Chapter 34: The Deeper you Peer into Glorenstein (2) (Patreon)

Even amongst the many demonic races, there was a group of people that were especially disadvantaged.

Beings of allure and captivation, of charm and glamor, of cusses and curses.

Together, under the command of a leader, they could make one the toughest, strongest legions amongst the 11 generals of the Demon King.

But alone? They were miserable.

On that side of the world, they were exploited as prostitutes. And on this side of the world, they were reduced to playthings of the rich and the fancy.

It was only natural that they were the parents of the most common type of hybrids that roamed this world.

Succubuses, and their abandoned children, the Succubus-Demiurge.

“Professor…?”

“Jackie, go and fetch some ingredients I ask of you. Right now.”

I had seen the works of the demons multiple times on the frontlines. If this curse had been cast by a succubus instead of a demiurge then his father wouldn’t have survived.

“Ingredients? What do you—”

I rolled my sleeves up and turned to the modest kitchen in his house. There was a coal stove and enough utensils for cooking.

“We need to replenish his life force. Don’t worry, nothing will happen, just go.”

Jackie nodded and rushed to bring a sheet of paper. His mother woke up from the commotion, and he quickly explained things to her.

I scrambled through my attaché to look for some other ingredients. It was extremely convenient to have a spatially enhanced item at times like these.

Jackie understood the assignment and rushed out of the house. His mother decided to help me with preparing the rest of the things.

“Please start with some water.”

I found the ginseng extract and a health potion brewed by some of the finest beastmen alchemists.

We rushed to prepare the medicine I had in mind. Soon enough, Jackie would return with some ingredients that grew in the womb of the earth, a place filled with such energies.

I was originally doubtful of these almost voodoo medicines, but the beastmen I knew convinced me enough to use them.

In the end, I had seen some people get their vitality back with these medicines, and there was nothing else we could do right now.

Jackie’s father was in a critical condition. From severe dehydration to a complete loss of life force.

It was a typical curse. When the succubi invaded one’s mind, they could change their very consciousness. Injury or intoxication was the best way to weaken someone’s mind for them. Both were even better.

The succubi’s invasion wasn’t deadly by nature. But most often, the person who was invaded by the creatures of dreams was cursed and had their life force sapped.

Usually, the curse manifested on the lower back of a person, which explains why most of them never understood it was a curse.

The only real way to end this was to stop it from its core.

As the concoction brewed, I made an ORS solution.

“It has been a month since he was injured?”

“He still drinks and eats, right?”

“Very little, but he does. I never thought it would end up like this…”

Jackie’s mother was ready to cry at any moment.

“Please keep an eye on the medicine,” I said and took the ORS solution away. “This will help first.”

I left the kitchen and returned to the room. My eyes narrowed again as only I and the old man were left in the room.

It was a relief he could still talk.

I gently raised his back, sat him up against the headboard of the bed, and handed him the ORS.

“Drink this…” I pulled a chair and sat down next to him. “I want to ask you a few things.”

“You are…” Weak, feeble, the man raised his bony finger and pointed at me. “The last man… I dropped… the professor?”

I pursed my lips at his words.

He had answered all my questions.

***

Soon after, Jackie returned from the central city and rushed back inside. We finished cooking the herbal medicine mixed with some of the stuff from alchemists and let the ailed old man drink it all.

I watched, leaning against the walls as the family gathered around the father.

My eyes were stuck on the man, scrutinizing his every action.

Eventually, I sighed. There was nothing to be gained from observing the sick man anymore.

I decided it was about time to leave.

Jackie noticed and stepped out of the house behind.

“Professor Ethan…”

“Ah, Jackie… I have left the ingredients back there and told your mom how to make the medicine and the ORS. Just keep giving him the medicine twice a day.”

“Will he…”

Jackie looked troubled. I raised my hand and firmly gripped his shoulder.

“He will be alright,” I said. “I promise it.”

The young boy took in a deep breath. He nodded and I patted his shoulders.

It was time to leave.

My thoughts were still muddled. I snapped my fingers as I walked through the streets. It was like dozens of threads unraveled in my head.

I had to think of everything, from the moment I had stepped inside Glorenstein. There were sure to be clues somewhere.

It made sense for the demiurges to be here. The deeper into the territory you would be during the war, the less you would be suspected. Glorenstein was also the prime hiding spot, who would be interested in a place of education during a war?

Thinking of that time was little help. I had to find those demiurges.

For now, the best person to look at would be the one who talked about the demiurges.

But the curse of the succubi invaded minds, she had already forgotten everything.

It was still alright, I had taken the right measures. As long as I found them soon—

A rattle resounded behind me, breaking me off my chain of thoughts.

I looked back and found Jackie rushing toward me with his carriage.

“Professor!” He said, he pulled the reins and brought the carriage to a stop. “Get on. Isn’t the academy going to begin soon? I will drop you off.”

Right…

First, I had to go back.

***

[A/N: More coming in a few hours!]