Part 6
After having left the scene where Mio was kidnapped on the tennis court.
Basara joined with Yuki, and was made to hear that the one who manipulated
Aikawa and Sakaki were still unknown. Because the master-servant contract
cannot trace Mio's whereabouts, they lost their only lead.
But——even if the road is coming to an end for Basara and Yuki,
The way to help out Mio, has not completely closed yet.
Therefore, Basara tried to contact the young man—— Takigawa Yahiro,
which was absent from school today. Since Maria was connected with the
enemy after all, all the conditions have overturned.
Although he was cooperating with Takigawa in seclusion, it is likely that the
other party might just be playing pretend. Actually, Takigawa hid himself
three days before and had met up with Maria. In addition to that he was
absent from school at the same timing. These may be irrelevant but it is not.
Therefore he thought that it was usual that he won't accept this appeal, but it
is surprising that Takigawa answered the telephone of Basara.
And now—— Basara who made Yuki wait on standby in their home, was
alone in the coppices that stretched out on the metropolitan park. For
Takigawa whom he told to meet, Basara chose this park as a meeting place.
And then,
"Good grief... of all the places, why this one? It brings back unpleasant
memories."
Appearing before the eyes of Basara, Takigawa whom he called already
stood.
"And? Calling me to this place, Basacchi, what on earth do you want now?"
"Don't pretend that you don't know. You who is Mio's observer, must know
the current situation already."
To Basara that reported in an irritating tone, Takigawa shrugs his shoulder.
"I know. Though there are stories you want to hear, I believe that it is slightly
too late for that."
"What do you mean by that...?"
"It is as what I said. When Maria and I had met three days ago, you should
have seen it with your very own eyes."
"You… so you noticed that I saw you?"
"Aah. Because you have been into danger here and there, even seeing it in
this way, myself is a quality that is sensitive to your eyes, right? I had
certainly thought that you would have questioned me for that, but you didn't.
From your desire to not suspect Maria, that's an excuse for a guy that is
swallowed on trust or something like that."
"Then, Maria, after all…"
"That's right. Maria had been following Zolgear's orders the whole time."
To Basara who is still clinging for hope, a cruel declaration from Takigawa
was released.
Biting his lips and clutching his right fist in pain, Basara asked.
"...Tell me, Takigawa. Is Maria really the guardian the Moderates have
dispatched? Where the hell is the truth——where the hell are the lies?"
That fellow being sent as Naruse Mio's escort is true. However, she
following Zolgear's orders wasn't a lie either. By the way, the secret meeting
that Maria and I held recently… to tell you the truth, I came to be in touch
with that. Not coming to school for a long time, I was running here and there.
Finally I thought that Zolgear has begun to move, even with a little check."
"Do you mean… you and Maria are acquaintances in the past?"
"You might say. But, that fellow doesn't know that I am really from the
moderate faction.
To Zolgear and that right hand of his, I was only an observer sent by the
present Demon King faction. On one side, the official reason why Zolgear
came to let Maria follow him, is for the purpose of securing Naruse Mio at
once in case of emergency, and even the upper echelons of the present
Demon King faction consented about this kind of thing. Though they are not
allowed to lay a hand on Naruse, it is an effective strategy in case of
emergency." Takigawa added.
"Naturally, I knew that information too —— therefore, I took that underhand
and said to that fellow. I appreciate your efforts."
"…how did Maria reply?"
"Nothing. 'Thank you' and that's it. This matter as to speak, is Zolgear's
reckless actions. Nothing can be said true by that fellow."
Is that really it?
"Even living together for a long time is not necessarily as knowing the real
thing to Naruse and Basacchi."
To the fact that Takigawa had mentioned, Basara didn't have any words for
it.
"By the way Basacchi—— Have you thought what do Maria wish for?"
"Wha-What was that all of a sudden?"
Asking so sudden leaving him confused,
"As I thought, you still don't know… Well, I guess so."
Sighing afterwards, Takigawa informs.
"Even if you throw away your situation and place to stay, the strong feelings
cannot be handed over to anyone even if life is at stake. Coming a certain day
when her adoptive parents are murdered, Naruse continued on fighting in
order to take revenge on that enmity. Nonaka chose to follow Basacchi
instead of the the mission of the Hero clan. Naruse not being able to defend
against the Hero clan, Basacchi decided to defend as well as Nonaka that had
abandoned the mission of the clan for himself. If anything, this is an
exceptional degree."
