Morning After✨ Lovers 21 - 22

renta. 

 

21 Decisive Battle: Cranbert Company 1: 

At the end of the strategy meeting, we decided to inform Chris that we would sell Geist’s sperm. Lucas on his side put more pressure on Cranbert while Chris was used as bait. Cranbert was only too happy to show how the pheromones were distilled once he’d heard Lucas had agreed to assist with breeding the female. A meeting time was scheduled really quickly.

‘They’re going to answer quickly because they would want the sperm to be fresh. Or did they give another reason?’

‘They’re probably most concerned about that. It means nothing if it is useless.’

‘I hope the plan goes well…’

‘Ludwig has been sent word that they’ll be getting cubs, if all goes well. They’re in a hurry to get things done.’

That must mean that Chris had told Cranbert of the conversation he had with me. They haven’t gotten it yet, but they’re already seeing wolfe cubs prancing in the fields. We were all amazed at how quickly they agreed to our terms. Even Chris worked quickly when he stood to gain.

On that evening, four of us met with Cranbert. They took us to the secret building I had seen on our reconnaissance. Lucas, myself, Douglas and Eugene, a young brigade member.

There were other brigade members placed in the area outside of Cranbert in case of any happenings. I prayed nothing terrible happened.

‘Commander, we’ll await your signal. In case of emergency, Inspector Fair River needs to get out first.’

‘You don’t have to worry about me.’

‘Your safety is paramount.’

‘Especially if commander goes into battle mania.’

‘We definitely don’t want you to get injured.

Lucas in combat. I only vaguely remembered him tousling with Geist with his bare hands; was that his battle mania? I supposed I had forgotten that the Rejude Brigade was a mercenary group. They weren’t just playing with knights.

‘Don’t worry, Mira.’ Lucas said to me, looking a little anxious at my pensive silence.

‘There’s a 90% it might end up being a mess, but I will be by your side. When I tell you to run, run to these guys.

‘Hmmm, and the remaining 10%...’

‘I might have to surrender.’

‘Cranbert breeds carnivorous knights, so it my come to that.’

‘If they are knights, we can showcase our arms!’

‘Yes! I’m pumped!’

The men seemed to be excited by the prospect of a fight. I was kind of worried.

I prayed things worked out.

As we went in, I wondered if my prayer reached heaven. In the end, I think God refused to receive it.

Lucas and Chris met finally came face to face in the visitors’ drawing room of Cranbert Company; and Lucas went full intimidation mode on Chris. If they were beasts, Lucas would be the predator, baring fangs and claws while Chris would be the herbivore, quivering.

‘Hi Mir- I mean, Miss Fair River…’ Chris had been trying to be friendly but quickly changed his tack in the wake of Lucas’ glare

‘Are you the little bottle maker? I am Lucas Rejude, Rejude Brigade Commander.’ Lucas practically growled in Chris’ face’

‘Ah ha! I’m Chris Danning,’ Chris laughed nervously.

‘I see.’

‘Hii!’

Although little beasts were cute, cringing Chris was not cute at all. Lucas, you’re not doing well either.

When I contacted Chris about the sperm, he told me to come here. Lucas had not announced he would come with the item, so Chris was shaken to see him, and the grall horse we arrived on also intimidated him. It was big with eight legs and it looked predatory. But grall horses were harmless unless bothered, their preferred food was fruit.

‘Hi Chris, sorry we’re late. We’ve got it.’ I said showing him the vial we had full of a white viscous liquid.

‘Oh! You really brought it!’ He was about to reach for the bottle, but I held it away from his grasp.

‘I heard Mr Cranbert was talking to Lucas about this, we came to negotiate. That’s okay, isn’t it?’

‘Of-f course, that’s okay. I’ll go get Mr Cranbert.’ He said nervously. Lucas must have been glowering over my shoulder because Chris kept looking past me at him.

‘Thank you!’ I said to his back as he scrambled off.

‘Lucas?’ I turned to him once Chris had gone. Perhaps, Lucas thought he was being cool; he was not.

