Ch.6565. Do I Look Like Will Wilson?

“What are you doing here?”

Under an old tree, a woman sat with her back against the trunk, as if she had twisted her ankle.

Her beautiful appearance, black hair, and sparkling eyes stirred a strange sense of mystery.

“I accidentally came here and twisted my ankle…”

“You came here alone?”

“Yes, I got lost. Could you help me up?”

The woman lightly extended her hand.

Without a moment’s hesitation, I drew my Raiden Sword and swung it in a straight line toward her neck.

Swoosh-! Whiiing-!

The woman who had been in apparent pain suddenly jumped up as if she had never been injured, easily dodging the Raiden Sword.

Then she landed a few steps back and frowned.

“What are you doing?”

“For someone with a twisted ankle, you dodge pretty well.”

It didn’t make sense from the beginning.

Even if Jawill Wilson had suddenly shown symptoms and collapsed, a woman alone in the Forest of Death…

If you’re going to deceive someone, at least make it somewhat believable.

“Do I look like Jawill Wilson to you?”

“…What?”

“I’m asking if you think I’m stupid enough to fall for that.”

Leo Sergang seemed to have noticed as well, drawing his sword and taking a combat stance. The woman narrowed her eyes and bristled.

“Ha, for a human, you’re quite perceptive.”

Then, her black hair began to glow golden, and her innocent eyes transformed into ones filled with desire and intensity.

A pointed jawline and bright red lips.

She wore see-through clothing that revealed her sensual figure, and black wings unfurled behind her back.

“A succubus?”

“Oh my, a human recognizing me at first glance? You’re quite impressive.”

I could somewhat understand why humans in novels lose their minds when succubi appear.

Her appearance played a part.

But more than that, the thick scent that tickled my nose created a strange feeling.

Truly…

“It’s a waste that you were born a demon.”

“What does that mean? It’s been a while since I met humans, and you keep spouting nonsense.”

“Then you must be the culprit behind all the disappearances.”

“I don’t know what you’re talking about, but you’re interesting humans, able to maintain a conversation in front of me without losing your minds.”

The succubus muttered softly and pulled something from her waist.

Looking closely, I saw it was a black whip.

“Leo, be on guard.”

“Yes, young master. I’ll go first.”

I confirmed with my Eye, but honestly, I couldn’t gauge how strong she was.

From what I’d heard, she was a succubus who had lived in the Forest of Death for at least 20 years.

Moreover, when my father, Baron Byron, sent his subordinates here, would he have sent ordinary people?

No, they would have been at least elite-level knights, dozens of them.

This meant she could be the demon who had caused all those disappearances.

Crack-!

As Leo swung his sword toward the succubus, she smoothly countered with her black whip.

From the sound of impact, the whip seemed to be made of heavy metal rather than leather.

Crack-!

I wanted to join in, but the whip’s wide range could interfere with Leo’s evasive movements.

For now, I could only watch.

Crack-!

Crack-!

Leo didn’t seem to be losing ground, but the succubus’s expression was relaxed, as if she had an ace up her sleeve.

To think that the first demon we encountered in the Forest of Death was a monster capable of going toe-to-toe with the protagonist’s companion…

Was this even right?

Objectively, Leo Sergang would be fighting alongside Luna Brillhart to stop the demon wave half a year later.

But we arrived just half a year early, and there’s this much difference?

It had to be one of three things:

Either the half-year early arrival really made this much difference, or this succubus hadn’t invaded Lake Territory when the demon wave occurred.

Or something had twisted again after I possessed Selden Alphonse.

Crack-!

The succubus created some distance and raised her hand to her chest.

“Enchant!”

Enchant?

Well, I also gained that skill after absorbing the succubus mana stone, so it’s natural for a succubus to have it.

But Leo Sergang should be at least elite-level by now, so he shouldn’t be affected…

“Gah!”

Really?

Leo seemed to have been affected by the succubus’s ‘Enchant’ skill, clutching his head and staggering.

Not missing the opportunity, the black whip lashed out to wrap around Leo’s neck. I quickly gripped my Raiden Sword and rushed in.

Crack-!

I swung my Raiden Sword without hesitation, causing the succubus’s expression to contort.

The experience from my duel with the masked assassin at the Imperial Palace must have had a significant impact, as I felt power flowing through my sword.

