The Hero Became a Succubus! - Chapter 164

Alt link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1GQXkFnFCtHSz9Wpa7925TiKxZ4waMGTwOhVJ6dpZ4Qw/edit?usp=share_link

Chapter 164

Kanae, her companions, and her daughters returned to Highgreen to lick their wounds. It was morning by the time they arrived back, and almost everyone collapsed into a bed at Margrave Grell's manor.

However, a few had little choice but to stay awake.

"To be honest, I preferred the continued threat of demons and succubi at Highgreen's doorsteps. This change leaves much to the unknown," Grell said, both hands clasped tightly and tensed up on the table.

"I'm with you." Kanae sighed with her head in her arms, still troubled by the encounter with Labelle and Ambrosia. "The silver lining is that we don't have to worry about being attacked anymore? But I don't think we should let our guard down just yet."

"Agreed, Queen Kanae. We'll continue to bolster our defenses here. What are your plans in the meantime?" he asked.

"We will be leaving the Commonwealth for Radevic to inform the Grand Eye and figuring out our next move," Eliza answered in Kanae's place.

They had two rather powerful prisoners to transport after all. Among other things to do.

"Imprisoning Minestra and Hilde within the halls of Aidenhall should eliminate any possibility of a rescue or escape attempt. It should also convince Ortesia that we aren't undermining the order," Esta explained.

"Let's hope so," Kanae wished aloud.

As everyone split from the meeting room to join the others in getting some sleep, Kanae went to check on her daughters before turning in. She cracked open the door to Teana's room and found her, Pan, and Revah, curled up and clinging to Nelly. They were all fast asleep. Next, she went to find Suvee and Kanade, but neither of them were in their rooms. She followed Broodmother's senses out to the stables, where her two youngest slept together alongside the foal.

Kanae entered to pull the blanket back up to their shoulders, then laid her own cloak over them. She returned to the manor in search of Mikki, who was unsurprisingly asleep in her room with Daya. The succubus sat upright in the bed, holding Mikki in her arms.

"When Ambrosia showed up, I thought it was going to be all over for us. I still can't believe she just… let me go," Daya said quietly.

"Maybe she isn't as cruel or crazy as the others?" Kanae suggested.

She shook her head. "There's no way. We're all our Queen-Mother's daughters after all. That terrifies me the most."

"Queen-Mother and Mistresses or not, don't worry. I'll protect you. You and Mikki, and all of my daughters, too."

That promise got a smile out of Daya. Satisfied, Kanae gently closed the door on the way out to let them sleep. She paid Mitty a visit. Her goblin mate was lying awake in bed and healed up to perfect condition from a little magic.

"You're not sleeping with Arenade?" Mitty asked, his eyes wide with surprise.

"I think she needs some rest after being railed by a demon giant. Besides, I've been with her for months now, but I haven't seen you in a long while. I'm I not allowed to?" Kanae teased.

"Sorry…" He frowned.

"I heard you the first hundred times while you were half-conscious on the way back." She giggled, joining him in bed and snuggling up to his side. "So, you and Noah went out that far? Why?"

"We wanted to help you. After hearing Talahurah get attacked a few times, we thought maybe the demons were getting in another way. They had to be with how dangerous the mountains were."

"And that's when you two were attacked?"

"Did you forget I'm a Pathfinder? We actually found an entrance to a pass inside the mountain! But that's… when we were attacked," Mitty explained.

"You… You did? That changes so much!" Kanae exclaimed excitedly.

This was definitely a lead worth following, but there was no telling the other dangers that might lurk down there. Mitty and Noah getting attacked by demons down there lent proof that a route was being used.

"What happened after you two were captured? When did Labelle show up?" Kanae asked.

"I think it happened before they threw us in the dungeon. Labelle might have been controlling Milton the entire time. She interrogated us with a charm, found out who Noah was, and used him to lure you in. I guess it worked… I feel so terrible that I put our daughters in danger," Mitty said, his voice quivering and full of shame.

Kanae wrapped her arms around Mitty in a tender embrace.

"Hey, we're safe now. Our daughters are also safe. It must've been scary out there, so… why don't you let your succubus mate help you forget all about it?" she asked, sealing Mitty's trembling lips with a kiss and reaching down to stroke his throbbing erection.

