Mephisto hummed to herself as she was once again sitting in the large conference room of the Pocket Castle surrounded by a small number of administration-oriented angels, monsters and humans. The yoma was busy completing the titanic task of calculating the balance of the damage and earnings of the latest weeks following the unplanned release of everyone in the wild, and, to her good surprise, the result was positive thanks to a few unexpected good decisions. Granted, those positive results only had so much meaning considering the economic imbalance and the food shortage risk in the world, but they were at least not in debt, which was a welcome surprise. Still, gathering all the information and doing every relevant calculus was a delicate work that required all her focus and organization skills. It was a job that could suffer no interruption.
So, of course, the large doors making for the entrance suddenly opened wide to reveal a grinning Morrigan while scattering papers everywhere around. The succubus sauntered a bit under everyone's attention before wallowing in one of the more comfortable chairs and crossing her feet over a large pile of papers, leading to an avalanche of precious written information.
"Aaaah… You know, for how crowded it is, I really missed the comfort of this place."
"You're not the only one." Mephisto didn't even bother looking in the direction of the succubus, her good mood entirely gone. "A lot of people hurriedly moved back in when the new was given. Of course, quite a few of them brought their troubles with them, but it is nothing impossible to manage thanks to our grown treasury."
"Aaaand thanks to who is that?" Morrigan's grin disturbed most of the angels present in the room.
"A lot of people actually. That real estate venture in Grangold brought us a small fortune, the vampire bar is earning us more than a decent amount of gold as well, and that's not considering all the trinkets everyone found and sold…" Mephisto looked up to see the pouting succubus. She gave out a small smirk. "However considering that you did earn money through a legit venture that didn't harm anyone, didn't bring a book that started an apocalypse, saved me from getting my head bashed in and was more than helpful during the latest crisis, we can say that you did better than we expected you to and even were a valued member during those trying times. So… Thank you."
"Awww, this is surprisingly kind of you!"
"Yes, now my apologies, but I still have a lot of work ahead of me and I need some calm. Feel free to get yourself some quality time with whoever you want. Just stay responsible and don't be part of the dryfishing crew. Please."
"Mmmh… When you say that, you mean…"
"I don't actually care as long as nobody gets harmed."
"Deal!"
Morrigan happily left the room like a gust of wind, further messing the large piles of papers around before slamming the doors close. Mephisto made a quick gesture with her wand, and all the sheets returned to their place as if they hadn't been disturbed. It only took her a few more minutes to finish and validate the balance. Satisfied, she allowed herself to relax ever so slightly and lean back on her chair with a small smile. However, she rapidly stopped as a current of hatred running in her direction almost burned her side. When she turned, she saw a fuming Sonya: The face of the Ilias priestess was red while her whole hands had turned white, tightly gripped over the handle of a large war hammer. Her teeth were clattering while she was emitting a low, droning noise.
"May I help you? You seem unusually troubled."
To the surprise of absolutely no one, Sonya exploded. "ARE YOU SERIOUS?! ARE YOU A COMPLETE IDIOT OR DID YOU DO THAT ON PURPOSE?! IT'S OBVIOUS THAT SHE WANTED TO FUCK LUKA! AND YOU GAVE HER THE GREENLIGHT?! WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU?!"
The yoma calmly retorted. "Yes, Morrigan's intentions were obvious. The only thing more obvious is where she's going to bring the hero, namely her little house of pleasure in Iliasburg, which I shall remind you is a place where the more reliable Barbun and Nabisu are also working, and they're all aware that they need to keep a good reputation for their business. I would even say that Luka is currently ironically safer there than here, as any monster could use the current mess in the hallways to snatch him without any of us none the wiser.
"And who would want to snatch him more than that blue-haired whore who wants to peg him with her sisters?!"
Mephisto shrugged. "Angels that want to brainwash him, anyone affiliated with the Alliance who do not think they need to be in our good grace contrary to her, and the more stubborn monsters like Spider Princess who're still trying to eat him."
