When I woke up, my head hurt like hell. I found myself in another elegant room with a dark blue theme and silver fixtures.
I struggled to focus with my eyes for a moment.
The beautiful woman who hurled me across the room sat quietly on a wooden sofa near me, reading a book.
"Seraphina, where am I?"
It seemed she didn't expect me to call her by name as her fingers trembled before closing the book. Her beautiful eyes were like a pair of icy sapphires peering into my face.
"Um, you should stay still. You might be hurt."
Her eyes darted between the book on magical theory and my face while her lovely voice danced in my ears.
"I'm fine, though you look stunning in that dress."
"T-Thank you..."
An awkward silence greeted me—this time, her impression didn't increase. Maybe it felt a little pretentious or fake this time.
My eyes trailed across the room, trying to avoid staring.
'What to talk about... a fiancée I don't know anything about.'
While lost in my thoughts and searching for a topic to speak about, I realised something.
Did I keep the same name, or might being reborn in another body have changed everything? In the previous life, there wasn't anyone known of the Demon Queen's fiancé or husband.
'Is this something new?'
Suddenly, Seraphina looked in my direction, her captivating lips parting slowly with a thread of her saliva dripping down. "Valerius, why are you suddenly so different? Your eyes look at me with such hunger."
I realised that nobody had called my name in the past seven years. I was champ, inferior, you, or trash.
However, she called me by a name... My new name, according to the
[Valerius Noctis Asmodeus]
Noctis was my name as a human. I am happy it still exists in some form.
"To be honest, Seraphina, after I slept last night, it feels like everything changed as if I became a new man."
"Liar! I know the truth. They all say you are going to marry me just because of our families." Her lovely blue eyes seemed to fill with tears. Nothing like the demon queen I knew, or was this her true self when in private?
"Then I'll prove my feelings to you." I slipped from my bed, taking advantage of her slow movements and approached her with my right arm reaching out. I gently wiped the warm tears from her eyes. "I know that the heroes will one day come to take your life."
[Demon Queen - Seraphina Astaroth is feeling conflicted—the old you was cold and didn't show her a moment of attention. Even after she tried to seduce you, nothing happened. It is up to your ability to change her mind!]
"S-So...?" Seraphina's voice quivered, looking up at me with her lovely blue eyes sparkling as they jittered from side to side.
"I will defeat them, one by one, and make them vow to serve me." My unfamiliar voice felt amazing as I leaned close to her, despite my knowing there wasn't a deep connection between us yet. Its deep and raspy tone was more attractive than my former high-pitched one.
"Y-You, defeat the heroes? But you cannot fight! Are you a fool!?" Her voice became louder while she batted away my hand and turned her face in a huff.
'I guess even if she only feels neutral to me, we're still engaged, huh.'
Though I didn't know about myself in this world, thanks to the oracle, I knew my existence was no longer worthless.
To hear the oracle's voice meant I gained a god's blessing.
"Then, for each hero, I bring here successfully, you'll go on a date with me for an entire day!"
Seraphina just looked at me with the most adorable face, her eyes opened wide and her mouth gaping. For a moment, she seemed to drool before shaking her head vigorously.
"No, no... how could you do that? If it could be so easily done then--"
"I swear to you, Seraphina, on our marriage, that should I fail. I will speak to my mother and have it annulled and set you free!"
Though the information I held seemed limited.
The oracle gave me a few things. My mother is a powerful demon on a level with Seraphina. She used her influence to create this marriage for her useless son, who seemed to fail as the last remaining Incubus.
[Demon Queen - Seraphina Astaroth: Affection Points +2]
[Demon Queen - Seraphina Astaroth felt your sincerity, and the idea of freedom made her feel a sense of hope for the future.]
[Current Affection Points: 5]
[Affection Level: Neutral]
"If... If you manage to succeed. Then I will accept your challenge, Valerius!"
"Call me Noctis, my Seraphina."
It didn't seem she thought it was a big deal and nodded. Her face seemed brighter than before. Although the cause was our marriage being called off, I discovered my way of surviving in this world, at least for now.
We looked at each other, and though the awkward feeling vanished, we were still strangers.
'That's okay for now. I will win her heart and show her.'
"You should head to the castle Seraphina. I am alright and will soon leave for my mission. However, I don't intend to seek your help too much. Please await my first success!"
"Understood, Noctis. Thank you, and goodbye."
She left quickly with a polite bow to me, though she misunderstood my act as being kind. The fact was if I tried some stupid tactic to seduce her now, I wouldn't be able to. Seraphina needs to see me change with her own eyes.
Otherwise, nothing will happen.
**
After calming down and sorting my thoughts, I closed my door and locked the silver handle tight. Then I sat on the chair opposite the dressing table. It felt strange to own such luxurious items, and it gave me a chance to look at myself for the first time.
Long black hair with the most glossy shine I'd ever seen, comparable to the images of the goddess of the night with golden eyes. Their oval shape is appealing and sharp, able to convey beauty and a wild gaze with the movement of my eyelids.
'I am a winner in this life...'
I felt a strange feeling from behind me that seemed to move and sway depending on my emotions, like Seraphina, a black tail with a sleek surface—however, her tip was a heart, while mine was a sharp arrowhead.
"A strange race of demons... It seems created only to appeal to females."
[The Incubus Race - Once a prosperous race of demons who ruled by conquering other races, females used seduction, persuasion, deceit and superior abilities in bed while able to adjust their bodies to match other races. Their fall came when the former king tried to seduce a goddess and failed, leaving only one remaining Incubus in existence and cursed never to give birth to another male.]
'This is about me, right?'
[Host - Valerius Noctis Asmodeus]
[Race - High Incubus]
The oracle, who called herself a System, spoke with a beautiful voice. However, it seemed to be merely an informative service rather than an interactive oracle.
"Then System! Please show me my current state, if possible. I need to know what I am working with to capture the three heroes; I need to plan properly."
First would be the noble lady who trained to become a knight before awakening as a hero. If time really went back ten years, I would have three years to join the same knight group and train beside her, seeking to clear her affection before the Hero even appears.
"Claire Ravenscroft, the Crusader Knight... You will be my first target!"
My eyes reflected off some glass ornament turned black with a golden iris the moment I thought dark or powerful thoughts, which made me realise I truly became a demon.
'There is no going back!'
[Displaying Current Status...]