"The men festival will be a four girl band battle instead? I'll make a team with the girls from other worlds... Rigeo, Tarsa, Rovissa, let's go."
"Hey, why am I not included?"
"Because you're not a girl from another world? And I'm the one who came out with this idea, so it's only natural that I do it."
"Grrr… I'll make my own band I will beat you!"
"Oh? Do you want to make a wager out of it? Fine! The winner gets on a date with Luka at the Yamatai Night Festival afterward!"
"Wait, what?"
"Deal! I'll show you what a childhood friend can do for the one she cares about! I'll beat you so hard you'll end up crying until the end of times!"
"I didn't agree to anything!"
"Ah! As if… The Monster Lord won't let herself be beaten by a lowly worshipper of a sorry excuse of a goddess!"
"I guess they're not even listening. Whatever…"
Even as night had fallen on Yamatai Village, the settlement was as illuminated as the day as the famous festival had started. Every street and house was illuminated with lanterns. Stalls where delicious food and amusing games were available had been set up. And a large number of monsters and humans alike were enjoying them as much as they could to simply take a break from the current troubled times. Unsurprisingly, a large part of those monsters came from Luka's own companions as they rested from the latest adventures and appreciated the opportunity to take their mind off their burden.
However, not every one of Luka's companion was enjoying the occasion to go merry.
This is the worst day of my life.
Sonya took another gulp of sake as she was wallowed against a bench amidst drunken monsters and humans. Not only had Alice's group soundly won the girl band battle, but her own group that she made with the imps got the dubious honor of finishing dead last. Being rated so low by Alma Elma and Saki who she considered friends didn't help either, even if she knew from the get-go that they wouldn't be lenient with anyone. And they hadn't been so indeed. That shame would stay with her for a long time. Luka didn't even take a look at her before moving on with Alice, leaving her alone to ruminate her defeat. The first thing the disappointed priestess did was grab herself a sake bottle and find herself the most pathetic spot amongst drunkards while trying to ignore the joyous ambiance. Even the upbeat music sounded determined to remind her of how much of a failure she was.
"I should really have kept my trap shut. At least he isn't with one of those debauched pervert…"
She shivered. She wasn't the only one to think that Luka's upper head wasn't always the one deciding who the hero recruited. However, after deliberation, since his decisions had turned powerful enemies into so many allies, decision was made to let it slide for now.
"I wonder what they're doing… She better not do anything untoward or I'll… I don't know actually."
The priestess of Ilias slowly got up using a bench as a support, ignoring the looks from the bestial yellow kitsune drunkenly looking up at her. She spent a small minute stumbling around before stabilizing herself by firmly planting her feet in the ground. She saw the duo sitting on bench, eating Tayiaki… Or more exactly, Alice was shoving the treats in her mouth while talking while Luka was watching her. Sonya drunkenly grinned at the scene.
"Heheheh… What a pig. I wonder who taught her so bad manners."
She felt a paper sheet swat her on her head. While the force of the surprise attack was barely stronger than a breeze, it was enough to knock the dumbfounded priestess down back on her behind. She looked around her, wide-eyed, but couldn't find any sign of the attacker. Instead, there only was an extremely fluffy pillow right by her side that wasn't here a minute ago. The priestess checked if nobody intended to claim it, and, once she was sure, she grabbed it for herself and made use of it as she laid down on the ground. She still felt like a sorry excuse of a human, but now at least she was comfortable. She felt so detached from the world around her, her eyes started closing as she considered taking a nap on the spot.
Unfortunately, her plan was cut short as she heard an agile, gliding step that had become a little too familiar. She turned at the sound to see Alma Elma peeking from a corner. The succubus queen was visibly disappointed as she looked at the priestess.
"Oh, sorry to disturb you. I thought I heard a friend close-by, but she must have given me the slip again."
Sonya gritted her teeth and growled back at the succubus queen. Unfortunately, the interloper was more amused than anything else and decided to snake her way near her, sitting herself by the priestess' side to the latter's displeasure.
"Awww… Don't feel bad for your performance… You had some courage to get on the scene in the first place. Not everybody can claim that."
"Yeah…" Sonya took a full swig from her bottle. "I made an ass of myself in front of the whole Pocket Castle and Yamatai. Everybody in Ilias Village will know what happened here within a week, and Luka's so ashamed he didn't look at me before going out with the Monster Lord." She sarcastically raised her bottle up. "Hooray for Sonya! The queen of dumb childhood friendssss…" She slumped again. "I'm only a lone human who's a country bumpkin among legendary monsters, and completely useless… I hate my life… This can't get worse."
