I am Succubus!

Chapter 236

Later in the day, Erma and Shayle accompanied me around the city to meet with ministers. I couldn't get the legate out of my mind. She was currently walking ahead of me and talking with Shayle. I lagged behind just a little, staring at Erma's ass and trying to figure out if Alayna was really her, or if they swapped places without me knowing.

Mio had already taken back the bracelet. I wasn't able to see Erma naked anymore. Those two had to stay behind this time, because some of the people intended to meet with me were too important to allow civilians come near haphazardly.

Suddenly, Erma glanced behind me. She offered a soft smile that got me wet between the legs. Before I knew it, Erma had slowed her pace to be closer to me. I still couldn't see her eyes because of the face cowl. However, thanks to Alayna, I was able to picture them.

"Well, Queen Saeko? You have been staring at me for a while now. Is there something you've been meaning to say to me?" Erma asked.

"N-Nothing! I was just staring off into space," I said.

Erma didn't press me. She picked up the pace again, and Shayle slowed down this time.

"Why are you acting so strange around Erma all of a sudden?" Shayle questioned.

"Is it that obvious?!" I smushed my cheeks with both hands, wondering if I was making a weird face.

"Hmm… Well, you're a succubus. The only logical conclusion is that you made a pass at her," she said nonchalantly.

I didn't answer. I was too afraid to.

Shayle grabbed me by the shoulders and shook. "Wait, did you? Did you sleep with her?"

"No! At least… I don't think so? I really don't know!" I replied honestly.

"Don't fall behind, you two!" Erma called to us from the top of the steps leading into a grandiose hall. "People may think you're up to no good if you're not by my side."

We hurried to catch up and entered what appeared to be a counting house. A bank of sorts. Clerks sat behind magical barriers, conducting monetary exchanges and signing papers. Behind them were giant vaults. One elf left her seat and cast a spell to open one of them. Stacks of gold bars and other things of exceptional monetary value rested just within sight.

At the very back of the building was an unassuming elven man of middle age, who wore his hair in a ponytail and was in the middle of directing several bankers. He shooed them upon seeing us coming.

"Queen Saeko, this is Lord Kelton Schneed. Lord Kelton is the Minister of Trade," Erma introduced us.

"It's a pleasure to meet you, Lord Kelton." I stuck out a hand to shake.

"The pleasure is all mine, Queen Saeko." Lord Kelton took my hand and lightly kissed the knuckle.

Shayle exchanged pleasantries with him, too.

"In this city, the Minster of Trade conducts all manners of financial burdens. A heavy cross to bear," Erma added.

"With the dark elven race's return, the City of Everlight will face an increasing cash flow. We may even consider loans to help rebuild homes of displaced dark elves. With a fair interest, of course. Though… I must ask, what ever happened to the succubus queen Beatrice?" Lord Kelton leaned in inquisitively.

"Queen Beatrice was defeated by yours truly." Shayle cast an arm in my direction.

Both Kelton and Erma exchanged shocked yet impressed glances.

"Beatrice was a formidable foe. It must not have been easy defeating her." The legate nodded to herself.

"I pray you are much more agreeable than her. We look forward to conducting trade with our dark elven sisters and the succubi race. Elza can only prosper if we move forward from our past grudges. Don't you agree?" Lord Kelton asked me.

"Uhh… S-Sure, but this conversation should be directed to Queen Elendir. My… My representative!" I exclaimed, pulling the first thing to come to mind.

"Hm? Weren't you Queen Elendir's representative? Or did I hear that wrong?" The minister turned to Erma with a confused look.

Shayle nudged me from behiind and whispered, "No, you're the rep!"

Shit. Fuck. Right, I came in Elenedir's place. I should be acting important, because I was important.

"Oh, I have an idea to maybe bridge trade between our people already! Have… Have you heard of the potion dark elves have been using to preserve their race? Maybe trade can begin with importing… those?" I suggested awkwardly.

"Huh? You mean our dick potions?" Shayle asked.

"Ah. You mean the potion that grants a functioning penis. I'm aware, but what use would we have of them?" Kelton gave me his full attention.

"You could… encourage… more births in the name of… the Everlight?"

Erma shot me an appalled look. At least she realized I was making shit up. Lord Kelton's eyes widened with glee.

"Yes… Yes, I see. Our race skews towards girls. With the dark elves returning to the fold, it would tip the scales even more. By acquiring and granting easier access to those potions, unions between two women will become commonplace. They may continue to serve Goddess Everlight by performing their solemn duty of procreating. Happier, too. I must get to work. The city shall prosper to greater heights!" Lord Kelton raced off down the corridor.

Meamwhile, Shayle pumped her fists at their unexpected economic gain from this meeting. Erma, on the other hand, was shaking her head. I might have just caused a future influx of dick potions into the City of Everlight…

Next on the list to visit was the Mason's Guild, an organization of craftsmen not just for stoneworkers, but for all walks of skilled trade and labor. We were to meet with their boss, Lady Raine Armborough.

