The Hero Became a Succubus, and the Only Way to Level is to… What?! Chapter 530 – Catching Up

Minestra followed Kanae everywhere. All over Athyst Hall, throughout Aidenhall palace, and even into the baths. She reluctantly accepted being accompanied. Of course, having the herzulith by her side drew a lot of attention. When she went to check in with mbers of her hall, Minestra remained an ever-present figure looming over.

"Reen, I'm back!" Kanae announced on the way into the Athyst Hall kitchen.

"Kanae?" The dark elf gasped, then ran over for a hug. "I feel like I haven't seen you in ages! How was ho?"

"Much-needed, thanks for asking. How have you been? I see you have a few extra hands now." She noted two young human n, who were running around and preparing ingredients for a large al.

Reen rubbed the back of her head and said, "Yeah! Vice-Captain Alicia agreed to recruiting so help for . So people in Athyst Hall eat a lot. Cough, cough, Thu! Cough, cough."

Ogres were large humanoids with just as large of an appetite.

"Uhm… Did Minestra want sothing to eat?" Reen glanced behind Kanae.

"Don't mind . I'm just basking in the presence of my beloved's exceptional beauty." Minestra eyed her and sighed blissfully.

"Oh! I didn't know you two were like that!" The cook blushed.

"We're not! Minestra, get lost already! You've been following all morning. Don't you have anything to do? Like preparing for the tournant? Actually… why are you here, and not Roshasha? She's undisputedly stronger than anyone here even with the Debilitating Band on her," Kanae said, only for Minestra to press a finger on her lips.

"Tut-tut, my love. I am the strongest. Well, the truth is, we need Roshasha up north at the Veins to stem the tide of undead. Besides, Lord Charron doesn't want to risk her going on a rampage. Think about it. Do you really want to invite that monster to a tournant like this?" she asked.

Fair point. Looking back at how hard it was to restrain Roshasha, this was probably for the best.

"Oh, Kanae. When you get a chance, can you go cheer Runald up? He's been feeling down in the dumps lately," Reen said.

"I thought Runald found his calling at Silver Hall. What's wrong?" Kanae asked.

"Between you and …" She leaned in and whispered, "The guy's got an inferiority complex. He's been training non-stop for the tournant! But get this. So initiate underclassman knocked him on his ass once, and he hasn't gotten over it. I'm worried Runald's gonna overexert himself before, then lose horribly in the tourny because of it and feel even worse."

"Runald Aespir? From that minor noble house?" Petyr was leaning against the entryway.

Minestra whirled around, growling.

The paladin scoffed. "Muzzle yourself before I rip your fangs out for you. I'm sure you and I will have a chance to fight in the tournant. Right now, I'm more interested in the high elf boy you've taken a fancy of, Kanae."

"Runald's mine." Kanae glared.

"I don't want him like that, you fucking sex-addled idiot. The Aespirs are a minor house, but they co from a long line of footsoldiers, dating back to high elven rule in Radevic," she explained.

Maybe talking to another high elf would do Runald so good. It couldn't be Gretchen, given what happened during her rebellion. Wendy Ironspear was training to beco Knight of Gold, but she spent most of her life in Hellfire Badlands.

"Reen, where's Runald right now?" Kanae asked.

"Probably down in the training fields," Reen said.

"Alright, fine. Let's go, Petyr. Minestra, stop following and help Reen for the rest of the day." She casted Charm on the herzulith.

"No… No! Kanae, I just want to be by your side!" Minestra cried as the two left the kitchens.

They descended from Aidenhall with Kanae holding Petyr by hand. Classes had been suspended until the end of the tournant. The halls and corridors of the palace were much too crowded to use normally. Those who were flying-inclined took to the air, leaving and entering through windows, balconies, and openings in the rooftop.

Below, the fields weren't any different. Initiate and junior knights densely populated the sparring courses and training grounds. A not so insignificant number of them were likely participating in the tournant, too.

Kanae caught Petyr grinning from ear to ear. This was her elent— where she belonged, amidst people who were training to beco the best versions of themselves. All of their choosing and not forced or coerced.

Before touching down, they spotted a dark elf and high elf locked in combat. Kanae recognized them right away. Nelly and Runald. A large crowd had gathered around them, forming a makeshift arena ring. Arenade's adopted son was dressed in scale leather, wielding a hand crossbow and shortsword. Runald, on the other hand, was ard with a kite shield and longsword.

