Volume 10 Chapter 47 The Strategy of Self-Destruction and the Nightmare’s Third Visit
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”There’s a golden rule for losing a war, ya know? It’s self-destruction.”
It was the hour when a large, porcelain-white star floated alone in the pitch-black sky.
Inside Klock’s private room at the monastery, the demon’s daughter, her wings well-hidden, sat on the edge of the bed. She wore what looked like a cute, ‘dream-cute’ maid dress. She had burst into the room saying she’d come to take care of him, but after seeing Klock’s strange mood, she cocked her head and settled in to listen.
”When one person defects, everyone close to the enemy lines follows suit, scrambling to switch sides. A battle that could have been won falls apart like a dam breaking, all because one disloyal person betrayed their own.”
”Yeah, that’s right. It happened especially with smaller nations’ castles against the great powers. I haven’t exactly covered all of Human history, but it seems like a big chunk of their losses happen that way,” Klock conceded, shrugging his shoulders at Kispe’s agreement.
It seemed she was well-versed in such matters, or maybe even an expert, considering no one had ever manipulated human hearts quite like her.
”I believe the Demon Continent was similar. They say the wars started with fierce battles across the land, among the Beast Demon Tribe, the Ogre-Humans, the Forestkin, and us Incubus/Succubi. But once a few races surrendered, the rest stampeded to pledge allegiance. I also hear that the Earth Humans, despite never having lost a single battle, were on the verge of internal collapse when they finally surrendered due to internal conflict.”
”I see. Worst of all, it looks like the Human Continent is facing the possibility of the same thing now,” Klock muttered, the realization sinking in.
Barreith’s betrayal was, frankly, extremely bad news.
If the news that Barreith had defected leaked to Conro or Orrid, would the common folk and soldiers truly remain resolved to fight? The first thing they’d do is consider a midnight flight. Ten thousand Monsters were already on their doorstep; with news of a betrayal from the rear, most people would seriously think about running. What would happen if the enemy army then advanced? All that awaited them was the collapse of the army.
”The Federation has already lost over half its territory to the Demon Lord’s Army. Under normal circumstances, they should’ve surrendered already, but they haven’t because the enemy is Demonkin.”
”That’s true. Their goal is the extermination of the Humans. Since they’ve promised death, naturally, surrender is impossible. If they were human, the Federation would have fallen long ago,” Kispe noted, her voice saccharine.
When you’re told they’ve come for ethnic cleansing, everyone fights like a cornered animal. It’s a binary choice: fight to live or die without fighting. That’s why they’d endured so far. But the moment news of a high-profile defection spread, that entire premise was overturned. Everyone wanted to be on the winning side. In this agonizing moment that required unity, the hearts of the people might suddenly scatter.
”…Would you like me to execute Barreith?”
The girl smiled, an adorable expression, while offering a shockingly ruthless proposal from her tiny body and small mouth.
”What, you’d handle it? That’s quite a generous offer. What’s the thinking behind that?” Klock wondered aloud.
”A betrayal at this stage will act as a potent poison, eroding everything simply by existing. And Sanrid is in their hands, isn’t it? Whether the people and soldiers of Orrid know it is unclear, but it is only a matter of time before it becomes known. Once the matter is revealed, the soldiers’ morale will only plummet further. The battle may be decided before it even begins.”
”…” Klock couldn’t argue.
The presence of Ludovico and his ilk was irrelevant on its own, but their betrayal in this current climate could be a mortal blow. If this continued, all the soldiers would flee, and the Nobility would rush to offer their surrender. Of course, they’d be killed after bowing their heads—it would be nothing more than offering their necks. The worst-case scenario was imminent. The tide of this war was about to be decided. They had to act before the situation became irreversible.
”Give me a minute to think. If things get truly hopeless, I’ll consult with you.”
”Understood. I, for one, wouldn’t want such a boring end. I trust Master’s sound judgment, if only so the Hero doesn’t scold me later.” Kispe gave a formal nod.
She meant that having finally sided with Klock, she wouldn’t stand by and let him lose over something so trivial. It wasn’t just Kispe. If this war were to end here, Primlena, Flavia, and all the powers behind them would be tearing their hair out.
”Oh, by the way, changing the subject, it seems there was a bit of a commotion outside today.”
