The Gremory's moved through the ancestral halls, past murals of battles won and empires raised. The weight of legacy hung onto them like invisible chains.
They entered the vast obsidian chamber known as the Hall of Inheritance. Its star steel dome mirrored the constellations of the Underworld, glowing with soft, ethereal light. In its center hovered two sets of Evil Pieces, one radiant scarlet, the other a deep violet-black, edged in silver, floating before Maou Ajuka Beelzebub.
Rias stepped forward first.
Ajuka's voice rang clear and solemn. "Rias Gremory. Do you accept the burden of command?"
Rias' voice was steady. "I do."
The scarlet pieces swirled around her like living flames, sinking into her body one by one. Runes glowed faintly across her skin before fading into her soul. A warm pulse of power washed over the room, carrying the scent of roses and crackling embers.
Lucien clapped as Rias awakened two Mutation Pieces, a Bishop and a Knight.
Then it was Lucien's turn. He took steady steps.
Ajuka's gaze showed genuine interest as he looked at the hybrid heir. "Lucien Lucifuge-Gremory. Do you accept the mantle of a King?"
Lucien inhaled deeply, feeling the eyes of his family upon him, Sirzechs, Grayfia, Rias, and the others watching with a mixture of pride and expectation. The air tasted of ancient magic and polished stone.
"I do."
The violet-black pieces rose, encircling him. They pulsed with ancient power, merging into his body with waves of stardust and shadow. A deep thrum of magic rolled outward, shaking the very air of the chamber.
The moment the piece entered his body, Lucien felt something click.
Like a lock turning.
Like a door opening somewhere deep within his soul.
Magic surged through pathways he'd never known existed.
His heartbeat thundered.
The shadows beneath his feet stretched.
Listening.
Waiting.
Even Sirzechs raised an eyebrow. "Impressive, my boy."
Rias smirked. "Showoff."
Lucien grinned. "Can't help it. Comes naturally."
Venelana laid her hands on their shoulders. "The strength of a King isn't in their pieces… but in the hearts that choose to follow them. So remember it's not about choosing the strongest. It's about finding those who are loyal. About winning hearts."
Sirzechs clapped. "Someone get the aged wine. We've got two new Kings to toast!"
⸻
As laughter rose again and glasses clinked, Kuroka slipped beside Lucien.
"Congratulations, Master~. Now… when do I get my piece?"
Lucien chuckled. "Soon, kitten. Soon."
And for one fleeting night, before fate's wheel turned again, Lucien allowed himself to feel something precious.
Belonging.
Lucien, Kuroka, Rias, Akeno, and Koneko made their way to the entertainment hall. For years, Rias and Lucien had used this room as their personal clubhouse. The space was lined with shelves overflowing with manga, full seasons of anime DVDs, and multiple gaming systems. The faint scent of old paper, polished wood, and lingering popcorn from past marathons filled the air.
Koneko took a seat on the couch and turned on the game console, her small frame sinking into the cushions as soft electronic music began to play. Meanwhile, Kuroka and Akeno headed off to the all-natural hot spring to relax, their laughter echoing faintly through the halls.
Lucien and Rias sat at the old wooden table where they had played countless games of chess throughout their childhood. The pieces felt familiar under his fingers, cool and smooth.
Rias turned to him, her deep sapphire gaze unwavering. "Big brother has arranged for me to travel with one of his peerage members to meet Yumi first, then we'll track down Gasper. If they accept, I'll have four members."
"You sure about this?" Lucien leaned back in the chair, arms folded. The pale moonlight caught the edge of his silver hair tips.
She tossed him a knowing smile. "You should start gathering more members for yourself, Lu Lu."
Lucien smirked. "You just want to make it into a competition as you always do."
"I want you to be ready," she replied softly. "This world doesn't wait for anyone. Not even us."
They could hear Kuroka and Akeno laughing from the all-natural hot spring. They didn't know if they should be worried.
"Try not to wreck the house while I'm gone," she teased.
Lucien rolled his eyes, "No promises."
Rias patted his hand as she turned to leave the table and join Kuroka and Akeno in the hot spring.
Lucien turned and exhaled, the silence settling around him like velvet.
On his way back to his room, Lucien heard the voice.
["You who know the fate of many… shall be born among them. Rise, child of Crimson."]
He froze.
That voice. The same one from before his reincarnation, distant, ageless, resonating not through his ears but through the marrow of his soul. It was older than gods, dragons, or devils… woven from something ancient and absolute.
Before he could respond, everything went black.
He opened his eyes to an impossible throne room bathed in divine and infernal light. Towering gothic columns rose into shadows, and a massive stained-glass window poured ethereal blue light onto a golden throne.
Seated upon it was a woman of overwhelming presence, with black horns curving elegantly from her head, long raven hair cascading like a waterfall of night. She wore a form-fitting black gown that accentuated every curve, a golden belt at her waist, and a choker with a glowing red gem. Her posture radiated absolute confidence and quiet authority as she gazed down at him.
The longer Lucien looked at her, the less certain he became.
Her horns changed shape.
Her wings disappeared.
Returned.
Multiplied.
For a moment, she looked like a devil.
Then a dragon.
Then something far older.
Something his mind couldn't properly process.
Her voice was soft as silk, yet carried the weight of stars. "Grow strong, my child of Crimson."
A second voice followed.
Cold.
Mechanical.
Ancient.
[System Activation.]
Lucien stared.
Then stared harder.
Then looked behind himself.
Then he checked beneath the throne.
"Hold on."
He pointed at himself.
"Me?"
[Correct.]
"No."
[Incorrect.]
Lucien's jaw dropped.
His heart started hammering against his ribs.
A system.
An actual system.
Not a Sacred Gear.
Not a Longinus.
