The "Kensei" who was called by me didn't even reply, and silently walked towards me. I held out the "Blood Cup" to the "Sword Sage" who came close to me.

''........What's this?''

　Kotetsu muttered in a fading voice and turned his gaze to the "blood cup" offered to him.

''If you drink this up, you will be in the same position as my family--Lina.
...your family?
Yes. When you finish drinking this, you're officially one of my men.
....
What's up?　Don't tell me that the man who was praised as the 'Sword Sage' - Lina's grandfather would make a mistake in his promise?
...the loan is yours!

　I smiled a nasty smile and the [Sword Saint] snatched the [Blood Cup] that was being held out to me, snatching it away from my hand.

　Taking away the 【Blood Cup】, the 【Kenzei】 at once - poured the crimson liquid poured into the 【Blood Cup】 down my throat.

　--[Contract (Contract)]!

　A faint glow enveloped the 'Sword Sage' and the glow gently converged.

''What is it........''

　I operated my smartphone while the 'Kensei' looked around at his hands and body as if to confirm the phenomenon that had happened to me.

''Name: Kotetsu-Shion.
　Race : Human
　Class: Samurai
　Rank: B
　LP : 200/200
　Body : B
　Knowledge : H
　Magic power: G
　Special: Sword Technique (A)
　→last month of the year
　→tusk
　→ flowing water
　→zigzagging
　→blank blade
　→(metaphorical) swallowing back
　breath
　destruction
　Subordinates :.

　[Organization]

　I chuckled as I confirmed the name of the 'Sword Sage' - Kotetsu, which was added to the [Military] column, and I chuckled.

''Well ... how do you feel?''
It's not...

　Kotez, who has become a family member, looks at his hand and confirms the change.

"If I had to say ... do you feel better?
How do you feel about me?
You're still a clever little boy!

　Kotetsu sniffs and answers my question.

'Against a ruler, child........'

　I chuckle when I hear Kotetsu's answer.

'You!　That's disrespectful!
What a way for a lowly species to talk to its creator!
My Lord Theon would you entrust me with the education of this man?

　In contrast to my bitter smile, the trio of fanatics reveal their anger at Kotetsu.

'Never mind,'

　I lightly raise one hand to control the angry fanatic.

'Shh, but...'
Never mind. Didn't you hear what I said?

　I throw a cold stare at the trio of fanatics who still stammer.

Mu...............
As I told them, don't worry about it. The "Sword Sage" no, the cottagers. You can watch what I do with your own eyes and judge me for what I am.

　Humanity's troublesome subordinates, even when they become my subordinates, have no absolute loyalty to me, unlike the subordinates I created, and they have free will. I can bind their actions with orders, but I can't bind their hearts.

　Well, I don't have to worry about revolting. I hope Kotetsu will be as much of an asset to me as Lina is, but if he's too rebellious, we can just order him to plow the field and tame him.

　For now........for the sake of future operations, I'll treat Kotetsu, and the humans I've protected, with respect. They could be a key player in the future attack on Suzu City Hall.

　The long-awaited "swordsman" - with Kotetsu under my command, my mind was racing with the next strategy.


　◆


Cotes. Can I ask you a few questions?
What is it?

　Currently, the humans in Suzu City Hall are still holed up in the city hall. I decided to gather information from the cotecks for future strategies.

First of all, what is Site Ulrico?　What is your relationship with the governor?
Ruriko Saito is a former hero, just like Rina. And she's the granddaughter of Governor Tayama.
What?
What?

　Kotetsu's answer reveals not only my surprise, but also that of Lina, who should have been my friend once.

What?　Lina was your partner, right?　You didn't know that?　I mean, that's not your last name.
'I'd never heard about my family from Ruriko's mouth before,'
Ruriko Saito is the child of my daughter-in-law. It's not uncommon for politicians not to talk about their families.

　Lina answered my question and Kotetsu gave me more information.

'In case you're wondering.......is Ruriko Saito dead?

　Kotetsu asks the prefectural governor for a fact he didn't confide in him.

"He's dead. ....I killed him, to be exact.

　There's no point in hiding the truth. I honestly tell Kotetsu the truth.

''Well....''
'Grandfather!　Indeed, Ruriko lost her life at the hands of Theon!　But!　It was ... we who launched the attack ... and Theon, too, to protect his own life--
It's all right I know.

　Lina tries desperately to follow me, but Kotetsu gives her a masterful look.

''So that means, from the point of view of Governor Tayama.......I'm going to be my granddaughter's avenger?
You will.
So a peaceful solution to the problem...
It's not gonna happen.

　Kotetsu replies quietly to my words.

This time, they are now under my command. More than eight hundred other humans have also fallen under my protection. If I asked you to surrender again in the future how many would you think would respond?
That's a difficult question. Most of them will never make it. In fact, those who are likely to surrender themselves have retreated to the inn at the back of Pearl Harbor. Most of the people in the city hall have had their relatives and loved ones killed by the Demon King.
"Most of them won't comply or...

　Conversely, it can be perceived that there are a few human beings who will comply.

　The key to our future strategy - cutting down inside.

　The strongest human being in the camp at Suzu City Hall - Kotetsu surrendered to us. More than eight hundred other humans - and some of them strong enough to have fought on the front lines - have also surrendered. The more human beings that are called upon to surrender and the more of them that respond, the lower the morale of the other side will be.

By the way, Theon, by the way.... May I ask you a question?
Hmm?　What?
Theon I am now under your command. And you are going to fight against the humans of Suzu City. Am I going to be a part of that battle?
''No, we don't have to participate in the conflict with humanity in Pearl City.
Are you sure?
Oh, yeah, no problem.

　Kotetsu would definitely be a great asset. However, Kotetsu was originally a member of Suzu City's camp. If they were to allow him to join the fray what would the humans in Suzu City think?　If they turn on me, they might think they have to fight with their former comrades. If that happens, there will be fewer people who surrender.

"Then why...!　Why have you chosen me as your family?

　Perhaps not satisfied with my answer, Kotetsu's speech becomes hoarse.

''That's because ... if you become my subordinate, you won't be able to lie to me.
Hmm?
For example....

　--The kites!　Tell me what you really think of me!

"--!　I thank you from the bottom of my heart for saving Rina's life.
What?
What?　Oh, grandfather...!

　Kotetsu bows his head deeply to me, and Lina's eyes are wet with tears. The air is filled with embarrassment at Kotetsu's unexpectedly true feelings.