Can You Do That Again?

Seras Evatrice felt like her soul was leaving her body..

At first, she was just tailing him, thinking that itd be lucky if she could learn a few simple habits or something about him.

Well, that was the case until she witnessed him putting leashes on two women before dragging them off somewhere.

The Saintess? The Talisman who resists evil influences?

She, too, knew of their existence.

The Homunculi Sisters; Artificially created by the Holy Land.

In the first place, the reason why this man confronted the Pope was to tell him not to interfere with these sisters

But, what in the world is going on right now?

Is he making the two women he saved indulge in his vile hobby?

Uwegh.

His insidiousness knows no bounds

Those were the thoughts that came to her mind, but she still continued to follow him around.

Though she couldnt understand what exactly was the reason behind his actions, if he really was as depraved as he looked

That meant the palpitations she felt before were undoubtedly a mistaken emotion.

She should be able to come to a conclusion that everything was just a misunderstanding as long as she was able to confirm that he was indeed a vile person.

Thinking as such, she continued to tail him and

She witnessed him calling forth the descent of angels.

?

At first, she thought that her eyes were playing tricks on her.

But that wasnt the case at all. Each and every one of those beings radiated a huge amount of Divine Power that made her stifle for breath.

Which meant that they were real angels.

No, no, wait. Hold on.

The last time angels had shown themselves was during the appointment of the First Hero and the election ceremonies of the Popes. There were no other records in history that stated their appearance other than that.

After all, one of the greatest authorities of the Pope was the only human who had directly encountered an angel.

But, this

Whatis this?

No, seriously. What is going on?!

She continued to watch in shock, as if her soul had left her body, but

An even more unbelievable and ridiculous situation unfolded before her.

The Talisman, upon seeing the angels, started to scatter white aura around, before going berserk.

However

That man subdued the Talisman emitting such aura in an instant.

Subduing a Devils Vessel? That easily?

With what principle?

Anyone with even the slightest bit of knowledge about Devils Fragments and their Vessels would understand how ridiculous the scene she was witnessing was.

Seras, of course, was affiliated with the Church and was well aware of the danger.

It was impossible to make a Devils Vessel to submit unilaterally.

But this man managed to do such a feat, and not only that, he even nonchalantly interacted with the angels afterwards.

She had maintained a safe distance, so she couldnt hear what they were saying, but it was clear they were conversing naturally and informally.

Even the Pope couldnt treat them like that It was as if they were friends.

As if he knew every little thing about their nature.

Strange.

It was so strange.

Seras wrapped her hands around her head, filled with confusion.

After she started her career as an assassin, to her, every word of the Pope was the very definition of truth, as well as a choice that was the closest thing to the correct answer that would bring light to this world.

Those he commanded her to harm were wicked and disruptive, their existence would only hinder the light that would come upon this world.

That was what she had believed.

But then

Why could that man interact with the angels so nonchalantly?

How was he able to subdue a devil with such ease?

If he was a disruptive being that hindered the creation of Paradise on this earth, then he shouldnt be able to do at least one of those things.

If such abilities were not a deception but real

Then the one possessing them should be the Savior she believed in.

Only His Holiness should be able to wield such powers.

But then, why that man? Why?

Seras held her head, lost in her chaotic bewilderment.

System Message

[ Target Seras is deeply shocked by you. ]

[ The target falls into a state of Confusion! ]

[ The target will reduce activities to harm you for a while! ]

Reading the messages that continued to pop up, I stroked my chin.

Certainly, what I just did warranted such a reaction.

Her loyalty to the Pope held a significant religious aspect.

While she might feel favor towards the Pope on a more personal level, seeing me mingle with a revered angel and easily subdue a despised Devil in one shot must feel strange to her.

In her religion, such a feat could only be performed by the Savior.

Of course, as the fanatical follower of the Pope, this wasnt enough to make her stop thinking of killing me.

But it would at least tie up her actions a bit, which of itself, was quite the gai

System Message

[ Target Seras becomes more proactive in learning about you! ]

[ The frequency of contact with you increases significantly! ]

Wait, but that wasnt what I expected?

It would reduce the possibility of her killing me, which was a good thing, but still

I wont report this to the higher-ups.

Right as I was thinking that

The Dominion in front of me, holding his head, muttered as if letting out a groan.

