Right before the Kazuya incident.
I'm blandest blandy, the most perfectly unremarkable traveler from Finoa looking for news in Iliasburg… Of course, should someone ask my actual name is Anya.
Astaroth examined herself with a small mirror in the forest near Iliasburg. Between her short brown hair and unremarkable dress, nobody would be able to recognize one of the infamous Lilith Sisters. She preferred letting her big sister manage this type of infiltration, but this time, she couldn't afford to.
Damn fox… is it my fault that the hero found tasty and willing hunks as companions? And Lilith spent so much time elaborating her bedroom; I couldn't help myself and enjoy its comfort for myself a bit.
Let's remain careful. This city looks like a mess, people might be on their guard, and any fight can quickly spiral out of control.
Astaroth carefully entered the city and put on her best shocked expression, the one of a country bumpkin who was assisting to the aftermath of a fight for the first time even if she had seen and done worse herself twice last week alone. A building had been reduced in ruins and was surrounded by several male workers restoring it.
"Oh sweet goddess… what happened?"
"What happened?" One of the men lifting a beam voiced his indignation and dropped his work to the surprise of his colleagues. "I'll tell you what happened! It's those damn morons that accompany the hero that are responsible for destroying our work! It's his fault we're like that!"
"Hey!" One of his colleagues called him out. "First, most of the damage was done by one of those damn otherworldly angels, second, his companions did lure her away, and third, they paid us a hefty sum to rebuild the warehouse!"
"They did that only out of guilt!" A third man jumped in the conversation. "That whole mess happened because one of those guys was robbing every last one of us and was storing his stuff in the warehouse! That's how they're getting their funds!"
A fourth man jumped in, and as the conversation blew into an argument that threatened to degenerate in a brawl, Astaroth used her skills to make herself even more discreet and examined the ruins of the safehouse. So far, the only information that she had gathered on her mission wasn't good.
I didn't imagine that cute little morsel Luka would end up being a polarizing figure… I guess it was bound to happen given the numerous questionable companions he recruited. Seriously, some of those people make Morrigan look responsible… And there are no longer enough people to manage all those chaotic hedonists. Arrrgh… he really needs to recruit those damn Heavenly Knights! At least, that queen needs to pull her own weight and rein them in!
Let's focus on learning more about the return of demonoids… if there are more people like those Land of Night succubi, we'll have yet another big trouble on our hands.
Astaroth quickly examined the rubbles of the warehouse. There were traces of sonic magic, some signs of the holy skills used by an angel (and given the lack of precision in their use, it was definitively coming from Zion), some vampire lightning, a few of those science spells, some water magic and a lot of healing. None of these indicated that there was one of those ascended monsters. And yet, her extremely keen sense of smell still picked up an unfamiliar scent. She examined a small diluted pool of blood.
Mmh… there's indeed an unusual monster, and it used to be a human girl… let's ask the local Battle Fucker. People's lips are extremely loose when they're relaxed, and they're often the kind to listen to those juicy gossips.
When the disguised Astaroth passed in the middle of the construction workers once again, they were getting chastised by a few richly dressed people. Astaroth eavesdropped on their conversation as they left, and while they sounded more civilized, they were just as split about the hero as their employees.
The succubus had no difficulty finding the Battle Fucker's house as it was surrounded by a familiar aura of sexual pleasure and frustration. However, nobody was there. Instead, a note was hanging on the door.
"I left to train with the partners of the hero, all of you better prepare for round two~" Signed: Eri.
Fuck.
Alright, plan B it is. Time to go to Ilias Temple, and I hope I'll have an answer or I'll have to look for that creepy angel scientist… I don't know if I loath this place for openly worshipping Ilias or if I like it for actually harboring monsters in secret. Its two faces fit the goddess well anyway.
As Astaroth was thinking her plan through, a large, muscular man approached her from behind with a dubious intent. The succubus didn't even turn back to address him.
"I'm not hungry right now and I'm in a bad mood… Please leave."
"Ah." The man deflated, showing an extremely rare intelligence amongst this type of people. "Understandable, have a great day!"
Astaroth sighed and teleported in front of the Ilias Temple. She grimaced at the gaudy display of worship of that sorry excuse of a goddess and made a beeline toward the priest.
"May I help you?"
"Yes… do you happen to know anything about the demonoid race?"
"I never heard about that, but let me take a look just in case…" The man started browsing through a large volume. As she waited, Astaroth examined the different clergymen and messengers like one would do window shopping. She also checked the priest who had a solid build in spite of his advanced age.
"I found the information you were looking for miss… it's quite restricted. So far, only two persons reached that race, and I'm ashamed to say I don't exactly know how."
"But maybe you know who?" Astaroth flirtilty giggled.
"Well… usually I don't give that kind of information but… nevermind, you certainly heard about them anyway. It's the hero Luka and one of his companion from Iliasburg."
