When I open my eyes, morning light already spills through the curtains. I shift slightly, and the first thing I see is her.
Lilith.
She's already awake, lying beside me on the bed, and of course... her glasses are on.
"Morning, Lilith."
"Good morning, honey~…"
I let my eyes linger on her face for a second before grinning.
"So, you're still wearing your glasses, huh?"
"Fufufu~ of course. Though… I did take them off while you were sleeping. Just for a bit. I put them back on before your eyes opened."
"Is that so? Well, I guess sleep is the only time I'll allow it."
I lift a hand to gently brush a lock of hair behind her ear.
"Wouldn't want the lenses getting cracked or anything."
Her smile softens as she reaches up to touch the edge of her frames.
"I'm glad you understand that. These… you make me understand they're precious now."
Oddly enough, it gives me a weird sense of déjà vu. Waking up in a brothel room, next to a beautiful woman, and it was Kimberly back then. And that was in Heiligeichen, and she was a former prostitute.
And now, I'm here in Qualtnok, with Lilith, who might not be former at all.
Wait… that's right.
If she's an active prostitute, how was she out on the streets yesterday?
How could she approach me and slip me that note like she wasn't bound to any brothel rules?
Because from what I know, prostitutes usually stay in their establishments unless a customer pays for their ransom.
So I curiously ask her.
"Hey, Lilith. You really work here?"
"Mmhmm~... I do, honey~..."
"Then… how come you could just walk around like yesterday?"
And she giggles again.
"Fufufu~... because I'm special~..."
"Special? What's that mean?"
Then, she stretches slowly as she begins to speak.
"Have you ever heard of the Demon Lord? The one from here four thousand years ago?"
"I do."
Yeah, Kimberly told me that a long time ago. And I can't believe I forgot that, especially being in Qualtnok here of all places.
Lilith shifts closer, her voice lowering as she says something that surprises me.
"I was there, you know. I fought in that war."
"Seriously?"
"Yes. I was already a thousand years old when it began."
"A thousand...?!"
That means... she's over five thousand now. And she's older than Salacia and Manas by a whole millennium.
Then, she continues speaking.
"I was there as one of his seven generals and his trusted spy. I slept with his targets, utilizing my charm and sexual desire as my weapons to give him information and loyalty... until I didn't. My fellow generals and I turned on him in the end because we just hated war."
"I see…"
So Kimberly was right.
The demons did betray their own ruler because Lilith just confirmed it outright.
She lets out a breath and closes her eyes for a moment.
"Demons like us aren't made for obedience. We live by desire, not orders. Take me, for example. I love seduction... but the moment it became an assignment, it stopped being mine. It became work, and I hate it."
She opens her eyes again, her voice quieter now.
"So when the war ended… I begged to work here. This brothel is owned by a retired soldier. He understood me, and I've been here ever since, happily draining any men freely. That's what makes me 'special,' honey."
"I see..."
But then, something is tugging at me. She said she was one of the seven generals. Normally, most fantasy stories didn't go for that specific number. So... was it deliberately modeled after something else?
Like the Seven Deadly Sins, maybe?
If that's the case, then…
"Let me guess… you must be the General of Lust, are you?"
Her smile spreads, sultry and proud.
"Fufufu~... correct. You're a genius, honey~..."
"As I thought."
Yeah, no surprise.
Of all the sins, Lust fits her perfectly. Greed, Pride, Wrath, Gluttony, Sloth, and Envy are definitely not her. It's not just because she's a succubus, but because that's... her.
Then, her voice drops to a purr.
"Former, of course. I'm not a general anymore. I'm just a prostitute now~..."
"Okay, thank you for clarifying that..."
Now that I know Lilith still works here in this brothel, the next thought that crosses my mind is obvious.
If I want to bring her home… I'll have to pay for her freedom. And this would be the first time I've ever had to pay for a woman, and I know a little about it.
So, I ask Lilith again.
"Hey, Lilith."
"Mm?"
"If I wanted to bring you home… would I need to pay your ransom?"
"Yes, honey~... That's how it works~..."
"How much?"
She taps a finger to her chin, thoughtful.
"Hmm… I don't really know the exact price. But I do remember one of the other succubi here got released recently. A man paid my manager for her… one large gold coin, I think?"
"One large gold coin? That's cheap."
Lilith blinks in surprise.
"Really?"
"Yeah."
Her eyes light up in an instant, and she suddenly captures my lips, and I welcome that light bird kiss, only breaking when she says something.
"Chuu... mmm... fufufu~... thank you, honey~! I was scared it might be a ridiculous amount! Chuu... chuu..."
One large gold coin equals about one million yen. And with all the income from the store, my current net worth sits around seventy million... so paying that ransom is nothing.
Then, she slowly pulls back.