However,
"It wouldn't be funny to Basacchi in Maria's case either. Because of Naruse's
circumstances, and because Nonaka was a childhood friend, I understand it
somehow. If that's what you are, then, why didn't you ask Maria for that sort
of thing?"
"That's..."
Basara who was charged with a question became loss for words in a moment.
Certainly, what Maria wished for, is still unknown to him. He haven't
thought of it in particular. The reason is,
"But Maria is… unlike Mio and Yuki who were in danger at some aspects,
she always do it with a smile on her face. Even if she do pranks or something
ridiculous, there is always a peace of mind in her—— So"
"Hey Hey Basacchi, C'mon now."
As if disgusted; Takigawa,
"She is Naruse's guardian. Her feelings and wishes, all of it must be
postponed for the sake of devoting herself to Naruse. Also, her true feelings
are not a deadpan, or there will be no reason to hide it taciturnly. Even a
smile can be one of the excellent masks."
"...Aaah"
From Takigawa's words, Basara couldn't do anything but bow his head.
Takigawa, feeling relieved,
"It is not rally a reason to blame yourself. Maria wanted to hide the truth.
Even if you weren't able to notice it, Basacchi, you don't have to worry about
it."
But,
"Supposedly, if Basacchi thought about Maria even a little, the true feelings
that person was carrying all alone… you might be able to catch up before it
had reached this state"
"…Since when, when on earth did Maria…"
What would a kind like her sow to reap this kind of situation?
"Basacchi was deceived from the very beginning. When Basacchi met with
Naruse and Maria in the family restaurant for the first time, that person had
been following Zolgear's orders already."
"No… no matter how long did Maria deceive me, it doesn't matter. The
question is, how long Maria did had been serving Zolgear."
To Takigawa who came telling him the truth without hesitation, Basara
shakes his head side to side.
"Before Zolgear tried to get Mio into his own hands, though her adoptive
parents were murdered in his obstruction, did he made a blunder because Mio
was able to flee with Maria? But then, Zolgear being of high ranked demon,
should have disposed Maria that tried to take Mio off to begin with, and it
should have been easier for him to take Mio away. However, he didn't do it
——"
"for that person, that was unnecessary. After all, Maria, was with Zolgear in
advance——"
"——No, it's impossible. In the first place, it is not only Zolgear who desires
Wilbert's power residing inside Mio to begin with. The demon lord who
stood after Wilbert. If Zolgear were to forcibly obtain Mio, he surelywent
through a lot of questions. After that happened the surveillance was replaced
by you. and it has already been done until the order not to approach Mio has
been done."
Basara, weaving words rapidly, assembled his own deduction like a detective.
That Maria's yearning, he will find the cause that tormented her heart.
"That's right...I didn't think he didn't understand the risk very well. If
Maria was a subordinate of Zolgear from the very beginning, all should have
been over on that day when Mio's adoptive parents were killed. If the murder
the adoptive parents of Mo was done, why won't you approach that fellow
—— even if a bad job was made and heavy punishment will be received,
there is no reason to overlook Mio because they are subordinates already."
"…I see"
Hearing Basara's conjectures, Takigawa who was listening gave off a smile
of interest.
"Say, also that time when you found out my real nature… your power of
reasoning is quite a great feat."
Those words that made up Basara's guess were not wrong. Therefore, Basara;
"Perhaps ——No, it is certain that Zolgear is doing something behind our
backs. Getting rid of the adoptive parents of Mio and Maria in an order not to
be discovered by anybody, he should have obtained Mio. Still, he was not
able to obtain Mio, so there is a possibility that something unexpected has
happened. And when the matter which is the murder of Mio's parents has
come to light, his post being the observer of Mio was dismissed from him and
he was replaced."
Therefore,
"Supposedly, if Zolgear was then accompanied by Maria, the next should be
—— Takigawa"
At last, Toujou Basara found out the truth about the questions himself.
That is undoubtedly, the beginning of Naruse Maria's tragedy.
He announced.
"A hostage —— what if Zolgear has been holding something that is
considered Maria's weakness?
◊◊◊◊
From the original question that he gave, Takigwa smiled, and lightly opens
his both arms.
