The Aftermath

I don't mind blood, as a vampire, I'd even say I'm quite fond of it.

Gore, I don't care for, but I also don't dislike it, I'm not squeamish, and the smell of death is something I've long since adapted to. It comes with being a Necromancer, a Necromancer who can't stand death or decay would be as useful as a chocolate condom.

But being around gore... and being caked in it are two different things. The battle was pretty bloody, and I was in the thick of it, ripping and tearing treasonous soldiers and gladiators limb from limb.

Blood, guts and flesh had gotten stuck on... and in my clothes.

So getting into the bath (after having the servants just throw buckets of cold water on me to get rid of most of the gore, so I don't ruin the bathwater) is pretty... satisfying.

The slave cleaning me off is a new one... a gift from Marcus Crassus, I'm smart enough to see why he's acting so subservient.. he used the cults resources with the belief that the prophecy was nonsense, and then I showed up.

His wife is fanatically loyal to me, if he crosses me, he crosses the cult... and that would be the last thing he ever did. Not to mention... word of my slaughter of the rebels has spread far and wide, Marcus isn't willing to risk getting so far only for me to rip his head off.

So, he's trying to stay on the good side of the new ruler of Nova Roma... just like every other noble and senator, political power and wealth won't help against claws and fangs after all.

Which is why I have two body slaves now, it wouldn't do for the King not to have slaves after all.

Sibyl is cute, younger than most of the slaves I've seen as well. Apparently, she's virginal, small but perky breasts exposed as she rubs my body over with a deep blush. She's innocent... and afraid of me.

It's not surprising, half of Nova Roma has seen the aftermath of the massacre. I had all the bodies put aside for now... if I'm working on my Necromancy again, I'll need resources.

"Huh... this is nice." Laura admits sitting opposite me in the large bath, also completely naked. "At the facility, they just used a hose." she admits as Sura, my other new slave, cleans her.

Sura is a bit older than Sibyl, but that doesn't make her any less beautiful. She's... voluptuous, a curvy body that's impressive for a non-comic book character (nothing on the likes of Felicity Hardy though). She's less scared of me... she seems somewhat protective of Sibyl.

Laura doesn't really... understand normal interactions, doesn't see the problem with being naked in front of me... which works for me. She's... beautiful. She might just be my favourite so far, I'm glad she isn't the child version. Instead, she's around my age... and damn if her constant training hasn't given her a fantastic body.

She seems slightly put off by the older woman cleaning her body with a soft cloth, but she definitely isn't against it as she sits back looking fairly content, though slightly on edge. Her nipples are slightly hard, but that's just from the new sensations.

"That's because they were assholes. Baths are so much nicer..." I say, leaning back and closing my eyes.

She doesn't respond, instead just humming in agreement before she does the same, leaning back contently.

She's like an abused dog, she doesn't trust people easily and doesn't like to be touched. She almost attacked Sura when she tried cleaning her before she calmed down. The trick with getting her affection and trust is simple, take it slow and keep her satisfied.

Hydra isn't the type to treat their weapons well, if I keep her well-fed and happy, she'll latch onto me.

It's why I'm not trying anything with her, despite her casual stripping down in front of me. It's better to take things slow and steady with her, maybe give her some pleasant dreams... of me.

It's also why I'm not bending over the cute slave-girl sensually rubbing herself against me (though I'm not sure she means to be so enticing, she's just trying to clean me).

With her fear and obedience, a whopping ninety-five, she wouldn't put up a fight... but that wouldn't stop the massive decrease to affection with her and probably Sura as well.

Her affection is at thirty, not bad but not amazing. The smart play is to play the long game with her, slowly increase it and get her willingly, as my body slave I'll be keeping her a long time after all, and I don't want a knife to my heart while I'm sleeping because I treated a slave poorly.

Would it kill me? Well, no... but it would still hurt, and then I'd have to deal with cleaning the blood from the bedroom, replacing her, training the new slave. It's easier to just not be a dick to your slaves.

A well treat slave is far more likely to get attached, they don't expect good treatment, after all, so when you give it to them regardless you seem like some perfect being in their minds, and they'll work harder to please you and keep your affection.

It's slave keeping 101.

Anyone with half a brain knows that needless cruelty just makes training people harder. Unnecessary work for a moment's pleasure... which would be even more stupid considering how easily I could get laid here, Amara, Ilithyia, any of the cultists.

Forcing a shy, scared slave girl to do it would be stupid.

Give her some time to adjust, a few small touches here and there... and then slowly push things further as time passes.

Sura is different, she's less naïve than Sibyl... not as innocent either. Playing the nice master is unlikely to be as effective. She already doesn't trust me, doesn't like me either. Perhaps a stern but fair master? Demanding but rewarding? If Sibyl wasn't here I could push her a bit, maybe get a handjob or a titjob out of her, but that would damage Sibyl's opinion of me.

Sura is trying to protect Sibyl's innocence, so she's unlikely to tell her if I put her to use either.

For now, I'll just enjoy the bath, yes I have a hard-on from the sights and sensations, but I can have it dealt with later.

It is pretty entertaining to watch Sibyl attempt to clean my privates, the deep blush as she grasps it, rubbing it down slightly before she lets it go.

As she finishes I can see her worry and hesitance, she might be naïve but I have no doubts she is aware of what could happen here, and my raging hard-on isn't helping her growing panic.

"Thank you, Sibyl... Laura, I'm getting out now but feel free to take your time, enjoy yourself. Sura, please show her to the room I had prepared for her after she is done." I order as I step out of the bath, grabbing a towel.

+5 Affection with Sibyl [35/100] for thanking her.

+5 Affection with Laura Kinney [35/100] for leaving her to her new experience.

Sibyl quickly follows me, helping dry me off with a tiny smile as Laura mumbles something, barely responding as she lets herself submerge down past her shoulders, leaving only her head above the water.

Honestly, I'm not sure I'd survive if I tried to pull her out of the water. She reminds me off Ophis when she's got a good cookie and is being patted at the same time.

If letting her lay in a bath makes her happy, she can live in it for all I care.

Finishing drying and dressing, I thank Sibyl again, giving her a head-pat almost on instinct. It worked for... well pretty much everyone I've tried it on, and she doesn't seem to mind it... if anything it calms her fear slightly. She's still scared of me, but I think she's convinced that I'm not a straight-up threat to her, at least not unprovoked.

But then, I'm rarely a threat to anyone unprovoked. If people had just fucked off and left me alone, I would have happily spent my days avoiding the plot of DxD.

Maybe it was better the way things ended up, but the point stands. I prefer being left alone, and I don't attack people for no reason.

I'm going to kill Kilgrave because it can get me Jessica Jones, and I want his power. But he's an asshole, and really the world is better off without him.

