"Really? You can't be serious…"

"It is… Now onto the core issue… I think it's the best way to solve it."

… *phew*

… *phew*

… *phew*

… *phew*

"Second turn."

… *phew*

… "…"

"Oh… Huuuh… Sorry. It looks like you lost, soooo… You'll be the one to announce the new… Good luck!"

"…"

"Come on! At least please talk to us! What did they do to you?! What did theses bastards do to break you?!"

"…Nothing worse than usual."

Both Morrigan and Astaroth were trying to comfort their older sister. They had been caught completely off guard by the victory of Alma Elma over the firstborn of their trio, and when the latter arrived in her cell… She sounded completely broken. Her sisters didn't have the opportunity to see her face as she passed through the rows of reinforced metallic cells, but when they had tried to address her as she passed, they only got the smallest of greetings. Since then, she only answered in short sentences. No seduction aura. No honeyed words. Simple, short and direct sentences in a downbeat voice were all she could offer right now.

"Come on, sister! Don't be like that! You at least harvested your share of this world for us, right?"

"This world? Let me tell you what I lived in this world. It's boring. Angels, humans and monsters living in peace. There's nothing to corrupt. You get punished by the Monster Lord and the hero for killing anyone. Nobody cares about the pleasure the Legendary Lilith Sisters can offer, we're only three more succubi for them. There were no thrills."

Astaroth sighed. "Did you try the colosseum at least?"

"…Dear sister, do you really think I had the opportunity to take the risk of showing off in such a high-profile activity?"

The red-haired succubus remained silent.

"Please ignore that, she's became completely enamored with that colosseum for a reason."

"What? Why would I pass up a good opportunity to show off my skills in front of everyone before having my way with my opponent? Sign me up at once! I might even get a second round against the Succubus Queen!"

"That sounds just as barbaric as when I heard the noise from the arena... I can't imagine living only for such violence."

A noise interrupted their conversation. Lilith could see a small package appearing in front of the door of the cell. She delicately unwrapped it, and could see an observation orb, a succubus salvo, and… A piece of a creamy cake? She analyzed it. It wasn't poisoned. It wasn't trapped. She took a small bite of it. It was delicious. The succubus enjoyed the balance between the soft textures of the cream, its sweetness, and the flavor brought by the small red berries mixed in a biscuit that wasn't soggy. She then proceeded to lick her fingers for a long time, getting sure not a single crumb or lick of cream was escaping her.

That cake was certainly a courtesy of Tamamo who hoped to appeal to her through her sweet tooth. Well, she couldn't blame the kitsune. She definitively did enjoy pastries, and if they were all as good as this one…

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sound of someone half-walking half-flying through the hallways. She recognized all too well that noise. Morrigan was the first to remark it however.

"And heeeere comes our new queen and lord! All bow to her!"

"Shush Morrigan."

"Please shut uuuup."

"Mmh, I can feel the looove you're ready to spread…"

"Riiight. What did you expect?"

"Oooh, sorry, do you want a red carpet? I wonder where can I get one? Maybe with my hairs?"

"Please be silent, both of you. She beat me fair and square, the least we can do is at least listen to what she has come to say. Now what do you want?"

"I came here to make you an offer actually. After much discussion, everybody is willing to give you a chance to reintegrate into society. You would spend a few months being educated in the way of the world in Succubus Village, and once we're sure you're ready to be released, you would be free to roam the world… With a part of your power sealed at first."

"So we are treated like unruly children, get restrained and get thrown back into school… I suppose it's an idea from Tamamo?"

"From everyone up there actually. I'm the one who came up with the idea of offering you work opportunities afterward."

"Work opportunities? You mean working like humans?" Lilith sounded offended at the idea of being brought so low.

"Well… I heard that Astaroth was more than willing to be a gladiator in the colosseum, that Lilith's craft could equal Chrome, and that Morrigan… Was also interested in the colosseum."

"Yeaaah. I would make them come until they die though…"

"This is why we would have you go through Succubus Village first. We don't want a slaughterhouse, and we want you to have a legitimate chance."

