The Hero Became a Succubus, and the Only Way to Level is to… What?!
Chapter 402 – The Beauty, the Beast, and the Temple

The very next morning, all of Avanesse buzzed with energy, trepidation, and excitement. Sultan Cerberus would be giving a speech at The Royal Grounds around noon. Everyone knew that it was going to be an official declaration of war against Bravost and Elusis. Tensions in Savir had reached a boiling point. Escalating attacks between the three splintered nations could only end in one way.

Rasheena had arranged a carriage to bring them into The Royal Grounds. Normally, the district wasn't open to the common folks. The rich and powerful hid themselves behind a large wall as if the natural canyons weren't enough.

Before then, however, Kanae returned to Odika's edirashem to put something away. She entered the manor to find Chester sitting at the foot of the bed where she left him. The many eyes of the mimic snapped open, and he jumped onto her like a cheerful puppy. But the weight of a whole chest knocked her down.

"Ow… Chester, I'm happy to see you, too…" Kanae groaned.

The mimic responded by licking her face. His hot saliva was starting to get Kanae into the mood, but she resisted temptation. The Collar of Domination was supposed to just subjugate low-level beasts and monsters. Now that she thought back, it seemed like controlling them this way put them into heat. Maybe it was just her imagination.

"I have a special task for you, boy. There are evil people in this city that want to take your master's toy. It's a powerful weapon, but I don't want to risk them getting their hands on it. I need you to keep it safe." Kanae pulled Cockcalibur from her pussy dripping with juices.

Chester immediately fired out his tongue to snatch the dildo, gulping it down. She had him return to the corner and continue pretending to be a regular chest.

Having Cockcalibur in hand might give Kanae an edge against Ambrosia, Jhene, and Elaine. But with the flying temple right above the city, it wasn't worth chancing. If it fell into their hands, who knew how screwed things were going to get.

Kanae patted the mimic, then made her way to Odika's mansion. The edirashok himself was absent since he had been at the Meeting of Sands all night yesterday. Fortunately, she had charmed Durok ahead of time, and the minotaur forewagon conductor came down to meet her. Not to have sex this time though. He led her down to the prison. Not a single guard batted an eye at them. They probably thought Kanae and Durok were acting on Rasheena's behalf.

In a steel-reinforced cell at the back of the dungeon, Praijya sat cross-legged in meditation. The Left Talon of the Harpy King opened her eyes and regarded them with a nod and awaited orders. Although she had been enthralled, it was still going to be a gamble to bring her out. Ambrosia was a Hypnotist, which might have a skill or spell that can deal with her.

The gamble was worth the risk. They needed to rescue Claudia.

"Open the cell. And bring her equipment," Kanae told the dark elven warden, who had accompanied them in.

"Are… Are you sure?" He looked to the forewagon conductor for confirmation.

"Do it," Durok said.

The warden swallowed hard. His hands shook the entire time opening it. To him, he was freeing one of Avanesse's greatest enemies. Even the assurance that Praijya wouldn't do anything wasn't enough to put him at ease. When the cell door swung open, he took several large steps back.

Praijya emerged and stretched her massive wings until the joints popped. The guard sent to fetch her belongings returned with the four-foot long claw gauntlets. She picked them up and smiled now that they were back in her possession. Since the Enthrall spell didn't rewrite someone's personality, she must be feeling pretty thrilled right now.

"Expecting another fight?" Praijya asked.

"Not right now, but soon. Claudia's been hypnotized. Once the fighting starts, you're going to break her free," Kanae explained.

"As long as I can wet my claws in some bloodshed while at it, your wish is my command." She slipped the gauntlets on and smirked.

The warden gave Praijya a cloak to throw over herself to stay hidden. She and Kanae took a carriage ride back into the city just in time. The others were getting ready to leave for The Royal Grounds

Rasheena waved to them from a large mahogany carriage with gold accents and pulled by six ronoas. The only other people Kanae saw get on were Petyr, Kris, Renya, and Alicia.

"Where's Edina?" Kanae asked.

"Haven't seen her all morning." Rasheena shrugged.

"I saw Edina venturing towards The Commons earlier. Perhaps she is searching for Riben Crow and the Necronomicon?" Alicia suggested worriedly.

"Damn it, Edina…" She muttered under her breath. "We're just going to have to hope she doesn't get into any trouble."

Praijya couldn't come. Her face and stature was too recognizable, so Kanae had the harpy stay at the tavern. They set off to The Royal Grounds, reaching their first checkpoint at the wall that surrounded the district of lords, nobles, and wealthy. A long line of people and carriages waited to be inspected by gate guards before being let in. Most were turned away.

The carriage in front of Kanae's started a shouting match with the guards. Eventually, the occupant handed them a large pouch of gold and were permitted to enter. It finally came time for their turn. One guard beat his fist against the carriage.

"Name and status!" he exclaimed.

"I won't speak to anyone but Captain Kamil." Rasheena put on a high-pitched, indignant voice that was completely unlike her.

"Tough, lady. If you're not going to identify yourself, then turn back," the guard huffed.

