The sun set gently over the town of Redbrook, casting long shadows over the streets that had once been plagued by fear and bloodshed. Under Yuuto's reign, the town was steadily transforming into a place of stability and growing strength. The people had learned to trust him, and the militia had grown more disciplined by the day. Yet as the town flourished, Yuuto's ambitions continued to expand beyond the immediate horizon. His eyes turned toward the future, and with it, the next step in his rise to power—building his influence through the bonds he created.
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Yuuto's POV
Yuuto stood at the edge of the training ground, watching as his soldiers practiced their drills. He was ever observant, his sharp eyes scanning each movement, calculating the potential weaknesses, and taking mental notes. His army was growing, both in number and in skill, and each day, they were becoming more formidable.
However, it wasn't just his army he was focusing on tonight. As the last rays of daylight dipped beneath the horizon, a new opportunity presented itself—one that would further cement his control over Redbrook. And, in his mind, the ability to bind another was a step toward securing his future, a tool to both expand his influence and increase his resources.
He turned his gaze toward the town's center, where an evening celebration was being held. The merchants, nobles, and townspeople were all gathered for the first official feast since the fall of the Iron Fang mercenaries. It was a show of unity, of prosperity returning to Redbrook. But to Yuuto, it was much more than that. It was an opportunity.
With Selene by his side, his trusted ally, and Sophia carefully maneuvering behind the scenes to further stabilize his rule, it was the perfect moment to expand his harem, to create more bonds that would fuel his growth.
His ability to bind wasn't just a means to increase his personal pleasure—it was an asset, a tool he could use to create a network of loyal women who would both serve and empower him. And tonight, as Yuuto walked into the bustling hall, he was on the lookout for anyone who might meet the right conditions.
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Sophia's POV
Sophia Reinhardt observed the gathering with a sharp gaze, her thoughts still clouded by the complexities of her situation. The feast was a rare occasion—a moment for the people of Redbrook to celebrate, to acknowledge the security Yuuto had brought. However, she couldn't help but notice the glances exchanged between Yuuto and the women in the room.
She had always understood the strategic nature of Yuuto's actions, but the way he cultivated his harem still unsettled her at times. He was a man who knew how to use power to his advantage, and his ability to bind women under his rule was part of his growing arsenal. Sophia had seen it firsthand—the way Yuuto subtly manipulated the situation, finding those who would benefit him most and then drawing them into his fold.
Sophia herself had never been bound, not by Yuuto's system nor by anything else. But the more she observed, the more she understood why the women who were bound to him chose to be. They were empowered, their positions elevated by their relationship with him. It was a strange form of control, but also a strange form of freedom. In the end, they were all in it for the same thing: survival, power, and influence.
As she watched Yuuto move through the crowd, his eyes occasionally landing on a woman here or there, Sophia knew that tonight might be another step in Yuuto's plans to grow his influence—and perhaps even his harem.
She clenched her fists under the table, still unsure of where she stood in his plans. Was she merely a political ally, or was there more? The answer was murky, and she couldn't decide whether that bothered her or intrigued her. For now, she would observe—wait and see.
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Selene's POV
Selene was already a part of Yuuto's inner circle, yet tonight, as she watched him make his way through the banquet hall, she couldn't help but feel a flicker of anticipation. There was something about Yuuto that made him impossible to ignore. His every move exuded confidence, and his ability to draw people toward him—whether they were willing or not—was something she had come to admire.
As he approached her, a small smile crept across her face. "You've got your eye on someone, haven't you?" she asked, her voice playful but knowing.
Yuuto's eyes met hers, a sly grin playing at the corner of his lips. "You could say that. I'm always on the lookout for opportunities, Selene."
She laughed softly. "I'll be watching you, Yuuto. You've got a habit of collecting people. But I can't say I mind."
He raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "You're not as naive as you look, are you?"
Selene simply smirked. "Naive? No. But I know better than to get in your way."
As they spoke, the crowd around them thickened, but Yuuto's focus remained unwavering. It wasn't just the women he had his eye on, but those with potential—those who could add value to his growing empire. Whether it was political clout, expertise, or something more subtle, he was looking for women who could contribute to his strength.
As he moved through the crowd, his gaze shifted to a woman standing near the back of the hall—a merchant's daughter, if the rumors were true. She was young, beautiful, with a sharp intelligence behind her eyes. Yuuto felt a twinge of interest. There was something about her that resonated with him. She had potential, he was certain of it.
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Yuuto approached the merchant's daughter with purpose. He had already gathered enough information to know she was more than just a pretty face—she had sharp business acumen, and her family controlled several lucrative trade routes. If he could bind her, it would be a valuable asset in his growing network.
He bowed slightly as he reached her, his voice low but confident. "You're a woman of great interest, I've heard. I admire the way you manage your family's business."
The woman, startled but intrigued by his directness, gave him a polite smile. "Thank you, sir. I do my best to help my family."
Yuuto leaned in slightly, his voice taking on a more suggestive tone. "Perhaps we could help each other. I could offer you something more than just business opportunity. Something… long-lasting."
The woman raised an eyebrow, her interest piqued. "What are you suggesting, exactly?"
Yuuto's eyes gleamed. "I believe you have potential. More than you know. A place in my inner circle, where your talents could flourish, and your position could grow. I offer you more than wealth—I offer you power."
For a long moment, the woman studied him, her thoughts hidden behind a veil of calculation. Finally, she nodded slowly, her voice quieter. "And what would be required in return?"
Yuuto's smirk deepened, and he extended his hand toward her. "A union. A physical one. The bond will only be complete after we share ourselves with each other, but once we do, your position will be solidified. Your family will thrive, and I will ensure that you have everything you need to grow."
Her eyes flickered with uncertainty, but there was a glimmer of curiosity. After a moment, she extended her hand toward his. "I accept."
As the crowd continued to dance and celebrate around them, Yuuto led the woman away, toward one of the more private chambers of the estate. His hand firmly grasped hers as they walked, his mind already focused on the next steps. This union would be more than just a physical act—it would be a tool for their mutual benefit, a binding that would link her to him in a way that would allow them both to rise.
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Sophia's POV (Later that night)
As the evening drew to a close, Sophia couldn't help but observe the interaction between Yuuto and the merchant's daughter. It was no surprise to her that Yuuto had bound her—he had a way of reading people, knowing exactly who could benefit him the most. But what unsettled her was the ease with which he did it, the casual nature of it all. She was beginning to see how deeply entwined power and pleasure were in Yuuto's world. There was no line between the two.
As the night wore on, Sophia retired to her quarters, her thoughts troubled by the events of the evening. The more she saw of Yuuto's methods, the more she realized just how far his reach would extend. But where did that leave her? Where did she fit into his plans?
The answer, she knew, would come with time.
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