3rd Day of the 2nd Earth Cycle[1], 2000, g.c.
Back on Gaia, ten days rolled by with a strange kind of peace settling over Talasi. It wasn't the quiet kind. Nah, it had the kind of calm that came after something violent shook the mundane and forced everybody to rebuild themselves from the inside out. The town carried a new brightness now, something foreign layered over something familiar. The streets still buzzed the way I remembered—vendors calling out deals, kids running through open spaces, the hum of daily life—but the look of it all had changed.
Lights glowed from magitech fixtures even during the day, faintly pulsing with stored mana like veins beneath glass. Buildings stood cleaner, sharper, reinforced with structure and intent. Folks still stopped mid-step just to stare at the lights. Some ain't even fully trust the new infrastructure yet. Everything felt like it had been pushed forward a hundred years in the span of a few nights. And the people? They were still catching up to it. Spring had come in with a storm of change, and I was standing right at the center of it, moving everything whether folks were ready or not.
Not everybody made it to see that new Talasi, though. Some sociovores got through the Humans' assault untouched, but that wasn't the story most of the town was telling. Too many names got added to that list of the gone. Marzia's rampage carved through dozens of lives before Alex finally put her down. Bodies dropped, families broken, homes left empty in ways that no amount of rebuilding could fix.
You could feel that loss in the air. Even with all the upgrades, all the light, all the movement, grief sat heavy behind people's eyes. So my first move as king? I made sure everybody got to say goodbye the right way. I called for a city-wide funeral.
Didn't matter the clan. Didn't matter the race. If you lost somebody, you got your moment. That wasn't how Talasi used to operate. Funeral repasts? Final celebrations of life? That kind of honor used to be reserved for noble clan sociovores. The rest? They got silence. Dirt. And a quick prayer if they were lucky.
Nah. I wasn't rocking with that.
Traditionally, you needed a priest or priestess to call on the Aeon of Death for a proper send-off. But with Omnia at my side, I wasn't bound to tradition. I could give them something deeper. Something that actually reached the soul instead of just speaking at it. And with Ameera? Yeah, I had the priestess position covered. We gave them something real.
The whole town showed up. Even the Humans. Jojo. Krystal. Lynnette. They stood among the crowd, not separated, not watching sideways. Just present. Respectful. Heads lowered when they needed to be. That's when Lynnette told me something that added another layer to the mess.
Marzia Judas? That was her younger sister. That caught me off guard. She explained it calmly, but you could hear the history in her voice. Said they used to be close. Tight. Family like it's supposed to be. Then Marzia was recruited under Sword Saint Mary Magdala, and everything flipped. Personality changed. Values shifted. The girl she knew disappeared behind whatever the Church molded her into.
Their last meeting? Ended in a fight. After that, Lynnette walked away from the Kingdom of Madness entirely. Left her sister behind. And now? Yeah. That chapter was closed for good, or so I thought.
Funny thing about Jojo and Krystal, they never supported that civilian assault. I already knew that, digging through Jojo's memories earlier. He wasn't built like that. Neither was Krystal. So when they showed up to pay respects, it didn't rub me wrong.
And Talasi? They didn't trip about it either.
Folks were more focused on what I was doing for them than where those two came from. Lesser clans were finally getting treated like they mattered. Standing shoulder to shoulder with nobles, grieving the same way, being seen the same way.
That meant more than old grudges. Some of them were still nervous about how the higher clans might react long-term. But in that moment? They felt heard. And that mattered most.
I had a graveyard built on the south side of Talasi. Not some rushed patch of land with holes in it. Nah. I made it beautiful. Rows of clean stone markers stretched across gentle hills, surrounded by trimmed greenery and blooming flowers that carried faint traces of restorative mana. The place held a quiet dignity to it. Maintained. Protected. A resting ground that didn't feel abandoned.
For the noble clans, I set aside a separate section. Not out of favoritism—but tradition still had its place. That section held the honored, the known, the ones whose names carried weight beyond their lifetime. And then I carved out space specifically for the Nox and Aylin Clans.
They stayed loyal when the others turned their backs and formed that Illuminati nonsense trying to challenge my throne. That kind of loyalty? Yeah, I don't forget that. The Aylin Clan loved the setup. Said everybody deserved the same ground once they passed. No hierarchy. No separation. Just rest. I let them have that belief.
Didn't have the heart to tell them that even in death, rank still existed. Souls carried weight based on the lives they lived. That part of the system didn't disappear just because your body hit the dirt.
The Nox Clan? Man, they rocked with anything I did. Didn't matter what it was. They kept offering me women from their clan, too. It was damn near part of their daily routine, trying to slide somebody into my harem every chance they got. Even during all the grief, I can't say they weren't consistent.
