The moonlight covered the sky in one quiet night. A group of cloaked men seemed to circle a large magic circle in a dark room while reciting a spell in unison. The magic circle glowed bright red as it emitted an aura of indescribable power which makes their cloaks blow violently. A messenger in black robes approached the group of men and was greeted respectfully by them.
"He is still alive today. However, the very strong aura just now indicates that he had shown his true form"
"Humm"
The messenger then turned away from the men. Before disappearing from the door, he paused for a moment before continuing,
"Deploy our wizards to trace his location. Search for him in all corners of The Kingdom"
"Ready to execute" replied one of the robed men.
The messenger then turned back and walked out of the room. In the concentration of the night, a cynical smile was etched behind his face that had been revealed by the moonlight.
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Birds in the sky are flying out to find food. The dark sky that been decorated with the light of the dawn, indicating a new day has come by.
I woke up from my sleep. I quickly looked at my body to make sure of any changes but it seems useless. There is no change since the past two days. I was still a succubus with flaming red eyes and long white hair flowing down my thighs. There, Mitsua seemed to be lulled into a dream while still hugging my thigh like a pillow.
("I somehow guess that this is Mitsua's sleeping habits?") (Stared)
I shook my head at my sister. Then, I moved her body that kept hugging me gently so as not to wake her up. I made my bed a little before leaving my room to hunt as usual. However, my steps stopped as soon as I opened the door and saw Saoto's face who already waiting outside my room.
"Good morning, Sei"
"Um, good morning.
My heart beats simply by looking at him. I averted my face a little from looking directly into his face and planned to continue my original plan again.
"Anu, Saoto please move. Sei wan-"
"Saoto went hunting earlier. Saoto found out from Mom that Sei really likes to get up early to hunt. Saoto also understood it since Mitsua's behavior..."
Saoto and I giggled since it reminded us of Mitsua's slightly fussy behavior when it comes to food. At the very least, my heart felt calm again listening to Saoto who wanted to joke with me a little instead of continuing to be in a prolonged romance. However, without realizing it, my hand was snapped by him. I was a little surprised and then looked at him in wonder.
"Let's prepare the food together. Mom is still asleep. At least Sei will not tir-"
I quickly cupped his mouth while muttering softly. My cheeks were red and my tail kept wagging. Saoto looked at me with a slightly surprised reaction in his still, flat face.
"Hehe, it's okay Sei'll do it alone. Thanks for lighten Sei's job" (Anxious)
I released my hand from his mouth and ran a little to the kitchen. I think the help that was given was good enough so he doesn't need to force himself to be with me in the kitchen. I'm worried he won't hesitate to push me a little when I'm cooking. My heart does not calm down whenever I think about him. It would be nice if I could do this simple job myself, I thought.
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I served the food that I had prepared in the kitchen. To be honest, I was a bit confused about what to cook just now.
("EEP")
("WHY IS HE HUNTING A DRAGON AS AN INGREDIENT?!! I used to catch magic chickens")
(Sad because I can't use magic)
Anyway, I created this dish by slightly modifying my original recipe. It's doesn't take a long time for its fragrant smell permeated the entire house. Not long after, Mitsua appeared behind the door of my room.
"Wow, what did Onee-San coo-..."
I smiled slightly looking at her but not with a happy look. In an instant, Mitsua ran towards me while hugging me tightly. I was a little surprised by her action.
"Please forgive Mitsua, Onii-Chan. Just let Mitsua know whenever Onii-Chan is ready. Later Mitsua will call Onii-Chan by Onee-Sa-..."
"You just apologized... Why do it again..."
(Mad)
I pinched both of my sister's cheeks tightly. Although this is not the first time she has tried to call me by that name, however I still do not accept the fate that has befallen me at this time let alone acknowledge the fact I'm now her big sister. I suddenly loosen my pinch as soon as I saw Saoto come out of my room while wearing the clothes he usually in.
