Vol 3 Chapter 34: Excuses and Revenge

Thank you for waiting.

Considering the flow of the story, I will be posting a total of five chapters leading up to the finale of Act Three.

I hope you enjoy it.

Placing the restless Leia on the edge of the bed, I straighten my back and explain the events to my companions.

I tell them everything: how Mio-san turned out to be Leia, just as I expected; how her skill 《Recognition Alteration》 prevented anyone from entering or leaving the room and manipulated my thoughts until I ended up fighting her in that erotic way… and so forth.

“Hmm, so that’s what happened… Shin was doing naughty stuff with this succubus… hmm…”

“Now, now, Lena… Let’s hear him out for a moment, okay?”

“…Alright.”

Lena pouts, and the sight of her nearly makes me shiver. But thanks to Fana-san calming her down, her anger—her aura of rage—lessens somewhat, and I manage to continue talking.

“So then, the moment she used her charm magic on me, this thing lit up. In reverse, it ended up leaving Leia in this state…”

“Ah! You mean that fairy from before… So it really helped you, Shin. I’m so glad…”

As I speak, I lift the still-glowing necklace from around my neck for them to see. Lena looks at it and whispers as though she’s forgotten her earlier displeasure, relief written in her gaze.

“Yeah… It really was good—”

Just as I say that, the necklace changes. The faint glow intensifies like a flame burning its last, and then it shatters.

“—Eh!?”

Shocked by the sudden disappearance of its presence at my fingertips, I watch helplessly as the transparent jewel and the cord said to be woven with magic stone all crumble away to dust, then scatter into fine particles and vanish into the air without a trace.

“It’s broken—oh! Leia—!”

Realizing that the very item that seemed to have rebounded her charm had just dissolved, I become frantic and quickly call out to Leia, who is sitting quietly. Even though the six of us are here together, if she’s regained her senses, that’s dangerous. Worried, I watch her reaction—

“…Aaahn, Shin-samaaa♡ If you call me so forcefully, it makes my heart kyun-kyun even more♡ What is it♡?”

—No change. The milky-white heart marks in her eyes remain, and her reply is steeped in ecstasy.

“—Good. It looks like the charm hasn’t broken or anything…”

“My feelings for Shin-sama are far stronger than some mere charm magic♡ Shin-samaaa♡ I looove youuu♡”

Actually… a little bit of sanity returning wouldn’t hurt. I’m starting to feel that might be too much to ask.

“This is unbelievable… Even after the medium broke, the effect still continues? Just how powerful was that thing? This could be national-treasure class power…”

“Seriously? If it was that valuable, maybe we should’ve sold it off… Damn… I call myself a thief, and I messed up big time.”

“Nina. Don’t say something stupid. If you had sold it, Shin might’ve been in real danger, you know?”

“I knooow. I’m just joking…”

Fana-san, looking bewildered, murmurs her thoughts aloud, prompting Nina to crack a joke—after which Lena rebukes her. Observing the three, Kaguya raises her voice to keep the conversation moving.

“And so Shin-sama told this succubus to prove her obedience by giving him pafu-pafu… Fufu, even though you were suppressing yourself with 《Ninja Art: Tube Seal》, you were quite… enthusiastic♡”

“I knew he was weak to temptation, but making a succubus do something like that… I mean, even in that situation, you just had to ask for breasts… You’ve really got it bad…”

“Well, well, Lady Alice. Let’s just consider this an outcome of our daily practice with him.”

Kaguya giggles with an ara ara ufufu, while Alice wears a complicated expression—a mixture of displeasure and delight. I sense some exasperation too, but there’s no way I can talk my way out of it after they saw me demanding—and, well, going through with—pafu-pafu. All I can do is accept it. In fact, maybe I should be glad my earlier perverse breast-watching session didn’t get exposed.

“Hehe, it wasn’t just pafu-pafu. Shin-sama and I were doing so much more—”

“Leia, hush!”

“Yes, sirrr♡”

I cut off Leia, who’s about to dreamily blurt out something unnecessary, causing everyone’s eyes to pierce into me.

“Haaah… There’s a lot I want to grill you about, but first, I’m just glad you’re okay, Shin-san. Alright, then—”

“It’s been a while since we’ve seen you in that form… Leia. There are things we want to ask you.”

Fana-san sighs in relief but is interrupted by Alice’s remark. Right—this succubus is the very enemy she’s been pursuing, the one who caused her so much pain.