Astaroth kept her smile but inwardly deflated. Of course, it was about the hero Luka again. Ninety-nine percent of strange events that happened somehow ended being linked to him. And nine times out of ten, Morrigan forgot to report it.
"Well, thank you for your time! I'm off."
"Before you go, may I help you for a job…change?" The man turned pale as he was eyeing the content of his book.
"Mmh? Oh thank you, but I'm just a traveler passing by. I don't need anything right now."
"Understandable…" The priest gulped. "Have a great day."
It's time we start using a better excuse, I feel like that one got abused a little too much and only work because people know they couldn't handle us. If we try that against the companions of the heroes...
Astaroth teleported back at the Monster Lord's Castle and quickly returned to her signature appearance. She slowly breathed in and out to relax herself.
I have sent back the hero, cleaned and tidied Lilith's room before leaving, and I completed Tamamo's little task… Everything's fine, I just don't have to look guilty.
A small smirk was back on her face when she opened the main door to be instantly greeted by Lilith's own smile.
"Where have you been? Having some fun?"
Astaroth grimaced. "Not quite… The old fox wanted me to investigate the return of a demonoid… I'll pass on the details and let you guess what the result of the investigation is."
Lilith sighed. "So Morrigan forgot to tell us about something significant again… I suppose we'll have to remind her again of her task of watching over the hero and his companions. Although I'm a bit surprised... no offense but why did Tamamo contact you? Most of the time, she appears in the throne room or directly in front of me …"
Astaroth shrugged as innocently as she could. "I don't know, I don't care. The mission's accomplished. I can't wait to be done with that report."
Right after Kazuya's incident.
Astaroth was busying herself in the throne room watching over a large map covered with markers. She wanted Tamamo to appear right now while Lilith was away for her own reasons and be done with the sword of Damocles the kitsune was happily holding over her head.
Maybe I should just come out clear… it's not like Lilith or Morrigan are going to hold a grudge against me for getting it on with one of the heroes in their back and in the former's bed… they're definitively going to use it as an excuse to get a leg up on the race for Luka though. No. I'm better keeping it for myself.
Then Lilith returned before Tamamo showed up. Astaroth picked up the scent of one of the Seven Heroes on her. It looked like she could release some pressure for her own secret.
"Where were you? Having fun with one of the Seven Heroes?"
"Not as much as you had with Novissa in my bed, I can assure you that."
Astaroth noticed too late the displeased pout her sister was displaying.
"But I will disregard this small issue and instead ask you whether or not you got robbed of some of your panties?"
Astaroth recoiled and raised an eyebrow. "What?"
"I'll keep it short and simple. That whole mess in Iliasburg apparently happened because one of the hero's companions stole a lot of panties, including the ones of the seraph Zion who got out for retribution. I'll be honest and say he got mine as well, hence why I'm asking if you fell victim or not."
"I… don't know and I don't care. I fail to see how it's a problem honestly."
"You disappoint me a little right now, but I will still spell it out for you… Someone managed to avoid every guard to enter Hellgondo, then the Monster Lord's castle, and finally sneak in my room with none of us any wiser. It might be that panty sensei. It might be someone else. I want to know who. I want to know how they did it. And since the heroes owe us a few favors since the Land of Night, I intend to cash in those to get that information before someone else learns this place is as easy to enter and leave as a cheap brothel… is it clear?"
Astaroth slowly nodded in agreement. Someone was going to get interrogated by Lilith, and not in a pleasant way. "Understandable… have a great day."
Hurgh, that was a waste of time. Not only is San Ilia a hot mess, but I couldn't find any sign of Lucifina or that creepy doll. And of course, Luka's nowhere to be found either. I'm getting tired of having to deal with the mess his friends leave behind while he goes on adventures… I should always be accompanying him, but it looks like Mephisto or the Grand Noah Queen or someone else always have a reason to keep me away from him. It's supposedly because I can display some authority to hold people in line, but I know that they want to keep the status quo for his relationships… as if he isn't already getting it on with everyone!
Sonya dragged her feet at the entrance of the Pocket Castle. The priestess of Ilias was not in a good mood, and wanted nothing more than to wallow on her bed and mop for the rest of the day. Instead, the moment she opened the castle's door, she was faced with a mess that demanded all of her attention. The entrance was absolutely wrecked, with the different counters split into small wood shards while the walls were covered with large scratching marks. Her ears were assailed with the deafening sound of shouting as large groups of monsters were accusing each other over yet another petty reason that the priestess simply didn't care for. Worse, several of them were queens who were supposed to be reasonable and rein their subordinates in.
She remained aghast for a few minutes. Her exhaustion turned to anger, then to rage. It was as if every single soul had conspired to make her day horrible. The pressure kept rising as she became redder with each second, until she eventually blew off.
"KNOCK IT OFF YOU MANIACS AND FIX THIS PLACE NOW!"
Her scream instantly stopped any fighting. Alrauna and Lucretia looked at each other, dumbfounded.
