It didn't seem like Garviel was going to emerge from the cocoon anytime soon, so Arthur turned his attention to the pouting succubus beside him.
Lilith sat on the edge of the bed with her arms crossed, her cheeks puffed out in an exaggerated display of annoyance.
Arthur sighed softly and walked over, sitting beside her.
He gently placed a hand on her head and began stroking her hair.
Her long dark strands slipped between his fingers like silk, but instead of relaxing, she huffed and turned her face away.
"So childish…"
He smiled faintly.
"Come on, Lilith. There's no need to feel bad."
She peeked at him from the corner of her eye.
"You gave him your last name," she muttered. "I was here first."
Arthur chuckled.
"If that's what you're upset about… you can use my last name too, if you want."
Her ears twitched.
Slowly, she turned back toward him, crimson eyes shining.
"Then tell me properly," she said quietly. "The same way you told him."
She pointed toward the dark cocoon where Garviel rested.
Arthur stood up and reached for her hand.
She hesitated for only a second before letting him guide her to her feet.
He knelt in front of her, holding her delicate fingers in both hands.
"Lilith."
Her breathing slowed.
He looked up into her eyes.
"I grant you my last name. From now on, you will be Lilith Tempest."
He leaned forward and gently kissed the back of her hand.
Lilith froze.
Then warmth flooded through her body.
At the same moment, a crest ignited on Arthur's hand, glowing faintly. The same symbol appeared beneath Lilith's skirt, shining softly against her skin.
A heart pierced by twin lightning bolts.
Their energies resonated.
Arthur felt something profound connect them, deeper than any contract or system effect. Power flowed between them, fast and intense, forming a bond that made his chest tighten.
Lilith gasped softly.
Her lips trembled before curling into a radiant smile.
The next instant, she launched herself at him.
They fell together onto the floor, Lilith landing on top of him.
Arthur barely felt the impact.
She straddled his waist, pressing her palms against his chest, staring down at him with eyes full of devotion.
Her tail swayed slowly behind her.
"Does this mean you want me as your wife?"
Her voice was soft, but her gaze was serious.
That overwhelming affection he had sensed before surged outward again, wrapping around him like invisible chains.
Arthur stared up at her.
His heart pounded.
He didn't know her past.
He didn't know her origin.
But the thought of anyone else touching her made something dark twist inside him.
Whatever bond existed between them now, he had no intention of breaking it.
"Yes."
The word left his lips without hesitation.
Lilith's expression shattered into pure joy.
She leaned down and kissed him deeply, her arms wrapping around his neck as she pressed herself against him.
Her lips lingered, stealing his breath.
Then she pulled back just enough to whisper against his ear,
"This time… I won't stop until you're completely happy."
She grabbed his hand and dragged him toward the bed, laughing softly, her tail swaying with excitement.
Arthur let himself be pulled along.
An unknown amount of time later, Lilith lay unconscious on the bed, exactly as before. Slowly, a cocoon of dark light began to envelop her body as well.
Arthur watched the process in silence.
"Should I have told her about my new physique?"
The Immortal Heaven Refining Physique granted him overwhelming physical strength, regeneration, and stamina. Combined with the Dragon Heart, exhaustion was practically impossible for him now.
He shook his head slightly.
There was no point thinking about that anymore.
After carefully confirming Lilith's condition, Arthur walked toward Garviel's cocoon.
He was not sure how much time had passed, but he could feel it. The transformation was nearing completion.
Arthur found it faintly amusing.
He was now completely convinced that the naming phenomenon worked similarly to the system in the Tensei universe. Giving someone a name did not simply establish ownership. It fundamentally reshaped their existence.
Moments later, cracks spread across Garviel's cocoon.
The shell disintegrated into shimmering dust.
Arthur watched closely.
Garviel emerged.
His height had increased to around one hundred and fifty centimeters. Still small, but unmistakably stronger. His obsidian bones now carried glowing golden runes etched directly into their surface, giving him an aura of solemn dignity.
The little skeleton raised one hand.
A sword materialized from thin air.
It was a straight, double-edged longsword, perfectly proportioned to his size. Its black metal mirrored Garviel's own bones, elegant and sharp, humming faintly with power.
Garviel stepped forward.
Then he knelt.
He placed his skull against the sword's hilt.
His teeth clicked softly.
"Clack… clack clack… clack clack."
Arthur felt something resonate in his mind.
(My lord… I offer my sword at your service.)
Arthur smiled.
"I accept your service. Stand up."
Garviel rose immediately, posture straight, expression unreadable but resolute.
A prompt appeared.
[Do you wish to check your host status?]
"Yes."
=====
Name: Garviel Tempest
Species: Abyssal Skeleton (Familiar)
Physical: Runic Obsidian Bones
Physical Aptitude: Equivalent to a mid-class demon
Abilities: Basic Swordsmanship Mastery, Instinct, Shunpo, Knightly
Equipment: Abyssal Bone Blade
=====
Arthur nodded slightly.
"It's decent. Stronger than I was two weeks ago."
At that moment, Lilith stirred.
Arthur turned toward her.
She sat up slowly, her expression complicated.
"Husband… could you ask Garviel to leave for a moment?"
Arthur dismissed his familiar.
Garviel bowed deeply before vanishing.
Lilith pulled off the blanket covering her body.
Arthur immediately noticed the changes.
Her figure had become more pronounced, her curves fuller and more refined. Her presence felt heavier, denser, more commanding.
The crest on her lower abdomen had turned gold, its design sharper and more intricate.
Her tail was gone.
In its place, a pair of dark demonic wings extended gently from her back.
Her horns had grown as well. Once small and decorative, they were now large, curled, and powerful, echoing the shape of Arthur's own in Balance Breaker.
Lilith stared at him.
Tears welled up in her eyes.
"My tail… it disappeared…"
She collapsed into his arms, trembling.
Arthur held her tightly as she explained through sobs how important a succubus's tail was. It allowed them to sense heat and magic. It was part of their charm. Their balance. Their identity.
She rambled emotionally, listing everything it meant to her.
Arthur patiently comforted her.
After a long while, Lilith suddenly froze.
Then she concentrated.
Her tail reappeared behind her.
She stared at it in disbelief before bursting into relieved tears all over again.
It turned out she could now hide it at will.
She hugged Arthur fiercely.
After things finally calmed down, Arthur checked her status.
=====
Name: Lilith Von Tempest
Species: Succubus Queen
Physical Aptitude: Maou-class strength with regeneration
Magical Aptitude: Conditionally near-infinite
Abilities: Resonance, Charm, Succubus Magic, Master-Servant Contract, Shunpo, Ruler's Authority, Instinct
Equipment: Queen of Lust's Dress, Claws of the Celestial Demon
Loyalty: Max
=====
Arthur exhaled slowly.
The changes were immense.
Resonance had elevated her dramatically.
He stared at the screen for a moment longer.
Then he whispered softly.
"…I wonder what this did to me."