Teresa Scarlet leaned against the wall of "Tanis' Emporium". She fanned herself with her hat, the humid air making the night hotter than it should be. She sighed as the cool, refreshing air from her hat hit her sweat covered face. She briefly glanced at the dark empty streets of Pran before her gaze went to the dark skies above. Her eyes rested in the half-moon's image as it shined what light it could down upon the city. It was half-way to the horizon, but the morning sun was nowhere to be seen. She sighed while her thoughts went to the reason she was out here.

That reason soon made itself known as the Guard Captain stepped out of the door to the building behind her. Following him was a young girl who only came up to Felix's waist. She had shaggy, chestnut hair that covered up one eye. Her other was a hazel color that seemed to glow in the darkness of the night. Her only article of clothing was a single red nightgown that went all the way to the floor. She carried a lit candle in her right hand that cast shadows over her face.

Felix stepped away from the girl, giving her a slight bow of respect, "Thanks for your time, Tanis. Sorry I had to wake you up at this hour. But, I assure you, the Guard will be forever in your debt."

Tanis rolled her singularly visible eye, "Sure, you will. Just make sure you return as many of those enchanted weapons as you can. Oh. And, the next time you wake me up this early, I'll throw a flask of acid at you."

She walked back inside the building and closed the door behind her. Felix turned towards the Dhampir and shrugged. Teresa chuckled while pushing herself away from the wall. She placed her hat back on with a flourish, "Quite vulgar for a child, isn't she?"

"Child?" Felix laughed, "Tanis is twenty-three! She set this place up when she was fifteen!"

Teresa was taken aback, "What? But...she looks so...did she drink one of the Sabbath's potions?"

Felix shook his head, "Not to my knowledge. If she did, she does a damn good job of keeping it in her pants. Haven't seen her try anything with my men or me."

"Alright then," Teresa shook her head to clear her thoughts. She waved towards the east of the city, "Shall we make our way back to the barracks? I feel we have a lot to discuss."

Felix shrugged and started heading that towards the barracks, "Meh, we can speak on the way there. No one's out this late. And even if they were, doubt it would matter if they heard us."

Teresa followed after the man, eyebrow raising in the process, "You seem rather confident considering the situation. Anyone else in your position would be panicking at the mere thought of being attacked by a Lilim."

Felix shrugged again. He started to pull at the hairs on his beard, briefly grunting in disgust as he pulled an errant piece of food from it. He flicked it onto the ground then stomped it under foot as he spoke, "That's cause I'm the guy who has to run this shit. If everyone else sees me panicking, they're gonna start panicking."

"But didn't you tell your men what's happening already?"

"Course I did. But the fact that they're all sticking around means that at least a few of them think we're gonna get outta this. That I'm gonna suddenly pull a victory out of my ass," Felix shook his head, face turning grim as he thought of the future, "but, honestly? I'm just hoping we can at least bleed Druella a little bit. Be the first to make the Mamono actually have to fight for every inch they take from us. In more ways than one."

Teresa giggled at Felix's small joke. But one look at the man's downcast face was enough to make her stop. The two walked in silence for a few minutes. Then Teresa clapped her hands together, "Well, why don't we lay out everything we have and what our current plans are? Perhaps we can discover something we missed by doing so?"

"Eh, couldn't hurt," Felix crossed his arms, frowning as he began to think, "So, our little tour of the place gave us a few specifics on how our fair little town looks. It's circular with a stone wall that extends all the way around it. We have two gates, one at the north and one at the south. Both are wooden, but we have large clasps that we can set to reinforce them."

Teresa nodded, placing a hand on her hat as she looked around at the buildings, "Most of the civilian buildings are near the edges of the town in the shadows of the walls. Everything else is closer to the center of the city. The Market Square, which is right in the center, has the Inn, Smithy, and Magic Shop there. Tanis' Emporium is somewhere in between the inner and outer parts of the city."

"And I have a Guard Barracks set up at each gate, and one smack dab in middle of the road where the slums meet the main part of the city. I keep each staffed by at least fifty of the total five-hundred we have in the city. The rest alternate between being 'off-duty' but ready for combat, guarding the streets, guarding the gates, guarding our cells, and taking sewer duty."

"Was there any place in the slums that we could've missed?"

Felix nodded, "The Brothel, possibly. But that's mainly cause the Madame doesn't want to speak to me."

Teresa gave Felix a blank stare, "What did you do?"

"Why is it that whenever I say that to women, they automatically assume it was my fault?" Felix groaned while shaking his head. Teresa kept the blank stare on her face. He groaned again before replying, "If you must know, we were a thing for a bit. She wanted an 'Open Relationship'. I didn't. The breakup was...messy. Lets leave it at that."

"Oh. I am so sorry," Teresa said with real sincerity. She looked over at him while holding down on the rim of her hat, "Did you...did you love her?"

