Prologue: A Trolley Problem of Two Sisters
— The Papal Guest Chambers
"Nord-sama, it is time for your bedtime breast milk."
Elise—clad in a shameless... no, French maid outfit—was in the middle of sliding down the frilled fabric covering her chest, about to expose her breasts.
Her expression was incredibly soft, bearing the kind of gentle smile a mother might give a suckling infant. Gazing upon Elise’s affectionate face—a countenance often hailed as that of a saint—made me feel a sudden, wistful longing for the breasts I used to suckle from Meina-san.
Telling myself I mustn’t give in to Elise, I lowered my gaze, only to find her ample assets swaying back and forth. My heart swayed right along with them, threatening to blow my rationality to smithereens. But to evade my death flags, I absolutely could not succumb to her temptation.
Faced with the impending chest-sized threat—er, threat of massive breasts that would have transfixed any healthy young man, I attempted to dodge by employing a blind-look strategy... and failed miserably.
The marshmallow-like, fluffy elasticity forced my facial muscles into a helpless grin. I had intended to look away, but my face had ended up diving straight into the valley of Elise’s cleavage.
"There, I caught you. If you don't drink plenty of milk, you won't grow big and strong, tee-hee," she giggled.
"They're—muffled—already plenty big!" I managed to protest, my voice smothered by her flesh.
"Now, now, don't say that. Meina-san herself entrusted me with the duty of being your nursemaid, after all."
Elise let out a soft chuckle, pinning me in place with an exquisite amount of cleavage pressure that left no avenue of escape.
Why is this happening?!
My inner self screamed at the sheer disparity between this and the original game, Rising Hero. In the original, Elise loathed the idea of Nord even seeing her voluptuous figure, let alone her breasts. Yet here she was, not only exposing herself but practically forcing me to suckle...
This was all Kain’s fault.
My training and strengthening plans had been generally successful, ensuring Kain wouldn't be easily defeated anymore. However, his sheer creepiness was a major hurdle. The probability of the heroines falling in love with him felt lower than rolling the exact same number on a die ten times in a row...
I had already given up on expecting anything from Kain. There was only one way left for me to survive: I just had to take on a parental—or perhaps big-brotherly—role as a guardian to the heroines. In a way, they were all my precious Marie.
Placing my hands on her shoulders, I pried my face away from her pillows of flesh.
"Go back to your room. That is an order."
"Could you not take at least one sip...?"
Her smile, which had been as bright as a cloudless spring sky just moments ago, vanished completely. Her expression darkened, clouding over as though a torrential downpour was about to strike. Truthfully, I wanted to offer her some gentle words, but showing any leniency now would only guarantee her returning to my room.
"If you must cry, do it in the confines of your own quarters. I am tired. I am going to sleep. You should do the same."
"Understood..."
Straightening her posture, Elise offered a flawless, graceful bow before departing. She had always been the type to excel at whatever she put her mind to, but her maid etiquette had truly become second nature. She was an outstanding young lady, fit to marry into any prestigious house.
To quell the desires Elise had kindled within me, I stepped out onto the balcony. The slightly chilly night air gradually cooled my racing heart.
As a stray leaf drifted past, I swept my hand out in a sharp, horizontal chop. Without so much as touching it, the leaf split cleanly in two and fluttered to my feet. Since running out of magical power meant instant death, I had focused on training Nord's greatest weakness—his physical stats. This was the result. I wanted to practice my swings with the Serpant-sword Galianus to keep this sensation fresh, but doing so might accidentally reduce the buildings surrounding the Papal Palace to ashes. Now that I had successfully cooled down, I decided to call it a night.
When I buried myself beneath the covers of my bed, I found it strangely warm. It was the kind of warmth that made you think of Toyotomi Hideyoshi presenting sandals to Oda Nobunaga, proudly proclaiming, "My Lord, I have kept your sandals warm in my breast pocket." Except this warmth was currently plastered flat against my lower half, refusing to budge. A sudden, dreadful suspicion washed over me. Just as I was about to yank back the sheets—
"Elise! Did I not tell you to return to your room?!"
"As your exclusive maid, Nord-sama, I simply could not allow you to sleep in such a cold, lonely place."
"I am not the least bit lonely, I'll have you know."
"Well, I am."
I pressed a hand to my forehead and looked up at the ceiling. While she took perfect care of my daily needs, she turned into a spoiled, high-maintenance child in situations like this. Too exhausted to chase her out again, I sighed.
"You sleep in the bed. I will take the sofa. I shall permit you to remain in the room, but you are not to take a single step near me while I sleep. Do you understand?"
"Nord-sama!"
As I sat on the edge of the bed, preparing to migrate to the sofa, Elise wrapped her arms around me from behind. The soft sensation pressing against my back and the sweet, uniquely feminine scent wafting from her long hair—entirely distinct from any perfume—almost made me want to surrender to the moment.
"No, that won't do. I shall sleep on the sofa. After all, Nord-sama, you are my master."
"Fine... Do as you wish."
I had half a mind to point out that if she were truly considerate, she would have obeyed my initial order to leave. However, realizing that poking at her now when she had finally relinquished sharing the bed would only stir up a hornet's nest, I held my tongue.
Just as Elise stepped away from the bed and stood up, she paused.
"Oh, that's right. I almost forgot your goodnight kiss."
She spun around on her heel to face me.
Then came the soft sensation of lips brushing against my cheek...
With her eyes closed, her face was so stunningly beautiful and endearing that it forced me to marvel at the sheer power of a main heroine's charms. It was I, the recipient of the kiss, who ended up flustered and reeling.
