Ch.133Chapter 133. The Saboteur’s Saboteur

“…damn it.”

After the clash with Mephisto, Yasmo Deus had fled and hidden himself.

His body was in a half-scattered state, affected by the damage received in the previous confrontation.

It couldn’t be helped. Although a succubus’s body was little more than mist, attacks that directly interfered with his magical power were bound to cause damage.

“To think the day would come when I’d suffer such humiliation from that snot-nosed brat. You live and learn.”

When they first met, she was just a youngster clinging to the Demon Lord, but now she had become a threat to him.

But what was even more surprising was that the source of her strength wasn’t the Demon Lord, but merely a human male.

He had been watching out of curiosity since the organization he recently joined showed interest, but who would have thought this would be the object of Mephisto’s obsession after she decided to abandon the Demon Lord?

‘I thought she just considered him a plaything… but has that human male really become your new obsession?’

Although this seemed at odds with the Mephisto he knew, Yasmo didn’t deny her desire in the end.

Each member of the Demon Tribe is born with their own desires, and as such, they often don’t understand why others become obsessed with certain things.

Rather, if one doesn’t lose hope in an unattainable desire and end their life, isn’t it natural that the reason for continuing to live would be something abnormal?

‘But respect and compromise don’t always coexist.’

Even if they understand each other’s circumstances, when their purposes conflict, the result is always strife.

-Swoosh.

Recalling this iron rule of the Demon Tribe, Yasmo raised his restored body and began to open his drowsy eyes.

What came into view was the scene of an inn room visible below the rooftop where he stood.

There, Mephisto could be seen fidgeting in front of a man who was still unconscious, seated on a bed.

She was probably explaining how to treat the magical power he had implanted, but her actions lacked her usual confidence.

As if she felt shy just facing him, and was embarrassed about the “treatment” that would follow.

“Heh heh, you live and learn. To think I’d see that arrogant brat looking so shy.”

Shame.

Not an emotion a demon who is always proud of their desires would typically feel, but if it takes the form of love, that’s a different story.

In fact, succubi often feel emotions similar to love during intimate relations with the opposite sex when they’re inexperienced, and even Yasmo, who reigned as the queen of succubi, had such a time.

And because it was such a shy period, they craved relationships with the opposite sex even more, eventually becoming addicted to pleasure alone and repeating it habitually…

“Well, I suppose she needs to be this ripe to be worth devouring.”

Even in this moment of frustration, the new desire the queen of succubi had discovered was an abnormal sexual appetite targeting the same sex.

It was an unproductive act that did nothing to help reproduction, but for an arch-demon who had reached a level where even that was meaningless, it didn’t matter.

“Ah, Mephi~♡ You have no idea how much I’ve craved you…”

Looking down at Mephisto, Yasmo began to flick his tongue as if savoring the taste.

Whenever he saw her helpless after the Demon Lord fell into the void, he had constantly thought about breaking her.

With that sadism now intertwined with lust, the blasphemous pleasure he would feel when violating her with his own hands would surely provide enough stimulation to evaporate his weariness.

“I didn’t originally come here targeting you, but since we’ve met again, I should make preparations.”

Convinced of this, Yasmo began to formulate a plan in his mind while observing the man with her.

Someone of Mephisto’s caliber would be immune to his mental domination.

But vulnerabilities are often most fatal when they exist outside oneself, beyond one’s protection.

Treasures of astronomical value or family ties are often difficult to protect precisely because they are exposed externally.

‘I should target that man.’

Yes, even if one resists his power, at most they can only establish their own ego, can’t they?

Even now, if he saw an opportunity, he could amplify the power lingering in that body before neutralizing it, effectively taking him hostage.

From Mephisto’s perspective, who had rushed in a rage just because he was touched, having his lifeline in Yasmo’s hands would surely make her lose her will to fight and render her helpless.

‘If I take him hostage and play with Mephi’s body… no, perhaps I should break her mind first?’

If the body consents but the mind doesn’t, there’s no satisfaction in tormenting.

And the best way to destroy dignity is to show someone that what they value most considers them irrelevant.

For instance, if he were to violate the man she cherishes most right before her eyes, and make him pledge allegiance to Yasmo himself…

-Click, click.

As he was completing his plan, the sound of footsteps began to echo.

Realizing these were no ordinary steps, Yasmo’s expression crumpled.

“Heh heh, this would have been the perfect time… why are there so many interruptions today?”

Mephisto was understandable, but with all Four Heavenly Kings dead, there couldn’t possibly be another demon capable of such a feat.

The fact that a non-demon had broken through his barrier was enough to trample the pride of the queen of succubi, who excelled in illusion and enchantment.

“I apologize for the intrusion. I had no intention of being rude…”

Despite his hostile attitude, a man was looking down at him from an even higher position.

Yasmo immediately sensed it.

The opponent was not an ordinary human but a vampire, and one who had reached the level of “True Ancestor,” born with the most powerful strength.

“I usually retire at this hour, but coincidentally, I’ve been wandering this area lately for investigation. The trail led me here, so I’ve unfortunately had to trouble you.”

“…Heh heh, investigation?”

The fact that he was so calm while wandering in broad daylight was proof of his innate power.

But Yasmo thought he was just a parasite of human society who had lived for a mere few hundred years, and began to curl his lips upward.

“What are you investigating that brings you here without sleep? If you’re aware you’re interfering, just leave.”

