16

Chapter 16: Purity

Notes:

Magnus: Sorry for being late! I'm doing my best but is difficult to write while having a head splitting headache. Hopefully this is still enjoyable.

Disclaimer: I realize that in the novel it was Eris the one who sent Kazuma and Aqua off, but in the anime it was a rather generic angel girl, which is why I didn't make any mention to the features of the angel girl of the first chapter.

(See the end of the chapter for more notes.)

Chapter Text

Chapter 16

Purity.

Atop the roofs of the city of Axel, quite close to the Adventurer's Guild, one petite and feminine figure was flying. Small in stature, small in feminine assets, sporting a face that screamed innocence, she still exuded a remarkable lewd aura. Most males, especially hormonal teenagers, would no doubt approach her with impure intentions if they saw her.

"My first mission!" The girl muttered in excitement, stars sparkling in her eyes at the prospect of success, "I'll finally become a fully-fledged Succubus!"

If anyone tried to sexually assault her, it would be their downfall. Because she was a succubus.

Succubi are terrifying demons not because they are strong, or magically gifted, but because they know really well how to worm their way into the hearts of men. Capable of turning steadfast friends and brothers against each other with a wink and a blown kiss, capable of turning the most devout priest into a lustful beast with a single caress, they are amongst the most dangerous species of demons known to man.

"Here it is, the inn marked in the request." The little succubus muttered to herself while taking turns to look at the note in her hand and the building before her, "Now, time to find the little Arch Druid!"

All churches have decreed that succubi are to be killed on sight, and should a coven is suspected to be found, the entire town razed to the ground in order to cleanse the land of their influence.

But in Axel, such decree is ignored on purpose.

"There he is!" The small girl couldn't hold her surprise, her target wasn't alone, "Oh my! He already has quite the entourage. And he sleeps with all of them at the same time!"

The Cream Café is an establishment hidden from the main road, but quite well known among adventurers and many normal workers. It was unique because it was fully operated by succubi, and it offered quite a unique service; they offered exceedingly pleasant dreams, vivid to a fault too, in exchange of the excess life essence of the client.

Succubi feed on life essence, which they can either take all at once, resulting in the target becoming dead in life, or just tiny bits at a time, ensuring that one target can be… milked… for quite a long time. This could only be achieved by a lone succubus targeting half a dozen males.

Axel, however, was known as a city full of perverts, full of pent up adventurers in dire need of sexual relief. The leader of the coven found that in such a place with such a high demand of relief, regulating her coven to only take this excess could lead to a beneficial arrangement. Imagine her surprise when the man that found her coven didn't demand her life, but a custom made dream.

"Now, to take notes!" The small intruder was quick to take out a bit of parchment and a quill, "He holds the loli mage quite fiercely… the bird girl is covering both with her long wing… the lizard girl is being used as a pillow by the cute Druid. Must have a soft underbelly…"

When the succubi matriarch proved to be capable of giving that first adventurer the lewd dream he requested, she found herself being showered with requests. When news of her capable hands reached the Guild Master of that time, she was allowed to request a reward in thanks for her fine job of allowing said Guild Master to taste all the attendants he lusted for… in his dreams, of course.

That reward became the current building she and her coven were using now, which was finally recognized as a proper establishment.

Unfortunately, not being a secret also meant that sometimes odd jobs will find their way into their hands. One of such odd jobs was to find the proclivities of an individual. Their existence being already illegal in the eyes of the churches, and the request meaning absolutely no harm to the target, the Cream Café found no reason to refuse.

"Alright, Mister Cute Arch Druid, I'm going to enter your dream for a moment." With a little bit of focus, the little succubus began to use her mind to poke the essence of the sole male in the room, "I promise I won't touch anything, I just want to see a little bit."

Flashes of images began to take form.

Giant towers of glass and steel…

An Academy the size of a city…

Izuku Midoriya was being lauded as a Hero; someone whose mere presence filled the hearts of all the good people with peace.

"Wait… is that it?" The succubus was utterly confused.

Dreams of being lauded as a Hero were almost always followed by the need to have multiple mating partners, then they were always followed by the man being surrounded by ludicrous amounts of riches.

"Why was this boy living in a tiny blocky home?" Seeing such a hard working Hero conforming to such a pitiable lifestyle was unheard off. At least most of the items looked of high quality, but still!

Getting home after a day in the work…

Being embraced by his lovely wife and family…

"Wait! There are three girls in the image…" Now the succubus was getting desperate, her target had declared ONE wife, but the image showed THREE loving girls, "WHICH ONE?! OR IS IT THE THREE?!"

Already desperate to get good information, the little succubus decided to push a little harder, goading the boy to either pick one, or jump into bed with the three and see which one he liked more.

The attempt, made with true finesse, still produced a tiny frown on the face of the young Arch Druid, nearly imperceptible to almost anyone… almost.