"We apologize, but Morrigan has kidnapped-"
"I DON'T CARE! IF THIS PLACE IS STILL A MESS IN AN HOUR I'LL SWEEP IT CLEAN WITH YOUR OWN BODY!"
"Y-yes ma'am!"
The various monsters scattered and started repairing the damage inflicted on the castle any way they could. Each time Sonya so much as glanced in their direction, they redoubled their efforts. As her anger subsided, the priestess was surprised that she held up to queen-class monsters. However, she was still disappointed with their behavior. They were far from being the motherly responsible factions leaders they were supposed to be.
Damn idiots… If only Luka realized he had sweet childhood friend that would do everything for him! I would gladly even do THAT if he asked me! What does he see in them that I cannot do?!
I mean if we ignore that they could each destroy a small town, are beloved by their own subjects, keep those in check… Nevermind, they're actually helpful when they use their power correctly. Making them clean their own mess feels like a waste of resources, but as every trader say, if you break it, you buy it. Or you fix it.
I wonder where Luka is…? I guess I'll have to start asking them around. I hope that he's not debasing himself with one of those purple-haired abominations… I think most of them are in Grand Noah right now. At least Alma Elma is there for sure. They keep repeating that they're glad she wasn't there during… the incident. They still won't say what said incident was about though.
A pair of monsters opened the large doors leading to the entrance. Sonya recognized the alraune and the doll that were always accompanying Kazuya, although the two of them looked beaten over. They were occasionally glancing at one another with a mix of contempt or hostility, but they each returned to their own quarter without further issue, or without even apparently noticing the current sorry state the castle was standing in. Sonya herself was passably stumped by the event, but only spared an afterthought for it. Kazuya was a mature adult, and whatever happened to him was his own responsibility.
The priestess of Ilias shook her head and sighed. It mattered little. Right now, all those monsters had just spent an alarming amount of resources simply being petty to one another, and they were spending even more fixing the aftermath. Even with their incredibly powerful magic, making the signs of their last scuffle disappear took the better part of what remained of the day. Deciding that she deserved a reward herself after enduring so much stress, she started asking around for Luka. Unsurprisingly, nobody had seen him, and none of the other ways she had access to yielded results either. The hero everyone worshipped was impossible to reach, and she could only imagine as to why.
Damn it… I suppose I'll pour myself one in hope that nobody ever learns how much of a huge pervert the legendary hero is. It's a miracle nobody tried to blackmail us with that information.
Simply planning for an evening in a place where she would be able to spend a few peaceful hours proved challenging. Between the majority of the theatre performers coming from the Pocket Castle and the presence of the large mansion that reminded her of her dubious familial ties, the city everybody considered the epicenter of entertainment was a destination that she actively avoided.
I don't want to see another of Alma Elma's rape show in the colosseum either… hurgh, I already saw too many of those in the castle, I don't need to go there… Iliasburg's still in chaos, so there won't be much to do there, and half the cities of the Gold Region are brothels anyway while the other half is just boring…
Fuck it. I'm going to Yamatai. They have sake there. And with a little luck, everybody will have forgotten my last performance.
Sonya looked back one last time at the insides of the lobby. The place was now at least passable instead of utterly chaotic. She still had difficulties trusting those people to not mess it up again. Even knowing that they were leading thriving species wasn't enough to put her mind at ease.
She groaned one last time and left the castle. She had done her best anyway, and now the fate of this place was out of her hands. One harpy feather later, the priestess of Ilias was standing in front of the village of Yamatai. People were going on with their daily lives, and the sight of farmers tending to their crops while children were innocently playing in the streets brought her a sense of comfort compared to the daily sorry spectacles happening in the castle. The tranquil village was a welcome sense of pace. Unfortunately, as she got deeper in the village, that peace was slightly marred by lewd sounds.
At least, people have the decency to do it in private… Let's go to the restaurant. I could have a bite.
Sonya settled herself at the restaurant at the bottom of the Shrine Hill and ordered a full meal. To her surprise, the waitress served her an extra bottle of sake.
"Special promotion. One for the meal, one for home. Enjoy!"
"…Huh. Thanks." Sonya opened the first bottle.
There's no harm in taking a small swig to accompany the meal, right? Mmh… it's going so well with the rice balls and dangos… it's going down smoothly. I shouldn't abuse it, but I deserve a drink or two after today, don't I? I mean, I had to deal with annoyances after crisis like no one else did. Sometimes, I feel like I'm the only one responsible in that damn castle. I need a long, loooong break. Aaah, that's the stuff. There's only a sliver remaining, it would be a shame to let it go to waste.
Hurgh, and now I'm thinking about those disgusting whores from the Land of Night… I suppose I can take a small sip from that second bottle, nobody will notice. Seriously, I really hate those succubi from another world! A few more drops to forget about them couldn't hurt! And then, there's that damn abominable kitsune who's somehow even more of a whore, I swear simply thinking about her makes by blood boil like I feel I would kill her next time I meet her…
"My humble apologies, but is this place free?"