I'm going after the people on my list because Death wants them dead and I need the power boost from her.

I'm going to make sure to inconvenience HYDRA wherever possible... because they've started this war, and anything that hurts them will make it harder for them to keep coming after me.

I might have to take over HYDRA. They aren't going to go away, I can't think of any groups that are more resilient. Cut off the head, and two will grow in its place...

If they keep coming for me, I'll have to start making plans to deal with them in the long term. I can't count on my MCU knowledge because none of the people who invaded were in the MCU version of HYDRA.

But I do have an idea or two about how to start attacking them... the escaped woman whose brother I killed. She'll be the first of my targets I think.

Andrea von Strucker. I know that name... she was in the Hellfire files I browsed, I didn't give her much attention since I wasn't expecting HYDRA to come for me, but I do know that she's marked as a person of interest due to her and her brother's nightclub, Club Fenris. It caters to criminals and villains, and it's in New York.

Hellfire are interested in it simply because of its position as a place where Villains gather, which makes it an interesting possible resource, but they decided against it to not piss off HYDRA. I'm more interested in the fact that it's a place I can consistently find Andrea when I'm ready to go on the offensive. I'm sure I can get Selene to see the benefit in this without even using my control over her... they came for her as well after all.

Heading to my bedroom, I smirk as I get closer... super-senses are pretty useful for not getting caught off guard, I could smell the person waiting for me before I'd even reached the right floor.

Opening the door I smile warmly, seeing Amara jump slightly from her position on my bed, where she's laying down in an attempt to look alluring, a thin white gown covering her body.

"Hello, Wife... I have to admit with everything that happened today... and your father's fate, I wasn't expecting you to visit." I say as I approach.

"It is our wedding night... it wouldn't do to leave my husband unattended... thank you for giving me some space, but it's fine. Me and my father weren't... that close. I'll miss him, but he made his choice." she admits with a sad smile. "When he invited terrorists into the city, it could only have ended one way. Even if you captured him alive, locking him up forever wouldn't be any better... and I'm not going to let that ruin my wedding night." she says reaching forwards and grabbing the front of my robe, pulling me in for a deep kiss.

Well... if she wants to forget about the whole dear dead daddy thing, I'm more than happy to oblige.

Returning the kiss, I let my Toga slide off my shoulders, I haven't been wearing underwear beneath my toga recently, don't see the point in it.

Falling on top of her, I gently slide my hand under her gown, opening it up as I smirk... looks like I'm not the only one who is going commando. She moves slightly to help me remove it as I strip it from her, tossing it away and smirking down at her curvy body in appreciation. Maybe it's a mutant thing, but every female mutant I've met so far has been ridiculously good looking... or deformed, but it's certainly one of the two.

"Are you sure about this?" I ask, breaking the kiss for a moment.

"I am... husband. I said I wanted to wait until I was married, well... the ring is on my finger." she says suggestively, lacing her hand with mine.

"That you are..." I say, kissing her again as I lower myself onto her, her legs spreading to accommodate me.

Like I said, I don't need to force a shy slave girl to do what I can get done so easily elsewhere.

Lining myself up, I take my time as I feed my shaft into her, inch after inch disappearing into her tight virginal pussy, her grasp with my hand tightens in discomfort as she winces slightly. She's already wet, even without me using Arouse (which I do anyway just to make the passage smoother)

Thinking for a moment, I grab her and spin us around, laying her on top of me.

"You can set the pace, take your time." I say as she sits up, smiling down at me despite the discomfort. In this position, I have a fantastic view of her perky breasts, her light pink nipples hard from her arousal.

"Thank you... just... give me a moment. Y-you're... bigger than I expected." Amara admits as she lowers herself down even further, eventually bottoming out as my shaft fully penetrates her.

Both our hands are clasped together now, and after a moment she makes her move, lifting herself up slowly as a quiet moan leaves her pouty lips, getting about halfway up before she simply... drops herself down.

"Oh... G-gods... my t-toys didn't prepare me for this." she admits, holding my hands tightly as she bites her lip.

"Like I said... take your time. I'm enjoying the view." I say with a smirk, every time she moves her tits bounce, and honestly? I could watch that all day long.

- Ilithyia -

Heading to her... King's room, she bit her lip with indecision...

She really did have a reason to visit, they needed to discuss the consequences of the battle and the rebellion. Titus Calavius was too powerful and respected to keep locked up for any length of time. If he was going to be executed, it needed to be immediately, while the battle was still in everybody's mind.

Right now, Kuro had Nova Roma's support, no doubt the Cult pulling strings to make him seem like the defender who stopped the invasion and defeated the rebels, but people had short memories, and opinions could change quickly.

Plus, the Gladiator who killed his master needed to be judged, even if his master had been a rebel, a slave killing their master without punishment would set an uncomfortable precedent.

But... if she entered the room... he'd fuck her again.

And yet... here she was, in her most revealing nightwear, the see-through nightie barely covering her ass, her breasts clearly visible and a thong that did more to entice than it did hide. Multiple people had seen her heading this way, there was no doubt they all thought she was going to him for sex.

One of the guards even whistled at her, a mere guard lusting after the Queen... no, the former Queen of Nova Roma... and yet she could have been more subtle, she could have put something more concealing before heading over.

Stopping outside his room, she paused, hearing a familiar voice coming from within.

"Oh... Fuck... H-harder, ruin me My L-love." her daughter's voice leaked from behind the heavy door making her pause, a feeling of disappointment overcoming her before she could stop it.

...She knew exactly why she had come here, the discussion could have waited until the morning, she could lie to other people, but not herself. She'd come here in the hopes of being treated so... roughly again.

She'd been wet since he decided to 'put her mouth to better use' after the wedding. Since he threw her over a table and took her asshole, with no mercy and none of the respect she was usually given.

Despite her half-hearted protests, she'd climaxed as he pounded her ass, her moans undoubtedly being heard by the guards outside the room, countless hands touching her at once.

And now, her daughter was being given the same treatment... or perhaps a more gentle, loving version of it.

...She shouldn't interrupt. Not on her wedding night.

'Get in here now.' Kuro voice echoed through her head, the invisible hands immediately returning as they mauled her breasts, making her legs shake.

Well, if her king ordered it...

Opening the door, she snuck inside and closed the door behind her. Amara made eye-contact with her, but almost immediately went back to focusing on her lover as he ploughed her into the bed with the same rough thrusts he gave her.

"Get the nightie off, then get over here, on the bed next to your daughter." Kuro ordered without looking at her, almost dismissive in his treatment of her as she hesitantly started to move, before a spank on her ass got her speeding up, laying next to Amara with a growing blush. "I'll get to you later, a slut like you needs a good fucking every so often to keep you in-line after all." he said with a chuckle, her heart beating incredibly fast at his words.

