Shinmai Maou no Keiyakusha

Naruse Mio, chased out of the Toujo House, came to a park on a hill with Maria.

It was the park, where she had watched the sunset after cycling around the city on Basara's bicycle.

—30 minutes since they had arrived there. Mio silently watched the glow of the city at night.

It was a beautiful sight. The glow of the buildings and the light of cars or trains appeared just like an illumination. Mio thought, if that was how it looked when one looked down from the stars in the sky.

…Just like he said.

Remembering about the guy that taught her about this beautiful view, Mio frowned slightly.

"I knew coming together would be impossible…"

Back then, Mio had replied with a vague answer on Basara's suggestion. Because she had known. That there wouldn't be such a chance. Ever since they met, they had deceived Basara.

"Excuse me, Mio-sama… please do cheer up."

Maria next to her looked up at her with worried eyes. Her appearance was back to one of a human.

"We were just unlucky that they turned out to be Heroes. With someone else, I am sure—"

"No, Maria… let's put an end to all the deceiving."

Mio shook her head.

"I wanted a base without involving anyone if possible, but… deceiving someone for that is certainly not to my liking."

It wasn't like they were penniless. Mio's late foster father left them plenty of savings. But for a base, a single house was the best. If they carelessly rented an apartment or mansion in a living complex, the other inhabitants might get dragged in.

However, Mio was a minor to begin with. Furthermore, without relatives. And Maria was a child by appearance.

Like this they obviously couldn't buy a place, nor rent. Of course it was possible that Maria manipulated memories with her magic, but she would have to manipulate the memories of a lot of people, if they wanted to buy a house as a minor and live without drawing the suspicion from the real estate office. Moreover, the memories would need to match each person's position and relationships. The memory manipulation magic wasn't that powerful.

That was why Mio and Maria had done such a roundabout way.

"I understand… I will abide by your words, Mio-sama."

Maria didn't object. She must have understood her feelings. With a soft smile,

"That is what makes you kind, Mio-sama… I personally do not see any problem with deceiving a human that approaches us with ulterior motives though."

"Maybe…"

Maria said something reasonable. After their current parents had passed away, the lawyer entrusted with the will had tried to deceive Mio to steal her inheritance. When Mio had walked around at night with Maria, guys had approached them worried, yet with the ulterior motive in the open. Therefore they became unable to trust anyone than themselves. However if guys like them existed, they thought it wouldn't be bad to deceive them. After all, both sides were lying.

—So, one month ago, when they were surrounded by delinquents in the city, Jin had come to their rescue.

They couldn't trust him either. He would just deceive them as well.

He would betray them in the end…That was what they thought.

That was the reason Maria manipulated his memories and planned to take over the house. But, by doing so, they turned into the same kind as these guys.

"…But, who could have imagined that these two were Heroes."

Mio showed a self-mocking smile. She wasn't blaming them for hiding their lineage. They had done the same. Of course they might be able to overwhelm Basara if they went back to the house now and fought at full power. There was a possibility to make that house their base then.

"But…"

Jin and Basara both had been different from the others they had deceived. She thought that she might have found people she could put her trust in, for the first time after the death of her parents.

…But.

What was the point of that now. It was too late. Time couldn't be turned back. Upon that,

"Mio-sama…"

Maria next to her called with a calm tone.

"Sorry… We need to figure out what to do from now on, but first we need a place to stay tonight."

But Maria lightly shook her head to the side. And then, she said with a slightly stiff voice.

"No— It looks like there is something we have to do before that."

On these words, Mio noticed the surrounding atmosphere.

Unnoticed, the park had become ominous quiet. An unnatural silence. Mio immediately understood what that meant. For the past half year, she had gotten the necessary knowledge.

"Magic to keep humans away…."

Mio or Maria hadn't used it. Then there was only one explanation.

"Please watch out… It is an enemy."

Maria glared in front of her. Upon that, there was a movement in the darkness there.

What appeared from the shadow were three ominous shades. These shades gradually changed shape.

One changed into a [shadow] that had a black humanoid silhouette with a long hilted scythe, like a death god.

The remaining two into magical lion beasts with wings— Manticores.

Without a doubt, it was devils. And most likely servants of the current Devil Lord. They emitted a blatant bloodlust. It exposed their existence. And also their aim. Therefore,

"I see… To think that you would come on your own accord."

Mio challengingly glared at the three [enemies].

Her squeezed out voice was faintly trembling. It wasn't out of fear. But out of—anger.

"Unforgivable… I'll avenge my parents…."

Needless to say, Mio learned the truth and her lineage from Maria after her parents' death. That she, Naruse Mio, was the only daughter of the previous Devil Lord. And that the two people she considered as her parents were just foster parents.

As unbelievable as it was, she accepted it when Maria showed her true appearance and magic.

Yes. Mio's parents weren't related by blood to her. They might just have raised and looked after her because of an order from her real father.

….But.

Naruse Mio thought. The two that raised her were surely her parents.

Rather than the real father she never met, they were her precious family.

That was why she would never forgive it. Mio certainly had yet to awaken the power of her father— of the Devil Lord. Still,

"Kindly getting rid of all humans… Fine, bring it on."

Mio inherited something in the blood of her father. That was— the talent for magic.

"Prepare yourselves… I'll kill you a hundred times."

At the same time she said that, Mio's body emitted a crimson aura. She released her own magical power.

—Usually. The magical aura was a negative black.

The magical surge emitted by the enemies right now was a jet black, darker than the night.

In regards to that, Maria or moderate Devils like Mio's father Wilbert had a blue aura. It was a color of those that had sworn to free themselves off the revenge against the God Tribe.

The aura of magical power changed color depending on the heart of the devil that used it.

But— Mio must have sworn revenge for her killed parents and chosen the path of hostility.

So when she learned how to use her magical power from Maria, her aura was neither black, nor blue, but a scarlet even more brilliant than blood. The kind of crimson color that burnt unforgivable enemies to ashes.

"—Okay, let's get started."

Special abilities like magic essentially didn't exist in this world. Average humans couldn't perceive that phenomena. Therefore they couldn't interfere here. And— Mio's words were the sign for the beginning of the battle.

