Gwen, Fors, and Lydia were all experienced enough to grasp Abner's meaning at once. Without making a fuss, they climbed onto the absurdly large bed as quickly as they could and pulled the covers over themselves.
Meanwhile, Fors activated Record again and returned to the appearance she had used for her disguise.
Lydia alone paused to think, then feigned weakness and collapsed on the other side of the bed.
Once they were all in place, Abner calmly rumpled his collar and used his power of Creation to produce a few suggestive smells. Only then did he open the bedroom door with the High Priest's usual impatience written across his face.
The ritual and altar used to imprison Enbuliou and extract the Beyonder Characteristic from him had, of course, been sealed off in a Hidden Space by the Secrets Sorcerer's power. No outsider could discover them.
As the door opened, the patrol captain waiting outside caught a scent he knew all too well. He took the chance to glance into the room from the corner of his eye, then hurriedly lowered his head when he saw the bed.
He was filled with envy but dared not entertain any improper thoughts. In Lansell Town, the High Priest's authority had long since surpassed even the mayor's.
"What happened?" Abner asked from the doorway, adopting the right tone.
"Your Excellency, four more young ladies have entered town..." The patrol captain repeated the report he had given through the door. After checking the High Priest's expression, he added, "The four of them are exceptionally beautiful. Even more so than the three inside. More... more..."
He had little education and an even smaller vocabulary. No matter how long he searched, he could not find the word he wanted.
Abner knew, of course, that the arrivals were