"Owwwaa…"
Kazuya scratched his back as he slowly rose from slumber in his now familiar bedroom in the Pocket Castle. The man known as the demon hunter was more than grateful for the free lodging that the local hero and his companions had offered him in this unfamiliar world. He never had to concern himself with the basic necessities once since his arrival. Of course, there were still a lot of issues to deal with, from the petty conflicts between the different inhabitants to the ever-looming threat hanging over the world, but he had accepted that this world was under threat a long time ago. What he had more difficulties accepting was the colorful bunch accompanying Luka on his quest, with the don of the local mafia, an evil witch out of a fairy tale and an evil clone of Hatsune Miku being three of the strangest yet best-adjusted people accompanying the hero on his quest. And now the hero also had to deal with Kazuya's own nemesis and a few more murderous succubi as "partners". As attractive as they were, Kazuya felt a constant pressure from working with them himself.
He shook his head clear. It wasn't the time to think about those monsters, or more dangerous thoughts would follow.
As the room magically illuminated, Kazuya focused on himself. His body was feeling strange as he was floating in his pajamas, but he didn't feel sick. He couldn't quite pinpoint the reason of the nature of this sensation.
I feel… strange. Did I eat something strange for dinner? That seafood was exquisite, but the personnel in that new restaurant was weird… All those mermaids were a little too pushy.
When Kazuya got up from his bed, the strange sensation permeating him only further gained in strength. Somehow, the furniture looked different, but no item was out of place: every single machine-covered shelf was exactly the same as it was when he left to sleep, the door was still locked and his weapons were still on a rack. The man scratched his head in confusion.
"Something's strange… my voice?!"
Surprised by the unusually high pitch of his voice, Kazuya reflexively massaged his throat. Right afterward, he rushed himself at the bathroom, and instantly noticed the difference in his reflection.
"I'm tiny! Wait, no, I've been transformed in a child? Why? How?"
Calm down Kazuya… This is strange, but you're not in any danger. Nobody has seen you, and there's no enemy close by anyway… Who could have done it? There are a lot of powerful magic users like that scary black witch who looks like she would eat me… Gah! I can feel my mind regressing! Mephisto enjoys her evil look, but she's actually a respected teacher and has always helped me! I need to find her quickly!
I have to be careful though… I'm a bit concerned that Lampas and Mukuro would enjoy that opportunity to ensnare me, and the less said about Daji, the better. And that's to say nothing of the other monsters roaming the castle… They all play nice, but some of them only out of respect or fear for my own strength. They would gobble me down in a heartbeat.
Kazuya checked the racks serving as his armory.
I can't wear any armor or bring any weapon… even the guns feel like they would break my shoulders if I tried to shoot them. I can't even use magic right now. Let's… just try being sneaky. I'll be fine if nobody catches me.
Kazuya made sure he was still presentable and timidly opened the door leading to the hallway. His small form shivered: the place wasn't cold, but the halls were feeling larger and more unwelcoming than usual. At least, his usual routine of getting up early served him well thanks to most monsters being late risers. He carefully closed the door as if slamming it too fast would wake up the horde, and started walking down the hallway on the tip of his toes.
The scary witch… I mean Mephisto is often hanging in the library when she's not busy in Grand Noah… I hope she's there as usual.
A melodious voice reached Kazuya's ears. "Oh, my, are you lost, cute little boy?"
"Gah!" Kazuya jumped reflexively and turned around. He was so lost in his train of thoughts he failed to notice Lucretia approaching him from behind. The queen harpy giggled as Kazuya stuttered.
"I, huh, hi lady Lucretia… I was looking for lady Mephisto because someone transformed me into a child and I thought that she could turn me back in an adult…"
"Awww… Mephisto's away in Grand Noah for a reunion with all the other human rulers to discuss what to do with a certain pervert… But don't you worry..." Lucretia opened her wings while puffing up her feathers. "I will take good care of you."
While Kazuya felt relieved for her support, a still adult, rational part of his brain noticed a faint sense of danger. The boy hesitated for a moment and slightly backed away from Lucretia who seemed a bit too happy seeing him so weak.
"Huuu… you're scaring me…"
"You're so cute… don't you worry." Lucretia was breathing faster and faster, eventually starting to pant like an animal. "Mommy Lucretia will make aaaaall your worries melt away."
Right now she's my biggest worries… I want to run away from her so badly! Maybe if I run or run or… don't start panicking now!
As Kazuya desperately tried to keep his emotions under control, his nose picked on an unfamiliar floral scent. He turned around to see a large purple woman in a huge flower smiling at him, her eyes hidden by her flower-like hair.
"Is that the demon hunter? He looks so cute. I understand what that Lampas demon sees in him."
