Part 17
In the end — Basara and Takigawa didn't order anymore meat for their all
you can eat session.
It's because there were so many unresolved items to discuss regarding the
situation from here on.
Despite that, the two of them found themselves more than satisfied.
And then after they left the restaurant, they went off in their separate ways.
Unlike Basara, Takigawa had no need to go use the train.
Watching Takigawa's back disappear into the night time crowd,
"..."
Basara thought about Takigawa once more.
— Takigawa, a demon, could certainly disappear from a human's eyes easily.
As such, if he felt like it then he could do any malicious act he wanted.
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However —- even after living in the human world for a long time, Takigawa
hasn't done anything like that.
There were two possible reasons for that.
The first being that he's afraid of the possibility that he would draw the
attention of the hero clan. His primary mission is to watch over Mio. If
possible, he would definitely like to avoid the notice of the hero clan.
In addition to that,
It's likely that the current demon lord Leohart forbade any sort of foul play.
Even if it's towards humans.
Leohart's plan was to get accepted as a demon lord through all sorts of
political dealings, and reward those who had backed him on this as much as
possible.
But during the time of Belphegor and the other cardinals, they had
unreasonably raised taxes for the sake of their allies and themselves, so
Basara had heard that Leohart avoided such an unfair system of taxation.
...Nevertheless.
Takigawa's affiliation put him at Leohart's side, quite close to Leohart
himself, in fact.
Starting as Mio's observer, he's now dispatched as a joint operative by both
the moderate and the current demon lord factions.
So he should be able to reap rewards that allow him to be quite free.
...Despite that.
He doesn't seem like he reaps these benefits liberally.
This is just Basara's theory — but it's likely he takes just enough money for
himself, then he gives the rest of the money to the orphanage which raised
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him as well as circulating it around other war orphans.
This theory is likely correct.
It's because they know Takigawa's true nature, no matter how casually he
acts normally, both the trust placed in him by the moderate faction and the
current demon lord faction both never waver.
Moreover — it's the same for Basara.
—- That being said, it's not like his trust is a blind devotion sort of trust.
He finally started walking towards the station.
"What did you think?"
Basara asked, as if talking to himself, then someone appeared behind him.
—-But it's something that only Basara could see, completely invisible to the
others around them.
It's not magic —- it all has to do with "ki".
"Let's see... I think the conditions the demon realm's side placed are
perfectly respectable"
The one who answered with a smile in his voice was a young man Basara
once had a life or death battle with.
Someone, who Basara had formed a secret master-servant contract with after
that battle — Shiba Kyoichi.
Currently — for Basara to accomplish his goals, he leaves some of the behind
the scenes stuff to Shiba.
Recognizing Shiba's talent with his mind, he's serving as Basara's right hand
man.
Therefore, with the meeting with Takigawa regarding the current state of the
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alliance, Basara had snuck Shiba into the neighboring room.
As they walked up the hilly road up to the station at the same pace as those
around them,
"There are two problems to consider regarding Celis-chan... The first is as
had been stated, that to the demon's side she's affiliated with the Vatican and
that can get bad"
Moreover.
"I think you already know this Basara, but the other is the state of Celischan's own feelings"
"..."
Basara replied to Shiba's words with silence.
"Wanting to consider Celis-chan's feelings as much as possible, and wanting
to respect her, I understand those feelings of yours Basara. But on the other
hand, you also want to make the alliance with the demon's side, you also
want to achieve an alliance with the hero clan... Well, it's pretty greedy of
you"
Shiba continued,
"After all, your one route to forming an alliance with the hero clan right now
is Celis-chan. That being said, I do believe even if Celis-chan leaves the hero
clan, you'd still be able to form the alliances you want. And if she's no longer
a part of the hero clan then your problem with the demon's side would be
solved as well. In addition, if you manage to form an alliance with them, then
you'd be more fearsome by bounds Basara, and the hero clan would think
twice before picking a fight with you."
However.
"I just wonder if there's a meaning to an alliance forming in this way. Fear is
but a temporary measure. And in excess it could turn into hatred, eventually
birthing sentiments to get rid of it. That's the beginning and end of the
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current demon lord Leohart and his sister towards the cardinals, and the same
goes for me and Albareos."
Shiba Said.
"A little hatred is hard to see, but a large threat. It's necessary to plan for it
and prepare against it but —- idealistically speaking, it would be something
which you should want to avoid as much as possible"
"In short... It's a question of what I have to give up on"
Basara understood what Shiba was saying. It's without a doubt that if he's
willing to give up on one of his goals, surely things would progress more
smoothly.
But giving up is easy.
Up to this day, Basara and his group had faced many obstacles, and struggled
to keep going on.
There were times it felt like they could drown in despairing tragedy.
Times where it felt like they could only submit to a greater power.
Nevertheless, Basara never gave up and continued onwards no matter what
— that's how they could stand here today as they are.
This time as well he doesn't want to give up.
It's a feeling he strongly holds.
"I'm not saying you have to give up or anything... Just that you have to
consider your priorities"
Shiba said with a shrug.
"Basara, I think the list of stuff you won't ever give up on is getting a little
too long. That itself might be the downside of your love and your kindness.
Well, it's no doubt you're currently in a place others would want to be in
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right now, and you hold tremendous power. I also can't say that this time
there's absolutely no way that you can find a way for everything to go well."
But.
"Even so, you're not an omnipotent god. Those who desire too much usually
end up on the same path — and that is one of destruction. Of course, working
hard isn't a bad thing. However, you have to think that with the greed of
wanting every desire of yours come true is the possibility that you could lose
everything as well"
Understanding what Shiba meant to say, Basara muttered quietly,
"...You make a good point there."
—- It's painful to admit, but what Shiba said holds true.
What Basara can't give up on —- his family —- had increased.
And with the pregnancy of Mio and the other girls, it'll only keep increasing
from here.
