Reborn as a Succubus: Time To Live My Best Life!-Chapter 130: Junior Sorceress Melisa Blackflame, Part Sixteen

Soon, the sun was setting over the garden, casting a warm, golden glow over everything. It was a peaceful scene, the kind that made you want to just sit back and forget about all the bullshit in the world for a while.

Too bad that wasn’t an option at this time.

Melisa sat on a bench next to Zephyra, watching as Margaret chased a giggling Hazel around the flowerbeds. It was a cute sight, but Melisa couldn’t quite muster up the usual "aww" factor. Not after what Zephyra had just told her.

"So, let me get this straight," Melisa said, rubbing her temples. "The court, in all their infinite wisdom, have decided to quarantine the entire nim population? Like, literally all of us, no exceptions, because of this supposed ’plague’ that’s been going around?"

Zephyra sighed, leaning back against the bench.

"I’m afraid so. The king was hesitant at first, but the queen and the other nobles were quite... persuasive. They figure he should get ahead of this ’disease’ that’s been spreading, and he agreed."

Melisa snorted.

"Yeah, I bet. Nothing like a little fear-mongering to get people on board with a terrible idea." She shook her head, her mind racing. "But we know this isn’t a real plague, right? It’s targeted Blood Magic. Someone is deliberately attacking nim, trying to make it look like we’re the source of some contagious disease."

Zephyra nodded, eyes half-lidded as she sat with her legs crossed, looking at nothing in particular.

"That’s the conclusion I’ve come to as well. But the question is, why? Clearly, there’s some form of intention to this, but I can’t tell what they’d gain from a quarantine."

Melisa chewed on her lip, her brow furrowed in thought.

"Well, if you wanted to do something shady, something you didn’t want anyone to see... wouldn’t it be convenient to have a whole group of people locked away, unable to interfere?"

Zephyra’s eyes widened, a flicker of realization crossing her face.

"You think this is a distraction. A way to keep the nim off the streets while they carry out some other plan."

Zephyra looked genuinely impressed with that assessment.

Melisa shrugged.

"It’s the only thing that makes sense to me. But what that plan might be... I have no idea. I mean, sure, they got nim off the streets, but everyone else will still be out to see whatever happens."

They sat in silence for a moment, both lost in their own thoughts. Melisa watched as Hazel tackled Margaret to the ground, both of them dissolving into a fit of laughter.

"Well, I should add, there is one bright spot in all of this," Zephyra said suddenly, breaking Melisa out of her thoughts. The court sorceress had the smile of someone who had just done something recently they were proud of. "I managed to convince the king to grant you special permission to move freely through the streets."

Melisa’s brows shot up.

"What? You did?"

She nodded.

"Indeed. Specifically, to heal the afflicted, one by one, until this crisis is resolved."

Melisa blinked, surprise and gratitude welling up in her chest.

Zephyra’s proud smile turned into a proud grin, a hint of mischief in her eyes.

"Of course. I couldn’t very well let my new, star pupil be locked away, now could I? Besides, if anyone can help me get to the bottom of this, it’s you... seeing as you’re likely these people’s main target, and all."

[Ah. Right.]

"Besides that," Zephyra continued, "whatever these people’s plan is, they will now be forced to act. You going around healing people means their little quarantine now has a termination date."

Melisa felt a grin spreading across her face.

"Wow. Thank you."

Zephyra waved a hand dismissively.

"Think nothing of it. The way I see it, we’re in this together, you and I. With your help, I’m thinking I’ll unravel this mystery, expose the true culprits, teach you a few more spells and, once our two weeks are done, head back out on the road."

[Huh?]

Melisa was very surprised to hear that.

"You already want to leave? You just got here!"

"What can I say?" Zephyra smiled. "Going from one village to another, fighting darian skirmishers, and spending my nights with a warm kitsune to spoon is just far too enjoyable a lifestyle to pass up."

[Eh, fair enough.]

Melisa stood up, stretching her arms above her head.

"Well, alright. But, first, I need to start making the rounds, healing as many nim as I can."

