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The Hero Became a Succubus! - Chapter 65
🕑 Added 2022-05-30 00:53:58 +0000 UTCAlt link: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1RHCDHpHN52GeNg5jmzHqvE1s4-5zPiXW_NfGohfbeuc/edit?usp=sharing
Chapter 65
With Renya coming to the rescue, Kanae and his party were spared whatever fate Korvo had in store for them. Like in a game of poker, the dark elf Spellblade revealed her hand at last and proved to be much greater threat than anyone gave her credit for. Thank god they were on the same side.
Korvo was made to stand beside Renya, who had commandeered his seat, feet kicked up onto the table next to where the flintlock was placed down. Rummaging through the desk drawers yielded her a cigar. She puffed a few times and blew the fumes in his direction, smiling when the trembling elf started coughing.
"Renya, are you sure it's okay for you to be here? I thought you wanted to stay hidden?" Kanae asked.
"Oh, my dear succubus friend. Not every business decision is made with the primary party's best interests in mind." Renya winked, tugging a heartstring in his chest and making him blush.
"So, Renya… you've been smitten by this succubus? Bardell and I knew you were crazy, just not this crazy to make an alliance with demons of all things. It's not too late, you know? The Outriders will look the other way if you turn on the succubus. We can continue conducting trade like we've always done. Make you richer beyond your imagination now that the boss is a Knight of Colors," Korvo said.
Although he was putting up a brave front, the shaky voice and skin glistening with sweat gave him away.
Maybe it was because Kanae had met Renya under very different circumstances, but it was beginning to feel like he should be afraid of someone like her. Though after getting to know her, that was almost impossible.
Since Renya was ignoring Korvo, Edina seized this chance to walk right up and knee the Outrider in his groin. The cheapshot knocked the wind out of his lungs, and he doubled over, squealing in pain.
"Hello… Edina… It's a pleasure… to see you again…" Korvo panted.
Kanae jumped to pull Edina away from Korvo, kicking and thrashing.
"Lemme at him!" Edina growled. "This bastard is just as bad as Bardell! If he bites the dust today, no one will miss him!"
"We need to question him! You can have at him later, but right now we need him conscious enough to talk," Kanae said.
Edina stopped struggling, and when he let her go, she settled down only a little. Her face was showing otherwise though.
Renya smiled. "You heard 'em, Korvy. Start talking or—"
Korvo snatched Renya's flintlock from the desk and pointed the gun directly at her head. Kanae, Edina, and Will flinched forward.
"Move another inch and Renya's head pops like a cherry!"
"Well, maybe letting Korvo eat a few more shots to the balls would have been a good idea." Renya sighed, seemingly unconcerned.
Damn it. They let their eyes off Korvo for one moment and things went to shit. A hundred scenarios flashed through Kanae's mind on how to salvage the situation. What could be done? Charm? He was a stronger succubus now than back in the forest, but if it didn't work, then Renya would get seriously hurt or worse.
"Now here is how thing's going to work. I'm going to walk out with Renya, and you little doves will do nothing about it—" Korvo said, ordering Renya to her feet.
Disarming the gun was the best bet, and the only thing with enough reach was the whip. As Kanae gradually moved a hand towards the whip at his waist, Korvo's eyes flicked to him.
"I said don't move!" he yelled.
"Shit—"
Korvo squeezed the trigger. Everyone winced to the sound of—
Nothing.
Renya erupted with laughter and unburdened the flintlock from Korvo, who just let it happen in petrified disbelief. His fingers didn't so much as resist from having it taken away.
"There aren't any bullets in here. Not unless I make them like I do my weapons." She pressed the flintlock to his forehead and conjured a bluish magic dagger in her left hand. "Now, start talking."
Sniveling and without any more tricks up his sleeves, Korvo confessed while staring down the barrel of the gun.
"B-Bardell ordered us to run muscle for Bishop Rudo to help him win the election… in exchange for sole proprietorship of the Carnal District…"
In the days that followed, Bishop Rudo began to lose support. With Korvo out of the picture— Kanae dared not ask Renya what she did with him— the Outriders in Lograin became a leaderless bunch of thugs. Rudo no longer had help from them to strong-arm Mallory, the opposition to his mayoral candidacy, into silence.
Then, one early afternoon, Bishop Rudo was campaigning in the city in a desperate attempt to quell rumors of his dealings with the criminal syndicate.
"The rumors are preposterous!" Bishop Rudo exclaimed to a mass of crowd, gathered to confront him. "There is no proof. It is all clearly slander by those who would see this great city fall to debauchery and sin!"
Losing contact with Korvo and the support of the Outriders had clearly upset him. Even the priests, and there were fewer of them now, were nervous just being by his side.
Edina folded her arms. "Hmph. Look at him squirm. Anyone who shacks up with the Outriders deserves what's coming to them."
"What about Renya and Arenade?" Kanae teased.
"R-Renya's a scary ass bitch and Arenade just needs some sense knocked back to her. To be honest— and you better not tell her— I do kind of miss the cowtits elf. Just a little," she said.
