happened of late, you still want to sell the Mashiro Temple something? It's as if you cannot even remember how much we've been good to you for the duration of your stay here.."

He blinked and stifled a snicker.

A little while ago, this woman acted offended about being offered Beast Cores and now she was trying to get the five Beast Cores he presented her? 

It was a little amusing how fast the High Priestess' tune changed in the event of seeing something she wanted for herself.

Li Yang eventually nodded. 

"While it is true that my stay here has been provided upon... there is the fact that I could also bring up how Mashiro Temple and the High Priestess herself was the one that requested Setsuko to come here—"

High Priestess Rhelea's gaze narrowed at him. "And that is for her own sake—"

"And so I will just leave this Beast Cores to you for the benefit of the temple." Li Yang finished. 

There was the chance to feel good if he were to win this verbal argument, and yet he couldn't be bothered to do so when other things took much more precedence. Some circumstances and situations had more at stake than this small occasion. 

And maybe she shared the same thoughts.

While displeasure was in the face of the High Priestess, she eventually relented. "You are now dismissed then." 

Li Yang soon returned back to his quarters. Those Beast Cores in his Inventory weren't going to absorb themselves.

—-

Mitsuko stared at the back of Li Yang before the doors finally shut as he left. Somehow she felt a certain hollowness in her chest as she stared at the five medium Beast Cores that lay in front of the High Priestess.

Each one of them glowed with a frost vibrancy that made even the air in this hallway feel chilly. A combination of ice and wind elements stored in a single Beast Core was an outstanding feat.

Most Beast Cores were only attuned to one element, and yet the man gave a dual-element core without even batting an eye.

"It seems like this Consort and Swordsman of Setsuko is much more skilled than he lets on," the High Priestess said.

"Y-yes, High Priestess." Mitsuko kept her head down.

"Skills in sword fighting and this so-called Kin Hunter group… hm, I want these people eliminated. The less people that they have connections to from the outside, the better for us." the High Priestess decided.

Priestess Mitsuko raised her head in alarm. "I… I don't think that's a good choice, High Priestess."

"And why is that, Your Highness?" High Priestess Rhelea asked. The older woman used honorifics, but there was no respect to her title as much of it being more of a pet name. She turned to one of the other ladies. "Get me those Beast Cores and carry them to the treasure chambers."

One of the other Priestesses in the hall stepped forward and brought the Beast Cores out.

"...it might make both Setsuko and Li Yang more inclined to seek themselves out of the temple. There is nothing wrong with keeping the status quo as it is and doling out small punishments that keeps them in check here."

"Is that your suggestion, Princess?"

"Yes, High Priestess. But of course the decision is always yours," Mitsuko said.

"Hmph, maybe I'll listen to your counsel just this one time." the High Priestess smiled at her. "After all, it is quite rare for you to speak up, Mitsuko."

"It would be an honor, High Priestess."

"Then we will see about that, maybe once you uncover more about this man's identity. What nation holds a regular man that can withstand the cold in Frostborne Mountain Peaks and fall down avians of ice and wind?"

"Yes, High Priestess."

Why did things turn out to be a situation like this one? 

Mitsuko was familiar with the predatory look on the High Priestess' face. Akin to a snake finding a rat to latch her fangs on… that was what it felt like to Mitsuko right now. 

This was something Li Yang could have avoided if he chose to stay silent. The Princess of Kaeli Kingdom wanted to think that the man did the right thing by giving something to appease the High Priestess… and yet Mitsuko's mind only focused on what he told her. 

Li Yang needed to get back to his home and she had a feeling that these Beast Cores were related to it. Perhaps if she stayed silent then there would be none of this. And yet similar to her blood contract with the man, she also had one with the High Priestess.

Mitsuko had no choice but to report things that were of 'importance' to the High Priestess and she spoke about how Li Yang did not come from this nation rather than give up information about Setsuko's complete transformation. 

Did he hate her now? It was hard to tell from his expression, but his words earlier about his sword ability getting better with her help was enough to make her feel a bit touched. But he only said it to avoid arousing suspicion, didn't he?

Or was it really for her sake?

Mitsuko did not want to color her assessment of the situation by a thought like that. However, even just considering the fact that maybe he did this to not endanger anyone else made her a little emotional.

A tiny bit frustrated.

How was Li Yang going to escape from this place if he kept making himself a valuable individual to keep? Now it wasn't just Setsuko that the High Priestess held interest in, but partly in him as well.

...If he was going to take Setsuko with him, then there would be a heavy price to pay.

.

.

.

And if he still continued on with his plan to leave and succeeded… What would happen to Mitsuko after that? It was an unnecessary thought for her to have. Did she expect herself to be brought along by Li Yang simply because they kissed? 

It wasn't as if the two of them were that close simply because he spent most of his time by training with her in this temple. 

But what if he were to actually invite her?

She allowed herself to savor the thought even just once before it was dashed away. Priestess Mitsuko couldn't leave this place even if she were to assist the man in leaving Mashiro Temple with Setsuko. Mitsuko chewed on her bottom lip.

If anything, what mattered was not getting caught.