On the road east of Ilias Village, a curious party was making its way through the countryside. A young looking hero was travelling with a small, terrified angel, followed by a mage dressed in green and a blue haired succubus who was wearing an attire befitting of her race.

The last of them was dancing while singing a rhythm that wouldn't have been out of place in a tavern located in a red light district. However, her voice sounded so shrill that anyone in her immediate vicinity could only regret having a functional sense of hearing.

"-suck, suck, another! Fuck them all! Kill them all! Love the heathen! Bring him Heaven! And don't worry, with family, that won't end ever!"

Ilias was split between running away to no longer be forced to endure this torment and staying near the only person that could protect her from the two monsters. Meanwhile Alicetromeria was shaking her head side to side while humming the song.

"My, what an interesting song! Where did you learn it?"

"Thanks! We wrote it in family when we were partying after our victory in San Ilia." Morrigan started to look lost in thoughts. "I think it was Astaroth who came with most of the lyrics. She was particularly creative that night for a reason I can't quite recall." She snapped her fingers. "Oh yeah, I remember! She drained most of the librarians in the aftermath." She grinned happily as she turned toward Ilias.

The goddess winced in fear while trying to stick herself as close to Luka as possible. The hero gently brought her a little closer as they kept walking.

"Sorry about that." His voice was barely an audible whisper. "But they're still some of my most powerful allies, and they respect me enough to follow my orders."

"But they're horrible monsters."Her voice was trembling. "And they will attract hostile monsters with their lewd songs…"

Luka looked around him. "We're still around Ilias Village, the most dangerous monsters around are imps."

And Morrigan's singing is so off key that not a single living creature would consider coming within a kilometer of the group anyway. What is it that makes third siblings lacking artistic skills anyway? And now the banshee scream from Eden at the theatre is ringing in my ears again… And why wasn't she there to welcome Ilias? At least nobody in the village saw Morrigan… I can't imagine Aunt Betty's reaction if she had seen the succubus… Actually I can see her dying of a heart attack as she learns I had sex with her and that she killed me in the process.

As the night fell, Iliasburg started appearing in the far distance. Luka decided it was time for camping. Unfortunately, it wasn't to every party member's taste, and every one of his three companions managed to somehow agree on that point.

"Camping in the wild? I am the Goddess of Light and always enjoyed Heaven's finest beddings. I will not lie down in a sleeping bag like some kind of homeless, parasitic monster!"

"I have to admit, I agree with the little miss." Morrigan wallowed on Ilias like on a counter. Naturally, the angel froze up, wide eyed. "Why don't we do like I always did with my sisters, and find ourselves a nice inhabited house, dine on its inhabitants and sleep there?"

Luka remained focused on his handiwork. "Not everybody there can feed on other humans. Also, Chaosization."

The succubus laughed. "Like the world will react to the death of one no name farmer! Please, unlike certain persons, I am aware of the consequences of my actions!"

Luka was still busy setting down his tent as he answered without looking at the succubus. "ALKQ5 Lust Fever."

Morrigan's grin turned sheepish. "Yeaaah. Riiight. I'll sleep right outside the tent, don't worry for me." She made a few steps and almost disappeared under a tree. The only indication she was there was her tail wagging occasionally, even her usual aura seemed to have toned down. Luka suddenly felt very uncomfortable when he noticed how the succubus was almost invisible. Wait, did they ever actively follow me? I'm not sure I will like the answer.

"I will also sleep outside, the stars are so beautiful, and it would be a shame to not enjoy them." Alicetromeria dropped down on the floor like a sack of potatoes and was facing the sky with her bear. "That reminds me of the old times. The only thing missing is Heinrich. I wonder how is he doing right now?" She lifted her staff, as if she was asking the sky for an answer. As it had decided to remain silent, she turned toward Luka and Ilias instead. "Don't you?"

Luka didn't even look at the disguised Monster Lord as he started cooking. "Probably busy shaking off the travel… and possible contenders back at the castle."

Crap, did I just think that last one out loud?

"Mmhh. I will probably have to check later on that one." Her tone sounded so threatening Luka was surprised nothing caught fire. Eventually she also somehow more or less turned invisible. The hero turned to take a look at where Ilias was standing frozen earlier, but the latter had already rushed inside the tent. She eventually carefully came out as the smell of Luka's cooking reached her nostrils. Afterward, the two monsters came back to eat with the group under the moonlight. The goddess was eating silently, while the two others enjoyed making awkward, lewd noises as they savored their meal.

"Aaah, I also gotta admit, Luka's cooking is really something." Morrigan stretched, her wings flapping happily. "I'm certain you'd have good place as a royal chef back home in San Ilia. I'm pretty sure even mother would enjoy your presence…" She grinned as she ended her sentence. Ilias gasped upon the mention of the succubus ancestor.

