In this world, where a vast number of species are jumbled together, an electoral system was established long, long ago. Throughout this long history, a demon lord hadn’t actually held true governing power that many times. In truth, it was once, and only once. “Industriousness and advancement over all! Fulfillment of labor over pleasure! Straight from the demon’s mouth: If you work hard and society advances, a bright future awaits you!” The lofty aspirations of his reign were short-lived. His platform was simply too strict. He sacrificed far too much for the sake of advancement. One of those very sacrifices was Sleeptopia itself. * “““Welcome!””” A chorus of voices welcomed the visitors, and without giving them a chance to state their preference, three different succu-girls pushed themselves onto Stunk and company. “We’ve been waiting for you! We’ve been so bored, you know!” “It’s been so long, I developed a habit of falling asleep midsentence!” “We only get the chance to go outside when we enter our clients’ dreams. Mmm, it feels so good to actually touch a real, living, breathing client! Reality rules!” The girls screamed in shrill voices and put their hands all over Stunk and the others. He was dumbfounded by their aggressive intimacy. They were like three overly friendly puppies. This is not what I was expecting… Despite being a several-thousand-year-old succubus joint, this place already lacked…mystique. Despite their tribulations in overtaking the bothersome tower, this place lacked…rhythm. Of course, that meant they wouldn’t be getting overly apprehensive. Zel, Stunk, and Kanchal winked at one another and nodded in unison. “Well, they’re definitely not all hyperexperienced battle-axes…” “It seems the method employed to delay the flow of time inside this joint is truly…excellent.” “Yeah, I definitely don’t have it in me to fuck a thousand-year-old granny.” The crew was concerned about age above all else. Judging on looks alone, the girls were all young by human standards. That meant Stunk wouldn’t have any complaints, regardless of what they were like on the inside. The sound of wood clattering against metal echoed around the room. “All of you, line up.” In response to the powerful sound, which resembled an arrow being shot from a bow, all the girls quickly obeyed. They rose to a section of wainscoting above the earthen entryway and kneeled in a line, from right to left. Now that the girls had distanced themselves, the crew finally noticed Sleeptopia’s interior. The building was a wooden structure made in the Far Eastern style. Their gazes were drawn to the floor and walls—a resplendent wood grain—and sliding doors made of paper. Lastly, a fire burned, and smoke billowed from the open hearth directly in front of the succu-girl lineup. Next, they heard a voice coming from the middle of the assemblage. A small girl wearing a short-hemmed kimono was kneeling, nearly hidden by the smoke. “Welcome to Sleeptopia, dear customers.” As the small girl lifted her head, her tiny body looked even more compact. She was on par with a halfling, or perhaps even smaller. Her face becoming discernable, it was shapely, soft, and youthful above all else. “Are you…some kind of ghost who’s supposed to bring good fortune to this place?” Zel narrowed his eyes. “That is correct. I am the same as the smoke that has seeped into these walls.” As she smiled broadly, a unique vitality emanated from her. It wasn’t the innocent lucidity of a child, but rather, a mature depth that showed she’d been on the journey of life for eons. The ghost in question was a house-spirit species that originated in the Far East. Just like brownie spirits and silkies, these spirits’ dispositions meant they settled into one particular home. Their lifespan was the length as the home itself, and in some instances, they could endure for a thousand years. According to legend, they brought good fortune to the place they resided. However, this had yet to be proven. The crew all exchanged glances due to the appearance of this rare spirit species. “I’m not touchin’ that…” “Yeah, I doubt she does anything but work as the receptionist…” “I’ve already decided on that bubbly-slime girl over there.” The three nonhuman members of the crew were already getting restless. Stunk stared long and hard at the house spirit. Thwack—! She took her long pipe and hit it against the side of the open hearth, knocking the ash out before putting it back between her lips with a skilled hand. As she puffed, smoke didn’t emit from her pipe, but rather, fire. Oddly captivated by the spectacle, Stunk and company all stood at attention. “Our age of glacial hibernation has officially announced its passing, and we have you to thank. For this reason, today is a celebration. We bid you welcome to our establishment, free of charge.” “Wow, a formal welcome. That’s pretty old-school for a succubus joint.” “Now then, please take off your shoes and come in from the earthen entryway.” The crew did as they were bid and took off their shoes, stepping up to the section of floor surrounded by wainscoting. Their