Chapter 6:

With Mari's enthusiasm, it didn't take long for the group to arrive at the gates. As they approached the entrance to the city, Mitchell caught sight of two intimidating figures in heavy plate armor standing guard, every inch of their bodies and faces covered by steel. The guards crossed their pikes to stop the group as they drew near.

"Halt! Who goes—L-Lady Marianne?!" Both of the guards performed an amusing, synchronized double-take upon seeing the Lilim. Mitchell was a bit surprised to hear the voices of girls coming from such huge suits of armor. The guards retracted their pikes hurriedly.

"That's me! Would you two mind letting us through? I want to surprise my sister," Mari said, upbeat.

The guards nodded quickly. "Of course, your Ladyship!" One of the guards turned to the gate. "OPEN THE GATE!"

"Well that was easy," Velvet said flatly. She looked rather tense.

"Of course it was. I would've broken the gate down otherwise," Mari said casually. A bit too casually in Mitchell's opinion.

'Welp. Good thing I came with her then,' Mitchell thought. He might've dodged a bullet there.

"Anyway, let's hit the town girls!" With that, Mari hovered forwards with little regard for her companions.

"I see the rumors of her whimsical nature were true," Nelliel said once the Lilim was out of earshot, unamused. She shook her head with a sigh as she followed.

"She...has always...been like...this," Zullie added. She stared after the Lilim with disdainful, narrowed eyes. "Even...before...taking...over my….home. So...childish...for one...with such...power."

"You mentioned her taking over your home before this too," Mitchell said. He turned to look at the mage. This had been on his mind for awhile, but he didn't want to ask when Mari could hear. "Is that Vamore place your home?"

Zullie nodded, smiling at his curiosity. "Yes. It was...a renowned...magocracy. I...was well...known...there."

"Nice," Mitchell praised. His brows furrowed in confusion. "But if that's the case, why were ya in a dilapidated cabin twenty miles from any civilization?"

"Wait what? You were a hermit?" Velvet cut in, eyeing Zullie with surprise. "Could've fooled me."

Nelliel listened as well, looking back with interest in the topic.

The mage grimaced. "I...had my...reasons. I promise...I'll...tell you...just not...here."

"Aight then," Mitchell conceded. He had no problem with that—he could finally look around to see the sights of a medieval fantasy city.

It was horrendous. Arriet wasn't kidding when she said people were living in squalor. There was runoff of God knows what snaking its way down barely functional streets. The buildings looked shoddy, like a slum. The smell of sewage and sweat slapped him in the face and he reeled. He looked down at poor Velvet to see she had clamped a paw over her nose, her eyes watery.

Sympathetic to her plight, the hunter rubbed her back reassuringly. She leaned back into him and almost whined. He looked forward to see Nelliel reaching up to cover her nose as well. Suddenly, he had an idea. He looked back at Zullie, who appeared like she was attempting to block out the ungodly smell.

"Hey Zullie, is there a way you can keep the smell away with magic or somethin'? We're kinda suffering here," Mitchell asked, looking at her with pleading eyes. Velvet and Nelliel looked back with similar expressions.

The mage blinked slowly, her face turning red with embarrassment. Why hadn't she realized sooner? She lowered the brim of her hat over her eyes. "Yes...I can. Give me...a...moment." She whispered something quietly.

When she was done, the wretched smell dissipated and was replaced with clean, untainted air. The mage looked at her companions. "I...created...a clean...air...pocket. It...should...make due."

"Thank you. Thank you so much," Velvet breathed in relief. "Just for that, you're alright in my book."

"Yes. Thank you, Miss Zullie," Nelliel bowed her head.

Mitchell patted the mage's leg gratefully. "Yeah, thanks, Zullie."

"You're... welcome. Um...can I...hold on...to...you? I feel...a bit...woozy...from that... spell." The mage looked a bit hopeful. Damn her for that. She looked way too cute like this.

"Sure. Just know, if ya go any further south, I'll throw ya off myself," Mitchell replied. He felt she'd earned this at least.

The smile Zullie gave was heart-stopping. "Thank...you...my dear." She reached around his waist and held on loosely like before.

As they continued forward, the American patted the arm around his waist with a slight smirk. "Good excuse, by the way. You're not as slick as ya think ya are."