A pair of red eyes opened all of a sudden, darting instantly to the window. The violent killer intent leaked by the albino Gator-girl had been scorching. Even when she didn't caught the culprit with her sight.

Two buildings away, one petite succubus was shivering in true horror. The matriarch had trained each and every one of them to be able to sense danger and flee as fast as their wings could carry them. She had leaped out of the window's frame in a fraction of a second, then she darted through the shadows to get away from… that.

She was now calming her heart with steady breaths though. What she felt back then, it was like she had poked the most beloved treasure of a Dragon King. There was no doubt in her mind that if she had been a fraction of a second later… if that… thing… had caught her in her line of sight, she would have been torn to pieces in the most brutal and savage way possible.

"How am I going to report this?" The succubus muttered to herself in despair, knowing that she will be scolded if the information wasn't good enough, and yet, there was no way she would try a second time.

Not with that dragon masquerading as a lizard-girl.

The next morning…

Awakening at the first light of dawn was now the norm. Izuku felt like the sun beckoned him to raise better than any alarm clock of his old world. However, today something was different.

"What a weird dream…" Izuku muttered to himself, shaking away any remaining thoughts on the matter.

He had his usual fantasy dream of being a hero, saving the day, and coming home for well-earned cuddles. The last bit being a new addition since coming to this world. But then, at the end of it, he felt that something was amiss, like some external voice asking him which of his girls was meant to be his wife. Before being able to answer, his dream took a turn he really wasn't comfortable with; his girls were naked, and inviting him to…

"What dream?" Megumin asked as she too began to get off the bed, startling her boyfriend.

"About being back on my homeworld…" Izuku replied good-naturedly, while also omitting the wrong part.

He couldn't get to elaborate though.

"I was in that dream, RIGHT?!" Megumin was quite ready to throw a tantrum.

Izuku couldn't help but to chuckle at the sight. While he didn't know if he could take her back home, he knew he really wanted to present her to his mother. Just like the others. Maybe there was some truth to the weird part of his dream? Perhaps he was getting too morally relaxed after all?

"I said it was a dream, not a nightmare." Izuku replied, giving a loving head-pat to his girlfriend, "Of course you were there… all of you."

Izuku's words came out perhaps a little too lovingly, as Megumin was quite quick to turn to hide her blush. From her spot, Liza finally began to stir, her cold blooded body already pre-warmed thanks to the warmth of her beloved master.

"So…" Megumin managed to control herself within seconds, and was already reaching for her clothes to change, "What was weird about it?"

Izuku froze. He didn't know how to answer.

He had seen Chika and Liza naked, so remembering them would be… excusable. However, Megumin was an entirely different thing. Not only he hadn't seen her naked, she was also an educated human, and will no doubt freak out at the mention of such a thing!

"W-well… I… You…" Izuku's stammering didn't go unnoticed, much less his growing blush.

"Uuuugggghhhh…" Chika's groan immediately dissipated the tension.

"Chika?!" Both Izuku and Megumin asked in alarm.

Harpies were widely known for being clean freaks, always cleaning their plumage, taking baths whenever possible, and over all refusing to get filthy. Megumin had been surprised when Izuku explained this behavior as not being just vanity. It was hygiene. The only way for the oppressed Harpies to grow healthy, or as healthy as it was allowed.

"Chika's belly is stuffy…" Chika informed while she motioned to her lower belly, which was ever so slightly bigger than usual, "… with an egg…"

Izuku's mind short-circuited.

He hadn't touched her. Well, not as in having… sex… right? He had seen naked, he did grope her tiny and lovable chest. And sleeps with her… every night…

He didn't do anything to her while asleep, right?

Suddenly, the memory of the dream came back full force. What if he did rape her in his sleep? With her slave mentality she wouldn't complain, of course, but that made it all the worst! Where the others in danger? Did he attack them already?!

"I…" Izuku tried to say something, anything. If he did something already, then the least he could do would be taking responsibility.

Megumin quickly shot her tiny hand to cover the quivering mouth of her boyfriend.

"Don't…" Megumin said with a low voice that sounded like a hiss, "Don't you dare say anything, not until I see that egg…"

"Nnnnnngggghhhh…" Chika's groan stopped any further discussion, she needed the attention, not angry shouting right now.

Guild Hall, two hours later…

In a corner, one silver haired thief brooded away as her thoughts kept haunting her. Not too long ago, everything she held dear and sacred was brought into doubt, the sanctity of her faith called out as a source of evil.

"This isn't fair…" Chris, the Thief, muttered while nursing her mug of ale.

The antics of the cute and young Arch Druid had been upturning the world already, but did he really need to wreak havoc upon the faith of the people? Upon the name of the benevolent and loved goddess Eris? Her?

