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 38

—

“To save this country…I need you to kill Liliana Liche Riden.”

At that moment, Asbel’s expression shifted. It wasn’t confusion—it was severance. Asbel recognized the man before him as an enemy.

“…Captain Gran. What do you mean by that?”

However, Asbel didn’t attack Gran right away. They had known each other a long time, and Asbel understood that Gran wouldn’t make such a statement lightly.

“She…the Succubus Queen, is a race that shouldn’t exist in this world. They are a species destined to be culled.”

“I don’t understand what you’re saying.”

“The Succubus Queen’s race is one favored by the gods. Her body can host a god. You understand, don’t you…how terrifying the power of a god can be?”

“────”

Asbel instinctively stepped back. This was before he became Asbel Khan, back when he was still a boy with a heart. The city he had loved, and the friends he had cherished, were consumed by godly power. Asbel himself had also been killed by that power. What remained was just Asbel Khan, made from the corpse of that boy.

Thus, in Asbel’s mind, fear and hatred toward gods were deeply ingrained.

“The very catastrophe that destroyed angels, dragons, and countless other races resides within her. The Succubus Queen’s race, loved by the gods, is inherently dangerous. Should her powers awaken, the world might be destroyed.”

“…So the higher-ups knew about this from the start when they sentenced Lili to death…”

“No, they didn’t. Not even the cunning Lord Gilbart would go that far. If he had known, he would have used far more extreme measures. He commands the Royal Knights, separate from the Order.”

“……”

Asbel didn’t respond. It was rare to see him troubled, or rather, confused.

“Is this information reliable? I’ve never heard anything about the Succubus Queen having ties to a god—”

“This came from an ancient book and was confirmed by Keydrec, the leader of the Demon Nation. Liliana was their trump card. The reason she was called ‘Princess’ in a land that values equality was because she had the power to change the world on her own.”

“…That explanation does make sense, but there’s no concrete proof…”

“Proof isn’t necessary. This is beyond that kind of question. You understand the terror of a god’s power, don’t you?”

“……”

Once again, Asbel found himself at a loss for words. Gran continued.

“If we wait for something to happen, it will be too late. No matter how admirable Liliana Liche Riden may be, she’s ultimately only a vessel for a god. Such a being…shouldn’t exist.”

“…!”

The words struck Asbel deeply. The girl who had once told him he deserved to live was a creature who shouldn’t exist in this world.

…How absurd. Were her wings, always soaring freely, meaningless from the very beginning?

“I understand that what I’m saying is cruel. If you decide to kill me and run away with the Succubus, with Liliana, I won’t resist.”

“I…”

Asbel couldn’t bring himself to finish his sentence. He was…torn.

“If you truly intend to protect her, then no one would be able to kill her…until she herself decides to take your life.”

Gran pulled out a cigarette and lit it, though his hand was trembling. He didn’t put the cigarette to his lips but simply watched the smoke dissipate.

“Asbel, I hereby relieve you of your duties with the Knights. You no longer have any reason to follow my orders.”

Asbel’s eyes widened in surprise. Gran gave a dry smile.

“Even if I hadn’t told you, you would have found out on your own, or someone else would have told you. So, if you need someone to blame, blame me. Hate me, even kill me if you must.”

Gran finally put the cigarette to his lips, exhaling deeply as if to stifle his tears, his expression broken, as if he were drinking his own blood.

Staring directly at Asbel, Gran spoke.

“Righteousness or happiness. The path you choose is up to your will alone. Whatever outcome results from that choice, I will respect your decision…your will.”

With a gaze almost like a father looking at his son, Gran turned his back on Asbel.

“…Captain Gran.”

Asbel called out to Gran’s back one last time.

“What?”

Gran responded in his usual tone.

“Thank you for everything. I will repay this debt someday.”

“Oh, don’t worry about that…If you end up as an old man like me someday, go ahead and look out for some young fool in return. …So, don’t go dying on me, all right? Asbel.”

Still with his back turned, Gran waved his hand as he walked away. Asbel bowed silently, watching Gran’s back as he left.

“…What am I hesitating over?”

The great catastrophe brought by godly power. The excessive exploitation of resources that led to the previous war with the demons. If Liliana was left unchecked, that hell might start all over again. Even if it didn’t, the god’s power was the cause of everything Asbel had lost.

So, his path was already decided.

It was dark when Asbel finally returned to the mansion. Nightfall had wrapped the estate in shadow.

“You’re late! Making someone like me wait…you’ve got some nerve!”

Having waited for so long, Liliana greeted Asbel with a furious expression…yet she looked a bit happy. To her, Asbel replied in his usual calm tone.

“Lili, how about we go out and look at the stars?”