"YES!" Sonya growled. Her brain needed a moment to catch up and make the difference between her thoughts and reality. Her interlocutor was indeed a kitsune, but her outfit was comparatively conservative, and more importantly, she was orange and not purple. Sonya's head bobbed a bit as she felt heat rush to her head. "Sorry miss…"
"Please call me Yao." The kitsune sat herself in front of Sonya. "I just don't like eating alone."
Her face reminds me of those masks that are sold… like those sold during the festival… festival during which I made an ass of myself… urrrrrrrgh…
Sonya wallowed face first on the table, all dignity forgotten. Yao gently patted her on the back with a large fluffy paw. "It looks like you need an ear… may I lend you one?"
Sonya looked up and hostilely glanced at the kitsune. The latter looked bemused. The priestess decided that there would be no harm in blowing off some steam.
"I've just dealt with a bunch of queen monsters who wrecked our home after searching for a hyperactive, psychopathic little seraph."
"I see… it looks like you had an interesting day."
Sonya groaned. "You don't know the half of it… all they think about is getting a hero's dick." Her head started bobbing as she directly took another swig from the bottle. "And then I have to clean up the mess afterward while those damn whoooores get it on with my Luka…"
"Huh huh…"
Her words started getting slurred. "And what's a childhood friend good for besides chores?! I'm doing my besht to make shure everyone's fine in the cashle, but I only finish last while they fuck and fuck and glarblebleeeeee…"
Sonya collapsed in a blubbering mess in front of a confused but sympathetic Yao. After a few more minutes of drunken rambling, the priestess started snoring.
"Well… that was not as informative as I had initially imagined."
Yao delicately grabbed the drunken priestess with her tails. She could as well bring her to the fox shrine and let her rest more comfortably for tonight. To her surprise, she was welcomed by Kitsu who was feeding the local foxes.
"Hey, greetings lady Yao! Is that big sis Sonya?"
"Indeed." Yao released her on a cushion. The priestess was still snoring. Kitsu approached her and grimaced.
"Bouaargh! She smells of alcohol! Did she get drunk again?"
"Again?" Yao frowned in surprise. "Is it a regular occurrence?"
Kitsu scratched her head in confusion. "Well, she got wasted after her poor performance at the festival because she was unhappy that she bet with Alice she would win and be the one to go out with Luka and then lost."
Ah. So that was what it was about…
"But I also think that she's unhappy because all those succubi from the Land of Night and miss Alma Elma and Morrigan and also Daji keep hitting on the heroes and messing up with their orgies."
"The hero's companions sound… energetic."
"Yeah!" Kitsu giggled. She then whispered as if to tell a secret. "But she holds them in respect because people know that she's a two hex something apoptosis and could wreck everyone."
"…An XX-Class apoptosis you mean?" Yao turned deathly pale.
"That's it! So I think she's a bit tense with all those otherworlders around. Oh, and I forgot that Alicetroemeria is teasing her since she has a good relationship with Heinrich while Sonya's always worried about Luka's escapades."
"By Alicetroemeria, are you talking about Black Alice? With the hero Heinrich?"
"Shhh! It's a secret! …Well, an open one anyway, everybody in the castle knows who they are. But it's a bit sad that she still decides to get drunk. Mistress Tamamo often said that alcohol is a source of problems disguised as a solution..."
"…It is one indeed. Now if you don't mind keeping an eye on her, I will make sure that not a single drop is available for anyone else. It would be a shame if other people met more problems because of it, wouldn't it?"
"You look weird, miss Yao... Did you eat something strange?"
"In a certain way, I think I did."
Back in Grand Noah, Alice, the different human lords and several monster queens were slumped around a large table in a closed conference room. Outside, a large number of people had gathered to protest and ask for answers after the latest strings of crisis that had been started by some of the hero's companions. The luxurious amenities and food made available by the local servants weren't quite enough to improve the global mood. The Grand Noah queen tidied up a few documents and sighed.
"This investigation is going nowhere… That damn pervert has been thoroughly interrogated, and he gave us all the possible reasons one can think of… from personal reasons to charity to a demand from a shady group, he has given us every single cause we imagined."
"Also, I wouldn't say either the ICSN or Iliasburg's Merchant Guild are shady honestly, and both have been quoted as employers…" Sara shook her head negatively. "And I think both Vanilla and the Mafia have enough decorum to not start a panties fence, particularly in a warehouse that they jointly owned. The only three culprits I can think of in that case would be Daji, Eva and Amira. And the former is way too devious to rely on such an obvious fall guy."
"I don't want to accuse her more than any other time, but did she actually suffer from his thievery?" Alice narrowed her eyes.
"She didn't because she doesn't have any panties. She says she always goes commando, whatever that means, and enjoys the feeling of the wind and of everyone's gaze. Also, we consider the possibility that any supporter could have fallen victim to this spree themselves to decrease suspicion."