"The Arch Priest needs to repent, fix things before it is too late…" Chris continued, ever so slightly betraying her true identity, speaking like Eris would do.

She could truly understand, she could see why the Arch Druid would strike at her faith. Her followers did strike first, so retaliation was in order. But said retaliation was going to be much more devastating if not tempered with benevolence.

From a religious point of view, Druids were exceedingly dangerous. Capable of performing miracles without requesting more than the bare minimum, willing to lend their help when necessity arose, and known for respecting the laws and beliefs of others, they could easily entice most people into joining their communities… if they had them.

"Why isn't he influenced by his class?" Chris questioned the air once more, unable to get drunk thanks to the insane amounts of stress she was going through.

Druids were loners. Already rarely seen in civilized lands, and never taking companions barring a spouse or some pets, the commoners rarely had the chance of interacting with one, let alone take the time to get to know them and their ways. Nobles, too centered in their comfort, would never even strike conversation with one.

Izuku Midoriya, was the opposite, and that made him all the more dangerous. Kind, caring, charismatic, powerful; these traits already made heads turn his way, to start asking questions about him, his creed and his ideals. To make it worse, he was always seen in company of people.

Rumors were already circulating. Maybe bonding with demi-humans while being a Druid makes them stronger and more reliable? Maybe Druids can buff party members just by being there? Can Druids really live off the land so easily? Can a Druid end a drought without a hefty donation? Maybe the crop fields would grow better if a Druid bless them instead of the goddesses?

"They don't understand…" Chris wallowed as her heart ached, "Reincarnated people have cheat powers…"

As the goddess Eris, she was aware of Izuku's situation. She knew he came from Japan, or at least one of the multiple versions of it. She had no idea what he asked for, but seeing Aqua in the mortal world meant only problems. Best case scenario, she was the gift, meaning that now gods weren't safe from the rules of soul transferring. Worst case scenario… the Big Boss finally snapped, and forced her to accompany Izuku to put an end to the long lasting revolt of the Devil King. Both possibilities terrified her to no end.

Fortunately, this one seemed to be a good hero. Much better than all the previous ones combined, already stronger than the still wandering otherworlders.

"Fine! I get it!" Izuku's rather loud voice resounded in the hall as he and his party entered, "This one is on me for forgetting something so important."

Taking a good look at the young Arch Druid, it was easy to see that he was flustered. His companions showing varying degrees of amusement.

"Seriously, how could you forget it?" Megumin asked with a rather large grin, "She is important to you, and to me, and still you forgot that!"

"That" was the source of stress this morning. Chika had laid an egg, and in his moment of panic, Izuku had begun to sputter nonsense about taking responsibility. By the time he was finally able to listen to those around him, Darkness, Yunyun and Aela were already in the room, and were having a lot of trouble keeping their laughter to themselves.

"To be fair, I also forgot about it." Yunyun supplied, still having trouble hiding her grin, "I don't usually deal with harpies."

What Izuku forgot is that Harpies, like most avian species, laid eggs even when not fertilized. It was information available in the Guild's Encyclopedia, information he had read several times in order to understand and take proper care of Chika. Said information included the well-known fact that Harpy eggs varied in size depending if they were fertilized or not. Chika's egg, while double the size of a chicken egg, was still too small to be a proper baby.

"I didn't know anything about that…" Aela joined too, unable to decide if to feel flustered, or outraged. The Harpy was getting more attention than her!

Izuku groaned in exasperation. He was embarrassed, and recriminating himself for what happened early. He blamed that weird dream though, as such misunderstanding wouldn't have happened if he hadn't been confused about his feelings. Not that he didn't find Chika sexy, or Megumin desirable… or Liza…

"So, what do you intend to do with the Egg?" Darkness asked as she and the others sat at their usual table, she found the flustered boy cute, but the egg couldn't remain ignored, "Harpy eggs fetch a good price as an alchemic ingredient, the Guild would also buy it due to their value as monster lure. The church is a no go though, they only buy fertilized eggs, although the Empire…"

Darkness suddenly fell silent, eerily so; her face turning pale for some unknown reason, and her breath caught up on her throat. It was like she had seen a horrifying ghost, and Izuku didn't like the situation one bit.

"Not a go either, it's too far away for the egg to last." Aela tried to pick up where Darkness left off, at least she could provide this much information, "Which is a shame because they-OW!"

Yunyun had quickly kick the leg of the Ranger, silencing her just before she could say something she shouldn't.

"Because what?" Izuku asked, no longer confused.

His party members where hiding something from him, that much was obvious.

"The Empire is well known for their slavery practices, so we don't want you to… go there and do something rash." Megumin elaborated as elegantly as possible, "They pay a lot for things like eggs because they use them in unsavory things. We know you want to do something about that, but you'll need to defeat the Devil King to have your voice heard."

