The Hero Became a Succubus, and the Only Way to Level is to… What?!

Over the next few days, Kanae had a ton of paperwork to catch up on as Knight-Commander of the Amethyst Hall. Just placing Alicia in charge as second-in-command didn't automatically mean that her workload would be taken care of. Kanae had her fun with Arenade during their honeymoon in Kandis, but that was over now. A warm and pleasant memory to look back on.

The city-state of Radevic still had much to deal with, since it and the Commonwealth of Sin recently came out of a war with the Empire of Ortesia. Apparently, Grand Eye Analise came to the hall many times during Kanae's absence, putting them to task over dealing with monster attacks in villages across the continent.

Unlike the others, Amethyst Hall had yet to find its identity. At least until recently. As a result of its few members boasting the greatest raw firepower, they became Aidenhall's go-to problem fixer from subjugating dangerous creatures, taking on odd jobs, and smoking out leftover Ortesian soldiers. For the most part, they had taken on Estaline, the Knight of Silver's role years back by going from place to place and protecting communities that couldn't protect themselves.

Vice-Captain Alicia did her best. Some even praised how efficient she was at commanding. However, their numbers were far too few to handle all the requests. Only the Knight-Commander held the authority of recruitment, too.

Today, Kanae and Alicia went around Aidenhall to enlist some capable hands to Amethyst Hall.

"And so, Petyr and the others had grown peeved enough over my paralytic coatings that they purchased anti-toxins. However, antidotes over work if you know what you were inflicted with. I possess a plethora of poisons and toxins to apply to my weapons that I rotate out. Whenever anyone gets into a fight, I give them a little prick and no more fighting," Alicia explained proudly.

"I'm so glad I picked you as Vice-Captain… Surprised no one's attacked you outright," Kanae said.

"They wouldn't dare. Petyr is surprisingly a stickler when it comes to the chain of command, though she can end up unruly from time to time. My sisters love me too much. Edina respects you enough not to cause me any trouble." She grinned and twirled what looked like a brand new dagger in her arsenal.

The blade was jagged and shaped like a bolt of lightning. That was definitely an enchanted weapon. When Alicia found Kanae staring, she stopped spinning the dagger to show her.

"Oh? Do you like it? I found this nifty weapon within the mountain of boxes that magically appeared in our hall. I assumed that was your doing?" Alicia asked.

"Nothing gets past you, does it? Yeah, all from a Necro Lord's Tomb. I'll probably need to set an entire day to sift through everything in case there's something dangerous. Does your new dagger do anything special?" Kanae was excited to see the loot stolen from Thored's trove in action.

Fortunately, the pair were already out in the training fields to scope out members with potential. Alicia flagged down some archers to take their place at a shooting range. Across the way, bullseye targets and mannequins were riddled with arrows and bolts. Others had magical burns on them. The crowned Assassin took her place and flipped the dagger to hold at its blade. With a deft flick, she sent it screeching through the air.

Electricity surged through the weapon in an area around it, zapping nearby targets before plunging into a mannequin. Kanae thought that was the extent of the enchanted dagger, then it discharged a thunderous blast that destroyed the struck target. Alicia snapped her finger, returning it to her hand.

"When I think you can't be dangerous enough…" Kanae was just as shocked as the mannequin.

"I have you to thank for this gift, Knight-Commander." Alicia bowed.

They made their way to a field hardened from centuries of use. The barrier of grass ended abruptly where knights and students sparred against one another. Combatants picked out their weapon of choice from a rack, hailed a free body or someone training alone, and then fought until they were deathly exhausted.

Much of Aidenhall had grown fiercer after the last few attacks by Ortesia. They refused to go down as easily ever again. One among them fought with greater fervor than most, and Kanae recognized her.

The gaur warrior, Tess. Wielding a two-handed hammer in which the business end was a steel-plated mammoth's skull, she bludgeoned scores of opponents away with a single swing. Kanae still recalled meeting her for the first time in No Man's Land, and the gaur demonstrated an incredible strength to almost match the earthen dragon, Barkskin.

A proctor signaled the end of battle when it became obvious that Tess had won. She dropped her hammer to help many of the downed knights, who returned congratulatory pats on the back.

"That beastly woman would make for a great addition, don't you think?" Alicia asked.

"I actually was thinking the same." Kanae agreed.

Tess was in the middle of chugging a barrel of water when they landed in front of her. It took the gaur a second to realize.

"Howdy, Kanae! Haven't seen ya since yer wedding. How's it been?" Tess asked jovially.

"Honeymoon was a little rough, but Arenade and I won't be forgetting it anytime soon. Enough about me though. Amethyst Hall is kind of in need of more able-bodied fighters. Alicia and I wanted to ask if you were interested in joining?" Kanae explained.

"Joining the Amethyst Hall, eh?" She sighed.

It sounded like there was a bit of resistance.

"We take that as a 'no'?" Alicia wondered aloud.

"Well, I just fit right in already is all. Gaurs like myself are big, tough, and full of stamina. We make for perfect training partners. Students and knights all come to me for help all the time. I feel bad for leaving 'em, ya know?" Tess frowned.

