Episode 57. The Village Ruled by a Succubus
Episode 57. The Village Ruled by a Succubus
As we entered the village entrance, boys around Lycoris's age were playing sword fights with tree branches.
The children laughed and chattered, clashing their wooden swords in teams until they spotted us, then scurried behind trees to hide.
Rather than wariness, they seemed shy around strangers. The children couldn't tear their eyes away, silently watching us from afar.
Even kids recognize beauty - their frozen state between approaching and fleeing was adorable.
Hoho, one brat was clutching his crotch while staring intently at my chest.
What a precocious little pervert. I'll have to personally educate him with my body someday before his rampant curiosity causes trouble.
As I walked thinking this, one brave soul emerged from the group, hiding something behind his back.
The boy nervously stood before us, then presented the hidden object.
"A flower?"
He offered a yellow dandelion matching Lycoris's hair color.
Lycoris looked up at me with questioning eyes, unsure how to react. When she didn't immediately accept it, the boy panicked.
"Lycoris, when someone gives you a gift, say thank you and take it."
"...Thank you."
The moment Lycoris accepted the flower, the boy scampered back into his group.
His neck flushed crimson - he must've been mortified. Well, mustering courage to gift a flower to such a pretty girl was impressive.
Lycoris twirled the flower in her hand.
"This severed, dying flower serves no purpose for Lycoris. Mother, how should I dispose of it?"
"It'd be rude to discard a heartfelt gift. Ah, how about this?"
I tucked the dandelion into Lycoris's hair.
The blossom harmonized with her hair color naturally. If anything, the flower looked shabby next to her innate beauty.
Watching from afar, the boy beamed and began boasting to his friends.
"Mother, why is he so pleased?"
"He's happy a pretty girl like you accepted his gift."
"Fascinating. Though aware of my appearance, I assumed young males preferred lively Camellia unnie. Are males such simple creatures who like anything beautiful?"
"Well... generally, yes?"
I nearly objected, but recalling my succubus experiences with men, Lycoris's conclusion felt accurate. I awkwardly nodded.
Those simple males who became enchanted just by my appearance... Memories of them recklessly pouncing unless controlled made me smirk.
"Sigh... Right. Men are simple. You must dominate prey early so they don't climb over you. Understood?"
"Yes, I'll remember."
I lectured Lycoris extensively about men as we entered the village.
Meaningless warnings for a succubus - beware men drawn to appearances, show no mercy or affection to designated prey. But since Lycoris is only half-incubus and doesn't require Vital Energy to survive, she needs different guidance than Camellia.
Perhaps excessive or unnecessary worrying. Yet I continued for Lycoris's sake.
My daughter diligently nodded through my ramblings laced with trivial concerns.
"I'll keep it in mind, Mother."
Lycoris's expression seemed more relaxed and natural than before.
* * *
We headed toward the market. Rural villages offer little entertainment.
Hmm, now that we're out, I can't think of anywhere suitable for children. Maybe visit a tavern where people gather?
Then I witnessed a shocking scene.
"Mister, I'll pay with this instead... Could you lower the price?"
"Hoho, magnificent breasts. If you let me taste them, I'll throw in extra. Deal?"
"Yesss, okay...♥"
A young woman exposed her bare chest in the marketplace, bargaining her body for fruit.
They conducted this act nonchalantly - something that would make any morally conscious person blush.
Stranger still, everyone ignored it as perfectly normal.
As if this were "common sense"...
"Lyco... Do you know what's happening here?"
"Yes. Lyco is a genius, so I know."
"...Mother isn't a genius, so explain please?"
"Simple. Mother Cecilia successfully brainwashed everyone in this village."
Brainwashing? I recalled Cecilia converting villagers into devotees through her mind control abilities.
Until recently, she only had ten or twenty devotees. Did she brainwash the entire village already?
As if reading my mind, Lycoris elaborated.
"All villagers attend the nearest Church - Mother Cecilia's. This allowed easy mass brainwashing. Even non-believers visited for healing, making brainwashing inevitable."
"But... why brainwash? Hypnosis or illusion magic would suffice to hide our succubus nature."
"To create a Breeding Farm."
"Breeding Farm?"
"You'll have more children and vassals. They'll need stable Vital Energy sources. Similar to how you legalized Kumo's organization for steady funding."
Lycoris explained seriously with her usual stoic face.
Somehow, her knowledge-flaunting seemed like craving praise - adorably so.
I instinctively patted her head. Lycoris immediately jerked away.
When I looked surprised, she blushed and explained.
"Don't... touch my head. Mother's head pats make me dizzy and foggy... I become... an idiot."
"Oh."
"Not 'oh'... Hngaaaah...! I turn stupid...!"
Who knew our stoic second daughter had such a cute weakness? I pampered Lycoris with head pats, enjoying her idiocy.
Incidentally, Lycoris's explanation made me feel guilty toward Cecilia.
While I was obsessed with Rita-ssi outside, Cecilia supported me without complaint.
I should love Cecilia thoroughly tonight. Out of gratitude and apology.
"Just ignore it naturally, Mother. Reacting would seem stranger here."
Following Lycoris's advice, I averted my eyes and quietly passed through the market.
After the market girl, I spotted lovers mingling behind shops, middle-aged men exchanging lewd jokes with young brides instead of greetings, groping each other's privates. I observed briefly before moving on.
In a succubus-ruled village, such scenes are utterly natural. Right?
* * *
Opening the tavern door, boisterous noise greeted us despite midday, along with savory food and ale aromas.
All eyes turned toward Lycoris and me as we entered.
A mother-daughter pair of such beauty must shock this cozy rural tavern. Hehe.
...Does this sound too conceited? But it's true. Even before becoming a succubus, I wasn't bad-looking. After transformation, absorbing Vital Energy enhanced my beauty daily.
I sat at a quiet corner table, ordering simple dishes and two juices from the barmaid. Can't drink alcohol with a child midday.
Soon, bread, soup, cream pasta, and two fruit juices arrived.
Lycoris gratefully accepted the bread I tore into her bowl, dipping it in soup before nibbling.
She seemed to enjoy filling her stomach with real food instead of Vital Energy, attacking her pasta mountain with a fork.
"Tasty? Want more?"
"...No. This suffices."
Noticing my gaze, Lycoris fake-coughed and began eating delicately instead of voraciously.
To let her eat comfortably, I surveyed the tavern.
Hush Village's tavern was surprisingly fine, likely because adventurers and merchants passing through other cities occasionally visited.
Good ale, delicious food, lively atmosphere unbefitting a small village tavern...
Huh?
"Miss, what's that?"
I noticed an unfamiliar object where people gathered and asked the barmaid.
"Ah, the Owner splurged on that recently. Want to try it, ma'am?"
"Wow, this... Only found in cities like Pesto..."
The crowd surrounded a massive board game - Lord of War, I believe?
Its expense came from illusion magic enchanting the board. Large enough to cover an entire table, it was extremely pricey.
Terrain rose realistically from the board. When players hired troops or built structures, corresponding buildings and soldiers appeared vividly.
I'd always wanted to play during Pesto visits but never got the chance...
Showing interest, I caught the attention of men who just finished a game. They grinned and offered seats.
"Heavens, beautiful lady. Want to play a round?"
"Huh? May I?"
"Course! Who'd refuse a pretty lady? Owner left it for free use anyway. Here, sit."
The man grabbed my wrist and seated me. His large hand groped my waist lewdly, but since the whole village is brainwashed and he yielded his seat, I let it slide.
I roughly knew the rules from watching, so I wouldn't blunder.
Suppressing my excitement, I calmly began.
Just one game. Only one.