"That's a clever answer. Naruse was able to run away with Maria, and
Zolgear was dismissed in his post as the observer of Naruse and returned to
Hell right away, then targeted Maria's family instead. Maybe a younger sister
of her or someone like her has been caught. Afterwards she decided to be
with that guy. She seemed to have received various orders given by that guy,
in order to obtain Naruse. By the way Basaacchi, is there anything strange
regarding Maria's speech and behavior recently?"
"You mean… that trouble regarding the reversal activation of the masterservant contract with Mio and me?"
To Basara being taken aback by the question, Takigawa nodded.
"That is too what Zolgear wanted to let Maria do on purpose. Have you
talked with her before? The aphrodisiac characteristic of the succubus is
added on purpose to the curse of the master-servant contract, is the thing that
gives pleasure that gives the maximum betrayal, which is being deprived of
her chastity by anyone other than her master, beyond her limits until she
breaks apart. If he tend to violate Naruse who had pledged loyalty to Basara,
the intensity of the curse of the master-servant ontract ill be immense.
Probably, anytime now —— Naruse is on the verge of falling to the pit of
bottomless pleasure."
Basara held his breath momentarily and his body turned rigid. The worst case
scenario has played in his mind at once. At first, Mio resisited violently,
while forcibly violated by Zolgear, and cannot compete with the curse of the
master-servant contract for long, Mio succumbed herself to pleasure
gradually, reaching the point until Zolgear's demands are satisfied. However,
"―Well, Because Zolgear wants the power of Wilbert within Naruse, it is not
strange that he would not do it at once."
Takigawa said as if consoling him. Basara looked at him with a bitter
expression.
It might be true that there would be delay as Takigawa said, yet the worst
case scenario is still imminent.
Therefore―Toujou Basara was not pressed down by his feelings anymore.
"Why didn't you even tell me...? Maria even. You! This could have been
resolve at once, without the situation beoming this worse!"
He then fumed all of his anger to Takigawa.
"Hey, hey, Basacchi, don't be unreasonable. They took a hostage for Maria.
Besides, even I wouldn't guess it until you told me beforehand. If it were
Basacchi's personality,
"Anyway if you know about Maria's circumstances, you have turned and ran
frantically already. Then, doing such behavior you will draw their attention,
and if the information leaked was to be traced back by the present Demon
King faction, it will be the end of me in no time."
"if that is the case, when it had become clear that Maria was proved to have
taken a hostage, why don't the Moderate faction send help and take measures
quickly!?"
Takigawa then; declared onto the ear of the doubting Basara.
"the answer is easy——the order given by the Moderate faction is: Leave it
as it is."
"Wha… what the, Why?"
From those words that is impossible to believe, Basara asked, perplexed.
"Although the Moderates have lost its power in their faction, they are still
considered a major part of the forces of Hell. As a matter of course, there are
large labs of rocks on the inside"
"So you're saying that there are people in there who dislike Mio?"
"No… No one hates that Naruse. She's the daughter of the predecessor who
is His Majesty Wilbert after all. However, there is one troublesome person
who finds Naruse disagreeable."
"…troublesome person?"
"the top of the present Moderates. The elder brother of His Majesty Wilbert
that died, Ramses. That one is as stubborn as hell… though I don't know
whether it was mortifying or not for his younger brother to get the throne of
the Demon king before himself, but he seemed quite displeased in Naruse
somehow or other. Even if the other VIP's treat Naruse with outmost care, he
doesn't pay any attention to that at all. He doesn't even regard her as the
Demon king's predecesor's daughter, and sending guards to a bare minimum,
was all in his orders."
"…That guy"
It was Basara in a voice so low that it could freeze anything.
"Is that fellow trying to get rid of Mio? Letting only Maria and me as her
guards, even knowing that Maria's family has been taken as hostage, does he
intend to become silent without doing anything?
"By the way…well anyhow, don't you have any plan to take measures? I had
searched for the hostage in various ways, besides, when Maria was chosen as
the escort, I have a trump card given especially to that guy."
"Trump card…? Can you really be able to break in this situation?"
"No. it's not that kind. It's the trump card as a guard of Naruse to the end."
And so Takigawa:
"If I use that, Maria's fighting power will be raised drastically… Basacchi
and Naruse, not to mention Nonaka, will become of a level that is higher than
before. For sure, as for the battle with Basacchi's childhood friends just
recently, it seems to be of level that she can easily settle with alone. Well,
you might say that there is a restriction to this in various ways, and cannot be
used indiscriminately without thinking."
