Darkness.
That was the world given to Celia of the past.
In the deepest prison of the White Church.
There, where even the sacred light turned away, she existed, having forgotten the flow of time.
Her body was bound to the cold stone walls, and only her spirit flickered faintly, remaining like an unquenchable ember.
Celia was originally different from other succubi. She was an anomaly, driven more by compassion and sympathy than the instinctual desire to steal the vital energy of humans.
Because of this, she was an outsider among her own kind, and her growth as a succubus was minimal.
She was accustomed to hunger, but filling her belly at the cost of others’ suffering was a greater torment to her.
Then one day, Queen Carmina appeared like a ray of light in her life, which was filled only with despair and resignation.
Carmina, the pinnacle of all succubi, possessing both beauty and immense power, approached Celia and whispered.
“You poor child. I see a special talent in you.”
Celia, or rather Celia Ishar, believed those words.
To her, who had been ignored and ridiculed her entire life, words of recognition were like an oasis in the desert.
Carmina took her to her palace.
A hallway carpeted with red rose petals, black candles that burned eternally, and a fountain whose waters flowed, tingeing even the moonlight red.
There, she gained the honor of being ‘the Queen’s disciple.’
The first few days were like a dream. Sleeping on silken beds, eating the finest food, and receiving envious glances from other succubi.
But that illusion did not last long.
“We shall begin the ritual today.”
Following Carmina’s words, Celia was led into a deep room in the palace.
There stood an altar made of dark red marble.
“Lie down.”
Celia obeyed.
Even then, she thought this was a rite of passage that all disciples underwent.
When Carmina drew out a silver dagger, she merely thought she was offering a small amount of blood as a token of loyalty.
But reality was different.
“Celia Ishar, your blood is truly special.”
The blade that cut Celia’s wrist was deeper than expected. The amount of blood that flowed out was also much greater.
Celia felt dizzy but could not protest under Carmina’s cold gaze.
“Are you alright, my child? This is for your own good. It is a process to draw out the power within you.”
Thus, the first ritual ended.
And on the second day, the third day… the rituals continued without pause.
Every day, at the same time, in the same place, Celia’s blood was collected in a golden goblet, which Carmina consumed.
The longer she spent lying on the altar, the more Celia felt her condition worsen.
For someone who did not absorb vital energy, the blood that was taken daily was fatal.
“My Queen, could we… rest a little today? I am so exhausted…”
Carmina’s face contorted at her plea.
“Do not show weakness! If my disciple cannot endure such pain, how can you bear the name of a succubus!”
After that, Celia kept silent.
No matter how much pain she endured, no matter how much her body withered, she obeyed Carmina’s commands.
For she believed that was the only way to gain the Queen’s approval.
Time continued to pass.
Day by day, Celia’s condition worsened uncontrollably.
Her silver hair lost its luster, becoming dry and brittle, and her once vibrant eyes were clouded with deep fatigue.
However, Carmina paid no heed to Celia’s suffering.
On the contrary, she became even more obsessed with Celia’s blood.
Celia’s blood would make Carmina, the Succubus Queen, even more powerful.
At times, she would stroke Celia’s hair with a satisfied smile, but there was no warmth in that touch.
Celia was treated like a well-managed livestock, a mere tool for providing blood.
Of course, even that did not last long.
As time went on, having squeezed enough blood from Celia’s body, Carmina said.
“You are no longer needed.”
Those words struck Celia’s heart like a blade.
Her whole body trembled with shock and betrayal.
Were the words about talent, the promise to guide her, all lies?
Had she been used from the verybeginning?
She had been too naive.
And the last thing she remembered was the appearance of the White Church paladins along with Carmina’s cruel smile.
Carmina watched with a mocking gaze as Celia was dragged away by the paladins.
She did not know how the Succubus Queen and the Church had joined forces, nor why she alone was sealed.
All she knew was that she had been thoroughly betrayed, a fact etched deep into her bones.
Thus, Celia was sealed in the depths of the White Church.
A punishment where she could not die even if she wished to.
Celia seemed destined to be forgotten there forever.
Anger and resentment consumed her heart. Her compassion for humans had long vanished, and only hatred for Carmina and the White Church, who had brought her to this state, boiled within her.
If only she could escape this place, she would surely take revenge.
And at that moment, space began to warp, and a voice was heard.
[Celia Ishar, become my slave.]
It was salvation.
The outstretched hand of salvation from the Great One.
* * *
“This is quite interesting.”
Recalling her past, Celia slightly lifted the corners of her red lips.
Carmina, a name she had forgotten while only thinking of the Great One.
It was truly intriguing that the Succubus Queen had revealed herself.
“Now, what will you do, Ms. Carmina?”
The way she addressed Carmina had changed from ‘Queen’ to ‘Ms.’
That small change held the mockery of a long time.
Having been chosen by the Noble One and become a 6-star, Celia now had nothing to fear.
No, rather, she intended to eliminate Carmina, who was hindering the Master’s plan. That was why she deliberately unleashed her aura.
So that Carmina, wherever she might be, could sense Celia’s presence.
Celia turned her head slowly with a pleased expression.
There stood Baalcherit.
“Ms. Riche, it’s been a while, so you’ll have to work again, won’t you?”
There was coldness hidden in Celia’s soft tone.
At those words, Baalcherit was suddenly reminded.
Of the moments she worked like a dog.
Of the memories of working endlessly from morning till night.
“Th-this is unjust!”
As Baalcherit tried to protest and say something, Celia’s eyes narrowed.
