Chapter 27 – The Emperor's Declaration of Defeat
The walk with the masked gentleman continued in a suffocating silence.
As they stepped inside the grand mansion, a sinister energy lurking beneath its magnificence pressed heavily against Luciel's back.
'What is this? It feels as if a ghost might pop out at any moment.'
Luciel muttered to herself.
The expensive artworks and lavish decorations lining the hallway only added to the overwhelming pressure, and the servants moved as silently and mechanically as shadows.
'...This entire mansion feels like a meticulously orchestrated theatrical stage.'
Luciel was seized by an inexplicable, ominous premonition.
The gentleman guided her to the deepest recesses of the mansion, into a room decorated like a private sanctuary.
The room was bathed in shades of black and deep wine, and a sweet, yet strangely cloying scent drifted faintly through the air.
"Please make yourself comfortable, Lady. You are safe here."
The voice flowing from behind the mask was still low and gentle, but Luciel detected a subtle tremor hidden within it.
"Who... exactly are you? And what is your purpose in bringing me here?"
Luciel asked point-blank, as if she could no longer tolerate the silence. Her voice carried a mix of wariness and slight fatigue.
The gentleman remained silent for a moment. His gaze was still fixed on Luciel, and because she could not read his expression behind the mask, she grew even more anxious.
"For a long time... I have waited for you. No, perhaps it would be more accurate to say I have waited for your return."
His words were like a riddle. Luciel furrowed her brow.
"My return? I am merely a whore of the Feast. What could you possibly expect from me?"
The gentleman let out a soft sigh.
"You may think of yourself that way, but to me, you are still... His Imperial Majesty of the Human Empire, who has merely lost his past glory."
The moment those words were spoken, Luciel's heart felt as if it had frozen solid. Her past, the deepest secret she had kept hidden, had slipped so casually from the mouth of this strange man.
She tried her best to maintain a calm expression, but her slightly trembling fingertips betrayed her agitation.
"I don't know what you are talking about... I am not the person you speak of."
The gentleman slowly shook his head.
"You do not need to try and hide it any longer, Your Majesty. I know everything. Your downfall, and even... your disgraceful times at the Feast."
He rose from his seat and approached Luciel. Then, slowly, very slowly, he removed the golden mask that had been concealing his face.
The moment the face hidden behind the mask was revealed, Luciel was struck by a breath-stopping shock. It was Albert Lintz, the man who had visited her at the Feast not long ago and spent a passionate night with her.
"Lintz... You... Why...?"
Luciel barely managed to ask in a trembling voice. A complex swirl of emotions—confusion, betrayal, and an inexplicable sense of relief—washed over her.
Lintz dropped to one knee before Luciel and gently took her hand. In his eyes lay a deep sorrow, regret, and an unchanging loyalty.
"For many years, I have searched for news of Your Majesty. And finally... when I met Your Majesty again at the Feast, you cannot begin to imagine how my heart tore into pieces. To rescue Your Majesty from that disgraceful place, I have waited only for this moment."
Amidst her chaotic emotions, she waited for Lintz's next words.
Albert Lintz, holding Luciel's hand, continued in a calm but powerful voice.
"After Your Majesty's downfall, I gathered the surviving remnants of the Empire, accumulating vast wealth and covert influence. Everything was for a single purpose: to restore Your Majesty to your rightful place in the Empire, and to exact a bloody vengeance upon those arrogant Constellations who dragged Your Majesty down into the abyss."
His voice carried a fierce resolve alongside a suppressed rage. Luciel held her breath at his words. The word 'vengeance' echoed in her ears like a sweet yet dangerous temptation.
"The time has come, Your Majesty. I, Albert Lintz, wish to bring an end to your miserable life at the Feast and offer you the chance to reclaim your past glory. I swear to mobilize all my power and resources to escort Your Majesty to a safe place, and to support you with all my heart and soul so that you may once again rule over the world."
Lintz reverently kissed the back of Luciel's hand and prostrated himself at her feet. His offer was so alluring it was almost impossible to refuse.
The hope of putting an end to her humiliating life at the Feast and taking revenge on the Constellations who had betrayed her—it was exactly what Luciel had yearned for so desperately.
