The air in the main chamber of the Void Strider (headquarters) pulsed with a gentle thrum, a hypnotic blend of the magic engine's drone and the ceaseless crash of waves against the hull.
Kouga and Argenta had just returned from their expedition into the Jura Forest. Their clothes still bore the damp chill of the mist and the fine dust of the wild.
"Not much has shifted out there," Kouga remarked, patting the last bit of earth from his scabbard. "Some tribes are stirring due to the absence of Veldora-sama, but none truly hold dominion. The Jura Forest remains as feral as ever. Though, the presence of the Orc forces gives me a bad feeling."
Argenta gave a slow nod. "But something odd surfaced. A Slime appeared in the western sector—rumored to have consumed an Ifrit that possessed a female adventurer. It sounded like absurd nonsense. Yet, after we checked, the traces of destruction and the residual elemental fire were undeniably real."
Lucien watched them, his calm eyes betraying no immediate reaction.
But in the silence, his mind was a whirlwind.
(An Ifrit... and a woman named Shizue. So at this point, Rimuru is just beginning his journey.)
(It's still too early. The world doesn't know him yet. Perhaps a simple greeting wouldn't hurt.)
Umbra gazed at the magic screen displaying a holographic map. "Lucien-nii, if there are no changes to the plan, we are ready to move."
Lucien rose slowly from his seat. "Good. Chart the Void Strider toward the coordinates I marked. Ensure everything proceeds exactly as planned."
"Understood."
The Void Strider groaned softly as the colossal headquarters structure began to shift.
The surrounding space churned, twisting the Void Strider into an irregular shape.
Suddenly, fissures appeared, the world's colors dissolving into a chaotic mix of violet and blue, transforming into a tear between realities—a void where time and distance lost their very meaning.
With a brief, deep hum, the Void Strider plunged into the rift, colliding with the torrent of particles flowing through the gap. It felt like being caught in the fierce, roaring discharge from a gigantic dam.
After a while.
Umbra stared at the holographic display before him. "After sailing for a few hours, the material integrity is stable, but the energy pressure ahead is spiking sharply."
Lucien narrowed his eyes. "The source?"
"Uncertain. It seems to be a wild, chaotic energy vortex."
Lucien paused, then called softly, "Argus."
Don't tell me? Lucien thought.
Lucien managed a faint smile. "So, someone is trying to hide a world from outside eyes."
Suddenly, a powerful suction pulled everything in their vicinity.
Before Umbra could adjust the trajectory, the Void Strider was violently dragged into the vortex.
Light consumed their vision, and in a single, blinding instant, the headquarters tore through the maelstrom.
When the glare faded, they saw it—
a small world suspended in the middle of the void, illuminated by a dark forest with branches that glowed violet.
Mountains floated in the air, and at the center stood a crystal tower shimmering with pale blue light.
Umbra froze in place. "Incredible. How could anyone make this?" A wide grin spread across his face as he dashed excitedly back and forth.
Caelus stepped forward, his eyes sharply assessing their surroundings. "Is this a dimension similar to where I was sealed? But why does this place feel so... alive?"
Lucien watched in silence, his lips curving into a slight smile. "Perhaps we'll get our answer shortly."
The violet sky immediately trembled.
Hundreds of lights emerged from behind the trees—a volley of magic arrows, flying in unison toward the Void Strider.
The first explosion slammed into the shield, creating a ripple of light that shook the massive vessel.
"Visual contact!" Umbra yelled. "Magic-based attack coming from the forest!"
Lucien looked out the crystal viewport. Figures with slightly dark skin, pointed ears, and dark hair emerged from the shadows. Their black armor gleamed like obsidian, and their eyes shone blue—both beautiful and menacing.
"Dark Elves?" Lucien murmured. "Why are they here? If I recall correctly, they should reside in Clayman's territory."
Caelus drew his sword. "They perceive us as the enemy."
Lucien raised a hand slowly. "Neutralize their forces. But do not damage this world. Leave their leader alive."
Kouga and Argenta bowed low. "Understood, Lucien-sama."
Lucien's subordinates moved with lightning speed.
