Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha Vol 3 Chapter 3

Toujou Basara having opened his eyes, was on top of a huge bed.

“Where…”

Trying to raise his body from his state, Basara noticed the handcuffs fitted on his both hands. Both his hands were restrained over his head and chained together in the bed board. Then, as his mind waked up completely, Basara recalled what happened before he lost consciousness.

“Oh yeah… I…to Takigawa”

Still, there was no place in his body that hurt, and there are no serious injuries and bleeding either.

…I was taken easy.

Having thought that fact, Basara tried moving his head, and looked at the surroundings where he was again.

The wall the floor, and the ceiling, everything was made of stone excluding the door. It was a closed room with no windows and only a door. There are no other kinds of furniture and all other furnis.h.i.+ngs except for the bed that Basara was lying into. However, the place was not too shabby for an isolation cell either. The interior was needlessly large for a prison, and the bed that he slept that has a canopy engraved seemed luxurious with the decorative details engraved on it. Knitting his eyebrows in the strange place, Basara in order to confirm his own whereabouts, tried to locate the position of his partner bound with the master-servant contract ——at that moment,

“……Mio?”

As the location of Mio which he was not able to detect was felt until a while ago, Basara looked at the door entrance in high alert. On the contrary, Yuki’s presence can no longer be felt. Toujou Basara is now convinced.

This is the place where Mio was kept, the hideout of Zolgear.

——Therefore, Basara tried making an action immediately. At first he confirmed whether there is any means oftaking off his handcuffs and a chain restricting his body, and if impossible, looked for anything useful in his surroundings to unlock his restraints. However, nothing is found at the place other than the bed, after all.

“…hm?”

Then Basara noticed something inside the pocket of the jacket of his uniform.

So he raise his body to a near headstand utilizing his abdominal muscles carefully, and a cellphone slipped out of the jacket and came out before long.

Catching it with his mouth, Basara bending his throat somehow, manage to succeed and had carried the mobile phone to his hand by bending his wrist in desperation, and confirmed its condition right away.

There are no problems with the battery and it seems fine. However,

“I knew it, it’s out of range after all…”

The mobile phone of Basara has a special chip included in case of emergency as similar to Jin. Though it can communicate even from the demon world, this place where he could feel Mio’s whereabouts seemed to be an exception. This pace seemed to be covered with a special barrier, as expected.

However, Basara went through his mail, and when he had finished typing the situation that has turned out so far, somehow, he addressed and send it to Yuki. When the moment becomes available to communicate, the message could be sent swiftly. As Basara sighed in grief, footsteps were heard from outside the room. Panicking, he pushed the mobile phone between the pillow and the head board, then the door is opened with a “clank".

Basara immediately closed his eyes, and made his pulse and breathing that shook calm, pretended to be unconscious and peeked at the other party’s att.i.tude. Then when the other party approached Basara slowly,

It’s actions were the least what Basara had expected. As he came to check the presence, the being went onto his bed and came above Basara’s waist.

And then,

“I know that you’re awake… Please open your eyes, Basara-san”

To the calm voice that seemed familiar, Basara reacted immediately.

As he opened his eyes, a young girl in her succubus form was before him.

“Maria…”

Upon calling that name, Maria showed a bittersweet smile, and then

“Surely, I didn’t expect Basara-san to be brought here so quickly… Well, thanks to that we are able to spend time for just the two of us alone, and for that I am grateful.” As she said that, she put her hand on Basara’s jacket and began opening the b.u.t.tons of his s.h.i.+rt.

“You, what are you doing?...” “The continuation of what we had left when we had entered the girls’ locker room.”

Maria declared as if it’s a natural thing, unb.u.t.toning all of what is in his s.h.i.+rt.

“There isn’t anything you can do anymore Basara-san, now that you have been captured already. Therefore, you should enjoy the moment at least for the last. Basara-san’s thing, I will make it feel good entirely.”

Maria revealed a flirtatious smile, and as her tongue crept through the nape of Basara, a small hand extended to the area of his waist and went to unfasten his belt.

“Stop Maria, you mustn’t do everything that Zolgear orders you to do―――”

Basara cried out.

“Do you really think that he will really spare your family from being hostage?”

At that moment,

“――――――”

Maria stopped all of a sudden. Therefore Basara continued talking.

“Do you really know that you are doing? Even you did it this way, your family won’t be saved. You are just being used to obtain Mio. Now that that guy have obtained that her —— you will be of no longer use to him, and it will be a matter of time that you will be taken care of!” Basara told, with his voice cracked. “Certainly, the other party is a high ranking demon. It is no wonder to give up one person in order to save your family. — But you have us. There is no need giving up alone.”

Right. It is too early to give up.

"Those guys’ aim is Mio. First of all, let's rescue her. Once we come and get her, the probability of you and the hostage getting killed will be far lower than now.”

Though the present situation is that she might have been threatened to kill the hostages so she obeyed Zolgear’s orders, and with the current situation where Mio has been captured, not only Mio but Maria and her family’s lives are in danger.

“That’s why ——"

He tried to say more, but no more words came from Basara’s mouth. In front, Maria’s eyes stared at him as cold as ice that it completely took his words. With a voice sounding with irritation,

“Haven’t you hear what I have said? Basara-san can’t do anything anymore. Zolgear is not a naïve opponent whom you can win desperately. If it’s possible with such cheap tactics like that, I won’t be deceiving Basara-san, and have already talked about my circ.u.mstances and borrowed your power.”

“Even so,… as for you, your family won’t be saved even if you follow d him either.”

“As for that, I knew that without you telling me, Basara-san. But I as of now cannot do anything but this ——his command, is to dominate Basara-san’s mind.”

“Maria…”

You have been in agony all alone, suffering for a long time. Maria knew how powerful and terrible Zolgear is, as he’s willing to try any means in order to achieve his purpose. Suffering and despair continued to pile up so high that brus.h.i.+ng them away is impossible.

However,

Basara has still not given up. At the end of summer vacation, I, Mio and Maria ——

I decided that I will protect our new family. However, in reality, I couldn’t protect Maria.

