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Naturally, Marta couldn’t choose not to accept.

“Ah, wait a moment. If it’s greasy, you can dip it in this soy sauce.”

From the small bowl that Karem had placed, a divine power comparable to the highest-quality holy water was sensed.

Marta tightly closed her eyes and pushed the sauce aside.

Right. I’ve never seen such a vile substance.

Then she opened her eyes again and shifted her gaze towards the food.

‘Could it be that I could have a proper meal here…’

As a tourist from the Adventurer Guild, basic meals were provided during the three nights and four days of stay at the depths, but after all, they were merely the kind of meals adventurers would whip up in the field.

Of course, naturally, it wasn’t tastier than what professionals on the surface would prepare. It was just edible due to years of experience.

But I never imagined I would be able to eat a proper dish.

However, there were a few concerns.

All the dishes were perfect for gaining weight.

‘If I eat this…’

The prized fried shrimp.

An absurd combination of leek and cream in a croquette.

A sandwich lavishly stuffed with crispy bacon between thick layers of nut paste and jam.

Though there were only six pieces of fried shrimp and croquettes combined, and just one piece of the so-called Fool’s Golden Bread.

I even wondered if these were prepared for an assassination.

However, the dishes Karem handed over were simply dishes.

But Marta knew.

“Then please enjoy your meal.”

“Ah, ahem. Th-thank you.”

I swear on my ancestors who longed for freedom.

If I eat all this, I’ll gain weight.

Crisp—

Marta instinctively turned her gaze toward Catherine, the source of that enticing sound of crispy frying that stimulated her ears and head.

“It’s just cream cheese fried with leeks…”

“Contractor. It seems the taste is better than expected?”

“You’ll know if you try it.”

“Then excuse me. Where… Hmm?”

The moment she took a bite-sized piece of the fried food, Mary’s eyes widened.

“…The combination of rich and savory cream cheese with a hint of sweetness from the leek is surprisingly well-matched.”

Is it really that praiseworthy?

Marta tuned her ear to the adventurers who had also received the same dish for a cross-examination.

Crispy— Crispy— Crispy—

“I still can’t understand how this salad, which is just stacked tomatoes and cheese, is so good.”

“Wow, can I just have a beer with this?”

“Sandwich… mother’s taste… or beer? I mean… it’s not something I can’t understand.”

The men are in awe while eating Caprese salad.

On the other hand, the women are searching for beer while eating fried food.

It felt like the situation had swapped genders.

However, unlike them, Marta couldn’t eat the dishes in front of her freely.

A chef with divine power who could easily vaporize Lower Undead? The Grand Wizard ready to kill her at the slightest whiff?

No. Besides Karem, the dishes were hardly related to divine power at all.

Ultimately, as I mentioned earlier, the problem was weight.

‘…Speaking of which, hadn’t I skipped breakfast?’

No, in fact, I didn’t eat the previous night’s dinner either.

I stayed up all night reviewing my plans.

Of course, by now, it was all meaningless.

“Th-then just… one…”

For a moment, Marta pondered which of the two fried dishes to try first. Her delicate hand reached outside her robe and grabbed the fried shrimp to bring to her mouth.

Crispy—

“…Mmm!”

The crispy coating around the shrimp made a delightful sound as it burst in her mouth.

It must have been fried in oil, but it was only savory without any greasiness.

And the bouncy shrimp meat? Even after chewing several times, it didn’t lose its texture, and a subtle addictive sweetness was faintly felt.

Speaking of which, Lucia often dipped shrimp in tomato sauce. It was such an expensive item, and Marta had always wondered what it tasted like to eat it like that…

‘Did that girl eat this all by herself?’

The rational part of Marta, having gone through experiences with Lucia, said that was indeed the answer.

Marta felt unjust.

She had a physique that easily gained weight.

Unlike a typical succubus.

Fortunately, it was good that even though she gained weight quickly, she could lose it just as fast, but she still hated the fact that gaining weight came easily.

Crispy—

“…Ah.”

Though it was also fried, it was different from the shrimp.

The frustration she had felt a moment ago crumbled into pieces as she bit into the cream cheese filled with the rich flavor of leeks, savoriness, and tanginess.

Right, whatever frustrations she had—what’s important is the unexpected, mouth-watering dish in front of her.

Nom— Nom— Nom— Nom—

“…Shrimp… I’ve heard of this shrimp, but I thought it was just a bug from the sea.”

