Tamamo woke up in the middle of the night as one of the silent alarms in the castle rang off. Someone had teleported from San Ilia without warning. She groaned, and dressed herself in the blink of an eye before grabbing a few talismans. It certainly wasn't an attack, but she preferred to be ready just in case, and besides, the reason for the unannounced visitation could be a new cause for concern. And, even besides all that, she would likely have to free whoever teleported from the few traps she had deployed there.

And that's if she was the first to arrive to them. She had no idea how Hiruko was doing, and the scylla could very well decide to hunt for a midnight snack even if she was apparently restraining herself. Her step unconsciously gained a little in pacing. She arrived in the designed teleportation room to see three priests of San Ilia buried up to their neck in the ground. The men were apparently trying to struggle out of their hole, and stopped to look down awkwardly when they noticed her. She hid her expression behind her fan.

"Greetings. I apologize for the harsh welcome, but would you care to explain this unannounced intrusion?"

"Well, we…"

Another priest cleared his throat more loudly to interrupt his partner. "We had come here to deliver information about some discoveries concerning the recent investigations about the Ancestor, and had come to deliver them. However-"

"You should have sent a magic missive just like you always do. Chrome and Mariel do that, and I'm sure the new pope got the information too…"

The man fell silent, and Tamamo could tell by his flushing face that he was lying through his teeth.

"Now, I do not wish to harm you, not in the least because we're currently allied to build a better future for everyone, but my patience is wearing thin and I do want to know why you decided to barge in our castle like that."

"Well, you see…"

"LALALALA WE CAN'T HEAR YOU SPEAK UP OR DON'T NOBODY CARE!"

The third priest who had remained silent was looking down in shame. Tamamo realized that the man was mute, so she definitively wouldn't get anything from him.

"We're caught! We can as well tell everything!"

"DON'T CARE DON'T CARE DON'T CARE!"

Tamamo's eyes glowed shortly, and the duo was now completely under her thumb. "I should have started by that… Now, why are you here?"

"I want to get sucked dry by that Minagi succubus!"

"Me too! Me too! I want her to ride me to oblivion, take me into every position, reduce me into dry fish as I beg her!"

Tamamo went wide-eyed and examined the trio: There was no influence over them but her own, so it was their real selves speaking. That… Would require a careful discussion with the human lords. Feeling light-headed, she left the room to be greeted by the welcome sight of Yao and Nanabi. Her two lieutenants looked passably concerned for their superior.

"Please clear their memories and send them back. I… Have some thinking to do."

Tamamo returned to her room and laid down in an attempt to rest, but sleep refused to come to her. Her mind was simply saturated with the problems directly and indirectly brought on by her sisters: Kanon was as stubborn as ever, Kanade's plans for the future were praiseworthy but her sheer hunger was currently a problem, Minagi was reveling in her mischief and the aftermath of her lust, and while Hiruko was apparently just as willing to serve the Monster Lord as in the past, her childish bouts could be dangerous… And that was not even taking their demands into consideration. So far, her sisters were the losers, but they still had to be placated with offerings to behave themselves, even if it was for "the benefit of everyone."

She got up and sat at her small desk. She needed to think how to present it to Luka and Alice under a better light. The couple was also a source of concern, as the hero had nearly died because of the holy corrosion born from dealing consecutively with three of her sisters. Theoretically, it wouldn't be an issue again as there was only one Ancestor remaining, but Saja could push him to the brink in their fight alone. And he was probably right when he thought Alice would become overprotective.

At least there were no echoes of fighting. Maybe they made up… Or maybe it ended up being the worst case scenario with her swallowing her husband in a bout of fear.

Tamamo shook her head to clear that mental image. Even if lamias could be scarily possessive and Monster Lords were on a league of their own, she had raised Alice better than that.

Focus. Focus… Do not let Luka's effort to get your sisters under control go to waste… You owe him that much.

She took another look at Hiruko's demands and Minagi's plans. Now… How to sell those as projects to reinforce the bonds between humans and monsters?

Luka woke up with the sensation of his chest being compressed and his body threatening to be crushed. Reflexively, he started struggling to free himself of whatever was imprisoning him until he heard a groan.

