The Duchess's Affection
Archduchess Kerasis could not contain her doting heart.
"Fufu, how adorable."
The reports and recorded footage of Culs that Carti sent over—there wasn't a single thing that wasn't precious. They were so dear to her that she had even organized them into a small treasure chest where she kept her most important belongings.
Culs had already proven his capability as a monarch time and again. He utilized the troops and resources at his disposal to crush his enemies, and he strove ever harder to reach greater heights. And now, he was in the process of toppling one of the human monarchs to seize that position for himself. Watching that growth and progress was immensely enjoyable and gratifying.
"Ahhh."
He was so lovely she couldn't stand it. She could feel the maternal love exploding within her heart, visceral and deep. Culs had proven his worth repeatedly without any support from her. In a sense, the child she had once cast aside was now accomplishing great things. Through Culs, she would eventually rule both the Middle Realm and the Demon World.
Her proud son.
She felt regret that she hadn't treated him with love all this time. If she had known it would come to this, she would have kept him by her side and raised him herself. She wanted to pull him into her arms right now, stroking his hair and telling him how much she loved him.
Of course, she wanted to meet him in person and reconcile first. He had clearly resented her, his mother, at the time they parted. Thinking of that made her heart ache. But in the end, Culs was her son. If she reached out her hand, they would be able to reconcile.
However.
Unfortunately, meeting in person right now was impossible. There were various constraints that made it unavoidable. Even so, communication was possible.
And so, Kerasis sent a message to Carti.
She told her to arrange a time, as she would be communicating directly with Culs before long.
"My lovely son."
She looked forward to the day she would talk to her son again. She was so excited that her body felt feverish. Every time she thought of Culs, her body grew hot, and she couldn't suppress the impulse to hold him. She wanted to express this heart—this affection—fully.
"Haa."
A hot breath escaped her lips.
Culs had become a truly magnificent Incubus. He had grown by teasing and ravishing the breasts and orifices of countless females. Watching such scenes was a bit embarrassing... but even so, she needed to confirm her son's growth.
What she had found most worth watching recently was when he sat behind the saintess he had imprisoned, spending hours meticulously licking her genitalia and enjoying himself. If a female were subjected to such training, she would have no way to endure it.
"..."
What would it feel like to be on the receiving end of that?
At the sudden thought, Kerasis felt a deep sense of shame. Looking back, she had never experienced anything like sex in her life. She had no particular interest in it, and there had been no partner.
If anything, watching Culs ravish women was rapidly piquing her interest.
Ah, she had a good idea.
Culs loved ravishing women. If they met in the Demon World next time, it wouldn't be a bad idea to let him use her body as a reward. As a Culs who was well-versed in sex, he would surely accept that love with joy.
"Fufufu, I don't know how to do things like sex, though."
She would have to show the dignity and proficiency of a mother, so perhaps she should practice alone and hone her skills? No. According to the reports, Culs liked virgins who knew nothing of sex. In that case, it would be better to stay as she was.
Carti was in a very good mood.
Hostile demons had invaded while she had pulled back her forces to investigate the Middle Realm. Although she had suffered some losses, she had repelled most of them, and there were even points where she had succeeded in a counterattack.
"As expected of Mother Archduchess!"
To think that Mother Archduchess would go to the front lines herself to fight. It was truly a recreation of a legend. The kin were just as shocked as the enemies were, and the war results were even more astonishing.
It was a warning that, if pushed, Archduchess Kerasis herself might abandon the management of her territory and invade directly. She wouldn't want to take such risks just to play at land-grabbing.
For the time being, the demons' invasion would subside.
Anyway.
With this, she could breathe a sigh of relief, and Culs, the most important existence, had proven his abilities once again.
Although he had received support from this side and had various environmental advantages, he had defeated the Baron's army without suffering any damage and had taken the angels as slaves. Thus, the path to advancing into the human world had been opened.
It was a series of good things.
"Culs-oppa is really so competent."
Carti thought to herself.
She was in a very intimate relationship with Culs-oppa. In such a situation, it was hard to imagine a scenario where Culs would betray her.
After all, Culs absolutely needed her help as well.
That was what it came down to. Currently, Carti possessed countless Evil Eyes for reconnaissance, and the information she could obtain with them was not just useful to Culs—it was essential.
Betraying someone who held what you absolutely needed made no sense. Matters of profit were a problem that preceded family ties.
"Fufufu!"
Whatever the case, Culs would move according to her demands. If that happened, the kin would be able to advance into the Middle Realm. And if they could preemptively secure the Middle Realm and block the intrusion of other demons while building up their strength...
"Our kin will come to rule both the Demon World and the Middle Realm."
And that wasn't all.
If that happened, they would eventually be able to swallow up the Heavenly Realm as well!
