The Hero Became a Succubus, and the Only Way to Level is to… What?!

Kanae donned Arenade's pristine chainmail armor on top of the Matron's Regalia. The silver rivets and gold accents clashed with her succubus form. The demonic horns, wings, and tail weren't suited to holy attire. But she wanted to wear it, hoping that Arenade might be watching. She intended to protect the home they created here for the downtrodden and shunned.

"Looks nice and all, but steel chaffes my tentacles. How am I going to fondle you in that?" Chappy asked in disappointment.

"I-I was having a moment to myself! I can't believe this is coming from me, but can you not be horny for one moment?" Kanae pouted.

The living grimoire shrugged two tentacles. He shuttered his pages and fell flat onto the table, idle like an actual inanimate book. Kanae returned her attention to the mirror and sighed. She pictured Arenade, in all her excessively and arrogantly prideful poise, standing there in the armor instead.

What would you say to Lord Charron?

A whole lot of complaining and sibling bickering probably.

"Pfft…" Kanae stifled her laugh at the silly image.

"Master?" Esta knocked on the door before opening it. "They have assembled at the Ring of Ancestors."

"Then let's not keep them waiting," she said, turning around and flashing a smile full of resolve.

For this meeting, it was all hands on deck. For all three sides. Last night, a Sister of Sin reported that the Queen-Mother's forces were scouting the area around Highgreen. A careful harpy also recounted that Lady posted a large squad of Artaggon infantry at two gates nearest their encampment. The gamble of releasing Hilde and Minestra to achieve this meeting could very well bite Kanae in the back.

In response, Gretchen would be joining them. Extra guards were placed around the margrave's manor to protect Kanade and Suvee, and a contingency plan for their escape via Rown carriage was at the ready, pulled by the fastest languisteed on this continent— Titan.

If this alliance fell through, all of Highgreen would be consumed by a massive three-way battle. The citizens were understandably terrified. Many hid inside their homes today, and the Moonlit Avenue university campus opened many of its buildings for shelter just in case. Kanae felt terrible having to choose this place for their meeting.

Kanae, Esta, Lapis, and Gretchen boarded the Rown carriage, which was being driven by the chairwoman herself, Renya Rown.

"Is it time to make history?" Renya asked, looking a lot more confident than any of them.

"How are you able to stay so composed? I'm shaking harder than when I orgasm here," Kanae groaned.

"You think this is bad?" She scoffed and popped a clone out to light her cigar. "Have you ever held meetings with your shareholders before? Damn carrions, I tell ya. This alliance is just another business deal. You trade pleasantries, negotiate terms, and sweet-talk them to your side."

"So… what happens if a business deal falls through?"

Renya took a few deep pulls until the cigar was sufficiently alight. "Well, no deal has ever gone anywhere without a little strong-arming."

Not exactly what Kanae wanted to hear…

A few clicks from Renya's tongue set the languisteeds to their destination. Kanae glanced back to the manor. Her cute little daughters, guarded by Noah, Mitty, and Aisha, waved as she and the carriage sped through the streets.

Lapis was trembling, fists clenched over her lap and eyes cast down to her feet. Kanae placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Nervous?" Kanae asked.

"One of them tried to kidnap me, and the other tried to destroy me… Yeah, I'm a little nervous. But I'm not backing down. The one person who treated me like a living being said she needed me. I won't let you down, Kanae. If things go awry, I'll fuck them to the three hells and back like I'm designed to do!" Lapis exclaimed and pumped her fists.

"I've been there, so I believe it! And you aren't like a living being. You are."

Lapis smiled brightly, exuding a confidence she didn't seem to have before.

They arrived at the Ring of Ancestors, and the tension was already thick enough to cut with a knife. Kanae's two guests were already present and seated at the round table, filled with all manner of foods and drinks. Queen-Mother Zariah sat with her daughters, two to each side and a few chained slaves behind her. The queen succubus herself was glaring daggers at her ex, but the Mistresses— except for Ambrosia— didn't seem to care much.

Labelle had her feet up on the table and teetered on the back legs of her chair. She strummed merrily on her lute, and for once, Kanae was glad for music during this tense setting. Claudia saw Kanae coming and waved. Hilde regarded Kanae with an upturned nose, and Ambrosia was acting uncharacteristically… bashful?

Lord Charron, the unfortunate recipient of a burning stare as hot as the sun, sat many unoccupied seats away from the Queen-Mother. Lady and Minestra opted not to sit, and instead stood guard behind him.

