Home, Sweet Home

Repeating the ritual a few more times, I smile to myself as I look over the twenty-five Ghosts I've summoned to serve as my scouts and spies. All I need is materials, and my mother has more than I could ever use.

Bestiary Entry Added

[Ghost]

The spirit of a deceased mortal, unable to move on. They seek a purpose in their unlife and will serve their summoner gleefully, happy to be of use.

They do not possess the skills to interact with the living or the mortal realm, but they can only be seen by those with a sensitivity to magic.

Each summoning will bring forth five of the restless spirits.

Huh... that's new.

With the bonus experience that carried over from my past life, I have enough skill in necromancy to try something a bit more complicated than just summoning a basic ghost.

Cleaning up quickly, I calmly start again... a somewhat more complicated circle this time, it still doesn't take that long for me to set up my next summoning.

I need something a bit more... skilful than the basic ghost summon, something that can help me out with more than just spying.

As three more spectral forms start to manifest, I quickly bind them with my magic, with a slight bit more of a struggle. The ghosts were happy to be summoned, but these ones put up a bit of a fight before it becomes clear my skill and power far exceed their own.

Bestiary Entry Added

[Scheming Spirit]

Cunning and conniving in life, their deaths haven't blunted their intellect. These spirits are masters of manipulation and twisting mortals.

They will serve willingly... as long as the summoner possesses the power to bind them in the initial summon. If the Necromancer fails to bind them, they will attempt to possess their summoner.

They do not possess the skills to interact with objects in the mortal realms, but they can possess mortals and influence their thoughts and actions.

Each summoning will bring forth three of the conniving spirits.

There we go... possession is a powerful thing. They can't fully take control, but they can influence people and monitor them. Once someone is possessed, they won't be able to sneeze without me knowing about it.

...I'll take fifteen.

Four repeats of the summoning later, I send my spirits out and put them t work... the Ghosts will encircle the city, no-one will be able to enter or exit without me seeing them, they have an instinctive sense of where the living are, being drawn to them... and while the Brazilian jungle surrounding us is overflowing with life, humans stand out far more than any of the creatures.

The Scheming Spirits will handle watching certain essential people in Nova Roma, possessing them in their sleep. It'll help me keep an eye on the different factions as well as subtly influence them.

The people who seemed angry at my marriage and ascension. Tertulla, I know she's loyal... but it's smart to keep an eye on any cult, no matter their goals. Titus's son and wife. Some important nobles, like Marcus and a few others.

I don't need to have every single person possessed, just the important ones... that way I can track each faction. They all give me lip service as their King, but they're self-serving nobles... they'll serve me as long as it benefits them, which means I can't trust them.

Especially when I'm away from Nova Roma, they fear and respect me now... but people have short memories, and I need to keep them under control even when I'm back in New York or Massachusetts.

The ritual to summon them was easy... but time-consuming, each time I did it I had to redraw the circle and replace all the materials... and that's taken a decent amount of my night.

Most of it, in fact...

With only a few hours left before sunrise, I head back to my room, careful not to wake Amara up as I lay on the bed, bringing out my White Magic Grimoire.

Flipping it open to where I left off, the diary of a White Mage working in a hospital, I start reading despite the darkness of the room.

- Next Morning -

Honestly, I miss sleep... a lot.

I got a new spell from my nightly reading, one that will serve me well, but I really miss sleeping the night away.

[Cure Disabilities]

500 MP to cast

Heal any disabilities the target has, more severe disabilities will require a higher level of White Magic

Effect – Heals the target of any disabilities

Range – Touching

I had thought that Purify Imperfections would do that... but that is more of a cosmetic imperfection that anything important. It's basically a cure-all for blemishes, sun-burns and anything else it sees as an imperfection.

Not the most useful... but this? This I can use.

[The Quest for Vanessa's Sexy Booty] updated

Objective: Use cure imperfections to make Wade Wilson the sexy son of a bitch he is

Reward: Sexy times with Wade and Vanessa (She'll agree to it, probably), become besties with the most popular Comic book Character (according to me, no I don't care that Batman always wins the polls, really I don't. What's Batman got anyway? Money? What kind of super-power is that. Loser. I could kick his ass.), I'll get you a cool present? Please? Vanessa doesn't mind, but I look like a shrivelled cancerous ballsack.

Or perhaps it is useful? I figured I'd have to deal with Wade's cancer first, otherwise wouldn't his cancer just make him all... Deadpool again right after?

Eh.

It's magic, don't think about it too much.

Really, Deadpool only stays hideous because it's part of his Comic Book Character, like Spider-Man being unlucky with love and broke, despite being surrounded by sexy girls and a genius.

This world uses Comic-book logic a lot of the time, but I can bypass it for things like this.

...Right, Comic-book logic. That's always fun. Whatever, I don't even know where he is. I'm sure he'll show up out of the blue at some point, but I don't feel like looking for him.

"So, what's on my agenda for today?" I ask Ilithyia as my body slaves dress me. Apparently, it's 'weird' for a king to dress himself. Tch. It's weird for someone to need dressing once they aren't babies any-more... but playing the part is important.

"The Gladiator's execution starts at midday, there was a noble wanting to meet with you this morning, but it was nothing important, and we were... busy. He'll likely return sooner rather than later, but I can deal with him." she replies calmly, making my lips twitch.

I was busy... being balls deep in my wife... then my wife's mother and then my wife again... and then my mother in law again.

Look, I can give up sleep if it's necessary... I could even give up sex to focus for a while. I sure as fuck am not giving up both, and I like sex more than sleep.

