Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha

Nonaka Kurumi had a good affinity with spirits at a young age.

Five years before the tragedy attacked the 《 Village 》, while her older sister Yuki learned sword skills one after another increasing her abilities as a MultisaberSkill-Type Swordsman [1], Kurumi bloomed her talent as a Element MasterSpirit Magician. Right now, among the Element MasterSpirit Magician in the 《 Village 》, her skill developed to the extent that she could fight with one or two.

However──Kurumi couldn"t use her ability well right now. The place that usually serves as a channel for the spirits to lend their power would not open that easily. It"s because… they have come to the Demon Realm.

Wildart is a city which served as stronghold of the Moderates faction. In the past, this city was declared as the strongest, ruled by the Demon King Predecessor Wilbert for generations, a luxurious royal castle and bustling castle downtown. Surrounded by the rich nature of the forest Oldora, Nonaka Kurumi right now, was at the middle of the Fost River which flowed nearby Wildart Castle.

"───"

As Kurumi stood still in the riverbank as rocks and gravels roll, she reached her left palm which materialized the spirit gauntlet [2] to reach the water surface of the river, her consciousness was concentrated and the channel for sprits was opened.

Simultaneously, in the Soul Purity Arts that Kurumi pushed out in her left hand, ──a magic circle unfolded in the thin air, disturbing the flow of water in the river. A vortex began to gradually occur and grew to a size of a meter, and the water rolled up to the sky. As small droplets fell down, Kurumi raised her concentration once more, and the water that shot up gradually formed a certain divine beast.

A dragon.

"……OOoo～!"

From the top of a huge rock nearby, the little succubus companion who followed after her raised a voice of admiration ── she"s Naruse Maria. In front of what Maria is seeing right now,

"───"

Kurumi unexpectedly made a severe expression── At once, the shape of the water which curled upwards lost control, the dragon"s shape turned for worse, and the large quant.i.ty of water fell down the surface of the river like a waterfall in the sky.

"Isn"t that amazing Kurumi-san? Today, compared to yesterday, you"re able to use it up to this extent."

"……this isn"t that good at all."

To Maria who claps her hands in admiration, Kurumi replied with a frown.

──What Kurumi called for was a spirit of a water attribute. Usually, Undine and Nereids, and various spirits such as Apsaras [3] lend their powers to Kurumi.

But due to the Demon Realm"s[4] influence, Kurumi wasn"t able to open a channel with spirits well right now. She should be able to produce an even bigger water dragon if that isn"t true, and make them soar into the sky just as it is──but the results ended up to a degree that even a small size wasn"t possible to maintain.

Even as she appealed to a spirit like usual, their voice and reactions felt very distant. Perhaps Kurumi today can only take out half of her powers in comparison to when she"s in the human world.

Maria gave a bitter smile, then jumped off from the top of the rock and closed the distance to Kurumi. Then,

"Well, since training is going to end soon, let"s have lunch. The maid in the kitchen had made us sandwiches."

Maria opened a big basket held in her hands and showed it to Kurumi. With meat and vegetables in the inside, the sandwich also have jam-packed various ingredients such as eggs tightly. As expected of a dish from an entrusted maid serving at a castle indeed, it seemed so delicious even by only looking.

"Isn"t this amount a little too much to eat for only two people…?"

"Because Kurumi didn"t eat a proper meal this morning, this is just right as it is"

"………"

To the words of Maria, Kurumi went silent. She"s right──Kurumi had hardly eaten her breakfast. Though she took a seat in the dining room and started eating, she left the seat in a hurry.

Kurumi"s behavior is something that cannot be permitted. Beside the quiet Kurumi, in a hemp-woven rag, Maria took a seat, laid her back to the gra.s.s of the dry riverbed and asked,

"…Are you still angry about Basara-san and Zest-san"s Master and Servant Contract?"

She"s right──this morning, Kurumi was told by Basara that he and Zest made a Master and Servant contract.

Of course, before coming to the Demon Realm, declaring “It"s necessary to protect Zest, so a Master and Servant contract should be made” is really the kind of what the gentle Basara does. Kurumi thought so and agreed upon. However, when she was made to hear that it happened ──Kurumi knew the fact that she admitted him to have a Master and Servant Contract with Zest due to her condition. But,

…I can"t believe it, to think that even sis or Mio not to say anything…

For Mio who was targeted by Zolgear, to even have a connection to the one that murdered her adoptive parents cruelly──She was so to speak was the sole enemy for Mio and Basara. As for Zest who was a subordinate of such a man to enter a Master and Servant Contract with Basara, even if real thoughts came from their lips, Kurumi thought that those intentions will never be accepted no matter what.

However──after a brief silence, Yuki and Mio approved the contract of Basara. Kurumi cried “What!?” immediately, and stood up from her chair,

…But.

Kurumi wasn"t able to say anything more than that. Because in the past, she had become undoubtedly an enemy of Basara before. Therefore, since Yuki and Mio who have not betrayed Basara accepted it, Kurumi had no choice but to accept.

──Still, everybody seemed to have understood Kurumi"s feelings. Basara and Zest whom are to blame remained silent for granted, and for sure, the three people: Yuki, Mio and Maria also understood Kurumi"s and Basara"s feelings, so they didn"t say anything. However, unable to bear the eyes which turned to her right now──as she came to her senses Kurumi ran out of the dining room and walked along the hallway alone. Then, pa.s.sing each other by chance on the hallway, Kurumi asked Noel the housemaid whether there is a river nearby, and told her this place.

──There was a reason why Nonaka Kurumi wanted to come to the river.

Before the tragedy that happened five years ago, when Basara was still in the 《 Village 》of the Hero Tribe──Kurumi had often gone out to play in a nearby river with Basara and Yuki. Fishing together, swimming together, they get along well just like true siblings. Being the younger one,Kurumi always loved Basara and Yuki, and piled up many wonderful memories with the two people.

One time, those memories──due to the tragedy five years ago, she thought that they were lost completely.

After the sad reunion five years after, they had fought one time──still, Basara remained unchanged from the old days, and valued Kurumi as she was. Therefore, even though it"s her mission to live under the same roof as them, she was really happy. Even little by little, she thought that that she could go back to the old days from the bottom of her heart. She actually wanted to come to this river together with everyone. While remembering her childhood with Basara and Yuki and their past relationships, she wanted to make a new memory here, with Mio and Maria added. And then──if desired, Kurumi won"t even mind even if Zest was there.