Felix quickly waved a dismissive hand through the air, "Eh, doesn't matter. Point is, now she won't speak to me nor any of my men. Or women. Which isn't good. While she isn't exactly a keystone when it comes to Pran, I know for a fact some of the boys go there to unwind. Some of them may start gossiping and share the fact that Druella's on her way."

"Which is something we want to avoid?" Teresa asked for clarification.

Felix nodded, "People were already spooked into leaving the city when Druella took Lescatie. We don't want to give them more reasons to panic."

Teresa nodded in understanding. She looked up and saw they had made it back to the barracks. Felix walked forward and held the door open for her. She thanked him before heading inside. The two waved hello to the guards still on duty, most of which were either maintaining their weapons or sharing crude tales with each other. A few whistled at the pair entering the barracks. One brave soul stood up and shouted, "Hey, Captain! Druella hasn't shown up yet! Try to keep it in your pants for a bit longer!"

"Connor, you wouldn't know if two people were fucking if they were doing right in your own home! Now shut it, and get back to polishing your sword! Chief God knows you're the only one who's gonna do it!" Felix shouted back. His response earned him a round of applause from his men, while Teresa smiled at the exchange. She was happy to see they were still in high spirits.

The Dhampir and Guard Captain made their ways upstairs and into Felix's office. When the two of them were seated, and Felix's cat returned to his shoulder, Teresa continued their conversation, "Now, let us change the subject. What have we done so far to hopefully shore up any weaknesses in Pran's defenses?"

"Well, not much. But that's mainly cause we aren't like Lescatie," Felix reached into his desk and pulled out a scroll. He held it up and started to read it as he spoke, "We don't really have a 'noble class' around here. The Order doesn't want shit to do with us since we don't have much value strategically. Yeah, we're on the Frontier now, but I'm certain they're not gonna try to make another military outpost any time soon. Not unless they want a repeat of Druella's attack. The richest person in the city was Montgomery, but I was careful to make sure he couldn't get any power over the Guard. With him gone, his apprentice has taken over. Thankfully, the kid doesn't seem like someone who would try to take over the city."

"Oh yes, Micheal. How is he doing? I can't imagine such a sudden transfer of power has been easy for him to handle," Teresa said while placing a hand on her cheek. Her eyes furrowed as she began to worry about the young man, "He must be feeling so uncertain."

"Actually, he was doing rather well last I saw him," Felix said with a smile, "Kid's taken to his job like a fish to water. He's actually one of the main reasons we won't have to worry about money or supplies. He'll fund the defense of the city himself, and plans to contact merchants in other parts of the land to get them to send caravans to us. Caravans full of weapons and supplies."

Teresa smiled, "That's wonderful to hear. I should go visit him after this to thank him for his help."

Felix shrugged, "Be my guest. It'll probably motivate him to do even better."

"Hmm? What do you mean?"

"Don't mind it," Felix waved the girl's question off. He turned back to the scroll, "We've gotten rid of the Vipers, and most of the other criminals are either in a dungeon or dead. Which means there's less of a chance for the Lilim to get her claws into our internal structure. Easily anyway. I've been triple-checking the loyalty of my own men, but someone wouldn't be a very good traitor if they were easily caught. So there's that."

He scratched his cat's ears with his free hand while putting the scroll down on his desk, "As for military, we have next to no actual Mages on our side. That puts us at a distinct disadvantage against the Mamono forces. Especially if she brings anything that can fly or cast their own spells. Plus our walls are strong, but I doubt they'll stand up to something like a minotaur. Gods forbid she manages to bring a Wurm with her."

"And there's no chance of us calling Heroes to help?"

"Oh, we could. And I'm planning to...but only after Cynthia gets done with her little break."

"But why?"

"Because the closest place with Heroes and an Order presence that I know of, is Vinvers. And she pissed the Branch of the Order there off while also causing a schism in their ranks. If we ask for help from there, we'll have a fifty-fifty shot of getting a Hero that wants Cynthia dead, or a Hero that worships the ground she walks on. Either could be trouble. There are other places, but they're weeks away from us on foot or by horse. Even if they weren't, there's no guarantee what happened in Vinvers hasn't reached them. And I highly doubt another Order Branch will look kindly upon Cynthia for stomping their Vinvers Branch into the ground. Intentional or not."

He shook his head, "Course, the issue isn't that we can't have them helping us. It's that they'll be focusing their efforts on Cynthia. Meaning she'll have to deal with their crap. The last thing I want is to suddenly bring in someone that's gonna fuck with her life without her consent. Partially cause I respect her a little, partially cause I owe her, and partially cause I don't want to get on the bad side of a woman who can kill a Hero in one punch."

Teresa nodded, a grim expression on her face. She placed both hands on the table as she spoke, "I see. Any word from Koga or Akuri?"

