Chapter 7: Vixens
APART from that one distressing incident, where the importance of implementing HORENSO—report, communicate, and consult—at all times was thoroughly reinforced in Takuto, their journey was going about as smoothly as could be. Takuto’s party had safely entered the El-Nah Alliance of Elementals—Succubi controlled territory—with the guidance of their Succubus escorts, whom they had joined up with near the border to Mynoghra. From there, they traveled on foot to the nearest Elven town—now a Succubus town.
“So this is an Elven city ruled by Succubi, eh?” Takuto remarked.
The townspeople shot him curious and cautious looks. Feeling their gazes boring into him, Takuto also observed his surroundings without reserve. Not that he could see much beyond the towering trees. Between the intricate forest and the three-dimensional framework of the town built into it, he definitely would have gotten lost without a guide.
As this was an Elven town occupied by Succubi, it was built in the middle of a forest. Much of its foundation and design was based on Elven culture. Many of the buildings gave Takuto déjà vu. Of course they would, what with the Elves and Dark Elves being closely related races. Their treetop buildings shared many of the same features. The only differences were the architectural designs and the color scheme. The Elven buildings tended to have white and green color schemes. Sunlight filtered through the trees, gently illuminating the town.
It was the kind of townscape you would get if you reversed the alignment of Mynoghra’s capital in the Accursed Lands. Well, except for one standout feature…
“W-Wowzers! S-Sexy ladies everywhere…” Yu let out a cry of joy.
Succubi—a race that didn’t belong in an Elven nation—dominated every corner. They sized Takuto’s party up with heady gazes, flashing them suggestive smiles. They were provocative enough to get Takuto blushing in the Accursed Lands, and he was only looking at them through the Botchling. It must have been unbearable for Yu, who was there in person. Even now he was preening like the young man he was, flashing awkward smiles back at the ladies.
But the young man’s fleeting fantasy came to a swift end.
“M-A-S-T-E-R Y-UUU!”
“Eeep! Sorry, Miss Ai! I swear I’m not ogling them! I’m innocent! Innocent, I say!!”
It’s like a scene straight out of a shounen rom-com, Takuto idly observed. He was also relieved to see it. It’d be downright terrible if Yu were seduced by the Succubi and fumbled right out of the gate. Takuto was grateful to Ai for acting as the ultimate cockblock by pinching Yu’s cheeks.
Ai’s strength was still an unknown. According to Yu, she served primarily as a support fighter. But regardless of her combat prowess, Takuto hoped she’d continue serving as Yu’s conscience, keeping him grounded.
As his allies played out a scene from the completely wrong genre, Takuto examined his surroundings as Mynoghra’s King and an Eternal Nations’ Player.
A city reflects the nature of its nation.
Did they treat their citizens like slaves? Or pamper and manage them like sheltered young ladies? This reality is reflected in the expressions and health of the people and is not easy to fake.
In that respect, Takuto’s observations of this Succubi town left him feeling a bit taken aback. At his side, Vittorio-disguised-as-Atou seemed to share his reaction.
“This is unexpected. I thought the town would have collapsed into depravity and decadence, but it seems to be fully functioning on the surface.”
“You thought so too, Atou? I thought for sure that the men would’ve been sucked dry husks or turned into livestock, but there’s no signs of that happening. Granted, there are a whole lotta couples who are going all in on public displays of affection…”
“They do seem extremely lax in the public morals department, but it doesn’t quite align with what we know to be Succubi nature.”
The Elves appeared happy; they didn’t give the impression they were being abused under the occupation. On the contrary, there were many young male Elf and Succubus couples, romantically strolling the streets while holding hands. There were even a couple of middle-aged Elf men being cornered by several Succubi that were trying to woo them. Some couples were even showing off their passions for each other so openly in public, Takuto had to avert his eyes. Still, while their public displays of affection were on the extreme side, they hadn’t fallen into outright disorder and depravity.
They’re being carefully managed. Takuto’s caution toward the Succubus Army jumped the rung to an even higher level.
Their attention drawn by Takuto’s conversation, one of the Succubi silently accompanying Takuto’s party as a guide finally spoke up.
“This is only the natural outcome, guests. Our goal as Succubi is not exploitation, but prosperous coexistence. We didn’t come to this world to act like locust.”
A slender Succubus with an icy aura. She lacked curves for a Succubus, but that actually added to her sex appeal. Her name was Freesia. She had introduced herself as one of their escorts, and from her appearance and the way she conducted herself, she seemed to be someone of a high position. Unlike the Succubi in town, who had similar looks, she stood out as unique.
She reminds me of the frigid career woman type, Takuto thought after hearing her haughty explanation.
“Do you believe that’s the will of your queen?” he asked.
Prosperous coexistence was a grand old slogan, but what they were doing was similar to the relationship between Mynoghra and the Dark Elves. Takuto wanted to know what the leaders were thinking, including their thoughts on relationships with other civilizations.
“Yessie, Queen Vagia always says, ‘You mustn’t overlook the pitiful ones.’ In other words, our ultimate goal as Succubi is to live happily ever after having sex together with everybodyyy.”
Their second Succubus escort answered his query.