North of Grand Noah, a strange young man was busy trecking through the thick forest that made for most of the Noah region. He himself was unremarkable, his redish hair barely reached his shoulders while his grey eyes scanned the forest repeatedly for any possible assailant. His cloth, however, could be described as unusual in this region at best: A brown, open jacket, a white shirt in an unusually thin fabric, and blue pants in an otherworldly material kept up by a belt that was not quite made of leather. A gun, a makina made to shot bullets, was hanging at his belt.
After an undetermined amount of time wandering through the thick grove, he arrived in sight of his destination: A large, monolithic building was standing ominously at the edge of the forest. He steadied his breath. Said structure counted several windows, but all of them looked murky and he could only see eerie silhouettes behind them. He gathered every bit of his courage and slowly walked toward the thick, metallic door that was decorated with a gargoyle head. He gulped, carefully remaining away from the ornament as he knocked twice. The door then slowly opened, creaking all the while. He couldn't see anybody on the other side, and, after a few long seconds of hesitation, he slowly stepped in. The door then closed behind him in a loud slam, surprising him. There was no turning back now…
The hallways in front of him were quite spacious, but they were also barely illuminated by magic crystals placed at regular spaces. He hesitated to draw his gun, but his contact had initially told him he wouldn't need it in this place. Still, he was glad to have his weapon by his side. A few echoes reached his ears: The sound of clattering glass followed by inhuman laughter was complementing a chemical smell that the man doubted to be healthy. After a short moment of hesitation, he started walking forward with a cautious step, making himself as silent as possible as he walked on the tip of his toes. After some awkward progression, he finally reached an intersection. The hallway seemed to continue, but he could see an opening on the right with a cloud of rainbow-colored smoke coming from it.
Several girls with insect like limbs wearing unusual uniforms were dancing around a cauldron from which the smoke cloud he had noticed earlier escaped while occult symbols appeared and disappeared around them. He observed them for a few moments before feeling something grab his arm. When he turned, he saw a monster just like those around the cauldrons tug at him.
"Are you an intruder?"
"Huuuh… No. I'm just-"
She suddenly started crying. "He's an intruder! We have an intruder!"
The monsters in the room joined in and he was soon surrounded by them dancing and chanting strange incantations.
"Intruder!"
"Intruder!"
"Intruder!"
The man started feeling nervous and hesitated to fire before another monster showed up. This one looked like a young girl wearing a school uniform, and would pass perfectly for a human if it weren't for her pointy ears. She was walking with an authoritarian step and had a serious expression on her face.
"Get back to watching the cauldron! The recipe for the elemental stones is not supposed to be rainbow! I will be watching you from now on! And you!" She pointed at the student who had first noticed the man. "Bring him to our principal! Whether he's an intruder or a guest, we always have to bring them to her first!"
The insect monster's shoulders slumped. "Yeees…"
"Now go! Or she won't be happy and you will get bad grades!"
The man heard some grumbles and the monster invited him to follow. He followed her at a slow pace as she unenthusiastically progressed in the hallway, eventually reaching narrow stairways. After a small minute of cruising through even more corridors, she stopped in front of the room and gestured for him to go inside. As he turned, he could a room that would look like an office if it wasn't for the fact that the shelves were covered with exotic bottles and other strange products. At the center of the room was a table covered with papers, a crystal ball and a tea set, and, on the other end, the man could see the single most stereotypical witch from his life. She was fully clad in black with a fitting conical hat and was wearing a pentagram held by a thick chain around her neck. Her blond, almost greenihs hair was reaching the floor behind her, and a large tail was coming from behind her robe before splitting in two. Her skin was yellow, and even from afar its texture looked scaly, almost like a snake, and her inhuman nature was confirmed when he saw her yellow eyes with their vertically-slit pupils. Although her expression was grim, she instantly illuminated when she saw the man enter.
"Ah! Kazuya! Welcome to my Magical Academy! I nearly thought you would end up not coming! I hope you didn't suffer any problem on the route?"
"Yes…" Kazuya bowed. "Sorry for being late."
"Don't mention it. I should have welcomed you at the entrance, I'm sure my little scamps caused you some trouble on the way in… Please, have a seat."
Kazuya accepted the chair while Mephisto served him and herself some tea. He checked the drink by sniffing it, which amused his host.