I made headstones for Yoona Haru and Abdul Vega, too. Didn't have their corpses there. Truth was, I still had both—locked away in my [Midnight World]. Their dead bodies. Their trapped spirits. Preserved. I had plans to experiment with them later, since I gained [Soul Reincarnation]. But they were from Talasi. From my hood. And even though they crossed the line attacking my moms, I wasn't about to erase where they came from. So I gave them a place. A name. A marker.
For Shukaku and Melech? I went bigger. Built warrior mausoleums for both of them in the honorable section. Solid stone structures with engraved details that told their stories in visual form—battles, family, legacy. And I made statues. Full-body. Standing tall. Immortalized the way warriors should be.
It was a beautiful place for something so morbid.
Ameera stayed there a lot. Too much, honestly. Every day, you'd find her sitting near Melech's resting place. Talking to him. Praying. Crying when she thought nobody was watching. Sometimes she'd fall asleep right there, curled up like she was trying to hold onto whatever piece of him she could still feel. She was hurting. Deep. Roman wasn't in much better shape physically. The Wolven spent most of his time recovering in bed, going through physical therapy, and learning how to move without his right arm. But even then, he pushed himself enough to make it to the grave a couple of times.
Stood there. Quiet. Paid respect to his little brother.
Alex? He was there a lot, too. Between his pops' mausoleum and Melech's, he had every reason to keep showing up. He and Ameera would sit there for hours, just talking. Swapping stories about their dads. Laughing at old memories. Letting silence sit between them when it needed to. He made sure she ate. Didn't let her starve herself while grieving. That mattered a lot. And she let him in. More than she let most people, including Dream Flower. Their conversations flowed easily. Natural. Like they'd known each other longer than they actually had. She never said it out loud, but she liked having him around. Danica helped with that, as well. Her energy was bright. Warm. Easy to be around. She wrapped Ameera in that sunlight feeling without even trying, like a living comfort spell. Ameera clicked with her fast. That helped balance things out between them.
At least for a while.
By the eighth day, something shifted. Late morning. Alex spotted Luvina leaving the cemetery. That alone was weird. She wasn't the type to care about grief like that. Didn't do emotional visits. Didn't linger around the dead. Seeing her there? Gave you an "off" feeling. Like a bad omen with a black cat.
When Alex made it to Melech's grave, he saw Roman standing there. Packed. Gear ready. And Ameera? Same. Fully prepared for a journey. Roman's voice carried first, low and steady.
"Seriously? Are you sure you don't want to tell him goodbye?"
Ameera started to answer, eyes focused ahead.
"Trust me, I've thought about this—"
Then she saw him. Alex stood behind Roman, frozen in place, confusion written all over his face. Her ears dropped slowly.
"...Shit."
Roman didn't even turn.
"Looks like you'll have to tell him, anyway."
Alex stepped forward a bit, brow furrowed.
"Whu-what's going on? What's with the get-up? The weather's nice out today."
Ameera swallowed hard, forcing herself to speak.
"Lord Alex... We're... we're about to leave Talasi. I want to thank you and King Xiro for everything you both did for us. Now that Roman is strong enough to make the journey, he's joining me as I follow my father's last words and find my mother."
Roman glanced over his shoulder.
"Why not invite Lord Alex to join us? We sure as hell could use someone as strong as him around."
She shook her head immediately.
"No. I'm sorry, but I could never forgive myself for always relying on Lord Alex to rescue me from trouble. This is something I need to do with my own strength."
Alex let out a slow breath.
"I can't say I don't understand... I just wish we had more time together."
She didn't respond with words. She stepped forward. Closed the gap. And kissed him. It wasn't quick. Wasn't shy. Her lips pressed into his, firm, committed. Their bodies leaned together, her hands gripping onto him as his arms instinctively wrapped around her waist. The kiss deepened fast—mouths opening, breath mixing, tongues meeting like they were trying to memorize each other before it was too late. Eight seconds.
Maybe more. Long enough for everything they didn't say to pass between them. Long enough to make it hurt when it ended. She pulled back slowly. Eyes soft. Voice quieter now.
"I hope we meet again, someday. I know you have a bright future ahead of you, milord. Take care until."
She stepped back. Moved beside Roman. Pulled out a vial of Telepuddle. Held it up. Locked eyes with Alex one last time. Then slammed it to the ground.
The black spatial liquid spread instantly, rising up around them like a living shadow. Colors flashed within it—iridescent blues, purples, golds—flickering like reality was glitching around them under the blue sun.
Then—
It collapsed. Snapped inward. Gone. Just like that...
Ameera and Roman disappeared. No trace. No sound. No additional goodbye. She went chasing answers. Peace. Closure. Whatever she thought was waiting for her out there. And the girl who left? She wasn't the same one who showed up unconscious in Talasi. Time would tell what that change meant. Alex stood there. Still. Processing. And the space she left behind? It hit him harder than he expected. That emptiness twisted up something inside him, tight and uncomfortable. His chest felt heavy, thoughts scattered, emotions building with nowhere to go.
