The sound of their footsteps echoed against the stone floor as Evangeline led the procession deeper into the sprawling gothic fortress she'd conjured from the shell of the old church. Tall pillars lined the corridors, silver sconces casting flickering light that left the halls both elegant and ominous.
At first glance it was impressive—grand, vast, regal. But after walking through the third hallway of near-empty rooms, the awe began to fade.
Nyaruko tilted her head, twirling her crowbar idly. "Kinda echo-y, don't you think? Like, sure, it's big and spooky, but it's also… empty."
Priscilla's golden-green eyes swept over another barren chamber, her calm voice echoing in the silence. "Not much furniture or personality. Weirdly enough it's still better than my old home."
Kaguya glanced around the gloomy interior, her nose wrinkling. "This will not do. Not at all. The aesthetics are dreadful. Cold stone, gothic arches… It may suit a vampire, but I would prefer a Japanese interior. Tatami mats, sliding doors, a garden—something worthy of my station."
Evangeline standing proudly at the front of the group, turned with a dramatic sweep of her black dress. Her crimson eyes glimmered with annoyance. "Tch. I did the best I could with the limited resources. Transforming a crumbling church into this fortress was no small feat." She crossed her arms, chin tilted high. "If you want silken pillows and dainty teacups, you will have to supply them yourselves."
Kaguya sniffed, unimpressed. "Hmph. Then I suppose we shall."
Issei rubbed the back of his neck, trying to defuse the tension. "Okay, okay. It's not perfect, but it's a start. At least nothing is falling apart."
Their tour continued until Evangeline pushed open a pair of heavy double doors. The hinges groaned as they revealed a cavernous library—rows upon rows of towering shelves stretching into shadow.
Issei's eyes widened. "Whoa… This is insane."
But then his excitement faltered. Every single shelf was empty.
"…There's no books," he muttered.
Evangeline smirked, clearly enjoying the reveal. "Naturally. Did you expect me to conjure an entire library out of thin air? The shelves are ready. But if we wish to study we must supply the books ourselves."
The others looked around in silence, the vast emptiness of the room echoing their thoughts.
Then Nyaruko perked up, reaching into her pocket dimension with a mischievous grin. "Well, good thing I came prepared!"
She pulled out a stack of magazines and slapped them proudly onto one of the shelves.
Issei's blood ran cold.
Those covers. That artwork.
"…Wait." His eyes bulged. "Are those—?!"
Nyaruko smiled brightly. "Your collection, Darling! I borrowed them. Perfect research material for understanding your tastes."
Issei's soul nearly left his body. He lunged forward, waving his arms. "W-Why do you even
have those?! Give them back!"
"No, they're mine now!" Nyaruko hugged the stack protectively, pouting. "How else am I supposed to learn how to please you?!"
Issei's face turned scarlet. "Th-That's not how research works!"
Before he could wrestle the magazines back, a sharp pressure echoed through the library.
"Husband," Kaguya's voice dripped with icy disdain, "care to explain why you possess such vulgar material?"
Issei froze like a deer caught in headlights. His hands hovered awkwardly in the air, his mouth opening and closing without sound. '
Crap, crap, crap—how do I talk my way out of this one?!'
Priscilla tilted her head, her expression unreadable. "Issei… collects human mating scrolls?"
Raynare and Kalawarna glanced at each other, the corners of their lips twitching as they fought to maintain their maidlike composure.
Nyaruko, either oblivious to Issei's agony or delighting in it, began unloading even more from her endless pocket dimension. Stack after stack of books, boxes, and binders appeared in her arms until she practically built a shrine on one of the shelves.
"Ta-dah! Darling's secret treasures, now on display!" she announced proudly.
Issei's jaw hit the floor. "H-How did you even get all of that?! That's my
entire manga collection!"
One by one, the girls drifted toward the stacks. Kaguya delicately picked up a volume with the tip of her sleeve, frowning as she flipped through the pages. Priscilla tilted her head curiously, her golden-green eyes tracing the black-and-white drawings. Even Raynare and Kalawarna, though maids, leaned in close with faint curiosity.
"…This is… unusual," Priscilla murmured.
"Mm." Kaguya said as she read through them. "So these… crude drawings are the literature of your world?"
Issei's face burned. "It's not crude! That's manga—it's a form of entertainment. Stories, characters, art. You read it for fun."
Raynare flipped through one, her expression softening. "The illustrations are… oddly charming."
Kalawarna smirked faintly, glancing at Issei. "So this is how the Master spends his free time. Fascinating."
Evangeline, clearly unimpressed, snapped her fingers. The books floated neatly onto shelves as she turned sharply on her heel. "Enough distractions. The tour isn't over."
