Encounter with an S-Class Master

After resting plenty, I went down to the lower floor, where…

"… Goshujin-sama, well done."

Colette greeted me again.

Well done…?

Hmm, sure, having fun and lewd times with everyone left me with a bit of fatigue, but it was an extremely pleasant kind. I wasn't sure "well done" was quite the right thing to say.

Then again, for a Master, having sex with one's Garumon was probably part of the job in general terms.

And from a secretary's standpoint, I supposed there wasn't much else to call out to a Master who had just slept with his Garumon other than "well done."

But I really didn't want it treated like work. I'd been having such genuine fun and felt so happy.

Something like "looks like you had a good time last night" would have been just fine.

… Or so I thought, but I could easily picture Colette getting all flustered and useless if I scolded her, so I kept it to myself for the time being.

"Sorry for cutting our talk short. Are you settled down now, Colette? So… did something happen?"

When I asked, this time calmly…

"It's terrible!"

Colette shouted.

"What is it?"

That hurt my ears…

"H-haaa, my apologies. To raise my voice like that… I'm a failure as a secretary…"

She bowed her head deeply as she said it.

"No, that's totally fine. So what's this big deal?"

"T-two messages have arrived…! And one of them is, is, is from, of all people…! Cough, cough!"

She was choking on her own intensity.

"Calm down… first, just show me the message.

"Or rather, they don't come directly to me, huh."

"Once you reach B-Class or above, you start receiving a great many messages, both tangible and intangible, so they come to your secretary instead.

"Unnecessary petitions and so on are sorted by the secretary, and only the necessary ones are delivered to the Goshujin-sama."

Lyuka, who had at some point come down with her clothes neatly arranged, supplemented Colette's explanation.

"Auh, auh… that's right…"

Her role having been taken from her, Colette caught her breath while looking dejected.

Colette presented the messages. Two of them: one shining copper, the other shining gold.

"Copper indicates a message from a B-Class Master, gold indicates one from an S-Class Master."

Lyuka, supplementing again.

"Auh, auh… t-that's right…"

Said the dejected Colette… Wait, with Lyuka here, did I even need a secretary at all…?

No, Colette was cute, so it was fine to have her around.

But still, an S-Class Master?! That surprised me.

Just who could it be? The first person I thought of was Reichhardt's father, S-Class number 4 Leonhardt.

Oi oi, I hear you went and knocked up my son and seduced my daughter? How are you gonna make this right, eh? Maybe I'll sink you in Tokyo Bay…?

… If he said something like that, what was I supposed to do?

"Leonhardt is called a legend in this world; a hero. He is a man of character."

"Otou-sama isn't the kind of person to say something like that."

At my pale expression, Lyuka, who seemed to read my thoughts, and Suzanne, who had come down in much the same fashion, both denied it.

Before I knew it, everyone had gathered around me.

Luna, too, seemed to have settled a bit, and came down with a relaxed smile.

"That's good if true, but… incidentally, if an S-Class Master came after my life…"

"… Nothing to be done. You'd die."

"Otou-sama wouldn't do something like that! And if he ever did, I'd properly intercede.

"… Well, in the unlikely event that Otou-sama decided to do it, there really would be nothing to be done. Just as Lyuka says."

… Wha-aaat, that bad…? Even though we'd grown quite a bit stronger by now.

"My Tempest is a skill with the same name as Okaa-sama's, but…

"Okaa-sama's Tempest is that, in three consecutive attacks."

"… Eh, three in a row? One-third of the damage three times?"

It was true that for breaking shields, the same total damage spread across multiple hits could be more useful, but…

"One-for-one, three times. And even that, she rarely uses lately. She has stronger skills."

… Wha-aaaaat…? Suzanne's Tempest was the strongest attack in our entire party!

"S-Class… is completely another dimension, isn't it…"

Could I really make it that far…?

"There's no end to looking up. At any rate, let's look at the messages."

The S-Class message was scary, so I opened the copper one first, figuring it had to be lower priority.

… It was from Yamagata-kun.

A congratulatory message without a single word of "congratulations"… no, this was a challenge mail.

Even though I'd properly reached B-Class as promised, he seemed quite impatient.

But should I really go challenge him as he said…?

B-Class rank 69 Yamagata-kun was, in normal terms, considerably above Lagas. There was a record of his promotion match, but I had no way of knowing if his lineup was the same now.