"It really reminds me of Heinrich. You have so much in common."

She eventually got up. "Anyway, I will get to sleep, good night everyone!" Both monsters returned at their spot and disappeared once more. Luka also got back under his tent, and saw Ilias lying down, staring at the ceiling.

"This is a nightmare. Lucifina, Micaela, Eden, I don't care, please save me. This is a nightmare." Her voice was still on the verge of tears.

Luka sighed. I definitely won't get anything from her at this rate. I hope I will manage to get her out of her shell before we reach Sentora.

He tried reassuring the goddess with his presence once more. She didn't even react to the physical contact. This is getting worrying. Crap, I think living with those two might actually damage her mentally. I really hope this won't have actual long term consequences on her mind… Or on the world at large. He laid down in his sleeping bag. I really have to be careful. This isn't going to be as easy as I thought. My actions have a weight that I cannot just ignore.

But how could he estimate the impact of this choice when even a small detail like setting in tent a few meters further of the forest had some importance?

Arn looked warily at the tent standing a small distance away from him. If it was only a few steps closer to the woods, he would not have noticed it. He originally migrated from Grangold a long time ago when he heard how weak the military on Ilias continent was. When he landed in Iliasport, he initially had the confidence his skills would allow him to get anything he wanted there. However, he got chased from Happiness Village when the harpy queen caught him, and it was pure luck that allowed him to escape. He also nearly met an unfortunate end inside a mimic in a cave that was rumored to contain the treasure of the legendary pirate queen Selene. And more recently, he raided Pornof with a new partner, but only managed to get squicked by its inhabitants and left empty handed. But finally, tonight, an opportunity was presenting itself.

He signaled his partner to keep an eye out for potential threats as he made his way to the tent. The fools inside would never get to learn a lesson about organizing watch turns. He opened the flap to see a young hero and a small girl that looked like an angel. The hero's equipment looked powerful, which probably meant it was worth a lot of money. In fact, some of it was better than his own, which meant he could consider keeping some for himself. And he could have some fun with the little angel later…

He turned around to signal his partner to come closer, but found himself staring at two glowing, icy blue eyes way closer than he was comfortable with. He couldn't even see their owner's expression.

"My. Preserve." It was barely a whisper, but he ended up wetting himself in fear.

He couldn't turn his gaze away from the succubus. Her aura of raw power pinned him into place. With much effort, he managed to thrust his dagger at the monster's exposed flesh. The attack merely glanced away without leaving the smallest trail on her skin. He suddenly felt a pleasurable electric shock in his right hand and over his crotch, making him squirm a little as he dropped his weapon. Every time he tried shouting, no sound came out of his mouth, further nailing down how screwed he was. The only thing he could hear was a mix of squishing and crunching noises followed by agonized moans, informing him in the process of the likely demise of his partner. His feet suddenly were no longer touching the ground.

"Let's go to a place where your screams won't disturb anyone." The bandit closed his eyes when he realized he was several hundred meters above the ground.

He opened his eyes when the movement stopped, and could see that he was on a flat surface in a mountain chain.

As she let him fall on the ground, he could finally see the succubus fully. His body expressed his desire as he could finally fully see her exposed skin. Even if she looked young, her power was palpable, and she was still a demon designed to lure men to damnation through sex. And now, as she was looking at him, grinning with a glowing hand, he realized he had just made the last mistake of his life.

Screams soon started echoing through the night. But nobody else could hear them.

"GOOD MORNING SUNSHINE!"

Luka jumped up upon seeing the head of the succubus intruding in the small tent. Meanwhile Ilias whimpered and tried to hide herself deeper in her sleeping bag.

"Don't sleep in too much, this is going to be a loooong day!" At least she's enthusiastic. Can't say the same for me currently. Luka decided to get up before she could think they'd need another alarm.

Alicetromeria was already waiting outside by the campfire. "May I suggest doing bigger food portions? Your cooking is delicious, and it is a shame if we had to look for another food source afterward. Ufufufu…"

Luka acknowledged the remark and made an omelet with herbs that was big enough for eight persons. It was barely enough for them as the succubus and the yoma seemed to have an insatiable appetite and ate three quarters of the gargantuan meal. He used the opportunity to take a look at Ilias. The goddess has an empty gaze and was barely eating.

After the hero was done packing and cleaning up, the small group was back on the road once more. After a few more hours of walk, Luka started to distinguish the city's door. As he was getting closer, he braced himself for the next encounter. An all too familiar figure popped out just past the entrance of the city: A purple haired rabbit girl in white undergarment with a white coat covered in zipper enthusiastically appeared from the ground.