"Anything I need to worry about?" I ask, making her scoff.

"Just a mildly influential noble trying to benefit from your favour, I think he wants to try and get you to take his daughter as a concubine, nothing out of the ordinary. Since it's become known that I'm your concubine, you should expect people to try and get you to take them, or their female family members, as well. Some just want to brag about having a connection to royalty, some are ambitious and are trying to use you... others are followers of the cult wishing to get some of your 'divine' blood in their family. I'll handle most of the offers and requests, do let me know if there is any particular woman you desire as a concubine." she says calmly, making me smirk.

Keeping her was a smart decision, she can handle the nobles by herself for the most part.

"What about Lucretia?" I say, still thinking about how close Lucy Lawless is to me.

"Hmm... easily done, but it would make things complicated in the long run. She's a nobody, for the most part, a small family with a decent amount of wealth. If you take her, all the minor nobles and civilians wanting to be nobles will get it in their head that they have a chance. At the moment it's just the more powerful ones." she admits.

"Hmm... any advice?" I ask... it's why I kept her around after all.

"Use your new marriage as an excuse to not pick anyone immediately, but make it clear you are willing to accept more. I can pick a few that are worth your attention, and opening yourself up for courtship will draw them to you instead of you being the one to approach them. I can handle most of it, a few rumours here and there courtesy of the cult, all you will have to do is wait for them to approach you, and decide if you want them or not. As for Lucretia? If you desire her, you can take her secretly. An affair or two is practically expected of you." she admits making me smirk. "Though... if you decide you want a married woman as one of your lovers, do warn me ahead of time so I can handle any issues that come of it." she adds.

"..shouldn't you be warning me away from married women?" I ask, making her scoff again.

"You're the King of Nova Roma, even more importantly you are the Prophesied King, foretold for hundreds of years. You could walk up to any woman in Nova Roma, from the lowest slave to the highest noble, and command her to your bed, they could no more deny you than I can. I just want to be ready if any of their husbands are foolish enough to try and get revenge." she deadpans, making me chuckle.

"I'll keep that in mind."

I have to admit, I like the idea of being this supreme being that can't be defied. Still, while some of the women here are beautiful, I'd rather... be a bit more subtle than that. Honestly, I already plan on getting Domitia, Titus's wife.

Mostly because her family is powerful and I want her under my command to stop her from acting out over the whole dead husband thing, but also because she has some of the biggest tits I've seen in Nova Roma. Also, I'm still annoyed Titus turned down my offer, and while I won't punish his family... cucking him from beyond the grave is a different story.

I don't like being turned down on the rare occasion I try and give someone a chance after they've acted against me. My mercy is in small supply, so when I go out of my way to be kind... and then get turned down... then that's something I just can't stand... which is why I am absolutely justified in my desire to fuck his widow.

I even know how I can get her to come to my bed willingly, if not happily. Frankly, I don't particularly care about her happiness, not after she tried to convince the other nobles to rebel in the hopes of freeing her husband. It moved her from potential asset to potential enemy, and I'm not going to wait for her to decide she wants revenge for her husband, despite his warning. Grief is a dangerous thing, after all, it can make people forget something as simple as self-preservation...

It's why I'm going to hunt down the escaping Hydra agent, the one whose brother I killed. She's a minor threat at best, but I still want that threat to be neutralised as soon as possible. If you're dealing with someone, make sure to deal with their family as well. Vengeance is such an annoying motivator.

"So... I'm free after the gladiator fights?" I ask, making her nod, checking a list she has. "Wonderful... I have something I have to do later then, so I'll be unavailable for the rest of the day once I am done at the colosseum."

I've had the Black Key sitting in my inventory for a while now... so I want to give it a try, see where it takes me. It was a reward from Death, so leaving it means ignoring a potential resource. She's warned me that the time-loop will break tonight, at midnight...

I wouldn't get it as a reward if it wasn't something useful for me, and I need every advantage I can get to survive this world, especially now that I have HYDRA's attention, at least with Daddy Dearest I have time to finish his 'mission' he gave me before he comes and kicks my ass.

"I'll handle anyone who comes to meet with you, they might get a bit annoyed, but you're the King, if you are busy they have no right to complain." she says, making a note as I smile, she was definitely worth keeping as my Regent, it takes a lot of my shoulders.

"Sibyl, can you go and wait on Amara for me?" I ask calmly, getting a happy smile from the innocent slave as she bows deeply, heading off to find Amara.

The moment the door closes, my smile turns into a hungry smirk, Ilithyia shivering slightly.

"Your Majesty... we don't have time for..." she says weakly, yelping as I pull her closer.

"Then we better be quick... unless you'd rather me stop?" I ask with a smirk as she pales, shaking her head shamefully. "That's what I thought..." I say, pulling her dress up with a grin. "Sura, just... wait there for a moment." I say casually, my other body-slave standing a few feet away as I drop my trousers and slide into Ilithyia's already soaked pussy.

- Later -

"Sorry, I'm late..." I say casually as I sit down on the throne-like chair in the colosseum, my box having the best view of the arena floor. "I got caught up in someone, it delayed me a bit." I admit.

Ilithyia was supposed to come with me... but she's having a bit of trouble moving at the moment. Sura and Amana are taking care of her, and Amara is catching up with some friends. I've let Laura have a day to relax, a new and strange thing for her.

It came as no surprise that she immediately stripped off and made the slaves run her another bath.

