Lackey's Seducing Survival Odyssey

Sssssnnnnggggg!!

The teleportation portal shimmered, casting rippling light across the station as Aether stepped out.

He paused, taking a deep breath as his gaze swept over the familiar world before him.... Nothing had changed.

A vast expanse where 70 percent was filled with water, stretching endlessly into the horizon.

The Aquaris Naiadae Empire..... A World deeply dominated by water magic.

Its population consisted of various aquatic-blooded races—merfolk, naiads, and other water-bound beings—all originating from this very land.

Deep inhale...

Aether inhaled deeply, letting the crisp, salty air fill his lungs.

He exhaled slowly, his shoulders relaxing as memories began to resurface.... His first day here... that chaotic, life-threatening encounter with a monstrous sea horse, Yet, he had foolishly believed it to be a unicorn.

A laughable mistake that almost cost his life!

"Haha..." Aether chuckled softly, shaking his head at the thought. "If someone had told me back then that I'd end up here—an emperor—I'd have called them insane. No way I'd believe it."

'A lost child, turned slave, then servant... and now, emperor. Unbelievable. It sounds like something ripped straight from a fantasy novel,' he thought, his lips curving into a wry smile.

The surreal nature of his life often made him question whether he was trapped in fiction or reality.... Maybe he was still dreaming after his death.

As he stepped further from the portal, the buzz of the station faded, replaced by the soft murmurs of the sea breeze.

That's when he saw her..... Celestia, standing at the edge of the platform with that gentle, radiant smile he knew so well.

His heart warmed at the sight. Without hesitation, he opened his arms, and in a blink, she was in them. They embraced tightly, their bodies pressed together in a moment of silent connection.

For nearly a minute, they stayed like that, ignoring the world around them.

It wasn't until the faint sound of murmurs and giggles reached their ears that Celestia blushed, her cheeks turning a delicate shade of pink.

"You sure took your time, My sweet emperor," she teased, her voice soft but playful, her eyes sparkling with mischief.

Aether grinned, effortlessly lifting her off the ground like a child. "Yeah, yeah. My bad. You know how it is—being an emperor isn't exactly a part-time job."

Celestia leaned in closer, her lips brushing against his ear. "Oh, I know exactly what keeps you busy... My emperor, tainting innocent girls and corrupting pure hearts~"

He let out a deep, hearty laugh, spinning her around, "Hahah... Hey, I'm not denying anything. Guilty as charged!" His laughter echoed, and as he gently set her down, his grin lingered.

Hand in hand, she led him toward the carriage waiting nearby.

Once inside, she didn't bother with formality. Instead, she settled onto his lap, curling into his embrace as if they hadn't been apart for long.

Aether wrapped his arms around her, burying his face in her neck and planting soft kisses along her skin.

"So, what's happening back at the palace? Anything urgent?" he murmured against her neck, his warm breath sending a slight shiver down her spine.

Celestia sighed, leaning further into him, "The princess has locked herself in her room. She refuses to come out, and won't speak to anyone. Her Majesty tried, but nothing.

No response. Something's bothering her deeply, but she won't talk to anyone about it," she explained, her fingers absentmindedly stroking Snowflake, who purred contentedly in her lap.

Aether's brows furrowed as he listened. He nodded slowly, 'Not as bad as last time...' he thought, recalling the previous timeline where Aqualina had nearly broken under trauma. Compared to that, this situation seemed manageable—at least, for now.

He rested his chin on Celestia's shoulder, his eyes following Snowflake's playful antics.

"You've grown a lot," Celestia cooed softly to Snowflake, "Did you eat well while I was gone? Did you miss me?"

Snowflake responded with a happy purr, nuzzling into her touch, and Celestia giggled.

Aether smiled, though his thoughts drifted elsewhere. He wasn't entirely sure how to handle Aqualina's situation yet.

But one thing was clear—Aqualina needed to be dealt with first. Only after that could he focus on the old man... or the alter.

And also he already had some details from Aria.

The next trial hadn't been announced, and..... his log had been ominously silent regarding a new target.

'What are they waiting for?' he wondered, his brows knitting together. Something about this silence felt intentional as if the log itself was reluctant to move forward.

He knew the next target most likely would be Nyx and yet his log didn't say anything about it or rather... it was silent ever since he returned back in time... there was no other mission at all!!

And there was also another thing...

It felt as if the log itself was reluctant to guide him toward removing this "Eternal Slave."

The log, strict as it was about selecting women, had highlighted Delphine and Aurelia's impact on his future but no Ashara.

Fine! He understood about that but.... Neither woman had been marked as a mission if they were so important!

Why?

'Eternal Slave...' The words echoed in his mind, dragging him even further into unanswered questions.

He didn't think much before but after... some might say... he growing up slowly... anyway, something about his Eternal Slave messing with him.

Because, as the eternal slave contract clearly states, only those willing to agree can activate it. So... who the fuck would create something like that? And why?

Who would willingly submit themselves to something so absolute?

Why would anyone in this world, with its endless potential for freedom and power, choose to become a slave (Own will) —eternally bound, with no chance of liberation?...

Heck no!!! The thought was absurd.

And yet... the ritual existed.

Someone had created it and set its parameters... weirdly enough.

But for what purpose?

The more he thought about it, the more it consumed him.

Soon, they arrived at the imposing palace, its grandeur magnified by the light glinting off its ocean-blue surface. Every inch of the structure was etched with intricate depictions of aquatic life—serpents winding through coral, merfolk dancing in the waves, and massive leviathans frozen mid-battle.