"Tadaa! It's me!" She looked at the hero's party. "Oh oh? I see you have chosen… interesting allies to accompany you on the road. You sure love to take a risk." She twirled around. "Anyway, please, continue to stay on this path, the closer you keep to the true history on your adventure, the better. Aaaand, now, I'm off! Toodles!"

She disappeared into the ground. While Alicetromeria was chuckling, the blue haired succubus was dumbfounded by what just happened.

"What was that?" She was still pointing toward the spot the White Rabbit disappeared.

"It's the White Rabbit, you get used to her eventually." Luka kneeled to grab the Hades key. His eyes widened as a realization hit him. "Wait, you've never actually seen her before?"

"No, I remember reading legends about a white rabbit guiding Alice in time of crisis, but I didn't give it too much attention, I had other, more pressing work at hand."

Now that I think about it, she came by several times, including when those twins were around, but I've never seen her intervene when the Lilith Sisters or the Seraphs were wrecking havoc. And she can appear where she wants when she wants? That raises so many questions.

"We'll meet her later again. Maybe you'll be able to talk to her then. What's so remarkable about her?"

"You mean out of being able to come and go as she wish?!" Morrigan sounded concerned, which was worrying for the usually carefree succubus. "I can feel the life essence of every inhabitant of this town, monster and human alike, while getting a good idea of their power level. I can even say who had sex with whom recently and get a good reading of their mood just by looking at them, but I just can't read anything about her!"

"Well, she said she was a concept made flesh…"

"Yeah! She's alien, alright!" Morrigan muttered something about screwing (or was it about skinning?) a rabbit, which Alicetromeria seemed to disapprove.

"We'll have to get on her trail anyway. First, we must find this world's Amira."

Morrigan raised an eyebrow. "Who's Amira?"

"The unfortunate lamia that usually stand by the entrance of the castle. The reverse one. You remember her?"

"Wait, that thing has a name?"

"Even coming from you, that was rude." Luka looked at the sun. It was almost the beginning of the evening. Even knowing exactly how he was supposed to proceed, the search for Amira wouldn't likely be completed before nightfall. "Forget that, it's late, we'll have to check in at the inn anyway."

Luka started walking toward the building, but soon found himself stopped.

"My, sleeping in a basic inn is so boring!" Alicetromeria proceeded to point toward an old and luxurious building. "Why don't we go to the famous Sutherland Inn for once?"

"Because this inn is expensive as hell."

"Yeah, but we definitely have the money!" Morrigan was looking enthusiastic at the perspective of spending the night in one of the most luxurious inn in the world. "We can even rent one room for each person!"

Ilias didn't react to the possible. Even if the monsters didn't do anything to her, she was clearly traumatized.

The strange group eventually made its way into the inn. The owner looked excessively cheery, feeling the business opportunity approaching.

"Greetings, what can I do for you?"

"We'd like four rooms."

"Unfortunately, I only have two rooms available."

"We'll still take them then, we will find a way to manage it."

"Great, that's 2.4millions gold coins!"

Luka sighed as he pulled his pouch of gold and started pouring it on the counter. The pile of coins was getting bigger and bigger, and was soon several times larger than the pouch it came from. After ten minutes, the pile was taking most of the counter and a large space behind it. Luka eventually finished pouring the content, looked at the result, took back a few coins, and gestured toward the humongous pile.

"There, 2.4 millions gold."

Everybody around was dumbfounded. Ilias was mumbling under her breath. "Lucifina's son everyone. The count will be exact."

The owner was wide eyed in front of the stream of the shining river in front of her. "You know, most people sign off an official debt recognition and let their society sort it out."

"Unfortunately…" Luka gestured to the group behind him. The owner eyed the scantily clad succubus who was chuckling creepily as she exchange salacious pleasantries with the mage. The latter had a teddy bear and was acting extremely immature for someone supposed to have the discipline and skills needed to master the arts of magic. Meanwhile the little angel nearly seemed shell shocked. "We are not most people."

"What happened to her?"

Luka made a dismissive gesture. "Long story."

The owner shook her head. "Anyway, just don't make too much noise, and don't leave too much trash in the room." She looked warily at the succubus as she ended her sentence.

"Don't worry, we will be fine."

The group started climbing up the stairs. As they reached the second floor, Luka turned toward his party members.

"Ilias is still in shock, I will stay with her."

"Suuure. You certainly don't have any ulterior motive to sleep in her room." She made a lewd gesture with her hands while lecherously licking her lips. "You know, I'm nearly feeling insulted by your possible insinuation that she could be better than me in bed."

Luka continued walking toward his room without looking at the succubus. "You're right, I have one other motive: protecting her from any threat, natural or living. And you were right earlier, there's no bigger threat on this continent than you two." He entered his room and placed Ilias on a couch that was conveniently located near the entrance. "Also, no draining anyone to death."

