novelnext Chapter 172: The Upcoming Tide
Chapter 172: The Upcoming Tide
TheMangaGod
I had originally planned to begin the final battle on this chapter, I'd planned out the discussion with Veronica's mother as well as the beginning of the big battle. Only for me to change my mind as I wrote this chapter. Starting the big battle to end this arc in the middle of a chapter didn't sit right with me and, after writing about half of Lilith's scene I felt much more comfortable setting up the next chapter instead.
Oh, and I quite like how, despite multiple people describing Lilith as being quite logical she ends up admitting her real reason for joining the war and it's the least logical reason of all. Although she also considered the safety of her people as well of course. She is a ruler afterall, in spite of her... eccentricities.
As a side note, after a lot of consideration, as well as story development, I've decided to not have a man in Rose's harem despite her being bisexual. This decision came about in large part because I had some difficulty deciding WHO to put in her harem and, after developing several male characters, I couldn't narrow it down to any of them and didn't feel comfortable writing in a rando for my Rose. When I started the story I was briefly considering the Prince as that member but his interactions with Moon are too adorable not to root for them instead. One of the pitfalls with having characters that develop outside the influence of the MC is that those same characters might vibe better in different groups rather than the main one. It just happened that the catgirl thief is just perfect for our knight in shining armor. NGL I also enjoy the political implications of the first male heir of a primarily female country marrying outside the noble families for love, it tickles a little romance bug inside my brain. Anyways, Enjoy!
- Central Abelis, Near Labyrinth City, Several Hours Later – Rose's POV –
Several hours, and many complicated tactical discussions later, I was finally able to free myself from the command tent. I’d hoped that I would have been able to either leave or zone out hours ago but those present seemed to insist on asking for my opinion on various military maneuvers and plans for the coming battle. I was sure that it wasn’t out of some unfounded trust in my leading capabilities, so it was likely to make sure I was listening and aware of what the plan was since I’d be the one directly in the center of it. Even worse was the way the generals and their adjutants looked at me when they stepped forward to comment on specific strategies. The generals, likely more used to powerful individuals, only had mild reactions to my presence. Their assistants and other lower ranking soldiers they brought in for help, however… the awe in their gazes hurt me.
Surrounded by the same eyes as I escaped from captivity, I was about to hurry to safety only to be stopped by a sultry voice that sent shivers up my spine instinctually.
[Lady Rose, correct?] – Veronica’s Mother
[That’s ri- Ah! Veronica’s mom?!?] – Rose
[Ufufufu, you are correct. Would you be so kind as to join me for tea? I’d very much like the opportunity to get to… know you.] – Veronica’s Mother
[Tea? Umm… S-Su- I-I mean! Ahem! It would be my honor to join you, your… majesty?] – Rose
[When speaking with a succubi queen the correct way of addressing them is Her Royal Highness. If you would follow Her Royal Highness, we’ll lead you to her tent. This way please.] – Malaise’s Mother
Sheepishly following behind the gently swaying fluff that was our adorable fox’s mother I lamented my poor etiquette as I could’ve sworn I heard aunt Laura promise to beat my training back into me. I’d been so shocked by Veronica’s mom calling out to me that I hadn’t been able to remember the correct way to refer to succubi royalty. I’d have to review my notes since I hadn’t really taken those lessons seriously, never thinking I’d actually need to remember anything specific about which culture said what to whom. It was all political garbage that I had no intention of actually putting up with. Especially with my adorable little sister Tulip taking such an interest in the goings on of the nobles. She took to politics like a fish to water. The many reports I got about her progress on etiquette and learning the various local customs of the continent told me she’d make a better future duchess than I ever would and, luckily, while the eldest generally inherited a title it wasn’t all that uncommon in Lamia society to give that up to a younger daughter if they decided to go their own way. And, unlike in many Earth societies, I wasn’t required to abandon my family name or anything drastic like that.
Daydreaming about avoiding my responsibilities to avoid my situation I came back to reality just in time to realize that we were in front of a lavish pink and purple tent that looked completely out of place in a military encampment. Or… it would have if every other tent in the succubi section wasn’t also just as flamboyant.
- Central Abelis, Near Labyrinth City – Rose's POV –
The tea was good. I had to admit that. Served at just the perfect temperature and by a cute fox maid, accompanied by my own maid Annabelle, I could have melted with contentment right then and there. That is, if I weren’t currently face to face with a royal that I’d never met before that was also the mother of one of my best friends, Veronica, and the mother of one of my other best friends, Malaise, was the one serving said tea. In this situation I doubt that anything would have relaxed me enough to do anything other than barely gulp down the hot leaf juice while trying to escape reality.
[It’s quite good, isn’t it? Morose is very skilled at her job, it’s one of the reasons I keep her around.] – Veronica’s Mother
[I-I see. Yes, it’s very good.] – Rose
[Of course, that’s not the only reason, she’s also an excellent lover.] – Veronica’s Mother
[Puh! Kof kof kof! W-What?!?] – Rose
Exchanging pleasantries with the intimidating woman across from me I was immediately caught off guard by the Queen’s words, spitting my tea across the gently swaying tent. Luckily, I hadn’t been directly facing the seductive, purplish-blue skinned milf or she would’ve ended up soaked. And not in a good way.
