---

The marquis who visited the territory seemed calm at first glance, but inside, it was nothing short of chaos.

The knights were fervently on guard against the cultists, who preferred the night over the day, while the residents felt an unsettling dread creeping up their feet as darkness descended upon the land. Many parents had no choice but to sing unstable lullabies to soothe their children.

However, the one feeling the most stress was undoubtedly me.

“My principles that I’ve upheld until now…!”

“…….”

During the day, he had been flattering me, but now he was being manhandled by the wicked noble Siabel, alongside me, turning us into bait for the Succubus.

More frightening than even the Demon was Bronte, who had completed his makeup with pale powder and a crazed mustache covered in wax. He had enough common sense not to whine in front of the knights and nobles. Clinging to me, he was desperately lamenting his unfair treatment.

“This is wrong! I don’t have mana like you…!”

“Just because there’s a Succubus doesn’t mean it’s certain. Bronte, you could be mistaken, right? Plus, with that burly body of yours, you might take down a Succubus.”

Bronte shot me an icy glare.

“…What good is praising my body right now? It’s all because of this that I’ve become bait.”

“Oh.”

So that’s what it was.

I lightly brushed off Bronte’s complaining and checked my own condition.

‘The blessing has taken root nicely.’

I contemplated the blessing bestowed by the cardinal through the circulation of mana.

I could feel a tiny energy having taken root in my heart. Its effect was to prevent the Demon from easily making contact with my body. Even if contact was successful, this little spark would flare up fiercely against the Demon’s manipulations, ensuring the safety of my mind and body.

With a high level of divine power in play, it wasn’t surprising that Siabel thought of making good use of Bronte. However, Bronte looked like he was ready to argue about being forced into this dangerous situation later. But that was something he and Siabel had to resolve among themselves. They should handle it well enough.

‘Everything’s ready.’

My clothes and makeup were intact.

All that remained was to throw myself into this uncertain possibility.

“All preparations are complete. You may move to the designated room as previously informed,” a priest announced.

The checks on the safety devices designed to lure the Succubus and the knights waiting around had finished.

Then, Shione, who had been unceremoniously beaten by my sister’s mischievous antics, approached.

“I’ll be watching, so nothing major should happen, but…”

With a worried expression that didn’t match her icy voice, Shione continued, “If you are charmed by a Succubus, know that you will die by my hand.”

“Do we really need to go that far? If I get charmed, you can just charm me again, Shione.”

“…You talk well.”

Dodging Shione’s embarrassed little punch, I took in her concern before moving to the prepared room.

The room had a cozy atmosphere.

A soft bed, candles casting gentle light, and an open window letting in a refreshing breeze. The interplay of moonlight and candlelight created a warm impression that relaxed the body.

I surveyed the room briefly and threw myself onto the bed.

‘Luring a Succubus isn’t easy.’

With just a bed and a pure man, any Succubus would seize the opportunity, keeping their eyes peeled.

They would wait for a man to drift into slumber, then rely on dreams or magic to make him their servant—that was the Succubus’s trade.

Although this one might possess a slightly higher skill, it’s related to illusions. Their physical abilities were relatively weak, so there was no way a typical Succubus could pose a threat with my mental defenses in place.

‘Pretending to sleep is my tactic—just like a thief sneaking in through the window to prey on the Succubus.’

With a face that could catch a Succubus’s interest quite easily, I would make a perfect target.

I could pretend to sleep without worry, as I could wake up anytime if there was a sign nearby. So even resting for a brief moment wouldn’t be an issue for catching a Succubus.

“I’ll just close my eyes for a bit─”

Muttering as if to reassure myself, I steadied my breathing.

How long had it been since I started feigning deep slumber with a calm expression?

Just as the soothing sounds of the gentle breeze and my steady heartbeat began to lull me into fatigue, an unexpected turn of events unfolded.

Creeeak…

Even though it wasn’t a strong wind, the moment I heard the sound of the window opening and sensed a presence, my instincts sharpened.

‘…So there really is one.’

A suspect fitting the description of a Succubus stepped into my room.

No one was allowed entry into my room, so if it wasn’t a Succubus, there would be no reason for someone to come in. There couldn’t possibly be a thief in this heavily guarded area.