That emptiness didn't sit still. It twisted him more with every passing second. It needed somewhere to explode.
And Danica? She felt all of it. Every piece. She had been watching him from a distance, quiet, patient. She already knew what was coming. And thanks to some real interesting conversations with Omnia? She knew exactly how to handle it. With Elysia's help, Omnia had created a treehouse deep in the southern stretch of Talasi. Not some basic wood structure either. Nah.
This one was wrapped in living mana, branches reinforced with glowing lines of energy, leaves humming softly with warmth. The interior held soft bedding, silk drapes, and an atmosphere thick with comfort and privacy.
Danica brought Alex there. And once they were alone? She didn't waste time. Clothes came off fast. Hands everywhere. Breathing heavy.
That pent-up frustration and heartbreak flipped into raw, physical need. Alex grabbed her like he was trying to anchor himself, pulling her into him as their bodies pressed tight. Danica welcomed it, guiding his hands across her breasts, matching his intensity with her own.
The sounds got loud. Real loud. Moans, gasps, the sharp rhythm of bodies moving against each other, wood creaking under the force of it. The heat between them built quick, messy, and unapologetic. He drowned himself in her. Every touch, every movement, every sound—it all blurred together into one long release of everything he couldn't process any other way.
And she gave it to him. Fully. No hesitation. It got so loud, I had to step in from a distance and throw up a soundproof barrier around the treehouse just to keep the rest of the town from catching a live performance.
Man was grieving. Just in his own way. And honestly? I couldn't even judge him for it. That was some shit I could see in me as well.
Truth be told, Alex wasn't the only one dealing with a sexually charged woman in Talasi. Reinstalling a monarchy? That wasn't just sitting on a throne looking cool. At least, not yet. That shit came with a lot of paperwork. Endless meetings. People lining up with requests, complaints, ideas, and problems, like I had all the answers just because I wore the crown now. And don't get me wrong—I handled it. Three meetings before noon. Two arguments. One threat. And a stack of paperwork that didn't get any smaller, no matter how fast I worked. But that pressure? That constant stream of voices and responsibilities? It built up fast. So I found my own way to stay balanced. Omnia didn't make it any easier either.
Shawty split herself back into the Three Twilights, giving Kyttin Luna, Karma Nova, and Chomei Sol full autonomy. That meant I wasn't dealing with just one goddess anymore—I had three different personalities pulling up on me whenever they felt like it. And they felt like it a lot.
Kyttin and Chomei would catch me slipping between meetings, dragging me into private rooms, storage spaces, anywhere they could get a little privacy. Hands massaging, lips searching, bodies pressed tight against mine like they had something to prove. They moved with purpose. All confident. Intoxicating smells. Simply, sexually dangerous creatures with demure attitudes. One would drop to her knees while the other pressed against my chest, teasing, guiding, switching roles without even speaking. Their rhythm was in sync—like they had practiced this on me a hundred times already.
And I ain't gon' lie, they knew what they were doing.
Victorya Umbra? Man, that situation got even wilder.
I thought it would be awkward the first time she found me tied up—caught mid-session, completely exposed, caught in the middle of something that wasn't meant for her eyes. But nah. The White Empress didn't hesitate. Didn't question. Didn't pull back. She saw her opportunity. Her pale fingers traced along my body slowly, curious, like she was studying something she had already decided she wanted. That cold aura of hers melted the moment desire took over. Whatever pieces of Nicole still echoed inside her? Yeah, they showed up loud in moments like that.
Victorya didn't hold back. Didn't play shy. She didn't wait. That's what threw me off. She joined in like she belonged there. And from that point on? Nighthalves turned into a different kind of battlefield.
But Karma...
Man, Karma was the worst of them all. The Noir Empress had zero chill. Zero timing. Didn't matter what I was doing or who I was talking to—if she wanted something, she was taking it.
Case in point—
Earlier that day. I was sitting across from Mr. Howard. The old Dark Elf. Straight posture. Bald head with that little bit of grey around the sides. Voice so monotone it could put a whole room to sleep if you weren't paying attention. He had his hands folded neatly in front of him, trying to look professional while pleading his case to keep his job.
"Your Majesty, as you know, I am very skilled at assisting with handling the town's finances. I would be a welcome asset to keep in employment."
Man was talking like he was reading off a script. And I was trying to stay locked in.
Trying.
Because Karma had already made her move.
She wrapped around my body as my bioarmor, sleek and invisible to anybody who didn't know what to look for. Smooth. Tight. Form-fitting in a way that made it feel like she was hugging every inch of me.
Then—
She shifted. And created a mouth. Right at my crotch. My breath caught. Just for a second. Then she slid my dick down her throat. Slow. Taking me in like she had all the time in the world.
That wet suction hit immediately—deep, controlled, and precise in a way that made my whole body tense up before I could even react.
