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TorturePrincess

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Prologue As the hands around his neck tightened, Kaito Sena mused on how predictable this outcome was. In fact, it was a miracle that he had lived this long in the first place. His right arm was covered in shallow lacerations, his left arm unmoving and stained dark red. His ankle had been twisted at an odd angle a few months back and had stiffened that way. And it was possible that the stomach pain he had been enduring for the past three days was due to one of his organs having ruptured. He was seventeen years and three months old. All through his life, he'd only known fickle treatment and been attacked on a whim. It was a life no better than that of livestock, knowing it would eventually be devoured yet unable to escape its fate. In his case, he wasn't going to be eaten but rather buried alive somewhere, or perhaps his flesh would be burned away until only bone remained, or maybe his body would be abandoned in the mountains or dumped in the ocean. The pain weighed heavily on him as time seemed to stretch longer and longer. While he was thinking, the fat fingers pressed down on his neck even harder, crushing his respiratory tract and blood vessels. Sticky tears leaked from his protruding eyeballs. He kicked and clawed at the hands grabbing him, but it was no use. His father was doped up well past the point of being able to reason or feel pain. As Kaito's tongue lolled out in his desperate attempt to struggle for one more lungful of air, a part of him separated from his body and observed the situation with a disturbing level of calm. His brain, on the other hand, was burning with panic. I don't want to die I don't want to die I don't want to die I don't want to die please don't kill me. Against his wishes, his throat gave in. His vision went blank, but rather than infinite blackness, he saw a dancing light. It was almost like his life was flashing before his eyes, like in stories. But this was something else entirely, something sinister. There were corpses as far as the eye could see. There were men and women, young and old, their bodies mutilated and cast aside. Their hands and feet had been twisted off like those of broken dolls, their chests ripped open, their limbs torn off. Eyes, ears, teeth, and tongues were all missing. Before Kaito's eyes lay a mountain of corpses, each lacking so much as a shred of human dignity. A crow cawed before taking flight, a lump of human flesh in its beak. Kaito's vision darkened, and he could hear the roar of countless voices. A mass of people, clad in black and shaking their fists, shouted as high as their voices would allow. "Kill her! Kill her! Kill her! Kill her! Kill her! Kill her!" All their loathing and overwhelming bloodlust were concentrated on one dark-haired girl. She was hovering in front of them, dressed in a straitjacket. Hundreds of chains hung from the gallows, binding her hands and feet while keeping her suspended in midair. She resembled a butterfly caught in a spiderweb. She looked up from her fluttering black locks. Her face was terrifying in its beauty, and her striking crimson eyes turned to Kaito. He gasped. It was clear from her expression that she was no victim. She was looking past Kaito at the raging, bloodthirsty crowd. Her pointed gaze was devoid of fear. Upon her immaculate face was a smile rife with cruelty and wickedness. "Kill her! Kill her! Kill her!" The mob continued their chant, and she laughed as she bathed in their murderous rage. She laughed at it all in a manner both beautiful and sinister. —Until the day of your death, try to do some good at least. And then, with a firm crack, Kaito Sena's neck was snapped. Kaito Sena, the boy who should be dead, opened his eyes once more. The light of a bonfire filled his gaze. He appeared to be in a dimly lit stone room. Although he was sure that he'd been killed, this didn't quite strike him as the land of the dead. Standing in front of the confused Kaito was the black-haired girl from before. She was no longer being restrained, although in a sense, she still appeared bound. Covering her slender body was a black bondage dress, and the part over her chest was composed almost entirely of leather belts. Her well-formed breasts, bound beneath the interlacing belts, were over half-visible. Her waist was concealed by black cloth, and past her short skirt extended a pair of gorgeous legs wrapped in what looked like stockings. The inside of her dress was dyed scarlet, and the length of the back flowed like a cape. It was quite the erotic outfit, yet somehow it did not give off a flirty impression. The way she wore the indecent bondage-style dress was akin to a queen in her finest regalia. Her elegant, flowing black hair suited her face, which was more refined than any Kaito had seen before. Yet, a demonic cruelty flickered in her ruby eyes. At once, the peerless beauty parted her thin lips. Her gaze locked on to Kaito, and she spoke at last. "O Sinless Soul, stricken down in a manner most foul. From this day forth, you shall be my loyal servant." Although it made little sense to demand the servitude of a dead man, her tone left no room for refusal. Belatedly, Kaito realized that he was breathing, and as he let slip a small chuckle of confusion, the girl before him made a dignified proclamation. "I am the Torture Princess, Elisabeth Le Fanu. I am the proud wolf and the lowly sow." 1 The Fourteen Demons The castle stood atop a desolate hill, surrounded on all sides by dense forest. It was constructed wholly from frigid stone and, as such, resembled a fortress more than it did a castle. It gave off an oppressive air, and most anyone who spent more than three days inside it would be plagued by nightmares of being crushed by stones. Its corridors were labyrinthine, and if one got lost in them, there was a greater chance of starving to death before finding a way out. It wasn't built with the comfort of its inhabitants in mind; in fact, it seemed to reject the idea of being inhabited altogether. Its kitchen was no different. The layout was abysmal, and its atmosphere evoked the claustrophobic sense of being locked in a dungeon. Not to mention the nature of the ingredients that had been forced upon him. Kaito Sena wore a cotton shirt with rolled-up sleeves and a butcher's apron. His arms were crossed and he bore a sullen expression. Before him lay a towering mound of organs. The varied bits of flesh were all soft and glistening and gave off a strong, peculiar odor. He sighed and, with a sharp knife, began cutting the intestines lengthwise. He then removed the white bits from the heart. As he was dressing the vast quantity of meat with sage-like stoicism, the kitchen shook violently. Kaito ignored this, acting as though nothing had happened. Even if the castle was to collapse and his life was to end, it was of little concern to him. He took the expensive-looking bottle he'd randomly grabbed from the wine cellar, opened it, and poured its contents into a silver fruit bowl. At once, he began dumping the organ meat into the bowl along with some herbs he couldn't identify. His face stern, he continued cooking even as the entire castle shook again. Once more, he ignored it. Even if half the castle was blown away, Kaito would still be fine, so he paid no attention to the tremors. His world was at peace. However, a wicked voice rang out and shattered that tranquility. "Butler! Buuutler!" His name was in fact Kaito and not Butler. Thus, he decided the voice couldn't possibly be calling for him. Under that justification, he continued ignoring it, but then the manner in which he was being called changed. "Kaaaiiito!" "All right, all right! I'm coming right now, so pipe down!" His life was at risk if he continued playing deaf. He slammed the liver he was flouring onto the counter, then took off down the corridor. Thanks to the poor excuses for stained-glass clerestory windows, the corridor was less claustrophobic than the kitchen. At the same time, the patterns of light they cast on the floor were ominous enough to be annoying. He ran atop the patterns, climbed a spiral staircase, and finally threw open a massive pair of double doors. A violent gust of wind blew in Kaito's face. The throne room, as the name would suggest, was adorned with a magnificent throne atop a pedestal, and the array of antique tapestries served to accentuate the room's grandeur. However, a quarter of the room had been destroyed, and the pale-blue sky peeked through a huge hole in the wall. It seemed there was a serious chance that half the castle had been blown away. Standing above the wreckage, an arrogant girl awaited Kaito, her arms folded and her perfectly sculpted legs perched atop the rubble. Her heels clicked as she turned to face him. Her dark hair fluttered around her as she pierced him with her crimson gaze. Her face, a well of inhuman beauty, was punctuated by a smile dripping with unfettered delight. It was truly unpleasant. Her nails were painted black, and they glimmered as she pointed outside. She spoke in a whisper, her voice as sweet as birdsong with the tone of a cat that had just eaten its fill. "Behold, Kaito." Kaito obeyed and peered through the hole. The bright-blue sky and vivid-green forest would have been picturesque were it not for the sticky red that stained the landscape, accompanied by the stench of rust. The once-beautiful setting was now a sickening sight to behold. A nightmarish hellscape stretched as far as the eye could see. Dozens of iron stakes jutted out of the ground, impaling a strange creature. Kaito scrunched up his face as much as he could, but he could still make out the grizzly, bloodied corpses. "Well, Kaito? Have you any impressions?" "Impressions...? It's revolting." "A fitting appraisal, truly. What's more, it lacks the requisite vocabulary and wit to entertain its master. What a boring creature." The girl shrugged. The dying beast was a horrifying patchwork of human corpses. It was a bizarre creature, its skin a collage of human faces with their cheeks and scalps melted together and stretched to the absolute limit. Each face joined its voice in a chorus of agony. A row of human arms along its back served as a mane, and a large number of breasts hung from its fat belly. The girl laughed at the blasphemous abomination, her voice full of scorn. "The time has come, Kaito. The Knight has issued a declaration of war. Or would it be more fitting to consider this mere harassment?" She seemed quite pleased. Watching her lick her garnet lips, Kaito thought she looked less like a panther or a wolf and more like a ferocious, hungry lion. Suppressing his urge to vomit, he looked away from the beast's corpse and gave his announcement through a sigh. "Not that I really care, but food'll be ready in an hour. Save your fighting or torturing or whatever for later." This was the absurd arrangement Kaito Sena had been forced into after he was killed. "As you have yet to reply, I shall say it another way. Devote yourself to me." "Hard pass." When he registered the blunt demand of the girl who called herself Elisabeth, Kaito immediately refused. Naturally, he was confused at being ordered to do some strange girl's bidding immediately after he'd

been killed. But he was sure of his answer after seeing that disturbing pile of corpses. Then there were the bloodthirsty chants that had been directed at her, plus Elisabeth's sadistic smile, but most of all, it was that she addressed herself as the "Torture Princess." He was afraid he'd made her angry, but for some reason, she nodded as if impressed. "A prompt decision, I see. Did you perchance stumble across a stray memory or two of mine when you were summoned? Even so, I did not expect such a swift reply." "Okay, forget the whole 'serving you' thing for a sec. When you say 'summoned'... Hey wait, where are we? What am I doing here? Didn't I...die?" "Yes, without a doubt! You are well and truly dead. Your murder was as meaningless as a worm getting stepped on—a death most pitiful, unseemly, cruel, and gruesome! Yet, I summoned your soul here into a puppet body and granted you new life. A rare blessing, is it not? Go on, then: Rejoice to your heart's content." "...A puppet?" As he listened to Elisabeth's bizarre explanation, Kaito patted himself all over. For a puppet, his skin felt surprisingly human. He didn't have a mirror, so he couldn't inspect his face, but noting the lack of discrepancies in his field of view, he suspected that his height was more or less the same as it had always been. He plucked out one of his hairs, which he normally kept tied behind his head, but it was the same old pale brown. As Kaito inspected his body with a dubious expression, Elisabeth spoke again, exasperated. "Now listen here, you. The body housing your soul is a golem of my own creation. It isn't one of those lumps of dirt that will die simply from having part of the word on its forehead erased. It is a superlative piece of work, for I am both a master sorcerer and a skilled artisan. It's thanks to my handiwork that you're hearing me in the language of your land, too. And the frame is unquestionably robust. It has organs and blood, true, but so long as it remains at least fifty percent intact, you can consider it immortal. Ah well, the blood coursing through your veins has been mixed with my own, so I suppose that if the body bleeds out, your soul will dissipate." "But my build, my hair color, all of it's the same." "It seems your idiocy is beyond help. I already spoke of my skill, did I not? Do not lump my masterpiece in with bargain-shop refuse. If you put a soul in a container that differs too greatly from the form of its previous life, the dissonance can cause madness. The body is designed to transform according to the inhabiting soul. It automatically eliminates wounds and disease, but the appearance and build are the same as yours, from the face that reflects your impoverished nature to your gaunt, brittle frame. Feel free to weep at my compassion." It was then that Kaito noticed the major change in his body. Looking at his arm, he realized that the scarring and lacerations that had once been etched into it were now gone without a trace. The pain, previously his lifelong companion, had completely vanished. Huh... That's a surprise. This really isn't my body after all. Kaito finally accepted it. There was no way this agony-free body could be his. Not being in pain for the first time in a while was certainly pleasant, but at the same time, it made him feel uneasy, like he was a plastic doll or something. As Kaito cradled his arm in amazement, Elisabeth carried on. "I summoned a Sinless Soul to use as a servant. The Church would punish me if they found out I invoked anything evil, even if only to use it as a maid, you see. You fit the criteria, as your death was far crueler than your sins in life would warrant, but... Heh, there was some odd resistance during the summoning, but to think that you would hail from another world... I wonder whether pulling you in from a parallel dimension is the height of fortune or misfortune? Ah, I suppose it matters little who you once were. From here on, you need only serve me with wholehearted devotion." "Hard pass." "Oh-ho." Elisabeth narrowed her crimson eyes, apparently pleased by his response. Her long, slender finger resembled a blade as she raised Kaito's chin. Licking her lips, she whispered in a voice that was sweet nectar. "You were killed. Your murder was as meaningless as a worm getting stepped on—a death most pitiful, unseemly, cruel, and gruesome. Even your hollow little brain understands that much, yes? Your death was far crueler than your sins in life would warrant, fulfilling the requirement to become a Sinless Soul, yet you wear the face of a man about to descend into Hell. Even so, you would give up this second life? You would choose to die, crushed like a worm?" "Oh yeah, for sure. I've had enough abuse for one lifetime. I endured and persisted, sure, but surviving isn't really the same as living. I'm done." Kaito gave his response. Without even needing to think about it, he could say that it had been a terrible life. He'd attended school for a couple of years. Afterward, he'd been forced to move from place to place and help his father with his illegal work. When that had taken a turn south and his manpower was no longer needed, his father began beating him to let off steam. All in all, it was a sickening way to live. Kaito didn't even remember what his mother looked like. But he suspected that her brain had been addled by pain and malnutrition, robbing her of the willpower to flee, and eventually she'd been killed much like himself. He was thankful for his new pain-free body, but he'd be damned if he let himself be used by anyone else again. If his shitty life was prolonged, all that meant was that he would have to endure even more shit. "I've had enough. I'm throwing in the towel. Go find someone else to be your servant." "I see. Well, like it or not, I'll make a butler out of you yet." Once again, Kaito's reply was completely ignored. His frown deepened as Elisabeth shrugged. "Summoning more servants would result in the Church casting their bothersome gaze my way. And crafting another puppet would take time. What sense is there in creating more chores for the sake of a servant, whose role it is to do my chores for me? I cannot think of a greater waste of time. At any rate, of—" Suddenly, there was a roar as the door behind Elisabeth burst off its hinges. The way in which the thick, heavy door spun through the air before finally crashing beside her was almost comical. A splinter grazed her cheek, yet she didn't even turn to look. Kaito's eyes widened in fear as he gawked at the entrance. There in the doorway—minus one door—stood a colossal horse and its rider. For reins, the rider held a sinister thorned chain, and the saddle it was mounted on was made of bone. But strangest of all were the bodies. Neither the horse nor the rider had any skin. They looked like anatomical models, their muscles bare and their bodies lined with blood vessels. With their flesh pink and glistening, they were hideous enough that the mind refused to parse them out of self-preservation. Finally turning toward the entrance, Elisabeth began speaking with an air of leisure. "At any rate, of the fourteen ranked demons—the Knight, the Governor, the Grand Governor, the Earl, the Grand Earl, the Duke, the Grand Duke, the Marquis, the Grand Marquis, the Monarch, the Grand Monarch, the King, the Grand King, and the Kaiser—leaving out the Kaiser, who's already been captured, I have thirteen demons and their contractors I need to slaughter." The horse let out a whinny, and the rider roared again. Their mouths were simply hollow gaps in their flesh, and from them came the grating noise of a storm passing through a broken wind instrument. As the shriek of hatred rang in his eardrums, Kaito suddenly understood something and was certain of it. Demon was the only fitting word to describe this horrifying creature. "Hey, what's up with that guy? Is he the 'Knight' you just mentioned?" "For an imbecile who died a worm's death, you seem surprisingly calm." "As long as my brain isn't atrophied, I can at least make sound decisions." "Well, you were close. That there is a servant of the Knight. He didn't form a contract with a demon himself but became the underling of one who did. By choice. A weakling, in other words. Both he and the Knight used to be human, though." Listening to Elisabeth's explanation, Kaito felt his gaze wander over to the horse and rider again. He couldn't believe that the rider used to be human, nor did he want to. Only a lunatic would willingly become something like that. Guessing Kaito's thought process from the look on his face, Elisabeth snickered. "Your reaction is understandable. Quite unsavory, no? Selling one's soul to a demon and abandoning one's form, all in the pursuit of inhuman power, is rather pitiful, is it not? You may laugh. I shall allow it. 'Tis his wish, no doubt—after all, buffoonery is buffoonery precisely because it inspires laughter, wouldn't you agree?" Even as provocation, her words were raw. The rider let out another, more piercing roar. The rage in his voice was so high-pitched that Kaito had to cover his ears for fear of his eardrums rupturing. The rider yanked the reins and kicked the horse's flank. The horse accelerated to its top speed in an instant, cracking the stone floor as it charged toward Elisabeth in an attempt to trample her. "Lowborn dirt. My blade is too good for the likes of you—Iron Maiden." Elisabeth mouthed something and extended her hand. Darkness and bloodred flower petals flowed from her fingertips and swirled through the air. There was a loud gong and then a life-size puppet sprang up from the ground and cut through the darkness. The puppet, which Elisabeth had called Iron Maiden, looked far kinder than the name would suggest. Golden thread that served as hair hung down its back, and the jewels that adorned its face in place of eyes glittered blue. Its lips curled into a warm, loving smile. As it opened its arms in welcome, the rider bore down upon it, consumed by fury. It was right when Kaito thought the horse would trample over the Maiden's kind embrace that it happened. In concert with the clicking sound of shifting gears, the puppet opened its eyes wide. The blue jewels flipped over, now burning scarlet. Its affection forgotten, its expression turned to hatred, and its stomach opened with a click. A pair of iron arms shot out from the inside, each equipped with long, vicious claws. Scrabbling forth, they swooped down on the horse and its rider, smashing arms and legs with a cold malevolence and mechanical efficiency. The desperate cries of the horse and rider fell on deaf ears as the arms mashed their victims' extremities into caterpillar-like lumps of flesh. The horse and rider were unable to put up any sort of resistance, and after being sculpted into a grotesque form resembling a meatball with a head, they were carried into the Maiden's stomach. As if to symbolize its chastity, its womb was lined with countless needles. *** Ignoring the screams of pain, the Maiden's chest clicked closed. As its expression became affectionate once more, the Maiden lovingly embraced her belly. The crazed screams coming from inside it begged for release. Just listening to them made Kaito feel like he was going mad, too.

"Once one enters Iron Maiden, death does not come quickly." Elisabeth spoke over the horrifying screams, clearly unbothered. Turning toward Kaito, she offered a suggestive smile. "If you insist on dying again, then there's no helping it. I am nothing if not generous, after all, so I will grant your wish. But I will not simply return you to a state of death. If you desire death so badly, you will have it by way of my methods. So. What path will you choose? Will you become my butler, or will you become meat?" "Butler, please." "Well, that was fast." That was how Kaito came to serve the Torture Princess. Which brings us to the present. "This! Is! Vile!" In tandem with this spirited protest, the heart roast with potherb garnish and fruit vinegar sauce Kaito had made went flying through the air, accompanied by plate and fork. A dangerous rain of food and cutlery pelted the antique tablecloth. Continuing her tirade, Elisabeth planted a foot on the table with a stomp. "Wh-what is this? It's absolutely repulsive. It looks palatable, yet the meat is undercooked, and it has the texture of rubber. The sauce somehow takes on the organ's peculiar odor, and the odd sweet and sour flavors create a horrific harmony that lingers on the tongue. It's almost impressive, in a way." "Your description is what's impressive." With dead eyes, Kaito yanked the fork out of the wall it had impaled. He wondered where she found the nerve to give such harsh criticism. A few days had passed since he'd been strong-armed into becoming her butler. Such outbursts had scared him at first, but given that he'd lived his whole life a hairbreadth from death anyway, he quickly got used to it. Still clad in his unflattering butler uniform, Kaito heaved a sigh. "Like I keep saying, you don't need to throw it at me. What are you, some abusive husband from the sixties?" "I know not of any sixty abusive husbands, but food that vile deserves to be thrown! What do you call this?! It is so unpalatable even pig fodder would be preferable! How is it that all your dishes are this vile?!" "You kept complaining about the odor, so I thought I'd try using wine this time to offset it." "...Hold on. Do you mean to tell me that you used my prized wine to create this filth?" Kaito decided that silence was golden. Not needing an answer, Elisabeth waved her hand. A chair sprang up beneath Kaito's feet with a gong. He looked almost like a character in a cartoon as it scooped up his rear, then fastened him in place with belts. When he looked, it was clear that the seat and armrests were lined with holes made for needles, pins, and spikes. Abandoning his cool demeanor, he kicked his legs in a panic. "Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait! Let's talk this over. Think about it. I've never cooked anything before, and you're asking me to cook organs?" "Save your excuses. As an aside, is that any way to talk to me, the Torture Princess? You have some nerve. Perhaps you'll have time to reflect on your arrogance as you're being riddled with holes, hmm?" "I'm sorry! Look, ever since I got killed, it's been kind of hard to register feelings like fear or danger! I'm sorry, okay? Can we just skip the torture?" "Very well. I shall grant you mercy...or so I would like to say, but do you mean to tell me that you only respect me out of fear?" "Well, uh, that's not...not true..." "What, no excuse, then, Kaaaito?" As he shouted that he wanted to take it back, Kaito's fate dawned on him. He was going to become a human pincushion. However, Elisabeth seemed to reconsider, and as she snorted, the Iron Chair vanished. "Very well. In my infinite generosity, I shall grant you one last chance—I demand pudding." "...Pudding?" Her comical order was placed with a straight face, and Kaito cocked his head in puzzlement. Elisabeth nodded, then crossed her legs and leaned back in her chair, her face full of conviction. "I have my doubts as to whether a fool who can't even cook will be able to handle confectionery, you see. But perhaps you'll have a knack for sweets. It won't hurt to try. And if even that is beyond you, then, like anything that does naught but produce trash, you will simply be disposed of." "Please don't talk about disposing of people. It hits a little too close to home. Pudding, right? I think I know what you're talking about... Though where I'm from, it sounds more like purin." "Purin? I know not of this dish, but from the sound of the name, there should at least be a vague similarity, no?" Kaito nodded at her half-hearted answer. As a matter of fact, he had strong memories associated with that dish. Long ago, the woman living with his father at the time had served it for young Kaito. He'd been overjoyed, and she met his glee with a forced smile. The next day, she was gone. Thinking back on it, he realized that it had probably been meant as atonement for leaving him behind and escaping on her own. Even now, the memory of that rare moment of happiness was vivid. And he more or less remembered how she'd made it. He could re-create it with the ingredients available in the kitchen, but the cookware was lacking. He returned to Elisabeth. "Hey, Elisabeth. You can make golems out of mud, so do you think you could make an earthenware pot?" "Is that something you would ask of the person considering disposing of you? What a frightening fellow you are. Very well. What is this ursine-wear pot you speak of?" With his limited linguistic talents, Kaito tried explaining what an earthenware pot was. Elisabeth snapped her fingers, a perplexed expression on her face. A moment later, soft footsteps echoed through the corridor. The door to the dining room creaked open. Behind it was a small golem, composed of rectangular lumps of earth. It waved good-bye, then suddenly collapsed, leaving behind a pile of mud. "Wh—? Hey wait, Elisabeth; what did you just do? Don't you feel bad for it?" "Do not pity it. Contrary to what you may think, it possessed no will. Now, a pot, was it?" The mud squirmed, eventually settling into the shape of a pot. Kaito followed up on his explanation, saying how it needed to be shorter and rounder and how it needed a hole to let out steam. The mud shifted again, and after a period of trial and error, it finally reached a shape Kaito recognized. "That mud is quite heat tolerant. While I'm still unsure of what you intend to do with it, use it as you please." "Thanks. That's a big help." Taking great care not to drop it, Kaito returned to the kitchen with the pot. He filled it with water, then added the wheat and put it on the fire. By doing so, he could plug up the fine holes that had formed in the pot. Next, he heated some milk in a saucepan and melted sugar into it. Once it cooled, he added one whisked egg, then he stirred gently to avoid making bubbles. He greased the earthenware pot with butter, then scraped the egg mixture in with a clean towel. But this was where it got tricky. He had to put the lid on, then let it simmer for ten to fifteen minutes. He placed a net over the stove and laid the pot on top of it, but he had no faith in his ability to regulate the fire. "So how am I going to...? Huh? Wait, this works?" It appeared that the earthenware pot Elisabeth had made was incredibly heat tolerant. Even though the stove was blazing hot, the amount of heat the pot was receiving was the exact right temperature to simmer the mixture. The rest was up to luck. Soon, a sweet aroma began wafting through the kitchen. To cool the pot down, Kaito carried it to the ice-spirit fridge. He let it cool for ten minutes, then brought it to the dining room. To his surprise, Elisabeth was waiting for him patiently. She must not have had anything better to do. "Hmm? Well, this is a surprise. I thought you'd make a run for it." "Well, thanks to you, it turned out all right. See for yourself." Kaito placed the earthenware pot before her. Elisabeth craned her neck inquisitively. She seemed to be waiting for him to remove the lid. Kaito grabbed the handle and did so, causing a sweet aroma to waft through the air. Upon seeing the pale-yellow substance contained within, Elisabeth cocked her head to the side. "What is this? This is not pudding." "Huh, they really were different, then. This here is purin. It's the version of 'pudding' I'm familiar with." "Purin, you say. Hmm." Parroting his word back at him, Elisabeth took a spoon and scooped out a mouthful. She frowned dubiously at it as it jiggled back and forth, then she put the spoon in her mouth. After a moment of silence, she took another spoonful. "This is quite strange...or rather... Yes...it's so very...wobbly...and syrupy." Elisabeth brought spoonful after spoonful to her mouth, eating with relentless vigor. In no time at all, the earthenware pot was empty. Her spoon clattered on the table. "I approve!" "I've been approved." Elisabeth smiled, her expression gleaming with satisfaction, as if to tell him that he was capable of anything he set his mind to. For a moment, Kaito envisioned a pair of cat ears flopping atop her luxurious black hair. For someone who's liable to torture others at the drop of a hat, she's surprisingly straightforward. Just as those words creeped into Kaito's mind, Elisabeth snapped her fingers. Afraid that she'd seen through his thoughts, he braced himself for the Iron Chair to appear. A chessboard made of red light glowed before him, no doubt magically conjured by Elisabeth. Seeing Kaito's eyes widen in surprise, Elisabeth spoke. "It seems you're not entirely useless. In light of this, I shall impart unto you some information about your current situation." Elisabeth waved a pale hand. The chessboard began spinning toward Kaito. As he leaned back, the board stopped, and her voice adopted a singsong tone. "Rejoice, for knowledge is power. 'Tis the fate of ants and the ignorant to have their lives played with. 'Tis by obtaining knowledge that men surpass insects and become beasts, then become humans, and at times surpass even God." Two large pieces appeared above the chessboard, one black, the other white. Both were adorned with wings. As they floated, Elisabeth pointed at them. "In this world, God and Diablo are both very real. They exist in a higher realm, where human eyes cannot reach, but their existence has been proved by theologists, scholars, and mages. Of course, God and Diablo are no more than names we assigned them for the sake of convenience. We call the entity who created the world 'God' and that which destroys it 'Diablo.' Hence Diablo can only interfere with the world of man once God has abandoned it. But there is an exception. If Diablo has a contractor, all bets are off." "A contractor?" "Those who use their bodies as intermediaries to summon Diablo into our dimension, where it cannot normally exist, and form a contract with it. Diablo then fuses with them and corrupts their form, but in return they obtain power they can use as they wish. But summoning Diablo, who possesses enough power to destroy the entire world, is no small feat, and there is no one vessel that can contain it, so it has yet to manifest. However, even its fragments possess great power, and those exist in our world today." The black

piece shattered and began raining down upon the chessboard. It then changed into fourteen pieces, all lined up. Amid the crowd of pieces shaped like beasts and men, one wore a crown and was bound by chains. "Fourteen people have formed contracts with fourteen demons. They are ranked—the Knight, the Governor, the Grand Governor, the Earl, the Grand Earl, the Duke, the Grand Duke, the Marquis, the Grand Marquis, the Monarch, the Grand Monarch, the King, the Grand King, and the Kaiser—and when people say 'demon,' they refer to these fourteen as well as their contractors. There are also their servants: those who pledge allegiance to them in exchange for a portion of their power." In front of the fourteen strange-looking pieces now stood a row of pawns. As the fourteen placed their hands on the pawns' foreheads, the pawns, too, transformed into hideous monsters. Elisabeth grabbed one of them. "The skinless knight you saw was a servant of the Knight. Calling them 'demon's contractor's servants' is a mouthful, so we call them 'underlings.'" Elisabeth placed the piece back on the board. The fourteen pieces and the grotesque pawns began marching. "Demons derive their power from the lamentations of God's creations—especially from the suffering of humans. As such, the demons and their followers are responsible for no small number of disasters." All at once, the chess pieces opened their mouths, which were filled with ugly, misshapen teeth. As a new row of pawns materialized, the pieces ran them down and consumed them. Elisabeth snapped her fingers. A piece shaped like a woman appeared on the board. "The Church—a religious organization that worships an image of God that mankind once relied upon, a framework that guides people in accordance with God's will, and an institution created to preserve our world's long peace—has tasked me with hunting the thirteen demons excluding the Kaiser, who has already been captured. At the moment, my foe is the Knight." Kaito watched as a piece astride a horse advanced in front of the rest. The twisted suit of armor atop a red piece charged toward him. The female piece turned to face it, wielding a glowing red sword. "The Knight is the weakest of the fourteen. Yet, to a normal person, he would seem like a nightmare made flesh." As she was speaking, the floor shook. Before the sword could reach the Knight, the board and pieces vanished. Thud. Thud. The castle shook once more. Elisabeth rose to her feet, ever graceful. She ignored the baffled Kaito in her advance, her dress swaying with every step. Flustered, Kaito followed after her. Elisabeth left the dining room and continued down the corridor. When she reached the door to the throne room, she cast it wide open. The stench of blood and flesh hit them like a truck. They could hear the barbaric sound of something gorging itself on meat. After a brief hesitation, Kaito gazed through the hole in the wall. Atop the corpse of the skewered patchwork beast stood a new creature. It was gorging itself on the carrion, tearing away large chunks of flesh with its massive mouth. Embedded in its flank were human faces, each weeping as they ripped apart any meat they could reach. Kaito could hardly find his breath as he was absorbed in the horror of the spectacle. Elisabeth turned and spoke with a wicked grin. "This, too, is the work of a demon. I expected as much, but it seems a second has appeared." "I can't believe you expected something like this..." "The beast made it here without decomposing, so its materials likely came from the neighboring village. When a demon attacks a village, he leaves few survivors. But even if as many as a fifth of the villagers escaped, the first beast seemed much too small to be made of the remaining four-fifths. It's only natural to assume that another was forthcoming." How can she make a prediction like that so calmly? Kaito's head swam as he pondered that insanity. As he was thinking, the beast let out a scream. *** Then it leaped, its rows of breasts swaying this way and that. It dug its claws into the side of the castle. The entire castle shuddered, and dust fell from the ceiling. The beast turned its murderous eyes toward Elisabeth. Looking up at the beast, whose head was protruding through the hole, Elisabeth sighed. "Heavens. Even considering you all were dragged into this, it is a pitiable sight indeed." *** "I shall grant you reprieve. Be at peace." Elisabeth snapped her fingers. The ground shattered. Countless iron stakes ripped through the earth and stretched forward. One after another, they pierced the beast's chest. Even with its body torn to shreds, the beast still lunged forward, trying to catch Elisabeth in its maw. But its charge was impeded by over one thousand cold iron stakes. In concert with the sound of stakes piercing their target again and again, a cloud of dust mixed with crimson flower petals billowed forth like a tempest. Once it cleared, the corpses of the two beasts lay side by side. Dark blood began pooling on the ground. Elisabeth turned to face Kaito. A drop of blood painted her cheek, but she barely seemed to notice as she spoke. "There may yet be traces of the Knight in that village. We're leaving. Attend to me." Her dress fluttering, Elisabeth took off. Reining in his trembling legs, Kaito followed after her. Elisabeth descended the stairs to the underground. Mysterious groans echoed throughout the corridor, evoking the sense of a labyrinth containing a monster. In fact, it wouldn't be surprising if there really was a monster down here. She continued at an even pace, finally reaching a door at the end of a hall and kicking it open. Kaito stood beside Elisabeth as he glanced inside. The room had no furniture or windows, and a massive magic circle was painted on the floor. As he looked closely, he realized how intricate the design was. The air was thick with the rusting-iron scent of shed uterine lining. He then realized that the magic circle was painted in blood. "A teleportation circle, etched in my own blood. It takes me wherever I please, as long as I can remember being there." "Not a huge fan of the medium, but that does seem pretty convenient. We didn't have these back where I come from." "Ah yes, you come from a world of machines. You would do well not to make light of magic. As my servant, even you could use your blood to summon something to your side." "What, you want me to shed this much blood?" "You should try it sometime." "I humbly decline." Kaito nervously stood next to Elisabeth atop the magic circle. She clicked her heels. With a sound like a flare, crimson flower petals began dancing along the outer circumference of the circle. As they spun, so did their surroundings. The motes of red then melted together, eventually forming thick cylindrical walls. The smell of iron assailed Kaito's nostrils once more. In an instant, the flower petals had transformed into blood. Elisabeth clicked her heels a second time and the walls of blood collapsed to the ground like stage curtains. The scenery the walls had been concealing came into view. They stood over the remains of a battlefield. That was the only way Kaito could describe the scene before him. There was fire stretching as far as the eye could see, and countless corpses dotted the ground among the burning buildings. The only thing Kaito could think to compare it to was a photograph of a battlefield in a far-off country he'd seen long ago. Two hours had passed between the creation of the first beast and Kaito and Elisabeth's arrival, but the flames showed no signs of abating. As he glanced over the burning corpses, Kaito could feel sweat trickling down his forehead while the stench of charred flesh filled his nostrils and the heat radiated across his skin. There was a man whose top half was fully carbonized. An old woman with not only her head but her entire spine ripped out. A woman with her breasts cut off. A young boy whose face had been torn clean off. A half-dead child with their arms severed who had likely been trying to crawl away. None of them retained so much as a shred of human dignity. All their deaths were gruesome. Unlike the beast, their corpses were comprehendible. That was precisely why the spectacle was so horrific, why the cruelty of it sank into one's brain. The urge to retch welled up in Kaito's throat before he finally managed to swallow it down. There was no mistaking it. This was Hell. This was a place filled with the worst things one could imagine. "I mentioned it before, but this is a demon's doing." Beside Kaito, who had lost the will to speak, Elisabeth whispered. She stepped forward, then turned to face him, the fire at her back and her black hair dancing against the blazing breeze. "Demons draw their power from the suffering of men, from the discord in their souls that suffering brings. This is the result. The methods used here are...cute, I suppose. Even now, much darker horrors are being produced elsewhere." Kaito was taken aback by her words. He was used to pain and suffering. He was all too familiar with fear and with the unbelievable tragedies that occasionally befell people. But there was no way he could be okay with a spectacle as ghastly as this, with people being killed in a manner that lacked mercy or meaning. "You call this cute? Quit screwing with me! No matter how you look at it, this is Hell!" "Even Hell has its layers. And this is a shallow one. As far as I'm concerned, this might as well be a field of flowers. Demons give birth to much crueler tragedies than this... 'Tis why the Church left dealing with pigs like them to a sow such as myself." *** She was cut off by a furious scream. At that signal, a group of villagers emerged from behind a half-caved-in animal pen. The nervous men, clothes stained with soot, brandished farming implements as they surrounded Kaito and Elisabeth. An armored knight atop a horse strode up beside them. Kaito froze when he saw him. However, the knight appeared to be a legitimate member of this world's armed forces. He wore a plumed helmet, and his horse and silver armor were adorned with a coat of arms in the shape of a lily. There was a metallic schwing as the knight unsheathed his sword. Elisabeth sighed. "Well, if it isn't a Royal Knight. I strung up those useless colossi, so what business have you with me?" "Don't play dumb with me! I was dispatched to this village from the Capital, and I've been keeping an eye on you up in your castle. But now you finally show your true nature! I've known what you were all along. This horrible affair, all of it is your doing!" "Are you dull? You gaze upon the Knight's work. Then again, I suppose those who've not witnessed it firsthand may have difficulty understanding it as such. Regardless, take care not to foist your incompetence on my shoulders. The Church has tasked me with hunting demons. I am not in a position to kill humans...for now." "Silence your lying tongue! Who would believe such a tale?!" The knight's voice grew harsh, and Kaito cringed. The knight pointed his sword at Elisabeth and spoke, his voice quivering with rage. "Don't think that I've forgotten what you've done." Elisabeth simply stood there, her face the picture of apathy, and made no attempt to refute the accusation. Her demeanor caused the knight to lose what little patience he had left. He fired off a frenzied account of her past deeds. "You tortured

the entire population of your fiefdom! You dismembered their bodies, ripped out their still-beating hearts, stitched every orifice in their bodies shut, carved into their bones, melted their flesh, gouged out their eyes, severed their tongues, and when you ran out of ideas, you killed parents and children, the elderly, and men and women alike! In the end, your sins reached even the nobles! Torture Princess! Elisabeth Le Fanu! Who would believe anything that came out of your filthy mouth?!" Hearing those words, Kaito was reminded of the reality that had been thrust before his eyes a few days prior. He recalled the scene he had witnessed as he died. He recalled the mountain of corpses, each without so much as a shred of human dignity. He recalled the bloodlust of the angry horde and the smile of the restrained girl. Elisabeth was smiling even now, listening to the knight's tirade as one might listen to a small bird chirping. "And I certainly haven't forgotten what I saw you do to my fellow knights at the Plain of Skewers! Do you have any idea how many sleepless nights I endured in the Kingdom after surviving that?" The knight's sword hand trembled. However, he suddenly stopped talking and looked at Kaito. His armor clanged as he spoke to Kaito in a voice filled with confusion and sympathy. "Why do you stand with such a demoness? I'd heard that Elisabeth was looking for a servant, but if she's holding you against your will, you can come to me. I'll protect you." Kaito turned to look at Elisabeth. She crossed her arms and remained silent. It was true that Kaito had been brought back to life against his will and made to serve her. And he'd personally witnessed her cruel deeds. In truth, he would like nothing more than to live a simple life of peace in this strange new world. Now was his chance to get away. But just as he was about to step forward, Kaito stopped. "Come on, then. Hurry." "Your offer sounds like a dream come true, but can I ask you a question first?" "What is it?" "Why do you look at me with the eyes of someone who's just found their next meal?" After this question, an uncomfortable silence descended among them. The men, still clutching their farming implements, turned toward the knight. Some of them looked worried now. But the knight said nothing. Looking straight at the knight, Kaito continued. "Back when I was alive, I met plenty of guys who would actually pass up a warm meal if it meant getting to beat up a kid. And you've got the same look in your eyes that they all did." He received no answer. But beside Kaito, Elisabeth's shoulders began trembling. She broke out into laughter. She looked truly bizarre, her body twisting as she clutched her sides in amusement. "Of course, of course. It makes perfect sense. Ah, but I didn't expect you to be a member of the Knight Corps. How laughable—say, would you allow me one question, proud sir?" Her laugh was sweet. Some might even say it was innocent. Her crimson eyes glittering with glee, she spoke in a soft, gentle voice. "I slaughtered those five hundred men upon the Plain of Skewers. I slew them, annihilated them, exterminated them. And I certainly don't recall allowing a single one to escape." Her smile vanished. Her eyes were full of contempt, and her question came in a voice as cold as ice. "So why are you still alive?" At that moment, the heads of the men wielding farm implements were blown off. The heads fell to the ground, their lips half-open in surprise. Swarms of flies poured out of their gaping neck holes. The flies then set to work dragging the bodies together with their tiny legs. They gnawed through flesh with their tiny mouths, binding the bodies' skin together with mucus and crafting a miniature version of the creature Kaito had seen from the castle. Kaito stepped back, the bizarre spectacle once again robbing him of his breath. At the same time, the knight's entire body was wreathed in sapphire flames. His horse's skin paled under the light of the brilliant-blue blaze, and the rider himself swelled in size. In order to accommodate its wearer's unnatural growth, the rider's armor inflated like a water balloon. Long gray hair and a beard spilled out from the openings in the enlarged armor. The knight had grown old and hideous. In the face of the imposing, demonic Knight, Elisabeth clicked her tongue, ever fearless. "I know not if you were trying to lower my guard or simply consume my servant before my eyes, but in either case, you are a fool. If you had intended to transform all along, you could have done so from the beginning and spared us the childish farce. Your experience contracting with a demon and surviving the Plain of Skewers has taught you nothing, it seems." Elisabeth heaved a sigh, then nodded in satisfaction. "But perhaps that is why you failed to merge with any but the lowest rank, the Knight." The Knight let out a furious roar. His pale horse broke into a sprint at a speed much faster than even that of his skinless underling. Fire and lightning billowed forth from around the Knight. He grabbed the blue lightning in his hand and transformed it into a massive lance, then he charged at Elisabeth. She didn't dodge the blow, and the lance ran her through. Kaito stifled a scream. The massive weapon gave off a thrumming noise as it speared through Elisabeth's chest. Red blood began dripping from the wound it made. The Knight then jerked the lance free and sent Elisabeth tumbling to the ground. A memory flashed through Kaito's mind. It was a recollection of himself, battered and thrown against the wall, then collapsing to the floor like garbage. "Elisabe—" Kaito ran toward her, then stopped. She was laughing. She twisted her stomach as she sat in a pool of her own blood and laughed, as if it was all so funny that she just couldn't help herself. "Heh-heh, ha-ha, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, ahhh—ha-ha-ha-ha-ha...ha." She grimaced in pain and rose to her feet. Kaito could see clear through the cavity in her chest. Some of her entrails sagged from the hole, but she simply wrapped the loose ends around her arm and wrenched them all the way out. Bleeding profusely now, she cast her guts aside. "I see... So damage of this magnitude is about as mild as an itch. A far cry from having one's soul set ablaze. Now then, pay close attention. This is what true agony feels like." Elisabeth lifted a hand in the air. A great cloud of darkness and scarlet flower petals spiraled around it. They then mantled her body, masking the hole with fresh black cloth. She grabbed something from within the huge spiral of crimson and shadow. "Rejoice, half-wit. I draw this blade for thee." She drew out a long sword. Its blade was bloodred, and it flickered with a sinister glint. "Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal!" She spoke its name, and the runes etched onto the sword sparked to life. As the light reached Kaito's eyes, he could feel the meanings of the runes forcing their way into his brain until the complete phrase made perfect sense. You are free to act as you will. But pray that God shall be your salvation. For the beginning, the middle, and the end all lie in the palm of His hand. "Come, let us enjoy ourselves to the fullest!" Elisabeth swung the sword through empty space, as if she was tracing both her foes' arms. Silver chains flew through the air in tune with her slashes, wrapping around the Knight's forearms and wrenching him from his mount. He hung in the air, helpless to resist. A moment later, he snapped his fingers, and the beast drew up from behind Elisabeth. Without turning, she swung her blade again. Chains wrapped around the beast, binding it firmly. There was a loud ripping noise as flesh was torn asunder. The shackles twined around its collapsing form and reinforced it as it took on the shape of a horse. They wrapped around the pale horse as well, acting as a pair of reins. Elisabeth raised her blade to the heavens, and the tips of the infinite chains rattled as they spiraled toward the Knight. Once they were finished, the Knight's arms and legs were bound, and at the opposite ends of those tethers stood four horses, his own included. He called his steed, but the horse paid him no mind. "Now, then...let's see how you like being Drawn and Quartered." She swung her sword, and the horses set off in unison. The Knight's limbs screeched, and his joints made popping noises as they were pulled out of place. His flesh, stretched to its limit, began to tear. Blood poured from the gaps in his armor. But the horses did not stop. The Knight cried out in pain and rage. *** His voice was brimming with agony and hatred. The Knight drew near Elisabeth. Kaito, too, approached her from behind, then he gasped. The eyes beneath the helmet were human once more. They were different from when they'd been focused on Kaito and were now the purest blue. They glared at Elisabeth. The Knight's contractor was quite young. Looking down at the man's noble eyes, Elisabeth murmured tenderly. "A survivor of the Plain of Skewers, hmm? It must have been painful. No doubt you detest me." *** "...My apologies, good sir. But the cries of a demon are as unpleasant as the squeals of a swine." There was venom in her smile. The Knight roared, a sound rich with malice and bloodlust. *** The next moment, with the sound of meat being shredded, the Knight's limbs were ripped from his torso. The appendages bounced along the ground as they traveled, still tied to the horses. The fissure ran all the way up his abdomen, and his organs came spilling out in a gentle cascade. Beneath the helmet, the Knight vomited mouthful after mouthful of blood before breathing his last. Then his body erupted into silent blue flames. "Let us return home. That purin of yours was delectable but made for poor sustenance. I'm famished." Her sword transformed into a cloud of crimson petals, and Elisabeth walked off. Kaito couldn't help but stare. He thought back to the scene he'd witnessed when he was first summoned. That and the Knight's accusation. If he pried too deeply, he would invite nothing but pain. Still, he had to know. "Hey, is everything he said true? Did you torture and kill all your subjects, then turn on the nobles?" "Yes indeed. He spoke no falsehoods nor held any misunderstandings. Understand who it is you serve. I am the Torture Princess, Elisabeth Le Fanu. I have caused more pain and death than any before me. I was apprehended by the Church. And I am now tasked with slaughtering thirteen demons." She answered without an ounce of hesitation. She was as ruthless and tactless as a demon, perhaps even more so. Recalling her feline smile from when she'd eaten the purin, Kaito almost felt betrayed. She was someone who hurt people, someone who took from others, and he made no effort to conceal the displeasure on his face. But Elisabeth followed her confession of guilt with something wholly unexpected. "And once I've executed them all, I, too, shall be put to the stake." Her statement was resolute. Kaito's eyes widened. Elisabeth stared straight back at him, her crimson eyes as clear as rubies. Her calm countenance gave no sign that she was lying. A line from earlier echoed in Kaito's mind. Until the day of your death, try to do some good at least. So that's it. Kaito remained silent, perplexed, unsure of how

to react to this revelation. Elisabeth paid Kaito a "humph" as she stepped onto the center of the teleportation circle. "Once we return, do something about dinner. If you can prepare sweets of that caliber, surely you can craft a proper meal. And if you fail to make something decent, it's the Ducking Stool for you." Kaito followed her but stopped for a moment and looked back. The scene painted before him was an unmistakable hellscape. A scream rang out from far off, and the animal pen collapsed. The flames grew stronger yet. Thinking back on the Knight's bizarre form, he muttered to himself. "...Twelve more of those, huh?" Kaito lined up next to Elisabeth. She clicked her heels. As the two of them vanished, the Knight's lance burst into blue flame, crumbled to ash, and scattered on the wind. 2 A Hellish Game Having acclimated to his new world and strange situation, Kaito came to a number of realizations. In order to maintain his soul's stability, the golem body Elisabeth had created for him automatically translated things into words he was familiar with. As a result, not only could he read and speak this world's language, but he could understand most of it as well. However, the translation didn't always follow strict rules. Sometimes Elisabeth referred to things not by their names in this world's common tongue but in an archaic dialect. When Kaito heard this, his ears picked it up as a foreign language. Furthermore, there were many objects that had the same name as something he was familiar with yet were completely different. For example, besides salt, pepper, and sugar, most of the spices in this world had completely different flavors and intensities than their counterparts from his world. When he'd tried to use them in the same fashion, the results had been disastrous. "...and that's why my cooking is so bad." "Ah, but that can hardly be the only reason. Your technique, too, is wretched." Kaito made his appeal while his wrists were strung up in chains from the dining room ceiling like a prisoner. Elisabeth sat in an antique chair, the legs of which ended in clawed feet clutching orbs, shaking her head from side to side as if to say that Kaito was still at fault. The remains of his grilled pork kidney with garden-fresh salad lay on the floor, skewered by a single sharp spike. If the chains holding him up lowered even a little, Kaito's right foot would meet the same fate. It was a simple form of torture yet effective nonetheless. Kaito squirmed as he shouted his displeasure. "Don't go giving me that disappointed face, dammit! You're the asshole who decides if I live or die! Cut it out, please; I'll do anything!" "I can never tell if you're being rebellious or subservient... And you're far too useless. Your purin is the sole reason your torture is this light; if not for that, I'd have disposed of you a long time ago." "Wait, you mean my purin's the only thing keeping me alive?" "Indeed. Give thanks to purin." This news caused the color to drain from Kaito's face. Elisabeth nodded once she was sure Kaito understood his position. It was then that Kaito realized. Even at the best of times, Elisabeth's attire functioned on a razor's edge. The leather belts wrapped around her breasts left little to the imagination. The height and angle from which he currently hung only exacerbated that fact. From his current position, he had a clear view of the valley between them. "Elisabeth— Er...um...Miss Elisabeth. I couldn't help but notice your outfit is a bit...risqué." "Hmm? What are you saying? I— Oh...I see. Prepare to die!" "You're the one practically showing off the goods! Blaming me for pointing that out is tyranny! Tyranny, I say! And hey, as far as my cooking is concerned, you said the dish I made after we got back from the village with the Knight was good, too, didn't you? You know, the grilled liver, the one I cut up and skewered and added salt and pepper to!" "In your mind, does that fall under the purview of 'cooking'?" "Does it not?" "No." Elisabeth moved to snap her fingers. Kaito made puppy dog eyes, frantically trying to supplicate her, but she just laughed in his face. He braced for impact. "Hmm? Well, if it isn't the Butcher." "Hwah!" Suddenly, Elisabeth released the chains binding Kaito's hands. Rather than pain, he had been prepared for death, but the spike vanished from his landing point. As he rubbed his back, Elisabeth rose elegantly and went to greet someone. Kaito turned toward the entrance and was startled by what he saw. A man stood there, covered head to toe in black cloth and carrying a bloodstained sack. From the swaying openings in the man's outfit, Kaito could make out clawed hands and scaled legs. Elisabeth cast her arms wide as she presented the man to Kaito, who had finally risen to his feet. "'Tis poor form to discipline a servant in the presence of a guest. Give the Butcher your thanks, Kaito. Butcher, this is my dim-witted servant, the man who continues to disrespect your lovely meat." "A pleasure, Mr. Dim-Witted Servant. I am your humble Butcher, friend of gourmands and vagabonds alike. I am grateful for Madam Elisabeth's continued patronage. I can procure any meat you desire, so long as it is 'meat.' I await your instruction." "Ah... Uh, nice to meet you, too." Kaito replied in kind, his face stiffening slightly. The Butcher's tone of voice was as unsettling as his appearance. Guessing at Kaito's thoughts, the Butcher scratched his cloth-laden cheek. "Ah, well, it is true that I'm a bit mixed even for a demi-human and that my appearance makes it hard to tell what my primary lineage is. But I'm not that different from the fine demi-humans you're familiar with, so there's no need to be quite so alarmed." "Demi-human... Uh, you mean like...the races from video games and stuff?" "Ah, so your world didn't have demi-humans. Pay him no mind, Butcher. He hails from a different world. His soul is as lost as a soul can be. 'Tis best to leave lost children to their own devices." "Understood. Then you may make the usual confirmation of the wares at your leisure." The Butcher nodded, and as Elisabeth turned to face him, he pulled an assortment of fresh organs from his sack. He showed each to Elisabeth in succession and then returned them to the sack. "Chicken and pigeon livers, pig intestines, as well as cow tongues and hearts. Assuming they meet your requirements, I can carry them to your ice-spirit fridge for you." "Yes, good work. I leave it to you." "So like you said, you really don't eat people, huh?" "Perish the thought. Human flesh tastes terrible. Why should I pay exorbitant prices for something that isn't even worth eating?" "Ah, so your hang-ups are logistical." Kaito let out a sigh. The fact that human meat could be bought and sold in the first place was unsettling. But upon hearing his remark, the Butcher hopped up and down as he made his appeal. "It is true that human meat is quite bitter and also true that it is an acquired taste, but there are many who find it quite enjoyable, you know. If you would like to try some, Sir Butler, it's relatively cheap at the moment. Perhaps it would open a new culinary door for you." "Pretty sure that's not a door I should be opening." "Oh, but are you certain?" "Very." "Very?" "Hmm? Cheap, you say? I'd not heard of any battles in this region, so from where are you sourcing your corpses?" "Ah, you see, there's a territory with a village graveyard and a castle-side river, both overflowing with human corpses. It pains me as a butcher to say that some bodies are recovered with the choice cuts already missing, but as for the rest, the acquisition is quite painless. Would you care for some? The ribs make succulent roasts." Upon hearing this, Kaito and Elisabeth turned to look at each other. With a large number of partial corpses showing up, the two could easily deduce the culprit. "Say, Butcher, does this not reek of a demon's doing?" "Ah, well, I am but a butcher, so I care little but for the quality of the meat." "I get it. You were so devoted to your interests that you ended up neglecting everything else. I met people like that when I was alive, too." Kaito's eyes were half-closed as he spoke, and for some reason, the Butcher scratched his face like he was embarrassed. In any case, after asking the Butcher the name of the territory, Kaito and Elisabeth set off. "To think that I would remember a town as remote as this. Marvel at my mental prowess!" "More than anything, I'm surprised you had enough self-awareness to realize how out of place your usual outfit would be." They'd teleported to a back alley of the aforementioned castle town, and Elisabeth held her hands at her sides as she praised herself. To Kaito's surprise, her outfit had transformed into a conventional dress. Her slim waist was fixed in a corset, and her draping skirt was fashioned with a number of flamboyant ribbons. She wore her hair up and had even added a flower to complete the look. Kaito almost wanted to call the combination of the snow-white dress and the only-pleasant-on-the-outside face a scam. Elisabeth, who now presented the image of a lovely young lady, stuck out her chest proudly. "Indeed, I am most sensible. As the demon has not made his appearance yet, I understand full well the necessity of an outfit that blends in with the common folk. Yet, for all the effort I have made to style myself as the innocent daughter of a nobleman, your butler uniform makes you look like quite the hoodlum. Hee-hee." "Oh, shut up! If it's such a problem, just give me something better to wear... Hey, Elisabeth!" Ignoring Kaito's complaints, Elisabeth walked on, heading out of the dark alleyway and nearing the main thoroughfare. Kaito hurried after her. Before long, he was struck by the wall of sound that was the unmistakable hustle and bustle of people going about their business, complete with barking merchants. As he stepped out of the alley, Kaito found himself in the town of a foreign country. While it was technically a foreign world, the vivid spectacle, the voices of the crowd, and the diverse aromas all reminded Kaito of the exotic land he'd once felt from the other side of a television screen long ago. Turning to face the dumbfounded Kaito, Elisabeth twirled her decorative flower and grinned. "And now, the line you've been waiting for. 'Welcome...to another world.'" The people walking by had all manner of hair and eye colors: gold and blue, black and gray, red and green. A man wearing a shirt and a pair of suspenders passed a woman wearing a loose shawl. A girl wearing a dirndl was selling flowers, and a man wearing a frock coat smoked a pipe. Lined up in the shops and stalls were various goods for sale, some familiar to Kaito but many unfamiliar. There was a semitranslucent potion vial with an artistic shape. A pink leaf with a saccharine aroma, packed with what looked like tobacco. An egg-shaped fruit being sold beside some apples. A massive gong rang out, and a black-haired youth with lizard arms began ladling fried rice with pale-red lumps of meat to his line of hungry customers. While it looked tasty, it gave off a pungent odor, and most of the customers standing around eating it had dog ears and tails. "Wait, lizard arms and dog ears?" "Demi-human–beastfolk crossbreeds. Not an uncommon sight, particularly with the influx of various races in low-class towns. They make up about

thirty percent of slum dwellers, and in the north, it exceeds forty percent. Visibly pure-blooded demi-humans and beastfolk are generally in the nobility, though, so they're rarely seen in human settlements. Get used to it already. 'Tis a bother for you to gawk at every little thing." "Man...this really is another world, huh?" "Oh, and the fruit samples aren't free, so do avoid taking them carelessly." Flustered, Kaito drew back from the honey-pickled grape an old lady was offering to him. Elisabeth, on the other hand, plucked a juicy-looking berry and popped it in her mouth. She flipped a copper coin to the vendor. She then continued making her way through the crowd. Amid the throng of hawkers calling out to passersby, customers haggling like their lives depended on it, and scraggly dogs and rats scurrying about underfoot, her luxurious snow-white dress stood out like the lone star against a midnight sky. But she seemed to pay that fact little mind. The crowd, too, passed her by. "Hey, Elisabeth, where are you going?" "You need not worry about it. Just keep quiet and follow me." Kaito continued after her obediently. Just as he began worrying that she was wandering aimlessly, the nature of the buildings around them began to change. There were no more shops, nor were there stand-up food carts or large-roofed stalls. What surrounded them now were shabby little huts. The nature of the products being sold became more illicit. It seemed that this area, far off from the main stretch, was where you could buy spoiled goods, illegal drugs, and weapons of various sorts. Upon seeing a group of people slurping up some soup of dubious make between stone warehouses, Elisabeth stopped. When she did, Kaito overheard their comments. "They say the Bloody Marquis is looking for employees again." With a start, Kaito turned to look at the old gray-haired woman. She was talking with a group of friends, a box of medicinal herbs she'd no doubt been hawking sitting beside her. "There isn't anyone who'd sell him kids anymore, right? They say a cannibal owns that castle." "I hear Anna over from the corner did. Sold her fourth son for a silver coin, they say." "Sounds like she drove a hard bargain, but even so, to sell your own child like that... Well, that's a whore for you. Betcha she gets a gold coin for her fifth." "Better than tossing them in the brothel, I say. Word is that Marquis fella is even buying up the kids of bankrupt aristocrats to use as servants. I'll pass on being eaten, but if it's just changing bedpans, I could get behind that if it meant getting to drink warm soup for a change." "The lady in charge of collecting people is supposed to come around in her carriage today. Heh, if only I were a bit younger..." "You've got the looks of a monster, and you probably taste like one, too. Who'd pay any kind of coin for you?" The younger of the two women laughed raucously, her long ears swaying and her yellowed teeth on full display. Elisabeth nodded, then set off again. Hearing the sound of her high heels, the women looked her way with a start. Their gazes pierced Elisabeth like they were looking at something monstrous. Sensing their hostility, Kaito quickly chased after her white form. "Wait up, Elisabeth. I wanna know where you're going." "The corpses have been piling up, yet the town is not in a panic. In short, the poor must comprise the bulk of the victims. After all, they have a tendency to drop dead on their own, be it from freezing, drowning, starving, or sickness. A few dozen of them going missing would hardly be grounds for a panic." "You don't mince words, do you...?" "Ha. Whether I mince them or spit them out, it changes nothing. I came to this district in search of information, and just as I suspected, a rather juicy tidbit came and landed on my plate. Though it would be convenient to have something more substantial... Ah." Elisabeth stopped at the corner of the road. In front of the row of brick houses stood a black carriage. A well-dressed old woman who appeared to be its owner was grabbing the arm of another woman accompanied by a young girl and fervently arguing with her. The second woman wrenched her arm free, climbed a short set of stairs, and took refuge past the door at the top. The old woman clicked her tongue and walked back toward the carriage. Before Kaito could stop Elisabeth, she dashed out in front of the old woman. Kaito had no idea what she was thinking. "This is Lord Marquis's carriage, right? Oh, thank goodness! My name is Flora. I came from the main road because I heard you were looking for maids. I got into a fight with my father, who's a wealthy landowner, so I'm here in secret for a bit of fun. But I never thought I'd get this lucky! I want to live like a real lady. Would you be so kind as to take me and my servant to see the lord marquis?" Kaito's eyes widened at the stupidity of it all. But Elisabeth just tilted her head to the side, her expression so pure that it made him want to ask who the hell she was and what she'd done with Elisabeth. The old woman responded with a hard, skeptical gaze. Elisabeth then gave a beautiful smile and continued without a care. "Oh, I almost forgot. Back on the main road, Miss Anna told me to tell you that she was the one who sent me. She's awfully nice." Upon hearing this, the old woman smiled broadly and nodded. After asking Elisabeth the landowner's full name and whether or not her absence had gone noted, she cast open the carriage's door eagerly. As she stood beside the sneering old lady, an even wickeder sneer found Elisabeth's face. After leaving the town, the carriage passed a wheat field on its right before making its way along a riverside road. As it continued on, a castle came into view beside the narrow shore. The castle was built out of an uneven mixture of gray stone and yellow sandstone and enclosed by black ramparts. The thick, heavy walls were supported by cylindrical steeples and stretched out far from east to west. The shadow it cast on the water was the very image of a massive crow, gazing into the river with its wings spread wide. The carriage traversed the deep moat with the aid of a drawbridge, then it arrived at the castle proper. And so Kaito and Elisabeth reached the Bloody Marquis's castle. Perhaps corresponding to the tastes of its current lord, the castle's resplendent interior stood in stark contrast to its simple, ominous exterior. Chandeliers sparkled over the main hall's grand stairwell, and vast carpets of gold and silver thread lay across its floor. It was clear that each of the etched handrails on the stairs and plaster grapevines on the walls took no small amount of artistic prowess to create. Every element of the house looked both elaborate and expensive. Rich-people houses really are something else, thought Kaito with a squint. Following Elisabeth, he made his way across the hall and tried to cut through to the passage on his right. When he did, a large man forcefully grabbed his shoulder. "You don't look like a noble. Servants go this way." "Wait, hold up, Elisa— Mistress Flora!" Kaito shouted as he was being dragged off. Elisabeth turned and gave him a thumbs-up. In other words, Figure it out yourself. You're immortal, so do your best and don't lose. You're a clever boy, after all, or something along those lines. Though he hated to admit it, Kaito was used to her attitude by now. At this point, he didn't have much choice. His expression stiffened as he gave up and followed the man. Upon reaching the end of the passage on the left, the man raised a large flag with a coat of arms on it. The hidden door behind it opened, and the man prodded Kaito down a set of stairs leading underground. A sense of foreboding welled up within him. The feeling only got worse as he continued down the flame-lit stone corridor. Finally, the man stopped before what was most definitely a prison. "Get in." "What, you're just gonna treat me like a prisoner out of nowhere?" Kaito had been hoping for the ruse to last a bit longer. Unfortunately, his complaints were in vain as the man kicked him into the cell. A small scream could be heard coming from deeper inside. As he looked around the surprisingly spacious prison, he saw a crowd of young boys and girls, human and demi-human and beastfolk alike. Their ages, genders, and races were varied, but the fear on each of their faces was evident. The scene was one of bitter nostalgia for Kaito, and he wasn't sure how to react. After agonizing over his options for a moment, he waved a hand to try to calm them down. "H-hey, guys." "Eep!" Suddenly, a new prisoner was kicked into the prison. A young girl wearing a poppy-red dress bumped into Kaito and fell over. His quick reflexes allowed him to catch her before she hit the ground. Her chestnut eyes paired well with her curly brown hair, and they gazed up at Kaito in fear. Hers was a modest beauty, her plain features standing out against the diversity of the demi-human and beastfolk captives. Her cheeks reddened when she realized that Kaito was holding her, and she straightened herself out. "My... My deepest apologies. My name is Melanie Eskrow, daughter of Earl Eskrow. Where...is this? My aunt sent me here to become a proper lady." "I'm Kaito Sena... This is gonna sound kinda rude, but by any chance did your dad pass away and leave you in your aunt's care recently?" "My, how did you know? Might you be an acquaintance of my aunt's, Sir Kaito?" "Um, well, that's— Okay, y'know what? It feels mean to tell you this, but you're better off knowing. The situation we're in right now is super dangerous. I think you should prepare yourself to make a run for it if you see an opening. There's no telling what kind of horrible stuff is about to happen." "Whatever do you—? Might I ask what's going on? What's going to happen to us and these children?" "Beats me. I really don't know, but when people go into shock, they tend to freeze up. You should emotionally brace—" "Get out there. You're being called." Someone cut Kaito off, and the door swung open. A group of men led Kaito and the scared, sobbing children out of the prison. In order to keep them from resisting, they held a blade to Kaito's neck. A red-haired boy about his age and one of the younger kids received the same treatment. Kaito himself was immortal, but if he wasn't careful, the other two might wind up becoming victims. He clicked his tongue in frustration, then continued on without putting up a fight. Eventually, the door at the end of the underground hallway came into view. It was made of wood marked with carved images of spiders and crows and lit on each side by a flaming brazier. The wood design featured the crows circling overhead as the spiders weaved webs to catch them underneath. It was in rather poor taste. The men threw open the double doors and kicked Kaito and the rest inside. Kaito expected the men to follow them in, but they simply stayed put and closed the door. "Good luck." Why do we need luck? As Kaito contemplated the ominous words of encouragement, he heard the click of the door locking. When he turned around, his heart stopped in his throat.

Within the room, a bizarre spectacle spread out before him. The ceiling was extremely high and domed like a cathedral. Its center was decorated with a floral piece of stained glass. But the intricate, kaleidoscopic light it cast was marred by the barbed wire lining the ceiling. The unsettling effect was exacerbated by the murder of crows perched on the wire. The crows watched over Kaito and the others in silent vigil. What's the deal with all these crows? ...I've got a bad feeling about this. Disgust and anxiety welling up within him, Kaito looked at the ground. The marble floor was cracked and missing pieces. Soil peeked out from the holes, and from the soil, massive trees grew. Among other things, the room appeared to house a miniature forest. This, too, was an enigma. Suppressing his unease, Kaito directed his attention to the middle of the room. Atop a circular stage lay a rotund, snoring man dressed in a tailcoat. He awoke with a start, gradually rising to his feet as he scratched his plump behind. He looked at Kaito and the children. When he saw the man's face, Kaito was startled. Covering the man's face was a bone-like white crow mask. "Weeeeeeeeeeeelcome, boys and girls, to your very own Grand Guignol!" The man's grating voice cracked as he shouted with over-the-top enthusiasm. Kaito broke out in a cold sweat. The man was cheerful, eerie, and revolting. Every instinct in Kaito's body screamed in fear, calling to his attention one fact. This man was probably a demon. There was no way Kaito could deal with him alone. But unfortunately, Elisabeth wasn't here. "Whoa, hold up... You didn't tell me I'd get stuck with the real deal, Elisabeth." "You all are the audience, you all are the scriptwriters, and you all are the actors. So I imploooore you: Enjoy yourselves to your heart's content. You may try to escape this annex, if you so desire. But only the last one standing will be saved, you seeEEeeeEee. Until then, I don't even mind if you all thin out the numbers on your owwwWwwwWWwn." His voice cracked even more. Once he finished speaking, he fell back and collapsed. But before they'd had time to think about the meaning of his words, a single crow descended from the wire. Kaito's eyes widened. The crow spread its wings as it swooped down, revealing a wingspan about the length of an adult man. It flew down to meet them. The wind pressure created by its wings was considerable, and, unable to endure it, Kaito had to close his eyes. When he did, he heard a scream from close by. "No, no, n​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​!" The boy in front of Kaito had been snatched up. Clutching the boy in its talons, the crow carried him up toward the roof. It then approached the arches at the sides of the ceiling. Focusing on the arches, Kaito could see spears sticking out of the wall. But...why? As if to answer Kaito's question, the crow impaled the boy on a spike. Like a shrike skewering its prey, the bird gored the boy through the stomach and left him to hang from the ceiling. After letting out a gut-wrenching shriek, his body bent backward at a sharp angle and resembled a curled shrimp. He then started convulsing and coughing up a huge amount of foamy blood. All the while, his chest continued heaving. Kaito lost his voice in shock. He hadn't noticed them at first due to being distracted by the crows, but a number of children decorated the ceiling like lab specimens. They'd long since lost the will to scream. They simply writhed in agony, skewered alive in ceaseless torment. Kaito felt a bead of sweat travel across his forehead. My immortality means nothing here. If he got trapped up there, he was done for. A mass of crows took flight. The children froze in terror. Kaito screamed. "Everyone! R​u​u​u​u​u​u​u​u​u​u​u​u​u​u​u​u​u​u​n​!​" As if his voice had broken a spell, the children all began moving at once. Kaito knew that, like it or not, the curtain had risen on a fresh hell. Some of the children were wrestling with the door to the underground passage. But it was locked firmly. "That's not going to work; just give it up and run!" Kaito called out to the boy who was pounding on the door and sobbing, then he took off running with the rest of the children. Someone pushed Melanie, and she fell over. Amid the chaos, Kaito grabbed her pale hand. "Melanie, this way!" "Sir Kaito!" "No, help! I want my mommy. I want my m​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​m​m​y​!" A crow had seized the demi-human girl in front of Kaito by the shoulder. Acting fast, Kaito grabbed her leg as it dangled in midair. Her body stretched, and she waved her arms helplessly as snot and tears streamed from her face. "Help, help, get it off me, it hurts, get it off me, don't let go, I want my mommy, I want my mommy!" "Just hang in there!" Kaito swung the girl's leg from side to side as hard as he could. The crow dug its talons in deep, and the girl let out a high-pitched scream. Then the crow collided with one of its neighbors, and just as Kaito had hoped, it released its hold on her. "Rgh—" Kaito barely managed to catch the falling demi-human girl, then he took off at a run alongside Melanie. His shoulder grew wet with the girl's tears. Around them, children were being snatched up one by one. Fluttering black feathers filled his vision, and heartrending wails assaulted his ears. Droplets of blood rained from the ceiling to add to the chaos. No matter how hard the children cried and screamed, nobody came to save them. They were left to drown in their hopelessness. His stomach churned, and Kaito felt like he was going to vomit. He spat a single word from the bottom of his heart. *** With Melanie and the demi-human in tow, Kaito slipped into the forest's shade. Beneath the patchwork of trees, the branches afforded them temporary reprieve from the crows' line of sight. It seemed the demon had placed the trees there to prolong the game. Revolting as it was, Kaito was thankful for that particular gimmick. After inspecting the wound on the sobbing demi-human girl's shoulder, Kaito turned to Melanie, who was sitting beside him, and ripped the hem of her dress with as much force as he could muster. "I'm sorry, Melanie, but I'm going to need this!" "S-sir Kaito, what exactly are you doing?" "Bind her arm, would you? From here to here. I'm counting on you!" "Ah, I—I see. I understand. I can do it!" Clenching her fist, Melanie clumsily stopped the girl's bleeding. As she worked, Kaito peered among the gaps in the tree line to check on the crows. It seemed they hadn't noticed them yet. However, a group of crows grabbed another boy who was cutting through the middle of the room and carried him up to the spikes. "Dammit..." Averting his eyes from the horrifying spectacle, Kaito noticed something odd. Stuck in the trees were an ax and a sword, each with a cutesy ribbon tied around them. After a moment, he understood why they were there, and he felt the blood drain from his face. "Only the last one standing will be saved, you see. Until then, I don't even mind if you all thin out the numbers on your own," the demon had said. In other words, the demon wanted them to kill one another. "​...​...​...​...​...​...​...​...​...​...​...​...​...​...This is so fucked up." Kaito whispered to himself, his heart full of rage. At the same time, he felt as though a switch inside him had been flipped. What he felt now was the same as the peak anger, hatred, and fear he had felt at times in life, and they acted as a trigger to return him to a state of lucidity. He looked at the weapons again and realized there was no need to let things play out the way the organizer had intended. With these, he might even be able to turn this hopeless situation on its head. "Hey, Melanie, can I ask you something?" He called out to Melanie. When she turned to him, her eyes suddenly widened as her attention was captured by something behind him. A chill ran down Kaito's spine. Trusting his intuition, he dived forward. As he did, he heard something slice through the air behind him. "Hey, you're—" *** When Kaito turned around, he found himself staring at the red-haired boy his age, one of the other two who'd been at sword-point a bit earlier. The boy was trembling, and he was clutching a long sword in both hands. There was no telling what he'd do. Kaito raised his hands in a gesture of peace, then slowly began talking to the boy. "C'mon, settle down. Don't fall for the demon's—our enemy's plan that easily. Why would you believe what the bad guys tell you in a messed-up situation like this?" "...Sniff... Hic." "Is there any proof they'll actually rescue you if you're the last one left? Don't focus on killing the rest of us—focus on figuring out how to escape and call for help." "Shut up! Nobody's coming to save us!" The boy suddenly cried out in anger. He waved the sharp sword. Kaito raised his hands again and tried to pacify the boy. "Settle down, okay? Settle down. Just take a deep breath. What makes you think that?" "O-of course nobody's going to save us! My mom told me I should just go die! She told me to die for the rest of the family's sake. She begged me to die. So why would anyone come to help me? Who the hell's going to save us?! And if that's the case... If that's the case, what other choice do I have?!" "I see... So that's what's been driving you." The boy was on the verge of tears as he spoke, and when Kaito heard his reasoning, he understood. When a person believed there was only one path to survival, they'd take it by any means necessary. Unfortunately, such a path was often paved with regret. After deciding not to think and simply going along with the dirty work thrust upon him, Kaito had ended up getting strangled to death. He didn't think the boy would listen if he tried explaining that now, though. Inching toward the weapons he'd seen earlier, Kaito forced himself to keep talking. "So you've made up your mind and decided to kill me. But do I really look like I'd go down without a fight?" "Shut up! With those fancy clothes you've got there, I bet you've been living on easy street up till now! Can't you just do me a favor and die? Consider it charity!" "What kind of idiot would die for someone out of sympathy?! And if I'd been living on easy street, why the hell would I end up here?" A little farther, and he'd be able to reach the weapon. But the boy had drawn near as well, and he brandished the sword with a warped look on his face. Just as the words Oh no passed through Kaito's mind, he heard the beating of wings. —Caw! A crow had seen them from the ceiling, and it swooped down. The boy let out a strange squeal and began waving his sword in a panic. Kaito slid past him, well aware of the danger, and grabbed the ax. Glancing between Kaito and the bird, the boy let out a scream of despair. The crow swooped toward the boy. Kaito raised his ax. And with a thunk, Kaito cleaved the crow's head in two. The crow fell to the ground. Kaito brought down the ax again and again. His foe was no normal crow. He had to make sure it was

dead. If he didn't, he was likely to end up dead himself. He hacked at its guts, knowing full well that it was overkill. Once finished, he turned to the boy, who was cowering in fear on the ground, and raised the bloody ax high. "See, this is how we should be using these weapons." The boy's face scrunched up, and tears began leaking from his eyes. Seeing that he was scaring the boy, Kaito quickly shook his head and lowered the ax. "The thing is, uh, if we use this ax, we might be able to smash the lock on that door. And the underground passage is narrow, so the crows shouldn't be able to follow us easily. If we make it that far, we have a pretty decent shot at getting out alive. Leaving us these weapons in hopes that we'd kill one another was a big mistake. Let's show 'em that." "...B-but I—" "Well, don't just stay there all day quivering. Come on; get up. I'm not mad or anything." After all, Kaito had already been killed once before. He could overlook a half-hearted attempt. He extended his hand and motioned for the boy to get up. At his lighthearted gesture, the boy finally stopped shaking. Extending a tentative hand, the boy accepted Kaito's help. And then, Kaito and the rest began their counterattack. Grabbing the arm of a beastfolk boy who had been hiding in the forest, a crow gave its wings a strong flap. Kaito sidled up behind the crow, and as he jumped out in front of it, he hacked horizontally at its black wings in a single motion. The crow fell to the ground with a muted thud, and the red-haired boy stabbed it a few times with his sword. Melanie hugged the crying beastfolk boy. Kaito wiped some sweat off his chin and looked over his shoulder. "Is that everyone?" Behind him stood the eight children they'd managed to gather while dashing from thicket to thicket. Kaito was disappointed at how few had survived. But he had no time to waste on shock. The group had remained hidden by the shade of the trees and killed each of the crows with a single attack, so the main group of crows hadn't noticed anything unusual yet. Thinking their hunt over, the rest of the crows simply rested on the wire. Now was the group's chance to escape. Kaito pulled a fresh ax and short sword from beneath a tree. The short sword looked easy to handle, so he gave it to the beastfolk boy before crouching down. He looked the rest of the group in the eyes, then whispered his instructions. "Listen, we're going to make a run for the door. If the crows come after us, just stick to the plan and swing your weapons around like crazy. You don't have to kill them. Just make sure to keep yourselves safe. We're going to survive this. Now go!" The children in tow, Kaito broke into a dash. The floor they had to cross held no cover, and it felt like it stretched on for eternity. Somehow they managed to cross it and finally closed the gap to the door. Looking behind them, they saw the crows were in hot pursuit. Kaito swung his ax at the door. "Remember, just do what he said. Spread out from there to there!" The children fanned out in accordance with the red-haired boy's orders, then began swinging their weapons at the crows. Kaito knew this wouldn't buy much time. Ignoring the pain of the talons scratching at his shoulder, he repeatedly struck the doorknob with his ax. The lock went flying. Surrounded by a torrent of bird cries, he kicked open the door. "It's open! We can—" Just then, a scream rang out from behind him. He turned to look and saw a scimitar-wielding boy drop his weapon as a crow pecked at his eyes. The crow then grabbed the boy from behind and carried him up high. But the crow's sharp talons caused the boy's shirt to tear, and he fell. His tiny head burst like a melon as it collided with the ground. He died instantly. His vision dyed red with rage, Kaito moved. Sparing no concern for his ragged arm muscles, he hefted his ax and threw it with all his might. The crow had moved on from the boy and made for the other children, but the ax caught it clean in the chest. It slammed into another crow and began spiraling to the ground. Kaito shouted: "Run!" The children responded to Kaito's scream and stampeded for the door. The red-haired boy followed after them. As Kaito picked up the scimitar, he sunk the blade deep into another crow's head, then flung its corpse at the rest of the throng. They ascended to avoid the body, and Kaito used that opening to bolt through the door. He then grabbed the brazier from beside the door and threw it at the dead body. The flame spread easily. That should buy them a little more time. The crows flapped their wings to evade the smoke, and Kaito returned through the door. Melanie and the children had already gone ahead. For some reason, though, the red-haired boy was waiting for him. Kaito blinked, then raised his voice. "Hey, what are you waiting around for? Get a move on!" "R-right!" The red-haired boy started running alongside Kaito. The sound of crows cawing became distant. It seemed the fire had served as a potent deterrent. Kaito prayed that the crows would stay away. The dark corridor was silent save for the echo of their footsteps. The red-haired boy spoke through the aftershocks of the event. "My... My name is Neue. What's yours, mister?" "I'm Kaito. Kaito Sena." "Kaito Sena... I'm sorry, Kaito." "What for?" "I tried to kill you. I said that you'd been living on easy street." "Don't worry about it. Anything I heard in that messed-up situation is already a distant memory." "But you were so much calmer than the rest of us, and you saved us by killing those crows. You're amazing. How were you so bra—?" Neue was suddenly silent. The two of them looked over their shoulders. They could feel some kind of hideous presence behind them. There was a strange rustling noise, and they could see a black shape squirming around. A vertical line of insect eyes emitted a sinister glow. Eight thick legs scratched at the rocky walls. A massive spider was standing behind them. Upon closer inspection, it was blanketed by a thick coat of crow feathers, and its mouth extended into a sharp beak. Kaito realized why the crows had stopped chasing them. Being naive enough to think the fire served as any sort of diversion could very well have gotten them killed. The crows had understood how disadvantaged they were in the narrow underground corridor and so coalesced, then they mutated into the spider now bearing down on them. The spider spat out a thread. Kaito reflexively blocked with his scimitar. The very next moment, the scimitar went flying backward. It slammed into the spider, but the blade found no hold and simply slid along its thick feathers. The spider let out a frustrated roar and shot out more thread. Neue was right in the line of fire, and his face contorted in fear. Kaito saw some of his old self in that expression. The boy in front of him had been ordered to die by his own parent, then cast into a desperate situation without an ounce of hope. Unable to help himself, Kaito gave in. With a sigh, he thrust out his left arm. The spider's thread wrapped around his wrist. Kaito immediately snatched Neue's sword from him. Based on its texture, the thread was likely as strong as steel. Giving up on cutting it, Kaito elected to instead lop off his own hand. With a dissatisfied cry, the spider reeled in the thread and began feasting on the hand with eerily non-insect movements. The pain fired sparks through his brain. But Kaito was more than familiar with pain, and on top of that, his body was immortal. He could deal with this much. After all, if he didn't, he would die. He returned the sword to Neue, then firmly applied pressure to his wrist as he started running again. Tears welled up in Neue's eyes as he ran beside him. "Why would you do something like that? Why?! What reason did you have?!" "Don't worry about it. I'm already dead." "What?! Are you stupid or something?" "Wow, rude. The thing is, I'm not originally from this world." "What are you talking about?" "Don't worry about it—just listen. My dad worked me to the bone back in my old world, and eventually he murdered me like I was little more than garbage. It was a pretty shitty life. Just when I thought it was all over, the Tortur—er, I guess you'd call her a sorcerer— She summoned me and shoved my soul into this fake body." His tongue oddly loosened, Kaito found himself oversharing. The spider had finished eating Kaito's hand, bones and all, and it began shooting thread again. Neue brought the sword to his chest to protect himself. But this caused the sword to be wrapped in thread and snatched away by the spider. Seeing his face stiffen, Kaito sighed and made a decision. He didn't want to do this. But if it was the only card he had left to play, then he would play it. He took a deep breath, then gave Neue an order. "I'm just some random dead guy. The next time the spider shoots its thread, you need to escape while it eats me." "Again, what are you talking about?! You really are an idiot!" "Again, rude. Sure, I'll die if it eats me completely, but it's not like I even wanted to be brought back to life in the first place. This is the end for me. If only one of us can survive, it should be the guy who hasn't died yet, right?" Kaito looked at Neue, who suddenly seemed to him rather young. Neue looked back at him, his eyes watery with tears. This was the way to go. Kaito was satisfied that he was making the right choice. Crying children didn't deserve to be in a place like this. And Kaito hadn't shed a single tear. "You haven't died yet, so the world is your oyster. Good luck." Kaito made his cheerful declaration. As the spider let out a hideous cry, Kaito bit his lip. He really was afraid to die a second time. The fear he'd lost bubbled back up inside him. The pain of his desire to cling to life was unbearable. But he had no other choice. He exhaled softly. He was going to die saving someone who reminded him of his old self. And in doing so, he would become the kind of hero he had always hoped would save him. If he thought about it that way, at least the absurd bonus chapter of his life would have a meaningful conclusion. As Kaito reflected on his decision with satisfaction, the spider shot its thread. He made no attempt to dodge. And then it happened. "...Huh?" Neue shoved Kaito aside with a thud. The thread wrapped its way around Neue's slim back. Kaito looked up from the ground, dumbfounded. He stretched his hand out to Neue as a stupid question made its way across his lips. "Wh-why?" "Huh, I wonder." Neue himself was unsure, and his voice was pure confusion. The spider reeled in the thread. The next moment, Neue's face froze up as he whispered. "I guess...I was just hoping you could find happiness in this world." Kaito swore under his breath. Neue gave a pained smile, and then he was taken. A horrible scream rang out. Kaito scrambled

to his feet. The spider could be heard tearing into something ravenously. Not wanting to understand what those sounds meant, Kaito charged at the spider. But as he heard the crunch of a collarbone being snapped, his thoughts were painted over with rage and hatred, returning him to a strange state of lucidity. He stopped, then muttered in a monotone. "Ah......... I guess there's no use trying to save a dead man." The next instant, he turned on his heel and ran. He was calm enough that it surprised even himself. His face was expressionless. But the fire in his eyes gradually roared to life. He voiced a single thought again and again, almost in a groan. "I'm gonna kill that thing. I'm gonna kill that thing. I'm gonna crush it. I'm gonna kill it, kill it, kill it, kill it." His voice dripping with bloodlust, he continued his retreat. If the spider caught him here, Neue's sacrifice would have been for nothing. He wouldn't let Neue die in vain. That was the sole thought that propelled him as he ran. The door at the other end of the passage eventually came into view. He'd expected the hidden door to be locked as well, so he'd given one of the older children an ax. After this much time had passed, they should have been able to break it down. Kaito narrowed his eyes. The door was completely unmarred. Maybe it hadn't been locked after all. As doubts crossed his mind, the door swung open, and from it, a poppy-red dress appeared. Beyond the door stood Melanie. Calling in a sweet voice, she ran to him as fast as her legs could carry her. "Sir Kaito!" "Melanie?! Wait, don't come this way! You have to run!" Ignoring his warnings, Melanie wrapped him in an embrace. She twined her soft arms around his neck. Her pink lips hung alongside his ear, and she let out a sweet breath as she started to whisper. Before she could, though, the door burst open once more. A vivid color ran across Kaito's field of vision. It was a dress far redder than Melanie's, a dress that had once been snow-white. "Oh, if it isn't Kaito!" The voice that rang out was so indifferent to the situation, it seemed out of place. There stood Elisabeth, drenched in blood and energetically waving at him. "Why, I was just thinking of coming to meet you, so this turn of events is rather convenient. Quite sensible of you to come on your own... Oh? You're covered in blood, I see... And on the verge of dying from blood loss, by the looks of it. You seem to have dropped your hand somewhere. Was it the removable type? At any rate, I'd best bind the wound with chains...... Is that a bug? Ahhh! It most certainly is a bug! I despise bugs! Spiders are most unpleasant!" Elisabeth jumped a little as she peered behind Kaito. As she landed, the ground around her feet burst with darkness and crimson flower petals. They spiraled toward the ceiling, then formed a large hole over the spider's head. A massive, thorn-laden weight appeared from the hole. The weight whirred as it fell and then slammed down on the spider, crushing it. "Squish it!" Elisabeth raised a fist. Her attack was so ludicrous, it almost made Kaito want to complain. She'd squished that terrifying spider as easily as one might squish a cockroach with a slipper. His wrist was now bound by a chain—a rather crude way to stop the blood loss—and he opened his mouth wide. Melanie clutched at his jacket as though in terror. A heavy silence fell among them, which Elisabeth broke while tilting her head. "So what happened here?" At that moment, Kaito felt something inside him release. Elisabeth's overwhelming strength, as well as her almost nostalgic carefree demeanor, allowed him to finally relax his nerves, which had been pushed to the limit. He rattled off to Elisabeth everything that had happened. "Oh, Elisabeth. There was a demon in the annex, and he was like, 'Welcome, boys and girls, to your very own Grand Guignol! You all are the audience, you all are the scriptwriters, and you all are the actors. So I implore you: Enjoy yourselves to your heart's content.' And then there were these crows..." "Is that so, I see, ah, mm-hmm, is that so, oh." Kaito was in a tizzy, and the words spilled from his mouth like a flood. He ended up including a number of unnecessary details. He couldn't tell if she was listening, as she simply nodded along with a dodgy expression and began walking before he'd even finished speaking. She held both hands behind her head as she walked through the doorway. Passing through the hall, she headed for the right-hand corridor. She then continued unabated, entering a passage marked for servants. Embracing Melanie's quivering arms, Kaito followed after her. "Elisabeth, are you listening to me? I said, the demon's in the ann—" "Behold, Kaito!" Elisabeth stopped in front of an open door. Looking inside, Kaito saw a kitchen. Atop a cutting board was a noble-looking girl, her dainty dress stained in blood and her ribs savagely removed. Beside her lay a man with a bull's head wearing a chef's coat, his groin split in half by a saw. A demon's underling disguised as a chef. His death was no doubt Elisabeth's handiwork. "Just as the Butcher said, the dead girl's body is missing some bits. Apparently, those of noble bearing taste better than common folk. They dine on the nobles and play with the commoners. After playing with you and the rest of the common children, no doubt he intended to enjoy dinner up here in the main building. Ah, how luxurious." Elisabeth nodded approvingly. Kaito clenched his fists. The rage and bloodlust within him had been validated once more. Oblivious to his fury, Elisabeth turned to Kaito and shrugged. "The fools tried to eat me, and though killing them and making them divulge the location of that hidden door was entertaining, there were so many that some of them were able to flee into the courtyard. Chasing them down was quite the affair." "Elisabeth, I understand why it took you so long to get to me. But I don't give a shit about that. We have to get to the annex. I need you to kill that demon for me." "Oh-ho, well, aren't you fired up? Your wrist... Those who don't fear pain are few and far between. But Kaito...why is it that you possess the resolve to sever your own wrist and the experience of walking through that bloodbath, yet you are blind to the truth right before your very eyes?" "What do you mean?" Instead of responding to his question, Elisabeth began walking. She left the kitchen, made her way down the corridor, and stopped in the center of the main hall. All the nonunderling staff must have fled, because the castle was deathly silent. Her dark hair swayed beneath the glimmering chandelier light as she looked back over her shoulder. "It seems the demon here torments people not simply for power but because he enjoys it even more than our friend the Knight did. He takes pleasure in their pain and their screams. But aside from the Grand Guignol, it seems his interests run even deeper. So think. What is the most elaborate form of despair, the form that a twisted man like him would find the most delightful?" Kaito had no idea what Elisabeth was talking about. But he suddenly recalled the time when his father was strangling him. He'd kept Kaito in a state of dehydration, then given him water. And just when Kaito thought he'd been saved, his father killed him. The deepest form of despair was to think you'd found salvation only to have your hopes crushed right in front of you. "...He gives people hope, and just when they think they've been saved, he snatches it away." "Precisely! Once there are two left, and the only one left to kill before becoming the 'last one standing' is a frail little girl, any child would think that survival was well within their grasp—and naught could be more invigorating than killing them right then and there! Of course, your actions posed a flaw in that plan, but I imagine the demon had a good deal of fun nonetheless. Nary a single child managed to escape, after all." Understanding her answer, Kaito closed his eyes. The hall was silent. No children could be heard anywhere. Shaking his head, Kaito took a few steps away from Melanie, the sole survivor. When they'd fled from that deadly game, what monster's mouth had the children disappeared into? "And on that note, I doubt you enjoyed assuming such a frail form, even if only temporarily, however..." Elisabeth smiled affectionately as she gazed as Melanie's face. But when she questioned the trembling girl, her voice was rife with contempt. "...Why would an earl's daughter be selected as a plaything and not as an ingredient?" At that, the poppy-red dress swelled up like a sarcoma. The sweet little girl's insides transformed into a mass of meat and cloth, and as her skin tore, it began leaking out like pus. From within appeared a naked man with spider legs and strange white skin, his body covered in crow feathers. The fat, bald man clacked his crow beak. After looking at the grotesque colossus and clucking her tongue at his spider legs, Elisabeth stroked her chin. "The man downstairs is no doubt an underling or an imitator of some sort. So having lost your human form, you can even transform into a young girl, eh...? Although given that young boys were to be killed as well, perhaps you simply enjoy wearing girls' clothes. Ah, how unpleasant. And though you possess the human title of 'marquis,' the demon you fused with is none other than the Earl. And here I'd come expecting a decent fight." "Who cares? Just kill that thing already." "What's this, now? You've been acting rather oddly, haven't you? What, do you have a grudge or some such?" "You're damn right—I'll do anything you ask. Just make his death as painful as possible." Kaito repeated himself. Bloodlust bubbled up from deep within his heart. His being the sole survivor was too cruel of a joke for him to handle. The Earl had killed the rest of the children. Kaito couldn't allow him to live. Even though he'd just been rescued, he wouldn't mind throwing his life away if it meant a chance to kill the Earl. He couldn't bear letting him live. "...Ha." In place of a response, Elisabeth laughed. The next moment, she kicked him, and when he fell over, she planted a foot firmly on his back. There was so much force in her foot, he was afraid his spine would snap. "Rgh!" "Do not think for a moment that you can give orders to your master, you cur. Your words do not change the fact that this man is my prey. With or without your request, I aim to make his life my plaything." Elisabeth spoke coldly, then sent Kaito flying with a brutal kick to his stomach. As he landed near the wall, he spewed up a mixture of blood and vomit. Elisabeth turned to face the Earl. "My servant's manners are lacking. But now, we can proceed without interruption." She raised her arms majestically. The darkness and crimson petals swirled through the air, enveloping her body. After the darkness dispersed and the petals fluttered to the floor, she was clad in her usual black bondage dress. Her slender fingers grasped the handle of the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal. Placing a hand over her half-exposed chest, she gave the Earl a noble bow and offered her own announcement. "Welcome to my very own Grand Guignol. For I am the

audience, I am the scriptwriter, and I am the actor. I have no intention of letting you enjoy yourself in the slightest. I shall make you squeal like a pig and writhe like a caterpillar." After making her grandiose declaration, she swung her sword. Chains appeared out of thin air and traveled to savage the place the Earl had been a moment prior. But the Earl's eight spider legs allowed him to dodge them easily. He leaped back, felling chandeliers in his wake. He exerted his pale, naked body, and crow feathers began shooting forth from it. At the same time, he shot spider thread out of his mouth. Countless attacks rained down on Elisabeth. "Ha! Too weak; too slow!" Elisabeth ran about, nimbly avoiding the projectiles. The ceiling and floor became riddled with holes, but Elisabeth didn't have so much as a scratch on her. Even so, she didn't seem to have any openings to launch a counterattack. No new chains were summoned. Noticing this, the Earl laughed with a sneer, and his attacks surged like a wave. He had yet to notice the darkness and crimson flower petals coalescing at his feet and above his head. Suddenly, the floor and ceiling made loud gong noises and began squeezing him. Or, to be more specific, the gargantuan, flat stones that burst out from them did. The Earl was pressed between two large stone slabs. A golden rod that looked like a barrel organ's handle protruded from their center. Kaito noticed Elisabeth sitting down by the pole's grip. She turned to the blinking Earl, who had yet to comprehend the situation he was in, and beamed at him. "The Wheel of Death. I squished your familiar, you know—but you, perhaps, I'll take my time shaving down." Grr, grr, grr. The round stones made an ominous noise as they began rotating. As she spun the handle, the slabs turned like wheels. One turned to the left, and the other turned right. The Earl's body was being audibly scraped away. Feathers tore off in time with the rotating, and his pale, flabby flesh began to chafe. Blood, fat, and flesh began dripping onto the floor. The Earl let out a bloodcurdling scream. His beak went flying across the room, and the human mouth it had been covering quivered in pain and fear. His earlobes tore, and his temporal muscles began being flattened. He cried out in desperation. *** "What is it, O Earl? Ah, your voice is as unpleasant as a pig's squeal. Can you not retain a little of your dignity and have the decency to caw like a crow?" "I—I can make you a deal! I can make you a deeeeeeal!" "H​m​m​m​m​m​m​m​m​m​m​m​m​m​m​m​m​m​m​m​m​m​m​m​m​m​?​" The wheels clicked as they came to a stop. Kaito's eyes burned fiercely, and his voice was low. "...We're not going to take any deal you have to offer." "I—I heard that when you finish hunting the thirteen demonsh, y-you'll be burned at the shtake. I-if you leave m-me alive, you, you won't have to die, either. Am I wrong? Our goalsh are in alignment. P-pleash don't kill me." His face was caught by the sides, and the Earl's vertical mouth drooled spit and blood as he made his plea. Elisabeth muttered "I see" to herself, then she hopped down from the handle. She smiled sweetly to the unseemly creature between the wheels. Shivering in fear, the Earl pitifully returned her smile. "You imbecile!" Grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind, grind. With a sharp roar, the wheels began turning again. Waving his limbs frantically, the Earl let out an incomprehensible scream. But those arms were plucked from his sides, and his shoulders were shaved flat. He was crushed like a nut. The blood pooling on the ground grew more and more viscous. Her eyes glowed with absolute coldness, and Elisabeth looked down at the man. "Despots are killed, tyrants are hung, and slaughterers are slaughtered. Such is the way of the world. The demise of torturers should be garnished with their own screams as they sink to Hell with no chance for salvation. Only at such a time is a torturer's life truly complete. Yet, you tortured, not understanding that in the slightest? You embarrass yourself, Earl." Elisabeth's voice was thick with hate and indignation. Kaito had never seen her display such bald-faced rage. With a loud gong, the two wheels finally lay on top of each other. Blood oozed from the crack between them. They'd finished crushing the Earl, and Elisabeth placed a foot on them as she murmured. "You and I—we are fated to die, forsaken by all of creation." She softly lifted her foot. As she did, the pool of blood transformed into black feathers. They whirled into the air, stopped for a moment, then drifted to the floor. They fell silently and beautifully, like so many black snowflakes, and Kaito clenched his fists as he watched them. "...Hey, what about the kids up on the spikes in the rafters? Weren't some of them still alive?" "If they were, the Earl was merely keeping them alive with magic. They would have died along with him." "...I see..." "What's the matter? 'Tis much more preferable than an eternity of suffering." Elisabeth sighed, seeming bored. Kaito looked at her in a daze. Once, Elisabeth had carried out the same atrocities the demons were conducting now. Yet, somehow, she seemed fundamentally different from them. At the very least, Kaito saw a large gulf between the two. He stood up, ignoring the pain, and called out to her. "Thanks for that, Elisabeth." "Why thank me? I merely did with him as I pleased. To thank me for such an act surpasses buffoonery and strays into the realm of misunderstanding, does it not?" "You're going to die after you kill the thirteen demons, right? But you killed him anyway." "I care little about that. And I certainly didn't do it for you. After I've tormented the thirteen demons, or, in short, the last thirteen victims the Church has officially permitted me to torture, I shall think little of death. The people suffered many casualties to capture me, so if they desire my death, then burning alive is my duty." She clicked her heels, then began walking. Her black dress fluttered as she spoke. "Having lived the cruel and haughty life of a wolf, I shall die like a lowly sow." Elisabeth grew distant. She muttered in a low voice. "...For that is the choice I made." Kaito, left alone, stared off into space. The black feathers caressed his face, as if grieving. He thought of Neue and of the other dead children. He'd been the only one to survive. The end of their prison break was so tragic, it was almost laughable. But no matter how much he lamented it, reality cruelly refused to change. Because he'd survived, he supposed there was something he needed to do. Recalling Neue's last words, he spoke quietly to himself. "Don't know how much luck I'm gonna have finding happiness in this world, though." But he would do everything he could. Clutching the stump of his wrist, he strode forth. As he did, one of the falling feathers burst into blue flame. One by one, the rest of the feathers followed suit. Eventually, the blue flames took to the castle as well. That place had been home to countless deaths. As the flames lapped at the stone walls, it almost seemed as though they were in mourning. 3 Treasury Hunt The wild deer liver sauté with raisin marinade went flying across the room. Kaito held up a silver tray to protect himself from the rain of food. He then skillfully blocked the knife that followed after it. It made a clang as it bounced off the tray. "I. Keep. Telling you. Stop throwing the food!" This manner of exchange had been going on for about two weeks now. He was more than used to it. It alarmed him how acclimated he was. At any rate, he finished blocking the attacks and fastened his gaze on the culprit. Elisabeth. She had planted one foot on the table, and she was pressing down on her trembling brow with her index finger. The wineglass beside her that he'd so faithfully prepared was on its side. Magnificent tears welled up in her eyes as she shouted. "It's vile! The sweetness and sourness of the raisin marinade... The liver that manages to fill the mouth with the taste of blood despite being dry as a bone... Both flavors combine so poorly, I'm convinced you have a gift for vile cuisine!" "It is with great honor that I accept your compliment." "That was no compliment!" She threw her fork at him. In an impressive show of aim, the fork flew just a few inches above the tray and buried itself in Kaito's forehead. He yanked it out. Blood spurted from the wound. "Miss Elisabeth, O Miss Elisabeth. I appear to be bleeding." "Why should I care?! A servant of mine should be able to plug a hole of that severity with willpower alone." "Not sure how far willpower's gonna get me." Kaito pressed down on his wound and sighed. In truth, wounds of this caliber no longer fazed him. He'd been used to pain from the get-go, after all, and after having his lost hand replaced and reattached, he didn't sweat the little things anymore. People really could get used to anything. Yet even so, his cooking refused to improve. When it came to food, Kaito's specialties were borderline nonexistent. Because of this, he simply couldn't come to terms with Elisabeth's incessant anger in the slightest. At this point, he had more or less given up on trying to improve. Yet for some reason, Elisabeth still had expectations of him, and her disappointment seemed to grow by the day. "I no longer harbor hope for your cooking. As such, you need not make dinner tonight." It was after she'd sampled his second attempt at a salted, grilled heart that she'd moved to the throne room and finally given up on him. The clear blue sky peered through the crudely fashioned hole behind her. The Knight's beast had smashed one of the walls, and she'd seen fit to simply leave it that way. Yet, she seemed to favor the room nonetheless, continuing to use it despite the damage. She had repositioned the throne, though, and she rested her cheeks in her hands as she sat upon it. Her expression looked like she was harboring a headache as she turned to the waiting Kaito. She pointed to a door he was unfamiliar with. "In exchange, I order you to spend today hunting through the Treasury." "The Treasury?" As Kaito parroted her words, Elisabeth stomped on the stone floor. In the middle of the room, a spiral of darkness and crimson flower petals flared up like a bonfire. It converged on a single point, engraving a blazing rectangle in the stone as it disappeared. It left behind a black door. The door swung open from inside like clockwork. Beyond the door lay a spiral staircase. Considering the layout of the castle, it seemed odd for a spiral staircase to be below the throne room, but given that he'd just seen a door appear out of thin air, he realized that voicing that particular thought would be rather foolish. He decided to be impressed. "Huh, I didn't know the castle had a place like this." "Indeed it does. A thought crossed my mind after the affair with the Earl the other day. Your cooking is worse than pig feed, but your purin is rather tasty, and your ability to stay rational under pressure and the fearlessness you regard me with are not without value. And when you air the sheets, your face flushes with amusing displeasure. In following, I have decided to grant you a weapon to use in

the event you find yourself facing off against a demon on your own. You may select one item from the Treasury—whatever you deem useful. No matter what it may be, I shall grant it to you." "Er... I guess I should say that I'm happy and grateful?" "As an aside, the place I call the Treasury is, in truth, a magical space. I took everything that once resided in the castle in my hometown, moved it all here, and tossed it in. The objects down there have been steeped in hatred and bitter memories, so mind what you touch. Some of them will kill you." "Wait, this is just another form of harassment!" "Silence! Cease your whining and be off already!" The kick that followed was both precise and accurate, and Kaito went flying like a toy ball. He was, once again, the very image of a cartoon character as he rolled through the door. With exquisite timing, the door slammed shut behind him. He tried pulling and pushing on it, but as he suspected, it didn't budge. His path of retreat had been cut off. Surely even cruelty had to have its limits. At the moment, the spiral staircase in front of him seemed to be commanding him to advance. The rectangular steps hung floating at fixed intervals, gently curving their way below through the dim light. He looked down, but all he could see were steps going on seemingly forever. A tepid wind blew up from the depths. He couldn't even tell whether or not there was a floor beyond all those stairs. "...You've gotta be kidding me." Kaito reflexively grumbled as he peered down the series of stairs that had no railing to speak of. Despair began creeping into his heart. But he shook his head and reevaluated his situation. Well, it's true that Elisabeth usually has a point to the things she says. He would need a weapon if he was going to fight more demons. If he'd had one before, he might have been able to manage a better fight against the crows and the spider. And there was no guarantee he wouldn't end up in a similar situation again. He didn't want to make the same mistake a second time around. Never again. And if that meant hunting through this magical space, then so be it. "I guess I don't have a choice." Kaito faced the stairs, which could very well lead to the depths of Hell, and steeled himself. He spread his arms wide for balance. The clack, clack of his footsteps echoed against the darkness below as he began his descent. He'd expected the darkness surrounding him to continue on forever and was surprised to find that not to be the case. As he walked, rubbish gradually began appearing beside the stairs. A massive birdcage and iron maiden appeared in the gloom, followed by a hanging rack and a wooden horse with no sense of rhyme or reason to their order. As the torture devices glowed faintly in the dark, it became apparent that each bore grisly traces of use. The iron maiden's chest was caked with dried blood, and the spikes sticking out of the birdcage were discolored with chunks of meat and fat. Kaito realized something as he looked at the rusty tools. Unlike their magical counterparts that Elisabeth summoned, these were real. The ones Elisabeth conjured up were always unused. No doubt she had the ability to summon them without limit, each free of rust or fat. So why is this place full of their mundane counterparts? "Beats me." Tilting his head in confusion, Kaito continued on. He suddenly found that the stairs had disappeared and his path was flat again. As this space was throwing off his sense of balance, he had no idea when the change had occurred. The stone floor just looked like a larger step, and he continued down its seemingly endless span. The items around him became even more disorganized. There was a gem the size of his fist, a round pot covered in three-dimensional bee ornaments, and a barrel of vintage rum. There was a tiger's pelt. There was ivory. A broken chandelier. Some kind of small mummy. There was a bronze ax, an iron sword, and a silver spear. He pulled out the splendid-looking sword from the vase it rested in, then found himself stumbling backward. "This one's no good; it's too heavy... And it looks like the ax and the spear are, too." It seemed that the weapons the Earl had prepared were chosen such that children could easily wield them. However, the weapons in the Treasury were designed for hardened soldiers and knights. They didn't seem to offer any sort of magical assistance, either. As Kaito had never undergone any manner of training, he doubted he'd be able to use them to any degree of effectiveness. He heaved the sword aside. It landed with a clang, then sunk into a pile of gold coins that resembled an ant-lion pit. Turning his eyes from the riches, he continued walking forward. But the farther he walked, the less weapon-like the objects around him became. A comfortable-looking rocking chair. A sewed piece of embroidery. A painting of a deep forest. "...Huh?" Suddenly, Kaito's shoe hit something soft. He looked down and saw a teddy bear with cotton protruding from its chest. As he examined the space, he realized he was surrounded by children's toys. Apparently, he'd reached the stratum containing items Elisabeth had owned in her early childhood. As evidence that they'd been hers, the stuffed animals' chests were ripped open, and the dolls were all beheaded. The cross sections of wood, porcelain, and cotton were pitiful to look at. "I guess she's been into that kinda thing for a while, huh." Kaito muttered dejectedly. They say that people never change, but this wasn't adorable in the slightest. He almost flung the teddy bear away in his annoyance but, feeling sorry for it, gently set it back on its table. As he was about to resume walking, a hollow voice rang out from far away. "Elisa......beth... Eli...sa...beth...... Sa......beth..." "Who's there?" Kaito froze in his tracks. The next moment, a man's deep voice coiled around him like a serpent. "Elisabeth... Elisabeth... My darling daughter... Elisabeth... My—" The voice was incredibly creepy. It had the hollow quality of wind blowing through trees yet at the same time seemed almost hot as it coiled around his skin. Kaito felt that if he listened for too long, his eardrums—and eventually his brain—would dissolve. "What...is that?" Driven by an intense, visceral disgust, Kaito took a step back. The voice grew louder, as though it were pursuing him. Kaito broke into a run, instinctively trying to shake off the voice. But as if refusing to let him escape, the voice pursued him with strange tenacity. "Elisabeth... Elisabeth... My darling daughter... Elisabeth... My—" "Hey, what the hell is going on?" No matter how far he got, the voice kept coming. He looked around for a way to escape, then spotted something. Behind the pile of broken toys, reminiscent of a mountain of corpses, was a door. It looked almost as though the toys were soldiers, protecting it. Willing to try anything, Kaito grabbed the knob and turned. The door swung open, but behind it was not light but an even deeper darkness. After he passed through the door, Kaito felt his eyes widen. He was standing in the middle of an unfamiliar room. "...Huh?" Dumbfounded, Kaito surveyed his surroundings. This was clearly a child's room. The rectangular walls were covered with wallpaper adorned with a dull yellow floral design, and beside the window were cute confectionary-like plaster sculptures. The furniture was all white, and atop a beautiful chest of drawers with metal handles sat a group of dolls and stuffed animals. There was a four-poster bed, too, with pearl-gray sheets and a heavy mattress no doubt stuffed with down. Sitting on the bed was a young girl wearing a negligee atop a pile of blankets. Her chest was stained in the sticky red shade of blood. She struck a gaunt figure, her wispy veins visible beneath her pale skin. Her long hair was no doubt once beautiful, but at the moment it was devoid of luster and the tips were all tangled together. While her round eyes and shapely nose seemed almost sculpted, those hollow eyes lacked anything resembling vitality. And her thin lips were stained with the ghastly remains of what appeared to be bloody vomit. Upon seeing that familiar face darkened by the specter of death, Kaito gulped. There was no mistaking it. This girl was Elisabeth's younger self. Oh man... I definitely wasn't supposed to see this. Realizing that, Kaito began backing away slowly. He continued doing so until he crossed the threshold of the door he had entered. Once he'd passed through completely, the scene in front of him shimmered like a bowl of still water that had been disturbed, and then it vanished. All that remained were the mountain of broken toys and the door in their midst. It seemed that he had managed to escape the Nursery. Kaito looked around and breathed a sigh of relief after seeing the Treasury. But the haunting voice returned to assault his ears again. No time to process what he'd just seen, Kaito spun around and made a run for it. He ran with no rhyme or reason, desperately trying to flee from the phantom Elisabeth and the male voice incessantly calling for her. Cut it out; cut it out... I didn't want to know about any of this! Kaito had no desire to learn about that playful yet proud woman's past. And these were memories she'd likely rather not share, giving him all the more reason not to go peeking. He held little affection for her, yet he couldn't shake the feeling that he was committing an act of betrayal. Elisabeth Le Fanu was both a proud wolf and a lowly sow. The unflinching woman who'd introduced herself as such seemed completely different from that frail little girl. Seeing her like that was not something for Kaito, as her servant, to do unbidden. After running with that sole thought in mind, Kaito found himself in a new location, one with an entirely different ambiance. "Huff...huff, huff... Where am I?" Blocking Kaito's path was a tall stone wall. As he inspected it, he discovered that it was constructed rather oddly—out of tightly packed stone cubes. The wall stretched out in both directions. It seemed endless, as though he'd reached the edge of the world. Then Kaito noticed something. "Wh-what's that?" For some reason, a circular section of the wall was illuminated. Kaito approached it warily. Iron shackles stuck out of the wall at the lit-up section. Bound by them, like merchandise in a shop display, was a naked woman. "What the hell?" Kaito stood, stupefied. He had to look a few times to be certain of it. But sure enough, there was a beautiful silver-haired girl bound to the wall by her wrists. Her chest was ample, and her proportions were well balanced. Yet, she had been heartlessly cast aside. For some reason, when Kaito looked at her, he felt like something was out of place. But in any case, he couldn't exactly keep staring at a naked woman. He would just as soon avoid being taken for a lecher. Ignoring his conflicting feelings, Kaito looked away. He resorted to timid sidelong glances to confirm her condition. The silver-haired girl just sat there, unmoving, her head cast down. "Hey, are you okay? Hello? Hey, you." He tried talking to her, but she didn't reply. He had no way of knowing why she was imprisoned, and as such was at an impasse as to what to do. But given Elisabeth's personality, it seemed unlikely for her to take a demon prisoner. Kaito found it unlikely that this girl was

an enemy. And even if she was an enemy, at least he'd be the only one to fall victim. Also, if he left, there was no guarantee he would ever be able to find his way back here. He would rather regret having saved her than regret not being able to. With all that in mind, Kaito decided to undo her restraints. He checked nearby, but he didn't see anything that looked handy for that purpose. He did, however, notice a small leather bag tied around her ankle. Her arms were bound, so she herself was unable to reach it. What a cruel placement. Kaito took the bag and looked inside. He flipped it over, and out fell a key and a piece of parchment. Taking the key, he undid her handcuffs. Her arms slumped feebly to her sides. Even with her freedom restored, she didn't seem to have any intention of moving. As Kaito looked around for something to cover her with, his eyes chanced on the parchment still lying on the floor. Large red letters were written on its front. *** As his golem functionalities deciphered the script, Kaito tilted his head. Suddenly considering a possibility, Kaito looked more closely at the girl's body. As he did, he finally realized where his conflicting feelings had been coming from. Upon closer inspection, he'd realized that the silver-haired girl's slender limbs were connected by spherical joints. And her straight silver hair wasn't, strictly speaking, hair but was made out of glittering silver thread. She was a doll. She was probably just one more object being stored in the Treasury. The next moment, the girl's head went clack, clack, clack as it began bobbing up and down. Her head swung to look at Kaito. Her eyes were made of emeralds, and they glinted ominously. Kaito was struck by fear as he returned her gaze. Her face was as beautiful as a painting, but it bore no expression. And its surface was as rigid as a mask. The girl's—or, rather, the automaton's—limbs began turning, each ball joint rotating in a different direction. Alarmed by the abnormality, Kaito ran his gaze over the parchment. After reading the words in red, his eyes widened, and he started running. Be careful, as it may attack humans during start-up. Kaito fled with all his might. From behind him, the sound of the doll rapidly crawling across the ground pursued him. Kaito ran, the Treasury acting as an obstacle course. He leaped over a chair, slipped between two chests of drawers, and slid down a mountain of gold coins. Finally, he reached his target. The doll didn't appear to understand how to dodge, simply barreling in a straight line. As such, it took time for it to destroy things when it needed to clear its path. Taking advantage of this, Kaito created distance between the two of them as he fled. But he knew that if he so much as stumbled, he, too, would join the destroyed objects' ranks. Hold up! C'mon! You can't be serious! His leg muscles stretched near the point of snapping, he dashed up the final set of stairs. He ignored the pain, driving his body with sheer willpower. If he turned around, he was done for. He was out of objects to defend himself with. Swallowing his fear, he somehow managed to reach the black door. But it was still sealed shut. He banged on the door, screaming in desperation. "Elisabeth, open up! Open the door!" "What now, Kaito? Have you finally learned your lesson? Henceforth, I hope you'll properly sample your cooking first." "I knew you were trying to punish me! Forget that—just hurry!" Suddenly, Kaito felt a chill, as though his heart had been pierced by a needle. Trusting his instincts, he threw himself to the ground. The doll's leg pierced the air above his head. She struck like a serpent, attacking from a bizarre angle, and the tips of her toes demolished the thick door. Elisabeth's voice rang out in confusion. "Wh-what now? What is that infernal racket?" As he listened, Kaito dashed headfirst through the torrent of splinters. He was covered in wounds as he rolled into the throne room, but he was able to distance himself from the entrance to the Treasury. The doll staggered forth. Her gait and pale skin made her the very image of a revenant. It seemed Elisabeth had gotten herself some wine, as she did a spit take. She wore a rare expression as her voice was alight with flustered fury. "You worm! Just how far down did you slither?! That thing is an automaton, made in poor taste by my foster father! In the absence of orders, it simply destroys everything in its path! Why would you activate such a thing?!" "I mean, I'm sorry for just turning it on, but how was I supposed to know?! I only took off its shackles, and it turned on by itself!" "Taking off its shackles is how you turn it on, you imbecile!" Elisabeth tossed aside her wineglass, as well as the round side table she'd taken out to pair with it. It seemed she'd been treating herself to a little rest and relaxation, but that tranquility had long been shattered. "Ah, how vexing! To think that I should have to busy myself over a mere doll!" She rose from her throne, irritated, and rapped her heel twice on the floor. Darkness and crimson petals billowed across the floor like mist. A mass of thorns shot up from within it. But the doll's reflexes were superb, and her jumping power was like that of a beast. She leaped over the thorns, cleanly evading them. By clasping a thorn between her palms and the soles of her feet, she managed a landing that avoided injury entirely. "My... To think you would dodge that." Murmuring in admiration, Elisabeth held her hands behind her, then swung them forward. An iron ax made specially for decapitations launched from the darkness, flying over the thorns and aimed for the doll's neck. The doll's head, however, swung down, almost as though it had been dislocated, and just barely managed to evade the ax's blade. Elisabeth's eyes widened in surprise. The doll's legs clicked as they bent, and she leaped again, this time landing directly before the throne. She closed in on Elisabeth. Elisabeth seemed to be timing her movements, though, and she snapped her fingers. "Ducking Stool!" A chair sprouted from the floor and cleanly scooped up the doll's behind. Leather belts strapped her into place. The Ducking Stool resembled the Iron Chair Kaito had once been made to sit in. However, its seat had no spike holes. In their place, long chains were affixed to the chair's back. Suddenly, a rectangular section of floor around the doll disappeared. The space beneath her was filled to the brim with water, crimson flower petals floating on its surface. With a grand splash, the doll was plunged underwater. Perhaps the doll was struggling, because the water's surface bubbled and frothed. But after a period, she stopped moving. The chains rattled as they dragged the chair out of the water. The doll was still. Water dripped from her silver hair. Elisabeth breathed a sigh of relief. "Good heavens, at last it's quiet again. However, this thing can pump water off its body. No doubt it will resume function shortly. Perhaps it would be best to destroy it before it gets its gears turning again." "Hey, wait a minute. Do you really have to destroy it?" "I thought this was obvious, but failing to destroy it would be incredibly dangerous! Unless it was your intent that I spend the rest of my days evading a homicidal doll, that is. In that case, would you like to serve as my shield? Hmm?" "No, I mean, it was my fault in the first place that it got turned on, after all... I would feel really bad if you had to destroy something so well made... Can't you just turn it off, like it was before?" Kaito attempted to pacify Elisabeth. As terrifying as the automaton had been, he was to blame for turning her on in the first place. And he was reluctant to destroy something that had been so elaborately crafted to appear human. Not to mention how expensive the doll looked. He doubted his ability to make financial reparations. "Hmm? One moment. As you say, it would be something of a waste. Perhaps we can make use of it after all." As Elisabeth pondered, the doll began trembling before her. An unpleasant squeaking noise rang out as the doll's head shook at an impossible angle. Ominous light returned to her emerald eyes. Elisabeth then spoke quietly, almost in song. "Halt, O gears, for thou art eternally fair." The doll suddenly froze. The next moment, her entire body visibly relaxed. Seeing the doll transform at a few words, when Elisabeth had had so much trouble restraining her, startled Kaito quite a bit. "Wh-what'd you just do?" "An incantation to make it register a new master. Heh. For it to have worked means the doll's old settings have all been overwritten. I should be able to set a new master for it now. In doing so, the new master's orders will take top priority. That should make it stop attacking people haphazardly. Now, then..." Elisabeth made to open her mouth again. Before she could, the doll clicked her head into motion. Clack, clack, clack. Distorting her neck, the doll looked at Kaito. He gave a small hop in surprise. However, the doll did nothing more but silently train her emerald-green eyes on him. Kaito looked back in bewilderment. Her gaze seemed almost entreating. Elisabeth gave a short whistle in admiration. "Well, well, well... It seems to have made the choice for me. Count yourself fortunate. Apparently, after being saved by you twice over, it has taken a liking to you. Very well, then. You shall be its master. One problem remains, however." "Me, its master? Wait, and there's a problem, too?" "Upon becoming this thing's master, a 'relationship' must be established. Its creator had an unfortunate fondness for putting people on the spot, you see. Of the four relationships, namely: 'parent and child,' 'siblings,' 'master and servant,' and 'lovers'—only one is correct. Should one select incorrectly, the automaton will turn on its master and try to kill them. A trivial matter for me, but you would most certainly perish." "One in four is pretty harsh odds. What should I do?" "Oh heavens, I haven't the faintest idea. 'Twould be quickest simply to destroy it, but you seem to find that option distasteful. Ah, well, here... Among 'parent and child,' 'siblings,' 'master and servant,' and 'lovers,' select the one least likely to betray you." Elisabeth smiled a devious smile, then resumed her position on the throne as if her work here was done. Picking up her wineglass and side table, she leisurely turned around. Apparently, she planned on observing this as a detached spectator. Elisabeth seemed to be set on simply enjoying herself. Kaito frantically racked his brain. After all, his life was on the line. He knew he would rather die than pick "parent." He didn't know much about siblings, but his memories of the one time he'd met a guy he was related to were thoroughly unpleasant. And after looking at Elisabeth and considering his relationship with her, "master and servant" was definitely out. Only one option remained. "I guess I'll pick 'lovers.'" "Well, there's a virgin for you." A rude assertion. But before Kaito could protest Elisabeth's verbal abuse, the doll began shaking more violently than ever. Unable to withstand the convulsions, the belts restraining her popped off. Hot steam burst out of the openings in her ball joints. Her response had been so severe that Kaito, despite himself, was more worried for the doll than for himself. "Hey, uh, are you sure

