[Succubus (2)]
In an instant, the air around them shifted.
“······.”
“…Huh.”
A heavy atmosphere that felt like one shouldn’t speak carelessly.
Yet amidst it all, the undeniable allure continued to captivate their gazes.
Gulp.
As those present unconsciously swallowed dryly, that presence’s steps did not falter.
They seemed to tread lightly yet with such force that each step felt like it pressed into the very space around them.
The strange tension in the air dissipated only when she reached the one holding the highest authority in the room.
By the cheerful smile that adorned her face.
“Hehe, I’m glad to meet you like this. My name is Hela. I look forward to working with you from now on, okay?”
She merely smiled and spoke a few words.
However, her demeanor left a profoundly different imprint in the minds of those present compared to before.
…No, in fact, it was the heart that was marked much deeper than the mind.
‘Truly, she’s of a bewitching nature.’
The Dream Walker Grand Matriarch who placed one hand over her heart let out a quiet gasp inwardly.
Being confident that this was the foremost dimension, her heart, usually unflattering to even the fiercest temptations, raced faster than usual.
If she felt this way, how much more would others?
“Oh ho ho, nice to meet you. I am Liliana, currently leading the Dream Walkers. I sincerely thank you for coming all this way despite the inconvenience.”
She received the other’s words calmly, not showing her inner feelings.
In stark contrast to the other who would speak informally from the start, she acted as if she were a noble lady.
“Yet, it seems this isn’t a suitable place for conversation. Shall we move inside? I have prepared a delicious feast to welcome our precious guest.”
Then, casually glancing around the still flustered surroundings, she led Hela inside.
This was a crucial facility for troop transport.
It was a place that required constant tension, not to be distracted like this.
‘By the way…’
As she took her leave, she stole a glance at Siana, who was exchanging greetings with Hela.
Having already reached a mature transcendent level, she could glean much information simply from that.
The weight behind the other’s stride, the cycle and depth of her breath, the changes in her expression while speaking, and the movements of her eyes—all instincts and gestures she wasn’t even aware of.
The conclusion that emerged after analyzing all those elements was one.
‘…Phew, as expected, there truly is no one like LeRae.’
It was a mere misunderstanding of her own.
There was no need to pick apart every little detail.
To begin with, there were many differences from the Demon King she had known, from appearance to body shape to the nature of magical power.
‘But she resembles her.’
That was something even she couldn’t deny.
Above all, didn’t the name spring to mind the moment she first encountered her?
Though she couldn’t quite pinpoint it, the strange aura around her was shockingly similar to the sovereign Liliana had long admired.
‘And those eyes and horns as well. It’s certain. This is LeRae’s…’
Her gaze turned toward Hela’s face.
The stark black with the crimson irises and the gently curved, towering black horns.
Everything else aside, that was undeniably the emblem of the former Demon King!
Just as the Grand Matriarch was deeply lost in thought, she suddenly locked eyes with that mystifying gaze.
It was a small mistake, having been caught up in the whirlwind of complex thoughts, to not properly recover her gaze.
“Hoho, you seem to have many questions, don’t you?”
She wore an expression as if she knew exactly what was on the Grand Matriarch’s mind.
However, Hela didn’t open her mouth any further.
She simply smiled gently, opening the door to the reception room and extending one arm inward.
“Conversation is the most efficient means of communication to understand each other. Considering you don’t seem to have time to spare, let’s not waste any more and get straight to the point.”
She effortlessly entered the room, as if she owned the place.
*
‘So this is the Dream Walker’s stronghold? Truly, it is a prestigious line that has produced a former Demon King. This is on a completely different level from the riffraff I’ve encountered so far.’
Hela nodded subtly, internally amazed.
Although she didn’t show it, she was quite satisfied with the situation she was in.
‘If it’s this solid, it will help a lot with my work. After all, being a latecomer means the stronger the foundation, the better.’
The stronger the influence she could exert in the Demon Realm, the faster her own power would expand.
If the Dream Walkers could assist with the ongoing projects, she could establish a powerful faction in no time.
Moreover, Liliana, the Grand Matriarch of the Succubus tribe, had to be considered the finest talent she had encountered in the Demon Realm.
