Author's Notes: Chapter edited and corrected by Scott Fellman.
"As much as I'd like to, I have no way of acquiring the land around me. No matter how well my potions sell, it's still not enough money." I said bluntly before wincing. "I lived in Verdigris. I can do a quick calculation on the amount of money you guys have accumulated, and it definitely won't be enough either." The succubi's face fell several notches.
"There's another way," Lucius interrupted, putting down my phone and taking off his glasses. He handed the phone back to me with a look of disgust. Yes, thats the Akame ga Kill Empire for you. "Actually, two ways," Lucius added.
"Which ones?" I asked, raising an eyebrow.
"If you accept the betrothal to one of the pillars they sent you, I'd say, Ravel would be the best option. Then you could ask for a dowry. Let's say, land." Lucius said simply. I grimaced. I really didn't want to accept any marriage contract just yet. I could feel Bella's eyes boring into my head.
"Wait, is Miss Phenex courting you? Or is it the other way around? I know you two seemed friendly during the Rating Game, but I thought it was just friendship." Fengxian asked in confusion. You could tell the difference in culture and acceptance when she didn't even blink that we were both women.
The fact is that no devil would bat an eye at that, and it was easy to tell that if the number of marriage contracts I received was any indication. It was all because most of them were hedonists. With a sin like lust among devils, it was only natural that they would barely bother with a match between two women.
Adding to this, there were some spells to help a female couple conceive because, yes, it was the result of the quest to increase the birth rate of devils. Unfortunately it has the same low probability as a normal union between a man and a woman.
Even so, thanks to this, female unions for procreation were now more common among the pillar devils. Previously, relationships between women were accepted, but the need to continue their lineage among pillar devils often meant they weren't allowed to formally marry and remained merely lovers.
"It's something recent," I said vaguely with a sigh. "The other option?" I asked Lucius.
"The other option is more… uncertain," Lucius grimaced. "We can form an alliance with a pillar family. It would have to be something… substantial. We'd have to reveal some secrets to pull it off, but it would be feasible. In exchange for that, we can either demand the land, or we can ask them to buy it and hold it for themselves until we can pay the corresponding sum." He wrinkled his nose.
"Both of them sound like we'd have to make a lot of concessions, and the second one especially requires too much trust in those devils. Both seem like bad options," I said with a grimace. Lucius nodded.
"The Sitri would be the best option. They're quite respectable when it comes to making a contract that would benefit both of us, and the other devils won't interfere with it thanks to Satan Leviathan," Lucius added, wrinkling his nose. I already had two Satans tailing me; the last thing I wanted was a third.
This was beyond annoying. I sighed tiredly and looked at Fengxian once more.
"Let's leave this here for now, I need to think before making a decision," I said simply. Fengxian had a conflicted look on her face, but nodded regretfully.
"Of course, Lady Prince." She finally said, bowing slightly. I nodded and was about to dismiss her when Enid bowed in my direction.
"Um! Sera! Can... can I help her?" Enid asked nervously as she looked at Meimei. I blinked in her direction.
"Why are you asking me? It's your decision," I said simply. Enid smiled before kissing my cheek.
"Thank you!" Enid squealed before standing up and taking a deep breath.
"Hello! I'm Enid Sinclair, I have a Sacred Gear that should be able to regenerate your… all the damage that was done to you." Enid said forcefully. The succubi went completely still.
"You... are you serious?" Meimei asked shakily. Fengxian almost looked like she was about to speak before Enid nodded.
"Yeah! Just… lie down and let me work! It'll be like it never happened!" Enid said optimistically.
"How much would it cost?" Fengxian interrupted suddenly. Enid blinked in confusion as she looked at her.
"Cost? What cost?" Enid asked in confusion as she tilted her head.
"To Cure Meimei, how much would your services cost?" Fengxian asked seriously. Normally, she'd be right; healing wounds to the level of organ regeneration was something very few could achieve, and they all charged a small fortune. For example, the phoenix tears. But Enid...
"Oh? I don't need anything! It's free! I want to do it!" Enid said with a shy smile. Yes, exactly that. Fengxian looked surprised and nodded cautiously. "You can lie down, though. I'm still not very good at using my power if it's in a different position," Enid said with an apologetic smile as she glanced at me. With a wave of my hand, the table between us transformed into a hospital gurney.
Meimei seemed to hesitate for a few seconds before standing up. The effects of the Calming Draught were already starting to wear off, causing her nervousness and anxiety to return. Still, she approached the stretcher and lay down immediately. Enid nodded with a smile.
"Very well, thank you for trusting me. Now, I'll start healing you," Enid said with a smile. She reached for one of her hairpins.
Two of the fairies exited the hairpin and flew quickly towards Meimei, immediately forming a sort of golden shield that enveloped Meimei. The shield remained in place for a few seconds before disappearing. Enid smiled as she clapped happily, andthe fairies returned to their hairpin.
"Very well! It's all done!" Enid said, beaming with happiness. The succubi stared at her in disbelief, except for Maomao, who had a serious expression. She stood up and approached Meimei. Her hands went to her stomach without hesitation, and small magic circles appeared on her hands. I raised an eyebrow, immediately recognizing them as diagnostic spells.
