Volume 9 Chapter 15 Brother, Sister, and Wife — A Journey for Three
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
”Hey.”
”What is it?”
”Yes?”
Klock’s voice broke the silence, drawing both girls’ attention.
”Let’s take a break somewhere. Please.”
”No,” Kuzuha said flatly. “I told you—we’re still running. We don’t have time to stop.”
Three voices.
But only two sets of footsteps thudded against the earth.
The path ahead rose slightly, a ridge of packed soil stretching onward—a mark of Kuzuha’s guiding spell.
They followed it in silence, step after step, the landscape around them twisting and changing in dizzying ways as they moved through the dream.
Ugh. This is exhausting.
Not that I’m out of strength—it’s just that I can’t see where this ends. That uncertainty wears you down.
Every time we cross a dream’s boundary, the world shifts completely. It’s hard to feel like we’re actually getting anywhere.
Klock exhaled deeply.
Behind him trailed his little sister, and on his back rode an even smaller Beastkin princess.
For a forced march, their group was far too young.
Kuzuha seemed worried about pursuers, though she herself was being carried by Klock.
Even if her mind was mature, her body was that of a child—seven or eight years old at best.
Those delicate legs couldn’t possibly endure long distances.
To any passerby, they might have looked like a family on a picnic.
But every step felt heavy, and conversation had all but vanished.
Only now did Klock realize how truly hard it was to flee from something.
”I’m sorry,” Gina murmured. “But I could use a short rest too.”
”You, too?”
”I’m ashamed to admit how little stamina I have these days.”
Gina was the daughter of a lord—hardly the rugged, outdoorsy type.
Her life at the estate hadn’t demanded much physical endurance, nor had she ever trained for it.
Whatever her future self might become, the Gina here and now was clearly not built for long journeys.
”…All right,” Kuzuha said after a pause. “Let’s find somewhere safe to rest.”
”Really?”
”If you’re both reaching your limits, forcing you to go on would only put us at risk if we have to fight. Besides,” she added wryly, “I can’t exactly complain when I’m the one being carried.”
She pointed toward a riverbank ahead—a wide, open spot with good visibility.
If anything approached, they’d see it coming.
A perfect place for a break.
Finally, they could breathe.
In a dream, there shouldn’t be monsters lurking nearby anyway.
A bit of water and shade made it ideal.
”You know,” Kuzuha said as she dismounted, “every time we meet, you’re running from something.”
”Huh? What’s that supposed to mean?”
”Nothing,” she said, looking away with an unimpressed glare.
Did I say something wrong?
Her eyes seemed to accuse him of something he didn’t quite grasp.
”Well,” Klock said, trying to lighten the mood, “thanks to you, KuzKuz, we’ve got a clear direction to follow. That really helps.”
He wasn’t just trying to flatter her. A group always worked best when someone took the lead—but leaders could get trapped by their own sense of responsibility.
All he could do was support her when she needed it.
”My brother’s right,” Gina said, smiling. “Your leadership befits a princess.”
”…Is that so? Then I suppose that’s fine.”
Flustered by Gina’s praise, Kuzuha tried to hide her smile—but not before giving Klock a sharp smack on the back.
”Don’t get cheeky,” she muttered.
Klock stifled a laugh.
They both looked like children, Kuzuha and Gina.
But inside, they were older than him. No wonder she’d seen right through his attempt at reassurance.
When children notice you treating them gently, it somehow annoys them even more.
He glanced back at the little fox girl perched on his shoulders. She turned up her nose.
”What are you staring at?”
”I was just… wondering if you’re really my wife,” he said half-jokingly.
”Don’t be ridiculous,” she shot back. “If I weren’t, do you think I’d let a man carry me like this?”
She jabbed him in the waist for emphasis.
From the side, Gina covered her mouth to hide a smile, and Klock felt his face burn.
A husband carries his wife. No other man would be allowed to touch her.
It was a simple thing to say, but it carried weight.
Her trust in him felt… real.
Hearing it stirred something inside him—responsibility, maybe even pride.
He still didn’t know her well, but he wanted to treat her with care.
He was sure his future self did, too.
”The water’s cold—and it tastes amazing,” he said after cupping some from the stream.
”It does,” Kuzuha replied softly. “Strange, isn’t it? Even though this is only a dream, it feels so real.”
”I still can’t fully understand it,” Gina admitted. “How a world born from thought can feel this alive.”
The Crimson Spire truly was a bizarre realm.
Even Kuzuha, who seemed to know much about it, didn’t grasp it completely.
For Gina and Klock—both bound by the logic of the waking world—it felt unnatural in ways they couldn’t escape.
”By the way,” Klock said, breaking the quiet again, “when did you two start traveling together?”
