From Failure to SSS-Rank: The Demon Lords Rebirth

The castle buzzed with activity as Morrath moved through the courtyard, his sharp gaze scanning the progress. The militia trained under Durak's watchful eye, and repairs to the walls were well underway. Morrath's thoughts churned with strategies for the inevitable Dominion attack, but his focus was interrupted as Vivienne approached, her steps deliberate and her expression unreadable.

"My lord," she began, her tone smooth as silk. Her auburn hair, freshly brushed, glinted in the sunlight, and despite her uniform's battle-worn state, she carried herself with a grace that was impossible to ignore. "I couldn't help but notice your inspection. Are you satisfied with our progress?"

Morrath stopped, his crimson eyes narrowing slightly. "It's coming together," he replied, his tone neutral. "But there's no room for complacency. The Dominion won't wait for us to be ready."

Vivienne stepped closer, her lips curving into a faint smile. "Of course. Which is why I wanted to offer my assistance. My experience with Dominion strategy could prove invaluable. With the right adjustments, we could turn this castle into a fortress no army could breach."

Morrath studied her, his expression unreadable. "You're bound by the contract, Vivienne. Your assistance isn't optional."

Her smile didn't falter. "True. But let's not pretend you don't appreciate a strategist with my skills. Besides," she added, her voice dropping slightly, "I find it… invigorating to work under a leader who knows how to wield power so effectively."

Before Morrath could respond, Klara's voice rang out across the courtyard. "Hey, boss! Don't let her sweet-talk you too much!"

The brash mercenary strode toward them, her confident grin as bold as her approach. Dirt smudged her armor, and her hair was loosely tied back, but there was an undeniable energy in her stride. She stopped next to Morrath, leaning casually on the hilt of her sword as if she belonged by his side.

"Careful, Vivienne," Klara teased, her blue eyes gleaming with mischief. "You're laying it on so thick, I'm surprised he hasn't slipped in it yet."

Vivienne's eyes flicked to Klara, her smile cooling slightly. "I'm merely offering my expertise. Something tells me subtlety isn't your strong suit."

Klara laughed, unfazed. "Subtlety's for people who can't fight their way out of a problem. Me? I get the job done with a sword, not flowery words."

"Oh, is that so?" Vivienne said smoothly. "I suppose that's one way to compensate for a lack of finesse."

Morrath sighed inwardly, glancing between the two women. He had faced legions of soldiers, monstrous beasts, and the crushing weight of leadership—but this was somehow more exhausting.

Klara turned to Morrath, ignoring Vivienne entirely. "Anyway, I wanted to let you know the traps in the forest are coming along nicely. You should see them yourself, boss. You'll be impressed."

Vivienne tilted her head, her smile returning. "Traps? How quaint. I imagine Morrath has more pressing matters than inspecting your little snares."

"They're not just 'little snares,'" Klara shot back, her grin turning sharp. "They're part of the reason we'll survive the next attack. But I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand."

Vivienne folded her arms, her expression calm but her eyes narrowing. "I understand plenty. Including the fact that we need more than brute strength to hold this place. It takes strategy—planning. Something I doubt your mercenaries are familiar with."

Klara took a step forward, her hand twitching toward the hilt of her sword. "Care to test that theory?"

Morrath stepped between them, his voice cutting through the tension like a blade. "Enough," he said coldly, his crimson eyes flashing. "This isn't the time for petty arguments. Vivienne, if you have suggestions, bring them to the war table. Klara, ensure the traps are ready before nightfall. I don't have time to mediate squabbles."

Both women fell silent, though their glares at each other spoke volumes.

"Fine," Vivienne said with a slight bow of her head. "I'll defer to your judgment—for now."

Klara smirked, leaning closer to Morrath. "Don't worry, boss. You can count on me. Unlike some people, I don't just talk a good game."

Morrath let out a quiet sigh, turning away before they could draw him further into their verbal sparring. "Focus on your tasks," he said over his shoulder. "Or the Dominion won't need to lift a finger to destroy us."