The two manticore [shadows] closed in to them simultaneously. On this coordinated movement,

"Eat this!"

Mio released an offence magic. A flash and a explosion sounded at the same time. A lightning magic crashed down from the sky. But, the two shadows burst though the dust created by the attack.

Manticores. These keen-witted magical beasts must have dodged the lightning.

…What about the scythe guy…

She could no longer feel the presence of the enemy in the soaring dust. He must have been defeated by the lightning magic. In that case, Mio shifted her senses back to the two magical beasts.

"Mio-sama, I will go next."

Maria besides her kicked the ground and flew forward, standing in the way of the manticores. However it was a disadvantaged two vs. one with an overwhelming difference in physiques.

"———"

The manticores, deciding to finish off Maria, who gave an easy target, first, split up to the right and left and made a pinching movement from the sides. Closing the distance, one came at Maria with its fangs, the other with its claws. A combined attack from the side and top. The only available option for Maria to dodge it was retreating. However,

"Ahahaha, so foolish."

Along with a laughter, Maria leaped forward. She headed for the right leg of one of the manticores— the one that tried to kill her with its fangs. She closed the distance in an instant and when she was close enough to reach it with her hands,

"Please entertain me a bit."

Saying so, she swung down her right fist on the giant magical beast's head.

—Unlike Mio, Maria didn't specialize in offensive magic.

Then how was she fighting? That was answered— by a roar and an impact. The manticore, who received Maria's fist, crashed flattened into the ground. That impact hollowed the ground, making a crater. In its center, the manticore didn't move an inch anymore. It even lost its shape. Maria looked down on these remains and snorted scorning with a hmpf.

"Is that all… So boring. Please resist unsightly and make me wet."

Then she moved her gaze to a new target.

But the magical beast approaching Maria from the right changed his own course. It was plunging itself towards Mio. Mio didn't move. And the raised, sharp claw swung down on Mio.

KEEEEEK! With a metallic sound, the claw was repelled. The ferocious attack of the magical beasts had been fended off by a transparent wall that Mio had set up previously. Mio held up her right hand towards the manticore.

"It's over— Die a hundred times and try again."

At the same time she declared calmly, the red ball of light that Mio had created hit it directly.

After the explosion— there was not a single dust of it left.

"Are you unhurt, Mio-sama?"

On Maria's outcall from afar, Mio nodded with a "Yes".

…These guys had finally made their move.

It had been half a year since the murder of her parents— since the start of the tragedy.

The enemy hadn't used any flashy attacks so far, but now they had finally come after her.

"Fine… Just bring it on."

Naruse Mio would never forgive the enemy that killed her parents.

And she would definitely defeat the current Devil Lord that gave the order for it. At all costs.

"—Oh, we better get away from here."

By defeating the enemy, the magic to keep humans away should have been lifted. The place was a complete mess due to Mio and Maria's attacks.

They would get reported if a by-passer saw this.

…But, before that.

One last time, Mio looked at the night scenery of the city. At the scenery she was supposed to look at with the boy.

—That was an opening.

"Mio-sama!"

When she turned around on Maria's scream, a [shadow] stood in front of Mio.

The enemy that was supposed to be defeated by the first lightning magic. Its hand glowed with black magical power.

Not good— Mio immediately erected a barrier, but it was a bit too late. The [shadow] released a lightning attack magic, which lost steam midway by colliding with the barrier, but directly hit Mio nevertheless.

On that impact, Mio was blown backwards. The park was build on higher grounds— a hill. Mio had watched over the city from its edge. Right before the cliff.

The wooden fence to prevent falls was aging and couldn't absorb Mio's fall.

Therefore. Slung away over the cliff, Mio started to fall down.

"Kuh…!"

Mio tried to activate a wind magic right away, but failed to.

Due to the enemy's lightning attack, she couldn't move her body properly and couldn't focus her mind enough to cast magic.

…At this rate…!

It should be more than ten meters until the road below.

The ground was asphalt. Mio's body simply would be unable to endure the impact of the crash.

Mio cursed her own carelessness. Was dying here her fate?

Was this her life, dying without avenging the murder of her parents?

She tightly closed her eyes in despair and frustration—At that time. Mio heard a single sound.

It was a voice. A shouted voice that prolonged the vocal "o".

….Eh?

So Mio faced the voice. To right beside her. Upon that,

"—Oooooooh!"

On the tile of the concrete surface of the wall that guarded against soil slides. With that as his foothold, a single boy ran sideways with a terrific speed into her direction.

At the time Mio realized who it was, she was embraced in midair— by Toujou Basara.

"—Whoops!"

Catching Mio, Basara twisted his body in midair. Mio's vision alternated between top and bottom. And carrying Mio, Basara landed on the ground without troubles. There should have been still quite the distance to the ground. And Basara managed to cushion the landing by just using his lower body as an elastic spring.

"……….Fuh."

In his arms, Mio heard Basara making a breath of relief. Then she was slowly lowered onto the ground.

Still affected by the enemy's lightning magic, she sat on the ground.

"Why…"

Mio looked up to Basara. She still couldn't fully believe that she was saved.

Why did Basara save her? She didn't know the answer to that.

"Well, that's—"

Basara tried to save something awkwardly.

"—Watch out!"

It was negated by Maria's shout from the top of the cliff.

Naruse Mio looked. Behind Basara, who looked at her, the [shadow] came down jumping. Most likely as soon as it noticed Basara, it had jumped down the cliff in pursuit.

It had already gotten in range and was about to about launch a slash with its scythe.

—But, that slash didn't happen. Before it could, the torso of the [shadow] was perfectly split in half. It took only an instant. For the sword to appear in Basara's hand and cutting the enemy in a flash in the turning motion. An unbelievable agility and swift swordsmanship.

"………….."

In front of the now dumbfounded Mio, Basara erased the sword from his hand.

When he then turned around to her, his face had a somehow troubled expression.

"Ah… ehm, you see…"

He was looking for words. While scratching his cheeks, Basara let his gaze wander around a bit.

And then— He slowly held out his hand to her.

"……..We're going home."

Without making eye-contact with her, he said brusque.