‘What Mira?’

‘Would you like to explain why you’re being mean tempered and unreasonable? It won’t help matters’

‘Don’t worry, they’ll tell us everything for that.’ He replied, indicating the vial of fake sperm.

He adjusted his fake moustache and beard. I was dressed as usual. No one could mistake me for anything other than a paper pushing clerk.

‘Mira, do you still have weakness for him?’ Lucas asked.

None at all. But I knew he would ask this. He hadn’t been too bad as a boyfriend, but my eyes opened to his true character after our break-up.

‘I’ll explain some other time.’

‘Come to think of it, this is a chance for revenge.’

‘Maybe, I’ll figure it out myself.’

‘Really. I’ll look forward to it.’

‘If you’re looking forward to it, please behave yourself from now on.’

Honestly, I didn’t care about it anymore and it was thanks to Lucas. I should thank him someday. Douglas and Eugene were with us pretending not to listen. Eugene is terrible at pretending not to listing.

There were sounds of hurrying footsteps coming down the corridor and the doors opened shortly after.

‘Commander Rejude.’

Mr Cranbert.’

Mr Cranbert was a rather loud and large man. He urged Lucas and I to take a seat in one of the sofas, while Chris sat on another chair.

‘I never realised you knew Mr Danning, our investor. Strange coincidence, isn’t it?’ Cranbert said before a spirited guffaw. His stomach shook with his laughter.

‘Thank you for your quick decision; please leave the rest to us.’ Cranbert said.

‘I’m afraid that is not the agreement; I agreed to the breeding of your chase wolfe because Mr Danning here agreed with my fiancée that we would be able to see your facilities. Did he not tell you?’

‘Ah, yes. That’s right. We’ll guide you throught at a later date.’

Maybe he felt sweaty, but during the conversation Mr Cranbert was always reaching for his handkerchief to dab his brow.

Wait a moment, what fiancée? Lucas don’t add extra things to the plan. I tried to pinch his thigh to rein him in, but he was so muscular, I could find no inconspicuous flesh to pinch.

‘A later date? I’m afraid that would not work at all.’ Lucas said as he looked at me with a sly smile. Chris was just flirting while Cranbert looked at me with suspicion.

‘Well, I guess you don’t want this then.’ Lucas held up the vial of white fluid. Mr Cranbert responded the same way Chris did; gold shining from his eyes.

‘When did you collect it?’

‘Shortly before we came here. I do wonder if the preservation magic we placed on it would last long though.’

‘It’s all right! Let’s go right away. The chase wolfe is in the same facility, we can kill two birds with one stone.’ Mr Cranbert replied loudly.

Lucas narrowed his eyes at the man, Mr Cranbert was sweating profusely now. Chris didn’t seem to get it.

‘We have to make sure that the implantation is successful, is that okay?’

‘Yes, I have to witness it.’

Mr Cranbert looked shocked, did Chris not tell him what I did?

‘We would like one cub from the litter. I think that is a reasonable price for this?’

‘But we are offering a lot of money…’

‘I don’t need money. One cub; surely, that is cheaper for you in the long run.’ Lucas said waving the bottle in front of Mr Cranbert’s eyes. His eyes swung with the bottle.

‘If all goes well.’ Cranbert seemed to have done the calculations in his head and nodded.

He rose with a flourish, ‘Let’s head to the facility!’

22 Decisive Battle: Cranbert Company! 2

The facility was in, as we suspected, the building behind the “Do not cross” fence.

The ground floor was set up like an office. Cranbert handed us leather masks here. The mask had two layers and had a herbal scent.

‘As you know, the chase wolfe is emitting pheromones. If you don’t have this one, it will be trouble.’

The other workers were wearing the same masks. As I put on the mask, I realised it herbal scent I was smelling was the estrus neutralising drug that I had told Lucas about. It was very expensive; Cranbert must have a lot of money.

‘Procedures seem really strict.’