If there was anything to be said of Arenade, it was that passionate faith of hers. Despite the accusations laid at Rudo's feet, she stayed by his side, hopeful of the changes he promised to the city.
As Kanae gazed into the dark and rat-infested alleyways, his heart wrenched for the orphans that had made it their home. Not to mention the rundown and decrepit homes in the outskirts of the city, where the poor languished. He was sure Arenade saw them, too. Wanted to do what she believed was best. How could he blame her for that?
Bishop Rudo suddenly threw his hands to the air as if speaking to the gods.
"Listen, all ye that would! Return this evening, and I shall prove to you my faith! You will want to see what I have to show you. For even the Supreme One has acknowledged my devotion!" he exclaimed.
Leaving the crowds with that cryptic saying, the bishop flourished his robes as he turned to leave with his entourage following close behind. As they were leaving, Arenade casted what looked like a shameful gaze Kanae's way.
"You'd think Arenade would drop that sucker and come back to us," Edina chided.
Kanae trusted Arenade. He wanted to keep trusting her. Deep down, she only wanted what was best for people who were suffering.
"I was hoping Renya would force Korvo to confess in front of Arenade and Rudo, but she had other plans for him. Come on, she's expecting us at the Red Harpy again," Kanae said.
Will wouldn't be joining them today. Kanae and Edina went alone to the Red Harpy, which was temporarily closed to the public. The only ones inside were Renya and Mallory, the beastman who was running against Bishop Rudo.
They were seated at a table, playing blackjack while a bunny suit-dressed Klee was dealing for them.
"Oooh! Deal me in, chief!" Edina joined in immediately.
"I already heard what happened in the square. Big talk coming from Rudo despite everything going upside down for him," Renya said.
"Should we be worried about what he mentioned?" Kanae asked, recalling the 'proof' that was brought up.
The elf shook her head. "Just more rambling from a desperate man on the verge of losing. It does behoove us, however, to stay vigilant. This election will come down to the wire. We still have much to do."
More to do? It felt like Kanae was working since the moment he came to Lograin. The only time he got to rest and explore the city was the first night at the Hole in the Wall. Since Rudo couldn't bully places into closing anymore, it might be due for another visit. Maybe try out the stables for the burden beasts relief…
"I really appreciate what you have done," Mallory began, after taking stock of his two faced down cards. "Should I become mayor, I will endeavor to find a way to grant you amnesty as a succubus. Though… it may be difficult to prove I'm not being charmed."
"I won't hold my breath for it, but thanks. By the way, what did you do with Korvo?" Kanae asked.
"Sent the squirrely bast—"
"Hey! That's offensive to me!" Edina glared.
"Sorry. That slippery bastard is on his way to Port Kandis to swab the poop decks of my ships. I've grown to like having my former enemies and associates work at my feet." Renya grinned.
Redmane, now Korvo. Hopefully Bardell was next?
She continued. "Setting that matter aside, I'd like to move forward with our next plans. The election is still going. We need to convince as many people as we can to vote for my dear Mal, and his weakest demographic are those in the religious ward."
"What do you want us to do about it? Go canvassing to god-fearers about how great sinning is?" Edina asked.
"That's exactly what I want." A wicked smile flashed across Renya's face.
Kanae and Edina looked up at her, now even more lost than a rat trapped in a maze.
"The religious are all closeted hypersexuals. They partake in sin just as much as any of us. The only difference is that they would never openly admit so," Renya explained.
"But how are we supposed to gain their votes?" Kanae asked.
Renya flipped her cards to reveal an ace and queen. A perfect 21. Mallory and Edina tossed their cards, failing to match or even come close.
"Easy. You open a church. Seduce the lost sheep by shepherding them to your bosom. We will combat fanatical religious zeal with religion. What do you say, Sister Kanae? Imagine your own habit, a slutty outfit fit for a sinful nun." Renya grinned.
"Count me in." Kanae instantly agreed.
"Good! I will provide—"
Renya was interrupted by someone crashing through the front door. A badly injured Thedia stumbled forward to the ground, wincing and panting. Kanae's first thoughts went to Mitty and Teana, who she was supposed to be protecting.
Everyone rushed to her aid.
"What happened?" Renya asked, lifting her up.
"Forgive me… we were attacked," Thedia began, struggling to catch her breath. "I came as fast as I could to tell you… Teana has been kidnapped…"
"What? How?!" Kanae choked as he started to feel dizzy.
"Slowly now. Do you know where they have taken her?" Renya asked.
"In the direction of Lograin, but I lost track… of them on the road here. I'm so terribly sorry, Kanae…"
Teana's location should have been a secret. Who could have taken her, and why?
"Kanae, do you think Bishop Rudo…?" Edina was reluctant to finish her sentence.
Could the proof that Rudo was talking about… be Teana?
"We have to stop them!" Kanae exclaimed, grinding his teeth. "I think Bishop Rudo's the one who kidnapped her."
