El’s final destination was the leader of this country, Hordia: Asteria.
Marius was most wary of her, but according to El, it wasn’t quite like that. Asteria’s objectives were clear and her methods were rational, making her, in El’s eyes, a more predictable opponent.
“Greetings. It seems to be well-managed,” El said, skipping pleasantries and greetings.
Despite her incredibly outlandish act of appearing outside the window while the Queen of a nation was relaxing in her private chambers, the recipient showed no surprise. El wasn’t particularly disappointed that her surprise attack had failed.
“Ah.”
The maids’ eyes widened at the abrupt and overly rude intrusion, but the Queen ignored them and addressed El.
“You’ve come all this way. Care for some tea?”
“Is your work not important?”
“Ah, it’s already finished.”
Asteria closed the book she was reading and ordered Isabella to prepare tea for two. Mireille and Vanessa remained, which signaled their wariness towards El.
“So? What business do you have?”
“Hmm? I just thought I’d see if there were any problems.”
“That’s not all, is it?” Asteria replied to El’s feigned innocence.
Silence fell, and Mireille and Vanessa felt as though they saw an invisible spark fly between their mistress and El.
“After I went to such lengths spreading rumors about master’s incredible stamina and lustfulness, you haven’t made a move on him at all. How does that make you feel right now? I’d like you to tell me.”
El dropped this bombshell with an unconcerned expression. Asteria maintained a poker face.
“I have no idea what you’re talking about. It’s completely beyond me.” Her tone of voice was perfectly normal.
Mireille and Vanessa flinched for a split second. El spoke with disappointment.
“Are you surprisingly slow-witted? I thought we agreed to stop this game of probing each other. I was trying to set the conditions for defeating the Evil God by faking madness, but Marius ruined it. Should I also offer my condolences for you being unable to pursue happiness as a woman now because you’ve bled too much?”
Asteria remained expressionless. However, this time, she spoke.
“You are, after all, the most terrifying. Marius cannot lay a hand on someone who doesn’t fight back. Auraniess isn’t interested in the weak. But you are different.”
After pouring her feelings into her words, she added one more thing.
“I have no intention of pursuing happiness as a woman.”
“Have you given up? Well, I suppose it would take someone the likes of master. A man brave enough to make a move on you.” She scoffed at the Succubus’s sarcasm.
Just then, Isabella returned and set down cups of tea.
“Marius probably dislikes the idea too.”
“Well, he’d rather not get involved if he can help it. I would too, it’s troublesome.”
“Did you require this meeting just to insult me?” Asteria’s expression wasn’t angry, but curious.
El said casually.
“No. I just thought it was time to rein in your advances. If you realize it’s futile, I expect you might be a bit more restrained.”
“Hmm. It’s true, I’m not the type to persist in futile efforts.” Asteria admitted while sipping her tea. She put down her cup and asked, “But why now?”
“Up until now, master’s arrangements weren’t settled. I thought it would be good to have the option of Hordia in reserve just in case.”
“Is that why you pretended not to know about all my schemes?”
El reached for her tea, then pulled her hand back regretfully upon seeing the steam.
“Whether I noticed everything, I can’t say for sure.”
“Hmm.” Asteria pondered this, but the answer came quickly. She had already ascertained that Asteria was not someone to be taken lightly. However, she was curious and couldn’t just back down in silence.
“For reference, what would you do if I refused?”
“I’d unleash Auraniess.”
Asteria spewed her tea out and choked.
“Even as a threat, that’s too terrifying!” she exclaimed, for one of the first times in her life.
“It’s not a threat. Auraniess is quite manageable, you know.”
If anyone from the Kingdom of Tubant heard this, they would have collectively shouted, “Only you!” At the very least, Auraniess had never listened to anyone other than Marius. Asteria didn’t know that, so she merely showed her confusion without speaking. The idea of Auraniess obeying the Succubus before her was inconceivable, but if she were to say that, the notion of her obeying humans would be even more so. Her instincts refused to process any further.
“More importantly, could you dismiss everyone? I wish to speak with you alone.”
El’s request made Asteria’s face contort.
“Do you think I can agree to that? Besides, it’ll be the same if I just tell them later.”
“Still, that’s fine.” El paused and looked at Isabella. “How does it feel that all the items you worked so hard to make are now obsolete?”
