The Magus Era Chapter 856

After a long period of time, the meeting with the Council ended.

Leohart returned to his office, summoned a few of his trusted subordinates and notified them of the future goals requested by the Council, as well as the methods requested to achieve them. This s.p.a.ce is filled with high-cla.s.s furnis.h.i.+ngs and covered by a thick red carpet, a style that seemed befitting that of a Demon Lord's. After Leohart explained the general decision reached at the meeting—

"—to put the recently excavated spirits into battle, and defeat the Moderates Faction - is it really true?"

First to speak up, was Leohart's aide Balthier.

"I can't take it anymore… Although this is not the first time that genius Council ordered us to risk our lives, it's too much of a headache this time…"

"—Luca, what's the condition of the spirits?"

The one Leohart directed his question to, is a young demon holding onto a file.

"I'm very sorry… As like yesterday's report, we managed to successfully release the seal on them, but—"

The youth called Luca lowered his eyes apologetically.

"We ran into some problems when attempting to make the Master-Servant Contract with them, so we would need more time to do it."

Just then, a warm hand rested on Luca's head.

"Don't be sad about it… After all, those spirits are relics from the Demon-G.o.d War, so being able to establish a Contact with it is already amazing, don't look down on yourself."

"Gardo…"

At the blury male demon trying to comfort him, Luca raised his tearful eyes.

"Gardo's right, there's nothing to blame yourself over… no need to act with undue haste."

Leohart then said:

"Well then - according to your estimates, how long do you need to establish a Master-Servant Contract with them?"

"Four days… No, two days, I will accomplish in two days!"

"Didn't I just tell you not to be too hasty… Much less sleep, you didn't manage to get any rest these few days, right? You're the only one able to deal with those spirits, so it'll be bad if you get tired. This concerns our important fight - no sentimental emotions are allowed at all."

"If your majesty says so, then I better prepare the spirits as soon as possible. No problems at all… Even if I collapse, there are many scholars proficient with ancient technology in this city."

"Luca… Your majesty Leohart didn't mean that."

"Eh…?"

Balthier pointed out with a bitter smile, causing Luca to widen his round eyes.

"Indeed, there are many scholars or professors familiar with ancient technology and weapons in this city, however, the only one Leohar can trust unconditionally is you only, Luca."

With Gardo's explanation, Balthier also nodded and said: [That's right]

"It's great that you don't want to disappoint your deadlines and responsibilities - although you are still young, and as one of those closest to your majesty Leohart, I trust that you are able to understand when your majesty Leohart his concerned for your health?"

With Balthier's edging, Luca finally understood what they are getting at.

"……I'm sorry."

"No need to apologise. Everyone here knows clearly that you are giving your all."

Leohart then said while looking at the remorseful Luca with serious eyes:

"As me aide, I will not permit half-a.s.sed work and results. I will ask you once more, Luca - under a load where you can withstand, how long will you need to establish the Master-Servant Contract with the spirits?"

"……Three, please give me three days. I will establish the Master-Servant Contract with the spirits in three days! In that time, I will also finish repairs and adjustments to their cores, and they will be ready for battle after doing some simple tests when the Contract is established."

"I understand, I will trust will judgement then…"

Hearing Leohart's words, Luca then replied with a bright smile: [Yes!]. Gardo then roughly stroked his head, making him out in retaliation: [Geez! Don't treat me like a kid!]

Watching the interaction between Gardo and Luca—

…The spirits are settled, and next is—

Leohart began thinking about the other problem.

"Then again - just how are we supposed to materialise the ridiculous order to attack from the Council?"

Just then, a bitter smile appeared on Balthier's straight face while he sighed.

"Although the Moderate Faction's power and influence is nowhere near as great as in their heyday…there are still many in various parts of the Demon Realm that still hold much attachment for Wilbert. In terms of battle prowess, we are undoubtedly above the Moderates Faction -- so we have to find a justifiable 『Nominal』[1] to avoid civilians protesting in the various districts.

He was right. Carelessly attacking the Moderates Faction will be seen as a one-sided slaughter, inviting criticism.

A war is not purely about a battle of strength -converted political interests are deeply entangled with it. If someone with a ulterior motive were to get a chance at all - the other factions and powers that have bee only observing to this day would suddenly rise in power.

…Abhorrent old thieves.

Those high-cla.s.s demons who have lived for a very long time and are among the Council's ranks, no longer see anyone else as one of their kind; the civilians to them are nothing more than entertainment, the civilians' lives does not matter at all, only their own appeas.e.m.e.nt matters. That's why, they must be thoroughly eliminated.

…Also.

Leohart deeply believed, that only he and his comrades will be able to accomplish that big task.

Hence, he had to obey the Council for now in order to preserve his position as the Demon Lord, but that didn't mean that he had to let them have all they want.

Just as Leohart began to think deeply about the Nominal—

"—Well, I do have a reason to make people sit by quietly and watch us attack the Moderates Faction."

Someone who had also answered to the summon but yet had remained quiet until now spoke.

That someone is Naruse Mio's new observer after Zolgear stirred up some problems.

Someone who had entered the Human Realm with the alias Takigawa Yahiro, a youth attending the same school as Naruse Mio.

"…And what would it be, Lars?"

Leohart asked, raising an eyebrow, to which Lars answered blatantly:

"Wilbert's daughter - Naruse Mio, is current within the Demon Realm."

"—Are you for real?"

Shrugging to the Balthier who widened his eyes in disbelief, Lars answered:

"What I said is indeed the truth… After Wilbert's demise, the Moderates Faction has come to a standstill over the problem of insufficient battle potential. After those people wrecked their brains over this, their solution is to bring Naruse Mio to the Demon Realm. Although it is unclear if they will legimately crown her as a new Demon Lord or extract the power she inherited… they will want to make use of her to regain some of their former glory."

Hence—

"Hence - we just have to take advantage of their way of thinking. The Moderates Faction wants to make use of Wilbert's daughter and her inherited power to rule over the Demon Realm once again - we should be able to shut the other factions in the Demon Realm if we were to say that we dispatched our forces in response to their rebellion."

"I see… If what you say is the truth, it is indeed a reason justifiable enough to send out our troops."

Hearing Leohart say so--

"Ara, Your Majesty -- you don't trust what your aide says?"

Lars replied playfully. In reply to the sarcasm from his fellow comrade from the previous war--

"Lars, there's still us here -- stop using that disgusting tone."

"Alright alright… So, do you not trust me, Leohart? That piece of information is supposed to be highly cla.s.sified and even the people within the Moderates Faction doesn't know about it, so it's not your fault if you doubt me."

In reply to the smiling Lars, Leohart said:

"No, I believe you -- you are a spy sent here by the Moderates Faction, so it's normal for you to receive cla.s.sified information."