——Certainly, Maria might have deceived Basara.

However, the times he had spent with he had spent with her, Toujou Basara thought that it was not. The daily lives that she have spent with him, the smile and the tears that Maria had expressed through the crises that they came through, all of it contained truth. Maria was always beside him, giving a smile, as they went through all of crises that came. If so, Basara must help Maria this time. He doesn’t want to lose something important to him anymore the second time. And one of those important to him—— Naruse Maria, he doesn’t want to lose like the previous Basara. So,

“I don’t want to hurt you. Please stop the useless resistance and behave yourself”

“My bad…but that’s impossible.”

To Maria’s quiet voice, Basara declared woth words of rejection.

“…although stories can control my heart… My mind cannot be manipulated by your magic. Maria, like what you have said, will you please stop the useless resistance?”

“…certainly, it is impossible for me as of now. But, if I cannot control Basara’s mind, I will show you that I can do it no matter what it takes” Yes.

“I will now reveal ――my trump card”

At the same time, a complex three-dimensional pattern of magic circle was developed before the body of Maria. And, having appeared from the magic circle,

“…A key?”

A pale pink s.h.i.+mmering key appeared from nothingness. It turned its tip slowly towards Maria. Following its extension, was the keyhole mounted on the chest of Maria's clothes. To the that keyhole, the key inserted itself slowly, and

“Nn……Aah……”

In the depths of Maria chest who groaned a wet voice with an erotic face, it turned automatically.

And then, a sound of a lock opening was heard.

“―――”

With a sudden twitch, Maria’s whole body bent backward, and wrapped in a rosy light.

The dim room was illuminated by Maria’s dazzling light.

“Wha…”

Basara cannot help but be amazed by the phenomenon happening before his eyes.

——And just as when the light settled down for a short while, sitting on top of him, was the young Maria no longer. She transformed into an adult, beautiful succubus.

“Are you….Maria?”

With proportions surpa.s.sing Mio, and height more slender than Yuki, her s.e.x appeal and atmosphere that became a little more mature surpa.s.sed that of the two high school students. Although a little inferior compared to the school nurse Hasegawa, she is still an outstanding beauty nonetheless, and before the stupefied Basara, Maria leaked a “Yes” in reflex, showing an amorous smile.

“Come, Basara-san. The power of the baptism of the succubus —— please savor it to your heart’s delight”

As she said so, his eyes were focused on Maria’s who is sitting astride his body. That moment,

“―――”

In the consciousness of Toujou Basara, everything was consumed in an instant.

The spirit of the central nervous system that is called the origin of existence has overloaded. (!)

It was a mechanism that did Maria’s transformation. To unlock her limiter she used a magic key made up of spirit particles, and raised her abilities to a higher level that her appearance changed. This is the last trump card of Maria who was the only one left of Mio’s bodyguards.

There is a time limit in this transformation. Furthermore when she had transformed once she need a considerable period to be able to transform again, and the usage is difficult too.

…Still,

Maria never transformed herself since the time when Mio’s foster parents are killed, where she had used it to escape along with Mio from the hands of the demon Zolgear. Perhaps being the case as long as she doesn’t do any rash behavior and consumes excessive power, she could be able to perform in this state within two hours.

Basara’s eyes lost its focus, and when Maria confirmed that he had lost the strength of his whole body,

“Now then, Basara-san… you may do me whatever you like.”

Saying with a captivating smile, the handcuffs restraining Basara were removed. Then,

“……”

With hollow eyes, Basara laid his hands on the bra top of the bondage suit that Maria had been wearing, and forcibly slipped it upward in one go. Maria’s bountiful chest bounced as it was revealed up to the tip, and her body was pushed down adversely by Basara who raised himself slowly.

“Nn…fufu, Basara is truly a brute one after all”

Maria revealed a smile. What Maria have done to Basara, is a mind manipulation that amplifies their instinct as a man. Moving freely and acting on his instincts, he is now in a state that earnestly desires for a woman. While Basara pushed her down, he caressed the chest of Maria with his hand and mouth, and the other hand made its way on her back and had begun to rub Maria’s b.u.t.t from her panties.

“Ahn…Ha…Nu…Fu…”

Making a ‘chup’ sound, Basara separated his mouth from the chest of Maria, a saliva remained was stretched out like a silk thread in between them lewdly. Without giving time to catch her breath, Maria’s other breast was sucked this time. His hollow eyes gave somewhat a cold expression.

As Maria twisted her body in response to the sweet pleasure that welled up inside her, Basara put up his knee in between her thighs and pried her legs open. Therefore Maria clamped both of her legs to the waist of Basara, and held his head who is still holding her chest. Basara then stuffed his mouth and sucked her b.r.e.a.s.t.s up to the very tip to his heart’s content. In the terrific pleasure that arose immediately,

“——Fuaaaaaahnn….Yaa…”

“―――” A ‘chup’ sound was made, as Basara released his mouth from the chest of Maria, and saliva poured like a thread lewdly. Without giving time to catch her breath, Maria’s other breast was sucked this time.

“Basara-san… Ahh, Basara-saaaan…”

Forcibly letting loose Basara’s instinct, Maria’s consciousness is melting away.

——Zest told her that she was skillful in enticing a man. However, the bold behavior that she always do to Basara, although she had brought Mio and Yuki to surrender and give themselves to pleasure, Maria actually doesn’t have any tolerance to pleasure at all. By the fact that she is born in a succubus race, her knowledge of that kind is abundant —— unfortunately, because she was still very young, she had never experienced a tremendous pleasure coming from a genuine article. And now that Maria had transformed into an adult, the arousing feeling rose dramatically than normal.

“…If only I knew that we will do it like this, then I should have did it to Basara earlier on the past.”

Saying as she embraced Basara, at the same moment, tears were spilt in her eyes.

If so —— doing the deed in this form, this moment would not become the first and last time with Basara.

“…but, anyway…”

When she had met Basara, she could already do nothing but to follow Zolgear. She couldn’t do anything but keep on deceiving Mio and Basara ――― in other words, for Maria to be able to build a relations.h.i.+p was impossible from the start.