…However, she making a Master and Servant Contract with Basara is a different story.

She heard the story that Zest has a power of an S cla.s.s. By making a Master-Servant Contract with Basara, she"ll become stronger than before, raising his power, thus finding herself useful to Basara.

…still.

Nonaka Kurumi thought──she doesn"t want to lose to Zest.

Therefore when Kurumi came here alone, she began her training in order to manage even a little the darkness element that she got from Lucia. Maria followed behind a little later. As Maria finished arranging the sandwich and side dishes on the seat,

"Anyway, let"s have lunch first. The brain doesn"t act properly when hungry, and I think that"s not good in various ways."

She said so, beckoning her. Therefore,

"………Un"

As Nonaka Kurumi nodded, she sat down next to Maria and began eating the food on that day.

The sandwiches the maid had made were delicious.

Though they thought that the amount in the basket was too many to fill in two people, partly due to the fact of almost runniing outside in the morning, she was able to eat it up with Maria in no time. Even if feeling depressed, if the stomach is filled with something good, a person can get well in a little while.

Was the state of Kurumi being perceived? Maria said with a smile.

"Hey, have you had your meal properly?" "……Un[5]. Thank you."

As soon as Kurumi finished eating, Maria poured a drink to a cup from a portable jug,

"Here, Kurumi-san." "Thank you……"

As she received it, the tea in the cup raised a warm steam. Filling her with a faint sweet warmth and fragrance from her mouth through her nose as she sipped it, Kurumi relaxed her body naturally. Then,

"──Did it settle you down a little?"

Maria said with gentle eyes.

“Because Kurumi-san is a Element MasterSpirit Magician… if you use magic in that in that irritated state, even if you are a part of the Hero Tribe, don"t you think that spirits in the Demon Realm would turn cautious and wouldn"t answer?”

“I wasn"t particularly irritated…"

As Kurumi told in a sulky way, Maria who gave a bitter smile replied,

"I know that you"re bothered with Basara-san and Zest-san… You could relax with a delicious meal and a cup of tea. This is more deserving rather than wasting yourself feeling depressed."

"……un"

Maria was certainly right… to establish an emotional bond with the spirits of the Demon Realm, if you don"t believe in it in the first place, it won"t start. But even as she focused on how she materialized her spirit gauntlet and fitted in the slot, for spirits of highly compatible attributes it was duller than usual.

…However.

Even though things appear this way, there is still an improvement. Yesterday, when they have only just arrived in the Demon Realm, elements completely become corrupted due to the evil influence, and she wasn"t able to feel any spirits from within.

So Kurumi, reaching to the point of using magic to this degree was because of that woman who gave the dark element which made contacts with the spirits of the Demon Realm made easier.

"…What do you think about my older sister?"

While looking at the element of the dark color that fitted into the slot, Kurumi replied.

"To me, who was given such a thing… and even getting along well with her, I"m thankful. However, isn"t she the adjutant of Ramses who dislike Mio?"

"it is so… that merciless Lucia ane-sama[6], to be on good terms with me and even give me a special treatment, it’s difficult just to think about it."

Hmm, thinking through, Maria said

"Possibly, she may have taken a liking to Kurumi personally, don"t you think?"

"How… I, what part did your sister took a liking in particular?"

"Oh my ── then don"t you have any ideas?"

"There is no way, right?"

Kurumi replied with an immediate answer, then

"……Hmm, is that so?"

Maria uttered in a casual tone,

"──then I"ll tell you"

She replied, pushing down Kurumi on her seat.

"Wai- Maria…?"

Kurumi uttered and cried in surprise, but her clothes were unb.u.t.toned until the front was opened up all the way by Maria"s experienced hands. And, as Maria reached out her hands and took off the hook of Kurumi"s skirt,

"I heard it. Kurumi-san…in the office of Lucia ane-sama yesterday"

"!────"

Startled and gasping for breath, in that small opportunity even the hook and the zipper was opened, and the skirt of Kurumi was dragged down.

"Wa-Wait...that…is not it……!"

Though Kurumi tried to stop her desperately while turning red, before the physical strength of Maria who is a power type, her resisting at this level became futile. afterwards,

"I, until now, have been cooperating so that Kurumi-san could catch up to Yuki-san and Mio-san. Nevertheless, Doing it with Basara-san in front of Lucia Ane-sama without me knowing…in addition, hearing that it"s because of you stealing glances at Basara-san that it happened, is it true?"

Maria asked, stripping off Kurumi"s jacket together with her bra.s.siere.

Yaa……I, idiot!”

Kurumi tried to cover her chest with both hands in a hurry, but Maria bound both of her arms with her tail, making Kurumi raise both of her hands on the top of her head. And, revealing the good things that the both hands were blocking, while Maria slowly unclothes the socks and shoes of Kurumi one by one,

“Fufu, Kurumi-san is such a bad person…… in the bath last night, didn"t you say such things right?”

"but, tha-that’s because…"

Without regarding the hesitation of what she wants to say, Maria continued unclothing Kurumi──and then,

"Aah……"

Kurumi raised a voice that seemed to faint at last.

With her upper body naked, she has been left with only her panties. Exposing her skin under the blue sky which reddened in shyness, Maria looked down with eyes that seemed to have ignited her succubus instinct, and took off her own clothes too. Then, as she ended up only in her panties similar to Kurumi,

“For Kurumi to be liked by Lucia ane-sama, I"m very happy as a friend. There is no need to hide anything. Really now…… there is no need to be reserved in these sort of things for me.”

Maria made a small laugh.

"──Now I have to punish you for this"

She said, and began prying open her both legs.

"No……Maria……"

Though Kurumi tried to refuse desperately, she wasn"t in a state to resist as both of her hands were bound up. As she entwined her legs around, Kurumi"s modest chest was rubbed lasciviously by Maria"s own chest──and now,

"ah, Aaahh……AaaaaAaahh♥"

Kurumi leaked a sweet cry. The pleasure brought of the touches of love of the succubus Maria is unbelievable. Additionally, Kurumi, to the whisper of the devil called Maria to catch up to Mio and Yuki, indecent things have been done to her almost every day by Maria in the Toujou house.