Kazuya yelped in surprise when vines lifted him from the ground to bring him closer to the woman at the center. Before he could start to struggle, Lucretia flew straight in the alraune's face.
"I will forever be thankful for all the services you provided me Alrauna, so naturally I will take care of this boy and not let him burden you." While the harpy queen's voice was as melodious as usual, there was an underlying threat that made Kazuya shiver.
"I assure you, he's not bothering me in the slightest. If anything, taking care of him will be less of an annoyance than taking care of my kin…"
"Forgive me, but you still sound tired… did you recover well from your brainwashing? You wouldn't want to make a mistake in judgment, would you?"
Kazuya gulped. He wasn't sure if they would come to blows, but he was sure that if they did, he would be quickly reduced to a smear on the wall given the difference in their power. The young boy closed his eyes and started praying for a miracle.
"What's going on here –awwww… that boy is such a cutie. Come here everyone!"
After spending time twisting around, Kazuya noticed several more monsters approaching in the hallways, all cooing over his apparent cuteness. However, their attention, and, more importantly, their hungry looks were unnerving. He started struggling again even as the monster's voices drowned one another.
"He's so cuuuuute! I want to hug him!"
"Look at his adorable small hands! Look at them!"
"Release him so that we can play with him!"
It was almost a relief when Alrauna pulled him behind her, far away from their gaze.
"My friends, please keep in mind that he's one of the heroes who got weakened for a possibly nefarious reason, and anybody could be responsible. I'll keep him under my ward until Mephisto comes back."
Accusations started flying toward the queen alraune who tried refuting all of them and defending herself. Kazuya tried to shut off all the shouting from his senses even as he became more and more nervous. Lucretia entered his field of view again, a gentle but mischievous smile on her face.
"Shhhh… stay still. I will free you and bring you away from all this mess, in a small nest, just the two of us…"
Kazuya felt his emotions mix: while his childish instinct wanted to join her and sleep with her, the still mature part that he was still desperately trying to cling on was telling him that the fluffy bird woman in front of him would prove dangerous down the road. As he tried to understand those two conflicting thoughts, he completely lost track of what happened as chaos utterly exploded around him. The man couldn't tell if the plant woman was expressing her disagreement in a stronger way or if one of the few monsters in front of him had decided to jump to grab him, but the result was the same: the young Kazuya ended thrown forward, free from the vines holding him. Luckily, Lucretia's presence prevented him from hitting the wall as the queen harpy's body cushioned him. The queen herself got visibly surprised by the event as Kazuya knocked the wind out of her, making her lose her stability and leading to the both of them falling on the ground. As he shuffled around, Kazuya lost most of his clothes.
"Huuuh… this was scary…"
As he got up and cleared his head from the shock, Kazuya fell silent. A large group of powerful, hungry-looking monsters was now eagerly looking at him without any attempt to disguise their intent. If that last scuffle had been scary, this current vision was simply terrifying him frozen.
Then his instinct took over. His legs started moving on his own as he dashed as fast as his small body could in the only direction that offered a semblance of freedom. He could only hear the commotion created by monsters attempting to grab him for themselves.
"Come back! We just want to take good care of you!"
"He's so cuuuuute! Look at him running on his small feet!"
"Then get back and let me have him, you're scaring him away!"
Luckily for the hero, he managed to escape the monsters before they could grab him. As he wondered how they failed to catch up a child, he turned around to see that all monsters were busier trying to stop one another than trying to catch him, the crawling mass of limbs trying to push itself back. Kazuya silently thanked his luck and crossed his fingers that no other monsters would appear in his way before he reached his own bedroom to bunker up. If everything ended fine, then a more reasonable figure would hear about his predicament and help him.
Unfortunately, he hadn't even reached the first corner when a large minotaur showed up to investigate the mess in the hallways. Her confused expression turned into a grin when she noticed Kazuya running in her direction. The hero instantly reacted and barely avoided her large body even as she planted face first into the ground in an attempt to lunge at him. Kazuya sighed in relief as he didn't stand a chance to escape her steel-strong grip, and would end up imprisoned in her motherly, tender forms…
No, I have to keep running… letting myself get caught won't end well! I need to get back in my room!
Maybe if I cut through the courtyard to make them think I'm trying to run outside… Am I even strong enough to open the door right now?
However, before Kazuya could even reach the door, the boy tripped and fell. While he only felt a few scraps, he felt utterly doomed. Those few precious seconds he just lost would be enough for that twisting mass of hungry monsters to reach him and tear him apart as they would each try keeping him for themselves…
"Awww, don't worry… Lucretia will take care of your nasty boo-boo!"
"You'll only further hurt him you klutz! Leave him to me!"
"Psh! I'll be his big sister!"
Among the dotting voices, a notably harsher and shriller one deafened him.
"FOR FUCK SAKE! DO I HAVE TO BE THE REASONABLE ONE AGAIN?!"
