Chapter 8: War Games and an Awakened Bloodline

Half an hour later, the contract was sealed.

Inside the guest lounge—

Sona and Lucien sat opposite each other.

Between them, a black and white chessboard was set up.

At this moment, the two were locked in an intense game.

Behind Lucien, Nao Hayasaka watched with concern.

[I really don't understand what Young Master Lucien is thinking, challenging the Sitri heiress like this.]

Three matches: one in chess, one in a Rating Game simulation, and one in actual combat.

Nao Hayasaka saw no possible way for Lucien to win any of them.

After all, who in the Underworld didn't know that the next head of the Sitri family was a master of chess?

"Who doesn't know that Lucien isn't a pureblood devil?"

"Given that, is there even a point in competing?"

After thinking for a long time, Nao Hayasaka could only conclude that Lucien was throwing the match.

[Young Master Lucien must be planning to lose the first two rounds, so he won't have to engage in an actual combat match.]

[That would allow him to exit gracefully.]

[As someone bearing the title of an old Maou, if he defeats the sister of a new Maou, it would create a chain of complications.]

...

Nao Hayasaka quietly observed from the sidelines.

But soon, she realized that the situation wasn't unfolding as she had expected.

Lucien remained composed and relaxed, whereas Sona furrowed her brows, even breaking into a cold sweat.

Young Master Lucien had the advantage?!

Nao knew that Lucien had been playing chess for years.

But she never expected him to be better than Sona!

She had assumed he was nothing more than a casual enthusiast.

...

Half an hour later—

Sona lifted her heavy hand and placed it on her "King."

Clack~

She tipped over her King, the piece knocking against the board with a soft sound.

"Lucien-kun, I concede. This match is yours."

"Thank you for the game."

Lucien smiled politely and turned to high-five Agumon.

[Ding!]

[Congratulations, Host! Sign-In Task Completed!]

[Sign-In Tier: Purple.]

[Sign-In Event: Do Not Underestimate the Poor Youth (First Match).]

[Reward Acquired: Copy Eye.]

[Copy Eye: A special eye that allows the user to instantly analyze and replicate any spell structure upon seeing it.]

[Though it is not an "Absolute Formula Solver" ability, it can mimic nearly all spell constructs with minimal limitations.]

...

A surge of warmth coursed through Lucien's eyes.

When he opened them again, the world before him had completely changed.

[Copy Eye? Interesting. I can directly "borrow" techniques now.]

[No, no. Borrowing isn't the right word.]

[This is called learning.]

[Yes, I am merely learning.]

[Let me "learn" exactly how many spells Sona has on her.]

Lucien's gaze swept over Sona's body.

Hmm, she really had quite a few spells on her.

Auto-clean and comfort spells, automatic defense barriers, mental attack resistances, personal spatial formations.

None of them were particularly powerful, but they were extremely comprehensive.

...

Soon, the second match began.

Sona looked at Lucien with a newfound seriousness.

After losing in chess due to underestimating him, she refused to make the same mistake again.

"Lucien-kun, I didn't expect you to be a strategist like me."

"I admit, I underestimated you before."

"For that, I apologize."

"This time... I will go all out!"

"Good. I look forward to seeing you at your best, Sona."

Lucien smiled and pulled out the Rating Game simulation pieces.

Rating Game Wargame SimulationWithin the underworld, Rating Game Wargames were the universally accepted measure of a King's command ability.

They held far greater prestige than mere chess matches.

Unlike chess, wargame simulations operated more like actual Rating Game battles.

Ancient versions of these simulations would involve logistics, siege equipment, and supply chains.

Modern versions, however, were simplified.

Each King commanded a simulated army, randomly selecting pieces from the Underworld's database.

Using these randomly assigned "Pawns," "Knights," and "Queens," the two sides would engage in a strategic battle.

...

"Oh my, I drew Akeno-senpai. What a coincidence."

Lucien placed his Queen piece on the board, and Akeno Himejima's projection materialized.

"My Queen is… a high-ranking Water Spirit."

Sona revealed her piece.

"A Lightning Priestess counters a Water Spirit, Sona. It looks like your luck isn't great."

"Hmph~ Let's continue. Nothing is certain until the match is over."

A single Queen wouldn't determine the entire game.

Both sides continued drawing pieces until their rosters were complete, and the match officially began.

Sona's unease proved valid.

If she couldn't even win at chess, then a strategy-dependent wargame simulation would be just as challenging.

And to make matters worse, her Queen was directly countered by Lucien's.

...

"I'm using Queen Akeno Himejima to eliminate your two Rooks."

The system processed the encounter—

Sona's two Rook pieces vanished from the board.

As Rating Game Wargames were directly connected to the Underworld's ranking database, they could instantly calculate battle outcomes.

Of course—

To Lucien, this version of Akeno was far weaker than the real one.

The actual Akeno wasn't just a "lightning" user; she also wielded "Holy Lightning," which was devastating against devils.

In actual High-Class Rating Games, Akeno had an enormous advantage whenever Queens clashed.

The administrators likely nerfed Akeno's abilities in this simulation for balance and privacy reasons.

There were plenty of these "balancing adjustments."

For example, Phoenix Pieces.

