Chapter 40: Storage Chest, A Princess in Red

It was a humid night.

God Vritra stood in his room, arms gracefully spread out and eyes calmly closed. A bright purple aura glowed around him as he took deep, steady breaths.

『Excellent...』

He could feel his power growing to a level that even surprised him. But in the end, this was the result of his relentless trickery and god-like foresight.

『Ah... another increase in my Fate Value. It almost feels like I can interact more deeply with the workings of the world. On top of that, I can feel my [Void Dragon Heart] getting stronger this time as well.』

Vritra looked at his hand and noticed it had changed.

... Oh?

It now resembled a dragon's claw, covered in dark purple scales and ending in sharp talons. A powerful, decaying purple energy flowed from his hand, as if it could rot anything it touched.

The young Asura smiled at this.

『I haven't gotten a clear answer as to why, but I have two hearts. One is my normal heart, which, like everyone else in this world, serves as the receptacle for my mana core. The other is my [Void Dragon Heart], which makes me a unique kind of Fiendcelestial... something that's only been seen once in history. For now, it hasn't awakened, but I don't plan on forcing it. I'll take my time.』

Vritra's hand gradually returned to its normal state.

Not long after, a blue screen popped up before him.

... Hm?

He skimmed through its information.

...

[User: N/A]

[Fate Value: 205]

...

[Heroine Name: Luciana Aveline Duranzia]

[Fate Value: 800]

[Current Affection for You: 1,224/500]

[Relationship Status: Engaged]

[Seduction Success Rate: 100%]

[Current Affection for Lumis: None]

...

[Individual Name: Esmeralda Bluenette Kirkwood]

[Fate Value: 235]

[Current Affection for You: 850/300]

[Relationship Status: Complicated]

[Seduction Success Rate: 100%]

[Current Affection for Lumis: None]

...

Vritra placed hummed thoughtfully.

『Hrmm, my name still doesn't show up as the user...』

But that didn't really bother him.

『This time I didn't even need to set bait...』

The smile on his face widened.

『She came to me...』

The knock sounded again.

"G-, G-, God Vritra? It's me, Luciana..."

"Oh? Come in."

The dark prince spoke as if he hadn't heard her at all. His acting was so convincing that a stranger would think he didn't even know who Luciana was.

────CREEEEAK!

The doors parted open, and Luciana walked in.

She was wearing a red nightdress and carrying a tray with a jug of wine and two fancy goblets.

... Hm?

Normally, Prince Vritra wouldn't be surprised to see her in a nightdress, since it was late and it made sense she'd wear something comfortable.

But this nightgown seemed a bit too revealing? It wasn't just that it was easy to move in; it was tight enough to outline the sexy shape of her hourglass body and left much of her maiden-worthy skin exposed.

Truly, a sight to behold.

Prince Vritra kept his calm as he enjoyed her appearance.

『It might be a bit too much for her, but I guess she must have read another book and thought it would be a good idea to recreate that scene here. Silly girl.』

He chuckled inwardly.

"Luciana, what's this? It's quite late, you know."

"Since God Vritra didn't get to eat or drink much at our celebration today, we'll make sure to enjoy a meal together now!"

With that, Luciana turned her face away, blushing.

She seemed to realize that the young lord mostly just drank tea during today's small celebration.

The princess thought he might not enjoy crowds and couldn't find much to like about being around old, round-bellied nobles who only knew how to eat, laugh, and drink.

She figured God Vritra had left early either because he was annoyed by the nobles or found no reason to stay longer.

『Regardless, I-, I am technically his wife... so I should be a step ahead in understanding him.』

Her cheeks glowed even more red.

God Vritra saw this and decided to tease her.

"Oh? Well, it's just the two of us here. I might just tear you out of that dress and do some inappropriate things."

Rather than a tease, he was testing how desperate she was in a playful way.

Luciana was a principled woman who valued the idea of waiting until marriage for sex. But more than that, she was a princess-heroine, and their type would immediately spit in the villain's face the moment he said such.

Surprisingly, though, she gave an unexpected response.

"I... I'm sure it would be fine. As long as... you're gentle with me, my lord."

She could barely meet his eyes as she spoke, her pretty blue eyes darting everywhere but at Vritra.

Clearly, she was ashamed of what she had just said!

... Oho?

『This woman is really forcing herself tonight. Tsk, tsk, should I be worried?』