"W-What do you think you're doing?!"
"Goodnight, Nord-sama."
Stunned by the sudden sneak attack, I could only clutch my cheek in a daze while Elise retreated to the sofa, pulling the blanket up so high it covered her face entirely, leaving me with no chance to protest. Despite having experience beyond a mere kiss, my cooled-down body began to flush hot, my heart hammering against my ribs.
As I thought, when it comes to my death flags, Elise is the absolute most dangerous... To think she would try to break my defenses by going all-in on pure cuteness. I had been on high alert for overtly lewd advances lately, so this caught me completely off guard. As I pondered how to dial back her affection to a safe, friend-like level, sleep finally claimed me.
My eyes slowly blinked open, adjusting to the morning glare. Stretching while still half-asleep, my fist collided with a soft, yielding sensation.
No way, I thought, but my fingers squeezed the plush object anyway.
"Ah...♡"
A damp, breathy sigh escaped from beneath the sheets.
Did Elise seriously sneak back in after all that?!
Bracing myself, I rolled over and glanced toward the sofa where she was supposed to be sleeping.
Huh? To my surprise, Elise was still there, breathing softly in deep slumber. Then what on earth was I touching? Curious, I gave the round softness another firm squeeze with both hands.
"Ahhn...!"
As my fingers sunk into the lush mounds, a dangerously sultry gasp echoed, sounding far too aroused. Realizing something was terribly off, I violently flung back the covers.
"Whoaaa—?! Why the hell are you in here?!"
I shrieked, my eyes snapping wide in the morning sunlight. The sight before me banished all remaining sleepiness. Last night, I had firmly instructed Elise, who insisted on serving me, to sleep on the sofa. Yes, I was certain I had slept alone in this luxurious, spacious bed—which, while lacking a canopy, rivaled a five-star hotel suite.
Lying stark naked under my sheets was none other than Inarsha. She rubbed her eyes sleepily, her pupils a beautiful, clear ice-blue like the surface of a pristine lake.
"Nnn... You're awake early, Nord. Even though we stayed up so late inside me last night..."
"Do not say things that invite misunderstandings! I was merely assisting you with your official administrative duties!"
Propping herself up on an elbow like a nude portrait of classical beauty, Inarsha looked left and right.
"Ah, my apologies. It seems I stumbled into the wrong room."
She offered the excuse with a straight face, but her translucent, porcelain-white skin was an absolute feast for the eyes—no, wait, it was pure poison to my sanity.
"Why are you naked?!"
"Do you truly believe it is proper to wear clothes while sleeping in the presence of the man destined to be my husband?"
"What's improper is your mental state! In the first place, I have no recollection of ever agreeing to get engaged to you. I merely accepted the post of Guardian Knight as a proxy for Wald."
The Allied Nations had exposed the darkness of the Elon Religion and overthrown its long-standing tyranny, but because the mastermind, Wald, had suffered severe injuries resulting in the loss of his limbs, the burden of leadership had fallen into my lap... I could have refused, but remaining a Guardian Knight granted me access to the Great Library of the Holy See, which was highly advantageous. However, no one had warned me that Inarsha came as a package deal with the job.
"Just put some clothes on... If you do that, I might at least allow you to sleep in this room—"
"Nord-sama! Are you alright?! Wait—why on earth is Inarsha-san in here?!"
Elise, who should have been asleep on the sofa, rushed over and draped a blanket over Inarsha's bare body. Normally, Elise would have been disillusioned, assuming I was doing something inappropriate with Inarsha, but...
"Inarsha-san! Stop trying to steal Nord-sama away from me!"
"Please refrain from making such slanderous accusations. I was simply conducting a physical examination of Nord's health. Stark naked."
"Why do you need to be naked to examine me?!"
"Why do you need to be naked to examine him?!"
Our voices overlapped in perfect unison. Elise and I locked eyes. She flushed red and averted her gaze.
Ugh, she's attacking my heart with that pure, innocent act again...
Watching this play out, Inarsha muttered flatly, "I see. Since Elise shares a connection of the heart with Nord, I shall connect with him through the body instead."
She wrapped her arms around my back—still completely naked—pressing a pair of ample globes that rivaled Elise's directly against my spine.
"Inarsha-san! Nord-sama is my master! Serving him is my duty! Now, Nord-sama, let's get you changed for the morning..."
"S-Stop! Don't try to pull down my underwear along with my pajama pants!"
I clutched my head in vexation, faced with the monumental mission of successfully executing a hostage rescue.
In the plot of Rising Hero, rescuing Vermilia meant Crimsonia’s demise, and saving Crimsonia resulted in Vermilia’s death. The game's protagonist, Kain, could only ever save one of them. What made matters worse was that Nord was invariably involved in both of their tragic endings. Whichever sister perished, the survivor and Kain would direct their unbridled wrath toward Nord, culminating in his inevitable demise.
To be frank, even now, continuing to dodge the seductive advances of the breathtaking main heroines—Elise, Nirvana, and Inarsha—felt like an uphill battle. Although they weren't dating Kain yet, if I crossed the line and slept with them, the game's self-correcting force would likely register it as an NTR event, sealing my doom. If the rescue plan proceeded as scheduled, I would inevitably cross paths with another key heroine, Vermilia.
Vermilia was a half-succubus born to an Ogre father and a Succubus mother. I seemed to recall a CG in the original game showing Vermilia drinking a secret elixir to suppress her lustful succubus blood, all to preserve her pure, unwavering love for Kain. If I could get my hands on that elixir, I might be able to suppress the rampant libidos of Elise and the other main heroines. However, my memory regarding the exact location of that scene was hazy.