"You can't be late, your Majesty... we can only be early." Lucretia says obediently before she frowns. "But don't you mean... something?" she asks, making me laugh.

"No, no, I do not." I reply with a smirk, making her eyes widen as she blushes slightly. "You are... Melitta, are you not?" I ask, looking at one of the two women Lucretia brought with her, making the slave girl look down, she's... better dressed than usual, a long blue dress on, with a very deep cleavage and an exposed back and shoulders, her hair seemed... styled slightly, and she's even got the slightest hint of make-up. Curious for a slave.

"I am, your Majesty." she says sadly, making me frown slightly.

"Why did you bring Oenomaus's wife here?" I ask Lucretia, seeing the gladiator himself walking into the arena, uninjured and well-rested as per my orders, with a sword in his hand.

"She requested to be here, I had no reason to decline... and I was planning on gifting her to you, as an apology for my Gladiator's actions, her and Saxa both actually." she says gesturing to the other woman, she's clearly had a far more active life than the other slaves, a tall blonde woman in thin leather armour covering her... somewhat, the tiny armoured top only covers her breasts and the small leather loincloth covering her privates... mostly, she's clearly naked beneath it. Even then it seems to be more enticing than anything that's supposed to protect her... the twin iron daggers at her waist makes me raise an eyebrow.

Letting a slave hold a weapon in the same room as your King? Lucretia is taking a chance there... I could have her killed for that without anyone objecting.

"Oh?" I say mildly interested despite myself as I look them over, Melitta barely notices as she stares down into the arena, her husband standing proudly in the middle of it. At the same time, some old man gives a speech about his crimes and my judgement. Saxa barely hides her scowl, she's a prideful one, it's rare to see a female slave trained to fight.

"I thought she would make a good bodyguard, even if you don't truly need one. It's a sign of your status more than anything else." she admits. "And I thought you'd appreciate a guard that can at least... see to your needs." she says with a sultry smirk, which I return.

"Well... you aren't wrong." I admit, looking over Saxa again. "She is beautiful... but what if I'd prefer a more... high-class woman, to see to my needs?" I ask with a smirk, looking over Lucretia's body blatantly, she's dressed up for me, a deep red dress with plentiful cleavage.

"Then you merely need to give the order, My King... I am at your command." she says with a hungry look, making me chuckle.

"We'll have to... talk when we have time, but it seems it's about to begin." I say as a pair of lions are lead into the ring... where did they get a couple of lions... in the middle of Brazil?

Looking into Lucretia's mind I snort, Selene brought them and taught them to breed them when she made this place. Of course, she did.

Standing up, I looked down into the Arena and raise my hand, everyone's looking towards me, waiting on my word to begin. Lowering it, the lions are let off the chains, the handlers running out of the arena as I sit back down.

There's a rather large crowd in the colosseum today. Honestly, they're almost painfully loud to my vampiric ears. I know why it's so packed... this is my first public appearance, at least the first one where the civilians can see me, instead of just the nobles.

Oenomaus is an excellent fighter, I'll give credit where it is due... he's almost painfully slow, but that's the Vampire in me talking, he's in good shape for a baseline human, and he actually manages to take down both lions, with only a few injuries.

The smell of blood makes me grip the arm of my chair just a bit tighter, keeping my hunger under control.

He doesn't get time to catch his breath as another Gladiator enters the arena, more heavily armoured and better equipped. It's not fair, but this is an execution, not a battle. There's no doubt's about who will win, the people who came here to watch are here to see Oenomaus die, and they'll get what they want.

Honestly, Roman's are bloodthirsty.

Oenomaus still manages to put up a good fight, despite the odds, but with the claw wound across his chest and the heavy armour the man is wearing, he can't hold of the other mans assault, and before long his blade has been knocked away, a sharp slash across his chest as he falls to his knees.

The other gladiator stops, looking up at me. Heh, I've always wanted to do this.

Holding my hand out, I pause for a moment before giving the thumbs down, a cheer filling the arena as the other gladiator turns back around, plunging the blade into Oenomaus's chest.

Honestly... colosseum fights are boring, don't get me wrong I can see the appeal, but my own skills makes it all seem so... slow. I could have killed both the fighters without a care, even with the sunlight beating down on the arena.

Still, it's fun to be the guy giving the thumbs down.

"And that is that dealt with..." I say with a stretch, glancing at the crying Melitta. "Take the body and see that it's given the proper burial rites, I'll take Saxa now, but Melitta should have time to grieve first." I say making Lucretia bow deeply.

"Of course, your Majesty... your mercy knows no bounds." she says, making me roll my eyes.

"Give her some time... and when you bring her, we can... talk more. In private." I say with a smirk, wrapping an arm around her waist, squeezing her ass over her dress making her yelp slightly, returning my smirk.

"Of course... we can... 'talk' the night away, you'll find me an... enthralling conversationalist." she promises, her hand running along my chest, her body pressed against mine.

"Oh, you're fun... but we both have things to do, business before pleasure after all." I say, giving her one last squeeze and letting go. "Saxa, follow me... we're leaving." I say to my new 'bodyguard'.

"...yes, Master." she says, a hint of anger in her tone. She's a fierce one, and she does not like serving... interesting. It's what got her thrown into the colosseum, she was supposed to die quickly after she proved too troublesome to stay as a regular slave. Telepathy is useful for these kinds of things.

Heading out of the arena, I have to play the benevolent monarch with some of my subjects, the nobles who have the gall to approach me are all very impressed and proud that I know their names (did I use Telepathy? Yes.), puffing up like peacocks.