Basara's willing to give his all for the sake of the girls.
However — he knows that it's impossible to expect everything to go as he
wishes.
Even the wedding ceremony that's so important to them had to be held
hidden within a barrier.
That much had been something from Basara sparing no efforts for it.
Therefore, he could understand what Shiba meant to say.
However, feelings aren't as easy to control as that. With the way Basara is,
once he decides something is important to him, he doesn't want to give up on
it —- he can't give up on it.
But that strong feeling of his has a dangerous side.
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Therefore,
"...Shiba-san, what do you think is the best course of action?"
Basara asked for help from the boy who follows him in the shadows. In the
past, he often depended on Hasegawa for things like this, but since reaching
the master-servant vow with her, there is no helping the strong feelings that
Hasegawa holds for him, and him for her.
Therefore currently, Shiba's the only one who could make a decision in the
most cool-headed manner.
For him to rely on the person who he once fought to the death, Basara could
see the irony in that.
"Let's see... Well, I think it's best not to overthink whether or not Celis-chan
remains officially affiliated with Vatican"
After all, said Shiba.
"For the Vatican to approve of having her move in with you, isn't it basically
like a human sacrifice on their side? To have her turn into a sex slave the
same way as Mio and the other girls, in order to make some sort of
connection with you"
"..."
Basara could only reply to Shiba's words with silence.
It's because those words spoke the truth.
Having lost their top leader the holy king Albareos, and having dangerous
research revealed starting with Shiba, The Vatican itself isn't in a great place
and could stand to have a bit of improvement with better relations with
Basara.
Moreover — he's sure that's something Celis herself understood.
...Even so.
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Although something like this happened, Celis still feels indebted to the
Vatican — to the hero clan who raised her. Within the Vatican as well, she
has some friends who she had gone through many hardships with, and the top
brass of Vatican who don't have good intentions are aware of Celis' feelings
and are making use of them.
Therefore Basara had put Celis' feelings first.
Nevertheless,
"You should've already understood Basara... What's best for Celis-chan, and
what her real feelings are as well. And also, what's best for you and the other
girls."
"That's..."
Basara made a frustrated expression.
"At the moment, for certain, it isn't odd to have a master-servant contract go
straight to master-servant vow if you tie it using Maria-chan's magic. In that
way, while you would be bound to Celis-chan forever, there's also no helping
her falling to a state of being a sex slave. In that, that's no longer a normal
relationship."
However, Shiba said.
"For starters, the whole thing with a master-servant contract would make a
relationship abnormal to begin with. Even if you use Celis-chan's magic and
the curse manifest's as petrification, that's out of the ordinary as it is. There's
also no easy inbetween magic for a curse between the aphrodisiac and
petrification. I think then, the first thing you have to do is to think of a way to
free Celis-chan from the cursed bounds of the hero clan."
Overall.
"If we're to continue making an alliance with both the demon side and the
heroes side, the matter of Celis-chan must be sorted, after all, currently she's
officially dispatched here from the Vatican as an emissary."
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And then, Shiba said.
"Basara, as well as Yuki-chan and Kurumi-chan, all of you are no longer part
of the hero clan. Therefore, the remaining tie Vatican has with you is through
Celis-chan, they would want to maintain that while giving Celis-chan to you,
then when you make an alliance with them, they'd use that to optimize their
position, I'm sure of that"
"You're right..."
That's why Celis said she doesn't want to tie the master-servant contract
using Maria's magic but her own instead.
With a master-servant contract, if something happens with the Vatican she
could somehow be free from it, but there's no going back from a masterservant vow. While Celis' own contribution would be invaluable, if
something happens with the Vatican, they may not be able to completely
deny it.
Moreover,
"If perhaps —- something doesn't go well in our alliance"
"The Vatican would instantly abandon Celis-chan, making her shoulder the
blame while saving their own skin. Well, there'd be some others involved
who would have it bad as well."
That being said,
"For starters, you guys are looking at the Vatican or Village as the entry point
to an alliance with the hero clan currently. But, the Vatican has the issue
regarding me, and the Village is far too close to you, Basara. I think if you're
looking to make an alliance with the hero clan as a whole, you may want to
avoid these two avenues. You could possibly look to the other regions to
form your alliance."
Most likely, said Shiba.
"If we speak in terms of ideals, they might be more receptive avenues to us.
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On top of that, they wouldn't be forming that alliance based on fear alone,
it'll give it meaning and reduce the chance of it collapsing"
"In short, I have to look to either China or America huh..."
"Maybe, you can have discussions with the two of them? There's some
hostility on that side to begin with, and currently, with their political power
being below both the Vatican and Village, they may see some sort of plan to
direct the balance of power in the hero clan more towards their side."
"At worst, having discussions with both, if they bite then that's good... And
also, the side that doesn't choose to go with you if it happens, then you would
at least have reduced ill will and hostility from them"
in acknowledgment, Basara muttered " I see".
"There are more benefits than the end of conflicts by forming an alliance with
the village. Right now, Yuki-chan and Kurumi-chan have left the village, and
as such they've had to put a distance between them and their father Shuuya
who's a candidate for leadership in the village, as well as with his wife and
their mother Kaoru. That's one of the reasons you're holding the wedding
ceremony in a high level barrier made by Afureia right?"
"Yes..."
If it's within a barrier made by Hasegawa, then they don't have to worry
about the hero clan noticing.
This is also something they could say for Ramsus (Wilbert).
Moreover,
"Basara, if you can do the alliance with the hero clan well, while Yuki-chan
and Kurumi-chan may never return to how things were with their parents, it
would be better than what they have now. At the very least, they can visit
them whenever they wish. That's the same for Mio-chan and the moderate
faction right?"
That's why, shiba said.
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"You have to think well about Celis-chan. Most likely, what she does
determines what's going to happen next."
A pause.
"Whether or not you can make a meaningful alliance — and whether or not
you guys can grasp the future you want."
