The Hero Became a Succubus, and the Only Way to Level is to… What?!

When Kanae and Titan returned from their multi-day trip to fulfill Elirashj’s collection, they landed in the terrace stable of Amethyst Hall where two figures were in the middle of refilling the feeding troughs. Aisha and Meidina waved to her, but grimaced upon seeing how disheveled she was.

Ponytail undone, leggings not pulled up all the way, and collar not fully tightened, Kanae dismounted from Titan on unsteady knees. They had stayed an extra day out longer than she hoped and got nothing done other than rut like animals.

”What happened to you?” Aisha arched her brow.

”He happened.” Kanae thumbed over her shoulder to Titan, who was nuzzling his snout in the pocket of her neck. ”Anyway, I brought back some reagents for you to tinker with.” She rummaged through a knapsack and pulled out a satchel of flowers, jars of honey, and a seed pouch. ”Codura flower. Grab some more from the fairies of Faebog. It’s like an aphrodisiac. I didn’t feel the effects all too much, but it made Titan go crazy.”

”Huh. Maybe I can add this to the fertility potion to give it a kick.” The alchemist took the satchel and left to go to her laboratory.

Kanae led Titan back to his stall, fed him an apple, and had Meidina help her walk down to the baths. Prestidigitation already magically made her squeaky clean, but it didn’t have the same effect as bathing in hot water. The elven half-succubus joined in and gave her a massage from behind.

”How’s life been away from the cloth, Meidina? I felt a little bad when I took you away from the Radevic branch.” Kanae leaned into the massage and sighed blissfully.

”It’s great! People still rely on me for something up here, and it makes me feel useful. I visit Tabi down in the city every other day, so I’m not lonely at all. She suggested we turn an open room in Amethyst Hall into an Eminence chapel. That way, the devout around Aidenhall can visit sometimes,” Meidina explained.

”I like that idea. You have my permission to use one of the larger rooms. I miss those days when we all were operating in Lograin together. Do you still keep in touch with the other girls, too?”

”Of course!” She nodded so excitedly, Kanae could hear the water flicking off her hair. ”We send letters to each other all the time. Tabi’s found a boyfriend. Hehe. Nice guy, but she can do better. Erin and Taileen help tend to the new kh’shanti. I hear it’s grown a lot! In Lograin, Eldora’s making renovations to make the church bigger because attendance has been blowing up. Oh, oh! I saw Lilith yesterday. She wanted to head back to Ehmvier early, and told me to give you her regards. We went shopping before leaving, and…” The succubus lowered her voice as if sharing a secret. ”She bought these cute opal earrings for Zadris! You should’ve seen how anxious she was, worrying if Zadris will like them. Ahhhh, they’re so cute together!”

Kanae relished in Meidina recounting the going-ons of the original Sisters of Sin’s lives. Much had happened while she was in Savir. But to think, Lilith and Zadris were butting heads before. Now, they were an item? She might have to give them a good round of teasing after getting back.

They shared some more stories together and only left to avoid getting too pruney. Kanae threw her clothes back on, including a fresh Amethyst Hall tabard that covered up her more provocative appearance. The dark purple and black colors fit the Matron’s Regalia well.

As Kanae walked the corridors of Amethyst Hall, she paused to lean out the window and let the warm summer winds dry her hair. Down below in the training fields, several figures were resting by a tree. The Broodmother skill detected that one of her children was down there.

Curious, Kanae jumped from the window and unfurled her wings. She touched down on the grassy knoll to the sound of a child’s snarling laughter. Esta watched from underneath the comfort of a tree’s canopy shade as her daughter, Feraline, was play-fighting with Darren—

”Wait, Darren?!” Kanae screamed.

The playing stopped. Feraline stopped wrestling with Darren, ran up to Kanae, and hugged her legs.

”Mom!” Feraline exclaimed.

”Hello, Master. Was your trip to the countryside fruitful?” Esta walked up and asked.

”It was alright, but… What is Darren doing out here?” Kanae asked, pointing to the male drakeling.

Darren von Cleisseldor, son of Avaline von Cleisseldor, and prisoner of war from the Ortesian invasion. The large drakeling had lost some of his bulk since Kanae last laid eyes on him. An unfortunate perk of imprisonment. However, he was still a mountain of a man that could easily crush someone’s skull.