Of course, Kurumi"s body completely remembered the taste of that pleasure──though she didn"t enter a Master and Servant Contract in particular, her body has made sensitive almost the same as Mio and Yuki recently.

"Yaaah……I, such thing……, outside……"

Though ashamed, her body trembled helplessly in the sweet sensations running through her whole body. Then,

"It"s all right…… I"ll make Kurumi-san a woman of Basara"s liking who doesn"t lose even to Mio-sama and Yuki-san”

Maria replied, then tried to lick her cheeks this time.

"Ah ──…"

I can be a woman that Basara would come to like ── as she thought so, she accepted Maria"s unreasonableness, and as Kurumi became weak to pleasure,

"Fufufu…… other than Basara-san, who in the world is it that Kurumi likes? I"ll make you remember properly"

Maria, while expressing a s.a.d.i.s.tic smile, put her lips near her left side quietly.

And then ── the next moment, her weakest place was breathed with all her might,

"! ──FUaaaaaaaaahhhnn ♥"

Nonaka Kurumi, reaching her peak under the blue sky, raised a flirtatious voice as her body trembled in delight.

Doing an exciting act outside, Maria was more intense than usual.

Caressing Kurumi"s body dearly until she"s completely unable to stand up, she continued giving pleasures of a woman badly until Maria is satisfied. Therefore, it has not become just a simple training anymore ──afterwards, having taken a break till the sun sets, the two people returned to the Wildart Castle.

And now, heading for the bathroom, Kurumi stepped her foot inside. She couldn"t return for the reason of having a smell of a woman, though she washed it at the river with Maria, her body had become a little chilly by that cause.

If she caught a cold with this, she herself will become an even more burden to everyone.

She wanted to avoid such pitiable situation,

……Besides.

Because she has taken such an att.i.tude on that breakfast, it is still difficult for her to face everyone.

Especially ── Basara and Zest, as she didn"t know how she should receive them.

Though she couldn"t keep on running away forever, she wanted to delay it a little more… and as Kurumi parted with Maria at the hallway, she took off her clothes in the dressing room, went full bare, and set foot in a large indoor bath.

Then, though it"s still early for dinner, Kurumi found that there were figures of somebody who came ahead of her in the wash place[7].

It was Yuki and Mio.

"Ah……"

The moment Kurumi raised her voice in awareness, the two people who have been washing their own bodies noticed her. To Kurumi who had an awkward expression in a moment, Yuki and Mio looked at each other, then expressed a gentle expression at once.

"Welcome back Kurumi…"

"Maria seems to have gone to you, did that child cause you trouble?"

They greeted with a smile. It was an expression that didn"t mind what Kurumi had done this morning at all ── for this reason, as Kurumi approached at Yuki and Mio apologetically,

"…Both of you, I"m sorry for this morning."

She spoke words of apology while bowing her head.

"Although elder sisters had agreed upon the contract of Basara……Of all things, I did such behavior"

And as Kurumi looked at the girl gentler than herself with pure intentions

"And on how Mio… after all that things Zolgear has done to you, still accepted it."

"There isn"t anything for Kurumi-chan to apologize. I also, am a little surprised at myself… After talking about it with Basara beforehand, to tell you the truth my feelings are too complicated understand even for myself after all. (!)

As Mio gave a wry but gentle smile,

"Hey, sit here."

She moved the bath chair and placed it down next to them.

The s.p.a.ce between Mio and Yuki had become available. However, Kurumi couldn"t sit down on that chair. Between these two people… it was the seat similar to the dining room this morning. Kurumi became emotional, as it was the place which she ran away from. Then,

"…………"

To Kurumi who stood there, Yuki gently pulled her hand towards that place.

Then, having got the permission, Kurumi sat down carefully.

"Kurumi…… your body is a little cold"

Noticing her body temperature, Yuki uttered. Kurumi nodded deeply.

"…Because I entered to the river outside a little while ago"

"Then, step in the bathtub early to get warm……we"ll continue the talk over there"

In the suggestion of Mio,Kurumi nodded again, and washed down her body in hot water.

And then── Kurumi went to the bathtub with Yuki, submerging herself in the hot water, sandwiched between the two people. Wrapped up in tender warmth, it relieved the tension in their bodies, relaxing them for a bit.

……Ah.

To each hands that were feeling the stone bottom, Mio and Yuki"s hands overlapped hers gently.

"──About Basara and Zest, there is a reason that I permitted it"

Making an introduction, Mio on the left said,

"The reason that I permitted the contract of those two, is all thanks to Yuki and Kurumi-chan."

"… elder sister and I?"

"That"s right. Yuki and Kurumi-chan, didn"t you guys fought against me and Maria at first? But now, we are all living together. Though it was all thanks to Basara"s a.s.sistance, it is really dangerous if you think about it, no matter what Basara says to you two, aren"t we taking advantage of him overlooking us?"

However,

"Yuki and Kurumi-chan didn"t do such a thing…… because you believe that Maria and I won"t ever harm Basara, right?"

"Well that"s……"

To her hesitation to voice out her affirmation, Mio smiled, then,

"I am also the same, right? Without opposing Basara, Yuki and Kurumi accepted us as friends, therefore I also thought you as such too."

And,

"While meeting Zest again in the Demon Realm… Right now, revealing her lack of intention of harming us, I thought that it"s possible to approach her in the same way as Kurumi-chan, don"t you think? Plus, while working as a maid and Sheera-san"s bodyguard, when you see her who is looking at Basara with eyes which seems to be in pain…… I see my former self overlapping her."

"Mio"s former self……?"

"Yes… After father and mother were murdered by Zolgear, I have been through various circ.u.mstances. There was a time that I even couldn"t put my trust on anyone aside from Maria──a man above all in particular.”

Mio stated with a face as if remembering something unpleasant, then abruptly made a gentle expression.

