-Makai world, Monster Lord's castle throne room-

Alipheese the 1st, Founder of all Monsterkind, Mother of darkness was wallowed on the throne, particularly annoyed as the orb in her hand finally went dark. She had managed to join up the conversation Minagi had with her daughters earlier, and was aghast. She did see everything Morrigan did and said from the moment Minagi joined the conversation to the moment the succubus got double crossed and humiliated publicly thanks to her idiotic prank.

Several things were going through her head, with each and every one of them starting by WHY. WHY did they choose to send monsters as unreliable as succubi? WHY did those three took so much time and so much sadistic glee in their work? WHY did they leave Morrigan unsupervised to watch over the apoptosis and the hero's growing power? WHY were so many other worlds trying to save this one? Weren't they aware that their intervention only further increased the chaosization rate? WHY did that man, Marcellus, did kill the local monster lord? WHY did the other world Tamamo refuse to cooperate? She was now a wild card and probably the one that could the most easily find her plans, and counter them if she had the support, which- WHY WAS SHE SUPPORTING THE SON OF LUCIFINA?

The Dark Goddess threw the orb across the room and enjoyed the sound it made as it exploded against a pillar in a rain of crystal shards. She exhaled slowly and closed her eye,s as she did not want her nervous anger to get the better of her in such a time. She cooled down and started thinking about the latest issue that was rising.

It was becoming clear that the hero Luka, Lucifina's son, was stepping up on the board. A part of her wanted to test him to be sure he would be strong enough and a valid support, but she was afraid that antagonizing him further would prove problematic. His team would prove a welcome addition as well, and would deny the angels several of their own. But following the recent events that involved Morrigan, she was starting to doubt that the hero would spontaneously rally her cause.

As she relaxed on the throne, her eyes closed, she could hear a small slithering noise. As she reopened her eyes, she could see a clipboard held by a tentacle hanging a few feet from her face. Her daughter's latest reports finally arrived. She repositioned herself in a more appropriate position and nodded toward the tentacle as the latter pulled back to one of the room's shadowy corner.

Great, it looked like Tamamo was asking for additional men for help after she got carried away in a recovery session following the failed attempt to destroy the other world. And Minagi was asking why so few men were coming to join her feast in San Ilia. Well maybe if some came back alive to share their experience, more would gladly join her. Also if she did not pull that little communication stunt, she would not need even more humans than usual to sate her boundless lust.

Kanon and Kanade were still working on the demiurge project as well as on the new apocalypse plan, and were apparently making a steady progress. But Kanon also needed more men to maintain the environment required to create the weapon, while Kanade apparently also "got carried away". It was probably nothing too serious for now, but the lack of details already told the Dark Goddess she wouldn't like hearing how many people ended up victim to the slime's gluttony.

Saja apparently had some difficulties as the rebels were still periodically attacking her, despite the heavy casualties they apparently kept taking. She frowned as time was running short, and minor, easily avoidable crisis kept piling up and taking more resources. The interventions of the new archangels, those twins, and the perpetual interferences of the White Rabbi were already creating enough troubles without her children creating new ones.

"Is there a problem, mother?"

Hiruko's childish voice could be heard as the Scylla ancestor came from a shadow. Her child-like body and demeanor were a radical change from her shameless, well endowed sisters, but she was as capable and, despite her comparatively modest clothing, had the same insatiable sexual appetites. Two of her tentacles were tightly twinning and crawling around her legs, which confirmed Alipheese that, despite her smile, her child was quite nervous.

Alipheese smiled maternally at her creation. Even if she was still closer to Tamamo or Saja, she found Hiruko's boundless curiosity and desire to serve refreshing. She was glad the Scylla stopped by to say hello -even if it was at the cost of a few servants who disappeared after she requested her company-. Besides, she usually had enough self control to avoid showing the uglier part of monsterkind to public that usually took the form of a pile of dessiccated bodies. Or at least, she was careful enough to clean afterwards. Maybe she should have sent her instead…

"Just the usual troubles your sisters like to create so much, nothing serious for the moment. I suppose that if you're here, it means the seas are currently safe."

The Scylla ancestor's tentacles loosened as she relaxed. Good, at least one of her children was going to make her day better.

"Nothing new here, we managed to properly take care of a rebel ship and its crew that were trying their luck at sea, but nothing exceptional. They're too afraid now to go out there. She smiled with her face contorting into an uncanny expression before she reassumed her signature smirk."

"Is there a particular reason for your presence? You're always welcome, but I thought you would have your hand full, between your involvement with the demiurge project and all the territory you have to cover."

Hiruko stretched her arms in a curiously human way; several new tentacles appeared from under her skirt for a split second before retracting.

"I just passed by because I was curious about what you planned to do about that hero, Luka. Tamamo and Saja keep talking about him, and when I ask they tell me that he's the key to our plan. Buuut, I think in reality they already both have their sights on him and want to suck him dry. And I'm pretty sure Minagi would also like to have a taste after her daughters kept singing praise of him. And when it comes to Kanon and Kanade, well…"

"They'll jump him as soon as the opportunity presents itself. And you, are you not interested in him?" Alipheese grinned as she asked the question to her daughter.

Hiruko shrugged and answered half-heartedly.

"I didn't see him myself yet, but he sounds interesting. I mean, he has the blood of an angel, he did travel a lot, gave the sisters a run for their money, and wants to live happily with monsters… He doesn't seem too regarding when it comes to appearances, and probably has a lot of stamina if he managed to deal with that many partners. So… I'll try to see him myself later. That could maybe be fun."

Alipheese saw through the disinterested tone as her supernatural senses picked up a subtle, repeated squishing noise. The ancestor was subtly working herself up with her tentacles. All of her creations indeed wanted to lay with the hero.

Alipheese's tone became solemn.

"To answer your question about the Daystar's son, we will definitively work toward integrating him in the best way possible. We do not want to give a chance to the angels to recruit him, his growing power could easily tip the scale in their favor if they do so. His ability to travel between dimensions will be vital if we want to save the Lilith Sisters, and if we want to intervene without being blocked by that annoying Great Seal. We will see later to whom his presence will profit the most."

Hiruko nodded as she absorbed the information. Alipheese's tone became more familiar.

"But first, go take a rest for today. We shall have a little discussion with your sister in San Ilia about her communication stunt."

Hiruko bowed and turned back to the room's entrance. Once outside, she seductively beckoned an old human servant who seemed both eager and afraid to follow her. She flashed a last smile at her mother as she closed the door to the throne's room.

As she was finally alone, the Dark Goddess sighed. She did not initially plan for a new actor in this conflict, and certainly did not think her forces would repeatedly fight him. She also would have liked the situation to go more smoothly, but it would have required a more hand on approach for her, and doing so would have destabilized the world even faster. Besides, Minagi was probably right when she theorized that the hero was not following this adventure for the first time. There was no reason for Eden to be with him, and yet… here she was.

However, Alipheese was confident that the hero could be swayed to her side by the Lilith sisters. Even if they used to have an antagonistic relationship, his acceptance of Morrigan after she presented their plan meant he could willingly support monsters further. Besides, they could still use seduction magic to subtly make him more open to their idea. And if neither them nor the ancestors could manage to convince him, well…

She could probably do it herself.