Chapter 27

5 THE SUCCUBUS QUEEN The succubus queen, Curly Kale, was a particularly bewitching woman, even for a succubus. Being bewitching, for succubi, means having a long history of successful battles. Even before she became queen, the name Princess Curly Kale was known the world over. Previously, she was known as Boneless Curly. This charming nickname came from her habit of sucking out a man’s essence until he was only bones and skin, and for her habit of ripping out women’s spines. She had a formidable past, but her appearance now was different from how she’d been during the war. She had bountiful breasts, a perfect, pear-shaped butt, and two beauty marks—one beneath her eye and one in her cleavage. She appeared healthy, but she had burn marks on her body, from her collarbones down across her whole chest. And they were in the shape of tree branches. Electric shock injury. She’d been defeated by Thunder Sonia in the decisive battle between the elves and the succubi. She’d survived, yes. But she’d suffered major injuries and a permanent disability in one of her legs. After the war ended, she never wanted to be Queen. But all the other would-be successors to the throne had died, and there was no one left to serve as monarch, so she continued to reign to this day. And just the other day, in fact, she’d received a formal letter of protest from the beastkin land. Carrot, a former general of the succubus army, had launched an attack and had caused the withering of a sacred tree. Was she acting in the interests of the succubus nation? If so, then this could mean war… That was the kind of thing the protest letter said. The succubus Queen, Curly Kale, was absolutely shocked. Carrot had been AWOL for about a year. Worried that Carrot was injured or sick somewhere, Curly Kale had been considering sending out a search party even though it might have sparked up negative talk from other countries. And now this had happened. On the one hand, Curly Kale wondered why Carrot would have done something like this. But there was another part of her that was like, yeah. That tracks. Curly Kale had heaped a lot on Carrot’s plate. She’d left all the negotiations with foreign countries to her. Carrot didn’t seem to want to talk much about what had occurred out there, but it was pretty obvious how she’d been treated. But Carrot never showed any weakness in front of Curly Kale. She’d simply apologized and reported that negotiations had not been fruitful. Carrot cared about the succubus race more than anyone else did. She was reliable, but on the other hand, she also had a tendency to be overconfident. Curly Kale had been worried that her anger could explode at any moment. So it was more of an “Ah, that was inevitable” kind of reaction. So Curly Kale stopped thinking too deeply about Carrot’s actions any further. If she, the proudest succubus of all, had lost the plot, well, any other succubus would have suffered the same fate. Neither Curly Kale nor the other succubi had the right to blame Carrot. Those left behind ought not to have been focusing on what to do with Carrot. Because of her actions, the succubus nation was now under suspicion. If what she reportedly did turned out to be true, war with the beastkin was very likely. The succubi race didn’t have enough energy left to go to war with other countries. If they fought, they would be defeated for certain. All would be slaughtered, even the babies. They would be wiped out. That was how much everyone hated the succubi. To keep their nation and the succubi alive, they could not afford to make any mistakes. So an apology letter was sent back at once: The individual known as Carrot has already fled from our country, and their actions do not represent the interests of the succubi nation. This recent incident is extremely regrettable. If Carrot returns to our country, we will hand her over with a noose around her neck. Although Curly Kale felt this was terribly ungrateful to Carrot, who had always worked tirelessly for the sake of the nation… It had to be done. No reply to the apology had arrived yet. What would they do if the response brought further recriminations from the beastkin? What if it came to war? Would Curly Kale be able to protect her people? Her mind was filled, always, with these concerns. Curly Kale was a queen who had seen war. She was a warrior, built for fighting and not for diplomacy. But she had to do what she could. She was facing a national disaster of epic proportions. On top of that and the chronic food shortages, it had been raining ceaselessly as of late. Since the town was protected by a barrier, there was no need to worry about flooding, but the power maintaining the barrier had begun to waver. Around that time, a letter came from Nazar, promising new deliveries of food, but Curly Kale wasn’t sure how much stock she should place in such promises… And, as those troubled days continued, something even worse happened. A fairy attack. “Heyyy! Boss! Where is Bash?! You dirty succubi, if you’re holding him somewhere, you’re not going to get away with it! I know the boss is a fine figure of a man, but some things are hitting below the belt! Kidnapping an Orc Hero, holding him prisoner, draining him of his life essence…it’s deplorable! Have you no shame? Even if Lord Bash likes it, I, Zell, won’t just let you have your wicked ways! Now, then! Produce the boss at once! Or I shall