“Fufu, you’ve certainly become bold, haven’t you? So? Do you think I’ll just answer obediently?”

“Oh, I do… Shin?”

Leia responds with a provocative smile, but Alice remains calm and calls my name. I understand the hidden meaning in their brief exchange, so I speak to the succubus:

“Yeah… Leia. You won’t resist, and you’ll answer honestly, right?”

“Aaahn♡ If it’s Shin-sama’s command, I’ll say anything you want me touu♡”

Deep in her charmed state, she nods at me without hesitation and starts to speak whenever questioned about her past deeds. For Alice, Leia is the father’s killer… and, in a sense, the monstrous form of the woman who was once her mother, albeit temporarily. No wonder her expression looks indescribable.

“Why did you approach humans in such an underhanded way?”

“B-becauseee… The Succubus Queen’s orders were handed down… ♡”

Leia’s explanation, sounding like a child making excuses, goes like this:

One day, while roaming from place to place—assaulting or seducing human men on a whim, following her instincts—she received an order from the Succubus Queen. That order was something she’d never heard before: Ensnare influential or powerful humans, plunge them into chaos.

She thought it was a hassle, but refusing the Queen wasn’t an option, so she simply followed instructions and approached nobles and influential people in various regions.

Occasionally, she pinned crimes on those who were secretly colluding with monsters—using them as pawns. Alice’s father was one such victim.

“Why would the Succubus Queen give such an order? And where is she in the first place?”

“How would I know the Queen’s intentions? Even for an upper-level succubus like me, all I can do is follow orders. Besides—”

Leia then goes on to explain about succubi’s nature—something we didn’t know much about:

They basically don’t stay in one place or move in groups. That way, they arouse less suspicion and can monopolize their men more easily.

Also, they don’t remain in one area for long because charm and recognition alteration have limits. Even a high-ranking succubus can’t enthrall an entire city at once or cast major recognition alterations on a large scale.

“If we did have that kind of power, succubi would have taken over humanity a long time ago, you know? You get it?”

Leia brags arrogantly about her limits without a trace of shame. But still—

“…She’s charmed, so it can’t be helped, but the way she talks to Shin versus the rest of us is way too different. It’s weird.”

“No kidding… Even if she tries to act all haughty, it’s not intimidating at all.”

Lena and Nina grumble, noticing how drastically she changes her tone. I agree.

In any case, she acted on instinct but basically just followed orders. There must be a deeper reason for all of this. Yet regardless of the reason, it doesn’t change the fact that she deceived people and caused them harm.

“I see. So, Alice—what do you want to do?”

Fana-san addresses her question to the light-blue-haired girl who sometimes wears a pained expression while listening. Rather than simply asking her opinion, it feels like she’s urging the youngest among us to make a decision.

“It’s obvious… I came all this way for revenge. Kaguya.”

“Yes, Lady Alice.”

Alice answers boldly. She calls out to Kaguya, and her attendant, sensing her mistress’s intention, sets a small knife in Alice’s small hand.

To be honest, I’m a bit conflicted.

She may look stunning, but she’s still a monster in a very human-like form. There’s guilt about killing someone—even if she seemed out of her mind—who I’ve also shared physical intimacy with. Plus, is it truly okay to harm her now that she’s unresisting and bound by our command? Various feelings and doubts cloud my mind.

“I’ll do it. Leia—do you have any last words?”

“I do not. …Ah, but I do regret leaving this world without taking Shin-sama’s virginityyy♡”

Even as she faces death, she gazes at me with moist eyes, showing no sign of fear. Truly, she feels unsettlingly alien—far removed from humanity.

“Then I won’t hesitate… to avenge my father—”

Alice steels herself, gripping the handle firmly. It’s at that moment…

“—Forgive me, but might I ask you to wait a moment?”

A dignified male voice rings out in the room. The man who appears is Ruflas Requille himself, the lord of this mansion and ruler of this town.

His expression is calm—hard to believe he once exploded with fury when we first met—and his eyes shine with quiet strength. Seeing him, the first thought I have is whether he’s truly in his right mind now.

“Leia… about the charm and recognition alteration…”

“Yes♡ As per Shin-sama’s order, I released them all a little while agooo♡”

So it was during that pafu-pafu session. When I think that she used that moment—despite how she was acting, all needy and single-minded—to release everyone she’d ensnared, I feel both relieved and slightly guilty.

“This time, I suppose we’re the ones barging in so rudely.”

“Well, can’t be helped, right? It’s our job.”

