Wax Wings (3) <Side: Anidiaht Silverlight>
The fairy tale of the architect father and son trapped in a labyrinth, who crafted fake wings from wax and feathers to escape—only for the wax to melt under the sun's heat as they flew too close, sending them plummeting to their deaths. I'd once casually told it to Francis. No deeper meaning behind it. Just a shared connection between a Join tribesman with wings and humans who'd grafted wings onto their bodies to take flight. Wings were the common thread.
But as they say, dreams mean nothing compared to their interpretations. This tale gets twisted far more often as a tool for demagogues and power-mongers. For instance, the sun as power, the son as the challenger to that power, the father and wings as the ally and means. But what happened? Foolishly flying too close to the sun, the son's wings melted, and he crashed into the sea with a splash~ In other words, anyone daring to usurp power must pay for it with death... a pointless spin that sows confusion in people's hearts.
Ha... With skills like that for mangling stories, they'd have made far more money writing their own fairy tales than playing agitator.
* * *
Cross Moon Territory - Day 29 (Lunch)
"Do you really think this makes any sense?!"
"Exactly! This incident isn't just a problem with the guard corps' organization—it's a stain on the territory's dignity, and beyond that, on His Majesty's good name who granted us this land!!"
They'd barged in at the crack of dawn and were still at it without even stopping for lunch. Full of vigor, voices booming... If I had earplugs, I'd shove them in both ears in a heartbeat. But sadly, the issue these old fogeys brought wasn't something I could brush off lightly.
"So... let's summarize once more."
"No need for summaries! Lady of the Manor, we have clear evidence and solid witnesses. That's all there is to it!"
My head was throbbing... Why did this have to blow up right now, of all times...
"Captain Francis. You've got a mouth—use it. Explain the disgraceful conduct of the guards you personally handpicked!"
The agenda the advisors had been ranting about since earlier... It stemmed from the pitiful state of the guards discovered on the streets that morning.
"There's a bit of a misstatement there, advisors. My husband... the lord delegated full authority over guard selection to me and the captain. So pinning the blame solely on the captain ignores my share of the responsibility too. That's hardly fair."
"Are you shielding him just because he's your connection, milady?"
"Of course not. It's just that the burden is too heavy for one person alone, so we're sharing it. Haven't you been spitting vitriol at the captain nonstop since morning? No ulterior motives here."
A glance at Francis showed her maintaining a calm expression despite single-handedly weathering their barrage of abuse. She must be grinding her teeth inside...
"That aside... We acknowledge the points you're so passionately raising. But wouldn't it be easier for everyone if we didn't gloss over the truly suspicious parts?"
"I said it earlier! Any attempt to add more to this is just defending those disgraceful guards!"
"Exactly... What I mean is, let's look at the process and sequence, not just the outcome. There are way too many fishy details, as you all know. By all means, criticize away. But base it on facts, not lies or fabrications. Even your thick old hides might feel shame then."
"L-Lady! What insolence is this...!"
Ah... I'd let a thought I'd kept bottled up slip out. But what's said is said—might as well go all in.
"The guards who were found collapsed at dawn were hired by me and the captain for their verified identities, outstanding skills, and upright character. The others too, as a precaution."
That "precaution" naturally meant against assassinations or espionage. Few would target the lord himself, but factions hungry for the territory's secrets lurked everywhere. To prevent such threats—from the mansion maids to the territory guards—I and Francis had spent three sleepless days and nights vetting candidates rigorously.
Another reason... to clip the wings of these scheming old foxes always angling for power. If their pawns infiltrated the guards, control would falter; it could spark discord, or worse, lay the groundwork for rebellion.
"Hah... Is that so? Then can you explain how your 'capable' guards ended up soaked in their own piss and sprawled slack-jawed on the streets at dawn, milady?"
Yes... That was the headache splitting my skull. Those tasked with protecting the territory and its people, collapsed in the most unseemly state—men and women alike, dark stains soaking their lower garments, blissful expressions as they lay spread-eagled in the street. No one could see it as anything but dereliction of duty: drugged, drunk, or post-coitus without proper cleanup, passed out on the ground.
We only learned of it because terrified citizens reported it—not fellow guards. Too late to cover up, and by now, rumors must be wildfire among the populace.
"Absolutely. No injuries from an assault, and both men and women in that state—it's a disgrace to the guard corps' honor."
"It's not just that tarnished! The territory's reputation is in the dirt, which insults His Majesty's generosity too!"