slay every last one of you! Boss, Boss! Answer me, Boss!” Brought before Curly Kale, the raving fairy was bound and tied. Two-faced Zell. A notorious fairy. Famous not for being two-faced, of course. This fairy was known to all succubi because it was the partner of Lord Bash, the Orc Hero to whom all succubi were indebted. That said, it was still a mystery why this fairy was here now. Moreover, it was ranting about confusing things, such as Lord Bash falling into a river, washing up nearby, and getting captured by a succubus. Usually, the reaction would be “Shut up, fairy, how dare you insult us proud succubi?” Succubi value those who show kindness to them, above all else. No one would dream of treating Lord Bash, to whom they owed so much, as mere food. Much less hold him prisoner. If someone had encountered Bash, they would immediately report such joyful news to the Queen, and they would welcome him as a state guest. …At least, they would like to give him a grand welcome. But the land of the succubi was in shambles. They were all starving, and as a species, they were rapidly losing what remained of their pride. Shameful as it might be… It was no longer possible to completely rule out what the fairy was saying as a possibility. Of course, such a thing should never be. If Curly Kale got wind of any individuals who would actually commit an act as heinous as abducting, imprisoning, and consuming Lord Bash, she would make them rue the day. A public execution must be carried out, in the name of the Queen. “Nio. I doubt it could be true, but just in case, go investigate. And make sure the border guards are informed.” “Yes, My Queen.” So Curly Kale had her closest aide go and canvass the country in secret. At this point in time, though, Curly Kale was quite optimistic. After all, why would Lord Bash have need of visiting the succubus country? No doubt the fairy was simply deranged. Some might say that her attitude toward this was rather naive. But you could hardly blame her. A fairy, suddenly appearing and raving about what sounded like utter nonsense? It had to be mere fantasy. Or some sort of trick. History had proved that. After several days, the aide reported back to say they had investigated all suspicious persons spotted but that none were of note. So it was a wild fairy tale after all. And even though this particular fairy was Lord Bash’s former partner, this transgression could not be overlooked. Curly Kale was going to pluck off all its limbs and mount it as a specimen… But just as her rage was bubbling over… “Your Highness. It appears that Venus, the border guard, has discovered Lord Bash, and he is heading toward us.” …a most interesting report came in. Now came an orc before Curly Kale, Queen of the succubi. An orc with green skin, carrying a greatsword on his back and exuding an aura of strength. The Orc Hero Bash sat before her. “Welcome, Orc Hero Bash.” The succubus throne is more of a chaise lounge. When the Queen greets state guests, it is customary for her to lie there languorously and look down at the other person. It’s sort of like a sofa bed. She could take a nap there if the fancy took her. Now, why would that be the case, you ask? Well, if the guest she is receiving is male, she will often end up dining right afterward. Still, if the male guest is someone more worthy of respect, it won’t come to that. Curly Kale had leaped upright on the seat so abruptly, there was almost an audible crack. “Venus and Kyuka almost charmed me, but they were kind enough to stop.” “What…?! My apologies! I will make sure they are both severely punished…” “I do not mind. They might be succubi, but it was rather nice to feel wanted.” Charming a respected benefactor is succubus taboo. Despite Lord Bash’s magnanimity, Venus and Kyuka would need to be punished. That was what Curly Kale thought. But as she looked on Bash, her feelings on that front weakened. “Lord Bash…” Strong arms you’d die to be held by. Sultry, come-to-bed hips. A robust lower body that would no doubt be able to produce much sustenance… (He’s sex on legs!) She wanted to strip Bash naked and devour him on the spot. (No! No! Have strength, Curly Kale! Bash is the Hero who saved the succubus nation! If he hadn’t come to us at the Rina Desert, the entire succubus race would have perished! Do not think of him as food!) If she hadn’t been Queen, she might not have been able to control herself. Venus and Kyuka certainly did a grand job of checking themselves! They were both good soldiers who’d served the nation well. Truly, they understood the meaning of pride. How could she punish those good women for a momentary lapse of reserve? “In better times, we would be able to offer you a more comfortable welcome, but alas, our country is very poor, and, as you can see, we’re struggling somewhat.” “I don’t mind. Thank you for your consideration.” “Oh, but of course.” A number of dishes were placed in front of Bash, who sat cross-legged. Spit-roasted beef, mountains of bread rolls, various hors d’oeuvres, several kinds of soup, and dessert. In imitation of a human, Bash gulped down the provided wine, and when the succubus attending to him refilled his glass, he looked most satisfied. Curly Kale had heard that other races liked this sort of thing as food, so she’d had a meal whipped up. She had no idea if it tasted good or not, but Lord Bash certainly seemed to be enjoying it.