Side Chapter — High Succubus and Natsuno of Sorrow

The scene rewinds back to just after the Dungeon Battle between Keima’s group and Core 564. A group of two Succubi, one High and one not, were walking in the midst of a certain forest within the Demon Realm.

It was an unreliable, narrow path surrounded by tall trees. One would be struck with unease over whether it was actually the correct path, but it was impossible to get lost when it only went one way. There were no people, only birds and bugs and stuff, but that was fine.

“Still, I thought for sure I was dead back there. What was up with those squirrels? I had no idea squirrels were so deadly. I’m going to have nightmares about this. Absolutely.”

“My sympathies, Natsuno.”

The High Succubus of the group was Natsuno of Sorrow, one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Core 564’s dungeon. She had fled after surrendering to the threat of a group of highly murderous squirrels. Reason being, she ran the risk of being murdered by Core 564 for surrendering instead of fighting to the death or something of the like.

Now, as for the other Succubus...

“Are you sure about abandoning Core 564, too?” Natsuno asked.

“Oh yes, of course. I won’t miss him in the least; he doesn’t make me feel good at all. Not to mention, I’ve found a much more splendid joy.”

It was the nameless Succubus that Core 564 had been punching in place of a sandbag. Who knew what methods she had used, but she, too, had escaped from that dungeon. And now she was walking in front of Natsuno as a guide.

“Anyway, unlike me, weren’t you a Succubus born within that dungeon? I’m impressed you managed to betray him and run away at all,” Natsuno said. It was normal for monsters born within a dungeon to live and die with that dungeon. Under typical circumstances, it would be unthinkable for a monster to twist those rules and stealthily escape in a clear betrayal. However...

“That’s simple. Core 564 did not have much interest in me, or rather, us. Thus, I could contact her as much as I wanted. In truth, I became her servant before that battle even began.”

Indeed. The Succubus had always been serving someone else. Even before Keima and Core 564’s Dungeon Battle began.

“And amid this all, I was chosen for... no reason in particular. It was probably just coincidence. I offer my prayers to the divine.”

“By divine, you mean her, no?”

“Would I be wrong?” The succubus curved her lips in a grin. Her eyes, however, were not smiling at all.

“Not at all... I’m positive she is some kind of evil god,” Natsuno replied.

“A wise assessment.”

She had, after all, made the Succubus hide amid the carnage of the battle between Core 564 and Mikan, even when all her allies were slaughtered. Though Natsuno could hardly criticize her for that after pleading for her life and fleeing.

Natsuno had likewise been scouted by her, but unlike her Succubus companion, she didn’t feel as if she were a chosen one or anything like that. Though in truth, out of all of Core 564’s Succubi, only Natsuno and this other Succubus had been scouted, so it wouldn’t be too inaccurate to think that.

“Too bad we couldn’t bring everyone else with us,” Natsuno said.

“We could only disappear unnoticed by Core 564 thanks to their numerous sacrifices. It was necessary.”

“I would call you a huge bitch for saying that, but since I’m here with you, I’m hardly one to talk.”

“Thank you. Being called a huge bitch is high praise in this line of work.”

“Do all Succubi serving her end up like you? Maybe I should back out.”

“Ahaha, don’t worry. You’re planned to be a main player in her next project, you know.”

Natsuno could not help but get a bad feeling about the phrase ‘main player,’ much less ‘project.’

“Erm. What was that project again, by the way? I think the name was ‘Our Engagement Is Nullified You Dick (Webfic Style),’ which honestly I didn’t understand at all.”

“It’s an experiment... or rather, something like a play. I’m told you fit her image of the main heroine perfectly, Natsuno. Incidentally, she has already finished preparing methods to implant memories and modify personalities along the theme of a previously selfish noble girl getting visions of a future and learning she will be executed if she doesn’t change her ways.”

“Okay, you lost me. What exactly does your master want to do?”

“That is far beyond my understanding, but remember that she is your master as well now. Though, your status from this point forward will be that of the daughter of a baron within Daide.”

“That doesn’t answer my question. Which, I guess, means I have to think about it for myself,” Natsuno said. The Succubus smiled, and Natsuno couldn’t hide her sigh.

“I believe she is seeking you to act more than anything, Natsuno.”

“What does that even mean? This just gets more and more baffling...”

“For now, just look through this while you walk.” The Succubus handed Natsuno a stack of papers.

The high-quality sheets of equally sized papers were stamped with “Top Secret” and “Corporate Documents” with big red stamps, and the letters on them were oddly uniform. Perhaps this is the printing I’ve heard rumors about, Natsuno thought to herself while flipping through sheet after sheet and skimming over them.

“Is this a world-building document? She must want me to act according to this. Hm... The amount of detail is kind of a pain. What’s all this about me being a noble’s hidden child that lived as a commoner? And a list of targets to ensnare...?”

“It will be trivial for a High Succubus such as yourself, no? Oh, and that list is purely for reference. You can pick just a single one, or ensnare someone not on the list at all. When the time comes, you will be in complete control. She said you can try out whatever you like.”

“Her plans boggle the mind. Oh... This plan includes conquering a prince. A Succubus must have made this after all. Wow, this could actually let us take over the whole country, huh?”

Natsuno could apparently do as she pleased, and that included just living her whole life as a baron’s daughter without enrapturing anyone. Or she could enrapture the man she was engaged with, as planned. It was truly unfathomable what the one behind this hoped to accomplish.

“If you don’t like it, there is still time to back out,” the Succubus said.

“I never said I wouldn’t do it. Might as well use this opportunity to have some fun. There’s not a Succubus out there that doesn’t dream of conquering a whole country! I’m going to do it!”

“Ahaha. A wise decision,” the Succubus said, putting the knife she had stealthily drawn back into {Storage}. It was a long-bladed combat knife, meant for cutting through thick meat. On top of that, it had a Succubus-killing mana enchantment cast on it.

Natsuno continued onward to Daide with her companion, having no idea that if she had carelessly refused the offer, she might have met an untimely end.

“Incidentally, are we walking all the way to the country? You’re not going to tell me to walk all the way to Daide, right?”

“I-I would like to think she would come get us along the way, but... We will likely need to leave the forest, at least.”

The sharp chirps of birds could be heard as the two of them walked along the unreliable path in the middle of the forest.