Felix shook his head, "Not yet. Hopefully those two are doing alright."

"I hope so as well. So, is there anything else we may have missed?"

"Not that I can think of. Save for one, big thing: None of this is gonna matter if Druella takes to the field herself," Felix stated with a sad sigh, "Hate to admit it, but if what the rumors say is true, she's her own trump card. All she has to do is walk right up to someone and, Hero or not, they'll fall to their knees thanks to her power. Even if we had the greatest defensive line in the land, she can just has to fly smack dab into the middle of our forces and boom. We're finished. The only one who could probably take her on is Cynthia, and that's only because she doesn't have any Mana or otherwise to corrupt."

Teresa frowned, head tilting down as she considered Felix's words. She pursed her lips as she tried to think of something that could help them. Something to give them an edge.

Then her mouth slowly quirked up into a smile.

"Actually, Felix. I may know how you can negate Druella's power."

Felix raised an eyebrow, giving the Dhampir his full attention, "Well? Don't leave me in suspense girl. What do you have in mind?"

"Felix, tell me: Do you know the two types of people Mamono will avoid touching at all cost? The two types of people that even the most lustful of Mamono won't try to corrupt?"

Felix shook his head, "As far as I knew, they went after anything that had a dick. Didn't know there were any standards they followed."

Teresa giggled, "You're not the first to be surprised by that, I assure you. But, yes. The first type are those who are completely, unrepentantly evil. Psychopaths, monsters, and worse who care for nothing and no one save themselves. Who would bring ruin and death to the world, if it would satisfy their own sick pleasures."

Felix hummed in thought, one hand going to his beard. He waved for Teresa to continue while keeping his eyes focused on her. Teresa leaned back in her chair, smile still on her face as she spoke, "And the other, is a married man."

Felix raised an eyebrow, "Really? Then, could you explain Lescatie? Cause I'm sure there were plenty of married men there."

"Yes, but they had their wives and daughters with them did they not?"

"...Ah. I see what you're getting at," Felix slowly nodded in understanding, "but you mind explaining why that's such a deal breaker for Mamono?"

"Because it's something that Lilith loathes," the Dhampir placed a hand on her chest as she continued, "The Demon Lord believes in the sanctity of a union between a man and a woman. While she does permit voluntary harems surrounding one man, poaching one man from another woman is an act she considers to be the height of blasphemy. Thus, should a Mamono find a married man out in the field, even should she be in heat, she will not attempt to seduce him. While she will defend herself from attack, she will not attempt to corrupt him should she prove victorious."

"Meaning if we only have married men in our defense force, then we don't have to worry about corruption. But, that still leaves the problem of Druella," he tapped the table with a finger, "She's a Lilim. She can ignore her mother's will if she wants, can't she?"

"Yes...but doing so would risk her army. When Mamono go to war, they don't see it as a bloody conflict that they must win. They see it as a simple trip into human lands to get husbands. Thus most of her soldiers will be Mamono who don't already have husband. With only her inner circle being comprised of those who are already married. Thus, if Druella were to corrupt a married man...,"

"...her army would desert her," Felix finished for Teresa. They both shared a nod as Felix leaned back in his chair, "Not a bad idea there, Teresa. However, its got a glaring issue."

Teresa tilted her head in confusion, "What's that, Felix?"

The Guard Captain tapped his temple, "Well...remember how I said that there's a total of five-hundred Guards in Pran? Of those, only two-hundred are married. And of those, fifty are female. This means that, if we go with your idea, our defensive force will be only 150 strong. None of which will be Heroes. And Gods know how many Mamono Druella will be bringing with her."

Teresa grimaced, her expression falling with her mood at the news, "Oh. I see."

Felix stretched his arms towards the ceiling. A yawn escaped his lips before he spoke again, "Still, it's probably the best plan we've got. Until something better comes around. Till then, I think it's about time we both got some sleep. Been doing this for the better part of the day."

Teresa nodded then stood up from her seat, "You are correct, Guard Captain. But I suggest you be the one to get some rest. I happen to enjoy the night air quite a bit."

"That the vampire half of you talking?" his lips quirked up in a small grin.

Teresa returned his grin. Then she turned around and started walking towards the door.

"Hey, one last thing."

Teresa stopped at the door's threshold. She turned her head to look over her shoulder at Felix, "Yes?"

"Why are you helping us?" the frown on his face only emphasized his words, "You have to know that what you're doing is making it easier for us to kill the Mamono coming for us, right? And you, yourself, have admitted that you don't want this to end with bloodshed. So, why are you doing something that will help us in shedding blood?"

Teresa was silent for a moment. She didn't move nor turn away from the Guard Captain's gaze. For two minutes she kept her eyes locked on his own. Then she turned around a shook her head. A sad sigh left her as she started stepping outside the door, "To be honest, Captain? It's because whenever I think of letting Druella turn this town into a Demon Realm, I feel sick to my stomach. So, I want to make sure it doesn't happen."

