The answer was straightforward, the slave brand spell was working as intended.
In essence, the slave brand spell served to enforce subjugation.
To elaborate, it altered the target's perception, compelling them to see the other party in an entirely positive light, without any reservations.
As a result, the target gradually adopted a dependent attitude toward the spell caster.
Due to this effect, the target could never harm the one they were dependent on.
Naturally, to hurt or harm the one upon whom one depends would mean betraying the very core of their being.
'But she attacked me… Yet because of the spell's influence, she couldn't unleash her full power... is that what happened?'
Seria's consciousness was telling her to kill Alain.
But the underlying consciousness was telling her not to.
As a result, most of Seria's strength was unconsciously sealed away, allowing Alain to survive.
"... If that's the case, then the real challenge lies in elevating the magic buried deep within the subconscious to the level of consciousness."
The biggest reason the spell had been imperfectly cast was likely due to the insufficient amount of magic infused into it.
It seemed that with his current level of magical power, it was difficult to successfully manifest the spell.
"Ugh!"
Whether Seria grasped Alain's mutterings or simply found them distasteful, she clenched her teeth and growled like a cornered beast, attempting to intimidate him into backing off.
Alain watched Seria with a serious expression.
There was no time to waste. As the situation unfolded, her consciousness sharpened with each passing moment. The imperfectly cast spell, however, was fated to be buried deeper within her mind.
If that happened, it would be impossible to take action. He had to reconstruct and reactivate the magic at this very moment.
But,
"..."
He didn't want to use that method.
He did not want to use it.
No matter how high the probability of success was, Alain had avoided that method consciously.
But now, there was no other way.
The amount of magical power remaining in his body was now practically negligible.
Thus, the only remaining method was to make the most of that little power he had left to successfully cast the spell.
'Crunch.'
Alain gritted his teeth.
No matter how much he labelled himself as a Demon King and took pride in being detached from humanity, he was still making an effort to uphold his principles.
That might have stemmed from his past, a time when he was brutally betrayed by humans. As a result, he was willing to do whatever it took, yet he still hadn't forgotten the kindness he had once received.
Therefore, at this moment,
The fact that he would have to taint the one who had saved him and who alone had given him a flawless smile in this situation filled Alain with torment.
"... I won't seek your forgiveness."
"...?"
"Hate me. That's all I need. As long as you can remember."
His voice was forced out as if wrung from his throat.
"..."
Seria stared blankly at Alain. Why? Why was he making that expression? After doing this, why was he?
At that moment of thought,
'Flutter,'
"...!"
Suddenly, a chill brushed against her skin.
Seria couldn't believe the unfolding situation.
"Hey, wait! Stop! What are you doing?!"
"...."
But Alain did not stop his movements.
He just silently fiddled with her body, which was immobilized by binding magic, and carefully removed her clothes.
The cool air hit Seria's skin as her partially unbuttoned top fell away, revealing her round breasts.
Alain's gaze lingered on them before he opened his mouth and rushed towards them as if intent on biting them.
"...!"
Seria couldn't help but let out a sharp gasp as his hot breath and wet tongue made contact with her bare skin.
Her back arched as she felt a mixture of pleasure and fear at the foreign sensation.
Despite her struggling like a wild animal, Alain held onto her tightly and continued to explore her body with his lips, teeth, and tongue.
"Ah! Ah! Ah!" Seria moaned with a mix of shame and desire as Alain's hands began to move towards her lower body.
With each touch, it felt as if tiny bugs were crawling over her skin, sending shivers through her body.
Her cheeks flushed with embarrassment and fear as she couldn't control the sounds escaping from her lips under Alain's skilled touch.
And in the midst of it all, Alain's hand slowly moved closer and closer to Seria's most intimate area.
The darkness enveloped Seria as she struggled against Alain's cold touch. Her voice was desperate and filled with fear as she begged him to stop.
"Hey, wait a minute! What are you doing?!" she shouted desperately, her face contorted with fear and desperation.
But Alain paid no heed to her protests, determined to carry out his plan.
He untied the strings at her waist, exposing her lower body, and slowly removed her pants with practised ease.
As he pulled away the delicate lace-decorated underwear that covered her most intimate parts, a shiver ran down Seria's spine.
In the dim light, she could barely make out Alain's figure as he stood before her, his clothing discarded on the ground.
Panic rose in Seria's chest as she realized what was about to happen.
"Please, no...stop it," she cried out through tears and sobs.
Alain clenched his jaw, struggling with his inner turmoil. He didn't want to go this far, but he couldn't let himself falter now.
He recalled the descendants of the Demons who were depending on him, as well as the haunting memory of Margarita's tragic fate.
With renewed determination, Alain reached for Seria's trembling body, his fingers grasping for her naked underwear.
As the foreign object penetrated her mouth, Seria grumbled in disgust.
"Ugh!"
She twisted her body, desperately trying to expel the intruder from her mouth, but it was made of a soft cloth and no matter how hard she tried, it refused to budge.
Instead, it became coated in saliva, making it even more difficult for her to breathe.
"...!"
Alain watched silently as Seria struggled against him, her eyes wide with fear and confusion.
He held his cock firmly, ready to strike, with a surge of strength, Alain forced Seria's body down onto the ground and plunged his cock into her pussy.
"Uuuuuup!"
A guttural cry escaped Seria's lips as pain shot through her body like an electric shock.
Her chin trembled uncontrollably and her screams echoed through the forest, but they were quickly swallowed up by the darkness around them.
Soon, there was only stillness and no one could hear her cries anymore.