Under the hush of early morning light, they returned to Lucifuge Manor.
Dawn's first rays streaked across the white marble pillars like warpaint, both soft and resolute. The air was thick with the remnants of the Familiar Trials, raw and unrefined energy clinging to them. Each footstep echoed with purpose, and laughter laced with the thrill of victory trailed behind them like stardust.
Inside the grand dining hall, the atmosphere was anything but quiet.
Velzaria Tiamat claimed the seat right beside Lucien with the unmistakable confidence of a dragon asserting her territory. Her sharp blue eyes slitted, ancient, and proud dared anyone to contest her proximity. Across from her sat Rias Gremory, who radiated high-born elegance, and the faint shimmer of her obsidian devil wings flickered like a halo of hellish flame.
Kuroka purred with mischief. She smirked 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 end of the table. Meanwhile, Yue and Ghislaine exchanged glances, both their focus as keen as blades, over roasted wyvern and basilisk wine.
And near the opposite head of the table, calmly observing and occasionally making quiet notations, sat Souma Kazuya Lucien's territorial advisor. Dressed 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 breakfast," he muttered, "is what happens when a war council meets a romance novel."
With a flick of her wrist, Velzaria raised the spoon, her gaze unreadable, as she offered Lucien a bite of seared phoenix heart. Between them hung a gesture equal parts allure, dominance, and a promise neither dared name. The silence that followed was shattered into bursts of laughter and half-muttered commentary.
Even Souma paused, blinking once in confusion. "…And here I thought the economic summit last week was tense."
Lucien chuckled under his breath. "I guess 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. Within, the air was thick with burnt mana, obsidian parchment, and ink laced with authority and ancient weight. 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 of Demonic Credits. Please show me everything."
[Balance: 502,300,000 Demonic Credits.]
A small smile tugged at his lips. "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.
"That'll be all for them for now."
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. The wheel spun, its hum vibrating with arcane potential.
[Category: Weapon | Artifact | Trait | Bloodline Unlock | Familiar | Maid Contract]
The wheel stopped.
[Congratulations. You have received: Oathmark of the Undying Flame]
A crimson crystal formed in his palm, pulsing in time with his heartbeat, the heat rippling through him like wildfire.
Effect: Enhances all fire magic. Grants flame immunity. Revives the 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. I need someone elegant, deadly, and loyal. Someone 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 with silver, violet, and crimson lights. The air snapped with power, reality itself seeming to bend around the incantation.
Then she appeared.
Tall, graceful, and lethal. Violet's blue hair swept into a tight ponytail. Her enchanted maid attire shimmered with hidden enchantments. She knelt without hesitation.
"I am Narberal Gamma. The first Combat Maid of House Lucifuge. I exist only to serve the Crimson Heir."
Lucien nodded.
"Then rise and take your place at my side as my first combat maid."
She moved behind him with silent discipline, every movement exuding an aura of impeccable loyalty.
Moments later, the study door creaked open.
Kuroka leaned in. "Oho~ You finally got a maid? Looks like you are taking after your father."
Rangiku peeked in, grinning. "She better not drink my wine."
Yamato followed, arms crossed, a small smile playing at her lips. Yue gave a small nod of acknowledgment. Ghislaine smirked, arms folded in silent approval.
Narberal bowed deeply. "You all are my family now."
Rangiku muttered, "Your being too serious loosen up a little."
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 now official rankings for who's hottest in Luicen's peerage! There's merchandise!"
Ajuka, scrolling through UnderworldNet data: "He's monetized the mythos. Efficient."
Falbium yawned. "I preordered the Ghislaine 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?"
Sirzechs' smile deepened.
"He's giving them something to believe in."
Ajuka's tone grew thoughtful.
"You approve?"
Sirzechs' smile widened.
"I don't have to."
"It's already working."
Lucifuge Manor – Balcony
Lucien stood beneath the rising sun with 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:
That the Crimson Prince does not play to the court.
He builds his own throne.