"However… to us who approached and deceived him from the start, Basara was still gentle. After knowing about our circ.u.mstances, he chased us all the way in order to help us. At that time, Yuki advised Basara not to be involved with me anymore…"

But, Mio;

"Basara said that that he will still protect me… and Yuki will remain as his an important childhood friend, but that doesn"t mean he did forgot what happened five years ago, so if the Hero Tribe who protects this world can’t protect me, then it will be his duty."

That"s what I thought…at that time.

"if it"s Basara and Jin-san, I believe that they are reliable. Such thing as Zolgear, our trusted lawyer, the men in town, there are no such man as them. Like a true family… like Onii-chan, they are people who think of me importantly."

Therefore,

"Thinking about it, it was so wonderful that I cried."

To the expression that Mio showed,

"──────"

Once more, Kurumi understood the feelings of the girl named Naruse Mio towards Basara. That profile too, that she had gazed ever since she was young──Yuki was also the same when she yearned for him.

"For Zest who was entrusted to the Moderates, Sheera"s existence, probably, was just like Maria"s case for me, I think. And, as I encountered Basara, and having needed that fellow, Zest met Basara too, and like that──he was needed. Yuki and Kurumi-chan too, even though we had met through various ways, Basara and I altogether accepted you in the end. And, Basara, with the same feelings at that time when he helped me, was trying to help Zest."

Therefore,

"For this reason, I have to accept Zest… I think."

"Even she is the subordinate of the enemy who murdered your parents?"

Kurumi asked, and nodding with a "yes", Mio;

"But supposed that…If Zest was the one who killed my parents, I would never forgive her. But she"s not… and as for opposing us, it was only in accordance with Zolgear who is her creator and as his subordinate. Then, it is just the same as with Maria being threatened on the pretext of Sheera-san"s safety. In addition, Zolgear who was the main culprit for all of this was no more. Being on good terms with each other all of a sudden may be difficult, but by understanding each other little by little, I think we can."

It was the statement that made them accept the Master and Servant Contract of Basara and Zest from the bottom of their hearts. Then,

"…elder sister?"

Looking towards the opposite direction, Kurumi asked,

"My thoughts haven"t changed ever since five years ago."

Yuki said in a smooth tone.

"Even this time, I"ll still follow Basara ── and for that I became stronger."

And,

"Basara right now, in the same way as that time when he protected me five years ago, has been desperately protecting everybody… My mission is to protect his side and support him. If their thoughts are the same as I, they may be accepted as a companion separately. But if it’s the opposite──"

Suddenly, Yuki stared with cold eyes,

"──if there is an existence which seriously tries to hurt Basara, who ever that is, I won"t forgive them. Even it is Zest…or even Mio and Maria"

Mio who heard it leaked a wry smile. But rather than being disgusted, it was a bitter smile that felt a certain kind of hope.

──However, Kurumi wasn"t able to smile. Instead, she asked in a soft voice.

"………Even me?"

"………As I said. I would not permit any existence to seriously hurt Basara."

Therefore, the hand which was held in the hot water was clenched. Then, she gently embraced her.

"Elder sister……"

Kurumi in which her waist was held in, looked up at Yuki before her eyes with a little surprise,

"Until now, and also from now on──I know best that such behavior is impossible for Kurumi. When coming with Takashi and Shiba before, even though you said that you hate him so much, you didn"t seriously try to kill Basara till the end"

Yuki smiled, and gently pat her head. From there, Mio,

"…You know, after Kurumi-chan left this morning, Did Maria go to Kurumi"s place by the river afterwards to have lunch later on?"

"? Un…"

Saying in a significant tone, Kurumi nodded to her question,

"That, you see, if someone were to take Kurumi back, she should be the most suitable… well, this was because Maria volunteered for the position."

To this extent, the lunchbox was brought intentionally. As for being worried about her she understood it, but,

"Maria… she has a reason why she did it that way."

After coming to the river──Maria also had a similar feeling that was close to Kurumi.

For her worries, she was grateful, though she had been pushed down forcibly at the end, she certainly thought that she would intend to leave it unsettled for pleasure as always, but,

"…then, perhaps, even now…?"

In the Toujou Household, well, Maria had often entwined with Kurumi in various ways ── could it be that, were she doing that on purpose for the sake of Kurumi? As Kurumi yearned for grat.i.tude to Maria,

"But, Maria"s just like that, losing her calm more than usual, a fellow who has been trying to chase behind Kurumi-chan immediately. Though Kurumi-chan couldn"t understand the Master and Servant Contract with Zest at once and left, that person said "I must explain it to her properly" with a straight face."

Mio"s voice said with a smile.

"Eh……?"

To Kurumi who asked again in reflex,

"Well, we saying such things had gotten an adverse effect… and thus Maria went. So…"

Fufu, Mio laughed,

"We then were able to leave Kurumi-chan as it is. Maria asked the maid for a box lunch, then went to Kurumi-chan"s place as soon it was ready. It took her some time, but… right now for the current Kurumi-chan, due to the influence of newly arriving to the Demon Realm, is unable to take out her original powers. It is for something to do in the meantime”

Therefore,

"Even though you didn"t call out, so as to make sure you weren"t in danger, Maria came out without notice. That said, there was also a guy who chased after Kurumi immediately──did you not notice?"

"...Basara, to me?"

"Yes. By the way, the maid who prepared the lunchbox which Maria took… Who do you think it is?"

"──────"

To the implied words of Mio, Kurumi wasn"t able to speak anything. Then,

"Kurumi… as you come out from here, to those two"

"………Un"

To the question urged by Yuki, Kurumi nodded obediently.

I"ll apologize to the two people properly, and give them my grat.i.tude──she thought strongly in her heart.

Kurumi however, wasn"t able to tell those words of grat.i.tude to Basara and Zest during dinner.

Before the two, Kurumi wasn"t able to confess her feelings. It"s because

──Basara and Zest didn"t show up at the dinner table.

Basara didn"t only just entered a Master and Servant Contract with Zest last night. Regarding Kurumi"s affairs Basara explained midway, though Mio didn"t know the reason either, it is said that Basara made a conflict with Ramses who was the present top of the moderates.

His chasing of Kurumi who have gone out this morning has become a problem, and because of that, they are forbidden from going outside the Wildart Castle. Basara was forbidden from going out of his guest room tonight, so he was unable to meet Kurumi until tomorrow morning. A maid was standing in front of his room, preventing anyone from going in and out.