"Maria, has such power…?"
"Ah. Well, even though I have never seen it before, I think that this is not a
lie, probably. After all, that has been used once, and that power has been
proven already"
"Proven… did you mean…"
"That's right. She had seemed to use it one time —— to protect Naruse from
Zolgear. However, because Naruse had lost consciousness by the shock that
her parents are murdered by then, she was unable to see what Maria has done
that time."
After telling that much, Takigawa making him feeling relieved said;
"However, no matter how much strong our trump card is, even if we shift the
situation, it is not possible to expect it from Maria whom has a hostage taken
on her. That's why from now on, while avoiding to be discovered by the
present Demon King Faction, you will come to save Naruse."
Well,
"For this occasion, the objective of finding the hideout of Zolgear has already
been done."
"Is that true!?"
Taken aback, Basara's complexion changed and suddenly asked,
"Tell me Takigawa! Even with the power of the mater-servant contract to
locate, I can't find Mio's whereabouts!"
"It's probably the magical barrier of Zolgear's doing. That guy is a specialist
in master-servant contract. If he isn't, then there wouldn't be any trouble,
right?"
However, Takigawa:
"There are slightly complicated circumstances at the moment… the fact that I
cannot move recklessly is the reason that it can't be done." As he said in a
light tone while scratching his cheek, Toujou Basara's feelings exploded.
"Your being too carefree is at fault, Takigawa! Mio has been caught by
Zolgear! And I don't think that even after he succeeds he will still be keeping
Maria and the hostage alive for any longer. You are a part of the guards of
Mio similar to Maria, so there is no reason for you to be standing still ——"
He said in a sharp tone, attempting to grab Takigawa's collar——However,
he wasn't able to do it. Because, coming from his side, Takigawa gave off a
sharp right knee.
"GUHA….GuAh"
"ooh, my bad, Basacchi… to tell you the truth, I got a habit of hitting with
my knee on reflex when a bastard tends to grab my by the collar. Are you
alright? Is it quite painful? Or"
Takigawa took a large step behind Basara and flew to the rear. Basara who is
still in a state where he received a strong knee to his side, drawing irregular
breaths, materialized Brynhildr and brandished it beside.
Because it is not a fight to risk one's life, he retaliated with the back of the
blade, but a hit would surely hurt. But then,
"I held back my power… Even though these events happened, letting
Zolgear's subordinates of the Demon Clan steal that troublesome girl, just
who are you cooperating with?"
Landing in a composure as if nothing happened, Takigawa then declared,
with eyes that suddenly turned serious,
"But, you guys are the same too. There are some things that I couldn't hand
over either. No matter what the circumstances are."
"…As for that, even I am the same…!"
Basara with a painful expression glared at Takigawa,
"Takigawa… what on earth do you exactly want from us? I don't understand
whether you have exposed Mio and Maria to danger. And I have no rights to
deny that you are going to give priority to your own desires over those guys
either."
However,
"I am Mio and Maria's big brother. Since there is no other way to help those
two, if you can't tell me, I will knock you down to your knees, and make you
spill out where are those two's whereabouts!"
"My, my. To think that I have been wondering why am I called in a pace like
this, but to settle it with brute force? I give up. It seems that our precious
alliance will be over, although I thought that were beginning to get closer to
each other… what a short friendship."
Smiling wryly, Takigawa's expression had changed into something ghastly.
"However, I just want to confirm something—— with that way of talking, it
seems like you are sure to totally beat me at all. Indeed, that's what you
think… but don't think that this person will give you credit like the last time,
kay? Toujou Basara."
The same time he said his name filled with hostility, a dark aura was released
around Takigawa.
"...!"
The moment Basara had set up Brynhild, Takigawa's figure had already
disappeared in front of his eyes.
"―Too slow"
The same time a voice was heard from behind, an impact came.
"GUAAAAaaaaaaaaa?!"
Beyond the reactions of a speed type, his back was taken in an instant.
No doubt. Takigawa the other day has held his power in check. However, I
cannot not be defeated here.
Being blown off violently and rolled around the coppice grandly, Basara still
endured the impact that attacked his whole body.