Leohart already knew long ago that Lars is a spy sent by the Moderates Faction.

How long ago? --The answer is, right from the start. Leohart had took in Lars while knowing clearly of its consequences. And Lars had accepted becoming Leohart's subordinate while knowing clearly of what consequences that would bring. Lars's current ident.i.ty within the Current Demon Lord Faction, is that he is a newbie to the Current Demon Lord Faction who had defected from the Moderates Faction; as to the Moderates Faction, he is playing the role of a spy who successfully infiltrated the enemy's camp. That, is the mask that Lars had voluntarily put on.

And right now -- the only ones who knows of Lars's true ident.i.ty, are the few present in the room.

"…Is this really fine, Lars?"

Leohart then asked:

"You are not only a spy sent from the Moderates Faction, but also Naruse Mio's protector. To you who had grew up under education from the Moderates Faction, shouldn't Wilbert be your most admired person?"

"Yes, it is -- all that is already past me."

[After all], Lars continued:

"I have already personally ended Zolgear's life, avenging my brothers… I have no more obligation left to do anything for the Moderates Faction."

That's right -- it was Lars himself who told the people in this room that he ended Zolgear's life.

The reason that Leohart had sent Balthier to investigate when Zolgear's psionic response disappeared, is because an agreement was already made with Lars beforehand. Leohart's goal is to wipe out the old b.a.s.t.a.r.ds of the Council -- Zolgear who was one of them had killed many who were like brothers and sisters to Lars; thus the two of them agreed that when the chance comes, Lars will personally end Zolgear's life. Hence, when Zolgear's psionic response disappeared, Leohart's first guess was that Lars had successfully completed his revenge -- and had then received confirmation from him himself. Thus--

"I've told you before, that from now onwards, I will continue to help you get rid of those leeches -- those sc.u.m no different from Zolgear, so don't worry."

There were no signs of lying at all in Lars's words, but--

"…That's not set in stone."

Leohart then continued:

"Lars… The reason you gave your a.s.sistance to me up till now, wasn't it because that I, who wanted to kill those sc.u.m, could help you to personally kill Zolgear? Now that you had accomplished your objective -- isn't it right that you have no further obligation to provide anymore a.s.sistance?"

Right?

"In point of fact -- you had chosen Jin·Toujou's son to work with to kill Zolgear, not me. So, shouldn't it be natural for you to continue working with him?"

"Haven't I told you already? I didn't choose him because he is better than you…"

Lars sighed again, and continued in a low voice:

"The reason was -- if I had continued to observe and do nothing, Toujou Basara might have very well killed Zolgear himself, putting to waste my years of effort and plotting. So I had no choice but to work with him to be able to personally kill Zolgear, that's simply all that is to it."

"Jin·Toujou's son has that much power?"

Balthier asked doubtfully:

"Marquis[2] Zolgear might have been old, but that person who had been known as 『Sword King』 was fairly powerful; and yet the youth called Toujou Basara… From your reports, he doesn't seem to have enough power to be able to defeat Zolgear, right?"

"Affirmative. That person's power is indeed below that of Zolgear's. But I think…even without my help, he would still be able to rescue Naruse Mio and defeat Zolgear.

Lar's seriousness, caused the others to become silent, and then--

"Then again -- an opportunity to personally kill Zolgear came to me just like that, so how could I possibly let it go?"

Lars said with a bitter smile.

"Alright, since that is the case, no need for anymore further speculation. Don't worry anymore, when the Great War ended, someone had asked me to help take good care of you"

" ? Just who would even do tha--"

"--That would be Your Highness Riara."

Lars's answer--

"Onee-sama…?"

Leohart showed surprise.

"Who could possibly reject her request when being asked by that smiling face? If there's a need, we could just send the spirits I brought along with me to defeat the Moderates Faction; on the other hand, if you still want me to leave being unable to trust me, I will just obediently leave."

"No need to do any of that, there would be no need your thoughtful kindness."

At Lars's suggestions, Balthier sighed and said:

"We have already known you for so many years since the Great War, of course I believe you -- I only fear that you would return to the Moderates Faction should you leave or take the spirits along with you. Both me and your majesty Leohart knows too well just how troublesome of a person you can be."

"Ara, is that so?"

As Lars shrugged his shoulders with a [Ah]--

"--Then hand the spirits over to me."

A bulky figure said with a low voice -- Gardo.

"As an aide, Balthier would want to avoid leaving Leohart's side. And since Lars is not an option, I am the only one left."

"……I'm sorry, Gardo."

Leohart lowered his eyes, and then said to the older male demon:

"The one who was originally supposed to be the Demon Lord was you -- no, you[3]."

From the same generation of high-cla.s.s demons as Leohart, Gardo's powers and bloodline was seen to be the most suitable for the throne by the old elders from not the Council, but the Conservative Faction.

However, in the process of changing the Conservative and Radicals Factions' image that now is a new era within the Demon Realm, the old elders from the Council still chose Leohart to be on the throne.

--And Gardo had no choice but to follow their decision.

And voluntarily chose to be a subordinate of the new Demon Lord, becoming Leohart's aide.

The edges of the lips of that selfless male curled into a smile, and said:

"Don't mind it, I am also here to be a helping hand. I would of course be delighted to give my a.s.sistance to you, who wants to change the world where authority had completely fallen into the Council's hands after Wilbert's failed attempt to cleanse and change it."

"Gardo…"

Luca looked on worriedly, and Gardo once again patted his head.

"When Luca is done doing his stuff with the spirits, I will immediately head out to Wildart City with our troops -- is that decided?"

"Of course, and make sure that they can no longer do anything against us."

Leohart nodded, and Balthier then supplemented:

"I agree. If possible, deal with their leader Ramsas[4], and let none of them escape. He is Wilbert's brother, and had gathered the support of many various civilians; if he is gone, the Moderates Faction will most likely collapse."

"I understand -- what should I do about Wilbert's daughter?"

After pondering for a few seconds, Leohart gave a reply to Gardo in a calm voice:

"Try to capture her alive. In order to obtain a power to make it possible for us to go against those old b.a.s.t.a.r.ds in the Council, it would be for the best if we stick to the original plan and use the inherited Wilbert's power effectively/ That is something that is definitely worth us doing this."

Even after Ramsas had returned to the city, Mio and the rest were not brought back to that small cramped room.

It probably was to be expected. After all, it was a result of Klaus mediating.

The extravagant luxurious dinner atop the table in the luxurious dining room -- even that was a.s.sorted to all of their tastes of the food in the Human Realm, with careful and intricate seasoning and preparations -- Sheera and Klaus who was also at the table, as well as Zest and Noel who was responsible for serving them, even gave them detailed introductions for every single dish. Amongst the hospitality, Ramsas was not to be seen at the table throughout the dinner even when he was supposed to have returned to the city.