Kazuya's word suddenly became dark as his surroundings completely disappeared. He could simply not say where he ended. He could breath and even walk but there was no floor, no wall, no ceiling… Only total darkness. His childish instinct completely took over and he started bawling his eyes out.
A clacking noise brought him back to his senses. Kazuya felt completely in control of his body once again. He quickly stopped crying and opened his eyes to be almost blinded by sunlight while a breeze brushed against him. As his vision adapted, the formless shape in front of him took the appearance of a frowning blue-haired succubus holding out a set of clothes. Kazuya gulped. He hadn't dealt too much with her by the past, and from what he heard she was barely a step up from Myusca. Still, she didn't look hostile -or worse, hungry-, and he accepted her gift with a trembling voice.
"Thank you, miss Morrigan."
"Don't mention it. At least, you didn't crap yourself. And sorry for the experience, I didn't have time to stuff that personal dimension of mine and…" She stretched and sighed while Kazuya cleaned herself. "I'm in a freaking bad mood… my sisters kept railing on me after that whole mess with that demonoid fight and I'm still nervous about that pervert. I hope that dude get freaking stuck in a cave for a hundred years."
Her glowing blue eyes turned back to Kazuya. "Right, I'm already getting sidetracked… Let's take care of you quickly. Those horndogs are bound to look for us, and even if that holy mound is the last place they would check, they're going to end up looking there sooner or later." Kazuya felt his skin tingle as Morrigan's hands glowed. She suddenly stopped and looked at him, visibly puzzled. It didn't bode well…
"Huh. It's not magic. Fuck. I would have bet that was a spell from that succowbus Nemea…" She turned away to whisper to herself. "That mystical art she used to make those fishermen young creeps me out… I hope Lilith doesn't decide to use it as well."
Kazuya started hyperventilating. "Please, don't tell me I'm going to be stuck like that!"
"Calm down!" The man instantly backed down when the eyes of the succubus started glowing. He really couldn't afford to get on her bad side, particularly right now. "And…" Morrigan raised a finger and remained still for a moment. Only the sound of the wind was troubling the moment. "False alarm, I thought I heard one of those chickend-winged hypocrites close by. Anyway… I remember that there was another way to make people younger, but…" Morrigan massaged her face with both hands while looking at the sky. "Fuuuuuck. I can't remember what it is. Come on! It was even used recently!" The succubus groaned again. "I guess I'll just ask Lilith and get railed again for forgetting that. Don't move."
Kazuya nodded as the succubus brought a hand to her ear. He hoped this nightmare would be over soon. Getting stranded in another world was already unpleasant. Getting stranded as a weak child when a war was looming on the horizon was a hell he couldn't hope surviving.
"Hey sis, it's me… sorry to disturb you, but I have a bit of a situation here… Yeah, one of those seven heroes got stuck as a child, and a good old dispel isn't quite enough to clear it… Does that sound familiar? It does and it should to me? Yeah, I forgot about it! So what?!"
Kazuya slowly exhaled in relief. At least one another person had a clue as to the source of his situation. It was a first step toward a possible cure.
"Okay, I got it, I'm an airhead for forgetting to tell you about the return of psychics and the discovery of sorcery, but that mess in Iliasburg isn't on me! Even that little angel scientist didn't know about it! We'll ask the hero later… Look, remember what we told about him and getting his goodwill? Because I'm sure helping one of his friends is a great way."
Did she forget about me? I don't think she should speak about that in front of me…
Morrigan rolled her eyes at whatever her sister was saying. "Yeah, I got it, you find him cute. Now, can you just tell me how to turn him back so that I can do it and move on? What do you mean by nope?! Lilith?! Lil… ooooohh craaaaaaaap…"
Kazuya tilted his head in confusion as Morrigan was looking at him, absolutely horrified.
"I fucked up. I fucked up again… You should run. She's coming."
"What?"
"RUN!"
Kazuya obeyed and started running down the only path he could see, panting in a panic as his childish tendencies started to come back. While he now had more fitting clothes, the path was more treacherous than ever. Even worse, as he ran, he realized that Morrigan had brought him at the top of a mountain, meaning that he was taking the risk of tumbling down the harsh slope at any moment. A sudden gust of wind threw him in a panic, and he nearly fell before a pair of arms squished him against two soft mounds barely covered by wool.
"Don't worry, little boy… I caught you, and I will make sure you're safe."
Kazuya felt his vigilance falling asleep in the tender cradling, but his memories of the encounter with that succubus and her sister was still fresh in his mind. He reflexively started struggling and crying. Even as Lilith was showing him a reassuring smile, Kazuya's heart kept beating faster as the hunger of the succubus was still showing up in her eyes.