After that, Basara went past the ticket gate and went to the platform, it was at
that time,
"...Ahh, that's right"
Shiba said, as if he had just remembered something.
"You might have noticed it already but... The strange guy who's loitering
around your house, well, about that, I took care of it this afternoon"
It's been a few days since there's something going around Basara and the
girls.
Of course Basara himself noticed it, but as he can't read the true nature of this
presence, he refrained himself from taking a more direct action.
—- But at the same time, he obviously couldn't just leave it be.
Therefore, this morning Basara instructed Shiba to do something about it.
"Thank you for dealing with that... in the end, who was it?"
He thanked Shiba for the speed of his work, and he asked that at the same
time.
"I thought it was someone from the hero clan, or perhaps even from the
divine realm but... In the end it was actually a demon. In any case, I've
restrained him in my apartment for now"
Currently, Shiba is living in what was once Hasegawa's apartment.
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Without terminating her current lease with the apartment, Hasegawa
continues on with it and they got Shiba to live there, and when Basara has
conversations he can't have in front of Mio and the other girls, he would go
there himself.
"A demon huh... Do you know what faction they're from?"
Basara asked, puzzled by this development.
If it's regarding observation, Takigawa had already been dispatched as a joint
operative from both the current demon lord faction and the moderate faction.
For either of the top two leaders Ramsus and Leohart to dispatch another
person to monitor them doesn't seem very likely. This is due to the nature of
their current relationship with Basara and the girls, as well as due to the
presence of Takigawa.
On that side, there should've already been a level of trust.
With that,
"I'm trying to get him to spill, but he's pretty tight-lipped... But from reading
his ki, he doesn't have the aura from either the moderate faction or the
current demon lord faction"
The moderate faction and the current demon lord faction have a slight
difference in their magic.
The aura they emit when using it is different.
And Shiba, who excels at manipulating ki, has no problem at all reading the
aura of others.
So it's likely that this person is someone from neither the current demon lord
faction nor the moderate faction.
— The current demon lord faction and the moderate faction are two of the
largest forces in the demon realm.
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With their combined forces, they make up around 70% of the demon realm.
However, there exists other factions in the demon realm, and there are also
independent communities that exist outside of factions.
If there's a third party who's aiming for dominance in the demon realm,
surely they won't sit by and do nothing, looking on enviously as the two
largest factions, the current demon lord faction and the moderate faction start
working together. It is understandable that they would look into avenues
around Basara and the girls, who could hold the key to their goals, and make
their move from that point.
"We should report this situation to the current demon lord faction and the
moderate faction through Takigawa"
"While I think that's a solid idea... I think we should think carefully about
how it's told to the heads Ramsus and Leohart. I think it would be better if
it's told to just the two of them, just like the discussions about forming the
alliance."
"...What do you mean by that?"
"That guy —- I'm not sure, but it seems like they figured out Mio-chan and
the other girls are pregnant"
At Shiba's words,
"..."
Basara narrowed his eyes.
—- The truth of Mio and the other girls' pregnancy, is top level secret. It's
known only by a select few.
The ones that Basara and the girls can confirm for sure are just Ramsus from
the moderate faction, Lucia and Sheila.
Of the current demon lord faction, it's just Leohart and Liala.
Of course — in order to have the alliance go forward, it's necessary to
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disclose that Mio and the other girls' pregnancy is the reason behind their
planned marriage at this time.
When an alliance is being considered, if there are hidden major details like
this, if it's to eventually come to light at a much later point, it won't be easy
to control the situation and could leave a bad feeling.
—- In the end however, that's a conversation that should still be limited to
just those in the moderate faction and current demon lord faction.
They can't see any good results from revealing the pregnancy of Mio and the
other girls to other factions.
There's only one possibility they could think of.
"Most likely a spy had infiltrated either the moderate faction or current
demon lord faction, and that spy was spreading information to other
factions."
"Except… Within the moderate faction and current demon lord faction there
aren't many who knew of this information to begin with. This isn't a good
look right now. Perhaps, this guy I managed to capture isn't here to observe,
but he's here for an assassination."
Most likely, said Shiba.
"It's the action of a rebel faction in opposition to the alliance with us. Maybe
they acted, thinking the pregnancy of Mio and the other girls provided a good
opportunity to do so. If they managed to kidnap one of the girls, there would
be a difference of opinions on how they would handle it between the
moderate faction and the current demon lord faction, likely to a large
degree... If it doesn't go as well as it could, then in the confusion, they'll be
able to find some sort of opening to create chaos"
What should we do?
"We should deal with it in a straightforward way, and present this guy's dead
body to that faction, in that case, we could show that we're aware that they've
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been spying, and we might be able to restrain them as well."
At that suggestion of Shiba's.
"...No"
Quietly, Basara shook his head.
"Let's hand that guy over to the demons... We'll get Takigawa to hand him
over to Leohart. As much as possible, I would like to avoid doing anything
that might be viewed as offensive, causing negotiations for the alliance to
stop"
Besides.
"If there's a traitor in the alliance... That's an error on their part. If we pin
that down and handle it in a way that involves them by handing the guy over,
it would be a positive impression"
"I see... But you're handing him over not to the alliance but to the current
demon lord faction. It's one of the ways to handle the current issue with
Celis-chan"
Smiling happily, Shiba instantly understood Basara's intention.
"Well done Basara... Looks like you're gradually growing to be able to make
some pretty clever decisions"
His string like thin eyes opened ever so slightly.
"You should face the issue with Celis-chan using that level of cruelty"
"..."
"Oops, looks like I said something out of line. Sorry."
Haha, Shiba laughed.
"Well then... If that's all decided, I'll be heading back for now. After all, now
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that we've managed to get our hands on a high value hostage. I have to
restrain him real well, even though his consciousness probably won't return
for at least another day, I would like to make sure he's not going to die on us
or anything like that, I have to ensure that his ki flow isn't going to be a
problem"
As Shiba said that, a train arrived at the platform.
