The Hero Became a Succubus, and the Only Way to Level is to… What?!
Chapter 416 – Avanessi Affairs

It was too much to hope that everything would immediately get better following Ortesia and the Cult of Lust and Depravity's defeat. In the days that followed, as Avanesse picked itself back up, a very obvious rift fractured among the people. After all, not everyone shared the same sentiments about their former occupiers.

Kanae, Edina, and Kris were helping to clear rubble from the road in The Commons when a lavish carriage belonging to an Avanessi nobleman passed by. Citizens picked up rocks to throw at the vehicle. They hurled insults and vitriol. Ortesian lapdop. Succubus' sex gimp. Traitor.

One stone shattered through the carriage's window. The people inside yelped for help. Things got worse when a few common folk intercepted it from the front.

"Did you sell us out, too?"

"What's Sultan Cerberus going to do about my missing parents?"

More and more gathered around the vehicle, and the situation was starting to turn violent as they threatened to knock it over.

"Stop!" Kanae stepped and charmed them all to back away. “Come on, guys. Hasn’t there been enough destruction?”

“What gives you the right? You’re an outsider AND a succubus. The same kind that made our lives a living hell!” a young human man cried with hurt in his voice.

“I think you’re forgetting something.” Edina stepped in to join Kanae. “We’re the ones that gave them the boot! Where in three hells is our thanks?”

“You want our thanks? How about—“ An angry woman thrusted a broken spear forward, only for Petyr to grab and twist it from her grasp.

Accompanying her was Tio, the elven alchemist, on a little cart pulled by a single Ronoa. He stood atop on the back to tower over everyone in order to get their attention.

"That's enough! Kanae and her friends have been nothing but helpful. They came with Rasheena, remember? They risked their lives for our lives." Tio gestured to the racks and racks of potions in the back of his cart. "I brewed as many healing potions as I could, free of charge. But if you insist on fighting and getting hurt over this, you can just forget it."

Tensions simmered down. People dropped their rocks and broken weapons back to the ground, and instead lined up to get a few potions from Tio. Kanae shooed the carriage away, and it sped off towards The Royal Grounds.

Unfortunately, this was happening all over Avanesse. They couldn't be everywhere at once to stop violence from breaking out.

Two factions had splintered Avanesse down the middle. The common people sided with Rasheena and the resistance that freed them from the cult. Then there were the ones who invited their occupiers into the country, the wealthy and ruling class, who sided with Sultan Cerberus to maintain power. It didn't help that Rasheena was rallying the people in demanding that her nephew step down and abdicate the throne to her.

Kanae sighed. They ended one civil war only for another to foment in its ashes.

"It isn't looking good," Petyr started. "If something isn't done soon, there will be a second rebellion and bloodshed."

"You don't have to tell me. It's pretty obvious. But we've already done what we came here to do. If we meddle in their affairs, we won't be any different than Ambrosia and the Ortesians," Kanae reasoned.

"You can't seriously believe that, considering how much we have already meddled. Cerberus needs help. They made a puppet out of him, and now he must take the fall for it? As if life couldn't be more unfair to him," she fired back.

Edina shook her head. "The dude already had his chance. He just needs to step down. 'Sides, Rasheena looks like she knows what she's doing. At least she's on the ground helping people, not holed up in a big palace."

Petyr and Edina butted heads, arguing against each other. Kanae had a pretty good idea why Petyr wanted to help Sultan Cerberus, given her predilections. In the end, they were both right. There wasn't a right answer. The current sultan was weak. Rasheena was the opposite. She was strong, forward, and took actions into her own hands. As they speak, she and the resistance were cleaning up the mess back in The Claw. But Cerberus had been manipulated all this time. It wasn't fair to lay all the blame on him. However, it didn't matter what anyone thought. If things continued, Rasheena would undoubtedly seize power sooner rather than later.

Kanae spotted a lone dark elven man on the curb loading debris into the back of his wagon. She flagged him down and asked if he could bring them to Isha Palace. He turned out to be really sleazy, only agreeing to do it for a quickie. The two entered a dirty alley, where Kanae dropped her clothes and let him go at it. She finished him off with a blowjob as a bonus.

"Guys! Quit arguing and get on. We're going to Isha Palace!" Kanae waved to her arguing companions.

"Me, too?" Kris asked.

"The Cult of Lust and Depravity were occupying it for a while. You can ask around if maybe Jhene and Elaine left those cylindrical keys behind," she explained.

Kris and Edina hopped into the back of the wagon crowded with rubble. Petyr, on the other hand, also wanted to go but hesitated to leave Tio's side.