Alma Elma giggled. "You're too harsh on yourself. Luka-boy and everyone else keep singing praise of how you always were there for him during his adventures. And even if people are now more often asking for Mephisto in case of trouble, they still rely on you. Don't worry, you're just feeling down after what just happened! This day…" Her smile disappeared. "…Is about to get a lot worse for the both of us. Bear with me for a few minutes."
"Eeeehhh…?"
Somehow the party around her felt even noisier than usual. Sonya shivered as she felt what Alma Elma was talking about. That mocking laughter was starting to haunt her dreams. And the next second, like a jack in the box held for too long, Daji popped up from the bench and walked with a drunken yet feline gait toward the nearest stall. She then half-wallowed on the counter, her breasts pressing hard against the wood and threatening to pop from her racy kimono.
"Hey there, do you care enough about a girl to show her a good time?"
"Y-yes ma'am!"
Alma Elma pouted. Apparently, even the Succubus Queen was displeased by the cheap display of vulgarity used by the ruinous courtesan to get free drinks. Sonya couldn't even tell if the man was magically enthralled or simply that desperate at a chance with Daji. As if to further ruin the already bad mood of the priestess, the kitsune noticed the duo discussing and decided to give them company, a bottle in each hand.
"Come on! Don't be a bunch of sourpuss! Or are you mad after ridiculing yourself and getting your boyfriend stolen by the Monster Lord? Don't worry, I can steal it from her if you want! I can't guarantee I won't keep him for myself afterward though…"
Sonya shivered as Daji's tails tried to wrap themselves around the priestess.
Great… Now I have to deal with another obscenity who isn't even from this world… She's making me feel sick as well…
Alma Elma glared at the kitsune who was ruining that precious moment. The latter completely ignored her and kept her attention focused on Sonya.
"So what's your answer little miss? Do you want that evil Monster Lord's night ruined after she mocked you? Just say the word, and I'll swipe Luka from right under her nose! I'm not gonna lie, I'm feeling a little lonely and could reaaaally use his company."
Alma Elma not so subtly tried to clear Daji's tails from her current target.
"Didn't you spend the last days ripping out and raping random people after criplling Kazuya?"
"I'm not responsible for Kazuya's disappearance for once, it was Mukuro's fault... And I did create a few observation orbs that I sold to people for extra cash indeed, but I also did tell them that they were forbidden to use them to spy on the Yamatai hot springs! It's not my fault they still did it, and I only punished them appropriately! You'd prefer Vinum to deal with it instead?"
Between the mix of being tossed around, alcohol, pheromones, and finally Daji's presence, Sonya's mind completely blanked for a short moment. The world seemed to freeze around her as she felt her mouth move on its own.
"■rr■r: ■ntr■s■■n ■n t■rm■n■l n■n■: d■l■t■ng ■ntr■d■r."
Daji suddenly went wide-eyed and dropped both bottles on the grassy ground. The kitsune made a few steps back as time apparently resumed its course, and the sound of the party filled the place once again.
"Oh crap… You're one of THEM! HOW DIDN'T I NOTICE THAT?!"
Daji transformed into her beast form and proceeded to jump on the other side of the river separating Yamatai in a single leap. The large hexapody beast ran away in the night whining all the while. As she tried understanding what just happened, Sonya noticed that Alma Elma was utterly awed.
"…Did you just scare Daji?"
"I…" Sonya felt even more confused than before. "I don't know?"
Alma Elma familiarly bumped her in the arm. "Well let me congratulate you! You managed to terrify a nine-tailed kitsune without even raising your weapon when everybody else failed! See? You're better than what you think."
Sonya kept blinking in confusion. Was the Succubus Queen actually praising her? If anything, it did make up for the humiliation on the scene.
"…Thanks, I guess?"
"I'm pretty sure Luka-boy… no, everyone will be thankful to you… Including me." Alma Elma's voice took a sultry tone that made Sonya gulp.
"Huuuh… Thanks, but I'll pass."
"Are you sure?" Alma Elma brought her tail in front of her, petting the mucus-covered extremity. "I can even fill that hole Luka left in you…"
Sonya started to frantically shake her arms as she felt herself suddenly sobering up. "Ew, eww, EWWW! GROSS! GROSS! WHY WOULD I EVEN WANT THAT?!"
