It had been five days since Lucien first raised the village to the ground… and just five days since construction began.
Now, as the late afternoon sun kissed the rooftops of polished stone, the town gleamed like a jewel in the ash-stained valley. The finishing touches were being laid: magical lamps adjusted, tiles aligned to perfection, and crystal-glass signage fixed above freshly lacquered doors.
Magical lights twinkled in window frames, and streams of clean water ran along sleek new canals. The scent of roasted meats, fresh lumber, and mild debauchery lingered in the air. Lucien's first jewel of progress gleamed… and it was almost complete.
Lucien emerged from his command tent with a stretch and a yawn, his arm lazily draped over Ignara's shoulder. She leaned into him like a flame craving fuel, tail coiled possessively around his thigh. The two strolled through the heart of his nearly finished domain, deep in discussion.
"Are you sure you know what you're doing?" she asked, voice low and sultry, lips barely hiding her amusement. "Worker rights? Weekly wages? That kind of thing's never been done in the Ashlands… or anywhere on this continent."
Lucien grinned. "That's the point. No one expects it. It'll blow their tiny demonic minds, and boost productivity by a hundredfold."
Ignara eyed him, unconvinced. "And the cost?"
Lucien gave her a knowing grin, pausing to admire the freshly paved roads gleaming with magic-polished cobblestones. "It'll work. Sure, it'll cost us a chunk of gold upfront, but happy workers are productive workers. And productive workers? They make kings rich."
Ignara flushed, smiling despite herself. "Fine. But if it crashes and burns, I'm saying 'I told you so' while flying off with whatever's left."
Lucien pulled her closer, planted a soft kiss on her forehead. "Trust me. I wouldn't do anything to jeopardize the kingdom… or the people I care about."
Ignara flushed crimson.
Then he promptly slapped her on the butt. "Now go finalize those contracts, firecracker."
She strutted away proudly, flames in her step.
Serenith folded her arms and muttered, "It's terrifying how efficient you are at juggling kingdom-building and carnal indulgence."
Lucien cackled. "Built different, angelcake. If I'm not progressing, I'm pumping."
She rolled her eyes so hard they nearly summoned a celestial rift.
They turned into the newly cobbled street where children played with enchanted skipping stones and a street bard played a three-stringed infernal banjo.
The town square was now a proud circle of purpose. A schoolhouse with golden bells, a public library that smelled like clean parchment and quiet judgment, a bustling tavern with open balconies, and a gleaming brothel with velvet curtains that shimmered in sultry magic.
Alexel came sprinting toward them, papers fluttering in his hands, goggles perched in his messy hair.
"Lord Lucidius!" he beamed.
Lucien grinned. "Give me the tour, buddy."
Alexel grinned. "All roads connected, my lord. They stretch all the way to your fortress and the next town's edge. The canal teams have already reached the outer wards. Every building here now has running water, heating, cooling, magical lighting, proper insulation, and—"
"Built to my specifications?" Lucien asked with a grin.
"Down to the angle of the tavern chairs," Alexel said proudly.
Lucien tousled his hair. "You've outdone yourself. Remind me to schedule a playdate for you with the twins."
Alexel turned pink but saluted. "I definitely will. Oh, and the special request is ready for inspection."
Lucien lit up and clapped his hands together. "Lead the way!"
They strolled through the village with workers nodding in respect, townsfolk waving and shooting him the occasional flirtatious wink.
They stepped inside the newly-built tavern and Lucien's eyes sparkled.
It was a worker's paradise.
Warm, glowing crystals in every lantern. Plush booths of dark velvet and charmed oak. A stone fireplace crackling with cinnamon-scented wood. Shelves behind the bar were stocked with glowing bottles, demon-brew kegs, and even a few labeled Celestial Sips, imported illegally, of course.
Lucien breathed deep. "Smells like profit and leisure."
He threw open his arms dramatically. "This, my friend, is where revolutions begin."
Alexel beamed.
Lucien slapped his back. "Forget the twins. I'm getting you your own personal concubine."
Alexel blinked like he might pass out from joy.
Then, Vex and Vile pounced.
