192 ESCORT THE BRIDE
"That's the easy part, you've already qualified for the job by taking on more than enough fatal enemies," Vanessa replied, her voice dripping with authority.
Suddenly, the entire realm shimmered with a golden light. From it emerged a towering, radiant figure. A naked being, a child, radiating undeniable power and authority, descended into the space.
Yun-Yun gasped. "Is that… Incubus?"
Leo nodded, his eyes wide with awe. "Yes… that's it. Now that I've got the power, how do I contain Gluttony?"
Yun-Yun nodded, understanding at once what had to be done.
As Incubus floated toward the jade throne, Yun-Yun focused, channeling the magic of the realm.
Slowly, she infused Incubus into the throne, channeling its divine power into the core. The Gluttony Core struggled at first, but under the overwhelming force of the Incubus God, it began to retreat, subdued and eventually tamed.
Leo watched in awe as his jade throne began to transform.
No longer just a throne, it was now a part of his entire dungeon, a manifestation of the power he had embraced. Incubus was awakened, and in that moment, Leo realized: Incubus was now a part of him.
He had become the boss of this realm. He's finally become a Villain.
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"I can't message you or trade with you anymore. What happened?" Petunia asked, her brows furrowed in confusion.
"That's because I've officially become a villain in this damned realm," Leo replied, his tone laced with a mix of bitterness and acceptance.
"A villain? Players can turn into villains?" Petunia asked, shockingly.
Leo nodded, his expression calm but resolute. "Remember those missions where you had to hunt demons or bosses in their dungeons? That's me now. I'm their fucking target."
Petunia's eyes widened in shock. "So... does that mean teams of player hunters might come after you?"
"This is uncharted territory," Yun-Yun interjected, her voice even. "But if it comes to that, we'll play by the new rules—like moving to the opposite side of the chessboard."
"She's right," Leo said, his voice steady. "It's just a different game now, with different rules. But I'm still me, no matter what."
Yun-Yun tilted her head thoughtfully. "Now that you've advanced to high-tier magic, it's time to improve your spells again."
"I've already augmented my Magic Missile with Velocity Extremes," Leo replied. "Can it be enhanced further?"
"That's the strength of Magic Missile," Yun-Yun explained. "Its base is weak, but its potential for growth is unmatched. With the right augmentations, it can evolve into something far greater."
Leo's eyes narrowed with interest. "What other augmentations can I use to improve it?"
Before Yun-Yun could respond, Petunia's face lit up as an idea struck her.
"You know, the Eoloth family possesses a powerful magic that's said to enhance spells," she suggested.
Leo's expression brightened. "Great. Let's head there and ask for it."
Petunia quickly shook her head. "It's not that simple. The Eoloth family has secluded themselves in a hidden valley, cutting off almost all contact with the outside world. Some say they are hiding a treasure."
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[In the Court of the Governor of Sodom]
Seated upon an ornate throne, a man radiating authority and power regarded Leo with keen eyes. "Isn't this the hero who saved our city?" he mused.
Leo met his gaze without hesitation. "That would be me," he replied. "Why does the governor request my presence?"
"We require your assistance," General Nahum stated plainly.
Leo arched a brow. "Assistance?"
Minister Alem stepped forward, his expression grave. "The political climate in Sodom City is far from stable. Though there may be peace now, danger lurks beneath the surface—demons from the ruins, for one, and…"
"There's more to worry about than fucking demons?" Leo interrupted.
Governor Zeru leaned forward. "Sodom City falls under the Koresh Empire's rule, but we have long maintained our independence. Our relationship is akin to that of a king and his feudal lords—we acknowledge the empire's sovereignty, yet we govern ourselves."
Leo narrowed his eyes. "So, your true enemy is the Koresh Empire?"
The room fell silent. The governor and his ministers exchanged glances, ensuring no outsiders were present before finally speaking the truth.
"Yes," General Nahum admitted. "The emperor has had his sights on Sodom City for years. He seeks to strip away our autonomy and bring us under his complete control."
Leo crossed his arms. "And why are you telling me all this?"
"Because you now command the Lotus and Gullee families," Alem said. "We need to know where your loyalties lie."
Leo smirked. "And what exactly do I gain from siding with you?"
Governor Zeru leaned back with a knowing smile. "An alliance with Sodom City offers many advantages—wealth, power… and rare treasures."
Leo chuckled. "You should have mentioned rare treasures right at the start. What do you need me to do?"
"We are arranging an alliance with the Eoloth family," Zeru explained. "To solidify our ties, I plan to send my niece as a potential bride to their household. We want to secure their loyalty."
Leo's smirk widened. "As it happens, I have some business of my own in Eoloth. Consider it done."
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[In the House of Eoloth]
"We must be especially vigilant with the security of our fortress," Lord Kabana said, his tone firm. "During the bride selection ceremony, foreigners will step into our domain. That's dangerous."
"Yes, my lord. We're all excited about the event, and I assure you everything will be flawless," Hanna replied with a respectful bow.
Kabana's expression softened as he regarded her. "What would I do without you, Hanna?" he said warmly.
Then, his tone turned serious again. "Remember, these young women are not mere peasants or maids—they are noble daughters of prominent families. We must treat them with the utmost respect, even those who fail the selection. Any slight could risk causing rifts with these families."
"Of course, my lord," Hanna said.
Then, after a brief pause, she added, "However, the families have requested permission for bodyguards to accompany the brides into the fortress. How should we proceed?"