Kicking the large trunk which he was about to crash into, he performed a
dash at once. However,
"…is that the speed that a speed type boasts of? There is a big difference
between me and the childhood friends you have the other day."
With a 'hmph', Takigawa shot countless dark spheres, and Basara utilized his
top speed to the maximum. Evading in a zigzag motion by irregular side
steps, combined with interception slashes by Brynhild, the distance was
reduced in a blink of an eye.
"Takigawaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!"
While breaking the distance with Brynhild with a roar, he threw a combo of
rapid attacks at once. At the spot where Takigawa stood, more than 70 strikes
were hit.
Consecutive attacks were drawn out in full strength of his whole body that an
opponent won't get away with only just a single strike.
In the myriad of countless sword sparks,Takigawa yahiro sighed in the
opposite side.
"These tricks are the same as that time—— I'm getting bored of it."
However, together with a voice of foolish tone, everything has been repelled.
"wha——…?!"
Toujou Basara saw. All of the sword attacks that he himself drew out, has
been repelled by Takigawa's barrier before his own eyes. Accomplishing it
with such ease, Takigawa held his right handin front of his face. A darknesscolored glow converged in front of Basara's eyes right away.
"I want to help Naruse. I want to help Maria too. I only want to obtain
information without killing anyone. What's next? You want to defeat
Zolgear? What a splendid greed you have, although your idea is too naïve as
expected, don't you think?" Takigawa smiled wryly.
"Aside from ability, I expected this fellow to use his head a little more——
what a disappointment."
At the same time while saying so, a wave of darkness was unleashed,
swallowing Basara at point-blank range. Shortly after that, an impact shook
the earth and an intense roar sounded.
Part 7
After talking to Zest in a voice Mio is unable to hear, Zolgear disappeared by
teleportation magic. At the same time the effect of the mental restraint that
deprived her voice as well as her freedom of movement was released.
"―――Haa, haah…!"
Regaining her normal breathing at once, Mio glared at Maria. For the face of
the young succubus that she trusted more than anyone else, Mio asked with a
gaze pure of hostility.
"All this time, you have been deceiving me…?" "Do you really think I will
give an answer to you in this situation?" as Maria said in a tone of ridicule,
Mio bit her lips in regret.
...Not yet…
Yes——It's too early to give up. After all, Basara and I had made a masterservant contract. It can pinpoint the position of the partner at if searched at
once. Basara probably should have already moved along with Yuki, although
Mio doesn't know how much time has passed upon her kidnapping.
Zest is a powerful enemy, so even in the absence of Zolgear, there is still a
high chance of winning.
…But first, I have to do something with this chain somehow.
If Basara will come to help, as soon as these two detect a threat, they will
expose me as a hostage somehow. Is there any method to get out of these
restraints? Mio racked her brain in desperation.
"I'm sorry but―――Basara-san won't come."
Seeing through her head, Maria said.
"…What do you mean by that?"
"Have you heard what Zolgear-sama said? This is his personal secret
mansion. The entire area is covered with a special magical barrier that cannot
be detected by anyone and anything, even the master-servant contract."
In other words,
"It means that not only the curse, but the position locator ability of the
master-servant contract are nullified."
Wha…?"
Mio was appalled. As she tried to search Basara's whereabouts using the
position locator ability of the master-servant contract,
"…No way…You're lying…"
Not detecting any signs of Basara's whereabouts, she left a groan.
——Before the emnity who had harmed her parents, it was fortunate that she
avoided the situation being in an aphrodisiac state.
However, if the position locator of the master-servant contract that is their
only insurance didn't work, it means that getting out in this critical situation
is impossible.
…so this is it for me.
The moment she thought so—— insecurity and fear swelled up inside Mio,
almost breaking her heart. In a state that deprived her freedom of movement,
a situation where she is retendered helpless. She became aware of her body
falling into the enemy's hands.
"―――there is no way you can escape from here, Mio-sama."
Maria said so, the same time their eyes made contact with each other.
"Eh―――…"
Mio's field of vision suddenly warped. As she raised a voice in stupefaction,
it's already late.
In an instant, Naruse Mio's consciousness―――一has been swallowed by
the darkness.
Fainting, Naruse Mio's body was entrusted to the chains on the walls that
bound her.
"Why did you put her to sleep? Doing such selfish behavior may put me into
trouble, Maria." With a sharp glance, Zest faced towards Maria.