[Ufufufufu, I can see why my baby likes you. Your reactions are just so… arousing.] – Veronica’s Mother
[W-What?!?] – Rose
[Your Royal Highness.] – Malaise’s Mother
[Ah, yes, I got ahead of myself. It is a pleasure to finally meet you in the… flesh… my darling Ver has told me all about you. My name is Lilith de la Satania, but you may call me Lily. I’d also accept mommy.] – Queen Lilith de la Satania
[…!] – Malaise’s Mother
[R-Right, this… lovely lady goes by the name Morose. She’s the mother of another friend of yours.] - Queen Lilith de la Satania
[Y-Yes. It’s nice to meet the two of you, as I’m sure you know my name is Rose de la Amchier. It’s a pleasure.] – Rose
What… What was I seeing here? Watching the two seductive older ladies play out a very familiar dynamic, I was absolutely flabbergasted. Were relationships genetic?
- Central Abelis, Near Labyrinth City, An Hour Later – Rose's POV –
They must be, because the next hour was so familiar to me that I could’ve played out the same events with Veronica and Malaise, albeit a bit less books flying towards the back of heads. The relationship between Queen Lilith and her maid, Morose, looked nearly identical to the one my friends shared, down to the overly flirty succubi dropping sexual innuendo at every opportunity. Unfortunately for my sanity, I had only managed to maintain my cool by progressively counting pi in my head. While I was somewhat used to Veronica’s antics it had a much bigger impact when a certifiable milf did them. The constant teasing tugged at the loosening strings of my restraint. The only thing holding me back being her identity and the fact that Karen would never forgive me. Not for cheating or anything, no. She’d never forgive me for not letting her join in. It’d always been her dream to go down on a Queen. Or to have one go down on her. Either way I needed to hold onto my dwindling sanity.
[You know, you’re exactly like my darling Ver told me you were. To be honest I wasn’t sure about this whole war thing to start with. Sure, we might be next if the Church got a bit too sure of itself after a victory, but our land has never been invaded successfully so I wasn’t too worried about some wingless apes trying to assault our mountainous homeland. At least, I wouldn’t have lifted a finger if I wasn’t so moved by my darling Ver’s love for her friends. Especially you.] – Queen Lilith de la Satania
[Haah… you know… you shouldn't go around telling our new allies that sort of thing… Your Royal Highness, it might give them the wrong impression.] – Morose
[Oh tosh, Mor, it’s not like Rose here is a stranger. She’d never blab to our new allies about our little candid moment, would you? Unlike a certain snake she’s not corrupted by those damned politicians. That woman needs a good fucki-] – Queen Lilith de la Satania
[Your Royal Highness!] – Morose
[Ahem! Anyways, I decided to come down here because of her love. Besides, the chance to have a close partnership with a whole country of sexy snake women? What’s not to love?!?] – Queen Lilith de la Satania
She really was just like Veronica. The same glimmer of mischievousness in her eye, the same naughty language, but also… the same kindness. Her gaze wasn’t one filled with naughty intentions, although it had a bit of that as well. Instead, it was filled with gentleness and loving affection for her daughter and those her daughter cared about. This woman, even as a ruler, truly cared for her family.
Of course, the way she talked was a bit jarring coming from a royal, so I wasn’t really sure how to respond…
[Umm…?] – Rose
[Momma! I heard you kidnapped Rose! You can’t have your way with her before I even get a chance to!] – Veronica
[And let me join in!] – Karen
[Quiet, the both of you! We’re in front of a Queens tent!] – Malaise
Interrupted by voices coming from outside the tent as well as several wolf whistles that sounded like they came from the encampment, I was unable to think of an appropriate response to the heartfelt confession from the older succubi. Nodding gently at my questioning glance I exited the tent to find my friend group standing outside with several curvaceous succubi soldiers pretending not to be looking our way behind them. Happy to join them and leave this uncomfortable situation, I rushed ahead only to pause as the Queen whispered in my ear before giggling and slipping past me.
[I look forward to seeing the beautiful babies that you and my daughter create. Although… I might need to look forward to quite a few more than even I expected…] – Queen Lilith de la Satania
Giving a pointed look at the other members of my friend group as she swept up her daughter in a hug, I was frozen in place as the implications of what she’d said washed over me. Babies? Me?!?
- Central Abelis, Near Labyrinth City, Several Days Later – Rose's POV –
The next few days passed swiftly as both sides prepared for battle, it was obvious that each was getting ready for a massive assault. The only question was which side would make the first move.
And, with a cry of alarm in the early morning, we got our answer.
[The Church forces are moving; the Church forces are moving! They’re coming!!!] – Camp Crier
[H-Huh?!?] – Rose
[Dammit, and I was just getting comfortable!] – Karen
Snuggling against my beloved violet lover in a large chair designed for Lamia’s large build I shot up in surprise at the loud cry echoing through the encampment. I’d known that an attack was imminent, either from our side or theirs, but with several days passing with nothing happening I’d become complacent and even started imagining an end to the fighting even though I knew that wasn’t realistic. The only reason the Church had done nothing was because they were waiting for something, and whatever that was they were now marching our way, so it was obvious they’d gotten it.
Reluctantly pulling myself out of Karen’s embrace I glanced over at the always impassive Annabelle as she readied my combat dress, the massive gauntlets I’d gotten used to wielding in this world already set out in case of a surprise attack. Before the day was out it was inevitable they’d be stained in the blood of those I killed, and it shocked me how little that seemed to matter to the people of this world. I truly hoped I never became so nonchalant at the idea of killing another person, even if each battle sent me into a deep depression that was infinitely more appealing than becoming numb to the very idea of death. I hoped that I kept that reluctance, even as I let Annabelle dress me, even Karen too worried to leer at my naked form as I let my non-combat clothes drop to the floor.
The next few hours would be the worst I’d ever experienced in my life.