Chapter 41

Hiding from prying eyes, I headed outside.

According to the knight, the evil deity is about two days' distance from here.

Probably at the speed of a succubus leading a horde of monsters, so it should be a day's distance on horseback.

First, I need to secure a means of transportation.

I'll borrow a horse somewhere.

I've never ridden one, but I should be able to manage just riding it.

"Whoa...!"

While thinking this, I was walking through the mansion when a knight passed by in the corridor ahead.

...Even if I were discovered, I could probably bluff my way through, but I want to avoid trouble as much as possible.

I'm on the first floor, so it might be less likely to be noticed if I go outside.

--I opened the window and went outside.

Then, I entered the courtyard.

I walked toward the mansion's gate, relying on the light leaking from the windows.

"It's night, so I can't see anything... Well, I think I can manage to get outside..."

Then, I felt something hit my head.

It's probably a water droplet or something.

Has it started raining?

...I hope it's not bird droppings.

"Damn, what is this..."

I touched my head.

...It feels sticky.

What is this?

Trying to confirm the cause, I looked up.

--There was a dragon's face.

"Ugh, ohhh!?"

...I completely forgot.

Come to think of it, there was Luluka's earth dragon in the courtyard.

It was late at night, and it was standing by the tree, so I didn't notice at all.

"Grr..."

The dragon growled at me.

However... Now that I look at it, this dragon is really scary.

It's big, has fangs and claws, and can breathe fire.

I can't understand why Luluka finds it cute.

Is it like, "It's cute!" and the one saying it is cute or something?

Luluka seemed to genuinely dote on it.

"Got it? Don't move. I have something to do. I don't have time to deal with you."

But, even though it looks scary, the dragon should understand words.

I extended my hand in a "stop" gesture and slowly backed away.

--In an instant.

The dragon tried to bite my extended hand.

"Hey, wait...!!"

I hastily sat down on the spot.

The dragon's face kept getting closer.

Now, the dragon's breath was so close it touched my face.

Ah, this is bad.

I'll be killed by Luluka's pet before I can fight the evil deity.

The dragon's breath, which seemed to be cared for, had a faint minty scent that caressed my cheek.

Then--it licked me.

After that, the dragon began to rub its rough face against mine, shaking its head slightly.

"...Hmm...?"

This is wrong.

...It seems to be really affectionate.

Why is that?

...Maybe it remembers that I had Yuell order it to be saved?

If that's the case, it's quite loyal.

Even though it happened a while ago.

I wonder how it would show affection if Yuell herself were here.

...But, that's right.

I was looking for a horse, but I might not need to anymore.

This thing is definitely faster than a horse.

"...Hey, I have a place I need to go... Can you take me there?"

I asked the dragon.

Then, the dragon growled affirmatively.

A strong wind blew.

Thanks to the saddle Luluka had attached, the dragon's ride was surprisingly comfortable.

I could even ride with one hand free.

If I let Yuell ride, she would probably be overjoyed.

After riding the dragon for less than half a day, I finally spotted a black mass in the direction of the capital.

Probably, that's the horde of monsters led by the succubus.

...Unlike the monsters around Merharts, there are some pretty strong ones mixed in.

The evil deity, who can use large-scale magic, should be among them.

"That's far enough."

I descended and dismounted the dragon.

Then, the dragon left as if fleeing.

I understand why it fled.

I don't intend to blame the dragon.

I slowly walked toward the horde of monsters.

They probably already noticed my presence.

...If I were attacked here, it would be game over.

I took something out of my item box and waved it large to make it visible.

--Then, I saw something flying toward me from the horde of monsters.

Probably a succubus.

The succubus approached a few meters in front of me and spoke.

"Really, you came alone. And with a white flag? ...You don't intend to fight, do you?"

...That's right. What I'm holding is a makeshift white flag.

I'm showing that I have no intention of fighting while closing the distance to the succubus.

"Yeah, I have no intention of fighting you."

"What... Maybe you were kicked out? Because the evil deity took the capital as a hostage? ...I just thought that if you guys had a falling out for a while, it would be fine."

"No, I wasn't kicked out. I read the records of the war against the evil deity and thought there's no way I could win against the knights. I came to become a disciple of the evil deity. And, by the way, I want to create a harem like you mentioned before. I want to create the best harem, selecting the most beautiful women from around the world."

The succubus doesn't seem to be attacking.

It probably already knows I have no combat ability.

It seems interested in why I came alone and is talking to me from a few meters away.

There's no sign of a large-scale attack spell being cast.

...I guess the first phase of my plan is successful.

If a large-scale attack spell had been cast the moment they recognized me, it would have been over.

I was confident I wouldn't be attacked.

I was about 60-70% sure it would be fine.

"O-Okay. Well, the evil deity's resurrection isn't complete yet. You'll be useful in achieving the evil deity's dominion. I'll ask the evil deity. Wait a moment."

The succubus, slightly taken aback by my words, said.

Then, it flew toward the horde of monsters.

