"…Eh?" Succubus-chan froze at the door, barely a minute after he closed it behind him.
That liar! He told me we would continue!
She crossed her arms, a pout tugging at her lips as she glared at the door. The hallway was quiet, the distant hum of the city muffled beyond the walls, but her mind buzzed with the audacity of it—Luka, that stubborn, blushing mess, had actually kicked her out after all that talk!
"I guess I deserve that one…" she sighed while scratching her neck. "Whatever, he needs rest. I'll go downstairs and play on my phone."
Unbeknownst to her, Luka had already slipped back outside for another stroll.
This time, he wasn't as fuming as last time, but he was still feeling tired. He passed by a house that he recognized, showing that it was on sale.
I guess Daniel is gone, huh…I wonder if he's fine.
A woman and a man stood on the porch, mid-conversation, their voices low. Luka approached, clearing his throat to catch their attention.
"Excuse me…" he started, his voice rough but polite. "Did something happen to the man who lived here?"
The man turned first, blinking at him, his neatly pressed tuxedo marking him as likely a real estate agent. "Oh, you must be a neighbor," he said, his tone professional but tinged with sympathy. "Unfortunately, he passed away—dehydration, I believe."
Oh… shit.
"Well… good day to you then. Sorry for your loss—"
"Thank you, but we're not his—" the agent started, but Luka was already turning away with a quiet sigh, cutting the exchange short.
He slipped down the street, hands shoved deep into his pockets, the weight of the revelation settling like lead in his gut. Knowing he was the cause of that dehydration didn't make it better—not by a long shot. But the pity he might've felt for Daniel was thin, overshadowed by a sharper frustration at himself, at being the one responsible.
Well… It's not like I care too much. This guy was a piece of shit on his own.
He stopped in the middle of the street, his shoulders slumped, "What am I even doing…" and turned back to his house.
He was angry, and he had every right to be, but while he didn't want to linger in that house— his house—he couldn't dodge everyone all day either. So, with a resigned huff, he decided to head back, pushing through the front door.
The moment he stepped inside, his eyes landed on Alma Elma.
"Oh, I thought you'd already come back," she said, blinking at him, a book cradled in her hand. She was halfway up the stairs, clearly on her way up… Great.
Luka froze in the doorway, the creak of the hinges still echoing faintly as the queen stared at him. He barely spared a glance at her and began walking upstairs, biting his tongue in the process.
"You'll ignore me again?" she asked with a sigh. "Luka…"
But he continued to walk upstairs, stopping right in front of Vinum's room. Alma Elma hadn't followed him, good .
This time, he didn't even knock. He simply pushed the doorknob and entered, slamming the door behind him to make sure she understood the mood he was in.
The little white-haired succubus turned her head sharply, a frown on her face. She looked angry at the sudden intrusion, but quickly smirked when she saw him approaching with his fists clenched.
"Kukuku… In a bad mood, boy—"
Before she could even finish her sentence, he grabbed her by the collar and held her up with one hand, her frail body not even sparing an effort to get free.
Vinum's smirk faltered for a split second, her small body swaying slightly as Luka held her aloft, his knuckles white against the fabric of her collar.
"Rough day, huh?" she sighed, her voice low and taunting despite her position.
"Shut up and answer me. What's the deal with Saki? I won't accept cryptic bullshit for an answer."
"I can't answer you," Vinum sighed heavily.
"You will ," he snapped, raising his free hand and pressing a finger to her forehead, the tip glowing faintly with a pulse of light from the Dawnstar. "I'm tired of this. Tired of you people, tired of risking my life for a wedding I didn't even choose."
"You think threatening me's gonna change anything, Luka?" she said, her voice quieter now. "Come on, boy. You know me by now."
"I don't care if I know you!" he growled, throwing her on the desk before pinning her down. "What's going on?! Answer me!"
"...Boy," she said softly, her body trying to struggle a bit more. "Listen to me."
"If you don't," he growled, his voice trembling with fury as he loomed over her, "I'll march back to that fucking castle of hers and trash it 'til Saki can't ignore me. Hell, I should've done that instead of wasting time with you."
He shoved off her, releasing his hold as he stormed toward the door, his breath ragged. But Vinum snapped her fingers, and in an instant, her hand shot out, clamping around his wrist with a grip like iron, halting him mid-step.