‘Yes. This was a breeding kennel for the carnivorous beasts. It has a sub-basement and basement levels. Every beast emits a worse scent than usual during their mating cycle, so there is an exhaust vent and pipes to the outside.’

Cranbert pointed at the thick pipes to the side of one wall that went through the wall. As I thought, that chimney like thing was an exhaust pipe. I wondered if it was discharging excess scent or pheromones outside.

It was rare to breed animals in a basement, and the environment doesn’t seem well thought out. As breeding grounds were under my purview, I couldn’t help but see things that worried me. For instance, was there enough natural light and air sweeping in to the kennels?

We were led down a short set of stairs to an area that seemed larger than the building we had entered. The cages were huge; likely due to the fact that during heat cycles, beasts got really aggressive even against their own kind.

This was the worst environment for beasts. I wrinkled my nose and looked up at Lucas; he also looked displeased. The Rejude Brigade would never treat their beasts like this. Just thinking of a beast in this sort of place made one angry. Though restrictions were looser in Joanne, outside of the walls, this was still taking things too far. I wondered if there was anyway we could solve this sort of thing at the department.

Thick iron doors were opened into the deepest part of the sub-basement to reveal the large mound of black fur. She must be from a warm forest.

‘Here she is; our chase wolfe. She’s not dangerous because there is a special magic circle around her, although she may bark; she’s quite ferocious.’

Her situation seemed the same as Geist. No, I think it was worse. Her lustrous fur looked thin and lank, her eyes were dull, and her tail barely moved.

‘How terrible.’ I said unconsciously. I noticed Lucas clench his fist. I could feel the same anger from Douglas and Eugene behind us.

‘We’re giving her sedatives, don’t worry.’ Cranbert said misinterpreting our reaction.

‘Is there a chain?’

‘Yes, a muzzle and collar. It’s leather to prevent injury.’

‘Is it possible for her to be impregnated in this state?’

‘If she is able to get pregnant, the heat cycle will end and her physical condition will stabilise.’

Lucas glared at Cranbert, and he began to sweat profusely again. Chris hung back.

Lucas looked at the chase wolfe again, and then turned to Douglas.

‘Douglas, go in.’

‘Yes, commander.’

‘Wait! We’re…’

Lucas glared coldly at Cranbert, who was trying to stop them.

‘Douglas is a veterinarian at Rejude. He’s very familiar with breeding beasts. He will make sure she’s impregnated.’

‘Ah I see.’

‘We will use some of your equipment.’

Lucas was rather terrifying, and Cranbert couldn’t beat him. He decided to let it go. He turned to the Cranbert technicians and gave them orders to assist. Rejude were renown experts in breeding carnivorous beasts, he seemed to have decided it was safer to leave it to Douglas.

‘Let’s check the female’s condition first.’ Douglas said hefting his doctors bag and walking over to the slumped wolfe. He walked around inspecting the room, before putting his bag down and taking an instrument out. It looked like a real equipment, but there was a weapon like thing prepared that the would not have found when we were inspected.

Rejude Brigade was amazing.

‘Inspector Fair River.’ Eugene called from the corner of his mouth.

‘What’s wrong?’

‘Shall come with me for a bit?’ Because he was behind me only I could hear. I could listen while Lucas and Douglas worked.

‘There are wide doors that are for getting the beasts in and out of the sub-basement. You can see by the inclination of the ground and the dirt.’

I looked where he indicated. There were large barn doors, the ground sloped inwards and dirt on the ground looked like it had been dragged in.

‘We’re going to get the chase wolfe to rampage under the guise of impregnating it. I will open the door in the meantime. Could you distract Mr Danning and Mr Cranbert in the meantime, Inspector?’

We had discussed it during the strategy meeting, but could I really do it? There was only one topic that could distract those two more than impregnating the chase wolfe.

‘Shall I talk about the pheromones?’

‘Yes.’

It wasn’t as though I could refuse. It was why I was here. I nodded to Eugene, and went up to Chris.