"Karma... what are you doing, woman? I umm..."
Her voice purred in my head, playful and unapologetic. "Whatever you're about to say, I'm not stopping. Besides, you might wanna focus on the meeting, papi."
Focus?
Yeah, that shit became a challenge real quick.
Mr. Howard kept talking, completely unaware.
"...when Lady Mikazuki told me her oldest son would be taking the throne as Demon Lord, I knew you would need support with matters of this nature. It is also why I kept records of the increased attacks from monsters near the forest..."
Meanwhile—
I was fighting for my life. My body tried to shift, tried to move with the sensation, but Karma wasn't having that. She tightened around me, locking my posture in place like a restraint system built into my own skin. Pinned to the chair. Absolutely helpless. And she went harder. It turned into a straight war of attrition. She wasn't just teasing me for the fun of it. She was committed to making me nut. Rhythm steady. Pressure increasing. Every movement designed to push me closer to the edge while I sat there pretending like I was fully locked into a financial discussion. Time stretched. Minutes turned into an hour. Then more.
She didn't let up. Not once. By the end of it, I was gripping the armrest of that chair just enough to keep myself from looking suspicious. Face steady. Voice kept under control. But my body? That shit was going through euphoria.
"OHHH YES! Shit! Fuck yeah..."
Mr. Howard blinked, surprised.
"You will, Your Highness? I am shocked to hear such excitement to do battle with those beasts, but you have always been gifted in combat. If it is fine with you, I shall take my leave now and prepare the paperwork."
"...Yeah, that wasn't what I meant."
The man stood up quickly. Thought he got exactly what he came for. Didn't even question it. And I wasn't about to stop him. The door closed behind him. And I finally let go as I climaxed. I relaxed back into the chair as Karma finished, pulling everything out of me like she had a personal vendetta against my sanity.
"Damnit, Karma. Can we not be perverted during business hours? I told you, I gotta present a certain look when I'm handling king shit."
She giggled softly in my head, voice sweet like she didn't just put me through hell.
"I'm sorry, papi. I won't do it again. You aren't mad at me, are you?"
I shook my head slightly.
"Don't go speaking with that manipulative tone. I know you don't mean a word of what you just said."
"Hehehe, but I'm serious, Master. I only wanted to make sure you were relaxed during that meeting."
I ran a hand down my face, exhaling. Once my body calmed down, reality hit again.
"Fucking around with you, now I gotta solve the city's money problem before next month-cycle. What's crazy is I rarely ever think about money. Mostly because I create whatever I want. I've never even paid attention to my pockets."
That's when [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] cut in, calm as ever.
"If we're going over the town's banking account information, only 514 gold coins will be remaining on the 1st of the month-cycle. Mother Vericka was sustaining the city's failure to turn a profit with money from the Mikazuki Clan's savings, keeping Talasi afloat during the years they came up short on paying the bills and payroll. Leaving us with barely 2,000 gold coins in the family account."
Talasi was broke. Like, broke broke. And my family? We were next in line at that rate.
[Midnight Star: Belial]'s voice jumped in, casual as hell.
"Since the currency used in Arcadia is golden coins with serial numbers etched into them, why not just create more for infinite money?"
I paused. "Counterfeit? Is that not a crime here?"
"A crime?" Belial scoffed. "Why would it be a crime? The Humans do it all the time."
"What are you talking about?"
[Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] answered clean.
"The original gold coins that used to be exchanged were produced by Mountain Dwarves from the country, Wyvernia, up until the year 1399. Now, most of the currency in rotation around monster countries has been created by the humans in the Holy Land."
I leaned back slightly, thinking it through.
"So, because the coin's value is based on the gold, silver, and copper itself. Nobody really checking if it's newly made or not?"
"There wouldn't be a reason for sociovores in Velonica to check for false gold," Tsukuyomi added. "There aren't many banks in our country since capitalism only recently became the popular form of economics."
"Where's the biggest bank in Arcadia?"
"The Bank of Babylonia, located in the capital of the Holy Land."
A slow grin pulled at my face.
"There's a lot of bullshit flowing in and out of Babylonia..."
[Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] responded instantly.
"If we are going through with the counterfeit scheme, I can easily produce perfect mimics with the right predicted serial number combination to fool even the best eyes."
I tapped my finger against the armrest, decision already forming.
"A'ight, we'll do a lil' inflation for now with my [Matter Manipulation] and [Dominus Avaritiae]. But I'm robbing Babylonia in the future. Put that on the to-do list. Not like they ain't been playing games with the system already."
[Midnight Star: Belial] laughed.
"We're planning a heist and doing counterfeit? Why are you so cool lately?"
Tsukuyomi answered calmly.
"Understood. I will work on preparations."
And just like that, between getting my soul sucked out during meetings and planning financial crimes, I was really settling into this king life.
