"You're doing it wrong."
Kazuki looked up from the book Lilith had thrust into his hands – The Seventy-Two Houses: A Comprehensive History – to find her staring at him with an expression somewhere between exasperation and concern.
"I'm... reading?" he said carefully.
"You're reading left to right." Lilith crossed her arms. "Infernal script reads right to left and top to bottom. Have you sustained some kind of head injury during the awakening, my Lord?"
Shit.
[ALERT: Your cover story is 'the awakening was intense and left you somewhat disoriented.' Use it.]
"The awakening," Kazuki said quickly, setting the book down with perhaps too much force. "It was... more intense than expected. Some things feel... unclear. Temporary, I'm sure."
Lilith's expression softened slightly. "The physicians did warn that cognitive effects were possible, though rare. Should I summon them?"
"No!" Kazuki moderated his tone. "No, I'd prefer to avoid showing weakness right before the Conclave. Just... bear with me. Explain things as if I'm relearning them. For thoroughness."
She studied him for a long moment, and Kazuki forced himself to maintain eye contact despite every instinct screaming at him to look away. Those golden eyes were intimidating in a way his professors' had never been.
Finally, Lilith nodded. "Very well. We'll start with absolute basics." She moved around the desk, close enough that Kazuki caught a scent like cinnamon and something darker, smokier. "The Infernal Realm is ruled by the Demon King Azrathel, who has held the throne for three centuries. Beneath him are the seventy-two Noble Houses, each controlling territories and resources."
She pulled out a different book, flipping it open to reveal an organizational chart that looked like a corporation's hierarchy chart had a baby with a medieval feudal system.
"The top ten houses form the King's Inner Circle – they hold the real power. Military strength, ancient bloodlines, vast wealth." Her finger traced down the chart. "House Valdris is here."
Kazuki leaned in to look. House Valdris sat at position 68, nestled uncomfortably close to the bottom. Above them were houses with names like Shadowmere, Blackthorn, Ashengrave. Below them were only four others, including one literally called House Wormwood.
"We're barely better than House Wormwood," Kazuki said flatly.
"House Wormwood controls the poison swamps and has a monopoly on rare alchemical components," Lilith replied. "They're wealthier than us. We only rank higher because of our bloodline's age."
"So we're living off our ancestors' reputation."
"Essentially, yes." Lilith didn't sugarcoat it. "Your father, the previous Lord Valdris, was... not a strategic thinker. He preferred hunting and drinking to politics. When he died three years ago, your older brother Damien inherited the title, but he's little better. Which is why – "
She paused, seeming to choose her words carefully.
"Why what?" Kazuki prompted.
"Why many in the household are hoping your awakening marks a change in House fortunes. You're the youngest of three siblings. Your sister Cassandra married into House Thornheart to secure an alliance. Your brother has the title but lacks ambition. You, Lord Kazuki, are the unknown variable."
[QUEST UPDATE: First Impressions]
[BACKGROUND INFORMATION UNLOCKED: You (the original Kazuki Valdris) were considered the 'spare heir' – largely ignored by your father and overshadowed by your brother. However, you were known for being observant and studious. Your sudden awakening to unusually strong demonic powers has made people notice you for the first time.]
[USE THIS. People expect you to be different post-awakening. You have narrative permission to not act like the old Kazuki.]
That was... actually helpful. Kazuki filed it away.
"Different," he murmured. "I can do different."
Lilith's lips curved slightly. "I certainly hope so. Now, the Conclave." She pulled out another map, this one showing a massive citadel. "It's held in the Obsidian Spire, neutral ground. All seventy-two houses are required to send representatives – usually the head of house or their designated heir. It's part political summit, part social event, part bloodsport."
"Bloodsport?" Kazuki's voice cracked slightly.
"Metaphorical. Mostly." Lilith waved a hand dismissively. "Houses use the Conclave to form alliances, break alliances, show off their strength, and occasionally settle grudges through formal duels. Your brother was planning to attend, but given your awakening and his... well, his general uselessness, the household elders decided you should go instead."
"Wait." Kazuki held up a hand. "I'm going to represent our entire House? At this political summit? In three days?"
"Correct."
"I've been awake for less than an hour."
"Technically closer to two hours now." Lilith's expression was maddeningly calm. "I understand your concern, my Lord, but this is also an opportunity. No one knows what to expect from you post-awakening. You can establish yourself as a force to be reckoned with, or..." She trailed off delicately.
"Or I can humiliate House Valdris and probably get us dropped to position seventy-two."
"I was going to say 'or you can be dismissed as irrelevant,' but yes, that too."
Kazuki dropped his head into his hands. This was insane. He'd gone from avoiding social interaction in college to being expected to navigate demon politics in front of seventy-two noble houses.
[QUEST AVAILABLE: Intensive Training]
[Objective: Survive three days of preparation with Lilith without giving away that you're a reincarnated human]
[Reward: Skill - Basic Demonic Etiquette (Rank D), Skill - Deception (Rank E), +10 Relationship Points with Lilith]
[Accept? Y/N]
Kazuki mentally selected Yes, because what choice did he have?
