He looked at Seria with a dazed gaze.
'What on earth was she saying?'
She didn't want to part?'
He understood that. But the words that followed.
'What did she mean by liking him?'
"..."
In this bewildering situation, Alain desperately tried to think and make sense of it. He couldn't let the situation continue as it was.
First, he needed to confirm if the magic he had cast was functioning properly.
And he was certain.
Without a doubt, the spell he had cast was the "Slave's Mark" spell.
It was definitely not "Charm Magic or Lovecraft."
After all, a spell that interferes with the emotions of another is impossible to execute with such a small amount of magical power. That's why he had chosen to use the Slave's Mark spell over many other options.
And the Slave's Mark does not have the effect of charm.
As the name implies, this magic is designed to create a mental dependency on the caster.
For instance, if the person under the spell were forced to choose between the caster and someone else, they would instinctively choose the caster.
Additionally, the person would feel an intense fear of parting or distancing themselves from the caster.
While it's not a perfect constraint, the dependency grows stronger over time.
It firmly roots itself in the depths of consciousness, making it impossible to extract.
However, that is a story for a significant time ahead.
It would be highly unlikely for such a sudden confession of affection to occur out of nowhere.
That's why Alain was seriously confused.
"... Wait a moment, Seria."
"Yeah?"
Alain tried to hold her back, who seemed about to leap at him, and opened his mouth.
"Um... we've only known each other for about a month. Don't you think it's a bit strange to talk about love after such a brief time?"
In terms of duration, a month.
But if he counted only the days they had been face to face, it was less than a fortnight.
"Isn't it unreasonable to say that we love each other over such a short time?"
Alain's words were almost a cry of desperation.
And it was understandable, Alain had lived 500 years ago.
Romantic marriage was not an easy thing, and chastity and simple love were revered as the highest values in that era.
In that era, Alain had been raised in a magical institute known as the Mage Tower.
Particularly in a place where it was difficult to see women, a literal place of abstinence.
Having grown up there since childhood and reaching adulthood, he found himself on the brink of death due to a conspiracy, and by chance, he had entered the demon realm.
There, he met his lover, Margarita, but it had taken nearly ten years after their first meeting for them to become a couple. It was only then that they confirmed their feelings for each other and entered a romantic relationship.
For that reason, such a sudden development was nothing short of bewildering for Alain.
However, in response to Alain's outcry, Seria said,
"It's okay! Love doesn't care about time! What matters is our feelings for each other!"
"No, that's true, but..."
There's no need for time for mutual attraction to blossom into love.
That was certainly a valid point.
But from Alain's perspective, it was hard to accept easily.
He needed to come up with an excuse.
"B-but I'm a commoner! I'm an orphan. I'm not worthy of you, Seria!"
"If that's the case, I'm also an orphan! Plus, I grew up alone in the mountains with my father as a country girl!"
"..."
Alain lost his retort to Seria's counterargument.
And soon, Seria launched a barrage of attacks.
"Or what? Do you not like me, Alain?"
"No, that's not it, but..."
"Ugh..."
The corners of Seria's eyes turned red as she spoke.
And tears began to glisten in her eyes.
'... It was dangerous. Truly dangerous.'
At this rate, the "Slave's Mark" spell could go out of control.
At any other time, it might not have been an issue, but right now, it was a serious problem. If this continued, Seria's dependency on Alain would only grow, trapping her in a bond she wouldn't be able to break free from.
If that happened, it would be a disaster.
Anyone would have doubts about this abnormal dependency.
If that happened, there would be those who would examine Seria's body to uncover the truth. And once they did, Alain's existence would be exposed.
If it comes to that, it's over.
His identity would be exposed, and everything would come crashing down. He had to stop Seria from reaching that situation somehow.
But at that moment, "... I understand, Alain."
"...?"
'Was she finally calming down?'
Alain thought that as he looked at Seria. But,
"...!"
Alain realizes the intense fire burning in her eyes, and the determination set in her tightly shut mouth.
Suddenly, she lurches forward, causing Alain to jump in surprise.
"What, what are you doing, Seria?!"
"Don't worry. It'll be over soon, Alain."
Trembling as she speaks, Seria slowly approaches Alain while removing her top. Alain, who had been hesitating and stepping back, turned around when he felt something touch his back.
A particularly large evergreen tree is standing with its roots firmly planted there.
And,
'Rustle'
".....!"
A soft touch on his chest. And the sweet smell of a young girl that lingers in the air.
Alain's crisis was looming ahead.