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

Sheeba had sent riders out to the wayward clans ahead of time to inform them of their coming. When Kanae explained to Arenade of the plans to bring them into the fold, she was initially reluctant. She didn’t want to leave Talahurah after a long journey coming here to begin with. It took Kanae suggesting she bring the influence of Bright Cloister to clan Black Wings that she finally agreed. Talk about easy.

While Arenade and Bright Cloister prepared to travel north to meet the harpy clan, Kanae and Sheeba readied themselves to head east where clan Fang and Claw lived. Chances were, these wolf beastmen were going to be ready for a fight. At least, that was what Sheeba seemed sure of, having encountered them many times in the past already.

They chartered carriages from the Rown Company of Talahurah, who provided them with warm and cozy vehicles. The walls were insulated with a layer of wool, a carpet of soft fabric laid the floor, and a small wood-fed burner emitted constant heat into the cabin.

”Remember, Arenade. We’re trying to make friends with these clans. I’m sending to Black Wings because they’re the less hostile of the two. Don’t be too weird with your Bright Cloister shenanigans,” Kanae implored.

”Who do you think you’re talking to? I ran the country all those times you were absent. I’m a professional at diplomacy. Those harpies will be begging to join us before you know it.” Arenade turned her nose to the sky.

Kanae wasn’t convinced. In fact, she was worried. Bright Cloister gained a few new faces after their stunt at the Oaken Amphitheater. They joined the envoy bound for Black Wings.

”What? Are you worried about me? I’ll have you know my house prospered greatly under the first decade of my leadership! I made long lasting alliances—”

”That ended up no standing with you when the other high elven houses exiled you?” Kanae teased.

Arenade stopped cold and choked on her next word.

”There… There were some extenuating circumstances going on, alright? Circumstances beyond my control!” Arenade countered.

”Yeah, yeah. Looks like your group is ready to go. Come here and give me a kiss!” Kanae puckered her lips and threw her arms out for a hug.

”Bold of you to ask for romance after insulting me.” She folded her arms, glaring.

Kanae sulked. Arenade eventually relented and entered into the embrace. The lips connected tenderly. Their warmth seeped into one another while enveloped in each other’s arms.

”Alright, that’s enough for you.” Arenade parted first, pushing Kanae at arms’ length. ”I let you have too much, and you just get handsy. Like I said, leave the harpies to me.” She turned to Sheeba. ”Just to be sure, I have full discretion on negotiating with them?”

”You and Kanae are the sovereigns of the Commonwealth… Talahurah falls under its umbrella. As long as what they ask for in return doesn’t compromise us, I’ll accept… grrr… any outcome.” Sheeba struggled getting those last words out.

Everyone climbed into their respective carriages and set out into the wilderness beyond the great tree’s city. Kanae’s group comprised herself, Sheeba, and four more dignitaries. They didn’t bring any guards or warriors for protection. After all, battle wasn’t the point. Diplomacy was. Even if it came to violence, Kanae was confident that she and Sheeba alone were more than capable of handling anything. Hopefully.

Her trusty mimic, Chester, accompanied them to serve as a mobile equipment box. Sheeba was seated at one end of the carriage, watching Kanae rummage through his snapped-open maw.

”Are you sure that thing is tame?” Sheeba asked nervously.

”Yeah! Chester is just the sweetest. Do you want to pet him?” Kanae patted the mimic.

”N-No, I’m good…” she said.

Kanae pulled Lust and Cockcalibur out of Chester. She might not have need of the Blade of the First Temptress. Meeting Fang and Claw with a sword on her back could send the wrong signals. For now, it could stay inside the mimic’s bowels until things turned sideways.

”So, tell me about Fang and Claw. Like, why are they aggressive to Talahurah? What do I need to know before meeting them?” Kanae asked.