"Your Majesty, a pleasure to see you again." Domitia says as she approaches, her son right behind her. She brought him here to try and lift his spirits after his father's death. "Once again, you have my thanks for allowing me to give Titus a proper burial." she says with a deep bow, unknowingly giving me a magnificent view at her massive tits, her dress having the deep cleavage that's so prevalent here.

-100 Reputation with Numerius Calavius [-100/100] for murdering his father and ogling his mother.

Looking at the son, I smirk at him, making his carefully blank face turn into a deep scowl, his hand moving in his pocket before he calms himself.

He has a dagger... and he wants to kill me because the spirit is whispering into his ear.

I need to show that I can be a merciful king, and sparing a grieving son after he loses his mind to grief should do it.

Exchanging small talk with his mother, I walk passed her, giving him the final nudge with my telepathy to make him decide that this is his best chance, with the target of his rage right next to him.

He's a dumb kid... which is why it's no surprise that despite his closeness, despite me having my back turned, he still fails to even stab me, Saxa quickly grabbing him and ripping the dagger from his hand, smashing him into the ground as people start screaming and shouting.

Turning around, I look down at him with mild amusement, picking up the dagger and looking it over.

"Even if that had worked, boy... did you really think you could kill someone as strong as me with an iron dagger?" I ask bluntly, getting a groan of pain as Saxa does her duty of pinning him to the ground, her own dagger at his throat. "Guards! Take him to the Palace dungeons, I take it you had no part in this?" I ask Domitia as she stares in horror.

"I... no, y-your majesty... please... he- he's just a child." she begs quickly, her eyes filled with tears as she watches two of the Nova Roma guards grab her son roughly.

"You may go with them, have her put in one of the meeting rooms until I get there." I order, getting a quick acknowledgement from the guards, who reach for her. "She's a guest... not a prisoner, I expect her treatment to reflect that." I warn causally, passing the would-be murder weapon over.

Honestly, I'm offended. You don't kill a king with an iron dagger, that's for killing giant rats and goblins before you get to the better gear. Fucking noobs, Vampire Kings are at least end-boss battles.

I know I told him to do it, but he could have at least put more effort into it.

"Well done Saxa, not a bad start to the job, huh?" I ask with a laugh as she looks at me with a frown.

"Master... would that knife have actually hurt you?" she asks hesitantly making me chuckle. "Probably... being stabbed stings like a bitch, but would it have done any major damage? No. Cut out my heart, cut off my head, it won't do more than inconvenience me." I say casually. Certainly not with a basic ass dagger, I'm in no rush to be decapitated, but as long as it isn't enchanted or magical, I should survive it. The God-killer blade would kill me, but that's in my inventory.

+20 Affection with Saxa [30/100] because she likes powerful and dangerous men

Still, I should be careful. This is marvel, where countless stupidly powerful weapons and artifacts are just left lying around where anyone can find them.

Deciding to make them sweat it, I take the long way back to the palace, exploring my city for a while before I head back.

It's no surprise that I'm rushed by Ilithyia and Amara when I get back, Amara fussing over me as I sigh.

"Babe, I'm fine... really, I am." I say with a chuckle. "I can't be taken out by a grieving child with a tiny knife." I say calmly.

"When I heard... I know you are strong, but that doesn't stop me from worrying." she admits, sighing in relief as she finds no injuries.

"I don't mind... it's cute." I say with a smirk, making her blush, slapping my chest lightly. "Who is your friend?" I ask, noticing another young woman in the background, a polite distance away.

"Oh, right! Seppia, come here. My Love, this is Seppia Lesius, she is one of my childhood friends, we were catching up since I've been away." she says, calming down now that she's seen me in person.

"It's an honour to meet you, your Majesty." she says politely with a courtesy.

"The pleasure is mine, a friend of Amara's is a friend of mine." I say, taking her hand and kissing it, making her blush and giggle. She's a cult member... the one who passed the offer to kill the former king onto Ilithyia's body-slave, Amana... interesting.

The cult clearly keeps a close eye on the royals.

"Amara, his Majesty has some royal duties to deal with, why don't you and Seppia head back upstairs?" Ilithyia says, Amara, agreeing (despite technically outranking her, which is another reason I kept Ilithyia... Amara isn't ready for the burden of leadership, she's still a teenager).

As Amara kisses me goodbye, I hug her, whispering something into her ear, her eyes widening before she nods with a light blush.

"So, which room is Domitia in?" I ask casually.

- Amara -

"So... why have you been so embarrassed since your beloved hugged you?" Seppia asked in amusement, sitting on her bed as she combed her hair.

"Just something he asked for..." she admitted, thinking about how to fulfil her lovers request.

"Oh? And what would that be? It can't just be sex, you've been bragging about his stamina and size all day... so what's made you so shy all of a sudden." Seppia asked with a giggle.

"...a threesome." Amara admitted with a blush.

"Oh? With the slaves? Or with your mother, I suppose that would be embarrassing..." Seppia admitted making her shake her head.

"Not that, I've seen mother and Kuro together, often at that... he wants a threesome with me... and you." she admitted, making Seppia freeze.

"M-me? I..." Seppia started, a blush growing on her beautiful face.

"You can say no, he made that clear..." she said quickly making Seppia shake her head.

"Say, no? To the King of Nova Roma? The King, who according to the unbiased source of you, has a dick the size of your forearm and can go all night without resting? Who has magical fingers and a tongue that made you sing? I think not... I'll happily see if he lives up to his reputation." she replied with a smirk, her surprise fading. "I'm just surprised that's what he asked for... but if the King wants me in his bed, I'll be there..." she said with a sultry smirk.