He asked the question idly while resting—just a way to pass time.
”Right after you were taken,” Gina said. “Not long after that, I met the princess by chance.”
That must have been after he’d fallen under Alice’s cursed eye—dragged away and drained until he couldn’t resist.
So Gina, left behind, had been found by Kuzuha.
”Strictly speaking,” Kuzuha added, “I first saw you two riding off on horseback. Judging from how this dream works, I estimated your age and began searching for you.”
”So you followed us, met Gina on the way, and teamed up? But how did you know she was my sister? Had you two met before?”
”No,” Kuzuha said with a sigh. “At first, I thought she was just another girl you’d picked up on the Human Continent. I had no idea how you ended up here. When I mentioned your name, I didn’t expect her to claim she was your sister.”
”…Oh. I see.”
Why did she say that like it was perfectly natural for me to be… cheating?
He had absolutely no idea how to respond.
”After that,” Gina continued, “we spent every moment searching for you. We captured a few succubi and interrogated them about your whereabouts.”
”No one seemed to know where you were,” Kuzuha said. “But eventually, we tracked down that rabbit succubus’s den. Once we confirmed you were there, we waited for the right moment to strike. And, well—here we are. It worked.”
”I see…”
They’d been through so much.
While Klock had been lost among Alice’s illusions, Gina had been fighting to save him—searching desperately in this hostile world called the Crimson Spire.
And all that time, he’d just been living comfortably with the very people who had taken him.
Even if I’d been under a charm, guilt still clawed at me.
”By the way,” Kuzuha said suddenly, “there’s something that’s been bothering me.”
”What is it?” Gina asked.
”That woman—Celes. How did she find where we were hiding?”
Kuzuha’s eyes narrowed with suspicion.
Ah. Right.
Klock froze for a second, realizing with horror that he’d forgotten to mention something crucial.
”We’d sealed our presence with a barrier,” Kuzuha went on. “It should have completely hidden us. I even reinforced it to prevent leaks. Was it just bad luck…?”
”Now that you mention it,” Gina said, frowning. “When that succubus chased us out of the estate, she came straight after us, like she already knew where we were. Don’t tell me—”
Kuzuha’s brow furrowed. She didn’t say it aloud, but the conclusion was obvious.
Still, silence might cause worse trouble later.
”Uh… well, about that,” Klock began carefully. “Ms. Celes has a tracking ability.”
”…Excuse me? A what?”
”Her Unique Skill—Fang of the Undying Tower. Once she bites or scratches someone, she locks onto them as her target. She can track them anywhere, no matter how far.”
For a moment, the world went still.
Both girls turned their gazes on him—sharp enough to cut.
Yeah… can’t blame them. Kuzuha’s face clearly said, Are you kidding me right now?
He’d really messed up.
It wasn’t like he’d meant to hide it; everything had just happened too fast.
They’d barely escaped, the charm had only just been broken, and there hadn’t been time to think.
”You idiot!” Kuzuha smacked him twice across the back—not hard, but enough to sting his pride. “You should’ve said that sooner! We can’t be resting here if she can follow your scent!”
”I’m sorry! Everything happened so fast, I forgot! Ms. Celes was an ally before, so I never even thought about her chasing me!”
”That’s no excuse! We’re your allies now! Start acting like it!”
Celes’s skill had once been nullified when Klock stole it from her—but the Bandit ability didn’t keep stolen powers forever. Eventually, the stolen skill had returned to its owner, and when Celes noticed the first bite mark had vanished, she’d simply bitten him again.
Which meant, of course, she could track him right now.
Wherever he went, his location would be known.
Until yesterday, that hadn’t mattered. But now, it changed everything.
”Wait, hold on,” Klock said. “Let’s at least rest a little. We’ve traveled far enough that even with her tracking skill, she shouldn’t be right on top of us yet.”
”Maybe on foot,” Kuzuha snapped. “But those things have wings! Harpies can move several times faster than any human walking on the ground!”
She was right. Many succubi—like Lily and Athena—had wings and could fly.
When Athena and Celes had caught up to them before, it hadn’t been by luck. They’d flown straight toward him. Athena must have carried Celes in her arms.
”Don’t worry, Princess Kuzuha,” Gina said firmly. “I’ll guard our rear. If they catch up, I’ll deal with them. As long as we avoid a surprise attack, we’ll be fine.”
Klock glanced at her. Maybe because she had the mind of an adult, she seemed unusually composed, even considerate.
But Kuzuha wasn’t reassured. “And what will you do when your mana runs dry? You think you can just keep fighting forever? Even weak succubi learn from their failures. Next time, they’ll come prepared.”
”…You’re right,” Gina admitted.