Is it because if the Seraphims find out that Ive made contact with a Devil, chaos would unfold?

He looked at me strangely, as if trying to say that I knew too much. I chuckled and continued.

Well, that makes sense. Theres probably a factional strife going on above right now, so theres no need to do anything that would get you in trouble. Ill keep quiet about it as well.

Its nice and all that we came to an agreement so quickly, but how in the world do you know such thi

Well, itll still cost you something to keep me quiet, though.

So this was your plan from the start, you fucker.

As I nonchalantly tossed such words to the Dominion, who had been about to confront me, a fierce response came back, forehead wrinkling in frustration.

You see, I plan to repeat this kind of thing Regularly. Just a few more times.

I said this, looking down at the unconscious Yuria.

I hope youll cooperate a few more times when that happens, just as you have now.

Youre going to do this bullshit a few more times? What are you even planning to do?

Well, just something I need to do.

I had to build up Worship Stacks.

Not only for a happy ending in the long term but also as a contingency plan in case my bare face was ever revealed to this girl.

That was a insanely fucking dangerous death flag. If I mess up, I would be one-shotted to oblivion.

Ah, and please give me one holy relic. I need to enhance Ultima.

What Grade?

Do you perhaps have anything aged in increments of millennium? Im not expecting anything used during the Great War of Gods and Devils.

Youre just a fucking robber at this point. Shameless motherfucker.

Now, even angels were cursing me out, huh.

With those words, I watched the Dominion leave with the other whispering angels in tow.

Well, they might say all that, but they were probably going to do as I asked. After all, it didnt really seem like they had any particular complaints or issues with it.

Uh, excuse me, Mr. Dowd.

In the meantime, Lucias muffled voice came from beside me.

Yes?

I have something I want to say.

Lucia, who had been looking down at the quietly sleeping Yuria, steadied her voice and began to speak.

I knew what she was gonna say.

The curse that had been eroding Yurias body had significantly subsided due to my subjugation of the Devil just now.

She definitely was going to thank me.

Well, you can skip the complement

If you were going to use this as a means to change our positions however you like, why did you make it as a collar?

You could have tied it around our waist or something. That wouldnt have been a problem when it comes to changing positions.

Why did it have to be a collar?

Uh, you know

Because I was more used to it?

You know, since shed get angry anyway even if I were to tie it to the other parts of her body, I figured that itd be better if I were to go with something I was already familiar with.

There wasnt any other reason besides that.

Really.

But still, it seems youre feeling a bit better now.

Yes.

As I awkwardly changed the subject with great difficulty, the Saintess gave me a scornful look but still responded in kind.

You see, Im starting to think its funny that I should feel guilty towards you. Do I really need to feel such an emotion towards someone who treats me and Yuria this way?.

Youre telling me, if Im sorry, then I should come help out every time you need to do something like this in the future. Isnt that why you brought me here?

Mhm.

Precisely.

I thought if she felt guilty, helping me out would be enough to relieve it, you know?

If you really think that way, all I can say is that youre very insensitive.

Excuse me?

I would have done all this if you just asked me honestly. I owe you a mountain of debt, after all.

You really did seem like such a kind person. But it appears as if the difference between you handling someones heart well as opposed to not is really night and day, isnt it?

Its like youve intentionally cut out certain parts. Youve had countless experiences others couldnt even dream of in a lifetime, but it feels like youve hardly had any normal human relationships.

Saintess.

Why were you verbally abusing me all of a sudden?

But.

Its not working, though?

She herself said that she felt better, but

This somehow felt like She was just saying it to appease me.

Not because she truly felt relieved or soothed.

In the first place, the System Window still displayed the Guilt status on her status.

Hmm, what should I do?

I didnt expect that this problem wasnt resolved immediately.

Ah, it seems she has come to.

Right as I was having such thoughts, I pointed to Yuria, who started squirming before suddenly opening her eyes.

After blinking a few times, she quickly got up and looked around.

Mr. Dowd?

Yeah, its me. Do you feel any discomfort?

Yuria, hearing my question, fidgeted with her hands and checked her body.

I feel unusually refreshed.

Good. What a relief.

As expected of a Devils Vessel. Her durability was extraordinary. To think she was unharmed after all that fuckery.

So, you still remember, right?

Sorry?

While she was blinking at me, confused, I smiled at her.

You didnt cut me this time.

