Volume 2, Chapter 3: Summit of Sin — Politics, Assassins, and a Very Inappropriate Throne
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The throne was made of bodies.
Not corpses—living, moaning, oiled-up demon attendants arranged in sensual agony, shifting with every twitch Seraphina made as she reclined atop them like a lazily victorious war goddess.
Kai blinked. "That's... deeply uncomfortable."
Yui muttered, "It's moving."
Velmaria grimaced. "It winked at me."
Seraphina snapped her fingers. The living throne sighed in harmony.
"Welcome," she purred, "to the Summit of Sin."
Nyxa squinted. "Is this a diplomatic summit or a sex dungeon?"
"Both," Seraphina said proudly. "This is politics, demon-style."
Eirnys was already taking notes. "I want to build one of those thrones. For... academic reasons."
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The summit chamber was vast, carved from molten obsidian and lined with silk banners depicting scandalous images. Five smaller thrones stood in a semicircle, each marked with a sigil:
The Glutton Queen's Maw
The Vanity Prince(ss)'s Mirror
The Wrath Warden's Pyre
The Sloth Empress's Couch
The Lust Queen's Seat (Seraphina's, obviously)
Kai stood awkwardly in the center with his goddesses flanking him like bodyguards at a fashion war.
> [Main Quest Activated: Unite the Demon Houses or Trigger Infernal War]
[Bonus Objective: Don't Die During the Opening Toast]
[System Tip: Try Not to Offend the Wrath Queen Again. She Still Remembers That Comment About Her "Screaming Problem."]
Kai whispered to Nyxa, "How do I not die in demon politics?"
She whispered back, "Lie creatively. Flirt strategically. Never touch anyone's drink unless you're willing to hallucinate for 36 hours."
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The other rulers arrived one by one.
Glutton Queen Maelzra rolled in on a throne made of chocolate golems. She ate one before sitting down. It moaned. Kai felt deeply unsettled.
Vanity Prince(ss) Elireon shimmered into existence, gender-fluid and flawless, surrounded by floating mirrors showing various versions of themselves being adored.
Wrath Warden Kaora stormed in with flames pouring from her armor. She glared at Kai.
"You're the glitch-boy who called me 'the female Kratos with cleavage.'"
Kai winced. "I meant it respectfully."
She narrowed her eyes. "You live only because I'm curious."
Sloth Empress Vyvi was carried in by pillow beasts. She immediately fell asleep.
Kai turned to Seraphina. "This is diplomacy?"
Seraphina smiled. "This is foreplay."
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The summit began with ceremonial wine.
It immediately exploded.
Kai flinched, covered in glittering smoke.
> [Status Effect: Minor Hallucinogenic Lustgas – Duration: 10 minutes]
[Warning: You may see your desires in physical form]
He turned to Yui. Her armor had turned into lace. Velmaria had wings made of fire and need. Eirnys wore chains made of moans. Nyxa was a glitch in the shape of perfection. Seraphina... sat atop her throne like a goddess of corrupted temptation.
Kai blinked hard. "I am not okay."
Nyxa snapped her fingers. "Snap out of it. Focus on the speech."
Right. The speech.
He stepped forward.
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"Esteemed rulers of the Demon Courts," Kai began, his voice steady despite the room's terrifying sensuality, "I come not as a threat, nor a servant—but as a glitch in the divine system. I broke your laws. I seduced your enemies. I corrupted your fate."
Silence.
Kai continued. "And I offer you something none of you have had since the Eternal Collapse—choice. Join Seraphina. Join me. Or fall behind in the chaos to come."
Wrath Warden Kaora stood. "You insult us with unity?"
Kai met her eyes. "No. I dare you to change."
> [Persuasion Check: Success – Critical Flirt Bonus Applied]
[Kaora's Affection +10. Current Mood: "Mildly Impressed, Still Might Murder You"]
Vanity Prince(ss) Elireon clapped slowly. "You're brave. And pretty. I might keep you."
Kai chuckled. "Get in line."
The whole room paused.
Then Seraphina burst out laughing. "By the moons of madness, I like you."
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Suddenly, a knife flew past Kai's head.
He ducked.
A shadow-cloaked assassin appeared behind the Lust Throne, blades dripping with void poison.
"HE DIES. NOW."
Eirnys's chains moved before Kai even reacted.
> [Combat Triggered: Harem Synchronization Activated]
[Team Bonus: "Glitch Lovers United" – All Goddesses Gain +20% Damage When Fighting for Kai]
Yui threw a spear of light. Velmaria summoned a phoenix storm. Nyxa unleashed corrupted code. Eirnys bound the assassin mid-leap, and Seraphina kissed the enemy's mind—turning her into a loyal fan mid-fight.
The assassin dropped her blades and whispered, "Please sign my soul."
Kai muttered, "I need therapy."
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After the smoke cleared, the summit was in chaos—but united.
Kai stood again.
"No more petty plots," he said. "A war is coming. The gods have rewritten fate. They fear me because I'm outside their system. I offer you power, lust, survival—and a throne beside mine."
Glutton Queen Maelzra burped fire. "I'm in, if you bring snacks."
Vanity Elireon winked. "I'll follow the glitch. He looks good in red."
Wrath Warden Kaora crossed her arms. "Hurt him, and I'll kill him myself."
Sloth Empress Vyvi mumbled in her sleep, "If he makes me coffee... maybe."
Seraphina smiled like the devil who just won a poker game against fate.
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> [Quest Complete: Demon Summit – Three of Five Houses Aligned]
[New Title Earned: Diplomatic Glitch King]
[Side Quest Unlocked: "Win a Date With a Warlord" – Optional]
[Next Quest: Journey to the Edge of the Void to Meet the Goddess Who Rejected Heaven]
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Later that night, Kai sat in the obsidian garden, wine in one hand, head in the other.
"I gave a speech, survived an assassination, and accidentally flirted with four demon monarchs."
Nyxa sat beside him. "And you made three of them fall in lust with you."
Yui appeared on his other side. "We're proud of you. Mostly."
Velmaria grunted. "Just don't marry anyone without consulting the group chat."
Seraphina floated above him. "You've earned rest, glitch-boy. But sleep fast. The Void awaits."
Kai groaned.
Eirnys handed him a pillow. "We'll protect your dreams."
He lay back, surrounded by too much power, desire, and danger.
He smiled.
"Bring it on."
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End of Chapter 3 – Volume 2