—------------------------------------------
The group followed her down a spiraling staircase, the air growing colder with each step. When the torches flickered to life along the stone walls, Issei's stomach twisted.
They entered the dungeon.
Rows of barred cells stretched into shadow, chains dangling from walls, the faint metallic tang of iron lingering in the air.
Issei's skin crawled. "Why do we even
need this?! It's creepy!"
Evangeline smirked, her crimson eyes glinting. "A castle without dungeons is incomplete. The atmosphere demands it." She spread her arms as if presenting a fine work of art. "Besides… one never knows when prisoners may be necessary."
"Prisoners?!" Issei's voice cracked as he threw his hands up. "I
really hope we never have any!"
Priscilla's tail twitched thoughtfully, her expression unreadable. Kaguya, on the other hand, looked far too pleased. "A proper dungeon is a mark of authority. I approve."
Issei buried his face in his hands. '
What is my life turning into?'
—-----------------------------------
Thankfully, they didn't linger. Evangeline led them back up the stairs, the heavy dungeon door slamming shut behind them. She guided them through another hallway until they reached a pair of sliding wooden doors—strikingly out of place in the gothic setting.
When she pushed them open, Issei blinked.
It was a dojo.
Smooth wooden floors stretched across the room, clean and polished. Training dummies lined the walls, weapon racks stood ready, and banners of simple design hung with quiet dignity. The air itself felt calmer, almost serene.
Kaguya's crimson eyes lit up faintly as she stepped inside, her sleeves brushing the polished wood. "At last… something with refinement. This, I approve of."
Evangeline smirked, pleased with herself. "This will be your training ground, Issei."
Issei froze in the doorway, a chill running down his spine. "...Training ground? Why would I need this?"
"Because." Evangeline's voice dripped with satisfaction. "This is where your suffering—ah, I mean, your lessons—will continue."
Issei sighed deeply, dragging a hand down his face. "Great. So this is where my torture officially lives now."
Nyaruko skipped past him, crowbar twirling. "Don't worry, Darling~! I'll be your sparring partner anytime!"
Issei groaned. '
This dojo is going to be the death of me.'
—-----------------------------------
After the dojo, Evangeline led them through another corridor. This one had a faintly warmer glow, the torches replaced with simple lamps that gave off a more homely light. She stopped before a heavy door and pushed it open with a dramatic sweep of her arm.
"Behold—the heart of the household."
They stepped inside.
The kitchen was surprisingly modern compared to the rest of the fortress. A long wooden table dominated the center of the room, surrounded by sturdy chairs. Against the wall sat a large stove, a shining microwave that looked suspiciously new, and an enormous refrigerator humming quietly in the corner.
Issei's eyes widened. "Wait… you've got
actual food in here?"
He pulled open the fridge, blinking at the rows of vegetables, eggs, and packages neatly stacked inside. It was the kind of sight that made him feel relief and dread at the same time—relief that they wouldn't starve, dread at the thought of how quickly this many mouths would empty it.
Nyaruko peered over his shoulder. "Ooooh~! Snacks! Darling, we can have midnight feasts here!"
Kaguya raised a brow, fanning herself. "Curious. Where exactly did you acquire this?"
Evangeline flicked her hair back smugly. "It was already fully stocked when I arrived. I merely moved it into proper storage."
Kalawarna stepped forward, her voice calm and professional. "Indeed. When we lived here with the exorcists, we kept the supplies stocked. Living on the outskirts required careful preparation."
Raynare nodded. "The food is rotated regularly. It's not much, but it will last us for a time."
Issei let out a breath, closing the fridge. "Well, that's a relief. At least we won't go hungry for now." He rubbed the back of his neck, his brows furrowing. "But sooner or later, this'll run out. If we're going to live here… I'll need to find a job to keep everyone fed."
The words hung heavy in the air. Seven pairs of eyes turned toward him, some surprised, others intrigued.
'Great,' Issei thought, his stomach sinking. '
I'm already worrying about bills and groceries like some married salaryman… and I don't even have a job yet.'
Evangeline, either oblivious or uncaring, turned sharply and motioned for them to follow again. "Come. There's more to see."
—--------------------------------------
They passed through another hallway until she stopped before a sliding set of doors. Evangeline pulled the doors open and gestured dramatically.
The air inside was calm, serene. A traditional Japanese tea room stretched out, tatami mats covering the floor, a low table set neatly in the center, and a scroll hanging in the alcove with delicate brush strokes. The faint scent of incense lingered, carried on the air.
Kaguya's crimson eyes softened as she stepped inside, her fan lowering slightly. "…At last. Something proper." She sat gracefully on the tatami, her posture perfect. "This is a fine room. Well crafted. A space worthy of tea."
