Chapter 99
Chapter 99
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Translator: uly
Chapter: 99
Chapter Title: If You Want Peace, Prepare for War
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Thanks to Margrave Lichten's generosity, Kim Yu-hyun and Lily now had access to a spacious training ground.
They were in the middle of sparring, carefully moderating their power to honor the additional condition of "go easy."
But suddenly, Lily's expression turned fierce, and her aura flipped in an instant.
'Hm?'
Ever since arriving in this other world, there had been exactly one person who could handle him with such skill.
His master, the former court mage, and a man who possessed unparalleled martial prowess.
Raido.
Kim Yu-hyun didn't consider anyone else worthy of being called a powerhouse.
At best, upper-class knights like Rishikida, Amstel, or Knight Commander Ryan had been decent opponents.
But this Lily—no, demon—was stronger than he could have imagined.
Her swordsmanship was only on par with an average knight, but her ability to read opponents' movements and counter them, or to set traps within traps and toy with enemies, was something else entirely.
Even in a spar, there had been more than a few moments that sent chills down his spine.
'And yet, this woman suddenly changed her aura?'
Kim Yu-hyun steadied his breathing and shifted his stance.
If she was about to get serious now—not as a spar, but a real fight—he'd have to brace himself.
Meanwhile, Lily was seething on her end.
Was it because she wasn't satisfied with her fight with Kim Yu-hyun?
As if the Succubus Queen would throw a tantrum over something so petty.
'Si, Sion!
You bastard!'
She could feel it clearly.
This was definite proof that another woman was by her man's side.
Rishikida?
Or maybe Lucia?
But weren't both of them busy lately with one thing or another?
From Lily's perspective, they still had some lingering shyness, so they weren't the type to get intimate with Sion in broad daylight.
At least 'not yet.'
'Which thieving bitch is seducing Sion in the middle of the day...'
The thief that came to mind was one in particular.
To be precise, one cat.
Lily ground her teeth as she recalled the cat-eared woman who had been nearly naked in the carriage last time, clinging to Sion and mewling.
'I'll make sure to kill this thieving cat!'
Kwaaaang!
Lily swung her sword at Kim Yu-hyun's blade, channeling mana she'd been saving up.
She pushed with such force that Kim Yu-hyun slid back steadily, glaring at her with cold eyes.
A silent question: *Are you for real now? Gonna go all out?*
"Ah."
"Aaah, aaaahhh!"
But Lily suddenly let out a beastly screech, leaving Kim Yu-hyun flustered as he could only watch her.
"You dare swing your tail while I'm away?
Ha!
I had a bad feeling in the carriage, keeping watch like that!
This damn thieving cat!"
With that shout, Lily turned and stormed off somewhere without looking back.
Left alone in the training ground, Kim Yu-hyun blinked in bewilderment, like a guy who'd innocently asked out a taken woman only to get shot down flat.
"...What the fuck?"
Even the great Kim Yu-hyun muttered to himself in utter confusion.
Letting out a sigh, he remembered how tense he'd been moments ago and cleared his throat awkwardly.
He tidied up the training ground roughly and headed back to his room to rest.
Meanwhile, Lily charged toward Sion's room like a vengeful maiden ghost, her eyes blazing with murderous intent.
Her target wasn't her man, Sion.
She'd long known there were other women around him besides herself, and she had no intention of showing petty jealousy or displeasure.
As a succubus, she knew better than anyone how fatal male affection could be.
That was why she was furious now—because this cat had hidden her interest in Sion, pretending otherwise, only to swoop in at the last moment and steal everything like a thief.
Rishikida and Lucia at least made efforts to earn Sion's interest and love, visible even to Lily's eyes.
But that thieving cat? Always pulling that 'hmph!' act!
'I can forgive anything else, but playing coy? Never, you damn cat!'
It was the advance of the dream demon.
Lily burst into Sion's room before the cat-eared girl inside could even detect her and go on alert.
Slam!
"Whoa, she's here!"
As expected, inside was the thieving cat, startled out of her post-coital cuddle in her man's arms.
"Eeek!"
Fuming from head to toe, Lily stepped forward, intent on finishing off the cat right then.
That previous question had been her first and last chance.
If she wanted to be by Sion's side, stop playing coy and throw herself at him with mewls of delight.
If she made that effort, Lily could understand and accept it.
But the cat had chosen pride over her true feelings.
So Lily no longer acknowledged her or intended to accept her.
'And yet, she stole him while I was off guard?'
Kugugu!
Not enough to shake the entire castle, but Lily exuded a threatening aura.
It was meant to scare her into running far, far away.
But what unfolded next was oddly amusing.
"N-No!
Si-Sion did nothing wrong!
Stay back!
Haaak!
Haaaak!"
What was this thieving cat saying?