it's not broken?" As he peered tentatively at the doll, her eyes snapped open. She tore off the Ducking Stool's leather belts, then leaped over the water tank and landed in front of Kaito. Kaito braced himself for death, and the doll acted. The doll knelt in front of Kaito, sinking to one knee. "Huh?" "I apologize for keeping you waiting. O my dearest, my darling, my destined one, my master! My one true love! O my eternal companion!" The doll shouted, overcome with emotion. It was the first time he'd heard her voice, but it was oddly pleasant. She clasped his hand in hers and looked up at him. Her face was surrounded by silken silver hair, and it wore the first expression Kaito had seen out of her. Her emerald-green eyes drooped, becoming soft and viscous, and her white skin grew flush with blood. Her features were clean yet somehow amorous, and the expression on her sweet face was nothing short of enraptured. She stroked Kaito's palm with her cheek in a deeply human display of affection. Her smooth skin was as warm and as soft as a human's. With an expression of absolute bliss, she whispered ecstatically. "Henceforth, until the moment these limbs are plucked from me, and my head is removed, and my steel heart stops beating, I shall be your companion and your lover. I shall live only for your sake, and I shall break only for your sake. For whether you wish to love me or destroy me, both privileges are now yours and yours alone." She looked up into Kaito's eyes, then gave a small, bashful smile. "By your own will, would you please cherish me until the end of time?" Her words piled up like roaring waves, and Kaito and Elisabeth were as stiff as boards. Unconcerned with their reactions, the doll continued stroking Kaito's palm with her cheek. Her adorable actions were like those of a fawning puppy. Eventually, Elisabeth whispered quietly. "Um... Well, you seem to have pulled it off successfully. Are you...pleased?" "...I dunno. This is a little..." He felt that this was somewhat troublesome in its own way. But after looking at the doll's blissful smile, he swallowed his words. 4 An Envoy from the Church "This is delicious!" Fork and knife in hand, Elisabeth burst into a smile. It was the first time Kaito had seen her smile without even a shred of malice. The situation was so abnormal, he was getting goose bumps. It wasn't just her, either. It was the entire table. The long table had been furnished with a stately arabesque tablecloth, and the empty seats were decorated with colorful flowers. The line of alternating gold and silver candlesticks was all lit, gently illuminating the silverware. And the aroma of a number of elaborate dishes wafted up from the plates. There was hog's-head jelly with brioche. There was a delectably sour salad with intestines, a bowl of lamb tripe minestrone, and a golden-brown kidney pie. And the main course was finished off with some foie gras terrine. Finally, for dessert, there was a tart, topped with thin apple slices in the shape of a flower. Elisabeth stuffed her cheeks with the freshly prepared dishes one after another. Large, exaggerated tears of joy welled up in her eyes. "This is delicious, I say—truly sublime! True delicacies! You have my praise, doll!" "For it to have met your tastes is an honor, Lady Elisabeth, master of Master Kaito." The automaton stood at the ready by Elisabeth's side. Her emerald-green eyes gleamed kindly, and a gentle smile appeared on her face. Between her long, classical maid uniform and her adorable little maid cap, she gave the impression of having served in this castle for many years. It was hard to believe that she was the same person who had been going on a rampage the day prior. Although he was still somewhat afraid of her, Kaito asked her a question. "So you don't just fight, but you can cook, too?" "Indeed. In addition to combat data, my Self-Recording Device contains thousands of recipes, as well as many other useful skills. From cooking and cleaning to playing games and accompanying you at night, I can fulfill any of your desires, Master Kaito." "Wait, wait, wait, wait, wait, you don't need to go that far. I don't need that kind of extra service." Kaito waved his hands from side to side. Whenever he interacted with this doll, he often found himself at a loss. And whenever he did, the doll hung her shoulders with such dejection that he could practically see dog ears and a tail drooping from her head and waist. "Is that so? Well, should you ever change your mind, please do not hesitate to instruct me as you see fit. I exist solely for your sake, Master Kaito, so no matter the time or place, doing whatever you want with me is my ultimate pleasure." "Wait... 'No matter the place'...? You mean, like, outside?" "Of course—outside is fine, too!" "What in the world might you two be going on about?" Munching on a huge slice of pie, Elisabeth raised her voice in exasperation. After enjoying the delicate blend of the sweet, crunchy crust and the gaminess of the meat, she finished eating. She courteously wiped her mouth with her napkin, then turned to the doll as if to praise her. "See, when my irredeemable butler booted you up, I thought I'd have little choice but to destroy the two of you together. But your aptitude for cooking proved quite splendid. Every cloud has its silver lining, they say. My congratulations, Kaito. Your life may yet continue." "Geez, I had no idea I was on the verge of death for such a stupid reason." "In short, you are saying that I was of use to Master Kaito? My deepest thanks. I can think of no greater honor, no greater joy!" "But enough of that. You are a servant of mine. Nay, in respect to your desires, I wish to welcome you once more as a servant of my servant, but... Hey, Kaito. Give this thing a name." "A name?" "You would do well to stop being befuddled by contrivance. All things need names. And it is most inconvenient to be unable to call for your possessions." "I mean... I wouldn't call her my possession. Even if she's a doll, she's still a girl." Kaito shook his head vigorously. Owning something that was practically human was too big a responsibility for him. But the doll stepped forward, her fists balled up and her cheeks puffed out. Curling her lovely lips into a pout, she pleaded with him. "While it may be imprudent of me to say, I am most certainly your possession. Ever since the fateful moment you chose me as your lover, I have been your eternal lover, your faithful companion, your soldier, your weapon, your love outlet, and your sex doll. Come what may, I shall forever remain yours and yours alone. I beg you to remember that always." "A-all right, I get it. Just try not to say stuff like that. But yeah, either way, it would be nice if you had a name. Uh..." Kaito scrunched up his forehead as he thought it over. He fumbled through his memories for something to use as a reference. But he'd never so much as named an animal before. Also, he hadn't been allowed much social interaction. He could recall the names of a few of the women who had spent time with his father, but none who he had any desire to use as references. Even the woman who had made him purin had left in the end. It was then Kaito recalled a soft, nuzzling sensation. ...Oh yeah...her. There was that one time. There was someone who loved me unconditionally. A snow-white puppy floated up from the depths of his memories. She had belonged to one of his neighbors. She had become attached to him, and every time he visited, she would wag her tail and lick the tears off his face. He had been able to play with her for only a short period before he had to move again, but Kaito felt that was for the best. If his father had found out about his affection for the dog, he would have likely tried to kidnap and kill her. She had been a good, kind girl. And her large, droopy eyes slightly resembled the doll's. Despite some reservations, Kaito recalled the dog's name and spoke it aloud. "'Hina'... How does 'Hina' sound?" "It sounds incredibly arbitrary, much like you plucked it from a hat." "Hey, I put a lot of thought into that!" "You're brilliant, Master Kaito! It's the finest name in all of heaven and earth, surpassing that of any human, demi-human, beastfolk, mythical beast, or god! My deepest thanks! From now on, I shall bear the name Hina. Hina... Hina. I am Hina. The name that Master Kaito blessed me with... Hee-hee-hee-hee-hee." Hina's shoulders began quivering oddly. She seemed to be happy, but her reaction was a bit frightening. Just as Hina's christening was complete, the Butcher made his appearance. Elisabeth purchased a large quantity of organs from him, then handed it all to Hina. While she dealt with that, Kaito began piling the plates from the table into his arms. Apparently, having a good cook around loosened Elisabeth's tongue. After bowing to Elisabeth, who was engaged in a lively conversation with the Butcher, Kaito and Hina headed for the kitchen. Once they reached the kitchen, Kaito carried the dirty dishes to the sink. Hina, using the meat she'd received from the Butcher, began making preliminary preparations for dinner. Watching her line up with utter certainty the jars of seasoning she would need, Kaito called out to her. "So wait, you can tell which ones are which flavors?" "Oh yes, I have registrations for most of the seasonings that exist in this world. I can also use their scent to analyze whether or not they've degraded over time and the minor changes in flavor resulting from the manufacturing process, so I can adjust the quantities I use as necessary." "Wow. That's really impressive, Hina." Kaito nodded in earnest admiration. Hina's cheeks went flush with embarrassment. "I receive your praise with great honor. On a related note, um, Master Kaito, what kinds of dishes do you like?" "...Uhhh, I don't really have preferences when it comes to food. As long as it's not rotten or poisoned, I'm pretty fine with whatever." His eating habits in his previous life were more survival based, after all. He'd simply been grateful whenever he got his hands on something edible. Hina nodded earnestly in response to Kaito's half-hearted answer. "I understand. Then I will give it my all to cook something you find delicious, Master Kaito. And then, perhaps—and this would be terribly august—were you to possibly find my cooking to your liking, Master Kaito... Ah, my heart would be so full with honor and pride that I would surely die!" "Settle down there, Hina. Please don't die over something like that." "Understood! Then I will live forever!" Hina nodded, her cheeks still red. Vaguely muttering something to the effect of "by your side forever" and "Master Kaito," her body swayed from side to side. As he watched her plump breasts bob up and down, Kaito felt somewhat embarrassed. But he'd spent so much time alone in this claustrophobic dungeon of a kitchen, and now... It really is nice to have someone to talk to. Nodding, Kaito turned on the sink's faucet. The castle's water supply was linked to a reservoir full of undines. He was glad for the limitless source of water, even if it was sometimes annoying that it didn't come hot. As he washed the dishes with cold water, Hina stood beside him, preparing the offal, her knife constantly moving. In the blink

of an eye, the unnecessary sections were removed and the meat was cut to the perfect dimensions. As if to ensure that the meat not suffer more damage than necessary, the cuts were all clean and precise. Kaito unwittingly stopped moving as he watched her masterful knife work. It was at that moment that Elisabeth's voice rang out. "Butler! Oh, Butler!" *** "Kaito!" "I heard you. What do you want?" Abandoning the wet dishes and leaving the rest to Hina, Kaito broke into a run. He had expected her to be waiting in the throne room, but she was still in the dining room. He opened the door and saw her sitting on her ball-and-claw chair, tipping a wineglass back and forth. She wore a sullen expression, and her legs were crossed. A new visitor sat before her, occupying the same seat the Butcher had been in when Kaito had left. "Apparently, this unpleasant man has some matter he wishes to discuss with you." "Ah, pleased to meet you... Young Kaito Sena, correct?" The blond man's face was chiseled, and he wore a black cassock. He evoked the image of a goat, and his eyes seemed gentle as he smiled. Yet, his face gave off a somewhat suspicious impression, and looking at him gave Kaito goose bumps on his back and an unpleasant feeling in his stomach. He also noticed that the man's pronunciation of his Japanese name had been smooth and more correct than he'd heard in some time. Showing no signs as to whether or not he'd deduced Kaito's unease, the man opened his mouth with dignity. "My name is Clueless Ray Faund. I come as an envoy from the Church, looking to conduct a personal interview with you." "...............Huh?" "He truly is your servant, Elisabeth. His manner resembles yours." The man spoke in a tone that made it impossible to tell if he was truly impressed or if he was being sarcastic. Kaito took another good long look at Clueless, the man from the Church. Kaito didn't know much about this world's Church. But based on the fact that they'd been able to suspend Elisabeth's execution and order her on her demon hunt, he could tell they wielded substantial influence. In the face of such power, Kaito's first reaction was the desire to flee. But if he fled now, it would look highly suspicious. Suppressing his automatic response, which was to turn around, Kaito focused his gaze on the man, silently inquiring as to what questions he wanted to ask. Clueless stood from his chair, stretched, and offered a rather unexpected proposal. "Well then, shall we make our way to the Church? I'd rather not hear you out in a place as gloomy as this castle." "Huh? Well-I'm-Lady-Elisabeth's-butler-you-see. I can't just come and go as I please." "Insolent cur... So you'll admit to being my servant when it's convenient for you, I see. Nevertheless, he speaks the truth, Clueless. Do not simply carry off my servants with you. I made that one myself. The core component may be worthless, but it comes attached to a rather splendid golem, so he ends up being somewhat useful. You shan't take him without my permission." "You say that, Elisabeth. But you're the one who failed to report having summoned the soul of someone from another world, aren't you?" At Clueless's declaration, Elisabeth twisted her lips. He seemed to have hit the mark. Kaito was fairly surprised that the fact that he was from another world had been exposed. Laying his large hands one on top of the other, Clueless continued. "However, I have no intention of reporting that fact to my superiors. I can say that I simply wanted to check on the specifics of how you defeated the Knight and the Earl, and besides, this little visit was off the books in the first place. Don't you think that rather than dealing with formalities and punishments, it would be more constructive to quietly resolve this matter together? To that end, I would like to speak with the young man. How does that sound?" "Bah, enough with the farce. At any rate, you intend to blather on and grumble until I relinquish him to you, am I wrong? Fine, then. What a bother. You have my permission. If you fail to return him, however, I shall have your head." "There's a good girl, Elisabeth. A most sensible choice indeed." Watching their exchange, Kaito couldn't help but be surprised. He hadn't thought there was a person alive who could stand up to Elisabeth the way Clueless just did. Nodding to Kaito, Clueless began walking. From the way the conversation had gone, Kaito guessed he was supposed to follow. Neither party seemed to have the slightest interest in how he felt. Half-desperate, Kaito obediently followed after the cassock-clad man. He accompanied Clueless down an underground passage, and they arrived at Elisabeth's teleportation circle. Kaito, having thought they'd been heading outside, knit his brows. Clueless stood in front of the circle and turned to look at Kaito. "Now then, young Kaito, shall we be off? Do mind the vertigo." Clueless reached inside his cassock and pulled out a heavy-looking silver pendant. At the end of its thick chain hung an upside-down sculpture of a veiled woman. The intricately carved veil defied gravity in its obstinate quest to conceal the woman's face. "Guide me down the path of righteousness." He held it over the center of the circle, and the bloody runes blurred. Crimson drops began pouring into the air. They then glowed blue and began orbiting like little planets. When the rotations reached their peak speed, the blue lights froze. They then fell to the floor as one. When the blue rain had cleared up, a basement with a notably different ambience to the one they were in before spread out before them. "This place is..." Apparently, they'd reached a place separate from Elisabeth's basement. The walls were made of bare packed earth, giving off a completely different sense of claustrophobia than stone. The cool air had a damp odor, announcing loud and clear that they were underground. "Come now, young Kaito—follow me. We're going this way." Placing his pendant back in his cassock, Clueless left through the single door. Outside the room, long, tunnel-like wooden passages extended to both sides. Old magical lanterns hung from the low ceiling and lit the path. It felt almost like a passage built for mining. As he walked through the corridor rich in smells of soil and rotting wood, Clueless spoke quietly. "These are the hidden passageways that extend beneath the Church. They connect to my private chamber. Follow me." Obeying the instructions, Kaito turned halfway through the passage and made his way up a narrow staircase. Beyond it was a surprisingly small room. Its wooden interior was barren, save for a stately desk and a filing cabinet. One wall, however, was adorned with an image of the same inverted, veiled woman Kaito had just seen. Upon closer inspection, he saw a single red tear running down the woman's cheek. Ignoring Kaito, Clueless knelt and offered a heartfelt prayer to the woman. After a few moments, he stood back up. "Forgive me for the wait. And please make yourself comfortable." "Ah, thanks." Kaito, being offered the chair at the desk, took it. While he did, Clueless busied himself with the porcelain tea set that had been left on the desk. He poured a pinkish liquid into a cup. A surprisingly refreshing minty aroma wafted up from it. "I'm quite a fan of this tea, you see. I buy it up every time I'm at my favorite shop." "Uh... Ah, well, that seems like a pleasant hobby." "Ha-ha, I wonder. I'm glad you think so, at least. My subordinates often scold me for buying too much." Clueless winked. It was a very human gesture, but for whatever reason, it made Kaito tense up. Something about the way the man talked seemed uncanny, almost superficial. Clueless moved his own chair such that he was facing Kaito from across the desk. Kaito noted that the arrangement resembled an interrogation. Clueless took a sip of his tea, then began the conversation in earnest. "I must say, I never imagined Elisabeth would drag someone from another world into her demon hunt, even if only as a servant." "Uh, not that Elisabeth really talks about it much, but I got the vibe that it wasn't really a big deal. Are you saying it's uncommon for people to get summoned from other worlds?" "Wait, she hasn't bothered explaining anything? Well, she's never been much of a responsible one. Uncommon would be putting it lightly. It's beyond rare. I'd heard the two of you had shared some memories during the summons, but you and Elisabeth must really be on the same wavelength. That, or perhaps you have similar natures." "You're saying I'm similar to that woman?" Kaito immediately frowned. He would hardly describe himself as similar to that proud, haughty, devil-may-care woman. Taking another sip of tea, Clueless shook his head. "I'm sorry; that was rude of me. I certainly don't find the two of you similar. After all, I've heard that Elisabeth Le Fanu's cruelty started quite early on in her childhood." The statement caused Kaito to start. The image of the young girl he'd seen a few days prior flashed through his mind. She'd just sat on her bed, her body thin and frail and her eyes hollow. Kaito shook his head to dispel the vision. Ignoring Kaito's unrest, Clueless continued on. "She was born as the only child of the distinguished Le Fanu family. She was a feeble child who broke toys and delighted at the deaths of animals, but she didn't truly bloom until she turned sixteen. It was at that point that she began torturing people, gaining significant magical ability from their pain. And with those wicked powers, she killed even more. As she committed her many, many atrocities, no entity, living or dead, could inspire fear in her any longer, least of all God." Clueless's hand squeezed down on his porcelain cup. A stern light burned in his azure eyes, and Kaito could tell that his voice was full of needle-sharp hostility. Clueless had been chatting merrily with Elisabeth just a moment ago, but his words were now steeped in hatred. Squinting in the face of the severity of Clueless's reaction, a seed of doubt took root in Kaito's mind. Obtaining power from the pain of others—that was exactly what the demons did. But Elisabeth Le Fanu was no demon; she was the Torture Princess. "I thought Elisabeth wasn't one of the fourteen demons, though?" "True, she isn't. She accomplished that all by herself, not contracting with anyone or anything. She shouldn't be able to use the powers of demons, and none but the High Priest has been able to discern the mechanism by which she's able to turn people's pain into her own power. But the facts are the facts. She is an evil woman, with powers surpassing those of the demons. Her very existence is blasphemous." Clueless spat these words. Perhaps he was right, but Kaito wasn't sure how to respond. It was true that Elisabeth was a torturer, a despot, and a tyrant. But now, she was fighting the demons. And the number of people in this world who could stand up to those hell-birthing monsters probably wasn't high. And for now, Kaito was assisting her. While he still lashed back at her at times, ever since the incident with the Earl, he'd stopped having qualms about serving her. He even kind of liked the innocent side she occasionally revealed. Maybe it was a warped way to live, but it worked for him. In his hesitation, Kaito had grown silent. But Clueless nodded, seeming to understand Kaito's position, and heaved a heavy sigh. "Forgive me. It appears I have gotten rather heated. But I thought

that you, after spending some time with her, would find such things obvious. Now then, would you mind if I asked a few questions about your world? I hear that your world is where machines have progressed further than magic has; is that correct?" "Huh? Oh, yeah. Or rather, magic doesn't really exist in my world at all... At least as far as I know." Kaito matter-of-factly answered Clueless's questions. But on top of the fact that his knowledge of his previous world was strongly biased, he knew nothing about the workings of many of the industrial technologies he had benefitted from in life. But even though their exchange touched only on broad generalities, Clueless appeared enraptured. He finished his tea, then gently shook his head. "Thank you. I learned quite a bit. And you have my condolences. The battle against the demons will no doubt grow fiercer from here. I find it difficult to imagine you continuing to serve Elisabeth once she finishes killing all thirteen demons." "Is... Is that so? I mean, this body is immortal, but I expect it'll get pretty rough from here." "Quite. And even on the off chance you do survive, all that awaits you is an inquisition by the Church." "Wait, what?" Kaito raised his voice in surprise. Clueless was unbothered by his rudeness. As he stared at Kaito, something resembling sentimentality welled up in his blue eyes. However, it wasn't the gaze of one looking at another human but of one looking down at a worm. "Why so surprised? It's a natural measure to take, no? The Church can't exactly allow one of Elisabeth's puppets to roam free after she completes her task. The stake awaits you both. At best, you'll be confined, but not before being thoroughly tortured." "That's... Okay, I'm gonna be honest with you. I'd rather pass. I got sucked into this mess against my will. You guys are the ones in charge of the torture, right? Can't you do something about that?" "It just so happens that I have a proposal for you." Clueless leaned forward in his seat. As he did, Kaito felt as though a piece of the incongruous puzzle he'd been a part of had finally slid into place. All the talk leading up to this had been a mere prelude. Clueless appeared attentive, but Kaito got the sense that it had all gone in one ear and out the other. "Think about this. I consider Elisabeth dangerous enough that I've been unofficially monitoring her as well as occasionally dropping by to check up on her. After the Church captured her, we bound her in such a way that she could not resist us or try to escape. But if she was to form a contract with one of the thirteen demons, her power would grow, and those shackles would be insufficient to restrain her. In fact, if her unique power was to synergize with the demon's, it would be quite terrifying indeed." "Are you sure you should be making someone like that fight for you?" "She swore she wouldn't forge a contract with a demon, and the head of the Church, Godot Deus, told us to believe in that promise. He also said that should the time come when she breaks that promise, he would sacrifice his life and soul to seal her away... But while he likely possesses the power to make good on his word, we would still be losing the most distinguished member of our clergy. Having anticipated such a calamity, I cannot, in good faith, sit idly by and allow the birth of a demon that will surpass all demons." Clueless reached inside his cassock and once more withdrew the pendant with the upside-down suffering woman. He carefully opened its hidden compartment and pulled out a vial. He tilted it over Kaito's cup, and a single tear-like drop of clear, colorless liquid made ripples in his tea. As it did, it briefly stained the pinkish tea deep purple. The tea quickly returned to its original color. "If you make Elisabeth drink this poison, I can promise you a painless death." "You're promising me death?" "That I am. Your existence is an affront to God, and I cannot permit it to continue. Although from what I heard, upon being summoned, you wished to die anyway, correct? Having served under her, you know how terrifying pain can be. Do you understand what I'm offering you? I myself think the terms are rather fair." Clueless smiled. Remembering the uncomfortable feeling he'd initially been getting from the man, Kaito felt validated once more. Clueless was arrogant. He seemed to be looking down on Kaito from so high up that he didn't even realize he was being arrogant. Clueless no doubt thought he was being earnestly merciful. Kaito swallowed his retorts. He decided to speak as little as possible until he returned safely to the castle. Not receiving an affirmative response, Clueless tilted his head in dissatisfaction. "You seem displeased... Very well. In order to demonstrate to you the validity of my proposal, allow me to offer you the privilege of observing the heretics under my jurisdiction. Come along." Clueless went back down the staircase, Kaito in tow. He strode along the dark corridor with vigor in his gait. They met no other clergymen on their journey. As he continued after Clueless, Kaito thought this rather strange. Clueless eventually reached a new staircase and ascended it. At the top of the stairs was a door with cloth stuffed under it for soundproofing. Clueless turned the knob. "Look, listen, and learn." He pushed the door open. The second he did, a bloodcurdling scream rang out. People were groaning, screaming, writhing, and begging for death. The wide, square inquisition room beyond the door was rank with the thick stench of blood and split down the middle by a set of iron bars. On the other side of the bars lay a small-scale hellscape. There were people chained to walls, each completely devoid of hair. Their pasty skin had rivets driven into them. Their bald heads were full of screws, and even as Kaito watched, more were being wound in by people dressed in all white. One woman was tied to an operating table, convulsing as she was slowly sawed apart. An old man pleaded for death, his feet strapped to a white-hot iron plate. A young boy hung from a hook by his tongue, which was also covered in horsehair. The boy wept as he waited for his tongue to dry out completely and tear, dropping him to the floor. There was also a number of people writhing on the ground. Kaito was unsure how any of them was still alive, and his eyes widened. He staggered backward a step, but even so, he burned the hellish scene into his eyes. While simultaneously being assailed by terror, he calmly surveilled the scene. What a merciful proposal the prospect of a painless death now seemed. Kaito realized how serious Clueless had been. "I look forward to a favorable response." Clueless smiled kindly as he pressed the vial of poison into Kaito's hand. The blue rain fell away, and Kaito's vision cleared. After using the teleportation circle to return to Elisabeth's castle alone, Kaito immediately fell to his knees. "...Rgh... Blargh..." He was assaulted by nausea and vertigo. Neither had happened when Elisabeth had been the one activating the circle. Though perhaps his nausea could be attributed to the spectacle he had just been forced to witness, as well as the weight of the choice that had been thrust upon him. "Shit... That... That was so fucked up..." After cursing and spitting, he somehow managed to struggle to his feet. He walked through the underground tunnel on unsteady feet. He remembered the way back. He knew from experience that pain jogged his memory, so a little while back, he'd carved a map of the important bits of the tunnel in his flesh and had Elisabeth heal it for him. She'd been shocked and impressed, and it had hurt like hell, but thanks to that, he was able to avoid getting lost and dying like a fool. "Dammit... I can't remember—was there something I was supposed to do when I got back?" Kaito reviewed his remaining duties as he walked. Hina had probably taken care of all the chores for him, and Elisabeth was unlikely to call on him for the rest of the day. She didn't tend to spare much thought for him, so even if she planned on asking him about Clueless, that could be days from now. He had a million things he needed to think about, but for now, all he wanted to do was rest. If he could just forget about the vial of poison in his breast pocket until the following day, that would be wonderful. Kaito staggered into the servants' quarters, then made for his room in the corner. He somehow managed to reach the thin door, and its ancient hinges creaked as he opened it. The instant he did, something soft wrapped around his face. "Wh-wh-wh-what?" "Welcome home, Master Kaito! I have awaited your safe return!" Hina squeezed Kaito tightly. It was only natural for him to be surprised to see her immediately after opening the door. Hina was on the taller side, so when she leaned over like that, Kaito's face ended up buried right between her breasts. Kaito frantically pulled away, and when he did, Hina's eyes grew wide and sad like a puppy's. The same tactic had gotten him nowhere with Elisabeth, but he was not as immune as she'd been. Kaito, at a loss for words, averted his gaze from Hina. The cramped room had both a bed and a chair, but neither showed signs of use. Kaito tilted his head to the side, and Hina gave a small hop. "Lady Elisabeth assured me that you would return, and each moment I waited for you felt like an eternity. I'm deeply sorry that I was unable to accompany you. Oh, I'm so glad you returned unharmed. I was so worried for you that I feared my chest would burst and all my gears would come tumbling out." "Hold up, Hina... Did you, by any chance, finish the chores and then just stand here all day waiting for me?" "But of course. Why? Is there a problem?" "Well, uh... You know, if you really want to wait for me, you can sit down while you wait. It's not like I'm going to get mad at you if you lie down or anything." Hearing Kaito's words, Hina swayed on her feet. Her cheeks flushed and she pressed down on her mouth. "Oh my, to receive permission to sleep on my master's precious bed. That is, um, the special privilege of lovers, nay, of husband and wife. In other words, this is a roundabout solicitation—" "That's not what I meant. Sorry, but I don't have the energy to joke around today..." Kaito lightly brushed Hina aside and collapsed onto the bed. When he did, he noticed a change. The mattress Elisabeth had given him had been hard, musty, and often damp, but now it was soft and had a pleasant herbal fragrance. Hina had probably carefully washed it, dried it, and scented it for him. But he lacked even the energy to thank her. His mind a mess, Kaito squeezed his eyes closed. No matter how comfortable it became here, he might soon have to leave the castle. As a traitor. As someone who'd slain his own master. And as compensation for that, he'd get to die painlessly. But no matter how hard he tried, Kaito couldn't imagine himself killing Elisabeth. When she dies, it'll be of her own accord. She wasn't the kind of person someone like Kaito could kill. She wasn't the kind of person anyone could kill. But Kaito knew what would become of him if he turned

down the proposal. Kaito clutched the vial from over his pocket. When he did, the bed creaked. A soft, pleasant aroma drew near him. Kaito could tell what it was without having to open his eyes. Hina was lying down beside him. Kaito sighed, then spoke to her again. "...C'mon, Hina. I really—" "My apologies, Master Kaito..." Then she hugged him tight. As she gently cradled his head, her soft hair brushed against his face. Her touch wasn't sexual but sensual: a gesture meant to soothe and comfort. She ran her fingers through his hair. His eyes widened in surprise. She lay by his side, her twinkling emerald-green eyes rich with adoration. She looked like a woman caring for her troubled husband, and Kaito was at a loss for words in the face of such raw affection. "...But you seem weary, and this is how lovers comfort their beloved." Hina gently stroked his hair, running her hands across it again and again. Kaito wondered if this was how children felt when their mothers patted them on the head. Her hands were warm, and their warmth traveled all the way to his heart, transcending reason and language to gently unravel the knots of stress deep inside him. Surrounded by clean sheets and the warmth of skin, Kaito could feel his eyelids growing heavy. "...Hina, if you keep doing that...I'm going to fall asleep." "Isn't that a good thing? You can rest easy. Everything is going to be okay, Master Kaito. "No matter what happens, I'll protect you." When she whispered those words into his ear, the knot of stress finally came undone. Kaito realized how unnerved he had been, both by the gruesome display he'd been shown and by the fate that had been thrust upon him. Apparently, he had carried that fear of an agonizing, horrific death all the way back with him. Oh... I get it now. I was afraid. He didn't know what would happen now. But here, at least, he was safe. There was no pain here, and if anyone wished ill on him, Hina said she would protect him. Back in his old life, no one had ever protected him. This was the first time since he was born that he had ever felt so at ease. He'd never imagined that something so peaceful awaited him after death. Accompanied by those thoughts, Kaito slowly but surely drifted off to sleep. He dreamed. He dreamed, yet he knew it was a dream. Various images and sensations flashed across his eyes and skin, appearing and disappearing like the light of a revolving lantern. Enduring countless wounds. Stifling innumerable sorrows. The words Remember this, carved into his skin every time he messed up at work. The small, warm tongue that would lick his wounds. The big, round eyes that seemed to suggest they could even love a piece of trash like Kaito. The grief and despair he felt in the moment his windpipe was crushed. Lamenting the fact that he couldn't even scream. The body in the armor. The Knight's eyes. The terrifying spider. Neue's pained smile. The first kindness he'd received. The words Neue had left him. The wish Kaito wanted to grant, no matter how impossible it seemed. The vision of the frail girl, gazing at the outside world. The people, slaughtered without mercy. The wicked, cackling girl. The distant voice he heard. "But if she was to form a contract with one of the thirteen demons, her power would grow, and those shackles would be insufficient to restrain her. If that happened, she would become far more dangerous than any of the current contractors." "You embarrass yourself, Earl." "You and I—we are fated to die, forsaken by all of creation." "Having lived the cruel and haughty life of a wolf, I shall die like a lowly sow." "...For that is the choice I made." Her long black hair fluttered as she looked over her shoulder. Kaito realized something as he was lost in thought within the dream. Ah, that's right. You aren't going to run, are you? No matter how much pain and despair awaited her, she would take responsibility for her life. She would take full responsibility for her wretched life. As the Torture Princess, Elisabeth Le Fanu would bear it. It was then that Kaito slowly opened his eyes. Hina held him, still stroking his hair. On her face she wore a peaceful, spellbound smile. She would have been unable to do anything while stroking his hair. Feeling he'd done something wrong, Kaito quickly got up. Hina seemed reluctant to let him go. She looked at him, then tilted her head to the side. "Were you able to relax? Compared to earlier, you seem much calmer." "Yeah, thanks, Hina. Because of you, I was able to get my thoughts in order." Kaito leaped from the bed and immediately went to leave the room. Sensing his newfound resolve, Hina did not rise to follow him. Kaito stopped in his tracks, then turned around. Hina sat on the bed, a contented look on her face as she saw him off. Standing in front of the door, Kaito asked her a question. "Hey, Hina. Would you be sad if I died?" "In the horrible and unlikely event you were to pass away, Master Kaito, I should surely die as well." "No, no, no, no, no. What are you talking about?" "Well, you see, I have absolutely no desire to spend so much as a second in a world where you do not exist." As if wondering why he would ask such a ridiculous question, Hina looked at him in puzzlement. Kaito, feeling a headache coming on, pressed down on his forehead. Her response had, once again, been over-the-top. Kaito didn't know what was to become of him. He felt he should tell her not to follow him to the grave, but for the moment he simply returned to bed and stroked her silken silver hair. Hina smiled a warm smile and brought her cheek close to his. The way she looked at him with unreserved affection, she really did resemble that puppy from so long ago. Turning her words over in his mind, Kaito muttered as if to confirm his thoughts. "I see. I guess, if nothing else, I'll have to keep living, then, won't I?" He made for the hallway. Not long after, he broke off into a run, searching for Elisabeth. He found her in the throne room. She sat alone in front of the caved-in wall, gazing at the full moon. Below, the dark forest rustled. At the place where the beast had been skewered, no traces remained of its corpse. But its bloodstain was etched deep in the earth. Even then, in the dead of night, the ground appeared unsettlingly damp. However, eventually new trees would grow and cover that up as well. "What happened to that beast's corpse?" "It burned together with the Knight. But that matters little. Cast your gaze skyward." Not even turning around as she answered, Elisabeth lifted a gaudy wineglass off the table beside her. She raised it overhead and tilted it from side to side, the full-bodied wine swirling within. The red wine reflected the white of the moon. "'Tis a good moon tonight." She gulped down the moon's reflection, then placed her glass back on the table. Kaito retrieved the bottle from a silver bowl packed with spirit-made ice. He poured her another glass of wine, then drew out the vial of poison from his pocket. He poured a drop of the clear liquid into the wine. The beverage briefly changed from a velvety red to a sickening shade of purple before settling back to its original hue. Kaito handed the glass to Elisabeth, who'd been watching the whole process. "Very interesting. And what might this be?" "He told me to poison you." "Oh-ho, and quite the fine poison it is. Even I might not live after imbibing it. Here, 'tis a special occasion, so I shall give it to you. A glass of wine from your master. Accept it with thanks." "I respectfully decline. Such a thing would be wasted on me." "Clueless, eh? And what did he offer you in return? A painless death?" "I'm surprised you could guess." "Yes, well. No matter if you live or die, Hell surely awaits you." Elisabeth spoke bluntly. It seemed she'd more or less suspected what was in store for him. It probably wasn't the case that she'd been hiding it from him; it was more likely that she simply hadn't cared enough to tell him. She placed the glass back on the table, then gave a large shrug. "You'd be a fool to take his offer. 'Tis too high a price to pay if death awaits you in the end regardless. But the basic details are half-reasonable. If you were to seek refuge with other members of the Church and avoid being captured by Clueless and his fanatics, the odds that you would be shown mercy and be allowed to keep living are actually quite high." "Really?" "You do hail from another world, after all. It would be absurd to accuse you of heresy. True, if you were to survive all thirteen killings, you would likely be treated as one of my possessions, but you still have time remaining. And Hina possesses the knowledge required to link the teleportation circle to the Church. Do as you will." "Wait... Are you saying that it's all right for me to run away from here?" "Of course not, fool. You're a puppet of mine. You will remain mine until the moment you break. But unnecessary as it may have been, a servant of mine showed me mercy, and failing to return that mercy would be boorish. Do as you please. But if you intend to flee, you'd best be covert about it. If I catch you deserting, you will face torture." Yawning, Elisabeth recrossed her legs. She exhaled softly, then reclined against the throne. Her face, cast in profile by the moonlight, had the sharp beauty of a blade. She said nothing more. Even if Kaito continued waiting, it didn't look like more words would come. He turned to leave without a sound. But before he could, Elisabeth murmured softly. "A question, though. Why not just slip me the poison?" "Hmm?" "You've despised demons ever since that affair with the Earl. Do you intend to sit idly by and allow the birth of an even more powerful demon? Surely Clueless warned you of the danger." Elisabeth turned. Her crimson eyes glittered in the moonlight as they fixed on Kaito. He pondered her question. He hadn't expected it, not from Elisabeth herself. After thinking for a moment, he responded frankly. "Just like that important-sounding guy from the Church said, I don't think you're the type to make a contract with a demon." "Oh?" "You were going to die alone—forsaken by everything in creation, right?" "Yes, indeed. I shall die with the solitude of a wolf and as pitifully as a sow. All by myself." "So not even a demon will be by your side, then, right?" That was Kaito's declaration. She probably wouldn't even have a demon by her side when she died. Because she'd tortured innocent people and piled up countless corpses, she would be executed. She herself had chosen that solitary, pitiful death. Her lips twisted into a smirk. Her shoulders shook, and she burst into pleased laughter. She nodded once, and Kaito left. He exited into the hallway, then cast his gaze up at the clerestory windows and the moonlight they were letting in. Trying to avoid looking at the creepy images they were casting on the stone floor, he muttered under his breath. "...Eleven left, huh?" He clenched his fists, his face full of determination. The following morning, with Hina's assistance, he fled the castle alone and made for the Church. Kaito passed through the teleportation

circle, which should have been connected to the front gate of the Church's main building. The crimson walls around him finished their work and poured down as showers of blood. But after the crimson cleared, he found himself in a dark room made of packed earth. Kaito's eyes widened. This was the small room that connected to the Church's hidden passages. He looked around in confusion. When he did, he found the worst possible person waiting for him. "My, my, did you come seeking the Church's protection?" Clueless wore a calm smile. Behind him stood a number of his followers, all clad in cylindrical white outfits, their faces covered by hoods. Surrounded by the men in white, Clueless looked like an executioner leading a body disposal crew. He peered at Kaito like he was examining a worm, and when he spoke, his tone was full of disappointment. "My apologies, but it would be inconvenient for me if word got out about the deal I offered you. Since you seem to have declined, I'm afraid we're going to have to settle this in-house. But be at ease. Since you weren't planning on taking my deal, this would have happened sooner or later." Clueless's followers grabbed Kaito's arms and dragged him roughly to his feet. When they did, a sharp pain suddenly ran through his chest, and he let out a low groan. Clueless gazed at him and raised his voice in exasperation. "Good grief. It would cause no shortage of problems if you were to continue making noises like that this far up. If you keep doing that, you're liable to wreck your throat. Not that I would mind, of course." On Clueless's orders, they dragged Kaito away. Based on the direction he was being taken, Kaito discerned that he wasn't going to Clueless's private chamber but to the inquisition room. That was fast. Apparently, Clueless didn't have any more reason to maintain pretenses with him. Clueless beamed from ear to ear as he reached for the handle to the inquisition room. "Welcome, dear sinner. Here we will receive you, and here we will deny you." As he threw it open, the door made a sound like that of the gates of Hell. They carried Kaito to the other side of the iron bars. As cries of pain surrounded him, he was brought helplessly to the wooden pedestal in the center of the room. They bound his hands and feet in shackles to prevent him from fleeing. ...Looks like I got box-seat tickets. Kaito cynically mused on his predicament. He hadn't noticed it the last time he was here, but now that he was about to be tortured, he saw a painting of the suffering woman on the ceiling. She wept crimson tears as she gazed down through her veil at the people being tortured. Kaito wondered why she was grieving. He didn't know the specifics of their belief system. But he doubted that the scene she was gazing on was supposed to be a part of it. Those chosen by God would never wish for such a hellscape. Even Kaito, who was from another world, knew that. "I mentioned it before, but summoning someone from another world is quite rare. Through dissection, we should be able to figure out how Elisabeth summoned you. And once we've analyzed the spell, we'll be able to put the information to great use in summoning people ourselves. Worry not—your death will not be in vain. In fact, this should be far preferable to being judged as Elisabeth's servant. You will be able to serve man and, in doing so, begin atoning for your sins. Ah, I simply cannot wait." Clueless looked down at Kaito, barely able to stop himself from drooling. His eyes were blazing, a far cry from when he'd been looking at Kaito like a worm a moment ago. He'd acknowledged Kaito's worth, although much of that worth seemed like it would be present only in the scraps of meat remaining after Kaito was dissected. One of the subordinates drew out a large knife. His neighbor to the right held a pair of bone shears, and the one on the left held a coping saw. They drew near Kaito, who by this point was well and truly afraid. He wanted to scream. His thoughts burning, he opened his mouth. "When you say 'we,' do you mean you and the demon you contracted with?" Clueless's smile froze on his face. Kaito felt the familiar sensation of the pieces clicking into place. Clueless was the kind of person who was weak to surprise attacks. In Kaito's past life, one of the people his father had blackmailed was a company president who had been cooking his books, and the president had often worn that exact same expression. Kaito heaved a heavy sigh before continuing on. "The thing is, I was connected to the Church's front gate, but my intention all along was to come looking for you. Your interference saved me some time. I wanted to run, but I couldn't... After seeing this hell, I couldn't just leave things like this." Kaito could move his head a little, and he peered through the iron bars. Even now, a hellscape was unfolding around him. Right next to his pedestal was a man with his chest torn open and his stomach exposed, writhing in agony. There was a mother and her child, bound by thick strings and both coughing up foamy blood. Kaito didn't have a particularly strong sense of justice. Normally, self-sacrifice would be the last thing on his mind. But even he had his limits. He couldn't just let this nauseating spectacle continue. "When I saw this hell, I realized just how suspicious you seemed. Demons get their power from people's pain, from the discord in their souls that pain causes. And when I saw the torture you were performing in the name of inquisition, I got the same impression I get from demons... After all, it didn't exactly look like you were just torturing people to get them to confess to their heresy." The people around him were on the verge of death, writhing in unending agony. The worst things one could imagine were being done to these heretics. This kind of torture could only be the work of demons. "How could they stay alive with their bodies full of rivets, with their bodies diced to pieces, with their stomachs torn open? Maybe if you were taking serious measures to keep them alive, the facade would be more convincing, but most of them were just left to suffer. When you first showed me this room, I unconsciously burned the image into my mind, so when I thought about it later on, I was sure of it. Their lives were being forcibly extended by a demon's power... Which means that this little party definitely isn't Church approved." When they'd gone through Clueless's secret underground passageway, they hadn't run across any other members of the Church. If this torture was official Church business, and similar things were going on elsewhere, then there should have been more people coming and going, people doing things like transporting heretics and cleaning up blood. But no one had been in those passages but Clueless and his men. Kaito hadn't seen a single other person from the Church. Clueless had kept Kaito from meeting any of the other clergymen, obstinately concealing them from him. In other words, his actions were in defiance of the Church. "I also found it interesting that you resolved to kill Elisabeth all on your own. When the Church came to her for help, I have to imagine they didn't have anywhere else to turn. They were probably at their wits' ends. Imagine. Hiring a sow to deal with the pigs. Yet, in spite of this, a supposed member of the Church came to the castle in secret and tried to get me to kill her. The prevention of the birth of an almighty demon—it sounds like a reasonable excuse at first, but after you got rid of her, how did you plan on dealing with the remaining demons? There could only be one reason you wanted to get rid of your prize hound after she'd only killed two of the thirteen demons—you're one of the thirteen." Given that there had been a contractor among the Royal Knights, it didn't seem strange for there to be one in the Church as well. And having been tasked with disposing of heretics, he'd found himself in a convenient position to accumulate pain. He'd even tried to use his position to eliminate a potent foe. But he'd done it too hastily and far too sloppily. That was what happened when one failed to keep up appearances while looking down on others. Clueless had treated him like a worm, and Kaito laughed scornfully as he looked up at his face. "I'm right, aren't I, Clueless? Well, the only reason I was able to notice was because Hina helped me get my thoughts in order, but still." "Is that all you have to say, you doddering little doll?" Clueless smiled calmly, neither confirming nor denying Kaito's accusations. But Kaito didn't fail to notice the vein slightly bulging on his forehead. If he hadn't been bound, Kaito would have shrugged, but he settled for a nod. "Yup, that's all for me. I found the demon. I set the snare. Now it's the Torture Princess's turn." "Oh, but the teleportation circle is closed off from this side. You imbecile! You have no cards left to play!" Clueless laughed. Kaito's eyes grew cold as he wondered if Clueless was an idiot. Kaito had watched Clueless meddle with the teleportation circle before. It was obvious that Kaito had seen this coming. Kaito took a deep breath, then exhaled sharply. And his stomach hurt. "It only seats one, but I've got a circle right here." A puzzled look spread across Clueless's face, but in the next moment, his eyes opened wide. He tore off Kaito's shirt. Several leather belts were wrapped around Kaito's midsection. A crimson teleportation circle glowed beneath the high-quality hide. Clueless frantically removed the belts with his bone shears, then tore off the dressing beneath them. When he saw where the teleportation circle's light was coming from, he gasped. "...You son of a bitch." "It's real handy, how much blood this body can lose without dying." The teleportation circle was carved on Kaito's stomach. The cuts were deep, and blood gushed out of them. Even so much as breathing sent sharp pains rippling through his chest. When Clueless's men had been dragging him a moment ago, he had thought he might die from the pain. But the time he spent gritting his teeth was paying off. "As my servant, even you could use your blood to summon something to your side." Elisabeth had mentioned that once, some time ago. Clueless clutched the shears and tried to add fresh cuts to Kaito's wounds. But he was too late, and the teleportation circle began violently glowing. Crimson flower petals flew through the air, and darkness began to spread. Clueless's eyes widened, and he shouted as he drew back. "Stay away... Stay away, E​l​i​s​a​b​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​t​h​!" "Ah, but how could I, after hearing my name called so passionately?" A voice rife with mockery rang out, and the darkness surged forth. Crimson flower petals fluttered throughout the prison. The petals then turned to raindrops, showering the room in red. Elisabeth, drenched in blood, made her appearance from the teleportation circle. Her elegant black hair and draping dress wafted gently, and her ample bosom bounced. She landed on her heels, right on Kaito's gaping wound. Her smile was sinister, and ignoring Kaito's screams of pain, she snapped her fingers. "Nothing fancy for the small fry, I think. Death by Hanging." Straw ropes dropped from the ceiling and wrapped themselves around the necks of Clueless's men. It was almost comical how quickly

they got yanked into the air. Their necks made loud popping sounds as their spines snapped, their respiratory tracts collapsed, and their veins burst. The hoods that had been concealing their faces plopped off. Their faces were made of huge, festering sarcomas. They weren't humans. They were underlings. Their corpses dangled from the ceiling. "This can't... Damn you. Damn you!" Clueless's hands shook as he grabbed the necklace from his collar. He tried to mutter something. But when he did, steel shackles bound around his wrists. His gaze froze on Elisabeth and her smile. "It seems you're fond of pain, hmm?" "A​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​r​g​h​!​" The shackles jerked, and his wrists snapped. Fragments of bone pierced his skin from within. He screamed, writhing in agony. But suddenly, his arms slid out of the fetters binding them. His whole body was soon covered in venom. His thick blond hair fell out in clumps, and his cassock burst off. As his limbs continued to swell, he leaped into the air. Now resembling a fleshy meat-frog, he pushed his flesh through the prison's iron bars and fled for the corridor. For some reason, Elisabeth's face contorted in surprise after seeing Clueless's massive, hideous form. "That man... He possesses an unnatural amount of magical power, but he is no demon! He's a weakling, a mere underling!" "Really? That's good news, right? That means you can take him out easily." "Of course it isn't good, you fool! He's a member of the Church! Surely you jest... The only demon a member of the Church would encounter is..." Elisabeth snapped her fingers. The restraints on Kaito's arms and legs popped open. Crimson petals collected around his wound and forcibly infused it with Elisabeth's blood. The petals also wrapped a fresh leather belt around him. Kaito screamed at the sudden pain of the forcible transfusion and hemostasis. "Gah! What're you doing? Dammit, Elisabeth, that hurts!" "Follow me if you wish. Or stay, but I may return late, or take another route back to the castle altogether. It would be on you to stay alive until you received proper treatment." "Not following you doesn't seem like much of a choice, then, does it?!" After struggling to his feet, Kaito took off after Elisabeth. He'd only recovered a little from his blood loss. If he could ignore the pain, he'd probably be able to keep up with her. Having cleared the door, the meat-frog was clumsily running through the passage. Elisabeth waved her hand at it. Darkness and crimson petals coalesced, then became a massive spiked wheel. The wheel spun toward it, but it vanished midpath as if repelled by something. For a second, Kaito thought he saw a black dog's tail sticking out of the frog's back. The meat-frog turned and then, with a relieved expression, took off again, even faster than before. "That reaction... Could it really be him?!" Elisabeth's voice was tinged with uncharacteristic desperation. Even though her foe was a mere underling, she unsheathed the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal. The meat-frog hopped up a larger set of stairs, then smashed through the door at the top. Upon seeing the frog, an old, gentle-looking clergyman carrying a bundle of scrolls screamed and fell on his rear. A group of believers hid behind a young clergyman who'd apparently been leading them around. Kaito hadn't expected the Church to be such an ordinary, upright organization. The path the meat-frog was taking led it into an orderly, neat marble room. It continued to flee, spraying foamy venom as it went. As it made for the worship hall, Elisabeth swung her sword in its direction. "Gibbet!" The darkness spiraled in a long, vertical pattern, and a cage barely wide enough to fit a person standing up straight clamped around the meat-frog, wringing massive amounts of venom from it. Chains surrounded the cage. Even if the meat-frog broke out of the cage, the chains would still restrain it. But the next moment, Elisabeth's body quivered and she dropped to her knees. "Rrrgh... Mm... Ah, my body..." The cage crumbled, returning to darkness and petals. The chains, too, lost their power, collapsing to the floor and wriggling a few times before vanishing. "Elisabeth!" Patterns of scarlet characters snaked across her body. Kaito's golem features tried to decipher their meaning but failed. His knowledge bank told him it was the Word of God, unable to be translated or vocalized. The scripture was etched all over her body like burns. She looked as though she had been branded. So those were the shackles the Church had put on her. But why did they activate just now? "It burns... Rrrgh... Wh-why...? Who...?" Even though she was down on her hands and knees, Elisabeth shot a hate-filled glare to her side. Up on the altar was a clergyman, clutching his necklace and waving it side to side as he chanted a prayer. With every verse, the patterns on Elisabeth's skin flared scarlet. She screamed in bloodcurdling rage. "Not me, you imbecile! That's the one you should be stopping! Fool!" The meat-frog mowed down worshippers and smashed through pews as it headed deeper into the church. A band of guards had finally assembled, but the meat-frog mercilessly routed them. Pressed beneath its massive belly, their bones shattered in their armor. But even in his confusion, the clergyman never stopped his prayer. Kaito dashed up the short steps, then forcefully stuck out his hand. "What—?" "I'm borrowing this, old man!" Kaito snatched the necklace off the man's wrinkly neck and threw it. Elisabeth stood, then took off like a newly fired arrow. But she was still covered in serious burn marks. Elisabeth ran, continuing to be tormented by the scripture, and Kaito followed after her. The hallway was littered with the guards' battered corpses, and they only grew more prevalent the farther the two of them got. They seemed to have been guarding an imposing door, but that door was now wide open. An impressive office lay behind it. An old man wearing a diadem and a gold vestment sat dead atop a velvet chair, his body crushed from the waist down. The wall behind the man had been smashed to pieces. Beyond the wall was a hidden passage, covered on all surfaces by the faint glow of the Word of God. With every step the meat-frog took down it, its body frothed violently as its flesh burned. But Elisabeth was no different. The instant she'd dashed into the corridor, the patterns on her body flared up again, and she let out a scream of agony. "Rrrgh... Aaaaaargh! Ah, ah!" "Elisabeth, don't be stupid!" Hurriedly, Kaito rushed to support Elisabeth. As he propped her up, he endured the pain in his stomach and walked forward. The meat-frog, somehow still alive, reached the end of the passageway. It clung to the wall and pleaded, shedding a flood of tears all the while. "Oh my Lord. I was mistaken. Hungry for power, I left you sealed away. Had I but believed in you, I never would have done such a thing. But now I offer you my everything. I will free you as a sign of my devotion. So please, save me from that demonic woman." The meat-frog vomited something out. From within the mass of phlegm, it retrieved a golden key. After intricately tracing the Words of God and offering up words of prayer, it inserted the key into what appeared to be a featureless wall. A clicking noise rang out, and the wall flashed violently before vanishing. Deep darkness and a sharp chill flowed out from inside. In the center of the persistent darkness sat an Iron Chair. Upon it sat a black-haired man. The man slowly looked up. His dark, tangled hair rustled, and his crimson eyes glittered. From what Kaito could see of his facial features behind the hair, he possessed a certain androgynous beauty. But the instant he looked at the man, his throat swelled up, intimidated, and he understood something. That man was terrifying. Even though he possessed a beautiful human form, he was no human. He was something repulsive. Yet, despite all that, his face looked somehow familiar. Without a sound, the belts holding the man's arms and legs burned to ash. He slowly stood, as though he was rising from a throne. Clad in prison garb, he plucked a needle free from his back, and blood gushed out. Yet, his expression did not change in the slightest. His eyes were vacant, as if he were in a waking dream. Clueless, the meat-frog, crawled toward the man and knelt awkwardly before him with eyes that screamed for mercy. Without even looking at the meat-frog, the man raised a foot. He then brought his bare foot down on its head. The frog's massive eyes popped right out at the impact. "Ble—" Dark-red blood began spilling forth. The meat-frog's head had been abruptly crushed, and its gray brain tissue oozed out. But even surrounded by blood, the man was still emotionless. He looked back up, as if he'd simply stepped on an ordinary frog that had jumped in his path. It was then that he saw Elisabeth, standing in the entrance, for the first time. His absentminded expression vanished, replaced by an impossibly charming smile. "Elisabeth." His voice, filled with fervent adoration, was the same as the one Kaito had heard in the castle's Treasury. *** Elisabeth howled, shoving Kaito away. He flew into the wall and crumpled without a word. She rushed into the room, waving the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal. She slashed at the empty air, and hundreds of chains bore down on the man like a torrent. But the scripture still burned in her flesh, and her chains lacked their usual strength. Even so, they would have been sufficient to shred the Knight they had fought before to pieces, but a canine black tail whipped through the air and blocked every last one. Grrrrrrrrr, grrrrrrrrrrrr, grrrrrrrrrrr. Out of nowhere, an enormous black dog squatted by the man's side. It was a first-class hound, with lustrous fur and rippling muscles. The black dog had the stench of a beast, and its mouth and eyes burned with hellfire. While it didn't look hideous in the slightest, every instinct Kaito had screamed out to him that it was more dangerous than any demon they had faced yet. But for whatever reason, he didn't feel an ounce of fear. His mind was unusually numb. Face-to-face with the embodiment of death, his sense of fear had been completely paralyzed. This thing was in an overwhelmingly different realm than the ugly, twisted demons. The black dog stuck out its head. With movement so efficient you could almost call it beautiful, it leaped toward Elisabeth with its sharp fangs. But right before it could clamp down on her slender frame, the man shook his head. The dog stopped, and with a dreamlike gaze, the man vanished. When he did, so did the suffocating pressure that had filled the room. Kaito had seen everything from the passageway. After finally reaching the room, he looked around in a stupor. "Wait... Where did he go? Or rather, more importantly, who was that?" "The Kaiser." "What?" Elisabeth answered his question in a stiff voice. He tilted his head to the side. Seeing Kaito's poor grasp of the situation, she repeated herself. "The Kaiser has returned to his homeland." 5 The Birthplace of the Torture Princess Elisabeth sat in her usual room, one leg over the other. Atop the ball-and-claw throne, she stared into the gloomy, overcast sky. An orb of pale-blue light hovered in front of her. Kaito hadn't been told the specifics, but as the orb slowly rotated, it projected the image of someone who seemed rather important. However, despite appearing on the front of the orb no matter which way you looked at it, his face was so blurry, it looked like it was encased in a cloud of fog. It was difficult to

pick out a single distinct feature. The mysterious figure spoke in a low voice, cold as ice. "We had been discussing transferring the Kaiser to the capital, so his seal was incomplete. Furthermore, Clueless had a talent for currying favor, and as such was able to glean the strictly confidential location where the Kaiser was imprisoned, as well as the method to free him, from the officer in charge of the Kaiser's detainment. Furthermore, much of the Church's leadership, myself included, were heading for the capital to prepare for the festival, leaving the Church's defenses lacking... This incident was brought about by various deficiencies and misfortunes on our part." "Just come out and say it was preventable, you fool. Enough with the public relations—get on with the more pertinent matters." "The Church formally demands that you, Elisabeth Le Fanu, kill or apprehend the Kaiser." Elisabeth sighed a silent victory at the orb's declaration. She recrossed her legs and grinned. "So it falls to me to clean up your mess yet again. And so it has been, time and time again. Once more does your God sit idle, leaving you to fend for yourselves. All you have to protect you is the authority you wield. You leash dogs in the name of your god, then sit back and crack your whips at them." "We lack the power to contest with those monsters. That is why we are forced to rely on you. But that is in no way contradictory to the fact that God is constantly by our side. He tests us, true, but His blessings are with us as they are for all His children." "Ha! Such fine platitudes you regurgitate, swindler! According to your doctrine, are those men, reduced to grotesque forms by their demonic contracts, not also His creations? Am I, Torture Princess that I am, not a creature of your God? Where are His blessings for us, may I ask? Your words are rife with hypocrisy!" "His blessings have always been with you. God is eternally merciful. If only you would realize that, even now, He is surely shedding tears of blood even as He punishes you, hoping that you may atone for your sins. I have known you since you were a child, Elisabeth, daughter of my dear friend...and you have every reason to hate demons." Elisabeth's eyebrow twitched. Her expression darkened, and she drew her lips together. From her side, Kaito viewed her expression with caution. But as she turned to glare at him, he quickly straightened his posture. Paying no heed to Elisabeth's silence, the voice continued. "Take care not to forget the words we inscribed on your sword. 'You are free to act as you will. But pray that God shall be your salvation. For the beginning, the middle, and the end all lie in the palm of His hand.' The Church placed a number of restraints on the Kaiser, as well. We put them all in motion earlier today. They will last seven days, so that is how long you have to hand down his punishment." His tone didn't change as he notified her of her time limit. It carried none of the weight of a threat. That fact was precisely what drove fear deep into Kaito's heart. Standing beside Elisabeth, his mind spun. Seven days, huh? Will she even be able to do anything about the Kaiser in that little time? And what'll happen if she can't? What kinds of calamities would befall the world in that event? With nothing left to say, the voice concluded with a final, chilling order. "Before the day of your death, try to do some good at least." The light in the orb faded, and it fell to the ground with a delicate plop. Kaito reached down and picked it up. The orb had been made of thin paper. He had no idea where the light had been coming from. Still confused, he looked up at Elisabeth and asked: "So what was that about?" "Communications from Godot Deus, the head of the Church. Ever the gaudy antique, that one is." She shook her head, not saying any more. As she stared off into space, Kaito decided to start by asking her the question that weighed heaviest on his mind. "So do you have any idea where the Kaiser went?" "Indeed." Her answer was immediate. At once, Kaito was filled with relief. The difficulty of their task varied immensely depending on whether or not they could pinpoint the Kaiser's location. Elisabeth squinted as she gazed through a hole in the collapsed wall, as if she was looking at something far off in the distance. Before her extended a seemingly infinite expanse of dark trees and faintly glimmering gray clouds. "The Kaiser has returned home. To my castle, the place of my birth." Why had the Kaiser returned to Elisabeth's birthplace? Why had the Kaiser called out her name so affectionately? Kaito waited for her to elaborate. But Elisabeth said nothing more, and Kaito didn't ask. They simply stood, gazing through the hole in the wall. Their silence persisted. Wind blew in from outside, carrying with it the scent of rain. Elisabeth finally breathed in deeply and then exhaled. She clicked her tongue, then stood with enough force to knock over her chair. "...Let's go." "...Mm-hmm." Her voice bristled with ire, and Kaito nodded. The next moment, he felt a sharp kick to his leg. Apparently, his response had been unbecoming of a servant. Elisabeth's hometown lay beyond a high wall. Out of all the territory the noble Le Fanu house had once possessed, this castle town was special. This was where the Torture Princess's bloodstained legend had begun. The town was arranged like a fan, with the splendid white-walled Le Fanu castle at its center and a steep mountain range forming its backdrop. And it made good use of its unique topography. The wall surrounding it formed a summoning platform for mythical beasts and provided a layer of defense for emergencies. But now, that wall served a different purpose. With its gate shut firmly, the wall sealed off the city. If one was to take even a single step beyond that threshold, they would find themselves surrounded by death. That towering barrier now served as a massive gravestone for the town. According to rumor, the Torture Princess herself, Elisabeth Le Fanu, had once sealed that gate, summoned torture devices all around the town, and set them on every last resident. The banquet of slaughter lasted three days and nights, and during that period, ceaseless screams of anguish filled the air like a grand symphony. She'd used the slaughter in this town as an opportunity to surpass the Plain of Skewers and the Dance Macabre in the Village by the Mountains to birth more corpses than ever before. ...The more I learn, the worse it gets. All of this was information Kaito had learned from Elisabeth herself. When he'd asked her about the place they were heading, Elisabeth had tossed him a document the Church had assembled, titled Records of the Torture Princess. Seeing his appalled face after reading the opening anecdote, she gave a "Humph." "Just who exactly did you think I was? I am Elisabeth Le Fanu, the Torture Princess. "I may be hunting demons, but I am still the grandest criminal this world possesses, one who not even death can redeem." The land where Elisabeth, Kaito, and Hina currently stood was the place from which all those morbid tales originated. A charred ruin extended before them. After the slaughter, those in charge of disposing of the massive quantity of corpses had been at a loss as to what to do, and they eventually settled on simply lighting everything past the walls ablaze. The fire had been left to burn for seven days and seven nights. After the inferno was extinguished, however, no attempt was made to retrieve the bodies. The town was simply marked as "cursed" and blockaded. Kaito, upon seeing the mounds of human bones peeking out among the cracks of the carbonized rubble, murmured softly. "Well, that's not a pretty sight." "Nay, not in the slightest. The Church wrote it off as having been 'abandoned by God.'" Elisabeth spoke as if it had nothing to do with her, and Kaito gave a curt nod. There was no exaggeration to that wording. The rotting houses, the torture devices, and the innumerable skeletons strewn about the rubble invoked images of religious paintings of Hell. The brick foundations of houses with their roofs burned off formed the background, and the countless skeletons skewered on iron stakes practically looked like offerings to Diablo. In contrast with the morbid scene, the white castle stood tall and radiant. It alone was unmarred by soot or degradation. It looked almost like a toy, placed atop a pile of mud and ash. Elisabeth, the person responsible for the horrid state of this bizarre landscape, briefly clicked her tongue. "Tch. I'm hardly in a position to complain, but the air here is unpleasant. Take care not to let your guard down. The Kaiser has already settled in. Even I haven't the faintest idea of what awaits us, but whatever it may be, you can be sure that it won't be pleasant." "Yes, ma'am. I will stay battle-ready. Master Kaito, I beseech you to stay behind me so that you may avoid harm." "Ah, right. Thanks." Kaito nodded, then obediently moved to Hina's rear. Hina grinned as she gave a bow. "Be at ease. No matter the cost, I shall protect you, Master." Her words dripped with their usual admiration, but in her arms, she brandished a massive halberd. The weapon cast a fiendish silhouette, and it was much taller than she was. Its lance head was disturbingly thick, and a fat, curved sword was attached to the ax head. It must have been tremendously heavy, but Hina carried it with the same grace and dignity she would carry a teapot to a tea party. Kaito couldn't tell if the scene before him was a joke or a nightmare. He felt light-headed from the vertigo the spectacle inspired within him. Elisabeth had been right—the air here was unpleasant. The atmosphere, too, carried an uncomfortable heat. It almost felt as though that fire was still smoldering somewhere deep in the earth. All the bodies should have rotted away or turned to ash by now, but Kaito occasionally caught a strong whiff of something rotting. He couldn't help but feel that the sentiments and regrets of those who had died here were decomposing like their flesh, accumulating into a thick muck. And the hatred and malice that muck was spewing forth were directed at a single woman. Loathsome Elisabeth, repulsive Elisabeth, cruel, hideous Elisabeth! A curse upon you, a curse upon you, a curse, a curse, an eternal curse upon you, Elisabeth! The entire town joined together in a voiceless roar. It was no mere trick of the ear. After all, this was a place of death. It was Elisabeth's hometown, the place where the Torture Princess was born. But the woman in question ignored the pressure bearing down on her from all sides. Elisabeth walked on with a ruler's composure. What's going through your head right now? Kaito couldn't begin to imagine how she felt. But he had no idea of what to ask or how to ask her. He wasn't even sure if there was any reason to ask in the first place. Besides, figuring out how to deal with the Kaiser took top priority. He simply followed after Elisabeth, walking across roads of hardened muck and ash. The town was littered with mementos of the atrocities that took place there. Half-buried skulls were lined up in rows like a vegetable plot. A large tree had survived the fire, and dangling from its branches were three human skeletons and one dog skeleton bound by wire. No doubt it had been set up

so that when the canine struggled to get free, its claws would dig into the survivors. Kaito knit his brows at the appalling scene. Suddenly, one skull slowly looked up from its pile. "...Huh?" "Hmm? What is it, Kaito?" "Look over there." A skeleton was leisurely tilting its neck, its hollow eye sockets trained directly on Elisabeth. Kaito rubbed his eyes. But no matter how many times he checked, the pile of bones that should have been lying prone was staring straight at them. That was when it happened. Click, click, clack. A band of skeletons appeared from behind a dilapidated house, making miserable, dry clacking noises as they leaped onto the main road. Spears had been thrust all the way up their rear ends and protruded from their mouths, and their spines were riddled with splinters. Their arms and legs were trimmed off. With their tragic bodies, they danced in the street, spinning with what appeared to be joy. Seeing how the heinous torture had warped their bones, Kaito gasped. Noticing his pause, one of the skeletons drew near him. As if entreating him, it extended what remained of its hand, and Kaito grabbed it without thinking. When he did, it yanked its inverted wrist hard. But then, with a clattering sound, it shattered. "Don't you dare lay a hand on Master Kaito, you lackey!" "Ah, whoops." Kaito hurriedly hid behind Hina again. The skeletons rushed at them, one after another. But their main target, Elisabeth, didn't even spare them a glance. "Heavens, how noisy they are." She yawned, then clicked her heels as she continued walking. Each time she did, iron stakes burst forth from the ground in a shower of darkness and crimson petals. But even when they were sown to the ground, the skeletons merely collapsed into piles of bones, then re-formed out of the undamaged ones to resume their chase. Even with Hina swinging her halberd and Elisabeth driving them away, the corpses seemed unkillable. Kaito could feel his chest freeze as he realized that these were all people Elisabeth had killed. As if joining a parade, a fresh batch of skeletons rushed them. Finally, Elisabeth clicked her tongue. "Just how long do you intend to keep up these petty, petty, petty little attacks? Come now. Surely you've realized that even if a century passed, these skeletons would never be able to so much as scratch me, haven't you? Why not just show yourself? You don't mean to tell me you have no more cards to play, do you? How pathetic that would be." The three of them traveled east, repelling skeletons all the while. They arrived at the main road leading to the castle. The road was wide and neatly paved with brick, as if in consideration of carriage traffic. It was lined with melted metal signs, frames of once-splendid houses, and ash-covered shops with their shingled roofs intact. Even in its current state of disrepair, the main road still contained traces of the town's lost prosperity. But at the moment, standing in the doorway to this place's tragic past was an ominous figure. There was a tall woman, wearing a mourning dress as if she was grieving for the countless dead. Her face was hidden behind black lace, and her lustrous black hair cascaded down her back as she hung her head. Everything she was wearing, from her silk gloves and her long skirt to the standing collar covering her neck, was black. She was oddly thin, and her conservative dress left much to the imagination. The only place she wasn't small was her chest, which was oddly alluring. Her wide-brimmed hat was decorated with a fragrant collection of white lilies. The flowers were somber, like the kind one would leave at a grave, and their elegant glimmer was the only deviance from her otherwise all-black outfit. Elisabeth stopped, then posed an irritated question to the woman. "Suspicious woman in black, are you the necromancer responsible for these bothersome attacks?" "...So you do not hesitate, even when faced with the victims you tormented, those you defiled, and those you killed without mercy?" Her voice was deep for a woman's, yet it reverberated somewhat softly in the ear. Elisabeth furrowed her brow. She narrowed her crimson eyes, as if searching her memory for something. Kaito, standing behind her, tilted his head as well. He wasn't used to her showing her enemies an emotion other than anger or frustration. The woman continued in a voice like clear water. "Are you perhaps saying that after you've finished your meat, you care not what happens to the bones?" "Indeed, that is what I was about to say... Wait... That voice, that manner of speaking... You can't be...?" The woman offered no response to Elisabeth's mutterings. She instead picked up the hem of her long skirt from the piles of ash on the ground, then lifted it high enough that her thighs were visible. It didn't look like she was wearing panties, which made the amount of skin she was revealing even more precarious. Bones tumbled out of her skirt, grazing her skin as they fell. The bones rattled as they resumed their original forms. The woman stroked the skull of one of the newly formed skeletons as if it were a cat. Looking at the fully formed skeletons, Kaito found himself at a loss for words. Their hands and feet were twisted, and their backs were stretched out into a bridge formation. They scuttled about on all fours. When they were alive, their bodies had likely been fixed in place so long that they could no longer walk normally. And the tiny skeletons had all belonged to children. The skeletons clattered as they scuttled along the ground toward Elisabeth. They let out noises from the gaps between their teeth, almost like they were trying to scream. But without a shred of hesitation or mercy, Elisabeth swung her leg sideways. "Enough!" She crushed the children's skulls under the heel of her foot. Their bones scattered. Her kick sent a gust of wind at the woman, and her hat blew clean off and fell to the ground. The woman's face, no longer concealed by black lace, came into view. She smiled. She was beautiful, but her plush lips, almond-shaped eyes, and the mole on her cheek gave her a plain impression. "You haven't kept in touch, Madam Elisabeth." Her ashen-blue eyes welled up with tears as she bowed deeply. After picking up her hat and brushing off the dirt, she raised her head and replaced the hat diagonally such that it no longer covered her face. As she spoke, she narrowed her eyes in nostalgia. "I see you haven't changed a bit, young miss. Even though I suggested time and time again that it might be for the best if you did something about that temper of yours." "So... You are Marianne, then?" For the first time, Elisabeth's voice shook. The woman nodded happily. After seeing Elisabeth's rare reaction, Kaito instinctively asked: "Marianne?" "She was once my tutor. Now, what are you doing here? As I recall, you were an ordinary woman, one with a decent education and passable looks, but one who was irritatingly fastidious and who missed her chance to marry. So why are you here, and why are you a necromancer?" "Is that a serious question, young miss? Do you seriously believe that I could have kept on being an ordinary woman after seeing that brutal spectacle?" The woman, Marianne, answered in a singsong voice. Her thin hands, clad in black silk gloves, began to move. Each time she brought her hands up and down, the skeletons scattered about the street hopped in sync with them as though threads were manipulating them. Marianne continued talking as she directed their silly little dance. "Oh, by all rights, I should have simply fled after being overlooked by the infamous Torture Princess. I should have fled the town, moved to the countryside, and lived out the rest of my days in silence. But I couldn't. Not after seeing my own pupil, adorably willful yet fundamentally meek as she was, gleefully summoning torture devices and slaughtering the innocent. After seeing the hell you created, young miss, I thought to myself..." Marianne peered up. The look she directed at Elisabeth was one of remorse and pity. "...This ordeal was my fault, born from my own shortcomings. Had I only been a better tutor... Had I only been able to guide you down a proper path, then even when your parents died, you would not have strayed so far. The responsibility fell on my shoulders. I failed to save you, young miss." "You speak drivel. What part of this was your fault? You think too highly of yourself, Marianne. Cruelty has been my nature since childhood, and your teachings did naught to sway that for better or worse. Anything you could have done would have been akin to dust in the wind. It would have held no meaning and left no traces." Elisabeth raised one black fingernail. Kaito, anticipating a torture device to appear, gulped. But Elisabeth didn't summon anything. She simply pointed off in the distance. "Leave. I know not why you appeared before me after all this time, but I don't care to see your face again. You did much for me in my childhood, in the days I could not venture outside. I shall overlook our meeting today. But I shan't grant you a third chance. Vanish from my sight. Leave now, and you may yet die a peaceful death." After being attacked, Elisabeth is going to let this woman go? Kaito's jaw was on the ground. He thought back to the image of Elisabeth's youth he'd seen. He tried imagining this fussy yet kind woman by that frail girl's side. He could envision that scene, of a tutor and her willful pupil side by side, surprisingly easily. The fact that such a scene had once played out in reality was likely the source of Elisabeth's mercy. But Marianne didn't seem likely to take Elisabeth up on her offer. Marianne clutched at her sides, hugging herself so tightly, you could make out the bones in her fingers. "It's my fault... It's my fault you turned out so twisted... I have to—" "Get ahold of yourself, Marianne! Listen when other people are—" "Oh, young miss!" The bones in Marianne's fingers began to creak. The skeletons at her feet began hopping up and down as if in response to her violent passion. They then collapsed, abandoning their human forms, and all combined together into a massive tower. The tower collapsed onto Elisabeth, creaking as it fell. Elisabeth shrugged. But the next moment, an explosion rocked the bones and they were sent flying from within. A pale horse leaped free from the tower. "Wh—?!" Elisabeth's eyes widened. Kaito, too, was at a loss for words. The Knight was supposed to be dead, yet there sat a Knight astride the photoluminescent horse with great pomp and circumstance. Then again, this wasn't truly the Knight. The Knight standing before them was made of rotting flesh. His horse's chest was dissolved to expose ribs. As for the Knight, maggots and manure seeped from the gaps in his helmet. Even for someone who'd been resurrected, his body was in poor shape. But just like the original, the horse's hoof steps were accompanied by bolts of lightning. As he spurred his steed forward, the rider pulled his lance of lightning from thin air. "Bone Mill!" Elisabeth swung a flat, spiked hammer. It smashed into the Knight's rotting flesh, crushed his bones, and scattered his body to the wind. But right before his destruction, the Knight smashed his lance against the ground. His decaying body had been weak, but the power of his attacks was nothing to laugh at. Marianne, who had been casting her gaze downward, looked up with a smile of utter devotion. "It's things like

that that make me love you so, young miss!" She shouted in ecstasy, her cheeks reddening. Her breath was heavy, as though she was trying to contain her excitement, and she squeezed on her supple breasts as she hugged herself. Elisabeth took a step back, her face visibly stiffening. Kaito, equally uncomfortable, felt a bead of cold sweat drip down his back. Marianne stood in front of them, her eyes burning. She was clearly not in her right mind. Marianne muttered gleefully, clutching her chest even tighter. "The sins you bear are beyond your ability to atone for, young miss. You will die unappreciated, unloved, cursed, and despised. I am the only one who can save you. I am the only one who would dare to try. But that is my duty, the one assigned to me the moment I failed to stop you. My mind is made up, young miss." Marianne licked her thick lips. Drool dribbled all the way down to her chin. "I will kill you with my own two hands!" "The Knight, eh...? You've picked up a rather strange talent. While I fail to understand his intention, that man doubtlessly instigated this. Just how much power did the Kaiser confer upon you?" Elisabeth had ignored her passionate confession, and Marianne simply smiled in response to the question Elisabeth posed. With a sound like a percussion instrument, the bones assembled themselves into a tower once more. A bonfire-like blue flame swirled up inside it. The scene resembled a bizarre ritual, and a new, grotesque Knight fell from the flames. The tower rose again and again, each time producing a copy of the Knight. In front of them, the tower created a row of smaller boxes. Out of each box leaped a meat-frog. Their countless soggy hands and feet slapped against the brick road, filling the area with venom and manure. At the forefront of this strange army stood Marianne, her arms spread wide as if in an embrace. "All for the sake of l​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​v​e​!​" "You... You've gone mad." Marianne's shout dripped with affection, and as it echoed, Elisabeth spoke in a whisper, her voice strained as though she was enduring a headache. For whatever reason, Marianne's cheeks flushed even redder in embarrassment as she nodded. Hina held her halberd at the ready, her eyes trained on her foe. She didn't drop her guard as she spoke. "...I am deeply repulsed by her, and yet, I feel we share a certain affinity. I wonder why that is." "I'm begging you, Hina—don't follow in her footsteps." "Oh my, no! That's not what I meant at all, Master Kaito! While I can sympathize with the pain of seeing one's master go astray, and while I understand the strength of the emotions that cause her such madness, I would never dream of being so insolent as to kill my own master. Under such circumstances, it is all the more important for a servant to serve their master with unfettered devotion, to serve their master with every fiber of their being, and to serve their master even at the cost of their own life. For to love is to renounce one's self, and were it for Master Kaito's sake, I would gladly embrace death." "Hina, in front of you!" The army of meat-frogs all leaped at once. They paid no heed to the fact that they were crushing one another's tender decaying flesh as they charged for Kaito and Hina. Suddenly, Hina swayed and vanished. She appeared in front of the meat-frogs, waving her halberd. "How dare you..." The front-most meat-frog's chest burst with a splorch. Offal and venom rained down upon the meat-frogs behind it. Hina shot forward, almost dancing across the corpse as she did a half spin and swung her halberd. She eradicated every frog around her. She swung her halberd again to dash the venom from its blade, then brought it to a halt. "...lumps of flesh interfere..." Hina lowered her center of gravity, then broke into a fierce run. As she passed a Knight's horse, she drove her halberd into it, slashing it in two. Momentum sent the bottom half sailing into the distance, but it eventually toppled to the road. The top portion collapsed where it stood, and the Knight atop it glanced around anxiously. "...with my lovey-dovey conversation with Master Kaito!" Hina sent the horse's head flying. When the Knight fell over and landed with his head at her feet, she kicked it off into the distance. Hina's elegant steps resembled a dance as she returned to Kaito. She then twirled her halberd, sending chunks of flesh flying into the air. She retightened her grasp on the handle and smiled at Kaito. Her smile was angelic. "My apologies. To continue our conversation, were it for Master Kaito's sake, I would gladly embrace death. Rest assured: I won't let them lay a single finger on your precious body." "Th-thanks. That's a huge relief. N-now that I think about it, what's Elisabeth—?" Stuttering at Hina's intensity, Kaito surveyed the area. The mass-produced demons were charging at Elisabeth like ominous waves. However, she showed no signs of concern. To the contrary, she swung a spiked iron ball around freely, smashing the demons to bits. "What exactly are these, Marianne?" "One of the thirteen demons, one you already defeated. Alternatively, his underlings. Back when they were alive, I took a sample of their blood. Using that as an intermediary, I can summon a portion of their soul and duplicate it. This is the result of placing their twisted souls in temporary shells of meat." "This is no act of an amateur necromancer. Vlad is surely behind it." "Indeed. He has been a tremendous aid to me. I had to sacrifice many people to get this far. But it was all for you, young miss. What choice did I have? Those sacrifices were all necessary in order for a weak, ordinary woman like myself to go up against the Torture Princess." As Marianne spoke, Kaito saw the group of demons re-forming. Their base material was probably human flesh. While this town was full of bones, not a single scrap of flesh remained on any of the corpses. From where was Marianne getting all that meat? His stomach churned just thinking about the quantity of materials her technique must require. Marianne clasped her silk-gloved hands together, as if in prayer. "Ah, indeed. I had no choice; I had no choice; I had no choice no choice no choice! I was left with no other choice! In order to become like you, I had no choice but to bear the same sins!" Blue flames raced alongside her as though in concert with her rising voice. The flames billowed up, as if re-creating the fire that once filled the town, and from them poured an army of Knights. The Knights charged at Elisabeth. A crowd of new meat-frogs advanced on Kaito and Hina. "How dare you all show your ugly faces before Master Kaito!" Hina swung her halberd, taking into account the path the venom would spray before she struck. But when she did, the bones that had been lying around now rose up as a shield to block her attack. The bones scattered, but the meat-frog she'd been aiming at narrowly escaped harm. "Hina, are you oka—?" "...Such insolence!" Hina roared, then drove the sole of her foot into the frog's snout. She pulverized its head, and its body scattered against the ground. The hem of Hina's maid outfit fluttered as she made her graceful landing. "I thank you for your concern, Master Kaito. What a kind man you are... But that was a trivial matter." When Kaito looked back at Elisabeth, her circumstances seemed much the same as before. A number of skeletons were clinging to her iron ball. Even as their bodies shattered, they clutched the spikes and dug their feet into the ground to impede the ball's momentum. Kaito finally realized it. Marianne was planning on using the countless corpses Elisabeth had left to turn this into a battle of resources. "Ah, can you feel it, young miss? The regrets running across your skin, the anguish boiling in your chest? You are on the verge of being killed by the very innocents you killed long ago. Can you feel it? Can you feel it pounding away at you, young miss, pounding away at your flesh and blood? Can you feel the rage, the hatred, and the sorrow of those you murdered?" Marianne clutched her abdomen as she cried out with the intensity of an opera singer. Lances were being pointed at Elisabeth from every direction. She snapped her fingers in irritation. "Do you understand, young miss? Do you understand that those you killed lived normal lives, lives they wanted to protect? You didn't have the right to kill a single one of them, young miss, not a single one!" She was clearly unstable. The ecstatic flush vanished from her cheeks. She gripped her chest even tighter, breathing hard, as if to demonstrate her pain as she shed sloppy tears. "Why, young miss? Why? Why did you do such a terrible thing? Why couldn't you understand how wrong it was?! Young miiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiss?!" "...Did her heart split in two or something?" Kaito couldn't help but mumble to himself. Everything Marianne was doing and saying was contradictory. She was gleefully trying to kill Elisabeth out of love yet at the same time tearfully trying to compel her to regret her actions and repent. "Young miss, why is it, why is it that you can't understand...? I will I will stop you. Doing such a thing will, all the people will cry, I have to kill, young miss, I have to stop her, I have to..." Kaito finally realized: Marianne's spirit was unraveling. She was being crushed both by the horrible spectacle Elisabeth had forced her to witness long ago and by her own guilt for not having been able to stop it. "...I, my, I, my young miss, my fault, so..." What stood before Kaito, Elisabeth, and Hina was nothing more than the shell of a broken woman. Marianne let out a high-pitched laugh and covered her face. It almost sounded like a scream. The lilies gently swayed atop her hat. Although Elisabeth clicked her tongue, she also whispered softly. "...What a miserable state you're in, Marianne. I suppose I'm to blame for that." Suddenly, she stopped walking. Kaito watched her. Then a skeletal arm reached out and grabbed her. At once, it pulled her into the throng of the dead. The Torture Princess was buried in the bloodlust and the hate of those she had brutally killed. Loathsome Elisabeth, repulsive Elisabeth, cruel, hideous Elisabeth! A curse upon you, a curse upon you, a curse, a curse, an eternal curse upon you, Elisabeth! Kaito felt almost as though he, too, could hear the scathing cries of the dead. He shouted, refusing to lose to them. "Elisabeth! Quit screwing around and get your ass outta there!" "Lady Elisabeth, I'm coming!" Hina shouted, too, then broke into a run. But before she could reach it, the pile of bones began writhing and clattering, driving into Elisabeth's body the same pain they once suffered. Marianne raised her voice once more. "Do you understand? Have you come to understand, young miss? Young miss, my dear young miss!" "I've understood that...since the very..." A small voice leaked out of the pile. Hina, flustered, stopped in her tracks. As she did, the voice exploded out. *** In concert with the enraged voice, chains exploded forth. The chains clattered as they snaked from Elisabeth. They coiled and spun like a tornado, mowing down the dead with reckless abandon. Bones fractured, snapped, and crumbled. The maelstrom of chains then spread, blooming like an iron rose. They scraped the ground, struck debris, and smashed the bones to splinters. They thoroughly pulverized all the people she'd once tortured, the people she'd once

killed. Upon seeing the chains rage like a many-headed snake, Hina praised her master's master. "Well done, Lady Elisabeth! I should have expected nothing less. However, this is... Look out! Pardon me, Master Kaito!" "Hwah!" Hina returned to him at top speed, then scooped him up in her arms before taking off again. Not a second later, the place where they'd been standing was assaulted by chains. A half-destroyed house appeared in their path, and the chains brought it crumbling down. Ash and charred splinters went flying. Once the impressive cloud of dust settled, Elisabeth stood alone. She breathed heavily, like a cat with its hair standing on end. The Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal burned in her hand. Marianne took a step back. The few remaining Knights lined up in front of her. Before they could charge, though, Elisabeth thrust the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal into the ground. "Hellhole!" As she spoke, the earth rumbled. A large cone-shaped cavity yawned in the middle of the road, and the Knights all fell in. At the bottom of the giant hole, an endless sea of insects wriggled and squirmed. They had lustrous, metallic black shells, and they looked otherworldly. The bugs swarmed the Knights, and their tiny teeth made sickening noises as they chewed on the Knights' rotting flesh. They seemed overjoyed at the generous offering of prey. *** Marianne slowly backpedaled. But all around her, chains shot out of the ground like serpents. They bound her from head to toe, slim frame, supple breasts, and all. She hung in the air much like Elisabeth once had. She stared straight at her, as if waiting for an answer to her earlier cries. Elisabeth stood before her, both hands placed on the hilt of her sword. She bore a serious expression. "My apologies, Marianne. I've understood that for a long, long time." Marianne's eyes widened slightly. Elisabeth returned her ashen-blue gaze. "I had no right to take the light of a single person in this world. Every person I killed led a vigorous life, a life they had every right to carry out as they pleased. They were innocent, and I murdered them. I killed them cruelly, gruesomely, mercilessly, and unreasonably. 'Tis as you say, Marianne. Not even my death will be punishment enough." Elisabeth's voice was sincere as she tendered her confession. Yet, as she gave it, she spat on the ground. Confessing and acknowledging her sins yet not regretting them in the slightest, Elisabeth stood firm as she made her declaration. "I became the Torture Princess with full knowledge of what that entailed." Elisabeth offered no further reasoning. Her black hair wafted on the hollow wind, a wind that seemed to carry heat from the fire of old, a wind that moaned like the wailing of the vengeful dead. Loathsome Elisabeth, repulsive Elisabeth, cruel, hideous Elisabeth! A curse upon you, a curse upon you, a curse, a curse, an eternal curse upon you, Elisabeth! Taking in all the hatred and the malice of the dead, Elisabeth carried on. "I shan't ask for forgiveness, nor shall I ask for sympathy. For it is true that I delighted in their screams and bathed in their despair. You should hold me in contempt as you die. Disparage me and curse my name... My apologies, Marianne." "...Young miss..." "I intend to follow you shortly. Quite shortly indeed." Elisabeth's lips betrayed a quiver. For a fleeting second, she wore the face of a defenseless little girl. She gathered strength in the hand that bore the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal. Marianne, watching her, shook her head. She pressed her eyes shut, reopened them, then spoke with the gentle demeanor of a tutor. "Young miss, I know the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal is a powerful catalyst, capable of summoning chains and torture devices. But I also know that the sword itself was made to allow executioners to behead criminals painlessly before they were put to the stake. A weapon crafted out of kindness. Is that what you intend to kill me with?" "Indeed, Marianne. With this blade, I shall take the head of a mad, unremarkable woman." "That won't do, young miss. It's unlike you. You mustn't show even a single person kindness. If you intend to walk down your warped path to the end, you must torture me to death." Elisabeth's face stiffened a little. As she rebuked Elisabeth, Marianne looked at her with eyes burning with determination. "If you reject me through pain, kill me through pain, and then the world will finally be free of any who could damage your resolve. If you wish to retain your tyrannical nature now that you've been captured and made the Church's hound, then that is what you must do." Marianne closed her eyes, then opened them gently. The expression she showed Elisabeth was stern, the childhood teacher within awake at last. "If you turn a blind eye to even one person, it will weaken your resolve. That's just the way things are." Elisabeth didn't respond. But Marianne's expression changed once more, from that of a stern instructor to that of an adult speaking to a willful child. Her eyes were full of kindness. "I loved you from the bottom of my heart, young miss. Even now, I adore you just as much as I did when you were a child." She smiled gently. Her next words were steeped in sorrow. "Once you've killed me, I imagine there will be no one left in this world who truly loves you." "Yes... I will have no one. Not a single person for the rest of eternity." Elisabeth quietly affirmed Marianne's declaration. Marianne nodded, then inclined her head as if awaiting judgment. Elisabeth let go of the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal. Her long, sleek black hair fluttered as Elisabeth looked up at the sky. Her expression was calm. A heavy silence bore down on them. Neither woman, not the one judging nor the one awaiting judgment, moved a hair. Just then, the space around Kaito froze over. "...What...the hell?" The sound of shattering glass faded, and after a few seconds, Kaito realized how odd his surroundings were. Everything, as far as the eye could see, was frozen over in a light shade of blue. Not just Elisabeth and Hina but the fragments of bone blowing in the wind and the clouds of dust were still as well. He reached his hand out timidly, but there was some sort of transparent film keeping him from touching any of the frozen objects. "What's going on? Hey, Elisabeth! Hina!" He called out to them, but it seemed that his voice couldn't reach them, as they didn't respond. In his confusion, he suddenly sensed someone behind him. He spun around in a panic. "A pleasure to meet you, Sinless Soul." "A pleasure to meet you, Pure Soul." Two girls bowed before him, holding the hems of their dresses in polite curtsies. The maid outfits they wore were even more old-fashioned than Hina's. One carried a box tied with a ribbon in an arm, and the other held a clock with a stopped needle. They both had long, draping hair made of tangled gold thread, and for eyes they each bore scuffed-up purple gems. Looking at their artificial parts, Kaito could tell: They weren't human. The two girls were dolls. They remained expressionless as they spoke, only their lips moving. "Do you think Elisabeth will kill her?" "Do you think the Torture Princess can kill her?" "What? What the hell are you two talking about?" "What a painful thing it is, to kill a loved one." "What a sad thing it is, to kill one you adore." "I mean, you're right. But it's not like I can stop her." Kaito clenched his fists hard. He didn't know anything about Marianne and Elisabeth's relationship or their bonds. He had no way of knowing what memories they shared or what was currently going through their minds. The decision rested on Elisabeth's shoulders. And Kaito certainly wouldn't be permitted to weigh in on it, especially not with his limited understanding of the situation. But the maids shook their heads in unison. "No one said to stop her." "We said nothing of the sort." ""The question we wish to pose is not about Elisabeth but about you."" "...What?" Kaito had no idea what the two were talking about. Who were they anyway? The maid carrying the box gave a mechanical "Ahem," then slowly stepped forward. Kaito, on his guard, stepped back. But the maid simply unfastened the ribbon, then opened the box and displayed its contents to him with a flourish. Kaito covered his mouth, assailed by a strong urge to vomit. "...Rgh—" Inside the box squirmed a pile of spiders with crow feathers growing all over their bodies. They crawled over one another as they paced about on their eight feathered legs. And there, buried beneath the pile of diminutive horrors, was a baby. Just as he was about to reach his hands into the box of spiders to save it, Kaito gasped. "It can't be." "Oh my, did he notice?" "Indeed, did he understand?" At a second glance, Kaito noticed the spider legs growing out from the plump baby's waist. The baby had already teethed, and its toothy grin seemed oddly cruel. A shock ran through Kaito's brain as he comprehended what he saw. "Is... Is that thing the Earl?" Now that he thought about it, the Earl had been absent from the group of revived demons who had attacked them a moment ago. Reeling with disgust, he took a step back. As he did, the maids spoke. "Marianne possessed the soul of the Earl, as well." "We placed it in the body of this child." ""As things are, it will grow up to be just like that grotesque man."" The baby stroked the spiders with its fat hand as one would stroke a pet. A cunning intellect lurked in its eyes, and it grinned contentedly as it looked down upon the spiders. Kaito raised a fist. But he couldn't convince himself to bring it down. If he'd been facing the original Earl, he would have killed him in a heartbeat. He would no doubt have torn him limb from limb. But even if the creature before him possessed the same nature as the Earl, it was just a baby. Hitting it wouldn't be enough to kill it. And strangling a baby would make him no better than his father. He forced himself to unclench his fist, then gently rubbed his own pale face. The maids, having watched him, looked at each other once before nodding. "Ah, it was too hard a choice to make in the spur of the moment." "Well, we can wait for him to live up to our expectations." ""This will do for now."" Suddenly, the maid raised the box in the air. Then, without a shred of hesitation, she threw it hard against the ground. Panicking, the spiders fled from the cracks in the box. The baby crawled out, crushing the spiders as it went. The maid who previously held the box knocked the baby down with her foot, then stomped on it with all her might. "Wh—!" Her strength was inhuman, and the baby's stomach warped before bursting open. Its entrails, structurally different from a human's, came spilling out. The baby convulsed in the pool of its own blue blood for a while before growing still. Kaito found himself at a loss for words, and the maids shrugged. "Now it's been crushed. Do you feel better?" "Now it's been dealt with. Do you feel relieved?" "Why would I—? Well, that's not true. I do feel relieved, dammit. God! You guys made that thing in the first place, didn't you? Why would you do something like—?" "Precisely. We made it. And even though we crushed it, we can still make more." "As long as Marianne, the necromancer who holds his soul in her

womb, lives, we can make as many as we wish." Upon hearing that, Kaito felt the blood drain from his face. He looked at the baby's mangled corpse. Their being able to produce more of those was a fact he couldn't take lightly. "Now, here is your question. Will Elisabeth kill her? Or will she not?" "If she cannot kill her, we intend to snatch Marianne up and produce an army of Earls." Kaito glanced at Marianne's chain-bound pale face. On it was etched her resolution toward death and her exhaustion toward life. She wasn't the kind of person who should have had to become a necromancer. "...You mean you're going to exploit her even more? Hasn't she had enough?" "Until her fragile heart breaks, we intend to mass-produce Earls and release them into the wild." "Ah, and that scene will play out once more. Countless delightful Grand Guignols will take place." The maids giggled in unison. Kaito's vision went red with fury. At the same time, hallucinations of spiders crawled about in his brain. One after another, children screaming their throats raw ran through his mind. Neue cursing his fate, then smiling tearfully. The boy's body being pulled backward and disappearing. He thought he heard a ghastly scream and the boy's bones snapping. The first person who had ever wished him happiness being brutally killed. Kaito's mind was painted over with heartache and vengeance. Somewhere in his mind, an odd slamming noise resounded. He looked up slowly. His eyes were opened wide in a manic death glare, and he posed a question to the two maids in a cold voice. "...You think I'll let you?" "Your valor is impulsive but splendid nonetheless." "But we are not the ones you need to face." The maids clasped the hems of their dresses once more, bending their knees as they curtsied gracefully. The maid who'd been holding the box pointed at Marianne, bound in chains. The other raised her clock. "Now then, shall we resume?" "You have only a few seconds to make your choice. Act quickly, if you please." ""Do as you will, but ensure that you have no regrets."" Then the two disappeared. Color returned to the world. The cold wind blew, and the cloud of dust danced through the air. Elisabeth bit her lip, then raised her hand high. As she did, Kaito took off at a run. The maids had told him he had only a few seconds to decide. He didn't have time to wait and see if she would snap her fingers or not. If she didn't, there wouldn't be time to keep the situation from getting ugly. Kaito had immediately understood what the two had insinuated. His mind was clear, he understood what he needed to do, and he did it without hesitation. He pulled the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal out of the ground where it was buried. The blade was remarkably light, possibly due to the magical assistance it offered. Elisabeth turned around. Her crimson gaze clearly meant to question what he was doing, but he ignored it as his body was practically thrown forward. He already knew how unreasonable his actions were. No matter what I do, Marianne's going to end up dead, either from Elisabeth's torture or from being used up and crippled. Those are the only paths left for her. Either way, she'd find herself facing Hell. Recognizing that, the reality of her situation helped assuage his guilt as he seized the third unspoken option. "...Sorry." Kaito ran Marianne through with the sword. The magical blade encountered little resistance as it pierced her chest. "...Wh—?" Marianne coughed up blood, her eyes wide in surprise. Kaito felt himself perk up as it showered him. Warm blood ran down his cheek. For a second, he didn't realize what he'd just done. Then he choked down the bile welling up in his stomach as he peeled his hands from the sword. His gaze met Marianne's. Kaito looked straight at the woman he'd just killed. Her face was full of bewilderment. Over and over, Kaito mouthed that he was sorry. For some reason, when she saw that, she smiled tenderly. "A-ah... My...thanks...Truly...this was...the way..." Her words were cut short. Still bearing a tranquil expression, her head slumped forward. In astonishment, Kaito turned over her dying words in his head. When he did, a possible end to her final sentence came to mind. "Wait, did you...?" Maybe Marianne hadn't wanted to add any further sins to the burden Elisabeth bore. But before he could give the matter much thought, Kaito was sent flying. "Urgh!" He'd been kicked hard, and he slid down the road. He tumbled over the gravel and ash before finally crashing into a pile of rubble. The pain that ran across his body was so intense, he was afraid one of his organs had ruptured. Coughing up blood, he looked up. Elisabeth was standing at the same spot he'd been a moment ago. She gazed at Marianne's corpse, her face devoid of expression. A long moment passed. Then suddenly, Elisabeth grabbed the hilt of the sword piercing Marianne and gave it a yank. Blood gushed from the wound, staining the ground dark. Elisabeth's black hair fluttered as she turned toward Kaito. Her eyes were narrowed and filled with a dry rage. "Why act on your own, cur? Based on your answer, you can imagine the punishment that awaits you." Her heels clicked as she approached. She stopped directly in front of Kaito. Kaito stared stupidly at the pale hand approaching him. But just before her fingers could reach him, his vision blurred horizontally. Hina had scooped him up, then leaped to the side. She scraped the ground as she landed, carrying him in her right arm and holding the halberd in her left hand at the ready. Elisabeth clicked her tongue. "Drop it, doll." "I refuse. You are not my master." The two glared daggers at each other. Determining that this was not a foe she could contest one-handed, Hina gently set Kaito down and stood in front of him as a shield. Elisabeth pursed her lips coldly. Trying to prevent a fight, Kaito opened his mouth. But his breathing was so ragged, he couldn't speak well. He tried his best to gather strength in his wounded chest. "H-hey, you two, cut it—" But the moment he'd finally gathered the strength to speak, he realized that the space around him had frozen once again. Even with his vision blurred from the pain in his abdomen, he could make out the two maids standing in front of him. One of them was wearing shoes stained with the blood of a baby, and the other held her clock. They turned their scuffed purple eyes toward Kaito without a word. The next moment, their fair faces clicked and contorted into expressions that were anything but natural. The maids wore broken, hideous smiles. They gracefully bowed once again. "You passed, Sinless Soul." "Our master calls for you." Humming contentedly, the maids grabbed Kaito's limp shoulders. He was helpless to resist as they pulled him away. As they dragged him along, he weakly turned to look over his shoulder. After the three of them had traveled a fixed distance, the frozen-blue world suddenly sprang back to life. "Hmm? ...Kaito?" "Mas— Master Kaito? This can't be! Master Kaito, where are you?!" Elisabeth and Hina noticed Kaito's disappearance and surveyed their surroundings. He wasn't that far away from them. He stared at them, begging them to notice him. Hina turned in his direction. But then a sound rang out. Grrrrrrrrr, grrrrrrrrrrrr, grrrrrrrrrrr. As if to block their view, a deep-black darkness coalesced and swallowed the light. As it growled, the darkness formed fine, rippling muscles and sleek black fur. Before long, it had taken the form of a first-class hound. Crimson hellfire burned in its eyes. The Kaiser had arrived, and the air itself froze in awe. "Gah-ha-ha-ha, heh-heh-ha-ha, gah-ha-ha-ha." He laughed at the two of them in a voice that sounded almost human. That hopeless scene was the last thing Kaito saw before his consciousness faded. 6 Kaito's Decision Kaito reflected on just how miserable his life had been. People kept calling him a Sinless Soul, but he certainly didn't feel like one. On the contrary, as he'd just committed his first murder in this world. Even though he'd been complicit in murders before, such as helping clean up bodies, this was the first time he'd ever stabbed someone with a sword. His new life had been a mess. He'd born witness to unspeakably horrible sights and been tortured for nonsensical reasons. He'd been forced to cut off his own hand and carve deep wounds in his own chest. But despite all that, he'd also had some experiences he didn't want to forget. Someone had wished him happiness. Someone had promised to protect him. He'd had to dig through metaphorical mud, chunks of metal tearing at his flesh, but he'd finally received those blessings. For most people, small comforts like those were a constant in their day-to-day lives, trivial motes of warmth that hardly bore mention. But it had taken Kaito until after his death to receive them. Because of that, Kaito thought something for the first time. He definitely wasn't a Sinless Soul, and the things he'd seen had been hellish. But even so... In spite of all that... This second life he'd had forced upon him wasn't a bad one. Perhaps there had been meaning in the resurrection of a pitiful creature like himself after all. Of course, he'd never share these thoughts with anyone. When he opened his eyes, Kaito found himself seated on an extravagant chair. His surroundings were dimly lit, and the edges of his vision faded into darkness. He brushed against his chair's expertly crafted armrests as he surveyed the room. Wait, where am I? What am I doing here? A pearl-gray tablecloth extended out before him. On the table lay an assortment of foods on silver buffet platters. The food was so colorful, it almost looked like it was made of wax. There were a number of hors d'oeuvres, from a translucent gelled oyster dish and a vividly orange marinated salmon to a broad selection of pâtés. For entrees, there was a golden-brown pig roast, a vegetable quiche, and an aromatic lobster chowder. There were also fruits drizzled in honey, a cake covered in crushed almonds, and an olive-brown pudding adorned with berries. The table was absolutely packed with fragrant foods. Flames illuminated them from atop red candlesticks, flickering as they cast their light on the banquet that looked too good to be true. But despite the meal's splendor, nobody was partaking of the spread. The silhouette of a man sat at the head of the table. He wore a silk shirt with a cravat. His coat was decorated with silver thread, and he declined to remove it as he ate. The man ignored the buffet platters, instead eating from a single pure-white dinner plate. Upon the porcelain dish was a slab of meat with blood dripping from it. The raw liver didn't even look seasoned. The man cut thin slices of the meat and carried them to his mouth with his fork. The darkness was broken up only by the candlelight and the soft sound of dishes clinking. Kaito immediately recognized the man's crimson eyes, silky black hair, and beautiful, androgynous features. The man, Vlad, bore a striking resemblance to Elisabeth. But...why? Why'd they bring me straight to the final boss, of all people? Confused, Kaito took stock of his body. The pain in his abdomen hadn't gone away, but he could move his arms and legs freely. He wasn't bound, nor did there appear to be any manner of magical restraints. Kaito looked at Vlad, hoping he would drop his guard. Vlad simply continued eating in silence. He seemed engrossed in the meat, as if it was the sole thing

on his mind. It was unclear if his guard was down or not. Kaito then turned away from the table to check out the room. However, he couldn't make out many details. Any part of the room that was even slightly removed from the candlelight was shrouded in darkness. I can't even tell where the entrance is. That's not good. Kaito choked back his impatience and frustration and calmed his breathing. He had to keep cool. But the feral aroma the smoke from the candles emitted set his nerves on edge. It evoked the image of that black dog, its eyes burning with hellfire. That reminds me—are Elisabeth and Hina all right? "Hmm? Caught your attention, has it?" Kaito looked up with a start. Vlad, no longer eating, wore a surprised expression on his face. Kaito hadn't expected him to sound so young. Unsure of how to respond, Kaito elected to remain silent. "My invitation was rather abrupt, I'll admit. No doubt you're rather confused at the moment. My apologies." Vlad nodded to himself, then snapped his fingers. Darkness and azure flower petals spiraled in front of Kaito, and a bowl of water appeared. The water's surface formed a mirror, then projected a distant scene. Kaito's eyes widened as he looked at it. "Elisabeth... Hina..." Elisabeth and Hina were making their way up the slope to the castle, fighting off a colossal black dog as they ran. Hina swung her halberd, knocking the black dog off its feet. However, her blade couldn't pierce the dog's thick fur. Elisabeth sent countless stakes flying toward its back, but they all simply bounced off. The dog's jaw bore down on her, and she bound it with conjured chains. But although she restrained it, she couldn't deal a decisive blow. "Damn you. To think that you would resist my torture devices this well. Truly, you bear the Kaiser's name well." Elisabeth spat a mouthful of blood on the roadside. Her sharp intent to kill hadn't been dulled. But try as she might to hide it, her crimson eyes were stained with frustration. Placing both hands on the table, Kaito reflexively shouted out: "Elisabeth!" "Don't you think she's being a bit impatient? As I see it, Elisabeth is more volatile than a powder keg. Only a fool would try using brute force to subdue the Kaiser. Although to that point, I suppose trying to fight him in the first place was a mistake in and of itself." Vlad shrugged, his voice filled with the intimacy of one describing their willful child. He gracefully brought the last piece of meat to his mouth. After wiping his bloodstained lips, he gestured with his fork to the bowl Kaito was staring at. "The Kaiser is the highest ranked among all the demons we summoned, the apex of what man can invoke. Even Elisabeth, the famed Torture Princess, won't be able to kill him quite that easily. It would bear poorly upon the Kaiser's name if she could. And he has his pride as a first-rate hound to consider, as well. The leader of the fourteen is in a league all his own." That was the kind of foe Elisabeth and Hina were fighting. Kaito clenched his fists hard. But then he noticed something out of place. "Wait, hold up a minute. The demon's over there, but you're right here. Does that mean you summoned the Kaiser, but you didn't fuse with him?" "Precisely. You likely heard it from Elisabeth already, but I acted as the intermediary to materialize the Kaiser into this world. In a sense, the two of us are as one. Normally, it would have been prudent to merge with him for the sake of my own safety. But I'd rather not abandon the pleasure that comes of having a human body, nor do I much care to have my form reduced to such a hideous state—they are laughably hideous, are they not?" Vlad chuckled. With a frankness that bordered on cruelty, he laughed at his fellow demons. Kaito was reminded of the time Elisabeth had instructed him to laugh at an underling. Kaito shook his head, then continued asking questions. "So that means you're flesh and blood, right? And if I kill you, the Kaiser will die with you." "Quite so! A rather foolish thing to ask me, though, don't you think? You seem surprisingly foolhardy, so I'll advise a bit of caution—you can't kill me." Vlad delivered this statement with total apathy. He took his napkin and wiped more blood from his lips. "Elisabeth might stand a chance, but... Much like her, I am no ordinary human." Azure flower petals and darkness gathered around his fingertips. He let go of his napkin, and it unraveled. The thread drew a spiral in the air, then suddenly burst into flames. White ash fluttered gently to the table. Watching him handle the darkness and blue petals, Kaito realized something. This man was close to what Elisabeth would be if she contracted with a demon, just like in Clueless's example. "So why'd you bring me here? Are you going to use me as a hostage?" "...Forgive me. You don't seem to be joking but rather laboring under a misapprehension... Tell me, do you honestly believe that you would have any value as a hostage?" "Oh, hell no. I'm just a benchwarmer. I doubt Elisabeth gives a damn whether I live or die." "I agree. I invited you here because I have a certain proposal for you." Vlad nodded again in a show of near-innocent frankness. But his face then turned serious, and he crossed his hands as he looked at Kaito. "I wish to adopt you as my son and mold you into a second Elisabeth." "Hard pass." Kaito immediately refused, not waiting to learn what Vlad meant by "a second Elisabeth." Despite his confusion, he was sure of his answer. The instant the idea of being the Kaiser's contractor's adopted son came up, refusing was the only reasonable choice. Vlad bore a confused expression, but he continued. "Oh, Elisabeth. My dearest beloved Elisabeth. She was my first daughter, and she was my masterpiece. Her only flaw was that she surpassed perfection. She matured even faster than I expected, but in the end, she severed all ties with me. I want to replace her. For all I have attained, for all I have yet to attain, I need a successor." "But why would you pick me of all people? It really makes no sense." "What I see in you is the potential to surpass even her. I heard a bit from Clueless, but your death was unspeakably cruel despite having committed no sin worthy of such a fate, correct? You understand pain, yet you remain calm in the face of it. On the other hand, you react strongly toward those you hate. Your passion and your composure counterbalance each other." "I don't know if I'd go that far. I feel like there's a pretty big gap between reality and what you think of me." "Is there? I daresay the gap is quite small—I believe I can expect great things from those who know pain but can still kill others if it meets their needs." Vlad snapped his fingers. The blond maids from before appeared behind him. They blinked their scuffed purple eyes, then bowed gracefully. Kaito, taken aback, glared at the two. Vlad, showing no indication of whether or not he'd picked up on Kaito's hostility, continued, his voice almost musical. "Above all else, you were murdered and had everything taken from you. And those who have been taken from have a right to take from others in turn. They are, if nothing else, prepared to accept that they have that right. A deep hunger is required if one wishes to harness the pain of others. For if one's hunger—one's desire—is shallow, they will eventually be consumed by it. You need a certain capability—the capability to wear the tyrant's mantle as if it was the role you were born to play." Vlad's performance was that of a poet, and his analysis of Kaito was that of a scholar. Kaito struggled desperately to avoid being taken in by Vlad's words. The candles flickered, and Vlad's utterances echoed like an incantation. If he kept listening, Kaito felt that his consciousness might drift away. He needed to avoid losing sight of himself. Kaito had no desire to become like Elisabeth. He doubted he'd even be able to. The words coming from the man in front of him were nothing but the ravings of a lunatic. "Ever since she was a child, Elisabeth was exposed to an unreasonable fear of death. Her pain and her fear molded her into the finest work of art. I wish to make you into my second work, into my successor. I admit that wanting a son for having lost a daughter is a rather simple conception, but so be it. What do you say?" "Hard pass. And quit your babbling; you make me sick." "Ah, a spirited answer! But do listen just a while longer. You won't regret it." Vlad was unperturbed. He looked at Kaito the way someone would inspect a mischievous child. Or perhaps it was closer to a breeder, impressed by the strength of a puppy's bark. "I don't intend to look down on you like Clueless did. And I'm not trying to simply take your future for free. That wouldn't be right... Although now that I say it out loud, I suppose it's a bit odd for me to be talking about right and wrong." "What're you offering? Elisabeth's and Hina's safety?" "Heavens no! What makes you think I would give you any say in regard to my daughter? The Kaiser and I will settle things with my beloved daughter, with my beloved, adorable, foolish, loathsome Elisabeth. For that is what love is. Know your place, child—that girl is my, Vlad Le Fanu's, beloved daughter." For a second, a cold light burned in Vlad's crimson eyes. He strode to Kaito's side, then ran one of his black nails through the bowl of water. Elisabeth's figure blurred. "Don't think for a moment that you have a place in our relationship." The glare directed at Kaito lasted only an instant. Then Vlad smiled yet again. "Besides! What I have to offer you is something much more wonderful, something I think you'll find much more important. You see, my skill in magic surpasses Elisabeth's, and connecting to other worlds is hardly a challenge for me." Vlad puffed up his chest with pride. His face was so pleased, he looked like a child inviting a friend to come play with him. Despite speaking of adopting others, Vlad himself possessed a certain childishness to him. But all of a sudden, a cruel smile carved its way across Vlad's face. Seeing that expression, Kaito came to a realization. Fused or not, this man was unmistakably a demon. And demons wedged their way into the cracks in the hearts of men. "It seems your father ran into some trivial problems the other day and was drowned at sea. I can summon him and give him to you as a toy." When he heard those words, Kaito's heart stopped. "...Wait, you're telling me... You're telling me that asshole died?" Before he realized it, Kaito was standing. His chair tumbled over behind him and landed with a crash. The bowl shook, and the image in the water blurred. But Kaito didn't have the composure to pay attention to any of that. He felt as though someone had taken a hammer to his skull. A moment later, a sense of emptiness overtook him. It was like his chest had gone hollow and his heart had shattered. That was how surprised and astonished he was at Vlad's statement. That man had died. That man who seemed like no matter what happened, he'd live forever. Fuck. "Oh, that he did. Congratulations—your father died! Perhaps

