After Takumi's training, both Setsuna and Flare had become formidable fighters.
Especially Setsuna—after breaking through her level cap, she was no longer just a battle-hardened veteran; she finally had the numbers to match her experience.
Takumi filled in those missing stats, and Setsuna's power skyrocketed.
Even when facing three or four Mad Bull Tribe members who each possessed intermediate-tier demonic strength, Setsuna could casually pierce a heart with her ice-claws or sever a throat in a single clean strike.
Even Flare, whose raw strength might superficially appear higher, lacked Setsuna's ruthless efficiency.
Bodies littered the ground; the nearby townsfolk scattered in a panic, terrified of getting caught in the crossfire. The tavern that had been lively only moments before was now empty.
Just as Takumi prepared to scoop Eve into his arms and leave, a figure appeared in the street. Light armor clung to a perfect silhouette; silver hair fell like a waterfall. Kureha Clyret blocked the path of Takumi and his group, sword at her waist.
She stared at Takumi in disbelief. The instant their eyes met, a jolt ran through her heart.
"?" Takumi was stunned—how could it trigger again when they'd already exchanged looks!?
Kureha's inner stirrings made her bite her pale lip; tears glittered in her eyes. "Takumi—thank goodness, you're alive!"
Kureha had come ahead as a vanguard to scout, and she never expected to find Takumi here. But after the initial shock came a rising doubt.
Although Takumi had subtly altered Flare's appearance, those who knew Flare could still recognize her at a glance. And Ellen's face hadn't changed at all. The sight of the second missing princess, Norn, standing there confirmed Kureha's suspicions.
"Where are the missing first and second princesses doing with you?" she demanded.
"And these demons at your side—Takumi, did you kidnap the princesses and join the Demon Lord?"
Kureha didn't want to leap to slander, but the scene before her forced suspicion onto her mind. Takumi's expression was difficult to read—calling it a misunderstanding would only be half true.
"Do me a favor, Kureha. Sheathe your sword. Let's talk," Takumi said.
Kureha was silent for several seconds, eyes flickering. Finally she withdrew her blade, exhaled, and stepped forward.
"Please tell me everything. I don't want us on opposite sides. You saved me once—I won't fight you willingly."
Her voice and gaze were sincere enough to make Takumi feel awkward. He picked Eve up with a princess carry and led the group to an abandoned house some ways off, away from prying eyes.
He removed the poisoned arrow from Eve's thigh and placed a palm over the wound. The touch was delicate and springy—truly pleasant. Eve, still numb from the toxin, felt Takumi's hand and a flush crept over her snow-white skin. As a faint jade glow sprang to life, she regained awareness of her body.
"Eek!" Eve shrieked and instinctively pulled her cloak tighter.
Ignoring her bashfulness, Takumi looked to Kureha, whose cheeks were slightly flushed.
"Explaining this with words will be troublesome. I'll show you the memories directly, Kureha." Takumi reached and took Kureha's hand.
In an instant, memories of the dark side of the Jioral Kingdom spilled before Kureha's eyes: slaughtered civilians, enslaved demi-humans, the kingdom allowing demons to invade… one atrocity after another battered her previously held worldview.
While her mind reeling, Takumi activated his [Master–Servant Contract] magic. He had no intention of persuading her with mere speech. The pink collar sigils manifested along Kureha's white, swan-like neck—she didn't even notice.
"Jioral protects people from the demons; it's their shield and sword—how could they do such things!" Kureha cried, staring hard at Eve. To her, Takumi consorting with demons looked like deliberate seduction and betrayal.
Such disbelief was exactly what Takumi expected; anyone confronted and then contradicted would naturally resist. He understood that fighting reason with reason often failed. So he forcibly sealed the [Master–Servant Contract].
"Since you won't believe my words, let me have them speak themselves." Takumi snapped his fingers and awakened the personalities of Flare and Norn.
Both girls blinked, then turned to face Kureha. Flare lowered her eyes, trembled slightly, and let out a soft moan: "Master~"
The first thing she did upon waking was instinctive devotion.
Norn—who had received less training—kept a clearer head and shouted, "Sword Saint, Takumi's words are lies! Kill him—get us out of here!!!"
"Norn… is all this a lie?" Kureha asked, torn.
"Yes! Kill him now!!!" Norn screamed, terrified to the point of losing control.
Norn clung to Kureha like a lifeline, hoping the swordswoman could save her and pull her out. If things continued, Norn felt she would drown entirely—her body could no longer resist Takumi's touch.
Kureha turned to Takumi, who was watching with a small smile, and struggled to draw her sword. Though she verbally professed distrust, inwardly she wavered. But Norn's desperate cries finally swayed her to the other side.
The moment Kureha drew her blade, the pink collar sigils on her neck flared brilliantly. A soft, seductive pink light suffused her entire body and she collapsed to her knees on the spot.
"Ah—what's happening… I can't… muster any strength."
Her face red, Kureha exhaled hot breath and looked at Takumi with a dazed expression. Her body stirred instinctively toward him—the raw urge to give herself over at his word.
At the same time, the collar on Norn's neck manifested as well. A powerful curse attacked her body, stiffening her muscles and making her tongue loll.
"How… my body?!" Norn struggled to raise a hand, only for Takumi to grasp it.
The instant Takumi took her hand, an even more intense curse wave crashed over her.
Puchi!
Blood spurted—Norn tensed to the breaking point. Takumi pinched her slack, bewildered face and said softly, "Naughty dog. I don't like disobedience, and I hate liars the most."
Slap!
With that, Takumi delivered a sharp slap.
Puchi! Norn tensed again, unable to speak.
The next moment Takumi scooped her up as if she were a child and held her up before Kureha.
"Now I'm going to make you tell the truth," he said.
...
For every 3 five-star reviews → +1 extra chapter
For every 50 Power Stones → +1 extra chapter.
Read 50+ chapters ahead on Patreon! [patreon.com/METARLN]
Use code FREE2ALL for 30% OFF!