"Checking for poison?"
He shrugged. "I'm just curious as to what sort of tea exist in this world. Although… I must say you don't do much in the way of inspiring confidence."
The yoma emitted a low, scraping laughter.
"I wouldn't be the infamous yoma mage Mephisto if that wasn't the case. But I can assure you that I'm contractually obligated to support Grand Noah and the hero Luka, and I wouldn't harm you unless you would give me a very bad reason."
"Don't worry, I don't think you'll have to fear anything from me in that regard." The man smiled and took a sip from his drink. The tea himself had a familiar favor to what he was used to drink, even if it was different from the one he could enjoy back in his own world.
"Anyway, I asked you to come for a few reasons. Following the recent… incidents, I'm trying to make sure everyone will be able to have a roof over their head, and of all the human inhabitants you're the only one for which I still don't know if you have a sleeping place… I know Hakunen is with Magatsu in Yamatai, Lauratt and Rigeo in Succubus Village, and our four swordsmen are currently in Grand Noah comparing their skills, but you…"
"I wanted to take the opportunity to travel alone. I did the maths, and I have enough funds to live comfortably for a few months."
"Mmh… From what little I saw of you, you seem to be the kind reasonable with money. I have no right to oppose myself anyway…" She leaned back on her chair. "I just know someone who's interested to interview you about the world, but she's currently busy with your friends, and she'll find a way to contact you."
Kazuya raised an eyebrow. "By someone, you mean…"
"A close partner who didn't join Luka for personal reasons, but who's currently one of the most trustworthy monster alive." Mephisto grimaced. "…Most of the time. Still, nothing to be really concerned with." She then made a dismissive gesture. "In any case, I wish you well in this new world. Do you have any questions about some basic workings like the way to travel? There would be no shame in asking now."
He nodded. "I already brought a stock of harpy feathers if that's what you mean. And I even managed to craft myself a few tools to help me. Thank you."
"Perfect then! I hope you will have the opportunity to safely enjoy the numerous pleasures this world can provide you. Just do so in moderation. We wouldn't want to have to rehydrate you again."
Kazuya reflexively shivered. "Thanks. I hope Mukuro and Lampas won't cause any troubles and will be fine on their own as well. I feel slightly bad for leaving them alone, but they always both try to smother me, they regularly threaten each other, and... I really need some space. I feel that they're always doing their hardest to stalk me. I had a hard time shaking them off to come here and… They're in the academy, aren't they?"
Mephisto grimaced. Kazuya sighed. "I apologize for my partners' rudeness."
"Well, you're not responsible for their behavior and even as your partners go, they're not the worst…" She frowned. "Seriously, how and why did you build a relation with someone who takes so much pride in ruining people's lives?"
"It's… Really complicated. Let's just say I nearly reduced her to a cloud of particles the first time I met her, but if I did it at that time, I would have killed my friend and ruined any chance to lead a normal life again."
Mephisto raised an eyebrow. "I won't push my inquisition then. Do you want me to make sure they leave you alone for a moment? I won't harm them, I'll just make sure that they won't go anywhere near you for a few days."
"Yes please." Kazuya got up and bowed. "Thank you for your time."
"Ah! My apologies, but before you leave, I have a last request to make to you… If you hear anything about Vinum's book, please contact me."
Kazuya shivered and grimaced. Mephisto apologetically raised her hands. "I know you were the most misfortunate one when it comes to dealing with her, as most of us only had to deal with her mood swings since then. But the disappearance of that book worries her, and what worries that little sociopath able to wreck a mountain with her fists worries everyone…"
"I'll keep an eye out. What does it look like exactly?"
"She didn't tell. She only said that there was no way to mix it with anything else. Feel free to pass by if you need help for any other reason! You will always be welcome here."
"Again, I thank you for your effort to accommodate us."
As he left, Mephisto closed her eyes. If her reports were anything to go by, the boy was not someone to be messed with. Pulling and leading through that twisted game put on by a trio of succubi whose power could be compared to the Lilith Sisters was a praiseworthy fit, and one that worried her as well.
Just what kind of life he had to endure it and even face it with such courage? Granted, Luka, his companions and herself had faced quite a number of challenges and were now used to deal with impossible scenarios, but this man? She had the feeling that it was one of those people whose happiness had been shattered in the blink of an eye.