”Feraline and my brother have been playing. It is good to have her around other members of the family. This will teach her martial combat from an early age,” Esta explained as a matter of factly.

”I can see that… but shouldn’t Darren be in prison?” Kanae turned to the drakeling brother for an answer instead.

”I’ve been granted supervised visitation,” Darren explained, then gestured to the squad of Aidenhall knights observing intensely from above the knoll. ”I’m not escaping this fortress palace. Even if I could, there is no feasible way I can find my way out of a city as big as Radevic. So, don’t worry. I’m not going anywhere. And besides, I get to play with my niece!”

Feraline jumped back to her uncle and slammed into his chest. He didn’t so much as budge but pretended to be hurt by the impact. Kanae sighed. At the very least, they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Darren continued, ”I am a little peeved that my prison sentence has been made… more unbearable by recent additions.”

”How do you mean?” Kanae tilted her head.

”You should know better than anyone. Your foray into Savir foiled the Ortesians again. Arnault Pyrelle and Vernon DeSalle were thrown into my cell. I have to suffer their constant grievances about failing their houses. Though, it’s not so bad. They recounted how Petyr humiliated them in battle. Ha!” He bellowed heartily and made Feraline giggle, too.

Kanae couldn’t help but laugh, too. Darren was surprisingly… normal compared to Avaline. The same was true of Esta. Was it really only their mother, who was unhinged?

”Say, since you don’t seem eager to escape, does that mean your Loyalty Fixation isn’t on anyone?” Kanae asked.

”Hm? Oh, no. I am sworn to someone.” Darren nodded.

”Come to think of it, I don’t even know them. Who is it, Brother?” Esta turned to him curiously.

”No one of royalty as Estaline is to you, or Mother to Lord Guillaume. My master is a minor lord of a vassal house to a house of retainers in service to House Pyrelle. He is a kind man, despite living in a den of snakes. He is also a potent fencer! I came to fight on his behalf. I’m confident we will see each other again,” the drakeling explained with fondness in his voice.

The way Darren and Esta regarded their respective masters made Kanae wonder who Feraline will fixate on one day. It seemed like this didn’t happen to just anyone though. What kind of person was Guillaume Pyrelle that earned Loyalty Fixation from someone like Avaline von Cleisseldor?

Before Kanae could spare another thought or ask, a carriage escorted by Delayn and Vestrid rolled in. The door flung open, and Archbishop Patrice poked her head out.

”Perfect. Amethyst, Silver. Get in here. I received word that Grand Eye Analise returned to Radevic earlier this morning. She should be rolling into Aidenhall soon. We’re heading to the front gates of the palace to receive her,” the archbishop said.

”I suppose I shall return to prison. Too bad my cellmates don’t exactly make it a bearable experience.” Darren let Feraline down, bowed to them, and surrendered himself to the Aidenhall knights.

Feraline climbed onto Kanae’s back, and together with Esta, they hopped into the carriage where the Knight of Red was sitting next to the archbishop. Sivvy Brenhallow was practically bouncing in her seat. Her restlessness extended to both of her legs, springing up and down.

”Wah!” Feraline jumped from Kanae’s back and onto Sivvy’s lap instead.

”Hey, don’t bother her.” Kanae was about to pull Feraline back until the harpy brushed it off.

”It’s cool. Thanks, kiddo. You just wanted to cheer me up, huh?” Sivvy pinched the drakeling child’s cheeks.

”Hehe!” She did the same to the harpy woman.

”Your anxiousness is understandable. I can’t imagine being imprisoned for years and coming back to see the Grand Eye again after so long.” Esta sympathized.

”Thanks for being here with me, guys!” Red leaned forward and threw her arms around them.

”Can you all sit back down already?” Archbishop Patrice groaned.

The carriage lurched forward and jostled them into their seats anyway. They came around to the front of Aidenhall’s courtyard. Two columns of knights framed a path from the gate. Kanae and Esta were the only ones free today. The other Knights of Colors had work, and the archbishop specifically didn’t task Sivvy with any work today on purpose.

They lined up at the end of the knights’ columns as a procession passed through the opened gates. Saint Priests Danito and Sheena Darrow led the frontmost carriage up to them, their shoulders hanging after a long journey. But Sivvy was full of energy, and her gaze was fixed on the carriage door.

