Chapter 232: Seduction and the Broken Sword

Gerald lost his voice for a moment due to overwhelming disbelief and fear that threatened to burst his mental threshold.

A Succubus.

In that fleeting instant, he recognized the identity of this girl from her swirling deep purple eyes.

One of the most powerful high-tier demons, the culprit behind the fall of the City of Saint Sanos.

Gerald had seen that terrifying Succubus strutting through the streets, accompanied by a girl she called her pet, brandishing her power in front of those still resisting, or perhaps laying down bait.

Now, the thieves were facing a foe far more cunning than any enemy he’d seen before, a demon that enjoyed toying with human hearts.

In the next moment, he turned abruptly, wanting to warn his companions who were also alarmed by recognizing her identity.

“Run!!! Don’t look into her eyes…”

【Uncles, could you please stand still and be quiet?】

The girl’s sweet, mochi-like voice suddenly froze all the thieves in the inner chamber.

Then, silence fell.

It wasn’t that their bodies were forced under her control, but upon hearing her tender plea, an overwhelming wave of affection surged within them, as if disappointing such a lovely girl and seeing her sad would be the most unforgivable sin in the world.

Seduction.

The hallmark of a Succubus, their most powerful and terrifying ability.

Even without the most potent medium, the eyes, her voice alone could convey such a dreadful power of seduction, making one shiver like the sirens of the deep sea as described in legends.

Though rationality had already grasped this, sensing that they were under the control of a Succubus that appeared to be only a child, an even stronger impulse overwhelmed their actions, to the point that Gerald could not muster any hostility towards this little Succubus, merely wanting to listen to her commands ——

—— Stand still, be quiet.

From the silence that responded from behind, it was clear that the other thieves were in the same state as him.

This terrifying power had made Gerald once again experience this ability that could erode and dominate the human heart.

Yet, he could not summon any negative emotions about it, only filled with a strange happiness at having fulfilled and complied with her request.

At that moment, even the old thief suddenly began to understand why those steadfast clergy, particularly Sibyl Roland, willingly abandoned their faith and fell to become a Succubus’s pet.

Just as Gerald’s reason and impulse clashed, and his suppressed desires desperately pondered how to escape this honey-like seduction, the Succubus girl in a frilly Lolita dress merely turned her attention to the deeper shadows behind her.

“Little Fox Sister, it seems we succeeded?”

With that gentle call, a new figure emerged.

It was a girl whose entire face was concealed by a white fox mask, her stature and height not much more mature than the former, making one suspect she was only about fourteen or even younger, dressed in a red and white outfit resembling a dance skirt, adorned with a pair of fluffy fox ears atop her peculiar white hair.

Seeing this figure, something in Gerald’s heart skipped a beat, as if he had a vague sense of familiarity, feeling he had seen or heard of such features somewhere before.

But at this crucial moment of life and death, along with the fact that she appeared alongside a Succubus, she could only be a companion or pet of the latter, belonging to the demon camp. Gerald, who considered it impossible to engage with such beings, could only push down the strange feeling in his heart and futilely attempt to resist the domination brought by the seduction.

The White Fox Girl surveyed the group of thieves who, despite being unfettered, stood obediently in place, with no clear idea of what they were thinking.

After a while, she extended her delicate, fair-skinned hand, an exquisite piece of art.

Palm facing up.

“Hand it over.”

In this scene, Gerald immediately understood her intent, but his urge to act hadn’t truly been stripped away, nor would he lightly obey the command of a strange fox woman he just met.

“…”

Though he couldn’t move or speak, he could still swat her hand away.

Just as he prepared to act this way to show his refusal, that alluring voice, sweetly soft, yet sounding normal, rang out again.

【Uncle, could you please hand over the item you dug up from the ground earlier?】

“Ugh…”

The intense urge that surged from within crushed his reason and spirit once more.

Like a malfunctioning puppet, Gerald twitched slightly, wanting to resist, but under the terrifying power of that enchanting seduction, he could only involuntarily reveal a strange smile filled with bewildering happiness, ultimately complying with the pink-haired girl’s request.

“…”

“Boss…”

From behind, it seemed a thief was desperately trying to warn, but the power of the Succubus’ seduction silenced him instantly again.

For them, mere ordinary people of lv15 at most, the allure from a high-tier demon was almost an absolute rule akin to a word of power. Even if they wanted to resist with their willpower, they clearly didn’t possess the capability or training for that.

Thus, a long object wrapped in black coarse cloth appeared in Gerald’s hand and he handed it over without hesitation.

Naturally, the White Fox Girl grasped it one-handed and casually peeled away the outer covering that seemed to repress magical fluctuations.

“Whew!!!”

A surge of golden light erupted in the dark chamber, completely overshadowing the flickering candle flames ignited by the thieves, illuminating the space as bright as day!

However, as that powerful light element spread and shot up into the sky, it abruptly extinguished upon reaching the inner door, as if colliding with an invisible barrier, failing to display the spectacular commotion it had when it first emerged.

Even in the grasp of the White Fox Girl, the powerful aura that was bursting forth quickly receded, gradually becoming as ordinary as a long sword.

One hand holding the sheath, she drew forth the sword with another hand, which was encrusted with numerous exquisite gems, resembling a Western-style sword, “Whoosh!”

The smooth, thin blade was pristine, as if it were a priceless artwork polished from translucent white crystal. Though it was razor-sharp, just by looking at the edge, one’s eyes would feel a sting. Yet it featured a single-sided sharpened edge, as if symbolizing the mercy and reprimand of the power of light.

The Holy Artifact —【Sword of Judgment】.

Even under the spell of seduction, Gerald was captivated by this blade that could only be described as a world-class divine weapon, even as the overwhelming impulse slightly lessened.

Despite feeling endless despair after his failure, the old thief couldn’t help but admire inwardly.

Truly worthy of being the national treasure of the Holy Kingdom, one of the three sacred artifacts that has been passed down for a millennium, such divine power…

“Ding!”

A clear sound, like the ringing of weapons striking, unexpectedly echoed in the inner chamber.

After a brief moment of shock, Gerald finally came to himself upon witnessing the spectacle before him, and his eyes bulged in disbelief, filled with astonishment and incredulity!

Because.

Under the pure white finger that the White Fox Girl had just forcefully flicked, the sword known as one of the three sacred artifacts of light, the Holy Kingdom’s treasure, the 【Sword of Judgment】.

Had actually snapped in two.

Immediately, a faintly indifferent yet somewhat helpless voice of the girl echoed in the air.

“…It’s a fake.”

   

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