"Well, I have a friend who loves it…" The tail's ending opened and closed a few times as if to voice its approval. "I mean, she challenges me in fights, but it always end the same with me ravishing her as she screams my name while she gets to savor my crafts."
"Too much information… TOO MUCH INFORMATION! Please stop!"
Alma Elma started pouting again, visibly disappointed. "Oh, very well. In that case, I'll just have a little dance contest with Est in front of the shrine. You know where to find me if your body desires..." She punctuated her sentence with a wink and left while exceedingly swaying her hips, which didn't escape the priestess' notice. Sonya sighed in relief when the Succubus Queen was finally away.
Luka really attracted a bunch of nymphomaniac weirdos… Hurrgh. And my head hurts again. I'll just find a calmer spot and try relaxing until the fireworks.
…Also I'm hungry. Maybe some sweet Tayiakis will help.
Mmmh… This party is such a bothersome nuisance… But I have to keep an eye on Myusca.
While everyone else was enjoying the festival at its fullest, a small succubus was losing patience as she waited near a lamp post. Vinum would have preferred resting in the library with a book in hand, but she was worried about how her junior would act if left alone.
I'm impressed that those succubi managed to create a trigger to instill a behavior even in Myusca… I'm still a bit disappointed it was only such a basic trick and not them actually educating her, but I guess it validates my point that it's pretty much impossible to teach her anything…
She looked in Myusca's direction from afar. Her protégée was greedily consuming a large amount of different foods, leaving a heap of trash on her side. Deep down, Vinum knew that if she wasn't there to watch over her, that pile would have been made of desiccated men instead.
She doesn't even care for my attempt to bring us back home. Even with those succubi's help, creating stable dimensional portals is impossible, and I can tell that they were interested themselves. At least, I didn't see anything bad coming through. Granted, we could have further tried with that book, but I didn't want to give anyone a chance to bring Her again.
All this noise makes it hard to concentrate… And I still have to endure it for several hours… What can I do to pass the time while still being able to keep an eye on Myusca?
Vinum looked around her. She wasn't the only one uninterested in the festivities. That small angel scientist was busier taking notes than properly savoring the taiyaki she had purchased. The small succubus successively saw her as a fellow scholar and a target for some possible fun. She approached her with a small smile.
"Do you think coming at this festival is a waste of time as well?"
Promestein gasped in surprise and dropped her Taiyaki. She visibly didn't expect someone to address her. "Oh, it's you…" She fumbled around with her glasses a bit before cleaning them. "Hem… Yes, I'm not too fond of festivals and other social events… I often got bullied by Zion back in Heaven, and even know, I prefer the studious silence of the library or the sound of science." She nervously smiled as she put her glassed back on. "But even if today had been a long day, I'm happy to be surrounded by friends."
Vinum smirked. It looked like she was more of the latter than the former. "Oh? And what kind of activity took so much of your time and energy today? Something… better left unmentioned? Something that involved succubi?"
"Not… Quite…" Promestein was now sweating profusely. The small succubus was already starting to have a guess as to why. "Studies… in a relatively unexplored field. For the sake of Luka, of course. I'm doing an effort to assist people in need to show them that science is a tool to help people and not an evil nebulous existence."
Her guess confirmed, Vinum decided to further push Promestein. Her small smirk turned in a devilish grin. She was having fun for the first time since forever. "Oh? What field left unexplored to a mind who spent thousands of years scouring every domain? Dimensional transportation?"
"I wish it was socialization and how to make perverts behave instead…" Sonya showed up with an empty bottle in her hand while holding her head. "That'd be helpful for everyone."
The glare the priestess gave Vinum made the latter relent.
Mmmh… Now that I have the time to look at her, I really have a bad feeling about her. I suppose I had enough fun at their expenses for tonight, and besides, I should remain focused on Myusca just in case.
The small succubus bowed. "In that case, I shall make sure that no disturbances happen this evening as well."
As she left, she could still feel the glare of the priestess and the relief of the angel in her back. She erased them out of her mind to focus on Myusca instead. Her junior had disappeared from the bench that she had been hanging on, although her scent was still very easy to track. She easily found her hidden behind a building where she was getting busy draining a Yamatai youth. Myusca continued her activity even when she noticed her senior approaching her.