"She——I still want to ask her a variety of questions"
Until Zolgear returns, I have no time to waste. If she gets information out of
Mio, while the master-servant contract with Basara is sealed, the materials
that can be used to control her mind will might be found.
"Nothing in particular. I only made her sleep because she's annoying when
she makes noises."
Maria said with a blank expression.
"Well, then. If you insist ——why don't you do the interrogation once she
wakes up? Or shall Zolgear-sama do it because she is deeply attached to Miosama? If you keep taking too much unnecessary moves, the result may have
the possibility of backfiring, depriving that person of his enjoyment right?
That won't be good."
"…no worries. I understand His Excellency's ideas more than anyone else."
"Sorry about that, ——Well, what will you do? Should I wake her up?"
To the question Maria asked while shrugging her shoulders, Zest returned in
silence. Her silence is not positive, no need to tell. Zest then looked sown at
Mio who had lost her consciousness again.
——The curse of the master-servant contract is caused by the sense of guilt
towards its master. Thus, if Zolgear has done something for her to hate like
murdering her adoptive parents, and the strong feelings for Basara who is her
master, the feelings of betrayal that is not being able to protect her chastity to
the one she held disgust, may activate the curse to the maximum extent that
might lose one's life. There are a lot of daughters that have been violated by
Zolgear in a similar way and many of them had died.
For that reason, the situation cannot be handed unskillfully—— but it has a
loophole.
If the mental condition assumes that the she won't think of anything bad to
her master, the curse will activate no longer.
…However,
The origin of Mio's power, the power of Wilbert that sleeps inside her, her
purity——it cannot be denied that if her virginity is affected it may also
affect the said power. This is the fact that Zest herself is worried about.
Though her body was made through the sorcery that Zolgear invented, having
the ability equivalent to a high ranking Demon, accomplishment with such
restrictions is a great feat.
Therefore, until the power of Wilbert is extracted, taking risks should be
avoided before her power goes beyond the limit.
…however,
This thing is a trivial matter. There are plenty of methods to subject a pure
virgin to fall from pleasure. But for certain, Zolgear will do what is according
to his plan by his own hands.
As she had received her conclusion,
"―――?"
Zest noticed that the magical barrier of the residence detected a sudden magic
reaction outside the building.
As she took out a video image outside the residence, there was a figure of a
young man alone before the front gate. Though in a figure of a human being,
its real nature is identical to Zest from the same Demon clan—— it's the
current observer of Naruse Mio, Lars.
…Why is he here?
Zest cannot comprehend with the situation. This mansion is a private
residence that is serving as a secret hideout of Zolgear. As for the place, it is
not known even to the present demon king Leohart not to mention the
Imperial court.
But――― Why is Lars able to come here?
"What are you going to do? Are we going to ignore him?" "…No, there is no
other choice."
To the question Maria had proposed, Zest said while looking at the image of
Lars on the screen.
―――Well, it's for the best if I silence him right now. However, if I will not
respond here, there is a risk that this place will be told to others. And the
biggest problem right now is that Mio is here. If this fact is to be known by
Leohart and his upper echelons, Zolgear's position will be cornered at once.
Therefore,
"I'll go―――Maria, standby and look for Naruse Mio.
＊＊＊＊＊＊
Zest got out of the barrier, and showed up in front of Lars.
"So you finally showed up…"
Lars said, grinning as he approached the place.
"If I had been made to wait a little longer, I would have reported this place to
the higher-ups."
Lars, with the scenery where the surroundings was covered with a dark aura,
looking over the center of the mansion,
"As expected of Marquis Zolgear, what a splendid idea… to be able to build
a complex dimension daringly in the space-time continuum of the Human
world, and not in the demon world, and to make a hideout here… the VIP's
will never have the idea, and even the hero clan won't be able to lay their
eyes upon this either. This evil design can only be possible under the pretense
of a top-secret research, probably."
"And what business do we have here, Lars?"
It's not necessary to keep company and avoid unnecessary scrutiny.
He then asked a question in a composed manner,
"I came to get Naruse Mio—— she's there, am I right?"
Lars said with a cold smile.
…I knew it, so he did notice.
I was careless to have misjudge this man, he is more troublesome as
expected.
However, being honest at fault in this situation and admitting that 'Yes, she's
here' doesn't come to her.
"―――What are you talking about?"
"Oi oi, don't pretend that you don't know."