"Let go of me." he hissed, yanking his arm, but her grip held, her frail appearance belying the force behind it.
"I said listen ," she pressed, her tone hardening as she slid off the desk, standing her ground despite her small stature. "In the state, you are right now, I won't let you go."
"As if you'd care!" he snapped back, but she met his eyes dead on without a hint of mockery or her usual snarky attitude.
"Boy…" she began, not leaving his eyes. "Calm down. If you don't, this won't go well for any of us."
"Care?" he spat, his voice cracking as he tried to pull free again, weaker this time. "You've all been jerking me around—Saki, Succubus-chan, Alma, you... Don't pretend you give a fuck about what I feel!"
"...There's something I wanted to do for a while," she sighed.
"What are you talking abou—"
Before he could retort, she transformed into her powered-up form and dragged him with an iron-like grip toward her bed.
"Stop it! I don't want to—" he protested, his voice rising as he dug his heels in, but her
strength overwhelmed him.
Instead of tossing him onto the mattress, she sat down with a deliberate grace, and in one forceful motion, pulled him down, cradling his head onto her lap.
Luka's body went rigid, his breath catching as his cheek pressed against the cool fabric of her dress. The room seemed to still, the candle's flicker slowing as Vinum's transformed aura filled the space. Her grip on his wrist eased, but her other hand settled on his head, fingers threading gently through his hair, holding him there with a quiet, unyielding insistence.
"What the hell are you doing?!" he rasped, his voice muffled against her lap as he tried to push up, but her hand pressed down, firm yet not harsh, keeping him pinned.
"I will give you my last lesson," she began, her fingers tracing his cheeks. "I am bound by a contract to not tell you anything about the purpose of this trial. But I can tell you something important instead, so listen well and stop… For a minute."
He clenched his fists, the Dawnstar's faint glow pulsing in his palm, but he didn't move, caught between the urge to bolt and the strange, disarming weight of her touch.
"I don't need this," he muttered, his voice quieter now, hoarse and strained. "I don't need your pity."
"It's not pity," she said slowly, her other hand clenching at her side. "This is the same feeling I had for Myusca, so don't interrupt me."
Luka froze, his eyes searching hers but she was simply staring at him with a stern face.
Wait… What is she talking about?
"Do you know what the biggest weakness of a succubus is?" she asked.
"...No."
"Love." She paused, letting the word settle, her fingers stilling on his cheek. "A succubus that loves is weak. We're built to charm, devour, manipulate, and toy with humans. That's our nature. It's why we're terrified of genuine love above all else."
"What's that have anything to do with this trial?" he growled, trying to push away.
"Because until now, we've given you pleasure," she said, her hand pressing down gently but firmly, keeping him in place as her eyes bore into his. "This trial is designed so you can resist Saki later on—but you've figured that out, haven't you? Loving a succubus, truly loving her and making her love you, is what makes her weak."
"So that's it?" he said, his voice low and edged, his eyes narrowing as he stared up at her. "This whole thing—it's really just for that stupid wedding? Just a fucked-up test to show me how horrible you demons are?"
"If that's how you feel, boy…" She sighed, her stern facade cracking as her gaze softened, a rare flicker of regret shadowing her features. "Then I'm sorry."
"Huh?"
She released her hold on him, her form shimmering as she reverted to her petite, delicate self, her wings folding back and her presence shrinking into something less imposing. "You can go now," she said quietly, her voice heavy with resignation. "I won't stop you."
"Vinum… Are you trying to tell me that—" he started, his voice faltering as he sat up, searching her face for answers.
"Succubi don't show love—or at least, we try not to," she sighed heavily, her small hands resting in her lap as she stared past him, her expression distant. "Usually, we think drowning a man in pleasure will make him love us, but it's misguided. Pleasure without love is meaningless to humans. And love without pleasure…" She paused, her lips twitching into a faint, bitter smile. "That's meaningless to succubi."
"This is all so confusing…" he growled, dragging a hand down his face. "Can't you just be all normal for once?"
"Good grief…" she chuckled softly. "Boy, it's clear as day that a part of you love us, right? You are tired because you wish it would be two-sided. In that retrospect… You failed the trial."