"She's Healed." Maomao said in surprise, almost incredulous. "How?" Maomao asked.
"I'm that good!" Enid said, puffing out her chest. I chuckled. At least I remembered not to tell everyone about the Rejection of Phenomenon's true nature. "I shouldn't have any probl-ofh!" Enid moaned as Meimei hugged her tightly, tears in her eyes.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" Meimei moaned. Enid smiled softly and hugged her back. I smiled lazily as I looked at Enid. The other succubi, minus Fengxian, stood up and hugged Meimei tightly. Enid started laughing happily.
After waiting a few minutes for them to calm down, I finally ended the group hug.
"Thank you, Miss Sinclair, for helping Meimei. If there's anything we can do for you, just let us know." Fengxian stood up and bowed. She had seemed unfazed, but there were tears in the corners of her eyes. Enid smiled and shook her head.
"No need to bow! I did it with pleasure! It was a pleasure to help!" Enid said quickly.
"Perhaps... we can show our gratitude in another way," Pairin purred, her hands wrapping under her chest to enhance it. Her breasts were the largest of anyone present, and that was saying something. The skimpy, tight clothing she was wearing didn't help; they were practically bursting through her clothes.
"W-what?!" Enid squealed, blushing. Pairin smiled provocatively.
"I'm sure you'll thoroughly enjoy my 'thanks,'" Pairin purred again. I could hear something crack in my ear.
All my metals began to burn brightly, and I began to decant everything I had on me and launched myself at that damned succubus. I could feel my magic escaping my body, black stars forming all over my face, my nails growing almost 20 centimeters and digging lightly into different parts of that damned thing's head before I stopped dead in my tracks.
"Serena, stop!" I ignored the scream and tried to move. I could feel two bodies trying to stop me. I took a half step forward to kill that succubus only to have dozens of stakes driven into me, stopping me in place. I snapped my fingers to burn that insolent succubus, only for nothing to happen.
"Sera! Calm down!" a second voice exclaimed in my ear. Enid! I gritted my teeth and blinked several times. I was able to break free from the red haze and finally noticed my position. I was awfully close to Pairin, my hand outstretched, nails digging into Pairin's face as they drew blood, a look of pure terror on her face.
Enid was behind me, holding me by the neck, and Bella was in front of me, grappling me hard, while dozens of stakes pinned us both in place while very carefully avoiding Enid. To my surprise, there were two that pierced my palms, breaking my transmutation seals. Good decision, considering I actually tried to burn her with my alchemy without realizing it.
"Have you calmed down, idiot?" Bella asked carefully. I glared at Pairin with a look of hatred that made her shudder before gritting my teeth and swallowing back my anger. I breathed deeply—well, as much air as I could with my punctured lungs without coughing up blood. But it calmed me down.
"Yes, I'm fine. You can let me go now." I sighed more calmly. The stakes were the first to recede. My wounds and Bella's healed immediately. I grimaced as I looked at my hands; the tattoos were destroyed once again. I clapped lightly, and they reappeared completely. I looked at Pairin, who flinched once more, and I waved my hand. The small wounds from my nails healed rapidly. Something at that level was easy to heal.
Enid sighed in relief as she let go of me too. Bella was the next to let go, and when she did, she gave me the most shit-eating smile I'd ever seen her wear.
I looked at her in confusion until she glanced down at my clothes, and that stopped me in my tracks. I was just like my damn Schiavos! Up until now, it hadn't happened because no one had actually flirted with Sera or Enid, but seeing and hearing Pairin, a succubus, try to seduce Enid triggered all the triggers I didn't know I had. I glared at Bella, who was still smirking at me. It wasn't a battle I could win, not now.
"I-I'm sorry, Lady Prince! Pairin wasn't trying to do you any harm, please don't-" I raised my hand to interrupt Fengxian, who seemed to be panicking. I sighed as I walked back to my seat and slumped in the middle once more. Bella petulantly sat down next to me. Enid crawled up next to me, but as she was about to sit down, I grabbed her waist and pulled her onto my lap.
My arms wrapped around her waist and slipped under her clothes to rest on her stomach. I pulled her firmly towards me. I began kissing the back of Enid's neck, making her shudder and blush considerably. I kissed her neck for a few seconds before sighing.
"S-So?!" Enid squealed in embarrassment, but made no move to retreat. I stared at the succubi, who seemed considerably tense and a bit panicked. Especially Pairin and Meimei. The former because she had somehow screwed up, and the latter because of her still-untreated trauma. The rest were completely pale and sweating profusely, I suppose from my unleashed demonic power.
"Enid is MINE!" I said firmly. The sky is blue, the grass is green, Enid is mine. "Enid is mine, Bella is mine. You are forbidden from flirting, seducing, or touching any of them in a sexual way. And that goes for all succubi or any devil. Understood?" I asked forcefully.
"I-I understand, Lady Prince!" the succubi squealed loudly. I nodded firmly. I looked at Bella, who didn't seem to care about my complaint, before looking at Enid. She didn't appear to be caring about my complaint either. She seemed to be almost melted in my lap intead.