It's the super express that Basara's taking.
With that,
"Well, I'm going now. Aah, right, I almost forgot."
Like remembering something, Shiba handed a paper bag to Basara.
"—-What's this?"
Opening the paper bag, Basara sees a toothbrush, toothpaste, breath mints
and a small plastic water bottle, and on top of that, deodorant spray for his
clothes,
"It's the main event tonight. If you'd like, use these before you get home"
After those words, as Basara looked up to glance at him, Shiba was no longer
there on the platform.
Basara, with a smirk, put a couple breath mints into his mouth.
After returning the case to the paper bag, he stepped into the open door of the
train.
Part 18
The clock was ticking close to eleven at night.
At the Toujou house, the preparations for the master-servant contract taking
place that evening were finished.
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— As such, when Basara gets home, it's time for the moment of truth.
Among those — one of the main players for tonight, Celis Reinhardt, was
waiting for that moment to start in the room given to her to use on the second
floor.
They'll tell her when Basara's gets home and Mio and the other girls finish
getting him ready.
Next, Mio and one of the other girls would call her over, then she would go
down to the living room —- after that, she would face Basara and they'll
instantly start with the master-servant contract.
The next knock on her door would determine her fate.
Even though that's how it was,
"..."
Celis was sitting on her bed with her hands on her thighs, curled tight.
—- Her resolve, already made, letting her real feelings sit in the depths of her
heart.
But at the moment, her heart still wavered.
With that,
"...Reinhardt, are you alright?"
Looking straight at her, suddenly a soft voice asked Celis that from right by
her side. When Celis looked at her, she could see a cute girl who was also
sitting on the bed right by her.
—- It's the girl who also wanted the master-servant contract together with
Celis this evening.
The half vampire Tachibana Nanao.
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But — how Nanao looks is completely different from Celis sitting there in
her everyday casual clothes.
Her womanly body is dyed lewdly, wearing a sensual bustier and garter belt.
There are fine details in places, with lace intricately worked into it, Nanao's
chest and butt was transparent in places — so that those important places
could be seen faintly through the clothes.
It was far more lewd than simply being naked, and Nanao willingly dressed
that way.
The form of master-servant contract that Nanao would make with Basara is
one that will be based on succubus magic —- and like Yuki's time, they
picked the same scenario regarding the kiss not happening with the masterservant mark.
However,
"Are you... really okay with this?"
Still undecided Celis, launched the question at Nanao.
They will be tying this master-servant contract using the power of Maria,
who by now had already tied the master-servant vow with Basara and whose
succubus power exceeded even her mother Sheila, famed as a legendary
succubus in her own right.
As such — the curse's arousal power, shall it arouse, will be to a degree
that's never seen before in history.
With that in mind — Nanao will most definitely turn into Basara's sex slave.
Understanding the meaning of that question, Nanao met with Celis' gaze.
"...Yeah"
With her cheeks red, she nodded with a happy smile on her face.
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"You see, I... I have always been running away all this time. Afraid of being
targeted,I keep hiding that I'm half vampire and even my own sex isn't fixed
because of it. Most likely, I've not only been lying to those around me but
also to myself"
However, Nanao said while looking up.
At the end of that gaze, was her thoughts regarding her most precious person.
"See, Toujou-kun... he accepted all of me despite that, telling me that it's all
okay. That we will always be friends despite everything. Probably, that's the
first time I realized my feelings for Toujou-kun"
"But, Basara is..."
Before she could finish those words,
"Yeah... Toujou-kun has Naruse-san and the other girls, and even a secret
relationship with Hasegawa-sensei. I have been told that to a certain extent.
But, even so, I'm alright with that"
After all, Nanao said.
"Just like Naruse-san and the other girls, just like Hasegawa-sensei too —
Toujou-kun is the only one for me"
Tachibana Nanao worded the changes in her feelings once more.
"Soon after I began to develop feelings for Toujou-kun, during the student
council committee for the sports festival, I extended an invitation to Toujoukun and Hasegawa-sensei. At that time, my sex wasn't determined yet but,
coincidentally it was a period where I was a girl."
Moreover,
"After dinner, the student council played the "kings game", and I went to the
bathroom together with Toujou-kun, I took off all the male clothes I was
wearing and had to wear female ones"
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"All of your clothes..."
"Yeah... It was a cross-dressing thing, but panties and bra were included"
Celis looked on shocked at Nanao's embarrassing confession.
"And then we returned and Toujou-kun had to kiss me"
"Wait... a kiss for a game?"
"Seems like it was a game for adults and it often happens but we didn't go
that far and it wasn't determined where he should kiss me. It didn't have to
be on the lips, so on my hand was fine, or if you were brave on the cheek was
good as well"
"It didn't have to be on the lips"
"—-Toujou-kun kissed my nape"
Tachibana Nanao said in remembrance, as she touched her name.
"Probably, Toujou-kun didn't think much of it. I myself didn't think much of
it at the time"
But.
"A vampire's trait is — when they want to make someone their subordinate,
they would suck that person's blood from their nape. And then at the same
time then, my blood... It gets imbued by magic. In short, it's a bit like a
master-servant contract with vampires. And then — even though I'm a halfblood, I'm still a vampire"
"Since I don't do any vampiric actions, being kissed by Toujou-kun on my
nape was a powerful memory... Ever since that night, to me, Toujou-kun has
always been someone I could never forget"
But.
"Toujou-kun already had Naruse-san, Hasegawa-sensei and the other girls. I
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felt like there's no way I could stand up next to such amazing people... For
him to even be liked by this half-baked me, I felt like I was even troubling
Toujou-kun. Therefore I put a lid on my feelings, using my magic eyes on
myself, so that I didn't end up liking Toujou-kun like that"
Nanao said, looking a bit upset.