Understandable, considering Edina had five death knights and an undead dragon out as a show of force. Even the Vipers of Hollow Glade were here, Katia the Mystic, Lady Farhan, and the brutish Garuda, who had been subjugated a while back.

All eyes turned to Kanae as she and her companions descended from the carriage. Zariah and Charron in particular snapped to Lapis right away, likely sensing her anti-magic field nearby. She shuddered under their gazes, then shook the jitters away to face them with courage.

"How unbecoming of you, who invited us to this pigsty, to keep us waiting. Perhaps you don't actually care for an alliance?" Queen-Mother Zariah asked as Kanae sat down at last, flanked by Esta and Gretchen.

"You're trying to lecture her about punctuality?" Lord Charron fired back fiercely. "If I recall correctly, you were always late to see me because of all the— what was it you said? Oh, the 'too many cattle slaves to take care of,' excuse!"

"I have to feed my pets, you know? Children, too! They aren't boars that can eat anything and live to grow fat! Would you rather I come back to a home full of starved, emaciated daughters? You would know if you had to put in effort raising anything other than your flaccid erections!" she shouted.

"Wha— This is hardly the place to talk about that!"

"God, what am I listening to?" Kanae asked as they continued to bicker.

"To be honest, they sound a little like you and Arenade." Esta chuckled.

"No way…" After listening to them for a while longer, it started to sound nostalgic. "R-Really?"

When Zariah and Charron traded verbal blows, they really did seem like an old married couple. Just with the power to plunge the world into chaos if pissed off the wrong way.

"Wait, hold on… Lord Charron, were you an absent father and husband in their lives?" Kanae asked.

"Yes, he was!" Queen-Mother Zariah exclaimed.

"I believe she was asking me, you sex-addicted sow! But yes, I was. Can you blame me? Most of her children weren't mine. I'm the Demon Lord of Artaggon! Not the Cuckold of Artaggon!" Charron slammed a fist onto the table.

A certain succubus appeared to sink in her seat, and her eyes clouded over.

"But you did have one child that belonged to you," Kanae said, glancing to high elven succubus, Mistress of Desire, Ambrosia.

"I'm not cut out to be a father. Besides, Ambrosia looks like she grew up to be a fine and strong woman without me…" Charron grumbled.

"Father…" Ambrosia expelled a sigh and smiled softly.

"Don't take that to mean he loves you, girl." The Queen-Mother folded her arms guardedly. "He doesn't. He left and set upon us a war that nearly ended our kind. ENDED MY SISTERS! Demon Queen, how would you feel if someone hurt your loved ones?"

"I— Wait! I'm not here to play family therapist for you guys. We can save that for later if we broker an alliance. What am I doing with my life? Geez. I gathered you here because the Empire of Ortesia, Rotandrix, and whatever else is across the sea plans to invade us!" she explained.

The mood between both factions shifted to more serious tone.

"They threaten you, not me. Why should we care?" Queen-Mother asked.

"Because the empire has millions of vials of anti-succubus magic potions. I know, since I foolishly orchestrated the operation until Queen Kanae defeated and turned me into a thrall," Gretchen answered.

"The cattle bleats about its own transgression. Yet it is not in chains being drained like extracting honey from a beehive?" She shot Kanae an exasperated look.

"Gretchen is serving out her sentence as my thrall. But she isn't the threat here. When the Empire of Ortesia arrives, do you really think they plan to stop at me? You're smarter than that. A thousand years ago, they sailed across the sea to aovid dealing with demons. Time made them more prideful. Stronger and richer, too. Now, they are brave enough to step foot on this land again. Can you honestly say you're strong enough to fight them back alone?"

The Mistresses conversed amongst themselves. Kanae watched them intently, hoping to glean anything to gain the upperhand. Queen-Mother Zariah was going to be her biggest obstacle.

However, it was Ambrosia who met Kanae's gaze. "Our forces are plenty strong even if Ortesia has measures against succubus magic. We've had three centuries to breed our own empire of succubi. We have strength in numbers."

"You've been underground too long. Will it enough to match Ortesia's ten centuries?" Kanae questioned back.

The Queen-Mother clicked her tongue and rolled her eyes.

"It just so happens, Demon Queen, that I have a term that addresses that. If we are to enter into an alliance, then I wish for you to swear a pact with me. Artaggon will aid you in repelling Ortesia's invasion. In exchange, the Commonwealth will aid me in invading Ortesia," Lord Charron said.

"My, how ambitious!" Queen-Mother Zariah laughed.

"Y-You… want to invade the empire?" Kanae choked on her spit.

"They took everything from me. They are the reason I am what I am now. I will show them exactly what they have made me. Well?" He turned his palm to face upright.

