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Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha:Volume 6 Chapter 3

2016-05-15T21:35:24Z

83.252.12.13:

==Always Wanted to Confess to You==

=== Part 1 ===

Nonaka Kurumi had a good affinity with spirits at a young age.

Five years before the tragedy attacked the 《 Village 》, while her older sister Yuki learned sword skills one after another increasing her abilities as a {{furigana|Skill-Type Swordsman|Multisaber}} <ref> 全応型剣士</ref>, Kurumi bloomed her talent as a {{furigana|Spirit Magician|Element Master}}. Right now, among the {{furigana| Spirit Magician|Element Master}} in the 《 Village 》, her skill developed to the extent that she could fight with one or two.

However──Kurumi couldn't use her ability well right now. The place that usually serves as a channel for the spirits to lend their power would not open that easily. It's because… they have come to the Demon Realm.

Wildart is a city which served as stronghold of the Moderates faction. In the past, this city was declared as the strongest, ruled by the Demon King Predecessor Wilbert for generations, a luxurious royal castle and bustling castle downtown. Surrounded by the rich nature of the forest Oldora, Nonaka Kurumi right now, was at the middle of the Fost River which flowed nearby Wildart Castle.

"───"

As Kurumi stood still in the riverbank as rocks and gravels roll, she reached her left palm which materialized the spirit gauntlet <ref>霊操術の籠手 translated as Soul Purity Arts Gauntlet </ref> to reach the water surface of the river, her consciousness was concentrated and the channel for sprits was opened.

Simultaneously, in the Soul Purity Arts that Kurumi pushed out in her left hand, ──a magic circle unfolded in the thin air, disturbing the flow of water in the river. A vortex began to gradually occur and grew to a size of a meter, and the water rolled up to the sky. As small droplets fell down, Kurumi raised her concentration once more, and the water that shot up gradually formed a certain divine beast.

A dragon.

"……OOoo～!"

From the top of a huge rock nearby, the little succubus companion who followed after her raised a voice of admiration ── she's Naruse Maria. In front of what Maria is seeing right now,

"───"

Kurumi unexpectedly made a severe expression── At once, the shape of the water which curled upwards lost control, the dragon's shape turned for worse, and the large quantity of water fell down the surface of the river like a waterfall in the sky.

"Isn't that amazing Kurumi-san? Today, compared to yesterday, you're able to use it up to this extent."

"……this isn't that good at all."

To Maria who claps her hands in admiration, Kurumi replied with a frown.

──What Kurumi called for was a spirit of a water attribute. Usually, Undine and Nereids, and various spirits such as Apsaras <ref> female spirit of the clouds and waters in Hindu and Buddhist mythology </ref> lend their powers to Kurumi.

But due to the Demon Realm's<ref>I used Demon Realm instead of Hell coz it sounds more appropriate here.</ref> influence, Kurumi wasn't able to open a channel with spirits well right now. She should be able to produce an even bigger water dragon if that isn't true, and make them soar into the sky just as it is──but the results ended up to a degree that even a small size wasn't possible to maintain.

Even as she appealed to a spirit like usual, their voice and reactions felt very distant. Perhaps Kurumi today can only take out half of her powers in comparison to when she's in the human world.

Maria gave a bitter smile, then jumped off from the top of the rock and closed the distance to Kurumi. Then,

"Well, since training is going to end soon, let's have lunch. The maid in the kitchen had made us sandwiches."

Maria opened a big basket held in her hands and showed it to Kurumi. With meat and vegetables in the inside, the sandwich also have jam-packed various ingredients such as eggs tightly. As expected of a dish from an entrusted maid serving at a castle indeed, it seemed so delicious even by only looking.

"Isn't this amount a little too much to eat for only two people…?"

"Because Kurumi didn't eat a proper meal this morning, this is just right as it is"

"………"

To the words of Maria, Kurumi went silent. She's right──Kurumi had hardly eaten her breakfast. Though she took a seat in the dining room and started eating, she left the seat in a hurry.

Kurumi's behavior is something that cannot be permitted. Beside the quiet Kurumi, in a hemp-woven rag, Maria took a seat, laid her back to the grass of the dry riverbed and asked,

"…Are you still angry about Basara-san and Zest-san's Master and Servant Contract?"

She's right──this morning, Kurumi was told by Basara that he and Zest made a Master and Servant contract.

Of course, before coming to the Demon Realm, declaring “It's necessary to protect Zest, so a Master and Servant contract should be made” is really the kind of what the gentle Basara does. Kurumi thought so and agreed upon. However, when she was made to hear that it happened ──Kurumi knew the fact that she admitted him to have a Master and Servant Contract with Zest due to her condition. But,

''…I can't believe it, to think that even sis or Mio not to say anything…''

For Mio who was targeted by Zolgear, to even have a connection to the one that murdered her adoptive parents cruelly──She was so to speak was the sole enemy for Mio and Basara. As for Zest who was a subordinate of such a man to enter a Master and Servant Contract with Basara, even if real thoughts came from their lips, Kurumi thought that those intentions will never be accepted no matter what.

However──after a brief silence, Yuki and Mio approved the contract of Basara. Kurumi cried “What!?” immediately, and stood up from her chair,

…But.

Kurumi wasn't able to say anything more than that. Because in the past, she had become undoubtedly an enemy of Basara before. Therefore, since Yuki and Mio who have not betrayed Basara accepted it, Kurumi had no choice but to accept.

──Still, everybody seemed to have understood Kurumi's feelings. Basara and Zest whom are to blame remained silent for granted, and for sure, the three people: Yuki, Mio and Maria also understood Kurumi's and Basara's feelings, so they didn't say anything. However, unable to bear the eyes which turned to her right now──as she came to her senses Kurumi ran out of the dining room and walked along the hallway alone. Then, passing each other by chance on the hallway, Kurumi asked Noel the housemaid whether there is a river nearby, and told her this place.

──There was a reason why Nonaka Kurumi wanted to come to the river.

Before the tragedy that happened five years ago, when Basara was still in the 《 Village 》of the Hero Tribe──Kurumi had often gone out to play in a nearby river with Basara and Yuki. Fishing together, swimming together, they get along well just like true siblings. Being the younger one,Kurumi always loved Basara and Yuki, and piled up many wonderful memories with the two people.

One time, those memories──due to the tragedy five years ago, she thought that they were lost completely.

After the sad reunion five years after, they had fought one time──still, Basara remained unchanged from the old days, and valued Kurumi as she was. Therefore, even though it's her mission to live under the same roof as them, she was really happy. Even little by little, she thought that that she could go back to the old days from the bottom of her heart. She actually wanted to come to this river together with everyone. While remembering her childhood with Basara and Yuki and their past relationships, she wanted to make a new memory here, with Mio and Maria added. And then──if desired, Kurumi won't even mind even if Zest was there.

…However, she making a Master and Servant Contract with Basara is a different story.

She heard the story that Zest has a power of an S class. By making a Master-Servant Contract with Basara, she'll become stronger than before, raising his power, thus finding herself useful to Basara.

…still.

Nonaka Kurumi thought──she doesn't want to lose to Zest.

Therefore when Kurumi came here alone, she began her training in order to manage even a little the darkness element that she got from Lucia. Maria followed behind a little later. As Maria finished arranging the sandwich and side dishes on the seat,

"Anyway, let's have lunch first. The brain doesn't act properly when hungry, and I think that's not good in various ways."

She said so, beckoning her. Therefore,

"………Un"

As Nonaka Kurumi nodded, she sat down next to Maria and began eating the food on that day.

<center><big>＊＊＊＊＊＊＊</big></center>

The sandwiches the maid had made were delicious.

Though they thought that the amount in the basket was too many to fill in two people, partly due to the fact of almost runniing outside in the morning, she was able to eat it up with Maria in no time. Even if feeling depressed, if the stomach is filled with something good, a person can get well in a little while.

Was the state of Kurumi being perceived? Maria said with a smile.

"Hey, have you had your meal properly?" "……Un<ref> Nod of Approval </ref>. Thank you."

As soon as Kurumi finished eating, Maria poured a drink into a cup from a portable jug,

"Here, Kurumi-san." "Thank you……"

As she received it, the tea in the cup raised warm steam. Filling her with a faint sweet warmth and fragrance from her mouth through her nose as she sipped it, Kurumi relaxed her body naturally. Then,

"──Did it settle you down a little?"

Maria said with gentle eyes.

“Because Kurumi-san is a {{furigana| Spirit Magician|Element Master}}… if you use magic in that irritated state, even if you are a part of the Hero Tribe, don't you think that spirits in the Demon Realm would turn cautious and wouldn't answer?”

“I wasn't particularly irritated…"

As Kurumi told in a sulky way, Maria who gave a bitter smile replied,

"I know that you're bothered with Basara-san and Zest-san… You could relax with a delicious meal and a cup of tea. This is more deserving rather than wasting yourself feeling depressed."

"……un"

Maria was certainly right… to establish an emotional bond with the spirits of the Demon Realm, if you don't believe in it in the first place, it won't start. But even as she focused on how she materialized her spirit gauntlet and fitted in the slot, for spirits of highly compatible attributes it was duller than usual.

…However.

Even though things appear this way, there is still an improvement. Yesterday, when they have only just arrived in the Demon Realm, elements completely become corrupted due to the evil influence, and she wasn't able to feel any spirits from within.

So Kurumi, reaching to the point of using magic to this degree was because of that woman who gave the dark element which made contacts with the spirits of the Demon Realm made easier.

"…What do you think about my older sister?"

While looking at the element of the dark color that fitted into the slot, Kurumi replied.

"To me, who was given such a thing… and even getting along well with her, I'm thankful. However, isn't she the adjutant of Ramses who dislike Mio?"

"it is so… that merciless Lucia ane-sama<ref> Ane-sama is an honorific meaning “esteemed older sister”. A very formal way of addressing your big sis </ref>, to be on good terms with me and even give me a special treatment, it’s difficult just to think about it."

Hmm, thinking through, Maria said

"Possibly, she may have taken a liking to Kurumi personally, don't you think?"

"How… I, what part did your sister took a liking in particular?"

"Oh my ── then don't you have any ideas?"

"There is no way, right?"

Kurumi replied with an immediate answer, then

"……Hmm, is that so?"

Maria uttered in a casual tone,

"──then I'll tell you"

She replied, pushing down Kurumi on her seat.

"Wai- Maria…?"

Kurumi uttered and cried in surprise, but her clothes were unbuttoned until the front was opened up all the way by Maria's experienced hands. And, as Maria reached out her hands and took off the hook of Kurumi's skirt,

"I heard it. Kurumi-san…in the office of Lucia ane-sama yesterday"

"!────"

Startled and gasping for breath, in that small opportunity even the hook and the zipper was opened, and the skirt of Kurumi was dragged down.

"Wa-Wait...that…is not it……!"

Though Kurumi tried to stop her desperately while turning red, before the physical strength of Maria who is a power type, her resisting at this level became futile. afterwards,

"I, until now, have been cooperating so that Kurumi-san could catch up to Yuki-san and Mio-san. Nevertheless, Doing it with Basara-san in front of Lucia Ane-sama without me knowing…in addition, hearing that it's because of you stealing glances at Basara-san that it happened, is it true?"

Maria asked, stripping off Kurumi's jacket together with her brassiere.

Yaa……I, idiot!”

Kurumi tried to cover her chest with both hands in a hurry, but Maria bound both of her arms with her tail, making Kurumi raise both of her hands on the top of her head. And, revealing the good things that the both hands were blocking, while Maria slowly unclothes the socks and shoes of Kurumi one by one,

“Fufu, Kurumi-san is such a bad person…… in the bath last night, didn't you say such things right?”

"but, tha-that’s because…"

Without regarding the hesitation of what she wants to say, Maria continued unclothing Kurumi──and then,

"Aah……"

Kurumi raised a voice that seemed to faint at last.

With her upper body naked, she has been left with only her panties. Exposing her skin under the blue sky which reddened in shyness, Maria looked down with eyes that seemed to have ignited her succubus instinct, and took off her own clothes too. Then, as she ended up only in her panties similar to Kurumi,

“For Kurumi to be liked by Lucia ane-sama, I'm very happy as a friend. There is no need to hide anything. Really now…… there is no need to be reserved in these sort of things for me.”

Maria made a small laugh.

"──Now I have to punish you for this"

She said, and began prying open her both legs.

"No……Maria……"

Though Kurumi tried to refuse desperately, she wasn't in a state to resist as both of her hands were bound up. As she entwined her legs around, Kurumi's modest chest was rubbed lasciviously by Maria's own chest──and now,

"ah, Aaahh……AaaaaAaahh♥"

Kurumi leaked a sweet cry. The pleasure brought of the touches of love of the succubus Maria is unbelievable. Additionally, Kurumi, to the whisper of the devil called Maria to catch up to Mio and Yuki, indecent things have been done to her almost every day by Maria in the Toujou house.

Of course, Kurumi's body completely remembered the taste of that pleasure──though she didn't enter a Master and Servant Contract in particular, her body has made sensitive almost the same as Mio and Yuki recently.

"Yaaah……I, such thing……, outside……"

Though ashamed, her body trembled helplessly in the sweet sensations running through her whole body. Then,

"It's all right…… I'll make Kurumi-san a woman of Basara's liking who doesn't lose even to Mio-sama and Yuki-san”

Maria replied, then tried to lick her cheeks this time.

"Ah ──…"

''I can be a woman that Basara would come to like'' ── as she thought so, she accepted Maria's unreasonableness, and as Kurumi became weak to pleasure,

"Fufufu…… other than Basara-san, who in the world is it that Kurumi likes? I'll make you remember properly"

Maria, while expressing a sadistic smile, put her lips near her left side quietly.

And then ── the next moment, her weakest place was breathed with all her might,

"! ──FUaaaaaaaaahhhnn ♥"

Nonaka Kurumi, reaching her peak under the blue sky, raised a flirtatious voice as her body trembled in delight.

=== Part 2 ===

Doing an exciting act outside, Maria was more intense than usual.

Caressing Kurumi's body dearly until she's completely unable to stand up, she continued giving pleasures of a woman badly until Maria is satisfied. Therefore, it has not become just a simple training anymore ──afterwards, having taken a break till the sun sets, the two people returned to the Wildart Castle.

And now, heading for the bathroom, Kurumi stepped her foot inside. She couldn't return for the reason of having a smell of a woman, though she washed it at the river with Maria, her body had become a little chilly by that cause.

If she caught a cold with this, she herself will become an even more burden to everyone.

She wanted to avoid such pitiable situation,

……Besides.

Because she has taken such an attitude on that breakfast, it is still difficult for her to face everyone.

Especially ── Basara and Zest, as she didn't know how she should receive them.

Though she couldn't keep on running away forever, she wanted to delay it a little more… and as Kurumi parted with Maria at the hallway, she took off her clothes in the dressing room, went full bare, and set foot in a large indoor bath.

Then, though it's still early for dinner, Kurumi found that there were figures of somebody who came ahead of her in the wash place<ref> this is the area in the bathroom for washing oneself before soaking</ref>.

It was Yuki and Mio.

"Ah……"

The moment Kurumi raised her voice in awareness, the two people who have been washing their own bodies noticed her. To Kurumi who had an awkward expression in a moment, Yuki and Mio looked at each other, then expressed a gentle expression at once.

"Welcome back Kurumi…"

"Maria seems to have gone to you, did that child cause you trouble?"

They greeted with a smile. It was an expression that didn't mind what Kurumi had done this morning at all ── for this reason, as Kurumi approached at Yuki and Mio apologetically,

"…Both of you, I'm sorry for this morning."

She spoke words of apology while bowing her head.

"Although elder sisters had agreed upon the contract of Basara……Of all things, I did such behavior"

And as Kurumi looked at the girl gentler than herself with pure intentions

"And on how Mio… after all that things Zolgear has done to you, still accepted it."

"There isn't anything for Kurumi-chan to apologize. I also, am a little surprised at myself… After talking about it with Basara beforehand, to tell you the truth my feelings are too complicated understand even for myself after all. '''(!)'''

As Mio gave a wry but gentle smile,

"Hey, sit here."

She moved the bath chair and placed it down next to them.

The space between Mio and Yuki had become available. However, Kurumi couldn't sit down on that chair. Between these two people… it was the seat similar to the dining room this morning. Kurumi became emotional, as it was the place which she ran away from. Then,

"…………"

To Kurumi who stood there, Yuki gently pulled her hand towards that place.

Then, having got the permission, Kurumi sat down carefully.

"Kurumi…… your body is a little cold"

Noticing her body temperature, Yuki uttered. Kurumi nodded deeply.

"…Because I entered to the river outside a little while ago"

"Then, step in the bathtub early to get warm……we'll continue the talk over there"

In the suggestion of Mio,Kurumi nodded again, and washed down her body in hot water.

And then── Kurumi went to the bathtub with Yuki, submerging herself in the hot water, sandwiched between the two people. Wrapped up in tender warmth, it relieved the tension in their bodies, relaxing them for a bit.

''……Ah.''

To each hands that were feeling the stone bottom, Mio and Yuki's hands overlapped hers gently.

"──About Basara and Zest, there is a reason that I permitted it"

Making an introduction, Mio on the left said,

"The reason that I permitted the contract of those two, is all thanks to Yuki and Kurumi-chan."

"… elder sister and I?"

"That's right. Yuki and Kurumi-chan, didn't you guys fought against me and Maria at first? But now, we are all living together. Though it was all thanks to Basara's assistance, it is really dangerous if you think about it, no matter what Basara says to you two, aren't we taking advantage of him overlooking us?"

However,

"Yuki and Kurumi-chan didn't do such a thing…… because you believe that Maria and I won't ever harm Basara, right?"

"Well that's……"

To her hesitation to voice out her affirmation, Mio smiled, then,

"I am also the same, right? Without opposing Basara, Yuki and Kurumi accepted us as friends, therefore I also thought you as such too."

And,

"While meeting Zest again in the Demon Realm… Right now, revealing her lack of intention of harming us, I thought that it's possible to approach her in the same way as Kurumi-chan, don't you think? Plus, while working as a maid and Sheera-san's bodyguard, when you see her who is looking at Basara with eyes which seems to be in pain…… I see my former self overlapping her."

"Mio's former self……?"

"Yes… After father and mother were murdered by Zolgear, I have been through various circumstances. There was a time that I even couldn't put my trust on anyone aside from Maria──a man above all in particular.”

Mio stated with a face as if remembering something unpleasant, then abruptly made a gentle expression.

"However… to us who approached and deceived him from the start, Basara was still gentle. After knowing about our circumstances, he chased us all the way in order to help us. At that time, Yuki advised Basara not to be involved with me anymore…"

But, Mio;

"Basara said that that he will still protect me… and Yuki will remain as his an important childhood friend, but that doesn't mean he did forgot what happened five years ago, so if the Hero Tribe who protects this world can’t protect me, then it will be his duty."

''That's what I thought''…at that time.

"if it's Basara and Jin-san, I believe that they are reliable. Such thing as Zolgear, our trusted lawyer, the men in town, there are no such man as them. Like a true family… like Onii-chan, they are people who think of me importantly."

Therefore,

"Thinking about it, it was so wonderful that I cried."

To the expression that Mio showed,

"──────"

Once more, Kurumi understood the feelings of the girl named Naruse Mio towards Basara. That profile too, that she had gazed ever since she was young──Yuki was also the same when she yearned for him.

"For Zest who was entrusted to the Moderates, Sheera's existence, probably, was just like Maria's case for me, I think. And, as I encountered Basara, and having needed that fellow, Zest met Basara too, and like that──he was needed. Yuki and Kurumi-chan too, even though we had met through various ways, Basara and I altogether accepted you in the end. And, Basara, with the same feelings at that time when he helped me, was trying to help Zest."

Therefore,

"For this reason, I have to accept Zest… I think."

"Even she is the subordinate of the enemy who murdered your parents?"

Kurumi asked, and nodding with a "yes", Mio;

"But supposed that…If Zest was the one who killed my parents, I would never forgive her. But she's not… and as for opposing us, it was only in accordance with Zolgear who is her creator and as his subordinate. Then, it is just the same as with Maria being threatened on the pretext of Sheera-san's safety. In addition, Zolgear who was the main culprit for all of this was no more. Being on good terms with each other all of a sudden may be difficult, but by understanding each other little by little, I think we can."

It was the statement that made them accept the Master and Servant Contract of Basara and Zest from the bottom of their hearts. Then,

"…elder sister?"

Looking towards the opposite direction, Kurumi asked,

"My thoughts haven't changed ever since five years ago."

Yuki said in a smooth tone.

"Even this time, I'll still follow Basara ── and for that I became stronger.'

And,

"Basara right now, in the same way as that time when he protected me five years ago, has been desperately protecting everybody… My mission is to protect his side and support him. If their thoughts are the same as I, they may be accepted as a companion separately. But if it’s the opposite──"

Suddenly, Yuki stared with cold eyes,

"──if there is an existence which seriously tries to hurt Basara, who ever that is, I won't forgive them. Even it is Zest…or even Mio and Maria"

Mio who heard it leaked a wry smile. But rather than being disgusted, it was a bitter smile that felt a certain kind of hope.

──However, Kurumi wasn't able to smile. Instead, she asked in a soft voice.

"………Even me?"

"………As I said. I would not permit any existence to seriously hurt Basara."

Therefore, the hand which was held in the hot water was clenched. Then, she gently embraced her.

"Elder sister……"

Kurumi in which her waist was held in, looked up at Yuki before her eyes with a little surprise,

"Until now, and also from now on──I know best that such behavior is impossible for Kurumi. When coming with Takashi and Shiba before, even though you said that you hate him so much, you didn't seriously try to kill Basara till the end"

Yuki smiled, and gently pat her head. From there, Mio,

"…You know, after Kurumi-chan left this morning, Did Maria go to Kurumi's place by the river afterwards to have lunch later on?"

"? Un…"

Saying in a significant tone, Kurumi nodded to her question,

"That, you see, if someone were to take Kurumi back, she should be the most suitable… well, this was because Maria volunteered for the position."

To this extent, the lunchbox was brought intentionally. As for being worried about her she understood it, but,

"Maria… she has a reason why she did it that way."

After coming to the river──Maria also had a similar feeling that was close to Kurumi.

For her worries, she was grateful, though she had been pushed down forcibly at the end, she certainly thought that she would intend to leave it unsettled for pleasure as always, but,

"…then, perhaps, even now…?"

In the Toujou Household, well, Maria had often entwined with Kurumi in various ways ── could it be that, were she doing that on purpose for the sake of Kurumi? As Kurumi yearned for gratitude to Maria,

"But, Maria's just like that, losing her calm more than usual, a fellow who has been trying to chase behind Kurumi-chan immediately. Though Kurumi-chan couldn't understand the Master and Servant Contract with Zest at once and left, that person said "I must explain it to her properly" with a straight face."

