The Hero Became a Succubus! - Chapter 202 (Patreon)

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Chapter 202

The next two days of Arum Taum went by uneventfully. On the third, Kanae and her family had a pleasant day at home together to recuperate. They had invited Will over for dinner only for it to become extremely awkward when the topic of conversation shifted to producing offspring— courtesy of Moira's prodding.

On the fourth, word of Arenade Brightwind's passing became too widespread to contain. Since she was beloved thanks to her efforts in combating childhood poverty, several pockets of communities in Radevic held a quiet candlelight vigil at night to honor her. Kanae had even recognized Potts and the other orphans from Orturic come out. They were inconsolable. However, seeing their tears left an impression on Kanae. She understood just how important Arenade's work was, and that those efforts would forever be remembered.

In the bright early morning of the fifth day, a rider from Aidenhall came to inform Kanae that the Grand Eye sought her presence at the Basilica of Saint Rue. Together with Esta, they rode to the grand cathedral to find out why.

Grand Eye Analise awaited them in the Archbishop's office guarded only by Vestrid this time around.

"Could it be you have another task for us, your grace?" Esta asked as soon as they arrived.

"Depending on how this impromptu meeting turns out, perhaps. Amethyst, Silver. You two are making moves against the Rook of Rotandrix in secret, haven't you?" The Grand Eye turned the questioning back on them.

The words lodged firmly in the back of their throats.

"Yes…" Kanae answered, realizing that there was no point in hiding it from someone as perceptive as Analise.

"Good," Vestrid said to their surprise. "There are things we cannot do, but the two of you occupy very specific roles that allow more freedom. No one will suspect a master and their drakeling servant wandering about the city together. On the other hand, if Danito or Delayn, or any other Saint Priest and Knight of Color skulks around, it will raise red flags. The Grand Eye sanctions your investigation, but urges you to do so with the utmost caution."

"I needn't illustrate just how poorly this may end for Radevic should you poke the sleeping dragon that is the Empire of Ortesia. However, I also understand the gravity of Avaline von Cleisseldor's being here. We must uncover why she is here. Before that, Estaline, you do understand that we will be working against your mother?" Analise reminded her.

"My allegiance is to Kanae Toyomi as her servant and Radevic as Knight of Silver. Should my mother threaten either of those, I have a duty to stand against her," Esta said with firm resolve.

Both the Grand Eye and Vestrid sighed with relief. Kanae wondered if they had doubted Esta's commitment. Loyalty between family members was a delicate one. Aisha didn't hesitate to betray Gabrul after learning that he would hurt her mother when it suited him. Kanae's own children would go to great lengths to protect each other. Between Esta and Avaline, however…

"On that note, how do you two plan on tackling this?" Analise asked.

"With Renya Rown's help, we're taking the anti-succubus magic potion angle. Apparently, Avaline brought a few crates that numbered in the thousands of vials into Radevic. She somehow secretly got them through Port Kandis without the port authority's notice. Or maybe, she bribed them," Kanae explained.

"Many of those port authorities are quietly under the empire's payroll… So, it is Gretchen's coup all over again. How amusing that these potions always precede a potential catastrophe," she said in jest.

"Aha… I guess the potions were how we started getting suspicious of Gretchen. It's almost poetic that they're the reason we think the Rook and Ortesia are up to something."

The Grand Eye and Vestrid saw them on the way out of the cathedral. However, the former pulled Kanae aside once they reached the entrance.

"We never got a chance to speak on the matter yet, but I'm terribly sorry for what happened to the queen-regent. These must be tough times for you. If there is anything you need, Amethyst, don't hesitate to ask of me," Analise said, grabbing Kanae's hand in both of hers.

"Thanks. But I'll be fine. I have a lot of great people by my side." Kanae cast a look at Esta, who was in the middle of conversation with Vestrid.

"Never would I have imagined being glad that Estaline's Loyalty Fixation triggered on a succubus. At any rate, you will be glad to know Marwin and Elizabeth are onto something regarding Edina's condition. Learning that Hax'gorah is a devil, and that there are zealots trying to bring about their return, has given them a lead to focus on. Until then, may the Supreme One protect you in your investigation." She performed a small prayer and bid them goodbye.