"Ah. In that case… we can alleviate our suspicions on her. For now." Alice leaned back with her arms crossed in front of her chest, visibly disappointed to be unable to legitimately vent her anger on the kitsune.
"Only the two others remain… Considering how they're the leaders when it comes to quick get-riches schemes, it makes a little too much sense."
"There's only one problem though. None of the stolen panties got sold or traded. Instead, they all got hoarded into one warehouse that accidentally got burned down in the apprehension of that man… At least, the fire got quickly controlled. Anyway, if it was either of them, they would have tried to sell those panties as fast as possible."
"Wait a minute…" The Grand Noah queen started tapping on the table with her quill as an idea started making its way through her mind. "Where did he get the funds to send and store that many items through the commercial network? I doubt Vanilla and her partners would have let him use the service for free, and for the life of me I can not imagine who would lend him money for his hare-brained scheme."
"If their majesties are interested, I have been personally keeping an eye on the common fund of the Pocket Castle since my arrival. Whoever paid for it used their personal allowance. Unfortunately, since the warehouse had been rented under the name of mister Dickinson -and yes, this is apparently his real name-, this means that someone else directly paid him directly. Whether they're one of our four-hundred partners or an outsider is unclear yet."
"Unfortunately, this leads us to another dead end. Still, thank you Mephisto."
Everyone fell silent as if to say now what?
Mephisto cleared her throat. "If I may offer a suggestion… while I loathe such methods, I'm afraid we'll have to consider… enhanced methods to get the information out of him. Before you ask, I do not suggest using torture to make him talk, if only because it has proven ineffective time and time again through history. I merely suggest having a succubus coerce him in any way she sees fit for as long as it doesn't irremediably damage him in any fashion."
The Grand Noah queen sighed. "While I would have hoped to never come to this, I'm afraid this might become a reality…"
"I agree that making this decision is unpleasant." Antline Ann placed her four elbows on the table as she leaned forward. "Unfortunately, we first have to find one who's willing to touch him. Even the most oversexed, cruel and depraved of those libidinous fiends made her utmost to ignore him, and this is not hard to understand why… I don't think I would touch him even if he was the last man standing on this planet."
"This is getting slightly private, but I don't even think I saw another monster approach him, even to reduce him to a dry fish."
"Mmmhh…"
Mephisto sighed as the commotion outside suddenly evolved. The contestation sound devolved in panic screaming that disappeared just as quickly. The Grand Noah queen was looking concerned at the door.
"Are we under attack, or-"
The door suddenly slammed open to reveal a grinning Morrigan accompanied by two sheepish royal guards. The succubus sauntered around under suspicious gazes.
"Heya! Am I interrupting something?! No? Good, because I have a little favor to ask for…" She sat herself around the table before being invited, damning basic decorum.
"We're listening to you." Mephisto kept her hands in front of her mouth to hide her smirk.
"It happens my sisters are pretty pissed at that little pervert who entered our castle to rob the place and they want a piece of him. I'm pretty sure they'll be reaaaaally thankful if we handed him down to them."
"First, I'm pretty sure if it happened your sister would have asked you to not tell anything about that. Second, I don't know who would be interested in the rewards your sisters can offer besides some perverts. Third, we would appreciate if you personally put something on the table yourself as part of the deal instead of just barging in and making demand, because fourth, some people aren't happy with your own behavior which leads me to the fifth and final point…" Mephisto revealed a triumphant smirk. "Thank you for joining us today Alma Elma. We really appreciate the support of the Succubus Queen for that peculiar matter."
"You're welcome~." Morrigan jumped up in surprise as Alma Elma was cracking her knuckles right besides her. "Now, I don't approve you coming in my own turf to make demand for your sisters… are we actually scaring them so much now that they no longer dare show themselves in front of us?"
As much as they're useful right now, I should seal those secret passages… Those pranksters enjoy using them a little too much.
Morrigan defensively raised her hands. "Hey, hey! No need to get violent! I'm simply interested in making a deal! I just want to make sure we keep getting along fine with my sisters!"
"Oh, I would be perfectly fine getting acquainted again with them… but if it's at the cost of only the hair of one of our current companion, I'll make sure this will be the last mistake whoever took that decision will ever do…"
"Oh, come on, he's just a pervert! I'm not asking you to put Luka or even one of the heroes on the table! Only the guy who's pissed off everyone by stealing panties! I'm sure the only reason you didn't cave his face in yourself is because you're afraid they would hurt your chances with the hero!
Alma Elma frowned, visibly upset. Apparently, she was uncomfortable from agreeing with the blue-haired succubus.
"If my humble self may make a suggestion to the current Succubus Queen and the most ferocious of the legendary Lilith Sisters, we have reasons to think that Panty Sensei appreciated the support of a patron. Maybe you could interrogate him together and deal with whoever is at the source of our trouble. He's currently in the jails of this very castle, and as long as he comes out sound of mind and body, master Luka won't mind what happens to him in the slightest. Surely with your skill such a task would be a triviality?""
