Chapter 78. The Blooming Rose
"You worked hard today, young lady."
After finishing work, the owner handed me my wages along with a bag containing simple dishes he'd prepared.
"Owner, this is..."
"Just some simple things I made. Share them with your family at home. Thanks to you, I earned three times my usual income today. Consider this my small token of appreciation - no need for payment."
"Thank you, I'll enjoy them."
"And... no matter how difficult your circumstances, please treasure your body. You're too beautiful to waste."
"Yes. Thank you for your concern, kind owner."
The owner seemed to carry lingering guilt for not being able to stop me from selling my body, worrying about my wellbeing until the very end and trying his best to care for me.
The world maintains balance - just as there are evil demons like me who lead people into depravity, there are also good souls like him who warm the world through kind deeds and conscience.
As repayment for his kindness, I gave him a small gift. Not material, but a portion of my vital energy.
While vital energy serves as sustenance and power source for succubi, as a form of life energy it grants humans improved health and slightly enhanced vitality when absorbed.
Of course it also improves sexual performance...♥ With this much shared, he should easily live to a hundred and still be virile well into his seventies.
Live long and spread the kindness you showed me throughout the world. I'll be fulfilling my desires through wicked deeds on the opposite side.
"Hmm? Strange. My body feels oddly lighter."
Completely unaware of what had transpired, the owner rotated his shoulders a few times before returning to his shop. I too turned to go my way.
* * *
Upon arriving at our inn lodgings, Lycoris stood waiting at the entrance, staring directly at my approaching path as if she'd known I was coming.
Well, she probably did know. With her future-seeing abilities...
But is it really okay to use such an incredible power for trivial matters? Abusing it must carry heavy consequences, though she's never shown any signs of strain until now.
I should discuss this with her later. If the side effects are severe, I'll need to caution or forbid it.
For now, let's head inside with Lycoris.
"Welcome back, Mother. I trust you enjoyed yourself?"
"Yes, it was fun. How long have you been waiting here, Lyco? Was the wait long?"
"I've been standing here for five minutes specifically to earn your praise. Therefore, shouldn't you promptly commend and compliment Lycoris's efforts?"
Her personality seems to have grown bolder... but I welcome this proactive attitude.
During family bonding time, Lycoris always remained alone, only accepting Camellia's occasional touches while rejecting my affection. Insisting she was the monarch's vassal first and a daughter second, I constantly worried she might never properly develop as either human or succubus.
Her previously antisocial demeanor makes this transformation all the more joyous for a mother.
"Good girl, my second daughter."
As I ruffled and stroked her hair, Lycoris arched her neck like a cat, purring while enjoying the attention.
Seeing her like this, she seems so ordinary... Would exposing her to more conversations and diverse experiences further enrich her emotions?
Resolving to focus more on my children's emotional education, I changed the subject.
"Did you play well while I was gone? Nothing happened?"
"Regarding special events... yes, there was one."
"Oh?"
"But it's not bad news. Something you should witness personally. You'll understand immediately upon entering the family's room."
'Witness'? That means...
As this familiar, welcome sensation washed over me, Lycoris turned and led me inside by hand.
"Everyone's waiting. Let's go in."
"Eh? Oh..."
With each step up the inn's stairs, my heartbeat intensified.
Just as Camellia and Lycoris had surprised me around this age, our youngest daughter Rose's time had come.
Growth.
The maturation process unique to succubus demons who must feed on others' vital energy - rapidly developing an adult body capable of independent soul absorption while still dependent on parents.
Before I knew it, our third daughter Rose had reached this stage.
Lycoris turned the doorknob upon arrival, revealing the sight I'd imagined and longed for.
"..."
A teenage girl knelt formally in the entryway like a knight pledging fealty to her monarch, her reverent posture making it difficult to break the solemn silence.
Her hair - black mixed with blue strands - and features slightly more resembling Rita than mine confirmed this was Rose, despite her now-grown body surpassing even Camellia's size, making Lycoris appear the younger sister. Her long legs, tall stature, and beautiful lower body with wide, lovely hips clearly inherited from her mother.
"Rose... is that you?"
"I formally greet you for the first time, Mother... no, my liege."
"...What?"
"Though I wished to pay formal respects immediately upon first beholding this world's light, I humbly apologize for the inconvenience caused to my liege and mothers due to my immature form."
The child delivered her first greeting with knightly perfection, overwhelmingly formal.
