The Hero Became a Succubus, and the Only Way to Level is to… What?!

Come morning, Archmage Donnu exercised his power to stand the army down. But not withdraw them. They remained at the border, awaiting orders to advance on Avanesse or disengage. Only the sultana of Bravost could issue that command. Misiah's edirashem was permitted to enter the domain of Sultana Dudula, the first time in decades. In any other scenario, this would have been viewed as an act of aggression. They were only allowed to do precisely because the archmage around.

However, they didn't go without an escort. A contingent of heavily armed Bravost infantry and cavalry accompanied them. Not for the purpose of defending the caravan, but as a watchful threat. Tensions were high. During the journey, Kanae constantly worried a fight might break out between both groups.

On a much lighter note, many of the Avanessi took particular joy in basking under a sun that didn't sap their energy. Day or night, they climbed on top of the warehouses to lie on the roofs. Some of them even invited Bravost soldiers up to smoke from hookahs. Their terse friendliness helped dispel some of the tension.

They were a day away from the Emerald Jewel of Savir when Archmage Donnu came aboard the edirashem. The first visit at Dry Gulch was only a formality in introductions. This time, the second, was a warning.

Seated together at a circular table in the dining hall of Edirashok Misiah's manor, everyone gorged themselves on the feast laid out before them. A long, roasted serpent stretched from one end to the other. Baked potatoes drenched in cheese and butter. Aged whiskey filled everyone's glasses. Archmage Donnu seemed to be the only one without much of an appetite.

"Eat, elf!" Rasheena smacked Donnu on the back, causing him to straighten up. "Your doctors came through for Sultan Cerberus. For that, I'm eternally grateful. We will be allies soon. That's going to be quite the milestone!"

Donnu brushed off Rasheena trying to feed him a pig's ear. "I'm on edge because we're soon to arrive in Bravost. You all must already know about Sultana Dudula's paranoia. It is to the point of being unreasonable. When we arrive, you cannot show any signs of aggression that might be taken out of context. It is bad enough I let an edirashem into our country. She could order my execution, and there is nothing I can do about it."

"What do you think are the chances Sultana Dudula accepts an olive branch?" Kanae asked.

"That will depend on her mood. One cannot reason with an unstable mind. I was also hoping you would have something," he said.

They turned to Sultan Cerberus.

"I have something that might be able to get through to Sultana Dudula. My parents passed it down to me, and I've only recently come to realize the value of it. Please, Archmage Donnu. If you can convince your sultana to grant us an audience, I'm sure I can get through to her," Cerberus assured them.

Even Rasheena looked puzzled. If she didn't know, Kanae could only fathom what Cerberus had in mind. They had no other choice but to trust him though. Archbishop Patrice and two Saint Priests were coming. Their safety was in her hands. If the meeting in Bravost turned sour, things could get bad fast.

The day came at last, and the glistening emerald jewel of Sultana Dudula's palace shone like a lighthouse beacon from afar. As expected, warning bells rang across the city. Also expected, foot soldiers poured onto the walls and ramparts. They nocked arrows and primed magical spells, ready to fire at a moment's notice.

Passengers on the edirashem were getting uneasy. Many retreated into the warehouses. The only thing keeping them from being bombarded was the sight of Archmage Donnu and Bravost infantry by their side.

Misiah had the caravans halt in the middle of the slums outside of Bravost's wall. The presence of giant wagons drew a lot of attention. 

"Open the gate!" Archmage Donnu shouted, riding up to the closed entrance. "Sultan Cerberus of Avanesse has come seeking an audience with Sultana Dudula."

A balding, dark-skinned human man answered in a booming voice. "Archmage, you were sent to invade Avanesse. But you brought the Mutt of Avanesse and a war machine to Bravost's doorsteps? Sultana Dudula is questioning your loyalty."

Rasheena snarled. It looked like she was about to jump off the wagon and climb the wall, just to slash the man's throat. But Cerberus squeezed her hand and kept her still.

"They come with no army and only guards to shield them from harm. I am your Archmage. Open the gates!" Donnu demanded, his temper rising.

"We've already informed Sultana Dudula where you stand. She demands that you are executed before her eyes for this betrayal." The officer lifted his hand to signal an attack.

"No, you fools! Cease this—"

Rasheena shielded Cerberus with her body.

"Alicia, Claudia. With me!" Kanae launched into the sky.

They cleared the gap between the edirashem and Bravost's wall in seconds. Even the infantry on the ramparts were surprised. An archer loosed an arrow that whizzed past Claudia's head, but she was unfazed. The three of them casted Mass Charm, stopping everyone before they could fire another shot of anything.

"Tch… You think… this is all we have?" he asked.

"Nope. But wouldn't it suck to have to fight your own?" Claudia compelled the man to draw his sword on a nearby subordinate.