"I…I failed…?" he blinked, caught off guard.
"No," she sighed. "I'm telling you that you fell in love with us. But do you love just the pleasure we can give you? Or do you love who we truly are? That is the difference between just food and a man we can trust our hearts with."
Luka sat back, his hands gripping the edge of the bed as her words hit him like a punch to the gut. His jaw tightened, and he looked away, the faint glow of the candle casting shadows across his face. "I don't even know who you truly are," he muttered, his voice rough. "All I get are mind games, manipulations and…"
"What about that time fought together?" she replied with a smirk.
"That was different…" he sighed deeply. "It's…different."
"Then ask yourself the question, boy," she chuckled. "If you were truly just food for us. Why would we waste our time playing around with you?"
"Because you enjoy it?" he deadpanned.
"True… But I believe some of the residents here do have feelings for you. Especially one you are ignoring right now."
"I'm mad at her…Scratch that, I'm mad at all of you…" Luka muttered as he crossed his arms, his gaze dropping to the floor.
"Then be mad," she replied while standing up from the bed. "Be angry. It is good motivation."
"Motivation that gets me nowhere…"
"Unless…" she mused, tapping her chin, "you'd like me to call everyone to the living room so that you can explain what's going on?"
Luka's head snapped up. "Are you insane?" he growled. "The moment I'm surrounded by everyone, I'm dryfished !"
Vinum's smirk widened, her voice a whisper of amusement.
"Are you sure about that?"
"..."
Luka stood frozen in the center of the room, every gaze locked onto him.
The pressure was suffocating.
Each of them—or almost each—had claimed his life at least once.
He was scared of them. Horny for them. But also…
He longed for something simpler. For the time when he still had his pleasure immunity—when he could talk to them like normal people, without the constant threat of dying in their arms hanging over his head like a guillotine.
The silence in the room stretched unbearably, thick with unspoken thoughts.
Luka swallowed hard, his hands clenched into fists at his sides. He could feel their eyes on him—curious, hesitant, predatory. Some tilted their heads, studying him intently while others smirked, clearly enjoying his discomfort.
He exhaled slowly, forcing himself to meet their stares head-on. "Alright," he said, his voice even. "Vinum dragged you all here for a reason."
Vinum, still lounging against the wall with her arms folded, grinned.
"So… I wanted to say something for a while now," the words rolled out of his tongue, his gaze snapping up to see Lilith in the corner.
Mayu was also here, her arms crossed, her face serious, not bored for once.
Alma Elma was sitting on a chair at the table, her concern evident.
Morrigan was clenching her jaw while Astaroth frowned, her tail flicking rapidly.
Eva was still eating in the corner but for once she listened.
The imps were silent, waiting for him to speak.
The mayor was next to Succubus-chan, both looking serious and waiting with impatience for his words.
And finally Minagi who looked at him from above, her eyes stern.
By now, he knew them all—intimately.
Some had devoured him.
Some had toyed with him.
Some had dinner with him.
Some had basked in the sun with him.
And some had pushed him past his limits, breaking his mind under the sheer weight of pleasure only a succubus could provide.
He cleared his throat, steadying himself, and locked eyes with Alma Elma.
Morrigan had been the first succubus he encountered here, but Alma Elma… Alma Elma was the one he could call a true friend—despite everything that had happened yesterday.
"I just want you to say something," he said, staring at her. "Something with enough conviction that I can believe you."
Alma Elma's red eyes widened slightly, her posture shifting as she leaned forward, her hands resting on the table. The room seemed to hold its breath, the other succubi exchanging glances but staying silent. For a moment, she didn't speak, her gaze searching his face as if weighing her words. Then she stood, her chair scraping lightly against the floor, and crossed the room to stand in front of him.
But Luka held up his hand as she was about to approach him and his gaze swept around the room.
"Just so you all know… At first, I offered you hospitality since it was my duty to keep you from endangering people in general. But we're way past that now."
His eyes met Mayu's. "Some of you, or at least your friends hurt me."
His eyes met Lilith. "Some of you tried to manipulate me."
His eyes met Alma Elma. "Some of you, who I thought were friends, terrified me."