The second Kanae and Esta left Aidenhall, someone bumped into them. He was an unassuming man who looked too drunk to be functioning right. Or so Kanae would have thought that had he not shoved a letter into her hand. The note was from Renya, asking to meet right away at an upscale bar named Scramton owned by Rown Company. Esta incinerated the letter with a breath of fire, and they headed there right away.

Renya was making cocktails with another bartender at the bar counter when they got there. It was a packed house. All the tables were filled. Only the counter had a few men, savoring their drinks and the snoobish atmosphere. A human man on a lute and dancing beastman lupine woman performed on a stage in the front of the room.

"Take a seat over here, you two!" Renya beckoned to them, pouring the contents of the shaker into two coupe glasses.

"Wow. What can't you do?" Kanae hopped onto a stool and lifted the drink to toast.

"I don't trust a scoundrel to make my drinks. I'll pass." Esta slid her glass back across the counter.

"What if I made it with Kanae's saliva as an ingredient?" she asked.

"I'll take ten orders."

Kanae went red. "Focus! We have more important things to worry about! Actually, should we even be talking out here? Don't you have anywhere more private?"

Renya whistled sharply. The closest patron on the bar counter turned slightly and stuck out his tongue, revealing the tri-dagger mark. So, this whole place was just another front for the chairwoman of Rown Company's lucrative dealings.

"This is where I meet with people who want to be on the down low. Anyone coming in and out of the headquarters will look suspicious. Going to some bar? Nah. Besides, everyone in here is one of mine. But enough about that. I've got my people looking all over the city for your damn potions. We can't find anything. Even had a few take one for the team and bump into some Rotandrix drakeling to pickpocket 'em. They aren't even holding one themselves!" Renya threw her hands up in exasperation.

What? Why would Avaline bring anti-succubus magic potions into the city and not drink them? Weren't they trying to avoid being charmed?

"Your guy was sure those potions were brought into Radevic and not elsewhere?" Kanae asked.

"Sure as the gods themselves." Renya nodded and made herself a drink.

Esta fell into thought with a hand on her chin. "You must have enough manpower to cast a wide blanket over Radevic. Have the positions of my mother's people stuck out to you in any way?"

"A few have visited the Church of the Eminence of Sin. Most of them are in Brighton though, and the rest have spread thinly across the city. That's not unusual though, since Brighton is the most popular spot during Arum Taum. You caught a whiff of something?"

"Brighton is close to Aidenhall, but my mother can't possibly be considering doing something so close to Radevic's most fortified position. It would be suicide, even for the Rook of Rotandrix and her force of a hundred…" She drakeling squeezed her eyes shut.

They were getting anywhere like this. If only—

"Wait, I have a lead. Gretchen might know more. She originally wanted to take control of Radevic for Ortesia and sent those very potions to them," Kanae said.

"Oh, nice! I'll come with you!" Renya exclaimed and hopped over the counter.

"Do you have to…?" Esta groaned.

"You're damn right I do, toots. We're bound together by destiny." She smirked, tossing her apron over her shoulder.

Gretchen should be home at the manor right now, but the guards there informed them that she had left Suvee and Kanade in Teana's care, then went to Aidenhall without explanation. Esta thought it was suspicious. However, the former archbishop had no reason to betray Kanae. She quite literally couldn't. They returned to Aidenhall posthaste, but when faced with the decision to search for Gretchen inside the palace or elsewhere, it occurred to Kanae where she had gone.

"Let's check on the stables," Kanae suggested.

Her companions glanced at each other and shrugged. Nevertheless, they followed suit. Kanae waved them to wait outside while she entered the enormous stable which housed numerous languisteeds, marsteeds, and other tamed dire beasts of burden. There weren't any stablehands around. They must be out enjoying Arum Taum themselves.

Kanae came across an open stall farther inside and the sound of cheeks being clapped. When she drew closer, her suspicions were confirmed. Gretchen had her hands braced against the wall as a languisteed was fucking her silly. Gallons of fresh ejaculate drenched the straw cushioning the floor and leaking out of the stall.

"Having fun?" Kanae crossed her arms.

"It's… Arum Taum… I figured— ahh! I figured I would… have my own celebratiiiiiiiiiiiiing!" Gretchen climaxed. The languisteed pumped another load into her womb and pulled out. A waterfall of hot cum poured out of her, steaming as it gets exposed to the chilly air.