"Carti-nim! We have arrived at Culs-nim's dungeon!"
"Ah, right!"
—*Trot, trot, trot.*
An excited Carti ran forward.
"Culs-oppa! I have good news! The Barony has fallen into great chaos!"
She had to inform Culs of the information she had collected. Once the confirmation of the infiltration route was finished soon, he would not only be able to capture the Baron alive but also seize the castle.
As for what happened after that... she would have to leave it to that saintess and Culs, but she wasn't worried about that.
Because if it was Culs, he would surely succeed.
And there was one more piece of good news today.
Mother Archduchess had finally sent a message saying she wanted to communicate with Culs. If he were recognized directly by Mother Archduchess, Culs-oppa would surely be even more motivated.
"Hehehe, I see. Is that so... Carti. So you mean the Baron has almost no troops he can operate right now?"
"Yeah! That's right!"
Perfect.
"Culs-oppa. Now is the time to prepare for the invasion. There are no angels or soldiers in the Barony. If you seize the castle as planned and then use the saintess to deceive the humans, you'll be able to take that land without any problems."
"Good. I'll have to make preparations."
"Wait while you prepare. I'll organize a more perfect timing and infiltration route and let you know again. Until then, prepare even more perfectly!"
"Kya! Our Carti! You're basically spoon-feeding me everything, aren't you? If I have information like that, it'll be a breeze!"
"I can do anything for Culs-oppa!"
Carti shouted proudly. Of course, it was the voice of an Evil Eye, but she could feel it all the same.
—*Throb.*
Perhaps that was why her heart ached. Someday, she would have to betray Carti, who only thought of her. It didn't feel good to use such a kind Carti.
But Carti.
I'm sorry, but I have family I need to take responsibility for. My family is more precious to me than some Demon World or whatever.
Anyway.
The information Carti sent was truly immense. Now, all he had to do was trust Carti and grow his weight. She would take care of letting him know the timing and route for the attack.
"Hehehe, thank you. Anyway, you mean I should just be preparing for now?"
"Yeah! It won't take long! If Culs-oppa seizes the Barony, Carti will be able to operate more easily! Trust only in Carti then, too! I'll support you so Culs-oppa can take control of the surroundings!"
"I only trust in Carti!"
Still, talking to her made him feel quite good. It was almost like talking to Buril.
Carti was as likable as Buril.
"Ah, by the way, Culs-oppa! One more piece of good news!"
"Oh. What is it?"
"Mother Archduchess sent a message saying she wants to communicate with Culs-oppa!"
What?
Mother... Archduchess?
Archduchess Kerasis?!
"W-what? Communicate directly with me?"
She wanted to communicate with him now of all times? Was she going to praise him because he was doing well? Of course, he wasn't happy about it at all.
He didn't think of her as a mother to begin with, and he had only seen her face a couple of times. Furthermore, she had pretended to think of him while acting like a mother, but wasn't she a woman who was more cold-blooded and ruthless inside than anyone else?
He felt wary.
The person he had to be most wary of was that woman. Kerasis wasn't a mother. She was just a dark-hearted woman he didn't know well. There was no affection or anything of the sort; all he felt was hostility.
"Yeah! Aren't you happy? Mother Archduchess thinks very highly of Culs-oppa! It wouldn't be an exaggeration to say you're being favored!"
"Favored, huh."
Not welcome.
Still, it would be better to stay on her good side for now.
"But why does she want to communicate now? She could have done it sooner."
"Ah... so your feelings are hurt because of that, right? I understand, Culs-oppa. I'll tell you this directly. Mother Archduchess is also very sorry about that."
If she was sorry, she should have contacted him sooner.
If she had put effort into improving her relationship with him from the early days when she was able to communicate with Carti, he might have changed his mind.
"Anyway. Culs-oppa is receiving the expectations of Mother Archduchess in one body. I don't know for sure, but if you return to the Demon World, it's certain you'll be favored by her side."
"Is that so?"
Well, I suppose.
He had proven his competence, after all.
Just as a king cherishes a great general or commander, she would cherish him.
"Anyway, I understand, Carti. Ah. But by any chance, are there any things I should be careful about during the communication?"
"Hmm... let's see? There shouldn't be anything in particular, right? Since Culs-oppa is being favored to begin with, etiquette or whatever shouldn't matter."
"Is it to that extent? Anyway, when?"
"Next time we communicate! See you next time, Culs-oppa!"
"Yeah. I'll be waiting."
—*Whoosh.*
Carti's Evil Eye melted away.
"Archduchess Kerasis."
He still felt hostility. There was no affection. Still, since she said she favored him, he would listen to what she had to say. If he played along well, there would be things he could gain.
Since he would eventually betray her, he had to get everything he could get before then.