Izuku did look ready to march against the Empire and raze it to the ground. His party members didn't want to even imagine what their leader would do if he learns that in the Empire, Harpy eggs are considered a delicacy among the nobles. They failed to suppress a shiver at imagining the wide spread genocide…

"They better hear me after I'm done with the Devil King." Izuku muttered with a somber tone, then, he sighed and turned to look at the harpy in question, "So, Chika, what do you want to do with your egg?"

The Black Harpy was startled by the question, and with good reason. Slaves couldn't own anything, their masters owned everything they had, everything they were, even their lives. Belzerg was kind to slaves, but even then, a slave had noting of their own. This wasn't her first egg, but the other two were taken away from her by her previous owner, never to be seen again.

"Well, it is Master's egg, so…" Chika really didn't know what to do or say, and her raspy whispers showed it.

"No, Chika." Izuku softly interrupted, "It is your egg. Yours. You can keep it, or sell it to have money of your own, to spend in what you want. You can also destroy it so no one can have it, if you don't want anyone to touch it."

Chika looked a bit troubled now. Being assisted by her Master while laying it out had been endearing enough, but she had been allowed to carry it and toy with it for a while now. The idea of losing it was getting difficult to handle, especially after seeing her Master cradling it like a real baby, even if only for a few seconds, until Megumin stated that it wasn't a live egg.

"No keep." Liza suddenly interrupted, she had been oddly silent and on edge the entire morning, although an outsider would never notice the change from her standard stoic self, "Eggs… stolen…"

Everyone grimaced at the words of the always stoic gator-girl. Commodities and highly sought ingredients will always catch the eyes of unscrupulous people who wanted easy cash. The egg of a Harpy, being only valuable while fresh, would surely attract unwanted attention.

"Hello there!" A certain silver haired Thief approached the party, immediately sending Izuku into high alert… although for different reasons, "Long time no see!"

"Hi Chris." Darkness replied good-naturedly, "It hasn't been that long, but I admit we don't hang out as often as we used to."

Izuku had completely forgotten that Darkness and this racist individual were actual friends… and shared the same faith. Watching her scan Chika with eyes that screamed anger and despise, was a sad reminder that this world was a horrible place.

"I don't remember her being a wild Harpy…" Chris couldn't help but voice her confusion, after all, last time she saw her, the Harpy was missing her tail feathers and claw thumbs, "Is that an egg? You can get good coin if it's fresh."

"Chris…" Darkness' voice took a warning tone. Watching Izuku grow angry was a no-go in her book; Saints shouldn't allow negative emotions to guide them, after all.

"I'm not being confrontational!" Chris defended, still failing to hide her disdain for the Black Harpy, "I'm not nagging him about taking his slave to be trimmed at the church, am I?"

Megumin immediately went to comfort Izuku, giving him pats in the back. He was getting really angry, especially at hearing how such savage mutilation was given such a trivial name.

Chris gave a tired sigh. Trying to be nice around a Harpy was extremely hard, but she was willing to do so in order to fix things between the church and this chosen Hero. Seeing her temples destroyed over ONE Harpy was not worth it. In fact, maybe having ONE Harpy serve the Hero, and the church, could be good publicity, leading to less wild Harpies in the skies.

"Look, I want to apologize, alright?" Chris tried again, happy to find that her words seemed to work this time, "Eris teaches us to be benevolent and to show compassion, to always side with justice. Teachings that some priests sometimes forget extend to those outside the religious order."

Taking a moment to look at the faces still full of suspicion, Chris tried to act a little more… bashful. It always worked on the good heroes.

"What I'm trying to say is that not everyone from the Eris church is as greedy and condescending like the priests that attacked you before." Chris tried to explain, feeling victorious when she saw the Arch Druid relax, "I mean, you have been working alongside Darkness. And, while I'm not fond of Harpies, I understand you were not in the wrong when you solved the crisis with Keel's dungeon."

There was a moment of tense silence as the people at the table seemed to take in the words of the Thief. Then Izuku left out a very heavy sigh.

"Fine, I understand. Darkness has proven that there are some reasonable people among your religion." Izuku conceded, but his face hardened along his voice, just as the Thief was about to cheer on his change of heart, "I still don't want anyone from your church to come close to my dear Chika or Liza. I don't trust any of you to not try anything against them."

"Liza?" Chris asked in honest confusion, "Eris only declared the Harpies as her enemies, why would anyone do anything against the Lizardfolk?"

Chris confusion should have been understandable from her standpoint of view. During the Demi-human war, it was the machinations of the Harpies what brought the extinction of her beloved Avariel. That's why she made the extra effort of avenging them, leading to the absolute domination of the Harpies in the actual era. Her teachings only reached the Harpies, so other demi-humans…

"That hasn't stopped some priests from spreading the same treatment toward other races." Darkness explained, sounding really upset about the topic, "I still remember a particularly energetic Priestess trying to demonize the rabbitfolk as well. My father was incredibly angry when he learned of how she cut the ears of a very young Rabbit-boy in front of me and other children. She wasn't punished, just sent to another city."

