Campione: Strongest# 490: Crimson Moon

An incomparably spacious hall.

Murals covered the surrounding walls, their ancient, weathered aura seeming to narrate forgotten history.

Apart from the murals, the hall held no decorations—everything visible was stark gray-white.

White stone stairs at the hall's center stretched straight upward. At their terminus, a pale throne tinged with coldness bore its master, standing silent and eternal.

"Still pretending to sleep?" A voice tinged with mild displeasure echoed from below the stairs.

The sound reverberated through the empty hall, yet as time passed, Haru received no desired response.

Haru frowned slightly—the minute movement causing the surrounding atmosphere to distort.

He lifted his left foot, stepping lightly on the stone stairs, advancing with steady, powerful strides toward the throne at the summit.

As distance closed, the figure on the throne gradually enlarged in his deep gray pupils until it occupied his entire vision.

Golden hair scattered across the throne radiated light more brilliant than the sun. A pure white evening gown accentuated that graceful, slender figure.

Beauty transcending human perception to reach conceptual perfection wore a peaceful sleeping expression. She tilted her head slightly against the throne's back, pink lips parted slightly, her perfectly curved chest rising and falling gently—like a fairy tale princess awaiting true love's kiss.

Yet what slumbered here was that incomparably proud queen.

The King of True Ancestors—Crimson Moon.

"Four years of sleep is enough. Time to wake, Crimson Moon." Haru extended his hand, his right index finger curving to hook Crimson Moon's delicate chin. The soft, tender sensation transmitted through his knuckle to his mind.

"Or should I 'wake' you myself?" Looking at those cherry-pink lips, Haru's mouth curved upward. While speaking crudely, he slowly lowered his head, his left hand dishonestly hooking the white evening gown's strap with his finger.

The flawless face drew closer. Just as Haru was about to capture those lips—

A gem-like index finger gently blocked his lips.

"That's enough. Your excessive indulgence in pleasure truly disgusts me." The proud yet cold voice rang out softly.

Though scolding, her matter-of-fact tone made it impossible to feel any offense—as if her words were universal truth itself.

"Can't help it—I'm still young. Not having transcended these desires is perfectly natural." The finger hooked on the strap pulled gently. The smooth gown slipped slightly, revealing crystalline white to Haru's eyes.

Looking at that form gathering all worldly beauty, even the battle-hardened Haru's eyes showed traces of intoxication.

Crimson Moon's ruby eyes remained calm as an undisturbed lake—no embarrassment, no disgust. The ancient True Ancestor King was completely unmoved by her current treatment.

As the Moon's Counter Force and strongest life form (Ultimate One), Crimson Moon—as old as the planet itself—had transcended everything. Haru's current liberties couldn't shake her in the slightest.

"What business brings you here?" Ruby eyes reflected Haru's helpless expression as Crimson Moon's lips parted slightly, her cold yet proud voice echoing around them.

Crimson Moon's proud demeanor made it seem as if she weren't the one being pressed down and violated, but rather Haru—quite the reversal of positions.

In fact, their positions had indeed reversed. The Counter Force's servant contract had been eroded by Crimson Moon over four years. Though the master-servant relationship couldn't change, Haru could no longer forcibly command Crimson Moon.

Haru's earlier lustful display was merely posturing as master, seeking leverage.

"Moon spirits who live too long are troublesome—always finding loopholes to exploit." Seeing that proud face before him, Haru deeply missed the Crimson Moon who'd just been tricked by two lolis, suddenly losing hope of conquering Earth, her mentality unbalanced.

At least then, she'd cooperated fully, both ascending together to those dreamy heights beyond clouds.

But now, though physically satisfying, spiritually Haru felt like he was playing with himself—utterly awkward.

Now Haru deeply regretted allowing Crimson Moon to sleep. He should have used his command authority for more 'daring' activities while he still could.

The next instant, Haru banished his regret. At this point, unable to gain advantage, he could only state his purpose directly: "The Dark Six has awakened!"

Crimson Moon's ruby eyes flickered—surprise, delight, but mostly gravity. "The system has revived?"

"System?" Hearing Crimson Moon's terminology, Haru's gaze sharpened. That word 'system' implied far too much for him to ignore.

"What system is the Dark Six? What's its function?" Haru looked at Crimson Moon expressionlessly, his gaze knife-sharp on those ruby eyes, his tone extremely forceful.

Seeing Haru's forcefulness, Crimson Moon suddenly smiled sweetly, her slender hand hooking directly around Haru's neck.

"Yes, exactly—this is the bearing needed. Only the strong can dominate the weak. Being dominated by the weak would only make me sick."

"Constantly surrounding yourself with those little girls, indulging in beauty—it only dulls your edge."

"...The answer!" Haru narrowed his eyes, displeasure flashing through them, speaking impatiently. Being lectured felt terrible—at least Haru found it irritating now.

Seemingly sensing Haru's impatience, Crimson Moon's lips curved upward, her face wearing a brilliant smile as she spoke:

"The Dark Six core ability is usurping Counter Force power. It's a system I created while still on the Moon, to escape satellite status and usurp Earth."

"Initially upon arriving on Earth, I learned of the then-weak Counter Force Alaya's existence. Through the Dark Six, I attempted to usurp her power as rehearsal for usurping Earth."

"Then you screwed up?" Haru looked at Crimson Moon mockingly.

"Indeed." Crimson Moon's expression grew complicated.

"After initially seizing a human body, preparing to usurp Alaya's authority, the system developed personality. To control it, I transformed it into a Dead Apostle, but it still broke free."

"Then the Dark Six was sealed by you and Alaya working together, and the Counter Force discovered your goal of usurping the planet?" Haru raised an eyebrow, speaking strangely.

Counting it up—system betrayal, True Ancestor betrayal, plus becoming his servant—despite Crimson Moon's immense power, why did she seem like a protagonist from an abuse-focused female-oriented novel?

"What an unpleasant gaze." Crimson Moon raised an eyebrow, looking at Haru with displeasure.

"Give me the specific system information."

Ruby eyes reflected the silver-haired figure dissipating into air.

"Facing its escape, the Counter Force should be too busy with itself now, shouldn't it?"

Words carrying mysterious meaning echoed around the throne.