Six people in a one-family apartnt would usually be more than enough to fill it up. Yet for girls getting ready to leave, it felt quiet compared to how lively it was just a few days ago. The weapons getting packed and zippers getting pulled didn’t do enough to break the silence.
“It’s incredible how peaceful it gets as soon as so people leave.” Carol was in the living room getting ready together with the others while Miyuki and Reia watched. With a final adjustnt, she hid her sword inside a bag to go out into the city. “It’s not too different from how it was when it was just us at the House, but I almost forgot what it was like.”
“Are you missing Sarasa already? Poor, you… Without her around, it’s always obvious who the fussy one is, isn’t it?” Miyuki smirked while leaning against the table.
“You annoying, little…” Carol said. “First off, half of the ti I open my mouth, it’s your fault for being an annoying pest. Secondly, Narumi’s still here, and she’s just as quick to make a fuss as I am, so don’t try to single out!”
“Woah… I’m being dragged into another fight before doing anything…” Narumi’s face soured as the bag she just finished packing wrapped around her shoulders. “I have no mory of it already, but I’m pretty sure I spent all day yesterday on my phone.”
“You sure did. And you’re cute for that, so you’re okay in my eyes. Even when you make a fuss, it’s always so innocent.” Miyuki said. “The rabid dog over there, on the other hand…”
“Who’re you calling a rabid dog?!” Baring her fangs did not help her case.
“Now now… Don’t waste your energy before we leave the house. We have a tough fight ahead of us.”
Hecate packed light compared to the other two. All she had was her briefcase and a black dress, which she held that the eyepatch enhanced.
“And if we’re talking about people who disturb the peace, our Iroha’s definitely number one. We’re all going to stand out more without her around.” Hecate continued.
“I an… You’re not wrong, but… Isn’t that kinda an?” Carol asked. “You could have phrased it better.”
“Could I? All I said was that my heart wavers when she’s around. It rushes, skips, squeezes and throbs when I’m with her, and I wouldn’t want it any other way. I wasn’t expecting you to interpret it negatively.”
“*Sigh…* I get what you an…” Because her sword was the most compact when packed, Katja got saddled carrying a huge bag of miscellaneous supplies for the mission. She was waiting by the door for the rest of them to get ready. One foot was already on the other side. “If I knew Iroha was going to leave so soon, I would have tried to spend more ti with her… It’s all your fault, Miyuki… You moved thing along way too fast!”
“H- hey… Don’t go scary mode on just because you don’t get to see Iroha for a few days… I didn’t give you a hand for you to turn on !”
“You took her to the other world yesterday, right? How’s our Iroha doing right now? Can you tell from here, Miyuki?” Narumi asked.
“Hmm… She had to have t the person she was looking for yesterday, so she’s either getting the help she needs, or getting her skull drilled into. About fifty-fifty odds.”
“Ah! Did you think I wouldn’t notice?” Carol showed zero tolerance and pointed her finger at the guilty party, Narumi. “She’s not yours yet! Why are you trying to sneak that in?” Then her brain caught up. “Wa- wait? Did I say ‘yet’? No, cancel that… You’re not dating her. Ever! I won’t let her lay her hands on you too! Ughh… My head’s getting too used to automatically assuming she’ll get away with it…”
“Must be why the skull drilling part flew right over your head…” Hecate said.
…
After packing their stuff, Carol, Hecate, Katja, and Narumi headed straight to the room Sarasa was renting in Ebrilyon. It was going to serve as their gathering point before leaving the country.
“We’re here. Hope we’re not too late.” Carol pushed open the door and the group stepped inside.
“You’re good, you’re good.” Sarasa said. “We were just about to get started. How do you like your succubi? Roasted or grilled?”
“N- noooo! Le- let go! I- I didn’t an it! I- I’m sorry… I won’t taste good at all! A flea like is worthless even as food! Forgive !” On her knees, a blue haired girl tied up with ropes scread and wiggled in vain.
“Huh…? What’s going on?” Carol asked.
Sarasa and Ririna stood on both sides of their prey while Galene and Abby watched from the table on the side. The situation could pass for a hostage situation with Ririna and Sarasa being the grunts and the other two the masterminds, but the hostage in question was soone who should be a valuable ally.
“You see, this thing was trying to go off on her own when we told her to wait for you to get here. She wasn’t listening to us, so…” Sarasa gestured to the bound girl.
“Ca- can you bla ? I- I waited for almost a fu- full month! I kn- know the enemy’s location, so I had to do sothing since you weren’t showing up…”
“Ehh… I see what’s going on…” Carol put down her bag and walked over to their side. They did good to capture her. “So what if you know his location? I told you he was our prey, didn’t I? You tried to betray us, so you got what you deserve!”
