The Hero Became a Succubus, and the Only Way to Level is to… What?!

Arenade had brought an outfit for almost every situation possible. She even fully expected to meet with an important figure in Kandis, and so prepared a luxurious gown for herself all the way from Radevic. The blue and gold dress had an open-back, stretching down to just above the buttocks. It was low cut on the chest to reveal a nice sight of her cleavage. Splits on the side of her thighs gave a glimpse of the length of her leg. She had come dressed to impress, and it really showed.

"Wow. Look at you. Makes me want to push you down and tear that right off your body," Kanae said, biting the bottom of her lip.

"Don't you dare! This was really expensive!" Arenade backed away and clutched herself.

On the other hand, Kanae only had on a traditional Saviran robe typically worn on occasions. It was a tight strapless black fit. The fabric was looser on the chest with a just as loose headscarf. She had to cut holes in it to accommodate her horns. The dark purple trims of the dress extend into the outfit with vine-like designs reaching for a circular object.

When asked about the design, the clothier at the store explained that Savirans called themselves 'people of the sun', and this motif was common in upper echelons of their society.

Satisfied with their dress, Kanae and Arenade descended the inn to meet Renya, who was waiting inside her carriage. One of her crewmen had taken the reins as their stagecoach. The pirate lord didn't dress for the occasion. She opted instead for her usual crimson longcoat, inside of which hid her two signature tools of trade.

"Mee-yow!" Renya wolf-whistled as the two of them climbed into the carriage. "If I didn't know better, Vizier Duran called two high class escorts rather than inviting you to dinner."

"Hey… you just called two queens of the Commonwealth glorified prostitutes." Arenade glared.

Renya shrugged, then hollered for the coach to get a move on. As the largest building in the city, the Cerulean Palace was always within view in Kandis. Kanae wondered if cities in Savir were just as grandiose if not more.

Traffic grew sparse the closer they got to their destination. The mode of dress transitioned from dirty tunics and linen pants to fancy robes and leather pants.

Upon arriving at the entrance of the Cerulean Palace, a flock of scantily-clad harpy women received them at the gates. They were all kneeling, eyes cast to the ground. Kanae, Arenade, and Renya emerged from the carriage to marvel at the vizier's seat of power. The architecture was stunning and unlike anything they had seen before in Radevic, Lograin, and the Commonwealth. Possibly even Ortesia, too.

Almost every corner was rounded. Images were carved into the stonework of the palace. A large sun was etched above all doors and archways, and hands and vines along their upper frames seemed to reach for it. Some exotic species of evergreen trees, thicker at the bottom and thinner going up until a fine point, framed walkways and paths.

"Honored guests of Vizier Duran, we welcome you to the Cerulean Palace," the head of the harpy group said before rising to her feet.

They stepped aside to reveal three seats on separate platforms. Each corner had a pole that extended two feet out. Four harpies to every platform lifted from the corners, then dropped to their knees. Another harpy got down to all fours, offering their backs as a step.

"Oh, you're going to carry us there? Fancy! Now this is how royalty should be treated. Don't mind if I do~" Arenade climbed onto one seat.

"You can fly, you know…" Kanae decided against stepping on the harpy and flew up to hers instead.

As soon as Renya hopped onto the last seat, the harpies surprised them by lifting the platform seats into the air. Arenade nearly tipped over from the sudden take-off. They were flown to a wide, candle-lit balcony half-way up the Cerulean Palace.

A pleasant scent wafted up to their nose. They turned to the source, a large round table with numerous plates of seafood, fruits, and more. The harpies landed them gingerly on the floor, then stepped away to let the three climb down.

"You made it!" Vizier Duran exclaimed from somewhere on the table. It wasn't until he tilted his head far enough that they saw him, hidden behind a giant pineapple cut in half. "Please, sit." He snapped his fingers, and servants came out from the chamber behind him with wine.

"Well, don't mind if I do!" Renya planted her ass down and started digging in right away.

"This better not be your way of buttering us up before asking for a favor." Arenade folded her arms, rightfully suspicious.

"I'm with Arenade. This is our honeymoon. If you're going to send us on an errand, then you better us now so we can refuse," Kanae said.

The vizier opened his mouth and promptly shut it. Not wanting to play games, even when it came to the leader of foreign city, Kanae exerted a charm on the beastman for answers.