“Come Basara-san… please mess me up with all your affections”

Finally, Maria gave Basara a definite order. Unleas.h.i.+ng his instinct from his mind control,

even when she knew that her first experience as a woman will be a rough and violent one —— in truth, she will carve a wound in the heart of the gentle Basara that will never disappear.

Cheris.h.i.+ng the love of his partner who was done by dirtying her own hands with her sin —— completely dominating the spirit of Basara, making him fall, she united with him. (!)

“I’m sorry Basara-san. But don’t worry, because you aren’t alone… I also, had become as sinful as you.”

“―――”

Basaara strongly grasped both of her shoulders, pus.h.i.+ng Maria against the bed. Maria didn’t resist. Becoming silent, she only waited be ruined by Basara. However,

“Kuuo, Guu….aAAh….”

Basara didn’t do anything. His body began to shake, making painful screams.

“No way… He even got my baptism directly”

Maria opened her eyes wide in surprise. Basara is trying to escape from her mind control in Maria’s transformed state. Making a stream of blood flowing from his mouth by biting his lips firmly, Basara

“……Maria……”

His eyes regained its sanity. From here he gave a strong hug, and

“You said… that I may really do as I like”

He told her.

“I can help you —— from this situation that torments you, I’ll save you by all means”

With words with such power, he embraced her with gentleness. With her heart almost swept unintentionally, Maria still shook off Basara’s hand violently and jumped back from the bed above. As she took distance from him, her clothes that are about to come off when she laid down with him were restored to normal, however, she stared at Basara with cold eyes. Basara then got off the bed slowly, and from his arms ——materialized the demonic sword Brynhild. As she saw it,

“So you want to take this by force then… Fine, I don’t really dislike forceful ways either”

Maria showed a sinister laugh, however, Basara responded with a movement in silence.

Brynhild’s tip pointed was not pointed to Maria, but it stabbed on a stone pavement. With a clang, Brynhild that was pierced got stuck to the floor.

“…What’s this all about? Don’t tell me that you think you can win against me without a weapon?”

Maria asked in suspicion, but Basara shook his head,

“I’m not thinking that I am able to win without using any weapons, even in the slightest I don’t intend to do such a thing.”

However,

“I didn’t come here to defeat you, I came to rescue you—— therefore weapons are not necessary for that”

Basara stared at her with eyes of trust, but Maria laughed with a coldhearted feeling,

“…Basara-san is too gentle. Even in this state, you still worry about me at the bottom of your heart. However, having come this far, I cannot give up my family’s life.”

“Let me give you a single advice, Basara-san… Certainly, in terms of fighting power, Basara-san stronger than me. However, I in my current form right now as your opponent, if you show some composure―――you’ll die you know?”

As she said so――― Maria released her own power.

Maria’s whole body suddenly emitted an aura of energy beyond her limits. With the level pof pressure rivaling that of Mio’s Demon king predecessor’s power running wildly, her last advice was done to Basara.

Basara clenched his theeth, and endured the pressure that hit him. And the next moment,

From Maria’s viewpoint, Basara’s figure suddenly disappeared.

——if I have no way to persuade her if she doesn’t want to hear me, then I will force her to hear what I say. Perhaps restricting himself from injuring Maria, he still intended to persuade her.

Being a speed type, if Basara put in his seriousness with his speed, usually Maria could hardly catch up to chase himself by her own eyes. However,

“―――It’s useless”

Maria avoided Basara who is going to catch her by one step aside.

“I will say this again——Basara-san, there is nothing that you can do now.”

As soon as she told so, Maria’s right fist landed to Basara with quite an impact.

Zest that stayed in the hall to watch Mio, was watching the situation through the crystal ball.

To the figure of the beautiful succubus whom he moved his body in G.o.dspeed, his body was blown off without mercy.

“…I see. So that’s why”

Zest now understood. That the time Zolgear is about to kidnap Mio, to rescue her Maria had transformed herself into that adult form, succeeding their escape, from what she have heard. Her boost in fighting power is certainly tremendous after that. If that’s the case, then the story that she was able to escape from the hands of Zolgear is plausible.

…However.

Having Maria play with Basara, perhaps he should have avoided it. After this, Basara will be of help for the deprivation of Mio, as Zolgear wanted his banis.h.i.+ng technique after all. (!)

Maria understands too, that if she didn't stop this behavior, she may end up killing him.

…this may go a little bit too far.

She thought that the mental domination is an easy task for a succubus, but unexpectedly it had become very emotional over there. Basara tried to commit himself personally, and the frustration of inability to grasp the limit of his kindness revealed something ――― Apparently, Maria also had special feelings toward Basara. For Basara to rescue her who have betrayed him and Mio, if it was her that act would have forsaken him. Meanwhile,

“…………”

In the video, Basara who got blown off, was hanging on the stone wall like being crucified. Still not parting with his consciousness, he tried to get down to the floor again. Even after receiving a strong blow from Maria, his eyes didn't lose power even though suffering from a serious injury of bone fractures.

Maria on the other hand, is having an agonized expression that she seemed to burst into tears at any moment —— Still, in order to save her family, she took a stance for a second attack, in order to Basara to give himself up personally. In that scene,

“…………”

Zest lowered her vision. It’s because he didn't avoid Maria’s attack.

And at the same time Basara was blown off in the video, the entire building vibrated with a roar. The phenomenon vividly showed the tremendous power of the attack Maria had shot.

And then ———— Basara was crucified against the wall again, but this time he lost his consciousness.

…However,

Basara right now, suppressed Maria’s attack on purpose, and chose to receive it from the front.

——just now a counter was received. The reason for that is the boost of power of Maria was not yet ascertained. No matter how Maria’s fighting power rose, with Basara’s speed, it is not impossible to evade. Even if it is impossible to avoid it completely, even avoiding a direct hit can be able to reduce the damage. Not having done it daringly,

…He also gave priority to her feelings as well.

He persuaded Maria at any cost, and intended to save her somehow or other. Even in this situation, Maria is still hoping in her heart for Basara to save her, but she cannot accept those words and thoughts anymore. Therefore, Basara chose to clash with her from the front.