"I'll be fine! The people know me since I buy from the bazaars a lot. Thank you for guarding me!" Tio smiled.

It was like a cupid shot an arrow through Petyr's heart. She climbed into the back with the other two, and the wagon set off towards The Royal Grounds. No one bothered them heading into the next district. Everyone was too busy picking their lives back up to care, and the wagon wasn't extravagant enough to warrant attention from the angry populace.

They crossed the bridge leading to Isha Palace's entrance and stopped in front of a stretch of ice. It seemed Avanessi mages had created an ice bridge over the section Petyr destroyed during the siege. The driver looked reluctant to cross, so Kanae and the others jumped off to walk the rest of the way.

"Not another step!" Guards drew their weapons at their approach.

"We're here to seek an audience with Sultan Cerberus!" Kanae announced.

None of them backed down until another guard in a more decorated lamellar ordered them to.

"These are the same people who rescued Sultan Cerberus yesterday. I was there when it happened. Still…" The large equine beastman turned to Kanae. "You came to the city with Rasheena, and you yourself are a succubus with the company of a high elf. Surely, you understand our reluctance."

"I promised your sultan that I'd protect him. I want to help him find a way to make Avanesse whole again. If you're going to turn us away, at least tell him that it's rude to ignore the Queen of the Commonwealth and a Knight of Color from Radevic," Kanae explained.

Their eyes snapped open, and they began whispering amongst themselves. At the very least, they recognized the titles. Whether or not that was a good thing, Kanae would find out soon enough.

"Very well. Follow me and do not stray. I cannot guarantee your safety otherwise," he said.

They breathed a sigh of relief and followed the guardsman into the grand vestibule of Isha Palace. Kanae hadn't entered this way last time, since she flew in from the upper floors. The great corridors were covered with dirt and bootprints trampled over beautiful murals. Statues that once stood tall lay broken in many pieces on the ground. Servants and guards alike swarmed the place to quickly tidy everything up.

A group of noblemen stormed down the corridor in a huff. Guards corralled them to the exist.

Kanae thought Sultan Cerberus might be in the playground room and expected to take the long way up. However, the palace guard led them to an open garden. Oasis water ran along small channels on the floor. Giant ferns and palms looked frozen in time. They didn't sway because the tall palace walls that surrounded the garden blocked any and all breeze. Instead of sand, a moist and saturated soil filled the entire floor.

Someone tapped Kanae on the back. She paused to let the others and the guard walk ahead of her.

"Anything suspicious happen?" Kanae whispered.

"Up for discussion," Alicia answered quietly. "Claudia and I have remained undetected, thankfully. Sultan Cerberus only travels between his bedchamber, the playground, and this garden every day. So far, Rasheena has not made any moves. Neither has the assassin, Romira. Those of great affluence have regularly made visits, but he continues to turn them away, much to their dismay."

"We haven't been able to find the other edirashoks either. Think they might be in a dungeon. Or our dear sisters whisked them away with the temple," Claudia added.

"Thanks for the update. Stay stealthed and keep an eye out just in case," she replied before hurrying to catch up.

They found Sultan Cerberus behind a row of elite palace guards, sitting on a little sandstone terrace that overlooked a pond teeming with minnows. He reached into a jar and tossed flakes of fish feed in. His lips creased into a smile every time they swam to the surface to eat. The guard who led them here ascended the steps to the terrace and whispered to him.

"So, you're a queen. And a knight of Radevic. You repelled Avanesse's occupiers just to take their place?" Sultan Cerberus turned around and asked.

"You should also know Highgreen and Talahurah are permitted to exist autonomously under the Commonwealth. But no, I'm not here to rule over you. I originally came to Savir to rescue a fellow knight, Sivvy Brenhallow, the Knight of Red. Circumstances landed me in Bravost, and then in Avanesse," Kanae explained.

"Your point?"

"I don't have a bone in the power struggle between you and your aunt. I really don't. I only agreed to help her cause because Ortesians and the cult were involved. I'm still here because I want to help Avanesse move towards a peaceful solution. What's it going to take?" she asked.

"I…" He tossed some more flakes into the water to watch the fishes again. "I am thinking of stepping down like Rasheena asked. The truth is, I'm just so tired. The people don't want me… but the nobility are trying to convince me to stay in power."

"They fear the repercussions of their actions should Rasheena become Sultana of Avanesse. Cowards. No different than Ortesian lords." Petyr spat on the ground.

That must have been what the commotion was about on their way here earlier. It sounded like the choice could only be between Rasheena or Cerberus, but—

"What if you two stood by tradition and married? Neither the people nor the nobility can complain then," Kanae argued.

