Chapter 320

Chapter 320

Otherworld Demon King Survival Guide.

Episode 320: Lady Vera (11)

The next day.

After waking up in the morning, I immediately prepared for the day.

The marriage alliance was rejected. Since I decided to accept the condition of becoming her adopted son, there was no need to delay.

The duchess was currently staying in the guest room on the lower floors of the Demon King’s Castle with her escort female knights. I felt sorry for the monster legion waiting upstairs, but they’d have to endure until the duchess left.

Anyway.

After washing and dressing, I summoned the officers.

“Saintess, let’s proceed without dragging things out. I will become the duchess’s adopted son, and I need you to handle the alliance negotiations accordingly.”

“Understood. Leave that part to me.”

Reassured that we wouldn’t actually get married, the Saintess was bursting with enthusiasm. Even last night, she enthusiastically moved her hips on top of me until my pelvis nearly broke.

There’s no way I could get married with women like this around.

“Truly dependable. Anyway, the rest is simple—just set the tone like we did yesterday. Raika, please inform the duchess to come up to the hall for another meeting.”

“Got it.”

“Let’s head to the hall and prepare.”

Now then.

Shall we go greet my new mother?

A while later.

The duchess came up to the hall alone. Long red hair… it was captivating how it draped over one side of her face. On top of that, her uniform, which revealed her figure, and her flowing coat completed the look.

This woman was going to be my new stepmother starting today?

Not bad.

Anyway, Duchess Vera seemed to be in a great mood. The conversation progressed quickly, and she appeared quite satisfied.

As I observed her, our eyes met.

“Heh.”

Then, as if to entice me, my new stepmother smiled and winked…! Was she acting like this because she thought I’d become her husband?

Whatever the case, marriage was out of the question.

“Good morning, Saintess.”

“Indeed, it is a refreshing morning.”

After exchanging polite greetings, we sat down. At that moment, the Saintess pulled out a document.

“I’ll get straight to the point. Regarding the proposal from yesterday, I am here to hear your answer.”

“Oh, to decide this quickly… Truly decisive. Now, we will see whether the general sitting before me becomes my husband or my son.”

“Indeed. Kyuse, come sit.”

“Yes, Saintess.”

I immediately took the seat opposite my new stepmother.

“Well, General, what is your answer? Will you marry me, or will you become my adopted son?”

“Starting today, I will serve the duchess as my mother.”

“…Oh.”

For a moment, disappointment seemed to flash across the duchess’s face.

Did she want to marry me?

Looking back, when we first met, she referred to me as a nobleman. The duchess clearly found me appealing. She likely envisioned marrying me—young, capable, and closely tied to the Saintess.

Of course, the duchess quickly composed herself.

“Hahaha.”

She immediately wore a gentle smile.

“So, I now have a grown son. Very well, Kyuse, I will adopt you as my son. Starting today, you are my child. Do you understand?”

“Yes, Mother.”

“Having a son like this brings me great joy.”

“I am equally honored to serve someone as remarkable as you as my mother, Duchess Vera.”

The new stepmother already had a favorable impression of me. To amplify it, I responded as politely as possible, bowing at a 90-degree angle.

“Oh, really?”

It seemed my courtesy worked well. My new stepmother covered her mouth with one hand, laughing with satisfaction.

At the same time, I used my incubus senses to gauge her general psychological state. While not perfectly accurate, she seemed genuinely delighted… and perhaps slightly aroused?

Feeling lust toward her adopted son—how scandalous.

But it was inevitable. Over the years, I had taken the virginity of many women in high positions.

Despite their confident, responsible roles, these women, restrained by their virginity, often carried intense, suppressed desires.

The duchess was no exception.

“Serving the divine Saintess as my master and mentor is already an honor, but to also have the duchess as my mother… I must be the luckiest man alive, Mother.”

“Haha… You truly are polite.”

My stepmother chuckled alluringly, pretending to be an older, mature woman while praising me. But no matter how confident or strong a woman was, if she was a virgin, she could not resist me.

Even the most experienced and cunning women were no exception.

For an incubus like me, women were prey. It’s simply nature—rabbits could not resist wolves.

“Kyuse, although you are adopted, starting today, the duchess is your mother. Serve her as you would serve the Goddess.”

“Understood, Saintess!”

Amidst this relaxed atmosphere…

We drafted the alliance document.

“Military and economic support. The terms are excellent.”