He stepped out of the carriage, his gaze fixed on the familiar sight before him. "It looks exactly the same..." he murmured, almost to himself, his voice tinged with a strange mix of awe and nostalgia.

Despite only being away for a few months, an overwhelming sense of familiarity washed over him.

Aether couldn't quite place why he felt so nostalgic. After all, it hadn't been that long since he left.

'Maybe it's because so much has happened in such a short span of time,' he thought, his lips curving into a soft, reflective smile.

"Of course, it looks the same," Celestia replied, her voice gentle but laced with playful amusement. She grabbed his hand and gave it a tug, pulling him toward the entrance, "Some things never change, no matter how much time passes."

Aether's grip on her hand tightened slightly as he allowed himself to be led through the castle's towering gates. Memories surfaced with every step he took—joyous moments, heartbreaking losses, and chaotic fights all blending into one continuous reel.

They passed through the familiar corridors, each one stirring another flood of memories. He glanced at a specific spot along the wall, and a chuckle escaped him before he could stop it.

"You're laughing?" Celestia glanced back, curiosity sparking in her eyes.

He gestured to the large crater that was still there, "Just remembering Lia's break up... and then my first drunken brawl after that." His chuckle deepened. "I can't believe the crater is still here."

Celestia giggled, shaking her head, "You've left your mark—literally. I'm surprised Her Majesty didn't cover it up... I wonder why."

Their lightheartedness dissipated when they approached the throne room. Celestia's expression shifted, becoming serious and composed. She released his hand, straightened her posture, and assumed her role as a proper maid.

With a deep breath, she pushed open the grand doors,

Thud!

"Your Majesty, the Emperor of the Pyra Fulgur Empire has arrived," Celestia announced, her voice firm yet respectful as she gracefully knelt before the throne.

Seated upon the throne was a striking woman with cascading purple hair and eyes like misty amethysts, shimmering with a regal intensity. She observed Celestia for a brief moment before shifting her piercing gaze to Aether.

Her eyes flickered as she took in the sight before her..... Purple energy radiated from Aether's body—not the faint, flickering sparks she remembered, but full, roaring flames, as though he carried the power to incinerate anything in his path.

"Interesting..." she murmured, her voice calm but laced with intrigue, "You've grown considerably in such a short time, Emperor of Pyra."

Aether smiled, his eyes gleaming with amusement at her indifferent tone. 'You want to play this game? Fine, let's play,' he thought, standing taller.

He bowed slightly, his tone measured and respectful, "What can I say? Without your early support and encouragement, I wouldn't have reached these heights. I owe you my sincerest thanks, Empress of Naiadae." Though his words were formal, there was an edge to his voice—a subtle but unmistakable gratitude.

His gratitude was really genuine!!

Aether knew he wouldn't be standing here if not for her. Sure, he could've made it on his own, but it would've taken much longer and required far more effort.

Only thanks to Marisandra's interest did Aether trick the foods he needed from Mortimer.

She had supported him throughout his stay in the place, even going so far as to ask favours from the Principal to grant him opportunities others would never get.

She gave him a chance to disguise himself, to improve, and backed him financially when he was at his lowest.

Truthfully.... She had done so much! For a Slave!!

Of course, Marisandra hadn't done it out of sheer kindness. Her curiosity had been the driving force—his uniqueness had intrigued her, and piqued her interest.

But that was how the world worked. People were only invested when something or someone stood out, whether it was through extraordinary talent or relentless hard work.@@novelbin@@

Marisandra arched an eyebrow, her surprise barely concealed. She had fully expected him to act arrogantly or, at the very least, indifferently.

Most who reached his level of power in little time... let it inflate their ego, convinced they were above everyone else.

They forgot their roots, believing their rise was entirely their doing, and let that illusion fuel their arrogance. But Aether...

[+1000 AP]

!~Ding~!

[Survival rate: 89.9↓%]

'He hasn't let power control him...' she thought with mild amusement, her lips curling into a soft smile. 'Not bad... Not bad at all.' Still, a part of her... an unknown part of her... longed to see the old Aether—

"So, as Emperor," Aether began, his tone light but then turned sly, "May I ask for this wonderful Empress's hand?"

"..."

Marisandra blinked, convinced she had misheard him. For a moment, she stood frozen, her composed facade cracking as confusion and disbelief flickered across her face, "W-What th—"

Step.

Before she could finish, Aether moved—his presence swift and silent, like a ghost materializing from thin air.

In an instant, he was right in front of her, and with practised elegance, he took her hand in his.

His touch was confident, yet gentle, a perfect balance between respect and audacity.

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Without hesitation, he bent slightly, his lips brushing against her knuckles in a deliberate, lingering kiss. His eyes never left hers, his gaze intense, unwavering, and filled with a sly charm that left her breathless.

"I have become an Emperor... a being equal to you, My Lady," he murmured, his deep voice carrying a seductive tone, "Your eyes remain as breathtaking as ever, My dear Sandra~"

[+2000 AP]

!~Ding~!

[Survival rate: 88.9↓%]

Her heart skipped a beat. The unexpected softness in his tone, paired with the audacity of his words, completely disarmed her. Marisandra's face turned a deep, unmistakable crimson.

The normally regal and composed Empress was left speechless, caught off guard by everything!!

"Pfffftt!!" Celestia, standing to the side, couldn't contain herself any longer. Her hand shot up to cover her mouth, but it was no use. Her shoulders trembled as she struggled to suppress her laughter. Seeing the normally stoic Empress so thoroughly flustered was far too entertaining.

Marisandra's gaze snapped to Celestia for a split second, her embarrassment deepening.

She clenched her fists tightly and "GET OUT!!"