“You always have to make things so difficult…”

Venus sat atop a luxurious chair, leaning against it as if a bed. The desks nearby were filled with fruits, sweets and many bottles of wine. With a soft smile, she looked down onto Minerva, knelt and chained to the ground as she was. The paralysis effect was supposed to be enough, but she kept struggling against it. An extra layer of security was needed to maintain her like that. While the magic prevented her from using her amazing strength, it wasn’t quite enough to stop all actions. Minerva’s arms still flickered, trembling with the commands her limbs wouldn’t execute. The metal chains bounced onto themselves as she attempted to break out.

Venus sighed lightly, “I won’t tell you to give up since I know you won’t listen…” She glanced at one of her Succubus maids, “More wine.”

“Yes, Lady Venus.” The energetic maid poured more of the drink on her master’s cup.

Drinking it elegantly, Venus finished it in a matter of seconds, “… Good… This one is of very good quality! Well done in selecting this bottle.”

“Thank you, my lady.” The maid bowed her head.

“Keep this up, and I might add you to my private chambers…” Venus winked at her, her smile widening.

“Oh… I… I am not worthy…” the maid bowed even further, her voice cracking.

There was always more room in her collection of concubines, and this one looked like a proper potential increment to its numbers. Venus was already getting bored with the ones she currently had. One more could spice things up or make what she already had even more exciting. There was no other way of finding out than to try her. In the worst-case scenario, she could always try another one. If her thirst demanded it, she could capture a strong being and let him be her source of satisfaction. The stronger they are, the sexier they become. Such is the way a Succubus viewed others. Venus was quite self-aware of her views, which only consolidated them. In a world where might makes right, it is only natural for such individuals to be sought after.

It wasn’t the only motivation, of course. Indulging with her succubus servants was fun, but she needed to engage with other races to steal their life essence. Her last time had been too long ago. She would need to find a strong being fast before her hunger got too much to bear. With a single finger, Venus lifted the maid’s head from her forehead.

“… Y-Yes?” asked the maid.

Venus withdrew her hand, laying it back in the chair, “Do we have any powerful prisoners left?”

“Hmm…” the maid pulled out a scroll from her leather bag. As a virtue of being her assistant, Venus permitted her to wear useful items, even if they covered her body. It wasn’t possible to have things her way all the time. Often it was necessary for people to wear clothes. A bothersome, yet inescapable reality of which she herself was a victim. Her wraps and flimsy transparent tunics was the most she bared wearing

“… According to our Legion’s data, we haven’t brought any prisoners before leaving Tioch.”

“Darn…” Venus blinked heavily, putting her cup away, “I’m not sure how much longer I can wait…”

“If it is my lady’s wish, I shall contact our garrison in Tioch to…”

“It won’t be needed.” Venus said, “Maybe we will find something out here I can make some use out of…” She looked outside of her tent, “I have a feeling this night will be interesting…”

Minerva struggled further, this time more intensively. She got her arms off the ground, forcing them into the air. Venus went out of her daydreaming, eyeing her elder sister, “… My… Won’t you give me a second to look away?” She put her drink on the desk, reinforcing the spell’s strength by recasting it on Minerva. It froze her movements. The chains forced her arms back down.

“Relax a bit. Try it once in your life, you might find it as good as I do.”

Minerva slowly twisted her neck a few degrees to her right. Now able to, she stared onto Venus’ pink eyes with an unmitigable sternness. Venus smile vanished as they eyed each other, “… Don’t look at me like that.” She turned her head away. Venus did her best to ignore it, be even though she didn’t see it, she could feel Minerva’s judgment. She reestablished eye contact.

Those were the same eyes. The same green, spiteful and never-wavering eyes of her elder sister. She always looked at her like this when either angry, disappointed and distrustful. Right then it must have been a combination of the three. It was the purest form of mocking and disrespect. She could not abide by it.

“Yes yes… Even though you can’t speak, I know what you would be hammering on about right now….” Venus gestured in the air, “… The Empire this… Duty that…. Disappointment here… Betrayal there… I’ve heard it all before and do so again just by looking at you.”