this is karma at work... Heh, as the bona fide personification of evil, is it contradictory of me to say that? Well, who cares if it's contradictory? What a pleasant result! Now then, what will you do?" "What will I do...? I mean, he's dead, so..." "What did I just say? I can bring him back and give him to you as a toy! If you desire revenge for your untimely demise, I recommend nodding. After all, you have no need to hide that from me or be embarrassed." Vlad nodded repeatedly to demonstrate his understanding and affection. He showed Kaito an innocent smile. He bore an expression of one inviting another to play a cruel game as he continued. "Wouldn't it feel good to spill his guts, scrape out his lungs, and wring his neck?" He couldn't afford to lend an ear to Vlad's cajolery. Those were the words of a demon. But even knowing that, Kaito could feel something bubbling up from the cracked depths of his heart. He couldn't deny those sublime dregs of emotion. He could tear out his father's viscera, then ignore his pleas for mercy as he ruthlessly beat him to death. Just imagining it filled him with satisfaction. Surely, putting it into action would be even more exhilarating. If he did that, he could finally throw off the fear and hatred that bound him like shackles. Surely that was worth throwing the rest of his life away. "Give me...some time to think it over." Kaito finally managed to choke out those words. It felt like spitting up blood. He was trembling all over, his giddiness so strong, it resembled terror. Vlad nodded magnanimously. "Take your time. We have plenty of it. Well, you do, at least." Hearing that, Kaito turned his empty eyes to the water's surface. A sharp silver flash ran diagonally across the view. "...Tch!" A massive executioner's sickle swung down upon the dog's neck. But the dog blocked it with its jaw and bit down hard enough to shatter it. The maid was still swinging her halberd, but her clothes were covered in rips and tears. "Master Master Master Masterwhere are you?!" Sparing no concern for her own wounds or condition, she frantically shouted for someone else. That's... I'm... Watching her, Kaito realized there was an emotion he was supposed to feel. But although he understood this necessity, he didn't know what emotion it was. He was in a state of shock, and his mind wasn't able to properly parse the scene before his eyes. The scene he was witnessing felt like it was taking place in another world. It was like his soul alone had returned to that room he was strangled in, that room he died in. Unsure of what to do, Kaito reached toward the water like a toddler. The water engulfed his trembling fingertips. The mirrorlike surface of the water shattered, and it projected nothing more. "This will be your room, Master Kaito. Please make yourself at home as you think over your decision." The speaker was a new, third maid holding a lantern in one hand. She bowed. As she looked up, her dented pearl eyes glittered. She seemed to be of an older make, as her cheek was beginning to crumble. Kaito nodded, and the maid turned around and left for the dark hallway. The creaking of her loose left ankle faded into the distance. Now alone, Kaito scanned the dingy room in surprise. "...Wait, is this the same room?" This should have been his first time here, yet he remembered this room. Upon the square room's walls hung yellow wallpaper, so degraded you could just barely make out its floral design. The cute plaster sculptures by the window were covered in ash, and the once-white furniture was filthy as well. However, the metal handles on the chest of drawers were just as vibrant as ever. The chest itself had once been decorated with dolls and stuffed animals, but perhaps in deference to the fact that Kaito was a boy, it now bore a hunting rifle and a model rocking horse. A crushed mat lay atop the spiderweb-ridden four-poster bed. The mattress was covered in a heap of flowing blankets. Dry bloodstains were splattered all over the fluffy blankets. After taking in the whole scene, Kaito nodded. "Yeah, this really is Elisabeth's old room." This was the real-life counterpart to the phantom room he'd stumbled into when he got lost in the Treasury. The door he'd found in the Treasury had most likely used the memories from this room and materialized them within its magical space. The actual room was much dirtier than its phantom counterpart, but its design was almost identical. Vlad must have replaced the things Elisabeth had taken from here, returning the master-less room close to its original form. One more example of his bizarre fixation on her. The fact that he'd accounted for Kaito in spite of that and decorated the room for a boy was almost comical. "...Heh." Suddenly, everything seemed hilarious to Kaito. A spasm of intense laughter rocked his chest. He couldn't help it. Everything was just so amusing. He opened his mouth wide and laughed as hard as he could. "Ha-ha-ha, ha-ha-ha-ha, ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!" His abdomen cramped, and tears poured out of his eyes. But no matter how much it hurt, he just kept laughing. Everything, from his father's pitiful death to his current situation, was comical beyond belief. And it was all such bullshit. Wham! Kaito suddenly stopped laughing and punched the wall. His bone cracked, and a sharp pain ran up his arm. Even so, he re-clenched his fist. Blood dripped down the wall. His finger was broken, but he punched the wall again and again. He yelled, striking the wall as if possessed. "He died. That asshole died. After torturing so many people to death, he ended up getting himself killed. Serves that bastard right. But what, is that supposed to make me feel better?! Is that supposed to make me forgive him?! Fuck that—I wanna kill him myself!" Kaito punched the wall especially hard. His little finger was on the outside of his fist, and it snapped loudly. Even though his mind was steeped in vengeance and hatred, his usual sense of cold composure didn't come. He lashed out in tears, like a child throwing a temper tantrum. He heaved a ragged breath, slammed his forehead into the wall, and mumbled something in a hollow voice. "But a dead person killing their dead killer... Man, nothing makes sense anymore..." His tone was full of self-deprecation. He smiled a hollow smile. After a while, he pulled his forehead from the bloodstained wall. He looked around, as if searching for someone who could help him. His gaze settled on the bed. "...Elisabeth." A vision of Elisabeth in her younger days floated before his weary eyes. The frail, beautiful girl sat half-buried beneath the sea of blankets. She stared at Kaito, her vacant eyes devoid of life. That beauty of hers was the one thing that had never changed. Kaito grimaced childishly as he asked the young Elisabeth a question. "Hey, what the hell happened to you? What was it that made you the way you are?" The vision didn't answer. But Kaito kept asking, practically screaming at it. "Dammit, Elisabeth! Why'd you choose to become the Torture Princess?!" It was the question he'd often wondered about and the question he'd never asked her. Why had she become the Torture Princess? What reasons did she have; what hatred did she harbor? Or had she not had any reason at all? Unsurprisingly, the vision didn't explain anything. After all, she was nothing more than an illusion that Kaito's mind had conjured up due to stress. Kaito knew that. But he implored her nevertheless, and then she simply faded away. "Ha-ha-ha, ha-ha-ha-ha, ah-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!" Kaito began laughing again. He laughed like a madman, laughing and laughing and convulsing with laughter. He punched the wall. His bloodstained fingers made horrible noises as he peeled them off the wall, and he found himself blinking back tears. Then, all of a sudden, his confusion cleared. No more tears welled up in his eyes. His tantrum ended abruptly. His mind as clear as a still lake, he came to a conclusion. No matter how much he laughed, this pain would never fade. He had been stricken down in a manner most foul. That one fact was his everything. The maid with the dented pearl eyes was standing by in the hallway. "Master Vlad is waiting for you in the dining room, sir." Following her lead, Kaito found himself in the dining room once more. Vlad still sat alone at the head of the table. Unlike Elisabeth, he didn't seem to take dessert, instead choosing to sip at a glass of wine after having finished his meal. Watching Vlad rock his glass from side to side, Kaito spoke. "I've made up my mind. Let me kill my dad with my own hands. Even with him dead, I can't forgive him." "A splendid decision, if I do say so myself. None would deny that you have a right to revenge. Exercising it seems wholly reasonable." Vlad set his glass down, and he spoke in a warm voice carefully crafted to wash away Kaito's guilt. His face bore no signs of surprise. That was the answer he'd been expecting. And why wouldn't it be? The reason he wanted Kaito as a son was surely because he understood that Kaito was a prisoner of his own hatred. Kaito softly clenched his aching fist. He wavered a little, then made his follow-up request. "Before that, though, just once... I won't ask you to let me see your daughter, Elisabeth. But...can I at least say good-bye to Hina?" "...Hina? Ah, that puppet I left behind without turning it on. I'm surprised you took such a fancy to it. Are you fond of playing with dolls? If you wish, I can have one just like it prepared for you... Or rather, one tuned specifically to your tastes." "She's not a puppet. And she can't be replaced. Hina is Hina." Kaito closed his eyes, thinking back to the warm sensation of her arms holding him tight. Her silver hair and adoring smile flickered beneath his eyelids. But then he opened his eyes, erasing the image. "We only spent a little time together, but I'm indebted to her. Oh, and one other thing. Call off the Kaiser's attack while I'm saying good-bye to Hina. It seems unfair to make Elisabeth fight him alone." "I must admit I have difficulty comprehending how one could feel indebted to a doll. And if you wished to betray me, this would certainly be a convenient arrangement for you... But this is a special occasion. As my one and only successor, I shall grant you this sole indulgence." Vlad nodded and gave the pair of gold-haired maids an order. They carried the clock with them as they headed outside. Vlad spoke boastfully as he watched them go. "That clock is a magical apparatus. It can pull those without magic resistance from the flow of time and space. You yourself saw space halt around you, no? But nobody else was removed from the proper flow of time. The maids, the ones using the device, could have killed you whenever they pleased within that space yet would be unable to so much as lift a finger against Elisabeth outside it. To be blunt, it's a tool designed for weaklings. But I wonder how that automaton will fare. Normally, it would have little effect, but given her wounded state, who knows? Now then, would you care for some wine while we wait?" "I'm good." "How cold. I myself find life more enjoyable when it's accompanied by liquor." Rejecting Vlad's offer, Kaito plopped himself down on a nearby seat. He ignored the food before him and clasped his bloody hands. Vlad

gave a light shrug, then lifted his glass. They remained that way as they waited, time seeming to slow to an agonizing crawl. Eventually, the door to the dining room swung open. Two pairs of footsteps drew near, as well as the sound of something being dragged. Kaito peered in the direction of the noise, and his eyes widened. "...Hina!" "There was no need for us to subdue it. It was just lying in the rubble." "It seems that Elisabeth judged it a hindrance and left it behind." "That girl, making sure it didn't fight to the point of breaking. Elisabeth did always have her gentle moments. It seems the doll won't be of much use if your plan was to tell it to take Elisabeth and flee from the Kaiser." Hearing the maids' reports, Vlad cast a sidelong glance at Kaito and laughed at him. Kaito frantically rose from his seat. The maids were propping Hina up by her shoulders. Her clothes had been shredded, as had her humanlike skin. It didn't seem like she would have trouble walking. Yet, she refused to let go of her halberd. "...Master...Kaito... Oh...Master Kaito, where...are...?" As she muttered the single-minded phrase, she looked up, her tangled silver hair swaying. As her vacant emerald eyes landed on Kaito, they widened, and a jovial light flashed within them. "...Master Kaito!" Hina shook off the maids, then dropped the halberd she'd been clutching. As she reached out her arms, she seemed to have forgotten her pain entirely. Kaito paused. His plan to entrust Hina with a message and save Elisabeth had gone off the rails, but he was still planning on betraying them. He had no right to be hugged by her. "Master Kaito! Oh, I'm so, so glad that you're unharmed." "This is good-bye, Hina. You have to head back to the castle without me." Hina had been about to rush toward him, but upon hearing his words, she stopped dead in her tracks. She looked like she'd been stabbed in the heart from behind. After a few seconds, she straightened herself out, then looked straight at Kaito. She softly pressed her hand against her chest, steadied her breathing, then spoke. "Master Kaito, do you find some aspect of me inadequate, perhaps?" "Hina, what are you—?" "If there is, would you permit me to be rude enough to ask what it is? I will repair it. I am but a simple fool, unwitting as to my own failure, but if you give me a chance to fix my mistake, nothing could make me happier. I beg you for clemency." "No, no, that's not it. You haven't done anything wrong." Kaito hadn't expected Hina's reaction, and he hastily corrected her. She appeared perplexed. "If that is the case...then perhaps, have you come to hate me? Can you no longer bear the sight of my face? Do you no longer wish to have someone like me by your side? If that is what the problem is, then I will take my face and, with Lady Elisabeth's aid, reconstruct it so as to better meet your—" "You're wrong, Hina. There's nothing wrong with you, nothing at all. I just chose to follow this guy." "Master Kaito... You mean...Vlad?" Hina looked at the person Kaito was pointing to in bewilderment. Kaito nodded. "I can't say it's my first choice. But even if I have to stand on the side that hurts others, there's something I need to do. And he's the only one who can make it happen for me." Kaito tried to explain himself. Hina's expression made her seem like an abandoned puppy, and he had to turn away. There wasn't a single thing wrong with her. Although he was betraying her, he didn't want to be the reason she wore such a pained expression. But he didn't have the luxury of being able to keep her by his side. Right now, she was unfit for combat. If she would just give up on him, Vlad would probably let her go. After all, their relationship was the result of him accidentally starting her up. If she could just forget about him and find a new master, she should at least be able to spend her days happily and peacefully. If nothing else, that's what he wanted to believe. "Just forget about your configured lover, and after you get back, you can live your life freely. I'll have Elisabeth...or, rather, Vlad set it up so you can forget me and arrange a new config—" "Please don't make light of me, Master Kaito." "Huh?" She interrupted Kaito, her voice cold and pointed. She'd never shown such anger toward him before. She took a short breath, exhaled, and straightened herself up in a dignified manner. "I may have the preconfigured heart of an automaton, but it is still mine and mine alone. The moment I chose you as my master, and you chose me, I decided to dedicate my life and my love to you and no one else. I live because I wish to live for your sake, and I break because I wish to be broken. I have no intention of serving another master. Even if my noble master was to order it, I cannot allow you to deny that fact." "...Hina..." "Why do you choose to serve a man such as him?" "Sorry. I'm gonna follow him. Even if I have to give Vlad everything I hold dear, I'm going to kill my father!" Before he realized it, Kaito was yelling. As if in response to his unstable thoughts, anger and bloodlust welled up within his heart, and the suffering he'd once felt returned to him. He clenched his teeth, panting like an animal. The harshness immediately faded from Hina's face and was replaced, in an instant, by understanding. She should have had no way of knowing his past, but she seemed to have sensed something, as she gently asked him a question. "Will that... Will that bring you happiness?" "Huh? ...Happiness?" "Will it?" "Uh, well, probably." Overwhelmed by Hina's earnest tone, Kaito nodded. But he had no idea if the act would bring him happiness. To the contrary, homicide was about as far removed as an act could be from something as idyllic as "happiness." But all he had to do was kill his father, and the torrent of muddy hatred flowing through his heart should vanish. Hearing his response, Hina beamed. "Thank goodness." "Huh?" Kaito was surprised, once again, by her response. For some reason, Hina was nodding in relief. She laid her hands on her chest with a satisfied expression, like a mother understanding her child's happiness. "Even back at the castle, you never once smiled from the heart, Master Kaito... I was so very worried for you. If this choice will grant you happiness, then there is nothing more for me to say. With a heart full of joy, I shall support you on your path." "Wait, Hina, you were worried about me all this time?" "Your happiness is my happiness, Master Kaito. A single, supreme happiness... I understand. As per your wishes, I will now suspend all functions." "Wh—?!" Her unexpected proclamation caused Kaito's eyes to widen. That wasn't what he wanted at all. Hell, the whole reason for this farewell was because he wanted Hina to live a long life. Kaito grabbed her shoulders. She calmly returned his gaze. "Hina, quit talking nonsense! Why would you have to shut down?!" "If you say you no longer have need of me, Master Kaito, then why should I keep on living? Lady Elisabeth does not wish to flee, and I am simply a burden. Please put your mind at ease. If you say this will bring you happiness, then I will gladly return my body to that of a mere doll." "Cut it out—I'm begging you. Please. I don't want you to die. Can't you think this over?" "How kind you are... What a truly kind and compassionate man you are. Although I am unworthy of such sentiment, I will accept it nonetheless. But my life is by your side, and the moment you no longer needed me, it came to an end. You needn't feel guilt about this. My work is complete, so instead, please send me off with a smile." Hina smiled. Her voice rang with a resolute sense of pride, one that far surpassed Kaito's ability to comprehend. No matter what he said, he doubted that her resolve would waver. When he realized that, his hands loosened. Hina took a step back and clasped the hem of her maid uniform. Her silver hair gently swayed as it glittered in the candlelight. She lowered her injured leg and gave a lovely bow. "And with that, Master Kaito, I take my leave. Within the hour, unless you find yourself once more in need of me, I shall enter my eternal slumber. You have my sincerest thanks. Allowing me to be by your side...and graciously permitting me to be your lover made me happier than you could possibly imagine." When Hina expressed how happy she'd been in the short time they'd spent together, her voice contained no traces of falsehood, just fervent gratitude. She bowed deeply, then continued. "With a heart full of love and gratitude, I welcome death... Please excuse me." She finished her bow, picked up her halberd, and used it to prop up her body as she walked. The maids went to lend a hand, but she shook them off and left the dining room alone. Her resolute figure soon receded into the darkness. Standing frozen in place, Kaito watched her leave. As he did, he recalled Marianne and Elisabeth's exchange. "Once you've killed me, I imagine there will be no one left in this world who truly loves you." "Yes... I will have no one. Not a single person for the rest of eternity." He felt as though he had just lost something precious without having ever realized just how important it was. He remained motionless. But before he could process his profound sense of loss, Vlad called out from behind him. "I have to ask, just for the record. Did I witness a miracle a moment ago? A miracle such as your plaything's lofty words washing away your age-old grudge, leaving you with a cleansed spirit and ready to live happily ever after?" "...Don't worry about it. Just summon my fucking dad already." Kaito spat out his words. Vlad nodded, then snapped his fingers. The maids quickly rolled in a cart designed to carry food, as if they'd been waiting impatiently for this. The top of the cart was covered in a silver lid, which the maids promptly removed. Upon the cart lay a doll clad in gray clothes. It had no hair, eyes, or mouth. The ball-jointed doll's skin was pale, and its construction looked so plain that it was difficult to imagine it housing a soul. Vlad took a knife from the table, spun it by its hawk-insignia handle, and brought it to a sharp stop. He then forcefully plunged it more than halfway through his wrist. The cut severed an artery, and blood gushed forth across the tablecloth and dripped onto the floor. The blood coalesced, seeming almost alive, and began painting a complicated design on the floor, a different design than the teleportation circle Kaito was familiar with. While that was happening, Vlad gave a brief scowl. His arm, hidden in his sleeve until then, shone crimson with divine glyphs. The Church's shackles were burned into his skin. It seemed that when he used magic, they caused him even more pain. However, his expression quickly returned to neutral. "My words bear no lies. My words bear no falsehoods. My words bear no untruths. His soul ferries between worlds. On Earth he calls out, his body in tatters. In the ether he finds his form once more." Vlad muttered something in a low voice. In

concert with his chant, the summoning circle on the ground flickered. As the light grew stronger, the atmosphere in the room began to change. "La (become)— La (traverse)— La (become)— La (return)— La (become)—" The air grew dry and sharp, as if thousands of pieces of glass were flying through it. A formless radiance danced on the tip of Kaito's nose, and he tracked it with his gaze. The edges of his vision were full of images that were most definitely from another world. Highways, cars, crowds, billboards, rivers, schools. All of them scenes from the world he'd left behind. They refracted with a rainbow of colors, filling the dark room with a strange light. "You should close your eyes for the rest. Staring at the light for too long would drive ordinary men mad. You wouldn't want to have your soul sucked out, would you?" Hearing Vlad's warning, Kaito frantically squeezed his eyes shut. Still, the rainbow light burned into his retinas. As he turned toward the darkness to ward off the light, memories of the events leading up to now flashed through his mind. As if fleeing from the strange light, Kaito sank into the depths of a sea of memories. A beautiful girl with fluttering dark hair spoke, her tone of voice often waxing between malice and pride. "I am the Torture Princess, Elisabeth Le Fanu." "I am the proud wolf and the lowly sow." "You and I—we are fated to die, forsaken by all of creation." A pretty doll with fluttering silver hair gave a smile full of kindness and affection. "Everything is going to be okay, Master Kaito. No matter what happens, I'll protect you." "With a heart full of love and gratitude, I welcome death." A red-haired boy gave a pained smile, his voice trembling in confusion as he answered. "I was just hoping you could find happiness in this world." In the end, he hadn't been able to fulfill Neue's wish. When he realized that, his chest began pounding violently. His heart ached, and it hurt to breathe. Are you really okay with this? a calmer, more composed part of himself asked. Will this really leave you without regrets? Shut up, shut up... Even if it doesn't, I still have to— As he tried to respond, he heard Vlad's voice. "...It is done." And Kaito opened his eyes. "...H-huh?" The man standing before him was unmistakably his father. The stern, unshaven man looked about anxiously. He tore at his unkempt black hair, and his eyes darted around the room like a chameleon's. Kaito recognized that face. He recognized that conspicuous hooknose. Yet, still he squinted, somehow unsatisfied. Kaito looked over the man before him from head to toe. After a moment, he murmured quietly. "...Huh, is that what he was like?" "Wh-where the hell am I? Even the afterlife ain't supposed to be this gloomy. And whaddaya think you're doin' here, Kaito? Hey. You little punk... You tryin' to get revenge or somethin'? Listen here, you—don't go tryin' any dumb shit!" Suddenly, his father began carrying on and on. Even in death, his boiling point seemed to be as low as ever. And he'd always had a sense for when he was in danger, often to the point of paranoia. Spit went flying as he spoke, but his eyes lacked the shade of madness they'd once possessed. It was then that Kaito came to a realization. His father's madness had largely been the product of his rampant drug use. Even now, Kaito could see that the cruel, sadistic nature hidden within him was unchanged. His brawny figure and the readiness at which he hurt others were frightening, true. But that was the extent of it. His father was screaming at him, but his expression was a far cry from the wicked one Elisabeth wore. In fact, it didn't even compare to the gruesome images of the demons. It didn't compare to Clueless's dry, condescending gaze or to Marianne's tear-stained face. And it didn't even come close to Vlad's cheerful smile. Kaito was dumbfounded. "...You're not scary at all." The instant he witnessed his father's clumsy, mundane fury, the fear in his heart vanished. His anger and bloodlust turned on their heads, as well, as he wondered if this was really the man he'd hated so passionately. And then, the tension that had been wound throughout his entire body just...dissolved. Losing the composure he'd held until then, he rubbed his eyes. Sheesh, what's up with this? This guy? Is this really the guy? "Hey, Kaito. What're you all quiet for? Gimme some answers, you little shit!" Kaito couldn't even perceive the man standing before him as the same person who had killed him, the man he had feared, or the man who, by all rights, he should hate more than anyone else. Compared to this guy, the Earl had been a much more threatening foe. Ohhh... I get it. Thinking back on all the things he'd seen in this world, he found his answer. I'm already numb. He'd spent too much time around evils that surpassed human reason and too much time around the woman who fought them. The man who the old Kaito had been so terrified of no longer registered as someone to fear. He finally realized something. The despotic, tyrannical "father" he'd despised so much no longer existed. The only one here was a small man, quick to anger and unable to control himself. Watching his father continue to shout, Kaito spoke with quiet disappointment. "...What, so that's all he was?" In the next moment, Kaito broke out into laughter. His father looked confused. Kaito, finding this amusing, laughed even harder. As he clutched his sides with laughter, he could practically hear the invisible chains that had bound him shattering. This time, he truly, from the bottom of his heart, found it all to be so absurd. Who would have guessed that the person who long held the key to Kaito's mental prison had been someone this trivial? "I don't need him." "Huh? What're you goin' on about? And why're you just ignorin' me and laughin' like a dumb-ass? You losin' it or somethin'?" "I don't need someone like him. He's not worth the price." His father was grabbing him by the collar, but Kaito just shrugged as he looked over his shoulder. Vlad frowned. The wound in his left wrist should have been deep, but it had already healed. What a monster, thought Kaito as he pointed a thumb at his father. With a clear heart, he made his declaration. "Killing this guy isn't worth giving you my future." Although he didn't understand the context, Kaito's father could tell that he was being mocked, and he raised a fist. But Vlad snapped his fingers, and Kaito's father's arm fell motionless. He looked at his arm in surprise. Vlad tilted his chin at Kaito, instructing him to continue. Kaito nodded and spoke. "After I came to this world, I saw Hell..." He'd seen people who crafted horrors, and he saw those who fought them. He'd seen sickening spectacles. He'd seen the weak get devoured. And amid all that, he'd somehow been able to survive. He'd had a teleportation circle carved in his own chest. He'd stopped running away. He'd helped defeat a demon. All that had been possible only thanks to the twisted ego of one woman. The Torture Princess, Elisabeth Le Fanu. A woman as prideful as a wolf and as lowly as a sow. The woman Kaito now served was more terrifying, more beautiful, and more steeped in sin than any other. After all that, he couldn't remain shackled by a man as pathetic as his father. He'd been killed. But so what. He'd made a promise that was far more important than something as trivial as that. "...But in that Hell, someone made a wish on my behalf. So no matter how impossible it is, I have to do everything I can to find happiness." Kaito finished speaking his piece. Without a moment's hesitation, he called off his deal with Vlad. Vlad crossed his arms in consideration. He gazed intently at Kaito's face and heaved a heavy sigh. Then, with theatrical exaggeration, he buried his face in his slender fingers and shook his head. "It appears I approached you a hair too late." "Yeah, a little. Well, maybe more than a little." Kaito's response to Vlad's forlorn statement was lighthearted, and Vlad nodded in agreement. Vlad then walked with a limp, as if he was grieving this outcome from the bottom of his heart. He drew near Kaito's father, then placed a hand on his shoulder. As he did, Kaito's father opened his mouth and began babbling loudly. "Fuck's the matter with you you screwin' with me cut it out dammit fuckin' with me gonna kill you gonna fuckin' kill you—" Apparently, Vlad had had restraints on his speech as well. No wonder he'd been so quiet. Knitting his brows in irritation, Vlad leaned toward Kaito's father's ear. As if approached by a carnivorous beast with fangs bared, Kaito's father immediately shut up. His earlobe had been warped in a fistfight, and Vlad's voice was sweet as he spoke into it. "If you kill that thing in front of you once more, I will allow you to enjoy life anew. What do you say?" After a moment of confusion, Kaito's father practically licked his lips. Quick on the uptake as ever. At the same time, Kaito turned on his heel and ran. An angry voice thick with avarice chased after him. "Hold it, Kaito! Don't you fuckin' run from me!" "I'm definitely gonna run, dumb-ass!" As long as his brain wasn't atrophied, he could at least make sound decisions. And he had no intention of lying down and dying. His father gave chase, shouting something incoherent. Kaito aimed for the entrance he had just come through. The maids did not stand in his way. He doubted he'd make it to Elisabeth alive, but if nothing else, even if he died, he had to stop Hina from shutting down. He should still be able to make it in time. Then Vlad snapped his fingers. Azure petals and darkness swirled, and stakes pierced Kaito's feet. "Gah-rgh!" Kaito let out a scream of pain as he dropped to one knee. At the same time, his father caught up with him and hoisted him by the scruff of his neck. Trembling with rage, his father wrung his neck. "Don't you look down on me, you no-good piece o' shit motherfucking brat! Don't you look down on me; don't you look down on meeeeeeeeeeeeeee! Ahhhhhhhhh, you're a pain in my ass!" Kaito tried to raise his hands and resist, but those were skewered as well. His arms drooped, covered in blood. His field of view shrank and grew blurry. He recalled the unpleasant sensation of having his windpipe crushed. He was experiencing the same thing again. His body might be immortal, but at this rate, the bones in his neck would snap and his arteries would get punctured. If that happened, even he wouldn't survive. Am I gonna get killed again? He'd talked a good game, which made this all the more embarrassing. Just like last time, nobody came to save him. Even if he called out, there was nobody his voice could reach. There was nobody to come to his rescue. This was the end for him, but he'd wanted to stop her, at least. He recalled her gentle smile and her warm embrace. Why hadn't he run up to her and held her to keep her from leaving? A tear ran down his cheek as he whispered, his heart full of regret. "...I'm sorry, Hina." Suddenly, a stampeding sound came out of nowhere. Kaito's father's grip loosened in surprise, and Kaito opened his eyes a sliver. His father was staring in the direction of the noise with his jaw hanging open.

Curious, Kaito managed to look. When he did, his jaw dropped, too. Hina was barreling toward them, twirling her halberd like a tornado. The maids rushed to stop her, but she blew them away with such vigor, it made one wonder what had become of her previous listless state. Her cheeks were flush and her eyes were glittering as she let out a strange voice. "You called? You called for me? I just heard you calling for me, didn't I, Master Kaaaaiiiito?! I'm coming to save youuuuuuuuuuuu!" "Are you for real?" Kaito muttered in astonishment. Sensing the danger he was in, his father pushed him aside and began running. Kaito fell hard toward the floor. But the impact never came. He found himself cradled in Hina's right arm. With her free left hand, she brandished her halberd. "Huh?" "For the sin of strangling Master Kaito, the punishment is death." The top half of his father's body went flying and landed on its side. Blood and entrails splattered on the floor. In no time at all, he was well past the point at which blood loss became fatal. He slumped over, motionless. Without a shred of hesitation or doubt, and with a bit too much eagerness, the deed was done. Still cradled in Hina's loving embrace, Kaito couldn't help but be astonished by what was happening. As if to avoid causing him any further shock, Hina plopped him on the ground, tossed aside her halberd, and held Kaito tight in her arms. She buried his face in her ample bosom and spoke with joy in her heart. "Oh, Master Kaito! You saved me once more from the bleak abyss of death! How kind you are! I love you so! Your voice, along with its infinite mercy, has reached me! Oh, my beloved Master Kaito! As long as you wish it, I shall remain by your side for all eternity! I shall love you until my dying day, protecting you from all who would harm you!" "Ha...ha-ha-ha..." Kaito unwittingly broke into a weak laugh. It was all well and truly absurd. But little by little, joy welled up inside his chest. He'd thought that no one would come to save him. But that hadn't been true. That wasn't true anymore. He raised a bloody hand. Seeing it, Hina cried out in alarm. Ignoring her outburst, Kaito stroked her cheek. Not wanting to sully her perfect skin, he felt her warmth through his fingertips. After a little while, he breathed a sigh of relief. "Master Kaito, what's wrong? Are you in pain?" "I'm just glad you're alive. I'm so, so glad... And I'm sorry, Hina. I'm so sorry." "M-Master Kaaiito! Please don't apologize! It's all right. Henceforth, and forever and for all of eternity, in sickness and in health, I will serve you with all my heart for as long as I live! Oh, this feeling of love! These emotions! Could they be the beginnings of maternal instinct?" With an enraptured look on her face, Hina began muttering to herself. But then she turned, her expression fierce. A feral, murderous look flashed across her emerald-green eyes. "...And it appears there's one brute left who would try to harm you." Kaito looked up and saw Vlad, for whatever reason, trampling on his father's viscera with the soles of his leather shoes. As he looked at Vlad's icy profile, he felt his blood run cold. The man was livid. In his irritation, he looked like he planned on wasting no time in crushing Kaito and Hina. "Fester and die, you son of a bitch." "Hina, no!" In the next moment, Hina vanished. Despite her injured state, she scooped up her halberd. Her pupils dilated as she drove it toward Vlad. Not even turning toward her, Vlad snapped his fingers. Darkness and azure petals swirled, and a rotating saw appeared in the air. The saw flew not at Hina but straight at Kaito. Vlad trained his apathetic eyes on Hina, testing her. She didn't hesitate even a moment. Casting her halberd aside, she wrenched her body into an impossible pose. She threw herself upon Kaito. For a second, Kaito saw Neue's form superimposed on hers. "Hina, no!" At once, Kaito shoved Hina out of the saw's path. "...What? Master...Kaito?" Her eyes were wide, and her arms were outstretched. Kaito looked at her and smiled. Then heat burned through his body. His stomach had been cleaved open. But although the rotating saw looked flashy, it turned out to be duller than Hina's halberd. Kaito had avoided being bisected, but his intestines still spilled from the wound. He collapsed without a word. Hina howled a crazed scream. "Master...Kaito? Master Kaito, Master Kaito! Noooooooooooooooo!" "...Urgh... Gah, hrk... Blech..." Kaito could feel something warm pumping away from his heart. The gushing sound of his heartbeat was obnoxious. As he lay trembling on the floor, a thought faintly crossed his mind. I hope...Hina will...take this...chance...to escape...... But I wouldn't...bet on it... Based on her personality, he doubted she'd be able to leave him behind. He needed to find a way to tell her to run. But his voice no longer obeyed him. His field of view grew dark. It should have been completely pitch-black, but light ran across his vision. What was that sensation? He remembered it from the time he'd activated a teleportation circle on his chest. It was the feeling of the magical energy in Elisabeth's blood, which was mixed with his own, writhing. On the brink of death, Kaito's soul was resonating with the powerful magic in the blood. The memories in the blood began to resurface. It was almost like his life was flashing before his eyes, like it did in stories. But it was something else entirely, something sinister. Endless corpses of the brutally slaughtered. Hundreds of crows taking flight. The frenzied masses, chanting in unison and crying out for blood. A girl, bound in a straitjacket, hanging in the air. A frail young child, peering out of her bedroom window. A willowy man's fingers crept toward her bony shoulders draped in a negligee. Her matted black hair shook as she gave a start. Flustered, she turned to look. Her gaze landed on the man, who raised his arms in surrender. Upon seeing his face, she breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, Uncle Vlad. Don't startle me like that." "Ah, Elisabeth. My darling daughter. Have you been a good girl? You haven't been killing cats in secret again, have you?" "I haven't. I don't do that anymore." "I wonder about that. But don't worry. No matter what you do, I'll keep it a secret for you." Her uncle's features much resembled hers, and his voice was full of joy over their reunion. For some reason, he always referred to Elisabeth as his daughter rather than his niece. She was about to respond, but she then clamped her hand over her mouth. After a fit of dry coughing, she hacked up blood. Seeing her suffer, Vlad readied his proposition. "O pitiful Elisabeth, born with incurable illness. Darling Elisabeth, she who possesses the same ruthless nature as I. You possess the capability yet are trapped on the brink of death. I have come to cure your ailment." "Really? But Uncle, even the doctors say it can't be cured. And what do you mean by 'capability'?" "You will eventually understand in time. Now come, take this. But just like I keep quiet about your mischief, you mustn't tell anyone about this." Her uncle put his index finger to his lips and winked. Elisabeth nodded. Vlad then praised her with a pat on the head and retrieved something from his bag. "With this, you shall surely lead a more enjoyable life than any other." In her outstretched hands, he deposited a gray lump of meat. It was shaped like a human heart. After eating the meat, Elisabeth made it safely to her sixteenth year. Everyone rejoiced at her miraculous survival. But then, as if in payment for that miracle, both of her parents passed away. One night, their carriage drove off a cliff. The cause of the fall was undetermined, but right before the accident, an elderly individual reported seeing a massive black dog by the side of the road. On the night of their funeral, Elisabeth sat by her window as she'd done in her youth, clad in her mourning dress. A pale finger crept toward her shoulder. With a start, she lifted her tear-stained face. Before her stood her uncle, dressed in black. He should have been away, traveling the countryside. "Uncle Vlad." "Ah, Elisabeth! I'm so glad to see you alive and well, my darling!" Not noticing how unnatural his greeting was, Elisabeth rushed to hug her beloved uncle. But all of a sudden, he began clapping. She stopped in her tracks, her eyes wide. Even though her parents had just died, he was clapping as if to say that there was nothing to be done about it. "...Uncle?" "The demon's flesh was able to take root within you!" Elisabeth couldn't understand what he was talking about. But upon seeing him again in the moonlight, she noticed something. His face was far too young and much too handsome for his age. And it was wicked, besides. He continued, his voice like that of a child inviting another to mischief. "Elisabeth, by now, no human illness can kill you. But from this moment on, you'll have to hurt others and offer up their pain, and the discord in their souls, to your body. If you don't, the demon flesh within you will rot, and you will die, racked with gut-wrenching agony. No, no, there's no need to be afraid. Be at ease, my pitiful, lovely Elisabeth." Vlad grinned as he basked in the moonlight. He continued speaking, a wicked grin on his face. "Your parents left you the population of the fiefdom, throngs of subjects to indulge yourself in. Until you have licked your plate clean, until you have feasted to your heart's content, you should eat as much as you can." Elisabeth sensed that her uncle's words were no jest. Belatedly, she also realized something. That thing she had eaten all those years ago had been something forbidden, something that should have never been consumed. Trembling, Elisabeth clutched her shoulders. Her uncle smiled as he spoke again. "Yes, Elisabeth Le Fanu. Now you can become a greedier sow than any other." A few days later, Elisabeth became unable to bear the pain that racked her body. With her uncle Vlad's help, she used a real torture device for the very first time and committed her first murder. She ripped out the guts of a living person with a windlass and slaughtered a young girl in a hanging cage, weeping and vomiting all the while. As she piled up bodies by the day, Vlad laughed loudly by her side. "Very good, Elisabeth, very, very good! More, Elisabeth, more! What do you think, beloved daughter of mine? Aren't you having fun?" "...Yes, maybe... You might be right..." With tears in her eyes, she looked at the corpses of those she'd killed, those who had hated her, resented her, and wanted her to die. The more she wept and apologized, the more their hatred grew, expanding without limit. Before long, the poisonous flower was in full bloom. She'd tried to kill herself over a dozen times, but Vlad kept her in check. It was only after meeting the demonic friends he'd assembled that she finally stopped resisting. "Weep or rejoice as I may, the results remain unchanged." She accepted her lot in life. She draped herself in a dress she weaved with magic, used the energies she'd accumulated to summon torture devices, and slaughtered the inhabitants of her castle town. As she violated her innocent subjects, she sat alone in the throne room and swirled a glass of wine back and forth. "What kind of person apologizes when eating pork

or feasting on steak? No amount of tears that I shed, no amount of regret that I feel will change who I am or what I've done. As such, I have made my choice. I choose to be proud. "I choose to rejoice as I make all the people of this world into my sacrifices. "Why should I weep when I make victims of others? Why should I apologize?! I shall laugh as I slaughter you. I shall line you up on my plate. I shall take pleasure in devouring you. And I shall rub my belly when I've eaten my fill. However, you all have the right to kill me. I shall show you no mercy as I consume you, but the day will come when the devourer and the devoured trade places, and I shall die at the stake." "Rebuke me. Hate me. Curse my name and condemn me to Hell!" "I am the Torture Princess, Elisabeth Le Fanu!" "I am the proud wolf and the lowly sow, forsaken by all of creation!" After that, Elisabeth gave rise to myriad blood-soaked legends, accumulating magical power comparable to that of the strongest demon. Once more, she became a worthy successor to Vlad. But for some reason, she suddenly revolted against her self-proclaimed foster father. She laughed as she skewered his underlings with thousands upon thousands of stakes. "Why, hello, Vlad. Don't tell me you truly believed the day you met your match would never come, did you? 'Tis your judgment day. Your fate and mine are the same—to be killed like the swine we are." The two of them struck at once, each downing the other, and they were both captured by the Church. Perhaps her heinous deeds, committed without fear of God, were all for the sake of extending her own life. Or perhaps they were for the sake of defeating her "father," whose power and allies had grown well past the point where any normal person could stand against him. Her motives would remain a mystery. "...Gah, hah!" Kaito coughed up blood as he came to his senses. It appeared he'd been fortunate and vomited up the blood that had pooled in the back of his throat. The sudden pain had shaken his soul out of its shocked state. Elisabeth's memories faded, leaving him unable to see them anymore. Reality, along with the fact that he was steadily losing blood, came rushing back to him. The floor felt warm, like a blanket, and strangely soft. His senses seemed to be failing him. The blood he was lying in felt strangely comfortable. Closing his eyes again, Kaito thought back on the memories he'd just witnessed. ...That was rough; I'll give you that. Given your circumstances, no one could've saved you. Resisting the urge to surrender himself to sleep, Kaito opened his eyes. His vision was blurry, and he couldn't make much out in the darkness. But he could tell that Hina was waving her halberd and fighting something off. She was protecting him. His head swimming, Kaito tried to think. Even God turned away from you. And yet, you intentionally... You chose to become the Torture Princess. Man, I can't even begin to understand that. Kaito reached out his hand. It sank into the sticky pool of blood surrounding him. He stretched out his arm again, searching for a dry section of floor. His arm trembled as he frantically began moving it. Even for the sake of living or fighting back...I still don't get how you could choose something like that so easily... So brazenly... As he squirmed about on the floor, Kaito moved his fingertips once more. Ignoring his pain and the blood he was losing, he wriggled on the floor like a worm. Perhaps thinking he was trying to flee, Vlad laughed and muttered. "It seems your master intends to abandon you, even as you fight for him. Do you wish to continue in spite of this?" "Master Kaito is fleeing? How wonderful! Then I shall buy him as much time as he needs!" The metallic clang of blade against blade rang out. All the while, Kaito continued crawling around. He dragged streaks of blood across the ground, and as he connected line to line, he let out a small laugh. "But man... I guess we did have one thing in common after all. Like...birds of a feather, they say." It was just as Clueless had said. There was one area in which Kaito and Elisabeth resembled each other quite a bit. Kaito extended his arm a little more. Straining his exposed innards as he worked, he wrote a glyph. "I'm already dead...and back when I was alive, I never did manage to get in a solid hit. But you're still alive, so...while you still can...go give your 'dad' one good punch." Kaito connected the beginning and end of the circle with his finger. His work finally done, he collapsed. He could feel the blood burn with magical energy. Vlad, finally realizing what was going on, shouted. "...That's—" In front of Kaito, Elisabeth's summoning circle had been completed. Over the course of his first life, he'd developed a certain skill—he never forgot any information he'd learned through pain. He'd taken advantage of that by carving a map of the castle's underground tunnels in his skin so he wouldn't get lost. And he'd once gotten Elisabeth to carve a teleportation circle on his chest. He'd drawn the teleportation circle just as he remembered it, and it began undulating wildly. The blood flowed, full of Elisabeth's magical energy. It glimmered, its vivid crimson hue resembling melted rubies. Aided by the light of the circle, Kaito could finally make out what was going on in the room. Vlad was firing off attacks, his face full of impatience, but Hina was somehow holding him at bay. Kaito coughed up blood as he let out a scream. "And then, once you've cleaned up this mess, you can go straight to Hell like you swore! E​L​I​S​A​B​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​E​T​H​!" As Kaito screamed, darkness exploded from the circle. Crimson flower petals spiraled around the room like a blood-soaked hurricane. A long dress fluttered amid the tempest of darkness and petals. Its scarlet interior swirled across his view. A fair woman appeared, puffing out her buxom leather-bound bust. Her sleek black hair wafted behind her, and her crimson gaze settled on Kaito. She landed atop Kaito's blood and guts sporting her bondage-style dress and devilishly good looks. It made for a beautiful, warped image. In her hand, she held the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal. "Hello there, Vlad." Elisabeth, immediately grasping the situation, laughed a dark laugh. Her lips twisted in the most wicked yet sublime way imaginable. Vlad recoiled a step. Elisabeth, drenched in blood, was currently free of the Church's shackles. Not only was Vlad shackled, but the Kaiser wasn't by his side. She licked her lips as she eyed her prey. She raised the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal aloft. Crimson flower petals and darkness spiraled around the blade. She then brought the shining sword down, as if conducting an execution. "Now die alone—forsaken by heaven and earth and all of creation!" Chains appeared from every direction and quickly filled the room. Hina was lying on the ground, and they flew over her head, shredded the maids, and twined around Vlad like a serpent. He struggled and fought, trying to break the chains with his own darkness and azure petals. But the chains wound around him faster than he could cut. His bones creaked as they bore down on his skin. "Tch... Ah, rrrgh..." He hung in the air, suspended by chains as Elisabeth had once been. Crimson petals piled up around him, like a massive bouquet for the dead. Then, in an instant, they melted and transformed into a platform with a stake. The chains bound Vlad to it. Elisabeth swung her sword again, and crimson flames burned in its wake. It was not a demonic flame but a mortal one. He burned in the flames of man, as if he was being judged by the people. "To think I would be done in...by something like this... This is a cruel joke, Elisabeth..." Heavy darkness and azure petals whirled around Vlad. But the chains remained unbroken, and the fire spread to the tail of his elegant coat. His flesh began to burn. He opened his eyes in disbelief. His sapphire stare was trained on Elisabeth. She returned it with a smile that seemed almost kind. Vlad frantically looked about, as if he'd only just grasped his situation. Suddenly, he'd found himself trapped within the jaws of death for the very first time. A bleak murmur dribbled from his mouth, as if imploring her. "Elisabeth... Elisabeth... Elisabeth... Elisabeth..." "Despots are killed, tyrants are hung, and slaughterers are slaughtered. Such are the ways of the world. The demise of torturers should be garnished with their own screams as they sink to Hell with no chance for salvation. Only at such a time is a torturer's life truly complete—so meet your fate, you vile man. I have no intention of fleeing. I shall follow you shortly." The tips of Vlad's long hair caught ablaze. No longer keeping up appearances, his body convulsed. The platform creaked a little. Then his skin burst into flames. He burned like an ordinary man, and Elisabeth made her declaration. "Death by Burning—a fitting end for you and me." *** As Vlad let out a resentful scream, the blaze swallowed him. The flames caused his face to bulge and sizzle. His skin turned to carbon. And eventually, his entire body burned away. All that remained were bones, and the chains mercilessly shattered them. He became white ash, then scattered into the air and vanished on the wind. Vlad Le Fanu had become nothing more than another victim claimed by the Torture Princess, Elisabeth Le Fanu. *** And that was how the man who had served as the Kaiser and created the Torture Princess met his end. All that remained was Elisabeth, standing alone, ever the picture of regality. Amid the heat from the flames still lingering in the room, she closed her eyes and looked up at the sky. Her black hair drifted behind her, and a crimson flower petal fell from her skin. Having defeated her lifelong foe, Elisabeth took a short breath, exhaled, and opened her eyes. "How weak!" She thrust her fist skyward as she shouted in pure satisfaction. Out of all the things she could have chosen to say, that's what she went with? As he lamented her choice of words, Kaito's consciousness slipped away. Epilogue "​D​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​e​l​i​c​i​o​u​s​!​" Elisabeth gripped her fork and knife as she shouted with glee. Laid out before her were jellied beef tongue, gizzard rillettes, kidney pie with a blue-cheese sauce, and tripe cutlets. "I am grateful for your praise, Lady Elisabeth." "Man, your reactions are always way over-the-top when it comes to food." Hina smiled and gave a tidy bow. Kaito stood next to her, holding a wine bottle with both hands. Each time Elisabeth emptied her glass, he mechanically moved to refill it. His task hardly took his humanity into account. His poured the wine with dead eyes, not giving a damn about the wine's flavor. Apparently, though, as long as the food was good, Elisabeth didn't much care about the quality of the liquor. She happily drained her glass. At least my job is easy, he thought. He looked down at his clothes and sighed. He would have really appreciated it if she got him something nicer to wear than his butler uniform. Ignoring his complaints, Elisabeth devoured the spread. But as she finished her final plate and Kaito moved to refill her glass, she suddenly spoke. "Have you no misgivings?" "About what?" He immediately returned her question. Still holding the wine bottle, he waited for her reply. A few days had passed since they'd purged the Kaiser and returned to the stone castle.

This was the first time Elisabeth had spoken on the matter. That night, after being carried back to the castle, Kaito had confessed that he'd temporarily accepted Vlad's invitation. But Elisabeth had simply treated his wounds, then tossed him into bed. He'd immediately slipped into a comatose state, and Hina had held his hand through the night while Elisabeth delivered her report to the Church. The following day, his usual warped yet not-unpleasant lifestyle awaited him. He'd decided not to mention prior events, so when Elisabeth broached the subject on her own, he was taken by surprise. There were too many possible answers to her question about his "misgivings," so he simply tilted his head. Elisabeth raised a slender finger. "First, the matter of the Church's custody." "Oh, well, misgivings or not, people from other worlds are still rare, right? And that place seems full of holes, so if there was anyone else like Clueless there, I'd be done for. It's not like I'd have any way to resist, so because I can't guarantee that I'm not gonna become a lab rat, I have no plans of fleeing to the Church at the moment." "At the moment, eh?" "Well, yeah. If I really felt like you were gonna die and I was gonna follow shortly after, then who knows. I might well go sobbing to the Church and beg them for help." "Ah, how very like you." "Yeah, I'd rather not accompany you to Hell." "And I would rather not have you." Elisabeth responded in a muted tone, then shook her empty glass. Obeying her unvoiced order, Kaito filled it to the brim. Spinning the glass as she spoke, Elisabeth asked her next question. "Second, then. Are you truly okay with that?" "Oh...yeah. That. Yeah, I'm fine with that as it is." "I see. Well, if you say so, then that is that." Unlike Kaito, who had survived due to Elisabeth giving him a blood transfusion, his father's doll body had lost all its blood, and his soul had disappeared. Elisabeth could have summoned it again, but Kaito had turned her down. On his request, though, she'd recovered the doll's body, and Kaito had buried it behind the castle. The burial had had no meaning. Yet, for some reason, Kaito had wanted to do it anyway. And so he did. Kaito had no plans to visit his father's grave. In time, it would grow over with weeds or flowers as they sprouted naturally. That was for the best. That thought alone had allowed him to sort out his feelings. Here in front of him sat Elisabeth again. It was her egotism that had set all of this in motion. It was the Torture Princess who had thrust herself into this insane situation and she who had forced this second life upon him. Kaito shrugged, then spoke to her casually. "And hey, you bringing me back to life and summoning me here must have been some kind of fate... So until you start walking the road to Hell, I'll try and stick by your side for as long as I can, even if I'm the only one." Elisabeth would die alone. Not even a demon would be by her side then. But perhaps it wouldn't be so bad for one human to stay by her side until that fateful day arrived. Throughout Elisabeth Le Fanu's bloody life, she was accompanied by a single foolish servant. Kaito thought that sounded just fine. Elisabeth cast a sidelong glance at him. She then shrugged and gave a catlike laugh. "And what of it? Am I supposed to be overjoyed at the prospect of being served till death by an unfaithful servant like you? One who can't even cook?" "Man, you ask a lot for someone who can only summon people from other worlds who can't cook organs worth a damn." "I'll kill you for that. Painfully. But...very well. Bring me that thing, that one talent you possess." "Aye aye, cap'n. It's been a while." He obeyed her command and returned the wine bottle to its bowl. He then picked up the earthenware pot from the tub of ice it was chilling in. Hina, unable to restrain herself, bubbled with excitement as she peered at it. Watching the other two crane their necks, Kaito whipped off the lid. "Ah, so that's what Master Kaito's special purin is like! How splendid!" "Indeed, it jiggles so wonderfully. I crave it from time to time. Now, without further ado..." Kaito gazed at them, Elisabeth readying her spoon and Hina unable to contain her excitement. It was then that he realized something. He felt around his face with caution. Sure enough, a natural smile had spread across it. ...Oh, so that's what that feels like. He thought back to the promise he'd made Neue. Then he calmly surveyed the scene before him. Elisabeth was there, and so was Hina. He hoped these chaotic, happy days would continue. For the first time in his life, he prayed that he wouldn't lose them, even as the battles heated up. And to that end, he planned to do everything in his power. To fulfill his promise to Neue and to keep the promise he'd just made to Elisabeth. The Torture Princess, Elisabeth Le Fanu, had summoned him from another world. She would one day die alone, forsaken by all of creation, and descend to Hell. But they still had some time before then. Afterword Good day, and to those of you I haven't met before, it's a pleasure to meet you. I'm Keishi Ayasato. Thank you all very much for purchasing Torture Princess. Some of you will say, "But I'm just skimming it at the bookstore!" To those people, this is the part where I cling to your leg and beg you not to leave it behind. My grandpa said that something good will happen if you take it to the register with you. More specifically, you could get a +3 bonus to Luck. As far as the accuracy of that statement goes, I have no comment. Torture Princess is the first book I had the honor of writing for MF Bunko J. Because it was the first, I was pretty nervous. I sincerely hope you liked it, even if only a little. The idea of the Torture Princess, a wicked, beautiful woman of noble birth who commands countless torture devices, was one that I'd wanted to write about for a while. However, I'd never been able to come up with a reason for the protagonist to be with her or why he would continue serving her, so the story never really took form. It was when my editor suggested I write a story combining dark elements with the isekai genre that a light went on in my mind. Ah, I thought, the premise can be that she summons him after he dies and forces him to work for her! After that, I was able to write Kaito and Elisabeth's story without a hitch. If you don't mind, I would be thrilled to tell you what happens next in the tale of the sinner who awaits death by burning at her own hands and the boy who gets a second chance at life. Incidentally, I wrote a limited-edition booklet that you can find at animate, describing a day in the life of the aforementioned two, as well as Hina, the doting maid who showers the protagonist with all the love of a blushing bride. As a bonus, the Butcher shows up, too. Skipping it won't affect your enjoyment of the sequel, but if you're interested, please check it out (I'm the type to toss in advertisements at key moments like this). Please take a look, even if all you do is admire the beautiful cover Saki Ukai drew for it. But most of all, I hope from the bottom of my heart that if I successfully manage a sequel, it will catch your eye. Oh, that would make me so happy. Please, I beg of you. I'm almost out of room in the afterword, so I guess this is the part where I start thanking people. Saki Ukai, thank you so much for your beautiful character designs and illustrations. When I first saw Elisabeth's design, it took my breath away. To my designer and my publisher, your suggestions were invaluable, and to my editor O, I wish to extend my deepest gratitude. And finally, to my readers, my sincerest thanks. There is no greater pleasure for an author than to have people read their work. I will put everything I have into making my next story entertaining, so it would bring me great joy if you all looked forward to it. And with that, I hope we will meet again. 1 The Chaos Begins The entire area was one massive graveyard. A number of grave markers dotted the landscape, abandoned and forgotten by the living. They served as symbols of the dead resting beneath them, and they were stuck throughout the hill like a tragic pincushion. At present, two figures were being buffeted by the frigid winds that ravaged the naked earth. One of them was a girl of unparalleled beauty, clad in a lascivious black bondage dress. Her pale arms and sides were exposed to the elements, and the leather belts providing her chest its sole means of coverage left her shapely breasts largely exposed. The black cloth wrapped around her hips flared out into a short skirt, and behind it, a layer of fabric with the inside dyed scarlet draped outward like a mantle. Her elegant legs, adorned in a layer of thin material, stood out even more sharply against the crimson backdrop. Strangely, though, her appearance did not register as provocative. She wore her risqué outfit with the dignity of a queen in her regalia, and her crimson eyes flashed like rubies as she smiled. "Well, well, what do you intend to do, my dear Duke? At this rate, I shall crush you like a worm, and the dead shall count you among their ranks. Come now, try to entertain me a little." Her laugh was cruel and arrogant as she made light of her adversary. The foe was a demon. Twisted and hideous, it was demonic in every sense of the word. Its form was a coffin made of flesh. The coffin's lid reflected a gruesome glimmer while the interior was a throbbing mass of blood vessels and organs. Countless human arms extended from the coffin's sides, intertwining into a grotesque pair of wings. That demon—the Duke—was the overseer of the massive graveyard, as well as its creator. Long ago, a bloody conflict between beastfolk and humans had led to the people of the village neighboring the site to forbid anyone from setting foot on that land. That was what led the Duke to develop an interest in it. As a result of using the land for his own nefarious purposes, the unbridled resentment of the dead had bled deep into the hill's soil. It would likely never be fit for human habitation again. The Duke had buried countless people alive there. He'd kidnapped them and sealed them within his coffin body, supplying them with air and minimal nourishment through a vent while slowly digesting them. Still clinging to life while their bodies broke down, it was said that his victims would eventually give in to madness, their laughter interspersed with their screams. Their wails of agony would shake the hill like a thunderstorm, frightening all those who passed by. But over the past few weeks, the Duke had refrained from conducting his dreadful work, and at present, the voices could no longer be heard. The Duke had been mulling over whether or not he should abandon his hill and flee. He'd heard that the person who had brought down judgment upon the Kaiser, the strongest of all the demons, was closing in on his location. But because

of the arrogance so often found among those who possess power surpassing human understanding, he ignored the pealing alarm bells in his head and stayed put. That was a fatal mistake. Now, he was under attack by a peerless sinner: the one person in the world with the power to slaughter demons. The sinner, the judge, the girl in black, continued her mockery. "What's the matter, Duke? Floating there in silence won't change a thing, you know. Pleading for your life will prove just as futile. And I shan't let you flee. The time for judgment has come. Here and now, you shall meet an unsightly end at the hand of a fellow sinner." "Elisabeth... Elisabeth... Damn you, wretched child!" "You are aware of the position you're in, yes? The hour of your demise is upon you. Look upon me and know death incarnate." The girl named Elisabeth smiled sweetly. At that moment, the Duke let out a shriek and shot into the air like a missile. His arm wings spun in a bizarrely delicate fashion, carrying him high above the ground. When he reached the apex of his flight, the Duke opened his coffin lid. Stakes, the same kind that had been used as grave markers, shot out. As they landed, the stakes ripped up the ground and sent bones and coffins flying. But with minimal footwork, Elisabeth avoided the stakes and escaped unscathed. She moved with the graceful steps of a dancer, seemingly able to predict the trajectory of every rock and pebble. Her black hair fluttered as she tilted her head. A stake whizzed past and buried itself in the ground far behind her. She returned her head to its original position and then shrugged. "......Is that it?" *** The Duke screamed, in fear that his power would be insufficient and out of humiliation from her mockery. The arms that comprised his wings clawed at the air in anguish. They then swelled, extended, and rushed at Elisabeth like a fleshy, many-headed serpent. Embedded in their palms were countless open mouths, all scrabbling to consume her. Elisabeth smiled and then moved her pale hand. Crimson flower petals and palpable darkness swirled together in the air. She confidently plunged her hand into the swirling vortex and withdrew a long sword with a shining crimson blade. "Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal!" Elisabeth's voice rang out with the sword's name. As she did, the runes etched onto its blade glowed. You are free to act as you will. But pray that God shall be your salvation. For the beginning, the middle, and the end all lie in the palm of His hand. She pointed the sword at the Duke. In accordance with her declaration, countless chains appeared out of thin air. They coalesced into a unified mass, almost resembling the form of a great snake, and then shot out at the Duke. They crashed into his wings, as though challenging them to a battle of strength. After a moment's struggle, the chains pierced right through them. Fingers, flesh, and a torrent of blood rained from the sky. The Duke screamed and then truncated his wings in midair. Releasing a volley of stakes for cover, he frantically tried to use what remained of his wings to put distance between himself and his foe. But as she'd declared, Elisabeth had no intention of letting him get away. She brought her glowing, crimson blade down as if performing an execution. "Bull of Phalaris!" In concert with her shout, the earth shook violently. A storm of darkness and flower petals whirled upon the hill's peak. Then a colossal brass bull appeared from within the dark gale, causing a tremor as it landed. The bull's mouth snapped open as it stood before the Duke. Like a fly getting swept up by a cow's breath, the Duke was pulled inside. Simultaneously, crimson flower petals rained down upon the hill and set the grave markers ablaze. The flames burned brilliantly as they began lapping at the bull's golden torso. As a result, the Duke within it began burning. A wail of agony eerily resembling a cow's moo bellowed from the mouth of the brazen bull. The screams, distorted by a special mechanism within the bull's head, belonged to the Duke. They continued for some time, much like his victims' screams that had once shaken the hill. Elisabeth smiled upon hearing the Duke's ragged pleas among his screams. *** "...Don't be ridiculous, Duke. This is how torturers meet their ends. Those screams of yours are the perfect adornment for the death of a tyrant—and besides, why bother begging for your life? As if there were a chance I'd pay you the slightest heed—who exactly do you think I am?" Playing the part of the calm, impartial executioner, Elisabeth rejected him without hesitation. As she waited for his fat to melt off, his flesh to burn, and his bones to glisten like jewels from the heat, she made her full introduction. "I am the Torture Princess, Elisabeth Le Fanu. I am the proud wolf and the lowly sow." Perhaps the last of his sanity had burned away in the flames, because toward the end, his agony had given way to mirth. The Duke's loud laughter, amplified further by the Bull of Phalaris, eventually ceased. Elisabeth then snapped her fingers, and the flames died down. The Bull of Phalaris, too, transformed into crimson flower petals and vanished. Out from the space it once occupied came a mass of black feathers, proof of the demon's death. The feathers burst into blue flames and then burned away into nothingness. Elisabeth closed her eyes. She turned to the sky—as if reflecting upon the deaths of the Duke and his victims—before speaking. "Now then, it's time for lunch!" "Yes, ma'am! I've been standing by!" "Wait, hold up. You're giving me emotional whiplash." Elisabeth's declaration elicited two responses: one cheerful and the other exasperated. Suddenly, a silver-haired maid carrying a basket appeared from the foot of the hill. She wore an adorable maid's cap and clutched the hem of her classic long skirt as she ran. Following behind her was a young man with grim eyes. The skinny young man, Kaito Sena, wore an unflattering butler uniform. His faded brown hair matched his eyes, and he appeared dejected as he hurried to Elisabeth's side, ravenous though she was. He was a mere human—one who had died once already—yet he pledged his service to the Torture Princess, Elisabeth Le Fanu. And there was a profound reason why he worked for her. It all began back in another world. The world in which he was murdered. Following a lifetime of abuse at the hands of his biological father, Kaito Sena's life reached its end after a mere seventeen years and three months. His death was as meaningless as that of a worm—a death most pitiful, most unseemly, most cruel, and most gruesome. Ordinarily, there is no life after death. But because his soul was summoned to another world, Kaito received an opportunity. In truth, he had no desire to be brought back to life. Nevertheless, as soon as he was made flesh again, he was forced to serve an overbearing master. This master was the very person who had summoned him: the Torture Princess, Elisabeth Le Fanu. She had the pride of a wolf and was as low as a sow, a sinner ordered by the Church to butcher fourteen ranked demons and the people who had formed contracts with them. Once she was finished, she herself was destined to face execution. After being forcibly resurrected and experiencing a number of events, Kaito had made the choice to continue serving her. Throughout Elisabeth Le Fanu's bloody life, she was accompanied by a single foolish servant. He had made the choice to live a life that would bring about such a tale. And as for the present day, Elisabeth's demon hunt was proceeding smoothly. "This is deeeeeeeeeeeelicious!" Having taken large bites of her sandwich and stuffed her cheeks, Elisabeth cried out like a child. Elisabeth's favorite food was entrails, so the sandwich ingredients followed that trend. Atop savory, toasted buns sat thickly cut foie gras sandwiched between fresh onion and tomato, all adorned with a red wine sauce. Slices of baguette became vehicles for heaps of liver pâté and figs drenched in honey and sprinkled with black pepper. The basket also featured various palate cleansers such as vegetable marinades and egg-based dishes, making its contents a veritable culinary flower garden. Elisabeth was beaming, her expression absent of any of the cleverness or ruthlessness it bore just moments before. One could practically make out cat ears bobbing happily up and down atop her head. The silver-haired maid beside her hoisted a bottle of white wine and flashed an elegant smile. "As you are Master Kaito's master, Lady Elisabeth, I feel blessed that my cooking suits your tastes." "Indeed, Hina, you are without peer in the culinary arts! Kaito may be unable to cook, as he appears to be committed to his uselessness, but activating you may be the one act I can actually praise him for!" "Hey, I feel like I've been pulling my weight around here. I mean, I've been doing all sorts of things." "Ah, 'tis all in your imagination!" "All in my imagination, huh? Is that right?" With an expression that practically screamed fine, whatever, Kaito bit into his sandwich. Due to his harsh upbringing, Kaito never had the privilege to pick and choose when it came to food. As long as it wasn't tainted with laundry detergent or drugs, he could eat just about anything. But even though he typically didn't care about what he ate, he found Hina's cooking to be quite tasty. As he finished eating, the maid peered at him out the corner of her glittering emerald-green eyes. "How was it, Master Kaito? Was it satisfactory?" "Yeah, it was really good. Impressive as always, Hina. You being able to handle the cooking day in and day out is a huge load off my back." "Oh, oh, Master Kaito! Being constantly by your side and cooking for you every day... What a splendid coincidence, those are the things that bring me the most joy! I consider them to be my greatest victories!" "What in the blazes are you two going on about?" "Unfortunately, while I can't speak for her, I'm not really saying much of anything." As he gave his answer, Kaito patted Hina's head over her maid cap as she giggled, "Master Kaito, Master Kaito!" and smiled in delight. She looked to be on the verge of sprouting a puppy tail and wagging it back and forth. Hina was an automaton that Kaito had activated. When she was first activated, Kaito had selected "lovers" as their relationship, and as a result, a roaring flame of passion had been sparked within her. However, according to Hina, her love for him was genuine, welling up from deep within her soul to surpass the framework it had been initially set in. And her love for him had never once faltered. As she giggled and hugged Kaito, Elisabeth sat beside them, nodding as she held a wineglass in one hand and polished off a second and third sandwich. "Ahh, another demon exterminated and a splendid lunch to top it off! Ah, how wonderful it is, washing down rich foie gras with crisp white wine!" "I made sure to prepare a dry wine thoroughly chilled with spirit ice today, ma'am!" "Well...yeah, I'm with you. This isn't half-bad." If not for the fact that we're in a graveyard and the Duke just burned up here, that is, Kaito thought to himself. Of all the venues they could have chosen for a picnic, the three of them chose to eat right atop the hill where the Bull of Phalaris had just disappeared. True, they were sitting on the blanket Hina had laid out, but that didn't change the fact that this

was the very place where the Duke and his victims had died. However, Elisabeth simply scoffed at Kaito's downcast expression. "What are you on about? This land may be forbidden, but the less superstitious members of the townsfolk actually come here to relax quite often... Of course, as a result, they were the first to fall victim to the Duke... But my point stands. There is no disputing the excellence of this view nor how pleasant the wind feels. However, once we leave, the corruption will cause this place to be sealed off. True, this place has accumulated too much resentment, but it is a shame nonetheless." "I mean, you're not wrong..." "Having shed no tears, our prayers mean nothing. This is a funeral of sorts. Now drink, Kaito." "Whatever you say, boss. I guess you're right, though. No tears I shed nor prayers I offer would mean anything at this point." "We have dessert today as well! All manner of fruit tarts! Lady Elisabeth, if you please." Hina retrieved a smaller basket and removed the lid. Elisabeth, eyes sparkling, began making her selection. Hina watched over her with a sisterly expression. Gazing at their intimate exchange, Kaito let out a small sigh. Then he looked up at the pale-blue sky. Twisted as their circumstances were, at the moment, things were peaceful. Everything was going smoothly. The day-to-day life he'd longed for was safe—and that was precisely why a bitter sense of anxiety gnawed at his chest. That's right—things are going too smoothly. Vlad Le Fanu had been contractor to the Kaiser, the greatest of the fourteen demons. After she'd defeated him, her fated opponent, Elisabeth's demon hunt had proceeded without a hitch. A few days ago, she'd defeated the Grand Governor, a foe even weaker than the Duke. While getting to the battle had been a bit of a struggle, it could be said that the fight itself was completely one-sided. In this world, fourteen ranked demons—the Knight, the Governor, the Grand Governor, the Earl, the Grand Earl, the Duke, the Grand Duke, the Marquis, the Grand Marquis, the Monarch, the Grand Monarch, the King, the Grand King, and the Kaiser—had descended to the earth by forming contracts with humans. Upon fusing with their contractors, they would twist their bodies into grotesque forms in exchange for granting them immense power. Demons derived their strength from the lamentations of God's creations, in particular the suffering of humans. Because of this, demons and their underlings had brought harm to people all across the land. The higher the rank, the stronger the demon. The lowest ranked, the Knight, could handily rout any army other than paladins specially equipped by the Church. The highest ranked, the Kaiser, was unmatched by any human in the world. Aside from one woman, one who accumulated pain from her entire fiefdom in order to wield demonic power surpassing that of the demons themselves—Elisabeth Le Fanu, the Torture Princess—that is. A few days ago, she had defeated the Kaiser, an opponent with whom she possessed a deep connection. Having defeated her strongest foe, it was possible that none of the rest would pose a challenge for Elisabeth. But that was problematic for Kaito. After subjugating the fourteen ranked demons, the Torture Princess was to be executed for slaughtering her subjects and countless other innocents. In a sense, every step she took toward completing her mission was like another step up toward the gallows. And as her servant, Kaito was slated to receive an inquisition before following her down the same path. He'd taken all that into account when he'd chosen to continue serving her. However, he'd just as soon not rush up those steps. He spoke gravely, his voice echoing with the weight of his unease. "Hey, Elisabeth?" "What do you want, Kaito? This pomegranate tart is mine, I'll have you know. Hmm? That face you're making... What an incorrigible fellow you are. Fine then, I shall grant you a single bite. Watch yourself, though. Should you do the unthinkable and take too large a bite, you shan't escape with a mere flogging. I would have no choice but to summon a cat-o'-nine-tails, and—" "That's not what I'm after. Trust me, it's all yours. Anyway, you beat the Kaiser, right?" "Indeed, I did. Hu-hu-hu-hu, and what a weak fellow that Vlad turned out to be. Hu-hu-hu-hu-hu." "Please stop laughing like that. You're freaking me out. But anyway, you beat the Kaiser, who should more or less be the strongest of the bunch... Doesn't that mean the rest of them aren't going to be a match for you? At this rate, the demon hunt will be over like—" "Fool. That line of thinking is carelessness." Elisabeth bit into her tart, her response as sharp as a blade. Her mischievous, innocent expression from a moment ago had vanished without a trace. What replaced it was the stern face of a seasoned warrior. Kaito's eyes widened. She licked her crimson lips, instantly blowing away the relaxed atmosphere as she went on. "Vlad had been shackled by the Church, and on top of that, he hadn't fused with the Kaiser. If you recall, Hina and I were no match for the Kaiser himself, top-ranked demon and superlative hound that he was; we obtained victory when I was summoned to Vlad's location so I could kill him directly. Had he and the Kaiser unified as one, we would likely have had no way of surpassing him." "Really?" "Vlad more or less perished in service to his sense of aesthetic. After all, he was the sort of man who would rather die than abandon his pride... But while the Kaiser vanished due to losing his catalyst, Vlad, we have no reason to expect such favorable results from the rest. While I doubt any other demon's strength is on par with the Kaiser's... In particular, I lack any sort of information on the Grand King." "The Grand King?" "The next highest ranked, after the Kaiser. Its contractor trusted Vlad and none other. Acting as Vlad's daughter, I was made to attend a number of the demons' gatherings, but I met them not once... The more I consider it, the more questions this foe raises. 'Tis a situation I'd just as soon not be in." Elisabeth muttered to herself as she bit into the next tart. Berry jam oozed out of it, staining her lips red. She licked voraciously at her pale fingertips, deep in thought, and then turned to look at Kaito. "Hmm? Are you not going to eat that?" "Huh? Oh. No, knock yourself out." "Mm. No matter the battle, information is essential... This crust is truly excellent... And there is merit to doing our research beforehand... The sweetness and sourness are perfectly balanced... If only we had some data... 'Tis exquisite how the cream just melts in your mouth... Upon second thought, it would have been prudent to do the searching earlier." "Um...I think your food critique and your train of thought are getting mixed up." "It's decided. We'll set off as soon as I am done eating." Tossing a morsel topped high with custard cream into her mouth, Elisabeth declared her intentions. Hina, having just cleaned up the glasses, cocked her head to the side. Beside her, Kaito raised a hand to ask a question. "When you say 'set off,' where exactly are we going?" "That should be obvious. The Grand King had but one acquaintance: Vlad. So we will go to his castle. Given his personality, he likely filled the castle with things from his secret storehouse in order to make it more livable after he fled from the Church and returned to my hometown." Kaito thought back to the events of a few months prior. Back at Vlad's castle, deep in Elisabeth's hometown, the two of them had fought tooth and nail against Vlad. Even now, with the fight over, the castle and its surrounding ghost town were firmly blockaded. Elisabeth grabbed the final tart as she stood. "There may yet be precious information left there." Her proclamation was punctuated by a bite of grape tart. In one sense, Elisabeth's prediction had turned out to be correct, yet in another, it had turned out to be completely off the mark. "Grr, damn you, Vlad, damn you!" "Welp... Can't say I didn't see this coming." It was true that Vlad had brought a number of things with him to the castle. However, they had predominantly been furniture for decorating Elisabeth's childhood bedroom, cookware, curios, and the like. While there were also magical trinkets and tools for creating automatons, there was nothing that seemed like it would offer a connection to his demonic comrades. As Elisabeth violently rummaged through the desk in Vlad's room, Kaito looked through the jewelry cabinet. As he gazed at its luxurious contents, he thought to himself with a bit of dejection. Well, y'know... He didn't really seem like the type to be super-invested in his comrades. Behind Kaito, already willing to call it a day, Elisabeth was pulling tomes—recipe books, by the looks—off the shelf and hurling them to the floor. "Damn that man! Making light of me to the bitter end, I see! He disgraces the name of commander of the demons, bringing nothing with him but goods to support his lavish lifestyle!" "Man, it really does feel that way, doesn't it?" "I'd known that the Church had rounded up all the automatons, but every other magical good is fixed such that only he could use them!" "Hey, is it possible he was just being careful not to leave behind anything that was related to the other demons?" "Ha! As if he was a man who would spare a thought for such considerations. No doubt he simply ignored those who did not spark his intere— Bwah!" As she complained, Elisabeth pulled hard on the handle to one of the desk's drawers. When she did, a black piece of cloth shot out from within and wrapped itself around her head. "Wh-what is this? Gah!" Elisabeth collapsed into a black lump. But based on how energetically she was rolling about, it didn't seem like she was in any immediate danger. Hina abandoned her investigation of the bed and made her way over to Elisabeth to try and extricate her. "Are you all right, Lady Elisabeth? Hmm, no, it doesn't appear that way. I'm going to pull you out now, so please be patient. Hrgh!" "Wh—grff... Hina... Hold it, that hurts, be gentler, geh!" "Hey, take it easy, you two." After calling out to them half-heartedly, Kaito returned to his task. He brushed a golden chess piece to the side as he returned an intricate bee-wing brooch to where he'd found it. All this stuff looks like it'd fetch a pretty high price, but I guess that's about all it's good for...huh? Kaito's hand stopped in its tracks, and he squinted. Amid the jewels sat an ornate black box. For whatever reason, it caught his attention, and he reached out for it. But when he opened it, he found the deep velvet interior was empty. ...Was it just my imagination? He began to close the lid. Right when he was about to, blue letters floated into the air. For my dear successor. "...What?" He was sure that the box had been empty, but now it appeared to house a transparent stone of unknown material. Opalescent lights dappled across its surface, and a blue rosebud sat sealed within it. Black feathers fell like snow around its tightly closed petals. It was like a little magical snow globe. "...Wait, is this...?" Kaito thought back to when he'd seen Vlad use magic. In contrast to Elisabeth, Vlad's magic had employed blue roses. Furthermore, black feathers were the symbol of demons. Kaito extended his hand and nervously grabbed hold of the stone. A familiar warmth spread across his palm. He frowned. The warmth was akin to that of a small flame, yet seemed

somehow alive, just like a soul squirming within a golem. "Elisa—" As he was about to call out to her, Kaito closed his mouth. After hesitating a few moments, he wrapped the stone in a handkerchief and slipped it into his pocket. Then, as if nothing had happened, he turned back around. "It's all right, Lady Elisabeth, just a little more and I'll have you out. Hrgh!" "No, no, wait, if you pull on that bit, you're likely to take my head with it, hey, Hina, for the love of—" A great tragedy threatened to rear its ugly head. Frantic, Kaito ran over to prevent it. He placed a hand on Hina's shoulder to get her to back off a bit and then called out to the writhing mass. "Hey, Elisabeth, you still alive in there?" "Just what do you think you're doing? Hurry up and save me, Kaito! A bit longer like this and I may die!" "Seriously? Well, that doesn't sound good." Kaito carefully untangled the bits of cloth caught on the ornaments adorning Elisabeth's arms. Hina cleared her throat in apology and then pulled once more with strength unbefitting her thin arms. "Hrgh! How did I do that time, Lady Elisabeth?" "Huff, huff... Good...good work, Hina! Now, with this opening..." Elisabeth successfully rolled out from within the cloth, crawling across the floor on all fours. Seemingly unaware of the seductive way she was arching her back, she shook her head, causing her beautiful black hair to tumble out of place as she yelled. "Vlaaaaaad! That infernal device was a tool designed to train pets not to eat outside of mealtime! That wretched man, he must have expected me to open that drawer without permission and set it up in order to harass me... Enough of this; we're leaving! There's nothing of use to be found here!" Finally reaching her boiling point, Elisabeth stood up and stormed off. But upon reaching the entrance, she suddenly stopped and turned to face the wall on her left. "Wait—come to think of it, perhaps there is something here that we can make use of." Abruptly, she grabbed a decorative sword off the wall. Its blade was needle thin and surrounded by a beautiful spiral of melted ruby. Who knows how it was crafted. It didn't appear to be suited for actual combat. As Kaito reached that conclusion, Elisabeth swung the sword and whispered: "—La (burn)." With a noise like water evaporating, the rubies transformed into flames. The flames flickered and gave off heat, as though someone had breathed life into them. Elisabeth flourished the burning sword and offered the grip to Kaito. When he gingerly accepted it, the flames immediately froze and returned to their ruby state. "Whoa, what's up with that...? That's kinda cool. What's the deal?" As Kaito poked at it, Elisabeth's expression became deadly serious. "Kaito, have you any desire to learn magic?" "Wait, magic? What are you talking about? C'mon, I can't use magic." "Cast away your doubt. As my puppet, my mana-rich blood flows through you. And did Vlad not ask you to become his successor?" Losing his voice for a moment after thinking back to that time, Kaito nodded. Elisabeth extended a pale arm and touched his chest. She tapped above his heart with a polished black nail. "For a madman, Vlad was quite rational. His thoughts may have been warped, but his judgment was sound. From the moment he met you, no doubt he realized how high your affinity for demonic energy was... While I have no intention of feeding you demon flesh, there should be merit in having you learn the foundations of magic. Not that you'll be able to freely draw out the mana in my blood, that is. But you should be capable as far as rudimentary dark magic goes." Elisabeth bobbed her head up and down. Kaito pressed a hand against his heart. It was true that Elisabeth's blood was coursing through his body. The matter of whether or not he could use it aside, as far as latent magical energy went, the amount he possessed was far above that of the average person. "Even with Hina by your side, you yourself are as powerless as always. Now, give me your arm." "My arm? Here." "This will sting." Speaking briefly, she ran her finger across it. Crimson flower petals gathered and then stabbed deep into Kaito's palm. At the same time, a figure appeared behind Elisabeth with blinding speed. She calmly raised her hands. "Come now, Hina; pain is a necessary ingredient in dark magic. I'll have to ask you to overlook this much." "...In the future, I ask that you please obtain his permission in advance. I hold deep affection for you, Lady Elisabeth, but should you harm my dearest beloved, I will kill you without hesitation. Please bear that in mind." Murmuring in a low voice, Hina withdrew the knife she'd reflexively pressed against the nape of Elisabeth's throat. Elisabeth shrugged, took the sword from Kaito, and then once more offered him its handle. "Now then, the first lesson. Take this with your wounded hand and then use the blood as a medium to activate the magic within the sword. 'Tis the same technique as when you circulated mana through the summoning circle carved on your chest." "All right, I'll give it a shot." Kaito obediently took the handle from her. Its rough ornamentation caused his wound to throb. But after the years of torturous abuse he'd endured, that degree of pain hardly even registered to him. The same technique as when I circulated mana through the summoning circle, huh? Do I need to use more blood or something? He gripped the handle even tighter, intentionally hastening his bleeding. Red droplets welled up from his palm. He thought back to the sensation he'd felt when his wounds had been so full of mana that they'd felt like they were burning, and fortunately, his experiences in life had left him with the special talent of being unable to forget any information that was accompanied by pain. Using Elisabeth's blood within him as the catalyst, he imagined the sensation of burning and whispered: "—La (burn)." Immediately, the rubies became dancing flames. "I knew you could do it, Master Kaito!" "Oh-ho, quite the show for your first time! You're rather quick on the uptake!" The two commended him. As he responded to their praise, he turned his attention to the stone in his pocket. The moment he'd understood how to activate magical devices, it had pulsed, as if to entice him. If I'm right, then I've got a pretty good idea of what this is. "Well, even for a first lesson, that was just the beginning of the beginning. From here, Hell awaits you. There's no point dillydallying. Once you've pilfered anything that looks useful from here, we'll return to the castle and begin your special training!" "I mean, I'm definitely down to learn how to fight back against the demons. But I'd appreciate it if you could take it easy on me." "Oh, that would be unthinkable!" "When you say 'unthinkable'..." After healing the wound on Kaito's hand, Elisabeth strode gallantly into the hallway. Hina and Kaito followed after her. The three of them made a pass through the other rooms, collected various tools and weapons, and then left through the castle gate. They passed through the town littered with human bones as they made their way to the location where the teleportation circle was linked. Elisabeth clicked her heels atop the cobble pavement, and the crimson magic circle rose up once more. Red flower petals scattered through the air and formed a wall surrounding the three of them. The petals melted together as they swirled, transforming into blood. When the cylindrical curtain of blood fell, the three of them had vanished from the town. They'd safely made their way to the basement of Elisabeth's castle, where the teleportation circle was affixed. After traveling through corridors reeking of must and echoing with a sound resembling moaning, the three of them ascended the stairs to the castle proper. "Shall we break for some tea? I believe there are a few tarts that have eluded my grasp." As she spoke, Elisabeth opened the door to the dining hall. The chandelier within let out a loud creak. A chain was wrapped around it, a familiar individual hanging from it by his neck. "Wh—?!" The dark figure swayed back and forth, letting out cacophonous creaking each time. Simply hanging there, the person looked almost like an ornament added to the chandelier. The chain glittered, wrapped around and around the figure's silver arms and biting deep into the neck. The bones in that neck had snapped at a queer angle. There was no way this person could still be alive. As Kaito and Elisabeth looked up at the tragic corpse, they both cried out. ""Butcher!"" The one who had been killed was the Butcher, a beastfolk merchant who would come to Elisabeth's castle to sell her meat. His entire body was wrapped up in the tattered black cloak he constantly wore. They couldn't make out his face, concealed as it always was by the shade of his hood. But even without seeing his expression, it was evident he was dead from the cruel shape his neck was contorted in. Clasping her hand over her mouth, Hina murmured in shock. "...Mr. Butcher? Why did this happen?" "I have no idea... Man, what even happened here?" Kaito shook his head. Why had he been killed? Who was responsible? As the tension caused the three of them to cringe, the Butcher's corpse made a lazy revolution. He then called out in an energetic voice, as if responding to the doubts the situation had brought about. "My friends, there is an enemy! An enemy is afoot!" "The corpse spoke!" "That's impossible!" "His spirit must be restless!" "Hmm, none of you seem particularly thrilled by the fact that I'm still alive. I feel oh so very loved at the moment." The Butcher, still strung up, shook his body from side to side in protest. The magnificent chandelier creaked ominously as he waved the scaly arms peeking out from the bottom end of his cloak. "...An arm? Wait, is that chain digging into your tail and not your neck?" "Keen eye! While I may be upside down, I yet live! Just as the enemy was stringing me up, I inverted my body within my cloak! Then they left, not realizing they had hung me by my tail! My, my, that could have gone quite poorly for me." "Wait, that doesn't sound possible; that's like a magic trick or something." "If I wish to call myself the Butcher, surely I should be able to do that much." "You're blowing my mind here, man." The two of them exchanged laughs, glad that he had survived. Then Elisabeth suddenly tilted her head to the side. "Hold it, Butcher. You spoke of an enemy. Who was it that hung you up within my castle?" "Ah, that I did! Madam Elisabeth, an enemy is attacking! Although as the Butcher, I must confess that I don't much care for your fight against the demons one way or the other; as a matter of fact, it doesn't hold my interest in the slightest. However—" "With an attitude like that, death shall come knocking at your door sooner rather than later." "—However, should I encounter one myself, then the story changes considerably! A demon came to this very castle! And he emitted a rather malevolent aura at that! He said that he planned to string me up to announce his arrival and then await your return in another room... Hey, wait—please get me down before you go running offfff!" As the Butcher shouted from behind them, Elisabeth and the rest returned to the corridor. She proceeded across the premises with wide strides. Kaito called out from behind her. "Do

you know where the demon is?" "Ha! Invading the castle of the Torture Princess is the act of an audacious fool. 'Tis but one place someone like that would choose—as the saying goes, impossible heights are coveted by smoke and the foolhardy alike." Spitting out her declaration, Elisabeth ran down the path lit by the stained-glass clerestory windows. After making her way up the spiral stairs leading to the throne room, she threw open the massive double doors. A gust of wind rushed out to meet her. The throne room was adorned with antique tapestries and an extravagant throne, giving it a dignified air. But ever since one of the Knight's beasts had attacked, there was a wall that had been completely destroyed. And out of either laziness or stubbornness, Elisabeth had neglected to repair it. There was someone sitting upon the throne, the pale-blue sky that peeked through the hole serving as a backdrop. The person was a handsome young man with rosy cheeks and shoulder-length blond hair. His slender, feminine legs extended out from his short trousers and swayed from side to side as he played with a piece of fruit that he'd brought to the side table. "And down the hatch...huh?" He'd just cut the pomegranate in half, and his mouth was wide open. Then his amber eyes caught sight of Elisabeth. Without even a hint of mercy, she called out. "Pendulum!" Crimson flower petals and darkness swirled in the middle of the ceiling. An enormous blade hanging from a chain dropped from it and let out a heavy-sounding noise as it froze in the air. It then swung in a wide arc, the glistening blade rapidly accelerating before it smashed the throne into tiny pieces. But when the dust settled, the boy's corpse was nowhere to be found among the wreckage. Unnoticed, he'd somehow made his way over to the wall. The blade corrected its trajectory and then sped toward the boy's new location. But right before it could slice through him, he vanished a second time. Elisabeth and company suddenly found themselves face-to-face with him. "...Wh—?!" Kaito gasped. But Elisabeth seemed to have anticipated this development. She licked her lips and then raised her arm once more. As she did, the boy dropped to one knee so quickly that it seemed like the bones in his foot must have snapped. He knelt, making no effort to defend himself. It became evident that an unbecoming scarlet shawl was draped around his neck, as if to cover his nape. Elisabeth raised an eyebrow at her foe's unexpected action. "What are you playing at, Governor?" "It's been some time, Ms. Elisabeth Le Fanu, beloved and over-perfect daughter of Mr. Vlad. While I harbor no shortage of animosity toward you, as you can see, I have no desire to do battle with you. I have come today to invite you to my manor, O Torture Princess." "What?" "Here is your formal invitation, with a present to accompany it. P-please, please accept it." The Governor pulled an envelope and a paper box tied up with a ribbon out of thin air and then proffered them to Elisabeth with a trembling hand. After she confirmed there was no sort of magical trap afoot, she frowned and took them from him. Then the Governor suddenly rose, his strange movements evoking the sense of a cord being yanked up. His features contorted in a soft, strange manner as he gave an awkward, clownish bow. "P-p-please do come—I've been e-e-eagerly anticipating your arrival." Without warning, he leaned all the way to the side. His smile the very picture of artificiality, he fell onto the floor and was swallowed up. Elisabeth snapped her fingers, returning the pendulum to flower petals before crossing her arms. "The Governor is the next weakest after the Knight, but there was something clearly off about him." "Oh yeah, for sure. I thought so as well. What's up with the box?" "Its contents appear to be...baked goods. Careful now—make sure not to touch them." Within the box was a row of brightly colored cookies. They were plastered with jam and looked quite tasty indeed. But in tune with her harsh voice, Elisabeth snapped her fingers. The well-made cookies burst into flame in midair and then burned to ash. "Among all the demons, he was the one who expended the most effort sucking up to Vlad. I know his ability. His is a power suited for assassination—the talent to turn any food he touches into poison or narcotics... Consequently, I expected him to stay hidden and out of my reach for as long as he could." "But wait, didn't he just come to the castle, invitation in hand?" "Aye, that he did. Why invite me, though? And when did he become so well versed in using teleportation circles?" Her gaze fell to the invitation. Bluish-green runes flickered across its surface. No doubt they could be used to allow Elisabeth's teleportation circle to connect directly to the Governor's manor. Kaito joined Elisabeth in frowning. "That doesn't make any sense." "Indeed, it doesn't. But I do not intend to fall for his trap. Something lurks beyond it, something we need to verify soon. 'Tis naught but my intuition, though, simply the feeling I'm getting." Kaito and Hina both nodded in assent. They needed to find out who was pulling the Governor's strings. Even though he'd agreed, an ominous feeling swirled up in Kaito's chest. I dunno why, but I don't like how this is playing out. He clicked his tongue in irritation. As he did, Hina pressed her hand to her mouth and gasped. "If I may, before we set off, we really ought to let down the Butcher." ""Oops,"" Kaito and Elisabeth said simultaneously. Now that she mentioned it, they'd both completely forgotten about him. When the three of them returned to the dining hall, they found the Butcher swinging back and forth and back and forth and back and forth. Clearly desperate, he seemed to be trying to bring down the entire chandelier. "Hold it, Butcher. Don't go breaking other people's chandeliers now." "Come now—was it not inhumane to run off and abandon me? Was it not unjust? And to say nothing of getting me wrapped up in a fight I had nothing to do with. Madam, I must protest! Even if I should rot away to nothing, the second and third Butchers shall—" "My apologies. Wait just one moment, and I shall have you freed. Hina." "Yes, ma'am." Hina, having already fetched her halberd, flew up from the floor. Leaping into the air, she struck the chain. Her sharp attack severed it in a single blow. His tail freed, the Butcher collapsed onto the floor. Upon landing, he quickly retracted his arms and tail into his cloak like a turtle. Nimbly squirming within it, he righted his clothes without his face ever becoming visible. He stood, raising his arms in celebration, and then looked quizzically at the other three. "Hmm? You all look so tense... And Ms. Maid already had her weapon on hand... Are the three of you off to somewhere dangerous?" "Yeah, we're heading for the manor of the demon who strung you up." "Oh my. If that is the case, Mr. Dim-Witted Servant, then do take care." The Butcher's voice was unusually docile. Kaito met his gaze and silently asked what the matter was. The Butcher drew his face close to Kaito's and then whispered in a serious tone. "It may seem a trivial matter, but...the intruder had a peculiar smell about him. The smell of foul meat." The Butcher spoke of how the scent gave him unpleasant premonitions. Kaito couldn't help but agree. When Elisabeth placed the invitation on her teleportation circle, it dissolved in a swirl of blood. The blue runes alone remained, drifting alongside the sanguine lines. Elisabeth, Hina, and Kaito stood upon it. When they did, the circle turned blue and began spinning rapidly. Azure flower petals surrounded them. They melted together into cylindrical walls and then transformed into black feathers. The feathers shot up into the air and began vanishing. "Listen, don't let your guards down. We'll be in constant danger from the moment we arrive." "Got it." "Understood, ma'am." The black curtain disappeared, and as it did, loud laughter rang out. Kaito and the others found themselves in a grand entrance hall, no doubt belonging to the Governor's manor. A banquet was spread out before them. "...What?" The hall was filled to the brim with round tables, each one overflowing with food. A whole-roasted suckling pig sat atop the elaborate mantelpiece, and antique busts were being used as platters to hold pies. Corks shot through the air like bullets, and people were drinking wine and beer straight out of bottles and casks. A beautiful lady made vulgar noises as she used sausages to scrape up what appeared to be a rich red tomato sauce. Beside her, a young man who looked like a farmhand was stuffing his cheeks with scarlet cakes. Many of the attendants were vomiting from overeating. The floor was covered with red sauces, half-digested food, and vomit, and people had trampled all the detritus down to a sticky paste. The naked revelry was truly chaotic. Vivid colors spread out before the three of them, with noxious aromas assaulting their nostrils and lively music beating in their ears. The clanging of silverware rang out to accompany this, as did a sound that resembled a herd of pigs chewing on scraps. "What is this place?" Looking out over the magnificent, hideous banquet, Kaito was taken aback. Beside him, Elisabeth silently surveyed the surroundings. Hina stepped forward to cover Kaito and then murmured softly. "...Lady Elisabeth, this smell..." "I'm well aware. There's little need for us all to say it aloud." Suddenly, a kindly old woman and a young girl carrying a silver tray emerged from the banquet. Their mouths, stained red, broke out into friendly smiles. The girl lifted the lid of her tray, revealing the potherb-decorated roast hare beneath it. The hare's back was drizzled with red sauce as well. The old woman's eyes were out of focus, but she spoke kindly as she kneaded her hands. "My, my, it appears we've received three more guests. Welcome to the Lord Governor's banquet. Ever since we were invited here, we've been able to spend countless days feasting on splendid foods, cut off from the suffering of the world. Let's all continue this magnificent feast together. Come now—eat to your heart's content!" She doesn't seem like an underling. She just seems like an ordinary person. All the people here drinking and partying, including the demi-humans and beastfolk among their ranks, had apparently come on the Governor's invitation. The Governor had the power to turn food into poison and narcotics, but for the moment, none of the guests looked to be suffering from any fatal abnormalities. Though the food was likely addictive, that was all. While pondering how to approach the situation, Kaito's thoughts were cut off. "La Guillotine, Saint of Beheadings." Elisabeth spoke in a low voice. Darkness and crimson flower petals materialized in response. A white figure rushed past them and landed with a gong. The beautiful maiden raised its head. The doll who'd been called a saint resembled the Iron Maiden yet gave off a decidedly different impression. The saint wore a plain white dress, and its thick, straight silver hair draped down as it closed its eyes as if in prayer. Unlike the showy Iron Maiden, La Guillotine seemed to combine the fastidiousness and tidiness of a nun. Elisabeth clicked her heels. The saint crossed its pale arms in front of its chest and then spread them out. With a sharp noise, a pair of rectangular blades slid out of its arms. They swung wide across the hall, gently caressing the necks of all the people within, and then buried themselves in the far wall. Blood sprayed everywhere as

the people's heads fell from their shoulders. "...Wh—?" Kaito was dumbstruck. As it stood in the middle of the shower of blood, there was no change in the saint's expression. It crossed its arms once more and then spread them out again. As the heads rolled, the noise of the instrument someone had been playing stopped as well. The young girl's head lay beside the fallen roast hare. The old woman's head slid from her wrinkled neck and then plopped down onto the ground. Elisabeth prepared to mercilessly click her heels a second time. Returning to his senses, Kaito grabbed her shoulder tight. "Elisabeth, cut it out! They're just ordinary people!" "Indeed, and when ordinary people find themselves invited to a demon's banquet, what do you think becomes of them?" "What are you talking—?" "Look at what they were eating. Look closely." Spurred on by Elisabeth's calm remark, Kaito ran his gaze across the round tables and then found himself at a loss for words. Even under the rancid downpour of blood, the banquet's guests were still gorging themselves. A plump man was shoving muffins into his mouth. He chewed on them with pleasure and then pressed down on his stomach after swallowing. "Rgh... Ah, ah... Gah, gah, arrrrrrrrrgh!" His eyes wide and blood and phlegm streaming from his nose, the man regurgitated a sickening substance. Red vomit poured down upon the food. Kaito had finally ascertained the true identity of the red sauce. "...'Tis their own dissolved organs." Without hesitation, Elisabeth voiced the conclusion he'd just reached. Racked with agony, the banquet's guests vomited up their own organs, which had been dissolved by the powerful poison in the food. However, unable to resist the addictive nature of the demon's feast, they continued gorging on the food along with their own ruined entrails. The banquet laid out before them was Hell masquerading as Heaven. "'Tis too late to treat any of them. The poison itself is incurable. Death is a mercy." Elisabeth made her declaration and then clicked her heels. The Saint of Beheadings obeyed the Torture Princess's cold command and swung its arms. The heads of all in attendance went flying. The spray of blood painted the ceiling a vivid shade of red. A number of heads rolled across the ground like fruits, and the headless corpses collapsed. Though Kaito desperately wanted to beg Elisabeth to stop, he restrained himself. As if in consideration for his feelings, Hina gently touched his arm. Elisabeth returned the saint to petals and then strode forth among the corpses. "Cease your dawdling. We need to seek out the Governor." "Yeah, I know. We gotta find him—find him so we can kill him." His voice thick with rage, Kaito followed after Elisabeth. The banquet now over, none raised a voice to stop them. In order to kill the Governor, the three of them began making their rounds through the manor. It didn't take long for them to realize that although the Governor ranked low among the fourteen, his deeds were no less horrifying. The Hell he had created didn't end at the entrance hall but continued on throughout the manor. "This is messed up. I had no idea that it was gonna be this bad." After confirming the situation within, that was all Kaito could say. In the dining hall, people covered in the Governor's spices were eating one another, all of them on the verge of death. The kitchen featured a man afflicted by poison, dead after cutting open his own chest and slurping at his innards in search of food. Down in the dungeon, a young mother had committed suicide after leaving a note detailing how she'd eaten her own baby. A young girl was slumped over a couch, her organs shredded after she'd eaten pastries filled with nails. And the courtyard's pool was filled with the bodies of children who had drowned in a sea of cake and suffocated. As they made their way up the main stairs to the second floor, Elisabeth responded. "The Governor is looked down upon as the weakest of the demons, his power even less suited for combat than the Knight's. He takes his frustration out on humans and schemes to gather their pain in order to grow stronger... He's akin to a child who tries to grow taller by taking in nutrients." "That's all kinds of screwed up." "From the bottom of my heart, I agree with Master Kaito." Hearing Hina's words, Kaito nodded mutely. His rage had been so overwhelming that he'd achieved a strange calm. He searched for the Governor in absolute silence. But while every turn revealed a new victim, the most important young man was nowhere to be seen. After going out of his way to give the Torture Princess an invitation, the Governor had vanished. Where...where is he? Huh? As he walked across the second-story cloister surrounding the entrance hall, Kaito scrunched up his face. He smelled something rotten. The hallway was filled with the fragrance of food, but the difference in that stench was conspicuous. The rest of the rooms and hallways on the second floor had the sweet smell of pastries and the savory scent of meat to cover up the stink of the corpses. But the smell drifting from the corner room on the second floor alone refused to be covered up. Just before, Kaito and the others had confirmed where the smell was coming from as they made their rounds. There was a single room on the second floor blanketed in the stench of decaying flesh. Elisabeth had declared that it was most likely storing food designated for people with repulsive tastes. However, the room's existence tugged at Kaito's mind. His rage-enhanced mind selected freely from its available information, and the Butcher's words floated to the surface of his thoughts. "He had a peculiar smell about him. The smell of foul meat." "...The smell of foul meat." As he parroted the words, Kaito broke into a run. Not pausing to tell the others where he was going, he rounded one of the cloister's corners and made for a section of the floor, a room that wasn't connected to any other hallway. Like a faithful hound, Hina followed warily behind him. However, sensing that Kaito had thought of something, she said nothing. When he opened the door, a putrid stench poured out into the hallway. "Good God, this room!" Kaito stood in the entryway of a lavish bedroom. At its center, a massive heap of decaying meat was sinking into the canopy bed. The sheets were stained a dark red and had been hardened stiff by the rotting fat, and the soiled room showed no signs of life. The window shutters were closed tight. But Kaito squinted as he took in the room's odd atmosphere. Looking closer, he could see that the top of the mass of half-melted flesh was moving up and down. The lump of meat was breathing. Beneath its transparent surface, stagnant blood could be seen pumping through its veins. Kaito took a step back in horror. The mass of rotting meat...was alive. "Foul...meat... Which means that's..." "Master Kaito, what's gotten into you? What is this room?" "What do you think you're doing? This room had naught but rotting meat in it." Elisabeth had caught up with them. In response to their questions, Kaito shook his head. Pointing at the hideous mass of flesh in front of them, he answered in a low groan. "...That's the Governor." "What?" "That pile of rotting meat—it's the Governor!" Elisabeth pushed Kaito aside as she dashed forward. As Hina ushered him farther back, Elisabeth stabbed the mass with her finger. Her black fingernail dug deep in the flesh. The mass quivered a little but offered no other reaction. Elisabeth pulled her finger free. As she fiddled with the dark blood dripping from the wound with her finger, Elisabeth spoke in a puzzled voice. "'Tis true; this thing certainly has demonic power running through it." "So it really is him?" "Indeed... But the question then becomes why? When he visited the castle just now, he appeared as a hale young man, taking on a human form as contractors to demons are wont to do. Only when they release their power do they reveal their true, hideous forms." "Is that what that mass of flesh is?" "Nay, it's precisely because that isn't the case that the situation is so odd... I've seen the Governor's true form before. 'Tis a gray titan. Hideous as it is, it's no mass of flesh... Is this the remains of the titan crushing in on itself? Its power is running wild... Perhaps the result of being unable to maintain its ego? What on earth happened here?" Elisabeth crossed her arms, deep in thought. Suddenly, the mass stirred. Something that had been stuck to its skin fell off the bit resembling the nape of its neck. While it was discolored from the putrefaction fluids, it was still recognizable as the scarlet shawl that had been wrapped around the nape of his neck. Beneath where the stained cloth had peeled off from, something silver glistened. A decorative needle modeled after a brain was stuck deep in the nape of the Governor's neck. "That needle..." As Elisabeth murmured, the heap of rotting flesh began loudly breaking apart. The noise it made was horrible, and as it crumbled, the rotting meat—the Governor—opened its eyes. He looked up at Elisabeth, his eyes like those of a dead fish, and then opened his huge mouth wide and let out a monstrous roar. As he did, his remaining teeth tumbled out. Elisabeth snapped her fingers. Iron stakes appeared and then whizzed through the air toward the Governor's open mouth. Beside them, something dark and red slipped out from within the mass of flesh. Hina, not letting her guard down for a moment, quickly brandished the ax end of her halberd. Then she spoke. "...What?" It was something nobody could have expected. It was the Governor's heart. Elisabeth's stakes were unerring in their aim, and they impaled the Governor and ripped through his back. As they did, Hina tried to cut the heart in two, but it ruptured on its own before she could. The dark red viscera pitifully disintegrated. Then the blood flowing from within it transformed into hundreds of arms. The arms dodged around Hina as they grabbed for Elisabeth. "Wh—?!" The arms lovingly embraced Elisabeth and squeezed her tight. The discolored poison blood sank into her pale skin. Runes, similar to the Church's shackles, carved their way into her flesh. Elisabeth, eyes wide, collapsed to the floor. Hina propped up her shoulder. "...Hah, hah..." "Lady Elisabeth! Hang in there!" "Elisabeth!" Kaito ran to her side. Meanwhile, the Governor, having lost his heart and been run through by stakes, wept uncontrollably as he breathed his last. The rotting meat stopped moving and then transformed into a large quantity of black feathers. He vomited up his own heart? Perplexed by the situation, Kaito knelt beside Elisabeth as Hina held her shoulder tighter. Elisabeth spoke in a quiet voice, her sullied skin trembling like that of a violated maiden. "Rgh... Ah... This...this...can't be..." Then they heard a rattling noise as the sound of chains rang out. "Sacrifice—a spell that, in exchange for a demon's heart, can partially seal away demonic powers." Kaito went stiff and then spun around. But even before he could confirm who was there, deep inside he already knew. Something terrible was coming. A woman with the majesty of a king was ascending the stairs. She wore a crinoline dress that made luxurious use of scarlet fabric. Her skirt's front half was left intentionally bare, leaving the unrefined birdcage-like frame visible. Within, her seductive, unnaturally white legs were on display. A large group of collared underlings followed behind her, their straitjackets covering even their faces. Chains extended from their overly tight collars, all connecting to the rings the woman was

wearing. With her scarlet eyes and dress, she looked like a roaring flame when she laughed. "The Governor's manor is dreadful, isn't it? Don't you think it's a fitting end for that child, dying as a heap of meat in the middle of his own playground? I wanted to crush his heart, which is why I invited you all here. Did you enjoy yourselves? If you did, I'm sure he'd have been pleased. Buffoonery is buffoonery precisely because it inspires laughter, no?" "You witch... You used the heart of a demon, one of your own comrades?" Elisabeth, still in agony, posed the question in a voice dripping with hatred. The scarlet woman nodded brazenly and seemingly proud rather than ashamed. "Precisely, Elisabeth. Up until now, I'd respected the lives of my comrades out of regard for my dear friend Vlad. But with his death, there will be no more of that. By consuming the lives of the weaker demons, I can use them for particularly effective attacks. Isn't that just splendid? ...Oh my, how rude of me. I became so caught up in idle chatter, I neglected to introduce myself. My sincerest apologies." The beautiful woman smiled with all the composure and magnanimity of a queen. She gave an elegant curtsy. As she did, she pulled on the chains connecting to her rings, causing the people behind her to bow deeply. "I am the Grand King, Fiore." Her introduction complete, she raised her head and smiled. Kaito and Hina stood in awe of her elegant demeanor and overwhelming presence. Even so, they tried to protect Elisabeth when the Grand King made her declaration. "Playtime is over, little princess—now, the chaos begins." 2 The Kaiser's Contractor Elisabeth's castle sat atop a desolate hill, surrounded on all sides by dense forest. It was constructed firmly out of unworked stone, making it feel less like a castle and more like a fortress. Within one of its rooms—a cold room wholly unfit for relaxation—Elisabeth lay in shallow slumber atop a finely constructed yet modest bed. Sweat beaded across her forehead. Hina took a cloth cooled with ice water and gently wiped the sweat away. As he leaned against the hard stone wall, Kaito observed Elisabeth's condition. She seemed frail, a far cry from her normal haughty, prideful behavior. She resembled a child, sick in bed with a fever. But compared to how she was a moment ago, her breathing was much more stable. Hina blinked her emerald-green eyes as she turned to face Kaito. He silently gestured with his chin, beckoning her into the hallway. Careful not to make noise, the two of them left the room. After waiting for Hina to close the door behind them, Kaito asked her a question. "So what exactly is wrong with Elisabeth?" "Well... I'm quite ashamed to admit it, but while I have stored within me all modern medical knowledge, I lack specialized treatment functions, so any hypothesis I could make would be imprecise at—" "That's fine. I'm positive your opinion is far more useful than mine. Please let me know what's going on with her." "As you wish... It appears that Lady Elisabeth is suffering from a dramatic decline in the amount of mana within her body." Kaito nodded, Hina's assessment aligning with his suspicions. Having learned the basics of magecraft, he was better than he'd been before at understanding other people's magical powers. Normally, Elisabeth gave off a sinister pressure as sharp as rose thorns, so cutting that even she herself was tormented by it. But now she seemed like a doll who'd had its insides scooped out. "While Lady Elisabeth freely wields magic strong enough to defeat demons, her body consumes mana to protect itself in order to withstand its overuse. As a result, her current situation is no doubt quite painful for her... Oh!" Suddenly, they heard a quiet groaning from inside the room. Hina and Kaito frantically rushed back in. Elisabeth was shaking her head and taking ragged breaths. Hina hurried to her side. "Lady Elisabeth, my sincerest apologies. I'm back now." Little by little, Hina poured a decoction into Elisabeth's half-open mouth. Kaito placed the towel back in the ice water, wrung it out, and then passed it to Hina. She thanked him and then wiped down Elisabeth's slender neck. There, too, ominous tracks pulsed. The red marring her pale flesh looked almost like an extra set of blood vessels beneath her skin. ...I've never seen her in this much pain... Dammit. Biting his lip in frustration at his own powerlessness, Kaito thought back to the events from before she'd fallen asleep. "La Guillotine, Saint of Beheadings!" Propped up by Kaito and Hina, Elisabeth faced the Grand King and called out. Dripping with cold sweat, she had summoned the torture device. Crimson flower petals and darkness swirled, and the white saint appeared to protect the three of them. It closed its arms and then opened them and set loose its rectangular blade. The Grand King forewent defense, simply yanking on one of the chains in her hand. One of her underlings came flying forward. He became the Grand King's shield, and his head and neck went their separate ways. It was almost comical how abruptly his straitjacket-covered head rolled across the floor. "Wh—?!" As Kaito reeled in shock, Hina made her move. With flowing movements, she vanished from his side. Dropping as low as she possibly could, she slid into the Grand King's blind spot and swung her halberd diagonally upward. Not even looking at the blade, the Grand King pulled on her chains again. Another underling flew forward, and another underling lost his head, which rolled across the floor. Tired of waiting for their chains to be pulled, the rest of the underlings swayed from side to side. "Tch!" Her attack repelled, Hina decided not to pursue and instead fell back. The Grand King laughed uncomfortably. "You're a reckless young lass, aren't you? It brings me back, but youth really is a troubling time." The Grand King suddenly turned her gaze away from Hina and the saint. She removed the two chains connected to the dead underlings' collars. Her heavy crinoline dress shook as she stooped over and touched one of the corpse's straitjackets. The cloth melted away at her touch, and its arms fell free. She took its hideous, sarcoma-covered hand in hers. "You did well." She whispered gently and then placed a ring on its ring finger with a kiss. The living underlings collectively groaned, seemingly in envy. Then, having lost interest, the Grand King tossed the corpse's arm aside and stood. Her guard had been down throughout the entire series of actions, yet she hadn't left so much as a single opening. "Now, now, Elisabeth. Do you still intend to fight me? The Governor said it when he was under my needle's control, didn't he? 'While I harbor no shortage of animosity toward you, as you can see, I have no desire to do battle with you.'" "Ha, what a joke. Who'd believe the words of a seductress such as you?" "Oh my, but I'm telling the truth. In order to win a fight to the death with the Torture Princess while she still has the power to summon La Guillotine, as well as one of Vlad's automatons, I would have no choice but to assume my demon-fused form... But I find that form laughably hideous, you see. And think of how my subordinates would feel if I were to discard my beauty now." The Grand King drew a crow-feather fan from the cleavage of her voluptuous breasts and covered her mouth with it. She shook her head in refusal. After completing her innocent-seeming gesture, she heaved a heavy sigh. "But alas, unlike Vlad, who brought about his own ruin, I'm a far more logical and self-interested individual. I am a woman, after all. If the necessity arises, I won't hesitate. See now, Vlad refused to fuse with his demon, whereas I'm already one with mine. But as much as I can, I'd rather not show off that hideous form—a woman has her pride, you know." She thrust her closed fan toward Elisabeth, as if asking if she could appreciate that. Elisabeth didn't reply. The Grand King acted as though she'd heard an answer regardless, though, and gave a light shrug. "You're displaying your displeasure all over your pretty little face. Listen now, Elisabeth. Would you mind not constantly looking for openings like that? The fact that I'm not simply killing you all without regard for appearances may be due to pride, but it is a mercy as well. You're carrying rather important baggage, after all. Isn't that right, automaton girl?" Gesturing at Kaito with her chin, the Grand King winked at Hina. Hina readied her halberd, tension racing through her body as she prepared herself for whatever might come. She resembled a guillotine, blade ready to drop at any moment. The Grand King licked her lips as she whispered to her. "A lesson for you, young pup. You're still young, so you might not understand, but love is something you keep hidden. It isn't something you bare for the world to see, you know? Especially against a female opponent—otherwise, a wicked woman with a taste for other people's men might just snatch him up." The Grand King cast a flirtatious glance at Kaito, and her pale hand moved. One of her rings, not attached to any of her underlings, shot out a chain. It hurtled toward Kaito at full speed. The chain was right about to wrap around his neck when a thunderous noise rang out, and the chain was cut to pieces. Hina had swung her halberd, cutting apart the chain and taking a chunk of the floor with it. "Go die in a hole, you vixen." Her pupils dilated, Hina moved her legs. She hurled her halberd, and it spun as it sped at the Grand King. But she yanked on her chains once more, and another underling flew in to receive the blow in her place. There was the sound of a neck snapping. The front of the underling's straitjacket split open, and blood sprayed everywhere. Kaito and the rest momentarily had their vision blotted out by red. Then a hand reached out from an unexpected direction and grabbed hold of La Guillotine's hair. "See, you lost your cool, didn't you? How adorable you are, young lass. You seem difficult to take, so I'll end things here for today—but next time, who knows? You may want to learn a thing or two about provocations in love affairs." Chuckling, the Grand King put force into the hand holding La Guillotine's head. At some point, that hand had become nothing but bone, demonic and much larger than that of a human. Its head buckling under the pressure, the saint's skin began to split. The unseemly mechanisms within it became exposed. The sound of creaking iron rang out. "I'll be taking this." The Grand King crushed the saint's neck with her grotesque hand. The now-headless body collapsed on its side and transformed into rose petals. Amid their crimson dance, the Grand King's cheeks reddened, and she fanned herself with her crow-feather fan. "Oh, good gracious. How improper of me. Please just pretend you didn't see that arm." "Damn you, Grand King... Damn you, Fiore!" "How pleasant it feels to hear you cry out my name, Elisabeth. Of all the demons you've killed, they were always the ones pitifully crying out yours, right? ...That's plenty enough for me today." Her arm returning to that of a lady's, the Grand King nodded. She placed a ring on the ring finger of her freshly killed underling and then suddenly, as if bored, turned her back on Elisabeth and company. However, she turned her head back around and twisted her lips seductively. "I hope we meet again, little princess—and as for you, lover boy, do try to get a bit

stronger." The Grand King began majestically making her way down the stairs. Like pet dogs, her underlings obediently followed as she pulled on their chains. As the unsettling group finally faded from view, Elisabeth murmured in disgust. "...What a vile woman. However, pursuing her is beyond me. I am quite certainly—" "Elisabeth?" "Lady Elisabeth!" "—at my limit." As if the strings holding her up had been cut, Elisabeth collapsed on the spot. Crimson runes wriggled atop her pale skin. Flustered, Hina and Kaito hoisted her up and carried her to the entrance hall. Using the knowledge recorded in Hina, they activated the teleportation circle and somehow made their way back to the castle. It was the first time the Torture Princess had ever had to beat a retreat after being face-to-face with a demon. At the moment, Elisabeth was still sleeping in her room. Although keeping her comfortable was about the extent of the treatment Kaito and Hina were capable of, her breathing had calmed down again. After confirming that Elisabeth was stable, Kaito turned his weary, wavering gaze toward Hina's back. Then he looked back at Elisabeth, who was sinking into her bed. "...Elisabeth." After murmuring softly, he closed his eyes and frowned. He thought back on everything that had just happened. He thought back to how innocent Elisabeth's expression had been as she stuffed her cheeks with food and how Hina had gently smiled beside her. He thought back to how the Grand King had sadistically laughed as she peeked out from behind her crow-feather fan. Suddenly, her expression blended together with the one his father had when he had tried to kill Kaito. While one had been much scarier than the other, they'd shared the same fundamentals. They'd both thought of Kaito as a worm, vermin they could crush as they pleased. Finally, Kaito turned to face the phantom of a red-haired boy. The boy looked at him worriedly, and Kaito muttered a few words. "I know, Neue... It's too early to panic. But even so..." As he opened his eyes, Kaito loosened his grave expression. He calmly rose from his chair and then called out to Hina. "Hey, Hina. It doesn't look like there's much more for me to do here. And because both the butler and the maid were occupied, the chores are starting to pile up. I'm going to go clean up a bit." "Master Kaito, I can deal with that later—and there's the matter of the Governor's invasion. It's dangerous for you to be alone right now." "Nah, I'll be fine on my own. Can you let me leave?" "But—" "...Hina." "...I understand. If anything happens, please call out at once. Although I'm protecting Lady Elisabeth, I won't waste a moment in rushing to the side of my beloved." Although she didn't seem convinced, Hina nodded. No doubt she'd seen Kaito's pained expression and suspected that he'd wanted to be alone. ...Sorry about this. And thanks. Thanking her internally, Kaito left the room. But while Hina's conjecture had been right, it also missed the mark. It's true that I want to be alone, but... No, I need to be alone. Kaito closed the door behind him and then took a short breath. He looked down and then raised his head and strode forward with an expression brimming with resolve. After stopping by the kitchen and picking something up, he walked briskly down the stairs and made for the underground corridors. The corridors were filled with the stench of rust and a noise that sounded like groaning, and they resembled a labyrinth. If one entered them carelessly, they could easily get lost and die without ever finding an exit. But Kaito, taking advantage of the fact that his experiences in life had left him with the ability to remember any information that was accompanied by pain, had once carved a map of the important parts in his flesh. As a result, the pain had caused him to memorize the route he needed to take. After entering the empty, unused room, Kaito closed its heavy door and locked it from inside. After surveying all the room's stone walls and triple-checking that nobody was there, Kaito stuck his hand in his pocket. From within, he drew out a clear stone wrapped in a handkerchief and a fruit knife. "...Here goes nothing." As he muttered to himself, he opened his hand wide. Then he plunged the fruit knife deep into his flesh. Biting down on his lip a little, Kaito drew the blade horizontally across his palm. The sound of flesh tearing rang out, and blood spilled forth onto the floor. "That should be good, right?" As he stared at his wound, which was gruesome enough to make any ordinary person balk, Kaito coolly gauged the pool of blood atop his hand. After deciding that the quantity was sufficient, he took the stone from the handkerchief and placed it atop his palm. The bottom of the stone sank into the mana-rich crimson pool. As it did, the blue rosebud within in bloomed, as if it had just been watered, and the black feathers grew in quantity. However, no decisive change occurred. ...Was that not what I was supposed to do? No, wait, the kindling is in place. Now all it needs are live coals. Kaito opened his mouth, unsure of what to say, and then closed it again. Suddenly, he felt a chilly hand on his shoulder. Frantically, he looked to the side. However, nobody was there. Even so, the sensation on his shoulder remained. In tune with the hallucination, a low, velvety, youthful male voice resonated in his ear. "Now, you just have to whisper like this." "—La (become)." Black feathers blew through the room like a blizzard. The feathers, which should have only existed within the stone, piled up elegantly on the floor. Quietly mixed in with them were azure rose petals. As the shades of blue and black beat an erratic waltz, their movements became more and more purposeful. The petals and feathers melted together and spun to create a thin cylinder. Then the curtain dropped. Like a magic trick, a man stood in its place. Wearing his silk shirt, cravat, and black coat decorated with silver thread, he looked just like a titled aristocrat. His lustrous black hair and crimson eyes gave him a certain androgynous beauty, and he looked directly at Kaito. His fetching features bore an uncanny resemblance to Elisabeth's. Having confirmed his hypothesis, Kaito spoke to the man. "It's been a while, Vlad Le Fanu." Vlad Le Fanu. The Kaiser's contractor. Before she'd killed him, he'd been Elisabeth's most terrible foe. He smiled, a smile clearly full of heartfelt affection. "You could say it's been a while, for a while it has been. You could also say it's nice to meet you, for nice to meet you it is. Now then, which would be better to greet you with? I'm at quite the loss... Hmm, if you were in my place, which would you pick?" Vlad meaninglessly raised his index finger as he posed his question to Kaito. As always, his words and actions had a peculiar innocence to them. However, his voice sounded like he was speaking through a veil of water. Upon further inspection, his body and clothes were partially see-through. Just as I suspected... He doesn't have a physical form. But he still has his will. Silently, Kaito reaffirmed that reality. Shrugging at his lack of response, Vlad looked around the room and snapped his fingers. Darkness and azure flower petals swirled around his feet. As Kaito wondered what he was summoning, a gorgeous seat made of beast bones and covered in animal pelts—and just as immaterial as Vlad—appeared. With great pomp and circumstance, Vlad took a seat on the phantom chair. "I'm well aware that you're not the kind of person who takes these things into account, I suppose. You really ought to invite your guests into rooms with chairs in them. Although even if you had, it's not as if I'd be able to use them in my current state, so it really is a rather presumptuous request of me to make. After all, I'm well aware of what the old 'me' did." "...I don't know if I should refer to it as back when you were alive, but you have all those memories, right?" "Indeed, that I do. I recall asking you to become my successor, and I recall you turning me down. I even recall being killed. Hmm? Now that I think about it, shouldn't I have chosen my opening remarks to be slightly more coldhearted? Oh, what a helpless softy I am." Vlad began pondering to himself. As he took a tense breath, Kaito asked him a question. "So you really know about it all, huh...? But you don't seem to be the same as the old you, the you from back when you were alive. What are you, then?" "Well now, that's quite the problematic question! It's the height of folly, summoning something you don't even know the true nature of! ...Or rather, that's what I'd like to say, but you have some idea, don't you? Go on, say it. I'll let you know if you're right or wrong." Vlad urged Kaito on by gesturing with his chin, arrogant yet amused. After staring at him for a moment, Kaito responded. "If I'm right, then you're Vlad Le Fanu's soul—or rather, an inferior replica thereof." "While it's most irritating, being referred to as inferior, you're quite correct! Would you look at that, a perfect score! The young man I set my sights on as a successor has grown rather impressively in quite a short time! Even though you rejected me, I'm oddly pleased in spite of that. Perhaps this is what they call parental love... In any case, what led you to that conclusion?" "The heat I felt from your stone was a lot like my body—the kind of heat produced from a soul squirming around inside a homunculus. That was what first made me think that your stone had a soul sealed inside it as well." "I see, quite the impressive intuition you have. And?" "And if you'd been able to get your actual soul to safety when you were on the verge of being killed, there's no way you wouldn't have been bragging about it and saying all sorts of annoying bullshit by now." Hearing Kaito's incredibly impolite explanation, Vlad raised the corner of his mouth in annoyance. However, just as Kaito had expected, no rebuttal was forthcoming. He probably wasn't able to make light of the facts. In stark contrast to the way he'd liked to live his life, by no definition had Vlad's death been elegant. As Kaito played with the stone in his hand, he continued piling on conjecture. "If that was the case, then that meant in some sense you were unrelated to the actual person who died... A perfect reproduction didn't seem possible, but I felt like this world's magic could probably produce something of that level." "Indeed, with an emphasis on finding a successor, the old me searched for ways to exert his influence on the world in posterity. While I can't do much more than talk, I yet remain, so I can take part in the affairs of the world. Even if it's not the same 'me' who died, it doesn't change the fact that I'm carrying out actions—good heavens, what was I thinking? Well, as long as it's entertaining, I suppose." Speaking as if it were somebody else's problem, Vlad replied freely. Even though he'd been killed, it didn't seem as though he planned to hold a grudge against Elisabeth or Kaito. As Kaito made that determination, the tension he'd secretly been enduring unwound. Looking directly in Vlad's eyes, he asked him a question. "Now then, there's something I want you to tell me. It's about the Grand King." "Was Elisabeth defeated?"

