Lucien and Alexel strolled side-by-side through the heart of the freshly rebuilt town, a flawless gem of enchanted stone and sleek infrastructure carved from ambition and audacity. Townsfolk lined the roads, cheering and calling out blessings, some even tossing petals, others throwing kisses. Lucien, ever the picture of smug royalty, soaked it all in with a grin as wide as his ego.
Alexel, clipboard in hand, rattled off a report. "All major construction's complete. We've left a finishing team here to wrap up the small stuff. The rest of the crews are already en route to the next village to prep supplies and scout the terrain."
Lucien slapped him on the back. "I'm proud of you, Lex. Really proud. And I take care of my hardest workers."
He pointed toward a particularly opulent carriage in the row ahead. It featured gilded trim, soft velvet curtains, and a golden sign over the door that read 'Royal Architect'.
Alexel blinked, confused. "Wait, is that—?"
"Go on," Lucien grinned. "She's all yours."
The moment Alexel stepped closer, the door flung open and a pink-haired succubus popped out, clad in a dangerously tight secretary outfit that barely held back a tsunami of cleavage. Her glasses were more decorative than practical and she squealed the moment she saw Alexel.
"Ooooh! You're way cuter than Lord Lucidius said!"
Alexel froze mid-step.
She unbuttoned her blouse an extra click. "I'm Nysa. Fully certified in stress relief, architectural support, and oral motivation."
Lucien gave him another hearty slap on the back. "Enjoy, buddy. I personally vetted her qualifications. Extensively."
Alexel's face went crimson, his eyes sparkled, and he launched himself into the carriage like a man possessed. The succubus giggled as he buried his face in her chest, slamming the door shut behind them.
Lucien cackled with joy, just as a pair of panties fluttered from the next carriage window.
"My Looooord~" came the twin, teasing voices of Vex and Vile.
Two arms emerged from the window, each twirling a lacy souvenir.
Lucien's breath hitched.
"Two minutes!" he barked, straightening his coat.
Lucien composed himself and waved over Ignara and X'zelle just as they were about to board their own carriages.
"Status?"
Ignara flicked her lollipop out of her mouth, lips curling smugly. "We've added over two hundred new workers. Locals from this very town. All signed and loyal. They'll do whatever we need. Word's spreading, sire."
Lucien's grin went wide. "Excellent."
She raised a brow. "If this keeps up, we won't need to conquer the Seven Kingdoms. They'll come crawling to us for trade, knowledge and… magical plumbing."
"Shhh." Lucien smirked, glancing at Serenith who was still standing suspiciously close to Alexel's carriage. "Don't spoil the surprise."
X'zelle stepped forward, clipboard in hand. "All job positions in the town are filled. In fact, we had to turn away volunteers. The schools, taverns, even the medical center, all overflowing with talent."
She clicked her tongue. "Turns out a lot of qualified folks were just... unemployed, because no one gave them a chance."
He turned to Ignara. "Thanks, flame-heart. You're dismissed."
Ignara bowed and strutted away, hips swaying like a countdown to destruction.
Lucien casually slung an arm around X'zelle's shoulder. "As for you… I've been meaning to have a more intimate discussion with you, my cute, little captain."
X'zelle's many limbs stiffened beneath her cloak.
"I've noticed the detail in your reports. The discipline. The devotion. You've been holding this operation together with grace and style."
X'zelle's mouth fell open. She tried to speak, but Lucien held up a finger.
"I'd like you to ride in my carriage to the next town. There's a lot I'd like to discuss."
She frowned. "Didn't you already promise the twins a ride?"
"I did." Lucien groans with an exaggerated sigh. "What a conundrum. Unless… you don't mind sharing."
X'zelle's extra limbs began to tremble. Then she grinned. "The more the merrier, my lord."
-------------
A little while later…
The carriages rumbled over the smooth new cobblestone road, stretching like a scar across the Ashlands.
Serenith sat grumpily on the roof of Lucien's carriage, legs crossed, wings wrapped tightly around her body as if to ward off the sin steaming from below.
From inside came muffled moans, giggles, the occasional slurp, and Lucien's voice.
"Serenith, sweetheart! Are you absolutely sure you don't wanna join us in here? We're only using about… two-thirds of the space."
Serenith scowled. "I'm fine—"
SMACK.
A bug the size of a baby squirrel slapped her square in the face.
Moments later, she sat inside the carriage, red-faced and scowling. Lucien was mid-thrust, X'zelle bent over the bench, her limbs dancing across the naked bodies of Vex and Vile who both lay tangled together in post-orgasmic bliss.
Serenith winced, squeezing her eyes shut.
Groth's massive, armored form suddenly loomed in the window on her massive warhorse.
Serenith yelped and cracked the window.
Groth, unphased, saluted. "Major problem, my lord. We're running low on metal. Been mining a nearby mountain, but had to dig deeper to meet demand. And we found… something."
Lucien, without slowing pace, flicked a pair of panties off his brow. "Go on, general."
"We found a dragon. A big one. Already lost thirty men trying to kill it or scare it off. Mining's stalled."
Lucien blinked. "Dragon?"
"Dragon."
Lucien's hips never stopped. "Dragon!? I need to see this. I'll deal with it personally. Just give me… about… twenty… minutes—"
He grunts, there's a sharp slam and then several high-pitched moans.
Serenith stared at him, then yelped and covered her face. "How are you even doing that?"
The carriage burst into laughter.
"It's not funny!" she hissed.
--------------
Thirty minutes later, the convoy had stopped halfway to the next town.
Ash and embers swirled around Lucien as he stepped out of the carriage. He was now clad in his full royal battle regalia. Embroidered black leather, crimson gemstone pauldrons, and a crown wreathed in dark flame. He radiated demonic swagger.
Vex and Vile stumbled out behind him, stark naked and giggling. One handed him his sword. The other, his crown.
X'zelle poked her head out, breathless and flushed. "Magnificent, my lord. You look sinfully magnificent."
Lucien twirled his sword, slid on the crown, and struck a dramatic pose. "Naturally."
"Is my mount ready?"
She gave a nervous nod. "As requested. Though… no one could tame her. She's gone berserk every time someone tried to ride her."
Lucien's eyes lit up. "Perfect."
A dozen muscle-bound demons appeared, dragging behind them a snorting, thrashing monster of a steed. Midnight black, it had hooves of obsidian, a mane of living flame, and smoke curling from its nostrils like a forge about to erupt.
As it neared, it kicked one handler clean through a carriage and headbutted another into a tree.
Lucien's grin grew wider.
He gave a sharp whistle.
The beast paused. Its molten eyes locked with his. Then it charged, a tornado of flame and fury barreling straight for him.
The women screamed.
Lucien didn't flinch.
At the last moment, he snapped his fingers.
Dust exploded.
When it cleared, the monster was seated like a puppy, head bowed, its smoldering breath warming Lucien's hands as he gently scratched its ears.
"Who's a good girl? You are."
The twins screamed and surged toward him, showering him in kisses and praise.
X'zelle shouted, "What are you going to name such a mighty beast?!"
The girls chimed in with suggestions.
"Nightfire!"
"Dreadhoof!"
"Emberblitz!"
Lucien raised a hand.
"No. I already know her name."
He slapped the horse's flank. It reared up with a roar, spewing fire into the air and radiating magical power like a solar flare.
Lucien leapt into the saddle, pressed his forehead against its neck, and grinned.
"I shall name her... Bugatti."