Even amongst the many demonic races, there was a group of people that were especially disadvantaged.

A group of allure and glamour, of charm and captivation, of cusses and curses.

If they stood together under the command of a leader, they could make one the strongest legions amongst the 11 generals of the Demon King. But alone? They were miserable.

On that side of the world, they were exploited as prostitutes—and on this side of the world, they were reduced to playthings of the rich and the fancy.

These beings had become the parents of the most common hybrids that roamed this world, Succubi and their abandoned children, the Succubus-Demiurges.

“Professor…?”

“Jackie, go and fetch some ingredients I ask of you. Right now.”

Jackie’s father wasn’t in a good condition, but it wasn’t deadly. I had seen the work of the demons many times on the frontlines. If this curse had been cast by a succubus instead of a demiurge, then his father wouldn’t have survived.

“Ingredients? What do you—”

I rolled my sleeves up and rushed to the kitchen in his house. There was a coal stove and dozens of utensils. It was more than enough for me to start.

“We need to replenish his life force. Don’t worry, he’s safe, but we must be careful. Fetch a pen.”

Jackie dashed out of the kitchen to fetch some paper.

“Jackie!? What is going on—”

“Mom! The professor is…”

His mother woke up from the commotion, and Jackie explained my presence. I could have said something, but the situation was urgent. Jackie’s father had spent too long in his state. The sooner I gave him something, the better.

I scrambled through my attaché to look for some other ingredients. It was convenient to have a spatially enhanced item at times like these.

Jackie returned with the paper. He noted everything I told him to fetch and ran out of the house.

I was about to start cooking when his mother asked to help me with the preparation.

“I’ll help too, please.”

“I understand. Please start with some water.”

I found the ginseng extract and a health potion brewed by some of the finest beastmen alchemists, and we rushed to prepare the medicine I had in mind. Soon, Jackie would return with ingredients that grew in the earth’s womb—a place filled with life forces.

These voodoo medicines were not something I believed in at the beginning, but the many beastmen I met at the frontlines convinced me enough to use them.

Stolen from its rightful author, this tale is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.

I had seen some people regain their back with these medicines, so it was worth a shot. There wasn’t anything else we could do right now.

Jackie’s father was in a critical condition, from severe dehydration to a complete loss of life force. It was a typical curse.

When the succubi invaded one’s mind, they could change their consciousness. The curse usually turned the target into their puppets, but many succubi could also alter memories.

Injury or intoxication was the best way to weaken someone’s mind for them. Both were even better.

The succubi’s invasion wasn’t deadly by nature. But most often, the people afflicted by the creatures of dreams were cursed and had their life force sapped.

The curse manifested on the lower back, which explained why it was so elusive. The back pain was one’s life force being sapped, and since it wasn’t as pronounced in the initial stages, no one noticed.

The only way to end this was to stop it from its core by getting a priest involved—something I couldn’t do.

As the concoction brewed, I made an oral rehydration solution. It was just a mix of salts and sugar.

“It has been a month since he was injured?” I asked Jackie’s mother. “He still drinks and eats, right?”

“Very little, but he does,” She said. “I never thought it would end up like this… I thought it was just an injury…”

Jackie’s mother was ready to cry at any moment. Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t console her.

“Please keep an eye on the medicine,” I said and grabbed the solution. “I’ll take this to him first.”

I left the kitchen behind and returned to the room. My eyes narrowed again as only I and Jackie’s father were left in the room.

It was a relief he could still talk.

I gently raised his back, sat him against the headboard, and handed him the wooden glass with the rehydration solution.

“Drink this…” I pulled a chair and sat down next to him. “I want to ask you a few things.”

“You are…” Weak, feeble, the man raised his bony finger and pointed at me. “The last man… I dropped… the professor?”

Last man.

I pursed my lips at his words.

He had answered all my questions.

***

Soon after, Jackie returned from the central city and rushed back inside. We made the herbal medicine, mixed it with the ingredients I brought, and had Jackie’s father drink it all.

I watched, leaning against the walls, as the family gathered around the father.

My eyes were stuck on the man, scrutinizing his every action.

Eventually, I sighed. I couldn’t gain anything by observing a sick man. He couldn’t tell me anything more.

I decided it was time to leave. I grabbed my suitcase, lowered my hat, and walked out the door without interrupting the family.

Jackie noticed my absence and followed me outside.

“Professor Ethan…!”

“Ah, Jackie…” I turned to him. ”I left the ingredients in the kitchen and told your mom how to make the medicine and the solution. Give it to him twice a day.”

“Will he…”

Jackie looked troubled. I raised my hand and firmly gripped his shoulder.

“He will be alright,” I said. “I promise it.”

The young boy took in a deep breath. He nodded, and I patted his shoulders.

It was time to leave.

My thoughts were muddled. I snapped my fingers as I walked through the streets. Dozens of threads unraveled in my head. I had to remember every step along the way, from the moment I had stepped inside Glorenstein. There were sure to be clues somewhere.

And if I found them, I had to think of what I could do next. If I did something, how would it affect me down the line? There were too many things to think about.

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It made sense for the demiurges to be here. The deeper into the territory you would be during the war, the less you would be suspected. Glorenstein was also a prime hiding spot. Who would be interested in the city of education during a war?

Thinking of the wartime was useless. I had to find the demiurge.

For now, the best person to look at would be the one who talked about the demiurges, Enna’s friend. But the curse of the succubi had invaded her mind, and she had already forgotten everything.

It was still alright. I had taken the correct measures, as long as I found the demiurge soon—

A rattle resounded behind me, breaking me off my chain of thoughts.

I looked back and found Jackie rushing toward me with his carriage.

“Professor!” He said, he pulled the reins and brought the carriage to a stop. “Get on. Isn’t the academy going to begin soon? I will drop you off.”

Right…

First, I had to go back.