"And what happen if we refuse? We get executed?"

"No, you'll remain stuck here for as long as needed. We talked that out with your Ancestor. I offer you a fair chance… It is now up to you to choose your future."

All three succubi remained silent. Alma Elma wondered if they were communicating telepathically, but the wards around were too powerful. The only thing they could do was observing the outside world with the orb Tamamo had given them.

"…Thank you for the offer. We need time to consider it. Please come back tomorrow."

Alma Elma decided to not push them. It was only an illusion of a choice, and as a succubus herself, she was well placed enough to know that they hated their current predicament.

"Very well."

As she left, the three succubi remained silent before Astaroth chuckled darkly.

"Right. Little Tamamo will definitively keep harvesting human energy to make those salvos forever."

"These salvos require energy, but I don't think she's getting hers from humans anymore…"

"Huh? Then from where would she get that much essence?"

"From where I wonder too… If only there was a close-by source that gave out so much energy…"

After a minute, Astaroth screamed her disgust at the top of her lungs.

"I'M DRINKING MY OWN CONDENSED ENERGY! OH SWEET ALIPHEESE WHY?!"

How did Tamamo not even consider that they would find out sooner or later? She really dropped the ball on that one…

Unless that was intended and she thought that the Lilith Sisters would realize it sooner and behave to get spared this infamy. Then that would make sense.

Lilith lied down on the hay serving as a bed. Between living into that uncomfortable cell and in luxury into the world out there...

She already regretted her earlier hesitation.

In the meantime, the royal couple of Luka and Alice were enjoying a well-deserved breakfast. Although enjoying might have been too strong as a word, as both of them were still bitter after the events that transpired those last days. While she was fortunately confined to her quarters, the presence of Minagi in the castle and the Monster Lord's own inability to punish her adequately was weighing heavily on their morale. As a result, the ambiance was particularly gloomy as they were eating silently.

"What are we going to do with that one..." Alice shook her head negatively. "I can't understand the plans of the Dark Goddess with her. At all. And now we're stuck with that demented nymphomaniac…" She sighed.

Luka was pretending to eat as he carefully observed Alice. She had only eaten as much as him so far, a far cry from her usual feasts.

"She keeps telling us that she will behave if we let her free."

Alice glared at Luka. "And you believe that? You really believe that… That this legendary whore is just going to settle down and calm like that? The one that nearly got a whole castle and a village killed simply to try to get her hands on you?"

"…Even after what happened, I'm willing to give her a chance. I mean we did accept angels, we did accept the chimeras, and some of them are still a bit mischievous at their best." He narrowed his eyes. "Just one chance though. If she tries to pull that trick again, I'll make sure she won't be able to harm someone ever again."

"…You know, you scare me sometimes. I'm not sure I didn't prefer you when you were more innocent."

"R-right, sorry Alice."

The Monster Lord sighed. "It's me who should be story. I didn't think what I just said, and at first I followed you because I morbidly asked myself for how long a bumbling idiot like you would survive in the wild. Instead, you definitively grew in a fine man."

Luka didn't know if it was one his wife's usual harsh compliment, but he decided to focus on the nice cup of fruits in front of him instead.

"Also, her mannerism during her trial reminded me of…" Alice sighed again. "Nevermind, I'm probably imagining things." She grabbed a full cheese wheel, reassuring Luka about her state of mind in the process.

As they were eating, Erubetie eventually showed up in the dining room. She briefly bowed. "Monster Lord… Hero…" She then grabbed a few fruits and started dissolving them.

"Ah, Erubetie, do you think Kanane would be willing to help us with her sisters?"

The Slime Queen shook her head negatively. "She… Still has difficulty reining her appetites in."

Luka looked up, startled. "She started killing people again?"

"Nothing so radical… She calmed her templar tendencies when it came to the strategy of protecting the environment admirably. However, I had suggested the idea to reward positive behavior and she decided to do it the best way she could." Erubetie looked particularly downcast. "So right now, Undine's Spring is cleaned, but every single surface is occupied by one of her clone or her cleaning partners, so slimes still can't return there yet."

