Succubus Temptation and Big Sister's Wrath
Wolves aren't exceptions when it comes to big sisters either. With the princess's suggestion, we made a promise to go for a stroll in the central district.
"...So, what you're saying, Young Master Kariel, is that you'd prefer if I didn't follow you as much as possible... is that right?"
"Yeah!"
I immediately ran over to the skeleton and conveyed my feelings. Not only was he a monster, but he was also enormously tall, and there were just a few differences from a regular human. Above all, I wanted to roam the central district with the princess not as "Kariel La Elion," but simply as "Kariel." In that process, the skeleton might feel a bit out of place—or he might even be someone who shouldn't be there at all.
"...I cannot allow that. I have received orders from the family head to protect you, Young Master Kariel, even at the cost of my life."
"Euuung... Can't you? Tomorrow I'll stick by your side all day..."
"...Tomorrow. All day. Is that what you mean?"
"Yeah!"
"...For now... very well. Even so, in case something happens in the moment I'm not there, I'll engrave a simple seal on you."
'Phew... that was a really, really tough negotiation.'
After wrapping up that grueling negotiation, I let out a long sigh as I strolled through the central district, reminiscing about the brief memory. On my wrist was this bizarre, inexplicable seal that had been engraved there. Normally, I wouldn't have a clue what it was. It was in monster language, and I'd never learned anything like it. But as someone who'd seen this kind of thing endlessly in the game, I had no choice but to recognize it.
'A magic that triggers instant death on anyone hostile who attacks the bearer...'
...This wasn't just "simple" by any stretch. It was a seal that activated even on something as minor as a flick to the forehead... Of course, since it was the skeleton who did it, he'd probably excluded himself as an exception, right?
"What are you staring at so anxiously?"
"Ah, it's nothing. Hehe."
"Hmm. It's been a while since I've been out too. Usually, I sneak over the walls to buy ingredients on the sly."
"Gasp."
"Think about it—it's not a big deal. You just bend your knees deep, then whoosh! spread 'em out and jump, and you can hop right over?"
"……"
Isn't that just something you can do? ...Now that I thought about it, everyone in my family except me could probably pull that off? My head started spinning as I followed that train of thought.
The princess was from my mother's side, and her mother was Emperor Ashtoret, right? No matter how much their hobbies or interests didn't overlap, you couldn't ignore bloodline and genetics. Especially if it was the blood of the emperor from a warlike empire.
...But then what am I?! Why am I so short?! Why am I such a klutz... Wahhh...
"Pbuu..."
"? Pfft... What's wrong? Are you sulking? Over what?"
"...I'm not sulking at you, Princess... I just... I'm the son of a hero, but I can't even use my body properly..."
"Aha~ But that's Kariel's charm, you know? Being so small and dainty and cute like this—that's your appeal. If you were big, it probably wouldn't be as good."
"Really?"
"Of course~ Don't you know? With boys, the smaller and more delicate and petite they are, the more popular they are with girls. From that perspective, Kariel is the ideal type."
The princess twirled her finger above my face before booping my nose. Her lips were already curved in a beaming smile, and the soft warmth in her crinkled eyes melted into view.
"...If the princess says so, maybe I'll think that way."
I mumbled, averting my gaze slightly, and she covered her mouth, giggling softly. Then she let out a light breath and gently stroked my hair.
"Yeah~ Kariel's so incredibly cute, all the big sisters might start eyeing you. So you gotta be careful, okay?"
"...Nah, no way."
.
.
.
"Yeees~? If you come with me, big sis will make you feel real good. Come heeere~"
'Why is this actually happening.'
I was sitting on a little bench in the park, swinging my legs in the air, when suddenly a succubus—or something like it—approached and whispered to me. I'd heard it as some casual flattery or self-esteem boost, but why was it turning real?
'Wh-what do I do...?'
The princess had gone to buy some healthy, sweet snacks and told me to wait here patiently? I probably shouldn't follow... Though I was a little curious. Even in the game, there were no event illustrations for interacting with succubi. You could interact with shops, the smithy, and the imperial palace when entering the central district, but...
'Deep Alley Entertainment District', was it? You couldn't even go in there. Even if you tried, Mom would think 'Not really interested' inside her head and block it...
And above all... I didn't really know what succubi were. They weren't combat monsters or anything, just that they took men away? That was the extent of my knowledge.
I suppressed the wriggling desire deep in my chest and opened my mouth.
"Then... who are you, big sis?"
"Huh? Me?"
"Are you a succubus, big sis?"
"Yeah. That's right."
"Then... what do succubi do?"
"...Holy shit, no way."
The succubus clapped her hands over her mouth in shock at my innocent, head-tilting question.
"Y-you really don't know? What kind of race I am?"
"Hmm... Teacher said there's no point learning about succubi, so she didn't teach me."