Mio's voice said with a smile.

"Eh……?"

To Kurumi who asked again in reflex,

"Well, we saying such things had gotten an adverse effect… and thus Maria went. So…"

Fufu, Mio laughed,

"We then were able to leave Kurumi-chan as it is. Maria asked the maid for a box lunch, then went to Kurumi-chan's place as soon it was ready. It took her some time, but… right now for the current Kurumi-chan, due to the influence of newly arriving to the Demon Realm, is unable to take out her original powers. It is for something to do in the meantime”

Therefore,

"Even though you didn't call out, so as to make sure you weren't in danger, Maria came out without notice. That said, there was also a guy who chased after Kurumi immediately──did you not notice?"

"...Basara, for me?"

"Yes. By the way, the maid who prepared the lunchbox which Maria took… Who do you think it is?"

"──────"

To the implied words of Mio, Kurumi wasn't able to speak anything. Then,

"Kurumi… as you come out from here, go to those two"

"………Un"

To the question urged by Yuki, Kurumi nodded obediently.

''I'll apologize to the two people properly, and give them my gratitude''──she thought strongly in her heart.

=== Part 3 ===

Kurumi however, wasn't able to tell those words of gratitude to Basara and Zest during dinner.

Before the two, Kurumi wasn't able to confess her feelings. It's because

──Basara and Zest didn't show up at the dinner table.

Basara didn't only just entered a Master and Servant Contract with Zest last night. Regarding Kurumi's affairs Basara explained midway, though Mio didn't know the reason either, it is said that Basara made a conflict with Ramses who was the present top of the moderates.

His chasing of Kurumi who have gone out this morning has become a problem, and because of that, they are forbidden from going outside the Wildart Castle. Basara was forbidden from going out of his guest room tonight, so he was unable to meet Kurumi until tomorrow morning. A maid was standing in front of his room, preventing anyone from going in and out.

In addition, Zest making the bentou which Maria brought to Kurumi, was blamed for entering the kitchen in defiance of the original order imposed to her, which was rearranging the archives.

──Normally, entering the kitchen wasn't supposed to become a huge problem.

But, even though there was Sheera's mediation, having made contract with Basara without notice to Ramses, Claus and the other moderates seemed to have quite an impact to them. Although Sheera talked to Ramses and the others to ignore the matter of the Master and Servant Contract, Basara had done another problematic conduct this time, spreading to Zest which became his subordinate. In other words,

''…both of them, it was my fault……''

Night at Wildart Castle──as the moonlight creeped in behind the courtyard, Nonaka Kurumi sat down on one knee. Before that, she was in the guest room fitted for a girl, taken care of by Mio and Yuki, until she became impossible to endure and left the room ──arriving at this courtyard.

"…though I don't intend to stand in their way with my behavior…"

Knowing how long herself been troubling everyone around her, Kurumi bore an intense self-hatred.

Then again── there were also other existences worrying about Kurumi besides Basara and Zest.

Ever since she came back from leaving the castle, she didn't see Maria’s figure at all. According to the story of Noel the housemaid, there seems to be a person who saw Maria being invited into the room of Sheera, her mother, but when she was called for dinner, there weren't even an answer inside the room. After looking inside, there were not a single sign of the two people.

……don't tell me, Maria too……?

Because she was connected to the issue with Basara, it seemed that she was also punished as Zest was.

Because of the incident with Zolgear, the situation of Maria who has betrayed Basara in order to help Sheera who was taken hostage, at present, is in a very delicate position among the Moderates. Yesterday after arriving at the Demon Realm, she was called by Lucia and was severely punished to an extent in her office.

Worrying about Kurumi, Basara went outside, but Maria didn't chase Kurumi immediately, for the reason of letting Zest prepare their lunch box. According to that point of view, Maria was connected to Basara and Zest's misconduct. Finding an opportunity for something like a false charge to find an error of the other party's behavior, then blaming them and putting one selves in an advantageous position is commonplace in politics, therefore a calm judgement is required more than anything.

"…I have to be careful"

Nonaka convinced herself once more, and put up her face which was looking down.

She has certainly troubled Basara and Zest, and may have also involved Maria ── that's why she mustn't trouble them any further. Though she is not a leading figure of the government, Mio who inherited the traits and talents from the family line of the Demon King Predecessors had set foot to the spot that greatly affected the fate of the Demon Realm. That matter in question must be borne in her mind ── As Kurumi renewed her determination, a person came and quietly stepped over the lawn of the courtyard.

"──────"

On the spur of the moment, Kurumi stiffened and stood up on the spot.

What had come was a single maid. However, that maid is different from the amiable Noel and other gentle maids, a beauty with coldness of absolute zero. After that,

"──What are you doing in a place like this?"

Looking down, Lucia approached before Kurumi's eyes. Those eyes, are the same eyes that witnessed Kurumi fall into pleasure by Basara. Recalling those as she reached in front of her,

"……nothing……I just want to be alone for now."

Reddening her cheeks in embarrassment combined with tension, Kurumi averted herself to those eyes.

"I see… ── by the way, did you see mother and my younger sister?"

"No, I didn't see them… I was here for a while, so…"

Answering honestly because it's no use to lie, Kurumi asked again on the contrary.

"You haven't seen them? I thought you had dinner with the two together…"

"Yes. They seemed to have disappeared somewhere. I don't know where."

"Are they ok? That… they may be dragged into some trouble?"

Kurumi became uneasy of Maria not returning. Then,

"Don't worry about it. Mother and little sister's disappearing is because they are running away from me."

"Eh…?"

"Though I can't tell you the details, those two are fine… rather, this would be a whole lot better. It's just because they had done a selfish behavior without me noticing."

"I-is that so…"

Though she said it displeasingly, No serious tone was seen in those words of Lucia. Perhaps, those two extravagant people have conducted a behavior that angered her.

Knowing that Maria is safe, Kurumi heaved a sigh of relief.

"…On a side note, I cannot help but admire them very much."

Saying so in reproving tone, Lucia touched those cheeks softly.

"I have received the report of the story of Basara-dono and Zest. About those two having been blamed, perhaps you may feel responsible, but…if you're all alone in this place, you will only make those people around you worried for nothing again. You shouldn't become a stupid daughter who repeats the same mistake over and over."

"………"

As she said in a gentle voice, Kurumi looked down and remained silent.

Lucia, in the present top of the Moderates ── is the adjutant of Ramses. Typical to politics, although they have the same agreement to avoid Mio become a Demon King, because Ramses is harsh to Mio, they have a complicated relationship and are emotionally fighting against each other.

──But now, Lucia was gentle to Kurumi. The first time she saw her, she could only think of her as a coldhearted woman, and when the succubus' baptism was poured in front of her in her office, she even felt awe in her overwhelming force. However ── when she came to see the state of Kurumi and Maria later on, it became a cool atmosphere that lets you feel the gentleness inside, and when Kurumi tried to use the spirit magic at the Demon Realm, she even gave a darkness-colored element to her.

Certainly, she thought that Lucia wasn't interested in the likes of Kurumi, but,

"──that reminds me, how was the condition of the element that I handed over?"

She said so, continuing the conversation.

"I heard that you went to the river and tried it in various ways."

"Though I can execute it… usually, as compared to the power at that time that I spent in the Human Realm, it was awful."

Without understanding why Lucia paid attention to her, Kurumi waved her neck from side to side.

Yesterday, Maria can exercise it to a playful degree without a problem from the bathtub of the large indoor bath.

However, it was far too ineffective to be used against an opponent in battle. Thereupon,

"…Can I see your state for a moment?"

As requested by Lucia, Kurumi materialized the Soul Purity Gauntlet on her left hand, and switched the main slot to the darkness element that she got from her. As Lucia took her left hand,

"──────"

She stared at the dark colored crystal ball fitted into the slot patiently.

──in this situation, Kurumi shouldn't get along well with Lucia this much.

However, she got this from her. she cannot refuse if she wanted her to show it to her,

…besides,

The relationship between Maria and Lucia, though they are sisters, is a little constrained in some way. Therefore, Kurumi who can get along well with Maria to have an interaction with Lucia, as long as their relationship improved even a little── Kurumi wants to be useful to them.

…it's also because,

Kurumi too, after the tragedy five years ago── after Basara left the village, her relationship with her elder sister Yuki became somewhat awkward. However, when Basara was made to fight when the village assumed Mio as an extermination target, Kurumi and Yuki's relationship was restored because of that.

── Of course, she doesn't think that she can do the same thing as Basara. Yet this morning, Maria worried about Kurumi and chased after her. For Maria's sake, she wants to repay this kindness even a little──Kurumi is willing to do what she can. Then,

"I see……certainly, it appears that it is still in its sleeping state."

"…sleeping state?"

To Kurumi who asked like a parrot in return, Lucia nodded with a "yes".

"Just like what I already told you, divine protection of a high ranking spirit dwells in this element. However, that doesn't mean that it has an effect of protecting the user. Only a part of a young spirit body resides in this crystal ball, separating it from the high ranking spirit."

"That means… it's the same as our 'sacred treasures' so to speak?"

The Demonic Sword『Brynhildr』of Basara and the Spirit sword 『Sakuya』of Yuki, and also the Soul Spear 『Byakko』that Takashi used in the Extermination mission of Mio. Each weapon alone possesses a strong power, but that's not all. If it has recognized its user like Yuki, the user can utilize its original abilities at its maximum power.

"Yes. If you can perfectly establish a bond and unite with the spirit, the element will be awakened, and will come to lend you its original power."

Simply because there is no "established bond with the spirit" that Lucia says, Kurumi's condition is still the same as she showed Maria by the river. To her who fell silent,

"──The “Negative<ref> Kanji 負 in the original, also means minus</ref>” part inside yourself, accept it."

Lucia said with eyes staring at her.

"As you know, there exists the『Holy attribute』and the 『Dark attribute』, and the Hero Tribe can borrow both of these powers. Basically, just like when you operate on "Positivity<ref> Kanji 正 in the original, also means plus</ref>", to use the Dark Attribute, we the Demon Race utilize it using "Negativity"… however, this "Positive" and "Negative" rather than good and evil, has a concept that is almost near as the plus and minus <ref> written in Katakana</ref> or positive and negative values of temperature." '''(!)'''

And now,

"Perhaps until now, to establish a contract with the "Positive" spirits in order to borrow their power in this world, you have also tried to be "positive" by yourself. To appeal to the spirits in order to borrow reasonable power… naturally, that is the right way to perform it in the human world. It's because most of the spirits in your world belong to the "positive" state."

However,

"That method does not apply in this Demon Realm. In this world where Dark Magic is strong, most of the spirits here exist in the "negative" state. Even if you appeal as "Positive", spirits will only be cautious. Rather than that, I'm surprised that you had borrowed power in that way even a little."

After telling her, Lucia quietly embraced Kurumi, and then,

"Ah………"

"There's no need to fear thinking that as a mistake. Both the positive and negative are parts of you…… if you understand these things properly and communicate with a spirit, they should respond to you for sure."

"……I understand. I'll give it a try."

In the arms of Lucia, Kurumi honestly nodded. Then,

"…………"

The beautiful maid succubus softly applied a little more force to her embrace.

Then──the hand which rested in her waist fell down for some reason, and softly touched Kurumi's butt. Putting up some fingers, to that fingerwork that felt and stoked the place accurately,

"Uhm……Lucia-sa……Hyaaan?"

Sniffling sweetly, her body wiggled and raised a discomfited cry. Afterwards,

"Nonaka Kurumi……you are too good after all"

Lucia said in an amorous voice.

"Yesterday, from the time when Basara did it with you, as I thought──You are very cute"

Then, her fingers made a snap. In an instant,

All of the sewn clothes of Kurumi were removed, and pieces of cloth fell to the ground in a blink of an eye. Even the bra disintegrated, and in just a moment made Kurumi with only a single piece of panty,

"────Nuu!?"

She tried to scream in reflex, but her lips are sealed gently by the hand of Lucia.

"Do not be surprised. The skill of this level, is a very easy task for me who has mastered the maid's work."

Kurumi, who was told for granted, as she was pushed down on top of the lawn with her mouth being blocked up,

"……!"

''This is bad,'' and as Kurumi whose flustered instincts tried to escape from the hands of Lucia,

''……ah……''

After witnessing Lucia's pair of eyes looking down at her, she forgot to resist in an instant. What was over there, in truth was the reverse of the usual coldhearted eyes of Lucia──romantic eyes which seemed to be totally charged with heat. Those eyes, similar to Maria’s expression as she trained her to become the girl of Basara's preference,

"During the day in the Demon Realm, it seemed that you had done it with Maria in broad daylight … in that case, this time in the broad moonlight of the Demon Realm, I will fill you with lots of love."

With the background of the waning moon on her shoulder, Lucia put her hand inside Kurumi's underwear──but then,

"──Lucia-sama"
Suddenly, two maids appeared nearby from the side of a certain bush. In contrast with Kurumi becoming shocked all of a sudden, Lucia who remained calm while her mouth was held down,

"……what is it?"

"Just now, Maria was found at the third floor of the west tower."

"However, capturing aside we barely even managed to reach her… at present, she is being chased by several people."

To that report, Lucia’s pupils regain its calmness,

"I see… what about mother?"

"The whereabouts of Sheera-sama is still…"

"……Very well. If we manage to capture Maria, we will make her spit out her story and end this. Nina, to those who are chasing that child, don't lose sight until my transmission."

"──Understood"

To those words of Lucia, the maid called Nina turned back her heels and ran,

"Lucy……for you, send her to her room in place of me. Then"

"Mend her clothes, isn't it? ── Please leave it to me, Lucia-sama"

Lucy replies with a nod, and as Lucia released her hand away from Kurumi's mouth,

"After doing a little rough thing, then stopping just before reaching the good part, I'm very sorry… I have to go to punish that younger sister of mine."

Seemingly reluctant to part,

"As for the continuation of this, next time…"

"Ple-Please, don’t worry about it……Really."

Kurumi said while her face reddened. It will really trouble her if they continue this later── In fact, she wanted to forget everything that happened in this courtyard to begin with.

"──In that case"

Lucia followed after Nina who went ahead and ran to the other side of the courtyard.

Kurumi who was left sunk down on the lawn above in her underwear.

"Good for you, Kurumi-dono. Lucia-sama seems to be very pleased with you."

"Yeah, to the point of disintegrating my clothes and pushing me down…"

To the sarcasm that Kurumi returned, Lucy without minding at all,

"You don't have to worry about the clothes, because I'll make it over properly in return…"

As she picked up and gathered the pieces of her tattered clothes,

"Well then, Kurumi-dono… Please wait for a little bit. Because you probably won't be able to come back to the room in that figure, I will bring something for you to wear."

Then at that timing,

"──No, that won’t be necessary♪"

Just beside Lucy, a succubus younger than Maria appeared suddenly.

"Eh……?" "──Sheera-sama!?"

To Kurumi who became dumbfounded, Lucy who was startled leaned back and made a stance, but she was too late. Sheera, as she stuck her forehead to the forehead of Lucy, while looking into her eyes,

"──Return to your room alone, and begin mending Kurumi’s clothes."

"……………Yes, Sheera-sama"

Then, Lucy’s eyes became drowsy and returned an obedient nod to Sheera at once.

"If you are asked by Lucia when she returns, well… tell her that Kurumi came back to Mio's room first── is that Ok?"

As Lucy nodded with a "yes" at Sheera's order, she returned inside the building and went just as it is.

"……………"

Kurumi who's thoughts couldn't catch up with the sudden events,

"That was a close call, Kurumi-chan……but now that I've come, it's already OK♪"

The moment she said so, the Loli-Mom-Succubus smiled.

=== Part 4 ===

After the incident in the courtyard, Kurumi was invited by Sheera and was taken to her private room.

Though she really wanted to return immediately to the rooms of Mio and Yuki to express her true feelings,

"──if you were to return with that appearance, Yuki-chan and Mio-chan will definitely worry again you know?"

As she said so, her will to go back to the room wavered. She who wanted to be alone said "I need some fresh air for a moment" and left the room, but if she were to return wearing only a single panty, everyone will surely get worried.

Not wanting such thing to happen, Kurumi obeyed Sheera's words. And, even though the room is identical to what Mio was using, Kurumi was led to a more gorgeous space.

Though it's inferior to the guest rooms which Kurumi and the others use that emphasizes more people, the space had excellent quality decorated with luxurious furniture, eloquently indicating the rank of Sheera's position among the Moderates. And now,

"Uhm……Why am I, in this appearance……"

Forced to sit before a high quality dresser, Kurumi raised a perplexed voice.

"Well, you will catch a cold if you continue to remain in your underwear forever, right?"

"But…… these clothes are a bit......uncomfortable for me……"

Kurumi said shamefully, dropping her gaze down below. There, her figure wearing a sexy blue baby doll negligee that reaches her bellybutton with thin laces that see through the tips of her chest lasciviously, even more, a T-back setup with matching garter belts and fishnet stockings reached her own eyes.

"…………"
Kurumi reddened her cheeks in intense shyness. Then,

"Ah……as expected from my excellent daughter, these materials are great! ～"

Behind her back, Sheera who wore a luxurious necklace said gleefully while standing over a stool. As she readjusted the position of the large jewel hanging on her chest,

"And, its done── how is it?"

She said, satisfied. Kurumi who was asked for her opinion raised her face unwillingly, and with reddened cheeks, looked at her own figure being projected in the mirror.

"──────"

She was speechless. What Sheera had put on Kurumi, though it's different when put on Mio and Yuki, was an underwear which looks like too adult-like for her who is a junior high school student. And yet──No, for this reason,

''…for me to become like this…''

Kurumi who had undergone a complete transformation with an indecent underwear, couldn't hide her surprise. With her youthful face and her developing body with traces of immaturity completely standing out as she wore them, the unbalanced lasciviousness──the appearance that even Mio and Yuki who weren't born in that figure would never reach, a taboo-like beauty.

"Fufu, you look rather happy." "…Ho-how can I be happy with something like this …?"

[[Image: SMnT V06 007.png|thumb]]

As she looked back panicking in denial, Sheera had already descended from the stool and was going to the center of the room. She took a teapot at the table, and then,

"Come over here……I made some hot milk"

A dull-white colored liquid was poured out of the pot. And as Kurumi sat down in front of Sheera, a cup was handed to her──a faint sweet aroma spread all at once.

"…………"

Kurumi who received the cup hesitated to drink immediately. However,

"Playing tricks to one's drink is only a work done by a worthless man; I don't imitate it. Supposedly, if I want do something to Kurumi-chan, I will do a more elaborate method in a way that I can enjoy myself more in various ways."

Sheera's childish eyes turned cold for a moment, then sip her share.

"──If it suits you, why don't you give it a try?" "N-No……I'm sorry"

Kurumi apologized immediately. Though she had a childish figure right now, Sheera was once a great succubus that is famous all over the demon realm, and Kurumi is only just a little girl. Though she doing such behavior will only hurt her pride as a succubus badly, she didn't know what she had done. As she put out her lips to the hot milk which Sheera made,

"…………Delicious"

With a warm and pleasant feeling, she muttered over the mild taste unintentionally.

"It seems that it suites your taste. Good."

Observing Sheera who smiled, Kurumi put her mouth to the cup again while heaving a sign of relief.

And this time, she felt the hot milk warming up inside her body.

"──About Zest having a Master-Servant Contract with Basara, does it disappoint you that much?"

"…………"

As she saw Sheera, Kurumi whose mind is still wandering in the clouds momentarily held her breath.

"I heard it from Maria this morning. That daughter of mine was really troubled you know?"

"Is it because I'm the only one who opposed Basara's Master and Servant Contract…?"

As Kurumi asked in a stiff voice in reflex, the young succubus smiled wryly.

"No. I understand your feelings, but I want to clear it in my mind somehow, however it seems that I can't do it by myself. It's somewhat really irritating…I say"

"Such a thing bothers you…?"

"And I'm also anxious whether Lucia-chan did or did not make passes at you. "Kurumi is only mine!" or something like that"

"……I don't belong to anybody in particular!"

What the heck did she confess to her mother, that loli-ero-succcubus. Saying things like Maria in the daytime, as Lucia was saying a while ago, what on earth do they want to demand Kurumi to that intense?

"Uhm……am I releasing some kind of pheromone that makes a succubus excited?"

"──────"

To Kurumi who asked with upturned eyes, Sheera's eyes rounded from surprise. Then,

"I see…those daughters should think you're very cute."

"What do you mean?"

"Because you're so pure and defenseless, that they want to teach you various things"

To her who stared blankly, Sheera ‘fufu’ smiled.

"Hey, Kurumi-chan. To you, me who is the mother of those daughters, while being dressed in such clothes, asking whether it excites me, perhaps──"

As she said, with her eyes became like a snake eyeing for its prey,

"──Are you saying that you want to do it with me, too?"

"?! No……I, I don't really mean by that at all!"

"Fufu……just kidding. If I make passes at you, it would be really bad for Maria"

As she denied it in a hurry while blushing in an instant, Sheera returned her snake-like eyes to its former innocent ones. Feeling relieved from the bottom of her heart,

"I have troubled that child in various ways during the incident with Zolgear………So if my cute daughter consulted her worries, as a mother, it makes me really want to help her, right?"

"So that’s why, I, in this room……?"

"Yes. By the way, that baby doll was my present to Lucia-chan from a long time ago. It’s a gem that I took pride of, but unfortunately, that child didn't wear it, not even once……so I sneaked into her room and stole it in secret. Because it was stowed it's likely to be hidden in the depths of her closet, so I have searched that closet from inside and out with Maria♪"

In addition to that,

"During the search in which we had found various things like her old diary or album from a long time ago along the way, Lucia-chan came back to the room, so I seized Maria in the scruff of her neck and threw her towards Lucia and escaped. ──though it appears that Maria seemed to have escaped well, too"

So that explains why Lucia was looking for Sheera and Maria. As Kurumi was shocked by this,

''"The other reason is……I’m the one who incited Basara to enter a Master-Servant Contract with Zest"''

As Sheera "Have you heard about it?" inquired, Kurumi who contorted her face a little responded.

"………Yes. Basara told me the details during breakfast"
words
"I’m also partly responsible for the vexation Kurumi-chan is holding…… These words don't really mean as an apology, but I think your feelings have become lighter this time"

Well,

"This is something serious for Maria and Mio-chan, you know?…… so I have to tell the truth in order to ease these feelings"

"What do you mean about the truth?"

Knitting her eyebrows in inquiry,

"Oh my……Is it alright to say this?"

