Chapter 174: A Path Already Taken (3)

Chapter 174: A Path Already Taken (3)

The overwhelming softness and warmth left Rong no room to breathe.

Still in shock from the earlier revelations, Rong barely managed to react as she was smothered in the queen's "motherly love."

When she finally broke free, Rong stared at the queen with wide, dazed eyes, clearly still struggling to process everything.

"Since you've come to understand, this is the perfect opportunity to tell you some truths."

Dreamland, the largest and most glamorous den of indulgence, was more than its façade of decadence. Beneath its gilded exterior lay a vast, meticulously managed underground empire.

This was the result of years of effort and patience from queen Eden—a monumental achievement born of endurance and wisdom.

Yet, as she gazed at Rong, she found solace. Her daughter, too, had started to carve out a path similar to her own, relying on her insight and determination.

the queen was genuinely gratified. That silly little girl had finally grown up.

---

Rong, however, remained in shock, her mind still reeling from everything she had learned.

This day had utterly upended her worldview.

Shia leaned quietly against the wall, observing the scene unfold.

Queen Eden spoke with an air of pride, detailing her sprawling business empire. Shia, however, seemed unfazed, as if these revelations were nothing new to him.

In fact, he was the only one present who truly understood the full extent of the truth.

Even the succubi involved in Dreamland's underground activities were unaware of the whole picture.

Queen Eden had not only paved a new path for the succubi; her empire extended far beyond Dreamland.

Assassinations and intelligence gathering were merely fragments of the whole.

The succubi's industries spanned the entire world, reaching places no one imagined.

There was no piece of information they couldn't obtain, no person they couldn't eliminate.

But queen Eden had maintained this elaborate charade, cultivating the image of harmless temptresses, all to lull the powers of the world into complacency.

As demons, succubi could never find peace on foreign soil unless they appeared non-threatening.

Though their reputation was less than savory, this disguise was what kept them safe.

Even their princess, Rong, knew nothing of the deeper workings of this intricate web, believing instead in the stereotypes imposed by outsiders.

All this was orchestrated by queen Eden, who remained behind the scenes, directing the grand illusion.

Few knew that the queen herself had reached the threshold of a demigod, a formidable power few could rival.

Her machinations were not small in scale. Even the succubi's betrayal of the demon race years ago had not been as simple as it appeared. Hidden within were secrets of far greater consequence.

---

As Shia delved into his thoughts, Rong struggled to process the revelations, her shock still palpable.

She remembered the queen's indifferent response when she proposed her new paths for the succubi.

So, was it because they were already assassins and spies that they seemed uninterested?

Rong shifted her gaze from queen Eden to the succubi below.

Were their apparent laziness and lack of ambition just an act?

Her mind raced with questions, and she opened her mouth to speak, only to be interrupted by a sudden voice.

"Damn, this feeling of wanting to jump but not being able to… it's kinda thrilling!"

All eyes turned to the succubus who had spoken.

Though she still carried the air of an aloof goddess, her eyes shimmered with newfound excitement.

Gradually, the other succubi's eyes began to light up as well, each discovering this bizarrely satisfying sensation.

What was once irritation turned into an unexpected source of amusement.

"I mean, if we can't get into the mood anyway, why not indulge in something more sophisticated today? Let's explore some highbrow pursuits!"

The suggestion was met with unanimous agreement.

---

Rong's words caught in her throat, unable to escape.

She had finally begun to see these lazy succubi in a new light, only for them to immediately shatter her expectations.

In the end, they were still the same mischievous troublemakers she knew so well.

Utterly exasperated, Rong thought to herself: 'In this world full of deviants, am I the only one who's normal?'

---

The succubi enthusiastically pursued their "higher pursuits," but the news of Dreamland's temporary closure sent shockwaves across the land.

Countless patrons were stunned.

"What? Dreamland is closed!?"

"But I had plans with Lois yesterday—this must be a mistake!"

"I'll pay anything, just let me in!"

All were turned away at the gates.

A cold, statuesque succubus stood atop the red tower, looking down at the disgruntled patrons below.

"The sisters have been working tirelessly. By order of the queen, today is a day of rest. Go home."

With that, she turned and left without a trace of the seductive charm usually associated with succubi.

The rejected patrons were left dejected, slumping like wilted flowers.

Only now did they realize how much they had taken the succubi for granted.

While Dreamland had been open, they had splurged on its luxuries and mocked the succubi as shallow creatures.

But now, faced with the emptiness left behind, they saw just how much warmth the succubi had brought into their lives.

---

Meanwhile, rival establishments celebrated, thrilled at the chance to attract new patrons.

"Finally, Dreamland is closed!"

Eager to seize the opportunity, they dressed their best, ready to charm the customers that Dreamland had monopolized for so long.

But as they waited in anticipation, hours passed with barely a soul in sight.

Business was worse than usual.

Occasionally, a familiar face would appear, only to decline their invitations.

"Come inside for a drink, Earl Sol. It's been ages since we last saw you!"

A stunning woman reached out, her delicate fingers grazing the back of his hand, her eyes brimming with allure.

But Sol merely waved her off.

"No, I'm not in the mood. I think I'll just go home and rest."

He brushed her aside and walked away.

Scenes like this played out across the continent.

In Dreamland's absence, even the red-light districts had gone quiet.

Where patrons had once flocked to these establishments after failing to enter Dreamland, now they simply turned away, uninterested.

It was then that the other broth els realized: Dreamland hadn't stolen their business; it had driven it.

Without Dreamland, their entire ecosystem crumbled.