Episode 48. Is a Good Demon Tribe Member Strange?
Episode 48. Is a Good Demon Tribe Member Strange?
"Can't you... stay just a little longer...?"
"I'm sorry, but I can't. Someone's waiting for me."
After our relationship was consummated, Rita-nim completely shed her dignified swordsman persona, leaving only the appearance of a woman deeply in love.
The newly affectionate Rita-nim clung to me like a spoiled child, refusing to let me leave.
I had to gently coax her, promising to return early tomorrow, before finally managing to take my leave.
"Well... if I must... You must visit me again tomorrow. I can't last a single day without you now... You must take responsibility."
...Should I just take her right now?
I gulped hard, repeating "It's not time yet" dozens of times in my head before finally saying goodbye and leaving the inn.
Having stayed longer than planned, the sunset painted the sky crimson. If I returned now, I'd arrive around midnight.
"Camellia? Let's go home."
I called for Camellia who had been waiting in the shadows until my business concluded.
But Camellia didn't answer.
"...Daughter?"
ㅡDing!
- - -
<Vassal Camellia Maely is currently in sleep mode.>
<Estimated wake-up time: 9 hours 23 minutes>
- - -
Ah... Well, she must be exhausted after running around all day doing various tasks.
I wished she'd come out to sleep comfortably when tired, but I had no way to retrieve Camellia from the shadows myself.
Nothing to be done. Hoping the Shadow Space was comfortable, I hurried home.
Using the gold coins Kumo gave me, I rented the fastest carriage available and headed straight to the church.
This expensive luxury carriage differed completely from the cheap freight wagons I usually rode - starting with its speed.
The plush interior provided comfort, barely jostling despite the rapid pace, with cushioned seats making the ride pleasant.
As the city faded from view, I contemplated tomorrow's final training session with Rita-nim.
Rita-nim accepted me solely by seeing my good side, completely unaware I'd been training her with ulterior motives.
If I revealed my malicious intent and true Demon Tribe nature, could she still affirm me till the end?
Could she abandon her convictions and choose me? This would become a trust test.
I closed my eyes quietly. At this speed, arrival should take about 30 minutes - perfect for a quick nap.
'Convictions...'
Having accepted living as a Demon Tribe member and embracing desire, did I still possess any convictions?
Even if remnants remained, I doubted anything worth abandoning my current life to protect existed anymore.
With these thoughts, I gradually drifted into light sleep.
* * *
"Gyaaak!"
Fresh Blood sprayed through the air alongside a man's scream, creating Blood Mist.
Kumo wiped her bloodied blade with cloth while smiling down at the barely breathing man.
"Shallow cuts hurt more~ Want me to finish you cleanly~?"
"You crazy bitch...! Think you'll get away with touching our organization...!"
"You're weaker than me~ Why should I worry~?"
"Grrk... If word spreads about infighting, not only will the Adventurer's Guild issue commissions...! Pesto's guards won't stay idle either...!"
"So~?"
"How long will you play dumb! The Wall built through mutual protection will crumble! Why commit such pointless acts!"
"My reason~ Hmm~"
Even facing death, the man calculated.
If he discovered Kumo's motive, he could join her side - begging for life while gaining benefits.
Kumo tapped her chin thoughtfully before answering.
"I was chosen. You weren't."
"What? That doesn't..."
Sschliktㅡ
Before the man finished speaking, his head slid off and rolled across the floor.
That's the last. Another organization destroyed single-handedly by Kumo.
Immediately following Triae's orders, Kumo had already crushed seven organizations alone.
Having become Triae's devout follower, Kumo executed commands without question.
Though capable before, she'd avoided such troublesome, unrewarding tasks. But her master's orders made everything irrelevant.
Her mind contained only thoughts of completing her master's mission and receiving rewards.
Kumo hoped to receive a name - for the child in her womb.
"Still not enough~ To finish what she entrusted... Need to kill more~"
Exiting the building, Kumo ordered waiting subordinates to clean up.
Her underlings entered silently, removing bloodstains and corpses.
When they departed, nothing remained.
As if nothing had ever existed there.
- - -
"I'm home..."
Entering quietly to avoid waking the sleeping Cecilia.
I carelessly tossed luggage and clothes in the living room before heading to Cecilia's bedroom.
"Cecilia, asleep?"
No sound answered from the dark room.
No breathing, no cute snores. The room seemed empty from the start.
Thinking she might be on a night walk, I checked the church area.
Hearing voices from the chapel, I headed there.
"Cecilia...?"
"..."
Cecilia prayed silently in the chapel with saintly benevolence, eyes closed.
She appeared so sacred and devout, resembling how one might imagine the Saintess herself.
"I'm home, Cecilia."
"Welcome back, Triae."
Approaching with greetings, Cecilia opened her eyes and smiled softly.
"What were you doing here?"
"You were late, so I prayed for your safe return."
"Your prayer worked then. I returned safely. Those bothering us should be gone now."
"Where's Camellia? Didn't she go with you?"
"She fell asleep in the shadows. Where's Lycoris?"
"I put her to bed before coming."
We shared a brief kiss during a light embrace.
Sliding down her body, I rested my head on Cecilia's lap.
Cecilia adjusted comfortably, providing a lap pillow.
"My little spoiled one. Had a tough day?"
"Yes... It was hard."
"There, there. What happened?"
"I killed someone."
"...Huh?"
"Technically, Camellia did it."
Cecilia looked startled but soon regained composure, as if expecting this.
"I see... Unavoidable, I suppose. As the Succubus Queen, many humans would obstruct you."
"Though necessary to protect myself and what's mine... I felt exhilarated when Camellia killed them."
Cecilia didn't react strongly this time.
Her attitude suggested it was natural to feel satisfaction swatting annoying pests.
"Dear me, our master is too kindhearted. Need some breastfeeding?"
"Yes..."
Like a baby, I took Cecilia's offered breast into my mouth.
The strangely addictive sucking action soothed my troubled mind.
No wonder babies love pacifiers. *Suck suck*
"Good, good. Poor master had such hardship. Being newly turned, your old morals clash with new values despite your resolve."
"Mmm..."
"But such worries prove your uniqueness. Ordinary people would chase insatiable desires, yet you still feel responsibility and guilt?"
Is that how Cecilia saw me?
Hearing self-assessment through others felt embarrassingly ear-burning.
"You're a good person - painfully so. Worrying whether your footprints ruined someone's path, whether your future road will be paved with deaths - such thoughts paralyze you."
"Life was easier just doing commissions with you."
"Which do you prefer - then or now?"
"...Obviously now. Having known this, returning to our old relationship and losing my precious daughter? Unthinkable."
Rubbing my face against Cecilia's chest as I spoke.
Stimulated, Cecilia's breasts leaked milk which I licked clean.
"Feeling better now?"
"Yes, thanks to you..."
"You must be tired. Let's sleep. No more naughty business."
Cecilia straightened her clothes as she spoke. I nodded while rising.
"Oh, Cecilia. Something to tell you."
"Yes?"
"We'll likely have a new family member soon."