"Mmh? Sheesh, you're quite lively this morning, maybe I should wear you down a little..."

He felt the pressure decrease as Alice freed him from her coils. Her small smile soured slightly when she saw Luka panting in panic. "Are you alright? It looks like you saw a ghost…"

"Sorry… It just… I thought I was about to be crushed."

"Mmh. I might have hugged you a little bit too tightly this night… I didn't hurt you, did I?"

"No, no, of course not… Still… That was scary."

Alice sighed. "I'm the one who should apologize… I just felt a bit concerned for your health. Your body seems… Different since yesterday."

"I noticed, but I still feel fine and can't really notice the difference."

Alice frowned. "What did… she do to you?"

"I don't know. I'll just ask her."

"Right, because she's completely going to be honest with us." Alice looked at the ceiling and dramatically exhaled. "I'm hungry anyway, let's get ready for breakfast."

Luka shrugged, and then dressed himself up. He crossed his fingers that Saja wouldn't show up anytime soon. Even if his body was now fine, he really needed to recover from his latest emotions. He shivered reflexively, and nervously checked his neck, almost feeling the organ that Hiruko had used on him.

A few minutes later, the couple was making its way to the dining room. They were greeted by the sight of a messy Tamamo, who was distractedly chewing on a cube of thin fried tofu while reading notes.

"Greetings Tamamo. You're up early."

Tamamo swallowed her bite and shrugged. "Let's go with that. The night has been short and… Eat first. There are a few things we need to discuss later."

Alice nodded and instantly grabbed a large platter of fruits and pastries to gorge herself. Luka himself ate only lightly, his stomach churning in stress. Eventually, he decided to let the cat out of the bag.

"Tamamo?"

"Mmmh?"

"I wonder… Do you know what… your sister did to me to clear holy energy from my body?"

The answer came from an uncomfortably close childish voice behind him.

"I basically had to keep replacing the contaminated cells from your neck until the corrosion was reduced to a benign state."

Luka jumped in surprise while Alice interposed herself between him and Hiruko. The scylla Ancestor smiled and curtsied.

"At the service of the descendant of her majesty… Now I apologize, but I shall return to work on the castle's chimeras."

She sauntered away while humming to herself.

Alice glared at Tamamo. "What was she doing here? I expected that you would have kept an eye on her."

The kitsune shrugged. "She's taken back her role as responsible of the servants of the Monster Lord's Castle, just like she was under the Dark Goddess."

"And you let her?" Alice eyed the food that was served with suspicion.

"I wouldn't have if there was the smallest risk, and poisoning the food is the last thing she would do. She has standards. Discordant, dissonant and whimsical standards, but she won't try harming your or Luka from now on."

Alice crossed her arms under her chest while her tail shook threateningly. "Does not harming mean she will also not attempt to molest him?"

Tamamo grimaced. "No, but the busier she is, the less she will consider it. And I intend to make sure her limbs are full for the next twenty years… Besides, I have a solution that would help us in that regard and fill a large number of goals."

"And what is this oh so marvelous solution that could placate that bunch of horny nymphomaniac demi-goddesses that make for your dear sisters?"

Tamamo remembered Hiruko's list of requests. This one would definitively pass better if the idea apparently came from her.

"Bringing humans to the castle."

Alice completely froze while Luka almost choked on a cherry.

"…What? I mean, Why?"

"With the spread of co-existence through the world, Hellgondo is the only region where neither humans nor angels are living -Luka is a nephilim as well as a legend, too far from the common folk, so he doesn't really count-. Having humans travel or live there would demystify the shadow-covered, ominous Monster Lord's Castle."

"The castle is not covered in shadows… But yes, I see what you mean. Although I'm not sure they would mingle just fine with the residents. We're bound to get some friction."

"Not more than usual… And besides, with more humans around, they would stop hitting on Luka."

The Monster Lord suddenly seemed way more receptive at Tamamo's idea.

"Still… Not everyone can come in. We want to keep conflicts at a minimum."

"Of course not, we'll do some selection. But having a few male servants, artists and visitors around will definitively help alleviate some of the tension that keeps building in the local inhabitants as they fill that one craving."