In order to figure out how to resolve this classic trolley problem and locate the elixir, I decided to sift through my memories of both Vermilia's and Crimsonia's routes...
— Flashback
The exact ages were never detailed in the original work, but this must have occurred when Kain was not yet ten years old.
"Curse it... Quite the miscalculation... To think I would be thoroughly bested by mere humans..."
Crimsonia, having led an invasion against the Elon Holy Empire, had become separated from her subordinates and fled to the remote frontier of the Ackersen Kingdom to save her skin.
The Sacred Alliance, formed by the parents of Inarsha and Elise, had pushed the Demon Lord Crimsonia to the brink of death, but she had managed to slip through their fingers at the very last second.
— Deep in the Forest on the Outskirts of Sope Village
A round-eyed, blonde boy peered into the cave where Crimsonia was hiding.
"What's wrong? You're really badly hurt."
"Kuh, a blunder! To think I would be discovered!"
Crimsonia gathered her meager remaining mana, intending to silence the boy forever. But just as enough magical power to easily kill a single child pooled in her palm—
"Here, you can have this."
The boy handed her a bundle of medicinal herbs, his face filled with genuine concern for the blood-drenched Crimsonia.
"What...? Do you... not fear me?"
"What are you talking about? How could anyone be scared of a girl like you? If anything, you're super cute!"
"W-What?!"
Though the severely wounded Crimsonia had managed to reach Sope Village, she had regressed into a childlike state—a "safe mode" meant to minimize mana consumption. Stunned by the compliment, she lowered her hand, letting the gathered magic disperse. Ever since she could remember, she had been feared in order to lead the demon race. The last time anyone had called her "cute" was back when she still lived with her parents.
Snapping back to reality, Crimsonia looked down at her own body, which had visibly shrunk. When she forced herself to stand, her height was nearly identical to the young boy's.
With her short, bobbed white hair streaked with crimson highlights and adorned with a vermilion ribbon, she was a lovely young girl. Had it not been for the two horns protruding from her forehead, no one would have ever guessed she was the feared Demon Lord.
"You're wearing some really unique clothes," Kain remarked.
"Fuhaha! Splendid, is it not? This is the traditional garb of the Crimson Ogre Tribe!"
"Yeah!"
As Kain pointed out, her attire resembled a shrine maiden's outfit rather than traditional Japanese clothing—or perhaps, more accurately, a cute VTuber avatar.
She wore a sleeveless kimono paired with detached, flowing sleeves. What initially looked like a red hakama skirt was actually just a pleated miniskirt exposing her bare legs. The precocious Kain glanced at the swell of Crimsonia's chest, quickly averting his eyes with blushing cheeks. Though her bust was considerably more modest than in her adult form, it was still noticeably generous for her current frame. Combined with her revealing attire, it was only natural for the young boy to feel flustered.
"What is your name?" she asked.
"I'm Kain! What's yours?"
"Me? I am Crimsonia. Tremble in awe!"
"That's the perfect name for you!"
"Umu! You possess excellent discernment!"
Faced with the boy's pure-hearted honesty, Crimsonia’s hostility melted away, and she began to interact with him as nothing more than an ordinary girl.
A week had passed since their first meeting. Though Crimsonia had been gravely injured, Kain’s devoted care had allowed her wounds to gradually heal.
"Are you okay? Does it hurt?"
"Hah! Look, I am perfectly—ow, ow, ow!"
Hoping to reassure him, Crimsonia had confidently patted her scabbed-over wound, only to double over in unexpected pain.
"Hey, don't push yourself. I have plenty of herbs left, so take it easy."
"Forgive me..." she murmured.
As Kain carefully applied the crushed herbs to her wounds, Crimsonia found her heart warming to him. At first, she had schemed to exploit his kindness and hold him hostage, but his selfless devotion had completely banished such thoughts.
One day, while walking the mountain path back to the cave, Kain ran into a group of searching knights. The moment they spotted him, one of the knights leveled the tip of his sword at him, demandingly asking:
"Boy, have you seen a demon around here? A terrifying creature with horns protruding from its forehead."
"No, I haven't."
"Lie to us, and divine retribution will strike you down."
Kain shook his head vigorously. He had seen a horned girl, but he didn't find her terrifying in the slightest. Instructing him to report immediately if he spotted anything, the knights went on their way.
Kain cautiously made his way back to the cave where Crimsonia lay hidden, scanning his surroundings.
"Kain... you know I am of the demon race. Why do you shield me?"
"Ah, so you saw the knights questioning me?"
"I heard your voices, yes."
"Well, you haven't done anything to hurt me. And besides, you're really cute."
"D-Do not keep calling me cute! You will make me misunderstand things... Besides, if you continue to shelter me, those soldiers will return. When they do, you will not escape unscathed."
"I don't care about that. Not if it means my friend Crimsonia gets hurt."
"You truly are a bizarre creature!"
"Yep!"
Several months had passed since Crimsonia first encountered the young Kain in her cave. Although her wounds had healed enough for her to move around, she remained locked in her childlike form, unable to regain her full power. As Kain returned to the village from her hideout one afternoon...
"Does anyone know the whereabouts of the Demon Lord Crimsonia?!"
Wald had arrived in Sope Village, accompanied by Nord.
The villagers, corralled into the central plaza, exchanged nervous glances, but one after another, they claimed to know nothing.
"In that case, you will assist us in scouring the mountains. Anyone who locates her will be handsomely rewarded. Naturally, you need only report her location to us."