”It would take ages to tell you everything, but I’ll try and keep it short. There was a time when beastmen predated each other. When a lion hunts a gazelle, no one bats an eye. Why should they if I do the same to a beastman smaller than me? Over the centuries, beastmen formed clans and tribes to protect themselves. They typically stayed within their own races. Then a Kh’shanti sprung from the fertile grasslands, and people began to call it Talahurah. We gathered around the tree, which grew fruits, provided shelter, and turned the superstitious religious. Guess you can say the old great tree civilized us, ushering in a renaissance where beastmen worked together rather than hunted each other. Some beastmen didn’t like that. Clan Fang and Claw is one such group. One of the largest. Maybe you can sympathize as a succubus. What would you do if one day, someone said you couldn’t feed off people anymore?”

”I’d be pretty bummed out, yeah. But I can still regularly drain dire beasts. I even have my dreadmourn stallion Titan, who regularly satisfies me!” She wiped the drool from her chin.

”Right… I sometimes forget Your Majesty isn’t like other succubi. Anyway, that makes you like us. Willing to adapt. Fang and Claw are closer to the Queen-Mother and her ilk. They wanted to keep hunting beastmen.”

”Do they still?”

Sheeba shook her head.

”No, thank The Many. They haven’t for hundreds of years now. But since our populations have grown since, and that we’ve vowed to only hunt game, Talahurah has often clashed with them over territory and hunting grounds. These antagonisms have persisted to this day,” she explained.

Talahurah and Fang and Claw’s situation were kind of similar to the Commonwealth and Temptation. Both sought to continue outdated traditions, only to face opposition.

”Personally, what do you think is the best way to resolve this? And feel free to speak your mind,” Kanae insisted.

”Personally? Subjugation. A show of strength. Talon tried and failed during her reign, but she was weak. I suppose I’m also weak for not being able to do it. Maybe things will be different with you,” Sheeba suggested.

They talked well into the afternoon. The wood burner kept them warm, and Kanae was even able to brew some tea over it. As their envoy of diplomats ventured deeper into the highlands, the frigid mountain range loomed ever higher. It served as a staple backdrop no matter where one was in the northern parts of the Commonwealth.

Sheeba eventually nodded off. The carriage rocked her to sleep. Kanae got up to close the window they left open just a track to let fresh air in. She noticed something in the hills. It quickly disappeared from sight. She went to the window on the opposite side of the carriage. Figures dashed by in a blur.

”Shit,” Kanae muttered before her carriage came to an abrupt stop.

The languis outside whined. Sheeba’s ears twitched once, and she snapped awake.

”Of course, they were going to fucking attack us! Why did I think falling asleep was a good idea?” Sheeba groaned.

”What’s the plan?” Kanae asked.

”This is your peace mission, Your Majesty. Whatever you say, I follow,” she explained.

A hulking wolf beastman landed on top of the other carriage. The four diplomats inside shrieked as he punched a hole through the roof, trying to grab at them.

Kanae didn’t get a chance to answer. Another beastman ripped the door off the hinges from their carriage.

”Chester, attack!” Kanae ordered.

The mimic launched forward, chomping down on the wolfman’s head and upper body. He fell backwards into the ground. Sharp claws desperately tried to pry it off him. When Kanae and Sheeba stepped out of the carriage, they were surrounded by wolf beastmen. There was no doubt in her mind these were clan Fang and Claw.

”Don’t forget. Lycan Ancestry makes them similar to hobgoblins in resisting succubus charm,” Sheeba whispered, brandishing her own claws at the many aggressors.

”Yeah, I remember.” Kanae walked a few steps to address them. ”I am Kanae Toyomi, Empress of the Commonwealth. We’ve come from Talahurah on a diplomatic mission to speak with your leader. Take me to them.”

A beastman with animal skulls adorning his belt scoffed and pointed to Sheeba. ”The Pack Leader has already talked with that one. He told her to stay out of our lands. I don’t give a shit if you’re empress of the world. You traipsed into our turf, so we’re dragging you bloodied and beaten out ourselves.”