As I pushed up from the chair in Grandma's office, rolling my shoulders and stretching the stiffness out of my back, one thought sat heavy in my mind. I needed a castle. Not just a bigger house. Nah, I needed something that felt like a throne belonged in it. Holding meetings in Grandma Fann's home? That was cool when I was just her grandson, running errands and catching lectures. But now? People walked in there looking at me like I was the center of power in Velonica. And I was sitting at her old wooden table, listening to financial reports while smelling whatever she had cooking in the back.
That didn't match. Didn't reflect what I had become. Didn't reflect what Talasi was becoming.
I stepped out onto the porch, the wood creaking lightly under my boots, and took in the view of the street ahead. The town buzzed with movement—vendors setting up stalls, citizens walking with purpose, mana lights humming faintly along the new structures.
Talasi had leveled up. Now it was time for home to match that energy.
I stepped off the porch, boots hitting the ground, when something soft—and slightly unstable—collided into my chest. My arms moved on instinct, catching her before she could hit the ground. Luvina.
Of course.
She was dressed like she woke up and chose lust.
Two tan belts wrapped around her waist, barely doing their job as a censor bar for her coochie, leaving the rest of her body completely exposed. Smooth, dark brown skin stretched over curves that didn't care about modesty. Her hips swayed even while she was off balance, and her breast pressed into me as she leaned forward, catching herself against my frame.
She hiccupped softly. And yeah, that smell hit. Sweet. Rich. It was Braye wine. Strong enough to let me know she had been working that bottle.
Her eyes lifted to mine, glossy, unfocused just enough to show she was tipsy, but still sharp underneath it all.
"Ooh, my... You have such soft hands and beautiful eyes, Lord Xiro."
I smirked slightly, steadying her.
"Be careful looking into them. I'm known to cast spells with a glance."
Her lips parted, a slow grin spreading as she leaned in just a little closer.
"I would love for you to teach me a few spells in private."
Her fingers slid up, tracing along my jawline, thumb brushing my cheek as she studied my face like she was memorizing it. And that's when I felt it. That pulse. Her skin lit up faintly—soft bioluminescent patterns flowing across her body like living tattoos. The glow moved in waves, shifting colors as her mana flared outward. [Dominus Luxuriae]. That shit hit like a warm current, sliding into my mind and trying to wrap around my emotions. It wasn't aggressive off the pitch. It didn't force its way in. It chose to seduce.
Persuasive. Trying to tilt my thoughts, loosen my control, make me respond in ways that leaned toward her.
If [Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] wasn't active? My nigga, I would've been in trouble.
Even then, I felt it. That tug. That heat was building up where it shouldn't.
Then... Karma.
I didn't even have to say it out loud.
The Noir Empress reacted instantly, her presence wrapping tighter around my body as she pushed back against the foreign psionic influence. I felt her grip firm up, rejecting Luvina's energy like she was swatting away an unwanted hand. That pressure in my mind eased.
Not completely gone, but manageable. Luvina was dangerous. No question. I played it off like I didn't notice a thing. Tilted my head slightly and shifted the conversation.
"Enlighten me, Luv. Since you're used to hustling on Gaia, what would be the best way for my kingdom to make money here in the boondocks?"
Her brows lifted, confusion breaking through her flirtation.
"Whhaa? Are you asking me about finances for your country?" She blinked slowly, then narrowed her eyes with a small smirk. "You do know I'm trying to flirt with you, right? I charge for my advisor talents."
"Yeah-yea, I know," I waved it off casually. "But I gotta handle business first. Now, since you're used to making a buck, what ideas you got?"
She stared at me for a second.
Then sighed, dramatic as hell.
"...Fine. But you owe me some dick later for this advice, Your Majesty."
"Cool. Put it on my tab."
She leaned back slightly, one hand resting on her hip as her glow dimmed just a bit.
"Just from my time here, I would say build a brothel."
I blinked.
"You being serious?"
"Very."
Her tone sharpened, more focused now.
"With all the handsome men you seem to be harboring in this town, you could bring in a lot of artists looking for some bed excitement this far south in Arcadia. Make the dangerous trek worth it."
I crossed my arms slightly.
"You think women would come pay to sleep with Talasi locals?"
"Some women and gay men, yes," she said with a small shrug. "Velonican men are known for being great in bed. Or at least, that's the rumor that had many people requesting those prisoners we stole from your land."
She gave me a quick glance.
"Sorry about that, by the way."
I snorted.
"Turning my male citizens into sex workers, though? That's some wild shit if we're keeping it a stack."
Inside my head, [Midnight Star: Belial] jumped in immediately.
"Boss, she has a great idea. Especially since the primary consumers of goods are women, that's an excellent business to start. Without enough males on the planet to go around, a lot of females would pay for the bed experience."
[Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] followed up like he had already run the numbers.
"Running the calculations, there is a 74.72% chance of explosive growth with the right marketing within just half a month-cycle. High potential, but requires controlled rollout."