Erasing expression and feigning ignorance, Lars smiled, taken aback.
I am the official observer of Naruse Mio appointed by His majesty Leohart. It
is my responsibility if there is something happened to her… Do you
understand?"
"I understand your position. However, she's not here——if you want to
evade the issues of your own liabilities, should you be looking for her as soon
as possible and not spending time in this place?"
"From the results that I have researched, the conclusion have arrived me here.
Well, feigning ignorance is natural" It can't be helped. Lars said, smiling
wryly.
"Marquis Zolgear is currently on house arrest. Nevertheless, if his majesty
and his subordinates find out that that you are meddling with Naruse Mio in a
place like this, you will find yourself in a really bad situation soon."
"Are you saying that you are accusing us, Lars? Naruse Mio is not here——
of course, his Excellency too."
"Apart from Naruse Mio, Marquis Zolgear is not present. By his majesty
Leohart's direct orders, he should have been gone to the royal castle. You
should avoid making a mess by any means. To say nothing about her even a
soul, I guess, is your job after all."
"Well, I will not say it free of charge… so do me a favor and do something
for this guy instead"
After saying that, Lars produced spheres of darkness into thin air. From that,
a human who has lost consciousness was thrown to the ground violently. It
was a young man whom Zolgear had shown interest apart from Mio, a former
hero. He said to Zest who slightly narrowed her eyes,
"When I saw Naruse Mio the other day, I noticed it when I was watching him
fighting with the members of the hero clan. This guy has a special power. In a
sense, it is an ability more terrible than the power of Wilbert residing in
Naruse Mio. Because this guy is given, Naruse Mio was able to stand."
Lars said,
"Otherwise, I have to report that Marquis Zolgear is hiding something and is
trying to betray his majesty Leohart and his associates. By then, you will lose
everything that you have built so far. You and Marquis Zolgear don't want to
end up in that situation, right?"
Zest gave a long thought in silence about Lars' proposal.
——it's certainly what Lars says. I must avoid any kind of situation that will
put us into a dilemma.
It is given priority over the power of Wilbert sleeping inside Naruse Mio.
And it is the duty of the subordinates that protect the master, even though she
is to receive a scolding later, all for the good of the master. Therefore,
"…there is no other choice." "Oh, is that so, I'm saved."
Muttering a few words, Lars gave a smile of satisfaction.
At that moment——cutting their distance in a blink, Zest entered Lars' chest.
A feat possible because Zest is stronger than Lars in terms of fighting power.
"Wha―――"
A super high-speed approach that pierced him off guard, astonished, Lars
tried to say something.
But, Zest didn't gave him a chance to spoke any words further. With sharp
fingernails in her right hand, Lars' torso was pierced sharp. Feeling the
sensation that penetrated the body, Zest pulls up her right hand.
"Wh…y…..Y…ou…!"
Bleeding with his chest punctured open, Lars leaked a groan. Lars, with both
knees on the ground, looked up to Zest, who held up her right hand,
"I wish to express our gratitude for your advice. However, if you are killed
here, Toujou Basara can be obtained withougt handing over Naruse Mio, and
this matter won't be able to reach his majesty Leohart and his his upper
echleons either."
Lars, with a twisted expression said calmly,
"Then…killing…me…at once..."
However, Lars wasn't able to say anymore. A dark colored magical wave
was shot in Zest's right hand, and Lars' head was blown off. Towards the
body of Lars without its neck which fell down on his back,
"Don't worry. As soon as his majesty Leohart know your death—— his
Excellency Zolgear will have already obtained the power of Wilbert and
Toujouu Basara, and will be reined in the strongest position in Hell."
Zest calmly told, as she shot a magical flames, which devoured the corpse of
Lars completely.
After that, a magic circle for special transmission magic is called from thin
air.
"Pardon me for my impoliteness, your excellency. There was a little problem
that occurred that I want to report, though it has already been dealt with… but
may I ask for your judgement thereafter, just to make sure?"
Part 8
Bound by the chains against the wall, was an unconscious Mio.
And like that, Naruse Maria stared at her in silence.
The one who deprived of Mio's consciousness was Maria herself. She had
helped in the kidnapping according to Zolgear's orders, in contrast to her job
of protecting her, the master whom she should have served. Her family being
taken hostage——such excuses won't do. Still,
I'm…very sorry, Mio-sama… I―――…"
With a face that seemed to burst to tears in any moment, Maria squeezed out
with her trembling voice.