Kaito swallowed. He had concluded that Vlad's knowledge of the outside world was limited to what the man himself had experienced up until death. He hadn't expected Vlad to have figured that out. As Kaito frowned, wondering if Vlad had been able to hear even when the stone was cut off from mana, a truly unpleasant smile floated to Vlad's face. "Until just now, I had essentially no ability to perceive the outside world. That was but simple conjecture. After my death, that would have been the natural result of her running across the Grand King. The woman is far more vicious than I. As far as combat goes, her specialty lies not in her personal strength but the cruelty of her tactics—while she is inferior to me, she is stronger nonetheless." Vlad readily acknowledged that fact. His eyes half-closed, he spoke as if waxing nostalgic about the past. "Fiore and I were friends even before we made our demonic contracts. We would liven up balls together and transfix men and women alike. While we were quite close, however, our ideologies were at stark odds. I focused my efforts on what would come after we had taken control—prioritizing my bonds with my comrades, preparing a successor, and readying my army, although that army was annihilated after Elisabeth and I had our falling-out and I was captured—whereas Fiore paid no heed to such things and instead held the individual, that is to say herself, in sole regard." "Yeah, I can believe that." "She rejected my principles and refused to aid in rescuing me from the Church, but at least she took our long years of friendship into account and refrained from taking any selfish actions. But with my death, no doubt she's stopped holding herself back. Any lower-ranked demon whose brain she sticks her needles into will become her puppet." Kaito narrowed his eyes. A brain-shaped needle had been stuck in the back of the Governor's neck. "So that's what that needle was..." "Once the needle's been placed, pulling it out will accomplish nothing. The only one immune to her needles is the Kaiser. She likely won't take control of those ranked close to her—the King, the Grand Monarch, and the Monarch—but most of the rest of the demons are probably already her pawns, their hearts free for her to wrench out as she pleases. And faced with her specialty, Sacrifice, even Elisabeth would be at a disadvantage." As far as Kaito knew, the demons held a great deal of attachment to their own lives. Even though they mercilessly slaughtered others, they would balk at the thought of meeting the same fate. That was precisely why none of them had been able to use Sacrifice, as it would have required giving up their own heart. However, the Grand King, Fiore, was able to take advantage of it by using her comrades as scapegoats. She could probably only use it as many times as there were demons remaining. ...Dammit. Kaito bit down on his lip. Vlad, taking pleasure in seeing his pained expression, continued. "And? Is that all you wished to ask me? As far as Fiore is concerned, that's the sum total of the useful information there is to know. May I take my leave now? Not that I would mind wiling away time making idle banter, mind you..." "I have...one request." "Ah, music to my ears. Ask away." A wicked smile crossed Vlad's face. Kaito clenched his fist. As he was then, Vlad wasn't contracted with the Kaiser. But even on his own, demonic was a perfectly apt descriptor for him. Vlad Le Fanu was a man who constantly probed at the weaknesses in people's hearts. Knowing just how foolish it was to ask a favor of such a man, Kaito raised his voice. "Could you teach me how to use magic?" "...Oh?" Vlad frowned in surprise and then leaned back in his beast-rib chair and crossed his hands. "That wasn't what I was expecting at all. I had been quite certain that you would ask me how to go about freeing Elisabeth from Sacrifice's influence." "When Elisabeth wakes up, I'm gonna follow her lead as far as dispelling Sacrifice goes. If I asked you, there's a fair shot that you'd teach me a method that would end up killing her." "How rude. I would never tell you such a lie." "I find that hard to believe." "It's true! How could I bear using your filthy hands to kill my dear Elisabeth? As I no longer have hands to crush her slender throat myself, I wish merely for her to keep living so that she may continue suffering. I wish for her to suffer foolishly, helplessly, and endlessly, until eventually she meets the same fiery end as I." "You've got some fucked-up tastes." Vlad ran his tongue across his lips as Kaito derided him and then shrugged lightly. "While it feels odd to come out and admit it, people with healthy tastes generally don't form contracts with demons. Their very existences are wicked and twisted... But in any case, why seek instruction from me? Wouldn't you be better off simply having Elisabeth teach you?" "When we faced off against the Grand King, I was just baggage. I need to get stronger and fast. And one other thing..." "One other thing?" "I can't rely on Elisabeth." "Oh?" Vlad opened his eyes wide in an abrupt show of glee. Kaito met his crimson gaze. Ever since he'd arrived in this world, all his experiences had taught him one thing. The Torture Princess was a terrible sinner and a cruel woman. And if the need arose, she could even be merciless to those who'd earned her trust. If Kaito asked, she'd probably have been willing to use her torturous means to train him in the ways of magic. However, she'd probably choose the specifics of her methods herself. And while she could be callous toward Kaito, she wasn't a monster. And that means...she probably won't push me hard enough for me to become truly useful. Dark magic was accompanied by pain, and the power of demons demanded it. Lastly, Kaito's body was accustomed to pain. When he'd put those three truths together, Kaito had realized the key implication therein. And to check if he was right or not, he needed Vlad's help. Vlad was a man who had once trained Marianne, an ordinary tutor—and a woman Kaito himself had killed—into a necromancer. No doubt he would gleefully cast open doors that Elisabeth wouldn't have dared touch. The reason Kaito had hidden Vlad's soul from Elisabeth was to obtain information and knowledge. It would have been too much of a waste to simply throw away access to the memories of the Kaiser's contractor. But if not for the current situation, Kaito wouldn't have had any intention of actually summoning Vlad. Rational as he was, though, Kaito could be rash and cruel when it came to matters involving himself. As long as he didn't fall into madness like Marianne had and all he did was receive education, the only person this decision would affect was him. After making that judgment, Kaito continued making his request. "I won't let you do to me what you did to Marianne. But you asked me to become your successor, so you must know some way that I can make full use of myself, some way that Elisabeth doesn't." "Oh, that I do indeed." A beastly grin crossed Vlad's face. However, he wiped it away a second later. Then he spoke in a calm, gentlemanly tone. "I see the makings of one who can surpass Elisabeth in you, after all. You understand pain, and you can regard wounds with a calculating eye. But in spite of that, you act strongly when driven by hatred, and you possess a fastidious side as well. You're a person with great capacity for malicious growth. However, it seems that you reject the notion of taking from others. That will make it difficult for you to develop, but...you did come out of your way to ask me for help. First of all, there's one thing you're suited toward that I can teach you right now." As Vlad spoke gently, he opened both his hands. He was clearly plotting something. Even though he realized that, Kaito nodded. The disparaging remark the Grand King had thrust at him still rang in his ears. "And as for you, lover boy, do try to get a bit stronger." She was totally right. I need to become stronger—I need to prepare for the worst, going forward. At this rate, I'm going to lose all the things that I worked so hard to obtain. Kaito thought back to all the sadistic things the Grand King had done and said. She clearly numbered among those who took things from others. Even compared to the other demons, whose very lives she took advantage of, Fiore was in a league of her own. At the rate things were going, Kaito was going to remain a member of the oppressed and have everything taken from him. That was something he refused to let happen. But in order to surpass the trials before him, the only chip Kaito had to gamble with was himself. He slid it forward; however, he didn't take his hand off the chip just yet. Sensing his caution, Vlad continued talking in his coaxing voice. "The fact you were able to summon me means that you learned how to activate magical devices, correct? The next lesson is the practical test. Carve a deep wound in your flesh and then, using the pain as your anchor, gather the mana flowing through your blood. Once you've gotten used to gathering it, try to merge its heat and your pain within your body. Then, when you can clearly feel the mana atop your palm, use your voice to set it off. That should allow you to give it form." Kaito looked down at his bloody palm, which still clasped the stone. After passing the stone to his other hand, he began gathering mana around the pain of his wound. The wound gradually grew hot. As he felt the heat and the pain mix together, it reminded him of the injuries he'd grown so used to in life, and he felt a faint weight atop his hand. However, it still didn't have a form. Kaito envisioned the closest thing he could to the heat—fire. "—La (become)." As he whispered, a golden flame rose into the air. It quickly vanished, but Vlad clapped his hands. "Brilliant. For a beginner such as yourself, it's quite rare to become so proficient with pain so quickly! Unfortunately, though, the magic that technique will allow you to use is limited. Generally, turning the pain of others directly into mana is by far the most efficient method. To that end, you'd need to consume the flesh of a demon..." At that point, Vlad licked his lips again. Then he whispered, his voice dripping with the cloying sweetness of honey. "...or summon a demon yourself." "Master Kaitooooo! Where are youuuuu?!" Suddenly, Hina's voice rang out. As it did, Vlad's body began crumbling. Apparently, he planned to beat a retreat of his own volition before they could be discovered. How gracious of him. From the tips of his toes, his body transformed into black feathers and azure flower petals. The phantasmal petals and feathers swirled as they were sucked back into the stone. "Master Kaitoooo!" Kaito could just make out Hina's voice from a distance. Before long, she'd end up making her way into the underground corridors in her search. Kaito was at a loss for what to do. It'd probably be better for me to go out on my own. But I don't think there's any way I'm going to be able to hide this wound on my hand. After pondering his options for a moment, he shoved the bare stone into his

pocket and set the fruit knife on the floor. Then he roughly wrapped the handkerchief around his hand and tied it off tightly with his teeth. "Master Kaitooo, where are youuuu?!" "I'm coming!" After surveying the room one last time, as if looking for Vlad, Kaito took off at a dash. Behind him, all that was left was a fresh bloodstain. "Master Kaito, thank goodness, I was so worr— What happened to your haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaand?!" "Huh? What?" Even though he'd wrapped it up with the handkerchief and hidden it behind his back, there had been no hiding his injury from Hina's sharp eyes. Right after they'd found each other in the first-story hallway, she'd let out a scream, circled around Kaito, and grabbed his hand. The handkerchief wrapped around it was already stained red, and blood was dripping off it. Wondering what excuse to give, Kaito unconsciously looked up at the ceiling. But Hina didn't ask. ...What? She's...not going to ask how I got hurt? Hina stared silently at the blood-soaked handkerchief. Then, as Kaito was thinking, a torrent of tears came pouring from the corners of her emerald-green gemstone eyes. "Wh—? Hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, hey, Hina, why are you crying?" "Lady Elisabeth is wounded, and while I wasn't watching, my beloved Master Kaito has been injured as well... My artificial tears won't stop coming... My pardons, my sincerest pardons. Even though you instructed as such, this happened because I wasn't able to be with you... Even though I am your lover and your shield, I—" "No, no, this isn't your fault! I mean, hey, my hand just slipped when I was cleaning up the knives... Even if you'd been there for me, I was just being clumsy, so please don't apologize! I'm the one at fault here!" "No, Master Kaito, that isn't the case. If I'd been there, I would have immediately taken your hand in mine and stopped the bleeding and then snapped that violent bastard of a knife in two... Wahhhh!" "Hina, the knife didn't do anything wrong." Kaito was lost as to how to convince Hina not to assign blame to inanimate objects. While he thought, Hina stroked his hand over and over while being careful to avoid his wound. Her tender, sorrowful gesture filled Kaito with guilt. As he was about to open his mouth to speak, Hina's expression suddenly changed. "That's right! I mustn't just stay here like this! We have to treat your hand! All the medical equipment is in Elisabeth's room, so we should head—that's right! Before that, there's something I must tell you!" "Something you have to tell me?" "Lady Elisabeth has opened her eyes!" The instant he heard her say that, Kaito took off at a run. "Oh, Master Kaito! Please wait for me!" As he ran, ignoring the voice calling out for him to stop, he passed through a hallway decorated with imposing stone statues as he pulled ahead of Hina. He dug his feet into the ground atop the unpleasant designs cast by the stained-glass clerestory windows as he rounded a corner. He continued dashing straight down the hallway and then vigorously cast open the door to the bedroom. "Elisabeth, are you okay?!" "...Hmm?" Elisabeth was sitting on the bed, stark naked. Their gazes met, then parted. After an awkward silence, the two clumsily voiced their confusion. "......Huh?" "......Hmm?" Kaito looked once more at the scene before him, unsure of what to say. Elisabeth's pale limbs, each like a piece of art without a single wasted stroke, were adorned with captivating crimson runes. Her slender, crossed legs cast a precarious shadow between them, her waist was so thin it seemed to invite an embrace, and the curves of her breasts were shapely. After looking over Elisabeth's tender, beautiful body from top to bottom, Kaito opened his mouth and spoke mechanically. "I'm very sorry." "I'll have your head." Kaito slammed the door shut with all his might. As he wiped away his cold sweat, he took a deep breath. Hina, who'd been chasing after him, stared him straight in the eyes and lifted a hand. She then loudly slapped Kaito across the forehead. "Ow." "You mustn't enter a lady's bedroom without so much as calling out first, Master Kaito. Bad boy, sir." "Yeah, that...that was my bad." "Please wait here for a moment. Lady Elisabeth, pardon me, I'm coming in." Hina opened the door a hair and then slid inside. When she came out, she was holding medicine and bandages. She lathered a magical dark-green poultice—apparently of Elisabeth's make—on Kaito's wound and then wrapped it in a bandage. Although it worked more slowly than a healing spell, it was supposed to close up wounds without the need for stitches. At about the time Hina was finishing up Kaito's treatment, a voice called out from inside the room. "'Tis fine now; my analysis is finished. Enter." "As soon as I open the door, are you going to torture me?" "Ha. Any other day, I'd sit you atop the Ducking Stool, but at the moment I haven't the mana to spare. Be grateful for my poor condition." "Man, I'm not gonna be glad about something like that. I'd rather just get dunked underwater." "...True, I misspoke. If a demon came to attack, we would find ourselves in quite the pinch. 'Tis a nasty situation." As he listened to her quiet voice, Kaito opened the door. Just like before, Elisabeth was sitting atop the bed. However, she was no longer naked, instead wearing her usual bondage dress. The crimson runes were still visible upon the exposed sections of her skin. Elisabeth was in better shape than he'd expected, though, and she was gently tracing the runes on her shoulder with her finger. "To put it simply, these runes inhibit the mana running through my body. They act much like blood clots. Because of their obstruction, I cannot use my mana as freely as I'd wish." "They hold it back? Your mana's not gone?" "Indeed, nothing has been taken from me. If such a thing happened, I would cease being able to preserve the roots of demonic flesh running through my body, after all. I slaughtered my people until their corpses piled up, and doing so afforded me just enough power to maintain my body even without constantly harnessing the pain of others. If that was impaired, I'd not last long." Elisabeth raised her arm out in front of her and then grabbed her elbow, her fingers sporting painted black fingernails. The crimson runes pulsated almost like veins. "My magical energy is silent, like how water that is too clear can appear as if it is nothing at all. However, as I slept, my blood fought against the runes, and most of my mana flows once more... At the moment, I can summon torture devices, but their power is reduced. It's really quite annoying." Elisabeth clicked her tongue. As she did, Kaito thought back to what Vlad had just told him. The Grand King could only use Sacrifice as many times as there were demons remaining. What exactly would happen if Elisabeth was on the receiving end multiple times over? "Is there any way to cure it?" "Both yes and no, in a sense." Elisabeth scrunched up her face in annoyance. Biting down lightly on one of her fingernails, she revealed the sole method. "The only way to remove Sacrifice is to infuse my body with blood that has more powerful magical energy than my own. That would wash away the spell." "Blood with more powerful magical energy than yours?" "Aye, indeed. More powerful than mine, the blood of a grand sorcerer and peerless sinner. Vlad would have qualified, but his body has already turned to ash... As far as other mages who can boast power surpassing mine, the Grand King is likely the only one. I've little choice but to defeat her and use her blood." Kaito's eyes widened. They'd wanted to dispel Sacrifice before they had to fight the Grand King. But in order to do that, they needed blood with stronger magical energy than Elisabeth's—and that meant they needed the Grand King's blood. I'm having a real hard time envisioning us pulling that one off. Is there really nobody else whose blood would qualify? He bit his lip. Elisabeth no doubt understood just how problematic the method was. Her expression was grave. But she shook her head and then stood up. "'Tis little use sitting around and coming up with bleak predictions all day. We make for the throne room, Kaito." "The throne room? Why?" "Because it has a convenient hole in it." Kaito tilted his head at her declaration. The cloth extending out below her waist fluttering, Elisabeth set off. Her heels clicking loudly as she walked, she spoke decisively. "'Tis time to train in the ways of magic, Kaito. The fighting will likely only get fiercer from here. Hina is what she is, but she won't always be able to reach you in time—if you remain as weak as you are, you're liable to die." Hearing her harsh assessment, Kaito nodded. From here on out, he was going to need to be able to protect himself. Also, although Elisabeth likely didn't intend for him to take matters that far, Kaito wanted to become even stronger than that, if possible. The weak get stolen from. While he didn't intend to become a pillager himself, he was going to be forced to fight. Sometimes, protecting the peace carried a price. He'd known that since long ago. An arrow of flame flew through the air, an arrow of ice pierced the ground, and a hammer of lightning smashed into a tree. While the flame had been the most impressive, all three had gone without a hitch. "Did...did I do it?" His breath ragged, Kaito wiped away the sweat beading up on his forehead. As he did, blood smeared across it from his freshly reopened wound. He felt dizzy, almost anemic. That was likely because he'd expended the mana in his blood. While it would replenish given time, the sensation was none too pleasant. The area surrounding the desolate hill the castle sat upon was blanketed by a thick forest. One section of it was stained a bloody black from when the Knight's beast had been skewered. Other than that, though, the rest of the forest was serene, save for the newly scorched tips of some of the taller trees. Kaito's magic had a good deal of force behind it. He'd felt a proper weight in his hands, and he turned to Elisabeth—who was sitting atop a new throne brought from the Treasury—with an expression steeped in anticipation. "How...how was that?" "Perfect—" Her response was clear and concise. Kaito's expression loosened at her praise. However, she quickly cut off the congratulatory words as they left her mouth. For some reason, she bore a thoroughly displeased expression. "Elisabeth, your face...you're scaring me here. Was there some sort of problem?" Kaito posed his question timidly. As she placed her elbows on her armrests and her cheeks in her hands, Elisabeth glared back at him. "There were none, which is precisely the problem. Now, Kaito...where exactly did you get that wound on your hand?" "Wh-what, this...? I just cut my hand a little when I was cleaning up the knives." "'Tis rather deep, for a 'little' cut...and a rather convenient one, at that. All it takes to become able to use magic is a small trigger, but even so, you're too proficient... I find it hard to believe this is your first time." As Kaito listened to her speak, he felt himself break out into a cold sweat. The prospect of trying to deceive her and having it going poorly was terrifying. He elected to remain silent. Elisabeth licked her lips, as if troubled by something. "Why might that be? True, your familiarity with pain dwarfs that of most others...meaning the most difficult-to-lay groundwork

was already in place, but... Kaito." A bead of sweat ran down Kaito's chin. The next moment, a high-pitched noise like something scraping against glass rang out. Everyone there jumped when they heard the screech. Something white was soaring over the treetops and letting out a grating whine as it flew toward the throne room. Upon further inspection, it was a milky-white orb, remaining airborne by rapidly flapping its wings. Whatever it was, it wasn't any sort of respectable life-form. Immediately, Hina leaped off. The hem of her apron dress fluttered as she held her halberd aloft. As she did, Elisabeth called out to stop her. "Hina, halt! That thing is a device containing urgent communications from the Church!" Hina, lowering her weapon, fell straight down and landed. The orb stopped in front of Elisabeth. Then its wings fell out, it returned to being an ordinary jewel, and it plopped into Elisabeth's palm. Throngs of runes whizzed across its surface. Elisabeth, having deciphered the torrent of glowing magical runes, opened her eyes wide. "Demons are attacking a port town to the south? The Grand Earl and the Grand Duke have joined forces?" "What?" Kaito let out a surprised exclamation. As he understood it, ever since the Torture Princess and the Kaiser had their falling-out and struck each other down, the demons had avoided conducting large-scale attacks and instead preferred to amass power individually. Furthermore, after Vlad, their mediator, had been captured, none of the demons had worked together with one another. Yet, after all this time, two demons were coordinating and attacking a human town. Narrowing her emerald eyes, Hina spoke in a strained voice. "This is clearly the work of the Grand King... Is it not, Lady Elisabeth?" "To be sure. Either that wench revealed my weakened state to them or is controlling them both directly...but in either case, we've no choice but to go. The Church has given me direct orders to subjugate them." "Wait, what? No! What are you talking about?!" Kaito shouted. Seeing the anger in his face, Hina closed her half-open mouth and took a step backward. Kaito glared hard at Elisabeth. Until just a moment ago, she'd been stuck sick in bed. Even though her condition was somewhat better, she was a long way off from being fully recovered. Regardless, though, she rose from her throne. "Have you forgotten, Kaito? Should I defy the Church's orders, I'll meet my death at the stake." "Even so, they can't just expect you to run at full throttle twenty-four seven! We can contact the Church and tell them—" "What are you, a dunce? They'd not excuse me over a matter as trifling as that. The Church cares little for my condition. Their God sits idle, saving no one. In the name of that God, they brandish their whips at their restrained hounds and, in doing so, make the world go round. In the name of their God, all is well." "Well, that's screwed up! You know, I've been thinking this for a while, but now I'm gonna come out and say it." Kaito's breathing was ragged. Due to his fierce anger, his mind was conversely starting to clear up. As he calmly put his thoughts in order, he gave voice to the sense of discomfort that had been growing within him for some time. "You're eventually gonna get executed. After you kill the fourteen demons, they're gonna kill you at the stake. That's your obligation, and that's your atonement. But even so, your sins won't be forgiven. And sorry, but I agree. You've left too many corpses in your wake." "I have no rebuttal; everything you say is as it is. But what of it?" "But it's messed up that you're the only one fighting." *** Elisabeth elected to remain silent. Kaito took that as affirmation. She herself should have noticed just how unreasonable it was. Between the demons' countless tragic victims and him having watched their battles, Kaito, for one, had had doubts and frustration pile up inside him. "I get that other people can't match up against demons. After having left so many corpses in your wake in order to gain power, you're the only one who can face off against them. But why is nobody else shedding their blood? Why aren't they laying down their lives to protect others? How can they leave all the fighting to someone who knows they're going to be killed—how can they keep their own hands clean while they leave cleaning up the swine to the sow? That's fucked up! How can they get away with that shit?!" "Kaito." "How can they just sit up in their box seats? It's one thing when things are normal, but when you're as weak as you are now—" "Mind your tongue." Her voice, sharp as a knife, stopped Kaito in his tracks. Feeling as though he'd just been stabbed in the throat, he closed his mouth. But overpowered and silenced as he was, he still glared at Elisabeth. On the receiving end of his gaze, she wore a cold—yet somehow gentle—expression. "I am the Torture Princess, Elisabeth Le Fanu. I have tortured and killed more than any other, been captured by the Church, and been tasked with slaying fourteen demons. And once I've executed them all, I myself will be put to the stake. I have harmed, oppressed, and killed mercilessly, brutally, and arrogantly. And now the feast and feaster have switched places. Mankind has the right to use me up and slay me as they please. That is what I decided." The Torture Princess, a woman who had tyrannized and stolen from many, spoke with a serenity that evoked the image of a martyr. Her crimson gaze pierced through Kaito. She had the eyes of a solitary wolf. The peerless sinner, prouder than any other, pressed on. "I, and none other, decided that. And I shan't let any criticize that decision. Not a soul." No matter what he said, he wouldn't be able to budge that resolve of hers. As he realized that, Kaito swallowed the rest of what he wanted to say. After all, he understood that he, too, was constantly protected by the Torture Princess. He was in no position to casually judge others. Yeah, I get it. I'm just a dim-witted servant—I don't have the qualifications to get mad about that. As Kaito involuntarily turned his face away, Elisabeth began walking. Her lustrous black hair fluttered behind her as her heels clicked sharply on the stone floor. "We head for the town in question. Hina, Kaito, come—but be prepared to defend yourselves." Kaito nodded in ready assent and then tightly squeezed his blood-drenched hand. Then he tried to follow after Elisabeth. Suddenly, he felt a tug on his elbow. "Huh?" Kaito turned to check behind him, and he saw Hina standing there. She was looking directly at him with her beautiful, transparent emerald eyes. Right before he could ask her what was going on, she placed her halberd on the floor and abruptly extended her arms. "Pardon me, Master Kaito." "Hina, what are—?" Then she pressed down on his cheeks. As she sandwiched his face between her hands, Hina wore a serious expression. Although her hands were those of a doll, they were just as warm as a human's. After a short silence, a question mark appeared over Kaito's head. "Hina, whuff thiff all of a fuffen?" "Have you settled down, Master Kaito? If you have, I have something I would like to say." Hina took a deep breath. Her eyes filled with worry and unease, she spoke eloquently and in a single breath. "The wound on your hand is not something you could have gotten by putting away knives. You are hiding something—and furthermore, it appears to be something that you cannot tell myself or Lady Elisabeth about." *** "I have no intentions of defying your wishes and attempting to pry information out of you. But there is one thing I ask that you please remember. No matter what secret you may harbor, I will always be on your side. So no matter what happens, please do not hesitate to call on me. Do you understand?" It was like she was trying to etch her thoughts in Kaito's mind. The words shook him. Hearing her concern brought him nothing but happiness. During his life, not a single person had ever shown Kaito kindness or goodwill. And nobody, not even his parents, had once tried to protect him. But regardless of what he was hiding from her, Hina was telling him that she would defend him. Even so, he couldn't reveal his secret to her. If I told her, there's no doubt that she and Vlad would go for each other's throats. Keeping her in the dark was painful, but he didn't have any other options. As he remained silent, Hina loosened her grip on his face. Her expression seemed somewhat forlorn. Seeing that, Kaito opened his newly freed mouth and, as if to pile on to what she'd just said, suddenly brought up something he needed to tell her. "Hey, Hina...why do you go so far to protect me?" "Because I love you." "Yeah, I get that. You told me, right? That you may have the preconfigured heart of an automaton, but it's still yours and yours alone. That the moment you chose me as your master, and I chose you, that you decided to dedicate your love to me and none other... That made me really happy." "Master Kaito... Of all the things that have happened to me in this world, meeting you was the most... If not for that, none of the other good things would have happened. It was my sole moment of fortune and my supreme joy." "But why me?" "...Master Kaito?" "I don't have anything to offer you. I'm just an ordinary human. I can't understand why you picked me. I don't have nearly that much value, which means that... Or rather, even if that wasn't the case, even if I did have value, I can't let you get dragged down by how weak I am." Hina was about to open her mouth but then closed it. She prompted Kaito to continue. He nodded deeply. "From here on out, even more so than before, I could die at any moment. So I'll say it one more time. Even if I die, I want you to keep on living. That alone I refuse to give up on." Kaito made his declaration. She'd offered out her hand to him and told him to rely on her, but he couldn't take it. Hina inhaled deeply and then exhaled and pursed her lips tight. She then put a great deal of force into her hands. Kaito's cheeks were squished even flatter than before. "Ahain, why are you squiffing my sheekf?" "First of all, as to why I chose you... It would take an entire week to go over everything, is that all right?" "Why?" Kaito blinked, having not expected her response. Hina fixed her gaze on him, her eyes overflowing with warmth and affection. She smiled as if looking at someone incorrigible. "In time, I will explain why I chose you. Why it couldn't possibly have been anybody else. However, at the moment, we don't have the time. We must go together to where Elisabeth is." "...! Hina, about what I just said, I need your response." "I understand perfectly. These peaceful days that you hold so dear, that we all love, are on the verge of falling apart...and you're afraid. But don't worry, Master Kaito. You needn't make such assumptions." Hina kneaded Kaito's cheeks. As she pulled them horizontally, she smiled. "It is in predicaments such as these that it's most important to smile. It's going to be okay. I will absolutely protect the both of you. Even if you say you don't want me to, I will stand in the way of all your

enemies. And I will protect everything you have. Please believe in me. You have no need to speak of such sad things, for that day shall never come—not for all eternity." Hina laughed, as if to reinforce her point. She let go of Kaito's cheeks, bowed deeply, and then raised her head. She bore the fierce, resolved eyes of one whose heart was firmly set. "I won't allow it. No matter what." She picked up her halberd and ran off, her silver thread hair glimmering as she went. Kaito, now alone, looked down at his hands in a daze. As he was now, would his eyes ever look like that? He calmly raised his hands and then clapped his face. "...Let's go." The warmth from Hina's hands still lingered on his face, and the stone containing Vlad's soul still sparkled within his pocket. He didn't know what was right anymore. All he could do at the moment was struggle desperately against the situation before him. He had to believe that terrible day would never come. Even if that was nothing more than a lie. 3 Battle by the Coast The salty sea breeze mingled with the scent of something rotten. The town, built within an inlet, spread out like a fan with its back to the mountains. Its plaster walls erected to keep out the sea breeze and roof tiles made of unglazed clay cast the town in magnificent shades of orange and white. As one got farther from the coastline and approached the mountains, the townscape followed a natural incline and increased in altitude. At the peak of its hundreds of small sets of dogleg stairs, a branch office of the Church had once overlooked the glittering blue sea and all its splendor. However, the building, which was adorned with a statue of an upside-down saint shedding tears of blood, was now tragically flattened beneath a massive flower. Meaty, tonguelike petals dripping with mucus protruded from the flower. At the ends of its thorny stem, disturbing, flesh-colored roots resembling human genitals extended outward. The roots crept through the town, crushing buildings as they wrapped around everything in their path. Countless corpses were strewn across the streets and atop the stairs. Strangely, all their abdomens were crushed, like so many deflated leather bags. Men and women alike had the aftereffects of prolonged anguish etched onto their faces. They had been run through by plant roots and had their organs forcefully sucked out. "This is...horrifying..." As he whispered in horror, Kaito traced the roots with his gaze. Right before they'd reached the sea, their growth had stopped. The massive flower had been avoiding the sea, which was dyed red. It, too, was contaminated. The stained seawater was violently frothing. The beaches and wharves were covered in piles of dissolved seaweed and dead fish. Out at sea, the corpses of whales and dolphins with distended bellies were also visible. Abandoned by their passengers, small boats belonging to the local elderly and large commercial ships alike were degrading at abnormal speeds. Their cargo had poured out of ruptured bilges and was floating among the corpses. And in the middle of that terrible spectacle the vague outline of an enormous island had appeared. Upon further inspection, it was pulsating. The island was, in fact, a flesh-colored jellyfish large enough to be mistaken for land. It was as though the sea itself had developed a tumor that leaked pus and rot. Both the flower and the jellyfish, made to grow without regards for their natural limits, were collapsing. They were too big to get a good view, so it was impossible to confirm whether or not they had needles stuck in the backs of their necks. However, it was clear to see that they had been unable to maintain their egos. Using the magical runes they'd received from the Church, the three of them had teleported to the bottom of one of the staircases connecting the inlet to the mountains, as teleporting directly to the crushed Church branch office wasn't an option. From that vantage point, the series of disastrous scenes was right before their eyes. Her black hair blowing in the sticky sea breeze, Elisabeth pressed down on her forehead. "...Ah, what a headache. It seems both of them are being controlled. What a pitiful pair they are, yielding to her so readily. Of all the possible situations I foresaw, 'tis easily the worst of the lot." "Are you all right, Lady Elisabeth?" "Exasperation will do little to improve our lot, I suppose... The flower is the Grand Earl, and the jellyfish is the Grand Duke. We'll take them down starting with the weaker of the two and before they can spit out their hearts." "Yes, ma'am." Bowing deeply, Hina adjusted her grip on her halberd. Kaito silently double-checked the corpses strewn throughout the town. As he did, he spotted a figure moving. "...A survivor!" His eyes wide with anticipation, Kaito quickly realized that he'd been off the mark. It was a grotesque soldier, a servant of the demons, its head now transformed into a flower. The creature was trampling corpses and climbing over roots in search of something. As Kaito wondered what it was looking for, the answer to that question became clear when a scream rang out from somewhere. Although they'd been told that the Church had gathered up the survivors and used teleportation circles to evacuate them, apparently not everybody had made it out. The underling was tracking them down and mutely killing them. Now that I think about it, that makes total sense. With the calamity falling on them so suddenly, of course they weren't able to get everyone out that fast. Fuck! Quietly clicking his tongue, Kaito called out to Elisabeth. "Elisabeth, there are underlings loitering about. We gotta save the survivors." "The battlefield shan't tolerate such naïveté. 'Tis best to overlook the victims—or so I'd like to say, but the Church would have my hide. 'Do some good for the world,' or so they tell me...but I haven't the resources. Kaito, you deal with it." "Wait, me?" "Worry not, I shall give you this." Elisabeth snapped her fingers. A sword with rubies spiraling around its blade dropped out of thin air. It was the magical tool they'd found in Vlad's castle. Kaito hurriedly picked it up. Kaito looked at the needle-thin sword with bewilderment. Unmoved by his reaction, Elisabeth continued speaking. "You possess a golem body, a first-rate creation of my own making. Your control over magic surpassed my expectations, so you have a number of tools at your disposal. Fight. As far as I can tell, 'tis what you desire, yes?" "Yeah, you're right. I'll do it... I can't just sit back and watch you all the time." "Hina, your task is...very well. I'll allow it. You may stay by Kaito's side. The prospect of standing alongside one whose expression has surpassed unease and started to become as fierce as yours frightens me, so I'll refrain from doing so." Glancing at Hina's face as she spoke, Elisabeth heaved a sigh. Hina, who'd looked so conflicted she seemed to be on the verge of stabbing either herself or Elisabeth, frantically wiped the anguish from her face. As she bowed to Elisabeth, she raised a question. "Hearing those words fills me with gratitude. It is my greatest wish to stay by the side of my beloved and protect him... However, um, Lady Elisabeth, what shall you—?" "Ha, don't make light of the Torture Princess. My current power is more than sufficient to crush the Grand Duke like an ant." Elisabeth scoffed. Kaito and Hina, about to express their concern, held their tongues. The Torture Princess wasn't bluffing. Her expression made that much clear. Elisabeth wore a smile that was both ferocious and cruel. "Now then, let us be off—they shall squeal like quartered swine and writhe like stuck caterpillars." Darkness and flower petals swirled, and Elisabeth took hold of the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal. She then ascended the stairs with great leaps and bounds. She reached a nearby root and jumped on top of it. She then broke into a gallant run toward the flower's main body, remaining atop the root as she did. It was as though she was running atop her foe's arm as a display of her power. The root trembled as it rose into the air. Before it could come crashing down, though, Elisabeth yelled. "Nail Gun!" Darkness and crimson flower petals ran across the top of the root in a spiral. Then a thunking noise rang out in succession. Rusted nails appeared out of the air and nailed the root into the road and buildings. It looked like they'd run through a set of human genitals. Shuddering in pain, the flower began releasing foamy mucus from the bottom of its sepals. Kaito reflexively scowled. Mercilessly stepping on the nailheads, Elisabeth ran like an obsidian meteor. Kaito stared at her, entranced. However, Hina called out to him, and he returned to his senses. "Master Kaito, we must set out as well. Take care not to stray from my side." "Oh yeah, right. Let's go." Nodding, Kaito broke into a run. The two of them ran up the stairs, making their way toward the direction they'd just heard the screams come from. The town, wrapped as it was in roots, felt like a ruin that hadn't been inhabited in a millennium. The fact that signs of life could clearly be seen made the scene feel all the more eerie. As they continued down the main road and passed a bay window filled with well-maintained houseplants, the two of them discovered an underling. The underling, who was wearing scaly armor made of leaves, slowly turned to look at them. As it blinked its enlarged eyes, its last remnants of the human it had once been, Hina swung her halberd sharply. "Hiyah!" Her aim unerring, she chopped off its flowery head. However, even as it wobbled, it reached out for Hina. Perhaps because it lacked a brain or a spinal cord, losing its head hadn't proved fatal. "Don't get cheeky with me!" With a sharp rebuke, Hina chopped off the arm reaching for her. Perhaps sensing the difference in their power, the underling reached out with its other arm and extended a thorny vine toward Kaito. Hina immediately made to swing her halberd. However, Kaito stopped her with a look. He then held his sword at the ready, as if to block the underling's arm. Calm down and act rationally. If I can't deal with something of this level, I'll never stop being baggage. Right before the ivy could coil around his sword, Kaito focused his senses on the wound on his palm and then called out. "La (burn)!" A dazzling blaze burst forth. The magical flame spun in an ominous spiral, latching onto the ivy and devouring it. Its arm burning, the underling let out a cry of anguish. Seeing the corpses littering the town had actually calmed Kaito down due to his intimate experiences in life involving hating and getting angry at horrible situations. However, his physical tension was another matter. Having seen that his magic worked, he breathed a sigh of relief. His trembling hand finally settled down. That's Elisabeth for you, always on the ball. The flaming weapon seems like it'll be effective against these guys. The underling ripped off its burning arm and began fleeing with an awkward gait. Kaito made to chase after it. Suddenly, though, it turned around, waving its arm around as its body burst into flames and it charged at Kaito. "Gah!" It looked as though Kaito was about to pay for his carelessness. A second later, however, a thunderous noise rang out and the underling went hurtling to the side. After blinking a few times, Kaito finally realized what had just happened. Hina had mowed down the underling with the reverse side of her halberd, and it had

gone flying and slammed into the wall of a building. The fire had largely gone out in the impact, but the underling was twitching and convulsing nevertheless. Merciless attacks were raining down upon it. "Even! If! Master! Kaito! Himself! Desired! It! Know! That! Being! Beaten! To! Death! Is! A! Light! Punishment! For! Your! Rudeness!" With the expression of an ogress, Hina shouted as she struck the underling between every word. Her attacks were focused on its chest, and its vegetal body was all but reduced to mincemeat. Her gaze was ice-cold, and after she'd confirmed its death, she gave a light nod. "...And stay dead, filth." Her voice frigid, Hina turned back toward Kaito. When she did, her expression made a complete about-face. She exhaled reverently, a bright smile floating to her face as she sandwiched her halberd between her bountiful breasts and hugged herself tightly. "Splendid work, Master Kaito! Given your skill, nobody would suspect that this is your first battle since you began learning magic! I would expect nothing less from my beloved! How lovable you are, how gallant, how cool, how I wish to hug you!" "Th-thanks? Although I'm pretty sure you were the only one who did anything impressive there. Like, for real." "Oh my, no, that wasn't the case at all. How humble you are. But even though these creatures are mere underlings, their resilience is nothing to scoff at... This trash is quite a handful. From here on out, I'd be better off crushing them than cutting them." Then they heard a scream. Kaito and Hina looked up with a start and then nodded to each other and ran off. They ran by some residences and an area near the rock face to the west where the locals would sell fish from carts before reaching a group of buildings made from thick, sturdy walls. A voice was audible from within an open door to the east. "There!" When he charged inside, Kaito witnessed Hell. What would happen if you tied someone's limbs together with barbed wire and then pulled on them until they reached their limit? What would happen if you stuck tentacles into someone's abdomen while they were still alive and then churned them around? What would happen if you squeezed someone's body until their bones broke and they vomited up all their organs? Within that building, all those questions had been thoroughly answered. The two underlings had dispassionately slaughtered the family, as if it was just another day on the job. The remains of the grandfather, father, and mother were stuck to the tiled floor. It looked as though they'd been killed in that order. The room was fairly large, and alongside the wall, harpoons, fishing tackle, boats, and old nets were lined up on sturdy wooden racks. Among them, jars of colorful preserves and heavy-looking sacks were crammed together. Apparently, this building was a storehouse. Based on the fact that it had no windows, the family within must have missed the Church's evacuation order and been discovered by the underlings. That had resulted in the dreadful spectacle before Kaito. However, there were yet survivors hiding among the jars of pickles. The survivors were a pair of children. A young boy and girl with flushed cheeks were huddled together. Having just finished crushing flesh, the underlings hadn't noticed Kaito and Hina yet. The underlings trampled over the remains of the mother—more specifically, her stomach, which was hanging out of her mouth like a fish pulled up from the deep sea—and reached for the children. The young boy was in shock, and he stood motionless. His ankle was hanging out from the hiding spot, and ivy was about to wrap around it. Right before it could, though, the boy's body was pulled into the space between a jar and a rack. The young girl was yanking on the boy's arm and trying to force him to move. She was probably his older sister. She raised both her arms to try to conceal him and then glared at the underling. However, the brave front she put up soon vanished, like the flame of a candle. Her face scrunched up, and she let out an animalistic moan. Still, though, she never stopped defending the boy. There was something in her eyes, something surpassing familial love and the resolve of a sister. Suddenly, a particular memory flashed through Kaito's mind. There was a time when a boy with red hair had sacrificed himself to shove Kaito out of harm's way. Muttering a small curse, that boy had a smile that looked like he was about to burst into tears before he was pulled away by the spider. Then he was eaten alive. Even though he hadn't wanted to die, the boy had wished for Kaito's happiness and instinctively protected him. ...Neue. Ever since he'd survived that, not a day had gone by without Kaito recalling that name. Before he noticed, he had pierced the underling through the back. Kaito plunged the whole blade, along with the fragile-looking rubies that adorned it, deep into the underling. The underling, dumbfounded, turned around. As their eyes met, Kaito grinned at it. "La (burn to death)." As he spat out the word, his mana burst forth. The sword burst into flames within the underling's body. The underling let out an incomprehensible cry and lashed out. Then it turned to charcoal from the inside out. Kaito, not letting his guard down for a moment, released a second and third burst of flame before ripping his sword free. The remaining underling frantically extended ivy toward him. Then Hina landed behind it. "Hiyah!" After receiving her two-legged kick, the underling crashed headfirst into a rack. A jarful of fish pickled in oil fell down and shattered. The rack swayed and then came collapsing down upon the underling. Not missing her chance, Hina picked up her halberd and held it aloft. She wielded it like a meat tenderizer, bringing it down on top of the rack and striking the underling again and again and again. With each loud, rhythmic strike, the rack grew flatter and flatter. A green, foul-smelling liquid spread out, mixing together with the oil and the vinegar. As the smashed rack came as close to the ground as it would go, Hina stomped on it with one foot before softly snorting. Kaito, too, kicked the carbonized underling in the stomach. Like a bad joke, it fell into pieces and crumbled to the floor. His anger momentarily abated, Kaito realized that he was trembling. "Wh-what's...happening to me? The underling was dead. There was nothing more to be afraid of. Kaito, trying to suppress his trembling with logic, knelt down on one knee. Trying desperately to feign composure, he called out to the dumbfounded girl. "Are...are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere?" "...Da...y..." "Huh?" A hollow voice leaked forth from the girl's mouth, and Kaito responded carelessly. His prompting acting as a trigger, the girl suddenly opened her mouth. Her throat rang a little as a heartfelt scream poured forth. "Da...ddy... Mommy... Grampa... No, no, nonono, n​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​! N​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​o​!" "Yeah...right... I'm sorry. We didn't make it in time, did we?" As if Kaito, too, was an enemy, the girl lashed out at him and continued screaming like a wounded animal. Realizing that letting this go on would put her in danger—she might bite her tongue or go into convulsions—Kaito immediately stuck his hand in her mouth. Her eyes widened as she bit down on his fingers. *** Hina was about to make a move, but Kaito reined her in with a glance. Kaito was all too familiar with the despair that accompanies events that can't be undone; in his case, it had been his own untimely death. So he rubbed her back and patiently said the same thing again and again. "Settle down; you're okay. You're gonna be okay, so I need you to settle down." Suddenly, the girl's body went limp. However, it wasn't because she'd calmed down. It seemed that her spirit had simply been wound too tight and had gone slack. Even so, they didn't need to be concerned about her going into a panic anymore. Kaito pulled his bloody, spit-covered fingers from her mouth, wiped them on his shirt, and then extended a hand to the young boy. The boy's eyes were dead, but he still reached back and squeezed Kaito's wet hand. Kaito gave a short nod. If he could still grab on to proffered hands, he was probably okay. Picking up the girl and holding the boy's hand, Kaito stood up. He closed his eyes and then shook his head. "Yeah, there's no other way... I'm sure I can manage. Definitely. It'll be fine." Mumbling ambiguously as he thought, Kaito opened his eyes. Nodding once more, he spoke in a voice full of determination, completely unlike the one he'd just used. "Hina, I need you to take these two to the teleportation circle, the one to the castle, and then come back once you've made sure that they're safe." "Wh...? You say that, but that will require a good deal of time! You'll be in danger!" "I can't activate the circle on my own. They'll be in danger if we take them with while we fight or if we leave them here while we fight...and time's too precious for us both to take them. Please." "...That certainly is a decision overflowing with mercy toward these siblings as well as the people of this town. However, to me, your safety is of the utmost—" "My body is immortal. As long as I'm careful not to lose too much blood, my soul won't disappear. No matter how much I get I hurt, I'll be able to survive. Please. I don't want to see anybody else die like Neue did." Kaito bowed deep. Back when things were peaceful, he'd filled her in about Neue, little by little. He'd told her that the only reason he was still alive was because a boy had sacrificed himself to save him. Hina sucked in her breath as though she'd been struck. Kaito's sense of justice wasn't particularly on the strong side. He and self-sacrifice didn't belong in the same sentence. And he knew that he didn't have the strength to back up his words. However, even if he had to put himself in danger, there were some things he never wanted to see again. He never wanted to watch someone sacrifice themselves like that again. Yeah...that's right. I dunno how many more times I can take that. And to that end, he had to do whatever he could. His face still pointing toward the ground, he made his request to Hina. "Could you think of those kids' lives as my life for me?" "Please, Master Kaito, raise your head. I've been being exceedingly rude." Immediately, Hina dropped to one knee. Not having expected that response, Kaito was flustered. As she did, she bowed even deeper before eloquently speaking. "I failed to consider your resolve and, in doing so, caused you to lower your head... I have been indiscreet and oh so very rude. Later, I shall hand down the punishment for my irredeemable error myself. For now, I shall abide by your orders and momentarily withdraw. However..." In a flash, Hina brought her head up. She looked directly at Kaito, his reflection cast in her emerald-green eyes. From within them peeked a sense of love and heartbreak and powerful anxiety and concern, like that of a woman leaving her husband alone on the battlefield. "You asked me to think of these children's lives as your own. However, I have long since thought of your life as my own." "Hina, I told you to stop saying that." "Indeed, but to me, it is the absolute truth. Master Kaito, it is precisely because we are in this situation that I tell you this. My place in life is by your side, my love, and should I

lose you, then my life, too, would end. In following, if you deign to think of me, then please believe in me—and no matter what the situation may be, all you must do is tell me either to protect you or to fight together by your side." "Hina—" "That is what it means to be companions. Please, if you must remember nothing else, remember that. While I shall now follow your orders and leave your side, I beg that you take care of yourself. All right now, you two, what good children you've been. Let us be off." Once she'd made her decision, Hina acted quickly. As gently and reliably as a mother, she scooped the two children up in her arms. She looked directly at Kaito, nodded at him, and then took off at a dash. Taking off through the open door, she ran like the wind. "...Trust her. Companions, huh?" Murmuring quietly to himself, Kaito furrowed his brow as he thought. However, he then quickly shook his head and turned to survey the storehouse. With their flesh torn, their innards scrambled, and their bodies squeezed, the corpses could barely be described as human anymore. They'd no doubt endured the pain for far too long. After a few seconds of silence, Kaito bowed his head low. "Thanks to you all holding out for so long, the two kids survived. I don't know much about families or parents, but the fact that you didn't use the kids as human shields... That's pretty amazing. At least, I think it is. Rest in peace...and know that the three of us are going to avenge you. Me, Hina, and most of all, the Torture Princess." His eyes burned with silent rage as he spoke, and when he was finished, he left the storehouse. He stopped for a moment and looked around. Dim light was shining down from the cloudy gray sky. The slick, unsettling roots glistened atop the buildings and the pavement. Littered around them here and there were the leather bag–like corpses. As he gazed at the hellish spectacle, Kaito shook off his nervousness and began making his way back to the main road. When he did, he heard a hoarse scream from the back of an alleyway. Kaito looked closely at the space between the buildings. Then, to make sure the blood didn't stop flowing, he stuck his finger into the wound in his hand and reopened it. The blood flowed down the hilt of his sword and into his pocket. The stone quivered lightly from within. He could feel a phantasmal hand on his shoulder. Vlad laughed, as if to mock him. "My, my, my, quite the heavy role you've taken upon yourself. Now then, even if your foes are mere underlings, can a man as green as you survive? How do you wish to place your chips?" "...I'm gonna make it. If I can't handle this much, then staying by Elisabeth's side till the end was never going to be possible. And I've got to consider what Hina said to me, too. I'm gonna stay alive, no matter what." "I see. How gallantly tragic your resolve is and how wonderfully foolish. In that case, out of deference to your obstinance, I too shall place my bet on the side of your survival." "Bet? You don't have squat to bet with." "Your words cut like knives. It's rather difficult to entertain oneself with the body of a dead man, you know. I will have my fun, even if it's a mere matter of attitude—and I hate to lose. Do take care not to leave me unsatisfied." With those threatening words, the phantasmal hand separated from Kaito's shoulder. Clicking his tongue, Kaito began running again. He passed by the increasingly sparse buildings and made his way onto a path built into the side of the mountain. Unlike the brick surfaces that had been laid out for buildings—inns, public facilities, and the residences of the wealthy—the bare rock face here sported only a wooden pathway stuck onto it. It appeared be a hidden shortcut down to the inlet, which looked to be quite a way off. Perhaps it was only designed to be used by the locals, as it didn't have any handrails. However, the wood looked sturdy, and the wide pathway seemed stable. Simply walking along it should have been safe enough. However, if one was carrying a baby in one arm and holding an ax in the other while inching backward, that was a different story altogether. Atop the pathway, a bearded man was holding off a number of approaching underlings in that manner while letting out beastly shouts. After confirming the count of the underlings attacking the man and the baby—numbering five in total—Kaito's eyes opened wide in rage. You're kidding me! A flaming sword's not gonna be enough for me to deal with that many! "Now then, what's the plan? Luck seems to be against you right from the onset. It would not be wholly reasonable to abandon them to their fate and flee, but... Hmm, if you did that, would that entail a deferment of our bet from earlier? While it would be fun to watch you die, it would also be a bit of a waste." Vlad spoke, uninterested. Kaito, frozen in place, clicked his tongue as he racked his brain. Even without using the sword, I know how to materialize fire. But as to whether or not I can muster enough firepower to reach the five of them... Yeah, I've got no confidence in that regard. And if my surprise attack fails, they'll gang up on me. What can I do that would be effective? As he was thinking, the underlings were extending their ivy forward. The bearded man swung his ax even more frantically—as he'd apparently been doing up until then—and barely managed to repel the vines. However, he looked dangerously close to stepping off the path. At this rate, more people were going to die. The negative emotions assailing Kaito's brain won out over the tension running through his body. As his rage reached its limit and straightened out his thoughts, he came upon an idea. Then he screamed at the top of his lungs. "Hey, assholes! Over here! Look this way!" The underlings turned to look, as did the bearded man. Vlad's voice rang with exasperation. "Well, well, well, what exactly do you think you're doing?" "Shove it!" The underlings, unsure of who to attack, stopped for a moment. Kaito, seizing that opportunity, banished Vlad from his thoughts and dove into their midst. He then took the ruby spiral's edge and pressed it against his throat. The jewels, magically stretched long and thin, were as sharp as razors. Kaito then spun them once around his neck. Blood splashed in all directions, drenching the underlings. Kaito imagined the pain in his throat transmitting to the blood and then shouted. "La (burn)!" The blood burst into flames. The underlings began burning up, and Vlad roared with amused laughter. "I see, I see, so you had that method available to you! Absurd as it is to wound oneself, I see it was quite effective! You're an even more forward-thinking fool than I expected!" Annoyed, Kaito kicked one of the burning underlings in the flank and sent it tumbling down the side of the cliff. The bearded man, suddenly understanding the situation, brought the back of his ax to bear on the underling closest to him. After watching to make sure it had properly fallen, Kaito turned his blade on an underling who wasn't burning as bright as the others and ran it through. Eventually, all that was left of the underlings were scorched corpses. "Looks like...I pulled it off." As blood dripped down his neck, Kaito was overcome by dizziness and knelt on the spot. The bearded man frantically rushed over to him. As he adjusted his grip on the crying baby, he called out to Kaito. "Hey, you! Are you okay?!" "Yeah...I'm fine. My soul won't vanish just from losing this much blood." "Can't say I followed a word of that, but...you saved us! You saved my buddy's daughter! I wasn't able to protect her on my own. Thank you, son." The man roughly grabbed Kaito's hand. But as he was about to shake it up and down, he stopped. He seemed to have noticed the deep cut on Kaito's palm. The man eyes widened as he spoke. "Son...you're drenched in blood." Kaito didn't hear him. A violent, metallic noise like thunder rang out above their heads. As if he'd been called, Kaito lifted his head and looked toward the top of the mountain. At the location where the Church brand office had once stood, hundreds of chains glittered as they burst forth. At that moment, admiration and yearning shone in Kaito's eyes. As he spoke her name, his tone was like that of a child extolling a hero. "...Elisabeth." The beautiful girl who brought judgment down upon demons was standing in front of the giant flower. Rusted nails were piercing through the base of the flower, where its roots were the thickest. As she stood atop it, her dress fluttered in the wind. Chains were wrapped around the body of the flower, encircling it again and again. The tongue in the center of the petals was being crushed by a sturdy iron wheel. The flower trembled, unable to spit out its heart. From the back of its throat, it let out a bestial moan. The resulting wind pressure blew back Elisabeth's hair. However, her expression showed no signs of changing. She whispered, her crimson eyes focused on the hideous flower. "You tyrannized others, took from them, and killed them, and in the end, you had everything taken from you. Ironic, is it not?" "Elithabebebebebeeeeeeeeeeeth!" "Worry not, Grand Earl. I, the Torture Princess, shall grant you a punishment and death befitting your life." Elisabeth held the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal before her face, like a knight. Likely terrified by the premonition of inescapable death, the flower petals' sepals writhed as they shot out seeds and saliva-like nectar. While most of them got flicked away by the chains, some of them were saved by their mucus and managed to slip out of the loop. The seed shells closed in on Elisabeth. However, before they could reach her, she leaped high into the air. As she elegantly glided through the air, Elisabeth swung her sword, as if trying to rend the very sky. "Pied Piper of Hamelin!" Crimson flower petals and a vortex of darkness painted over the gray clouds. The sky turned an ominous color, the black and crimson joining at its center. Then something came from within, making a comical whizzing sound as it fell. A round iron cage plopped down on top of the flower. Rats began raining down around the cage. Kaito, not having anticipated that ridiculous sight, instinctively tilted his head to the side. "...Rats?" The rats squeaked as they ran about. Some of them were eating the seeds that had fallen about, their eyes glittering with satisfaction. However, none of them were larger than normal, and they seemed rather harmless. Right as that thought went through Kaito's mind, the sound of a loud pipe became audible. He then saw Elisabeth sitting atop the cage and playing a transverse flute. From just looking at her closed eyes, serene expression, and elegant finger movements, she was the very image of a proper young lady. Wait, she knows how to play that? ...And for that matter, where'd she pull that from? As Kaito pondered those questions, the rats looked up in unison, their noses twitching. In tune with the jaunty rhythm, they squeaked and ran up the root in a line with their tails pointed straight up. Their destination was a small heart-shaped door on the side of the cage. The rats energetically piled in. For some reason, they resembled a mob of

children, scrambling to be the first ones into a domed theater. As the last rat entered, the door closed. Slabs of metal clanged as they barred it and sealed the entrance. "Now then, it's showtime!" Elisabeth spun her pipe in a circle. It transformed into the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal. As she tapped the tip of her sword against the metal cage, a crimson flower garden spread across it. When she tapped the cage a second time, the flowers burst into flames, like candles on a cake. Elisabeth then shrugged, stood up, and returned from the top of the cage to the head of the nail she'd been on previously. At first, it was quiet. The flowers quietly continued to burn atop the cage. However, before long, things inside the cage got noisy. Kaito, finally realizing the comical method by which the torture worked, recoiled in horror. The heat is circulating through the cage. The rats, unable to bear the heat from above, began fleeing downward. They bit and chewed their way through the petals and into the flower. And the entire flower was made out of the Grand Earl's flesh. A scream rang out. The rats gnawed their way farther into the flower. Their tiny mouths ripped into the petals, ripped into the sepals, ripped into the stem, and caused the Grand Earl to faint in agony. Putrid nectar spilled forth from within it. Suddenly, though, something wholly unforeseen followed and came out as well. It was a naked, elderly man. The man, drenched in nectar, was no doubt the Grand Earl's original form. In seemed that in accordance with the Grand King's orders, he'd caused his fused form to swell up while hiding his proper body within the flower. A needle was stuck in his neck. Even so, he blinked and looked down reverently at his restored body. He tried to thank Elisabeth. Pitter-patter, pitter-patter. Rats came raining down around him. "...Huh?" "Grand Earl, you do realize that this is torture, yes? There will be no saving you. You shall simply die in agony." Hearing her gentle warning, the man's eyes went flush with shock. As they did, the rats began gnawing at his shoulders, gnawing at his ears, and gnawing at his nose. One after another, the rats filled the man's body with holes as they burrowed deeper. He grabbed rats like mad and hurled them away. However, their numbers proved far too great for him. As the rats rained down in succession, they gnawed at him as if he were a block of cheese. "Aah! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhh!" The Grand Earl's screams were hoarse and monosyllabic. He began dancing like a madman at the pain. His urine, blood, and chunks of flesh spilled out and mixed with the nectar at his feet. However, Elisabeth showed no signs of granting him pity. Just as she'd said, there would be no salvation for him. Eventually, the Grand Earl collapsed where he stood. A few rats made their way into his exposed stomach. One dug out his eyeballs, and another made its way inside his skull. The rats had eaten through almost the entirety of both his body and the flower. Having eaten their fill, they rolled about, their original task all but forgotten. All at once, black feathers scattered into the air. The roots, which had crept throughout the town, were all transforming into feathers. The underlings loitering among them, having lost the support of their demonic master's mana, collapsed one after another, their innards having likely caved in. Like an out-of-season snowfall, the black feathers poured down upon the seaside town. One woman stood as she basked in them, as fiercely sinister as she was beautiful. The bearded man rubbed his eyes repeatedly. Beside him, Kaito removed his gaze from Elisabeth and surveyed his surroundings. Seeing that the underlings' corpses had crumbled into dust, a smile spread across his face. But then something he saw out of the corner of his eye made his face freeze. As Kaito's entire body stiffened, the bearded man murmured in shock. "What...what in the world...? What could that...? I mean, what's happening?" "Don't worry about it... Just take that kid and run for the remains of the Church's office! Now that the demon's dead, the land should be safe. Just hurry and get as high up as you can!" "Wait, but what are you going to do, son? You're covered in blood..." "Don't worry about me, just go! Hurry, before..." Struggling against the dizziness that still ate at his mind, Kaito rose to his feet. He glared at the putrid crimson sea. Either due to having noticed the Grand Earl's death or due to having received prior orders from the Grand King, a change was occurring in the corpse-filled sea. Kaito spoke, his expression grim. "...before the tsunami hits." The crimson sea was slowly receding. The flesh-colored jellyfish, the Grand Duke, smiled at its center. "Hey, Elisabeth! Did you see what's going on with the sea? What're we gonna do?!" "Master Kaito, Lady Elisabeth! Are you two all right?" "Good job finding us, Hina! How were the kids?" "I used floral scents to calm them down and get them to sleep. Then, Master Kaito, I followed the smell of your blood and arrived here! Your blood has a sweet smell to it, you see." "The fact that you know what my blood smells like is convenient but also kinda creepy." "Eeeeeeeeeeeek! Master Kaito, your wounds! You're even more wounded than before! Damn you, demons, even if you all fell into Hell, I would never forgive you! May you all die another two thousand deaths! If they had graves, then I should like to go defile them right—" "Settle down, you lot. You're worsening my headache, which is no mean feat." Hearing Kaito and Hina's vigorous exchange, Elisabeth was pressing down on her forehead. There was nothing to block their view. The only thing before them was the crimson sea, transformed as it was into a pulpy corpse soup. The three of them had gathered at the lighthouse overlooking the sea from the edge of the cape. The first floor of the building, which had been constructed from pure-white stone, contained the lighthouse keeper's lodging. The second floor was where the fuel was kept, and atop the cylindrical building was long iron scaffolding where the fire was lit. Seashells and colored tiles were embedded in the spiral staircase winding around the tower, and a statue of a holy woman shedding tears of blood hung beside the fire basket. Based on how tall and decorative it was, that lighthouse was likely one of the town's symbolic buildings. After watching Elisabeth leave behind the remains of the flower to travel there, Kaito had hurriedly followed her. Hina arrived right as he did. The situation was chaotic, and as the two of them hurried after Elisabeth, she studied the sea's transformation. The jellyfish was sucking in the viscous seawater, causing it to recede. Each time it did, its translucent cap swelled even further past its limit. "Ah...so that's it." Elisabeth crossed her arms. The runes stretching across her pale skin, up from her wrist to her shoulder and exposed sides, were an even deeper shade of crimson than they'd been before her fight with the Grand Earl. "No demon with the power to cause a natural disaster has yet descended to our world. This tsunami shan't be caused by a tectonic shift; rather, that rotting jellyfish, the Grand Earl, plans to store seawater within its body and then violently release everything at once." "Is there any way we can stop it?" "If we kill it before then, the water it's stored shall likely still result in great waves, but the damage can be minimized. However, if it's able to expel the water as planned, a town of this size will be washed away." "All the more reason to kill it right away." "However, therein lies the problem. The jellyfish is far out at sea, and any ship we could use to reach it has long since degraded. Attacking it directly is impossible. Even launching missiles with a catapult would not be effective at this range, and given my current mana situation, the odds it could repel such an attack are high. That being the case, our best option is execution by animal." Elisabeth snapped her fingers. Darkness and crimson flower petals swirled in the air. The black and crimson converged and then burst. From there, a large, beautiful raven spread its wings. The wise, sly-eyed bird sat respectfully atop the metal fixtures on Elisabeth's arm. "With this, our ability to damage it is assured. However, using this method will take time. Transforming even a few of these to be able to inflict instant death would require more mana than I currently possess... Truly, this design is infuriating. Now then, what to do." Elisabeth lightly bit her lip. While she did, the tide was receding farther, and the jellyfish continued to swell. Glaring at the sea with her emerald eyes, Hina raised her voice. "If it is as you say, would it not be best to withdraw to the castle for now? Most of the town's residents have already evacuated. Even if the buildings are washed away and destroyed, the loss of life will be minimal. We could even use the ruins as footing. If we left now and returned later, we could obtain much better conditions for our rematch." "Aye, if only we could. But should I overlook so much as the destruction of one little town, I would likely be estranged by the Church. Such are the restrictions placed on a shackled hound. 'Tis most troubling indeed." As he listened to Elisabeth and Hina talk, Kaito turned his eyes down and ruminated. Everything about the situation was terrible. The Church was placing unreasonable demands on Elisabeth. However, as far as the matter of fleeing went, Kaito too was against it. If we flee now, even though the damages will be minimal, people will still die. Kaito had told the man from before to escape to high ground. However, there were likely others who hadn't made it to shelter. There were probably also people who were injured and unable to leave. That said, though, even Kaito could tell that Elisabeth was running low on mana. She couldn't do the impossible. What to do, what to do, what to do...? Think. At the end of the day, is there anything I can do here? Or was he simply as powerless as always, unable to do anything? The sea roared. As it did, Kaito felt his eardrums tensing up. All sounds seemed distant to him. The change in his surroundings wasn't due to any spiritual abnormality on his part. His consciousness was growing dim due to blood loss. He felt the blood dripping down his neck and sticking to his clothes, and his skin grew oddly hot. Kaito instinctively turned his attention to the unpleasant heat. It crawled along his body and reached the stone in his pocket, and the blue roses within began burning. Right as he realized what the sensation was, the phantasmal hand landed on his shoulder once more. He could distinctly feel the hand's cold weight. "Now then, what to do indeed, my dear successor?" The sweet, honeyed whisper reverberated in Kaito's ear. The hand snapped its fingers. Before he knew it, Kaito was standing alone in the darkness. Before him sat the extravagant beast-bone chair, replete with pelts. Vlad sat upon it, gently stroking the skull armrests with the arrogance of a king. His nobleman's coat fluttered as he rose from the chair. As the soles of his shoes clicked against the ground, he spoke in a familiar yet dignified voice. "Given the situation you're in, shall I continue my lecture? I believe I mentioned it to you already. You can use your own pain as a fulcrum to ignite the mana within

your body, but the magic that method will unlock for you is tragically limited. Creating mana itself from the pain of others is far more efficient. In order to do that, you must either consume the meat of a demon...or summon one yourself." Vlad looked at Kaito, gauging his response. However, Kaito offered no answer. Vlad shrugged and then resumed walking. He waved his white gloved hands in the air like a conductor. "Hearing that all of a sudden no doubt leaves a vague impression. To that end, I'm going to give you a chance to test it out. After all, I am something akin to your teacher. And what is a teacher if not one who looks after their pupils?" *** "I and he no longer have any relation to each other. However, even without a contract and even with my death having caused him to return to a higher dimension, we spent enough time united that I can at least reach his tail. Demons feast on the pain of men. Using him, even if all you can manage is to reduce the pain you just felt into mana, it should prove rather interesting indeed. Now then, time for your real practical exam!" Vlad stopped in his tracks and then clapped his hands loudly. Sparing not a thought to the possibility of Kaito refusing him, Vlad turned to him and made his theatrical declaration. "At this moment, you shall take your first step toward greatness!" "Man, you just love the sound of your own voice, don't ya?" For the first time since he'd arrived in the darkness, Kaito spoke. His voice was low and hollow. As he looked at Vlad, Kaito's eyes were full of fierce animosity. Vlad smiled and then tilted his head as if to ask Kaito what he planned to do. Of course, Kaito had already made up his mind. He took a step forward. He felt as though the young red-haired boy who had wished him happiness was watching him. The boy looked at him with eyes that questioned whether or not Kaito was really okay with this and a gaze full of worry and reproach. Yeah, Neue, I know. This is a mistake. Understanding that, Kaito spoke. "If you've got something I can use, then hand it over already. I need it, for the sake of my future." "A most splendid answer!" The next moment, Vlad reached out his hand and thrust it inside Kaito, into his very soul. Kaito could feel a hand squish around in his abdomen. He was assailed by a sharp pain as azure flower petals and darkness swirled around his organs. A sinister light flashed behind his eyes, and his nasal cavity was filled with a sharp animal stench. A roar rang in his ears, and his leg brushed against high-quality fur. He could feel canine footsteps vibrate throughout his whole body, as they were causing the ground to shake and the air to vibrate. Finally, he felt damp, rusty breaths near his face. Is it sniffing me? The first-rate hound was appraising the being before it. It was checking to see if it was a person or if it was food. ...And then... "Congratulations. You passed the first test." Before he'd noticed, Vlad had vanished from the darkness. A black dog's tail, unconnected to anything, was dangling in the air in front of Kaito. Dumbfounded, he raised his palm. Then, using the pain gathered within it—not just his but the pain he'd magically caused in the underlings, as well—Kaito grabbed onto the tail. Geh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh, fu-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh, geh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh. He could hear humanlike laughter. Then Kaito opened his eyes. "...Huh?" When he came to his senses, Kaito found himself back on the roof of the lighthouse. The crimson sea was still spread out before him. There was nearly no change in the position of the tide. Apparently, not much time had passed. Elisabeth and Hina, their faces grim, were still carrying on their discussion. "Then, what if we were to develop the animal execution and the catapult simultaneously?" "It will be rough, but that seems to be the best option... Failure is a possibility, but there's nothing to be done for that." As he blinked, Kaito looked Elisabeth over. The force within her body was definitely weakened. However, it still boasted a thorny, dark, roselike beauty to it. When I look closely, I can see that even now she has enough mana that I wouldn't normally even be in the same league as her... That's the Torture Princess for you. Now, as for me... Kaito looked down at his hand. He could still clearly feel the velvety sensation of the black dog's tail in it. Furthermore, there were sticky black hairs mixed in with blood pouring out from the wound. Huh...I guess that really wasn't a dream. Frowning, he focused his attention on the uncomfortable sensation and checked the quantity of new mana swirling within his body. His calculations functionally amounted to sticking his hand in a pool of water to tell how deep it was. When he was finished, he nodded. All right, with this, I can pull it off. Kaito silently drew near Elisabeth and then touched the back of the large raven roosting on her arm. He ran his hand along its beautiful feathers, as if he were comforting it. His blood stained its feathers, and the dog hairs extending from his palm twined around its wings. As he did, its spine began to warp. As the violent magical energy forced its way inside, the raven underwent a transformation. "Hmm? ...Wh—?!" Elisabeth looked up with a start. When she saw how the raven had mutated, she looked as though she'd been punched in the gut. After she looked doubtfully at Kaito, her eyes gradually filled with comprehension and rage. "Kaito, you wretch...!" Elisabeth's arm shot out like an arrow, and she grabbed Kaito by the collar. As she did, the raven's transformation continued. For an instant, hellfire burned in its jet-black eyes. Its small, slender face burbled and squirmed horrifically and transformed into that of a hound. The raven was on the verge of resembling a gargoyle, with the head and torso of a beast and the wings of a bird. However, the transformation settled into a gentler configuration. At the end, the raven was left several times larger than it had been originally, with enormous wings, cruel talons, and a sharp beak. It was a creature without peer, one who readily resembled raven royalty. The raven flapped its wings boastfully. Elisabeth, on the other hand, was trembling with anger. She raised her arms, and Kaito's toes dangled in the air. She screamed in rage. "What have you done?! What is that power?! Where did you obtain it?!" "Wait, Elisabeth...more importantly... Could you make three more of the base birds? With my technique, I can strengthen them, but I can't make them from scra—" "You fool! There are some things you mustn't involve yourself with. Who knew you were so insipid?!" "I haven't...obtained it...yet... It's supposed to be...a trial..." "This is preposterous... Vlad should be dead! Why, then?" "Elisa...beth... We can talk later. Now, we should focus on the ravens. At this rate, both of us are gonna be in deep shit." Kaito made his argument dispassionately. As she looked at his calm—and in a sense, insane—demeanor, Elisabeth ground her teeth and roughly set him down. Coughing, Kaito gave a light nod. Yeah, that makes sense... I expected her to be pissed. Everything, including Elisabeth's reaction, was unfolding within the bounds of his expectations. He had no reason to be afraid. Feeling another pair of eyes on him, Kaito turned. For some reason, Hina looked to be on the verge of tears. Unsure of how to respond to her, he elected to wave to her. He then turned his gaze back to Elisabeth, serious. She was clicking her tongue, her face twisted in anger. However, frustrated as her expression was, she once more called forth the swirl of darkness and petals. "After this, I expect you to tell me everything. And should you refuse to talk, I'll break out the thumbscrews." As she made her furious declaration, Elisabeth created ravens one after another. Insisting that he'd confess without need for torture, Kaito touched their backs as though baptizing them. Eventually, the four kingly ravens were completed. "Sky Burial." As Elisabeth spoke, the four birds took off in a circular formation. They flapped their wings harder than any raven should have been able to, crossing the sea and closing in on the jellyfish. The four of them perched atop its translucent flesh and then dug their talons in and grabbed. They then each flew off in a cardinal direction. The jellyfish's skin tore, and seawater and bodily fluids came spilling out. "Urgh... Ah, ahhhhhhhhh, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" The jellyfish screamed as it writhed in agony. However, even with the flesh pulled to its limit and starting to rip, the ravens showed no signs of stopping. As the jellyfish lost more and more seawater and fluid, it eventually ripped open into four sections resembling flower petals. Massive decomposing chunks of flesh were expelled and floated gently on the water's surface. At the same time, the seawater it had vomited out rushed violently toward the lighthouse. "Hold tight! 'Tis every man for himself!" On Elisabeth's mark, the three of them leaped into action. The wave of seawater that had billowed forth from the jellyfish was taller than the lighthouse. If they'd been ordinary people, they would have had no choice but to simply be engulfed and swept away. All three of them grabbed hold of the sturdy saint statue and used their mana to help fix themselves in place. Countless corpses washed by them as the bloody water rushed up and surrounded them. Hey, if this is all there is, then we'll probably get away with only a couple of the buildings on the coastline getting washed away! As he desperately held his breath, Kaito felt relieved at that. Then a fish locked eyes with him. Upon further inspection, while it was indeed a fish, it was also not. It was swimming easily against the current, and it looked at Kaito and the others with a solemn male human face. In fact, human faces were sprouting all over its fat body. There was no vitality whatsoever in its dull eyes. It slowly opened its plump, odious lips. Then the human-faced fish spat out its heart. "...............Huh?" A certain scene flashed back across Kaito's mind. A naked man had been inside the Grand Earl's flower. He'd hidden his real body within the petals. However, after the Grand Duke's jellyfish had been ripped open, nothing like that was there. If the Grand King had forced the Grand Duke to change even his form and ordered him to vomit out his heart... And if the flashy show the Grand Earl and Grand Duke put on had all been a trap... "Elisabeth!" The heart ruptured. Hundreds of arms passed through the wave and swam through the water. The crimson arms latched onto Elisabeth. All the power went out of her body. Kaito quickly grabbed her from behind before she was swept away by the wave. However, his own hand was about to slip off the saint statue. "Master Kaito!" With astounding reflexes and grip strength, Hina caught him by the collar with one hand. Before long, the torrent of water passed. The rooftop was riddled with crimson puddles and piles of dead fish. Kaito shook Elisabeth's limp body as it lay slumped over on the ground. As Hina ran her drainage systems, she knelt beside them. "Elisabeth! Elisabeth, c'mon, snap out of it!" "Lady Elisabeth, please respond! Lady Elisabeth!" She didn't reply. She had fought so heroically, yet she gave no response to their cries. The jellyfish's body, torn but not collapsed, was transforming into black feathers. Eventually, they collapsed in a surge and floated gently down

onto the crimson sea. Azure flames burned atop the waves. The subjugation of the Grand Earl and Grand Duke was complete. And as for the result of the battle, Kaito and company had lost. 4 Heroine and Lover Ever since he was a child, Kaito Sena had held heroes in disdain. He had learned of the concept during the short period in which he'd attended school. For a time, he'd hoped that one would come and save him. But no matter how fervently he yearned, he continued receiving cigarette burns all over his body, getting his elbows scorched by lighters, having his toes broken, and being forced to beg for scraps of food from his father and his mistresses. As a result, he'd come to regard the concept of heroes as well as the various stories in which they appeared as ludicrous from the bottom of his heart. Such a person couldn't possibly exist. If there existed someone who amended the injustices of the world, then Kaito's pain and sorrow—or rather, his very existence itself—should have long been stripped away. Ironically, the cruelty and pain accumulated within Kaito served to discredit the possibility that heroes existed. In a sense, he played the role of a villain, as his very life was the personification of how nonexistent and meaningless heroes were in the world. Up to the day he was strangled to death, that perception of Kaito's had never changed. Furthermore, his new world was devoid of heroes as well. While it was a fantastical world rich with swords and sorcery, the land was plagued with demons. There were no noble crusaders or legendary champions. The only person fighting was the Torture Princess, a peerless sinner. She was absolute evil, standing atop a mountain of corpses—yet those she crushed were even more evil than she. Kaito Sena held heroes in disdain. However, as far as villains went, the same didn't necessarily apply. Kaito sat upon a plain chair in the stone bedroom. He had dark circles under his eyes. Like a reenactment of the previous scene, Elisabeth was lying down on the bed in front of him. The crimson runes creeping along her body had grown even further, covering her pale body like briars. Periodically, she let out pained, feverish moans. Each time she did, Hina, who was standing at the ready by her bedside, stiffened up a little. Other than diligently wiping away Elisabeth's sweat, there was little she could do. A few days had passed since they'd returned from the port town and released the two children to their relatives, who had come alongside members of the Church. However, in spite of Hina's devoted care, Elisabeth hadn't resumed consciousness. Powerless, all that Hina and Kaito could do was wait for her to wake up. Not being able to do anything sucks. Atop his chair, Kaito put strength into his crossed palms. His wound had properly healed, and the power he'd temporarily gotten ahold of had vanished. He no longer felt the sensation of the black dog's tail on his skin. Kaito still hadn't talked to anyone regarding what had happened then. Hina had cast a number of questioning looks in his direction but ultimately decided to focus on nursing Elisabeth. Having agreed with her decision, Kaito had kept his mouth shut. As he gazed at Elisabeth's slender, crimson-encircled body, he let out the same murmur he had numerous times before. ".........Elisabeth." ".........Excuse me." Suddenly, the two of them heard the voice of a third party. Hina grabbed her halberd from the floor and then snapped to her feet. As she did, Kaito fluidly drew a knife from his pocket and pressed it against his palm. However, the presence on the other side of the door simply stood still, unmoving. Kaito and Hina tilted their heads. For some reason, the other party seemed frightened. "Hina, can you handle this?" "Of course. Master Kaito, you should stand somewhere you aren't visible from the doorway." After confirming that Kaito had taken cover, Hina approached the door and quickly threw it open. She swung her halberd, pressing it accurately against the scruff of their neck. The black mass threw up its hands in alarm. A grieving voice called out from beneath a hood. "I—I come in peace! I'm a bystander and an ally! I am your humble Butcher, friend to gourmands and vagabonds alike! I bring delicious meat! Every day! That's right, it's me!" "Oh, hey, it's the Butcher." "Me friend!" "Please relax. I'm very sorry for my conduct. However, um...I believe that due to Elisabeth's poor condition, we requested to put a hold on deliveries for the time being." Hina tilted her head to the side. The Butcher nodded in assent. He slowly lowered his hands and then brought the large bag covered in X-shaped patches he constantly carried with him into the room. Perhaps in relief, he clutched his chest as he cast a pained gaze at Elisabeth. "Oh, poor Madam Elisabeth... How could this become of a lady with such vigor?" "Sorry, but she still hasn't woken up. If you came to wish her well, then you're out of luck." "No, that wasn't my intention. I came here on a delivery—to deliver meat." "But we placed a hold..." Hina's reply fully conveyed her bewilderment. However, the Butcher shook his head back and forth. "Indeed, my lovely Ms. Maid, you did put in such a request. But if Madam Elisabeth awakens and finds herself without fresh meat on hand, I think she would be sorely disappointed." "...Mr. Butcher." "It is disgraceful for a butcher to allow a client to go hungry. I have brought her usual selections with me, and as for payment... If it goes bad before Madam Elisabeth finds herself able to eat it, I will waive the fee." "Butcher, man, you..." "Madam Elisabeth is quite the faithful patron of mine. And it brings me great joy when she cries out, ''Tis delicious!' as she does. I pray that she recovers quickly that she may eat meat to her heart's content once more." Tugging on the edge of his hood bashfully, the Butcher looked down and whispered rapidly. Kaito and Hina glanced at each other in surprise. They then spoke to the Butcher, their eyes full of emotion. "My deepest thanks, Mr. Butcher. As Master Kaito's eternal lover and servant, the spirit with which you carry out your duty has resonated deep within my gears. The thought alone is enough. I will gladly pay the fee out of my wages, so please accept it." "No, I'll pay it. Thanks, Butcher... I'm sure Elisabeth will be overjoyed." "No, no, no, I'm simply doing my job. Hee-hee-hee, huzzah, huzzah! Success!" "Hold up there." The Butcher danced around in delight. Realizing that he'd probably foreseen this turn of events, Kaito looked at him with half-dead eyes. However, after dancing and shaking his posterior around in joy, the Butcher suddenly stopped with a serious expression. "Now, now, you two. You really don't need to wear such gloomy expressions! Knowing Madam Elisabeth, she'll be back on her feet in no time! Ah, that's right, I also have a get-well gift for her!" The Butcher rustled around in his bag. At the end of the day, it seemed that his concern had been real. Kaito and Hina watched over his actions warmly. The next moment, though, their faces froze over. The Butcher had pulled out a huge, droopy, mulberry-colored cut of meat. "Aren't you surprised? It's troll liver!" "Get out." "They say it makes the body grow big and strong." "You're sounding like a swindler." "I am no swindler! I am a butcher! Everything I sell is as genuine as can be!" "Ah, but my dear fellows, don't they say that some things are problematic precisely because they are genuine?" This time, for sure, Hina grabbed her halberd, and Kaito cut open his palm. Hina positioned herself to protect the other three. As he protected Elisabeth and the Butcher, Kaito turned toward the window from which he'd heard the easygoing male voice. At some point, its slatted shutters had been cut open, and the man responsible for butting in on the conversation was sitting on its frame. The strange man had bandages draped all over his body, and he was pressing the soles of his feet together. He lifted his silk hat. "My a-apologies, is this a bad time?" The man was strangely slender. Other than the hardened, dirty-looking bandages and the silk hat, he wore nothing. His mouth, which peeked out just barely from beneath the bandages, was curved into a crescent-shaped grin as he introduced himself. "I, my dear fellows, am the Marquis! I apologize for this unseemly state I'm in! I was on the receiving end of some pu-nish-ment from our lovely Majesty the G-g-grand King, you see? Fuuuuck that infernal bitch! Damn, damn, damn, damn? Damn! Damn her to hell! M-my apologies." The Marquis gave a quick bow. A silver, brain-shaped needle was glittering on his nape. Goose bumps ran down Kaito's spine. Upon closer examination, the Marquis's skin under his bandages was hideously burned. His white bandages were stained yellow with bodily fluids, his hair was missing, and his eyes were exposed and swollen. But what scared Kaito and Hina more than the details of his punishment was his name. As the fourteen demons go, the Marquis is pretty high up there. He wasn't a foe that the two of them could hope to take on. Even so, they stood in front of the bed to protect Elisabeth and the Butcher. His voice hoarse from tension, Kaito pushed out noise from the back of his throat. "What do you want, Marquis?" "Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, ho-ho-ho-ho-ho, heave-ho? Eep!" As he sang, the Marquis leaped off the window frame and dropped talkatively down to the floor. He then shook all over, like a stray dog. Immediately afterward, though, he rose up straight, as if yanked by a string, and placed a hand on his chest. Kaito narrowed his eyes. Something was springing out from beneath the bandages. Is there something stuck in his chest? "P-p-p-p-p-p-p-please look, if you woul— No, no, no, stop it, stop it, I'll stop, I'll stop, forgive, forgive me, I'll do anyshing, please, no, stop, aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaargh!" As he uttered words of reluctance and fierce screams, the Marquis grabbed the thing springing out from his chest and yanked it forward without pausing. Before Kaito and Hina's eyes, both of them stunned into silence, he tore himself from his chest to his crotch and pulled out something rectangular. It was a dressing table, and no small one at that, adorned with a snakelike chain. "Gah... Ack, argh... Blergh..." Blood and mashed-up organs dripped off the mirror's frame. As the Marquis frothed at the mouth and spewed up mucus, he used the last of his strength to stand the dressing table up on the floor. His wound had probably had magic applied to it beforehand, as it immediately sealed up. Still propping the dressing table up, the Marquis fainted, his eyes rolling back in his head. The mirror was filthy, covered in his blood and tallow. Suddenly, an ominous light burned within it. Then a scarlet figure appeared. Cheers, upbeat music, and most distinctly of all, a beguiling female voice rang out. "So is this thing on? Oh, not yet? Is that so...? I feel as though it should have been properly activated. Are you certain? Oh dear, my, it is on! You fool, I'm through with you! Now then, begone! ...And as for you, Elisabeth, how do you do? So sorry for all the commotion." The Grand King shook her crow-feather fan and smiled. However, she seemed displeased with the image she was projecting and moved her head around in search of an angle that better showed off her beauty. Each time she did, the ample breasts peeking out from the top of her dress jiggled precariously. As carefree as her behavior

was, her presence was as sinister as ever. "...Fiore, the Grand King." Kaito groaned in a low key. The blood and tallow were stuck especially thick near the mirror's edges, so he couldn't get a good sense of the Grand King's surroundings. However, there appeared to be a great throng of people behind her. He couldn't tell what was going on, but occasionally he heard voices calling out the Grand King's praises. Finally satisfied with her face's angle, the Grand King nodded. She adjusted her hair and then sighed. "Oh, I had the perfect introduction prepared and everything...but I suppose things don't always go according to plan. In any case, I had something to discuss with you, so I had the Marquis bring over a mirror for me. Is he still alive over there? If he's not too incontinent, would you be so kind as to praise him for me? His ability to control minds is similar to mine, and on top of that, he's quite the narcissist. He's a very bad boy, who rarely does as he's told. Recently, though, he's been serving as a rather obedient mutt. I'm really quite grateful." Her voice sounding truly appreciative, the Grand King inspected the blood running down the mirror from its reverse side. The cheering from behind her had grown conspicuously rowdier. She turned and then waved and blew a kiss into the air. She then turned back toward the mirror before joining her hands in front of her face. "Ah, that's right. I mustn't let the Marquis's efforts go to waste, so I really ought to get to the point. With the second Sacrifice having taken hold successfully, I plan to take the Marquis over there, the Grand Marquis, and over a thousand of my underlings and familiars and boldly attack your castle—but that would cause you some problems, wouldn't it, Elisabeth?" The Grand King smiled sweetly and tilted her head to the side. Her eyes filled with compassion, she snapped her fan shut. Then, with the poise of an empress, the Grand King Fiore pointed it directly at the mirror and made her haughty invitation. "Fleeing will do you no good. I will track you down to the ends of the earth, you see. You are a fish on my hook, and as such, I have a proposition for you. Bend the knee and serve me, little princess. I doubt you'd properly listen to my orders if I stuck a needle in you, so I'll simply accept you as you are. You would make a fine pet. I love all who are strong, not just men, and you...you aren't half-bad." As far as the Grand King was concerned, that was probably one of the highest compliments she could give. Kaito and Hina frowned and looked at each other. Unconcerned about their reactions and Elisabeth's silence, the Grand King went on. "In fact, I'll even allow you to bring that automaton with you as a dowry. As for that lover boy, I could do without him, but I'm sure I can find somewhere to store a piece of rubbish or two. And I'll treat you well. After all, now that I think about it, you are the beloved daughter of my dear friend Vlad. I'll cherish you from your head to your toes, as if you were my own child." "That's not the kinda thing you're supposed to say to your children." "While I am fond of Lady Elisabeth, I am Master Kaito's maid and Master Kaito's alone." Kaito and Hina spoke simultaneously. However, the Grand King paid them no heed. Loud voices of praise rang out once more from behind her. She turned toward them and waved merrily. As she did, the blood and tallow staining the mirror dripped lazily onto the floor. Then the Grand King turned back toward the mirror. Upon seeing her face, Kaito reflexively frowned. Her expression had changed so drastically that he almost thought she was a different person. When she spoke, her features looked so elegant that she reminded him of La Guillotine. "Now then, Elisabeth, enough with the tomfoolery. Let's speak earnestly." The Grand King inhaled quietly and then took her time before continuing to speak seriously. "The Church won't save you. You will die. I will kill you, and you will die. Why, then, do you still insist on fighting? You have the right to stain yourself deep to the bone with evil and the power to do so, as well." Her thoughts inscrutable, she spoke on in a kind motherly tone. "...Perhaps a story is in order. When I was a child, a good-hearted, foolish gardener caught my eye." Suddenly, the surface of the mirror wavered. A moody young girl and a gardener with a face that looked practically like a squished frog—but with a simple, genial expression—appeared on it. The Grand King's voice carried on. "Day in and day out, the adults in my life showered me with sweet, affectionate lies. They hated my father, who'd come into wealth suddenly, but no matter what happened, they kissed up to him and constantly visited nevertheless. I was like a little queen. No matter what I did, the people around me never scolded me...but he alone did, and to make up for it, he never lied to me. 'If you do bad things, punishment is sure to come, young miss.' 'God is always watching you, so you must strive to be a good person.' Oh, what foolish things he said to me. But I liked that about him... Oh, I did. Laughable, isn't it? I liked that about him." The Grand King spoke in a subdued voice, almost as though she were embarrassed. The next moment, however, a grim spectacle flashed across the mirror's surface. The man from before had been stripped naked and hung up from a tree. His body was swollen so badly he looked like a fresh-baked loaf of bread. He had been struck all over and was dying. A young girl carrying sweets was looking up at him in a daze. The basket in her arms had enough baked sweets for two, so it seemed she'd been planning on sharing them with someone. "But he died after being framed for a crime by the other servants. They said that he'd stolen my mother's golden comb and went out womanizing with the proceeds from selling it... What a lark. No other man was as straitlaced and devout as he, but...nobody lent an ear to that unattractive man's clumsy explanations." The basket tilted over, and the baked sweets tumbled out. They rolled along, accumulating dirt from the ground as they went. Then the image faded away. The Grand King returned to the frame. Her lips were twisted ever so slightly, and her eyes were narrowed, as if she were glancing into the distant past. However, she eventually shook her head lightly from side to side, as if to say there was no use crying over spilled milk. "It's a trivial little tale. Yet, as a fable, I find it ever so relevant. Elisabeth, some day you, too, will understand. No matter how we amuse ourselves, live out our days, and die, that's all there is to the world. Good, evil—it's all the same. None will praise us, and none will punish us. And for the world to condemn you and then refuse to reward you for your efforts...I can't bear to sit by and watch." The Grand King then brought her story to a sudden, somehow lonely end. "You remind me of myself, in my youth." After hearing what she had to say, Kaito gulped. Her thoughts aligned with his, if only a little. The Torture Princess needed to atone. And she deserved to die grandly atop the pile of corpses she'd created. But was the punishment truly designed to shove all the responsibilities onto her and then look away? I, for one, don't think it is... And she's right. I can't bear to just sit by silently and watch it, either. Kaito bit down on his lip. Elisabeth had yet to respond even once. Even so, the Grand King finished talking. She turned around, and her crinoline dress shook as she walked away. Pulled by her rings, a number of underlings followed after her. The mirror had cleared up, and the scene behind her was finally visible. *** As he saw it, Kaito suppressed an intense urge to vomit. The Grand King was inside a massive circus tent. Countless men and women clamored from the audience. They were weeping, fervently clapping, and shouting out the Grand King's praises. The audience's gaze was focused on a circular stage, atop which was a carousel. It was decorated as colorfully as a cake, and the people riding its blade-maned horses had their mouths stuffed with barbed wire. An underling with a bag over its head was supplying the carousel's power and changing the speed at which it cranked the carousel's handle on a whim. Each time the wooden horses jerked up and down, the oscillations of their victims' bodies caused their cuts to deepen and fountains of blood to spill forth. The men and women in the audience raised their voices frenetically. However, one of them raised their voice a beat too late, possibly due to shock. An underling dragged her up to the stage. Her fierce screams were cut off when her mouth was stuffed full of barbed wire. The Grand King turned around. The chains on her hands rattled as she raised them to gesture to the Hell behind her. "Good, evil—it's all the same." "She's a monster!" Kaito retracted what he'd thought earlier. He couldn't agree with a single thing that came out of that woman's mouth. Anyone who enjoyed a spectacle like that was worthless. Kaito could have said it aloud. However, there was nobody there with the power to convey the truth of those words to that arrogant woman. The Grand King spoke softly, as if she were looking down from above on humanity like they were worms. "We have the right to oppress them, Elisabeth." "What do you think you are, sow, a god?" A sharp noise rang out, and a lance pierced through the mirror's face. Shattered fragments of silver glittered as they danced through the air. Awakened by the impact, the Marquis's toes scraped against the stone floor when he took the attack after it passed through the mirror. He somehow managed to remain standing, supporting the dressing table all the while. From beyond the mirror's cracked surface, the Grand King's smile grew even deeper. The image she now gave was quite twisted, and a cold voice bored down on her. "None possess that right. Not you, nor I, nor the people, nor kings, nor gods possess it." As he turned his gaze toward the source of that forceful declaration, Kaito breathed a sigh of relief. A beautiful woman was standing atop the bed, as sharp as a blade. "Elisabeth." The bondage dress she wore, crafted from her mana, seemed to be on the verge of dissolving. Its black cloth, which barely covered her body, hung in the air with the uncertainty of a shadow. Her skin was even more exposed than usual, and it was covered in the invasive crimson runes. However, her violated body didn't stop her from looking down on the Marquis. She clicked her tongue and then went on a displeased tirade. "And who is it you're saying you were in your youth? What a joke, Grand King. Care not to misunderstand me. Worldly rewards have naught to do with my actions as the Torture Princess. All I'm doing is paying the fee for the plate I licked clean, the plate topped with meat and blood and pleasure. A fattened sow such as yourself who refuses to acknowledge the annihilation waiting at the end of her road of slaughter and tyranny has no right to speak." "Elisabeth, you..." "Why

have you failed to notice? Good and evil—all the same? What a riot. Evil carries with it retribution. What you try to play off as the truth of the world is naught but your own arrogance." Elisabeth stared straight at the Grand King, her gaze filled with deep, frigid scorn. With her animosity as bare as a wolf's, the self-proclaimed sow carried on. "Don't use the past to justify yourself. All you're doing is taking a single convenient aspect of it and speaking as if it is a unilateral truth. You know, Grand King, I pity you. You can't bear to sit by and watch? Spare me your mercy. If you wish to torment me, then do so. If you wish to kill me, then do so. In any case, my death will be a cruel, solitary one. So be it. However, I've no intention of going down quietly. Should you cut off my head, I shall latch on with my teeth and rend you limb from limb." Her position was overwhelmingly disadvantageous, and Elisabeth's face contorted even further. With a smile the very picture of evil, she made one more declaration. "I look forward to it, Your Majesty the Grand King! Let's see just how far the face of a hag who forces others to praise her can twist!" "...Don't get all cocky at being shown a bit of kindness, little girl." The Grand King's mask ruthlessly peeled off. Her beautiful, composed, showy-but-merciful expression had vanished. As she turned toward Elisabeth, her sinister appearance truly befitted the demon she was. "I'll make a declaration, then. I won't let you die peacefully—I will ravish you, violate you, rip out your intestines while you yet live, put them back, and grant you all the pains this world has to offer until you desperately beg and plead to me, cursing your own existence." "Splendid, what a fitting end for a torturer! But as you have your fun, the world will no doubt strike back at you...and I would have it no other way, Grand King. Here in my castle, I shall wait for my death and for your blood to be spilled." "You bark well! I hope you won't regret this, Elisabeth Le Fanu." The Grand King snapped her fingers, and the light faded from the mirror's surface. As it did, the Marquis pitched forward. His whole body trembled and convulsed as he groveled on his hands and knees. However, he suddenly placed his hands on the ground and then leaped high into the air like a grasshopper. Worried that he was planning to vomit out his heart, Kaito and Hina put up their guards. However, the Marquis successfully landed on his feet, gave a deep bow, and began awkwardly walking toward the window. Hina aimed her halberd at his back but then lowered it. Kaito nodded, agreeing that she'd made the right decision. The Marquis has the power to control minds. Honestly, I'm not sure if he can use it while the Grand King is controlling him, but...we shouldn't carelessly attack him. The Marquis scrambled over the window's frame and then vanished from sight as though he'd fallen. At the same time, Elisabeth collapsed to one knee atop the bed, her power spent. Kaito and Hina gasped. The first one to react had been the Butcher. He'd leaped out from the shelves that he'd hidden himself in to support Elisabeth. He shouted as he held her shoulders in his scaly arms. "Madam Elisabeth, please snap out of it! Look, it's me, the Butcher! Your friendly neighborhood Butcher has you! Come now, Mr. Dim-Witted Servant, Ms. Lovely Maid, make haste!" "I'm coming! Elisabeth, are you okay?!" "Lady Elisabeth, please don't push yourself! You must lie down!" "My apologies. I've caused you all trouble... These runes truly are an annoyance." Elisabeth laid down on the bed, and Hina pulled a blanket over her. As her head sank into her pillow, Elisabeth gazed at her two servants. Her face lit up a tiny bit. For an instant, her eyes softened with the distinct shape of a smile. She then let out a small breath. She spoke softly, almost as if she were an aged king discharging an important adviser. "The situation is as you heard. Over a thousand foes now make for the castle. I intend to fight, but I've no wish to get you lot mixed up in it. If you wish to flee, then do so. I've lived the solitary life of a wolf, and I shall die the pathetic death of a sow. All on my own. There's no need for you all to come with me—you may help yourself to whatever riches you please as you go." "What're you talking about, Elisabeth?! That's nonsense!" "I concur. Think about what you're saying, Lady Elisabeth!" "Hina, you've served me well. I shan't forget your delicious cooking, nor how devoutly you nursed me... From here on out, live as you wish, with as much energy as your heart desires. I wish nothing but happiness upon you... And as for you—" Elisabeth then looked up at Kaito. She snorted and then spoke quietly but firmly. "You fool... You utter imbecile..." "Geez, Elisabeth, even now, of all times?" "You had the fortune of obtaining a second life... Just stop already. It's...fine." Kaito swallowed. A gentle smile spread across Elisabeth's face before him. "You've done enough." For a moment, Elisabeth reached out. Right as her elegant fingertips were about to touch the wound Kaito had inflicted on his palm, though, she stopped and tightly grasped her own hand. Gazing at Kaito and Hina both, she continued speaking in a distant, hazy voice. "Don't let yourselves be chained down by anything... Serve only...yourselves... 'Tis...for the best. I..." Her eyelids slowly drooped. Kaito and Hina—Kaito in particular—swallowed down the words that were leaping into their mouths. Elisabeth, as if in a dream, continued speaking, her eyes hollow. "I killed, I killed... And I continue to kill... My father, the...demons..." Then she gently fell asleep. Even assailed by pain and extreme fatigue, she had rejected the Grand King's invitation. She fell back into a comatose state. As he looked at her sleeping face, Kaito ground his teeth so hard they could have cracked. He desperately fought against himself to avoid letting out the anger bubbling in his chest. What do you mean, there's no need for me to come with you?! What do you mean, I've done enough?! We've still got plenty of time left together, right? I told you that, didn't I?! "And hey, you bringing me back to life and summoning me here must have been some kind of fate... So until you start walking the road to Hell, I'll try and stick by your side for as long as I can, even if I'm the only one." Kaito had once said that to Elisabeth. Elisabeth would die alone. Not even a demon would be by her side then. But perhaps it wouldn't be so bad for one human to stay by her side until that time came. Throughout Elisabeth Le Fanu's bloody life, she was accompanied by a single foolish servant. Kaito had thought that sounded just fine. And there was one other important truth that he recalled. The Torture Princess had taken pleasure in killing and slaughtering her people. Perhaps her heinous deeds, committed without fear of God, were all for the sake of extending her own life. Or perhaps they were for the sake of defeating her "father," whose power and allies had grown well past the point where any normal person could stand against him. Her motives would remain a mystery. She hadn't once said. "Mr. Dim-Witted Servant...are you all right? That's quite the face you're making." "...Master Kaito, pardon me, but—" Hina and the Butcher cautiously called out to Kaito. However, he wasn't listening. He clenched his fists and then took off in a dash. "Mr. Servant!" "Master Kaito!" Kaito left the two of them and Elisabeth behind as he ran off and pulled open the door. He raced down the deserted hallway. His breath was ragged, and his eyes were burning with passion and fixated on the end of the passage before him. He felt that something was wrong. He didn't know what it was, but he knew that there was something off about the whole situation. The gray sky peeked in through the hole in the throne room's wall. It was overcast again. The thick clouds looked like the belly of a whale as they sat above the trees. Buffeted by the damp wind and dim light, Kaito stood in the center of the room's stone floor and held a knife over one of his hands. He spread out his palm, which he'd split open slightly during the Marquis's raid. After giving a short nod, he deliberately plunged his knife into the cut. The knife buried itself in his flesh with a horrible squelch. After cutting to the depth he needed, he held the knife directly over the floor. His overflowing blood fell in a line on the stone. Using his blood as ink, Kaito drew a rectangular symbol. "—La (open)." At his command, the blood loudly transformed into crimson flames. The fire burned fiercely atop the stone floor and then vanished without a trace. A black door appeared in its wake. Kaito didn't touch it, yet it opened on its own from within like clockwork. A dimly lit space spread out inside it. It was the entrance to Elisabeth's Treasury. "Oh, good, that worked. Go me." Kaito breathed a sigh of relief. He'd seen before how Elisabeth opened the Treasury. However, that alone wouldn't have been enough to let him unlock it. In spite of that, though, he'd spontaneously trusted his intuition and managed to open it up. Elisabeth had said that "all it takes to become able to use magic is a small trigger." Until then, whenever he'd been on the verge of death, his soul had resonated with the powerful mana in her blood and played back her memories. Now that he was able to call forth the mana in her blood that flowed within his body, perhaps some information had spontaneously passed through it as well. Kaito took a step inside the Treasury. Rectangular steps floated in the gloom at fixed intervals, forming a gentle spiral. When he peered down from the edge, nothing but the steps were visible. A tepid wind simply blew upward. Kaito nodded once and then leaped down onto the second step. "Here we go." The stairs had no handrails, but Kaito took wide, unfaltering strides down them. After a short while, rubbish and torture devices began coming into view around him. "...Somewhere around here maybe?" Kaito stopped and then began looking for something. The thing that he was looking for was something that didn't get used incessantly but not too infrequently, either. Elisabeth had probably tossed it in the Treasury's upper levels. Eventually, Kaito spotted his target at the feet of a bloody, rusty Iron Maiden. It was an orb made of thin paper, a magical device that the Church had used to contact Elisabeth when they were ordering her to carry out the Kaiser's subjugation. "There we go. Now, as for turning it on... Although even if I can, there's no guarantee it'll connect..." Kaito nervously set it atop his bloodstained palm. Blood soaked into it, turning the paper crimson. However, it suddenly made a noise and then returned to its original shade of white. The blood had vanished, pigment and all. The orb then began emitting a pale-blue light, as though it had used the vanished blood as a power source. It then floated in the air, shining as it began rotating. Eventually, a figure appeared on the orb's surface. Having won the first of his gambles, Kaito clenched his fist. The transmission had connected with someone. The next problem was where and who it was connected to. Kaito

tried to make out who the figure was. However, the image was blurred, as though covered in a layer of fog, and it was difficult to even make out their features. Kaito frantically strained his eyes, knowing that if he could at least make out the front of their neck, he'd probably be able to tell if they were a member of the Church or not. While he was doing that, the figure suddenly spoke curtly. Kaito recognized that overly characteristic voice. "...What business do you have, Elisabeth?" "Godd Deos... For real? Damn, looks like I pulled a winner." Kaito mumbled in amazement. It looked like he'd successfully contacted the person he'd expected to. Godd Deos was a head executive of the Church and the person solely responsible for dealing with Elisabeth. Kaito doubted that he was the kind of person who one could just randomly get ahold of. It appeared that his hypothesis—that the orb was a special piece of magical communication equipment, a rare item with a direct link to Godd Deos—had been correct. Godd Deos was also the person who'd passed down the order to believe in Elisabeth's vow not to form a contract with a demon, promising that in the unlikely event that she did, he would offer up his own life to seal her away. He was quite possibly the best person to make an appeal to regarding Elisabeth's poor condition. However, he was also the person who'd ordered her to defeat the Kaiser, telling her to do some good for the world before she died. Kaito braced himself. However, before he could talk, Godd Deos spoke in his usual calm, doubtful voice. "That voice isn't Elisabeth's. Who are you?" "I'm Elisabeth's servant, Kaito. Kaito Sena." "Ah, the 'Good Soul' Elisabeth summoned from another world. What business do you have with me? Did you get Elisabeth's permission before using my precious orb?" "Godd Deos, Elisabeth is in critical condition right now. Please hear me out. Her death would cause problems for you guys, too, right?" "Give me details." Godd Deos's response to Kaito was to the point. He then closed his mouth. Kaito took a deep breath. It appeared that he didn't need to worry about being immediately hung up on. He'd cleared the first hurdle. The rest was all up to his explanation. He wet his tongue and then began rapidly thinking and talking. "First of all, the Kaiser's death set the Grand King into motion. By using up the hearts of the other demons, she can cast Sacrifice...and with it, she sealed away Elisabeth's power." Stumbling over his words, Kaito somehow finished his explanation, up through the back-and-forth battle at the port town and the Grand King's declaration. He should have been able to properly convey Elisabeth's poor state. He finished with an entreaty. "At this rate, the Grand King is going to kill Elisabeth. At best, they'll take each other out. You guys over at the Church have to do—" "I see. That's more or less how we perceived the situation from our end." "...Say what?" Unable to parse the information he'd just been given, Kaito let out a dumb exclamation. Godd Deos offered no reaction to his display of impoliteness. You mean...the Church already knew? Finally, Kaito understood what that meant. He flared up at the silent orb. "What are you talking about?! Elisabeth's about to get killed! If the Torture Princess dies, that's a problem for you Church guys up in your spectator seats, right?! If you already knew all that, then why—?" "If the Church were to send every paladin in their employ to reinforce the defenses at Elisabeth's castle, there is a possibility that they could turn around her situation. However, doing so would amount to throwing away the defense of the capital and all our major cities." "Say what?" Kaito let out another dumb exclamation. Godd Deos spoke in a tone without sentiment, a tone far removed from anything so imprecise as sentiment. "The capital accounts for three-tenths of our total population and is the center of our economic and political systems. If it were attacked, humanity would find itself in quite the predicament. The Grand King is no fool. If we deployed our paladins, she would strike in their absence. And a few reinforcements would amount to nothing more than a drop in the bucket. After all, there's no guarantee we could defeat her, even if we were to deploy our entire forces. And what about transporting Elisabeth to the well-defended capital, you might ask? There was great backlash to even leaving her alive. At worst, she could be taken to the stake on the spot." "That's—" "In short, we have no cards to play. Losing Elisabeth is regrettable, but at the moment our best option for victory is to have her fight the Grand King. With no risk of dragging others down with her, the Torture Princess should be able to go into the fight prepared to conclude it in mutual defeat. Afterward, we plan to attack the Grand King in her weakened state. The worst-case scenario would be deploying all our paladins and then having them wiped out along with the Torture Princess and losing all our defense. That is a gamble we are not prepared to make." "All that option amounts to is buying yourselves a little extra time. Or are you saying that you guys can take on the rest of the demons?" "We likely won't be able to destroy them. However, with the Kaiser gone, we should be able to fortify the capital and major cities to the point where they can stave off invasion. Many in the outlying regions will die, but humanity won't perish. After that, we'll likely enter a long period of equilibrium with the demons. During that time, we plan to search for options." "...But you're just going to throw her away? You've made her fight all this time. Now you're saying that you don't care if she dies?" "We are not throwing her away. We simply have no cards to play. And don't forget, servant. While she is an effective tool, she is also a sinner. In the end, she will be executed without fail. It's no different if she dies now—either way, her death will be ghastly." Godd Deos laid out the truth dispassionately. He spoke mechanically on the nature of Elisabeth's offences. "That woman has left far too many corpses in her wake. The slaughtered masses will not permit compassion, and the butchered knights will not approve of amnesty. No matter how many good deeds she piles up, the numbers of the dead will never shrink. In following, the fact that she is a sinner is the reason that we unsparingly whip her like a bound dog." Kaito clenched his fists. A kind of truth lurked with Godd Deos's cold words. The reason the Church was making Elisabeth pile up good deeds was not to commute her sentence but likely to save her soul after she died. No atonement she could make would reach the dead. The sentence for the crimes she'd committed in life had already been handed down. Furthermore, it made complete sense for the Church to prioritize the safety of the people over that of the Torture Princess. Leaving the capital exposed for her sake would be like sacrificing one's king in chess to protect their queen. In spite of that, though, anger bubbled up in Kaito's chest. He wrung a dry, composed voice out of his throat. "So basically, it's all your guys' fault for being weak, right?" "...Excuse me?" "You guys, who didn't pay a dime, who sacrificed nothing, are casting stones at someone who pulled a sword out from a mountain of corpses. You commit no crimes, and you don't falter for an instant. And that amounts to jack shit. You're doing jack shit, after all. But you still see fit to hand out your lofty opinions. Still, you call others sinners." "Servant." "If you guys had just been stronger, the Torture Princess wouldn't have even been born, would she?" Kaito ripped into one of the Church's chief executives. He didn't know why the Torture Princess had chosen to fight. She'd never once said. He didn't know if that interpretation was right. But he would spit on anyone who ignored that possibility and cast stones at her. After a few seconds' silence, Godd Deos surprisingly affirmed the rebuke in his unchanging tone. "Indeed, our powerlessness is a sin." "If you agree, then—" "However, servant. At this point, it is impossible for us to muster enough power to be of support to Elisabeth. And the fact remains that the Torture Princess is a person who deserves to be reviled. As the representatives of the masses, we cannot pardon her of her crimes. Elisabeth Le Fanu pulled a sword out from a mountain of corpses. We are the representatives of those corpses. Just as you stand by the side of the Torture Princess, we stand with the long ranks of the deceased and their bereaved." Kaito stared silently up at the orb. He couldn't make out the eyes or nose of the figure within, but he felt a gaze back from it. Godd Deos was staring directly at Kaito, without a shred of shame. "She trampled corpses, drank their blood, and obtained power. Do you think that we can praise anything built with that power? No matter what reason she may have had, evil is evil. Without judgment, the world's order will be thrown into disarray. That is the kind of thing she became. And she knew that." "Elisabeth..." "I ask you again, servant. Did you receive her permission to use my precious orb?" This time, Kaito glued his mouth shut. An awkward, heavy silence fell. Then Kaito curtly responded. "No. I didn't get permission." "I suspected as much...fool. However, as a friend of her father's, it brings me joy to know that she has a servant who worries for her. For her to have obtained a companion such as yourself at the end of her bloody path... Surely, she too is the recipient of God's grace." "...God's, huh?" Murmuring softly, a deep frown stretched across Kaito's face. He began pondering something. The orb was probably designed primarily to transmit sound, and as such, Godd Deos most likely couldn't see his expression. Even so, when he continued speaking, his voice contained a surprising degree of sincerity for someone talking to a servant of the Torture Princess and a boy who was the target of an inquisition. "As Elisabeth is one of God's children, we sincerely hope that she overcomes the trials placed before her and that the good deeds she commits allow her soul to find salvation in the afterlife." "...God, huh?" Again, Kaito responded with that word alone. Suddenly, all his tension drained away. As a matter of fact, his entire body relaxed, and he sat down upon the stairs. Dangling his legs off the stair's edge, he gazed absentmindedly off into the gloom in a pose that made it look like he was relaxing. Out of nowhere, his eyes flashed with the innocent light of a young boy. Abruptly, Kaito began talking about something completely unrelated. "You know, I don't think heroes exist." "Heroes? I don't quite follow." Godd Deos's response was one of confusion, which was perfectly reasonable. Kaito laughed foolishly at him. With distant eyes, he looked off at somewhere other than where he was. "You know, like crusaders or champions. At first, I wanted someone like that to save me. But before long, I stopped thinking that anything like that existed in this world. There's nobody who unconditionally protects the weak, who saves others, who puts an end to injustices or brings about righteousness. If there was, then there wouldn't be people like me who get beaten up and eventually killed off, would there? And you know..." *** "...that sounds a whole lot like God."

