Arc 1: Luxuria

Chapter 6: Clearing the Land Part I

 

The Stele in front of Haruki was now shining a light purple hue and a swirling rune embedded on all four of the stone's surfaces. Haruki breathed a sigh of relief; the imbuing was successful.

"That's the last of it," Haruki told the tall, tanned man standing beside him, who was curiously gazing at his profile. He was still carefully trying not to look at the other man too much, afraid of breaking character and turning into a blushing mess. "How is it, Monad?"

"There seems to be no problem." Monad looked at the Stele with dazed eyes, before turning to Haruki with undisguised admiration. "It's a marvelous work of art. I had no idea that the Steles could be used for defense. Truly ingenious."

Haruki coughed, unprepared for the sudden praise. But yeah, in the game, Monad's Steles were used as explosive mines; he was only able to think of and create such an absurd mechanism with his knowledge of the game and Asmo's assistance. "The Confusion spell will only work once since the Stele can't hold that much Magic power. You should tell me immediately if the spell activated or the Stele was destroyed."

Monad nodded, giving a small curtsy as he bowed. "As the Lord wishes, I shall obey."

Haruki was still getting used to Monad's polite and somewhat archaic manner of speech. The game really didn't expand on the Heroes' characterizations beyond the bare minimum, so Monad's mild mannerisms, forward attitude and smooth words caught him off guard occasionally. It had only been five days since Monad was born, but Haruki had already categorized him as "a pervert masquerading as a gentleman". The way the Demon openly stared at his ass was disconcerting. He should probably summon a few followers or build a Vice structure, for the sake of his anal virginity.

"Master, Asmo is back~"

The creature used his Self-Transport and appeared in front of the two men. The Familiar looked a little ruffled but was fluttering happily like a busy bee. These past few days, Haruki had ordered the assistant to check for harmful beasts in the vicinity, hoping to both use them as experience fodder and clear the land in preparation for the nation that will soon be established. "Asmo found a nest of Black Wolves to our south."

"Good work, Asmo," said Haruki with a grin. Black Wolves were E-Rank quadrupedal beasts that thrived in the Extollan Wastes, so they were easy enough to beat and with great numbers that a few level ups for him and Monad were guaranteed. "I guess it's time to reap the fruits from all the training we did these past few days."

~

With a forceful thrust, the wooden stake impaled through the Black Wolf's thin body, ending its life in an instant. With one rough twist, Monad took out the makeshift spear, its other tip slamming hard on the head of another wolf that was aiming for his back.

The human-sized four-legged wolf with striking night-colored fur, dazedly leaped away. It shook its head in confusion, but the animal wasn't able to do anything else, as a thick thorn of darkness pierced its skull.

A dozen more wolves rushed from Monad's right, howling in anger at the sudden death of their comrades. Before they could even reach the Demon, a melodious voice rang through the air.

"Befuddle the mind in an unholy mirage, Confusion!"

As the chant ended, the wolves suddenly lost sight of their target and halted. Then, the beasts acted more ferociously than ever, but now they were biting and scratching each other.

Haruki stood a few meters away from Monad, observing the situation with keen and pensive eyes. "Now, Monad!"

Monad tapped the ground with the spear's handle. "Sleep eternally in the earth's caress, Quagmire."

The earth beneath the fighting wolves softened, swallowing their legs and body. Haruki's low-level Confusion spell had been lifted, but now the beasts found themselves trapped in the quickly hardening ground.

As Haruki had instructed, Monad stopped the spell as soon as the enemies fell into the mire. Monad wryly watched as the pack of unfortunate wolves were immobilized. As Haruki said when they were planning out their attack, they were now "easy pickings".

Haruki and Monad divided the remaining wolves, with the former manipulating his Darkness Magic into sharp needles and the latter wielding his wooden spear with deadly precision. The blackish red blood of the slain creatures flowed through the coarse ground; the desolateness around them was only marred with a few black and withering trees. They were currently a hundred meters south from the Demonic Den, running into the pack of wolves as Haruki and his Familiar had planned to do.