At daybreak, Kanae ordered half her forces to stay in Highgreen. Leaving too many here would strain resources on the upkeep. She sent a letter to Talahurah, explaining to Sheeba what transpired and to stand down the forces they were originally intending to send into war.

Arenade, having slept in, awakened later and walked in on the tail-end of the meeting. She hobbled in with a limp, using the dryadic staff as a cane. Her eyes shot to Kanae, who was also suffering from a limp.

"What happened to you?" Arenade asked.

Mitty, who was part of the meeting and overheard, went beet red before glancing away to avoid looking suspicious.

"I, uh… tripped when I woke up. Anyway, there's something I want to investigate real quick before we leave. Just to confirm it for myself. Eliza, Mitty, and I were just waiting for you to wake up first," Kanae said.

"Investigate?" Arenade raised a brow.

The four of them headed for the mountains again. This time in flight. Kanae carried Mitty as he guided them to the alleged pass. There was a chasm accessible by a natural ramp, hidden behind tall grass that had been matted down from being stomped on. Down below and alongside rushing waters from a mountain stream, was the mouth of a cave large enough to fit an army of bodies.

"To think demons were coming in and out of this on a regular basis, but it makes sense… Traversing that mountain and lake was unfeasible," Eliza muttered to herself.

"Y-You know… I'm not very interested in spelunking…" Arenade stammered.

"We won't," Kanae assured her. "At least not yet."

They returned to inform Grell of their findings outside of Highreen and at the base of the mountains. Suffice to say, the margrave was horrified.

"Should we seal it?" Grell asked.

"We don't want the demons or succubi to know that we know. Last thing we need is for them to destroy it and find another way, then we're back to square one. Who knows what else might be down there, too. For now, have scouts keep a lookout," Kanae ordered.

Noah emerged from the city as Kanae was about to depart, his head hanging low.

"Kanae, I'm… so sorry for what I did…"

"I'm furious with you. But if it makes you feel any better, Mikki isn't." Kanae hugged her dark elf husband and smiled. "Next time, don't do anything rash without telling me first. That goes for Mitty, too."

"Yes, honey…" both of them uttered under her shaming gaze.

"That's right!" Suvee exclaimed. "If mom is angry with you, so am I!"

"What? Dad said he was sorry! I can live with Kanae being angry, but not you!" Noah dropped to his knees, tearfully clutching Suvee by the shoulders.

However, Suvee was as much her father's daughter as Teana was her mother's daughter. The little dark elven girl returned a hug and patted his back.

"There, there. I'll forgive you if you get me a gift as amazing as Grandpa's!" Suvee said, her opportunistic tendencies beginning to show.

"Ehhh? How am I supposed to best a Vantaean steed?" Noah gaped.

"You don't." Grell smirked.

They bid each other goodbye with promises to see each other again, and Noah vowing to give Suvee an amazing gift the next time she visited. He and Mitty would stay to continue their work to chart the Commonwealth. Hopefully, without endangering themselves again. The rest began their long march back to Ehmvier.

When they came within sight of the city walls, Teana and the others didn't hesitate to fly off Tiny's back.

"We're hooooooome!" Teana shouted, whisking Nelly away into the sky.

"Teana, please! I'm not used to being this high up!" Nelly cried and held onto her tightly.

That was probably Teana's plan all along.

The gates opened and High Priestess Zadris of Ehmvier, dressed in the robes Kanae had once worn when the Eminence of Sin was first established, emerged from the city to welcome them. She was flanked by numerous Sisters of Sin, including Ulric, as well as Marwin.

"You're back so soon? What in the three hells happened out there?" Marwin asked.

"A lot. But we don't have time to waste. I'll explain everything when we get to Radevic instead," Kanae promised him.

"Guh. That means I have to tell Grand Eye Analise about me becoming a Sister of Sin." Ulric gulped.

"You brought that upon yourself, my friend." Eliza chuckled into the back of her hand.

Kanae climbed off the languisteed when Mikki tugged on her arm.

"Mom, I want to become stronger like you. Which is why… I would like to enroll at Knight's Academy!" Mikki exclaimed.

"What?!" Everyone gasped in shock.

Teana, Pan, and Revah landed alongside Mikki. With Nelly, of course, dazed and eyes still spinning.