—For now, let's return home together.

After overcoming the predicament, Basara had proposed so, but Mio was still wary.

Basara was a Hero. Mio and Maria were devils. And Mio and Maria had deceived Basara. Taking all that into consideration, there was no reason whatsoever for Basara to save Mio.

She could tell that Basara had no hostility, but she was hesitant about her decision for a while. She must have considered the possibility of a trap. Amidst that, Maria convinced Mio as her follower. That there was no reason for Basara to trick them into a roundabout trap. If he wanted to kill them, he could have done so previously in the living room or could have not helped Mio just now.

So, before long Mio gave a small nod on Maria's persuasion.

And now presently— Toujou Basara was standing in the kitchen of his own house.

He took a well-cooled barley tea out of the fridge, poured it into a glass and took it with him into the living room.

"Ah, thank you."

When Maria took the glass, she drank the whole tea in one go. Basara inadvertently raised an eyebrow.

"…Now, you sure drank that without any hesitation."

Wasn't that too careless in any event?

"Well, sure it was me who said to come back here, but…"

"—be a bit more wary, you mean?"

With "I already said it", Maria set the empty glass on the table.

"You have no reason to do something so troublesome as to bring us back home and poison the drink after following us all the way to save us, despite throwing us out of the house once before."

Besides,

"You seriously were angered when you found out that we deceived you. That was because you truly considered us to be your family. Then these ten days we spent together, the time you came into contact with us, were by no means a lie. So I believe it is fine to trust you."

Maria shifted her gaze and asked "Or am I wrong?".

"I see…"

So she actually did give it some thoughts.

"…Well, Mio-sama's personality is like that, so she will be a bit obstinate for a bit longer."

Maria looked to the door of the living room.

"I hope she will settle down a bit in the bath."

Japanese summers were hot even at night. Fighting outside in this humidity, you would sweat by all means.

Therefore, Maria had recommended Mio to take a bath as soon as they got back to the house.

"—Anyway, may I ask at this point?"

Maria said.

"About why you, a Hero, wanted to help us devils."

"Even if you ask… I just heard about your circumstances from my dad."

While scratching his cheek, Basara told her his reason for saving them. It was about Mio's circumstances, the Devil's general situation and the moderate faction, which Jin had all looked up. Therefore,

"My dad couldn't leave you guys alone and neither could I… I could never abandon you while I know of your circumstances. I mean, she bears no sin."

Naruse Mio had been living as just a simple girl. Having her life in peril due to other's conveniences was just too much. When Basara finished his talk with a serious tone, a natural silence befell the living room. Maria, who had cast down her eyes while listening to him, soon

"… I see, Jin-san did."

said with a meek expression and then suddenly raised her face.

"That sounds thankworthy, but— staying quiet when he knew everything, he is the worst."

"Well, I won't deny that."

But, he believed that it wasn't really her place to say anything, seeing as they had deceived him as well.

"—But, I see that you two Heroes helped us simply because of that."

Saying so, Maria gave him a look that asked for his real intentions.

"Actually, the villagers' decision to put us under surveillance is the kind of reaction you would expect, is it not?"

Maria's doubt was reasonable. No matter how much one sympathized with their circumstances, there was no reason for a Hero to help a devil. Yeah—Normally there wasn't, but

"I already told you that I don't have any ties with the Heroes or Devils…. Some stuff happened in the past, you know. Because of that, my dad and I are no longer Heroes now. Just simple humans, unrelated to the village."

Though it gave Basara's heart a never-fading wound.

But well, he was no longer tied down by the Hero's destiny.

"If I want to protect something, I will do so… That's all to it."

"Even if it's a devil— one who has inherited the Devil Lord's power? By protecting Mio-sama, you are putting yourself in harm's way, Basara-san."

Basara nodded a "Yeah" to Maria's reminding observation.

"As long as you don't cause any harm to this world or its habitants."

Upon that, Maria showed a wry smile.

"…You are such good-hearted people, both you and Jin-san."

"Not really. We're just wilful…. Like father, like son."

Therefore, Jin had readily decided to throw away the Hero status on the day the tragedy befell the village, the time when Basara caused that incident. So now— it was Basara's turn.

"…I understand. If that is the case, I will take you up on your kindness. Right now… Mio-sama needs as many allies as possible."

Maria's calm tone was filled with a heavy pressure. Then Maria corrected her seating position and bowed down deeply into his direction.

"Basara-san… My apologies for deceiving you so far. You will be dragged into our peril, but please take care of us. Please lend us your power, so Mio-sama will be safe."

A formal tone. The words of a subordinate who's worried about her master from the bottom of her heart. Therefore,

"Yeah. That's the plan."

Basara once again spoke out his resolve. He couldn't keep running away from the past forever.

In that case, he would pick up the sword again and fight. To his current self, neither Hero nor Devil mattered.

I want to protect Mio— There was no lie in that feeling. He believed in that feeling.

"Well then, ehm… Maria-chan."

"Just Maria is fine. After all, we will be comrades now."

"I see— Then, Maria, except for the part with the attack, let's live together normally like we have until now. We're still not sure about the enemy's aim anyway."

"Eh? But, they directly came after Mio-sama…"

Maria asked back puzzled.

"Well… It just doesn't make sense to me."

Basara made a serious expression.

"The guys from the Devil Lord faction should be after the inherited power from the previous Devil Lord Wilbert itself, instead of Mio. Moreover, she hasn't fully awakened the power yet. If she dies now, no one knows who would inherit the power next— In the worst case, Wilbert's power might vanish just like that."

But,

"When you were attacked at the park, she could have died if I hadn't made it in time. Of course you never know what will happen in an actual battle, but…"

Was it just a coincidence, or were they after something different? He could think of a few possibilities, but time would surely solve it. After all, the enemy wouldn't pull back in silence now.

"I'm sure they also noticed that you guys have been put under surveillance by the Heroes. If they recklessly involved unrelated humans, they themselves will become termination targets next. It's unlikely they'll attack in crowded places."

That's precisely was why they used magic to keep away humans from the park this time.

"Well if they attack next time, we'll get them for sure."

