Chapter 131: Receiving Kurumu and Emelia. Kurumu’s reflection. +16

You chuckle, leaning against the desk beside Robin's station. "Well, I'm certainly not god," you say, your English voice carrying slightly through the speakers. "Should we introduce me as a fool trying to save the world, or a lucky guy with magic and a harem of dimensional travelers who'd kick my butt if I did more than they liked?"

Kurumi's laugh rings clear beside you. "Master, I prefer the second description."

"Let's start with just Brad Collins," you continue, watching Robin's fingers adjust transmission controls. "A lucky former-American who got magic and wants to help save civilization and dimensional travelers. Even made a sanctuary out of a warship for them."

Robin speaks into the microphone, her voice shifting into fluid Spanish. Through the speakers, Colonel Ruiz's response comes immediately, thick with emotion and confusion.

"You must not have heard there are enchanted tankers currently heading to the rest of the world," you add. "We reached out to you because we're passing by Mexico currently. Oh, we advise picking a new country-name since the new world will include magic and magic laws. You don't want old-world restrictions by keeping the same name."

Robin translates smoothly, then pauses as Ruiz's voice comes through in rapid Spanish.

C.C. leans forward from her console. "He's asking how you're broadcasting in Spanish when your voice sounds American. He heard your English underneath Robin's Spanish overlay."

"The translation effect," you explain. "Tell him dimensional travelers hear their native languages automatically through magical framework. Robin's hearing Japanese, I'm hearing English, he's hearing Spanish, but the dimensional travelers are all understanding each other perfectly."

Robin conveys this, and there's a long pause before Ruiz responds.

"He says that's... convenient," C.C. translates. "But he's asking about the dimensional travelers you mentioned. Specifically, he says he has two women in protective custody who appeared three weeks ago. One has silver hair and claims to be from something called Lugnica. The other has bat wings."

Your attention sharpens immediately. "Bat wings?"

Violet's green eyes meet yours from her station. "Succubus physiology. That narrows dimensional origin significantly."

Albedo's voice carries through the telepathy web, interested. "Master, another succubus dimensional traveler? That's unexpected."

Ruiz continues speaking, and C.C. translates in real-time. "He detained them under false espionage suspicion, but actually it was to protect them from three men who attempted assault. He executed those men two weeks ago. The women have been cooperative but isolated. He's asking if your sanctuary accepts dimensional travelers matching that description."

"Absolutely," you say immediately. "Tell him we specialize in protecting dimensional travelers. If they accept sanctuary, we'll retrieve them."

Robin conveys this, then adds something in Spanish that makes Ruiz's response shift to what sounds like profound relief.

"He's giving coordinates," Robin confirms, writing quickly. "Warehouse district, eastern section. He'll prepare them for transport and requests confirmation of retrieval method."

"Scry" Your vision splitting to show the warehouse apartment, broadcast to the others in the command room by Telepathy Web. Two female occupants - one with silver-lavender hair sitting cross-legged on a cot, the other with long blue hair and small bat wings folded against her back pacing near the window.

"That's Emilia," you say immediately, directing to the silver-haired woman. "From Re:Zero. Half-elf. And Kurumu Kurono. Succubus from Rosario + Vampire."

Albedo's golden eyes sharpen with interest. "Another succubus? How delightful."

"Robin, tell Ruiz we've got this covered," you say, already focusing mana. "Portaling to them directly. Gate."

The Gate spell forms smoothly, destination locked through Scrying's connection. Golden light spirals open in the command center, revealing the apartment interior through the portal.

Kurumu's head snaps toward the portal, wings flaring. "What-"

"Easy, easy," you say quickly, "Albedo, C.C. would you please." gesturing to them, "Diplomatic contact."

Albedo steps through without hesitation, her white gothic dress pristine, wings spreading slightly as she enters the apartment. C.C. follows, hands in her pockets, expression neutral.

"Good afternoon," Albedo says smoothly, her voice carrying elegantly. "My name is Albedo. I'm also a succubus, of a different variety. We've come to offer sanctuary."

Kurumu's defensive posture shifts immediately, eyes widening as she registers the energy signature. "You're... really a succubus? How?"

"Dimensional displacement," C.C. explains calmly. "The same phenomenon that brought you here brought us. We've established a sanctuary specifically for dimensional travelers. Protected, supplied, no assault attempts."

Emilia stands slowly, violet eyes cautious but analytical. "There is a bunch of commotion outside, someone offered magic fuel. The light we saw covering the warehouse - that was real?"

