Kelpana, the otherworldly crepe I held between my index finger and thumb.

　Cecil bristles at it. Gently, so as not to hurt my fingers.

　Looking up at me with red eyes, he chews it carefully and then swallows it.

　Then he looks at the remaining pieces of Kelpana in my hand and...

...... Excuse me, Lady Nagy.

　snappingly

　Cecil took my index finger in his mouth.

　As it is, her little tongue licks away the pieces of Kelpana.

　When it's all cleaned up, Cecil takes my hand and places his lips on my thumb and palm. Like a little bird pecking away, she licks and sucks away the sauce and the dough powder.

　Holding her silver hair with one hand so it doesn't get in the way, Cecil is trying hard to press her little head against my hand - and I'm sorry.

　I'm sorry. I don't understand what's happening.

Is this what it means to be a slave and a wife?

Don't shout at me, members of the Iturna Order!

This is your wife?　A slave wife?　Oh, my God!

Did you really think that was real?

That's the kind of play...... that lets a little girl like this do this every morning and every night.

I didn't let you. It's just another day.

"Your soul must be tainted to the depths!

I don't care if it's dirty or not. I mean, isn't this a ritual for a festival?

A festival?　You don't mean ...... 'The White Knot Festival'?

　The men of the Iturna Order look at each other as if they are seeing something unbelievable.

'Are you saying that you are conducting the Festival of the White Knot according to a formal ritual?

Yes.

Without the power of the ring?

'You wouldn't be enslaving your slaves if you used them, would you?

...... Impossible. A dark elf girl and a human boy are ...... how envious, no, dirty - no, still envious - no, still envious - no. Um, well, you know.

Try to understand it, no more than 20 words.

'...... Together you will be burned by the explosive flames of the underworld, you heretics, eeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

　The men of the Iturna cult unexpectedly started running with their backs to us.

　Then, in a flash, he was out of sight.

　What the hell.





　The priest stopped, out of breath.

　I couldn't believe it.

The reason why the Festival of the White Knot was no longer held was because it was terribly difficult to carry out to the end.

　No master has that level of trust with a slave.

　If there is one, it's a relationship that goes beyond trust. For example...

　Ack!　No! No!

　I am a priest in the service of the goddess Iturna.

　Forget that cloak of envy and that filthy boy!

　Let's get to the Faith Branch now.

　I have to report back to you about the monster fish attack and the treatment of Rita-Melpheus.





...... Why did you do that, Cecil?

I didn't know what to do. ......

　He didn't seem remorseful.

　You shouldn't have done it rather than turn bright red.





'The Third Rite.

　'Thank God that master and slave can be together, together before the temple of the God of the covenant.



　This is like going to a shrine or temple on a company trip.

　I matched Cecil's stride and headed for the 'Temple of the Covenant'.

　The Temple of the Covenant is similar to the church in my world, and anyone can enter it.

　Inside, there was only a large statue of a goddess at the back of a bulky room.

　It was a statue of a young woman with a gentle smile on her face, holding a lock and a bunch of keys in her hand.

'You can ask for the usual favors here, Nagi-sama.

"Even if it's not a 'contract' relationship?

'Yes. 'The God of Covenants' is said to be the 'God of Binding'.

A contract is a promise that binds people together.

　It means it has a power to connect your current self with your future self - the one who made your dream come true.

　At any rate, I wished that I would be able to live without working.

　I thought Cecil was saying next to me, "──the blood of the demon race──to the future──with Nagi-sama," but I didn't hear him well. I mean, it's bad manners to ask someone's request.

　In the temple, there was a bronze plaque on which the origin of "The Covenant" was written.



The 'God of Contracts' made the rules of 'Contracts' in this land out of good intentions.

　People's desires are unstoppable.

　In order to stop it, God created demi-humans such as elves and dwarves as equals to humans.

　But even that was not enough to stop the desires of man.

　That is why the God of Covenants created the force of the Covenant.

As long as you make a 'covenant', you can satisfy your desires.

　But you should be satisfied there.

　One's desires cannot be suppressed.

　That's why the God of Contracts decided to limit and release them...



　I heard that was the rule, but ...... doesn't serve much of a purpose.

　It's not that I can't complain about it, though, because I'm an otherworldly person.

　It's a good thing that there is no written contract of employment in my world, and I was made to work in good faith.

The God of Contracts - I treat my slaves with as much respect as possible.

　I won't become a black employer.

　Please make life easier in this world. Pan.

"It's unusual for a master and a slave to visit the Temple of the Covenant together.

　An old man with a long beard and robes appeared from the back of the temple.

　A priest in this temple.

Masters sometimes force their slaves to come here. Will you be able to do the same?

We're on a company trip.

A company trip?