"Why would it be a surprise? You are beautiful..." Amara said, turning around and looking over her friend.

"Not as beautiful as his wife... he's a lucky man." Seppia replied, leaning forwards slightly.

"...It wouldn't do to disappoint him tonight, perhaps we should... practice?" she asked, biting her lip with hooded eyes as she stared into her friend's eyes.

"A king deserves only the best... we can't let him down." Seppia replied with a smirk, leaning forwards as their lips met, their tongues immediately intertwining.

- Kuro -

My hot wife is making out with her equally hot friend, and I'm not there.

Something being a king is great... and sometimes responsibility sucks.

Walking into the room, I dismiss the guards with a casual gesture, staring down at Domitia as she tearfully looks up at me. I don't feel guilty, his mind was wandering to murder even without my nudging, I just sped things up.

"You realise I can't let attempted regicide go unpunished? No matter the reason?" I say calmly, making her start to rise from the chair quickly before I place a firm hand on her shoulder and forced her back into the seat.

"I... I do, your majesty... but he's just a grief-stricken boy... a child." she starts making me frown.

He's mentally a child, perhaps.

"He's around my age... do I seem like a child to you?" I ask bluntly, making her eyes widen quickly.

"N-no your Majesty, but you are no normal b- man..." she says, flattering me.

"No, I'm not. But that doesn't mean his age is an excuse for trying to kill his king, tossing away his fathers efforts to stop me from punishing your entire family." I say calmly.

"Th-there is no need to take his life..." she tries again, changing tracks. "Please... he's all I have left." she admits.

Honestly, I probably shouldn't find this entertaining, but she's a problem and her son wanted me dead either way. I'm stopping a problem before it can become a problem, it might have taken years, but she would eventually have acted against me. Even if she didn't... her son would have after he took over the family. This way, I have a reliable method to turn Domitia into one of my servants, getting her into my bed 'willingly' is the hard part... and now I have the right leverage.

Humming noncommitedly, I move my hand from her shoulder to her chin, making her look me in the eyes.

"You realise I can't allow him to become the head of the House Calavius? Not when he's shown such anger towards my Rule?" I ask, making her nod quickly.

"There are over people who can take over... Titus's nephew and his son." she promises quickly.

"I... am willing to spare him, to place him under house arrest, for the rest of his life." I start, placing a finger on her lips when she goes to speak. "However, I will require... restitutions from the House Calavius, and from you." I say calmly, my hand moving down to her neck, then lower still, pausing just before it reaches her breasts, her eyes widening slightly.

"I... what do you require of the House Calavius." she asks hesitantly.

"The loyalty and support of your house and I think tying your house to mine is only... logical. How convenient that there's a newly widowed woman who can fulfil that by becoming my concubine?" I say rhetorically.

"You... you want me as a concubine?" she asks with a frown, making me smirk.

"Isn't it obvious? I don't trust you, or your house... two of your men have committed treason in the last week. I should have you all crucified as traitors, your bodies thrown to the beasts... but I don't want to start my reign so bloodily. I can't trust you... so I need a way to keep your house in line." I say calmly.

"I see... I'd be a hostage." she realises, calming down oddly enough. The idea of my doing this to keep her house in line is more acceptable. Romans.

"You'd be my concubine, with all that entails." I say, moving my hand lower and groping one of her large covered breasts lightly, making her frown slightly but not resist. "But yes, you'd be a hostage to keep your house loyal."

Her house is one of the three most powerful in Nova Roma, and I already have the most powerful, House Crassus at my command since it's lady is the leader of the cult. This should make things go so much smoother.

"I... may I think about this?" she asks, making me scoff.

"No, either you accept now, or your son will be executed within the next hour, I want this dealt with immediately." I say plainly, I have no reason to delay this after all.

Will this cause me to get a reputation as a lustful king? Yes, but that's also a part of my plan. No one is perfect, and exposing a weakness will make people lower their guard.

If anyone tries to manipulate me, they'll use my 'weakness' to do it, either sending women to slither into my inner circle or if they are women, do it themselves... and that means they'll be in a position where my skills will be able to turn them to my side.

Appear weak when you are strong and strong when you are weak. Sun Tzu's words in the Art of War. My lust isn't a weakness, it's a weapon. Those who try to use my desire against me will fall to both my telepathy and my Eromancy.

I'm a fan of Sun Tzu, he has a lot of good points...

The greatest victory is that which requires no battle. Which is why I'm going to make sure no-one can rise up against me in Nova Roma, so I don't have to fight a second civil war down the line. I can't avoid fighting forever, but every enemy I deal with before they can attack is another victory.

"I... understand, my King. I accept." she says with a sigh.

"Wonderful... come with me." I say calmly, turning and walking away. I can hear her quickly jump up, trying to keep up with my quick stride. It's actually a bit of a problem to keep myself at a pace humans could keep up with, my 'walk' speed is ridiculous if I don't force myself to slow down.

Heading to the dungeon, I nod to the guards and send them away. The cult is very efficient... and widespread, most of the guards are the cults loyalists, which makes them take my word as the word of god.

If I say to leave me alone with the prisoner, then they'll leave the prisoner and me alone and not ask a single question when they return, no matter the state of the prisoner... hell they wouldn't even question it if the prisoner just... disappeared.

"M-mother?" Numerius says hesitantly, his face moderately bloodied, Domitia rushing towards him and looking over his wounds.