In wargame simulations, if an opponent's investment in eliminating a Phoenix piece exceeded a value of 18, the system would rule that they could be defeated.

However, in reality, two High-Class Queen pieces would never be able to take down a Phoenix descendant.

...

"I'll use my High-Rank Water Spirit's Ambush Water Zone to trap your Queen in the stadium sector."

Sona executed a risky maneuver.

She had sacrificed two of her Rooks just to set up an ambush against Lucien's Queen.

"Unfortunate, Sona. I have a piece that can manipulate the weather, forcing all conditions to shift to Sunny Day."

Lucien chuckled.

In the stadium sector, a Torkoal with the Drought ability materialized!

...

With the battlefield's weather altered, Sona's plan collapsed.

Minutes later—

Lucien maneuvered his King and Queen forward for a final strike.

Unlike chess, in Rating Game Wargames, every piece could move every round.

The King had to decide all movements before the turn began.

Once locked in, the system would calculate the battle results automatically.

"I'm moving my King. Together with my Queen, Akeno Himejima, we'll launch an attack on your King."

"Checkmate."

[Game Over!][You Win!]

As Sona's King piece vanished from the board, the Rating Game simulation ended. A glowing Victory notification appeared in front of Lucien.

[Ding!][Congratulations, Host! Sign-In Task Completed!]

[Sign-In Tier: Purple.][Sign-In Event: Do Not Underestimate the Poor Youth (Second Match).]

[Reward Acquired: Appraisal Eye.]

[Appraisal Eye: An ability that allows the user to analyze various attributes of a target—essential for those following the path of knowledge and strategy.]

"Appraisal Eye? This feels like some kind of isekai starter skill..."

In many Japanese isekai novels, appraisal skills were a fundamental and highly favored ability.

...

Just as Lucien was considering whether to test it out on Sona, she suddenly stood up, her rose-colored eyes burning with frustration.

"No, I haven't lost yet."

"Huh?"

Lucien raised an eyebrow. Was she trying to argue?

"If it were you personally, with a wounded Akeno Himejima by your side, you absolutely wouldn't have defeated me!"

Sona's voice carried unwavering conviction.

"Sona, are you suggesting... we should integrate real-world conditions into the game?"

"But if we're applying real-world logic, then neither of us would be fighting on an even playing field in the first place."

"....."

Sona didn't respond. She simply lowered her head slightly.

She knew this.

If she accepted the Rating Game simulation's rules, then she also had to accept that both of them were placed on equal footing.

But… understanding it didn't mean she could accept it.

The reason was simple.

Lucien was a devil of mixed blood, a noble in name only, with no promising future.

So what if he had superior strategy? If he lacked power, he was unfit to chase after great ambitions!

She knew this lesson firsthand.

...

Lucien let out a small chuckle.

Honestly, he understood Sona's mindset.

It must be difficult for someone as proud as her—the dignified princess of the Underworld, the direct successor of the Sitri family, and the younger sister of a Maou—to accept losing to someone she considered beneath her.

If only she had known that he possessed Boosted Gear, perhaps she would have been more willing to acknowledge him as her fiancé.

Having already received his reward, Lucien saw no need to push the victory further.

Besides, there was still one more task that required Sona's personal cooperation.

So after a moment of thought, he said:

"Sona, I can understand how you feel."

"Losing here means you'd have to honor our agreement."

"How about this? If you agree to one condition, I'll call this match a draw and we'll proceed to the third round. What do you think?"

Sona, desperate for any opportunity, immediately latched onto his offer.

"Fine! What's the condition?"

Lucien smirked. "It's simple—kiss me."

Sona: What?

Tsubaki: Excuse me?

Nao Hayasaka: What the hell?!

Agumon: Not bad, Lucien.

...

Silence filled the room.

Sona's lips parted slightly, her expression one of sheer disbelief.

She stared at Lucien for a long moment, and as she continued gazing, a faint blush crept across her fair cheeks. Her rose-colored eyes grew soft, laced with an emotion that seemed foreign to her usual demeanor.

[This look… it's familiar. Rias and Raynare both looked at me the same way.]

[Could it be… my succubus bloodline is acting up again?]

Just as Lucien pondered this, Sona made her decision.

"Fine."

To everyone's shock, she agreed without hesitation.

Under the wide-eyed stares of those present, Sona stepped forward and wrapped her arms around Lucien's neck.

Her soft, fragrant scent filled his senses.

Sona smelled different from Yuma Amano.

But it was a scent he liked nonetheless.

[Ding!][Congratulations, Host! Sign-In Task Completed!]

[Sign-In Tier: Silver.][Sign-In Location: Sona's Kiss (Note: Must be Initiated by Sona).]

[Reward Acquired: High-Dimensional Succubus Bloodline Awakening.]

[High-Dimensional Succubus Bloodline Awakening: Restores previously suppressed bloodline traits, allowing for full activation of succubus lineage.]

[As a high-dimensional succubus, the user's charm is no longer limited to living beings—even inanimate objects can be influenced.]

[Any person who holds attraction or admiration toward any aspect of the user will inevitably develop romantic feelings for them.]

READ 30 CHAPTERS AHEAD AT p @ treon. com/KyokaSuigetsu

(replace @ with a)