Become their wicked yet gentle lord.

"Lightness Spell!" Almost without pausing, the mage displayed superb skills, casting one spell after another that his companions had to chant for a long time to unleash.

Enveloped by the Lightness Technique, the captain leaped up, his strong body closing in on Atina. He held his shield in front of him, releasing a massive amount of battle aura that expanded the shield's radius to two or three meters, preventing Atina from bypassing him to attack the mage.

With her other hand, a heavy longsword pierced through a small gap in the shield, preventing Atina from being distracted by the magical light waves behind her.

Bang! Unexpectedly, the girl kicked the side of the longsword, and at the same time spun around, slashing the silver-white flower-shaped longsword at the light wave coming from behind.

The moment the blades touched, the light waves dissipated, fluttering like flower petals. The intense magic was absorbed by the blades, but Atina's expression froze, and she looked unwell.

The mage didn't stop after casting 'Lightness Spell'; he began chanting again, and another, even more powerful spell was about to be completed! All their tactical coordination was for this killing move! Even with casualties, they had practiced it countless times!

A halo of light appeared around Atina, following her body like a circular blade, and then quickly contracted!

"Radiant Execution!" the mage chanted, unleashing a locking spell that was nearly at the level of a grand mage.

Chapter 24 The Demon Sword [Idunir]

In mid-air, the three halos suddenly contracted, and the rotating magic, like sharp saw teeth, cut the girl's body into several pieces.

"Ha! Ha! Success!" The mage panted heavily. Although the consumption of magic power was not large, the fatigue from casting spells continuously in a short period of time made him feel extremely uncomfortable.

The captain also landed heavily. Although he had escaped unscathed, he was unsure whether the plan to attack Hetia should still be carried out.

Looking at the bloodied and mangled corpse before him, a strange sense of unease arose.

The captain surveyed his surroundings and asked the magician.

Where is her sword?

Come to think of it, when we encountered this girl before, I didn't see her with a sword in her hand, yet she suddenly attacked and took the life of the scout knight.

"I don't know, maybe it's a magical weapon or something... hiss!"

A chill ran through the two of them, making their bodies go numb as if they were being electrocuted, and their hair stood on end.

From the blonde girl's corpse on the ground, countless silver-white vines spread out, connecting together. Countless fine threads stitched up her wounds like needles and thread, and even her clothes became a collection of vines and flowers.

It resembles a skirt made of alluring plants.

"Hehe~ I've been advising her to just lift the 'second restriction' for a while, but she was afraid I'd take over her body. Well, that's great now~"

The girl, who had been indifferent, now seemed like a different person, moving her fingers with great interest as she observed her own body.

"Hmm~ It's a bit barren, but the quality is good. But I'm already like this, so I don't have much to complain about, right, you two?"

The vines continued to extend, adorning the girl's body and hair like jewelry, gradually forming an overly ornate style. At the same time, vines sprouted from her feet, connecting to the surrounding forest and blocking their escape route.

"What...what exactly are you?"

The captain stood in front of the mage, shield and sword raised, buying him time to catch his breath.

"Oh dear~ How rude of you." The 'girl' in front of them lifted the newly woven silver hem of her skirt, bowed gracefully to the two of them.

"The Demon Sword [Iduniel], you can call me Iduni or Niel."

The two had never heard of Iduniel, but they had heard of something called the 'Demon Sword'.

Although there are many so-called 'demon swords' in history, such as those whose users had bad fates or experienced many evil killings.

However, according to the Vatican, the true 'demon sword' is an evil weapon that possesses powerful and malevolent heretical abilities, or even has its own consciousness and can bewitch the user.

"The Demon Sword..."

The magician, who was more knowledgeable about the scriptures, was dressed in mourning. If the opponent was a real demon sword, then the two of them would probably not be able to escape alive.

"How rude of you to look at a lady like that."