… Yeah, I'd wait it out. Same as with Nezu, if I had time, I'd put all of it into training. Mustn't confuse bravery with recklessness.

This wasn't a game world where save and load were possible.

The opening act was over. Finally, I opened the message from the S-Class Master.

"This is…!"

"It's a summons from Ursula-sama!"

Colette burst out as if shot.

… Wait, hadn't this child been looking at the contents earlier? Or was she just panicking because the message was from an S-Class…?

Well, never mind Colette's airheadedness.

"S-Class number 24 Master, Ursula Belzebute…!"

"Yes! Ursula-sama is the one who governs five A-Class Masters and twenty-one B-Class Masters.

"It would be unwise to incur her displeasure… you should go at once!"

Colette argued forcefully.

"… O… ohh…"

Ursula Belzebute. I see, I had completely forgotten. I had been placed under her affiliation, so it made sense that contact might come.

Thanks to having looked through the Garumon Yearbook beforehand, I knew her face and name.

… She was quite simply a futanari Master of unparalleled beauty in this world; the sort I'd want to go meet even if I had to beg.

Refusing was not on the table.

Ah, no, no, calm down for a moment. Let's think about merits and demerits.

Would meeting Ursula be of any use for the decisive battle with Yamagata-kun?

… There was a possibility it would. I didn't know what the matter was about, and on the demerit side, I might incur her displeasure and trigger a fatal situation, but…

No, what would be the point of remaining in this world if I missed a chance to get to know this beautiful person? None at all.

Forget merits and demerits. I'd go meet her.

"Then, can you send a message to Ursula saying I'll come right away?"

"O-oh, y-yes!"

Colette operated the system.

Was the way she summoned a keyboard and went clack-clack-clack a secretary skill?

Compared to her usual flustered manner, she typed messages reasonably fast. She seemed to do her job properly.

"… A reply has come from her secretary Libera-sama. She says she'll be waiting!"

Colette's report.

"Alright, let's go right away. Lyuka, the Gate."

"Understood."

Then, after the bare minimum of preparations, we set off in a hurry. Colette included, the entire group went together to the S-Class town of Lasburg.

"The S-Class town of Lasburg has the castles of all twenty-four S-Class Masters. It's the world's nerve center, the city that could be called the world capital. Without an invitation from an S-Class Master, no Master below that rank may even enter."

"Oooh…"

True to its name as the world capital. Compared to any town I'd seen so far, the development was on a different level.

… There were tall buildings.

Their height topped out around ten stories or so, and the design was somewhere between Rococo and Romanesque, but the sight of those beautiful buildings lined up was quite spectacular.

Yet even among them, what stood out most was the central building… no, could you even call it a building? It was a colossal structure.

"That is what we call the Tower of Heaven. The world's core, where the Senate convenes."

She introduced it that way.

The Tower of Heaven… rather generic-sounding name; was the copyright okay? That was my passing concern, but it was hard to call it anything else.

In any case, it was tall. Tall didn't even begin to cover it.

The top reached into the stratosphere, becoming invisible.

"… In short, that's a space elevator.

"At the far end of that, surely a space colony hangs in geostationary orbit."

Otherwise, there'd be no need to build something that tall.

"… Space elevator. Geostationary orbit. Space colony. Those are all words my translation isn't handling well. They appear to be language outside my prerequisite knowledge. Please explain them to me later."

"Sure, of course I don't mind."

I see, words she had no understanding of at all couldn't be translated. The system's translation was extraordinarily high-level, but it didn't go so far as to explain unfamiliar concepts.

There hadn't been any inconvenience in conversation so far, but that was only because we'd never needed conversations beyond the level where there'd be a knowledge mismatch.

Of course it would be that way in this world, which was just medieval Europe with some Showa-era home appliances added on.

But suddenly, an SF object. Naturally, a sudden mismatch arose.

In a world supposedly several technological generations behind Earth's science, for something like this to exist…

Just what was it? I couldn't say I wasn't curious, but…

It probably wasn't relevant now. I might find out eventually.

"… Number 24 Ursula Belzebute's residence, Castle Ernest, is in the suburbs a little ways from the city's nerve center."

"Thank you. Let's go."

Move a little away from such a major city, and we found a quiet residential district. The grounds of each individual house were spacious, so there was plenty of nature, peaceful.

Eventually… a magnificent castle wall appeared. As we approached, the castle gate opened…

"Wooow…"

I let out a sound of admiration in spite of myself.