Alice grimaced as she imagined the scene. Erubetie continued.

"The Grand Noah queen is incredibly jaded at the situation. Most of those were productive men, and the… party organized by my Ancestor seems to create a new minor issue. Kanade herself said she'll stop when she's no longer hungry. That was a few days ago."

"…So we can't count on her to help manage Minagi."

"No… But the latter apparently drew a concrete plan to integrate herself while helping to develop coexistence."

Alice looked dumbfounded around her. While she could see several servants being as shocked as her, Luka awkwardly scracthed his head.

"I... Also briefly saw something about that on her desk when we investigated Chrome's place."

"Is this serious? Why do I only hear about this now?!"

Erubetie shrugged. "Apparently she wanted to use it as a bargain later…"

"And... I got knocked unconscious right afterward..."

Alice hissed. "Ok… I suppose Tamamo is the one who heard them. What exactly did she hear?"

"…Apparently, the Succubus Ancestor wanted to channel her energy by managing a chain of… pleasure houses in major cities based on the concept of Succubus Village. She would also integrate willing angels like Endiel, who seems more than enthusiastic to help on her own."

"…Huh. That's… Surprisingly reasonable from her. I mean it sounds wrong on quite a few levels, and I have no idea how the leaders of the human kingdoms would see it, but I expected worse."

"And besides… If angels are okay with it, it could bring monsters and angels closer, and it could also help the more lustful monsters find partners instead of attacking humans- Ok, no matter how I see it, I can't help but feel that it's wrong on so many levels." Luka finished his sentence with his head between his hands.

"The worst part? I imagine something like that being quite popular thanks to all those damn perverts..." Alice sighed. "We'll consider it and throw the idea out next time we see the human leaders. Does she have any other spectacular plans?"

Erubetie's body slowly moved up and down, and Luka needed a second to understand that she was calming herself. He was surprised that the usually direct slime hesitated to speak.

"She actually found a way for angels to keep their energy through the same tattoos powerful monsters use."

Alice remained silent at first, but she enthusiastically started smiling afterward. "Really? It's as simple as that? Wait… Couldn't it also be used to save Luka?"

The hero himself was slightly more reserved. Sure, it was a good new… But given the context, there had to be a catch.

"However, it apparently requires a balance of raw power and skills in mind magic, and after examination… She's apparently the only one who can do it."

Luka's face decomposed. Alice's expression didn't change in the slightest. She was still wearing the same smile, and Luka couldn't even detect a trace of straining.

"Mmh. It's surprising. Are we sure it's not a trick? I'm surprised that this whore would be the only one to successfully be able to do it considering Tamamo's own magic skills."

"I honestly have no idea."

Alice nodded, still smiling. "Well, thank you for all this information." She slowly got up from her chair. "I had a nice fill. Now, I should make some little exercises..."

Luka wanted to tell his wife to take care, but the Monster Lord was emitting an aura of terror so strong he was afraid he would burst into flame if he slighted her. Once she was gone, he turned toward Erubetie.

"Did you really hear all of this through Tamamo?"

The Queen Slime nodded. The next second, a shockwave shook the Monster Lord's Castle. Then another. The duo wasn't particularly surprised, and continued eating as if nothing was happening.

Once it was over, Luka removed his glove and checked his hand. He couldn't see any trace of corrosion from the holy energy created by the use of his angelic skills, but he knew it was still there. It could be stopped. However, at that precise moment, he couldn't tell what was worse between dying from holy corrosion or putting his life between the hands of Minagi.

He shivered. Maybe he wouldn't have to make that choice if the next Ancestor showed up only in a few months…

In the meantime, Mariel was making her way to the room temporarily allocated to Vale and Endiel. She was still disturbed by what Tamamo had told her about her own need for love, and wanted to move on by using the opportunity given to her by the two rogue angels. She had yet to interrogate the former on her relation with Minagi, and she had to take care of the latter as the valkyrie's actions were tantamount to treason.

…Then again, said treason did minimal damages and allowed her to discover an opportunity that would save angels from their own mortality.