cheeks were flush with anticipation as they convened around the open hearth and sat down across from the girls. “First, you need to warm yourselves up.” The ghost girl removed the kettle hanging above the fire. She poured hot water into a tea kettle and allowed it to steep for a moment before pouring the contents into ceramic cups. “A welcoming drink. Let it warm your bodies.” “…Ahh, thank you kindly.” Stunk was mildly disappointed by the wholesome service as he took his cup. He sipped the tea, which was bitter and slightly tart, but a warmth spread throughout his body. “Hey, now…!” Stunk felt completely at ease, and the remaining three members of their crew were even more impressed by the drink. “There are a number of different herbs in this… W-wow, it’s powerful stuff. It’s even restoring my magic.” “This really is really soothing…especially after all I’ve been through…” “Ahh, this reminds me of the tea my grandma made for me.” Now that they were being taken care of, the party was no longer on edge, as they had been when they entered. Their tempered breathing mellowed, becoming rhythmic and even. “Please also take a hot towel to soothe you. Be my guest.” “Would you also like some hot porridge and dried persimmons?” “You must be tired. How about a massage?” A number of hospitable services were offered to them. It was a very generous and complete service, but it didn’t really remind them of a succubus joint. Or perhaps this was the standard service offered long ago? “Yawwwn… Damn, I’m tired.” Stunk’s eyelids were heavy, and his muscles were exhausted. He could feel the weariness of his adventure with his whole body. “In that case, you should sleep. Napping is also included, free of charge. Look, we have pillows prepared just for you.” The girls all patted their legs simultaneously. The exhausted men couldn’t resist the invitation. Like moths drawn to flame, they all fell onto the captivating girls’ lap pillows. Their consciousnesses wavered, and they drifted off to sleep. “First, you must rest your bodies. Our lap-pillow service is so potent, the demon lord himself feared its power. Just relax to your heart’s content.” The house spirit rubbed Stunk’s head with her tiny hand. The time for sweet surrender had arrived. Stunk realized the moment the dream started. The events unfolding before his eyes were not reality. He felt like he was watching a play as he peered at a scene that was all new to him. The girls from Sleeptopia had formed a circle. “My three remaining employees! You must pledge you will accept Sleeptopia along with your fate!” “Bring the demon lord’s seal down upon us!” “We are resolute in our mission!” As three of the girls spoke their conviction, the fourth—the house spirit—furrowed her brow into a scornful grimace and laughed bitterly. “You are helpless girls. Even if a thousand years pass, I will continue living as long as this establishment exists, but the same does not apply to you.” “Even if that’s true, we can’t abandon you to such a lonely fate, proprietress. That would leave a bad taste in our mouths.” “We’re different from those who left. We have no other living relatives.” “Yes, you’re like a mother to us!” The four girls smiled at one another warmly and turned once again toward the entrance. A single demon was standing just outside the open doors. He was covered in thorns—a fiendish appearance that screamed I am the demon lord. “As royal decree of my regime, Sleeptopia is hereby sealed off.” The demon lord waved his hand and released a powerful magic aura. With each wave of magical energy that washed over the establishment, a single door was closed automatically. “You have violated the laws of society by guiding industrious workers into the depths of depravity. This led to the proliferation of idiocy and the decay of our civilization.” “You say as much, but without the chance to relax, the heart withers, does it not?” The house spirit refuted the demon lord quietly. In contrast, the hellish monarch threatened her in a severe and menacing tone. “What blathering nonsense. Only unwavering dedication and mental fortitude can foster a strong spirit.” “The tightest of strings is readily broken, no?” “It is my duty to elevate the consciousness of all people, that they may forge bonds that will never be broken.” “Water flows from the highest peaks down to the earth.” “The spirit turns skyward in search for light. That much is true, even among demons.” “Even though so many of them are lying with their faces in the dirt?” “Those who give in to weakness have already lost.” They both knew they were speaking at odds, their eyes reflecting their resolve. “No matter what logic you heap upon me, the sealing of this establishment is a foregone conclusion.” The demon lord was the first to force their conversation to a halt. “Of course, as a decree of my regime, this is not a complete sealing. Those who dwell within this place will have their consciousnesses preserved here in the bonds of time. A thousand years or even ten thousand years will only feel like a few, I’m sure. And it goes without saying that