"Why though? You hardly know us."

Teresa laughs, "And that should deter me, why?"

Felix hummed in understanding. Then he nodded, "Fair enough. Night, Ms. Scarlet."

"Good night, Guard Captain."

----------------------------------------

Koga jerked awake from his dreamless sleep.

His eyes shot open as they darted around the area. The darkness of the night has begun to retreat. The sun was just starting to come over the horizon, its rays beginning to pierce through the canopy of the forest. He could feel the bark of a tree trunk pressing into his back. Far to his left he saw the horses, Nobu and Mimi, standing and grazing on some grass. His bags were on his own steed, while the bags of Akuri were on hers.

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He tried to stand but found that neither his arms nor his legs would listen to him. Nor could he feel his shoulders or thighs. Frowning he looked down...and saw that his limbs were still missing.

It was then that everything that happened last night came back to him.

His confrontation with Hel.

His defiance of her words.

His attack.

Her destroying his limbs.

Him managing to scratch her.

If that was the case...then how did he end up here? He lost consciousness after the Goddess departed. And even if he didn't, there was no way he could've dragged himself back to camp. Easily, anyway. Despite the changes he went through in that Nightmare, he still carried the powers confer-forced onto him by Hel.

In particular, regeneration.

One glance at his right arm showed pieces of bone beginning to grow from the stump. Slowly, lattice works of purple skin, gray muscles, and miniscule nerves began to knit themselves together. Whenever a piece of flesh was finished growing, his armor started to fix itself over the exposed skin. The same process was repeating itself across his other arm and missing legs. Progress was slow...but it was steady. By his account, his right arm would be back in working order before early morning. Which was all he really needed.

The rustling of bushes caught his attention. He turned to his right and saw Akuri stepping out from the underbrush. She carried a bundle of berries in her singular arm, footsteps silent as she moved towards Koga's position. On her hip was a familiar looking scabbard, with the guard of a blade sticking out of it.

"My sword," Koga called while pushing himself up, using the tree trunk for support.

Akuri's eyes went wide when she heard Koga's voice. She sped up to arrive at his side, almost skidding to a stop next to him. She fell to her knees and attempted to grab his blade...which led to her dropping the berries she was carrying.

"Oh no!" she gasped while trying to grab as many berries as she could before they rolled away. She stammered out, "My apologies, Koga! I...I just didn't expect you to-"

"Shadow," his cold voice made her stop picking the blue-skinned fruits from the forest floor. When she looked up at him, he inclined his head towards her hip, "My sword...please."

Akuri blinked owlishly at the Ochimusha. Then she straightened her posture before bowing her head to Koga, "Of course, Lord K-"

"I am no Lord. Do not give me a title that I do not deserve," he cuts her off, his harsh words matching the glare he levels at her.

"Of-Of course L-Koga. I, once again, apologize," Akuri quickly grabbed Koga's weapon with her hand and held it up to him. She bowed her head while speaking with reverence in her voice, "Your sword, as requested."

Koga scanned the weapon's scabbard with calculating eyes. He saw that the confrontation, if he could even call it that, had not left it unscathed. Its covering had cracks running along its body. From back to front they spiraled in random patterns, marring every part of the black surface that could be seen. However, the main thing that caught Koga's attention, was the end of scabbard. Namely, the fact that a thick white smoke seemed to emit from it.

Narrowing his eyes, he turned to Akuri, "Unsheathe it...please."

Akuri nodded, moving the body of the scabbard towards her lap. She held it between her thighs while pulling the blade out with her single hand. The sound of steel on leather echoed through the clearing, making the horses turn their attention from the grass to watch their riders. Koga watched the blade as it left its home. His eyes were calm as he beheld the still intact steel of the weapon be brought into the light...then suddenly widened as the blade was fully drawn.

The body of the weapon was still intact. He saw no hints of damage like that upon its scabbard.

But its edge had...changed.

What was once unblemished steel now had a dark crimson color. Smoke trailed from it in waves, dark brackish blood bubbling along the entirety of the tip. Small blue flames seemed to trail along the front and flat edges of the blade. They danced in slow moving circles like twin suns moving in unison.

Koga stared at the edge of his blade as his mind went back to his confrontation. That was the edge he managed to hit Hel with. His blade was dripping with the blood of a God.

And if a God could bleed...

...that was a comforting thought.

He turned to Akuri, expression softening somewhat as he nodded, "You may sheathe it."

The Kuniochi did as Koga bid. The two were silent for a time. Then Koga asked, "You dragged me back to camp, then?"

"Y-yes," Akuri's voice was filled with uncertainty. She placed Koga's blade on the ground, careful to ensure it didn't touch any of the fallen berries.