Standing behind him are those two I recognize—the so-called “pervert knights” turned adventurers Kris and Lara, who were fired from the knight brigade.

“Eh!? Why are you two here…!?”

“If you guys are involved, it probably means trouble’s afoot…”

“Ara, Ara. How harsh you are, ladies. We’re simply carrying out our duties—serving as the lord’s private soldiers.”

Lena and Nina, still on edge from what happened at midday, glare sharply at Kris. But he nimbly evades their words and replies with exaggerated gestures.

“—Lord Ruflas’s private soldiers…? What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I’ll explain,” Ruflas-san speaks up, taking a step into the room. “As the lord of this town… and as a man who was discourteous, albeit having lost my senses at the time.”

He looks almost as though a weight has been lifted from his shoulders. His dignified words carry enough authority that no one utters a disagreement.

“It’s no exaggeration to say that everything that happened this time is my responsibility—”

Childless, having lost his wife early on, he tried to escape from that loneliness by working day and night, all for this town… and ultimately for the nation.

Thanks to his efforts, the town thrived and brought many people happiness, but everything changed a few months ago.

One day, a friend of his—the guild leader—came to the mansion unannounced, saying he had something to discuss. Lord Ruflas, performing his duty, went out to greet him properly. What appeared before him was a man wearing a thin smile and a woman so exquisitely beautiful she hardly seemed of this world.

She had silver hair, translucent-looking skin, and a figure so voluptuous that not even her dress could conceal her overwhelming allure.

He felt his heart race like a teenage boy’s, then realized how dangerously drawn he was to her body and hastily averted his eyes.

Yet when the woman whispered softly, her eyes flickering with a pink glow, his consciousness fogged over as though intoxicated, and he drifted to sleep as if swallowed up by it.

From that day until now, he had been captivated by Leia’s charms, acting only for her sake.

“—Pathetic as it is, I basically took her wherever she wanted—introducing her to influential merchants and the head of the knight order—thereby dragging this town into a poison swamp.”

The town’s situation and economy worsened more and more. Many people left. Among those who remained, some grew suspicious of the lord’s behavior and began their own investigation.

“That’d be us,” Kris says. “What do you think? You see us in a new light now?”

“Right? Tee-hee♪ Maybe we didn’t do anything too spectacular, but I think we helped just a bit.”

Kris and Lara were adventurers under the lord’s direct command, planted inside the knight order. Lord Ruflas reasoned that a town couldn’t be administered properly by going through only ‘respectable’ processes. So he placed trusted subordinates not only in the knight brigade but also in the guild and among merchants, always keeping an eye on everyone’s moves.

Others fell under Leia’s spell and were manipulated like pawns, but right before her influence reached Kris and Lara, they left the knight order.

Whether by chance or design, the two evaded harm. From there, they kept watch on the changes around the lord, gathering information.

“Umm, Lord Ruflas? Now might not be the time to say this, but did you really know about these perver— ahem—these two’s behavior all along and keep them employed?”

Lena looks at him with disbelief, eyes wide. The lord seems to recall something and responds heavily, with a bitter expression.

“Aww, so mean. You didn’t have to say it like that—”

“Indeed. I know they did those things, but only to confirm that I was still in my right mind, and that I was a trustworthy man. It was a necessary, urgent measure. Under normal circumstances, they would be… more… courteous.”

I was hoping the talk about them hunting for virgins might be false, but they offer no denial. Courteous or not, the outcome’s the same.

Lena, Nina, and Alice—who witnessed it all at midday—eye him from the side with an exasperated look.

“…They reported that it was all consensual romance. If there was any trouble, well… my apologies.”

Watching the two speak so shamelessly, the lord looks exhausted. I feel a pang of sympathy—he’s likely gone through a lot.

“Ahem—back on topic, everything that’s happened in this town… that sums it up. And in the midst of all that, you people arrived.”

Though still looking a bit uncomfortable, Lord Ruflas circles back to the main point. His face darkens slightly as he gazes at the girl holding the small knife and continues in a measured tone.

“…I know I’m asking a terrible favor. But still, I must. I want you to spare this succubus for now.”

“Huh?”

Alice lets out a baffled sound, clearly not anticipating such a request. Likely the rest of us feel the same.

“Some have suffered losses because they were controlled by this succubus; others have had their honor stolen. And we’ve heard that there are humans colluding with monsters. I want to save those victims and dole out proper punishment to the traitors. For that, I need her information and cooperation. …Please.”