”Huh? Oh, yeah. Caught some bandits,” Klock replied with a scoff.
It was a commotion, sure, but not enough to shake the town. They’d finally made progress on the stolen armaments from the weapons shop by luring the bandits into a trap.
”I remember the shop owner was worried about the stolen goods.”
”Yep. It was a haul meant for the city contract. When I checked the scene, they’d even been kind enough to swipe the smithy’s liquor. So I figured they were heavy drinkers. I just laid out some booze laced with sleeping draughts and staked out the place.”
The trap was almost insultingly crude, but, predictably, the bandits had stolen the alcohol.
The city guard and the Brigante company worked together. The Brigante soldiers who were watching tracked the bandits to their hideout. As night fell, they raided the lair and rounded up the entire group of sleepy, clumsy Raccoon-dog Beastkin.
They already knew the culprits were Beastkin, but the racoon-dogs were unexpected. It was a shame that the first time he’d encountered the species was under such circumstances.
”How did you manage to set the trap so well? How did you know which shop they’d hit next?”
”I staked out every single weapons smithy that hadn’t been robbed yet.”
”So you correctly assumed the Raccoon-dogs would target weapons again, I see,” Kispe purred.
Stealing such a large quantity of armaments could only be for selling. Stealing things with no guaranteed buyer was too risky. It was reasonable to assume they’d already secured a buyer or at least had a clear destination in mind.
That meant they were highly likely to target armaments again. If they got a different kind of loot, they’d have to find a new buyer. Bandits wanted money, and they wouldn’t risk their lives for something that might not pay.
”We figured out the culprits were Beastkin early on. Selling them domestically would be hard, but fencing stolen goods is easy in the Beast Country.”
”Smuggling to the Beast Continent. Stealing weapons in this day and age… they must have been Raccoon-dogs of considerable ambition,” Kispe mused, smiling gently.
Klock figured her assumptions were probably wrong. The culprits weren’t spies. They were a family group of Raccoon-dog Beastkin. In short, they were just stupid.
The raid revealed that most of the thieves were children, some as young as single digits. They were currently contained in a ‘lodging’ which had turned into a loud, rowdy children’s room. He was planning to question the oldest one, who seemed to be the leader, tomorrow. It was a ludicrously clumsy, yet disruptive, affair.
”Anyway, Kispe. I actually have something I need to talk to you about.”
”Oh? Something separate from the betrayal and the Raccoon-dogs?”
It wasn’t by Kispe’s whim that the pseudo-maid demon had materialized tonight; Klock had called for her.
”A guard, you say…?” Kispe questioned.
”Lately, I’ve been waking up feeling oddly distressed. I’m worried if it’s bad dreams, or if someone’s doing something to me while I sleep.”
It had been going on for days. The unsettling feeling of waking up in agony. He’d briefly sought comfort from Primlena, but he still couldn’t be sure about tonight. After thinking it over, he’d decided to consult Kispe. For dreams, the master of dreams seemed the best person to ask.
”I want someone to keep watch, but having someone stay awake all night… that’s too much, especially since it might just be a fluke.”
”And so, you consult me, a Succubus and a creature of the night, regarding your dreams,” she observed.
It was strange to ask the resident of the dream world about dreams, but Klock was hopeful for her advice. Though Kispe appeared to be just a young girl, he’d been amazed by her extensive knowledge many times. After all, she was the only person who had discerned Klock’s Unique Skill.
Kispe stared intently at Klock. She leaned in, bending down to peer into his face as he sat on the bed. When she was silent, she truly did look like an adorable girl.
”Very well. I shall dispatch one of my own to you.”
”…Dispatch?”
”Yes. I will send a child to watch over you. I actually have the perfect candidate.”
It seemed she would call a watcher. Klock had half-expected her to tease him with, “Are you trying to exploit poor little me?”. It was true that she didn’t have to do it herself.
”I shall instruct her to keep you company tonight.”
”No, you don’t have to go that far.”
”She might refuse if you don’t allow her to keep you company, you know?”
”…”
Klock had meant that he didn’t need the extra service, but she’d inverted the meaning.
Her people were Succubi. They wouldn’t work if they couldn’t drain essence. Klock was the one who had to provide. He wondered if this was what women felt like when they were asked for s in exchange for payment.