"Hmm...did you see what happened to put me in such a state?"

"Y-Y-Yes, Koga," she lowered her head, avoiding the Ochimusha's eyes.

"How?"

"I...after I composed myself I...followed after you. I know you said not to but...I wished to...to apologize for my earlier transgressions," Koga could hear the strain in her voice as she spoke. She didn't look up at him as she continued, "I arrived and hid within the branches of a tree. I used my talents as a Shinobi to listen in on your conversation. I heard as the...the Goddess began to explain why she brought you back."

"Then you heard what she said about how she hopes our relationship develops," it wasn't a question.

Akuri only nodded.

"And how did that make you feel?"

The Kuniochi tensed up. Her single hand gripped her thigh, she started biting her bottom lip, and sweat began to fall from her brow. She kept her eyes focused on the ground and away from Koga's face.

But, under the Ochimusha's withering stare, she could only remain silent for so long.

"I...It...It made me feel...happy," the words felt like ashes in her mouth, but she couldn't bring herself to lie to Koga, "The idea that a Goddess wished for the two of us to be together, the thought of you reciprocating my affections, the dream of the future we could have together...it made my heart soar."

Koga's gaze shifted from simply withering to disappointed. He shook his head, "You must know what the foundation of such a thing would be, correct?"

Akuri grabbed her shoulder with her hand. She gripped it tight as she continued, "I know. I know. But...but I...I can't deny it! I know it's wrong! I know you would hate me for it! But...but my heart. It aches every moment I'm not-"

"Enough," Koga turned his head away from Akuri. He ignored the pained gasp that escaped her, keeping his eyes on his still healing left arm. The regeneration had reached his elbow by now. He still couldn't feel the limb, but it was slowly but surely coming back to him. He frowned while keeping his eyes on the healing appendage.

Akuri barely stifled the sobs that were threatening to overtake her. She wiped her eyes with her arm, before nodding and speaking once more, "I...I am sorry, Koga. But, please, allow me to say more. If you allow me at least that, then I will leave you be for the rest of our sojourn."

"...Speak," Koga's reply was swift and cold.

Akuri flinched at the clipped down. But she spoke to him nonetheless, "I did not simply leave after hearing that. I remained...and observed what happened next. I saw you, standing firm, body ablaze as you defied the will of a Goddess that, by all rights, should've been able to command you without issue. In awe I beheld your advance upon the Goddess, the darkness of her power beaten back by each step you took. I watched, stunned as you did the unthinkable: You wounded one of the Divine."

Her hand went her chest and rested over her heart. She spoke with genuine sincerity, eyes lighting up with awe as she smiled beneath her mask, "Seeing you stand against the world, defy the fate put upon you by the Goddess Of Death herself...I fell in love with you all over again."

Koga grit his teeth in anger. He turned towards Akuri, ready to tell her to leave him to his healing...but her next words made him pause mid-sentence.

Akuri straightened her back, looked directly into Koga's eyes, and spoke with absolute conviction in her voice, "And if you are willing to go that far to defy the world itself, then I will follow your lead. From this point on, I, Sume Akuri, swear upon my name that I will never force myself upon you. Nor will I attempt to seduce you with my powers. Even if it feels as if my heart will shatter from defying my nature, I will not give in. Should I ever fail to live up to this oath, then you may strike me down, Koga."

Akuri moved Koga's blade closer to where his hand would be. Then she stood up, bowed to Koga, and turned to take care of their horses.

"Akuri."

She stopped in her tracks.

"...Thank you for helping me."

She didn't look back. Merely said, "You're welcome, Koga."

Koga nodded. Then he turned his gaze towards the sky.

Inwardly, he was already planning their route for the morning.

For the moment his legs were working again, he'd be on Nobu and they'd be off.

His escapades last night made them lose who knows how much time.

They'd need to use the next day to make up for it.

----------------------------------------

Within the walls of Lescatie's Palace, above the lewd squelches of multiple women being repeatedly impregnated by Roper tendrils, was the sound of Druella pacing her way through its halls. Her high-heeled shoes tapped out a rhythm on the tiled floor that was slick with sexual fluids. Her white, spaded tail swayed above her backside as she walked, while her equally white wings were folded in front of her waist. White flowing locks of hair formed a curtain around her head and shoulders.

Every now and then as she walked around a corner or passed by a room, she would see Mamono in various states of intercourse. They had taken up residence within the Palace to either have sex with their husbands, or be pleasured by the "children" of the Roper Queen, Fransica Mistel Lescatie. Sometimes their stay would be temporary, leaving once they were sated or when they needed to leave with their husbands. Other times, they would remain in the Palace becoming a permanent part of Fransica's family.

When the Monster Girls saw the White Lilim the more sane of the bunch would call her name in greeting. However, they would soon find themselves temporarily drawn from their sexual pleasures. Their gazes would follow after the Lilim for a short time, concern written on their faces.. For they saw their leader's face contorted in an expression they were unused to seeing.