“…It doesn’t seem like you’re just trying to protect yourself.”

Ruflas-san’s earnest explanation comes with a deep bow. Fana-san starts to speak somewhat cynically but trails off.

“B-but still…”

What the lord says makes sense. Rather than simply killing her for revenge, having her atone by providing intel and aiding their cause is more productive—truly a perspective befitting a proper noble adult. But telling that to a girl who lost her father… somehow it feels unfair.

Alice’s hand trembles, gripping the knife so hard that the blade flickers in the moonlight from the window. She, usually so haughty and unflappable, now looks heartbreakingly fragile. And Kaguya, who has always been especially close to her, can’t hide the worry in her eyes, flapping her hands fretfully.

“I’ll do my utmost to restore your father’s honor. We’ll definitely capture the ones who framed him. So, please… I beg of you.”

At the mention of her father, Alice’s body jolts.

Revenge for her grudge.

Her father’s lost honor.

Her feelings about coming here to kill.

Those who disgraced her father.

I can almost see her heart wavering, like it’s being weighed on a scale. That’s why I find myself blurting out:

“—Alice.”

“Shin?”

“Whatever you decide, I’ll help you. So… just be honest with yourself… okay?”

Without thinking, I just say it—exhale the words like a sigh. I’m not telling her to forgive, nor urging her to take revenge; I can’t offer any grand speech. But it’s how I really feel, and that’s all there is to it.

“Yeah… Right. Shin-san, you’re right.”

“Mm-hmm! Alice is a precious friend!”

“Hah, acting all cool, aren’t you, Shin? Still, I got no objection.”

“Aaauu♡ Shin-sama, caring so deeply for his companions… so dreamy♡”

Everyone else speaks softly, offering words of comfort and support like friends—like family—gently wrapping around her. Alice blinks several times, tears glistening in her eyes.

And… Leia, can you not butt in so casually when your own life’s at stake here? Do you realize we’re deciding your fate right now?

“Alice-sama…”

“…Kaguya.”

Stepping forward, the maid speaks in a respectful hush.

“I feel the same. This body, which has been granted so much through serving your father and you, exists for Alice-sama’s sake, no matter what you decide.”

Kaguya’s voice is that of someone who has known her far longer than we have. Her gaze is tender, like a mother watching over her child. Despite her own hatred and resentment, she prioritizes Alice above all else—an act of pure devotion.

Seeing the two of them like that makes my chest tighten.

“Ah, such love… yes, yes.”

“Lucky them… I’m jealous, I’m jealous.”

Kris and Lara, the two “exhibitionists,” make offhand remarks that break the mood. And could Leia—one more pervert—please read the room and stay quiet? For now?

“I…!”

Alice raises a trembling voice as she slowly lifts the small knife clutched in her hand.

“I’m gonna—”

The blade comes down. Her tense muscles release, and the lowered knife hovers around her right thigh, swaying as though in resignation.

“—spare her… for now.”

In that silent moment, her faint murmur nearly vanishes into the stillness. Yet no one in the room fails to hear those words—those words meaning she’ll let Leia go.

Without looking up, Alice slips past the lord and his group near the entrance, then rushes out of the room.

“Alice!”

“My Lady!”

One heartbeat later, I can’t just stay put, so I dash after her, with Kaguya following behind.

After running a ways down the corridor, Alice flings open a door at the end. It leads to a balcony. She slows, then leans against the railing.

Her sparkling short dress flutters in the breeze, making her look so delicate she might blow away at any moment. The melancholy on her face reminds me of a “lady raised in the depths of a mansion.”

“Alice—”

She cuts off my call with a whisper, like she’s speaking to someone who isn’t here, dissolving into the air.

“My house had a balcony just like this.”

Her words melt into the night.

“We used to have tea parties there. Eating Kaguya’s homemade cookies, chatting with Mother and Father. I remember… they laughed at all my silly little stories.”

She speaks of the past with a wistful fondness, tinged with loneliness. Even though I’ve never seen the scene she’s describing, I can picture it so clearly.

Her eyes narrow as if dazzled, tears trickling at the corners.

“…I was happy… sniff… uu…”

Those tiny droplets, like raindrops, soon overflow uncontrollably, rolling down her cheeks and dripping onto the floor with pat-pat sounds.

Seeing this girl—so much younger than me—struggling against grief and loneliness, both Kaguya and I step forward at the same time, embracing her from either side.