”Well, Sheeba. A show of strength it is. Demonstrate to them that we’re not going anywhere,” she said.

”With pleasure.” The lioness cracked neck, tail wagging with eagerness.

The first wolf singled out some in the pack to attack. Three lunged forth on all fours like dire wolves. Using her heel, Sheeba drew a wide arc in the ground in front of herself and took a stance. The fastest of the trio got to her first, and as soon as he reached the drawn line, her leg launched forward and connected with his head. He flew sideways into the crowd.

Kanae gave credit to the other two. They didn’t back down. Sheeba clasped both hands into one big fist and brought it crashing down on the second, then sidestepped the third, whose claws barely missed her throat. She grabbed his tail, slammed him into the ground, and kicked him rolling back up to the others.

”The kitten’s grown teeth!” A giant wolf beastman emerged from the pack, shoving others away and standing a whole head taller than the rest. His fangs were so large, they protruded from his upper jaw like a sabertooth. He adorned a necklace made of bones, and two large dire wolf skulls rested on his shoulders like pauldrons.

”While you were out here hunting animals, I fought wars and won,” Sheeba said.

”Hey, Sheeba. Who is that hunk of beastman meat?” Kanae bit her lower lip.

”Yordo. Fang and Claw employ what they call Hunter Chiefs to lead packs into hunts and battle. He leads this group. The last time we duked it out, I… lost terribly. Let me regain my honor, but with my own strength,” she implored, clearly referring to the Bond skill.

Kanae nodded. Both Sheeba and Yordo entered a ring of the Fang and Claw clan members’ making. They started lightly thumping their chests and grunting. Unlike the fight earlier, this one looked more important and ceremonial.

The wolf and lion stared each other down for what felt like minutes. Only seconds had passed since they entered the ring. Yordo made the first move. He swiped. She ducked to the side and slammed her fist into his gut. Quick on her feet, she evaded every attack the larger beastman tried to land. He was just too slow.

Punch after punch, slash after slash, Sheeba shredded fur and skin off Yordo. Yet he didn’t waver. The lioness saw an opening when he dove for her. As he missed and hit the dirt, she threw a roundhouse kick right for his head— only to catch her leg.

”Pathetic!” Yordo lifted her dangling upside down, then slammed her repeatedly into the ground.

Sheeba continued struggling. Her claws cut deeply into Yordo’s hand, but he didn’t let go. Eventually she went limp, coughing up blood after each pummeling.

”That’s enough!” Kanae yelled.

”Maybe she should grow some claws next!” Yordo scoffed, tossing Sheeba’s battered body up to Kanae’s feet and sneered.

”I’m… sorry, Your Majesty…” Sheeba sputtered.

”Don’t be. You did your best.” She was about to cast Flash heal, only to remember the new healing skill Gaea had given her.

Right then, Kanae felt a distinctly wet sensation from her tail. The tip that typically opened into a three-pronged clamp oozed a golden nectar from the seams. She checked a menu that popped up.

[Nectar of the Grove: Once per day, you may secrete a dollop of honey to fully restore someone’s health, mana, and stamina.]

”I guess my tail is the best place it can come out of… Quick! Drink this!” Kanae positioned her tail over Sheeba.

”But that… looks gross… I think I’m fine… gritting through the pain…” Sheeba turned her head.

Kanae shoved her tail into Sheeba’s mouth. The lioness gurgled on the substance for a moment, then swallowed heartily. Although still bloodied, she looked good as new. She tongued a loose front tooth, pushed it out, and a new one was already taking its place.

”I feel better!” Sheeba gasped.

”Thank goodness.” Kanae hugged her, taking the lioness by surprise. ”I’m proud of you for fighting, but don’t be afraid to admit when you’re beaten. Sometimes, a monarch has to fight her subjects’ battles.”

Yordo was doing victory laps around the ring, riling up his fellow hunters, until Kanae entered the ring. The smirk on his face widened.