Alice released a long, drawn-out sigh.

"I'm reigning over a bunch of perverts."

The kitsune maliciously smirked. "You only realize it today?"

"It's fine for humans then… As for angels, I don't know if it will be possible... Unless… Weren't there two of them brought by Minagi?"

Tamamo nodded. "Endiel is quite open-minded, and Vale -the valkyrie-, is currently in need of a new home. I'm sure they'll be happy to live there. At least, for a time."

"In that case… We'll discuss it a bit more later, but that might be a good idea to fully welcome them. In the meantime, if you would please get Hiruko under control." Alice shivered.

Tamamo chuckled back. "What, you're afraid of her?"

"Of course I am! I can't detect her! And she apparently loves to sneak on people to surprise them! She's like those childish pranksters that make for your kin!"

"Then invest in kotatsus. One for each common room."

Alice looked interrogatively at Tamamo.

"I'm serious! She may not look like it, but she adores enclosed, confined spaces. If she's in a room and there's a kotatsu, you can be sure she will be under!"

"…Then do it immediately." Alice mumbled under her breath. "Even if I currently feel that we're bowing to every one of your sisters' whim, I'd at least be a little comfortable if we can track her that easily."

Tamamo nodded, silently agreeing.

"About that, should we check on Kanade and Erubetie? I'm a bit concerned about what the former is currently doing to Grand Noah?"

"Breakfast first… Where are the apples?"

"I already ate them all."

"There were twenty of them! And you ate the stems too?!"

"I was very hungry." Alice caressed her stomach.

Tamamo shook her head disapprovingly and got up, while Luka started chewing a little bit faster on his meal in fear that his wife would try to eat it first.

"I'll start the observation spell in the throne room. Join me when you're finished."

Sitting in her office, the Grand Noah queen was nervously fiddling with a plume as she read the latest report. Sitting in front of her, Erubetie was apologetically looking at the ground.

"This is… I have no words to describe what's happening right now in regard to that issue."

"I sincerely apologize for putting you in this predicament."

The queen made a dismissive gesture. "You don't have to. You're not responsible in any way for the issue at hand. I have no doubt you, your colleagues and your lord are doing the utmost effort to keep the threat represented by the Ancestors at a minimal. We managed to avoid a frontal fight with her, and the more time passes the more I can confirm that it was indeed the right choice."

The Grand Noah queen pulled out a sheet with a picture of Kanade and some information about the Ancestor.

"The blame of the situation doesn't even fully falls on her shoulders. Her boundless hunger cannot even be considered the root cause of the issue. She… merely relishes in her hunger, nothing more. She didn't kill anyone, men are going to her of her own accord, and she simply gives them pleasure in exchange for the food they provide her."

She got up with a sigh and took a moment to look at the city through the window. It might only be her imagination, but the streets seemed unusually empty, less active than usual. The absence of a hundred men amongst the tens of thousands of inhabitants wasn't a dramatic change -although it created a few unexpected slow-downs in several activities, as Grand Noah could use a new smith-. Erubetie joined her.

"The blame lies solely on the perverted nature of the men involved. Granted, several good things came out from it. The pollution in Grand Noah had never been so low since the beginning of my reign, the streets never were so clean, and the unemployment has never been so low." She mumbled under her breath. "And the fights in the colosseum so depraved. Even Kyuba- no, Alma Elma's own games were sober compared to that. And even if Kanade didn't show in from time to time, the public would ask for more sex on the scene."

Erubetie silently nodded in agreement. "Still… She's… Slightly cumbersome. She did turn Undine's Spring in her own den of iniquities."

"But as long as the whole of Noah region is doing fine, we should certainly not antagonize her… So far, our biggest issue is a few couple of conflicts, but this is their own fights, not ours. Kanade has merely been a catalyst."

"I just wish my Ancestor had been a little more reasonable. I try to nudge her, but she seems unable to change her habits."

"On that matter, what are the news with the other Ancestors? I only heard confused reports from San Ilia and Sabasa…"

"Well…" Erubetie explained her the situation. So far, both of them were under control and one was apparently even willing to help them, while the others had... interesting projects.