Minerva, obviously, did not reply. Venus had to settle with enduring her gaze, screaming with disapproval and an entire ocean of negative vibes. They still had to wait, and things couldn’t go on like this. It was beyond uncomfortable, as her sister had a keen way to spark the worst feelings in Venus. She waved her hand, once more interfering with the spell.

“I’ve un-paralyzed your mouth.” Said Venus, getting her cup from the desk, “Try saying something nice about this glorious tent you have the privilege of being in! It’ will soon be the Imperial Tent, you know…”

Minerva, to Venus astonishment, did not reply to her provocations. The Succubus demons raised a thin eyebrow, “… What’s wrong? Lupus caught your tongue?”

She remained silent, continuing to relentlessly stare. Venus once more tried not to be affected by it but couldn’t. Not to say a word even when directly addressed was insulting. She needed to stay at a reasonably close range to maintain the spell, so leaving her alone wasn’t quite an option. In the same manner, Minerva was Venus’ captive, the reverse sounded true as well. Her succubus hunger increased by the minute due to the deprivation she was in, and her patience drained by the second as Minerva scorned her. This combination made wonders to reduce Venus’ patience to the single digits.

“… Fine then.” Venus said with a hint of dissatisfaction, “I’ll make my case before you drive me madder than Discordia….” She pointed her empty cup to the maid, who happily filled it again. Venus got up, gently walking around Minerva. Her demonic tail waggled about and her horns barely didn’t scrap the surface of the low tent.

“I haven’t betrayed you… Well, not exactly.” She took another dip, “… I’m planning on saving the empire.”

“.. Save it for yourself.” Minerva gruntled.

Finally ending the one-sided conversation, Venus expanded on it, “You could say it like that, but in practical terms, it’s quite beyond only my interests… We cannot keep viewing the Lupus as our enemies, not with we want to succeed.”

“Nonsense.” Minerva snapped, “The Lupus have been raiding the empire for years now. They killed countless romans and are nothing but a plague on our lands.”

“That’s one way to put it. Another one is by their own perspective, that is, of a fleeing migrant tribe who were denied entry, and so fought for it.”

“You pity them, is that it?”

“No, it’s not.” Venus reached for a few grapes, eating as she talked, “I don’t sympathize with the barbarians, but you would be a fool to say they act out of pure savagery. And a fool, Minerva, you aren’t, despite the ease it is to trick you…” She chuckled.

“Savagery is all they have committed since invading, be it in Rome or any of its cities.” Her eyes narrowed, “Even if they were to change their way, to truly repent only a punitive campaign would suffice.”

“Oh… Sis… Always thinking in absolutes…” Venus shook her head, “I’m not saying the Lupus haven’t committed crimes, but that they are far more logical and understandable then you give credit for.”

“That changes nothing.”

Venus smirked, “You see, this is the kind of behavior why they are so anti-Roman. You led empire with such an extremist and unbending resolve you made enemies out of all of them. It’s no wonder you attacked their wrath eventually.”

“To fight them is our duty. To protect the empire of invasion is our reason to exist as Divine Legionnaires, or do I need to remember you once again?”

“That is what I’m doing.” Venus affirmed strongly, “All the Lupus desire are some lands and to be recognized as equals. Once granted, the empire can breathe easier and face its other problems. Since you couldn’t swallow your pride to realize this, then I simply had to step in and take control.”

Minerva tilted her head, “… And what do you know of taking control? Besides giving away ancestral imperial lands, this is not a sustainable agreement, much less a favorable one. One day you give them a farm, the next they demand a village, a city, and soon Rome itself! They do not wish for co-existence, and even if they did, to grant it is pure treason.”

Venus couldn’t help but smirk, “… Ahh, how the years failed to change your ways, elder sister…” Venus sat back in her chair, “You will just have to see it for yourself, then…” She drank a third cup, a little slower this time. Despite the high alcohol tolerance she built up over the years, its effects were beginning to hit in. She couldn’t afford to be drunk, not yet. She put down the cup.

“… More wine?” asked the timid succubus, watching the sisters debate quietly.

“It’s enough for now.” She blinked, “I wish for some privacy with my sister if it wouldn’t be too rude to ask.”

She nodded, “Very well… I will stand outside if you need anything.”