The child-like succubus said with a light sneer,

"Are you jealous of Zest? ── Is it because even though you're also yearning for Basara, you couldn't enter a master-servant contract with him?"

"────"

Kurumi blushed at Sheera's sudden remark. In response to the reaction of that person who has been hit by a bull's eye,

"Come on, Kurumi-chan…… If all you did is to receive all that indecent teasing from Maria, your feelings will never catch up with Mio and Yuki you know?"

With her pupils turning like the snake's, she said that as if she had seen through the depths of Kurumi's heart.

"Like you, it’s also a big deal for Maria who couldn't enter a Master and Servant Contract with Basara, you see? Besides, Maria is indebted to Basara, whom she betrayed regarding the matter of Zolgear. You tried to eliminate Mio-chan by the orders of the 《Village》, and have fought against Basara too, and for that, this child who is mentally indebted thought of you as a companion in a similar situation"

"No……I'm different…"

To Kurumi who denied with a bitter expression,

"Is that so? If that's true then don't you think it's impossible for you to get along well with Zest?"

"That’s──…"

"Mio-chan has the pretext with Zolgear, and unlike Yuki who participated in the battle, you don't have any direct grudge to Zest…… Besides, due to the fact that she's Zolgear’s subordinate, she has a higher debt than you and Maria. However, though Basara have mentioned of the possibility, you judged that he who valued Mio shouldn't exchange a master and Servant Contract with Zest"

The reason why is,

"Because she inherited the power of Wilbert, for the sake of solving her problem of being the target of the current Demon Lord Faction, coming to this world should have taken a grave determination with a big anxiety for Mio-chan… so it should be too cruel for her to accept Zest who was the subordinate of Zolgear who harmed her foster parents, as a companion.”

Nevertheless, Sheera said:

"……As for Basara having entered a Master-Servant Contract with her that easily…… for Zest, she has a debt similar to you who was once an enemy of Basara. Mio and Yuki whom you thought should get mad and object them, had accepted Basara and Zest's Master and Servant Contract, contrary to your expectations."

Therefore,

"In the spur of a moment, it has been decided that you'll raise your voice in protest in place of Mio and Yuki under the pretext of Zolgear, so you justified yourself out of jealousy and criticized the contract of Basara and Zest. But since Mio has forgiven such a thing, it didn't have any meaning…… for this reason, it became impossible for you to endure the atmosphere and went out of the dining room"

Then, Sheera spoke her finishing words at last.

"──Would you like to enter a master-servant contract with Basara?"

Kurumi who was asked the main question trembled. However──after a moment of silence,

"………No."

She gave out a voice of denial to answer her own question, then a wry smile formed in front of her eyes.

“Anyway, it’s not possible for you to enter a Master and Servant Contract with Basara after all. Well, You might think, why not?...... I think Basara-san understands the reason, probably."

After all, Sheera thought,

Perhaps──''he is already aware of my true mission.''

"………and what will that be?"

"well, I wonder……"

Kurumi turned a sharp glance to Sheera, but she returned with a calm smile.

"But, it's apparent that the person who made the master and servant contract is more advantageous if we are to fight in this world……Yet Basara didn't do so, because he treats you with great care. When you had to do that in front of Lucia-chan, didn't Basara touch you only for patching things up for the moment?"

"…………"

"Yes……You know it perfectly well. On top of that, you ran away, opposite of your real intention. In war, it's important to attack the enemy's weak point ── for the current Demon Lord Faction, the present you will be an easy target, right? You who always worry and hesitate, causing you to suffer. Not to mention yourself, are you even aware that you are exposing Basara and the others to danger too?”

"────Then how should I do it!?"

As Kurumi declared sardonically, she reached her limit of patience and raised her voice at last.

"You shouldn't make a Master and Servant Contract with Basara……it' absolutely no good!”

Sheera understood the risk. If Kurumi were to enter a Master and Servant Contract with Basara, and if it were to be found out by the 《Village》, all will be finished. If she were to become known to have a contract with the Magic of the Demon Race, Kurumi will be punished without hearing her talk. If the 《Village》were to launch an investigation in full scale, it will be noticed immediately that Yuki had entered a Master and Servant Contract. If so, then the responsibility will extend to their parents, and the《Village》will not overlook Basara and Mio this time.

''……I must not let this happen by all means……''

I will protect Basara and the others──that's the reason why I came over. There,

"──Nothing. As I said, entering a Master and Servant Contract is impossible"

"Eh………?"

As Sheera said indifferently, she was stared with round eyes.

"That's because──even if you are being jealous of others and cannot make a Master-Servant Contract with Basara, I have a method for you not to feel a sense of inferiority. By doing that of course, becoming a weak point for Basara and the others will be nullified."

"Such thing……How?"

“Face your true feelings…… didn't Lucia-chan talked about this too? Not only to take pride of feelings of righteousness<ref> (正しい) Righteousness contains the kanji 正 meaning Positive/plus</ref>, but also to accept the weak『Minus』part as well. Not only you will be able to make a contract with a spirit…..but you will also be liberated from your suffering right now."

Sheera corrected.

"Because that feeling of yours is a feeling of yearning for somebody, it won't be able to let go if you keep holding it all alone. If you want to face it seriously, you'll have to convey it to your partner properly, right?"

"Convey to my partner……"

Kurumi muttered softly. Sheera then nodded.

"Have you looked at Mio-chan and Yuki-chan when the curse of the Master and Servant contract activates? Those children who have obtained guilty feelings being eased, from just the existence of being lead by their feelings, and this talk isn't only limited to the person who entered the Master and Servant Contract”

Therefore,

"Go face its way……to the place of the person whom your feelings have to go to. When you were able to become honest with yourself, there will be no need to think that you will become a burden to Basara and the others. If you do so, the spirits of this world will surely answer to you."

"But, I can't meet Basara tonight……"

Because of Kurumi, Basara is banned from going out. So not to add more of this, she mustn't trouble Basara and intrude for her own convenience. However,

"It's alright. My Space Tunnel is connected to the guest room which Basara uses. Besides, that baby doll negligee that you wear, didn't I say that it was the gem of my pride?"

Sheera with great confidence said,

"as long as you wear it, your voice and the other the person's voice who is looking at you will never be heard to the other parties. It has that magical effect."

"? Why does it have such a function……?"

Though it's certainly convenient for her, Kurumi who seemed dubious asked.

"eeh, that's ──"

That time, Sheera smiled. Suddenly, Kurumi noticed that her body was feeling hot.

"Huh? Eh……what is……"

Although she was in such appearance, it became strangely hot. The moment she thought so Kurumi who fanned with her hand,

"Nn ──……Fuaaaaan ♥"

As the wind that was fanned by hand swept the scruff of her neck ── Kurumi leaked a sweet moan.

''…No, No way…this is……?''

A sweet, hearttending sense swelled up inside her body……the one that Kurumi knew of too well. In other words,

"Yes. The other effects given to the baby doll negligee with multiplex structure, is that it has a delayed action that will bring a strong aphrodisiac effect to the one who wears it"

Sheera revealed the secret to Kurumi.

"However, different from the baptism of the succubus and the curse of the Master and Servant contract, it will also have an effect that invokes『charm』towards its surroundings"

"Nn…… this『charm』……should I, to the partner…"

"Yes── you will absolutely be in a situation that not a single voice will come out you know? Therefore, try not to be noticed other than the person concerned, as later on you two will no longer hear voices around you."

Well, Sheera said.

"Besides me who is the maker, 『charm』isn't effective on a person unless it meets a certain condition……but feel relieved, because it will certainly work for Basara and you."

"……was I deceived……?"

Within intense horny condition, Kurumi who desperately tried took of the lingerie off,

"Nfufu, you should better stop. Your horny condition won't be solved even if it's taken off until you satisfy the right conditions…… it will only grow even stronger if you try to take it off all by yourself"

After she said so, Sheera who tried to approach over the table said:

"Besides, you know I'm not the type who tells lies right? I don't do something as boorish as playing tricks on someone's drink, and that negligee you're wearing right now really suits you well……Also, the obstinate you have no choice but to become obedient in front of Basara, so that Basara can do you to the extent without you being jealous with the other girls again, because that's his intention for you in the first place"

"……Basara is…...with me……"

Kurumi gulped down hard.

"……then, just like elder sister and Mio……?"

To Kurumi right now whose consciousness began to melt by her horny condition, Sheera's words seemed so charming like a whisper of the devil. Then, as if adding insult to the injury,

"Yes. Coming from the Hero Tribe, Basara has a bit magic resistance against『Charm』but there's no need to go on the verge of losing his sanity ……there's no need to worry."

However,

"But ──once he say that he doesn't really hate Kurumi, that horny condition of yours will be cured right away. It's an easy task for me who made the underwear, and it's because I don't want to bully you particularly."

However,

"If you really want to be freed from that state, if you want to really help Basara and everyone, please be serious from then on……I'll be there to support you. Now go, to the person who will liberate you from your suffering ── to the place where Toujou Basara is"

Saying those words to that extent, her resistance is already futile. Her situation, her condition, all of them urged the current Kurumi to go under Basara. Therefore,

"…………"
After Nonaka Kurumi took a gulp, she conveyed her wish to Sheera with a quivering voice.

=== Part 5 ===

After carrying the dinner to his guestroom.

Toujou Basara who immersed himself with training in his room every day washed off his sweat in the bathroom’s equipment.

──And now, as he turned his back on the bed, he rearranged his present circumstances.

Now is the night of the second day they came to the Demon Realm. Though it's quite different from his first assumption, many have already moved in parallel with the situation, though several problems that need dealing with and necessary interaction have arisen.

Among them, he didn't imagine Ramses who desired the power of Wilbert which Mio inherited refused to have a talk with him.

……Well,

On the day they arrived in the Demon Realm, he didn't think that he would enter a Master and Servant Contract with Zest.

Of course, considering the situation he had put Zest in was the best choice. Basara didn't regret having entered a Master and Servant Contract with her. Even with complicated feelings, Mio and the others still consented. But──there is one person who was against his Master and Servant Contract with Zest.

"…………Kurumi"

Because of the incident in the dining room this morning, Basara muttered the name of the girl he wasn't able to talk to softly.

Zest in the past completely fought against Basara as an enemy. For Kurumi who is an active member of the Hero Tribe, she would obviously reject the contract by all means. Though Yuki seemed to have accepted somehow, she who has gone to the point of going against Takashi and defying the orders of the 《Village》 in order to protect Basara, is a special exemption. As Kurumi had said, she was ordered to become Yuki's support and monitor the situation from the 《Village》, in case Mio was being targeted again by S-class Demon Race such as Zolgear, in order for the damage not to appear in the Human Realm, that's why she came to Basara's place again.

''……perhaps, monitoring Yuki is also included in that order, too.''

Therefore, the worst case scenario is not only Mio, Maria, even Basara ── to get rid of them all together with Yuki, the 《Village》 won't restrict themselves to launch that order for sure. As for Kurumi having chosen as a double agent, did the elders judge that they could investigate this trend without him being cautious if it was her?

……or.

Did Kurumi volunteer to avoid the harm being extended to her elder sister Yuki at any cost? ── Or maybe both? Although Basara entering a Master and Servant contract not only to Mio but also to Yuki already became a problem of the Demon Race, if it were to be known that he entered a Master and Servant Contract with Zest who was a subordinate of Zolgear, the 《Village》 might eventually regard Basara as a dangerous existence. Yuki's situation right now will only worsen more, too. Thinking at Kurumi's viewpoint, it's natural for it to be unforgivable for her.

Still, Sheera has urged him to have a Master-Servant Contract with Zest, but it meant that he was now in a situation where he had driven her into a corner. Basara couldn't leave Zest alone like this──entrusting her to the Moderates, Basara reassured that in particular.

"──────"

Towards the ceiling, Toujou Basara stared at the back of his left hand.

──They are something I want to protect.

Mio and Maria who became his sisters-in-law, and Yuki who is his childhood friend have become like a family to him. And Zest newly joined there, too. However, there is one who cannot accept it the same as them – it was Kurumi.

Just like Yuki from a long time ago…… She was already valued like their younger sister from her discretion. There is the tragedy five years ago, and even though they fought a few days ago, Basara had already thought of Kurumi as a member of his family he wanted to protect no matter what. However ──he cannot leave Zest alone. Even if it will be called a selfish whitewashing.

Even then, Toujou Basara will never hand them over ── no one, not any one.

Basara in silence firmly grasped his left hand which he pushed out towards the ceiling,but from his distance, a dry sound rang twice unexpectedly. It was a knock from the door to the hallway. As he descended from his bed, Basara moved from the bedroom to the living room and then,

"──Yes"

Demanding a reply from the other party, he made a short answer with all caution.

"……it is Zest. Basara-sama, I apologize to call you at this late hour."

Basara suddenly knitted his eyebrows to the familiar voice. Meeting other members is completely forbidden tonight, and if he wasn't mistaken, Zest should have certainly given an order of rearranging the archives in the library.

Then, Basara──using the position detection of the Master and Servant Contract just to make sure──after knowing it was really Zest on the other side,
He opened the door. Then the beautiful brown-skinned maid stood there.

"What happened, at time like this──?"

Then, Basara noticed that there is no figure of the lookout that should have been here a while ago.

"……what about the maid on the lookout?"

"She exchanged places with me and returned to her room……from now on, I'll be in charge of this place until tomorrow morning."

It seems like these maids have their own respective works, too. Basara's restriction will be until tomorrow morning, so in order for them not to stay up all night and interfere with the duties they’re in charge of the next day, to Basara's problem which caused them trouble, have they judged that he's suitable to let Zest become his subordinate?

"Is that so? Sorry about that, Zest……Zest?"

Basara knitted his eyebrows all of a sudden. The body of Zest before his eyes is shaking a little. And then,

"──────"

In a moment, Zest fell down, so Basara embraced her at once.

"What happened......are you alright?"

Basara noticed the bruise-like collar appeared from the surface of her neck. Then,

"You, why……?"

The curse doesn't activate if the person doesn't have a guilty conscience at its master. It should be rare for Zest who became obedient as a maid to have such feelings for Basara.

…No, not until now.

He cannot let Zest stay on the corridor in this condition.

"I'll carry you to the room……it’s fine Zest."

As Basara said so, he carried Zest and brought her in to his room.

He cannot let her in this constitution lay like this in the sofa of the living room. Therefore, Basara decided to use the other bedroom different from what he's using. And when he laid Zest down the bed,

"……I'm sorry, Basara-sama……I'm so sorry……"

Zest who thought to have bothered Basara apologized many times.

"It's alright, you don't need to apologize……the curse will only get stronger so don't think of it too much, okay?"

As Basara told her, he exposed Zest's bare chest while trying not to see it as possible.

"Now, take a deep breath, slowly……"

He spoke to her gently and urged her to calm down. Whenever Yuki and Mio's curse activated lightly, he exercise this kind of action. If she wasn't relieved by this, then he will have no other choice but to yield her to pleasure to ease the feeling. Then, following his words, as Zest commenced to take deep breaths,

"────"

Basara averted his glance momentarily. As Zest who has bountiful chest took deep breaths in such state where her bare chest was exposed to light, with those soft bulges rising and falling lasciviously, the stimulation is too strong for Basara who has fully tasted that sensation last night. It made him want Zest to surrender to her desires, but

''……Are you an idiot, me……!''

Basara desperately gave up. If he were to make Zest submit without understanding the reason why the curse activated, it will be no longer a master-servant relationship for them.

As Basara suppressed himself, Zest's curse settled down after a short while.

<center><big>＊＊＊＊＊＊＊</big></center>

"What the, Zest… how did this happen?"

Basara asked for the cause while looking at her with anxiety.

"I’m very sorry. I had endured this for a long time, but……"

Rising up from the bed, Zest apologized while lowering her gaze.

Then, she spoke the reason why the curse of the Master-servant Contract triggered. That is,

"Because Basara-sama had entered a Master-Servant Contract with me, who has been part of the incident concerning Mio-sama, a discord has begun to occur among everyone…… for that, I cannot bear to meet Basara-sama and the others."

While entering a Master-Servant Contract, Zest worried that she may cause a problem to Basara, and that triggered her curse. Basara said to Zest that it was alright, so she surrendered herself to pleasure and made her at ease. After Basara told them, Mio and the others had accepted her entering the contract with him……but when Kurumi ran away from the dining room, the curse had come out, but she got it over somehow thanks to Basara and the others' support. After that, she planned on asking Kurumi for her forgiveness when she returned to the castle.

…However,

She wasn't able to make it. She was criticized because of using the kitchen for Kurumi without permission, instead of arranging the archives of the library which was ordered to her.

……Even so,

Zest thought she made the right choice. It wasn't anything in particular. The real problem is,

"The fact that I entered a master-servant contract with Basara-sama caused you to be confined in this situation……because of the contract with me, I have brought trouble to Basara-sama."

Zest is the reason why Kurumi ran out of the dining room, and why Basara who followed after her was subjected to punishment. A disorder occurred to his team, all after Zest made a contract with Basara.

''──this is bad'', Zest thought. The current Demon Lord Faction is a powerful enemy. Even if we have a chance to win if we take absolute precaution, it will be too dangerous to face them to a battle with our current condition. Therefore,

"Basara-sama……if Basara-sama prefers, it's alright"

''Simply because I love you dearly more than anyone else'' ── Zest proposed to her master. With her face that seemed to burst into tears,

"To Sheera-sama, please cancel the master-servant contract with me……"

"──────"

Basara made a stiff expression to the words of Zest. She making such a face filled Basara's chest with pain.

──But the curse of the Master-Servant Contract didn't activate. Basara who is her master, was convinced that this is the best choice. But, As Zest thought that he should give up on her, Basara made a sigh, and said,

"No. that won’t be necessary"

He clearly declared── but Zest still doubted her ears.

"Wh-why……? The way things are going, Basara-sama and the others will be in dange──"

"──Certainly, Both Kurumi and I might have lacked composure this morning"

Basara interrupted with strong words.

"But for example, if we were to cancel our Master and Servant contract here, even if we solved the problem of Kurumi's feelings……another problem will surely come out next time"

"Another problem……?"

Basara replied with a 'Yes'.

"I have entered a Master-Servant Contract with you because I thought it was absolutely necessary, and that there is no other way around. If we were to cancel the contract here, then I won't be able to retain my composure anymore"

"……Basara…sama……"

As if Basara said something unbelievable, Zest stared in blank surprise.

"If you thought that I was brought to a difficult situation because of you, then it's even more painful for Kurumi right now…… I want to end this without anyone suffering any further. For this, we have no choice but to ease Kurumi's feelings right now."

Basara's words continued, and then──little by little, Zest understood how much she had yearned for him. Basara just made a Master-Servant contract yesterday, to her, who is a former enemy, and even said that she's important.

"Ah──…"

Zest then noticed that there was something overflowing beneath her eyes.

As she touched it softly, Zest felt a wet but warm feeling.

She cried.

She stared in utter amazement at the young man who regarded her with outmost importance. And as she entrusted her body to him, Basara hugged Zest tightly on the bed.

"I don't intend to hand you over to anyone…that's the reason I made a Master-Servant Contract with you. Therefore, please don't regret entering a master-servant contract with me, and believe that our contract is not a mistake."
In this moment ──Zest, to the entire existence of Basara, the young man in front of her eyes, she decided to dedicate all of herself to him. She felt happiness......true happiness.

"……Yes, Basara-sama……"

Conveying how strong she held these thoughts, she embraced Basara with all her strength.

Basara then gently stroke her back.

"……Thank you very much……it's alright now."

Before long, Zest regained her presence of mind and stopped her tears, then as she separated to his body, Basara averted his eyes in a hurry. Upon noticing that her breasts have been exposed,

"I apologize, Basara-sama……to this unsightly appearance"

"No, I'm sorry for doing something shameful to you…"

To the blushing Zest aside, as she hid her large chest by her arm, Basara gave an apology. Because he treated her as a woman with great care,
"……this is no good, Basara-sama, saying something… like that…"
"? Zest?"
Shaking his head to set aside the unbearable feeling, Basara stared blankly.

──why Basara, to her nakedness, it probably told her.

Zest was Basara's maid── despite this, he saw her as a woman.

When Zest thought so, her whole body shook from so much joy.

"I am your maid, Basara-sama……"

Zest leaned on Basara with clouded eyes. She couldn't endure it anymore. She wanted to serve Basara, she wanted him to seek his happiness──such thoughts couldn't hold back anymore, compressing everything on the word "maid".

"Zest is… Basara-sama's maid"

So, she doesn't mind whatever Basara liked to do to her── because it is her joy in itself. So as to tell him, a hot sigh reached at a distance. Then with a gulp; Basara,

"Zest──…"

To his call, as Zest approached with her lips,

──GATAN, a loud sound reverberated the wall. Zest turned around in spur of the moment, to the sound that came from the big closet beside the wall. And, from inside the closet, noticing the clear presence which did not exist a while ago,

"…… Sheera-san?"
Basara called first. Because there isn't a clear proof, his voice was tinged with caution. Sneaking in the closet of the bedroom──moreover in the middle of the night, among many places on this castle, Sheera building a space tunnel here has the highest possibility.

"Basara-sama, please leave it to me…"

Descending from the bed, Zest stopped Basara, and stood before the closet.

──This Wildart Castle is the primary base of the Moderates. Moreover, Mio who is the daughter of Wilbert is staying here right now, in addition this is currently midnight where it is easy to blend to the darkness too, so the security level has been raised to the maximum. There is not a chance for an assassin of the Current Demon Lord Faction to enter, and to think about it, there are no such assassinations having done in plain sight to begin with.

…Still,

Preparing for the worst case scenario fall on Basara, is the duty of his maid, Zest.

"──Zest"

Basara called her name, urging her not to lower her guard. With a nod, she watched the handle ──and slowly opened the double doored closet. Then,

"──────"

The moment they saw what's inside──Zest stiffened.

There was someone inside──of course, thinking something like that is obvious. But── a girl in a sensational underwear, wearing a glorious jewel was beyond their expectations.

Moreover, standing still, a body of a young maiden flushed in pink, giving off a scent of a woman.

"Kurumi-san…"

Zest called her name in shock, and as Basara came over,

"Kurumi, you…?"

He saw Kurumi in an indecent appearance, taking away all his words.

Facing Zest and Basara, Kurumi adjusted her focus with drowsy eyes,

"Nn……Haa……Basara……"

Wandering aimlessly, she sweetly uttered, collapsing on the spot.

<center><big>＊＊＊＊＊＊＊</big></center>

Toujou Basara rushed and held Kurumi who was about to fall on the floor from the closet.

Kurumi's figure, dressed in a baby doll negligee, felt surprisingly hot.