No one was afraid. Every ti Nelly fired bolts from his crossbow, Runald would dodge out of the way. Spellcasters among the spectators created magical barriers to stop them. The high elf closed the distance to stop the bolts from flying. However, Nelly was a lot more deft with his footwork. He perford a pirouette, narrowly dodging a downward slash, and then dashed back to put so distance.

"True Shot!" Nelly fired two bolts.

Runald shielded his torso with the kite shield, but the projectiles weren't aiming there. They plunged into his boots. Kanae winced, but Runald didn't cry out in pain. The bolts instead pinned his feet to the ground. In a real battle, this was over. Trying to pry them out left him open for another volley, and leaving them in to stand his ground made him vulnerable to being circled around.

Onlookers cheered. It sounded like Nelly was the favorite to win. Girls were especially starstruck, calling out to him in an attempt to get his attention. He paid them no mind and instead went to help Runald.

"Sorry about the boots. I'll buy you new ones," Nelly said, kneeling down to rip the bolts out.

"No, it's fine. Thanks." Runald offered a soft yet hurt smile.

Kanae wanted to scoop Runald up and cradle him, but that most likely wouldn't help at all.

"Arenade's son? Excellent footwork. I counted five different tis Nelly could have put a bolt in Runald's head but didn't take it," Petyr complinted.

"Nelly and Teana are seasoned adventurers. Knights' Academy helped hone their skills," Kanae explained.

"It shows. Runald, however, is fighting like he has sothing to prove. If he fought with a clearer mind, he would undoubtedly do better," she added.

As the crowds began to disperse, a few lingered behind. A snickering trio in front of Kanae and Petyr weren't being very subtle about their comnts.

"Damn. Runald sucks. You'd think serving under the Knight of Silver, he'd be a better fighter," one student said.

"Heeey! Where did all that high elven guts go? You barely put up a fight!" another shouted patronizingly.

"Not so high and mighty now, huh?" A third laughed.

Runald ignored them. But when he looked their way, his eyes snapped up to Kanae and Petyr in surprise. The students followed his gaze and shrunk underneath the high elf's fiery glare.

"What was that about high elven guts? Why don't we take a look at yours," Petyr suggested.

"WE'RE SORRY!" they ran away in terror.

"Kanae, you're back! Is my Mom here, too?" Nelly ca right over, but Runald dragged his feet.

"Not yet, but you can expect her here soon. How's my future son-in-law?" Kanae pinched his cheek, recalling how small he used to be.

"That's not funny…" He pulled away. "Teana is seriously trying to get pregnant. Apparently, there's a fertility potion going around that's effective. I want to enjoy my freedom a while longer before becoming a father!"

The thought of Kanae becoming a grandmother while in her 20s wiped the smile from her face. Maybe a talk with Teana was in order, too. She turned to the sulking Runald.

"Reen tells you've been down. Because an initiate beat you once?" Kanae teased.

"That blabbermouth… I'm fine. This is just sothing I need to sort out myself." Runald huffed.

"You're not convincing anyone. I've brought Petyr Stormcloud here to help cheer you up." She thumbed to her side.

"Er… Wait… I don't need the Petyr Stormcloud to train !" He took a step back out of fear.

"Yes, you do. We have a week until your tournant begins. I'm going to make sure you take first place. Now, raise your sword and shield." Petyr ard herself with her warhamr.

"Oh, no. Give a break!"

While they sparred, Kanae and Nelly stepped off to the side under the shade of a tree to catch up. It wasn't as cold down here compared to the northern Commonwealth. The weather was much more mild. One wouldn't even think that it was the start of winter.

"So, what's up with Runald?" Kanae asked.

"Self-confidence issues, in my honest opinion. The silly thing is, Runald was coaching the initiate when he got knocked down. It wasn't a duel. He didn't want to correct anyone, and it spiralled out from there. And sentint towards high elves isn't very high to begin with in Radevic. Colleagues kind of just used that as an opportunity to start ragging on him," Nelly explained.

Petyr grabbed Runald by the wrist as he swung wide, then headbutted him into the ground. Kanae and Nelly winced, and ooh'ed at the sa ti.

"Maybe getting beat up by soone like Petyr is what he needs. Anyway, Kanade and Suvee ca back with . You should go see them over at Athyst Hall," Kanae suggested.

"I'll go wash up and do that," Nelly said, getting up.