"..."
Celis looked at Nanao with a dark expression.
— Tachibana Nanao understood that expression.
Before she used her own magic eyes on herself — it's the same face she
always made as she looked into the mirror.
...So it's just like Naruse-san said, huh...
At that time afterschool, they peeped on Basara and Yuki having sex in the
empty classroom — Kurumi had said.
There's a lesson they had to teach Celis no matter what.
Paralyzed at seeing the extremely lewd scene in front of them, she couldn't
really think much about it at the time, but later on Mio had told her the
meaning behind those words.
Celis was suppressing her true feelings all while proposing the master-servant
contract with Basara.
It's something Nanao had once done — and it's something she knew she
shouldn't have done.
That's why they had to teach Celis.
"But Reinhardt... My feelings for Toujou-kun aren't something that can be
suppressed by my magic eyes. No matter how beautiful Naruse-san,
Hasegawa-san and the other girls are, no matter how much I might trouble
Toujou-kun... Despite all that, I still like Toujou-kun"
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As such.
"Even if you may be able to fool your own surface consciousness, you can
never fool yourself on a deeper level... So this body of mine, holding deep
down my feelings for Toujou-kun, remains one of a girl"
Since then, Nanao said.
"At the end of the third term... I accidentally got into an aroused state due to
my magic eyes and was helped by Toujou-kun. And then Toujou-kun, he
properly confronted me... Even though Kajiura-senpai got dragged into it,
Hasegawa-sensei still joined in to help"
And then.
"After that… Hasegawa sensei had revealed the truth behind what I had done,
and nevertheless, Toujou-kun accepted my feelings."
Therefore, Nanao announced.
"I'm now — not going to lie about my feelings anymore."
And then Nanao explored a lewd action beyond all descriptions.
Following the instructions of Hasegawa, who by that point was already
Basara's sex slave. Nanao lewdly serviced Basara — desiring to be wrecked
by him.
They didn't cross that final line but it was to the point Basara's penis had
slipped inside her panties, rubbing against her womanly entrance — and it
was then Nanao was fully reborn as a woman.
"And then after the end of spring break, going on to second year... After
Toujou-kun joined the student council. I was told by him, about the fight with
this amazing person called Shiba Kyoichi, and the master-servant vow with
Naruse-san and the other girls, as well as all the uncertainties that might
happen down the line."
And one of those uncertainties was how Basara's enemy might target Nanao.
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But,
"Hearing that, I instantly asked him. If he and the girls are alright with it... I
want to tie the master-servant contract with him too"
When Basara went to the demon realm, all Nanao could do was watch him go
quietly.
At that time, she was still hiding her true form — that of a half vampire, from
Mio and the other girls.
—- But Basara, having returned from the demon realm had a different feel
about him.
He had an unbelievable life and death battle, that much was instantly
obvious.
...But
The Basara who Nanao met after a long time during the entrance ceremony
after spring break, was even more drastically different.
On one hand he's so much more attractive —- on the other, there's a dark and
cold feel to him. It's without a doubt he had emerged victorious over an
unimaginable life and death battle again, and for the sake of winning that, he
had lost something in the process.
Unable to hold her feelings for Basara—- Without really thinking, Nanao had
serviced him lewdly in a supermarket bathroom.
Nanao couldn't give anything more to Basara.
Therefore, together with Basara's current situation, and also hearing about the
master-servant contract and the latter master-servant vow, Nanao instantly
wanted to have the same with Basara.
—- She didn't want to be left behind anymore than this.
With that — it's not only Basara who accepted her feelings, but also Mio and
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the other girls.
Nanao, with the vampire's blood flowing through her body is one which is
easily targeted by the hero clan — particularly by the Vatican and the heroes
in America. If perhaps on the path to forming the alliance; the Vatican or
America might possibly become aware of Nanao; they might even take the
opportunity to make an attack through her —- from a political standpoint, it
would be difficult for Basara to repel such an attack.
Therefore, in order to protect Nanao, the girls allowed Basara to form a
master-servant contract with her.
The Nanao's existence could still become a shackle in terms of the alliance.
— So for Nanao to be of use to Basara, they must hurry and get to the
master-servant vow stage.
Even though there's a gap in fighting power — through the master-servant
vow, Basara and the other girls had reached a different dimension of power.
So just a master-servant contract has no real reason now, and how far it will
go with a master-servant vow is still incalculable.
...But.
According to Hasegawa, as Nanao has vampire blood flowing through her,
there's a possibility of unlocking an even higher level of power should they
reach a master-servant vow.
If it all goes well, it might even have the potential to reach the current level of
Mio and the other girls... When said like that, there's no other choice but to
bet on that possibility.
Therefore, they chose the method that helped Basara reach the level of
phenomenon of master-servant vow, using Maria's — the succubus magic, to
tie the master-servant contract.
And then, with Nanao's confessions,
"..."
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Celis continued to be silent, with her gaze shifting away.
Looking at her from the side, one could see her eyes tremble —- Therefore,
Nanao was sure now.
...As I suspected, you're lost aren't you Celis-san?
Different from Nanao who decided to tie the master-servant contract with
Basara using the succubus magic like Mio and the other girls, Celis had said
that she will use her own magic.
—- Celis' super serious nature, is something that Nanao had already noticed
in the past month and a half she's known Celis for.
Therefore, when she first heard of Celis' master-servant contract, she
understood that Celis would resist using the succubus magic for the contract,
and Nanao herself didn't plan to inject any of her opinions into it.
...But
A master-servant contract —- whether in a bad way or a good way, it would
change your life.
Celis decided to tie the master-servant contract so that she doesn't drag
Basara's group down, a reason similar to Nanao herself.
...Besides.
Having met at school now, as well as working on student-council activities
together, Nanao had gotten to interact with Celis many times —- and that's
why she realized.