"Alright," he said, looking up at Lilith. "Teach me. Everything. Don't hold back just because I might find it overwhelming."
Something flickered in her golden eyes – approval, maybe? "Very well, my Lord. Let's begin with the houses you absolutely must know..."
---
Six hours later, Kazuki's brain felt like it had been put through a blender.
He'd learned that House Morgrave (rank 7) controlled the northern war-forges and had built their power on military might. Their lord, Theron Morgrave, was apparently built like a mountain and had the personality of a rabid bear. His wife, Lady Seraphine, was a former daughter of House Silvermoon who'd been married off for political alliance.
[NOTE: Lady Seraphine is noted to be one of the most beautiful demons in the realm. Also noted to be extremely unhappy in her marriage. File under 'possibilities.']
Kazuki had chosen to ignore that note. For now.
House Noctis (rank 4) specialized in shadow magic and espionage. Duchess Amara Noctis was unmarried, politically brilliant, and according to Lilith's carefully neutral tone, "known for taking lovers as it suits her purposes."
[NOTE: Duchess Amara is dangerous, ambitious, and has been observed to favor intelligent men who can match her wit. Also file under 'possibilities,' though proceed with extreme caution.]
There were dozens more. House Crimsonfall with their blood magic. House Ashford and their death knights. House Silvermoon and their light-aspected demons (apparently that was a thing). Each one had their own agenda, allies, enemies, and eligible daughters or wives.
Kazuki's head was spinning.
"We'll continue tomorrow," Lilith finally announced as the light through the windows began to fade. "You need rest. The awakening still takes a toll, and you'll need your full faculties for what comes next."
"What comes next?" Kazuki asked warily.
"Combat training."
"I'm sorry, what?"
Lilith smiled, and for the first time Kazuki saw a hint of something predatory in it. "You're a demon lord, my Lord. You'll be expected to demonstrate your awakened abilities. If you can't manifest even basic combat skills, you'll be seen as weak. And weak demon lords don't last long."
[QUEST UNLOCKED: Don't Die Like an Idiot]
[Objective: Learn basic combat skills sufficient to not embarrass yourself]
[Time Limit: 2 days]
[Reward: Skill - Infernal Combat (Rank F), Increased Physical Stats, ???]
Kazuki stared at the notification. Then at Lilith. Then back at the notification.
"I don't suppose demon lords ever succeed through pure diplomacy and clever planning?" he tried weakly.
"They do," Lilith said pleasantly. "Right after they prove they're dangerous enough that people have to take their diplomacy seriously. Come, I'll show you to your chambers. You'll want a proper night's rest."
She turned and walked toward the door, her movements fluid and confident. Kazuki followed, his mind still reeling from information overload.
His chambers – because apparently he rated multiple rooms – were absurdly luxurious. The bedroom alone was larger than his entire dorm room had been. There was an actual library attached. And a bathroom with a tub that could fit three people.
"Your personal servants will be by in the morning to help you dress," Lilith said from the doorway. "Try not to alarm them too much with any... post-awakening confusion."
"I'll do my best."
She studied him for a moment, her expression unreadable. "You're different," she said finally. "From before the awakening, I mean. More focused. More... present."
Kazuki's heart skipped. "Is that a problem?"
"On the contrary." Lilith's smile was small but genuine. "It's refreshing. The old Kazuki was brilliant in theory but lacked the will to act. Perhaps the awakening gave you what you needed."
She left before Kazuki could respond, the door closing with a soft click.
Kazuki stood alone in his absurdly oversized bedroom, processing everything that had happened. He was in a fantasy world. He was a demon lord. He had a system offering him power in exchange for pursuing women while accidentally conquering the world.
And somehow, the scariest part of all of it was that he had to do combat training tomorrow.
[DAY ONE COMPLETE]
[ANALYSIS: You didn't die or reveal your true nature. This is a low bar, but you cleared it. Congratulations.]
[RELATIONSHIP STATUS - LILITH: Curious/Cautiously Optimistic (15/100)]
[Note: She finds your post-awakening changes intriguing. Continue to demonstrate competence and she may become a valuable ally. Or more, if you play your cards right. Though I should warn you – she's been your family's advisor for fifty years and is probably twice your age. Well, twice your current body's age. This is getting complicated.]
Kazuki fell backward onto the bed, which was as absurdly comfortable as everything else in this world seemed to be.
"I'm going to die in combat training tomorrow," he told the ceiling.
[Probably not. You're a demon lord now. You're surprisingly durable.]
[But you might WISH you were dead. Does that help?]
"Not even a little bit."
[Then I suggest you get some sleep. Tomorrow, we find out if you can actually fight, or if you're going to have to rely entirely on that clever mouth of yours.]
Kazuki closed his eyes, but sleep was a long time coming. His mind kept circling back to Lady Seraphine's portrait in the book of houses – porcelain skin, silver hair, eyes like storm clouds. And Duchess Amara's description – dangerous, intelligent, powerful.
Three days until the Conclave.
Sleep, when it finally came, was full of golden eyes and impossible expectations.