"Hm, the guards clearly weren't happy with you..." I say with a laugh, making him scowl at me. "Oh, don't give me that look... I'm just here to tell you that you're being let out soon..." I say with a smirk, his eyes widening as he looks at me in confusion. "By the power invested in me as King, I sentence you to eternal house arrest, you are to remain in your family mansion till the end of your days... if you step foot off the grounds, I'll have you put down on sight."

"Why would you-" he starts angrily, making his mother cover his mouth quickly.

"Just thank his Majesty, and apologise, Numerius." she pleads with him, making him scowl at us.

"Thank him? Apologise to the bastard who murdered my father?!" he growls, standing up and glaring at me. Huh... I might have overdone it with my telepathic nudge.

"If you want to live? Yes... after all, your mother is making a big sacrifice to save you." I say casually, pulling her in front of me, my hand reaching around and groping her breast.

"P-please, my king... not in front of my son." she says weakly.

"GET YOUR HANDS-" he bellows, rushing towards me. Chains made of light shoot out from the wall behind him, dragging him painfully back to it, binding him in place on the bench.

"Let me be clear, Numerius. If you don't stop fighting... it won't just be you, it'll be your entire House that is executed for Treason. Your mother, your uncle, your third cousin five times removed. I'll wipe the House of Calavius off the face of Nova Roma if I have to." I say, the spirit amplifying his fear. "Your mother is to become my concubine... and hostage to keep your family loyal, that means she'll be warming my bed often, and my hands will be all over her, exactly as often as I want... like now for instance." I say gripping the front of her dress and tearing it down, her breasts bouncing free, her nipples hard from the cold dungeon air. It's always cold down here... I think Selene enchanted it that way.

"M-my king-" she starts before she trails off, a cold look from me killing her protests. He's pissing me off, the fact that he can't seem to accept defeat is annoying me, and I need to kill the fight in him, here and now. All I did was speed up what he was already feeling, but even with me trying to suppress it he's still so... irritating.

"Silence, the brat needs to learn the penalty of crossing me... I want you to know that every time you irritate me... it'll be your mother paying the price. Try anything even remotely treasonous again, and I'll have each and every member of your family publicly executed. Am I clear?" I ask coldly. "Or would you rather watch your entire family die for your arrogance?"

"I... I understand." he says, paling as the spirit makes him picture my threats.

"Good... now let's put your new-found common sense to the test, and then you can go home..." I say casually. "All you have to do is apologise for trying to kill me, and thank me for my mercy.." I say, dispelling the chains holding him in place.

I can see the indecision in his eyes, his pride warring with his common sense, but after just a moment of hesitation, he bows, the spirit reinforcing his submission as the correct thing to do.

"I... apologise your Majesty... I was mad with grief." he grounds out, looking almost pained from his words. "T-thank you... for showing me mercy." he says, the words getting caught in his throat for a moment as I smirk.

"Now was that so hard? Domitia... you can take the fool back to your home... and I expect you back at the palace tomorrow morning. Make sure your House understand how close to extinction, and that they need to keep Numerius under control. " I order calmly, letting her pull her dress back up.

"I will, your majesty... I will return for my new... position in the morning." she agrees quickly, clearly just wanting to get the idiot out of here.

Leading them out, I pass my orders onto Ilithyia before I pause.

"Why did you spare him?" Laura asks, leaning against the wall.

"Because he's an idiot child, and it's more valuable to get the loyalty of his house than it is to just kill him." I say with a shrug.

"Hm. I would have killed him, but I don't get all these... games everyone plays. They all say one thing and mean three others. No one tells the truth." she says with a scowl.

"It's politics, and it's a necessary evil, unfortunately." I admit, getting a sigh from her.

"I'll just leave that to you since we are partners. I'll do the stabbing, you do the thinking." she offers calmly, making me chuckle.

"Works for me, but when it comes to HYDRA, I think I'll have to do some stabbing as well." I say with a shrug.

"HYDRA won't leave us alone, will they? Should we go looking for them?" she asks, making me shake my head calmly.

"No... not just yet, soon we'll head to meet an ally of mine, she has the resources we'll need to find HYDRA. I already have some ideas about how we can find them... for now we can just relax." I recommend receiving a shrug from her.

+5 Affection with Laura Kinney [40/100] for letting her relax

"Fine. Tell me when it's time to kill them. I'm going to take another bath." she says, turning around and walking away.

...she's a pretty simple girl. Take baths until it's time to kill stuff. Well, she's easily satisfied at least.

Heading back to my ritual room, I pull out the black key, looking it over carefully.

It's just a large iron-like key, pitch black and cold to the touch.

Sticking it outwards and turning it makes a rift appear in the air, a black person-sized tear floating in the air... well, I've come this far...

I don't think it will be that dangerous, but I'm still drawing the Godkiller Sword in preparation. If things go south, I will be ready.

Walking through it, I close my eyes briefly as I'm yanked through a black and purple void, it only lasts for a couple of seconds before I'm spat out of the other side, landing on some dark black rocks.

Looking around, I frown as I see the sky... a deep rich purple, with a black sun floating in the distance. Despite that... it doesn't change the fact that it's still bright out... nor does it weaken me despite the warmth of the black sun bearing down on me.

Hm.

Looking around, I look over the edge of the black rock I'm standing on, wincing at the void below... I seem to be on a giant floating island, made of pitch-black stone, some spiking up in large jagged formations.

