Nabisu, the nurse succubus was slowly strolling through a dark room filled with mostly empty beds with a frown on her face. She had joined Morrigan's small entreprise, The Night Flower with an enticing contract: She would be free to enjoy the accommodations of the place as much as she wished under the condition that she took care of the more exhausted clients who enjoyed the more advanced services the place provided to make sure that they weren't at risk, and -Morrigan had made it clear that this next point was the most important- that she kept silent about the identities of all those involved.

And at first, she was the clear winner of their arrangement. She got to enjoy a room fitting for a queen with an extremely comfortable bed, some of the most sumptuous meals out of what was offered in the Pocket Castle, and the company of travelers as they came and went. She only had to put her nurse skills to the use on very sparse occasion, and in most case, simply administering her patients some recovery medicine was enough to make them recover from their overexertion. She could even use the occasion to admonish them on the risk of getting with a partner's beyond one's limit.

Of course, like all good things, it didn't last very long. A few of those infamous otherworldly Nightmares had joined not so long later, and while they weren't acting maliciously, (or at least, more maliciously than any other succubus would), they often brought their game of pleasure further than other, which regularly put their partners at risk. The nurse succubus soon found herself with her hands getting fuller by the day, and while she still got to enjoy the comfort of her room and a good meal on a regular basis, getting herself some pleasant company for the evening became a luxury. Granted, she was still far from being frustrated, and she even appreciated those moments more than what she used to…

And then Morrigan's sisters showed up. Even if The Night Flower mostly counted residents of the Pocket Castle, it still remained open for everyone, and since the blue-haired succubus was the main financial backer, it was natural for her to invite her sisters. This didn't prevent concerned whispers to be shared amongst everyone, as while Morrigan had mellowed out a good deal during her stay with the hero and his companions, her sisters looked as vicious as ever. The only thing Nabisu knew is that she had invited them for a "friendly" meal.

"Oh… ooohh…"

"Ggghhh…"

The two men were now lying on a bed in front of her after she personally recovered them from their room once their tormentors were done with them. One of them was a slender, almost effeminate black-haired monk she knew was named Hakunen, while the latter was a young man she remembered as Lest. While the former was only showing signs of a high level of Critical Ecstasy state that only an extremely powerful succubus could inflict, the latter one was also heavily bruised, and the furniture of the room she recovered him from had been almost reduced to splinters.

She would definitively not give these two a lecture about carefully choosing their partner. The most she could do right now was carefully giving them the most powerful recovery medicine she had in her pharmacies, and hope that her own silence would be enough to prevent the incident from being known, as it would definitively be the source of yet another violent conflict within the hero's army.

As she started walking away from the two exhausted men, Nabisu took one last concerned look at them. What kind of spells the succubi used to entrap these men and lure them to their story state? While the caring part of her was concerned by the fate of their future victims, the succubus part of her got jealous that these legendary succubi claimed those men with such ease when everyone else had been fighting one another over them. The two winners weren't even member of the hero's party. Each time she looked at them, she felt her face flush slightly in desire and wanted to claim them herself right now. She shook her head in a mix of shame and disappointment: They were too exhausted right now to be able to fully appreciate anything, and she might even run the risk of killing them if she was careless…

Eventually she left them alone for good, if only to let them get the rest they deserved.

"Princess Litia… I'm sorry…"

Lest himself wanted to use his pillow to smother himself in shame: when the Pocket Castle fell apart, the legendary swordsman had initially taken residence in Grangold to keep an eye on Musette. Even if the White-Winged demon had supposedly settled down, the hero remained more than wary of her and had stuck to his self-affected duty of making sure the demon wouldn't act up again. Eventually, between the lack of activity and the extra presence sent with the same purpose, he took the opportunity to travel this world and learn more about it, sometimes alone, sometimes with other heroes. He had travelled to the far off cities of Sabasa and Yamatai, enjoyed the sight of the white spires of San Ilia, and eventually ended up sticking with Hakunen who also wanted to travel to Iliasburg.

Naturally, during all this time, his mind was still occasionally drifting on his home and on the princess Litia who was certainly waiting for his heroic return. He tried to avoid focusing too much on her, as it wasn't even clear if he would be able to come back to his home, no matter the effort some of the greatest magi dedicated to helping them… And even then, this world was clearly in need of additional heroes like him. And last, even besides all that, he had learned to take comfort in the presence of the other heroes that shared his predicament, and the locals themselves were more than grateful themselves for any help the heroes offered.