Upon that, Maria said happily.

"So reassuring. I only saw a bit of it, but you seem rather strong, Basara-san."

"Well, don't expect too much… I haven't really fought for five years now."

He had managed to materialize the magic sword Brynhildr, but his body had grown quite dull.

It still wasn't in its former condition. He would have to train from scratch in his free time or it would turn out bad.

"But. Earlier you erased my wind magic here. I was really surprised by that."

"Mh? Ahh…"

On Maria's words, Basara made a peaceful expression and

"I'm afraid that— was a fluke."

Basara shrugged his shoulders, whereupon Maria sharpened her eyes with "Oh please".

"There is no way you can erase magic completely on a fluke. Just what kind of technique was it?"

Maria was full of curiosity, whereas Basara showed a wry smile and dropped his gaze to his right hand.

"Sorry, but it really was a fluke…"

—Yeah, it had to be a fluke.

After all, that technique— became unusable after that incident five years ago.

If drenched in sweat in the middle of summer, a shower was the better choice.

At first, Mio had intended to do so. She wanted to get out after quickly rinsing off the sweat.

—However, right now she let her body immerse in the hot water of the bathtub.

"……….."

Mio tightly embraced her body in the bathtub. Even though it was summer, she felt surprisingly cold.

…For the first time, I…

Since half a year ago— ever since her parents were killed, Mio had trained in magic and combat by Maria's instruction.

Thanks to that, she became able to chant magic even stronger than Maria's.

But an actual combat… A fight with her life at stake, that was a first for her earlier. Defeating the enemy. A wrong step might lead to death. Without doubt, a fight to the death had taken place there. Yeah— if Basara hadn't come to save her, Mio might have smashed onto the asphalt like that and died. When she thought of that, her body trembled beyond control.

For already nearly thirty minutes, Mio sat in the bathtub hugging onto her knees.

—A while ago, Maria had come once to check on her. She must have been worried since Mio just wouldn't come out. When Mio replied to her, Maria seemed to be relieved in the anteroom.

And then, Maria told her about the conversation with Basara.

Including the reason why Basara saved her.

"I have to get out…"

She couldn't stay in the bath forever. Mio slowly left the bath.

When she wiped her wet body with a towel in the anteroom, she inadvertently leaked an isolated mumble.

"Is it really okay…?"

Mio was still uncertain if it was alright to rely on Basara.

It wasn't like she distrusted Basara. In the ten days they had spent together, she came to understand what kind of person Basara was, without having Maria tell her. He was the kind of boy that would come running over once he knew of their circumstances, regardless of being deceived before. And apparently him being a Hero was also a thing of the past. It was probably alright to trust him.

Mio put her feet one by one into the new shorts and pulled it up over her knees and thighs up to her bottom.

…The problem is.

Whether it was alright to drag Basara into Mio's circumstances. The parents who raised her were killed. Moreover, by the guys who also killed her real father. Even though she didn't do anything wrong, her family was unreasonably taken away from her— Naruse Mio remembered that day vividly.

She would never forgive them. No matter how many enemies she had to make, she would definitely avenge their deaths.

Vowing so in her heart, she had lived the past half-year. And today, the battle had finally started.

The enemy was the new Devil Lord who reigned over the demon realm. Most likely, battles like earlier— no, even harsher and more painful battles would take place from now on. Was it really alright to drag Basara and Jin into these battles that were unrelated to them? As they both had given up on battles along with their Hero status.

"……………"

Then Mio finished dressing. Night had already fallen, but they still had a lot to discuss about the future, so she didn't dress in pyjamas, but a rough casual wear.

Her own expression reflected in the bath's mirror looked unusually gloomy.

As Mio squeezed her own body, there was a reserved knock on the door of the anteroom from the outside.

"Sorry, Maria… I'll be right there."

Thinking that she made her worry again, Mio replied so, whereupon

"Ah… No, it's me."

On hearing the somewhat awkward voice beyond the door, Mio inadvertently gulped. She still wasn't sure what to say to Basara. She knew she couldn't keep quiet. But she found no words.

—Basara saved her life when she fell down the cliff after receiving that attack.

Mio had no words to say to that Basara. Upon that,

"Sorry. I thought about waiting until you were out, but… But there's one thing I absolutely want to tell you beforehand."

Just what is it— Before Mio could ask so, she received the answer.

"—Forgive me."

For a moment, she couldn't comprehend what Basara said.

"Wh- Why are you apologizing?"

When she inadvertently responded with a trembling voice, Basara continued apologetically from beyond the door.

"I heard about you from my dad and Maria. Sorry, I… didn't know anything about you. And then earlier, I just snapped… I'm really sorry."

"Th- That's…."

What to do? Even though she was the one that caused troubles by deceiving him. Despite that, the one who saved her life apologized. And even before she could. Now she was at a loss for words even more.

"~~~~~"

Her vision swayed. An indescribable feeling rose in her. Suddenly, Mio heard a loud noise. Before she noticed it, she had fallen on her backside on the floor. Before she understood that her legs had given in,

"H- Hey! Are you okay?"

Surprised by the sudden loud noise, the anteroom door opened and Basara came inside.

When Basara entered the anteroom, Mio had sunk down on the floor.

Her face was red. Staying in the bath close to an hour, she must have gotten dizzy.

"Don't stay so long in the bath that you're unable to stand anymore… C'mon, you okay?"

His offered hand was shaken off. And Mio made a teary expression even now.

"Why are you apologizing… Even though I deceived you."

In response, Basara scratched his head with his other hand.

"I also hid the fact about me being a Hero in the past. So we're even."

"B- But, we tried to take over this house… To chase you out. Can you still call that even?"

On Mio's strong tone, Basara bluntly declared.

"No… That certainly was your bad."

But, he said with a calm expression.

"You guys didn't know I was a Hero. If you just wanted a house, there should have been a better and faster method for that instead of manipulating memories with magic. By force, that is. But you didn't do that and tried to make me go back to the countryside."

Why?

"You did that— to keep me away from your battles, right?"

On Basara's uttered guess, Mio widened her eyes in surprise. Apparently he hit the bulls-eye.