"...That still feels like some wild shit."
I exhaled slowly, looking back at her. Every last one of them was on board with the idea. I guess sex really did sell everywhere.
"...I'll think about it."
Then I tilted my head slightly, looking her over again.
"Side note, where are you headed, dressed like that?"
She stepped back from me and pivoted on her left foot, giving me a full view. Her body turned slow, intentional. The belts shifted slightly, barely holding their position as her hips rolled with the movement. Light from the mana fixtures traced along her curves, catching on her skin and making that bioluminescent glow shimmer even more on her breasts.
"What do you mean?" she said with a soft laugh. "This is my daily look."
I ran my fingers through my dreadlocks, shaking my head lightly.
"Oddly, I believe you."
She straightened up, adjusting one of the belts like it actually mattered.
"I found a few Elysian Tree smokers within the Nox Clan. I'm about to go make a few sales. You don't mind, do you?"
"Nah," I said, waving it off. "I'm Elysia's patron, so I'm pro-Elysian Trees."
Her grin widened.
"You wanna come along, then? I heard from Zawa that they have some cute girls in their clan who are pretty kinky."
I let out a short chuckle.
"Nah, I'm cool. I've had enough of the Nox Clan praising me for the day."
Then I stretched my neck slightly.
"Besides, I need to handle some more business and let my dick rest."
"Cool, cool," she said, stepping back and giving me a slow once-over. "Don't forget, I still want my private lesson when you get the time."
She fluttered her eyelashes at me, that look hitting like it was designed in a lab to break men down.
"Sure," I replied casually. "Just make sure you have enough mana stored for the event."
I didn't wait for a response.
My magick flared under my feet, [Axis Flight] locking me into place as I lifted off the ground. The wind rushed up around me as I took to the sky, leaving her standing there in the street. And as I flew off, I couldn't help but think about it. Every time Luvina and I talked, it felt like a game. Cat and dog. Push and pull. Predator and prey. The only problem was that I couldn't tell which one I was.
And knowing her?
She definitely liked it that way.
As I cut through the sky over Talasi, the afternoon sun warming my face and shoulders, I finally got a second to breathe. Up there, everything felt smaller. A lot cleaner.
The noise of responsibility faded just enough for me to think straight. The breeze rolled over my skin in steady waves, carrying scents from all corners of the city. Blackwood chips and burning resin drifted up from the east, thick and earthy with that sharp sulfur bite from the mill. That stank had already made its comeback. Took them two days, but the Aylin Clan wasn't letting their operation stay down for long.
I respected that. Most places would've struggled to find workers after something like that attack. But in Talasi? Nah. Folks clocked back in like the grind didn't stop for grief.
Still, watching that smoke rise again got my mind moving. We needed new guards. A lot of them. And not just bodies with weapons. Real fighters. True talent. People who could stand in the fire when things got ugly. Alex wasn't wrong. We needed a full army.
I dropped out of the sky and landed right in the center district. Or what used to be the center. My boots hit the cracked stone with a dull thud, dust kicking up around me as I straightened. The place was dead quiet. No chatter. No movement. Just broken buildings leaning like they were tired of standing, walls scorched black, roofs collapsed in jagged pieces.
My clones hadn't touched this part. Didn't fix it. Didn't clean it. Left that shit exactly how the damage wrote it. Ugly as hell.
But ended up perfect for me.
"This'll do," I muttered, scanning the open space.
Wide enough. And honestly? Symbolic. If I were about to build something new, I wanted it to stand on top of the worst of what we survived. A ripple hit my senses. Soft and subtle. Familiar. [Dimensional Detection] kicked in, feeding me the location before I even turned my head.
Kyttin Luna, the Red Queen.
Azumi Midori, the Harlequin Witch.
Coming down the street together like they had known each other for years instead of days.
Kyttin walked with that natural bounce in her step and large tits, twin tails swaying behind her like they had their own rhythm. Her red-black hair caught the light, shifting in tone as she moved. Azumi stayed right beside her, posture relaxed, her magickal energy rolling off her in playful waves.
They looked like Nekomata reflections. Not identical. But close enough to feel it. Two halves of the same chaotic spirit.
Omnia's Unseelie design made sense when you saw it in action. She was a spirit cat, faerie, liquid death doll mixture. Split across three forms, but the core of who she was never really changed. And Azumi managed to make her way back to Omnia after she tried to cut her away.
"Hey there, ladies. What's good wit' y'all?"
Kyttin perked up immediately, her ears twitching as she smiled.
"Hey, it's Master Jean Xiro Wolfie."
Azumi tilted her head, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Xiro?"
Kyttin stepped closer, looking around the ruined district.
"What are you doing in this part of the city?"
Azumi's tail flicked behind her, curiosity mixing with something a little too eager.
"You've come to beat up the homeless people, too?"
I blinked.
"What the fuck? No. That's just evil."