Kaito spoke quietly and bluntly. Godd Deos's reply was a beat late. As one of the heads of the Church, it was a declaration that he could have denied, even if he had to lie. The argument was crude, certainly not something that could be used to cast suspicion on long-standing religious doctrine. Perhaps the reason Godd Deos's response was delayed was because Kaito's voice had the awkward, pure tenor of a child's to it. With the voice of a child asking if God exists, Kaito talked about how he didn't. "I guess He doesn't exist, after all." "God is one who offers prayers, one who saves—" "No, your doctrine's all well and good. But I'm talking about me here." As he spoke, Kaito's energy returned, and he rose to his feet. He looked as though he'd forgotten something. He stuck his hand in his trouser pocket and then heaved a heavy sigh. "I'm sure there are places where God and heroes exist. But what I'm saying is, they don't exist where I am. I'm saying that they weren't there for me... But your explanation made sense to me." "It certainly doesn't sound like it did." "Nah, I can see that I was being a dumb-ass. If someone were to ask if the Torture Princess was good or evil, then obviously the answer would be evil. It was crazy to ask the allies of her victims to come and save her. If I were on the side of her victims, then I'd be cheering from the rooftops to work her to the bone and then put her to the stake. Which means that this doesn't have anything to do with you guys. I'm the one she summoned, and this is really all just me being selfish, so it's really my problem." "Servant...what do you mean to say?" "What I'm trying to say is that person who saved me wasn't God or a hero. It wasn't faith, and it wasn't you guys." Kaito looked up directly at the orb. The things he was saying were little more than a joke. There was no meaning or logic behind them. Even so, he spoke his mind, the uncertainty and anguish in his expression gone. "It was the Torture Princess—the most evil woman in the world." Once, a woman had forced a miracle onto a young boy who lived in a world without gods or heroes. She'd granted a second life to a person who'd been worked to the bone and known nothing but pain. That had been— It had been a pain in the ass, it had been awful—and it had been wonderful beyond compare. "So I'm not going to rely on you guys, Godd Deos; I'm just going to do what I can. I've made up my mind." "Wait, what do you intend—?" "I don't have any regrets. So no matter what outcome awaits us, you guys should make sure that you don't, either." Kaito raised his bloodstained hand. A spear of ice shot out of his palm. With a sharp sound, it pierced through the orb. The call cut off. Kaito stuck his hand back in his pocket. He breathed in deep and then exhaled. Then he tightly grasped the stone, which was emitting heat from within its cloth confines. Kaito ascended the gentle slope of the Treasury's stairs. The higher he went, the more the gloom cleared up. Light shone down from the rectangular entrance at the top. As he followed the light with his eyes, he saw Hina standing beside the hole. Her face was strained with tension, and she was looking down into the gloom. "Hey there, Hina." "Master Kaito..." As she noticed Kaito and their eyes met, her beautiful face relaxed and she breathed a sigh of relief. Kaito, having finished climbing the stairs, stood in the throne room. At some point, the sky outside had taken on the hue of twilight. It appeared that the thick clouds had drifted away in the wind as though swimming through the sea. The room was filled with golden light. The massive, delicate tapestries decorating the walls were also lit by splashes of light, and Hina's silver hair shone even more beautifully. Facing her, Kaito spoke. "Sorry for running off on you like that. How are Elisabeth and the Butcher?" "Lady Elisabeth is sleeping at present. As for Mr. Butcher, he said that due to the late hour, he plans on leaving after having dinner. Until then, he plans on watching over Elisabeth, which is why I came here." "Still sticking around after all that... I can't say I'm not grateful, but damn, that guy's got nerves of steel." Kaito spoke with a voice full of admiration, although the fact that his mental image of the Butcher was giving him a big thumbs-up irritated him somehow. Then he realized that his hand, which was sticking halfway out of his pocket, was drenched in blood. His butler uniform was covered in dark-red stains. Realizing how bad it must look to Hina, Kaito frantically tried to explain. "Uhhh, Hina, this is, uh—" "Please forgive me for my rudeness, Master Kaito." After murmuring rapidly, Hina dashed across the room and wrapped her arms gently around his back. She then stooped down a bit and buried her face in Kaito's shoulder. Her silver hair rustled pleasantly against his cheek. Hina spoke to Kaito, who had stiffened up in surprise, in a muffled voice that sounded like she was on the verge of tears. "I'm so glad you're all right... I feared that perhaps you weren't going to return." "Wait, Hina, why? I only... I just went to go get something." "Recently, it feels like you've been becoming more and more distant, Master Kaito... And it feels like you're getting hurt in places where I cannot reach you. The magic you're using has a dangerous aura to it...and that pit down there is dark and hollow and terrifying. I thought that you might have been sucked in by it. Please don't go down there on your own. Please don't leave me alone... I beg of you." "Wh—? Huh?" Kaito's voice was full of confusion. It was true that the Treasury was a magical space filled indiscriminately with things brought over from Elisabeth's old castle. It lacked so much as handrails, and if one touched the wrong thing within it, they were liable to die. Even so, there was no reason for a powerful automaton like Hina to fear it so. Thinking on her words, Kaito suddenly recalled a certain scene. There was an illuminated wall, and iron shackles were growing from it. A naked girl hung crucified from them, on display like goods in a store. Having mistaken her for a human, Kaito had unfastened her restraints. Does Hina have memories from back then, from before I turned her on properly? "Hey...Hina..." The question on the tip of his tongue, Kaito closed his mouth. She was lightly trembling as she held him in her embrace. Apparently, she hadn't even noticed the wound on his hand. After thinking for a moment, Kaito wrapped his arms around her. Taking care not to sully her maid uniform, he put strength into them. Uh...I think I saw a mom and her kid playing like this at a park once, right? Kaito then grunted and tried to lift Hina up in his arms. However, it was beyond him. She was heavier than he'd expected. As cute as her appearance was, she was metal on the inside after all. A few silent seconds passed, and Kaito grunted and gathered his strength once more. Hina tilted her head to the side in bewilderment. "Um, Master Kaito, may I ask what it is you're trying to do? Wait, I smell blood... Eek, Master Kaito, your wound!" "Don't worry; it's fine. We've come this far. Hina, can you, like, do a spin?" "It is most certainly not fine, it's... Hmm? If you say so, but a spin?" Hina moved her feet to match the way Kaito was tilting his body. The two of them spun. As they did, Kaito tilted his body even more. Hina frantically shifted her feet. They spun, and they spun, and eventually began energetically twirling atop the stone floor. The hem of Hina's maid outfit gently swayed. Rapidly blinking her emerald eyes, Hina held Kaito tight so as not to let him go as she followed his lead and shifted her feet even faster. Before long, the centrifugal force was lifting Kaito off the ground. Supported by Hina, he spun around in her arms. "No, no, Hina, the other way around! I wanted to do this to you!" "Pardon me? But Master Kaito, forgive me for saying this, but I feel that lifting an automaton body would be difficult, given your physical strength... Ah, but this is really quite fun. It makes my gears feel all warm and fuzzy—eek!" "Hwah!" Kaito had tried to recover by putting down his feet, and the two of them teetered over as a result. Hina maneuvered her body under his to break his fall. The two of them collapsed on the stone floor. "M-my bad! Hina, are you okay?" "Yes, very... As a matter of fact, this situation is rather lucrative for me." With an ecstatic expression, Hina hugged Kaito to her ample bosom. It was a rather problematic position, and he squirmed to get free. He couldn't exactly just stay surrounded by that marshmallow-like softness. Kaito quickly made his escape. Pretending not to notice how regretful Hina's expression was after they parted, he collapsed to the floor next to her. The floor was cold and hard, but the two of them reclined as though they were lying on a bed of flowers. Amid the orange light shining down upon them, Kaito murmured briefly. "Is the fear all gone now?" "Master Kaito..." "I saw a kid playing like that at a park once a long time ago. The kid was crying, and their mom picked them up and spun them around and around." "Around and around?" "I didn't really understand what I was watching at the time. It didn't really click. But now, I understand that it's for times like these. So I thought I'd try it out." *** "Well, if you're not afraid anymore, then I guess it worked." *** "Hina? Can you hear me? Did it not work?" "Oh, I can't take it anymore! I love you so muuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuch!" Suddenly, Hina let out a shout. Kaito lay there, surprised, and she covered her face and rolled and rolled and rolled far away from him. Then she bonked into the wall of the room. As Kaito silently wondered what he should do, she came rolling and rolling and rolling back, her face still buried in her hands. "I'm not totally following what you're doing, but welcome back." "What am I going to do if you make me wuv you any more, Mashter Kaito...? I weally, weally can't take it anymore...! Shomebody shave me...!" "Hina, you're slurring your words a bit." "I wuv you sho, sho mush I can't even talk...! My shinsherest apologiesh...! Tee-hee." Still covering her face, Hina curled up into a ball and rocked from side to side. After trembling from lovesickness for a little longer, she quickly stopped. Remaining curled up, she murmured. "I told you, Master Kaito. I told you that I'd eventually explain why I chose you, why it couldn't have been anyone else." "...Yeah, you did say that." "To put it all into words would take a week. However, allow me to tell you about the beginning of the beginning. Before you turned me on, before you established my settings... Even in my base state, I could perceive the outside world." Kaito nodded, his suspicions affirmed. It had seemed like she was able to tell what had been going on around her, even when she seemed dormant. She hadn't been turned on at the time, but it

was impossible to tell how active the consciousness born within her gears was from the outside. "However, while I could obtain information, I was unable to feel, nor was I able to think. When I was brought into the world, and when I watched those around me get activated and dispassionately serve their masters, I could do nothing... Do you remember the automaton maids that were with Vlad? They were not furnished with the start-up setting wherein one out of the four options—'parent and child,' 'siblings,' 'master and servant,' or 'lovers'—is selected. They were designed to serve as servants...and I was designed to be presented to others." "...Presented to others." "A twisted gift Vlad enjoyed giving his guests. For those he wasn't fond of, he would give us to them without telling them the correct answer, and to those that he was, he would tell them the answer and give us to them as toys. The girls who were successfully gifted met miserable fates. When I was at that man's estate, I saw dolls who had three extra breasts added and genitals installed in their cheeks yet still smiled and served their masters as their lovers." "That's messed up..." "At that time, I was unable to think. All I did was silently perceive. However, due to the start of the battle between Vlad and the Torture Princess, I was not gifted to anybody and instead was set so as to not freely activate and then stashed away in a storehouse. One day, though, I found myself frivolously transported from the castle's storehouse to Lady Elisabeth's Treasury. Then I stayed there...and ages and ages passed. At some point, even the renewal period for the temporary master I had been assigned so that I wouldn't disobey him, Vlad, lapsed, and I returned to a clean slate. And just when I realized that nobody was ever going to come there, you arrived." "I did?" "You did." Hina nodded deeply. She closed her eyes, as if thinking back to that time. "I sensed your warmth and felt your gaze upon me. But instead of rudely appraising me or inspecting me, you simply called out and asked if I was okay and then unfastened my restraints." "I mean...that was because I thought you were a human." "Among all the people I knew, not one of them would have saved a bound girl who they knew nothing about. When they're initially activated, most dolls are filled with rage—the rage of having their tranquility shattered and being made to yield. Unless they receive orders, they will abide by their rage and destroy everything in their path. And I, being no exception, attacked you. However, when I found myself bound from head to toe and determined that I was at a loss, I thought fervently to myself that I wanted it to be you." Kaito thought back to that time. The doll, affixed to the Ducking Stool, had looked at Kaito. She had focused her emerald-green eyes directly on him, as if imploring him. "...That was the first powerful urge that ever sprouted within me. You had released me to no personal gain, and you saved me from being demolished even though I nearly killed you. That was when I decided that I wanted it to be you. You were different, so I wanted it to be you. If I were to serve, if I were to be granted feelings, then it would be unthinkable for it not to be under you. Even after you formally decided for me to be your lover, I never doubted those powerful feelings I felt then." "Hina..." "Allow me to say something arrogant: You are a man well deserving of my love." Hina opened her eyes and then turned to her side. Her cheek made gentle contact with the stone floor, and her emerald eyes glowed as she turned to face Kaito. The love in her expression was as real as could be. She then reached out a hand and gently enveloped his blood-soaked palm. "Oh, how terribly wounded you are. Even so, you understand the pain of others. You are full of fear, yet you still hold others precious to you, and you still try to treat people with kindness. And amid the deep rage and despair we find ourselves in, you still hold a heart that values our daily routine." *** "When I watch you trying to preserve kindness and warmth despite knowing the madness and terrors of the world...what reason would I have not to love you? You say that you have given me nothing and that you are nothing more than a man, but that is hardly the case. I have received so, so many things from you. So many wonderful things." Tears began spilling out from the corners of Hina's emerald eyes. They fell to the floor, glittering in the golden twilight. As her teardrops scattered against the stone floor, Hina gently smiled. "Do you know how much joy preparing food every day brought me? Do you understand how blessed I felt at cleaning the grounds, at laughing together with Lady Elisabeth, at hearing her compliment my cooking, at greeting you, at working alongside you, and at being able to tell you about my love for you?" "Hina...all that made me happy, too. Before I came here, I'd never experienced anything like it. Even after seeing all the terrible things the demons did and getting mixed up in those gruesome battles...even then I was happy. Ever since I came here, I got to experience so many things for the first time." Spurred on by Hina's words, Kaito thought back to his old life. His days back then had been filled with nothing but pain and despair. With his broken ribs and twisted body, he'd moaned every time he lay down on his tatami mat. He hadn't even had the strength to shoo away the flies that would gather above his eyes. Hina gently combed back his bangs and stroked his forehead as though to console him for those days he'd left far behind. She smiled through her tears. It was a warm, kind, affirming smile. "...It looks like we're a perfect match, aren't we, Master Kaito? You are a man of tremendous value. That kindness you possess that you managed to maintain despite all your sorrow is like a diamond in the mud. It is impossible for me not to love you. And I don't want to lose you." Hina squeezed Kaito's hand in hers. He could clearly make out the strong feelings in her grasp. "Hina..." Kaito understood whether he wanted to or not. She had noticed something. Even if she didn't know the specifics, she had probably sensed what he was thinking and planning. Tears pouring from her eyes, she tried to stop him. "...Master Kaito, I cannot say that I know what you're thinking. But please, please...I beg of you..." Hina made a vague plea. Still feeling the warmth of her hand, Kaito closed his eyes. He thought back to everything that had happened up until then. He thought back to Elisabeth punching the table and tearfully proclaiming that Kaito's cooking was vile. To Hina, bringing out new food with a troubled smiled on her face. To Elisabeth, rejoicing with such vigor it seemed like cat ears would sprout atop her head. To Hina, gently watching over her. He thought back to the conversations the three of them had shared and to the peaceful days they'd spent despite how twisted their situation had been. He was on the verge of losing all that. He was going to lose it in a manner as cruel as the way all the powerless people who'd been killed by the demons up until then had lost their peaceful lives. "I'm sorry...but I refuse to give this up." Kaito murmured softly and then opened his eyes and shook off Hina's hand. She looked shocked. However, he quickly reached his arms back out. Still lying on the ground, he tightly embraced her. It was the first time he'd ever properly reached out and hugged her. Blood seeped into her maid uniform, but he ignored that. He put strength into his arms, the way someone would hug a sister, a child, a lover. Hina's face went pink, and she began flapping her mouth open and closed. Before she could say anything, Kaito whispered to her. "Sorry, Hina... Even though you think so highly of me, I might become someone different than the person you love." "Master Kaito, what are you—?" "Please just hear me out. I can't tell you the specifics. But I might change. But even if I do, there's one thing I need you to believe. I want to protect this life of ours. I want to protect this life that you and I love so much. I can't stay powerless anymore. I want to protect you and Elisabeth. No, I will protect you. That's all. So even if I become completely different... If even then..." Kaito licked his lips. It scared him to put it into words. Up until then, he'd always lived life on his own. And he didn't even know if such a thing was permissible. Maybe it wasn't right to even ask. But even with those thoughts running through his mind, he squeezed the words out of his throat. "...If even then you still love me, then please fight by my side." "Master Kaito..." "You said that no matter what happened, you would stand in the way of all my enemies. And you told me that if I thought anything of you, that I should tell you either to protect me or to fight together by my side... If you don't mind me taking you up on that, if you don't mind me believing in you, then I'll do everything in my power to live up to those feelings of yours...and if you don't think that I'm worthy of your love anymore after I've changed, then so be it. But even if that happens, there's one thing I want you to remember." As he continued speaking ambiguously, he put more strength into his arms. He couldn't tell her the specifics. If he told her what he was planning on doing, she'd probably try desperately to stop him. That was precisely why he was keeping his intentions hidden as he hugged and conveyed his heartfelt feelings to her. "I love you. Please never doubt that." "Master Kaito..." "I love you, Hina... Ah, I see. So this is what love is like." Kaito laughed foolishly. He rested his chin on Hina's shoulder. Tears began leaking from the corners of his eyes. He spoke in a voice tinged with happiness and sadness. "You know, I never expected to fall in love after I died." Hina quietly trembled as she hugged him. She whispered gently back to him, as though they were exchanging wedding vows. "No matter what kind of person you become, you will always be my dearest, my darling, my destined one, my master, my one true love, and my eternal companion. And I shall always be yours. No matter what kind of life awaits me, I don't mind... So if you must fight, then I beg of you, call upon me. I shall accompany you to the depths of Hell." "...Thank you, Hina." The two of them silently embraced each other atop the stone floor. That was how spent their peaceful moments together. The twilight faded, its golden light swallowed up by the darkness of night. The wind carried a slight chill as the moon ascended into the sky. Eventually, Kaito slowly rose to his feet and began walking away from Hina. He didn't turn to look back. Understanding, Hina didn't call out to stop him. He left the throne room alone. After descending the stairs, he made his way down the hallway. After reaching the bedroom, he paused for a moment, unsure of whether or

not to knock, and then opened the door a hair. He could hear two people sleeping within. He slid into the room to check up on them, being careful not to make a sound. It appeared that the Butcher had dozed off. His face was as hidden as always, but Kaito could make out strands of drool dripping onto the sheets from within the man's hood. Kaito wiped away a little of the saliva. The Butcher mumbled something or other. "Eh-heh-heh, I'm afraid I can't eat any more. Oh, but if you insist, then three tarts for me." "Man, you really do have nerves of steel, don't you?" After muttering earnestly, Kaito turned his gaze to Elisabeth. Illuminated by the moonlight, her face had a sort of otherworldly beauty to it. After staring for a moment, he whispered to her. "You're probably going to be livid. But I've made up my mind, Elisabeth." *** "See you later. When you wake up, I'll make you some purin." No response came from Elisabeth who was still in a deathlike slumber. Kaito reached out to stroke her cheek and then stopped himself midway and grasped his hand tightly. He instead gave her a light wave and then left the bedroom with silent footsteps. "Sweet dreams, Elisabeth." After murmuring as though he were calling out to a child, Kaito shut the door. As he basked in the light shining down from the skylight, he took a deep breath and then exhaled. He walked through the hallway and then made his way down the stairs to the basement. When he reached the underground passageways, he reviewed his mental map before advancing deeper and deeper into the complex corridors. Upon reaching the empty room and the edge of his memory's range, he stuck his hand in his pocket. He grabbed onto the transparent stone with his bloodstained hand. Its azure rose was already in full bloom. Suddenly, the stone emitted heat, enough that it felt like it would sear his skin. Black feathers danced before Kaito's eyes. Azure petals swirled as well, and together they blanketed the room. An overwhelming amount of black and blue flooded his vision. A bloody animal's scent came in from somewhere. A strange wind whirled, feeding the feathers and flowers to the surrounding darkness. A single man stood in their wake. He sat upon a seat of beast bones, and he whispered as if he knew everything. "Well then, have you decided?" "Yeah, I've decided all right." Their exchange was concise, as though they were close friends. Then Kaito Sena made his declaration to Vlad Le Fanu. "I'm going to form a contract with the Kaiser." The words he spoke were absurdly foolish and far too reckless. This was also the only method he had come up with to overturn this situation. 5 A Desperate Decision Kaito and Vlad exchanged silent gazes. Vlad's expression was filled with unmitigated glee. He slowly narrowed his crimson eyes and then gave a faint nod and stood up. He snapped his fingers, and the chair made of beast bones disappeared. The stone room was empty once more. He then looked at Kaito, checking him over from head to toe. Suddenly, his beautiful expression crumpled and was replaced by a wicked smile. "I see, how splendid. Then I take this to mean that you've finally worked up the resolve to join the side that takes from others?" "Nope, nuh-uh. Not even a little bit," Kaito responded indifferently. Vlad's eyebrows twitched. A few seconds of silence passed. Vlad's expression screamed that this development was far outside his expectations. However, Kaito received his gaze coolly. Vlad crossed his arms and then began speaking in a displeased voice. "You've already passed the first ordeal. Congratulations, you've graduated from being offal. The Kaiser has acknowledged you as a candidate for forming a contract. I call it a trial, but back then, there was a considerable chance that you would simply be devoured. After all, he is a beast who could test a thousand men and then devour all of them. Delightfully, you managed to meet my expectations and catch his eye. And yet..." "Yeah, I more or less figured. It would have honestly been more of a surprise for you to put a safe contract in front of me." "And yet while you wish to form a contract, you say you have no intention of coming to our side and taking from others. What exactly are you thinking? If your desire is shallow, it will eventually swallow you whole. If you don't possess the capability to wear the tyrant's mantle as though you were born to do so, the odds you'd even be able to make a contract are low." "Yeah, I don't doubt it. But even after I make a contract with a demon, I don't plan on tyrannizing people. That's one thing I'm not going to budge on." Kaito obstinately shook his head. Doing that would make him sink to the level of his father, who had abused him throughout his life. And he had no intentions of joining ranks with the spider who ate Neue. There had been a time where he'd wanted to carry out his revenge, even if it meant joining the side that tormented others. But now that the spell his father had put him under had been broken, that choice was no longer available to him. Kaito had no plans to forgive those who tyrannized others, even if that person was himself. Vlad frowned upon hearing his words. "Demons seek the pain of men and turn it into power. How do you intend to fight the Grand King without the will to take from others? If all you do is form the contract, you will remain baggage. Do you mean to say that it's possible to face off against demons, hurling stones at them without getting your hands dirty?" "Damn right. I had this idea, see— Will you hear me out?" Then Kaito began telling Vlad about the method he'd thought up. Vlad silently listened to Kaito's explanation and then eventually twisted his lips in amusement and exasperatedly looked up at the ceiling. A mixed light burned in his eyes, one that suggested that he was both displeased and highly intrigued. Once he was finished explaining, Kaito asked Vlad about his plan's viability. "...And that was pretty much what I was thinking. Would that work?" "It is possible, but it's a plan utterly devoid of sanity from the moment of conception. I never expected you to be such an out-of-the-box, forward-thinking fool. What a foolish, foolish man you are. Hats off to you." Vlad rubbed his chin as he surveyed Kaito with his crimson eyes. Kaito returned Vlad's gaze. Seeing the resolve—and thus, in a sense, the madness—in Kaito's determination, Vlad spoke. "A question, though, if I may?" "Shoot." "Why go to such lengths?" It was a clear, straightforward question. Kaito tilted his head to the side a hair. Vlad raised his index finger and elaborated on his natural doubts. "If you wished to flee, you could do so, carrying vast riches along with you. And with a doll to serve as your bodyguard and companion, no less. A man's life is short. It would last you long enough for a rather enjoyable life on the run. In a sense, Elisabeth brought this on herself. After becoming the Torture Princess and battling demons, being captured by mankind seems an obvious fate for her. And as you hail from another world, the demons' savage acts should have little to do with you. Why, then, would you go to such lengths?" "Because she's my hero." Kaito spoke frankly, responding with the answer he himself had reached before. Vlad probably didn't understand the implications of the word hero. However, he didn't seek any further explanation. After all, Kaito's face was filled with undisguised admiration. At the same time, there was a fact that Kaito came to understand. After all, Elisabeth had saved him out of nothing more than a whim; egoism. At one point, having sensed how irrational that was, there was even a time when Kaito had wished to die again. As a result, he'd told her that if he felt like he was in danger, he'd just go running to the Church and that he had no intention of accompanying her down the road to Hell. However, even so. To such an extent that it had made him believe heroes could exist in a world devoid of them... To such an extent that it had made him feel like God could exist in a world devoid of gods... Elisabeth had brought about an absurd, lovely miracle. "For her sake, I'd be willing to meet a fate worse than death. That's all there is to it." That was how much he valued her for granting him, who had known nothing but fear and pain, a new life. In order to save the person who'd given him that, there was something Kaito needed to do. "For my sake, Elisabeth Le Fanu has to exist. That was what I decided." Throughout Elisabeth Le Fanu's bloody life, she was accompanied by a single foolish servant. Kaito had promised to live a life that would result in the story going that way. And he couldn't go back on his word. "I won't regret this—no matter how much I may want to, I won't accept any regrets." "To destroy oneself out of admiration, to press deep into the darkness out of hope, and to choose pain in order to fight, hmm. How naive." Vlad let out a deep sigh. He shook his head, as if lamenting, and covered his face. His eyes gleamed through the gaps between his fingers and spreading across his face was a smile so unseemly it seemed that his lips would tear. "Truly, my favorite kind of arrogance." Vlad loudly clapped his hands together. Wind reeking of beasts blew fiercely around them. Thousands of feral howls rang out. They echoed high and low and began forming an orchestral tune. Azure flower petals and darkness burst forth from between Vlad's hands. His palms began tearing open, spilling massive amounts of blood onto the floor. Kaito squinted to discern the ichor's true nature. It wasn't real blood. This was Vlad's mana, seeping out from the stone and crawling around by his feet like a living creature as it began tracing an intricate summoning circle. As the wounds on his palms grew so deep that the bones became visible, Vlad's laughter boomed. "Very well, my dear successor! That tragic resolve of yours! That foolish determination! That mad judgment! Show me just how far they can take you! My body is already dead! Let us bet on whether you will be able to abide by your ideals or whether you will fall and become my true successor! My goodness, this shall be most entertaining, no matter how the die lands!" His crimson blood changed colors in a flash and went up in an azure blaze. The glyphs on the summoning circle melted together, and the long and short hands of a clock sprang forth from the circle's center and became etched into the floor. However, the two were yet to overlap. Vlad extended a blood-soaked hand to Kaito. He spoke in a lilting tone, as if inviting Kaito to dance with him. "Now then, dark magic is accompanied by pain, and the power of demons demands it! Show me the depths of your resolve!" Kaito gently lifted up his own bloody hand. The moment he did, the scene from just before flashed back through his mind. Hina had smiled as she cried and wrapped his wounded hand up in hers. Kaito clenched his hand shut, reopened it, and murmured. "Sorry, Hina." He then placed his palm atop Vlad's hand. His left hand was then cleanly chopped off at the wrist. Huge amounts of blood spurted from the cut. Vlad laughed

happily, and Kaito stifled a scream. The blood, which had poured down on the summoning circle, breathed fresh energy into its magical glyphs. The two clock hands loudly snapped together. The beasts' howls grew louder. The sound of a door opening rang out from somewhere. The cell door of something that ought not arrive in the world of man had temporarily been thrown open. An incomparable hound, spurred on by the praises of all the beasts of the world, raced down the path it had once before. The sound of its indomitable footsteps echoed in Kaito's ears, and its damp breath brushed against his nose. Vlad released Kaito's hand, and it vanished into the maw of the beast that had appeared from the summoning circle. The first-class hound's sleek black hair glistened as it elegantly forced its body through the air. A roar that sounded like human laughter rang out. Geh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh, fu-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh, geh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh. A human voice could be heard overlaid in it. *** The Kaiser's wrathful howl filled the room. Without a shred of hesitation, the hound opened its jaws toward Vlad Le Fanu, its eyes and mouth burning with hellfire. Its fangs mercilessly skewered his body. But Vlad simply stood there, calmly shrugging his shoulders. "So sorry, but I no longer have a physical form. Dear Kaiser, surely you knew that this body was nothing more than a phantom, no? Heh—when I think about it like that, perhaps being dead isn't so bad after all." "Quit flapping your lips, you lowly scrap of meat who went off and died beyond my reach. Your ungainly death has sullied the name of the Kaiser and sullied my pride as a hound. Do you think you are forgiven, Vlad? Do you think that is something I shall forgive, Vlad, O He Who Rears Hell Within His Mind? I listened to the speech you gave when you refused to merge with me, and I approved it. I did not want to sully myself with a lowly human form. However, O Arrogant Mage, know shame for showing me an end such as that!" "What's done is done, my friend. Would you be so gracious as to give this lecture to the 'me' from before? While I could certainly muster up an apology even now, I'll be damned if I let you hold me accountable." "Hey, uh...Vlad...?" "What is it, my dear successor?" "...So...the Kaiser can talk?" Kaito posed the question despite his shock. In the past, Kaito had only ever been able to hear his voice in the roar that sounded like laughter. He'd had no idea that demons could talk like people. However, when he listened closer, those words weren't truly reaching his ears. The Kaiser's words were simply resonating in Kaito's mind. "Ah, that he can. Although to be more precise, I should say that he can send words directly into his contractor's mind. Aside from him, the Grand King, the King, the Grand Monarch, and the Monarch can all use human speech as well. Although the Monarch is a bit suspect in that regards." "That's a surprise... Do demons and humans have similar thought patterns?" "That isn't it—before they're summoned, they exist in a higher dimension. They don't possess human thoughts, they cannot use speech, and they aren't equipped with senses. When the higher-ranked demons materialize, they reflect their summoner and lower themselves to a point where they can understand each other as simple, evil souls. If they didn't, we humans wouldn't even be able to comprehend their existences." "...So they use their summoners as reference points to restructure themselves?" "Indeed. Hence, as I was the one to call forth the Kaiser, I influenced him a great deal. Well, that would explain his pride. However, some of the other unsummoned demons—ones with the power to rival God—could no doubt force all the creatures of our world to understand them without needing to lower themselves and would come already furnished with overbearing intellect and vocabulary... But it will take another two thousand years before any who could summon them will— Oh, careful there." As Vlad spoke, the Kaiser's jaws made another attempt to gouge his body. His phantom form wavered for a moment but quickly returned to normal. Vlad shrugged. Even so, the hound's attacks didn't subside. It appeared that the Kaiser was in a violent tempest of rage. "Would you be so kind as to give that a rest? Even if my death did cast doubts on your strength, that has little to do with me now... Oh, well, I suppose saying that was just fuel on the fire, wasn't it?" The Kaiser's fangs dug into Vlad again and again. Kaito thought back to how Vlad and the Kaiser had been defeated. The Kaiser had been powerful enough to completely overwhelm Elisabeth and Hina. But due to the death of his contractor, Vlad, the Kaiser lost his anchor to this world and subsequently vanished. "He has his pride as a first-rate hound to consider," Vlad had once said. Vlad's death had no doubt made a mockery of the Kaiser. "Unforgivable, unforgivable, unforgivable! What an unforgivable, puny creature you are! I shan't forgive you for this, Vlad!" The Kaiser was mad with rage. But after learning that his command of the human language was solid, some of Kaito's tension had faded away. Even if the Kaiser was a demon, at least he could communicate his intentions. As if having read his mind, the Kaiser lifted his head and looked at Kaito. His gaze—that of a creature on a whole different level than the rest of the hideous, unseemly demons—pierced through him. Assailed by a strong aura of "death," Kaito's stomach dropped. The Kaiser narrowed his eyes and then spoke in a low voice. "Ah, the one I let grab my tail. You possess a false body. So your blood is that of a witch, and your heart is that of a man? Your soul is worthless—and yet intriguing. Very intriguing. Its form is warped. Very well, you will do. Yes, you will do nicely." "Won't he, Kaiser? I thought he might catch your eye, given your repulsive taste." Vlad spoke jubilantly, practically singing. He walked along the black dog's flank and then placed a phantasmal hand atop Kaito's shoulder. Gracefully presenting Kaito, he urged the Kaiser on. "Now then, shall we get on with the ceremonial trial?" The black dog offered no reply, simply expelling air through his nose. In the next moment, the Kaiser bore down on Kaito, his movements possessing an efficiency that bordered on beauty. Although it was filled with azure flames, his gaping maw smelled surprisingly like that of an ordinary dog. ...Huh? Then the black dog's jaws crunched mercilessly down on Kaito. It hurts. It hurts so much. The pain was the only thing occupying Kaito's thoughts. The black dog's jaws had bitten off the bottom half of his body. Vlad was standing overhead and saying something in a bewildered tone. "Well now, this is unfortunate. Did he fail to meet your interest? Even so, doing that out of the blue was a bit ruthless... My, my, I didn't expect him to die in such a manner before even getting started. How disappointing." Kaito was twitching and convulsing at Vlad's feet. Each time he did, filth and blood spilled out of his torn entrails and onto the floor. Normally, losing that much blood would be enough to make his soul fade away. However, possibly because he was in the middle of summoning the Kaiser, his soul, which was being used as an intermediary, got caught in the black dog's fur and stopped there. Terrified due to being trapped halfway between life and death, Kaito tried to scream. However, all the air was leaking out of his abdomen, and he couldn't gather his voice. "Ah—... Ah—... Ah—..." "Well, I suppose it can't be helped. This, too, is a valid way for the curtain to fall. Bets can be won, but tragically, they can be lost as well. He was lacking in both fortune and ability. That was all there was to it." With affected movements, Vlad shrugged his shoulders. His body was beginning to transform into black feathers and azure flower petals from the toes up. It seemed that he was quickly giving up on the plan of using Kaito's mana to remain in the world. His judgment was as gracious as always. Then Vlad vanished, leaving Kaito without even enough time to beg him to stay. The black dog, too, turned tail and began making his way back down the path he had come from. The wicked energy that had kept Kaito's soul in place left as the fur it had been wound through faded away. Kaito's soul began leaving his body along with his blood. The next moment, instead of a light at the end of a tunnel, Kaito was assailed by an intense vision of the future. Hina's probably going to find my corpse after this. Given Elisabeth's current status, it would be impossible for her to summon Kaito's soul again. Hina would apologize to Kaito for making him wait a little bit, assist Elisabeth in fighting the Marquis and the Grand Marquis, and get destroyed. And the Torture Princess, too, would have all the pain the world had to offer bestowed upon her by the Grand King before being brutally killed. She would die a lonely, solitary death. The only thing that would go on would be the world of man. All would be well in the name of their God. That's no good. I can't let that happen. I—! Kaito didn't want to die helpless like that, not being able to give anything back to the other two. Awash in despair and his own lamentations, Kaito fainted in agony. The moment he did, the blood in his body began releasing a strange warmth. His entire body began heating up, as though it were transforming into flame. It was like some sort of magic had gone and activated on its own. As he was being toyed with by that sensation, Kaito's field of vision went dark. In the deep darkness, all he had left was the unpleasant pain of the heat within his body. When he came to his senses, he found himself lying atop a damp tatami mat. ...H-huh? Flies buzzed noisily over his eyes. He surveyed his surroundings. A dirty fluorescent bulb was swaying from the ceiling. The cracked window was covered in packing tape, and his ripped-out teeth rolled about beneath the tea table. The bits of his gums stuck to them were raw. Then Kaito looked at his body. The shirt stuck to his scrawny torso was hardened from all the sweat and vomit staining it. His right arm was covered in shallow lacerations, and his left arm hung unmoving and was covered in dark-red stains. His ankle was twisted at an odd angle and had stuck that way. And it was possible that the pain in his stomach was due to a ruptured organ. This is...the room I was in when I died back in Japan... Wait, did I do something? Kaito tilted his head to the side. When he'd been assailed by despair and regret, his blood had released so much heat he'd felt as though it were burning up. He could only conclude that he'd subconsciously activated some sort of magic. Don't tell me I went back in time? That was the conjecture Kaito arrived at based on the scene around him and the familiar pain racking his body. Maybe souls had no conception of time. Only bodies, living in reality, were bound by that concept. Maybe his soul, on the verge of fading from the golem body Elisabeth had made, had burned up the remaining mana in its blood and gone backward in time. Although his brain was addled by pain and malnutrition, that was the conclusion Kaito arrived at. "In that case...no time to waste,

huh?" He murmured quietly and then forced his body to move. There wasn't so much as an uninjured hair on him. His body was practically skin and bones. Simply breathing sent waves of pain washing over his body. He also couldn't stop convulsing, possibly as a result of dehydration. But none of that mattered to him. He wriggled, his body having become little more than a ball of pain. He had to hurry up and get back to the other world. I'm going to save them. This time, I'll make sure I do whatever I can. Limping on his broken leg, he struggled forward. He made for the ashtray covered in cigarette butts, the same one that had been used to smash his cheek a few days back. He then threw it at the window so hard he almost dislocated his shoulder. The conveniently cracked glass made a loud noise as it shattered. "Urgh, ack, blurgh." The shock had sent his body reeling, and he retched where he stood. However, the contents of his gut were minimal. Tears welled up in his eyes at the unpleasant convulsions that struck his empty stomach. In spite of that, he crawled forward, propelled by willpower alone. His father would be coming home soon. And when night fell, he would strangle Kaito to death. However, Kaito didn't have time to wait for that. He had to get this over with as quickly as possible. "I gotta hurry, I gotta hurry, I gotta hurry up and get going... I gotta hurry." With shaking fingers, Kaito grabbed a large shard of glass. It sliced his palm, but he barely felt any pain. The thought of Elisabeth and Hina getting brutally murdered was far more terrifying. More than anything, he wanted to spend as little time as possible in this place far away from them. Even if I end up not being able to do anything, I still want to be by their sides. Elisabeth was the person he admired. Hina was the woman he loved. And he had met both of them for the first time after he died. This world didn't have a single person in it who would call out his name with affection. Then he heard the front door open. That man had returned earlier than usual, possibly related to the fact that Kaito had smashed the glass. His father was running violently down the hallway. He opened the sliding door and was about to shout out something in anger, when, due to how unexpected the scene before him was, he displayed an unusually flabbergasted expression. "Kaito, you little shit, what're you doin'?" "Escaping to another world." After answering frankly, Kaito pressed the shard of glass against the nape of his neck. In the space of a breath, he severed his carotid artery. Blood gushed out, and the ceiling was dyed bright red. As the heat gradually left his body and a chill ran through him—a decidedly different sensation compared to the warmth of blood loss he'd felt earlier, and one that filled him with a vivid sense of loss—Kaito finally realized a certain possibility. Huh? Wait, all that stuff that happened up till now...that wasn't just a dream, was it? At that point, his thoughts came to an abrupt halt. Kaito Sena's one and only life had ended. Normally, someone who was killed as meaninglessly as a worm in a death most pitiful, unseemly, cruel, and gruesome wouldn't get a second shot at life. It would be ridiculous for anyone to expect to be able to go to the world of their choice after they died. In short, the conclusion was simple. There was no such thing as miracles. That was all there was to it. When he came to his senses, Kaito found himself floating in the darkness. He had no body. All that existed was his consciousness. In fact, he couldn't even say for sure whether or not even that existed. They say "I think, therefore I am," but in a meaningless space with no sense of touch, sight, or hearing, it was difficult to say that the presence of self-consciousness alone was enough to prove one's existence. There was nobody there to observe him. No one was there to touch him or define him. There was nothing there that he could use to confirm his own sensations. That fact was an extremely cruel one. Just how long am I going to be here? Kaito thought this to himself. Even the passage of time here was ambiguous. He was unable to suppress the sense of curiosity as to how his consciousness hadn't vanished despite his brain being gone. All he was doing was idly existing. I guess this is probably the afterlife. Kaito was familiar with the concepts of Heaven and Hell. He'd concluded that he and Elisabeth were both probably headed for the latter. However, he hadn't suspected that its true nature would turn out to be like this. The fact that humanity had yet to obtain information about the afterlife was, in a word, obvious. And the harshest part about being in that darkness was the fact that he had no definite memories that he could cling to. In a place like that, where everything was vague, the only thing that could be relied upon was one's own consciousness and memories. However, Kaito didn't even have faith in those. Are the memories I have of the time I spent with Elisabeth and the rest in that world even real? Or were they nothing more than a fabrication Kaito had conjured up to escape the pain? At this point, there was nothing he could use to verify them. They might have been nothing more than an incredibly realistic daydream. Given the way Kaito was now trapped in the afterlife, that possibility seemed the most likely. Kaito had wallowed in his fabrications and then had eventually lost sight of the line separating them from reality and killed himself. If that were the case, then Kaito Sena's life would truly have been beyond salvation. There could probably be no greater sadness. Eventually, even the time he spent despairing passed. Surrounded by darkness that continued on forever, Kaito sank deeper and deeper within himself. Searching for salvation, he rummaged through his memories, checked them, and then, on the verge of descending into madness, he arrived at a certain state of mind. He was incredibly pissed off. Hold up a minute. I mean, hypothetically, even if that world was false... Did that really mean that it had no meaning? Throughout all seventeen years of Kaito Sena's life, his memories of that world were the only ones with vivid colors. In that place, even if it had been a figment of his imagination, the experiences he'd accumulated had brought about undeniable change within him. Enough of a change that he could muster up rage, even when in the midst of such irrationality. Am I really fine with just staying here, wallowing in regret? Was my whole life really worthless to the very end? And before that, did all of it really just revert to zero? Amid the darkness, Kaito violently forced the cogwheels of his nonexistent brain into motion. His recollections of that world stirred. Terrible, horrible memories that contained within them a single spoonful of radiant brilliance. They jump-started Kaito's spirit. There was no way that he could think of those memories as meaningless, after all. Wasn't this situation trying too hard to get me to think that all was a dream, a fabrication that never really happened? That was right—for what it was, it had all lined up too well. Kaito began noticing the incongruities in the recent developments, all of which had practically whispered in his ear that his memories were false and that he should fall into despair. That's right. I've got a hunch that someone's trying to get me to feel regret. They had tried to get him to spend all his time crying. To spend the rest of his days in endless despair. But Kaito wasn't about to have that. At first, he had definitely despaired. Kaito had spent a few hours, a few years—at worst, perhaps even a century—within his mind on the verge of madness. However, little by little, he had regained his composure. Even if that world had been a lie... "No matter what kind of person you become, you will always be my dearest, my darling, my destined one, my master, my one true love, and my eternal companion. And I shall always be yours." "You fool... You utter imbecile... You had the fortune of obtaining a second life... Just stop already. It's...fine. You've done enough." ...the memories he'd made there had still been beautiful, and the things he'd experienced there had been real. Even if it had been fake, the fact that there had been someone who cared for Kaito was real. And the fact that, in a world devoid of heroes and gods, there had been a woman he had been able to believe in was true as well. If that's the case, then there's no need for me to grieve, right? Depending on the situation, if someone really set this up, then I don't have to waste time feeling sorry for myself. From within the darkness, Kaito picked up on incongruities over and over again. That place was unnecessarily dreadful. It was like the personification of the situation Kaito feared the most—that he'd never actually gone to that other world and just cruelly died at the end of his abuse. The darkness had silently imposed anguish upon him and tried to render his precious memories meaningless again and again. Something about it was strange. As such, he had to confirm it. Even though he lacked feet to walk with, a body, a soul. Even if this isn't something that someone set up. As long as he didn't give up, he might eventually be able to discern the truth. Kaito was there, after all. That entire line of thinking had been absurd. It had no logical basis to it. But despite knowing that, it was the conclusion Kaito had arrived at. As he did, he slowly began speaking. "I don't care if it's a fabrication. That's the conclusion I reached. I'm gonna keep trying to pin down the source of these incongruities. As long as I have my memories, I'm never giving up, and I'm never gonna lose myself." His mouth shouldn't have existed, yet his voice came out all the same. Furthermore, he now clearly sensed another entity. As though a fog had lifted, Kaito's perception grew rapidly. There was something standing before him. Kaito faced it and then spoke his thoughts freely. "Hey, could you cut it out already? Even if you keep this up, nothing's gonna change. No matter how much time passes, I'll always know I'm being tested." Suddenly, Kaito felt a sharp pain run across his body. The nostalgic sensation traced the contour of his body, formed it, and bound him. When he came to his senses, he found himself impaled by a number of dog fang–like wedges. Chains extended from them, fixing his body in place. He was dangling in the air, held up by a thousand chains. If he took so much as a step, he didn't doubt that his body would be torn open and his blood would run freely. A boy stood before him. The red-haired boy gazed directly at Kaito. His gaze seemed to ask if Kaito was really okay with this, as well as reproach him, as the boy knew he was in the wrong. For a second, Kaito was assailed by a sensation resembling vertigo. Had that boy really existed? Had he really wished for Kaito's happiness? Even now, he wasn't certain. Still, though, he faced the boy and smiled. "It's okay, Neue. I'm just protecting the things that I want to protect." Kaito shifted his body. The chains rattled,

and blood trickled down. The wedges dug into him, tearing his flesh. His arms ripped apart as he extended a hand forward, and his legs were severed as he began to walk. As he did—insane as his actions were—he made his promise in a bright, cheery voice. "I'll make sure to protect the promise I made with you, as well." As his body tore, Kaito extended his hand toward hope. Then, in the deep darkness, he grabbed on to a black dog's tail. Geh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh, fu-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh, geh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh. "Very well, very well, very well, very well! Very well! I have taken a liking to you! Your blind devotion to hope, your madness! Your unnatural familiarity with pain! O glass marble, hurled about and horribly twisted, yet remaining clear all the while! Very well! You possess the capacity to entertain me, to entertain the Kaiser!" An azure flame roared to life. The black dog kicked at the stone floor with his graceful paws. Each time he leaped, the smell of wild beasts filled the area, and the whole room shook. Vlad's eyes were twinkling, and he laughed as his coat and hair were blown about by the wind. Before he'd realized it, Kaito was standing back in the room at the end of the underground corridor. His left hand was still gone, and he was covered in blood. Even so, he cast his fierce, antagonistic gaze at the Kaiser. The summoning circle shined blue atop the floor. Azure flower petals and black feathers danced vigorously through the air, as though giving their blessings. Amid the hymnal-like roar of countless beasts, the Kaiser made his declaration. "Henceforth, you shall be my master! Kaito Sena! O Accumulation of Seventeen Years' Pain!" Then everything went quiet. With a whiff, everything vanished from the room. The Kaiser, Vlad, and the madly dancing feathers and petals all disappeared. All that was left was Kaito. Nothing about the room was different from when he'd entered it. He surveyed its rocky walls in amazement. It was like it had all been just a bad dream. That was no dream, though. Kaito gingerly lifted his left arm. There, at the severed end, sat the massive, pitch-black forepaw of a beast. He turned his lips up into a faint smile. Then he closed his eyes and inspected the amount of mana within his body. The power of a demon dwelled deep within his heart. However, it didn't seem like he'd be able to freely use it just yet. The aggregate sum of all the pain he'd experienced to date was far from sufficient. What to do next? Kaito began analyzing the initial plan he'd put forth to Vlad. It was right when he'd just finished putting that thought in order. The door shook. Someone was shouting from outside it. Suddenly, the blade end of a halberd split through its heavy planks. The door shattered, and splinters of wood went flying. Hina stood on the other side. She'd probably heard something, whether it was Kaito's screams or the Kaiser's roars. She shouted out in a tense voice. "Master Kaito, are you al—?" "Hina." As she heard him say her name, Hina's eyes went wide and she lost her voice. She stared at him. After checking his left wrist, she grimaced faintly as though she'd understood something. Kaito smiled back at her. ...There's the face I missed. He had missed her so much and loved her so dearly. With all the trust and affection that he could muster, Kaito stared at Hina as if trying to sear her image into his mind. Then he deliberately opened his mouth. "If even then you still love me, then please fight by my side. "You said that no matter what happened, you would stand in the way of all my enemies. And you told me that if I thought anything of you, that I should tell you either to protect me or to fight together by my side... If you don't mind me taking you up on that, if you don't mind me believing in you, then I'll do everything in my power to live up to those feelings of yours...and if you don't think that I'm worthy of your love anymore after I've changed, then so be it. But even if that happens, there's one thing I want you to remember. "I love you, Hina... Ah, I see. So this is what love is like." Then he met her emerald gaze and asked a question of the woman he'd once professed his love for, the person he'd asked to fight alongside him—his eternal companion, who had then nodded in agreement. "Hina, could you die for me?" Hina stared back at him. Her face slackened. A warm smile spread across her face. It was filled with true delight and possessed not a shred of lies or falsehood. "Yes, gladly." Hina answered and then knelt before him. Kaito simply nodded in response. 6 The Bride's Mortal Struggle A solemn procession wound its way through the deep mountains surrounding Elisabeth's castle, looking like guests bound for a funeral. They knocked down trees and tore up their roots as they went. Familiars made of flesh bound together by barbed wire swung axes with untiring arms, clearing a path for their mistress. The trees had taken centuries to grow, and now they were being mercilessly chopped down by sullied hands. Whenever the trees groaned and were about to topple over, a man floating in the air wearing black, cylindrical clothes and a mask modeled after a crow's head breathed fire out from his beak and burned them to ash. The man's majestic conduct was steeped in dignity. However, the very act of a demon going out of his way to tidy up a path somehow resembled a street performance. The demon, the Grand Marquis, had a needle shaped like a brain glittering in the nape of his neck, and he worked obediently to serve his mistress. At his feet, the Marquis gasped as he was transported around in an iron birdcage. Each time the familiar shoved the sideways birdcage forward, the Marquis within tumbled about and let out an ear-curdling scream as the skin beneath his bandages was scraped. Trampling over the bizarrely colored jet-black ash, they made their way forward. Far behind them, collared underlings were shouldering an extravagant palanquin. Atop the golden palanquin were an elegant throne and a white wolf's pelt, and atop the throne sat a beautiful, haughty woman. As she exposed her long legs from beneath her scarlet crinoline dress, the Grand King fanned herself with that crow-feather fan she loved so much. She occasionally let out a yawn as she gracefully rode along. The way the thousand troops advanced was oddly quiet yet lively. As ominous as a nightmare yet as flashy as a parade, they made their way toward the mountain peak that the castle rested upon. Eventually, they made it through the tree line. A barren hill stood beyond the trees' end. Their destination, the fortresslike castle that overlooked the trees in every direction, stood atop its bare rock surface. The procession's aim was the tightly sealed castle gate and the head of the castle's lord, Elisabeth. However, the procession was beset by an unexpected commotion and the underlings swayed on their feet as they stopped in their tracks. A bride stood before them. A beautiful bride who looked like she'd just been plucked from a wedding hall. The snow-white figure she cast was nonsensically comical, irregular, and out of place. "...Now whatever might that be?" The Grand King involuntarily frowned at how bizarre it was. But no matter how many times she double-checked, the figure in front of the castle was still there. The girl wearing a lovely wedding dress was standing in their way like a gatekeeper. Her silver hair was covered in a delicately embroidered veil. Her beautiful, pale cheeks cast a soft shadow. Her dress was simple yet elegant and made entirely out of white cloth, and her exposed shoulders were adorned with charming flowers. She wore long silk gloves that covered her slender, graceful forearms. And her skirt, which was comprised of many layers of lace, tidily covered her down to her ankles. She was standing atop the barren hill as though she were waiting for her bridegroom. For her to stand like that before a thousand troops seemed downright comical. However, the object she clasped in her dainty fingers in place of a bouquet served to prove that her proper place was, in fact, a battlefield and not a wedding hall. The bride was carrying a peculiar halberd, one that looked almost like an executioner's ax. Its matted jet-black metal handle had a tassel made from an animal's tail attached to it, and its massive, vicious blade evoked the image of a carnivore's jaw. Squinting at the girl's whimsy—for what else could one call a bride who stood upon a battlefield carrying an executioner's ax but whimsical?—the Grand King, driven by curiosity, advanced to the front of her troops, palanquin and all. As if to greet her, the bride slowly opened her closed eyes. She fixed her emerald gaze on the embodiment of death, the Grand King, who stood before her. Recognizing the fierce will burning in her eyes, the Grand King snapped her fan shut. "I see. I suppose this is no farce or idle whim." Murmuring softly, the Grand King concluded that the absurdly dressed person before her was, without a doubt, her enemy. She'd acknowledged that the girl in her wedding dress was fit to stand upon the battlefield, even more so than a knight clad in armor would have been. Without pause, she called out to the bride—Hina—in a quizzical voice. "Ah, I remember you. You're the young automaton lass, the one who was so fond of that feeble little lover boy, right? What might you be playing at? While you don't seem to have mistaken this for a wedding hall, you seem to be short a bridegroom. Have you come to die alone?" "Precisely. I have come here to die." Without a shred of hesitation, Hina flatly returned the Grand King's words. The Grand King frowned. She twisted her lips and then asked Hina a question from beneath her crow-feather fan's shade. "You've come to die? On Elisabeth's orders? How tragic it is, you pup, to be used as a sacrificial pawn. And what of your attire? A manifestation of your lingering regrets?" "Don't make baseless assumptions. Master Kaito was kind enough to fulfill my final wish and prepare this dress for me. It is the manifestation of my will and of my feelings for him. Master Kaito was the one who ordered me to stand here, for he is my beloved and my one and only master." "For that lover boy?!" The Grand King's eyes went wide. After a moment, a derisive smile spread across her face. She shook her head and spoke in a voice as though she were consoling a cat. "How pitiable indeed. I weep for you, girl. Make no mistake, you're being used as a sacrificial pawn. If he told you to stay here, to protect Elisabeth, then he may well have told you to die for the sake of another woman. As a woman myself, I can't help but sympathize with you." The Grand King commiserated with Hina, her voice full of earnest compassion. However, the corners of her mouth were curved into a wicked, muddy smile. She whispered to Hina with a truly unpleasant expression on her face. "Say, lass. Elisabeth may have refused to surrender, but would you have any interest in becoming my subordinate? While you aren't as valuable as Elisabeth, the fact remains that you're a rare specimen, a doll of Vlad's creation. I would polish your gears for you every day, so you'd never have to fear rusting. There's no need for you to be used up and ruined by a

man such as that." "Don't you dare mock my groom." Her rejection rang out needle sharp. One of the Grand King's eyebrows twitched. Hina swung down her executioner's ax in front of her. It split through the air and kicked up a gale. Leveling her ax's blade toward the Grand King, Hina spoke quietly. "That kind man told me to die. Do you fail to understand the meaning of that?" "I'm afraid I do. You were cast aside and told to die. What do you wish to say?" "After anguishing over it, that man decided to rely on me and entrust me with a grave order. And I understood. It had come from a place of love and trust. Loving me from the bottom of his heart, he finally asked me to fight alongside him. At long last, he included me in his thoughts and his strategies. For that kind, cowardly man to trust me so fully, to think of me so intimately...do you have any idea how great a joy that is?" She gripped the handle of her ax tightly. Tears devoid of sadness gradually welled up in her emerald eyes. The Grand King grimaced in disgust and shook her head even harder. When she spoke, her tone was exasperated. "And that's enough for you to willingly die. Faced with a thousand troops, you plan to throw your life away." "Indeed, and with utmost gratification." "That's...a surprise. You...you aren't sane!" As she peered into Hina's burning eyes, the Grand King forgot herself and shouted. Her seductive red lips parted, and her expression was overtaken with shock. She cast her gaze skyward and then continued speaking in bewilderment. "You've gone mad." "Very. Didn't you know, Grand King, love is madness! The day I met Master Kaito, my love for him began driving me mad!" Hina loudly made her declaration. She swung her ax again, this time to the side. The air split, and a powerful gust rocked the soldiers. The wedding dress's hem twirled brilliantly. Her snow-white dress and veil shook as she cried out. "Now then, demons, come face me! My name is Hina! I am my beloved Master Kaito's eternal lover, his faithful companion, his soldier, his weapon, his love outlet, his sex doll—and his bride!" Upon hearing the loud introduction, the Grand King closed her fan and then wordlessly swung it down in front of her. "Very well—if that is what you say, then I shall have that body of yours trampled." In the next moment, a wave of underlings and familiars rushed the bride. Their countless footfalls rattled the earth, and Hina readied her executioner's ax and assumed a low stance. As her foes reached her position, she kicked off hard against the ground and plunged into their ranks. She swung her blade sideways, mowing them down by their stomachs. Familiars trampled on the innards, drew swords from the sheaths on their backs, and advanced. The battle had begun. However, the Grand King quickly lost interest. Amid the clamor, she leaned far back in her throne. "Hmm... I wonder what that all was about." The Grand King stifled a yawn as she muttered listlessly. After all, the bride's show of courage couldn't possibly last. Not even automatons could run forever. Given the number of soldiers she faced, the battle was bound to end momentarily. The Grand King shrugged as she made an underling pour her a drink. She downed the golden goblet full of wine, elegantly passing the time. A handful of heads flew in front of her, accompanied by fountains of blood. However, she hardly minded losing a few dozen men. She cast a drowsy gaze over the battle unfolding before her. "She's giving it her all, isn't she...?" Blood sprayed, heads went flying, and severed torsos toppled to the ground. The bride's dress fluttered. All at once, the underlings and familiars came down upon her like a wave. She broke their formation and forced them back. No matter how much time passed, the sound of her blade cutting flesh never ceased. Sensing that something was wrong, the Grand King's face stiffened. Something seems off, no? Something impossible was happening. Before she'd noticed, a mountain of corpses had piled up in front of the Grand King. A great many bodies had fallen to the ground, and more viscera were heaped up on top of them. Another scream rang out. Another underling's head went flying. The ax loudly whooshed through the air, shaking off blood as it went. The Grand King's eyes went wide. The golden goblet dropped from her hand. Seeing the person standing atop the mountain of corpses, her voice leaked out. "This must be a joke...that whelp—" There stood a fierce Valkyrie, a being who defied all logic. Her wedding dress stained a deep red, the bride was holding her executioner's ax at the ready. Her veil was soaked crimson, as though she'd just been caught in a rain of blood. The bloody bride stuck an approaching underling hard in the chest with the handle of her ax, then turned to the side, dodged a familiar's attack with the grace of a dancer, launched herself from the ground again, and rolled into a backward somersault. Her veil traced a gentle arc though the air. As she landed, she brought her ax blade up and sliced one of her foes clean in two. Seeing her bloodcurdling movements, the Grand King reflexively clutched her crow-feather fan. That ax... Is that one of Elisabeth's torture devices? No, that's not it. What is it, then? The sharpness of the black executioner's ax that Hina wielded was beyond the pale. It was like one of Elisabeth's summoned torture devices. But Elisabeth should have been in a coma. She shouldn't have had nearly the leeway required to make a weapon and give it to the automaton. The Grand King was baffled. What she was even more amazed by were Hina's movements. The way she was moving in order to kill her opponents had long since passed the realm of praiseworthiness and transcended to the point of being repulsive. There wasn't so much as the tiniest gap in Hina's defenses. She maintained oversight in every direction, straining her entire body with such force that the blood vessels in a human's brain would've probably burst by now. The speed at which she responded to the varied attacks would normally have been unthinkable. With efficient movements, she severed the heads of her enemies, tore open their chests, and at times used their corpses as shields as she murdered everything in her path. The only thing that could be felt from her motions was an absolute resolve to kill her foes. It was then that the Grand King recalled a certain fact. "Say, Vlad. Your dolls are well crafted, but aren't they a bit dull?" The words she herself had once said to Vlad flashed back through her ears. His automatons had been generally high functioning, but the range of their emotions was limited. They had been lacking in passion, and their movements generally fell into patterns. As a result, they couldn't be used as anything more than sacrificial pawns. At times, determination, impulses, and strong emotions—both negative and positive—could grant people unusual amounts of power. The Grand King recalled a man who, despite being an ordinary human, had been able to fell five underlings when he was defending his son. If she were to assume that the automaton, whose abilities were far beyond those of humans, possessed emotions of equal—or perhaps even greater—intensity... Could love...bring about such a—? What had been born could not be considered anything as pedestrian as a bride. She was nothing short of a monster. "I can do this a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​a​l​l day!" As she howled, Hina used one leg as a fulcrum to spin around and mow down several more underlings at once. The guts that came flying out of their stomachs sprayed her in the face. As she violently spit out the flesh that had landed in her mouth, she held her executioner's ax firm and punctured the lung of the underling who had just rushed at her. Maintaining her stance, she dashed forward. She skewered her foes, shattered their bones, and then kicked them to the side as she screamed. "Send as many as you wish! My love is unbreakable!" The Grand King shuddered at the impetuous timbre of her voice. Despite her overwhelmingly desperate situation, the bride truly intended to win. For the sake of her beloved, for her bridegroom alone, she intended to slay each and every one of her thousand foes. How can this be? How can it be that I feel afraid? Realizing that fact filled the Grand King with humiliation. In that moment, she felt as though she could hear the sound of Vlad's laughter ringing in her ears. He had been the type of man to enjoy bizarre developments such as this. However, the Grand King was decidedly not. She was a woman who only held affection for herself. She had no love for unexpected turns of events. Curse you, Vlad! This is all your fault for devising such a bothersome creation! The Grand King stood. There were still some underlings and familiars remaining, but she couldn't leave this to them. She resignedly closed her crow-feather fan and then swung it down as though carrying out an execution. From atop her palanquin, she gave orders to the two that she'd been holding in reserve. "Marquis, Grand Marquis—go forth." The black cylinder of a man slowly nodded. As he did, the rolling birdcage's door opened, and the Marquis came tumbling out. He let out shrill yells. "Damn you, you bitch, you whore-ore-ore, oh yes, Your Majesty the Grand King, at oooooooooonce!" The Grand King ground her teeth. While the Marquis was under her strong control, he was more or less unable to use his mind-controlling abilities. But if she loosened her leash on him, even just a little, the odds were high that he'd immediately turn on her. At any rate, I doubt mind control would have much effect on an automaton. Having reached that conclusion, the Grand King left her brainwashing intact as she sent the two after the bride. The Grand Marquis ascended buoyantly into the air, rising above the ranks of the underlings and familiars. He opened his crow's beak wide and then spewed black flames from it, catching his subordinates in the blaze as well. "—Hiyah!" In a flash, Hina raised her executioner's ax as high in the air as it would go and then brought it down upon the earth. The ground swelled wherever the shock wave passed, flinging the corpses of her foes high into the air. The corpses formed a barrier and took the billowing flames head-on. For a second, the charred mass of black ash blotted out the Grand Marquis's vision. Slicing it in twain vertically, the bride rushed forward. Beneath her bloodstained veil, her eyes glittered with an animalistic light. With a fierce battle cry, she leveled a diagonal slash at the Grand Marquis. "Now I have you—!" "True, if your foe was the Grand Marquis alone, you might have been able to land a blow." The Grand King spoke sweetly. As she did, a black shadow appeared beneath Hina. The Marquis, who had been crawling along the ground in agony, slammed his limbs into the earth. He leaped into the air like a cricket, with power and height no human would have been able to muster. Hina was raising her ax high, and he launched into her defenseless stomach like a bullet. She took the hit directly, and her body bent at a sharp angle. "—Gah—!" Hina went flying into the distance and then crashed into the ground. As she rolled, she struggled to get to her feet. However, the Marquis had landed and was running alongside her. He reached out to stop her, and once he'd grabbed hold of her, he

snapped her arms. Cogwheels and oil tumbled out from her beautiful white skin. "Ah, gah, arghhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" She had been crafted too delicately, and the fact that she possessed a sense of pain was backfiring. Her body jerked up repeatedly, and her emerald eyes rolled back in her head. The Grand Marquis floated down beside her. Right before he could breathe fire at her, the Grand King called out from behind him. "Halt. I've taken an interest in that child. I've never seen one of Vlad's automatons put on such a display. I want it...but at the same time, one can never be too careful. Burn away only her limbs." The Grand Marquis nodded and then released a controlled blaze. He carefully burned Hina's beautiful limbs to ash. Where her fist had been, only the executioner's ax remained. Clenching her teeth and trying desperately to stifle her screams, Hina glared viciously at the Grand Marquis. The animosity burning in her emerald eyes was untarnished. However, she quite literally didn't have a leg to stand on. The Grand King gazed at her, and eventually the forbearance returned to the Grand King's smile. "I see you've finally settled down. You're quite the obstinate one, but certainly none could accuse you of being boring, young automaton lass." *** "Now then, once I've killed Elisabeth, what to do with you? First of all, I'll have to take a good, long look through those gears of yours. Then once I've finished my examination, perhaps I'll leave you without arms or legs and just hang you up on the wall like that. Your mouth and your nethers should still function, so I'm sure that those who come to my tent will be pleased with you." A graceful smile found its way to the Grand King's face, and she covered her mouth with her fan as she made her vulgar remarks. As she did, Hina snorted and laughed at her. "Ha, you sleaze. You're no different than the people who came to visit Vlad. Now, once more, I shall declare to you. Becoming that man's bride...made me joyous from the bottom of my heart." "Good heavens, still trying to have the last word even in that state of yours. How adorable." The Grand King spoke magnanimously. As she did, Hina spat something out. It was a small animal fang, and it snapped tightly into an open hole in the halberd's handle. The next moment, Hina leaped with her torso alone. Her wedding veil, which had survived the fire, fluttered, and cogwheels came tumbling out of her. As she did, the ax's handle twirled from the point where the fang had stabbed. The curved ax blade snapped out of place and flew into the air. Hina caught it by the back with her teeth and then swung it with nothing but the strength of her jaws. "Hwah?" With it, she cut the Marquis's neck clean through. His head spun through the air and then landed on the ground with a thump. His eyes glanced left and right, as though trying to make sense of a bad joke. He didn't seem to quite grasp the situation yet. After a short time, though, the Marquis's mouth went slack, and he stopped moving altogether. His head and body crumpled, transforming into black feathers. "...Oh...my?" Unable to follow, the Grand King let out an uncharacteristically foolish voice. However, at the same time, her rational side was precisely analyzing the situation. Due to the brainwashing, no doubt. The strong bindings she'd placed on the two of them had backfired. Because they'd been ordered to "burn away only her limbs," the Marquis hadn't been able to respond to Hina's attack quickly enough. Even so... "An automaton...killed...a demon?" The Grand King murmured, aghast. Reality had diverged too radically from her expectations. The Marquis had been weakened, it was true. Still, this was an unacceptable upset, on the level of a rabbit killing a lion or a servant defeating a king. It was something that someone like her, who stood high above others, absolutely couldn't allow. The Grand King put strength into the hand she was grasping her crow-feather fan in. Her favorite fan creaked and then loudly snapped. Having finally abandoned her elegance, the veins in her forehead throbbed as she screamed, "Kill her! Kill her, kill her, kill her! That girl can't be allowed to live any longer! Burn her to nothing! Don't even leave ash behind!" Hearing her howls dripping with naked bloodlust, the Grand Marquis nodded deeply. He opened the mouth of his crow mask. Seeing the hellfire swirl within his maw, Hina hung her head and murmured quietly. "Master Kaito... Even if death separates us, I shall always be yours. I believe that I, too, have a soul...and it shall be waiting for you." A burst of flame shot forth, the largest one yet. The violent mass of black death bore down on Hina. As it did, a smile full of love and affection spread across her face. "I beg of you, don't follow after me too quickly." In that moment, the bride was whispering as though in prayer, about to be burned to death. Far away, up in the castle, the groom watched over it all. A thousand chains were stuck into his body. He was suspended in the air like prey stuck in a spider's web. A certain magical formula was written on the ground beneath his feet. If anyone with knowledge of magic had seen the inscription, they'd have no doubt instinctively opened their eyes wide in shock. The ax that Hina had been using was linked to the arcane scrawl. Kaito had based it off Elisabeth's torture devices and had created it with the assistance of the Kaiser. The formula would transfer all the pain that the blade received to the chains and then straight into Kaito's body. Demons took little pleasure in the pain of underlings and familiars. To be able to give it to the Kaiser in the form of "human pain," Kaito had to reexperience all the gathered suffering himself. The young man, who'd just experienced the death throes of hundreds, who'd just had his nerves burned to a crisp, and who'd just died countless times and been revived just as many, whispered. "Can I go now? At this rate, my bride's gonna die." "Oh yes—this should be sufficient, you madman." The next moment, the black flames trying to engulf Hina were devoured by shadows. All in attendance opened their eyes wide. At the same time, black feathers and azure flower petals began gently wafting down from the sky. They danced upon the battlefield, as if celebrating something. The beautiful color and sinister shade coalesced upon the blood-soaked ground. "What...is—?" The Grand King's eyes were like dinner plates as they beheld the last person she ever would have expected. A madman drenched in blood had appeared. The jet-black cloth made by magic that adorned his body fluttered in the wind. The slender outfit called to mind a military uniform, and it was adorned with bloodred cloth and flared out partially into a long coat. Its hem whipped around. The figure bore a resemblance to Vlad but gave less of an impression of a nobleman and more that of a military officer. Stepping on the black feathers and azure petals, he spoke. "Sorry for the wait, Hina." Kaito murmured in a gentle voice, one unbefitting the situation. Then the groom took his place next to his bride. 7 A Mage Is Born "Damn right. I had this idea, see— Will you hear me out? I can just give the Kaiser my pain. If I do that, I should be able to grant him a human's pain without having to hurt others." That was the answer Kaito had given when Vlad asked him how he planned to fight the Grand King without taking anything from others. Dark magic was accompanied by pain, and the power of demons demanded it. And Kaito's body was accustomed to pain. Those were the three points that Kaito had drawn his conclusion from. It was a method that wasn't available to Elisabeth Le Fanu, the Torture Princess. She wasn't contracted to a demon. Demon flesh had spread it roots throughout her bone and sinew, and she generated mana within her own body. In Elisabeth's case, self-harm would do nothing but cause her pain; she wouldn't be able to accept anything from others and still offer it up as human suffering. However, even though Kaito was contracted with the Kaiser, the two had yet to completely fuse, so the method was available to him. Still, as Vlad had said, it was a plan utterly devoid of sanity. Taking on the pain of hundreds of people wasn't a sensible course of action. The shock would cause cardiac arrest in most people, which would lead to a drop in blood pressure, rapid loss of consciousness, and likely death. However, Kaito was immortal. His soul was housed in a doll of Elisabeth's design. As long as all his blood didn't flow out of his body, he could come back to life as many times as he needed. As a result, he'd been able to continuously supply the Kaiser with pain. At that point, it became a matter of whether or not his soul could endure the agony. And Kaito Sena was well accustomed to pain. He'd placed his hand on the door that Elisabeth would never have told him to unseal and then boldly cast it open. The Kaiser had called Kaito "Accumulation of Seventeen Years' Pain..." ...and praised him as a madman. Kaito stood on the battlefield, his beastly arm raised straight ahead. The unflattering butler uniform he'd been wearing up until then had been completely replaced with a military outfit that looked right at home on the field of battle. Shadows swirled around his beastly arm, the proof of his contract with the Kaiser. It caught the flames as though caressing them and then swallowed them whole. Still limbless, faint tears welled up in Hina's eyes as she looked up at him. "...Master Kaito." "I'm sorry you ended up like this... It's all my fault." Kaito knelt to the ground. He then held the newly lightened Hina in his arms, cradling her as he would something precious. He gently pressed his face against her lovely silver hair. She closed her eyes and then nuzzled her cheek against him. After taking in his smell, fat tears began streaming down her cheeks. "Oh, Master Kaito...I can smell your scent, I can feel your warmth. I beg of you, don't apologize. Being able to see you again brings me nothing but absolute joy." "I'm really, really sorry. Up through the very last minute, I didn't know if I'd make it in time...so no matter how much I wanted to, I couldn't make any promises." Kaito spoke softly. Would his method even work? Would the accumulated pain be enough to let the Kaiser wield the necessary amount of power? Until he tried it out for real, it had been impossible for him to predict. The amount of pain he could collect from single-mindedly torturing himself—which he'd actually done while he was waiting for the Grand King to show up—was a far cry from what could be obtained by harvesting the suffering of many foes at once. Hina wielding the ax capable of sending pain to Kaito and fighting the thousand enemies had been indispensable to his plan. But he'd had to gamble on whether or not he'd be able to successfully save her. Consequently, when he'd asked her to help him, "Could you die for me?" had been the only thing he'd been able to say. He hadn't been able to give her any clumsy excuses or optimistic promises about their prospects. Even so, she'd nodded in agreement. As a result, he'd stacked Hina's chips atop his own, slid them across the table, and ultimately came out victorious

in his mad gamble. Kaito raised his left hand, bristling with demonic energy, and fixed his gaze on the Grand Marquis. Hina, being cradled in his other, squeezed out her voice through her gasps. "Master Kaito...did you merge with a demon? With the Kaiser?" "Nope. But because I didn't have enough mana to even make a contract, I had to give up the flesh and blood in my left arm, leaving the demon's flesh in its place. Because the blood running through me is still Elisabeth's, I can pull out more of the mana within it than before. And one other thing." At that point, Kaito stopped talking. The Grand Marquis had made his move. In order to carry out the Grand King's order, he attempted to remove the interloper—Kaito. The man, still clad in black, cylindrical clothes, bobbed through the air with the beak of the crow mask covering his wide-open face. He tried to spew yet more flames. Kaito calmly watched the Grand Marquis. The amount of mana at the Grand Marquis's disposal was far beyond what Kaito commanded. I may have collected all that pain, but I still don't have enough power. There was no way he could reach the lofty heights Elisabeth stood upon, and he was a long way off from matching the Grand Marquis as well. However, there were two facts that stood in his favor. The first was that the Grand Marquis was still in his human form. The Grand King might not have wanted something so hideous serving her, but in any case, the Grand Marquis still hasn't revealed his fully fused form. He isn't operating at max power. If he wanted to win, now was his chance. Kaito snapped his fingers. Darkness and azure flames swirled, gathering the corpses of underlings scattered around him and piling them up as though with a magnet. Their limbs cracked and bent as they formed a giant tower. It was a technique he was modeling after one that the necromancer Marianne had once used. Then he gave his order. "La (become)." As he did, the Grand Marquis released his flame. The stacked corpses' flesh burned up in a flash. However, their bones and bodily fluids had been strengthened by magic, hardening like tempered glass and repelling the flames. Additional flames swirled within the Grand Marquis's mouth as he tried to follow up on his attack. However, right before he could, the flames blinked out. "...Did it work?" Snapping his fingers, Kaito let his defensive barrier of bones collapse. After confirming what had happened, his lips curled into a wicked grin. The Grand Marquis's neck was snapped horizontally. Blood spurted out of his torn carotid artery with every heartbeat. A massive hound was resting its leg lightly atop the nape of his neck, as though holding down a plaything. The black dog, whose eyes burned with hellfire and who had attacked the Grand Marquis from behind, grinned as it bit his body from the head down. The Kaiser then tossed the Grand Marquis casually into the air and caught him in its mouth. As though it were eating a snack, the Kaiser crunched down on the Grand Marquis's body. Kaito finally listed the "one other thing" he'd mentioned earlier. "Like Vlad, I can call upon the Kaiser for help." "The Kai...ser? Why is the Kaiser here...? Damn you, Vlad! Vlad, are you listening? No...you should be dead. But this situation! Surely you must have made a copy of your soul or something, no? Oh, this is just dreadful... What in the blazes have you done?!" The Grand King was screaming. The fact that she'd immediately suspected Vlad, despite the fact that he was dead, went to show just how well she knew her old friend. In response to her cries, Kaito drew the clear stone from his pocket. ...Is he planning on coming out? As he wondered, Kaito ran magical energy through the stone. The next moment, black feathers and azure rose petals swirled, and an aristocratic phantom appeared nonchalantly. As he stood grandly atop the battlefield, he gave a light shrug. "Well, well, it's been a while, Grand King. I've been hearing quite a bit about you. You've been running a bit wild, haven't you? Good to see you're doing well." "Is...is that all you have to say?" "Hmm? That was a fairly conventional greeting, no?" "What do you think you're doing, Vlad?! Allowing Elisabeth's servant to form a contract with the Kaiser?! Because of you, demons are fighting other demons! You've gone mad!" "Well now, this is a surprise. I'd rather not think that anyone who made a contract with a demon was could possibly be considered sane." Vlad stroked his chin in contemplation. The Grand King clutched her broken fan even tighter as her lips quivered in hatred. Seeing her bald-faced indignation, Vlad nodded once and loudly clapped his hands together. "While it seems that you're rather displeased, I ask that you do overlook this! After all, I currently find myself sealed within a stone, nothing more than a pitiable replica of a soul—indeed, an inferior version of what 'I' once was. Given my current situation, I'm more loathe than ever to give up sources of entertainment." "Even so, you—you wretch—you mean to say you're betraying me?" "Betrayal is such a rude way to put it, I should think. When I was alive, I put a great deal of thought into the future—and of course, into you as part of that—as I commanded the demons. However, you refused to rescue me, instead choosing to live freely and value yourself above all else. I believe most would describe that as breaking off our friendship. And more power to you! People should live their own lives. I died, you lived, and you chose to use our brethren to your own ends. And it was your right to do as such. But for you to do so and then accuse me of betrayal for simply living as I see fit is rather vexing." "You abomination, that's your logic?!" "I mean, just look at the boy!" After having carefully laying out his shameless reasoning, Vlad suddenly pointed at Kaito. He then began boasting, like a breeder who'd just found a good puppy. His expression seemed practically innocent. "If Kaito Sena descends into evil, that would be splendid—he will no doubt become my successor. However, if he sees his obstinance through, then my investment will have been for naught. It's an all-or-nothing gamble. I was never much of a gambler in life, but this is rather entertainingly mindless fun. If there ends up being a victim or two or several along the way, then so be it. Indulging and stealing are at the core of demon philosophy, are they not?" "You plan to steal from me, too, then?" "You pierced your own comrades with your needles when you could have simply taken over in my stead and unified them. Don't you think it's odd, then, that you so fervently wish not to be betrayed? And it's not as if I intended to betray you—as a side note, shall I tell you my true feelings on the matter?" Vlad looked at the Grand King with eyes full of affection. When he spoke, the camaraderie in his voice was probably the exact same as it had been back in the days that they had livened up balls together. "I would love if you let go of your grief and died to your heart's content for me." "Oh, I'm well aware... Oh yes, I knew, Vlad; I always knew! I knew that was the kind of man you were! That's right... Ever since then, there hasn't been a single person deserving of my trust...! Oh, my poor, ugly gardener..." The words tumbled out of the Grand King's mouth. Deep hatred and a complicated sadness crossed her face. "...Why did you have to die on me?" Her lip trembled a little bit. With the Grand Marquis and Marquis having met their untimely ends, the Grand King was out of pieces to play. She had no demons left that she could force to spit out their hearts. From her perspective, although the foe before her was far lower-class then she was, he was endowed with the Kaiser, whose abilities would normally be far greater than hers. However, her expression suddenly did a complete about-face. She laughed proudly and then grabbed the collar of her dress with both hands. "Fine, then—good, evil, it's all the same." Then the Grand King pulled her scarlet dress down. Her bountiful breasts popped out. As her surviving underlings began raising their voices in excitement, she revealed her ample bust. However, her flesh started making a ghastly creaking noise, caving in, and dissolving. Her naked body, which looked like that of a goddess or a personification of beauty, was breaking down. Her skin rotted, her flesh peeled off in chunks, and her ribs became exposed. Her atrocious transformation spread. From within the frame of her crinoline dress, her legs rapidly became slender and skeletal as well. As she shed her unseemly flesh, what remained of the Grand King's lips curled into a sweet smile. "No matter how I amuse myself, live out my days, and die— that's all there is to the world. That's all there is to me. As such, I shall smile till the end. Oh, and lover boy? Make no mistake..." For the first time, the Grand King turned her gaze to Kaito. Her scarlet eyes pierced through him. Her cheeks continued to erode, and her soft lips had split vertically and were dripping away. But even though only her skull remained, her voice called out from somewhere and made her declaration. "...You may have become a decent man, but the fact remains that I hold the advantage." She laughed. By this point, her top half was completely skeletal. Suddenly, her scarlet dress began expanding. Her skeleton and the cloth grew in sync. Her rings popped off, and she loudly crushed her palanquin. A few of her underlings got caught beneath it and were crushed to death. Their screams were ecstatic. The surviving underlings fell to their knees and prostrated themselves. What remained was a massive skeleton wearing a fluttering crimson skirt, its birdcage-like frame peeking out. Her form was grotesque, yet somehow, she retained her elegance. While releasing an aura that would drive fear into any who saw her, her teeth rattled and clattered. "Now, lover boy, rejoice. I, Fiore, the Grand King, have forsaken my unparalleled, world-famous beauty in order to face you." The skeleton gave a refined bow as she made her declaration. Still holding Hina, Kaito's whole body went tense. Vlad, who was standing beside him, shrugged and spoke in an exasperated tone. "Forsaken her beauty, eh...? Now see, this is what makes women so troublesome." "Y'know, Vlad... I'm pretty sure this happened because you pissed her off." "Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, perish the thought. This was bound to happen sooner or later. So what do you intend to do? The Grand King's power is mind control. In a one-on-one battle, her power is far below that of the Kaiser. However, that was only the case when I was his master. With you at the helm, the Kaiser is fairly clearly inferior—oh, careful there." "Cease your falsehoods—you say I would lose to that fool?" The black dog's jaws gouged Vlad's back once more. Ignoring their little comedy routine, Kaito gently set Hina on the ground. Before she could say anything, he snapped his fingers. The strengthened bones from earlier danced and then formed a protective hemisphere around her. Hina frantically called out: "Master Kaito, I can still—" Her voice faded to a mumble as she was enclosed in bone. After casting a lingering, affectionate gaze toward the bone wall, Kaito wrenched his eyes free. Shaking his head, Vlad continued speaking. "Well then, shall we put an end to the tomfoolery and get serious for a

moment? The only one who could hope to defeat the Grand King in that state would be Elisabeth, if she were freed from Sacrifice...so it seems there's little left for me to accomplish here. Best of luck. Go give it your all." "Wait, you're just gonna rile her up and then bail?" Declining to respond to Kaito's exasperated question, Vlad transformed into black feathers and azure flower petals and vanished. The Grand King puffed up her chest and cast her arms wide. Kaito snapped his fingers. Abruptly, the executioner's blade that decapitated the Marquis flew through the air. It split into four and then spread out around Kaito. Kaito carefully stopped them and gave his orders to the Kaiser. "Sorry, but I'm going to have to devote all my attention to protecting myself. You should just focus on snapping her spine. If we can't break her stance, we're doomed." "Now then—I look forward to seeing if you can defend against her attacks or not, boy. Mind the needles. If she pierces your neck, I shall eat you myself." With a "geh-heh-heh," the Kaiser left behind a human laugh as he raced across the ground. The Kaiser then circled around to the Grand King's back and leaped. However, the cloth of her crinoline dress suddenly moved and took on the form of a human woman. Then, like a shadowgraph or a puppet show, it attacked the Kaiser. He took a sharp turn to avoid the fabric twining around him and then calmly dug his claws into the scarlet curtain. But even after being shredded, it just took on a new, slender human form. "Time for chaos! Time to play!" As it did, the Grand King's main body swung its arms. Her sharp fingers bore down on Kaito. Kaito snapped his fingers a second time and then a third. As if driven by unseen threads, the executioner's ax's blades slid forward and loudly repelled the Grand King's five slashing fingers. It sounded like a sword fight, and the noise echoed across the battlefield. As though he were playing the keyboard, Kaito focused intently on turning back the fingers' terrifyingly fast yet elegant attacks. He repelled a finger flying toward his right arm, blocked an attack from overhead, and diverted a finger that had circled around behind him. At the same time, he had to swipe away thin needles that were aiming for the nape of his neck with his beastly left arm. However, at the end of the day, Kaito was no more than human. If you were to ask him, he would say that he was carrying out his defense with obstinance alone. His level of battle experience was overwhelmingly lacking. Seeing that Kaito was already at his limit, the Grand King opened her mouth wide. Her teeth flew out and then exploded at Kaito's feet. His right leg got blown off. However, darkness and azure petals swirled and reattached it before he could lose too much blood. As they did, the Kaiser grabbed him by the collar in his jaws and jumped. *** "I shan't permit you to die in as ungainly a manner as that! You fool! Dying to one as inferior as the Grand King is a disgrace!" The Kaiser's rebuke drilled into his skull. A bombardment followed after them, and Kaito blocked it with his blades. However, all he was doing was defending. Like it or not, he realized that he had yet to land a single blow. To make matters worse, while the Grand King had abandoned her human form, she still wasn't fighting seriously. She rattled her jaw to provoke Kaito. "How adorable, lover boy—where is that charming demeanor of yours? When are you going to show me whatever it was that drove that girl so mad for you? I don't like to be kept waiting, you know." "At this rate, I'm done for—I guess people have limits, after all." "Oh my, you're giving up already? In that case, do you plan to let me make you cry?" The Grand King asked her question in a voice oozing with honey. It was unclear if she was using magic for the sole purpose of giving herself a voice, but now that she'd taken on her demonic form and lost her vocal cords, her whispers shook the air. Kaito briefly shook his head at her blatant provocation. "Nah, I've got no reason to cry. I've already got a woman I admire, and I've already got a woman I love." "My, I'm jealous. What's your plan, then, lover boy?" The Grand King asked her question while reaching out her arms and cleaving the earth in an attempt to crush Kaito and the Kaiser together, raising great clouds of dust as she did. The Kaiser leaped, barely avoiding her hand, and put some distance between them and the Grand King. "Well then, boy, do as you please." The Kaiser opened his mouth and hurled Kaito away. Kaito almost crashed into the ground but was able to catch himself in a cloud of azure petals at the last minute. He stood upon solid earth once more. Right before the Grand King could crush him flat, he spread his arms wide like a stage magician. "I plan to do this." Then the executioner's ax's blade he was controlling sliced through his chest. Blood spilled forth. A massive amount of blood. Kaito dropped to his knee as he endured the incredible pain that shot through him. The sensation was almost nostalgic. Blood and viscera sloshed out of the wound in his chest he had made himself. His blood was tinged with heat, and it transformed into flower petals—this time, crimson—and danced into the air. As she followed the trail of crimson up into the air with her hollow eye sockets, the Grand King let out a puzzled voice. "You, what are you...? A suicide attack? No, that's not it. What is this?" The petals ignored her, flying off in an unexpected direction. As they flitted through the air, they left the Grand King behind and eventually blew their way as one toward the fortified castle. As though announcing the arrival of spring, the stream of petals entered a bedroom through its cutout window. The way the crimson petals surged together resembled cherry blossoms raining down from their trees. At their destination—the top of a bed—slept a girl boasting peerless beauty. The Torture Princess was in a deep, deep slumber. A single petal caressed her neck with a sharp motion and left a sizable cut on her pale throat. Then the petals flooded the wound. They rushed into her body, one by one. It was the exact same as the way Elisabeth had once forcibly given Kaito a blood transfusion upon Clueless's torture rack at the Church. Kaito's blood was flowing into her body. Far away, down on the battlefield, Kaito donned a thin smile, his stomach still torn open. "...Finally, huh?" This was his true objective, the real reason he'd formed his contract with the Kaiser. Kaito had realized a few key facts. First of all, Sacrifice was a spell that dammed up the flow of mana in one's body, rendering it unable to be freely used. But the mana itself was still there. Second, the only way to dispel Sacrifice was to drive blood with mana more powerful than Elisabeth's into her body. Third, the blood running through Kaito's body was Elisabeth's, and thanks to his contract with the Kaiser, its power had been increased. Eventually, almost all the crimson petals swarming around her pale neck had vanished. The few remaining petals rested upon her face. Suddenly, the runes covering her skin began to crawl. After writhing like a snake in agony, they began gently fading away. Before long, they were completely gone. Elisabeth's body was freed. However, she was still asleep. Then suddenly, her lips parted slightly. With a small puff, Elisabeth sent the flower petals that had been resting atop her face fluttering into the air. She slowly reached out a finger and traced the cut on her neck, closing it. Then she scooped up a single petal and pressed it lightly against her lips. Kaito's blood gradually made her lips flush. Finally, as though she'd awoken from a century-long slumber, Elisabeth Le Fanu opened her eyes. She was silent for a moment. Eventually, she made a deliberate noise and removed her finger from her lips. Then she spoke in a calm, gentle whisper. "What a foolish man. After this, it's the Ducking Stool for him." The next moment, the Torture Princess vanished from atop the bed. All that remained were a few crimson flower petals. A storm had arrived. Anyone would have thought that. After all, if not a storm, what else could it have possibly been? Immense shadows and innumerable crimson flower petals whipped about, far more than what had appeared alongside Kaito. They magnificently, floridly painted over the space. The maelstrom made a loud, rumbling noise as they forcefully permeated the space. It looked as though a thousand roses had scattered, like ten thousand flowers had been torn to pieces. The Grand King spoke in confusion as the petals pranced around her. "This isn't... It can't be... This shouldn't be possible!" The storm began contracting and shrinking. The wind and darkness compressed with alarming force. Petals shot across the ground and carved a crimson glyph into it. Atop that, the petals began taking on the shape of a person. A moment later, they exploded outward. Chains gushed out from within the mass. Streaks of silver cleaved through the air, tolling like bells ringing in the New Year. Along with the thousand rattling chains, a beautiful woman appeared. Her sleek black hair fluttered, and her bondage dress–clad body curved seductively. The mantle-like fabric adorning her back waved in the wind, and her heels dug into the earth. She held the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal in her hand, and with it she sliced the air. As she did, the gusting wind vanished as though it had never been there. The woman opened her crimson eyes. Her beauty was unparalleled and world-famous. She looked at the Grand King. Then the Torture Princess, Elisabeth Le Fanu, spoke at last. "IIIIIIIIIII've made a full recoveryyyyyyyy!" Out of all the things she could have chosen to say, that's what she went with? That candid remark was the first thing that crossed Kaito's mind. However, Elisabeth didn't notice his frigid gaze. Without a shred of elegance, she cracked her neck. "Ah, what a bother. I overslept, and now I find myself thoroughly exhausted. And my body rather aches." Elisabeth exaggerated every motion as she rotated her shoulders. After cracking her neck one more time, she swung her sword. Stopping it cleanly in midair, she pointed it at the Grand King. Her gaze silently pierced the Grand King with beast-like intensity. "It seems you've had quite the run of the place up till now, Grand King." "Damn you, Elisabeth." "Now that my servant, the most foolish man in the world, has returned my power to me, I'm sure you can guess at your fate, no? Your mind control technique is truly superb. I find it difficult to believe that your prowess in combat could possibly match it. That is exactly why you made use of Sacrifice, is it not?" Elisabeth smiled maliciously. The Grand King offered no answer. She simply took a step backward. The ground rumbled as the massive skeleton withdrew slightly. She surveyed her surroundings in bewilderment. The Kaiser stood before her, his eyes burning with hellfire, as did Elisabeth, resplendent in all her pride. Eventually, a word dribbled out of the Grand King's mouth. "...Elisabeth." "I told you, didn't I, Grand King? Evil carries with it retribution. Your punishment has caught up with you at last." *** "How pleasant it feels to hear you cry out my name, Grand King Fiore!" Elisabeth brought down the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal. Following her

command, the thousand chains wound around the Grand King. Their pointed tips bound her arms, waist, and neck to the ground like wedges. She struggled violently, but the chains refused to break. Elisabeth raised her sword high. Then as she yelled, she brought it down, as though carrying out an execution. "Ice Sculpture!" An intense chill coiled around the Grand King. While Kaito tried to keep his gaping wound closed with what little mana he had remaining, his eyes went wide. Sparkling snow crystals danced around the Grand King. However, her bones felt nothing. She rattled her teeth, as if in disappointment. As she did, though, a massive statue of a goddess appeared beside her. The beautiful statue had snow-white skin and hair, and she smiled kindly at the skeletal woman. Then the statue tilted the water jug she was holding over her. Each time the water rained down onto the Grand King, it froze over. Her underlings, who were still prostrating themselves around her, were immediately encased in frost. The Grand King was going to be sealed alive inside an ice sculpture. She seemed to have realized the fate awaiting her. If she were trapped in the ice and the sculpture were smashed, it would be all over for her. She turned her hollow eye sockets toward Elisabeth. Elisabeth was still smiling. Distress ran across the Grand King's bony face. The composure she'd maintained up till now was gone, and her teeth rattled unbidden for the first time. "No... I can't meet my end here, not in a place like this... Oh, Pierre..." That had surely been her gardener's name. The Grand King's eye sockets were empty, yet Kaito could clearly see something resembling fear in her expression. The next moment, Elisabeth began rebuking the Grand King. "How pitiable you are, Grand King, to retract your own words like that." *** "Good, evil—it's all the same. No matter how we amuse ourselves, live out our days, and die—that's all there is to the world. You were the one who said that, were you not?" Elisabeth's criticism was cutting. Her scornful tone made it clear that she was asking why the Grand King was complaining. They both went quiet. Before long, though, the Grand King broke the silence, her shoulders trembling. "...Ha-ha-ha... Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, ha-ha." Her scarlet dress shook as her chest heaved with laughter. The Grand King raised her voice in amusement. "Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha, well said, Elisabeth Le Fanu! Indeed, everything is as you say!" She laughed, her voice ringing gracefully. She scowled at her surroundings, as though to say she had nothing to fear or to be ashamed of. If she'd still been holding her crow-feather fan, she'd probably have made a show of unfurling it and covering her mouth. As the ice hardened around her, the woman who'd lived and breathed evil made her proud declaration. "Quite so—I, Fiore, the Grand King, intend to laugh all the way to the grave." And just as she'd said, the Grand King didn't scream or plead once. She was still alive when the ice fully encased her. Sealed in ice, her fate was the exact opposite of her friend who'd been burned at the stake. Still in her hideous form, she was transformed into a sculpture. Then the chains swung. Silver chains struck the Grand King's sculpture and smashed it to pieces. Chunks of bone sheathed in ice went flying and then transformed into black feathers as they whirled into the air. Then the feathers fluttered down upon the battlefield like snow, carpeting the corpses of the underlings and familiars. In the midst of all that was Elisabeth, who had closed her eyes, opened them, and thrust her fist into the air. "How weak!" The battle against their most terrible foe ended. As the reality of that fact sank in, Kaito snapped his fingers. The bones surrounding Hina dissolved and crumbled to the ground. Seemingly pleased with the Grand King's death, the Kaiser gave a deep laugh. Suddenly, though, he raised his snout and turned to face Kaito. As his eyes burned with a sinister glow, he spoke deep and bluntly. "Bear this in mind, O Accumulation of Seventeen Years' Pain. I find your perversion pleasant. On the other hand, I do not take kindly to your refusal to destroy this world and mankind along with it. However, through no fault of my own, my power has been called into question, so I shall continue aiding you as you butcher the remaining demons to demonstrate my strength. I look forward to seeing how far your warped determination can carry you." Geh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh, fu-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh, geh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh. The Kaiser vanished, leaving behind his humanlike laughter. The afterglow from the hellfire in his eyes hung in the air and then disappeared as well. Kaito shook his head a little and then surveyed his surroundings. Suddenly, his eyes met Elisabeth's. "Um—" "Mm—" She stared directly at him. He returned her gaze. Neither said a word. After a long, long silence, however, Kaito was eventually the first to lose his patience. "I'm really sorry." "I'll have your head." Their exchange was concise. Elisabeth seemed serious. Sensing how earnest she was, Kaito raised his arms. Elisabeth approached him with long strides. Then, with one hand, she hoisted him up by his collar. Her beautiful face twisted fiendishly as she laid her rage bare. "What possessed you to make a contract with a demon? And the Kaiser, no less! Hmm?! What on earth was going through your mind? I'd been led to believe that there was some gray matter lurking in that skull of yours, but clearly, I was mistaken! Even idiocy should be practiced in restraint!" "Wh— It's fine! I didn't hurt anyone, and now you're safe!" "That's precisely the problem, you imbecile!" The emotion in her voice was stifled, and it hit Kaito unexpectedly hard. Elisabeth put more strength into her slender grip. Her crimson gaze landed on Kaito's left hand, the one that had transformed into that of a beast. As she glared at it, she quietly continued. "'Tis not what I resurrected you for, nor why I made you immortal." "Elisabeth..." "Fool." Kaito lowered his arms and then let the tension drain from his body. He obediently let Elisabeth hang him up in the air. Right as he was about to say something, he heard the sound of weeping. The two of them looked to the side in surprise. The next moment, Elisabeth tossed him away. He almost tumbled to the ground, but he managed to land safely. They both rushed forward, making their way over to Hina, who was still lying on the ground. "Forgive me, Hina! Your wounds no doubt ail you! Oh, your beautiful limbs, what have they—? Nay, 'tis no matter! I shall mend them for you, leaving nary a scar! Worry not!" "Hina, are you okay?! Does it hurt? It does, doesn't it? I'm sorry, I'm so sorry." "N...no, that's not it. That's, nod, id." As Kaito held her up in his arms, great, big tears came streaming out of Hina's eyes. Kaito and Elisabeth tilted their heads to the side, unsure of what she meant. Hina's face was as scrunched up as a child's. Hina struggled to elaborate through her sobs. "I'b so habby... So habby that you're okay, Baster Kaito, and that you're bedder, Lady Elibabeth. Thank, thank goodness..." "Hina..." "...Thank you, Hina." Elisabeth pulled a clean handkerchief from a swirl of darkness and mopped up Hina's tears. Kaito gently stroked her silver hair. Hina beamed through her tears. The three of them huddled together on the remnants of the battlefield. It had finally gotten quiet again. For the three of them, it was the first peaceful moment in a long, long while. The minute they returned to the castle, Elisabeth got to work on Hina's treatment. Carrying the limbless Hina in her arms, she made her way to an underground chamber, kicked out Kaito, who'd followed along, and closed the door. For a short while, thunderous noises rang out from the door's far side. It sounded less like medical treatment and more like construction work. On the near side, Kaito stood at rapt attention. An indeterminate amount of time passed. Eventually, the closed door opened as violently as the noises within had been. Elisabeth was cradling Hina in her arms. Her thin, pale body was clad in a fresh maid uniform and had four proper limbs fastened to it. Tears welling up in his eyes, Kaito spread his arms wide and dashed over to her side. "Hina!" "Fool, don't go touching her so carelessly! She's but temporarily pieced together. The gears within her are in a dreadful state of disarray. For the time being, she needs to let her automated maintenance and repair functions do their work." Elisabeth pressed her foot into his face, and Kaito stopped in his tracks. As he was about to rub his crushed nose, she made an announcement with a quiet expression on her face. "I should warn you, but Hina is about to enter a deep slumber." "A deep...slumber?" "She needs to realign her interior mechanisms, after all. While she does, she'll need to put a halt to all other functionality. Come now, gently lift her. You'll need to carry her. Gently, mind you." Urged on by Elisabeth, Kaito gingerly reached out. He picked up Hina ever so carefully and held her in his arms. She opened her eyes a hair and gave him a drowsy smile. He carried her as he would something extremely fragile. After making his way upstairs, he set her down on the bed Elisabeth had been occupying until just recently. He asked his next question in a bewildered voice. "When you say a deep slumber...how long is that gonna be?" "There's hardly cause to sound so miserable. While I can't give a firm estimate, it shan't take long. This isn't good-bye." Kaito softly stroked Hina's cheek. Her head trembled as though it tickled, and she weakly opened her mouth. She spoke in a sweet, hoarse, barely audible voice. "My deepest...apologies... It seems...I will be taking...a short leave..." "I'm so sorry, Hina. Is there...is there anything you want?" "Anything...I want?" "If there's anything you want, I can get it for you while you sleep. Can...can you think of anything?" Flustered by the abruptness of the situation, Kaito continued his line of questioning. Hina closed her eyes and pondered for a moment. Eventually, she smiled and gently murmured. "In that case...may I make...one selfish request?" "Yeah, anything." "I wish...to become a family with you...Master Kaito." Hearing Hina's words, Kaito's eyes went as wide as if he'd been struck. "Family," he dumbfoundedly repeated. Up until then, it had been a word that had brought him nothing but misery. Hina knew that. That was precisely why she continued, her emerald eyes brimming with love and affection. "Unlike...human women...I cannot bear children... But I wish...to become...your family, Master Kaito... I don't want you...to be alone...anymore." "Hina..." "I want...to become...your family... One that...properly...loves..." "D-don't be ridiculous, Hina... You always have been... From the moment we met, you've been my companion, right?" As he spoke, Kaito choked back tears. Hina bore a tender smile. Kaito caressed her cheek again and again. He spoke once more, repeating himself with a voice full of heartfelt love. "You're my beloved wife, aren't you?" "Ah...so...I am." After mumbling about how happy she was and how it was like she was living in a dream, Hina fell into a deep slumber. "...Sniff...nn...hic...unh...nn...sob..." Tears that even his own painful deaths never brought out were now rolling down Kaito's cheeks. All the things he'd lost and all the things he hadn't been able to obtain streamed through his mind. Elisabeth said nothing. She simply waited for him to calm down. At the end of the battle, after the insane choices he'd made, Kaito Sena had finally found a family. Eventually, Kaito roughly rubbed his eyes and stepped away from Hina. His

eyes still red, he spoke a few words. "Sorry, that was kind of pathetic... I'm okay now." "Hmph, I saw nothing... Nay, I shall say this. 'Tis no shame in crying when one must." Kaito turned toward Elisabeth. She wasn't looking at him. She was staring off into space. Her lips upturned, she bluntly repeated herself. "'Tis no shame in crying when one must. Go ahead and cry." "Yeah, you're right... Thanks." Kaito laughed weakly and nodded. Then Elisabeth suddenly turned to look at him, her black hair fluttering. She frowned intensely. "Your smile is sickening." "Well, that's rude." "Indeed, but complimenting you would be far stranger! At any rate, excellent as my bedchambers are, I really ought to get around to repairing that window." "Can't you just fix it with magic?" It happened then, with the two of them having just begun their conversation. A shrill noise rang out, like something scraping against glass, and shattered their brief peaceful moment. Hearing the grating noise, Kaito called out. "Make it stop! It's gonna wake up Hina!" "Worry not. During the mending process, nothing can possibly wake her. But what is that noise?" A milky-white orb was racing above the forest. It was one of the Church's emergency contact devices, and it made its way through the broken window before stopping in front of Elisabeth and Kaito. Feathers plopped out of its sides. Then it reverted to an ordinary jewel and fell into Elisabeth's palm. Hundreds of glyphs raced across its surface. After deciphering the message, Elisabeth's eyes widened. Feeling an ominous premonition, Kaito nervously raised a natural question. "Elisabeth, what does it say?" "Oh my...this is a surprise, even to me. Even with the high odds I'd be done in by the Grand King, I can see why they sent for me." She shook her head side to side. Then she made a quiet announcement. "The capital is under attack, with as many as a third of its citizens having been slaughtered—and Godd Deos numbers among the dead." Kaito swallowed hard. The capital held three-tenths of the population and was supposed to be a cornerstone for humanity's continued survival. And Godd Deos was a man who'd been in a position to trade his life to seal away the Torture Princess, if the need ever arose. Kaito himself had talked with him just a few days ago. If a man as powerful and important as that had been killed, just what state exactly was the capital in? As if in response to Kaito's inquisitive gaze, Elisabeth went on. "The capital has been practically destroyed—at this rate, it and all the paladins will be annihilated." Her words rang in a new battle against the demons, as well as the beginning of the end. A Town Rejecting Death People were being devoured, livestock was gnawed to pieces, and buildings were getting chewed away. The capital was being eaten alive. There was no other way to describe the cruel simplicity of the events that were unfolding. One clear afternoon, a mass of flesh had suddenly exploded forth from the town's quiet, gloomy mercantile district. It had expanded rapidly, crushing countless buildings and swallowing up whole crowds of bystanders. Although the rotting meat's expansion eventually slowed, it was continuing to overrun the capital, which until the start of this catastrophe had boasted three-tenths of mankind's population and had been a center of commerce and politics. Those who had just barely avoided the first wave of expansion had frantically sought shelter. However, any who fell behind were soon swallowed up by the subsequent waves of undulating tissue. The elderly had desperately struck the mass with their canes, but their efforts were fruitless, and they were swallowed from their trembling ankles up. A dog tied to the eaves of a building barked as it was crushed beneath the advancing pulpy folds. Those too sick to move were engulfed, beds and all. And to add to their misfortune, the mass of flesh was alive. In other words, anyone consumed by it was either assimilated or transformed. The majority of its victims were still alive as they became fused with the writhing mass. The surface of its flesh was decorated with the faces of humans, beasts, fish, and bugs—any and all living creatures that had been captured—like some sort of grotesque sculpture. The screams trickling from the victims' faces were bloodcurdling. Oooooooooooohhh... Oooooooooooohhh... Oooooooooooohhh... Their voices rang out with intense bitterness toward those who had survived. Those who avoided being assimilated soon found an equally harsh fate awaiting them. Their bodies were forcibly warped, ending only when they were ejected as underlings, emerging from the main body to capture prey, be consumed, and then sent forth again, each time being fused together and broken back down. Those who had once been human were hunting those who still were. All the city's inhabitants were forced to acknowledge the sheer hopelessness of the situation. That, after all, was what demons did. Powerless humans had no means with which to fight back. Even so, in order to survive, everyone tried their hardest to flee. A desperate fight raged in one corner of the capital. Several residents had escaped to a wide street, but underlings had caught up to the group containing most of the children. One bug-like underling swung its sickle-shaped arm and severed a number of their legs. The wounded, no longer able to flee, were dragged mercilessly toward the awaiting mass. Their desperate cries rang out. However, a strangely calm murmur cut through the noise of the street. "Reenactment of the Plain of Skewers: Impaled Victim." The voice was strong and elegant. Stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab! Accompanying the voice was a cloud of dust and a noise loud enough to drown out the caustic howling. Hundreds of iron stakes impaled the underlings, raining a gruesome shower of blood onto the road. Trembling from the unexpected development, the people timidly looked up. "...Is she...the Saint?" someone muttered in amazement. A single young woman stood before them. She was beautiful and wore a provocative bondage outfit. Her appearance was like the coming of a messiah or perhaps a tyrant, and her lustrous black hair and dress with scarlet-dyed interior fluttered in the wind. Her chest was concealed by thin leather straps but was otherwise practically bare. Her erotic attire was a far cry from that of the Suffering Saint from the people's faith. However, the beauty and solemnity of the person who had arrived in that hell made it impossible to imagine her as anything but a hallowed figure. Hearing the people's supplicating voices, though, the woman scowled. "And just who do you think you're calling a saint? Hold your tongue if you're going to refer to me in such a repugnant manner!" The woman waved her hand as though shooing away a dog. Then she casually shifted her gaze from the group. As she turned to face the band of onrushing underlings, she clicked her tongue in annoyance. "Tch, more of them? To have your bodies twisted and warped against your will... How pitiful you creatures are. I shall grant you swift deaths, if naught else." She lifted her face to the sky and extended a pale hand. Swirling darkness and crimson flower petals materialized at her fingertips. Without hesitation, she thrust her hand into the center of the vortex. And from there, she drew a long sword. "Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal!" With a ringing voice, she called out the sword's name. As she did, the runes etched on its bloodred blade glinted. Their meaning was forcibly drummed into the minds of all who looked upon them. You are free to act as you will. But pray that God shall be your salvation. For the beginning, the middle, and the end all lie in the palm of His hand. "Nail Gun!" Shunk, shunk, shunk, shunk, shunk! As the woman swung her sword down, the darkness and crimson petals spiraled outward, and rusty nails appeared in their wake, burying themselves in the underlings' flesh. Chains wove like serpents, snaking their way through gaps in the spiral to mow down any who escaped. The people raised cheers of joy. However, the woman turned to shout at them in an icy voice. "Why have you stopped, you fools? It is the duty of the weak to flee. So flee. Do not turn to me. Do not rely on me. Do not look up to me—who do you think I am?" With one hand on her hip and her crimson eyes shining, the woman gave her haughty introduction. "I am the Torture Princess, Elisabeth Le Fanu. I am the proud wolf and the lowly sow." The capital was a place where information gathered, and there was no shortage of educated people among its citizens. The tale of the Torture Princess was well-known, and the people gasped at her declaration. A heavy silence fell over the crowd. Someone timidly opened their mouth to speak but was interrupted. Gya-gya-gya-gya-gya-gya-gyaa! A strange, grating scream split the sky. New underlings began swooping down from the heavens. The massive, grotesque crows—whose bodies were riddled with eyeballs—snatched people up from behind with their warped talons. Atrocious screams rang out before falling silent an instant later. "—La (dance)." A calm voice rang out, and a blade danced through the air. The underlings were all split in two, and their viscera pelted the earth. The people who'd narrowly avoided a grisly fate raised their voices in bewilderment. "...Wh-what just, who...? Wh—?" A woman who'd just been saved from the crows looked down at her bloodstained hands and lost her breath. The only person present who could truly understand what had happened was the Torture Princess. Assailed by confusion, the people began fleeing on their hands and feet. Then the sound of combat boots clicking against the ground echoed. The group froze. A young man had appeared before them. The hem of his black outfit, which was adorned with red thread, fluttered as he walked. The man was thin, and his left arm had been transformed into that of a beast. His faded brown hair had been tied back into a knot, and it matched the color of his eyes. He looked unnaturally composed. He turned toward the group, all of whom bore terrified expressions. However, he paid their reactions no heed, instead focusing on confirming with his stern gaze that no more attacks were forthcoming. As soon as he finished, he exhaled lightly and scratched his head, visibly relaxing. "Phew, looks like that worked... But damn, it still doesn't feel completely stable. How am I supposed to get better at this?" As he grumbled, he waved his right arm around like a conductor's baton. The blade that had just sliced apart the underlings drifted along and followed the path his hand had taken. The Torture Princess gave the hem of his outfit a quick yank. "You know, you're inspiring no small amount of terror at the moment." The young man's eyes went wide, and he turned on his heel, flustered. Surveying the group's expressions, he raised a perplexed voice. "Wait, for real? Did I do something suspicious?" "'Suspicious' hardly begins to describe it. You struck the perfect image of a villain making his entrance back there." "Whaaat...? I mean, I guess I can't totally deny being a villain, but still, I'm not your enemy, you guys..." Hearing that, the group finally let down their guard a bit. They turned inquisitive gazes toward Elisabeth, as though to ask if she knew him. She nodded, then answered. "Be at ease. Suspicious as his left arm is, this one is a servant of mine. His name is Kaito, or Sena, or perhaps Kaito Sena." "Thanks a lot for that half-assed introduction. But it doesn't matter; don't worry about us." As he waved with his beastly left arm, the man—Kaito Sena—lined up beside Elisabeth, the

