Temporary Repair

Brown Family.

“You’re late.”

A greasy, heavy voice sounded.

“My sincerest apologies, General. I ran into a bit of trouble on the way.”

Snake bowed as he apologized.

It hadn’t been just “a bit” of trouble.

He had nearly been caught by Mavis.

If he hadn’t redirected the disaster toward Alice, he would’ve been dragged back to the Tribunal for a second time.

“And where is that little thing called Alice?”

The owner of the voice slowly stepped out.

As expected her appearance matched her voice perfectly.

The kind of person who could take up three seats in a library by herself.

Her bloated body even bumped into the dazed young master of the Brown family beside her.

If the young master had been conscious, he would have easily recognized the towering figure before him—

His own younger sister.

The third young miss of the Brown family—Anloni Brown.

At the same time, she was Snake’s superior’s superior, a major general under the Solitary Mourner—

The “Plump General.”

Just like her title, her flesh looked… exceptionally “rich.”

As for her appearance one could only say the sisters had good foundations.

If she slimmed down, she’d probably look quite good.

Snake’s thoughts raced.

Anloni was asking about Alice it probably wouldn’t be wise to just sell her out directly.

At the very least, he couldn’t admit that he had done it.

He had to say Alice got caught by her own stupidity.

After organizing his words, Snake removed his own involvement and claimed that Alice had been consumed by her own lust and got herself captured.

“Hmph.” Anloni sneered.

“She thought she was clever. In the Tribunal’s hands, she’ll die. But in mine—she’ll wish she were dead.”

Cold sweat instantly drenched Snake’s back.

Wait… something’s not right.

Why say something like that out of nowhere?

Had their escape disrupted some grand plan?

Or had the information they leaked seriously interfered with it?

Snake stood frozen, not daring to move.

Noticing his fear, Anloni explained,

“It has nothing to do with you. She acted smart and exposed Lady Solitary Mourner to Holderma’s sight. Utterly foolish.”

Not his problem?

Then it was fine.

Snake let out a breath of relief.

But when he saw the latest reports—

He was completely dumbfounded.

What did it mean that Alice, driven by revenge, summoned a terrifying phantom to threaten Holderma?

Wasn’t she too lazy to even move?

When did she pull off something that big?

Was she really that powerful?

Was this even real?

“Young one, are you facing some trouble?”

A kind-looking old man appeared before Mavis.

“Huh? How did you know?” Mavis was shocked.

“Hahaha, not only do I know, I also know how to resolve your confusion. Come with me.”

The old man led Mavis to a rather rundown hut.

Mavis could even smell the rotting wood.

She frowned slightly.

This felt… unreliable.

The old man sat down, took out a deck of cards, and muttered something under his breath.

Then his brows furrowed.

“This is bad. Your situation is quite troublesome.

If you’re not careful, your future will be in danger.”

“Huh? How could that be? Then how do I fix it?”

“Ahem…

This old man can guide your future.

But… heavenly secrets cannot be revealed lightly… the cost is rather high…”

He rubbed his thumb and index finger together.

Mavis consulted her “super intelligence.”

Super intelligence informed her—it meant money.

“Ohhh, got it. Here, take it all.”

She handed over all the small change she had on her.

The old man’s eyes lit up.

A rich girl!

He almost broke his mysterious persona.

“Ahem, since you are so sincere, I shall not refuse.”

Composing himself, the old man prepared to put on a proper act.

He closed his eyes, muttering as the cards shifted in his hands.

Finally, he peeked at the spread.

Love.

He relaxed instantly.

Love-related problems were easy.

At least, that’s what he believed.

“This matter concerns your beloved.”

“Huh? How did you know?”

“Has your lover been feeling down lately?”

“Yes! Yes!”

“Have they been distant toward you?”

“Yes, yes!”
(Though… was the pronoun wrong?)

Mavis didn’t mind.

The old man stroked his beard, smiling kindly.

This was too easy.

“Wait here a moment.”

He stepped out—

Went to the nearest adult shop, bought the cheapest yet most potent stimulant, tore off the label, and returned.

“This item is a treasure I’ve obtained after many years.

Give it to your lover, and they will be deeply affectionate with you, unable to leave you.

Remember—use it at night, when you are alone together.”

“Thank you, Master!”

The old man smiled warmly. Business was really easy.

A girl like this—beautiful, well-built a small romantic issue would be solved in no time.

Sure, the medicine wasn’t great for the body, but even if her partner lacked interest, one night would fix everything.

For young couples, nothing worked better than that.