Mitchell didn't see Zullie's reaction, but her arm tightened around him a bit and pulled him closer.

They made their way through the sprawling city, passing many ludicrously lewd scenes. Mitchell saw various different types of mamano and incubi in the streets and alleyways, going at it like shame was a thing of the past. It honestly looked like a scene pulled right out of Slaanesh's wet dreams.

A few lone mamano caught sight of Mitchell's shirtless form and attempted to stop over and seduce him, but Velvet, Zullie, and Nelliel had warned them away in no uncertain terms. The other two he expected, but apparently Nelliel had warmed up to him just as he had to her. But these incidents only incentivized the girls to find Mitchell a shirt before he got raped.

The group of four entered the sprawling public area, which held numerous open stalls to shop from. It was bustling with activity, lewd or otherwise. The cathedral loomed over them all, strangely ominous.

They had managed to find a stall that sold numerous items run by a Danuki. In her monster form, thankfully. They had made Velvet be the one to replace Mitchell's shirt but they ran into a small problem. None of them had money on them. The Danuki quickly saw this and tried to haggle the hunter's body in exchange but was coldly shut down by all four. With no way for them to pay, they were about to be shooed away when Mari finally showed up, irritated at the hold up.

"I do not have time for this. He's coming with us to meet my sister. It pains me to say it, but he can't meet her like this. She'd eat him alive. So, give him a shirt." She had said, glaring dangerously.

One free shirt later, the entourage made their way to the upper districts where the nobility resided. The difference in living conditions was... infuriating. Clean, well-maintained streets, large elaborate abodes, impeccable lawns, the list went on. It was like crossing the border to an entirely new world. Mitchell almost knew for a fact that the people who lived here were the aggravatingly pompous, holier-than-thou types. He noticed Nelliel surveying the place, looking quite angered.

They arrived at the royal castle in less than thirty minutes. Once they were allowed into the main courtyard, Mari hopped off of her floating ball and it vanished. She turned to her companions as they dismounted. "Alright then. We're here at last. It looks like we won't be needing your services any longer, Miss Odelschwanck."

The Bicorn nodded. "Yes, your Ladyship." She turned to the trio. "It looks like this is it then."

"I have a suggestion," Mitchell said suddenly. Having successfully acquired the girls' attention, he continued. "Uh, can Nelliel stick with us? I don't feel right just up and leavin' her after all this."

Nelliel blinked, then her eyes softened as Mari raised a curious brow. The Lilim leaned forward with a devious smirk. "Oh? Already fell for her, have we?"

"Nah, it's just kind of a dick move to leave her like this. And, well, I enjoy her company," the American said, shrugging. He didn't miss the blushing horse-woman smiling softly as she shifted. He turned to the mage and wolf. "What do you two think?"

"She's alright. I don't mind if she stays," Velvet replied with a shrug. She withheld that she wanted a good ride handy.

The mage nodded. She gave Nelliel a wink. "By all...means. She is...pleasant...company."

Mari shrugged, throwing her arms up in a helpless manner. "Well, fine. If you're so adamant on this, I guess it's fine she stays." She turned to the horse-woman with a flat look. "I am not responsible for any damages your hooves do to the floor, though."

"Very well," Nelliel conceded. She had a small, happy smile on her face. Mitchell patted her side as he and the others followed after the Lilim, who had strode forward towards the castle entrance.

When they entered a large, wide atrium, Mitchell was struck by how opulent it was. Fancy tapestries and embroidered carpets covered the walls and floor. Sweeping staircases led to the second floor and other doorways led to God knows where. The hunter blinked when they were greeted by a group of dog-maids.

One stepped forward. "Welcome, your Ladyship. Is there anything you might require of us?"

Mari hummed. "Can you take us to my sister? I traveled a long way to see her."

"Of course, your Ladyship. Are they with you?" The maid gave Mitchell's group an evaluating look. Her face flashed with anxiety upon seeing the Bicorn.

Mari either missed the look, or didn't care. "Yep, they are. Lead the way."

The maid closed her eyes in resignation and nodded. "Very well. Just follow me."


The group was led through the elaborate halls without delay. Nelliel's hooves clopped loudly on the pristine tile floors as they made their way to the throne room. Upon arriving, the maid was about to open the doors when Mari stepped forward to throw open the doors without a care.

