The temperature was starting to drop as it was already autumn. However, the succubus flying behind me were still wearing their skimpy outfits.
That was Xenora's request, so they become tougher mentally. Their body condition wouldn't be affected much. They shivered, but it wasn't a problem for the succubus race.
They are creatures resistant to various conditions, after all. Men – and maybe women, too – have strange fantasies sometimes.
But I guess Xenora forced her subordinates to do that because she didn't want to be alone feeling the 'pain' of this cold.
"You should like Lana to keep brushing you, Ritor." I used the long-distance telecommunications feature. "That means she cares about you."
During the few days of travelling to the shadow organization headquarters, I contacted my subordinates at the base. I want to constantly monitor the situation there.
The minotaur general took a deep breath. "But it really bothers me, Your Majesty. She demands that I always look neat, even though we, the minotaurs, are not used to that."
Strange. I didn't feel the tone of irritation in Ritor's words.
"So, have you discussed this with her?"
Ritor was silent for a moment. "Not yet, Your Majesty."
"If you don't like that, wouldn't it be better to speak directly to Lana?" I added. "I'm sure she will understand."
The minotaur sighed again. "Well, enough about me. I have something I want to talk about. It's about my subordinates."
Ah, he dodged my question. I think this is good. Ritor began to show his affection for Lana.
"What do you want to talk about, Ritor?" I decided not to push him any further.
"They didn't refuse to help build the base, but they started saying they needed entertainment." The minotaur explained. "Our bodies are too big to play soccer, and most of us don't understand Ayre's lute play. On the other hand, most of the succubus has already departed with you. Those who are left here are taking care of lady Phisovia."
"Ah, I'll think about that. Maybe they need entertainment that can accommodate their desire to fight."
I noticed that the productivity of my subordinates increased after I built that mini-soccer location a few days ago. Well, that doesn't apply to the undead, of course.
So, this is something very crucial.
"I really appreciate it, my lord," Ritor responded. "Thanks very much."
Emily, riding an undead wyvern, lined me up and reported. "Looks like we're about to reach Mount Sannetine, Your Majesty."
"I see." I then spoke to Ritor again. "I'll think about it later, Ritor. Now I have to brief my troops first."
"Very well, my lord. Good luck."
I raised my hand to signal my subordinates. "We stop here!"
The succubus carrying the mares or shapeshifters descended into the forest area below. Once landed among the trees, they made preparations for camping. The shapeshifters create small pocket dimension portals to pick up equipment.
Meanwhile, I called out to two succubi who happened to be passing in front of me.
"Take a patrol around the mountain, and come back when you find a building or anything suspicious," I explained their job. "Now, go. Be careful. If you haven't found anything after sunset, come back. Let your other comrades take your place."
"Yes, sir!" They bowed and flew back.
After that, Xenora came to me while crossing her arms over her chest.
"How are they doing?" I asked while sitting down on the ground. Another succubus handed me a large cup of hot drink that had just been magically heated.
"They're fine." Xenora looked up at the trees on the rising plain. "It's just, during the trip, I kept thinking, my lord. After seeing that one Shadow member, I know their loyalty to the kingdom is undeniable, but I guess that's different from our loyalty to you."
I sipped my tea. "Yeah, since childhood, they have been indoctrinated to be loyal. It's definitely different with you guys."
"Sometimes I also push my subordinates a bit, but…."
"You didn't force them." I smiled at her. "They will always follow us, even though your training or my assignments are harsh."
***
A succubus with orange hair tied in two kept flying. The cold wind pierced her skin, and the bikini-like clothes that wrapped her body didn't help.
She had been happy to finally stop to rest, warm up in front of the bonfire, and eat. However, she was so unlucky that she and her friend walked before Lord Vorn.
Did she despise Lord Vorn? Could it be that she doesn't like lady Xenora for forcing the succubus to wear skimpy clothes in the cold over long distances?
Surprisingly not. Perhaps she hated doing this, but she had sworn allegiance to them. She knew the two individuals cared about their subordinates.
She had seen Lord Vorn's sad face when many of their comrades had fallen. Lady Xenora always comforted the succubus in difficult times when their comrades were seriously injured or died.
Maybe that's why she wanted to keep following Lord Vorn and Lady Xenora, watching them reach the top.
Sighing, she focused her attention back on her surroundings. So far, she only saw a collection of green trees.
The sky had turned orange, a sign that the sun had set. Finally, she could breathe a sigh of relief because her task would be finished soon.
"Argh!" She screamed as she felt a stinging pain in her left thigh. And she found an arrow already stuck there.
Then, another arrow followed. The succubus was forced to dodge.
She had flown high. The arrows shouldn't be possible to hit her.
Were the arrows launched using magic? She had heard Dr Lexi discuss something like that before.
"Argghhh!!!" The succubus screamed in pain again as two arrows pierced her right waist.
Instead of flying away, she was still circling around there. Those arrows indicated there was a possibility that the headquarters of the Shadow organization was in the vicinity.
An arrow hit her right chest, causing her to stagger through the air. But this time, she didn't scream and just bit her lip to endure the pain.
She dived to be able to observe more closely. She had to find that place soon.
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