‘It’s to be considered that the power of the Demon Tribe would amplify within the realm… But if the Marquis level is this strong, just how powerful is the Duke level?’
Of course, she was confident she could hold her ground one-on-one, but considering the possibility of involving her subordinate forces, it was still premature to confront them directly.
What she needed was to firmly take this place, the Dream Walkers, into her own grasp.
‘These people seem to have strong resistance to seduction; it might be difficult to forcibly subdue them as I have before.’
Of course, she didn’t need to go that far.
They were already thread together by an unbreakable bond with her.
The three of them—Hela, Siana, and Liliana—now seated in the reception room, each one knew it wasn’t the time for leisure, so discussions swiftly progressed.
From official matters to more personal topics.
“…‘Well’ you say, what does that mean?”
During their exchange, Liliana frowned in disbelief.
She wore an unmistakable look of frustration when a satisfying answer failed to materialize for her pressing question.
However, Hela merely shrugged lightly.
“Of course, there must be some connection to the former Demon King. It’s not like someone like me would just appear out of nowhere. But in truth, I’ve only just gained consciousness, and this is the first time I’ve come to the Demon Realm…”
She only maintained a façade of ignorance regarding the inquiries into her origins.
How could she be honest about what she truly was in this situation?
That she was one of the many avatars created using the remains of the former Demon King.
Still, she avoided directly confirming anything, refraining from lying altogether.
A demon of that level would surely find it simple to detect lies hidden within speech.
‘I don’t know if it would work on me, but it’s best to be cautious for now.’
Though she had recently adapted, Hela was still a fledgling entity who hadn’t been alive for long.
It was only natural that she prepare for any potential situations.
Meanwhile, leaving things vague allowed all possibilities to remain open…
“…Could it be that you had some arrangements made beforehand? To prepare for what happens after they die…? Hmm, being in possession of the Queen’s essence and all, perhaps those two truly…”
They would probably weave scenarios that made sense naturally, leaving her without the need to overthink.
“By the way, I’m curious too. What is your relationship with the 14th Demon King and the Succubus Queen, Grand Matriarch? You speak as if you are well acquainted.”
As Hela threw out her question casually, a deep furrow creased Liliana’s brows as she paused momentarily.
A brief silence hung in the air.
But soon, as if nothing had happened, she spoke nonchalantly.
With a curious gaze fixed on Hela.
“…I am their sister and mother.”
Accompanying that statement came a calm, detailed explanation.
As if sharing tales with family once separated, akin to a long-lost niece revealing past family matters.
Liliana, with the Succubus Queen as her mother, and LeRae, who was a very special being.
Unlike an ordinary Succubus, Liliana was born as a ‘Succubus Mixed Blood’ due to an excessive manifestation of her father’s genes.
Ordinarily, male beings within the Succubus race were merely prey and objects of exploitation, rendering such scenarios unlikely but entirely plausible considering the power of the being who was her father.
He was none other than the exemplar of strength, the 13th Demon King.
‘Her father was the 13th Demon King, and her mother was the Succubus Queen.’
Her lineage was surprisingly impressive.
Well, this could explain why she was able to rise to the throne in the demon realm swarming with all sorts of vicious monsters.
“The eyes and horns you inherited are characteristics passed down from the 13th Demon King. LeRae never liked how flashy they were, but you wouldn’t believe how envious everyone else, including me, was.”
With a sigh, Liliana touched her horn, which was hardly a hand’s breadth.
Siana, quietly sitting beside her, nodded in agreement as well.
Her brief account naturally flowed into the tale of the 14th Demon King LeRae and the continent invasion led by the Queen.
Not only was the lineage an advantage, but the powerful connections with the former Demon King allowed them to prosper significantly under the expertise of the capable Queen, earning the Dream Walker territory great prominence.
However, they could not remain complacent in reality.
While there was a desire to plunder bountiful resources outside this barren land, there was also a mission they had to fulfill.
“…You mean the wishes of the Demon God?”
“It’s said to be a duty passed down since the birth of the first Demon King. Though honestly, even without it, not much would have changed for us, considering that rich land was like a well-set banquet.”