"Oh, Ella! Guess who's here~" the Lilim sing-songed. She strolled into the room as if she owned the place, Mitchell's group following the exasperated dog-maid in.

"I should've known news would reach you quickly," A smooth, sensual voice replied, both amused and exasperated.

The Fourth Born, Druella was not at all what Mitchell was expecting. She sat leisurely upon a throne, staring at her sister in amusement. She had similar wings and tail to Mari's, but had pinkish skin and dark purple tribal-like tattoos covering her body. She wore a dress that barely covered her dignity, with elbow length gloves and thigh-high leggings with pink colored tribal-like designs. Red jewels resembling eyes were everywhere on her body, even her horns! Her sclera were pitch black and had ruby red slitted pupils. Lastly, she had knife-like ears. All-in-all, she looked like a Slaanesh daemon.

"Well, duh! I rushed over here as fast as I could when I heard the news! How does it feel having your own Demon Realm, sister?" Mari asked, excited.

"It's not at all what I expected it to be. Just administrative duties and sex—that's about it. Due to many of my forces taking husbands and making lives for themselves here, it's going to take quite a while before I can raise the banner of conquest again." The Fourth Born turned to appraise Mitchell's group. Her eyes flickered with recognition when she met Velvet's glaring gaze, but she made no comment as her calm, analytical gaze swept over the group.

Upon reaching Mitchell, Druella's eyes widened in surprise. "Well, who is this interesting young man?"

Mitchell didn't respond. He felt like having this woman interested in him would be a big mistake, so he stayed quiet. Unfortunately, in his silence, Mari spoke for him. "This is Mitchell Marlowe. I found him at a frontier town one of your generals was raiding. He's interesting, so I brought him along."

"Oh, he is indeed interesting. This Demon Realm may still be in its infancy, but it is ripe with Demonic Energy. Any reason he's still human right now? I assume one of you has fucked him, yes?" She leaned forward in her throne, intrigued.

Velvet stepped forward suddenly, glaring. "Yeah, I have. He's my Alpha now. So don't get any weird ideas. I don't take orders from you anymore."

"From your protective stance, I figured as much. Very well, it's no real loss." Druella shrugged, smirking as she glanced at Zullie and Nelliel. "I see you have a bit of competition though."

Their respective silence spoke volumes. Mitchell wanted to tell her Nelliel and Zullie were just, well, friends but he really didn't want to draw this woman's attention to himself. His instincts demanded it.

Velvet was about to speak when a door opened. A group of eight people entered, chatting amicably, and what appeared to be a young man led them into the throne room. The man was redheaded and had a loving, lascivious look on his face as he looked back at the women that accompanied him.

A blue-haired woman with dark red wings and a tail hugged his left arm, and a black-haired fox woman with nine black tails hugged his right. A gray-haired snake woman slithered in, amused at their antics as a green-haired dog-girl followed her in. A pink-haired little girl skipped in after them alongside a much calmer purple-haired woman, who had many dark-red tentacles waving around lazily. Lastly, a green-haired woman with intricate black horns in black priest robes elegantly strode in, giving the young incubus a loving look. They were quick to notice the unknown group of five.

Velvet and the green-haired dog-girl locked gazes as the pink-haired girl stared at Zullie with narrowed eyes. Nelliel and the gray-haired snake woman gave each other evaluating looks before Nelliel returned her focus to what was, in her opinion, the biggest threat in the room: Druella.

The Incubus and the green-haired priestess looked at Mitchell curiously, Mitchell giving them a neutral look. The American wasn't willing to let on just how out of his depth he was.

"Good afternoon, my dears," Druella greeted, smiling warmly. "Was your bath enjoyable?"

The Incubus tore his gaze off of the hunter and smiled at the Lilim. "Oh, yes, it certainly was."

His words were warm, but Mitchell caught how his eyes gleamed with eager lust at the sight of the Lilim. The sight made Mitchell shudder slightly. Was this how all Incubi were? If so, then he's definitely going to stay human. At all costs.

Druella smirked at the incubus, having caught his disposition. "I'm happy to hear it, my dear." She gestured to Mari and Mitchell's group. "This is my sister, Marianne, and her guest, Mitchell Marlowe. Please, make them all feel welcome."