Torture Princess. The two of them looked to where the mass of flesh was resting. A fresh wave of underlings was heading straight toward them. Kaito raised his right arm, and Elisabeth clicked her heels. "I need you guys to run." Kaito snapped his fingers before murmuring softly. "The Torture Princess and the Kaiser's contractor can take it from here." Then the two of them began slaughtering the underlings. Once, at the hands of his cruel father, Kaito Sena's seventeen years and three months of life had come to an end. His death had been as meaningless as a worm's, one most pitiful, most unseemly, most cruel, and most gruesome. However, after his death, Kaito had been summoned to another world and obtained a second life. His summoner had been Elisabeth Le Fanu, the Torture Princess, a terrible sinner who was destined to be executed after killing fourteen demons and their contractors on the Church's orders. During their battles against the demons, Elisabeth had fallen into a trap of the Grand King's. In order to save her, Kaito had formed a contract with the Kaiser, the highest ranked among the demons and, as a result, had gained the ability to use magic. After fighting alongside an automaton named Hina, who was both his own servant and his bride, he'd successfully restored Elisabeth's health. However, after they'd successfully taken out the Grand King, the Church informed them of a new crisis. The capital was under attack, and around a third of its citizens had been killed, including Godot Deus, one of the Church's high priests. The city, which was pivotal to the continued survival of humanity, had nearly been destroyed, and at this rate, it would likely fall, along with all its paladins. When they'd received that message, Kaito immediately got to work making purin. After dissolving sugar in milk, he added egg before mixing and straining it carefully to avoid creating bubbles. Then he poured everything into an earthenware pot and applied heat, cooking it until it reached the appropriate temperature. At that point, all he needed to do to complete it was chill it in the ice-spirit fridge. "Yup, as always, having the ingredients around is a lifesaver." As he waited for the purin to chill, Kaito murmured to himself. In this world, sugar, fresh eggs, and milk were all difficult to obtain without going through major guilds, as they were both the ones who maintained the supply chain and those in possession of ice-spirits. But with the Butcher's help, reluctant as he may have been, they were able to keep Elisabeth's castle sufficiently stocked. If not for that, it would have been difficult indeed for Kaito to reproduce purin in this world. Huh? Wait, if I hadn't been able to make purin, wouldn't that have meant that all my knowledge and experience from my old world was useless? Well, I guess being used to pain came in handy, too. Tilting his head to the side, Kaito grabbed the earthenware pot's chilly handles. Taking extreme care not to put too much strength into his beastly arm, he hurried through the corridor. He dashed up the spiral staircase, then opened up the door to the dining room. Within, a chair with ball-and-claw feet was lined up next to the table, which boasted a stately tablecloth. Seated at the table was Elisabeth, crossing her elegant legs. Likely having sensed Kaito, she lifted her face and displayed her bored expression. Then her gaze landed on the earthenware pot. The next moment, her eyes sparkled with such intensity that cat ears practically sprouted from her head. "Oh-ho, it's complete!" "Yeah, I'm all done." With that, Kaito hoisted the pot. In a flash, Elisabeth grabbed a spoon and held it on standby. Her reaction was as innocent as always. However, not long ago, that was a scene Kaito had feared he might never see again. Breathing an internal sigh of relief, Kaito placed the pot in front of Elisabeth and lifted its lid. With a "ta-daa," a massive, jiggling yellow form appeared. Elisabeth breathed in its aroma, pleased. "Heh-heh, there you are. How pleasantly sticky you seem." "Here, purin, just like I promised. Go on, dig in." "Mm, the wait was killing me... Wait, did we ever make such a promise?" "Oh, right. Uh, don't worry about that." Kaito averted his eyes from Elisabeth. She tilted her head to the side, wondering what in the world he was going on about. It had happened right before Kaito made his contract with the Kaiser. When she'd been in a coma due to having the flow of her mana dammed up by Sacrifice, he'd faced her and whispered: "You're probably going to be livid. But I've made up my mind, Elisabeth. See you later. When you wake up, I'll make you some purin." She hadn't responded. He had almost stroked her cheek, but he'd stopped short, clenched his fists, and left the bedroom. Then he had made a contract with the Kaiser. Elisabeth didn't know about that private moment. And Kaito saw no reason to tell her. Watching Kaito speak noncommittally, Elisabeth made a strange face before turning back toward the purin. She scooped out a jiggling, sticky spoonful, then stuck it in her mouth. "Ah...the texture is excellent... It's sticky yet smooth...and jiggly... What a fine dish this is. Ah-ha-ha." An earthenware pot can hold a great deal of purin. However, Elisabeth polished it off in mere moments. After cleaning out the pot, she heaved a satisfied sigh. "Ah! That was rather splendid. Between this and having activated Hina, your praiseworthy achievements total two." "I see that once again you're blatantly ignoring all the other work I've put in up till now." Elisabeth practically purred in pleasure, radiating the same energy as a cat basking in a sunbeam. Kaito felt like he could almost see cat ears twitching back and forth atop her head. For a short while, Elisabeth scraped at the bottom of the pot with her spoon. However, she eventually relented. Then, with a hard clank, she returned the silver spoon to the table. She crossed her arms, and her expression abruptly stiffened. "Now then, our respite ends here. Not only is the situation dreadful, it's grave." Looking at her from the side, Kaito could see that the innocent light flickering in her eyes had vanished. Her cold expression was that of a resolute soldier. She clenched her fists. A magical chessboard appeared before her, accompanied by white and black pieces. Elisabeth removed a white piece shaped like a bishop. Godot Deus, one of the high priests of the Church, had been killed by the demons. Furthermore, the wicked lot responsible for the murder were still running free and wreaking havoc. Kaito clenched his fists and spoke in a low voice. "So you're seriously gonna go...? You're planning to fight an enemy who took out a third of the capital?" "Of course. The Church has ordered me to slay all fourteen demons. Above all, I myself decided to do so. Having lived the cruel and haughty life of a wolf, I shall die like a lowly sow. A sow forsaken by all of creation... And I have no intention of overturning that fate of mine." Elisabeth gave a sharp response to Kaito's question. Her voice was frosty, making it clear that others had no say in her decision. Upon hearing that, Kaito lost his grip on the words he had planned to deliver next. He watched on as she continued removing pieces. "The remaining demons number three: the Monarch, the Grand Monarch, and the King. Normally, the three of them would not possess the power to storm the capital. What in the world could have happened...? Well, I have my suspicions. But regardless of the accuracy of my hunches, naught but Hell awaits." "Just to be clear, I'm coming with you." "Do as you please. Or rather, I'd like to say that, but this time, I'd included you in the head count from the onset. Fool. Even if you mean no harm, I cannot simply leave the Kaiser's contractor unattended... Listen now, Kaito. While I may owe you a debt for it, the sin you have committed would normally merit execution." "Yeah, I know." "You know nothing. And even supposing you did, you fail to truly understand. Those who embrace the darkness can no longer return to being human...and you have crossed that final line." Then Elisabeth heaved a heavy sigh. After looking Kaito over—his left arm in particular, which had transformed into that of a beast—she shook her head. "You utter fool." Kaito gave no response. For a moment, a heavy silence fell between them. After another sigh, though, Elisabeth stood with enough force to send her chair flying. Stretching her back like a cat, she made a declaration. "In any case, the time to depart is upon us! No matter what idle words we string together, the fact remains that we have no choice but to fight... However, one worry yet remains." "Yeah, we have to figure out what we're gonna do about Hina." They looked at each other and nodded. Elisabeth's black hair fluttered as she set off. Kaito followed after her. The two silently advanced down the corridor as light streamed through the ominous patterns adorning the clerestory windows. Elisabeth opened up the bedchambers, a room she herself had been comatose in just a few hours earlier. At the moment, Hina was sleeping there. She was lying on the bed, surrounded by azure roses. Kaito had created the flowers at Elisabeth's suggestion in order to aid in the reorganization of Hina's gears. Hina slept deeply, swathed in the gentle magic the azure petals were releasing. "Hina..." Kaito unhesitatingly rushed to her bedside and knelt, then gently stroked her forehead. There was no response. Until her scrambled gears were realigned, she would be unable to rise. Elisabeth clasped Hina's pale hand, then nodded after quickly confirming the flow of mana and mechanical noises were all in order. "Her gears are realigning properly. However, there is some time yet before the process will be finished." "So, the problem is what we're gonna do with her until then." "Mm, that it is. While the realignment is in progress, she shall not wake. In short, she is wholly defenseless. We could leave golems to defend her, but their usefulness is limited, so that option leaves me with some unease... So when we consider who I could contact and ask to take Hina and flee should anything happen—" "Ah, well, that would be me." "Dude, your timing is crazy good." With that, Kaito turned to look at the bedchamber's entrance. There stood the Butcher, posing coolly with his finger pressed against his forehead. Although his eyes were hidden by his hood, they were no doubt sparkling. "While the two of you are absent, I shall remain by Ms. Lovely Maid's side. And should anything happen, I'll hoist her upon my back and scurry away with utmost haste. What say you?" "While I'm most grateful for your proposal, are you quite all right with this? If I'm not mistaken, you have little to gain from aiding us." "Oh, there's no need to be so reserved. A dear customer of mine is in a pinch! Such a task is but a trifle... Incidentally, I couldn't help but notice that your ice-spirit storage unit and your carrier golems are getting a bit old, you know. Cha-ching, cha-ching." "...Did he seriously just say 'cha-ching'?" "Understood. Replace as many as you wish and send me the bill. Will that suffice?" "Ha-ha-ha-ha, leave everything to me, your friendly neighborhood Butcher!" The Butcher hopped up and down. Shrewd as he was, the fact remained that his assistance took a great load off their backs. After all, the castle had been attacked by demons a number of times before. No ordinary man would dare come near the place, let alone house-sit for

them. The Butcher truly did have nerves of steel. Kaito turned and bowed to the Butcher, who was still dancing with joy. "...Thanks a lot, Butcher. That's a huge help." "Mm-hmm, Dim-Witted Servant, showing me proper gratitude?! Away with you, impostor! Show me your true form!" "Wait, have I really never thanked you for anything before?" Kaito narrowed his eyes doubtfully. The Butcher had assumed some sort of strange fighting stance, one that called to mind a bizarre bird. Ignoring him, Elisabeth crossed her arms and spoke decisively. "With that, then, everything is in order! Now, Kaito and I shall make our way to the capital in accordance with the Church's demand! Butcher, I leave the rest to you." "Ha-ha, at your service." "A proper response—Kaito, quell any regrets you may have." "...Got it." Nodding at Elisabeth's advice, Kaito silently gazed at Hina's face. He placed his hands on the bed, then gently kissed her. Their lips joined, then parted. However, Sleeping Beauty didn't wake. Then Kaito whispered gently to the woman who'd asked to become part of his family. "I'm heading out, Hina. Please wait for me. I promise we'll go back to living under the same roof." He stood up. He stroked Hina's forehead one last time, as one would an infant's, then turned on his heel. The hem of his black outfit that resembled a military uniform waved in the air as he determinedly strode forth. Elisabeth followed after him, her heels clicking loudly. "I await your triumphant return! May fortune favor you!" The Butcher watched them go, waving his hand as he called out from behind them. As her beloved groom departed, the bride remained in slumber. Leaving Hina behind at the castle, Elisabeth and Kaito descended into the maw of peril. Using his blade, Kaito lopped the flying underling to pieces. The ones rushing across the ground toward them found themselves on the receiving end of Elisabeth's stakes. Each of them trusting the other, the way they devoted their full attention to their roles was reminiscent of a dance performance. In the blink of an eye, they completed their slaughter. A colossal mound of corpses was all that remained. After gazing toward the end of the road where the swelling mass of flesh was sitting, Kaito and Elisabeth turned to each other and nodded. "Good, looks like we drove them off for now." "Aye, we can finally take a breather. And those people should have been able to make it to shelter by now—or not! Go on, you lot, get out of here!" "Hey, Elisabeth, don't be so hard on them. That thing appeared out of nowhere, right in the middle of the capital. If anything, it's impressive they were able to even make it this far." Kaito placed a hand on Elisabeth's shoulder, then made his way toward the group, most of whom had frozen in their tracks. After coming to a stop front of the fleeing residents, he spoke in a calm voice, doing his utmost not to frighten them. "Is everyone okay? If you all go straight that way, the paladins have a shelter set up. There should be guides along the way, too, so you don't even have to go very far." Kaito urged on a parent and child, who up until a few moments ago were being pursued by an underling with a pig's head. However, they offered no response. Upon closer inspection, it appeared that all the adults were paralyzed with fear. Kaito looked around, at a loss for what to do. As he did, a young girl clutching onto her mother's arm called out to him. "Mister...what's wrong with your arm?" Kaito looked at the girl, flustered. Her innocent eyes were transfixed on his ghastly arm. Now even more uncertain of what to do, Kaito frowned. After puzzling over his response for a moment, he sidestepped the question. "Uh...it's...kinda cool, don'tcha think? And it's real strong." "Yeah, it looks really strong! It's scary, but it's cool, too!" "Wow, thanks. That's really nice of you to say. Now, c'mon, you gotta hurry!" Kaito gave the girl's parents a soft push on the arms. The moment the mother felt the beastly arm touch her skin, she shuddered and stepped backward to shield her child. But after seeing the lonely look in Kaito's eyes, her expression quickly shifted. She and her husband quickly bowed to Kaito, then broke off at a run. The rest of the people who'd been frozen still quickly followed after them. However, one old woman struggled backward against the sudden rush of the throng. Casting a sharp glance at the Torture Princess, she fought her way through the waves of people. Elisabeth narrowed her eyes, trying to discern the woman's intentions. "Someone with a grudge against the Torture Princess, perhaps?" That guess was about as far off the mark as one could be. After stopping in front of Elisabeth, the old woman tossed aside her cane and knelt atop the stone street with faltering knees. As Kaito and Elisabeth watched on in confusion, she bowed deeply. In his surprise, Kaito let out an exclamation that bordered on shrill. "Wh-what's the matter, ma'am?" "Hmm? What is the meaning of this?!" "Thank you... Thank you... Thank you..." The old woman thanked them over and over. Looking at her tiny, rounded back, Elisabeth scratched her cheek. "What? Ah yes, well...aren't you a courteous one...? Something about this feels wrong, you know." "Thank you... Thank—" "Good lord, woman, how long do you intend to go on for?! Enough already; up with you! Your thanks are unnecessary." "Ma'am, she's saying that she appreciates the sentiment. C'mon now; it's dangerous here." Kaito extended a hand to the old woman. With his help, she struggled to her feet. Watching her pick up her cane and walk away, Elisabeth coldly shooed her off. "Begone with you already! Heavens, what an odd bat she was... Oi! Look where you're going; don't bow while you walk! There are stones in your path! Listen, woman, don't go toppling over now!" In spite of her attitude, her words were kind. Kaito surreptitiously softened his expression. The next moment, Elisabeth whirled around to face him. "Ah, I knew I sensed something unpleasant! Kaito! Wipe that expression off your face! Remember your place, servant!" "Ow, don't kick me!" Finding himself on the receiving end of a precise roundhouse kick, Kaito clutched his chest as he leveled his complaint. All he accomplished, though, was infuriating Elisabeth even further. "Then explain to me what that expression was just now: as though you were gazing upon a child! I shall not tolerate such insolence!" "I did nothing of the sort! My face just loosened up a little!" "And what is that if not insolence?!" Kaito's complaints of unfair treatment were wholly rejected. Displeased, Elisabeth shook her head from side to side. "Behold, while you were preoccupied with your idle nonsense, that thing returned!" As she spoke, a black shadow spread across the pavement. The sound of two bat-like wings flapping split the air. However, their owner was no bird. They extended from the back of a dog. The top-class hound—the Kaiser—flapped his wings as he descended. His sinewy legs hit the ground, and he shook his body. His wings made a sticky sound as they folded into his back. Once they'd been fully stored, he turned his eyes, which burned with hellfire, toward Kaito. "I have returned, O Accumulation of Seventeen Years' Pain, unworthy master of mine." "Good work out there. How'd it look?" "Before that, I have something I must announce." "Wh-what is it? Why're you acting all scary?" The Kaiser drew up directly in front of Kaito, causing him to jump back a few steps. The Kaiser gnashed his teeth threateningly. "Forcing me to do something as base as run reconnaissance for you is a deed punishable by being ripped to shreds between my jaws. You may be my master, but you are naught more than a worthless scrap of meat. Know your place!" "Geez, man, that's harsh... You don't have to get all mad at me." "Ha, I shall forgive you this once. The view from on high was as pleasant as expected, after all. Much to my amusement, the capital is being rapidly consumed by that mountain of flesh. Rejoice, whelp. Your predictions were on the mark." Shaking his head, the Kaiser pointed with his jaw toward the mass at the end of the road. Laughing scornfully at his degraded brethren, the Kaiser continued: "That thing is comprised of three demons fused together. I was able to identify the three needles that were thrust into their necks." "...Yeah, I figured. This is the Grand King's fault." Kaito nodded. The needles that had been thrust into the demons' necks were magical devices designed to control minds—the kind that the Grand King had specialized in using before Elisabeth had killed her. The fact that there were three of them meant the demonic colossus currently invading the capital was not one demon but the remaining three—the Monarch, the Grand Monarch, and the King. "That Grand King is an obnoxious one. Although their ranks were lower than hers, controlling those three would have been no small feat. She must have stabbed them with her needles, destroyed their egos, then carried them into the capital half dead. Three humans take up little space, after all." "Then when she died, the needles stopped working." "Indeed. And with their shattered egos returned to them, their powers ran wild...and once the three of them fused, they began expanding, and the capital got entangled as a result. Would you concur, Vlad?" In response to the Kaiser's question, Kaito gently ran mana through the stone in his pocket. As though it had been waiting for just that moment, a velvety voice rang out. "Your conjectures are as impressive as ever, Kaiser." Vlad Le Fanu's phantom knitted together in front of them and put on airs. He was adorned with a silken shirt with a cravat and a black coat decorated with silver thread, the same noble attire he'd worn when he was alive. He surveyed the scene, his crimson eyes setting off his shoulder-length black hair and giving him a beauty remarkably similar to Elisabeth's. Crossing his legs in empty space, he spoke elegantly. "I would wager that your guess is right on the mark and that this is the Grand King's final trap. A rather straightforward timed explosive, as it were. With their egos obliterated and nothing but their desires remaining, the demons finally began taking in humans and using them, becoming little more than machines designed to gather pain. Quite the intriguing result, I'd say." Vlad laughed in amusement. He pointed at the mass of flesh, as though showing off some sort of entertaining spectacle. "While they used to be my comrades, I do find it interesting that they're more powerful now while they run wild than when they had their wits about them. Perhaps, unbound by human consciousness and rationality, demons become able to wield their power solely for the purpose of destroying the world... Incidentally, Elisabeth, would you be so kind as to restrain yourself?" Vlad shook his head in exasperation. Pierced by an iron stake, his head vanished for a moment. After Kaito turned his gaze toward her, Elisabeth finally stopped the campaign of harassment she'd begun from the moment Vlad had first materialized. With a grim expression on her face, she crossed her arms and spoke in a voice dripping with hatred. "Silence yourself, Vlad. Your voice grates on my ears. Take care you do not forget that, were it up to me, I would shatter the rock your soul dwells in this instant." "That's a bit cold, don't you think? Given your servant Kaito Sena's contract with the Kaiser, I should think it quite prudent to keep me alive to give him advice, as his predecessor. And you understand that, don't you? You

really shouldn't be so hard on yourself—oh, careful there!" Assailed by numerous stakes, Vlad bent his body at a strange angle. Unsurprisingly, his expression soured. Seeing that, Elisabeth scoffed. "Ha. You'd best brace yourself. The moment your task is through, I shall kill you once more. I shan't spare you a shred of sympathy." "Quite right. I'll brace myself, then. Alas, this body of mine is somewhat short on methods I can use to flee." Vlad shrugged, the apparent sorrow in his words wholly at odds with his general demeanor. However, seemingly reluctant to get stabbed again, he lightly snapped his fingers and vanished. All that remained of him were a few azure flower petals. After stomping on them, Elisabeth clicked her tongue. "Tch, what a revolting man." "I mean, that's just how it is. Vlad will be Vlad, after all." "And you. Speaking as if this is someone else's problem!" Elisabeth grabbed onto the knot of Kaito's hair, then yanked. Screaming, Kaito frantically tried to resist. "Owwww! Cut it out, Elisabeth; you're gonna pull it out! The pain is one thing, but I don't wanna go bald!" "Just shut up and go bald! Bald, I say! All this came about because you had to go and act on your own! Forming a contract with the Kaiser... Surely you are this world's greatest imbecile!" "No, seriously, you're gonna pull it out! Stop, stop, stop!" "Worry not! Even if I pull it out, it shall grow back!" "Wait, is there even a spell that can regrow hair? Owwwwwww!" "Aye, there is! You can't set the color, however!" "Wait a minute; I don't want blond highlights!" "Better that than torture, I'd wager! I shall say it again. The acts you have committed are folly, crimes worthy of an inquisition. Rough treatment is the least you should prepare yourself for! Hmph...that said, perhaps it is best to leave it at that. After all, now is hardly the time for me to be tormenting you." Perhaps her mood had finally lifted, because she released him. With teary eyes, Kaito inspected the state of his hair. As he did, Elisabeth turned her crimson gaze toward the mass of flesh invading the capital. Kaito followed her lead. "...Man, that's messed up." "Mm, that it is." Even then, the three fused demons were still carving deep scars in the town and its people. In a complete reversal from her demeanor a moment ago, Elisabeth spoke in a strained voice. "Demons draw their power from the pain of others. Let us make haste, Kaito. The longer we leave that annoying thing be, the more pain it shall accumulate and the more power it shall gain. Bothersome as it is, we need to join forces with the paladins." "Yeah, I'm with you. No time to waste." Kaito gave a brief nod. However, he bit down on his lip, as though hesitating over something. After a beat, he spoke in a hoarse voice and reaffirmed their situation. "This'll be...our final demon subjugation." The mass of flesh sitting before them was the last three of the fourteen demons. Thinking ahead to what awaited them afterward, Kaito clenched his fists. After executing all the demons, the Torture Princess, too, would be going to the stake. Elisabeth Le Fanu had finally begun making her way up the steps to the gallows. The main road branched off in a complex pattern, but most of its paths led to the main square, named for an apostle who was said to have faithfully served the Saint to the end. At the moment, the square was being used as a temporary shelter. From behind Elisabeth, Kaito looked out over the plaza. The place was likely loved by the people, and on holidays, it would probably have been no surprise to see the place bustling with food carts and street performers. At present, though, no vestiges remained of its usual, tranquil self. The square was surrounded by an elegant iron fence modeled after vines, with paladins lined up within. In addition to the gate being firmly shut, they were serving as a thick human wall. Their silver armor sparkled, emblazoned with white-lily coats of arms, as they worked to maintain the magical barrier covering the square. Looking over their stiff faces, Kaito spoke in a tense voice. "...Hey, are we really going to be able to just stroll on in?" "Mm, I see your point. We are the Torture Princess and the Kaiser's contractor, after all. While I have my doubts as to how well we'll be received, I see no better options." With that, Elisabeth shrugged. Their minds made up, the two of them headed for the plaza. The gate rattled open before them. Several corps members rushed out from within. Facing the mass of flesh, the resolute paladins ran down the main road where no small number of underlings lay in wait for them. The square was likely being used as a base from which the corps engaging in rescue operations for the residents who'd been unable to escape would enter the danger zone. Even so, Kaito thought back to the scene that had just unfolded before them. If we hadn't been there, even more people would have been swallowed up... Given the situation, it's hard to say if their rescue operations will even make it in time. It was clear that the paladins needed help. Newly motivated, Kaito turned back toward the square. As he did, Elisabeth called out to one of the paladins guarding the entrance. "I'm Elisabeth Le Fanu. The Church requested my aid, and here I am." "And I'm her servant, Kaito Sena. Nice to meet you." Shaking off his tension, Kaito introduced himself. However, the only response they received was a cold stare. Several seconds passed. One of the paladins dashed back toward the rear of the square, possibly having received a message. The rest, though, remained as silent and unmoving as bronze statues, the tips of their swords pressed against the cobbled street. "Um, we, uh, we came to help." Kaito spoke once more. Still, no answer. There were several people inside, but all they displayed was open malice. Kaito couldn't think of a good reason for them to be receiving the cold shoulder. Kaito frowned, then quietly whispered to Elisabeth. "You know, I wasn't exactly expecting the red-carpet treatment, but still, this is brutal." "Don't be unreasonable. This, too, is within expectations." "Wait, seriously? Damn, I never took you for the understanding type." "This is my just deserts. At the Plain of Skewers, I faced five hundred members of the Knight Corps and slew them, annihilated them, and exterminated them. While these paladins here are from higher in the organization, no doubt many of them had acquaintances among the victims. Their rigorous training and discipline are likely the sole reason I'm not at sword's point at the moment." Elisabeth replied at the same volume. Kaito nodded with newfound understanding. Given the facts, the paladins' reactions were only natural. "That makes sense, then." "Mm, that it does." No tyrant was in a position to complain when those they oppressed wound up expressing malice toward them. Normally, people who get crushed like worms don't get the chance to come back, after all. Elisabeth Le Fanu had once stood atop a mountain of corpses. And those corpses were the allies of these paladins. Suddenly, a clear voice rang out and obstructed Kaito's train of thought. "So you're the Torture Princess. First, I wish to express my gratitude. You did well to respond to our summons." The gate opened, and a woman, accompanied on each side by a paladin, strode out from within. She herself was likely a paladin as well. Her body was as lithe as a rapier, and she wore the same silver armor as the others. However, atop her shoulders was a magnificent, deep-blue mantle of fine make embroidered with silver. Her silver hair dashed against it and further improved the flashy impression she gave off. That and her pair of mismatched blue and purple eyes caused her to boast otherworldly beauty. However, the light within her eyes was cold. She looked a good deal younger than her fellow paladins, and the fact that she was a woman was unusual as well. Despite all that, Kaito was surprised by something else entirely. Damn, that's impressive. For an ordinary human, she's got crazy stores of mana. Ever since his contract with the Kaiser, Kaito's ability to gauge the flow of mana had been refined. While the woman's stores of mana couldn't compare to the Torture Princess's or to Kaito's, given that he'd made a contract with a demon, it was well above what an average person could hope to possess. In stark contrast to Elisabeth's sinister, thorny mana, this woman's seemed as deep and as placid as the sea. Kaito could tell, not from knowledge, but from intuition, that she would be well-suited toward healing, protective, and summoning magic. It looks like she's doing pretty well for herself among the Holy Knights, but I bet she could've become a pretty strong mage, too... Wait, huh? Did I just call her an ordinary human? It was almost as though he thought of himself as some kind of monster. But he could hardly blame himself. For someone who had been reincarnated from another world, not to mention one whose left arm was that of a beast, continuing to perceive oneself as an ordinary human was no easy task. Even so, I seem to be getting worse about it. In spite of himself, Kaito looked off into the distance and grinned self-derisively. However, the woman interpreted his smile a different way. Narrowing her cold eyes, she spoke. "How rude. What, is there something on my face?" "Huh? Oh, sorry, I was just laughing at myself. Don't worry about it." "...At yourself? At a time like this?" "Mm, well, my servant is a man of many peculiarities. Paying him heed is little more than a waste of time. You'd do best to simply ignore him... And as I said, I am Elisabeth Le Fanu, the Torture Princess." "Allow me to welcome you once more. Thank you for coming all this way." "Enough with the empty formalities. I received word of Godot Deus's death. Are you in charge here?" "I am not. Rather than explaining the situation, it would be quicker to simply take you to meet the man who is. Follow me. I expect you'll be quite surprised." With that enigmatic declaration, she turned on her heel, her magnificent mantle whirling behind her. Her two attendants went after her. After exchanging a glance, Kaito and Elisabeth obediently followed behind. A row of simple tents was lined up on top of the stone ground. As he passed by them, Kaito peered within one. Within, a healer was desperately pinning a convulsing man to his bed while using medicinal herbs to alleviate the man's pain. Kaito could make out a number of other healers applying magic and medicine left and right to care for the wounded. Given that they each boasted considerable reserves of magic, their original place of employment was probably the royal palace. A long queue extended past the tents. It looked like those who were deemed too young or too ill to flee on their own were being teleported out of the city. Regardless of the fact that the line was guarded on both sides by Royal Knights, everyone on it was so nervous they would have broken down at the drop of a hat. Elsewhere, the paladins were calling out and gathering the uninjured and those with only minor illnesses. However, between the people who were screaming in derangement and those who were glued to the ground with dead eyes, there was no shortage of people ignoring their orders. Every single person who'd escaped bore a heavy, desperate burden. "...This place is on edge, all right." "And for good reason. It would be

rather aberrant for a man who could relax after only so barely fleeing danger." Hearing Kaito's whisper, Elisabeth nodded. Eventually, the two of them made it to the middle of the square. Seeing something strange there, Kaito narrowed his eyes. "...What's up with that?" "That's a statue of the Saint. Hardly an oddity." "No, but, like, what's it doing here?" A bronze statue of an upside-down saint shedding tears of blood stood before them. In front of her was another statue, a kneeling apostle wrapped from the head down in tattered rags. Surprisingly, the apostle was a demi-human. Legs with scales engraved in them and sharp claws peeked out from the bottom edge of the rags. He looked as though he was both rejoicing and lamenting at the Saint's suffering. The scene called to mind torture, making it a strange choice to decorate a beloved plaza. "It's a little grim for a plaza decoration, don't you think?" "Perhaps, but according to the Church's legends, humanity's current society is built on the foundation of the Suffering Saint's sacrifice. In short, the scene signifies the sins man forced the Saint to bear. People must live proper lives, constantly recalling their sins as they sing prayers of gratitude. The statue is situated in an everyday place to remind them of that. It serves as something akin to a warning." "...I see." Her explanation was blunt, nearly to the point of heresy, but it inspired a vague sort of understanding in Kaito. He shifted his gaze from the bronze statue and the tent beside it. It was placed just off the statue and was a good deal narrower and longer than the ones holding the injured. The female paladin stopped directly in front of it. Raising her left arm, she gestured for the two of them to enter. "This way." Feeling the hostile gazes of the Royal Knights standing guard bearing down on them, Kaito and Elisabeth went inside. As they did, they were assailed by bright lights, forcing Kaito to squint. "...Wh—?" "Not bad. Impressive even, being able to assemble so many." Elisabeth's voice was full of admiration. Kaito looked and discovered that an entire wall was covered in active magical communication devices. Civil officials were frantically setting them into motion, trading messages with partners that were removed from there by great distances. Tense, angry voices filled through the air, and the female paladin called out to the two of them again. "Please keep walking. Our destination lies farther in." Prompted on by her words, Kaito and Elisabeth continued on. The air was hot and muddy, but the farther in they went, the cooler it got. Upon reaching the inner depths of the tent, they could hear new voices going back and forth, voices possessing a different kind of gravity than the ones from before. There was a desk placed directly on the stone ground, and a map of the capital was spread atop it. Paladins were pointing at it and exchanging arguments with stern expressions. "For La Mules's bombardment, we should..." "We've received authorization for tomorrow afternoon..." "Considering the angle and the effective range, the hill in the graveyard is..." "The people we'll need to secure it are..." Whatever they were discussing, it was going completely over Kaito's head. A man was floating in front of them. Upon seeing the man's strangely blurry back, Kaito began doubting his own eyes. Wait, why is that guy's back blurry? The man was dressed in a simple yet high-quality vestment. He was probably affiliated with the Church. Wondering who it was, Kaito frowned. Beside him, Elisabeth muttered in a strained voice. "...Godot Deus?" "Godot Deus?!" Kaito reflexively let out a hysterical cry. That shouldn't have been possible. Didn't Godot Deus die? Godot Deus was supposed to have lost his life in the initial attack, when the three demons had explosively begun their expansion. However, upon being called a dead man's name, the man turned to face them. "Elisabeth, I see. You did well to make it here." Aside from through communication devices, this was the first time Kaito had ever seen Godot Deus. In contrast to his expectations, Godot Deus's appearance was nothing more than that of a thin, wrinkled old man—the kind you could find just about anywhere. But given the fact that his supposed death hadn't stopped him from appearing before them, he was clearly no ordinary man. Kaito narrowed his eyes and looked over Godot Deus again. Upon closer inspection, he was partially transparent. A silver bowl sat at his feet, a jewel resting in a sparkling pool of water. As Kaito stared at it, the stone in his pocket squirmed. At the same time, Kaito realized something. I see. Godot Deus really did die. The Godot Deus floating in front of him was nothing more than a reproduction of his soul, the same as Vlad was. Supplied with mana from the holy water the Church had prepared, he was commanding the troops from beyond the grave. The stone squirmed again. It seemed that Vlad wanted to talk to the man, perhaps due to them both being reproductions. But if Kaito did as Vlad wanted and materialized him, there was a solid chance the paladins would strike him down on the spot. As Kaito ignored the stone, to his surprise, Godot Deus spoke up. "Do you have Vlad in there?" "Wait, you could tell?" Completely exposed, Kaito responded in surprise. At the sudden mention of the Kaiser's former contractor's name, tension filled the room. Elisabeth stared off into space. Godot Deus calmly shook his head. "Your left arm is that of the Kaiser's and proof that one lacking knowledge of summoning was encouraged by a third party to form a contract. When you told me not to have any regrets, you were warning me that this was the choice you had made. Servant of Elisabeth's...what a fool you are, forming a contract with a demon." "Yeah, I agree with you there. But I haven't hurt anyone, and I plan to keep it that way. The minute I tried to harm an innocent, my master Elisabeth will probably immediately behead me anyway. I haven't given you guys any reason to criticize me or give me orders...and you don't have any grounds to punish me." "Strong words. However, it is true that we lack pieces to play. If you intend to fight alongside Elisabeth, I shall allow it. However, there is one thing I wish to confirm." Godot Deus extended a bony hand. Then he spoke in a low, husky voice. "Would you mind letting Vlad out?" In response to his request, Kaito gently ran mana through the stone in his pocket. Suddenly, azure rose petals and darkness whirled up within the tent. The paladins let out frantic cries. As he basked in their reactions, Vlad's phantasmal body knit itself together in the air. Overflowing with androgynous beauty, he crossed his legs and lorded over his surroundings. "Hey there, Godot Deus. Long time no see." "What are you putting on airs for, you buffoon?" "You're trying to make it sound like you showed up after being called for, but you were literally just begging to be let out." Elisabeth and Kaito interjected at the same time. The paladins gripped the handles of their swords in unison. However, after realizing that it was just a phantom, they lowered their guards. Vlad's black hair fluttered as he smiled at Godot Deus. "The last time was the inquisition—no, it was the time when you spared no pains in tormenting me? To see one of the Church's high priests reduced to the same state as me... I never realized the Church was so fond of twisting the natural order. For the first time, I find myself intrigued in you fellows." "I suspected that the dregs of your soul were still present in the world. How deplorable. After the Torture Princess's execution, we'll have to destroy you posthaste." "Oh, you needn't worry about that. I hear Elisabeth intends to do me in herself before then." "Even so, Elisabeth's servant's arm aside, things exceeding our expectations seem to be appearing left and right... This, too, must be one of God's trials." Half ignoring what Vlad had to say, Godot Deus shook his head again. After listening to their exchange, Elisabeth suddenly piped up. "Aye, I was surprised as well. Does the Church not oppose defying death in such a manner?" "It is as you say. With my soul currently residing with God, by all rights, Godot Deus should cease existing in this world as quickly as possible. However, the people are in a panic. After all, I am the one among the high priests with the authority to command both the Torture Princess and the paladins. A man entrusted with a blade must not be put to his rest alone." Godot Deus spoke as though it were a matter that didn't concern him. Kaito knew next to nothing about the power structure governing this society. But he'd been able to piece together that command of the Holy Knights, an organization ranked higher than the Royal Knights, rested not with the king but with the Church and that they were an organization specializing in fighting demons. I guess I'll have to ask Elisabeth about the specifics later. As Kaito pondered that, Godot Deus made yet another astonishing proclamation. "I am not the only Godot Deus who currently exists. Others are stationed all over the capital. All in all, from the shelters scattered about to the escape routes to the places connecting them, the sum total count of me's in operation comes to twenty." "...What?" Kaito let out a dumbfounded exclamation. He couldn't help but picture twenty Godot Deuses all gathered in the same room. Filled with instinctive revulsion, he furrowed his brows. The prospect of having multiple reproductions of the same soul at once was twisted beyond belief. From beside him, Elisabeth loudly laughed. "Ha-ha, what a lark! To think of the Church's head priest sullying providence in such a manner! You lot truly do have your backs against the wall!" "Watch your mouth, woman!" One of the paladins launched a sharp rebuke. However, the woman who'd guided Kaito and Elisabeth there lifted a hand to admonish him. After nodding to the woman, Godot Deus turned back toward Elisabeth. "Once more, the Church calls upon the Torture Princess. Fight alongside the paladins and defeat the demon that invades the capital. Your foe is the final three of the fourteen demons. This shall be your final order." With that, Godot Deus paused for a beat. His gaze pierced Elisabeth with the intensity of a hawk's. "Until the day of your death, try to do some good, at least." "I'd have done all that had you told me to or not, you senile old man!" The Torture Princess replied loudly to the Church's command. Her answer was accompanied by a truly fiendish smile. Godot Deus nodded, satisfied. Elisabeth scoffed, then tapped the map of the capital with her black-polished index fingernail. "Now, this battle shall take place in an urban environment, so on the matter of how much I'm allowed to destroy..." "If I may, we don't need the Torture Princess's assistance." A clear voice rang out and interrupted Elisabeth's question. Elisabeth narrowed her eyes in annoyance. Kaito turned to look at the speaker. It was the female paladin, the one who'd just stopped her underling from chewing out the Torture Princess. He tilted his head to the side at the unforeseen opposition. On the other side, Elisabeth sneered provocatively. "That reminds me, we've yet to hear your name. Who are you? What gives you the right?" "My name is Izabella Vicker, commander of the Holy Knights. Godot Deus, please know that I speak with utmost respect. We mustn't borrow the Torture Princess's strength. We mustn't rely on a sinner." "Skip the sentimentality. State why you feel she is unnecessary." "Yes, forgive me.

As per the previous meeting, once we finish evacuating the residents, we plan to launch an all-out attack on the demon with the support of the priests. And La Mules, the Shepherd, will be joining us as well." "Hey, Elisabeth?" "Now, of all times? What is it? If it's some idle nonsense, I shall strike you dead." "What's the Shepherd?" "A high priest who bears the authority to summon first-class mythical beasts and spirits. It would seem that quite the big shot has been slated to make an appearance." Elisabeth answered Kaito's question. From beside her, he saw her face stiffen a hair. Seeing that, he could tell that this person was the real deal. The paladin—Izabella—continued talking. "In particular, the priests possess God's blessing, a boon that renders them inviolable by the hands of demons. The expanding demon body itself is unguarded, and the effectiveness of a magical beast attack should be obvious. Given those conditions, the Royal Knights and the paladins together should prove to be sufficient to subjugate the demon. We can settle this matter with mankind's hands alone; to rely on the Torture Princess now would sully the Church's pride." With that, she completed her dignified statement. The paladins around her nodded in assent. Upon hearing the paladins' true thoughts, Kaito's face twitched. The first one to respond, though, was Vlad. Tracing his own lips with his white, gloved hand, he laughed low. "Strong words from a young maiden who knows nothing of demons nor, I wager, the touch of a man. Go on then, my dear successor, give them a piece of your mind!" "What are you guys, dumb-asses?" Not waiting for Vlad to finish speaking, Kaito spoke of his own volition. Vlad's lips curled. Raising her elegant eyebrows, Izabella turned to face Kaito. "What did you just say?" "That demon is swallowing people up one by one and tormenting them. Even if you guys could defeat it on your own, you should be looking for any help you can get, even if it comes from a monster. That pride of yours can eat shit. If you think you've got time to be spewing garbage like that, why don't you go march outside and take a good, long look at all those faces covering the demon's surface?" Despite his rage, Kaito was utterly calm. His mind was cold and clear. His words themselves were coarse, but he layered them on in a level, icy voice. Then suddenly, he went silent. The gaze he focused on Izabella had no malice in it, simply pure questioning. "Don't you want to save them as soon as possible?" Surprisingly, no counterargument came. Disappointed, Kaito blinked. Izabella simply stared at him, eyes wide in puzzlement. Her face seemed ever so young and looked like she'd just been struck or like she'd just heard something she hadn't expected. She opened her mouth to speak. Before she could, one of the other paladins spoke up. "Who are you to talk? You've got a monster's arm, and you made a contract with the Kai—" "Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh, precisely. How very right you are!" All of a sudden, a lively voice rang though the air. Elisabeth clapped her hands together and grinned. As if inviting him to dance, she extended a hand toward the paladin about to make his rebuttal. "And on that note, I shall return home! Good work, everyone!" "No, wait, that... Godot Deus has to..." "...And if I were to say that, 'twould be you lot who would regret it. To think that you failed to understand even that much. I'd thought the paladins would be able to at least gauge how outclassed they were. You lot are like children, ignorant of your own limits." Elisabeth delivered scathing criticism. The atmosphere in the room froze over with a loud snap. At least, Kaito felt as though it had. Upon being verbally abused by the Torture Princess, the same woman who'd once slaughtered their comrades, a number of hands reached for swords. As they did, Kaito raised his beastly arm. Then he openly displayed a terrible bloodlust he'd accumulated from tasting death hundreds of times over. "Don't move. If you draw those, I'll make the first move. And I'm faster than you guys." The situation tottered on the precipice. Neither Godot Deus nor Vlad spoke, each surveying the other's movements. The paladins' eyes were filled with rage, and Kaito looked directly into them. "Please don't make me use the Kaiser's power for something as stupid as this." Suddenly, Elisabeth moved. Paying no heed to the tension filling the room, she majestically spread her arms wide and stomped the ground. For some reason, she began twirling, and her dress fluttered behind her. "God's blessing, eh? I see, I see. True, the Church's divine protection is effective against demons. However, demons exist to destroy God's creations. And that is what you all are. God's creations doomed to have your prayers dashed by the powers of darkness." The black cloth of her dress, the inside of which was dyed scarlet, spun like a pinwheel. Elisabeth continued in a lilting tone. "The demons invading the capital are running rampant, drawing their power from the bottomless well that is the suffering of your people. As the mass grows, its collection of pawns continues to multiply." She loudly slammed the tip of her heels onto the stone floor. Having gathered the full attention of everyone present, she stopped in her tracks and smoothly extended her arm toward the ceiling. "Numbers beget force. And one can accomplish much through the use of force." Darkness and crimson flower petals swirled at her fingertips, and she drew the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal from within the vortex. Unsure of her intentions, the paladins tightened their grips on the hilts of their swords. Not sparing a glance in their direction, Elisabeth clutched her sword and glared at the ceiling as if looking for something. "As I thought. They're coming!" As she spoke, the ceiling of the tent warped like a pool of water struck by a school of fish. A moment later, it teared open. Kaito's eyes widened. Cacophonous laughter rang out, and some sort of ominous white mass descended upon them. Elisabeth swung her sword and reaped several of whatever it was that assailed them in a single swing. She brought her sword around with a backswing, slaying just as many. Even so, the mass had a sizable number of survivors swooping down on Kaito and the rest. A huge number of feathers filled the air, obscuring their vision. *** Reflexively, Kaito used his beastly arm to shred something flying in front of him. Still unclear as to his attacker's true nature, he frantically fought back against the waves of animosity and bloodlust bearing down on him. The paladins, on the other hand, tried to avoid the initial attack and calmly assess the situation. The difference in their judgments caused their fates to diverge. Several of the paladins had their heads torn off with force that would have been unthinkable had their foes been human. Blood gushed and sprayed as their armored bodies spun. With comically heavy noises, they toppled to the ground. Scraw, scraw, scraw, scraw, scraw! Round objects flew through the air to accompany the shrill laughter. The paladins reflexively caught them, then screamed when they realized that the objects were their comrades' heads. Amid the chaos, Izabella was the first to react. She quickly drew her sword, then swung it in a semicircle. Its blade glowed white, as the priests had apparently consecrated it, and she sliced open the stomach of one of their assailants. Kaito turned his gaze toward the collapsed corpse. It was an underling with the body of a dove and the head of a fish. Like some sort of cruel joke, its feathers were white. Splattered by the underling's blood and trampling on its guts, Izabella shouted. "Move! You'll make yourselves targets if you freeze up!" "Draw your swords, fools!" Godot Deus gave a rebuke, as well. The paladins, who'd been caught unawares by the atrocious attack, returned to their senses and drew their blades in succession. While that was going on, Elisabeth was slaying underlings with gorgeous, dance-like movements. She wasn't summoning torture devices, likely realizing that the confined space would result in friendly fire. She was prioritizing the underlings attacking the civil officials. Kaito followed her lead. Their enemy's ranks waned quickly. Their grotesque corpses littered the ground. Other than in the initial attack, none of the paladins had fallen. Making sure they had reclaimed their original presence of mind, Kaito called out. "Everyone, get down!" "Get down!" Izabella echoed his shout. Immediately afterward, Kaito snapped his fingers. "—La (dance)!" A massive blade flew through the air, just barely passing over the paladins' heads. Cleaved in half, the underlings toppled to the ground. Despite the torrential rain of blood pouring down on them, none of the paladins flinched. They quickly mopped up the underlings who'd evaded the blade. Eventually, the inside of the tent became quiet again. As though they'd traded places, screams rang out from outside. As she aggressively wiped blood off her face, Izabella spoke in astonishment. "Impossible... The barrier!" "Your paladins formed a perimeter around the square and maintained the barrier from there. The barrier is hemispherical, and your men form its center. In short, the barrier's thinnest point is overhead... The underlings must have gathered there, then broken through with sheer numbers. 'Tis no hard task, should they be willing to sacrifice a dozen or so of their forces." As she gave her dispassionate analysis, Elisabeth strode forward. Her lustrous black hair fluttered as she turned to briefly look over her shoulder. "Why are you all standing there so addled? If you wish to protect your allies and kill your foes, you'd best follow me." Her dress fluttered as she left the caved-in tent behind her. With Izabella at their head, the paladins snapped into action and went after her. Kaito was about to be reeled in as well, but he stopped himself. He quickly surveyed his surroundings. The civil officials were trembling, but none of them seemed to be badly injured. At some point, Vlad had vanished. He probably just got bored... What a carefree— Huh? Then Kaito realized that Godot Deus was staring at him. After making sure his jewel was undamaged, Kaito nodded. After exchanging a meaningful glance with Godot Deus, Kaito ran outside. The moment he did, he sucked in his breath. *** There, he found yet another hellscape spreading out before him. Just like before, the dove-bodied underlings were lopping people's heads off one after another. Blood shot out of their dismembered torsos before they spun and toppled over. Their severed heads crashed against the stone ground, popping like overripe fruits. At the same time, other underlings were grabbing a dozen or so people by the arms and forcibly dragging them toward the mass of flesh. "Ahhh! Ahhhhh! Ahhhhhhhhhhhh!" Desperate screams filled the air as the people's legs flopped atop the tragic corpses. They looked almost like marionettes, playing out an act in a cruel comedy. However, their crazed screams were no doubt the real deal. "Heavens above!" Unable to bear the terrible spectacle, even one of the paladins maintaining the barrier was on the verge of fleeing. Frantically, Kaito went to try and stop him. However, before he could, Izabella admonished the man. "Stand your ground! Focus your mana on mending the damaged sections! We will deal with the intruders!" Right as she shouted, a new black shape rushed in through the cracks in the barrier. Izabella looked up pointedly. "...A second...wave?" The final word of her sentence was tinged with bewilderment. As he looked at the reinforcements, Kaito's eyes went wide. He muttered in astonishment. "No way... That's too cruel." The new underlings still had most of their human forms intact. Strange pink wings protruded from their naked backs. Each time they flapped, the

human parts of their bodies were forced forward. Losing their balance, the underlings toppled to the ground. Seeing the underlings fall, the fleeing townsfolk stopped in confusion. From within them, one woman called out. "Oh... You're Rohan, aren't you? Rohan! Dear!" Forgetting the danger and dread consuming her, she rushed over to the bald underling. Based on the way she'd called his name, they were likely lovers or a couple of some sort. With seemingly rusty movements, the man called Rohan turned to look at her. The moment she extended her arm toward him, the underling's cheek swelled to the point of nearly popping. Coming to his senses, Kaito called out to her. "Don't!" With a pulpy noise, the man's tongue extended out from his mouth, and its soggy, bruised flesh wrapped around the woman's torso. Once he'd captured the woman, his pink wings began flapping, almost as though they had a will of their own. "No, nooooooooooooooooooo!" The woman was carried off toward the mass of flesh, leaving nothing but her screams. Seeing the act of violence carried out before their eyes, the townspeople scattered. The bald underlings' tongues and the dovelike underlings' talons swooped down on them one after another. Furious and repulsed at having been deceived, the paladins raised their swords high. "Damn you!" "Eek!" As they did, one of the bald underlings let out a frail cry. The human parts of their bodies were trembling. Their distended tongues seemed incapable of forming words, but if that weren't the case, they'd probably have been begging for their lives. Large tears were even welling up in their eyes. Demons didn't cry. Like it or not, the paladins were forced to realize that these underlings were still mostly human. All they had to do was lop off the pink wings, and they might yet be saved. Although nobody put that thought into words, hope flooded the square. As it did, a low, cold voice rang out. "La Guillotine, Saint of Beheadings." Five vortexes of darkness and crimson flower petals appeared around Elisabeth, and five white figures emerged from within them, landing on the ground. The five beautiful saints raised their heads, their eyes shut tight. Their thick, straight, evenly cut silver hair swayed. While that was happening, Elisabeth clicked her heels. The saints tilted their bodies and their plain white dresses moved with them. Peering up at the sky, they crossed their pale arms over their chests before stretching back out. With a sharp noise, rectangular blades slid out from their elbows. The blades carved through both types of underling in succession, arcing in ways that defied the laws of centrifugal force. Unlike the time they'd been used at the Governor's manor, the blades returned to the saints' arms after reaching the end of their paths. Blood rained down in every direction. Perplexed screams filled the air. Among all the people present, Kaito was the only one with calm eyes. He nodded. Izabella said nothing. However, one of the other paladins called out in a quivering voice: "We might have been able to save them!" "Idiot. Get the notion out of your head that any man turned into an underling can be saved. Discard your naive dreams. Killing them is the only option." "You can't know—" "I can. I am more familiar with the work of demons than any other." After speaking firmly, Elisabeth clicked her heels again. The La Guillotines bisected the underlings one by one. Their pitiful corpses began piling up. Amid them, the Torture Princess—beloved daughter of the Kaiser's previous contractor, Vlad Le Fanu, and a woman who'd surpassed perfection—made a merciless proclamation. "Harboring hope is worthless. Trust only in despair—and fight back against it, so that you may find a chance to destroy it." Her eyes were fierce as she spoke. Kaito bit down on his lip when he heard her, as though he was listening to a tragic drama. Then a single paladin sprang into action. "Ha!" Izabella's silver hair fluttered as she gave a sharp fighting cry. She brandished her sword, severing an underling's neck. Its head, still that of a human, went flying into the air. Blood dripping down her porcelain skin, Izabella gave a resounding order to her troops. "Kill them. That's my order, so I shall bear both the responsibility and the sin. Grieve not; just put an end to this." Looking at Izabella's bloodstained visage, Elisabeth narrowed her crimson eyes. However, she said nothing. Perhaps in order to encourage themselves, the paladins let out a sudden battle cry. As they shouted from deep in their abdomens, they raised their swords overhead. The Royal Knights followed in their wake. After that, the knights calmly carried out their work. Aside from their wings, the corpses that lined the streets were completely human. Eventually, the underlings were successfully exterminated. The paladins repaired the barrier. With the aid of the priests, they were also able to reinforce it past the point it had been at before. Transportation of the young and infirm began again as well, and the paladins formed an escort to hasten the escape of the able-bodied. After watching this series of events and gazing at the corpses piled up in a corner, the reality of the situation hit Kaito once more. These people are trying desperately to survive. That, and the fact that battles against demons were cruel and tragic beyond words. 2 A Moonlit Banquet No matter how stagnant it may seem, time always marches on at the same fixed pace. At the end of the battle, the sun had set, and night had finally arrived. The capital, cruelly transformed as it had been, was concealed behind a thin curtain of darkness. While it was likely only temporary, the mass of flesh had stopped expanding as well. Perhaps having sensed the decrease in available citizens to use as fresh materials, it had also stopped indiscriminately attacking. "...That felt like it took a lifetime." Off in one of the square's nooks, Kaito muttered to himself. However, all the events that had occurred up until then had taken place in an almost bizarrely short period of time. There had simply been too many bloodstained tragedies, causing his sense of time to be completely distorted. And he likely wasn't the only one. At long last, the defenders had finally gotten some time they could use to take stock. However, the battle was far from over. Countless drops rained down upon the pavement. Drawn in by the noise, Kaito lifted his head. When he did, he saw a cylinder of white light appear around a handful of people, then transform into droplets and fall to the ground. When the light faded, the people who had been standing there were nowhere to be seen. The Church's teleportation circle was operating without rest. However, someone must have determined that transporting everyone present within the day was impossible, as one of the circles was being used to bring in troops and supplies from outside the capital. Using the newly delivered grain, the Church's nuns immediately got to work cooking gruel. The people waiting in line for the teleportation circle, having temporarily overcome their panic that had arisen out of nearly being slaughtered, voluntarily offered up their assistance. Sending them off with thankful gazes, the priests in charge of the teleportation circle took turns expending their mana. Beads of sweat welled up on their foreheads. And the people in charge of the barrier were even more exhausted still. I guess battles aren't only fought on the battlefield. However, Kaito was unable to assist them. The mana he currently possessed didn't solely originate from Elisabeth's blood; he himself had generated a large supply as well. But he'd obtained it from pain as a result of his contract with the Kaiser. It was incompatible with priests' mana, which the talented among them could obtain by collecting energy within themselves that they'd accumulated from prayer and that was apparently also called spiritual energy. And although he'd wrapped his beastly arm in cloth so as to avoid scaring anyone, there was a chance it would unravel if he lent a hand distributing the rations. ...Man, it hurts to admit it, but I really am part evil now, huh? As Kaito thought earnestly, he suddenly found warm steam gently caressing his cheek. Frantically, he looked up. Upon inspection, he discovered a chipped bowl of vegetable gruel floating in front of his face, and there was even a wooden spoon. One of the Church's nuns was holding it out to him with an affectionate smile. "A blessing from God. Please have some." "Wh...? U-um, I really shouldn't—" "Don't be silly. If you don't eat, your body won't hold out." The young nun firmly pushed the bowl into his hands. Kaito frantically shook his head to stop her. The word inquisition flashed through his head, as well as the various fanatical, exhaustive, scornful things Clueless had said about heretics. Godot Deus's attitude toward Kaito and Elisabeth hadn't exactly been friendly, either. That was simply the way the Church's representatives were. If that was the case, then what was this nun's angle? Bewildered by the unexpected turn of events, Kaito avoided meeting the nun's gaze. Why would someone from the Church come give me gruel? Is it poisoned? Could there be poison in it? Could there? Then Kaito noticed something. Magical flames lit up the plaza from within a number of containers. The flames posed no risk of accidentally causing a fire, and their golden light served to warm those present. Amid the firelight, the nuns were walking about and distributing the gruel. It seemed they were handing it out not just to Kaito but to everyone who lacked the energy to go get it themselves. Kaito gazed dumbfoundedly at the proceedings. The nuns' faces as they recited words of prayer and concern for those present were filled with genuine kindness, the type Kaito had never experienced back when he was alive. Even though they were dealing with the Kaiser's contractor, it was difficult to see their actions as malicious. But if that was the case, then Kaito found himself with all the more reason not to meet her gaze. Won't it cause trouble for her if anyone finds out she was nice to a demon's contractor? Wait...could it be that she doesn't know who I am? With that thought, Kaito was finally satisfied. After all, his left arm was currently concealed by a bundle of cloth. While his military uniform would make it difficult for him to be mistaken for one of the townsfolk, he could easily have been confused for one of the mages simply taking a breather. It that case, what should I do? The nun's feelings would probably be hurt if she found out later that he'd been the Kaiser's contractor. He was at a loss. However, he didn't want to frighten her. And he didn't want to refuse the rare kindness. Ultimately, he ended up taking the bowl with his right hand. "I'll take you up on that. Thanks for the food." "No, thank you for this afternoon. May God's protection be with you." After closing her eyes and praying for him, the nun smiled again. Then she left, her thick black veil fluttering as she went. Taken aback, Kaito watched her go. Apparently, she had known who he was. And even so, she'd brought the food just for him. "...Well, that was nice." After nodding a few times, Kaito began scooping the gruel into his mouth. A weak, salty flavor spread across his tongue. However, after a moment, the sweetness of the grain and the vegetables began to sink in. Due to the abuse he'd suffered in life, Kaito's sense of taste was weak. As long as it didn't have detergent or poison in it, he could eat just about anything. Despite that, although it didn't compare to the home-cooked meals his beloved Hina prepared for him, he felt

that the gruel's flavor was more than decent. Warmth began to spread throughout his empty stomach. Then he finally realized how hungry he'd been. "Even after forming a contract with a demon, I still get hungry, huh?" After muttering to himself, Kaito tilted the bowl up and downed the rest of the gruel. Well aware of how poor his table manners were, he stubbornly scraped at the last few beads of grain with his spoon. Then he thought back to a similar scene he'd witnessed just a few days prior. A catlike figure scraping persistently at the bottom of an earthenware pot floated across his mind. Hmm... Now that I think about it, where'd she go? Standing up, he quickly looked around. However, the person he was looking for was nowhere to be seen. Given the fact that he'd have immediately been able to pick her out had she crossed his field of vision, it seemed unlikely she was picking up gruel. After pondering for a moment, Kaito set off and rejoined the end of the ration line. When he reached the front of the line, he handed his bowl back to the old witchy nun and made his request. "Um, the woman I'm with hasn't eaten yet. Would it be possible for me to get another bowlful?" Snorting out of her hook nose, the nun cast a sharp glance at Kaito's left arm. Pierced by her gray, knifelike gaze, he unconsciously straightened his posture. However, after a heavy silence, the nun shook her head slightly and refilled the bowl. Apparently, she intended to feign not having noticed anything. "...Thanks a bunch." There were two meanings behind the way he thanked her, and after he had, he walked away. With the warm, steaming bowl in hand, he surveyed the plaza. However, as he'd expected, the woman he was looking for was still nowhere to be seen. "Dammit, Elisabeth, where'd you get off to?" In search of the Torture Princess's bewitching figure, Kaito set off once more. "Ow, hey!" About half an hour later, Kaito found himself being practically kicked out of the entrance of the plaza by the paladins. Behind him, he could hear the gate loudly closing. He had been well and truly locked out. After somehow avoiding toppling over, Kaito guarded the bowl in his right hand to avoid letting any of the gruel within fall out. Brushing his bangs to the side and wiping away his sweat, he turned back to look over his shoulder. "I get that you're impatient and all, but would it kill you to be a little gentler?!" Nobody replied to his angry outburst. The only response the row of paladins offered was their silence. Livid, Kaito ground his teeth. However, at the same time, he understood why they'd driven him so roughly from the plaza. After noticing Elisabeth's absence, Kaito had walked around the square in search of her. Drawing no small share of dirty looks, Kaito looked in every last tent, eventually going so far as to check under desks. Even so, he couldn't find her. As a last resort, he asked the paladins manning the perimeter if they'd spotted her. As a result, he discovered that she'd taken off on her own and was kicked out and tasked with bringing her back. "As much as you hate us, you still want me to bring her back. If you understand how badly you need our help, you could at least try to treat us like we're on your side, don'cha think? Although...I can understand why you're so pissed off." Kaito mumbled to himself, then stole one last fleeting look at the paladins. Seeing their tense figures clad in their silver armor, he swallowed. At the moment, most of the barrier's maintenance was being carried out by the priests, releasing the paladins from their heavy, unaccustomed responsibility. However, just like during the afternoon, they were still guarding the perimeter in a state of high alert. While they were helping to supply the priests with mana, they were also serving as human shields. They were prepared for the fact that if the underlings pressed the attack, they would immediately lose their lives. However, the Torture Princess had simply forced her way through them. On top of all that, her servant had come nonchalantly strolling by with a bowl of gruel in one hand. ...Man, I was lucky I didn't just get punched. Realizing that the paladins could hardly be blamed for the way they'd treated him, Kaito heaved a sigh. Then he made his way once more down the road. With the plaza at his back and moans coming from the mass of flesh behind it, Kaito strode forth. Earlier, Elisabeth had told Kaito that many of the capital's residents were wealthy, particularly those who lived not in the mercantile or industrial zones but in the dedicated residential district. The proof of her words lay in the beautiful townscape stretching out before him. Each row of houses was ornamented with different-colored bricks, the hedges facing the main drag were beautifully maintained, and white stone staircases led up to the porches of the homes. It reminded Kaito of the touristy European suburbs he'd once caught a glimpse of on TV. However, the colorful, flower-laden townscape was currently steeping in an ominous silence. Not a single person was in sight. Fortunately, though, nor were any underlings. Back at the square, the paladins had selected the able-bodied from among those who'd sought shelter and sent their best men along with them to escort them out of the capital. They'd probably done a sweep of the underlings along their path. Thanks to that, I should be fine, even with the gruel tying up one of my hands. No longer fearful of dropping the gruel, Kaito energetically picked up the pace. Each time he neared an alley, he stopped, then peeked around its corner. However, he didn't find so much as a single stray kitten. It seemed that, for the time being, he was alone. The moment he realized that, an overwhelming silence filled his ears. "...Here should be fine. And it's not like I'll really be able to chat him up once I've found Elisabeth." Muttering to himself, Kaito temporarily paused his search. After fretting for a moment, he let out a low voice from deep in his throat, one that sounded almost like a stranger's. "Kaiser." "You called, O unworthy master of mine?" Darkness swirled in front of him. Thin strands of darkness spun together to form supple muscles and fine, velvety fur. Before long, a black dog as tall as the roofs of the nearby houses had materialized. While it was gigantic by nature, it could change its size at will. The monstrous beast glared down at Kaito, his eyes glimmering with blazing hellfire. Facing the magnificent hound that housed the Kaiser, Kaito posed a question to him without any trace of fear. "There's something I wanted to ask you." "What do you wish to know?" The Kaiser's response was the very image of servility. Kaito scowled at the snide canine. "Why didn't you pitch in when the underlings launched their surprise attack?" Back then, the Kaiser could have woven his way through the obstructing humans and hunted down the underlings with ease. Despite that, he hadn't shown his face. For a moment, silence descended upon them. However, the Kaiser quickly snorted in derision. "The answer is simple. I have no objections to destroying other demons to demonstrate my power. But why should I, the supreme Kaiser, be made to hunt mere underlings in the service of some humans? That is no task for a hound of my caliber. Are you such a fool that you would use a cannon to destroy an ant? Geh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh, fu-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh, geh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh. The Kaiser laughed in a voice that resembled a human's. Kaito narrowed his eyes, as though challenging the Kaiser. "I'm your contractor. Isn't it your job to lend me your help when I ask for it?" "Don't put on airs, boy. You are my master, my catalyst, my tool, and my flesh. I am not the one being kept. Would you rather I consume you here and now?" "...Oh, I see. So you're gonna eat your contractor up, lose your link to our world, and go running back home just as soon as you got here. You'd be the laughingstock of humanity. Nobody's ever gonna wanna summon you again. Go on, do it. That'd be funny as hell, wouldn't it?" Anyone who knelt before a demon would quickly find their head crushed. Kaito instinctively knew that trembling and abasing himself before the Kaiser would be the height of folly. That was precisely why Kaito was acting so haughty. As he spoke, a dull, heavy sound rang out. Kaito's left arm had vanished from the elbow down. "...Huh?" Blood gushed forth onto the stone pavement. The sole reason he was able to avoid dropping the bowl of gruel was that the fingers on his right hand had stiffened out of shock, in what could only be described as a miracle. In front of Kaito's bewildered eyes, the Kaiser spat something out. A lump of meat tumbled into the pool of blood with a heavy splash, and the black cloth wrapped around it came loose. Kaito stared at it, dumbfounded. The human arm, which had been largely transformed into that of a beast, seemed almost completely foreign to him. ...Wait, that's my arm, isn't it? The moment that delayed realization set in, an acute pain ran through his nerves. "—Rrk!" Kaito immediately choked back a scream. Before that point, he'd tasted the sharp pain of death hundreds of times over. However, even he was weak to surprise attacks. Closing his eyes, Kaito repeated two words again and again in his mind. Settle down, settle down, settle down, settle down, settle down! This is nothing. By purposely tasting it and acclimating himself to it, Kaito tamed the pain. A few seconds later, he'd completely regained his composure. The Kaiser's lip twisted slightly, as though in admiration. "Oh-ho." Stooping down, Kaito set down his bowl on the surface of the road. It was, in a sense, foolish how he immediately prioritized the gruel's safety. He snapped his fingers. His spilled blood burst into crimson flower petals. They gathered at his wound, then returned to his body. Afterward, he picked up his left arm and pressed it against the cross section. His bare flesh and bones came into contact, and they made a splatting sound as he crushed them against each other. "—La (return)." Darkness and azure flower petals enclosed them as a crude adhesive surface. Bone, flesh, and the fibers of his clothes all stretched out as though hundreds of tiny, ghastly hands had sprouted from them. They became intertwined, fusing together. In the end, it had all returned to its original state. Kaito immediately fixed his gaze on the Kaiser. "You good now, Kaiser? You really gotta do something about that temper of yours." "And you ought to do something about your habit of carelessly prodding your own beast... Hmm, it seems your spirit is unbroken. And I see your madman's guise is intact as well. Very well. Twisted as you are, I shall forgive your insolence. However, what do you intend to do about the contradiction you bear, O unworthy master of mine?" The Kaiser flopped heavily onto his stomach. Resting his chin on his crossed forepaws and finally taking a proper pose to hold a conversation, he posed his question to Kaito. Kaito tilted his head at the sudden inquiry. The Kaiser blew air that reeked of rust out through his nose, then gave a throaty laugh. "What, fool, had you not realized it? You are contractor to a demon, the very embodiment of power designed to destroy the world. Yet, you save others, receive their gratitude, and feel serenity. Absurdities upon absurdities. Such absurd, unsalvageable contradictions. Shame on

you, boy." "...You were watching that?" "And laughing all the while. You put on quite the unpleasant, unseemly show." The Kaiser snorted mockingly again, blowing fumes in Kaito's face that smelled distinctly of blood. Kaito clenched his fists as he cast his gaze down. The Kaiser was right. Given his power and situation, his actions were contradictory beyond belief. As Kaito mulled over that, the Kaiser went on. "In time, that contradiction will become as a stake and pierce through your chest. Not unlike that woman destined for the stake." "Elisabeth." Kaito responded to that part alone. He turned his thoughts to her inescapable fate. After they overcame their current predicament, Elisabeth would be burned at the stake. And given that he was her servant and contractor to the Kaiser, the fact that he hadn't hurt anyone wouldn't be enough to let Kaito escape being executed as well. No matter how many good deeds she piled up, it was too late for the Torture Princess to be forgiven. Kaito bit down on his lip a little. The Kaiser, watching him, laughed in a low voice. "The power of demons is supreme, and it is first attained when one extends their hand past the limits of avarice and desire. Do not mistake that, boy. One who forgets their greatest wish is naught but a fool masquerading as a saint. Accumulation of Seventeen Years' Pain, I— Hmm? It would be inconvenient were I seen, as I care little for the squeaking of mice." The Kaiser said no more as his silhouette collapsed and his steely muscles and fine fur gently dissolved. He then vanished into a spiral of darkness, the afterglow of his hellfire the last to go. Wait, what just happened? Furrowing his brow, Kaito looked up in surprise. He saw a crooked shadow approaching from the end of the road. Worried that it was an underling, Kaito put up his guard. However, the shadow turned out to belong to two paladins. Due to the fact that one of them had been supporting the other's shoulder, the pair collectively appeared to be a monster for a split second. Their gait was unsteady. Did somehow aiding in the evacuation efforts get them injured and force them to come back early? With that as his hypothesis, Kaito began calling out to the two. "Are you oka—?" "Come on, walk... I get how you feel, but we can't avoid headquarters forever. And unless you want someone to find us, you gotta stop that crying." "Dammit...dammit, dammit... Dammit all to hell!" Hearing their conversation, Kaito frantically shut up. Apparently, the two of them had temporarily slipped away from the square. On top of that, the one being supported was wailing and striking himself in the head with the hand not wrapped around his partner's shoulder. He was clearly in some sort of addled state. Ah, shit, that's not good. Glancing around, Kaito slipped through a gate someone had left open during their escape. Squatting behind a hedge, he balled his body up as small as he could. After all, there was no shortage of people who would bear animosity toward the Torture Princess's servant. And I doubt that guy wants anyone to hear him crying. Cautiously peeking through the hedge, Kaito looked out toward the road. Of all the places the two could have chosen, the two paladins ended up stopping almost directly in front of him. Kaito held his breath to avoid being discovered. Not noticing him, one of the paladins whispered as he tried to stop his coworker from harming himself. "Come on, we can get them to let you rest with the injured. At least head to the first aid station until you've settled—" "Don't be an idiot! The new kids would be anxious even in the best of situations; I can't let them see me like this! ...Goddammit, dammit... That was horrible... Dammit, I'm sorry, I'm sorry... Ahhhhhh, forgive me... I can't... I can't keep this up..." After regaining his senses, the paladin's cries grew even fiercer. As he sobbed, his legs got tangled up and he toppled over. However, his panic didn't abate. Crawling along the ground as he cried, he curled into a ball and began vomiting. Kaito couldn't blame him. He really couldn't. The reason he feels so guilty is probably because of what happened at the end of the search-and-rescue operation in the area around the fleshy mass. That was Kaito's hypothesis. The search-and-rescue operation for the people who hadn't been able to get out in time had finished around sundown. Although that mission had concluded, their work was far from over. If they'd looked between the buildings a bit more, they probably would have been able to find many more of the residents. In spite of that, though, the mission had been aborted. The reasoning was the fact that too many of the rescuers had been exhausted. Kaito, too, had participated in the mission, and he thought back to the events that had taken place midway through it. Most people who fell victim to demons met fates that were beyond description. The Church's staffers were well aware of that, and the paladins had likely made peace with that fact beforehand. However, the way the victims in the capital had been transformed was ghastlier than anyone had imagined. What had been particularly horrific was the state of the small theater designed for the children of wealthy merchants to hold singing recitals at. The Church had invested in the construction of the building—and as a result, had been able to place restrictions on what could be performed there—which boasted a grand design. Its delicate stained-glass windows cast vivid lights onto the stage. When the mass of flesh had burst through the wall behind the boys and girls lined up on the stage, it had devoured them from the waists down and merged all their brains and organs together. They'd been transformed into blasphemous, repulsive objets d'art, completely unrecognizable as human. Heightening the horror of the scene was a statue of the bloody tear–shedding Saint hanging from the domed ceiling, symbolically watching over them. Each time they were cut, the children cried out, occasionally lending their youthful voices to cherubic, haphazard songs. That was more than enough to stay the hands of the warriors sent to dispatch them, especially the paladins, the Holy Knights. The experience shattered their resolve. In the end, the duty of butchering the children fell to Elisabeth. She was the only one who never averted her eyes from the children's tragic figures. After that, no small number of young knights had fallen into critical states of psychological agitation. There were probably still survivors out there, hiding and trembling after having witnessed scenes of comparable atrocity. However, given the fact that the fighting was slated to grow only more severe going forward, they couldn't risk using up any remaining personnel. As a result, the search-and-rescue mission had been aborted. Even Kaito agreed that decision had needed to be made. However, there were still people like the paladins he had spotted who were weighed down with unbearable guilt. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry, I'm sorry. Arghhhhhhhh!" Even so, apologizing isn't going to make any difference. If I were one of the residents, nothing they said could make me forgive them. No matter how much they asked for forgiveness, to the people who'd been abandoned, the decision to stop searching for survivors meant everything. There was no doubt that those people resented the world as much as Kaito had in his past life, if not many times more. Kaito understood all that, so much so that it hurt. However, he could also appreciate the feelings of those who couldn't abide by not apologizing. As if to comfort him, the other paladin rubbed his vomiting colleague's back. "...Yeah, man. That was horrible, all right. I'd never seen a place as close to Hell as that." "People...people looking like that... Ahhhhhhh! It's sacrilege. Sacrilege, all of it. Saint, God, why didn't you protect them? So cruel; it's too cruel... And on top of that, why did we have to be the ones to do it? With our own hands, our own swords! Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Clutching his head, the paladin screamed. He banged his head against the stone pavement over and over. "This isn't what our swords are meant for. It isn't, it isn't, it isn't. No, no, ahhhh. Don't look at me; don't look at me like that!" "Come on, settle down. I understand how you feel, but you have to get a grip. Please, you have to stop." The other paladin held him, though his shoulders were trembling as well. Kaito found himself on the verge of leaping out from behind the hedge. Wanting to tell them that they'd done nothing wrong, he spontaneously gathered strength in his knees. As he did, though, the paladin rubbing his screaming comrade's back—with questionable effect, as they were both wearing armor—spoke up again. "I can't accept our commander's decision—why not just make the Torture Princess handle the underlings?" Wait...what'd he just say? Kaito could feel a chill spreading through his head. Because of the abuse he'd suffered in life, anytime his negative emotions crossed a certain threshold, their intensity would decline. In their place, he would regain his presence of mind and become calm. Kaito pictured the expression on Elisabeth's face back at the theater. "How pitiable you all are. Go now to your rest." As she ruthlessly finished them off as gently as she could, Elisabeth had been the only one who never averted her eyes. The Torture Princess was the only one who'd witnessed that tragedy in its entirety. "This isn't what our swords are meant for! We should just leave stuff like that to the person already burdened with sin!" Geh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh, fu-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh, geh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh. The Kaiser's laughter echoed inside Kaito's ears. His voice sounded both contemptuous and disturbingly human. The fur on Kaito's left arm bristled, and the hem of his long black outfit rustled as he stood. He tore across the lawn with magically enhanced strides, reaching the gate in an instant. As he did, a dull strike rang out. "...Huh?" Kaito reflexively stopped in his tracks. Hiding himself behind the gatepost, he peered out into the street. There, he saw something wholly unexpected. The paladin who'd suggested they should leave killing the underlings to the Torture Princess had collapsed onto the pavement, and blood was running from his nose. A beautiful woman with silver hair and red drops dripping from her gauntleted fist was standing in front of him. Izabella Vicker resembled a sharp, refined sword as she spoke in a low voice. "Is that all you had to say?" "...C-commander!" "We are the swords of the Church, the blades of the Saint, and the shields of the people. If we do not save the innocent who suffer, if we do not kill the underlings...then who exactly do we expect to bear that burden?" "Like I said, the Torture Princess—" "You would have us entrust those we ought save to another?!" Izabella roared at the fallen paladin. Her cold, blazing rebuke echoed loudly. Timidly gulping, the paladin shook his head. However, he continued his complaint, his voice practically a shriek. "But killing civilians...it's horrible. This is—" "What the hell did I tell you?!" Izabella grabbed the man's collar through a gap in his armor. He was taller and brawnier than her, yet she hoisted him into the air with ease. His internal turmoil must have bubbled over, as tears began trailing down his face alongside the blood from his nose. Facing his emotional gaze head-on, Izabella shouted. "You all should feel no guilt in slaying those warped people! If there is any blame to be had, then as the one who gave the order, I shall bear it, and I alone! When the time comes, the Saint's forgiveness will guide you to God's side. The people you slew could surely

have no objections to that!" "Ma'am...Commander Izabella." "Throw out your chest with pride and shed tears no more! I won't forgive any who hold your actions against you, even if it's you yourselves. And as for you..." "Ma'am, yes, ma'am! My apologies, my deepest apologies! I just, I..." The other paladin leaped to attention, blood dripping down his forehead. He then dropped again to grovel against the stone ground, his voice high and shrill. Peering down at the clearly agitated man, Izabella gave him a stern order. "Go rest at the first aid station. And don't you dare set foot on the battlefield without a healer's permission. Or do you intend to endanger your comrades?" "No, ma'am; understood, ma'am! I will do as you say, Commander!" "Then go—and you have my apologies for not noticing your condition sooner." The prostrate paladin scrambled to his feet. Flustered, the pair apologized repeatedly. Then, realizing they had pressing tasks to attend to, they placed their left arms horizontally against their chests and bowed. After returning their bows, Izabella gave an affirmative nod. The two paladins hastened down the road to return to base. Through his tears, even the paladin who'd needed supporting up until then frantically pulled himself together. Soon, they were gone, leaving behind only a heavy silence. Izabella exhaled briefly and stared up at the sky. After a moment passed, she spoke softly. "Are you going to come out?" "You noticed me?" Surprised, Kaito stepped back onto the road. Izabella turned to face him. Her silver hair fluttered gently in the pale moonlight. Her blue and purple eyes looked like a pair of gemstones as they focused on Kaito. A gentle, somewhat exasperated smile spread across her face. "Hard not to with you so eager to draw blood... Intriguing. At first glance, you seem accustomed to battle yet at times act like a complete amateur. First, let me offer you an apology. My subordinates were quite rude. It must have pained you, hearing your master slighted like that." "I prefer to think of her less as a master and more like a friend." "A friend?" Yet again, Izabella responded to Kaito's words with blank puzzlement. With a childish gesture that seemed to clash with her sagacity and beauty, she tilted her head to the side. Noticing her confusion, Kaito unconsciously began babbling. "She, you know, uh, there's a lot of things people misunderstand about her... I mean, she is the Torture Princess, so some of that stuff isn't really misunderstandings. But she's got good qualities, too. People think she's practically a demon, but she's not. Even now, she's fearlessly fighting on humanity's behalf." Kaito finished by turning a hopeful gaze toward Izabella, one that asked if she understood what he was getting at. For some reason, he felt like she would be sympathetic. Eventually, Izabella gave a slow nod, as though her perception had changed. "That's a surprise. The relationship you two have is much better than I'd anticipated... I apologize for this afternoon as well. Although it's just an excuse, I did have a reason for the counsel I gave." "Uh-huh?" "My younger brother was killed by the Torture Princess. As a result, I harbored doubts about your reliability." Without so much as a pause, Izabella revealed an astonishing truth. Kaito's eyes widened. Brushing back her silver bangs, Izabella covered her pretty blue left eye. She then wove her next words together as though she were telling a tale of old. "Even now, when I see my blue eye, I think of him... He wasn't as skilled at magic as I was. People told him that it would be too hard for him to become a paladin. But his will to live and his sense of justice were strong. I'd braced myself for the day, but I never expected him not to come home from the Plain of Skewers." *** As he listened to Izabella's story, Kaito's thoughts immediately zipped back to a particular demon. They'd fought him almost immediately after Kaito was summoned by the Torture Princess. Down in a village full of slaughtered residents, the Knight had cried out like a madman, his arms and legs strung up in chains. *** His voice was filled not just with pain but with unadulterated fury. The eyes beneath his armored helmet had been startlingly pure and blue and just as beautiful as Izabella's. And the Knight's contractor had been rather young and looked to originally have been quite virtuous. Facing the man, Elisabeth had whispered gently to him. "A survivor of the Plain of Skewers, hmm? It must have been painful. No doubt you detest me." That guy... Could he have been...? No, there's no way. "What's the matter? You bear a strange expression." Izabella frowned as she looked at Kaito quizzically. After internally debating for a few seconds, Kaito swallowed back the words that had been on the tip of his tongue. "...No, it's nothing." Even if my guess is right, telling her would accomplish nothing but bring her pain. Nobody would want to hear there was a possibility their brother had made a contract with a demon. Having made his decision, Kaito elected to stay silent. Wearing a puzzled expression, Izabella went on. "I hear you were summoned as her servant from another world. That being the case, you may not be aware, but ever since the Plain of Skewers, every battle the Royal Knights and we paladins fought has ended in ignoble defeat. We had a duty to protect the people, not just from the Torture Princess but from the army of demons Vlad Le Fanu commanded. But until the Torture Princess defected from the demons and we obtained a temporary reprieve, we were constantly overrun. In order to maintain our fragile line of defense, we had to make many sacrifices, the bulk of which consisted of our most talented and experienced men." "Wait...could that be why...?" "Precisely. As a result, many of our current knights are green and weak to psychological attrition. On top of that, most of our surviving senior members are people who were tasked with guarding the border of the area where the pure-blooded demi-humans and beastfolk live. And ever since the third peace treaty, that region has been the epitome of tranquility. For those soldiers to see such tragedies play out in front of them has no doubt sent them into states of panic." She made her declaration with lonesome eyes. An image of the calamity they'd seen floated back through Kaito's mind. That place had been a hellscape crafted from flesh and blood, a carnival of the cruelest variety. If one wasn't familiar with fighting against demons, it would have been a harsh spectacle to bear. However, not everything Izabella had to say was hopeless. "However, with all our forces combined and with the help of the priests, I believe that we have the power to secure the capital's defense against the encroaching demon. Even though we're suffering attacks from within our lines, just as I advised Godot Deus, it should be possible." "So what you're still saying is that you don't need the Torture Princess's help?" "I withdraw that statement. In fact, telling you that was my main reason for this conversation. Even if we do possess sufficient power to deal with this situation, just as you said, I wish to save the people as soon as possible." This time, it was Kaito's turn to blink. Izabella looked straight at him. Her gaze was so earnest it was almost scary. "I will speak frankly. Even now, I find it difficult to fully trust you two. But between what you said and the fact that the Torture Princess remains on our side in the wake of Godot Deus's death, it's enough." "...Ah!" Oh, right... So that was another significance of Godot Deus's death! Kaito was shocked at Izabella's words, almost as though he'd been slapped in the face. The Torture Princess was bound by the Church's shackles. However, she could cast them off by forming a contract with a demon. If that happened, Godot Deus had agreed to stop her at the cost of his life and all the spiritual power he possessed. But now he was dead. Even so, the Torture Princess hadn't betrayed mankind. Kaito frantically racked his brain over the way Godot Deus's death had changed the situation. As he did, Izabella's voice quickly brought him back to reality. "Please lend us your strength." Izabella's silver hair gently sparkled as though to blend in with the moonlight. As Kaito returned to his senses, he found Izabella bowing her head low. Before his flustered eyes, she made her calm, powerful proclamation. "For the sake of the people." Abasing oneself before a demon is the height of folly. Kaito churned that thought through his mind. He knew that because he was a contractor to one, and the Church possessed enough documents and information on demons that they probably knew as well. The bloody annals of history should have taught them what happened to anyone foolish enough to bow before a demon. In spite of that, Izabella was sincerely bowing to Kaito. In other words, she thought of him as human. When he realized that, Kaito spoke. "I'm...I'm Kaito. Kaito Sena." "Kaito Sena...will you lend us your strength?" "Of course. You were... Commander...uh...?" "Izabella is fine. You may also call me Vicker, if you'd rather." "Izabella, then. That's what I should be asking. Please lend us your strength." About to extend his right arm, Kaito changed his mind and went with his beastly left arm. As if testing her, he purposely extended it. Without a shred of hesitation, Izabella took her gauntleted hand and grasped his, the proof of his demonic contract. Fur and metal came in contact. Looking directly at each other, the two of them spoke in unison. ""Let's take out that demon together."" As they did, a humanlike laugh echoed around in Kaito's eardrums. A low murmur grazed at his ear, one that both threatened and ridiculed him. You are contractor to a demon, the very embodiment of power designed to destroy the world. Yet you save others, receive their gratitude, and feel serenity. Absurdities upon absurdities. Such absurd, unsalvageable contradictions. *** Shame on you, boy. Even so, Kaito continued grasping Izabella's palm. As though saying that if he released it, he would lose something key to his humanity. About ten minutes later, Kaito set back out along the main road with his bowl of gruel in hand. Through some stroke of fortune, despite all the ordeals he'd been through, its contents still hadn't spilled. The fact that it hadn't gotten kicked by the two paladins had been nothing short of a miracle. When he'd gone to retrieve it, Izabella had exasperatedly asked him why he'd put it there. She'd returned to the square just a little bit ago. Apparently, after hearing that the Torture Princess, two paladins, and Kaito had all left the plaza, she'd come after them under the suspicion that a fight might break out. In other words, the moment she found Kaito and the paladins, she'd completed her initial objective. "Hmm, now where'd Elisabeth get off to?" Kaito, now alone, wandered about the wide thoroughfare. Before he'd noticed, the buildings around him had stopped being residences, instead becoming restaurants, shops, inns, and the like. In the distance, he could make out the outer wall surrounding the city's southern gate. But even as the townscape shifted to one suited for travelers, Elisabeth was still nowhere to be seen. Still not here, huh...? Don't tell me she went back already, did she? Then Kaito stopped in his tracks. He could hear a voice singing a beautiful song. The voice responsible for the gentle tune was one he knew well. Flustered, Kaito checked around to see where it was coming from. Then he noticed a bar-slash-eatery replete with shingled roof and copper signboard with its wooden door

left wide open. The song was coming from inside. Kaito carefully ascended the stairs, which were made of brick and had been ground down by years of drunkards' footfalls. He cautiously peeked inside the store. Round tables were lined up atop the worn-out wooden floor within. And Elisabeth was sitting at one of those tables. She was crooning to herself as she bathed in the moonlight streaming in from the windows. Occasionally, she would kick her elegant legs back and forth, like a child playing in water. For some reason, cats were gathered around her. She stroked their soft backs as they nestled up to her, gazing vacantly off into space as the song drifted unconsciously across her lips. A smile played across her face, one that seemed somehow lonely yet also tranquil. After watching her for a moment, Kaito timidly called out to her. "So...you like cats?" "Hwah!" Giving a panicked cry, Elisabeth leaped to her feet. All at once, the cats relaxing at her side raised shrill meows and scattered. Whirling to face Kaito, Elisabeth struck an odd pose. "K-Kaito! What are you doing here?! Don't startle me like that!" The way she was practically hissing with anger resembled a cat with its fur bristling. However, her strange combat stance also called to mind some sort of bizarre bird. Trying to think back to where he'd seen it before, Kaito nodded. "Oh, hey, that's the same pose the Butcher made!" "Do not go lumping me in with that man! 'Tis the height of disgrace!" Elisabeth roared in indignation. Inside Kaito's head, his mental image of the Butcher was leaping up and down in protest. If the man himself had been here, he would probably have been shouting something about discourtesy. Plopping herself back down at the round table, Elisabeth crossed her arms. She scoffed in displeasure. "Ha, it's not as if I bear any strong fondness for cats! I merely sat, and they approached me of their own accord." "Oh, so you're the kind of person who cats are attracted to." "Quit speaking of me with such peculiar warmth every chance you get!" Elisabeth hissed with anger yet again. Kaito could practically see a bristling tail sticking out from behind her. Realizing that he'd be forced to sit on a ducking stool at this rate, Kaito shut up. After remaining angry for a moment, Elisabeth quizzically tilted her head to the side a little. "Hmm? I shall ask you again. What are you doing here, Kaito? Too much time on your hands?" "Right back at you. Why'd you head out like that? Sounds like you're the one with too much time on your hands." "Ha, fool. Should I rest for a moment in a place that ridden with knights, I should quite likely find myself challenged to a duel. And crushing all those fleas one by one seems like a hassle." Elisabeth shrugged. Kaito nodded in understanding. Given Godot Deus's orders, it was unlikely that anyone would try to kill her in her sleep. However, even in their current state of emergency, it wouldn't have been strange for someone to challenge her to a duel. There were probably also people who wanted to verify her power and true intentions before the decisive battle against the demon. As Kaito thought through that, Elisabeth's interest turned elsewhere. Turning her gaze to the bowl in his hand, she tilted her head to the side once more. "Hmm? What might that be?" "Oh, right, here." "Oh-ho?" "It's tasty." "Hmm." "Go on, eat it." "Mm." After their mysteriously short exchange, Elisabeth took the bowl from Kaito. As she scooped at the pale-yellow gruel, she gave Kaito a dirty look. Kaito nodded, urging her to believe him. Still looking somewhat concerned, Elisabeth dutifully shoved the gruel into her mouth. A complex expression made its way across her face as she chewed. Eventually, she gulped down the mouthful, then murmured. "Paddle." "Why?" Having a torture device summoned on him without so much as a discussion hadn't been what Kaito had expected to happen. Darkness and crimson flower petals swirled. A wooden stick laden with nails swung down on where Kaito was standing. Avoiding the merciless attack with movements that could either be described as graceful or weird, Kaito raised his voice in protest. "Heyyyyy! I went through hell bringing that to you! And you repay me with torture?!" "Mm, it was dreadful." "Whaddaya mean 'dreadful'? It was great!" "It was absurdly viscous and dreadfully pasty! This is some form of harassment!" "That can't... Oh." Snatching the bowl from Elisabeth and peering into it, Kaito stared, dumbfounded. Due to the grain that had been used, the gruel had hardened into a sticky blob. Dropping his shoulders, crestfallen, Kaito heaved a heavy sigh. As she watched him, Elisabeth snapped her fingers in acknowledgment and banished the Paddle. "It seems harassing me was not your intention... Hmm? Hold on a moment, wait. Don't tell me bringing me that was your sole reason for leaving the square?" "It was, why?" "You fool! You leaving for such an idiotic reason is certain to draw the paladins' doubt! With master and servant having left at the same time, they're sure to grow suspicious that we're plotting something!" "Ow! Don't kick me! It's fine; Izabella's not like that!" "What do you think you're doing, acting so chummy all of a sudden?!" "We met a little bit ago and chatted about stuff! And, uh..." Blocking Elisabeth's splendid roundhouse kicks, Kaito opened his mouth to speak. However, before he could finish, he felt a surge of embarrassment. N-now that I think about it, I have to admit, it was kind of an idiotic reason. But now that he was here, it wasn't like he could just turn back. Turning his head down a little, he gave his reason in a mumble. "I figured you might be hungry... And it made me really happy when the nun gave me my food, so..." "That's all?" "That's all." Kaito finally turned up his head, as if to ask what was wrong with that. He threw out his chest with pride. About to cry out in anger, Elisabeth pressed down on her forehead. Her shoulders slumped. With a "haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah," she heaved a gigantic sigh. "So you came all the way out here to bring gruel to the Torture Princess, eh...? Your foolhardiness truly knows no bounds." "I feel like you're making fun of me." "That I am, fool." Elisabeth snorted. Sitting back down at the round table, she waved one hand aimlessly. Sensing that the disturbance had settled down, the cats began gathering back around her. They mewled as they snuggled up to her. As she carelessly stroked their knotted fur, Elisabeth gestured toward the edge of the round table. Kaito looked and found bottles of wine, smoked meats, olives, cheese, and the like lined up on it. She'd probably gotten them from the kitchen. Flower petals flashed across the mouth of one of the still-sealed bottles. A fragrance drifted out, and red wine spilled onto the table. "Well, no matter. You're here. We may as well make the best of it. Make merry, Kaito, and drink with me." "A party, huh? That's a surprise. Won't this be bad for the fight tomorrow?" "As you are now, your magic will purge the impurities from your system no matter how intoxicated you get." "Damn, magic's crazy convenient." "Go on, then. Drink." Elisabeth took the sliced bottle and tossed it to Kaito. As its contents came gushing out, he caught it. When he did, Elisabeth grabbed an already-opened bottle and took a swig. A black cat came and sniffed at the spilled wine, then tried to lick it. Watching it, Elisabeth quickly leaped down from the table and gently grabbed the cat by the scruff of its neck. "No, no, none for you. Come, sit here now." The cat mewled after being placed on Elisabeth's lap. Watching the scene play out, Kaito posed a question to Elisabeth. "Hey, what are we gonna do about these cats? Based on their fur, it doesn't look like they belong to anyone. Are they gonna be okay here?" "Hmph. If all it needs to do is transport cats, I can draw any number of teleportation circles. I'll toss them through later. If I stick them in some other town, they should be able to manage." As she spoke, Elisabeth scratched the cat's chin. The cat purred in delight. "These little ones need not concern themselves with demon invasions and the like." Urging Kaito to try the hors d'oeuvres, Elisabeth gulped down her wine. As he watched her eat, Kaito was struck by an ominous premonition. Will Elisabeth Le Fanu ever have another chance to eat a proper meal outside the capital? He felt as though his wine had suddenly gone bitter. This was her final battle. Once they'd defeated the last three demons, there was only one path left for her. "Hey, Elisabeth." "What is it?" "The sides here are cold, and the gruel got all gross." "Mm." "After this, when we get back home to Hina, let's have something warm and tasty to eat." Kaito chose his words deliberately. However, no response came. Elisabeth remained silent. Kaito seemed like he wanted to speak to her again. However, as though wanting to prevent him from doing so, she took a big gulp of her wine. After downing a sizable amount, she began talking about something else entirely. "At forenoon tomorrow, we meet up with the Shepherd and begin our all-out attack. Keep your wits about you." Kaito, having not heard about that plan, gulped. That was where their conversation ended. The Torture Princess had nothing else to say. Kaito did nothing but gaze at her beautiful face in profile. Then he suddenly realized something. That song just now... In truth, Kaito had never heard one of those before. After all, his mother had passed before he was old enough to remember her. But he knew that gentle melody couldn't have been anything else. That was... It was a lullaby. He was sure of it. 3 The Weapon of the Church The sky over the capital the following morning was brisk and refreshing. Its clear blue was highlighted by the floating white clouds. The weather seems kinda misleading when you think about how awful the stuff going on down here is. That was Kaito's reaction. As he walked forward, he glanced around and surveyed the troops marching around him. The paladins' silver armor was sparkling radiantly in the sunlight. The flag they were hoisting, which bore the image of a lily coat of arms and the suffering Saint, fluttered in the blue sky each time the wind blew. Its splendor seemed rather unfitting, given the stench of blood the wind also carried. Then Kaito reconfirmed the current situation. Many of the knights had been scattered across the capital, acting as escorts to the evacuation shelter, but they were now all marching as one. Besides the ones manning the perimeter and those in charge of maintaining the barrier, every last one of them was currently advancing toward the appointed location. It truly was all-out war. Kaito and Elisabeth were traveling in the company spearheaded by Izabella and Godot Deus. From time to time, Kaito snapped his fingers to mow down approaching underlings with his blade. Trusting his judgment, Izabella and the paladins devoted all their energy into checking between buildings to head off surprise attacks. Leaving the others to act as her outriders, Elisabeth simply conserved her power. Finally, Kaito and the others reached their destination: a hill. A graveyard spread out behind the hill, but from atop it, Kaito could look down and see the entire townscape illuminated by sunlight. Groups of knights and paladins from other refugee camps were supposed to be on standby after having encircled the mass of flesh that the King, Grand Monarch, and Monarch had transformed into. However, from this

distance, it was impossible to confirm or deny their presence. As if in their stead, what Kaito could make out was a rather bizarre spectacle. "...What's up with that?" The area around the mass was stained gray for several miles in every direction. The buildings within the encroachment radius were weathered like old paper, and some of them had transformed into shapes and materials that defied the laws of physics—some glassy and vitreous, others foamy and granular. The gray world was silent. Color, time, and shape had all been robbed from it. The very nature of space shifted once past a certain threshold, as though it had been cut away with a knife. Kaito finally realized why the mass had stopped expanding. It was simply consuming its surroundings in a different manner rather than physically corroding them. It's destroying the world. Either instinctively or due to his contract with a demon, that was the conclusion Kaito arrived at. The Kaiser whispered low in his ear. "Behold. Demons are those who destroy God's creations. This is what happens when we are unchained from our contractors' egos and allowed to wield our true, unbridled power. Now then, the Church. While they crown themselves with God's name, in the end they are but mere humans. Let us see what their play is—this is sure to be a spectacle most comedic. Geh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh, fu-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh, geh-heh-heh-heh-heh-heh. The Kaiser laughed in a voice that sounded almost human. It seemed he intended to enjoy himself here. Not responding to him, Kaito surveyed the scene in front of himself a second time. A road extended out from the hill, leading to what had originally been the royal castle. However, the splendid castle, which had apparently been hailed as resembling an ivory rose, was currently nowhere to be seen. Nor was its garden or the myriad vacation homes belonging to prominent aristocrats. They had all been consumed by the mass. When the mass of flesh had first exploded out from a storehouse in the mercantile district, it had spread toward the capital's most important sector as though it had been aiming for it. In spite of that, most of the important people made it out, including the king. That had been thanks to Godot Deus, who had been attending a defense meeting in the capital after learning of the battle between the Grand King and the Torture Princess. He had single-handedly bought them enough time to evacuate. And once he'd confirmed that they'd all made it out, he committed suicide right before the mass swallowed him up to avoid presenting the demon with an opportunity to make use of his power. As a result, the Church had lost one of its head priests, one of the few people who could have stood against the three fused demons. Having lost his essential strength, the paladins were waiting with bated breath for the arrival of a certain individual. The Shepherd, La Mules. What kind of person could they be? She—according to Elisabeth, it was a woman—was a high priest who bore the authority to summon first-class mythical beasts and spirits. The paladins, Izabella included, seemed to place a great deal of faith in her. However, her tardiness planted a seed of doubt in Kaito's mind. The Church's headquarters should have a permanent teleportation circle installed. If that's the case, then why is she so late? Given the current state of emergency, there was even less reason for them to be stingy in dispatching their high priests. Staring at the mass of flesh, Kaito crossed his arms. Sensing his irritation, Godot Deus called out to pacify him. "Be patient, servant of Elisabeth. You will understand once you see her." "When I see her?" Not when I meet her? As Kaito wondered about that, a voice rang out. "La Mules has arrived." A raucous, rattling noise echoed out alongside the messenger's report. A woman appeared, riding atop a wheeled wooden chair. Kaito reflexively gulped. The moment he saw her, his doubts had indeed vanished. La Mules looked to be more of a what than a who. Snow-white bands ran all the way down from her face to her feet, relentlessly binding her to the chair. Because of the way she was strapped to the chair's back and armrests, it looked almost as though she'd become one with it. It was impossible to even get a decent read on her build. Given that, it was almost uncanny how clearly her large eyes were visible from within the gaps in her restraints. A strangely innocent light burned within them. She looked like a piece of equipment or perhaps an infantile monster. Whichever it was, she certainly didn't appear human. "It's been a while, La Mules. The fact you're still in good health must truly be due to God's grace." La Mules didn't reply to Godot Deus's greeting. Instead, she gnashed her teeth at her creaking metal muzzle. Drops of saliva dripped through the spaces between her restraints onto the ground. The paladins knelt in unison. Kaito reeled back a step in revulsion. Elisabeth whispered in his ear. "La Mules is a high priest and has also been canonized while still alive. However, she cannot move of her own volition and possesses no will of her own." "She doesn't have a will? What does that even mean?" "While their ranks are below his, first-class mythical beasts and spirits are similar in nature to God, and summoning them means dragging them down from a higher plane of existence. To do that, one must have a strong connection to God. However, aside from the Suffering Saint, none can hold that power within themselves for long and still retain their sanity." As he heard that gut-wrenching truth, Kaito's face stiffened. Looking back at La Mules, his mind raced in astonishment. So wait, as far humans are concerned, doesn't that mean that God and the demons are both just as fundamentally dangerous? Having guessed his train of thought, Elisabeth laughed quietly. "It took you this long to realize, fool? God and Diablo both do naught but create the world and destroy it. Man was not meant to lay hands on their ilk." As the two of them were having their secret conversation, La Mules's preparations were proceeding. The paladins had turned her toward the mass of flesh, chair and all. They had also tilted the back of the chair to adjust her "angle." Once they'd finished fixing her wheels in the ground with nails, they all fled from her side. Left behind, Kaito was at a loss for what to do. Then Izabella's directions cut through the air. "You two should get back as well. It's dangerous there." "Okay, got it." Leaving La Mules alone at the hill's summit, the paladins lay flat on the ground beside the gravestones on its slope. Kaito and Elisabeth followed their lead. After making sure everyone had evacuated, a young man wearing a dark-red robe who appeared to be La Mules's attendant reverently approached her. His hands trembled as he removed her muzzle, then crawled away on his stomach, as terrified as though she was some sort of carnivorous beast. For a moment, La Mules did nothing. However, she then gently opened her mouth, as though yawning. Saliva dripped down from between her uniform white herbivorous-looking teeth. The entire scene seemed steeped in madness, and Elisabeth murmured as she looked upon it. "La Mules was born with many stigmata within her, and she can use them as summoning circles. But activating her requires the signatures of not only all the high priests but those of the royals and titled nobility as well. That was the reason for her delayed arrival." "'Activating'... That's hardly a way to describe a person." "Mm, not at all. She is a high priest who bears the authority to summon first-class mythical beasts and spirits in name alone." Before their very eyes, La Mules's jaw was gradually stretching past the point jaws were designed to. Yet, she opened her mouth farther still. Little by little, the tips of her lips began to tear. Even the restraints binding her face tore off with audible groaning noises. Then they were joined by a different sticky sound. "...Wh—?" Kaito's eyes went wide. A dimly glowing blob had burst out of La Mules's mouth. Its head was a dozen times larger than her face, and it was covered in a mucous membrane like a newborn animal. It was a grotesque scene, one in gross defiance of the laws governing conservation of mass. "In truth, she is the greatest weapon the Church possesses," Elisabeth quietly continued. Then Kaito realized something. The blob was made out of soggy feathers. A gigantic bird was trying to make its way out from between her tiny lips. Suddenly, as though it had been pushed from within, the bird shot out. It broke free in one fell swoop. Kaito tried to take in its full hideous form. However, before he could, it gave off a short whooshing sound and vanished. Light shot forward from La Mules, and a striking wind burst out in a circle. The back of the chair twisted outward. As it did, all the buildings on the side of the road leading from La Mules to the mass of flesh blew into the air like rag dolls. Accompanied by a shock wave, something had gone rapidly flying toward the mass of flesh. "She is little more than a living cannon." As Elisabeth spoke, something—most likely the bird that had come out of La Mules's mouth—impacted the mass of flesh. Jet-black smoke shot up. The faces of the mass's captured victims screamed in succession. Even the paladins trembled, their armor rattling, as the agonizingly sorrowful voices reached their ears. Kaito strained his eyes, trying to make out the mass behind the smoke concealing it. There was a deep, scorched hole bored into it. What on earth had happened? Kaito thought back to the events that had taken place over the past few seconds to try to get them in order. The bird La Mules made probably flew at it superfast, crashed into their target, then vanished. Then another weird plopping noise rang out. A second blob peeked its head out of La Mules's mouth. Holding his breath, Kaito watched over it. He tried with utmost composure to make out what was going on. Just like Izabella said, it's obvious how effective these summoned beasts are. Another bird was birthed from La Mules's mouth. The light blasted out with a short popping noise. The surface of the mass burst and scattered. The second bombardment had gone through successfully. However, Kaito tightly balled his fists up. ...It's going well, so why? A dark sense of unease was filling his chest, one that he couldn't suppress. It happened as La Mules was spitting out the third bird. "They're coming," Elisabeth muttered in a low voice. At practically the same time as she spoke, a black shadow gushed out from the base of the mass. Countless black dots appeared overhead, as well. The two groups almost looked like armies of ants and flies. However, their forms were sinister enough to put bugs to shame. The mass of flesh was releasing underlings. The evil army marched through the gray space, traveling toward La Mules—both the cannoneer and the cannon—with fierce intensity. As he leaned over a gravestone, Kaito prepared himself for battle. Then Godot Deus issued an order. "Hold your positions." With a slump, La Mules drew in her chin at a bizarre angle. Her line of fire shifted. The third bombardment shot forth. White flames exploded, gouging the mass's foot. The band of incoming underlings perished in the fire. Struck by the shock wave, the bird-shaped underlings violently slammed into the ground. Bones and viscera tore out of their bodies as they bloomed into pitiful crimson flowers on the road. Seeing La Mules's overwhelming power, the paladins raised their voices in awe. For

a moment, even Kaito felt as though victory was at hand. Suddenly, the surface of the mass trembled and a chunk fell off. "...Huh?" Kaito narrowed his eyes in confusion. It was a chunk of raw flesh, but its form was like that of dough cut out by a child with a crude cookie cutter. Waving in the wind, the thin figure floated through the air. It was shaped like a warped human. It nimbly evaded La Mules's oncoming attack. It was slammed by its shock wave, though, and the figure drifted even higher into the air. However, it didn't look as though it had sustained any damage. Looking at it, Elisabeth furrowed her brow and crossed her arms. "Hmm, 'twas originally quite different, but I remember that shape. Flesh in the shape of a man... I see. The Monarch has split off." "Split off?" "They likely wanted to avoid all being targeted at once. Quite clever for a mass of flesh. The fruit of its survival instinct, I'd wager." Elisabeth nodded. Pursuing the figure, La Mules spun her neck with alarmingly smooth motions. However, her foe's movements were too quick, and she was never able to settle on an angle of fire. She's like a fixed battery. La Mules was unsuited for battle against a foe constantly on the move. Suddenly, the figure found itself assailed by red arrows. The paladins had been on standby throughout the town, and it seemed they'd launched a magical attack. However, the figure drifted lazily and passed directly over them. It was unclear what it had done to them, but their attacks came to an abrupt stop. The whole scene seemed somewhat ridiculous, which made it all the more ominous. Kaito felt a chill run down his spine. Shaking her head, Elisabeth spoke. "The task is beyond them. I shall hunt him down." Godot Deus nodded. Using communication devices, the priests attending to him contacted what was likely another unit and told them to hold their fire. All the while, the strange figure was growing in size. Frowning in unease, Kaito finally came to a realization. No, that's not it! It's not getting bigger! It's getting closer! At the same time, Godot Deus cried out it a tense voice. "Protect La Mules!" The paladins moved in unison. As La Mules prepared her next shot, the holy warriors worked together to form a perimeter around her. A few priests took positions around them. The next moment, a deep noise rang out, and the massive humanoid figure passed over the heads of Kaito and the rest. The faces of a number of victims floated upon the surface of its flat stomach. Looking up at them, Kaito shuddered in disgust. He'd met the eyes of every single one of them. And they were all laughing. *** On an impulse, Kaito dashed. "Oh-ho, not a bad decision." As the Kaiser's sarcastic compliment echoed in his ears, Kaito dashed up the footholds he'd unconsciously crafted out of darkness and azure flower petals. He reached out, grasping at a height that would have been impossible for a normal human to reach. With his beastly arm, he slashed at the faces lined up overhead. He crushed a number of them, and blood came billowing out. At the same time, all the intact faces opened their mouths. Bloodred drool rained down over the paladins. "Ah, ah, ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh!" Bloodcurdling screams rang out. Wherever the saliva touched them, the dribble melted the paladins' armor. A horrid stench wafted through the air. After eating through armor, skin, and bone, the fluid even bored holes in the ground. Kaito bit his lip in horror. However, he quickly turned his face away from the victims who were beyond saving and surveyed the extent of the damage. La Mules was unharmed, as the priests surrounding her had thrown up a barrier to protect her. On top of that, they'd used their mana to strengthen and consecrate the paladins' shields, and the paladins formed a seamless wall around her. The figure whizzed past the top of the hill, its movements like those of a breaching whale. Then it did a loop and came back, racing once more toward La Mules and her guard. As it did, the sound of a heel clicking rang out. A radiant woman stood atop the hill, facing the figure. "It's been a while. I see you've taken on such a hideous form, Monarch." Her lustrous black hair fluttering in the wind, the Torture Princess squared off against her demonic prey. Having noticed her, the victims' faces on the figure's stomach opened their eyes wide. As though acting as conduits for the Monarch's emotions, they launched into an agitated, hateful howl. "Elisabe...be-be-be-be-be-be... ElisabeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeEEEEEEEETH!" There were men's voices, women's voices, old people's voices, children's voices, and beastly voices. The cries of the victims were resounding. "How miserable you lot are. How ugly and powerless. Wait but a hair longer. It shall take me little to snuff out your pitiful lives." Basking in their cries as if it was applause, Elisabeth drew the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal. Crimson flower petals scattered as she swung it before bringing it to a controlled stop. She pointed its sharp tip at the Monarch. "Splendid Executioner: The Boondock Saints!" Darkness and crimson flower petals swirled above the buildings of the capital, then launched something toward the ground. Metal glittered as it descended with a thunderous roar. Lumps of various shapes and sizes heaped up by the hundreds. Each one of those lumps was a blade. Carving knives, shears, pocketknives, and spears all piled up in a purposeful pattern. One by one, the various blades interwove with an artistic sense of balance. Eventually, the giant made of blades was complete. Its torso was composed of every kind of bladed object imaginable. Its right arm, though, was adorned with an executioner's ax, and its left arm boasted a sword designed for decapitations. The blade giant rose to its feet with surprisingly delicate movements, then swung its executioner's ax. Like a slab of meat in a butcher's shop, the humanoid figure was cleaved clean in two from top to bottom. Despite that, though, each of its halves tried to scurry away. The next moment, it had been chopped into fourths. The giant had moved faster than the eye could see, catching both halves with its decapitating sword and slicing them horizontally. The figure had no chance to escape, and its flesh was shorn into pieces. Losing their strength, the tiny chunks collapsed to the paved ground. Without a moment's delay, the giant crushed them underfoot. As he watched the one-sided beatdown, Kaito suddenly realized something. The Boondock Saints and La Guillotine aren't torture devices, they're executioner's tools. Each time the blades flashed, the screams of the figure's victims grew quieter. Each blow sliced through every face in its path, so the sum amount of pain the giant was doling out couldn't have been that high. Those were probably the two that Elisabeth called on when she needed to end lives quickly. Eventually, and in stark contrast to its original form, the Monarch had been cut down to the size of a dinner steak. Suddenly, one of the faces on the remaining chunk of meat violently swelled up. It was unclear how it had fit inside, but a body dropped out of it onto the ground as though it were losing a tooth. That body was the Monarch's concealed true form. Unlike that of the Grand Earl, whom Kaito had once seen, the Monarch's skin was melted, and he looked barely human. The Monarch sat still, hanging his head as though waiting for the end to come. The blade giant raised its foot, looking to deal him the final blow. Wait a minute, that's...! As it did, Kaito stumbled upon an idea. He snapped his fingers. "You're plotting something twisted again, aren't you, boy? Very well. I shall act as you desire." Answering his summons, the Kaiser appeared in midair. Kicking off against the ground with his steely feet, he dashed to the Monarch's side. Narrowly slipping between the giant and the road, the Kaiser grabbed the Monarch's neck in his mouth and withdrew. A loud noise rang out as the giant slammed its foot down onto the empty ground. The first-class hound had captured the Monarch alive. Having had her prey snatched from her grasp, Elisabeth whirled around to face Kaito. "Just what do you think you're doing, Kaito?" "I had an idea. Would you mind letting me deal with him?" Kaito responded with a request. Murder flashed across Elisabeth's eyes as she glared at him, and the knights around them cast distrustful gazes his way as well. However, Kaito pressed on without hesitation. "It's not like he's strong enough to run. I can't tell you what I'm planning on doing with him yet, but...if worse comes to worst, and we don't succeed in taking down the mass today, then I think we're gonna need him." "Even so, you intend to retain two demons in your custody?" "I'm not gonna make a contract with him. What if we left managing him up to the paladins?" "...And this is truly necessary?" "It is." Hearing Elisabeth's question, Kaito nodded with a serious expression on his face. The two of them glared at each other. Eventually, Elisabeth realized that Kaito didn't plan on backing down. Clicking her tongue, she heaved a sigh as she continued. "While I know not what you plan for him, I'll admit there is merit to capturing him. I grant you my permission. However, don't you dare let him get away. Godot Deus, take heed. We're bringing the Monarch back alive." "As Elisabeth says, there is value in capturing a demon. As long as he remains under Church supervision, I shall allow it." Hearing them agree, Kaito nodded. Not being overly fond of their annoying chirping, the Kaiser waited for the humans to reach their conclusion before dragging the Monarch over. Still hanging in the Kaiser's mouth, the half-melted man showed no signs of movement. After checking to make sure he'd been dealt with, the paladins separated from La Mules's side. Elisabeth did the same, turning the blade giant back into crimson flower petals. It was too small to be of much use dealing with the full mass of flesh. La Mules went to start her barrage back up. A fresh bird was on its way out of her mouth. At that moment, Kaito narrowed his eyes. He felt as though the mass of flesh, having lost the Monarch, was wriggling. The next moment, its wound frothed as though the spot had begun boiling. With smooth motions, eyes, a nose, and a mouth protruded from its surface. Above them, spiderweb-like fibers stretched out and began stitching skin together. Eventually, a man's face was displayed. Although its muscles looked flaccid, its chiseled features and virile masculinity could be clearly made out. It opened its thick lips. "—Graaah!" A gray roar emanated from its dark throat. The paladins immediately threw up their shields. Working in unison, they protected La Mules from the discolored air. The priests also acted quickly and threw up their barrier. All of their responses were precise. However, the moment the roar passed over them, they dropped to the ground like puppets who'd had their strings cut. Even so, the rest of the paladins tried their best not to seem fazed and instead calmly tried to deal with the situation. "Squad Two, advance!" Following Izabella's orders, a different group of paladins raised their shields and, accompanied by a handful of priests, took their places defending La Mules. As they did, a convoy of healers retrieved the fallen. However, once they were safely on the back slope of the hill, Izabella checked their conditions and frowned. Peering at them alongside her, Kaito tilted his head. "They're...just asleep?" "Yes, that's what it looks like. What in the world happened up there?" The fallen

paladins and priests were simply deep in slumber. While their lives didn't seem to be in any danger, they also didn't show any signs of waking up. Dropping to one knee, Elisabeth checked their pulse and breathing. "Hmm, a spell designed to make them sleep, perhaps... She was caught in the roar; is La Mules—" Then something peculiar happened. Warped laughter echoed across the hill. "Hee-hee... Hee-hee-hee... Hee-hee-hee... Ha-ha... Ha-ha-ha-ha-ha." It was a voice one certainly didn't expect to hear on a battlefield. What was strangest, though, was where it came from. The paladins holding their shields turned nervously to look at its source. La Mules... ...was laughing like a child. La Mules laughed innocently, in a voice with a definite will behind it. That was when Kaito realized for the first time how young she was. Her voice was clear and beautiful, and she sounded amused, as though something pleasant had happened. After laughing for a while, she abruptly tilted her head to the side. "...Hoo, wah?" After saying some words that didn't seem like they bore any particular meaning, La Mules opened her mouth up wide. Then, after sticking her tongue out, she bit down hard. The muscles in her jaw were unnaturally developed, and she mercilessly put all strength behind the bite. She neatly cut off her tongue, and it flopped down comically onto the ground. It took everyone a moment to comprehend what had just happened. "La Mules!" A healer rushed up beside her. However, La Mules stubbornly refused to open her mouth. Several people grabbed her jaws, desperately trying to pry them open. However, their efforts were in vain. Blood dribbled from the gaps between her clenched teeth, soiling her snow-white restraints. Gazing at the ghastly spectacle, Godot Deus spoke in a subdued voice. "They got us... But...how?" Nobody raised their voice to answer his question. La Mules forcefully gulped down mouthfuls of her own blood again and again. Eventually, she convulsed, then stopped moving. A heavy silence spread across the top of the hill. Kaito reviewed the situation. After having fired off a single attack, the man's face had vanished from the surface of the mass. They'd been able to capture the Monarch. And they'd successfully dealt a good deal of damage to the Grand Monarch and the King. And the Church's ultimate weapon, La Mules, committed suicide. Those were the cold, hard facts of the scene laid out before him. 4 A Secret Date "So what the hell happened to La Mules?" "The most likely possibility is some manner of mental attack." Atop her bed, Elisabeth crossed her legs as she answered Kaito's question. At present, the two of them were trespassing in an unoccupied inn. It had already grown dark outside. A few hours had passed since La Mules had abruptly committed suicide. Not knowing what the nature of the demon's attack had been, the Knight Corps had elected to stage a temporary withdrawal. Once they'd gotten back to the plaza, Kaito created a cage to hold the Monarch, imprisoned him, and turned him over to the paladins as promised. Afterward, he'd made the rounds and checked in with the guards and patrols to make sure the underlings raid they'd been concerned about hadn't taken place. The demon had sustained a great deal of damage as well, after all. Elsewhere, Elisabeth and Godot Deus had been conducting an emergency meeting. Once Kaito and Elisabeth had both finished their tasks, they joined up and, at Elisabeth's suggestion, took their leave from the still-chaotic plaza. Kaito ran the hypothesized cause of La Mules's suicide over his tongue again. "...A mental attack, huh?" "Mm. As Izabella said, under normal circumstances, powerful priests obtain God's grace through prayer. Their very bodies brim with power, much like consecrated relics. But with the King as their foe and against a mental attack with no physical form...they naturally find themselves helpless to resist." Elisabeth bore a displeased expression as she put her weight on the mattress, which was piled high with blankets and stuffed with waterfowl feathers. The room was a private one and expensive even for the capital. It was nice and roomy, and all the furniture was of quality make. The corners on all the furniture had been filed down, so the shadows cast by the lamplight all drew smooth curves on the ground and walls. Idly rubbing the edge of the writing desk, Kaito frowned doubtfully. "Elisabeth, you said that you'd met all the demons but the Grand King, right? Shouldn't you know something useful?" "Your point is painfully valid, but I know naught. Had I known anything of the sort, I'd have taken measures before the battle." "Yeah, that makes sense." "Neither the King nor the Grand Monarch possesses any talents of particular note... No, wait. Upon further consideration, that might not be true of the King." "Whaddaya mean?" On hearing Kaito's question, Elisabeth pressed down on her forehead. She frowned, as though rummaging through her memories of the days she'd spent as Vlad's beloved daughter. "The King's prowess with arms was considerable, and he boasted that the talent itself was his natural ability. However, at this point, the odds of that having been a lie seem considerable." "A lie? You mean he was lying to his own comrades?" "Mm, precisely." "And he even fooled Vlad, huh...? Did the King really distrust his allies that much?" "Nay, his reason likely lay elsewhere. I just told you, did I not? He was fond of boasting about his prowess in combat." Elisabeth shook her head. Illuminated by the lamplight, she interlaced her fingers. "The King seemed to hold Vlad, the Kaiser, in high esteem. But he was always the first to mock the Governor, who possessed an ability suited for naught but assassination. And even though his rank was lower than hers, he held the Grand King's powers of mind control in contempt as well. Although, in the end, that resulted in her getting the drop on him and stabbing him with her needles." "Given her personality, it's no wonder she took advantage of that opportunity." "What a pitiful fellow... It goes to show just how much credence the King held in martial prowess. In following, he likely just felt ashamed of his ability and concealed it from the rest. At this point, that much is clear." Kaito recalled the colossal face that had appeared on the mass's surface. That had probably been the King. The muscles in his face had been slack, and the impression he'd given off had been squalid. However, his physique had still possessed remnants of the chiseled, stubborn features of a warrior. Then Kaito stumbled upon a question. "Okay, let's say that hypothetically, the King's ability is a mental attack. Of all the people who got hit, why was La Mules the only one to commit suicide, then? We don't know when everyone else is gonna wake up, but their pulses and breathing are all stable." "Mm, and the curiosities don't end there. La Mules was a high priest, and God's blessing was strong with her. Furthermore, she didn't possess consciousness. In following, she should have been incredibly resilient against mental attacks. With all that taken into account, then, what in the world happened?" Crossing their arms, the two of them sank deep into thought. However, they couldn't come up with answers. And there was nobody they could get information out of. Kaito had already asked Vlad if he remembered anything related to the demon's attack. Vlad had responded with a laugh. "Oh, I haven't the foggiest. Hmm... Don't you think it's interesting, though, coming all this way just to find yourself facing a foe who holds fresh secrets?" Given how excited he seemed, it didn't appear as though he was lying. Kaito furred his brow. He silently cursed at Vlad, lambasting him for his uselessness. As if sensing his thoughts, the stone in his pocket squirmed. Ignoring it, Kaito kept thinking. Eventually, Elisabeth uncrossed her arms and let out a heavy sigh. "Given the information we have, giving the matter more thought is naught but a waste of time. Godot Deus had his theories as well, but getting wrapped up in conjecture is folly. One way or another, one thing's for certain—the demon's been carved down a notch." "Yeah, thanks to La Mules." "Given the opportunity we've received, it's been decided that I'm to attack the demon directly tomorrow morning. Without firepower on par with La Mules's, any damage we deal the demon from outside will fail to keep up with its ability to recover. And long-range attacks could leave us vulnerable to meeting the same fate as La Mules. In following, I shall make for the weakened King and Grand Monarch and attack their true bodies directly." "What?!" Hearing Elisabeth's sudden declaration, Kaito unintentionally raised his voice. She frowned, as though telling him to quiet down. His thoughts racing, he immediately reprimanded her. "Are you insane? What the hell are you thinking? We don't even know what the enemy did to us yet! A-and one other thing. Give me a second." Kaito hurriedly pressed down on his forehead. The words attack their true bodies directly repeated frantically in his mind. A twisted scene floated through his head. The area around the mass is stained gray for miles around. The buildings within the encroaching radius had been weathered like old paper, and some of them had transformed into shapes and materials that defied the laws of physics—some glassy and vitreous, others foamy and granular. The very nature of space had shifted once past a certain threshold, as though it had been cut away with a knife. It was simply consuming its surroundings in a different manner rather than physically corroding them. The world was being destroyed... And who knows what the hell is going on in there? The Torture Princess, Elisabeth Le Fanu, boasted absolute power. Up until then, she'd been handily slaughtering the fourteen demons. Even so, she'd never gone inside a space as bizarre as that one. "This should mark the first time you've ever seen a demon literally destroy the world. Going in there would be suicide, even for you, wouldn't it?" "True, we know little of what's transpiring within the area of acute encroachment. However, our foe has already begun healing. Once it's finished, it shall resume accumulating pain, as well. The longer we leave it be, the more victims it will claim, and the worse our position shall grow." "Still!" "It's not as though I yet lay in Sacrifice's clutches. As far as sheer power goes, I hold the upper hand. If you would not have me face them now, then when? And one other thing. Think back, Kaito." Then Elisabeth stopped talking. She cast a sharp gaze Kaito's way. He reflexively gulped. Elisabeth began speaking again, her tone deadly serious. "When the battle is over, I shall be burned at the stake. In following, the Church is within their rights to order a sow such as myself to put my life on the scales. However, they're no doubt loath to send anyone else into the encroachment area. So the command they've given is appropriate. I have no objections nor any complaints. I simply intend to win. That is all." Hearing her say that as dispassionately as she did, Kaito clenched his fists. And the truths the Kaiser had dropped on him weighed heavy on his mind as well. Suddenly, he found himself at a loss as to how to express the turmoil swirling within his heart. I can't just tell her to flee. And the way things are, I can't forsake the capital. Furthermore, he was well aware of the grisly deeds the Torture Princess had committed. He'd witnessed the scars her slaughter had left on her hometown with his own eyes. Crimes ought to carry commensurate punishments. Kaito himself had once screamed that Elisabeth should just clean up her mess and then descend to