When Monad struck the final wolf down, he could feel his lost strength returning.

According to the Familiar named Asmo, Monad's "first" death stripped him of most of his abilities. It was no wonder he felt weak when he awakened. He also lost much of his equipment, contending with a hastily made polearm he built from an unknown piece of timber.

It seemed Haruki caught Monad glancing at his "weapon", since the Sovereign coughed and spoke up. "We can exchange the Wolves' pelt for some money in the nearby Human village. Maybe we can find a good spear for you…?"

Monad shook his head and gave the young Demon a patient smile. "There's no need to trouble yourself on my behalf. The gold you collect from selling the materials should be used for the kingdom."

Haruki snorted. "It's not much of a kingdom when it's only the two of us there."

"Master, it should be three!" The flying creature suddenly appeared near Haruki. Monad was impressed, the Familiar was good at hiding its presence.  "Asmo also counts as a citizen of Luxuria."

"Fine, fine, three it is." Haruki shook his head, grabbing the Familiar from mid-air and then doing a squeezing motion with his hands. Monad noticed that the Sovereign seemed to be fond of the creature's soft and fluffy body, though the Hero failed to see the novelty. If it was him, he'd rather touch a polished jewel's surface, or maybe the lustrous skin of a certain young Demon…

"About the weapon…" Monad turned to the Demon filling his thoughts, who was still looking guiltily at the wooden spear. He then gazed at Monad's shabby clothes, before finally sighing. "It's kinda distressing seeing you with subpar equipment."

Monad had a look of confusion on his face. "If I'm not mistaken, Lord Haruki has never seen me with anything else?"

Haruki's eyes widened and Monad suspected he had a slip of the tongue. But the Demon Lord remained calm as he nodded. "Right, right, what I meant is that, after knowing your history, I think you deserve better things."

With some difficulty, Asmo twisted his round body until he could finally open his mouth to speak. "Master need not worry. As long as Master builds a Magicraft Assembly and a Blacksmith, he can create new equipment using different materials. Asmo thinks it's more cost-efficient than buying from those unreliable Human merchants."

"True, we can control the quality of the items if we made it ourselves." Suddenly, Haruki's eyes brightened, pulling the Familiar into his eye-level, an eager and excited look on his fair face. "Does that mean I can even change their designs?"

Seeing the young Demon with a look that screamed anticipation, Monad couldn't help but find it adorable. After spending some time with Haruki, Monad realized that the other man usually behaved in a restrained manner, as if gauging a respectable distance at all times. This rare show of emotion tickled the Hero's heart and he felt glad fate gave him the chance to meet such an interesting Sovereign.

While Monad was trying to remember when he last found someone so fascinating, Haruki and Asmo's conversation about item creation abruptly stopped.

"What the?" Haruki looked a little aggrieved, staring at something in the air.

However, Monad couldn't find anything. "Is something wrong, Lord Haruki?"

"Ah, not really." Haruki tried not to show any expression, but Monad could feel that he was being evasive. His grip on the Familiar even tightened, making the poor creature cry out in pain. "Um, I need to speak with Asmo for a bit."

"Alright." Monad nodded. "Then while you do that, I will skin the Wolves for the pelts and other materials and put them in your Magic Bag."

With that, Haruki handed over the Mid-Grade Merchant's Magic Bag and hurriedly rushed away, as if there were more Wolves chasing after him. Monad could only watch his retreating back, but the red at the back of his ears was very eye-catching.

Such a cute master, thought Monad with a light, airy laugh.

~

Haruki retreated behind a small boulder a few meters away from Monad. He stole a glance behind the big rock and watched as the Hero got to work with the wolves.

Knowing that the Demon could no longer hear them, Haruki quickly got to the point. "What is up with that 'Affection' thing?"

When he and Monad finished off the wolves, Haruki got a "Level Up" message and discovered that the both of them had raised their Levels to 3, rewarding them with additional Stats and some SP for upgrading Skills. He had somewhat expected this, as this world was based on a video game, and he had read too many isekai stories with systems and levels in his free time.