Mari's brow twitched. "You know I like Mari better, Ella."

Druella merely tilted her head innocently.

Despite Druella's request, the newly arrived mamano remained tense and wary, as if the other mamano were going to move in on their husband. Except for the green-haired priestess. She stepped up to welcome the human alongside the incubus.

"Hello there," the priestess greeted with a smile. She had a warm, welcoming voice. "I'm Sasha Fullmoon. It's a pleasure to meet you. Ah, Fallen Goddess be praised! It's always so nice to see more people joining us in happiness and pleasure."

The name brought a flash of recognition to Mitchell. So this was Arriet's friend, huh? Looks like he's got some unfortunate news if he ever sees her again. Unsure what to make of her sudden prayer, he just nodded back at her. "Uh, sure. Nice to meetcha, Miss Fullmoon. I'm Mitchell Marlowe."

"Well met, Mitchell. I'm Elt Escabar," the incubus greeted, holding out his hand. Mitchell shook it, and noticed Mari and Druella busy talking with one another.

Mitchell merely nodded again. He knew it was rude to be so quiet, but damn he was way too uncomfortable here.

Velvet and the unknown dog-girl stared each other down in challenge. Both were unwilling to back down from the unspoken clash of wills. Finally, the green-haired girl flinched first. "I'm Primera Concerto," was her curt greeting.

"Velvet Crowe," was the equally curt response. With that, they looked away, back to their respective males.

The pink-haired girl scowled disdainfully at Zullie. "I'm the Witch, Mimil Miltie, a true magic user. Remember that, Dark Mage."

"I'm...Zullie. I...expect...nothing...from you...little girl," the mage responded with slightly narrowed eyes. The pink-haired Witch humphed in irritation.

"Greetings. I'm Mersé Dascaros. You hold yourself like an experienced warrior," the snake woman greeted. She gave Nelliel a nod of approval.

"Thank you. You as well. I'm Nelliel Odelschwanck," the horse woman replied in her calm, measured tone of voice. She mirrored Mersé's nod.

As the others made their introductions, the fox-girl, the blue-haired girl, and the purple-haired tentacle girl approached Elt, looking at Mitchell with faint intrigue.

"Hello, Marlowe-san, it's nice to meet you. I'm Amanomiya Koyoi," the fox-girl said, smiling. She bowed her head in greeting. Her English was heavily Japanese accented.

"Kon'nichiwa, Amanomiya-san," Mitchell said suddenly.

Koyoi's eyes abruptly widened. The others, even his own group, turned in surprise at hearing him speak Zipangan. The fox-girl's smile quickly grew wider. "Anata wa watashi no gengo o shitte imasu ka?"

"Watashi wa sukoshi shitte imasu," Mitchell said, shrugging. He took a gamble, but it seems this world had Japanese in it. Good to know.

"Sore wa kanari īdesu," Koyoi smiled, hugging Elt's arm.

"Arigatō," the hunter replied, nodding.

Velvet came up behind him and gave him a raised brow. "You never told me you spoke Zipangan."

"You never asked," the hunter replied flatly. The wolf woman gave him a light, playful punch.

Before he could properly retaliate, Elt spoke, gesturing to the two remaining mamano. "Well, this is Wilmarina Noscrim—" the blue haired girl gave a small wave. "—and this is Francisca Mistel Lescatie." The tentacle woman smiled sheepishly. "They are all my wives." Elt finished.

'Holy Jesus, dude. How the hell did you pull that off?' Mitchell wondered incredulously.

Before any more could happen, Druella rose from her throne and approached with a content, satisfied smile. "Ah, it always does my heart good to see a sight like this. Mamano living pleasurable and happy lives without hatred or prejudice. It makes me believe in Mother's ambition that much more." She turned to Mari. "Speaking of Mother, shall we go give her the good news?"

Mari hummed in thought. "Oh, why not. It's been a while since I've seen Mother."

Druella nodded and looked at Mitchell and his group curiously. "Are you going to bring them along, or no?"

"Of course! She'd undoubtedly be interested in meeting him!" Mari replied enthusiastically.

"Very well," Druella conceded. She turned to the tentacle woman. "Francisca. Would you be a dear and look after the place while I'm gone?"

Francisca did an elegant curtsy. "Of course, my Lady."

