The corrupted moon cast a blood-red glow across the crumbled spires of Nachtveil Keep. Thunder rumbled above. The rain never came.
Lucius—once Ryouma Kazuki—stood still as Lilith Astrema circled him slowly, her armored heels clinking against the stone.
"So," she murmured, crimson eyes scanning him like a predator, "you really don't remember me?"
He didn't reply.
Not because he couldn't.
Because he did.
In his past life, she was the first heroine he ever maxed out in Crimson Thrones. The Holy Maiden turned fallen angel. Her betrayal cut the deepest—confessing her love, then stabbing Lucius in the heart before handing him over to the heroes.
And now… she was looking at him like a starving wolf.
"You've changed," she said finally. "The old Lucius begged. Cried. Loved."
She stopped in front of him, inches away. "You… feel like sin incarnate."
He tilted his head.
"I am what the world made me."
> [You have unlocked: Charisma of the Cursed – LVL 1]
[Effect: Seduction chance increases with each cruel truth spoken.]
Lilith blinked. Her cheeks flushed. She bit her lip.
"...Interesting."
---
She wasn't alone anymore.
Another figure emerged from the hallway behind her.
A girl with soft brown hair tied in twin braids, wearing a cracked priestess robe that clung to her like it was made of paper. Her golden eyes were wide with panic.
"L-Lady Lilith! We shouldn't be here! If the other Chosen find out you're consorting with the Demonblood Tyrant—"
"Shut up, Claire," Lilith said sweetly. "Or I'll break your legs again."
Claire flinched.
Lucius's eyes narrowed.
She was new.
Not part of the original game.
But her aura… it shimmered. Holy magic. Suppressed. Chained.
> [Hidden Quest Unlocked: Break the Chains of the Fake Saintess]
[Reward: Divine Affection + Holy Relic: Eden's Tear]
He turned toward Claire.
"You want to leave?" he asked.
She blinked. Nodded slowly.
"Then kneel," he said, "and I'll free you from her."
Lilith raised an eyebrow. "Oh? You think you can take me now?"
Lucius didn't answer. He raised his hand.
A dark circle etched itself into the air—red lightning flashing within.
Lilith stepped back. "Wait… is that—?!"
> [Skill Activated: Domain – Crimson Grave]
[Cooldown: 24 hours]
[Effect: For 10 seconds, all who enter shall taste despair.]
The throne room exploded in black and red light.
---
When the storm faded, Claire was on the ground, gasping for breath.
Lilith was kneeling. Her armor was cracked. Her wings were twitching.
Lucius stood in the center, cloak burning away, revealing glowing runes across his chest.
> [You have gained 1 Affection Point: Lilith (Conflicted Lust +2, Terror -1)]
[You have gained 3 Affection Points: Claire (Gratitude +3)]
"W-what… what are you?" Lilith whispered, shaking.
He walked up to her, leaned down, and said:
"I'm not your Lucius."
Then he turned to Claire.
"Come."
She crawled toward him—then hesitated.
"Are you… going to hurt me too?"
Lucius looked down at her, his eyes glowing faintly.
"No," he said softly. "But stay near me long enough… and the world will."