Not some weird bloodline ability.
A SYSTEM.
Every late-night forum debate.
Every "what power would you choose?" conversation.
Every manga.
Every light novel.
Every webnovel.
Every ridiculous fantasy he'd ever entertained.
All of them suddenly felt real.
He covered his face.
"Oh, my God."
The realization hit him all at once.
He wasn't dreaming.
He wasn't hallucinating.
This was happening.
He slowly looked upward toward the unseen heavens.
A grin spread across his face.
"I won."
[System Activation Progress: 10%...]
[20%...]
[50%...]
[75%...]
Silver runes
A rush of light flooded his vision. Arcane silver runes unfurled across his sightline, forming a floating interface of shifting glyphs and pulsing symbols.
[Welcome, Lucien Lucifuge-Gremory.]
The System exists to:
– Make you stronger than the Four Maou.
– Summon peerage members across dimensions.
– Aid in rebuilding the fallen noble house of Lucifuge.
Lucien blinked. "Summon… like, actually summon characters?"
[Correct. From any anime, manga, light novel, or comic. You will retain full dominion over your summons.]
Pause.
[You now legally own the series they originate from, including likeness rights, royalties, and copyrights. The publishing companies are now subsidiaries of your house.]
He choked. "Wait, are you telling me I legally own entire franchises?"
[Correct. The entities summoned will look and act like their canon selves. Only you and they will know the truth. Everyone else will believe the fabricated backstories provided.]
Lucien ran a hand through his hair, chuckling. "Rias is definitely gonna ask why my peerage members look like characters from manga we read…"
He grinned. "I'll just say I bought the series; it's technically not a lie."
[Lucifuge Clan Magic Proficiency Increased.]
Future growth accelerated. Control over shadows now rivals elite users of shadow-based abilities from other universes.
Your current shadow control exceeds that of the Nara Clan's shadow possession techniques.
[Potential Detected]
[Compatibility exceeds expected parameters.]
[Shadow Authority synchronization increasing.]
[Future growth unknown.]
Lucien's breath caught. "…Damn."
A breeze stirred the curtains behind him, though the windows were closed. Shadows coiled along the edges of the room, watching, waiting. Lucien didn't command them. They responded to him, like loyal hounds to a king returning home.
A dark pulse of energy wrapped around his hand, flexible, alive, obeying his intent with perfect synchronicity. His control was no longer brute force; it was art.
[Gift Package Available. Open?]
"Hit me."
[Opening…]
– Dimensional Core Ring (Enables creation of a private sub-dimension)
– Noble Attire (Self-repairing, adapts to user's magic signature)
– 500 million demonic credits
– 1 Rare Summoning Token
Lucien exhaled as the familiar glow filled his palm. Then another notification flashed:
[You have 3 Mutation Pieces available: 1 Knight, 1 Rook, 1 Bishop.]
He opened the sleek black case. The three pieces shimmered, alive with potential.
Lucien hovered his hand over the Bishop.
When there was a knock on his door.
He opened the door to see a worried Kuroka.
"You alive, Master~?" Kuroka purred, leaning close, her voice rich with teasing concern. "You scared your kitten, nya."
"Kuroka, what's the matter? I was just about to call for you?"
Kuroka pouted. "I heard that you passed out on your way back to your room.
Lucien wiped the tears forming in her eyes. "I promise I'm fine. Are you ready for the peerage ceremony?"
Kuroka's gentle nod carried more meaning than words, and it brought a genuine smile to Lucien's face.
[Confirm Bishop designation for: Kuroka?]
"Confirm."
⸻
⸻The Bishop Ceremony⸻
A glowing crimson seal etched itself into the air before him, pulsing like a heartbeat. The Bishop piece lifted into the air and shattered into black stardust, merging with a new summoning circle on the floor, intricate, infernal, and alive with both Destruction and Shadow.
Kuroka walked into the circle with feline grace, her amber eyes fixed on Lucien, her tail swaying.
"You ready, nyaa~?"
"Let's do it."
As the circle flared, darkness twisted around her feet, tendrils of magic latching onto her essence. She shuddered, then gasped as her aura bloomed violet-black, lightning crackling through her hair. A set of ornate runes etched themselves along her arms and tail, binding her soul to his.
[Bishop Promotion Complete]
Kuroka staggered, then looked down at her hands. "Nyaa… I feel stronger. Cleaner."
Lucien stepped forward, steadying her. "You're safe now. You're home."
For a second, she couldn't speak.
The word hit harder than any attack.
Home.
Not a hideout.
Not a temporary shelter.
Not another place to run from.
Home.
Her eyes burned unexpectedly.
And for once, Kuroka didn't hide it behind a joke.
He smiled softly. "You're family. That's all that matters."
Lucien nodded, smiling faintly. "Welcome to the family."
Kuroka buried her face against his chest as warm tears soaked into his shirt.
He looked down at the box holding his remaining pieces and wondered who he would summon first.
Lucien groaned. "I feel like I got hit by a mountain."
Before he could answer, the system chimed again.
[New Missions Unlocked:]
Summon or recruit — Two peerage members. Territorial Establishment — Claim a region of the Underworld as your domain.
Lucien stared at the glowing screen.
Just the night before, he had become a King.
A few minutes ago, he had gained his first peerage member.
And now...
An entire future stretched before him.
All the plans.
All the dangers.
All the possibilities.
For the first time since his reincarnation, the path ahead no longer felt uncertain.
It felt endless.
Slowly, a grin spread across his face.
"Yeah..."
His silver eyes drifted toward the remaining pieces resting inside the box.
"I think this is where the fun begins."
The system chimed once more.
[Chapter One of House Lucifuge has officially begun.]
The shadows around the room stirred.
As though they agreed.