”If we only have one good card to play, relying on it blindly is reckless. We move first. We’ll rest somewhere we can defend easily, not here.”
There was no point hiding from someone who could track them perfectly.
Open ground might prevent ambushes, but a defensible position—a hill or rocky rise—would be better for a counterattack.
Which meant… more climbing. More walking. Just the thought made Klock’s legs ache. He sighed quietly, hoping they wouldn’t notice.
”That bear woman,” Kuzuha muttered. “Letting her go was a mistake. If we’d finished her off, this would be so much easier.”
”Finished her off…?”
Her casual brutality made Klock flinch.
”As long as Celestina lives, nowhere in the Crimson Spire is safe,” Kuzuha continued coldly. “Next time I see her, I’ll tear her throat out. Don’t you dare complain.”
”Uh—right. Sure. Wait… again?”
He wasn’t sure what she meant, but he nodded quickly.
Still, the idea of killing her made his stomach twist.
”And another thing,” Kuzuha said. “Tell us everything you know about the others’ abilities. Not just that bear—every commander, every officer. Even minor soldiers, if they’re dangerous.”
Honestly, Klock didn’t know much about the rank-and-file succubi.
But he’d learned bits and pieces about the Six Noble Ladies—Kispe’s close attendants—during his time among them.
They’d often talked about the world, their people, and even the so-called Hero.
Leaking their secrets felt… wrong.
But Alice and the others were enemies now.
He couldn’t keep seeing them as friends—no matter what part of him still refused to forget.
Suppressing that ache, he began listing what he knew.
”Athena Ray—a harpy-type succubus.”
”Unique Skill: Fortune Reading.”
”Celestina—a bear beastkin succubus.”
”Unique Skill: Fang of the Undying Tower.”
”Lilies—a primordial succubus.”
”Unique Skill unknown, likely information-related.”
”Melfi Dis—a flower-human succubus.”
”Unique Skill unknown.”
”Alice Lau—a rabbit-type succubus.”
”Unique Skill: Cursed Eye—capable of showing illusions.”
Those were the ones he’d met—the close aides of Lady Kispe.
And then there was one more name he’d only heard in whispers:
”The Sixth Finger of Lady Kispe, the Jewelled Princess of the Offering Room.”
”Lilies is a primordial succubus, huh?” Kuzuha mused. “I’m not sure how she differs from the others—but I’d bet Princess Asura was one too.”
”Probably,” Klock said.
”That Jewelled Princess—the last one—you’ve never met her?”
”No. I don’t know anything about her abilities. But Athena warned me once—to stay away from Melfi and the Jewelled Princess.”
”Maybe she just has a difficult personality,” Kuzuha said. “If she’s the cruel or sadistic type, we’ll need to be careful.”
Athena’s warning probably hadn’t been about an enemy encounter.
But coming from another succubus, it clearly meant something. It was best not to ignore it.
He’d shared beds and blood with Alice, Athena, and Celes.
Melfi Dis had visited him out of curiosity; Lilies had examined him at Alice’s request.
But of the Six Noble Ladies, he’d never even seen the one called the Jewelled Princess. No meetings, no rumors—just a single warning: Be careful.
Nothing is more terrifying than the unknown.
A captive like Klock had no reason to meet a high-ranking officer, and yet… that very absence made her feel all the more ominous.
”Still,” Kuzuha muttered, “what a ridiculous title. ‘The Sixth Finger of Lady Kispe’? Really?”
Yeah, that’s not something you’re supposed to mock…
Gina snorted, and Klock gave a strained smile.
It was probably some grandiose title they’d invented themselves—something that sounded impressive in their own ears.
Best not to dwell on it.
”Well, if it’s just for show, then I don’t really care,” Kuzuha said.
”…Huh?”
They crossed the river, and once again, the scenery twisted.
A moment ago, it had been wild plains—now, suddenly, a city stretched before them.
The abrupt shifts no longer shocked them; by now, they were used to the dream’s erratic nature.
”…Wait,” Klock said, blinking. “Isn’t this… Falona?”
”What?”
The streets were unfamiliar, filled with strangers—illusory residents born from someone’s dream.
But the city itself seemed real enough.
An archway overhead proclaimed in glittering letters: Welcome to the Shining City.
”So this is the famous City of Jewels,” Gina whispered.
”City of Jewels?” Kuzuha tilted her head.
”It’s a small city-state on the western side of the Human Continent,” Klock explained. “West of our Kingdom of Crotopone lies the Kingdom of Stras. Beyond that is the pirate nation of Darantal, and northwest of there, the Republic of Coid. Across the Gem Sea from them is Falona.”
”Falona, the Shining City,” Gina added. “It’s not only a tourist haven but also said to be the wealthiest city in the west.”
