Max stepped through the massive doors of Beelzebub's mansion, the warm glow of golden lights spilling across polished floors and towering walls filled with decorations from countless parties.
Bee was already waiting for him.
She stood near the center of the room, tail swaying lazily, a playful grin on her face.
"Hello, my knight in shining armor," Bee said, circling around him slowly, her eyes scanning him from head to toe.
Max raised an eyebrow, trying to play it off.
"I have no clue what you mean."
Bee snorted.
"Please."
She waved her hand dismissively.
"I'm the Queen of Gluttony. I remember everything when I drink—unless I fully pass out."
She leaned in slightly, smirking.
"And even then, I remember everything before that."
She shrugged.
"You get used to it after a few hundred years of nonstop drinking."
Max paused.
…Damn.
That means she lied to me before just to get extra cuddle time.
He held back a sigh.
Honestly… not even mad.
Bee suddenly leaned closer and sniffed the air around him.
Her expression shifted slightly.
"…Why do you smell like Pride?"
Max didn't answer immediately.
"That's not supposed to be possible," she continued, narrowing her eyes. "Sinners don't just switch rings on their own."
She sniffed again.
"And… a Hellhound."
Another sniff.
"And another girl."
She leaned back, grinning widely.
"Ohhh, you're trying to start a harem, aren't you?"
She said it like an excited kid hopped up on sugar.
Max scratched the back of his neck.
"…I'm just gonna be honest with you."
He met her gaze directly.
"I am."
He held up a finger.
"Hellhound named Loona."
Another finger.
"Imp named Millie."
Another.
"And a sinner named Poppi."
Bee's grin widened.
"And how exactly did you get here?" she asked.
Max shrugged.
"Honestly? I don't know."
He gave a small, helpless smile.
"I just woke up here."
He wasn't lying.
Not technically.
He just wasn't saying everything.
Max kept his posture relaxed, but internally he was careful.
There was supposed to be a specific event in a day or two that would help him win Bee over naturally.
This… wasn't part of that timeline.
Which meant something had changed.
Bee tapped her chin thoughtfully.
"Hey… about everything I said earlier."
Her tone shifted slightly—more serious, but still playful.
"Can you just… forget it?"
She rolled her shoulders.
"I was more vulnerable than usual."
A faint flare of her power pulsed outward, subtle but noticeable.
"Either that… or we can do this the hard way."
Max didn't even hesitate.
"Sure," he said calmly.
"I'm not going to do anything to get on your bad side."
He smiled slightly.
"Only an idiot would."
Bee stared at him for a second—
Then burst into a grin.
"Good answer."
She walked closer and nudged him lightly with her shoulder.
"How about this?"
She tilted her head.
"I'll date you for a couple days as payment."
Max blinked.
"…That was fast."
Bee laughed.
"I've got a party tomorrow night."
Her eyes sparkled with excitement.
"Show up, and we can have some real fun."
Max hesitated for just a fraction of a second.
That's not right.
There wasn't supposed to be a party this soon.
But he didn't show it.
"Cool," Max said. "I'll be there."
Bee waved him off casually.
"Great! See you then."
Max gave a small bow out of habit—
Then teleported away.
The moment he reappeared in the streets of Gluttony, his expression shifted.
"…Something's not right."
He started walking, hands in his pockets.
"Raphael," he said quietly. "Analyze the harem ability."
There was a pause.
Then the familiar voice echoed in his mind.
Raphael:
"Ability identified: Lord of Love."
Max listened carefully.
Raphael:
"This ability subtly alters probability and reality to favor the user in romantic outcomes."
Max frowned slightly.
"That's already more than I expected."
Raphael:
"Targets of affection experience minor personality adjustments, allowing acceptance of a shared relationship structure while preventing disloyalty."
Max stopped walking.
"…That's… bigger than I thought."
Raphael:
"The effect scales based on emotional connection. The stronger the mutual affection, the stronger the influence."
Max exhaled slowly.
"And it still feels real?"
Raphael:
"All emotions generated through this ability are genuine and perceived as natural."
Max rubbed his temples.
"…Great."
Raphael:
"Additional function: The ability triggers unique events to facilitate relationship progression."
Max's eyes narrowed.
"…Like unexpected parties?"
Raphael:
"Correct."
Raphael:
"This ability cannot be deactivated or modified."
Max let out a slow breath.
"Of course it can't."
Raphael:
"Additional feature: Allows the creation of binding harem contracts."
Silence.
Then—
"…That is way more than I signed up for."
Max started walking again.
"I thought it would just make people fall for me a bit easier."
He shook his head.
"Not rewrite probability itself."
He paused for a moment, thinking.
"…I wonder if Poppi is affected by it."
He shrugged.
"I'll ask her next time I see her."
Then his thoughts shifted.
"…Alright."
He looked down the street, eyes narrowing slightly.
"Now…"
A faint smirk appeared on his face.
"Let's go find Verosika."