In response to Luo Shu's question, Lacus shook her head slightly:
"The Succubi are only part of the reason."
"The real trouble comes from Truth Astronomy's Desire Faction."
"Desire Faction?" Luo Shu frowned slightly upon hearing the unfamiliar term.
Seeing his confusion, Kirika Tachibana wasn't surprised. Compared to the three present, Luo Shu was still a newcomer to the supernatural world. His lack of knowledge was expected, making reminders all the more necessary:
"The so-called Desire Faction refers collectively to the seven demon factions within Truth Astronomy that wield the Seven Deadly Sins."
"Pride, Envy, Wrath, Sloth, Greed, Gluttony and Lust."
"Among these, the Lust faction primarily consists of Succubi, who also happen to be the least harmful of the groups."
Hearing this assessment from Kirika, Natsuki Minamiya couldn't help but laugh:
"How interesting to hear 'least harmful' coming from an official like you."
Rather than taking offence at Natsuki's undermining, Kirika simply waved her hand:
"What can I say? Even enemies need categorising into urgent or less urgent threats."
"For Succubi who merely use their beauty to ensnare men and strive to prolong their prey's harvesting cycle, their harm potential is objectively low."
"After all, in nearly all Succubus-related fatalities, the cause was male overindulgence."
Here, Kirika sneakily glanced at Luo Shu, as if silently suggesting she suspected he'd similarly overindulge if encountering a Succubus.
Under her gaze, Luo Shu's cheek twitched, though he lacked the conviction to refute:
"You said 'nearly all'... does that mean male Succubi exist?"
Kirika regarded Luo Shu with an inscrutable expression:
"They do, but they're exceedingly rare. And reportedly, male Succubi prefer preying on human males - for reasons unknown."
Unable to bear her implication, Luo Shu retorted: "Why are you looking at me like that while saying this?"
"No reason. I just suddenly thought someone here resembles a Succubus. In terms of abilities, I mean."
Kirika's eyes flicked to the ruby ring on Luo Shu's right hand - his first Abyss Artefact, the Demon Heart.
"Come to think of it, you've been carrying something quite dangerous to women like us all along!"
"The danger only applies to you."
Natsuki gently swirled her teacup:
"Such Mind Control techniques are ineffective against Lacus and myself."
Hearing this, Kirika quickly turned to Lacus, only to catch the girl sticking out her tongue.
She froze for a moment before saying helplessly, "Uh... So I'm the only unsafe one here?"
At that moment, Luo Shu smiled and said, "Don't worry, I don't see you as a woman."
"...You're ruthless." Kirika Tachibana's lips twitched in admiration at the verbal dagger Luo Shu had just plunged.
Meanwhile, upon learning that the entire Desire Faction of Succubi was the main source of trouble, Luo Shu immediately thought of Kisara's situation:
"So, the Desire Faction of Truth Astronomy might come after me because of Kisara?"
"Based on current information, the pureblood lineage of the child you call Kisara likely originates from Asmodeus, the Demon God of Lust."
Natsuki Minamiya glanced at Luo Shu, lingering on his lips for a few seconds, clearly having noticed the traces of a demon:
"So for that child, restraining measures probably aren't necessary. After gaining sentience, the first opposite-sex individual she laid eyes on—you—serves as the perfect suppressor."
"You should understand the specific reasons yourself."
Luo Shu's expression turned rather subtle at these words. Although he'd jokingly input some strange notions into Kisara's common sense, her behaviour... could indeed only be described as 'throwing herself at him'.
Considering this, he might genuinely qualify as that suppressor.
"But Kisara is actually a descendant of Asmodeus?"
Though somewhat unethical, Luo Shu found himself entertaining the idea of using the Mysticism Encyclopaedia to look up Asmodeus' summoning ritual, then having Kisara lure her ancestor into the Astronomy Club.
'Ahem, having tricked Vassago once, am I getting reckless with my ideas? That won't do.'
Noticing Luo Shu's thoughtful expression, Natsuki Minamiya calmly remarked:
"Due to her pureblood status, she holds an extremely high position within the Desire Faction, especially among Succubi who serve Desire. So you can expect quite a few succubi harassing you in the near future."
Hearing this, Luo Shu frowned.
At that moment, Kirika Tachibana rested her chin on one hand and asked curiously:
"Speaking of which, how did you discover the Succubus today?"
Luo Shu glanced at Natsuki Minamiya, considering her strong professional ethics, and explained:
"Utaha was mistaken for a Succubus and got recruited by a female Succubus named Maria Naruse. They're probably still negotiating."
"Hmm?" Natsuki Minamiya immediately became alert: "Utaha Kasumigaoka? She was mistaken for a Succubus?"
The teacher remembered this student quite well—both for her high 'erotic appeal' and her ambiguous relationship with Luo Shu. But based on her observations, Utaha shouldn't have any connection to demons.
Lacus showed surprise, too, though not about the mistaken identity, but rather the name Maria Naruse:
"Maria Naruse? The Lust Princess Maria Naruse? She's come to Japan? And opened a maid café?"
Kirika Tachibana, seeing their reactions, chuckled while propping up her face: "Heh, another pureblood of lust. I'm starting to wonder if you're some kind of Succubus magnet, attracting them like this."
Luo Shu shot her a sidelong glance—if you can't speak properly, then speak less.
"The Lust Princess?" Luo Shu looked at Lacus, then asked curiously: "Is that Maria Naruse particularly dangerous?"
Lacus shook her head and said, "No, the risk isn't high. I just didn't expect her to be in Japan."
Meanwhile, Kirika Tachibana added, "Maria Naruse represents a heretical branch of the lust faction—a strange Succubus sect that doesn't seduce men or drain their vitality."
"A pure-hearted slut, or so they call that Succubus."
'A Succubus that doesn't seduce men is heresy? A pure-hearted slut?'
Hearing these terms, Luo Shu was at a loss for words.
But at least he now understood the risk of contacting Maria Naruse—Utaha Kasumigaoka might become both lewd and innocent.
'Wait, wasn't that pretty much how she already was?'
Mentally complaining, Luo Shu asked, "So, should we let them interact or step in to stop it?"
Hearing this, Kirika glanced at Lacus, who exchanged a look with Natsuki Minamiya before both turned their gazes squarely at Luo Shu.
Seeing this, Luo Shu's mouth twitched: "...I get to decide, huh?"
Lacus and Natsuki Minamiya simultaneously picked up their tea and took a sip.
They said nothing, yet everything.
"Seriously..." Luo Shu shook his head and sighed.
"Looks like I really have to visit that maid café now."