"Why…"

Mio mumbled, dumbfounded.

"Logically speaking, the time we spent together would be an act and chasing me out of the house would be your real intention. But, I actually have an eye for people. I might have snapped at first, but after hearing the circumstances from my dad, I calmed down and understood it." One breath.

"You didn't reveal your true colors— It's the opposite. You put on an act to chase me out of the house."

But, Basara continued.

"There's no longer a reason to keep doing that. Both my dad and I decided to protect you two. I mean, we're already a family."

"Wh- What are you saying… The remarriage was a complete lie."

Mio still wouldn't back down from her obstinate attitude, so Basara told her.

"So what. A family isn't just based on blood-relations or a family register. Living together with the desire to protect each other, that's already a family."

So he would protect her at all costs.

"I'm no longer a Hero. We have no blood-relation, nor a family register, but I'm your older brother. So, let me protect— you."

Declaring so, Basara then forcefully took Mio's hand and made her stand up.

"Yah… H- Hey!"

"Well then, let's get along again."

Facing each other, Basara grinned at her, whereupon Mio made a frustrated expression with "Muh~".

"St- Stop touching me already! Get out! I'll kill you a hundred times!"

"Oh my— Seems you two opened up to each other."

Saying so, Maria came into the anteroom. She trotted over to Mio.

"Well, though it seems that Mio-sama has not become fully honest yet."

"I, I'm not really, well…"

Mio turned red and hemmed and hawed, whereupon Maria, along with a smile,

"Then all is well. Truth be told, I have a little suggestion for you two now."

"Suggestion…?"

He knew that they had to discuss the future, but a "suggestion" rather than a "consultation"? Basara gave a doubtful silence, whereupon Maria nodded with a "Yeah".

"From now on, Basara-san will fight by my side to protect Mio-sama. Basara-san is Mio-sama's guard, so to speak. But with the current situation, he might not always be able to come to the aid if we end up separated for some reason."

"Well, yeah…"

Certainly, it was partly due to luck that Basara reached Mio. He had a strong hunch, since he told her at that park that they should come together again at night. So he left the house and headed there immediately. Of course, he had confirmed her position with the cell phone GPS, but he caught the falling Mio on a close call. He couldn't deny the possibility that he would have been too late if he had checked her position on the GPS before starting to run.

"But, there is nothing we can do about that. We should be careful from now on that we don't get separated and in case we do, the GPS—"

"That's too naïve! You never know when a cell phone breaks down or runs out of battery! At a crucial time the reception might be bad as well or you could drop it on an enemy's attack! If you keep relying on such a thing, you might even fall into a trap in the worst case! Blindly trusting in modern science will do you no good!"

"Well, you have a point, but…"

Basara was overwhelmed by Maria's sudden passionate outburst. Upon that, Mio besides him, said:

"But, is there any other way? There isn't any perfect detection magic."

Exactly, was what Basara thought. Detection magic itself was rudimentary. However, in a fight it was one's first priority not to get found. Therefore there were various spells like magic barriers or decoy magic that prevented or mislead detection, so detection magic was pretty pointless for actual combat. But, Maria showed a smile,

"It is possible, to track down a special target. With the 'Master and Servant Contract Magic"— when you link your souls."

Something completely covered the floor of the living room.

The interweaving runes drawn by magic, were a huge magical circle for a ritual.

"…Are we really going to do it?"

In front of the magic circle, Basara said with an unenthusiastic voice.

The Master and Servant Magic turned one into a master and the other into the servant. But Mio might become the future Devil Lord. Position and personality-wise, there was no way she would become Basara's servant.

Naturally, Maria also had suggested it on the condition that Basara would become the servant. But,

"Please do not give it too much thought, Basara-san. With this, you two will be able to feel each other's presence. It certainly will form a Master-Servant contract, but it will just be a formality."

On Maria's persuasion, Basara was still indecisive.

"Linking each others souls with magic… That's all good for pinpointing each other's position, but when you even end up knowing about the other's thoughts, it'll be quite awkward."

There would no longer be any privacy. However, Maria shook her head.

"Do not worry about that— That is not the purpose of the magic."

Purpose? Basara frowned. Upon that, Maria

"More importantly, this magic is special as it can only be used in this world on a night with a full moon. If we let this chance go by, we have no other method. Besides, if any inconveniences arise from the contract, we can always annul it on the next full moon. Now then, please stand here already, Basara-san."

"Well… even if you say all that."

Besides, wasn't it harder on a girl than on a boy? Basara turned around.

"Say something. You don't want to have your soul linked to mine by magic, right?"

He called out to Mio, who had stayed silent the whole time. Upon that,

"…..N- Not really. I'm fine with it."

He got an unexpected reply. Inadvertently Basara frowned as he thought that he heard wrong.

"I, If you're alright with it… I don't mind either."

Saying so bashful, Mio gave him a quick glance. And then,

"Basara— you're against it?"

"Eh? Well, rather than being against it… But are you really fine with it?"

"…Yeah. If it's just about each other's locations."

Ohh, it seemed she was serious.

…Master and Servant Contract, huh.

As her guard, it certainly was an attractive offer to be able to track down Mio's position.

Normally, a Hero becoming a devil's servant was out of the question, but sadly enough Basara was just a battlewise average human. With the reliable Jin currently absent, he would like to eliminate all possible uneasiness for the future. Still— if possible, Basara wanted to stay on equal terms with Mio. Because he thought it would be better to stay as a family, as her older brother. And because Mio was raised by humans, even though her father was the Devil Lord, and lived as a normal human girl so far.

…But.

Toujou Basara remembered. The expression he saw on Mio's face, slumped down on the floor, when he came into the anteroom.

Her expression back then had been quite gloomy. And— the exact same face was now in front of Basara's eyes. Most likely, Mio was full of worry, which made her accept the Master and Servant contract. So, if forming the contract eased even a little bit of Mio's worries— it wasn't such a bad deal. The contract wasn't forever and only a formality with the possibility of annulling it. With that, he could temporarily form a contract with her until Jin came back. Therefore, Basara made a sigh.

"Okay——So? What do I have to do for that Master and Servant contract?"