"Excellent. Shall we?" The Fourth Born asked rhetorically. She turned to Mitchell and his group. "Come along." She said, as if ordering a pet.

As she sauntered away with Mari in tow, Mitchell turned back to his companions with uncertainty and anxiety. "Hey, um, Nelliel. Can we…?" He gestured to her back, a pleading look in his eyes.

Nelliel seemed to understand his worry, her eyes softening. "Of course. I don't mind." She turned to let them on.

As they sat down, a worried Zullie put a hand on his arm. "What's...the...matter...my dear? You...look...quite nervous."

"Yeah, you're really tense," Velvet added, giving him a concerned look.

"Oh, it's just we're about to go meet the Demon Lord herself. I might be having a small panic attack right now, that's all," Mitchell replied. His casual tone sounded forced. He took a deep breath.

"You don't have any reason to worry, Mitchell. You're not alone. We're here with you," Nelliel comforted. Zullie wrapped her arm around his waist as Velvet patted his leg reassuringly.

Mitchell found himself calming down somewhat. "Thanks girls. Glad to have ya." He patted Nelliel's horse body in gratitude. "Let's get this over with, then."

With that, they followed after the two Lilim. Mitchell gave a two finger wave to Elt and his wives as they left.

As it turns out, they had to leave the castle to go to the cathedral. Mitchell wondered if they were here for a small errand Druella had to do before hitting the road. He wasn't really looking forward to traveling again so soon but it certainly wasn't his call. He was just a hostage or "guest" after all.

When they entered the cathedral, Mitchell was struck by how tall, cavernous, and elaborate the room was. It was like walking into a Basilica. Pews lined the entirety of the room, with some mamano and incubi in various sexual positions throughout the room. As they walked through the room, he noticed a tall, bright blue crystal structure behind an elevated podium. It had to be at least eight meters high. To Mitchell's shock, it's shape looked eerily similar to the Washington Monument.

"What's that?" The hunter asked. He pointed at the crystal in emphasis.

"That is...a Spirit...Crystal. It's...connected...to the...natural...ley lines...of the...world." Zullie informed helpfully.

"Back when I was a human, I'd heard they were given to humanity by the Chief God. I don't know if that's true though," Velvet mused. She leaned back into Mitchell with a hum.

"It is," Nelliel confirmed. She looked back at the trio. "It was confirmed by the Demon Lord herself that they were the Chief God's creation."

Velvet raised a skeptical brow at her. "How do you know this? Did Demon Lord Lilith tell you herself or something?"

The Bicorn shook her head. "Nothing of the sort. My family has served the Demon Lord since the time of her rise to power long ago. My ancestor was one of the few who heard it from her own mouth."

"Really? Does that mean you're mamano nobility or somethin'?" Mitchell inquired curiously.

Nelliel giggled and shook her head, amused. "Oh, no, not at all. My ancestor was merely one of Lilith's cavalry. The Odelschwanck family has followed that tradition ever since." She made a face. "Unfortunately, my beliefs have not made me many friends among my comrades."

Before Mitchell could ask more, they arrived at the crystal. He wondered what they were doing here, but he didn't have to wait long.

"Alright, everyone! You know the drill!" Mari exclaimed as she and Druella placed a hand on the structure.

Mitchell was confused as Nelliel positioned herself to have everyone touch the structure. He went along with the strange action, lost.

Druella suddenly spoke. "Castle Gomorrah."

The entire structure started to glow, and Mitchell's eyes widened in alarm. In the next moment he found himself and his group in a vast, well-maintained courtyard surrounded by high castle walls.

The American only had a moment to be confused before an acute feeling of nausea and vertigo slammed into him. His entire body experienced an extreme sensory overload and he shook and started to slide off of Nelliel's side. He barely felt Velvet's furry paw catch his arm, a worried yelp escaping her lips. Nelliel quickly lowered herself down as he fell, gently setting him on the ground. He felt Zullie place a hand on his forehead, whispering urgently, and he quickly faded into unconsciousness.


Mitchell sluggishly awoke, a small headache throbbing behind his eyes. He looked around to see that he was sitting on a large, cozy bed in a beautiful bedroom with an open balcony. Sunlight beamed through the windows and balcony doorway as curtains and drapes waved gently in the breeze. He slowly raised himself into a sitting position, only to find Zullie's hand pressing him back down onto his bed gently.