The way Celis looks at Basara, it's the same as her own, as well as Mio and
the other girls.
— Of course, that much isn't enough to say that she should tie the masterservant contract using the succubus magic like the other girls.
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To strengthen a master-servant contract, a deeper sense of submission must
be felt towards their master Basara.
As such, tying the master-servant contract with the succubus magic would
eventually end with them falling into being sex slaves like Mio and the other
girls, and thinking about it normally, this wouldn't be acceptable to the
serious Celis.
As a single girl who likes Basara —- surely she would want an intimate
relationship with him.
That's a natural way to feel.
...But.
Basara has Mio and the other girls. To Basara, they're what's most important
to him.
It's because they all understood that the girls had given up on having Basara
all to themselves.
...No, that's not quite right.
They didn't give up. All of them have something they can't give up on.
Living by Basara's side —- being able to lay with him, that future.
Therefore Mio and the other girls, they all naturally sought a way they could
live by Basara's side.
— Nanao had once thought of pulling herself away from those girls.
But she couldn't do it. It was impossible.
...After all.
Tachibana Nanao as it is, already has no one else she wants to be with but
Basara.
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There were so many times she felt like Basara would go far away —- with
Mio and the other girls.
During those times she felt miserable, and it felt strange.
Once, she thought of forgetting it all.
...But
Even though Nanao was the one who recklessly pulled her hand away, Basara
held on to her tight.
She kept thinking that Basara is going far away without seeing it from his
perspective... While Basara is there, looking at her in a place where she could
reach.
That's why now —- Tachibana Nanao can be here.
Like Mio and the other girls, living with Basara.
Standing at the threshold of that future.
...If perhaps.
If perhaps Celis could give up on Basara as a love interest —- to give up on
the person she would wish to give her life to entirely, then tying the masterservant contract using her own magic is fine.
But —- if it's like what Mio and the others say, Celis is just lying to her own
feelings.
If like Nanao once did, she would continue to push away her feelings for
whatever reason.
It's a mistake to tie the master-servant contract with Basara in this way.
To Celis herself — and to Basara and Nanao and the other girls as well.
Therefore,
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"Having met Toujou-kun, being able to spend time with him, I feel like I've
truly found life. I wish to tie the master-servant contract using succubus
magic with him, from the bottom of my heart"
Tachibana Nanao announced to the girl in front of her.
And then, with her eyes gazing straight into Celis, she asked,
"Celis-san.... What do you actually want to do?"
Part 19
Celis was questioned about the true nature of her feelings.
"—-I'm"
The feelings were right on the tip of her tongue, but then she swallowed them
down.
What she wants to do with her true feelings, is a question she still doesn't
know how to answer.
She likes Basara — that much is fact.
If it's Basara, she's willing to dedicate all that she is, and if that's what he
wishes for, she wouldn't even mind becoming his sex slave.
If it's together with Basara, she would happily descend into hell.
That much is all true.
...But.
If she does that, then it would be just as the Vatican wants.
Even though she wanted to tie the master-servant contract with Basara so she
would stop burdening him, that master-servant contract could become trouble
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for him and the other girls.
That's something she doesn't want to happen at all.
Because of that, she doesn't follow what she wants but what she feels is best
for Basara.
That's the reason why she doesn't follow what she wants, but what she feels
is best for Basara.
...Even so.
Basara had said he would tie the master-servant contract with Celis in the
way she wants to.
—- It's likely he completely sees through to her feelings.
Moreover, Mio and the other girls are set on how she should tie the masterservant contract using Maria's — succubus magic. Because they believe that
to be Celis' true desire.
And currently Celis is being questioned.
They questioned what she really wants to do.
But,
"....I'm sorry"
Even though they really made her think. Even though she really questioned
her own heart.
Even though it's making her confused — to the point of getting frustrated.
When it comes to prioritizing Basara or herself, no matter what her own
desire can't find its way out.
Just as Celis tried wording an appology,
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"——Ah"
Suddenly, a shocked voice spilled out of her.
Nanao, who's right beside her, enveloped her with a gentle hug.
"It's alright, don't apologize... Didn't I tell you, I couldn't come to my
answer by myself either"
The kind Nanao continued,
"I didn't even really understand my own feelings. When there's more than
two important feelings at stake... I'm sure that it's hard to give up on either,
and it must really hurt"
However,
"It's alright, you don't have to suffer alone. We're all here. That's why,
Celis-san, share your feelings"
"I'm sure we can find the best answer for you and for everyone as well"
After all,
"We're all by your side Celis-san... I'm here, and Toujou-kun is too"
Having understood the feelings of Nanao,
"Tachibana-san..."
As she's held in that embrace, Celis' voice shook.
"It's alright to call me Nanao... I'll call you Celis-san too"
It's at that moment, as Nanao rubbed her back gently,
—- They could hear a sound from the first floor.
The opening of the living room door.
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"—-Welcome home, Basara-sama"
"Welcome home, Basara-niichan"
Zest and Kurumi welcomed this house's master— no, the girls' master, and
those voices could be heard from the room.
And then,
"—-Hey, I'm back"
Responding to Basara's short voice that can be heard from the hallway,
"—-"
Without realising it, Celis froze up and gulped down.
Finally, the time has arrived.
As Basara's footsteps faded into the living room, Celis got super nervous.
"It's alright... It's alright, Celis-san"
Nanao tried to calm her down by continuing to hug her.
With that, Nanao's chest was right at Celis' ears.
...Ah... Nanao-san...
Celis then realized the sound of her chest had the same fast sounds as her
own.
Even so —- she faced Celis seriously, trying to calm her down.
"—-"
Celis, almost in tears, hugged her back.
The two who are about to tie the master-servant contract with Basara — the
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two of them, were hugging each other.
—- And then, after ten minutes that seemed like forever.
Footsteps from the living room could be heard going up the stairs.