Chris was taken aback. Such extremist practices shouldn't be linked to her faith, especially when the Rabbitfolk didn't join the war back then. Then there was the absurd amount of anger emanating from the Arch Druid. The mark of a true hero, to wage war against injustice in any shape or form. Now, if only she could make him understand that justice wasn't always nice…

"There, there…" Megumin went for more back rubbing, fighting a losing battle against her boyfriend's rage, "I know is hard to know that, but for now there is nothing we can do about it."

Truth to be told, Megumin also found it hard to digest. Her clan was fond of Demi-humans, so much that they religiously kept their founder's shrine to the mythical catfolk, one of the first species to go extinct during the Demi-human war.

"Cutting the ears… of a cute little rabbit boy?" Yunyun was in tears, rabbitfolk were the favored type of her family, and while they would never buy a slave, they would go out of their way to help and nurse them, even their animal counterparts.

Chris cleared her throat, wanting to bring the conversation back in track, and trying to dissipate the growing anger of the young Arch Druid.

"Well, just to let you know, I have nothing against Demi-humans." Chris clearly stated, trying her very best to start a good relationship with the reincarnated hero before her, "And while it is true that I don't trust Harpies, Eris must have a very good reason for that, I'm willing to let your Harpy alone. I may tell you once or twice to be wary of her, but nothing beyond that."

"Your warning is not appreciated nor wanted, thank you very much." Izuku replied with a stronger bite he believed he could muster, but feeling Chika's fear behind his back was too much for him, "Is that all?"

Izuku's mind made a mental note though. He felt Chika cowering behind him, but she was standing at his side, showing fear, but standing firm?

"Well, I also promise to not try anything against the gator-girl, not that I can do anything. Is there any weapon that can go through those scales?" Chris added, thinking that it was unnecessary with how stupidly strong that particular slave was, "Besides that, I just want to offer my services to your party. Consider it when you want to go dungeon delving, as having someone capable of lock picking, trap disarming and scouting is always a good thing!"

With a light wave of her hand and a playful wink, Chris left the party to their own devices.

Izuku waited until the Thief was well outside of hearing range to talk again.

"Chika, you ok?" Izuku asked while turning to look behind him, instead to the Harpy beside him.

For an instant, everyone except Liza looked confused at the action.

"That was scary…" Chika's shaky voice came a second before her head popped out from behind Izuku, which led to the other Chika to fade away a second after, "Chika thought she would lose her tail again…"

Izuku couldn't help but to give some head pats to the little Harpy. It was impossible not to love her, even when her voice caused constant pain.

"Was that an illusion?" Aela couldn't help but to ask, out of reflex, knowing very well that slaves couldn't learn magic because they couldn't get classes.

"Minor Illusion, actually." Megumin replied without thinking, not that it mattered in the long run, "I'm surprised she managed to use it that well though."

Aela opened her mouth to question everything that was wrong. However, instead of talking, she reached for some fried toad to stuff her mouth.

Izuku's party didn't make sense. In fact, the only reasonable constant is that no one in his party made sense. She would have lost her mind when fully understanding this if she hadn't become a part of this increasingly senseless anomaly. She took down a Rookie Killer in two shots; the Black harpy could be using some enchanted gear for all she knew. Questioning anything would only make her look like an ungrateful bitch.

"Don't worry, Chika." Izuku tenderly reassured, giving some extra head pats, "We won't allow anyone to hurt you, ever again."

Chika was quick to recover her cheerful attitude, feeling truly blessed by having Izuku declaring such things.

"Master! Chika has decided what to do with the egg!" Chika suddenly reported, making everyone wince because she failed to contain her voice to a whisper, "I want master to have it! That way Master can choose what to do with it. Master is wise!"

"Are you sure?" Izuku asked with worry, failing to notice how the two Crimson Demons of his team rolled their eyes at his loving antics, "If I were to sell it, it would mean that someone else will use it instead."

There was a moment where Chika's face showed some worry, but it was quickly replaced by an uneasy smile.

"Chika is sure." The Black Harpy returned to her well contained whispery voice, "Master will choose the right thing to do."

Once that was said, Izuku made to grab the egg… which was no longer on the table.

There was just a second of deadly silence. Then Darkness stood up in the most rigid stance everyone has ever seen her.

"Excuse me for moment, I need to ask Chris something real quick." Darkness said through clenched teeth, before marching toward the Thief, who was already talking with what appeared to be a fat and rich merchant, "Don't worry if you hear some screaming."

