Leveling Up by Seducing Milfs-Chapter 144. The Rise of The New Demon King

The Grand Arena, where Rick had almost died fighting the Corrupted Zork, was where the coronation ceremony took place. But now, instead of blood and corruption, the arena was filled with banners with the demon realm’s symbol on them.

There were thousands of demons there, as well as people from the other major powers.

Rick stood on a raised platform in the middle of the arena, dressed in the formal robes of a Demon King. They were like what Zork had worn, but they were made to fit Rick’s smaller human body.

The fabric was made from demon silk and had protective runes sewn into it. Commander Rylah held the crown that would go on his head on a velvet cushion.

The ceremony started with traditional demon rituals that gave Rick strength, wisdom, and the bravery to lead. Several officials talked about what a Demon King should be like and what duties and responsibilities he would have.

Rick was polite and listened, but his mind kept going back to where Zara was standing at the edge of the platform. She wore formal general’s clothes, with her twin blades crossed at her back, and her face was calm.

Finally, it was time for the real coronation. Zara stepped up, took the crown from Rylah, and held it over Rick’s head.

"Rick Rolland," she yelled across the arena. "Do you promise to protect the demon realm with your life, to lead with wisdom and kindness, and to honor the memory of those who came before you?"

Rick said, "I do," firmly, and his voice carried even though he was nervous.

"Do you promise to be a king of demons, not of power?"

"To remember that strength doesn’t come from being in charge, but from the relationships we build and the connections we make?"

"I do."

"Then, with the power given to me as General of the Eastern Wastes and the blessing of the demons who live here, I crown you Rick Rolland, Demon King of the Eastern Wastes, Zork Bloodthorn’s successor, and protector of everyone who lives here."

She put the crown on his head, and the crowd went wild, shaking the ground. Rick felt the crown’s weight, both real and figurative, settling on him.

The ceremony wasn’t over yet, though.

Zara stepped back and put her hand out. "And now, with everyone here as a witness, I, Zara Bloodthorn, give my Spirit Bond to Rick Rolland."

"Not because they have to, but because they really care about and respect them. And it’s not to replace what was lost, but to make something new."

Rick took her hand and felt how warm her skin was against his. He could feel Carmilla and Natasha’s pride, Sylvia’s fierce satisfaction, and Liora’s gentle approval through the network.

As the Spirit Bond grew, golden light started to come from their hands. This time, there was no pain or trouble. The bond came together in a way that felt right, connecting their essences.

Rick could suddenly feel Zara’s feelings, the complicated mix of sadness and hope, determination and weakness that were swirling around inside her. And through the bond, she could tell that he really cared about her, wanted to keep Zork’s trust, and was falling in love with her more and more.

The bond settled into place with a soft pulse of energy, and Rick felt stronger as Zara’s powers combined with his.

[SPIRIT BOND FORMED: ZARA BLOODTHORN]

[AFFECTION: 10/10 (MAX)]

[ABILITY GRANTED: DEMON QUEEN’S AUTHORITY]

[+30% COMBAT EFFECTIVENESS WHEN LEADING DEMON FORCES]

[PASSIVE: STRATEGIC MIND - ENHANCED TACTICAL PLANNING]

[NEW ACHIEVEMENT: THE NEW DEMON KING]

The notifications went away, and Rick hugged Zara tightly right away without wasting any seconds. The crowd’s cheers got louder, and a few demons started chanting.

"LONG LIVE THE KING!"

"LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!"

That’s when Sylvia’s voice cut through the party, loud and angry.

"Excuse me? QUEEN? She’s called the queen now!?"

Her amber eyes were full of competitive fire as she pushed through the crowd. She climbed on the platform and pointed her finger at Rick’s chest.

"I was your first Spirit Bond after Natasha and Carmilla! I am the Queen of Dragons! I should be called Queen!"

Rick opened his mouth to say something, but Carmilla stepped forward with a smile. "Actually, I was his first Spirit Bond, so if anyone should be queen—"

"You’re not a king, you’re a knight," Natasha said in her usual blunt way. "Though I guess General is also higher up—"

"Ladies, please," Liora tried to calm things down, but even she couldn’t help but smile. "Maybe we could all share the title of—"

"SHARING?" Sylvia’s voice got so loud that it probably scared some demons in the back rows. "I DON’T SHARE TITLES!"

"I AM A QUEEN OF DRAGONS!"

"IT’S IN THE NAME!"

Rick stood in the middle of this brewing fight, his eye twitching as five strong women fought over titles and status. Sebastian showed up on his shoulder, looking very happy about the mess.

"Congratulations, your majesty," the little butler said with barely contained joy. "You’ve done something that most men only dream of."

"You are a king with more than one queen. I’m sure this will turn out well for you."

Rick had no choice. Even though he had just been crowned Demon King and made his fifth Spirit Bond, he couldn’t help but laugh.

He laughed so hard that his sides hurt, and tears streamed from his good eye as the ridiculousness of it all hit him full force. Rick Rolland, the college dropout who died while watching MILF videos, was now a real Demon King with five powerful women fighting over who would be queen.

"I can’t believe this is my life!" Rick was able to gasp out between laughs. "I’m a MOTHERFUCKING king now, BABBYYYYY!"

"I have five Spirit Bonds! I saved the whole demon realm!"

"AND THAT’S ME! The guy who couldn’t keep a job for more than six months!" 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

His laughter was contagious, and soon the other women were laughing even though they didn’t want to. Sylvia’s anger even broke as she watched Rick’s pure, unrestrained happiness.

"Okay, okay," Rick finally got himself together. "What do you all think about this?"

"You are ALL MY queens."

"Carmilla is Queen of Protection."

"Natasha is the Queen of Strategy."

"Sylvia is the Dragon Queen, obviously."

"Liora is the Divine Queen."

"And Zara is the Demon Queen."

"There~! Everyone gets a title, everyone’s pleased, and I don’t get murdered in my sleep by jealous partners."

Natasha said, "That’s not a bad idea at all."

"I guess I can deal with that," Sylvia said, even though she was clearly happy.

Rick could hear Sebastian laughing. "Look at you, Mr. Gooner Harem Protagonist."

"You’re acting all high and mighty now that you have some power and women."

"Where’s the sad shut-in who died while watching porn?"

Rick said, "Still here," with a stupid grin on his face. "Just with better choices in life."

"And you know what? I’m going to enjoy every moment of this new life."

"I worked hard for it."

"That you did," Sebastian said, his voice getting a little softer. "And I respect that, you beautiful disaster of a gooner."

"Stop bragging now before someone remembers that you lost an eye and can’t use half of your skills anymore."

"Sebastian, you really killed the mood, maybe that’s why the early readers hate you."

"That’s why I’m here."

Rick looked out at the crowd that was cheering, at the five partners who were standing next to him, and at the demon realm that he now had to protect. It was too much, scary, and just right.

He had come a long way since dying in a gaming chair at 3 AM. And something told him that his journey was only the beginning.