Enough already... Stop spitting. Gross...
"Calm down. As I said, we handle nearly all guard selections ourselves—picking the capable and morally sound. Salaries paid on time, bonuses and holiday specials always prompt."
"What are you getting at, milady?"
"Hear me out. Doesn't it strike you as odd? Even you seasoned advisors who've 'embraced many flowers' know... Drugs or brothels happen in secret. Most are forbidden, after all."
"Stop beating around the bush. Are you saying this isn't the guards' personal failings?"
".........Well, you could see it that way."
In truth, I monitored every coin the guards spent. Just like with these old foxes' brothel visits, I tracked their expenditures day and night via rats and birds. Those using pay on problematic spots were all under surveillance, logged separately. Some hit brothels, sure... but none had bought banned drugs yet. That let me face these geezers with composure.
One snag, though... the night before the incident. My familiars failed completely—just that one day. Connection severed, total blackout. That's what nagged most.
"Sigh... I'll say it outright. I believe there was foul play behind this."
"Milady, can you take responsibility for that claim?"
"Responsibility? Let's be frank. You advisors didn't come storming in delighted at the scandal just to protest out of civic duty, did you?"
"Hah... How hurtful. We're worried about the territory's mood and safety going forward."
"Hahaha... You sure tore into the captain viciously. Territory worries are an excuse—you can't lash me directly, so you beat on her instead. No shame at your age?"
The mood turned hostile again. Status forgotten, we traded barbs like fencers. I didn't want this... but they pissed me off!
Most infuriating? They knew it too. That there was a puppetmaster. Two certainties: neither they nor I knew who, and neither was behind it. If it were their self-sabotage, I'd have handled them before they reached my office.
Besides, pulling this off in one night? Impossible. To subdue elite guards, you'd need pros hired days ahead—at minimum—and my tiny watchers would've caught it.
"And you seem convinced of foul play, milady, but what's your evidence? Baseless claims are just childish babble."
Evidence... Truth be told, lack of it let them yap. No citizens strolling then, no traces to trace the perp. Familiars down... And I'd never heard of subdue-via-lowly-means by any assassin or adventurer. No kills, no loot—just dumped in the street. It almost seemed happenstance piled on coincidence.
With the guards still comatose, unable to corroborate, the geezers' demands left me speechless.
"Gone quiet after all that chatter, eh milady? Nothing to say? Without proving no puppetmaster, process of elimination points to guard misconduct."
I wanted to whip those damned mouths to shreds. Self-preservation and power-lust over territory safety—these weasels. Outwardly for the king, but wild dogs ready to bite their master. They had no intent to solve this; just exploit it to expand their foothold. Hating myself for having to take it...
"Haa... So what do you want?"
"Heh heh... Now we're talking, milady."
Folding at last, grins bloomed on those loathsome mugs. Their goal from the start...?
"Before our terms, something for Captain Francis."
What...? What now...?
"We hear you handled selection for that lowly thing in the infirmary... Same as the missing persons fiasco. You know full well you're lacking as captain, don't you?"
--Thud...!!!
"You...!! What the hell are you saying?! State your demands and leave—no need to drag Francis into this!"
"Milady, we're not being harsh. No crude insults or cheap provocations. Just legitimate protest over her qualifications as captain."
Unable to stomach their sudden pivot to Francis, I slammed the desk and shouted. I could endure hits on me. But Francis... Bound by contract here. Captain only because I pushed it. Her facing such flimsy attacks... I wouldn't stand for it anymore. Even if she said it was fine, I couldn't.
"Milady, compose yourself. Anyway, Captain. Know the Chronos Kingdom fairy tale...?"
"Shut up! You...!"
"Of the man who flew on wax-and-feather wings, plunging to ruin for flying too close to the sun."
They smirked leisurely, asserting dominance, launching into the tale. I knew it well. One I'd told Francis ages ago... And the reason they dredged it up now was obvious:
'For instance, the sun as power, the son as the challenger, the father and wings as ally and means. But what happened? Foolishly nearing the sun, the son's wings melted, crashing into the sea~'
The price for a Join tribesman encroaching on human power... And the betrayal by her handpicked guards cornering her. That's what they implied.
Francis, the target, reacted to...
* * *
[Ho ho. This is unfolding even more entertainingly than planned.]
