Chapter 19
Chapter 19
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Translator: penny
Chapter: 19
Chapter Title: Wise Dungeon Conquest (5)
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Dungeon Master Room.
“Hey!”
“...”
Nania, who had been anxiously watching the situation inside the dungeon through the crystal orb, yelled at the strategist with her face flushed bright red.
The strategist had clearly promised to send only two at a time, but had deceived her and thrown them all in at once, resulting in the total annihilation of their precious werewolves.
What hurt the most was that even the high werewolf, who had practically been the boss of this dungeon, had met its end at the man's sword.
It was enough to make even Nania, who always smiled brightly and exuded a gentle aura, unable to hold back her anger.
The strategist, well aware of his own mistake, was sweating profusely from his forehead and couldn't meet Nania's fury-laced gaze.
Of course, as a strategist, he felt a bit wronged too.
How was he supposed to know that the mage, who seemed like nothing more than an immature brat, could wield such a fraudulent spell?
Who could have guessed that a man entering this backwater dungeon could use the Purifying Flame—a spell with no records of use by anyone except heroes or saintesses?
But no matter how wronged he felt, the fact remained that she had obliterated all the monsters inside the dungeon.
And so, he quietly accepted Nania's anger.
“So... what now, Strategist?”
Having vented her rage, Nania seemed to have moved into resignation at some point, her anger subsiding as she asked for countermeasures.
Even though he had screwed up this time and lost all the monsters, the strategist was a succubus who had served her loyally since before she became the Succubus Queen, earning her trust.
That was why Nania placed her faith in him one more time and asked for a plan.
The strategist chose his words carefully.
With all the monsters inside the dungeon wiped out, there was no way to stop those two from advancing to the Master Room.
If they got caught like this, they would either end up as headless ghosts or be thrown into the church's underground cells for endless torture.
And so, the strategist cautiously broached the subject.
“How about we run? Right now, we have no means to stop them.”
“...”
Nania furrowed her delicate features, silently watching the two approaching the Master Room before parting her lips.
“Strategist, those two... no matter how I think about it, they don't seem normal, right?”
“Yes... especially the man. It's unbelievable. Using the Purifying Flame? Historically, there are no records of anyone but saintesses or heroes using it...”
Nania tapped the jade throne with her pale fingers.
“So, that means there's a high chance that man is the hero?”
“...The church hasn't announced the appearance of a hero yet, but given the circumstances, it's highly likely.”
“Hmm...”
Nania's mind raced.
This mission was her first one.
Yet retreating after a miserable failure on her very first mission?
It would leave a massive stain on her freshly started career in the Demon King's Army.
She could kiss goodbye to any dreams of becoming one of the Four Heavenly Kings, and who knew what punishment she might face.
Considering the lecherous gazes directed at her and the nature of succubi, she might even end up as a plaything for the Four Heavenly Kings.
'Ugh, no way.'
Though succubi were a lascivious race, Nania was unusually a pure-hearted girl succubus.
Unlike other succubi who devoured essence indiscriminately, she harbored a girlish desire to experience her first time with someone handsome and precious in a romantic atmosphere.
That was why becoming a toy for the old, grotesque Four Heavenly Kings was utterly repulsive to her.
She'd rather die.
But what if, instead, she achieved the feat of capturing the hero...?
That would be an accomplishment worthy of ascending straight to the Four Heavenly Kings.
As one of the Four Heavenly Kings, she could create a territory exclusively for succubi—the dream of all succubi in the demon world.
And if the Demon King's Army later conquered the human realm, her merits would earn her a large territory, where she could turn the men into essence shuttles for her subordinate succubi.
'Yeah, there's no paradise in running away anyway.'
Weighing the pros and cons of each option, Nania ultimately chose to fight rather than flee.
The Succubus Queen still had an ace up her sleeve.
“Strategist, how about we don't run and try to catch the hero instead?”
“Pardon? How are we supposed to catch a hero when we have no combat ability?”
“Since when have we succubi fought with brute force? We fight with what we're best at.”
“...Given the hero's holy power, seduction probably won't work...”
“Strategist, hear me out on my plan. There's actually a secret technique passed down only to the Succubus Queen.”
Nania whispered her plan into the strategist's ear.
The strategist, who had started off listening indifferently, began to gleam with interest as her words continued.
After whispering the entire plan, Nania asked confidently.
“What do you think of my plan?”
The strategist adjusted his glasses, which didn't need fixing, and said.