"Or better yet, marry me," Petyr insisted.

"What?" Cerberus squinted at her.

"Don't make me regret bringing you… Anyway." She returned her attention to the sultan. "I've been traveling with Rasheena. It's obvious that a part of her still loves you."

Cerberus blushed.

It just occurred to Kanae right then that she was encouraging Avanessi royalty's incestuous tradition. She put a hand to her face and sighed. Still, that was the best solution given the circumstances.

"What do you stand to gain, Queen of the Commonwealth?" Cerberus cleared his throat and asked.

"To get your help in rescuing the Knight of Red, who's in the clutches of the Harpy King and Elusis. Unlike you and Sultana Dudula, the Harpy King seems bent on ruling over all of Savir. You were being controlled by Ortesia and the cult. Sultana Dudula only acted out of paranoia. For the three of us, we share a common enemy," Kanae explained.

He thought for a moment and said, "You make a compelling point. Guard, send word to The Claw and ask Rasheena to meet here. Make it known to her that she comes alone."

Three guards broke off from them to fulfill his orders.

"Psst. Kanae, can we ask him about the you-know-whats?" Kris whispered.

"Is something the matter?" Sultan Cerberus asked.

"My friend is looking for something the succubi might have left behind. They stole it from Sultana Dudula's vaults in Bravost. It's a bunch of stone cylinders with odd markings on them," Kanae tried describing them in greater detail, but the objects were something one needed to see to understand.

Fortunately, Sultan Cerberus' eyes lit up in recognition.

"I do recall seeing them in Jhene's possession once. I'll have servants search their former quarters. Perhaps something will turn up," he said.

Meanwhile, Cerberus invited them to eat lunch with him. The guards were nervous having their liege so close to whom they perceived as enemies. Petyr tried to cozy up to him, but he was completely oblivious to her advances.

A few hours passed by before Rasheena arrived at Isha Palace. They held an audience in Sultan Hold, the throne room. Water flowed into a crystal clear channel along the sides of the chamber. The 'throne' seat itself was a large cushion with woven golden tassels on an elevated platform.

Large windchimes hung from the ceiling, and they played a pleasant tune from wind blowing in from open slats in the walls. 

Sultan Cerberus sat cross legged atop the throne, staring down at them from above. Palace guards formed a defensive perimeter around him. There were more to the side of Rasheena, making it clear who they believed was the bigger threat.

"Nephew." Rasheena nodded.

"Aunt Rasheena, I've granted you an audience because Kanae has brought a rather curious proposal to me. That you and I should marry," Cerberus said.

"What?" She gasped, her cheeks taking on a slight shade of red. "Kanae, you… What is the point? Sultan, the people have turned against you. The crown is nothing without its subjects. You invited the succubi and the imperials into our jewel, and they enslaved our citizens. Moreover…" The woman bared her fangs. "You dared cast me away in favor of a succubus. As if I can look at you the same way again."

"Oooh! Incest romance drama! Huuu~" Edina cheered.

Kanae elbowed the squirreling in the gut.

"I didn't even have a choice. And you left me to rule alone. If anything, I should imprison you for dereliction of duty. Commander Rasheena dir Khalid. Even the royal army rejects you for abandoning your post," Cerberus growled.

"For the greater good. How many Avanessi were taken aboard the cultist temple? Did you even see what happened in Vanuis? Your leadership has—"

"I can't stand to hear you two bicker anymore. Just stop arguing and kiss already!" Kanae groaned.

The Blade of the First Temptress glowed with magical energy. She realized too late, having accidentally casted Charm. Both Cerberus and Rasheena tensed up. He descended from the throne, and his aunt approached the platform. The palace guards were completely dumbfounded, unsure what to do since their sultan was meeting Rasheena in the middle… and started making out in front of everyone, tongue and all.

"Mm… Cerberus…" Rasheena cooed his name affectionately between smooches.

"Hahh… Aunt… Rasheena… " Cerberus melted in her embrace.

Oh, shit. Oh, shit. Oh, shit. If the guards found out what happened, this wasn't going to end well.

"Why, uh… Why don't you two take it to the bedroom? Clearly, there's a lot for you guys to unpack and work out. In private." Kanae cleared her throat.

They recomposed themselves.

"Good idea. Come, Nephew." Rasheena took his hand.

"What? Wait, that's not fair!" Petyr tried to go after them, but Kanae held her back.

"S-Stop! I accidentally charmed them. Just let it happen, and we'll check on them later," Kanae whispered.

"Kuh. Damn it." She squeezed her fists and resisted.