"Your coming here is… serendipitous I… want you to find something… for me," Duran answered stiffly.

The harpies and servants all drew their weapons, but Kanae extended her charm to them, too. They froze in place, unable to move even an inch. It felt good to be able to freely use her succubus magic without those pesky reversal potions getting in the way.

"I knew this was too good to be true!" Arenade stormed up to the charmed vizier in a fury and lifted him off his booster seat.

"We meant no offense! Please, will you at least listen to what I have to say? I will reward you handsomely in return!" Duran pleaded in earnest.

Renya was still blissfully dining away, unconcerned with what was going on. Kanae traded glances with Arenade, who nodded to let the vizier go. She released the charm on them, and Duran quickly waved his servants to stand down.

"I know it was dirty to lure you here with a feast. Since you're already here, we shouldn't let all this food go to waste. You must have questions for me. I will answer. In return, consider my plea," he said.

Kanae and Arenade relented. The food did look particularly good, and the wine was mouthwatering by smell alone. They accepted Vizier Duran's hospitality to dine on the royal treatment.

A moment ago, Arenade was ready to chuck the beastman off his own tower. Now, she was squealing with every bite of fish, sighed after every sip of wine, and gazed into the clear starry sky like a painter was taking her portrait.

Vizier Duran was willing to talk. Maybe Kanae wouldn't need to charm and instead make use of the Saviran people's openness. Dalu'luna Mello, the Knight of Ivory, and her Ivory Hall were putting together an expedition to travel south to find the Knight of Red. This was an opportunity to extract some information.

"Alright, Vizier. You said you were willing to answer questions. I want to take you up on that offer. A few years ago, the Knight of Red from the Order of Colors was sent to explore the uncharted south. She hasn't been seen since. Maybe you have? Red is a harpy," Kanae explained.

"The Knight of Red?" Duran's eyes glinted with recognition. "Ah, yes. I do remember a harpy by that title coming by here. Red sought an audience, I gave her one, and she went on her way. I must, however, make a correction. You say 'uncharted' south. You must understand that Savir is enormous. It is possible your fellow knight traveled much farther than Savir, the country, lies. That being what lies beyond our reach."

"Any idea what she was asking about?"

"Lay of the land. What monsters to expect. Who to find to learn more. I sent her to my cousin," he said as a matter of factly.

The vizier was the cousin to this Sultana Dudula person. From what Kanae recalled of Renya's short explanation, Savir was currently split into three factions, vying for control of who ruled there. Dudula was one leader of said factions.

"I'm told Savir is going through a little civil war. Is it dangerous over there?" Kanae asked.

"Hum… It is complicated. Yes, we often skirmish and butt heads with each other. But Savir is Savir at the end of the day. You won't find dangers from the established powers there. I cannot say the same for bandits and mercenaries, of which Savir has many. If you ever find yourself south of Kandis, do visit Sultana Dudula in Bravost, the Emerald Jewel. Bravost is a wondrous city," Duran explained with subdued enthusiasm.

Renya had finally taken interest in the conversation and leaned forward. "Word on the seas is Dudula ain't doing so hot compared to the other two. As someone running a business, I'd like to stake the highest chances of success on the winning side. Unless your cousin might be cooking something up to make me think otherwise?"

"Egh?" He held his tongue even though Kanae didn't do anything to him.

The tension around them had thickened. The harpies seemed to be paying more attention to them with razor sharp focus than before. Vizier Duran looked scared. But around his own people? Was it something Renya had said?

"Oh, trade secret! I get it. If Sultana Dudula's got things under control in Bravost, she wouldn't be sweating up an oasis, am I right? Guess I'll have to check out her rivals. What were their names? Sorry, their names are slipping my mind!" Renya shifted gears, and all that tension vanished.

"Y-Yes, I imagine so! Ha.. haha…" Vizier Duran laughed nervously.

At least the harpies had returned to their duties, only keeping one rather than both eyes on them and the table now.

Duran continued, "I know of Renya Rown, but dealing with you in person… You wish to know of the other two? Very well. Cerberus, mutt of Avanesse, the Ruby Jewel. The boy is a hellhound, inept as he is young. Avanesse hasn't had experienced leadership in years. They care only for their oases and fruits. If you are seeking to expand Rown Company's influence, then it must be the most stable of Savir ruled by the Harpy King. Elusis, the Opal Jewel! Elusis controls many sandstone quarries. Kandis is built on their sandstones."