Yet at the same time, a shadow of doubt bloomed in a corner of her mind. Was Lintz truly sincere in wanting to help her?
Or was there another motive, a trap, hidden behind his proposal?
"Rise, Lintz. I understand your loyalty... well enough. But... how can I trust you? Right now, I am nothing but a mere whore with no power whatsoever. Even if you intended to use me, I would be utterly helpless to stop you."
Luciel's voice was trembling. Even as she was deeply shaken by Lintz's proposal, she felt a simultaneous dread.
Lintz slowly rose to his feet. A bitter smile appeared on his face, as if he understood Luciel's suspicion.
"I fully understand Your Majesty's feelings. But I would never deceive or exploit Your Majesty. I do not know how else... to prove my sincerity to you."
He seemed to deliberate for a moment, then, as if having made up his mind, drew a small silk pouch from his breast pocket and handed it to Luciel.
"This is... the ring engraved with the Imperial Seal. With this alone, you will be able to reactivate the Empire's armory."
Luciel accepted the ring with a trembling hand. It felt cold and heavy.
Upon it, the crest of the Empire was indeed clearly engraved. With this, she would be able to reactivate the Titans used during the Dimension War.
As if reading Luciel's wavering gaze, Lintz carefully approached her and gently wrapped his arms around her shoulders.
His touch was warm, and from him drifted a scent that somehow made her heart flutter.
"Your Majesty... please believe in me. And give me a chance. I will become Your Majesty's sword and shield, protecting you from any danger. And one day, I will surely reclaim everything Your Majesty has lost."
Even as Luciel felt his warm touch and heard his sincere voice, she could not shake the sense of incongruity stirring deep within her heart.
Lintz's tone, his gaze, every single action was far too refined. It should have been a deeply moving confession, but somehow... it was too perfect.
'As if he were reciting a thoroughly calculated script.'
'As if it were an emotion manufactured solely for display.'
She sank deeper into a cold distrust. The grandiosity of the mansion, the stage-like atmosphere, the servants moving like shadows.
And the man named Lintz. All of it felt like a harmoniously arranged stage set.
As if her heart had stopped for a split second, Luciel felt the blood run cold throughout her entire body.
The entity who had smiled gently and reached out a hand to her.
'Your Majesty, this is an opportunity.'
'Are you not confident in humanity's victory in this war?'
'Do not worry about the Empire's finances. We, the Constellations... can easily afford it. I shall assist you!'
It was him.
The face of Albert Lintz standing before her now was undoubtedly a lie.
"Eresael...!"
A name filled with rage leaked from Luciel's lips.
She was now facing the very entity who had dragged her down into the abyss.
The Lintz before her eyes—no, Eresael—smiled slowly, as if satisfied by Luciel's reaction.
Then, his form distorted like a shimmering haze, transforming in an instant into his original appearance as the Constellation, Eresael.
"It has been a long time, Your Imperial Majesty. Or rather, is it more appropriate to call you... Ciel now?"
He still possessed a sculptured, beautiful appearance that made him look to be in his mid-thirties.
His long, sharp eyes, a thin smile that masked his true intentions, and pale skin that gleamed like a pearl even in the darkness.
The reason Luciel had no choice but to trust him in the past was that he was the only human-born entity among the Constellations.
As Luciel glared at him, he smiled warmly as if meeting a beloved lover and spoke.
"You are as sharp as ever, my lovely Ciel. To see through my little prank so quickly."
His voice was as elegant as a finely tuned instrument.
"But... how wonderful it would have been if you had just complied. Slipping down here while avoiding the eyes of the other Constellations is quite a bothersome task, you know."
Eresael murmured softly like an actor on a stage. A bizarre pleasure gleamed in his eyes, thoroughly enjoying Luciel's fury.
"What is your scheme, Eresael? Why did you summon me to this room? Speak at once."
Luciel's voice was as cold as a flesh-shearing wind.
"A scheme? I merely... wished to share an intimate time with you once more. And, of course, to celebrate your downfall right before my eyes. It was truly moving. You were the perfect protagonist of a tragedy."