“Hiiik.”
Baalcherit quickly bowed her head and lowered her eyes.
Her whole body trembled with instinctive fear.
No matter her lineage as a descendant of vampire royalty, she could not defy Celia.
“…Understood. I shall work.”
Baalcherit’s voice grew smaller.
“Now then, let’s finalize our roles. Soon, some insects will dare to approach the Master’s dungeon.”
Celia clapped her hands once and looked around.
Under the Master’s command, all the dungeon monsters had gathered.
Even Maru, who assisted the Master at his side, had been deployed.
Celia had no intention of disappointing the Master.
“Maru, please take charge of Sector 3 in Layer 1.”
In Sector 1, there was a 5-star Death Knight.
Similarly, in Sector 2, there was a 5-star Goblin Lord as a mid-boss.
However, in Sector 3, only the young vampire Aren, the elf Nariel, and the Water Spirit existed.
Of course, there was the 5-star Baalcherit, but to Celia, she was as good as nonexistent.
That was why the 6-star Maru was positioned in Sector 3 of Layer 1.
“Tap tap.”
(Understood.)
Celia’s gaze shifted from Maru to Necros.
“Necros, you said you received a new monster this time?”
“…….”
At Celia’s words, Necros nodded sadly.
The new monster Necros received in his dungeon was the Cockatrice.
But the Cockatrice, being too fond of shiny things, often swallowed Necros’s jewels and gold coins.
Necros wanted to rip open the Cockatrice’s belly immediately, but since it was a creature bestowed by the Great One, he dared not do so.
“Tap…….”
Necros’s voice sounded weak.
“Necros, please support Death Knight in Sector 1.”
Although Celia’s power had grown, Succubus Queen Carmina was a being who had lived for a long time.
If she gradually accumulated her power, it might not be enough for the Death Knight alone to defend.
Therefore, Celia deployed Necros to Sector 1.
Sector 2 was no different.
No matter how well the Goblin Lord, Hobgoblins, and Goblins coordinated and defended the dungeon, they seemed insufficient to face the Succubus Queen.
“What about the Half-Goblins?”
The humans captured in the dungeon became playthings for the goblins.
The Half-Goblins, born from the union with goblins, were 4-star monsters and would become excellent warriors to replace the goblins in the future.
But the Goblin Lord shook his head.
“Not yet. Their growth is fast, but they lack combat experience, so they can’t handle it this time. Krrk!”
“Hmm. That’s unfortunate, but it can’t be helped.”
Celia nodded.
The Half-Goblins were an important resource that would secure the dungeon’s future.
They could not be lost before they were ready.
“Then, Goblin Lord, take the Wyvern with you.”
“Got it!”
Celia, deploying the 5-star Wyvern to Sector 2 and focusing on the dungeon’s defense.
But she couldn’t be satisfied with just that.
Carmina was not a queen merely because of her strength.
She could reign supreme due to the succubi she commanded and the Dreamstates that parasitized dreams.
“Left and Right, you will maintain your positions.”
“Understood. Did you hear that, Right?”
“Heard it, Left.”
The Ogre brothers with two heads, ‘Left’ and ‘Right,’ replied to Celia’s command.
They were monsters in charge of torture within the dungeon and would not provide direct assistance in combat.
However, they were not entirely useless.
After this battle, she planned to interrogate the surviving succubi. At the same time, she intended to turn them to her side.
Therefore, Left and Right were to remain in their original positions in Layer 2, Sector 1.
“Th-then, what about me…?”
At Baalcherit’s words, Celia’s expression turned cold.
“You can stay outside the dungeon.”
“Hiiing.”
This was the moment Baalcherit’s position was decided.
* * *
A red light dyed the city.
At the forefront was a woman in a red dress.
Carmina, the Succubus Queen.
Behind her stood countless succubi and Dreamstates with monstrous appearances, but no humans questioned it.
As Carmina raised her hand, a red mist began to spread throughout the city.
The mist flowed through the alleyways and seeped into every house. It emitted a sweet scent, and humans, intoxicated by the aroma, came out into the streets one by one.
“For our great Succubus Queen Carmina!”
A man shouted.
His eyes were empty, but a euphoric smile spread across his face.
In his hand was an iron hammer, seemingly taken from a blacksmith’s shop.
“I will fight and die for Queen Carmina!”
Another man shouted. He was a hunter.
In his hand, he held a sharp hunting bow.
The light of reason had completely vanished from his eyes, leaving only blind devotion.
Everyone was under Carmina’s charm.
More people emerged from the alleys.
Young, old, even boys. Each of them held whatever they could grasp as a weapon: swords, axes, pickaxes, sickles.
The same madness of worship resided in all their eyes.
“For our heroes!”
Women and children poured out into the streets as well. Their eyes were equally vacant.
They gathered around the men holding weapons, cheering in a bizarre manner. It was like a festival, or a religious ritual.
“My son will fight gloriously for Queen Carmina!”
An old woman exclaimed proudly.
She patted her young grandson’s shoulder. The boy held a large butcher’s knife in his hand, and a happy expression was on his face.
“My dear, you will be Carmina’s bravest warrior!”
A young woman said to her husband.
Carmina smiled with satisfaction as she watched all this.
“My beautiful soldiers.”
Carmina’s voice echoed through the city.
“Fight for me! Die for me!”
“For Queen Carmina!”
The crowd let out a fanatical cheer.
As time passed, more and more humans joined Carmina’s procession.