Turning back around, I freeze as my eyes land on the only real landmark on this city-sized platform, a single large black tower sitting on top of what seems like a hill made of molten rock... with spikes coming off it. The hill has trails of lava pouring down it, small rivers of lava leading into the glowing moat at the bottom of it... there's a single bridge of black stone going over the moat towards the front of the tower.

It's a fair distance away, but I clear it at record speeds, quite literally leaping over a canyon in the process without any of my usual caution or hesitation, reaching the bottom of the bridge in a matter of seconds.

The small guards standing around it grab their weapons, clunky armour of black rock covering their imp-like bodies.

Before I can say anything, a pulse of magic comes from the tower itself, my Roman attire being replaced with a set of heavy black armour, a gauntlet with a glowing red gem embedded in it on my hand, a large helmet on my head with a crown of spikes coming off the top.

"M-mastah?" one of the imps asks, moving towards me slowly, lifting the gauntlet, I reassert my command over them swiftly, making them all burst into cheers, throwing their weapons into the air... one of them being struck unconscious as a thick black club comes down on his skull.

"It's the Mastah!" "The Mastah has returned!" "For the Overlord!" "Long live the Overlord!"

Their cheering is infectious, and I can feel a grin forming on my face under my helm, the enchantment that causes my face to be shrouded hiding it away.

"It's been a while... but I have returned!" I roar, the helm making my voice deeper and more... booming, the minions bursting into even bigger celebrations at my declaration... I think? One of them started beating the other with his club, but I think it's in celebration? They both look happy enough. Demented little imps. "Where is Gnarl? We have much to discuss." I say making them stop cheering (mostly) as they run back over the bridge, shouting to follow them.

Heading across the bridge, I'm not so distracted that I can't see the signs off battle, some of the stone damaged with cuts, smashed bricks and... acid burns?

Apparently, I've not been the only one having to deal with problems. I'll need Gnarl to give me a full sitrep when I meet him, clearly my tower has been under attack recently.

Heading to the large doors, I have to admit my patience is at its limits... unable to wait any longer for them to push the giant doors open, I simply kick them open, a loud bang echoing through the tower as I stroll in.

It's not like I left it, that much is clear. My throne room didn't have nearly this much lava in it, but I have to admit, the waterfall of lava falling behind the silver throne with blood-red velvet decorating it, then trailing down the sides of the stairs is a very nice touch. So is the deep red carpet going along the middle of the room, and up the stairs towards my throne.

Two sets of staircases spiral up around each side of the throne, leading into the deeper tower, but instead of following the minions as they rush upstairs, I simply walk up to the throne, running my hand along its armrest before I turn and lower myself into it.

Immediately I get my final confirmation, the tower linking up with me at once, the entire island in my vision as I enter the bird's eye view I used to use to customise my hub world.

This is my tower... I don't know how it survived, I don't know how it got here... but this is my Hub, the seat of my power.

"Master?!" a musical voice calls out, making me return to first-person view as I look down the stairs, smiling painfully wide at the sight of a beautiful woman with long white hair... and a pair of elven ears poking out of the side.

"He must be, the Gauntlet wouldn't let a pretender use it! You've returned, oh Glorious Overlord!" Gnarl cheers, Quaver doing a jig in the background before one of the browns whacks him.

"It's good to be back... so, what have I missed?"

- Dracula -

Tossing the corpse over to the side, it's neck snapped, he scoffed to himself.

Mortals had grown arrogant over the years, in times past they would never have tried fighting him... but the advancement of technology had convinced them that they had a chance, their 'guns' giving them undeserved confidence.

All he wanted was a meal, he wasn't even going to fully drain the girl... but her boyfriend took offence to how quickly she agreed to leave the 'club' with him.

Not to mention, the vampire hunters were as annoying as possible, he was sure there was a Van Hellsing around here somewhere, and that Daywalker scum was searching the city of New York for him and Lilith was tracking him as well. As if he could be found if he didn't desire to be found.

"Don't be so sure, abomination" a cold voice said, drawing his attention, a smirk growing on his face as he saw Death's empty black eyes staring at him.

"I can't be found by anyone who isn't an immortal deity." he corrected casually, unafraid of her anger. He'd long since realised that she was very much limited in her actions, she could end him with as little effort as he used to kill the dumb human, but she couldn't without breaking some rule that dominated her existence. "And what can I do for you, old friend?" he asked mockingly, watching her emotionless face fall into a deep scowl for a brief moment before it faded.

"If you slay my agent, I will use what little actions I can take to destroy you."

"You're a few hundred years too late to scare me, I haven't feared my end in a long time." he said calmly, unworried by her glare. "If anyone should be annoyed, it's me... using my son as a weapon. Tut tut." he said scoldingly, hearing her growl under her breath.

"Consider yourself warned." she said as she blinked out of existence.

Tch, that could have been entertaining if she stuck around. Death was always good for a laugh, her centuries of plots and plans to slay him had proven highly enjoyable. He was still sure she was responsible for the Van Hellsing's

Besides, he wasn't just going to kill his son while he was still so weak.

Where would the challenge be? The honour and glory in combat?

He was immortal, and Kuro was growing incredibly fast. He could afford to wait until his son actually had a chance, and if he died in battle?

So be it. He was old, old and bored. Death in glorious combat was what he deserved, what he desired.

Keeping Kuro on edge would help keep him focused on growing stronger, and give him a reason to fight against him, even beyond Death's orders.

Kuro would grow strong, and then they would fight in glorious battle. One of them would survive, and a Tepes would still be the true ruler of monsters.