The proud and holy high elven priest, who had been reduced to slave for livestock cock, rose shakily to her feet. She brushed off the dust and plucked a straw from her hair, but wasn't any more presentable than getting railed a moment ago.

"How may I help you, my queen? Or have you come to join?" Gretchen asked.

"Uh…" Kanae gulped hard, staring at the languisteed cock especially when Titan was nearby in another stall. "Maybe later. I wanted to ask about the anti-succubus magic potions. You're already aware that Avaline von Cleisseldor is in town, right? Any idea what, from your experience being a pawn of Ortesia, what she is doing here with thousands of potions?"

"I'm afraid I would know little. After showing the lords of Ortesia the fruits of my labor, they ordered that I produce more and send it their way. I wish I could tell you more, but the Rook of Rotandrix being here can't possibly be a good thing…"

"So I keep hearing." She sighed.

"That hard-scaled bitch, who does she think she is? I've spent years groveling for the lords' approval. Yet the Rook is so beloved? Over me, a high elf!"

Well, enthralled or not, one couldn't erase the excessively prideful that high elves had in their blood.

From the corner of Kanae's eyes, she spotted a familiar face beyond the window opening in this stall. Speak of the devil. Avaline marched swiftly across the field, flanked by several Rotandrix drakelings and led by an Aidenhall guard. That direction…

"Ahh… Sweet pleasure, take my mind off my own inferiority…" Gretchen kneeled down to rub her face against the languisteed's dick.

"Save getting dicked for later. I need your help!" Kanae yanked Gretchen to her feet and rejoined the others outside.

"What is that smell? Gretch, were you in there taking languisteed dick again?" Renya pinched her nose shut.

"My actions are pure and just, unlike your criminal dealings." She glared at the dark elf.

"Those words don't mean what you think they mean, pal."

Kanae smacked the two over the heads with her tail, then signaled for them to follow. They quietly tailed Avaline's group to the specialized underground dungeon containing Minestra Val'doun and Hilde, the Mistress of Subjugation. The discussions inside were hushed and tense, but Kanae was unable to make out anything being said.

"Everyone, get ready. There might be a fight," Kanae whispered.

"No, don't reach for your weapons!" Esta warned desperately. "It will trigger the drakeling race's inclination for sensing—"

"Who's there? Show yourself, and we won't chase you down!" Avaline shouted in their direction.

Kanae and her companions clenched their jaws. She entered first and came faced with six drakelings with their gauntlets on the hilt of their weapons. Renya, Esta, and Gretchen entered right after.

"Well, that's a familiar face I haven't seen in years! You're looking well, Gretchen. Your family doesn't ask about you though." The Rook of Rotandrix flashed a smile.

"Hold your tongue before I cut it off, lizard!" Gretchen growled.

The threat caused the drakelings behind Avaline to draw their swords, and Kanae's group did the same.

"STOOOOOP!" Renya shouted so loudly that they actually did.

All eyes fell on the Rown Company chairwoman. Kanae was wide-eyed with confusion. She was one finger away from letting her whip, Lust, unwound to strike the armored drakelings before them, but also never more glad that a fight had narrowly been avoided. Even Avaline was perplexed. The only problem, now everyone was stuck in this awkward standstill.

"Look, I just got my dry-cleaning done. Do you know how expensive it is to clean a long coat and tricorn hat without ruining the fine fabric? I'm not hankering for a fight, so let's just… put our weapons away. Slowly," Renya suggested.

"Why?" Avaline raised a brow.

"We're all one drawn sword away from cutting each other down— Like you in the back! I see you, trying to draw in the shadows. If we take a step back and stuff our weapons away, that gives us a buffer zone to have a discussion. What do you say about trying some diplomacy?" she asked.

No way was this going to work… right?

Avaline nodded to her drakelings, and they clicked their weapons down to the sheaths. Gretchen relaxed her grip on her staff. Esta took her hand off her sword. Renya put both hands up to show she wasn't reaching for her flintlocks.

It worked?!

Renya shot Kanae a sweaty look, telling her to start talking.

"Your Ladyship." Kanae awkwardly cleared her throat to buy time in stringing together something that might avoid a fight. "It's not safe here. As you can see, we're holding two incredibly dangerous prisoners of war. I'm sure you and your people can more than handle yourselves in a fight, but one is a demon lieutenant of Charron's and the other is a daughter of the Queen-Mother."