"That includes the four of us, too." Teana looked Kanae unflinchingly in the eyes. "We… We saw how dangerous it is out there. You and everyone else can't keep protecting us forever. That's why all of us decided on the way back to follow in your footsteps. Maybe Knight of Colors is a pipe dream, but becoming a respectable knight isn't. Mama, please let us do this. We know you have the influence and friends to make it happen!"

"Your daughters certainly inherited your courage." Esta was the only one smiling and nodding with approval.

When Kanae searched Marwin and Eliza for help, both of them shrugged.

"You have already set the precedent as Knight of Amethyst, pupil. Aidenhall has no reason to refuse talented recruits, especially… given the recent circumstances. It is up to you now," Marwin explained.

"That includes me," Daya said. "I was an enemy until a little while ago, but if I can grow stronger to protect Mikki, then count me in."

"As for Nelly, I'm definitely enrolling you into the academy. There's no better prestige than becoming a knight, and you might one day become Copper!" Arenade's eyes shined with glittering gold.

"Sounds great, Mother. That's totally what I want." Nelly rolled his eyes.

"Is that backtalk, I hear?" She loomed over him with a shadow over her face.

"N-No! I'm excited to become a knight. I'll make you proud, I promise!"

Kanae heaved the longest sigh of her life so far, and then remembered that Aidenhall was among the safest places to be after the rebel purge. Arenade had also bought them a mansion in the upper wards of Radevic after her visit there.

"There's no guarantee King Turren and the Grand Eye will allow you to enroll, but it's worth asking. Go get packed. Now," Kanae urged them on.

They erupted into cheers and bolted into the city to get their things ready. Kanade and Suvee looked up at Kanae expectantly.

"Both of you are too young to enroll, but you can come with us." She nodded.

The two of them beamed, and Suvee steered the foal after her sisters.

Kanae kneeled down next to the languisteed she dismounted from. Gretchen was fixed to a breeding harness underneath with the stallion's throbbing cock pumping into her swollen pussy.

"Did you hear that? You get to come back to Aidenhall with me." Kanae brushed the back of her knuckles against Gretchen's cheeks, drawing a delightful sigh of pleasure from the disgraced archbishop.

"Kanae, a word?" Eliza beckoned to her.

"You against me bringing Gretchen?" she asked.

"No, actually. I think it will be quite amusing and fitting that she witnesses more succubi enlisting. I wanted to discuss a different matter. Would you be willing to part with say… a few tons of magic crystals from your mine… for free?"

"Wha— That's worth well over a million gold!" Kanae went slack-jawed.

"It will be for a good cause. Truly!" Eliza insisted.

"Nnh…" She really wanted to say no, but the sorceress always had a good reason for needing something. "It better be… I'll go talk to Ingrid and Takumi."

Kanae managed to secure two tons of magic crystals from their mines. Obviously, neither foremen were happy about it. That was a lot of money that left their purview in exchange for nothing.

In the meantime, First Sister Lilith and High Priestess Zadris retrieved Hilde from the dungeons. Minestra Val'doun and the Mistress of Subjugation were thrown into the same enchanted cage wagon since they only had one. Both of them were absolutely ecstatic to share the same space.

"Well, look who decided to join us. A demon lieutenant of that bastard Charron. I suppose you aren't as strong as you appear," Hilde taunted Minestra from one corner.

"You're mistaken. I allowed myself to be captured. Doing so allows me to be closer to my beloved, Kanae. On that note, you're one to talk. You fell right into her trap back at Talahurah!" Minestra bellowed back in laughter from another corner.

"Why you…!"

"Alright, you two. Quiet down. If I have to listen to you bicker all the way to Radevic, I'm going to put my Cursemark on you both." Kanae groaned.

Hilde and Minestra fell silent, continuing their argument through burning glares.

"You're not going without me!" Arenade shouted, hurrying out of the castle with backpacks and suitcases slung all over her.

"Arenade? If you're coming with, then who's going to lead the Commonwealth?" Kanae asked.

"Hehe. The great thing about being a theocratic monarchy is that the church can take care of things while the sovereign is gone. Lilith and Zadris will take care of everything, won't you two?" She whirled around on the sulking succubi.

"I-I know nothing about ruling, but I'll do my best." Lilith bowed.

Kanae put a hand up to her face. "This can't possibly turn out well…"

"Fortunately, we have many capable leaders within the city like Parn and Manabe. Please, do not worry about us," Zadris said reassuringly.

"That makes me even more worried!"