"Lord Lucidiuuuuuus~" Vex sang, wrapping herself around his left arm.
"My dear, dark dominator," Vile whispered, kissing his cheek and nipping his ear.
"My lovely hellflowers," Lucien purred, "how's your tasks coming along?"
"Come see for yourself," Vex grinned, her tail flicking like a metronome.
They strutted across the square, draped around Lucien like living accessories while Alexel followed, trying not to float.
They entered the brothel, which was less of a building and more of a sanctum of sin.
Fragrant with incense and moaning softly with enchantments, the interior pulsed with warm pink and purple light. Fire crystals cast flickering shadows across velvet lounges and stages while a slow, sensual tune played from nowhere and everywhere at once.
Vex gave a sharp whistle.
From behind heavy curtains, a train of dancers emerged.
Tall, short, muscular, curvy, winged, horned, and everything in between. They slinked down the stage, bowed before Lucien, then struck poses that would make a celibate priest explode in his pants.
Alexel's mouth fell open while his soul visibly left his body for a brief moment.
Lucien leaned in. "What do you think?"
"Is this… heaven?" Alexel stammered.
Lucien grinned. "That's the goal. Walk in feeling blessed. Walk out broke. It's the perfect model."
He turned to Ignara as she stepped into the brothel, licking her lips and whistling low.
"Contracts are ready," she said, tablet in hand. "...and this place is dangerous."
Lucien nodded. "Good. Now watch and learn. It's called capitalism."
"Capital-what?" Ignara asked.
Lucien launched into a quick explanation. "You pay your workers well, make them feel appreciated… then build places where they'll happily spend it all. Recirculate wealth. Build loyalty. Profit skyrockets. Rinse. Repeat."
Ignara gasped. "That's... evil. I love it."
"I know," Lucien said with a wink. "Isn't it beautiful?"
She gasped and fanned herself with her tablet. "This will revolutionize the kingdom!"
"Exactly!"
Lucien took the contracts and handed them to Alexel. "Gather all workers in the square. Ten minutes."
Alexel snapped to attention and darted out, whispering apologies to the still-posing dancers.
----------------
Lucien summoned a platform of ash beneath his feet and rose high above the village square. Workers, planners, builders, and assistants gathered below, drawn by a surge of magical drums and the promise of something absurdly important.
Lucien raised a hand. "My beautiful, brilliant empire-builders!"
Cheers echoed.
"I couldn't have done this without you. And unlike the old lords of these lands, I don't want your sweat and blood for free."
Murmurs of confusion began to seep from the gathered crowd.
"I want your loyalty, your talent and your lives… but not in slavery, but in shared purpose. You'll receive a weekly wage. Healthcare. Protection for your families. Pensions. Paid time off. All I ask in return… is everything."
He snapped his fingers. A crate beside him opened, revealing dozens of pouches of gold and a towering stack of blood-bound contracts.
One worker raised a hand. "Excuse, Lord… but are you saying we get paid? Every week?!"
Lucien smirked and lifted a pouch filled with gleaming gold.
"Every. Week."
Gasps.
Then the crowd lost its mind.
Workers surged forward, but before it became a stampede, Ignara's voice cut through the chaos.
"SHUT UP!"
Instant silence.
"LINE UP NEATLY OR NOBODY GET'S A THING!"
A line formed in record time.
Lucien turned to Serenith. "You're about to witness history."
As contracts were signed and blood runes sealed the deals, Lucien raised a fresh bottle of wine.
"In celebration of your official employment in my empire, enjoy tonight, free drinks and lap dances at our new establishments. Invite your friends."
The cheer could've shattered mountains.
Lucien stepped off the platform as the workers flooded into the tavern and brothel, shouting for their friends and toasting to the future.
Serenith floated up beside him, arms crossed. "You pretend to help people… but really, you're just giving them excuses to indulge in more debauchery."
Lucien grinned.
"Angelcake, I'm doing both. That brothel and tavern? They're the foundations of this empire's economy."
Serenith sighed. "You're building a nation out of wine and lap dances."
Lucien's grin widened. "Exactly. And it's going to be glorious."