It's like she was in the state as if she's totally under the aphrodisiac curse.

"……Don't tell me, Lucia did something to you again?"

Yesterday, recalling the incident in the office of Lucia, he asked,

"No……It’s different, I……"

Kurumi spoke, in spite of writhing in agony in his arm. With eyes wet in tears alluringly,

"I was dressed by Sheera-san …and, as a result, I was brought here"

"…I knew it was Sheera-san after all"

However, there was no figure of Sheera anywhere. Perhaps, after bringing Kurumi here, she left her as it is inside the closet, and have returned immediately by herself. Then,

"…n?"

Suddenly, Toujou Basara felt his pulse throb fast. And, for some reason he was unable to separate his focus on Kurumi. Although Kurumi is alluring to begin with, he felt a sensation similar to when he was in Lucia's office yesterday. Though her baby doll figure is certainly radical, she's like Mio and Yuki yielding under the aphrodisiac curse. Nevertheless,

"……Wh, What is this……?"

Out of the desire that is the man's greed wanting to ruin Kurumi, Basara got down with both his knees on the floor while hugging her.

"──Basara-sama? Are you alright?"

Zest rushed and knelt on one knee to support him. After that,

"P-perhaps……because of this baby doll……"

Kurumi said in a sweet feverish tone.

"I right now…… to the partner that I saw, it casts『Charm』on it……"

"What a ridiculous underwear…… how can the effect be removed? Should I take it off?"

As Basara asked in behalf of his desperation, Zest nearby shook her head,

"No……in the past Sheera-sama has mentioned this for a play before…"

Zest has also received the effect of the 『Charm』. Towards Kurumi, with her eyes turning to the same color of excitement as Basara, she stated her explanation.

"Supposed that…if this is the thing which Sheera-sama presented to Lucia-sama a long time ago, the method to destroy the magic effect of the baby doll, as I remember it's only one."

"Did you know it, Zest? Then please tell me, what should I do?"

"That is…"
He asked her in desperation, then after a hesitating a little, Zest chose her words carefully.

"First, the person who puts it on who is in a horny condition, the partner who saw her must make her feel comfortable. Next, for the person who has been influenced with『Charm』, he/she needs to make contact with the said person. It was necessary to be the person who has made contact to."

And,

"Supposed that the charmed people are two or more, when both sexes is involved, the effect will be repeated over again, so to solve it, it must be in sequential order of being charmed……"'''(!)'''

"W-Wait a minute…then"
Basara who heard the explanation, stared Zest in utter amazement──the next moment, Basara felt an intense excitement with respect to Zest. Zest, on the other hand, while rubbing her inner thighs lasciviously, turned her pupils full of heat to Basara,

"Yes…..in this case, first is Basara-sama with me to Kurumi-san. Next is Kurumi-san with Basara-sama to me. Finally, Kurumi-san with me to Basara-sama …….it becomes like this" '''(!)'''

"…… It's a lie, right?……"

What is that, an underwear that promotes group sex? Basara reached his blank amazement to another level,

"I'm……Sorry……I-it's all …my …fault……"

With her eyes that will burst to tears in any moment because of the aphrodisiac state, Kurumi apologized.

"No, it's not Kurumi's fau…──"

Basara uttered, suppressing his desires in desperation while holding Kurumi in check,

"Th-that's not it……I, went to this place……because I asked"

"Wha, then──…"

Basara tried to ask something, but wasn't able to.

Because his mouth was sealed──with Kurumi's lips.

──Toujou Basara, with both hands supporting Kurumi's back of her head, was kissed. ''What the─''─Basara, confused with the sudden event, for the time being, in order to calm Kurumi down, and put his hands on both her shoulders,

……Kurumi……?

Then, noticing something, he separated from her body.

Before Kurumi ── from the edge of her closed eyes, something streamed down her cheeks.

"………"

Kurumi was, crying while kissing him. So,

"──────"

Basara moved his hands on her shoulders to her back, and hugged her.

Because of the Charm effect, impelling him with the desire to push Kurumi down, Basara tried hard to control himself. After a short while, Kurumi separated her lips. And then,

"I, I heard…… I, with Basara, cannot enter a Master-Servant Contract……"

To her words, Basara nodded at once. Matching her guess, more so in front of himself, Kurumi cried in pain. He almost said "I know" or "you don't need to worry".

──But, Basara strongly endured this welling desire and remained silent.

Perhaps──Kurumi right now, received a cruel order from the 《Village》. To her, speaking words of comfort is easy. But, such things are only for Basara's self-satisfaction.

Kurumi "I heard" said to Basara. Then, what he should do, is to let Kurumi spit out all the pains she is holding. On top of that, accept her──just that, and think of the ways to free Kurumi from her suffering. Sheera leaving Kurumi in this condition, surely aimed for that. For the stubborn Kurumi, taking off her mask quickly in front of Basara, is impossible within her normal condition. Then,

"But……even so, I,…don't leave me out…"

Before long, Kurumi, squeezed words from the depths of her throat.

"About me……Elder sister and Mio……please treat me similar to Zest……"

While sobbing convulsively, as Kurumi mentioned her desire in desperation, Toujou Basara listened.

That is, the wish of the girl named Nonaka Kurumi kept suffering from holding all alone.

Being assigned a cruel order, wanting to avoid the situation for it to be carried out, the situation advanced towards the wrong way one after another……Still, Kurumi being unable to say the truth, suppressed it with hard feelings she had been holding all alone.

''Just how long would you be anxious……just how long would you suffer?''

Finally spitting out her wish and pains, Kurumi spilled tears like rain. More than that, she didn't say anything……or rather, she couldn't say anything anymore. Therefore,

''……It's okay now.''

Toujou Basara wished to himself──you won't need to endure it any longer.

The kindest answer to Kurumi, perhaps might be able to return their relationship as it was in the past.

Simply those, innocent memories of their childhood when they were smiling happily.

Perhaps the village, to the tragedy five years ago──was still bound to the past.

Basara too, is the same. He has not forgotten the crime that he himself had committed. But, in order to protect Mio, he cannot remain captive by the past. Mio is also in danger, in suffering…… the way to save her, exist only in the future.

And.

Now that he can never come back in the past, the way Kurumi can be saved is also in the future. Actually, Kurumi might have understood ── for this reason, she suffered even more. That's why,

"……I understand. For you not to suffer, I'll do anything"

Basara, to his childhood friend whom he loved like a younger sister, hugged with all his might.

"………"

Kurumi hugged tightly in return. And as she turn her face to the side in his arm,

"……Sorry, Zest…… because of me, I have also involved you……"

"No……the truth is, Basara-sama, I wanted to make up with the two of you."

With Kurumi apologizing with a face that's about to cry, looked down to Zest in apology. So,

"──You don't need to apologize, Zest"

After Basara saw that,

"Sheera-san is, the one who put Kurumi inside this closet……at that time, she should have certainly noticed that you were here”

The incident this morning, was caused by the Master-Servant Contract between Basara and Zest. Assuming such conduct in order to convince Kurumi, she may have thought that involving Zest might be more effective. Basara also, although he was glad that the relation of Kurumi and Zest improved,

"My bad…… probably because of the 『Charm』 effect, I cannot control myself anymore……"

Just by hugging Kurumi, his reason seemed to blow away when he relaxed his guard. Then,

"……I don't mind, for I am Basara-sama's maid"

Zest delightfully, with eyes full of heat,

"Basara-sama…… Please think of only satisfying oneself and Kurumi-san"

Then, Kurumi which also heard it,

"……I too, do me the same as Zest"

In Basara's arm, looking up at him quietly,

"Do it as promised……Basara-oniichan"

She entreated with moist eyes due to the aphrodisiac state. So,

"……I'll start"

As Toujou Basara said so and lifted Kurumi, Zest accompanied them and moved to the bed.

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Sandwiched between Basara at her front and Zest at her back, Nonaka Kurumi was laid down on the bed.

"First is, me and Zest to Kurumi……huh"

"Yes. Basara-sama, please let me help……"

With a nod, Zest replied to Basara──and reached her hands from Kurumi's back, opening the buttons of Basara's shirt. Sandwiched between the two,

''……I am truly, doing this with Basara and Zest……''

Kurumi imagined what will happen from now on, making her feel more aroused.

But ── as Zest unclothed his shirt with experienced hands, and Basara allowing her to, she felt the bond between them, making her chest feel painful in contrast,

"Basara-niichan, the kiss……"

So Kurumi promptly lifted her arm at once, and with upturned eyes, she entreated Basara to attack her armpits. Basara and Zest who have seen her, due the aphrodisiac state of Kurumi in her baby doll figure, took the 『Charm』's effects. Kurumi, thinking about the burden she brought to the two, tried to end it as soon as possible, but

……Why.

Kurumi still felt the greatest pain she had been holding ── her inferiority complex to Yuki, Mio and Zest who entered a Master-Servant Contract with Basara.

──Of course, Kurumi's underarm is her greatest erogenous zone. If Basara were to attack there, no matter how much she struggled, Kurumi will surely reach the peak with ease.

But, even if Basara attacked her armpits and made her climax immediately, and while feeling dizzy from the reverberations of the climax help Zest do him, even if she was able to do him together with Zest in the end, even if the magic effect of the baby doll is released, Kurumi's inferiority complex will not disappear.

This inferiority complex is, surely Kurumi's『negative』part which Lucia and Sheera were talking about──since she had developed more complicated feelings this far, if only she faced her weakness, have been more honest with herself, and accepted her『negative』feelings, she won't need to disregard her inferiority complex to Zest anymore.

──But, there is one magic switch can make her obey and put the obstinate Kurumi away.

It is a kiss from Basara. In the dream a spirit showed upon to her request, there came many indecent acts with Basara ── at that time, Basara kissed Kurumi, and had fallen into lust all at once. If Kurumi were to kiss Basara, she could be a girl who can do anything.

"──────"

Kurumi then begged like a spoiled child, making Basara react.

As he thought of bringing his arm behind her ass and drawing her close, he snatched Kurumi's lips.

Basara's tongue in heat viciously entered inside her mouth, indulging it greedily. Probably because of the 『Charm』 effect of the baby doll, his kiss was more aggressive than yesterday.

"Nn……chu, Bsara,niichan……haaah♥ Basaraniichaa……(slurp)"

Kurumi entwined her tongue with his, seeking him in ecstacy. She didn't mind the effect of 『Charm』. Basara, excited at Kurumi so much, couldn't contain this unbearable pleasure.

"……Kurumi-san"

As Kurumi floated in happiness from kissing Basara, brown arms hugged her gently from the rear. Something warm and soft, pushed her full back,

……Zest?

It made Kurumi think of the woman she didn't notice earlier. Before long, Kissing Basara long enough to use up all the oxygen in her lungs, feeling happiness from within,

"──haa……n, fuu……haa……ha……"

In a single breath, she separated her lips at once──and just like in the dream, Kurumi's reasoning was completely melted by the pleasure. slowly, as she looked towards the rear over her shoulders, Zest was already in a single piece of panty. She had probably taken off her maid uniform while Kurumi was immersed with Basara's kisses. The soft sensation touching her back, these highlights even when wearing clothes, was none other than Zest's huge breasts.

Beautiful……for Kurumi, Zest's sex appeal was an object of envy. However, with Basara's kisses melting her thoughts, and Zest's embrace making her feel a sense of comfort and security, Kurumi couldn't think of it as unpleasant. So, Kurumi slowly linked both arms on the head,

"Basara-niichan, Zest…please do it"

and willingly exposed both her weakest sides to the two.

“──────”

Without any words, Basara brought his mouth to Kurumi's left armpit──But,

"──Please wait, Basara-sama"

Zest stopped him. Kurumi looked back to her, with drowsy eyes asking "Why?".

"Basara-sama──is your right hand good?" "Well……it's good, but, is there something wrong?"

Facing Zest with a serious expression, Basara presented his right hand while slightly knitting his eyebrows.

Then, Zest holding Kurumi with her left hand, raised her forefinger and the middle finger of her right hand, while slipping it on the back of the right hand of Basara,

"Kurumi-san is, demanding the same treatment as us with Basara…… in that case, even if I can't use the actual magic, I think that it is still the best to enter into a master-servant contract with Basara-sama. So, if you may, I can emulate a procedure as good as the original one."

"……such a thing exists?"

As Basara gave a mutter of assent, a magic formation appeared on the back of his right hand.

"Only the form is imitated to the end, it’s a mock one, but……"

As Zest made her introduction,

"Kurumi-san……please kiss the magic formation on Basara-sama's right hand"

Kurumi also understood what she meant of demanding the same treatment. Though she didn't actually see it, she already heard the story from Yuki and Maria.

"Zest……I……"

Zest understood her wish and suffering more than anyone. Kurumi whose about to cry, turned and faced Zest at her rear

……eh……?

Then, finally noticing a certain fact, she was stunned.

At Zest's neck, a bruise-like collar wasn't present ── in other words, even though she saw them giving away hot kisses with each other a while ago, Zest did not get jealous and didn't invoke the curse of the Master-Servant contract.

── Perhaps, she adored Basara so much that even if he did indecent acts with other women, she won't get jealous at all. Or maybe, due to the 『Charm』's effect, she probably have been influenced by Kurumi and it stimulated her more.

but still ── if Zest even had a little thought of Kurumi not deserving to be Basara's partner somewhere in her heart, the curse should have activated. She, who didn't accept Zest, and even caused trouble to everyone ── Zest completely accepted such Kurumi. The moment she thought so, all her ill feelings to Zest vanished in an instant.

"……Zest……"

Crying, Kurumi hugged Zest. And as tears spill like rain, in her embrace……Zest gently wrapped Kurumi in her huge and soft chest.

"Well, Kurumi-san…let's make you enter a Master-Servant Contract with Basara-sama"

Urged by Zest's words, Kurumi nodded and turned to Basara. Then, presenting the back of his right hand showing the magic formation,

"Kurumi……"

Basara softly called her name. Kurumi, gently closing her eyes,

"──────"

Kissed the back of Basara's right hand at ease.

"…………ah"

Then, Kurumi opened her eyes again──and saw the unchanged Basara before her. But that already, is enough for her, whom was loved dearly like a younger sister, not just a childhood friend of a young man,

but also a master who will connect a new bond.

"──Kurumi" "Yes……"

As she replied in bliss to her master calling her name,

"………congratulations"

Zest in the rear, gave her blessings in a gentle voice.

Then, as Basara lifted her chin in front,

"──Hold still"

he drew his lips to her neck──and sucked it with all his might.

"Yaah──FuaaAaan♥"

Kurumi, whose senses were intensified by the aphrodisiac, raised a lovely voice while leaning her back with a sudden twitch. But, Basara didn't leave from her neck and sucked it harder than before, in addition to Zest hugging her tightly from behind. And after her neck was sucked for more than ten seconds,

"ah……n……Basara-niicha,n……?"

When they separated their lips, Kurumi asked a question, then Zest informed her.

She got something in the pocket of her maid clothes that she took off……and opening a compact mirror on her palm, she showed what happened to Kurumi’s neck through the mirror,

……ah……

And there, reflected the reason why Basara forcibly sucked Kurumi.

Clearly left in Kurumi's white neck, was a red mark put up by a violent kiss.

Whenever everyone else activated the curse of the Master-Servant Contract, a heart-shaped collar would appear. The kiss mark Basara made, to Kurumi’s eyes, seemed like that collar──then,

"……that mark disappears, if your anxiety and suffering reaches zero"

By those words, Basara treated her the same way as everyone──she was convinced from her heart.

"────"

On his embrace, Kurumi was forcefully pushed down by Basara, and received an intense kiss. Then also, with force as if he surrendered to the effect of the 『Charm』,

"Haa……Basara-oniicha……rero<ref> licking sfx </ref>, nchu…nfuu…haamu…..nn"

Basara shifted to an even more obscene kiss, entwining Kurumi's tongue, and then pulled the shoulder string of the baby doll negligee, lifting up the hem. Then Zest in the rear raised both of her hands, and while breathing in sweet agonies, she undressed Kurumi's top with surprising swiftness. But, the effect of the 『Charm』on Sheera's baby doll negligee, didn't disappear just by taking it off. So,

"……Kurumi-san"

Zest joined them── and the top of the bed finally became the medley of carnality of the three.

──Of course, Kurumi was attacked first.

Kurumi was already in aphrodisiac state before coming to this room, that a slight touch in her chest and butt could make her reach the zenith. But Basara and Zest being under the 『Charm』couldn't do such a simple carress. The tips of Kurumi's chest that were tense in horniness was sucked by Basara without mercy, and Zest with her hand in her panty, her butt was rubbed violently.

"Aah──yaah,Nn……fuu……haah……yah, haah……Aaaah──♥"

She had experienced a similar treatment so far, but this is the first time she felt this intense…… Kurumi reached the climax five times, from the two people, for only 30 seconds.

Kurumi received completely, the intense pleasure she wished from Basara and Zest.

The two people became like this, because of Sheera's baby doll negligee that Kurumi put on before coming to this room. She understood what would happen──rather, somewhere in her heart, she wanted something like this to happen. So,

"Aah,n……♥Fuu,yah……wa……ah……♥"

As she reached the peak while raising a filtracious voice in a posture caught between the two, giving her pleasure that she had never felt so far, Kurumi was being turned into an indecent girl. However,

"……not yet, Kurumi" "Kurumi-san……please feel it more"

Kurumi, to Basara and Zest whose desires intensified further,

"U, un……both of you……do it……more"

She raised both arms, opening her most vulnerable side to them.

Then, before she put her hands on the top of her head, Basara and Zest stuck fast to her right and left armpits ──then just after that,

"～～～～～～～～～～～～～♥"

With her sense of pleasure gushing out of the pores of her whole body, Kurumi reached an intense climax she never had before. With a climax so intense that her view whited out,

……Ah……Aah……Haa……♥

Nonaka Kurumi trembled in pleasure. It was so intense that, her consciousness flew away…… only her body, knew what happened in real time.

Even if she didn't enter a Master-Servant Contract with him──the relationship between them, Kurumi's thoughts to Basara, wasn't anything inferior to everybody, and it is the proof that she could catch up without limits.

That's why──that salvation was Kurumi's desire. So,

"……Ah……n……u"

As the white fog which wrapped up her view before long had gradually cleared,

"Are you okay, Kurumi……" "Kurumi-san, are you alright?"

Seeing Zest and Basara looking at her with worry,

"……Un……I’m okay……"

Kurumi didn't surrender just yet. Only 1/3 of the process to destroy the magic effect of the Baby Doll negligee has been completed. Neither Kurumi's aphrodisiac nor Basara and Zest's 『Charm』 haven't been released, either. Still, the two people were considerate to Kurumi. She had to respond to their feelings……besides,

……Ah……

The aphrodisiac effect still remained. But, even though she saw Basara and Zest, she didn't feel any pains caused by her inferiority complex anymore.

''I have been loved dearly by these two…''… Therefore, Nonaka Kurumi said in bliss,

“……This time, it's Zest’s turn”

<center><big>＊＊＊＊＊＊＊</big></center>

And now, Kurumi pushed down Zest together with Basara gently on the bed.

Then, as Zest’s twin peaks shaking suddenly entered her eyes,

"Zest, your nipples are already stiff"

To return the favor of making her reach her climax, Kurumi pointed it out in retribution.

"Yes……Because I was charmed by Basara-sama and Kurumi-san"

Zest smiled, with reddened cheeks. Though her composure was somewhat vexing,

"Please do her like you did with me……Basara-niichan"

"Well, I have no choice"

Basara nodded to Kurumi, who wanted to end the situation quickly──so that she could start caressing her, She urged Basara to feel Zest fully.

Then, Kurumi faced Zest, and as she slipped her both hands and rubbed her butt inside her panties, beginning her assault, Basara then removed his hands from her back and reached her front, rubbing her breasts roughly as it held Kurumi's face.

"n……aah……n, wa……yaaa,aah──fuaaaAhn"

Placing her both hands to Kurumi's shoulder while squirming her waist back and forth lewdly, Zest raised a sweet moan at once. Furthermore, as Basara picked up her nipples that became stiff and rubbed it with his fingertips,

"Aah──yaah,nn……Haah♥ Aan……yaa,Aaah……♥"

Zest clinged her soft and tender legs to Kurumi's waist tightly.

……for Zest to act this cute……

For Zest who is more of an adult than herself, to become this dirty, Kurumi felt aroused at her figure who fell into disorder. As Kurumi's both hands slipped inside her panties and rubbed her butt, Zest became more and more sensitive……making the insides of her panties wet in no time at all.

her body entwined along with theirs────and as the three people shared five long minutes of lust,

"Ahnn……haa,FuaAn……Yaa……HAaAah♥"

Zest panted sexily, naturally filling the room with indecent sounds.

Kurumi's hand which was inside her panties, became sopping wet with honey of a woman in heat, and every time she rubbed her ass, sounds of gushing water reverberated the place,

"Yaah──Aah……Kurumi-sa……aAh"

Making Zest's body tremble in shame in the end. But, to that expression that intensified her intoxication to lust,

"You don’t need to be shy……because I am also, too"

Because Zest and Basara kept making her come unreasonably, her panties are already wet. That's why, wanting to make Zest wet more and more,

"Hey, Zest……can you tell me your weak spot?"

Kurumi beside her asked,

"Aaah……n, its, my ears……"

Feeling pleasure through Kurumi and Basara's caresses, Zest answered, while shaking her hips licentiously,

"That's why, Kurumi-san……''if you don't mind, would you and Basara-sama return the favor?''"

Though feeling shy, being glad that she felt the same,

"Yes. I'll do it"

Kurumi said so, slipping both of her hands from Zest's panties.

"Nnn ──"

To that timing, her fingertip slightly brushed something inside her panties, causing Zest to twitch her back suddenly, shaking her ass in front, so Kurumi with an upward glance ── told the gentle maid who fawned like a child,

"……Zest, get down on all fours"

"Yes……"

Zest smiled, and took a pose as she said. With her big chest shaking as she moved, she posed with her butt in an indecent position.

"──Kurumi, can I leave it to you?"

Basara said so, then brought his mouth close to her ear,

"Un……Understood"

Kurumi nodded, and turned to the other side and put her lips on Zest’s left ear.

And then.

Kurumi exchanged glances with Basara, and on Zest's right side, she brought her lips close to her ears, whispering softly the words she have been wanting to say for a long time.

"Zest……I’m sorry for this morning, and for the lunchbox……thank you"

She quickly told so, and together with Basara, they approached Zest's ears, and ── in that instant,

"───────♥"

Zest raised a sweet moan, making her whole body tremble in intense pleasure.