"Onii-Chan, help Mitsua. This Onii-Chan is pinching Mitsu's cheek-"
"Onii-Chan won't help. It's your own fault"
For a moment, Mitsua's eyes filled with tears, probably because she didn't expect Saoto's answer. In a low tone, she looked at me and said,
"I-I'm sorry, Onii-Chan.."
I let go of my pinch and gently caressed her cheek. I don't know why she like to behave this way. Since I'm now in this shape, she really likes to tease me like that.
"Mitsua, why is Mitsua acting so strange lately?"
"Why though? We're siblings. Besides Onii-Chan and Mitsua now are both girls"
"Aight, Onii-Chan got it"
"But another reason is that Mitsua become jealous that Onii-Chan has more assets than Mitsua" (Stare)
"HUH?!!"
Suddenly, Mitsua disappeared from my sight. I did not expect the answer given by her. Even though she just apologized a moment ago, it seems that she is not learnt anything. I clenched my fists while smiling a little with the intention of chasing after her. However, I buried it as soon as my hand was touched by Saoto who was just watching from earlier.
"Sei, just take it easy. Sei may not understand yet sensitive things amongst woman. Mitsua didn't even intend to discourage Sei, but on the contrary, she's the one that was discouraged"
I looked directly at Saoto's face who was looking at me with a slight smile. For a moment, I remembered that a woman's body is the most important asset that they need to take care of. That's why many beauty products are created specifically to be worn by them. With that said, Mitsua didn't intend to tease me at all but rather praised my beauty. Unconsciously, my cheeks reddened as soon as I looked back at Saoto's face.
"D-Did Sa-Saoto think so?"
I asked him in a low tone. I looked down to avoid looking directly into his face. My heart beating fast and my tail that kept wagging showed my emotions that were not calm at all. Saoto sighed before gently patting my head.
"Why doubting again? Saoto has never been wrong for choosing Sei"
I raised my face and saw Saoto smiling slightly as he looked at me. But for some reason my heart beat faster just by hearing that praise. My breathing felt heavier and for a moment my body felt strange. It was as if a desire arose in me. I wonder if there is something wrong with me right now.
"Eep?!!"
Saoto held my body with both his hands. I was a little surprised and hit his chest to tell him to put me down again. Saoto looked at me and said,
"Sei had calm down, right? If not, we can stay like this a little longer"
I was surprised to hear Saoto's answer. Instantly my hands stopped hitting his body and my cheeks started to blush. Apparently, Saoto is aware that I want to be touched and caressed by him. I turned my face away from his gaze while blushing.
"T-thank you. Sa-Saoto can now put Sei down"
Saoto slowly lowered me again. I turned my body away from him and held my reddened cheeks with both my hands while holding back the extreme feeling of embarrassment. In an instant, a familiar voice greet me and Saoto who were making out at the dining table a while ago.
"Did anything happen just now? Sei doesn't look well?"
("EEP?!!) (Shocked)
I'm not wrong. The voice I heard a moment ago was Mom's voice. I then turned my body to Mom while waving my hands in anxious.
"Nothing happened, Mom. Sei was just... surprised that a mouse passed in front of Sei earlier" (Anxious)
"It's just a rat. What to be scared of"
"Hehe..."
I grinned at Mom's face. Although it was so heavy for me to deceive her, I would be very embarrassed if I told her the truth. The tense atmosphere finally broke when Saoto, who had only been watching, began to speak.
"Hurry up, go take a shower and get ready. After eating, we'll get move"
"Okay, give me some time"
I hurried and left the table for a bath. During that time, I wondered what would await me during my journey with him.
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"Thanks for the food"
We all ate the food that I had served without leaving a single bit of it.
"Onii-Chan, when you come back here please teach Mitsua how to cook. Onii-Chan's food is so delicious"
I laughed a little to hear Mitsua's request. I then got up and collected all the containers that were used to eat the dish just now.
"Sure, but on a condition. Don't sleep next to Onii-Chan again"
"Onii-Chan..." (Sad)
Mitsua looked at me while snickering. I closed my mouth a little while laughing to see her behaving like that when she got teased. I then turned my gaze towards Saoto who I noticed had been staring at me for a long time.