"Now that I've told you all about myself… I want to know about you. What brings you to Qualtnok, honey~?"
"I'm looking for gloss silk, like your dress. I need it for something fun."
Her brows rise with interest.
"Are you a merchant or an adventurer?"
"Both of them. I'm active adventurer and I own a store in Remantia."
"Really?"
"Yup."
"What do you sell?"
"Well... almost everything, I guess. Toiletries, kitchenware, furniture, board games, ceramics, slabs, and mortars… and weapons too."
Her mouth drops open slightly as she suddenly asks a question that catches me by surprise.
"That's so many things~! Do you sell gems, too?"
"Gems? Uh... no."
And she pouts, slumping just a little.
"Aww… that's unfortunate..."
"What? You like gems?"
Her face lights back up.
"Ohh yes~! I love gemstones and jewelry, honey~!"
She lifts her hands, trailing them across the air as if caressing invisible gems.
"The way they shimmer and sparkle… their allure is irresistible and even more tempting than a succubus~..."
"I see…"
Honestly, that might actually be a great idea.
My gamble to open the weapons section is proved to have worked, and it's still doing great so far. So, I think the gemstones section could be a big hit too, especially with the Day of Souls coming up. I mean... nobles might want gifts or accessories for the occasion.
And so far, I've only used [Lapidary] for the slabs and mortars in the masonry section, and I haven't really explored its use for jewelry. But I do have raw crystals tucked away in my dimensional inventory. Again, that's my habit of collecting such things because I think they might be useful someday. So... if Lilith's really this passionate about gems, she might be the perfect person to run that section if I want to open it.
With that, I say aloud...
"Well, I think I'll consider it."
And continue with another topic.
"Anyway, can you help me find that gloss silk?"
"Of course, honey~... I know exactly where to look~..."
"Thank you."
But then, another thought hits me.
"Oh! Actually… that reminds me."
"Hmm?"
"I've got a blue clay from the Terracotta Emperor."
Her eyes go wide.
"Wait... you mean that blue clay? From that monster?"
"Yeah. I got it during the labyrinth run."
She practically sparkles.
"That's amazing~! The beauty parlors here would go wild for that! They love rare ingredients like that for cosmetics. I'll take you to them too, I promise."
"Thanks again, Lilith."
Phew... I'm glad I remembered it.
Ever since I obtained that blue clay, I always kept it in my dimensional inventory because I wanted to make proper skincare products for the girls, and my [Hygienics] skill only allowed me to craft toiletries. So, yeah... it looks like that item won't go to waste.
With that, I immediately sit up from the bed.
"Alright, let's talk to your manager!"
I swing my legs off the bed, but before I can stand up, Lilith reaches out and grabs my arm.
"Wait! Clothes first, honey~...."
"Ah, you're right."
Lilith stands up gracefully and starts gathering my clothes, then dresses me up with quiet care.
"It's tradition, you know. A prostitute's final job is to dress her buyer before her freedom~."
"I see..."
Once I'm dressed, she begins changing too and wearing that black ensemble again. After she's finished.
"Ready?"
"Yes, honey. Let's go~..."
She loops her arm through mine, and we leave the room, heading down the hallway together. Arriving at the receptionist area, the manager behind the front desk glances up. His eyes widen when he sees us... specifically, when he sees Lilith clinging to me, like he's in disbelief.
And he stammers as I approach the desk.
"I'd like to pay Lilith's ransom."
"L-Lilith's... ransom?"
"Yeah. Is that okay?"
"Y-Yes, of course it's okay. The fee is one large gold coin."
Before I can pull out a coin, he stops me with a raised hand.
"Wait. Payment comes after the contract. I'll prepare it."
"Ah, understood."
Once he disappears into the back room, Lilith lets go of my arm.
"I'll grab my shoes first, honey~..."
"Go ahead, Lilith."
As she slips through a nearby doorway, the manager returns with a folded document.
"Here it is. Please review the terms and sign."
I take the contract and scan it carefully. It contains a formal agreement promising that I'll provide her with proper food, clothing, and shelter… and that I'll do my best to make her happy. And of course I will.
Without hesitation, I sign and hand over the gold coin.
The manager accepts it with a firm nod.
"Payment received. The redemption is complete. Lilith is now yours, Mr. Motegi."
"Thank you."
Just then, Lilith steps back into the room, wearing sleek stiletto heels that make her taller and more alluring.
"Sorry to keep you waiting, honey~..."
The manager straightens and gives me a respectful nod.
"Thank you for buying Lilith, Mr. Motegi."
"Yes, I'll make sure she's happy."
And Lilith smiles softly as he bows deeply.
"Thank you for everything, Manager… for all these millennia."
"It's been an honor to be your manager, Lilith."
Hahaha... millennia, huh?