[[Image: SMnT V06 008.png|thumb]]

Bitten in both ears by Basara and Kurumi; she magnificently came……and the proof is,

"Haa……Aa, ah……"

Zest whose still in deep ecstasy of her orgasm, from the edge of her panties, love juices which weren't able to absorb in that single piece of fabric overflowed along her brown thighs.

"……………"

Before long, she recovered from the climax, then turned her face to Kurumi who was admiring her breathing full of seduction,

"……Kurumi-san……THis time, it's Basara-sama’s turn"

with a captivating smile──she proposed to Kurumi.

"Anyway, would you like to try doing something what Mio-sama and Yuki-san haven't done yet......?"

"What sis and Mio haven’t done……?"

As Kurumi, who's still allured by Zest's sex appeal asked, the lustful maid continued,

"Basara-sama…… would you accept this humble one?"

Zest requested Basara with eyes still moist by the pleasure. Then, without any words, Basara slowly rose from his feet, stood on the bed, and opened both his legs to a shoulder length.

"Thank you very much……then"

As Zest thanked in respect, she removed his belt and began taking off his trousers.

"What are you……" "…this is what Mio-sama and Yuki-san haven't done yet"

Zest looked back at the perplexed Kurumi and said with a smile, then turned to Basara again──this time she took off his underwear, making him fully nude.

Being under the charm, they came many times in succession in his intense loving.

And now, to Basara who was laid bare, they felt excitement that they had never felt before.

''......wow......''

After witnessing his thing before her own eyes, Kurumi swallowed her saliva, without averting a single glance.

She had seen him nude one time after coming to the Toujou House where she had a chance to take a bath with him, but this is the first time for her to see this thing from up close.

Then, before Kurumi, Zest kneeled in Basara's side,

"......pardon for my rudeness"

holding her prosperous kingdoms with both hands, she received Basara's thing in between,

"Ah──……"

and there, she saw Zest's chest engulfing Basara's place.

Then, she dripped saliva from her mouth to her cleavage even more,

"Nn......Ah......nn......"

and stroked Basara's thing with her valley, shaking her breasts slowly from top to bottom. As she served with her chest making gushing sounds,
"Come, Kurumi-san, your mouth too......"

Zest made a bewitching smile, inviting Kurumi.

"Mmy mouth......? No way......"

Kurumi hesitated, as expected. Although she's already a junior high school student──with Maria teaching and training her various things, she already had more than enough knowledge suited for her age. That's why, Zest's radical behavior and her extreme proposal, making her face red-hot,

"nn……it's alright……with this, from Mio-sama and Yuki-san, you'll be getting one step ahead of them"

and with those chest that stroke Basara's place, molding her's in a more indecent shape,

"Look......If Kurumi won't come......Kurumi-san's part......I will use it to serve Basara-sama more......nn......are you okay with that......?"

Finally, bringing her lips to Basara's tip from the valley of her peaks,

“──N,Nooo!”

It made Kurumi raise a scream at once, stopping Zest. After asking to do Basara similarly with Zest, yet she herself couldn’t do what Zest had done……moreover, to be left out among the three, she hated it all.

''……it’ll be fine……''

Though she’s embarrassed to tell Mio and Yuki──in the past, she had used something Maria prepared, similar to the size of Basara's, she practiced 'services' with her mouth.

So, Kurumi's mouth right now──already knew its size and how to love it for a long time.

"…………"

So Kurumi made up her mind, and standing on her knees opposite to Zest and in front of Basara,

"……According to the practice, I should do it like this……”

She persuaded herself, and looked up at Basara with upturned eyes── then,

"Basara –niichan……please make me do it with my mouth, too"

Feeling embarrased, Kurumi's head was patted by Basara with gentleness.

The pleasant sensation gave her courage──and the next moment, Nonaka Kurumi licked the ravine of the chest of Zest, and began servicing to Basara with her tongue.

"Nn……rero, churu……reru,picha, wa……pero……reroo……♥"

While being carressed by Zest's mounds, Kurumi daubed Basara's thing lasciviously with saliva, as if painting it with her tongue back and forth. then,

''……wow……so this is Basara-niichan's……''

Basara's male pheromones from her nose and mouth reached Kurumi's brain, numbing her thoughts and making her even hornier than before.

So, Kurumi gradually pressed her face and buried it to Zest’s breasts even more.

"wah...,..., nmu, reru , chu...,..., picha,n...... reru,rero , hapu...... nnu♥,...... npu...... reru, chu, chupi, npunryu......♥"

So as not to make Basara's thing filling her mouth reach her teeth, she accumulated thick saliva in her mouth, and with her tongue, she sucked him in horniness. In order to please him further, Kurumi earnestly served him with her mouth, while being rubbed in the middle of Zest's breasts.

Blowing it until she had difficulty breathing and her jaw felt painful, lewdly making sounds with her tongue, as he approached the limit, she parted with her mouth. Then, feeling good,

"────"

Basara lightly raised his waist, and with force he rubbed it inside Kurumi's throat in rhythm. But,

……Haa, Basara-oniichan……♥

Kurumi's reaction is still full of bliss. The love she felt to Basara overflowed in her mouth, and as if she forgotten how to cough, her mouth continued moving sexily ──So, she didn't notice.

"──────"

Like assisting someone riding a bike by supporting his back then releasing him from his hold──Zest's chest which sandwiched Basara's thing, quietly pulled back and slipped away. And Kurumi, to serve him with her mouth, moved in front of Basara in a trace, stroked it with her hand, then began moving her face to it back and forth. Then ── Kurumi ended her service at last by taking it deep in her throat.

"────Kurumi!"

Basara called out her name, firmly holding the back of her head ── the next moment, large amount of semen seeming to scald her was shot inside her mouth.

"Nnnn～～～～～～～～～～～～～～～♥"

Nonaka Kurumi seemed to faint in sweet agony as she indulged herself while holding his in her mouth, to a degree that seemed to drown her by it's momentum and quantity any time──and yet, Kurumi swallowed it all with a gulp. Then,

"Nn……nn……n……? Nmu……Nn……Fuu……chupu<ref>Kissing sfx</ref>"

Kurumi sucked it all up, drinking it till the last drop, then gradually separated her mouth.

……ah…eh……?

Finally, she noticed something.

Zest had already stopped servicing Basara ── and Kurumi all alone, had led him to ecstacy.

"I knew you can do it, Kurumi-san……"

With eyes wet in the stimulation, Zest smiled and said, informing how Kurumi served Basara so obscene eloquently,

"No……you’re lying……m-me……?"

And so, Kurumi’s body, trembled in the shame that struck and welled up inside her. Then, Basara, tightly embracing her,

"Sorry……because you tried your best really hard/very much, I was not able to say it on the way"

Whispered to her ear, gently patting her head. In Basara's arms,

"……Next time, if you deceive me again,……I'll chew your ear in front of everyone."

"Yes……"
As she nodded while sulking from the side, Zest hugged Kurumi from her back together with Basara. But for a moment, a mischevous smile appeared,

"But before that…… Kurumi-san did Basara-sama on her own. So, in order to undo the effect of the negligee of Sheera-sama, let’s do him both this time."

Zest added.

"And as for Basara-sama…… It seems that it still desires our service”

“Eh……? Ah ──…”

Kurumi blanked out for a moment, but she understood what Zest meant at once. Because as she was hugged by Basara, Kurumi felt a hard thing touching the area around her belly.

"No, this is……!"

To Basara who became flustered, Zest with a smile,

"Kurumi-san……if it's fine to you, even for a bit longer, I want to deepen the bonds with Basara-sama"

Then, in a drop of a beat,

"──this time together with us, till the end"

As Kurumi nodded to those deep words, Zest resumed her service to Basara.

All in order to solve the magical effect of the Baby doll.

And so, Basara and Zest ──the bonds of the two people, have strengthened even further.

=== Part 6 ===

──Afterwards, Kurumi succeeded in nullifying the effect of Sheera's baby doll negligee.

However, because of Zest's proposal, until the kiss mark on Kurumi's neck that Basara applied disappeared, the three decided to strengthen each other's bonds on the bed, sharing Basara's climax several times.

"………Nn"

And now, Nonaka Kurumi woke up, regaining her awareness.

It seemed that she didn't notice that she had fallen asleep. The small light coming from the gap of the curtain, told them that it's already morning. On the bed, as if she was caught by Basara and Zest, Kurumi laid down in between them. And the next moment──she remembered all of what she'd done on this very bed.

"────────"

She blushed so red-hot that it seemed there is a fire coming out, curling herself up in the bed. She was driven by the impulse of wanting to disappear at once, but endured her feelings of shame desperately.

──Nonaka Kurumi didn't forget the advice that she received from Sheera and Lucia.

So, last night she was able to accomplish it. That's why──Kurumi faced her own self, and intended to accept it. As Sheera had said, Basara accepted that Kurumi properly. Zest so, too. So,

……this time, it's my turn……isn't it?

As she tried to persuade herself so, Kurumi looked at Zest sleeping right next to her. This woman of the Demon race── it's unthinkable for Kurumi, even more to share a bed together with a woman who made a Master-Servant Contract with Basara, but now, she didn't feel any resentment. In the midst of the performance last night, Kurumi had her inferiority complex fade away inside her, but the hallucination that fell her into that horny condition, it wasn't a temporary one. As she thought so, the back of her left hand suddenly pulsated.

……what was that just now……?

So as not to wake Basara and Zest, Kurumi materialized the Soul Purity Arts Gauntlet. On the main slot, the element she had got from Lucia──in the Darkness-colored sphere, a golden magic formation that was not there yesterday appeared. There is also an increase in the wavelength of magical power too.

The element which was sleeping until now has awakened. Therefore,

……so that's it.

Certainly accepting your own weakness, and facing it, you can get over it.

Kurumi that saw the change in the element, smiled in relief.

──As she was pushed down by Maria, was about to be assaulted by Lucia, forced to wear an underwear that she wouldn't ever wanted and left in a terrible state in Basara's closet by Sheera, she wondered why do you think they did that. The progress was in a mess along the way, but she was glad by the result…… with Maria who said "I'll catch you up with Mio and Yuki", making many indecent acts with her so far, Kurumi found out that it was all to help her realize her true wish.

Of course ──another purpose is to satisfy her instinct as a succubus.

''……Well, even just a little, I should say my thanks to them, right?''

Smiling wryly, being relieved from the burden, drowsiness attacked her at once, and,

"Fuaa……n……"

Kurumi who did a yawn, rubbed her sleepy eyes, decided to lie down and sleep again for the second time.

Because she didn't come back to the room last night, Yuki and Mio might have worried about her, though Basara's house arrest is to be lifted at daybreak, perhaps, as for no one coming here, Sheera will explain the situation. Or she might have already conveyed them to Yuki, when she had left Kurumi and had gone back to the space tunnel alone.

──Besides, Basara and Zest are still asleep, too. So, I guess it's okay if I take another nap.

However, since Zest is here, when Yuki and Mio wake up, realizing that she didn't come back, it may just be a matter of time that they will rush in here. But, if Yuki and Mio were to see this situation which is bad for them, she was kind of looking forward to see what kind of face they will make.
So, Kurumi who leaked a snicker, slipped her body in between Basara and Zest.

"……………………………………" "……………………………………"

The two people who are still sleeping, embraced her closely like it all seemed natural.

Basara, with his strong arms, and Zest with her soft breasts, the feeling of being held in them is the best.

Feeling these things that herself had finally obtained at last, Nonaka Kurumi happily doze off once again.

<noinclude>
=== Translator Notes and References ===
<references/>

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| Back to [[Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha:Volume 6 Chapter 2|Chapter 2]]
| Return to [[Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha:Volume 6 Chapter 4|Chapter 4]]
|-
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</noinclude>

Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha:Volume 3 Epilogue

2016-05-15T20:17:50Z

83.252.12.13:

== To Speak of the Certainty of the Human Mind ==

===Part 1===

By the time that Basara returned to the Toujou household, it was already late at night. While everyone finished treating their own wounds, bathing, getting dressed, and doing other necessary things, some people decided to rest as soon as they walked through the door. That was the succubus mother and daughter who had long been under the coercion of Zolgear, and were even treated as hostages — Maria and her mother. Right now, Toujou Basara was watching their sleeping faces.

“…………”

The moonlight coming through the window cast a faint blue light into Maria’s room while the mother and daughter were asleep on the bed. It wasn’t easy for the mother and daughter to finally reunite safely, their minds which had been under so much stress seemed eager to relax, and the breathing of those two was calm.

…It must have been a long time since they could sleep at ease like this.

Although that did make him feel sad, in front of his eyes — seeing their sleeping faces, Basara felt like he was able to help somehow. At that time, while Basara was watching, Maria crept closer to her mother on the bed while still peacefully asleep—

“……Basara…san…”

She gently called out to him in her sleep. This made Basara cast his eyes onto Maria, with a look of affection—

“…Ah, I’m here. Not only me, everyone else is also by your side.”

After saying that, he gently caressed her cheek, and then softly wiped the tear at the corner of her eye, as if he was telling her that she no longer needed to cry. —After finally reuniting with each other, Basara decided to postpone speaking about the future arrangements for Maria and her mother. Tomorrow, Basara would ask Maria to contact the demons of the Moderates Faction, so that they could send someone here to pick them up. Although he heard from Takigawa that the leader of the Moderates Faction was against Mio and didn’t listen to dissuasion, they were searching for Maria’s mother; as soon as they knew that she had been rescued safely, someone would definitely come to visit. As for Zest, Basara planned to hand her over to the Moderates Faction to handle.

At Yuki’s insistence, she was currently being monitored in the living room, and there shouldn’t be a problem. Zest did not have any intent to resist, and said that she would listen to any of Basara’s commands. Basara personally wanted Zest to leave the control of Zolgear; after freeing her from the shackles of death, she wouldn’t be limited to the Current Demon Lord Faction or the Moderates Faction, she would be able to live her own life freely, but she had just lost the master that she absolutely obeyed, so the purpose of her life was uncertain and she couldn’t be left on her own. Therefore, although it wasn’t to protect her as a witness, Basara still thought that it would be better to hand her over to the Moderates Faction. However, it was a faction that she was previously hostile to, so there were doubts about her safety. In this regard, he had an arrangement with Takigawa to assist if necessary. Also — regarding the matter where Maria was threatened by Zolgear and obeyed him, Basara hadn’t yet decided on whether to tell them. To conceal the truth, or to speak the truth plainly, it was a difficult decision.

—But there was something that Basara, Mio and Yuki had already come to a consensus about, and made a conclusion. That was to protect their family member Maria at all costs. Maria betrayed Basara and the others as well as the Moderates Faction, only because she was under the stress of her mother being held as a helpless hostage, and no one was could punish her for that. Like in the past, Jin gave up his identity as a hero to protect his child. It was like how Basara vowed to protect Mio, who had been targeted unfairly and without reason. It was also like how Yuki gave up her mission so that she could protect Basara. This time was also the same, everyone would definitely work together to protect Maria. No matter how noble the purpose or mission was, by sacrificing precious people, people would suffer both physically and mentally, and that was something that Basara could not accept. The desire to protect Maria wasn’t because of a mission — but because she was a precious person in the hearts of everyone.

“…We will definitely protect you.”

Basara promised that with a whisper and then exited Maria’s room. When he walked up to the unlit corridor, he noticed that a girl was standing by the door to his room. Thus, Basara walked towards her and then softly asked

“What is it, Mio…you don’t need to rest?”

“…Un. I don’t really feel like sleeping.”

Mio calmly replied to Basara’s question. Seeing her quiet expression—

“I see…”

Basara naturally realised the reason why she was here, and said

“Well…then just chat with me until you want to sleep.”

Following a brief moment of silence, Mio nodded as a response to Basara’s suggestion. After Basara asked her to wait there for a moment, he went downstairs to the first floor. He then walked towards the living room where the lights were switched on.

“………………”

The living room was shrouded in the heavy silence of the night; the source of it was Yuki and Zest who were facing each other as they sat on the sofa. Yuki noticed that Basara had appeared, so she turned her head to ask

“Basara…how is it upstairs?”

“Ah, Maria is sleeping soundly, but it seems like Mio can’t sleep yet…”

“……I see.”

Upon hearing Basara’s words, Yuki expressed her understanding with a murmur. Perhaps, like Basara, she had also realised why Mio wasn’t able to sleep, because she was worried about Mio.

“…Yuki, won’t it be fine for you to take a break for a while?”

“Its fine, I’m the person in charge of keeping an eye on her. But—”

Yuki then asked

“Aren’t you going to rest…? Your injuries should be the most severe, right?”

That’s right — after enduring successive attacks from Maria, he also fought against Zolgear; and even before that, there was the fight with Takigawa that Yuki and the others didn’t know about. The one who suffered the heaviest injuries this time was undoubtedly Basara. However—

“There’s no need to worry, these probably aren’t critical injuries, or perhaps the wound medicine that you gave me is really effective…these injuries aren’t as serious as I thought.”

When he was enduring Maria’s punches, his whole body was in so much pain that it seemed like even his ribs were broken, but the pain was lessened greatly before he fought against Zolgear. After examining it when they returned home, he discovered that his ribs only had some slight fractures, it seemed as though the injuries that he received from Zolgear were unimaginably light. Since he drank the medicine that Yuki brought from [The Village], he should be fully recovered after resting for a few days. Even though Yuki also knew this, Basara had told her himself that his injuries weren’t serious. Then—

“I see…that’s good then.”

A tinge of comfort emerged on Yuki’s face, and she turned her gaze back towards Zest. Basara gently placed his hand over her shoulder, and said

“You don’t need to force yourself so much…I also won’t be sleeping tonight, so just call me if there’s anything.”

Then —

“—Instead of wasting your time on watching me, perhaps it would be better to get rid of me a bit earlier.”

Zest hadn’t given up on her own life, but she simply stated what the most realistic approach was. So—

“Zest, haven’t I said this before…you need to find your own way to live in the future, and we will help you to gain the time that you need. During that time, you should think carefully about what you want to do in the future.”

After listening to Basara’s persuasion, Zest fell silent for a moment, and then replied

“……I understand. I’ll do as you say, Toujou Basara.”

After expressing her compliance with a soft voice, Zest closed her eyes, and did not say anymore. Hence, Basara left Zest under the watch of Yuki, and returned to the second floor after preparing some drinks.

“In here… just find a place for yourself to sit.”

After Basara said that when he invited Mio into his room, Mio followed and sat on the bed. Then, Basara handed the mug that he was holding to her.

“I prepared some hot milk for you, you’ll find it a bit easier to sleep after drinking some to warm your body up.”

“…Thank you.”

After Mio thanked him, Basara asked her

“My room — is it really better?”

Talking in Basara’s room was Mio’s own request. Talking in the corridor wasn’t very good, but if they went to her room, she could sleep whenever she wanted, so it should be more convenient for her. But—

“Yes, I think that I wouldn’t be able to fall asleep in my own room.”

“Well, since you’ve said that…”

Basara then walked over to the chair beside his desk—

“———”

The hem of his T-shirt was suddenly grabbed by Mio. Turning around, he saw that Mio had her face down. Seeing that, Basara scratched his cheek, and had no choice but to sit beside Mio. The springs of the mattress absorbed Basara’s weight, and firmly supported him — it originally felt that way, but Basara could feel the edge of the mattress shaking slightly. Looking closely, Mio was shivering whilst sitting beside him. Thus, Basara gently put his arm around her shoulders, so that she would not spill the hot milk.

“—It’s okay now.”

Basara repeated those words again in order to reassure Mio, and Mio then ‘Mn’ nodded.

“…Sorry, to make you accompany me…”

She leaned her head onto Basara’s shoulder. —Mio, who had been kidnapped and fell into the enemy’s hands, had an uneasy mood before Basara and the others had rescued her, so it was not difficult to imagine. That’s why Basara was happy to lend his shoulder until Mio had completely calmed down. Before long, Mio finally calmed down, and started drinking the hot milk that Basara had prepared for her. When the bottom of the mug became clear, the two of them moved on to speaking about what would happen next. Finally, Mio placed the mug onto the bedside table, and said

“…I understand. We just need to speak with the demon from the Moderates Faction who’ll pick up Maria’s mother next, hopefully they won’t have to hurt the female demon called Zest, and it’ll be best if they don’t do anything strange to her.”

Mio quietly nodded, and confirmed idea that Basara brought up. In regards to this, Basara would also seek assistance from Takigawa, since having more insurance would be better.

“I’m sorry…to ask such a thing of you.”

Basara said apologetically. Protecting Zest, and protecting Maria were not the same thing. For Mio, forgiving the enemy Zolgear who had killed her parents was already difficult for her, and having to help his subordinate now was just rubbing more salt onto the wound. However, since this was something that only Mio could do, there was no choice but to ask her. However…the problem didn’t just encompass this. This time, Basara and the others had defeated Zolgear, who was a high-ranking demon of the current Demon Lord’s Faction. If they made more contact with the Moderates Faction, they would probably be seen as an even greater threat to the current Demon Lord Faction. Even if Mio gave up on getting revenge on Zolgear, Wilbert’s power which was inside her still did not disappear. In regards to the Moderates Faction, aside from the Mio’s uncle, who was the leader of the faction, it was highly likely that Mio, who defeated Zolgear would be considered as Wilbert’s successor; the worse scenario — would be if everyone became caught up in the middle of the dispute between these two demon factions. Considering this possibility, Basara couldn’t help but show a serious expression. At that time, Mio gently placed her hand over Basara’s hand, and said

“Basara…it’s okay, I don’t mind.”

The look in her eyes revealed her deep trust in him.

“Because, I have you guys accompanying me right now — right?”

Mio replied with a clear expression and tone, which caused Toujou Basara to look at her perplexedly. It was because the girl and her smile that he had vowed to protect were right in front of his eyes. Right now, the Mio who was smiling in front of him was proof that he had successfully protected her. But—

“———”

At the same time, some dark emotions welled up inside of Basara.

“…Basara?”

Mio seemed to notice that something was amiss, and worriedly raised her head as she looked towards Basara.

“…………”

Basara also watched her silently. To gain Mio’s trust — although he was happy, it also highlighted a truth that couldn’t be concealed. That was the danger that Mio didn’t have before she became involved in this, as well as the enemy, Zolgear, who had a countless number of girls as his playthings. If he had departed even a little later — Zolgear may really have taken Mio, with underhanded tactics that Basara couldn’t even imagine, tearing her apart until she was no longer human. —Also, the situation still hadn’t been resolved, in fact, it was just the beginning. There were definitely a lot of people who would try to act against Mio because of Wilbert’s power. There might even be some people who would be even more devious than Zolgear. But Basara would not allow them to act violently. No matter who wanted to take Mio away, Toujou Basara absolutely would not allow it. If such a day really came, it might be better — along with such thoughts, Basara’s consciousness had drifted to an unknown place. After grabbing the shoulders of Mio who was in front of his eyes—

“———”

Toujou Basara stole Naruse Mio’s lips.

