Lucen called out to the system in a measured, executive voice. "System—summon Diana. And Lunaria, come forward."
At his command, the system initiated the summoning sequence. Moments later, Diana appeared, materializing within the summoning circle's arcane glow. Upon seeing Lucen, she immediately rushed to him, throwing her arms around him in an embrace that trembled with relief.
"Lucen," she whispered, her voice taut with suppressed emotion. "I thought you left me. I was trapped in that strange place until you summoned me again."
Before Lucen could respond, Lunaria—who had been watching him silently in the shadows—drew her dagger in a flash of cold steel, lunging forward in a blind attack.
Lucen's voice cut through the air like a corporate mandate. "Stop, Lunaria. She is mine."
Diana's face flushed crimson at his authoritative declaration, a blush creeping up her cheeks. Lunaria, meanwhile, froze, eyes wide and disbelieving. She took an involuntary step back, her posture taut with the tension of a coiled spring.
"Who is she? And who are you?" Lunaria demanded, her voice trembling with disbelief and suspicion.
Lucen met her gaze with measured, steady calm. "I don't expect you to believe me outright, Lunaria. Also, I do not fully trust you. But I trust the blood contract we share. So let me tell you a story."
He began outlining the Tower—an enigmatic, omnipotent force destined to descend upon this world within fifteen years. He explained that Diana was one of his companions, though even he did not fully comprehend the magnitude of how she was here now and what it implied. His tone remained controlled, every word deliberate, as he framed the narrative like a corporate briefing, each piece of information strategically aligned.
"The part of the story about Diana," he concluded, "I will show you in four years' time. Until then, trust me. At the end of this journey, I will tell you how I came to know these things."
Lunaria's eyes glimmered, sharp with a fanatic light—a spark of something akin to corporate ambition. "So what is your true aim? Do you plan to seize the Vermithorn family's seat of power? Ignite a war to dominate the world? And then—conquer the Tower itself?" Her voice was almost feverish, the glint of bloodlust unmistakable.
Lucen frowned, lifting a hand to flick her forehead lightly—a precise, controlled motion that snapped her out of her mania.
"Calm yourself," he said coolly. "I have no grand designs of conquest. My only ambition is to live a peaceful life, with my future wife and family. That's all."
Lunaria and Diana exchanged glances, both their expressions tinged with quiet disbelief. The weight of Lucen's words settled in the room, but he refused to let it fracture his resolve.
"Is it not too late for that?" Lunaria asked, her tone soft but edged with doubt.
Lucen's eyes flickered with pragmatic resolve. "No… probably not. Whatever the odds, it's irrelevant. As I said, I have no ambition for world domination. After my eighth birthday, I intend to leave this cursed household. Until then, I must grow strong—financially and physically. And I need help to do that. Will you support me?"
Lunaria did not hesitate. She dropped to one knee, her posture precise and unwavering. "I am your shadow, Master. My blade and loyalty are yours."
Diana followed suit, her determination as fierce as Lunaria's. "I am weak now, but I will grow strong—strong enough to stand beside you."
Lucen nodded, the faintest trace of a smile flickering across his lips. "Then we will do this together."
He outlined his operational plan in concise, corporate bullet points:
He required strong individuals to establish his own guild—loyalists who would enter into blood contracts like Lunaria.
He needed to amass substantial wealth—an anonymous financial base for future expansion.
He had to strengthen himself, both physically and magically. Fortunately, this world was teeming with monsters—unlike the Blue Planet—providing ample opportunities for combat growth.
He needed rare resources—materials he could secure and store, establishing a secure reserve for future contingencies.
Finally, he needed a base of operations—an unassailable stronghold from which to execute his plans.
After hearing the list, Lunaria gave him a professional nod. "I believe we can accomplish these objectives within three years, Master. However, the first challenge is clear: startup capital. How do you propose we acquire the initial funds?"
Lucen fell silent for a moment, weighing the options with clinical precision. Then, with cool corporate resolve, he stated: "We will liquidate the assets within this estate—sell everything of value and replace them with forgeries. This will buy us time and seed capital."
Lunaria looked momentarily shocked, her eyes flickering with a flash of hesitance. Diana's expression mirrored that unease. "Master—are you certain that's acceptable?"
Lucen's voice dropped, calm and final, his gaze unwavering. "Don't give me that look. I have zero money. This is the only logical move."
The weight of his words settled in the room like a signed contract—binding and irrevocable. In that quiet moment, their collective resolve crystallized, setting the foundation for the audacious path that lay ahead.
Lunaria: So, what is the name of our group?
Lucen: Hmmm… let's go with Dark Moon. As for the symbol, make it look like a sword with a half moon. And spread rumors like this: "Don't ever mention the Dark Moon… or they will come for you on the full moon."
As for the leader, you can do it, Lunaria… you become this group's Full Moon.
And that's how the future Witch of Destruction, symbol of the moon, was born.