Overhearing via the Join-tribesman-mimicking doll, the exchange exceeded my design in intrigue. Last night, I'd zapped the guards to climax with lightning magic and left them dumped. To erode guard credibility and inflame the chaos. But this level of fireworks? Unexpected♥ Greedy old power-hounds and the inept bitch stumbling over her words. [Human thinking, blind to context, caps at this? Naturally. How could mere humans grasp Master's glory♥]
I'd lurked silently to gauge, but named now, time to speak♥ To accelerate the turmoil... Yes, this'll do♥
"[It's all my fault. I can only apologize for tarnishing the lord's name and failing the territory's defense with this mishap.]"
"Wha...? Fr, Fran... No, Francis! What are you saying?!"
"[I'll discipline all involved guards and select more capable, responsible ones. May I have the advisors' assistance?]"
Anidiaht and the advisors gaped at the doll's words. Unfazed by her reputation, but shocked at such an offer.
"Hah, hahaha... Never dreamed you'd say that. This is truly the captain's unvarnished view?"
"[Yes, of course. I handle selections.]"
"No way! I share selection authority too—not just that. This is serious. Even if delegated to us, the lord can't stay out. Get his approval first!"
"We got milady's approval before coming. The lord urged us to support you in resolving this."
"H-Husband...!!!"
The bitch clenched her fists, face ashen. The old dogs seized the opening, bolting without chance for rebuttal or correction.
Office left with just the doll and bitch. Her despair twisted to fury as she yelled at the doll.
"Francesca!!! What the hell was that?!"
Francesca, huh... The Join's true name? Useful♥ "[Necessary sacrifice. Advisors are beasts that latch on and never let go. No bait, they'll climb endlessly. This was minimal blood.]"
"Sorry for snapping... But there had to be better ways... Should've given more time to think. Don't go solo..."
She pressed her temples, head bowed. Rage softened to sighs and mutters.
"Now they'll gleefully plant their spies in the guards. Safety suffers more... Vetting and checks now include them too."
"[I'll handle it. Rigorous training, interrogations. Trust built, even enemies might flip.]"
"As if that's easy......"
Even I, via the doll, deemed it impossible. Traitors reveal post-betrayal.
--Thud...!!
"M-Milady...!! Big trouble!"
Soon after the geezers left, a guard burst in, paper in hand: 'Guard Recruitment'.
"Damn weasel bastards...! Quick when it suits 'em, slugs otherwise!"
Yes... Precisely what I wanted♥ Time to move♥ Ignoring her gripe, I cut doll comms. Then...
"Heh heh...♡♥"
Lifted the still-climaxing Join—no, Francesca—and prepped to exit the Cube. En route, mind-linked lurking slave succubi.
[Track the old males' scent, report to me. Isolate the lone one, swarm and convert to kin.]
Reports flooded soon after: conversion success♥ [Go now♥ Bind tight, infuse extreme pleasure♥]
Meanwhile, trailing succubi scent to the alley rear...
[Uuueeeh♥♥ P-Pussy, my puuuussy♥ Cock won't stooop cumming♥]
A purple-skinned succubus tangled with five slaves, all slathered in thick semen, squirting nectar in ecstasy. Center one, purple-skinned slave succubus—clearly the advisor. Purple shaft, glossy pink glans steadily spurting.
Slave succubus or not, that sight hardened my cock♥ [Come out. I'll handle interrogation♥]
--Schlurp♥♥
[Hiiiii♥ Lady Elaine♥ Thaaank you♥]
Licking my lips, I plunged into the slave succubus's pussy. Brain fully succubified—she knew my name unprompted. Superiors' names are basic. Thrusting, I jerked her cock with one hand.
Freshly turned, mere touch made semen splatter my face. Tasty enough.
[You planned to plant your man in the guards anyway.]
[Hngii♥ Y-Yes♥ That's right♥]
[Then plant... Francesca on your side. Manageable?]
[Of course, of course♥ I'll make it haaappen♥ Aaahn♥ More cock, moooore♥]
Prep done. Now infiltrate guards from within, crumble from inside. Turn this territory... into Master's sanctuary♥
Savoring the slave pussy, I eyed seated Francesca. Her state...
"C-Cock, my co..."]
Not fully lucid, but unconsciously rubbing her... Not clit♥ [Sprouted a cock♥ Congrats, Francesca. You've finally stepped into our ranks♥ Let's work hard together♥ As guard newbie♥]
Her green ponytail undone, hair longer. Black skin spreading from bruised lower belly. Tiny emergent cock and balls. A feral grin spread; joy at my new sister-comrade's birth.
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