“Eeeeek! I’m just a dumb stupid succubus! I didn’t an to! I’ll personally guide and let you deliver the finishing blow! I promise I won’t do it again!”
“That’s what I wanted to hear. You can let her go now.” The ropes hit the ground shortly after Carol’s approving nod.
“Wh- whew… I’m safe.”
“What about you two? You’ll be coming with us?” Carol turned to where Galene and Abby were sitting.
“That’s the plan.” Galene said. “But you don’t need to be wary of us. We’ll create an opportunity for you to fight Thivadi without anyone interfering. I’m not particularly interested in going through… That…” Galene glanced at Lythea.
“Kukukukuku… That’s the right choice… You’re a smart one.” Bloodlust oozed from Katja’s voice.
“Hmm…” Galene hid her emotions behind a wide smile. “Your group is looking even more…” Creepy. “Formidable than before. I’m always impressed by how Iroha managed to gather so many unique people…”
“And I’m always infuriated!” Carol said. “Why does she manage to… Every single ti…?! Argghh! It’s so annoying!”
Creepy and quick to fly off the handle. Galene was wise to keep so distance. “Speaking of Iroha, is she not accompanying you again today?”
“No… Unfortunately, she’s a bit busy…” Hecate said.
“Really? It’s been a long ti since I’ve seen her around. Did anything happen to her?” Galene asked.
“I don’t know if that’s any of your business, but she’s fine. You don’t need to worry about it. She’s not here because we’re more than enough for what we’re dealing with this ti. Got it?”
“If you say so…”
“Uh- uhmm… So… If everyone’s ready… Then maybe we could… Get going…? I- I’m sorry! I wasn’t trying to tell anyone wh- what to do or anything. No… A wor- worthless succubus like m-”
…
Long story short, they were ready. The girls left the room not long after telling Lythea to cut it out, climbed on so gryphons, and left Ebrilyon, flying to the neighboring country where Thivadi was hiding. It was the sa country that so of them visited during the quest to slay so wolves. Thivadi told them back then that the wolves were monsters causing nearby villages problems, which turned out to be a lie, only for him then to pull a sleight of hand and send undead wolves to spread chaos.
Ever since the group’s first interaction with him, he’s been causing them nothing but problems.
But that ends now.
“Le- let explain… You see that estate right there? That’s the one we’ve identified as Thivadi’s base.”
After the flight, the girls arrived at a sprawling city that seed less developed but just as big as Ebrilyon’s capital. Not all of them were used to this otherworldly tropolis, but they all managed to stay focused and ignore every distraction. Their first move was sneaking up the walls to get a good view into the noble district. From there, Lythea’s finger pointed them to a large estate with a large white mansion surrounded by a handful of smaller facilities.
“According to our data, that mansion is being secretly used by a group of demons led by Thivadi as a base of operations. Thivadi holds a high position within the Demon society, so he has a lot of demons under him. However, he’s also the type that prefers to work with a few strong allies rather than big groups, so the number of normal demons inside the mansion should be small.”
“So, what you’re saying is that it’s gonna be easy for us.” Sarasa said.
“No- not exactly…” Lythea said. “We won’t be fighting demons, b- but he has a huge army of undead under his control. Not only that, but he specializes in manipulating others. Ever since he infiltrated this country as a noble, he’s been granted a large number of human soldiers, which he placed outside the mansion as guards. And then there’s Molt… And that other girl…”
“Ayumu’s here too? Isn’t she just as responsible for what happened to Hecate as him? We can’t take them both out in a single strike!” Katja almost pulled out her sword right there and then.
“Calm yourself… How unsightly…” It was Hecate’s hand that prevented it.
“We- well… From what I’ve seen, they’re not always together… Thivadi will be in his mansion, but those two, I’m not so sure. I- I can at least keep Molt busy if he shows up… So the rest of you only need to take care of the other two.”
“The soldiers serving under Thivadi don’t know that’s not human, do they?” Galene asked. “I’d like to avoid hurting them if possible. Would you mind if Abby and I focused on them? With my status as the Hero, I think I can convince them to leave peacefully.”
“Oh! too!” Narumi raised her hand. “I’d like to help in a… non-bloodbathy way if possible.”
“Are you sure, Narumi? You’re gonna be missing out on the fun?” Carol teased her.
“That’s a good idea. It suits you better.” Katja calmly nodded. “One less to share with…”
“Again, control yourselves.” Hecate clapped. “It’s decided that we’re splitting up then? The three of you go outside, while we raid the mansion and aim to take out Thivadi.”
Hecate acted as the voice of reason, but even she was eager to start. The faint throbbing under her eyepatch pushed her forward.
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