Hell like she swore she would. However, the conclusions he'd arrived at were no longer quite the same. Godot Deus is gone. And the paladins have taken a serious hit. Maybe once everything's over... A thought crossed his mind. Would she still submit, once this was all over? However, in his heart, he knew. "Having lived the cruel and haughty life of a wolf, I shall die like a sow. "...For that is the choice I made." He knew Elisabeth Le Fanu wouldn't run. No matter how much pain and despair awaited her, she would accept the consequences of the life she'd led. Elisabeth Le Fanu would take responsibility for the horrible life she'd led. She would pay for her sins as the Torture Princess. As he racked his brain about that fact again and again, Kaito found himself at his wit's end. It's no good... What can I do? Closing his eyes, he desperately turned over his thoughts again. After thinking, thinking, and thinking even harder, he opened his eyes wide. Then, led by his heated thought processes, he made a truly odd proposal. "Hey, Elisabeth." "What?" "Go on a date with me." For the rest of his life, Kaito would never forget the face Elisabeth made in that moment. Thanks to her expression, the experience of being asked, "Are you an idiot?" became precious to Kaito for the first time in his life. "Are you an idiot?" "Ah, there it is." He'd expected her to turn him down. However, the fact that he expected it didn't make her verbal arrow sting any less. He suffered a fair deal of emotional damage. He unconsciously staggered back a step. Before him, Elisabeth fiddled idly with the tips of her black hair. Surprisingly, she too seemed flustered. A moment passed, and Elisabeth went, practically grumbling. "Or rather, how to put it? I fail to grasp your meaning, and I think it somewhat problematic for a married man to be asking someone out." "I agree." "And for that someone to be myself, well, then problematic all the more." "Still agree." "Hmm, might you be coming down with something? Did the King's attack hit you as well? You'd best turn in early. Don't go pushing yourself, okay?" "Man, what am I gonna do? This is the first time Elisabeth's ever been nice to me." The fact that she was so concerned for him was kind of sad in and of itself. Kaito reflexively looked off in another direction. However, he couldn't afford to give in that easily. After somehow scraping together his composure, he asked again. "C'mon, let's go. We don't have to call it a date. I'm fine with whatever, I just want to take a walk around the town." "I-is that really the sort of thing one ought to propose in the hours leading into a decisive battle? It feels as though you've lost your wits... Are you quite certain you're all right?" Elisabeth stood up from the bed with great vigor, then pressed her pale palm against Kaito's forehead. It seemed she was checking to make sure he didn't have a fever. Kaito doubted that golems could catch colds, but apparently what he'd said had been enough to elicit concern out of her. Now then, what's to be done? I mean, sure...maybe I have lost my wits. At present, the capital was being overrun by a demon. There was no way of knowing where its underlings might be lurking. And Elisabeth was planning on heading to near-certain death the following morning. No matter how you looked at it, now was no time for a proposal such as Kaito's. However, he also knew that it was now or never. "After you die, my inquisition is probably gonna end with me getting the death sentence." Kaito spoke. As he suspected, Elisabeth said nothing. The fact that the Torture Princess was going to be burned at the stake tied in closely with the cruel fate awaiting Kaito. As both her servant and the Kaiser's contractor, the Church was unlikely to forgive him. "So I wanna check out the capital while I have the chance." Kaito went on. In truth, thoughts of his future weren't the main reason he was making this request. At the same time, though, it wasn't as though he was lying. After all, in his past life, he'd died surrounded by flies in the corner of a cramped little room. He did, in fact, wish to see the big wide world around him. Elisabeth thought on it for a few seconds. But after opening and closing her mouth, she heaved a deep sigh. "Fine. I shall accompany you." "Hey, thanks." Nodding at Elisabeth's response, Kaito extended his hand. He turned his palm up, as though inviting her to a dance. Then she reluctantly placed her hand atop his. With his still-human right hand, Kaito clasped her pale palm. And with that, the two of them strolled into the night. "Hyah!" "Yikes." Before Kaito's eyes, Elisabeth kicked open the pawnshop's door. Her crimson skirt fluttered as she dashed down the short staircase. Bathed in the pale moonlight, she took a short leap before landing with both feet pressed together. Landing magnificently on the stone pavement, Elisabeth looked over her shoulder toward Kaito. "How do you like that, Kaito?! I've done it once more! Tremble in reverence as you praise me!" "Yes, yes. Full points." Kaito's response came practically in a monotone. Elisabeth planted her hands on her hips in dissatisfaction. She was swathed in a crimson dress, a far more respectable one than her usual bondage outfit, with a high collar reaching up to her throat. It was an elegant, high-class article. However, when she did another spin, her immaculate shoulder blades peeked out from behind the dress's audaciously bare back. The inside of her skirt was all frills, and they spread out like the petals of a rose. She stopped in place, and they returned to their original position. Pressing her palm against her bosom, Elisabeth pouted. "Now listen here, you! Show more enthusiasm when you praise me! You're the one who told me to change!" "I mean, I can't deny that, but..." "Heh-heh, 'tis quite the splendid find, for a pawnshop we selected at random! Unlike you, who appears seedy regardless of what you garb yourself in, 'tis showy and extravagant! Wouldn't you say so?" Elisabeth's fashionable plumed hat began to droop. As she fixed it, she puffed her chest out with pride. Looking her over from head to toe, Kaito crossed his arms with an audible "hmm." "It does look kinda nice." "Doesn't it? Then you ought to be more verbose in your praises. You're an impertinent one, for a servant!" "I mean... There is a reason I told you to change, you know. If you were wearing your Torture Princess outfit while we were walking around, running into someone could end poorly." "Mm, we find ourselves in agreement on that point. 'Tis why I agreed to change." "But when you think about it, what we're doing is really just looting. Are we gonna be all right with you picking out something so conspicuous?" "Don't go calling people looters! What a self-centered man you are!" Elisabeth hissed in anger. Regardless of what she said, though, Kaito had been completely blindsided by how flashy the outfit she'd chosen was. He hadn't known that her tastes ran that way. Man, how're we gonna explain this if we run into any paladins? Kaito wondered, concerned. Elisabeth, on the other hand, hesitated for a moment—no doubt deciding whether or not to call forth a torture device—before snorting. She tapped her heel against the ground to urge him on. "Well? What did you intend to do from here?" "Huh?" "Don't 'huh' me. I'll have your head." Pressing down on her forehead, Elisabeth took in a deep breath, then exhaled. Adjusting the angle of her hat once more, she raised her lips in a pout. "This situation as a whole is foolish beyond belief, but having said I'd accompany you, I've accepted my fate. Rejoice. I know not what this is, be it a date or what have you, but I intend to accompany you to the location of your choosing! Be honored by my charity. Now, where did you want to go?" "Well, when you put it that way, I guess there wasn't really anywhere in particular." "Just who do you think you are? I'll have your head!" Elisabeth shouted at him, livid. Whatever she had to say, though, the fact remained that Kaito knew next to nothing about the capital. And even in his past life, he'd never had a chance to just go for a walk around a town. Telling a person like that to imagine somewhere they wanted to go was asking a bit much. "See, the thing is..." Kaito conveyed those facts frankly to Elisabeth. Murmuring her assent, she knit her brows as she nodded. Eventually, her shoulders slumped in dejection. "Well, your past life being what it was, I suppose I can take your extenuating circumstances into account. But listen here, you..." "Yes, ma'am." "Inviting someone on a date like that... Even I, the Torture Princess, find that a tad questionable." "I agree with you completely. I have nothing to say in my defense." "Given your sorry state, that wife of yours is liable to leave you." "Hina wouldn't do that." "In truth, I must agree." "I've got an awesome wife, don't I?" "Mm, and one wholly wasted on you at that." "Man, that hurts. Anyway...what about you? Do you have anywhere you want to go visit?" "A place I wish to visit, hmm?" Elisabeth crossed her arms as she pondered this. As she did, the plume drooping from her hat rustled and fell directly in front of her face. With feigned composure, she brushed it back up. But it simply rustled back in her way once more. Rustle, rustle, rustle. After wrestling with the plume, Elisabeth eventually grabbed the brim of her hat with all her strength. "Begone, you vexing thing!" "Now you've done it!" Elisabeth hurled the hat high into the air like a Frisbee. It spun and spun as it fell. Then it landed precisely atop Kaito's head. Perhaps that was what she'd been aiming for. Flustered, Kaito lifted the hat up. Its sagging plume rustled as it fell in front of him. On the feather's opposite side, Elisabeth was grinning. Her white teeth glittered as she made her innocent declaration. "Very well! Then let us wander about the marketplace!" However, the mercantile district had long since been consumed by the mass of flesh. They had no way of wandering about the main market. And if they weren't careful and got too close to the mass, they could unwittingly end up initiating the final battle. Doing that would be idiotic beyond belief. However, according to Elisabeth, the heart of the capital lay elsewhere, which meant they didn't have a problem. "While it's superior in scale, the market that the masses use here is fundamentally quite similar to the one we visited while in the Earl's territory. There's little novelty to be had there. As a special courtesy, I shall guide you and allow you to taste all the wonders this city and this world have to offer." Her narration brimming with confidence, Elisabeth strode rapidly through the residential districts, moving in the direction opposite from the location of what used to be the market. Kaito obediently followed after her. Eventually, the two of them made it to a particularly deteriorated section of town, near the castle gates. As he walked alongside Elisabeth, Kaito surveyed their surroundings. The road around them was surprisingly narrow. Even the main road looked like some sort of back alley. Unadorned, artificial-looking, boxy buildings were packed tightly along both sides of the street. Even then, at night, Kaito could tell how colorless the sector was. And it looked as though the

rows of buildings had been intentionally built to look shady. It was a far cry from the townscape he'd seen in the rest of the city. Cocking his head in confusion at the strange ambience, Kaito realized something else seemed out of place. "Hey, Elisabeth, why don't those buildings have entrances? How are people supposed to get in and out?" "Hmm, as I thought, you still can't find it on your own. Well, as far as magecraft goes, you're an amateur among amateurs. You're but a hair better than a layman. It's only natural." As she casually ridiculed Kaito, Elisabeth came to a stop in front of a building. Pressing her finger against a particular section of its wall, she released some mana. Pushed back by a spiral of darkness and crimson, certain rocks rumbled and sank back into the wall. In the distance, the sound of various mechanisms moving and meshing together rang out. With a heavy scraping noise, the wall opened up. Elisabeth laughed proudly as she strode inside. Murmuring that he'd underestimated the sector, Kaito followed after her. "Wh-whoa!" The moment he stepped inside the building, Kaito let out a cry of amazement. The room before him made it fully clear what Elisabeth had meant by "all the wonders this city and this world have to offer." "Wow, that's a surprise. It's quite the sight." "Isn't it? Be grateful that I brought you here!" Elisabeth puffed out her chest. Kaito earnestly bobbed his head up and down. The room's walls were radiating rainbow-colored light. It felt as though they'd gone inside a massive conch shell. The material it was made of was strangely supple, billowing in ways that ordinary human manufacturing couldn't possibly have produced. The parts that naturally stuck out were being used as ledges, and they were adorned with an assortment of bones. Casting her gaze over each of them in turn, Elisabeth took notice of one in particular. "The shopkeepers took most of them with them when they fled. But some items yet remain. Look here, Kaito." "Hmm, what is it?" Elisabeth picked up a chain dangling from a lizard's rib cage. It seemed that the bones were being used to display the goods. Hanging from the delicate silver loop was a small stoppered bottle with flower petals suspended inside it. "It'll only last for but a moment. Take care not to miss it." With that, Elisabeth held the bottle beneath Kaito's nose and uncorked it. Flower petals mingled with the wind that blew up at his face. For a second, he smelled a gentle aroma and felt the heat of sunlit air. "Man, there's no way someone made this... Was that a spring breeze?" "Indeed, that it was! Good nose! Just as you said, sealed within this bottle is air from the prime of spring." "Wow, that's kinda cool." The natural warmth quickly faded. However, the petals remained, dancing through the air in a gentle swirl. Kaito poked at it. The swirl banked left and right as though trying to avoid his finger before popping back in the bottle on its own. Elisabeth tightly refastened the stopper. "'Tis intended as a souvenir for noblemen who come accompanied by their magician attendants. While they're more expensive than your everyday trinket, they aren't particularly useful, so they're cheaper than most other magical objects. 'Tis likely the reason the shopkeepers left it behind. Also, there's... Oh? I'd forgotten about this one." "What?" "Try holding it." Elisabeth pulled a blue bowl out from the mouth of a wolf skull. Kaito took it from her. The bowl hadn't been glazed to attain its color; it had been crafted from some sort of naturally blue material. But although it looked like a hollowed-out jewel, it was strangely light. As he held it in his palms, Kaito gradually began feeling a familiar sensation. He hadn't known it back then, but magical devices carried hollowness and hunger within them. With his beastly left hand, he filled the bowl with the mana it so craved. "—La (overflow)." As he whispered, water began gushing out of the bowl. As though in exchange, one loop around its interior crumbled away. Apparently, there was a limit to how many times it could be used. However, it would be more than enough for a short journey. Kaito let out a deeply impressed sigh. "Damn, that's handy. Lugging around water is a pain." "Unlike Vlad's castle, there are no full-fledged magical tools to be found here. In particular, combat-oriented goods are hard to produce without knowledge of dark magic. However, you can still obtain trinkets of this caliber in the capital. And that isn't all." Elisabeth took the bowl from Kaito and gulped down the water. Then, once it was empty, she placed it back in the wolf's jaw. Her crimson dress fluttered as she turned on her heel. Transfixed, Kaito stared at the curves of her bare white back. Looking back over her shoulder, Elisabeth smiled mischievously. "Hold onto your hat. You've not seen the last Mage's Row has to offer." Elisabeth certainly wasn't lying. With each building she led him to, he found himself amazed all over again. After the magical curio shop, they visited several other spots. Mechanical birds crafted from springs and nails, screws and gears, and amber and iron. Medicines, antidotes, and poisons stored in multicolored ceramics. Jewels processed into unfathomable shapes. They spent a particularly long time engaged in a challenge at the herb shop. "How is it, Kaito? Delicious?" "I...I feel like it's super-tasty, but at the same time, it's somehow super-nasty." Kaito gave his answer as he munched on his sandwich. It was smoked chicken on wheat germ bread, and it had some manner of unidentifiable bluish-green paste spread on it. There had been a recipe affixed to the shop's wall, with the title Medicinal Herbs You Can Start Using Today! Elisabeth had said she wanted to try it out, and they'd raided the kitchen to recreate it. Despite it being her idea, though, she'd refused to taste-test it, so that role had fallen to Kaito. The result of that had been the wishy-washy response he'd just given. Unsatisfied, Elisabeth furrowed her brows. "What in heaven's name does it mean to be both tasty and nasty? That makes little sense." "I don't have much of a sense of taste, so it's hard for me to explain. You could just try a bite, you know." "Very well. Ahhh." "Here it comes." Kaito stuck out the sandwich, and Elisabeth, having lost to her curiosity, ate out of his hand. Kaito was impressed at how vigorously she'd gone at it. After chewing for a bit, Elisabeth swallowed with utter dejection. "...The acidity is rather invigorating. And the flavor is mellow and rich. Judged alone, its individual attributes are quite decent, but taken as a whole, they're altogether disastrous. In conjunction with the dryness of the bread and the chicken, the experience is rather disappointing." "Damn, your food critiques are on point." "Hmm, did I make a mistake with the recipe? It tasted like something you might cook." "You make fun of me so nonchalantly." "In any case, this stuff is beyond my comprehension. But if used properly, I feel as though it might bring new culinary horizons upon us." Elisabeth sat down on the old wooden counter. Gracefully crossing her legs, she snatched the open bottle. Hearing her words, Kaito nodded. "If we bring that bottle back to Hina, I bet she'd be able to make something interesting with it." "Mm, let's add it to the other souvenirs." "Roger that." Sealing the bottle up tight, Elisabeth stuck it into the leather bag they'd pilfered from a general store along the way. In it already was a bottle with spring wind sealed inside, a clockwork toy butterfly, and a set of fruity tea leaves that crackled when you poured hot water on them. Snapping her fingers, Elisabeth pulled a coin out of thin air. She placed the designated amount of money on the shop's counter. "That's coming out of your wages, you know." "Sure. I mean, even if I saved up, it's not like there's much for me to spend it on." Ever since the pawnshop, the two of them had been leaving behind payment for the things they'd pilfered. Most of it had come out of Kaito's wages. However, Elisabeth had paid for some of the stuff out of her own pocket. Now, too, she was straightening her back and plucking a new jar out of the shop's hanging cupboard. After reading its label, she placed a coin of her own beside Kaito's. "Hmm, then I shall bring her these dried mushrooms. It says their unique spiciness goes well in fried dishes and that they boast considerable benefits to one's health." "Hey, wait, that sounds good. I wanna go with that one, too." "Fool! For a man who's already maxed out Hina's affection levels, you ask too much! I'm entrusting you with all the goods whose quality is uncertain. I intend to be the one to bring her all the items sure to be well received." "I want to make Hina happy, too, you know." "Ha, 'tis Hina we speak of! She's certain to be delighted no matter what we bring her!" "I mean, you're not wrong, but still." Kaito's expression unconsciously softened as he imagined Hina's delighted face. Elisabeth nodded gently, too. Once they were done picking out souvenirs, they split the rest of the sandwich in half and finished it off. Kaito bowed toward the unmanned counter in thanks for the food. Elisabeth, complaining once more about the flavor, gulped down water. "Ugh, I feel sick. Hmm? Hold on a minute. If dreadful food doesn't faze you, why did I not simply make you eat the remainder?" "C'mon, that woulda been cruel." Kaito nodded. Fair was fair. After kicking him lightly in the back, Elisabeth headed outside. As he gave his usual complaints, Kaito followed after her. By the time they made it out of the herb shop, the night had deepened, and the full moon had shifted its position. However, its movements weren't obvious enough for Kaito to tell whether or not it was the same as the moon from the world he'd come from. Besides, even if it looks like my world's moon, there's a chance that it's something completely different. All he knew was that the moonlight was distinctly brighter than it had been earlier. Bathed in its silver radiance, Elisabeth murmured. "Let's go for a bit of a stroll." They walked in silence. After leaving Mage's Row, they returned to the residential district. Kaito then followed Elisabeth up a gently sloping road that led toward the higher parts of the city. He had no idea where she was going. However, their surroundings gradually began to look familiar. Wait, this is... Eventually, they reached the hill where La Mules had killed herself. The gravestones stood silently lined up in the dim light. Their cold stone faces were feigning ignorance as to the tragedy that had taken place that afternoon. In fact, they looked almost as though they'd forgotten they were hiding corpses beneath themselves. After taking wide strides past them, Elisabeth sat down on a clear bit of meadow. Without hesitation, she stuck her pale legs out from beneath her sprawling dress and clutched her knees. Kaito knelt down on one knee beside her. The two of them stared out over the town. Even then, in the dead of night, they could make out the black mountain of writhing flesh. Eventually, Elisabeth spoke. "...Satisfied?" "Yeah, that was plenty," Kaito responded in kind to her blunt question. She nodded silently. A gentle wind brushed at their cheeks. Kaito smelled something rusty and rotting in it. However, he purposely avoided bringing that up. Time passed quietly. Gazing down at the malicious mass of flesh, Elisabeth muttered in exasperation. "...So given our abnormal situation, what's your true objective here?" "I

accomplished my goal. We were able to pick out presents for Hina." "Ha, you just wanted to get gifts from the capital for your bride? What a faithful fellow you are." "Now we just have to go back together so we can give them to her." Elisabeth shut her mouth tight. From beside her, Kaito examined her face. Her expression was pained, as though clearly stating that she understood what he meant. Still, he didn't falter. "Now that you've bought souvenirs, you gotta go back." Elisabeth still said nothing. Kaito was about to say more. Then Elisabeth let out a light sigh and relaxed her whole body. Spreading her arms wide, she fell over backward. Eventually, she whispered about something wholly unrelated to Kaito's emotional appeal. "Behold, Kaito." "Behold what?" "Look at how bright the stars are. It's as though all the tragedies of the world are nothing more than illusions." Elisabeth spoke in a voice very unlike her; one that sounded almost as though she were dreaming. She didn't say anything more. After spending a moment puzzling at the meaning of her silence, Kaito broke the ice again. "You know, I called it a date... I'll grant you that the phrasing was weird, but I didn't want to go alone. I wanted to walk around the capital with you." "Why?" "I wanted to see what you'd do." "In what sense?" "I wanted to see how you'd spend the time, knowing that the battle tomorrow could go either way and that certain death awaited you. And you chose to pick out souvenirs for Hina. 'Ones that would definitely make her happy,' you said." Elisabeth's response was delayed. This time, Kaito didn't look at her face. Glaring at the distant mass of flesh, he went on. "Someone who was totally satisfied with dying, who'd given up on life, wouldn't do that, would they? Don't you actually want to go home?" "...Listen, Kaito." Just as Kaito had guessed, she didn't deny it. Her voice rang out softly, along with the rustling of clothes. Elisabeth had raised herself up and appeared to be once more clutching her knees. "Look at me." Responding to her call, Kaito turned toward her like his head had been yanked. Then he gulped. Lowering her face to her knees, Elisabeth wore a gentle smile. It was the kind of smile one would direct toward a child who was asking for something unreasonable. "You've killed none but your enemies, not a single innocent. You shoulder no sin. And for the innocent to be punished for their existence alone is absurdity. Once this battle is over, return to the castle. Then take Hina and flee. As you are now, you should have power enough to be able to evade capture." For a second, Kaito wasn't sure what she'd just said. Before he'd fully understood it, he instinctively opened his mouth to speak. "What the fuck are you talking about?!" "However, you mustn't kill people. I forbid you from hurting them, as well." Suddenly, Elisabeth's voice became sharp. Her expression, too, transformed into that of a proud warrior. She gave Kaito a stern command as the Torture Princess. "This is the final order from your master, the Torture Princess." "Elisabeth..." "Don't give in to the demons' temptations. If you think you are likely to, then end your life yourself. 'Tis a heavy thing, to harm others, to be loathed by the world, and to constantly shoulder sins." The further she got in her sentence, the softer and more disorganized her words became. She closed her eyes, as though in prayer. When she continued, it was in a small voice. "... 'Tis too heavy a burden for you to bear." Her hair gently rustled as she turned her head up. Her eyes still closed, she gazed up at the sky. "The stars are bright. Yet, down here the screams well up." "What do you mean by that?" "'Tis simply the way of things. The pleasant time we spent together just now does naught to change what has come before or the things that shall come after." "Why does it have to—?" "I drew enjoyment from people's pain, pleasure from their screams. Such was the life I chose. One must square their accounts for the tab they've driven up. Should the deeds I've done be forgiven, it would warp the world of mankind. I myself cannot allow that." Abruptly, Elisabeth opened her eyes. Kaito found himself speechless. Her perfect, jewel-like crimson eyes held no fear or hesitation. They were so tranquil it bordered on madness. "The demise of torturers should be garnished with their own screams as they sink to Hell with no chance for salvation. Only at such a time is a torturer's life truly complete. And in this capital, a fitting stage has been set for that finale." "A fitting...stage?" Swallowed up by the beauty of her eyes, Kaito parroted her words back to her. Elisabeth nodded deeply. Turning back toward the mass of flesh, she resumed speaking. "The Royal Knights belong to the king and the paladins to the Church. The Church may specialize in fighting demons, but they're also permitted quite powerful arms. That comes as a result of the fact that in this world, the Church's status is higher than that of the king's." "...I...see." "Whenever a king wishes to assume the throne, permission from the Church is needed. But the Church isn't a fully autonomous organization. While the Church has historically held a strong say in the way the kings have ruled, their decisions are also influenced by the times the country is facing. Given the unstable state the country is in, it will take countless years for people to return to the capital and for trade and commerce to recover, even once the demons are eradicated." Kaito nodded. He now understood a part of this world's power structure, as well as the trials awaiting its people. Elisabeth went on, even more dispassionately. "Moreover, at this rate, the curtain will be drawn on the war against the demons far from the eyes of the people. They will find themselves unable to shake their fears, unable to purge their unease. Society requires a rite of passage." A moment later, Kaito's eyes went wide. Thus far, he hadn't been able to figure out the point of her story, but it had finally clicked. He'd realized what she'd meant by a "fitting stage." "You don't mean..." "The most effective method by which to unite people is to give them a common enemy. The Torture Princess has slain far too many. Burning her at the stake should prove a fitting symbol." Elisabeth looked at the mass of flesh, as though gazing toward her own demise. A self-deriding smile spread across her lovely lips. "Despots are killed, tyrants are hung, and slaughterers are slaughtered. All for the sake of the people." Elisabeth's whisper was gentle, as though saying that that was simply how things were. That that was how things ought to be. Kaito clenched his fists. He tried to shout at her, but the words wouldn't come out. As he closed his eyes tight, a thought he'd once had crossed back through his mind. Something's wrong. He didn't know what it was, but he knew that there was some detail that was off about the whole situation. He bit down on his lip. The words he'd once spat at Godot Deus went off in his ears like firecrackers. "If you guys had just been stronger, the Torture Princess wouldn't have even been born, would she? "If someone were to ask if the Torture Princess was good or evil, then obviously the answer would be evil. It was crazy to ask the allies of her victims to come and save her. If I were on the side of her victims, then I'd be cheering from the rooftops to work her to the bone then put her to the stake. Which means that this doesn't have anything to do with you guys. I'm the one she summoned, and this is really all just me being selfish, so it's really my problem. "What I'm trying to say is that person who saved me wasn't God or a hero. It wasn't faith, and it wasn't you guys." "It was the Torture Princess—the most evil woman in all the world." Why, why, why, why, why? Why? Why? Then Kaito realized something. Deep in his heart, a young version of himself was crying out. The young boy hadn't shed a single tear, even when he was kicked, and burned, and beaten, and had his teeth ripped out. Yet he was crying at the top of his lungs. As though to say that this, if nothing else, was unforgivable. "I finally found a hero," he cried out. "Why are you taking her away from me?" he cried out. "She saved me," he cried out. "From a life that was fated to end in despair." "She lifted me out of that hell!" he cried. Kaito opened his mouth, then closed it. He tried to say something. He tried to make his younger self see reason, to respect Elisabeth's wishes. Yet, he didn't give voice to a single one of the objections and logical arguments that sprang to his mind. Eventually, he just gently grasped his crying self by the hand. Yeah, I know. I know. In this world, Kaito Sena had found someone to believe in for the first time. He'd found a family for the first time. He'd finally been able to take his life in his own hands. Who had been the one who'd given him all that? Out of the two worlds he'd lived in, who'd been the sole person to save him? Trust me, I feel the same way. At that moment, a quiet, firm resolution welled up within him. A resolution for his hero's sake. Kaito gently withdrew his teeth from his now-bloody lip. The confusion and anger he'd felt earlier had been completely wiped from his face. Elisabeth hadn't noticed anything. Turning toward her, he began speaking, his words as much for himself as they were for her. "You know, you're the only one who ever saved me." "...What are you talking about?" "The person who saved me after I was tortured and killed like a worm wasn't God or some noble hero. Those guys can all eat shit." Belief in God ran deep in this world, and Kaito's words were incredibly blasphemous. Without hesitating, he went on. "The only one who saved from that hell was the Torture Princess. Just you, Elisabeth Le Fanu." Elisabeth's eyes widened. That probably wasn't anything close to what she'd been expecting to hear. It was rare to see her so genuinely astonished. She blinked a few times. However, she eventually shook her head, a thin smile creeping its way across her face. "...And here I was, wondering what you'd have to say. Are you an idiot? Don't go getting all grandiose on me. 'Twas on a whim, nothing but coincidence. Feeling indebted for such a thing would be creepy." "Coincidence, a whim, it's all fine by me. Hey, Elisabeth. I told you, right? That until you start walking the road to Hell, I'll try and stick by your side for as long as I can, even if I'm the only one." "Mm, so you did. And what of it? That time is upon us, that's all." "It's not here yet." Kaito spoke definitively. Elisabeth frowned at his strangely forceful statement. Looking into her crimson eyes, Kaito spoke with the sincerity of a man giving his wedding vows. "I'm not going to let you die." Elisabeth's face froze. She looked like she was about to say something, but Kaito ignored her and stood up. He forced the bag carrying Hina's souvenirs onto Elisabeth. Then he ran down the hill at full speed. "Hey, Kaito, wait! Just what do you intend to do?!" Elisabeth shouted after him. But

he paid no heed to her words and kept running. He had a single destination in mind. The square where the Monarch was imprisoned. When Kaito reached the square, he found himself once more enduring the glares of the paladins manning the perimeter. He began carefully observing the priests' barrier. Staring at it, he gauged its strength. Then, once he was satisfied, he asked to be let in. He received a dirty look but was able to enter successfully. Once he was in, he headed for the section of the plaza that had been curtained off to conceal it from people's eyes. The Monarch was sitting inside a thorny cage that Kaito had crafted with magic. A group of paladins was standing guard over it and directing uneasy, hateful glances at the Monarch's melted body. Before they could call out to stop him, Kaito snapped his fingers. When he did, a swirl of darkness appeared above the cage, and supple muscles and sleek fur began knitting together. The horrific black dog Kaito had secretly tasked with watching over the Monarch made its appearance. Lying sluggishly on its belly, the Kaiser swung its tail back and forth. "You're late, O unworthy master of mine." "Yeah, I just got back." Shocked by the Kaiser's sudden appearance, the paladins all let out distressed shouts. Ignoring them, Kaito called out to his beast. "Looks like I'm gonna have to do it after all, Kaiser. Let's go." "What a self-centered man you are, and what a colossal fool. But you amuse me. I have no objections. But get permission from the mice first. I don't care for their shrill squeaking. The fuss they make is disagreeable." With that, the Kaiser snorted. Kaito nodded, then turned around. As he'd expected, Izabella had been informed of the Kaiser's manifestation and made her way inside the curtain. "Kaito Sena! Even if you're just using it as a guard, you need permission before you—" "Izabella, there's something I need!" Beating her to the punch, Kaito nimbly intercepted her reprimand. Faced with a request, Izabella politely stopped speaking. Not missing his opportunity, Kaito spoke quickly. "Seal the curtain and cast a silencing spell on it. And I need you to make sure Elisabeth doesn't get anywhere near the spot." "What's this all of a sudden? What in the world are you intending to do?" "At the end of the day, my power's just a stopgap. So before we fight the King and the Grand Monarch, I want to build up as much mana as possible. But because of how much pain's involved, there's a good chance Elisabeth will try to stop me. Please." "I can't in good faith give you permission to do something your master would prohibit." "That's just a pretense, though, right? What reason do you have to doubt me? You got a report from the familiars they had observing my fight against the Grand King, didn't you? If I was planning on making a run for it and abandoning mankind, I'd have done it back then. You should already know that I wounded my own body in order to use the magic I saved Elisabeth with." "That's—" "Dark magic requires pain. This is necessary for me. If you don't trust me, you can put as many guards on me as you want. And if I do anything suspicious, feel free to stop me." "Kaito, still—" "La Mules is dead. If the Torture Princess screws up, who do you think's next in line to fight?" For the people affiliated with the Church, the wound from having their ultimate weapon, the Shepherd, commit suicide was still fresh and raw. Kaito didn't hesitate in stabbing at it. He also purposely gouged at Izabella's conscience. "Who the hell do you think is gonna end up getting sacrificed for the sake of all the heretics and people who call him a monster?" "...And you're saying that this is truly necessary for you to fight against the demons?" "Yes. I promise I'm telling the truth." "I understand... While I will personally be one of your watchkeepers, you have my permission. However, Godot Deus has the final say in—" "Permission granted. Do as you wish." Suddenly, a calm, deep voice rang out. Izabella spun around. Kaito confidently locked eyes with the voice's owner. A priest whose face was concealed by a deep crimson robe was reverently carrying a jewel. A phantasm of Godot Deus floated above it. Narrowing his eyes as though trying to gauge something, he spoke. "Servant, I can more or less guess what your objective is. However, there are bound to be benefits as far as our current battle against the demon goes. You have my permission." "Thanks a bunch. This is gonna be good for you guys, too." "I wonder about that... However...ah, yes. There is one thing I'd best tell you." "What's that?" "Under normal circumstances, the Church does not permit replicating souls." Kaito frowned, confused by the expected statement. Unable to make out the true meaning of Godot Deus's words, he urged Godot Deus on. "...So?" "Once this matter is resolved, all the reproductions of Godot Deus's soul, myself included, are slated to be destroyed." Kaito was shocked. The stone in his pocket holding Vlad's soul rattled around, as though Vlad found this topic to be of great interest. Kaito sorted through the pieces of information that he knew. Reproduced souls are nothing more than degraded versions of the person from when they were alive. Still, though, they have wills of their own. Destroying a stone with a copy of someone's soul inside was practically the same as executing a person. The way Godot Deus had died—committing suicide so he wouldn't be of use to the demon—was enough to let Kaito understand the resolve that members of the Church held. Once again, Godot Deus was marching toward his own death. At the same time, Kaito thought about why Godot Deus had told him that. Godot Deus worries for the people and trusts in God from the bottom of his heart. But he has a self-serving side, too. That helped Kaito realize that the resolve the Church possessed and the sacrifices they were making couldn't possibly have been his sole objective. Wait, could you be...? Kaito stared at Godot Deus, trying to figure out what he was thinking. However, it was clear to see that he didn't intend to say anything more. Eventually, Kaito stifled his conjecture and spoke. "Sorry. I know that we're not the only ones being sacrificed." "You have nothing to apologize for, servant. However, I wish to witness it. Though it may be for the sake of fighting demons, I wish to witness what it is that you intend to hide yourself from Elisabeth's gaze in order to do." "Yeah, go for it. Watch to your heart's content." With that, Kaito nodded. After checking to make sure that the paladins keeping watch over him were in place, he turned back toward the Monarch's cage. The drooping man was hanging his head from atop the cage's metal floor. Snapping his fingers, Kaito whispered. "—La (rend)." The next moment, blood spouted from Kaito's own arm. He started carving at his body with azure flower petals. Seeing his sudden, brazen self-mutilation, some of the paladins let out cries. Ignoring them, Kaito's fingers danced as he manipulated his blood. He used the spilled streaks of crimson to paint a magical formula at his feet and on the floor of the Monarch's cage. Interpreting its meaning, Izabella called out in a strained voice. "Are you mad?!" It was Kaito's second time drawing it, but anyone knowledgeable about magic would be able to easily tell how repulsive it was. This was a procedure that converted another's pain over to himself. His eyes filled with compassion and dry composure, Kaito whispered. "I'm going to torture you now. It won't be much help, but here's something to set your mind at ease." He raised his arm overhead. The corners of his mouth curling up unpleasantly, the Kaiser smiled. The Monarch slowly turned his dissolved head to the side. Swinging his arm down like a conductor, Kaito made his declaration. "This is gonna hurt me just as bad." The Monarch's torso tore open. And at the same time, Kaito's chest ripped apart. *** The Monarch let out a scream of pain. Blocked by the silencing magic, his bloodcurdling voice vanished before it could make it through the curtain. However, it forcibly burrowed its way into the ears of the paladins within. Their faces contorted in unison. Kaito delicately carved into the Monarch's body. He lopped off his arms, gouged out his eyes, and pulled out his innards. But because he was fused with a demon, the transformed Monarch didn't die. In addition, the magical formula was regenerating his body. *** As he screamed, the Monarch rocked his cage like a madman. Kaito ignored his wordless pleas. He waved his arm without pause. The Monarch's organs danced through the air, his cheeks were gouged out, and his legs snapped into fourths. As the Monarch's torture continued, just as Kaito had promised, he himself experienced the same pain. Occasionally, the pain would cause Kaito to die of shock. When it did, he would revive himself, satisfied with his results. Man, this really is more efficient than just hurting myself, isn't it? While he was dying and reviving, the magic he'd fired off ate away at the Monarch. It was a much more efficient way of gathering pain than simply tormenting his own brittle body. As Kaito and the Kaiser suffered more and more pain, the amount of mana at their disposal gradually grew. As they watched the ghastly spectacle unfold in front of them, one of the paladins muttered: "...This is madness." When he heard them, Kaito elected to remain silent. He had no words to refute them with. He was well aware of how insane it was. His resolve and determination firm, Kaito continued the torture. A vision of the young boy who'd died for his sake, Neue, cast a questioning look toward him for the umpteenth time. But Kaito didn't turn to return his gaze. Just a little more, and he would reach the amount of mana he'd determined was necessary. Just a bit more, just a little more... Fighting to pour crimson water into his cup, Kaito desperately struggled to make it overflow. Eventually, morning broke. As the sun rose, Kaito lopped off the Monarch's head. The demon, who'd chosen a life of devouring people and in the end was granted acute pain, was finally released. He toppled over onto the stone floor. Blood dripped out of his pitifully convulsing body. Several times more blood was spread around the cage. The paladins were silent. Either fear or disgust had robbed them of their voices. Amid the overwhelming silence, Kaito quietly murmured. "Good work, Monarch." With a bloody hand, he swept back his bangs. Clotted blood stuck to his cheeks. Even assailed by unimaginable pain, he hadn't screamed once. His face stained with blood, he smiled. "Now then, onto the King and Grand Monarch." 5 Their Respective Pride Thinking back, it had been a while since Kaito had been reincarnated into this world, yet it felt like it had passed in a moment. He ruminated about the days they'd spent fighting the fourteen demons. The twisted, joyful life they'd shared sandwiched between them was finally coming to an end. "...The final battle, huh?" As he murmured, Kaito opened his closed eyes. This place was the final step on the stairway leading up to the gallows. The Torture Princess and her servant had reached their ultimate destination. The stone road leading to the mass of flesh extended out before him. Without warning, the ordinary, commonplace road became steeped in gray halfway down its length. The boundary line was directly in front of Kaito's face, as clear and obvious as though it had been drawn with

a knife. Beyond it was a sight that would cause anyone looking to doubt their sanity. Everything there was stained gray. The surfaces of the buildings and trees were weathered, as though hundreds of years had gone by. There was no sign of life in sight, of course. Even the air itself was cold and firm. The dim rays of morning sunlight faded and vanished into the gray as well, much like how they would in the depths of a swamp. Kaito utilized all his senses to try to impress a comprehensible form onto the world beyond the boundary line. The space beyond here is practically a corpse in its own right. He felt as though he was standing before the carcass of some colossal creature with none of its presence or warmth remaining. The entire zone, which should have been teeming with energy, had transformed into a hollow cadaver. The space was death itself, and it was close enough for him to touch. "I'd thought you'd vanished, yet here you are." The voice that called out from beside Kaito was accompanied by the hard sound of heels clicking. He cast a sidelong glance toward it. Elisabeth was standing there. Her arms were crossed, and her expression was sour. It made sense that she hadn't run into him until just then. When morning had come, he'd immediately left the plaza after getting dressed. He'd known there was a chance Elisabeth would try to stop him from coming. Kaito didn't give her much of a response. Elisabeth continued her cross-examination. "Now, then. Exactly what were you doing that required sneaking about all night long? You were even crafty enough to get the paladins on your side." Kaito averted his gaze from hers. Looking back toward the section of the world the demon had destroyed, he quietly answered her. "...Something stupid." As he spoke, he suddenly felt his earlobe get yanked. Elisabeth mercilessly pulled on his ear. "'Tis entirely obvious you were up to something stupid, you fool! Don't go trying to play this off! Who do you think you are, Vlad?!" "Ow! Ow, ow, ow, ow, ow! I don't mind the pain, Elisabeth, but it's gonna be a hassle sticking it back on if you tear it off! Also, I'm nothing like him!" Kaito struggled, waving his arms in resistance. The threads of madness holding his face taut had abruptly snapped. Deep in his pocket, his stone rattled around to express its exasperation. Having sensed a change in his expression, Elisabeth snorted and let go of his ear. "Well, I have something of an idea. Your stores of mana have risen, after all. You were up to something rather stupid, indeed." "...Yeah, I figured you'd have me pegged." "Ha, I still haven't the foggiest as to your true objective. No matter what drivel you spout now, nothing shall change, nor do I intend to let it... But at the moment, that power of yours is liable to be of use." "You know, Godot Deus told me something similar." "His judgment was the same as mine, eh? Very well. Do try to keep yourself alive." Elisabeth spoke, and Kaito nodded. At least she didn't tell me to stay out of it. Secretly pleased by that, Kaito surveyed his surroundings. The only person standing by his side was Elisabeth. The Royal Knights and paladins hadn't followed. If the unthinkable happened and the Torture Princess fell, they needed to be ready to take steps to abandon the capital and seal the demon within. Because of that, they needed to preserve as many personnel as possible. Godot Deus's decision had been correct. The Torture Princess and her servant would face death alone. Just like they had back in their first battle. Like always, and just like it was back at the very beginning, huh? With that thought, Kaito nodded. However, there was one thing he found disappointing. Not having the ax-wielding automaton, Kaito's beloved, by their side made him feel a little discouraged and lonely. But he took pride in the fact that he hadn't left the Torture Princess alone. "Throughout Elisabeth Le Fanu's bloody life, she was accompanied by a single foolish servant." Kaito thought that sounded just fine. "...Let's go." "...Mm-hmm." Unlike once before, Elisabeth didn't accuse him of giving a response unbecoming of a servant. Side by side, the two of them stepped into the gray space. As they did, they crossed the boundary. The moment they did, Kaito was swallowed up by the space in which anything and everything was wrong. The Kaiser gently whispered in his ear, as though teasing him. "Welcome to the world of demons. Welcome to the nightmare." I see. This is... What did it really mean for the world to be destroyed? What was the true nature of the deeds the demons committed? In that moment, Kaito truly understood. It was quiet there. And it was engulfed in an absolute, overwhelming sense of peace. Kaito's senses of touch, hearing, and sight collectively made that abundantly clear. In that gray space, everything was uniformly dying, being killed, and silent. Demons were beings who fed on the pain of God's creations. Normally, they would be surrounded by incessant screams. However, once they'd taken everything they could, the ruins they left behind were enveloped in a surprising degree of tranquility. In a way, this made sense. Once something had been destroyed all the way to its very core, nothing possessed the means to destroy it further. Diablo destroys the world, and God creates it. At the moment, that place was waiting for God to come reassemble it. In this achromatic world, the living were clearly the foreign ones. Perplexed by the fact that they were the ones disturbing the tranquility, Kaito suddenly realized something. Demons are fundamentally evil. But at the same time, human morals don't apply to them. The words Vlad had once spoken to him crossed back through his ears. "Before they're summoned, they exist in a higher dimension. They don't possess human thoughts, they cannot use speech, and they aren't equipped with senses. When the higher-ranked demons materialize, they reflect their summoner and lower themselves such that they can understand each other as simple, evil souls. "If they didn't, we humans wouldn't even be able to comprehend their existence." "...An evil that humans can't even comprehend." As he repeated those words to himself, Kaito came to realize something. The demons fundamentally differed from the way human society defined evil. In the past, Kaito had faced off against the fourteen demons and witnessed firsthand the acts of cruelty they'd committed. But here in this quiet world marked the first time that his body stiffened not with rage but with sheer terror. Once demons wielded their true power, they didn't have anything humans might regard as an objective. There was only pure, absolute destruction. Kaito now viscerally understood that. God and Diablo weren't entities man was supposed to interact with. "What the hell was Vlad thinking, summoning something like that?" "A perfectly reasonable question, my dear successor. But it's only human to take that which we cannot comprehend and, while still ignorant of its true nature, use it for our own ends." Suddenly, Vlad's voice echoed throughout the gray world. Kaito raised his head in surprise and looked in the opposite direction from where Elisabeth was standing. "By summoning demons and dragging them down to our level, we obtained power. Perhaps it wasn't respectable, but I'd rather not be unjustly accused of folly." At some point, his slender figure had floated up. His long legs were crossed, as though he were sitting in a chair. As he spoke, he wore a smile that could best be described as beguiling. "We were carnivorous by nature—it's only human to want to consume everything one can." Vlad theatrically extended one hand in front of himself as he spoke. As he looked up at Vlad's androgynous features, Kaito ignored most of what he was saying and dejectedly asked him a question. "Hey, Vlad. I didn't run any magic through your stone, so how did you materialize?" "The rules from outside don't apply in this hollow space, you see. In the face of 'zero,' both the living and reproduction of souls in stones amount to 'ones' equally. While I don't possess flesh, my soul is given form in the truest sense in here. Or rather, though I say all that, I couldn't really tell you what the underlying principles are or how they work. My research is lacking. I must admit, though, being able to take form on my own is quite pleasant... Oh, careful there." Vlad's face forcefully blurred out. A sharp fang was piercing through his phantasmal body. Kaito assumed it was Elisabeth harassing him, but in truth, it was the Kaiser. The first-rate hound had also materialized in this space, likely irrespective of his own will. As the Kaiser bit down hard into him, Vlad shrugged in annoyance. "What might be the matter, Kaiser? I'd thought your anger had somewhat abated." "Fool! Just now, you were mocking us demons! 'Wanting to consume everything in sight'... Cease your chittering, you weak meager half-wit who went and died beyond my reach! You run your grating mouth too much, O He Who Rears Hell Within His Mind!" "Good heavens, aren't you on a short fuse. Just whose influence could that have been caused by...? Oh, easy now." Once again, his face blurred in an amusing fashion. This time, it was due to Elisabeth's stakes. At that, even Vlad's expression soured. Given his temperament, he probably didn't much care for situations where he was unable to show off. Turning toward Elisabeth, Vlad made his protest. "While I'd love to let you play your adorable little pranks, would you mind giving it a rest, Elisabeth? Surely now is no time to be wasting your mana like that." "Ha, worry not. It takes nearly no mana at all to pierce your unsightly visage." "You say that, but you mustn't let your guard down... As my dear successor just heard from the Kaiser, this here is the world of demons." Suddenly, Vlad's lips curled up. He opened his arms wide. Regaining his normal demeanor, he spoke in an unpleasant tone. "Truly, the depths of man's nightmare. And don't think you're safe just because it's silent. Even this space, engulfed as it is in endless tranquility, will spit out fresh pain in order to expel foreign contaminants." His movements theatrical, Vlad nimbly extended his arm and pointed deep into the hazy, gray world. Kaito followed to where Vlad was pointing. As he did, his hazy, muddied vision instantly cleared up. A shade of raw crimson peered out in the distance. Upon further inspection, it was writhing. The wall of flesh towered high above their heads, pulsating as though it were the very heart of the world. "See, they're coming." Vlad spoke in an amused, half-mocking voice. His words were like a cue. The silence and tranquility crumbled. Kaito gulped. A wave of pain was billowing forth from the base of the mass of flesh. More underlings than he'd ever seen before were advancing on him and Elisabeth. Death howled. Pain clamored. The grotesque horde approached. They were all lined up, like a parade or an orchestra, appearing loudly and boisterously. The tumult they caused made it seem as though all the pain in the world had gathered in one place. Because of the emergency missive Elisabeth had received from the Church, Kaito had been aware of the fact that when the mass of flesh had first explosively expanded, it had slaughtered as many as a third of the capital's inhabitants. To be more precise, it had either forcibly transformed them into underlings or left them as humans just to gruesomely kill them. However, it was only when he was faced with the host before him that he realized just how insufficient his imagination was in comprehending the scope

of the casualties. The crimson-, peach-, black-, and rust-colored underlings filled the horizon to the limit. The underlings who had assaulted the square and the ones who'd been killed by La Mules must have been nothing more than a fraction of their ranks. Even just counting the ones in Kaito's field of view, they numbered well into the thousands. Having sensed enemies approaching the mass of flesh that was their master, the underlings' ranks swelled by the minute. One by one, they raised resentful cries against those who had survived. Then they advanced forward in a wave. Normal humans would have had no means of going up against that army. But Kaito knew that the woman standing before them was in a league of her own. The Torture Princess was a peerless sinner, one who'd slaughtered the entire population of her fiefdom. "Reenactment of the Plain of Skewers: Impaled Victim." Shunk, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab, stab! Hundreds of iron stakes sprouted from the ground, destroying the weathered buildings as they went. One after another, they pierced through underlings and hoisted their tragic corpses into the air. It looked almost like they were being offered up to some dark being. Elisabeth piled on the attacks even more. "La Guillotine, the Decapitating Saint! Splendid Executioner: The Boondock Saints!" Countless blades appeared and formed a fantastical giant, around which stood a group of white saints. As the saints looked up to the heavens, Kaito snapped his fingers. "—La (dance)." A rectangular blade cleaved the sky as it came flying in. Kaito, the giant, and the saints all began their attacks simultaneously. Their sharp blades carved through the group of underlings. An almost excessive spray of blood gushed forth, and bodies began piling up a rapid clip. But although the odds looked favorable at first glance, Kaito and Elisabeth frowned. "... 'Tis problematic." "Yeah..." The underlings had begun grabbing the blades that made up the giant, tearing up their own arms in the process. Though at the cost of shedding immense amounts of blood, they still managed to tear the blades off the giant's body. Dozens of underlings died due to blood loss. But like ants disassembling a spider, they eventually finished dismantling the giant. Grabbed by countless hands, the La Guillotines also sank into the wretched sea of underlings. Elisabeth snapped her fingers again. "Gluttonous Hellhole!" A hole opened in the ground, one much larger than the Hellhole she usually summoned. As the earth caved in, it swallowed up underlings, and the underworldly beetles and grubs within ripped them to shreds with their powerful jaws. However, the underlings didn't hesitate. They leaped into the hole, one after another. Unable to withstand it, the bugs were squished. Green juices oozed out of their crushed bodies. The hole was eventually filled in with corpses, and the underlings advanced over it. They marched forward with aggressive simplicity, removing any obstacles that stood in their way. Then a ferocious darkness covered the sky, as though a typhoon was arriving. A dense black cloud violently appeared before Kaito and Elisabeth's eyes. It was yet more underlings. The grotesque, winged creatures were soaring through the sky in unison. Kaito maneuvered his blade, and Elisabeth summoned even more torture devices. But against the numbers they were facing, the ones they slew would amount to nothing more than a drop in the bucket. Overwhelmed by the waves approaching from land and sky, Kaito recalled the words Elisabeth had once said. "Numbers beget force. And one can accomplish much through the use of force." ...So this is what she was talking about. The black wave and cloud drew near. Their footsteps shook the earth, and their howls split the sky. They were like the end of the world given flesh. "Hmm, now this is a situation where shooting a cannon at a group of ants seems reasonable. But know this, boy. Even if I were to enter the fray, the number I can devour in one go is limited. What would you have me do? It would sully my good name if I were to allow my master to be consumed by cannon fodder. I wouldn't mind taking you both on my back and leaping over that throng, you know." The Kaiser posed an uncharacteristically benevolent question to Kaito. However, Kaito shook his head. "No... If we let those guys get outside, the knights and nuns will be in danger, never mind the people who haven't been able to evacuate the city yet." "Ha, a splendid jest. The daughter of Vlad and I could keep them in check, but annihilating them is another matter altogether. I told you once before, boy. One who forgets their greatest wish is naught but a fool masquerading as a saint." Kaito bit down on his lip at the Kaiser's words. He knew the Kaiser was right. There was no point to holding back the deadly stream's flow if it left them unable to advance. There was still the Grand Monarch and the King to contend with beyond this horde. Kaito knew that, but he still couldn't bring himself to agree. He looked toward the Torture Princess, as though imploring her. "Elisabeth..." "Enough of that gloomy voice already! While I'd normally advise you that naive thoughts have no place on the battlefield, even I understand. If naught else, we'd best thin out their ranks. If we simply let them roam free like this, the capital's likely to be annihilated. 'Twould be no laughing matter if we two ended up the sole survivors." "See, I knew you'd see it that way." "Quit speaking of me in that warm tone!" Kaito nodded toward Elisabeth, who was infuriated. However, this too was a dangerous gamble. For the first time, he lamented the fact that the two of them were alone there. Here in that gray world, there was nobody for them to entrust their backs to. Eventually, though, Elisabeth shook her head. "I suppose we'd best get to it, then. 'Tis no point in expecting things to turn for the better. And regret accomplishes naught." "Yeah, you're right—we're the only ones here, after all." The Torture Princess and the Kaiser's contractor nodded to each other. The unseemly black dog snorted and pawed at the ground. Vlad shrugged in exasperation. But as the two of them mustered up their tragic resolution before their oncoming foes, they heard something. "Get back, you two!" An unexpected voice rang out. Kaito looked up as though he'd been slapped. As he confirmed the voice's owner, his eyes went wide. A winged, white orb was floating amid the gray sky. It was one of the Church's communication devices, and Izabella's voice was coming from within it. "How—?" "Don't just idly stand there, Kaito! Get back!" The moment Kaito tried to question what was going on, Elisabeth grabbed him by the collar. As she did, she dragged him violently backward at a rapid clip. Then she released him, practically tossing him aside. He turned to look at the place where they'd just been standing. When he did, his retinas were seared white. An intense light had burst right in front of him. A group of underlings had been vaporized. "Oh-ho." Vlad raised his voice in interest. Turning away from the scene for a moment, Kaito frantically recovered his temporarily shattered vision. Then he rechecked the terrible spectacle before him. The underlings had burst into flames and were burning. Among them, a massive bird was turning to ash as well. Kaito identified it. It's a summoned beast, the same kind La Mules was summoning! It was then that the reality of the situation hit Kaito. The holy bird was what had made the underlings disintegrate. La Mules should be dead, though... "Izabella, you fool! You'll kill yourself!" The moment that bit of confusion crossed Kaito's mind, Elisabeth let out a shout. Beside him, she was staring out beyond the boundary between the worlds of demon and man. As he followed her gaze, Kaito's eyes widened. Off in the distance, the apex of the hill was shining silver. Paladins were gathered there, standing with a group of priests in a strange square formation. At their feet were magical runes so large that Kaito could make them out from where he stood. He couldn't tell what they said, but he knew what they meant. It's gathering up mana from the priests and the paladins! With La Mules having passed, the group was now working together as one and forming a single cannon. And Izabella was most likely acting as its launchpad. Kaito then recalled a certain fact. Izabella's store of mana was as deep and as placid as the sea and well suited toward healing, protective, and summoning magic. At the same time, an old scene flashed back through his mind. That night, Izabella hadn't hesitated in taking his beastly hand, the proof of his demonic contract, and shaking it with her gauntlet. They'd looked each other in the eyes and sworn an oath. ""Let's take out that demon together."" But in the end, the Torture Princess had ended up shouldering the decisive battle alone. After talking with Elisabeth, Kaito had attacked Izabella's conscience, both for the sake of his ulterior motive and out of indignation. "La Mules is dead. If the Torture Princess screws up, who do you think's next in line to fight?" "Who the hell do you think is gonna end up getting sacrificed for the sake of all the heretics and people who call him a monster?" At the time, Izabella hadn't responded. But at present, she was trying to fulfill her promise to Kaito with her own hands. She'd chosen to fight alongside him and the Torture Princess. But she's taking too big of a risk. Izabella's method of attack differed from the way La Mules used the summoning circles inside her own body. Additionally, because she was splitting the burden with the paladins, there was little chance she'd lose her sanity. But the amount of mana they'd amassed was too much for a mere human's body to handle. Furthermore, the other paladins were in danger as well. Even though they weren't going to enter the demon's world themselves, they would have nowhere to run if the King launched his long-range attack on them. And above all, the strain on their bodies and their mana would be intense no matter what else happened. They clearly had no intention of preserving their strength. But Godot Deus's decision was correct! "What in the world do you think you're doing?! Don't be rash!" "I should be the one telling you not to say such foolish things! We are the swords of the Church, the blades of the Saint, and the shields of the people. If we do not save the innocent who suffer, then who exactly are we expecting to bear that burden?" "We're handling it just fine! What, are you worried about that stuff I said to you? My bad. That was just me running my mouth! Please just forget about it! Think about your responsibilities!" "This is our city! We will aid you, and we will protect it! I have no intention of foisting those I am duty bound to protect onto you two!" "But...!" "Just how long do you think it took me to convince the priests?! Leave this to us and advance!" Loud, fierce shouts came from within the white orb. For a moment, they were overlaid with the sound of someone coughing up blood. As he heard Izabella let out a clear groan of pain, Kaito clenched his fists. As he did, another summoned beast came soaring in. Exploding underlings filled the horizon. Kaito inhaled sharply. He knew he needed to stop her. Before he could speak, though, Izabella stole a lead on him. "Don't give me that nonsense, Kaito Sena! Enough is enough! You should be looking for any help you can get, even if it comes from a monster! Don't

you want to save the suffering people as soon as possible?" Her voice was like a slap in the face. In that moment, Izabella had completely and utterly defeated Kaito. He found himself at a loss for words. Still speechless, he practically spasmed as he bowed deeply to the white orb. After biting down hard on his lip, he turned to Elisabeth. "Elisabeth..." Her crimson eyes were fixated on the orb. For a second, Kaito felt as though the gazes of those two women, who stood at opposite ends of evil and holiness, had met. Eventually, Elisabeth said a few words. "You could have merely cracked your whip at me and amused yourself as a spectator... I'm surrounded by fools, the lot of you." "Elisabeth..." "We're leaving, Kaito! Don't fall behind now! Chop-chop!" The next moment, Elisabeth kicked off the ground hard. She took off like an arrow, leaving deep footprints in the gray earth as she ran. Flustered, Kaito took after her. Vlad and the Kaiser followed along as well. The orb remained behind, perhaps in order to survey the underlings' positions. Then Izabella's pained shouts chased after them. "Go, Torture Princess, O reviled sinner who slaughtered countless innocents, knights, and my brother!" For a second, intense hatred leaked through into her voice. Izabella was aiming her vivid resentment at Elisabeth like an arrow. But with power strong enough even to crush her negative emotions, Izabella continued on. "Please save the capital!" Her tone sounded almost like a prayer. White light surged forward. It drowned out Elisabeth's expression, so Kaito couldn't see it. He just single-mindedly advanced, surrounded by flying underling corpses. Burdened with Izabella's sincere plea, Kaito and Elisabeth dashed across the plain. It was practically like a battlefield that was under bombardment. The light burst forth several more times. Though their vision was blasted away time and time again, they unceasingly made their way through the stream of death. Leaving the sound of bombardment behind them, they pressed deeper into the gray world. Eventually, all the noise faded into the distance. Once again, they were engulfed in a heavy silence. The air was thick with the presence of death as the mass of flesh towered in front of them. The looming mass was adorned with innumerable holes. Its damp red surface was covered in cavities, like a leaf that had been chewed through by a caterpillar. It was almost impressive how viscerally repugnant it was. Kaito felt goose bumps run all the way down his body. He looked up fixedly at the mass's unseemly surface. Those holes are probably from when its victims' faces came out. They'd been uniformly transformed into underlings, then expelled. Kaito racked his brain as to how they were supposed to deal with that thing. But without laying a finger on the writhing mass in front of her, let alone attacking it, Elisabeth quickened her pace. Tilting his head to the side, Kaito followed her. Although he hadn't said anything, she must have sensed his confusion as she spoke. "'Tis too great a task to cut it down from the outside. I said I'd be striking their true bodies directly, did I not? It just released that great mass of underlings. There should be a hole somewhere that leads to its core. I aim to find it." "A hole that leads to its core?" "Indeed, I would say that her prediction is right on the mark." Vlad gently floated up to walk beside Elisabeth. As Kaito turned to look at him, he exaggeratedly propped up his chin with his finger. "All-out war has a nice ring to it, but putting all their cards on the table like that was base foolishness. The King and the Grand Monarch expelled everything they had. Because of that, you should be able to make it past where they were storing the underlings inside themselves. Making such a choice causes me to wonder if their very brains had turned to mere lumps of flesh... Hmm, even though it may give rise to abnormal power, it seems that having demons run rampant carries few benefits with it." "You just be quiet, Vlad, and cease your twittering. Nobody asked you." Elisabeth clicked her tongue. Vlad shrugged and obediently shut up. After nodding at her explanation, Kaito began circling the mass's perimeter. The footing was poor, and the area was covered in blood and tallow. The two of them noisily trudged through the muck as they looked for a suitable opening. Before long, Kaito stopped in front of an unsettling fold of flesh that hung conspicuously over the ground. "Elisabeth." "...I see; this must be it." Behind the soft, womanly flesh was a massive, tunnel-like hole. Its insides had been trampled flat by underlings. It was the remnants of the path that deadly procession had taken. Elisabeth cast a sharp gaze inside. "There." "Wait, there's still more of them?" Three underlings sat at the edge of her crimson glare. They were lined up horizontally, guarding the hole like overly diligent gatekeepers. Kaito looked their new foes over from head to toe. From the left on, he cast his gaze at each of their peculiar figures in turn. There was a woman wearing a tattered dress. There was a man wearing a gray wolf headdress. And there was a man dressed in stern, full-body armor. Out of the three of them, it was the woman's strangeness that gave Kaito pause. She had proper eyes, lips, and a nose, yet her face was decidedly inhuman. Her skin was made out of some smooth material, like glass or porcelain. Her clothes, too, gave her the appearance of some sort of half-finished cloth puppet. Their faces are covered up by the helmet and the headdress, but the two guys probably look the same way. Even so, they looked more human than the underlings who'd been forcibly transformed. And above all else, the amount of power emanating from them was far greater than that of the small fry they had seen so far. Remaining wary of the three, Kaito spoke. "Hey, Elisabeth... Is it just me, or are those guys way stronger than the other underlings?" "Indeed, they are. 'Tis the Grand Monarch's ability—birthing unique underlings through Duplication. Those three are copies of the King, the Grand Monarch, and the late Monarch. While they are far weaker than their demonic counterparts, 'tis true that they far surpass ordinary—huh?" As she spoke, the armor-clad man strode directly toward Elisabeth. He grabbed the handle of the long sword strapped to his back, then drew it from its sheath with one hand. He swung its blade downward, parting the muddy gray air with great force. Kaito felt a powerful gust of wind blow across his entire body. The armored figure then pointed the tip of his fiendish blade at Elisabeth, as though provoking her. Her eyes widened a hair, and the corners of her ruby lips curled up. "I see; he truly is a copy of the King. So you wish to trade blows with me? Very well." In response, Elisabeth raised a pale hand overhand and drew the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal from a swirl of darkness and crimson flower petals. After spinning its handle once around in her palm, she turned it toward her armored foe. Its tip came to a sudden stop in the air. "Come. I shall face you." Their blades in hand, the two squared off. A stillness rife with bloodlust filled the space. The next moment, the armored man roared. The air around him froze over, then shattered like glass. He charged with a glorious scream. As the ferocious mass of bloodlust approached her, Elisabeth shouted as well. "Wicker Man!" Darkness and petals exploded from the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal. Defenseless, the armored man rushed directly into them. The dancing black and crimson swallowed up the other two replicants as well. A dry popping noise rang out, and the darkness split to become countless boughs. Before Kaito's eyes, a massive, birdcage-like figure knit itself together. The replicants found themselves sealed within its hollow torso. They raged, demanding to be let out. As they did, the figure's twisted limbs caught fire. The blaze grew to a tempest. As he faced the radiant scarlet mass, Kaito spoke up in confusion. "W-weren't you going to face off against him?" "Your honesty is going to get you killed one of these days, boy." "I really must agree, my dear successor. Take this as a lesson. At times, victory demands one to abandon their scruples." "Exactly! Why should I feel obliged to go out of my way to fight those things? Splendid, splendid! Burn for me! Ha-ha-ha!" Elisabeth crossed her arms and let out a loud, villainous laugh. But the next moment, the flaming mass tore open from within, and the figure's torso burst. Sparks flew violently through the air. The three replicants practically danced as they leaped out from within it. "Tch, it seems a single blow was insufficient." Elisabeth clicked her tongue. The female replicant leaped at her as her tattered dress violently flared up. Suddenly, the replicant's throat squirmed strangely, and her egg-like face split open. Something soft came flying out from between her glassy lips. *** It looked like a blob wrapped in ordinary red cloth. But Kaito could sense a bizarre liveliness coming from it. The blob of cloth was giving off the same kind of vitality that flesh did. Having been tormented by something similar once before, Kaito reflexively knew what it was. That blob is a copy of a heart. Mediocre as it may have been, the female replicant was preparing a version of Sacrifice. "It can't be!" He hadn't thought it to be a technique usable by a mere copy. Kaito was shaken. At the same time, his battle experience caused a dreadful hypothesis to flash through his head. Even with the amount I'm keeping in reserve for the fight against the King and the Grand Monarch, I'm burning through a crap ton of mana. Given the situation, having their power sealed away, even a little bit, would be dangerous. And even if Kaito wasn't the target, Elisabeth getting hit would lead to the same ending. Dispelling Sacrifice would use up a huge amount of his blood and mana. In other words, no matter who took the blow, it would severely restrict Kaito's ability to keep fighting. If that happened, he wouldn't be able to keep his promise to Izabella, the oath he'd sworn with her to take out the demon together. And he'd end up leaving Elisabeth alone right before the decisive battle. I can't allow that. He had to destroy the heart before it could activate. Panicking, Kaito completely froze in his tracks. Standing still on the battlefield was clearly an act of utter folly. Elisabeth shouted out in rage. The King turned his blade on Kaito. Sacrifice was on the verge of erupting from the heart. And looking overhead, the Kaiser was laughing. "Oh-ho. An intruder here, of all places." All of that happened in a single moment. A powerful flapping noise rang out, and a massive shadow passed over Kaito's and Elisabeth's heads. And at the same time, someone shouted. *** A classically designed maid uniform and skirt soared through the air. The silver-haired girl's frills fluttered as she fell. The way she'd appeared before Kaito was practically like destiny. "...Hi...na!" As she landed, the beautiful maid brandished her halberd. With it, Hina, Kaito's bride, brilliantly cut down the heart right before it could invoke Sacrifice. The rent heart fell to the ground with a plop. As it gently unraveled, it reverted back to being ordinary cloth. The female replicant toppled to the ground. Hina turned to Kaito, who was still astonished. Her emerald-green, gemstone-like eyes shone as she looked at him. "Master Kaito! I've returned home!" A beautiful smile spread across Hina's face, one brimming with heartfelt love. But her choice of words was a

little strange. They were rather far away from the place where they lived. This wouldn't normally be a situation that called for the phrase I'm home. But for the two of them, it was wholly fitting. Gazing solely at Kaito, the silver-haired bride went on. "At long last, I've returned to my rightful place by your side." Kaito snapped his fingers, saying nothing. His blade flew in from the sky and cleaved at the torso of the King, who had drawn near. After swinging his sword and repelling the blow, the King fell back. Not sparing the interloper a single glance, Kaito spread his arms as wide as they would go. Mustering all his power, the bridegroom smiled wide and responded to his wife with words yet unbefitting the battlefield. "Welcome home, Hina! Come to me!" "Master Kaitoooooooooooooooooooo!" Instantly tossing aside her halberd, Hina took off at a sprint. And so at the center of the battlefield, the two lovers locked themselves in a passionate embrace. Hina was notably taller than Kaito. Leaning in toward his face, she drew him into her bosom. Kaito buried his face in her chest. In the past, he would likely have gone beet red, but now he calmly returned Hina's embrace. Nuzzling Kaito's head over and over again, Hina inhaled deeply. "Ah... Master Kaito's scent... Master Kaito's warmth... Master Kaito, Master Kaito, Master Kaito. My master, my husband, my eternal lover, my heart...my everything. Please let your heart sing, for I have finally returned to you. I'm finally back where I belong." "Hina, I can't tell you how happy I am to see you again. I'm so, so glad. You'll always be there to protect me, won't you?" "Without a doubt. I am your blade and yours alone!" "W-wait. But what are you doing here?" "Madam Elisabeeeeeeeeeeeeth! Mr. Dim-Witted Servaaaaaant! Are you two saaaaaaaaafe?" As if to answer his question, a voice came down from the skies. After hurriedly looking up, Kaito goggled. A steel-blue dragon was hovering in the gray sky. Bearing a fiendish face, it leisurely flapped its gigantic wings. As the Kaiser gazed up at its majestic form, he spoke in a low voice that was somewhere between admiration and exasperation. "A steel dragon? The dragons were supposed to have all fled from the lands humans, demi-humans, and beastfolk inhabit. Where in the world did he find it?" "Oh my, oh my. And it even bears a saddle. How ingenious." Vlad chimed in as well, seemingly amused. Just as he'd said, the steel dragon had a saddle fastened to its back. And of all things, the Butcher was mounted atop it. Furthermore, the hard, metallic scales covering the dragon's back even had a hunk of meat on the bone—perhaps intended to be a stand-in for a shop's insignia—drawn on them. The Butcher called out as he deftly manipulated the reins. "Ms. Lovely Maid completed her recovery, so I brought her here atop my beloved third dragon!" "Nooooooot that I'm not thankful, Butcher, but just who the hell are youuuuuuuuuu?" "Mm, the mysteries just deepen and deepen." As Kaito shouted back, Elisabeth stroked her chin. It was unclear if he was able to hear them or not, but the Butcher flashed them a thumbs-up. It hardly made for much of an answer. Then he gave them a big wave. "And with that, I take my leeeeeeeeeave! I look forward to your continued patronaaaaaaage!" "You're just gonna leave after all that? Maaaaaan, you're something else!" "...Now then, you two. I understand your burning desire to flirt and make eyes at each other, but do try to save it for later." "Ah, sorry. My bad. I couldn't help myself!" "Ah, oh yes, you're quite right; my deepest apologies! Oh my, how could I?! I will return to the fight at once!" Kaito and Hina had been hugging for the entirety of the previous exchange. With an exasperated look on her face, Elisabeth used a torture device to pry the two away from each other. Hearing her request, Hina hurriedly tried to separate from Kaito. "And at that, Master Kaito, pardon me... Squeeze!" Before she did, she hugged Kaito tight one more time. After deeply breathing in his scent, she released him from her arms and balled up her fists. "All right, I've sufficiently replenished my Master Kaito energy! Here I go!" As she spoke, Hina's skirt flapped mightily as she kicked her halberd off the ground. The hefty weapon spun through the air like it weighed nothing at all. Hina grabbed its handle out of the air, then turned to face her foes. She gave her halberd a decisive swing, and its tip came to a sharp stop. It seemed that one swing was enough for the King's replicant to sense her prowess. He waved his arm, gesturing for the replicant with the wolf headdress to fall back. Then the King's replicant lowered his posture. Facing the fully armored combatant, Hina whispered to Kaito and Elisabeth. "Back when we landed in the town, we were fortunate enough to receive information from the kind paladins and discern that the situation has developed into a state of emergency. While it worries me to leave you alone, Master Kaito, I believe in my dear Lady Elisabeth! Please, you two, go on ahead! I can handle things here." "Hina, what are you talking about? Elisabeth and I can stay with you and—" "As always, how kind you are! But fighting those two will be a breeze. My power stems from the mechanisms within me. Because it has nothing to do with demons, Sacrifice will have no effect on me. I may not be a match for true demons, but no underling will be able to best me! Please leave this to me and press on!" Elisabeth and Kaito looked at each other. It was true that Hina was under no risk of losing her powers. And it might even be better for her to fight the underlings alone, rather than alongside someone who she'd have to worry about protecting from Sacrifice. But Hina had only just woken up. "You need not worry! I urge you, conserve your mana!" Seeing their hesitation, Hina doubled down. As she did, the armored man, the King's replicant, took off at a dash. He loudly swung his sword. Hina easily blocked his heavy attack with the back of her halberd. Then she shifted to go on the offensive. Twice, three times they clashed, and each time, Hina would do a somersault off the ground and kick the armored man in the helmet. He staggered. Pressing the assault, Hina made use of her weapon's reach by putting some space between herself and the King's replicant. Adjusting her grip on the halberd, Hina spoke passionately. "I can't make children the way a human woman can! But even so, I swore to become part of your family, Master Kaito! Even if it kills me, I refuse to do anything that would renege on—" "Mm, well... To avoid misunderstanding, I should make one thing clear." "What might that be, Lady Elisabeth?" "You two can have children." Hina abruptly ground to a halt. An unbelievably eerie, heavy silence filled the air. "...Hi-Hina?" "Hina, are...are you okay?" Even with Elisabeth and Kaito calling out to her, Hina remained motionless, as though she was frozen. Thinking he'd found an opening, the King's replicant charged. But Hina, moving only her arm, leveled a precise slash at him. The wolf-headed copy, now defying the King's replicant's orders, rushed at her from the left, but Hina silently slipped a knife out of her sleeve and hurled it at him as well. He let out a scream. Still staring straight ahead, Hina spoke in a terrifyingly quiet voice. "............Lady Elisabeth, what did you just say?" "Erm, well, you know. You two can...have children. Mm... 'Tis the truth, I swear!" "If—if—if—if—if I might be bold enough to ask, h-h-h-h-how, precisely, would we go about that?" "Hina, you're way too wound up. I'm interested, too, but I'm begging you, you gotta settle down a bit." Hina had begun forcefully trembling. Worried, Kaito frantically tried to pacify her. The whole situation had been thrown into complete chaos. Even so, Hina's halberd movements were precise and accurate. The way she was near automatically managing her offense and defense to keep the replicants from drawing even a step closer was amazing in a way. Swinging her halberd wide to keep her two foes at a distance, Hina's eyes opened wide. "Quickly! Lady Elisabeth! How?! Promptly! Without delay! Please tell me!" "I—I get it! I shall tell you! I'll tell you!" Faced with Hina's bloodcurdling intensity, Elisabeth leaped up. Breaking out into a cold sweat, she spoke in an oddly bashful manner. "You know if we're speaking accurately, it isn't quite the same as a child... 'Tis more like a humanoid homunculus formed from a mixture of each of your physical data, then cultivated in a device within Hina's abdomen. Then, um, well..." "What then, Lady Elisabeth? What theeeeeeeeeeeeeennnnnnnn?" "M-mm! Then...well, um...don't make me say it! 'Tis embarrassing! You do the deed! Then you insert Kaito's fluids into... Wait, why must I be the one to explain such a thiiiiing?!" "Elisabeth, Miss Elisabeth, settle down! And quit hitting me!" "Lady Elisabeth! Keep going! Quickly, quickly! You can do anything you set your mind to, Lady Elisabeth!" Rapidly spinning her halberd, Hina loudly urged Elisabeth on. Punching Kaito all the while, Elisabeth continued in a desperate tone. "Hyah! Then! With you-know-what as a base, you nurture the homunculus within Hina's womb! Kaito uses his mana to aid it along, and once it emerges, erm, your 'child' will be complete!" Elisabeth puffed up her chest with pride, having gotten through her explanation all in one go. However, she received no response. Hina simply stood silently, continuing to spin her halberd. A despondent look crossed Elisabeth's face. "...Was there something wrong with my explanation?" "Man, I'm surprised by how quickly you got dejected." In front of them, Hina's white shoulders began violently trembling. "Hee-hee-hee......hee-hee-hee-hee..." "H-Hina?" "Dear Hina?" *** Her voice exploded out, and the gears inside her body began rattling as they rapidly turned. The psssssht sound of surging steam even rang out. White smoke billowed from her ears. Frantically grabbing her slender shoulders, Kaito began pleading with Hina in his confusion. "H-Hina! Are you okay?! Don't you go dying on me now!" Strangely, Hina didn't reply to him. The next moment, she dashed off with explosive force. Leaving afterimages in her wake, she swung her halberd. Blood spurted from the wolf headdress–wearing replicant as he went flying into the air. He whizzed through the sky, then came crashing back down into the ground. His body was bent at a sharp, brutal angle. The King's replicant was visibly shaken as well. Warily, he adjusted his grip on his sword. With astoundingly smooth movements, Hina charged toward him. Her emerald eyes were wide in wonderment, and her voice was oozing with delight. "Oh, how wondrous! What a paradise this world of ours is! We can raise all the children to be just as charming as Master Kaito! We can have a dozen of them and live together in eternal bliss! I haven't any time to waste here! Drop dead and be quick about it!" Hina attacked fiercely, and dents sprang up all over the man's armor. Dumbfounded, Kaito and Elisabeth simply watched over the chain of events. "........................................................................Your wife is incredible." "........................................................................My wife is incredible." Eventually, the two of them let out those feeble murmurs. At times, resolution, urges, and strong emotions—whether they were positive or negative—could grant people abnormal bursts of power. But upon witnessing that effect to such a degree, Kaito and Elisabeth found themselves at something of a loss for words. One of Hina's heavy blows sent the King's replicant flying. He staggered uneasily but was still able to move. As she faced him, Hina looked over her shoulder and smiled.

"Ah, my dear friends. To that end, please leave this to me! This brute seems rather firm, so it may take just a little bit of time to whittle him down." "Got...got it." "W-we leave it in your capable hands." "Oh, and Master Kaito, is twelve children all right with you? Would you prefer more?" "L-let's leave it at twelve for now! W-we can iron out the details later!" "Aye-aye! This is an important matter for us! Oh, you're coming at me again? Very well! Die!" No matter how one looked at it, in her current state, Hina seemed unlikely to lose. Having decided to leave her to it, Kaito and Elisabeth broke into a run. As they quickened their pace, the sound of Hina pounding on armor receded behind them. And with that, the two of them finally infiltrated the mass of flesh and headed inside the demon. The tunnels inside the mass resembled the inside of a human uterus. Kaito and Elisabeth dashed down paths that resembled birth canals and esophagi. It was like they'd been swallowed up by a monster or were traveling back up through a mother's birth canal. Their surroundings were so permeated with the stench of blood it was stifling. And unsurprisingly, they could sense a powerful source of vitality farther down the path. Strangely, though, the mass's insides had an ephemeral frailty to them as well. Perhaps due to the damage it had sustained from La Mules's attack, the mass was clearly hemorrhaging mana. The weakened King and Grand Monarch should be somewhere down this way. That thought propelling him, Kaito kept a watchful eye as he strode inward. As the two of them ran, the slapping sound of meat on the soles of their shoes rang out. They went deeper and deeper down the path, as though they were descending into the bowels of Hades. "Did you notice?" "Yeah..." Eventually, the two of them perceived a change. The pulsating sound that quivered through the entire mass was gradually getting louder. Thump, thump, thump, thump. The rhythm of some malevolent being's exertions of breath rocked their bodies. We're probably getting close to the center. They ran down a passage that had started to call to mind thick blood vessels. A wide, open space lay at its end. The scent of blood and flesh grew stronger. As he stopped to look around, Kaito found himself assailed with nausea. "This is..." "How very strange and how utterly twisted." The fleshy walls surrounding them were hollowed out in a circle. They were propped up by crowded ribs and looked to be on the verge of collapse. Alongside them, two people's worth of massive organs were lined up. However, the way the organs were arranged was haphazard. The two hearts pulsed side by side as blood vessels wound their way around them. Their fused lungs lay scattered on the ground, and half-dissolved heaps of brain lay piled up around them. The spectacle surpassed grotesqueness and ventured into the realm of being downright bizarre. In fact, it was almost humorous. It was as if human organs had been enlarged and then put on display. After glancing over them all, Kaito's gaze returned to the hearts. Upon closer inspection, one right atrium and one left atrium each had a single person-shaped figure squirming within them. It was probably the King and Grand Monarch's true bodies, submerged in blood. Elisabeth wordlessly raised her right arm to call forth a torture device. But in a rare display, the Kaiser growled with his fur bristling. "Look at that, boy." "Huh? ...Wait, what is that?" Prompted by the Kaiser, Kaito looked toward the wall of flesh to his left. Two types of organs had sunken into it. However, Kaito couldn't make out what they were from their roundish shapes. But the moment he thought back to the three underlings, he instinctively guessed their identities. Between the King's, Grand Monarch's, and Monarch's replicants, two had been male, and one had been female. The Monarch and the King were men. That meant that the Grand Monarch had to be a woman. The organs were a uterus and a pair of testicles. But what the Kaiser was pointing at was something else entirely. "I know not. It is something that not even I know the identity of. And for me to not know of it, it must be abnormal in the extreme." The female organ was fused to the male organ. And at the point where they met sat a strange, fleshy, tumorlike cocoon. It was wrapped in soft, hypha-like fibers and filled with fluid. A small figure, one that belonged to neither the King nor the Grand Monarch, wriggled energetically within it. There was something living there that did not belong. Faced with that reality, Kaito froze, and Elisabeth scowled. "That thing...could it be...?" After thinking for a moment, she breathed in a small breath. With widened eyes, she gave voice to her terrifying hypothesis. "Are the demons trying to birth a child?" "...! Is that even possible?" "Mm, two contractors can theoretically bear a child. Of course, it would give rise to naught but a normal human... But two contractors merging with their demons, going beyond ordinary transformations and warping into a mass of flesh, and then having a child is unheard of." "Indeed, the girl speaks truth. Demons exist solely to destroy—this is blasphemy! Blasphemy against our very existence!" "In my opinion, such a creature would be fascinating... It would go against not just the laws of our world but the very providence of God and Diablo. And it offends the Kaiser, as well. It would certainly be safer to return it to nothingness before it is born." The Kaiser howled, and Vlad spoke in an unusually serious tone. Kaito felt a cold sweat bead up on his forehead. Looks like we were right to rush over here. There was no way anyone could have known that such a thing was being cultivated here. The fact that Elisabeth had marched here concerned that the demon would grow in power had ended up being important in an unexpected way. Kaito and Elisabeth nodded at each other. Then they changed their target. Aiming at the fetus, the two of them launched their attacks. When they did, the entire room squirmed, and the walls pulsed. Elisabeth and Kaito braced themselves for whatever was about to appear. But their vigilance ended up backfiring. The next moment, countless King faces appeared from all directions. *** The only things sharp about the sunken, squalid, muscled faces were the eyes. Countless eyeballs bore down on the two of them. Then strands of drool dripped from countless pairs of flaccid lips as they opened. All at once, they released multihued roars. Because they hadn't dashed away before the faces had finished appearing, there was no way for them to avoid the attack. "Elisabeth!" Kaito's scream was blotted out. He and Elisabeth were swallowed up by the vortex of gray noise. The ceiling crumbled; the floor crumbled; someone cried; someone laughed And then Kaito's vision went dark. 6 Her Feelings Pain. Pain was all that existed. Most of Kaito's memories from his previous life started and ended with pain. Assailed all over by that nostalgic agony, Kaito opened his eyes. When he came to his senses, he found himself lying atop a damp tatami mat. ...H-huh? Flies buzzed noisily over his eyes. He surveyed his surroundings. A dirty fluorescent bulb was swaying from the ceiling. The window was covered in packing tape, and his ripped-out teeth rolled about beneath the tea table. Then Kaito looked at his body. The shirt stuck to his scrawny torso was hardened from all the sweat and vomit staining it. His right arm was covered in shallow lacerations, and his left arm hung unmoving and was slathered in dark-red stains. His ankle was twisted at an odd angle, and his stomach was assailed by a heavy pain, as though one of his organs had ruptured. Kaito took a good, long look at the situation he was in. He was lying on his side in the room where he'd been killed in his previous life. It was almost as though everything that had happened after his resurrection had been nothing more than something he'd dreamed while on the verge of death. Faced with that desperate situation, a single thought crossed his mind. What, this again? Kaito remembered this. During his ceremonial trial with the Kaiser, he'd gone through the exact same experience. At the same time, he now understood why La Mules had died, as well as the nature of the King's mental attack. While their ranks were below his, first-class mythical beasts and spirits were similar in nature to God, and summoning them required dragging them down from a higher plane of existence. To do that, one needed to have a strong connection to God, but aside from the Suffering Saint, nobody could hold that power within themselves for long and still retain their sanity. That was what Elisabeth had said. Before she lost her senses, La Mules must have had her memories and will returned to her. Then, in her confusion, she'd ended up going insane and killing herself. Man, this is cruel, all right... It probably didn't do much to most of the paladins. But it'd be brutal on anyone with a traumatic past. If this had been my first time, I'd have been in trouble, too. Just like the last time, Kaito forcibly moved his body as he mused. His body was little more than skin and bones; even the act of breathing caused him to spasm with convulsions. But he staggered across the room anyhow, regurgitating gastric juices as he walked. I wonder how I'm supposed to wake up from this dream... Given what happened to La Mules, if I kill myself in the dream, I feel like my real body will probably die, too. As he thought through his problem in an almost insanely calm manner, he limped forward on his mangled ankle. As he did, he heard the sound of the front door opening and then the noise of stomping coming from the front hallway. His father was probably home. Looking up as though he'd been slapped, Kaito paused in his tracks. The screen door to the room slid open. Kaito's father was angrily shouting something. "Kaito, ya little shi— Bluh?" As he did, Kaito matched the timing as his father stormed into the room and used it to bury his fist in his father's face. Kaito's own bones snapped, but the blow was clean. Blood gushed from his father's face. His nose had been crushed. Perhaps he'd even suffered a concussion as he toppled over onto the floor. Covered in blood from his own nose, his eyes rolled back in his head as he pathetically slipped into unconsciousness. "Outta my way." Kaito's voice was cold as he spoke over his shoulder. He then completely ignored the man who'd abused him for countless years and eventually even murdered him. Not sparing so much as a passing glance in his father's direction, Kaito exited through the screen door. Dragging his mangled body, he made his way down the damp hallway and opened the front door. On the other side of it, there was nothing but darkness. "...Huh, so that's how it is." Faced with a darkness that would have caused any human to instinctively succumb to terror, Kaito muttered those few words. Once, he'd spent hundreds of subjective years in a similar space. At this point, it would take more than that to scare him. Without an ounce of fear, Kaito strode into the darkness. He knew full well there was nothing he could gain if he didn't walk forward. This place really is like where the Kaiser tested me, Kaito thought. He'd gradually come to realize that, just where he'd been tested, his bodily sensations were fading away. He had become

a being of consciousness alone. There was nobody there to observe him, to interact with him, or to define him. And he had no methods at his disposal to confirm his own sensations. It was hard to prove the existence of the self with nothing but consciousness in this space devoid of touch, sight, hearing, and meaning. But even in this cruel world, Kaito didn't hesitate. He just kept walking in search of an exit without a word. He went farther and farther and deeper and deeper into the darkness. Then Kaito stopped in his tracks. He could hear a voice singing a beautiful song. The voice responsible for the gentle tune was one he knew well. That song... In truth, Kaito had never heard one of those before. After all, his mother had passed before he was old enough to remember her. But he knew that gentle melody couldn't have been anything else. That's... It was a lullaby. He was sure of it. Kaito followed the source of the song. As he drew closer to the soft voice, the space around him shifted and changed. White light began mingling with the black of the darkness, and the space's empty gloom began taking on definite forms. Eventually, his field of vision had cleared up completely. Before he'd noticed, he'd arrived in a child's bedroom. ...I recognize this room. That was the first thought that crossed his mind as he looked around the room. The rectangular walls were covered with wallpaper adorned with a dull yellow floral design, and beside the window were cute confectionary-like plaster sculptures. The furniture was all white, and atop a beautiful chest of drawers with metal handles sat a group of dolls and stuffed animals. There was a four-poster bed, too, with pearl-gray sheets and a heavy mattress no doubt stuffed with down. And sitting on the bed was a young girl atop a pile of blankets. She was beautiful, but her complexion was marred by the effects of an aggressive illness. The way her long black hair was knotted and robbed of its luster was painful to look at. Her features were so fine they looked almost inhuman, but her skin was pale and her lips were cracked and caked with blood. In spite of all that, though, her expression was strangely calm. Although it was tinged with death's black shadow, she wore a lonely yet serene smile on her face. Her chest damp and reddened with blood, she wove her song. "...Elisabeth." "Marianne taught me this song, see?" A young voice rang out. Kaito, not having expected a response, swallowed sharply. At some point, she'd turned to look at him. He could make out his reflection in her large eyes. He was about to call out to her, to the young Elisabeth, but he stopped himself. When she said Marianne's name, there was genuine affection in her voice. Marianne had gone mad because of Elisabeth, and Kaito himself had killed her. If it had been the normal Elisabeth saying her name, her voice would have been filled with nostalgia as well as deep regret and a tinge of disgust. The Elisabeth in front of him probably didn't know anything about what had happened. Having realized that, Kaito decided to give a gentle, quiet nod. "Yeah, it's a nice song and a gentle one... A lullaby." "Isn't it? You know, Marianne will sing it for me whenever I ask!" The young Elisabeth puffed up her chest with pride. But the next moment, she violently balled herself up like she'd been struck by an arrow. Clutching her chest with her small hands, Elisabeth began coughing with such intensity it seemed she would vomit up her intestines. "Hic... Hic... Cough, cough... Hack, hack, hack—" "Elisabeth, are you okay?!" Panicking, Kaito rushed over to her side. As she trembled in pain, he gently stroked her frail back. The anguish she was in was heart-wrenching. Kaito bitterly lamented that he couldn't do more for her. Eventually, Elisabeth settled down. She wiped the blood off her lips, then peered up. With tears welling in her innocent eyes, she looked at Kaito. "Thank you, I'm okay now... But, huh? Who are you, mister?" "I'm..." "I should be the only one in this room... Where in the world did you come from?" Kaito was at a loss for how to respond. He had no idea what kind of answer he should give. As the servant of the Torture Princess, he could give no true answer that wouldn't hurt her. No matter what he told her, it would indubitably cause her pain. I don't know if her young heart can handle how cruel the truth is. The explanation Kaito eventually settled on was vague but true nonetheless. "I'm on your side." "My side?" "Yeah. No matter what happens, I'll always be on your side." Kaito made his firm declaration. The young Elisabeth blinked repeatedly and tilted her head to the side in confusion. But it looked like he'd been able to convey his friendliness, if nothing else. After a moment, Elisabeth gave him a meek smile. "Oh. I guess you are." "Yeah, I am." "Say, mister. Do you want to hear me sing some more?" "...Yeah, that'd be nice." "Then how about I sing for you!" Her voice full of vitality, Elisabeth resumed her song. Kaito listened silently to the gentle melody. The time passed by calmly. It was like they were playing house. But suddenly, the low roar of a beast rang out and shattered that peace. Kaito looked up with a start. Somewhere far beyond the window, a hound was baying, as though it were calling for someone. Upon hearing the rumbling voice, Elisabeth trembled. Terrified, she clung tightly to Kaito. "Make it stop... I'm scared..." "Elisabeth." "Everything out there is so scary. No, no more... I'm not going out there anymore." Her words had a sincere ring to them. The moment he heard them, Kaito realized something. Elisabeth was sick when she was young, so she shouldn't have had many opportunities to leave the castle. If that was the case, then which Elisabeth did those words belong to? There was a certain fact that Kaito had long since been aware of. Elisabeth had been swallowed up by the mental attack at the same time Kaito had been. This was her world. After walking through the space that the demon had created, he'd arrived at a place formed from her childhood memories. The words coming out of her mouth belonged not just to the young Elisabeth but her present-day self, as well. The young Elisabeth shook her head over and over, and tears welled up in her large eyes as she spoke. "I'm done with it... Everything out there is painful and scary... And nobody out there likes me. They all hate me so, so much." "...Do they?" "They do! Everyone would have been better off... Marianne would have been better off...if I'd just stayed in here and died. If I'd just done that, then the Torture Princess would never have been born." As she went on, the tone of her voice lost its youthfulness. When she murmured next, her tone was steeped in despair. "None of those innocent people would have died." The present-day Elisabeth was stubborn. She would probably never have given voice to those words. The young Elisabeth reached out a trembling hand. With it, she grabbed tight onto the hem of Kaito's shirt. "Mister, you're on my side, right?" "...Yeah, I am." "Can you stay here with me forever, then?" Kaito hadn't expected that. His eyes went wide, and he stared directly at her. Elisabeth slowly closed her eyes. Then the girl who'd lost both her parents, driven her tutor mad, killed her people, and been abandoned by all of creation whispered. *** "It's lonely, being alone." In the next moment, Kaito hugged her tight. The young Elisabeth gave a small gasp. Kaito squeezed her body with all his strength. It was probably hurting her, but she just wordlessly went limp. As he held her warm, frail body tightly enough to shield her from all the world's hardships, Kaito whispered back. "You know, I have someone I admire." "Someone...you admire?" "Yeah. She's really strong and really scary and a terrible sinner. The people hate her, they loathe her, and they tell her to die." "...I think the world would be better off without people like her." "But you see, she saved me." There was great conviction behind his words. The young Elisabeth probably didn't remember summoning him. Even so, her body quivered. Obediently remaining in Kaito's embrace, she whispered in a timid voice. "...Mister?" "People say that she's like a demon, but I've seen her smile, I've seen the way she lives more nobly than anyone else, and I've seen the way she continues fighting her harsh battles. To me, she's a hero." The young Elisabeth stirred slightly. Relaxing the strength in his arms, Kaito gazed at her face. The young Elisabeth and the present-day Elisabeth were the same yet different. The girl didn't seem to know who he was talking about, as she wore a quizzical expression on her face. In spite of that, Kaito smiled at her and continued gently speaking. "I like her a whole lot. I would do anything for her sake." "Really?" "Yeah. I promised my lover that we'd live together. But she understands that if I didn't cherish this person, then I wouldn't be myself... For that person's sake, I could do or become anything. I've never told her in person, but she's really, really important to me." Abruptly, he placed his hands on the young Elisabeth's shoulders. Then he gently pried her away from himself. After that, he quietly closed his eyes. He could hear a dog's howling from far in the distance. The first-class hound was calling for its master. When he opened his eyes, they were filled with determination. With no hesitation, he told the young Elisabeth what he needed to tell her. "That's why I can't stay by your side. I've gotta go." "Why? Why are you leaving me?!" The young Elisabeth screamed, unable to understand. She clung to his arm, as though begging him not to go. But Kaito just gently shook off her small hands and silently turned his back to the young girl. Then he made to stand up from the bed. As he did, an adult-sized hand grabbed the hem of his shirt. "Why, Kaito?!" "Because I love you. That's why I can't stay here." Without a shred of indecision, hesitation, or bashfulness, he made his declaration. At some point, his clothes had transformed from the shirt caked in blood and sweat to his military uniform–like outfit. Obstinately refusing to turn around, Kaito continued his declaration to Elisabeth. "If you want to stay here, so be it. I'm not gonna stop you. And I won't let anyone else complain about your choice, either. If you don't want to fight anymore, then that's fine, too. You've done more than enough. I can just go in your place." "What...are...?" "I'll kill the King and Grand Monarch and save the capital. Until I kill the King and the dream ends—actually, y'know, if you don't break out of it, it might just keep on going. If you think that'll make you happier, then go for it. Good-bye, Elisabeth." And with that tender murmur, Kaito walked forward. As he went, the strength in the fingers clutching his clothes gradually weakened. Then Elisabeth let go of him. As he strode along into the darkness, he continued. "Torture Princess Elisabeth Le Fanu, noble wolf and lowly sow—even if every single other person scorns you, I will hold you in higher esteem than anyone else in the world." With that profession as his parting note, Kaito made to leave the room. However, just as he was about to open the door, a sound rang out. The hard, resolute sound of heels

clicking sounded out from beside him. Kaito's eyes went wide. Silky black hair was fluttering right next to him, as was a dress with its inside dyed scarlet. A woman wearing a provocative bondage dress passed from his side and began walking in front of him. Kaito tried to call out to her pale back. But before he could, her usual chilly voice rang out and interrupted him. "Do not make light of me, Kaito. Just who do you think I am?" She looked over her shoulder, straight at him. Her crimson eyes blazed with pride. Then the woman who had been forsaken by all of creation made her firm declaration. "I am the Torture Princess, Elisabeth Le Fanu. I am the proud wolf and the lowly sow." Upon hearing those words, Kaito closed his eyes. Then he nodded with a faint, defeated smile on his face. After slowly opening his eyes, he found himself involuntarily blinking repeatedly. Elisabeth was standing before him and giving him a gentle smile. Kaito released the tension from his shoulders and, without hesitation, extended his hand toward Elisabeth as though inviting her to dance. And just like before, she laid her hand on top of his. Kaito enveloped her pale palm in his beastly left hand. Then the two of them began walking in the howling dog's direction. "...H-hwah!" "I see you've finally risen, O unworthy master of mine. Had you taken but a moment longer, I was thinking of devouring you whole." "You really must do something about that temper of yours, Kaiser. But the fact remains that you successfully woke up my dear successor and my precious daughter, and for that I am grateful. It would be rather dull for them to die here, not to mention the fact that I'd be taken along as well." As he awoke, Kaito turned toward the obnoxious voices. Ignoring the man and the beast, he looked over his surroundings. The King's faces had vanished, and the fleshy walls had returned to their original state. But he and Elisabeth had toppled over and were being sucked into the floor. Creepy red fibers had already started crawling their way across their bodies. If he'd been out any longer, he would have been in trouble. As he ripped apart the muscle fibers, which had even begun burrowing under his skin, Kaito spoke in an annoyed tone. "...Hey, Kaiser. I'm glad you called for me; that was helpful. But would it have killed you to drag me out before I got like this?" "I said that I planned to consume you if you failed to wake, did I not? That was the point at which I intended to retrieve you." "Are you kidding me? I'm begging you, man, do something about that temper of yours. I can't shake the feeling that you're really gonna eat me one of these days." Kaito plucked out the roots of the flesh that had been ensnaring him. Blood gushed out from the little holes they'd bored in his skin. However, Kaito didn't particularly care. He looked to his side, then called out to his partner in root plucking. "...Elisabeth." She didn't respond, simply rising to her feet without a word. As she wiped away the filth from her dress, Elisabeth turned toward the demonic fetus. After staring intently at it for a moment, she gave Kaito his orders. "I will deal with this thing. Your task is to kill the King and Grand Monarch before they can attack." "All right, got it." Her voice was as cold as always, as though nothing had happened. Kaito nodded. The two of them stood back to back. They both raised their arms, as though carrying out executions. Then they spoke in unison. "Behead." "—La (rend)." Kaito and Elisabeth swung their blades. The loud, splattering noise of meat being cut echoed across the room. The hearts in front of Kaito tore, and blood began gushing out of them. As their chunks scattered around the room, two corpses rolled pitifully atop the mess. Their bodies were dissolved, but they could just barely be identified as a man and a woman. The King and Grand Monarch were dead. Realizing that marked the end of their long battle, Kaito breathed a sigh. As he did, a tense voice called out from behind him. "...I cannot kill it." "Huh?" "My blade cannot pierce this baby!" After hearing Elisabeth's words, Kaito whirled around. The fleshy cocoon pulsated. It should have been cut clean through, but it didn't have so much as a scratch on it. Then it swelled from within, and red cracks started appearing on its suspiciously shining surface. Then its membrane tore, and a gray hand extended out from within. All at once, the amniotic fluid rushed out and soaked Kaito and Elisabeth's feet. Kaito stared in mute horror at the scene that unfolded before him. Something had flopped out onto the floor. An innocent laugh, one that fit neither the time nor the place, rang out. "...Ha-ha!" Before their very eyes, a demonic baby had been born into the world. 7 The Final Battle The baby's body was warped. Its head was far too large, and its abdomen was swollen like a pregnant woman's. Furthermore, its shoulder blades were overgrown, making it look almost as though it had wings. It began trying to crawl. However, it was largely unsuccessful. Its efforts only produced more sickening sounds of flesh slapping against flesh. Eventually, it looked up and weakly stuck its hands out in front of itself. "Ma-ma, hya-hee...hee-hee." Even though it had just been born, it was already calling for its mother. But there was no way of knowing what mother it was referring to nor how it was even forming words in the first place. "Pendulum." Without a shred of hesitation, Elisabeth snapped her fingers. A blade hanging from a chain swung down from the fleshy ceiling, then stopped in midair. It changed directions, then went flying toward the baby. Then its blade collided with the baby's massive head. There was a distorted splorch. But the baby was still alive. "Ahh-haa!" The blade had definitely sunken into the baby's head. But it hadn't broken the skin. *** "Hee-hee-hee-hee!" The baby laughed, having mistaken being attacked for some kind of game. After grabbing the blade with its fat fingers, the baby pulled it from its head. Then it yanked down, hard. Its silver chain loudly snapped. Elisabeth's eyes went wide. The blade and chain fell quickly, slicing through the organs directly under them and crushing them. A massive avalanche of brain tissue rushed forth. It seemed that the baby had taken an interest in it. Grabbing a handful of the gray matter, the baby shoved it in its mouth and stuffed its cheeks full. Munch, munch. "Is it...eating that stuff?" Kaito's murmur was full of disgust. But the baby didn't swallow the brains. After coming into contact with the baby's saliva, everything it had chewed on had turned gray. The dust, which looked like ashes of the deceased, gently piled up. Apparently, the baby wasn't "eating" so much as "destroying" its target. It was impossible to guess which of its other actions were connected to destruction as well. As it meaninglessly transformed the brain tissue in its mouth to ash, the infant giggled with pleasure. As he watched it, a thought crossed Kaito's mind. That thing isn't good or evil. It lay far outside any framework of human morality. The problem was that they weren't able to kill it. The baby bit and tore at all the organs around it. It then began chewing on the blade and turning it to ash as well. Elisabeth hurriedly snapped her fingers and made the torture device vanish. Having had its toy confiscated, the baby nearly threw a tantrum. However, it quickly grabbed onto another chunk of meat. Kaito carefully observed it. At the moment, the baby didn't have a complete ego. But living things have a tendency to grow. What in the world would it become by the time it reached maturity? Or I guess what I should worry about is...what happens when it gets interested in us? Right as that fear crossed Kaito's mind, the baby lost interest in the lifeless meat. It turned its large head and looked directly at Kaito and Elisabeth. As it did, Elisabeth and the Kaiser exchanged a fleeting glance. Ash tumbled out of the baby's bloodstained mouth. Even though it had only just been born, its entire body released an aura of death as it laughed. "Ahyah?" "We must abscond at once, daughter of Vlad!" "Obviously!" The Kaiser shouted, and Elisabeth responded. Immediately afterward, the Kaiser grabbed Kaito's collar in his teeth and tossed him into the air. Elisabeth jumped on the Kaiser's back. As he'd aimed, Kaito fell directly behind her. Then the Kaiser took off at a terrific speed. "Hwaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah! Urk—" Kaito almost bit his tongue at the sudden acceleration. As the Kaiser sprinted along on his sturdy, muscular legs, a revolting noise came from behind him. Kaito turned to look. The baby was chasing them. When Kaito saw the way it moved, he felt goose bumps appear over his entire body. The baby didn't even know how living things were supposed to move their bodies. The way the baby completely ignored the natural bends of its joints made its movement akin to that of a mollusk. It spilled blood and shaved away at the ground as it went. But for whatever reason, the Kaiser made his way not toward the entrance to the mass of flesh as he fled from the baby but deeper within. Kaito shouted out in panic as he clung to the Kaiser's thick neck. "Weren't we supposed to be running away?!" "Not on your life, boy! I cannot abide that shameless fool surviving—it's a blight on the pride of demons! For the sake of our pride, I will have you end that thing!" "But how?!" "Worry not. The daughter of Vlad has an idea. I shall tell you this while I have the chance, boy!" "What?" "Try not to die, O unworthy master of mine!" On that ominous note, the Kaiser came to an abrupt stop. Kaito and Elisabeth went flying into the air. Elisabeth landed atop the meaty floor gracefully, and Kaito somehow managed to land as well. The pathway in front of them was blocked off by a wall. They had reached a dead end. It would appear they were in the deepest part of the fleshy mass. When Kaito turned around, he found that the baby was already coming into view. Assailed by primal fear, he snapped his fingers. But between its fat, pudgy fingers, the baby caught the blade that Kaito had materialized. "Ooh?" With a confused expression on its face, the baby gnawed on the tip of the blade. Ashes spilled out of its mouth. Kaito choked back his spit out of tension and hopelessness. We can't let that thing get outside. But we can't just let it eat us, either. What is Elisabeth planning on doing? "Pillory!" Elisabeth shouted as he was thinking. Darkness and crimson flower petals swirled around the baby. Two long horizontal planks with two holes in each appeared. They snapped open, then clamped shut around the baby's wrists and ankles. The planks caused its limbs to stick out. Having had its hands and feet sealed, the baby tilted its head to the side. But the planks' power would only be enough to hold the baby for a moment. As that misgiving crossed Kaito's mind, Elisabeth spoke. "'Tis enough." It was as though she'd read his mind. At the same time, the fleshy walls surrounding Kaito began to tremble. He looked around in a panic. They'd held their rigidity up until then, but the flesh was beginning to go limp and wriggly. Unable to maintain its posture, the bound baby tumbled from side to side. The walls began restlessly

undulating. The Kaiser howled, as though signaling that something was starting. Vlad spoke in a smooth whisper. "The flesh of demons transforms into black feathers when they die. But first, it collapses." Kaito's eyes went wide. Of all the places they could have gone, they'd arrived at the deepest part of a collapsing demon. It was then that Kaito intuited what Elisabeth's plan was. Words played back through his mind once more, words that this battle had taught him the veracity of time and time again. "Numbers beget force. And one can accomplish much through the use of force." I guess this is another one of those times. "Ooh?" The fleshy ceiling undulated. Its limbs still bound, the baby looked up with naked curiosity. Blades couldn't pierce that evil being. But any sort of shallow impact would probably serve no purpose, either. In that case, there was only one choice. They had to crush it in an instant, before it could turn the meat to ash. At that moment, a massive avalanche of flesh came crashing down on the baby. It was like the weight of the world had come tumbling down. An entire section of the flesh that had swallowed up a third of the capital's population and completely filled up the mercantile district and the royal castle had caved in. With no options available to it, the baby was engulfed by the onslaught. But Kaito and Elisabeth's situation was no different. The incoming blow was like an unmitigated natural disaster. Because of that, it would be virtually impossible for humans to stand against it. The massive crimson wave came bearing down on them. As it did, Elisabeth shouted: "Death Row Cell!" Stone walls deployed around them, sealing them in a tiny room with no windows or doors. It was a torture device designed to confine prisoners and starve them to death. The stone walls saved Kaito and Elisabeth from being engulfed by the meat for a moment. But the resistance the barrier offered proved to be fleeting. There was no way it could withstand a direct hit from a landslide. The stone walls crumbled in an instant. But Elisabeth summoned an identical set so quickly that Kaito could barely see her do it. As he stood stupefied, Kaito realized a certain fact. Magical techniques are the one thing we have that the baby doesn't. Wielding her magic freely, Elisabeth continued to ward off the deadly external pressure. She summoned those stone walls over and over again. It felt like an eternity had passed. Eventually, the flow around them lightened by just a smidge. Picking up on even that tiny change, Elisabeth shouted out. "The Boondock Saints! Wicker Man!" "Simultaneous summoning? There's no way." Kaito mumbled quietly. A thunderous noise echoed from outside the walls. Kaito could guess what had happened. The Wicker Man had taken in as much meat as it could, then burned it up. Then the Boondock Saints had carved away at the resulting ash and shoved the room into the opening. Each time the giants and the flesh faltered, Elisabeth continued simultaneously summoning them. "Elisabeth..." "Rgh..." Beads of sweat rose up on her forehead. One by one they ran down to her chin. Her foe in this desperate battle was nothing more than a colossal mountain of flesh. That was what made it so terrifying. Vlad and the Kaiser watched her with interest. Kaito clenched his fists. At the moment, he was powerless. There was nothing he could do but stand amid the thunderous noise and believe in Elisabeth. A long, long time passed. Then the giant pushed conspicuously hard against the stone wall. At that moment, the violent noise and vibration stopped. Elisabeth lowered her outstretched hand and dropped to her knees. As she did, the walls around them began melting like heated toffee. The room's stone floor vanished, and they all tumbled outside. The first thing they saw was the gray sky. A vast sea of ash and flesh surrounded them. If Elisabeth had erred just once, they would have found themselves buried beneath it. They stood still in shock, their vision filled with the bizarre spectacle of raw, piled-up meat as far as the eye could see. Eventually, Kaito's whisper broke the overwhelming silence. "Is it...over?" In that moment, one chunk of ash-covered flesh violently stirred. Something red came flying out from within. Although it had been crushed all over and on the verge of grossly collapsing in on itself, it nevertheless gave a shrill laugh. "Hee-hee-hee-hee, ah-ha-ha-ha, ha-ha-ha-ha-ha!" Vomiting blood as it moved, the baby leaped at Elisabeth. "Elisabeth!" Kaito shouted. Still kneeling on the ground, she extended her hand. Then she drew the Executioner's Sword of Frankenthal from within a vortex of darkness and crimson flower petals. Then she sped off like an arrow. "Hee-hee-hee-hee, hee-hee-hee-hee, ah-ha-ha-ha!" "Just die already." The mad, cackling baby and the Torture Princess clashed. Then, for a second, time stood still. Kaito swallowed his breath. After a few seconds of silence, the baby's massive head came tumbling off. The baby had consumed the utmost limits of what it could, and the blade had finally pierced it. The next moment, as though they'd received some sort of signal, the baby and the mass of flesh vanished. Having lost their footing, Kaito and the others were all hurled unceremoniously to the ground. Countless black feathers fluttered into the air before them. The feathers filled the sky, as if to convey some sort of blessing. Faced with that sublime, beautiful spectacle, Kaito realized something. Something had begun to change within the demon's world. The rays of sunlight that had been blocked off until then were finally starting to make their way down to the earth. Bathed in sunlight, the baby's corpse transformed into particularly large feathers, which blew away gently in the wind. Eventually, the feathers all burst into azure flames and burned away into nothing. Closing his eyes, Kaito whispered as he took it all in. "...I guess it's really over." And with that, the curtain fell on the final battle. Kaito looked at his surroundings. The demon's world was collapsing, and Vlad and the Kaiser had vanished. Elisabeth collapsed, crashing to her knees atop the ground. Other than the amount of mana she needed to maintain the demonic roots within her body, she was practically running on empty. It would take a good while before she was back to full strength. As he gazed at her alarmingly defenseless back, Kaito shifted his expression. With a grim face, he rushed to her side. Kneeling in front of her himself, he called out to her. "Elisabeth, let's make a run for it while we can." *** She didn't reply. Her face was firmly cast downward, and she didn't move a muscle. Frantically, Kaito grabbed her hand. Like he had once before, he pleaded with her with the intensity of one taking a vow. "When the King hit us with his mental attack, you told me how you really felt. Let's go together. The three of us can live together again. You finished your job. I'm not gonna leave you on your own!" Upon hearing his plea, Elisabeth looked up. For a second, she smiled through her tangled black hair. Her crimson eyes were moist, and she was on the verge of saying something. But as though she were waking from a dream, her expression abruptly changed. She pursed her lips tightly. Then she roughly brushed Kaito's hand away. Kaito was at a loss for words. She looked at him, then shook her head. "I told you once before, Kaito. Return to the castle alone. Then take Hina and flee." "Being alone is lonely! That's what you told me!" "Silence! I swore an oath!" Elisabeth practically screamed the words out. Her tone was violent, yet the emotions in her voice were completely suppressed. "I swore an oath to my people, to the people I tyrannized!" At that moment, images of the people the Torture Princess had subjugated flashed through Kaito's mind. The men, the women, the children, the elderly. Their myriad corpses hadn't possessed a shred of dignity, and their resentful cries sounded out one by one. Loathsome Elisabeth, repulsive Elisabeth, cruel, hideous Elisabeth! A curse upon you, a curse upon you, a curse, a curse, an eternal curse upon you, Elisabeth! Faced with those screams, she'd sworn an oath. That was what she'd continued living for, shameless as it may have been. Kaito knew there was something he ought to say, but he couldn't for the life of him come up with it. And Elisabeth just kept shaking her head. Then she looked at him again. The smile that adorned her face was gentle, sincere, and exhausted. "Go... Go now... Please go. Flee. Have a family. Cause none to cry on your behalf. And don't you cry, either. Live a life full of happiness and joy." "Elisabeth..." "You need bear no burden. Harming the masses, being hated by the world, and spending your life burdened by sins is a heavy thing." As she spoke practically in prayer, Elisabeth extended her hands. In a wholly uncharacteristic gesture, she clasped Kaito's cheeks in her hands, as though she were trying to burn the image of his face into her memory so that she would remember him even if her eyes were gouged out. Given that she was about to face an inquisition, there was a chance of that actually happening. Then through her gentle gaze, she spoke. "'Tis too heavy a burden for you to bear." Her expression was that of someone instructing a child. Seeing this, Kaito understood. He had no choice but to understand. No matter how much I call out to her here, Elisabeth will never take my hand. That was the oath she'd made. That was what she'd promised. Even if he brought her by force, she would no doubt return in order to take responsibility for her sins. In order to die as the Torture Princess. "My beloved Master Kaito, my dear Lady Elisabeth! Where are you?! Are you all riiiight?!" Then they heard a voice. Somebody was restlessly, desperately running around atop the parched earth. It would appear that Hina had made it out safely. She was sprinting all around but then stopped on a dime once she noticed the two of them. Tossing her halberd aside, she rushed up to them like an excited puppy. "Oh, oh! Thank goodness! Thank goodness you two are all right! Nothing could bring me greater—" "...Hina, let's go." Kaito cut off her joyful shouts in a low voice. Sensing that something was amiss, Hina stopped in her tracks, her smile stiff. She looked back and forth between Kaito and Elisabeth. Leaving the sitting Elisabeth behind, Kaito stood. Hina shouted, as though she'd realized what was going on. "But Master Kaito, Lady Elisabeth is... Lady Elisabeth? Whatever might be the matter? Shall we depart? I can cook us up a banquet to celebrate the battle's end! Delicious cooked organs, all the desserts you can eat... So please, Lady Elisabeth, stand up! Lady Elisabeth, I insist!" "C'mon. Let's go." "But we can't... We mustn't... I won't stand for this! I simply won't! If Lady Elisabeth doesn't return with us, I—" "Let's go!" Embracing Hina's shoulder, Kaito forced her to start walking. Her emerald eyes warped, as though she were on the verge of tears. Although she was about to continue her plea, Hina suddenly went silent. Kaito's hands were trembling. Realizing that, Hina shook her head and swallowed her impassioned cries. With that, Kaito began walking off into the distance. But his footsteps gradually grew slower and slower. Unable to bear it anymore, he stopped in his tracks and turned back toward Elisabeth. Her gaze was fixed directly on him. When she murmured, it was with a weak smile on her face. "Why is your face contorted so, Kaito? Be glad. You were forcibly resurrected by the Torture Princess,