Every now and then I have to reward Cecil with a little something.

　That old priest is looking very disappointed.

"At a time like this?　Don't tell me it's the Festival of the White Knot?

　So why do you always have that reaction?

　I'm starting to get nervous. I should stop doing this.

''There's nothing wrong with doing this festival, right?

Unless you have any objections.

Could this ...... be a magic ritual?

I don't know, but it is said that this ritual was started by demons.

Demons?

　Pikun, Cecil's ears moved.

　He's watching us in silence, as if he's trying not to interrupt me and the old man's conversation.

It is said that this ritual was born from the study of the rules of the 'God of Contracts' by the demon race. It fell into disrepair because no one was able to perform it until the end. All that remains is that it strengthens the bond between slave and master.

Strengthen in what way?

'If we had a real trust in each other, we could prove it,'

Anything else?

Who knows much about the effects of the Demonology ritual?

　That kind of discrimination is not good. Cultural heritage is so important.

...... Nagi-sama.

　Cui, Cecil tugged at my sleeve.

I want to play this festival to the end.

Hmm.

　For my part, I think it's a good idea to stop here.

　The story is getting a little weird.

Can't we do some more research and come back next time?

'If you say so, Nagi,'

　So don't make a face like you're about to cry.

　I know, I know, but for Cecil, something related to the demon race is special.

　Anyway, ...... so far the information is "This ritual strongly binds master and slave. The only thing I can think of is "this ritual strengthens the bond between master and slave".

　If it's due to a 'contract', I should be able to terminate it eventually.

'Alright Cecil, let's finish it.

　I put my hand on Cecil's head.

　I stroked her silver hair with a cooing stroke, and Cecil finally smiled at me.

The Festival of the White Knot is like a company trip for Cecil.

　Let's do as Cecil wishes.

　But ...... the last one is quite a hurdle.





　The old priest was in his room, running his pen on parchment.

　I saw something unusual today.

　Both the master and the slave came to this temple. And a slave had come to this temple of his own accord.

　How could that be possible?　No, I'm sure he's joking.

　A slave prays to the God of the Covenant who binds him or herself, etc. .......

The White Knot Festival was created when the God of the Covenant descended on the land and interacted with the demon race.

He said that the Covenant does not bind those who are subjected to it, but is a hope.

　I've heard that it was created with the hope that the master and the slave would be able to demonstrate new strength through a deep connection - to open up a future that they could not reach on their own.

But what is the timeless bond between master and slave in ...... lore?
　No ...... no, this is a heretical idea.

　The old man sighed and threw the paper he was writing on into the fireplace.





　POW!

　With a plop.



　It's not an optical illusion, is it?



　"Pop, pop, pop, pop, pop!



　A little ball of light follows me and Cecil for a while now.

　I try to touch it, but my hand slips through. The others don't react.

'Does Cecil see it?'

It's like a magical mass.

　It's like a golden soap bubble. Here.

　I hope it's not a bad thing.

"How about this for a last ritual? Master Nagi.

　Cecil is totally on board.

　We took the ball of light and went behind the inn.

　There's nothing popular around. There's just a low stone wall and plantings.

"...... Heh.

　Cecil, who was walking in front of me, turns around, his silver hair shaking.

'Today has been like a dream come true. I've never in my life had so much fun.

Okay.

　I'm glad you enjoyed it.




'The Last Rites.

　A slave kisses his master's forehead in gratitude for the day's gratitude.



　I get down on my knees in front of Cecil.

　Otherwise, Cecil won't be able to reach me.

　A sphere of white magic surrounds us.

　Fluffy, as if talking to Cecil.

　Cecil is brushing back his silver hair. He shows his long ears and seems to be listening to the sphere's voice.

　The voice I can't hear may be heard by Cecil of the demon race.



'I, Cecil-Falot, thank you for all that Souma-Nagi-sama has given me.

　As if chanting a spell, Cecil begins to speak.



'Nagi-sama has washed my body. Nagi has washed my body, and because of this, I love my skin. I cannot hate what Nagi told me was beautiful.



Nagi fed me a handful of rice. I feel like I've taken in a little bit of Nagi in this body.



I prayed with Nagi in the temple. I connected with Nagi on a deep level.



　Wait a minute.

　Cecil, how can you get the words to come out so slurred?

　Don't tell me you've come this far and Cecil has an idea of what this ritual is all about?

　I pulled out the "Ancient Language Chant" from Cecil as a lore memory.

　I wouldn't be surprised if the same thing happened in this ritual.

Wait, Cecil. The true nature of this ritual is...



'So I, Cecil-Farot, desire a stronger bond with you, Nagi. With the ritual of this Festival of the White Knot.



　Cecil has white light in his beautiful silver hair - he closes his eyes and approaches slowly.