Luciel's eyes widened in fury.
"My Empire, my people, and even myself! Did you think I wouldn't know that all this ruin was because of you?! Tempting me with sweet talk of loans and aid, only to drag me into the hell of the Great Game! It is all because of you!"
Her fists trembled violently. Her fingernails dug into her palms deep enough to draw blood.
"Do not misunderstand. I merely presented a few choices. The decision was ultimately yours, was it not? Of course, the outcome was a bit... regrettable. But I suppose that is fate, is it not?"
Eresael laughed nonchalantly. That laughter only fueled Luciel's rage.
"Was it a plan... Was the board rigged from the very beginning, you bastard?! Were you planning to drop me into this hell all along?!"
"A plan? Such a heavy word. I merely watched as you slowly broke apart. Seeing your arrogance shattered, your pride crushed, and you writhing in despair... it was truly beautiful. That is the way I love you."
His smile remained gentle, but his eyes gleamed with madness.
"Love? If that is love, you belong locked in the deepest psych ward of hell! Making me a whore is love? You are a disease! A disgusting, malignant tumor of a disease!"
Luciel spat out curses fueled by rage. Her suppressed emotions exploded, every single word burning with pure hatred.
However, the moment Eresael quietly uttered a single command—
"Stop."
In that instant, her body froze. The crest engraved on her womb burned white-hot, pinning her to the spot.
"Ah, Ciel."
He slowly approached and lifted her chin.
"Even this wild resistance of yours is so lovely. But it cannot be helped. You are already mine. Your body, your mind, and even your despair... all of it."
His touch was as cold as ice, but within it boiled an obsession and possessiveness as hot as fire.
"From now on, you will slowly crumble within the pleasure I bestow upon you. Until that arrogant soul of yours is completely shattered."
Eresael took a step closer to Luciel.
His eyes gleamed with a playful malice, flashing with a twisted possessiveness directed at her.
"Hmph, you are merely trying to make me submit using the power of this tattoo! Is that all your power amounts to? Do you lack the confidence to make me yield without such cowardly tricks, Eresael?!"
Luciel's voice was filled with contempt and anger. Even in this situation, she struggled to maintain her dignity as an Emperor.
Eresael curled his lips, thoroughly amused by Luciel's provocation.
"Oh? It seems my Ciel still has plenty of energy left. Very well, then let us make a wager. Just ten minutes from now. If I pleasure you during this time and you do not 'come,' I will concede defeat. What do you say? With that strong mental fortitude of yours, surely you can endure it?"
Luciel hesitated for a moment at Eresael's proposal. His intentions were transparent, but she refused to just submit like this.
'Ten minutes... It is only ten minutes. With this amount of time... I can easily endure it through sheer willpower. And if I win...!'
"Hmph, fine. A mere ten minutes is nothing to endure. But if I win, you must promise never to lay a finger on me again!"
Luciel glared at Eresael with a determined gaze.
"Of course, my Ciel. I promise. Now, shall we test the mental fortitude of our beautiful Emperor?"
Eresael roughly tore down Luciel's clothes.
"As expected, your body is perfect, my Ciel. I am already looking forward to seeing how this beautiful body responds to my touch."
He pushed Luciel down onto the bed and climbed on top of her. His cold hands began to explore Luciel's hot flesh.
Luciel grit her teeth and endured his caresses. The tattoo engraved deep within her lower abdomen and womb burned hot, heating her body, but she resisted desperately.
*Squelch... squelch... squelch...!*
Eresael's fingers roughly dug into her secret garden.
His fingers, like living creatures, sought out and stimulated her most sensitive spots, and Luciel bit her lip, barely holding back the groans threatening to escape.
His touch was relentless, gradually increasing the number of fingers as he intimately explored her interior.
'Damn it...! To come on this strong right from the start...! His fingers... are tearing through my insides...! But not yet. I won't break from just this! I am Luciel, the Emperor who once ruled the world!'
"My, my, my Ciel. Are you already this wet? It is incredibly hot. Your inside is soaking wet from just my fingers. But we are not done yet. I will tease you... much more."
Eresael whispered in her ear as he began to push his cock deep into her pussy.