In addition, Zest making the bentou which Maria brought to Kurumi, was blamed for entering the kitchen in defiance of the original order imposed to her, which was rearranging the archives.

──Normally, entering the kitchen wasn"t supposed to become a huge problem.

But, even though there was Sheera"s mediation, having made contract with Basara without notice to Ramses, Claus and the other moderates seemed to have quite an impact to them. Although Sheera talked to Ramses and the others to ignore the matter of the Master and Servant Contract, Basara had done another problematic conduct this time, spreading to Zest which became his subordinate. In other words,

…both of them, were my faults……

Night at Wildart Castle──as the moonlight creeped in behind the courtyard, Nonaka Kurumi sat down on one knee. Before that, she was in the guest room fitted for a girl, taken care of Mio and Yuki, until she became impossible to endure and left the room ──arriving at this courtyard.

"…though I don"t intend to stand in their way with my behavior…"

Knowing how long herself been troubling everyone around her, Kurumi bore an intense self-hatred.

Then again── there were also other existences worrying about Kurumi besides Basara and Zest.

Ever since she came back from leaving the castle, she didn"t see Maria’s figure at all. According to the story of Noel the housemaid, there seems to be a person who saw Maria being invited into the room of Sheera, her mother, but when she was called for dinner, there weren"t even an answer inside the room. After looking inside, there were not a single sign of the two people.

……don"t tell me, Maria too……?

Because she was connected to the issue with Basara, it seemed that she was also punished as Zest was.

Because of the incident with Zolgear, the situation of Maria who has betrayed Basara in order to help Sheera who was taken hostage, at present, is in a very delicate position among the Moderates. Yesterday after arriving at the Demon Realm, she was called by Lucia and was severely punished to an extent in her office.

Worrying about Kurumi, Basara went outside, but Maria didn"t chase Kurumi immediately, for the reason of letting Zest prepare their lunch box. According to that point of view, Maria was connected to Basara and Zest"s misconduct. Finding an opportunity for something like a false charge to find an error of the other party"s behavior, then blaming them and putting one selves in an advantageous position is commonplace in politics, therefore a calm judgement is required more than anything.

"…I have to be careful"

Nonaka convinced herself once more, and put up her face which was looking down.

She has certainly troubled Basara and Zest, and may have also involved Maria ── that"s why she mustn"t trouble them any further. Though she is not a leading figure of the government, Mio who inherited the traits and talents from the family line of the Demon King Predecessors had set foot to the spot that greatly affected the fate of the Demon Realm. That matter in question must be borne in her mind ── As Kurumi renewed her determination, a person came and quietly stepped over the lawn of the courtyard.

"──────"

On the spur of the moment, Kurumi stiffened and stood up on the spot.

What had come was a single maid. However, that maid is different from the amiable Noel and other gentle maids, a beauty with coldness of absolute zero. After that,

"──What are you doing in a place like this?"

Looking down, Lucia approached before Kurumi"s eyes. Those eyes, are the same eyes that witnessed Kurumi fall into pleasure by Basara. Recalling those as she reached in front of her,

"……nothing……I just want to be alone for now."

Reddening her cheeks in embarra.s.sment combined with tension, Kurumi averted herself to those eyes.

"I see… ── by the way, did you see mother and my younger sister?"

"No, I didn"t see them… I was here for a while, so…"

Answering honestly because it"s no use to lie, Kurumi asked again on the contrary.

"You haven"t seen them? I thought you had dinner with the two together…"

"Yes. They seemed to have disappeared somewhere. I don"t know where."

"Are they ok? That… they may be dragged into some trouble?"

Kurumi became uneasy of Maria not returning. Then,

"Don"t worry about it. Mother and little sister"s disappearing is because they are running away from me."

"Eh…?"

"Though I can"t tell you the details, those two are fine… rather, this would be a whole lot better. It"s just because they had done a selfish behavior without me noticing."

"I-is that so…"

Though she said it displeasingly, No serious tone was seen in those words of Lucia. Perhaps, those two extravagant people have conducted a behavior that angered her.

Knowing that Maria is safe, Kurumi heaved a sigh of relief.

"…On a side note, I cannot help but admire them very much."

Saying so in reproving tone, Lucia touched those cheeks softly.

"I have received the report of the story of Basara-dono and Zest. About those two having been blamed, perhaps you may feel responsible, but…if you"re all alone in this place, you will only make those people around you worried for nothing again. You shouldn"t become a stupid daughter who repeats the same mistake over and over."

"………"

As she said in a gentle voice, Kurumi looked down and remained silent.

Lucia, in the present top of the Moderates ── is the adjutant of Ramses. Typical to politics, although they have the same agreement to avoid Mio become a Demon King, because Ramses is harsh to Mio, they have a complicated relationship and are emotionally fighting against each other.

──But now, Lucia was gentle to Kurumi. The first time she saw her, she could only think of her as a coldhearted woman, and when the succubus" baptism was poured in front of her in her office, she even felt awe in her overwhelming force. However ── when she came to see the state of Kurumi and Maria later on, it became a cool atmosphere that lets you feel the gentleness inside, and when Kurumi tried to use the spirit magic at the Demon Realm, she even gave a darkness-colored element to her.

Certainly, she thought that Lucia wasn"t interested in the likes of Kurumi, but,

"──that reminds me, how was the condition of the element that I handed over?"

She said so, continuing the conversation.

"I heard that you went to the river and tried it in various ways."

"Though I can execute it… usually, as compared to the power at that time that I spent in the Human Realm, it was awful."

Without understanding why Lucia paid attention to her, Kurumi waved her neck from side to side.

Yesterday, Maria can exercise it to a playful degree without a problem from the bathtub of the large indoor bath.

However, it was far too ineffective to be used against an opponent in battle. Thereupon,

"…Can I see your state for a moment?"

As requested by Lucia, Kurumi materialized the Soul Purity Gauntlet on her left hand, and switched the main slot to the darkness element that she got from her. As Lucia took her left hand,

"──────"

She stared at the dark colored crystal ball fitted into the slot patiently.

──in this situation, Kurumi shouldn"t get along well with Lucia this much.