Her thoughts were interrupted by the noise of shattering glass followed by an explosion and what sounded like a splashing, gurgling sound. She passed her hand over her face, grimacing all the while. At worst, one student wounded, the pride of two monsters destroyed, and a room unavailable for a day because of cleaning up. She slowly got up from her chair and made her way downstairs, not much alarmed or hurried. And indeed, amongst her surprised students were two unusual monsters. The first looked like an alraune, except her flower was acting like a skirt, and the second looked like a human girl with long raven hair wearing a black and red kimono. A closer look was needed to understand that her skin was synthetic. Both were covered in a pinkish gunk and were looking passably ashamed at the floor. Mephisto pulled out her wand and started fiddling with it as she always did.
"While I have no doubt about the nobleness of the reason for your presence, I want to point out that you did trespass on personal properties. Now, I won't kick up a fuss or have you imprisoned, as I am willing to compromise particularly if it means people train in the process… Maybe you should clean yourself first. We'll discuss it later in my office. Lara? If you would accompany our unexpected guests… In the meantime, the remainder is to clean the room as their punishment. The mix that would have been created if you followed your tasks correctly had no reasons to explode whatsoever.
Mephisto kept an eye on the two scenes for a moment to make sure her orders were followed before returning to her office. She leaned back on her chair, and enjoyed the still warm tea she had prepared earlier as she remembered the last days.
"Good grief, they're all quite the handful aren't they?"
Barely a few minutes later, Kazuya himself was checking the countryside around him as he was now far away from the Noah region. He checked the remaining harpy feathers he had in a small satchel.
"Practical… I wish I had the same ones back home."
He was now in front of a large agricultural hamlet named Happiness Village. The place was known for its honey used in confectionery and being the neighbor of the Harpy Village who worked in partnership with them. And indeed he could see several bird like monsters helping the villagers with the agricultural activities like beekeeping. Seeing those monsters reminded him of Camatotz, one of his old… friends. Thinking about her reminded him that he was still stuck in an unfamiliar world, without the perspective to come back to his own.
He shook his head to clear his mind. He had come in the small village because the place was supposedly one of the calmest regions in the world. Most monsters living around were very weak, and the stronger ones were friendly. It looked like a nice place to cool down for a while after that conflict with this trio of succubi and their partners when they tried to bring in their Land of Night. He checked for a room at the inn, and decided that he could as well simply go for a walk without the fear of being attacked by actually dangerous monsters for once. A nice change of pace of his usual life.
As soon as he stepped out of the inn, an unusual harpy was apparently waiting for him outside. While most of them had light brown and white feathers, hers looked pink and seemed to shimmer under the sunlight. She was wearing as little as her kin, only hiding her modesty. What really differentiated her however was here assured posture and her almost supernatural charisma. Her green eyes were like two shining emeralds, and when she spoke, her tone sounded naturally playful but was still carrying a certain authority.
"Are you Kazuya?"
Kazuya bowed in front of her.
"At your service, queen harpy."
The monster giggled. "Please, just call me Lucretia. We fought side-by-side after all during the latest crisis, after all."
Kazuya smiled and simply nodded. He remained careful, preferring to do nothing that would risk offending her.
"I heard that you were travelling in the region and wanted to check on you… Make sure that the villagers would give the hospitality befitting of one of the Seven Heroes."
"The hospitality I'm given is perfectly fine, thank you very much."
"Mmh. I see." She didn't seem more convinced than that. "May I invite you to share a cup of tea? I would gladly appreciate your company."
The underlying message didn't escape Kazuya.
"I apologize, but I have to refuse. I still wish to make myself familiar with the region before doing anything else."
Lucretia looked disappointed, but not offended. "Well… If you do not need anything, then I will return to my place at the top of the large tree. Please don't hesitate to pass by!"
She winked at him before disappearing in a gust of wind. Once he was sure that she was out of sight, Kazuya slowly exhaled. There were a lot of things that he now had to take care of as he travelled through this new world. Royal protocol was now one of them. Granted, monster queens were apparently more informal than human ones and even compared to politicians, but even then, he wasn't used to deal with royalty.
It's been less than a day since I left the castle, and I also had a monster already trying to get in my pants. At least she was civil enough to ask and back off when I told her to leave me.