"I'm sorry my careless little sister scared you that much… I'll bring you faaaaar away from all those klutzes, and I'll make sure to fully take care of you into my own bedroom until you recover." Her slow, controlled breathing gradually regressed to an animalistic panting, further creeping Kazuya. "You look so cute, I may be not going to hold myself back, and once you return… I think a few times as a payment will be enough, but I might just keep you for myself."
In a last ditch effort to stop his abduction, Kazuya cried as loud as his lungs allowed him. Lilith didn't seem to react at first, letting him bawl his eyes out as much as he could. Then a pout of displeasure appeared on her face.
"Of course some angels would stop me from having fun… why is the youngest one in any trio always such a nuisance?" Lilith sighed, and delicately put Kazuya down on the ground. "Please be careful out there… I want to see that cute little face of yours later." Lilith blew a kiss in Kazuya's direction before taking flight. Right as she disappeared, a curvy, nude angel with six wings flew on her trail.
"Get back here you shameless whore and face your righteous judgement!"
"Third grade angel!"
"I'LL KILL YOU AND WEAR YOUR GUTS AS MY SCARF!"
"Eden, waaait! She's too strong for you to face alone!"
"I DON'T CARE, IT'S PERSONNAL! THAT BITCH IS GOING DOWN NOW!"
Another smaller angel was following her from a distance, lagging slightly behind. However, she noticed Kazuya and stopped to land near him, looking concerned. The man spent what felt like way too much time racking through his brain's memories to remember her identity.
Right she's… Lucifina! She's the mother of Luka! They told me that she had been brought back through an unique ritual! …I wish I could have my parents brought back to life…
No. It isn't the time to think about that. Focus, Kazuya, it's… mostly your childish body wanting the soft touch of a mommy.
"Are you alright? Did that bad succubus hurt you?"
"No, thank you miss Lucifina…" Kazuya's voice was still slightly trembling. "Thank you for helping me..."
"Awww, it's okay!" Lucifina giggled. "I won't let a cute boy like you end in danger!"
She's not going to try to seduce me too, is she?
"I'll bring you back to San Ilia! You will be safe there!"
Phew… For a moment I thought that she would hit on me. I can't imagine Luka's reaction if he had to call me daddy. Oh god, this sounds even worse than I thought!
"Wait… what about your friend?"
Lucifina-chan answered with a big goofy smile. "Oh! Don't worry! I'm sure big sis Eden will be fine!"
High in the sky, Eden was still chasing after Lilith propelled by her pure, unbridled rage for the succubus. Her target was flying faster than she normally could, requiring her to tap in her mana reserves to keep up with her.
Then Lilith slowed down. Shouting a war cry, Eden charged the succubus with her spear in an attempt to impale her. Her opponent nonchalantly dodged the attack, slapping the seraph on her posterior as she passed by. The vulgar action brought the seraph to a new level of indignation. When Eden turned around to ready another attack, Lilith simply smiled back and slightly enhanced her voice to make sure the seraph heard her.
"Aren't you a little tired and alone right now?"
The seraph lowered her spear in surprise. Then she looked around her, at first out of curiosity, then out of desperation. Lilith slowly glided toward her, mimicking a walking movement as she approached her, her power flaring up.
"It seems your impulsive nature has led you to a veeeery pleasant place…" She exaggeratedly sighed, holding her head in her hand. "And you stopped me from taking care of that cute little boy. Maybe you can help me back? I'm sure we can have a little fun together…" Lilith's tail passed between the legs of the succubus and mimicked a few thrusting gestures.
"No… no, no, no no no nonono PLEASE NO!"
Eden turned tail and started fleeing as fast as she could. The succubus gave chase in a reversal of their position, but she was making no effort to actually catch the seraph, simply further teasing her with sweet words.
"Come on, don't you want to feel that sweet relief for yourself? I'm sure you'll enjoy it!"
Eden put every effort into her flight, slightly distancing the succubus. The latter eventually decided to let her go as they were approaching Mt St Amos again. The moment the seraph was out of range, Lilith felt her disappear when she used a harpy feather. The succubus stretched herself.
"Well, that was enough fun for today… let's free Morrigan and get back home."
Lilith landed on top of the mountain, and pulled a bound blue-haired succubus from a crevice. She then used her magic to remove the latter's bonds, leaving Morrigan gasping for air.
"Thanks for not forgetting me sis, but… what the fuck?! I only told you that he was one of the closer companions of the hero and that we had to NOT further scare him! And it's the same for those seraphs!"
Lilith huffed. "They'll be fine, don't worry about it… as for you, consider it your punishment for the lack of report about the transformation of humans in demonoid. You haven't been thoroughly following the instructions you've been given those last weeks."