My mind became ice-cold with clarity.

Crack-!

Clang-!

Clang!!

So far, I was doing no worse than Leo.

No, I felt like I was pushing even harder.

The key would be how to avoid the succubus’s Enchant skill…

Should I close my eyes?

Or should I strike first when she tries to cast it?

A thousand thoughts raced through my mind as I swung my sword.

“Enchant!”

Damn, thinking too much was a mistake.

I took the succubus’s ‘Enchant’ skill head-on.

Since it was a skill I had used before, I wasn’t sure how much pain would accompany it, so I tensed up.

But then.

“What’s this?”

“Huh?”

“Enchant!”

“Ugh!! Huh?”

Amazingly, nothing happened.

The succubus, unable to believe it, cast ‘Enchant’ multiple times.

“Hah, huff… impossible, why doesn’t my skill work on you!”

The succubus spammed her skill mercilessly until she seemed to run out of mana, panting heavily.

But why didn’t the skill work on me?

Is it because I also possess the Enchant skill?

I wasn’t sure of the exact reason.

However, one thing was clear: the succubus’s Enchant skill didn’t work on me.

In that case.

I rested the Raiden Sword on my shoulder and smiled with a hint of madness.

“Now, let’s fight for real.”

*

“From the Familia House?”

“Yes, during the joint demon hunt plan, it seems the youngest master caught their eye.”

Baron Byron, who had returned to the mansion, tilted his head at Butler Brighton’s words.

“At that time, I thought Baron Rene Familia had his eye on the fourth son, Leonard?”

“I thought so too, but it seems Miss Seri Familia has chosen the youngest master.”

“Was there such an opportunity?”

“Have you forgotten? Didn’t Selden Alphonse fall underground with her during the earthquake?”

Baron Byron snickered and shook his head.

“That rascal… are you saying he charmed Seri Familia in such a short time?”

“His appearance must have played a part. No one can deny that Selden Alphonse is handsome.”

“But his reputation as a good-for-nothing should have been a hindrance?”

“Perhaps Baron Rene also realized, after seeing the young master at Lake Territory, that his reputation as a good-for-nothing was merely a rumor.”

The Familia House has long had a friendly relationship with the Alphonse House.

Moreover, Seri Familia’s appearance at the joint demon hunt was certainly radiant enough to match Selden.

‘But something feels off.’

Baron Byron could sense it.

Based on his years of experience, he could detect the gloomy aura occasionally seeping through Seri Familia’s outward smile…

“Brighton.”

“Yes, sir.”

“What do you think of Seri Familia?”

Surprised by the sudden question, Brighton adjusted his posture respectfully.

“Miss Seri Familia has excellent conduct and outstanding beauty, doesn’t she? And the Familia House itself has a solid standing.”

“That’s right.”

“Although our houses are friendly, there’s no strong tie between us, so a marriage would likely strengthen our relationship.”

“Do you think Selden Alphonse and Seri Familia are a good match?”

“Honestly, those who don’t know that the young master has changed would probably think Miss Seri Familia is too good for him.”

In the past, the Familia House showing interest in Selden Alphonse would have been cause for celebration, but now he was a youngest son with seemingly no flaws.

Moreover.

There had been much talk about loveless marriages when the first and second sons were married off without regard for their wishes, solely for the benefit of the house.

The fact that there were still no grandchildren spoke volumes.

“Hmm…”

As Baron Byron’s contemplation lengthened, Brighton cleared his throat and spoke.

“Since no formal marriage proposal has been made yet, is there a need to overthink this?”

“Still, this level of interest from the Familia House suggests they have some expectations.”

“Are you concerned about the unmarried third daughter and fourth son?”

“That, and Selden doesn’t seem particularly interested in Seri Familia.”

“Then why not arrange a meeting?”

Baron Byron raised an eyebrow.

“A meeting…?”

“The fact that no formal request has come from the Familia House suggests they’re not entirely convinced about the young master as a potential husband either.”

“That might be true.”

“The young master’s coming-of-age ceremony is approaching. We could use that as an excuse to invite the Familia House.”

Having finished his deliberation, Baron Byron energetically placed his palm on the desk and stood up.

“Good idea. Make it happen immediately.”