The Villainess's Reputation [Kingdom Building]

"I… I greet the great goddess," Nolan stammered, forcing the words out through clenched teeth, his voice trembling as he struggled to resist the overwhelming hypnosis of Herptian's divine presence.

Herptian turned toward him with a smirk, her golden hair catching the divine light like silk in the wind. She chuckled softly, her voice dripping with amusement. "Trying to flatter me now, little prince? How noble," she said, her tone patronizing. "But it won't change a thing."

She rose from her seat in one fluid, graceful motion, her robe again slipping slightly, not that she cared. Her nakedness seemed almost ceremonial now, a deliberate statement of power over lust. Her footsteps echoed faintly as she approached the side of the chamber.

"Since I can't… indulge," she sighed dramatically, "and you're of Solious's bloodline, I suppose I'll just keep you in the torture chambers until your fireball goddess sends word."

The words were spoken so casually it chilled Nolan more than if she'd screamed it in rage.

She clapped once.

A shimmer of starlight appeared near the entrance, and from it emerged a woman clad in a sheer silk robe that left little to the imagination. Every step she took was silent, graceful, and heavy with a buried storm. The translucent fabric shimmered with the same divine glow that clung to the air in this realm, but it did nothing to hide her lithe, sculpted figure.

Nolan's breath caught. He blinked rapidly, trying to convince himself it was a mistake.

"S–Sofia?" he whispered, his voice barely audible.

The woman didn't answer immediately. Her eyes, that were once soft, once warm, now stared at him like two dull blades. "Hello… 'Your Highness' " she said, her tone dry, venomous. "Looks like you died."

There was no compassion in her words. Only cold fury. Even someone who had never met her could feel it, a deep, burning rage hidden behind every syllable. It wasn't loud. It didn't need to be. It simply existed, quiet, simmering, patient.

Herptian chuckled beside them. "Well, well," she cooed, "it appears my most loyal apostle interpreted my divine laws with a bit of… creativity." She turned toward Sofia, eyes twinkling with mischief. "And I found it rather 'inspiring', honestly."

She stepped closer, trailing her fingers along Sofia's arm. "What was it that Ravenna said during that public execution ceremony? Ah yes; 'Herptian does not demand purity or penance. But she will not tolerate thieves… who steal another's first taste of pleasure.' That was it, wasn't it?"

Sofia nodded, lips twitching into a knowing smile.

"And yet," Herptian continued, eyes flashing toward Nolan, "this little prince did exactly that."

Herptian's hands began to wander. She pulled Sofia close, kissing her with a ferocity that made Nolan's eyes widen. Their lips met, tangled, and for a moment, the goddess's hands roamed freely, Sofia not resisting, moving along with her touch worshiping her goddess as if in ritual.

Then Herptian pulled away, a smug grin on her lips. She licked the edge of her finger as if savoring the aftertaste.

"Torture his soul as you please," she said sweetly, patting Sofia's bare back as she turned away. "When Solious comes crawling to reclaim her dear boy, I'll deal with her then."

Sofia's eyes gleamed with purpose, too bright to be mortal, too violent to be serene. She took a step forward.

And just as her shadow stretched toward Nolan— A voice echoed through the chamber.

"That won't be necessary."

The words were deep. Calm. But undeniable. They rippled through the air like thunder muffled in velvet.

Herptian, halfway to the grand doors, paused. She turned. Then her face lit up with unmistakable joy.

"Gilnto!" she gasped, practically bouncing on her toes. With a delighted squeal, she leapt forward, completely unclothed now and threw herself into his arms.

The god she embraced stood tall and broad, his form radiant with celestial power. His presence was massive, not in size, but in weight. Like gravity bent around him. His long hair shimmered like woven constellations, each strand swirling with the color of collapsing stars. His skin glowed faintly, and when he smiled, it was like galaxies stirring in the void.

Gilnto, the God of War and Time was not often seen outside Kairos Colosseum. But when he arrived, the heavens took notice.

"It's been ages since you visited Celestia Castle!" Herptian beamed, clinging to him like a mischievous lover. Her hands were already roaming, her voice purring with sultry delight. "Come~ let's have some fun while you're here. There's so much to catch up on!"

Gilnto gave a slight chuckle looking at his sister's enthusiasm, brushing some of her golden strands behind her ear, but his eyes were focused elsewhere.

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On Nolan.

The prince, recognizing the divine aura immediately, dropped to one knee and bowed deeply, forehead touching the silken bedding. He dared not speak. He didn't know if Gilnto was here to save him or not, but disrespecting a god, especially this one, would only seal his fate.

And perhaps… just perhaps… he'd been granted a sliver of hope.

"Sure, sure," Gilnto said, waving lazily at Nolan, though his eyes were already shifting back toward the radiant goddess before him. "But first things first… I have business to discuss with you."

Even the God of War was not immune to the intoxicating allure of Herptian. His voice remained calm, but the subtle tension in his jaw betrayed the effort it took to resist her charm. She had always been temptation incarnate.

Herptian, still naked and utterly unbothered, slid up beside him and kissed the side of his neck. Her lips lingered for just a moment before she pulled away with a mischievous smile.

"Hmm~ Is it about this little prince?" she asked, eyes glinting with amusement as she gestured lazily toward the bed where Nolan remained kneeling, still and silent.

"Seems to be," Gilnto said with a casual smile.