Doubt.

Druella furrowed her brows as she continued to pace through the halls of the Palace. Nothing stopped her stride, not even hearing other succubi calling her name. Their words couldn't pierce the fog that had descended upon her mind and made her take this impromptu stroll through the recently taken mansion. For her thoughts had been captured by the developments she had witnessed herself.

Those regarding the Hunter and Matilda, the Living Doll.

Druella's frown deepened as the thoughts of what she and Kuroferuru had seen. The two had kept tabs on the Living Doll after they sent her into Pran, Druella's Scrying Mirror being used to watch over the Mamono on her mission. The plan was simple. They would watch until Matilda managed to corrupt the Hunter's children. If she managed to do so without getting caught, her task would be to leave and find a safe place away from Pran. If the Hunter discovered her, then she would draw the kids far enough away from the woman, that she couldn't do anything to save them. Either way, Kuroferuru would then send a witch to their location and she'd teleport the three back to Lescatie.

That's what they thought would happen.

But things...didn't turn out that way.

It started when they saw the Hunter in her new outfit. Druella's reaction was a mixture of shock and vindication. She knew that beneath the rough exterior was a stunning beauty dying to be let out. But she hadn't expected her to be hiding...all of that. The curves that fit her just right, hips that swayed even when she walked, and chest that drew the eyes of multiple men when she left the tailor. Most succubi would do anything to get a body like that. It made the Lilim even more curious as to what the woman would be like as a Mamono.

Kuroferuru on the other hand...well she merely huffed and refused to comment.

They continued to watch as the Doll was taken in by the Hunter. They saw her take the Doll to her room. And that's when things got strange.

First, was the Hunter's barehanded assault on Matilda. Druella still winced as she recalled the beatdown. She could almost hear the Doll's body crack with each and every blow that landed.

Second, just when the Hunter finished saying something to the Doll...the mirror stopped working. It only lasted a few seconds, but the fact that it happened at all caused both of them concern. Especially when she went over the spells she had layered into the glass...and found no issues.

That had caused her concern.

When the image came back and showed that the Hunter was gone, that concern turned to a calculating consideration of the Hunter's abilities. It was only a few moments later that the image cut out once more. Then it came back...and that was when she appeared.

Druella found herself pausing in her steps. The feeling of cool air blowing on her exposed skin made her look to her left. There she saw one of the windows of the Palace, its curtains being blown into the hall by the wind outside. The silken curtains brushed against her skin as they waved in the breeze. Druella took in a deep breath of fresh air, her expression softening as she basked in it. It carried with it the smell of spices from the market, the morning dew of the fields outside the city, and the smell of the early morning sun coming over the horizon.

But most of all, it carried the smell of sex. The sweet, husky, intoxicating scent of lovemaking coming from the Mamono and their husbands within the rest of the city. The smell helped focus Druella's thoughts as she recalled the memory of that...that...she wasn't sure what she was.

The..."woman" looked extremely similar to an adult version of a Living Doll. Something that shouldn't be possible considering all Living Dolls were made to be forever young. Yet, there she sat, her ball jointed hands gently cupping Matilda's cheeks. This time, both Druella and Kuroferuru were of the same mind. For she had no doubt that the Baphomet saw the exact same thing she did when they looked at the "woman".

Love.

The same love she wanted to spread throughout the world. That she wanted all humans and monsters to experience.

However...this was different.

The love she knew was a passionate, heated, fiery thing. It captured the hearts of men and women alike. Their emotions ensnared, it was only natural that they wish to become one with each other. To lay with each other, press their naked bodies together, and make love in the way that only those who understood such emotions could. The type that would spread like a wildfire to all who witnessed it, drawing them into the same throws of passion and lust.

But the love she felt within that..."woman".

It was...calm.

It was a peaceful sort. The kind of quiet affection one nurses for another. A silent adoration that rested within the deepest parts of someone's soul. Such a passive feeling didn't drive them to be with their object of affection at all cost. It didn't push for them to drag their beloved to bed for hours of love making. It didn't even truly have a need to be reciprocated.

It went against every single thing she believed love to be.

But then...why was it so strong?

Why was that affection, the type that stood in complete contrast to the love she knew, so similar to the kind her parents had? The same type of love that allowed them to stand against even the Chief God. The same love that produced her and her sisters. The same love that would eventually allow her mother to give Mamono the ability to produce Monster sons.

How could such a thing exist without any of the passion of the love between a Mamono and her husband? How could it do...whatever it did to Matilda? The Living Doll was still a Monster, she could tell that much. But she gave off the same strange feeling as the "woman" that turned her. Did she become a subspecies? Something like how Primera became a Werewolf-Elf after her transformation? Or was it something else? Was it something she was missing?