Minestra grabbed the metal bars. "Kanae, my beloved! This woman is trying to sway us to join her side!"

Everyone reached for their weapons again, then—

"HOLD IT!" Renya shouted, and they did. "See! If we hadn't stepped back earlier, the floor would've been painted red with our blood. So, how about we don't throw hands by taking our hands off our weapons?"

"Who is this sassy… loudmouth elf? Her patronizing manner of speech vexes me," Avaline said about Renya.

"This may be the one time I agree with you, Mother." Esta nodded.

"That's the chairwoman of Rown Company, Renya Rown," Kanae introduced the elf and remembered too late her mistake.

"Kanae, you bitch! That's my introduction to make!" She pouted.

Sighing, Avaline motioned to her people to stand down. They did, as did the others on Kanae's side.

"Before the demon so rudely interrupted, let me make it clear: we are not here to consort with them. They have information the lords of Ortesia want. Unfortunately, they refused any and all discussion. I simply offered to bargain. That is when you showed up," Avaline explained.

"I have nothing to say to an attack dog sent by cattles playing kings and queens." Hilde, the Mistress of Subjugation, glowered at the drakelings.

"You just heard they won't speak with you. There's no point in being in here any longer. As a Knight of Color, I'm going to have to ask you to leave. For your safety," Kanae said carefully.

"As Knight of Silver, I echo my master and colleague's sentiments," Esta added and stepped forward.

"We're not leaving until her Ladyship gets her answers," an aggressive drakeling snarled from the back.

Before everyone reached for their weapons, they turned to Renya first as though asking for permission.

"For fuck's sake, you're all so eager to fight. Do as I do, watch. Hands off the weapon. Hands… off…" Renya played chicken moving her hand over a flintlock inside her coat and away from it repeatedly.

"Oh, this isn't any fun. My throats parched, and this killjoy Renya fellow keeps blue-balling us from a fight. Not that I was intending for one anyway. If I can't talk to the prisoners, then so be it. I'll be at the fighting pits in northern Radevic." Avaline motioned to her people to stand down and leave.

Kanae, Esta, Gretchen, and Renya breathed a deep sigh of relief once they were gone.

"Thank god you came along, but I thought a good fight was more your idea of a fun time," Kanae said to Renya.

"If you haven't noticed, I didn't wear my brown pants today. Anyway! Even I can tell by looking at you that you weren't keen on a fight breaking out. If you ever need my guns though." Renya drew her flintlocks and spun them.

"Please, put them away!" Esta and Gretchen backed up when the barrel of the guns passed by them.

While that was happening, Kanae walked up to the mid-point between Minestra and Hilde's prison cells.

"What exactly did Avaline want to know from you two?" Kanae asked.

"The usual from prisoners of war." Minestra shrugged both pairs of shoulders. "What is my lord and the demon army up to? Are we planning any more invasions? In exchange for talking the Grand Eye into reducing our sentence. As if I would tell her anything even over my dead body. Oh, but Kanae! I'll tell you anything you want to know over my still living body!"

Kanae looked to Hilde, who nodded in agreement.

"I had the feeling that drakeling woman is up to something… I'd rather not be roped into it. If anyone is doing the subjugating, it should be me. But you know, dear Kanae, if you release us, then you won't have to worry about what she has to gain from us being imprisoned here." Hilde grinned.

Discussion over. Kanae ushered the others out before either Minestra or Hilde could talk her into something she didn't want to do.

"Esta, go inform the Grand Eye what happened here. Suggest stationing guards and even a Saint Priest at the dungeon," Kanae said.

"As you wish." Esta hurried towards the palace.

"I'll get in contact with my men again to double check the whereabouts of the Rotandrix drakelings. We've got to be missing something here. Where they are gathering has to be the key to figuring it out," Renya explained before taking off.

"What shall we do?" Gretchen asked.

It was getting late. There was nothing left to do without appearing suspicious, after just running into Avaline.

"I need to take my mind off things and relieve some stress. I say we go back to the stable," Kanae said, pulling the Cock Ring of Hardening from her coat pocket.

"What is it?" Gretchen squinted at the simple piece of jewelry.

"This is going to break us if we haven't been broken already," she answered as drool slipped down the corners of her lips.