Her words had the desired effect as Sonya started calming down. Mephisto pushed her advantage.
"Look at it that way. Even if Morrigan has a deserved sulphurous reputation, she wants to be in good term with Luka and has shown that she understood that she needed to be more than just a brat, when, at first, she was known as a walking disaster. I wished every monster made as much progress as her since they joined."
"Huh. True. That actually makes sense. I'm still not comfortable with her though." Sonya shivered. "When she looks at me, I sometime feel like she would cut my throat in my sleep. Am I actually scaring her?"
"Sort of… On that matter, may I ask for your help to assist those old bones in doing a small round to make sure everyone is settling back in nicely? I'm pretty sure that it won't take long before one or the other conflict restarts between the residents of our little home, and any assistance would be welcome…"
Where is that cute little morsel of a hero hanging? Considering he hasn't been touched for quite some time, he will make for quite a feast! I better hurry, I don't think I'm the only one who noticed…
Morrigan was tracking Luka's scent like a bloodhound. The succubus was determined to get a hold of him not only to sate her lust with the best partner there was, but also to show him that she was more deserving of his attention than anyone that he did and would meet on his adventures. She easily found him in the barracks, half-wallowed on a table, permeated in the smell of those that were exhausted after several hard-fought battles. The simple sight of him was enough to make her salivate, and her eyes locked on him like a predator on its prey.
Calm down Morrigan… You don't want to scare him, and you do not want to get carried away too much. Your family would have your head otherwise, and it would be a shame for that self-regenerating juicy steak to ever run out because you took one bite too many…
"Sooo, how is everyone's favorite little hero doing?"
Luka groaned and slowly looked up while massaging the top of his head. "Sorry Morrigan, I'm really not in the mood to spar right now…"
"And how about going to a calmer place then? Your headache won't get better with all that noise around."
"The whole castle is like that or worse, Spider Princess is now watching my secondary residence in Grangold... I can't get a foot in any city without being rushed by every fans, and each stroll in the countryside leads to an onslaught of monsters who want me… Unless you happen to know another calm place, I'll have to make do."
"That's fortunate then, I know just the right place!"
"…Calm also mean far from your sisters."
"My sis-? Pfff, don't worry about them. They're busy with their own problems and don't really care about my little pet project."
I wouldn't want them to try stealing you in the first place. I'm the one keeping an eye on you, I should be the one getting extra!
"Well…" Luka laboriously got up. "I guess I can as well jump into the maw of the lion then. Lead the way."
"You won't regret it."
Morrigan started strutting out of the room followed by Luka, haughtily ignoring the envious gazes thrown in her direction. As she reached the lobby, the sound of a commotion reached her ears.
"That's coming from the parlor… I gotta ask now, what's the deal with Cassandra? There's now two of them, one looks like she just got a lot of power back and the other looks like she was mixed with the Monster Lord. What's up with that? I feel like there's an interesting story behind her appearance."
Luka groaned. "Long story."
"Luckily, we have a looong time ahead of us."
The hero sighed again as he pushed the doors of the main entrance open. "Well, it started when I was staying in Grangold and heard rumors about a monster setting again in the Poison Swamp…"
"…And then after coming back from Remina, I received an emergency message asking me to come to Yamatai to give a hand to control Daji who reappeared in the village with a working Pocket Castle, but she wanted to have something in return while Mephisto and Tamamo wanted to kill her. I had to take a few hits from both side before they all agreed to compromise."
"Wow… It sounds like you had a rough day… And I thought installing a business where your employees risked killing the consumer each time was hard… You blow me right out of the water!"
The duo had settled into the freshly repaired Night Flower, enjoying a bottle of Noah wine as well as several snacks (a recent addition as people were often quite hungry after some intensive activity) in a cozy, almost intimate ambiance. Only a few other alcoves were occupied, while Barbun and Nabisu were busy serving everyone. Morrigan could observe the hero slowly lower his guard, even starting to relax as he appreciated the calm. He was periodically massaging his scalp as if he had just bumped his head. He chuckled.