Kaela stood on the balcony, her hands gripping the stone railing as she watched Morrath, Vivienne, and Klara below. Vivienne leaned toward Morrath with practiced elegance, her smile calculated and enticing. Klara, in contrast, was loud and brash, her laugh echoing across the courtyard as she clapped Morrath on the shoulder.

Kaela frowned, an unfamiliar feeling twisting in her chest. Jealousy? No, I'm not the jealous type. I've never been. But as Vivienne's laughter rang out again and Klara's casual confidence persisted, Kaela felt a sharp pang she couldn't ignore. I met him first. They don't know him like I do. They don't see what he carries, what he's sacrificed.

Vivienne's melodic voice floated upward. "My lord, your tactical acumen is remarkable. Few leaders possess your vision."

Kaela rolled her eyes. Tactical acumen? He's barely spoken, Vivienne. Stop trying so hard.

Klara's bold tone cut through next. "See, boss? That's why you need people like me—straight to the point. No fancy talk, just results."

Kaela's jaw tightened. She's too casual. Does she even understand what he's trying to do here? A blush crept into her cheeks as another thought surfaced. Why do I care so much? Am I… attracted to him?

Memories flooded her mind—the way Morrath had saved her, trusted her, and listened to her. He had made her feel seen in a way she hadn't felt before. I'm entitled to his affection, she thought fiercely. He saved me. I've been by his side from the start. If anyone deserves his attention, it's me—not them.

Straightening, she pushed down her hesitation and strode purposefully across the courtyard. "Morrath," she called, her voice sharp.

The three turned to face her, but she ignored Vivienne's raised eyebrow and Klara's smirk, focusing solely on him. "The wards need your attention," she said firmly. "If we don't secure the perimeter, everything we've built could fall apart."

Morrath nodded, his gaze steady. "Understood. Let's address it."

Vivienne's faint smile didn't waver. "Efficient as always, Priestess."

"And direct," Klara added with a grin. "I like that."

Kaela stepped closer to Morrath, ignoring them both. "You'll need to be at the focal points to anchor the wards," she said softly. "We'll need to work together on this."

Morrath gestured for her to lead the way. "Let's go."

Kaela walked ahead, a small, triumphant smile tugging at her lips. Let them fawn over him all they want. He trusts me. That's what matters.

But as the thought settled, a small voice in the back of her mind whispered, Why does that feel so important to you?

…As they walked through the castle's lower halls, Morrath glanced at Kaela. Her pace was brisk, her expression unusually tight.

"You seemed… tense back there," Morrath said, his tone neutral.

Kaela sighed softly, hesitating before answering. "It's nothing. I just think you should be careful with Vivienne and Klara. They're not as invested in this as you think."

Morrath's gaze lingered on her. "And you are?"

She stopped, turning to face him. "Of course I am," she said, her voice firm. "You saved me. You've saved all of us. That's why I'll always stand by you."

There was an intensity in her words that made Morrath pause. He could sense the sincerity in her voice, but it was a feeling he wasn't sure how to process.

"I appreciate that," he said finally, though his voice softened. "More than you know."

Kaela's expression eased, a faint smile tugging at her lips. "Good. Because you'll need people you can trust in the days ahead."

…Later that night, Morrath sat alone in his chambers, the faint glow of his system interface casting soft light across the room.

He leaned back, staring at the stone ceiling. The day's events replayed in his mind—Vivienne's veiled charm, Klara's boldness, Kaela's quiet resolve. The attention they gave him felt alien, almost surreal.

What do they really see in me? he wondered. In his past life, he had been shunned by women like them, his failures and insecurities leaving him invisible or worse, a burden. Yet here, as Morrath, they looked at him with admiration, perhaps even desire.

His thoughts turned to Kaela's words. Her loyalty felt different—uncomplicated and sincere. But he couldn't shake the nagging doubt that clung to him. Was it loyalty to him, or to the power he wielded?

With a sigh, Morrath closed his eyes. The battles ahead would demand his full focus, but tonight, he let himself linger in the strange, unfamiliar feeling of being wanted.