Morrigan scoffed. "Pfah! Gimme a minute and I'll have him spit the name of the owners of every panties he used to jerk off!"
"I'll keep an eye on you just in case…"
Morrigan left with Alma Elma in tow. Mephisto leaned back with a satisfied smile before the Queen Ant called her out.
"That was surprisingly and a little too convenient. You got Morrigan to interrogate him and Alma Elma to watch over. I guess the Fifteenth's advisor deserves her reputation for her silver tongue."
"Manipulating those two is becoming alarmingly easy. With a little practice, I'm sure I'll even manage to keep a leash on Myusca."
"Now you're just getting arrogant."
The two succubi quickly came back. While Morrigan looked elated, Alma Elma had a more reserved look.
"He told us everything! He received his instructions and funds by dead drops in the Pocket Castle itself! He was told to store every panties for later use!"
"Thank you Morrigan, although that doesn't advance us that much since it means we have a few hundred suspects."
Morrigan's expression deflated as Alma Elma softly punched her arm. "I told you."
"Unless… maybe you know what later use he was talking about?"
Morrigan shrugged. "Nope. He doesn't know himself. Oh, and also he received the first request a bit after you guys explored the Sabasa Tartarus."
"…That's actually helpful since it cuts the list of suspects in half."
"YES! IN YOUR FACE!" Morrigan started inelegantly thrusting her pelvis in the air before Alma Elma stopped her with a mighty glare.
"But it still makes a hundred and fifty companions… and since there was only a very limited proper administration at the time, it will be nigh-impossible to find out how the funds were spent."
"Damn it…" Alice sighed. "If I knew at that time how big the team would have gotten, I would have put Tamamo's lesson in application..."
But you didn't, and you're still not doing it. As a result I only have to look someone who's been asking to mysteriously hoard panties for reasons I'm starting to think they don't know themselves…
…There aren't many people that do this. Please let my current suspect just be an unfortunate coincidence.
"…And at the beginning, Luka used to manage everything himself. I do remember Nanabi negotiating with him an allowance to fund equipment for her trainees. Me and Sonya had to work with both of them that time."
"The noose is tightening then… I think we need to involve him in our search anyway. The need for this information currently in his possession is the confirmation."
Alice stood up. "I'll contact him quickly. The faster we act, the less our thief will have an opportunity to escape. It's time to put these communications jewels to good use." She summoned an orb in her hand, and the item quickly changed color. Right afterwards, Luka appeared in the gem.
"Hi Alice. Do you need anything?"
"We're getting closer to that pervert's mysterious benefactor, and we have a few questions to ask you… Can you come to the castle in Grand Noah immediately?"
"Oh, sure." Luka hesitated for a second while looking around him. "I'm already on my way… Or I will be in a few minutes anyway."
Alice frowned. "Hurgh, whatever. Make sure you're presentable." She cut off the communication.
Most people around her were smiling in satisfaction. Only Morrigan seemed to be hesitating.
"Sooo, it's all good and dandy, but my sisters will still be out for some guy's blood, and even barring them, I'm preeeetty sure you'll have to throw someone under the bus to calm everyone outside after the latest series of mess. Sooo, huuuh… What are you gonna do?"
Alice closed her eyes. "First, we have to fix an issue for which I will appreciate the support of everyone. Particularly from both of you." She finished her sentence while looking at Alma Elma and Morrigan. "Consider it a good occasion to pass your nerves on someone after holding back for your interrogation."
"Oh, gladly… Eheheheh…"
"Monster Lord… I don't want to second guess your decision… but do you really want us to fully unleash ourselves on one of the hero's friend? Why?"
"Because the one who answered was not Luka. I've been with him for long enough to know when it's someone impersonating him, no matter how good the imitator is."
Mephisto pulled out her wand, frowning. "In that case, may I ask who we're going to deal with? Impersonators aren't dime a dozen as far as I know…"
Alice only kept silently glancing at Mephisto. The witch covered her face with her hat.
"Nevermind my stupid question. The answer is obvious."
Luka collapsed on an extremely luxurious bed face-first. The hero then transformed in Daji, and the kitsune groaned.
"They're onto me…" She sighed. Luckily, she hadn't been quite done with Luka's soul for her meal. The hero had been a tastier morsel than she imagined, even beating Kazuya, and she couldn't help herself before fully devouring him in an abyss of absolute bliss when the hero completely gave in to pleasure.
It took her only one look at his memories to question her decision. And a second one to regret it.
Daji slowly breathed in and out. She made a nude Luka reappear at her side. He was now magically subservient to her, and the kitsune felt disgusted at herself for taking in someone so dirty-minded. She glowered at the hero who seemed to take his situation in stride.