"Oh, you won't have to give that up. You're still going to be a student of Knights' Academy. Joining Amethyst Hall just gives you a few more responsibilities. I won't call for you all the time, and you can still focus on what you want to do the most," Kanae assured her.

"Hrmm. Alrighty then. I trust ya, Kanae. Have since we first met! It ain't like I'm a nomad anymore. You got my strong arm!" She beat a fist to her chest and smiled.

They instructed Tess to report to Amethyst Hall after classes to receive her tabard. Though, given the gaur's size… it might need some refitting done.

The two were about to head into Aidenhall palace to continue their recruitment until Kanae spotted the stables. She suggested they take a detour. Confused, Alicia acquiesced and followed after her.

Inside, numerous livestock lazed around within their stalls. Only a few were out in the adjoining field, grazing under the afternoon sun. Kanae stopped in front of Titan's stall, her mighty languisteed that had evolved into a dreadmourn. When she opened the door, the massive beast strolled out and stretched his demonic wings. He pressed his muzzle into Kanae's chest as a greeting.

"Ah. Isn't this the beast you lay with?" Alicia gazed up at him in awe.

"You know that doesn't narrow anything down, but yes." Kanae nodded.

"Claudia told me you had ridden him into battle during the Ortesian invasion. Actually, was it the other way around? That he rode you into battle?" She giggled into the back of her hand.

Kanae went red up to her ears, recalling that battle. She had come up with the idea in the spur of the moment and was extremely horny at the time.

"Y-Yeah… Anyway! Titan might be a dire beast, but he's very intelligent. Aren't you, boy? That's why I'm here to ask if you want to join the Amethyst Hall, too?" Kanae grabbed the dreadmourn's jaw tusks to make him face her.

TItan expelled a fiery breath through his nostrils and bobbed his head. It seemed like he agreed. A normal tabard wasn't going to fit on him. Kanae might need to order one specifically tailored to a large equestrian beast. If she remembered correctly, they were called a caparison. Cloth and armor designed for both protection and decorative purposes. Dressing him in the Amethyst colors would look really nice against his brilliant black fur, muscular body, and…

"I can tell you're getting turned on, Knight-Commander. Should I spare you some time alone with Titan?" Alicia whispered seductively into Kanae's ear.

"N-No!" Kanae jumped back. "We have a lot of work to do, remember? I don't have time… for…"

At the corner of her eyes, right between Titan's hind legs, an enormous cock was slowly emerging from the sheath. Alicia darted behind Kanae and held her firmly still.

"Surely, the Knight-Commander should reward those in service to her?" Alicia reached into Kanae's crotch and fingered her. "As Vice-Captain, I'll even join you."

Kanae gulped hard. Her chest was throbbing harder than ever from Alicia's coaxing. Eventually, her beast-minded desires won out. She kneeled down to Titan's dick and shedded her clothes. The rogue succubus did the same from the other side.

They pressed their breasts together and sandwiched the massive rod of meat. Titan scraped the ground with his hooves, clearly enjoying the attention. As for Kanae, she was getting wetter by the second. The sensation of his throbbing cock against her breasts made her want it elsewhere instead.

Suddenly, Alicia grabbed the back of Kanae's head and pulled her in for a kiss. Drool slipped down their chins. They wrapped their arms around each other, embracing the dreadmourn dick between them.

Titan grunted. His entire body shuddered. The dick between their breasts throbbed intensely as thick, fertile seed spilled out like someone tipped over a bucket of water.

"Ugh. Great…" Kanae stood up and brushed the spunk off her legs.

"My, that was quite the experience. I can see why you and Hilde lay with the likes of such creatures. Not my cup, I admit." Alicia produced a handkerchief to wipe her lips.

Satisfied, Titan flew for the Amethyst Hall. Quartermaster Meidina should be able to get the two new recruits what they need. Although, some construction would be in order to accommodate a dreadmourn.

Kanae and Alicia washed themselves using the water pump just outside the stable. Today turned out to be productive, but they wanted to find at least one more recruit before calling it a success.

They entered the palace to do just that. Aidenhall was abuzz with activity again. Knights' Academy classes were in full swing. Impassioned by recent sieges, students doubled their efforts in education and training. Just the other day, when Kanae was delivering a pile of documents to Elizabeth Bedlam, she caught sight of her children nose-deep in textbooks within the Illumiunant Repository. Nothing made her more proud.

"If it were up to me, I wouldn't waste precious time asking. Couldn't we charm the abled into our services instead?" Alicia sighed.

"Because loyalty is built on trust. In my short time as queen, I've learned that there's no greater strength in a bond. Take you for example. Ambrosia hypnotized you into serving her. When we broke you out of that, did you still want to serve her?" Kanae asked.

"I suppose… not."

"See? Compare that to you and me, we're growing closer by the day just working together. All of my non-succubi friends choose to follow me of their own choice, too. After all, it's easier to break a spell than to break a friendship."

Alicia's eyes fell to the ground as they walked. Kanae felt a tail brush against her own. It was Alicia, whose wagging tail playfully coiled around hers. They snapped away to the sound of a commotion down the hall.