--And an hour has already pa.s.sed since they all had returned to their respective rooms.

Accompanied by Yuki, Maria, and Kurumi, Naruse Mio appeared in a s.p.a.ce filled with humidity and warm air.

This s.p.a.ce where the naked girls barely showed some decency, is the large bath for female guests.

This large bath filled with thin white steam, was carved from marble -- the grand and impressive facility, gave off the impression and feel of a luxurious high-cla.s.s hotel or hostel.

…Such amazing places to take a bath are rare. It's a pity that Basara had to be absent from this.

Otherwise, they could just announce to the people in the city who they are.

However, Basara had rejected that idea while giving a bitter smile, saying that he didn't want to provoke the people in the city for no reason, and Mio could only just give up on it. Now -- Mio is sitting on a chair by the wall at the was.h.i.+ng area, preparing to wash herself, but--

"--Then, Mio-sama, please excuse me."

Saying that from behind Mio's back is Noel with only a towel wrapped around her. To the ones like Ramsas, she would be of no further use once Wilbert's power within her is extracted -- but to the ones like Klaus who wished to crown her as a Demon Lord, Mio is the most important VIP they have; thus they even sent a group of people to serve them, from the flus.h.i.+ng of the bath to the adjusting of the water's temperature, to was.h.i.+ng them; of course Mio and the others and strongly rejected it saying that they wouldn't be able to relax, but as the other party strongly insisted they receive the proper treatment -- they compromised, letting Noel who they had spent time with touring the downtown areas serve them.

"Ah… Sorry to trouble you, Noel."

Mio nodded, and Noel made a obeisance[5] with a [Yes]. Firstly using the warm water in the wooden barrel to wash herself, Noel then began was.h.i.+ng Mio's back while creating foam. The maids of the royals and n.o.ble were gentle in was.h.i.+ng people in order to not damage the skin, and Noel was no different, but--

"…Eh! Ah…..aaaoo!"

When the slippery sensation moved across her back, Mio wasn't able to stem her s.e.xy moans.

"I only just was.h.i.+ng your back… Mio-sama is so sensitive? I did hear that Mio-sama had made a Master-Servant Contract with Basara using Maria's powers, is this related to that?"

"W-Well, that…!"

Mio turned red with Noel's teasing.

…Why, am I…!

In the joy of being able to take a bath in another Realm, Mio forgot to prepare herself.

--Since the time she had made the Master-Servant Contract with Basara, Mio's s.e.xiness had been developing with each and every time Basara subjugated her, and right now her body has already become incredibly sensitive; but even then, there was no problems at all while taking a bath in her own home. She could control how much force to use while bathing by herself. But there were many times she had to take a bath together with Basara and Yuki as a result of Maria plots, and adding on the fact that she had experienced her body being thoroughly washed by Basara many times, she would occasionally accidentally let slip some of the reaction she had in those times.

"Could it be that the reason you reduced the number of people serving you, was because you were afraid of people finding out about this? To tell the truth, there was no need for you to worry about that at all…"

" ! …Any more of that, and I will drive you out."

"Being glared at by Mio in embarra.s.sment, Noel giggled and said: [I'm very sorry], and then once again began was.h.i.+ng Mio quietly. Naturally, a maid wouldn't just wash a Mio's back, but also her underarms, b.r.e.a.s.t.s, b.u.t.ts, hips -- all of that, Noel scrubbed all of those parts.

" ! …Ah …Fu ……Ah …Ya …Ah!"

Mio began biting her lips in desperation to endure it, but that wasn't enough to stop her gasps and moans from escaping, and--

…Don't worry. All these, are completely incomparable to when Basara does it himself…!

That's right. The techniques used were all completely different when Basara was playing with her body. He was always very bold yet cautious, with love and affection within his unyieldingness -- even if he was very rough, he would never let someone be in pain.

Noel wouldn't be able to raise her lewd side like Basara did.

…If it was Basara instead, it might have been…

Basara's big hands, Basara's solid chest, Basara's flair to deliver mindblowing pleasure, and especially Basara warmth that relaxed her the most -- thinking about what he had done in the past, what Noel is doing in comparison gives her only slight embarra.s.sment, itches, and some moans that she couldn't stem; after all, Basara had washed her b.r.e.a.s.t.s, underarms, belly b.u.t.ton, and even her b.u.t.t before. Thus, Mio restored her calm and handed over her body to Noel's was.h.i.+ng, and after that came her long hair. Her combing, was just as comfortable at it being done in a salon.

"Umm, Mio-sama…"

Just then, Noel suddenly said that, causing Mio to suddenly become vigilant, thinking that she was about to tease her again. But--

"May I ask, how is Lars doing?"

"Lars… Are you talking about Takigawa?"

The impression of Takigawa was too strong, making her unable to connect him to his original name.

"Well… He seems to get along with Basara pretty well, since he spends a lot of time in school with him. Probably because they're like-minded, those two boys mess around a lot."

But after finding out that Takigawa was the one behind that white mask, Mio and Yuki wasn't very happy. As Takigawa said some cruel words to reopen the wound in his heart while he was critically injured, both of them are still unable to forgive him.

"Why do you suddenly ask…? Do you know him?"

"……Yes. Lars and I grew up in the same orphanage."

From her tone, it was easy to guess what kind of emotions Noel held for Takigawa.

…It's the same as me.

She has had the same thoughts when she found out Basara and Takigawa and joined hands in the shadows.

Just like when she found out that Maria and Basara had been out in the nights hunting rouge evil beings.

The wanting to ask, just why, were they doing such dangerous things without telling her.

But Mio couldn't. Because for Mio, Basara putting himself in danger wasn't for any reason other than protecting her. If Takigawa hadn't helped, Sheera who was taken captive by Zolgear would probably have already been killed; the reason Maria could escape from that tragic ending, was because Basara and joined hands with Takigawa. Because of that, Mio couldn't say anything about it to Basara.

It's just -- right now, there was a way to erase Noel's pain, and the key lies within Mio's hands. So after her hair was washed--

"Noel, I--"

Mio turned around, to say something to Noel -- but at that time, someone entered the was.h.i.+ng area and sat down on the chair beside Mio. The dissemination of transparent beauty, is Yuki who had also made the same Master-Servant Contract with Basara.

"--I'll be using this."

Without looking at either of them directly in the eye, Yuki began to wash herself.

Even without anyone saying anything, the atmosphere began to become awkward.

"……Umm, Mio-sama …I shall not interrupt you any further."

From behind Mio's back, Noel said so as if she had done something wrong, and stood up.