That day, Kispe returned to the Crimson Spire and did not descend again. She was flighty, always appearing suddenly and disappearing without warning. Was it a sign that he was getting used to her presence that he felt a slight loneliness when she wasn’t around?
”Still… who’s coming?” Klock mused.
She’d said she had the perfect candidate. It was the middle of the night, usually his bedtime. He began to drift off. As he lay on the bed, feeling hazy, the girl appeared abruptly.
”Yahoo!! I came just for you!”
A small girl in a light-blue maid outfit. She descended directly into the private room of the monastery and flashed a wide, grinning smile. She was the one who had woven Kispe’s ‘dream-cute’ maid dress; this apron dress was likely another proud creation of hers. Klock rubbed his cheek at the all-too-familiar sight.
”You’re back.”
She landed, immediately sniffing the air to check the scent. Though a Succubus, she was also a Beastkin. She scanned the room, ignoring the man in front of her. Seeing that they were alone, she let her arrowhead tail peek out from beneath her skirt.
”Miss me? Come on, give me a big hug~!”
The Rabbit Demon’s height was as low as Kispe’s, but her long ears compensated for it. It was the little finger of the Six Noble Ladies and the Forever Child Room, Alice Lau, finally reunited with him in the wasteland. It had been since Cianie had decapitated her that she was finally able to return.
Alice leaped toward him, and Klock hastily caught her. She hung around his neck, lifting her feet lightly, making him cradle her like a princess. The bunny girl was getting the princess carry. Wasn’t she supposed to be the one giving the hug?
”I’m so glad we can meet again in the wasteland. Now we can see each other anytime!! You liked my stew back in the Crimson Spire, right? I’ll make it here in the wasteland, too!”
A quick kiss from the girl nestled against his chest landed on his cheek. She rattled off a string of words, restless, and wrapped her arrowhead tail around his arm.
”…Yeah,” Klock simply managed to say.
Wasn’t she supposed to be a watchman? He swallowed the instant thought, holding back the retort.
Alice was a short-tempered type; she’d get angry easily if denied or rejected. He’d learned in that grassland house that the trick to getting along with her was to let her talk freely.
”Actually, your cooking was seriously good.”
”Right?! While I was making food for Athena and Celes, I just got good at it!”
That was true. Her food was absolutely delicious. Brigante already had Suzette, a talented maid, but he certainly wouldn’t mind having more girls who were good at cooking.
”Hey, Klock. Treat me like a princess today, okay?”
”…You’ve gotten really clingy, haven’t you?”
He was already holding her in a way only a princess would be held, but that wasn’t enough?
”Well, the Klock over there was just a kid! Sometimes, even I want a male to pamper me! …Hmm. I guess I like the current Klock better, though~?”
The bunny girl laughed playfully with a “Fuhih ²♡” as if teasing him. Klock didn’t know how to react to that. He turned his head and avoided her gaze.
”Besides, I took care of you a lot over there! Now it’s your turn to take care of me here!”
”I’m not good at babysitting kids, you know,” the man retorted playfully.
She was so small, with the physique of a child—a Little Rabbit Tribe member. Only her chest was fully developed, and her wide, clean-cut³ eyes and face honestly made her look a bit young.
”HAAAAH?? Who are you calling a kid?? I’m three or four times older than you, you know?!”
Thud, thud, her tiny feet kicked him.
”Hmph,” Klock snorted, unbothered.
A kick from a Cat Girl would do some damage, but these were just rabbit feet. Klock, unaffected by the zero-attack-power kick, looked down at the girl and smirked.
”What’s with that face?! You… you won’t get away with this!”
Seeing Klock’s condescending expression, she puffed out her cheeks. Suddenly, an unbelievable surge of strength welled up in her small body.
Klock remembered then that she possessed superhuman strength. Her usual feebleness was just restraint. Alice excelled at channeling her magic power not into magic spells, but into raw musculature, capable of exhibiting a physical strength multiplied many times over when serious—enough to easily swing a heavy axe with one hand.
The grown man was sent flying backward onto the bed. Klock recalled the time when, in his boy form, she had overpowered him, kissed him, and nearly drained him to death with a kiss. He hastily tried to sit up, but before he could, the rabbit girl pounced on him.
