In Damien's original plan, if the Holy Grail War hadn't started early, he would have exploited a loophole in the world's rules to manipulate its timeline, accelerating it to a year later. However, the war began ahead of schedule, and the Holy Grail swiftly selected its Masters. Fortunately, Kariya Matou was still chosen as one of the seven Masters. "I've never had such a favorable start." Damien thought to himself before asking, "Are you ready, Violet?" Hearing Violet's response, Damien raised his hand, channeling his magical energy through the Command Seals on his hand and connecting to the Holy Grail system enveloping Fuyuki City via its spiritual leyline. "I declare your body serves under me, my fate is entrusted to your sword; heed the call of the Holy Grail. If you abide by this will and reason, then answer." "I am the embodiment of all that is good in the world; I am the conduit for all that is evil." "You, clad in the three great words of seven heavens, come forth through the wheel of restraint, Guardian of the Scales!" The once-dim magic circle erupted in brilliant light under Damien's incantation, its intense magical fluctuations sending waves of air rippling outward. "Not a bad magical reaction." The Snow Empress remarked, arms crossed as she stood to the side. "I wonder what kind of Heroic Spirit Damien will summon." "Isn't it that dark one?" Ogerpon asked curiously, tilting her head. Damien had previously shared details about the seven Heroic Spirits of the Fourth Holy Grail War. Kariya Matou's summoned Servant was Lancelot, of the Berserker class. "No, it won't be Lancelot." The Snow Empress said, shaking her head. "Our lord didn't use a corresponding Saint Relic, as this allows a stronger connection to the Root, giving Violet a chance to siphon more of its rules." "So, it's a random summoning?" The Ice Empress asked, grasping the idea. Damien was taking a chance, summoning whatever came. "Not entirely random. At least the class is fixed." The Snow Empress clarified. "The other classes are mostly locked, leaving only Caster and Berserker." These two classes were up to chance; Damien could summon either one. Finally, Damien sensed a presence emerging from the center of the magic circle. A strikingly beautiful girl appeared, with short, pink hair and pale green eyes. She wore a flowing white dress resembling a wedding gown, adorned with metallic accessories at her waist and ears. A golden horn at her forehead faintly glimmered with emerald arcs of electricity as she raised her head. The moment the girl was summoned, Damien received her complete information. - Galvanism (Rank B): Automatically accumulates magical energy, significantly reducing the Master's burden. - Overload (Rank C): At the cost of self-damage, enhances the power of her Noble Phantasm. [Maximum Targets: 30] "It's Fran." Damien mused, surprised to have summoned Frankenstein. "Ah, Ma… Master…" Fran stammered. "Yes, I'm your Master." Damien stepped forward, gently brushing Fran's hair without hesitation, showing no fear of her Berserker class or the massive hammer named Bridal Chest. Fran had never experienced such a thing. She was a monster created by her father, reviled for her ugliness and abandoned. In her 'life,' no one had ever held expectations for her. No, more accurately, the idea of someone having expectations for her was nothing short of a miracle to Fran. "Pretty average attributes." The Ice Empress remarked bluntly, offering no courtesy. "And that's with the Mad Enhancement boost. Her base stats are probably just on par with a C-rank Heroic Spirit." In other words, Damien's summoning had produced a Heroic Spirit only slightly stronger than a lone Shadow Guard. What kind of terrible luck was this? Thɪs chapter is updated by novelꞁire.net Hearing the Ice Empress's criticism, Fran raised her hammer in anger, ready to strike. But Damien stopped her with a single hand. Fran stared in shock at Damien, who had effortlessly restrained her with one hand, her heart filled with awe. "Don't make trouble, Ice." Damien said with a sigh, his tone carrying a hint of reproach. "Got it." The Ice Empress replied, chastened. Her sharp tongue had been instinctive. Since Fran was summoned by Damien, she was a comrade. Damien's group had few rules. But one taboo was absolute: betrayal of a comrade. The Ice Empress's disdain for Fran wasn't a big deal, far from a serious offense. Damien didn't expect all his subordinates to get along perfectly... that was unrealistic. But in his presence, he would quash such conflicts. Differences breed competition. And as long as it was healthy competition, Damien wouldn't intervene. There was no need for him to say more. "Ice…" The Snow Empress's expression was enough to make the Ice Empress lower her head, avoiding her gaze. Looking down on a comrade was wrong. At least, that's how it was for them. In truth, they were merely soul beasts from the Douluoverse, having lived for hundreds of thousands of years. Without Damien bringing them out and granting them power, what right did they have to scorn others? This applied not just to the Snow Empress and Ice Empress, but to the Shadow Guards, Goblins, and Star Wolves as well. They were once weak, only rising to their current state through Damien's favor. Fran might be weaker now. But that was only temporary. Who could say that, once Damien brought Fran back to the Cardinal World, she wouldn't receive more blessings and surpass the Ice Empress? At that moment, Damien and the Snow Empress exchanged a glance, sharing a silent understanding. Damien's reprimand of the Ice Empress wasn't just for Fran's sake... it was also for Ice's benefit. As the Snow Empress thought, Damien couldn't predict the potential of Fran or future newcomers from other worlds. If the Ice Empress made an enemy of someone weak now, it could lead to trouble later. The Ice Empress was Damien's twin martial soul, closer than a mere vassal... a trusted confidante. Hi guys, Elenea here! I just want to announce that starting now I'll be trying to focus on my own original fanfic, which I've been thinking about for the past few days (lol I really mulled this over briefly for a few days and decided I'm going to make it a full novel). If you want to read it, feel free to stop by and leave a five-star and that power stone. [Worse Than the Devil (DxD)] An evil and chaotic creatures born from hell who often blamed by humans for the mistakes they themselves commit. "The devil made me do it." A phrase always uttered by humans after committing crimes, casting blame and responsibility for their wrongdoings onto the devil. But not all humans are like that, for there is one man who would gleefully commit atrocities that would be condemned by all of human history and accept the blame and responsibility for those wrongs with open arms. His name is Michael, but in stark contrast to the meaning of his name 'Who is like God' he is not a devout man who draws near to God's embrace. Instead… he is the one who sends lost sheep to meet God's embrace much faster. Don't forget to stop by, otherwise I'll actually slap you online lol. Btw, a quick note before you decide to read, if you have a heart as pure as glass, I suggest you don't read this because it REALLY gets dark to early. The first chapter will give you a little idea of what I might explore later on in this fanservice harem-themed world like DxD.