POV David
I sighed, it had been another long day. Though thankfully we'd made it to a village tonight. All that was left was to turn in my request at the local adventurers guild branch. Veria and Rena had retired to rest, so it was me and Juliana… and Shyora. I walked through the doors and the bustling atmosphere died instantly. The dozens of adventurers turned to stare as I walked to the counter and spoke with the receptionist.
I placed the request on the counter. "Finished the request."
"Hey Handsome." One of the adventurers leaned against the counter next to me.
I turned a lazy look at the adventurer. I had to say the only reason I was drawing more attention than Shyora was because she'd cast a spell that made her horns, wings, and tail disappear. She described it as polymorphing into a human.
"Don't you know it's the group leader that's supposed to do the talking, not the mascot?" She needled.
I felt Shyora stir angrily but stopped when I patted the adventurer's hand. "Thanks for the advice, but please fuck off. I've been having a bad day."
She turned and immediately punched Juliana. "You're lucky I don't punch men punk." I glanced at the knightess as she got back to her feet and rubbed her jaw. I grabbed her wrist and twisted it sharply. An audible crack sounded through the room.
"Fuck off." I said again. She stepped back, cradling her hand. She sent death glares my way as she left. I turned back to the receptionist who was still staring at me blankly, poor guy had probably seen it all.
"You take this request in the capital?"
"I did, I'm on my way to another destination and this is the first guild branch along the way." I said.
"Of course we'll still procces te request. But the reward will be given in credit should our own branch be unable to cover the full cost." The receptionist droned.
"Of course, here's the original request form. Attached is my written report." I replied in an equally dull voice.
He started scanning the document and paused after getting about halfway through. "There was a paradigm shift?"
I nodded lazily, inspecting my nails. "Yes."
"You'll have to speak with the branch manager, I'll be right back." He quickly stood and rushed into the back, returning to show us to a meeting room.
"This way please." We entered the room and Juliana was quickly greeted by the branch manager.
"Ah, Knightess Tullio. It's a pleasure to see you again, finally decided to put down that stupid quest for honor?"
"No Pia, I'm sworn in the service of my lord, Baron Fulton." She replied with a nod to me.
"Oh, my apologies Baron." She bowed her head a bit. I sighed and slumped in my seat. I was probably supposed to accept her apology right now, but I really wasn't in the mood.
"I heard the dungeon you checked on had a paradigm shift?" She asked after a few moments of silence.
"Yes. Several new rooms and new pathways, all of which lead to a lower level." I replied.
"I see, any new monsters?" She asked as I passed a map over.
"There were a few more goblins than expected as well as a goblin boss but the lower level had been taken over by a succubus." I yawned.
"A succubus?" The manager looked horrified. Were they that big a deal? I suppose they could be? I glanced at Shyora, who seemed proud that the manager seemed so worried.
"It's a miracle you made it away at all." She said.
"Oh, I also need the guild to register that this daemon is bound to me." I gestured to Shyora.
"Daemon?" The branch manager looked at Shyora.
"What type of imp is she?" She asked. I glanced at Shyora to fill them in, since this mythical 'status' screen was lost to me.
"I am a level seven Succubus." She replied with a beautiful smile.
"My… gods."
"You subdued her yourself Baron?" Pia gaped.
"Yes…?"
"You must be… my apologies Baron, I did not realize you were related to the hero Rebecca."
"She's my younger sister?" How the hell had they not heard of me? I was the most famous of all my siblings. Smith didn't want anyone to know anything about him, much less that he existed. And Rebecca would rather I take the flak for any bad press.
They brought out a small object that everyone else but Shyora and I treated with an odd bit of reverence. Apparently it was a status display, used to update guild information when an adventurer leveled up or had to prove a beast or daemon was binded to them.
Shyora, Succubus lvl 7
Strength 3
Constitution 2
Dexterity 3
Intelligence 4
Wisdom 2
Charisma 5
Skills; dream walk, Shapechanger, Charm, draining kiss, telepathy
Master, David Alexander Fulton
"I don't… I'll get the paperwork…" the branch manager whispered.
"This is likely the second strongest daemon ever registered with the guild." She replied as she returned hastily.
"How'd you subdue such a monster?"
"I won the battle of wills. Then beat the shit out of it." I replied.
"My master is far stronger than you mortal." Shyora replied with a proud grin. No one paid her any mind.
After quite a good amount of time I left the guild with a promotion, and an extra plauge that I had Shyora carry that was proof of her being a registered monster.
"Gold rank eh?" I wasn't expecting crap, just register the daemon to reduce future headaches. Well that backfired.
"We'll sir, you did subdue Shyora…" Juliana said quietly.
"They insult my master, adamantite is clearly a deserving prize." The daemon piped up. She'd gone back to strolling about in her normal form now that I'd registered her. I probably should have killed her…
"Master? Should I make myself useful?"
"I'm imagining how useful a succubus corpse would be right now…" I muttered darkly.
"Master?"
"Just stay nearby." I muttered.
"I shall act as your bodyguard master." She replied with a wide grin.
I pointedly ignored her and returned to the inn. Most of the rooms were rented out by us and our guards, the rest were making due with a makeshift camp outside of town.
"Lord Fulton, your back." Alexious said with relief.
I piqued up. "Did something happen?"
"Ah… not really… my sister and the Viscountess drunk themselves into a stupor earlier."
"I'll deal with it in a minute." I said while taking a seat next to him.
"How's your progress coming along?" I asked.
"Uh, I'm making progress on my mathematics."
"Is there anything you need help with?" I asked. Alexious was about to open his mouth when Liscia came thundering down the stairs.
"Is the Baron back?" She looked around wildly before rushing over to us. She looked absolutely distraught and a mess, totally unlike her normal self.
"Baron! The Princess and Viscountess are deuling!" She cried as she grabbed my arm and started dragging me out back. We entered the stable with the horses in a mild panic to see Rena and Veria circling each other.
"You bitch, that's my consort." Veria hissed.
"He's not yours!" Rena cried as she lunged forward.
I watched as Veria took the punch to her chin and kneed Rena in the groin. Rena countered by kicking out Veria's knees, causing her to fall to the ground. She dropped on top of Veria and started pummeling her.
"He'll be my husband!" Rena screamed as she punched Veria in the face. Veria replied by scratching Rena's arms with her nails.
"Aren't you going to stop this?" Liscia asked.
I didn't reply and let them continue their fighting with a disappointed look on my face. This was the best the Queendom had to offer? It's hier and one of its most competent nobles rolling around in the mud… fighting over me? They rolled around and fought like a pair of rats, desperate for any edge.
As they tired out I slowly walked over and stopped beside them. Their looks of surprise at suddenly seeing me told me everything I needed to know. "I'm disappointed that this is what this Queendom's best is reduced to over something so trivial."
I turned on my heel and walked away. I glanced at Shyora, "Confine them to their rooms until they've settled down."
"Yes master."