"I wasn't going to keep it!" Chris panicked scream was heard through all the Guild Hall, "I was just getting it appraised to help him sell it!"

In their table, Izuku was seething. Megumin, now aided by Yunyun, was trying really hard to keep him still by patting his back while giving him words of assurance. It wasn't helping enough, as seeing Chika sobbing in silence was more than enough fuel to keep his anger raging like an inferno.

"I guess I'm destroying that egg. Not even I can tolerate strangers handling it." Izuku replied after calming out a bit, and only because he could see Darkness returning with the egg on her hands, "Next time something like this happens, I'll may end up upturning the entire place…"

Izuku's muttered threat didn't go unheard. Luna was quick to take note, and send a very threatening warning to the silver haired Thief. And a notification of a mark on her Adventurer's card. It made her blood boil to think that after everything the church had done against him, these idiots kept piling up reasons for him to leave.

Couldn't they see that without his hard work, all the bonuses, incentives, and supply of good quality ingredients would be gone?

Later that night, after completing the usual round of quests…

Curled up into their comfortable sleeping positions, Izuku, Megumin and Chika dozed off in peace. The day may not have been any heavier due to the quests taken, but their confrontation with Darkness' friend had been more taxing than they thought at first.

The Thief indeed apologized, although she still held her version of trying to help the party. She was also visibly dismayed when Izuku expressed his newfound distaste for her, her class, and her two faced religion. Izuku would admit in private that he felt guilty for the harsh words given, but at the time, he was truly furious because that had made Chika cry.

Slaughtering a large pack of running lizards had certainly helped with the anger too. Even when he didn't kill them all. In fact, everyone was surprised when he went through the trouble of just culling their numbers, ensuring the quality of the next generation by not targeting the Queen and those close to her.

Izuku had to then take a few hours to explain why it was important to protect the balance of the ecosystem, and why eradicating whole species was always a bad idea.

When the day was over, so their energy reserves were depleted, and that's why they were so quick to fall asleep.

Except for Liza.

The room was dark and absolutely silent. The soft snoring of the sole male and his girls was so insignificant even a mosquito would be detected.

And Liza was perfectly aware of that.

Last night something committed the unforgivable crime of disturbing her beloved Master's sleep. She didn't know if such a thing would happen again, but she wasn't taking the risk. That's why she insisted Izuku used a pillow between his head and her belly, much to her absolute discomfort.

Unknown to many, she didn't required a lot of sleep. One hour at night was enough, and taking short naps of a single minute while the party wasn't moving helped greatly to keep her full of energy. Energy rarely used thanks to needing little activity through the day. It's not like tearing a Bugbear apart, and moving away a large boulder counted as exercise for her.

Watching the night pass away while listening to her Master's breath rhythm and steady heartbeat was bliss for her, and still she kept close attention to the surroundings. Well past midnight and only the wind outside seemed to try to disturb the blissful peace inside the room.

Then something changed.

"Really? You got scared shitless by one of the dumbest creatures to ever live?" One soft voice was barely heard, and only because Liza had an incredibly good hearing, "This is why you can't rank up."

Suddenly, the sounds of flapping wings joined the background noise. It was like hearing two little bats.

"Sis, I don't think we should do this." A second voice sounded, shy and meek, it was familiar, "Wasn't the information enough?"

Two small things flapping their wings and gums outside the window. While annoying to her, her Master was still undisturbed, no reason to move… yet.

"According to the Matriarch, no." The first voice replied, "The client wants to know what to offer him to stay permanently in the city. The Matriarch also wants him to stay. Apparently he is quite good at keeping the city safe, which means more free time for the local men to think of women and sex. That's our food, you dunderhead!"

Liza could only understand that these two wanted to find out how to ask her beloved Master to stay. In her opinion, this was stupid. First they should ask nicely, then offer to get rid of the idiots pushing him away. Then again, intelligence wasn't her strong point, and maybe asking him to stay was far more complicated. Still, nothing would excuse disturbing her Master's sleep.

"I see him, hmmmm… that's a cute harem…" The most experienced voice continued, "And that's the brute? Ok, I get it, those are some intimidating muscles. I doubt she can do anything about magic though."

Liza couldn't care less what they thought or said about her. The only important voices were her Master's, and to a lesser degree, Megumin's. Chika was important as something to protect, but her opinion was not important.

Magic began to seep into the room, slowly but steadily reaching for Izuku. Liza tensed, getting ready to strike, but kept still. Is not that she could tell it was magic, but she knew something changed inside the room, and yet her Master remained undisturbed.

"By the flames of hell…" The experienced voice exclaimed in barely contained surprise, "He's so pure, IT'S DISGUSTING!"

Izuku remained undisturbed, but that insult against one of her Master's virtues wasn't going to be forgotten, or ever forgiven.