She shrugged like it was a normal thought.
"I mean... aren't you the Devil of Velonica? And an Oni?"
I stared at her.
"The fuck does that mean? And why would I go beating up the people I rule over?"
She tapped her chin like she was really thinking about it.
"I dunno. Boredom? Chaos or some shit. For the plot?"
I gave her a look.
"Azumi... don't harm any of my citizens."
She waved it off quickly.
"Aww, come on. I wouldn't do that…" A pause. "…anymore."
Her eyes slid away from mine. Didn't even try to hide it.
I narrowed my gaze. "Azumi..."
"I said anymore! Geez."
Kyttin cut in, trying to pull us back on track.
"You still haven't answered my question."
I gestured around us.
"I'm thinking about turning this area into a castle for me to live in. I think it's time I left the nest."
Kyttin's eyes lit up instantly.
"A lot of the buildings here used to house food storage, so there is definitely enough space."
She clapped her hands together, excitement bubbling up.
"Ohh, can I help you decorate it?"
Before I could answer—
A groan cut through the silence: low, annoyed, slightly ruggish. We all turned. Behind a broken wall, half-covered by debris, a short, brolic Dwarf pushed himself up from where he had been sleeping. His white robe was stained with dirt, beard thick and platinum, eyes sharp even through the haze of just waking up. But his mana told the real story. That vibration was different. Not like an M-Cee or Sorcerer. Much clearer and focused. He was a Wizard.
"Bloody hell…" he muttered, rubbing his face. "Town's been loud as sin lately. Ain't had a proper kip since the Devil showed up."
He waved a hand vaguely in our direction, still not seeing clearly.
"Oi—whoever's makin' all that noise, yeah? Pack it in and jog on already."
Kyttin froze. Then her aura flared. Heat rolled off her body in waves, flames licking at the edges of her mana as her eyes locked onto him. He still didn't see it. Didn't realize who he was talking to.
Then his vision cleared. His eyes landed on my horns first. Then my face. Then Kyttin.
"Cor blimey!"
He straightened so fast it looked painful.
"Oi, Right—my apologies, Demon Lord. Didn't clock it was you. Thought it was that mad woman who jumped me yesterday."
Azumi snapped instantly.
"Mad? Hey, who the hell are you calling crazy?"
I shot her a side-eye. Sharp. Silent. That was enough. She clamped up quick. The Dwarf dropped into a bow so fast it looked like he folded.
"Forgiveness, sire. Didn't mean no disrespect."
"What's your name?"
He looked up just enough to answer.
"Name's Vanilla. Vanilla Sky from the Deva Council."
Kyttin tilted her head.
"Who are the Deva Council?"
He puffed his chest slightly, pride creeping back in.
"We're the top registered party in the RIAA. Cleared over two hundred contracts. Clean work. Efficient. No mess."
Azumi blinked.
"So you're famous?"
He gave her a look.
"Not famous enough if you're askin', gov. But my name rings bells in the Holy Land."
Kyttin crossed her arms.
"I've never heard of him."
Vanilla clicked his tongue.
"Heard the Mikazuki lot had one of the Runefist sisters stayin' with 'em. Been tryin' to get a word in for—what—two month-cycles now? No luck."
Azumi leaned forward, curious.
"Why are you homeless then?"
He exhaled hard.
"Lost my wallet on the way to Velonica. Ever since then, it's just been one long streak of shit luck."
His eyes dimmed slightly.
"Tryna track down my daughter ain't exactly been smooth, you get me?"
That word hit something. Lysa. The pink-haired Dwarf. The memory clicked clean in place.
"You might be speaking about that girl I saved months ago," I said slowly. "Haven't seen her since I got back."
[Moon Sage: Tsukuyomi] whispered in my head, calm as always. "We can use [Dimensional Detection] to locate her."
"Uh-uh. Chill for now."
I wasn't about to go out my way like that.
"Vanilla, right?"
He nodded fast.
"I'll ask my Aunt if she remembers where Lysa went. I'll get back to you. For now, go to the Talasi Inn. I'll cover your meals and room."
He froze. Then lit up.
"Cor blimey! You serious, Demon Lord, sir? You're coverin' the inn an' all? Food too?"
"Yeah, it's cool. She might know something about your daughter. Or that Ogre she was with."
His face softened. Real gratitude.
"Thank you, milord. Proper. That's the first bit of good luck I've had in a minute, bruv."
He wiped his hands on his robe.
"And they got baths there, yeah? I might actually feel alive again."
He took off down the street, moving quicker than I expected. I sent a quick telepathic ping to Brandi, letting her know to put it all on my tab. No need for her to toss him out, thinking he was just another vagabond. Plus, that surname of his had my attention. I was gonna circle back to that later when I talked to him.
