The Anime Trope System: Legend of the Stone Father #22 Read online

He felt her presence before she snuggled into him, tail wagging. Short white hair, wolf ears and tail, and striking blue eyes, the petite young woman radiated adorableness. Ruri, princess of the Eastern Hellhound Clan and Clyde’s fiancée, greeted him.

  “Good morning, Alpha husbando,” she said, planting him with a firm kiss that was slightly lewd and while it lingered, almost as if the hellhound was sending a message, it still ended faster than the young man liked.

  “What’s that poking me?” Airi asked, causing Clyde to anime-fall to the side and the other women to burst into laughter. Even Alice giggled.

  Kyoko shook her head. “Well, at least I get to see my girl as a woman. Visit home sometime, will ya? Your father’s getting on my damn nerves worrying about you, as if you weren’t a hellhound with my blood coursing through you.”

  Matsume chuckled. “Queen Kyoko, is that concern I hear?”

  The queen scoffed. “Say that when he has the ring on your finger and his rod jammed into your hole.” She folded her arms, uncaring about the etiquette of royalty.

  “Ruri’s never this aggressive,” Tear said. “Or do I miss everything?” She placed a hand over a smug smile.

  Ruri rolled her eyes. “Oh, don’t feign ignorance, Tear. We’ve known each other for a long time. Besides, a ring doesn’t have to compete against another ring.” She winked at the succubus, then held up a finger. “Just goddesses, moms, and outsiders.”

  Venus sighed. Kyoko rolled her eyes.

  Clyde shot her a blank stare. “Some faith you have in your fiancé.”

  Ruri flinched, her ears sagging. “I… didn’t mean it like that.”

  Clyde pulled her into an embrace. “I’m kidding. I know you didn’t.”

  Her cheery attitude returned, tail wagging. Clyde forced down his horniness. Ever since his body acknowledged being a deity-type being, the need to fuck never went away. Is this what Zeus experienced on a daily basis? he thought.

  “Ming, what are you watching?” Natalia asked.

  “Dakota Power the Blood Swordsman,” Ming replied. “It’s really good.”

  Natalia folded her arms. “You should draw a Loli Saga swords girl. She should swipe the bad guys in one strike.”

  Tear picked up the loli-witch. “Could you… accompany us today in your normal form?”

  A light dawned in Alice’s eyes. “Oh, that’s right, Aunt Suzume doesn’t know that Natalia can change back.”

  “Whattaya mean change back?” Kyoko asked, standing. “I’ve known you for years too. Don’t keep secrets.”

  “For a short time, she can shift back into an adult,” Clyde said. “We weakened the curse significantly, but it’s still an ongoing effort to break it entirely. It’s thanks to Naoko we’ve made it this far.”

  The loli-entity with green hair blushed. One eye red, one eye green, and pointy ears like an elf, Naoko was a pillar of adorableness and sometimes subtle sarcasm and sassiness if one got on her nerves. If one had the bad luck of Seth.

  Clyde sat on the couch in between Melody and Harumi. His hand massaged the fox girl’s fluffy and well-brushed tail. His redhead looked at him with confidence and hope. If it wasn’t for the numerous times they fought and bled together against impossible enemies, this faith she had in him would make the young man uncomfortable. Instead, it boosted his own confidence as a leader and a competent fiancé.

  He and his… father-in-law were going to have a talk. The hope was for it to be as nonviolent as possible. After the strange liquid Ako gave him to sip, Clyde stood at the brink of barely controlling his power.

  Somehow a good night’s sleep fixed that. However, he felt as if he was in base Stone Mode twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week. If he focused, the young man could hear conversations outside. He felt presences in the next town over. He… felt confident in pulling Melody’s father into Satovia and striking him down with little effort.

  Clyde wished this was arrogance so that he could humble himself and be thankful for the increase in power. But this ridiculous level boost was not for show. If he didn’t consciously control his strength, he’d dent the floor while walking. One sneeze could send allies flying into town.

  How the hell did Superman deal with this?

  Clyde caressed Melody’s hand, calming down through her and Harumi. Their love flowed into him like a tangible aura, grounding the young man. He massaged the fox girl’s stomach. She kissed him.

