Chapter 173

Chapter 173

Otherworld Demon King Survival Guide.

Episode 173: The Reason The Orcs Moved (5)

“What did you have for lunch!”

The Pixie spoke in her usual high-spirited tone, seemingly determined to chat about anything. Of course, she was sweating coldly from her forehead, and her smile was stiff.

—…

A brief silence followed.

Then, a Lamia wearing a horned skull helmet signaled to the other Lamias. It seemed like she was using some kind of hand signal, and as expected, the Lamias gathered in one place upon her signal.

A race that understood strategy and tactics.

This was not good.

But if such a race existed, I must gather information on them. At this point, they were not my prey but my competitors. It was good to come here today. At least, I wouldn’t be caught off guard and beaten up by the Lamias in the future.

“I, I did the right thing, didn’t I…?”

When the Pixie turned and asked me.

—pat pat.

I patted her on the head.

“You did well. You understand what you said, and they are having a meeting among themselves. It means communication is possible. You really did well.”

“Phew. I’m relieved.”

The busty Pixie brushed down her chest in relief.

“Snake, snake women. No matter how many times I see it, it’s surprising. I’ve never seen such a race.”

“Even you, Lady Vanessa? Aren’t you a knight?”

“Just because I’m a knight doesn’t mean I know all monsters! This is the first time I’ve seen such a race!”

“Yes, yes. Calm down.”

She’s a knight who dealt more with humans than monsters, after all.

“Ah, ah…! I remember now!”

“Lady Ruby?”

“There are monsters that seem to be a combination of humans and snakes… I’ve seen them briefly before. But there wasn’t proper documentation, so I think I just glanced over it…”

“Hmm. No documentation?”

“Yes… Probably.”

So, even humans didn’t know much about this race. Well, what did you expect? This world was not Earth. There was no internet or cars here, so information varied by region and class.

Anyway.

The Lamias, engaged in a strategy meeting among themselves, seemed to have reached a decision and approached us.

“Oh. Are you open to dialogue?”

A Lamia with vibrant red hair stood before us.

Adorned with the skull of a bull-like monster on her head, she wielded a spear in one hand and a leather-covered shield in the other.

“Who are you?”

Her voice hissed like a serpent’s.

Flicking her snake-like tongue, the Lamia observed me with her vertically slit pupils and posed the question. Communication appeared to be seamless. The Lamia’s words were perfectly translated.

The language patch magic wielded by real Pixies was impressively effective. I hadn’t anticipated its success in this context as well.

Serinu mentioned it’s an ancient and special magic, preserved meticulously among Pixies.

“Who are you? I asked.”

My silence seemed to irk the Lamia, prompting her to thump the ground with her spear’s tip.

“We are the neighbors from over there, but who might you be?”

“So it seems. This land is ours.”

She communicated solely her intentions.

However, her manner of speaking was somewhat abrupt, reminiscent of conversing with natives in the wilderness.

“Are you asking us to leave?”

“If you wish to avoid conflict.”

They grasped this fundamental diplomatic principle: vacate the territory to prevent unnecessary conflict.

This was primitive diplomacy at work.

There was no need for conflict, and I had already considered retreating. It appeared we could resolve this peacefully. I had hoped to gather more information… But was it too risky now? If this was their territory, there’s a likelihood of encountering their reinforcements.

“Understood. We will vacate this area immediately.”

No sooner had I declared our intention to depart peacefully than…

Kyaaaa…!

Kyaa…!

The Lamias, rather than merely opening a beer, suddenly displayed their aggressive nature with gleaming eyes, baring their fangs and flicking their tongues menacingly.

Suddenly?

“What’s happening?”

And the same was true for the lead Lamia in front of us.

“Kyarr…”

As soon as she heard my response, she began to shiver and glared at me, her aggression seemingly amplified. I wondered why this sudden change.

But then it dawned on me.

“Hehehe, looks like they underestimated us.”

We had said we’d leave quietly to resolve the situation amicably, but the Lamias interpreted our words as if we were scared. And if the opponent was scared, what did that make them? The dominant ones. They could fight and win.

“So you intend to fight even though we said we’d leave?”

If that’s what they thought, we had no choice but to fight.

“Fleeing. Cowards. Our prey.”

“Hahahaha! These snake meat girls sure talk a lot!”

Still, their reaction was somewhat provocative.

Honestly, even though their lower halves were snakes, from about a hand’s width above the knees, they were all female. They’re as pretty as fairies and had nice figures, so part of me thought it wouldn’t be so bad, but…

This was not the time for such considerations!

It’s perfectly fine to crush them and take them as war captives!

Treat them as spoils of war!

“Guys! Prepare for battle!”

With a roar, I ordered my troops to prepare for battle with a demonic breath.

“Kyaaaaaaak…!”

“Kerrrrrgh…!”

