On Azrael's screen was the live feed from his door camera. On his doorstep stood someone who looked like a mini version of the Third Lord herself.
She was so small that his camera had to angle down to get her whole body in view. She still wore her famous gothic dress, but she lacked her famous black veil, leaving her face and striking golden eyes fully exposed in the darkness. A folded umbrella rested on her shoulder like a sheathed sword.
In this form, she looked like an absolutely adorable girl with chubby cheeks anyone would want to pinch.
Only someone unaware of her existence would dare try something like that, though.
"LORD THIRD!" Azrael screamed as he threw open the front door.
"Get down on one knee," she said.
Azrael obeyed. As a reward, the Third Lord gently tapped his forehead with her folded umbrella.
[You have received a Guardian: Mary(???)]
"I am one of 10 parts of the Third Lord of North America's consciousness, which she projected for the purpose of assisting and observing her candidates.
"While the others took the forms of small guardian animals, I exist as a miniature version of the Third Lord herself, and I was bestowed upon you, Azrael Nightfall.
"Therefore, I am not the Third Lord, but Mary."
Azrael nodded and extended his hand, pinching and squeezing Mary's cheeks between his fingers. They felt smooth, warm, and weirdly satisfying.
She stared back at him with a long, unblinking gaze.
Azrael smiled. "Welcome aboard! I'd never dare pinch the Third Lord herself, but you're too adorable to pass up! Haha!"
"Do it again, and I will shove my umbrella deep into your ass and unfold it," Mary replied.
Azrael shivered. "You're too small to say stuff like that!"
"Tall enough to reach where the sun does not dare to peek," Mary retorted.
Back on his feet, he welcomed the little guardian inside. He took her to the living room, where Mary sat alone on the big sofa, claiming it as her rightful spot. Azrael dragged over a chair and sat across from her.
He knew she was here to keep an eye on him and his progress, maybe even push him to his limits.
But was there really a need to send a guardian all the way here?
"I don't mind, because I've been pretty lonely lately, but…" Azrael started.
"Open your system and tell me how your new skill works," Mary said, ignoring his comment. Even so, her fingers absentmindedly twirled the umbrella's handle.
Azrael missed the subtle cue.
"Uh, I open a door to a dungeon, become the Main Conqueror, and fulfill quests to finish the dungeon. That's it, right?" Azrael asked.
Mary sighed. "This skill does not create dungeons. It opens doors to them. Which means there's a decent chance you've already entered the domain of an unknown Lord, perhaps one from a different planet."
Azrael gulped.
Mary looked him in the eyes. "Becoming Main Conqueror gives you an advantage over others, including the frontline troops serving the Lords. That is as far as your current powers go.
"Once you conquer the dungeon, even I cannot predict what options you'll receive. At the very least, you're now invading others."
Sweat trickled down Azrael's face as though someone had poured a bucket of cold water over him.
The hell do you mean I'm invading others? I just jumped from one seesaw to another! Cut me some slack!
A few breaths later, Azrael asked, "Why would the Third Lord give me such a powerful and influential skill?"
"Do not be fooled by the Third's phrasing. Humans possess a plethora of skills, but awakening can happen twice.
"Once at birth, and a second time when someone with the power of a Lord forces a second awakening.
"Consequently, she did not give you the skill, but awakened a new one slumbering within you. It is one of the prerequisites for anyone to become one of the 10 candidates for her title."
Mary's explanation flowed smoothly, but each time she finished, it still felt like a tsunami crashing into Azrael.
He could become a Lord.
He had a far-from-average second skill.
He was already invading others.
The whole purpose of the Lords is so Earth never gets invaded!
Holy shit! I just wanted some chicks, but I ended up with too much influence and a mini version of the Third Lord!
Oblivious to Azrael's thoughts, Mary asked, "Do you now understand the importance of me being here?"
"Ah, yeah. I guess I can think more clearly when there's someone looking after me! Like when the Third Lord was here and I was getting charmed by her beautiful tits, I actually felt better and more confident!"
"You really want to get my umbrella up your ass."
"Mary, I'll count on you from now on! I'll fulfill my role and grow into more than just a horny man! I promise! But first, I've got to somehow deal with my horniness! I need to become stronger and pick up a few girls! I need to get my hands on all those big chests!"
Click!
Mary opened her umbrella wide and pointed it at Azrael, completely hiding herself behind it. A few breaths later, she leaned it against her shoulder and looked up at him like an elegant doll.
"Your lust is truly a double-edged sword, but so be it. Lords do not become Lords to serve humanity and protect Earth. They become Lords out of their own selfish reasons, and they expand their domains for the sake of their own growth and satisfaction. Earth and people come second.
"And Earth and people will forever be second. Why? Because Lords need Earth to maintain their domains, and they need a world where they and their achievements are endlessly praised. Earth and people cannot be abandoned.
"That is why you must tell me, Azrael Nightfall, how you want people to see you in the future. You and your future harem.
"Depending on your answer, I will decide whether you are more than a lustful dog."
Author's Note: Hi! By now, you've probably realized the title is and isn't clickbait. It's a harem story with a clear, straightforward, and fun plot. I'm looking forward to writing it, and I hope you'll stick around for more!
Any questions about the novel can be asked here or in the reviews. I'm open to lots of discussion and suggestions, so feel free to be an active part of this book!