The Succubus Queen led Lin Che through the castle as she explained, the other nine succubi following at a respectful distance.
"The Universal Lord Trials," Leanna began, her voice professional but warm, "are a competition for survival and dominance. All new Lords start with their awakened building and must develop territories, gather resources, build armies, and expand their influence."
She gestured to the crumbling but elegant castle around them.
"Your Succubus Castle allows you to summon and command succubus. We are... not highly regarded in terms of combat power."
That was putting it mildly. Lin Che had done his research. Succubi were considered the weakest possible starting race.
"However," Leanna continued, her golden eyes flickering with something that might have been pride, "we excel in other areas. Administration, crafting, intelligence gathering, diplomacy... and loyalty."
She stopped at the top of the castle's main tower, gesturing to the landscape beyond.
"We have seven days of absolute protection. During this time, no other Lord can attack this territory. We should use our time wisely because—after seven days, our territory will be vulnerable to raids, monster attacks, and conquest attempts."
Lin Che surveyed the terrain. His territory was small—maybe two thousand square meters. Beyond the castle walls, he could see forests, a stream, and in the distance, what looked like other Lords' territories.
"Resources?" he asked.
"Currently critical," Leanna admitted. "We have enough food for three days at most. Wood and stone for basic construction. Five hundred energy crystals which was the universal currency."
"Threats?"
"Goblin nests to the east. Wolf packs to the north. Other new Lords on all sides." Leanna's expression darkened slightly. "And the other Lords... they will mock you, my Lord."
As if on cue, a notification appeared:
[World Chat - Unlocked!]
Lin Che opened it and immediately regretted the decision.
[DragonKnight_47]: Finally got my castle! Dragon Knight fortress, baby! Let's GOOOO!
[ElfQueen_23]: Moonlight Elf Palace here~ Who else got A-tier or higher?
[IronLord_89]: Dwarf Stronghold. Already smelting ore. This is gonna be epic.
[FallenAngel_66]: Angel Temple! The aesthetic is PERFECT!
[SkullKing_13]: Undead Crypt. Time to raise an army of bones lmao
[BloodLord_99]: Vampire Manor. Already hunting. First kill feels GOOD.
Then someone asked the question Lin Che had been waiting for:
[WarMaster_01]: Alright, who got the shit starts? Don't be shy, let's see those F-tiers.
[PoorBastard_77]: ...I got Goblin Warren. Kill me now.
[RIP_Me_88]: Human Village. Literally just humans. No special troops.
[DeadMan_42]: Succubus Castle. I'm fucked, aren't I?
The chat exploded:
[DragonKnight_47]: SUCCUBUS CASTLE?! LMAOOOOO F IN CHAT BOYS
[ElfQueen_23]: Oh no... I'm so sorry. That's literally the worst.
[IronLord_89]: Bro just quit now. Save yourself the suffering.
[FallenAngel_66]: Succubi can't fight AT ALL. You're dead in a week.
[BloodLord_99]: Press F to pay respects to our fallen comrade.
[WarMaster_01]: Succubus Castle is like... negative combat power. You literally can't defend yourself.
[DeadMan_42]: Guess I'll just die then. Nice knowing you all.
Lin Che closed the chat with a thought, his expression remained neutral.
Leanna was watching him carefully. "My Lord... I'm sorry you were burdened with us. The reputation is deserved—succubi are not warriors."
"Tell me, Leanna," Lin Che said calmly, "what are your current stats?"
She blinked, surprised by the question, but answered immediately: "Base strength twelve, constitution ten, intelligence twenty—"
"After my talent effect," Lin Che interrupted, "what now are your stats?"
Leanna's eyes widened as she pulled up her own status screen. Her expression shifted from professional composure to shock.
"Strength... twenty-four. Constitution twenty. Intelligence FORTY. Agility thirty. Magic forty-four." She stared at the numbers. "My Lord, these stats are... this is impossible for a Level 1 unit. Even Legendary summons don't start with—"
"And you have SS-rank Territory Management," Lin Che continued. "Queen's Authority gives all succubi in my territory a thirty percent stat boost and your talent supreme administrator doubles territory efficiency."
He turned to look at her fully.
"Leanna, tell me honestly: with stats like that and skills like yours, are you useless?"
"I..." She struggled for words. "No, my Lord. With these stats, I could administer a territory ten times this size with ease. I could fight if needed. I could—"
"Exactly." Lin Che smiled. "Everyone sees 'succubus castle' and thinks 'worthless.' They don't see the multiplication effects. They don't see the synergies. They don't see the potential."
He gestured to the nine other succubi below.
"They mock us because succubi are weak. But my succubi? Enhanced by my talents? Led by a Legendary queen with intelligence value of fourty? Supported by an administrator system that doubles efficiency?"
Lin Che's smile widened.
"Let them mock. Let them underestimate. When they realize their mistake, it'll be too late."
Leanna stared at him, and her favorability spiked.
[Leanna's Favorability: 60 → 75]
"You..." She breathed. "You're not like other Lords, are you?"
"No," Lin Che agreed. "I'm really not."
He turned back to survey his territory, his mind already forming strategies.
"Leanna, I need you to do something for me."
"Anything, my Lord."
"Take the other succubi and assess our exact resource situation. Food, water, materials, potential gathering points. I want a full report within the hour."
"At once!" She bowed and rushed off, her four wings catching air as she glided down to organize the others.
Lin Che watched her go, then pulled up his Supreme Blessing System interface again.