His eyes finally met Succubus-chan. "And some of you deceived me, and terrified me."
"Hey!" she pouted. "I was asked to do it!"
"I don't care!" Luka shot back, pointing a finger at her and firing a small fireball at her face, knocking her off her chair with a yelp. "You almost killed me for real!"
Everyone held their breath as Luka turned around to look at every one.
"So I'm going to say this once. One last time. I don't hate you, I never did. I disliked you, distrusted you, yes, but the only guy I truly hated was the Hatman," he sighed, shaking his head. "Anyway, none of that matters now. I have this stupid trial imposed on me, and I know some of you tried to help me in the way you could."
His eyes turned to Astaroth. "Some of you might have taken advantage of it, however. A bit too much," he turned to Alma Elma.
Astaroth's tail stopped flicking, her frown deepening, while Alma Elma's expression softened, guilt flashing across her face. Succubus-chan rubbed her cheek where the fireball had grazed her, muttering under her breath but staying quiet otherwise.
Luka exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair as he took a step back. "I just… I need to know where we stand," he said, his voice quieter now, but no less firm. "No more games, no more half-truths. I want everyone to…"
I am lonely.
It hit him like a truck as he was about to say the stupidest thing in the world.
Yet, even if everything told him to stop, his honesty took over.
"...be friends with me."
Luka's face burned, his hands clenching at his sides as he braced for their reactions. He didn't dare look up at first, the vulnerability of his admission making his chest tighten painfully.
They're demons, of course it was stupid. He was stupid to trust them in the first place.
"Alright," Minagi spoke, taking everyone off-guard. "I made a promise to your friend and to you the other day. I think I may have not been in touch with what was happening here…"
Luka looked at her, blinking, caught off-guard by her sudden shift in demeanor.
"As ancestor of succubi, I know more about our pride than anyone else. But what I mainly see in here, is a cruel lack of discipline that trampled on this man's heart." Minagi continued, her sharp eyes narrowing as she scanned the room.
"But…" Succubus-chan started, her voice small as she shrank under Minagi's gaze.
"Luka, hero of dawn," Minagi said, stepping closer to him, her voice carrying a weight that made him straighten instinctively. "I believe we succubi are here for a reason. Fate itself has decided that we shall be reunited with you for a purpose. And something despicable might come in the future…" Her sharp eyes turned to the succubi gathered in the house, her expression hardening. "This is why I demand, on our name, to present genuine excuses to our host and savior of both worlds. We have been carried away."
"Wait—" Luka began but everyone began to slightly shrink under her gaze.
"Luka," Alma Elma, stepped closer, her feelings ignoring Minagi's demand. "Tell me the truth. You ignore me because I hurt you, is that right?"
"You fucking killed me!" he shot back, his voice raw as he lashed out, the memory surging to the surface like a fresh wound. "In one of the worst ways possible too! For no reason!"
"I really…" she paused, wincing at his words. "I thought you would enjoy it…" Her voice trailed off, her gaze dropping to the floor for a moment before she forced herself to meet his eyes again.
"I'm tired of all that teasing!" he turned around, his hand pointing at everyone. "At first it was okay, but it soon became insistent and made me feel like a piece of meat on a platter! Seriously, do you even care about me besides that I'm potential food?!"
They stood in silence, frozen as Luka's magic flared to life, a faint glow outlining his body, crackling with barely restrained energy, threatening to erupt. "Do you even care about me? Do you?!"
"The hell?" Morrigan recoiled slightly. "Of fucking course! You're my gaming partner!"
Her comment caught everyone off guard, even Luka.
"And you saved my life…" Alma Elma said softly, her voice barely betraying the pain in her chest. "So I thought…"
"I don't need you to repay me by breaking my mind!" Luka snapped at Morrigan, then whirled on Alma Elma, his fist nearly grazing her head as he stopped himself short, his anger trembling in his clenched hand.
"But you came a lot…" Morrigan muttered, her face betraying her uneasiness.
"And you told me you enjoyed what we did in the arena…" Astaroth commented.