Kouga tore through the air like a shadow, each swing of his blade instantly incapacitating an opponent. Argenta leaped from the edge of the Void Strider, her graceful body spinning in a scarlet flash, creating a pressure wave that shattered the enemy lines.
Within minutes, the sky that had been sparkling with magic arrows fell silent.
The ground smoked, the air heavy with the scent of ozone and magical dust.
Yet, atop the tower, a single figure stood. She watched as her forces were instantly routed.
She stepped forward with a composed pace—elegant, yet emanating a power that made the air itself vibrate. Her bluish-black hair flowed like the night, and a beautiful violet gown clung to her form.
Lucien observed her with a slight, appreciative smile. "Intriguing."
Caelus beside Lucien stared intently. "Allow me, Lucien-sama."
Lucien only gave a small nod.
Amidst the one-sided annihilation that had just transpired, the atmosphere in the small world shifted. The presence of the singular figure atop the crystal spire drew the entire focus of the observers.
Caelus leaped lightly from the deck of the Void Strider. His white Yukata became a contrasting focal point against the purple and black landscape. The nameless sword in his hand pulsed faintly, absorbing the reflected light from the tower.
The Dark Elf leader, now stepping toward the edge of the crystal spire, was the embodiment of graceful darkness. The purple gown that clung to her form resembled the robe of a queen freshly awakened from a long slumber. She stared down at Caelus, her eyes radiating a cold fury. Then, she glanced at Lucien, who was watching her with a faint smile.
"You," she hissed, her voice delicate yet imbued with a magical strength that could tear stone. "Do you mock me by sending only your subordinate to face me?"
Caelus halted. Hundreds of meters separated them, but the surrounding air felt thick, pressed down by the surge of energy the woman released.
"To face you, I alone am sufficient," Caelus replied, his tone calm, utterly ignoring the slight.
The woman's cold laughter filled the air. "A mere subordinate dares to lecture this Queen? You are either too naive, or utterly overflowing with confidence."
She raised both hands. Thousands of razor-sharp ice crystals, seemingly forged from frozen purple light, erupted from the tower's peak, hurtling fiercely toward Caelus. The assault was not just magic; it was an artillery strike designed for destruction.
Caelus didn't bother to evade. He felt it was unnecessary.
Second Sword Technique: Star Silk Web
He coated his blade in magic.
The nameless sword in his hand flashed in a thousand cuts within a single second. The blade became a pure silver whirlwind. Every approaching ice crystal was sliced into fine particles before it could even touch him.
The defense was a mesmerizing beauty—a dance of the blade that transformed an ice storm into a rain of dust.
However, the woman hadn't attacked from just one angle. While Caelus was busy cleaving the projectiles, the ground around him suddenly erupted.
The floating stones beneath his feet morphed into dark, magical claws that attempted to seize him. This was pure dark magic, rooted in the earth.
Caelus responded with terrifying, instantaneous reflexes. He leaped backward twenty meters, evading the grasp by a mere fraction of a second. His free left hand, adorned with ancient rings, moved quickly, creating an instant defensive magic seal.
"Impressive, to be able to match me this far," the woman hissed from the top of the tower, a hint of grudging admiration seeping into her tone. "You managed to ward off my first spell. But can you withstand this?"
She inhaled deeply. The entire atmosphere around her vibrated and froze.
From both her sides, two gigantic Ice Dragons appeared—not illusions, but pure constructs of deadly, freezing magic.
They roared, their voices shattering the tower's crystals, then lunged toward Caelus, one from the left, one from the right.
Caelus was now truly pressed.
To avoid them meant leaving the Void Strider vulnerable, though he knew his Master and comrades wouldn't permit harm to come to it.
Under pressure, he did the unexpected.
He didn't run away; instead, he ran forward, directly toward the right dragon. His speed surpassed the eye's ability to track him. This was a calculated move aimed straight at the ice dragon's massive jaw.
Third Sword Technique: Heaven's Spear
With a final leap, Caelus thrust his sword toward the sky. There was no quick slash, only a single, focused, pure stab. Chaos Energy replaced the magical energy flowing from the sword. It didn't cut the ice; it shattered it as if breaking a mirror.