If they defeated the Ortesian invasion, then the empire was going to be licking their wounds for a while… Maybe this was a good chance to bring them to heel once and for all. Ever since Lograin, those high elven bastards have been on her ass. But war right after another…

"I accept, but this will have to be something we discuss more in depth about later," Kanae said.

"I'm glad to hear it." Lord Charron smiled.

The first good thing to come out of this meeting was soured by laughter. They drew a weary sigh over the one who seemed amused by their fruiting alliance.

"What do you want, Queen-Mother? Tell it to me straight already," Kanae said.

"Your lands," Zariah answered, causing Grell and Highgreen guards to tense up. "For centuries, I have dwelled in the depths like a gopher and bided my time. My legacy shall not be one where I pass down underground ruins to my daughters. First, Demon Queen Kanae, you shall surrender your lands to me."

"You're going to have to pry it from my undead army's cold, bony hands." Edina growled and her horde oozed with dark necromantic haze.

The threat didn't fall on deaf ears, because Labelle stopped strumming her lute. Even Claudia, who was bored up until now, couldn't help her lips creasing into a wide, panting smile.

"What a coincidence, Zariah. I, too, wish to expand Artaggon's lands southward. I can't very well carve a piece of my own if you were to own it all," Lord Charron added.

"You two want my Commonwealth? I'm the reason this land is lush with resources, not you." Kanae balled up her fists.

"You simply put up a signpost, but I was here first." The queen succubus glared.

Kanae, Charron, and Zariah stared each other down across the table. None of them were willing to give an inch, especially not Kanae after all she struggled to achieve in creating a paradise for herself and her people.

"Now hold on a minute!" Renya interjected, reaching over the table to grab a carafe of wine. "No Man's Land was— still is a giant tract of land. Why can't we share it?"

Everyone on Kanae's side gaped at her.

"W-What are you doing? Shouldn't you be on my side?" Kanae whispered.

"The talkative cattle wishes to speak. Let her make noises for our entertainment," Zariah insisted with an amused grin.

"Oh, why thank you, your highness! Hold on… I just want to grab a little pastry." Renya created a clone behind the Queen-Mother and startled Hilde out of her seat. She bravely reached over their shoulders to grab a tart. "Even after six years, Kanae here still hasn't made headway in conquering all that used to be No Man's Land. It's too big! Used to be a barren land until the Writ of Divine Lease happened. That's why you want a chunk of the cake, am I right?" The clone shoved the tart into her mouth, but it was the Renya next to Kanae who chewed heartily. "No one cries that I ate this succulent strawberry tart— delicious, mind you, and I've got to get the recipe later— because there's so much food on this table. Look at it all! A feast laid out for the three most powerful forces north of Radevic, yet too much for even you to eat."

Kanae had a hard time believing what was happening. Renya had the three of them wrapped around her fingers. A second ago, Queen-Mother Zariah didn't so much as give Renya a glance over. Now, she and Lord Charron were listening intently. As did everyone else.

Renya picked up the entire strawberry tart plate and continued, "We could share these mouthwatering tarts, and there would still be all this food left over. While it isn't my place to claim this hospitality that Kanae so kindly laid out for you… I'd like to offer you, Queen-Mother Zariah, a tart. And…" She created a second clone next to Lord Charron, and Lady was inches away from shredding her to pieces. "I also offer Lord Charron a tart." Lastly, the real Renya lifted a tart up to Kanae's face. "I offer you one, too."

The three of them exchanged looks before they ultimately picked up the treat stuffed with strawberry fillings. Together, they put the morsel into their mouths. For Zariah and Charron, it was the first thing they had eaten from the table. Satisfied, Renya's clones vanished from the table.

"Renya, was it?" Queen-Mother Zariah lifted her nails up to the slaves to lick clean. "She makes a fair point. You will forfeit to me untouched no less than one-million square kilometers of land in the northwest. That is not up for discussion."

"And I want to establish a city and garrison south of the mountains, preferably between Highgreen and Talahurah. Unlike Zariah, this is up for discussion if you are willing." Lord Charron steeled his gaze on Kanae.

"Fine… I'll confer with the Commonwealth's leadership…" Kanae said through gritted teeth.

Renya leaned back in her seat, humming happily to herself with the entire rest of the plate of tarts.

"I'm also entlted to enslavement. We are succubus. We need cattle to sustain ourselves. I believe you also have slaves of your own. You aren't going to take some moral high ground over this, are you?" Queen-Mother lifted a brow in challenge.

"You can have your slaves, as long as they aren't citizens of the Commonwealth. That means any prisoners of war are open season," Kanae offered.