"Oh, there you were! Don't worry about me, I'm only getting acquainted with the local treats!"
Vinum sighed. She hesitated between feeling relieved that Myusca had fully recovered, and the fact that she was back to her brash, reckless old self.
"Rehydrate him and join me back in the open. I want people to see us acting reasonable."
The succubus crossed her arms under her chest and pouted. "Fiiiiiine…" The succubus grinned and looked at her prey. "Hey, do you want me to stop too?"
The young man deliriously answered. "P-please no mistress! Suck me dry all you want!"
Myusca turned back toward her senior with a grin. "See? He wants me to continue. And you were the one to tell me we should do as they ask…"
Vinum closed her eyes and sighed. "Damn it, Myusca… Can you please just listen for once and not second guess my words? We really can't afford the additional trouble for the moment."
Myusca whined but eventually got up from her victim. "You better treat me to some sweets then!"
"...You're still a child, aren't you?"
"No, I'm not!"
In a different parallel world
"Gggghhhh…"
The small goddess Ilias was utterly indignant. This abomination was an anomaly that could only have happened in the darkest of timelines. Granted, that day so far had been very good. She had beaten the damn fox in a Girl's Band Battle (although she regretted that their lives hadn't been for the line). She had the opportunity again to assist to the dejection of the small Monster Lord wandering in the village with a pair of weakling, still at loss as to her future… And then, naturally, the festival itself was the perfect opportunity for a date. Of course, she would have been the only logical choice, no matter what that sorry excuse of a childhood friend or any of those hopeless suitors could think of her. Her plan was perfect, save for the smallest detail that her memory had made a lot of efforts to occult.
Luka was not logical.
He was a perverted, senseless, suicidal dunderhead. She had thought over her plans hundreds of time, and expected their conversation after the Girl Band Battle to follow a precise pattern.
"Oh please Ilias, let me accompany you to this festival so that I can enjoy your company and praise your magnificent skills!"
"And I shall let you accompany me, son of Lucifina… Show me that you are a worthy follower and descendant of the second seraph."
"Yes! I will kiss the sole of your feet to show you my respect!"
Instead, the conversation went… the last direction she wanted. First because he had turned his attention toward an abomination that would have been better burning in hell.
"I can't believe we won… Thank you Alma Elma."
"Oh, I was just doing my job. Those little angel's song wouldn't have been perfect, Tamamo would have been the one winning instead. Now I'm going to enjoy the festival if you don't mind… Unless you have something more to ask me?"
"Actually, I wanted to know if you could accompany me for the festival… I realize that you've been here when it counts even before you joined us, and I don't know much about you besides what you want to show."
"Oooh… Is Luka-boy actually asking the legendary Succubus Queen on a date? You wouldn't happen to have impure motives, would you?"
"Huuh… who wouldn't?"
"That's a surprisingly fair answer. Very well. Let's have some fun together tonight!"
And with those last words Ilias' day had been thoroughly ruined. The morbidly obscene succubus queen was accompanying the hero with the obvious goal to make him fall in her depraved games. The small goddess had tried to request for help in her quest to keep Luka safe, but the priestess of Ilias was too shocked herself and had instead decided to drink herself silly.
Useless, just like all those heroes… Why do I even bother with them? Why did I let her join us?! We should have finished her on the spot! She's simply not worth what she can bring to the team!
So far, her new master plan to deal with this evening was on its first step, namely observation. Ilias refused to make a fool of herself, and needed the evidence to show everyone that Alma Elma's goal toward her precious Luka were fully malicious. The succubus queen had enthralled a large number of followers that were worshipping her, and she needed to break the pedestal everyone was placing her on first.
Ilias was currently observing them from afar behind a stall, grinding her teeth in frustration. She couldn't warn anyone without being ridiculed. She couldn't get closer as that damnable whore had a sense of smell and hearing keener than a bitch. She couldn't even ask for help from her seraph as none of them were in measure to assist her completing her mission. Lucifina's solution would involve a lot of violence, which, while acceptable to the eyes of the goddess, would certainly bring needless complications. Micaela was too stiff to directly involve herself in infiltration missions. And Eden was a klutz in the first place.
Of course, insinuating that her creations were less than perfect would earn anyone a rightful bolt of judgment. She was their creator. She was the only one allowed to judge them.
