I led Leah to the entrance of the brothel. Leah looked up at the red structure and pulled her eyebrows together. She sniffed the air and asked, "Papa… Leah doesn't think this is a good place. Papa, there are lots of succubi inside. Did you bring me here for something, Papa?"
Before replying, I gently cleared my throat: "Umm… Papa thought you might want to see your fellow succubi."
I honestly didn't have any corrupt ideas. I didn't want to try and see if I could convince the succubi to serve me. I merely wanted to let Leah meet her fellow succubi. Nobody would be against seeing their own kind, right?
Leah didn't say anything but didn't resist, either. She followed me by my side into the brothel. The glamorous building filled with an amorous scent was as hot as if it was summer. The succubi inside were clad in nothing but very thin and sexual clothing as they shook their hips with cheerful smiles. They crossed the rugs and floor with their long, slender legs and beautiful feet, holding hands with men as they cheerfully headed back to their nest.
The men thought they were the hunters. In reality they were the prey being drained. The succubi found themselves a very befitting job. They were able to bring joy to humans and attain what succubi needed to sustain life at the same time.
Leah curiously scanned the succubi. She wasn't the only one who was curious; the other succubi also noticed us. All of the succubi without work approached us with curious minds. Nevertheless, their gazes were on Leah. We then heard steady footsteps approach from the side. I looked to the smoke to hear footsteps.
Sophia looked at me with her eyes narrowed then shifted her gaze to Leah. Her gaze immediately froze on Leah. She then quickly turned her focus back to me: "This is the succubus who marked you? Mm, indeed, her bloodline is impressive. I never expected a succubus of her calibre would still be alive."
Leah surveyed Sophia but didn't comment. Instead, she leaned over to me and vigilantly observed the succubi approaching us. She touched Leah on her head then crouched down and gently kissed Leah on her lips. Before I could cry out, Leah began to slowly strip off her clothes she wore while in her child form. Then, she gradually transformed into her adult form.
"Fuu…"
Leah seemed to feel very relaxed. She flicked her hair. Once she transformed into her adult form, her gaze no longer contained the fear and concern she showed when she was a child. To the contrary, she stood proudly and wore a condescending smile as she looked at the succubi around. They were succubi, who were very alluring to humans, but the succubi around seemed to lose their glow the moment Leah appeared. Succubi were beautiful beings. Leah happened to be the most beautiful among them. She hugged my arm and looked around without uttering a word.
Sophia scanned Leah then subtly nodded: "Miss Leah, welcome home."
"This isn't my home," said Leah, in an ice-cold tone I never heard her use before. I even mistook her for Veirya. Leah swept her cold, red eyes over the succubi in front of her: "I smelt your scents on Papa. You didn't lay your hands on him, did you?"
"No, he is your pr-, I meant, father. We will not lay our hands on him. That said, do you really not plan to return? All of us succubi are gathered here."
Leah's answer was simple, yet resolute. Clinging to my arm, she took in a deep breath and shut her eyes. I soon realised what she was trying to do. Leah transformed back to her child form. She picked up her clothes and got dressed. Next, she grabbed my arm and dragged me out of the building.
I was surprised. Leah didn't show nostalgia or anger on her face; she looked the same as usual. Voice soft, she expressed, "Leah doesn't want Papa to have the scent of other succubi. Where Leah used to live, no succubi ever bothered with Leah. Nowadays, all that they see in Leah is Leah's lineage. They're not Leah's family. Leah's only family is Papa, mm… and Mama Veirya."
I didn't reply. I, instead, hugged Leah. She looked up at me: "Papa, do you need to go out at night?"
I nodded: "Mm."
I did have a plan for the night, but it didn't necessarily guarantee I'd reap any reward. Nothing could go wrong with checking in, though. Every race on the continent was gathered in the imperial capital. If elves were present, surely there were dwarves around.
I didn't know if calling them dwarves was the correct term. I saw a furry species at the celebratory banquet last time, but they looked very aggressive. By my estimation, they must've been the weapon creators of legend. If they were conducting business with the chapel, they had to have members present in the imperial capital. I could potentially gain something I wanted if I connected with them.
"I shall head back and wait for you, then, Papa."
Leah nodded. She then suddenly pulled me down by my collar. She went up on her toes and bit my lip. While there, she wrapped her arms around my neck and began to earnestly suck on my tongue. As a result, I froze.
"We're not at home; we're out on the streets!! What would people think if they saw us?!! A nine year old girl kissing a grown man?! This isn't a polite kiss, either!! Back in my world, I'd be handcuffed by now… Officer, let me explain!! It really wasn't me who initiated it! It was her! Not me! I didn't initiate it!!" I cried in my mind.
The people didn't mind us. Instead, they cheered and applauded.
"Oi, oi, oi, your three values and views are messed up!! Shouldn't you be reporting me to the police?!" I silently exclaimed.
Leah gently removed her lips. She released her arms around my neck and gently thumped her head on my chest. In a soft voice, she said, "Leah will always be by your side, Papa…"
"I know. I know, Leah." I gently hugged Leah.
Leah leaned onto me and added, "Those succubi aren't my family. They don't have any family, either. Leah doesn't want to be another one of them… Leah… wants to be with Papa forever. Forever and ever… Nobody can separate Leah from Papa…. Leah… will never let go of Papa…"
Leah mumbled where my heart was. I tightened my arms around her. As a father, I should've been very happy to hear my daughter say that to me. But nonetheless, I didn't feel too happy or relieved, for I recalled what Sophia told me. I was Leah's prey.