"Stay… A doctor...is...coming to...look...at you." She ordered, gently but firmly.

Mitchell noticed that she was sitting at his bedside, a pipe in her hands. He looked around to see Velvet sprawled on a couch, asleep. Nelliel's armor was on an armor stand in the corner of the room. His crossbow and—thankfully—his holster lay on a table near the armor.

Zullie caught his look. "Miss Nelliel...went to...bring...the doctor...without any...possible...delays. Don't...fret."

Mitchell laid down with a sigh. "Aight then. So I'm guessin' that was a teleport, huh? Sure wasn't what I was expectin', that's for sure."

"Yes. Was that...your first...experience...with...teleporting?" The mage asked, a sliver of concern in her gaze. "I've...never seen...such a...visceral...reaction...before."

"Yeah, it was. Hope we don't do that again anytime soon." The American rolled his eyes a bit. He ignored the dull throb that the action caused.

A silence fell over them as they waited for Nelliel and the doctor. Zullie raised her pipe to her lips, and in the silence, Velvet's steady breaths could be heard.

Mitchell knew that there would be no better time to ask. He turned and gave the mage a calm, yet serious look. "Zullie. Why did you summon me?"

The mage closed her eyes and lowered her pipe. She breathed out a cloud of pink smoke. It coalesced into a swallow and flew in a wide, lazy circle before soaring out the window.

"I...mentioned...I was...an accomplished...mage...in my...home of...Vamore...once before...yes?" She began. Mitchell nodded.

"I was...one of...the greatest...mages...my kingdom...had to...offer. I was...prideful...arrogant...and selfish. This...made me...many...enemies...and I...grew bitter." She closed her eyes and sighed, reminiscing. "My only...solace...was a...village who...accepted me...without complaint...without judging."

She looked over at the American, seeing him listening calmly, intently, and she smiled at the sight. "They were...more than...I...deserved."

She looked away and stared ahead with somber eyes. "When Mari...first...arrived...she wasted...no time...taking...over. Her power...was...so...appalling...to me. It...infuriated me...that such...a whimsical...being...held...such power." She shook her head, frowning. "It still...does. I...challenged her...and lost...handily. Such was...my...hubris. In her...victory...she...transformed me...into...a...Dark Mage...and left...without...another word."

Zullie felt a hand grab hers and she looked over in surprise. Mitchell's face was patient, and he waited for her to continue. Her eyes softened and she smiled gratefully. "My power...swelled like...never...before...after my...turning. I...was...drunk with...power. In a... moment of...weakness...I made...a decision...I will...forever...regret."

Zullie turned sorrowful and she looked away from Mitchell, unwilling to see his expression for what came next. "I...attempted to...take over...the village. Turn it...into...my own...fiefdom. But in...my...eagerness...I committed...a sin...every...magic user...wishes to...avoid." She grimaced, as if pained. "I...misspoke...my chant...and instead...of sharing...my pleasure...with...everyone...who accepted...me...I burned...them all...alive...in a...great...firestorm."

Mitchell squeezed her hand in reassurance. "Is that why you talk like that?"

Zullie squeezed his hand in return. She gave him a gentle look. "Yes. I...vowed...not to...make that...critical mistake...again. Let not...my words...be spoken... carelessly...ever again." She suddenly groaned in embarrassment. Her face turned red and she cutely shielded her eyes with the brim of her hat. "Little...good...that did. I made...the same...mistake...again...with your...summoning."

"Oh." Mitchell replied simply. That explains his arrival at least. But another question came to mind. "That summoning spell. Is it possible to send things back to wherever you brought them from?"

The mage looked at him hesitantly. "No...the spell...I used...was an...ancient...one-way...summoning ritual. It was...meant to...be...a...binding...contract." She smiled uncertainly, as if to avoid making him angry. "I guess...you could...say...it failed...successfully?"

Despite his hopes being dashed, despite everything, Mitchell laughed. In a weird way, her answer was closure of sorts for him. "Yeah. Yeah, I guess it did, huh?" He looked at her, his eyes watering a bit as reality hit him hard. "Can ya please humor me for a bit? I want to talk about my home with ya."