The small archangel shook her head. Endiel first, the valkyrie later.

She knocked on the door, and a naked Endiel opened it with a large smile and invited her inside the room. Mariel carefully checked around her as she hovered in, and frowned when she saw the naked valkyrie sleeping into the Angel Whore's purple tent.

"So… What can I do for you? Do you need company?"

Mariel groaned. "I'm not here for that. I'm only here to ask you questions about what Minagi did to you."

Her interlocutor returned a beaming smile. "Well, after a loooong session spent sharing our skills in the art of pleasuring our partners, we started discussing about our place within the world for several hours. We both noticed that people naturally flocked to succubi and angels to get a taste, and wondered if we could make ourselves a nice place simply through that. And the following weeks, what was just a little silly idea became a project as we realized how much a win-win it was for everyone."

In front of Mariel's decomposed expression, Endiel continued. "Think of all the angels like Cupi and Trinity who are causing problems because of their pent-up sexual frustration which make them attack people. You get to turn their issues into a resource, and you and the other angels get to keep this image of purity you affectionate so much."

"…What?"

Endiel chuckled. "I understand that angels loyal to Ilias don't want to look like they are acting like monsters… And you need to have a certain image to maintain those dogmatic doggies in line. In the meantime, I will join business and pleasure and have people pay to see me go at it with Minagi and even-"

"Please stop, I perfectly understand what you do mean, but…" Mariel twisted, seeing the markings on Endiel's back. Noticing that, the Angel Whore turned and showed it. They were even more numerous and elaborate than on the valkyrie.

"Minagi also added pleasure runes. She told me it would be even better if I felt some of the pleasure I gave my partner as an incentive. Are you interested?" She punctuated her sentence with a giggle.

Mariel slowly breathed in and out. Her patience was wearing thinner by the second. "No, I am not. You are free to do what you want after all, as long as you don't step on us or let other angels join naturally without coaxing them or trapping them, just like they are free to reject you."

"Then everything's fine I guess."

"For you, yes…" Mariel pointed at the valkyrie. "For her however… Can you wake her up?"

"I'm already awake…" The valkyrie slowly emerged and looked up at Mariel while rubbing her eyes. "What is… Oh." She looked down in shame.

"Yes, Oh. I had the time to think over your punishment and took my decision. You are banned from San Ilia, the Natalia Region and the Ilias Continent for your own security, starting now. I will make sure that the Monster Lord is aware, and all equipment that has been given to you or made with resources handed down by the Goddess in the past will be reacquired."

The valkyrie started tearing up before wallowing on the bed, sniffling elegantly. Endiel moved in to comfort her, whispering soothing words in her ear.

"What, do you think it is too cruel?!"

"Considering that Ilias or Eden would have killed her on the spot? No."

"In that case… Please take care of her until she finds herself a new place. I have to deal with another angel."

"Very well… I don't suppose you'll do anything for Minagi? I'm already missing her."

"I don't think I'll be able to in the first place. The responsibility of dealing with her falls to the Monster Lord."

"Then please don't hesitate to come back… It looks like you could use some help too, after all…"

Mariel kept a neutral facade, but as she left the room, she was screaming internally. And now she had to deal with Ariel… A fellow archangel who had grown quite an ego when Ilias rewarded her for surviving her encounter with Heinrich.

As she started making her way to the throne room, she got surprised by a large orange kitsune appearing from nowhere in front of her.

"Greetings, do you need anything?"

"Actually… I wanted to ask the Monster Lord for the right and support to visit Ariel. Also did you really need to do that?"

The kitsune bowed, but didn't stop smiling. "I apologize. But the Monster Lord is currently busy, and I was supposed to get you as soon as you were available to check on Ariel… Are you ready?"

Mariel didn't appreciate the kitsune's sass, but relented. After all, she herself was younger than the monster in front of her… Maybe she would turn out like that with age, someone enjoying playing pranks on younger people? She shivered at the thought.