The door had been left ajar, so they peered inside. An ogre was in the middle of being scolded by one of the Knights' Academy faculty. Thume! He had a sad look on his face, with eyes cast to his feet in apparent shame.

"Thume, you're a fine student. Your physical strength is impeccable. I just… We can't have you fornicating with Lua every other class session. It's far too distracting! Your grades also aren't where they need to be. If this continues, you will not pass your classes," the old human instructor explained.

"But Thume try hard! Thume can't help Thumeself when horny. Numbers and words too hard. Can't think too long either, but still want to be useful." Thume frowned.

"Don't tell me…" Alicia whispered and shot Kanae a look.

"Yep." Kanae entered the office, taking both Thume and the instructor by surprise. "How about extracurricular activity to make up for his grades?" she suggested. "I want to recruit Thume to the Amethyst Hall."

Thume's spirits lifted, and he gave a pleading glance over to the instructor.

"Amethyst, I understand you have good intentions, but Knights' Academy is more than just power. It is knowledge. But… perhaps the current syllabus has been too harsh. Aidenhall has grown more diverse in the past five years than the past hundred years combined. A different criteria is needed to accommodate races with less… er, divergent intelligence from the established norm. Very well. Thume may join the Amethyst Hall with my blessing. I shall build a new lesson more suited to him in the meantime," the instructor explained and rested a hand on the ogre's shoulder.

"Thume still student! Thume celebrate by smashing female Kanae!" Thume grabbed Kanae in one thick hand.

"No, wait! We have work to do, and then you can fuck me later!" Kanae exclaimed.

Maybe it was gratitude, but Thume understood and didn't let his nature get the better of him. He let her down instead of taking her for a ride as a cocksleeve. Kanae breathed a sigh of relief. She didn't need to be humiliated in front of Alicia again…

They had to draw Thume a map of how to get to the Amethyst Hall, but he didn't understand drawings either. Kanae troubled a passing palace guard, fortunately a male one, to lead the ogre there. She and Alicia thought to take a break and reward themselves with a trip to the bathhouse when the Grand Eye found them first.

"Amethyst, Vice-Captain Alicia, good that I've caught you two. I know you have requested a journey to Talahurah, but a dire matter has just reached me through the grapevine. Just shy north of Lograin sits a cozy puffer sheep ranch. A dragon of gargantuan proportions was sighted passing through there, settling on the short mountain range between our states and your Commonwealth," Grand Eye explained.

"Say no more," Kanae interjected as Analise was taking a breath, "you want us to investigate the dragon and slay it if it proves to be dangerous. I know we shouldn't make it a habit relying on Lord Charron, but couldn't we just sick Roshasha on it?"

"While that sounds like a splendid idea, Lord Charron had sent Roshasha to Artaggon during your absence. Honestly, her being gone takes a load off my back. It was like wondering when a bomb would blow up." She sighed heavily.

Damn. Kanae was hoping to speak with Roshasha some more. Despite her penchant for violence, there was a wealth of knowledge in that centuries-old brain of hers. Should their paths ever cross again, she wouldn't mind getting to know the rhyleth better.

"Getting back on topic, it is odd that we had not sighted this dragon until now, which suggests it had been in hibernation for a number of years. Witness accounts described that its size must be of ancient age. Do not take any chances. Bring the entirety of Amethyst Hall. When you have finished, you're welcome to travel to Talahurah," Analise ordered.

Kanae and Alicia exchanged worried glances, but the Grand Eye knew best. They bowed to her, then hurried back to the Amethyst Hall. On the way, Alicia seemed a little lost in thought.

"Worried about fighting a big dragon?" Kanae hoped to tease her.

"Please, not at all. It was I who defeated and brought a dragon to Hilde at her request, the same one that she eventually produced several offspring with. I'm trying to remember this particular dragon. The way the Grand Eye described it makes them seem… familiar," Alicia said.

As soon as they returned, Kanae had Meidina rally the fighting body of Amethyst Hall to report to the Knight-Commander. The succubus' echoing voice sounded through brass tubes, so it seemed they also had a connecting communication system like the Silver Hall.

Everyone arrived in the following order: Petyr Stormcloud, Edina Hackett, Tess, Claudia, Hilde, Aisha, Thume, and finally Titan.

"Amethyst Hall," Kanae began in a commanding tone, "As you can see, we have two new additions. Meet Tess and Titan."

"What the? Kanae, you just brought Titan along so he can fuck you in your free time!" Edina complained.

"Normally, I disagree with the necromancer. In this case, she's right. The last thing I want is to see you connecting with the beast like before." Petyr folded her arms and growled.

To Kanae's side, Alicia was snickering again.

"Oh, my god… I'm the Knight-Commander, so my word is final! Those two are joining us whether you like it or not! Anyway… we've received our next task from Grand Eye Analise— to ascertain the threat of an ancient dragon and slay it if it's a danger to anyone. We defeated Roshasha as a hall together. This is going to be a piece of cake. Gather what you need soon; we're moving out for Lograin at nightfall!"

They sounded off in unison. "Yes, Knight-Commander!"