Evangeline crossed her arms, smirking with pride. "Of course. The atmosphere is essential. Without proper ambience, tea is wasted."
Issei looked between the two of them, his brow twitching. '
Great. Now they're bonding over tea ceremonies.'
Nyaruko plopped down beside him, humming happily. "Darling, I'll make the snacks if you serve the tea~!"
"Why do I feel like my life just keeps turning into new levels of weird…" Issei muttered, but his voice was lost under the content sighs of Kaguya and Evangeline admiring the room.
—-------------------------
The group turned the last corner of the hallway and entered a new section of the fortress. The air was warmer here, the torches casting softer light, and the doors lining the corridor gave away what this part of the castle was for.
"Finally the bedrooms," Evangeline announced, sweeping a hand grandly.
Issei blinked as he peered into the first room they opened. It was… bare. A simple bed, a wooden dresser, and nothing else. The same was true for the next two doors down the hall.
"These aren't exactly five-star accommodations," he muttered.
Evangeline sniffed, crimson eyes gleaming with pride anyway. "There are plenty of rooms, and the beds were already here. They once belonged to the exorcists, but I cleaned them myself. They are functional and you shouldn't complain."
Issei shivered at the thought. '
Great. I'm going to sleep on the same mattress some lunatic with a lightsaber once drooled on.'
When they opened Priscilla's door, however, the mood changed.
The room was enormous—vaulted ceiling, wide open floor space, large windows with heavy curtains. But at the center sat a bed comically small compared to the dragon-woman's stature, as though it had shrunk in fear.
Priscilla blinked, her expression unreadable for a moment.
Evangeline smirked, folding her arms. "I designed this chamber with the intention of accommodating your… natural size. You should be comfortable here, should you decide to return to it."
Priscilla's golden-green eyes softened. She bowed her head deeply, white hair flowing like silk. "Thank you. Your thoughtfulness honors me."
Kaguya arched her brow. "Hm. A respectable attempt, I will admit. But this castle remains empty. We will simply have to endure until we acquire more suitable furnishings."
They moved on until Nyaruko threw open a random door and claimed it with a squeal. "This one's mine!"
In an instant, she began pulling objects from her pocket dimension—posters, plush toys, lamps shaped like tentacles, even a suspiciously pink beanbag chair. Within minutes the once-empty room looked lived-in, loud, and utterly chaotic.
Issei gawked at the transformation. "Holy crap… Nyaruko, just how much stuff do you even
have in there?"
She tilted her head, tapping her cheek with a finger. "Hmm… I don't really know. Probably a lot. Enough to fill a dimension or two~!"
Kaguya's eyebrow twitched. She pointed her fan directly at the grinning alien. "Good. Then you can use that ability to furnish
my room. But only with the finest items—quality befitting royalty."
Nyaruko stuck out her tongue, blowing a loud raspberry. "Pffft! Nope! You can do your own decorating, princess."
Kaguya's aura flared. "How dare you, insolent brute—!"
The two immediately began bickering, Nyaruko waving a lamp in mock defense while Kaguya threatened to exile her from the home entirely.
Issei, used to the chaos by now, sighed and quietly slipped away. '
If I stick around, I'll get dragged into this fight somehow. Nope. Not happening.'
He opened one of the unclaimed doors and stepped inside.
The room was larger than his bedroom back home. The bed was simple but clean, the floor space wide enough for a desk, a shelf, maybe even a TV if he ever managed to sneak one in here.
Issei exhaled, rubbing the back of his neck. '
Not bad. I can always grab my stuff from my old room and make this place feel like mine.'
—-------------------------------------
The throne room's eerie lanterns flickered against the stone walls as Issei stood dead center, the attention of every girl in the room fixed squarely on him.
Kaguya's crimson eyes narrowed, as she looked quite displeased. "Husband… must you truly summon more women? Seven at once, no less?" Her regal tone carried just a hint of irritation.
Nyaruko, already glued to his side, puffed her cheeks dramatically. "Yeah, Darling! Isn't your harem
big enough already? You should focus on doting on the ones you have! Mainly me!"
Priscilla stood tall near the corner, her hands folded gracefully in front of her. "It matters little," she said calmly. "But if they are his mates, then they deserve the right to meet Issei and I want to meet them too."
Evangeline lounged on her throne, her blue eyes glimmering with amusement. "Summon as many as you like, boy. I'm curious to see what other kinds of trouble Fate insists on throwing at you."
Meanwhile, Raynare and Kalawarna stood just behind the group, their maid uniforms pristine, their eyes sharp with curiosity. They leaned forward slightly, fascinated by the way their master reached out into empty air.
"Do you see anything?" Kalawarna whispered.
