The night in this world possesses a different kind of silence. There is no electrical hum from a gaming console or city lights peeking through an apartment window. There is only the crackle of wood from the fireplace and the shallow, hitching breaths coming from the corner of the palace's master bedroom.
I sit on the edge of a colossal bed draped in black silk. In my hand, I twirl a glass of golden liquid—one of the finest vintages from King Alaric's private collection. But my gaze isn't fixed on the glass.
My eyes are locked onto the figure standing tremulously before the grand doors of my chamber.
"Why are you still standing there, Elena?" My voice breaks the silence, sounding perfectly casual yet heavy with pressure. "Come here."
With agonizingly slow, almost dragging steps, she approaches.
I have to admit, the palace servants work with remarkable speed when I issue a command. The navy blue military uniform that had wrapped around Elena's body so gallantly this afternoon is now gone. In its place, she wears a maid outfit—one I designed in my own head and manifested through absolute command.
The short black dress barely reaches mid-thigh, with a small white apron at the waist that accentuates her curves. The neckline is cut quite low, revealing pale skin that is now flushed crimson with shame. And of course, the black links of [The Chain of Gleipnir] still encircle her neck, contrasting sharply with her smooth skin.
"I... I didn't think you had such low tastes," Elena whispers, her hands trying to cover her exposed thighs.
I give a short, cold laugh that echoes through the vast room.
"Low? No, Elena. This is about position. Your military uniform this afternoon was a symbol that you were an equal to men. This outfit? It is a symbol that you are nothing more than a decoration in my room. An ornament whose beauty I can enjoy while I plan the apocalypse for your world."
I tug the chain gently, forcing her to kneel between my legs. The scent of rose perfume forced upon her by the servants now mingles with the scent of pure terror.
"You are beautiful, General," I say, stroking a strand of her loose blonde hair. "Very beautiful when you have nothing left to be proud of. Your honor, your rank, even your clothes... I have taken them all."
Elena looks up, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. "What do you want from me tonight? You've already destroyed my father. You've destroyed my kingdom. Is that not enough?"
"Enough?" I set my glass down on the bedside table. "In my world, there is no such thing as 'enough.' I am a top player who slaughtered thousands for useless credit numbers. Now, I have a real world to play with. I want everything."
I stand up, pulling her up with me. I walk toward the bed and lie down, staring at the ceiling of the cathedral that has now become my home.
"Get in," I command curtly.
She freezes. Her previously pale face turns a deep scarlet. "You... you said you wouldn't—"
"Sleep," I cut her off coldly. "Just sleep beside me. I want to feel your terrified heartbeat throughout the night. I want you to be reminded every second that your life now depends on my whims."
Elena looks as if she wants to rebel, but the [Eye of Abyss] mark on her palm pulses, reminding her of the pain I can inflict at any moment. With incredibly stiff movements, she climbs onto the bed, lying beside me but keeping as much distance as possible.
"Closer," I say without turning my head.
She shifts a few inches, her body so tense it feels like wood. I can feel the heat radiating from her and the subtle vibration of her skin brushing against the silk.
I close my eyes. For the first time since I was teleported, I feel truly at peace. Not because the bed is comfortable, but because of the dominance I feel. In my old world, I was a digital monster hated by everyone. Here, I am a god holding the chains of a princess's fate.
"Tomorrow," I murmur in the dark, "the journey to Lumina begins. Make sure you are ready, Elena. Your angels will see their prideful general as my personal servant. I want to see how their faith crumbles when they see you crawling at my feet."
Elena doesn't answer, but I can hear the soft sobs she tries to hide behind the pillow.
I smile in the darkness. My hand reaches for her bound hand, gripping it tightly as if she were one of the weapons in my collection.
"Goodnight, my little Slave. Dream of destruction, for that is the future I bring for you."