She had no answers.

And watching the Hunter and this new "woman" didn't give her any clues.

Only more questions.

Her frown deepened.

How could this be possible?

She had seen the kind of "love" that could exist without a Mamono involved. The type that could fray with time. That could be conditional or require something material and easily lost. That, if not openly articulated, could turn into a festering wound on someone's heart. That made others afraid to be true to themselves. Compared to the love that was freely given by the Mamono, to the one that would last until the end of time, that was openly declared to the world, is it any wonder that it gave such strength to Mamono?

But then...how could that "woman" exist?

Was there another type of love out there? One that could be as strong as her parents'? One that can last without the need of Mamono?

Was...was she...was she wrong?

The thought made Druella stop in her tracks. Her eyes widened, her tail went still in the air, and her breathing slowed down. She tried to shake off the idea...but it wouldn't leave her.

Was she wrong?

Was there something she had been missing?

Did...did she have to do things the way she did?

Could she have been different?

All this questions circulated through her mind...that is, until she heard a loud moan coming from her right. Glancing towards the noise, she discovered that she had wandered into the Throne Room at some point.

And it seemed that it was Fransica's turn with Elt today.

As she beheld the Queen Roper, her emerald slime form engulfing every part of the red haired boy, she felt her worries leave her. For she began to recall what the girl was like before her transformation.

Sickly, bedridden, depressed, and treated as a burden by all around her. How the light in her eyes had slowly but surely left her while she was trapped within her frail human form. How she never had the courage to admit her feelings to who she truly loved because of it.

After her transformation?

"You look so cute, Elt~," the Queen Roper giggled, her arms and tentacles milking the Incubus' every orifice. He could do little save for grunt in pleasure, while taking time to grope a part of Fransica's slimy body.

The sight of the two of them consummating their union drove all doubts from Druella's mind.

No. She was doing the right thing.

If she had stayed idle, not only Fransica, but all the Maidens would've been far worse off. How could she be in the wrong when she had accomplished such a thing?

Whoever that new "woman" the Hunter had brought to this world was, she was certain the love she felt wasn't complete. And if it was, then surely it could be improved by becoming a Mamono? After all, you can never have too much love in your life.

A determined smile replaced the frown on Druella's face. She began to walk much more confidently, her hips swaying as she changed her destination. After moving through different wings of the Palace, she arrived at the Black Goat's Alchemical Workshop. The door was left wide open, the sounds of men being pleasured and liquid's bubbling coming from within. A purple mist crawled from within the room, carrying with it the musky smell of semen, sex, and sweat.

Walking through the open door, Druella beheld Kuroferuru hard at work. The Baphomet was hovering over a large cauldron, her body held up by black tentacles that extended from portals behind her. She carried a large wooden stick that she swirled through the bubbling liquid of the cauldron. Around the container were three witches and three baphomets on either side. Each was on a stool, pleasuring their "Onii-chans". Whenever one of the men climaxed, one of the girls would move out of the way to let his expulsion fall into the mixture below. The girl responsible would frown at the action, but she'd brighten up when Kuroferuru dismissed her off deeper into the workshop.

Kuroferuru looked up from her concoction when she felt the White Lilim enter the room. She smiled, speaking over the moans and groans of her assistants, "Lady Lilim! Come to see my latest creation?"

"In a way," Druella said with a sly smile. She pointed at the liquid in the cauldron, "Would I be correct in saying that's an enhanced version of the potion you give to older women?"

The Baphomet frowned but nodded to the White Lilim, "Yeah! I'm making it to deal with that 'Hunter' and get back at her! How dare she lie to me by hiding her true appearance! Damn, bags of fat on her chest. No good lying meanie!"

The Baphomet's stirring increased in intensity as she spoke. Druella shook her head with a smile. The Black Goat didn't take seeing that the Hunter had a bust as big as a demon's well. Though, her choice of reaction wasn't necessarily a bad thing. Druella had come here to request a potion to use...but not on the Hunter.

"Actually, I had a question," Druella leaned over the cauldron, her passive aura touching the witches and baphomets around her. They became more frantic as the Lilim's presence heightened the pleasure they felt. She patted the head of one of the witches with her tail while speaking, "What would your new potion do if you gave it to man?"

"Well, that's obvious! He'd be brought around to the true faith! The love of little girls. He'd be compelled to find a young girl to be his little sister, before turning into an Incubus!" Kuroferuru said with an excited smile, "Why do you ask?"

"Because, I don't think we should try to go after the Hunter directly. We should be more...selective in our targets."

"Oh? Then who were you thinking?"

"Oh, just a certain undead warrior. Who is currently out of the Hunter's immediate influence."

Druella and Kuroferuru shared knowing smiles.

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I still can't believe it...

...It's fine, Eros. We still have each other. And, who knows? Maybe Hel is doing better on her end.