I'd been so curious I even begged Mom for a book on it, but she said no in the end. I'd tried throwing a tantrum with all my aegyo, but she pulled me into her arms and petted me so much that I forgot all about it.
As I spoke so earnestly, the succubus let out a defeated sigh, looking utterly exasperated.
"...Just how much do they baby you...?"
"Huh?"
"Ahem... Nothing~ Anyway~ My little cutie. You must be a precious young master, huh?"
"Well... everyone does call me young master."
"...Succubi, y'see, are monsters who play with boys in super fun ways~ So I can make our young master feel so good you'll be totally drained of energy."
"Ahh... Hic... Hiiik... R-really...?"
"Of course~"
The succubus stepped even closer. Her soft whisper right by my ear made my body twitch and tremble. And... every time she spoke, my body started heating up...
What was this... Breathing suddenly felt hard, my heart was pounding like crazy, I really needed to pee for some reason... I wanted to cling to someone so bad... Come to think of it, succubi were big sisters too, right...? Big sisters are always nice people... Her breasts are huge... She'd feel so comfy and soft to hug...
"So... wanna come with big sis~?"
"Hiiik..."
"How 'bout it...? My lovely young master~"
The succubus slowly drew even nearer, gently stroking my ear. My vision started blurring hazily. My heart raced excessively. The seal the skeleton gave me triggers instant death on anyone hostile to me, so... maybe this succubus really is a nice big sister...?
I was just about to nod dazedly when—
"Fuck, what the hell are you."
"...Huh? Who's cussing me out—"
The succubus turned at the familiar voice echoing faintly.
And there stood...
"That's my little brother, you fucking bitch."
Serdi-nee was there.
* * *
"Wh-what...?"
"I said that's my little brother. I told you, so fuck off."
The air grew heavy in an instant. My breath caught. What emotion was this? Fear? Terror? ...No, this was...
Death.
A reality woven purely from undeniable truth and fact, without a shred of doubt.
"You crazy bitch, who the fuck do you think you're touching."
"B-bitch...?! H-ha ha~ What kinda talk is that in front of a kid?"
"Ain't that exactly what you're doing?"
The succubus scratched the back of her head with a laugh. But her body shuddered violently at the chilling voice that followed.
"...Hey, succubus. Remember who your original king was?"
"Th-the Demon King...?"
"Yeah. That Demon King."
"Of course I do! The Death God who rules over death. The one who governs the absolute domain no one can refuse!"
"...Then what do I look like to you?"
"What...?"
The succubus blinked at the sudden out-of-left-field question. She'd brought up the Demon King herself, but now she was asking what she was?
The succubus tilted her head slightly, gazing at Serdi.
'...Snow-white hair. Red eyes. Nothing like the Demon King.'
The Demon King—the Death God—had jet-black hair and blood-red eyes. The only similarity was mana... So this girl had nothing to do with...
...!!!
"Get it now?"
In that instant, the succubus's legs gave out. No, "gave out" wasn't right—it was more like she knelt.
Her whole body trembling, she bowed her head low in submission.
"...Gr-grandchild of the Demon King... I greet you..."
Mana was like blood to monsters. And the Death God's mana could only be possessed by his direct descendants. It was passed only to immediate blood kin, leaving none for further generations.
In other words, this woman was...
A direct descendant of the Death God.
"Good. So what'd you just call me?"
"N-nothing, I swear...! How dare a lowly succubus like me address the noble and exalted grandchild...!"
"Then you know whose son he is, right?"
"Th-then... Ah, aaaaah...!!"
- BAM!!
The succubus, piecing it together slowly, screamed and slammed her head into the stone ground. She smashed it so hard blood sprayed, then kept trembling and begging forgiveness.
The Death God's son. His only son...
...The next Death God-to-be.
"Forgive me... P-please, just spare my life...!"
"...Get lost. Show your face in front of my little brother again, and I'll let you meet that Death God you love so much."
"Y-yes!! Th-thank you for your mercy, grandchild!!"
With that, the succubus burst into tears and fled in utter panic. Serdi watched her retreating figure calmly before slowly approaching Kariel.
He'd been standing stock-still this whole time, without a twitch.
"...K-Kariel...? Forget what nee said just now, okay? It seemed a bit too harsh, right? That's bad stuff..."
"...Nee~..."
"Huh?"
- Squeeze!
In that moment, Kariel hugged her waist tightly.
And... his breathing was ragged, his body burning up...?
"Hug meee... Nee~... Nyaam..."
He even bit at her breast through her clothes.
"...No milk... coming out..."
"H-huhp... O-okay, I'll hug you... Milk's, uh, not out yet, so I can't..."
"Fucking insane."
From afar, Elania's eyes burned bright red as she watched the scene.