"Please do enjoy our bath, and eliminate fatigue from your body… I will be awaiting orders in the changing room -- Yuki[6], please excuse me."

"Ah…"

While was.h.i.+ng her body, Yuki nodded, and hence Noel left the bath after giving a bow. And then--

"--You're thinking that by going to ask Klaus yourself, you can cancel Takigawa's spying mission, right?"

Hearing Yuki say snappily--

"I only just…"

Mio lowered her head evasively.

"We did not request for a luxurious room or meal, it was all things that they had prepared; so even if they ask us to reciprocate them, we can reject them. However, once we make any request, the situation would be different; if we were asked to reciprocate, it would be difficult for us to reject them. And more importantly -- doing that would be the same as exposing our weak point."

Have you forgotten?

The demon called Klaus was one of Wilbert's advisers, a strategist once called the 『Virtuous Elder』. The luxurious rooms, meal, and dining hall and the grand welcoming, all of those were all a performance to make you agree to become the new Demon Lord. If you were to let those people know that you are some able to sympathise with them, do you even know what are the consequences? If you do not want Takigawa to have an even more dangerous mission, if you want to fulfil the wish of a maid worrying for her childhood sweetheart -- the moment he graps onto an emotion he can use to make his attack on you, he'll immediately attempt to use it to make a negotiation or transaction; and if it still isn't possible, he might even utilise threats…"

Stopping here, Yuki turned to look at Kurumi who is bathing together with the loli succubus.

"Threats like sending away Maria from your side, and making her carry out suicidal missions are entirely possible -- and since her mother and older sister are here, Maria cannot reject any orders."

"………I'm sorry."

Unable to retort -- Mio lowered her head remorsefully.

"No need to apologise… It's just, I hope that you don't forget that."

And as if giving advice, Yuki then said to Mio:

"--Even if you still hadn't decided what to do with Wilbert's power, I guess that you have already reached a conclusion regarding the ident.i.ty 『Naruse Mio』, so don't do forgetting that."

With that, Mio then nodded in agreement.

"……Ah, you're right… I got it."

Right now, she is not the daughter of the previous Demon Lord, but Basara family, his sister -- as well as his servant.

No matter what happens, being by his side is a must. That, is Naruse Mio's only desire.

And for that very desire, all of them must return to that home one day. Just then--

"It's fine if you get it, and I will also think of something to help you out -- because that is also Basara's wish."

Yuki also quickly expressed to Mio's agreement. In Mio's heart, Yuki is a rival she must never fall behind -- but she was also a comrade who could understand more than anyone. Thus--

"……Thank you, Yuki."

Feeling more at ease, Mio expressed her thanks, mixing in a shade of threatening.

"No need for thanks… Oh, that's right--"

Holding out a towel from the foamy bucket towards Mio, Yuki then said:

"…Mio, help me wash my back."

Towards the tone that of an older sister commanding a younger sister, Mio widened her eyes.

Probably giving some advice made her somewhat c.o.c.ky. Thus Mio smiled and--

"You have a really high price tag…"

Took that towel and after going behind Yuki, she began scrubbing her back -- not using the towel, but with her hands instead.

The one who had been subjugated by Basara and had her sensitivity raised a lot by him was not Mio only. That's why--

"--Yaaaaaaahhhhhhh!"

Yuki let out a cute scream, while jumping up from the stool.

While soaking in the bath, Nonaka Kurumi saw her older sister in the was.h.i.+ng area suddenly jump up while screaming.

And then collapse onto the floor onto her b.u.t.t.

Silently turning around to look at Mio who had a victor's smile on her face, Yuki made her counterattack.

After pus.h.i.+ng Mio down onto the floor and while straddling over her, she began to violently knead those large b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

『 ! ---- 』

Mio screamed, and arched her back under Yuki, and then her two hands began to do the same things to Yuki's b.u.t.t, not wanting to be outdone.

And it was Yuki's turn to react to a sudden kneading -- the two girls thus began waging a war over their pride. Seeing those two older sisters like that--

''It's better if I don't invite trouble onto myself.'' From within the bath, Kurumi turned around to have her back face the was.h.i.+ng area Yuki and Mio were at.

"Ah…!"

And proceeded to take a stretch in the bath[7], letting the warmth of the water fill her. Comfortably exhaling a deep breath, she then scooped some water with her hands. The slightly blue hot spring, seemed to have been drawn directly from underground, so it naturally would have rather high demonic concentrations. However--

…Ah, it seems to have much less of a load on me now.

Comparing to when she had just arrived in the Demon Realm, the level of discomfort she felt back then now seemed to have been just a dream. Although her getting used to the demonic concentrations had a hand in that, it was not the main reason. Thus--

Kurumi raised her left hand from the water and held it out, and gathered her consciousness towards it, and her gauntlet for controlling spirits then materialised. Within some of the notches in the gauntlet, b.a.l.l.s of various colours have been inserted. Those were elements needed for communicating with the spirits.

--Right now, there were a few black b.a.l.l.s there weren't there before.

In Lucia's office, Basara and turned the imbroglio[8] in her heart into happiness and pleasure and subjugated her, disentangling her emotions -- when she opened her eyes, Kurumi realised that she was on a bed in another room.

Seeing Maria sleeping while snuggled up against her, she then remembered what Basara had done to her, she then became a ball of internal struggles. At that time, Lucia came to that room and upon seeing her situation, Lucia then said to the alert Kurumi in a cold and indifferent tone: [Thank you for being friends with Maria], and gave a certain something to her.

That something was these black elementals. These black elementals had the protection of high-cla.s.s spirits in the Demon Realm, which thus allowed Kurumi to communicate with spirits not bound with a Master-Servant Contract while using spirit magic.

And with the protection of high-cla.s.s spirits, the difficulty of borrowing a spirits' power was lowered a lot.

For Kurumi who had not made a Master-Servant Contract with Basara and was unable to increase her battle potential by deepening her relations.h.i.+p with him, this was help coming to her when she needed it.

Lucia is part of the Moderates Faction and is a demon, and she is the aide of Ramsas who gave the cold shoulder to Mio. That, made Kurumi to put up some resistance towards Lucia in the beginning, but accepted her in the end. Reason being, her pride as a hero is not what's most important now, but it was instead not becoming a burden to Basara and the others.

Thus for the period of time while she was in the Demon Realm, she hoped to at least to be able to use it.

…To think that I would begin to think like this…

If it was the her in the past, it would be unthinkable for her to live together with Maria who lived together with the surveillance target Naruse Mio, much less fight alongside her.

…Also,

In their daily life, Maria seemed to be putting her in embarra.s.sing situations every day, and she could only just accept it since she wanted to not be left behind. In fact, not just Maria - it would be even Basara or Yuki sometimes. And that is the reason why Kurumi has become the way she is now, boldly doing lewd and lecherous things in Lucia's office, exposing her incredibly debauchery side.