At first, Mio didn’t understand what had happened. All of a sudden, she was kissing Basara. Such a sudden move— …Eh? Mio was momentarily unable to understand that it was a kiss or do anything else. However, in front of her was Basara’s face, with his eyes closed, and on her lips was the sensation of his warmth, so—

“!——…”

Mio finally understood that she was kissing Basara right now.

[[Image:Shinmai v03 287.jpg|thumb]]

In the middle of the night, and on the bed in Basara’s room — this was the scene of Naruse Mio’s first kiss. Mio clearly knew that she would one day give someone her first kiss — and she also had a feeling that that person would be Basara. When the master-servant contract activated, and Basara helped to relieve her, she also wanted to feel Basara on a deeper level, and almost kissed him on her own. If Mio really asked for it herself, Basara definitely would have responded to her request. —But in Mio’s imagination, she thought that Basara would be gentler when kissing her. Basically, Basara would not do anything that Mio would object to. Although he had once strayed into the dressing room and bathroom, and actually rushed over to cover her mouth to stop her from screaming, that was just a one-off thing. So even if Mio was angry then, she would forgive him. However — Basara was not like that at all right now, it was as if he couldn’t control his feelings and kissed Mio.

…This is…

Being so surprised that her whole body was tense, Naruse Mio thought in her mind that Basara was becoming more and more irrational. That was because Basara had done something similar in the past. —It happened just after they had made the master-servant contract, during the first time that they had a bath together. Back then, Basara had just reunited with Yuki; Mio listened to Maria’s suggestion in order to solidify her position, and used her breasts to wash Basara’s body; Maria brought the cake that Basara had bought into the bathroom, and when it accidentally spilled onto Basara’s body, Mio and her licked the cream off. Thinking about it now, that was something really bold. Only then, Mio blindly wanted to deepen the relationship between Basara and her — in the end, that caused Basara to lose his rationality, and he put all of the remaining cake onto Mio and Maria’s bodies, and then forcibly licked the sweetness off their bodies. Although Basara fainted in the middle of that situation from becoming overexcited, neither Mio nor Maria knew what would have happened if he didn’t faint, because Basara was that irrational at the time. After discussing it with Maria, they decided to tell Basara that all of it was just a dream. But — ever since that day, nothing like that happened with Basara again, which caused Mio to think that she had misunderstood…and she even thought that she might have been the one who was dreaming. But right now — Basara, who had lost his sense of rationality was before her eyes, taking possession of her lips. …W-Why…? This time, it was completely different to the daring things that she did with Basara in the bathroom. Mio simply didn’t understand why Basara suddenly became like this.

“——Mmn! No…w-wait…!”

Mio shrank back as she panicked, but she was careless and fell back onto the bed, and Basara then placed both of his hands on top of her chest while she was wearing her pyjamas —

“Wai—”

Without being given a chance to finish speaking, the buttons on the front of her pyjamas were undone and her breasts were exposed. She wasn’t wearing a bra, so her breasts bounced out, and lay in front of Basara’s eyes.

“Ah…”

When Mio realised that this was reality and cried out in surprise, Basara pressed her body down. He then held her tightly, and pressed his lips onto hers again. Mio, who was pinned down on the bed and being kissed—

“Fu! —Aahhh!”

Her entire body suddenly quivered underneath Basara’s as she let out a sweet voice, because Basara’s hands had started rubbing her bare breasts that had been exposed when he tore her pyjamas apart. Even if the aphrodisiac curse didn’t activate, after Mio’s breasts were caressed several times, she had already become so sensitive that she was afraid. As Basara rubbed and squeezed her breasts into lewd shapes while kissing her forcefully at the same time, Mio’s mind and body became completely paralysed, and she was unable to resist.

“!…Yah, waa…mnh, uh…ah…mn!”

Like in the past, Basara became even more forceful, and Mio didn’t dare to resist. Aside from the first time that they met, Mio had already submitted to Basara countless times, so even if she knew in her mind that she shouldn’t, she still closed her eyes naturally, and her body obediently accepted Basara. Then— …Ah…Mio suddenly felt Basara’s tongue trying to invade her mouth. Although Mio understood the consequences of accepting, she was unable to resist right now — she meekly parted her lips. Just a small slit was more than enough for Basara. Basara’s tongue instantly pried open Mio’s lips, and pushed straight into her mouth.

“Ah…mn…fu…um, nu…ya, mn…chu!”

As soon as she felt the heat and sensation of Basara’s wet and sticky tongue — Mio’s will almost faded. Before she realised, Mio’s tongue was also intertwining with his, and she became lost in kissing Basara. After a long kiss which nearly depleted her lungs of oxygen, Mio pulled her lips back slightly, and when she was finally able to breath—

“…I won’t let anyone take you away.”

She suddenly heard Basara’s whispered words.

“Basara…?”

Mio couldn’t help calling his name out — which caused Basara to quickly regain his consciousness, and notice Mio—

“! —S-Sorry! …I just…!”

Basara seemed to have returned back to normal, and he continued to apologise with a flustered face as he realised what he had done. The Basara who quickly turned around on the bed was the Basara that Mio knew.

“I’m really sorry! My mind suddenly went blank, and then…”

Mio covered her breasts as she stood up, and looked with surprise at the shape of Basara’s back as he desperately apologised—

“………”

A slightly playful smile drifted onto her face, because she heard it.

…Won’t let anyone take me away?

Basically, Basara wouldn’t do anything that would cause Mio to object. For Basara’s emotions to lose control to such a degree — it was because Mio was abducted by Zolgear, and almost reached the point of no return that such worries and desires were generated. Thus—

“……No. I will never forgive you.”

Mio held her laughter in as she said that. She had been given quite a surprise by Basara’s sudden actions, so making him think a bit wouldn’t cause the master-servant contract curse to activate. Finally, Basara asked with a distressed expression

“T-There’s really no way for you to forgive me…?”

“Well…fine, there is one way to make me forgive you — do you want to hear it?”

“O-Of course I do!”

Basara’s vigorous nodding caused Mio to laugh even harder; she then moved closer to him, and put her arms around him from behind as she said

“—Then kiss me one more time.”

After saying that, she pressed her lips against Basara’s back, and gave her reason for not forgiving him.

“In time you will know, in fact that you — don’t have to apologise for these things.”

She then closed her eyes—

“Please, Basara. If you don’t want others to take me away…then you should take me for yourself again.”

She waited for Basara’s response. After this kiss, the relationship between them would definitely change. Unexpectedly, Basara didn’t turn around.

“……Basara?”

Mio curiously opened her eyes, and saw the reason why Basara hadn’t turned around. Not knowing when it happened, Yuki was standing in front of Basara expressionlessly.

“Eh—…?”

Mio couldn’t stop herself from being shocked at this situation — Yuki quickly grabbed Basara’s collar and then forcibly kissed him. Wanting to compete with Mio, she extended her tongue into Basara’s mouth, and kissed him while intertwining their tongues. When Yuki finished kissing him and moved her lips away, Basara collapsed onto the bed fearfully, as Yuki began breathing heavily. Why was Yuki manlier? At that time, Yuki glared.

“…I thought you hadn’t gotten over your scare from being kidnapped, it seems there really isn’t a single moment to let my guard down.”

“W-Why did you come here…don’t you have to watch over the female demon called Zest?”

Mio was finally able to overcome her panic and asked that.

“You don’t need to worry, I also brought her over here.”

After Yuki replied as such, Zest quietly appeared from behind her.

“H-How did even you…how long have you guys been there!?”

“Since you said ‘I have you guys accompanying me’, Naruse Mio.”

“! …Then that’s a long time!”

“? You took advantage of my kindness and secretly seduced Basara, and now you have the nerve to get angry — what a fox.”

After Yuki dismissively said that, she wrapped both her arms around Basara’s neck, and with passionate eyes she said

“Basara…take me as well.”

“What kind of strange things are you trying to say in this confusion—!”

Yuki’s actions caused Mio’s anger to erupt, and she forcibly separated Yuki and Basara. When Basara’s room had suddenly become the location of a heated argument — Maria was silently standing outside the room. The succubus was particularly sensitive to the excitement in her surroundings. Her mother, who had been held hostage for a long time and still had a weakened mind was still asleep, whereas Maria had woken up before Yuki and Zest entered Basara’s room. —If this was in the past, Maria would have rushed in as a host to play around with everyone. That wasn’t just to protect Mio, but also to cheer Mio up, as her mind was always fixated on the sadness of her parents’ death, even if she didn’t show it. Maria knew that this wasn’t enough to redeem herself for betraying them under Zolgear’s coercion, and also hoped that she would be able to cheer Mio up more often. However, Maria, who was used to joining in—

“…………”

She stood at the door without saying anything. Since it had come to light that she betrayed Basara and Mio, she no longer had the right to join them.

…I think looking is…

Although Basara had said it in the past, that Maria could continue to stay around everyone like in the past; she planned to return to the Demon Realm along with her mother when the Moderates Faction came to pick her up. By Mio’s side right now was Yuki, who was more useful than her, and there were also guards that the Moderates Faction could send who would be stronger and more reliable than her, so there was no need for her to stay behind. After thinking about such things, Maria turned around to return to her own room — Basara rushed out into the corridor at this time, and as soon as he noticed Maria—

“M-Maria, you came at a good time! Come here!”

“Eh? …Umm…!”

Basara grabbed hold of the bewildered Maria’s hand, and dragged her into the room.

“Right now, their minds are in full drive, and they won’t listen to anything I say. Can you please think of a way to help me stop them?”

“What? No, you need me to do something in this kind of a situation all of a sudden…”

Mio and Yuki were facing each other; violent sparks were flying out in the air between them, both of them wore murderous expressions, and remedying this situation was simply a joke. But just thinking about it—

“—Please help me, only you can do it!”

“Eh……?”

When Basara said this, he probably wasn’t thinking about much. But, that wasn’t because he thought of her as a demon, rather, he said that because he thought of her as an indispensable family member. It wasn’t because she was the succubus Maria, it was purely because he saw her as Naruse Maria. Therefore—

“…………!”

While Maria couldn’t help but feel surprised by Basara’s words—

“Hee, this is interesting. Maria, you’re on my side, right?”

“You don’t need to be afraid of her threats. If you stand on my side, I’ll help you do erotic things to Mio.”

Neither Mio nor Yuki treated her as if she was an outsider. Showing that she could continue staying here — because everyone was a family. So — after both Mio and Yuki asked ‘Who are you helping?’ at the same time—

“! …Ah, well. W-Who it is…”

Maria rubbed the tears which were beginning to form in the corner of her eyes—

“Umm…Basara-san?”

“Hm…?”

Then, while taking advantage of the moment that Basara had turned his head towards her, she took him by surprise and kissed him.

[—————]

As if to create a truly unexpected situation, Maria wrapped her tongue around Basara’s in an even more intense way as she kissed Basara while Mio and Yuki looked on in amazement. Maria — no, Naruse Maria smiled with all the effort that she could. —Perhaps her redemption would remain unclear for some time. But, she had come back here after all. So she needed to atone bit by bit, until one day, this would be a true family of her own. Maria embraced this pledge in her mind—

“I’m not helping either side, because Basara-san is my onii-chan!”

When she said that with a wide smile on her face — an even more exaggerated cry and ruckus resounded within the Toujou household.

===Part 2===

—In this place, was a very heavy atmosphere.
It was dark, and none of the noise from outside could be heard — at the same time, it was also the cruel truth that none of the sound in here would leak to the outside. Thus —

“…Uh…guh…ahh…!”

No matter how much Zolgear groaned in pain while he was on the floor, there would be no one to rescue him. —After Lars attacked Zolgear when he fled, he didn’t take his life straight away. In order for him to get revenge for his comrades that he treated as siblings, Lars used a device which could restrain Zolgear by preventing him from using magic, and then took him to a place without any people, a place that seemed to be located underground. This was the hideout that he had prepared in case anything happened during his mission to observe Naruse Mio. Like this – Zolgear had been here for a few hours now. After going through both physical and magical torture, he was already on the verge of death.

“Kuh…ooh…gah, uh…ah…”

Zolgear was crawling on the ground, and his entire body was in so much pain that it felt like it was on fire. He had lost his right arm because of Naruse Mio, and his abdomen had been injured by Lars before he reached this place; that was nothing compared to his state right now in which many of his bones were broken and he was heavily bleeding everywhere. While in such an agonising state where it was difficult for him to move—

…I-It’s not over yet…

Zolgear still had not given up on escaping from this place. Perhaps Lars wanted him to feel pain for just a little longer, and did not continue to torture him. Thus, Zolgear gathered strength in his body, and became vigilant for an opportunity to escape. At that time.

“…Finally here.”

Lars suddenly said that with a low volume, and then turned around. Then, the sound of slow footsteps reverberated throughout the silent space.

“! …Who is it…?”

His imprisonment and torture here was only for Lars’ personal revenge, there was no need for a third party. After Zolgear moaned this question—

“No…actually, there was someone who said that they absolutely wanted to watch you die.”

Lars shrugged with a smile as he said that. After hearing that—

…Could it be…

Lars had previously said that there were many people in the Moderates Faction who admired Mio’s parents, among them, there should be who had adoptive parents like Lars, who were from the same orphanage. It was highly possible that he called people who similarly hated Zolgear to this place. —On the other hand, could it be Zest? Did she come to witness the fate of the man who called her trash and attempted to kill her?

It couldn’t be.

Zolgear suddenly felt a sharp feeling of anxiety in his heart. No matter who it was that came, there would be another pair of eyes watching him, which would greatly reduce his chances of escaping.

…No, not necessarily…

Nevertheless, Zolgear still did not give up on his chances of survival. If there were more people on the other side, it would also increase the opportunities for confusion when he made his move. If they came here with hatred, then they would be easily manipulated, and could lose their cool.

…I’ll wait and see.

The blood covered Zolgear secretly laughed and vowed to escape from this place, then slaughter all of the people who put him in this miserable state. Then, the visitor that Zolgear welcomed because he treated them as an opportunity—

“……W-What…?”

He was stunned by the person who finally appeared. That person wasn’t a demon from the Moderates Faction, nor was it Zest. In fact — it wasn’t even a demon. The one who appeared before his eyes was—

“…Toujou…Basara…?”

Zolgear cried his name out when he saw something that was unbelievable.

“———”

But Basara made a quick glance towards the dying Zolgear who lay on the floor and then walked over to Lars’ side and began talking to him whilst ignoring his existence.

“Sorry, Takigawa…I’m a little late.”

“As you say, Bassachi, I almost couldn’t stop myself from finishing it.”

“I’m sorry…getting away from Mio and the others was more difficult than I imagined.”

Seeing Basara’s apologetic expression, Lars made a wry smile as he said

“Come on…you were definitely doing some erotic things right? Geez, this handsome guy really makes people envious.”

“…Let me make it clear first, I was nearly killed by them.”

Basara then sighed. The scene of the two people having a natural conversation—

“…………?”

It caused Zolgear to raise his head from the floor in surprise. He was able to understand the reason for Lars’ actions. That was because Lars was the one who brought him here, and beat him up. —But Basara was different. Zolgear was stained with blood, his arm and legs were twisted abnormally, and he looked as though he could die at any time. Yet, Toujou Basara was still conversing with Lars calmly. It was simply too strange. Zolgear was unable to comprehend what was happening in front of him. At that time—

“I said before, I told you about the secret place where Naruse Mio was imprisoned and also rescued Maria’s family member, in exchange for the chance to personally kill you — but in reality, we had another agreement.”

Lars then began to explain what the current situation was.

“After this incident, Naruse Mio will eventually find out about my true identity, it’s just that — I accidentally stimulated her in the past, causing Wilbert’s power to go out of control, and also gave Bassachi a bit of trouble. Afterwards, although that guy started seeking my cooperation because of that incident, Naruse-san and Nonaka-san who adore Bassachi couldn’t do that. So, taking this into account, I needed someone to help cover me; and for that, it was most effective for Bassachi to take on that role.”

Then—

“In contrast, Bassachi wanted to eliminate the enemy that he let go because of the possibility that he would be threatened again — with this guy’s words, that probability would drop to zero.”

In other words—

“He wants to use his own eyes to see you when you’re completely dead.”

“! —You…you, how…!”

Zolgear raised his head in amazement. At that time, he finally made eye contact with Basara.

“———”

The look in his eyes was cold. The stare emitted from his eyes seemed to completely deny his existence—

“……!”

Zolgear’s heart almost froze, and he couldn’t stop himself from shivering.

…There was actually…such a thing…!

Zolgear began to curse his own miscalculations. I was too careless, I was completely wrong, how did I underestimate Toujou Basara — no, I completely misread him. He believed that he was just a good-hearted, and kind youth with a strong sense of justice — but that wasn’t the case, that youth wasn’t just kind. Zolgear had the opportunity to perceive this possibility.

[[Image:Shinmai v03 305.jpg|thumb]]

Zolgear really wanted Basara’s unknown elimination ability, and would naturally request that Maria tell him all of that information. He once allowed his power to lose control, which eliminated the bodies of his comrades, and also caused him to be exiled from the Heroes. After meeting the successor of the former Demon Lord who had inherited his blood, Mio, he picked up his sword again in order to protect her. Then — Basara, who had once suffered a tragedy, vowed that he would never lose anything precious to him again. In order to protect things as he had vowed, he would be as cruel as he needed to be, so he made this promise with sorrow. If someone with such determination joined hands with Lars—

“S-Since it’s like this…Toujou Basara…do you want to make a deal with me…?”

Zolgear desperately tried to win Basara over to his side.

“…If a high-class demon like me is kept alive…I’ll be able to get all sorts of information from the current Demon Lord Leohart-heika, or the other high-class demons who are part of the Council, I’ll be able to obtain secrets that would be impossible even for Lars here.”

So—

“As long as she still has Wilbert’s power, Naruse Mio will not be able to have a single day of peace…since protecting her is your first priority, you should realise that my information will be—”

Very useful. That was what Zolgear wanted to say, but he couldn’t say it. That was because Basara stared at him with such cold eyes that he found himself unable to continue. Next—

“Well, I’m already tired of seeing that rotten face, it’s about time to kill him — may I, Bassachi?”

“Yeah…”

After Takigawa obtained Basara’s consent, he slowly walked towards Zolgear. The moment of Zolgear’s death approached him step by step. Despite this—

“————”

Up until this point, Toujou Basara still had not spoken a single word to Zolgear. Cursing, contempt, ridicule, he didn’t give any of that. He simply watched Zolgear with silent, cold eyes; it seemed as if it was just as Lars had described, that he was here only to witness his death.

…Damn it! Then there’s no…there’s no way…!

Zolgear desperately looked for a chance of survival, but death was already in front of his eyes.

“! ——…!”

His eyes were filled with despair. The next instant — the shockwave that Lars released from his hand ended Zolgear’s long life.

===Part 3===

“—Zolgear’s spiritual reaction has disappeared?”

The Demon Lord Leohart had just visited the western region, and received this unexpected news when he returned to the palace. After Zolgear determined that there was value in digging up the newfound ruins, he thought that he had already fulfilled his responsibility and returned to his home; while Leohart continued to inspect the surroundings, he didn’t imagine that such a thing would happen.

“Could it be that…Zolgear is dead?”

Leohart walked down the corridor and asked with uncertainty.

“That is just the latest news that we’ve received, we’re still unclear about the details of the situation.”

The trusted Balflear who came to report this replied after standing up. —As the new Demon Lord, Leohart established the current Demon Lord Faction, which was currently the largest faction in the Demon Realm, but the interior was not united. Some people saw the young Leohart as a boy who couldn’t do anything, so they tried to manipulate him, and Zolgear was one of those who belonged to the hostile group. When Zolgear was the observer of Naruse Mio and took action against her, Leohart originally planned to sentence him to death, if his indulgence in greed and ambition continued to grow, he would one day become a threat that was impossible to ignore. Unfortunately, the Council that Zolgear belonged to protested against this proposal, and ultimately, he could only give the light punishment of suspending him from investigation. Then—

…What exactly happened?

According to Lars’ reports, Zolgear had some suspicious actions, but high-class demons like him were careful and powerful, so they weren’t people that would die so easily, which meant that there was definitely a large problem behind the scenes.

“Make a detailed investigation immediately, and report back at any time — go quickly.”

“—As you wish.”

As soon as Balflear received those orders and nodded, he immediately disappeared. Leohart continued to advance; he was saluted by the guards when he arrived in front of the doors to the throne room, and then pushed open the large and heavy doors.

“—Good work.”

After Leohart briefly said that, he stepped into the room. He then walked further into the room following the sound of the closing doors—

“————”

But on the way, he suddenly stopped, and then frowned. That was because he had discovered a situation within the room. —All of the guards in the room had collapsed on the floor, without a single exception. They weren’t dead, they had simply lost consciousness, and even their breathing was normal. But—

…More than twenty members of the guard had actually been defeated…

They weren’t just ordinary soldiers, they were bodyguards who specifically guarded the Demon Lord, and all of them were elites; these bodyguards had actually been completely defeated without the guards outside the room even noticing. It showed that this person’s actions were very secretive, and also that it happened in a very short period of time. As Leohart knew, there were only a handful of people who had such power.

“…………”

Just as Leohart increased his vigilance, and was considering whether or not to call the guards outside the door— he suddenly saw something — there was a man sitting comfortably on the throne that only he could sit on. Under normal circumstances, it would be impossible for Leohart to ignore such an offense, but the man in front of him was able to avoid Leohart’s attention while doing such a thing. It was complete stealth which even Leohart was failed to detect. With an ability like that, it would really be possible to defeat all of the guards without revealing his appearance or presence. At that time—

“You finally returned, new Demon Lord…huh? How strange, isn’t the Demon Lord too young this time?”

The man sat on Leohart’s throne, and said that with surprise after seeing Leohart. —In the Demon Realm, there wasn’t a single person who didn’t recognise what Leohart looked like. But this man clearly had a reaction which showed that he had never seen him before. Also — although it was their first meeting, Leohart was able to recognise the name and appearance of the man who didn’t know him.

“……Jin Toujou.”

“Heh, you know me? Even the new Demon Lord recognises my face and name, I really am honoured.”

Jin gave a soft laugh as he spoke after Leohart softly mentioned his name, and then—

“—Well, do you know why I’ve come here?”

Jin stood up front the throne, and stretched his neck as he said

“But what I have to say right now has nothing to do with me…my cute son, it seems like he fought quite hard over there, which makes me want to help him out as a father, so it would be nice if he could see me show off a bit. This is the so-called fatherly love.”