”I see,” Kuzuha mused. “So even on the Human Continent, there are pockets of prosperity far from the center.”
Falona—the city everyone wanted to visit at least once in their life.
Klock found himself imagining it, until Kuzuha gently scolded, “Save it for the real world.”
Fair point.
Still, he wished he could’ve glimpsed the Gem Sea. But before they reached the harbor, the dream shifted again, carrying them into mountainous terrain.
As the vision dissolved, Klock slumped his shoulders in disappointment.
”Too bad,” Gina murmured, smiling faintly. Apparently, only a fragment of the city had been reflected in the dream.
Someday, he promised himself, he’d take her there for real—to see the shining city together.
”Hey, KuzKuz,” he said after a pause, “have you ever met Lady Kispe—the queen of the succubi?”
That earned him a pair of raised eyebrows.
Both girls frowned at his phrasing, and he quickly waved his hands. “No, no, I didn’t mean it like that!”
Note to self: never sound too interested in Kispe. The last thing he needed was another binding curse.
”No,” Kuzuha said. “I’ve only heard rumors about Princess Asura. Apparently, she’s terrifying.”
”Terrifying, huh?”
”They call her Princess Asura, the Trembling One. Even the Demon Lord himself feared her.
Her clan has both men and women—but half of them, they say, fell under Kispe’s cursed eye.
Anyone would fear her after that.”
It made sense.
Kispe inspired dread in everyone—men and women alike.
Even lovers feared for each other’s safety.
Honestly, Klock thought, she’d make a more fitting Demon Lord than any demon he’d met.
Just meeting her once was enough to make you love her—to make you want to give your entire life to her.
Her charm wasn’t simple control; it consumed you completely.
You’d offer up your life, your strength, your very will, to serve her forever.
”If Princess Asura joins the pursuit,” Gina asked quietly, “what then?”
”Then we’re in deep trouble,” Kuzuha said grimly. “He”—she jabbed a thumb at Klock—”would be enslaved in seconds. There’s only one option: run. Avoid her at all costs.”
So even among the succubi, Kispe stood apart.
Her danger level was incomparable.
The Cursed Eye alone was terrifying—but her raw power might be just as deadly.
Kuzuha’s cautious stance made perfect sense.
Most succubi could charm to some degree, but it wasn’t easy.
They needed proximity, scent, repetition—nothing as instantaneous as Kispe’s touch.
Lilies, maybe, could do it. But the others? Not during a fight.
Against most, they could defend themselves. Against Kispe… no chance.
She could steal your heart with a single glance.
Having once been under that spell, Klock knew better than anyone how hopeless it felt.
The thought of facing her again made his skin crawl.
He could only pray she wouldn’t come for him.
Was there anyone else in existence as unfairly powerful as she was?
”Um, Princess Kuzuha,” Gina said suddenly. “Forgive the interruption, but… may I ask your advice on something?”
”Advice?”
They had been walking for hours—talking, falling silent, then talking again.
By now, even the ever-shifting scenery had lost its novelty.
But Gina’s expression had grown unusually serious.
”Should I… not listen?” Klock asked hesitantly.
”No,” she said. “I’d like you to hear it too. It’s about my Unique Skill.”
”Your… Unique Skill?” Kuzuha repeated.
Their eyes met, both puzzled.
People didn’t usually consult others about their Unique Skills.
”Earlier,” Gina said softly, “you mentioned I only have one card to play.”
”Yes. You can’t use magic, and our physical strength in these bodies is limited. What else could you possibly—”
”That’s true,” Gina interrupted, “but actually… my Unique Skill has three stages.”
”…What?”
”Dynamis. Energeia. Entelecheia.” She spoke the words like a chant. “The skill’s effect changes depending on how long it’s maintained. Until now, I’ve only used the Dynamis Shield—but if I push it further… I can attack as well.”
Silence fell again.
Kuzuha just stared, speechless, as if wondering whether she’d heard correctly.
A Unique Skill with three stages?
No matter how they looked at it, what Gina was claiming sounded impossible.
Notes:
• Gina – A kind choir member who shows genuine concern for Adelina. She’s a rare ally in this unfamiliar place, offering some comfort and companionship.
• Alice – Rabbitkin adventurer; appears at the same Barreith gathering, playful and mischievous, interacts with Klock, part of recruited volunteers
• 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.
• Athena – Harpies adventurer; appears alongside Alice at Barreith gathering, flirtatious, joins Klock and volunteers for upcoming battles
• Celestina – Another child from Kispe household, playful and mischievous, shows up with Alice Lau in recruitment scenes, frail but lively appearance, beast-like ears marking heritage.
• 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.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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