　What to do?

　Are you sure you want to complete the ritual as it is?





Lady. Are you sure you want me to give you that parchment?

That's why I've told you so many times. The ritual itself is not a secret. They just needed that to remind that young man.



　Suddenly we heard the innkeeper's voice above our heads.



We've been told that he just binds the dark elf girl with a ring," said the innkeeper. The first ritual, they pour hot water on her and that's it. You just have to know in your heart what the slaves think of you.

I know that, sir.

'I'm sure he's mistakenly thinking that that little girl really thinks he's the one ...... that wants to play the 'White Knot Festival' on top of buying a little girl like that and letting her work as she pleases. She just needs to feel a little awful.

But what if the ritual works?

I'm telling you it's not possible. You are persistent.



"How can a ritual in which a slave kisses his forehead with the sincere desire of 'I want to be yours in the next life and beyond', a ritual in which the 'God of the Covenant' binds the two of you as master and servant in the next life and beyond ...... not be successful?　It will be a miracle if he succeeds...





　Wait a minute.

"Cecil, stop. I need a refresher on the ritual.

No, Nagi-sama!　I ask you to take me forever...

　Cecil kicked the ground and jumped at the same time as I stood up.

　A thin arm is wrapped around my neck.

　The small body clings desperately to me.

　And then...



　chuggy



　It was my chin.



　The white spheres that surrounded us all burst out and disappeared at once.

　It seems to be a ritual failure.





"...... Nagi-sama, ...... it's teasing.





'After all, how much did Cecil know about that ritual?'

It wasn't until I was exposed to a lot of magic that I found out what it was all about.

　When we had successfully completed the ritual, the magical power in the ground and air took shape.

　Then we told Cecil about the ritual.

　It's not just a matter of time before you're reincarnated.



　Do you want to be this person's, even if you are reincarnated? -.



　You can see how Cecil replied to that at ...... by looking at this glazed face.

　I'm not a fan of that.

　You can't get away with it. Let's get my agreement, too.

　It's not good enough to be the master and servant forever.

　I didn't have a problem with that, as long as it was just to tie them together.

I'm not going to be able to say that I'm a good person. You don't let me repay you for your kindness, do you?

　I didn't want to be looked at with such a jaded look in my eyes.

I have nothing else to give to Nagi but my heart, soul and body.

You don't have to repay me or anything. You've been doing a great job.

...... When will Lady Nagi realize her position as a master?

Why do you have to be so high and mighty?

I've always hated myself for being a demon.

　Cecil's face as he looks up at me, so close.

　The last part was a whisper, of course.

'But after meeting Nagi-sama, I've learned to love myself, you know?　Because the skills my blood has created have allowed me to help Nagi-sama.

I have Cecil's help too, so that's good, right?

'Moo!　Nagi-sama!

　So why are you angry?

　And you're so handy to be happy and angry!

Oh, you're back.

　When I returned to the inn, I was greeted by the landlady.

　She's the one who set the trap for me.

"You can have this back. The parchment.

"...... hmm.

　He was snatched up.

　Then the innkeeper looked into Cecil's face with concern.

'Were you all right?'

'What?　Oh, yes. Of course it's fine. But ...... has been disappointing.

Did you get it right, baby?

"?　It's just a little bump on the chin, okay?

Okay. I'm sure he learned his lesson.

'......?　...... Surely Nagi would like you to be a little more aware of my feelings, but ......?

　I've heard terrible things about you.

　After all, this mistress thought I was forcibly controlling Cecil.

　So she took advantage of the Festival of the White Knot to seal my ring.

　I made Cecil show his true feelings by having a ritual that would test our bond, which he didn't want to do.

　To remind me that I'm (supposedly) making my slaves work in black.

　...... Well, maybe some people would think that if they had little Cecil around.

　By the way, I heard that the four rituals had this meaning.



　Washing the slave = cleansing the body with the master's hands for the ritual.

　Feeding the slave = the master makes a vow to continue to eat.

　Temple = Report to the "God of the Covenant" that you have completed the three rituals.

　Kiss = the proof that all the rituals have been completed.



　You didn't expect us to clear them all.

　The mistress turned to Cecil.

...... Don't give up hope, okay?

Now I'm all about hope. It will be better in the future.

That's the spirit.

　Cecil's hand was taken by the teary-eyed, cooing mistress, who was nodding yes.

　But Cecil was looking at me with bright red eyes twinkling.

　My forehead, to be precise.



I'm sure in five years I will have grown a little taller myself, so I'll be able to reach you at the next festival.



　For some reason, with a look of determination on her face, Cecil declared.





[Extra Edition] "Nagi, Cecil and the 'White Knot Festival'" ends.