"Very real," C.C. confirms. "The man who created it is waiting on the other side of the portal. He's established sanctuary aboard a former Navy vessel. Many other dimensional travelers have already integrated, protected under explicit consent frameworks."

"Consent frameworks?" Kurumu asks, still focused on Albedo.

"Meaning no one touches you without permission," Albedo says bluntly. "The master of our sanctuary has established absolute rules. Several of us have chosen intimate relationships with him, but it's always choice. You'd be protected, fed, housed, and given time to decide what you want."

Emilia's expression shifts from cautious to considering. "What's the cost?"

"Honestly?" C.C. meets her gaze. "Your presence. He's building something larger than survival - actual civilization reconstruction. But there's no servitude requirement, no forced labor. You'd contribute what you're comfortable contributing."

Kurumu looks at Albedo. "And you chose to be with him?"

"I chose to serve him," Albedo corrects, voice firm. "Because he proved himself worthy of service. But that's my choice. Yours might be different."

Emilia glances at Kurumu, then back at C.C. "Show us this sanctuary."

C.C. gestures toward the portal. "Right this way."

Kurumu steps through the portal first, wings folding nervously against her back as she takes in the command center's displays and personnel. Emilia follows, violet eyes sweeping the room with analytical precision.

"Welcome to sanctuary... should we name it that? We haven't actually named this yet have we..." you say, stepping forward.

Albedo intercepts immediately, moving gracefully to press against your side. Her lips find yours in a deep, possessive kiss that makes Kurumu's eyes widen. The energy radiating from Albedo carries territorial weight - deliberate, claiming, unmistakable.

Kurumu's wings flare slightly, pupils dilating as instinct responds to the challenge.

You break the kiss, keeping your hands on her hips and expression neutral while Albedo smiles with satisfied elegance. "As I said, welcome. Robin will assign you each an apartment-motorhome. We've got plenty of space."

Robin stands from her console, nodding. "This way. I'll show you the residential section."

"Violet," you add, gesturing to the blonde woman at the tactical station. "Could you introduce Emilia to Tuka? Another elf, from a different world. I think you'll get along well."

Emilia's expression shifts to surprised interest. "Another elf? Here?"

"Several dimensional travelers, multiple non-human." Violet confirms, her hands moving smoothly as she secures her station. "I'll take you to her."

"Albedo," you say, meeting the succubus's golden eyes. "Would you introduce Kurumu to Maria? I'm both afraid and curious how much trouble three succubi can cause together."

Albedo's smile widens. "Master, I suspect the answer is 'considerable.'"

Kurumu follows Albedo toward the exit, but her attention keeps sliding back to you, blue eyes lingering with obvious interest. The challenge Albedo issued still hangs in the air, prickling against succubus instincts.

"Kurumi," you send through the telepathy web. "Get a hand mirror. Medium sized. Kurumu was definitely taunted by Albedo. When she makes her move, probably a fake trip into my arms - same as her story-canon, I need you to shove the mirror between us. If it works, she'll charm herself instead of turning me into a pet."

Kurumi's response carries amused understanding. "Master, you anticipate well. I'll retrieve one immediately."

The group begins filing out, Robin leading Emilia and Kurumu toward residential sections, Violet preparing to guide Emilia to Tuka's location.

C.C. glances up from her console, one green eyebrow raised. "Planning countermeasures already?"

"Albedo threw down a territorial challenge," you reply quietly. "Kurumu's instinct and education will push her to test boundaries. Better to catch it cleanly than let it escalate."

"Practical," C.C. observes. "Though watching three succubi interact should prove educational."

Through the telepathy web, Kurumi's presence shifts. "Mirror acquired, Master. I'm positioned near the corridor junction."

"Educational," you agree, watching the doorway. "Or chaotic and entertaining."

"I unfortunately need to give Kurumu the opportunity to make her response attempt," you say quietly to C.C., watching the doorway where the group departed. "Otherwise I'll be on guard for days. Ironically or sadly, it will be easier to talk to her and explain to Emilia after Kurumu's charmed herself."

C.C.'s green eyes flicker with understanding. "How long does succubus self-charm typically last?"

"Depends on the amount of energy they put into it and the mastery of the caster against the receiver's mental resilience... maybe until morning," you reply. "As long as I don't let it go too far, it should just be a humbling experience for her."

"Practical," C.C. observes. "Though watching a succubus charm herself via mirror reflection has a certain poetic justice."

You move toward the exit, Kurumi gracefully falling into step beside you. Her presence carries amused anticipation. "Master, I have the mirror. When she makes her move, I'll intercept cleanly."

"Thank you," you send back. "If she repeats her canon methods, she'll trip into me, using the eye contact to activate her charm. You'll need to be quick to shove the mirror in at the right angle."