With a delighted clap of her hands, Herptian summoned her servants: figures draped in scandalously sheer garments that danced more than covered. They glided into the chamber silently, arranging a small, intricately-carved table and two plush chairs beneath a floating, glimmering chandelier.

Herptian sauntered over and seated herself with leisurely elegance, stretching her limbs like a lounging feline. Sofia followed closely behind, trying her best to get the goddess to wear 'something'. With a resigned sigh, Sofia draped a translucent robe over Herptian's form: barely a whisper of fabric, more decorative than decent.

Once somewhat 'clothed,' Herptian turned her attention back to Gilnto with a smirk. "So… have you become Solious's lapdog now? Is that why you're here; to return her lineage's child like a good little errand boy?"

Gilnto chuckled, removing a cosmic-forged bracelet from his wrist and placing it on the table between them. "Do you really think I'd stoop to that?" he said, amused. "No. I'm not here for her. I'm here as a mediator, between you and her. Since, well… the two of you aren't exactly on speaking terms."

Herptian burst into laughter. "You? The god of war? A mediator? Last I checked, your hobbies included starting wars, not solving them."

He leaned back in his seat, arms folding behind his head. "True enough. But people don't just pray to me for blood and conquest anymore. They pray for peace, to avoid war, not wage it."

Herptian hummed, crossing her legs. "So what's there to discuss? I have no claim over Solious's bloodline. I can't touch her descendants. It's her silly rule she begged father for. So I'll just toss this one back to her and call it a day."

Gilnto shook his head slightly, eyes drifting toward Nolan. "That's the thing... this isn't a mistake."

Herptian's brows furrowed. "What?"

Gilnto tapped the table lightly. "It wasn't an accident, Herptian. Solious came to me, personally, asking for a favor. She wanted me to arrange a deal."

Herptian blinked, eyes sharpening. "Solious… approached you? Asking for help?" Her grin returned. "She must be desperate. That alone makes my week."

Gilnto sighed, as if already exhausted by the politics. "Ever since the otherworlder took over your apostle, Ravenna. nothing's gone according to her plan."

He leaned forward, fingers laced together. "Solious's apostle, Eugene, the one who retains memories from the previous timeline: has been working tirelessly to stop Father's revival. But he's been falling short. Every step of the way."

"Because," Herptian interrupted with a smirk, "he's no longer the only one with future knowledge, is he?"

She laughed softly, eyes gleaming. "Ravenna's presence must be driving Solious insane. She's always hated free-willed wildcards."

Gilnto nodded. "Exactly. And Ravenna's actions have created… unexpected ripples. Enough that Solious finally accepted she couldn't control the board anymore."

He smiled faintly. "So she tried to bargain."

Herptian leaned in, intrigued. "And what, exactly, did she offer me this time? Another hollow promise? A few glittering souls from your Colosseum of champions? A dozen shirtless pretty boys dancing in chains?"

"She offered beautiful souls, yes," Gilnto said, "but more importantly, she asked you to summon her apostle into this realm. She wanted to speak with him here, beyond time, beyond mortal interference."

Herptian scoffed. "As if. After she tampered with the timeline? After she cheated by giving her apostle foresight, and now wants a reset because my Ravenna is ruining her perfect little scheme?"

Her voice turned mocking. "Let me guess. She called it balance?"

Gilnto shrugged. "Pretty much."

Herptian waved a hand dismissively. "Even if I wanted to entertain the idea, those Colosseum souls are no real offering. I'm a goddess, not a collector of desperate warriors."

"That's what I told her," Gilnto said, smiling. "So I suggested alternatives. A more intimate offering. I suggested she either…" he paused, amused, "…sleep with you, or…"

Herptian barked a sharp laugh. "Let me guess, she refused. As always. That lying, self-righteous hypocrite. She doesn't even know how to keep her oaths."

Gilnto nodded. "So instead, she agreed to the second option, give you the soul of one of her descendants. Someone she could spare."

Herptian raised an eyebrow, a smile twitching. "And she chose… him?"

From the bed, Nolan stiffened. "What?!"

With a snap of her fingers, Herptian silenced him. His body went limp, falling into a deep, enchanted sleep. His chest rose and fell slowly, unaware of the divine deal being made over his fate.

"She didn't agree easily," Gilnto continued, casting a glance at the unconscious prince. "She fought the thought. Hard. Just like she did when we debated Ravenna's soul. But eventually, she relented."

"Let me guess," Herptian smirked. "She decided Nolan was the least useful."

"Correct," Gilnto confirmed. "She is framing this as divine punishment. For defiling a young maiden like Sofia in life."

Herptian turned her head and looked at Nolan. And then she burst into laughter.

"Wait… wait… You're telling me Solious, goddess of justice and order, 'sacrificed' one of her own bloodline just to clean up a mess and make a bargain? That's rich!"

Her laughter echoed through the golden marble halls. Gilnto waited patiently until she calmed, sipping from the drink one of the servants had brought, retelling her everything.

After fifteen minutes

"So You had her send an oracle to High Priest Caldus," Herptian continued between chuckles, "as a setup to help Nolan fight and die: as god of war, you knew full well that the paladins were infiltrated by worshippers of Father."

"Of course," Gilnto admitted. "She followed my plan to the letter. And Nolan's death… was inevitable."

"Unbelievable," Herptian said, wiping a tear of laughter from her eye. "Trading her own descendants like cheap cattle… And people call me the villain."

Her voice dropped into a purr. "So… I take it you're here to ask if I accept?"

Gilnto leaned back in his chair, arms folding once more. "Well," he said, "do you?"