Kanae and Arenade eyed Renya, because that earlier comment suggested she knew more than she was letting on. The harpies had also acted suspiciously interested in what Duran could have said…

"Hold on," Kanae chimed in, hoping to glean a little more. "Renya, are you sure about doing business down there? Who knows if you might get caught up in Savir's civil war. I'm not sure how much we can trust Vizier Duran when he says they mean no danger to outsiders."

A brief glance at Renya, and they were on the same page. Clearly, Vizier Duran was watching what he was saying in the presence of the harpies. For what reason, Kanae wasn't sure. But it was certainly a situation of duress. However, by framing this discussion as a matter of business, he might be able to say more without arousing suspicions.

"Oh, yeah. See, Duran… Queen Kanae Toyomi and I have a long, historied relationship. Business, of course! Sometimes pleasure. Even with the threat of invasion from the Empire of Ortesia, Rown Company went overtime in constructing the northern arm of the Imperial Span. I'm no stranger to danger, but I do know how to calculate risk. I need to know what I'm dealing with," Renya said.

"You northerners are cut from a different cloth…" Duran wiped the sweat from his fuzzy brows with a towel. "It is no secret among Savirans that Sultana Dudula, Sultan Cerberus, and the Harpy King vie for control of all Savir. To that end, no low is too low. Assassinations, subterfuge, espionage, blackmail, bribery… you name it. I assure you, nothing untoured to foreigners. It is all very self-contained. Unless, of course, you intend to meddle."

Kanae noted the very subtle inflection in the vizier's voice. Espionage. He planted that word in the middle of a bunch of examples to make it seem unimportant.

"I love a heavy dose of political intrigue in my wine!" Renya grinned.

"That last part sounded like an invitation. I assure you the Commonwealth and Artaggon have zero intention of meddling. Another power, on the other hand… My associate here happened to spot Ortesian ships entering port in the dead of night. Their ships disembarked right after unloading a group of people. Think the Sultans of Savir had anything to do with that?" Kanae asked.

"Uhh…" Duran tugged on the collar of his robe. "That is most certainly very concerning news. I had no clue, genuinely so! But I will have the port authority and my best guards look into the matter!"

Something was definitely going on in Kandis, and Savir as a whole. But Kanae didn't have enough pieces to make a judgment call on any of it. 

"Heh… Sounds like you guys have a bad… hic!" Arenade teetered side to side with another full glass of wine in hand.

"Arenade, are you drunk?" Kanae asked.

"I'm not drunk. You're drunk!" she fired back.

"Oh, my god… Use Detox on yourself!"

"No!"

The two of them bickered and dispelled the tension around the atmosphere until servants emerged with desserts. They brought out a large cake, soft candies, and a new bottle. Kanae's drunk wife reached for it until she slapped her hand away.

"Arenade, wait. I'm, uhhh… I'm drunk! Can you Detox me so I can drink some more?" Kanae asked.

"That's the spirit… hic! Hold up… Let me just… Detox!" Arenade waved her staff as the spell activated, but Kanae twisted her arm to face the caster.

"Huh? Damn it! Do you know how long it takes to get a good buzz with my tolerance?!" She grabbed Kanae by the shoulders and shook violently.

"What an unusual couple you two are…" Vizier Duran murmured.

As the night went on, it came to Kanae's attention that a few of the harpy women were present at all times. The servants came and went. It could be that the harpies were his guards. He was the vizier of Kandis after all and hailed from a country with as much backstabbing as Ortesia.

Fortunately, nothing was awry with the feast. Everything tasted amazing. The amount of spices they used blended together nicely in ways not possible in Radevic. If there was never a time to do Kanae and her companions harm, it was now when their guard was down. On that, she believed Vizier Duran that they meant no ill-intentions toward them.

"Thank you, Vizier Duran. Dinner was a treat to my taste buds," Kanae said after finishing her desserts, then thumbed over her shoulder to a once again drunk Arenade. "I'm sorry about my idiot wife drinking herself to a stupor again…"

"Oooh… hic! Saviran spirits are something else… This is Thorn Pear, isn't it? I feel it in my souuul! Hey, Vizier… you have any more of this?" Arenade rambled drunkenly.