"You survived my evaluation easily too," Vinum sighed from her spot against the wall, her usual smirk absent as she shrugged lightly. "Though I admit I might have gone a bit far…"
"You never stopped to think I would lose my mind!" Luka growled, his voice raw as he glared at them all, the glow of his magic intensifying for a moment before he forced it down. "All of you! You just think the pleasure you give is enough for it to be okay, but it's not! It just makes it even more wrong!"
Minagi, who had been watching the exchange with a stern gaze, finally spoke, her voice calm but firm. "Enough," she said, stepping forward, her presence commanding the room's attention. "Luka, I apologize on behalf—"
"I DON'T WANT YOUR APOLOGY!" he shoved her to the side. "You're the one who's the most normal of them all! It's them that needs to be sorry, not you!"
"I'm sorry, Luka," Alma Elma began, her tone showing respect. "I was too focused on my own enjoyment to see you were disliking it, and it is unforgivable to do as a friend. I really, really…" she lowered her head in guilt. "Apologize…"
"Yeah! Me too…" Morrigan began hard but quickly composed herself with a growl. "I wanted to settle the score with you but… Perhaps I should've done it another way…"
"I…" Astaroth sighed heavily. "I tried my best to make you feel good but it seems…"
"Nah, don't apologize too hard," Luka sighed, feeling his anger dim slightly. "I was stupid too. In fact, I believe I am getting even stupider with you all around me. Thinking with my dick is not good…"
A ripple of awkward laughter broke the tension in the room, though it was faint and hesitant. Alma Elma snorted, her lips twitching into a half-smirk despite herself.
"We weren't bad, were we?" Rami asked with a concerned look.
"Nah, you were good," he kneeled to her to pat the heads of the imps.
When suddenly, someone grabbed him from behind.
"And I'm sorry too, boyfriend."
"I'm not—Ugh… whatever, Succ-chan," he sighed heavily, shoving her away. "I really want to slap you, you know?"
"I'll let you spank me next time," she replied with a smirk.
Eva twitched in the corner, her bag of chips almost falling from her hands.
"Alright but don't scare me next time…" he sighed, feeling his anger fade by the second.
Despite everything, they were here, listening to him. Despite everything…
"Luka," Lilith's voice broke through his thoughts, smooth and measured as she stepped forward, her crimson eyes meeting his. "I am deeply sorry as well."
"Oh, right," Luka turned to face her, his expression deadpan as he crossed his arms. "You're back after Nina's little fuckup… Sorry, but you'll need more than that…"
"She will train you personally alongside me," Minagi interjected, her tone calm but authoritative as she glanced between them. "She told me earlier this morning she had a technique to teach you."
"Uh? Is that right?" Luka raised an eyebrow, his skepticism clear as he looked at Lilith.
"Yes," Lilith nodded, her voice steady as she held his gaze. "It's a technique that will help you resist succubi's Energy Drain. But it won't be simple, and you might die from exhaustion at least a few times…"
"So we would understand if you didn't want to do it," Astaroth added, her tail flicking once as she crossed her arms, her tone softer than usual. "It's up to you."
Luka stood there for a moment, the weight of their words settling over him. The room grew quiet again, all eyes on him as he rubbed the back of his neck, considering the offer. The idea of dying—even temporarily—didn't sit well with him, not after everything he'd already been through. But the chance to gain some kind of edge against their abilities… that wasn't something he could easily dismiss.
"I'll think about it," he finally said, his voice gruff but thoughtful as he glanced at Lilith and Minagi. "But if I do this, no tricks. No 'accidental' overdoing it. I'm serious."
Lilith inclined her head slightly, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "No tricks," she promised, her tone carrying a rare sincerity. "I owe you that much."
Minagi nodded in approval, her sharp eyes softening just a fraction. "A wise choice to consider it," she said simply. "We will respect your decision."
"Which brings me to another point…" Luka sighed, his eyes hesitant as he glanced around the room, his fingers tightening briefly before relaxing. "Could we go back to the original plan of this trial? Which meant training me? Instead of just thinking that eating me over and over will make me build some resistance…"
"Actually…" Succubus-chan chuckled. "I think there is one thing we can do…"
"Oh?" Alma Elma tilted her head. "What do you have on your mind?"
"How about we all make a contract with him?"
The room went still, the suggestion sinking in as the succubi exchanged glances, some surprised, others intrigued. Luka's brow furrowed, his arms crossing as he stared at her, unsure if she was joking or serious. "A contract? Are you… serious?"