Subsequently, Leohart moved towards Toujou Jin. The man known as the strongest Hero in history then made a ferocious smile and said

“Thank you for looking after my kids — I came to return the favour.”

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| Back to [[Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha:Volume 3 Chapter 3|Chapter 3]]
| Return to [[Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha|Main Page]]
| Forward to [[Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha:Volume 4 Illustrations|Volume 4 Illustrations]]
|-
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</noinclude>

Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha:Volume 3 Chapter 3

2016-05-15T19:36:56Z

83.252.12.13:

== Everything for this Moment ==

===Part 1===

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 furnishings 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 attitude. 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 buttons of his shirt.

“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, unbuttoning all of what is in his shirt.

“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 circumstances 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 brushing 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 shimmering 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 surpassing Mio, and height more slender than Yuki, her sex appeal and atmosphere that became a little more mature surpassed 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. '''(!)'''

<center><big>＊＊＊＊＊＊＊</big></center>

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 butt 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 breasts 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 relationship was impossible from the start.

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

Finally, Maria gave Basara a definite order. Unleashing his instinct from his mind control,

[[Image:Shinmai v03 193.jpg|thumb]]

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.

Cherishing 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, pushing 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.

===Part 2===

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 Godspeed, 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 banishing 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 noble, 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 hell 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 banishing 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 '{{furigana|White Tiger|Byakko}}' 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 banishing technique of Basara, this mansion is in the space 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.

<center><big>＊＊＊＊＊＊＊</big></center>

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 gratitude 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 circumstances 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” '''(!)'''

=== Part 3 ===

—— 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/Banishing Shift, 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 circumstances, 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 Class 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 makeshift team. Their combination is questionable, and also, Zest’s ability was equal of the Spirit Lance 【{{furigana|Byakko|White Tiger}}】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 Takashi. And above all, Mio and Yuki had deepened further their relationships 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 【{{furigana|Byakko|White Tiger}}】.

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 assaulted 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 passed her.

…What was that just now…!?

Yuki was taken aback. It was probably earth-type magic. In Basara’s message, there was a “maiden”<ref>maiden here was 『処女』(shoujo) which also means virgin</ref> keyword that appeared regarding Zest as the accomplice. In the twelve signs of the Zodiac, 【{{furigana|Virgo|The Virgin}}】 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 balls 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 slashing 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.

Damn it, I’m too late.

“――This is the end”

Zest declared, unleashing all the magic for the finishing blow.

<center><big>＊＊＊＊＊</big></center>

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 relationship 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. <ref>she ironically said that (お生憎さまだ)</ref> 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 circumstances 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 relationship 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.

===Part 4===

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 – Class 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 relationship 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 assumed. 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 flustered 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.

===Part 5===

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 finishing 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 identities 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 reassuring 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.

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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 bastard? ''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.

[[Image:Shinmai v03 229.jpg|thumb]]

<center><big>＊＊＊＊＊</big></center>

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 his very own subordinate.

Basara who finished confirming the situation in an instant, materialized Brynhildr while running in full speed, plunging himself between Zolgear and Zest in a flash,

"–––––"

Wielded Brynhildr with both hands, and activated【{{furigana|Banishing Shift|Abysmal Execution}}】. While having high pitched shrills at the same time, the curse that was going to kill Zest vanished. And then,

""–––––Basara?!""

While hearing Mio and Yuki’s voice of surprise at the same time,

"Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooo!"

Basara without flinching even a bit from the high ranking demon Zolgear tried to stab him with Brynhildr.

With a high ranking demon as his opponent, Toujou Basara wasn't conceited to slip in without petty tricks. Aiming for a killer blow by a diagonal slash downward, he targeted the shoulder of Zolgear. But as the high speed slash leaving trails of white was about to get sunk towards Zolgear’s left shoulder,

''Gakiiiiiiin!''

At the last moment, it was blocked by a black sword that Zolgear created in his right hand.

"Hmph… not losing your calm in these situations, even connecting a feint is not bad."

But, Zolgear then smiled,

"The speed is fine, but with a feint of that level is unfortunately useless against me."

"……"

Basara grimaced, then as he cut the distance by jumping back from his previous position,

"However, to be able to nullify the curse of the instant death, I don’t understand the theory, but that’s a wonderful one."

Zolgear turned his eyes of great interest.

"And it also seems to be able to erase even my magical barrier… according to the report, the technique can only be executed as a counter, but it seems that it can also handle many applications and extend limits up to this degree."

"………"

Basara which was directed by his thin smile, poised Brynhildr silently in reply.

The speculations that Zolgear spoke of were correct.

––––【{{furigana|Banishing Shift|Abysmal Execution}}】is only possible to execute as a counter for the opponent’s attack. However, even with such handicap, enlarging the domain defined by the 【Attack】gave the move a new degree of versatility.

He made to be able to draw out 【{{furigana|Banishing Shift|Abysmal Execution}}】against the barrier of Zolgear a while ago from the inside, because it considered the isolation to the outside world as if【it had received an attack from the barrier】.

"Still, even you have succeeded in persuading Maria, coming alone in such a worn-out state… with the power of that fellow right now, your chances of defeating me had just become slim."

"… You have taken someone important from Maria"

Finally, Toujou Basara opened his mouth.

"As I face you, I recall all sorts of things, being shook up by a threat and being thrown into confusion. It’s too high risk for you to fight that guy right now."

Though Maria said that she wanted to fight together with him, Basara didn't allow her. Realizing her feelings, although he’s grateful, Maria had suffered Zolgear's blackmails for a long time. Plus, having a spiritual advantage, it would be easy for her to be manipulated. Even if she could transform to boost her power, if it cannot be unleashed, it is useless. In fact Maria won’t be able to kill Basara even though she had her family being taken hostage. The girl called Maria has a gentle heart. However, that gentleness is why Zolgear has the advantage. That’s the reason why Basara set Maria aside.

"I see. It appears that the head seems to be around in its own way."

Zolgear put up a larger smile.

"But I don’t understand… To go that far and help Zest who is your enemy, what are you scheming? Saving a dying person who is your enemy, have your chivalrous spirit gone mad"

"… Unfortunately, I don’t have such noble beliefs."

Basara said casually. To make it clear, Basara moved his sight to Zest who was looking at him in utter amazement,

"Well, she could be similar to Maria, who is made to follow you by force, too. If that’s the case, then she isn't our enemy. That is enough reason to help her."

"What a sweet thing… unlike your half-hearted plays from Naruse Mio and that girl over there, my and Zest’s contract are absolute. Similar to just now, a command to die is also included. If I give a command some other time, won’t you reconsider it again if she bares her fangs at you?"

"At that time, Yuki and Mio will hold her in check again."

Seeing her being bound up, Perhaps, while Basara is holding off against Maria, Mio and Yuki fought her and won. It’s the opponent who Takigawa referred troublesome. Zolgear is not a sham to a degree but a man befitting of considerable caliber, and though there is no guarantee that Mio and the others can win in a head-on fight, if she’s restricted with the rope, there won’t be a problem. However,

"–––– I’m sorry to say this, but that’s impossible."

Zolgear sneered in ridicule.

“Unfortunately, those two aren't in a condition to move right now… Well, that’s because I have bound them up already."

"Be careful Basara…… that guy uses some kind of odd magic!"

Mio shouted, Yuki next to her also shown affirmation in her bitter expression.

"It’s futile –––– no one can avoid my mental restraints"

And then, Zolgear's sharp gaze pierced through the whole body of Toujou Basara in an instant.

<center><big>＊＊＊＊＊</big></center>

Upon seeing Zolgear’s gaze, Basara was stuck in a pose while setting up Brynhildr.

"––––? Thi, this is……"

While in the midst of confusion, Basara tried to struggle to slip out from the bondage.

"What happened to your power a while ago? It’s kind of disappointing if you can't move at this degree."

Zolgear's mental bondage is neither an art nor magic. It is pure will similar to a mere hostility and killing intent transformed to disable an opponent. The intensity of the effect is directly proportional to the ability of the user.

"I heard that you’re the son of that Jin Toujou, and really look forward to it but… did he really threw away the title of being the strongest hero for the sake of such a son? I don’t know if it was a father's sentiment, but for a fool who was once called the war god to have stooped so low…"

Mocking at him full of scorn, he faced Basara who was at loss for words.

"Don't worry. Though I have no particular interests to keep such a man who is on the level of an insect alive with mental bondage, you with a rare ability is an exemption. I'm going to analyze those powers and make you mine, as well as Wilbert's power sleeping in Naruse Mio, too."

Zolgear walked a few steps in a slow pace,

"But first –––– how about showing me what's inside your head?"

As he said so, he stretched out his left hand towards Basara's forehead–––– then at that moment,

"––––?"
Zolgear jumped back in reflex, and the spot he was a while ago was mowed down by Brynhildr at the same time. As Zolgear landed on the floor lightly,

"Hou… You escaped from by mental bondage by force? Looks like you aren't really a burden to your father"

Zolgear grinned, while Basara looked down.

"You can say whatever you want to me… well as you see, I'm not that great"

However, with eyes filled with intense fury, Basara raised his head.

"But my father –––– Toujou Jin, I'll never ever forgive anyone who insults him… ever!"

Basara raised his sword and rushed unto Zolgear with no hesitation. Then,

"Is that so? Then, prove it to me right now."

Zolgear showed a coldhearted smile.

"–––– Bear this in your mind. Insects will still give birth to insects"

While saying so–––he charged in front of Basara.

<center><big>＊＊＊＊＊</big></center>

The truth is ––– Toujou Basara's ability was not on the level capable of freeing from Zolgear's mental bondage. But Basara was able to escape from Zolgear's rule as he applied his experiences in handling high ranking demons on the same level.

Five years ago, a Hero has been possessed by an evil spirit that drove the 【Village】into destruction. Mio had Wilbert's power ran wild last month. And then, Maria who had runaway transformed herself from her spirit form just a while ago.

Both of them have powers of S- and S class. Those are relative for Basara in fighting against the mental bondage Zolgear had cast.

–––But, the thing that moved Basara wasn't his experience.

It's the feeling that is burning up inside him.

His beloved younger sisters–––Mio and Maria were continuously being hurt by this man and continued tormenting their hearts. Added to that, Jin, his father whom he respected more than anyone ––– was insulted right in front of him.

Facing Zolgear, Toujou Basara changed his anger burning up his body into sheer power. He dashed three steps forward, accelerating even further from Zolgear's sword with proper timing, and leaped from the front. In an instant, he got into the back of Zolgear, and drawn out a horizontal killing blow. However,

"––––––Fuu"

Zolgear caught his attack by the black sword from his hand with a grin.

High pitched sounds of clashing metal resounded–––––– however, Basara had readied his own body for the next action even before the sounds were heard. Sliding on the stone-paved floor, Basara sprinted as he lowered his body, reducing his distance from Zolgear immediately.

"Uoooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo"

Basara connected a series of high speed attacks. Performing quick footwork at point-blank range consistently, he tried to stab different times in succession.

"I have said this already –––––– your speed isn’t bad. It is in a considerable level for human beings"

Zolgear praised, however he easily continued to parry Basara’s sword attacks at ease.

"Perhaps among the hero clan, no person can match your speed. That speed can pretty much overwhelm an opponent I say."

Unfortunately,

"These attacks that gave priority to speed has a nice look, but it's easy to read as it concentrates only to blind spots and taking your opponent off guard. These cheap and childish sword tricks can only be used against opponents of the same level"

With weapons reverberating constantly, Zolgear who keeps on receiving attacks,

“Aren't you taught by your father on how to use a sword? –––––– You are to use it this way”

In just a mere pause, he had cut through the openings between the sword attacks of Basara, swinging his black sword all the way to the bottom. Basara who received it with Brynhildr at once,

"Gah––––⁉"

Was thrown up right away from the heavy sword attack. Then, kicking the floor at once, Zolgear approached him,

"Kuh… You––!"

Basara who broke his stance forcibly swung Brynhild.

"To wave your sword in desperation like that ––– how unsightly"

As Zolgear drove with his jet black sword easily, Brynhildr was warded off without making any sound.

"Wha––…"

Not even making a sound of clashing metals, Basara stared in blank surprise.

"––Does this surprise you that much?"

Zolgear gave a scornful laugh and declared at a distance as he approached Basara.

"Don’t tell me… You haven’t understand the difference of our abilities yet?"

At the same time, Basara received a heavy blow to the back. He received a blow from the hilt of Zolgear's sword.

"Gaha…!"

The impact reached his lungs, Basara was deprived of his concept of breathing and fell on the floor.

"…––––Kuh!"

His feet made a landing barely. As he was about to fall down, he thrust his knee on the floor with irregular breathing.

Then, Zolgear’s sword was wrapped in dim light.

"Let me have you taste the flames of hell––––"

As Zolgear said so, dark flames were released as he swung his jet-black blade. He approached at once while burning down the whole atmosphere from an empty space.

"Kuh––––Uoooooooooo!"

Basara countered with 【{{furigana|Banishing Shift|Abysmal Execution}}】at once–––––however it wasn't enough, as it was barely repelled. Then, when the remains of the black flame Basara countered reached the floor, it created a simultaneous chain of explosions.

"Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah!"

Basara wa blown off by the impact and was flung to the floor about ten meters away from that spot.

"––––Basara!"

Yuki cried out loud–––that voice barely joined Basara’s consciousness altogether.

"Kuh……uh……ah……!"

Basara stood up in desperation. He couldn't afford to fall down now.

He has a precious family that he needs to protect. He couldn't afford to lose those important to him.

He couldn't allow his precious sisters and his childhood friend to be stolen from him––––Therefore,

"…………"

Wiping the blood in his lips by the back of his hand, Toujou Basara faced in front. Zolgear who already landed from the air to the floor was looking at him in anticipation.

"That’s a good one… to be able to scatter my flames even from a bad angle. That technique sure is wonderful."

"When I have gotten Wilbert’s power ––––The new king of the underworld will be me."

"…I won’t let you do such thing!"

''I won’t let this man do as he wanted!''

Speaking words of rejection, Basara charged in front again.

===Part 6===

It was a fight that they could never afford to lose. And yet,

''…KUN!''

Toujou Basara’s impatience and frustration intensified. In terms of speed, he is superior. Attack speed, movement speed, reaction speed––––in every aspect he is better than Zolgear.

––still, not a single cut was made by his sword.

Zolgear kept on dodging the attacks that Basara gave and easily dealt it with ease. He passed through all his attacks, read his feints, and handled his speed with composure.

There was an overwhelming difference in abilities that his speed alone is insufficient to reach.

Moreover –––as Maria had said, Zolgear can also use countless powerful magic besides sword fighting.

The black flame a while ago is magic. He applied magical power to the blade and shot it through. Even though he’s messing around with sword plays, if he used magic, it will be over. However,

"Even so, I cannot lose here…!"

As an elder brother, as a childhood friend, and as a son–––Toujou Basara wanted to protect them.

The man before his eyes is trying to deprive him of his important ones and taint them.

He cannot forgive such a thing.

…Besides,

Even in overwhelming disadvantage, the situation is still better. Zolgear is cautious of 【{{furigana|Banishing Shift|Abysmal Execution}}】 that was made to save Zest. In addition, to acquire Basara’s ability, he’s trying to choose the best option to capture him alive. The way things really are, there is a faint hope among the hopeless difference in their abilities–––Therefore,

''…Please, hold on…!''

As Basara persuaded his own body, he changed his fighting style.

This style is contrary to the speed types that avoid useless movements. Using it in the battle against Takashi who excel in wielding the Spirit Lance【{{furigana|Byakko|White Tiger}}】, it makes an opponent incapable of reading your moves by giving away too much useless movements and recklessly charging ahead at full speed, a way of fighting that is almost similar to a reckless rampage. However,

''…A little is all I need…''

If he were able to drive Zolgear into a corner, even by a slight chance, then it’s possible to defeat this guy. So,

"––––––"

Putting his body into the domain of hyper-speed, Toujou Basara began charging at Zolgear.

"Hou…!"

To Zolgear who seemed to be delighted as he saw, Basara drove a continuous attack that combined both irregularity and eccentricity. On the other hand, as Zolgear dealt with the combo of attacks that Basara gave,

"So a non-strategic suicide attack eh …? Your way of resistance pleases me to the end."

Still smiling with composure, he cut off Basara’s attacks.

––––But, from here on, Basara accelerated. Afterimages are slowly appearing, series of attacks are connected, and began to surpass Zolgear’s defenses that he took pride of. And then,

"Seeeeeeaaaaaaaaa–––!"

Tearing apart his robe along with his scream, Basara apparently caught Zolgear.

Starting from his shoulders a small rip ran around Zolgear’s battle clothes.

''…I can make it…!''

Even his consciousness was about to dim the moment the sword reached, Basara had found light.

"Impressive… Even though I had ground you to this extent, you still managed to lay a blow on me."

Zolgear smiled in admiration,

"––––Now then, How about this?"

The moment he said that–––– Zolgear's figure disappeared as if it was swallowed by the void.

"Wha–––!?"

Basara was caught in a surprise. Zolgear's presence, let alone his terrifying aura of magical power has completely vanished.

With a severe expression, Basara set up Brynhildr and focused his eyes at his surroundings.

"Hah–––?"

The moment he felt a presence, it was too late.

"Ga,hah……ah…ha…!?"

Basara's neck is grasped by an invisible hand, and his body was lifted to the air. And then,

"You can make use of the speed you are proud of to disappear from the eyes of your opponent, yet you can't do anything when the other party disappeared from your view? How disappointing… "

A voice full of ridicule was heard from the thin air before his eyes. While grabbing his neck so hard that it might broke anytime,

"Guu……Ku, Oooooooooooooooooo!"

Toujou Basara swung Brynhildr with great force to the space in front of his eyes.

"––––Whoops!"

However, his body was thrown, his back hitting the floor forcibly. With a roar, a crater appeared on the stone-paved floor behind Basara.

"Gaah……uh…!"

Raising his voice in agony from the impact, acute pain ran all over his body. Still, he rolled to his left with haste. At the same time,

''GAKIIIN!''

An invisible blade pierced the floor from where the right shoulder of Basara had been.

"Hahaha, You avoided that well, that's good, but not so."

"–––There!"

As Basara rolled sideways, he kicked the floor and stabbed towards the place of origin of the voice.

He aimed at his feet. If the opponent is superior at stealth, one way to defeat it is by disabling his movement. However, when Brynhildr drew a horizontal slash, Basara only cut through thin air.

On the contrary, he received a blow coming from his right that seemed from a sword hilt.

"Guhah! Guh…huh…."

He received an impact from his torso, stumbling back by a step or two. Almost fainted in agony from the hit in his trunk earlier, Basara clenched his teeth in rejection and still tried to stand up. However,

"Have your fast legs that you're proud of stopped working? If so, then behave and fall down. It will be much easier"

At that moment he said that with a grin, Basara lowered his head in pain.

"Gah–––!?"

Receiving a blow from the back of his head, his body pitched forward.

––––But, this was enough for Toujou Basara to fall unconscious.

In addition to that, before engaging with Zolgear, Basara had already taken so much damage in order to persuade Takigawa and Maria. Even a blink would make Basara’s eyelids be closed for eternity.

However–––Basara who fell sideways, had his eyes almost shut, and then he saw. The two girls who shouted on top of their voices towards him.

Mio and Yuki.

"––––!"

Basara couldn't hear what the two are saying. As if all of the sounds were gone from the world. Probably because the damage he received was too much, his sense of hearing was temporary paralyzed. However,

"––––!"

Mio and Yuki desperately called out something. Towards Basara, they shouted on the top of their lungs.

Toujou Basara couldn’t hear it. He couldn't hear even a tiny bit of voice from the two. But,

"––––!"

When the two finally stopped their words, they looked at his face that seemed like they are about to cry.

"Kuh……O, Ooo…!"

Clenching his teeth, Basara stood up.

It's because he remembered. The reason why he is fighting, the reason why he must not lose here.

The sense that was born first was his acute pain. The pain lead Basara to regain his five senses again.

"So you can still stand huh… Coming up to this point, is no longer bravery, but plain stupidity."

With a happy tune, Zolgear suddenly appeared before him at once.

"…………"

Basara fixated his eyes on him in silence. Then,

"You’ve got good eyes. Eyes full of willful thoughts of your unwillingness to hand yourselves over–––then, I shall trample those thoughts for you."

Zolgear expressed a cruel smile.

"I will show those eyes of yours the true meaning of despair…"

In a second, Zolgear vanished again. However, Toujou Basara didn't move.

Basara closed his eyes, and the concentration of all his other nerves have been raised to the maximum.

''…Maybe.''

In his present condition, being able to swing his sword this time maybe his last.

''––I must not miss this time.''

Aiming for a single blow, Toujou Basara prepared his stance.

Slipping out excess force from his whole body, he arrived into a speed reaching like an act of god.

Zolgear’s figure and his presence cannot be felt. Being able to completely erase his own existence, perhaps, it is a skill that crosses dimensions or something. But still, there is only one chance to catch Zolgear. And that is,

''…the exact timing Zolgear attacks me…''

It was to aim at him in a flash. Zolgear’s attacks couldn’t be avoided until now. However, Basara didn’t think about evasion anymore. If the other party uses an ability to cross dimensions, It is impossible to avoid it no matter how he moves. Then one should not choose evasion, but a flash counter ahead as an option. Suddenly––––To the tremor in the atmosphere that was felt behind,

Toujou Basara twist his body faster with a spinal reflex, and paid all out in his single blow.

The horizontal killing slash caught the invisible Zolgear from thin air.

As Brynhildr’s slash was driven in––––Toujou Basara gave a positive response.

"Ah……"

At that moment–––he became dumbfounded.

Brynhildr surely hit the torso of Zolgear.

However, it didn't reach. The spot was protected by a protective barrier by a very small gap.

''––––just a few millimeters more.''

If he could only set their distance to zero, Basara might have been victorious from here. However, the distance that is only from zero to several millimeters, seemed to be a cruel distance between zero and infinity.

“That's right–––I really wanted to see those eyes.”

The moment his dark smile is heard, Toujou Basara was flung against the wall at his rear.

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With just a glance of Zolgear, Basara was crashed on the wall and fell on his back. –––but, he couldn't stand up. A sword attack of Zolgear threw Basara off behind, completely separating his consciousness from his body––––––which was only natural. However,

"Basara......, Basaraaaa!"

Being bound by mental bondage, Mio cried out Basara’s name. Then,

"……uu……"

Basara moved with a slight groan. Even though the armor in his right hand crumbled, he didn't let go of Brynhildr.

"Having this much vitality to move for an insect…I’m impressed by your willpower."