Unlike the people employed at the counting house, everyone in the Mason's Guild was dressed in much less formal attire. Stained aprons draped over their front. Tough leather gloves were fraying from years of use. Work boots had been worn down to their soles. The guild was one big tavern where laborers gathered to share drinks and complained about the wealthy class above them. These were the laborers that built and maintained the great city.

Many of them gave us a glance over before going back to their conversations. Erma escorted us through the main floor to an unassuming door in the back. As soon as she knocked once—

"C'mon in. The door ain't locked!" a raspy feminine voice shouted from the other side.

We entered a messy office strewn with papers on the ground and smelling of smoke. I thought the place was on fire at first, but it was just a short, red-headed elven woman with a lit cigar in her mouth. She was sorting papers behind her desk. Doing a poor job at it, I might add.

"Oh, it's about that time? Sorry, wasn't keeping track. I'd offer ya some seat, but I'm pretty sure I lent them to Dorsa's crew," the woman said.

"This is Lady Raine Armborough. Quite a different reception compared to the Minister of Trade," Erma introduced her.

"Put 'er there." Raine let the stack of papers drop and came around her desk to offer a hand.

"I'm Queen Saeko. Nice to meet you!" I clasped a tough, calloused hand that could probably crush my fingers with a little squeeze.

The real surprise came when Raine yanked me in and threw her other arm behind my back, pulling me in for a hug.

"I gotta thank ya. 'Cos of the war, there's been a lotta work to go 'round. Cities to rebuild, walls to fortify, roads in need of repairs… ya know? Y'all should war every couple of years!" Raine insisted of me.

Off to the side, Erma folded her arms in disapproval.

"Uhh… Y-You're welcome? But I wasn't the one who waged the war. That was way before I became the succubus queen. I'm just here to promote peace between the both elven factions and the succubi race," I said.

"Just between us, eh. Feel free to knock a few cities every now and then, just enough for my people to get some work." Raine grinned.

Erma was about to protest when something exploded in the other room behind us. It was so bad, the building rocked and Shayle lost footing.

"What was that?!" I cried.

"Could it be the terrorist?" Shayle asked.

"Whoever it is, I'll gut the bastard. They picked the wrong place to hit." Without waiting, Raine grabbed a skinning knife from underneath her desk and stormed outside.

We followed suit, but a wave of dust blew into us when the door flung open. People were underneath the tables, shielding their heads, and gawking at the hole in the wall where the front entrance was. 

Raucous laughter filled our ears, and a silhouette appeared behind the shower of debris.

"Haha! Here I, Vrau Glassken, am again. This time for sure I shall end your miserable existence, succubus! Your foul attempt to forge an alliance between the dark elves and light elves stops here!" Vrau exclaimed with a staff pointed my way.

"I'm sorry to tell you, but that ship has long sailed. Both sides are already united again," I explained.

"What has been mended may still break. Do not think for one second you have won!" he fired back.

Without being able to see Vrau, I couldn't wrap my aura home to place a charm. Even Erma hesitated to enter combat without knowing if there were any traps or something else up his sleeves.

"Stay there, I'm coming for ya!" Raine growled.

"Not one step closer, or another bomb goes off!" Vrau exclaimed, putting a stop to her advance.

"Come on, man. Just give up! Can't you see you're hurting your own people? They don't deserve that!" I shouted.

"Hurting my own people? And what did the dark elves and succubi do during the war? Tens of thousands of brothers and sisters sacrificed themselves in battle. For what? For our own to then break bread with the very ones who inflicted this senseless war?" he asked.

I noticed one of the potted plants hanging from the ceiling at the corner of the room swung awkwardly. Did he move? The silhouette in front of us must be a distraction then.

A thought came to mind. I channeled magic into my new plant growing ring and targeted the potted plant. It grew fast. Vines sprouted at an accelerated rate and draped down to the ground. Some kind of force swatted at it, and the silhouette briefly shimmered. There!

I put my all in one quick burst, flying right up to where the plant was and batted my wings. The dust cleared away, revealing a stunned Vrau. He was about to cast a spell, but I was faster. My aura tightened around the elf, compelling him to stop.

"How did… you…?" Vrau managed to utter a few words past his stiff jaw.

"Saeko, thank the Everlight! How were you able to tell where he was?" Erma asked, running in to apprehend him.

"Lucky guess, and… This ring isn't so useless after all." I pointed to the piece of jewelry on my finger.

People had gathered outside of the Mason's Guild. When Erma's retinue of knights poured in, Mio pushed past them all with Kana in her arms.

"What the fuck happened? We saw an explosion a couple of blocks away!" Mio exclaimed.

We gave them the short of it as city guards secured the scene. It took Raine's own guild members to keep her from slitting Vrau's throat.

"Wow. Quick thinking using that ring, too." Kana complimented.

"I guess this guy wasn't a big deal after all. Whaddya plan on doing to him?" Mio asked.