He himself didn't attack at all, determined to help her yearning heart.

Thus, Basara must continue receiving her attacks even if he regains his consciousness, until Maria is satisfied.

His spirit maybe n.o.ble, but those feelings will destroy himself when time comes, and in the worst case scenario he may even lose his life. Then if I have Maria restrict him with chains again and call her back at once, will that make them calm for a little while? The moment when she considered it,

“―――?”

Suddenly, a presence appeared in her rear, resulting to Zest jumping a big distance away to the side.

And at the same time― from where Zest stood a while ago countless air blades ran through.

It might be due to the quick drawing of a sword through the thin air. So,

“……”

Flapping her wings and Zest and circling rapidly in mid-air, Zest looked back at the direction were the air blades came to. Then―there was a girl standing there alone. One of the members of the hero clan who is living together with Mio and Basara, Nonaka Yuki. With her spirit sword on one hand, she had already changed to her combat attire.

“How the h.e.l.l did yu get inside…?”

Zest asked, turning around. The entire mansion is covered with Zolgear’s magical barrier. It’s impossible to detect and even if breached by the hero clan, it will be noticed immediately.

However, Zest became aware of the abnormal situation.

“His Excellency’s magical barrier has disappeared… Don’t tell me?”

Stabbing Brynhildr on the floor, Basara clearly shown his intentions of not wanting to fight Maria, but also surprisingly,

“To disable the magical detection barrier covering this mansion, he chose to lock himself up from the inside ― then activating that banis.h.i.+ng technique to nullify it!”

As she exclaimed the true aim of Basara,

“You underestimated Basara ―― that is your big mistake”

Facing her as she shoot, Yuki moved instantly.

Displaying a long jump as she suddenly approached, she cut down the distance in mid-air, as she threw consecutive sword slashes from the spirit sword. It was a killer attack that eliminated any useless movement. This was seen in the fight at the city the other day, but still seeing it was quite a prodigy. However,

“You have great skills… But, this degree doesn’t pose a threat”

To Yuki’s continuous attacks, Zest created protection barriers with the same number, and with her sharp fingernail for offence, it went and intersected their trajectories here and there.

“………!”

To sustain the attack made by Yuki spirit sword at once was impossible, but the force of her attacks however was deflected to the floor. Still, Yuki which barely fixed her stance. As made a landing with her foot, Zest unleashed her magic this time.

At the same time, from the magic formation created by Zest, launched countless amount of spears of obsidian.

To intercept the innumerable black blades that poured down, Yuki backed a step and her sword sparked. Moreover, the sword attack that Yuki shot momentarily was specialized in defense other than attack. When the spirit sword swung at high speeds, a pentagram was cut in midair, and Zest’s protection barrier was repelled and it dispersed. Rather than a linear normal slash, she hit with such dexterous skill. However,

…It’s not a problem.

In midair, Zest calmly judged her and her opponent’s ability and made a decision. Though there was a chance to be defeated if she were to let her guard down, as long as she keep her guard up, she’s safe. If the opponent produced a power on par with the materialized spirit 'ByakkoWhite Tiger' it might get slightly difficult. However, no one in the Hero clan should be able to demonstrate their maximum power of their spirit sword in this kind of magical barrier that surrounded this building.

Though Zolgear’s magical barrier was dispelled by the banis.h.i.+ng technique of Basara, this mansion is in the s.p.a.ce that is closer to the demon realm than in the human world. It is almost impossible to acquire the divine protection of the spirits of nature.

In contrast to that, the power of the Demon clan like them is increased.

Therefore, Zest judged the situation as not really a problem.

“―――!?”

A huge lightning sphere suddenly flew diagonally under her, and she was forced to evade by a steep margin.

Zest thought it was a new kind of surprise attack for an instant, but that proved she was mistaken.

“Naruse Mio…”

Mio regained her consciousness before she came aware, and looked her with eyes full of regained fighting spirit. She is already in this state where she could free herself from being chained to the wall, but that is only but a mere physical restraint. Now that the magical barrier of Zolgear has disappeared, it couldn’t seal Mio’s powers anymore until a while ago. Concentration of mind is necessary for magic, and not motion. And she’s in a state to be able to use that plenty of magic.

In addition to that, for her to make an attack that requires only a blink of time to evade, Yuki made an opening for Mio to approach Zest. And as Yuki brandished her spirit sword, Kiiin, a shrill metallic sound was heard.

The chains that were restraining Naruse Mio was cut off.

As for Mio which was made to sleep by Maria’s magic to be awakened, Yuki appeared shortly after.

In the shower room of the school, the fact that the success reinforcement of the master-servant contract with Basara may had contributed to this. By improving their fighting power at that time, her tolerance to magic has gone up too.

Mio, as Yuki cut off from the chains and setting her free, while confirming the condition of her wrist,

“… I never expected myself to be rescued by you. Though it’s kind of vexing, but thanks.”

The instant when she spoke words of grat.i.tude as she saw Yuki,

“Though it doesn't really matter, after we got into safety, please tell me more about it”

Said Yuki in her usual calm tone, “ah that” Mio shrugged her shoulders. And,

“and? I don’t believe that you came in all alone. Where’s Basara?”

“Probably helping Maria right now —— According to Basara, she seemed to have someone that was taken hostage.” As Mio heard that,

“…I see. I knew it, Maria was made to follow them by force.”

After observing the circ.u.mstances of the young succubus, she lowered her eyes and turned around. When Maria tried to make her sleep, Mio got the feeling that something is very wrong.

If it’s the truth, if she were to deceive her with malicious intent,

… You shouldn’t have looked at me with such eyes.

There is no turning back anymore, the eyes of Maria when she put Mio into sleep was very sad and painful. Not that Mio was really sure, but was that expression the very words that you told me yourself? (!)

However, you pretended to have betrayed us, and you forced yourself to behave coldheartedly.

“………”

Having thought what Maria had gone through, Mio clenched her fists. Then, while staring at Zest in mid-air, she released a crimson aura and declared:

“Doing such things, should really deserve to be rewarded, that child’s duty” (!)

