I stood facing the monster army, neither parties budging an inch.

I knew it...you aren't going to just let this opportunity slip by, huh, leader-san?

The Golden Monarchs were lying in wait, of course, hidden from sight. They were on either sides of the highway, within the bushes. As soon as I gave the signal by removing my hood, they would appear at once, and hopefully take down the leader in one surprise attack. However...as much as I hate to admit it, the chances of that succeeding were slim. Most likely, we would have to fight the leader head on.

After several minutes of awkwardness, both sides staring at one another, unable to do anything, a female figure descended, accompanied by a man. The woman was beautiful, with her scarlet hair paired with black highlights. The man, on the other hand, was wearing a knight-like mask that covered most of his face, and a suit of armor to go along with it as well. It looked almost like a princess accompanied by her knight.

But of course, I knew better. Undoubtedly...this woman was the leader of this Midnight Syndicate operation.

"So...you're finally here," I said. Since I had my mask and hood on, she couldn't see my face very clearly, but it was more than enough for her to tell it was me - her target. However...this new knight person was a surprise. For this reason, I didn't want the Golden Monarchs to show themselves just yet.

"My, my...indeed I am," she replied, curving her lips seductively. "Ehehe...are you grateful to me? For not letting my cute little servants carve you up into many, many different pieces..."

I chuckled. "Why, thank you. But I'm sure you didn't do that for me."

"Oh, but that's where you're wrong...I need you alive, you see..." she murmured. "Quite unfortunately, I don't have an affinity for Necromancy Magic, so I can only turn people who are still alive into my servants..."

...That's sickening. But well, what can I say? As expected of a Midnight Syndicate member.

"So...in other words, you're trying to turn me into one of your servants, huh?" I asked, even though I already knew the answer.

"Yes! I would be delighted to have you join my ranks, ehehe...after all, you've already proven your strength by killing both of my closest subordinates..."

Ghosteye and Plague, huh...looks like I was right.

I raised an eyebrow. "Closest subordinates? Then...who's that, over there?"

I pointed at the knight-like character, hoping to bait out some information from this woman. However, she merely giggled sadistically.

"Ehehe, nice try, my sweet servant~but...if you're trying to get information out of me, that's not going to happen~"

Tch...she knew.

I shook my head. "Nah, I was just curious - if your closest subordinates were that weak, then...surely you aren't too much better, yeah?"

I was taunting her, which would've worked on a hothead like Ghosteye, but...this woman was a completely different personality. She laughed and placed her hand over her mouth.

"Oh, how cute. Sorry, but taunts won't be working on me~" she whispered. "Tell me, my dear Xuan Kai, are you willing to become my servant?"

Deciding to play with her a little, I pretended to genuinely consider her offer. "Hm...what do I get in return?"

"Ehehe~the right to serve me, of course!" she immediately exclaimed shamelessly. "Since you're not bad looking either, I'll even make you my personal servant, one that can accompany me in the bedroom..."

Hm...honestly? If she wasn't an evil and sadistic bitch, her offer would be a lot more tempting. Ah, but that doesn't mean I would've accepted it either way. Not interested...and besides, the girls already at my side are a whole lot better than this woman, even if we're only comparing looks.

"Sorry, but my answer is no," I replied defiantly.

"Oh, that's a shame...but no matter, you'll become my servant today...either way!"

A dark purple magic circle suddenly appeared above me, and my eyes widened as I leapt back immediately. A purple beam of light shot down at the location where I had just been moments before, and disappeared after a while.

"Goddamn, that was close..." I muttered under my breath, then looked up to glare at the woman.

"Aw, I missed..." she tilted her head, placing a finger on her chin. But after a few seconds, all sign of disappointment immediately disappeared from her face, and she giggled. "Well, no matter, I'll definitely catch you next time~"

Not yet...the Golden Monarchs can't come out yet...

Our reinforcement army wasn't here yet, so if we were to engage in direct conflict with her right now, we would almost certainly fall before we even got to her. For now...I just had to buy time. I can take advantage of the fact that she doesn't want to kill me...at least, for now. But I don't know how long it will take before she gets tired of me and decides to just eliminate me altogether. If that happens...I'll be dead. I can sense an extremely powerful aura from both this woman and the knight behind her. The only other person I've met who can match this aura...is Liu Jian.

Indeed - even Song Qian Long felt lacking in comparison to this woman. My guess? If she wasn't already a Holy Emperor...she's at least on the verge of breaking through to it. Back at the Coastal Metropolis, the mayor said something about them being able to take on even a Holy Emperor if they worked together, but...there was also the knight to worry about, not to mention the rest of their army.

Put simply, the outlook of this battle was looking grim. Chances of survival, much less victory: close to none.

But...I'm already here. Even if I wanted to run away now, it's not like this woman is just going to let me.

"Why don't we talk a little?" I suddenly suggested, which made the woman blink a few times in surprise.

"Hm...? You want to talk?"

I nodded. "Yeah. I mean, I'm actually considering becoming your servant, after seeing how strong you are, but I can't really make a decision without knowing anything about you."

"Oh! This is delightful! You changed your mind?" she quickly asked.

I scratched my head, putting on the most believable act possible. "Hm, well, like I said, I haven't completely changed my mind yet...I'll have to know a little more about my master first, no?"

"Yes yes! Ask away~" she said, falling perfectly in my trap. From here on, all I had to do was stall for time. At first, I thought she was an actually smart villain, not falling for my attempt to get information out of her, but...now she's practically handing information over to me on a silver platter.

Well, I'm not complaining. Let's start with the basics of the basics.

"Okay...then, first off, what is your name?" I asked, then, after seeing her dubious expression, I hurriedly continued. "I know, I'll be referring to you as 'my lady' or 'master' if I actually become your servant, but I just feel like knowing your name makes us seem closer."

I was obviously spouting bullshit, but it seemed to have worked, and she smiled seductively.

"My, my...so eager to know more about me, huh?" she giggled. "Very well, my name is Mei Mo."

"Mei Mo...as in succubus?" I continued asking.1

"Why yes, indeed! I am a succubus, ehehe~oh, but don't worry, when you become my servant and we do some naughty things, I won't suck you dry...I'll leave just enough for you to not die."

"U-Uh...thank you, I guess..." I muttered. "Er...how old are you?"

I really couldn't think of any better questions - if I asked her about the knight guy again, that would make me seem too suspicious. I had to just stick to the...normal questions.

However, Mei Mo frowned. "Xuan Kai, do you not know it's bad manners to ask a lady for her age?"

I blinked. "A-Ah, yes, sorry. Then...if you're a succubus, why did you come to human territory? Succubus territory, France, is a far ways off from here."

She tilted her head. "Eh? Because humans are the tastiest, obviously. Ehehe, countless succubi are disguised among human society, don't you know? We were all born from our queen in France, sure, but most of us move to a different part of the world to live after we get old enough to sustain ourselves."

Well then...that is...shocking news. Now I'll never look at human women the same way again.

And then, suddenly, the knight moved closer to Mei Mo, and whispered into her ear. I couldn't hear what he was saying, but from the way Mei Mo's expression changed into one of disappointment, I could tell it wasn't anything good. After a while, the man backed away, and Mei Mo glanced at me with cold eyes.

"Uh...hi?" I waved my hand awkwardly.

"You...you deceived me..." Mei Mo murmured, then suddenly raising her voice, she yelled. "Come out! All of you! I know you're there!"

Mei Mo is basically the Chinese translation of succubus. Very creative and original name, I know.