Still, just in case after Mavis left, the old man immediately got his rent refunded and moved overnight.

Mavis didn’t know how long Linlin would stay upset, so she wandered outside for a while.

Only after sunset did she timidly knock on the door.

Fortunately, Linlin had no intention of leaving her outside all night.

The door opened.

Linlin leaned against the frame in her sleepwear.

“Why did you come back so late?”

“I’m sorry, Linlin. I was wrong.”

Apologize first—always.

“…Come in.”

With Mavis acting so meek, Linlin felt a bit awkward picking a fight.

“Did you eat dinner?”

“No.”

“Why not?”

“I… don’t have money anymore.”

“Bought toys again?”

“No… I bought this.”

Mavis took out the small bottle.

Linlin’s eyelid twitched.

The label wasn’t even properly removed.

Mavis had obviously been scammed again.

“Are you stupid?”

“…Probably not?”

“…Forget it. I’ll heat up the food.”

“Yay, Linlin’s the best.”

Linlin returned to the bedroom first, holding the little item Mavis had brought.

From the outside, it had no magic at all.

And anything without magic couldn’t harm a Gluttony-type demon, no matter how toxic it was.

So Linlin opened it and lightly tasted a bit.

“The composition is… strange… let me think…”

“…This is freaking aphrodisiac medicine!”

Her eyes widened.

“Did she get scammed?”

Linlin sat on the bed, thinking.

“If this was meant to make wishes come true… why would it turn into this?”

While she was still thinking—

She didn’t notice faint pink mist seeping from the safe, creeping up along her pale ankle.

“Why does this bed feel harder?”

She suddenly felt more sensitive, even noticing the indentation of her body on the mattress.

She shook her head, pushing away the strange thoughts.

There was no way she’d go through with it.

Buying this kind of thing and getting the wrong one at tha Mavis’ intentions weren’t subtle at all.

But Linlin didn’t want that.

Tonight, she would confront everything.

Even if it meant revealing her identity as a succubus.

She needed to know—

Was Mavis pretending all along?

She loved the honest, confident Mavis who truly loved her.

She had to know if everything had been a lie.

If so…

It would be terrifying.

Four years of planning—
what was it all for?

“…Is it hotter today?”

Linlin loosened her collar slightly.

“Linlin, I’m here!”

Mavis rushed in after washing up.

She had planned to bring a mind artifact but forgot.

The moment she entered, she paused.

In four years, she had seen every side of Linlin—

But today’s faint blush carried a different charm.

Even the best acting couldn’t fake it completely.

Mavis couldn’t explain it, but Linlin felt… more alluring today.

Linlin should’ve been used to her gaze by now.

But today it was too intense.

She instinctively curled up slightly.

“Linlin, is it okay?”

“Okay your head!”
Linlin’s face flushed red.

“Sit!”

Mavis obediently sat down, clutching her towel.

“Mavis.”

“Yes? I’m here.”

“If you have… strange preferences, you can tell me.

Even if I don’t understand, we can work through them together…

—Where are you putting your hand?! Move it!”

“Oh—okay!”

“In daily life, I’ve never lied to you. So don’t lie to me either.

Show me your real self.

Even if what I’ve known is just a façade…

I may not accept it easily, but we can start over.

So… can you take off your mask in front of me?”

Linlin spoke softly, her eyes hazy.

“After that… I’ll show you everything too.”

She seemed almost drunk.

Mavis was certain.

She didn’t really understand what Linlin meant.

She touched her face—there was no mask.

But Linlin right now…

She was irresistible.

Mavis’ gaze kept drifting to her lips.

She couldn’t hold back.

She felt like she should do something.

So she raised her finger.

Linlin felt lightheaded, almost like she was drunk.

But as a Gluttony-type demon, how could she get drunk?

Her voice softened, words slurring slightly.

Mavis barely listened, just nodding absentmindedly.

Then—

Something was placed before her.

Before hugging, Linlin always liked to cup Mavis’ cheek.

It became muscle memory.

And habits go both ways.

Before she could think—

Her lips instinctively closed around it.

The intense sensation inside her mouth shocked her awake.

She immediately pulled back, kicking away and creating distance.

“What did you do?”

Leaning against the headboard, Linlin felt fear.

That strange feeling…

Desire?

Had it returned?

Why now?

She bit her lip, trying to control herself.

It’s fine. She was a succubus.

She had strong control over her body.

But—

No… something was wrong.

This wasn’t an aphrodisiac.

Her eyes widened.

Her fingers clenched the bedsheet tightly.

This was—

The desire she had suppressed for eighteen years.