Upon that, Maria, hearing his acceptance, instantly formed a smile on her face.

"Thank you. Well then, Basara-san, please stand on the side of the entrance… Yes, right there. That is the side for the servant. And, Mio-sama, please stand by the window side."

When both of them stood in their positions, the preparations for the magic started at once.

"Now then— Mio-sama, please hold my hand."

"Your hand? I just have to hold it?"

Seeing Mio obeying Maria by taking her hand,

"Huh… Mio and my souls are going to be linked, yet she's going to hold your hand, Maria?"

Wouldn't the three of them get linked then? Upon that, Maria nodded a "Yes".

"Mio-sama is using this magic for the first time, so I will take part as an assistance this time. Besides, I think it will be more effective if Mio-sama chants the spell with my magical powers, instead of her own."

Well, if that was the case. Then Mio, after getting told the chant by Maria, took a deep breath.

"Th- Then let's start…"

Saying so with a bit of a nervous expression— she started the chant. Instantly, first the magic circle on the floor started glowing, then Mio's body and following even Basara's body was bathed in the same light.

Seemed it was right that she was only lending her magical power, as Maria's body stayed as it was.

And then— When Mio finished the chant before long, Maria faced him.

"Soon enough a magic circle will appear on Mio's right hand for a while. So please take her hand, Basara-san, and place a kiss on the magic circle before it disappears. With that the Master and Servant contract will be established."

"—Huh? Kiss?"

He didn't really mind a kiss on the hand, but it must have been a formality needed for the contract. When Basara shrugged it off, the magic circle faintly raised up.

But for some reason not towards Mio's hand— but onto Basara's.

"Eh…?"

As she couldn't comprehend the situation, Mio blinked her eyes. In regards, Basara said doubtful.

"Hey… This got on my hand, but is that okay?"

"H- Hey! Just what is going on!?"

Mio changed her expression, grabbed Maria next to her by the collar and shook her. Maria tilted her head.

"O- Oh my? That is strange… Did I make a mistake somewhere?"

"What now!? Th- This is…"

Basara wouldn't become Mio's servant, but Mio would become his.

"Ehm, for now, how about you kiss Basara-san's hand, Mio-sama? You see, the contract will be reversed, but you still will be able to tell each other's position, like originally planned."

The moment Maria said that, Mio's face turned bright red.

"Y- You must be joking! Why would I have to become Basara's slave!"

No, slave kind of set a different nuance. Basara was against that as well.

"However, at this rate… Ah."

Looking on Maria's raised voice, the magic circle on Basara's hand was about to vanish.

"Mio-sama, hurry up! The magic circle, it is vanishing! We can annul the contract later on, so please kiss it for now!"

"B- But… we can only annul it on the next full moon, right? That's…"

Maria was impatient, but Mio was still hesitant, whereupon the magic circle faded before long.

"Ahh…"

Seeing that, Maria raised a fragile voice. At that time,

"Mm… Eh? Wh- What… the!?"

Mio, as her body suddenly trembled with a shiver, raised a confused voice. And then,

"No way… N- No…"

Turning red, she mumbled, then she slumped down on the floor. And then her body started to shiver bit by bit.

"H- Hey… are you okay?"

Saying so, Basara grabbed Mio's shoulder. In that moment,

"—Hyaahn!"

Mio made a sweet outcry and also shivered her body greatly.

"Wh- What…!?"

When Basara removed his hand from the sudden reaction, Maria next to him raised a flustered voice.

"Ahh… The curse is already in effect." "—The curse?" "Aww…"

Maria made a face like she had screwed up, which Basara quickly took a hold of.

"Tell me more—without leaving out anything."

"Ah, Ahaha…."

When he brought his face as close as possible, Maria made a dry laughter.

"Eh- Ehm, you know, the 'Master and Servant Contract' not only lets you grasp each other's position, but the actual important part also is that it always sustains the servant's loyalty. When the servant betrays his master or feels guilty, the curse activates as a kind of punishment. The curse normally is influenced by the chanter's characteristics, but this time we used my magical power for the chant."

Still collapsed on the floor, Mio continued to make sweet and heavy breathing along with turning red. Basara looked at her.

"Maria… if I'm right, you're a succubus."

"Yes. I can fight man-to-man, but usually I am a seductive devil."

"In other words— your succubus' aphrodisiac power turned into the curse?"

"…I am afraid so."

"YOU IDIOOOT!"

Basara inadvertently shouted in a loud voice. Of course there was also a problem with her trying to set a weird magic, but

"Why didn't you just let Mio use her own magical power? What would you have done if I assaulted you guys due to the influence of the aphrodisiac!"

"Ah, there is no reason to worry about that. The curse gets stronger when the servant tries to oppose his master and assaulting one's master is the ultimate form of betrayal. If it was attempted, the mind and body can no longer control the pleasure and one will faint or have one's brain roasted."

"The latter is too scary!"

That was the most nasty kind of death.

"Above all, it would most likely have been dangerous to have Mio-sama's ability characteristic. I mean, Mio-sama became able to use magic after Wilbert-sama's death, after she inherited his strength. It is yet to fully awaken, but it is highly likeable that she also inherited Wilbert-sama's characteristic. Incidentally someone, who opposed Wilbert-sama's contract in the past, seemed to have died by being crushed by an invisible power. Therefore I skilfully bypassed the danger of turning into a lump of meat due to the curse on a screw up with my quick wittedness. Yeah, truly by a hair's breadth."

"What are you proud of? This situation is just as dangerous."

"Hah… R- Right!"

On Basara's retort, Maria was greatly perplexed and looked down on Mio.

"At this rate, Mio-sama will go to heaven, in a double meaning! Wh- What should we do, Basara-san!?"

"Nah, a devil doesn't go to heaven upon death."

Basara said so wearily.

"But, the magic circle disappeared before the kiss. Doesn't that mean the spell failed?"

"Yes… however, the magic had already been activated by finishing the chant. And not kissing the magic circle means opposing loyalty itself."

"And so the curse activated strongly…"

This was the worst.

"Wh… Whatever, Mmh, just… just help me…"

Mio, with a completely enchanted expression, raised a bewitching voice and bent her body back and forth.