"There is nothing wrong with that…" The shy voice retorted, "I don't think dreaming only of sex is necessary…"

"That's because all the men you had where those seeking a pure girl to date and romance." The experienced voice shot back, "Seriously, get into an orgy already. Cute romance is to us like cereal and milk is for humans; you can't live off of that!"

The bickering died, but they remained there. Liza didn't relax, not even a bit. If her master was not disturbed, so be it, but if he did…

"Ugh! I can't stand this boring shit anymore!" There was the experienced voice again, "Let's spice things just a bit. Let's push him just enough to see his perverted side and gather what we came here for."

The shy voice whimpered in fear. And then, it finally happened. Izuku's cute face frowned, his peaceful slumber had been disturbed ever so slightly. Liza needed no further incentive.

With speed, agility and flexibility that her form had no right to have, she disentangled from her privileged position, allowing Izuku's head to safely land thanks to the fluffy pillow, Megumin and Chika undisturbed due to their prized headrest being Izuku's chest.

The Succubi outside had no chance whatsoever to react. The distance between their selves and the enraged Gator-girl became nonexistent in a mere heartbeat. The windows, resistant enough to just withstand an accidental hit may as well have been nonexistent when tested against the outstretching arms of the mighty Dragon Totem Warrior.

To be fair, even a thick brick wall wouldn't have been enough either…

CRASH!

The extremely loud sound of a window being smashed with extreme prejudice was enough to awaken the other three occupants in the room. It also woke up everyone else in the inn.

"Wha-what?!" Izuku couldn't help the stutter, he was startled by the loud sound, and the repeat of the lewd dream, "What happened?!"

Megumin and Chika were just as startled. They were just in the middle of romantic dreams themselves. They had no need of succubi aid though.

"Master… Awake?" Liza asked with an apologetic expression, "I… sorry."

Hearing her cute apology had nearly no effect, after all, she was holding two winged girls with her clawed hands. Said claws wrapped around each girl's head. It was very clear she could crush their skulls like a gorilla would a ripe tomato anytime she so desired.

"WHAT'S GOING ON?" Darkness shouted as she rushed inside the room, still dressed on her night gown while wielding both club and shield.

"WHAT HAPPENED?" Aela was right behind, already scanning the room with her Bowgun, own nightgown doing no favors for her newfound bravery.

"WHY ARE THERE SUCCUBI HERE?!" Yunyun screamed in disgust while pointing her cute wand toward Liza's prisoners. She was wearing a bunny onesie… she looked adorable on it… and if not for the current situation, Izuku would have asked were to get one for Megumin…

Still being held by what could only be draconic claws of doom, the pair of succubi couldn't help but despair. They had been found, they were captured, and now, most likely, they will be tortured to death. If not by a religious group, by the matriarch herself for fucking up such an important job.

Omake – A letter home – For AllAboutNothin

Aela was sitting on a desk inside her room. Before her was a piece of parchment and a quill. Her current task was to write a letter home. It was not the first letter she writes, but this was going to be the first time she actually sends it.

Letting out a sigh, she decided that this should be done, and there was no point on delaying things anymore.

Dear Dad and Mom:

Since the day I left you to become and adventurer, a lot of things have happened. First, I fell in love like an idiot, becoming a follower to a young man who carried a relic weapon. It was just like you warned me, he called himself a Hero, and for a time, I actually thought he was one.

He was handsome, he had money, and he had power. And I got blinded by all of it, becoming incapable of seeing the glaring defects of this man.

I thought he was dependable, because he was able to tackle all challenges without breaking a sweat. I thought he loved me, because he treated me well. I thought he was perfect, because I couldn't see any defects.

I wish I understood sooner. Before letting him embrace me.

Don't worry, I carry no burden for my foolishness. I also made sure to never let him know my noble status, not that I have, or ever had, any claim to our family name. I know I have no right to any inheritance, and knowing you never hated me is more than enough treasure to cherish my true name.

Still, at the time, I thought I was set up for living a fairy tale of my own, getting the Hero for myself. Even though he got another woman in the party, a women he also treated well, which he also embraced behind my back.

So, it happened as you warned me. He tossed me to the side when I was no longer needed, to pay for a massive debt he saddled himself with. Because he challenged someone far stronger than he would ever be. It was my fault too. I foolishly believed he would come back to rescue me after chaining me with his debt.

Now I understand what he truly was. A spoiled brat with a Relic Weapon.

The weapon carried him through all the challenges. So I was carried along. That path leads to complacency and stagnation. It also leads to a false sense of superiority, because he thought he couldn't lose, and that he was always in the right.

That's why he fought, and lost, to a Druid named Izuku Midoriya. Perhaps you heard of him by now, as the man who killed Beldia, the General of the Devil King's army.

That's the man I serve now.