The right ice dragon exploded into particles of light, leaving an open gap in the woman's defense.
Caelus utilized the momentum of the destruction.
The residual magical particles from the obliterated dragon became a faint veil, concealing his movement. He pivoted, facing the remaining ice dragon, but only as a feint.
His next motion was years of experience translated into raw speed. He ignored the beast.
Cleverly, he transformed himself into a flash of white light that traversed the hundreds of meters in the blink of an eye. His target was the woman.
The woman was taken aback.
She had no time to cast a new spell. The remaining ice dragon turned too late.
Caelus landed on the tower's peak, mere feet from the woman. The sword in his hand was now shrouded in an aura of Chaos Magic—a reflection of his Master's power.
"Your time is up," Caelus whispered.
The blade stopped precisely one inch from her throat.
The woman froze, her eyes wide with shock. She could feel the energy of the blade on her skin, an energy that could kill her instantly.
"You... how dare you," her voice trembled, not from magic this time, but from suppressed fury.
Caelus looked at her calmly. "If I intended to kill you, you would have been dust the moment I cleaved that ice storm. My Master merely wished to say hello."
He slowly retracted his sword, creating a soft shiiing sound in the air.
Suddenly, the sound of applause echoed across the battlefield.
"Truly a beautiful and spectacular fight," Lucien said, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Lucien stepped forward, his footsteps resonating clearly.
"Well done, Caelus."
Caelus replied with the respectful mannerisms of a knight. "It is nothing compared to your power, Lucien-sama."
Lucien stopped about a meter away from the woman.
"You fought admirably," he stated calmly. "But to attack without understanding your opponent's strength is a foolish mistake."
The Dark Elf Queen stared at him, her tone hoarse but authoritative. "Who are you... to trespass upon our world without permission and dare speak to me in such a manner!"
Lucien met her gaze for a long moment, then answered flatly.
"We were caught in an energy storm within the rift corridor and inadvertently ended up here. Does that answer your question?"
The woman gritted her teeth, but offered no reply.
Lucien turned to Kouga. "Bring her. Do not harm the rest. I wish to speak with her."
Kouga bowed. "Understood, Lucien-sama."
The woman continued to stare at Lucien's receding back—a gaze that held a complex mix of fury, fear, and a burning curiosity she couldn't yet fathom.
A profound silence enveloped the Void Strider's core chamber.
The energy crystals embedded in the walls pulsed gently, reflecting alternating hues of blue and violet, like the breath of a living creature.
In the center of the room, the Dark Elf Queen knelt. Magical chains, designed to suppress her abilities, bound her hands.
She stared at the crystal floor that mirrored her face.
Lucien stood a few steps ahead of her, his clothes swaying slightly.
To his right, Caelus stood calmly, while Kouga and Argenta guarded the door, still as statues.
"What is your name?" Lucien asked, his voice soft and courteous.
The woman replied with sarcasm, "Isn't it impolite to ask for someone's identity without introducing yourself first?"
Lucien was taken aback, then cleared his throat lightly.
"My apologies. Allow me to introduce myself. My name is Lucien...— Sin Lucien. Now, might you tell me yours?"
The woman stared at him. "Could you release these chains? It is highly inconvenient to speak with you like this."
Lucien glanced at Caelus. "Remove the restraints!"
Caelus nodded. The magic chains on the woman's hands vanished in a flash of light.
She did not resist, merely rubbed her wrists, then looked up at Lucien with an expression that was hard to read—a blend of surprise and curiosity.
The woman performed an elegant, dignified salute befitting a queen.
"My name is Elise De'Aria, the sovereign of this small world."
Lucien repeated the name mentally.
"Very well, Elise-dono—or may I call you that?"
Elise shook her head.
"You may call me Elise."
Lucien met her gaze.
"Elise, is it? You may call me whatever you wish."
Lucien snapped his fingers in the air.
Suddenly, a luxurious table and chairs materialized out of thin air.
"Please, have a seat," Lucien offered with a polite gesture.
"Tea? Or a glass of wine?"