Calling it a castle wasn't quite right; it was something more graceful. Massive like a castle, but with the air of a great noble's grand mansion: a white estate.

This was an S-Class Master's castle. One of the twenty-four who ruled the world, huh…

I rang the bell at the entrance, and a ding-dong echoed out, carrying all the way to the mansion.

Ohh, everything about this had a kind of charm…

After waiting a while…

Vroooom…

Oh, a car. They had these too.

Well, with Gates available, there probably wasn't much need for them.

A retro-design car came driving straight up the road.

"You must be B-Class Master Naoto Akai-sama."

The one who emerged from the car was a magnificent beauty in a modern-style suit.

She had brown hair tied up in a bob, and gave off the air of a clearly capable female secretary.

But her wonderfully sexy figure also hinted at affairs with the boss.

"I am Ursula-sama's Garumon, Libera. I serve as secretary to this household."

Libera bowed elegantly.

"Hawawa…! An S-Class secretary, the kind I look up to…!"

The Colette I'd brought along was getting flustered.

"Are there ranks among secretaries too?"

"Y-yes! S-Class Masters' secretaries are called S-Class secretaries, and among us secretaries, it's a tremendous honor!"

Colette argued that forcefully.

"… Then, Colette, you'll become an S-Class secretary someday too."

I said that smoothly. Bold talk was fine.

"… Hawawa… c-could someone like me really do that properly…?"

Colette was tense at my words. Yeah, just that she straightforwardly believed me made it a perfect-score reaction.

"Can the car carry passengers?"

"Yes. However, the car's capacity is four people, so… I'm afraid the others will have to wait…"

Well, showing up with more than ten people would be a breach of manners, wouldn't it?

"Sorry, I wanted to let my companions sightsee in Lasburg too."

"… Companions, you say?"

Ah, that kind of phrasing was unusual in this world.

Well, whatever.

"Yes. Of course. The reason I made it to B-Class is thanks to the companions here.

"… So, only four will ride. Could the rest wait somewhere?"

"In that case, there's a salon for employees right nearby, so everyone can wait there."

"That building, right? Got it… Who are you taking?"

"Hmm…"

If this was going to be a political conversation, then as my secretary, I shouldn't leave Colette out… I supposed.

For an advisor role, my usual choices were either Lyuka or Yuria.

"Then, Yuria."

"Oh my, me? Lately Lyuka's been the one more often, hasn't she?"

"Just figured I'd switch it up."

"Fufu, I won't get jealous over something like that. But I'll accompany you."

"And then, of course… Kanan."

She was always with me, so I felt unsettled without her.

"Yes, no matter what happens, I'll protect you!"

… Yeah, looking back, she really had changed from how she used to be.

"Patty wants to come tooo!"

Fully intent on getting a scoop, huh… I wanted to bring her, but we were over the head count.

"It's fineee. I'll run!"

… Well, with a Garumon's leg strength, keeping up with a car was no big deal.

I relayed that and got into the car. Leone and Adelia would come along inside their balls, just in case.

The ride quality of the car was quite comfortable.

Patty was running a little behind. In the rearview mirror I could see Patty running with her boobs going wobble-wobble.

"… What does this car run on?"

"It's a hybrid car running on gasoline and magic. At low speeds, it runs on magic."

Libera-san answered.

… The technology of another world was impressive too.

"Gasoline isn't common, is it?"

"No. Production is still insufficient, and it's not at a level where it can be widely distributed to the populace.

"Petroleum resources are abundant, but there are environmental issues to consider, and there are opinions that it shouldn't be too widely adopted."

"Heeh… is knowledge like that from otherworlders?"

"Yes. The girls who reincarnate to this world are all between fourteen and seventeen, so few have particularly advanced knowledge, but among them are some geniuses.

"Among our group, in fact, we have one such individual."

"Heh… ah, Mira Kongouin-san?"

"Yes, that's right. Did you happen to read the Garumon Yearbook?"

"Yes, I did."

"She's a wonderful, talented woman. Today she's gone to the university city of Unitia. I'll introduce you sometime."

I made small talk like that with Libera… She was a very pleasant woman.

Eventually we reached the entrance of the mansion. The enormous doors opened, and…

"Welcome, Naoto-sama."

A woman in a maid uniform with long silver-white hair bowed her head in greeting. What a magnificent beauty she was.

Her slightly upturned eyes and impressively wonderful-sized chest were charming. I was simply captivated by her beauty.

From her beast ears, I could tell she was Beastkin.