  “Let’s get this visit to my succubus mother-in-law over with,” Clyde said minutes later, causing Tear to anime-fall to the side. He walked over and pulled his adorable succubus fiancée into him. “It’s going to be alright. If your mom tries anything, Seth will hammer her down with his jokes.”

  “Or you’ll make her cringe with your bad jokes,” Kanako, the genie woman, said.

  Clyde felt as if a giant arrow struck him in the center. He gave the purple-haired genie a Gin smile, though unaware. “I see Kanako’s got jokes.”

  Everyone laughed. He knew this eased the hell out of Tear’s tension. It even helped Melody, who was currently under a bullshit time limit.

  “Never knew you had it in you,” Clare told Kanako. The genie shrugged shyly at the shrine maiden.

  The moment they stepped outside, Ako and Kasha returned. With them was Ichika, arch priestess of the Stone Maidens.

  Episode 95 (Part 2)

  Midmorning…

  Monster Kingdoms…

  Meowon, Nation of Athel…

  Kasha’s palace…

  Clyde took a look at a delayed prompt and forced himself not to sigh. Venus’s lust seemed to beacon him toward her, beginning for even a taste. How? He pushed the thoughts to the side for another day.

  [Venus has joined your party.]

  [Venus is a chaotic party member.]

  [Know this, a chaotic companion on your side could dramatically alter the battle in your favor. Remember your vows. Anything promised to them will serve as motivation while they eagerly await the award.]

  [List of chaotic companions: Chika, Ruri, Kanako, Naoko, Sazuki, Lilith, Su Yang, Venus.]

  [Chaotic energy has reached 4 points. What will happen if you reach 5?]

  As Clyde and Team Stone prepared to Jump, following Venus’s lead, a question popped into the young man’s head.

  “Why haven’t the other babies caused a stir?” he wondered aloud.

  “Did you forget already?” Ichika asked. “Clare and Airi gave everyone barriers. It wouldn’t make sense for just Harumi to have one.”

  “Ah, just making sure,” Clyde said. “Guess it means we’ll have overpowered munchkins everywhere.”

  “Overpowered is an understatement, Lord Stone,” Venus said. “I’ve heard about the incident and did some digging into the power output data. One percent.”

  “One percent of what?” Clyde asked, confused.

  “Your daughter was using just one percent of her power,” Venus said, then actually shuddered.

  Harumi’s eyes widened. “That’s… ridiculous? The power output felt like Stone Mode. You’re telling me from an unborn child, that’s just one percent?”

  Venus nodded. “The reason why Clare’s barrier is holding is because the baby’s letting it hold. That’s some scary intelligence. Also confidence in her father.”

  Clyde tossed away any ideas of using Ruri’s Woof-woof tablet to speed up their pregnancies. Not unless he had to. Fuck, the young man needed time to prepare…

  “You’re going to end up as more than just their parents, but also their mentors and trainers,” Venus said. “Mother Nature’s trust in you will be the envy of many.”

  “She’s trusting Clyde to make sure his children don’t eradicate the universes,” Kasha deadpanned. “Nya, wow. I can’t wait to see this unfold! Try not to die, Lord Stone.”

  Clyde opened his hand. Ako gently laid her paper fan in it and nodded, cheerful smile on her face. The Gin kind of course.

  He whacked Kasha, gaining another nod of approval from the kuudere catgirl. Even Neko nodded.

  “Nya, and they called me the insensitive one,” Neko said.

  Kasha sighed. “Apologies. This one didn’t mean to offend.” She gave the young man a cat-like smirk.

  Clyde shot her a blank stare. “You know what, I’m not going to comment. Anyway, Tear, Jump us away. Kasha, we’ll be back, probably tonight.”

  Tear grimaced. “We really don’t have to stay long, you know.”

  “Nonsense,” Venus said. “Your mother will be thrilled to see you.”

  Tear rolled her eyes but said nothing. Instead, she released the magic, targeting all but Venus and Kasha. Venus forced herself into the magic with just a thought, pouting.

  “So mean,” she said.