"Yes," she nodded, her smirk softening into something more genuine as she clasped her hands together. "With you as the master. Wouldn't that settle your fears for good?"
"Wait…"
"That's a good idea," the mayor chuckled, her serious demeanor cracking into a small smile as she nodded approvingly. "That way, Luka may be able to stop us if we go overboard again."
"YOU DON'T TRUST YOURSELVES ENOUGH?!"
The succubi froze for a moment, caught off-guard by his outburst, before a few stifled laughs broke the silence. Alma Elma crossed her arms with a warm smile. "Can you blame us? We're very free-spirited…♪"
"And you're so tasty…♪" Succubus-chan added with her tongue out.
"And it's fun to tease you…♪" Astaroth added in a sing-song tone.
"You didn't remember anything I said, did you?" he sighed.
"But she isn't wrong either," Alma Elma added, her tone more serious. "Besides, having us as a contract might help you resist better. We could also transfer life force more effectively."
"You're all serious about this…?" Luka looked around, blinking, his skepticism deepening as he scanned their faces, searching for any sign of a trick.
"Hey, if Saki had a contract with you… we all can!" Succubus-chan grinned, her voice bright as she clapped her hands together, clearly pleased with her own logic.
"While I don't necessarily agree…" Minagi muttered. "I believe a temporary contract until everything is resolved would be a good solution." she held her hand over to Luka. "Let's all do this, even you, Nightmare," she glanced at Mayu with a sidelong glance.
"Does that mean we can still eat him, though?" she asked with her hands in her pockets.
"Only if he demands it," Minagi replied with a firm nod, her gaze unwavering.
"Fine by me," Mayu shrugged, stepping forward and placing her hand over Minagi's, her expression bored but compliant.
Luka stared at the exchange, his jaw tightening as he processed the implications. A temporary contract—with him as the master, no less—sounded like a way to finally set some boundaries, but the casual way they discussed "eating" him still made his skin crawl. He exhaled sharply, running a hand through his hair as he glanced around the room, taking in their expectant faces.
"So… I'd be the one in control?" he asked, his voice gruff but cautious as he eyed Minagi, then Succubus-chan. "No funny business? I set the rules, and that's it?"
Minagi nodded, her hand still extended toward him as the others began to gather closer, their hands joining hers one by one. "Correct," she said, her tone calm but authoritative. "As the master of the contract, your word would be binding. We would be obligated to follow your rules—within reason, of course."
"Within reason?" Luka raised an eyebrow, crossing his arms again as he shot her a skeptical look. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means we're still succubi," Alma Elma chimed in with a small, teasing smile, her hand resting lightly over Mayu's. "We can't change our nature entirely. But we'll stick to your terms—no overstepping, no tricks. Still some teasing, however."
Succubus-chan giggled, her hand joining the pile as she winked at him. "Don't worry, master," she teased, drawing out the word with a playful lilt. "We'll behave… mostly."
Luka shot her a flat look, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward despite himself. "Yeah, I'll believe that when I see it," he muttered, then glanced at Minagi again. "Alright. But I want the terms written out—clear as day, no loopholes. And it's temporary, like you said. I'm not signing up for anything permanent."
"Understood," Minagi said, her sharp eyes softening with a flicker of approval as she gestured for him to join them. "Place your hand here, and we'll seal the intent. The details can be formalized after."
All of the other succubi approached, even the imps that carried Eva forcefully to the pile of hands.
They all looked at him expectantly, some teasing, some serious, but all waiting for his decision.
Vinum was the last one to step forward and put her hand on the pile—or rather below it—before gazing up at him. "Boy," she smirked. "After this, you'll walk a path you can't come back from. Choose wisely, my proposition to become my servant still stands."
"Ha!" he snorted. "I'm tired of your cryptic warnings. If truly something bad is going to happen, then I'll just do as always—" he slapped his hand atop the pile and leaned closer to the group. "I'll ask my friends to help."
In an instant, a ripple of magic spread through him, the conditions of the contract flooding his mind like a sudden rush of clarity. As Minagi had promised, there were no tricks, nothing in Luka's mind that seemed treacherous. Just a simple binding pact stating their friendship and their loyalty to him for the time being. Straight red lines traced over his body, glowing briefly before fading just as quickly, the binding pact finally sealed.