I turned back to the ruins. It was time to build. I floated up slowly, arms lifting as mana poured out of my palms. Omnis Mana spread first—thick, rich, layered with every frequency I could command. Earth Mana followed, grounding everything as the broken stone and debris around me began to tremble.
Then—
It all moved.
Rubble lifted from the ground, chunks of old buildings breaking apart mid-air before melting into a fluid mass of shifting material. Colors swirled through it—browns, greys, metallic sheens blending together into liquid architecture.
My [Matter Manipulation] took over. Refining first, rewriting second. Rebuilding. The mass hardened. Shifted. Formed into magisteel and reinforced concrete, layered with wood interiors that locked everything into place. Walls rose from the ground with precision, each brick aligning perfectly as if the structure had always existed. The foundation locked first, then the rest followed. The central keep was a favorite of mine. Tall, dominant, cold, and beautiful in its symmetry. I flicked my wrist. A gate slammed into existence at the front, heavy and reinforced, with fencing spreading outward to form a full compound. Adding some privacy and security.
Then I carved two open spaces into the layout.
I focused and reached, tore open two portals on the ground. Reality folded clean as I grabbed my mom's house and Grandma's house. Both lifted from their foundations and slid through space with no resistance.
Set perfectly inside the compound.
"Yeah... they gon' be mad if I don't warn them first," I muttered.
I made a mental note to tell them before they got back from their visit to Hayneville. With Steez in tow, Vericka and Fann left to visit Steez's father. The last thing I needed was getting yelled at in my first month as king when they returned.
Behind me, Kyttin stepped onto the new cobblestone, her eyes wide as she looked around.
Her tails swayed fast, excitement clear.
"Ooooouuuu. Such alien spins on the design of the buildings. I've never seen magitech like this, Master Jean Xiro Wolfie."
I shrugged slightly.
"A lot of this came from my memories of Earth. I used to read a lot of comics and manga."
Azumi blinked.
"Your memories of dirt? What are mangas? What are you speaking about?"
Kyttin waved it off.
"I'll explain later. Master is from another universe."
Azumi's ears perked.
"Really? That's kinda cool. So he's an alien Majin?"
I tuned them out. Turning my focus to Karma Nova. She poured out of my armor like liquid night, sliding down my body before reshaping into her physical form. That living warmth peeled away as she separated, standing in front of me in full.
Kyttin smirked. "Look who finally got off of Master's body."
Azumi tilted her head. "That's really kinky. I like it... I think I wanna try it."
Karma stretched, all four arms reaching up, her body arching as her chest lifted and her hips pushed slightly back. Her cocoa-brown skin shimmered under the light, every curve catching attention like it was designed to.
"YAAAAAWWWWWNN. When can we play again, papi?"
"Later tonight," I said calmly. "If that's too long, go find Chomei."
She smiled slowly.
"Maybe in a few. I wanna help you design my room first."
Kyttin clapped her hands. "Since we're doing interiors, we should start with the kitchen."
Azumi bounced slightly. "Ooohh, we get rooms? I want a room. I get a room too, right?"
Their energy spread quick. It was infectious. Before I knew it, we were deep into designing. Hours passed. Rooms expanded. Lots of space bent. Using the spatial trick I learned from the Sycamore Tree, I stretched interiors beyond their physical limits. One room turned into a full fucking beach—soft white sand, clear blue water, a sky holding both a star and a moon. Kyttin handled aesthetics. Karma pushed for comfort. Azumi threw in chaos ideas that somehow worked.
Chomei showed up not long after, drawn in by the sheer presence of the castle. She dove into decorating like it was her calling, setting up a garden that felt alive in a way even I hadn't thought of. The girl had taste. I learned a few things watching her work.
By the time we finished, the sun had dipped low, pulling the sky into a deep twilight.
Outside the gates, more people gathered. Watching and whispering. Awe written all over their faces.
Then more of my crew showed up: Victorya. Zawa. Alex. Danica. Kimmi. All pulled in by the talk spreading through town. They walked through the gates like they were stepping into something unreal. Each room they saw pulled a different reaction—shock, excitement, curiosity. Alex just stood there, more excited than he could process. Requests started coming in immediately. Everybody wanted their own space. Their own corner of this new world I built.
The barrier around the compound hummed softly, invisible but strong. It masked every mana signature inside, hiding us from anything looking in. A place to rest. A place to breathe. But that peace didn't last. Suddenly, it hit me out of nowhere.
Heavy as a bitch.
Sharp as hell.
Divine as fuck.
I froze. My head snapped toward the medical center. That pressure felt familiar. Too familiar. Like looking into a mirror that pushed back. My eyes narrowed.
"No way..."
Because there was only one person in there. Luda. And the mana I felt? That wasn't the same Luda that got carried off the battlefield. That wasn't the same soul barely holding itself together.
That presence was clean. Complete. Overwhelming.
Another God had just stepped onto the board. And it was my Day One.
[End of Chapter]
[1] May on Earth.