"We agree on something! You may be a succubus queen yet. But there is one more thing I want that might be even out of your hands. Marwin Fransk. You know him. Because of him my beloved sisters are gone. You're in a peculiar position as a Knight of… whatever. Lure the man named Marwin Fransk, so I—"

"I can't do that."

For the second time today, all eyes fell to Kanae.

"What did you say?" The Queen-Mother's hands gripped her seat's armrest.

"I sympathize with you, but I'm not going to surrender the mentor who shaped me, taught me, and… er… did a lot more things with that I won't mention here," Kanae explained.

"You bitch! You slept with that succubus-killer?"

"I-I didn't say that—"

"It's in your eyes! You would fuck anything, wouldn't you?"

"Now isn't the best time to talk about what I'm into!"

Queen-Mother Zariah rose to her feet. The daughters, who were laughing at Kanae's expense, followed suit. The otherwise light atmosphere had turned thick with tension again, and Lady and Minestra were on guard.

"I ask again— Will you surrender Marwin Fransk to me? Don't lie either. Sin will tell me your inner desires and reveal all truths." She pointed to the crown on her head, the last piece of the Matron's Regalia.

Kanae swallowed the lump in her throat and answered, "No."

Master Marwin had been faced with an almost impossible choice back then. Wage war against the succubus race, or have all of Radevic turned into their livestock. Kanae knew he deeply regretted that decision. If there was any other choice, she was sure he would have gone about it differently.

More importantly, her daughters were in Aidenhall. 

"Zariah, let's not be rash," Lord Charron implored, also on his feet. "I am as much to blame. If it's an apology you seek, I—"

"Apologies will not bring them back. I see Thistle, the Matron's Regalia on this pretender-queen. Ever piece is a reminder of their loss. I loved them. I had to live centuries without them!" she cried in pain that resonated with Kanae.

From afar, Margrave Grell was moving into place. Archers on the building rooftops were ready to fire explosive arrows that would blow up the hidden caches of mana-burning spores.

"Kanae!" Claudia shouted from across the table. "I'm with my mother on this. I told you I lost my sister, Alicia. You lost your lover. Now imagine losing three. If you won't allow us this revenge, then maybe we were fated to battle after all!"

Gretchen casted Holy Armament, donning the golden armor and longsword in anticipation for a fight. Esta drew her greatsword and greatshield, too.

No one was seated any longer. Kanae cursed under her breath. All three of them needed to enter the alliance. If even one fell through, Ortesia would run them all down while they were in-fighting. Was sacrificing Marwin the only way to secure the Queen-Mother's support?

"The only daughter you managed to defeat was Hilde, and see is the weakest of my chosen brood. You think you can defeat us all here? With what? An army of cattle and bones?" Queen-Mother Zariah snarled.

"Yes, I do. You're also wrong about Hilde. She isn't weak. She stayed loyal to you even when I had her imprisoned. Because of her, we were able to have this chance at an alliance!" Kanae argued back.

"You… I-I…" Hilde's mouth flopped open like she wanted to say something. Her gaze swapped between the Queen-Mother and Kanae.

Then, to everyone's surprise, Lapis had snuck up behind and grabbed the Queen-Mother.

"Gotcha! Let's see you cast magic now!" Lapis exclaimed.

Kanae panicked. She looked over her shoulder, and Lapis wasn't there. Negotiations broke down. Everything went south at once. With all four arms, Minestra blocked a blow from Claudia when she went for Lord Charron. Lady lunged across the table and grabbed Hilde by the throat. Edina's death knights moved into the Ring until Labelle threatened them with her fingers on the lute strings.

"I'm indebted to you for allowing me a chance to speak with my father, Kanae. However, I will not tolerate threats against my mother." Ambrosia, her angelic wings unfurled to their full glory, landed on the table in front of Kanae and channelled powerful magic ready to be released at any moment.

"Ahahaha! It's good to have many loving children. But is this how it ends? With me being double-teamed? It wouldn't be the first time, and I happen to like this position. I'm just disappointed in you, Charron. You could have picked your bedfellows with more care!" Queen-Mother Zariah said scoldingly.

"I told you, we're not like that!" Charron groaned.

Kanae sucked in a quivering breath. She had to give the signal to Grell. The explosions would also signal Noah to take Suvee and Kanade out of Highgreen as fast as possible. There was no going back once that happened. It was now or—

"Mom!" Two voices rang out that snapped Kanae to her senses.

Suvee and Kanade were being chased after Mitty, Aisha, and Noah. Of course, they were far too slow to catch young succubi who could fly.