Starting with Buril, all my subordinates let out a low battle cry. Let’s finish this before we draw in any reinforcements!

“Come at us, you snake meat!”

At that moment, I bravely called out again.

“…”

“…”

“…”

Suddenly, the Lamias quieted down and started to back away… Huh?

“What’s with these guys? Where are you going?”

“…”

I asked, but I couldn’t see any aggression from the Lamias. Instead, their eyes looked incredibly surprised.

“What are you?”

“What?”

“That fire. What is it.”

Ah. The demonic breath?

Did they get scared seeing that?

“It’s the power to burn you all. Come at me. I’ll roast all of you snake wenches.”

“Negotiate. We will.”

“What negotiation?”

Were these guys idiots?

No. Maybe they’re just trying to buy time.

I needed to devise a plan.

“You. You smell like a male.”

“Excuse me?”

“Are you a male?”

A male?

“That’s correct. What’s it to you?”

“We need a male.”

“Why?”

How did we end up in this conversation?

“Male. Come here quietly. If you comply, there’s no need for conflict.”

“Hehehe, you’re not very good at negotiating, are you?”

I mused, reflecting on her words.

They need a male? Could they be in heat? It appeared that all the Lamias here were female.

Could they be a species that seeks out males for mating and then kills them afterward? It’s a plausible theory. Maybe the orcs realized this and fled before they could become victims.

“If I come with you, will you kill me? Do you think I’d fall for such an obvious trap?”

“We will not. We promise.”

“I can’t trust you. Why did your attitude change so suddenly?”

“You. A strong male. That’s why our attitude changed.”

“Because I’m a strong male, your attitude changed.”

That might be the reason.

“Are you thinking about mating?”

“…Yes.”

The Lamia nodded earnestly.

“What about other males?”

“Green males. They ran away.”

The orcs.

Somehow, the conversation veered towards something resembling incubus affairs.

Then, should I inquire?

“What’s your name?”

“Sasunall.”

The Lamia donning a bull’s head helmet responded with enthusiasm.

“Alright, Sasunall. Have you had any mating experiences?”

“None.”

A virgin.

“What about the other Lamias?”

“None.”

Virgins.

But what sort of group was this? A band of virgin Lamia females on the hunt for males. It’s a bewildering scenario.

“Is mating possible with a different species?”

“I don’t understand what you’re asking.”

“Does mating lead to offspring?”

“Don’t ask obvious questions.”

Interspecies… Ah. They mentioned capturing orcs earlier. Perhaps the male of any species could fertilize a Lamia, resulting in the birth of a female Lamia?

They seemed to be a unique species.

“So, Sasunall, you’re saying you want to have offspring now?”

“Because I must.”

Sssrrr.

Sssrrr.

The surrounding Lamias aimed their weapons, shields at the forefront, forming a line as if poised to charge.

Like a sort of cavalry.

“So decide. Will you fight us, or will you come quietly?”

A choice.

The Lamias demanded a choice between fighting or mating. Naturally, submitting to the Lamias meekly was not an option.

My “White Stuff”.

It would not be discharged in a manner where it’s taken from me. I was a Demon Lord. Everything must be under my control. And under my dominance, I must be the one to impregnate the women.

I was not interested in sex over which I had no control.

“Sasunall.”

Thus, I must think rationally here.

“There’s no reason to fight you.”

“Does that mean you’ll come?”

“The opposite. You come here.”

“Kyark…?”

Sasunall seemed dumbfounded by my response.

Had she not considered the opposite?

“How can I trust that?”

“Isn’t it the same?”

“…”

The snake woman became as silent as a mute who had eaten honey.

It’s simple. I’d entice this Lamia, cook her up nicely… make her come to my side, and then, with all the power I possessed, thoroughly train her before drawing all the Lamias into my alliance.

This was truly a hegemonic move befitting an Incubus Demon Lord.

If the other party was a woman, I was always the absolute alpha. Even if that woman was a Lamia, and even if everything from the knees up was not snake-like, it hardly mattered.

I could subjugate them as much as needed to expand my power.

From the moment a Lamia was born female, she was destined to be dominated by me.

“There’s only one proposal I have, Sasunall. If you want to mate, then come here. I’ll accept you. Then, there’s no reason to fight.”

“…”

As I confidently made my offer.

“…I will think about it. Let’s go.”

Sasunall led her Lamias into the darkness beyond.

“Good.”

I bought some time.

Time to make a night escape.

“You, you…! How can you make such a vulgar proposal to snake women so confidently!”

“Can inferior species even mate among themselves? It’s bizarre!”

Vanessa and Lilriel, who were watching me, exclaimed in horror. Honestly, I would have been appalled at the Lamias too, but, well… Was it because I was an incubus and my sexual desire exploded?

I was turned on.

“Master. Will you devour all those snake women?”

“If necessary!”

“Shaa!”