Morrigan slumped over with a groan before getting back up. "Okay, first, we already had this conversation, and once again, sorry for missing that when I was dealing with two rogue creatures that were on the level of a Monster Lord, the attack of a seraph, and a god damn investigation that occupied everyone in the Pocket Castle! And second, you just traumatized two of Luka's companion, so don't read me the riot act."
Lilith fanned herself with her hand. "I admit I might have been slightly carried away in my own games myself… I suppose Astaroth currently deserves some praises for acting decently in opposition."
An unpleasant rictus appeared on Morrigan's face. "Yeah, if you disregard that she's been porking Novissa on your bed."
"Wait, what?!"
Morrigan exploded into a mocking laughter. "I got an earful from his companion because he had been performing poorly and was smelling weird… then I saw him. She hadn't quite cleaned him up afterward. I wondered if you had sandwiched him, but considering you just praised her restraint…" Morrigan was still chuckling as Lilith was now visibly fuming. "So how about we call that a draw, forget our little indiscretions, and move on?"
Lilith slowly blew a small gust of wind that swept the top of the mountain. "You're right. For once, you're the reasonable one. I apologize, I got cranky after a burglar robbed a few… personal possessions in the castle."
"Heh, I guess mixing with the hero and his allies did me some good… Now what was that about a thief? I think I know the guy responsible, and people won't mind if we use him for stress relief…"
Lilith closed her eyes. There were no other monsters, angels or humans in her immediate surroundings. She could afford to tell her sister everything.
"…Please not a word about that."
To Kazuya's relief, the trip itself was as uneventful as it could have been. No monster had tried to jump him again or even appeared on the road, as if they were actively avoiding him. Then he ended in the inn with the little angel who checked for a room for the two of them. As they sat around a table, Kazuya finally allowed himself to relax. His only regret was having a body too young to reasonably drink.
"Thank you, miss Lucifina…" Kazuya awkwardly shuffled on his chair. "Without you, I would have been dead."
"Awww, it's okay! And you can call me Lucy!"
Kazuya blinked in confusion. That name sounded familiar, but he could only place a troubled picture of a white-haired woman in a black dress on top of it. And yet, it felt important…
What if I'm actually losing my memories? I need to recover my real self quickly!
"Then thank you Lucy, and sorry, but I have to get some help to grow up again."
"But you're already grown up, just like Luka! I'm sure he would like a second brother!"
Kazuya froze and gulped loudly. It wasn't going in the direction he expected, and even less the one he wanted.
"In fact, you remind me of my son! You're really just like him…"
Kazuya felt light-headed as he breathed again. The coast was clear of disasters for the moment.
"So why don't you relax and let mommy take care of you?" Lucifina got up and patted the bed. "You must be very tired after what happened…"
Indeed, Kazuya suddenly felt himself be exhausted. Right now, understanding and fixing what had happened to him was going to wait. It looked like he could appreciate the motherly touch he wanted so much for once. He positioned his head on Lucifina-chan's lap and closed his eyes. He appreciated the opportunity he was given… Then the rational part of his brain kicked in once again.
That feels so wrong! She's the mother of my friend, of the man who welcomed me unconditionally in his home! And she looks just as young as me! And… and… I feel dirty just thinking about it.
Kazuya mechanically got up. "…I'm going to take a bath and return to the road. Once again, thank you for everything."
"I'm coming with you! I'm going to wash you everywhere!"
"…T-Thanks, but I prefer to do it alone…" Kazuya started blushing as he walked toward a bath. To his surprise, Lucifina-chan was already waiting inside with a sponge in hand.
"Come on! Let me do it! It will feel goooooood!~"
"M-maybe, buuuut… Ihavetogonowbye!"
Kazuya briskly turned toward the door only to end once again face to face with Lucifina-chan's cat-like grin. The boy froze in shock again. Then Kazuya recoiled slightly as Lucifina's aura flared.
"I'm going to take gooood care of you, even if you don't want it. Do you understand?"
Kazuya took a step back for each step the seraph made. He was beyond terrified. He couldn't even cry. He could merely sheepishly step away. There was no way out. He couldn't escape the incoming shame and knew he would have to deal with that trauma for the remainder of his life.
A series of metallic slashes echoed, and the door fell apart to reveal a dark feminine silhouette in a kimono wielding a katana. As the newcomer glared at Lucifina, Kazuya spent a minute racking his brain over trying to remember her name.
I… it's Mukuro! Big sis came to save me! At least I hope…
Lucifina turned around with her arms crossed and puffed her cheeks. "It's rude! I'll have to show Kazuya how to get better friends!"
"The only friend he needs right now is someone to make him in a man again."
"That's poor wording... and I'm not hurting him! I'm only taking care of him!"
"He doesn't want you too. Do you, Kazuya?"
The boy was too terrorized to talk. He could barely shake his head left and right.