"Hrmm, it's okay. I'll wait outside"
Saoto quickly got up from his chair and left the table. Maybe something is bothering him, I thought. I then speed up my works to immediately catch up with him. However, a hand pulled me slowly.
"Sei, Mom noticed lately that Sei nowadays is no longer the same as Sei used to be. Mom apologize since Mom and Mitsua can't teach Sei what it feels like to love and being loved. Mom can only teach Sei on how it feels to get love from Se-"
I stopped for a moment and held Mom's hand tightly with both of my hands. I looked at Mom with a full smile while tears welled up in my eyes.
"It's okay, Mom. Thanks to Mom and Mitsua, Sei knows how good it is to interact with each other"
"Sei, if Sei found out Sei really trusts him, Please don't hesitate to give Sei's whole heart to him. Although he is strong, he lacks something precious next to him"
I was shocked to hear Mom's advice. I have been betrayed in my life before. It really hurts. Despite that, it was different when I was with Saoto. My mood changed and I somehow calmed down every time I was by his side. Even though he may dump me one day, I still want to trust him for now. My instincts say so and I will not regret for choosing this path.
"Onii-Chan's smile isn't as scary as it used to be too"
"HUH?!!"
Mitsua looked directly at my face while smiling. I sighed when I heard that. Even though the feeling of anger is there, I am relieved that there is a change in myself. A change to better myself.
"Onii-Chan isn't angry?"
"No"
"If Mitsua call Onee-S-"
A knife flew and hit table right in front of Mitsua's body. My hand spontaneously threw it maybe because my smile now no longer caused any damage to her.
"Eek?!! Forgive Mtisua, Onii-Chan"
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"Finished already?"
Saoto asked me as soon as I appeared at the door.
"Yup"
I looked around the yard. There are no rides or whatsoever in my sight. We are just surrounded by an endless bush near the jungle. I looked at Saoto in wonder.
"Anu, Saoto. Where's the ride?"
Saoto looked pensive for a moment while think about something. Then he looked at me again with a small smile on his face.
"It's not bad to have a walk either. It's healthier" he replied without any guilt in his face.
"HUH?!!"
("Why am I here with this poor Great Demon King ") (Sad)
I became depressed as soon as I thought about the possibility of breaking my leg in the middle of the trip. I don't deny that I would be willing to face the long journey if I were still a man. But, I myself do not know my limits as a woman. It could just be that I fell down tired in the middle of the trip.
"Let's go"
"W-WHAT DO YOU MEAN L-LET'S GO? WE-WE WANT TO WALK IN THE HOT SUN FOR THE ENTIRE WAY THER-"
I was surprised as soon as I saw Saoto again. A blackish glowing magic circle was etched on the ground in front of where his feet stood. I then cupped my reddened cheeks while turning my body away from him in shame.
("He must have used magic some sort of magic to come here. Why didn't I even think a bit of it") (Shame)
"Did Sei really want to wear that shirt?"
I was surprised by Saoto's question and then looked at him in amazement. I was only wearing the clothes I used to wear when I was a boy, a ragged button-down shirt with long brown pants. Although I felt embarrassed because of its relatively large size, I had no other choice but to wear it so that no one could see my body. I couldn't possibly fit in Mitsua's clothes since my chest size was more tempting than hers and I didn't deny that. Mom also did not have any extra clothes because of our status that even nobles were not too wealthy.
"Why are you asking now? Sei has been wearing this shirt since the first time we met"
I asked while looking at him in puzzled.
"Well, wear this"
Saoto snapped his fingers before some strange light appeared and surrounded my body. In an instant the clothes I was wearing disappeared and turned into other clothes. But rather than like it, I was surprised to see the clothes I am wearing.
"W-WHY IS S-SEI WEARING THIS?!!" (Shocked)
I was surprised to see my body which instead of being covered with a beautiful and closed dress, was instead open and showed the curves of my body to him. The shirt I was wearing earlier has now changed to adult night activity clothes. I covered my exposed chest and bent down to look at the ground while holding back the feeling of extreme embarrassment.