Elise sat down gracefully, then answered.
"Neither is necessary. So, Lucien, correct? What is it you wish to discuss with me?"
Lucien sipped his tea and asked curiously.
"Who created this miniature world? How does it function?"
Elise replied calmly.
"I wouldn't know. My ancestors might have. I have only been the Queen of this generation for a few centuries. I do not know the past of this world."
Lucien fell silent.
"Do you not desire to leave here? Doesn't this place lack... everything?"
Elise answered with a mix of sadness and contemplation.
"We have tried to leave, but the energy storms outside are too ferocious."
"Then how have you survived all this time? Don't you require sustenance?"
Elise answered; "We can absorb the filtered energy that permeates the barrier for our daily needs."
"Would you like to leave this place and seek refuge under me? It might be the best decision you make in this life," Lucien said, sipping his tea.
Elise offered a faint smile. "You speak like a god offering salvation to a worshipper."
Lucien bowed his head slightly and sighed softly. "The gods of this world are dead. I only act on what benefits me. However, if I find something that threatens or harms me—I will destroy it." Lucien's gaze sharpened, and he briefly unleashed his Demon Lord's Haki.
Elise's eyes trembled violently, feeling the sheer depth of Lucien's power. She broke out in a cold sweat and gasped for breath.
Lucien immediately retracted his Demon Lord's Haki and said, "Ah, my apologies, I got carried away."
Their gazes met in the air. A long silence stretched between them.
After steadying herself, Elise asked quietly, "What exactly are you?"
Lucien didn't answer immediately.
He walked a circle around the room, his hand tracing the flow of light dancing on the walls.
Memories of his past flashed in his mind.
He stopped right in front of Elise. "Perhaps I am merely a lost wanderer," he finally said. "Perhaps becoming fate itself isn't such a bad thing."
Elise's eyes widened slightly. "Fate?"
Lucien looked at her for a long moment, then turned away. "Power is just a tool. The intention behind it is what truly matters. But you don't believe that, do you?"
Elise looked down, muttering. "Intention..."
She stared at him for a long time, her breathing steady despite the fine tremor in her fingertips.
"And what would you do with us if I agreed to your offer?"
Lucien looked at her briefly and stated.
"You will be under my protection, but the condition you must engrave upon your soul is that my command is absolute."
Elise solidified her resolve and spoke with certainty.
"From this moment forward, we are under your protection, Lucien-sama."
Elise stood and then knelt respectfully.
Lucien raised his hand and used the Abyssal Dominion 'Ahriman' to place a mark upon Elise's soul.
Elise felt a strange sensation within her soul, but she did not resist.
Lucien turned toward the door. "Argenta, prepare a room for her. From now on, you are colleagues."
Argenta bowed. "Understood, Lucien-sama."
Lucien paused briefly at the doorway, looking back at Elise's still-kneeling shadow.
"Queen Elise," he said without turning his head, "The world will not wait for those who hesitate. If you wish to survive, you must walk with me—or you will die without the world ever knowing you lived."
And without waiting for a reply, he stepped away.
Days bled into one another, and Elise fell into a deep, unsettling doubt.
The mark of Lucien's Abyssal Dominion—a pact seared onto her soul—pulsed softly. It wasn't pain, but an unmistakable acknowledgment of ownership.
She rose slowly. Her wrists felt strangely bare without the magic chains, yet her soul was now shackled to the will of one man. My command is absolute. The words echoed, not just in her ears, but in the core of her very existence.
She was the Dark Elf Queen, a figure accustomed to issuing commands, not taking them. Doubt and a simmering rage ignited in her heart. She could refuse. She could attempt to fight back, gather the remaining ancestral power and self-detonate—but to what end? To die nameless in the darkness, leaving her people utterly without hope?
Lucien was right. The outside world was a storm. And he, Lucien, was the only vessel capable of weathering it. This bond wasn't solely a threat; it was also a promise of continued survival.
Elise walked toward one of the crystal walls. Her sharp eyes met her reflection: a Queen who had made the most ignoble yet most logical decision of her life. She had surrendered her self-sovereignty for the future of her kind. The honor of her race no longer rested in her hands, but under the heel of Sin Lucien.