then coerced into fighting demons. But now, your nightmare is finally over." "Lady Elisabeth..." "You too, Hina. Shed no tears for me. A smile suits your face far better." "Lady Elisabeth, I... I..." "Live strong. And for the rest of your days, may you spend them in happiness." Elisabeth gazed at Hina as though she were a beloved younger sister. Then she looked back toward Kaito. They silently locked eyes with each other. Faltering for a moment, Elisabeth shook her head. But then she spoke quietly, the words seeming to fall out of her mouth on their own. "I quite enjoyed our date." "Yeah...me too." Those weren't the words of the Torture Princess nor of his master. They were the honest words of Elisabeth Le Fanu. On that final note, Kaito snapped his fingers. Azure flower petals and black feathers danced down through the air. He and Hina disappeared. Elisabeth was the only one remaining. Eventually, she let out a short, deep breath. She looked up at the sky with serene eyes. Dazzling sunlight was streaming down from the cracks between the thick gray clouds. She could hear the footsteps of paladins off in the distance. With the noise at her back, she scrunched her face up as though she were about to cry. But then she broke out into a calm smile as she whispered: "And my nightmare is finally over as well." And then, with the time she had left to her, the Torture Princess wove a gentle lullaby. 8 Destiny's End The cell had no windows, causing it to be steeped in constant gloom. Its chilly air called to mind a seabed and carried the scent of mold. If anyone spent too long confined there, the damp and the cold were liable to cause their body to ache and then to vomit up blood. Centipedes crawled along the ceiling. Rats scurried in and out of holes in the walls. And within that nasty, isolated cell, a single woman lay horizontal on the floor. Her face in profile was so beautiful she barely seemed human. Her hair spread on the floor was lustrous and black, her skin was as white as snow, and her lips were so red they seemed to be practically oozing with blood. But due to whatever horrendous crime it was she'd committed, her ravishing limbs were bound in a straitjacket. Lying down on the chilly stone floor, she sat motionless. She was silent, and her eyes were closed. Due to the silence of its sole inhabitant, a deep stillness permeated the cell. But the quiet, which seemed as though it would be endless, was suddenly shattered. The door opened. In an instant, the room was flooded with light. But a creaking noise rang out, and the room fell into darkness once more. The paladin had closed the door behind her. The woman's silver armor paired well with her fine silvery hair and mismatched blue and purple eyes. However, a number of unseemly scars decorated her face, as though it had split from within. In spite of that, though, her gallant, beautiful nature was as refined as could be. The paladin looked down at the bound woman. Although she'd no doubt taken notice of her visitor, she remained motionless. After waiting a moment, the paladin, Izabella, suddenly spoke. "Elisabeth Le Fanu." "Izabella, eh...? I see you survived." "Somehow, yes. Unable to withstand the force of the mana, my whole body tore from within, yet here I stand." "Hmph, so you bear scars... What a fool you are." "I'm much obliged for your concern. But I wear these scars proudly. I have no regrets." "Concern? Hardly... Now, what business do you have?" "I came here to meet with you." Izabella gave her answer. When she did, Elisabeth's mouth snapped shut. It was as though Elisabeth didn't take a shred of interest in matters regarding herself. After wavering for a moment upon seeing Elisabeth's reaction, Izabella continued in a calm tone. "I have something I wish to inform you of." "...What might that be?" "Your servant, Kaito Sena, has yet to be located. Your castle was empty before the Church even began their search. He seems to have absconded with a number of your riches and automatons and gone into hiding." "...Have you set pursuers on him?" "We have. However, he is contracted to the Kaiser. If he focuses his power solely on escaping, finding him is likely to be difficult." "Mm, I don't doubt it." Elisabeth's response was concise. Izabella dutifully responded with a nod. Having finished saying what she'd come to say, Izabella peered around the room restlessly. As soon as she did, though, she suddenly launched into some meaningless small talk. "This room is frigid, not to mention dark. Hardly what I'd call pleasant conditions." "Given my sins, the fact I was exempted from interrogation and torture alone would easily qualify as special treatment." "Perhaps... Oh, are your restraints getting loose over there?" Izabella leaned in. Her tone was clearly forced, almost as though she was trying to get whoever was standing on the other side of the door to hear her. She ran her fingers over the leather belts, none of which were loose in the slightest. Then she drew her face close to Elisabeth's ear. "Please stay quiet and listen to me, Elisabeth." *** "Only a handful of people within the Church are responsible for this decision. But I was fortunate enough to be granted an audience with Godot Deus before his disposal, and both of us wish for your continued survival. The fourteen demons may be dead, but mankind's avarice has no limits. We have no guarantee that another contractor won't arise. I won't deny that you have a duty to pay for your sins and that mankind needs a common enemy. But we can't afford to lose your strength." "...Hmm." "The state is unlikely to overturn their decision saying the Torture Princess being burned at the stake is a necessary symbol. Treason though it may be, if you have any will to commit a jailbreak, I have trusted men who I can set into motion. Elisabeth, have you no desire to escape? You fought so hard." Then Izabella paused. After running her fingers across the Torture Princess's leather restraints one more time, she went on. Her voice was tinged with sadness. "You killed many, but you saved many, as well. You are the Torture Princess, but you are also a hero." *** "I feel that it is wrong to disregard that fact. If you have the will to break out of here, simply nod." The paladin whose brother was killed by the Torture Princess urged her on. However, Elisabeth refused to nod. Izabella waited. But after a prolonged silence, she shook her head and stood up. "Hmm... It seems it was only my imagination." As she made her announcement for the person beyond the door, Izabella separated from Elisabeth. Then, with the blue and purple eyes resting between her tragic scars, she looked at the sinner who was merely awaiting death. Izabella silently gazed at the capital's savior and at the murderer who'd killed her brother along with countless innocents. But with another shake of her head, she changed her expression. Then, wearing the stern face of a soldier, she spoke again. "Now, as an envoy of the Church, I have one more announcement for you." As commander of the Holy Knights, Izabella made her proclamation to the Torture Princess. "Elisabeth Le Fanu. Your execution is scheduled for dawn on the morrow." No reply came. Elisabeth just gave a slight nod, as though to affirm her destiny. Official notice of the Torture Princess's execution had been posted about two weeks prior to Izabella coming to inform Elisabeth. And as soon as the notice was posted, the news spread throughout the capital like wildfire. After having been trampled over and oppressed by the demons, the people had been filled with a relentless sense of fear, rage, despair, and indignation, and it took little convincing for them to change the target of those emotions. No sooner did information get out about the location where the execution was slated to take place than people begin gathering there. They were so fervent in their desire to stake out spots in the plaza that disputes rose up day after day. And then the morning of the execution arrived. The sun rose, and with it, a black carriage came like a sinister specter. All at once, the people raised vitriolic jeers and threw rocks. As they did, the door of the carriage opened. The Torture Princess made her appearance and basked in the single-minded malice of those present. The scene must have made for a strong example. She'd been made to wear a white dress and had been symbolically bound with thorny briars. As blood dripped down her body, the beautiful woman made her way down the road toward the platform where the stake had been erected. The people lining the street let out hateful shouts. They clenched their fists as they yelled. "Kill her, kill her, kill her, kill her, kill her, kill her! "Loathsome Torture Princess; repulsive Torture Princess; cruel, hideous Elisabeth!" Even upon hearing their voices, her expression didn't waver. A faint smile adorned her lips as Elisabeth looked out into the furious, shouting crowd. But then, all of a sudden, she furrowed her brow in puzzlement. Among the people filled with fear and loathing, there was another group who was focusing another emotion on her altogether. The young girl who'd innocently praised Kaito's arm as "cool" was on the verge of tears. Her mother, too, was casting a heartbroken gaze at Elisabeth. The old woman who'd once knelt and thanked Elisabeth was there, too, clutching at the sleeves of those around her with trembling hands. Unnoticed by the people beside her or perhaps being intentionally ignored, she was frantically trying to convey something. The group was small in comparison to the mob, but they continued to shout, undeterred by the fact that their voices were being drowned out. For an instant, one of their sorrowful calls reached Elisabeth's ear. "Don't kill her." "She's the one who saved my family," it said. "Even though she's a murderer and sinner without peer," it said. "...I truly am surrounded by fools." And with that small whisper, Elisabeth kept walking. Before long, she arrived at the platform. Rejecting the executioner's roughly extended hand, she walked up the wooden steps to the stake herself. A group of men fastened her to the post. A priest approached her. As he made to begin praying, Elisabeth interjected. "'Tis far too late for prayers. Get on with it." "But it is for your—" "Enough. There shall be no salvation for me. This is my end." "If you are resigned to your fate, then I will respect your wishes. Do you have any last words?" "...........................None." After hesitating for a few moments, Elisabeth gave her answer. She closed her eyes, opened them back up, and slowly shook her head. "I have nothing to say, nor any to say it to." The priest nodded, then stepped off the platform. An executioner wearing a leather bag over his face approached her in his place. He took the torch he was holding and used it to light the kindling at Elisabeth's feet. Cheers rose up from all around. Just like Vlad once had, she began burning in the flames of man. Elisabeth looked through the billowing gray smoke at the elated masses. As the heat lapped at her toes, she gave a reflexive comment. "It...hurts." In contrast with her words, her expression was serene and tranquil. Gazing up at the sky, she thought back on the words she'd just said. I have nothing to say, nor any to say it to. That was what she'd declared. And it was true. There was no other answer she could have given. Everyone she'd held dear had

died. Her parents, her people, and Marianne. However, a single name slipped through her lips. "Kai...to..." The words he'd once told her flashed through her mind. She recalled his stupid, nonsensical promise. "And hey, you bringing me back to life and summoning me here must have been some kind of fate... So until you start walking the road to Hell, I'll try and stick by your side for as long as I can, even if I'm the only one." "You have my thanks." The crackling of the flames grew louder. Elisabeth's whisper vanished among them. Then she spoke a few heartfelt words, words that would reach no one. "Just as you promised, I was never alone, right to the end." "Throughout Elisabeth Le Fanu's bloody life, she was accompanied by a single foolish servant." She thought that had been altogether quite fine. Then she closed her eyes. The family she had saved broke down into tears, and the old woman covered her face and wailed. The Torture Princess was to die alone, forsaken by heaven, earth, and all of creation, then descend into Hell. ...However, at the eleventh hour, something happened. Ksssssssssssssssssh! Suddenly, a blade came whirling through the sky. It blew away the fire, kindling and all. As the loud noise rang out, the platform collapsed. Elisabeth went flying and crashed into the side platform the executioners were standing on, almost as though the angle of her flight had been planned. The people in the crowd let out confused cries. Above their heads, a magnificent storm of azure flower petals and jet-black feathers spiraled down. The spectacle that was unfolding was beautiful, yet for some reason, it struck fear into the hearts of all in attendance. Amid the uproar, a young man appeared in the air. He wore a black military uniform, and it fluttered as he glared down over the crowd. In his left arm, he was carrying an attractive, silver-haired automaton in a maid outfit. And of all things, the Kaiser accompanied him on his right. None of the people in the crowd could truly tell that the grotesque black hound was in fact the Kaiser. But driven by their instinctive repugnance and terror, they cried out all the same. Watching them, the young man's face curled into a malicious smile. Flanked by an oddity on each side, he gave a loud, booming laugh. "What a carefree bunch you all are, killing off your own pawns while humanity still has enemies!" "It can't be..." Elisabeth muttered in shock. The young man snapped his fingers before her astonished eyes. Snap! In response to the dry noise, twenty jewels appeared in the air around him. As he channeled mana into them, the people's screams grew even louder. Images of Godot Deus floated up above the jewels. As a high priest of the Church, the faith the people held in him was considerable. He raised his wrinkled head, then began making some manner of pitiful plea. As he did, the young man gave a sinister laugh and snapped his fingers once more. Snap! Ksssssssssssssssssh! A screeching noise rang out, and the stones holding the high priest's soul shattered in unison. The fragments sparkled as they fell through the air. Shocked by the abruptness and the atrocity of the deed, the people screamed. Their deep scars left from being attacked by demons had been pried open. They trembled, then succumbed to their rage and hatred. In an instant, their gazes shifted to one of stark animosity. The young man nodded, satisfied. The people didn't know. They didn't know Godot Deus had told the young man that the reproductions of his soul were slated to be destroyed or why he'd told him. After all, they had no way of knowing. They had no way of knowing that Godot Deus, who'd understood the importance of Elisabeth's execution better than anyone, had keenly known the vulnerability his death would create in mankind. There was no way they could have heard. There was no way they could have heard what he and the young man had discussed right before this, when all his crystals had been gathered in one place. There was no way they could have known what mutual objective the two of them aimed to fulfill with this display. And just what was that objective? The most effective method by which to unite people was to give them a common enemy. And as long as such an enemy existed, mankind would find themselves in need of a dangerous, powerful blade. To that end, the young man—Kaito Sena—shouted. "Letting your guard down just 'cause you killed all fourteen demons? Ha! What a joke! You guys are a bunch of dumb-a—no, fools. From here on out, I shall lead the Kaiser and become the stuff of nightmares! And I'll start with that woman over there, the tyrannical foe of us demons! She will be a hindrance to us no more. With my own two hands, I shall slay the Torture Princess!" "Why are you doing this, Kaito Sena? I thought you were a man of integrity! What are you thinking?!" Flustered, Izabella shouted at him. Perhaps due to her honest nature, it seemed that she was panicking in earnest. Kaito watched her with relief, glad that his acting seemed to have passed muster. The Kaiser stepped on his foot, and the maid gently poked him in the side. Hurriedly, Kaito snapped his fingers. "—La (dance)!" Countless blades dived at the Torture Princess. But the executioners made a split-second decision, pushing Elisabeth aside and covering for her. The brawny men formed a wall with their bodies and guarded the Torture Princess from the would-be assassination. Then, at Izabella's orders, the paladins got to work. Unwilling to let any who bore ill will toward the innocent escape, they activated the barrier they'd been intending to use in the unlikely event the Torture Princess tried to escape. After looking at the sacred white light they were weaving together, Kaito nodded. "...Yup, I can break through. Looks like I was right." He'd wanted to be able to make his escape even if the paladins threw up a barrier, so after he'd left Elisabeth alone on the hill and made his way back to the plaza, he'd tried to figure out how strong it was. Then, by torturing the Monarch, he'd gathered the mana he'd needed to destroy it. Again, he snapped his fingers. An explosion of azure petals and black feathers danced through the air. Then, with a noise like glass shattering, the barrier vanished. "Oh-ho, it seems I am at a disadvantage here. Very well. I take my leave now, gentlemen! We shall meet again!" After promising another encounter, Kaito gave a twisted laugh. The Kaiser, too, laughed mockingly at the crowd in its humanlike voice. Still embracing the back of Kaito's neck, the automaton smiled sweetly. Then their master snapped his fingers once more. As if by magic, the Kaiser's contractor vanished. Finally, the finishing blow was dealt in the form of a delighted voice, which rained down on the terrified, furious, panicking crowd. "Next time, I shall deliver upon mankind a truly demonic calamity!" "That...utter...imbecile!" As the crowd was whipped up into a frenzy, Elisabeth quietly cursed. She clenched her fist, then punched the platform. However, no one was looking her way. She'd been neglected so thoroughly it was hard to believe that she'd just been on the verge of being burned at the stake. Now alone, she bit down hard on her lip. As she looked down toward the ground, she thought back to something he'd said. The words had been heartfelt and directed straight at her. "I like her a whole lot. "For that person's sake, I could do or become anything." "...I told you, Kaito, 'tis too much for you to bear." Elisabeth muttered the words quietly. But there was nobody there to respond to her. As though to console her, the azure petals and black feathers gently brushed against her slender shoulders as they fell. Due to the unforeseen turn of events, the Torture Princess's execution was suspended. The paladins hastily mobilized a search party to pursue the Kaiser's contractor. But despite devoting their full efforts to the chase, they were unable to locate him. Given the appearance of a new demon and one that had publicly proclaimed hostility toward mankind, to boot, the Church held a discussion, then handed down their official decision. The Torture Princess, Elisabeth Le Fanu, was informed of her new orders. Her mission was simple. It was to kill Kaito Sena, the fifteenth contractor. Afterword Hello, Keishi Ayasato here. You hold in your hands the newly released third volume. Thank you all so much for buying the third volume of Torture Princess. My editor and I decided to cram as much content in each volume of this series as possible, so I guess the action's been pretty nonstop for these past three volumes. I'm sure those of you who have read it can tell, but the third volume marks the end of the first story arc. That said, I've already planned out where the plot will go from here. Of course, only God knows whether or not we'll get to that point, but nothing would make me happier than to complete the story of the Torture Princess and the boy she summoned. It is my humble wish for us to meet again in the next volume. As an aside, I wrote another limited-edition booklet for Animate to go with the third volume! As I mentioned in the second volume, skipping it won't affect your enjoyment of the main story, but the story is once more fun and prattling, so if you're interested in taking a peek at the day-to-day routines of Kaito and the rest, I would love it if you checked it out (I'm the type to toss in advertisements each and every time). Please take a look, even if all you do is admire the fascinating, adorable cover Saki Ukai drew for it. The two heroines trade outfits! I'm almost out of room in the afterword here, so as is custom, I have some people I'd like to thank. As always, Saki Ukai, thank you so much for all your beautiful illustrations. To my designer and my publisher, your suggestions were invaluable, and to my editor O, I wish to extend my sincere gratitude. And a big thank-you to my beloved family, in particular my older sister, who helped me with corrections on the first draft! And last but not least, to all my readers, I wish to thank you with all my heart. The fact that you all read my books brings me endless joy. I'll put everything I have into the next volume, so I hope you all look forward to it. And on that note, I pray we will meet once more. The resurrected young man's battles aren't over just yet. To the Ignorant Faithful Pray, O ye faithful. Pray that our Lord's benevolence may be upon us. Pray that, in His unfathomable love, He will heal this scarred world of ours. As you are all aware, the battle against the fourteen demons has come to an end. And in its wake, the fifteenth demon and its contractor have appeared and declared their animosity toward us. The paladins are currently in pursuit of this contractor. But what we need now face, above all else, are the harsh wounds we bear. The dead are countless, and the suffering has been immeasurable. Untold numbers of the innocent and the pious alike have fallen victim. With the Saint's guidance, they now rest at God's side. But the grief our people feel is profound, and their lamentations are endless. It is in these trying times that I would ask you to hark back to the first miracle. The Saint carried God into our world. And once He rebuilt our scarred world, she fell into a deep

slumber. It follows that our entire lives were built upon her suffering, upon the sacrifice she made. We must take care to respect her, to revere God, to cleanse ourselves, and to live righteously. With how many are falling victim, as though the tale of old is being recreated, doing so is more important than ever. Carrying on upon land ravaged by demons is no mean feat. Thankfully, due to its unforeseen strength, the Capital was able to escape total destruction. But even so, living with such disgraceful scars is a task far too hopeless, and far too unpleasant. So pray, all of you. Implore Him, all of you. Believe in His compassion, seek out His love, and pray for a miracle. Our Lord may be distant, but the Saint is close at hand. We must humbly pray, wishing for a miracle like that of old. We must pray that she remains boundlessly compassionate. But even as you all pray, you remain unaware. Incapable of understanding. Incapable of understanding that a true miracle is a miracle precisely because it occurs. Come now, O ye ignorant faithful. Pray that God will be your Savior. For the beginning, the middle, and the end all lie in the palm of His hand. 1 An Invitation from the Beastfolk A few days ago, the Monarch, the Grand Monarch, and the King had fused into a mass of flesh and attacked the Capital, dealing it a fatal blow. Humanity had narrowly defeated them, though, finally ending the menace the fourteen demons had posed. As proof of that, and to exemplify the conclusion of mankind's nightmare, the Church had announced that an execution would be carried out. Elisabeth Le Fanu, the Torture Princess and a peerless sinner, would be symbolically burned at the stake. People had crowded around the execution site in order to catch a glimpse of that historic moment. Ultimately, the death sentence was put on hold. The reason being that a new demon and contractor had loudly declared war on humanity. In the end, the curtain had not fallen on mankind's nightmare. And so the Torture Princess, having escaped the stake, began her demon subjugation anew on the Church's orders. As for her current status, she was in her castle, asleep. It was still early in the afternoon. In other words, she was enjoying a leisurely afternoon nap. Elisabeth was lying down with her eyes closed, surrounded by stone walls and atop a well-made yet simple bed. She looked almost like a lovely Sleeping Beauty. However, she wasn't even slightly drowsy. The fact that her lips were pursed and her eyebrows occasionally twitched in frustration made it obvious. Without warning, a strange noise rang out, and a white orb came hurtling through the broken shutters of the room's window. The Church's communication device was emitting a shrill noise. Screeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeech! Crack! The next moment, a swirling vortex of darkness and crimson flower petals appeared out of thin air, only for a whip to emerge from within it to strike the noisy intruder. The sphere took a sudden nosedive until Elisabeth extended a hand and caught it. As the wings on the orb's sides gently drooped, a huge number of glyphs flashed across its surface. After she read its contents, Elisabeth quickly sat up. "Good work." With that, she nodded and hurled the orb away. It went flying out the window. Elisabeth clapped her hands together, then murmured in displeasure. "I see... Hmph, showing our face rather frequently now, aren't we? Amateur." Following that remark, she reached her hand out into empty space. Darkness and crimson petals swirled once more. Elisabeth withdrew a serrated knife designed for torture from within, then tossed it forward. Thunk! The knife firmly planted itself into both the wall and the map affixed to it. The map was already riddled with knives. Each time the Church sent her information regarding sightings of a particular individual, she'd stabbed the map in the corresponding location. The arrangement of the knives was beginning to reveal a definite pattern to the sightings, one that likely not even the fugitive in question was aware of. Elisabeth gazed at the map with her dark, crimson eyes. Then she opened her shapely mouth to speak. The voice that came out of it was alarmingly hollow. "Worry not, Kaito. Your days of bearing sins and being loathed by the world shall not be many." Suddenly, a tired smile made its way across her face. Her voice was dry, yet full of pity as well. "For soon, I will come to put you down myself." A heavy silence fell over the room. Snorting, Elisabeth lay back down on the bed. She closed her eyes once more, but she tossed and turned restlessly, unable to find sleep. Eventually, covering her eyes with her arms, she ground her teeth as she whispered. "'Tis quiet... Too quiet." Silence pervaded her castle. There was no obnoxious voice asking her why the hell she was sleeping. And there was no charming call, telling her it was time for tea, either. That was only natural. It would have been far stranger for there to be anyone eccentric enough to willingly talk to the Torture Princess. Consequently, she was completely and utterly alone. "Ah, achoo!" "Ha, Master Kaito sneezed! How adorable! Or rather, are you all right? Have you caught a cold?" "Um, y'know, I don't think golem bodies can get sick. Maybe someone's talking about me behind my back?" Completely unfazed, Kaito rubbed his nose. Without a moment's delay, Hina pulled a handkerchief out of her pocket and gently pressed it against his face. "All right, Master Kaito—blow!" "Thanks, Hina. I'll wash it and give it back, achoo!" Kaito sneezed once more. Quickly folding up the handkerchief, Hina passionately clenched her fists. "I think not! I will be taking this handkerchief, along with the memory of your delightfully adorable sneeze, and storing it in my treasured Master Kaito Collection as Collection Number 1983!" "That's gonna be a no. C'mon, give it here." "Never! Ahem. With all due respect, is this not but a meager request from your loving wife—eek, I said 'wife'! Shall I bat my eyelashes?" "Even being my wife doesn't make it okay. You can't keep it!" "Master Kaito, you meanie!" Hina puffed up her cheeks. "Making a cute face isn't going to suddenly make it okay," said Kaito as he took the handkerchief from her hand. A mass of people was passing by as the two of them went through their inane exchange. The makeup of the crowds was truly varied, from their occupations and social statuses to their races. There were townsfolk and merchants, sailors and laborers, magical beast demolishers, demi-humans, and beastfolk. It was no wonder—the town was built at the intersection of two large rivers, serving as both a mooring place for ships and a hub for regional commerce. Due to the diversity of the merchants and the sheer number of people, their surroundings were quite lively. Stalls lined both sides of the road, and the busy sounds of trade filled the air. Although it looked like your run-of-the-mill market, this place had one special trait. No permit was required to sell by the roadside, nor were there restrictions on what could be sold. Perhaps it was because no one had to fear random inspections conducted by soldiers, but despite the dubious public order, the whole town was as animated as its inhabitants. Even so, if one strained their ears, they could make out disquieting rumors. "What, that old man? He went to the Capital. No matter how much building material ya bring up there, it's never enough." "We're in bad shape here. Our client went under, you see... No, as in, literally went under. All the apprentices got swallowed up by that mass of flesh. I still can't believe it myself... What about you? I hear the apothecaries got hit real hard." "It was a real piece of work. And it isn't just the apothecaries. Everything just keeps getting more expensive. And who knows how long it'll take before things settle down...or how many people'll string themselves up before then." A few days ago, the demons had invaded the Capital. The attack had been nothing short of devastating. Due to how concentrated the population was, the death toll had been immense. Many buildings with historical value had been destroyed. The main marketplace and the factories had been annihilated, too, in addition to the losses of various storehouses, transportation systems and communication devices, and many other essentials. The monetary damages had been incalculable. And it hadn't just affected the Capital—the surrounding regions accepting the massive influx of refugees were showing signs of financial strain as well. The labor shortages were becoming problematic, while the stability of the food supply was constantly in question. The damage to the nation's economic and political center had cast a grave shadow over the lives of its people. The current situation filled Kaito with sorrow. The conversation bubbling up around him continued to reach his ears. "We don't have enough workers to go around. But none of these refugees are taking any jobs. The Church says they're working on it, but I dunno. The Capital itself has the paladins watching over things, so it's doing all right, but everywhere else is in shambles." "They keep demanding more mercenaries, huh? They still haven't caught the Kaiser's contractor?" Kaito and Hina instinctively exchanged a glance. Then they quickly distanced themselves from the marketplace. After all, the Kaiser's contractor in question was none other than Kaito himself. The two of them were currently fugitives. Of course, there was a profound reason behind that. Once, after a lifetime of abuse at the hands of his father, Kaito had been killed. Following his death, Kaito's soul had been summoned to another world, where he obtained a new life. And the one who'd summoned him had been none other than the Torture Princess, Elisabeth Le Fanu, a sinner fated to be executed after fulfilling her duty of killing fourteen demons. Together with Kaito, the Torture Princess slew the demons who'd attacked the Capital, successfully completing the mission handed down to her by the Church. Having finally atoned for her crimes, she was supposed to have been burned at the stake. But Kaito refused to accept the Torture Princess's fate. Accompanied by the Kaiser, whom he'd formed a contract with, Kaito turned against humanity. As the fifteenth demonic contractor, he'd loudly announced his intent to become a villain to the entire Capital. All that had been for the sake of granting humanity a new enemy and convincing the Church to postpone Elisabeth's execution. This was how Kaito had come to shoulder the heavy burden of sin, now hated by all and on the run. And as for Kaito and Hina's current status, they were gathering provisions. It was a trifling, obvious task. But the fact of the matter was that people needed to eat. Kaito had yet to fully fuse with his demon. As such, he still required nutrients to survive. But serious obstacles stood in the way of his and Hina's desire to procure a steady supply of food. First, the town's food situation was strained because the supply lines had been thrown into disarray. But more importantly, Kaito's left arm had assumed a beastly form, causing him to stand out considerably. The obvious solution would have been to ask Hina to buy what they needed, but her striking silver hair, emerald-green eyes, and miraculous beauty made that less than ideal. Of course, Kaito wasn't at a complete loss. The first time they confronted this problem, he'd turned to Vlad, who was ostensibly his teacher when it came to matters of magic. "Shapeshifting, disguises, or invisibility spells, you say... Ha, how mundane! You know, I once had a device that could stop time, which would have easily prevented anyone from ever catching you. Back when I was alive, you see,

I wasn't particularly keen on surprise attacks. I would instead spearhead my demonic troops and boldly launch grand invasions. In short, my dear successor, I'm afraid I can't be of much help. I never took it upon myself to even learn such uninspired spells in the first place!" Well, he sure was completely useless. Kaito dejectedly thought back to the pose Vlad had struck as he'd answered the question with a finger pressed against the side of his head. The stone in his pocket containing Vlad's soul—or rather, a replica thereof—rattled around. He seemed to have sensed the slight against him and was protesting. But Kaito merely ignored him. Well, at least I was able to cobble something together, in the end. Kaito let out a sigh as he adjusted the bit where the black cloak covering his head and body had slipped down. At the moment, Kaito and Hina were taking after the Butcher and concealing their faces behind black cloaks. It was a simple method, and one that would normally make them look rather conspicuous. However, there was no shortage of people in this town involved in illicit business, making their choice of attire quite common. Somehow managing to avoid being noticed, the two of them turned their attention to their shopping. "Should we check out that one next?" "Okay!" Nodding in agreement, Hina walked up to the fruit stand. There she found a basket left directly atop the cobbled pavement, and she pulled an orange out from it. Or rather, she pulled something that looked like an orange from it, although it might have been an entirely different fruit altogether. After checking to make sure it had no serious bruises and hadn't been chewed through by worms, she turned back toward Kaito. "Is this acceptable?" "Looks good to me. Let's grab two of those... That, and two bags of dried figs, please." "Comin' right up." The wizened merchant took Kaito's order with a hoarse voice. Just as Kaito had suspected, the merchant didn't even glance at his customer, simply bundling up the goods with practiced—albeit indifferent—movements. Kaito frowned as he handed over the payment. It was pricey, as was to be expected. But the price of commodities would probably only continue to rise. It's a good thing that Godd Deos was able to save the king and the bigwig aristocrats. The blame for most of society's woes will probably end up falling on me. The economic decline, the shortage of goods, and the disorder stemming from the apocalyptic despair will most likely continue for a long while, but they should all improve as the Capital recovers. I just hope that things won't get too bad before then... It wasn't only everyday folk who were feeling the squeeze; feudal lords, the representatives of the mercantile guilds, and the Church's high clergy were under a great deal of pressure as well. All sorts of people and organizations were going broke. But all Kaito could do was hope for them to hold on. As Kaito became lost in thought, Hina stored the oranges in the magical leather bag they'd taken from the castle. The bag was already loaded up with bundles of rice and herbs, rock salt, a few days' worth of vegetables, and dried cheese. "We should stock up on other stuff that'll keep well, like dried meat and fish." "Understood. In that case, we should go there." Hina nodded, leading the way to the shop two stalls over. It might have been the shopkeeper's seniority that made this booth noticeably nicer than any of the other offerings on the street. Slabs of meat hung from hooks affixed to its simple yet robust roof, and wooden wicker baskets lined the roadside in front of it. Chickens and ducks raised a loud clamor from within the cages. It seemed they were butchered beside the nearby well once purchased. As they approached the shop, Kaito stopped in his tracks. Almost simultaneously, Hina quietly whispered to him. "Master Kaito..." "Don't worry. I noticed." Kaito's response was concise. As they spoke, Hina stooped over and looked at the ducks, while Kaito stood stock-still behind her. Without once shifting their gazes, the two of them searched their surroundings. At some point, a disquieting presence had become mixed in with the hustle and bustle. Several gazes filled with tension, wariness, and unmistakable animosity were focused on the two of them. Furthermore, they could hear a commotion starting up in the distance. Somebody was forcibly stopping the flow of pedestrians. Although Kaito and Hina couldn't see them yet, whoever the interlopers were, they were ignoring the protests of the people around them and trying to block off the street. There could be no doubt that their objective was to apprehend the two fugitives. Kaito shook his head slightly. "I'll admit my disguise was pretty garbage, but still... They found us pretty damn fast, didn't they? What a pain." "It was unavoidable. The bounty on your head is rather large, after all. We should be grateful that at least we aren't being ambushed by someone after they found out about the reward." "Yeah... Things got pretty messy last time." The two of them let out heavy sighs. The ducks kept on quacking. At the same time, the crowd began to stir. A group of armored men were approaching, violently pushing through the crowd. One of them shoved aside a drunkard, who pitched forward and tumbled to the ground. Their determined advance toppled over a handcart full of bouquets, too. An emaciated dog barked as it fled. A chain of furious protests rang out. The band of warriors didn't even spare the angry crowd a glance as they encircled Kaito and Hina. The tension was so thick that you could cut it with a knife. Everyone waited with bated breath to see what would happen. Completely oblivious to the situation, a shopkeeper-like man emerged from the back of the stall, flourishing a meat cleaver. "What's all this ruckus, some kinda fight? I don't care who's in the right, but I'll take the side of a pretty lady any day, my dear!" "Ah, I happen to be married, so please don't mind me. My deepest apologies for the trouble." With a quick bow, Hina drew away from the storefront. "And I'm her lucky husband," said Kaito as he embraced her without missing a beat. With a sidelong glance, he confirmed who their pursuers were. Leading the group were a few paladins from the Church's local branch office. Everyone else in their party looked weak, both in posture and in build. It didn't look like there were any mages or priests, even among the lookouts. In spite of himself, Kaito felt let down. He shook his head a little. As soon as they rushed at us all frantic-like, I had a feeling they weren't any run-of-the-mill group. "Man, they made the wrong choice." "Indeed, that they did." "Seriously." Kaito and Hina nodded at each other. Throughout their whole exchange, the paladins continued closing the distance. Kaito squinted. The paladins' silver suits of armor lacked their usual luster, and their gaits were sluggish. It looked like they'd been negligent in their daily training, not to mention failing to take good care of their armor. Despite the town's size, being transferred here probably amounted to a demotion, and their days had likely been spent idly. The man who appeared to be their leader raised an annoyed voice, one altogether lacking in zeal. "You're Kaito Sena, correct?" "...Try to keep your foolishness in check, if you don't mind." "Not planning on giving a straight answer, you bastard?!" The man reached his arm out, his voice filled with pent-up rage. He grabbed Kaito's shoulder and gave it a yank. Kaito turned around with little resistance. Upon seeing his face, the man gave a short gulp. Kaito wore a wicked grin, one wholly befitting the Kaiser. "To think someone would dare to go up against me with such shabby men and arms." Kaito's voice was as cold as ice. The paladin went pale. The situation would quickly deteriorate if the man was allowed to scream. Not wanting to provoke the crowd more than necessary, Kaito quickly set into motion. He reached into the pocket opposite the one where he kept Vlad's stone and pulled out a fragment of a jewel. A blue flash lit up the cobbled road. As it did, Kaito snapped his fingers. "La (activate)." The jewel fragment burst from within. Azure light and black feathers surged up all around them. The two stark colors violently swallowed up Kaito, Hina, and all the nearby paladins. Against the backdrop of the terrified cries of bystanders and livestock, the azure and black wound together in a swirling eddy of magic. Then, with a small popping noise, they vanished. Clap, clap. The soles of his leather shoes audibly struck the ground as Kaito landed. Then he looked down at his surroundings from atop the ruined hill. This was the location where the Torture Princess had fought the Duke and eventually burned him to death. Kaito had traveled to that hill in the blink of an eye. The jewel fragment was a magical teleportation device. By releasing the magic sealed within it, the user could instantly travel to a location where another fragment from the same jewel was buried. Kaito had taken an old jewel from Elisabeth's castle and, under Vlad's tutelage, had used blood and pain as an intermediary to infuse it with mana for this purpose. Now that he thought about it, Vlad technically had been useful in getting out of their most recent jam. Moments later, Hina touched down beside him. On the other hand, the paladins failed to stick their landings and ended up tumbling down the slope. One of them stepped on something dry, then screamed. "Wh-what is this place?!" Human bones lay scattered atop the hillside. Due to their fierce battle against the Duke, the land here had been churned up, and many of the coffins resting in the earth had been destroyed. "Looks like they're all here." Kaito murmured quietly as the confusion and screams continued. There was a reason he'd specifically chosen to come all the way to this distant place. Due to the Duke's horrid deeds, the whole region had been deemed corrupted and subsequently sealed off without exception. In other words, as long as they were here, there was no need to worry about unrelated people getting involved. "Now then, I'd better do something to reward your foolhardy valor!" Kaito gave a loud shout. He grabbed the black cloak he was wearing and forcefully hurled it away. His black outfit, resembling a military uniform with its bloodred embroidery, came into view. Then the wanted sinner made a grand declaration. "As the Kaiser's contractor, and as the enemy of all mankind, I shall be your opponent." Over the past few days, Kaito had quickly come to a number of realizations. First, hitting people with the back of his sword was surprisingly difficult. And second, trying to strike fear into people's hearts while taking care not to leave any lasting effects was quite the task. "Killing one of them by accident would be an absolute mess. Definitely wouldn't be able to undo something like that." "Good work out there! The way you fought was most befitting the ultimate personification of evil, yet at the same time, completely gentlemanly! A splendid job once more! I'm going faint, and my heart is pounding, and I'm head over heels in love with you!" "Your praise makes it all worth it." "Eek, Master Kaito, you're so cool!" shrieked Hina as she hopped up and down. Kaito acknowledged her reaction with a raised hand. Their pursuers had fallen into heaps on the ground in front of them, all of them fully unconscious. However, none of them had sustained any serious injuries. Once they woke up, they'd be able to descend the hill and call

for help on their own. They might find themselves assailed by nightmares for a few days, though. They'd better, or I'm in trouble. Kaito looked down at his downed foes with a serious look on his face. After all, he needed the people to continue believing that Kaito Sena was the enemy of mankind. Given his position, he couldn't content himself with a simple life on the run. His goal was to stave off Elisabeth's execution. To that end, he needed the Church to keep believing he was a serious threat to humanity. Each time he took down a would-be pursuer, he made sure to take every chance he got to etch unforgettable fear into them. Fortunately, none of their pursuers had been particularly strong, possibly because the Capital was preoccupied with its own defenses or for some other pressing reason. But Kaito was well aware of the fact that he wouldn't be able to keep up the farce forever. Pretty soon, I'm gonna hit my limit. Before that happened, he needed to figure out a way to have Elisabeth's execution called off. And more than anything, he needed to change her mind. I still can't think of any way to do that. The Torture Princess's sins were far too severe. No matter what justifications she may have had, she could never take back the things she'd done. There was no way she could possibly atone enough to make up for it. Short of changing the past, there was no way to erase the sins she'd committed. The people she'd killed were never coming back. Kaito knew that, and so did Elisabeth herself. Kaito closed his eyes, puzzling over what in the world he could possibly do. Then a deep voice rang out. "You truly are a hopeless, pitiable fool." "Kaiser." The voice was inaudible to any but Kaito, his contractor, and it replied to him with humanlike laughter. With his magnificent canine body still hidden, the Kaiser went on. "Indeed, O contractor of mine. It is I, a flawless hound wholly wasted on an unworthy master such as yourself. How many times must you repeat this foolery before you're satisfied? The matter should be simple. All you need do is make good on your proclamation at the Capital and amass power by gathering the pain of others in a manner befitting my master. Then you could simply destroy the foundations of this world and reshape it as you desire." "How many times do I have to tell you? I have no plans to tyrannize anyone. I'm not gonna become like my father." "Ha, a brute that looks down on brutes. That in itself is laughable. What difference is there between one brand of evil and another?" The Kaiser scoffed, and Kaito narrowed his eyes a little. It was true; considering his current position in a vacuum, he was far more deserving of the descriptor evil than his father ever had been. He was the enemy of mankind, after all. Amused in spite of himself by that fact, Kaito was ready to respond. "Ha-ha, you have a point there... But you gotta understand, Kaiser, it'd be a waste of time for me to try to amass power by hurting people. There's not a doubt in my mind that Elisabeth would come barreling in and murder me the moment I tried." "But at this rate, you'll find your head removed from your shoulders regardless. How shameful, how utterly shameful. Dying, no matter how it happens, is a disgrace. It follows, then, that you should give in to your deepest desires and try fighting like you really mean it." The Kaiser's words were to the point. Kaito nodded. It was exactly like the Kaiser had told him once before. The power of demons was supreme, and could first be attained when one extended their hand past the limits of avarice and desire. And one who forgot their greatest wish was naught but a fool masquerading as a saint. Even so, I'm not going to betray Neue. Kaito thought back to the boy who'd sacrificed himself for Kaito and been eaten by the Earl's spider. The boy's existence was like a knot tied around Kaito's heart, stopping him from crossing that final line. He refused to do anything that would cause others to have to sacrifice themselves the same way he had been saved. And he couldn't bear the thought of becoming a thug who just grinned as they tormented the weak, like his father had done. But at the moment, he had something far more important to do than respond to the Kaiser. "So what brings you guys here?" Kaito called out, his voice ringing with confidence. However, he received no reply. Nevertheless, he leveled a cool gaze toward the shadows behind the gravestones and the shattered coffins. Perhaps shaken by the intensity of his confidence, the air shifted a little. Immediately after they'd teleported, he had noticed a few presences who'd come along, following the traces of his mana. Hina had noticed at the same time he had, or perhaps even earlier. But when he cast a sidelong glance at her, he saw that she wasn't holding her halberd at the ready. She was simply waiting to spot movement and taking care to avoid putting the other party on guard. Yeah, that's the right call. After all, Kaito couldn't sense a shred of hostility from their new pursuers. What were they doing? What was their goal? As he concealed his bewilderment, Kaito continued staring at the spot where the newcomers were lurking. Having run out of patience, a few figures finally made their appearances. Just like the set of pursuers prior to them, they were clad in full-body armor. However, the material differed from that of the paladins and Royal Knights, making use not just of metal but of leather and scales as well. Their outfits had a vermilion motif and gave off a unique aesthetic and cultural impression. But what surprised Kaito the most was their faces. "...Beastfolk?" Their new pursuers were not, in fact, human. They all had animal heads, their bodies were covered in dense-looking fur, and their feet were adorned with pointy claws. Kaito recalled what Elisabeth had once told him. "Demi-human-beastfolk crossbreeds. Not an uncommon sight, particularly with the influx of various races in low-class towns. They make up about thirty percent of slum dwellers, and in the north, it exceeds forty percent. Visibly pure-blooded demi-humans and beastfolk are generally in the nobility, though, so they're rarely seen in human settlements." Kaito looked over the beastfolk before him a second time. Their bodies didn't have all the same parts humans did. While they didn't look especially noble, they were probably still purebloods. But based on Elisabeth's explanation, that meant they shouldn't be showing up on human land. Why were the beastfolk there, then? The questions just kept piling up. But Kaito didn't exactly have time to ask the beastfolk directly. Their hands already on the hilts of their swords, the beastfolk began moving. They approached Kaito and Hina, their movement offering no openings. Raising his hand, Kaito struck a pose that would let him snap his fingers at a moment's notice. Hina pulled out her long halberd from their bottomless magical bag in a single fluid motion. The beastfolk peered up at Kaito, as though appraising him. He returned the examining looks with a composed, questioning gaze. The next moment, the beastfolk nodded among themselves, then moved as one. Bending the knee like loyal retainers, they all knelt in front of Kaito. ".........What?" "Sir Kaito Sena, we presume." The voice that spoke up was deep. Dumbfounded as he was, Kaito reflexively thanked his golem body's native translation functions. The odds were high that the beastfolk were speaking a different language from the one humans regularly used. If not for his built-in translation ability, Kaito probably wouldn't have been able to understand the beastfolk at all. The beastman, who had coppery hair, a brilliant tassel atop his sword, and a wolf head, picked up where he left off. "We wish to humbly request you travel back to our territory with us." The beastman raised his face. His golden eyes glimmered with determination as he looked at Kaito. The next words that came out of the wolf-headed beastman's mouth weren't what Kaito had been expecting in the slightest. "We intend to receive the enemy of mankind as an honored guest." "Explain to me what's going on here." Kaito immediately made a firm request. The moment he'd heard what the beastman had said, memories from his past life had rushed through his mind. Back in his old world, there hadn't been any sort of clear menace to humanity like the demons. Because of that, international politics there were a good deal more complicated. And just the other day, this world, too, had been largely freed from the menace of the demons, with the exception of Kaito. Kaito knew next to nothing about the historic relationship between humans and beastfolk. However, he had a pretty good sense of the friction that existed between the two groups. Beastfolk were banned from some areas within the human lands, and the border around the area where the pure-blooded beastfolk lived was generally closed off. That information was enough for him to more or less surmise the resentment that plagued interactions between the two races. As a matter of fact, the very hill they were standing on had been the site of a bloody conflict fought by humans and beastfolk long before the Duke had started using it. At the same time, according to Izabella, the borderland between the pureblood region and the human realm had been the image of tranquility ever since the third peace treaty. Now that the situation has stabilized, they're inviting the enemy of another race into their home base. Kaito wasn't stupid enough for the implications of that decision to go over his head. He absolutely had to avoid destroying the delicate balance between the two parties. But the beastfolk weren't out of surprises just yet. "The reason we wish to invite you is thus. A sudden tragedy has occurred in our lands, and we would humbly ask of you to aid us in settling the matter. Some entity has been attacking our villages, and several terrible massacres have already occurred." "Massacres?" Upon hearing that unsettling word, Kaito instinctively furrowed his brow. The wolf-headed beastman's lustrous fur rustled as he nodded. It was possible that he'd seen the tragic scenes himself, as he spoke his next words in a pained voice. "They didn't spare women, children, the elderly...not even infants. We lost several patrolling warriors as well. I'd never laid eyes on a hellscape like that before. If this goes on, yet more villages will be slaughtered. We need strength." "Hold on a second. If you need help to stop the killings, then I'd be glad to lend a hand. But just now, you said that you intended to receive the 'enemy of mankind' as an honored guest, right?" "Indeed, I did." The wolf-headed beastman nodded seriously. But Kaito had difficulty finding a connection between that oddly specific choice of phrasing and the massacres in the villages. His tone grew tougher as he gave voice to his misgivings. "Why do you need the 'enemy of mankind'? It feels weird to say it myself, but willingly asking for help from the Kaiser and his contractor is plain nuts. If the situation is so dire that you can't deal with it yourselves, couldn't you just ask the humans for help?" "We are requesting your assistance precisely because we do not have that option. We cannot afford to let the humans know what we're doing. Mankind has been assailed by demons as of late, and in order to be good neighbors, we've been freely, albeit surreptitiously, providing them aid in the form of resources and money. However, we cannot see this recent

tragedy as anything but a complete betrayal of that goodwill." "So in other words..." "We suspect that the perpetrator is human—and not merely an individual, but a group." The wolf-headed beastman nodded, and behind him, his subordinates did the same. Kaito gulped. The fight against the demons had only just ended. Now there were claims that a tragedy had been carried out by human hands. Could that really be what was happening? Kaito found himself baffled. The beastman before him spoke with a voice full of bloodlust. "Allow me to speak frankly. Depending on the circumstances, we may wish to employ you, the enemy of mankind, as a guest commander. The Church's lauded canon, the Shepherd, La Mules, is no more. But they still possess many other living weapons they call saints. The only ones capable of facing them in a head-to-head battle are the demons." "Do you have any proof humans are behind the killings?" Kaito posed his question in a low voice. But he already had a sense of what their answer was. The wolf-headed swordsman stared back at Kaito. Fury and conviction burned in his golden eyes. That was answer enough. Quietly exhaling, Kaito revised his question. "All right, then. What's your reasoning?" "No kin of ours would have left the corpses in such an appalling state." Kaito frowned, unsatisfied by the beastman's answer. It didn't seem like anything more than an emotionally charged judgment. But the beastman pressed on, assuring him that it wasn't so. "Our sense of morality differs from humanity's. We use the fur, the skin, and the bones of the deceased, and should circumstances permit, we also partake of their flesh. Such an act may be difficult for humans to appreciate, but that is the way we have held funeral rites all the way back to the age of the Forest King. But these corpses were defiled to an extreme degree." He clenched his fists tightly as he spoke. Kaito could practically make out the sound of bones creaking. "The victims had their innards pulled out while they were still alive. Then their entrails were left to rot alongside the bodies. Our people would never do such a thing, not even to a foe. But it wasn't the work of a demi-human, either. We share half our territory with them, but their ethics line up closely with ours." So process of elimination, huh? The culprit wasn't a beastman or a demi-human. That left only one possibility. Kaito cast his gaze downward. From his human perspective, using the body parts of the dead and consuming them sounded plenty sacrilegious. But even in other worlds, different countries had different death rituals. Having completely different races no doubt only made that effect more pronounced. On top of that, beastman fur and skin were considerably more robust and versatile than their human equivalents. They probably had a long history of prospering by using their own bodies as resources. And while Kaito's spiritual sensibilities as a former inhabitant of modern-day Japan made it hard for him to fully comprehend, the expressions on the beastfolk's faces clearly showed just how much of a taboo they considered the mistreatment of those corpses to be. The wolf-headed beastman repeated himself in a voice steeped in hatred. "We have a hard time imagining anyone but a human could have done this." "It could also be someone trying to get you to think that." "Of course. That's precisely why we need your assistance. We must decide on a carefully considered judgment. If this was the act of one of our countrymen, then we must dole out a suitable punishment. And if a human did this, then we must repay their cruelty with blood." The beastman spoke quickly and sternly. Kaito reflexively covered his face with one of his hands. He, Kaito Sena, was the enemy of mankind. It looked like the beastfolk wanted to use his power to secure their territory as well as have him act as a third party who could make calm decisions regarding the tragedy. The burden being placed on him was surprisingly heavy. He heaved an equally heavy sigh as he removed his hand from his face. "Why me, though? I said it before, didn't I? As soon as you get a demon and a contractor involved, don't you think the situation's just gonna take a turn for the worse?" "Sir Kaito, it's not as though we reached out to you based on no information at all. We've heard about the incident with the Earl." "The Earl?" Kaito tilted his head to the side at the unexpected mention of a name from his past. The Earl was a demon who'd bought up children and used them to perform Grand Guignols. Kaito had gotten wrapped up in one of his hellish games, but Neue had protected him, allowing him to narrowly escape with his life. He wouldn't have thought that incident would come up, nor had he thought it would have anything to do with the beastfolk trusting him. As question marks floated across Kaito's face, the beastman elaborated. "Before we came up with our plan to contact you, we obtained some documents that were leaked during the Capital's destruction regarding the battles against the fourteen demons. Within them was a record that was appended after the Kaiser's escape detailing the battle against the Earl. The Torture Princess had given a new testimony about the servant she'd been concealing from the Church." "About me?" Surprised by that information, Kaito opened his eyes wide. As he did, he recalled what Clueless had said. "Elisabeth. You're the one who failed to report having summoned the soul of someone from another world, aren't you?" Elisabeth had concealed some—possibly all—information regarding Kaito from the Church. But after the fight against Clueless, they'd discovered Kaito's existence, and Elisabeth had probably been forced to give a fresh, detailed report on him. Elisabeth had never told him what that report contained. The wolf-headed beastman began talking about its particulars. "It appeared to emphasize the fact that her servant was a Sinless Soul, one who, at the time, didn't deserve to be executed. The report also had information about how you tried to rescue children during the battle against the Earl. It seems you even cut off your own hand to that end." "...Sure, but in the end, the Earl ate them all. I couldn't save a single one of them." "Even so, you fought desperately, making no distinctions between the demi-humans and beastfolk among the human children. That's why we decided it would be worthwhile to take a gamble on you. And our conviction has only deepened upon following you and watching you fight. Forgive me the discourtesy of asking, but you were holding back while facing those human warriors just a moment ago, weren't you?" "I mean, yeah." Kaito nodded frankly. He hadn't adjusted to his power yet. Apparently, it was obvious to anyone who knew what to look for that he'd been going easy on his opponents earlier. The wolf-headed beastman gave a deep nod in reply. "The difference between your strength and theirs was plain to see. It would have been all too easy for you to kill them. You could have even done all manner of cruel, unspeakable things to them. But you chose not to. And you don't give off the thick stench of gold and blood that evildoers do. We've come to the conclusion that you're exactly the person the report made you out to be." "I see. Well, if you guys are fine with it, then I don't have any problems. I'll take you up on your offer. I can't make any promises about the whole temp commander part, but lead on." Kaito gave his answer. Offering no interjections, Hina just wordlessly pressed herself against him. The wolf-headed beastman's golden eyes glittered. He quickly lowered his head and professed his thanks. "Are you quite sure? You have our gratitude and will enjoy our finest hospitality." "I'm gonna say up front that I dunno how useful I'm gonna be. There is something I want to confirm for myself, though... Would you mind leading us to the village where the killings happened? I'm no expert, but there should be stuff I can figure out anyway. Oh, right..." Kaito opened his mouth to speak. His next few words slipped across his lips a little too naturally. A light smile crossed his face as he asked his question. "...Are the bodies from the massacre still where you found them? I wanna have a look at the corpses." His tone was cheerful—too cheerful for the words he'd just said. A moment later, Kaito was aghast at how callous he'd been, and as expected, the beastfolk scrunched up their faces as well. A pervasive look of repugnance flashed across their eyes. It was then that Kaito realized a certain fact. Man, I really am a demon's contractor. He was, without a doubt, the vessel the Kaiser had acknowledged. The teleportation circle the beastfolk were using was different from those used by humans. The principles behind both methods were identical, but the beastfolk's circle used shavings from dried organs and a powder made from desiccated blood and crushed bone. "It is a magical tool made from the remains of a late mage of ours." The explanation was given by the wolf-headed beastman, whose name was apparently Lute. Apparently, even people who knew nothing about magic could use it to go where they pleased. The downside was that you needed to draw the circle a second time when you wanted to go back to where you came from. And while the tool was convenient, it would no doubt be branded as contraband anywhere in human society. Even possessing such a thing would likely carry a stiff punishment. "The legend of the Saint who carried God within her body is well celebrated in our lands as well. But instead of God, we place more stock in the land and in nature, for they are what foster life. We have escaped Diablo's affections, and we are far removed from the blessings of God as well. While we have the ability to sniff out and analyze magic's dregs, those among us who can properly wield magic are few and far between. Because of that, our mage requested that their remains be used as communal property." "I see, so it's kinda unique." "It gladdens me that you understand." Lute had given his explanation with caution, as though he'd been afraid of incurring Kaito's revulsion. Kaito nodded. If they'd gotten permission from the mage in question, then he had no intention of disparaging their culture. As the two of them talked, Lute's subordinates were hard at work drawing the teleportation circle atop the hill. Before long, the pattern was complete, its form far more geometrical than the kind human mages used. "Please, this way. First, I can lead to you to the village where one of the massacres took place. We were searching for traces the killer left up until this morning, so...the bodies should still be undisturbed." "All right, please do." Lute gestured for Kaito to line up next to him, and so he did. Hina followed beside him. Kaito spontaneously reached behind her back and embraced her, and she leaned in tight to his side. Then Lute drew a scarlet stone from his breast pocket and struck it like flint, pouring a shower of sparks over the places where the shaved organs were piled up high. "Hoh (A rain of gold), hoh (a tempest of flame), hou (the awakening), hoh (has come), hou (now burst into flame)." As he did, flames shot up around the teleportation circle's circumference, and a cloud of red and white sand began billowing forth from its center. The fierce sandstorm blotted out Kaito's and Hina's sight. The two hues blended together in front of their eyes in complex patterns, like a sand painting. The sand

then hardened into a wall, cracked, and collapsed. The red-and-white mass toppled onto the ground in square chunks, then vanished. When his vision returned, Kaito found himself standing in the land of the beastfolk. So this is what it's like, huh? Kaito recalled the information he'd heard from Hina back when Lute's subordinates had been setting up the teleportation circle. The pureblood borough was where the beastfolk nobles lived. That was common knowledge, even among humans. But it was impossible to have a society with only an upper class. Soldiers were needed to protect the borders, farmers to till the land and tend to the livestock, merchants to manage the flow of goods, and all sorts of other people. Beastman society had advanced far past the days of subsistence hunting. But as far as humans were concerned, they generally assumed everyone but the ruling class was treated as nothing more than possessions. As a result, the perception of the pureblood borough as a "land of aristocrats" had persisted even to the present day. The logic was that limiting the number of owners made for more convenient negotiations. But the simple village sitting before them proved that vague yet extravagant impression of outsiders was flawed. The village was surrounded by a wooden fence with toxic vines wound around it, likely as a basic defensive measure. All over the village, Kaito could make out animal-shaped weather vanes and cloth charms hanging low to the ground that made it clear how much the inhabitants revered the wind and the earth. The buildings' foundations were stone, but pretty much everything else was made of wood, with scales and leather plastered onto the roofs and doors. The beastfolk lands were farther north than where most humans lived, but it was unclear at a glance how much protection from the elements the buildings actually offered. Finally, the last noteworthy feature of the hamlet was the boorish chains strung up between a dozen or so of the houses. Assailed by unease, Kaito strained his eyes. The chains were wound together like a spiderweb, and there were a number of pieces of game hanging from them. There were large figures, medium-sized figures, and figures so small that you could hold them in your arms. And all of them were swarming with flies. The hanging figures' silhouettes shifted slightly each time the insects squirmed. It was at that moment that Kaito noticed the thick, familiar scent of blood and rotting flesh. Before he confirmed the nature of the figures, he closed his eyes once. The Kaiser's eerily human laughter resounded in his eardrums. Hina made to step in front of him, but Kaito stopped her with one arm as he prepared himself for the worst. Then he opened his eyes again and looked straight ahead at the tragedy. As he'd suspected, the ones strung up were the village's inhabitants. The fox-headed beastfolk were decorating the village like spoils from a hunt. A carnival. The aftermath of a fox hunt. Imprudent similes flashed through Kaito's mind. But eventually, he arrived at the most appropriate descriptor of all. A massacre. There was no other word that could describe the horrible scene before him. Blood and bile ran along the length of the chains and dripped slowly to the ground. All the victims had their stomachs carved out, their empty abdominal cavities visible from the outside. White maggots were wriggling around in their flesh. Clenching his fists, Kaito drew closer to the corpses. He looked up at their expressions. Their faces were all stiff and filled with a terrible sense of anguish. The intensity of that emotion was no different between humans and beastfolk. "Yeah...I'm sure it must have been painful." Kaito spoke quietly. Rage and hatred toward the unknown perpetrator flared up inside him. But his experiences in life had left him well accustomed to those negative emotions, and he quickly regained his composure. Looking back between the buildings, he posed a question to Lute. "...What about the insides?" "The insides?" "What happened to their innards?" Kaito gave his inquiry in a dispassionate tone. After being taken aback for a moment, Lute hesitated to answer. Kaito waited for a response. There should have been a fairly substantial amount of other viscera. However, those organs were nowhere to be seen. He could make out little bits spilled here and there, but most of it was clearly missing. A few seconds later, Lute gave his pained reply. "It repulses me just to say it, but they were all shoved into a barn. There is no shortage of people who ridicule beastfolk for engaging in animal husbandry. We came to the conclusion that the way the killer dealt with the organs, too, was intended to provoke us." "Have they also been left the way you found them?" "Given the state they're in, we deemed it difficult to handle them individually. We plan to burn the entire barn to the ground later." "Let me have a look." Kaito made his request directly. Stooping over, Lute gave him a worried warning. "...It's really quite a dreadful sight, you know." "That's fine. I've seen people who had their guts and brains fused together while they were still alive." With a sympathetic nod, Lute took the lead and began walking off. However, his underlings stood frozen in place. It looked as though they didn't want to have to see the grisly scene in the barn a second time. Kaito and Hina left the subordinates behind and followed after Lute. He stopped in front of a shed adjoining a small farm. After hesitating for a moment, he pulled off the bar sealing its door shut. He doesn't want to have to open the door himself. Once he realized that, Kaito spontaneously took the initiative. Trading places with Lute, he placed his hand on the door. Then he slowly pushed it open. Flies buzzed around noisily. The stench of blood and rotting flesh ran thick. Kaito nodded as he strained his eyes against the oddly subdued, dim red light. Yeah, seeing this would definitely be traumatic if you weren't used to this kinda stuff. With Hina beside him, his stare was fixed on the grisly spectacle. A mountain of beastman innards sat amid the muck, blood, and tallow clinging to the floor. Ravaged intestines and pulverized stomachs blended together, their contents spilling out. The stench they gave off was even worse than that of the corpses. The various lumps of flesh were so repulsive that it was almost unimaginable to think they'd once been inside people. Upon closer inspection, though, there were things other than innards mixed into the pile. Kaito spotted pig heads and cow heads, garnishing the pile like comical decorations atop a macabre cake. Kaito grabbed one of the pig heads by the ear and pulled. It made a grotesque sound as it came out. Mucus leaked from an orifice. After carefully examining the opening at the base of the severed head, Kaito looked back toward the mountain of innards. A few seconds later, a quiet mumble escaped his lips. "...There's no meaning to this." Suddenly, Kaito released his grip. The pig head fell. After bouncing once off the floor, it sank back into the sea of guts like a deflated rubber ball. Behind him, Lute spoke up dubiously. "What do you mean by that?" "What I mean is that this isn't any kind of provocation, message, or sacrilege." Kaito's declaration was firm. He pointed at the animal heads artlessly mixed in with the innards. "If they wanted to give it some kind of meaning, there had to have been a better way they could have used the animal corpses. It's too random, too crude to have been by choice. It relies too heavily on the viewer's imagination." "But then...why use the barn?" "Oh, that part is real simple." Kaito's voice was lilting as he gave his answer. A spectacle on the scale of the one before him didn't even faze him anymore. Because of that, he simply described the situation as he saw it. "There were stains on the ground from the extracted innards. In other words, the perpetrator started out simply leaving the guts on the ground after they yanked them out. But over time, they started to build up and get in the way. That's the reason why the killer gathered them all up and shoved them in one place. Then the animals were noisy, so they shut them up. I know it's a messed-up way to put it, but it was probably all just part of their assembly line." As he listened to Kaito talk, Lute's fur stood on end. Kaito wondered a little if that was a normal reaction, or if Lute's rage was simply that tempestuous. Lute's golden eyes were filled with loathing as he glared alternately between Kaito and the grim scene. "You...you mean to tell me that that's the reason they created this monstrosity?" "Yeah, probably. And you don't have to glare at me like that, you know. It's not like I'm the one who did it." "...Ah, forgive me. How rude of me." Lute hurriedly looked away from Kaito. But the repulsion and disgust he'd directed toward Kaito for coming up with such a fiendish conjecture still remained in his eyes. Kaito, not pointing that out, just nodded and closed the barn door. He then made his way back to the chains between the buildings. When he did, he resumed his examination of the strung-up corpses. The victims' shoulders had stiffened in an odd way. That was due to the fact that the chains had been run into their left shoulders, then behind their necks, and finally back out through their right shoulders. They'd each lost huge amounts of blood. And all that had probably happened while they were still alive. "So whoever it was, they hung the victims up while they were still alive, then tore open their chests and ripped out their insides, huh?" "And there isn't any major damage to the chains, is there? They must have run it through with a single blow each time without any need to try again." "There's no way a regular human could use a chain that way... This must have been done by someone else." Kaito and Hina were whispering to each other. Behind them, Lute straightened out his posture. At some point, his subordinates had assembled as well. The beastfolk were silent, their expressions tense as they awaited Kaito's conclusion. I know how they feel. As he felt their intense gazes wash over him, he realized why they'd thought this atrocity had been committed by human hands. They didn't want to believe that one of their own could perform an act of such heinous violence, even if it meant ignoring reality. And it was only natural to want to know the purpose behind such an incomprehensibly brutal act. The witnesses needed there to be some kind of motive in order to come to terms with this tragedy. That was precisely the reason why the beastfolk had decided their enemy must be mankind. And there are even parts to that logic that are sound. Humans wasn't to blame for this. But it also wasn't the work of a beastman. The crime couldn't have been committed by just anyone. And there hadn't been any objective beyond causing pain. It had been perverse. It was just an insane, evil crime. "I know who did this." Then Kaito made his assertion. Hina quietly nodded. The beastfolk were struck speechless. "...Who in the world was it, then?" The chains rattled in the wind. The bodies swung back and forth. The flies took off, and the thick, rotting fragrance wafted by. Assailed by every unpleasant sensation imaginable, Kaito spoke. "It was a demon. I'm sure of it." But there was a fierce contradiction between that answer and reality. All fourteen of the demons' contractors were supposed to be dead. After all, it had

been none other than Kaito himself, alongside the Torture Princess, who had killed every last one. 2 A Mysterious Foe Time flowed on mercilessly, leaving mortal matters and concerns behind in its wake. The sky grew dark. The hill where Kaito had knocked out the paladins was blanketed in darkness as well. Even the holes in the earth gouged by conflicts past were cast in black relief. It was as though a jet-black sea had spread over the entire area, concealing the coffins and bones in deep shadows and bringing a gentle silence to the surroundings. Then a sharp noise rang out. —Click, clack. A beautiful woman stood atop the hill's summit, her heels ringing like the notes of a song. It was Elisabeth Le Fanu, the Torture Princess. She cast her crimson gaze on the area around her, taking it in with a scornful eye. "So this is where you went, eh? You chose yet another unpleasant and nostalgic spot." Elisabeth scoffed. Her silken black hair fluttered, as did the dress she was wearing, which was colored scarlet on the inside and extended past her waist. As she stood atop the hill, she began searching for irregularities. A few seconds later, she dropped to one knee and knelt on the ground. Not shying away from the bones around her in the slightest, she inspected the spot where she'd noticed the influx of mana. At first glance, there didn't appear to be anything left. Someone had probably been in charge of destroying the evidence and, as such, had carefully scooped up the earth and smoothed it out. But concentrating to her utmost, Elisabeth discovered a spot that was stained ever so slightly red. "Hmm." She scooped it up with the tip of her finger and stuck it in her mouth. As the mana lingered on her tongue, she searched her memories. Upon zeroing in on a particular magical tool, she spat out the dirt and lightly brushed off her soiled tongue. "Mana mixed with the taste of old flesh. Blood, bone, and organ shavings. Primitive, but convenient. I'd thought it banned across all human lands, so... Ah." Elisabeth heaved a deep sigh. After receiving notice from the Church about a new sighting of the Kaiser's contractor, she'd made the unusual choice of visiting the scene herself. The reason she'd done so was because there'd been a point that had caught her attention in the report she'd received. It had been in the testimony of one of the paladins who'd apparently been saved after barely escaping with his life. When he'd been on the threshold between dreams and consciousness, he reported feeling like he'd heard the Kaiser's contractor having a conversation with someone. There was a chance that the person Kaito had been talking to had been no more than Hina, Vlad, or the Kaiser. But the timing was too ominous to casually overlook it. 'Tis been quite some time since Kaito made his declaration of war at the Capital. Unlike the demons to date, Kaito was capable of holding a dialogue. Now was around the time when people would start to realize that. Someone might have finally tried to make contact with him. That was what sparked Elisabeth's apprehension. And it seemed her fears had been wholly on the mark. And what's more, the first to come into contact with him had been of a different race. "The other person is a beastman, eh? This is turning out to be quite bothersome indeed." If that was the case, then she had a new problem to deal with. The beastfolk's pureblood borough was completely off-limits. The Church's eyes didn't reach that far, and Elisabeth now found herself wholly unable to pursue Kaito. The Torture Princess was a pawn of the Church, and a powerful weapon to boot. If she went and trespassed on the beastman territories on her own, it could very well end up sparking a war. "What in the blazes have you gotten yourself wrapped up in, Kaito? What are your intentions?" Elisabeth whispered, and the darkness around her grew steadily deeper. No answer came back. That was only natural. Once, Kaito had tried to remain by Elisabeth's side to the bitter end. But now he was off in a distant land. Kaito Sena had chosen to become the enemy of mankind. And now the beastfolk had reached out to him. It was unclear what the significance of that was, or what consequences it would bring about. The only thing for certain was that Kaito had temporarily slipped Elisabeth's reach. "...'Tis nonsense." She bit down on her lip, enraged. But the thing that upset her wasn't Kaito's disappearance itself. No, the object of her anger was a different emotion that was welling up within her whether she wanted it to or not. She had just felt a definite sense of relief at the fact that she was unable to kill Kaito Sena. And as the Torture Princess, that was something she could not allow. "Ah, achoo!" "Oh my, did you catch a cold? Our lands are far chillier than those in which humans live. As you can see, we are blessed with thick fur. But adjusting the temperature to suit human tastes is an area we find ourselves tragically deficient in. If the fire doesn't meet your needs, please don't hesitate to say something." "No, no, I'm fine. It's not a cold. It really does feel like someone's talking about me behind my back, though." Lute's words were brusque yet filled with earnest concern, and Kaito's reply was easygoing. The sun had long since set, and they'd left the village where the massacre had taken place behind. They were currently in a different small village, one that sported a row of simple houses just like the last. Its tall fence was crafted from interwoven branches, and Kaito and the others were huddled around an open-air fire near its entrance. Trees spread out in every direction. Humidity percolated in the shadows the trees cast, causing the chill to sink into their skins. However, the strong flames did a lot to help drive the cold away. A pot full of water sat atop the fire, and finely torn flower petals sat simmering inside it. Before long, the water was dyed a vivid orange hue. Hina had been watching over the pot, and her maid uniform rustled as she quickly stood. "All right, if I decoct these any longer, it'll go bitter. Quickly and carefully...now!" Removing the pot from the flame, Hina scooped out the withered, mushy petals. She placed them on a separate plate, then sliced up some dried fruit and added it to the pot. As the lingering heat warmed them up, the orange water started to take on a reddish tinge. After deciding the hard chunks had spread out enough, she began ladling the pot's contents into bowls. "There you go, Master Kaito and Mr. Lute. Eat up." "Thanks, Hina." "Oh my, you've done a wonderful job with the leaves we brought along. Your functions are a marvel, Madam Hi...na... No, forgive my rudeness. I'd been told you were an automaton, Madam Hina, but I should have referred to you the same way I would a person. In my carelessness, I spoke presumptuously. My apologies. Erm..." "Hee-hee, please, don't worry about it. I am my beloved Master Kaito's eternal lover, his faithful companion, his soldier, his weapon, his love outlet, his sex doll, and his bride—all because I am a puppet. And I take great pride in that fact." Hina flashed a gentle smile. His eyes filling with admiration, Lute held his bowl high. "Well said. Whatever one's nature is, being able to take pride in it is a beautiful thing. In that case, I wish to express my thanks toward your functions once more." Though he was singing Hina's praises, Lute didn't bring the bowl to his mouth. It seemed beasts and beastfolk alike favored their senses of smell, as the shape of his mouth relaxed while he savored the aroma. Apparently, it was beastfolk custom to wait for food to cool completely before eating. Kaito was the first to have a taste. The broth had a curious viscosity to it. A honey-like sweetness that was mixed with the fruit's acidity filled his mouth. The flavor seemed to wash all the fatigue from his body. Slowly exhaling, Kaito looked up at the night sky. As he gazed at the smattering of stars in the darkness, he let out a small remark. "...I'm not seeing anyone." "Quite. And I was so ready to rend them limb from limb." "I've yet to sense anyone suspicious around us, either." As they calmly passed the time, the three of them quietly whispered among themselves. They were feigning being relaxed, but they were constantly surveying their surroundings. Lute's subordinates were doing the same. All of them were waiting. They were waiting to ambush the killer when they attacked a new village. Their simple yet precise plan had been suggested by a rather unexpected source. "Let's put aside the matter of who the killer is for the moment. Right now, we should be focusing on how to prevent the next massacre." Back at the village with the strung-up victims, Kaito had shelved the prospect of identifying the one responsible. Just because they'd figured out that the culprit was a demon didn't mean they had any concrete way of stopping the killings. Their top priority needed to be preventing the murderer from preying on any more victims. And in order to do that, they had to figure out where the next attack would take place. But even though Kaito had been called in to help, his investigative capabilities were borderline nonexistent. Unfortunately, his presence wasn't doing much to improve the situation. They also didn't have time to add him to the patrols that were going from village to village. More victims would undoubtedly spring up in the interim. "Is there any way we could figure it out for...oh. Well, I guess we could ask him." It was at that point that Kaito thought of asking a particular man for advice. Specifically, the Kaiser's previous contractor: Vlad Le Fanu. After all, the man had committed his fair share of massacres himself. His unique viewpoint might prove useful. With that hope, Kaito ran mana through the jewel containing the replica of Vlad's soul. Extravagant azure petals and black feathers sprang out from within. With that as his backdrop, Vlad made his appearance, as gracefully as always. His cravat paired well with his aristocratic outfit, and it waved from side to side as he crossed his legs in the empty air. "Do you have some business with me, my dear successor?" "There's something I want your opinion on. Do you mind?" "Hmm... Rather cheerful words, coming from a man who abandons others to mind-numbingly boring jewels once they've served their purpose." "Sorry about that, then. Back in you go." "Let me hear you out." It looked like Vlad's complaints about boredom were rather serious. The beastfolk were startled by the man's—who was clearly no saint—sudden appearance, even though he was just a phantom. However, Kaito decided to leave off the explanation for later and instead told Vlad what had been going on. Stroking his chin, Vlad nodded thoughtfully. "Lend me a map." Something had clearly piqued his interest, as he stared intently at the map Kaito held up. He fired off a series of questions to Lute as he pointed to various locations. "Where did the past killings take place? Hmm, beastman diets vary from species to species, so villages tend to be homogenous, correct? What types of animal were the victims? What, don't call them 'animals'? Oh, quit fussing over minor details. Hmm, I see. Now, how were they killed? Skinned, skewered, strung up... Now then, would you tell me about the species that live in the villages in this radius? Yes, all of them." Finally satisfied,

Vlad stroked his chin again. Having been made to recount the details of the past killings, fatigue crept across Lute's and his subordinates' faces. Kaito silently swore that if Vlad couldn't come up with anything after all that, then he'd never let him outside again. But Vlad himself snapped his fingers, his gesture overflowing with composure. He indicated a particular village with a white-gloved hand. "The next attack will be here." "How can you know that?" Kaito was taken aback at Vlad's confidence. Vlad pointed at the map again, tracing a large circle with the site of the most recent attack at its center. "Oh, it's simple. At first glance, the locations of the killings don't seem to have any rhyme or reason. But they're all selected from within this circle surrounding the most recent attack, are they not? I think it rather likely that our foe's teleportation capabilities are restricted to this circle's diameter." "I mean, even so, that's a big area." "Quite. And we had already calculated the range our enemy was teleporting at. But the area is too large to narrow it down to a single village they might target." "If that's the case, then you'd best change your point of view. Take a gander at the villagers who've been killed up till now. In order, it's rabbitfolk, birdfolk, and foxfolk. Skinning, skewering, and stringing up. They've each been killed in an appropriate way, but they're rather diverse, aren't they?" "You're not wrong, but so what?" "The village I marked is both within the circle and home to deerfolk. In other words, a species with a trait not found in any of the victims to date—their antlers." "But what does that have to do—" "Hmm? Isn't it obvious, my dear successor? Think about what will happen after they're killed. The new spectacle, with the corpses all lined up. Think of all the possibilities that antlers offer when you're tormenting them and using them as decoration!" A heavy silence descended on them. The very air seemed to have suddenly grown colder. Kaito was at a loss for words, and Hina shook her head. Lute and his men were practically brimming with bloodlust. As he basked in their judgmental gazes, Vlad smiled sweetly. Then he brazenly went on, as though it were only natural that he give an answer when posed a question. "If it were me, I would undoubtedly choose this place! Assembly-line work is best when you're having fun!" Man, "unthinkable" doesn't even begin to describe the way he thought about it... I mean, I called it an assembly line, too, but still. As he sipped at his flower soup, Kaito ruminated on the earlier events. There were times when people really should refrain from saying everything that came to mind. Although they'd gotten into a small quarrel, the group eventually decided to go off Vlad's hypothesis and lie in wait at the deerfolk village. While the deer-headed beastfolk were taken aback by the arrival of both the national guard and visitors of another race, they let them in regardless. Despite their confusion, they'd even tried to show their guests a warm welcome. But Kaito and the others had turned them down, instead directing them not to come outside that night no matter what unless they were given the signal to flee. Then, after holding a meeting on their routes and plans, they took up their positions by the village's front entrance. At first, Kaito had been worried about that fact and had asked if it was okay for them to be out in the open. But according to Vlad, his concerns were unfounded. "Our foe will clearly be lax. After all, if they were to run into a patrol, they could simply annihilate the small fries to the last man! This time, though, those who were fated to become prey have brought along the Kaiser's contractor. And our foe is unaware of that fact. Because of that, our presence should have little effect on how our foe moves. Go forth and meet them boldly! That is the proper way a tyrant ought to conduct himself!" Vlad had, in fact, been useful. But his thoughtless remarks toward the beastfolk had crossed the line. At present, he had been crammed into his jewel once more. It had been squirming in displeasure for some time now. But Kaito blithely ignored Vlad's complaints. All's well and good if his intuition's on the mark, but...if it isn't, more people are gonna die. Anxious, Kaito cast a glance toward Lute. His golden eyes were filled with a tension so fierce that it seemed like he might stop breathing. Lute had agreed to Kaito and Vlad's proposal. But it hadn't been anything more than a compromise on his part, as he hadn't been able to come up with anything more effective. Kaito could tell. Lute had been the one to invite him. But that definitely didn't mean he trusted Kaito and his companions. He'd promised them hospitality, but the situation was nowhere near peaceful enough to just take an outsider at his word. Given that they invited me as a visiting commander, a member of the nobility has to be behind it. I don't know how monolithic the beastfolk are, but if nothing else, it's gotta be someone who's at least involved in their national politics. Still, he didn't know who that person was. For that matter, they hadn't even taken him to their headquarters or told him anything beyond the details of the killings. And in spite of all that, they were having him do dangerous fieldwork for them. If Kaito's promise to help turned out to not be of any use, Lute and his men probably weren't planning on giving him any additional information. In a sense, it could be said they were taking advantage of his goodwill. But even though he realized that, it didn't make him feel particularly put out. After all, I'm just a fugitive right now. I'd much rather be of use to someone than aimlessly running around and trying to find someplace to hide. Kaito had no desire to get exploited in some scheme and become embroiled in an international controversy. Compared with that, sleeping outside in order to help catch a serial killer was a piece of cake. Besides, the unease that Lute and his men were feeling was genuine. They wanted to resolve the situation from the bottoms of their hearts. And the fact that a huge number of beastfolk had been brutally killed was true as well. Given all that, he had no reason not to lend them his aid. But the thing that's bugging me is... Why was a demon doing this? They were all supposed to be dead. Had a new contractor appeared? Or could it be that... On that note, Kaito shook his head and cut off that train of thought. Mindlessly listing off possibilities wouldn't do him any good. Any matter involving demons quickly surpassed rational expectations. Right now, he needed to focus on the danger directly in front of him. As he forcibly changed gears in his mind, he drank down the rest of the floral soup. His bowl was empty, and Hina's eyes sparkled when she saw that. She raised her hand with the vigor of a puppy wagging its tail. "Master Kaito, Master Kaito! The seconds your faithful Hina made are over here, my love!" "Could I have more, then, darling?" "Of course! I shall serve it alongside a hearty helping of love!" Hina smiled as she took the bowl from Kaito. As he watched their exchange, Lute displayed a dumbfounded expression. After a moment, though, he oohed admiringly. "My, how passionate. Could it be that you two aren't master and servant, but lovers?" "We're married, actually." "Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeek! My heart's fluttering so hard that I might just die!" Upon hearing Kaito's immediate reply, Hina's face flushed. Placing her hands on her cheeks, she began twisting back and forth. Lute became more and more bewildered. "O-oh. That reminds me, Madam Hina, you did just refer to yourself as his bride. I see. So Madam Hina, the automaton, is your wife, then, Sir Kaito?" "Why? Is that weird?" Kaito posed the question. Lute had reacted with revulsion and disgust to some of the things he and Vlad had said and done. And the beastfolk revered nature, so there was no guarantee that they wouldn't feel hostility toward automatons. Kaito gave up, not expecting anything in the way of a favorable response. But to his surprise, Lute violently shook his head from side to side. "No, not in the slightest!" Kaito was a bit astonished at how insistent Lute seemed. He definitely didn't seem to be lying. Oddly bashful, Lute cleared his throat. "Ahem, the thing is, you see... My wife is both a decade my junior and a goatwoman. She's a wonderful girl with a pure heart who loves the wind and the earth...but as you can see, I'm a wolfman. We encountered no small amount of antagonism leading up to our marriage. I am very fortunate that my master is an open-minded one, and that my subordinates get along with my wife so well. To this day, though, there are those who speak poorly of us behind our backs." "My goodness, how dreadful! It grinds my gears when people get in the way of mutual love!" "Thank you for your kind words. You truly are a compassionate woman. In that respect, I see little difference between the two of you, and you clearly hold a great deal of affection for each other. I think the two of you are wonderful for each other!" With that, Lute patted his chest. Kaito involuntarily softened his expression. Hina's cheeks were growing more and more flushed, and she was twirling her fingers aimlessly in the air. "'Wonderful for each other'? Oh my... While it's true that Master Kaito and I are a uniquely fated pair, and that we were bound by destiny the moment the world came into being, hearing you say so makes me feel rather bashful. Eek!" "Yeah, hearing you say that makes me real happy. I bet your wife's happy, too, having a husband who thinks so fondly of her." Kaito's pleased expression and Hina's bashfulness seemed to be contagious. Lute laughed in embarrassment as he scratched his head. His subordinates were looking their way in amusement. Upon noticing that fact, Lute got flustered and called out to them. "Now, look here, you lot! What do you think you're doing, listening to us so intently?!" "Lucky you, Captain, getting to brag about your wife to someone new!" "All of us have heard every last one of your stories a million times already, after all!" "Be quiet! Ahem... My goodness, though, what a surprise, being able to bond with another devoted husband like this." "Yeah, same goes for me." Kaito nodded. Lute's smile reached his golden eyes as he whispered gently. "You see, we beastfolk don't much care for lies. So to speak quite candidly, I had thought you a rather cold-hearted man. But deep down, it seems that you're a compassionate gentleman after all." Kaito found himself blinking at how unexpected the remark had been. Lute's red tail swayed gently as he slowly went on. "When we came to invite you, I purposefully gave you few reasons to lend us your assistance. I didn't even mention offering remunerations for your military advice. But despite all that, you came with us anyway. To tell you the truth, we'd been prepared for a much more protracted negotiation." "Really? Wait, did I totally just miss a chance to get information out of you guys?" "We held several trump cards to use if you tried. But if we'd had to, we probably wouldn't be sharing this fire as we are now. When inviting along a demon's contractor, great care must be taken in evaluating their character. Or so I'd thought, in any

case, but it appears the impression of you that we got from the battle against the Earl held true." Lute flashed him a faint smile, to which Kaito responded with a strong nod. As he'd thought, Lute and his men didn't plan to offer up any information regarding the beastfolk. Even so, though, it looked like his amenable behavior had curried him some favor. They seemed to hold more trust in him than he'd expected. That fact alone made Kaito truly glad. Lute raised his bowl to try to conceal his bashfulness. He completely drained the cooled floral broth, then spoke. "By the way, Mrs. Sena, might I trouble you for seconds?" "Eeeeeee! He called me 'Mrs. Sena'! He called me 'Mrs. Sena'! For that, you can have as many refills as you want!" "Wait, Hina, hold up. We're lying in ambush here, we can't drink too much, or—huh?" Then Kaito trailed off midsentence. Something was shining near the edge of his vision. Upon closer inspection, the moonlight was reflecting off something in the tree line. But there was nothing natural that should have glinted like that late at night in the forest. Everything was completely silent, the lively atmosphere from a moment ago having vanished like a distant memory. First Hina, then Lute stood up. Kaito rose to his feet as well. Then he looked at the "thing." "...What is that?" It looked like neither a human nor a beast. In fact, it didn't look alive at all. At first glance, it looked like a silver spider. Or, perhaps, a better way to put it would be to describe it as an intricate mass of rubbish. Kaito squinted. Whatever it was that had appeared out of the darkness, it was made out of a series of joined pieces of metal. But although it did have eight legs, its basic shape was like that of an insect or a crustacean. However, the metal plates that made up its body constantly shifted and squirmed as they glimmered. The fact that its exterior was constantly undergoing minute changes caused its appearance to be wholly divergent from that of any creature found in nature. Kaito involuntarily racked his memories for something similar to compare it to. Suddenly, an old memory flashed through his mind. His teacher back in elementary school had been fond of visiting art museums, and Kaito thought back to the contents of a picture his teacher had enthusiastically described during recess one day. ...Avant-garde art. The picture had been a piece of art enclosed in inorganic material that was designed to ridicule the living. That was the closest thing he could come up with to describe the entity before him. But there was no reason for it to exist in this world, let alone within the beastfolk territories. It was probably akin to an underling that someone had created. As he vigilantly collected his thoughts, Kaito felt a sense of unease. All the underlings up till now have been weirdly large animals and hideously distorted people. Underlings were, fundamentally, living creatures who'd undergone terrible transformations. Because of that, no matter how hideous they became, they usually resembled their original forms, more or less. But the thing he was facing now was far too alien to be a mere mutation. It was simply too inorganic. And it was giving off too much power to be classified as a familiar. But then what the hell is it? Kaito found himself at a loss. Then the thing—which probably resembled a machine more than a work of avant-garde art—began moving. It immediately became oddly blurry as the chunks of metal making up its body started audibly vibrating. Then, as though it had received some kind of order, it spread its eight legs wide. It looked almost like a massive silver lily sitting atop a grassy field. Then it vanished. "...Huh?" Kaito lost sight of their foe. At the same time, his arm moved. His beastly left arm practically moved on its own to pursue the path the silver thing had taken. His sharp claws dug into and caught the flying machine. Sparks flew, as though two swords had just collided. After taking stock of the situation, he came to the realization that his arm was numb. It was so very heavy. Kaito let out a shout from the depths of his diaphragm. "Hrrragh!" Using all his strength, he swung down the arm he'd caught the thing's leg with. The machine nearly crashed into the ground. Just before it made impact, though, it gave off a clacking noise and rearranged its body. Its previously straightened legs sprang joints. They gently bent, reducing the impact and allowing the machine to make a clean landing. —Screeeee, scraaaaaw! It let out a high-pitched, roar-like noise. Hina frantically rushed over to Kaito's side. He turned to her, then asked a question. "Hina, you know what that thing is?" "I'm very sorry. My Self-Recording Device contains no information on anything resembling that. It isn't an automaton, and it isn't the same type of construct as the Church's communication devices. Whatever could it be?" "Oh-ho! Now there's a surprise!" A deep voice rang out from somewhere rather unexpected. Kaito's eyes went wide. It was rare for anything to elicit a response from the Kaiser. With his body still hidden, the supreme hound laughed in amusement. "Why, if it isn't Deus Ex Machina! I surely didn't expect to see that in a land such as this!" "—Wait, what did you just say?" Kaito frowned at the strange echo. However, he didn't have time to sit around asking questions. The shrill noise rang out once more. —Screeeee, scraaaaaw! The machine rose to its feet. Its torso didn't so much as twitch as its eight legs began rapidly revolving. Spraying mud every which way, it drilled its way into the dirt. Then, in the blink of an eye, the machine disappeared from the surface. "...It burrowed." "Master Kaito, I implore you to stay within a range I can defend you from." Their entire party surveyed their surroundings. For a moment, the area was silent. The leaves on the trees rustled ever so slightly. Then the ground exploded. The machine came flying out, its eight legs gathered to form a spear. So fast that it seemed to have been shot from a catapult as it hurtled toward Lute. "Captain!" "I'm fine!" Without needing to be told, he'd already anticipated that he might be attacked. As he calmly replied to his subordinate, Lute dropped down low to the ground. As he prepared for the impact, he readied his sword and let out a cry. "You shall pay for the atrocities you've committed on our people! Starting with those legs of yours!" As he raised his stormy battle cry, Lute brought down his sword. He'd probably assumed already that his weapon wouldn't pierce it, so instead of trying to cut the machine, he used the whole of his blade to strike it. A hard noise rang out. His attack had landed cleanly on the machine. But as Kaito watched, he was taken aback. Even though the machine had been caught by Lute's intense blow, it was just casually floating in the air. Its legs had grown even more joints, and those appendages coiled around Lute's sword. "Rgh!" "Lute!" Kaito tried to snap his fingers. Before he could, though, a graceful, explosive blow landed squarely on the machine's torso. "Hiyah!" The hem of Hina's maid uniform fluttered in the wind as she lashed out with her ax kick. The sound of metal scraping echoed out from where the sole of her foot had connected with the machine. After resisting for a second, the machine was blown away, sword and all. It crashed loudly into a tree. The tree's trunk bent, creaked, then snapped, crashing to the ground with a thunderous noise amid a pillar of fumes. Her silver hair swaying, Hina quietly lowered her foot, and her billowed-out skirt came to a gentle rest. "Please, pull yourself together! You don't want your wife mourning for you!" "Ah, how shameful! I vow to return the favor!" As he replied to Hina's reprimand, Lute tried to adjust his grip on his sword. However, it had been sent flying along with the machine. His ears flopped limply. But he shook his head vigorously, and they stood right back up. Having regained his dignity, he directed a sharp cry to his troops. "A spare sword!" "Here!" One of them pulled a new sword from their luggage and tossed it to him. Upon catching it, Lute nodded and drew his new weapon from its scabbard in a sweeping motion. As he did, the machine rose back to its feet. Seemingly stunned, it began joining its silver metal plates together. —Screeeee, scraaaaaw! Destroying it with brute force is gonna take a while. If we even can, that is. Having arrived at that conclusion, Kaito wiped away the sweat clinging to his brow. If they were able to fix it in place, they'd probably be able to pull out a victory. But if worse came to worst and it successfully burrowed its way to the village, another tragedy was bound to unfold. The question, then, was how to finish the battle quickly and decisively. Kaito racked his brains for the method that seemed most effective. Then he suddenly recalled a certain entity's existence. Wait, that's right. I have seen something similar to that thing, and it's not just the avant-garde art. During the short period he'd attended school for, he'd seen one of the bosses in a video game that his classmate had been playing. It had been composed of a series of planks, and his classmate had used a variety of weapons to tear it apart. The boss had been powerful. But individually, the planks weren't anything special. Abruptly, Kaito spoke. "Kaiser." *** "Kaiser!" "What are you causing that racket for? A master as unworthy as you should take care not to call me so frivolously." "I'm gonna stop that thing. Lend me your power." With that, Kaito made his plea. The Kaiser scoffed in irritation. Then he let out his humanlike laugh. "Ha, as if. That thing has nothing to do with demons. And destroying it would do little to exemplify my strength. Why, then, should I go out of my way to lend you my fangs?" "...It doesn't have anything to do with demons?" The Kaiser's words weren't just surprising; they came as a legitimate shock. Put another way, they meant the thing before them was neither an underling nor a familiar. But it wasn't a human, beast, or spirit, either. What, in that case, could it possibly be? ..."Deus Ex Machina"? That was what the Kaiser had called it. Kaito couldn't afford to simply stay in the dark regarding the machine. He needed to find out what it was. But although his instincts were screaming that fact out to him, he temporarily swallowed his questions. Right now, I gotta focus on taking out the enemy in front of me. With that objective in mind, he gave voice to a different query. "Answer me this. That thing is pretty strong, but the chunks of metal it's made of aren't all that tough...right?" "Something to that effect, I suppose. I can make out power residing in each of its pieces, but only by coming together as a colony can they demonstrate their strength. But whether you cut it or strike it, destroying its metal with your own is likely no mean task. And I've little desire to eat anything so hard. Now then, what do you intend to do?" "To be honest, I'm still not all that great at magic. But I've got a method that'll definitely hit it and should be effective, to boot." Kaito made his assertion. The Kaiser was silent for a few seconds. Eventually, though, he seemed to understand. Having guessed at the method Kaito was thinking of, the

Kaiser finally took on an interested tone. "I see. As always, the manner in which you think leaves me unsure as to whether you're a madman or a fool. So what would you have me do?" "I've just got one request. I need you to bring me over there as accurately as you can." "Hmm very well, I suppose." Considering the lengthy time that he'd taken in consideration, his tone was rather indifferent even though he had agreed to help. All the while, the machine had been determining the new arrangement for its metal plates. Minute changes were taking place atop its arachnoid back. In the blink of an eye, it had gained a set of airplane-like wings. It looked like Kaito's hunch had been right on the mark. The longer the fight went on, the greater its range of attack would grow. Oscillating its metal plates one by one, the thing flew high into the air. Hina readied herself to hurl her halberd after it. But Kaito stopped her with one hand. With a confused expression, she stood down. "Master, if I may, why—" As she was in the middle of asking her question, the Kaiser materialized next to Kaito. The hound could alter his form on a whim, but at the moment, he'd chosen to stand as tall as two adult men. As he stooped down, the Kaiser uttered a languid murmur. "I suppose I don't mind tossing you from my mouth." The next moment, he bit down on Kaito's collar and hurled him into the air. The machine was silently making its descent from on high when Kaito flew precisely in front of it. His military uniform fluttered as he blocked the machine's path. It seemed like it hadn't anticipated his actions, either, so it didn't intercept his flight. However, it reached out one of its feeler-like sections and spontaneously ran Kaito through. Its appendage met little resistance as it pierced through his flesh and bone. "Master Kaito!" "My word!" Hina screamed, and Lute looked up at Kaito in astonishment. A moment later, though, a sliver of relief spread across Hina's face. Kaito had given her a nod. The Kaiser would be in trouble if his contractor died. The throw had been highly precise, and the part that had gotten stabbed was Kaito's right shoulder. Given all those facts, Kaito's life wasn't in much danger. Nice throw, Kaiser! Then Kaito turned back toward the machine and grabbed on to its feeler with his beastly left arm. Purposefully gouging his wound, he ripped out a chunk of his flesh. Blood spurted forth, and he dashed the red, mana-rich liquid all over the machine's body. When he did, his blood began seeping into the spaces between the sheets of metal. After verifying that he had done what he needed, he let go of the feeler. He snapped his fingers as he began making his descent. "La (overflow)." Instantly, his blood transformed into water. Then, using Kaito's pain and mana as its fuel, the water began growing. As it expanded, the water filled up and pressed against the gaps between the metal slabs. The internal pressure proved too much for the machine to bear. The links between the sheets crumbled in an instant. The water took that opportunity to freeze over. The machine had been transformed into a spherical chunk of ice. Its metal sheets, separated and in disarray, were imprisoned within. The block of ice collapsed onto the grassy ground with a thunk. It showed no signs that it would ever move again. At a glance, the individual sheets of metal didn't individually have enough power to break out of Kaito's ice after all. "Got 'em!" Kaito nodded in satisfaction. Nobody but him had gotten hurt. He'd been able to keep the number of victims to a minimum, just like he'd planned. Hina would probably be livid, though. He turned around, intending to apologize to her. When he did, he saw Lute charging toward him with the ferocity of a raging bull. "Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" "Well, that's a surprise." He was even letting out an enraged cry for some reason. Kaito blinked rapidly. All the fur on Lute's body was bristling as he grabbed Kaito's arm, and it remained that way as he inspected Kaito's wound. Upon seeing the vast amount of blood gushing out, he spat out orders to his subordinates. "Bring over the bandages and magical salve! Hurry!" "I-I'm fine. You really don't need to go that far. And I can more or less use healing magic myself, so..." "Even so, just what do you think you're doing? In front of your wife! I hardly think someone who prides themselves on being a devoted husband should cause their wife such worry!" Lute shouted at him. Kaito nodded, suddenly understanding. But it looked like that wasn't the only reason for his anger. Lute scratched violently at his head, as though to demonstrate how irritated he was. "Damn how feckless I am! To think you would risk your life for us so! How am I ever supposed to repay such kindness?!" Although he was clearly vexed, Lute seemed to be feeling somewhat ashamed. Kaito was at a loss for what to say. If he told Lute not to worry about it, it would undoubtably have the opposite effect. For starters, he once again turned down the magical salve that Lute's subordinates had brought him; the beastfolk had few magicians among their numbers, so it was likely quite valuable to them. Instead, he applied healing magic to his shoulder himself. The wound closed up without a hitch. But after seeing the way Kaito's skin had knitted together, Lute put forth a proposal. "We should pay a visit to our headquarters. You'd best get that looked at by a medical specialist, just to be on the safe side." "I appreciate it, but...is it really okay for you to take me there?" "Please! It pains me that you would think us such unfeeling monsters! Know this, Sir Kaito! Our people place far more pride in repaying debts than humans do!" Visibly indignant, Lute let out a shout that seemed vaguely rude to humans. His subordinates hurriedly got to work drawing a teleportation circle atop the grassy earth. Based on how quickly they'd reacted, it didn't seem like any of them opposed the notion. Apparently, Kaito's conduct had yielded unforeseen effects. It looks like they trust me now, I guess... Huh. As he sat there dumbfounded, a number of empty-handed beastfolk approached the block of ice. They had no way of knowing if the machine had been alone, so there was no way they could pass up this chance to gather important information on their foe. But after consulting with his comrades, a single gray wolf with a sturdy physique broke off from the group and moved away from the ice. As he approached Kaito, he called out to him worriedly. "It might be sealed up, but doesn't your wound still hurt? Here, let me give you a hand." "No, no, I can walk on my— Hwah!" "While we're grateful for your concern, the two of us will be fine on our own. I shall carry Master Kaito." "H-Hina?" Before he'd had a chance to react, Hina had scooped him up and was carrying him under her arm. As he hung embraced by her slender arm, his eyes darted about. The gray wolf gave her a sympathetic smile and a short bow. Then, clearly not wanting to get involved in a lover's quarrel, he quickly left the two of them alone. Kaito timidly glanced up at Hina's face. Her shapely lips were tightly pursed. Not looking toward him, she murmured quietly. "For now, I shall say nothing. But Master Kaito, do know that I intend to get quite upset at you later." "I'm, uh, I'm sorry. Really, I am." Kaito reflexively slumped. A human laugh resounded deep in his eardrums. "You know, I find myself thinking this somewhat frequently, but as far as human males go, you really are quite pathetic." Kaito, to his credit, tried to offer a rebuttal. But the moment he opened his mouth, Hina broke into a run toward the men who'd just finished drawing their teleportation circle. After nearly biting his tongue, Kaito decided to shut up. As his bride carried him at a brisk dash, he cast a sidelong glance at the block of ice. Then, all of a sudden, he realized something. Deus Ex Machina. He had seen something similar to it since coming to this world. The Boondock Saints. A titan of blades that only the Torture Princess could create. ...That's what that thing looked like. However, as far as figuring out what it all meant, Kaito hadn't the foggiest. 3 A Brief Reprieve The Torture Princess had returned once more to her castle atop its hill of craggy stone. Her sleek black hair was splayed across her sheets as she slept. After all, there was nothing she needed to do at the moment, nor, for that matter, anything she could. Her target, the Kaiser's contractor, was currently in nonhuman lands, a place where she couldn't carelessly venture. Ever since she'd discovered that fact, she'd been spending her time idly. But although she was lying down, Elisabeth was not, in fact, asleep. She was finding the deafening silence hard on her ears, leaving her unable to get any rest. And so, as she lay on her bed, events from the past bubbled up in her mind. Once, Elisabeth Le Fanu had stood in silence among a raging torrent of jeers. Having been forced to wear a straitjacket and stand in the public square, she'd found herself the subject of a terrifying amount of hatred. And before that, her narrow, cramped cell had been so quiet that there was a chance it had had an effect on her psyche. Even after the Church had returned her castle to her, she still hadn't had anyone to talk to. Until the day she summoned a Sinless Soul as a servant to foist various chores and responsibilities upon. "Who would have thought I'd end up reeling in someone from another world?" Elisabeth's tone was sardonic. It had been a coincidence of astronomic proportions, one that verged on a miracle. But the way she saw it now, it had hardly ended up being a joyful one. After all, Kaito Sena was a colossal fool. He was stupid man, unthinkably good-natured, naive, and possessing an unparalleled sense of stubbornness. For the sake of someone wholly undeserving of being saved by him, he'd even made a contract with a demon and endured unspeakable pain. If anyone asked Elisabeth what she thought of his behavior, she would probably describe it as the most foolish act anyone had ever committed. "You know, you're the only one who ever saved me." That was what Kaito Sena had told her. She had forcibly summoned his soul when all he'd wanted was to die, gotten him wrapped up in her demon hunt, and warped his very destiny, and he'd thanked her. "The only one who saved me from that hell was the Torture Princess. Just you, Elisabeth Le Fanu." What a truly, truly pitiable man you are. She considered something, and not for the first time. Kaito Sena was like a faithful mutt. And because he'd been starving, wounded, and shivering, it didn't matter how the person who picked him up and took him inside treated him. He would think highly of them regardless. It was true that there had been some joyous aspects to his second life. He'd met Hina, for one. But it was ludicrous to think of someone as your savior just because they tossed you a few sandy scraps of bread when you were starving. Due to his own misfortune, Kaito Sena had found value in someone he ought not have. And if that wasn't worthy of being called pitiable, then what could possibly be?

He'd even taken the Torture Princess out on a date, for crying out loud. And he'd told her that even if every single other person scorned her, he would hold her in higher esteem than anyone else in the world. "What a fool he is. What a hopeless, irredeemable fool. The largest idiot in all the world." "I like her a whole lot." "For that person's sake, I could do or become anything." Then Kaito Sena had chosen to become an enemy of the entire world. The mere normal, human boy who knew nothing of magic had done it ever so innocently. In a sense, he'd been like a child looking up to a hero. That was how trivial his reason had been. Elisabeth ground her teeth. Then, like a child, she curled into a ball. The oppressive stillness around her persisted, causing her chilly bedroom to feel like the inside of a coffin. Nothing in it moved. Nothing in it changed. But then, all of a sudden, it underwent a transformation. Some sort of pleasant aroma wafted up. Actually, it was rather smoky. She could even make out the sound of something crackling. "...Wait. Hold on a moment, now." Elisabeth sprang up from the bed. A vigorous fire was burning directly before her eyes. "A fire?!" "Oh-ho, I see you've awoken! Nothing is burning, no—it's a splendid bonfire!" Somebody was sitting in front of the fire, turning around in response to her alarm. His face was concealed underneath his tattered black cloak, and he was gently flapping a feathered fan. Atop the fire was a massive cut of meat hanging from a pair of tripods. Drops of fat were dribbling off its carefully seared surface. "What in the blazes do you think you're doing, Butcher?" "Why, I'm roasting some meat in someone else's castle!" "And to think, you even realized it belonged to another." Elisabeth instinctively narrowed her eyes in exasperation. Ever since the Marquis had destroyed its shutters, her bedroom's window had been left perpetually open. The smoke was drifting through it, finding its way outside. But the ventilation it provided had been the only thing standing between her and becoming the victim of a murder. The Butcher's hearty laugh made it wholly unclear whether or not that fact had registered with him. "I must say, though. I caught wind of the commotion at the Capital! 'How dreadful,' I thought, and after dealing with this and that, and stocking up on some things, I raced over here like an arrow!" "The slowest arrow there ever was." "At any rate, Madam Elisabeth, I daresay you haven't been eating anything decent since that hubbub, eh?" The Butcher's tone didn't waver a note as he carried on. Elisabeth's shoulders twitched. He was completely right. She was, by nature, a glutton and a gourmand. But ever since Kaito and Hina had left, she'd only taken in the bare minimum amount of sustenance necessary for survival. Unfazed by her lack of a reply, the Butcher continued turning the massive slab of meat. After adjusting its position, he nodded, pleased. Then he stylishly sprinkled salt on it from oddly high in the air. "Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho, my meats are the finest meats around! Filled with love and bravery, they'll never let you down! Eat them and your courage will increase one millionfold! As always, I'm your friendly neighborhood Butcher! Oh-ho-ho-ho-ho!" "Oy, Butcher. Quit the singing. It's dreadful." "My goodness, how could you say such a thing? My voice has the timbre of a lovely baby bird!" "The world may never know where that confidence of yours wells from. And on that note, why on earth are you trespassing in my castle?" "As I told Mr. Dim-Witted Servant and Ms. Lovely Maid once before, it brings me great joy when you cry out how exquisite something is. Allowing a customer of mine to go hungry would besmirch my honor as a merchant." The Butcher spoke with a persistent calm. Elisabeth gazed silently at his back. Then she recalled a scene from some time ago. Back at a bar in the Capital, Kaito had offered her a bowl of gruel, a bowl that he'd gone well out of his way to bring her. "I figured you might be hungry," he'd said to the Torture Princess. Elisabeth posed a subdued question to the Butcher. "...And that was your sole reason for coming?" "Why, yes. That, and nothing else." The Butcher nodded in a dignified manner, and Elisabeth found herself at a loss for words. The flames gave off dazzling lights as they cracked and popped. As he checked to make sure the meat had been properly cooked, the Butcher went on. "No matter what the times may bring us, one must always remember to eat. That's what it means to be alive, you know. And it's a merchant's role to deliver the provisions for a meal. And besides, meat is ever so splendid. Even when one feels lonely, some good meat will get them right back on their feet." "And just who is it you're saying is lonely, pray tell?" "Oh my, no, I was merely recounting my own experiences. Time spent alone tends to pass in an eerily slow fashion." As he shook his head, the Butcher thrust an iron skewer through the slab of meat. When he pulled the skewer free, clear liquid gushed out. Satisfied with the meat's state, he lowered it off the flame. Then, grabbing it by the bone, he held it in the air triumphantly. "And there you have it!" "Hmm." "And my, what a surprise, what a delight! Grilled arm of troll!" "Are you sure you didn't mean to say 'What a fright!'?" "Now, now, dig in!" Not discouraged in the slightest by Elisabeth's quip, the Butcher held the meat out to her as she sat cross-legged on the bed. She took it, albeit with some dismay. Meaty juices began dripping down onto her sheets. "Hmm... Hmhm..." Elisabeth stared intently at the slab of meat. Now that she examined it closer, it really did seem to be a troll's arm. It didn't, by any stretch of the imagination, look appetizing. But the skin was cooked crisp and juicy, and it was letting off an entirely reasonable aroma. And above all else, the Butcher was standing in front of her and practically bubbling with excitement. Reflexively, she glanced from side to side. But to her misfortune and moderate annoyance, there was nobody present but her to offer retorts. The array of knives resting in the map on the wall glinted in vain. Steeling herself, Elisabeth opened her mouth wide and thrust the meat in. Then she chomped down on it with surprising vigor. "'Tis vile!" "Whaaaat?!" Elisabeth's judgment was immediate, and the Butcher hopped up and down to protest it. She furrowed her brows as far as they would go. In ill humor, she began listing off her impressions. "The skin is aromatic and crispy, and its rough, wild texture is halfway decent! But the taste, the crucial element, is completely off! 'Tis unlike beef, nor is it like pork, chicken, goat, or sheep! What causes it to possess this bizarre, muddy flavor?! I can find no words to describe it besides troll-like!" "Hmm, well, it is troll, after all." "If I had to describe it with a color, I would say it tasted green!" Filled with anger as she was, Elisabeth didn't stop eating. The feeling of food making its way into her empty stomach was incredibly pleasant. She stuffed her cheeks with meat, complaining all the while. "Why, should I, have to, eat, something, so, vile?!" Just as one would have expected, troll meat had a truly, truly bizarre flavor to it. As she worked her way through the meat, she thought back to her dining habits of old. Everything Hina had made had been exquisite. And although Kaito's cooking was generally dreadful, the purin he made, if nothing else, was perfection. But now she was gnawing at a troll's arm, all on her own. What on earth has become of me? Elisabeth bit into the skin, tore at the meat, and shredded the tendons with her teeth. All the while, she was steadily growing angrier and angrier. Forget all this nonsense about enemies and allies, killing and saving! There is a matter that most surely takes precedence! Kaito Sena had decided to become an enemy of the world. Saying it was for Elisabeth's sake, he'd taken Hina and left without consulting anyone else. Then he'd begun walking down the path of a figure destined to be reviled and cursed. Who, exactly, was supposed to benefit from that outcome? Now that she thought about it coolly, there were countless things she wanted to say to the two of them. Her heart was full to the brim with a terrifying amount of complaints and abusive remarks she wanted to level at them. But most of all, she needed to give Kaito a solid punch to the face. Then she needed to ask him to give it a rest and to put an end to his idiocy. Aye—everything else can come after that. The Church had ordered Elisabeth Le Fanu to kill Kaito Sena. She held certain convictions that were immutable. But Kaito probably wouldn't give up, either. No matter how hard they struggled against their fate, in the end, coming to blows with each other was the only path open to them. She had a duty to kill the enemy of the world. But before she surrendered herself to that tragic fate, she was going to give Kaito a solid kick in the pants. Now was no time to be feeling glad that he'd left the human territories, nor was it any time to be sleeping. Her foe was the most foolish servant in all the world. She needed to do what must be done. And with that thought in mind, Elisabeth gulped down the last of the meat. *** Nothing remained but the splendid bone. With excellent form, she held it up high and hurled it. It spun through the air as it made its way out the window. The bone gleamed as it faded from view. With fists clenched and her expression contorted by anger, Elisabeth shouted out. "Damn you! Why should I be forced to eat something so vile! And why must my thoughts be filled with such distress! I shan't forgive you for this, Kaito, you bastard. I shall hunt you down and have your head!" "Hmm, it seems as though the odds that Mr. Servant meets an untimely demise have risen somewhat, haven't they...?" The Butcher crossed his arms. Elisabeth's indignation and bloodlust were boiling over before his very eyes. Then, gladdened by the fact that she seemed to have regained her vigor, if nothing else, he reached into his sack and pulled out a fresh chunk of meat. "My, my, my, what do we have here? Why, it's a dragon tail!" "This foolishness again?" And with that, for the first time in a long time, Elisabeth's castle felt alive again. "...What the hell is a 'troll-like' flavor?!" "Oh, Master Kaito, you're awake! What's the matter?" "Wh—oh, sorry, Hina. I guess I was just having a weird dream." Kaito pressed down on his forehead. It would appear he'd fallen asleep at some point. Because of that, and because he'd expended enough of his own mana that Elisabeth's blood had kicked in, he'd seen some sort of weird dream. He spent a moment pondering what significance the phrase troll-like flavor could possibly have. Then he slowly sat up, turning his attention away from the dream to his surroundings. The room he was in was made of wood, and it had a number of white beds lined up within it. It wasn't clear how they'd pulled it all off, but its walls sported authentic vines, and its ceiling displayed an array of dainty pink flowers. The room's construction had

clearly been designed to put nature's beauty front and center. The fragrance of the flowers also seemed to have a sterilizing effect. Their aroma was sweet, but it had a sting to it as well. Hina was sitting atop a wicker chair at his side. On his other side, he was flanked by a goatperson wearing gloves and a sanitary cloth mask. Then he noticed the thick bandages wrapped around his shoulder. The beastman healer gave a slight nod. "The wound had sealed almost completely before I even began treatment. Very impressive. But your skin was thin in places, so I applied herbs to help speed along your recovery. You passed out due to a mana deficiency and some mild fatigue. You should be all better now. Feel free to get up and move around as you please." "Oh, Master Kaito, thank goodness! Thank goodness!" Hina cast her arms wide and squeezed Kaito in a tight embrace. Bewildered, he glanced at the healer. The goatperson, who was more than likely a goatwoman given the size and shape of her horns, offered a nurturing smile. "I told her there was nothing to worry about, you know. But even so, your wife waited by your side on the verge of tears, not leaving you alone for a moment. Do you have anything you'd like to say to her?" "Sorry, Hina. I guess I really gave you a scare there, huh?" Kaito gently returned her hug, repeatedly stroking his wife's back. As she gradually calmed down, Kaito rummaged through his memories. So, uh... I definitely remember getting on that teleportation circle Lute and the others drew... After he had, they'd traveled to a gorgeous building artisanally crafted out of wood and colored stone. According to Lute and the others, it was one of the royal family's secondary residences. Then they'd led him to the infirmary that had been set up in one of the rooms. Upon obeying the healer's instruction and lying down on a bed, he'd immediately passed out. "Wait a minute, a secondary residence of the royal family?" Kaito opened his eyes wide. This wasn't just some hospital they'd been brought to. Flustered, he made to get down off the bed. But he found himself unable to move. At some point, Hina had anchored her slender arms firmly around him. "Um, uh... Hina dearest?" "Why yes, Master Kaito? I believe I did tell you that I intended to get quite upset at you later." It seemed her frustration wasn't just talk. Kaito's face went stiff. But then Hina loosened her arms. After taking a step back, she fixed him with a pointed stare. Then she made her pained appeal. "Haven't I told you? When you go off on your own and do such dangerous things, my love... Do you have any idea how much that determination of yours makes me want to kill my powerless self?" Hina's face contorted, just like it had back when the two of them had had their fight back at the castle. Immeasurable grief was welling up within her jeweled eyes. Her expression made it clear how much her concern for her bridegroom had been eating away at her heart. Struck by realization, Kaito reached his own arms out. He hugged Hina tight. It was the best option we had. That was something he still wholeheartedly believed. He wasn't the same man he'd once been. If he needed Hina's help, he had no problems asking for it. And this time, he hadn't. That was all there had been to it. But he also realized why Hina didn't find that answer satisfactory. They were a couple. They'd promised to become a family. There was no excuse for hurting her the way he had. "Hina, I'm really, really sorry—huh? Is it just me, or are you squeezing me again?" "Hee-hee-hee, it seems you still need some scolding. But, um, Ms. Healer? Is Master Kaito stable enough to hold long conversations?" "Oh, very much so. And for patients prone to recklessness, being scolded by a family member is often the best medicine. Please, don't mind me. Go ahead and be as hard on him as you want." "What kind of doctor are you?" He'd been ambushed from a wholly unexpected direction. Hina brought her lips close to Kaito's ear, then blew gently on his earlobe. A shiver ran down his body, and Hina began seductively whispering harsh words. "Are you listening to me, Master Kaito? Battles constantly bring about unexpected developments. But even when time is of the essence, I forbid you from acting on your own. Even with the prowess you've attained in magic, you still have next to no combat experience. I am your sword and your shield, and you should make use of me whenever possible." Hina earnestly laid out her arguments. Their contents were sound, and more than reasonable at that. Kaito also felt a little like he was getting brainwashed. By the end, all he found he could say was, "I'm sorry. I won't do it again." Then the wooden door opened. A wolfman warrior stuck his nose in the gap and sniffed. "Sir Kaito, how are you feeling? I'd heard you'd woken—oh, my apologies, I seem to be intruding." "No, no, you aren't intruding! Come save me, Lute!" "I beg your pardon. Do you find yourself in the need of assistance?" Kaito gave a frantic shout. Lute stepped into the infirmary, his head tilted to the side in confusion. Hina reluctantly drew away from Kaito. Then, after clearing her throat, she picked up the fruit that had been left by Kaito's bedside. Slipping a knife out of her cuff, she began peeling it. After listening to what the two of them had to say, Lute burst into laughter. "Ah-ha-ha-ha! Well, if that isn't mutual love for you. What a relief that your wounds didn't amount to anything too serious! It seems your wife already scolded you for your recklessness, so I suppose there isn't much reason for me to say anything more on that front." "Oh yeah. She gave me a good earful." "You really only have yourself to blame. Whenever I get hurt, my lovely wife here gets just as upset." "Wait, this is your wife?!" Kaito let out a hysteric shout in spite of himself. Her mouth still hidden beneath cloth, the goatwoman healer waved at him. The gesture was playful, but her expression was as stoic as ever. Apparently, Lute's wife was a much more levelheaded person than Kaito had imagined she'd be. After grinning widely and returning her wave, Lute turned back toward Kaito. "Ahem. Now then, Sir Kaito, if you have no objections, there's someone I'd like to bring you to meet." "'Someone'?" Kaito parroted the word Lute had said, confused. It was then that he remembered the mind-boggling fact that they were currently in one of the royal family's secondary residences. He reflexively corrected his posture. As he did, Hina lifted a chunk of fruit to his mouth. "Say 'aah,' Master Kaito." Unable to refuse, he munched on the white flesh. Although the situation had taken a turn for the comical, Kaito could still clearly make out Lute's following words. "Lady Vyade Ula Forstlast. My master, and the second imperial princess of the Forest King." The beastfolk had three kings. They were the progenitors of all beastfolk: the Forest King, an ancient wolf; the Water King, a white deer; and the Wind King, a colossal hawk. When the world had been remade, the Saint had prayed to God and created three intersex beasts. Their children were just as diverse as the rest of the beasts, and they worked to increase the beastman population and protect the land they'd been given. Ever since then, the three of them had kept on living. Their existence was one of the primary reasons why faith in the Saint hadn't found much popularity among the beastfolk—they lived under the protection of beings of legend to this very day. Because of that, it was only natural that they didn't revere the Saint to the degree humans did. At present, the three kings lived and ate together, herbivore and carnivores alike, in order to prevent inter-beastman conflict, act as symbols of unity, and preserve the peace. But while they still contributed to society, the three of them had ceded power. They had reigned since time immemorial. But they no longer governed. Instead, they'd chosen several members from each tribe and appointed them as royalty, granting them authority and leaving matters of national politics to them. And one such member of this nobility was Vyade Ula Forstlast, the second imperial princess of the Forest King. The power she wielded was less than that of the first imperial prince or the first imperial princess. However, she had a private army in order to deal with matters of public security, and the way she'd used her own funds to maintain the towns under her supervision and manage the systems preventing the rivers from flooding had earned her the moniker of the Wise Wolf. In fact, the zealous support she received from the populace surpassed that of even the first imperial prince. And at present, she was sitting directly in front of Kaito. How the heck did things even get to this point? Faced with her majestic visage, Kaito's mind was awhirl. The lighting throughout the entire audience chamber was dim. Furthermore, the room's delicately embroidered curtains cast whimsical shadows atop the stairs leading up to the throne. Their large floral design was gorgeous, yet at the same time, possessed the same solemnity a large, aging beast would. Concealed behind them, though, lurked a number of dangerous presences. A number of soldiers were standing at attention, weapons held at the ready. Their nervousness was palpable. You can't blame 'em, given that their master is meeting face-to-face with a demon's contractor. On high alert yet seemingly defenseless at first glance, Vyade sat atop the throne and smiled. She was a wolfwoman, and one with fur as white as the driven snow. The insides of her triangular ears were a lovely shade of pink, and a flower crown was perched between them. Her elbows were sitting atop beautifully arranged floral armrests. Just like the curtains, the layers of cloth she was wearing were delicately embroidered as well. As Kaito knelt in front of her, she called out gently to him. "A pleasure to meet you, Sir Kaito Sena, our visitor from another world. I wish to extend my gratitude for your earlier efforts." "Yes, uh, ma'am. It's a...great honor?" "There's no need to be so stiff. We would never dream of forcing our etiquette on a visitor of another race, much less one from another world. Please, be at ease." Vyade's words were kind. Even after being told that, though, Kaito stumbled over his response. Due to his experiences in his past life, Kaito held a certain amount of distrust and antipathy toward public authority. But the nervousness this woman was sparking in him was of another type altogether. It was the first time Kaito had ever found himself wondering if it was really all right for someone like him to be talking to a person of her status. I guess there really are places where you can find people who've been aristocrats their whole lives. "Or could it be that you're unaccustomed to beastfolk? If that's the problem, then, here." A hard, clicking noise rang out. The air in front of Kaito began gently shifting. A gentle fragrance floated up, and the soldiers' stress became even more pronounced. Whether he wanted to or not, Kaito immediately sensed what had happened. Vyade had come down from the throne and was currently stooping in front of him. As he panicked over what best to do, he quickly found that his hand had been taken. A wolfish hand—one that, much like a human's, had five long fingers—was wrapped around his. It was