"He will be tried in a court of law, be branded guilty, and face due punishment. It will not be pretty, but citizens of the Everlight cannot stray from her resplendent grace," Erma explained, and although vague, it was enough to strike fear into Vrau.

"Honestly…" I sighed. "I empathize with him a little. He didn't actually severely hurt anyone. Maybe you don't have to be so hard on him."

They looked at me like I was crazy.

I continued, "You want our races to start anew, but if we can't help the most ardent of protestors like Vrau, then are we any better? There's probably more like him, and going easy might convince others that everyone has a chance to move on."

"What you're suggesting may very well encourage others like him to commit acts of terrorism, Queen Saeko. If punishment isn't severe enough, then they might believe themselves free to do as Vrau did," Erma argued.

"Then you can lay the blame on me. I didn't originally come to Elza to be a peacebringer. I just wanted to enjoy a nice vacation and maybe discover something about myself. I did. I'm a succubus who just can't get enough of sex! It's in my nature after all, and I don't have to be ashamed of myself. Er… wait, where am I going with this? W-What I mean is… we shouldn't excuse what Vrau did, but you can't fault him for the reasons behind his intentions!"

It was entirely quiet for a few seconds, then Mio started applauding. I looked at her weird, but Kana joined her. Shayle, too. For some reason, the onlookers were all clapping at my stupid speech.

"You have put me in a difficult position, Queen Saeko. Perhaps I have forgotten myself when I was a nun, that forgiveness is the highest form of our humanity. Very well. I shall leverage my position as legate to give Vrau a softer sentence. My guards will escort you back to the palace. Please wait for me there," Erma said, giving Vrau a little push to start moving.

"Wait," Vrau insisted and paused next to me. "I never expected to find mercy from a succubus of all things… I… thank you…"

I nodded, and they continued outside where a carriage awaited.

As night fell, Kana and Mio had fallen asleep by my side in bed. Erma told us to wait at the palace, but she never showed up again in the end. Figures. She was a busy woman, and they just caught a terrorist.

I was about to close my eyes and go to sleep until a light knock rapped on the door to my room. When I went to open it, Erma was there to greet me.

"O-Oh, Erma! I thought you were going to be gone all day," I stammered.

"Join me in my room for a drink, will you? I should thank you for your capture of Vrau. More people could have been hurt were it not for your actions," Erma said.

I took Erma up on her offer. We went to her room, which was no more extravagant than a servant's room. That might be due to her background as a nun. She never looked like the type to flaunt her wealth. After pouring us both a glass of wine, she beckoned me over to the window.

Night in the City of Everlight was quite the sight. Magic beacons atop tall spires lit up the dark sky. Mages who flew by magic soared across the city, their staffs blinking like stars.

"Saeko, you had sex with the prostitute named Alayna and asked her to transform into me, didn't you?" Erma asked.

I froze solid.

The jig was up. Judging by the knowing look on Erma's face, she had already found out. How? Mio? Kana? Madam Ledder? But none of them saw what Alayna transformed into! My face was heating up so much, that I was practically giving myself away without even saying anything.

"No! I just… had her change into an attractive light elf I passed by on the streets…" I answered helplessly.

"Oh?" Erma drew closer and stroked my arm with the back of her hand. "You didn't… pin me down to the bed? Perform cunnilingus on me and made me perform it on you? You didn't repeatedly plunge your dark elven elixir-given penis into me?"

My mind was swirling. Erma was describing everything that I did with Alayna. Was she able to read my mind or what? How did she know? Unless…

"Was… Was that really you?" I stammered.

"Well, I wonder?" Erma pulled away from the window. I saw her back until she turned around, and it was Alayna's appearance facing me.

My jaw dropped.

"Who are you really?" I asked.

"I have… an affliction," Erma began as she transformed back to her original form. "During the war, I saw many things that would make even a prostitute blush. When you're facing succubi, they employ all manner of warfare. Nothing is sacred to them. I witnessed them having sex in the open. They returned charmed soldiers mind-broken beyond help back to our encampments. Many threw themselves to beasts, too corrupted to realize how wrong it was. The more depraved the act, the more they enjoyed it. To see and experience all that… something awakened in me. I couldn't take my eyes off them, and at some point, I began to crave it. You see, Queen Saeko… when I look upon you, a succubus, I'm reminded of all those poor soldiers. Forever changed by succubus magic, compelling them to commit unspeakable acts. I think to myself how close some of those times were, that I might have fallen in their place. I need an outlet. I seek the pleasure they faced. It can only be by the hands of a succubus that I find satisfaction."

During the spiel, Erma had backed me up against the wall. I saw her eyes now in all their beautiful glory. They were full of desires. Of me. Her hot breath tickled me neck like when we were at that brothel. She was serious. Dead serious.

"I could never go back to being a nun. However, I wish to experience falling. By the hands of the succubus queen. By you. I want you to fuck me," Erma pleaded.