Kanae came back later at night with Petyr and Kris. Edina stayed back in The Claw, joining Renya with the dredges of society where they felt most comfortable with.

This time around, the palace guards were more than fine with escorting them in. They ascended to the fourth floor of Isha Palace, less fortified but more lavish than the rest. Long carpets stretched for hundreds of feet. Golden chandeliers shined a light down on the corridors. One chamber even contained numerous exotic birds singing within their cages.

Exploring Isha Palace would have to come later. Kanae needed to dispel the Charm from them and beg for forgiveness. Kris also wanted to see if the palace servants did indeed find the underground temple keys.

Oddly enough, the guards only brought them up to the hallway and stopped. They were going to have to walk the rest of the way to the sultan's bedchamber.

"You're telling me no one is standing guard?" Kanae asked.

"Sultan's orders. I'm not going to be the one to disobey." The man shrugged.

Alicia and Claudia should be invisible guarding them though. That hunch proved true when they neared the large bedchamber doors.

"Are you sure you want to go inside? They have been rather busy," Alicia said coquettishly.

"It's been six hours!" Kanae exclaimed.

"Whaddya think would happen, casting such strong magic on them?" Claudia laughed.

Kanae gulped. She hesitated to knock and had to force herself to. The door swung open. A naked and disheveled Rasheena answered them. Her brilliant black and gray fur was covered in spunk, hair matted with sweat, and panting like a bitch in heat. Cerberus was thrusting into her from behind. Both of them were lost to pleasure.

"By the Supreme One's ass. I didn't need to see this." Petyr looked away and groaned.

"Hello, Kanae… Can we help you? We're… nngh… kind of busy," Rasheena explained.

"I'm sorry to do this to you, but…" Kanae ended the effects of Charm.

They came to their senses just as Cerberus orgasmed and ejaculated into Rasheena.

"What… What have I done?" Cerberus panted.

"By the gods. Kanae…" Rasheena looked her in the eyes.

"I know I messed up. I'm willing to accept any punishment, but I really do want you two to make amends!" Kanae cried.

"Messed up?" The hell hound woman threw an arm around Cerberus' shoulders. "You rekindled the flame in my heart! Isn't that right, my little cub?"

"I'm so tired… but I want to do… more…" He buried his face between her breasts.

"Oh, my!" Kris turned bright red. "Well, Kanae. I think you resolved their friction!"

Kanae felt a weight lift from her shoulders. Did Rasheena and Cerberus really reconcile their differences by fucking the entire day? She did force Lilith and Zadris to have sex when they started hating each other, and that did solve some of their animosity.

"Is there anything else? Cerberus and I would like to get back to mating. We have an heir to produce." Rasheena gave his balls a little squeeze and squirted out some fresh jizz.

"You know what? We can come back later," Kanae said.

They decided to retire for the night and bring up the matter of the keys tomorrow. Kanae didn't want to stray too far from the palace, so a chamberlain escorted her and Kris to separate guest rooms a floor down. Petyr, defeated after seeing Cerberus choose his aunt, departed from the palace to shack up with Tio.

Night fell and Kanae slumped into bed with a sense of accomplishment. The next step was to bridge an alliance between Avanesse and Bravost. Together, Elusis and the Harpy King wouldn't have the strength to conquer them even with their elemental infusions.

As her eyelids grew heavier, someone frantically knocked on the door to her room.

"Kanae! Kanae, please! Wake up!" Alicia's voice came through from the other side.

Kanae raced over and threw the door open to find Alicia and Claudia.

"What happened?" Kanae asked.

"It's Rasheena and Cerberus. They're gone!" Alicia cried.

"You two were in front of their room! How?!"

They exchanged nervous glances.

"It was just for half an hour," Claudia began anxiously. "I mean, they were having sex all day, it got us all hot and bothered. We snuck off for some sexy time, but when we came back, it was dead quiet in there. Alicia picked the lock to look inside… and they were nowhere to be seen! What do we do? You think assassins got to them?"

"No… It's Rasheena. It has to be. She wants to go through with the plan to end the sun's curse by sacrificing Cerberus." Kanae cursed under her breath for not seeing this sooner.

Claudia looked past Kanae and gasped.

"Get down!" Claudia shoved her to the floor. Two crossbow bolts struck her chest. She fell to her knees, petrified and unable to move except to blink.

"Claudia!" Alicia stared at the venom coated on the bolts. "Venom. Romira!"

"Tsk, tsk, tsk. The better assassin comes out on top. Rasheena knew better than to come alone and asked me to tag along. One succubus down. Two more to go."

One by one the candles blew out, plunging the room in darkness.