Yin and Yang Compromised

Some members gasped, like the Polygon number, and some squad code names, and Clifford asked why Vespera wasn't tied up and restrained like she was spared.

Astra addressed the members' concerns, "Vespera is no longer a threat, and she has agreed to cooperate with us. Rest assured, she won't be causing any trouble." He then explained the situation, emphasizing the need for their new allies in their expanding faction and that the former cult leader had valuable information to share.

And he added as he tried not to blush "Also all males just be careful with her tail she is not an Archaican (human) necromancer, she is a succubus demonoid in disguise that manages to not be detected as such she usually is a species from Gradience so keep that in mind.."Taelin is confused as Astra carried the elven boy "Come with me Taelin, your Aniki here shall rest and deal with remaining issues"

Taelin nodded in understanding and followed Astra, who was carrying him, as they left the room. Astra needed some rest after the intense day and the unexpected encounter with Vespera.

While , Silhouette asks why it took Astra so long to CHAT with Vespera and a few minutes later accepts "You sure we can trust a sadomasochistic that ki-" Astra got a more leader tone "Silhouette, we kill..No I killed a lot of people before. when I used to work blindly under Estella's reign my targets weren't all evil so..basically, I am as morally grey as our former enemy…ahem Vespera debunks that blaming Ignatius is just blaming her like a scapegoat so prepare his execution by tomorrow..I shall do it since I did say I am the one dealing the final blow with my enemies.." Silhouette composedly scooted close "But I can sense your mana is drained a bit along with hmm new scent?"

Astra sighed and admitted, "Yes, I encountered some complications during the interrogation with Vespera. Let's just say she has a way of influencing people's emotions and desires. It's a personal matter, but it won't affect my ability to handle Ignatius." He reassured Silhouette as he felt the lingering effects of the succubus's influence.

Silhouette blinks "Wait did she manage to seduce you? Nevermind I won't pry and dishonor my leader umm I guess I shall let Taelin rest in the children's quarters with other members that can't handle your training regime or are willing to be assassins yet can assist in some way.." Astra spoke "Make Taelin an exception as he doesn't need the effort of work due to his mental state.." Silhouette nodded before noting mild bite marks on Astra's neck and his aura seemed to show hints of satisfaction vibe as she murmured "I adore you too.." as she left Astra blinks before thinking to turn and notice Cheshie appear out of the shadows and ask frowning "Astra-Senpai you may fool Silhouette yet my keen intuition and nose can tell you and Vespera did something.:..she seduce you right? Did she break you inside?"

Astra sighed and nodded, realizing he couldn't hide the truth from Cheshie, "Yes, Cheshie, she managed to influence me, but I won't let it affect our mission. I just needed a momentary distraction, that's all. It doesn't change my commitment to our goals." He admitted to his trusted comrade.

Cheshie then got her meows side "Aww claws, first Anastasia got you..now Vespera got you why is my obvious affection and devotion to respect you Senpai isn't reciprocated?!!!" Then Astra boop her nose before kissing her forehead "Because I know you may get too distracted and forget the mission and always cling onto me.."

Astra smiled at Cheshie's response and spoke gently, "Cheshie, you're like a little sister to me. I trust you to handle your missions with utmost dedication, and that's why I don't want you to get too attached. But don't ever think your devotion isn't appreciated. You mean a lot to me, and I value your loyalty." He gave Cheshie a reassuring look.

Cheshie gasped and got sad meows "Really? And only Vespera and Anastasia got it because I look not your type?"

Astra crouched down to Cheshie's level and gently petted her. "It's not about being my 'type,' Cheshie. You're more than just a romantic interest. You're a loyal and trusted member of our team. Each person in our group plays a unique and important role, and your role is one I highly value. It's not a matter of preference; it's about recognizing your dedication and skills differently."

He blushed "Besides, you do respect my goal as the first apprentice and traitor of your old cult to carry out my vengeance right?"

Astra nodded, still petting Cheshie. "Absolutely, Cheshie. Your loyalty to my cause and your skills as an assassin are irreplaceable. I trust you implicitly, and that's a different kind of bond. It's not about who's more or less important; it's about recognizing and appreciating each person's unique strengths and contributions."

Cheshie then kisses his cheeks as he puts her down and chuckles "Plus thanks to you Anastasia admitted her true feelings and learned to understand mine now.." stretches "Will you allow me to rest? I am sorely fatigued.."

Cheshie nodded and purred, "Of course, Astra-Senpai. Rest well, and if you need anything, you know where to find me." With that, she gracefully melted into the shadows and disappeared. Astra could finally take a well-deserved rest after the day's events.

Astra chuckled at how quickly she adapted to learn his magical skill despite the mana difference as he teleported to the Inn again he gasped to notice Vespera tailed him too as he spoke "How did you follow me? Rather why follow me?"

Vespera smiled mischievously as she appeared beside Astra, "Well, I couldn't resist the idea of seeing you again, Ad Astra. Plus, I can slip in and out of shadows rather easily." She winked playfully, her succubus charm still evident.

