Leon walked down the cold stone corridor, hands in his pockets, eyes forward. Behind him, the soft patter of bare feet echoed quietly as Selene followed, her fluffy tails swaying lightly behind her.
"Thank you… Master," she said softly, her voice a blend of warmth and something more—something deeper.
Leon paused.
At the same moment, a soft ding echoed in his mind.
A translucent screen flickered into view just above Selene's head.
[+20 Favorability: Selene]
His eyes narrowed in curiosity.
He mentally opened her profile.
[Status Window – Retainer: Selene Noctis]
╭───────────────◆◆◆───────────────╮
⤷ Race: Nine-Tailed Fox (Three Tails Awakened)
⤷ Age: 24
⤷ Strength: 72
⤷ Agility: 94
⤷ Endurance: 66
⤷ Mana: 118
⤷ Charm: 156
⤷ Intelligence: 89
╰───────────────◆◆◆───────────────╯
Skills:
➤ Alluring Gaze — Increases charm effectiveness in close interactions
➤ Foxfire Veil — Cloaks body in mana-enhanced illusion flames
➤ Whisper of the Tails — Induces mental vulnerability in targets
➤ Charm Aura (Passive) — Slight passive boost to influence those around her
➤ Fox's Embrace — Temporarily boosts all stats during intimate contact or emotional resonance
Loyalty: 95% — "Would die for you."
Favorability: 80 / 100 — "Heart flutters in your presence."
********
Leon blinked.
Eighty?
He stared at the number for a long second.
'Does she have a crush on me…?'
[System Message:
Don't flatter yourself. That favorability is for the real Leon. You just inherited the body.]
Leon smirked.
'Too bad for her then. I'm the one she can have.'
Selene, watching Leon stare silently at nothing, tilted her head in concern. From her perspective, her master just stopped mid-step and stared blankly into the air.
She gently tugged his sleeve. "Master? Are you alright?"
Leon blinked and looked at her. "Huh? Yeah. Just… lost in thought."
He cleared his throat. "You were saying something?"
"I was only expressing my gratitude, Master. For standing up for me back there."
"What are you talking about?" Leon shrugged. "I didn't do you a favor. I just told them the truth."
"But still," she said, her tone quiet and eyes shimmering, "no one's defended me like that in a long time. Not even the old you."
Leon raised an eyebrow. "The old me was an idiot then."
That made her laugh. A light, melodic sound.
"I like the new you, Master," Selene said with a soft smile, eyes lingering on him.
Leon smirked. "Glad to hear that. So… what's next on the schedule? Slay a dragon? Fight off starvation? Hold another pointless meeting?"
She giggled. "Nothing that dramatic—unless you want it to be. What do you feel like doing, Master?"
Leon gave an exaggerated yawn, rubbing the back of his neck. "Honestly? I'm still half-asleep. A bath sounds perfect right now. Something warm to clear my head."
"Excellent choice." She perked up. "I'll let Pyros know to prepare the water."
She turned on her heel and practically floated away, tails swaying behind her.
Leon chuckled. "Too much energy this early…"
As he made his way through the quiet halls, Leon flipped through what he remembered about Pyros.
Pyros – Aqua Imp.
Barely three feet tall. Blue skin, webbed fingers, dramatic flair. The castle's unofficial water supply. Bathwater, drinking water, cooking water—you name it, Pyros made it happen. Always with a ridiculous wave of his tiny hands, like he was casting some grand spell. Still, in this wasteland, the guy was a godsend.
Leon eventually found the bath chamber.
He pushed open a heavy wooden door and stepped inside.
The room was simple and utilitarian—clearly built for function over style. The stone walls were old but clean, faintly glistening with moisture. In the center was a broad rectangular bath, carved into the floor like a shallow pool. The water shimmered, perfectly clear, with faint steam rising from the surface.
A few flat stone seats circled the edge, smoothed from years of use. A wooden bucket, a ladle, and a couple of towels rested nearby.
Leon whistled softly. "Well, color me impressed. Didn't think anything in this place could feel… civilized."
He walked up to the edge and peered into the water. His reflection stared back at him—red eyes, messy black hair, and a face that looked sharper and more intimidating than he remembered. The changes from the Abyssal Bloodline still felt strange.
He dipped his fingers into the water.
"Warm. Nice." He sighed in relief, then sat down on one of the smooth stone ledges, letting the quiet fill the space.
Finally, a moment to think.
Leon sat in the hot water, arms resting on the edges of the stone bath. Steam drifted around him, the only sound the quiet ripple of water. For once, things were calm. No battles. No starving demons. Just silence.
Then he felt it — someone slipping into the water behind him.
Arms slid around his chest. Bare. Soft.
He tensed. "What the—"
And then her chest pressed against his back. Full. Warm. Real.
Despite the heat of the bath, her body stood out. Soft skin. Heavy curves. His breath caught.
"Relax, master," came that voice — low, sultry, far too familiar.
He didn't need to turn around. "Selene?"
"Mm." Her voice was smooth, teasing. She pressed in closer. Her breasts flattened against his back, no shame, no hesitation. "Who else would it be?"
He wasn't sure if he should be surprised or impressed. "And what exactly are you doing?"
"Serving you," she said simply, fingers dragging slowly across his chest. "The way a maid should."
Her wet hair clung to his shoulder as she leaned in, lips brushing his ear. "You've been tense. Thought I'd help."
Leon let out a breath, half a laugh. "This is how you help?"
"You're the Demon King now." Her hands moved lower, one tracing over his stomach, fingers dangerously close to more sensitive places. "You should start living like it."
Leon snorted, shifting to feel those tits squish tighter against him. "Yeah? And sneaking into my pool's part of that?"
Her breath was hot on his skin. "Not officially…" She paused, softer now. "But it's my job to make sure the lord is always free of any stress. And what better way to insure that than serving the master with my body."
"You don't need to hold back," she whispered. "Not with me."