“Good girl…” Venus tapped her on the shoulder, controlling herself not to make a tight grip on it. The maid left the tent, letting the cold nightly breeze in. Venus shivered a little. The disadvantage of wearing almost nothing was the vulnerability to these sudden changes in temperature. She extended her toga around her body, “… It’s a bit chilly… It’s not the appropriate season for marching in the fields…”

“… What would Flavius think of you now?” Minerva asked.

Venus’ eyebrows lowered, but her eyes didn’t meet Minerva’s, “… Nothing positive, I would wager…”

“You were close for so many years, only for you to betray his empire by rallying to the very people who killed him… I thought he meant more to you.”

Venus’ mood took a sharp dive. Her elder sister proved again capable to hit the right nerves, “… He was a good man. I’ll make sure his daughter is treated well in my regime.

“… Is that you have to say about him?”

Venus wouldn’t fall for the kind of guilt trip she tried to pull off. In truth, it was all she could say about Flavius. Due to the nature of his blood, Flavius possessed a potential matched by few others. He could learn and adapt to spells and techniques faster than anyone else, much like all the emperors before him. Such power was obviously attractive to Venus. He was the first emperor she dared to have a direct relationship with. Beyond saying she like it, there wasn’t anything left. His death and demise meant little in her demonic heart.

“… Flavius death doesn’t change what needs to be done.” Venus said, leaning more relaxed in the chair, “I’ll make the favor of ending the war he couldn’t.”

Minerva’s face contorted, “Don’t you try to fool me again. You may want to hide behind this whole farce, but we both know the real reason you are doing all of this.”

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“… Do we now?” Venus asked with a mocking smile, “Well then, please enlighten me, all-knowing and ever-wise sister!”

Minerva’s eyelids lowered as she took a deep breath, “… This is about Gaius, isn’t it?”

A long silence emerged between and within the sisters. They maintained their mutual stares as Venus’ cheerful face faded and Minerva’s convicted gaze sharpened. To say Venus was speechless would be an understatement. No word came to her mind which didn’t either validate the claim or make her sound bad.

“… Gaius…” The power of Venus’ spell diminished as her mind was overtaken by a wave of emotions. Unable to fully concentrate on it, Minerva could move a little more, “… What about him?”

“You did believe when I said he had returned, didn’t you?” Minerva moved her shoulders,”… This treason isn’t about the Lupus, but about…. "

Venus stopped avoiding her sister, eyeing her directly. She raised her voice, “Shut it.” She demanded, casting the full might of her paralysis spell. Minerva was back where she started, unable to even flinch, “… Letting you speak was a mistake.”

Minerva now deprived of her words resorted back to her eyes. Venus, however, would not let it distract her again, “Let us both be patient, it shouldn’t be long until…”

The tent’s curtains were dispersed. The succubus maid re-entered, “Lady Venus, they are here.” She said.

Venus sighed, “Finally… How big is the delegation sent?”

“It’s quite large, my lady… Around 100 Lupus have come to bodyguard their leader.”

Venus smirked, “Well… I supposed tensions are too high not to be cautious.” She walked to the exit, “Are they waiting outside?” She leaned out. Among the many other tents and fortifications built in her legion’s camp, a large force of Lupus attracted the attention of many of her legionnaires. They were led by a female Lupus, heading towards the tent.

“… So that’s Codubia…” Venus whispered, glancing at her maid, “I’ll meet with her. Make sure my dear sister doesn’t try anything funny.”

“Y-Yes, my lady…”

Putting her normal smile on, Venus exited her tent. The cold breeze needed to be ignored of she ought to make a good impression. They shortened the distance between each other, stopping mere meters from where she left. At a closer inspection, the female Lupus was indeed of the Alpha bloodline, her red eyes, and black fur a proof of it. Without a doubt the wife of Arcail, Venus knew this was no impostor. Her nearby legionnaires stood beside her, not allowing for their legate to be left so outnumbered facing a foreigner.

Venus gently bowed her head, “Let me be the first to welcome you to the camp, Lady Codubia.”

She was greeted with the usual treatment, an overload of stares on her body. The Lupus men, although of a very different race still eyed her chest and exposed parts. To be so attractive even monsters as different as they would desire you was a great compliment. She didn’t recall the last time she did it with a Lupus, if ever. Perhaps that night she could find a strong volunteer among them.