”Oh? Do I get to bloody up the Commonwealth’s empress next? The Pack Leader will reward me for scarring you,” Yordo growled eagerly.

”You can certainly try,” Kanae said.

The chest thumping and grunting picked up again. Yordo was still riding the high of his win against Sheeba. He walked circles around Kanae, and she waited to let him make the first attack. When the beastman had enough stalking, he lunged for her.

Kanae drew her wand and casted, ”Turn Horny!”

”Hrrng?!” Yordo skidded to a halt.

Everyone looked down. A bright red and veiny cock stood erect. Infuriated, Yordo charged at Kanae again. She stayed on the defensive, casting Turn Horny a second, third, and fourth time.

”They say if your dick stays too hard for too long, you stop thinking straight. Too much blood goes from your head to your… other head. How about we stop fighting, and I’ll grant you some relief?” Kanae winked.

”Is this all you can muster with your succubus voodoo? Stand still and fight!” Yordo barreled towards Kanae, who was standing firmly in place. He swiped her with both hands and missed, because she was already on her knees.

Kanae gripped the base of the beastman’s cock, where the knot was the thickest. She pressed her face to the piping hot red and licked the shaft. Yordo tensed up. His knees buckled and gave way. He dropped onto his ass, body shivering as if thrown into the frigid northern mountains.

”For how much of a strong and beastly man you are, I’m unimpressed. Just a little lick, and you’re already close to climaxing? Let’s see if you can handle this.” Kanae parted the lips of her pussy with two fingers and sat down on the beastman’s cock.

”Aahhhh! It’s so hot… hotter than anyone I’ve ever been inside of…” Yordo’s head flung back.

”You like that?” she asked, bouncing ravenously on his red rocket. ”This is a succubus’ pussy. You were hoping to beat me? I don’t think so… mmmh… Your cock might be big, but it doesn’t stand a chance against me!”

Yordo vainly tried to push Kanae off, but the more they remained connected, the more she drained and sapped away his vitality, stamina, and mana. The chest-thumping stopped. Their grunting turned to hoots and hollers. Yordo’s cries for help were drowned out by them thinking this was part of the battle.

Eventually, the wolf’s arms turned to noodles. His hands fell to Kanae’s thighs instead. She grinded her hips, squeezing him tighter and tighter. The bulbous knot stretched her pussy, pushing the walls apart from the inside. It grew thicker and harder the longer she rode him.

”I’m cumming…!” Yordo howled.

A geyser of hot cum flooded Kanae’s womb. Her eyes rolled back as she climaxed, too.

[Congratulations! You are now level 290!]

”Oooohh, that felt good! I really needed that. Maybe I should make you mine and… Oh.” Kanae glanced down to find Yordo passed out, foaming at the mouth.

”The Hunter Chief has been defeated!” someone shouted.

Silence fell across the pack.

”Uh, yes. I’ve defeated Yordo! Now, take me to your Pack Leader. That… That is my right after beating him, yeah? I’m not sure how Fang and Claw conduct their traditions,” Kanae said.

”There is no such tradition,” an older male wolfman came forth and said. ”But you have beaten the strongest among us, putting you at the top of the hierarchy. If you wish to meet with our Pack Leader, then we will take you to him.”

When Kanae got off of Yordo, his fellow hunters dragged his unconscious body away. Sheeba raced over and grabbed her hand.

”Your Majesty, you did it! An unconventional fight for sure, but that was a victory nonetheless. I only wish I could have been the one to defeat him. Perhaps… I’m not strong enough to lead Talahurah after all.” Sheeba’s shoulders dropped.

”Don’t think that way. I’m the one who put you in charge, remember? Or are you telling me I was wrong to do that?” Kanae teased.

”No! Grrr… I’ll do better next time, so as to not bring you shame. I will get stronger,” the lioness vowed.

”Good.” She patted her on the back. ”Now, let’s check on the other carriage and get going. Looks like the clan will leave without us if we don’t keep up.”