—— After the kidnapping of Mio, Basara ordered Nonaka Yuki to remain on standby.

As he was about to enter the enemy base by any means, he wanted her to remain as backup for later.

The people who entered into a master-servant contract were able to know the positions of their partner. Thus, she knew at once when Basara arrived at the enemy base immediately. And because Mio has entered the same magical barrier, she couldn’t find Basara’s location temporarily. Though she went to the exact location when Basara’s presence had disappeared, the enemy base could not be found. Therefore, Yuki continued waiting for Basara’s presence to be felt patiently. And as Basara eliminated the magical barrier using Dimensionless Execution/Banis.h.i.+ng s.h.i.+ft, Yuki was able to pinpoint the position of Zolgear’s mansion. Furthermore, a mail was received from Yuki’s mobile phone form Basara at the same time, telling Mio and Maria’s circ.u.mstances, and then she slipped into the base according to the orders written by Basara.

The orders that Yuki received from Basara is, to take rescuing Mio as the first priority.

So right now ——Yuki who faced Zest together with Mio, have remembered something over again.

……it was a good thing that I entered a master-servant contract with Basara.

For this reason, she had tracked down Basara whereabouts and was able to reach this place. Well, was it because their affinity is great, or she was just too obstinate not to lose to Mio? At the moment the master-servant contract was made, Yuki’s fighting power had boosted to another level.

…I’m thankful for that.

She can even match Zest that might be on the level of Special Cla.s.s A relative to her ability, who should be able to kill her in a blink of an eye.

However, it is still undeniable that they are still at disadvantage. Even though the situation is two-versus-one, they were only a makes.h.i.+ft team. Their combination is questionable, and also, Zest’s ability was equal of the Spirit Lance 【White TigerByakko】or even more than that.

Of course, their condition and situation are different from back then. The partner who was Maria becomes Mio, and there are no more hesitations left of Yuki right now unlike when she fought Takas.h.i.+. And above all, Mio and Yuki had deepened further their relations.h.i.+ps for the master-servant contract with Basara from that time, so their fighting power has been improved.

…Still.

Even that the barrier has been neutralized, the divine protecton of 【Sakuya】is weaker, and she can only materialize its power to half of its capacity than when they had faced 【White TigerByakko】.

In this situation, fighting head-to-head with Zest was a reckless feat.

If——supposing that they faced each other if she were still in the Hero Clan, Yuki would choose to withdraw immediately.

And after gathering her comrades and increasing their war potential enough, she would have challenged Zest again.

…However,

She does not belong to the Heroes anymore, but a simple girl called Nonaka Yuki right now. If Basara is still there fighting, then she have no rights to back down. And most of all, if she retreated and if Zolgear who is more powerful than Zest were to join the fray, they would be more outnumbered than before.

Fortunately, Zolgear seemed to be away right now. And even the difference in abilities between Zest and them is great even if the situation is 2:1, there is still a possibility to create an opening.

…Mio is here.

Since he wanted the power of Wilbert, the other side cannot do anything to harm Mio. Though it I saddening that she is being taken hostage as an advantage, in order to win in this situation when they are being overpowered by the enemy, glossing over was unnecessary.

Since they don’t know when Zolgear will return, they ended up with the quickest possible solution.

Though it is difficult to do it with an opponent with a large gap in abilities, Mio cannot be injured badly by the other side, but there is also a handicap on her, and that is she cannot escape. If the fighting still continued, it will earn time for Zolgear to return, and that would be a very big disadvantage. However,

“There is no use thinking it thoroughly. Let’s go, Yuki”

Mio said, thinking up the same conclusion as she did. Therefore,

“Yes—— Well then, I’m going first”

She said so, and Nonaka Yuki sped quickly towards Zest. At the same time,

“How foolish…”

Zest expanded several magic formations and—— immediately after, the stone pavement broke with a roaring sound, and an innumerable conically-shaped spears a.s.saulted Yuki. As the sharp tips approach her, Yuki inclined her stance from before, jumped low and accelerated. Avoiding those spear tips from the floor, she leaped further from the side, cutting distance to Zest, and with her spirit sword [Sakuya], took her first hit.

It was a diagonal slash from the shoulder. On the other hand, Zest evaded by jumping to her rear. She jumped in midair to avoid it, and because Yuki eliminated her barrier, she is now defenseless against Mio’s magic. If she remained in that place, and faced them with her nails and barriers, Yuki would intercept her attacks with her sword combos from the opposite side as well, after all it would be harder for Mio to deal with her spell if she stopped. Therefore, Zest choosing to evade to the rear was not a mistake. However —— Yuki is a skill type, an all-around fencer/furigana multisaber who can handle all short distance combat and that is no tale. Zest which flew to the rear,

“———!”

Gasped as she saw it. Yuki’s sword flashes that she evaded, produced blades of air by cutting through it, and forward—— she made a hit. Zest casted a magical barrier at once and prevented it, but Yuki ran ahead and chased her, she swinging out Sakuya and multiple combinations of the air blades blasted one after the other. Trying to bind Zest on the spot,

“———!?”

Yuki suddenly jumped to the left by intuition —— at the same time, her hari at the right side of her temples was brushed, and something invisible pa.s.sed her.

…What was that just now…!?

Yuki was taken aback. It was probably earth-type magic. In Basara’s message, there was a “maiden”[1] keyword that appeared regarding Zest as the accomplice. In the twelve signs of the Zodiac, 【The VirginVirgo】 was related to the earth element. Judging by the magic that she released a while ago, this should have a relation with the ability of Zest, no doubt of it. However,

… I couldn't see it at all.

Was it just a stone that flew at a high speed perhaps? If its hardness is boosted with magic, that speed and power would exceed ordinary firearms by far. Disregarding to avoid these things would be impossible.

Stopping her pursuit by jumping aside, her stance broken, she expressed a bitter face,

“Is that all you can do….?”

Zest declared with cold eyes, holding her hands aloft—— and in an instant,

“——— then, let me know what you can do”

Completing her magic spell, Mio wrapped Zest with roaring crimson flames in an instant. And then,

“No time to idle, Yuki!”