"I am Ursula-sama's Garumon, Mikoto the Yoko. I oversee the housework of this estate.

"Please treat me well."

Yoko… one of the seven top-tier Beastkin subspecies.

"Yes, please treat me well too, Mikoto-san."

As expected of an S-Class Master. Wonderful Garumon.

Then, escorted by the two of them, we went deeper inside. Eventually…

I was guided to what looked like a king's audience chamber.

… No, it was the audience chamber itself, no doubt. S-Class Masters were the world's twenty-four rulers.

They were powerful figures who could be called the very kings of the world.

And… on the throne, she sat.

"Welcome, Naoto Akai. I am S-Class Master, Ursula Belzebute."

"…!"

The person there… could only be described as a young girl. There was even a hint of childishness still about her. About the same age as us, with even an air of innocence. And yet…

… She was overwhelmingly beautiful. Her black hair swayed gently, even though there was no wind.

Eyes wet like night dew, skin white as snow. And yet her lips were strikingly red.

Beautiful… but not just overwhelmingly beautiful; she also conveyed a sense of cuteness.

A youthful, lovable charm. And yet her chest was wonderfully ample, erotic.

But for all that beautiful appearance, no fragility could be felt.

It was as if I could feel a pulsing of power, like a heartbeat.

While shining almost divinely, she also gave off an ominous aura.

Likely as a Garumon, she possessed tremendous power.

Her ability as a Master, too… how high might it be?

Ursula Belzebute.

She was, far more than the photo I'd seen beforehand, many times more beautiful and charming in person.

"P-pleased to meet you. I'm Naoto Akai.

"… Excuse me, but may I look at your system? I've never seen an S-Class Master before, so…"

Driven by curiosity, I tried asking that first.

"Very well. Do as you wish."

Ursula laughed and granted permission.

System check.

As expected…

From those stats alone, it was conveyed that this was a tier of overwhelming rank, beyond any Master I'd seen so far.

Every single one had a Value above Leone and Suzanne. So this was an S-Class Master…

"… Wait, you're past LV50…!?"

Wasn't the cap LV50?

"The 'cap of LV50' just means the LV that goes up easily reaches 50. The actual cap is… unknown. They say 100, but only a handful have reached 100. There are even those who say there is no cap.

"Past LV50, the experience required increases dramatically. Leveling up becomes difficult."

Ursula deigned to explain.

"Thank you very much."

I bowed my head… Hmm, was I really the kind of person to meekly bow to a powerful figure like this?

No, it wasn't to power, it was to Ursula's beauty that I was bowing.

"Now, the reason I summoned you today… was simply that I heard a C-Class Master had defeated Lagas, who is said to be among the top-tier of B-Class, so I thought I'd see what kind of talented Master it was. An otherworld Master is also a rarity.

"Even so, to rise so prominently in just one or two years… it seems otherworld Masters, like otherworld Garumon, are truly excellent."

She wove her words in a slightly tongue-tied voice.

I see, so she knew about otherworld Masters besides us as well.

Beep, beep, Ursula operated the system.

"… I see, you've assembled them at the Ultimate Rare class.

"The luck to be blessed with powerful Garumon. That itself is the most important talent for a Master.

"A Master loved by fortune is the kind of lucky person who could pull an Ultimate Rare from that gacha, the one with a 100G expected return on 10000G spent."

"No, I haven't pulled the gacha."

"That's the right answer. Pulling that is hell. It'll kill you."

Ursula said that and laughed, kuku-kuku. Beyond just being beautiful and charming, she was apparently quite an easygoing person too.

It wasn't only her looks. Her inner self was playful and adorable too. Having actually met her, I'd grown all the more thoroughly fond of this Ursula.

"Um… so, was your business just to see my face and that's it?"

I wanted to talk with her more, though…

"Now then, having had you come all this way, to offer no hospitality at all would be too miserly.

"Is there anything you wish for? I am magnanimous. I can even hear out a wish or two from a Master newly added to my retinue."

Miserly… so, stingy. A girl who used antiquated turns of phrase.

If she shared the same Demon Lord title, she was something like a higher subspecies of Demon. Edna, whom I'd met before, had spoken in a similar way.

It might be a characteristic of Demon races.

Now, a wish, huh… what should it be? Could I straight-up ask for money or information?

For instance, an S-Class Master could probably gather all the information she wanted on Yamagata-kun, who I'd be fighting soon…

But the other party was, in effect, a queen. Saying something careless and incurring her displeasure would be bad.