...But, as expected.

The evil deity's resurrection wasn't complete.

I had a feeling that might be the case.

An evil deity that can use large-scale destruction magic must have a vast amount of magic power.

To resurrect such an evil deity, a mere priest as a vessel wouldn't be sufficient.

To completely resurrect the evil deity, I would have to be the vessel.

"Is that the evil deity?"

While the succubus was talking to me, the horde of monsters was advancing toward us.

Straining my eyes, I could see a small human-like shadow riding on a giant troll.

A man in black clothes with black hair.

The succubus was flying around the man, saying something.

Is that man the evil deity?

From a distance, he looks human.

The succubus seems to be appealing to the man, probably trying to persuade the evil deity to accept me as a disciple.

I thought the succubus would be cooperative in my joining their ranks.

Even if the evil deity's army destroys this country, there are still many human nations in the surrounding area.

Even if the evil deity isn't fully resurrected, a large coalition of human nations could pose a challenge.

--That's where I come in.

The succubus and I have the best compatibility, and the succubus can control me freely.

The succubus already knows I genuinely want to create a harem and would want to recruit me as an ally.

That's right, persuade the succubus.

My plan depends entirely on you.

--After a few minutes, the succubus approached me again.

"The evil deity says it's fine to make you a disciple. I'll take you to the evil deity."

While saying this, the succubus's eyes glowed red.

Then, it smiled and whispered.

"Of course, I don't trust you. ...But in a state where your reason is taken away, yes."

"Ugh..."

...It seems they won't fall for my trap so easily.

I approached the succubus, swaying as before.

"Hehe..."

The succubus smiled at the sight.

It's probably happy that its abilities are working properly.

I'm one of the few who can resist this ability.

"How about a kiss of submission? You're the only man I can seduce right now. I feel good, so I might do it. Once you taste the succubus's saliva, you'll never betray us."

The succubus, riding high, puffed out its cheeks and swayed its hips in the air.

It probably thinks I can't do anything once controlled.

It's completely let its guard down.

"Yeah, I'd like that."

I reached out to the succubus as it was seducing me.

Now, the distance between me and the succubus is less than a meter.

"Hmm...? You have blood on your mouth...?"

The succubus noticed something was wrong with me.

But it's too late now.

At this distance, I can grab you.

--I took something out of my item box.

It's the former archbishop's possession from the church.

The decorated magical item that Yuell gave me.

I've always wondered.

The archbishop was trying to resurrect a succubus.

To create a wonderful world by making girls do naughty things.

But, of course, he needed a way to control the succubus.

How did the archbishop plan to control the succubus?

And the answer is--this collar.

At the time, I thought the succubus would just petrify and I wouldn't need it.

But now, in this situation, this "collar" is my ace in the hole.

This collar isn't just for controlling ordinary monsters.

--It's a top-tier "Collar of Subjugation" that can control even the evil deity's disciples.

"Of course, I bit the inside of my mouth to endure it."

I put the collar on the succubus.

It was complacent.

Because I was easily controlled before, it thought it could control me again.

--I bit the inside of my mouth to pieces to endure the pain and resist the seduction.

"What...!?"

...And, I don't intend to tell the succubus, but I used slime jelly on the dragon on the way here.

I'm in Sage Mode now.

Using slime jelly at such a high altitude is probably a first in human history.

The dragon groaned and writhed in discomfort, but it's for the sake of humanity.

It fled as soon as I dismounted, but please forgive me.

Luluka would be really angry if she found out.

But your dragon had a good ride.

"Th-This... collar!? Ugh...!"

The succubus, surprised by the sudden collar, tried to take it off.

I ordered it with a voice infused with magic.

"Don't take off the collar."

"M-My hands... My hands won't move...!?"

The collar glowed red, and the succubus's movements stopped.

Success.

...But it looks like a slave mark.

Maybe it works similarly.

--Now, there's only one thing left to do.

"Hey, succubus, you said it, right? I still remember it clearly."

"W-What did I say...?"

"If we work together, we can conquer the world. That's what you said, succubus. ...Then let's see which is stronger: the power of the evil deity, who almost conquered the world, or the power of me and the succubus, who might be able to conquer the world."

The succubus's face contorted.

It quickly turned to tell the evil deity something.

But it's too late.

--If I attack the evil deity head-on with a large army, I'll be blown away by a large-scale magic spell before I get close.

--If I attack with a small elite force, I'll be cut down by overwhelming sword skills.

According to the scriptures, the evil deity seems to have no weaknesses.

But there was a way out.

If I can't attack head-on with a large army.

If I get killed if I attack with a small elite force.

--Then, I should attack with a large army that's already near the evil deity.

I gave the order.

"Control the monsters, succubus! Join me in defeating the evil deity!!"

As I gave the order, the troll suddenly went berserk.

The evil deity was thrown off the troll's shoulder and fell into the horde of monsters.

The surrounding monsters charged toward the landing site.

The next update will be in about three days.