Her presentation, however, wasn’t as universally well received as she hoped. The female Lupus grinned at the educated reception, “… I’m no lady.” She said, approaching her, “Codubia is my real and only name.”

“… I see.” Venus lifted her head, “I hope you didn’t find getting here troublesome.”

“There were no complications, but never mind that.” Codubia eyed Venus, “Take me to Minerva.”

While Venus was attempting to be a good host, that dog’s rudeness couldn’t be so easily dismissed. Here she was, ignoring how well she’s been received and getting to business. They always want to focus on Minerva. She’s always the center of attention and where all matters. Even if her younger self would protest her behavior, Venus obliged, “Well then, just follow me.”

Venus turned around, leading the way. Codubia glanced at one of her bodyguards, “Surround the tent. If anything happens, you know what to do.”

Her men nodded in mutual understanding. Venus, of course, heard her making no secret of the order. Until that moment they sounded more like enemies than allies. She entered inside, finding Minerva still doing her darned best to escape while the maid helplessly watched.

“Try not making a scene,” Venus told Minerva.

Codubia entered shortly after, her red eyes looking at all corners and directions. If such a perilous expression, Venus couldn’t tell if it was born out of mistrust of her reception or wonder of her property. Codubia sniffed the air, “… What is this smell?” she asked.

At first, Venus wasn’t sure what she meant, but then it became clear, “Oh… You mean the incense? It’s an aromatic air, you should like it.”

“… And this… Is Minerva?” she asked, staring onto the prisoner.

“The Legate of the Divine Legion herself, and so proclaimed regent of Rome.” Venus leaned on her chair, “You have nothing to fear from her. She won’t lift a finger against you, quite literally…” she smirked.

“… Such a foul spell…” Codubia said, examining Minerva, “Roman magic has no sense of honor, to deprive one of the least bit of self-defense and respect.”

“That hurts…” Venus said, pouring her own wine, “I went through so much trouble to keep her like that. It’s taking all the magicka I can muster to even sustain it, you know…”

Codubia stepped further, getting side by side with her. Glaring at her green eyes full of hatred, she turned to Venus, “Why is still alive?”

“She’s a valuable hostage.” Venus commented, “We have much more to gain by trading her life than by wasting it.”

“Wrong.” Codubia affirmed, her foul mood never changing since arrival, “She needs to die.”

Venus’ lovely expression contorted, “My… You are as suborned as she is…” she put the glass down, “Against what we are facing, we ought to make use of all resources we can. Minerva’s life is worth far more than you imagine.”

“This is not about trading hostages, but pure realities of war.” Codubia neared Venus’ chair, forcing the Succubus to look further up, “She’s been the one responsible for singlehandedly keeping the empire alive since the last emperor’s death. She is one of the last of her kind, and are among the few who can threaten us. She needs to be dealt with while we still can.”

“Ugh… You won’t change your mind, will you? I didn’t summon you here just, so you could personally execute her.”

“I imagine why…” Codubia took a step back, “Perhaps your loyalty to your sister is still too strong to hide.”

Venus’ eyes squinted at the accusation. In the subverted ways Codubia had accused her of not being loyal to their alliance, to say it so abruptly was the last drop. She got up from her chair, “… Well then, let’s kill her.”

Minerva’s eyes widened, quickly narrowing with anger. She made her greatest attempt to break out of the spell yet, but couldn’t do it.

“… I see you still have some common sense in you.” Codubia said, opening the way for Venus to pass, “You should be the one to do it.”

Venus didn’t reply, calmly drawing on one of her daggers. She stood beside her sister. She put the blade on her exposed neck, having removed her helmet far earlier. Minerva struggled away a few centimeters, put Venus put her head back in position with her free hand.

“.. Stay still.” She said, tightening her grip on the dagger. She sliced it, her arm going far wide. Codubia was visibly astonished, while Venus looked down with an unchanging expression. The edge made full contact, yet not a cut was made. The dagger, however, was considerably damaged, it’s metal parts partially broken. Minerva’s neck was intact, and she remained alive.

“… What happened?” asked Codubia.”

