The Hero Became a Succubus, and the Only Way to Level is to… What?!
Chapter 431 – The Crone

Night fell on the second day since arriving in Elusis. Everyone returned to the association tower to report their findings over dinner. At first, Kanae and Archbishop Patrice were afraid that Petyr might have made things worse in the city, given her usual temper. However, the high elf's debrief was surprisingly uneventful.

Petyr, Renya, and Edina had taken the liberty of visiting the houses of worship in the under-city. As expected, Elusis was big on shamanism and mysticism. They mostly worshipped Glentir and Threcia, with more emphasis on the former. Devotion to the Supreme One or any other demigods was essentially nonexistent. The citizens of Elusis were incredibly superstitious, and they wore trinkets and wards fashioned from monsters to repel 'evil spirits'. When the trio had returned from scouting the religious parts of the city, all of them were adorned with a number of knickknacks and baubles on their persons. Charity of kinder folks, as Petyr had put it.

That was where Elusis' adventurers hall came in, where Kara and Camilla had conducted their investigation. The temples in Elusis hired adventurers to slay monsters. The bigger and badder the monster, the greater the effects of worn wards from the parts made from them.

Finally, it came time for Kanae, Patrice, and Delayn to give their report. Aside from the incident in the marketplace, everyone paid attention when Dryoak Consortium's name came up.

"Then there's a good chance Riley's here, in the upper-city?" Petyr asked.

"As the guildmaster? Most likely." Kanae nodded. "They're going to be a lot more dangerous compared to when we last encountered them. We all saw her people using elemental powers when they attacked the association. I doubt all of them were crowned Elementalists or some kind of mages. Safe to assume the Harpy King gave them power, too."

"Then it's settled. We gotta go up there and check out the upper-city. It's up to me and Kanae since we're the only ones that can fly," Edina chimed in.

Petyr furrowed her brows. She probably wanted to go up there and investigate, too. But it was better that she couldn't. The high elf might not be able to control herself if they run into Riley, and she wasn't exactly the best at stealth missions.

"The adventurers hall didn't know anything about Seven. He might be in the upper-city, so please keep an eye out for him," Kara pleaded.

"We will," Kanae promised the girl.

Under the cover of night, Kanae and Edina flew for the closest spire behind the association. Murals depicted a smithing hammer pounding on a sword atop an anvil. Another, warriors wielding the same sword. The paintings were more worn and faded near the bottom, but the colors appeared vibrant and newer towards the top. The two were careful to avoid being seen by patrolling harpy soldiers, carrying torches while they flew about in groups.

In case they were caught, Kanae altered Human Form to only hide her horns and tail. At least with her wings, she could pass as some species of bat harpy. Edina, on the other hand, wore a cloak to cover up the succubus features.

"Wait." Kanae signalled to Edina, and they pressed their backs against the spire as a patrol flew past. The beating wings of half a dozen harpies grew more distant by the second. She sighed in relief once they were in the clear.

"Sheesh. That was the fifth one in the past minute. Just how many are flying around Elusis at a time?" Edina groaned.

"I wonder if it's because the consortium recognized Petyr the other day… Anyway, we're almost to the upper-city," she said.

They finally landed on solid ground, a walkway that wrapped around the spire. Stone bridges connected this one to the others, but for the most part, the denizens of the upper-city flew to get around. There were no streets or city blocks, but some spires with open floors accommodated people within. Braziers and sconces hung from the side of buildings, which illuminated a much different and cleaner city than their surface counterpart.

Smog billowed from multiple smokestacks on the side of the spire they were on. As they walked around, a large opening with light coming from fiery forges blinded them. The biting smell of smoke churned their stomachs, and they winced every time a hammer struck steel from the metalwork symphony. Inside, a middle-aged harpy man doled out orders to apprentices as they worked the forges. This was a blacksmith.

The harpy smith hoisted a crate of ingots onto the counter and lifted his gaze to them.

"Ay? Who's there? Smithy's closed for the rest of the month. I've got a backlog of orders from the Harpy King that takes precedence. If ya want something done, find another smith," he explained, shooing them with his gloved hand.

"Uh… Yeah, sorry about that! We'll be on our way," Kanae said and turned to leave.

As Kanae and Edina spun around, the harpy smith shouted to them again.

"Wait just a damn minute. I haven't seen yer sort before. Just what kind of a harpy are ya?" he asked.