It would be-

Catching the bullet flying towards him, he stared at it in annoyance. He was inner monologuing... didn't people know the rules? You don't interrupt a man's inner monologue.

The bullet burnt him slightly as he stared at it, Silver...

Ugh... Vampire Hunters. Well played Death, she might not be able to fully act against him without triggering her restrictions... but she could nudge the mortals slightly.

Four of them, a blonde man with a red gem stuck in his chest, he looked mildly familiar, but he never bothered to remember the hunters who weren't Van Hellsing's. An older man in a mage's robe, he smelt of grass and dirt... ugh, druids. A woman with long blonde hair... dressed in a swimsuit? He'd seen weirder... still, he hadn't had Atlantean blood in a while... and the slight scent of the ocean he was getting from her made him smirk. And finally a dark-skinned woman in... leopard skin? Did she think that little knife would be enough to match him?

"You are interrupting my meal... and I'm fairly certain you chased off my prey." he deadpanned.

"Dracula... in the flesh, a wonderful prey for the last hunt of the Monster Hu-UCK!" the blonde started, coughing up blood as Dracula ripped the red hem from out of his chest, looking at in curiosity as the man collapsed to his knees, his free hand drawing his sword and decapitating him before anyone could even start to respond.

He had no idea what this was... but it looked interesting. Sticking it in his pocket, he turned to the survivors.

"Ulysses?!" the druid shouted in shock, preparing a spell as he rolled his eyes. As the man's arm raised ever so slowly, he simply closed the distance and tore the arm from the fool, ripping off his head before he could respond to his missing arm.

"Really... you came to challenge me, of all people, when you're all so weak?" he asked with a sigh, turning to the two women, catching the dagger from the dark-skinned woman smoothly and disarming her, she was incredibly strong... for a mortal.

For a vampire such as him, holding her by the throat wasn't even a challenge, her punches unable to even bother him. She was stronger than most mortals, but he was no mortal.

Looking her in the eyes, he smirked and dropped her as the fight left her immediately.

"And now, the Atlantean. I can't be bothered to fight you, surrender or I'll pay a visit to your little kingdom and slaughter your entire race." he said casually.

"M-monster!" she roared, leaping him as he sighed. Why did people never listen? He was trying to be kind and give her a chance to avoid the pain. Backhanding her into the wall, he paused before he finished her off.

As Kuro's Sire, he had a connection to him, an understanding of him on a fundamental level... his personality, his wants and desires.

Grabbing the barely conscious Atlantean, he tossed her over his shoulder, the dark-skinned woman over his other shoulder, he had realised was a Wakandan, he could feel Bast watching him... she must have used their weird herb. It would explain her strength.

Eh, what did he care? She started it, the Panther could glare all she wanted.

Vanishing into the night, he left the two corpses in the alleyway, heading back towards his Castle.

- Bonus Scene - Abstract Chess -

"That's not fair, you cheated!" Sire Hate growled as she slammed her fist on the edge of the gigantic world map, knocking over some of the chess pieces that littered it.

Glaring down at the map, she looked at the place marked Nova Roma, a Black King sitting in the middle of it. Two of her red pieces were broken, and another had turned into a black piece.

Her sister, and opponent, Mistress Love merely giggled in pride, watching the piece in the shape of a wolverine finish changing colours, marking the changing of Laura Kinney's loyalties, no longer able to be used by Hate.

"I didn't 'cheat', my dear sister... you know full well that King Kuro managed to turn Elizabeth Báthory from a red piece to a grey piece, and that means she can be used by either of us. It's not my fault you forgot that." she said happily, nudging some pieces around.

Sire Hate growled for a moment before she calmed down with a sigh.

Sure, she had lost the skirmish in Nova Roma thanks to her sister making Báthory decided to assist in the battle, she had underestimated how much stronger Kuro would be without the sunlight weakening him.

Ignoring her sister, she looked over the board with a frown, Nova Roma was almost entirely black, with a few grey pieces she could use... but nothing that was strong enough to do more than inconvenience Kuro, certainly not using her limited moves on.

She had many immensely powerful pieces, but she was bound by the rules of this game... and the rules limited what pieces could be moved and when. Each piece had a movement cost, and so early in the game, she didn't have enough actions in her turn to even move any of them. She had to wait until the game got into it's later stages first.

The Pawns, Norman Osborn and Wilson Fisk, were already activated, needing very little action points to use now.

She had hoped to use the Monster Hunters... but her sister beat her to it, sending them after the unusable piece, Dracula before she could try and use them herself.

There were plenty of divine pieces, entire pantheons she could use... but they cost too much. Kuro's own actions affected the cost of different pieces, he'd unknowingly made the Greeks far more expensive for her to use, and far cheaper for her sister, by honouring them. Eris was still reasonably cheap, and she could use Hades for cheaper than her sister, getting a discount on Villain pieces. Perhaps Arachne or Medusa could be of use?

Persephone might not be a bad choice if she could convince Hades into action?

Or even the Mayan gods... he was close to their lands after all, and they still raging at losing their worshippers, their reduced power meant they were fairly cheap. She could use them against Nova Roma, it would be cheap to make them see the secret city as a declaration of war from the Greeks. Definitely something worth making a plan for...

Looking over the earth-based pieces, she smirked maliciously as her eyes fell on one of her more powerful pieces. She couldn't use him this turn, but she could spend her actions on starting bringing him into the game.

Light years away, beneath an ancient pyramid, an ancient being stirred ever so slightly, before settling once more into his deep sleep.