your lifespans will not end in this place.” “Well, well, that’s a rather lenient punishment for a demon lord, is it not?” “A lord must govern and lead, not evict. Someday, my ideals will pervade our world, and it will become a paradise that eclipses Heaven itself. At that time, you will also—” Someone clicked their tongue halfway through the demon lord’s speech. “Who the hell do you think you are? Acting all important… Hmph. Eat this.” One of the girls threw a rotten tangerine. It passed through the open door and smacked the demon lord square in the face. “Urk—” “Yikes, the demon lord’s face is all messy now.” “What the hell were you thinking, Prim?!” “I didn’t think I’d actually hit him. I’m as shocked as you.” The girls all looked toward the demon lord’s face, frightened of what they’d find. Suddenly, a piercing, shrill laugh erupted. “Gwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!! I changed my mind! You’ll have your freedom, oh yes… At the cost of divine intervention!” “That’s basically the same as saying it’s never gonna happen. You mad, demon lord?” “Farewell! Gwa-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!!” The door mercilessly slammed closed. Stunk’s consciousness was again trapped in the darkness where only dreams dwelled. * Stunk awoke in partial darkness. The pillow pressed closely against his face, preventing him from seeing anything. The pillow’s fabric was black, and its burnt-orange flame pattern looked as if it was streaked with light. The black and orange both gave way, and two white lines branched out. Stunk was lying on his stomach, and he had buried his face between two pillars of white—yes, two thighs. “You were fast asleep.” Stunk’s girl stroked his head, brushing his hair to the side. His fuzzy memory started to return. “Yawwn. Wow, I must’ve been out like a light.” He felt refreshed, much like he did after his time with the two escorts. He hadn’t taken a proper rest at any point during their adventure, so he felt like a whole new Stunk. “Was my lap pillow to your liking?” Her archaic manner of speech was oddly comforting. Stunk recalled the comfort of falling asleep on his grandmother’s lap many years ago. Yet compared with his grandmother, his current companion was far too small. “I bet customers would pay out the nose just for your lap pillow.” “I ask about your well-being, yet you speak of money. You still lack charm, indeed.” “Well, I’m just the boorish type that eats, sleeps, and fucks all day.” “That is fine until you lose interest. We of the bygone era are ever going on about charm, but enough of that.” The owner of the lap pillow laughed quietly and tickled Stunk’s ear. He rolled over onto his back. Zel and the others, along with the rest of the girls, were nowhere to be found. The open hearth was also missing. They had moved to a private room before he had realized it. The soft smile he had envisioned looked down at him as they lay alone together. It was the house spirit who’d welcomed them at reception, the one who Zel and everyone else had said was strictly a no-go. “…I always thought that your type—a house spirit—would have straight, black hair.” “As you can see, I’m more of a cherry blossom.” She flipped her hand through her hair proudly. He expected it to be cut shoulder-length, but it was truly the color of cherry blossoms: a light pink. It was soft and billowy, with tufts of dark red mixed in. It wouldn’t be a lie to say that Stunk wasn’t exactly disappointed by the house spirit. On the contrary, he could stare at her for an eternity. “You could say that we house spirits are like artifact spirits.” “Umm…is that like a spirit who lives in an inanimate object?” “Indeed. Because we are spirits who inhabit homes, our ecology and appearances are affected by the modality of the dwelling. I have experienced location change many times, but the effects of my first home are still strong and deep-rooted. It is still very much a part of me.” “Location change” referred to a special ritual used to move a certain species from one location to another. If she had experienced it many times, she must have been quite old. “A pink house… So it was a succubus joint?” “Hmm, I wonder. If you’re able to correctly guess where I first went to roost, I shall give you a special treat! How does that sound?” She bared her pearly-white teeth and laughed mischievously. “Speaking of, how long has it been? Will I need to pay for more time?” “No need to worry; we don’t charge extra fees. We’ve waited so long for you. You are our first customers since the gate was sealed. And at any rate, the flow of time in this place is delayed.” As she continued stroking his hair, the sensation of time passing began to stretch out listlessly. How many minutes had been frittered away with this idle banter as he rested on her lap pillow? Or rather, how many hours, days, or weeks? “Our establishment’s creed is for clients to enjoy themselves to their hearts’ content, without worrying about the constraints of time.” “Even so, chilling for several thousand years is a bit too laid-back.”
Chapter 14
14 min read