"Bat!" Kanae answered promptly, flexing her leathery wings. "Sorry, I didn't mean to interrupt your work. We'll be on our—"

"Y'ain't going anywhere. Not 'til ya show me that sword ya got there." The smith pointed to the Blade of the First Temptress on her back.

Refusing might draw more suspicion to them than necessary. Kanae relented. They entered the sweat-inducing spire, where she hesitantly laid the enchanted sword on the counter. The harpy man's eyes scrutinized everything about it, the symbols, make, and color. Some of the apprentices paused what they were doing to get a look, too, only for him to yell at them to get back to work.

Kanae panicked a little when he lifted the sword, but it was just to inspect the other side. Every now and then, he nodded to himself, muttering something incomprehensible.

"So, you're an adventurer. Warrior caste, maybe? Thank ya for letting me see this sword of yers. It's a fine piece of god-made craftsmanship." He grinned.

"You recognized it wasn't forged by normal means?" Kanae gasped.

"Aye. Name's Anid Kharyb, metalwork caste." The smith breathed both his name and profession with pride. "Ya won't find a better smith in Elusis. Tools, weapons, armors… the Kharyb name and crest is on it all. I've seen enough magic weapons to know if someone or the gods made it. Anyway, don't let me keep ya. If ya ever need that blade sharpened, ya come to me."

"Thanks, but are you sure? Didn't you say you were busy forging for the Harpy King?" she asked.

"Heh. That I am." Anid rubbed his chin and thought for a moment. A wry smile, like a child eager to share a secret flashed on his face. "Ya showed me something good. It's only right I show ya something good, too. Wait right here." He took some stairs to the upper floor, returning a moment later with an unfinished curved longsword missing its guard. But it was the soft crimson hue along the blade that Kanae really recognized. Felmetal. "Ahhh. The look in yer eyes tells me ya know what this is. Aye. Felmetal. Capable of handling powerful enchantments. It took years of trial and error, but I've finally been able to make something outta the damn metal."

Kanae and Edina exchanged worried glances. Felmetal, the same key material used to make the dwarven sex bots, Debilitating Band, and Petyr's new warhammer. It might not be as physically strong as adamantine, but the magical enchanting point made forging weapons out of very alluring.

The smith ushered them out of the forge and closed the shop to any more visitors. They returned to the walkway around the spire, deep in thought about the latest revelation.

"Two questions," Edina began, "where the hells did they find felmetal? And what for, right?

"Well, we found some in a dwarven factory. Maybe there's one somewhere underground in Elusis. The what for… I can't imagine they are planning to use it for anything other than war. For now, let's check out more of the upper-city," Kanae suggested.

They chose a stone bridge at random to cross. The next spire over had murals of food being served on large platters. Hunters pursued big game animals, skinned them, and eventually carved the carcasses up. A savory smell wafted from the open terraces, cleansing Kanae and Edina's nostrils of the smoke from the forges. Harpy servants carried plates of food to seated patrons. Inside the spire, a giant warthog was being roasted over a spittle. The chef cut into the meat with their own talons rather than knives.

Edina spotted a table with honey-glazed nuts, and she started slowly drifting in its direction while drooling from her mouth.

"Hey, hey, hey. We just ate at the association. You're still hungry?" Kanae sighed.

"What?" Edina wiped her chin and pouted. "You fuck a whole herd of minotaurs and still want more, but that's okay. I want some nutty desserts after dinner, and that's not?"

The two flew down to buy some snacks. Lucky for them, Elusis accepted currency even from outside of the city. Their gold was worth something here, and Edina bought herself a whole sack of nuts.

It seemed like life mainly took place within the spires and its many floors. Trade, residences, work, and more all inside the confines of and immediately around the skyscraping towers. Some spires had an open floor, where people commonly gathered. Entire parks and nature reserves grew on some, while others had curtains of plants growing off the sides.

Of course, nearly all of the residents in the upper-city of Elusis were harpies. The class and caste distinctions were even more pronounced. Here, the non-harpy races were lowly servants, but they did live somewhat better than most in the under-city. And harpies made up the ruling and skilled class.

Kanae turned to the opal-encrusted spire where the Harpy King lived. The dark gemstone was like an ever-vigilant eye over the city. He must be watching from up there somewhere.

