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 51

Half a year had passed since then. The god who had suddenly appeared deep within the mountains of the human kingdom had been repelled thanks to the efforts of the knights, showcasing the kingdom’s strength that could rival even a deity.

…or so it was officially stated, but the truth was different. Ilias, the mastermind behind the incident, had died mysteriously in the demon kingdom, while the girl said to possess the god’s power—Liliana Liche Riden—had disappeared. However, with the political situation already fragile, this couldn’t be openly revealed.

Thus, Asbel, who was once destined to be executed, was instead hailed as the hero who defeated a god, to pacify the people. This was the final decision made by the leaders.

In truth, the credit for killing the god was supposed to be attributed to another member of the knights, to further boost the knights’ reputation. However, rumors had already spread among the people that they had witnessed Asbel fighting against the god. Denying these rumors proved difficult. The fact that these rumors spread unusually quickly was thanks to Gran and Eris’s scheming, but the leaders were unaware of that.

Ultimately, the leaders abandoned fabricating the situation and chose to use the rumors to their advantage. Asbel Khan, the hero who saved the nation—this story spread not just across the country but around the world. A grand tomb was erected at the site of the battlefield.

Even the faction led by Lord Gilbart, who had been plotting a war against the demon kingdom, was forced to pause, concerned that the demons might still possess other divine powers.

Similarly, within the demon kingdom, voices warning of the danger posed by the humans’ might grew stronger, especially after witnessing a power that could repel a god. The death of Ilias, the leader of the anti-human faction, also contributed to a temporary silence.

Meanwhile, as the extremists in both nations were held at bay, the pro-peace factions led by Keydrec and Rai gained influence among the people, giving them a stronger voice. A tentative peace settled over the world, with a sense that war would not be possible for some time.

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“I wonder, what would you say about all this?”

A lone woman placed flowers at the tomb. When the rumor first spread about Asbel’s victory over the god, this place was swarming with visitors day and night. But after half a year, the fervor had cooled, and now she was the only one in front of the tomb.

The tomb of Asbel, surrounded by countless flowers created by a certain Pixie’s magic. The woman who placed the flowers closed her eyes for a moment, as if reminiscing about the past.

“……”

The world would surely continue to change. The tales of Asbel’s battles and the rumors of the succubus who nearly brought down the kingdom would one day fade from everyone’s memory.

—Then, why do people live?

What had Asbel, this hero, thought as he fought? What had he wished for as he died? If all that remained after a man who knew no happiness was this grand tomb and a field of flowers, did that mean he was finally at peace?

“But you’re still here. Even if everyone forgets, it doesn’t mean it never happened.”

The woman opened her eyes. The wind blew, causing the flowers to sway as if they were dancing. It looked like a heavenly scene, and somehow, she felt as though she were seeing the same view as him—a sign she hadn’t yet fully healed.

“Excuse me. May I have a moment?”

Suddenly, someone called out to her. Though the woman wore a large hat to cover her face, she often found herself approached like this. Not too long ago, she might have thought to tease a foolish human, but now, she couldn’t bring herself to.

Still facing the tomb, she replied in a soft voice.

“Sorry, but someone is waiting for me.”

Her calm and gentle smile was one the younger version of herself would never have believed possible. It was a smile that took the breath away from anyone who saw it as she turned her back on the tomb.

She couldn’t keep looking at the past forever. As long as she held the heart he left behind, she had to move forward.

“You’ve become quite mature, haven’t you?”

“…Huh?”

A gust of wind swept by. Her hat flew off, carried up into the sky, her golden hair catching the sunlight as her heart skipped a beat. Liliana Liche Riden could only stare at the expressionless man standing before her.

“How…how are you here?”

“Well…right before you woke up, I drank a drug that put me in a state close to death. To deceive the god, to deceive the people—it was a plan that Captain Gran devised so that I could live freely. …To be honest, I thought I was really going to die, but luckily, it worked.”

With his familiar impassive expression, he twisted his mouth slightly. She could see a large scar on his neck. It was an injury so severe that he couldn’t move for six months; he might truly have died had things gone differently.

But even so, he had returned to Liliana.

“…You’re not a ghost, are you?”

“Want to touch and see?”

Liliana reached out her hand hesitantly. The man—Asbel Khan—took it gently in his.

“The Witch of Enchantment. The Succubus among Succubi. Liliana Liche Riden. It seems I’ve been completely bewitched by you. So…”

Asbel smiled. Once like a lifeless doll, he now smiled warmly and kindly, like a human.

“So, though I know someone is waiting for you, would you mind if I joined you on your journey?”

“You…idiot.”

Liliana embraced Asbel tightly. The countless flowers swayed in the breeze, showering them in petals as if offering their blessing. And so, the beginning of their long journey together unfolded.