"I've been walking different worlds for millennia. I've seen continent-spanning empires rise and fall like leaves in the wind, sometimes because of me. Emperors and empresses dying at the hands of their people after abandoning them by indulging in me until they could no longer run their countries was a regular occurrence. Of course, people would also try to hunt me down as well as the one mastermind responsible for the fall of their kingdom, but my preys always took the brunt of the blame…" Daji got straight in the face of an unconcerned Luka. "So I want you to believe me when I say that it's the first time I'm the one caught as a collateral. Ironically, if it was your plan all along, I would have congratulated you… Except it's clear it wasn't your plan, and I'm not happy to get nailed because you're the mastermind of A PANTIES ROBBERY SPREE!"
Luka shrugged. "First, as Kazuya would say, it's the pot calling the kettle out, and second-"
"You did it just in case someone would only want to join you in exchange for every panties in the world. I know, I've just seen your mind." Daji backed away slightly, her face scrunched in disgust. "And the worst part is that I can tell that you're sincere. You sincerely believe that someone would only join you in exchange for a metric ton of panties. You had even taken measures to get your owns stolen just in case. At least you didn't start trying to get milk as well…" Daji shivered. "After what I heard from you, I'm wondering if this idea doesn't come from the mind of an intervener." When Luka quizzically looked at her, Daji threw her arm backward in a dismissive gesture. "Ignore that, you'd just pop your brain out. What's your plan, mister hero? Your reputation is in shamble, and for once I had nothing to do with it."
Luka remained immobile. Even with her new connection to the young man's mind, she couldn't tell what he was thinking.
"…are we sure they actually found out about it? They didn't accuse me or even showed suspicion."
Daji sneered. "You're a bit candid, aren't you? I suppose some people find it a charming quality… Of course they wouldn't tell you directly they found out you're the mastermind! This is how people are trapped. They told that little Monster Lord who's one of the people you trust the most to ask you come in a place where everything can happen far from the public eye to punish you. And then they'll probably scapegoat someone else to placate everyone while your reputation slowly recovers thanks to the endless effort made by your allies…"
Luka sighed. "I guess I'll just apologize in that case. Let's just do it and move forward. How bad can it be?"
Daji grinned. "You're unfamiliar with torture, aren't you? Well, first they can-"
The kitsune made several different stretching and compacting gestures as well as pretending to bite something repeatedly. She then moved on with sometimes lewd, sometimes scary, and sometimes just unexplainable gestures. As time passed by, the hero turned pale.
"-And I think all those strange-looking apoptosis won't hesitate to help either if you don't get an egg salad laid up in your posterior. How does it sound?"
Luka gulped. His voice was barely a miserable whisper. "I think I'll pass…"
"Good… In that case, how about we see to solve that for a while with your black-robed friend?
"Huuuh, who?"
"Don't play dumb with me. I'll take the lead." Daji's tails grabbed Luka who disappeared in the mass of fuzz before the kitsune took on the appearance of one of her past victims, a perfectly unremarkable civilian. She would be able to fight if it came to the worst case scenario, but being overwhelmed by Luka's friends was a real possibility. A minute later, she carefully opened the door of the room she had rented in the famous Sutherland Inn. That place was indeed as luxurious as historical books said. At least nobody was there for now. The disguised Daji confidently made her way downstairs toward the exit, ignoring the whispers hanging in the air. She pulled out a harpy feather, and a second later, she was standing in front of the priest in Ilias Temple.
Let's just go see Reaper in Hades. I wish I had gotten the full White Rabbit skills and hers as well. I can't even move to another world again. I don't think either my pride or my face could take in another slapping session.
Daji transformed back in Luka. The moment she crossed the large, stone door, she felt a plate hit her in the head with the force of a mountain. The stunned kitsune stumbled as she looked around, barely noticing Reaper holding her scythe behind her. The emotionless guardian lifted her weapon and hit Daji with the flat part of her blade again. This time, the kitsune fell unconscious on the ground. Reaper reached for Daji's stomach and materialized Luka. The hero looked up to her, confused.
"Thanks, but…"
His eyes widened when Reaper lifted her scythe again. And yet he didn't move. He couldn't, even if her movement was slow enough to dodge. His world turned black the moment the flat of her blade reached the top of his head.
When Luka opened his eyes again, his headache was so powerful he failed to notice that he was fully clothed again in the Sutherland Inn. The hero kept groaning and tossing around before he rolled on a paper. Curious, he grabbed and read it.
I WILL ALWAYS KNOW EVERYTHING YOU DID.
Where is she? I can't wait for the occasion to finally legitimately put the hurt on that damn depraved kitsune!
Alice slithered in the Sutherland Inn followed by a small team that was eager to take on Daji. Mephisto was just as interested as her in reminding the kitsune who was in charge, while it was just another day for Alma Elma and Morrigan who had spent a lot of time bonding by fighting monsters from other worlds. She felt like a bloodhound.
The moment she noticed Luka, Alice prepared a powerful, ancient ice spell. However, she was seized by a doubt. Was it really the kitsune? Before she could take a decision, Morrigan was already in Luka's face, her eyes glowing.
