"I am prepared. It no longer matters what happens to me."
Lutina turned toward the Duke, her golden hair fluttering in the air.
The classic "kill me" trope, huh? That definitely ranks in the top five things I’ve always wanted to hear a beautiful elf say.
"I appreciate your resolve," the Duke replied. "However, I require you to become a slave."
It seemed the Duke had no intention of killing her. He had already mentioned that only the Earl needed to be dealt with.
"A slave?"
"Michio-dono."
"Yes?"
"If you would, please take her."
Ignoring Cassia’s bewilderment, the Duke made an outrageous proposal.
"Excuse me?"
"Michio-dono has been invaluable to us once again. She would serve as a fitting reward for your service."
"Wait, what are you..."
What on earth was this Duke talking about?
"It is a matter of succession rights," the Duke explained. "Under normal circumstances, we would follow formal procedures, but in this state of emergency, she would be granted priority the moment Earl Selmer is deposed. Even if we tried to install his daughter as the next head of the house now, we would never gain the consensus of the surrounding territories. Turning her into a slave is the swiftest way to strip her of those rights. Furthermore, neither my house nor any other elven noble can take possession of her."
"I... see."
"Michio-dono appears to possess a level of true strength that even I cannot fully fathom," the Duke said, addressing Lutina directly. "In the not-so-distant future, he will likely conquer a Labyrinth and join the ranks of the nobility himself. If you truly regret that your family failed to fulfill its noble obligations, would it not be better to serve under a man like him?"
"Conquer a Labyrinth?"
Lutina looked skeptical, her eyes narrowing as she scrutinized me.
Well, since I’d already reached the 44th Floor, clearing one eventually didn't seem entirely out of the question.
"Lutina, I also believe this is for the best," Cassia added.
"...Understood. Do with me as you wish."
With Cassia’s persuasion added to the mix, Lutina finally relented.
It looked like she was going to be mine.