[Supreme Bond Requirements:]
- Favorability Value: 100/100
- Status: Pregnant
Leanna was already at 75 favorability. The pregnancy part... well, that would require intimacy.
The question was: how quickly could he build that remaining favorability? And was it wise to rush such a thing?
As if reading his thoughts, another notification appeared:
[System Notice: First Supreme Bond grants significant survival advantages]
[Recommended priority: High]
[Take Note: Genuine emotional connection required. Mechanical approaches will fail.]
Lin Che nodded slowly. The system wanted genuine bonds, not cold manipulation.
He could work with that.
...
An hour later, Leanna returned with a detailed report that showcased exactly why she had SS-rank Territory Management.
"Resources are as critical as I estimated," she began, pulling up a holographic display that showed the castle's inventory. "Food for is only enough for three days. Water from the stream is clean and plentiful. Building materials are minimal—enough for perhaps two basic structures."
She gestured to a map she'd somehow already created.
"The nine succubi have been assigned roles based on their specialties. The Pink Sisters are scouting the perimeter. Vera is assessing what can be salvaged from the castle's old forge. Cella is examining magical traces. Nella is designing potential expansion plans."
"And the three rare administrators?" Lin Che asked.
"Seraphine is cataloging every item in the castle. Morgana is calculating resource consumption rates and identifying gathering opportunities. Vivian is... well, planning for future population growth."
Leanna's expression shifted slightly—almost embarrassed.
"She's planning nurseries, my Lord. She seems to think the population will grow significantly soon."
Lin Che kept his expression flat, but internally he noted that Vivian might be more perceptive than she seemed.
"Threats?" he prompted.
"Three goblin nests within raiding distance. Based on tracks, each nest has twenty to thirty goblins. Individually weak, but in groups they're dangerous—especially for succubi."
"Especially for normal succubi," Lin Che corrected. "Your stats make you stronger than most starting heroes."
Leanna blinked. "I... hadn't considered it that way. You're right. With my current stats, I could likely handle several goblins."
"But you're an administrator, not a warrior," Lin Che noted. "Combat isn't your specialty."
"No, my Lord. I can fight if needed, but it's not my main strength."
Which meant Lin Che have an urgent need for combat manpower.
"You've done excellent work, Leanna," he said warmly. "Exactly what I expected on you."
[Leanna's Favorability: 75 → 82]
She brightened visibly at the praise. "Thank you, my Lord. I live to serve you after all."
"One more question," Lin Che said. "Your Potential rank is A. What does that mean?"
Leanna looked surprised he knew that detail. "Potential determines growth limits, my Lord. D-rank potential caps at level 20. C-rank at 40. B-rank at 60. A-rank at 80. S-rank at 100, and so on."
"And yours is A-rank."
"Yes, my Lord. Relatively rare—most summons have C or D potential even some legendary quality ones. My A-rank potential means I can grow significantly stronger over time."
Lin Che smiled. A-rank potential also meant any children she bore would likely inherit high potential.
"Thank you, Leanna. That's all for now."
She hesitated, then spoke carefully: "My Lord... may I ask a personal question?"
"Go ahead."
"You've been... kind to us. To me specifically. Most Lords see succubi as disposable tools or embarrassments to be hidden away from other's eyes." Her golden eyes searched his face. "Why are you different?"
Lin Che considered his answer carefully.
"Because I don't see you as tools. You're people—subjects of my territory, yes, but people with thoughts, feelings, hopes. Treating you well isn't kindness; it's basic decency."
He stepped closer to her.
"And on a purely practical level, happy subjects are loyal subjects. Loyal subjects work harder, fight harder, and build a better empire. Anyone who treats their people like disposable trash is a fool."
[Leanna's Favorability: 82 → 90]
Leanna's breath caught. Her wings trembled slightly.
"My Lord," she whispered, "I am yours. Completely and utterly yours. Whatever you need, whatever you ask, I will give it gladly."
The air between them suddenly felt charged.
Lin Che was acutely aware of how close they were standing, how beautiful she was, how her chest rose and fell with quickening breaths.
"Leanna," he said softly, "are you offering what I think you're offering?"
She met his eyes steadily. "I am a succubus, my Lord. Intimacy is as natural to me as breathing. And I am a queen—I know my own mind and heart. I have never wanted anything more than I want to serve you in all ways."
Her voice dropped to barely a whisper.
"I want to be yours. Truly yours. In every sense."
[Leanna's Favorability: 90 → 95]
Lin Che felt his pulse quicken. The Supreme Blessing System required pregnancy and 100 favorability. Leanna was offering herself willingly, genuinely.
But this was too important to rush.
"Leanna," he said gently, cupping her face, "I want that too. But I won't take what you're offering out of desperation or obligation. When we join, it will be because we both truly want it."
He brushed his thumb along her cheekbone.
"Tell me honestly: do you want this because you think you should, or because you truly desire it?"
Leanna's eyes widened, then softened with something that looked like wonder.
"I've existed for less than two hours, my Lord, but in that time, you've shown me more respect and care than I've seen most Lords show their subjects in months." She leaned into his touch. "I want this because you're worthy of devotion. Because serving you feels right. Because when I look at you, I feel..."
She trailed off, searching for words.
"Complete," she finally finished. "I feel complete."
[Leanna's Favorability: 95 → 98]
Lin Che pulled her into an embrace, feeling her wings wrap around them both like a cocoon.
"Then tonight," he murmured into her hair, "if you still feel this way, come to my chambers. Not as a subject obeying orders, but as yourself, choosing this freely."
"I will," Leanna breathed. "I promise."
...