I remained patient.

I had concealed a dagger within my robe. The Succubus, a manifestation of lust, would simply have to mount me, and I could strike back in that instant.

“Haa…”

I heard the sound of a breath coming from the moonlit figure.

The sensation of a gaze upon my skin felt so sticky it was akin to being submerged in a tub filled with slime.

It regarded me as an exceptional target.

“Mm…?”

However, the casual voice hinted at some suspicion from the Succubus.

It seemed that the divine power inside my essence had been faintly detected.

“…This should be fine.”

The somewhat dim-witted Succubus abandoned her doubts and stealthily approached my bed.

“Honestly, with this face, it’s unfair for a mere man.”

As expected, she proved she wasn’t just a common thief.

The closer the unwelcome guest came, the more I felt my mind becoming tainted. However, as I circulated my mana to keep my mind sharp, the Succubus, naturally sensitive to mana, would catch onto that, signaling a potential reckoning.

I placed my trust in the mental barrier provided by the divine power sleeping in my heart while I felt the movements of the Succubus.

“Looks like I’m having a good day today.”

The Succubus climbed onto my bed.

My heart began to race with the energy she radiated. As a species that toys with the emotions of others, it was impossible to avoid an enigmatic feeling, yet I knew the truth.

‘Those devoured by a Succubus never end well.’

How many skeletal corpses had I seen with their features deteriorated?

Though the Succubus can offer pleasure, they cannot provide happiness. I knew well that a truly happy life is far more enduring than the fleeting fantasies they impose.

“Oh.”

The Succubus gasped.

She had already mounted me, clamping my legs down, her face now close enough to mine.

For a moment, I wondered how Shione would react seeing this scene, and as I questioned why I hadn’t yet gotten into deeper trouble, I had no choice but to shake off these stray thoughts.

“You’re awake, huh?”

At the Succubus’s words, I opened my eyes.

Her long gray hair draped over my view, allowing me to take in her face thoroughly.

Red eyes. A rotten smile. Yet, it was coupled with a malevolent grin that suggested it would be all the more entertaining. But what surprised me most was how, despite being a Succubus, she was far from beautiful.

“Oh, for crying out loud.”

A crippling sense of dread wrapped around my entire being, deeper than anything I had ever felt before.

With the standard that a Succubus ought to be beautiful shattered, I could no longer entertain the idea of falling for her tricks.

‘…I need to subdue her quickly.’

I rapidly circulated my mana.

In an instant, finding myself increasingly powerful, I saw the Succubus’s eyes widen in confusion.

Now it was my turn to mount the Succubus.

“So you’re the guy who handles mana?”

As the Succubus below me displayed her excitement, I wrapped her tightly in her own legs, ensuring she couldn’t slip away.

Seizing the moment, I drew out a small dagger I had hidden and plunged it toward the Succubus.

Responding to my intentions, the divine power surged to respond fiercely, amplifying my grip against her.

Yet, the madness within her was still smiling.

“Do you still think that’s my real form?”

The voice poured out rather uncharacteristically from the Succubus beneath me and from one lurking behind me.

“…Damn it.”

This crazy demon must have cast a spell before entering my room.

How could I have missed that?

The illusionary Succubus beneath me was delaying my dagger’s descent as much as possible.

Meanwhile, the one appearing behind me wrapped her arms around me, increasing the contact.

‘I’m going insane.’

This was hell unleashed upon mortal men.

Had I known this would turn out like this, I might as well have crossed the line with Shione already.

In that moment, this place had surely become the realm of the demons descended upon the human world.

Bang─!

The door slammed open, and reinforcements finally arrived.

“…Ray.”

With silver-white hair.

Eyes that reflected the blue sea but now shone with the lunacy of the descending moonlight.

They say when a person is engulfed in extreme anger, their cold expression emerges. That was precisely what Shione looked like now.

“I told you if you get charmed by a Succubus, you’ll die by my hand.”

The chilling aura radiated from the sword in her hand consumed the space.

I was wrestling with the demon while simultaneously rolling my eyes towards Shione, shouting to her.

“This doesn’t look like I’m charmed…!”

Here I was, about to be consumed, and she was the one going for a slash. What was she thinking?

 

---