They said it so casually, like they were just talking about a few decades.
And honestly?
I get the feeling Lilith really did have fun here — wandering the streets, luring men in, and draining them over and over again for thousands of years.
With a final nod, Lilith and I turn and step out of the brothel together. As we walk, Lilith suddenly giggles beside me.
"Fufufu~... I still can't forget the look on the manager's face when he found out you bought me out. He always had a hard time with me. I pushed my men way too far, and he never knew what to do. But he still let me stay."
"Hahaha... Is that so?"
"Yup, poor guy never stood a chance~..."
I smile because now she's no longer the brothel's troublemaker. And speaking of that...
"By the way… that note you left. The one with the hotel address."
She looks up at me, amused.
"I know you only wrote it to lure me into the brothel, but I've got to admit… that hotel is actually amazing. So, thanks for that, Lilith."
Lilith giggles, her eyes sparkling.
"Of course, honey~. You can think of that little trap as your 'payment' for the hospitality I gave you."
"Hahaha... yeah, fair trade."
Then, we stop before a little fabric shop with silky drapes instead of a door as Lilith steps forward.
"Our first stop... is where I got this dress tailored."
As we step inside, a female arachne turns her head towards us as Lilith greets her.
"Shamala~!"
"Lilith! Still dazzling as ever."
Then, the arachne's six eyes shift to me.
"And who's this gentleman?"
"He's my honey~..."
And she blinks in disbelief.
"He brought you home... for real?"
Lilith giggles, squeezing my arm a little as I bow politely.
"Nice to meet you."
The arachne stares a second longer, then chuckles.
"Well, I can't believe you actually survived her, young man."
Then, I state my purpose.
"Actually, I'm looking for gloss silk... do you have any in stock?"
"Of course! Wait a moment, okay?"
She shifts her spider legs and glides back behind the counter, opening a wide chest. From within, she pulls a folded sheet of black fabric and lays it out with care.
"I believe this is what you're looking for..."
The moment I touch it, I'm delighted. It's really smooth, lustrous, and almost latex-like but breathable, just exactly like what I want.
"Yes! This is exactly it!"
"One sheet is one silver and five large bronze coins."
"I'll take two."
"Perfect! It will be 3 silver coins in total!"
"Here you go..."
She wraps them up swiftly and hands them over as I pay. After that, we step back out into the bustling street and stop again at a flamboyant-looking parlor as Lilith steps forward again like a tour guide.
"Next stop... is the best beauty parlor in all of Qualtnok. The owner's a genius, though he's a little weird."
As we step inside, a femboy vampire with thick makeup glides toward us. His lips are painted red, and his lashes are long and shimmering as he squeals.
"My Lilith! You actually came?"
"Ewen~!"
And the same thing happens as his gaze lands on me...
"Wait, who is this man, Lilith?"
"He's mine~..."
Although the reaction is different as he gasps, clutching his chest like a scandalized noblewoman.
"You got taken before me? Unacceptable!"
Lilith just laughs, and then I pull out something from my dimensional inventory.
"I actually came with a request. I've got blue clay from the Terracotta Emperor."
Ewen goes silent. Then, slowly, he takes the clay in both hands like a sacred artifact.
"It's… real…"
"What can you make with it?"
He taps his chin thoughtfully.
"Mmm... what about a face mask? The best you've ever had. Blue clay is divine for skin. It will take a day. Can you wait?"
"Of course."
"Wonderful! Leave it to me!"
"Thank you."
And again, we step out into the street as I turn to her.
"So, should we head back now?"
"Mmhmm. Let's go, honey~..."
With that, we make our way back to the hotel. Arriving there, I introduce Lilith to everyone and Puck... and once they listen to her story, Yomogi, Chantal, Kimberly, Pinna, and Manas are all in disbelief.
"Five… millennia?! You're five… millennia old?!"
"Not just a demon… but a succubus…"
"A–and… a former Demon Lord's… general… too…"
"This development is… outside all predicted parameters."
"And what, pray tell, hast thou brought home this time, mine king…?"
Lilith only giggles as she looks at their expressions.
"Fufufu~… I really surprised you all, didn't I?"
However, Salacia suddenly beams and sweeps Lilith into a warm hug as Lilith hugs her back. And somehow… we already have a flirtatious and mischievous duo.
"We shall get along perfectly, Lilith~…"
"Fufufu~… I'm looking forward to that, Salacia~…"
Meanwhile, I just sit on the sofa and let the whole scene play out as I gently pet Puck on my lap with [Fluffmaster].
"Did you miss me, Puck?"
"Kyuu…"
It chirps softly, melting into my hand like a baby falling asleep.
"Sorry I was gone so long."
"Kyuu."
Despite the shock, the girls are already warming up to Lilith and welcoming her to the family.
And I'm happy for that.