‘You look awful,’ I said to him, ‘Why don’t you excuse yourself?’ He was looking disgusted.

‘I’d like to do that, but there are other laboratories here and they do dangerous things.’

‘What’s the danger?’

‘They also make the aphrodisiac from the pheromones here. I’m lending my skills in the distillation.’

He was the young master of a bottle making factory in a beast kennel getting involved in beast breeding. He began to talk enthusiastically about how he created the process to refine the estrus pheromones.

‘We had to figure out a way to turn the secretions into steam then cool it again to collect it. Without my factory’s technology, they couldn’t have been able to get a high purity product.

‘I see.’ Did this man have no awareness that what he was doing was illegal? Didn’t he know that refining Chase wolfe estrus is subject to huge fines? (Zuben: So because they know it’s the rich that do it, they get no jail time, just pay and keep it moving)

‘Even when bottling, if it is exposed to air, the effect will be diminished. My factory developed a magic circle that seals the bottling process.’

Chris continued to boast and I got angrier listening to him. I had a hard to ignore urge to hit the back of his head with a spanner. But I also had to distract Mr Cranbert as well.

Lucas and Douglas were about to enter the cage, and Cranbert was about to follow them. Behind me, Chris was still talking. I hurriedly stopped Cranbert.

‘Mr Cranbert, I have something to ask.’

‘What is it, Miss?’

‘That thing you showed Lucas the other day, I wonder how much you can…give me.’ I spoke indirectly, but he understood. He immediately came to me with a smirk. Don’t look at me with nasty eyes.

‘M-Mira? Are you interested in that?’ Chris asked looking shocked.

‘Isn’t it interesting? Lucas doesn’t want to tell me.’ I said with a wide smile for Mr Cranbert. Chris' eyes widened at me. He never imagined I would be interested in such things. Someone he called a badly made sex doll. Until I spent the night with Lucas, I thought I wasn’t good at sex, but after that perverted glitch, I decided to accept my new self.

‘Just a little bit, and you can get pleasure you’ve never experienced. I too have…’ Cranbert trailed off with a leering smile. I’m glad he trailed off, because I didn’t want to hear what he had to say. I’m sure this pervert had used it. But I couldn’t imagine who would do it with him.

‘Yeah, but he has inexhaustible physical strength, sometimes, I want to turn the tables…’

‘Yes, the commander certainly looks amazing. Sure, why not. He didn’t take it the last time, but I will give it to you as a special gift.’

‘Really! But we have to make sure we don’t get caught.’ I said conspiratorially.

Cranbert laughed too, ‘Come this way, let me show you our secret laboratory.’

He put a pudgy hand on my shoulder as he led me away, Chris followed. I glanced back at Lucas and Douglas; Douglas was looking over the chase wolfe. Eugene had vanished.

I had to act alone. I’ll do my best! He may be a pervy old man, but a man was a man; if something went wrong I would be at a disadvantage, so I had to be cunning.

I walked beside Cranbert and Chris, who looked at bit worried and shell-shocked. Was he worrying about me? That didn’t make me happy.

Once we were out of the cages, Chris brushed off his clothes while complaining about the smell.

‘Here, Miss Mira, you can see the refinery from here.’

A glass window was set inside a wall, from there, we could see a massive magical machine, with bellows and chemical apparatus connected with thin glass tubes, with steam coming out of many parts.

Does Chris’ glass making factory look like this? I wondered.

‘Since the secretions are precious, we cannot waste a drop. Without Mr Danning assisting us with this apparatus, we would not have close to perfect pheromones.’ Cranbert explained.

In the lab, the technicians were running the machine by flowing magical power on operation panels. Cranbert went off and came back not long after with a box of about ten bottles.

‘This is a refined version of the pheromones. Very expensive – could be compared to a single dragon.’

If this was offered to me, should I take it? What would Cranbert ask in return?

My inner conflict was interrupted by a loud bang, and the screeching sound of metal warping and scraping against another metal.

‘Alert! The chase wolfe has broken out!’

Index ✨ Next