“I’d like to, but with a lady of my taste before me, it’s not easy to just walk away. Since we’ve met, I’d like to have a cup of tea and a pleasant conversation…”

The heterochromia rising in his eyes along with his gentle smile was clearly a sign of attraction.

Facing this, Yasmo subtly spread his power around, waiting patiently to dominate the man’s mind.

“…I’m not interested in that, so why don’t you just leave? Unlike before, I’m not interested in men now.”

“Haha, I see. If that’s your preference, I must respect it, no matter how charming you are.”

The mist of enchantment began to spread beneath them.

This mist would corrupt the mind without the target noticing, eventually turning the completely infiltrated person into a slave.

This should be no exception even for a vampire skilled in enchantment.

“Then let’s save the conversation for another time, but since I’ve come this far, I’d like to ask one thing for my investigation… could you answer?”

“…Make it quick.”

Yasmo asked dismissively, seemingly unaware that the vampire had noticed his attempt.

Then the vampire’s gaze began to sharpen, as if piercing through her intentions.

“Beautiful lady, do you happen to know about an organization called ‘New Era’?”

Yasmo’s body flinched.

Not missing this reaction, the vampire curled his lips upward and began to slowly approach her.

Step, step.

Footsteps continued without hesitation in a situation where he should have been infiltrated by her magic long ago.

Realizing that her attempt to dominate his mind wasn’t working at all, Yasmo formed a distorted smile and began to gather more magical power in her body.

“…Come to think of it, the leader of the organization said something like this. That there was one particularly annoying member among his kind.”

Virgil Huntress, the Maiden Butcher.

One of the most notorious wanted criminals in the Empire, but the Empire’s leadership has long been occupied by vampires.

Unlike demons, vampires with their strong sense of kinship would usually try to prevent their own kind from being wanted.

If a warrant was issued despite this, it would be for a “hybrid” who became a vampire through impure blood, or an “heretic” who denied vampire culture.

“If your goal is to investigate the organization, you should just monitor secretly. Why reveal yourself in a place like this?”

Yes, he should be torn apart at the first opportunity.

Even the vampires who invited her to the organization had repeatedly said so, and the fact that he, who had been hiding all along, revealed himself was something even they couldn’t have anticipated.

“I initially planned to just follow, but… it seems the man you’re targeting is a talent I’ve been keeping an eye on.”

“…Is that your taste?”

“Don’t misunderstand. My taste is for women with rich charm like yourself.”

Saying this, Virgil Huntress quietly controlled the power flowing through his body.

Despite it being daylight, that power was quietly pulsating.

“But can one live in this world doing only what they want? Coincidentally, in life, there are often times when one must follow ‘aesthetics’ even if it means setting aside one’s taste and mission.”

Aesthetics.

The life philosophy that vampires, who consider themselves noble beings, value more than their own lives to prove their existence.

“…You’re saying you’ll protect that human youngster for your aesthetics?”

“Of course!”

To this question, Virgil fluttered his cape and proudly revealed his conviction.

“No matter how attractive you are compared to any woman I’ve seen, isn’t it natural to want to protect a man born with the talent to steal purity, as much as I find him attractive!?”

-Rumble.

The atmosphere began to tremble with his powerful demeanor.

Feeling the current of power spreading with his emotional excitement, Yasmo formed a deep smile and began to raise her body.

“I don’t know what you’re talking about… but you’ve come to interfere with me, right?”

There’s nothing more annoying than having one’s hunt and plans disrupted.

But since she also had her own goals for joining an organization created by a different species, she couldn’t take the person before her lightly.

The opponent was the leader of the organization and king of vampires, furthermore, someone the real powers of humanity were eager to get.

If she brought his head, she would surely win the organization’s favor, increasing the possibility of achieving her goal.

“Can you handle me?”

With that will, the surrounding space was heavily pressed down with a ‘thud!’

It originated from her immense magical power.

She had merely hidden her strength and avoided battle because she disliked taking losses. In terms of accumulated potential, she could be considered “the best among the Four Heavenly Kings” without exaggeration.

“Haha, if someone like you would accompany me, as a gentleman, I should gladly escort you.”

Despite facing such a powerful entity’s full strength, Virgil prepared to meet that power head-on while glancing at the young man he was interested in.

‘So, young man. Focus on the present without worrying about anything else.’

The man he had been eyeing since their first meeting.

‘If you are honest with your heart, I will always watch your back for the sake of my aesthetics.’

A man with qualities that perfectly matched his ideals.

Hoping that he would rise to greater heights with the opportunity he had provided.

****

-Splash, plop.

How long had it been since I entered the inn?

As I sat on the bed trying to calm my body’s heat, the sound of water reached my ears.

With that sound coming from the bathroom connected to the inn room, I felt my heart pounding just by listening to it.

Because I knew who was in there, and with each water sound, I could imagine what she was doing.

“Hyoseong… are you there?”

A voice suddenly reached me.

Turning my stiffened head to the side, I saw Merilyn peeking her head slightly out from the bathroom entrance.

The moisture on her hair and skin indicated that she hadn’t finished showering yet.

“Y-yes. I’m here, why…”

“Would you like to shower together?”

“…What?”

“Ah, no. That’s… nothing.”

Saying this, Merilyn returned to the bathroom, continuing to make water sounds.

In the silence that followed, I took time to ponder what she had said.

Shower together? Obviously, it’s not something you do with clothes on, so it essentially means naked interaction…

…Is this really treatment?