——Mio is the daughter of Wilbert, the demon king predecessor. The value
of her life cannot outweigh the lives of Maria's family, but Wilbert's elder
brother, Ramses of the Moderate faction kept neglecting Mio and making
light of the situation. Still, many of the Demon families in the Moderate
faction are harboring hope in Mio's existence, the ideals which the deceased
Wilbert aimed for—— to achieve peace in the demon world without conflict.
As for Maria and her family who had lost her father in the Great War, they
had held these ideals firmly. If it goes over than this somehow or other, blood
within brethren will be shed, and many lives will be taken. (!)
Nevertheless, Maria thought.
She have been betraying those who are important to her for a very long time.
Ironic for a fellow comrade from the moderate faction, who were supposed to
protect Mio——even Basara who accepted them with open arms.
Fighting for what she believed, Maria was betraying them who are risking
their lives to be alive.
——What Maria is right now, is the result of they have believed in.
Being the only guard left alone, she promised to protect her at the cost of her
life.
For this reason, Mio which her adoptive parents are murdered, and was about
to become a plaything, it is a miracle for her to be able to escape from the
hands of the demon called Zolgear.
However——from the moment when the observer for Mio is replaced,
Zolgear who returned to the Demon realm took Maria's family as hostage,
and the situation has changed. From her serene older sister, a call came at
once. She came into thinking, whether to fulfill the mission, or to take back
the family who were held hostage.
...One-sama.
The elder sister whom Maria respected, is an adult who can keep calm
judgements at these kind of times. If not, the escort role will be appointed to
her, and not to Maria. Giving priority to one's mission rather than the lives of
her family being held hostage—No, weighing the importance of the two
should not have been done to begin with.
Truth to be told, a person like her elder sister is more suitable to be the escort
of Mio. Actually, there are also ideas of leaving the guard role to her sister
that came out, too. But those ideas were never adopted eventually.
It's because elder sister was assigned to follow and protect the top——
Ramses of the Moderate faction.
So, Maria was chosen instead.
——However, Maria has took the bait to Zolgear's blackmail.
First, to make a chance to save her family that is being held hostage, she only
pretended to follow Zolgear for a little while. But the moment that she
thought of putting away Mio's safety for her family―― the die has been
cast, and it was too late.(!)
Betraying her comrades and the mission, Maria eventually lost her way. It led
to Maria to the point where there is no other choice but to follow Zolgear.
——Every day was like hell. Those words she held to Mio and Basara, full of
lies and deceit in order to gain her trust, continued to make her suffer with the
ever-stopping pains of guilt. It made her chest tight to the point where it was
hard to breath.
And today, Maria had come to the point of no return.
By Zolgear's orders, she and Zest have been appointed to kidnap Mio.
——Maria then had realized. She won't be able to return anymore.
It not only mean that she had no means to go back. It also meant that the
place where she can go back has been lost. Not only the moderate faction, but
also the position of being Naruse Mio's servant.
And, the home that she had spent together with Basara and Jin.
She had betrayed them all.
"......"
Realizing what's left of her fate, Maria lowered her eyes in silence. Suddenly,
the space behind her distorted, and something big has crashed to the floor.
"Basara…san…"
Basara fell down in front of her eyes. He's lying unconscious and not moving
at all. Probably being desperate to help Mio, he got captured by Lars instead.
―there is a little change in plans."
Zest appeared from thin air.
"Under the direct order from his Excellency, Maria… you are to deprive him
and take control of his mind. His Excellency wishes to get this man's peculiar
ability. I it is you, who are a succubus, you should be skilled in those kind of
acts."
And then,
"Naruse Mio's mind will become easier to manipulate if we make this man,
who is in master-servant contract with her to follow us. His Excellency hopes
that this matter will be accomplished in no time."
Maria right now, has no other means to reject. Then, as she approached
Basara in silence—— his figure disappeared into thin space. Zest then
pointed out,
"Another room has been prepared. Please do what you should do."
She declared indifferently.
"As soon as Naruse Mio opens her eyes for some time, the room where you
will be depraving him will be viewed and she will feel turmoil ——being
troubled not able to save her master in danger, it will cause the curse of the
master-servant contract to run wild for sure."