We've got a nice little annoying spirit for you!


　--I didn't mean to be flirtatious like that.

　However, it is true that the night of his victory over Lars, when he was in front of the slave collared Lunamaria in his room at the inn, his lust for something other than eating his soul tingled powerfully.

　After all, she was the one who had been favored at one time. It's a thought that he never even said it out loud, but when he's faced with that person, he can't stay calm.

　In addition, Lunamaria has handed over all rights to me as a matter of course, so she can't refuse my request. This is a servitude contract duly signed in the presence of the slavers.

　It's not necessary for me to refrain from doing so, either. I'd like to get to the bottom of this right now, but there's something I have to make sure of before I do.


"So, what are you up to?


　He flushed and asked Lunamaria, who was standing face down.

　Incidentally, the reason her face is red is because she is shy. It's not just a matter of time before you'll be able to get your hands on a new one. There is no fabric at the arms and legs, and the back and chest are quite boldly open.

　It's the kind of clothing that makes you feel like you could swim in the ocean, or perform a kagura dance dedicated to a god by a dancer.

　To say the least, it's erotic. Moreover, it is an elf, which is synonymous with elegance, who is wearing it. Most men would swallow the spit with a gulp - just like me.

　However, I didn't dress Lunamaria in these clothes just for the sake of being dirty. To put it bluntly, I made it impossible for her to hide her weapons.　


''........I'm not planning anything, Sora-san.

'Don't be a jerk. I took the gamble because... well, I guess I stepped on Lars' to win, but even so, he's too mature for that. He didn't even pretend to resist when he made the slave contract. It's obvious what kind of treatment he'll receive if he signs that contract. The fact that you accepted that so easily means that you're planning to come near me and do something about it.


　Of course, I was the one who put Lunamaria in that situation. Even if I had resisted right then and there, the result would not have been any different.

　There's no point in resisting. That's true, but that doesn't mean we can give up so easily. No, this is not the kind of person who can continue to be an adventurer for many years.

　When I thought about it, I could only think that Lunamaria had something in her stomach.



　However, the problem is that it's hard to read what she's holding.

　Normally, it would be to hang your head in your sleep, but the murder of your master by a slave is a mortal sin. The accusation that I'm better off dead will continue until I die.

　Or I could let my guard down and let another person - Lars or Ilaria - kill me.

　But even then, I'd probably be charged with a substantial felony for my involvement in the killing.

　As I was nodding my head in that way, Lunamaria quietly opened her mouth.


I'm not planning anything. But I do want to ask you something.

Hmm?　What is it?

Who are you-- who are you?

"...what?　A monster with no human heart, or is that what you're talking about?

'No, no!　It's not.


　Shaking her head somewhat hurriedly, Lunamaria shook her head and let her gaze wander in the air, as if she was hesitating about something.

　But eventually she nodded with a determined light in her eyes and looked straight at me.


''I see a dragon.''

........what?

"I see a dragon in you. "I see a dragon in your midst, covered in scales darker than the night. The first time I saw it was when Sola returned alive from the Lord of the Flies' lair.

How ......................

I don't know if the dragon took on the form of a man, or if the dragon took on the form of a man, but I do see a dragon. But I do see the dragon. So I ask you, who are you?

''I've never been anything but Mitsurugi Sora in my life, have I? That's the answer, but...


　I've been thinking here.

　Without a doubt, the dragon would be a soul eater. The fact that you're alluding to the time of your awakening to the mind outfit suggests that you're not bullshitting.



''Did you tell anyone about that?''

''No........I took it from my sense as a spirit user. Since there's no way to prove it to anyone else....

'So you're saying that it's something that other spirit users can sense?

'Perhaps. But I can't say for sure, because every individual perceives spirits differently.

'I see. So that's how it can be detected... oh, come to think of it.


　At this point, I suddenly remembered the time when I questioned the guild about the crime of the Falcon Blade.

　At that time, Lunamaria was trembling in a terribly frightened state, but...


Is that because you noticed that dragon?

''...Yes. I'm being stared at by a dragon up close and personal. I couldn't even breathe.


　I see. Then, it's not like she was acting hypocritically to get an exoneration when she came after me and apologized, is it?

　It would be awkward if I had been prematurely wrong in calling her names.

　No, wait. More importantly...


'If you could see the dragon, didn't you think I might win today's duel?　How did you take the gamble?　This is something that Lars and I did on our own. It would make sense for me to say no.

'It's ... well, if you've revealed so much, you won't have to put your teeth on it anymore.

What do you mean by that?

'It's about Milo - he's getting through to you, isn't he?


　The moment I heard that, I huffed and snickered.


'Are you getting through?　That woman who hates me like a scorpion?　It's an interesting joke. Is that what you call the spirit user's senses?

'Ever since Milo came back from missing, I've felt something was wrong. "I've felt that something was wrong ever since the missing Milo came back. But it was only a vague feeling, not a definite proof. What convinced me of this was the day Lars and Sora-san decided to fight a duel.

What's going on?

'I'm sorry,' said Milo. 'I was going to make myself a bet, and I'm sorry that I had to take that role on me as a result,' he said. He seemed sincere in his apology but there was a mischievous leprechaun dancing on his shoulder. Then it dawned on me. Milo was enjoying the situation, I thought. If I listened to that, it was clear that Milo was taunting Lars. Whenever I or Ilaria voiced our concerns, he would laugh them off and try to lead Lars into a duel.


　After saying that much, Lunamaria shook her head without effort.


''No, in the first place, the beast girl called Seal, it was also Milo who first mentioned that girl. Didn't he calculate everything from the beginning?

'Well. But if you doubted that, I doubt it even more. Why did you follow the bet?　If Milo thought he was getting through to me, Lars-- might not have believed that, but Ilaria would have at least listened to him. That's exactly what I'm talking to the guild master about.

'Of course I thought about it. But I thought that if I did that and left Milo out of the party, you would only be able to make another move. I decided it would be more expedient to settle the matter now than to provoke the dragon in an inept manner.

Good plan, yeah. If the dragon's aim is to be you, then you're going to do something about it by dedicating yourself to it?　Well, it's true that the classic bad dragon is the sacrificial maiden.

"I apologize if I was thinking too much. But--

'Hmm, well, yeah. I'm not overthinking it.


　There was a fear of being taken for words, but so far there was no sign of anyone touching my senses. No one is listening or lurking in the ceiling.

　No matter what I say here, it won't be a problem later on. And even if it did become a problem, we could cover it up any way we wanted.


'But why go to all that trouble again?　The only time a sacrificial maiden can be saved by a brave man is in a story, okay?

'Go ahead and do your own apology to the mirror, you hypocrite (faker), just to satisfy yourself.'

"M

'That day I abandoned you to the Lord of the Flies as he pursued you. I knew what would happen if the Lord of the Flies caught you. I saw with my own eyes what Milo did, and I still put my life and the lives of my friends before his. What I can say to you will never be persuasive. You're right, I was a faker.


　As I said this, Lunamaria slowly walked out in front of me and got down on her knees there.

　Then she bows her head deeply. Like a subject who hangs his head to his lord.


'This time I would like to show it not in words, but in actions. Maybe this is also hypocrisy. But I will do my best. But I will serve you with all my body and soul. Will you allow me to serve you with all my body and mind?

"...I don't forgive you or anything, you're already my slave. I'm not going to let you go if you say no.


　I was blunt because there was no other way to say it.

　I had imagined being resented and hated, but I didn't think I'd be asked to stay by your side or something.

　Hearing my response, Lunamaria smiled as if a flower was about to open and said


''Yes!　It's a pleasure to meet you, my master (my master).