The morning after the banquet dawned in a soft, golden hue, sunlight spilling through the towering windows of the Gremory estate — like warmth poured from heaven itself. A peaceful hush settled over the manor, broken only by the distant trill of birds in the enchanted gardens — their song a subtle reminder that, for a moment at least, the world still turned.
In the upper chambers, Rias tightened the laces on her gloves, her crimson hair cascading over her shoulders like liquid fire. Her expression was composed, but her eyes gleamed with anticipation. Akeno stood by the doorway, a travel bag in hand, her serene smile belying the electric hum of tension in the air.
"You sure about this?" Lucien leaned against the frame, arms folded. The morning light caught the edge of his hair, making it burn like bloodied fire.
Rias turned to him, sapphire gaze unwavering. "Yes. Brother arranged for me to travel with one of his peerage to meet Yumi first — then we'll track down Gasper. If they accept, I'll finally have four members."
She tossed him a knowing smile. "You should start gathering more for yourself, Lu Lu."
Lucien smirked. "You just want competition."
"I want you ready," she replied softly. "This world doesn't wait for anyone. Even us."
With a flick of her hand, magic pulsed in the air. A circle of scarlet light bloomed at her feet, enveloping her in radiance.
"Try not to wreck the house while I'm gone," she teased.
He rolled his eyes. "No promises."
Then she vanished — leaving only a faint warmth in the air and the ghost of her smile.
Lucien turned and exhaled, the silence settling around him like velvet. But before he could take a step—
["You who knows the fate of many… shall be born among them. Rise, child of Crimson."]
He froze.
That voice.
The same one from before his reincarnation — distant, ageless, resonating not through his ears but through the marrow of his soul. It was older than gods, dragons, or devils… woven from something ancient and absolute.
Then came a second voice.
[System Activated.]
A rush of light flooded his vision. Arcane silver runes unfurled across his sightline, forming a floating interface of shifting glyphs and pulsing symbols.
[Welcome, Lucien Lucifuge-Gremory.]
The System exists to:
– Make you stronger than the Four Maou.
– Summon peerage members across dimensions.
– Aid in the rebuilding of your noble house.
Lucien blinked. "Summon… like, actually summon characters?"
[Correct. From any anime, manga, light novel, or comic. You will retain full dominion over your summons.]
Pause.
[You now legally own the series they originate from, including likeness rights, royalties, and copyrights. The publishing companies are now subsidiaries of your house.]
He choked. "Wait—are you telling me I legally own entire franchises?"
[Correct. The entities summoned will look and act like their canon selves. Only you and they will know the truth. Everyone else will believe the fabricated backstories provided.]
Lucien ran a hand through his hair, chuckling. "Rias is definitely gonna ask why my peerage members look like characters from manga we read…"
He grinned. "I'll just say I bought the series. Technically not a lie."
[Lucifuge Clan Magic Proficiency Increased.]
Your control over shadows now rivals elite users of shadow-based abilities from other universes.
Your current finesse exceeds that of the Nara Clan's shadow possession techniques.
With continued mastery, you will surpass the Shadow Monarch, Sung Jin-Woo, and all known wielders of darkness.
— You will become Night itself.
Lucien's breath caught. "…Damn."
A breeze stirred the curtains behind him, though the windows were closed. Shadows coiled along the edges of the room — watching, waiting. Lucien didn't command them. They responded to him, like loyal hounds to a king returning home.
A dark pulse of energy wrapped around his hand — flexible, alive, obeying his intent with perfect synchronicity. His control was no longer brute force; it was art.
[Gift Package Available. Open?]
"Hit me."
[Opening…]
– Dimensional Core Ring (Enables creation of a private sub-dimension)
– Noble Attire (Self-repairing, adapts to user's magic signature)
– 500 million demonic credits
– 1 Rare Summoning Token
Lucien exhaled as the familiar glow filled his palm. Then another notification flashed:
[You have 3 Mutation Pieces available: 1 Knight, 1 Rook, 1 Bishop.]
He opened the sleek black case. The three pieces shimmered, alive with potential.