Grinning, Zolgear began walking slowly towards Basara.

That time.

"––––Don’t move"

A cold voice was heard behind Zolgear.

It's not Mio. It is not Yuki. And no––––It wasn't Zest either.

''––––Then who is it?''

Zolgear understood. Then he smiled.

The one talking at his back is none other than…

"I knew you would come… the boy is only a decoy, and the real thing is you, right Maria?"

===Part 7===

Still smiling, Zolgear turned his back and faced Maria with composure.

On the other hand, Maria was also in a calm and composed state, and said:

"…You’re wrong. In fact, Basara didn't want me to come."

However,

"I’m not the type to wait while others are fighting––––and it’s also because Mio-sama and I aren't fated to be yours in the first place."

She told so, and glanced at Mio from her distance.

"You…are Maria, right…?"

A voice of surprise was leaked at her figure, which transformed herself into her mature form. Being silent because of the guilt after deceiving them, she glanced at Mio and Yuki apologetically but only for an instant.

"––––Hou. I knew it, that figure of yours is truly beautiful."

At that instant, Zolgear gazed back towards her.

"––––––––––"

As soon as she saw Zolgear's creeping glance that seemed to lick her all over, Maria jumped back in panic.

"Though I don't usually have even a little bit of desire towards young people, you right now made me quite excited. But even if I order you to transform yourself several times after coming to follow me, that would be impossible because it is a one-time use technique……or was that a lie as expected?"

"……I would rather die than become your partner at night"

Maria spat out in disdain.

"I really cannot understand a habit of a wild succubus having a sense of virtue… then, you who kept on feigning ignorance, with your family's life on the line, why is it that you are in your transformed state right now?"

Zolgear shook his shoulders feeling happy.

"Do you want to become a woman at least, because you failed making the boy deprave you ––––Or, you think transforming yourself and keeping your original form would allow you to escape the guilt from your betrayal?"

"I don’t have any more rights to expect such a thing. I had appeared to stop Basara from acting recklessly."

And,

"My purpose coming here in this appearance––––was to kill you."

She declared in an icy tone.

"Me, killed…? Surely, you are able to fight me on face to face, but not this time."

As if gauging her ability, Zolgear spoke.

"However, a considerable amount of time has passed after you transformed. In that condition, you can only last for a few minutes. In such a short time, you intend to kill me who is even more powerful that you?"

"We won't be able to find it if we won’t try"

"No, I already knew. You cannot kill me… have you forgotten?"

Saying so, Zolgear snapped his fingers.

Then–––––on the screen at the wall to the right, a video footage of a prison was projected. There, a member of her family was reflected.

"––––––!"

Maria held her breath instinctively, then her face turned bitter.

"Now then, I will let you choose… Naruse Mio and that girl over there to become mine, betraying your master together with the Moderates faction that was supposed to save you, or see your family die?"

As he said so, Zolgear revealed a vulgar smile.

He has taken the hostage in some unknown remote place. It was a hopeless situation. However,

"…I refuse all of them."

Maria, enduring her heart to succumb in desperation glared at Zolgear.

It's because of what Basara had said to her. Because he will save her by all means, Maria shouldn't give up either.

And–––––thanks to Basara, a ray of light remained in this desperate situation. That is,

"I will defeat you here, and look for my family afterwards. For sure, that woman over there know their whereabouts."

Not taking a move yet, Maria took a glance at Zest. She was told as useless and has just been ordered to die, so there's no reason for her to follow Zolgear's orders anymore. Even if Maria asked, it may be impossible, but if Basara who saved her life asked, it is. Then,

"After defeating me huh? …unfortunately, that's impossible."

From those words, Zolgear couldn't help but laugh.

"How can you declare that sort of thing so casually? As for the limit your appearance will last, it is only a little more time–––with me as of now, one serious hit would kill you."

To that, Maria got into a pose, lowered her waist lightly, and broke into a run.

"Nay… Even if you are in that state for a long time, I say that it’s impossible for you to save your family after defeating me."

The moment Zolgear said those words ––––The video footage on the wall suddenly changed.

"Eh……?"

Maria was dumbfounded for a moment. Having projected onto the wall, was the prison covered with blood. And the figure of her family that was reflected a while ago can't be found anywhere.

Zolgear with a heartfelt expression said:

"The moment I snapped my fingers a while ago, was not to start the projection the video footage. It was the motion key to activate the super-electromagnetic radiation device of the jail where your family was. The video footage a while ago, is the result of what had just become." He said in disappointment.

"But you should be grateful. Though I exposed a horrible way of dying, there is no time to suffer. After all––––––the body exploded in an instant."

He said so as he continued projecting the video footage at this moment.

"––––––––"

Particles of innumerable purple lightning has risen in the surface of the jail, engulfing Maria's family in a state of panic, then swell like a balloon in surprising swiftness, and exploded–––––into a thousand fragments of flesh and blood.

"Aah……Aaaaahhh……"

In Naruse Mio's line of sight, Maria leaked a trembling voice of aghast.

Losing all her willpower, both of her knees slowly got down on the floor, rose colored particles wrapped Maria, and the next moment, her body returned to that of the original young girl.

Feeling the despair of witnessing her family’s death, the last power that remained in Maria was lost. If it was the usual Mio, she would rush up to Maria and support her. It doesn't matter even if she had been deceived. If her loved one has gotten hostage and was threatened, it couldn't be helped.
''
–––––But the present Mio wasn't able to rush up to Maria.''

Mio's eyes were also nailed down to the video footage that has been showed to Maria. The death of Maria's family resembled the way her foster father is killed while confronting Zolgear for the sake of Mio's safety.

The memory of that day was inevitably revived.

In Mio's mind, the scene when her adoptive parents were killed flashed back clearly.

"Aaah……Aaah, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa––––––!"

As Mio's feelings burst out, red waves that swelled up inside her went loose.

=== Part 8 ===

"Splendid…"

Upon witnessing the power of Wilbert running wildly inside Mio, Zolgear exclaimed. A deep red wave extended around her, making the atmosphere rumble intensely.

And then––––the waves produced a gravity storm and focused on a single point, seeming to swallow everything within its grasp. With a shrill sound, the bright red waves Mio produced was dispersed.

At the same time, vast magic circles appeared along the walls, the floor and the ceiling.

"––––––all appeared according to my calculations"

Zolgear who succeeded in completely confining Mio's power, said so and laughed in a grand manner.

––––––For the power gravity magic of Wilbert that sleeps inside Mio,

Zolgear performed elaborate preparations to obtain it. Collected information are poured into his mansion.

Zest examined the numerical values in Mio’s battle against Lars in the park the other day, prepared the magic field, and finished the adjustments.

The switch to make Mio’s power run wild was also predicted to this extent, too. The important thing is to make her experience a similar scene when her parents are killed like in the video footage, and that should do it.

The video footage some time ago could be replayed, and if anything, a human being and a devil will do as a sacrifice. If it works and the power runs wind again, awakening its full power will be in no time.

––––The only difficult part is, deploying the anti-magic field consumes a large amount of magic power. This time Zolgear’s magic power was used, but it is as what you expect of the power of the strongest demon king. Though Zolgear was confident in his amount of magic power, it has made to consume most of his just by having suppressed it once.

…However.

Zolgear suddenly smiled.

This time, he can use the absorbed magic power that was suppressed from the current rampage to the device for the next one. It only has to repeat the rampage and absorption afterward.

"The goal to obtain the power of Wilbert was within my sight…"

Zolgear examined over again. After the rampage, Naruse Mio’s stood still with hollow eyes.

Probably it was impossible for her to retain consciousness after releasing all that magical power inside her body.

However––––in spite of such state, Mio was beautiful.

But then,

"Well then––––shall I show you much more?"

Thoroughly satisfying her beauty, Zolgear stretched out his right hand to tear apart Mio’s clothes.

"Nn––––…?"

''But the hand disappeared.''

"––––––Guaaaaa! My hand, my hand! –––"

As he pulled back his right hand while grimacing in pain, his right arm was already gone up to his shoulder.

––––and then, Zolgear finally noticed.

At Mio, who is standing still––––the surrounding atmosphere was shaking.

"…This is… no way!"

Zolgear, who unleased the power of Wilbert inside Mio, understood why it was alive while being in the center of the gravity storm. As if he cannot believe what is happening, he cried:

"Was the gravity waves that didn't let through created a space distortion? Did it create a barrier of high temperature in the surroundings……!?" '''(!)'''

Probably, this is the original power of Naruse Mio.

Sleeping in the shadow of Wilbert, was Mio's true nature that cannot be warped by any existence.

And then, the moment he thought so, Zolgear held his breath in shock. The cause–––Naruse Mio, turned her hollow eyes onto him.

<center><big>＊＊＊＊＊</big></center>

The time has come.

Despite of the powerful force running wildly around her whole body, Naruse Mio was calm and composed.

"–––––"

Naruse Mio, while staring at the man in front of her eyes, longed for this day to come.

––––One day, her parents were suddenly killed. She was told that she was not a human but a demon. She kept on convincing herself that it was a lie, but the truth was thrust to her–––almost crushing her to despair and uneasiness, but still, she was able to make it somehow. To avenge the enemy who murdered her adaptive parents––––this man in front of her eyes, was her earnest desire.

She was confident her wish will finally be fulfilled at last.

If it's her present self–––obliterating the enemy in front of her would be no effort at all. Therefore,

"Sto-Stop it……"

Seeing her enemy frightened, she raised her hands in a quick motion.

''No problem. I can erase him completely without a trace. Because I––––I have lived for this sake. I will defeat the enemy of my parents right now.''

Thus, intending to eradicate everything, Mio created waves to erase him whole.

"I cannot allow this, Mio."

This time––––––a soft voice was heard, completely restraining her actions.

=== Part 9 ===

While dragging his injured legs, a dull, heavy pain reached his sides.

Still, Toujou Basara called out to Mio’s back that was before his eyes.

"Stop… You mustn’t kill him."

"…why?"

Without looking back, a question came. It was a low, dark voice that is far from the usually bright Mio. This face of hers wasn’t seen by Basara. But, he was sure––––––she had that expression that he would never allow her, this present Mio to do it. And then,

"This guy is father and mother’s enemy… This guy, he killed them in front of me."

"…Yeah"

To Mio who is still not looking back, Basara returned a bitter nod.

"I have lived to take my revenge to this bastard, to kill this bastard!"

"Yeah, I know…"

That’s why, Mio:

"If you understand......Why did you say "don’t kill" ?"

"––––––––––"

To that cold voice, Zolgear's whole body shook in fear. Yuki and Zest held their breaths, too. Powerful and intimidating. In addition to Wilbert's power, Mio's potential has also let loose, a pressure suitable to be called a demon king's level.

However–––––Toujou Basara still told her. With a firm and strong voice,

"But I––––this revenge of yours, I didn't wish for your future to be bound up by this."

These words, which Basara had said, was a wish that he held from the bottom of his heart.

––––––The enemies of her parents were defeated. Being released from the suffering, she should have a peace of mind.

Being obtained her long cherished wish, it should provide her a sense of fulfillment.

But, if Mio intended to take revenge on her parents’ enemies, it will all end here. Other than the fact that her parents were killed, nothing will be left other than the fact that she killed the enemy.

Of course, a big regret will remain in Mio if she doesn't kill Zolgear here.

However.

That regret of hers will be healed by Basara, Maria and Yuki whom were close to her.

But if not, she won't be able to erase the fact that she had done. Before, Toujou Basara let his ability run wild once, his past where he erased the bodies of his companions couldn't be the same anymore. If Mio were to kill Zolgear here, this truth will never be overturned.

If Mio were to kill her own feelings and gave priority to complete her mission above all––––––if she acquired training of the Hero Clan, he might not stop her.

–––––––But, Mio is not so.

In reality, she's not straightforward, but is actually gentle. She's acting brave and all, but the truth is she isn't strong. Even that she had inherited the Demon King's predecessor’s power, even that she could use strong magic,

Toujou Basara is sure–––––Naruse Mio is still a normal girl.

For that reason, Basara wanted to protect her.

From everything who will hurt her. Therefore–––––if Mio is going to hurt herself,

He will protect her even from her own self.

Therefore, Toujou Basara said again. He intended to repeat this no matter how many times.

"Mio, if you kill him–––––you will only achieve a sense of liberation from revenge for a moment, followed by eternal despair. The life of this guy… you don’t need to carry it in your back and suffer this burden."

Basara pleaded.

"Because I will protect you…from the hatred of losing your parents, from the regret of overlooking this fellow, I will protect you from all of them, even to those that seemed to be impossible. I’ll spend every day being near with you from now on…I will lighten it little by little."

In a soft voice, but filled with strong emotions he wanted to convey, He told to the girl whom he cherished so much.

"……………"

Then, from Basara's words, from a long silence Mio gave,

"…Then, give me an order."

She said, turning around and looked back towards him.

And cried out.

"Primarily under the contract, I who am your subordinate, "Don’t kill him", "Give it up", give me an order to do so. Then I, to Basara–––––to Onii-chan, I will follow."

She squeezed out those words in a tragic but brave voice. However, Basara refused to remain silent.

"…No way. If you are saved by that then I will order you as much as I need to. However, we cannot return to being a brother and sister anymore if we did that. It will be impossible for us to return back to being a family."

I hate that.

"Right now I am not a hero. And, if this is a mission, these flashy words cannot protect you anymore." However,

"But as a family, as a big brother, as a man–––––I will protect you."

With those words that contain what he truly desire, Toujou Basara hugged Naruse Mio.

"I’m sorry for being unreliable……but still, let me protect you."

As he touched Mio, the people around them held their breath at once. This is because they have witnessed Zolgear vaporized his arm in a similar way in front of their own eyes.

But––––Toujou Basara informed his own body that there is no need to worry. The barrier of high temperature surrounding Mio didn't exist anymore. When she turned around with a face that seemed to cry anytime, Mio had already calmed the rampaging of her power. Later on––––––by the words that persuaded her, he waited for the opportunity.

––––––Then, Mio was hugged into the arms of Basara, and before long, began quivering her shoulders.

It grew louder and louder. Before she knew, the cries overflowed.

"–––––––––––"

With her parents murdered, it revealed her real nature and a wailing girl who was trapped in her own despair of cruel reality and revenge was born. The sorrow of Naruse Mio, those feelings that she couldn’t stop, formed tears and overflowed. As such, Mio, her precious family––––––Toujou Basara kept silent, and continued hugging her.

=== Part 10 ===

The backslash of her power running wild has seemed to hit.

Mio fainted into the arms of Basara after a short while, as Yuki observed. At the same time,

"–––––––––––"

The figure of Zolgear who had crouched on the floor dissolved into thin air. He used this chance and escaped in an instant. Nonaka Yuki reacted immediately.

"–––––I won’t let you escape!"

She tried to pursue him at once, but,

"There is no need for that, Yuki…"

Basara that held Mio gave words of restraint. However, Yuki didn’t understand.

"Why…… that guy hurt Basara and everyone. Besides, he is also obsessed with you two. As soon as he have healed his injury, he will surely come back again. Plus, that man, to Maria–––––."

"It’s okay…"

However, the moment Basara gave words of relief,

"––––––Maria"
A voice sounded like a child called a name, and Maria was the first to respond.

Everyone followed where the voice came from, then the young succubus came up running to the entrance. With overwhelming surprise filled her heart for a moment, Maria jumped onto the succubus that was even smaller than her.

"How……?"

Feeling the warmth of her family whom she have thought would have died, Maria was stunned by that fact.

"–––didn't I say that I’m going to save you?"

Basara said.

"There is someone who lent his power to us. Before Zolgear tried to kill this child, he was able to save her somehow. The one that have died was only a dummy to be precise."

"A dummy……"

For Maria who doesn't believe in miracles,

"Yes. For that I’m alright…… Thank you, Maria"

With a reliable warmth surrounding her arm, it came to tell her that the miracle is real. With a soft voice,

"Until now, they have made you suffer for a long time. For that, I’m very sorry……"

From those calm words, her small head was raised, and with a trembling body and a shaking voice, Maria which is deeply moved, said

"……Mother……"

It was a deep heartfelt reunion. Still, there is a word that couldn't be avoided.

……Mother?"

Yuki knitted her eyebrows in reflex.

Then, the smiling young succubus beside her is…

"Oh my, I apologize for the slow introduction. I am Maria’s mother, Shera. I’m grateful for you helping my daughter."

"Ha, Well… that is……it's our pleasure"

With a slightly perplexed look, Basara also bowed, although he gave a hand to help her out, he doesn't seem to know about it and the fact truly shocked him.

Also, Yuki wanted to hear the circumstances including the matters of the 'Collaborator' that Basara said.

"Well……I’ll tell the details later."

That idea was renewed from Basara's words. Well, there is certainly one thing that they should be doing right now. That is,

"First of all, let’s find a way out of this place. Zolgear may have a device or something in this mansion."

From his words, Yuki and the others who were in the place nodded. Then, Basara,

"––––Zest, you’re going to come with us, too."

Unlike Zolgear who ran away, she was prepared to accept what kind of treatment they will do to her, they told to the beautiful demon who have remained quiet till now.

"Though there are a lot of stories I want to hear… we'll discuss about what you will do from now on."

Then, in front of Yuki's eyes,

"…Got it. I will abide your orders, Toujou Basara."

With an obedient nod, Zest said so.

"This life whom you, an enemy, saved–––––––Please decide what will be the use of me"

=== Part 11 ===

Something dark crossed the space of a bedroom that night.

The moment Mio fainted, Zolgear succeeded escaping before Basara's eyes.

"How dare she, to my arm…"

As the pain of losing his right arm gradually became severe, Zolgear spitted out words of grudge.

"I – I won’t forgive you… I will never forgive you. I'll destroy you together with this mansion. As soon as this wound is restored and my magic power recovers, I will give you despair more panful than death…"

Zolgear cursed with a voice shaking with anger. As darkness entered his eyes once again, he leaped from the midst of his bedroom basked in moonlight.

"―――GAAAAaaaahhh!?"

However, he received a direct hit of an explosive flame magic and was blown off outside the bedroom he just entered. The explosion greatly ripped off his right flank.

"……Gah, Guuh… Wha……?"

As Zolgear who rolled to the round looked up, a shadow suddenly emerged from the darkness.

And then―――as the shadow made a single step, the moonlight illuminates it, revealing its face. That is,

"La – Lars…?!"

Zolgear spoke in aghast.

"Well, well, well. It’s been a long time, Marquis Zolgear. Oh my, what happened to you?"

Lars floated a cold smile and looks down in a calm manner.

"Why is a gentleman like you…groveling like an insect to the ground?"

''Oh my?''

"I can’t seem to find that prideful hand of yours that made countless women cry. Are you possibly thinking that your arm dropped in the dark and came looking for it? Oh dear, so that’s why you’re in a panic right now. Sadly, your arm has completely disintegrated right? I think it’s pointless even to look for it anywhere."

''He had known the entire situation all along.'' Saying in a tone tinged with ridicule,

"You bastard…… so you’re alive all along"

Zolgear glared with hatred while suppressing the wound on his flank with his left hand.

"Wha? Such thing, you don’t really get it? You’re really stupid are you?"

Lars shrugged his shoulders.

"…this whole incident. In exchange with Naruse Mio, it was your objective to slip Toujou Basara in my residence from the very start. And you, to give an opportunity, to that succubus…"

"Yes. Because you know that you are being suspected by me, I have intended to provoke your Excellency's subordinate from the beginning of negotiations, burning my "doll" to make it clear that I have been silenced completely."

Therefore,

"Thanks to this, she didn't keep an eye to this place, and it was very easy to move. After that, I began investigating the whereabouts where Maria's family is captured”

"What the…?"

"Why so surprised? You’re one of the famous high ranking demons in Hell, besides, you're currently on house arrest. Now that I don't know who may notice my presence, it's not an option to take the risk to do something unnecessary. Also the Moderates are still continuing their search, but it shouldn't be kept in your main mansion. If I am found by Maria and be discovered, all will be wasted."

However,

"To be able to act when something happened, I considered to put the magic near the degree where I can control it like a remote. If you put it too far away, it will only cause uneasiness. So if you aimed to focus on looking, it will hit a jackpot. To tell you the truth, I was already ahead and located the place. Thanks to the snap of his Excellency's finger, I have found and saved the hostage with ease."

"……you, you bastard, what are you sa-…no. What the hell are you up to?"

He noticed the possibility that the man in front of his eyes might be a spy of the Moderates. Looking at the circumstances that is happening in front of him right now, is not considered wrong. However――in locating the whereabouts of the hostages, why did he remain silent to Maria and her fellow companions? If it was for the existing Demon King faction, it won’t do any profit for the Moderates. Unable to see Lar’s real intention,

"Nay… My plan intended to go a little more cautiously. After calling me via phone call, by a little rough method of camaraderie as a proof to confirm our friendship, dealings have been proposed in the middle of the fight."

"Dealings…huh…?"

"Yes. For the information regarding the whereabouts of Naruse Mio, we wished to help the family of Maria who is kept hostage. As a substitute ―― for me, I said that I don't mind the reward. Because I'll achieve it no matter what. That's all."

And,

"I accepted the condition. Therefore, I'm now here before you, your Excellency."

While looking down upon this, Lars seemed to be happy.

"Wha-what are you saying……?"

The fact that Lars had dealings with Basara, was the fact that Zolgear was unable to believe.

"――the predecessor His majesty Wilbert, As for choosing the foster parents whom he may leave his daughter with to be brought up to the human world, these two people were especially kind among his subordinates."

Lars lowered his eyes and began to talk.

"Perhaps, you bastard wouldn't even know the names of the people you've killed. They were never of the highest ranks, but they are existences which are loved dearly by many of their fellow brethren."

And,

"Above all――those two raised an orphanage that continued accepting children who had lost their relatives during the Great War, and were yearned like an older brother and an older sister, especially fellows like me."

"――You son of a!? Don’t tell me――"

Zolgear was at loss for words. To the man who stands before his eyes, he felt something darker than hatred in him.

Then――what on earth did Toujou Basara exchanged with from his negotiation with Lars?

――When Basara was fighting against him, it seemed that there were some delaying tactics and decoys involved. Basara was a decoy to lure Zolgear, and Maria was his aim all along.

After all Basara had instructed her to "come with me".

Then, who is the one that Basara was waiting for? If it doesn't become unexpected development that Maria comes to him, who will stand behind Zolgear? As he thought of this, he has no choice but to be in shock, as Lars tells the purpose that he has kept on holding secretly till now.

Against the rays of moonlight, a frozen smile is revealed.

"That’s right Zolgear. The conditions that I took out――is to kill you by this hand."

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=== Translator Notes and References ===

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