Speaking of which - no matter how embarra.s.sing it has become, rejecting any of that is not an option.

..So it really seems that the truth is I don't really hate those kind of stuff…

Just like Mio and Yuki, Kurumi is slowly becoming more and more lewd.

And it's not only that. Kurumi had turned an event she thought was only possible in her dreams into reality today, to have a kiss with Basara. Although her first time was in her dream, and doing it in reality was only to satisfy Lucia, Kurumi still did automatically move her lips to kiss with Basara's lips - indulging in her s.e.xuality in her tongue filled with emotions, l.u.s.ting for Basara's existence.

From the moment when their lips made contact, the warmth and pleasure she received from Basara still remained fresh in Kurumi's mind.

Kurumi suddenly turned red from the embarra.s.sment and brought her face back into the water partially, while blowing bubbles and not realising that someone was sneaking up on her—

"…--My dear Kurumi~♪"

"Eeeaahhhh!"

Suddenly being hugged from behind by Maria, Kurumi let out a high-pitched scream.

"Oi, don't go about scaring me!"

"Ara, weren't Kurumi you the one who seemed miffed and ignored me, making a certain someone very loney~…?"

"Y-You, would you be looking to over there - at the place older sis and Mio are?"

Maria giggled and said:

"Of course I would, but just me alone doing that would be very boring, and that's why I came over here to enjoy it together with you - just like usual times when we enjoyed erotic films together~."

"W-Weren't you the one who forced me to watch them, saying that it was For Academic Purposes…!"[9]

"And I wasn't wrong at all… That's why this is also research material."[10]

And with a captivating smile, Maria began to ma.s.sage Kurumi's b.r.e.a.s.t.s and started licking her neck.

At Maria's a.s.sault, Kurumi attempted to put up her death struggle, trying to shake off Maria while flailing her arms about on the water surface, but failing in the end.

"Hu fufu… You've been through this so many times, but you're just as shy as your first time… Kurumi is really cute~."

With burning flames of pa.s.sion visible within her eyes, Maria then said:

"Come, Kurumi. Give me your underarms, expose your underarms[11]. I want to fill up your weakness with my saliva."

s.h.i.+t. If this continues, I will fall into one of Maria's seasoned traps.

And thus, Kurumi turned her line of sight towards the was.h.i.+ng area Mio and Yuki were at, hoping for a rescue.

Despite her attention leaving that area for only a slight moment, the situation there has already changed a lot. With foam covering their bodies, they were still a.s.saulting each other's weak spots while gasping and panting heavily, with no intention of giving up at all; they've not gotten into the hot spring yet, but their eyes have already become lifeless, voices weak, and skins pink. Of course, they're completely oblivious to Kurumi's predicament. When Maria saw that Kurumi now had no one else to turn to for help—

"Fufufu, it's too bad …Come, give it up and let me lick you, you lewd girl hero~"

" !~~~~~~"

As Maria's lips got closer, Kurumi's eyes also widened as usual in antic.i.p.ation of the a.s.sault of pleasure.

"…Ah? What's that elemental, I've never seen that colour there before?"

Maria then suddenly noticed those black elementals set into her gauntlet.

Which then made Kurumi remember -- what Lucia had said before when she gave them to her. Back then, Lucia had said—

『Please continue to look after my little sister. 』

She did look at the Maria sleeping beside her when she said that.

Thus, entrusted with looking after Maria, she asked that black elementals to also look after her.

At the same time, a magic pattern opened up on the floor—

"Eh--…?"

In the moment Maria let out a weird sound upon seeing that - the loli succubus flew out from the bath together with a large amount of bathwater, colliding with Mio and Yuki by the wall in the was.h.i.+ng area, and also sending the stools and bucket flying.

"W-W-What happened!? What's that loud noise!?"

Noel frantically rushed into the bath, but Kurumi remained silent, and then got out from the bath quickly.

"I will definitely use it well with much grat.i.tude…Hmph!"

Throwing that out behind her, Kurumi then left the bath area on her own first.

After having dinner alone within his own room, Ramsas left the room, and came to a certain place.

A place that can allow one to look over the city with just a single glance - the top of the main tower, which is the city's highest.

Having arrived at that place, Ramsas looked down at the illuminated streets quietly. About fifteen minutes later—

"You insisted on not seeing Mio-sama even once… Is this really for the best?"

Coming to place after a while, Lucia asked him. Hearing his faithful subordinate's question, Ramsas then answered in a low voice while not moving his sight from the city areas:

"…Why should I go and see her?"

And with that, Lucia decided to not say anymore, and after giving a bow, she moved back and left Ramsas alone.

After that, Ramsas continued standing while the night wind continued to blow.

Suddenly, Ramsas's eyebrow twitched slightly.

An unnatural change in the night wind's currents just occurred, and it was at a degree where a normal person wouldn't notice - there was a pair of eyes, looking at Ramsas from behind him.

--It was not Lucia, and not one of the maids serving under her.

After that, some more changes to his surroundings occurred. Sounds of footsteps as if announcing a person's existence, slowly neaed him. Then—

"—do you know? There is a place like this platform at where Mio and us live, a place that allows you to look over the nightscape of a city."

Saying those words while standing beside Ramsas, was a youth - Toujou Basara.

Likely, Lucia wasn't the one who had told this youth of this place; no matter who it was, someone was still being nosy. While looking at the view Ramsas, who had decided not to pursue the matter, was looking at, Basara said:

"This afternoon… The maid Noel[12] had brought us into the city to look around. The view that can be seen from here, is what your younger brother - and you who had took over his work, protected to this day."

Seeing Ramsas return silence as an answer, Basara turned around slowly--

"In what you want to protect, why did you not include Mio?"

And spit out those words filled with a dark shade.

"After your younger brother died - Zolgear killed his subordinates whom he had trusted to bring up Mio. Although Maria had managed to rescue Mio in a critical moment from Zolgear's palm, Zolgear had taken Sheera, and then coerced Maria into following his orders…"

[But]. Basara said:

"According to Takigawa - Lars, you were well aware of this situation, yet you chose to remain quiet and observe, right? No matter how others asked you to prioritise Mio, you still chose to not provide more a.s.sistance. Other than Maria who had been coerced by Zolgear, as well as Takigawa who had infiltrated the Current Demon Lord Faction and could not made any obvious moves, you had sent no more help to a.s.sist the two with the mission of protecting Mio."

So why?

"Mio is the daughter of your younger brother… In other words, she is your niece. So why did you choose to not make any moves despite knowing that she is faced with such clear danger?"