"Before you go, have you seen Pan and Revah?" she asked.

"Oh. Uh…"

"Nelly… Is there sothing I should know?"

"I only heard this from Teana, alright? I think Pan and Revah are planning to drop out of Knights' Academy. They tried. Mikki tried helping them. Things were looking up for a little while, but school just isn't where they want to be. I'd suggest checking in with Radevic's adventurers hall when you get the chance," Nelly explained.

Dropping out? It would be nice if that was all, but the tone in Nelly's voice didn't inspire confidence. Kanae sighed. After Nelly departed, she did the sa and took flight in the direction out of Aidenhall. Radevic was in just as much high spirits as the palace. The adamantine gates were wide open, allowing citizens to co and go freely. Many little anities run by students saw countless participants.

Kanae landed in front of the adventurers hall, a building much larger than she rembered during her ti training to beco Knight of Athyst. Several halls had been built to accommodate young and budding adventurers. As she walked in, large trophies of slain beasts adorned the walls and hung from the rafters. Adventurers from every walk of life shared drinks at the taproom or picked out quests from the notice boards.

"Greetings— oh!" The elven receptionist lady gasped. "What an honor to have you at our hall, Knight of Athyst!"

"Thank you, but I'm not here to take on a quest. I'm looking for my daughters, Pan and Revah. Are they listed in your roster?" Kanae asked.

She pulled up a ledger. "Let see… Ah, yes. Pan and Revah Toyomi co regularly. In fact, they arrived earlier in the day to pick up a quest. It wasn't a very difficult one, and the two should be back soon— Oh, speak of the succubi!"

"Whew! I could go for a big al!" Pan's voice reached her ears.

Kanae turned around to find Pan and Revah coming in. Their gazes t and froze. She couldn't see with Revah always wearing a mask to hide her mouth, but knew her jaw must be hanging open.

"Run!" Revah pushed her sister back outside.

"Girls, don't run from your mother!" Kanae launched outside into a trap. A large wooden cage fell right on top of her. anwhile, her daughters fled by the sky. "Revah, you get this trap off right this instant!"

"Sorry, Mom! We'll be back later!" Pan waved, disappearing into the distance with Revah close behind.

"Are you serious? I can't believe you two! Wait until your dad hears about this! Argghh." She threw her hands up.

A couple of kind adventurers helped lift the heavy trap off of Kanae. By then, her daughters were long gone. She might be able to trace them with Broodmother, but they were just going to trap her again.

It was getting late now. Kanae returned to Athyst Hall. She would have to scold them later. Tired, she jumped into a bath early to wash up. Her hall's baths weren't as grand as Aidenhall's communal ones, but they were private enough for a quiet soak.

"How are you feeling, sweetheart?" Minestra asked.

Four arms fell upon Kanae's shoulders.

"Why are you intruding in my bathti? You should still be chard, too!" Kanae groaned.

"Your Charm stipulated that I help Reen, and we've finished cooking dinner! I've co to inform you of that. Or maybe you would like to have for dinner first?" Minestra embraced her from behind.

"Are you capable of feeding ?" She turned around and leaned in until their lips were barely touching.

When Minestra tried to close the distance, Kanae backed away just a bit.

Kanae continued, "If you adore so much, that ans you're willing to submit yourself to . Isn't that right?"

"Yes!" Minestra exclaid. "Well, at least to the extent that it doesn't require betraying Lord Charron. Anything else!"

"Go find my daughters, Pan and Revah. They regularly drop by Radevic's adventurers hall. I last saw them flying west out of the city. Pan is a crowned Shaman, and Revah is a crowned Trapper. Both of them have hobgoblin features and my horn shape. Don't co back to until you find them."

"I'll do it!"

"Good." Kanae sealed Minestra's lips with a kiss, and she tightened her embrace with all four arms.

When they finally parted, Minestra jumped out of the bath.

"I'm feeling motivated now! I'll bring your daughters back, just you watch. Then I'll earn your love at last!" Minestra raced out of the bathroom.

Kanae dried off and got dressed, then joined so mbers of Athyst Hall downstairs for dinner. Nelly had made it, too, and was seated next to his little sisters. She sat down next to Alicia, who was breastfeeding Dawn.

"I just saw Minestra run out of Athyst Hall drenched. What was that all about?" Alicia asked.

"I gave her a nigh-impossible task." Kanae shrugged.