I say serve. Like he owns me. But in reality he freed me of the massive debt, and now I follow him out of gratitude.

He taught me how to fight, how to use my skills, how to deal with the Guild. He's been teaching me a lot, and even commissioned for me a crazy weapon that is on par with a legendary bow!

And the only thing he asked for in return is that I keep growing and learning.

It is as Dad said. Mistakes makes us learn and mature.

He said something similar to Kyouya though. He intends to fight against the Devil King himself. Unlike Kyouya, though, I actually believe he can do it. He is crazy strong, and is followed by crazy strong people. I don't know if I'll be able to keep up the pace, but at least I promise to make you proud with my own achievements.

I love you, and miss you. Like I miss all my brothers and sisters.

With love, your youngest daughter: Fio Aela Bella Flora.

Taking a moment to look at her writing, Aela decided it was good enough. She could have mentioned how she killed a Rookie Killer herself, but that may have gained enough attention to be summoned back home, maybe even have the inheritance order shifted. She didn't had the heart to do that to her brothers, besides, if she was going to have her own nobility title, she decided she wanted to earn it herself…

Well, maybe earn it as part of Izuku's party, but with her own effort!

Omake – Reaping what you sow…

Halfway to Alcanretia, Aqua's party had to stop on a small town to restock provisions and make some extra money through quests. While Aqua's habit of spending a little too much money on alcohol was bad enough, Kyouya's inability to say no was way worse.

"Why can't this town have good wine?" Aqua whined while nuzzling her bottle, it was the last one, "Why can't this people understand that without good offerings there can be no good blessings?"

Clemea, the Thief, was having trouble seeing this party succeeding. To be fair, she knew that Kyouya was partially responsible for this. It was the blond idiot who spoiled this bratty Arch Priestess with high quality wine. It was the Swordsmaster who insisted that his "Lady Aqua" deserved only the best of everything.

That had burned through their pockets really fast. Well, through his pockets. She wasn't using her own money on some bitch's vices. The only reason she hadn't killed the bitch is because she had rejected all of Kyouya's advances. It was only a matter of time before Kyouya gets the hint, and returns to her waiting arms…

"Hey, did you heard? Someone angered an ancient Lich near Axel not too long ago."

Clemea went stiff at the rumors. She clearly remembered that particular dungeon raid, and how it ended poorly before the Arch Priestess could properly purify the area. At least she got a bag full of coins.

"Yeah, I heard a powerful and benevolent Arch Druid put an end to the Lich."

At the mention of an Arch Druid, the Thief quickly imagined the freckled cute boy that humiliated Kyouya back then. She still called foul play, but Kyouya didn't help with his reckless challenge in the first place.

"You mean the same Arch Druid that exterminated Beldia? Why is such a monster not in the front lines?"

Clemea froze. Where they talking about the same Arch Druid?

Kyouya refused to march against Belida due to the difficulty of the task. His explanation of needing a higher level had been not without base, Belida had killed countless adventurers through his career, including wielders of legendary gear.

And she was expected to believe that the cute boy that defeated Kyouya also defeated such a monster?

Perhaps that's why Kyouya lost?

Or maybe she just chose wrong. Maybe she should have taken the debt on her name to stay besides such a powerful individual.

Defeating Belida was meant to be the first step into the main stage of the world of heroes for Kyouya, and that first step was now gone.

"Well, I'm sure he didn't solo that monster. I heard he is accompanied by two Crimson Demons, a mighty Crusader, and a Ranger that soloed a Rookie Killer. I can see such a group of monsters taking on Beldia."

Clemea froze yet again. Did they just mention Aela? Soloing a Rookie Killer?! HOW?!

A party full of monsters… a lizard girl crushing her sword with her bare teeth… she did made a mistake, didn't she? If she had taken the debt, would her skills have been boosted to such a degree she could solo a Rookie Killer?

Her skills haven't gotten any better since she begun following Kyouya, and Aela's became top notch in just weeks?

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN WE GOT MARKS ON OUR ADVENTURERS' CARDS?!"

Kyouya's wail was more than enough of a signal for the Thief. This party was no longer a good fit for her. As discretely as she could, she unregistered her name from the party and used lurk to abandon the Guild. The mark will make things difficult for a time, but she wasn't a branded criminal, she was sure she could return to Axel with some wise investments and legwork, from there, she will have to find a way to convince the cute Arch Druid to take her in.

Dealing with men was one of her skills anyway.

"Clemea!" Kyouya called for aid, just to find a lone drunk on the table he chose, "Clemea? CLEMEA!"

Kyouya quickly found out that having a powerful weapon meant nothing if you can't take quests to earn money. He also found that his beloved goddess wasn't fond of making sacrifices.

Notes:

Magnus: Hopefully no one is expecting this story to follow canon, right? No one is going to assume that canon events will be kept untouched, right?