Ariel examined the man closely through the window.

The man had dark circles under his eyes and sunken cheeks, and his overall appearance resembled the old woman from the bakery.

This must surely be the old woman's son.

The man was walking around the room with a hunched posture, dragging his feet like a zombie.

Whether he was tired or sick, he didn't look healthy at all.

The man collapsed onto the bed, and soon after, a woman entered the room.

"?"

Ariel tilted her head.

The appearance of the woman who entered the room was somewhat puzzling.

The woman had horns on her head, bat-like wings on her waist.

She even had a tail on her. It was a pointed tail, shaped like an arrow.

"Sister... I think that's a demon..."

Lu whispered quietly from inside her pocket, and Ariel nodded slightly.

Though she had never seen a demon in person, it was clear this woman wasn't human.

Judging by her appearance, she was likely a demon.

The woman climbed onto the bed.

The man just stared at the ceiling with vacant eyes.

And then...

"Hmm, what's this, peeking secretly?"

A voice came from in front.

Lu quickly moved away from Ariel's face, and Ariel looked up.

The woman presumed to be a demon had somehow approached the window.

"Instead of doing this out here, why don't you come in?"

*

Ariel entered the room through the window.

She entered because the woman seemed to be a demon.

The horns on her head, bat wings on her back, and arrow-shaped tail.

As far as Ariel knew, only a succubus could have such an appearance among demons.

A succubus is a demon that sucks humans life force.

Ariel glanced at the man, the old woman's son.

The old woman's son was lying like a corpse, staring at the ceiling with vacant eyes.

As if he had been drained of his life force and was exhausted.

"An elf and a fairy, how interesting. Both are children I can't eat, but..."

The woman eyed Ariel.

"You're cute, so I'll treat you specially."

The woman's eyes glowed pink, and a mist-like substance began to flow around.

Anyone exposed to the mist becomes a slave to the succubus, regardless of race, gender, age, or even if they're elderly or children.

In that sense, succubi were very powerful demons.

Although their numbers were few and they could only bewitch a limited number of targets at once, if a succubus set her mind to it, she could easily turn most opponents into her slaves.

That's why in past wars against demons, humans would immediately behead succubi the moment they were spotted.

If they determined the opponent was a succubus, they wouldn't even engage in conversation, wouldn't look them in the eye, and especially if the bewitching mist started to flow, they would immediately swing their swords.

Despite this, countless human soldiers fell victim to succubi.

Not only soldiers, but even high-ranking knights occasionally fell prey to succubi.

Once controlled, it's over. From then on, they become living corpses.

Just like the old woman's son now.

"Heh, hehe..."

Lu flew unsteadily and clung to the succubus's body.

Lu's eyes were unfocused, and hus mouth was agape, seemingly already affected by the succubus's mist.

The succubus approached Ariel.

She brought her face close to Ariel.

At that moment, Ariel grabbed the succubus's wrist.

Tak.

"...Huh?"

A look of surprise appeared on the succubus's face.

"The mist... didn't work?"

When controlled, one never resists no matter what the succubus does.

Flash.

The succubus's eyes glowed once again.

It was a much clearer mist than before, and the mist flowing around was even thicker.

"Well, sometimes the mist doesn't work well. Whether it's strong magic or strong willpower, or for pure children like you, I need to put in a bit more effort."

The succubus chuckled softly.

"It's a bit troublesome, but I like children like that. There's a taste in subduing them. It's not fun if it's too easy."

"......"

This time, the succubus was certain that Ariel had fallen under her control.

If she hadn't been enchanted, she would have shown a confused expression or tried to run away with a frightened face.

But Ariel did nothing and just stood still with an expressionless face.

"Now, all the other children have so far..."

If it had been another succubus, they would have killed Ariel as soon as they cast the mist.

At that moment, Ariel swung her hand. Lightly, as if shooing away an insect.

Thwack-!

But the result was by no means light.

The succubus, struck on the cheek by the back of Ariel's hand, flew and crashed into the wall, no longer moving.

"Ah... Sister..."

As the controlling mist filling the room disappeared, Lu came to his senses.

"Si-Sister? Are you alright?!"

Ariel was crouched in front of the succubus's corpse embedded in the wall.

She poked the succubus with her finger, but there was still no movement.

The succubus was crumpled like an insect, with her head turned backwards.

She had died instantly because Ariel had hit her without controlling her strength.

"Umm, succubi are really scary demons..."

Lu stopped mid-sentence.

He thought that perhaps Ariel was the truly scary one.

Of course, to Lu, Ariel was a very reliable ally, and a kind and cute elf.

As long as no one provoked her first, Ariel was the kindest being in the world.

"Oh, Sister, what are you doing? Don't tell me you're trying to keep this demon's corpse?"

Ariel nodded in response to Lu's question.

Ariel had just put the succubus's corpse into her Inventory.

Just as monster corpses can be sold for money, perhaps demon corpses could be valuable too. Someone might need it.

And even if not, she thought it might be inconsiderate to leave a demon's corpse lying around.

"Um... Who are you?"

A voice came from behind.

Turning around, they saw the old woman's son looking at Ariel and Lu with a puzzled expression.

He had regained his senses after the succubus died and the mist was lifted.

"Who are you, in my house..."

The old woman's son tried to get up from the bed but immediately collapsed onto the floor.

He had no strength in his body.

"Stay still and lie down, human."

Lu fluttered over and sprinkled healing powder on the old woman's son.

Healing powder is originally used to treat wounds, but it also helps somewhat in recovering strength.

After a while, the old woman's son regained his strength and stood up.

"Th-Thank you. You healed me. But what happened to my wife... no, that woman who was in this room?"

"That woman was a demon called a succubus. My Sister dealt with her."

"Ah..."

The old woman's son nodded.

He didn't seem particularly surprised at the mention of a succubus, suggesting he had suspected something.

"Thank you so much. For saving me. You seem quite young, but you're amazing. Judging by your pointed ears, you're an elf, right?"

The old woman's son smiled and looked at Ariel.

"......"