"We're not going to make you do that," Kanae added quickly. "We just want safe passage into the city, so Sultan Cerberus can speak with Sultana Dudula."

"Now be a good thrall and open the gate," Alicia ordered.

An insignia on the soldiers' crest caught Kanae's attention. It was a four-pointed star with a ruby, emerald, sapphire, and black opal jewel on each point. That was the symbol of the East Saviran Trading Association. Did Sultana Dudula start paying them on top of mercenaries, too?

The entrance gave way into the sprawling city of Bravost. Kanae and the sisters descended from the wall down to where Archmage Donnu was waiting. He pressed a hand to his face.

"This is going SO well already." Donnu sighed.

"It was either that or we got pelted by arrows and magic." Kanae shrugged.

Rasheena and Cerberus emerged from the edirashem to board a carriage. Their guards surrounded them in a tight defensive formation. Petyr, Edina, Kris, and Renya came down not long after.

They entered Bravost as one large group. Several smaller wagons were packed to the brim with tributes, hopefully to get on Sultana Dudula's good side. Misiah and the residents of the edirashem stayed behind to guard the caravan. It wasn't as though they could roll a gigantic wagon into the city anyway.

Kanae wondered if Archbishop Patrice had already made it to Bravost, and which of the eight Saint Priests came with her.

Their caravan eventually reached the final obstacle. The Emerald Palace, and the wall that surrounded it. When Kanae had arrived in Bravost for the very first time, Archmage Donnu was on that wall rather than down here beside her. Once again, as expected, the gates were closed. Donnu walked up to the fortification, only to be met by someone where he once stood.

"My lord, Archmage Donnu." A rather fat hobgoblin man in a turban, whose open waistcoat revealed a round red belly with stretch marks, flashed a row of yellow teeth." You've returned much sooner than we expected. Was your campaign against Avanesse so successful that you came back with their leaders? Or maybe this is your formal resignation from your post?"

"Who's that?" Kanae whispered.

Donnu clicked his tongue and answered, "Premier Migo Kudagu, the head of the East Saviran Trading Association…" He turned to the hobgoblin. "Open up, Migo. Sultan Cerberus has come seeking peace between Avanesse and Bravost. According to Kanae here, Radevic has sent a delegation consisting of their archbishop to meet with Her Majesty, Sultana Dudula."

"Ah, yes. The high elf. I turned them away, just as you should have turned away the Mutt of Avanesse. The Emerald Palace is closed to all except those whom the sultana trusts. What? Will you strongarm your way in with those succubi? You certainly can, but will you truly achieve peace when done through coercion?"

Kanae, Alicia, and Claudia were about to make a move until Sultan Cerberus poked his head out.

"He's right. We won't continue to impose. However, I did not come all this way for nothing. Please, extend to Sultana Dudula my sentiments that I seek a future where Bravost and Avanesse are allies. My company and I will remain at the edirashem outside the city for the time being. We await Her Majesty's words." Sultan Cerberus carefully stumbled out of the carriage, bowed to Migo, and returned inside with Rasheena's help.

The Premier of the association was unmoved, but Archmage Donnu bowed in his stead as if he was the one to receive Cerberus' plea. Kanae couldn't help but smile. The Sultan of Avanesse had more courage than anyone gave him credit for.

"Migo, if you won't let them in, then you will let me in. As is my right as Archmage!" Donnu shouted.

"Fine, fine. Open the gate!" Migo yelled at the gatehouse.

"Are you sure? What if Sultana Dudula actually thinks you're a traitor and executes you?" Kanae asked worriedly.

"I know Migo won't deliver Sultan Cerberus' words," the archmage whispered. "At the very least, I'll do it and make sure the context isn't warped."

The gate only opened just a crack. Donnu glanced up at Migo in exasperation, who returned a shit-eating grin. He had to squeeze through just to get inside.

After failing to gain an audience with Sultana Dudula, the rest made their way back out of Bravost. Sultan Sultan Cerberus ordered his armed escort to unlink the tribute wagons full of treasures from Avanesse's vault. With any luck, Archmage Donnu would get his monarch to see reason. If not…

Holy binding suddenly wrapped around Kanae's body. With her wings bound, she plummeted into the streets and face planted the asphalt.

"I was wondering what that commotion near the front of the city was. Imagine my surprise to find you. That was for destroying my familiar, Amethyst."

"That voice… Archbishop Patrice?" Kanae gasped and looked up.

Archbishop Patrice Starborne sat within the shaded comforts of a pull cart, holding a book in her hands and more stacked at her feet. A pair of harnessed ronoas and the coach parked on the curb of the thoroughfare. Walking beside her were two Saint Priests, who Kanae recognized right away— Delayn and Camilla. Both were dressed in their warrior priest regalia, a white robe embroidered with a golden cross and an open eye that was worn over chainmail. A shawl that doubled as a hood wrapped around their pauldrons. Only one of them seemed to be used to the heat, and it definitely wasn't Delayn or Patrice, whose faces were covered in sweat.