“Ah… uu… uahaaaaaah…”

Alice breaks down, sobbing endlessly. We can never fill the void left by her father and mother, yet we hold her tightly, hoping to ease even a little of her sorrow. We stand there in a huddle, offering no words, just staying with her as she cries.

How long her tears flow, I don’t know.

Eventually, she calms her breathing, despite soaking my clothes, Kaguya’s clothes, and even her own dress. Then she murmurs:

“Shin… thank you.”

“Huh? For… what?”

I can guess reasons she might reproach me—since I got involved in ‘that’ with her mortal enemy the succubus—but nothing that would warrant her gratitude.

“You accepted Kaguya and me. You helped us, even though we’d go to any lengths for revenge…”

Her voice is a bit shy. I can’t see her expression because she’s sandwiched between me and Kaguya, pressed against me, but a pleasant warmth stirs in my chest.

“I still feel conflicted about letting Leia go, and it frustrates me. But if you hadn’t said what you did back there, I would have pursued vengeance no matter who tried to stop me. That’s why… thank you.”

My actions changed the path she’s taking. Feeling the weight of her trust and responsibility, my shoulders grow heavier—yet in a strange way, it feels good, like a burden that gives me purpose.

“Yes, indeed. For all the wrongs Lady Alice and I have done, you still offered us a helping hand, Shin-sama. An ordinary person would never have chosen that. We are truly grateful.”

Kaguya also expresses her gratitude, following her mistress’s lead.

Then, as if on cue, her expression shifts and she adds:

“And yet… in the end, the enemy succubus was able to toy with you, only to be subdued in return. Shin-sama, you truly are quite the sinful man. Fufu.”

“H-hey, cut it out.”

Even though we’re close but not exactly hugging, I can feel Kaguya’s nearness as we both share the embrace around Alice. She winks at me with mischievous eyes.

“Ahaha… That’s so true. Engaging in such acts with the succubus who killed my family… You’re a pervert. A deviant. An idiot. Big-boob addict. Lecher. Pervert.”

I’m somewhat relieved to hear Alice hurl these insults at me, the usual mix of scorn and teasing.

Though… Why did she say “pervert” twice? I can’t really argue, but still.

“—Anyway, bend down a bit.”

“Uh, s-sure?”

Her composure fully restored, she orders me to crouch. I obey, folding my knees so I’m looking up at them. My heart flutters when my face presses uncomfortably close to their chests, smushing and pushing one another—but I manage to look at the girl in front of me.

Even with tearstains, her adorable features shine under the moonlight, lending her an almost dreamlike beauty.

“Yeah, that’s good. …Now, for nearly letting a succubus enchant you—brace yourself and close your eyes.”

“Eep! …R-right!”

She raises her right hand as if to strike, obviously still upset. I don’t even think to object or defend myself—of course she’d want to punish me after seeing me in that embarrassingly lustful state. If that’s all, I’ll take it willingly.

—Though, maybe I should cast a little defensive magic? No, that wouldn’t be honest. And at this point, there’s no sense pretending I’m a paragon of virtue.

“Here I go—”

I know it’s coming—actually, the knowledge only heightens my dread of the impending blow. My eyes screw shut tighter, bracing for it. The faint shift in the air. This is it, I think, and then—chu♡

“…Huh?”

Instead of pain, something soft and sweet touches my cheek. I’m so startled I make a weird noise. My eyes pop open on reflex.

“Nn, chu…♡”

So close I can count her eyelashes, Alice leans in, eyes shut, pressing her lips to my cheek.

She’s… kissing me? But… why?

With no answers, I’m left flabbergasted as she continues gently pressing her lips to my face, over and over.

“…Nn, fuu… Wh-why do you look so shocked?!”

After a moment, Alice pulls away slowly, frowning at me like she’s annoyed by my dumbstruck expression.

“I—I mean, that was surprising… Thank you…?”

I still don’t understand the situation, so all that comes out is a confused little “thank you.” Hearing that, Kaguya giggles softly.

“He has no immunity, yet you, my Lady, could have been a bit more… straightforward—romantic, perhaps. Kusu…”

She says it like an aside, but it clearly reaches both Alice and me, turning our faces bright red. The way Kaguya watches us brims with both playful teasing and motherly affection.

“Shut up… dummy.”

We linger in the night breeze for a while. When we finally return to the room, Alice’s tears are gone. She keeps pleading for everyone to keep quiet about how she bawled earlier. In many ways, she’s more of a child than she looks.