The crimson banners of the Citadel no longer bore a queen's seal.
They now burned with a different emblem—an open flame wrapped around a crown, shaped like a man's silhouette rising between two moons.
Rivan's crest.
From a locked breeding vault to the throne of the strongest female kingdom, Rivan had come far. But this morning, as the sun rose over the garden balcony, he took a breath not as a survivor... But as an Emperor.
Citadel Assembly Hall — The Coronation Gathering
Nobles. Priestesses. Warriors. Harem commanders. Advisors.
They filled the amphitheater in silence.
Every woman in the room had felt his presence at least once—some in battle, others in bed. But today, they knelt for the same reason:
Because Rivan had united them all.
> [System Update: LustCore Tier Ascended — Imperial Protocol Activated] [New Title: Sovereign of Flame] [Power Source Expansion: Willpower + Yin + Faith]
Alyxia stood beside him, dressed in ceremonial crimson robes, her golden crown replaced with a shared circlet that wrapped across Rivan's forehead too.
Her voice echoed.
"Today we abandon the past. No longer ruled by fear, by laws made in loss. Today, we follow the one who rose from chains... and turned them into thrones."
She stepped back.
All eyes turned to Rivan.
He stepped forward.
And the room pulsed.
Not with magic. With want.
His aura spread like heat through chilled blood. Some women gasped. Others moaned. A few dropped to their knees without realizing it.
He spoke.
"I did not rise through war. I did not enslave. I did not conquer with blade or poison."
"I conquered with truth. With touch. With pleasure. And every woman who stood before me now stands beside me—not because I forced them…"
He looked over the harem.
"...but because they begged me to lead."
Silence.
Then cheers.
Then chants.
"Long live the Flame!" "Long live the Flame!"
Private Chamber — Hours Later
Selix knelt before a map table, red silk wrapped loosely around her.
"The western provinces are resisting," she said. "They claim your rise is an abomination. The 'Breeding Council' is regrouping."
Rivan sipped wine. "Let them."
"They've created their own symbol. A broken flame. And rumors say they're building male clones."
> [System Alert: Rival Program Detected — BreederCore Initiated in Western Zone] [Warning: Reverse Lust Weaponry Under Construction]
He set down the cup.
"Then we move first."
Alyxia entered the room. "If you strike now, you'll lose diplomacy."
"I'm not striking," Rivan said.
"I'm inviting."
He turned to Selix.
"Bring their leaders here. Three. Highest ranking."
"For negotiations?" she asked.
"For conversion."
Harem Wing — That Night
Ten women lay around Rivan's bed. All bare. All glowing from aftershocks.
He sat between them, the Shadow Queen resting against his chest.
"They'll try to seduce you," she said. "Those council witches."
He smiled. "Let them."
> [Skill Activated: Aura of Empire — All attempts to dominate MC convert into increased power if resisted]
Selix entered again.
"They're here."
Rivan stood.
"Then let them see what an empire feels like."
---
To Be Continued…
Next Chapter: Breeder Council's Fall [18+] Three powerful women arrive to reverse Rivan's influence. But what happens when the system flips their own desire against them?