Luka exhaled sharply, flexing his hand as the sensation ebbed, his gaze sweeping over the group. The warmth of the magic lingered for a moment, leaving behind a strange sense of certainty—like an invisible thread now tied him to each of them. It wasn't oppressive, but it was there.
"So you truly did it," a foreign, solemn voice echoed from behind, making his head snap around sharply.
Luka turned, his body tensing as he faced the source of the voice. Standing in the doorway was a figure he didn't recognize—a tall man with a serene presence, his short dark hair fluttering slightly as if he'd just moved at an unnatural speed. His eyes were closed, and he wore priestly garments, a white cross dangling around his neck. His tanned face bore faint creases that betrayed his middle age—around forty, Luka guessed. And in his hand, he held something: a balance, its scales gleaming faintly in the dim light, perfectly still despite the lack of motion.
Luka's hand twitched in his pocket, his voice gruff as he demanded, "Who are you?"
The man tilted his head slightly, his closed eyes giving him an air of calm detachment as he stepped into the room. The succubi around Luka tensed, their expressions shifting from curiosity to wariness. Minagi's sharp gaze narrowed, her posture stiffening as she took a step forward, positioning herself slightly between Luka and the stranger.
"Sacred Knight, Relius Caelius, such is my name," he replied, his voice collected. "The one holding the scales and the one seeing the multiple branches of the tree of time."
He held the object in his hand toward him. "To make a contract with succubi at such a time, an effort that I cannot ignore. For the time of the apocalypse is nigh, I shall judge you and your newly acquired companions."
"What the hell are you—" Luka stepped forward, his voice sharp with irritation, when suddenly the scale tipped to one side completely, the motion abrupt and decisive.
Relius turned the scales toward Minagi, his closed eyes offering no hint of emotion as he spoke, his tone solemn and unwavering. "Minagi, ancestor of succubi, you have been judged a sinner."
Minagi's sharp gaze hardened, her posture stiffening as she took a step forward. "You dare—" she began, but Relius had already shifted the balance, pointing it toward Astaroth.
"Astaroth, middle sister and part of what was once Lilith representing coldness…" he intoned, and the scales tipped again, the motion sharp and final. "You have been judged a sinner."
Astaroth's tail lashed once, her frown deepening as her arms uncrossed. "Judged by who? You?" she snapped, her eyes narrowing as she glared at Relius.
But the man continued, turning the balance to face each of them in turn, his voice relentless and measured. "Lilith, the part representing cruelty, sinner."
"Morrigan, the part representing Violence, sinner."
"Alma Elma, queen of succubi, sinner."
"Succubus-chan, or Succ-chan as your owner now calls you, sinner."
"Eva, you are one of the most sinful—"
"HEY!" Eva yelped, her bag of chips crinkling as she clutched it tighter, her face flushing with indignation.
"Succubus, mayor of succubus village… Sinner but almost innocent."
"Naoe Mayu, Nightmare. Sinner."
"Rami, Rumi, Remi, innocent."
"Mizuki Yukari, sinner."
"Misaki Yui, sinner."
"Those aren't even here…" Luka grumbled, his brow furrowing as he tried to keep up with the litany of names, his irritation mounting.
"Vinum, heavy sinner."
"Kukuku… Thank you for the compliment."
"And finally…" Relius turned to face Luka, his voice dropping slightly as the balance tilted toward him. "The most important of them all."
"Are you saying you did this to everyone for no fucking reason?" Luka growled, clenching his fists as he took another step forward, his anger flaring.
"Luka Morgen… Sinner."
A sudden, sharp pain stabbed through Luka's chest, and he stumbled, falling to his knees with a grunt. The room spun as the sensation intensified, a heavy weight pressing down on him as Relius's voice echoed in his ears. "Sloth, Greed, Lust, Pride, Envy, and even Wrath… You indulged in these six sins throughout your life."
