I CAN GIVE TALENTS

His mind went blank. The words she just said didn't make any sense to him. Out of all the possibilities he had considered, this wasn't even on the list. Not in a million years.

Seeing that the crown prince was having trouble processing her words, Tamina repeated herself clearly, "I want to be the head of a large harem. Did Your Highness hear me?"

"Tamina… you mean… you want me to marry more women?" Dastan asked slowly as the meaning started to sink in.

"That's right. Your Highness knows about War Empress Celes, correct? She is my idol. I want to be someone like her," Tamina replied with a glint of admiration in her eyes.

"War Empress… Celes… WHAT? You mean you want to conquer the other kingdoms?" Dastan's eyes widened in shock.

He couldn't believe it. The gentle and well-mannered lady he had known since childhood was actually harboring such bold ambitions? After War Empress Celes's reign ended, no one had ever succeeded in conquering the kingdoms again. Only territories occasionally changed hands. The twelve great kingdoms had maintained a delicate balance since then, each one checking the power of the others to prevent another era like hers.

Still, no one had ever forgotten War Empress Celes. Her name remained legendary for having united nearly half the continent under one banner.

But Tamina quickly shook her head. "Your Highness, you misunderstood. I wasn't referring to conquest. I only admire that part of her, the way she led her harem. She forged an unshakable unity among them and accomplished something grand together. That's the part I wish to emulate. I want to lead a royal harem so united that we accomplish something worthy of being recorded in history. That is my true ambition."

Dastan blinked in disbelief. He wasn't sure what shocked him more, her ambition, or the fact that he never saw any of this coming from her. He realized that, despite his deep feeling for her, he had never tried to know more about her properly.

Tamina gave a faint smile. She had learned a lot from Anda. Rather than play cold and distant, trying to push him toward other women subtly, it was better to be direct. The previous method had only caused confusion and distance. It helped no one. What she needed was complete cooperation from him.

So this time, she chose honesty.

A few moments later, Dastan let out a long sigh of relief. For a moment, he had truly believed Tamina wanted to create an empire. That kind of ambition would be nearly impossible to realize in the current age unless he became the strongest individual in the world. Even then, there would be no guarantee of success because the other kingdoms would likely join forces to eliminate him before he became too great a threat.

"But Tamina, don't you want to be the only one loved by this prince? Just like many other women do?" Dastan asked seriously. "This prince has seen the schemes and manipulations within the palace. Women have gone as far as to murder each other just to gain their husband's favor. This prince does not want you to experience anything like that."

Tamina's gaze softened as she listened to him. She looked at him for a few moments before a gentle smile formed on her face.

"I understand. Thank you for thinking of me, Dastan. But I have already taken that into account. That is why I want to be the one who chooses the women. By doing so, I can ensure that the right people are by our side and that such conflicts will never arise. And since they will be your women, I ask that you treat them with the same care and respect you have shown me."

"Tamina, you…" Dastan was momentarily speechless. She had addressed him without a title, simply calling him by name. That small change made their relationship feel much closer than before.

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But even as warmth spread through his chest, confusion lingered in his mind. Why the sudden shift in attitude? And why was she genuinely accepting of him having other women? Weren't most women against the idea of sharing their man?

At that moment, Dastan realized that women were far more complicated than he had ever imagined.

---

That afternoon, Leyvi and Anda finally stepped out of the room hand in hand, after three straight days of intimate sessions, and made their way out of the mansion.

"So what should we do after this? Do we go after Val?" Leyvi asked.

Just a while ago, they had shared stories about everything that had happened over the past year. He had told her everything, including the process of how he found her.

When Anda heard about the phenomenon that gave Leyvi a worldwide spiritual sense, she was completely shocked. That kind of ability was something she believed only a god could possess. Even Anda began to look at him with suspicion now, wondering if Lilian's recent fantasy was actually true, that Leyvi might be a reincarnated god.

But in the end, she set those strange mysteries aside. All that remained in her heart was a soft and overwhelming sweetness. Why should she dwell on uncertainties when her husband had come all this way for her? He had crossed an entire continent and even a vast ocean just to find her. It was a bit of a shame, though. She only learned about it after all the intimacy was over. If she had known earlier, she might have received a massive emotional boost during the act.

"No need. I'll inform Senior Lapin of her general location later so he can go pick her up. For now, this place will be our base. There's something here that we can't miss," Anda replied.

Leyvi blinked. His panda wife actually turned a King Level Demonic Beast into her errand boy? Was this the true power of the panda?

"Something here... are you talking about the spirit stone mine? Don't tell me they're high-grade spirit stones? Hahaha! Aren't we going to be super rich? Oh, and you need to tell Senior Lapin where Scarlet and the others are too. With her help, we'll be able to dig everything up way faster," Leyvi said, his voice full of excitement.

He had assumed it was either a low-grade or middle-grade spirit stone mine, since those were the most common types. Their family already owned several mines like that in the territories around Bara City, so he figured Anda wouldn't be interested unless it was something more special.

Anda gave a sly smile. "Husband, you're wrong. It's not high grade. It's top grade. Even the Cloud Continent doesn't have any top-grade spirit stone mines left. We're about to become the richest family on the entire continent."

"What? Top grade?" Leyvi froze in place, jaw dropping in disbelief. That was way beyond anything he had imagined.

Anda giggled. "Actually, there's an even bigger reason we decided to stay here. There's something more valuable than the top-grade spirit stones. It's something we absolutely must bring back. But we'll need your help. None of us are able to handle it right now."

"My help? And it's more valuable than top-grade spirit stones?" Leyvi raised his eyebrows. "What could it possibly be? Don't tell me it's Elemental Essence Beads?"

Anda shook her head and smiled playfully. "Rather than explaining it, it's easier if I just show you. Let's head to the mine right now. Lilian doesn't know you're here yet, and I can introduce you to the other girls while we're at it."

Leyvi squinted at her suspiciously. "You didn't pandawash them already, did you?"

"Pftt..." Anda couldn't hold back a laugh. "I haven't. But if my husband wants, I can do it."

"No no no. Please don't. Just leave them alone. We've got more important things to take care of," Leyvi said quickly, waving his hands in refusal.

But then he saw that mischievous smile on Anda's face from the side. This panda... she definitely did it!

And so, the two of them walked together toward the mine, taking their time. Anda could have easily summoned the Celestial Cloud and flown there, but she preferred to stroll slowly like this, enjoying the peaceful moment with her husband.

Along the way, Leyvi suddenly remembered something when Anda pulled out her panda plush toy from the space ring and hugged it with her free hand. He had completely forgotten about them ever since he arrived here.

A wide grin spread across his face. "Anda, I have a surprise for you."

"Really? Did you seduce any beautiful ladies during your journey? Show her to me."

Leyvi rolled his eyes. This girl. "I couldn't court one even if I wanted. All I met were two stinky guys you know? All the ladies obviously went to you...and Val, somehow."

"Really? Her group is all women?" Anda's eyes lit up with a dangerous gleam.

"Stop. Don't get any weird ideas," Leyvi warned.

"Well, if your method of stopping me is by grabbing my boob, then go ahead. Use your other hand too. The other side needs to be stopped as well." Anda gave a playful shake, making them jiggle.

"Hahaha! With pleasure!"

Naturally, things escalated from there, and the two ended up having some fun out in the open. Of course, Leyvi made sure no one was watching before anything happened.

Once their little "recreational activity" came to an end, Leyvi finally summoned the seven pandas.