So when a worried Rabbit Girl had asked for their help because the benefactor of a local inn had family that was supposed to come soon, the duo had gladly stepped in and left on the road in hope of helping them join the city safely.

This had proved to be a grave mistake.

When they got on the road, both Lest and Hakunen were pretty confident. Most monsters on this continent were weak and relented in their advance as soon as one of the heroes frowned. Their confidence got slightly challenged when they felt these presences even before they could see them amongst this forested path. And as they progressed, they heard a few words being exchanged between two voices that sounded somehow familiar.

"Don't tell me this isn't a missed opportunity… One of those Seven Heroes gave us the slip with that flashy tool of his, and just by magic, one more is going to appear like that?"

"Of course not, I don't imagine it happening myself anytime soon. Focus on what Morrigan prepared for us instead: if she thought it was worthy of our attention, then it will certainly be a welcome surprise. I mean, I'm sure it will compensate-"

This was at this precise moment that the duo almost ran into them. The duo of powerful succubi had been just as surprised if them freezing in shock at the same time was any indication.

Then the monsters recovered and both of them showed off what might have been the single most terrifying grin Lest had seen in this life.

What happened afterward was a blur. The almighty swordsman remembered just being to pull his sword from its sheet before the red-haired one was on top of him. He managed to launch a dashing counter-attack that took her by surprise, but it hadn't been enough to knock her out and the two rapidly exchanged a series of savage blows, the succubus determined to get her prey while he himself wanted nothing more than to remain alive and unmolested.

During that fight, he had afforded to spare a single thought about Hakunen's fate. His opponent had exploited the opportunity to use a body-crippling spell that affected him. The next thing he remembered happening was one he definitively wished to forget. Fortunately, some other monsters were now taking care of him, and he could no longer feel any sign of the terrifying presence that had pinned him into place not so long ago.

"How can this world survive with demons worse than Musette…"

Lest tossed around in an attempt to clear his mind of the vision of hell he had escaped (or was he free because his tormentor had let go of him? He couldn't tell), and for his effort he got rewarded with a powerful ache blowing through his body while he barely managed to turn toward a still-unconscious Hakunen. The young monk was sleeping, or maybe unconscious, he couldn't really tell as his eyes were closed. Only his chest rising and falling periodically confirmed anyone that he was breathing and still alive. As he entertained the idea of leaving, the almighty swordsman felt himself waver when he tried to return in a more comfortable position: he was still utterly exhausted. He eventually decided that there would be no harm in resting there a little more first.

And then, he would return on the road. If demons like those were roaming freely, then it was clear that this world needed even more help than he could possible understand.

The sun was high when Hakunen and Lest finally managed to get up of their torpor. They tried interrogating the bunny girl they saw the day before about the demons they ended up facing, but she remained extremely evasive when they asked her, and the other client or workers were just as silent about the matter. Eventually, Hakunen remembered what his mentor told him about her own experience in this world.

"I heard Lady Magatsu says that she was able to get some help in a place called Succubus Village in the past… Maybe they'll know something there?"

Lest nodded in agreement. He knew that at least one of his fellow heroes had decided to rest in this village, so the residents would probably help them as well. Hakunen grabbed a harpy feather, and, the next instant, the group disappeared from the paved street of Iliasburg to find themselves in a middle of grasslands, not far from the village that made for their destination. At first, both heroes entered the village without much more care than that. However, as they progressed through its streets, both of them grew uncomfortable: Succubi and humans were energetically going at their favorite activities in the middle of the streets, their moans reaching the ears of the two young men who had difficulties not stumbling into one of the numerous groups indulging themselves in their base desires in an indecent fashion. By the time they reached the house of the mayor, both of them were red as tomatoes and moving stiffly.

"…Let's ask them and leave directly afterward. We don't want to disturb them."

Lest nodded even as they were greeted by the sight of the scantily clad mayor of the village. Her figure only partly covered by a rubber-like substance that was highlighting her intimacy as much as it was hiding it, and the blush that had appeared on the faces of the heroes didn't falter in the slightest.

"Oh. If these aren't two of the legendary heroes of the Seven Worlds…" The succubus offered a gentle smile, which didn't reassure the two heroes much. "What can I do for you?"

The two men awkwardly stuttered for a few seconds before the scent covering them reached her nostrils. She frowned, and snapped her fingers. Right afterward, her soothsayer friend appeared by her side, making both heroes stop talking and recoil slightly in surprise.

"Mmmh…"

The succubus witch lifted a hand to her chin as she examined them. After a few seconds, she sighed and took her hat off.