Luka gasped, clutching his chest as the pain pulsed, his vision blurring at the edges. The succubi around him surged forward—Alma Elma reaching for his arm, Succubus-chan dropping to her knees beside him, Minagi's sharp voice barking something he couldn't quite hear over the ringing in his ears. The imps squeaked in panic, clustering around his legs, while Eva's chips hit the floor with a soft crunch.
"What did you do to him?!" Morrigan snarled, her wings flaring as she lunged toward Relius, only for Minagi to grab her arm and hold her back.
Relius remained still, his eyes closed. "Justice is blind, I have done nothing but reveal the truth," he said calmly. "The scales weigh the sins of all. His burden is his own—amplified by the pact he has forged with you. To bind oneself to sinners is to share in their judgment."
Luka forced himself to breathe, the pain slowly ebbing as he glared up at Relius, his voice hoarse but defiant. "You… don't get to decide that," he rasped, pushing himself up with Alma Elma's help, his legs shaky but his resolve unbroken.
"A bold claim," he said softly. "But a true one. I am not the one judging. Either way, it doesn't matter for now. I hope you will be prepared for what's ahead and repented in the meantime. The church will need your help."
"Who the hell are you anyway? How do you know all of this?" Alma Elma snapped.
"Luka might know me through Saki's words. I am the one who destroyed the Lust aspect inside of her years ago," without saying another word, he turned on his heel, the balance stuffed beneath his priest robe. "We shall meet again, Luka Morgen." Before disappearing in a burst of wind, the front door already open.
Luka staggered upright, brushing off Alma Elma's hand as he caught his breath, the last of the chest pain fading into a dull ache. "Saki…" he muttered, his voice rough as he ran a hand through his hair, his mind racing. "That bastard knew her?"
"He was a dangerous man, that's for sure…" Minagi muttered. "But for now, it seems he is on your side, for some reason."
"Yeah… It felt that way as well," Luka sighed. "Still, he is weird."
He felt the slow pulse of his contracts within him, dulling the ache in his pain. Me? A sinner? Of course but…
"Fine! Bring it on!" he growled, stomping his foot hard on the floor. "But first—" He turned to Succubus-chan with a stern look, his eyes narrowing.
"W-What?" she blinked, recoiling slightly.
"I order you to come here!" He dropped onto the couch with a thud, pointing at his lap. "No ifs, no buts!"
"Wawawa!" Succubus-chan whimpered as her body jolted forward, compelled by the contract's magic. She stumbled over, leaning across his lap with her butt facing him, her hands flailing in a mix of surprise and protest.
"That's for making me scared to death, you annoyingcubbus!" Luka growled, his voice rough as he raised his hand and delivered a sharp, resounding slap.
"Kyaa!" Succubus-chan yelped, her tail twitching as she squirmed, though a faint giggle slipped out despite her pout. "Owowow… meanie!"
"Uwaaahh…" Eva recoiled in the corner, her bag of chips trembling in her hands as her eyes widened, a flash of PTSD kicking in from the sudden violence.
"Luka's scary sometimes…" Morrigan muttered.
"Morrigan!" Luka snapped, raising his hand again, the red lines of the contract flaring to life around his body like a warning flare.
"W-Wait, I didn't do anything!" Morrigan yelped, throwing her hands up in surrender as she took a step back, her smirk vanishing. "Chill, man!"
Minagi watched the scene unfold with a raised eyebrow, her stern demeanor softening into a faint, almost imperceptible amusement. "You're adapting to your role quickly."
"Okay then Alma Elma!" he turned to face the succubus queen. "You've been replaced as mom of the house by Minagi!"
"W-What?!"
"Who's the daddy?" Succubus-chan giggled, but it was cut short as he slapped her butt again.
"ME! And you better never forget it!" his contract flared again. "So now! Get to work! I want this house clean as hell!"
The succubi all yelped as his order compelled them to act.
I'LL GET SOME ORDER IN THIS HOUSE! AND THEN I'LL FUCK!
"I need to train for the tournament tomorrow!!" Morrigan whimpered as she was suddenly dusting off the TV.
"Right! Well, tonight it's training time! And then we kick their ass in the tournament!"
AND THEN FUCK!
He slapped her again, his hand continuing to vent his frustration while the others cleaned the house. "This is what you get for listening to Saki you idiot!"
"Waaaah! Stop it Luka-kun! It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!"