I should hold off on lewd things. Even though I wanted them.

Consulting Yuria or Colette… no, let's not. As a Master, that would be pathetic.

I thought. Refusing when she was offering something would also be rude.

If I made a request… I wanted something with practical value. For my upcoming fight against a top-tier B-Class Master…

Hmm, in that case… I came up with one thing.

"In that case, could you grant me one Garumon Battle?"

"… Such a thing!"

Colette interjected. Was that bad?

"Naoto-sama is a Master who's just barely become B-Class! Against an S-Class Master like Ursula-sama, that would be far too…"

She seemed to be worrying for me, but…

"Hoh… do you have a battle planned in the near future?"

Ursula seemed to perceive my situation.

"It's a personal matter, but I have a duel coming up soon."

"… Hoh, a duel. The opponent's name?"

I'd caught her interest.

"B-Class rank 69 Master, Kensei Yamagata. We're contesting over Kanan here, who's been wagered."

"Hohoh… that's interesting.

"I see. In fighting a top-tier B-Class, your aim is leveling, then?"

"That's part of it… but to aim higher, I want to know the level of the very top firsthand.

"It also affects my future training plans.

"I've heard that at B-Class and above, even if you lose, your companions aren't taken from you… And I have the money to spare."

"… Naoto-sama, your companions won't be taken, but the going rate for an S-Class Master's Garumon Battle is one hundred million G!"

"One hundred million G!?"

I was startled. That was practically my entire fortune. That was a bit too high, but…

"Oh, Colette. The going rate for a B-Class Master's battle is ten million.

"When requesting a battle with permission, ten million is a reasonable rate to consider."

"Yes, just as Yuria-san says."

Yuria pointed that out. The opposing secretary Libera also supported Yuria.

"… Hauu…"

Colette shrank down, flustered. Which one was the secretary, I wondered.

"I see… kukuku. Interesting. Very well. I shall hear your request."

Good, I'd gotten my wish heard without incurring her displeasure.

"… Yes. Indeed.

"If, in this fight, you can make me acknowledge your ability, I might even elevate you to my Sub-Master.

"Then, the matter of a duel with some B-Class Master and the like could be reneged on without issue.

"Or, even if you did fight, I could even lend you my Garumon."

…Snap.

Eh? What was this girl saying?

She'd come out with an outrageous proposal, as if it were a reward.

Until now, I'd been having a fun and pleasant conversation with this peerless beauty, but…

I was the one who'd grown displeased.

Telling me… to become a slave? How could such a thing be acceptable?

No matter that she was an S-Class Master, there were things I couldn't accept!

"… Are there any Masters who'd willingly want to become slaves?"

So I argued back, despite myself.

"… Mm, dissatisfied? You were captivated by my beauty, weren't you? Quite enchanted, it seemed."

… She'd seen right through me.

"It's fine, fine. My beauty is sinful. To be captivated, to fall for me, is only natural.

"I've offered you the chance to perhaps grant you the privilege of attending such a one as me. I should think tears of joy and rapture would be appropriate."

Ursula declared, full of confidence. Her pride was almost refreshing, but…

"… … Heh."

I laughed.

"… What is it?"

Ursula looked dissatisfied. I'd probably incurred her displeasure, but I couldn't yield either. Even I had things I wouldn't yield on.

"I have no intention whatsoever of being subordinate to anyone. I respectfully decline your proposal."

"… What did you say…!"

Ursula instantly grew displeased.

"I, having decided to battle you, only proposed it to push you to apply yourself, lest the fight prove dull.

"I would not so easily welcome you as my right hand, you know.

"… But to be brushed off so is unpleasant.

"It's almost as though I, possessor of the Demon race's, and indeed the world's, greatest beauty, have been rejected by you!"

Sway…

With anger now openly displayed, Ursula stood up.

"Hawawa… Naoto-sama, please apologize! This person is one of the twenty-four Masters who govern the world's power!"

Colette panicked the most, hopping about in distress.

… Wasn't this child a secretary who was supposed to substitute for her Master in politics and negotiations?

In the current state of things, she was beyond useless. Well, I was the one who hired her because she was cute.

"I'm not making light of an S-Class Master.

"But anyone capable of being satisfied as someone's slave couldn't have become a B-Class Master either.

"I'd have been content licking the feet of Kanan here!"

I snapped a bit and threw it at Colette.

