"I know your mind is full of questions. Ask them. I'll answer according to what I deem appropriate."
Idis spoke softly, her voice like a gentle breeze brushing across the skin, soothing and disarming, making one unconsciously relax.
Kurose Akira paused for a moment, then asked, "The competitor you mentioned in your letter earlier… is that Princess Vivian?"
"You could say that."Idis nodded lightly. "I support another royal princess, so there is indeed a competitive relationship between us."
As she spoke, she lifted a handkerchief and delicately dabbed the corner of her lips.
"However, she is still just a sixteen-year-old girl. Her temperament is immature, she lacks patience and perseverance, and she is easily swayed by emotion. Even with the power of the Witch's Eye, she has only just begun to grasp it—not nearly enough to make me expend much effort. Besides, she is nothing more than a chess piece."
She continued calmly, "Other than her, there are also two princes and a grand duke, all competing for the soon-to-be-vacant throne. The political situation of the Starfall Kingdom is far more complicated than you imagine. I do not wish for you or Ivsha to be dragged into this quagmire."
"…."
Akira narrowed his eyes slightly.
He had already revealed himself to Princess Vivian. Wanting to stay uninvolved now was probably unrealistic.
"Anything else you wish to ask?"Idis set the handkerchief aside. A faint trace of lipstick lingered on it, releasing a subtle, alluring fragrance.
"Your relationship with Ivsha."
Akira had wanted to ask this for a long time. Now, finally, he had the chance.
"I created her."
As Idis spoke, her gaze drifted toward the bright moon hanging in the sky.
"You may think of me as her mother. Or that she is a part of me. Even if you regard her as me, that is not wrong. But she is me—and I am not her. Do you understand?"
"…I think so."
Akira seemed to grasp the meaning hidden within her words.
"Hehehe~ your reaction is quite amusing~"Idis smiled faintly at his expression.
She continued, her gaze lingering on him."Ivsha is a child who should never have been created. For certain reasons, I could not take responsibility for her life, and could only abandon her at this church. I feel deep guilt over this, and so I have watched her growth from the shadows."
"However, leaving a succubus in the human world is extremely dangerous. Even if she could resist the temptations of her bloodline when she was young, as she grows older, that desire will only intensify."
"She needs an outlet to release that desire, to ease the pressure brought by her bloodline. But doing so would almost certainly expose her identity—destroying everything she has in a single night. I never knew how to save her."
"What surprised me was… she made her own choice. And that choice seems to be… not bad?"
As she spoke, Idis cast Akira a sidelong glance, her eyes languid and seductive, brimming with charm.
"..."
Akira fell silent for a moment.
He could feel the tenderness in Idis's words—something like a mother's love for her child, mixed with helplessness.
And from her description, it was clear that Ivsha had no father. She wasn't even born in the conventional sense, but rather came into existence through some unknown method.
"So… no one in the world knows you're a succubus, correct?" Akira pressed further.
He realized that the reason Idis could not openly acknowledge Ivsha likely stemmed from the sensitivity of her identity—and perhaps even deeper complications.
"Yes."Idis nodded gently, confirming his suspicion.
"They not only don't know that I'm a succubus—they've never even seen my true appearance. To Sister Moran and the others, my face is always blurred, as if shrouded in a veil. Only you are an exception."
"Th-That's… so?"
Akira froze in place.
He was the only one who could see Idis's true face?
Did that mean some kind of special recognition?
"By the way," he asked, "is Sister Moran human?"
"No. She is half-human, half-succubus," Idis replied."Although it is difficult for humans and succubi to produce offspring, exceptions do exist. I brought her back from the Abyss and granted her new life. She is a loyal servant—one who would even give her life for me."
Akira raised an eyebrow.
Even Sister Moran—who had such a close relationship with Idis—could not see her true appearance.
And yet he could?
This wasn't just recognition.
This was practically being treated like family.
"Any other questions?"Idis lifted her teacup gracefully and took a sip.
A vivid red lip mark remained on the rim, strikingly seductive in Akira's line of sight.
Cough.
Akira hurriedly reined in his thoughts. He realized that he was constantly being drawn in by Idis's every subtle movement.
Was it because she was a succubus?
Strange…
"No more questions. If I had to ask one last thing…"He hesitated, then couldn't help asking,"Is the only difference between you and Ivsha really your hair color?"
"Oh?"Idis smiled sweetly. "Do you want to personally verify that?"
Though she was smiling, Akira keenly sensed a chill hidden beneath it.
"Next time," he replied calmly, wisely steering away from the topic."It's getting late. I'll take my leave."
"Wait. Take this."
Idis suddenly produced a silk scarf and tossed it to him.
"This is…?"Akira caught it and examined it. As soon as his gaze landed on the scarf, its information surfaced in his mind.
[Witch's Silk Scarf (Rare): A silk scarf from a witch. +1 Charm, +10 Mana. Contains a trace of a witch's aura.]
A Witch's Silk Scarf?!
"This is your reward. And…"Idis lightly flicked her finger, and a strand of crimson magic flowed into Akira's body.
[You have obtained a strand of Pure Lust Magic.]
Akira's eyes widened.
She had given him another strand of pure lust magic?
Was she trying to turn him into the incarnation of lust?
"One last friendly reminder," Idis said softly."A succubus's desire will surge explosively as their strength increases. If you don't want to die, make sure you continue improving your own power."
"Uh… got it. Thank you for the warning."
After expressing his thanks, Akira turned and left.
"Ivsha choosing this little one… does make some sense,"Idis murmured with a light smile once Akira had gone, seemingly satisfied with him.
Just then—
A shadow silently appeared above the church.
"Hm?"
Idis's pleasant mood instantly froze. A layer of icy cold settled over her breathtaking face.
She snorted disdainfully and flicked her finger.
A strand of demonic flame shot skyward.
"Ah! Damn it!"The shadow let out a terrified scream before being engulfed by the flame, reduced to ashes in an instant.
Though the shadow was gone, Idis had already discerned its identity.
"People from the Church of Light…"She frowned in disgust."There are more and more rats these days. How annoying."
After finishing his meeting with Idis, Akira walked into the church.
The interior was softly lit, filled with a solemn and tranquil atmosphere.
He happened to see Ivsha standing alone before the statue of the God of Light. She tilted her head upward, her gaze fixed on the sculpture, crystalline tears hanging from the corners of her eyes—pitiful and helpless.
"Ivsha, did something happen?" Akira asked with concern.
"Mr. Akira~!"
Ivsha suddenly threw herself into his arms, sobbing.
"Sister Kayleigh said that starting tomorrow, for three whole days, it's the Church of Light's annual Thanksgiving Festival. Sh-She said we're not allowed to do anything that violates church doctrine during those three days!"
"So… for those three days, I won't be able to serve you anymore!"
Her voice was filled with grievance.
"The Thanksgiving Festival?" Akira repeated.
"Yes! So~"Ivsha lifted her head, her eyes sparkling with anticipation."Please feed me now! Otherwise, if I go three days without tasting your life magic, I'll break!"
"…Huh?"
..
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