*Squish! Slide—!*
Along with a heavy sensation, Luciel's body resisted, but the power of the tattoo crushed her will.
Every time his member penetrated deep inside, Luciel felt as if she would lose consciousness from the dizzying pleasure, but she desperately swallowed her groans.
His shaft filled her interior completely, pulsing hotly.
Eresael slowly but deeply thrust his hips, as if enjoying her reaction.
*Thud! Thud! Slap! Slap! Slap!*
Every time his length struck her deepest depths, Luciel's body reacted instinctively, spilling hot juices. Eresael wore a satisfied smile as he continued to ravish her body.
"Haah... Nngh... Ah..."
Only Luciel's shallow breaths filled the room. She closed her eyes, struggling to endure this humiliating pleasure.
'I can endure it... This level of pleasure is... still manageable...! I must not fall into his trap...!'
After some time had passed, Eresael gently flipped Luciel's body over.
"My Ciel, I wish to admire your beautiful backside as well."
He made Luciel lie face down. Her plump buttocks were exposed starkly before his eyes. Without hesitation, he pushed his member into her rear entrance.
"Ah...! N-No...!"
Overwhelmed by a mixture of pleasure and pain, Luciel let out a short scream despite herself, but immediately bit her lip.
*Thud! Thud! Slap! Slap! Slap!*
Eresael thrust his hips even more violently, enjoying her reaction. His fingers continued to stimulate her front, ravaging her body from both ends.
"Nngh...! Haah...! Haah..."
Beads of sweat formed on Luciel's forehead, and her entire body trembled faintly. While his shaft penetrated her rear, his fingers toyed with her front entrance.
*Squelch... squelch... squelch...!*
The simultaneous stimulation from both sides was intense enough to paralyze Luciel's reason.
'This...! This sensation...! Front and back at the same time...! No... I have to keep my senses...! But... my body... won't listen...! It's too... too intense...!'
"Please... stop...! Nngh...! Ugh..."
Her voice was already cracked, but she was still holding on. Eresael gripped her buttocks tightly, driving his shaft even deeper inside.
*Thud! Thud! Slap! Slap! Slap!*
"You are truly beautiful, my Ciel. I want to remember this sight of you forever."
Changing positions once more, Eresael spread Luciel's legs wide and began to gently rub his hot cock against the entrance of her wet pussy.
Every time his member brushed against her tender flesh, Luciel felt a thrilling shiver spread throughout her entire body.
"My Ciel, your pussy is truly beautiful. Moist and soft like petals holding dew. Will you permit my cock to explore between your petals?"
"Nngh...! Do... do as you please...! My body is... in your hands anyway...!"
Luciel replied bluntly, her face flushing with shame, but her voice was already drenched in pleasure and trembling faintly.
*Squelch... squelch... squelch...!*
Eresael slowly pushed his cock into her pussy, as if savoring her reaction.
Every time his shaft parted her narrow passage, Luciel felt an unbearable excitement along with a burning heat in her lower abdomen.
"How is it, my Ciel? Can you feel my cock inside your pussy? Your inside is so hot... and tight... clamping down as if trying to swallow me whole. Almost as if you are craving me."
"Shut... shut up...! Ahhn...! It is... merely your delusion...! I will... never... to you...!"
*Squish—! Thud! Thud!*
Ignoring her words, Eresael drove his length even deeper. As his tip pressed hard against her cervix, a choked groan burst from Luciel's mouth.
"Ah...! Too... too deep...! Nngh...! Your thing is... tearing through... my insides...!"
"Yes, my Ciel. I will fill every part of you with what is mine. Your pussy is so perfect, it feels as if it were made solely for my cock. It drives me mad with the urge to plant my seed inside you right now."
He whispered lewd words into Luciel's ear, relentlessly targeting her most sensitive spots. Luciel was crumbling helplessly under his touch and stimulation.
Changing positions once more, Eresael lay down on his back.
"Now, you guide me, my Ciel. Feel me with those luscious hips of yours."
Luciel hesitated for a moment but soon mounted him. As his hot length inserted into her once more, Luciel took a sharp breath.