She was Royalty... she had grown up being treated with the utmost respect... and yet... she was so wet.

"I-I'm not a..." she started before he turned to her, a pair of almost... glowing red eyes staring her down, making her words die in her throat.

"You've come crawling to me... even knowing it was your daughter's wedding night, even with your husband's death, walking here dressed in what would be classed as slutty at a brothel, never mind a royal palace... and you are soaking wet. You've been on the bed for what? A minute at most? And you've already made a mess of the sheets. You're a royal slut, accept it. Just remember... you're My royal slut." he said mockingly making her face turn red with embarrassment... "I suppose Concubine is the official term, you can call yourself that if it makes you feel better, but you can't hide the truth from me. Now play with yourself and wait your turn. I'll get to you eventually." he said with the same disregard, turning back to the... giggling Amara.

Biting her lip, she paused for just a moment before she moved her hands down to her thong... if that was his orders, what choice did she have?

- Kuro -

Bottoming out in Amara once more, I groan in time with her guttural scream, the bedsheets ripping in her grasp as I creampie her again. She's been... insistent that I finish inside her every time so far.

As her scream dies off, she lets go of the bedsheets with a tired but satisfied sigh.

"Gods... you're still hard?" she asks as I pull out of her, resting my shaft on her stomach as my seed leaks from her well-fucked pussy. "Dammit... you win, I can't take any more." she admits as she pants. "Mother, you're up. I need some sleep... I was tired by the fourth orgasm... and I think that was the twelfth. My voice is going to be so sore... along with some other things." she giggles slightly as I move off her.

"Hear that 'Mother'?" I ask sarcastically, turning to the older woman as she stops masturbating, she's climaxed almost as often as her daughter. "It's your turn... get some sleep, babe." I say giving Amara once last deep kiss, getting a giggle from her.

Amara is a remarkable fun woman. When I told her about her mother, her response was basically... 'Yeah, so?'. The Cult did some excellent work on her, to her mind it is just natural for me to take her mother as a concubine, or for me to have a harem.

It's made my first marriage easy, and honestly, marriage doesn't mean much to me, but it's made her ecstatic... 100 Affection Ecstatic.

[The Gift of Magma] – Amara Aquilla (Magma) [100]

Pyromancy and Geomancy will be far easier to upgrade

Pyromancy and Geomancy are more effective

Resistance to Fire and Earth gained

At first, I was put off that I didn't get her power... but then I thought about it. This is better in the long run, one of my weaknesses is fire after all, so anything that can lessen it is a significant boon, and having easier upgrading is a major time saver.

Plus, I can recreate her powers with the two branches of magic, so having them be both easier to upgrade and more effective will prove more useful than getting her X-gene.

Getting off the bed, I stare down at Ilithyia with a cold, judgemental look. She's... interesting, especially the fact that she gets off on the humiliation, the degradation, the colder I act, the hornier she gets.

Telepathy is interesting and combined with Empathy, I can read an average human like her with ease, knowing how to treat her to get the most effect.

I could be respectful, I could be kind... she'd enjoy it. Maybe in a few years, she'd come to love me.

Or I could ruin her and leaving her begging for more.

"Get up, we're going for a walk." I say coldly, pulling a dressing gown on as she gets up on shaky legs. Giving her a disapproving look at her weak shaking legs, I see her shiver slightly, a jolt of pleasure running through her at my glance.

I've been candid with Amara, and she easily believed me that this treatment was what her mother wanted, but then Amara thinks my word is the word of god, so that's not surprising.

It's why she's 'helping'. Giving her mother the same dismissive treatment I do.

As she grabs her nightie, I snatch it from her hands.

"Did I say you could dress?" I ask with a glare, gripping her chin roughly as she stares up at me with wide eyes... and yet, what emotion is she feeling? Lust, ever-growing. There's a tinge of fear, and a healthy dollop of shame but that just enhances her arousal.

"N-no..." she replies quietly.

"No, what?" I ask, prompting her without giving her the answer. Sir, Master, Your Highness/Majesty. They could all fit.

"No... Master." she says after a moment.

"Good. Follow me, don't cover yourself and don't speak unless I tell you too. In fact, put your hands behind your back." I say before turning to Amara. "Get some sleep, honey. I'll be back later." I say warmly, giving her a smile.

"I will, goodnight, My Love. Mother." she replies, lying down, still panting slightly as she catches her breath.

Honestly, it changes between girl to girl whether I mind people seeing them naked. If the girl is shy, I won't let anyone see them naked... if anyone tried I'd just have to rip out their eyes, but for a woman like Ilithyia who gets more aroused from being seen? Why the hell not? Besides.. if they try and touch her?

Well, I'm still a fucking vampire. I could tear off their arms before they reached her.

Walking past some slaves, I give them a slight nod of acknowledgement as they bow to me, a quiet gasp leaving one of them as they see Ilithyia walking behind me, completely exposed as she fidgets around.

Still, I'm not at the right spot just yet, so I keep moving passing a pair of guards and a few slaves as I do.

Honestly, the feelings of envy I can feel growing makes me mildly happy. I like having things other people want, and I love taking what other people have. I'm not a nice person, after all.

Oddly enough, I can feel... respect in the guards as well, or is it awe? It almost overshadows their envy and lust. I guess having the former queen so obviously under my command is impressive.

Heading to the front doors, I open them up and walk out into the cold night air, Ilithyia shivering slightly as she follows me into the courtyard in front of the palace.

"Hmm... here will do." I say moving over to one of the marble benches. "Bend over and brace yourself against the bench." I order, walking behind her as I grope her pale ass roughly. She's already soaked, so I don't need to waste time with foreplay.

"B-but... out here?" she asks hesitantly before I give her a stern glare making her jump, moving quickly as she bends over at the waist, sticking her bubble butt out towards me.

"Yes. Oh, and don't try and be quiet. Let your slutty voice fill the night air." I say calmly as I open the dressing gown up, placing my shaft between her soft ass-cheeks, grinding it into her slightly as my balls slap against her dripping pussy, getting a moan from her.

"I... yes, M-master." she mumbles after a moment, making me smirk. Every girl is different, and they need a different approach. Amara prefers loving and mostly private sex. Insults from me would upset her while calling her honey, babe, my love, wife or any other pet name really gets her going.

Rogue just wants to touch and be touched. Yukio likes to see Ellie fucked, and Ellie is reluctantly enjoying being watched by Yukio. Dealing with either of them alone would be far harder than taking them together. Doable, but harder. Emma wants to get something out of it, even if it's just my trust or affection. It's about a greater goal for her, not the pleasure itself.

