Chapter 114

EP.114 Softening Hearts #2

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“Have you come to see Lady Margaret?”

A demon guard, maintaining the prison, asked politely.

A minotaur with a bull’s head. It seemed to possess considerable strength.

By Earth’s standards, it would be around D to C rank.

Yuria nodded her head.

“That’s right.”

“She is in the special room on the 10th basement floor. Shall I guide you?”

Ignoring the demon’s words, Yuria crossed through the corridors of the underground prison where several humans were held.

Is Aaron here too? He’s not on the first basement floor, at least.

“Pr… Princess Yuria…! Is it really you?”

Some of the imprisoned humans called out to Yuria.

Yuria turned her head and looked at the people who called her.

Their faces were pale, their bodies covered in dried blood and wounds.

The first thought that came to her mind upon seeing these pitiful people…

‘Disgusting.’

She approached the prison.

The people who called the princess’s name gasped at the sight of the dress Yuria was wearing.

A revealing dress that accentuated her figure. Any man would have their eyes popping out.

“Are you a citizen of the kingdom?”

With superhuman willpower, the citizen nodded.

“Ah, yes… My name is Charles.”

“How did you recognize my face?”

“I’m a blacksmith who supplies swords to the knight order. I saw you from a distance once. It was hard to recognize you because your hair color changed, but… seeing how respectfully the guards treat you, it seems you’re doing well, which is a relief.”

Charles seemed to think Yuria was a well-treated prisoner.

Well, being the princess of a nation, it was understandable.

Actually, the treatment was quite good.

And here he is, worrying about others despite having no strength himself? How pathetic.

“It’s fine. Is Aaron held here by any chance?”

“Aaron… Are you referring to the captain of the knight order…”

“That’s right.”

“I haven’t seen him. I’m sorry.”

“I see. Alright. I’m negotiating with the Demon King, and it seems like things are going well, so just hang in there a bit longer. I’ll get you out of here.”

“Yes…! Yes! Thank you, Princess!”

Charles’s face brightened.

Hope gleamed in his eyes, and his voice gained strength.

Yuria gave him a fake smile and walked past the corridor.

Shortly after, Charles’s loud voice echoed from behind.

“The princess is negotiating with the Demon King! She said to hang in there a bit longer, and she’ll get us out!”

Then, the humans in the prison reacted.

Having received hope for survival, they cheered and chanted the princess’s name.

Yuria barely managed to keep a straight face and walked gracefully.

Those people were so pathetic.

Falling for such a simple lie. Even Charles had a look of desire when he looked at her.

Thinking of saving such humans? Of course not.

Tairat said he stopped the kingdom’s invasion because of her.

That meant he intended to make her queen and turn the kingdom into a vassal state. In that case, she planned to take some of the people here and use them as propagandists to inflate her achievements.

No matter how much of a queen material she was, she couldn’t rule the kingdom alone.

She intended to give the ignorant slaves the right mix of carrot and stick to make them praise her and wield absolute power.

Since the mages of the Demon Tower were still alive, she could move to Earth with the people, or she could invite Jihyuk and let him experience the charm of the kingdom.

In any case, living with Jihyuk remained unchanged.

The problem was that Tairat might be Jihyuk.

It was still a hypothesis, but it was increasingly leaning towards the truth.

‘What should I do…?’

Various speculations about Tairat and Jihyuk swirled in her head.

Yuria shook her head.

She decided to persuade her mother first.

Arriving at the end of the corridor, she slowly descended the dark stairs.

Up to the 9th basement floor, it was just like any other prison she knew.

Smelly and dark.

But from the 10th floor, it was different.

Aside from being clean, a faint, sweet fruit fragrance wafted through the air.

‘What is this…’

There were several rooms without bars, and the corridor was illuminated by orange chandeliers.

Even the carpet laid out made it look like the living room of a high-class mansion.

No wonder the guard called it a special room.

With a bewildered expression, Yuria decided to enter since there were no guards on each floor.

Her heart raced with each step on the soft carpet.

The image of her mother, transformed into a demon, vividly came to mind before she lost consciousness.

“Phew…”

Feeling a tightness in her chest, she stopped and took a deep breath.

“Have you arrived?”

A seductive voice came from behind Yuria.

“Gasp!”

Startled, Yuria instinctively moved.

She turned her body and swung her right fist with force.

Incredibly fast. But her fist only cut through the air.

Thud!

Then, Yuria felt an incredibly strong force pushing her from behind.

A sharp, nail-piercing pain followed.

At the same time, she felt a dull sensation in her right leg, lost her balance, and fell awkwardly.

“Ugh…!”

Frowning, Yuria quickly got up and adjusted her stance.

Her strength drained as she glared ahead.

Margaret was looking at her, flicking her long tongue.

She laughed at Yuria in a seductive voice.

“Our daughter… so weak?”

The one who attacked her was her mother.

No, a succubus who could hardly be called a mother anymore.

Her already voluptuous chest was accentuated by a tight black bondage bra, and her high-cut panties revealed her curvaceous hips.

A vulgar appearance. But it suited the succubus perfectly.

Her back ached from the attack, feeling damp.

Blood must be flowing.

The tip of Margaret’s high heels was slightly stained, having pierced her flesh when she kicked.

Then, she must have used her long, flexible tail to trip her.

Even without her bow and suit, her transformed body was wounded, and her mother moved at an invisible speed.

Her mother’s already excellent physique seemed hundreds of times stronger.

“Ugh…!”

Yuria gritted her teeth, holding back tears.

Not because of the pain.

But because she felt so heartbroken by Margaret, who had attacked her so decisively.

Margaret seemed to notice Yuria’s feelings and snorted.