Wald issued the command, but the uncooperative villagers began turning to head back to their homes. Nord stepped forward, blocking their path.
"Father, if these peasants refuse to cooperate with the search, may I handle them as I see fit?"
"Do as you wish."
With his father’s permission, Nord drew his sword, using it to intimidate the villagers.
Kuh! Arrogant noble brat...
Wait, don't! That kid is dangerous.
One hotheaded villager tried to step up to the insufferable Nord, but the others quickly held him back. Kain, however, did not hesitate.
"Stop it! There's no Demon Lord around here!"
Nord instantly closed the distance, pointing his blade directly at Kain's face.
"You... Do you have any idea what happens to liars?"
"I'm not lying!"
"Heh, a lowborn brat dares to mock me? Do you behave this insolently knowing I am Nord, the heir of the Duke of Villance?"
"I don't care who you are!"
"A bold mouth you have there. Tell me your name, fool. Speak."
"Kain Sope! I'm going to be a hero! I might be a fool, but I'd never live a life as pathetic and ugly as yours, picking on the weak!"
"Oho, Kain, is it? I shall remember that. A hero, you say? Then prove your truth with your strength."
Nord ordered his subordinate to bring a longsword and threw it at Kain's feet.
"Pick it up. If you defeat me, I shall overlook your insolence."
"No! I fight to protect people, not to bicker with a bully like you!"
"Is that so? Fine then, prepare to become rust on my blade!"
Nord raised his gladius, ready to strike down the unarmed Kain.
Zshhh—!
Just as Kain braced himself for death, a beam of light like an arrow shot out from the direction of Crimsonia's cave, grazing Nord's cheek. Lowering his weapon, Nord touched his face; his fingers came away stained with fresh blood.
Could it be her?! Kain looked toward the cave in astonishment, catching a fleeting glimpse of Crimsonia's small silhouette.
"How dare you scratch my face! Over there! Gather your mana and obliterate the enemy!" Nord bellowed.
"Yes, my lord!"
"Stop!"
Sensing the mortal danger to Crimsonia, Kain threw his small body against Nord's retainers, disrupting their mana channeling.
"You little brat!"
One of the guards tried to strike him, but Kain nimbly slipped past the fist, scooping up the discarded sword from the dirt.
"Heh... You truly are eager to die. Very well, I shall carve your tombstone right here."
Nord scoffed, looking down his nose at the boy holding the sword.
"What are you all doing? Pursue the target at once," Wald commanded, and his retainers immediately began moving toward the cave. As Kain tried to cut them off—
"Too slow, brat," Nord sneered, blocking his path.
(Run! I'll be fine!) Kain willed the thoughts toward Crimsonia like a prayer.
(Forgive me... Kain. I shall repay this debt without fail...)
In that moment, it felt as though Crimsonia's voice echoed directly inside his head.
"Yaaah!"
Kain nimbly darted past Nord as if weaving through defenders in a game of basketball, throwing his weight into the retainers.
"He’s actually fighting back! Is he insane?!"
While the retainers cried out in confusion, Nord shoved them aside and lunged at Kain with his sword raised.
"Get out of my way! Kain, was it? I shall personally put an end to you!"
Kain fought back with everything he had, but the gap in their training was insurmountable. Nord had been tutored by renowned swordsmen and possessed prodigious talent, whereas Kain was merely a boy who dreamed of heroism, spending his free time between helping his foster mother with needlework swinging wooden sticks in the mountains. He was completely outmatched. After a sharp, metallic clash, Kain was easily overpowered in a struggle of strength and sent flying backward.
"Amusing. You dream of being a hero with such pathetic skills? Fine, I shall grant you a handicap. I will fight you barehanded. Come at me whenever you are ready."
Nord sheathed his gladius, indulging in his terrible habit of playing with his opponent.
"I know how strong you are! I won't hold back!"
Utilizing his natural agility, Kain lunged low, aiming a strike at Nord's legs. Yet even so, the disparity in their abilities remained absolute.
"Gfuh...!"
Stepping forward to slip past the wide, desperate slash, Nord drove a heavy fist straight into Kain's solar plexus. The counter-blow left Kain wheezing and drooling in agony.
"Heh... Even dogs understand hierarchy. Those who cannot distinguish their superiors from their inferiors must be educated. That is the duty of high nobility!"
Nord planted his boot firmly on the blade of Kain's sword as the boy knelt in pain, pinning it to the ground.
"Damn it...!"
Kain desperately tried to yank the weapon free, but that was exactly what Nord had anticipated.
"Ghah!"
Nord suddenly lifted his foot, allowing the tension to snap the sword upward as his leather boot connected cleanly with Kain’s chin in a vicious kick.
"Let this serve as an example! This is the fate of those who dare defy the nobility of Ackersen!"
Grabbing the collar of the sprawled-out Kain, Nord hauled him up and subjected him to a relentless barrage of fists and kicks. The villagers could only watch in horror, kept at bay by the threatening glares of Nord’s armed guards.
Kain's face swelled with massive, bloody bruises far worse than anything resulting from a typical childhood scuffle.
"Die! Die! You should be grateful that I am personally putting you out of your misery!" Nord snarled.
With his consciousness fading, Kain had no way to defend himself, let alone fight back. Yet Nord’s brutality continued unabated.
"Cease this at once!"
Just as Nord, pinning Kain down, raised his fist for another blow, a commanding voice rang out. "It is unbecoming of a noble to torment an ordinary villager."
An adult grabbed Nord’s wrist, halting him. The man wore a pure white surcoat emblazoned with the symbol of the Elon Religion.