Mio who reprimanded her just now began reciting her next magic. Therefore,

“———————————"

Yuki also moved immediately. She’s right. She is an opponent who can be defeated by this degree.

“Please【Sakuya】 —— please give me a little more strength”

While running towards the blazing flame pillar, Yuki called her beloved sword in her hand.

And when she returned 【Sakuya】and enhanced its spiritual power, she unleashed a quick draw of her sword towards Zest surrounded by flames. With a shrill sound, the flames are cut horizontally into two equal parts.

“Get back!”

In response to Mio’s warning, Yuki jumped back from that spot, and a huge lightning b.a.l.l.s poured one after the other. With the sounds of electrical discharges, roaring lightning strikes echoed the stone floor.

“——I did it?!” “——No, it didn’t”

To Mio who momentarily shouted with joy, Yuki exclaimed with a rigid expression. There was no resistance when she cut through the flame. When she looked back at once, Zest was already standing in a distant location, already chanting her spell.

“――――――”

An invisibility stone was released all together toward Yuki. She on the other hand gave up on evading and responded by slas.h.i.+ng out on the surface.　With a sword attack on the barrier, though Zest’s magic stone had flown away,

“―?!”

To a power more than she imagined, Sakuya which received the attack flew away from Yuki’s hand.

d.a.m.n it, I’m too late.

“――This is the end”

Zest declared, unleas.h.i.+ng all the magic for the finis.h.i.+ng blow.

The moment the magic stone was unleashed, Zest tended to end the battle.

With this, Mio will be the one remaining. Though she can’t kill her even if it was an accident, with their difference in abilities, she may disarm her without the girl getting injured.

For this, she waited for the right moment to strike Yuki with an obsidian bullet.

“――――――”

However, the barriers were deployed ahead of Yuki and kept her from Zest’s magic.

It goes without saying whose act it is. Therefore Zest looked at that place silently.

Though their difference in skills is obvious, Naruse Mio still didn’t lose even a single drop of her fighting spirit.

…Keeping her from getting injured, is more troublesome than I thought…

She knew that the girl had raised her power levels through the reinforcement of the master-servant contract with Basara, and it also seemed that their bonds with each other had strengthened considerably. This growth of her heart gave her fighting power a different intensity. It is like the saying that strong feelings for a person is a power that can make things possible.

…However,

The stronger the feelings are, the easier the heart becomes shaken. And, Basara, who is the support of the hearts of Mio and Yuki are in their hands now. Therefore,

“… how disappointing, Naruse Mio.”

Zest told to Mio.

“Even if falling into the hands of the enemy, cornered with no way to escape… Still, Toujou Basara whom you all loved dearly is right now, tried not to help you but Maria instead. What kind of master is that? Instead of helping those who treat him of importance, he gave priority to the one that betrayed him.”

“……………………”

To these words, Mio fell silent. This is because what Zest spoke was clearly the truth. There is no use to overreact to an unnecessary provocation. If she were to be shaken from trusting Basara even a little, this slight distrust leads to hesitation, and will become a critical chance in the fight. So,

“… Oh well. Well, the truth is, I don’t feel very well.”

Standing alone, Mio said while looking down.

“But it can’t be helped. Our relations.h.i.+p is just beginning, but I still know what kind of guy Basara is. Maria and I had got close to him and deceived him, but even after that, Basara still forgave us, protected us, and risked his life for us.”

Therefore,

“Let me tell you something. I don’t really mind even if Basara were to abandon me or anything, or putting me off or something. Surely, Maria will be there when that guy woke up. But that guy came not only to rescue me, but also Maria. You’ve taken hostages right? Thus we tend to save them from cowards like you. Therefore, we are try to help that girl right now.”

“A very good explanation… Do you really think you can do it?”

“That’s what I thought. To begin with, Maria‘s eyes are full of suffering, so even if she abandoned us and went somewhere else, I won’t be happy at all. Besides, Basara is trying to save me, too.” And also,

“Hey Yuki… did you came for me on your own will?”

“Don’t kid with me. It cannot be helped, Basara said it.”

To Yuki who refused quickly, Mio smiled in a whim.

“That’s too bad. [2] Our bonds wouldn't be swayed by some weak provocation like this —— Different from you and Zolgear.”

“…What do you mean by that?”

Zest narrowed her eyes all of a sudden.

“A while ago, I saw you talking to Zolgear. I don’t know what particular circ.u.mstances you have, but it seemed that that man before seemed to be overly cautious of you…”

While doing so, Mio placed her hand on the crest on her chest with a smile.

“It’s enviable, right?... The relations.h.i.+p between Basara and I”

“...a wonderful self-admiration you have.”

Zest replied with a thin smile, and shot the following words unto Mio—— for certain, those words could cause her to be shaken as it is.

However… Considering all that, after withnessing your friend Sakaki Chika and Toujou Basara in a lovers’ scene, haven’t you been shaken greatly?

“… That is…!”

Mio’s face flew red with a rage immediately, and it replaced the calm composure that she had a while ago. Zest didn’t miss that chance. She recited the spell she secretly performed, and the floor beneath Mio’s feet was transformed into restraints. If she were to neutralize Mio, Yuki alone would be an easy task for her. Therefore, she tried to do so, however——

A roar shook the whole building in an unexpected timing.

“Wha——"

Together with a surprise, Zest is already convinced. No doubt… that just now was a single blow that Maria hit. She had hit Basara again.

…Fool, What on earth are you doing…

Zest grew impatient.

I knew I should have called Maria back earlier at all. And since Zolgear wants him, I cannot lose Basara.

Impatience and hesitation swelled inside Zest in a spur of a moment.

“————should I concern myself in the provocation of this person?”

As she put away her thoughts, Mio was already before her sight.

“if that’s the case ———— then eat this!”

The moment she told so, a torrent of raging lightning ran through Zest’s whole body.

Standing at the scene in utter amazement, was a young girl right beneath one’s eyes.

With the power she herself released, Maria was the one who gave three powerful hits to the young man who tried to stop her.