“You attacked first, why are you acting aggrieved? Spoiled brat…”

Margaret cursed without hesitation.

Yuria’s heart was torn.

The confidence that she could persuade her mother sank into a deep abyss.

Without realizing it, Yuria called out in a mournful voice.

“Mom…”

At that, Margaret’s face brightened.

With enchanting steps, she approached and stretched out her arms, welcoming her daughter.

“Yes, my daughter… come here.”

“Ah…”

Hesitating, Yuria. Margaret’s pale brow furrowed.

Not liking her daughter’s attitude, Margaret flicked her tongue a few times, then made a pitiful face as tears began to flow from Yuria’s eyes.

She hugged Yuria and gently stroked her daughter’s hair.

“Why are you crying… don’t cry.”

“Sniff… Mom…!”

“I’m here. That’s right… good girl.”

Yuria clearly felt her mother’s once warm touch turn icy.

Not just her hands, but her entire body.

Yet, paradoxically, she felt warmth.

Even as a succubus, her mother still remembered all their memories.

She had missed her so much… but with Tairat present earlier, they couldn’t have a proper reunion.

And now, meeting alone, her emotions were heightened.

“Mom…! Waaah!”

Finally, Yuria buried her face in Margaret’s chest and burst into tears.

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Yuria, lying on the soft bed in Margaret’s room, frowned as her back was being treated.

Margaret had lightly touched her wound.

“Mom… it hurts…”

“Sorry. I was just checking how bad it is. It should heal in a few days… does it sting a lot? Is it uncomfortable?”

“Yes… it stings every time I move…”

“Really? Wait a bit.”

With that, Margaret disappeared in a puff of black smoke.

Yuria, bewildered, looked around when Margaret reappeared.

She brought a young female mage with hollow eyes.

A beautiful woman in a tattered white robe. Her fiery orange hair stood out.

She stared vacantly into space, seemingly devoid of reason.

Margaret grabbed the mage’s hair and sat her behind Yuria, then poked the back of her neck with her tail.

“Ah…! Ah…!”

The mage trembled and moaned with each poke.

Soon, she stretched out her hands as if being controlled.

Then, a bright light appeared with a hum.

A healing spell manifested from the mage’s hands.

Yuria relaxed her body as she felt an itch on her back.

Tensing muscles would slow the healing spell’s effect.

A natural reaction.

Seeing her daughter like this, Margaret smiled wickedly.

But she didn’t mock or laugh out loud.

She simply let Yuria get used to being served by a lowly slave.

After finishing her daughter’s treatment, Margaret called a guard to take the mage away.

Then, she sat in front of Yuria with a bright smile.

“Does it still hurt?”

“No…”

Yuria slowly nodded.

Still unable to look at her mother, her gaze wandered.

“What happened to that mage…? Hypnosis?”

“No. Tortured until her sanity broke. She’s useful, so I’m keeping her as a slave.”

Margaret spoke terrifying words without batting an eye.

Yuria also didn’t care about the weak mage’s human rights.

She just tried to steer the conversation so her mother wouldn’t feel disappointed by her reaction.

“Mom, why did you leave Tairat…”

She couldn’t bring herself to finish the sentence.

Margaret, understanding Yuria’s thoughts, chuckled.

“We females must submit to strong males. It’s natural. You know that.”

Right. She had thought the same when she took the flying taxi to meet Jihyuk.

So… did her mother assimilate into Tairat’s tyranny?

Like how she assimilated into Jihyuk’s tyranny?

No… they might be the same person… so to summarize…

‘Ugh…!’

Frowning, Yuria pressed her throbbing head.

Let’s stop thinking about them.

Shaking her head, she looked at Margaret, who continued.

“The moment I accepted his thing inside me, I realized. The Demon King is the master I must serve for life.”

“…..”

“I hope you become his retainer soon too. Mother and daughter serving the Demon King together… how joyful and grateful that would be?”

“I… will never do that.”

“Look at my beautiful appearance and figure now. My strength has amplified too. Even you, who seemed unmatched among humans, look insignificant, and it was true.”

Margaret’s face flushed with the intoxication of power.

Flicking her long tongue like a snake, she grabbed her own chest.

Seeing her mother’s sensual appearance, Yuria thought persuasion might be hopeless.

Her mother was very satisfied with this life now.

It’s frustrating… but understandable.

She gained tremendous power.

Yuria sighed deeply and asked.

“Mom… do you love me, a human?”

“I’ve discarded all memories and recollections from my human days, but my love for you remains. I truly love you.”

“If… the Demon King orders you to kill me, what would you do?”

“Silly question. Of course, I would kill you.”

“…..”

Tears welled up instantly.

She had hoped for at least an attempt at persuasion… but to say she would kill her daughter without hesitation… it was too heartbreaking.

“What answer did you expect? Do you think a demon like me can defy the Demon King’s orders?”

“Ah…”

Hearing Margaret’s answer, Yuria felt slightly relieved.

Right. Demons must obey the Demon King unconditionally.

Rebellion is impossible. It can’t be helped.

Still, it’s sad. She wanted to cry her heart out in the room.

Yuria wiped her eyes and stood up.

“I’ll be going now…”

At that, Margaret waved her hand and created a portal.

Looking at the gaping maw of the demon portal, Margaret spoke.

“Go in. It leads to the castle.”

Using a portal that demons use…

Feeling disgusted again, Yuria shook her head.

“I’ll just… go on my own…”

“Alright? Okay.”

Closing the portal, Margaret said she had things to do and disappeared somewhere.

Looking around the empty room, Yuria let out a frustrated sigh.

Meril… I want to see Meril. I want to find peace quickly.

Next Episode―――――――――――――――――――――

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