"Hey there, Luka, don't you have anything to tell us before we kick your ass?"
Luka gulped. The hero disappeared in a cloud of smoke, surprising everyone. However, Alma Elma cleared up the dust with a flap of her wings and rushed his form, effortlessly lifting him from the ground with a single hand. The hero reflexively raised his arms in a desperate attempt to protect himself.
"I'm sorry! I shouldn't have asked Panty Sensei to collect everyone's panties! I'm sorry!"
Alice unconsciously balled her fist as she accumulated more energy. "So she was the one responsible... make sure she doesn't forget her lesson!"
"Wait, she?"
Luka got tossed around in a storm of punches and magical spells for several minutes, his body flying across the floor repeatedly and hitting every walls like a rag doll. When he was released, the floor was utterly wrecked. Mephisto was slightly awed by the damage they just provoked.
"Paying back the Sutherland Inn is going to be expensive…"
Alice scoffed. "It will come from Daji's pocket. She's filthy rich as far as I know."
"Huh. Weird. I thought she'd have turned in her real form after that beating… And I can't smell any trace of that weird scent of her."
Alice took the time to examine their victim. What was a certainty became a doubt to end up being a horrible realization.
"We… might have just killed Luka."
"Ooops."
The room fell silent. Morrigan was the one who broke the silence with a grimace.
"This is awkward… soooo, how do we make his body disappear before people discover we killed their legendary hero?"
Alice's mouth hung agape in pure shock. Mephisto pointed at Alma Elma's tail.
"I think we have the perfect tool right on hand."
Alma Elma grimaced and protectively held on the monstrous appendage. "Ewww, no! I only use it on people that are fresh and alive! Dead people taste horrible!"
"Well, in that case, I suppose I'll use a spell… make sure nobody is watching."
Eventually, Alice exploded and screamed her lungs out.
"What is wrong with all of you?! Luka's dead! We just killed him! We just killed the hero! We destroyed our best chance to save the world! We screwed up beyond what's humanly possible!"
Once her rant was over, Alice heard some screaming across the inn. The sound of panic spread across the city like a wildfire. Everyone was staring at Alice who was looking sheepish.
"Sooo, what now?"
"…sorry. Short of a miracle, I think it's over."
"That's a shame…" Morrigan clasped her hands together. "Well, fucked for fucked, I can as well binge on men!"
"Wait for me!"
"…I'll join you if you don't mind."
Alma Elma and Mephisto followed her while Alice stared at Luka's body. Curiously, she didn't feel as pained as she imagined by the end of the adventure.
What's that strange feeling… It's familiar. Somehow it doesn't feel like the end, but just... an again?
I don't understand. I mean... I would remember if Luka fell in a fight. I always accompanied him then. And nobody would drain him to death in the castle.
...I think his candor washed over me.
Reaper looked at the latest set of events that made for the adventures of the hero. The latest string of disasters required a small fix that, while minor, was an unpleasant inconvenience. Even being provided the best tool to indirectly intervene didn't fully make up for it. She stopped on a scene right after the hero returned with his team from Administrator Tower. The moment the problem first appeared. She turned back toward Daji. The kitsune was restrained by Reaper's expanded cloak.
"Do what you've been asked and come back."
Daji dramatically sighed when she got freed from her prison. The kitsune took on the design of the White Rabbit and disappeared. Reaper carefully observed her as she appeared in the entrance of the Pocket Castle while nobody was watching and placed a sheet of paper on the bulletin board. The avatar of death loathed any intervention, even if this one specifically came from her own initiative. It was a necessary evil at best.
The moment Daji returned, Reaper beheaded her. The next incarnation of the kitsune would remember what happened anyway. And with a little luck, she would act more responsibly. Reaper returned to observing the Pocket Castle. Luka, accompanied by Alice, Sonya and Promestein was slowly dragging their feet in the entrance, exhausted by the ordeal. The small Monster Lord frowned.
"I will join you for the biggest collection of panties and monster milk… Is that a bad joke? What kind of degenerate would ask for that?"
The priestess of Ilias ignored it and walked by. "I don't know. I don't care. I need some sleep after today."
Alice checked the back of the sheet. "What… there's a whole set of financial data about the values of varied panties and milk from monsters… That's a whole lot of money we can get."
Luka culpably shrugged. "I guess we can still get some if the opportunity arises… just in case."
"Hurgh, do whatever you want. I'll just sit this one out."
The remainder of the adventure of the hero happened with only extremely minor differences. Daji was slightly less attracted by Luka. The whole panties thievery spree remained unnoticed as it was more spread out. And that panties pervert still got his ass kicked by Eri and the Seraph Zion in a protracted battle, this time in the middle of a forest for a reason. The status quo was restored was restored with the reputation of the hero.
Then Luka reappeared in Hades in the nude after a session involving a drunken Morrigan. As usual, Reaper welcomed him by swatting his head with her scythe before he dressed up and left.
If anybody knew…