"Hyuh!"

Colette flinched in fear, fell silent, and large tears began to spill.

"Uah, s-sorry, Colette… that was, my tone was too harsh, sorry…"

There, there. I patted Colette's head to settle her down.

Of course, the one I really needed to argue with was Ursula. I turned back to face Ursula.

"Becoming a slave means offering up not just me, but my companions as well.

"To you they may be insignificant beings, but to me they're companions more precious than my own life.

"If you mean to take them, I'll resist with everything I have.

"If you'd kill me, then kill me. But I won't go down for free!"

I glared.

Yuria and Kanan also took battle stances.

On the other side, Libera and Mikoto also entered battle stances.

Just as it seemed we were about to enter a decisive battle…

"Kuku… ahaa-haa-haaa!"

Ursula laughed.

"My bad, my bad… it seems my joke went too far. Very well. I'll withdraw my proposal."

… Surprisingly, she stepped back without resistance.

"A boy with more passionate spirit than I expected. I like you.

"That much spirit, that much fire. You're promising for the future.

"That you've joined my ranks, I find it truly reassuring."

I had no idea how serious she'd been, but for the moment the other side had honored my position and stepped back.

I quietly bowed in return.

"… Then, let's set up that match anew. Are you fully prepared?"

"… My companions are currently stationed at the soldiers' quarters, so…"

"Call them. I'll wait that much. However, I am busy, so the rules will be 3 vs. 3."

"Understood."

Even at 3 vs. 3, there'd be plenty to gain.

"Ah, and even if I win, I require no money. Apply at the minimum price."

… It seemed her mood wasn't so bad after all.

… But to be shown mercy…

… If I said this, would she be angry? Even though her mood seemed good now.

… But, perhaps because of how heated I'd just gotten, I couldn't help but say it.

"That's all right. I'll pay the standard amount… ten million G, was it?"

And then…

"In exchange, if I win, you'll become my Sub-Master."

"Wha… Naoto-san! No matter what, that is far too rude a request to make of an S-Class Master!"

Libera, who had been listening silently until then, grew angry.

Colette, foaming at the mouth, looked about to collapse, her face deathly pale.

Mikoto was…

"Pft… kuku."

Laughing.

Now, as for Ursula… she blinked, taken aback, and then…

"Ahaa-haa-haa!"

She burst out laughing.

"How amusing! … A mere B-Class Master, daring to make such grand boasts…! Ahaa-haa!"

Total uproarious laughter.

"I really do like you. Very well. If I win, I'll receive ten million G.

"In exchange, if you win, I shall become your Sub-Master."

"Ursula-sama!"

Libera reproved her.

"In any case, were I to lose to a mere B-Class Master, I'd drop from S-Class and be finished as a Master.

"In that case, becoming the victor's Sub-Master amounts to the same thing."

Ursula said in good cheer.

"Of course, I have no intention of losing, nor do I think there's even a one in a hundred million chance of losing.

"I only hope that, fitting your grand boasts, you'll at least give me a thrill."

And so… I ended up in a serious 3 vs. 3 Garumon Battle with the S-Class Master, Ursula.

… An aside.

While we were waiting, Yuria whispered in my ear.

"… Naoto. Just to make sure I tell you, becoming Ursula's Sub-Master means you get the right to mount Ursula, you know?"

"… Eh?"

I'd gotten heated when I heard "become a slave," but…

"A futanari Master can't mount herself and become pregnant, right? So if she wants children, she hires a mounting Sub-Master.

"Ursula doesn't currently have a Sub-Master, so there's a high chance she's still a virgin.

"In other words, if you put up a good fight, you'd be taking Ursula's virginity, then having lots of sex with her until she gets pregnant. That life would be waiting for you.

"So Ursula figured that if she pitched it that way, you'd surely get fired up, since you're smitten with her."

"Aaah…"

T-that was… maybe an offer attractive enough to shake my conviction never to become a slave…

And I'd flown off the handle and snapped at her over it…

Wasn't that incredibly rude? Even if I refused, there were ways of refusing…

"C-could you have told me a little sooner…"

"Eh, isn't it fine? Things turned out okay in the end."

… It felt like lately I'd been relying on Lyuka for explanations, but Yuria had this side to her too…

Well, it was fine. That mischievous side was part of Yuria's charm.

… At any rate, the most pitiful one was Colette, who was on the verge of dying from hyperventilation due to the shock of having angered an S-Class Master.