Zullie nodded, her yellow eyes gentle as she listened to Mitchell ramble on about everything that came to mind about his home. He even reminisced about his old friends in Japan. She respectfully reined in her intrigue as best she could, listening quietly.

Minutes passed in a blur as the American reminisced to his audience. After many memories shared, he finally ran out of things to say and he turned to the woman who brought him to this world, almost died, and came back from the grave for him. "All of that. All of what I just shared with you—gone, Zullie. My family, my friends, my old life. I'll be one hundred percent honest with ya. I don't know if I'll ever be able to forgive ya for that. Because when it comes down to it, what you did was selfish."

Wincing, the mage nodded in understanding. She didn't expect anything less. She opened her mouth to reply, but Mitchell beat her to it, to her surprise.

"But that doesn't mean I can't give ya a chance. What's done has already been done. No use cryin' over that shit now. Redeem, atone, however ya wanna call it. You've done nothin' but help me since I've met ya. I can tell you're genuine. But you've probably already realized that, haven't ya? It's because of that I'm giving ya this chance, Zullie. Please don't waste it." Mitchell finished, patting her leg.

Zullie's smile was radiant. It even outshone the sun peeking through the windows. "Thank you... Mitchell. Thank you...so much. I swear...I won't...squander...this chance...you've...given me."

"See to it that ya don't. It's the only one you're gettin', missy. Make it count." Mitchell sighed as he closed his eyes, mentally exhausted from his stroll down memory lane.

A relaxed, comfortable silence took over as Zullie smoked her pipe leisurely, a happy, beautiful smile on her lips.

'So that's it then. I've officially been Stockholm Syndrome'd. Oh well, I guess," Mitchell thought to himself with a small shrug.

The door to the room suddenly opened, and Velvet jerked awake at the sound. Mitchell and Zullie looked over to see Nelliel walk in carrying a short, black-haired goat girl with curled horns. The goat girl wore medical robes that were barely considered decent.

Mitchell was far more preoccupied with staring at Nelliel, who, now without armor on, looked beautiful. Long turquoise hair streamed down her back like a waterfall, and she wore a tight fitting long-sleeved shirt with shoulder pads and puffy cuffs. The outfit had a black line that started at the collar and went down to the left side of her chest, then to the side. Her hands were concealed by white gloves and her chestnut colored horse-body remained barren of any armor or clothing.

"Is this him?" The goat girl asked, analyzing Mitchell.

Nelliel nodded. "Yes, Doctor Little." She lowered herself so the doctor could dismount.

Once the doctor dismounted, the Bicorn smiled warmly at Mitchell. "It's good to see you awake. You had us worried."

"Yeah, sorry about that," Mitchell said, scratching his face.

Velvet sat down on the side of his bed. She poked his chest mock seriously. "Yeah, you better be, buster. I was so worried, I fell asleep!"

The goat girl moved up to the bed, shooing Velvet off. "Off. I need space to work." Velvet rolled her eyes, but complied.

The doctor turned to Mitchell. "Hello. I'm Doctor Greilia Little. Upon the request of the Tenth Born and these ladies, I'll be treating you." She gestured to the girls in emphasis.

"Thanks, doc," Mitchell drawled. He made himself comfortable for the inevitable boring check-up and diagnosis.

Doctor Little hummed. "So, tell me. How are you feeling right now? Any nausea, wooziness, or fatigue?"

"Well, I've got a headache right now, and I'm feelin' pretty lethargic." Mitchell answered.

"I see. It seems like the usual symptoms of first time magic exposure. I'll check your Spirit Energy level, just in case," the doctor mused thoughtfully. She looked at the American questioningly. "May I?"

Mitchell nodded. "By all means, doc." The other girls watched silently.

With his permission, the doctor placed her paws on the American's chest and concentrated. Not even a second passed before the goat girl's eyes went wide with shock, and she gasped. The other girls tensed worriedly at the reaction, but Doctor Little quickly spoke.

"What…? W-What is this energy? It's at least ten times more potent than Spirit Energy! And it's under a constant, intense output!" She looked up to stare at Mitchell in bafflement. "What are you? This is unlike anything I've ever seen!"

The other girls stared with wide eyes and open mouths at the abrupt reveal.