Danito dismounted and pulled it open. Grand Eye Analise stumbled out in a hurry, mouth agape, and eyes snapped open and anchored on Sivvy. She appeared to almost be in sheer disbelief over who was in front of her.

”Siv?” Grand Eye Analise muttered.

”It’s me, Ana! Long time no see! Are you going to bring it in or what?” Sivvy stretched out both arms.

Without wasting another moment, the Grand Eye ran over and gave Sivvy a hug. The warmth of two friends reuniting after a long time wasn’t lost on Kanae. As they shedded tears of joy, onlookers wiped some of their own.

”By the Supreme One’s beard, how… how have you not lost any weight?” Analise asked.

”Gotta eat more bones. You humans are so frail and skinny. Could learn a thing or two from my diet. But don’t worry. Your old harpy friend is back, and we can snack on some juicy bones tonight!” Sivvy smirked.

The Grand Eye broke from the embrace first as guilt washed over her.

”I’m sorry. I should have done more to bring you back from Savir. There was just so much that was happening here, I couldn’t find the time. Sometimes, I’d forget to make plans to rescue you… I don’t… I don’t know if I deserve to call you friend when you spent all those years imprisoned.” Analise frowned.

”That shit doesn’t matter. Kanae told me all about what was going on in Radevic. Sounds to me like you had it just as rough. Besides, what matters is that I’m back now! You didn’t forget. Kanae wouldn’t have come to save me if you didn’t tell her to!” Sivvy put an arm around Analise’s shoulders and the other around Kanae.

”Ugh. I hate that your optimism can be so contagious. You’re right. I’m so glad you’re here now. And Amethyst, thank you.” She smiled.

”It was my pleasure to rescue a colleague. We wouldn’t have won the war in Savir without her.” Kanae beamed.

In celebration of Sivvy’s return, Grand Eye Analise threw a party in the cafeteria late at night after academy students retired to their dormitories and rooms. The Knights of Colors, Saint Priests, professors, and old friends joined to officially welcome the Knight of Red back into the fold.

Alcohol flowed like a dry riverbed after a rainy spell. Kanae had to accept drinks on Alicia’s behalf since she was pregnant. Sivvy roped them in to regale the others about their heroic tales in Savir, ending in the climactic final battle against the Harpy King.

Even Archbishop Patrice had her fair share of stories to tell, especially since the facial burn scar made for a great conversation starter. As the night winded down, some people got too shit-faced to stay standing or keep awake. Kanae walked Alicia back to Amethyst Hall and returned to spend the remainder of the night in the cafeteria. Soon, only a few were left. Chief among them was Grand Eye Analise, who didn’t partake in alcohol. Sivvy was lying face down across from her on the table, snoring like a congested ogre.

”I should’ve expected Sivvy was a party animal,” Kanae said, taking a seat next to them.

”Very. I almost missed the peace and quiet afforded to me when she wasn’t here. But no more wistful thinking. I have to enjoy the blessings the Supreme One has given me. From you as well. I imagine you won’t be staying in Radevic for much longer?” Analise asked.

She nodded. ”We’ve almost completed the backlog of quests. I’m thinking of leaving Hilde and Claudia in charge of Amethyst Hall while Alicia is pregnant. I have a country to run back home, people to catch up with, and a nation of succubi to watch out for. Obviously, I’m asking you permission first.”

”Your leave of absence is granted,” the Grand Eye answered promptly. ”Ehmvier is a breathtaking sight this time of the year. I wish I could go back. Feel free to take as long as you need. Once Sivvy fills Red Hall with recruits, they should be able to take some burden off yours. There is a favor I’d like to ask of you though, selfish as it is given you already rescued Siv. Someone wants to join you in your return to the Commonwealth.”

”Huh? Who?”

A flock of ravens merged into a single silhouette that plopped down on the table.

”That would be me, Amethyst. Or should I say… Empress Kanae?” Elizabeth Bedlam took a long drag of her pipe and smiled.

”Okay, but why… The last time you came to Ehmvier, you put your tower in the middle of the city. It compacted the ground so badly, we had to call in a crowned Geomancer to fix the soil!” Kanae groaned.

”I’ve just got done mentoring William as the next Azure and am in need of a vacation. Another will take care of Wendy and Garuda. Those two are nearly done anyway. Oh, and don’t worry. I calibrated my tower to plant down somewhere much more convenient in your city,” she said, but Kanae wasn’t at all confident about it.