"?"
Akira was slightly taken aback by Elum's behavior—licking his fingertips right from the start?
Still, he quickly regained his composure. Ivsha often did similar things as well. Perhaps this was simply a succubus's unique way of expressing affection.
More importantly, Idis had mentioned that Elum possessed the bloodline of a Succubus Queen, which immediately deepened Akira's interest in the little succubus before him.
He had previously encountered Mesli, who also carried the Succubus Queen's bloodline—but her appearance had been grotesque, retaining most of a demon's original traits.
In contrast, Elum was far closer in appearance to Idis and the others, bearing far more human features.
The stark difference between the two left Akira puzzled. He couldn't quite understand why sisters of the same lineage would diverge so drastically.
"Slurp~"
After a moment of friendly "communication," Elum gently released Akira's fingers. Then she opened her slender arms and wrapped them around his waist, rubbing her small face against him affectionately.
The little succubus stood at barely around 1.4 meters tall, her body so light it felt as though a gust of wind could blow her away.
Even standing on tiptoe, she still couldn't reach Akira's chin. And if Akira were to enter his half-dragon form, she probably wouldn't even be able to touch the holy light at all.
Akira pointed at Elum, who was clinging tightly to him, and asked Idis a crucial question.
"Uh… is this legal?"
"She's slightly older than me," Idis replied casually."But due to certain… identity-related reasons, she's been hiding in the Abyss and has never left it."
"?"
Akira raised an eyebrow, his curiosity about Elum's background intensifying.
"What's so special about her identity?"
"Of course there is~"
Idis smiled mysteriously, her gaze drifting over Elum as she spoke in a low voice.
"This little one is far from simple. Her lust bloodline is purer than that of her so-called mother."
Akira's brows lifted slightly, interest flickering in his eyes.
Noticing his reaction, Idis gave him a sideways glance and continued slowly.
"Do you know how the Demon King of Lust fell?"
Akira recalled what he knew of wartime history and answered,"During the war that invaded the Magic Continent several centuries ago, right?"
Hundreds of years ago, a massive war claimed the life of one Demon King and gravely wounded several others.
Of course, that was merely one battle among countless conflicts between the Abyss and the Magic Continent.
For tens of thousands of years, war between the two realms had never truly ceased.
Both Abyssal Demon Kings and Popes of the Holy Church had fallen throughout history. It was even rumored that in the Gluttony Abyss, a Demon King was replaced almost every few centuries—demigod-level deaths were hardly rare.
Across the long histories of various nations, the only ruler Akira knew who had reigned for over ten thousand years was the Elf Queen, thanks to the power of the Elven Mother Tree and the innate advantages of the elven race.
"The one who died in that war centuries ago was the Demon King of Wrath," Idis explained."The Demon King of Lust was only severely wounded and fled back to the Abyss."
"But while she was recovering, our previous Succubus Queen—tempted by the Demon King of Envy and the Demon King of Greed—attempted to seize the throne of the Demon King of Lust."
Akira narrowed his eyes slightly, curiosity deepening.
"So… did she succeed?"
"Halfway," Idis replied."Although the Demon King of Lust ultimately perished, the Succubus Queen never managed to ascend the throne herself."
"Her soul and consciousness were eroded by a curse, turning her into a puppet. Only in the past few decades did she finally die completely."
"Her stupidity not only led to the decline of the Lust Abyss, but also plunged the succubus race into its current predicament."
"As for her daughter, Mesli—she's just as foolish, trying to curry favor with Bluekai and the Demon King of Greed. The miserable state of the succubi today? That mother and daughter deserve most of the credit."
"..."
After hearing Idis's account, Akira found himself agreeing wholeheartedly.
If not for the series of idiotic decisions made by Mesli and her mother, the Lust Abyss might not have fallen to its current state, and the succubus race might not have withered so badly.
His gaze dropped to Elum, who was still clinging tightly to him.
Only then did he realize something odd—throughout Idis's entire explanation, she hadn't mentioned Elum at all.
"Then… what about this child?"
Akira pointed at Elum."You talked for so long, but didn't say anything about her."
"Didn't I?"
Idis chuckled softly.
"I still have things to take care of. Hurry up and take this child with you."
The moment her words fell, her figure dissolved into rose petals, scattering into the air before vanishing completely from Akira's sight.
"?"
Akira frowned deeply.
She really didn't mention Elum at all… did she?
As his thoughts churned, he turned to look at Elum.
Her large eyes—clear and crystalline like pink gemstones—were fixed intently on him, carrying a strange, almost ineffable emotion within them.
"Ha…"
Akira rubbed the bridge of his nose.
I'll just treat this as babysitting for Idis.
"Let's go," he said softly.
"Mm…"
As the teleportation array flashed with white light, Akira brought Elum back to the guild.
The moment they appeared, the guild members gathered around them, curiosity and surprise evident on their faces.
"Mr. Akira, who is she?"
Ivsha was the most enthusiastic. Her pale violet eyes shimmered with curiosity and something more complex as she stared at Elum.
Faced with so many gazes, Elum shrank back instinctively, hiding behind Akira and clutching tightly at the hem of his clothes.
"She's so cute—like a doll!" Alice exclaimed happily.
"She smells really nice~"
Virola also took an immediate liking to Elum, perhaps because Elum carried an especially sweet life aura as well.
Yet in the face of everyone's enthusiasm, Elum seemed overwhelmed. She pressed herself tightly against Akira's back, burying her head into his clothes as if searching for a sense of safety.
The sight surprised Akira slightly.
Is this little one… shy around strangers?
What puzzled him even more was that Elum showed no such fear toward him. On the contrary, she was exceptionally close.
"Her name is Elum. She'll be staying in our guild for a few days," Akira introduced.
As soon as he finished speaking, Lucia—who had been quietly sipping tea nearby—set down her cup and turned her gaze toward Elum.
"Elum?" Lucia murmured, a trace of surprise in her voice.
"Is there something special about her?" Akira asked curiously. It was rare to see Lucia show such obvious interest in someone.
"Probably just the same name."
After observing Elum carefully, Lucia shook her head, dismissing her initial suspicion.
Then she explained,"Don't you know the true name of the Demon King of Lust?"
Akira froze for a moment, eyes widening.
"Don't tell me… the Demon King of Lust was also named Elum?"
"Yes."
Lucia nodded.
"I've never seen the Demon King of Lust in person, but from what I know, she certainly wasn't a shy little girl. The one behind you should just be a namesake."
Akira fell silent, a strange feeling stirring within him.
Idis's earlier evasiveness resurfaced in his mind, and he grew increasingly convinced—
Elum was the fallen Demon King of Lust.
But how was that even possible?
Why would a Demon King of the Abyss become the daughter of a Succubus Queen?
With questions swirling in his mind, Akira looked down at Elum—
Only to see her peeking out from behind him, staring curiously at Ivsha with wide eyes, softly muttering:
"Lady Idis?"