"Sorry, Kanae! They wanted to see you no matter what!" Noah yelled.

"Suvee, Kanade! Stay back!" Gretchen shouted.

An explosion rocked the Ring of Ancestors. Chunks of whitestone and rock went flying. Among them were fine particles of powder. As the columns crumbled and toppled like dominoes, several of them was falling right for Kanae's children. Both of them froze still, too petrified to move.

"No!" Kanae flew to save them, but she wouldn't make it. A bright light screeched past her. She thought it was Arenade.

Instead, it was Ambrosia. The Mistress of Desire shielded the two children as pillars and rubble buried them under a mound of stone.

"Ambrosia!" Zariah and Charron cried.

With Zariah binded still, Kanae was joined by Lord Charron, Gretchen, and Esta as they pulled debris away. Everyone watched on in silence until they uncovered Ambrosia's back, her right wing fractured, and hunched over Suvee and Kanade having protected them from being buried. The two were fine, if not spooked.

"Are these… your little ones?" Ambrosia asked as blood trickled down her forehead. "How nice. I wanted to show my father… my child, too…" 

The Mistress of Desire weakly pressed a hand to her abdomen before passing out. Kanae picked up Suvee and Kanade, and Lord Charron carried Ambrosia.

"I'm sorry, mom… Don't be angry with Suvee. I…" Kanade stammered and choked up.

"Shh. It's okay. Go with Gretchen. It's not safe here," Kanae said, ushering her daughters into Gretchen's care.

The burning sensation from the spores was beginning to set in.

"What's in the air?" Charron asked.

"Mana-burning spores… I had them placed in case things went wrong," Kanae said guiltily.

"Hmph. Clever. There's a substance in the air that will burn our mana. Lady, Minestra. Stand down! We will not be fighting today," the demon lord ordered.

They were hesitant to do say, but eventually obeyed.

"Highgreen, Margrave. Stand down, too! Everyone, move away from the Ring of Ancestors. The spores won't stick as long as you're not in it for too long! Lapis, you can let the Queen-Mother go." Kanae nodded.

As soon as Lapis did, the Queen-Mother came running up to Lord Charron, where they had moved away from the spores' reach. Hilde, Labelle, and Claudia did, too, and surrounded the unconscious Ambrosia.

"She's pregnant… I have a grandchild? Did you know?" Lord Charron asked the Queen-Mother.

"No. This is my first time hearing! Is Ambrosia…?" Zariah was reluctant to say anything more.

"I'm terribly sorry, Queen Kanae! One of the archers' hands must have slipped!" Grell came rushing up to explain.

"You! It's your fault!" The Queen-Mother stormed up to Kanae and Grell.

"Wait!" Charron came between them. "Her own children were caught in the blast. Don't you see? Our fighting puts our own children in danger. We will put them in even more danger when Ortesia arrives. Zariah, I wronged you and your sisters. It won't bring them back, you're right. I don't want Ambrosia to one day grow up feeling the same way."

"Neither do I. Suvee, Kanade, Teana, Pan, Revah, Mikki. I also have another one coming. If you want to take your anger out of me for what happened today, I'll be ready for it any time. But I want to beg you, please join us. If not for your sake, then for all our children," Kanae pleaded and offered her a hand.

The Queen-Mother cradled Ambrosia into her arms and turned her back to them. Her wings spread wide, and she lifted off the ground.

"You have your alliance. Don't make me regret it," Zariah said.

"Thank you." Kanae breathed a sigh of relief and fished out an antidote. "Take this with you! It's just a potion, but also contains neutralizers to flush out the mana-burning spores. Ambrosia should be better in no time. I owe her that much for protecting my kids."

Zariah ignored her and flew away with Claudia and Labelle. Hilde grabbed the potion instead, holding onto Kanae's hand for a few seconds.

"I… can't believe I'm saying this. Thank you for standing up for me. Not even my sisters have ever done that in front of our own mother." Hilde offered a crooked half-smile, then followed after the others.

The weight of the world came crashing down on Kanae's shoulders. Esta helped her back up.

"No time to rest, Master. You achieved what no one has done in… ever. There's still more work to be done," Esta said teasingly.

"Give me a break…" Kanae sighed.

"So, I'm allies to the very succubus I created. I would say the gods play with irony, but they had little to do with it. Well? What is this alliance called?" Lord Charron asked.

"Uh… The Demon Three's Alliance?" she answered reluctantly.

"Oh," he said after a pause. "I see. Anyway, congratulation on our alliance!"

"H-Hey! If you have a better name than mine then suggest it!"