Raynare shook her head, her wings twitching faintly. "No. He's touching nothing, but his expression… it's like he's
seeing something else."
Issei took a breath to steady himself.
Alright. Seven rolls. Please bring me more busty Onee-chans.'
With just a thought, the familiar interface blinked into view before his eyes:
[Gacha Harem System Interface Loaded]
Three icons hovered in the air, glowing faintly:
- Status
- Summoning (7 Pulls Available)
- Items
All of the summoned girls gasped softly as the light shimmered across the room. To them, the interface was as clear as day—shining like a magical construct. Only the two maids tilted their heads, baffled, as they saw nothing but Issei tapping into thin air.
Nyaruko tugged harder at his sleeve. "Darling! Don't you
dare press that button!"
Issei sighed, giving her a nervous grin. "Sorry, Nyaruko… but I've got to see who's coming next."
He pressed the summoning icon.
[7x Gacha Summon Available – Would You Like to Pull Now?]
Issei's finger quickly tapped the
Yes option.
The throne room darkened for an instant, the sound of grinding gears echoing from nowhere. A giant roulette wheel materialized in the air, glowing with vibrant colors. Names scrolled across its panels in an endless blur.
The girls stared in awe. Kaguya raised a brow, unimpressed but watchful. Priscilla tilted her head, her dragon senses humming faintly at the surge of energy. Even Evangeline leaned forward on her throne, blue eyes glimmering.
"Interesting," She murmured.
The wheel spun faster, sparks of light shooting off as it turned. The sound of a ticking wheel echoed through the throne room, each click echoing like a heartbeat.
The wheel slowed. The ticking grew louder, more deliberate. One by one, the names flickered past until finally, it stopped.
A blinding light flared.
[Roll 5: Shiraori has been summoned.]
Issei blinked, reading the name aloud. "Shira…ori?"
Nyaruko tilted her head. "Who?"
The glow in the center of the throne room swelled until the girls had to shield their eyes. When the light faded, a figure stood quietly amidst the sparks of residual energy.
She looked fragile at first glance, like porcelain carved into human form. A young albino girl—ghostly pale skin, long silver-white hair flowing freely down her back, with a thick braid trailing from her neck down, keeping part of it tamed. Her clothes were a strange contrast to her delicate appearance: a one-piece dress with wide sleeves, a hood folded back behind her shoulders.
But it was her eyes that seized everyone's breath.
Bright ruby-red, gleaming unnaturally in the torchlight. And inside them… not one pupil, but five—one human-shaped at the center, circled by four arachnid slits forming an "X." They shimmered like spider webs catching the dawn.
The girls froze.
"…Creepy," Nyaruko muttered, gripping Issei's arm tightly.
"Unnatural," Kaguya whispered, though the faint tension in her expression.
Priscilla's golden-green gaze narrowed. She said nothing, but her dragon senses prickled as if warning her of something ancient and alien.
Evangeline, sitting casually on her throne, leaned forward with her chin resting on her palm. Her crimson eyes glimmered with curiosity. "Fascinating… not human, not quite demon either. Maybe something in-between."
Raynare and Kalawarna, standing near the wall, exchanged nervous glances but said nothing.
Issei swallowed hard, his heart pounding. He forced a smile and stepped forward. "Uh… hey there. I'm Hyoudou Issei. Welcome… to the, uh, family?"
The albino girl blinked. Her expression barely shifted, but her gaze locked onto him, unwavering. She didn't move, didn't answer.
Issei hesitated, scratching his cheek. "Okay… maybe she's shy?"
The others tried next.
Nyaruko leaned forward, crouching down so she could grin at eye level. "Hiiiii~! I'm Nyaruko! You're cute! Wanna be friends?"
No answer.
Kaguya stepped forward, her voice regal but curious. "State your name, girl. Who are you, and what race do you hail from?"
Nothing.
Even Priscilla tried, her tone gentle and warm. "It is all right. No one here wishes you harm."
The pale girl just stood there in silence.
Issei frowned. He could feel
something in the air, a tension, as if she was hearing them but not… answering. 'It doesn't look like
she hates us… but maybe she doesn't know how to speak…'
Then he noticed her hands twitching. Slowly, she raised them, fingers moving in awkward gestures, and her expression shifted in small, subtle ways—an eyebrow twitch, the curve of her lips, the tilt of her head.
The others blinked, baffled.
"…What is she doing?" Kaguya asked flatly.
"Charades?" Nyaruko guessed.
"Maybe a spell?" Evangeline's eyes narrowed in suspicion.
But somehow, watching her fumble with her hands, Issei felt the message click inside his head, like he could sense the thought behind the movements.
He smiled. "She's saying… hi."
The girl's ruby eyes widened slightly, a faint relief flickering in her otherwise unreadable face. She gave a tiny nod.