"Hmph. I wondered who it was, only to find the disgraced Paladin, Count Magdalia. Do not misunderstand, Count. This brat is suspected of harboring a demon. I was merely meting out justice."
Even when addressing a man old enough to be his father, Nord didn't show an ounce of respect. Count Magdalia, a man of outstanding character, chose not to retaliate with biting remarks like, "Your own father, the Duke of Villance, failed to become a hero himself, did he not?"
"If that is the case, he must be formally detained and handed over to us, the Paladins."
"I was in the middle of doing just that. But the boy resisted arrest, you see."
Losing interest, Nord stepped away from Kain. Count Magdalia immediately knelt by the boy’s side, asking:
"Are you alright, young man?"
"...W-Who are you...?"
"I am Count Magdalia, a humble Paladin. First, let us tend to your wounds."
Count Magdalia chanted Heal, and the wounds Nord had inflicted began to vanish before their eyes.
"You possess extraordinary courage, standing up to the Duke of Villance and his son. If you wish, would you consider coming with us? We will provide you with food, clothing, and shelter."
Kain, having bought enough time for Crimsonia to escape, looked at the Count and replied, "Yes... Please take me with you."
Sensing a spark of greatness within the commoner boy, Count Magdalia arranged for his admission into the Hero Academy.
Ten years had passed since Count Magdalia, Elise's father, had recognized Kain's bravery.
"Elise... How can I ever face Count Magdalia? It's all because of my own weakness that Nord snatched her away from me!"
Unfortunately, Kain had failed to live up to the Count's expectations. Defeated in a duel, Elise had been taken by Nord, leaving Kain locked in his room, weeping bitterly. To make matters worse, Count Magdalia, his sole benefactor, had fallen prey to Wald’s schemes and was already under arrest.
Despite repeated knocks at his door, Kain remained buried beneath his blankets, refusing to stir. That was when a voice like the sweet chirping of a songbird drifted through the wood.
"Excuse me... Is this indeed the room of Kain Sope-sama?"
True to his nature as an eroge protagonist, Kain's beautiful-girl radar went off, prompting him to open his tightly shut door for the first time in a week.
"Y-You are?!"
"I am Vermilia," she introduced herself.
She wore a crimson blazer paired with a navy pleated skirt—both exceptionally short, offering a teasing glimpse of her undergarments. Confronted by a girl whose beauty easily rivaled Elise's in her Hero Academy uniform, Kain's spirits lifted, his masculine instincts causing his eyes to light up.
"I feel as though we've met somewhere before..."
Tracing a resemblance to Crimsonia in the girl's features, Kain tapped his chin thoughtfully.
"I am Vermilia, the younger sister of Crimsonia-oneesama. On behalf of my incredibly busy sister, I have come to repay her debt to you."
"I knew it! I'm so glad Crimsonia managed to escape safely. Is she doing well?"
"While she has not yet fully recovered her strength, she has no trouble with her daily life. She constantly reminds me that her survival is entirely thanks to Kain-sama."
"That's not true! I was helped by Crimsonia, too."
Kain invited Vermilia inside, feeling a deep sense of relief as he listened to updates about Crimsonia's well-being.
"Kain-sama... I actually have a small favor to ask..." she murmured, casting her eyes downward before blushing and turning away.
"What is it? You can ask me anything, and I'll do whatever I can to help! After all, you're the sister of my friend Crimsonia."
"Thank you, Kain-sama. The truth is... I would love for you to show me around the royal capital and accompany me while I shop. But... you wouldn't want to go with someone like me, would you?"
She peeked up at him through her lashes, gauging his reaction. Kain shook his head vigorously to reassure her.
"Are you kidding? It's not a bother at all—it's an absolute honor to show such a cute girl around! I'd love to go with you."
"Oh... C-Cute...?"
Vermilia's cheeks flushed a deep red, matching her striking scarlet hair, and she looked down in embarrassment. Her innocent gestures were more than enough to trigger Kain's protective instincts.
The following day, Vermilia selected an outfit from the rack in her room, holding it against her body in front of the full-length mirror, her face burning.
"There is no way I can wear this outside..."
As a dormitory within the prestigious Hero Academy where noble children resided, the ladies' quarters were well-furnished. However, other than her school uniform, she had no ordinary attire. As a succubus, most of Vermilia's clothing was highly provocative, designed to seduce men, making them entirely unsuitable for casual wear.
In fact, succubi had no concept of underwear, preferring garments that resembled revealing swimwear. After the previous Crimson Demon Lord had passed away, Vermilia had been raised in the household of her mother, the Succubus Marquis Roxelana. However, upon her first meeting with the current Demon Lord Crimsonia, Vermilia had been shocked to realize how drastically different her clothing was from other demons, leaving her with a lingering sense of modesty.
The outfits consisted of little more than tiny scraps of fabric held together by strings, barely covering her private areas. They exposed far too much skin and carried the constant risk of slipping, which would leave her completely exposed in public. Shaking her head, she returned the succubus garments to the rack. Left with no other choice, she slipped into the Hero Academy uniform provided by Crimsonia—completely braless and panty-less.
Since Vermilia had just moved into the dormitory, the two went out to buy some necessities.
"Kain-sama... I'm so sorry for keeping you waiting."
They had agreed to meet at the academy gates, but Vermilia had taken some time to prepare, leaving Kain waiting.
"Don't worry about it, I didn't wait long at all! Besides, it's only natural for girls to take a little longer to get ready."
"Thank you so much."