Fortunately, the kitsune didn't pull any other trick and guided her to the prison cell without issue. The past attacker was restrained in a small room with minimal furniture and wards covering the walls "to keep her weak." Apparently, the same method was used to keep the Lilith Sisters under control. When Yao opened the door, Ariel directly looked up and glared at the monster accompanying the angel. Mariel nodded, and Yao closed the door to let them discuss alone. Ariel stood up proudly, looking down on the smaller angel.

"I heard the rumor that you were the new leader of angels… Is this a joke or did you upstage Ilias?"

"Neither. I've been chosen by the angels living on this world after our defeat as a representative to negociate."

Ariel sneered. "So you're indeed the leader…"

"I merely try to keep good relationships between us, humans and monsters."

Mariel nodded while keeping a grim expression. She refused to let herself be impressed by her senior.

"You're at their boot, otherwise you would have killed them."

"…In a sense, you're not entirely wrong. They could have killed us, slaughtered us indiscriminately to the last just like Ilias attempted in the past with their species, and she had even added mankind into the mix."

"They abandoned her. She could do with them as she pleased."

"And then they could have done with us as they pleased. Instead, they offered us a chance to live by their side happily." Mariel smiled. "I'm free to eat sweets, travel where I want when I want, to do as I please as long as I don't hurt my fellow..."

"…Did you came here just to gloat?"

"No, I came here to offer you the same opportunity I was offered. If you accept to live with us by the rules of this world, you will be free to walk around and enjoy all the pleasures it can offer."

Ariel snarled. "And what are those rules? Licking the boots each time a monster asks you under pain of death? Kneeling in front of their leader to show them your neck? Worship those that touched them?"

Mariel felt passably disturbed by her senior's words. How much indoctrinated was she? Was her own free thinking the reason she got considered as reasonable? And, worst of all…

Didn't Ilias herself impose those rules in Heaven?

Ariel continued, shocking the small Archangel further.

"I will never give you the love I gave her. As the Goddess of Light, her love had no equal and you will never replace it."

That kitsune might have had a point…

Mariel gulped loudly and slowly exhaled as she opened the door to leave.

"…Very well. If that's how you see it, I'll let you rot in this cell since you show no signs of wanting to better yourself."

"And tell your masters that I will never bend the knee!"

"I have no masters, only equals. The only rules are to not trample upon them in exchange to not be trampled over." Her eyes narrowed as she closed the door. She sighed as she came out, Yao waiting to accompany her out. The kitsune had lost her usual smirk and, even if her eyes were closed, Mariel could feel sympathy from her.

"I suppose the results of this exchange were unsatisfactory?"

Mariel nodded. "I'm afraid I will need to come back later to try again to convince her."

Yao bowed. "You are welcomed as often as you need."

As the kitsune escorted her out, Mariel was thinking over what just happened. She would definitively not convince Ariel alone.

And she would definitively not be able to convince the other angels to come back in her fold either.

Maybe the new pope would help her?

Time to get back to San Ilia.

Mariel arrived just in time for the beginning of the ceremony. The streets of San Ilia were absolutely filled with humans, monsters and angels who were shouting acclamations as they all wanted to see the crowning of the new king of San Ilia. A small stage had been installed in front of the forecourt of the castle, and several magic spells were used to display the event on flat surfaces so that even the furthest people could assist to this unique spectacle. The new pope was a clergyman elected by his peers as being the fittest representative among their colleagues to lead the city of San Ilia and direct the faith in Ilias. The man himself looked younger than the now defunct king, but still had white hair and a short, cleaned beard under blue, lively eyes.

A priest was slowly walking up the stairs leading to the stage while holding the royal miter on a cushion to offer it to the new king. Surrounded by several of his peers, the man accepted the crown presented and placed it on his head under thunderous applause.

Mariel herself was right near Chrome near the side border of the stage. If the archangel wasn't fully comfortable with the attention, she could tell that it was a miracle that the necromancer wasn't running away while screaming. The king moved toward them smiling, symbolically shaking the hand of one, then of the other. Once done, he turned back toward the front as he started talking.