"S-SORRY..."
Saoto snapped his fingers again causing the strange light to appear again while surrounding my body before changing the 'clothes' I was currently wearing into a short white blouse and tight black shorts that covered my body.
("Men sure are scary when they get there") (Trembled)
I put my hand on my chest still shocked by what had happened to me. I looked back at Saoto who looked worried even though his face remained flat.
"Fo-forgive Saoto, Sei. Saoto didn't intend to make Sei wear that dress. Saoto just never had the chance to give someone a gift since-".
Just by hearing it, I immediately understood every detail of Saoto's conversation. As a person who had faced a lot of humiliation and oppression, the power he has never thought of being used to benefit the other instead it was used to kill and defend himself from other people's attacks. I immediately hugged the body in front of me tightly while being moved and unknowingly shedding some happy tears.
"I-it's fine. Saoto already tried. Th-thank you"
I hugged the body in front of me tightly while slowly stroking the back of his body. Saoto, who was silent for a moment, returned my hug and gently stroked my head with his hand. My tail was wagging slowly and lovely showing that I adored the atmosphere that surrounds me at the moment.
Saoto let go of my arms before looked straight into my face.
"Let's get moving. If Sei feels bothered, we can walk-".
I covered Saoto's mouth quickly using both of my hands.
"J-just use magic" (Anxious)
I let go of my hand and played with my index finger while waiting for Saoto for an answer. I knew I was wrong to think we would walk all the way to his palace when he had prepared a more practical teleportation magic to use. I kept waiting for Saoto's answer who had been silent since earlier.
"Alright. Let's move, Sei"
Saoto held out his hand to me while smiling slightly at me. I quickly greeted his hand while returning his smile.
We are now standing on a magic circle that had been etched on the ground. For a moment it glowed black before we disappeared from the bushes surrounding the compound of the house.
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"Why do we end up walking towards it..." (Upset)
In an instant, Mom's house disappeared from my very eyes and was replaced by a view of a thick forest.
"Aik, have we arrived yet? Sei can't see anything here except the dense forest"
I looked around carefully. All around me was an endless forest. I looked at Saoto who remained silent as soon as we arrived here.
"What had happened?"
"Our trip was sabotaged by a party that prevented any teleportation straight out of The Kingdom. We should have arrived by now but it seems we are still in the Bloody Forest, the border of The Kingdom before entering Terror Canyon"
"Eep?!! How could they sabotage Saoto's magic-"
"This is not a job done by an individual but rather by a large group of people"
I was a little worried hearing Saoto's words. It seems like my day filled with romance will come to a halt since we are no longer safe. We were alerted by a group of parties who seemed to know Saoto's plan to take me away from The Kingdom at this time. I looked at Saoto nervously, feeling something bad was about to happen to me.
"Sei, don't be separated from Saoto. We will continue our journey out of The Kingdom"
Saoto held out his hand while looking at me with a slightly worried expression. I greeted his hand and obeyed him so that any unwanted incident at this time could be prevented.
The quiet atmosphere of the forest accompanies my every step. Saoto and I acted alert to any possibility that might happen. While walking, I asked the man who was leading me,
"Sa-Saoto, Saoto is a great magician, right?"
Saoto looked at me with a surprised expression. I kept quiet because it was possible that I had asked him something inappropriate. Regardless, I was really worried when I thought that a magician as great as Sei could still be sabotaged by other magicians. Not only that, everything that is happening right now seems to be more than just a coincidence makes my heart much more worried as soon as I think about it.
"Yes, why Sei doubting again?"
Deep in my heart, this feeling of extreme and unstoppable anxiety caused my tail to wag fast and repeatedly. Somehow just by hearing his answer, the things I was worried about are now becoming more and more real.
I who once believed completely in those who said 'love' were betrayed and it left a pain that will never subside deep in my heart.