——As she released her inner spirit power and having gone on a rampage as of now, she was currently on a level of an S – Cla.s.s in terms of fighting power, though temporary. Still, because she was ordered not to kill Basara from Zest, a single blow which she threw first right before his eyes, was only a warning shot that indicated that she was serious. However, Basara stood up, and tried to approach Maria again—　— thus, two critical hits were shot the next time, causing his consciousness to fly away.

Basara screamed as it jarred through his flesh, and Maria was sure that she heard his bones breaking. And then, Basara was blown off, losing his consciousness. With this, while staring at the unmoving Basara, Maria thought that this is the end.

Basara’s resistance——together with his relations.h.i.+p her, that Maria thought those were completely over.

—— However. Basara stood up slowly while swaying.

It was unbelievable. Of course, If Maria seriously drives her fist in to Basara right now, His body will be torn apart, but it is as if the two attacks with all her might earlier were meaningless.

Still the power was comparable to a degree of being hit by a truck. He shouldn’t be able to move right now if that was the case. But Basara stood up and started approaching Maria again.

To such appearance, Maria struck him while shouting. Not a single word has been said, just pure screams of emotions she wanted to entrust. Basara who received Maria’s fist is blown off three times——then thrown into the stone-paved walls so hard it made a crater, rolled then fell on the floor. And then,

"No way……"

Maria right now, is standing dumbfounded. It’s not because she had injured Basara more than a.s.sumed. She had applied more damage to him this time, so it should be impossible for him to move now—— but still, in front of Maria’s eyes, a body has begun to move.

It was the right hand of Basara. Basara’s fingers moved as if patting the floor grasped, and had put strength to become a fist.

"Wh,Why————"

Maria raised her voice in shock. The whole body of Basara which caught her three powerful attacks was tattered and bled.

There is no need to say that he’s finished. There is nothing he can do right now. But still —— Toujou Basara tried to stand up.

"Still trying to stand from that… do you really want to die Basara-san?"

Maria cried unintentionally. If Basara stands up, she herself won’t be able to do anything but attack him again. However, Basara is already at his limit. Basara may die this time if she made another attack to him. She definitely wanted to avoid that.

If she were to kill Basara here, he won’t understand what she will be suffering for till now.

"…such reason, that’s not it…"

However, Basara’s left hand which was on the ground supported his body from being down and he got up slowly.

And then, as he took a grip to his right knee by his right hand, strength returned to the lower half of Basara’s body.

With a groan, Basara stood up at last. And then,

"But…… It can’t be helped I guess? Because there are times when you hate something more than dying……"

With Maria who had transformed herself into an adult form with the same height as his, Basara stared at her,

"You…… continued suffering all this time, thinking that you can’t seek help anymore……"

To Basara’s words, Maria held her breath.

The thing that is supporting Basara today, was Maria’s wish.

——Maria after all, want to save her family that is being held hostage.

Since she betrayed these people, she offered all of herself to the enemy in order to spare them at least.

However, While trying to save her family from being held hostage, it can’t be helped that Maria deep down in her heart wanted also to be saved. Not only Maria, but also her family―― besides saving Mio, her train of thoughts is really different from Basara’s which is really trying to fulfill it.

…… There’s no such thing…

As Maria bit her lips, Basara started advancing with a step,

His face grimaced and suddenly, he staggered in pain, and knelt on one knee to the floor.

Seeming wanting to rush up to aid him in at once, Maria endured it desperately.

— The situation in this room is probably being monitored by Zest. If she helped Basara, it’s possible that her family being held hostage might be killed.

Meanwhile, the young man before his eyes stood up and has begun to walk to her again.

Of all the injuries that he had received, it was better for Basara to not be able to move, but still he approached Maria step by step. And then ––– Basara reached under Maria at last.

"Ugh……Ah……hah"

This person here is clearly over persistent. And yet, he faced Maria who cannot do anything but to be fl.u.s.tered like this,

"––– Because I want to help. You, Mio and also your family. I want to help you by all means"

Therefore,

"Please ––– I’m begging you, don’t give yourself up like this"

As he said so, Basara started hugging her in silence.

Thus, Maria moved at once.

With her right fist filled with her own feelings that she could never hand over, she drove it in to the chest of Toujou Basara. A single blow with all her might. It was a direct hit. Even Basara won’t be able to stand a chance ––– this should be enough.

"………"

Even after receiving her fist, Basara didn’t collapse.

Maria was serious. She absolutely didn’t hold back her power.

But still –––– even with all of Maria’s power right now put out with all her might, Basara’s chest was only beaten to a slight degree.

"………hah"

Maria, who turned around as if enduring to cry, suddenly embraced Basara’s shoulders.

“It’s impossible…… As a kind younger sister, I can’t possibly hit my big brother”

She said. Even though she exceeded her power for long. In reality, Maria didn’t want to actually injure Basara, and won’t really be able to win against him who is trying to save her. So,

“Up until now, they made you suffer alone for a long time, I’m sorry —— so leave it all to your big brother.”

To those warm words,

"Uu……Au….wa"

The tears which are held to its limits, ran down at the end of Maria’s eyes.

At that moment –––– all her feelings that were bottled up back then, overflowed and flooded out at once.

So Maria right now, wasn’t able to held back all her tears and emotions.

She cried. In Basara’s arms, while raising a loud voice like a child.

With a crying face –––– was a younger sister hugging her beloved big brother while shedding tears.

After being hit by Mio’s lightning magic, Zest was unable to fight anymore.

Restraining her with a rope specialized for demons, Nonaka Yuki tied up Zest.

The reason for not finis.h.i.+ng her off was for them to acquire Zolgear’s weakness. While he’s away, Mio was entrusted to her to this degree. Perhaps, Zest might be the most important subordinate of Zolgear. If that’s the case, then it should be not strange for her to know Zolgear’s secrets. Or so they thought,

“………………”

No matter how Yuki and Mio ask from her, there was no answer coming from Zest at all. According to Mio, Zest had a poor connections with Zolgear. Therefore, there may be a possibility that she was also forced to follow him like Maria, so thinking that maybe there’s a chance that she might be able to cooperate with them,

“Apparently… More than making her cooperate with us, it is even harder to make her confess.”