"So only one of them is remaining out there… Saja, was it?"

"Tamamo told us that she expected to barge in and challenge the hero, but we saw no signs from her either. We were told that she was quite frontal, and yet… We have no idea what is she doing."

"No use crying over a cloud that may or may not rain on our parade… Do you think we can get her sisters to rein Kanade's appetites in if ever a little?"

Erubetie shook her head negatively.

"Figures… In that case, let's see how we can offer an environmental protection program for the other regions, since the goal to give back Undine's Spring to the slime race has a limited success…"

"At least, the place is clean… Not that it matters anymore." Erubetie sighed. "I really hope that we will convince the other kingdoms of the interest of taking care of their environment… And that I will be able to create at least another sanctum for my kin."

The slime queen froze as soon as she finished her sentence.

"Is there an issue? I'm pretty sure everybody else would gladly follow your advices, either to improve their living conditions, or, barring that, to welcome the Ancestor…"

"There are no issues. I simply forgot by which one I could start easily…"

"Aaaaand there! Now ready to go again!"

Hiruko moved back from the Giganto weapon. The large chimera didn't show any signs of life, her head limply hanging down. She could now fully show her craft to Tamamo and discuss in little more details what that whole deal with those scientist's chimeras was about. Her tentacles swung around a little in anticipation as she imagined what she could learn and do about them…

However, her sister had also precisely told her that she couldn't create chimeras yet, and that her Old Ones were out of question. Granted, considering how the latter were always hungry for anything and everything, she did understand Tamamo's rational decision.

She shrugged. There was no point crying over spilled milk. She looked at the large, mostly empty room around her and slightly shivered. She really hoped that Tamamo would access her requests. This room could definitively use some furniture as well as one or two human servants. She could take care of them.

The Ancestor of scylla stretched herself, several tentacles cropping up from under her skirt before disappearing. In the meantime… She could check on her sisters.

She locked the lab that now made for her workshop and started happily sauntering around as she made her way to the guest rooms, with every monster she met on her way more-or-less subtly stepping out of her path. Eventually, she reached the richly decorated door of the most luxurious guest room and knocked. An unusually moribund voice answered her from the other side.

"…What is it?"

"Room service!"

"...Come in."

Hiruko opened the door and was instantly assailed by the aura that was permeating the room, making her recoil and grimace slightly.

"Geeze, couldn't you vent the place from time to time? Use your wind skills, I don't know!"

Minagi herself was lying on her bed her face buried in a pillow. "I'm bored. What do you want?"

Simultaneously, her small black goat slowly strolled toward Hiruko, sniffed her a few times, and then ran in a panic to hide behind the nightstand, knocking a glass from it in the process. A tentacle caught the dish in the blink of an eye and delicately placed it back even as none of the monster looked at the scene.

"Awww, Tamamo still doesn't want you to roam around?"

Minagi sighed and turned on her back to look at the ceiling. "No… And my cute little daughters are now under the supervision of the Succubus Queen in Succubus Village to get taught about responsibilities…"

"I wonder why the Monster Lord and Tamamo keep treating you and your daughters like capricious children that will screw the world?"

"Because we did? I mean I got several people killed a first time, then my cute little daughters tried to make a grab for the throne, then I threatened the whole of San Ilia with a spell after having my way with the pope until he died… That's quite a lot for them."

"Ooohh, true… Then I wonder why they weren't harsher with me?"

"You only killed a few of their enemies. You played only one game with the hero and called it quits. Then you saved his life afterward. In their books, it evens out."

"…Fair point."

The succubus started pouting again. Hiruko decided to try to cheer her up.

"But if that makes it better, I heard that Tamamo was considering the idea to push forward your little project of dens of pleasure. That miiight be because she caught a few priests wanting to get a taste from your skills."

Minagi chuckled and smiled.

"I won't ask you to convince them I will behave, but please try to support that idea too. I'm sure you will enjoy it just as well…"

Hiruko nodded with a smile. "I considered playing pranks in the sea… It can be just as fun to see those sailors getting confused." Her expression turned slightly more serious. "But I have some work first, and I really want to show them my best."