I doubt Saoto who despite being a great mage can still be sabotaged by the other mage. However, I don't feel that the feelings that have formed between me and him all this time are just a mere lie. I still want to trust the man in front of me with all my of heart.
"Sei, don't worry. Please trust Saoto"
I was shocked to hear Saoto's advice. I don't know since when I put on a worried face that could be read clearly by him. Saoto gripped my hand tightly with both his hands and placed it on his chest.
"Sei, feels this" replied Saoto shortly.
At a glance, I felt his heart beating so fast even just by holding my hand. Saoto smiled a little while looking at me who had gradually calmed down.
Somehow I was very happy to know that his heart was beating fast because of me. Somehow all of my anxiety disappeared as soon as I looked at the face in front of me who kept smiling as an attempt to comfort me.
I hugged the body of the man in front of me tightly while shedding some tears. I gripped his shirt tightly with no intention of letting him go. Saoto who was a little shocked then accepted the hug while stroking my head gently.
"No need to worry, Sei. Hold Saoto's promise"
I looked at his face again with tears in my eyes. I slowly let go of my arms before wiping my eyes with my hands. Saoto grabbed my hand again while saying,
"Let's continue our journey, shall we?"
I nodded slowly at him in agreement. We began to step forward to continue the journey out of the Bloody Forest which is a war zone since it is the border that separates Terror Canyon and The Kingdom due to its dense forest.
The atmosphere of the forest was quiet again filled by the footsteps of me and Saoto who continued to walk without stopping. The distance to be covered is not too far so it is not necessary to rest to restore energy. Saoto and I bravely walked through the dense forest. Unbeknownst to me, Saoto's mouth was twitching as he recited something as soon as I looked directly at his face. I slowly pulled the back of his shirt to call him. Saoto, who was slightly shocked, remained silent before looking back at me who was next to him.
"What did Saoto recite earlier?"
I asked in amazement. Saoto then let out a heavy breath before looking at me while saying,
"There are several mages scattered in the forest right now. Even though they are far far away, each of them already deploys some kind of search magic as if they are looking for someone in this dense forest. Saoto only casts some finishing magic right where they are to confuse them. However, we finally will be found by them soon so Sei please be careful"
("Saoto is cheating. He can hit them from afar") (Surprised)
I looked at Saoto's face and was surprised to hear about our current situation from him which is not good at all. I nodded slowly at him before we continued our journey out of this forest.
We walked and kept walking until finally Saoto's steps that had been leading my hand since then stopped. The gripping atmosphere at this moment has finally arrived.
We are under siege.
I don't know why I seem to hear Saoto's voice calling me in my head.
("Sei")
("SEI")
I realized that I wasn't hallucinating about him but rather he was using some kind of magic to talk to me through my mind. I gripped Saoto's hand tightly as a sign that I heard him.
("Sei, please stayed by Saoto's side. They likely to-")
("Sei rejects Saoto's request. Sei will lend a hand")
Saoto seems shocked to hear my request. I then looked directly into his face while smiling at him before saying,
("Just as Sei trusts Saoto, Saoto has to trust Sei too")
Saoto smiled slightly while looking at me. My heart felt calm seeing Saoto who believed in me. My tail was wagging slowly and lovely in happiness. In an instant the quiet atmosphere of the forest was soon replaced by a loud shout.
"ATTACK!!!"
"TAKES THAT WOMAN!!!"
In an instant the cloudy sky was filled with glowing orange light caused by hundreds of fire magics that were released from all directions. Saoto and I split up after I took out the two blades of the knife that I always carry as an emergency defense and Saoto who continued to speed up while chanting a lot of spells.
In a glance, I saw as many as twenty mages joining forces to attack me with various types of magic. Even though my ability was greatly reduced due to the difference in stamina and my heavy chest hampered my movement a bit, I still managed to avoid all the magic that was launched at me while taking down all of them one by one.
Many trees fell and some even caught on fire. Craters formed in many places but I still managed to avoid each attack by relying on my agility that kept jumping from tree to tree while carrying two small and light knife in my hands.