"No punishment is necessary for Pairin." I said looking at Fengxian, that surprised the succubi. I sighed. "That was my fault, I'm sorry, it's… the first time I lost control like that, I knew I was… possessive, but not to the point of attacking any devil who tried to flirt and seduce some of them, so, I apologize for that." I said simply, the succubi seemed surprised by the apology.
"N-no need to apologize, Lady Prince! It was my fault!" Pairin squeaked in surprise, biting her lip slightly. "I-I didn't mean to cause any trouble." She added. She seemed to be exaggerating her answers, but she sounded completely honest. I nodded.
"I know, that's why no punishment is necessary, from me, or from you, Fengxian." I looked at the older succubus, she nodded after a few moments. "Now, you've been warned, if any of you or the other succubi do it again despite the warnings, I won't stop and neither will Bella stop me." I threatened while narrowing my eyes.
"O-of course, Lady Prince! I'll make sure everyone knows!" Fengxian quickly exclaimed as the others nodded. The group sighed with relief as they visibly calmed down.
"Now, putting that aside, I'm in favor of you moving into my territory." The succubi looked like they were about to burst with happiness, so I raised my hand to stop them. "But it might take a few days, or weeks at worst. I still have to decide which path I'm going to take, and it will take time to pull it off." The succubi's expressions fell several notches, but they still nodded determinedly.
"We understand, Lady Prince. We'll be prepared to move in at any time. Even though you said the gold we have saved isn't enough, we still want to use it to hire someone to build our new home." Fengxian said, and I shook my head.
"No need, I can do it in a few minutes myself." Quickly dismissing her idea, Fengxian looked surprised, but nodded.
"Even so…" Fengxian bit her lips. I grimaced.
"Just save that money, you'll need it. Even if we have the territory, it doesn't mean we're self-sufficient, at least not for hundreds of succubi, so they'll need to buy sustenance from other territories." I said simply. Fengxian stopped and nodded. Before looking at me carefully.
"What if… we spread the word to bring other low-class commoner devils into the territory?" Fengxian asked carefully, I looked at her curiously over Enid's shoulder.
"Bring more devils?" I hummed softly.
"Yes, there are two other succubi brothels that also want to come with us. I was designated as the voice carrier simply because of our familiarity. Besides them, there are… many commoner devils who also want to get away from Lucifaad… many." Fengxian said honestly. Essentially, it wasn't a bad idea. If they could find devils who knew how to grow and harvest crops, it would be good. Potions could help greatly expedite the cultivation time to a few weeks or even days, so it would be much easier that way. Besides, succubi had to have sex to stay alive. Wait…
"How... how did they plan to feed themselves once they moved into my territory?" I asked carefully, Fengxian grimaced.
"We would go to other territories to sell ourselves. We were hoping you could get us the permits to move around some of them," Fengxian confessed carefully. I frowned.
"No need. You can go to the human world." I said simply. The succubi's eyes opened wide.
"To the human world? What? How?" Fengxian asked quickly, confused.
"Sirzechs, uh, Lord Lucifer granted me part of Wallachia to be my territory. As long as you don't kill humans sexually and try to stay away from vampires, I have no problem with you coming to my territory to feed. In fact, you don't even have to wait to move; from now on, you can go there." I said honestly. Fengxian's gaze flicked through several expressions before settling on one of appreciation.
"I... that's generous, Lady Prince. On behalf of all the succubi, thank you." Fengxian said, moved. I grimaced. I hadn't really done much, but I guess from Fengxian's point of view, it was like opening an all-you-can-eat restaurant. Unlike devils, who were stingy when it came to giving the succubi essence and vitality to absorb, humans couldn't defend against that.
That's not to say it was a bad thing; it wasn't truly dangerous to humans. The life essence they could steal from humans was so minuscule that it didn't bother them at all since they weren't even able to notice it. Perhaps a slight fatigue for a few days, and the only long-term side effect was that it shaved off their lifespans, at most, a few hours. Nothing very noticeable in the long run.
She was different from other supernatural beings. They were offended if succubi absorbed more than the stupidly tiny life essence they so "generously" bestowed upon them. Yet they still expected a good performance from the succubus. Humans, on the other hand, were much easier prey and less strenuous to please. The problem was that devils generally weren't allowed to continually go after humans for no reason.
The succubi definitely didn't get that permission, no matter how much they insisted it was literally life or death. I groaned softly as I placed one last kiss on Enid's neck, causing her to moan softly before lifting her by the waist and placing her beside me. Enid immediately snuggled into my arm.
"Don't worry about that. I'll do something to keep an eye on them, so they don't overstep their bounds. The last thing I want is to draw the attention of the other factions or for the Satans to interfere with my territory." I sighed.
"Don't worry, Lady Prince, I'll make sure they stay in line," Fengxian promised, and I nodded. I looked at Maomao for a few moments. I guessed I could help her with her problem as well.
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Author's Note: Happy Easter to everyone celebrating! And thanks for reading and for the supporting!