Their destiny was slowly coming closer —- at that truth, Celis and Nanao
gulped down, looking at the door.
The footsteps stopped at Celis' door, and then there was a knock on the door.
Celis and Nanao then got up from the bed.
"...W-we're here"
As their voices trembled, there was a click opening the door, letting
themselves in
Three people walked in through the door.
Mio and Hasegawa with their kind faces.
And then,
"Toujou-kun"
Nanao who's next to Celis let out a sound towards Basara, who they thought
they would face in the living room.
"What's wrong... Is there a problem?"
Even though one person was enough to call them over, three of them had
come —- and on top of it Basara too.
"No, it's nothing. It's just, we have something to discuss with Celis"
"..."
Celis returned Basara's words with silence.
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—- There's a condition related to her master-servant contract with Basara.
It should happen in a way that Celis truly wanted.
Celis had yet to answer that question for Basara.
Of course, that reason being Celis still can't get the answer out from inside
her.
Due to her silence,
"Celis-san..."
Nanao's worried voice called out to her.
"Nanao... You go ahead with Mio"
Basara said with a calming voice.
"...Okay, I get it"
Since it's something her master Basara was telling her to do, Nanao couldn't
do anything but agree to do it.
Therefore Nanao began to walk downstairs —- at that moment,
"—-It's alright. Believe me"
Nanao softly said, just so only she could hear her..
—- Those comforting words were surely meant to support Celis through
regarding whatever Basara and Hasegawa wanted to talk to her about.
As if having said all she meant with all her feelings, Nanao went to Mio's
side.
"So Celis-san, we'll be going ahead first"
At the moment Mio said that —- her eyes met Celis'.
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On her face was an extremely gentle look,
...Mio...?
The meaning of the look wasn't easily understood, however Mio didn't mind,
she went with Nanao outside of the room, and closed the door behind them.
After that —- two sets of footsteps walked down the stairs and disappeared.
"—-Celis"
Basara called out as he looked straight at her,
"..."
Reacting instinctively, Celis' body trembled.
She was nervous.
"Our master-servant contract… I had told you my condition for it is that it
should be done in a way that you truly want. When we talked about it before,
you said you wanted to use your own magic"
With that said, Basara's stare intensified.
"This is just a final confirmation but —- is that still how you feel now?"
"—-I"
Celis began answering back but no words came out beyond that.
—- What's the most important thing to Celis Reinhardt?
Is it her love for Basara? Or was it to be of use to Basara.
...I wonder, why?
Even though when I asked for the master-servant contract, I wasn't
conflicted.
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Even after everyone told her to be honest, she still wasn't sure what she
should do.
"What should I do... I don't know what's right"
As she murmured, words finally spilled out.
—- Even if they didn't answer Basara's question.
But what she finally said, was a lie without anything to conceal it.
"...Yeah, I understand what you mean"
"Eh—-?"
Celis looked up responding to Basara's voice.
With that, her eyes met with Basara's right in front of her.
With a smile, so extremely kind,
Celis looked at Toujou Basara with her eyes full of surprise.
"Me tool... I don't know what's the right thing to do. No matter how much I
keep thinking about it"
"What's the thing I can't give up on no matter what —- I thought of that"
"What you can't give up on..."
To Celis who replied like in a trance, Basara nodded with a "yeah" taking a
glance at Hasegawa as she leaned against the wall of the room.
—- That way of thinking is a piece of advice given to Basara by Hasegawa
when he was once conflicted.
Facing it that way, one wouldn't just realize their true feelings, but also put
them in the context of the situation in front of them, and it had helped him
overcome many difficulties.
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"That's why I now live with everyone in this house and will be together with
them in the future. Also, I want to protect our life we have now"
Moreover, Basara said
"This is just my guess but... Isn't the thing you don't want to give up on your
sense of justice?"
As such, while she can't forgive Albareos' deeds, she can't bear to lose the
Vatican who raised her and her friends.
She holds Basara and the girls dear but, regarding their relationships based on
the master-servant vow —- it's difficult for her to understand, and it doesn't
fit into her own logic and common sense as per her world view.
...That's why, for sure Celis,
Thinking of that sense of justice inside her, she had said that she wants to tie
the master-servant contract using her own magic.
That feeling is understandable.
Nonetheless, Basara continued to express how he really felt.
"Rising all the way up to the rank of holy knight, certainly you believe the
justice of the Hero Clan is right. And I don't plan to deny that."
However,
"I don't want you to put yourself at risk with the master-servant contract by
taking on a magic with such nature —- that's how I really feel"
"Basara—"
After becoming aware of Basara's real feelings, Celis wasn't sure what to
say.
"Doing what's right... Even if it's just by a little bit, I'd like to reduce the
chance of a mistake. With your upbringing, and your personality, when you
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bring that into consideration, I can understand how you feel"
Hasegawa, who had been quiet all this time, softly parted her lips and spoke.
"Originally, the master-servant contract was intended for those who were
already master and servant. It's because for those with a fixed role as such,
they could strengthen each other through the contract. Even though there's
cases of tying the master-servant contract onto enemies by force, it's because
it didn't matter if someone dies"
"Celis... You and Basara are childhood friends. Even if you tie the masterservant contract with him using magic, it doesn't nullify your relationship
with him up to this point. There are plenty of possible incidents that could
happen to trigger the curse of the master-servant contract"
To top it off, Hasegawa said.
"More than anything it's about personality... At the base of it, You're overly
serious. That's not saying it's good or bad. But that's why while you have to
acknowledge the nature of relationships between Basara, myself and the other
girls, it doesn't mean that you think it's right"
"That's—"
Hasegawa smiled sympathetically, at Celis, who looked very sorry.
"It's alright. It's not a wrong way of thinking. The relationship between us
and Basara, if you look at it from a conventional point of view, it's definitely
going to be seen as odd"
But.
