"—You promised to show me something interesting. You told me to enjoy the spectacle of what becomes of her desires. If that’s the case, shouldn't you make an effort to ensure I enjoy it?"
Coming from a pervert like you, that just makes this harder to do!
"—She seeks it, I rejoice, and you gain a kin. Is anyone actually losing out here?"
It’s an ethical issue. Not that you’d understand, Torturer!
"—Ah, I see. Then let me offer a suggestion from a different angle. If you refuse, I cannot guarantee her safety."
...?!
I felt a sudden, disorienting lurch, as if the ground had been pulled out from under me. What was with this sudden escalation?
"—Heehee! Yes, that’s it! It’s marvelous, watching your heart dance in such turmoil!"
"Cut the small talk. What are you plotting?"
"—Do you remember? When you all left my world, I manipulated her memories."
"You said you’d sealed away everything that happened over there."
"—And do you really think that was all?"
This woman...!
Her specialty was the mind and memory. Which meant—
"Did you plant some kind of bomb in Luna’s head!?"
"—Ah... what a beautiful sound you make. Truly lovely. But my answer is silence. After all, what truly stokes human fear is 'the unknown in the darkness.'"
I finally understood.
It seemed I didn't have a choice.
Given Shizel’s power as an Absolute Being, this was no empty threat. It was safer to assume she’d done it. If there was one thing all these Absolute Beings had in common, it was their utterly rotten personalities and their tendency to treat humans like objects.
Just as Verdict treated me like a plaything, it wouldn't be beneath Shizel to do the same to Luna.
"—Now then, please, let the comedy continue."
Shizel’s laughter faded, and her presence vanished from my mind.
Good grief... every last one of them is so damn selfish!
Before I knew it, Luna had dropped to her knees. She pressed her forehead against my hand as I stood there in silence, her voice a constant, desperate plea. "Please, I beg of you... please..."
Now that Shizel had threatened me, I just had to steel my resolve—
No, that’s not right, Albert von Kronstadt. I was just trying too hard to play the "good guy."
This wasn't Shizel's fault.
In the end, this was my choice.
Ninety percent of me had been leaning toward turning her into my kin from the start. I’d only been wrestling with that final ten percent, and I would have eventually crossed that line anyway.
I couldn't use Shizel as an excuse.
This was my burden to bear.
By my own hand, I would strip Luna of her autonomy.
"I hate how weak I am..."
I would grant the wish of this girl, who wept and prayed for an escape from her own powerlessness.
I placed my hand on Luna’s head.
"Fine. I’ll give you the strength you want."
"—! R-Really!?"
Luna’s head snapped up, her eyes filled with hope. Her gaze shimmered, brightened by the tears she had shed.
"Yes. But power always comes with a price. You will become my kin, and you will owe me absolute obedience. Are you prepared for that?"
I asked the question as if I were seeking absolution—a way to deflect my own guilt. Did I really think that would work?
"I accept gladly. Please... let me belong to you, Lord Albert!"
As if there was ever any doubt about her answer.
"Very well. Then it’s yours. Stand up."
Luna nodded, her expression almost trance-like, and obeyed.
...Perhaps nothing would change. She already followed every command I gave her as it was. I drew the dagger I kept for self-defense and sliced my index finger.
Bright red blood welled up and trickled down the digit.
"Lord Albert!?"
"This is necessary. Lift your shirt and show me your stomach."
"...I understand."
Though visibly startled, Luna did as she was told. Her pale hands began to unbutton her shirt.
To form a Blood Covenant, I had to write my name on the recipient’s body. It couldn't just be anywhere, though; it had to be close to the heart. For ease of writing, the stomach was the best choice.
"U-Um... is this alright...?"
Blushing furiously, Luna held her shirt open with trembling hands.
"Yes, that’s fine."
Her skin was pale and smooth—making it easy enough to write on.
"I’ll ask one last time. Are you sure about this?"
"Please. I want to be strong. No matter what happens, I won't regret this, and I won't hold it against you."
"Understood. We shall begin the ritual of the Blood Covenant."
If her resolve was that firm, I had nothing left to say.
I recited the words of the contract as they appeared in Verdict’s book.
"By my noble blood, I command: You, Luna, shall become the kin of Albert von Kronstadt and obey my every word. My power shall reside within you, and your power shall become mine. Know this: the covenant may only be broken by the forfeiture of one's life."
The moment I finished—
The blood on my fingertip began to pulse with a black light. An intense heat, enough to make me grimace, radiated from my finger.
"Here goes."
I pressed my fingertip against her stomach.
"Ngh—!"
Luna’s body jolted, her teeth clenched tight. Given the heat, the pain must have been excruciating. I could feel the tension in her core through my fingertip.
"...Do we continue?"
"Yes... I'm fine...!"
I moved my finger, tracing the letters of my name—Albert von Kronstadt—across her skin.
"Ah... g-gah... AAAAAAAAAHHH!"
A scream finally escaped her as she fought to endure. She held her body still with everything she had, refusing to pull away from my touch.
She had to.
If I messed up a single stroke, we’d have to start all over again.
"Haa... gh... uuh..."
"...It’s done."
As I spoke, I pulled my finger away.
Luna looked utterly spent, her face flushed as she panted for breath.
"Now, speak the words. Will you become my kin?"
This would conclude the ritual.
Luna looked up, her face slick with sweat. Her voice was ragged, but her words were clear.
"Yes. I gladly become Lord Albert's kin."
In that instant, there was a sharp sizzle of searing flesh. The blood I’d smeared on her skin sank in, staining her like a permanent brand.
"Ah... AAAAAAAHHH!?"
Luna’s eyes went wide, and her back arched in shock.
Then, the brand itself began to fade into her skin. Within seconds, her stomach was as white and pristine as it had been before.
I looked down at her. She was dazed, looking completely drained.
"You can put your clothes back on now."
She let go of her shirt but didn't bother to fix her appearance. Instead, she asked the one thing on her mind.
"Am I... yours now, Lord Albert?"
"You are."
Tears began to fall from her eyes once again.
"Ah... to belong to the great Lord Albert... I'm so happy, it feels like a dream."