Periodically invading the continent to suppress human morale and enact certain measures there.
At that moment, one hypothesis suddenly sparked in Hela’s mind.
‘Could it be that the Demon God was periodically obstructing the resurrection of the human God?!’
Why it was the Demon God isolated in the Demon Realm rather than just any god who took on such a role was unknown.
Perhaps it was simply because their relationship was tenuous, or it could be laws she was still unaware of.
What mattered was that the duty had manifested over time as invasions, and it had abruptly ceased with the 14th Demon King’s demise.
Ultimately, it was now the Undead King and the arranged human gods who were gradually awakening one by one.
‘Wow… It truly is a remarkable obsession. Even after being sealed in the Abyss for over a thousand years, to not give up and finally succeed?’
Moreover, she even retaliated against the Demon God who had always been meddling in her affairs.
It was beyond comprehension just how incredible her power must have been before being sealed in the Abyss.
You could see why the Holy God wouldn’t directly intervene unless absolutely necessary.
“Her mother chose to accompany LeRae to lend support. The other dukes were far too desperate in their scrutiny.”
Such was the magnetic pull of the 14th Demon King’s enchanting power.
Had she been given just a bit more time, she could have subdued all the high-ranking demons and perfected absolute power.
Of course, that was all in the past, and ultimately, both Demon King LeRae and Succubus Queen fell in battle during the continent invasion.
What had transpired during that event, or if there were ploys from other dukes or the human gods involved, remains a mystery…
“…But it feels like we have been granted another opportunity.”
As Liliana’s quiet narrative began to swell with a strange heat, an unfamiliar intensity began to blaze in her eyes.
“I shall recognize you as my sister and the daughter of the 14th Demon King LeRae. Even though you may not have been born from me, it seems that power and will have genuinely been passed down.”
Then, standing slowly, she casually tapped the side of the central table.
With that light gesture, the heavy table, laden with treats, slid across the wall, but no one in the room paid it any mind.
“I, Liliana, Grand Matriarch of the Dream Walkers—”
“—And my daughter Siana.”
Siana, who had been quiet until now, followed suit in uttering her words.
Before Hela could even react to the fact that Siana was indeed the daughter of the Grand Matriarch, the two knelt slowly before her.
““We pledge our loyalty to you, Lady Hela.””
The language resonated, and a wave imbued with magical power profoundly surged around them.
At that moment, a dual contract was formed not only with Liliana but also with Siana, the Undead King’s attendant.
It appeared that entering an allegiance with the higher class of the demon tribe was treated differently from contracts made outside.
“The only thing we desire is one thing.”
At that time, with her forehead pressed to the ground, Liliana spoke fervently.
Though she acknowledged Hela as a niece, it was clear they prioritized their wish for a ruler who would fulfill their intentions, and there was not a hint of disturbance in her demeanor.
“—To eliminate all those despicable dukes and see you ascend to the pinnacle of the Demon Realm!”
As she raised her head while still bowed, her eyes met Hela’s.
Fleeting moments of exhaustion faded away, revealing a seething glare of vengeance.
As Hela quietly stared into those eyes, a gentle smile graced her lips.
Indeed, her answer had already been decided.
*
“…This is…”
Miyamoto Ken swallowed hard.
Grrrk! Grrrk!
Ahh…! This refreshing blood! More! More!
In front of him, creatures that defied description as normal beings writhed horrifically.
Eyes, noses, mouths—arms and heads too.
A veritable array of white monsters, assembled like a child’s haphazard toy construction, eliciting instinctual revulsion upon sight.
“Hmm, seems you’re surprised.”
“Yes, a little…”
The owner of the kindly voice took a slow step forward from behind Ken.
Then, patting his shoulders a few times and gazing proudly at the unfolding scene, he spoke.
“What do you think? Isn’t it magnificent?”
Sticky desires lurked beneath that façade of kindness.
Before Ken could respond, the voice continued.
“These are the—”
With an abyss-like gaze devoid of light, his crescent moon-shaped eyes glimmered as he spoke.
“—Soldiers of the gods.”