"I'm glad everything was to your liking! Saviran cuisine prides itself in its spices. Your high elven wife's love for our spirits touches my heart. You're versed to know of Thorn Pear. It is a particular favorite of mine. I keep a secret store of them in my room. I'll bring you one of our finest bottles before you leave!" Vizier Duran beamed.

Before they left, there was also the matter of the favor…

"So, what exactly did you need our help with?" Kanae asked.

"I know of your accomplishments," Duran began as if he had been waiting for my cue. "You had challenged those who would strike fear in the common man and survived: such as the likes of Petyr Stormcloud, whose mere strike can shatter adamantine. Demon Lord Charron, whose charisma and mighty strength united all of Artaggon under a single banner. And… the once thought dead Roshasha— Oh, yes. I know. Word travels fast, especially word on swift wings."

Several of the harpies close enough to hear nodded at Kanae.

He continued, "There exists a dungeon my people and even Veteran adventurers have failed to penetrate. Perhaps you have encountered one before. It is Necro Lord Tomb… #3."

Kanae and Arenade snorted, trying not to erupt into laughter.

"What is so funny? I do not see the humor in Necro Lord Tomb #3," Duran repeated in all seriousness.

"Nothing… it's just… never mind. What about this Necro Lord Tomb?" Kanae swallowed the urge to giggle.

"There exists an artifact, taken by Lord Charron many years ago during his foray into Savir. It is a treasured heirloom passed down from sultan to sultan. We do not believe it has powers, but there is great symbolic and sentimental value in it. Savir will pay you a great deal to retrieve this artifact for us. You will also have our eternal gratitude," he said.

"And which of the current sultans is getting that artifact?" Arenade cast Detox on herself and asked.

Vizier Duran made the mistake of drinking wine when she had brought it up. The red wine stained his beautiful fur a shade of lighter crimson.

"Y-You… let us handle what comes after. You need only retrieve the artifact and bring it here," Duran said, clearing his throat.

They accepted the vizier's request. The relief on his face couldn't be overstated. As a precursory thanks, he gifted Arenade a single bottle of Saviran spirits. His harpy groupies ferried them back down where they had been lifted up from.

The trip back to the inn was made in hushed discussion.

"I'm not the only one who thought Vizier Duran and the harpies were acting funky, right?" Kanae asked.

"How much do you think that artifact is worth?" Renya was lost in thought with a mischievous look about her.

"We're not stealing it… Also, Arenade… You sure enjoyed dinner," she turned to the high elf lost in thought.

"Hmph. Of course, you wouldn't notice my genius ploy! Behold." Arenade opened the box that contained Thorn Pear spirits. She pulled out the bottle. Kanae thought she was going to drink it. Instead, she set the bottle aside and reached into the box to pull out a handwritten note.

Both Kanae and Renya gasped.

"Thorn Pear is a particularly expensive spirit. Only those with money to throw into the sea can buy something like this. It's a drink only a very select few people have the pleasures of drinking. Me asking for a bottle separated Vizier Duran from those harpies. They stayed behind to keep an eye on us. That gave him enough time to write this note," Arenade explained with a haughty smile.

"Arenade… you really are a genius!" Kanae exclaimed.

"Hehe. Compliment me more—"

Kanae grabbed Arenade's face and kissed her deeply. When their lips parted, she was deeply red.

"I asked for a compliment… not a kiss…" Arenade pouted.

"You two can fuck later. Don't keep me in suspense! What does the note say?" Renya asked.

The three of them bunched up to read the incredible penmanship of Vizier Duran's writing.

I am being held hostage. The harpies are agents of the Harpy King. There are fifteen in total, extremely capable, and prepared to escape to warn him if something were to happen. I do not know for sure what lies within the Necro Lord Tomb #3, but they appear to want it. Whatever it is, it must not fall into their talons!

"We can just burn the letter. Forget this all ever happened and go back to our honeymoon," Arenade said.

"Oh, come on. Let's at least see what's inside the tomb first," Kanae insisted.

"This sounds like a blast." Renya threw an arm around each of their shoulders. "Count your old pal Renya in!"