“Grrr!” Isabella’s face turned crimson with anger.
El then looked at Mireille. “How does it feel to be an old maid, completely left behind?”
“I’m only in my twenties!” Mireille reflexively shouted.
Then she looked at Vanessa and said, “Do you even have a reason to exist?”
“Completely negated!?” The assassin, one of the strongest in humanity, shed tears.
“Understood. You, all of you, get out.” Asteria commanded, putting her hand to her forehead. She couldn’t stand any more of this disruption. Squeezing out the words, she ordered.
As the maids exited, she glared at El.
“You’re quite the unpleasant person.”
The three, each having had their most sensitive points accurately targeted, reacted before they could even think. While Isabella was one thing, El had hardly interacted with Mireille or Vanessa. Yet, she had pointed out their insecurities so precisely and displayed them to her. Asteria sensed this was a veiled threat concerning Hordia. El, though secretly suspecting El was that kind of creature, seemed to have been holding back. Was it because Marius wasn’t watching? She was curious to see what kind of retort would fly if she said that, but the conversation wouldn’t proceed.
“Have you finished cross-referencing the information with the reality?” El asked, as if reading Asteria’s mind.
“Indeed. I could feel your desperate attempt to put me under psychological pressure.” Asteria made sure to let El know she wasn’t just taking it lying down.
“That’s good. It would have been pointless to come to you if you were just an idiot who couldn’t understand.” El replied nonchalantly. Her true feelings were impossible to read from her expression. It was perhaps understandable, for a Succubus whose profession was to toy with people’s hearts.
“So, what is the consultation about?”
“It’s about procreation.”
Even Asteria couldn’t grasp the meaning immediately.
“What does that mean? Are you asking which of Queen Barra or Princess Lovisa should go first to avoid conflict? Or are you asking if children can be born between you monsters and Marius?”
“The former. As for the latter, I’ve confirmed precedents. Though, there are no precedents for a human who has obtained the power of a god, so it might not be very reliable.” El smiled alluringly, even to a woman. However, Asteria was not swayed by it.
“Normally, it would be less problematic if Queen Barra went first. However, King Marius is too exceptional. It doesn’t matter which one goes first. In fact, you should be prepared for conflict regardless of who it is.”
“As I thought?” El’s expression held no surprise. It was more as if she were confirming something.
“Because he’s so exceptional, I wanted to know human opinions.”
“He’s too exceptional to read. Wouldn’t it be better if Marius just made the decision himself?”
Asteria intended this as a logical statement, but all she received in return was a sigh.
“Master has that kind of personality, so he’s trying hard not to cause any ripples.”
“Is that why you sent me here stealthily?”
“No, it was my own decision.” El stated firmly. “Don’t you think a subordinate who only does what they’re told is disqualified? And a woman who only does what she’s asked?”
“I agree with the former, at least.” Asteria concurred halfway.
“For now, it’s been helpful. Thank you.”
“Shall I consider this a favor?” The human Queen said jokingly.
“I tend to renege on things other than those for master, you know?” El responded jokingly. Seeing that her eyes weren’t smiling at all, Asteria decided to give up quickly.
“I suppose I should stop expecting anything.” She shrugged.
“Then, we shall meet again.”
“Next time, please bring Marius along.” Though she meant it, El let out a small laugh.
“Is it alright if I bring the children too?”
“Hmm. Do Succubi also have the desire to bear children with the man they love?” Asteria’s question was answered with a nod of El’s head.
“I believe it’s a woman’s romance.” With those words, El departed.
(Now then, how should I handle that scheming Succubus…?) Asteria decided to watch the situation unfold with considerable interest.
El’s mind was racing as she flew. Ultimately, it seemed as though only one method would provide the most stable outcome. However, it was incredibly strict and offered no guarantee of success. With luck involved, it was difficult to achieve the calculated result.
(But it’s for master’s sake.) If it was for Marius’s sake, she had no choice but to do it. Upon her return, El made a certain proposal to the women. Barra and Lovisa looked at her with suspicion, Auraniess appeared uninterested, and she even involved the concubine maids.
…Months later, news spread that Lovisa and Barra were simultaneously pregnant.
“Hah, I’m glad it turned out as planned.” El murmured to the dumbfounded crowd, further astonishing them, although it would later be dismissed as fiction.