“How could I, as a mother, stand idly by while my son works for the Saintess?”

The new stepmother jokingly commented to the Saintess, appearing much more relaxed.

“Haha, you’re already taking to the role of a mother.”

The atmosphere was quite nice.

Anyway, the alliance document was well-crafted. First, we’d officially announce today’s events to prevent any rumors. The duchess would “fully support her son, who is working under the Saintess.”

In return, we would act as the duchess’s shield. Of course, the new stepmother’s ultimate goal was to use the Saintess’s influence to seize power once the chaos subsided.

I’d handle that with my body somehow.

“For now, I plan to pressure the three barons who were defeated by my son. We could take them away from the count or even occupy their lands.”

As she said this, my new stepmother looked at me.

“There wouldn’t be much of a threat even if you took their lands, Mother. Baron Helson is already powerless, and I’m here to hold the fort.”

Hearing this, she replied:

“Ah, indeed.”

The new stepmother laughed in a very pleased manner.

As I just explained, even if she took control of the three frontier baronies that attacked us, there wouldn’t be much trouble. In fact, this move might even draw other nobles away from siding with Count Saidin, deeming it too risky to stay under him.

Naturally, the count’s influence would weaken while ours grows stronger.

“However, pushing that far could provoke the count, making him withdraw forces from fighting the angels and attack us instead.”

This was somewhat risky.

If the count escaped his current punching-bag status, the angels and elves would benefit. Right now, we were playing a strategic game, carefully placing our cards.

“Oh.”

As the discussion progressed, it became clear that the new stepmother was increasingly fond of me.

Thus, we continued our negotiations and successfully concluded the alliance treaty.

“Ah! What an accomplishment!”

Thanks to the Saintess’s exceptional efforts, we managed to secure very favorable terms for the alliance. Of course, the terms being this generous probably had a lot to do with the fact that I won over the new stepmother.

“Sigh. Still, it feels like I’ve lost a son, and that doesn’t sit well with me.”

“Isn’t it better than marrying me off?”

“That’s true, but still!”

“Anyway, this should make things much easier for us.”

Having a powerful backer like the duchess was reassuring. Now we could focus on expanding our influence while receiving military and economic support to bolster our forces.

“First, Nekri, please prepare a banquet for tonight.”

“Yes, understood.”

“How long will it take?”

“Most of the arrangements are already in place. We just need to finish the cooking.”

“Good to know.”

For the first time, we were hosting a banquet for outside guests. It may not be grand, but the fact that it’s happening was what mattered.

“Let’s enjoy the banquet, then.”

Evening.

The banquet began. Of course, this was just a frontier baron’s castle, so it probably didn’t impress the duchess. It’s far from extravagant.

“This is my first time seeing a dark elf. May I hear more about your story?”

“Of course, if you’ll share yours as well.”

The attendees included the demon army’s officers from the Demon King’s Castle, the duchess, and her escort of female knights. The female knights were deeply curious about my dark elves and were now mingling with them, drinking wine and chatting. They must have a lot of questions about each other.

As I was eating, it happened.

—…

My new stepmother signaled me.

It was a clear sign that she wanted to talk privately. I could recognize it instantly.

She headed toward the balcony, and I set down my plate to follow her.

Ugh, “stepmother.”

It was such an awkward title. Calling her “duchess” felt more natural. But on the surface, I’d keep calling her “Mother.”

—Step, step.

I reached the balcony and stood beside her.

“You called for me, Mother?”

“Heh. That title, ‘Mother,’ is quite embarrassing.”

“Is that so? But once someone becomes a mother, they remain one forever. It’s a bit awkward for me too, but as your son, I hope you’ll treat me comfortably, Mother.”

Hearing my honest words, the new stepmother smiled.

“Hahaha, Kyuse, was it?”

“Yes.”

“As you probably know, whether through marriage or adoption, all of this is just a means to solidify the alliance.”

She was really saying it outright? Well, it was not like such dealings among nobles were uncommon.

“But aside from that, I find myself intrigued by my grown son.”

“Intrigued, you say?”

“Indeed. By the way, may I ask why you refused the marriage?”

“Well… Could I keep that a secret?”

“Speak. I ask as your mother. Surely you wouldn’t defy your mother on the first day, would you? I trust that my Kyuse isn’t such an impudent son. Haha.”

The duchess joked as she smiled.

This woman.

I liked her.

How could I get her into my bed?