“… You see the problem?” asked Venus, sheaving her weapon, “Minerva has incredible defensive strength, far beyond either mine or your reach.”

“… No, that’s a lie… I’ve talked with survivors from Iraminus’ wolfpack. They talked of how she almost died in the battle.”

“Oh… That.” Venus walked way, “One thing is tanking and entire horde lead by an alpha Lupus, the other is resisting a cut. The number of inner resources each drain are incomparable. By the time this Iraminus must have gotten to her she must have already been extremally weakened.”

“… That so…” Codubia whispered, exposing her sharpened fangs out. She clawed Minerva, only to meet the same fate as Venus’ dagger. Her claws broke slightly at the edges, no serious or noticeable damage dealt.

“… You Divine Legionnaires…. Such abominations of power…”

“You are being rude again.” Venus said, playing with the damaged weapon, “You see now that keeping her alive isn’t only our best, but the only option.”

“… No, it isn’t.” Codubia said, putting away her claws, “My husband Arcail is far stronger than that hot head Iraminus was. He will execute this Minerva without an issue.”

“It’s a good thing we are off to meet him, then!” Venus chuckled, “Since the topic has come, how many Lupus can I count on meeting up?”

Codubia looked at her broken claws, glancing at Venus, “… Putting all united wolfpacks into count… 100,000 Lupus, not counting woman and children.”

“100,000!?” asked Venus, “My… I see the rumors were exaggerated… With such a host, Rome will fall almost without a fight.”

“Arcail plans to put the numbers to use, but in the most unhelpful of manners.” She shook her head, “He seeks to try to scare the garrison to give up, trying to avoid a siege if possible instead of breaching the city in one go.”

“So merciful…” Venus smirked, “He sounds quite sensible. I look forward to meeting him.”

“… Right…” Codubia eyed her pink eyes, “… About him, he is currently in charge of the wolfpacks, devising a strategy to defeat the World Conqueror in battle.”

“… Really…” Venus’ tone lowered, “… What kind of strategy?”

Codubia shrugged, “I’m not there, so I don’t what he is coming up with. All I know is that he means to use our numbers to our best advantage.”

“… A sound warfare policy… However,” Venus took a small moment to think, “… Have you any proof the World Conqueror has indeed returned?”

“… Proof?” she asked, “… No, not really… All we have are reports of a powerful being capable of using powerful lightning spells, but that’s it. For Arcail it is enough to be sure it’s him.”

The weight in Venus’ heart softened a little, “… A bit flimsy of an assumption, don’t you think?” She laughed, “My…. With such little information it might as well be my younger sister the one you fear!”

“… Discordia, you mean? Aye, it might be. We sent diplomats to her island. In case it isn’t her, she will hopefully join our alliance of mutual interest.”

Venus rolled her eyes, “You might find convincing her… Quite a task…”

Codubia sighed, “Indeed… But in any case, we should discuss what will come after it all.”

“Oh?” Venus tilted her head, “I thought the specifics were already agreed upon. I will assume as Empress and in exchange for your support I will recognize your right to the lands in the northwest.” She put her glass down, “With the tensions resolved, we can look forward to more prosperous days.”

“I didn’t mean that.” Codubia looked at her with great concern, “I meant what we will face after it…”

“… Hmm? What do you mean?”

“The Dragons, of course.” Codubia crossed her arms, “They have been sending their slave soldiers to attack our settled lands for years now. You’ll see, soon they will extend their grasp to Rome itself.”

“Ugh… Dragons…” Venus looked the other way, “I heard these days they prefer to be called the Draconic Confederation…”

“A pretentious name for pretentious monsters. If we keep united when facing them, we can find a way to expel them away from our mountains.”

‘… Hopefully, although it wouldn’t end there. There is still the sirens to contend with, and that’s only on the imperial Peninsula…”

“Agreed… “Codubia nodded, “There are still many battles to come.”

Venus rested against a wardrobe, “We will persevere through it…” Venus closed her eyes, a little rest deserving of all her hours awoke until then. It allowed her to concentrate even further. She intended to increase the potency of her spell, yet something else clouded her mind.