However, she got this from her. she cannot refuse if she wanted her to show it to her,

…besides,

The relationship between Maria and Lucia, though they are sisters, is a little constrained in some way. Therefore, Kurumi who can get along well with Maria to have an interaction with Lucia, as long as their relationship improved even a little── Kurumi wants to be useful to them.

…it"s also because,

Kurumi too, after the tragedy five years ago── after Basara left the village, her relationship with her elder sister Yuki became somewhat awkward. However, when Basara was made to fight when the village a.s.sumed Mio as an extermination target, Kurumi and Yuki"s relationship was restored because of that.

── Of course, she doesn"t think that she can do the same thing as Basara. Yet this morning, Maria worried about Kurumi chased after her. For Maria"s sake, she wants to repay this kindness even a little──Kurumi is willing to do what she can. Then,

"I see……certainly, it appears that it is still in its sleeping state."

"…sleeping state?"

To Kurumi who asked like a parrot in return, Lucia nodded with a "yes".

"Just like what I already told you, divine protection of a high ranking spirit dwells in this element. However, that doesn"t mean that it has an effect of protecting the user. Only a part of a young spirit body resides in this crystal ball, separating it from the high ranking spirit."

"That means… it"s the same as our "sacred treasures" so to speak?"

The Demonic Sword『Brynhildr』of Basara and the Spirit sword 『Sakuya』of Yuki, and also the Soul Spear 『Byakko』that Takashi used in the Extermination mission of Mio. Each weapon alone possesses a strong power, but that"s not all. If it has recognized its user like Yuki, the user can utilize its original abilities at its maximum power.

"Yes. If you can perfectly establish a bond and unite with the spirit, the element will be awakened, and will come to lend you its original power."

Simply because there is no "established bond with the spirit" that Lucia says, Kurumi"s condition is still the same as she showed Maria by the river. To her who fell silent,

"──The “Negative[8]” part inside yourself, accept it."

Lucia said with eyes staring at her.

"As you know, there exists the『Holy attribute』and the 『Dark attribute』, and the Hero Tribe can borrow both of these powers. Basically, just like when you operate on "Positivity[9]", to use the Dark Attribute, we the Demon Race utilize it using "Negativity"… however, this "Positive" and "Negative" rather than good and evil, has a concept that is almost near as the plus and minus [10] or positive and negative values of temperature." (!)

And now,

"Perhaps until now, to establish a contract with the "Positive" spirits in order to borrow their power in this world, you have also tried to be "positive" by yourself. To appeal to the spirits in order to borrow reasonable power… naturally, that is the right way to perform it in the human world. It"s because most of the spirits in your world belong to the "positive" state."

However,

"That method does not apply in this Demon Realm. In this world where Dark Magic is strong, most of the spirits here exist in the "negative" state. Even if you appeal as "Positive", spirits will only be cautious. Rather than that, I"m surprised that you had borrowed power in that way even a little."

After telling her, Lucia quietly embraced Kurumi, and then,

"Ah………"

"There"s no need to fear thinking that as a mistake. Both the positive and negative are parts of you…… if you understand these things properly and communicate with a spirit, they should respond to you for sure."

"……I understand. I"ll give it a try."

In the arms of Lucia, Kurumi honestly nodded. Then,

"…………"

The beautiful maid succubus softly applied a little more force to her embrace.

Then──the hand which rested in her waist fell down for some reason, and softly touched Kurumi"s b.u.t.t. Putting up some fingers, to that fingerwork that felt and stoked the place accurately,

"Uhm……Lucia-sa……Hyaaan?"

Sniffling sweetly, her body wiggled and raised a discomfited cry. Afterwards,

"Nonaka Kurumi……you are too good after all"

Lucia said in an amorous voice.

"Yesterday, from the time when Basara did it with you, as I thought──You are very cute"

Then, her fingers made a snap. In an instant,

All of the sewn clothes of Kurumi were removed, and pieces of cloth fell to the ground in a blink of an eye. Even the bra disintegrated, and in just a moment made Kurumi with only a single piece of panty,

"────Nuu!?"

She tried to scream in reflex, but her lips are sealed gently by the hand of Lucia.

"Do not be surprised. The skill of this level, is a very easy task for me who has mastered the maid"s work."

Kurumi, who was told for granted, as she was pushed down on top of the lawn with her mouth being blocked up,

"……!"

This is bad, and as Kurumi whose fl.u.s.tered instincts tried to escape from the hands of Lucia,

……ah……

After witnessing Lucia"s pair of eyes looking down at her, she forgot to resist in an instant. What was over there, in truth was the reverse of the usual coldhearted eyes of Lucia──romantic eyes which seemed to be totally charged with heat. Those eyes, similar to Maria’s expression as she trained her to become the girl of Basara"s preference,

"During the day in the Demon Realm, it seemed that you had done it with Maria in broad daylight … in that case, this time in the broad moonlight of the Demon Realm, I will fill you with lots of love."

With the background of the waning moon on her shoulder, Lucia put her hand inside Kurumi"s underwear──but then,

"──Lucia-sama" Suddenly, two maids appeared nearby from the side of a certain bush. In contrast with Kurumi becoming shocked all of a sudden, Lucia who remained calm while her mouth was held down,

"……what is it?"

"Just now, Maria was found at the third floor of the west tower."

"However, capturing aside we barely even managed to reach her… at present, she is being chased by several people."

To that report, Lucia’s pupils regain its calmness,

"I see… what about mother?"

"The whereabouts of Sheera-sama is still…"

"……Very well. If we manage to capture Maria, we will make her spit out her story and end this. Nina, to those who are chasing that child, don"t lose sight until my transmission."

"──Understood"

To those words of Lucia, the maid called Nina turned back her heels and ran,

"Lucy……for you, send her to her room in place of me. Then"

"Mend her clothes, isn"t it? ── Please leave it to me, Lucia-sama"

Lucy replies with a nod, and as Lucia released her hand away from Kurumi"s mouth,

"After doing a little rough thing, then stopping just before reaching the good part, I"m very sorry… I have to go to punish that younger sister of mine."

Seemingly reluctant to part,

"As for the continuation of this, next time…"

"Ple-Please, don’t worry about it……Really."