Being questioned with a firm gaze from Basara, Ramsas finally spoke to answer him - he bluntly said:

"—because there wasn't a need to at all."

"No need to…?"

Basara had already known Ramsas is cold towards Mio.

His reason for still doing all this, was basically just to clarify it all. The truth and reality was just as Lucia had said. Considering that Ramsas has his own set of difficulties and opinions, if Basara would be able to hear about them, he might be able to somewhat understand even if he can't agree with it. However - Ramsas words just now, was still completely beyond Basara's expectations.

"There was still no need even when Maria had no choice but to betray Mio after worrying to no end from being coerced by Zolgear? There was still no need even when Mio had been abducted and have who-knows-what done by Zolgear to her? After all these incidents, are you really going to say that there's no need to increase her protection?"

"Since the reports had said that she's completely safe, is there really a need to ask for more?"

"That was because we…!"

To be able to safely rescue Mio, they all had racked their brains and struggled with their lives. Viewing it from another angle, perhaps being able to save Mio before she was ruined by Zolgear, as well as safely rescuing Sheera who was taken hostage, was the best possible result. However - if back then Ramsas had accepted Klaus and his other subordinates' views to take effective actions like increasing the amount of protection, then perhaps the incident of Mio being abducted by Zolgear might have never happened.

Additionally, Takigawa even knew where Zolgear was hiding, to the point where he even knew where Sheera was being kept hostage; if he had sent out his elite forces to launch an attack, the culprit known as Zolgear might have already been exterminated long ago. But he hadn't, so he definitely has no right to speak about it - just as Basara gave his retort while becoming mad, Ramsas finally looked at him, and said:

"You guys - how was it? From what I know, the main reason Zolgear had retreated in his defeat was not because of you guys, but it was Wilbert's daughter who let her powers go berserk, right? Even if the reason for it going berserk was due to thinking that Sheera had been killed, she would've put up a great opposition if Zolgear were to casually make any moves against her. With that, even if you and those girls you knew since you were small weren't there, she would still be saved in the end. Would that way of thinking be wrong?"

"……Perhaps it might not have been wrong. Even if he hadn't done anything Mio and Sheera might still be saved."

However - Basara then said wile heavily emphasising:

"Those kind of words, can only be said by the people like us who had taken real action to save Mio and the others - people like you who had just remained standing by the sides and did nothing better than try to score points now that that is already over."

Basara seems to have hit a sore area, and Ramsas remained quiet.

"…I have no intention of questioning whether your decision was right or wrong. The result in the end was as you said: Mio and Sheera are safe, and Maria and Zest escaped from Zolgear's control. What I would like to question instead, is if you had intentionally disregarded Mio."

Basara then continued:

"But, that's already enough - I already understand it. Originally, I had even speculated if you had gave Mio this att.i.tude because your views were different your younger brother… but no matter what you say, I wouldn't accept it. I have already made the decision to protect Mo - the one who had become my little sister, a person who is part of my family. So matter how big or n.o.ble of a reason or excuse you give me, it's not my business at all, and doing any of that would be completely meaningless.

"—so, do you want to following Klaus's words, and let that girl become the next Demon Lord?"

At the question Ramsas asked in a low tone, Basara shook his head and said:

"No… Klaus[13] has been very sincere to us, thinking for our sakes at first glance - but he just want to take advantage of the story that Mio is the only daughter of the previous Demon Lord who had inherited his power, completely ignoring if she has the qualifications to do so and her own will, treating her as only a political tool."

All Mio wants is to be normal girl, who lives a peaceful life.

And having sent her away from his side to live a peaceful life in the Human Realm that too is also all Wilbert wants.

And yet - Klaus who claims to respect and love Wilbert, disregarded his lord's wishes, and is pus.h.i.+ng for Mio to be a new Demon Lord. Reportedly, the current Demon lord also seems to have been given the throne to become a chess piece by the Council, so the two sides can be said to be equal.

…Also,

With his lord's daughter, the one who had made a Master-Servant Contract being the son of the number one enemy in the Great War, Klaus was especially kind towards Basara to the point where it seemed completely unnatural. Who knows, even the matter of Mio who had no choice but to make a Master-Servant Contract might be taken advantage of; making it into a story where thanks to Wilbert sending troops to put a stop to the Great War, they finally managed to create good relations between the son of the scary [G.o.d of War] Jin from the Hero Tribe and the only daughter of the Demon Lord, turning it into another of Wilbert's achievements.

…Both routes are equally bad.

To put it bluntly, all that side wanted are personal benefits - the reason Toujou Basara is unable to accept them.

Absolutely.

"I do understand that both you and Klaus have your own thoughts and plans, and that the subordinates within the Moderates Faction respect the opinions of you higher-ups. However - you all just want to take advantage of Mio, with no shred of consideration to the person in question. In Mio's moments of great pain, you refused to lend a hand despite knowing about it, and Klaus followed that decision and stood by idly, both sides are the same. And so from my viewpoint, you all are just trash."

Since the moment they were called to the Demon Realm to till now, Basara had submitted to the humiliation, but he could not take it any longer.

And so he spit it all out:

"I'll put it bluntly. You guys shouldn't have called her here, only to just put her aside. You guys had always been ignoring and snubbing her for so long… and now that in order to win against the Current Demon Lord Faction you demand for her presence or for her to hand over her inherited power to you? Stop cracking jokes. That power was given to the one he had not hesitated to separate with by your younger brother to protect herself. Because of her circ.u.mstances, Mio has already given up a lot of things; that has to stop."

Listen carefully.

"We will no longer hold anymore hopes and antic.i.p.ate anything more from you. So at least, stop taking things away from her. To Mio, that power is a gift from her own father, the only bond between them - you guys basically have no rights or authority to intervene in that!"

Ramsas silently listened to Basara ranting.

…So this is the son of that man

I see. The report had said that he was exiled from the Hero's [Tribe], and now I can understand why. This youth, is really indeed not suited to be a Hero.

…He's far too naive.

Ramsas wanted to let this youth carried away in the heat of the moment know of something called 'Reality'.

"The lives of the Royal Family do not belong to themselves, they live for the people, and die for the people - not even a single person can escape from that blood tie. Since that girl is Wilbert's daughter, she is part of the Royal Family, thus she has a duty to dedicate her life for the people."

"I've said this already, you guys had cast her aside for so long, and yet now you want to use 『Because she is Royalty』 as a reason is just too—"

"—Originally living a civilian's life, and then only to have that life taken away due to the sudden revelation of Royal blood ties; all that is not uncommon."

Additionally - Ramsas continued:

"Although Klaus and I think and do things differently, the both of us have a duty to protect everything here as the ones who stand over the people. Since you guys had walked through the streets in the evening, you should've have already seen it clearly. In reality, you protecting that girl like that - could just very well turn all that you saw and everyone you have met on the streets into dust, do you understand?"