Let's hope that Mukuro and Lampas don't learn about it.
I'm also really worried about what that damn Daji is going to do… This world seems to already have dealt with so much worse, but even then…
Kazuya slowly inhaled and exhaled. He had come here to rest, and intended to fully enjoy the tranquility he could afford by first and foremost forgetting his current issues.
Wait, when Mephisto talked about enjoying the pleasures this world had to offer, she didn't mean…?
He shrugged and decided to start his walk right on the spot. After an undetermined time, he realized he was in the middle of a passably thick forest, enjoying the fact that he could at any moment return to the village in the blink of an eye, and as such couldn't get really lost.
The sound of buzzing reached his ears, and as he looked around he saw a bee girl. The monster initially seemed busy, but she soon noticed Kazuya and instantly started smiling.
"Ara? A human boy so far from the village? Say, why don't you take a break to be covered in honey by my hands?"
Kazuya kept a neutral expression as he answered. "No thanks, I'm not interested."
"Well… It doesn't matter then… I'll still do it anyway." She licked her lips while slowly hovering toward the man who glared back while pulling out his gun.
"I don't want to hurt you. Now leave me alone."
"But I don't want to hurt you either, I just want to-"
"I. Am. Not. Interested."
Kazuya's words were carrying a certain threat, and after a few seconds of hesitation she silently turned back and flew away. Random monsters still trying to force their way through… Well, at least something that didn't change from back home. Still, he got to enjoy a nice stroll in the forest for a long moment until the sound of something violently landing followed by coughing made his survival instincts kick in and coaxed him to hide behind a tree. He subtly took a look from behind his spot and saw a red haired succubus wearing only black stockings, leggings and white panties clearing her throat. Another one with purple hair and a sweeter followed. Even if they were relatively far, the succubi reminded him of Myusca, although they didn't seem as vicious. He didn't stand a chance against them, but they didn't seem to have noticed him yet...
"Are you alright, sister? That was quite the brutal break from you..."
"Yeah… Sorry about that, it was just an unusually tough insect. In all that time spent flying, that's a first."
"Mmmh… With a little luck, it's related to the reason the hero's army is running around and Morrigan will explain us everything in Iliasburg."
The other succubus chuckled. "I admit, I got surprised when I heard that she decided to support a brothel! I never imagined her having the patience for anything beyond hitting and frying everyone's mind with her aura…"
"Me neither… Maybe one of those Seven Heroes changed her mind." Lilith sniffed the air. "Wait… speaking of the devil, I think I'm smelling one of them."
Kazuya silently started stepping away from the tree, hopping to leave unnoticed as he slowly stepped back. They were still looking around them, and weren't focused in his direction. Good…
However, the moment he turned away to run, he was faced with two pair of red eyes that made him recoil in surprise as well as revise his judgment: They were just as vicious as Myusca. They just had the experience to refine it in a weapon through years -no, centuries of training when the succubus he had faced was still a relatively young one who wallowed in her own cruelty.
"Hello there~. You look quite familiar. Don't you happen to be one of those Seven Heroes that had marched on that pesky Château des Romances?"
Kazuya gulped loudly and nodded. Lilith giggled.
"I knew I saw you somewhere. I apologize, we never properly introduced ourselves. My name is Lilith and this is my sister Astaroth…" She longingly exhaled, and Kazuya felt his mind heat up as he took in her pheromone-charged breath. "Say… Don't you want to get better acquainted with us? I know a good place not far from here…"
Kazuya stepped back. "I'm… not interested."
"Aww, there's no need to be shy… I'm sure we'll aaaaall enjoy it."
When he saw the other succubus crack her knuckles, he instantly threw one of the flashbangs he had crafted and closed his eyes. The second he heard the cylinder explode, he heard the two monsters yelp in surprise, and before they could recover, he grabbed one of the harpy feathers in his pocket and teleported back to the village. The second he arrived in front of the Happiness Village again, he realized his clothes were absolutely drenched with sweat.
Whyyyy do I keep falling on succubi like that… Did I take everyone's bad luck to keep fallin on that type of succubi? …Wait, can they track me?
No, considering how fast they apparently are, they would have already grabbed me again if they could… But still, if they take a liking to this area, I should better go somewhere else to rest.
…Those maps showed me that San Ilia is a holy city. There should be less succubi there.