”Fuhih♡”
The older girl, having mounted him, grinned triumphantly. His arms were pinned and utterly immobile. The younger man’s mouth twitched.
Alice pulled on the ribbon around her neck. She released the collar and tore open her apron dress from the chest down. Bwaarump, out popped a massive bosom, one of the largest among the Beast-type Succubi. Two pale pink tips stood straight up. The man, confronted by the sight, was instantly fixated.
”Who are you calling an adult? You’re still at the age where you want mommy’s milk, aren’t you?” she teased, shaking her breasts with both hands, challenging him with her eyes.
The size was so immense that they spilled over her cupped hands. “You haven’t forgotten how Alice had her way with you in the Crimson Spire, have you~? You always calm down immediately when I do this. I’ll teach you again that a little growth spurt won’t let you beat Alice~♡”
She called herself Alice. That meant she was in Succubus Mode. A full-on carnivorous rabbit. She was short-tempered, all right—a simple tease led to this. She licked her lips, and Klock knew she wouldn’t let him go until she was satisfied.
A man can’t beat a girl with big tits, Klock thought as he spent the day wrestling with the bunny-demon.
He exhausted himself clinging to her, eventually losing consciousness in blissful comfort. Alice, despite everything, had promised to watch over him. He fell asleep, burying his face between her two soft hills in the futon.
However, the pleasant time only lasted so long. Even with the Resident of Dreams, the Succubus, by his side, the desired result did not come to pass. His consciousness was dragged away into the darkness without any resistance.
* * *
’Drink of this pure, sacred spring water, and your wish shall be granted.’
The nightmare came again for the third time.
This scene again…!!
The stars twinkling in the sky, the eerie night forest, the pale blue glowing lake, and the dark shadow standing in its center.
Only after arriving here did Klock finally recognize his situation. He was sure something was being done to him, but he couldn’t notice it. Couldn’t remember it. Couldn’t do anything about it. He was exposed and defenseless, unable to counter the attack. Only regret and frustration surged within him—regret over what was done, and the feeling that he should have been able to do something.
The woman was already emerging from the lake. She stepped out, walking onto the shore. Her footsteps were clearer than last time. She was still nude, but today was dramatically different. She was smiling. Her lips were curved, looking incredibly delighted.
”…Lake of Dawn…”
A chill ran down his spine at the terrifying smile. With every visit, this woman was growing or advancing, and now she was even showing an expression, letting a hint of malice surface.
He was certain now. This woman was definitely an enemy. She clearly harbored malicious intent toward Klock. He was forced to recognize that he was caught in some kind of trap.
”What the hell do you want? If you have something to say to me, just spit it out!” Klock shouted, his voice a little rough.
But the woman just smiled, saying nothing.
She began to approach Klock with slow steps. A cold dread, unlike the previous times, crept up his body.
”Don’t you come any closer! Do you wanna get killed?!”
He used the rough, menacing language of his bandit days. He had no other choice. He had no other means of resistance. He had no weapons. Not even his Cianie Knife was here. Klock had no way to fight the entity before him.
The Cianie Knife… it’s not here?
That was profoundly strange. How could Cianie’s gift, which should follow him even to the Crimson Spire, not reach him here?
Step… step… The woman drew near. The certainty that escaping was pointless made Klock’s feet heavy, trapping him against a tree.
Was she excited? The tips of her breasts swelled and pointed. Her breathing was ragged, as if uncontrollable with exaltation.
Her coarse breath touched him, and Klock grimaced. What assaulted his nostrils was not the woman’s scent.
…Huh?
It was the stench of the wind of death. It brought to mind the dead, swarming with maggots. He vaguely heard the dark, loathsome stirrings of the abyss.
He was wrong. He’d made a crucial mistake. The excitement radiating from the ‘Lake of Dawn’s smile’ was that of a female praying mantis capturing a male. He understood that this horrifying presence was unmistakably…
”You… you’re the Purelifer…”
The Lake of Dawn’s mouth twisted so severely that her face seemed to crack.