Lucien hovered his hand over the Bishop.
"Kuroka."
[Confirm Bishop designation for: Kuroka?]
"Confirm."
⸻
⸻The Bishop Ceremony⸻
A glowing crimson seal etched itself into the air before him, pulsing like a heartbeat. The Bishop piece lifted into the air and shattered into black stardust, merging with a new summoning circle on the floor — intricate, infernal, and alive with both Destruction and Shadow.
Kuroka walked into the circle with feline grace, her amber eyes fixed on Lucien, her tail swaying.
"You ready, nyaa~?"
"Let's do it."
As the circle flared, darkness twisted around her feet, tendrils of magic latching onto her essence. She shuddered, then gasped as her aura bloomed — violet-black lightning crackling through her hair. A set of ornate runes etched themselves along her arms and tail, binding her soul to his.
[Bishop Promotion Complete. Backstory Imprinted:]
Kuroka — escaped experiment of the Naberius Chimera Project, rescued by Lucien while freeing other victims. Now devoutly loyal to House Gremory-Lucifuge.
Kuroka staggered, then looked down at her hands. "Nyaa… I feel stronger. Cleaner."
Lucien stepped forward, steadying her. "You're safe now. You're home."
Her voice trembled slightly. "You gave me that when no one else would."
He smiled softly. "You're family. That's all that matters."
Lucien nodded, smiling faintly. "Welcome to the family."
He looked down at the remaining pieces.
"Knight: Ghislaine Dedoldia. Rook: Yamato."
[Summoning Initiated.]
The air cracked like shattered obsidian as a portal of void light yawned open.
From it stepped a towering figure, muscle-bound and regal — long white hair cascading over her back, twin horns arching from her head. Yamato, the Oni Princess. Her golden eyes glimmered beneath her wild bangs as she scanned the room.
A second figure followed — furred, lean, dangerous. Ghislaine Dedoldia, Sword King of the beastkin, her curved blade resting comfortably at her hip, amber eyes sharp and calculating.
Both crouched, ready to fight or flee.
"Where the hell is this?" Ghislaine growled.
Yamato's gaze locked on him. "You summoned us?"
Lucien raised both hands. "Yeah… and you're real. Just not from this world."
He explained everything — the system, the peerage, the new world, and their fabricated identities.
[Backstory Imprinted: Ghislaine and Yamato — enslaved warriors from a demon trafficking ring in the eastern wilds, freed by Lucien during the rescue of Kuroka. They swore fealty soon after.]
The two warriors exchanged glances.
Then Yamato grinned. "So… we get to fight together?"
Ghislaine grunted. "As long as I get to train, I'm in."
Lucien exhaled in relief—then staggered.
The room tilted violently. His knees buckled.
[Warning: Magical burnout detected. Your body cannot sustain multiple high-tier summons at current capacity.]
The last thing he saw was Yamato lunging toward him as Ghislaine cursed.
⸻
The Chaos Within
The next day…
Lucien stirred under thick silk sheets, the dull ache of magical fatigue still lingering in every limb. His vision cleared to the sight of three pairs of eyes staring down at him.
Yamato. Ghislaine. And Kuroka, her black tail twitching with amusement.
"You alive, Master~?" Kuroka purred, leaning close, her voice rich with teasing concern. "You scared your kitten nya."
Lucien groaned. "I feel like I got hit by a mountain."
Yamato handed him a glass of water. "You pushed too hard."
Ghislaine snorted. "Amateur. But you've got potential."
He drank, then looked at them — three powerful women bound not just by pieces, but by something deeper. Possibility. Fate.
Kuroka poked his forehead. "So, now that your harem-peerage is forming~ what's the next move, Master?"
Before he could answer, the system chimed again.
[New Missions Unlocked:]
1. Physical Training — Spar with two peerage members.
2. Territorial Establishment — Claim a region of the Underworld as your domain.
Lucien's lips curled into a slow, confident grin.
He looked at his hands — one still faintly glowing with shadow, the other cradled by Kuroka's fingers.
"Time to see how far we can go."