August, now fully transformed into his Demon God form, exuded the overwhelming presence of a living god of destruction.
The tavern owner, a dryad, found herself completely paralyzed in his presence. The sheer difference in strength between them was insurmountable, like an unbridgeable chasm. She could barely move under the crushing weight of his power, feeling death's cold grip inching closer. If she dared defy him, there was no doubt—she would die.
Thankfully, August dispelled his transformation after just a few breaths, but the memory of dancing on the edge of death would forever be etched in the tavern owner's mind.
"He's so strong… it's like facing a god capable of destroying the world," she murmured in awe.
August smiled, his tone casual yet chilling. "I came here by accident, but I find this place rather intriguing—especially the women."
"I understand, my lord," the tavern owner quickly replied, not daring to utter another word of protest. She knew the rules of the world: the strong ruled, and the weak submitted. That had always been the unchanging law.
Satisfied, August's grin widened. Now that he had sufficiently intimidated the tavern owner, he knew she wouldn't dare cause trouble. She was smart, after all—someone like her wouldn't make foolish decisions.
With Meidri nowhere to be found, August decided to take his leave, walking away as the tavern owner collapsed weakly into her chair.
"Meidri… I'm not sure if I should call you lucky or unlucky," she muttered under her breath, her voice trembling with both fear and pity.
Being chosen by someone like August was both a blessing and a curse. If Meidri was fortunate, she could live a life of luxury, pampered like a princess. But if August merely sought to play with her, her life would be utterly ruined.
Still, despite understanding all of this, the tavern owner knew there was nothing she could do. She didn't dare intervene, for if she crossed August, it wouldn't just be her life on the line—he might very well obliterate the entire town.
As a dryad, she could sense the blood that clung to August like a mantle of death, as though he had emerged from the very depths of hell itself. He was not a man to be trifled with; he was a Demon God who killed without a second thought.
Meanwhile, August returned to his new house and lay down on the bed, feeling the dark ocean of power bubbling within him. Lust, one of the Seven Deadly Sins, stirred restlessly inside him, eager to be unleashed.
Since arriving in this world, August had assumed it was nothing more than a temporary retreat—a vacation. After all, he had only one year here before he'd be pulled back, and the world itself was themed around an erotic succubus brothel. That realization had begun to erode the shackles of restraint within him, causing him to act more and more wantonly.
It was as if he had finally given himself permission to let loose completely, and in doing so, Lust grew even more fervent within him.
"If I'm in a world like this, why not embrace my role as the Demon King?" The thought took root in his mind, expanding until it consumed his entire being.
Although it was late into the night, August found himself unable to sleep. Even after staying awake all night and being busy all day, rest still eluded him.
Eventually, he decided to enter the small world within him.
Upon entering, he was immediately taken aback. The small world had grown significantly, expanding far beyond what it had been before.
He made his way to the center of the world, where the World Tree sapling was planted—an anchor point for the entire space, and its most vital part.
'Papa~'
The moment he arrived, the voice of the World Tree sapling echoed in his mind, filling August with warmth and joy.
Though still just a small sprout, August, as its contract partner, could sense the rapid growth of the World Tree. Even without his constant feeding, the sapling had learned to absorb nutrients from the void itself, slowly strengthening its roots. After all, as a World Tree, its very existence was rooted in the infinite void, destined to one day support entire realms.
August smiled to himself, realizing that both he and the World Tree were growing stronger, preparing for the unknown future that awaited them.
"Little one, how can I help you grow faster? I've hunted so many magical beasts, yet it still feels like a drop in the ocean for you. My efforts seem so insignificant," August lamented, his voice filled with concern.
'Papa~ It's alright~' the World Tree sapling replied, its voice soothing and innocent.
"It is important. I want you to grow quickly so that I can hold you in my arms myself," August said with a hopeful tone. He remembered the information he'd received when forming the contract with the World Tree sapling. Once the sapling passed the sprout stage and entered the seedling stage, it could give rise to 'spirits.'
In simple terms, the World Tree sapling could manifest an avatar, allowing for genuine interaction with August.
But, at present, they were still far from even one percent of that milestone, let alone reaching the next stage.
August couldn't deny his affection for the little one who always called him 'Papa.' It was impossible not to feel a deep bond.
[Name: World Tree (Seedling)]
[Master: August]
[Growth Rate: Sprout (0.003%)]
[Talents: Space, Elemental, Devouring]
August glanced at the growth rate, noticing it had increased from 0.002% to 0.003%. No wonder the small world had expanded so significantly; it was due to this 0.001% increase.
He realized that apart from tossing some magical beasts into the small world, he hadn't done much else lately.
"What do you think of these magical beasts, little one?" August asked.
'Like them~ Papa~' came the delighted response.
"In that case, let's hunt some more," August suggested.
'Thank you, Papa~'
"You're my little one; nothing is more important than you," August said warmly, just as Laura and a group of succubus maids approached.
"Your Highness, you're back," Laura greeted, bowing respectfully.
"Hmm, have there been any recent developments?" August inquired.
"Everything is going well. Moreover, thanks to the little prince, the area of the world has been increasing daily."
The term 'little prince' was what the succubus maids used to refer to the World Tree sapling. August didn't mind—it seemed fitting enough.
"Well, if all goes as planned, there will be magical beasts arriving here from time to time," August stated.
"Understood, Your Highness," Laura responded, though she was unaware of where these magical beasts came from. However, she trusted August's word. The once tiny realm had now expanded so dramatically; it was nothing short of miraculous.
The constant expansion of this world left her in awe. She had come to view August almost as a deity. If this ever-growing world could become as grand as the Underworld, then they would be among the first to inhabit it.
"This evening, I won't be returning home. Please have them come here to attend to me," August instructed.
"Eh? Really? Your Highness?" Laura asked, surprised.
"Why not?" August replied with a smirk.
"That's wonderful! I'll go and inform them right away."
For the succubus maids, being chosen to attend August was considered a great privilege. Despite being brought here for quite some time and seeing August frequently, they had never been granted such an honor—until now.
'Papa~ I like them~'
"Yes, I like beautiful women," August agreed.
'Then the little one wants to become beautiful too~'
"That will have to wait until you grow up," August said with a chuckle.
'I will grow up~'
August smiled, charmed by the sapling's sweet enthusiasm.
The future was full of possibilities, and as August prepared for the next stages, his plans began to take shape.
___
If you're interested in reading more, feel free to visit my patreon which already contains 30+ chapters:
https://www.patreon.com/XElenea