She recalled his gaze—a look so powerful, so cold, yet with a spark of fire within it when their eyes met. It wasn't merely the look of a ruler observing his property; it was the look of a predator recognizing an equal partner in spirit, even if not in physical might.
If you wish to survive, you must walk with me.
Suddenly, the doubt subsided, replaced by an acceptance that felt hot and intoxicating. If she must yield, she would do so with the dignity of a Queen. She wouldn't hide. She would face him.
"Lucien-sama is in there," Argenta said, pointing toward a door at the end of the corridor before vanishing.
Elise stared at the door. It wasn't just a room entrance. It was a threshold separating her old life as a trapped sovereign from her new life as an ally—or perhaps, a slave—to a man.
She cast aside the last lingering doubt, extended her delicate hand, and knocked.
The sound felt jarringly loud in the silent corridor.
"Enter." Lucien's voice, deep and calm, immediately cut through the silence.
Elise opened the door. Lucien's chambers were far simpler than the main bridge, yet they radiated a gripping aura of power.
Lucien sat in a large armchair, reading a thick book. When Elise entered, he looked up.
His sharp purple eyes fixed on Elise, tracing the Dark Elf Queen's figure from head to toe. No explicit desire was visible, only a calm, cutting evaluation.
"I thought you were resting, Elise," he said, his voice steady, without asking why she had come.
Elise closed the door, her voice firm. "I cannot rest. The covenant you placed upon us..."
Lucien stood up then interrupted by closing the book with a small thud that broke the silence. "That is my promise. You've made a wise choice. Now, you may enjoy the protection you gained."
Elise walked, her steps unfaltering, drawing close to Lucien's side until she had to look up to meet his eyes. Her Dark Elf mystique and dark charm went head-to-head with the domineering aura of the Demon Lord.
"Your command is absolute," Elise repeated. She wasn't pleading, wasn't begging. She stated a fact, yet with a challenging tone, seeking the boundaries of their new bond. "As a Queen, I have offered the political and military allegiance of my race."
She bit her lower lip, her golden eyes locking straight into Lucien's. "However, to guarantee the survival of my race, I must ensure that our sovereign is satisfied. I came to offer the remaining honor—my personal honor."
Lucien went silent. He didn't blink, merely studying Elise's face, searching for traces of deceit, fear, or manipulation. All he found was cold resolve and a profound sacrifice made for her people.
"You are daring," Lucien whispered, his voice low, nearly a growl. He stood. His height and aura enveloped Elise.
"I am daring, or I am desperate," Elise retorted, holding her breath as she felt the full wave of Lucien's power crash over her.
Lucien's hand raised, slowly, and touched Elise's jawline. The contact wasn't rough, but it carried a weight of authority that sent a shiver down Elise's spine. It was the touch of a sovereign, not a lover, yet it felt infinitely more perilous and captivating.
"Absolute command does not extend to that, Elise," Lucien murmured, his thumb stroking her cheekbone. "I only require your loyalty, not your body."
Elise closed her eyes for a fleeting moment. "But I require it. If I must become a part of you, let me be the most valuable part. Let the soul bond you carved be an inseparable tie of destiny."
She opened her eyes, pleading for acceptance, not mercy. "Take me, Lucien-sama. Make your conquest of this world complete, starting with me."
Lucien stared at her. The crystal light in the room reflected in his purple eyes, making him seem like an ancient god contemplating a sacrificial offering. This woman's sacrifice, her cold audacity—I like it, Lucien thought to himself.
Lucien's lips curved into a faint smirk.
"If that is what you believe will guarantee your race's destiny," his voice was hoarse. "Then, Queen Elise...I accept."
Lucien's hand shifted from her jaw, circling her waist, pulling her in. Instantly, Elise felt herself lifted from the ground of reality, plunging into the absolute, conquering power that overwhelmed her. That first kiss was dominance. It was a marking, a deeper oath.
On that night, within the gigantic fortress sailing through the rift corridor, Queen Elise De'Aria surrendered not only the honor of her body but also the last vestiges of freedom she possessed.