Mitchell just stared in complete bewilderment. He had no clue what she was talking about. "Uh, doc, I have absolutely no idea what you're talkin' about. What about my diagnosis?"

"You're fine. Just the usual symptoms," Doctor Little said, waving away his concerns. "Has your...utterly intoxicating Spirit Energy...always been like this?" It was clear where her concerns lay.

"Uh, Spirit Energy? I don't know what that is, but I've always been like this," Mitchell replied slowly. "Why? Is this a bad thing?"

Doctor Little shook her head in wonder. "No, it isn't. It's just…strange."

"Huh. Maybe that's why you didn't turn into an incubus last night?" Velvet wondered. This was certainly an unexpected reveal for her. For all of them actually.

The goat girl looked at the American analytically. "With the potent energy I felt, that actually doesn't surprise me. It may provide a natural insulation against Incubization for him if that's the case. I didn't feel a trace of Demonic Energy in him just now. He may have already rejected what Demonic Energy you gave him." An excited smile grew on her face. "Oh, what an intriguing discovery!"

Velvet's eyes were wide as saucers. Hell, all of the girls' eyes were as wide as they could go as they stared at Mitchell in wonder.

"Okay, I'm startin' to feel like I'm gonna be dissected or somethin'," Mitchell said uncomfortably. "It's not that big of a deal is it?"

"Young man, Spirit Energy is a mamano's sustenance. We thrive on it and crave it. It empowers us and gives pleasure like nothing else," Doctor Little informed. She pointed a small claw at him in emphasis. "What you have is easily ten times more potent than a normal human's Spirit Energy. More resilient as well, judging from how you seemed to have already rejected your lover's Demonic Energy. It was under constant output too, meaning it would likely take a colossal, continuous amount of Demonic Energy to transform you into an Incubus."

Mitchell blinked slowly at the information. "Okay. Wow. That's good to hear, then."

Doctor Little hummed with a small smirk. "I bet it is. Well, it seems you're fine and healthy, so I guess that's that." She turned and walked back to Nelliel, who was already lowering herself to let her on.

"Hey, doc?" Mitchell called after her. Both she and Nelliel turned. "Can you keep this between us? Patient confidentiality and all that?"

The doctor smiled reassuringly. "You don't have to worry. I understand. My patients come first, so your secret's safe with me." She winked.

With that, the duo left. Baffled silence settled over the room. After a moment of reeling from the new revelation about his body, Mitchell spoke.

"Well, that sure wasn't the diagnosis I was expectin'," he said casually.

Evidently, Zullie agreed. "Yes...unexpected...but not...unwelcome."

Velvet smirked, her eyes flashing with eager lust. "Does this mean we can go at it again soon? This isn't how I expected our day to go, but I am not complaining."

Mitchell waved his hands at her. "Hol' up, now. Let's not get too excited, okay?"

"After what we just heard, how can I not be excited? Aren't you excited?" Velvet asked, leaning forward. Mitchell got a very nice view of her cleavage, which was probably what she was aiming for.

"Oh, don't get me wrong. I am fuckin' happy as hell." The American gave a thumbs up. "No bein' an Incubus for me, thank you."

With that, the American laid back in his bed and chatted with the girls, content with the fact that he wouldn't have to worry about his humanity. He didn't know what was up with his body all of a sudden, but damn was it a huge relief.

It wasn't too long after Nelliel returned that things got interesting. "Interesting" in the way of Mari nearly breaking down his door.

"Well you look good to go. Great! Time to go—Mother wants to meet you!" She exclaimed excitedly.

Mitchell took a deep, calming breath and looked at the girls. Zullie and Nelliel smiled softly as Velvet winked at him. He turned back to the Lilim with a resolved look.

"Let's go, then."


A/N: This one gave me a tiny bit of trouble, not gonna lie. I didn't quite know how to characterize Druella so I went the good ol' "Fuck it, I'll do what I want" route. I don't actually know Japanese btw. I Google translated it because I'm lazy. Sorry for all you Japanese experts out there if I butchered the language.

Hope y'all know how much I appreciate the support I'm getting for this story. Turns out yeeting words on a page can help people get through a day.

Speaking of yeeting, thank you for your contributions Sir Yeetus Deletus. I will never get tired of writing this in my author's notes.

Hope y'all enjoy. Later on.