The hivemind is conquering for me? Chapter 810: "Do you Find - Attractive?"

After marking my position with the communication device, I let it pulse a few times. I made sure the sound wouldn't draw any unwanted attention. When a few moments passed without anyone checking in, a smile touched my lips. Everything was proceeding without a hitch.

With nothing pressing to attend to, I settled back down, shutting my eyes and entering my Mindspace. I sensed Sol stirring a bit while I was on the move, and I figured she was eager for her turn after Onyx. However, to my absolute delight and considerable surprise, Sol was not alone.

Without even a thought of calling out, I materialized directly behind Kathrine, scooping her into a bridal hold and embracing her tightly.

"Apollo! Hahaha!" she exclaimed with a giggle, pressing a passionate kiss upon my lips. I surrendered to the moment, lost in her embrace, only for her to pull back abruptly. "Apollo~ Steady on, hehe. Sol mentioned you were preparing for a mission? I shouldn't be distracting you like this... although I truly wish to."

I bit my lip, gazing at her beautiful face. For a fleeting second, her eyes mirrored my expression before she quickly continued. "So, how is my daughter? Is she safe? As safe as she can be, I mean? I don't expect you to treat her any differently. She's a strong girl, but knowing you're by her side brings me comfort, my love."

A smile spread across my face. Kathrine deeply cherished her children. 'She will undoubtedly be an exceptional mother to our future children.' My thoughts flowed into our connection, causing her to blush. She then gracefully freed herself from my hold, displaying a surprising amount of restraint, for once.

"She is strong, Kat. She's currently on a mission where I'm providing rear support," I informed her, earning a nod from Kathrine.

"Good. She handles herself well. Hehe. Who would have imagined my daughter would be working directly under her new daddy in the field?"

"*Gulp*"

Kathrine's gaze shifted to me, her eyes narrowing. "Have you made any advances towards her at all? Be truthful with me, Apollo. Or has she been making advances towards you? I remember her glancing at you a few times when she was home."

"What? Kat, of course not! We're not at summer camp; we're at war. And I would never do something like that, you know that," I replied, prompting Kathrine to cross her arms, a frown settling on her face.

"What? Are you implying my daughter isn't attractive?"

Feeling cornered, I struggled for words until Kathrine elaborated.

"Because if we're going to be enjoying family time together, you need to find her attractive. I can't have you being intimate with someone you're not drawn to."

"Wait, what?" I stammered, genuinely bewildered, which in turn confused Kathrine.

"What what? I told you when you first made me your love slave that I want Mama and my baby to feel your love, to experience this paradise. I'd include my Nathanos in that as well, but he can just be a bio cultist. Still close enough. Did you forget about that?"

"I... Kinda?"

Kathrine simply chuckled and embraced me once more. "It's alright. You have so much on your plate constantly; it's natural to forget. I won't lie, I expected Mum to make a move on you by now. The way she looks at you, that glint in her eye when she speaks of you... Brrrr~ I don't think she can maintain the 'touchy mother' act much longer. So, be ready for that after you return from the war. For now, you have my full blessing to be with Rhea if the opportunity arises. Just try not to get her pregnant before I do. I desire more children before I desire grandchildren."

"... I'm completely lost right now. This is not how I envisioned my day unfolding. Can we shift focus? Perhaps to why you're here? Don't misunderstand, I'm overjoyed you're present, my love, but I'm curious about the timing."

"Oh, I drifted off while thinking of you. Perhaps I did something intimate to myself before I slept? Who knows. When I finally fell asleep, I found myself here with Sleeping Beauty, Pointy Beauty, and Smoky Beauty. Sneaky Beauty seems to be absent? Judging by her faded silhouette?"

Sol then interjected, addressing Kathrine. "Yes, she is. Apollo rewarded her for eliminating a significant number of Drakoshi elites... I am quite envious. I wish I could partake in battles and earn such accolades for myself, but the conditions of my existence prevent such joys. In fact, Apollo has had quite a few intimate encounters during this war. It's honestly impressive."

"Oh? Is that so? You should recount them to me whenever you have some spare time," Kathrine remarked, giving me a playful wink.

