It’s a tale from the past.

A committee was formed to dress Pingballez in something other than her usual suit attire, and during the time when I, as the chairperson, and the Tower Master, as the president, were suggesting various outfits to her.

There was a time when we discovered a black uniform in Pingballez’s cabinet.

The black fabric of the uniform was devoid of any name tags or emblems. It was only visually recognized as a uniform because of its form.

The Tower Master, finding this peculiar, asked her.

“What is this outfit?”

“Ah…”

That awkward silence filled with ellipses.

How should one describe it? Here lies a free prisoner. He laughs and chats with his fellow inmates, enjoying life, until he suddenly looks down at his ankle.

And he discovers the shackles he had been pretending not to see. The moment he realizes he is still a prisoner, he is no longer free.

It was a silence that seemed to acknowledge being still bound by something.

Instead of probing about the black uniform, I proceeded with the plan to dress Pingballez in a miniskirt. Out of respect for her. The person I knew as Yuri Lancer was strong, so it seemed impolite to pry.

Perhaps, just remaining by her side, allowing her to laugh and chat, would be enough. That’s what I thought.

Should I have delved deeper then?

—

There is an entrance within the Academy known as “The Nest.”

The subspace “Nest,” where the Succubus Queen resides, has yet to be understood. It’s speculated to function like the dimensional gates on the Eastern Front.

Therefore, this opportunity is precious… they said.

With a powerful illusionist mage by my side, and Yuri Lanster, a Defense Agency agent of succubus lineage, the current situation is well-equipped.

If we can observe where this “Nest” truly is through investigation, the Empire could deploy the young knight with a single click. Then, the game is over.

The succubi will soon meet their queen’s severed head…

With such confidence in the Empire’s ultimate weapon, I asked Kirby, harboring a slight tilt of skepticism,

“…But isn’t that young knight also a man? Wouldn’t it be a disaster if he were to be seduced?”

“The Sword Saint is as*xual towards all enemies.”

From noble mtl dot come

What a terrifying statement.

Kirby only went that far before clamping his mouth shut. But one thing was clear. The young knight seems to be well-prepared against mental attacks. Then, illusion magic probably won’t work on him either.

Anyway.

It’s an opportunity to capture the Succubus Queen who has been pursued for ages, so Kirby was dispatched from the Defense Agency, and he called for the “Annihilation Squad” for investigation and tracking.

I had to ask again.

“What’s the Annihilation Squad?”

“A subordinate division of the Defense Agency, didn’t you know?”

How could I have known that? I raised an eyebrow, and Kirby cleared his throat before continuing,

“I thought you might have heard since Agent Yuri Lanster was once part of that division. Apparently not.”

“What does this division do?”

“They’re an elite group with high combat capabilities, deployed first on high-risk missions, capable of solo operations. They’ve been called, so they’ll be here soon.”

“Oh, really?”

Feels like a special forces vibe. After all, it wouldn’t make sense for Pinballes, who reached the level of a fable, to be just an ordinary agent. That would be a waste of resources.

I waited with Kirby over a cup of tea. Then, from the south gate of the Academy, a figure trudged along.

A plain black uniform.

Between the thick grey bangs that fell to her nose, pitch-black, empty eyes roamed. More like a cut-out shadow of a person than a person itself.

Her gaze lingered on me unusually long.

Snap.

She saluted crisply, speaking as her ponytail swayed. A whip was fastened at her waist. The overall movement was somehow familiar.

“I am Seris, affiliated with the Imperial Defense Force’s ‘Annihilation Squad.’ As of today, I have joined the ‘Nest Tracking’ operation.”

There’s a sense of déjà vu.

Yes, it’s exactly like the first introduction of Phingballez. From the movements, to the lines, even the accent naturally mixed into the pronunciation. Then, the next line should be…

“I admire Senior Yuri. Please take good care of me.”

This guy.

“You’re not needed, so get out, ‘Blacklez.'”

“You are not my commander, ‘Mad Magician.'”

Sparks flew between Blacklez’s and my eyes. With this exchange, we instantly realized. We are enemies to each other.

As I summoned the demon horse and Blacklez reached for the whip handle, Kirby interrupted by tapping on the table and said while popping a madeleine into his mouth.

“Let’s have a meal first.”

“……..”

“……..”

We sat down without shaking hands and engaged in a silent battle. A long fight was anticipated…

—

Kirby isn’t a field agent, so he said he couldn’t take on that role. He lacks the physical strength to run around, grab succubi by the hair, and throw them away.

So, in the end, Blacklez and I formed a duo to investigate the academy.

Kirby advised me to ‘definitely call Yuri Lanster and act as a trio.’ But I had no such intention.

“Let’s give Yuri Lanster, I mean… Phingballez, a break.”

“What? But we absolutely need your senior’s abilities for this investigation.”

“I have those abilities too.”

More than enough.

According to Kirby, Phingballez harbors hatred for the Succubus Queen who destroyed his hometown. Whether that resentment has subsided or not, it’s better not to stir it up.

I didn’t want to see her suffer. So before that, I planned to clean up all the demons inside the academy.

As I insisted, Blacklez turned without a word and started walking.

I watched Blacklez closely as he walked ahead. He tied his hair in a ponytail to mimic Phingballez, but he couldn’t match that violent physique.

There are realms that the flat and narrow-hipped Blacklez cannot reach.

I shot a question at the back of Blacklez’s head.

“Where are you going?”

“To investigate.”

“Where to?”

You’re asking a rather obvious question. Naturally, a succubus would gravitate towards an environment suitable for them— a gloomy place reeking of bachelorhood.

Indeed, it was a rational approach.

After all, those who have been single for a long time are less likely to fall for a succubus’s seduction. So, should I start by searching the male dormitory?

