I Became an Incubus, So I'll Dive into Dreams and Give Life Advice However I Want! - Chapter 23: Who is He?

Chapter 23: Who is He?

By entering Exis’s dream and having a conversation with her, I was able to sort things out to some extent. 

It became clear that Exis had an unusually strong affection for me, sparked by my act of saving her.

However, that didn’t necessarily mean anything would change between us. I explained to her that she was human and I was a demon, which meant we couldn’t be together… But even so, she shook her head, refusing to give up, and Aria, while saying she would never hand me over, seemed to be enjoying herself.

“That girl was interesting, wasn’t she?”

Aria even mentioned this after waking up from the dream, indicating that she had taken a liking to Exis.

“I want to become a bridge that connects humans and demons. Of course, not all humans can become that, and it’s the same for demons. But for the sake of ushering in a new world, bringing about unprecedented change… Lyre-sama, as well as Aria-san… I want to be on good terms with demons like you.”

Exis said, renewing her determination.

It’s a fact that humans and demons have a history of conflict… However, it seems that she is aware that there are humans who actually want to get along with demons. Exis will soon begin to take action alongside the prince in earnest.

(Come to think of it, I heard something similar before…)

There are humans who want to be on good terms and have discussions with demons. I learned about this when I was walking through the village and was informed by two succubus sisters… Well, it’s much more reassuring than fighting, that’s for sure.

“Wait!”

“What’s wrong?”

Aria, who stayed close by my side, tilted her head in confusion. Apart from Exis, there was something else I needed to mention again.

“Aria, about the conditions for entering my dreams… It might involve having a relationship with me… Can you not mention it?”

“I understand. It’s not something I would willingly bring up… Well, since I’m a succubus, I can understand the sentiment behind it. But maybe because I’ve been with Lyre all this time, my perspective has changed a bit.”

“Oh?”

“I don’t like the idea of Lyre being with someone without me knowing… It bothers me a bit, except for Lilith-sama and Mother.”

Ah, so she’s fine with Mother and Nanaly-san, huh? 

Well, they are indeed the only ones who can be considered as close to Aria, but if asked whether I want a relationship to that extent, it’s quite difficult.

It’s because the affection from Mother and Nanaly-san is just too overwhelming.

“…?”

As I pondered about such things, I noticed that there was commotion in the village. 

Aria and I exchanged glances, wondering what might have happened… And then, a young succubus with large breasts passed by in front of our house and noticed us.

“Oh, Lyre-kun and Aria-chan!”

“Hey.”

“Good morning. Did something happen?”

Aria asked, and the girl nodded while her adorable twin tails swayed.

“Princess Slime is coming! It was sudden, so everyone is in a rush!”

“Oh.”

“I see.”

Princess Slime… it means exactly what it sounds like.

Just as this world is filled with various magical creatures, there are naturally beings known as slimes living here. 

However, they are not the round, cute creatures often depicted in games—slimes in this world are assigned genders, with both males and females existing.

“I wonder what she’s here for.”

“I have no idea.”

“Hmm, that person has a tendency to come and visit on a whim, right? So I assume that’s the case today too.”

Saying that, the succubus named Sui left.

It’s not unusual for the Slime Princess to visit the succubus village. However, since my presence is concealed and I, as an incubus, don’t reveal myself to interact with other species in the first place, I have never met her. In this situation, I can’t leave.

“Aria, stay by my side today.”

“You don’t have to ask. You won’t be able to leave until the princess returns, and I’ll wrap you up in a way that your faint magical presence won’t be sensed.”

Well, slimes are not generally intelligent beings, so I’m not particularly concerned. 

Although they possess abilities to a lesser extent than succubi, they are a species with a strong position among the demonic races. Underestimating a slime, like the ones that appear in the early stages of the adventure games I played in my past life, would quickly lead to being killed… That’s how slimes in this world are.

“What was the name of the Slime Princess?”

“Minyun.”

“Oh, right. That’s her name.”

Minyun… it’s a name that has a softness to it, just like a slime. 

According to what I’ve heard, let’s refer to her as Princess Minyun. Despite her position as the Slime Princess, she has an admiration for my mother, so she occasionally comes to visit.

Slimes primarily dissolve their prey regardless of gender, but there are some who utilize their gelatinous bodies to forcefully invade the bodies of the opposite sex, creating a completely R-18 scenario.

“Demonic races aren’t a unified group… but Mother, who has a wide circle of friends, is truly remarkable.”

“Yeah. I really think Lilith-sama is amazing.”

From there, we spent the time without doing anything in particular, and no issues arose. When Nanaly-san came to check on us at one point, she apologized for making us feel cramped, but I assured her that it was not a concern.

By the time night fell, it seemed that the Slime Princess had returned home, and Aria, who had stayed by my side the whole time, also left.

“What were you talking about?”

“It wasn’t anything significant. It seems like those useless brutes, like ogres, orcs, dragons, and demons, are causing a ruckus.”

“Oh?”

“It’s not only among themselves, but they’re involving others as well. From the perspective of those being dragged into it, it’s quite bothersome. They should just die.”

“…You say that quite casually.”

“I do. They’re nothing but idiots who can only hinder the demonic races.”

“…”

It’s quite rare to see Mother express it so strongly.

However, I understand her feelings well—no matter where we go, we, who belong to the demonic side, are categorized as demonic beings. It’s true that when a part of them goes on a rampage, it reflects poorly on all demonic beings. 

Of course, demonic beings are meant to be feared, but Mother probably doesn’t want to be spoken of in the same breath as the individuals she just mentioned.

“Don’t worry too much, okay?”

“I’ll be fine. I won’t let my beloved son worry.”

With that, I smile, swayed by Mother’s words.

▼▽

“Now then, what shall we do today?”

As usual, I was searching for dreams on that night.

Since Aria wasn’t by my side this time, it seemed that she hadn’t entered my dream… But there’s still a possibility she might come in midway, so I’ll stay cautious.

“Hmm?”

Among the many dreams I had been witnessing, I found an extraordinary one today as well.

I had expanded the scope of my exploration in the dream, not just looking for humans but also searching for any demonic beings… And this one is something else.

“What… is this?”

It was a peculiar dream.

Not only did it exude warmth, which symbolized the kindness of the dream’s owner, but it also carried a pleasant fragrance that conveyed a sense of tranquility… The fragrance was indeed pleasant, but I also realized that the owner of this dream possessed some tremendous power.

“…”

I slowly approached that dream.

Inside, there was a boy about the same age as me, with large twisted horns on his head and enormous wings on his back. He had the appearance of a demonic king straight out of a fantasy world, and I instinctively took a step back.

“Who’s there? Who gazes upon me?”

“Wha-!?”

Suddenly, a shadowy hand grabbed hold of me. 

This was impossible… In the dream world, no matter who it is, they can’t retaliate against me, let alone launch an attack. 

Exis is an exception… However, this wasn’t an attack.

“Who are you? I can tell you’re one of our kind… but entering someone’s dream, that’s something a succubus would do… But, you’re a man, so you’re different, isn’t it?”

“…”

Indeed, the man appeared to be around the same age as me. However, his presence was overwhelmingly intense… And above all, he was incredibly handsome, so I couldn’t help but mutter under my breath.

“This dude is hella good-looking, man.” 

“…Hella good-looking?”

He reacted to my mutter, but it seemed like he had never heard that choice of words before. His eyes widened, but it was quite an adorable reaction.