"I guess so… Although I heard that I missed the biggest fight in Grangold. Apparently most of the castle had to be destroyed."
"Yeaaah, I arrived late myself, and everyone remain evasive as fuck on the matter. I only arrived to give a kick in Musette's ass after she tried to get rid of everyone." She sighed melancholically. "I wouldn't betray someone by stabbing them in the back like that, but different world, different culture I suppose."
Luka shrugged. "It was apparently so much of a mess that Daimyokai disappeared. I hope she's doing alright, I thought I had a chance to show her the errors of her ways."
"Huh. Yeah. Right… Want another drink? It's on me."
"Thanks."
Morrigan leaned back on her chair in a move to make the hero more at ease. She didn't need to scan him more thoroughly to know that he was enjoying the tranquility, and while her libido was screaming at her to jump him, she knew he would be more grateful if she let him be. And he would pay that tranquility tenfold back in bed…
The hero excused himself for a moment, and Morrigan started happily humming to herself while Barbun greeted new customers. "How may we be of service to you?"
That's going more smoothly than I expected. Playing the long con is more Lilith's kind of thing, while Astaroth would have hit on him directly. A few weeks ago I would have just used my aura to pin him on the spot and make him cry his mother in delight, but… Eh, long term work for long term rewards I guess. Did I take that page from his book? I wonder what my sisters would think of me right now.
A familiar melodious voice answered. "We're just travelers looking for a fun evening."
Speak of the devil… WAIT WHAT THE FUCK ARE THEY DOING HERE?!
Morrigan had a knee jerk reaction, nearly knocking a full glass off the table before she caught it back in a panic without spilling a drop.
"Certainly, if you would please install yourself there, I will leave come take your order in a minute."
"Thank you. Please, take your time, I think another customer requires your attention."
Not as much as you require MINE!
Morrigan swiftly got up and briskly walked toward the alcove her not-so-subtly disguised sisters had installed themselves. Lilith faked a surprised gasp when she saw her arrive. The manners of her elder had never aggravated her so much than this very moment.
"Morrigan! It's a nice surprise to see you… I heard that almost every companion of the hero had returned to the Pocket Castle, I thought you would have your hands full."
"Yeah no, I still got some free time." Morrigan answered more dryly than she wished, which didn't escape Lilith who raised an eyebrow. "You didn't answer though."
"We only came here to kill two birds with one stone: we wanted to thank you after you gave us a hand with those uppity mimics, and we're looking for a place to sleep while the servants are rebuilding the castle. Is something the matter? You look passably distraught."
Morrigan hesitated to tell them anything. However, she noticed Astaroth's nose roll up slightly before the succubus smirked with a little satisfied air. Lilith didn't need more than a few seconds herself to get the message.
"Ooooh… It looks like someone decided to get down to business with the hero, didn't she?" Lilith licked her lips.
"Actually… Yes I did, now please, please stay out of this, I really made a lot of effort to get him there, I really need to make sure we stay in their good grace, and I really, really need some action while you keep sucking dry all those victims back in the castle!"
Lilith pouted and sighed. "Fine… We'll stay out of this, if only because you came back for us in the Monster Lord's Castle. You better turn him a moaning mess though, or we'll step in ourselves."
Astaroth lecherously licked her lips to confirm her sister's words.
Morrigan joined her hands in front of her mouth and bowed. "Thank you, I guarantee we'll end up all together in a big party once back home, but tonight, he's mine!"
She returned to her place like a gust of wind, her hands slightly trembling and a tense smile on her face, completely ignoring the various colorful customers that came and went around.
Okay, calm down Morrigan, it could be worse, it could be those seraph…
Actually it would have been better since we would have bonded over kicking their asses! Arrrgh… Why did they come here? There's no way they're not going to try ruining my date!
When Luka came back, she was as tense as ever. Luckily for her, the hero seemed too exhausted to care about her grimace for now. He finished his drink and leaned back on his chair. Morrigan decided to attempt to strike back conversation again if only to take her mind off her two sisters.