"…Seriously? That's what she said?" Nyaruko pouted, scratching her head.
Issei turned back, grinning. "Yeah. I think she's just… not good at talking. But she
is listening."
Priscilla tilted her head thoughtfully. "An introvert… maybe she was isolated like me, perhaps? I can sense she reads us clearly, though she struggles to reply."
Evangeline smirked. "So, she talks in her head, does she? How very… odd."
Kaguya quickly hid her lips with her sleeve as her eyes glittered. "At the very least, she seems polite. For now."
Shiraori lowered her hands again, staring at Issei with an intensity that made him shiver. She didn't speak, but he could almost feel the quiet words resting at the edge of her mind. '
Thank you for understanding.'
Issei's smile softened. '
No problem. Guess I'll just have to translate until she's ready.'
The girls then formed a loose circle around her, each trying in their own way to make sense of the pale newcomer.
Nyaruko tilted her head, crouching down with a grin. "Okay, so… you wave your hands, you twitch your eyebrows… but what does
this mean?" She waved both arms wildly like she was landing planes.
Shiraori blinked at her, deadpan, then slowly turned her head away.
"…Yeah, thought so," Nyaruko muttered, deflated.
Kaguya folded her arms. "She's really unreadable. A liability if she cannot even answer basic questions."
Evangeline lounged in her throne, her chin in her palm. "Pointless to even ask her about her abilities, then. Hmph. Until she speaks, we're in the dark."
Priscilla's golden-green eyes narrowed, her tail giving a faint twitch. "Perhaps. But my instincts… They are screaming at me to be cautious. This girl is dangerous. Do not underestimate her."
That gave everyone pause.
Even Issei felt his throat tighten as he looked at the quiet figure. Shiraori stood there, hands folded in front of her, expression unreadable, yet there was… something beneath the stillness. Something heavy, like a predator hiding behind porcelain skin.
Shiraori, meanwhile, felt the weight of their gazes pressing down on her. Her chest tightened. '
Too many people. Too much attention… I can't…'
Her fingers fidgeted against the hem of her sleeve. All she wanted was to shrink away, to retreat to some quiet corner—but her gaze kept drifting back to the boy at the center. Her summoner. Her… husband?
That word still made her pulse quicken.
She tilted her head slightly, staring at him as her pale cheeks flushed. '
So this is the one. My husband. He can understand me… even when no one else can.'
And then, without meaning to, her gift stirred. Her ruby eyes widened faintly as stray thoughts brushed against her mind—loud, unguarded, entirely
Issei.
'Another Onee-san… yesss! She has really big Oppai. Thank you, Gacha system, I'll take it!'
Shiraori froze, her face heating up. '
P-Perverted! He's… he's thinking about me like that already?'
Issei, oblivious, just marveled at how cute she looked when she tilted her head like that. '
Man, I really lucked out… she's gorgeous. White hair, ruby eyes… she looks like some kind of goddess!'
Kaguya's heel came down sharply on his foot.
"OW—!" Issei yelped, hopping on one leg. "What was that for?!"
Her crimson eyes narrowed to slits. "It is impolite to stare at a lady with such… hunger, Husband."
"I wasn't—!" he started to protest, but his burning face betrayed him.
Shiraori fumbled, covering her own blush with her sleeve. Her ruby eyes darted away, though in her head her thoughts spun wildly. '
I've never had a husband before… what am I supposed to do? What if I disappoint him? What if—'
Just then, a familiar chime rang in Issei's mind.
[Summoning Complete: Shiraori. Love Meter: 52%]
[Would you like to summon again? 6 Pulls Remaining. Yes No]
The sound nearly made him jump. Seeing how lucky he's been with the girls he summoned, he already wanted to try again.
Around him, the girls' eyes were already narrowing. They knew that look on his face.
Nyaruko clutched his arm. "Darling… you're not seriously going to do another one already, are you?"
Kaguya's glare intensified
. "Think carefully, Husband. Very carefully."
Priscilla said nothing, but her tail coiled tightly, golden eyes glimmering with curiosity.
Evangeline chuckled darkly from her throne. "Oh, do it. I want to see what other nightmares Fate has lined up for you."
Issei didn't even hesitate.
Click.
The roulette wheel burst into existence once more, massive and glowing, the sound of its ticking echoing like thunder through the throne room. The girls groaned, a chorus of disapproval following him.
"Darling, nooooo!" Nyaruko wailed, tugging on his arm like a child trying to stop him from buying candy.
"Husband, you fool," Kaguya muttered, snapping her fan shut with a sharp
clack. "You never think—!"
Evangeline smirked from her throne, chin resting lazily on her palm. "Oh, let him. Watching him dig his own grave is entertaining."