Kurumi said while her face reddened. It will really trouble her if they continue this later── In fact, she wanted to forget everything that happened in this courtyard to begin with.

"──In that case"

Lucia followed after Nina who went ahead and ran to the other side of the courtyard.

Kurumi who was left sunk own the lawn above in her underwear.

"Good for you, Kurumi-dono. Lucia-sama seems to be very pleased with you."

"Yeah, to the point of disintegrating my clothes and pushing me down…"

To the sarcasm that Kurumi returned, Lucy without minding at all,

"You don"t have to worry about the clothes, because I"ll make it over properly in return…"

As she picked up and gathered the pieces of her tattered clothes,

"Well then, Kurumi-dono… Please wait for a little bit. Because you probably won"t be able to come back to the room in that figure, I will bring something for you to wear."

Then at that timing,

"──No, that won’t be necessary♪"

Just beside Lucy, a succubus younger than Maria appeared suddenly.

"Eh……?" "──Sheera-sama!?"

To Kurumi who became dumbfounded, Lucy who was startled leaned back and made a stance, but she was too late. Sheera, as she stick her forehead to the forehead of Lucy, while looking into her eyes,

"──Return to your room alone, and begin mending Kurumi’s clothes."

"……………Yes, Sheera-sama"

Then, Lucy’s eyes became drowsy and returned an obedient nod to Sheera at once.

"If you are asked by Lucia when she returns, well… tell her that Kurumi came back to Mio"s room first── is that Ok?"

As Lucy nodded with a "yes" at Sheera"s order, she returned inside the building and went just as it is.

"……………"

Kurumi who"s thoughts couldn"t catch up with the sudden events,

"That was a close call, Kurumi-chan……but now that I"ve come, it"s already OK♪"

The moment she said so, the Loli-Mom-Succubus smiled.

After the incident in the courtyard, Kurumi was invited by Sheera and was taken to her private room.

Though she really wanted to return immediately to the rooms of Mio and Yuki to express her true feelings,

"──if you were to return with that appearance, Yuki-chan and Mio-chan will definitely worry again you know?"

As she said so, her will to go back to the room wavered. She who wanted to be alone said "I need some fresh air for a moment" and left the room, but if she were to return wearing only a single panty, everyone will surely get worried.

Not wanting such thing to happen, Kurumi obeyed Sheera"s words. And, even though the room is identical to what Mio was using, Kurumi was led to a more gorgeous s.p.a.ce.

Though it"s inferior to the guest rooms which Kurumi and the others use that emphasizes more people, the s.p.a.ce had excellent quality decorated with luxurious furniture, eloquently indicating the rank of Sheera"s position among the Moderates. And now,

"Uhm……Why am I, in this appearance……"

Forced to sit before a high quality dresser, Kurumi raised a perplexed voice.

"Well, you will catch a cold if you continue to remain in your underwear forever, right?"

"But…… these clothes are a bit......uncomfortable for me……"

Kurumi said shamefully, dropping her gaze down below. There, her figure wearing a s.e.xy blue baby doll negligee that reaches her bellyb.u.t.ton with thin laces that see through the tips of her chest lasciviously, even more, a T-back setup with matching garter belts and fishnet stockings reached her own eyes.

"…………" Kurumi reddened her cheeks in intense shyness. Then,

"Ah……as expected from my excellent daughter, these materials are great! ～"

Behind her back, Sheera who wore a luxurious necklace said gleefully while standing over a stool. As she readjusted the position of the large jewel hanging on her chest,

"And, its done── how is it?"

She said, satisfied. Kurumi who was asked for her opinion raised her face unwillingly, and with reddened cheeks, looked at her own figure being projected in the mirror.

"──────"

She was speechless. What Sheera had put on Kurumi, though it"s different when put on Mio and Yuki, was an underwear which looks like too adult-like for her who is a junior high school student. And yet──No, for this reason,

…for me to become like this…

Kurumi who had undergone a complete transformation with an indecent underwear, couldn"t hide her surprise. With her youthful face and her developing body with traces of immaturity completely standing out as she wore them, the unbalanced lasciviousness──the appearance that even Mio and Yuki who weren"t born in that figure would never reach, a taboo-like beauty.

"Fufu, you look rather happy." "…Ho-how can I be happy with something like this …?"

As she looked back panicking in denial, Sheera had already descended from the stool and was going to the center of the room. She took a teapot at the table, and then,

"Come over here……I made some hot milk"

A dull-white colored liquid was poured out of the pot. And as Kurumi sat down in front of Sheera, a cup was handed to her──a faint sweet aroma spread all at once.

"…………"

Kurumi who received the cup hesitated to drink immediately. However,

"Playing tricks to one"s drink is only a work done by a worthless man; I don"t imitate it. Supposedly, if I want do something to Kurumi-chan, I will do a more elaborate method in a way that I can enjoy myself more in various ways."

Sheera"s childish eyes turned cold for a moment, then sip her share.

"──If it suits you, why don"t you give it a try?" "N-No……I"m sorry"

Kurumi apologized immediately. Though she had a childish figure right now, Sheera was once a great succubus that is famous all over the demon realm, and Kurumi is only just a little girl. Though she doing such behavior will only hurt her pride as a succubus badly, she didn"t know what she had done. As she put out her lips to the hot milk which Sheera made,

"…………Delicious"

With a warm and pleasant feeling, she muttered over the mild taste unintentionally.

"It seems that it suites your taste. Good."

Observing Sheera who smiled, Kurumi put her mouth to the cup again while heaving a sign of relief.

And this time, she felt the hot milk warming up inside her body.

"──About Zest having a Master-Servant Contract with Basara, does it disappoint you that much?"

"…………"

As she saw Sheera, Kurumi whose mind is still wandering in the clouds momentarily held her breath.

"I heard it from Maria this morning. That daughter of mine was really troubled you know?"

"Is it because I"m the only one who opposed Basara"s Master and Servant Contract…?"

As Kurumi asked in a stiff voice in reflex, the young succubus smiled wryly.

"No. I understand your feelings, but I want to clear it in my mind somehow, however it seems that I can"t do it by myself. It"s somewhat really irritating…I say"

"Such a thing bothers you…?"