"Thank you. Thank you all… You have chosen me as the new representative after the death of my beloved predecessor. While his passing remains a tragedy born from a monster's malice, I do intend to move forward and continue to develop his legacy. Even in this time of fear and doubt, our relations with angels and monsters alike must be fostered to guarantee peace for the generations to come. The actions of one of them should not destroy everyone's future, all the more when they've already been condemned by every other monster who stepped up, from the Monster Lord herself to the lowliest of wanderers without forgetting our own partners."

Chrome was an unusual shade of pink.

"But just like we pardoned angels and monsters, and should she be willing to repent, we should give her the grace of the Goddess of Light and offer her a second chance. Now, I wish to address your concern and tell each and every one of you that we won't merely release a criminal free to do as she wishes. But like all sinners, she should be given an opportunity for pardon, for isn't the Goddess of Light forgiving? Should we remove the right to a future to all those that have made a mistake in their past? Or should we all work together, to forge a new golden age? The ones we treated as a threat to all of humanity are now willing to help us rebuild this city out of their own goodwill, would she be any different?"

Mariel was only distractedly following the speech the pope was giving even as people kept applauding. Her eyes were surveying the crowd with ill intent as she expected to see the now too-frequent white robes worn by the people of the True Faith. She remembered reading that such public speeches were good opportunities for assassinations. But there wasn't a single white robe in the crowd curiously…

…On the scene however…

Mariel's breath grew more erratic as she started to panic. There were so many opportunities, so few True Faith members identified…

Focus. Remain cool-headed, and think of the possible scenarios. Keep your passion for your action.

She then carefully examined the clergymen. None of them wore anything different than usual. Their outfits were decorated depending on their ranks within the church, with the higher ranks one wearing adorned -but not egregious- outfits.

…Why would someone wear a mask alone at a public event? A tradition? Or something else?

Mariel subtly slipped back while keeping an eye on the suspect. So far, there was nothing hinting at a possible attempt on the pope's life. And besides, the new leader was surrounded by royal guards, there were no way someone would make a move on him.

Or was there?

Eventually, she stopped focusing on the suspect and kept an eye on the king entirely. The man was now walking about in the middle of the crowd, still surrounded by his guards. Everybody's attention was focused on him.

So she was surprised when she heard some confused screaming behind her. She turned to see Chrome attempting to back away from the masked man but she was held static by some form of magic. Some priests were apparently fighting to attempt to help the necromancer while some others were holding their fellows back, and guards were trying to separate both groups. Two valkyries guarding the place were too confused as to what to do. Eventually, Mariel stepped forward and summoned a holy light to restrain Chrome's attacker. The attack failed, and as she could hear people starting to panic in the crowd, she could see the necromancer getting terrified. The archangel closed her eyes and felt a blunt shock on her head, followed by the sound of someone falling. It's only when she opened her eyes again that she understood that she had headbutted the attacker.

"Thank you…" Chrome behind her was panting heavily as she was calming down. The archangel's attention focused on the valkyries who were still standing still, too dumbfounded as to what was happening.

"Take him away."

The valkyries didn't move, still paralyzed by the confusion.

"I said bring him in a cell!"

This time the duo of angels obeyed. Just as they lifted him, a sinister laugh echoed at the top of the castle. When Mariel looked up, she saw someone dressed just like the captured man.

"Fools! You are blind! We are the chosen of the goddess and we are many!" The silhouette pointed an accusing finger at Mariel. "Angels! You are led by a criminal who further debased herself with monsters and let the last of the glorious legacy of the Goddess of Light be despoiled! She is not fit to be the leader! Join me where the goddess blessed her heroes, and together we will build a new world!"

The silhouette then disappeared into a pillar of light, at the shock of everyone present.

Mariel looked down and sighed as the situation calmed. A few minutes later, the streets were empty, most troublemakers had been put into jail, and only Chrome and herself were remaining as the king had been brought back into the castle for his safety.

"Are you alright?"

"Yeah… No… I don't know."

Mariel teared up as she looked at the sky. The small necromancer had been the one that nearly got assassinated, and she was the one consoling her right now.

"I really don't know."