Priscilla's tail flicked slowly, her voice calm but edged. "Perhaps this will be another strong ally."
The ticking slowed. Each click boomed like a heartbeat until finally, it landed.
[Roll 6: Henrietta de Tristain has been summoned.]
Light flared again, spilling across the throne room. When it dimmed, a figure stood at the center of the summoning circle.
A girl—no, a woman—with short purple hair that framed her soft face, her eyes a striking teal blue that shimmered with intelligence and quiet worry. A regal purple cloak hung over her shoulders, clasped with gold at her collar. Beneath it, she wore a white silk dress, elegant but modest, with tight sleeves that hugged her arms down to her fingertips. And upon her head rested a delicate crown that sparkled in the flickering light.
A princess.
Issei's heart skipped a beat. '
Holy crap, she's gorgeous… and she's a princess?'
Henrietta looked around the throne room, confusion and unease crossing her delicate features. '
This isn't Tristain… Where am I?'
And then she remembered. That voice. A whisper that had spoken to her in the dead of night.
'If you wish to escape the burden of the crown, even for a while… I can grant you freedom.'
She had refused at first. She was the princess of Tristain. To abandon her kingdom for selfish reasons was unthinkable. But then the voice soothed her: '
Not abandon. Only a part of you. A fragment, free to live outside the weight of duty.'
That was all she needed to hear as her hesitation left and she had agreed.
Now she stood here, her chest tightening as she wondered what she had done. Her gaze drifted to the boy standing before her. Her… husband?
Her brow furrowed, and a fleeting memory flickered across her mind—a blond-haired man, familiar, warm… But just as quickly as it surfaced, the memory was swallowed into haze.
Issei, trying his hardest not to let his eyes linger on the way her silk dress hugged her curves, noticed the worry in her teal eyes. He raised both hands quickly in what he hoped was a disarming gesture.
"H-Hey, don't worry. I'm not gonna hurt you." He gave her his friendliest smile. "My name's Issei. Hyoudou Issei. Nice to meet you."
For a moment, Henrietta hesitated. Then, remembering her etiquette, she composed herself. She lowered her head in a graceful bow, one hand against her chest. "I… see. Then it is a pleasure, Hyoudou Issei. Forgive my manners. I did not mean to appear ungrateful."
The girls around them watched closely.
Nyaruko sulked, arms crossed. "Great. Another beauty queen for Darling to drool over…"
Kaguya's eyes narrowed. "A princess… tch. As if we needed another noble in this household."
Priscilla inclined her head politely. "Royalty or not, she seems gentle."
Evangeline smirked, her blue eyes gleamed. "Hoh? Another royal lets hope she doesn't try to acquire total control"
Issei exhaled in relief, scratching his cheek nervously. '
Okay… she's very polite .'
Henrietta smoothed her cloak, regaining her composure with the elegance of someone trained in diplomacy. Her teal-blue eyes moved across the throne room, settling first on Issei, then on the collection of unusual women gathered around him.
"I am Henrietta de Tristain," she said, bowing lightly again. "Princess of the Kingdom of Tristain. I apologize if my arrival has caused confusion, but I ask only for clarity… where exactly am I, and who are you all?"
The declaration drew mixed reactions immediately.
Kaguya's crimson eyes narrowed. She stepped forward with the pride of an empress. "Hmph. The names Kaguya but know this—do not expect to stand above me. For I too am of royal blood, and my position will not be diminished, no matter what world you hail from."
Issei winced, rubbing his temple. '
Of course Kaguya would go straight there.'
Henrietta, however, didn't flare up. Instead, she placed a hand delicately against her chest and lowered her gaze slightly. "I have no desire to compete with anyone. I… merely wish to understand. Peace among us is preferable."
Her soft, pacifistic tone earned her a few approving looks.
Nyaruko, though still sulking with her arms crossed, bounced forward and gave a quick wave. "I'm Nyaruko! Eldritch cutie extraordinaire! And yeah, we're all the same—summons, like you." She leaned in closer, whispering not-so-quietly. "Even if Darling here
didn't need another one!"
Henrietta's brows knit slightly. "Your summons…? Then…" She turned her gaze back toward Issei, who scratched his cheek nervously, smiling like a deer caught in headlights. "…Am I correct to assume we are all bound in marriage to this man?"
The throne room erupted instantly.
"Yes, but
I am his number one," Nyaruko declared proudly, hugging Issei's arm.
Kaguya raised her fan high, voice regal. "Do not be absurd. I am his true wife. The rest of you are mere attendants to our union."
Priscilla's calm voice cut through the noise. "If he considers us his mates, then we are all equal. And I will protect him above all else."