Right afterward, she fully focused on the two pretend lovebirds. Ilias simply felt sick at the idea that there could be genuine love between them. There only was a debauched hunger in both ways. Right now, they were at a mask stall, discussing. The small goddess focused her signature Ilias hearing, and a smile appeared on her face as the succubus queen recounted her gloomy, depressing childhood. Eventually, they moved on to another stall. It looked like the succubus was playing the long con… It didn't matter. Ilias could afford to be patient.
The duo wandered toward the candy apple stall. Ilias didn't have a single doubt that the tramp would try tempting her precious hero with a display of her bawdy tongue skills. The small goddess pretended to pass by and carefully hid herself behind a tree, which, unfortunately, was located right close to a couple busy copulating. While she usually enjoyed the vision of humans procreating with each other if only because it meant they weren't debasing themselves with monsters, it was neither the place nor the time. A sudden flash flood washed away the two participants, allowing the small goddess to fully focus on her mission.
Just as she expected, the duo each bought a candy apple, and Alma Elma slowly savored it in a vulgar display that couldn't even qualify as a double entendre, but rather a single direct one. Fortunately, Luka seemed more sickened than aroused by the libidinous action. Maybe she had taught him better than she thought… She feared the worse when they moved on to dance, but the Succubus Queen moves, while impressive, were actually mindful of basic decency. She even danced with one of the small imp simply for the sake of entertaining her junior. Maybe the worst wouldn't come to pass, after all…
Her mind soon changed when the Succubus Queen approached Est Morn, the so-called queen of dreams. Ilias gagged. A competition between those sex-fueled abominations was too much for this world… Or at least, too much for her. Not wanting to assist to whatever debauchery the two might decide to start, Ilias isolated herself away from them in a dark corner between two buildings. The only positive side was that she knew Alma Elma wouldn't consider sharing her quarry with someone she considered a competitor. Ilias slowly recovered her breath far away from the wanton spectacle likely happening in front of the shrine.
"My, if it isn't the small angel who calls herself the Goddess of Light… Did your hero abandon you again?"
Ilias glared at the monsters who interloped in her moment. Unsurprisingly, it was Musette and her two goons. The trio of monsters often exploited their angelic appearance to pass themselves as Her messengers, which aggravated her to no end. She thought that she had reached the bottom of the barrel, but a shovel just appeared.
"I am simply letting him do as he pleases… I do not need to brainwash my followers to have them follow me contrary to you."
The White Winged demon smirked. "Really? Because I studied your history, and it looks like you could give us a run for our money when it comes to methods. Maybe you could teach me a few things."
Ilias huffed. "I don't have time to lose teaching anything to a demon like you."
"Allow me to insist." Musette and her goons threateningly stepped closer with unpleasant grins. "I am very interested in learning."
"Allow me to doubt it…" As Ilias tried to back away, Alma Elma came from the courtyard behind her, cracking her knuckles. "Considering how many lessons you've been given and yet still try to push your luck, I don't think those stuck well enough… Maybe we should give another one."
"Mmph. You might be the Succubus Queen in this world, but I nearly dominated mine. Do you really think your skills can stand up to mine?"
"Musette, Musette, Musette…" Mysteltainn and her sisters suddenly appeared behind the trio of pseudo-angels, scaring them. The succubus elder repositioned her glasses by force of habit. "Would you kindly please stop your bullheaded obvious attempts at world domination? You are making every one of us look bad with your cheap scare tactics."
Ilias looked around her, stupefied. Was she getting rescued by succubi? She couldn't tell if she should be grateful or had somehow found another deepest point in her horrible day.
"Five versus three… Who's using cheap tactics?"
"The one who's once again trying to throw the day into chaos. You may want to pipe down before this story spreads and everyone once again decides to kick you down." Alma Elma grinned. "We're becoming exceedingly effective at it, wouldn't you agree?"
Musette looked down, defeated. "Very well… I suppose I will leave your little toy alone. Come, my fellow. We still have a festival to enjoy."
The demon then left with her followers, with Mysteltainn and her sisters on her heels, leaving Alma Elma alone with a slightly shaken Ilias. The succubus queen sympathetically kneeled in front of Ilias.
"Are you alright? I swear, I'm getting really tired of those three, they're only trouble…"
The small goddess rapidly regained her composure. "Where's Luka?"
"He's chiding the imps… Apparently those little pranksters caused a few troubles back there."
"Good." Ilias gulped loudly, swallowing her pride. "Thank you for your help Alma Elma. I mean it."