Arenade grabbed Kanae by the arm and pulled her off to the side.

"You're not getting rid of me, alright? I know Edina believed in me when I was with Bishop Rudo. I want to be there for her, too. We're all in this together," Arenade reminded Kanae as both of them glanced at the carriage Edina was sitting despondently in.

"Arenade… " Kanae looked upon her future wife with genuine fondness, then flashed a teasing smirk. "You can be all sappy if you want, but it's obvious you're looking for a vacation."

"Can you blame me?!" she exclaimed defeatedly.

When Kanae's daughters emerged from the castle with their belongings, they were finally ready to get going.

"Tiny. You're staying here." Kanae folded her arms as the giant devil mutt rolled over onto his belly and whimpered.

"Grrr… ruff!" Tiny crawled closer, pressing his wet nose to her face.

"There's no way Radevic will let you in, boy!" she complained.

"Mama, please?" Teana pleaded. "We've been together since forever. I promise he'll behave!"

"That's not the point… you guys are really pushing the limits here…"

Nevertheless, the family traveled together in one large caravan to Radevic.

Kanae and Arenade were met with smiles and fanfare by the citizens. Filling the wide thoroughfare that was the Imperial Span, people poured out of homes to welcome the return of the Knight of Amethyst and Silver, both of whom were instrumental in suppressing the rebellion.

As they passed by the now much larger Church of the Eminence of Sin, the High Priestesses Meidina and Tabitha waved to them from the stairs of the temple.

"Ah~ That's more like it. A totally different reception compared to the last time I was here," Arenade said, basking in the warm welcome. "Hey, you remember Potts? You think he and the others are still here?"

"Should be. Duke Kroenig mentioned their school was in the upper wards. I never got a chance to check on them given all that was going on at the time," Kanae replied.

Suddenly, screams and panic arose from the crowds. Instead of cheering, they ran into buildings and slammed the doors shut. Kanae glanced behind them as Tiny trotted in, happy as a dog could be with his tongue flailing out the side of his mouth.

"I fucking knew this would happen." Kanae sighed into her hands.

When they reached the gates of Aidenhall, the palace knights stationed there threw their hands up in disbelief.

"Who let the dog in?" one of them asked, hand gripping the hilt of his sword.

"Do not mind the devil mutt," Esta said as she exited the carriage to meet them. "We are here to meet with the Grand Eye. Please inform her that the Knight of Silver and Amethyst seek an audience."

"Excuse me, what's the dog doing?" Another guard grimaced.

They followed his gaze to Tiny, lifting one hind leg in front of a stone watchtower.

"TINY, NO! NOT THERE!" Kanae yelled too late as a stream of piss cascaded down the wall.

Teana, Pan, Revah, and Mikki flew out to pull on Tiny's collar to little success. Amidst the ensuing chaos, the guards stepped away from the gate as someone came through.

"This is quite the entrance, Amethyst. We weren't expecting you so soon." Danito, a Saint Priest, strolled past the gates with an amused expression.

"Well…" Kanae cleared her throat and straightened her back. "I am a member of the Knights of Colors. I can drop in whenever I want."

Danito offered a smile, then tilted a little to the side to look into the cage-wagon containing Minestra and Hilde.

"Danito!" Ulric skipped up to his colleague.

"Hey, squirt! Hm? You look… different?" Danito squinted.

"Oh, yeah… I-I joined the Sisters of Sin," he answered reluctantly.

It took a second for the words to click in Danito's head. When they did, he looked down at the dark elf with worry.

"Are you happier?" Danito asked.

"I am!" Ulric exclaimed with firm resolve.

"Well!" He brightened up. "That's good enough for me, my friend. We'll pop open a fine bottle of wine and have you tell me all about the beautiful ladies of that order."

"You will have to include me, pupil. Until then, the matters that Amethyst wishes to discuss may take precedence over whatever it is the Grand Eye is busy with," Marwin explained.

"Very well, Master Marwin. You're welcome to face her grace's wrath in my place then!" Danito tapped the ground twice with his staff, creating an enormous ring of golden light.

"What was that?" Kanae asked, her skin tingly from the spell.

"Greater Holy Resistance. Wouldn't want your daughters to be burning from the Grand Eye's Holy Aura. We don't have any rings for them. This will have to suffice until we can procure more. Follow me. The hound stays in the courtyard." He turned around to lead them into Aidenhall.

