During dinner with his mother and sister, Noir and Zestia joined them at the grand table.

​As the maids served the delicious dishes prepared by Amelia, the topic of conversation shifted to satisfy Nina’s endless curiosity. She asked countless questions regarding the Celestial Fishing River and the trial.

​Neo answered as many as he could. Noir and Zestia occasionally chimed in, keeping the mood light and harmonious.

​Amidst this jovial atmosphere, one little creature was seriously upset.

​The cute little undead slime, Apex.

​It sulked on its chair, grumbling with cutesy noises because Neo had not taken it along on the journey.

​Neo gently patted its head and said, "Sorry, another time, buddy!"

​After that, it did not complain anymore. It nestled comfortably on his lap, its balloon-like surface rubbing affectionately against the fabric of his clothes.

​The dinner concluded on this warm note.

​Afterward, night fell, and the time for sleep came quickly. Neo was feeling physically and mentally exhausted. He gave his routine defensive instructions to the Elven Commanders and Finance Minister Rosella, then slumped heavily against the soft pillows of his grand Imperial bed.

​However, right at that moment, two sneaky figures were creeping toward his room from opposite corridors, completely unaware of each other’s presence.

​All of a sudden, right before the heavy doors of the Imperial bedchamber, the two women bumped into each other after rounding the corner.

​It was Noir and Zestia.

​Both had been sneaking around like stealthy cats, wearing nothing but incredibly thin, revealing nightgowns.

​Staring at one another in the dimly lit hallway, they felt very awkward.

​Zestia froze completely. She blushed red as she realized what Noir was wearing. Or rather, what Noir was not wearing.

The succubus was draped in a sheer black silk gown that left absolutely nothing to the imagination.

"

​Zestia quickly tried to cover her own sheer white nightgown with her arms out of embarrassment.

"Shit. I am wearing a nightgown too. What would she think of me now?"

Her inner fear came true.

​"Oh my, Look what we have here. Are you lost, Little Zestia? The guest quarters are in the completely opposite direction."

Zestia stammered,

​"I... I was just... That’s right I could not sleep. I wanted to ask Neo a question about the trial."

​Noir didn’t believe her at all.

"Hehe, a question about the trial? At this hour? Dressed like a perfectly wrapped present?"

​Zestia felt her face burning so hot it could rival Neo’s flames.

"It is a very urgent question!"

​Noir simply rolled her eyes, "You are adorable when you lie. But I am afraid Darling is very tired tonight. He needs proper relaxation, and I am here to provide exactly that."

​Zestia snorted angrily, "Noir, you cannot just sneak into his bed whenever you want!"

​"Of course I can. I am his loyal wife. It is my duty to warm his bed."

"W-wife? Since when?" Zestia asked in disbelief.

Noir smiled mischievously.

"From the time we shared bed, complete naked. We did that, so we are married now."

​

"You two already had sex?" Zestia looked mortified, as if she had lost a precious chance.

​"Yes, we couldn’t hold it. He did it so hard that I saw stars. I couldn’t handle him more than two rounds. Now that I think about it, you can help me by joining us tonight. I am sure darling would not mind a little extra company either."

​Zestia’s brain completely short-circuited.

​"You... you shameless demon!"

Neo’s eyelids stirred after hearing their voices. He immediately sent a mental command to their minds.

​"Noir, Zestia, I want to see you in your rooms right now!"

​He sounded like a father scolding his children, so they had no choice but to give up.

​They left.

​Neo exhaled a breath of relief. Not because he was scared of physical intimacy, but because of the responsibilities that came with it.

​He thought he was still not ready to be a husband or a father.

​The first time it happened with Noir was purely an accident on his part.

​Morning arrived.

​Neo took a shower and put on a fresh set of clothes.

​Since he was now six feet and five inches tall, the white and gold military suit complemented his physique perfectly.

​He was going to visit the military tomorrow, so it was only right for him to wear a befitting suit as the Supreme Commander.

​An hour later, the heavy iron gates of the Zenith Military Command Center slowly pushed open.

​The sprawling barracks was packed with tens of thousands of soldiers.

The elven archers were drilling their formations, while heavy infantry units clashed in the massive sparring pits.

Clang. Clang. Clang.

The noise of steel and shouted commands was deafening.

​However, the very moment Neo stepped onto the training grounds, an absolute silence descended.

​His immense six foot five frame, clad in the pristine white and gold military suit, radiated an overwhelming authority.

He did not even need to speak.

His suppressed aura pressed down on the soldiers like a physical pressure.

​Every single soldier, from the newest recruits to the highest ranking Elven Commanders, immediately ceased their movements. They turned toward him in perfect synchronization and dropped to one knee.

Clang!

​"Welcome, Supreme Commander!"

"Welcome, Your Majesty!"

"Hail The Zenith Emperor!"

Tens of thousands of voices roared in unison.

​Commander Aeliana from archery division stepped forward from the front lines. She then offered a crisp perfect military salute.

​"Your majesty, the 50,000 Marksmen from Archery Division stand fully ready for your orders. What are your commands?"

Commander Vaelar joined beside her too.

"All 60,000 warriors from Warrior Division are prepared to give their lives."

Next up, commander Nyxaris. "The Dark Mage Division are also ready."

Neo looked at all three elven commanders’ faces, and issued an order:

"Cancel all standard training routines, commanders. In exactly six days, we are going to war."

The commanders were very curious, but more than that they knew to obey order without question and when not.

"It shall be done, your majesty."