*Slap! Slap! Squelch! Squelch! Squish... Squish... Thud! Thud!*
"Go on, move. Satisfy me, my little Emperor."
At Eresael's provocation, Luciel slowly began to move her hips. Unconsciously, she started to grind her buttocks.
"Haah... Ah...! Nngh...!"
Choked groans leaked from her mouth. The pleasure she felt with her own movements was incomparably more intense than before. Her womb tattoo burned even hotter, taking complete control of her body.
'This... this sensation...! The more... the more I move... the deeper it goes...! No...! At this rate, I'll really...! But... I can't stop...! This pleasure... is too... too sweet...!'
"Yes, just like that! Shake those slutty hips of yours, Ciel!"
She should have stopped at his words, but Luciel ground her hips as if she had completely lost her mind. A powerful premonition of climax surged over her.
'No...! Not like this...!'
She desperately tried to suppress the pleasure to keep her senses, but her body was already racing toward its limit. Luciel was already at her breaking point.
"Hasn't... ten minutes... passed yet...?"
Luciel barely managed to ask, panting heavily.
Eresael breathed hot air into her ear and laughed softly.
"My Ciel, only about seven minutes have passed. Just three more minutes and it is your victory. You can do it, right?"
"Ugh... Seven minutes?! It has only been seven minutes?! Still three more minutes...?! N-No... you're lying... No... if this keeps up... I might come...!"
Simultaneously with his words, Eresael thrust into her even more violently. Luciel's body shook helplessly.
*Thud! Thud! Thud! Squelch... squelch... squelch...!*
Eresael spoke with a relaxed smile.
"My, it feels as if I might cum first. I might just surrender to this hot, tight grip of yours."
Yet his eyes were still toyed with Luciel. Luciel could endure it no longer. Every sensation in her body was on the verge of exploding from the bursting pleasure.
"I'm... I'm going...! Ah...! I can't... hold it anymore...!"
Just as Luciel was about to scream in climax, Eresael suddenly stopped moving.
As if everything had ground to a halt, only Luciel's ragged breathing filled the room.
"Ah...! You can't stop there...! Why... why are you stopping...?! Please... keep going... deeper... more...! Haah... Haah... This isn't... enough... It's not enough...!"
Luciel looked up at him pleadingly. The pleasure that had filled her body to the brim tortured her, unable to find release.
Eresael gently wiped Luciel's tear-stained eyes with his finger and spoke.
"My Ciel, there is only one minute left until the ten minutes are up. Do you want to cum?"
Luciel's mind went completely blank. She wanted to let go of the last thread of her sanity.
'I have to stop... Luciel...! If you break here... everything is over...! But... this feeling... Ugh... it's too strong... I want to cum... I want to cum...! I can't take it...!'
Her body was already craving his touch.
"Ugh... I can't take it anymore... I want to cum...! Eresael... please... I'll admit it... I lost... So please... please let me cum... Sob...!"
She wailed and pleaded. Her pride as an Emperor had long since been shattered to pieces.
Eresael wore a satisfied smile.
"Yes, my lovely Ciel. But before that, you must declare it with your own mouth. That you are a female who has submitted to pleasure. Acknowledge it clearly with those lips, with that voice."
Submerged in pleasure, Luciel trembled.
She could not refuse his command.
'Yes... in the end, this is who I am... I am a female... a creature that breathes only for pleasure...'
"Ahhhhhh...! I'm cumming...! I... I am... a female defeated by a cock!"
*Thud! Thud! Thud! Squelch... squelch... squelch...!*
Along with her declaration, Eresael thrust inside her with all his remaining strength. Luciel's body arched like a bow, seizing in violent spasms.
"My brain, my brain is melting! Ohgogogogo... I'm a female... I've completely fallen!"
*Squirt, squi-squirt! Pulse... pulse...*
"Ohgogogok... Against... against Master Cock... I can't... I can't win at all...! Ahhhhn...!"
As hot fluids sprayed out like a fountain, Luciel lost consciousness along with a wretched climax.
Her womb tattoo glowed with a red, seductive light, signaling her complete submission.
This night of forbidden play was not yet over.
