Following the battle with Hero Leon—
In the middle of the night, I found myself in one of the Academy’s training grounds. The facilities were open to students around the clock, usable by anyone as long as they were vacant.
As I waited for my guest, I allowed myself to sink into thought.
…To my immense frustration, I had gone and defeated Hero Leon.
Eliana’s intention when she ordered me to fight at full power was clear: since I had won, she likely planned to place me at the center of the Demon King Subjugation.
From her perspective, it was a perfectly logical tactical decision.
However, I had my own plans. I wanted to pawn off the royal pain that was the Demon King Subjugation onto Hero Leon and the other main characters. My only goals were to avoid Death Flags and spend my days in peace, happily researching Ancient Magic.
Good grief. I just want a quiet life, so why does everything around me have to become so loud and complicated?
Leon put up a decent enough fight, so I really hoped Eliana would still consider keeping the "Hero Leon as the Lead" route on the table.
I was well aware that the pressure from Eliana’s gaze was intensifying by the day. I would have to take some sort of countermeasure soon.
As I was mulling over my options—
I heard a reserved knock at the door.
"Enter," I said shortly.
The door creaked open, and Luna stepped inside.
Ever since I’d asked her to research Shizel’s grimoire, I had made a point of occasionally helping her with her training. Life is all about give-and-take, after all.
Tonight’s session was meant to serve as a review of this afternoon's battle.
"I am sorry to have kept you waiting, Lord Albert."
"I don't mind."
Luna approached me with a melancholy expression and bowed deeply.
"I am so sorry! I was of no use at all!"
"…What are you talking about?"
"Today’s battle against Leon and Saint Seraphina…" Luna spat the words out, her face looking as though she were on the verge of tears. "I was completely useless! My magic was blocked by Saint Seraphina’s barriers, and I couldn't even serve as a shield for you, Lord Albert… I am utterly incompetent!"
Tears finally spilled over, staining the floorboards.
It seemed she was taking the loss incredibly hard.
Likely, Luna found the sensation of "powerlessness" absolutely intolerable. From that perspective, the matchup between Luna and Seraphina at this stage was the worst possible scenario.
That was because, while not quite on the level of Assassin Milia, Seraphina was balanced as a considerably powerful character for the early half of the story.
In the original game, this event was meant to be the moment where the protagonist, Hero Leon, finally received an "overwhelming buff" from the newly introduced Saint Seraphina to go on an "I'm OP!" rampage.
'Go ahead, go on a rampage and feel amazing!'
That was the developers' intended message.
…Though I ended up ruthlessly obliterating that satisfaction.
Since Seraphina only appeared as a temporary dispatch from the Church and wasn't a student, she wouldn't become a formal party member right away. Therefore, the developers didn't see any problem with her breaking the game's balance temporarily.
It was only natural that the current Luna couldn't win, but—
Luna didn't know the "meta" circumstances.
Even if I explained it to her, her sense of powerlessness wouldn't just vanish. Besides, if I started talking about game mechanics, she’d probably just ask if I’d lost my mind.
"…Your opponent was a Saint. There’s no need to be so pessimistic."
"I refuse to use that as an excuse."
"Because you stood in Leon’s way, I was able to maintain my momentum. You served your purpose, so don’t be so hard on yourself."
"…You are too kind, Lord Albert…"
Luna shook her head slowly, still weeping.
"But that is not the person I want to be. I want the power to shatter Saint Seraphina’s barriers and leave even Leon pale with shock. I don't want to find joy in merely 'buying time'—something anyone could do."
She looked me straight in the eye, her vision blurred by tears.
"I want it! I want the same power you have, Lord Albert! And yet, why… why can't I… ah…"
Her eyes burned with intense, raw emotion.
A thirst for power.
Despair over her own weakness.
And—an obsession with me.
"Lord Albert… please… give me power… Give me strength!"
"…………"
Now, what to do?
Until recently, I wouldn't have had a clear answer for her. Even if someone begged me for power, I didn't have any to give.
But now, things were different.
The Blood Covenant.
It was the Ancient Magic the Tsundere King, Verdict, had taught me. I had already analyzed the basic procedure and was capable of casting it. It had the effect of granting the power of "Frenzy"—which explosively enhanced physical abilities—in exchange for Absolute Obedience to the caster.
If I used that, I could grant Luna’s wish.
When Verdict first showed it to me, I’d considered it as a potential "leash" for the volatile Luna.
If I proposed it to her now, she would likely agree with tears of joy.
However, given that Luna’s judgment was currently compromised by desperation, I had to be the cautious one.
It wasn't a bad deal for me. Forcing Absolute Obedience upon a main character who represented a potential Death Flag would drastically increase my safety.
Logically, there was no reason not to use it.
…But the truth was, I felt a lingering resistance in my heart.
Toying with people's hearts and autonomy felt wrong. My modern-day sensibilities and human rights ethics from my previous life were acting as a mental block.
"My chest feels like it’s being crushed! Why am I so weak?! What must I do to become strong?! Answer me, Lord Albert!"
Like a devout martyr praying to an absolute god, Luna begged for salvation.
Should I answer her?
Or should I offer some positive but empty words that would solve nothing?
What was the right move?
—Heh heh... Why do you hesitate?
Suddenly, a syrupy woman’s voice echoed in my mind.
This voice—is that Blind Torturer Shizel?!
Hey, are you a mental chat buddy now too?
—Oh my, what strange words you use. Did I not tell you? I left my memories with you so that we might stay in contact.
It seemed I’d been "followed" without my consent. Someone give me a block function.
—By all means, make her your kin.
"And why should I do that?"
—Because it would be more entertaining.
The Torturer’s sadistic laughter followed.
—You promised to show me something entertaining, did you not? You told me to enjoy seeing where her desires lead her. If so, shouldn't you strive to make the show worth watching?