Yuki told to Mio while sighing in disappointment.

“Then it is dangerous to keep her alive any longer. We should eliminate her.”

They can’t let their guard down even if she is bound by a rope that seals off magic power. The risk of counterattack is not zero, and if Zolgear returned, they will have no chances of winning this time.

“…Well, it certainly is impossible to convince this person no matter what we say”

However, as for Mio.

“I wonder what Basara will do in this case… Even having found out the ident.i.ties of Maria and me, that guy still accepted us. Maybe he can make this person have a change of heart”

“………”

In Mio’s proposal, Yuki fell silent. Zest was a challenge for even both of them, so this is a great opportunity to kill her. Even if Basara joined them, winning a head-on battle with a high ranking demon like Zolgear will be tough. If that happens, Basara will even risk his own existence.

“I understand… I must go to where Basara and Maria is as soon as possible.”

Though it has been a little while ago, the sounds of impacts and roars have already settled down, but there was a possibility that the battle still continued. If Maria were told that Zest has been defeated, this may help Basara in trying to persuade her who has her family taken hostage. However, if they left Zest here, this would give her a chance to escape while they weren’t looking, and it is still dangerous to watch her alone, given her ability. With Zest having restricted here, the best option will be to go to the other side with three people. Yuki and Mio who had matched opinions nodded to each other, but at the moment that they started to move,

“―――?”

All of a sudden, Yuki and Mio got perplexed at the same time, because they couldn’t move their bodies. Even that they can pull out their voices, their breathing didn’t follow. Over there,

“––––Hou? It seems that you have been going wild when I was away.”

a voice was heard smiling from above. Barely raising her face to look up, Yuki saw a figure of a demon at her first sight.

“Zolgear…!”

Mio nearby called his name filled with hatred.

“Oh… my mental restraints were of the same power a while ago, but now you can talk through it?”

Zolgear said seeming to enjoy that, and went in front of Yuki and Mio. At that moment,

“Hah –––…”

Nonaka Yuki inhaled involuntarily. This wasn’t the first time for her in confronting a high ranking demon. However,

… No way, just a little more and we’d…

Yuki realized her naïve calculations. The aura that Zolgear clad in his body was far beyond her imagination. As she clenched her teeth in her unmoving state,

“The existence of friends after all was rea.s.suring to see…isn’t it?”

Zolgear noticed Yuki’s existence, and suddenly a creeping stare was turned to her,

“Heh… This also. I saw it in the video so I knew, but seeing it in person, what a wonderful material we got here. And it seemed that it took these two people to apparently defeat that Zest somehow.”

Seemingly pleased,

“Together with Naruse Mio, I will make you mine… with a supreme pleasure even that boy called Toujou Basara will never give.”

“…Who would in the likes of you?”

“What dear… You and Naruse Mio, will soon wish to come for me.”

Yuki endured the sensation severely, and shakes her shoulder to Zolgear.

“By the way… are you alright, Zest?”

He said so, and stood in front of Zest next to Yuki.

“…Your Highness, I’m very sorry.”

When Zest knelt on the floor while restrained by the rope and lowered her head in sorrow,

“I don’t mind it… thanks to Toujou Basara in addition, I’ve got a new toy in my hands.”

“Yes…”

Zest said in a gentle voice, and looked up to her master who’s worried about her.

–––but towards Zest, Zolgear casually brandished his arm in a flash.

A shockwave was generated and enfolded Zest, flinging her against the wall behind with a roar.

After throwing Zest through the stone-paved walls with quite an impact and falling down to the floor,

"… Zolgear, -sama…?"

Tattered, she looked up and saw Zolgear. Thereupon,

"Oh, sorry… are you all right?"

Zolgear apologized with a smile ––– not to Zest, but to Yuki who was also caught up by the shockwave that hit Zest aside.

"Though you will become mine later on, the number of wounds have increased too much. But you don't have to worry. I will heal you properly later ––– your whole body up to the very last corner"

"No… Your Highness, I"

As Zest spat out giving a bitter expression by reflex,

"Rather––– Zest, didn't you envy these girls that much you b.a.s.t.a.r.d? And that young man who is their master too."

As what Mio had said, she had thought of her own feelings and little desires which were locked away for long. (!)

As Zest stiffened once her thoughts that she slightly held was seen through,

"Your thoughts, it has always been carried to me ––– Haven’t you forgotten whose hands you were created from?"

And then, Zolgear.

"Useless. A subordinate who had lost her loyalty is no longer anything but a thrash ––– Die"

Bitterly saying so, the master who created Zest spun a certain curse against her.

… No……

Zest’s breath was held involuntarily. It was an incantation to kill Zest immediately.

"Aah……a……"

At once, Zest was wrapped in purple light, but it’s not on the state to be shocked anymore.

She had never experienced even a single affection unlike the other subordinates so far.

Still, Zest worked hard to serve her master for a long time. even she's born as a woman, she never had a chance to serve him primarily as a woman, even if it is the sole purpose in life.

––– Yet, Zest right now, was cast away directly, and will be killed by her very own master.

However, Zest couldn't resist at all. She couldn't fight against the brutality and the unreasonableness of her master who turned his back on her. For Zest who is a magical life-form, the existence of her creator is absolute to this degree.

And as the purple glow that surrounded Zest amplified, the curse of instant death began to invoke ––– in an instant.

"––––––"

A gust of wind ran next to her ––––– and at the same time.

With a shrill sound, the light from the curse that wrapped Zest had disappeared.

"………"

How on earth did that happen? ––––– Zest was in blank amazement, and then she saw.

Grasping a demon sword which became the armor of his right hand, a young man was running towards Zolgear. It was Toujou Basara.

Toujou Basara rushed into the hall without hesitation.

Mio and Yuki were safe. There was a male demon which seemed to be Zolgear.

And Zolgear was trying to get rid of Zest who was her very own subordinate.

Basara who finished confirming the situation in an instant, materialized Brynhildr while running in full speed, plunging himself between Zolge