Harem Hero

Moving On

It's another slow day in the garage. Mitsuru has gotten the surveillance system up and running on the new and improved central computer system thanks to Barbara lending her the AI system needed to operate it. According to her, your ability to both respond to new crises and crunch numbers had increased a thousand-fold. Mitsuru is going on a shopping spree, hammering in a set of new alternate universes to plunder of their single woman every other day. She's travelling down a list of every piece of media you've ever consumed – and some that you haven't, just in case you need it.

You can't supervise her at the moment though, because a certain red-haired devil is trying to monopolise you to make up for recent isolation. Rias puts on the airs of a refined and cool lady, but in truth she's definitely the neediest girl in your harem. She always wants to spend more time with you, and she starts to get lonely if you don't see her in person every few days. Motoko has been so busy with her work that you haven't seen her in a month, and she doesn't complain...

Rias leans in and leaves another red mark on your face by kissing your cheek; "I hope that you'll make good wives of the others soon, husband. It would be very unfair to enjoy myself while leaving them out of things." It's such a stark contrast to the jealous Rias you know from the original series, but that's what happens when Mitsuru specifically locates worlds where they all accept polyamory like it's a normal thing.

"Of course I will. Xenovia is already on board. I just need Asia and Koneko, I think."

"Asia very much enjoyed our date together. She's looking forward to the next."

"Me too. I should organise something for us that we can do as a group."

Rias shoots you a steamy look.

"Something that isn't sex."

Her face falls as you shoot her down. She pouts, "Really?"

"We can still do that – it's just... something that comes at the end of the date, not being the whole thing. You'll never find me turning down the chance to get my hands on you, Rias." You punctuate your flirting by reaching around her back and placing one of your hands on her chest. Rias smiles and blushes.

"Good. A devil should be filled with boundless desire. As the future male head of the house, you will be expected to bed many, many concubines and sire children as a sign of your virility and strength. Given your ambitions, we may have to request more of that drug from Lala."

You grimace, "Right. More of that stuff." You really hope that it doesn't have any side-effects, Lala doesn't do her due diligence with some of her inventions. The discussion is interrupted by Mitsuru coughing into her hand and walking up to the couch. Rias smiles and waves at the short scientist, who returns it in kind.

"Since both you and Rias are here, I thought it might be the perfect time to explain our next major project. Venelana and I have been working hard on formalization our methodology, but it's pertinent for Rias to know as well."

"Alright. What's going on?" you ask.

Mitsuru escorts you and Rias to the elevator. She presses a complex combination of numbers to reach a normally inaccessible floor. The motor begins running and lowers you into the depths of the earth while Mitsuru lays out some context.

"To put it simply – we're developing a portal network that can transport people and objects between universes."

"A portal? Is that different to the Sledgehammer?"

Mitsuru adjusts her glasses, "Allow me to explain how it works. With something as compact as the Sledgehammer, the stabiliser device that aligns their existence with our universe can only be so large. I've made efficiency improvements before, but at the present time the only way to make any further leaps would be to make it even larger."