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"That’s what you want to focus on?" Zephyra asked. "We could do a little reconnaissance beforehand."

"Well," Melisa began to explain, "judging by the rate at which nim are getting sick, they must not have too many people in on the plan. If I can heal nim faster than they can get them sick, I might be able to prove this isn’t a plague at all. I feel like that would be a win in itself.

Plus, as much as I want to take the people responsible for this down, I’d like it if I could save as many people as possible at the same time, you know?"

The court sorceress nodded slowly. Her amethyst eyes had remained locked on Melisa, hanging on every word.

Melisa wasn’t too sure what to think of this feeling. The way it felt like Zephyra was always studying her, analyzing her. But, it seemed like she didn’t mind what she heard.

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Zephyra stood as well.

"That’s not a bad plan at all."

As Melisa and Zephyra wrapped up their discussion, Margaret made her way over, ever the gracious host.

"Can I offer you something to eat or drink, Lady Vortell?" she asked, her smile warm and inviting. "Some tea, some refreshments?"

Instantly, Zephyra’s attitude shifted slightly.

Zephyra’s eyes sparkled with mischief as she ran them over Margaret’s form, her gaze lingering just a bit too long to be entirely proper.

"Why, Lady Blackflame, your lovely smile is nourishment enough, thank you~"

Melisa nearly choked on her own spit, her eyes bugging out of her head.

[... Did she just hit on my mom, right in front of me? I mean, I know Margaret’s a total MILF, but damn.]

But Margaret just laughed, a pretty blush staining her cheeks.

"Oh, you flatterer. I-I suppose a powerful sorceress like you has more options than anything I have here, but, if you’d like anything, please let me know."

Zephyra grinned.

Leaning in close, she gently pulled Margaret closer and whispered something in Margaret’s ear.

Melisa didn’t hear it, but whatever she said made Margaret’s blush deepen to a shade of purple Melisa had never seen before.

Melisa cleared her throat loudly, trying to break up the weird sexual tension that had suddenly permeated the garden.

"So, uh, Zephyra. What’s your plan while I’m out there playing magical doctor?"

Zephyra straightened up, her expression turning serious once more (though she still had a smirk on her face).

"I’ll be conducting my own research, trying to dig up any leads on who might be behind this plot. I have a few contacts in the city who might be able to shed some light on the situation. And," she added, "I’ll compile a list of sick nim and where they live, for you."

"Please do."

Zephyra turned to Margaret, giving her a final, seductive smile.

"Could I come over again one of these days? I would like to taste your tea one of these days."

Margaret giggled like a schoolgirl, nodding enthusiastically.

"Yes, yes! I look forward to it, Lady Vortell."

With a final wink, Zephyra turned to leave, her hips swaying in a way that was definitely deliberate.

Melisa shook her head.

[Wow.]

Pushing her legs forward, Melisa followed Zephyra out of the garden, trying not to think too hard about what Zephyra tasting Margaret’s tea might look like.

As they approached the front door, Jaylin came barreling through, nearly crashing into Zephyra in her haste. She’d been heading to her side of the manor.

"Oh! Lady Vortell, I’m so sorry, I didn’t see you there!" Jaylin stammered, dropping into a hasty bow.

But Zephyra barely spared her a glance, sweeping past the flustered girl without so much as a nod of acknowledgment.

Melisa winced, seeing the hurt and anger that flashed across Jaylin’s face.

[Ouch. That’s gotta sting. I know Zephyra’s got a lot on her mind, but would it kill her to show a little common courtesy? Ah, but... on the other hand, massive bitch and all that, so... Yeah.]

Jaylin straightened up, her jaw clenched tight.

"Right. Well. I’ll just be going then," she gritted out, before storming off in the opposite direction.

Melisa sighed.

[Man... I really would like to smooth things over with her. I don’t like living with someone who just hates me like that.]

She pushed the matter out of her mind, however.

[For now, though... I should probably just do some more research. If I’m going to be dealing with Blood Magic so often, I’ll want my own Blood Magic skills to be on point.]