Evangeline smirked from her throne, chin in her palm. "He belongs to all of us, but make no mistake… I will be the one who molds him into something more than this bumbling pervert."
Raynare and Kalawarna, still kneeling near the side like attendants, both glanced up at Henrietta and nodded in unison. "We are not summons, Princess and instead mere servants." Raynare said softly.
Henrietta's lips parted slightly in shock. "Then… all of you accept this arrangement?"
The voices overlapped again.
"Accepted, yes." Kaguya's tone was sharp. "But I will not accept being second."
"I'm still number one!" Nyaruko shouted, pouting.
Priscilla's calm voice cut through the bickering. "Rank matters little, as we are all a family."
Evangeline thinking "Hmph. He's too easy to manipulate anyway."
Meanwhile Shiraori simply looked at what each girl said and paid attention.
Issei flailed his arms, panicked. "H-Hey! Don't talk about me like I'm not even here!"
But Henrietta wasn't focused on their squabbling. A darker thought crossed her mind, and she asked carefully, "And… are you certain he won't… abuse this position? It seems… precarious."
For a moment, the girls froze. Then one by one, they laughed, sighed, or smirked knowingly.
Priscilla shook her head. "He would not nor will he ever."
Raynare spoke earnestly, her purple eyes softened. "Though he is our Master, he has never forced us into anything."
Kalawarna added with a faint smile, "If anything, he is almost
too considerate. For someone in his position, he is shockingly kind."
Nyaruko squeezed Issei's arm tighter. "Darling may be a giant pervert—but he's honest about it! He'd never hurt us."
Kaguya's fan lowered, a rare softness in her crimson gaze. "Indeed. While he is shameless in his lusts, he is not cruel. He is… respectable. In his own foolish way."
Evangeline chuckled, her blue eyes shining. "If anything, Princess, it is
we who push him. Not the other way around. Our pervert here bends over backwards to keep us happy."
Issei turned red, scratching the back of his head with a sheepish grin. "W-Wait, you make me sound like some kind of doormat…"
Henrietta looked between them, stunned by the unanimity of their voices. Slowly, her shoulders relaxed, and she gave a small smile. "I… see. Then perhaps… I misjudged."
In the back, Shiraori tilted her head, her ruby eyes following the exchange with quiet fascination. She didn't speak, but her thoughts stirred. '
So that is what kind of person he is… Someone who listens.'
Issei then felt a familiar chime rang in Issei's mind.
[Summoning Complete: Henrietta de Tristain. Love Meter: 42%]
[Would you like to summon again? 5 Pulls Remaining. Yes No]
"Alright," Issei said with a nervous grin, "I'm going for another one."
The girls groaned in unison.
"Darling…" Nyaruko's voice dripped with betrayal. "Why do you hate me so much?"
"Husband," Kaguya snapped, her fan opening with a threatening
clack, "your lack of restraint will one day be your undoing."
Priscilla merely folded her arms. "So be it. Another mate, then."
Evangeline smirked from her throne, blue eyes glittering with anticipation. "Yes, yes. Spin your cursed wheel again. Let's see what sort of freak shows up this time."
Issei ignored their protests and tapped
Yes.
The massive roulette wheel exploded into view, the sound of ticking echoing through the throne room as names flashed by. The light grew brighter and brighter until it finally slowed, clicking onto its next choice.
[Roll 7: Lala has been summoned.]
A surge of light erupted, and when it cleared, every single person in the room froze.
Standing there was… a girl.
A stunning, pale-blue-skinned young woman with long, flowing white hair cascading down her back. A single ahoge jutted up like the blade of a scythe. Her body was… well, Issei's brain stuttered. Full hips, generous bust, a silhouette that looked like it belonged on a pin-up poster. Her outfit was both elegant and bizarre—an armored corset layered over a white thigh-length dress, black coat flowing dramatically, armored gloves and thigh-high boots gleaming with a black lacquer finish. A long black scarf trailed around her neck, fluttering as if alive.
But… there was only one slight problem.
Her
head wasn't attached.
It was held by her hands to chest height, her long hair swaying, her golden irises shining against the black of her sclera.
Issei's eyes nearly popped out of his skull. "SHE'S—SHE'S HEADLESS!!"
Before anyone else could move, he darted forward like a panicked first responder. "DON'T WORRY, I GOT THIS!"
He snatched up her head with both hands, wobbling as he tried to shove it back down onto her neck. "Stay calm! Stay calm, I'll put it back on—oh god oh god—hold still!"
The others gawked as Kaguya wondered as she saw the scene. "What… is he doing?"
Nyaruko's jaw dropped. "Darling's playing
Lego with a girl's head!"
Priscilla tilted her head, a rare flicker of confusion crossing her serene expression. "…That is not how Dullahan physiology functions."