It was quite erotic. Basara inadvertently gulped.

"…How do we stop the curse?"

"Since it is the Master and Servant Contract magic, the curse will stop when the servant vows their loyalty to the Master. After the establishment of the contract, a light curse will stop after a set time, but this time the contract itself was opposed— so first you have to completely subdue her and properly bind the Master and Servant Contract."

"Subdue her… What should I do?"

"It is simple— Please touch Mio-sama."

"Eh? T- Touch? …Where?"

Would a dispelling magical circle appear then? Upon that, Maria said composed.

"Anywhere is fine. Right now, Mio-sama's senses are increased a lot due to the aphrodisiac effect of the curse. Remember how she sensitively reacted to your touch on her shoulder earlier? Mio-sama has no experiences with men whatsoever, so she is unfamiliar with pleasure, nor has any resistance against it. I believe she will become obedient and vow her loyalty to you, Basara-san, if you touch her for about five minutes."

"W- Wait, Maria… What, are you saying…"

Maria showed a luxuriously affectionate expression to the startled Mio.

"Please bear with it a bit longer, Mio-sama. Right now, Basara-san will make you feel better— yes, better indeed. It is by no means because I, a succubus, want to see you fall into pleasure or anything. Now then, Basara-san, please touch Mio-sama's embarrassing places already and make her feel better."

"Didn't you say I could touch her wherever?"

"Yes. Still, I want to save Mio-sama as fast as possible. The longer it takes, the greater the burden on her mind and body. If you truly want to help her, I believe you should touch her most effective places to make her submit as soon as possible. Well, if you prefer to tease her bit by bit, I do not mind. I am also into that kind of thing."

"Kuh….. Aw, geez, I get it."

He couldn't let Mio die from something this stupid. Basara sat down next to Mio.

"Yah… St- Stay away, idiot… If you do something weird, I'll kill you a hundred times… Mm."

"…Sorry, but give up on that. I'll make it quick."

Basara calmly told Mio, who writhed her body along with hot and long breathing, and reached out his hand for her.

First, he firmly held down her two arms, so that she wouldn't resist him.

"——FUAAHN"

From just that, Mio leaped up her body in a shiver. The skin he touched was clearly hot.

This heat and her erotic reaction nearly made him get discouraged already, but

"Basara-san— This is for Mio-sama's sake. You are helping her."

"…Yeah, I know."

On Maria's murmured voice, Basara replaced his thinking.

In short, he just needed to make Mio submit and swear her loyalty to him.

If that was the case.

Of course he never did something like that to a girl, but— as a Hero, he was born with the talent for supernatural power.

To otherwise awaken a power, one must get acknowledged by the spirits in this world and form a contract.

In other words, one must make the spirits acknowledge oneself.

Most likely even now the Master and Servant Contract would be formed once Mio acknowledged Basara as her Master.

Therefore Basara calmed his heart and just thought about making Mio acknowledge him.

To accomplish that, he had to touch Mio's weak spots, like Maria had said.

"Yah… Ah, Mm… Mm."

Basara searched for Mio's weakest spot over her clothes, touching her all over.

The curse must have been pretty strong. Wherever he touched, Mio reacted sensitive and shivered her body while leaking a sweet voice. But— After a while,

"Ah— HYAAAHN!?"

The moment Basara touched a certain place, Mio showed an unbelievable reaction. Along with a remarkable loud voice, she fiercely shivered her whole body. Basara inadvertently gulped and Maria showed a smile.

"Apparently you found it… Mio-sama's weak spot."

What he looked at was, the symbols of a woman, two soft swellings— Her breasts.

Therefore— Basara took a deep breath. Then he reached out for the most sensitive spot.

With her whole body controlled by a sweet sensation, Naruse Mio looked.

Basara's hand slowly reached out for her own breasts.

"N- No…"

She somehow managed to utter words of resistance, but Basara didn't stop. Staring at her with eyes that seem to be from a whole different person, he didn't allow Mio to resist any further.

…Wh- What now…. At this rate, I…

Mio clearly remembered the sweet stimulus that ran through her whole body in the moment when Basara touched her breasts earlier. Soon enough it would come again. Thinking so, she relaxed her body.

"A, Ahh…"

Finally Basara's hand touched Mio's breasts. In that moment, a sweet sensation rushed through her whole body and Mio fiercely shivered her body. It was the same sensation as earlier— No, an even stronger one.

"Yah… Not there, not…. Basaraa…"

Under Basara's body, Mio writhed her hips and said pleading words with an enchanted voice.

But, Basara still didn't remove his hands from Mio's breasts.

And then— Mio finally saw her own breasts changing shape on Basara's touch. She recognized the sweet sensation, but also how soft and sensitive her own breasts were. Mio's big breasts were at a size, where they spilled out of Basara's hands. Like accepting his five fingers despite that, they crowded out between his finger on every rub, lewdly changing shape.

Therefore she wouldn't deceive herself any longer. Naruse Mio knew that the current sensation was pleasure.

This sweet sensation robbed the notion called thoughts from Mio. And then the moment suddenly came.

"Ah— Y- YAAAAAAH!?"

After a moment of sense blankness— A fierce pleasure spark colored Mio's vision snow-white.

A pleasant feeling gushed out from every pore of her body and she felt like she was floating.

Her body stiffened up on its own and Mio forgot to breathe for a moment.

"…, Ah… Hah… Ahh…"

Before long, she exhaled a long breath filled with a sweet heat. The white fog cleared and her vision faintly came back.

…No way. Just now, I…

As a high school girl, Mio possessed an average knowledge. Therefore, she understood what kind of state Basara had driven her to. In that moment— Mio trembled her body in a shiver. But,

"Yah… Wh- Why…?"

Mio raised a confused voice. She had thought for sure that this would be the end. Yet, the sweet sensation didn't vanish from Mio's body. Not just that, it got even stronger.

"That will not do, Mio-sama…. This curse is activated due to opposing the Master and Servant contract."

While saying so, Maria lowered Mio's head onto her own two thighs.

In this lap pillow position, her small hands held Mio's head from the sides.