“They’re often caught between Servianus and the middle. I couldn’t eat them once I arrived in Seophon. It’s such a nostalgic and sweet flavor.”

“…Meow?”

“Oh… Oops. My speech habits.”

At Anna’s words, a Aphrodisian, Marta agreed.

Aside from everything else, this shrimp was indeed sweet.

‘How can such sweetness come from seafood?’

Suddenly, Marta recalled the old saying that Ancient Palatino Empire inhabitants nearly drove oysters extinct solely because they were delicious.

If that oyster were tastier than shrimp, Marta might empathize with the Palatino Empire, even though she was a Demon Tribe—

Thud—

“…Huh?”

There was nothing in her hand.

Marta glanced down.

On the plate, there was only the Fool’s Golden Bread left, with the fried remnants as crumbs.

“Ah… Ugh.”

Then she finally grasped the gaze observing her keenly.

-You seem to have filled your belly and relaxed your tension somewhat.-

Catherine was casually watching her while leisurely sipping wine, the voice ringing in her head.

It was an invitation to talk.

Right now.

Though there were adventurers nearby who shouldn’t hear the conversation, Marta had one way to solve that problem.

With everyone’s tension lowered due to the unexpectedly delicious food, the magical power in Marta’s hand danced like a woman swaying to music, forming three kinds of magic.

Some adventurers caught the sudden magic operation, but it was already too late. The succubus’s talents of temptation, amazement, and hallucination swiftly infiltrated the crowd and enveloped the entire safe zone in no time.

And the adventurers froze on the spot.

Those stirring the stew pot, chewing sandwiches, reaching for fried food, rolling dice, and maintaining equipment all abruptly halted their actions as if the video had pressed the pause button.

“…What is this?”

In the sudden situation, Karem was taken aback. Then he felt doubt. Who on earth just did this?

The adventurers were out of commission, and Catherine, who had the capability, had no reason to do it. So, the culprit was someone from their group who was moving.

As a woman threw off her robe while holding a dish, long hair flowed like a wave.

When the woman waved her hand over her face, a hazy afterimage formed over her body. And as the mist dissipated, the afterimage distorted from her head to her chin—

“…Horns?”

“That’s right. It’s a succubus.”

Catherine calmly confirmed. At her reaction, Karem briefly glanced at Mary. She looked just as surprised.

“Contractor? Junior Karem? No, what on earth is this magic…”

“It seems the culprit is someone else.”

“That isn’t entirely wrong.”

With an outfit that clung tightly, undecided whether to hide or reveal an explosive body, with horns on her head, black bat wings, a strikingly tipped thin tail, red sclera, and vertical pupils. Above all, her beauty could surpass any woman, even with inhuman features.

As soon as Karem saw the succubus, he immediately understood what Catherine meant.

It was the epitome of the stereotypical succubus he had encountered through past works.

However, the opponent wasn’t pleasant.

Karem showed no reaction.

“…”

“Mary. Snap out of it. Mary. Mary!”

“Ah, ahem. Excuse me.”

“Were you enchanted for a moment?”

“Not at all.”

Catherine, glancing at Karem, looked quite satisfied.

Honestly, she thought it wouldn’t be strange if someone were enchanted.

Because she was a succubus.

The succubus was known to enchant people indiscriminately, regardless of gender, a living emblem of wandering pornography.

Anyone who had been exposed to the secrets of the world would know about demons, especially succubi.

So Karem’s lack of reaction wasn’t surprising to Catherine. Of course, she would question him for turning his eyes away.

However, Karem’s gaze showed no flicker of disturbance, and he quickly tilted his head, as if indicating that this side was worse than the other.

Marta quickly discerned that fact.

The pride of the succubus flared up.

‘…Well, if someone like that is next to me…’

And she quickly understood. With the fear of death and tension peeled away, Catherine didn’t fall short of beauty compared to the succubus in Marta’s eyes. She was somewhat reminiscent of that Lucia girl.

It was true that her current frail form resulted from mastering magic, but even now, with just her looks and legs, she could easily entice any man.

How about her hair and skin? The shine and moisture were superior, thanks to her ethnic traits and hard work.

But what if she grew even more from here?

The succubus’s instincts alerted Marta.

Her hair, skin, looks, physique, legs, and so on.

‘Am I perhaps poorly born in this race???’

If someone like that were around, it was only natural for Karem to show no reaction.

While Marta admired Catherine carefully, a staff was pointed at her.

“…What’s the status of those people?”

