The World Is Mine For The Taking

I came back to Leonamon, and the first thing I noticed was that Elise was still here.

She told me earlier that she wanted to hang around for a little while before heading back to the underworld, and honestly, I didn't have the heart to refuse her. I told her she could stay, and she was actually enjoying herself here more than I expected.

I wasn't going to complain, though. If it meant I could get my hands on that ass one more night, I'd be willing to do just about anything.

"Leon! You're back!" Elise shouted the moment she caught sight of me.

Her eyes lit up, and in an instant, she rushed forward, throwing herself into my arms. It had only been a week since I'd returned to the academy, but for her, it seemed like a year had passed. She hugged me so tightly it was as if she was terrified I'd disappear again.

"Are you enjoying yourself here?" I asked with a small smile, though my ribs were already starting to feel the pressure.

"Everything feels wonderful when you're with the one you love," she said softly, her voice warm, her arms squeezing around me even tighter as if she never wanted to let go.

At that rate, I was genuinely worried my back wouldn't survive. It felt like my spine was about to be crushed into powder, so after a while I gently asked her to ease up before she broke me for real.

"Oh, right," I said, remembering what I'd come for. "I forgot to tell you something. I came here to get Estelle."

"Really?!"

Her eyes widened so much it looked like they were about to pop out of her skull. Her whole face lit up, like she had just heard the best news in ages.

"Where is she?! Where?!"

"She's right behind me," I told her, stepping aside slightly.

"Hello."

Estelle walked forward, her usual cheeky smile plastered on her face, almost like she had been waiting for this exact moment.

Elise froze for a second, then immediately smiled.

This was the very first time Elise had ever laid eyes on Estelle.

Estelle was the youngest of the fragments—Lilith's fragments. Pieces she created to serve as her backup, a way for her to eventually revive herself. There were five fragments in total and those were Elise, Estelle, Veronica, Leonora, and me.

Five parts of one whole—and I was the one capable of gathering them back together.

The resurrection of Lilith, of course, was a terrible idea. No one knew exactly what would happen if she came back, but I was certain of one thing and that I was her main vessel. The moment all the requirements for her revival were complete, I'd be erased, and she'd take my body as her own.

And now that I'd already found all the fragments, the possibility of her revival was higher than ever.

But it wasn't like it would happen instantly. There were specific conditions that needed to be fulfilled, a ritual or a process—and as long as I avoided completing those, I was safe. That was the only reason I wasn't panicking yet. As long as I didn't get too close to Estelle, as long as I didn't "conquer" her with my ability, then I could still breathe easy for now.

The instant Elise laid eyes on Estelle, she broke into a run and practically tackled her into a hug.

Her arms wrapped around Estelle so tightly it was like she had found someone she thought she'd lost forever.

And honestly… that's probably exactly how it felt.

"I missed you so much," Elise whispered, her voice trembling slightly.

Estelle didn't answer right away. Instead, she glanced at me for a moment, her expression unreadable, then slowly wrapped her arms around Elise and hugged her back. It was awkward, like she didn't really know what to do in this situation, but at least she tried.

I guess that's the reality for us now.

Two fragments of Lilith, standing together here in front of me.

It was strangely heartwarming to watch.

Was my reunion with Elise anything like this?

No… not at all.

Back then, I immediately tried to drag her into bed the first chance I got.

It seemed Elise's return to the underworld was going to be postponed for a while longer.

***

Later, as I sat reviewing the reports of the company's current state of affairs, I found myself being "assisted" by three maids attending to me.

They weren't just any maids. These were the demon servants Mammon had told me to bring along. And now, they were here, faithfully serving me.

Their presence felt almost too fitting—like they weren't simply attendants but personal maids crafted for me. And maybe, in a way, they were.

Counting them, I realized I had six maids now.

There was Amon, and then the three demon servants who were Camarath, Ruth, and Cersei.

The three of them carried themselves with an almost frightening loyalty, doing everything they could as if desperate to please me.

Mammon hadn't been lying when he said they wanted to serve someone truly capable.

And then there were the other two. Anne, an artificial intelligence built solely for service, and Maya.

I didn't know why, but having all of them under me like this felt good.

It was like I had built myself a harem of maids. And honestly, saying it like that wasn't too far off from the truth. Though admitting it to myself really hammered the point home.

"Camarath, Ruth, Cersei," I called out to them.

Immediately, the three turned toward me, moving in perfect sync, and bowed their heads deeply.

"Yes, Master," they said together.

The way they bowed—flawless, simultaneous, almost mechanical in its precision—already told me enough. They were going to be damn good maids.

"Can I ask you to help Amon with the tasks of running the company?" I said. "Not in the sense of putting you at the front, but in helping to get the work done more efficiently. Would that be alright with you?"

"As Master commands," they answered without hesitation.

Yeah… they were loyal to the core. Loyal enough to throw themselves into even something as mundane as company expansion without batting an eye.

And for some reason, that loyalty stirred something inside me.

I couldn't help but look forward to what was coming next.