Divine Luck: SSS-Rank Battle Maid Harem-Chapter 400: Seeking A Host

With Zach and his familiars being kind of okay, the Millipede no longer being petrified and even having evolved, and Julius’ Mannequin tying up loose ends, the situation in the Underworld was almost as stable as it could get. It brought their attention back to the black gem in Julius’ hand.

"So, what are you going to do with that?" Nessa asked nosily. She was in a good mood after her Millipede evolved.

Julius followed where she was pointing and looked at the black gem.

"...I’m not sure. The Daughter didn’t get that far in her explanation back then. All I know is that it shouldn’t end up in the hands of someone who will misuse its power."

"Can I take a look at it again?" Nessa asked before taking it out of Julius’ hand and looking at it closely, trying to see through it. She glanced at her Millipede.

Her Milliede had a tendency to eat everything she gave it. Would that include this?

As if he could see the lunatic idea bouncing around in Nessa’s head, Dukiel snatched the gem from her only for a similar idea to appear in his mind. His Sentinel and Transformation Cube both used rare materials like ores and gemstones to strengthen themselves. What if they used the black gem that was a cornerstone of their world?

Would they evolve straight to SS-rank?

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It wasn’t impossible. The gem had made the Great Ugor strong enough to dominate an SSS-rank familiar.

Dukiel looked at his familiars with a thoughtful and contemplating expression. Which one should he try giving it to?

Anerias snatched the gem out of Dukiel’s hand and instantly threw it to Violina, who, having caught on, also threw it away at once. Julius caught it.

"Ah, I see," he said, realizing what was going on with a nod.

"It’s looking for a place to settle down. Honestly, your familiars might be able to handle it, and if you only care about them getting stronger, it wouldn’t be much of a problem."

"But…?" Dukiel asked, a little worried about the thoughts that had suddenly sprung up in his mind.

"I can’t guarantee you guys won’t be affected." Julius extended one finger and moved his hand around the room, stirring the underworld energy into a gentle breeze.

"...like me," he added. He had become something similar to an underworlder after his Mannequin was affected by the underworld energy and evolved and transformed into a variant. He wasn’t an underworlder, it was more like he was a human who used underworld energy instead of martial or magical energy. He was more similar to Minatio in that regard than other underworlders but without the sheer physical strength and ability to transform underworld energy into more strength.

But it might not be something the others would want.

"I also can’t even begin to guess what it will do to your familiars. Unlike that bastard Ugor, your familiars will most likely evolve into something centered around the gem or the Underworld. He adapted to the gem’s power and the Underworld over many years, eventually taking control over it and making it his own power. The gem probably won’t let something like that happen, which is a good thing as long as you’re not trying to use the power.

"It would most likely turn into the gem using one of your familiars as a host to stabilize and grow itself," Julius said with a light shrug while looking at the gem.

"So, our familiars will grow stronger but lose their autonomy?" Nessa asked.

Julius nodded.

"Tell that gem to fuck right off." She crossed her arms and harrumphed. She couldn’t believe it had tried to take over her cute, precious little Millipede.

"...Don’t hold a grudge against a stone, Nessa. It’s not sentient. It’s just following its instincts."

"Sure. Keep it the fuck away from me and my Millipede. Dukiel can have it if he wants."

"No way." Dukiel raised his hands and shook his head. He was not touching that thing again. And he was definitely not giving it one of his familiars.

"Mm." As he looked at it, Julius started considering it. It was not the gem this time. But wouldn’t his Mannequin be a great host for it? It was already accustomed to the Underworld and its energy, it was flexible and adaptable, and it needed a little boost to its strength. Julius also remembered the roots it had sown into Ugor.

Wouldn’t that synergize well with his wooden Mannequin, who could do something similar to absorb nutrients and underworld energy from the ground?

"I think I know what to do," he eventually said.

"...Can you put that stone down for a minute and say it?" Violina suggested, worried that he had been influenced the same way Nessa and Dukiel had.

"...Right. Sure." Julius put it on the floor and took a step back. He took a deep breath.

"Manny is the perfect host for it."

Julius didn’t need to say more than that for the others to understand what he was getting at.

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"Are you sure? Isn’t your Mannequin your only familiar?" Dukiel asked.

"It is." Julius nodded. "But it’s not like I’m giving him up to the gem or the Underworld and leaving him behind. I’m confident Manny can handle the gem without losing himself."

"I mean…If you say so?" Dukiel shrugged, uncertain. He glanced at the others.

"Is it necessary for the gem to have a host? What happens if we just leave it here?" Anerias asked.

Julius glanced at the gem.

"I’m not sure if it needs a host, per se, but it needs something to hold it. Before Ugor, the Daughter had something to do with it. She didn’t have it in her body, which is how Ugor took it, but I’m not sure what she did back then. And it’s not like we can ask her…"

"What about any of the other underworlders?" Nessa asked. Maybe Jigak could take care of it.

Julius shrugged.

"No idea."

Right then, Yanael stood up and walked over to the Daughter’s open grave. She looked at the hole in the center of her chest. She glanced at the gem.

"May I?" She asked.