They left Tiny behind to wait beside the troubled guardsmen.

Not much time had passed since. Kanae was still very familiar with the many faculty and students, all of whom regarded her like an alumni. Kanae's daughters, Daya, and even Nelly were in awe of the beauty of the architecture. They couldn't help but be distracted by every little thing. The only difference was that the enormous corridors of Aidenhall felt a little… hollow. Footsteps echoed now. Lecture halls were somewhat empty by comparison. Regular knights were in fewer numbers, too.

"So, this is Radevic. It's much larger than I last remembered. I doubt Lord Charron would recognize it," Minestra whispered to herself.

"Pft. Nothing but a stonewalled farm of cattle," Hilde growled.

Walking alongside Kanae was Gretchen, whose gaze were cast down to her feet as if to turn a blind eye to what she had done. Or maybe it was out of guilt.

They reached the Basilica of Saint Rue where the brunt of Kanae's battle with Gretchen had taken place. The destruction was still very much present. Rubble had been swept and moved to the sides of the room. Destroyed pews were gone, replaced by older benches. Grand Eye Analise stood at the pulpit, holding a meeting with Vestrid, Delayn, Camilla, two more Saint Priests— a human woman and an elven man that Kanae didn't recognize— and Will.

Danito kneeled in front of her. "Grand Eye, they wish to—"

"By the Supreme One, how adorable!" Grand Eye Analise lifted her robes as she rushed down to meet Kanade and Suvee, both hiding behind Kanae. "Are they yours?"

"Y-Yeah. The high elf is Kanade. The dark elf is Suvee," Kanae answered, casting a look to Will who was just as stunned.

"Hiiii! What precious little girls, you two must be!" she squealed.

"Ahem! Grand Eye, this is no way to conduct yourself." Delayn cleared her throat harshly.

Disappointed, the Grand Eye returned to the pulpit.

"Your Grace, I hope we didn't interrupt anything too important?" Eliza stepped forward to ask.

"You did not. As you might have seen, the rebellion has done much damage to Aidenhall. Much as happened during your absences that need addressing. Such as a lack of an archbishop, empty positions within the Knights of Colors. Before you came, we were merely in discussion of establishing the Knight of Ivory for the elves," Analise said, shooting a glare to the enthralled Gretchen by Kanae's side.

The entire basilica grew tense as the Saint Priests followed suit with their own simmering fury. Kanae felt right then that they would have lunged at the archbishop like rabid wolves if the Grand Eye ordered it.

"Believe it or not, I'm in training to become Knight of Azure!" Will dispelled the tension by announcing to them with a beaming grin, hand to his swelled-up chest.

"Oh, congratulations!" Kanae applauded.

"This is great to hear indeed. A capable paladin such as yourself will make a great replacement to Vander." Esta nodded.

"What brings you back to Aidenhall? Have you succeeded in quelling the demons?" Grand Eye asked.

"Not yet, but… before we get to that, I have something to ask from you. Will you allow these six to enroll at the Knight's Academy?" Kanae stepped aside for Teana, Pan, Revah, Mikki, Daya, and Nelly to come forward.

All of the Saint Priests with the exception of Ulric shifted uncomfortably. Kanae prepared herself for a resounding no—

"Sure, I don't see why not?" the Grand Eye said.

"Grand Eye, you can't possibly let even more succubi join our ranks? What will Ortesia think?" Delayn asked in panic.

"And what have they offered in exchange for rejecting the Commonwealth? Our order is in shambles. Recruitment has taken a plunge. The knighthood's numbers were reduced by half because of the rebellion. The final decision lies with me, and I welcome these budding aspirants. Besides, succubi or not, they are all tested by the same trials. I'll conduct the paperwork on their enrollment later. Danito, find them suitable quarters," she ordered.

"R-Right away!" Danito gestured for the six of them to follow him.

Kanae and Arenade watched with a mother's joy as they left to begin their journey to knighthood.

"Thank you, Grand Eye!" Kanae bowed deeply in gratitude.

"You have no reason to thank me yet. They must overcome the trials set forth by the academy. At any rate, I'm expecting a report from you and Silver. What word do you have from the north? By the two prisoners behind you, good I hope?" the Grand Eye asked.

"Everyone might want to sit down for this. You won't like what we have to tell you," Esta said, the seriousness of her words lending to the gravity of the situation.