Although many of them had fallen, those who remained still continued to attack me without stopping. I kept dodging and dodging until a large stone magic was shot at me from behind.
My blind spot.
"Sei, didn't Saoto tell you to be more careful?"
Saoto jumped out from my behind and deflected the attack aimed at me. However, I looked at him with a cynical smile.
("I thought that this would happen") (Grinning)
I drew both sides of my knife towards Saoto in readiness. Suddenly, the figure in front of me clapped his hands while laughing at me.
"Ahahaha. What a sharp instincts. I didn't think I'd be caught this early"
I realized that the witches kept attacking me didn't only intended to knock me down but also to bait me into being in a specific place so that they could ambush me. I'm pretty sure this guy in front of me right now is not Saoto since he has already given his full trust in me.
In an instant, the cloaking magic used by the figure that had been standing in front of me was worn off, revealing his true self. A knight with white hair and wearing white armor wielding his large sword that glowed white as it reflected some of the sunlight that hit it.
"I'm amazed a woman like you knows about the blind spot of a swordsmanship. You're even ready to hold your back even though you didn't know I'd come to interfere. However, it's all for naught when you face against me"
"Stop the nonsense already. Let the sword do the talking"
I kept staring at him with a blank look on my face. To hell with what he said. I didn't care a bit.
"I like your reaction"
"LET'S SEE HOW YOU WILL REACT WHEN I SCRATCH THAT BEAUTIFUL FACE OF YOURS"
The man kept speeding towards me at a high speed. I then dodged his sword stroke that quickly aimed at my face where I was standing while taking some distance. He burst out laughter before continuing,
"Maybe I underestimated you a little. LET'S SEE HOW LONG YOU CAN HOLD!!!"
A high-speed fight ensued between me and the armored man. Despite wearing that heavy armor, I admit the speed made me can't be complacent even in a second. One mistake, my life will fly away. I continued to dodge while wielding my knife to his greatsword.
We kept exchanging attacks with each other. Many trees fell and large craters formed as a result of our collision. For a moment our fight stopped when the armored man distanced himself while cracking his neck.
"I admit you managed to draw against me in a sword fight. BUT NOT IF I USE MAGIC"
I was silent as I waited for a counterattack from him. I realized that he only intended to test my abilities before using all of his strength.
"LET'S HAVE FUN ARIES"
In an instant, the great sword emitted a whitish light. I remained in a standby position waiting for any counter attack from him.
"What is the difference between the demon race and a Warrior like me? The demon race has its own privilege while the Warrior has a sword with its own abilities"
I was shocked to hear his explanation. He realized that I was a demon even though I hid my tail as best as I could.
Suddenly, I was shocked to see him already in front of me swinging his big sword in front of my face.
"DON'T SLACK OFF!!!"
Although I managed to dodge and distance myself, one of my knives broke and my hand was injured as soon as it hit his sword. Despite that, the sword did not stop cleaving everything in front of it. The tree behind me fell simultaneously as soon as it was hit with the sword. The greatsword was capable of cleaving everything in a single touched.
I fell down and tore the blouse I'm wearing and bandaged the serious wound on my hand.
"Don't expect that your man will come to help you right now. Many mages are deployed on him who is known as one of the Five Great Demon Kings. Even though he managed to get out alive from there, I bet he didn't have enough might to help you"
I grinned at his face while holding tightly to one side of my knife that was still intact. He is not a man that easy to defeat, I believe in that. I will also not end up dying here because he has given me all his trust. I then got up again and while pointing my knife at him in readiness.
"How amusing..."
The man quickly charged towards me.
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I was thrown several meters back after a fierce battle against the armored man in front of me. My breathing was so heavy and my body was lying weakly on the ground while the blood kept gushing out non-stop within my wound. Despite managing to avoid most of his fatal blows, the wounds all over my body had weaken me over time.
Even though it was hard to stay awake, I still forced myself to keep my eyes open. Dimly, I saw a man that I knew floating in the air while a glowing blackish greatsword hovered above him.
"Go to hell"