Not wasting any time, I pull back slightly, the bulbous tip pressing against her slit before I slam forward, thrusting my entire meaty rod into her in a single move, a wanton moan leaving her as I do.

She couldn't get any wetter, she was already dripping before she came to my room, after being ordered to masturbate while I took Amara for hours she's basically a waterfall.

It makes my passage remarkably smooth despite my roughness with her, which means I have no reason to hold back as I reach forwards and grip her hair, pulling it hard enough to make her head snap up from where she had been staring at the bench, her large breasts bouncing lewdly with every thrust.

She likes being degraded... but she doesn't like pain. That's an important distinction, the anal early was unpleasant for her before I slowed down and made sure my phantom hands were fuelling her pleasure enough to overwhelm the pain. It's why my grasp on her hair is tight, but not painfully so. You have to know how to treat each girl, and she isn't a full masochist.

But I do know what would make this perfect for her, and that's why I came here in the first place.

With Telepathy, even one as inexperienced as mine, it's easy to have a slave 'accidentally' come across us, all it takes is some slight prodding to get him to investigate the noise.

As the bushes rustle slightly from his movement, Ilithyia's eyes shoot towards it, going wide as she sees the young slave staring at her in shock, another moan leaving her as I speed up. Usually, she wouldn't have heard him, and he would have fled upon being discovered.

But that's what Telepathy is for, making her look in the right direction and stopping him from fleeing. It's actually excellent training for my own skills, Empathy is the power of sensing emotions, and with Telepathy I can... nudge them, lessening fear and blossoming lust. They make a nice pair, working in synch to help me influence him.

For the last piece of the puzzle, I look over at him, giving him a casual nod as I keep my face indifferent. No anger or judgement.

A few nudges later and his hand moves lower, beneath his slave rags.

"Oh... gods... Master, he's..." she mumbles, staring at the masturbating slave.

"Jerking off to the slutty former queen? Of course, he is, half the people we passed will be doing the same later, they'll just have to imagine what he can see first hand." I say calmly, giving her ass a spank as she moans, before I reach around and roughly grope her tits, mauling the supple flesh.

A small amount of pain is fine, it's a balancing act basically. Too little and she won't enjoy it enough, too much, and she'll be turned off, this will go from a guilty pleasure to an unpleasant duty. Something she has to endure, instead of something she actually seeks out.

Despite the shame growing in her, she cums. Her soaked pussy tightening down on me as a loud moan escapes her mouth, not taking her eyes of the slave.

He has grown more confident know that he's been seen and hasn't been punished. His rag like bottoms around his ankles as he brazenly jerks off, he has some shame of his own, but that's for a different reason... from his side view he can clearly see my dick every time I pull back, and I'm bigger than him despite our similar age. A human can't compete with my Succubi/Incubi traits.

Eh, whatever. His damaged self-worth is hardly my problem. You shouldn't compare yourself to other people, there will always be someone better than you after all.

Speeding up, Ilithyia comes again a couple of minutes later, and the slave follows up, a small load of cum coating his hand before he comes to his senses, fixing his rags and running away. He pauses for a moment before he starts again, at a far more casual pace.

Telepathy is useful, and wiping memories is a skill I need to practice anyway. If I damage his mind... well, who would know? He's quite literally my property, he came with the palace. If he has a family, he doesn't remember them.

"By this time tomorrow, half the slaves will know you spent the night getting fucked by your master. That you're just like them... property for me to use however I please. You might dress fancier, but you're property all the same... they might not say it to your face, but they'll know." I taunt, a quivering moan leaving her as she looks back at me with wide eyes. There it is, I'm mocking her, and all it did was push her over the edge again.

"I'm... I-I'm not..." she starts before I spank her again.

"Aren't you?" I say, pulling out of her as she whines in disappointment. "Get on your knees and beg me to finish on your pretty little face. Beg me to coat you with my seed. Now." I order, watching as she hesitates for the slightest moment before she turns around and drops to her knees, right there on the paved floor.

"I... please, Master. Cum on my... on your s-s... on your slaves face. Paint me white with your thick delicious cum." she says, stuttering slightly as her shame... and pleasure grows.

Grabbing a handful of her long blonde hair, I wrap it around my shaft and start stroking, it's an odd sensation, but it isn't unpleasant. I'm mostly doing this to degrade her more, to show that her entire body is for me to use for my own pleasure.

"Eyes closed, mouth open." I order coldly, getting her immediate obedience as she tilts her head slightly, letting myself go I release the unnaturally thick load directly onto her waiting face.

Ever since the whole Vampire/Incubus thing, my loads have been massive... and I barely have to rest in-between climaxes, wish I had this stamina back with Yasaka.

...Actually no I don't, we'd be trapped in a battle of attrition for weeks... and I'd probably still lose. That woman scares me, in ways no-one else has managed.

Coating the former queen with a new crown, I let out a sigh of relief, her pale skin being painted with the thick white seed, some lands in her mouth but she keeps it open as more and more lands on her tongue.

As I stop, I pull my gown closed with a satisfied sigh.

"Swallow it and get up, we're moving somewhere else. I think the throne-room will do next." I say calmly, watching her eyes widen. "Well, what are you waiting for? Get moving."

- Next Day -

After getting Ilithyia to put her tits and mouth to better use, I let her go to bed and rest.

I, however, had no such luxury, Spent the night practising my white magic. Dracula is my next major enemy, my goal, and the power of Light is one of my best tools.

I want to get it to at least Expert mastery before I move on to another branch.

After the sex was over, I got a new perk. Evidentially it was the reward for getting two girls to 100 Affection. Honestly, I think Isis just made that up to give me a free perk, but I'm not going to complain.

[The Harem Lord]

Any romance target above 50 Affection won't feel neglected.

Any romance target above 40 Affection won't mind sharing you with other girls.

Any romance target above 30 Affection won't be interested in other men (unless they had a pre-existing relationship in which case Relationship Loyalty will fall faster)

Pretty useful as far as perks go, I'm pretty sure Isis is just spoiling me.

Noooo... I definitely didn't just make the perk up.

Promise.

...Sure, whatever you say, honey.

Ilithyia, despite her tiredness... and her soreness... and the fact that I bent her over before she got a word out, has helped explain some of the problems I now face.

The two problems, to be exact.

One, I need to deal with the Gladiator I made rebel, he killed his master... a grave sin for a slave no matter the reason. Some of the other gladiators told the soldiers that he was angry about his master fucking his wife, and he has said nothing in his defence.

Two, Titus needs to be dealt with almost immediately, while things are still fresh. His reputation is damaged since his proclamation came directly before the invasion... but his wife has been visiting other nobles, using the goodwill and respect the older man had to try and free him.