"Mmph!" Lucifina-chan summoned a spear that was comically larger than her. "I will show you I will be a good mother to Kazuya."
Mukuro raised her weapon in a fighting stance as lightning seemed to sparkle through her body. "Violence isn't the way to prove you're a better mother, but I accept your challenge."
Kazuya started panting as panic set in: the two titans in front of him could easily destroy the room in their fight, and he already imagined himself being splattered against a wall by a stray attack while people in the city would panic as the inn collapsed… He braced himself and closed his eyes.
"That angel scientist is right. This special duct tape is even better than my hair."
To Kazuya's surprise, the oppressive aura had instantly disappeared. He carefully opened his eyes to see Mukuro lift the tightly wrapped body of Lucifina as the latter was trying to struggle.
Oh, right, big sis Mukuro can manipulate time… aaah! She's scary.
Kazuya nervously gasped when Mukuro looked in his direction. The humanoid doll reacted in annoyance.
"Come on Kazuya… I might have jumped you at more than one opportunity, but I wouldn't take the risk to harm you when you're so weak…"
"T-then h-how and why did you find me?"
Mukuro looked away before answering. "We were doing some research with that little angel scientist. Then something happening in that mountain close by perturbed her testing, and I found traces of you when I investigated."
Ah. Right. Promestein's doing her more dangerous research away from the Pocket Castle. I didn't even consider asking for her help at first… I feel dumb.
"Maybe she can help you. Let's check with her."
Kazuya obliged and started following Mukuro out of the building. When they reached the lobby of the inn, Kazuya noticed that every people around was looking at them strangely. They didn't look aggressive, hostile or even outraged. They were just completely dumbfounded.
A hero turned in a child, a sex doll possessed by a spirit, and a young psychotic seraph leave an inn room… That sounds like the beginning of a bad joke. Or of something really horrible.
I can't wait to be big again.
At first, Kazuya was glad to accompany Mukuro, her familiar presence an anchor that his fragilized mind could catch up to. But as time passed, his childish instinct periodically resurfaced and treated her as a sinister figure. Then the weather worsened and turned from a sunny blue sky to a dark grey with thunder echoing in the distance. The large road became a small path as they approached a dilapidated manor that looked abandoned. Kazuya's instinct kept telling him to run away even as the nightmarish house became bigger and bigger, its gaping entrance eventually growing large enough to swallow him.
"I forgot to close before leaving… I don't think they even noticed..."
While Mukuro entered the manor without slowing down, Kazuya remained in the doorway as he tried to check the entrance without getting in.
"Come on, Kazuya… We have to get it over with!"
"Uwaa!"
A large strand of hair pulled Kazuya in while another closed the door behind him in a slamming noise, bathing him in a cold dim light. He nervously started following Mukuro again, jumping each time a creaking noise echoed from the shadow.
Come on Kazuya! You faced twice worse in your lifetime and came out fine! Big sis… I mean, Mukuro will keep me safe, and it's not like there are g-g-
"GHOST!"
Kazuya jumped back and pointed back at the misty feminine silhouette that came from a wall surrounded by floating hands. The apparition pouted.
"That's not very nice…"
"Please accept my apologies." Mukuro humbly bowed. "Kazuya here has regressed in infancy against his will, and I intend to solve this issue as fast as possible."
"Oh, so it's him... Although I admit, he looks cute like that. I want to ruffle his hair!"
"Please don't. He's scared enough as is."
Mukuro pulled him away and the apparition disappeared, leaving a trembling Kazuya in the room. It didn't prevent his heartbeat to jump up yet again as they got deeper and deeper into the manor, forcing him to rely on Mukuro's guidance as his foggy eyes could barely differentiate the walls from the floor.
The duo ended in a larger illuminated room where several makinas and assemblies were present. Two small figures were dashing around a number of various zombies, taking notes or examining them while working on the machines filling the place at the same time. Promestein approached them.
"Sorry, we're still waiting for- is that Kazuya?" She pointed at him.
Mukuro nodded. The angel scientist kneeled in front of him and stared with her cold eyes. Kazuya shifted around, uncomfortable. Without a word, Promestein took a small syringe and forcefully jabbed it in Kazuya's arm, drawing blood as well as a surprised scream from him. When the boy looked at Promestein again, the latter was completely immobilized in raven black hair.
"Mmph."
"Can you tell me what are you doing to my Kazuya?" Mukuro's tone was as sharp as her katana.
"Sorry…" Promestein sounded more concerned about the imminent danger than apologetic about what she just did. "Since his ailment isn't magic in origin, I wanted to take a blood sample to confirm if it's not… the other likely cause."
"Oh. I apologize then. Carry on."