Or perhaps, I could make clever use of the black magic circle I’ve stolen. Utilizing its original purpose of amplifying emotions, I could pinpoint those vulnerable to a succubus.

As I pondered in my head, Blacklez moved with decisive steps and reached the door of a building.

A nameplate reading “Professor Alexson” hung on the door.

“?”

Bang!

Blacklez kicked the door open and entered. Inside, Professor Alexson, watering his plants, turned around in surprise.

“Professor Alexson, I’ve heard you’re a bachelor over 40 who’s never held a woman’s hand. Therefore, you’re a suspect, and I’ll proceed with the investigation.”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯!!”

Alexson staggered, wounded by the sudden personal attack. How could such venomous words tear apart one’s heart!

I hurried to Alexson’s side to support him. He coughed dryly, like a man whose soul had been ripped apart.

“Cough⋯⋯ cough cough.”

“Hmm. A room lacking ventilation, filled with the stench of bachelorhood, messy, filthy, and a scruffy beard that suggests a complete disregard for self-care. No wonder you don’t have a lover.”

“Ugh!”

“Alexson, don’t listen! Damn it, how can you say such venomous things⋯⋯!! Even if there’s not a single woman around Professor Alexson, and even if he’s shunned by the female faculty, there are things you should and shouldn’t say!”

“You’re the worst, you b*stard!”

Unable to hold back in the open confrontation, I joined in the personal attack, ready to accept the consequences.

I took a hit.

Alexson, slandered by a young woman, asked with a haggard face what was going on, and I calmly explained. We were looking for someone whose mind had been ensnared by a succubus.

“⋯⋯If that’s the case, I should cooperate. Fine. Go ahead with the examination!”

He readily agreed to the examination.

“Good. Then take off your pants.”

“?”

“A man charmed by a succubus is regularly drained of his vitality, leading to a significant decline in vigor. We need to verify that. To prevent any trickery, do it right here while I watch.”

“⋯⋯⋯⋯.”

That’s when I understood Kirby’s advice. The reason he told me to call Pinballez and investigate together was not for anything else but to control this untamed colt, Blacklez.

Alexson, now a teacher growing old in the academy, seemed to contemplate whether to grab an axe, given the outrageous insolence. It seemed he decided that it might be justified to swing it after all.

Once a renowned mercenary, Alexson was now just an aging teacher at the academy.

And among the wolves who live by the sword, pranks may be overlooked, but insults cannot simply be ignored.

────.

It seems there was no warning.

Alexson, comfortably watering the plants, threw his hand axe without any preceding movement. To those with lesser vision, it would have appeared as if the axe materialized out of thin air.

BlackRez also moved.

His response was blatant. As the blade flew towards him, his eyes blazed with a murderous intent, as if to say, “I’ll take an arm with me.” His whip lashed out.

Crack-!!

The tip of the whip flicked the axe upwards, then swiftly changed direction, flying towards Alexson. Its movement was serpentine, its trajectory and speed enigmatic.

Normally, applying force in the opposite direction would inevitably reduce speed. But BlackRez’s whip maintained its velocity even as it flew in a completely different direction.

If the laws of physics seem strange, it must be metamorphosis. The ability to change the direction of kinetic energy without loss?

Alexson did not stop at deflecting the axe. Watching the whip that flew towards him with intent to harm, he drew both the dagger and the longsword from his waist, readying for battle.

Just before the clash of those who had reached metamorphosis.

“Combat Support: Heavenly Steed.”

Keeeeeeng──!!

He ran a quick simulation. A slight shockwave would suffice for mediation. He flicked his finger, causing a small explosion in mid-air.

The flow of the battle was interrupted.

“……..”

“────.”

Alexson and BlackRez halted their attacks and looked at me. I casually spoke to Alexson to ease the tension.

“That was a joke. You don’t really have to.”

“It’s no joke.”

I ignored BlackRez’s retort.

“Oh, is that so? Lucky me. So, what test should I undergo?”

“Just make eye contact with me for a few seconds. That’s all.”

There’s no need to go far. Who am I? The formidable genius mage of the Purple Tower. It’s easy to tell if someone’s been bewitched by a succubus.

I calmly looked beyond Alexson’s pupils. No signs of anomaly. Okay.

“All clear. Let’s withdraw, BlackRez.”

“You are not my commander, mad mage.”

Despite his words, BlackRez obediently left Professor Alexson’s room. Perhaps he respects my abilities and expertise?

If he respects me, then Professor Alexson should too. Why rush in like a person desperate from not causing trouble…?

Ah!

“You can’t be serious… To control me, you’d need to bring Yoori Lannister. Hurry and bring her. Is that what you’re trying to do by bumping into me on purpose?”

“…Not at all.”

“Unfortunately for you, your scheme ends here. I’ll finish the succubus investigation right now.”

I’ll resolve it without giving them a chance to interfere.

I quickly racked my brain, assembling the magic. We won’t be searching for the succubus; we’ll make the succubus come to us.

The data I analyzed while devouring the succubus caught in the mental barrier is intact in my mind, and I’ve derived a formula on how to ‘lure’ them.

I’ll mix mana to spray a special pheromone. It only affects succubi, and those who are caught by it will feel an irresistible carnal hunger and rush towards it… a wide-area seduction.

And once the succubus is caught in the trap, I can leisurely ‘cook’ them and soon reveal the entrance to their nest.

“Sugar Lump.”

I spread the magical pheromones in all directions.

Of course, I’m not a fool. I haven’t forgotten that the Pingvallez race is also succubi. Naturally, I’ve made an exception, and for Pingvallez, the effect is significantly reduced.

It means it’s fine as long as they don’t get too close and inhale a large amount of pheromone.

“The mad magician, what are you doing here… Ni, ka.”

“Ah.”

Ah.

Now it’s not okay.