"Of course I d—"

And Ramsas blunted said to Basara trying to refute:

"Then why are you still being persistent… Then again, you just said that that girl had already given up a lot of things… but she was living happy days in a place unrelated to the political wrangling and fights; that, was thanks to her being Wilbert's daughter. Now we have a need for her who had lived because of Wilbert's death, so he called her back - it was just that her time ran out, and that it was time to say goodbye to the unneeded necessity to acknowledge her bloodline and the disregarding of her responsibility."

" ! ……"

Basara, whose expression, became complicated—

"What you said, was something I cannot completely agree with. You had said, that girl doesn't even know that she doesn't have the qualification, and shouldn't become the Demon Lord—"

And Ramsas resolutely replied:

"That is correct. That girl who had tied a Master-Servant Contract with a little brat like you who had been expelled from the Hero [Tribe], who had let herself become a lowly sensual bondage slave; someone like that has no right to become a Demon Lord, and that's why I wanted her to just obediently hand over Wilbert's power."

With that, the atmosphere suddenly changed. Basara's fighting intent aimed at Ramsas, became even more incisive and cold.

It became blatant killing intent. Then—

"Take it back… If not—"

Basara's right hand went towards Ramsas, and at that moment—

"--That's enough."

Countless numbers of guns were then aimed at Basara's throat, held by the maidservants who had surrounded them. Commanding these maidservants armed with weapons, Lucia came to Ramsas's side—

"It's already difficult enough to overlook the various insults towards Ramsas-sama - if you continue to show disrespect, you shall not be forgiven even if you are Mio-sama and Maria's saviour."

And said coldly.

Basara remained quiet, and lowered his head. But—

The maidservants holding Basara at gunpoint suddenly received a shock, and their bodies tense.

Rather than decreasing, Basara's killing intent further increased, and then—

"Insults… insults, you said? Those should be my words. Having heard Mio - hearing my own little sister receiving that kind of insult, do you really think this warning is enough to push me over and make me leave it as it is?"

As if ignoring the maidservants surrounding him, light appeared in his right hand.

And his own weapon appeared from the light—

"……It's a shame. I had thought you were smarter than that."

Lucia's eyes narrowed, and just as she was about to give her orders—

"---Kay kay, ~Th-a-t's - e-nou-gh ♪"

An extremely hearty voice cut into the tense atmosphere from the side.

Ramsas's head turned, and found Sheera with Zest behind her standing there,

"Mother-sama…"

Lucia frowned while looking at her.

"Lucia-ya… If you were to start fighting here, Mio[14] and the others would immediately find out, and what would you do if they were to come running over? Even if you are able to incapacitate Basara before they realise, the matter that you argued with him would still come to light. Mio and Yuki both had made the Master-Servant Contract with Basara, so throwing him into the dungeons would be useless."

"Then—"

"—you'll create a barrier, so that they won't realise?"

Sheera smiled at Lucia preparing a retort and said:

"It'll be useless. Doing so will only increase their suspicions, and you won't be able to get Mio's a.s.sistance in the end, fine with that?"

Seeing Lucia becoming unable to retort, Sheera's line of sight turned to Basara and she said:

"Basara, you too should stop making a scene. If you were to start fighting now with Lucia or Ramsas, you won't be able to make them back down even if you win. It's great that you love your little sister Mio so much, but if she were to find out you got hurt when you flared up for her sake - she'll blame herself. Are you still fine with that?"

Sheera's words caused Basara to become silent - and he retracted his killing intent soon after, his weapon also disappearing. Seeing this, Sheera smiled and said: [Good Boy.] The maidservants also seemed to relax. Finally, Sheera looked at Ramsas and said:

"Well then, I'll be bringing Basara away - is it fine?"

"……Do as you like."

[Okay.] Hearing Ramsas say so, Sheera immediately brought Basara away together with Zest, disappearing into the house[15]

"—Ramsas-sama, I'm very sorry, for my mother's impertinence."

Lucia lowered her head and apologised—

"It's fine… It isn't that person's first time creating trouble."

After that, Ramsas looked out towards the city once again.

Dots of light from the city was spread throughout the city, the stars illuminating the night sky.

After being brought away from the platform Ramsas and the others were at by Sheera, Toujou Basara, was then brought to a certain place.

That place, is the bath for male guests' use. He had already taken a bath before coming to the Demon Realm, and right now he wanted to be alone, so he got ready to reject taking a bath, but—

"—Right now you are still mad at Ramsas, do you really think you can fall asleep?"

He was still unable to retort against Sheera. Many things has happened since he entered the Demon Realm, and apart from the nervousness he was expecting, he probably acc.u.mulated some stress from things that had went beyond what he was expecting.

Although relaxing to the point where he would put down his guard must be avoided at all costs, he can't really see how much longer they would have to stay in the Demon Realm according to the current situation; being too nervous would only cause his concentration to wane, and things would be dire if he were to not be at his best due to wear when needed.

And thus, Basara finally accepted Sheera's suggestion and got ready to take a bath, but--

"……For some reason, I knew it would turn out like this."

This mother before him is known to be even more mischievous than Maria, due to her following her succubus instincts more than half the time, and so she had followed Basara into the bath as expected. Needless to say, Zest too was also present in the males' bath.

Sitting naked on a stool before Basara, Sheera was trying to suppress her giggles while saying:

"Well, that's of course… Zest[16] is a maidservant serving Basara, while I am her superior? I'm just here to supervise the maid-in-training while she does her duties to ensure that she is serving you well~."

Amazing… She is completely different to Maria who always brags, being able to so easily turn a lie into the truth. Completely masterful.

What if after Maria grows up, what would happen if she turns out just like Sheera? As a touch of anxiety crossed Basara's mind--

"……Well then, here comes your punishment."

Zest said that, and then began was.h.i.+ng his back -- with her large matured b.r.e.a.s.t.s.

"--Hold it right there! Why are you doing it so naturally!?"

Basara couldn't help but to turn around, only to find a naked foamy Zest say tearfully:

"I-I'm very sorry… I'm still not used to these kind of stuff, did I hurt you?"[17]

"Uhh, no… That wouldn't."

A question: Which male would ever experience pain from being rubbed against a female's b.r.e.a.s.t.s? -- that, is one question Basara very much wanted to scream out, but was unable to thanks to Zest seemingly blaming herself.

"Very sorry Basara<>< ref="">… Sheera-sama had told me that this was how to help wash a Master, and had even intricately thought me how to do so. This is just my inability to master the art."

"I understand… It's fine, and you're doing it not too bad -- no, the problem does not lie with you at all."

