Fortunately, the elders hadn't strictly demanded a sacrifice; Yuki and Kurumi had decided to play it by ear. But after actually meeting Ethan, the sisters felt the elders' request wasn't that hard to accept.
Yuki's heart wavered as she bit her red lip, her expression hesitant. Although she was curious and her body was sending signals of craving, she couldn't bring herself to surrender her precious virginity just for that.
Suddenly, Ethan let go of her. "I'm not using the intel as a condition to force you."
He gave her rounded buttocks a firm squeeze, claiming a bit of "interest" before withdrawing his cock from between her legs. Ethan pulled up his pants and adjusted his clothes. "Dual cultivation isn't a secret. I can tell you everything, but whether you believe it is up to you."
Except for his ability to copy talents and skills, the "side effect" that women can't leave him isn't a secret. It's just that many people don't believe such a powerful ability comes with no downsides. Yuki might believe him, but those elders in the Hero Village likely wouldn't take his word for it.
Yuki's eyes were so wet they looked ready to drip. The moment the hot dragon left her, she felt a sense of relief, but a mysterious wave of disappointment simultaneously surged in her heart.
"Why?" she whispered.
"Why what?" Ethan finished tidying up the storage room, waking the four girls who were still basking in the afterglow. Gym class was ending soon; all traces had to be erased.
"Why didn't you use this to threaten... to make a deal with me?" Yuki had wanted to say "threaten," but felt it wasn't quite accurate. She was confident in her beauty, believing she was as good as any girl around him, so why didn't Ethan want to do it with her?
Ethan saw right through the cold hero girl's thoughts. "Because I'm greedy. I don't just want your body; I want your heart."
Yuki's breath hitched. After a long pause, she said, "I only act on the village's orders. Aren't you afraid I'll betray you?"
Ethan glanced at her. He knew just how stubborn this seemingly cold girl could be. If he truly won Yuki's heart, she wouldn't just betray the village—she would even turn on her own sister for him.
"I'm not afraid. You can't beat me." Ethan paused, then added, "And those old geezers in your village can't beat me either."
On the surface, Yuki remained calm, but her inner emotions were in a violent turmoil. Seeing Ethan's unmasked desire and confidence, her original awkwardness and resistance quietly vanished. If Ethan wanted something to happen now, she wouldn't hesitate.
Unfortunately, Ethan couldn't read minds. Looking at the crystal fluid between her legs, he teased, "Yuki, there are many other ways to solve a problem besides dual cultivation. Want to try one first?"
While dual cultivation could use a mission as an excuse, other forms of intimacy required a mutual spark. That feeling didn't have to be love, but it was at least a high level of favorability. Ethan expected Yuki to refuse, but instead, he saw her gently nod her chin.
Just as he was wondering if he had misheard and was about to ask again, the bell rang.
"Yuki... forget it, let's go." Ethan pushed the doubt down. There would be plenty of opportunities.
Soon, it was time to leave school. Ethan left with Tsukinose and Fuyuko, with Yuki following closely.
"Huh?" Kurumi Nonaka watched her sister's figure, an unconscious sound of confusion escaping her lips. Yuki looked the same as before, but something felt different. After staring for a while, she noticed that the distance between Yuki and Ethan had shortened. Previously, she had been a full step behind, but now she was slightly to his side and much closer.
It was a small change, but as sisters who grew up together, she sensed the shift. This looked less like surveillance and more like... a boyfriend and girlfriend. Well, maybe not quite there yet, but definitely close friends of the opposite sex.
Kurumi's heart felt complicated. It had only been three days, and her high-and-mighty sister seemed to be falling. Truly a dangerous man. The purple-haired girl's gaze toward Ethan became wary, but it soon turned into resignation. This is fine. If we have to sacrifice ourselves, it's better to give your first time to someone you like than someone you don't.
Actually, it wasn't just Kurumi. Yuuki Kiba and other perceptive girls also noticed something. Because he was surrounded by girls all day, Ethan didn't notice it immediately, but given time, he surely would. However, he would likely make a direct move before that.
Ethan had planned to bring up the storage room incident again after an orgy with Fuyuko, Kanna, and Tsukinose. But just as they reached Fuyuko's apartment, he received a message from Rias.
"Fuyuko, sorry, I'll make it up to you next time." Looking at the three resentful beauties, Ethan felt helpless. He didn't want to leave either, but this was urgent.
Though disappointed, Fuyuko and the others knew what was important and didn't make a scene. Fuyuko and Kanna each grabbed one of his arms and kissed his cheeks.
"It's a promise. Next time, don't stop until we can't get out of bed."
"Little succubi, just wait. This Great Devil King will make sure you're thoroughly satisfied." Since Ethan had devil blood and was at the Ultra Devil King level, calling himself a Devil King in jest was reasonable. After giving Tsukinose a kiss, Ethan headed home with Yuki.
The mansion was now renovated, so unless necessary, club activities after school took place at home. When Ethan and Yuki arrived, Rias, Akeno, the Naruse sisters, and Kurumi were already waiting in the living room. Ethan sat between Rias and Akeno. Yuki paused for a moment and then sat next to Kurumi.
"Ethan, the documents regarding the surveillance have arrived." Rias produced a paper radiating faint magic. Matters involving the two realms wouldn't be recorded in normal ways to prevent tampering. "You will be under Yuki's surveillance for a period of one year."
"Doesn't matter. She can watch me for a lifetime," Ethan said casually as he picked up the document. Yuki's body twitched slightly, a light flashing in her cold eyes.
"Eh?" Ethan flipped through the pages. "Kurumi's surveillance target has been changed to Mio?"
"Yes," Rias said. "That's why I called you back."
Mio Naruse hadn't joined any clubs, but she wasn't a "go-home club" member. Besides studying, she spent her free time practicing to master her inner power—partly to deal with Zolgear and partly to reunite with her parents soon. Once she was strong enough to protect them, her parents wouldn't need to stay hidden under the Gremory family's protection.
Rias then pulled out another document. "This is news Grayfia just sent. Everyone, take a look."
Ethan took it first. A moment later, he passed it to Mio and Maria. While the others read, Ethan leaned his head on his hand, thinking.
The Hero Clan wanting to monitor the sister of a Devil King and the next head of the Gremory family required negotiation with the Underworld's top brass. Despite having a legitimate reason, they couldn't reach a total agreement. Monitoring Ethan was one thing, but monitoring Rias was an insult to the devils. Devil nobles were prideful. The Hero Clan didn't insist on monitoring Rias, as monitoring Ethan was effectively the same.
As for monitoring Mio, it was because of Zolgear. After the Three Factions meeting, Sirzechs and Serafall had been looking for trouble with Zolgear. But that old man was slippery. Without clear evidence, they couldn't just execute him. After some back and forth, they settled for secret surveillance.