"Hellooooo, Amethyst! You're looking a lot more tan than I remembered!" Camilla waved.

"I'd also look a lot happier not on the ground!" Kanae complained.

"Petyr." Delayn regarded the former Knight of Gold coldly.

"Bitch," Petyr spat back.

"Hey—"

"Who are they? Friends of yours?" Rasheena opened the carriage door.

"My boss, actually… The one Grand Eye Analise sent as a delegation. Meet Patrice Starborne, Archbishop of Radevic. Archbishop, meet Rasheena and Sultan Cerberus of Avanesse. Now let me go already!" she yelled.

Everyone was a lot more relieved after returning to the edirashem. That didn't make anyone safe though, as hundreds of Bravost soldiers were one order away from descending upon them.

Archbishop Patrice, Sultan Cerberus, and Rasheena spoke privately behind closed doors. Not even Saint Priests Delayn and Camilla were permitted to listen in. But it was obvious they were discussing the next steps in the event Sultana Dudula rejects an alliance. Only, their talks were dragging into the evening, and everyone was getting impatient and antsy.

Kanae hung out with the Saint Priests on a veranda in the adjacent room. The feline beastman was smoking from a long pipe when she came in. Meanwhile, Delayn's foot tapped the ground restlessly.

"Not used to being kept in the dark?" Kanae teased.

"Not used to sweating buckets!" Delayn exploded in frustration. "I can't believe the Grand Eye appointed me to accompany the archbishop. To Savir! Ugh. I should be back home in Radevic, guarding Grand Eye Analise from dangers. Ugh. Why am I here… Ughhh!"

"Ooookay, then. How about you, Camilla? How was the trip down?" she asked the other.

"Oh, wonderful! I've missed the spice-laden hashish of Savir. I was hoping to see my baby sister, too. How's Kara doing? You're not carrying my rapier anymore, so I assume you found her," Camilla said.

Kanae nodded and smiled. "I did! It was really emotional for her. I'm pretty sure Kara's in town over at Ordane. She's with one of her adventurer friends, Seven."

The Saint Priest let out a content sigh. Kanae noticed she had a brand new rapier to replace the one given to Kara. They were almost exactly the same in design. Beautiful silver, an ornate guard design, and humming from an enchantment.

"Huh. Finally! Looks like Sultana Dudula is coming through after all," Delayn said about a group of riders galloping out of the city in haste.

"I… don't think that's what you think it is…" Kanae squinted.

A dozen riders twirling fiery bolas launched them into the edirashem wagons. One crashed into their room. Their metal containers roiled with powerful flames. A bomb.

Kanae grabbed Delayn and leaped off the veranda. They escaped just as an explosion blew out the room. Camilla landed gingerly on her feet next to them somehow. That must have been a 30-40 foot height.

"I left my pipe inside… poop." Camilla sulked.

"Quit your bellyaching and draw already! The archbishop and Sultan Cerberus' lives are in danger!" Delayn drew tendrils of magic from the blue orb on her wooden staff, then fired discs made of holy energies at the riders. Some flew into the sky and destroyed the bolas before hitting the wagons.

More riders attacked from the other side of the edirashem, but a different explosive blast sounded off in quick succession. Renya had stolen a ronoa off a rider to sow chaos on the east flank. Undead minions marched out from the darkness to meet Bravost soldiers.

"What's happening out there?!" Archbishop Patrice leaned out the window.

"Doesn't seem like Sultana Dudula believes Avanesse wants peace. Stay inside and let us handle this!" Kanae shouted.

"Tsk. It appears our hunch was right. Amethyst, Sultan Cerberus and I have already discussed this at length. The sultana is too unpredictable. Seize her by force if you must. Bring her here so that we may speak," she ordered.

Arrows and spells screeched across the night sky. Archbishop Patrice watched them arc right for the edirashem and scoffed. Unimpressed by the display of force, she unrolled a scroll from her person and muttered an incantation. An enormous barrier enveloped the caravan, and the volleys crashed harmlessly against it.

Petyr descended the edirashem from a lift, dressed in her full suit of dragonscale armor and warhammer propped against her shoulder.

"Huuu~ When was the last time I got to fight alongside Gold?" Camilla cheered.

"Ugh." Petyr rolled her eyes.

Patrice twirled her wrist to create a small opening in the barrier and yelled, "Go!"

As soon as Kanae lifted into the sky, Claudia and Alicia joined her immediately.

"To the Emerald Palace?" Alicia asked.

"We're dragging Sultana Dudula out whether she likes it or not," Kanae said.