This personality undoubtedly came from Rita's influence - no one else possesses such noble, chivalrous righteousness.
"I shall repeat my formal greetings. Rose Karyen, Third Princess of the Succubus. I humbly pay my respects to the Succubus Queen and pledge to become your loyal sword.
- - -
<Viewing Vassal Rose Karyen's Information>
Name : Rose Karyen
Race : Demon Dragon Tribe (Demon Tribe + Dragon Tribe)
Gender : Female
Age : 1
Level : 60
Rank : Third Succubus Princess
Occupation : Dragon Knight
<Stats>
Strength : 250
Agility : 150
Intelligence : 50
Health : 300
Magic Power : 120
<H Status>
Lust Level : 0 / 999
Virginity Status : Virgin
First Experience Partner : None
Pregnancy Status : Not Pregnant
Experience Count : 0
Mouth Development : 0 / 5
Breast Development : 0 / 5
Pussy Development : 0 / 5
Anal Development : 0 / 5
<Active Skills>
『Sword Aura』
Manipulates possessed magic power to coat the blade. Damage increases proportionally to magic stat.
『Dragon Claw Slash』
Partially manifests dragon bloodline to temporarily transform arms into dragon claws with sharp nails. These attacks count as sword attacks, receiving related skill effects.
『Bloodline Bloom』
Awakens bloodline flowing through body to maximally draw out racial power. Duration proportional to magic stat. Unique to special hybrid races.
<Passive Skills>
『Bloodline of the Great Race』
Inheriting the strongest race's blood grants innate toughness. Grants partial poison resistance, immunity to disease, and recovery from minor wounds after a day's rest.
『Weapon Master』
Can wield anything held as a weapon. All weapon proficiency fixed at 'Master' level.
『Guardian』
While protecting something in battle, damage received decreases by 25%.
『Self-Righteous Chivalry』
When believing oneself engaged in honorable combat, damage dealt increases 25% and damage received decreases 25%. If opponent violates honorable combat during effect, passive skill 『Battle Mania』 activates at maximum effect.
『Battle Mania』
Combat power gradually increases the longer battle continues, up to 3x maximum. At maximum effect, loses reason to battle frenzy.
『Berserker』
Activates when passive skill 『Battle Mania』 reaches maximum effect. Nullifies pain sensation. Damage dealt increases 50%, damage received increases 50%.
- - -
Rose's stats matched or even surpassed her mother Rita's in some areas.
Moreover, her race as Demon Dragon Tribe...? While unfamiliar, another question arose.
Half-dragon Rita was listed as dragon-human hybrid, hybrid demon Lycoris as demon-human, yet Rose showed no human lineage despite Rita possessing human blood.
Perhaps the demon-dragon bloodline's power overwhelmed the human heritage? My 『Noble Genes』 skill eliminates inferior genetic material during conception, making this possible.
My limited knowledge might not cover all races, or perhaps... I've birthed an entirely new species.
Regardless, Rose has grown into an exceptional child with superb swordsman talent.
"Well met, Rose."
As the brief yet tense introductions concluded, Cecilia and Rita approached from behind.
"Honestly, Triae. Thank goodness you returned quickly. After Rose suddenly grew up, she insisted 'I shall await my liege's arrival' while kneeling in the entryway for half an hour. So awkward!"
"My daughter but truly troublesome... She ignored even me, her birth mother, insisting her first greeting must go to you. Had Camellia not intervened, she'd have remained sitting there naked."
"...I should've come sooner."
Rose currently wore a black high-leg leotard created through Camellia's shadow magic.
Whose taste influenced this outfit remains unclear... though Rita wore bikini armor, so high-leg isn't strange. Rather a visual feast.
The outfit accentuated her already beautiful lower body and hips, making me want to immediately embrace her while gripping those plump, round buttocks with both hands.
Plus the adorable chubby dragon tail above her bottom... I wanted to sit her on my lap and pamper her endlessly.
As I indulged these lustful thoughts about my daughter, Rose stood and spoke.
"My liege, as your sword and Succubus Princess, I dare voice a request."
"Yes? What is it?"
"Observing my sisters while in infant form proved thoroughly disappointing. Rather than striving to become worthy of your stature, they idly cling to your status like parasitic sluggards."
Just as I prepared to chide her for insulting her sisters, Rose continued.
"Therefore I propose reestablishing our hierarchy - I shall challenge them to duels."