"Then I shall stay here and hold up the entire line. Let's see how your superiors like that." She folded her arms.

"Hey, you can't just… Tsk."

Several of the guards whispered amongst each other until the one who talked to Rasheena walked off. He returned a minute later with a middle-aged Arkesian man, bald and lanky, in better equipment than the others. A white cloak around his shoulders signified him as someone of higher rank.

"Okay, what seems to be the problem?" Captain Kamil sighed.

"Finally! Someone who isn't rabble. Greetings, Captain." Rasheena cleared her throat and spoke normally in a hushed manner. "Would you be so kind as to allow your old friend Rasheena through?"

"Let them pass! Sultan Cerberus' announcement begins soon. Do not keep the noble lady waiting," he ordered the guards and cleared them from the path.

They continued into The Royal Grounds unbothered, down the thoroughfare leading up to Isha Palace and the oasis that surrounded it. Their carriage entered an enormous plaza filled to the brim with thousands of people and dozens of carriages, all facing an elevated stage. The ominous flying temple levitated precariously above the palace, visible behind the ribbons of canopy fabric that shielded the city from the sun.

Rasheena had their driver steer closer to the front, where the other carriages were parked. Avanessi guards with long spears, more ornamental than practical in a fight, stood between the stage and everyone else. A quick look around and Kanae could tell anyone this far up to the stage must be someone important. But from here, they had the perfect view of Sultan Cerberus. A wide window on the side of the carriage allowed them to watch without getting out.

"What's Cerberus like?" Kanae asked.

"An inept ruler. Naive. Too young to be leading a country," Rasheena said.

"No." She shook her head. "Not as a leader. What's he like as a person?"

The hell hound woman blinked as if snapped from a daze. She lifted both hands and stared at her two palms.

"A runt. I held him once. Cerberus, what a strong name. Yet he was so small and frail as a cub, I could crush him by simply closing my hands. The poor cub suffered a fever a week after. Stunted his growth ever since. Our race, hell hounds, must be strong. He would never grow to be strong, but his parents loved him all the same," Rasheena explained.

"What about you? Do you love him?" Kanae pressed her.

"I hope you don't plan on lecturing me about family. Of course, I do. Cerberus is my nephew. My brother and his wife's beloved son. But Avanesse is our beloved country, whose people need a strong leader. He isn't strong," she said dishearteningly.

"A true family would never abandon each other. I don't believe that you love your nephew." Alicia scoffed.

Rasheena reached into her tunic and pulled out a silver locket. She pressed a button in the back, causing it to spring open. A thumbnail sized tooth encased in resin rested inside. The woman stared upon it fondly.

"This is Cerberus' baby fang, given to me when he first lost it biting down on roast boar ribs. I don't need you to believe me. The pain in my heart is proof enough. I have to watch my Cerberus marry a wicked succubus bitch. It should have been me!" Rasheena growled.

"What?" everyone in the carriage uttered at the same time.

"Hm? Oh, I've forgotten these are foreign lands to you. In royal Avanessi traditions, the future sultan marries their aunt. Similarly, a future sultana marries their uncle. My brother wedded our maternal aunt," she said as a matter of factly.

"Maybe that's why Cerberus is stunted! Your family is inbreeding!" Kanae complained.

The murmurs erupted into cheers outside. They turned in the direction of Isha Palace as a procession made its way out across the land bridge. Servants carried a large palanquin with a hell hound boy and a succubus sitting atop it. Marching behind them were Ortesian knights, led by Arnault Pyrelle, who had the usual smug high elven grin on his face. A swarm of succubi flew in pace from above them, headed by Ambrosia, Jhene, and Claudia.

Sultan Cerberus had deep dark fur and a fine, lighter gray coat on his bare abdomen. He wore neither a shirt or tunic, and instead sported an ankle-length ivory skirt and around his scrawny frame. A beautiful gold embroidered sash wrapped around his waist, including a buckle in the shape of the sun. The sultan of Avanesse wore a red and white turban in place of a crown.

Just as Rasheena had described, Cerberus was… small. He stood at a meager four feet and looked tiny next to Elaine, who wasn't even tall. At eighteen years of age, he had a boyish face but the tired eyes of an adult. His crimson irises were faded compared to the bright fervor in Rasheena's. Short hair framed somewhat gaunt cheeks. Even the outlines of his ribs were visible.

"I… I want him!" Petyr planted her face against the window.

"You're blocking the view!" Renya created multiple clones to yank the elf away.

The servants put the palanquin down on the elevated stage and stayed in the kneeling position. Arnault and the Ortesians filled to the left and the succubi to the right. Ten edirashoks flanked their sultan, five to each side. Their presence was imposing and intimidating, the envy of all, and deeply respected. They were of greater status than a common lord.

Kanae readily recognized three of them. Odika, Levain, and Zayn. Seeing the latter made her pussy a little runny, recalling how much they had sex during her transformation.

"Hey, they can't see us… right?" Kanae asked nervously.

"Impossible. The glass is tinted and can't be looked in from the outside," Rasheena assured them.