Chrome remained completely indifferent to the small scuffle happening, too engrossed in her own examination. Promestein took the vial of blood and inserted it in a large contraption. As the machine whirred, Kazuya could only nervously fidget around under Mukuro's gaze. The doll looked concerned and angry, but her eyes also showed a glimmer that Kazuya had seen too often those last hours.
The machine eventually stopped with a ringing noise, and Promestein quickly took the vial while examining a screen.
"Mermaid blood… I see. Someone likely fed you some without your knowledge. Did you happen to eat in the new restaurant in Port Natalia?"
"Yes."
"In that case…" Promestein dramatically repositioned her glasses, eerily making them shine. "It looks like we failed to completely stop Meia and her partner's latest attempt to make themselves a reverse harem with boys. Fortunately, we now have a way to counter the rejuvenating effect of mermaid blood thanks to the power of science!" Promestein proudly pointed behind Kazuya. He turned around with Mukuro to see what she was pointing at, but the only thing visible was the passably dirty ceiling. He heard a despondent Chrome sigh.
"You should stop watching those animations. Or at least don't binge that Jojo show for five hours in a row. I wonder if that damn fox isn't bringing those here simply to make us waste our time."
"Right… Sorry, that was shameful of me." Promestein cleared her throat and returned to a more dignified pose. "We have a solution though. Those extracts that allow people to change race remove toxins and other lingering poison from blood as it modifies its composition. I'm sure that if we change your race a few times, you will return to your adult self."
"You say you're sure… but did you actually test it?" For once, Kazuya shared Mukuro's fear. Promestein's plan amounted to injecting him a cocktail of dubious substances and hope that they'd clear his organism.
"No, but there's a beginning to everything… and science requires some sacrifices… I mean, guinea pigs! S-sorry I mean test subjects! Ack! I mean testing!"
"Uwa!"
Behind Kazuya, Mukuro was ominously standing tall, her eyes glowing red while her hairs were frenetically shaking around like so many snakes ready to strike down the one that threatened their children.
Luckily, Kazuya's quick thinking quickly de-escalated the situation. The hero-turned-boy walked to Mukuro and hugged her, instantly calming the vengeful doll who patted his head. He looked up to her with big puppy eyes.
"I want to be an adult again… I'll take the chance."
"Very well… I shouldn't stop you then."
I feel bad for so grossly manipulating her, but… it's the truth. So far, she's been the only one helping me. And now, I also feel bad for thinking that she would try exploiting my weakness. I'll have to thank her properly afterward.
Kazuya released his hold, and turned back toward a still trembling Promestein. The latter nervously repositioned her glasses and brought him to a bench.
"Right… Hold still. Whatever happens, this certainly won't feel good."
Promestein injected a strange orange solution in Kazuya's arm. Afterward, he felt surprisingly strong, and imagined his childish body tearing the door from its frame. Before he could test his new might, Promestein injected him another liquid, this time a thick, black one. Kazuya instantly gained the desire to drink blood and allowing him to see clearly his surroundings. Then he felt another sting, and this time he simply felt more powerful. However, his body hadn't changed in the slightest during the whole process. Only his senses were now keen enough to hear Promestein mutter under her breath.
"Strange. Why isn't it working? Maybe with a seed…"
Promestein handed Kazuya a small round pellet. The boy quizzically looked at the scientist, but eventually gave in and swallowed it.
I feel… weird. Yes! It's working… Oh crap! It's working!
Kazuya felt his clothes tightening around him and shuffled around in an attempt to remove them before he either tore them or got hurt. He was only half-successful, and ended naked in front of everyone for a short moment before he grabbed the torn shirt and wrapped it around his waist, hiding his private parts a bit too late to his taste. Everybody, zombies included, was staring at him, making him blush.
"Right… thank you for helping me. I owe the whole of you a lot. I'll… make sure to pay you back appropriately once I'm back home."
"Don't mention it. This test was beneficial for us as well." Promestein returned to her work with Chrome, leaving only Mukuro to take care of him. The doll grabbed him by the arm and started dragging him away with the obvious intent to take him on the offer in her preferred way. Kazuya accepted his fate and let himself being pulled around. It was a small price to pay, and he would make sure to enjoy this shared moment as well…
Mukuro suddenly stopped. Her expression turned sour. Kazuya looked downstairs and saw Lampas approaching. The alraune accusingly glared at the doll as she got closer.
"There you are! I heard that Kazuya was in trouble, and I found out that you kidnapped him!"
"I kidnapped nobody!" Mukuro answered in kind, and met Lampas head on. "He got turned in a child, and I was keeping him safe from would-be rapists like a certain pea-for-brain!"
"I wouldn't have hurt him!" Lampas grabbed Kazuya's free arm with her vines. The hero started sweating as memories of their latest conflict in a house left him nearly sucked dry. He raised his arms in a conciliatory attempt.
