Chapter 9: A Succubus Doesn’t Show Off, So You Think I’m a Plush Toy?

Participating in the Holy Knight exam was just a gamble for Rita. She had no pressing reason to become one.

So, abandoning it carried no emotional weight. The world was vast—there’d always be a place for her.

Human-demon wars, royal disputes—none of that concerned her. As long as she was alive, anything was possible.

Worst case, she’d become an escort… no, scratch that.

In short, when Rita agreed to serve Cecilia, she’d already planned her escape.

The night deepened outside, the noise fading. Apart from patrolling soldiers and mansion servants, hardly anyone stirred.

Rita cautiously checked the guards’ positions. Perhaps Cecilia truly trusted her—no one was specifically watching her.

But the mansion’s security was tight. Leaving through the front door or scaling the walls would get her caught instantly. In the pitch-black night, though, no one would constantly watch the sky.

So, Rita decided to fly straight up, beyond their line of sight.

Then she nearly got gored by a cow.

If her reflexes weren’t quick and her succubus physique stronger than a human’s, she’d have two holes in her by now.

Why was there a cow on the mansion’s roof?!

Focusing, Rita realized her attacker wasn’t a cow but a dog.

She’d seen large dogs, but never one over three meters long. Its massive head bore two curved horns as long as her arm, aimed right at her.

Its black fur blended into the night, and its glowing red eyes radiated menace.

Its unnatural size and odd horns marked it as a magical beast, not a mere animal.

A magical beast on the mansion’s roof sounded more plausible than a cow, but it was far more dangerous.

Magical beasts weren’t just odd-looking. Compared to normal animals, they were far smarter and more ferocious.

Though humans and demons had tamed some, those were rare cases. Its attack on her proved plenty.

As Rita studied the beast, it studied her back.

The creature’s black nose twitched, sniffing her. Its white teeth gleamed chillingly under the moonlight. Though silent, Rita could almost hear its low growl.

The beast’s front paws scraped the ground, then its hind legs launched it like a cannonball toward her.

Rita twisted aside, but the gust it stirred threw her off balance. She flapped her wings frantically to steady herself.

Missing its mark, the beast doubled back, spewing icy mist from its maw, lunging again. Rita dodged once more.

This thing wasn’t the mansion’s guard dog, was it?

First, its size made it too conspicuous for a rooftop. Second, it didn’t bark or alert anyone—it just attacked her.

Whatever it was, she was here to escape.

The beast was fast and strong, but what could it do if she flew higher?

Rita flapped her wings, climbing upward.

Boom.

A muffled explosion, small but clear in the quiet night.

Looking down, Rita saw the beast leap, baring sharp fangs. Its speed left her little time to react.

Was it insane? It really wanted a bite?

Rita grumbled inwardly, but her hands moved fast.

Her fingers elongated into branch-like claws—her true succubus form—and she gripped the beast’s head with both hands.

This was a succubus’s real shape!

But it was heavy. Flying with it was tough!

She couldn’t keep this up—she’d fall!

Thud. The beast and Rita crashed onto the roof. Voices rose faintly from below.

“What was that?!”

“Sounded like it came from the roof!”

Too loud! The guards heard!

The commotion startled the beast, which let out a gurgling growl for the first time.

But its jaws were clamped as if by iron. No matter how it struggled, it couldn’t break free from the girl it saw as prey.

Suddenly, the grip on its jaw loosened. Rita spoke earnestly.

“You understand me, right? Or at least get my gist.”

The beast kept growling.

“We’ve got no grudge. I’ll let you go, and we both run. If the guards catch us, we’re both screwed.”

Gurgle, gurgle.

“If you get me, I’ll let go!”

The moment Rita loosened her grip, the beast lunged, jaws snapping at her head.

Was this thing sick? It wasn’t some dumb dog lurking here at midnight.

She’d shown her strength and tried reasoning, but it refused to back off, determined to take a bite.

A succubus doesn’t flex, so you think I’m a plush toy?!

Dodging its crazed bite, Rita gave a kind smile, wrapped her arm around its neck, and gently patted its head.

Crack. With a crisp sound, the beast’s legs kicked, its body went limp, whimpered, and stilled.

Phew, done.

As a true demon, Rita didn’t escape demon territory on looks alone.

But violence didn’t solve everything—she wasn’t that strong.

Now, what to do with this beast’s body?

As Rita pondered, black smoke rose from her arms. The beast’s massive form dissolved like burnt ash.

Magic?

Before she could think further, the guards’ voices closed in.

“Quick, tighten security! Check it out!”

That stupid dog!

Cursing inwardly, Rita knew she couldn’t escape tonight.

Back to the room!

Before the guards spotted her, she dove off the roof, retracted her wings and tail, and slipped through the nearest window.

No way. This unlucky?

Inside, Rita locked eyes with Cecilia, whose golden eyes, matching her hair, were slightly red and swollen.