"Or with Apollo's consent," Sol added smoothly. "I could share all the enjoyable details that have unfolded thus far, allowing Apollo to resume his duties as war leader? What do you say, my Kindled?"

I had absolutely nothing to conceal from Kathrine; she would likely find the entire Woad incident quite amusing. "Certainly, but Sol, do not go divulging other people's secrets. Although you and Onyx are privy to everything due to your constant presence, it doesn't grant you the right to repeat confidences shared with me. Understood?"

Sol offered a simple nod, her horns flaring slightly, which I interpreted as her silent agreement.

Kathrine then crossed her arms, feigning indignation, and pouted. "I can't believe you won't share the juicy details. How terribly cruel of my master..."

"Would you care to repeat that?" I inquired sternly, appearing directly before Kathrine. She immediately faltered, her knees buckling as she sank back down, the blush on her cheeks betraying her enjoyment of my assertive demeanor.

"N-No. Forgive me, master," she stammered, her gaze drifting towards my waist, a clear tell of her true feelings.

A smirk played on my lips as I crouched down and planted a kiss upon her forehead.

"Good."

Rising to my feet once more, I continued, "Very well, I shall leave you two to your conversation. Kat, feel free to stay as long as you wish. However, I've been informed that the emotional atmosphere within this space can become quite volatile during combat. Should that occur, please be prepared."

Just as I was about to depart my Mindspace, Kathrine's voice rang out.

"Apollo, wait!"

I paused and turned back to her as she regained her footing, awaiting her next words.

"You never actually answered me when I asked. Do you find my daughter attractive?"

Closing my eyes, I massaged the bridge of my nose. "These Hyllus are truly something else..."

Kathrine observed Apollo's departure from the Mindspace after his cryptic remark. "He didn't answer... Such a tease. I simply wish for my daughter's happiness and for her to find a good man. And what man could be better than Apollo, right?" she inquired, turning to Sol.

"Indeed, quite so," Sol replied, her lips curving into a smirk.

Kathrine then scanned her surroundings with a cautious air, not searching for an object, but rather for a presence. With Apollo no longer observing, she leaned closer to Sol and whispered, "So, how is he truly doing? He possesses such a gentle and affectionate soul. I know he is powerful, but I fear that war might shatter his heart. My only wish is for my master to remain safe. It's agonizing to know he is so far away, constantly in peril."

Sol offered a knowing nod. "I harbored similar fears initially. I have witnessed the loss of countless Kindled souls due to conflict. Their emotions become an insurmountable burden, leading them to become lost in the flames and ultimately extinguish themselves—sometimes literally, other times figuratively. However, Apollo has adapted remarkably well. Since discovering his role as a sentinel and assuming command, he has adopted a sort of mental shield during combat. This has effectively regulated his emotions and preserved his mental well-being. Honestly, his primary concern at this moment is the strain of leadership, not the war itself. And Onyx and I are committed to ensuring that burden does not become too overwhelming for him."

A palpable tension released from Kathrine, a burden she hadn't realized she was carrying, as she heard Sol's words. Releasing a long, slow breath, she smiled.

"I must consider myself fortunate that my man has two exquisite companions like yourselves to keep him content in my absence. Thank you. Please, keep him happy for me."

"Naturally," Sol responded with a dismissive wave of her hand.

Her anxieties somewhat eased, at least for the time being, a mischievous grin spread across Kathrine's face. "So, I gather Apollo has enjoyed himself elsewhere? Pray tell, what is this hot gossip? Who were the ladies involved? I'd like to become acquainted with them before I approve them, as per our arrangement."

Sol smirked and began examining her fingernails. "Who stated that Apollo's dalliances were exclusively with other humans? What tale shall I recount first? Would you prefer to hear about Apollo kissing a snake he has since taken as a concubine? Or perhaps Apollo's encounter with your daughter's closest friend, Willow, who is, in fact, a bio-cultist? Or maybe the story of how Apollo received day-long oral pleasures from Nerissa and another Praetorian, intended to extract a seed that would have transformed him into an exceptionally potent species, but at the cost of morphing him into a colossal, tree-like entity?"

Kathrine stared, utterly bewildered.

"What in the blazes is transpiring on that planet?"