CHAPTER 643: SUCCUBUS’S SURRENDER

The succubus who had escaped flapped her wings wildly, flying as fast as she could. But when she glanced back, her face froze—Freri had revealed her own hidden wings and was chasing her, carrying Shinji in her arms.

Just like Flair had done before, Freri used gravity magic to make her body lighter, so she didn’t lose speed. The chase was almost even. Shinji, held tightly under her arm, felt the wind rushing past and kept his eyes forward, determined.

”It’s easier now that I don’t have to hide.”

”I’m the one struggling here. Shinji, catch her already.”

”Haha, sorry. Honestly, being carried like this feels pretty nice. But fine, time to get serious.”

He moved his hands as if holding a staff, and suddenly a pure white staff appeared—the Divine Staff Aria, a holy weapon given to him by Goddess Arian. He could summon or dismiss it at will, and it boosted his power depending on his own strength. He had once used it against dragon warriors, but it could also strengthen him directly.

Before he could raise it, the succubus dove toward the ground at terrifying speed, landing in a flat, empty plain with no place to hide. It was strange, and Shinji hesitated for just a moment—and in that moment, everything changed.

”Please spare meeee!!”

She fell into a deep bow, pressing her forehead to the dirt, her pride thrown away. Shinji had meant to strike her down, but her desperate plea froze his hand. He didn’t know what the gesture meant, but the weight of it was clear.

She had felt the divine power from the staff. Long ago, she had served Goddess Satin, and she knew that aura. She realized she couldn’t win, not even close.

”Shinji, wait. Let’s capture her,” Freri said.

”It could be a trap.”

”No. That pose means full surrender. She won’t fight.”

”…Alright. But we stay cautious.”

For succubi, prostration meant their charms were sealed away, no intention of seduction. Even half-succubus Freri knew its meaning.

They landed at a safe distance. The succubus trembled on the ground, but Shinji kept his guard up.

”Raise your head,” Freri ordered in her mind.

The succubus looked up nervously—pink hair, horns, wings, tail, and little clothing. She forced a strained smile.

”You’re not going to fight?” Shinji asked.

”Against the goddess’s power… impossible. If you’ll forgive me, I surrender. I can even be useful…”

”Then tell us about your ranks. Depending on your answer, I might let you live.”

”W-where should I start…?”

”From when you served Former Goddess Satin.”

”F-Former…? I… I understand…”

And so, she explained. Satin had directly ordered succubi to serve her. They controlled rulers, created nations that worshiped her, made men into apostles through pleasure, and spread her faith. They worked endlessly to feed Satin devotion. But one day, all contact with her stopped.

What she didn’t know was that Satin had lost her status as a goddess, and her obsession with Goddess Arian had ruined her. The succubi continued as if nothing had changed, still gathering faith for her return.

”Recently, we’ve only been defeated. Today I just wanted revenge, but…”

She wasn’t stupid. The mention of “Former Goddess,” the divine staff—it all made sense.

”Could it be… the world’s administrator has changed…?”

”Yes,” Freri confirmed. “Satin is gone. Goddess Padra rules now. We serve her. And he”—she nodded at Shinji—”is a disciple of Goddess Arian.”

”…It’s over…”

She remembered Satin’s obsession and failed plans. Hearing “disciple of Arian” felt like divine punishment. Her eyes rolled, despair overwhelming her.

Shinji was surprised. He thought succubi lived for Satin’s corruption, but it was Satin who had twisted them. If their goddess had blessed their actions, could they truly be called evil? Or were they just loyal followers?

Still, under Padra, zealot nations had to fall. Allowing succubi to live risked another one rising. He couldn’t bring them into the Resistance either—too many would oppose it. If this one was ready to die, maybe it was mercy to grant it quickly. He raised the staff—but Freri stopped him.

”Freri… don’t tell me…”

”Mm. Let’s take all of Satin’s apostles for ourselves.”

”We can’t just keep enemies!”

”Don’t pretend. The goal is to destroy the Hated Nation, not to kill succubi. If we don’t give them to Padra or the Resistance, they can be ours.”

Freri’s sharp gaze made Shinji look away.

”This is a chance to build a succubus army. You’re a son of succubi—you can’t ignore it.”

(Damn it, she always notices…)

In his mind, he saw the image she sent: Shinji commanding an army of succubi, Freri at his side. Male succubi naturally ruled armies.

”A demon army is useless in Wolf territory. I’d just get thrown into another world with it!”

”You already have the divine staff. Too late to worry. Better to have more forces.”

”If it’s just the staff, they’ll only call me for big crises. With an army, they’ll drag me into every little fight too!”

”Then all the more reason for reinforcements. Numbers are strength. Even Hayate said so.”

Their thoughts clashed, silence finally pressing down.

”U-um, what about meee…?” the succubus whimpered.

”Wait,” Shinji said.

”Just wait,” Freri echoed.

”Eek! Y-yes!”

She curled into herself, trembling, waiting for their judgment.

—

Freri: “Collect more women.”

Shinji: “….”

For Shinji, good and evil were never simple. If she hadn’t begged, the succubus would already be dead, crushed without mercy. But the story moved forward, no matter what.

Notes:

• Padra – Female. A goddess. She has orange hair styled in twin tails and a petite, delicate appearance with modest chest proportions. Her personality is carefree, cheeky, and playful, often acting bratty. She manages the world where Shinji was summoned. Her power revolves around summoning magic and phantom beasts. She has a friendly but sometimes audacious relationship with Arian, often pushing boundaries.

• Resistance – A group of fighters opposing the Sect Theocracy, marked by black bands and composed of various races.