Chapter 808: Bearer of the Void

“It’s still all in the planning phase, but right now my idea is to set up a points system within the umbrella company,” Lorelie continued. “Good attendance and work would not only earn employees a decent salary but points they can exchange for items, rewards and services that are otherwise difficult or impossible to obtain.

Examples include a private concert from me, or attending one of Rowena’s photo shoots. These rewards would naturally be available to every employee; however, there would be a separate reward tier exclusive to women who have shown an interest in Adam.

These rewards would naturally be far higher than others; such women would not only be able to exchange their points for some alone time with Adam, but also any of us in the main harem. Though naturally we would have the right to refuse.”

Aphrodite, Revi and Kasumi all stared at Lorelie in shocked silence for a few moments before Aphrodite broke out in laughter and said, “Who knew the greatest diva in the universe was such a pervert.”

“Blame Stacey; it’s all her fault,” Lorelie said, causing Stacey to stare at her and say. “What?”

“She’s right; Stacey caused this,” Adam nodded. “Lorelie used to be so innocent and pure.”

“Oh, granddaughter, I never knew you were so skilled at corrupting people,” Rowena teased.

“Hey now, come on,” Stacey complained while Kasumi stared at her and couldn’t help but ask. “Just what did you do to her?”

Lorelie giggled at Stacey’s response before continuing, “But in all seriousness, I didn’t conceive this idea out of my own pervertendness.”

“I notice you didn’t deny it.” Aphrodite smiled, causing Lorelie to roll her eyes before continuing. “The whole purpose of this idea is to make our family the most powerful group in the universe.”

“Hoo, now that I can get behind,” Revi remarked. “Though I’m still dubious about this sub harem reward scheme.”

“As am I,” Adam admitted, causing Lorelie to shrug before saying, “As I said, it’s just an idea I’ve been formulating, and it’s not complete yet, nor does it have everyone’s approval.”

“Something of this scale would definitely need the approval of everyone, even if they themselves had no plan to be part of this reward scheme,” Rowena stated.

“It would also need to be something future harem members are informed about ‘before’ joining,” Revi stated while putting special emphasis on before. “I wasn’t too happy to suddenly learn of this after just joining, and it’s not even implemented.”

“Naturally,” Adam agreed before turning back to Kasumi, asking. “So, are you sure you want to reveal your secret in front of everyone?”

“Oh!” Rowena said while looking at Kasumi in surprise.

“It’s fine, I trust everyone here to keep quiet about this,” Kasumi replied before asking, “What do you know about my race, Adam?”

“You're a Nogitsune, a race that’s remarkably similar to the mythical Kitsune race back on Earth and one of the long-lived races,” Adam began. “Your race is known for having multiple tails, and the number of tails you have determines your age. You start with one when you are born and grow a new one every ten years until those nine combine into one on your eightieth birthday, before the whole process starts over.

Your race governs the Reynard Galaxy, with your home planet of Reginhart Alpha having nine artificial planetoids that are home to the nine most powerful families that make up your race's ruling council.

This is a copied chapter. Its author posts it on their own site, and that's where your reading actually helps them.

You come from the Toki family, which is only second to the Kasai family, with Kirchiro Kasai being your betrothed and son of the current Kasai family head, Beyuki Kasai.”

Kasumi smiled before saying, “It seems you’ve done your homework.”

“It only makes sense since you're Rowena’s friend and I plan to help you, though I’m sure there is still much I don’t know,” Adam replied.

“Then are you aware of why I’m being forced to marry Beyuki Kasai?”

“Not particularly; something about your Toki family hoping to form an alliance with the Kasais.”

“While that is indeed true for the most part, and what was revealed to the other seven families and the general public, along with claiming my betrothal was decided at birth, in reality there is actually a far greater reason, since I am the current bearer of the void.”

As Kasumi reached this point, Aphrodite and Revi both stared at Kasumi in utter shock and disbelief before Revi lost all decorum and said, “You're shitting me?”

While Aphrodite gaped at her and said, “That’s not possible.”

“Bearer of the void?” Adam asked while glancing at Stacey and Lorelie, who both shook their heads in confusion.

“It’s not surprising none of you has heard the title before; even I was shocked to discover the truth when I lost my powers after we kissed,” Rowena replied as she began to explain. “Every few centuries, a bearer of the void is born, though no one can explain how or why this happened since nothing can exist within the void and the bearer of the void should logically be destroyed by their own power.

There are many… levels, I suppose is the best description; there are many levels to space. Think of them as different layers on a cake.”

“Mmm, cake, chocolate please,” Tephe mumbled, causing everyone to smile at her before Rowena continued. “Think of the level we live on as one of these layers, while subspace is another. Well, the Void is another of these levels, from the little we have been able to tell. It is completely empty, as in nothing is there. Imagine space without stars, planets, asteroids, anything.”

“Such a place exists?” Stacey asked in disbelief.

“We believe so, though honestly most of it is speculation and conjecture,” Rowena continued. “It was discovered after an accident involving an experiment of some kind. Scientists and researchers have sent many probes or scientific equipment into the void; however, they were all destroyed after only a few seconds. The data that was sent back showed there was nothing there.”

“And that’s why you were so shocked to learn Kasumi here is the bearer of the void,” Adam said in understanding; however, Rowena shook her head before saying. “Not exactly. While it is surprising to encounter a bearer of the void, it’s not unheard of since they pop up every few centuries. What shocked me at the time, and why these two are shocked right now, is the fact that it’s Kasumi, a member of a long-lived race who is the bearer.

All previous bearers have been from finite races, and so it was assumed only they could become bearers of the void. That's part of how she’s kept it a secret for so long; those researchers interested in the void are not looking for the bearer of the void in the long-lived races.”

“So I'm guessing you being the bearer of the void is one of the reasons Kirchiro Kasai, or probably more specifically, his mother wants you to marry him?” Lorelie asked.

“You are correct,” Kasumi sighed. “It was actually discovered that I was the bearer of the void relatively early, and the Toki family decided to keep it a secret. Unfortunately, a Kasai spy managed to work her way up the ranks of the Toki family and learned of my existence.

Beyuki Kasai then approached the Toki family head with an offer of betrothal, claiming it would bring the families closer and that they could rule over the Reynard Galaxy together.”

“Surely they didn’t actually buy into that crap?” Stacey scoffed.

“Probably not, but other than being the bearer of the void, I hold little value to the Toki family since even my parents are only minor members, and so the family head had no problem selling me off to avoid a conflict with the Kasai’s and also for the possibility of power.”

“So your body somehow contains this void within it, but does it actually do anything?” Adam asked curiously.

“It’s probably easier to show you,” Kasumi replied before turning to Revi and asking. “Empress Revi, if you’d be so kind?”

“Of course,” Revi replied before holding out her hand as a flame appeared above it.

Adam, Stacey and Lorelie watched with curiosity as they saw Kasumi’s tails stiffen slightly for a moment before the flame vanished.

Lorelie’s eyes widened in surprise as she asked, “Did you do that?”

Kasumi nodded while Revi said, “She did. I’m now unable to summon any of my flames or even revert back to my true form. She has essentially sealed my powers.”

“It’s not only hers; both Rowena and I are unable to use ours as well,” Aphrodite replied before adding, “Stacey’s probably the same, while you, Lorelie, most likely wouldn’t resume your original form even if you got in water.”

“Seriously?” Stacey replied as she tried to summon her wings, only for nothing to happen.