“It's definitely worth a shot.”
“Heh heh, right?”
“Yes, and even if the plan fails, it seems like there's a way to survive.”
Nania's eyes widened at the strategist's words.
“Huh? There's a way to survive?”
The strategist groped Nania's soft, squishy breasts as he spoke.
“When you think about it, Lady Nania, you're still a virgin, aren't you?”
“...Y-yeah?”
“And you don't want to run because you hate becoming a plaything for those old, ugly Four Heavenly Kings.”
“...”
Nania looked at the strategist with an uneasy expression.
From her experience, whenever he laid this kind of groundwork, he always came up with something useful but weird.
The strategist pointed to the man reflected in the crystal orb.
“Objectively speaking, isn't he handsome?”
“...”
“And his body looks manly. Based on my experience, I estimate his essence will be extremely delicious.”
Nania finally realized what the strategist was getting at and blushed.
“If the plan fails, we just surrender. Offering the virginity of the Succubus Queen herself? He'll spare you for sure. High chance he'll spare us subordinates too.”
“C-crazy...”
“Better than being dragged to the church for holy water torture or becoming playthings for the Four Heavenly Kings, right?”
“...”
“And look at how he takes care of that female mage. He seems kind, and isn't your ideal type a kind man? Perfect match.”
“How do you know my ideal type...”
“Lady Nania's fantasy notebook is already famous among the succubi.”
Having served Nania for years, the strategist had become an expert at reading her moods, clearly distinguishing when he could tease and when he needed to grovel.
That was why he had bowed his head low when she vented her anger earlier.
And now, he tossed out a mischievous suggestion laced with sincerity.
“Ugh...”
Nania groaned at the strategist's proposal.
As the Queen of Succubi, her personal decision had trapped her subordinates, so she bore the duty to ensure their safety if the plan failed.
Blushing with embarrassment, she seriously considered his words and found them reasonable.
Objectively, she was attractive.
No normal man would refuse her.
'Yeah, if sacrificing my virginity can save the others...'
Nania bowed her head and said.
“O-okay. If it fails, I'll do as you say...”
With Nania's approval, the strategist grabbed her hand tightly.
“W-what?”
To the flustered Nania, the strategist said matter-of-factly.
“We need to prepare in advance for failure. You should change clothes first.”
***
Deep in the dungeon.
“Ugh...”
I groaned, clutching my waist after taking the full brunt of the fall.
Laura couldn't use magic in her current state, making her no different from a normal person.
Prioritizing her protection over my body during the drop must have tweaked my back a bit.
Laura, sitting on top of me, didn't look bad at all—thankfully, she seemed fine.
Holding my aching waist, I pushed Laura off me and looked around.
And panicked.
The place we'd landed after falling was a room furnished like a private home, with a massive bed dominating the center.
Pink lighting from the ceiling cast a lascivious atmosphere over the entire room.
Incense burned in various spots around the room, and sniffing it made my head feel foggy.
'Crazy.'
Sensing danger, I held my breath and circulated the holy power within my body.
My mind cleared a bit.
Fortunately, this incense was something holy power could counter.
“Ugh...”
Then, Laura, whom I'd barely pushed away, staggered back into my arms.
The aftereffects must have subsided somewhat.
She was moving her body, even if awkwardly.
“Slave, this room smells so good? My heart's pounding like crazy.”
Unable to use holy power, Laura had completely succumbed to the incense.
Her eyes were glazed over, her breathing ragged.
Her cheeks were flushed, her body twisting.
“Heh...”
“Milady, are you okay?”
I looked at Laura worriedly and stroked her head.
For her to throw herself into my arms like this, the incense's toxin must be potent.
“Sniff sniff... Slave... your scent is so good...?”
Then Laura buried her nose in my chest and started sniffing.
Only then did I realize this incense wasn't ordinary poison, and I pushed away the clinging girl.
I could chalk up throwing herself into my arms as being weakened by the toxin.
But burying her nose in my chest and sniffing was blatantly abnormal.
Fortunately, her physical strength was pathetic, so I subdued her smoothly.
With Laura's limbs restrained, I scanned the surroundings for clues about the incense.
That's when I noticed the writing on the wall.
I understood why Laura had changed like this upon seeing it.
[Until Master Room Opens: Sexual Intercourse (0/100)]
[We support your passionate love! -From the Succubi-]
[Aphrodisiac magic incense has been placed inside the room.]
[No health issues at all, so enjoy yourselves freely!]