Ilithyia's advice is simple... execute the entire family for treason, but I said I'd spare Titus's family... I can respect the decision he made even if I don't like it. And his family were legitimately caught off guard by his actions, he wasn't lying about them not knowing anything.

The easy thing to do would be to take her advice and kill him, his wife and his son.

But I don't really want to break my word to him, maybe it's some misplaced pride or honour I didn't realise I had, a King should keep his word.

A King can do what he likes... that train of thought is what Joffrey thought, and look at how that went for him. Mad Kings don't tend to last very long, no matter their power. Ugh, Honourable actions don't suit me... but they would get me a good reputation and avoid me making enemies unnecessarily.

Not just with my subjects, but with any other factions, I have to deal with as King.

Sighing to myself, I head towards the prison I unlock his cell and enter. I don't have any guards, but he's a frail old man. I had to convince my royal guards that I didn't need an escort, it was... surprisingly tricky to be honest.

"Your Majesty... is it time?" he asks, sitting on his bed calmly. His cell is moderately comfortable for a prison cell.

"Time for what?" I ask, making him sigh.

"My execution. The natural punishment for treason. I am prepared." Titus says calmly, an almost serene look on his face.

"You're taking this well... but there's one last thing I need from you before I carry out your sentence." I say, there is no need for a trail. Half the nobles in Nova Roma saw him oppose my coronation, his guilt is undeniable.

"And what would that be?" he asks after a moment, staring at me.

"I swore to spare your wife and son, and I mean too... but your wife is already attempting to see you freed. If I kill you, I can only assume she will move to outright plotting against me... if she does, I will have no choice but to execute her and your son. I can't have another rebellion forming so soon, both for my sake and the sake of Nova Roma." I say making him let out a sigh. "I have had both of them brought to the Palace, just above us... I want you to talk them out of acting against me, not for my sake but for theirs." I say as he stands up.

"Very well... I assume you want this to be over with as soon as possible." he says calmly.

"I do, follow me." I order, turning and walking out of the still open cell door, he couldn't escape me even if I wasn't a vampire.

Heading back upstairs, I lead him into the room his family have been put in, seeing them both glare at me.

"I think this will be easier without me looming over you. Do what you must then say your goodbyes, take your time. The guards will tell call for me when you are done." I say to him, heading out of the room. I can give the family time to say goodbye.

Honestly, coming to this world has... changed my viewpoint slightly... or at least losing my girls did, it's put some things into perspective for me. If I was going to truly die, I'd like a chance to say goodbye as well.

Tch... I'm going soft.

Well... not that soft, it took me ages to pick the pieces of HYDRA goons and rebel soldiers out from beneath my claws... and I have plans to kill many more, some because they're a threat, some because there's something in it for me, some just because I don't particularly like them. Soft might be the wrong word.

Now, onto the next mess.

I've had the gladiator brought here as well. This one needs a bit more theatricality to it.

Heading to the throne room, I take my seat, sending an order to Ilithyia mentally. Amara shows up quickly and takes her position on the second smaller throne for the first time as we wait. Ilithyia joins me after setting everything into motion, another more modest and less decorated throne at my other side.

It doesn't take long before the peanut gallery shows up, Marcus Crassus and his wife and son along with some other nobles, Lucretia who now owns the gladiator with her husband's death, the rest of Batiatus's slaves as well, and the criminal himself, dragged in by the guards in chains. Lucretia has, for some reason or another, brought the criminals wife with her, the woman watching her husband with tears in her eyes.

Was it a kindness or cruelty that inspired her to do that?

Giving everyone a moment to settle down as he is forced to his knees at the bottom of the steps, I raise a hand and silence the quiet talking.

"Oenomaus, slave of House of Batiatus. You have been found guilty of the murder of your master and owner, Quintus Lentulus Batiatus, a deed that was witnessed by countless people, including your fellow gladiators. Your guilt is unquestionable... before I pass my judgement, do you have anything to say in your defence?" I ask, I already know why he did it... I'm the one who fucked with his dreams after all.

Reaching out with telepathy, I remove the dreams from his memory before he can speak... might have gotten rid of just a little more as well. I see Selene watching from the corner of the room, her lips twitching as I do. She noticed, but I doubt she'll say anything.

I feel slightly bad about using him as a tool like this, but not that bad. He would have been one of the rebels I slaughtered if I hadn't messed with his mind, along with more gladiators since they would have been unlikely to rebel against their orders without their master's death.

"I do not. I have no excuse." Oenomaus replies simply, no fear in his eyes as he stares up at me.

"I see... your fellow gladiators have claimed you committed this foul deed to avenge your wives honour after your owner had his way with her in front of you, others have claimed it was out of loyalty to the throne, that you were unwilling to join your master's rebellion. Which was it?" I ask after a moment.

"...I did not do this out of loyalty to someone I had never met, I... my master smirked at me when he unchained me, and I remembered the same smirk on his face as he defiled my wife... I lost control, that is all." he admits, not taking the option that could have gotten him out of this. Out of pride or honour, I have no idea.

"Hmm... a slave cannot be allowed to slay their master, as the owner of both you and your wife Batiatus had the right to lay with... Melitta." I say checking my notes briefly. "That being said, your owner was also trying to incite your fellow gladiators into rebelling against me, so you've done me a small favour, saved me from having to slaughter a few more fools. I sentence you to death, the only fate of a slave who slays his master, however, I will allow you to die on your feet like the warrior you are. Lucretia, arrange for a battle at the colosseum tomorrow." I order making her bow deeply in agreement. "For tonight, your wife may join you in your cell. One last night together." I decree.

I used him, the least I can do is give him some comfort and honour before he dies for doing precisely what I planned for him to do. I won't spare him, not if he was dumb enough to not take advantage of the obvious opening I gave him, and it would set an unwanted precedent for slaves to see one of their own getaway with killing their master, so this is the most I can do for him.

+20 Affection with Lucretia Batiatus [55/100] for helping her reputation.

[The Social Riser] – Lucretia Batiatus [50]

You are a natural riser, always the popular one, always the powerful one. Those around you will see that, and many will want to ride your coattails to popularity and power.

Fame-Seekers, Ambitious People and others like them will seek your approval.

"As you command, your Majesty," Lucretia simpers, being called by the new king... by her first name will do wonders for her reputation, along with show that she's not a part of her husband's rebellion. Why am I helping her in her quest for social status? Because she is played by Lucy Lawless and I want her.

Something as mediocre as calling her by name to get people whispering about her connections to me is nothing to have the warrior princess herself willingly grace my bed, or at least as close as I'm going to get to Xena... for now.

I'll make a note of it to go and get the real deal eventually.

There's some more boring political manoeuvring amongst the nobles, public declarations of loyalty from them which are more for show than any actual acts of devotion.