"And I"m also anxious whether Lucia-chan did or did not make pa.s.ses at you. "Kurumi is only mine!" or something like that"

"……I don"t belong to anybody in particular!"

What the heck did she confess to her mother, that loli-ero-succcubus. Saying things like Maria in the daytime, as Lucia was saying a while ago, what on earth do they want to demand Kurumi to that intense?

"Uhm……am I releasing some kind of pheromone that makes a succubus excited?"

"──────"

To Kurumi who asked with upturned eyes, Sheera"s eyes rounded from surprise. Then,

"I see…those daughters should think you"re very cute."

"What do you mean?"

"Because you"re so pure and defenseless, that they want to teach you various things"

To her who stared blankly, Sheera ‘fufu’ smiled.

"Hey, Kurumi-chan. To you, me who is the mother of those daughters, while being dressed in such clothes, asking whether it excites me, perhaps──"

As she said, with her eyes became like a snake eyeing for its prey,

"──Are you saying that you want to do it with me, too?"

"?! No……I, I don"t really mean by that at all!"

"Fufu……just kidding. If I make pa.s.ses at you, it would be really bad for Maria"

As she denied it in a hurry while blushing in an instant, Sheera returned her snake-like eyes to its former innocent ones. Feeling relieved from the bottom of her heart,

"I have troubled that child in various ways during the incident with Zolgear………So if my cute daughter consulted her worries, as a mother, it makes me really want to help her, right?"

"So that’s why, I, in this room……?"

"Yes. By the way, that baby doll was my present to Lucia-chan from a long time ago. It’s a gem that I took pride of, but unfortunately, that child didn"t wear it, not even once……so I sneaked into her room and stole it in secret. Because it was stowed it"s likely to be hidden in the depths of her closet, so I have searched that closet from inside and out with Maria♪"

In addition to that,

"During the search in which we had found various things like her old diary or alb.u.m from a long time ago along the way, Lucia-chan came back to the room, so I seized Maria in the scruff of her neck and threw her towards Lucia and escaped. ──though it appears that Maria seemed to have escaped well, too"

So that explains why Lucia was looking for Sheera and Maria. As Kurumi was shocked by this,

"The other reason is……I’m the one who incited Basara to enter a Master-Servant Contract with Zest"

As Sheera "Have you heard about it?" inquired, Kurumi who contorted her face a little responded.

"………Yes. Basara told me the details during breakfast"

"I’m also partly responsible for the vexation Kurumi-chan is holding…… These don"t really mean as an apology, but I think your feelings have become lighter this time"

Well,

"This is something serious for Maria and Mio-chan, you know?…… so I have to tell the truth in order to ease these feelings"

"What do you mean about the truth?"

Knitting her eyebrows in inquiry,

"Oh my……Is it alright to say this?"

The child-like succubus said with a light sneer,

"Are you jealous of Zest? ── Is it because even though you"re also yearning for Basara, you couldn"t enter a master-servant contract with him?"

"────"

Kurumi blushed at Sheera"s sudden remark. In response to the reaction of that person who has been hit by a bull"s eye,

"Come on, Kurumi-chan…… If all you did is to receive all that indecent teasing from Maria, your feelings will never catch up with Mio and Yuki you know?"

With her pupils turning like the snake"s, she said that as if she had seen through the depths of Kurumi"s heart.

"Like you, it’s also a big deal for Maria who couldn"t enter a Master and Servant Contract with Basara, you see? Besides, Maria is indebted to Basara, whom she betrayed regarding the matter of Zolgear. You tried to eliminate Mio-chan by the orders of the 《Village》, and have fought against Basara too, and for that, this child who is mentally indebted thought of you as a companion in a similar situation"

"No……I"m different…"

To Kurumi who denied with a bitter expression,

"Is that so? If that"s true then don"t you think it"s impossible for you to get along well with Zest?"

"That’s──…"

"Mio-chan has the pretext with Zolgear, and unlike Yuki who partic.i.p.ated in the battle, you don"t have any direct grudge to Zest…… Besides, due to the fact that she"s Zolgear’s subordinate, she has a higher debt that you and Maria. However, though Basara have mentioned of the possibility, you judged that he who valued Mio shouldn"t exchange a master and Servant Contract with Zest"

The reason why is,

"Because she inherited the power of Wilbert, for the sake of solving her problem of being the target of the current Demon Lord Faction, coming to this world should have taken a grave determination with a big anxiety for Mio-chan… so it should be too cruel for her to accept Zest who was the subordinate of Zolgear who harmed her foster parents, as a companion.”

Nevertheless, Sheera said:

"……As for Basara having entered a Master-Servant Contract with her that easily…… for Zest, she has a debt similar to you who was once an enemy of Basara. Mio and Yuki whom you thought should get mad and object them, had accepted Basara and Zest"s Master and Servant Contract, contrary to your expectations."

Therefore,

"In the spur of a moment, it has been decided that you"ll raise your voice in protest in place of Mio and Yuki under the pretext of Zolgear, so you justified yourself out of jealousy and criticized the contract of Basara and Zest. But since Mio has forgiven such a thing, it didn"t have any meaning…… for this reason, it became impossible for you to endure the atmosphere and went out of the dining room"

Then, Sheera spoke her finishing words at last.

"──Would you like to enter a master-servant contract with Basara?"

Kurumi who was asked the main question trembled. However──after a moment of silence,

"………No."

She gave out a voice of denial to answer her own question, then a wry smile formed in front of her eyes.

“Anyway, it’s not possible for you to enter a Master and Servant Contract with Basara after all. Well, You might think, why not?...... I think Basara-san understands the reason, probably."

After all, Sheera thought,

Perhaps──he is already aware of my true mission.

"………and what will that be?"

"well, I wonder……"

Kurumi turned a sharp glance to Sheera, but she returned with a calm smile.

"But, it"s apparent that the person who made the master and servant contract is more advantageous if we are to fight in this world……Yet Basara didn"t do so, because he treats you with great care. When you had to do that in front of Lucia-chan, didn"t Basara touch you only for patching things up for the moment?"

"…………"

"Yes……You know it perfectly well. On top of that, you ran away, opposite of your real intention. In war, it"s important to attack the enemy"s weak point ── for the current Demon Lord Faction, the present you will be an easy target, r