The Kain of the original game was endlessly patient and incredibly kind to the heroines. Compared to the Kain of the world I had reincarnated into... My soul felt cleansed every time I recalled the gentlemanly nature of the original protagonist.
— The Bustling Commercial District of the Ackersen Capital
Leaving the academy on the outskirts of the city behind, they chatted about Crimsonia and Vermilia's upbringing as they walked. Soon, the streets grew increasingly crowded.
With Wald serving as Chancellor, the Ackersen Kingdom was in its golden age. The capital's streets, reminiscent of early-modern France, were beautifully paved with cobblestones across both the sidewalks and the carriage roads. The only major difference was the lack of barriers separating the pedestrian paths from the carriage lanes.
Vermilia struggled to push through the oncoming crowd, nearly swept away by the sea of people.
"Vermilia!" Kain called out, instinctively grabbing her wrist.
At his sudden touch, a pair of small, black, bat-like wings popped out from beneath her scarlet hair.
Panicking, she realized that exposing her succubus identity in such a crowded place would cause an uproar. She quickly pulled two yellow ribbons from her pocket, skillfully tying them around her hair to conceal the wings. Seeing her distress, Kain gently pulled her by the hand, guiding her into a quiet alleyway.
The alley was dimly lit and deserted, the clamor of the main street instantly fading into a distant murmur. Only a startled rat foraging in a trash bin scurried away at their entry.
"Wow, that surprised me! I had no idea you were a succubus..."
"Y-Yes..."
The heart-shaped tip of the black tail protruding from her waist drooped low, almost as if bowing to him. Kain realized he had been mistaken; since Crimsonia was an Ogre, he had assumed Vermilia was one as well. But standing before him was a succubus—the very race rumored to seduce and lead men astray. Though he had learned about them in class, this was his first time meeting one in person.
Clasping her hands to her chest, Vermilia peeked at Kain before quickly looking away.
"I'm so sorry... I didn't mean to hide it from you. You must hate this... having a succubus try to repay her debt to you..."
With those words, she turned to walk away, but her feet ground to a halt. Kain had caught her hand once more.
"Wait! I was just surprised because it was my first time seeing a succubus girl. Honestly, if it's a girl as cute as you, I wouldn't mind being seduced at all."
"Kain-sama..."
Having carried the heavy burden of her succubus heritage—a lineage synonymous with lewdness—Vermilia was overwhelmed by his kindness.
"U-Ugh... thank you... thank you so much, Kain-sama..." she wept, tears streaming down her face as she hung her head.
She clutched Kain's wrist with both hands, sobbing uncontrollably.
"What's wrong?! Please don't cry! Did I say something to hurt you? If I did, I'm so sorry..." Kain panicked, pulling out a handkerchief to gently dab the tears from her eyelids.
Shaking her twin-tails vigorously, she dismissed his apology.
"No, that's not it at all! I'm just so happy... happy that you would accept someone with succubus blood like me."
Kain offered her a gentle, silent smile. As Vermilia calmed down, her wings and tail quietly receded once more.
"Um... if you don't mind, would you like to hold hands? The main street is really crowded, and I don't want us to get separated."
Kain scratched his temple, looking away awkwardly. Nodding to ease his worries, Vermilia reached out and took his hand, lacing her fingers with his. Realizing the boldness of their actions, both of their faces flushed crimson.
As they turned off the main thoroughfare toward the clothing district, the foot traffic thinned out considerably. The threat of getting separated had vanished, rendering their hand-holding technically unnecessary... Yet, neither let go.
It was Vermilia who spoke up first.
"U-Um... if Kain-sama doesn't mind, we can... keep holding hands like this..."
Kain nodded fervently without a word. His eager reaction made Vermilia giggle. Just as the realization that this felt like a real date dawned on them, Vermilia asked softly:
"Are you sure you don't mind... dating a girl like me? A succubus rumored to be so... lewd?"
She cast her gaze down to her handbag. Every movement she made seemed calculated and flirtatious, but this was merely because all succubi naturally possessed the Charm skill. For this very reason, succubi were often looked down upon from birth.
"This is... my very first time going on a date with a boy..."
"Really? I can't believe a girl as pretty as you has never been on a date before."
"It’s the truth..."
Seeing her downcast expression, Kain instantly regretted his question. Just as the sweet atmosphere threatened to turn somber, Vermilia's attention was caught by the ladies' fashion displayed behind the large glass windows of the clothing boutiques.
A pure white dress showcased across the street completely mesmerized her. Oblivious to her surroundings, she stepped off the sidewalk into the street.
"Ah—!"
"Watch out!"
Kain quickly yanked her back by her hand.
Clack-clack-clack!
A large carriage drawn by four horses thundered past the very spot she had been standing.
"I-I'm sorry!"
"N-No, I'm fine..."
Because he had pulled her with such force, Vermilia stumbled directly into Kain’s chest. Her soft, ample breasts pressed firmly against him. Extremely flustered, the two immediately leaped apart, avoiding eye contact before shyly stealing another glance.
Noticing Kain's gaze drifting upward, Vermilia hastily covered her head with both hands. In her excitement and embarrassment, her small wings had popped out from her hair once again. Furthermore, her heart-shaped tail was swaying joyfully behind her. Blushing furiously, she struggled to calm her emotions and hide her demonic features. Kain, his face equally red, spoke up:
"Vermilia, walk on the inside. It's dangerous with the carriages. Let's swap sides."
"Y-Yes... Kain-sama."
"Just ‘Kain’ is fine, Vermilia."
"I-I couldn't... You are Crimsonia-oneesama's benefactor, after all..."