Morrigan pouted. "Aww, come on, I'm a succubus! It's in my nature to seduce men and suck them dry with my amazing skills to fill myself! What I'm supposed to do then? Use my hand?"

"Didn't you learn to use a psychokinetic aura precisely for that? So, good night." Luka proceeded to close the door leading to his room.

The flabbergasted succubus remained immobile for a few minutes. After a while, she felt someone lightly whack her in the back.

"HEY!"

Alicetromeria pulled her staff back. "Oh sorry, I didn't know if I should have used ice for this burn or fire to fix this cold shoulder."

Morrigan made a dismissive gesture as she entered their own room. "Fair enough, I deserve that one."

Luka looked at the unresponsive goddess. She still had a thousand yard stare, and kept repeating the same words again and again.

"This is not real. This is not real."

He took her on the bed and sat on a chair across the room.

I underestimated the effect that travelling with Morrigan and Alicetromeria would have on her. Maybe I can get something out of her…

"Relax. Think nice thoughts. Think about your ideal world."

She was still staring at the ceiling of her room as she started talking with a trembling voice. "I'm happy. Lucifina and Micaela are by my side. Monsters have been utterly eradicated. This whore of a Dark Goddess and her damnable spawns has been eradicated. Every single succubus had been crushed. Humans are happy. They're worshipping me. They're happy in worshipping me, just as my angels are."

Okaay, I knew her religion is against any relation with monsters and that she liked being recognized, but what the hell?

He nervously looked around him. He felt responsible for what happened to her. He remembered that while she was supposed to love humankind, she also was originally hostile when he met her.

Why didn't I care more for how was the Angel World back then? I remember that Raphaela said that there was no free will, and it looked like people had to be content with a glorified form of slavery, but I couldn't see more. There's always a huge gap between what people want to show you and the reality hidden just behind.

On the other hand, the Monster World… What Mephisto learnt from Morrigan was not reassuring, and I have the feeling the reality may be even worse in some place. Considering how cruel some monsters can get… This can be hell if they're left unchecked. And more powerful will also mean more ravenous, and I already have difficulties keeping up with the more powerful residents of the Pocket Castle... How dangerous can a monster get to be?

A mental picture of the ancestral Tamamo crossed his mind. He shivered. There was no way the other Ancestors were any better. The fact that Minagi had created and raised the Lilith Sisters told enough about her. Saja had looked reasonnable enough, but then again, she could have put a facade in her desire to appeal to him. He didn't know enough about the three others, maybe there was a book about them in the library...

The hero groaned in frustration as the different worlds were on his mind.

"Luka?"

"Yes?" Finally, she acts on her own for once.

"What would you do if a monster kept killing everyone they came across?"

"I would beat them until they stop."

She started smiling ecstatically. "Thank you, now I know I'm in a nightmare."

Luka raised an eyebrow. "What?"

"This world is not real. Because there's no way the real Luka would say that. He would want to make peace with it."

He shrugged. "I am not exactly the same Luka. But I'm still real!"

"It doesn't matter. I know the truth you horrible harlot. You trapped my soul in this ironic hell to make me suffer with an abject representation of you daughter." Her voice sounded entranced.

Great, now she's so deep into denial she thinks she got trapped into a dream created by one of Minagi's spell.

Luka took one of the sheets and placed it on the couch. Ilias could keep the bed for herself. It would be better to leave her alone for now than do anything that would throw her further into insanity. He tried tucking himself in the best he could, but was still uncomfortable, although he couldn't say if it was because of the couch or his guilt. Eventually, he catapulted himself straight.

Wait, she won't consider killing herself to wake up, will she?

In the other room, Morrigan threw herself on the bed, sighing. "I really gotta do better if I want Luka to support us. If he doesn't, I'm dead meat. Either my sisters kill me, or the angels will."

"My, maybe you should learn how to play without breaking your toys each time."

"Look who's talking! I'm sure if I ask about you, I wouldn't find one person telling me that you are careful in your games."

"Heinrich would say otherwise."

"Huh." Morrigan stared at the wall for a second. Maybe she should indeed be more careful around people she wanted to please. She'd see for that tomorrow. "This sucks, there's not even a red light district to have fun in this town of tight ass Ilias worshippers. What can we do?"

"Trap some thugs into the back alleys? It's always fun to see them go from aggressive muggers to beggar for mercy.

"Pff. Do you really think anybody would be stupid enough to throw themselves at a succubus with power tattoos and glowing eyes, or on a red eyed mage?"

They stared at each other for several seconds. Eventually, Morrigan started walking toward the door. "I'm doing the baiting. Time to do this world a service."

"Natural selection" proceeded to claim the life of several men whose deaths remain unlamented to this day.