"Look Lampas… Mukuro actually helped me, so maybe for once…"
"Let me take care of her Kazuya!"
Both Lampas and Mukuro released him, and Kazuya awkwardly stepped back to avoid being caught in the crossfire. The two monsters were now growling at one another in an attempt to intimidate their opponent.
They're going to fight for me. I don't know if I should be flattered or ashamed. I need to stop them before it's… too late.
Before he could call them out again, both monsters jumped on each another. Kazuya had difficulties following the hectic fight, but the result was quick: Mukuro and Lampas both ended knocked out in front of him, fortunately without further damaging the already crumbling manor. Kazuya sighed at the sorry spectacle. This horrible day simply refused to get better.
"…I guess I'll ask Promestein and Chrome to take care of the two of them… and also to teleport me back at the Pocket Castle. I don't have any of those feathers or tails or anything with me..."
A desperate Kazuya started dragging his feet back to the laboratory of the two scientists. However, a small floating doll was visibly waiting for him at the entrance of another room.
"Big bro… aren't you cold? I have clothes that you could use."
Mmh… It reeks of a trap, but all the monsters around are pretty weak. I can handle them with only magic if it comes to worse.
Kazuya smiled and nodded. "Sure, I'll follow you."
The small doll passed through the doorway, and Kazuya followed suit. When he entered, there was no doll, and the door behind him closed. Kazuya kept his cool and looked around. A pile of neatly folded clothes was indeed waiting for him on a chair near a table covered with a lavish meal. A large four poster bed was standing at the other end of the room, its content hidden by thick curtains. The ambiance was radically different from the remainder of the mansion. Kazuya made a beeline for the clothes, ignoring the curtains slowly opening to reveal Daji leaning sideway with a big grin.
"Would you like a bath… a meal… or… me?"
While Daji giggled at her own joke, Kazuya groaned as he focused on dressing up.
"I'll stick to the clothes, thank you… I should have known you were behind all of this again. You're becoming predictable."
"Actually, it's not me this time. I'm only responsible for telling Lampas that you were here. I promise I have nothing to do with your unfortunate transformation."
Kazuya turned toward Daji, slightly surprised. The kitsune used the opportunity to take a lascivious pose, lying on her back with her legs spread. The hero felt blood rush to his head, but he kept his composure and returned back to dressing up.
"You still put me through hell just for your fun again. And it's getting tiring now. Also, there are so many people that want to jump me that I want to take a rest far from it. And that also means far from you."
Kazuya reflexively braced himself. He already saw himself straddled by Daji's massive form as she forced herself on him after using a time spell to freeze him. Instead, the kitsune simply got up from the bed with a smirk.
"In that case, would you mind at least mind staying for dinner? I put sooo much effort in that meal, it would be a shame to throw it away."
Kazuya took more time to examine the meal, and understood what she meant: if the food of the Pocket Castle was better than what he expected from a medieval world, it barely held a candle to the royal meal in front of him. A titillating scent of poultry roasted to perfection reached with nostrils, and he saw several colorful pastries that had nothing to envy to the best chief back home. As the adrenaline finally stopped rushing through his veins, he realized now how hungry he was. He hadn't seen time pass with that rush of emotion, but the sun was already starting to set outside, and his sudden growth had taken a lot of energy.
"…You cooked this? For me?"
"Of course. I wanted to make sure you had all the energy for my planned session." She dramatically sighed. "Although I'll pass on a romp tonight I guess. Anyway, have a seat while I make sure Mukuro and Lampas are appropriately taken care of."
Daji exited the room, leaving Kazuya alone to ruminate the events of the day. Being turned into a child and dotted on by different monsters who wanted to protect him had completely shut of his desire for a motherly touch. He had been thoroughly creeped out. At least, Daji was straightforward in her desire to corrupt him with pleasure. He was still awkwardly shuffling around when the kitsune returned.
"Well, the kids are taken care of, and nobody is going to disturb us. We can finally enjoy ourselves!"
"Thank you Daji... I mean it."
"Anything for you…" Daji pulled up a chair. "Now, why don't you tell me about your day?"
Kazuya nervously chuckled as he accepted the invitation. "Horrible… And please, stop it, it's not like I'm your husband."
"At least, not in this world."
"Yeah… wait, what do you mean by that?"
"Nothing. Please enjoy the food to your heart's content!"
"Ah! Aaaah! Daji-sama! Daji-samaaaaaaaa! "
Worth it… No wonder all those idiots keep spending those nights alone. The heroes keep getting jumped at and threatened by hostile monsters all day and somehow, they're convinced that doing the same will not trigger their flee or fight instinct.
Aaaah… Instead, with a little care, you end up with a baby that will do whatever you want and don't end on their knees after the first minute.
I have to try the same with the other guys, starting with Luka tomorrow. I'm sure he'll appreciate that.