"…It looks like you had a pretty bad run-in with some of the more dangerous members of our kin. How can we make it up to you?"

Hakunen stammered a few more incomprehensible words before finally being able to talk clearly.

"…Nothing, we were just wondering who they were. They somehow looked familiar, but…"

Witch looked down. "They're the two older Lilith Sisters. They're ancient, infamously powerful succubi that suck everyone they come across dry. Sometimes they help us, sometimes we lock horns with them, they're… quite fickle."

Hakunen gasped in shock as a memory crossed his mind. "They're the one who stepped in during our assault on the Château des Romances!"

The succubus soothsayer nodded in agreement even as her expression remained morose while she talked in a low voice, almost muttering to herself. "Yes… I suppose they were visiting their dear little sister…" She looked up to the heroes. "We apologize for the inconvenience they caused you. They're not representative of modern succubi living in this village. We'll make it up to you any way we can."

"Oh, it was nothing, we were just worried that more monsters like them were threatening the villagers." Hakunen's relief was filtering through his voice. "You don't need to do anything for us."

"Really? It's a shame, because we had good ideas… You would definitively appreciate the hospitality our village can offer."

Witch licked her lips while her friend walked toward the duo while exaggeratingly swaying her hips.

A crashing noise made Lest turn his head away, and he could already see Hakunen running toward the horizon through the doors the monk had opened in his escape.

"Hey! Wait for me!"

"Get him!"

Lest unsheathed his sword as he started running away. The hero didn't want to wound anyone in this attack, but he didn't want to get pinned again either. He cursed once again his bad luck with succubi and countered Succubus' first attempt to grab him with a rapid slash that caught her off-guard. Several more scantily clad demons attempted to get a hold on him as well, but he successfully pushed them back as well in a series of counters that kept them at bay. As several more showed up in front of him, he suddenly felt a surge of energy through his body and started running even faster. A few of the succubi turned their attention toward Hakunen who had returned closer to give a hand to his companion before running away again. Lest appreciated the support and ran even faster, reaching a superhuman level as he exited the village. The two men ran for a few more minutes before they finally stopped, not tired in the slightest.

"Why do they keep coming after us? It's almost like we're the only men in this world…"

Lest scratched the back of his neck. "I had the same issue back home. I was regularly challenged because of my popularity. And sometimes simply because I had an interest in the princess Litia…"

"Yes, but here…" Hakunen started blushing while stuttering. "They're more interested in something else… They're reminding me of the yokai on the mountain of Mahoroba trying to jump me at every opportunity."

Lest himself turned red. "I guess these are cultural differences."

Of course, it wasn't actually so different back where he came from. Most women he fought didn't hesitate to hit on him or expose themselves in so many attempts to break his concentration. As his mind drifted toward memories of his home, he remembered that he wasn't the sole resident of his world who got teleported there. Even if he thought that the other friends of the hero would keep her under control, he

"I must check on Musette and make sure that she doesn't act up again."

Hakunen recovered his composure, becoming determined again. He himself had heard rumors that Daimyokai had somehow associated with Musette and her goons. As he had no way to contact his master, he decided that it was his responsibility to take care of the self-proclaimed Great Yokai Hunter. By a spell of fortune, he had heard that she had recently been seen fighting close to his current location on a regular basis.

The young monk let his senses guide him as he searched for anything that he could affiliate with Daimyokai's presence. Even after a long hour of examination, the only thing he could feel around him was the scent left by the passage of a large number of succubi, which wasn't surprising considering the proximity of the village carrying the namesake. However, the more he examined these traces, the clearer it became they were not the same type of succubi, and their trail didn't point in the direction of the village. Instead, it looked like they were themselves looking for something else entirely.

And indeed, after a few more minutes of fruitless search, the duo almost fell on them. This time, however, the succubi hadn't noticed them before they did. As he hid himself behind a tree, Lest examined them: There were eight of them, and -he breathed in relief- none of them were Nightmares. Instead, they looked like the strong martial artists that came from this world. While the succubi were seemingly walking in random directions, they all harbored a look of grim determination: they were not just raiding the route in hope of getting a man, they were looking for something close by. Some of them were periodically groaning or whistling, which aggravated some others.

"Hey! Be quiet! This is getting aggravating!"

Her partner answered with a shrug. "Whatever. I'm getting bored… What makes you think that this damn Daji is around, waiting to be picked like and crushed like a flower?"

"I have a friend in Succubus Village who saw her restrained at the entrance a few days back. She was accompanied by those sorry excuses of Heavenly Knights."