But a few minutes after that, another message popped up.

[Monad's Affection: +5 (Current Total: 60)]

Haruki had never heard of this "Affection" thingy in the game!

"M-master, A-asmo ca-can't b-breathe…"

Haruki let go of the choking Familiar and aimed a steely gaze. "Explain."

"With Identifying Magic, Master can see the Heroes' Affection for him." Asmo responded in a proud and eager twittering manner. "By cultivating a high enough bond with the Heroes, Master can engage with them and they become your 'Consort'!"

"Consort?" Haruki's mind drew a blank. "Are you talking about the 'Carnal Connection' Sovereign Ability?"

"Master gets it!"

"No, I don't 'get it'," said Haruki, his voice rising in unbridled panic. In the game, he was able to freely use Carnal Connection without this "Affection" mechanic. "Does this mean I can't just choose any Hero to become my Consort?"

Asmo had a disapproving look in his furry face. "Asmo knows Master is the Sovereign of Lust, but Master should not force anyone to become their Consort! Asmo knows consent is very essential."

Haruki had a feeling he and Asmo were talking about different things. "Consent? Why are you making this a big deal? It's just using an Ability!"

The bat-winged creature looked even more aggrieved. "Master should carefully choose your Consorts! Asmo knows it's a lifetime bond, so Master cannot use 'Carnal Connection' unless the other person sees you favorably!"

The sudden information dump froze Haruki; his plans went awry before he could even attempt them. "So, this is what, some kind of marriage contract?"

The Familiar gave a look that accused Haruki of losing common sense. It took some effort not to cut the smug creature into smithereens. "Master should not use ugly Human terminology for the sacred rites of the Luxuria. It is not just an agreement written on paper - Master must connect his body, mind, and soul with another! It shall be a testament to your devotion to one another!"

"Devotion? Lust Demons becoming devoted?" Haruki thought it was easier for the world to end than to see an Incubus settling with a single bed partner.

"Of course, as the Sovereign, Master can have more than one Consort! There are also precedents where the Consort takes in a few other lovers of their own, but their emotions for the Sovereign go beyond simple desires of the flesh. They will prioritize the Sovereign's interests and well-being, but their personal freedom will not be restricted. Of course, in exchange for their loyalty and service, their strength and prestige will grow!"

No matter how the Familiar embellished it, to Haruki it sounded like some kind of unsavory agreement to become a slave. It will definitely make his life harder than ever, but he decided not to use such an unambiguous Ability until he studied it well enough.

"Lord Haruki, I'm finished over here."

"Got it." Responding to Monad's call, Haruki decided to set aside the matter of the Consorts for the moment. He gave the Familiar a threatening glare. "You shouldn't mention anything about the Affection meter or the Sovereign Ability to Monad."

Asmo bobbed up and down in a nodding motion. "Asmo understands. Master is Asmo's only Master and the only one whom Asmo can divulge knowledge to."

"What a strict setting." Haruki quipped, but it worked in his favor. The "System Guide" was said to be only a Blessing given to him and despite the creature being a little dumb and naive, Asmo could be evaluated as a rare treasure. At least, the fluffy ball's scouting potential was satisfactory enough.

As for the "knowledge", it was still up in the air. At least now, Haruki wouldn't make the mistake of activating his Sovereign Ability and forcibly stealing someone's autonomy. From Monad's backstory, the Demon Hero definitely valued his freedom.

Noticing Haruki's cautious stare, Monad was as perceptive as ever. "Is something the matter?"

"No," replied Haruki, shaking his head and controlling his depression so it wouldn't show on his face. "Let's get going, we should clean up the area and kill all the surrounding monsters."

Monad gave his assent with a hum and followed the Master and Familiar as they moved to the east.

It was too bad, but Haruki knew Monad would not agree to being his Consort. He had to rethink his priorities without losing his principles - Monad and the others were no longer game units, they were "people". Anyway, with a little willpower and some ingenuity, Haruki was positive he can still clear the "game".

A few hours afterward, Haruki was about to eat his own words.