The group returned to the Lucifuge Manor beneath a velvet sky, moonlight draping the marble columns in ghostly silver. The lingering energy from their Familiar Trials still clung to them raw, vibrant, and unrefined. Each footstep echoed with purpose, and laughter, laced with victory, trailed behind them like stardust.
Inside the grand dining hall, the atmosphere was anything but quiet.
Velzaria Tiamat claimed the seat beside Lucien with the unmistakable confidence of a dragon asserting her territory. Her golden eyes slitted, ancient, and proud dared anyone to contest her proximity. Across from her, Rias Gremory radiated high-born elegance, the faint shimmer of her Celestial Seraph wings flickering like a halo of divine flame.
Kuroka purred with mischief, smirking every time Rangiku leaned in too close or stole a sip from Lucien's goblet like a practiced tease. Yamato silently judged them all from her corner, while Yue and Ghislaine traded glances over roasted wyvern and basilisk wine.
And near the head of the table, calmly observing and occasionally making quiet notations, sat Souma Kazuya Lucien's territorial advisor. In a crisp black suit with red-gold trim befitting a royal strategist, his sharp gaze drifted between peerage members and projected reports on his floating interface.
"This dinner," he muttered, "is what happens when a war council meets a romance novel."
Velzaria lifted a spoon, her expression unreadable, and offered Lucien a bite of seared phoenix heart a gesture hovering between flirtation, dominance, and silent vow. The silence that followed shattered into bursts of laughter and half-muttered commentary.
Even Souma paused, blinking once. "…And here I thought the economic summit last week was tense."
Lucien chuckled under his breath. "This is my life now."
"But well-managed," Souma replied, raising his glass.
Later, when the hearth's flames dimmed and the halls quieted, Lucien retreated to the one place he could breathe freely: his study.
The heavy oak door clicked shut behind him. Inside, it smelled of burnt mana, obsidian parchment, and ink essence of power and legacy. He approached his desk, etched in Lucifuge sigils. As he laid a hand across the center, a pulse of deep violet light shimmered across its surface.
"Lilith," he said, low and firm.
[Welcome back, Lucien.]
"I want a full scan. Demonic Credits. Show me everything."
[Balance: 502,300,000 Demonic Credits.]
He smiled faintly.
"Let's build something eternal."
⸻
◈ Allocations — System Upgrade Console
Personal Enhancements:
• Draconic Affinity Upgrade: Tier 1 (50M DC)
• Arcane Combat Mastery Pack: Intermediate (30M DC)
• Demonic Bloodline Purification (40M DC)
(As Lucien selected the last, shadowy glyphs shimmered along his skin older than his name, deeper than his house.)
Peerage Support:
• Soul Resonance Catalyst x3 (25M DC) For Kuroka, Yamato, and Ghislaine
• Combat Uniform Packs, Mythic Grade x3 (36M DC)
For Rias' Peerage:
• Protection Sigils Gremory Edition (18M DC)
• Bloodline Awakening Seeds (30M DC)
For Velzaria Tiamat:
• Draconic Royalty Mark Tier 1 (22M DC)
Territory Enhancements:
• Dragonkin Sanctuary Core (45M DC)
• Estate Defense Protocol: Version Grayfia (30M DC)
[Remaining Balance: 176,300,000 DC]
Lucien's breath slowed.
"They'll be ready when it matters."
Lilith's voice responded coolly:
[Would you like to continue preparations or test your luck?]
Lucien grinned.
"Roll the gacha."
⸻
A golden wheel materialized in the air rotating with divine and infernal glyphs.
[Category: Weapon | Artifact | Trait | Bloodline Unlock | Familiar | Maid Contract]
It stopped.
[Congratulations. You have received: Oathmark of the Undying Flame]
A crimson crystal formed in his palm. It pulsed in time with his heartbeat, heat rippling like wildfire.
Effect: Enhances all fire magic. Grants flame immunity. Revives bearer once per week in a blaze of fire.
"Perfect," Lucien murmured, embedding it into the lining of his inner coat.
Then, one final request.
"Lilith. Summon me a maid. Elegant. Deadly. Loyal. One who could match my mother's legacy."
[Searching… Match Found: Narberal Gamma]
[Multiversal Origin Detected. Integration complete.]
Lucien blinked. "…I'll be damned."
[Summon?]
"Do it."
The summoning circle erupted silver, violet, and crimson. The air snapped with power.
Then she appeared.
Tall, graceful, and lethal. Violet blue hair swept into a tight ponytail. Her enchanted maid attire shimmered with hidden enchantments. She knelt without hesitation.
"I am Narberal Gamma. Combat Maid of House Lucifuge. I exist to serve the Scarlet Heir."
Lucien nodded.
"Then rise and take your place."
She moved behind him with silent discipline.
Moments later, the study door creaked open.
Kuroka leaned in. "Oho~ You summoned a maid? Looks like competition."
Rangiku peeked in, grinning. "She better not drink my wine."
Yamato followed, arms crossed. Yue gave a small nod. Ghislaine smirked.
Narberal bowed deeply. "You are my family now."
Rangiku muttered, "Too serious."
Ghislaine: "She'll fit in just fine."
⸻
The Next Morning – Rumors Bloom
In the Underworld, it wasn't his power they discussed.
It was the maid.
Elegant. Deadly. Mysterious.
Loyal only to the Scarlet Heir.
⸻
Lucifer's Seat – Council Room
Serafall slammed the table.
"You do realize Lucien's fans created Narberal cosplay cafés overnight?! There are official rankings now for who's hottest in his peerage! There's merchandise!"
Ajuka, scrolling through UnderworldNet data: "He's monetized the mythos. Efficient."
Falbium yawned. "I preordered the Yue body pillow."
Sirzechs stared at the holoprojection of Narberal. Beneath her image, the title gleamed:
"The Obsidian Blade of the Scarlet Court."
He smiled.
"He's not entertaining them."
Serafall blinked. "Then what is he doing?"
"He's giving them something to believe in."
Ajuka's tone grew thoughtful. "You approve?"
Sirzechs' smile deepened. "I don't have to."
"It's already working."
⸻
Lucifuge Manor – Balcony
Lucien stood beneath the rising sun. Narberal behind him. The wind whispered secrets.
Far beyond, something stirred. Was it Ophis?
Or something older?
It didn't matter.
Because the world would soon learn:
The Crimson Prince does not play to the court.
He builds his own throne.