The other succubus threw her arms up. "If Tamamo got her, there's no telling where she can be after so long… For all we know, they're having a dick-measuring contest of who's been the most devious in their past around a cup of tea while watching and laughing at us."

The first demon snapped back. "What do you want to do instead?! Give up an opportunity to show those dumbasses that we're a force to be reckoned with?!"

"Relaaax, I'm simply saying that maybe we should score a few men to calm ourselves first. And besides, if that small scrap is also around her, we'll need to be well-rested, she won't go down without a fight, after all."

The succubus groaned, but relented. "Yeah. You're right, I guess. Let's wait for the next men passing around here. Once done, we'll just have to throw'em in the ditch."

Both Lest and Hakunen frowned. It was out of question to let those monsters do as they wished at the cost of the life of other people. The two heroes revealed themselves, ready to fight the succubi.

"We won't let you ruin more lives!"

The pack of monsters turned around in surprise before one of the succubi snorted.

"It looks like we won't even have to wait… The one who knock them out gets first turn!"

All the succubi were looking at them lecherously, save for one who looked concerned.

"Wait, aren't those two part of the Legendary Heroes of the Seven Worlds?"

"Pfff… Those two are pushovers. It will be over in a minute…"

Lest could feel his face redden slightly in shame, but he remained steady. A first duo of succubi nonchalantly approached them, and when one of them was in arm's reach, the sex fiend attempted to grab him. The blade of the hero in his hand seemed to blink as he countered her attempt with a rapid slash, catching her completely off-guard as a large gash appeared on her arm. At the same time, the one that attempted to grab Hakunen had been caught in a reversal before being thrown in a tree by the young monk. The six remaining ones were all stunned by this unexpected development.

"I thought they were pushovers?"

"It doesn't matter, grab them!"

They all rushed the heroes simultaneously in an attempt to overwhelm them through raw numbers. Hakunen threw a salvo of leg-binding talismans which made a few of them stumble before Lest countered the first one that reached them in a lighting-fast sword flash. Another one tried to grab him only to be punched back by Hakunen in an explosion of light. By the time the victims of Hakunen's talisman reached their fellows, another was already stumbling away, stunned by a strike to the head from Lest's sword. Before they could even attack the heroes, Hakunen had grabbed the arm of one of them and had thrown her in the ones coming. One of the first attackers who had already recovered screamed in rage.

"Damn it, surround them and rush all at the same time! We shouldn't have difficulty getting those two!"

The succubi remained at a distance as they carefully encircled the heroes who remained at the ready. Hakunen himself positioned himself in Lest's back to make sure they at least had their eyes on all succubi. Both groups looked at each other for a minute as everyone fidgeted around, ready to charge in or to defend themselves.

Then without a word the succubi all rushed in at the same time. Lest greeted half of them with a powerful holy strike while Hakunen caught the remainder in a sweeping kick. The succubi still kept pushing their assault, but none of them even managed to do so much as strike one of the hero. Their attempt to work in sync fell apart as they randomly punched through in an attempt to reach one of the heroes who systematically nimbly dodged their blows before counter-attacking.

It didn't take long for the assault to fully collapse as one succubus ended up hitting her partenr one too many time which led to the victim responding in kind. The fight degenerated into a vicious brawl to the surprise of both Hakunen and Lest who still pushed through the fight. After a few more blows were exchanged, only one of the succubi remained standing away from the heroes while clutching a limp arm and grimacing in pain. She glared at the heroes, then at the heap of unconscious succubi before spitting on the ground.

"You know what? I'm out! I'm fucking out! Screw this Land of Night and world of pleasure, screw taking our revenge on the leaders, those dumbasses spent way too much time fucking things up instead of just fucking, I'll make sure no idiots do the same mistake and I'm done with this bullshit!"

The succubus then used a harpy feather and disappeared. Lest and Hakunen started relaxing as they finally got to appreciate a lack of apparent threat for the immediate future. Neither of them had even sustained a hit during the battle.

"Well… It's over, now we can finally focus on Musette and Daimyokai…"

However, before they could even start moving again, the earth suddenly shook for a short instant.

"What was that? What's happening?""

Hakunen felt the magic twisting in the direction they were facing. The sensation reminded him of when they assaulted the Château des Romances for the second time after a heavy bombing, as the place was half-split between two dimensions.

"Nothing good. We should go check by ourselves."

As the duo carefully made their way to their target, Lest was growing more apprehensive of what they'd find there: the longer he remained here, the more he felt that this world was trying was trying to challenge his spirit and loyalty to the princess Litia.

I hope this time it won't try to molest us…