Chap 17: Enemy or Ally? The Awakening of Berserk

“Hey, Kuro-kun!”

“Hm?”

“Why did you bring that Succubus girl with you?”

Before I knew it, we were inside a cave with an unknown location. And there I was, bringing along that seemingly weak Succubus.

“Um… just a whim?”

As I answered like that, Lofia lightly tapped me on the head.

“Um, um…,”

The seemingly weak Succubus hesitantly opens her mouth.

“For now, since you’re in a disadvantageous situation, you’ll follow our instructions.”

It’s 2 against 1, and the difference in power is overwhelmingly in our favor.

“…”

“Lofia, put down your sword.”

“Seriously, you draw your sword at every opportunity.”

“Well then, let’s start with self-introductions, please.”

It’s important to ask for the name of someone you meet for the first time.

“I am Hui, a Succubus.”

“Hui, huh? I’m Kuro. And this is Lofia.”

“…”

“Lofia, don’t intimidate her.”

Honestly, she always resorts to intimidation whenever she can.

“Kuro-sama, will I be killed?”

“At least for now, we won’t kill you. You’re an important source of information, after all.”

Gulp

When I mentioned being an important source of information, Hui flinched. She’s quite easy to read.

“Then let’s start by having you tell us about the current situation in this country, shall we?”

Through Hui’s subsequent explanation, we learned various things.

The ratio of females to males among succubi is 9:1.

Succubi are known as a lineage that retains their appearance even as they age.

However, in recent years, the population has been decreasing.

No matter how you look at it, just like humans, offspring can only be born through a male-female pair. With only women in Succubus Country, it’s naturally not enough, so they are said to be capturing men who come to this country, imprisoning them, and forcing them to procreate.

“You’re quite obedient in telling us everything, huh?”

Even though I asked her to comply, she’s being too obedient.

“I’m going to be killed anyway.”

“Killed? Why?”

“I’m a failure. That’s why…”

Come to think of it, the succubus that attacked us earlier said something similar.

“Succubi have the ability to absorb the life force of others and convert it into their own power.”

“Oh, I see.”

“But I don’t possess that ability.”

“Hmm, I see.”

“And… I’m not good with men.”

“Huh? But you’re talking to me just fine, aren’t you?”

“Well, please look at my hand.”

Indeed, Hui’s hand was trembling.

So that’s why she was trembling so much when we first met.

“In other words, to summarize, Hui doesn’t possess the unique abilities of a succubus, nor can she seduce men. That’s why she thinks of herself as a failure.”

…

Hui was visibly saddened by the blunt statement.

I’m sorry. I tend to be the type who speaks straightforwardly.

“Lofia, can you still not believe it even after hearing that?”

Lofia, as usual, clung to my arm. While I was asking questions, she stared at Hui with a stern expression.

“Hmm…”

Honestly…

“I believe in Hui.”

“Huh?”

The Hui in front of me widened her eyes in surprise.

“And I’ll guarantee Hui’s safety.”

It would be pitiful if she were to be killed.

“That’s right, Lofia.”

“If Kuro-chan has decided… then it’s fine?”

“Good, good.”

Lofia always obediently follows my decisions, for some reason. As I gently stroke her head and praise her, she seems to enjoy it.

“Then, shall we have Boss-san guide us first?”

“Y-Yes, understood…”

And so, we were led to the presence of the most important Succubus in this country.

And the accessory around Hui’s neck was gleaming red.

***

“Hui shall be disposed of. But I never expected her to spill the beans about the state of this country so easily.”

Queen Yarimar, the top ruler of this nation, was furious.

Despite giving Hui, the failed Succubus, one last chance, she still failed and foolishly revealed the current state of the country. She was utterly useless until the very end.

“Ichi, Ni, Sachi, come forth,” Yarimar called, and three succubi appeared, kneeling before her.

“That masked man and the female swordsman are gone, and soon our allies will start to notice. Capture each of them and restrain them. But don’t kill them; just enough to incapacitate.”

“Hai!”

“Now, watch. The fun festival is about to begin.”

(TL/N: Currently, I am enhancing the design of my website to make it more visually appealing. This process may take some time, so please bear with me and be patient.)