"Don't worry about that. We're friends, aren't we?"
"Yes... thank you, Kain."
Though she had originally come to the academy on Crimsonia’s orders, Vermilia found herself falling deeply for the honest and kind boy. However, their intimate display had not gone unnoticed. From the window of a passing carriage, a dark shadow watched them...
Vermilia had enrolled in the Hero Academy under the guise of a human noble, a secret that remained undetected by everyone—save for one man. Nord ordered his carriage to stop. Watching the two stroll together happily, he licked his lips in anticipation.
"Heh... That fool Kain has no idea I’m about to snatch another woman from him. A masterpiece of a woman is wasted on a virgin. I shall personally teach her what a real man is."
The following morning, masking his lust behind a facade of self-righteousness, Nord addressed the class during morning assembly.
"Listen well, everyone! There is a demon hiding in our very midst! And not just any demon, but a high-ranking one—the half-sister of the Demon Lord herself!"
The classroom erupted into chaos. The students frantically scanned the room before their gazes converged on a single spot.
"Vermilia! You have deceived us all, sneaking into the Hero Academy as a spy!" Nord declared, pointing an accusing finger at her.
Vermilia stood up to defend herself.
"That's not true! I only came to repay my debt to Kain-sama—"
"Oho? Then Kain is complicit in this crime."
"Vermilia has done nothing wrong! I am the one who invited her here!" Kain shouted, stepping in front of her.
"Kain-sama!"
Nord dramatically looked up to the heavens, covering his eyes with his hand.
"Ah, what a beautiful, tragic display of devotion! My heart has never been so deeply moved!" Clasping his hands over his chest, he paced around them with exaggerated gestures. "Yet, one is human, and the other is a demon... a forbidden, unpardonable love! Though it breaks my heart, I must tear you apart. I know you will all blame me for this. But tell me—am I truly in the wrong?"
Nord looked to his classmates for validation. They shook their heads in agreement with him.
"Of course not! Kain, your punishment can wait. First, we must take this woman in for questioning."
Vermilia had the power to resist, but she knew that causing a scene would only make matters worse for Kain. As Nord's lackeys surrounded them, Nord clamped a Mana-sealing Ring onto Vermilia's wrists and prepared to drag her away.
"Stop! Leave her alone! Vermilia hasn't done anything wrong!" Kain screamed.
Kain tried to rush forward, but Nord's sycophants and other brainwashed classmates pinned his arms behind his back, holding him fast.
"Fuhaha! Hilarious. Being a demon is a crime in and of itself! Kain, you foolishly remain blind to their deception. You bring shame to the very name of the Hero Academy, which exists solely to train those who fight against the demon race!"
"Vermilia!"
"Kain-sama!"
Kain reached out with all his might. Vermilia did the same, stretching her fingers toward him, but just as their fingertips were about to touch, Nord shoved them apart.
"Fuhaha! A tragic end for star-crossed lovers... Oh, it brings tears to my eyes! Perhaps I should write a play based on this exquisite drama?"
They desperately cried out to each other as Vermilia was dragged from the classroom, leaving Kain struggling uselessly in the grasp of his classmates.
"Kain! Calm down! If you keep defending her, you'll be branded a traitor too!" one of them yelled.
"I don't care! Vermilia is my precious friend!"
Kain fought like a wild animal to break free and pursue them, but the students held him down with absolute force.
"Let me go! Get off me! I can't let them take her away!"
"Kain-sama! Please, if you keep defending me, they'll punish you too—!"
But no matter how desperately he reached out, his hand could not bridge the distance. Vermilia was dragged away by Nord, leaving Kain behind in despair.
— Nord’s Private Chambers
Nord grabbed Vermilia by her chin, tilting her head up as he callously evaluated her features. Vermilia, normally the very picture of gentleness, glared back at him with sharp, venomous eyes.
"Heh... What a splendid expression," Nord sneered. "I suppose we should begin with a thorough physical examination."
"Your claim of bringing me in for questioning was a lie!" Vermilia spat.
Bound to the wall with Mana-sealing Shackles locking her hands and feet in place, Vermilia could do nothing but watch as Nord approached her, a greasy smirk playing on his lips.
"Legends say a succubus's body emits an incredibly sweet, intoxicating fragrance," Nord murmured, leaning in until his nose was practically brushing against her collarbone. "Allow me to savor it to my heart's content."
"Keep your foul breath away from me!"
"And yet, the women charmed by me crave even my saliva," Nord boasted, unfazed by her hostility.
"You are rotten to the very marrow of your bones," Vermilia hissed, her voice trembling with pure disgust. "The stench of moral decay wafting from you is enough to make me vomit."
"Oh? In that case, let us see how you like tasting that foul breath firsthand."
Nord gripped her jaw tightly, forcing her face forward as he attempted to steal her lips. Vermilia twisted her head away with everything she had, desperately resisting his advance.
"The only man I will ever open my heart to is Kain-sama!" she cried out. "I would never yield my lips to a sewer rat of a man like you!"
Hearing Kain's name, Nord's smirk faltered. He fell silent, looking down for a brief moment. But when he raised his eyes once more, a mocking, thin smile had returned to his face.
"I know! I just had a brilliant idea," Nord said, his eyes gleaming with malice. "Why don't I have that blockhead of a hero question you himself? Right in front of everyone..."
"Kuh...?! You... you monster! How can you be so despicable?!"
"Call me whatever you like. If he fails to make you talk, he won't just lose his place at the Hero Academy—he'll be branded a traitor suspected of conspiring with the demon race. For the sake of your precious Kain, you'll have no choice but to confess everything... Ah, I truly tremble at my own genius. I almost hate myself for being so beloved by God."