"Sooo, I heard that you showed up to Mitsuko? I don't know what you did to her, but she apparently barricaded herself into her room and refuses to come out."
Luka winced. "Yeah… I might have been a bit harsh… But I wasn't exactly in a good mood after spending the last days fighting those mimics. By the way, I heard that you stormed back the Monster Lord's Castle by yourself?"
"Pffft, nah… As much as I'd like to say I did, the castle's servants gave me quite a hand. I mean sure I saved a few and I led the effort, but I wasn't alone." Morrigan sighed. "That moment was the living proof that power doesn't do much when you completely suck at basic strategy and let yourself get isolated one by one. And start panicking because you're alone. And rely on enhancements that can easily get dispelled as long as your opponent have a bit of mana in them."
"Yeah… I wish we found out the last one faster. We spent way too much time developing way too complex traps when we could just have rushed in and used dispels repeatedly."
Aaaargh… If I directly told them instead of showing off, I could have bedded him on the spot! Hindsight's a bigger bitch than Tamamo!
Morrigan's session of self-blaming got interrupted by Barbun arriving with two drinks. The succubus prepared to tell her that they hadn't ordered anything again, but the Bunny Girl beat her to the punch.
"It's a gift from two passerbys." She placed the two drinks in front of the duo.
Huh. That would be pretty nice of them… IF THEY WEREN'T SPIKED TO THE BRIM WITH SUCCUBUS PHEROMONES! SERIOUSLY, WHAT THE FUCK?! THIS TRICK'S AS OLD AS THE DARK GODDESS HERSELF! I don't know if Luka realized, I don't know if he will realize upon drinking it, if he does I'm FUCKED BAD! Oh crap, oh crap, oh crap what should I do?
Luckily, the hero was busier looking at the ceiling, lost in his own little mental world.
"In hindsight, I really needed that break… Just after that crisis with mimics, I forced Ilias to face two of her worst nightmares because they wanted to learn more about angels in this world." He shivered. "At least they didn't play the big sister act or start throwing punches around. At least not against her." He sighed. "Maybe they're too powerful for their own good."
Wait… The descriptions are a bit too on point. Did he somehow notice that my sisters are here?
Relax Morrigan, it's only a coincidence. I'm not that much of a scholar, and I haven't seen that ridiculous small goddess for quite some time now.
PLEASE LILITH NOT A WORD EVEN THROUGH TELEPATHY!
Someone's getting cranky.
"Yeah, I understand what you mean. People like that often think of themselves as better. They need to be taken down a few pegs." Morrigan quickly gulped her drink in hope that the pheromones wouldn't affect her.
Oooh… dear little sister, the goodwill we're ready to give you can only go so far…
Luka nodded in agreement. "And their partners aren't really better… I mean what did they taught them besides playing around? Executioner is too combat-happy and Myusca apparently doesn't have an ounce of common sense."
…Aaand it turns out he was talking about that fucking Vinum and that christmas cake Mysteltainn… Fuck me, for a moment I thought we were done for.
…I remember that succubus with the glasses, but who's Vinum?
A little piece of shit with a book that needed us to raze Grangold's castle. You know, when I had to leave in a hurry a few days ago?
…So it has nothing to do with us then. See Morrigan? It was all for nothing! You're a succubus! Relax, and just go with the flow until you see the opening to seize your dream opportunity and the hero's body…
Right… Sorry. I'm starting to think I'm the only one who can ruin this date.
Yes you are. Now… Ow. Nevermind.
What?
It's… actually nothing fortunately. Just focus on your hero. Everything is going to be fine.
Morrigan started growing suspicious and focused her magical senses in the direction of her sisters, although she couldn't detect anything justifying her wariness. She eventually shrugged it off and focused her attention back on the hero. For all the candor he had lost since the first time she met him, he had gained an impressive amount of power. And the harsh, growing competition had left her a bit frustrated, even as she had helped a few others hook up.
But tonight, it's my turn, and with the first prize!
