CHAPTER 48: THE TRUTH IS WHATEVER I SAY IT IS

CHIME!

[Narrative Realignment Detected. Protagonist has defined his ultimate ambition.]

[Schema Points Awarded: +50]

[A new Primary Narrative Quest is being proposed by the Host: "The Scumbag Sovereign." Are you certain this is your chosen path? To take everything you desire without compromise?]

Was I certain? I’d been certain since the moment I’d felt my balls being crushed by the System. I wasn’t just certain—I was fucking starving.

Confirm it.

[Narrative Path Confirmed. Good luck, Your Majesty.]

I sat up, pulling Natalia with me so we were face-to-face. I took her hands in mine, expression serious, voice low.

"What I’m about to tell you... you can’t repeat to anyone. Not Emi. Not our parents. No one."

I watched her swallow, her eyes wide as she waited for the rest.

"It could get me killed, or worse, turned into a lab rat for the VHC."

Natalia’s eyes widened. "What are you talking about?"

"My Aspect isn’t just ’fire’ or ’ice.’ Those are just sparks flying off the real engine." I squeezed her hands. "My true Aspect is something ancient, something that shouldn’t exist in a normal person. The closest name I have for it is [Sovereign’s Covenant]."

"I’ve never heard of that," she whispered, already hooked.

"You wouldn’t have. It’s not in any textbook. Not in any registry." I took a deep breath. "I’m a Nexus. My own power is finite, a battery that can’t be recharged on its own. It only grows, only becomes stronger, by forging deep, powerful, intimate bonds with exceptional women."

I brought her hand to my chest, placing it over my heart. "Each bond I forge becomes a Pillar that supports my power. The stronger the woman, the deeper the bond, the stronger I become."

Her lips parted, eyes searching mine for deception. "That’s... that’s impossible. You’re saying you need to sleep with powerful women to get stronger? That’s the most convenient Aspect I’ve ever heard of."

I almost smiled. Smart girl. Of course she’d be skeptical.

"I know how it sounds. Trust me, I do. But think about it—why would I make this up? Why would I tell you something so outlandish if it weren’t true?" I leaned closer. "And haven’t you noticed? The changes in me started when we began spending more time together. The fire manifested in the Gate, protecting you. The more we connected, the stronger I became."

Her brow furrowed. "But that doesn’t explain—"

"The timing?" I supplied. "I was a late bloomer, yes, but not in the way most people think. My Aspect was dormant, waiting for the right catalyst." I traced a finger along her jawline. "You were that catalyst, Natalia. You."

I could see her wavering, wanting to believe. I went for the kill.

"You were the first. You’re not just a pillar; you are the Keystone Pillar. The bond we forged in that Gate, the one we solidified last night... it’s what awakened the Covenant’s true potential. Without you, none of the others would even be possible. You are, and always will be, the foundation."

Her mouth opened, then closed. Her cheeks flushed with color. It was an insane explanation, grandiose and narcissistic... and clearly the most romantic thing anyone had ever said to her.

"You mean..." she started, her voice small, "I’m special to you? Like, actually special? Not just because we live together or because I was... available?"

I cradled her face in my hands, my thumbs stroking the soft, tear-damp skin beneath her eyes. "You’re everything, Natalia. The beginning. The foundation. The queen to my king."

Her eyes glistened with unshed tears. "But you’re talking about other women. You want to... to be with other women?"

"I know it’s an insane thing to ask. To share me. To help me." I pressed my forehead against hers, my voice a raw whisper. "But I can’t build a kingdom alone. I need a queen to rule it with me. Will you be my queen, Natalia? Will you help me find our other pillars?"

She pulled back slightly, her face a storm of emotions—shock, jealousy, pride, and an unmistakable flicker of excitement.

"I... I don’t know what to say," she admitted. "This is a lot to process."

"Take your time," I said, stroking her hair. "I understand it’s overwhelming."

She sat in silence for a moment, worrying her lower lip between her teeth. "So... these other women. They would be... what? Your concubines?"

I shook my head. "Each one would have their own bond, their own role in our court. You would be my queen, my equal, my partner in all things. The others would serve specific functions based on their strengths."

"And you expect me to just be okay with this? To help you seduce other women?" Her voice had an edge to it now, the tsundere reasserting herself.

"I expect nothing," I said, keeping my tone gentle. "I hope for your understanding. For your partnership. But if you tell me right now that you can’t accept this aspect of me, I’ll respect that."

A lie, of course. I’d manipulate her until she came around. But the right move now was to give her the illusion of choice.

"And if I say no? What happens to us?" She gestured between our naked bodies.

"We continue as we are. I’ll love you, be with you, grow with you. But my power will plateau. My potential will remain limited." I sighed heavily. "And eventually, when we face truly powerful threats, I may not be strong enough to protect us."

Her finger traced patterns on the sheet. "How many women would you need?"

Got her. She was already thinking in practical terms.

"I don’t know exactly. The System—the interface I see that tracks my Aspect—suggests the power scales exponentially with each Pillar. Three would be significant. Five would be formidable."

"Five?" She looked alarmed.

I stroked her cheek. "Over time, Natalia. Years, maybe. And only with your approval for each one."

She was quiet again, thinking. Her Cryo-Lich Ring glinted in the fading light, the blue stone pulsing gently. Finally, she looked up at me, her expression resolute.

"I have conditions."

"Name them."

"First, I’m always your priority. Always." Her voice was firm. "Second, I have veto power over any potential... Pillar. If I don’t approve, it doesn’t happen."

"Absolutely," I agreed.

"Third, I want to be part of it. All of it. No secrets between us." Her eyes narrowed. "And fourth, you never, ever compare me to any of them. Ever."

I pulled her close, kissing her deeply. "You are incomparable, Natalia Kuzmina. You are the foundation upon which everything else will be built. The others will complement you, never replace or diminish you."

She melted against me, her resistance crumbling. When we broke apart, she was breathless.

"I must be insane," she whispered. "But... okay. I’ll be your queen. I’ll help you find our pillars." A small smile played at her lips. "But I get to choose the first one."

I raised an eyebrow. "You already have someone in mind?"

Her smile widened, a hint of mischief in her eyes. "Emi."

Well, fuck me sideways with a rusty spoon. I hadn’t expected that.

"Your best friend?" I asked carefully.

Natalia nodded. "She’s already interested you anyway. And she’s a powerful healer. Wouldn’t that be a useful... Pillar?"

I could barely contain my satisfaction. The beautiful irony of Natalia suggesting Emi as our first target. It was too perfect.

"You’re already thinking like a queen," I said with approval.

She pressed herself against me, her body warm and soft. "Does this mean you’ll tell me more about your power? Show me everything?"

"In time," I promised, rolling her beneath me. "Right now, I want to show my queen how grateful I am for her understanding."

As I kissed my way down her body, the System chimed quietly in my head.

[Primary Quest Updated: The Scumbag Sovereign]

[Objective: Build your court. Acquire at least three new rank 5 Pillars for your Ensemble.]

[First Target Identified: Emi Aoyama]

[Reward: Dependent on quality of pillars]