"Awww… How cute of you!" The Succubus Queen hugged Ilias for a short moment before letting her go and friendly ruffling her hair. "You know I'll always help you against those that threaten you! Now if you don't need me anymore, me and Luka-boy will continue enjoying the pleasures offered by the festival. You should do the same."
Ilias nodded in acknowledgment. She refrained from voicing her disapproval and her disgust for the familiar outburst. She owed Alma Elma a favor, and intended to keep her word this time.
As Alma Elma returned on her date with Luka, Ilias only distractedly observed them. It looked like all her fears were for nothing, Luka wasn't quite interested in that flying obscenity, and the sex-fueled demon was more interested in teasing Luka than outright forcing him between her legs. Then the succubus queen simply left Luka for a reason she couldn't understand. Ilias waited a few minutes, and, ultimately, she slinked back to Eden's side. Granted, her small mission cost her any happiness she could have pulled from the festival, but she was satisfied by its result. She was now assured that Luka wouldn't fall to the immoral attention of the Succubus Queen, and it was good enough for her.
As he was sitting in the grass in the middle of the crowd, Luka kept periodically checking around him. While he wasn't worried that his date would ghost him, he still felt curiously alone in her absence. Eventually, Alma Elma returned while humming a small song.
"Where were you Alma? The fireworks are about to start."
"I wanted to have a quick chat with Tamamo about our common troubles, sorry… Was Luka-boy actually worried for me? That's cute."
"It… wasn't exactly for you I was worried."
"Awww… Don't worry." She lecherously licked her lips. "You have aaaaall my special attention."
The hero and the succubus enjoyed the spectacular fireworks as the night sky sporadically lightened up with different colors in a cacophony of explosions. The whole crowd around them was just as awed by the spectacle in front of them. The conclusion to the festival lasted for several minutes, and as the crowd scattered and the noise died down, Alma Elma and Luka slowly got up, their heads filled with the display. The hero cleaned his backside and cape from all the grass as he looked at Alma Elma.
"Sooo, what now? I'm still up for a little practice."
"Practice or practice?" Alma Elma grinned while wiggling her fingers. "I could use an occasion to keep my succubus skills sharp after all…"
Luka carefully considered his next words. He didn't want to appear like a pervert as he knew that the succubus queen enjoyed his innocence, but after several months spending several months being hit on by a harem that would lead one of the Sabasan sultans of old to die of cardiac arrest, sex had become as trivial and mundane as eating. He awkwardly scratched the back of his head while blushing.
"I… Don't know. I'm still weak to pleasure, so… Maybe the latter will help me?"
"Oooh… For the record, you're the one who asked for my attention. Very well. We'll keep at it until you're unconscious. I won't stop if you beg… Even if you cry… Until the end of night..."
Luka gulped loudly, but inwardly, he was elated. Business was mixing with pleasure in the best cocktail of all…
The next hour was a blur as they ended sparring in a conventional fight before Luka was led to the bedroom of the Succubus Queen. She tossed him on the bed and threw herself on top of him, even as they were both still clothed. However, before they could get down to any business, her salacious smile disappeared to Luka's surprise.
"Are you alright Alma Elma?"
"Tell me Luka-boy… did you ever hear about how the weight of pleasure could leave marks on souls?"
"Huuuh, no? That's the first time I hear about it…"
And I don't think it's a good time for a lesson…
"You see… This is something my mother talked about. She had heard that the heroes favored by Ilias could be brought back to life to try their chance again. She never really cared about those baseless rumors but one day when she got a hero in her grasp, she noticed something unusual with him… She could feel that he already got to taste the pleasure of being fully drained several times in the past by powerful monsters. She could even identify them. Including herself. She was surprised, and decided that the best way to keep him at bay was to make sure he wouldn't mess with monsters again."
Luka gulped loudly. He did not like where it was going. Alma Elma was now frowning.
"When you requested for my hair this afternoon and went to Promestein, I asked that little angel scientist what was that about since I was a little scared she would misuse its power… When I heard about how you were locked suffering in a time loop, I felt bad for you and even accepted that invitation because I thought you would need some consolation… But it looked like you enjoyed it plenty instead."
Luka was now shaking heavily. "I really had difficulties pulling through, and I died-"
"Fifty-nine times..." Her eyes were now glowing red. "Including but not limited to seven to Myusca, four to Vinum, five to Nemea, two to Sphinx, three to Valkyrie… Three to that little brat Morrigan, seven to that whore Astaroth, and only TWICE TO ME?!"