Astra facepalms "Right, you are a fan of my shadow-based techniques and you are a demonoid so" then cuts off as Anastasia screech to ask Astra "Why a-a-Astra unm who or how or WHY IS THAT LADY so closely clinging onto you like how Cheshie first met us?!!!" She says with a blush "And it's more weird..".

Astra sighed and looked at Anastasia, "Vespera, the lady you're talking about, is... well, she's a fan of my abilities and wanted to discuss some matters. It's nothing more than that, trust me. She just showed up. You don't have to worry." He tried to reassure Anastasia while Vespera giggled playfully.

Anastasia huffs "Alright I've already grown accustomed to you bringing surprises and trust yet YOU!!! My intuition may dislike it yet I may ask Are you one of those devotees like from his organization that is recently around?"

Vespera shook her head, "Oh, no, I'm not affiliated with any organization. I'm just an admirer of Astra's abilities, that's all. You can trust me in that regard." She gave a reassuring smile.

Anastasia glares a bit "But your aura is so enigmatic.." then Astra pushes them both aside and sighs "Just let me rest okay? I am very fatigued handling an entire larger group to lead and dealing with discoveries after finally destroying my dead Anti-Goddess I despite cult be"

Astra made his way to a nearby table and sat down, clearly in need of rest. Anastasia and Vespera exchanged a glance, and then Anastasia nodded, understanding that Astra needed some time to recuperate. She said, "Alright, let's let him rest. We can talk more later." Vespera agreed, and they both left Astra to recover.

Then as he slept in bed, Anastasia sighed before passive-aggressively to Vespera smirking "What? Don't tell me that the recent cult he overthrew are keeping tabs on me? Rather ahem..what is exactly Astra to you?"

Vespera grinned slyly, not taking the passive aggression too seriously. "Keeping tabs on you? Well, my dear, I do have a certain curiosity about you. As for what Astra is to me, he's a complex and enigmatic individual. We have a unique connection, but I don't want to overcomplicate things. Right now, he needs rest, and I think we should let him do just that." 

Anastasia sighed "Sure, but something in the way he reacted and explained made me suspect you tried to seduce him away from him I mean" blushes "Since pretty sure he must have informed me I am his soulmate and one of the bedrooms of my Inn can let him permanently stay over and rest…"

Vespera chuckled softly, finding Anastasia's reaction quite entertaining. "Oh, my dear, don't worry. I have no intention of stealing him away from you. I have my reasons for our... interaction. Astra's heart seems quite set on you. Besides, I think the two of you make a rather interesting pair." She winked playfully before adding, "But I won't deny that he's an enigma worth exploring, and I enjoy a good mystery."

Then she spoke, "Plus you could say I helped him de-stress whatever bothered him..as his soulmate you are aware of what I meant right?"

Anastasia nodded a slight blush on her cheeks. "I do understand, but it's just... you know how it is. I worry about him. He's been through so much, and he's my soulmate, after all. I trust him, but sometimes my overactive imagination gets the best of me." She sighed, looking a bit conflicted.

Vespera "Yet you are not wrong reading his demeanor, quite impressive for a magicless normal Colorian innkeeper yet somehow you got involved with him…what if I said I managed to cure or at least cure his sexual ailment..you are aware of such that he informed something is bothering him right?"

Anastasia raised an eyebrow, her curiosity piqued. "Cure his sexual ailment? I didn't know he had such a problem. He never mentioned it to me." She looked concerned, "What's been bothering him?"

Then she gasped and remembered when Astra hesitated to go behind intimate bare hug that only undressed their top part yesterday as she blushed "Wait wait, who approaches such an Id-idea first, there's no way h~he and his body subconsciously reacts like a trauma response so H-how did you said Cured?"

Vespera leaned in closer, her voice low and sultry, "He approached me first, of course. I could tell he needed help, and I'm quite skilled in such matters." She winked, her succubus charm radiating. "Don't worry, Anastasia. He's in good hands."

Anastasia stood back "Really? Are you sure? He was quite cautious and hesitant when we touched the topic and we didn't push each other..you're lying I just feel it!!" Vespera winks "oops, you are perceptive too yes...I started approaching him yet that's also our method to convince our trust and negotiation.."

Vespera giggled, her charm even more apparent, "My dear, there's no need to fret. He's in good spirits now, and that's all that matters. I assure you, everything between us was consensual and quite enjoyable." She spoke with a sly smile.

Anastasia looked down and spoke "Ohh no, then when he hesitated with me does he feel uncomfortable? Or he is scared of what he is capable of with me in such and desired mood?"

Vespera chuckled softly, "Don't worry, dear. Astra's just been through a lot, and he's still figuring things out. It's not about feeling uncomfortable with you; it's more about him coming to terms with his desires and past experiences. He's a bit of a complex one, but he cares for you deeply."

Anastasia says sweetly "Really did he mention me a lot before you help when..Do it and ease his troubles?"

Vespera nodded with a sly smile, "Oh, he talks about you all the time. You mean a lot to him, Anastasia. And yes, I did help him ease some of his troubles. It's all about making him feel comfortable and understanding his own needs and desires."

Anastasia sighs "Still, how about you? Why do you push him to such a way CO-cons-sensually I mean to do it despite his hesitation? Or why do you not mind doing it with him?"