They searched for signs of the Dryoak Consortium and Seven for most of the night, but found nothing instead. The presence of harpy soldiers increased, and Kanae worried about being stopped by them for whatever reason. Edina spotted a spire, whose mural depicted worshippers kneeling before the sun. Another painting was of a giant wave in front of people in prayer. A house of worship could make for a good place to stay for the night.

The pair entered from a large open door from which bleached animal rib cages hung on top. Smaller bones were woven together like windchimes, clacking together whenever there was a breeze. Dim candle light illuminated the large round chamber. An elderly harpy woman, whose eyes were wrapped in a bandana, was seated in the center on a carpet that stretched the size of the room. Behind her, a totem pole of Demigod Glentir loomed high.

"Visitors?" The harpy tilted her head in their direction. "Have you come to seek Glentir's guidance? You would be the first in a week."

"Sorry. We're merchants of the East Saviran Trading Association. My partner and I just finished a trade deal and need a place to rest for the night," Kanae explained.

"Hmmm. I may be an aged crone, but I know a lie when I hear one." She grinned, causing them to tense up. "Your circumstances do not concern me. The cleric's quarters are down one floor. You are welcome to stay, and if you are adherents of Glentir's teachings, I welcome you to pray. I would also be grateful if you share some of your snacks with me."

Edina glanced down at her sack still bulging with nuts.

"I've got plenty to share!" Edina gladly spared some.

The dormitory quarters had simple lodgings. Whoever lived here previously were modest folks. Room made of sandstone, a carpet on the floor, and only a wax candle for a light. Slit gaps in the wall let fresh air in, creating a cool atmosphere in the hot desert climate.

Edina knocked out right away, but Kanae was unable to sleep. She was afraid of an ambush. This was enemy territory after all. Eventually, she left the room and wandered back upstairs where the harpy woman was still seated, head bowed forward in front of Glentir's totem. The scent of incense burned more intensely. A cluster of them sizzled near the base of the pole.

"The Harpy King's people came by earlier. They asked if I had seen outsiders. I told them no. But it is what you are, yes? Your accent sounds more northern. You walk with caution. What are you doing in Elusis disguised as merchants?" the woman asked.

"I don't believe that you can't see. Are you actually blind?" Kanae entered the room and stood next to her.

"I lost my sight only a few years ago after decades of gradual decline. You may call me Ujit. I am— was the Exalted Mystic of this temple spire. Now, I am its sole guardian. And when I pass, this temple will be but hollow bones. Just like the values and traditions that once made Elusis great. Will you sit with me?" She sounded almost pleading.

Kanae did as Ujit asked. The elderly woman's plumes were pale red, having lost most of its color and vibrancy with age. Her claws were unkempt, long like talon blades. Fading face paint, like the murals near the bottom of spires, were in need of a touch up. But the ceremonial brown and blue robe was still well-kept.

"You're right. I'm from up north. I came down here to find a colleague, but it's since turned into a whole debacle. I learned that the Harpy King kidnapped her. He's been a source of a lot of headache lately," Kanae explained.

"Hehe." Ujit's laughter sounded touched with nostalgia, only to sour and end up in a wheezing fit. "The Harpy King has indeed done much damage to Elusis. He seeks to become a conqueror rather than protector. Because of him, I fear this great city won't stand any longer soon."

"I mean, it's been around for centuries… thousands of years, right? The towers are still standing." She tried to recall what Patrice had told her from reading the books.

"I hope so, child. I saw a vision a few days ago. A woman with wings unlike any of my kin shall usher in a change to this world no one has seen before. She casts a shadow that may engulf the world. When you leave tomorrow, seek out my disciple, Jahree in a spire with murals of the sun. He is a sage. Tell him, Ujit sent you," the mysterious woman insisted.

Kanae wanted to ask something, but the question slipped her mind. The smell of incense became increasingly strong and soon, her eyelids grew too heavy to keep open.

In the morning, Kanae woke up with a start. She was still sitting in front of Glentir's totem. So was Ujit. The harpy woman was still cross-legged, head bowed before the pole.

"Ugh. There was something in the incense yesterday, wasn't there?" Kanae asked, rubbing her eyes.

When Ujit didn't answer, Kanae became suspicious. She laid a hand on the harpy. No reaction. Kanae waved a hand in her face. Still nothing. She hovered a hand underneath Ujit's nose, and there was no breath. Only a soft smile, as if still in prayer.

"Thank you for letting us stay the night." Kanae stood up and bowed to her. "I hope I can help Elusis return to its former glory like you remembered, Ujit."