You stopped by your own will.

I gently stroked Yurias head, as her eyes started trembling.

Well done. I knew you could do it. Your progress is remarkable.

The compliment actually came from deep in my heart.

The fact that she stopped an action enforced by a Devil, through her own will

Meant that she really, really, REALLY, didnt want to cut me.

So, I believe in you.

With that, I clicked the previous collar back around her neck.

It was an item I had given to her as a Token of Promise.

You are more than qualified to have this.

Yuria hastily fiddled with it a few times.

Then

Ah, ugh

Tears started to form in her eyes.

It was a look of genuine relief at having it returned.

She nearly collapsed to the ground, clutching it in her hand and sobbing.

It was a reaction that was bewildering even to me.

I mean, like Wearing a collar while doing that is a bit

You know It kinda felt like

Uh.

[At least youre self-aware]

[Youre playing with the heart of such an innocent and pure lady here.]

There was no need to keep reminding me that I was a piece of shit.

After all, I knew it as well.

System Notification

[ The Lethargy and Guilt of target Yuria improves. ]

Yes. Right. Lucia was one thing, but at least this girl was getting better.

Thinking this, I wiped the dust off myself and stood up.

Feeling better?

Yesssss

Then lets go back. And sorry for being so rough earlier.

Back then, I had to roughly grab the leash and push her to the ground because I needed to keep the Fallens Seal out of her sight.

So, at the very least, I had to apologize to her.

Upon hearing my words, Yuria suddenly started fidgeting.

Um, Mr. Dowd.

What.

Um, could you maybe

Her face turned unusually red as she spoke.

C-Continue

Her voice was trembling.

It looked as if she knew what she was saying was odd, but she couldnt help herself.

D-Doing t-that t-to me in the future t-too?

The silence that followed for a long while was so very awful.

What?

J-Just now.

Yuria stammered as she spoke.

I-It f-felt s-strangely g-good.

W-When Mr. Dowd treated me r-roughly, i-it felt like y-you d-did something to m-me that y-you d-dont do to o-others, so I l-liked it

Her face was so red as if it might burst and her voice was filled with extreme embarrassment, yet

Those words came out of her mouth so clearly.

Both Lucia and my faces displayed absolute horror at the same time.

Hey, wait. Just wait a fucking minute.

I knew that as the White Devils Vessel, as long as she could monopolize me, she would be willing to get into any kind of relationship, but

Wasnt this a bit too extreme?

Y-You, you, what, kind of, education, have you, been giving her!

Lucia pointed at me with trembling fingers while saying such accusations, but

This was unfair.

I really hadnt done anything.!

As I thought this, a System Window suddenly appeared in front of my eyes.

System Message

[ A Unique Meter is added to target Yuria! ]

[ Apart from Favorability, a separate state called Masochism is created! ]

[ When conditions are met, the Meter in question will fill up and the target will intensely demand a corresponding action from you. ]

[ Failure to satisfy her desire will result in a Penalty! ]

What?

I had just managed to resolve her guilt, so why was some sort of Penalty thing showing up?

As I stared incredulously at the window, more text scrolled down.

System Message

[ Masochism reacts to your aggressive contact with the target! ]

[ Current level of Masochism is Level 1! ]

[ Various functions are added to target Yuria! ]

[ Now, just by making any Related Contact with you, her Corruption Value will significantly decrease! ]

!

Holy shit, this was huge!

Considering the amount of shit I had to go through to resolve her Corruption Value when it spiked, being able to decrease it just through contact was a significant merit.

Of course, I needed to check what kind of contact it was, but from the wording, it didnt seem all that threatening. Surely, it wouldnt be so bad that it was a danger to my life.

System Notification

[ Calculating the detailed range of Related Contact! ]

At least I would have thought so.

If the following window hadnt cascaded down.

System Message

[ Activity Walk on Leash is added! ]

[ Activity Fulfilling Delusions is added! ]

[ Activity Light Choking is added! ]

[ Activity Forcing Service is added! ]

[ Activity ]

.

.

.

I broke out in a cold sweat while staring at the System Window listing down one activity after another.

You fucking said it was contact.

But what youre fucking adding are

Things that a depraved and perverted piece of shit motherfucker would do!

System Message

[ As the Level of Masochism increases, increasingly more aggressive activities will be added! ]

Stop it.

STOP IT!

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