A noblewoman called Gaia with bright red hair swearing to serve the throne however I desire, she's materialistic and desperate to find a source of income to continue her expensive lifestyle after her husbands death, another blond called Licina trying to use her 'friendship' with Ilithyia to make me see her in a good light, Ilithyia acts friendly towards her, but neither of them cares for the other. Politics... Ugh.

After... more time than I would have liked I manage to get away from the nobles, it wouldn't do to slight them by leaving too soon, nobles are fickle and prideful after all. If watching them simper and grovel for my attention means I don't have to deal with a rebellion later on then so be it.

Heading back to the room I left Titus in, I nod to the guard I left as I enter. I wasn't worried about him trying to flee, he's old, and he wouldn't be able to escape the palace even if he wasn't.

"Your Majesty... thank you for allowing me the opportunity to speak to my family... I am ready." he says with a bow after rising, his wife is crying and his son looks like he is on the edge of crying himself.

"Very well... I won't make this pointlessly theatrical, no reason to make it public either." I say pulling out a pair of bottles from my inventory, one large and the other a tiny thing, along with a glass.

I got the small one from Selene, can't say I was surprised she had poison just sitting around, the other I had fetched, wine. Titus's favourite brand (the knowledge taken straight from his mind).

Pouring him a glass full, I place it in front of him before pouring the small tasteless, colourless poison into the glass as well.

"I don't know if you'd prefer your family to leave, but this will kill you in a minute at most. According to my mother, it's completely painless." I say as he sits down. It better fucking be, or me and Selene will be having words.

Well, I will be, she'll be bound and gagged. She might be powerful, but with the chains, she doesn't have a chance against me.

"We will stay... I want to be here till the end." his wife says as his son nods as well.

"I see... thank you, your Majesty. To Nova Roma." he toasts, lifting the glass before he downs it in one shot, old man can drink. Not bad.

"To Nova Roma." I parrot, watching as he takes a deep breath, closing his eyes. Checking his pulse, I nod, watching as the son finally breaks down into tears.

"You can take the body, I'll have the guards help you transport it. He died with honour and courage." I say in condolence, getting a shaky thank you from his wife. He had more courage at the end than I would, to just... let yourself die like that? I can't imagine it.

As the guard's help carry the body away, I sigh.

"What is it, mother?" I ask the empty room, I can sense my slave's positions through the chains, even if I can't see through her invisibility.

"You have done well today, the trick with the gladiator slave was inspired." she says approvingly. "I've raised a ward, no one will be able to listen in." she assures me after I glare at her.

"I needed the man dead, but he hadn't technically done anything yet. I just used the tools I had." I say sitting down, pouring myself a none-poisoned glass of wine as she sits opposite me.

"It was well done, you were a bit sloppy with the memory erasing, you should have done it while he was imprisoned, he had a moment of confusion that more experienced people would recognise as someone addling his mind, but the nobles here have no experience with such things. You should get Frost to assist you with your new skill... it pains me to admit it, but her talent for Telepathy surpasses my own, and only Xavier could match her... and I certainly wouldn't recommend letting him in your head." she advises.

"I'll consider it." I say after a moment, I don't really want anyone in my head.

"However... you've made a mistake. The boy who just left, his mind has already turned to anger and thoughts of revenge. You couldn't have missed it..." she says making me sigh.

"I said I wouldn't kill them... if they didn't force my hand. I'll keep an eye on him." I say, taking a sip, hard to miss that hatred I felt.

"Is that honour I sense? Perhaps you're more like your father than you know, Dracula has his own sense of honour as well, you certainly didn't get it from me." she says with a dark chuckle. "Be careful you don't let your honour endanger you. A mortal is no threat to you, but there will be bigger dangers in the future." she says warningly, making me nod.

"Don't worry, I'm not that honourable... and self-preservation is my favourite trait." I admit, finishing my glass.

"I've seen honour kill countless men, and as our fates are tied, I have a vested interest in keeping you alive. That is all." she admits making me turn to her.

"Would you rather be under the control of someone with no honour?" I ask in amusement, manifesting the chain around her neck for a moment as she winces slightly at the unnaturally cold metal pressing into her skin.

"Perhaps I would, it might keep me alive longer after all... honourable fools tend not to last very long." she says almost tauntingly as I scowl at her, bringing the chain back immediately as I tighten it.

"I know what you're doing, your mind is open to me... Mother. But if you need a demonstration of how dishonourable I can be, I'd be happy to give you a hands-on demonstration." I say rising from my seat as I walk over to her, staring down at her.

Despite the chains choking her, she seems more amused than threatened, and maybe it was the wine or just my own annoyance over the simpering nobles, but it's enough to piss me off.

Forcing her to her feet, I spin her around and force her to bend over the table, knocking over the wine bottle as I do, unlike everyone else Selene never bothered dressing like the locals, keeping her skintight black leather jeans and corset instead.

Jeans that promptly end up around her ankles, her thong simply being ripped off.

"I'll give you a chance, apologise and I'll let you go." I say coldly, making her look back at me with the same casual smirk.

"I see no reason to apologise, you might have control over me, but I won't mince words, leaving a future enemy alive to keep your word to a corpse is a foolish move." she says bluntly, not even flinching as I undo my clothes and pull out my shaft, pressing the tip against her asshole. "If you think something as simple as sodomising me will somehow change a personality I have had for more than ten thousand years, you clearly didn't inherit my intelligence." she says bluntly.

"Oh, I know it won't... it'll make me feel better though." I say equally calm, before I thrust forwards, slamming my dick into her tight sphincter getting barely a grunt from her as my hips meet her firm pale buttocks.

"It must be n-nice to have a pride so easily soothed. G-go ahead, take your anger out on your defenceless m-mother." she says mockingly as I start moving, speeding up as each thrust makes her bang into the table, slowly moving it thanks to the vampiric strength I'm putting into railing her against it.

"Defenceless... you?" I say with a laugh, getting a smirk back, clearly unphased by the sensation of the rough thrusts, after a moment I realise something... her hips are moving back to meet mine.

"B-but I am... against anyone else your disbelief would be well deserved, but against you? I am nothing more than a powerless woman, unable to defend herself against her son's lustful advances." she says with the same mocking tone, her altogether mocking nature is pissing me off...

Putting my full vampiric strength into fucking her, I'm only mildly surprised as the table beneath her breaks, causing us both to fall to the floor, her on her knees with her face pressed against the floor, me kneeling behind her, my hand gripping her hair as I keep her face pushed into the cold stone floor.

From an outsiders perspective, I would have no doubt that this would look like a particularly violent rape... but her ass is still moving back to meet my thrusts, and as she turns her head to look back at me she's still smirking with a... satisfied look on her face.