—
Summary:
Klock and Kispe discuss the strategic nightmare of betrayal, confirming that the defection of key figures like Barreith could cause the Human armies to collapse like a broken dam, giving the Demon Lord’s Army an easy victory. Kispe offers a ruthless ‘solution,’ but Klock is preoccupied with his recurring nightmares. To combat this, Kispe sends the high-spirited and overwhelmingly affectionate Bunny Succubus, Alice Lau, to act as a sensual, all-night monitor. Despite a night of physical indulgence and distraction, the dark dream returns for the third time. This time, the mysterious Woman of the Lake is smiling, revealing a predatory and terrifying malicious intent as Klock realizes her true, horrifying identity.
—
Character Insight:
Klock’s fear of his nightmares reveals a rare moment of vulnerability beneath his gruff exterior, showing his inability to control this internal, psychological threat, even as he struggles to control the external threats of war and treachery. Kispe is shown to be highly strategic and ruthless, enjoying her role as an advisor who can offer morally questionable but effective counsel. Alice, despite her playful and childlike appearance, aggressively asserts her dominance and sexual maturity over Klock, emphasizing the dangerous nature of the Succubus race.
—
Behind the Scene:
This chapter is the pivotal moment where the political/military tension (Barreith’s treason) clashes with the personal, psychological horror (Klock’s dreams). The brief, playful interlude with Alice serves as a temporary, intense distraction before the dream reasserts itself, highlighting the dream entity’s power. The final line confirms Klock’s suspicion about the nature of the nightmare’s antagonist, setting up the next conflict. The seemingly simple bandit subplot is contrasted with the high stakes of the main plot to show the normal ‘governance’ Klock is trying to maintain.
—
T/L:
¹ Clean-cut (クリ↩リっとした – Kuritto shita): A descriptor for eyes, often used to mean clear, sharp, or well-defined, suggesting an innocent or young look.² Fuhih (フヒッ – Fuhih): An onomatopoeia for a small, playful, and often slightly suggestive giggle or snicker. ↩³ Cl¹ean-cut (クリッとした – Kuritto shita): A descriptor for eyes, often used to mean clear, sharp, or well-defined, suggesting an innocent or young look. ↩
Notes:
• Orrid – Southern pleasure town near Conro, known for its chaos and vice. Serves as Brigante’s next destination and Count Grasso’s sphere of influence. Rumored den of spies and mercenaries.
• Sanrid – The location where Roldi reportedly went the day before the attack on Portline. This movement is a key piece of strategic information Misha provides during her interrogation.
• Ludovico – He appears as Barreith administrator; confronts Klock and Cianie, demands Hero assist in town defense
• Flavia – Younger Forestkin princess (132). Gentle yet resolute. Sent by Queen Isabella as marriage pledge to Klock, the Chain Binder, symbolizing the Void’s loyalty to the Goddess Teekua.
• Primlena – Orange-haired merfolk priestess, fierce yet elegant | First v8c3 | Sister of Sea General Primjune, subordinate to Primrity | Once captured and violated by Klock, now obsessed with reclaiming honor | Commands Obsidian Riders on giant fish, fights with trident | Seeks to drag Klock to Seabed Temple for marriage trial or execution | Unique note: revenge-driven siren bride who masks fury under ritual grace
• Alice – Rabbitkin adventurer; appears at the same Barreith gathering, playful and mischievous, interacts with Klock, part of recruited volunteers
• Alice Lau – Child of Kispe household, ceremonial noble from Crimson Spire, appears during partisan recruitment, innocent and fragile, symbolic figure of Six Noble Ladies, pale skin and delicate stature.
• Cianie – A noble girl with a fluffy white and light blue dress, indicating her high status. She has a hesitant and flustered personality but is kind and courteous. Her relationship with Klock begins as an accidental encounter and develops into a romantic interest. She has a fiancé but expresses feelings for Klock, complicating their relationship.
• Athena – Harpies adventurer; appears alongside Alice at Barreith gathering, flirtatious, joins Klock and volunteers for upcoming battles
• Celes – A bear-type Beastkin Succubus living with Alice after Klock’s arrival. She’s playful, physically strong, and driven by her species’ “mating season” instincts. She teases Alice often and treats life with freedom and spontaneity. No known family or formal ties; she’s Alice’s companion and occasional housemate.
• Suzette – The older maid from Viscount Fennec. The head maid at the Viscount Fennec’s villa. She is confident, clear-spoken, and professional.
• Clea – younger dog beastkin sister who also serviced Klock previously.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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