Even if she was getting hungry, Morrigan let the hero further relax. She didn't want him to feel coaxed in the slightest. A single look at his drink informed her that the succubus pheromones had decanted at the bottom of his drink, incidentally keeping his small sips clear of any mind-altering substance.
Mmmh. At this rate, I'll be able to make a move before he reaches it… Pfft. Actually, even the world will end before he gets some of that juice in his throat!
The door opened again, and this time Morrigan noticed it as Barbun called out to the new customer.
"Hello Alma Elma, can I serve you anything?"
I. Jinxed. It.
"…Wait, do you actually need help?"
Morrigan's head didn't even have the time to hit the table before the sound of battle started echoing around her. She only felt someone grab her before being thrown away by a powerful explosion, and, before she got up, a large slab of rock fell on her head, knocking her unconscious.
When Morrigan opened her eyes again, she was apparently outside, the sun was setting on the horizon, and a standing but battered Luka was at the edge of her field of vision. Her whole body felt incredibly heavy, and she painfully sat herself, kicking some pebbles in the process which attracted the attention of the hero. She didn't even take notes of him as she checked her surroundings: her pet project had been reduced to a smoldering pile of rubble.
"Are you alright? That was quite the violent clash…"
"Meh." Morrigan sighed and brought her knees to her face before continuing in a moribund voice. "What about the others?"
Luka grimaced. "The best I can say is that nobody died."
"Figure… This was the only way it could end anyway. This is how all my ideas end. Blown up in pieces because I didn't think them through."
Morrigan remained immobile, prostrated over herself even as the hero waved his hand in front of her face. The succubus remained completely silent and immobile among the remainders of the walls, leaving Luka confused as to how he could help her.
"Do you want to take a rest in the Sutherland Inn?"
"Sure. Whatever."
Luka gently coaxed Morrigan up and guided her toward their destination. She was barely more than a walking rag doll as they walked in the street while attracting surprisingly little attention. The duo ended up setting in one of the most expensive rooms, with Morrigan back in a fetal position on the bed while Luka threw himself on one of the armchairs after throwing his sword in a corner.
"You know…" Morrigan's voice was barely a whisper that Luka could only understand thanks to his mastery over the spirits. "I'm surprised my sisters never got to call me Morritrash considering how everything I do turns to shit."
Luka groaned before proceeding to open a bottle of Noah wine. "Make that two of us."
"I mean what the fuck did I expect with that business? It was only a matter of time before Alma Elma and my sisters met there and wreck the place in their fight."
Luka stopped serving himself. "Wait, about that…"
"But I don't blame the succubus queen, if it hadn't been her, it would have been those damn seraph, one of Black Alice's goons or one of those Alliance members. As always, I suppose I just didn't think that one out." She sighed heavily. "It's a miracle I didn't fuck up my job and got you or Nuruko killed… Did I even do anything good for you besides getting their help when you attacked that Château des Salopes?"
"It's Château… nevermind." Luka shook his head and brought Morrigan a filled glass. "We had a rocky start because the first time you came with us, we ended fighting Alma Elma, and then you went missing to get your sisters… But it could have turned ugly if you hadn't taken that initiative. And then you did help us get all those succubi and other monsters from other worlds under control, you even kept nightmares under your thumb with your work when you could have just run crazy which…" The hero gulped down his drink. "…Is pretty much what a lot of other monsters did… Compared to the likes of Daji or Vinum, you're better than what you give credit yourself for."
Morrigan chuckled darkly and sat herself more comfortably. "Yeah… Maybe… but as a succubus, I'm not worth much compared to the likes of my sisters."
Luka smirked. "And compared to Alma Elma?!"
Morrigan laughed again. "Pffft… I'm at least better than her. She might be a queen, but I'm still a league above her with my millenia of experience!"
"Then prove it."
To her shock, Luka threw himself on top of her. She yelped in surprise, and recognized a familiar flame in the corner of his eye.
Holy crap! Is it the wine talking, did he actually get some pheromones in his system or is he just that much horny?! I don't think I've ever seen him so assertive! What should I do?!