"As long as you do not vow your loyalty to Basara-san from the bottom of your heart, this sensation will not vanish. Listen… Right now in front of your eyes is your future Master. The one you will swear your loyalty to."

"Master… Loyalty…"

Maria's voice was sinking into Mio's conscious that was completely blurred already from the sensation. Therefore, Mio shifted her dizzy eyes back to the front.

Upon that, there was a boy looking at her— Basara.

Basara's eyes looking at her were so powerful that they sucked her in.

…Basara… He, is my Master…

The moment she thought so, Mio felt a trembling happiness. Loyalty to an overwhelming existence— This joy spread in Mio's body at once and she was about to swear her loyalty to him like that. But,

"N- No… That, I…"

Still, with her last reasoning, Mio spoke out her hesitation about this sweet temptation, whereupon Maria made a sigh.

And then, she said something unbelievable.

"Basara-san, please fondle her breasts not over the clothes— but directly."

"Th…"

When Mio inadvertently reacted with a shiver, Basara asked Maria with calm eyes.

"…Is that okay?"

"Yes. If you hold back, you will never be able to set Mio-sama at peace."

While softly petting Mio's cheeks, Maria said in a calm tone to Basara. Upon that,

"—Okay."

When Basara said so shortly, his hand moved from Mio's breasts to the bottom.

"N- No way…"

While dumbfounded, she no longer had any strength to resist. Mio saw Basara's two hands going under the hem of her bra top. And then, these hands slowly started heading upwards towards her breasts. The hem was stuck at Basara's wrist and her bra top was rolled up bit by bit.

"Mm… Ahh, Yah…Don't, Broth- Brother, stop it…"

The cornered Mio called Basara "Brother" on the spur of the moment.

On this reaction, Basara suddenly stopped his hands. There Mio was taken aback.

… O, Oh no. I unconsciously…

Her face turned red. Naruse Mio realized her own true feelings that she wasn't aware of herself. After he saved her at the park, she wanted to call the all so reliable Basara that from the bottom of her heart.

Upon that, looking at her, Basara

"Sorry… Bear with this embarrassment for a bit longer."

declared so, whereupon Mio's clothes once again started to roll up.

"Mm… Ah, …. Yah… Mm."

The shame from having her upper body gradually getting exposed and the sensation from Basara's hands gliding up her stomach made Mio's body twist. However, that was all the resistance she could offer. Before long, her clothes had rolled up to her breasts. It meant that there no longer was anything between Basara's hand and her breasts. Unable to endure the shame, she inadvertently tried to avert her face, whereupon

"You cannot avert your eyes or close them, Mio-sama… Please properly witness with your own eyes what is going to happen now."

Maria, in whose lap she laid, used her hands to make Mio's head face in front— to Basara.

She couldn't escape. And then,

"…Here I go."

Right after Basara declared just that— Mio saw her own breasts touched directly by Basara's hand.

Immediately, her breasts were fondled— Once she understood what that meant,

"————"

Naruse Mio leaked the sweetest voice ever so far and fiercely shivered her body.

And then— The curse on Mio lifted before long.

"Ah… Mm, Hah… Ah…"

As the sensation wasn't completely gone yet, Mio lay completely exhausted on the sofa.

"Nine times… Nothing less from you, Mio-sama. You were more persistent than I thought."

"Hey… aren't you technically her servant? Shouldn't you say something else?"

On Maria's mumbling in front of Mio, Basara said wearily.

—After that. Even after doing all that, Mio's heart still didn't submit to Basara.

Therefore, he had continued to fondle Mio's breasts numerous times until she swore her loyalty to her Master from the bottom of her heart.

After repeatedly giving Mio's body the sensation that shivered her whole body, Mio soon after released a sweet voice and kept calling Basara "Brother" in a delirium. After the ninth time, as Maria had said, she finally swore her loyalty to Basara and Mio was freed of the curse of pleasure.

Maria showed Basara, who wearily looked at her, a roguish smile.

"Oh please~ You, yourself were quite into it after a while."

"Wha, that's not…"

Turning red, Basara hastily denied.

"Even though Mio-sama was so against it, you never stopped your hands."

"Th- That's… You said I had to hurry."

"But when Mio-sama started to call you 'Brother' midway— you shuddered."

"Uh…"

Certainly, at that time his reasoning was inadvertently about to crumble… wait, no!

"S- So, what now? We can really annul the contract, right?"

"Please rest assured. As I said previously, on the master and servant's consent, the contract can be nullified by chanting the same magic on the next full moon."

"The next full moon… That means, it won't be annulled for almost a month."

Upon pondering deeply, he fell into a light depression. Well, until then he should maintain a harmonic relationship with Mio.

If things like this now kept happening, it would be too dangerous in various ways.

And then. Basara asked the essential question, as the situation was resolved.

"—By the way Maria, why did you keep quiet about the curse?"

Ah that is, with that Maria made a sorry expression.

"Because you finally were interested in helping Mio-sama, I kept quiet just in case, so you would not change your mind midway… It is the truth that the contract can be annulled, so I thought that there would not be a problem. I'm sorry."

"I see…"

Basara made a sigh.

"Huh… You're not angry? I believed for sure you would give me a genuine lecture until morning."

Basara nodded a "Yeah" to Maria, who starred in puzzlement. And then,

"—'Cause that's not my part."

At the same time he said that, Maria's head was firmly grabbed from behind. It didn't even need to be said who it was. Maria instantly broke out in a cold sweat and a penetrating cold voice called out to her.

"…Maria, we gotta talk. Come with me."

Grabbing Maria's head like a clamp, Mio left the living room, dragging Maria along.

"Aww, Mio-sama, my head, it hurts! It was not… It was not on purpose!"

Maria raised a scream, but Mio ignored it completely. They could be heard going up the stairs.

Upon that, there was a sound of a door on the second floor yanking open— then a fierce scream and a vibration of something heavy being knocked over. Moreover, loud crushing sounds of breaking something echoed in succession, but Basara pretended to not hear anything of that. Because he thought she should at least continue until she was satisfied.

And then— the noise in the Toujou household passed over the whole night, not stopping until dawn.