There was an increasing tension in the air, and it wasn’t the incense. It was a great pressure, approaching her by every second. She began to breathe through her mouth, a fuzzy feeling taking over. She touched her forehead. It wasn’t hot, so it wasn’t a fever or anything of the sort. Codubia and Minerva looked unaffected, while she got increasingly disturbed. Such a familiar feeling, but from where?

“… Codubia… Are you feeling this?”

“Feeling what?”. She asked, “You mean the incense? Far too much so…”

“No… That’s not what I…”

Venus’ heartbeat began to accelerate, her cheeks blushing a little, “… I… This feeling…” she whispered.

“… Lady Venus!” The maid re-entered the tent, “A-Are… Are you feeling this too?” she asked, her hand also on her chest. Venus put her brain to work while she could. It was their succubus senses speaking, which could only mean one thing.

“… Send scouts outside!” Venus ordered the maid, “Find what… Or who is the source of this…”

“Y-Yes…” the maid looked troubled, likely lost in appreciation for what neared them all. Venus had experienced this countless time before. By then, the thrill had dulled, or so she assumed. If the sensation kept growing, she wouldn’t be able to hold herself still. It was extremally intense, much like her first time. She felt a millennium younger, like a young demon in love.

“… Oh…”

Her eyes widened like never before, putting a hand over her mouth and resting the other in her heart.

“… Venus?” asked Codubia, “What are you sending scouts out for?”

While Venus was resting on the wardrobe for comfort, now it was to barely keep standing up. Minerva’s paralysis spell almost dissipated, letting her do as much as standing up.

“… Venus, you are letting her get away!” Codubia shouted, sharpening the unbroken fangs in her left hand.

“… Dammit.” Venus shook her head, putting Minerva under control again. ”.. I apologize… My mind is just…”

Codubia put her claws away, staring at Venus, “What is happening here?” she asked.

“… It’s… It’s him.” She said, controlling herself, “… It really is…”

“Who?” asked the bothered Lupus, “Tell me already!”

“… It’s… Gaius…” she said, resting her arm against the tent.

“… The World Conqueror?” Codubia’s red pupils grew as she shouted, “He’s here!?”

Minerva had a similar expression. On her face, trying to peak outside.

“… It can only be… This life essence, it’s unmistakable…” Venus said, still breathing through her mouth, “He’s near… Very near…” she lifted a small smile, which Codubia took notice off.

“… Damn you, is this a trap?” she asked.

“… What? That’s ridiculous… I had no idea he would…”

“How did he find us then?” she asked, “This operation was supposed to be a secret!”

Venus sighed, “… I don’t know…” She bit her lips, forcing what little resistance to her instincts as was possible, “… Perhaps we have been betrayed… A soldier, or an officer perhaps…”

“You don’t expect me to buy that, do you?” Codubia asked, “This is all far too suspicious…”

Venus, even though the feeling intensified was capable to get a little used with it. She composed herself, “… What you think is irrelevant right now…” she glanced at Codubia, “We now have to face him…. Together.”

“Face him?” she asked with a stupefied face, “Are you insane? Have you forgotten who we are speaking about? If it truly is him, then we can’t possibly hope to…”

“… We don’t have to fight him.” Venus got away from the wardrobe, now able to move around, “As long as we have Minerva under custody, he won’t resort to violence.”

Codubia stood silent for a moment, “… That… That may work, but still…”

“He hasn’t attacked yet and has allowed himself to be detected. He wouldn’t do that if violence was his primary intention...”

Codubia sighed, “A retreat is out of the question… We must meet with him.”

“… It sure seems that way…” Venus said, lowering her head.

“We are going together.” She affirmed, grabbing onto Venus’ arm, “If you aren’t still on their side, it shouldn’t be a problem, right?”

“… Agreed.” Venus nodded, “I can’t go too far away, so we will have to receive him inside the camp…”

“A dangerous, yet seemingly unavoidable prospect…” Codubia let her arm go, “We will rely on my Lupus bodyguards for protection. If the worst comes to pass, they won’t hesitate to buy time for our escape.”

“… Well then, so that’s our Plan B?” asked Venus.

“Plan B? You say like to have already developed a Plan A…”

Venus smirked, “That’s because I have.” She led the way out of the tent, “It will work wonders…”