"If you think your master is wrong, the curse will activate instantly. That's
why if you tie the master-servant contract with Basara, you have to believe,
from the bottom of your heart, that our relationship is right. But, are you able
to do such a thing?"
"...I probably can't right away"
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Responding to Hasegawa's point, Celis spoke honestly.
"However... I can start to understand bit by bit"
"That's an admirable position… if you tie the master-servant contract using
your magic, the curse would activate as petrification"
Hasegawa continued.
"The way to relieve the symptoms of the curse is to strengthen your feelings
for your master from deep down. In the month and a half you've been with
us, you've done that significantly but... Even so, your upbringing and
personality really affix your values and worldview"
As such.
"The curse won't wait for your change of heart. As you are right now, tying
the master-servant contract. You wouldn't be able to live in this house."
"But...t-thats"
Celis said, trying to object.
"Until I get used to it, can't you lend me your help, Afureia-sama? You, with
your togami powers... Surely you can help in keeping the curse from
activating?"
"I did think of that but..."
Hasegawa said exasperatedly.
"Celis... I'm sorry, but that isn't possible"
"W-why is that?"
Celis said, looking at her surprised.
"Do you not get it? I've tied the master-servant vow with Basara"
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Hasegawa said.
"If the curse activates for you, that means you've betrayed Basara in some
way. I can't suppress a curse that activates for my master Basara"
"That's..."
Basara looked at Celis as she stood dumbfounded.
— It's not odd that Celis had not thought of what Hasegawa pointed out.
Ultimately, the master-servant contract is a system that came from the
hierarchical demon society.
With the hero clan, even if they tie contracts with spirits and beasts, such a
contract between humans doesn't happen, so it's hard to completely
understand the finer details.
...In addition to that,
The Ten Gods are of absolute importance to the hero clan.
Due to that reverence, the way Celis thinks, putting all her trust in Hasegawa,
would stop there. More than anything —- to Celis, Basara is a close
childhood friend.
With having her naïveté pointed out, Celis was at a loss for words.
Hasegawa asked,
"What will you do? Would you still want to tie a master-servant contract that
threatens your life with Basara?"
And to that, Celis objected,
"O-of course. No matter what, I will tie the master-servant contract with
Basara. I will not give up on that. Without that I'll be holding you back —"
Interrupting her, Hasegawa rejected her declaration.
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"—-In that case, unless you make it with Maria's magic, it's far too
dangerous"
But Celis didn't seem to understand that at all.
"Why's that, Afureia-sama... I don't fear death"
"Of course. I'm not doubting your justice or your courage"
But with a voice turned cold, Hasegawa said,
"If you die from the curse of the master-servant contract, it would no longer
be an issue of whether or not you're holding us back. It's without a doubt,
trouble to us. It's a tragedy with nothing beyond it. Especially for Basara who
continues to shoulder the blame for the catastrophe that happened because he
couldn't control his power, feeling the weight of it, do you want to add
further to that?"
"——!?"
Celis looked at her surprised.
Wanting to do things based on her own justice, that's something that Basara
can understand.
—- But, in the end Basara and Celis weren't seeing eye to eye.
The kind words turned to sharp. A soft sympathetic smile into a blank
expression.
Celis didn't know how she should react at all right now.
Therefore, Basara, without looking at Celis,
"...Sensei"
First, He instructed Hasegawa not to torment Celis anymore.
Because Celis wasn't at fault for this.
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Following his instruction, Hasegawa withheld any other words she might've
had.
Basara then walked right in front of Celis and placed his hands gently on her
shoulders.
"Celis—"
"..."
Celis still couldn't manage any words.
The girl looked down quietly, as if she was about to cry.
She said with an upset voice,
"...Basara, surely you understand why the Vatican let me go to you"
Nodding with a quiet voice, he said,
"...Yeah"
"Are you just going to follow the Vatican's plans without any resistance?"
Basara shook his head as Celis looked up at him.
"That's not it. We're just going through with what's best for us — if on top
of it we somehow manage to meet Vatican's expectations then so be it"
"...So do you think me tying the master-servant contract with you using the
succubus magic is for the best?"
In response to Celis,
Toujou Basara resolutely said,
"If you must tie the contract with me at all cost — then yes"
To Celis who was wide-eyed in shock, it was an unexpected response.
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"—-"
"But this is what I decided unilaterally. I'm the one forcing you to go through
with it this way and you're just going along with it. Therefore, no matter
what the result, it's not going to be on you. It'll be my responsibility"
Even if after the fact, the Vatican said something, it wouldn't be on Celis.
By all others' understanding, tying the master-servant contract using the
aphrodisiac trait would entirely be Basara's fault.
Of course, this isn't the ideal situation, but even a little, it helps Celis' heart.
...Besides.
In this way, it'll also put to a stop the investigations of the Vatican, the ones
with the most overwhelming power among all the different hero clan
districts.
Of course, if it's just as Basara wants, he would like to avoid causing
anything that unnecessarily strengthens his ties with the Vatican . At the
moment, Celis is by Basara's side as a representative of the Vatican. As such,
to the Vatican, if Basara and Celis tie the master-servant contract, they would
see that as a reason to push for stronger ties with Basara.
And then, Celis, understanding the situation said,
"...I have to stop living as a member of the hero clan, huh?"
Basara responded,
"I can't deny that it's definitely a choice"
With that said, Basara then revealed something to Celis.
—- It was about his difficulties in establishing an alliance with the demons.
How Celis and her affiliation with the Vatican is the crux of that.
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"That's... I can't believe I'm already troubling you, Basara"
"Don't worry about it. Celis, you're not the problem —- it's the Vatican"
Toujou Basara said, in order to alleviate Celis' guilt.
"Besides —- there's a way for you to remain in the hero clan, and for us to
solve the problem with making the alliance with the demons, and even to
thwart the Vatican's plans"
"In addition to tying the master-servant contract with me — for you to stand
at the top of the Vatican"