She wasn't after Sion—she was here for you.
Lily snorted and kept advancing.
The cat in Sion's arms, Lia, hopped down and reacted even more sharply.
"Don't come closer!
Haaaak!
Sion, Sion did nothing wrong!"
"What are you talking about?
I'm not after—"
"I won't let you.
Sion is my mate.
If you mean to harm him, stay back!
Haaaak!"
The cat was definitely terrified of her.
She bared her teeth in a snarl to show caution, but her eyes held the fear and terror of facing a dire enemy.
'And yet she's holding her ground?'
At this point, she should have fled behind Sion.
But the woman stood firm, flashing fangs and claws to threaten her.
As if she could never stand by while harm came to her mate.
"...Haa."
Lily sighed and looked past her at Sion.
He met her eyes, scratched the back of his neck, and shrugged.
The situation had gotten messy, but maybe this wasn't so bad.
It was ridiculous, but on second thought, it might be for the best.
The woman who had gone from stray alley cat, thieving cat, to perfect housecat.
'This actually makes managing the pecking order much easier.'
Lily's thoughts were quick, her decision quicker.
She dropped her aura, crossed her arms, and stared down the cat blocking her path.
"Hey, cat."
"...Haaak!"
"Cut it out.
I have no intention of harming you or Sion anymore."
To prove it was true, Lily casually raised both hands.
Lia seemed to sense there was no more fight in her; she closed her mouth and hid her claws.
But her wary gaze lingered, as if her instincts rebelled at Lily approaching Sion.
"You did it with Sion, right?
What you all call 'mating.'"
At those words, not just Lia but Sion flinched too.
With the main wife descending, who could stay composed?
Lia glanced nervously at Lily, who sighed as if she'd expected it.
"I was gonna chew you both out good."
A lie.
She'd only planned to deal with the thieving cat—Sion was off-limits.
If anything, she planned to devour him tonight.
"Winnie."
"...It's Lia now."
"Hm?"
"The name Sion gave me—that's my new name from now on.
Lia Winnie Portable."
Lily glanced past Lia at Sion again.
Eyes asking, *How'd you end up renaming her too?*
Sion shrugged once more: *Beats me. It just happened.*
Lily figured she'd hear the details once the cat calmed down.
"Fine, then, Lia.
As you know, Sion was mine first.
I'm not asserting exclusive ownership out of mercy, which is why Rishi and Lucia can stay around—you know that, right?"
"...Nyaaong."
"But if you're claiming ownership of Sion, I'll have to do the same.
You know who'd come out on the losing end.
And others would get hurt too."
Lia nodded silently.
In short, Lily's words were a warning: if she wanted to stay by Sion's side, don't do anything stupid.
"Honestly, I wasn't gonna permit you at first.
I can tolerate a lot, but not the coy act."
"Nyaaong."
"So I'll ask one more time.
This is really the last.
Winnie... no, Lia."
At "last," Lia tensed up, staring at Lily.
Worried she might attack, Lily chuckled with a smile and spoke.
"Do you like Sion?"
A question dripping with teasing intent.
Meant to rib both Lia and Sion behind her.
As expected, Lia's face flushed red, and Sion behind her coughed repeatedly.
'*Admit what you feel quick. That's how you become a woman who can bend for the one she loves.*'
Look at her.
The Succubus Queen, ruler of dream demons, highest demon—allowing two women for one man.
She could eliminate them without a trace and claim him solely, or melt him in bed until he ignored them.
But that would push his heart away eventually.
So Lily bent a little, securing her place as his first and what humans called his "principal wife."
"Answer me.
Gestures don't count—that's cheating."
"...I think I like him.
No, I like him.
He's my mate.
So, I want to stay by Sion's side."
"Good?"
Lily smiled in satisfaction and gently reached out to stroke Lia's head.
Normally, she'd freak out with "A demon touching me?!" and flee or snarl warily.
But Lia stood still, accepting Lily's touch.
An acknowledgment of her superiority and a pledge of submission.
"Nice.
I prefer cute housecats over thieving strays anyway."
Whew.
A sigh of relief came from somewhere.
Lily turned to Sion, the source, and smiled brightly before continuing.
"Sion.
Mind some advice?"
"Yes?"
"I'll admit your charm is off the charts.
Looks, personality, day or night.
I get why women keep flocking... but are you sure you're okay with this?"
"W-With what?"
When Sion asked back, Lily covered her mouth and giggled.
"Nights, dummy.
Keep this up, and you'll waste away.
Maybe think twice before adding more women, considering your stamina.
I mean, I devour you as is—why keep bringing others around?"
Lily's crimson eyes gleamed brighter.
Like Bear Grylls eyeing protein in the wild.
Sion gulped involuntarily.
―――――――Afterword―――――――
Hand over that protein