"Then please diligently serve the Monster Lord and her friends. The better we act, the more freedom we'll be allowed to have."

Hiruko giggled and smiled, her expression stretching uncannily too much for a moment before turning back to more human proportions.

"Well… I'm out! Unless you want some additional service, that is…"

"No, please try taking care of this dogged bulb that makes for Kanon."

Hiruko curtsied on her way out, and closed the door as she left.

She sauntered once more as she made her way to the prison, and saw an unenthusiastic scylla wearing an apron waiting at the entrance of one of the cells.

"I'll take care of it!"

The scylla slowly raised half-closed eyes toward the newcomer.

"Mmh? Oh, sorry, but as the royal gardener Cecalia, taking care of her is my duty… Even if I abhor her."

Hiruko leaned in closer, her face almost touching the other scylla's as the latter uncomfortably remained still.

"Wait… Cecalia… You've got the same name as my third child… And your family always served the Monster Lord? So you're my direct descendant!"

"And you are…" The gardener went wide-eyed and stepped back as if she was struck. She bowed down in front of Hiruko, her tentacles trembling in a panic.

"Please my lord I apologize I will let you do as you wish please don't hurt me I will obey every one of your order."

Hiruko smirked slightly, surprised by the behavior of the gardener.

"Awww, don't worry. I just want to take care of Kanon and have a little chat with her… Why don't you go relax in the hot springs?"

"I will please feel free to use my mediocre tools…"

The scylla turned her back and left in a hurry, gliding at a relatively high speed before suddenly stopping, turning back, bowing, and resuming her escape, leaving behind a still stunned Hiruko.

"…Is it something I did? Whatever…"

Hiruko grabbed the gardening tools and entered the cell, her eyes instantly fixing themselves on the large bulb on the ground.

"And here comes my tortureeoooh… Don't tell me you submitted to them too…"

"What?" A tentacle closed and locked the door as she got closer to Kanon while checking her tools. "The hero beat me, and I'm just asked to serve the descendant of the Dark Goddess with my skills… Where's the issue?"

"That you're submitting! Seriously?! We're the Ancestors! They're our enemy-"

"They're not." Hiruko subtly started trimming the large vines that had sprouted around.

"Don't be ridiculous! They're oppressing us with their ridiculous laws to protect humanity and angels! We should be free to feed on them as we wish, not constrained by silly rules from a Monster Lord influenced by a hero of Ilias!"

"Stubborn as ever…"

"Don't tell me you wouldn't enjoy it… Their scream of anguished ecstasy, the feeling of their flesh dissolving as they feed you while crawling around…"

"I would, buuuut… I took a moment to think that out and-"

Kanon was shaken by a spasm, making Hiruko recoil in surprise.

"Sorry. Please continue, and be done with it fast."

"I'm curious as to how humans are going to turn out. Between their latest progress in science and the absence of Ilias, they're bound to evolve and let their creativity explode… I'm also probably going to work a lot more with that alchemist since we'll both work on those chimeras left behind by that angel…" Hiruko smiled as she continued harvesting some flowers from Kanon's vines. "I think I can hold my hunger back a little. I'm curious as to how they'll do on the long term, and I want to play with the toys they will come up with."

This time, Kanon remained silent, unable to come out with a retort and letting Hiruko finish her job.

"Aaaand, all done." She took the last fruits and placed them in a basket. "By the way, can you please not shout on my granddaughter when she comes to take care of you? She's only serving."

"…Maybe. I don't know. See you later."

Hiruko shrugged her sister's behavior and left the cell. If her older sister wanted to be unhappy in her corner, that was her own problem. As far as she was concerned, that world was almost perfect, ripe for the opportunity of change and filled with curious peoples wanting to further explore and transform what it offered.

Her body reminded her however that there was still a little problem, however, as she felt a primal hunger rise through. Granted, she could control her most dangerous appetite, but she would need a few partners to sate her current issue. She whined.

"I really need a maaaan… Or ten for that matter... How is Tamamo doing without human servants around? Guess I'll ask her…"

Basket under her arm, the Ancestor made her way to her sister's room. She pouted when she realized that the kitsune was missing, and instead got to the throne room to see Tamamo discussing with a Monster Lord who was wallowed on her throne. The latter stood at the ready when Hiruko entered the room, which attracted Tamamo's attention.