After hurriedly consoling Zest behind him, he then stared at Sheera who was before him.

"Sheera… Just what in the world did you teach Zest?"

"Ara, Basara, don't make such a scary face… Is anything wrong?"

Sheera then boasted while smiling:

"I honestly don't know what else a woman would use when was.h.i.+ng a male… I guess that this must be the fault of the differences between the cultures of Demons and Humans."

"No, no matter how you think about it, it only exists within the culture of you succubi."

Hurry up and apologise to the other races making up the Demons Race, you loli succubus Mom.

"Anyway, is there something known as 『Local Customs』 in the Human Realm? Over here, of course you would have to accept the customs of our culture, isn't that right?"

"…Rather than [Local], it feels more like I've entered an urn." [18]

Too deep…[19]

"If you insist, it would be fine if you want to wash yourself…"

Sheera then made an apologetic face,

"But that you mean your maid isn't doing her job… Later I will have to hand Zest a punishment -- the kind that especially painful."

"…………I get it already. Alright, Zest… I'll be counting on you."

"Yes…!"

It's as if Basara did a bad deed, yet Zest exultantly answered and once again began to use her soft b.r.e.a.s.t.s to scrub Basara's body. c.r.a.p… That softness, is just too d.a.m.n comfortable, and there are just only subtle differences from those others who would use their b.r.e.a.s.t.s to help Basara wash himself. Once again, Basara experienced just how unique the b.r.e.a.s.t.s of every person are. If his thinking were to go any further, his own rationality would be in danger -- in order to try to not set the national holiday or prime number[20], Basara tried to scatter his focus.

"…Ah~? Basara seems to be very calm…?"

[How boring]. When Sheera said that, Toujou Basara sighed:

"I'm so very sorry… I'm starting to become used to these kinds of situations."

"Arara, what shocking words, to be able to get used to a girl scrubbing you with her b.r.e.a.s.t.s…? You've become a hero at such a young age.[21]"

"Eighty percent of it are the fruits of the labour of your daughter…"

Up to now, both Yuki and Mio who had a Master-Servant Contract with Basara had often used their b.r.e.a.s.t.s to scrub his body, thanks to Maria's 'wonderful' suggestions. In order to induce jealousy which would then activate the curse to send them into an aroused state, Maria too would also sometimes demonstrate for them to see; later, Kurumi too was also dragged into this activity -- the remaining twenty percent, belongs to the infirmary teacher Hasegawa who was an exception. It was only Hasegawa, who had not made a Master-Servant Contract with him and had no need to increase battle potential, who was not dragged helpless into this by Maria, and had willingly and voluntarily done that kind of thing with Basara. Just then--

"……Please excuse me."

Saying that from behind his back, Zest's hands which had been embracing Basara's abdomen suddenly descended, slipping under the towel wrapped around his waist.

"H-Hold on, Zest! I can wash that place myself!"

"I-I'm very sorry…!"

Basara's suddenly screamed, causing Zest to hurriedly withdraw her hands from shock, but in that moment--

"--Don't stop and continue, Zest."

A cold voice that could send chills sounded out within the warm bath. Though Basara wanted to retort with a [Stop joking around!] -- he wasn't able to. Reason being, Sheera was releasing pressure that seemed impossible from her small loli body.

"Even if the other party wants to do it themselves, this is supposed to be a maidservants' duty and reason for existence… Continue."

"Hey --…Haven't I already said that there is no need to?"

Gulping, Basara then managed to force out some resistance, but--

"Aren't you just denying the reason for a maid's existence, Basara, just like saying 『I don't need you following me』? Speaking of which, you seem to be misunderstanding something…"

Sheera continued coldly:

"It was my order for Zest to serve you. Zest is my maidservant, her master is not you, but me; If I order her to wash another male's body, she will…"

And then gave a cold laugh.

Even if she has to help wash those soldiers who would hara.s.s her, she will still do so if it is my order. That is the duty of a maid whose duty is to serve people."

Those words caused discomfort within his heart.

"Cracking that kind of joke is just too cruel… If that happens, I wouldn't let Zest continue to be your maidservant."

"But the thing is, you don't have the authority to do so, Basara. You had handed Zest over for us to handle her which is why she is now my maidservant… And so, regarding her all, my word is absolute. The one who had created this result is you -- the decision you had made at the beginning."

"I…!"

Basara anxiously tried to form a reb.u.t.tal -- Basara had told Zest before that if anything happens, she can return to the Toujou Household anytime, as he had judged that she would be able to escape from the Demon Realm with her power. However, those words were just merely for Zest, and wasn't approved by Sheera. Seeing Basara beginning to turn pale--

"How selfish… Ignoring her life and death normally, and then suddenly wis.h.i.+ng everyone to be happy when you see her."

Sheera continued while making a caustic[22] smile:

"Don't tell me -- you haven't realised that Zest is isolated and helpless in this city?"

Basara remained silent, as he did vaguely have that sort of feeling. Other than Sheera or Lucia, he had not seen anyone else in the city speak with Zest; while visiting the city areas, Noel also doesn't seem to be familiar with Zest -- and from Noel's personality, it might perhaps have been that way because of pressure from the higher-ups. For Zest who was part of the Current Demon Lord Faction to find a place for her in the Moderates, it really isn't an easy task. Just then--

"--I would also like to remind you, that Zest's position and situation would also very likely be going downhill some more."

Sheera said something that can't be ignored.

"W-What do you mean?"

"Do you still not get it? No matter if Mio in the end decides to go with the wishes of either Ramsas or Klaus, that final decision will definitely cause resentment in the other party. Adding on that you had just stupidly went to argue with Ramsas saying that you won't accept both sides' wishes, would there still be anyone within the Moderates Faction that would still treat you as one of them?"

If that's the case--

"Even if you all are able to safely make it back to the Human Realm… I believe it wouldn't be difficult to guess who would be the one baring their fangs at you, right? After all, weren't you the ones who asked us to handle Zest?"

"That…"

Basara said in a low voice, groaning. He had never thought about it -- that protesting for Mio would bring about the worsening of Zest's circ.u.mstances. As Basara became speechless--

"All these are the results of the decisions you guys have made. The you right now, have no authority at all to stop Zest from doing anything… If you still want Zest to listen and obey you no matter what, and not let her be in danger of being tarnished by someone she wants to--

Sheera giggled some more, and then continued:

"Basara -- you must become her master, make her into a thing of yours."

"I, become Zest's master…?"

Basara turned to look at Zest, only to see Zest slowly raise her lowered head, her eyes meeting with Basara's. There was no signs of rejecting Basara at all in her eyes -- but rather, it was as if hoping what Sheera said will turn into reality. However--

"Isn't the Master-Servant Contract magic only usable on the nig