As Vermilia’s face drained of color, Nord threw his head back and laughed heartily, utterly swept up in self-congratulation.
"...Please, anything but that!" Vermilia pleaded, her voice cracking as her defenses finally began to crumble. "Don't drag Kain-sama into this...!"
"Then you know exactly what you have to do to prevent that, don't you?"
Nord leaned in close once more, his face inches from hers. Though every fiber of her being screamed to reject him, Vermilia steeled herself, preparing to endure whatever Nord demanded—all to keep Kain safe.
Just then, Lei—the cross-dressing maid—slipped into the room and whispered quietly into Nord's ear.
"Well, well," Nord murmured, his eyes lighting up. "It seems our little sideshow is ready."
At Lei's signal, a small handbell was rung, and Nord's sycophants marched into the room, dragging a heavily bound Kain along with them.
"Stop it! Don't you dare lay a finger on her!" Kain roared, thrashing wildly in his bonds. "If you hurt her, Nord, I swear I will never forgive you!"
"Now, now, that won't do, Kain," Nord said, tutting mockingly. "I am merely conducting an interrogation of this wicked, wicked succubus who led you astray. I am doing this on your behalf, you know. You really should be thanking me."
Kain struggled with a ferocity that suggested he would tear Nord apart if given the chance, but the lackeys held him pinned with absolute authority. Nord turned his gaze back to Vermilia, presenting her with a cold choice.
"Rest assured, my dear. If you cooperate and speak honestly, I shall personally arrange things so that Kain is cleared of all charges."
"Don't listen to him, Vermilia!" Kain screamed. "He's lying! There's no way Nord will ever let me go!"
"I wasn't asking you, peasant," Nord snapped. Then, with a casual wave of his hand, he commanded, "Gag him. And get them out of here."
"Yes, my lord!"
At Nord's nod, the lackeys forced a rough Gag into Kain's mouth, cutting off his warnings, and shoved him to the floor before exiting the room.
"Will you... will you truly protect Kain-sama?" Vermilia whispered, her eyes wide with desperation.
"Of course. As long as you remain cooperative."
"Mmph! Mmm-ph!" Kain thrashed on the floor, his muffled protests screaming, Don't do it! He's lying!
Vermilia closed her eyes and nodded slowly.
With only the three of them remaining in the locked room—Nord, Vermilia, and the bound, helpless Kain—the grueling interrogation truly began.
"First, let us examine if a succubus's body possesses the same functions as a human's!" Nord declared.
With a violent tug, Nord ripped open her Hero Academy blazer and blouse. Buttons snapped and scattered across the stone floor.
"Look, Kain! As expected of a succubus, she's actually completely braless!" Nord laughed, exposing her pale chest. "Even a succubus's breasts are no different from a human's."
"No...! Please, don't look...!" Vermilia sobbed.
Her deep, beautiful cleavage was laid bare to the room. Overwhelmed by intense shame, Vermilia could no longer control her demonic traits; her small black wings and heart-shaped tail burst from her body, exposing her succubus heritage to the light.
"Rejoice, Kain! Just as I predicted, she really is a succubus!" Nord laughed, clapping his hands in mock celebration. "Heh... To think a wanton succubus would actually feel shame like a proper maiden... I like it! I think I shall savor this body of yours right in front of Kain."
"Mmmph! Stop! Mmmph—!" Kain screamed desperately through his gag, his face twisting in agonizing rage as he thrashed against his ropes.
Nord reached out, his fingers sinking into Vermilia's lush, unprotected breasts.
"Don't think... a succubus like me would ever feel pleasure from the touch of someone like you!" Vermilia gasped, her voice trembling as she fought the sensations. "I... I only feel pleasure for the one I love!"
"Fascinating! Then let us put that little theory to the test!"
True to his boast, despite his youth, Nord possessed an intimate, thorough knowledge of a woman's body. He knew exactly where and how to touch her. Vermilia bit her lip until it nearly bled, desperate to hide the fact that his skilled fingers were sending electrifying jolts of pleasure through her core.
"Oho? You're holding out remarkably well," Nord whispered. "Then how about this?"
Leaning down like an infant, Nord buried his face in her soft chest, suckling greedily on her sensitive skin. Vermilia bit back a squeal, but she could not resist the overwhelming wave of raw pleasure. Her head tilted back, her chin rising as her breath came in ragged, shallow gasps.
Despite her obvious arousal, Nord's merciless stimulation did not cease for a second. Vermilia was left squirming and writhing against her shackles, her bare thighs rubbing together as much as her leg chains allowed.
"Oh? I thought you only felt pleasure for the one you loved?" Nord teased, his voice dripping with malice. "Heh... Your body is incredibly honest, my dear."
Lifting her short pleated skirt, Nord let out a wicked chuckle. He gazed intently at the sight beneath her hem—revealing her completely bare, smooth skin.
"Heh... Magnificent! A truly exquisite view... As expected of a race that rivals sirens in their ability to lead men astray."
Vermilia had never imagined that the succubus custom of not wearing underwear would bring Nord such immense delight.
"Oh? What is this moisture?" Nord asked, pointing a damp finger. "Did you wet yourself out of fear, perhaps?"
"Do not... insult the demon race!" Vermilia panted, her pride as a demon flaring up.
But defending her honor proved to be a fatal mistake.
"Heh... You practically just confessed to being a demon yourself."
Vermilia gasped, hastily clapping her hand over her mouth, but the words had already left her lips. It was too late.
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