As soon as Cerberus stepped off the palanquin, the citizens in The Royal Grounds came to a hush. Only the canopies whipping against the winds dared to continue.

"For too long," Sultan Cerberus began in a voice that took strength to muster, "Bravost and Elusis have looked down upon us. Attacked our way of life. Endangered what we held dear. Many of you are old enough to know my mother and father. That made you more fortunate than I, who lost them before I could really know them. They were assassinated to try and weaken Avanesse. Our enemies believed an inexperienced pup could not stand against them. They called me the 'Mutt of Avanesse'. But I say to them— even a mutt has fangs!"

Deafening cheers reverberated so loudly, that even those beyond The Royal Grounds joined from afar.

"Avanesse has fangs!" he shouted.

Emotion and passion filled the crowds that the people started tearing up or turned red in the face. A runt couldn't do this. Cerberus had real charisma.

The sultan continued, "There will be some among you who look to my left and right and think I've become a puppet. Do not believe in such hogwash propaganda. The Empire of Ortesia and the Cult of Lust and Depravity are our allies. They are proof that Avanesse can grow stronger through diplomacy. In ancient times, our ancestors walked hand in hand with succubi. Now that their race has returned, it is high time we join hands again. Which is why I will cast aside the tradition of marrying an aunt and wed the succubus, Elaine. Our union heralds the beginning of a new era! Your future Sultana!"

Elaine stepped forward to grab Cerberus' outstretched hand. Both of them basked in the cheers and applause of Avanesse's ruling class. Meanwhile, Rasheena and Petyr fumed quietly out of jealousy.

"Thank you, my sultan." Elaine smiled, then turned her attention to the people. "Look above you." She directed everyone to the floating temple. "Do not fear your enemies. With the edirashoks' support, we control the land to crush Bravost's vast armies and mercenaries. With the temple and succubi, we control the skies to send the Elusis and Harpy King's forces to the ground. Avanesse will triumph, and Sultan Cerberus will become the Grand Sultan of Savir!"

The succubi swarm soared over the plaza in a show of force. A hundred of them, each one capable of charming a squad of enemy soldiers into fighting their fellows. Enough to sow chaos in any disciplined army. Their aerial parade drew even greater cheers as the citizens felt safer under the shadows of their wings than the canopies.

"I hate to admit it, but they know how to work a crowd," Kanae said.

"I refuse to believe Cerberus is saying that of his own volition! That succubus must have him charmed. Or is feeding him words to say…" Rasheena glared spitefully at her.

Arnault stepped forward in all his haughtiness. "Citizens of Avanesse, I come as a representative of the Empire of Ortesia. I hope to earn your trust and prove that the empire truly means for an alliance, not a vassalship. As a token of our alliance, I've worked hard to discover the snakes in your midsts. There are those plotting against you right in Avanesse. More specifically, in The Claw."

Kanae shot a look at Rasheena, who was just as surprised. Their scheme had been found out somehow. 

"Hang them!"

"Bring the traitors to justice!"

"Fuck their asses in public!"

The citizens overwhelmingly agreed with the few shouts of violence from the masses. Cerberus raised a hand to silence them.

"You are all undoubtedly correct. Which is why our new allies will prove themselves by bringing the traitors to heel," Cerberus said, and from his side, Elaine nodded to her sisters.

Avanessi soldiers pushed shackled captives to the foot of the stage. At a glance, there were maybe 200 people in total. Some Kanae recognized from the inn as Rasheena's resistance forces and others who looked terribly frightened and possibly innocent.

"You, too." Jhene flew up to Odika and lifted him off his feet.

"What? Wait! What's going on? Sultan Cerberus?" Odika looked to the ruler for help.

"I have reason to believe you're in league with Sultan Cerberus' aunt, Rasheena," Arnault answered in the sultan's stead.

"N-Nonsense. I would never! I'm loyal to Sultan Cerberus. I-I supported your declaration for war," he exclaimed desperately.

Jhene let Odika down with the other prisoners, and the guards brandished spears to keep them from trying to escape.

Elaine gestured for everyone to look up at the temple again. "A single succubus can compel numerous people, but not an army. An army of succubi can compel a nation. But that requires an absurd amount of mana. With this, however, we can control the world in perpetuity. Witness first hand the might of the Cult of Lust and Depravity."

The floating temple pulsed with visible magic. Kanae felt the hair on her skin stand. Everyone in the carriage shuddered as the strange energy rippling through the air passed through them.

"What happened?" Kris gasped. "Was that supposed to do something? I feel perfectly fine though!"

"But they don't." Kanae pointed to Odika and the captives, all of whom kneeled before Sultan Cerberus, Elaine, and those on the stage.

"The loyal and faithful will be free. The rest? Let them be cattle!" Elaine boomed, followed by another wave of raucous cheers.

Kanae cursed under her breath, only to suddenly feel the chill of someone staring at her. Everyone in the carriage was too stunned to be paying attention to her. She scanned the stage and locked eyes with Ambrosia, who blew a kiss this way and smiled.

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