The corridor stretches ahead, familiar displays and hatches marking the path toward residential sections. Your footsteps echo softly against metal decking.

Movement flickers in peripheral vision - blue hair, folded wings, careful approach from a side passage. Kurumu emerges with practiced casualty, her expression shifting to surprised recognition.

"Oh, Brad-san," she says, Japanese honorifics carrying through auto-translation. "I was just looking for... Albedo mentioned the galley was this direction?" Her positioning is deliberate, angling to intercept your path.

"Galley's that way," you gesture back toward where she came from, keeping your tone neutral.

Kurumu's blue eyes widen slightly, embarrassment coloring her cheeks. "Ah, I got turned around. This ship is so large."

She steps forward, movements fluid and graceful. One foot catches slightly on nothing visible, momentum carrying her toward you in what could pass for accidental stumble.

Her eyes lock onto yours, pupils dilating. Energy pulses - charm activation, instinctive and immediate.

Kurumi's hand moves with perfect timing, producing a small compact mirror that swings directly into the small space between you. The reflective surface catches Kurumu's gaze for a split-second.

The charm effect rebounds instantly. Kurumu's expression goes blank, eyes glazing over as her own ability crashes back through her consciousness. She staggers slightly in your arms, wings flaring for balance, then her face shifts into something between confusion and dawning mortification.

"I... what..." Her voice carries genuine bewilderment. "Why am I...?"

Her pupils dilate, focused on her own reflection in the mirror Kurumi still holds. The succubus's breathing quickens, cheeks flushing deeper as self-directed charm takes full effect.

You keep your hands steady on Kurumu's waist, feeling her lean into your touch with eager enthusiasm that confirms the charm's effect. "I'm surprised that went so smoothly only minutes after you arrived," you say, meeting Kurumi's heterochromatic gaze over Kurumu's shoulder. "Thank you, Kurumi. Perfectly timed."

"My pleasure, Master," Kurumi replies, tucking the compact mirror away with satisfied grace.

Looking back down, "Kurumu, your charm was reflected, you realize that means your going to be obedient to me for several hours right?"

Kurumu's blue eyes focus on you with dreamy intensity, wings fluttering slightly. "Of course! I'm going to be your best girl, Brad-sama!" Her enthusiasm mixed with succubus instinct, almost flowing out of her voice. She presses closer, hands sliding up your chest. "I can show you right now how good I-"

"Hold that thought," you interrupt gently, spinning her around and guiding her by the hips back down the corridor toward where Albedo and Maria wait. Kurumu follows willingly, practically bouncing with each step.

Albedo stands with arms crossed, golden eyes gleaming with amusement as you approach. Maria's violet gaze assesses the situation analytically.

"Albedo," you say, keeping your tone light but pointed. "Taunting her then letting her attempt seducing me only minutes after being onboard was risky."

"Master, I-" Albedo begins, but you raise one hand.

"Though it was likely for the best," you admit. "But you weren't aware, of what her abilities were, which admittedly was better to catch this immediately than have it escalate later."

You adjust your grip on Kurumu's waist, sliding your hands slowly upward until they cup and support her breasts through her uniform. She makes a pleased sound, leaning back against you.

"Kurumu's species of succubi are natural charm and mind specialists," you explain to Albedo and Maria, your fingers brushing over fabric. "If she'd succeeded in charming me, all it would take is a kiss for it to be permanent."

Maria's expression shifts to concern. "Permanent mental manipulation?"

"Permanent." You continue the slow, deliberate fondling, feeling Kurumu's breathing quicken. "Kurumi reflected her charm successfully, so she's under her own effect right now."

"Oh yes," Kurumu breathes, tilting her head back. "I'm yours, Brad-sama. Completely yours."

You look at her directly. "Kurumu, I won't apologize for your situation as it is your own charm that put you in this."

She nods eagerly, pupils still dilated. "Yes! My fault! I understand!"

"So how should we embarrass you without it going too far?" you ask, addressing all four women.

Kurumu's response comes immediately, voice breathy with enthusiasm. "Make me your half-naked nubile servant until the charm wears off! Please, Brad-sama! I'll serve you perfectly!"

Albedo's smile widens. "Master, that's remarkably appropriate. Public enough to be humbling, private enough to maintain dignity."

Maria nods slowly. "Embarrassment plus service equals effective lesson without lasting damage. How long will this last as is?"

Enjoying the warmth in your hands, "The charm should last hours possibly till morning, unless she kisses me and makes it permanent. When it wears off she should remember most, if not everything, she did while under her own influence."