Henrietta gasped, hands clasped over her mouth. "Why is that poor girl headless!"
Evangeline burst into laughter, doubling over on her throne. "BAHAHAHA! He looks like he's trying to glue together a broken doll!"
Issei wrestled desperately with the head that wasn't cooperating, his face red with panic. "Help me out, somebody! She's—she's dying or something!"
But then, the head in his hands spoke in a dramatic, commanding tone. "…Unhand me, summoner. I am not… in need of help."
Issei dropped her head in shock as it went flying. "GAAAH! IT'S TALKING! I mean—you're talking! Wait, how are you not dead?! How are you walking and talking around without your head?!" He blurted out.
The body was quick to catch it and place it where it should be. The pale-blue woman then adjusted her scarf with slow, deliberate movements, her golden eyes sweeping across the room. Her voice carried that same low, dramatic tone, like she was narrating a tragedy only she could see.
"…You misunderstand. I am Lala, a Dullahan. It is only natural… that my head and body live apart."
Issei blinked rapidly, his brain stuttering. "N-Natural?! How is
that natural?! People's heads aren't supposed to just—just
pop off like a toy!"
Evangeline chuckled darkly, crimson eyes flashing as she leaned against her throne. "A Dullahan, hm? How amusing. They are heralds of death. Spirits said to carry their heads with them as they ride, announcing doom upon those who cross their path."
Nyaruko tilted her head, her crowbar resting on her shoulder. "So… she's basically a death-flag mascot? That's kinda metal!"
Kaguya frowned as she eyed the new arrival. "To flaunt decapitation as if it were fashion… how eccentric. Husband, you truly attract the strangest women."
Priscilla studied Lala carefully, her golden-green gaze unflinching. "She is not human, not demon, not beast. Her presence carries the weight of something between the realms… but I sense no malice in her."
Lala turned her head—literally, her body didn't move while her head tilted almost too far, golden eyes half-lidded as she sighed. "…Sorrow is the nature of my kind. We walk with death. We speak with gloom. It is our burden to remind the living… of the fragility of their fleeting joy."
Issei's mouth dropped open. "…She's
so gloomy!"
Nyaruko grinned, poking her tongue out. "She's like Darling if he lost his porn stash for a week."
"Hey!" Issei shouted, red in the face.
Raynare and Kalawarna exchanged a look. Raynare whispered, "Master keeps summoning the strangest women." Kalawarna nodded as she watched the strange woman.
Lala then placed one armored hand gently against her armored corset, bowing her head with solemn dignity. "…Still, I am bound to this summoning. To you, Hyoudou Issei. If fate decrees it, I shall walk by your side… until death claims us both."
"Why do you have to say it like that!?" Issei shouted.
The girls wasted no time swarming closer.
Nyaruko poked her cheek, squinting at her with suspicion. "So… you can really just pop your head off whenever you want? Doesn't it… hurt?"
Lala tilted her head proudly. "Not really. It is my nature."
Priscilla studied her with calm eyes. "Your aura is unusual but strong. I will acknowledge you."
Evangeline leaned lazily on her throne, blue eyes gleaming with amusement. "Another eccentric one. I wonder just how useful you'll be?"
Kaguya stepped forward next as she circled the pale-blue woman. "Your appearance is unbecoming of nobility, yet… there is a strange elegance in your aura."
Henrietta, still cautious, stepped closer with hesitant grace. "You dress like a knight, Lady Lala. Then I must ask… what kind of loyalty do you hold to your summoner? Do you serve him as a subject… or as a wife?"
Lala, hearing the question, thinks long and hard. "As I said my purpose may be as a wife but I shall perform my duty to reap his soul when the job is done."
The room went dead quiet.
"…Creepy," Nyaruko muttered.
"…Romantic," Priscilla said at the same time.
Issei, hearing her speech, wondered if she was a Chuunibyou. "W-Wait, don't say stuff like that so casually! That's way too intense for a first meeting!"
And then it came—the familiar chime in his head.
[Summoning Complete: Lala. Love Meter: 25%]
Issei winced. Only twenty-five percent, huh? Guess she's more dramatic than affectionate right now…
The girls' voices overlapped again as they peppered the Dullahan with questions, her gloomy replies filling the throne room.
Issei just sighed, running a hand down his face as he realized he summoned a weird girl.
Done. Comment, tell me what you think and tell me if I made any mistakes. Also tell me if the new girls's personality and attitude are fine. The rest will be summoned in the next chapter. Like always this commission was brought to you by Deus Ex Mima. If you want you can make a commission for me to make your idea into a story but only for people at the emperor tier at my patreon.com/orengeflame. Also one extra chapter in patreon.