Fuck it! I'm Morrigan, a legendary, impulsive, destructive succubus! Time to do what I do best! Stop thinking, act on instinct, and make a mess of him for insulting me!
She expertly removed his clothes and wrapped her legs around him.
"Well, she got her happy ending at least…"
Astaroth removed another arrow from the back of her sister who didn't flinch even as she was lying on a table on her stomach, her back covered turned into a small wood and feather grove. As they were back healing themselves in the Monster Lord's Castle, the two elders of the Lilith Sisters were watching Luka get busy with Morrigan through an observation spell.
"But she could at least have gotten on top. It's slightly degrading to see one of the Lilith Sisters at the bottom, and I'm starting to consider the idea of giving her a lesson again."
"Let it go, sister… Everything she's been doing for the past weeks have been for the best for once, we'll just remind her that she's not the only one interested by the heroOOW!"
Lilith suddenly screamed as Astaroth removed another arrow. The purple-haired succubus blinked a few times while slowly breathing in and out as a wave of pain crashed through her whole body.
"Sorry." The red-haired succubus punched the large bleeding wound in her sister's back, instantly healing it and only leaving the smallest of scar behind. She then looked at the arrow in her hand. "That was one of the other weird ones."
"It's okay, I know you're doing your best and I wouldn't imagine how painful it would be if it was anyone else… How many remain?"
"Two more. But there are still four elven ones, and two holy."
Lilith closed her eyes and sighed. "That hurt more than I imagined it would. At least I have the best sister one could ever dream of to take care of me and a good program to pass the time..."
Astaroth smirked at the compliment and returned to her handiwork, taking occasional peeks at the observation orb while making sure that her older sister was as comfortable as possible. Still, Lilith winced in pain when Astaroth removed another arrow.
"That was one of the elven ones. Wait… There wasn't actually any elf when we fought."
"No there wasn't…" Lilith's voice was laced with venom. "It was HER when she shot me in the back. I guess elves no longer have the exclusivity on their bow techniques."
"Well, you showed up to her partner, and I'm pretty sure I dislocated her jaw and a few of her bones afterward. I guess this makes us and them even."
Lilith released a dry laugh. "Yes. I'm a bit concerned about letting Morrigan with them in case they'd decide to take their revenge on her. Even then, the hero really recruits anyone he comes across, doesn't he? I wonder if he recruited that one out of horniness."
Astaroth chuckled. "It would be a bit insulting considering we would gladly show him any pleasure he would ask us for. He wouldn't need to look up to those idiotic, reckless otherworlders for that. The queen even accepted our help on that one."
"Mmh. And to think both of them were with the heroes… Maybe they're not as united as we thought." Lilith let herself be lulled by the moans coming from the observation orb as waves of pain all too regularly shook her back. After what felt like an eternity, Astaroth's voice echoed again to her relief.
"That was the last one of them."
"Thank the founder it's over… Maybe we should also clear with Morrigan that these two idiots are also the ones who messed with the drinks." Lilith sat herself up and looked at the orb with an eyebrow raised. "I don't remember having put that spell on repeat."
"It's because you didn't? I'm not quite following you there…"
"Well, they're still at it and it's been more than an hour. Even if he had only been with a common monster, the hero would have ended unconscious by now." Lilith checked her own spell before her face decomposed. "I actually didn't? I mean… everyone said he was a joke of a quick shot in that regard!"
"I guess having to take care of hundreds of monsters help build resistance and endurance..."
The two Lilith Sisters were looking at the orb with admiration, but also with a hint of envy. Even as their hunger started surfacing, there was no way even several common males would sate them half as much as the hero had been feeding their sister for the past hour.
"Ok, that's enough." Lilith dispelled the observation orb and started briskly walking away. "We'll get some high class food for ourselves right now, consequences be damned."
"Wait. We swore Morrigan we would leave her the hero, didn't we?"
"Yes we did…" Lilith smiled devilishly. "…But we never said anything about the other residents of the Pocket Castle, did we?"