"True enough... I can do whatever I want to you, and there is nothing you can do about it..." I say pulling out briefly as I flip her over onto her back, re-entering her almost immediately as I pull her corset open, mauling her breasts with one hand as I hold her throat with the other. She looks up at me with a mixture of amusement and... approval? Leaning down, I kiss her roughly, forcing my tongue into her mouth as I keep up the unnaturally fast thrusting.

The room is almost silent for the next few minutes, the sound of slapping flesh and my grunts filling the room as she remains mostly quiet, staring up at me as I take her, rutting into her almost violently before I reach my release, bottoming out inside her as my dick twitches, rope after rope of cum painting her bowels white.

Resting for a moment, I pull out of her watching my cum start to leak from her stretched hole.

"You know... if you wanted to fuck, you could have just asked." I say fixing my clothes as she gets up, pulling her jeans back up and over her ass, despite the cum leaking from her.

"I don't ask... for anything, and I prefer things more... violent than other women. I simply wanted to put you in the right mind-frame." she says calmly, making me roll my eyes.

"Well... Mother, you started this. Don't be surprised when I summon you for a booty call." I say bluntly. "And you don't need to try and piss me off if you want to get a rough fucking, I'm more than happy to pound you." I say reaching forwards and groping her breast, my thumb circling her nipple teasingly, her corset torn as it hangs limply below her chest, her reaction the blatant molesting is nothing more than amusement.

"As you wish... I'm bound in servitude to you, my beloved Son. If you want to take advantage of your dear old mother, I am in no position to decline." she says with the same casual arrogance she always has. No sign of displeasure, uncomfortableness or even a hint of regret in her tone.

"...Are you trying to piss me off?" I ask with a sigh, placing a hand on her cheek as I rub my finger across her lips, smearing her black lipstick some more. "Maybe I should see what my dick looks like with some black lipstick stains on it, every time you open your mouth you annoy me, it's only fair you make it up to your master and put those sexy lips to better use."

"If that is what you require of me, I was serious, however... don't let honour get you, and by extension me, killed." she says solemnly. "I could have the boy killed easily enough, it would be child's play to make it look like he killed himself in despair." she offers.

"No, I'll handle this myself. I don't need to run to mummy to protect me... I could use some magical supplies. I have some rituals I need to do." I say making her raise an eyebrow.

"My storeroom is open to you, maybe you do take after me after all... you do know what you're doing, don't you? I'd rather not die because you decided to experiment." she says bluntly.

"I have some experience in Necromancy, I just haven't had a chance to practice it lately, would be hard to explain to Xavier... probably Emma as well, it has a pretty bad reputation after all." I say making her eyebrows raise.

"Then you are in the right place, I have long since taught these people to fear and respect magic, they will not get in your way." she says with a look of approval. "Will that be all?" she asks after a moment.

+10 Affection with Selene [30/100] for impressing her, and playing her game.

...A small boost, but an increase all the same. Like she said, she's over ten thousand years old, I wasn't expecting anything different.

"No... like I said, you have a habit of annoying me when you open your mouth, time to change that. Kneel." I order, I want to see how far I can push her before her indifference turns to annoyance, to know her limits.

Apparently, I haven't reached them yet as she sighs in fond amusement, dropping to her knees in front of me, without any prompting she pulls my still hard cock back out, stroking it gently.

"I'm so terribly sorry my words have hurt your fickle pride, is this better?" she asks mockingly as she leans in, placing a kiss on the side of my shaft, running her lips down it before she reaches the bottom, taking one of my balls into her mouth and sucking on it, still stroking my dick gently. Moving away, she does the same on the other side, before peppering my shaft with feather-light kisses, fondling my testes with her free hand. "Perhaps you want me to flatter you while I'm down here... would you like me to breathlessly tell you that you're the biggest I've ever seen? How much I love your taste?" she asks in between kisses and licks.

"No, I have other women for that. I just want to shut you up, now open up." I order, grabbing my shaft and pressing it against her lips. As her lips part, I use my grip to force her to take my entire shaft into her mouth, and throat immediately. Honestly, her oral skills were... exquisite, but this is less about me and more about her.

I know it's not going to do anything, it won't 'put her in her place' as I fuck her face brutally, giving her no time to breathe. And I know I'm just playing into her little games, but it doesn't make it any less enjoyable. She's even kind enough to press her lips down tightly, leaving the lipstick stain I wanted as she stares up at me with a look of entertainment.

All I can sense from her is amusement, she's too old and too experienced to be bothered by my treatment of her, just obediently taking it as she waits for me to be finished with her. It's the same indifference she had when surrendering to me in the first place, it's just a necessity for her survival, nothing more.

I'm reasonably sure she's deliberately making herself drool as much as possible, coating my dick in it as it leaks out of her mouth and down to her chin, and her tongue is hard at work as it rubs against my shaft with each thrust, her lips still smirking around the thick pole of meat violating her mouth.

She hums and moans as I fuck her face, but I have no doubt that's just another way of her playing with me, the vibrations feel good, however, so I won't complain.

After a few minutes... in which she demonstrates her ability to go without oxygen, a spell I think, I reach my next climax, pulling her head against my crotch till her lips press against my base as I let go.

Half of my load floods her mouth and throat, going straight to her stomach as she obediently swallows, and for the other half, I pull out, coating her long black hair with the sticky white substance.

Finishing with a satisfied sigh, I stare down at her watching some of my cum leaks out of her mouth and down onto her chin.

"Is that better, son? Is your pride nice and soothed now or do you need some flattering? Mmm... you taste so good, thank you for letting me suck your big hard dick." she says with a sultry tone as she licks her lips, stopping as I put my shaft back in front of her mouth again.

"Clean me off." I order making her roll her eyes with a fondness that honestly baffles me. Empathy doesn't help me against her, I can feel her emotions, but I can't understand why she seems... approving? And her mind is a maze, thousands of years of memories make it hard to pinpoint the present, something I'm sure she's doing on purpose.

With no hesitation she leans forwards and starts licking me clean, getting the mixture of cum and saliva off my dick with a strange look in her eyes and a smirk on her lips, it doesn't take her long to get me clean and tuck my dick away.

+5 Affection with Selene [35/100] for showing promise

...This fucking woman.

"Okay, I'll bite... why do you seem happy to have been facefucked? I'm pretty sure that it isn't a fetish of yours, so why are you so satisfied?" I ask as she remains on her knees. "Oh, get up. Submission doesn't suit you." I say with a roll of my eyes as she rises.