  The bright ethereal light of the Jump whisked the party away.

  [Area unlocked: Capital City, Rial, of the Nation Ceruliam.]

  [Your party has entered a Boss fight!]

  [Your party has been challenged by the First Force. Prepare yourself.]

  Clyde didn’t have to say a word as his team immediately scattered upon sensing the enormous approaching blast of magic. It struck the empty spot in which they stood as they Jumped in.

  That was when the young man saw them. Eight men and women dressed in black cloaks, armed with various weapons from swords to scythes, and even a spear.

  A pale purple aura surrounded them. Electricity jolted in between the strands of visible radiation.

  “Hey, what the hell?” Seth yelled. “Why are you attacking us?”

  The cloaked group didn’t reply, only carefully analyzed Team Stone, though too cautious to step forward to confront the massive group. A group they knew that outnumbered them.

  Seth sighed, then his eyes hardened. A massive killing intent erupted from him like
a bloody aura. Clyde was shocked as he’d never felt such power from the humorous blond. The entirety of the First Force fell to their knees, straining against the gravity.

  Tear sighed as she stepped forward. “That’s not how you welcome home the matriarch’s daughter.”

  Clyde could see the horror in their eyes as they took in Tear’s appearance. They all fell to their face, bowing to press them against the ground.

  “Please accept our forgiveness, Lady Tear. Your presence… it is different.”

  The succubus sighed again.

  “So embarrassing,” she said softly. “Maybe you guys should try looking next time. And why is security so high?”

  “The power of royalty,” Airi said.

  “I was kind of hoping we’d get to slaughter them,” Undine said, then smiled innocently at Yusuke and Clyde’s blank stares.

  Naoko climbed up to Tear’s shoulder and gave her a head pat then hopped back down.

  “Tear, you’d better tell your mother to post new guards,” Natalia said. “They’re so weak that one look at dummy blond and they fell to their knees.” She turned to Seth, giving him a thumbs up. “Good work for being so ugly, dummy blond.”

  “Don’t start bickering,” Naoko said, clearly making an impression of Clyde. He was just a second from intervening before Seth waged a full verbal war with the loli-witch.

  Clyde shot the loli-entity a blank stare. “Who’s teaching our innocent Naoko this?”

  He turned his glance to Airi.

  “Don’t look at me,” Airi said. “She’s only watching and learning.”

  “I wonder,” Alice said.

  Tear stepped forward. “Guards, go tell Mother that I’m here with guests.”

  The First Force bowed.

  “Are you sure you want the men—”

  “The succubus aura inside won’t bother them,” Tear said. “Don’t forget, the aura’s a defensive mechanism against intruders, not guests.”

  “There are some out there that believe succubi to be shameless,” Venus said. “They sneak into the royal palace, hoping they’d get all of their desires answered. They dehumanize demi- and non-humans.”

  Clyde really looked at the area and his eyes widened at the site of the giant castle ahead of them. Surrounding them was a city bustling with activity. As more of the dust cleared, he made out the concrete they were standing upon, a road. In front of them were large modern gates.

  He figured the succubus queen… er… matriarch would buzz them in.

  Suddenly, an intoxicating and kind voice sounded from the gate’s speakers.

  “Welcome home, daughter. Please bring your friends to the recreational tea room.”

  Morning in this time zone…

  Satalion continent…

  Dante’s room…

  After reading the academy invitation, Dante found himself lost in thought. The first thing he wondered was how the hell did the sender know where he lived or that he existed. How did he know of his sister and Mimi?

  While this person didn’t mention his quest, the young man was still suspicious. Did his big sister, Alexus, run her damn mouth…? No, she wouldn’t do that. Did she tell Mimi about the quest? Possibly and knowing her, the little sex fiend would let it out while drunk.

  He gazed into the mirror, at the young man that stared back at him. Glowing orange eyes, hair cut into a fade, a controlled muscular build, and above average height made up his appearance.