"Wait, I can explain…"
"Oh, I don't need any explanation." Each one of Alma Elma's words had the effect of a punch. "You saw the opportunity at consequence-free sex and jumped on it until you were satiated… I initially wanted to pull only three of four shots from you before letting you drift in a welcome rest, but it looks like some discipline is in order. You made me really, really angry Luka-boy. I won't hold back at all. And the one thing I'm more skilled at than sucking my partners dry is keeping them alive through any ordeal I impose them… Now, you've done it. I'll make you scream your throat out."
And this night, Luka realized that there was no hell like a woman scorned. And there was no woman scorned like the queen succubus feeling miffed.
In yet another parallel world
"So you will be participating to this Girl Band Battle, mistress?"
"Yes! This will be a good occasion to unwind while keeping my musical skills sharp. And the incidents calmed those last weeks, so I can as well enjoy it."
"Indeed. I heard from Nanabi that little Alice will participate as well."
"Mmmh, I'm not surprised, and I'll talk to her if I get the opportunity… Still, I would have enjoyed that classical men festival just as much… giving company to the winner is always fun, and I'm sure this year it would have been Luka. I guess I'll get better acquainted with him later… What's so funny Yao?"
"As it happens, Alice and that priestess have wagered that the winner of this competition will be the one to go out with Luka during the festival afterward. Such pettiness is not befitting of a Monster Lord, but I find it adorable none the less… Mistress?"
"I. Won't. Lose."
"I can't believe I lost because someone tried to pull his pants off…"
Alice was sulking in her corner close to the scene. She had trained with her partners hard for this tournament, and the competition was tough. Not only the Four Spirits had showed up to put on a solid performance, but Tamamo had somehow decided to participate with her friends in spite of their unreasonable age. How could they consider themselves as fellow girls when they were all counting in the hundreds was a mystery for the ages. And naturally, their skills made for serious opposition. In fact, they were nip and tuck on the leaderboard when the one male judge decided that Alice and her partners should win out of sexiness to the disapproval of his partners. He then directly asked them on a date afterward, to the displeasure of his female partners that got him kicked out of the group. Rumors of corruption spread, and to placate everyone Alice's team got disqualified, directly leading to Tamamo's victory.
"We had two friends on the jury, and the one that was accused of bias was the third… I can't believe it."
Luka showed up with a small bag of Tayiakis. "You still did great Alice. It was bad luck, nothing else."
"Still… It's disappointing. We missed the opportunity for a job change item." She gritted her teeth and muttered under her breath. "And I'm sure I won't hear the end of it from Tamamo. Speaking of which…" Alice saw Tamamo approaching with a big happy smile on her face and a large ornate shield in her hands. "Did you come here to rub your victory in our face like one of your tail on a lover?"
"Nope, I only wanted to give that to you since you can make a better use of it than me!" She handed down the shield to Alice before turning toward Luka. "Now, how about we go on our date?"
Alice's eyes widened in shock. "Wait, what? A date?" She threw an accusing glare at Luka who defensively raised his hands. "When did you two talk about this?!"
"Well, you did say that he would go out with the winner of this Girl Band Battle, so it's only fair that I'm the one to go out with him!"
"That was only between me and that priestess! How did you even hear about it?! Did one of your kitsunes snitched our bet out?! I knew it, we must kick them out of the castle before they usurp me…"
"Oh, I didn't raise you to be a sourpuss trying to find excuses." Tamamo grabbed a still befuddled Luka with her tails, the hero remaining mostly still in confusion. "It's not like I will suck him dry like Alma Elma!"
"Whatever…" Alice yielded, turning her back on the duo and slithering away without a word. "You're both adults free to do what you want. I'm… Going to talk with Sonya."
"And don't get drunk! I don't want to see Sigma Frost or worse flying around!"
Instead of looking for the priestess, Alice made a stop at the Taiyaki stand and ordered herself another bag of treats. By her side, Lauratt and Rigeo were sharing sweets like a young couple, further irritating the Monster Lord. Alice haughtily huffed before moving away.
"What an indecent display, to do that in front of everyone. I'll go elsewhere and maybe escape thos depraved spectacle."