"It's simple, my child. It shows you aren't a fool or a weakling. You have power over me, if you hesitated to abuse it, then I would decree you as an imbecile. Power is all that matters in this world, whether political, magical, economical or any other kind. You have it over me, it would be nothing but foolish if you didn't take advantage of it." she says bluntly. "I am at your mercy, and all you did was set me after an enemy, I wanted to know what kind of man you are, so I've been watching you. You change how you act from person to person, using whatever would better suit that person, it's a skilful act, but it made it difficult to see the true Kuro. You're a lustful being and yet you did not use your power over me to force me into your bed, I wanted to see why... was it the familial connection? I knew you lusted for me, your eyes wander often, and yet you didn't act on it. I was curious." she admits calmly.

Honestly... I'm still somewhat cautious around her, if anyone would be able to work out a way around the bond... it would be the ten thousand year old manipulator.

"I don't care if we're related, obviously." I say making her smirk.

"And when annoyed, you wasted no time in abusing your power over me. I approve. If you have power, you should use it." Selene says with a smile, a genuine smile for just a moment before she goes back to smirking. "Never forget, you are the son of two of the most powerful beings on this world, you are not like other people, you are better... and they should know it." she says as she raises a hand and clicks her fingers, the table and her corset fixing themselves. Amusingly her thong repairs itself as well as it flies towards her and hits her jeans before falling to the floor.

"That doesn't mean I should go around making enemies pointlessly." I say making her nod.

"Nor would I recommend that you do, you have a flair for manipulation, even if you mostly use it to get laid." she says in amusement. "Convincing people to serve you is just logical. Never attempt to win by force what can be won by deception." she says as I frown.

"Machiavelli?" I ask, recognising the quote. Did I look him up after playing Assassins Creed Brotherhood? Maybe.

"You know his work? He was a talented man, incredibly hard to manipulate as well... if you know his work then you should know this as well... It is better to be feared than loved, if you cannot be both. You have a habit of taking other peoples women, the men won't love you for it, so you must make them fear to oppose you. Be loved by your women... but don't forget to keep them under control, and the men you took them from. Too many men have died because they took a woman that didn't belong to them." she advises, it's odd having a suddenly severe conversation when she still has my cum on her face and hair. "Nova Roma already fears you, the slaughter of so many soldiers has given you an almost Divine reputation, no doubt the cult is cultivating it, none will challenge you here... except those out of their minds with grief... you must make this reputation spread, it will prevent many battles."

"I'll think about what you have said... you can go back to whatever it is you do when you aren't spying on me now, run along." I say bluntly, shooing her away with a deadpan look.

"Is it so wrong for a mother to keep an eye on her son?" she asks with a smirk.

"Right... motherly love is what makes you spy on me. Sure." I say in my most deadpan voice.

"If you have a problem with my actions, you can simply discipline me... if you don't like my words, then force me to my knees and muffle them again." she says with a shrug.

"Would it do anything?" I ask as she smirks.

"Of course not, but it made you feel better, didn't it?" she asks with a shrug. "You're so much more reasonable after you've had your fun, more prone to listen to people than your usual obstinate self. If that means laying back and spreading my legs before conversations, so be it. Honestly, It's almost endearing. Goodbye, my son." she says casually as she opens a portal and walks through it.

...She isn't wrong, I am more of a people person after I've had some fun, at least for a little while. Is it an insult if she's just telling the truth? Nah.

Which is why mother-fucker will never be an effective insult against me again. Bastard either now that I think about it.

Selene is a bitch... but she's a bitch that's growing on me.

Sighing I pick up the thong, I'm not leaving it around for someone else to take, and head out of the room, seeing a barrier break as I open the door, I really should look into wards when I have the time.

Heading to her storeroom in the palace, I take what I need, admiring her collection of magical reagents and ingredients. I have no doubt this is just a small portion of her collection, I'm sure she has some hideout with piles of magical treasures somewhere.

I could find it, could even claim it as my own... but as someone who really likes his things? Eh, she can keep them. I'll find other people to rob... plunder.

Wait, that doesn't really sound better. Loot? Pillage? Fuck it, might as well call it what it is.

I'll kill the men, plunder the loot and then take the women. I'm basically a magical barbarian. Might burn the homes down as well just to keep up the theme.

Heading back to the room in the basement, I ordered cleared, I smile. It's not much, but it's enough for now.

Setting up the ritual circle itself is a simple task, the knowledge of how it should be lain out is in my head, and my hands practically move by themselves as Isis helps guide them, ensuring that each line of chalk is flawlessly drawn, each candle placed in its precise place.

Sending my magic into the circle, I watch the flame of the candles turn a deep blue, a cold wind starting to blow from... nowhere and everywhere at once.

I'm starting small, just summoning simple ghosts... and it doesn't take long before they begin to form, five ethereal blue figures taking form in the middle of the circle. Knowing my part, I send my magic towards them, the Grimoire mentions that they can try and fight against the binding, but then the author wasn't blessed by Death was he? The binding takes immediately, five rings of black chains appearing around their necks as a mark of their servitude.

"We have come, as summoned... Master." the spectral voice echoes throughout the room, making me chuckle to myself.

Heh, the Necromancer Lord is back, baby. I suppose it's Necromancer King now though.

- Bonus Scene - Selene -

Her son was proving fascinating... a Necromancer? When would he have had the time to practise it without being caught? She's seen nothing of it, and yet he was telling the truth. She was sure of it.

He had his flaws however, a strange and warped kind of honour for one, his insatiable lust for another, the fact that he got so attached to those he bedded the biggest of them.

Honestly, any woman who was willing to spread their legs for him had a way to avoid his wrath, a method to negotiate with him, a tool to bargain with him right between their legs.

If they simply gave their bodies to him, he'd happily help them to keep 'his girls' happy. He genuinely seemed to have real feelings for those he claimed as his.

She'd be disappointed in him if it wasn't also to her benefit, something as simple as taunting him into fucking her had warmed his actions with her considerably. Kuro didn't trust her at all, rightfully so, but before he sodomised her she would have said that he didn't like her at all... now there was a hint of affection in his words.

Once she'd given him two of her holes, he was so much more willing to take her advice, lacking the cold, untrusting look he usually gave her.

She'd have to keep an eye on those he bedded, just in case. She wasn't stupid enough to try and change it, to try and change him, it would only make him hostile towards her.

At the very least, she could do the motherly thing and make sure none of the girls her 'beloved' son stuck his dick in could hurt him, or use this flaw of his to his misfortune. Despite their... unusual relationship, she had a vested interest in keeping him alive, and several reasons to keep him happy and growing in power.

Not least of which was so she could experience that... rough treatment again, it was surprisingly enjoyable, she hadn't orgasmed in... years. Honestly, the least he could have done was aim a little lower, it would have been far better if he'd just fucked her normally.

Despite her power... she'd need a cushion to sit down for a couple of days. She was going to be sore in the morning.