“Surely, in front of someone that could kill me with a single finger, I wouldn’t try anything funny. I just subtly touched their heads and minds.”

“Hmph. You’re quite delicate. A succubus can handle that level easily.”

Catherine glanced at the frozen adventurers and then coldly scrutinized Marta as she gracefully knelt down.

“Succubus. State your name and purpose.”

“I request cooperation!”

A Demon Tribe cooperating? What is that supposed to mean?

Catherine raised an eyebrow. She recalled the monstrous horde beyond Afterglow Fortress that was presumed to have cooperated with demons.

“…You dare ask me for cooperation, demon?”

“That, that’s not it—”

“You should be careful about what you say from now on. Simply thinking of you—”

“Agent Queen, that Lucia girl plans to break the dragon’s seal and destroy the city!”

What an absurd statement is that?

Catherine, Karem, and Mary—all three of them, upon hearing this, widened their eyes in unison.

“Really! I swear it’s true!”

Marta did her utmost to turn the skeptical gazes into trust.

Demon tribes like her, with long histories of maneuvering around Europa for opportunities.

And the sea monsters, including lizardmen worshiping Orcus, who had fallen from gods to evil dragons.

The legends of the ancient sealed Red Dragon Lord passed down from the succubus queen, lying beneath the depths of the catacombs.

She relayed all the information she had come to know as a higher-up.

“To forcibly unseal it, those lizardmen are after the shard of the dragon Naglfar—”

“One moment. Shard? Are you saying the ones discovered in Iceland were put in by your lot?”

“Yes. To avoid getting in the way of what happened in Bendleig.”

“Then you aren’t safe either.”

It’s a dragon.

The ultimate epitome of individualism and egocentrism.

Especially the most ferocious among them, the Red Dragon.

How oppressive would the temper of the king of that Red Dragon be?

But Marta shook her head as if to say no.

“Ah, according to legends and records, he’s surprisingly generous, unlike a typical Red Dragon. If released, he will surely reward his savior, I think Lucia has some good information about that.”

“Even so, considering the years sealed, we should report to the king and receive support—”

“Before that Lucia girl might take the initiative, though. Moreover—Um.”

As Catherine spoke, Marta shrugged her shoulders and then flinched under the sharp glance.

“I-I think she realized I betrayed her the moment I rushed out with the map.”

“Tch, how hasty, demon.”

“But I felt that girl might make a move!”

“Which makes it even stranger.”

Karem muttered while eating a croquette.

“Isn’t it good for you if their plan succeeds since you’re a Demon Tribe?”

“…Not all succubi agree with Lucia’s plans! A backward idiot like that demon should just perish!”

“So, you enjoy the current peace? You wish this plan will fail?”

With an answer that seemed perfectly right, Marta winked at Karem and snapped her fingers.

“Exactly! Anyway, Lucia plans to break the seal of the Red Dragon King to wish for her desires.”

Of course, if one wishes for too many overwhelming desires, they would be facing the dragon’s wrath on the spot.

“That Lucia girl will become a full-fledged succubus queen by collecting the karma tied to that unsealing and then wish for the demise of every Swordmaster in the city.”

No matter how outstanding a Swordmaster might be, according to legends and records, they wouldn’t compare to a dragon that could destroy a kingdom single-handedly.

“…Then, taking advantage of the gap in their power, the monsters following Orcus would attack?”

“Yes. Sir/Madam Grand Wizard. That’s the purpose of our alliance with you, and the shards of the dragon are for unsealing it.”

Not just any dragon, but the seal of a King of Dragons. Surely it would require such a powerful item.

“So, where’s the fragment that serves as a key?”

“Lucia took it with her, but can she really manage to take it? She’s a succubus queen, even if she’s an agent.”

As Marta waved her hand, she gradually set her gaze on Catherine’s hand.

“Still, you all wouldn’t need it, would you?”

“What?”

“Oh, come on. The ring you wore on your left hand’s pinky.”

At those words, Catherine unconsciously raised her left hand.

The ring on her pinky sparkled under the light of the safe zone.

“Given its divine power, it seems to be a significant object that holds strength—”

“…Indeed, this is a holy relic.”

“…Then could it also work for this?”

Karem reached into his pocket, and after a moment.

Skadi’s holy relic revealed itself.

‘I see! This was the reason for the failure of the plan in Iceland!’

Though Marta gasped, understanding the previously melted shapeshifters, she was slow to realize.

 

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