Where is she anyway?

I'm not sure. She should've been here by...oh there she...HEL!

What...what happened?! Are you alright!? Is...is that...is that BLOOD?!

What...how...how did this happen!? Who did this?!

K-K-Koga.

Koga?!

He...he...he hates me. He hates me. He hates me. I...I just wanted to make him happy Am I...Am I wrong? Have I...have I been wrong this whole time?

----------------------------------------

Sasha.

Oh! God! You are answering my prayers once more!

Listen. I need to warn you about something important.

What do you need of me, oh Wonderful One?

There's a woman who will be coming to Lescatie very soon. When she arrives, I want you to ensure she meets Elt.

My Elt? Oh! Is she another lost one? One who needs to be brought into the fold?

Something like that. She's an extremely stubborn woman, and likely won't come around to your way of thinking without some serious convincing. And I can't think of anyone better suited for that than the one you love.

I understand. I shall rely what you have said to Wilmarina and the others. I'm certain they won't mind having Elt meet a new addition to our family.

That's a good girl, Sasha. I look forward to seeing your work. Now, run along to your lover. You don't want to miss your turn, do you?

I will do as you say, God! Oh, I can't wait. Just thinking of him-

...Hmmph. Well, 'Hunter'. Lets see you resist the charms of that boy.

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Ẃ̴͉̥̹̋͊̅̂̕͠ȩ̷̻̞͈͙̲̊l̶̛̟͖̖l̸̡̜͍̀̉̉̐͠͝͝ ̷̧̻̠͛͋ň̶̳̈́o̶̰̖͚̹̝̥̩͛̂̾̄̀ẃ̸̝͓̆́͝,̵̥͒͐͂͝ ̴̹̿̅̐͌ṭ̶̡̣̖̦̓̑̽͌͐̅h̴͕̭̰̦̞̓i̸͎̬͖̤̎̃͠s̴̮͙͖͍̺̙̦̍̏̿͗̃ ̸̡̣̱͂̃̎̌̑̽̅ḯ̶̧̞̫̘̮̫͑̀͝s̷̡̭̱̺̠͔̪͑̆̇͑͌̈́̄ ̸͎͓̔̍͘̚͠͠á̵̧͓̆̀͂͑̉̇ ̸͚̯͙̪͚̿̍s̷̡͗́̽͘̕͠͝ǘ̶̮̹͇͈͍̀̅̋̑̚r̵̯̝͇̝̙͓̅͗p̴͕̠̮̯̳͙͎͝ŕ̴̞͚̟̉͘ì̵̤̹̇̈́s̷͔̤̘̭͍̲͊͜e̷͕̊̄͑͊͑̌͠.̵͎͆̀̎̉̚̚͜ ̵͔̭͈̩̹̙̞͠T̶̞̤̭͉̤͍̪̎̈́́͑͋̒ö̵̡̖ ̵̢͓̜̯͌̄̆̈́̔͊͘w̸̫̮̒̚h̸̢̪͕̹̩͙͓̋̓̈́̏̓͠͠ȃ̶͜t̴̡̘̞̙̫̤̳̑̀͒͂͠ ̶̛̣̭͙̺͚̩͆͌d̷͔̯͍͓̀̎̀ͅo̷͚̹̥̬͙͗͝ ̶̲̗͈͖̮̯͋͑̊̈́̚̕w̶̺̰͉̑̈́̍̊ȅ̸̞̭̣̪͇͊͗̅͊͑́ ̶̥͚͈̜̤̋̎̆͑̈́̚͠ó̷̰̻̲̖͈͚̅̋̀͂̏͛w̸͔͛̃̆͗̉͘͝ě̴̢̗̖̬̺ͅ ̵̰͓̟̦͆̅t̷͙͒̃h̴̨́̒͒ȩ̸͊͜ ̵̥̦͎͓͕̬̈́̄͗̐͝͝p̶͉̪̺̜͍͒͒l̶̳̲̐̂̈́͆̚ͅę̷̤̬͍̺̏̀̾̒́̑̕a̵̢͍͎̻͍͍͂̏̋͜s̶̥͍̱͖͂ū̶̠̪̏̿̽r̵̢̭̂̈́̽̿̅̕͠e̷̢̡̺̩͙͖̾́̀̽,̶̗̭̤̽ ̷̛̘̟͚̱͍̂̊̅̈o̸̘̰̫͂͒̚ṳ̷̩͈͛̋ͅt̴̨̯̻̳̰͍̋̌͛ ̶̐̚͜͝J̶̫̽̽͛a̸͓̫̭͖̗̣̽͛i̵͎̻̮̪̞̹͛͗̃̋̎͋͝l̸̺͉̟̅́̊̓̉͜ọ̶͎͉̫̼̞̐̒r̷̭̗̗̪̽́?̷̨͈̰̯̑