The Story of an Arrogant Succubus Princess Who Always Looked Down on Humans as Mere Food, Until She Fell in Love With an Ordinary Man - Chapter 2

“Asbel. I want you to watch over and protect a certain succubus this time.”

In a simple office with only the bare essentials, the blue-haired man smiled.

“…Watch over and protect, you say?”

The man addressed—Asbel, murmured in confirmation as he looked at the man in front of him.

“Yes. It’s an order from above. They caught a famous succubus, but it seems they are having trouble managing her. Due to a peace treaty with the demon race, they can’t execute her. But if they assign a careless guard, she might charm them and escape. They seem to be in a bit of trouble.”

“So that’s why you called on me.”

“That’s right.”

The blue-haired man laughed lightly. Asbel remained expressionless and continued.

“With all due respect, Commander Gran, is there really a need to be so concerned about just one succubus? It’s true that succubi have the power to charm humans. However, their physical abilities are no different from ours. As long as we are careful of their magic, they pose no serious threat.”

“Unfortunately, it’s not that simple. She—Liliana Liche Riden—is not just any succubus. She is the succubus among succubi, known as the Succubus Queen.”

“…The Succubus Queen. I remember reading that this race was persecuted due to their innate special powers and was destroyed hundreds of years ago.”

“You really know your stuff. To be honest, I’m also half-skeptical about that story. But the problem is that she holds a special position in the demon world. We can’t let her have too much freedom. But we also can’t use rough methods.”

“So you want me to keep an eye on her. …But what about the protection part?”

With his subordinate still maintaining a calm demeanor, Gran, the blue-haired man and commander of the knights, cheerfully replied.

“I’ve heard she’s incredibly beautiful. Well, it’s only natural, but she’s said to be so stunning that she doesn’t seem out of this world. There are plenty of fools who would want her.”

“…I see. So that’s why I’m here to protect her.”

“Yes. If some foolish man were to capture her and use her for their pleasure, it would create more trouble. Many demon races don’t have a good view of humans, so I want to avoid unnecessary conflicts. We need someone to protect her while also keeping an eye on her so she doesn’t do anything foolish.”

Gran stood up and, like he was asking a friend for a small favor, patted Asbel on the shoulder.

“If that’s the order, I have no reason to refuse. …However, isn’t there someone more suitable? I’m just someone who swings a sword. Protecting and watching over is not really my strong suit.”

“No, no. There’s no one more suitable than you for this matter. …This is something only you, known as the Iron Masked Demon, who is called the demon of the battlefield, can handle.”

“…Is that so?”

Though Asbel’s expression remained stoic, Gran could tell that he genuinely disliked this task from their long acquaintance. Gran stifled a smile that almost escaped him and said.

“Don’t worry, it won’t be a long assignment. It seems the higher-ups are negotiating with the demons, so probably…she will be handed over to them within a month.”

“And during that time, what will happen to my usual duties?”

“That will be left to Eris. …There’s no need to think too hard about it. Just think of it as a vacation; you can just read books while watching the succubus.”

Gran paused for a moment and squinted his eyes in amusement.

“So please take care of it, impotent Asbel.”

“…Please stop calling me that nickname.”

Asbel let out a deep sigh.

“…And that’s why. If you stay quiet for a while, you can go back to your country. So stop thinking about unnecessary things.”

Asbel briefly explained the circumstances to Liliana so that she wouldn’t think of foolish things. He hoped this would make her a bit more compliant.

However, for some reason, Liliana looked displeased and stood up from the old wooden bed.

“I don’t want to.”

“…Huh?”

“I said I don’t want to. I don’t want to go back to that gloomy country. The food is better in the human country, and there are plenty of fools who can serve as nourishment.”

“Stop being so selfish. Are you a child? Haven’t you tricked and played with men enough by now? This is a good opportunity for you to reflect on your actions.”

“…You sure speak from a high horse, human.”

“You’re being selfish, succubus. I’ll say it again, your charms don’t work on me.”

“Is that so? Everyone who has said similar things to you has become my nourishment. How long do you think you can keep that smug face?”

“Being arrogant in a cell is just empty. I wonder how long your bravado will last.”

“…!”

Asbel shifted his gaze to his book, signaling that the conversation was over. Liliana continued to complain for a while, but Asbel ignored her completely.

“…What is this man really?”

Realizing that arguing was pointless, Liliana lay back on the bed and thought.

“…But, a month, huh?”

I absolutely refuse to go back to that gloomy country now. The reason I came all the way to the human country is that I can’t do as I please in that country. If I get taken back from here, I might never escape again.

“Then, there’s only one thing to do.”

There’s nothing to be pessimistic about. What I need to do is the same as always. I’ll charm this unfriendly, expressionless man and make him open the cell so I can escape. That alone will solve all my problems.

“I can do it. It’s easy. After all, I am the sorceress of the fallen country. The succubus among succubi. Liliana Liche Riden. No matter if he is impotent or anything else, there is no man I can’t charm.”

Imagining Asbel crawling helplessly on the ground, looking up at her with a pathetic expression, Liliana laughed.