The small Monster Lord ended in front of the shrine where Est and Alma Elma were having a sexy dance contest. Her mood ended further worsened as she became further hungrier and angrier at the idea that Tamamo, of all people, could enjoy Luka's body. As she checked around the place, she couldn't find the small duo, and the only scent she detected informed them that they left behind the scene.
Did they leave for the fox shrine? Was the festival not good enough for her?! Or do they just want to get intimate far from everyone?! She wanted to make it look like she didn't want to hurt me any further? Arrghh! I'm so ANGRY, AND I CAN'T DO ANYTHING ABOUT IT!
Eventually Alice decided to cool her head the only way she saw fit: by throwing herself into the river.
Several people got close to the riverbank to check on the body of Alice slowly drifting downstream. Sonya and Alma Elma ended side-by-side, with Alma Elma being relaxed even as Sonya was visibly panicking.
"What happened? Did someone attack her?"
"Noooo… If the steam rising is any indication, it looks like little Alice just need to cool down…"
"Don't call me little Alice!"
"Don't worry Monster Lord." Alma Elma sighed and muttered under her breath. "I share your pain."
Sonya kept looking between both in confusion. "What's all that about?!"
Luka and Tamamo were indeed busy in the Fox Shrine, enjoying life to its fullest. To be more precise, the two of them were lying on a carpet installed on the rooftop of Tamamo's housing to enjoy stargazing while snacking on a mix of various foods they had grabbed from the party. Both of them had wanted to get away from the bustling of the festival. Luka wasn't fully comfortable with the jealousy visible in the eyes of his companions, which, after discussion, was a sentiment shared by the kitsune as well.
And to his surprise, the hero found himself enjoying this moment of calm surprisingly much. Dealing with both a large number of companions on the road and the usual chaos in the Pocket Castle had left him starved for tranquility. And Tamamo had understood that. He had expected her to be all over him, but instead, she was respecting his unsaid desire for calm while remaining close, even letting him enjoy the softness of her tails.
That feeling of being understood for once is nice. However…
"Tamamo?"
The kitsune sat herself like a jack in the box while her ears perked up, making Luka smirk. "Mmmh?"
"When will you actually join me? I don't want to press you, but you're close to Alice, to Alma Elma as well, then we worked together and yet, you're still on your own... I'm worried about you."
"Awwww… Don't worry, little old me can hold on its own… I've operated like that for millennia you know!" She grabbed a Taiyaki. "I simply wish to finish my investigations and deal with my own issues to avoid heaping all those on you as well. I don't know which one between saving the world and taking care of a few hundred monsters takes the biggest toll on you, but I don't want to be the straw that will break your young back."
"Well… thank you in that case…" Luka was still distractedly petting her tails. Feeling an opportunity for fun, Tamamo snatched the fluffy appendages away, making the hero tumble for a bit before she caught him. She took a falsely hurt expression, putting on puppy eyes and talking in a whining voice while hiding her mouth by holding a tail.
"There's more to me than my tails… Are these the only reason you actually want me to be with you?"
"Actually…" Luka awkwardly scratched the back of his head. "I could use your help to rein everyone in. As the Yamatai chief would say, my team needs some Yin in its Yang, and you're one of the most reasonable monster I know about."
Tamamo dropped the act and remembered the last weeks. Between the chaos spread by that fellow nine-tailed fox Daji, the mess started by those fake angels who wrecked havoc in attempts to conquer the world, the dried-up bodies left behind that Myusca… and it was not even accounting her own ambivalent dealings with Est and Vinum. Nanabi had indeed repeatedly reported that all these people made Morrigan look calm and reliable, and her own experience made those words an understatement. Even Astaroth had visited her to outright tell her to join the hero when the succubus used to try to kill her on sight.
"Tamamo? Is there a problem?"
The kitsune realized her eyes were slightly fogging up as she was looking at Luka sympathetically. Those words she said lightly barely a few minutes ago were now ringing more harshly to her ears. She reflexively extended her tails to grab Luka who remained immobile in confusion as she brought his head on her lap.
"Huuuh, Tamamo?"
The kitsune started to gently pat the hero's head. "Shhh… Relax… Just relax…"
Luka shrugged. He slightly shifted around to make himself more comfortable and looked at the empty sky as the noise of the festival started dying down. He remained there for a moment, basking on a fluffy cloud of tranquility, courtesy of Tamamo. Tomorrow, he would once again face a vision of hell that would make any teacher run away. But this night, he rested.