"I'm bringing you Kanon's bounty!" She enthusiastically held out the basket toward Tamamo, who accepted it while still slightly shocked.

"Thank you… Do you need anything else?"

"Actually I wanted to know… How do you keep yourself satisfied without men around?"

"This… Is not a subject I expected you to bring up…" Tamamo awkwardly turned away and pulled her fan out. "But simply put, I travel regularly to Yamatai and get worshipped there, and- are you even listening?"

Hiruko was leaning uncomfortably closely toward a passably scared Alice, whose attempt to retreat was blocked by the back of the throne. The Monster Lord gulped loudly as the scylla was closely staring at her.

"Tamamoooo…?"

"You didn't even switch race once? It must be boring to always be a lamia…"

"Switch what- what does she even mean?"

Tamamo sighed.

"Please keep your head on your shoulder and respect proper etiquette... Not everybody has mother's nerves."

"Oh, sorry…" Hiruko smiled awkwardly as she moved back, which actually didn't reassure Alice in the slightest.

"And most Monster Lords prefer sticking to one race anyway, with one grim exception… Anyway, I didn't have the time to teach her how to control these genes on that level."

Hiruko looked at Tamamo while pointing at Alice. "Oooh, Can I teach her? Can I, please?"

Alice shook her head negatively while mouthing her refusal.

"…Maybe later. She's pregnant and I don't think it would be the best of time. Besides, you have work."

Hiruko pouted and whined.

"Alright… We'll see."

"YEEEEES!"

Rika examined the first item produced by the newest smith. The sword in itself was of good quality, but could best be described as… bland. It was produced by someone who could do great, but only put minimal effort. It was the exact opposite of the younger dragonkin's work: While the motivation of the small bandit was visible in her efforts even if she still lacked technique, this one had the technique born from centuries of practice but not the fire.

The large dragon looked at the valkyrie, who was half wallowed on a bench. The latter had joined the Monster Lord's Castle recently, and Tamamo had told her in no uncertain term that she could prove difficult as her presence came more from the need for a new home after banishment than from motivation. It was clear that the angel was seeing working there as punishment rather than as an opportunity to start again.

"The craftsmanship is good and we can tell your experience, however… I can't see the mark of your passion."

The valkyrie didn't answer and Rika felt stupid for stating the obvious. She considered a new way to make her react.

"If you put some spirit into your work, it would likely overtake mine."

Still no reaction. The dragon sighed and instead focused on the presences arriving at the entrance. She saw Salamander arrive with Papi, and the latter looked as enthusiastic as usual.

"Greetings Salamander. Hello Papi. Granberia isn't here?"

Salamander grimaced. "She's still busy helping the Gold guards. The region is more chaotic than ever with the Spider Clan collapsing, and several other predatory monsters are joining the mess just to try to get their hands or tentacles on the local humans."

"There are still monsters attacking humans?"

Rika was surprised by the valkyrie finally opening her mouth after so much time spent in silence. Before she recovered her spirit, Salamander explained.

"As usual, there are still monsters that are displeased with the Monster Lord's pacifist ways. The Spider Clan as a whole is a large group of them, and we regularly have to rein the most extreme elements in. And with the damage Grangold has taken during this year… They need every bit of help they can afford… Training, weapons, reinforcement, you name it, they need it."

"Then let's give them more."

Vale got up with an unusual look of determination in her eyes, surprising Rika. In the meantime, Papi started working on a weapon on her own, and after a few minutes, the room was filled with metallic echoes as both of them started striking their work into shape.

"It looks like Tamamo might have overdramatized that valkyrie…"

Rika shook her head negatively. "She didn't… I swear, before you arrived, she was as responsive as a log."

Salamander frowned. "Are you serious? What happened?"

Rika glanced at the valkyrie. The latter was striking a blade with an hammer, and sparks were flying in every direction as she put every bit of effort into her strikes, sweat rolling from her body as her muscles tensed under the effort.

"…I can only guess that she feels she has a purpose."