  The second letter that was attached to the envelope invited Dante to the Heavenly Council. Fighting the Stone…

  Should he use this Heavenly Council to build a Team Storm? Or join this so-called Band of Fire…

  He’d have to test their strength first. Dante had no grudges with the Stone and would not intentionally start a fight. However… to see who was stronger. With his training in the Hallow Realm, the young man held an incredibly high level and stats. In reserve was a crest transformation, which he hoped he wouldn’t have to reveal. That needed to be kept as a last resort. A trump card.

  Late morning in this time zone…

  Capital City, Rial, Ceruliam…

  Royal Succubus Palace…

  Clyde and Team Stone followed behind Tear and the guards, across a really long courtyard until finally they reached the massive front doors. The young man felt like a giant lived in the place.

  Down a long, fancy hall of marbled floors and numerous paintings, he began to feel… a pressure. Someone incredibly powerful expected them.

  Succubus maids and possible family members or house guests eyed them as they passed, some with curiosity, others with a hint of lust and greed. They craved men or women almost in the same manner as Lilith. Then he felt the succubi auras and knew it affected the others.

  “Knock it off,” Tear snapped at the women. She let out her succubus goddess aura, which had gotten immensely stronger since the last time the young man felt it. While the others flinched at it, Clyde could only stare blankly as he missed out on the experience of truly feeling how much stronger Tear gotten. The liquid consumed from the cup did more than just boost his levels. It tempered his body into something… something unheard of. Naoko briefly staring at him seemed to confirm his thoughts.

  The maids and other succubi quickly apologized, backing away from the entourage of Team Stone as if they were poisonous insects.

  Finally, after a lengthy walk and at least two additional halls, the guards stopped in front of a door.

  “Matriarch, we have brought the guests,” one of the guards said. He was an orc with insultingly good looks. The guards, men and women, were a mix of models. The women were all succubi, while the men ranged from orc, hobgoblin, and a humanoid figure Clyde wasn’t familiar with.

  The doors suddenly opened. Maids guarding from the inside bowed.

  Clyde almost gawked at the giant room. Golden floors, walls painted to match, and even computer areas. In addition to the tea tables, there were pool tables, a bowling alley, unfamiliar activities he assumed were Satovian things he hadn’t learned yet, and a massive drink bar with bartenders waiting.

  One of the succubus bartenders winked at the group and as much as Clyde tried to pretend it could’ve been anyone, she looked right at him.

  “Welcome back, Lady Tear,” the two guard maids said.

  Tear rolled her eyes, though failing to hide her embarrassment. Ahead, a lone figure was sitting at a tea table radiating pure dignity and so much sexual aura that Clyde put up a thin Cosmic shield to prevent himself from gaining a massive erection in front of his fiancée’s mother.

  And he could tell it was her mother because of the immense power that poured from her. Equal to Lilith, even after the empress gained a power boost from participating in the stone-viper fight.

  As they walked into view, Clyde took notice of the goddess of a woman that sat before them wearing a black sundress. Identical to Tear, only with eyes of wisdom and maybe bigger breasts. Long dark hair, Tear’s beautiful ocean-blue eyes, and a mischievous smile. Which turned into a Gin smile.

  “The pride of this household has finally returned to visit her dear old mother,” Suzume said. “The guards informed me that you had friends. They didn’t tell me you were bringing in an army. Has my time come? Are you going to usurp the throne like the days of old?”

  The succubi maids looked as if they wanted to say something, but kept their mouths shut. Even Clyde could tell the woman wasn’t serious. Messing with Tear was fun, and she probably knew that before any of them.

  Tear sighed. “I think with the amount of throne offers tossed my way, if I were interested in any, I would’ve taken one by now.”

  Suzume pouted, then stood to gaze at her daughter face to face. Tear’s gaze wasn’t icy, just tired. The matriarch suddenly pulled her daughter into a hug, then let go.

  Tear seemed taken aback.

  “Hi Aunt Suzume,” Alice said, voice cheery.

  “Alice? You’re a part of this ridiculous group too?” Suzume asked. “Melody, Natalia, Ruri. Wow, you’ve grown.”

  She took a deep whiff of Melody during the hug, causing the redhead to anime-fall to the side.

  “She’s an engaged woman you know,” Venus said, stepping forward.