Atina, or rather Iduniel, frowned. In fact, what she was more dissatisfied with was that what the two of them feared most was the word "Demon Sword," not her name, Iduniel.

To compare her to those ordinary demonic swords is a capital offense.

"What year is it now?" Iduniel asked casually.

"Ottus year 326," the captain replied, thinking that even a second more now would be worthwhile.

"How long ago was the era of Otus Kranar and the cruel witch?" Iduniel frowned.

"King Kranar...that was over a thousand years ago."

The captain swallowed hard, then launched into a story from a thousand years ago. If it wasn't just bluffing, the origins of the 'demon sword' before him were probably quite terrifying...

"A thousand years, the only thing that has awakened me in these thousand years is a little girl... Hey, who won between Kranar and the witch... It should be Kranar, right? Considering that you are both human."

Iduniel stroked his chin, deep in thought, which, combined with Atina's exquisite features, made him look like a princess adorned with flowers.

“Miss Iduniel, if I provide information you don’t know, could you please let us go?”

Idunier's eyes lit up, seemingly admiring the knight captain's courage, and he smiled knowingly.

"Indeed, this little girl won't tell me anything, it's incredibly boring, but..."

With a flick of his finger, countless silver vines rose and wriggled like tentacles.

"Although you two are very gentlemanly, I hate men~ Besides, after sleeping for so long, I want to explore this world on my own, that's more fun~ isn't it?"

"However, I will give you both a gentle death as a sign of respect for your courage, whether it was trying to communicate with me or... secretly accumulating magic power!"

Idunir's words were like gunpowder, igniting the situation. In that instant, the captain charged forward like a bull, the edge of his shield slicing through the attacking thorny vines like an axe blade, his longsword swinging fiercely down at Idunir.

The mage also cast a spell on the captain, risking a magical backlash, and used the 'Light Wheel Execution' a second time.

"They're all bared and claws, a bit ugly, but they're very powerful, a unique kind of beauty~" Iduniel commented with a smile to the captain who was charging into battle, and then to the mage.

With a gentle grasp, the vines laid out on the ground wrapped around their legs, countless sharp thorns piercing their flesh and injecting toxins.

"Drink!!!" Like a warrior cutting off his own arm... no, his leg, the captain swung his sword at his own legs, severing the vines without breaking the bones. His eyes wide with rage, he dragged his bloodied legs and continued charging.

Is it possible?

Seeing Idunier's radiant smile, time seemed to stand still at that moment.

The fragrance is wonderful, like a memory from my childhood, when I was training with a wooden sword in the flower fields of the countryside.

The innocent boy shouted that he wanted to become a righteous and brave knight to protect the weak.

When did I become a black glove, taking money to do things for those nobles and secretly handling their dirty work?

Before his eyes danced silver pollen, already seeping into his body, its toxins, more potent than vines, numbing his muscles. The captain's longsword fell limply to the ground, yet his spirit remained utterly at peace.

"I'm sorry, I found your lost wallet from last time, but I didn't tell you..." The captain slumped down and sat on the silver vines, as if he had finally gotten the rest he had been longing for.

“I know you need money, unlike the two of us who are free. You have a family to support.” The magician, who was also exhausted at the moment, leaned against the tree. Hearing the captain’s words, he grinned.

"Old Cat, too. Every time he deliberately argues with you so you'll cut his share of the bounty, he'll laugh and tell me behind my back, 'At least you'll go to the brothel a few less times.'" (The rest of the text appears to be gibberish and unrelated to the previous sentences.)

"Feel sorry……"

Faced with the captain's apology, the magician didn't say anything. He wanted to say, "We should be thanking you," but he couldn't bring himself to say something so cheesy.

People of humble origins like them, even if they have the strength, can only serve the nobles, either on the battlefield or in the shadows.

Military academies waive tuition fees, but food and training cost money. Many who serve are not appreciated and end up impoverished or even become outlaws after leaving the military.

At least with the captain's help, they had their moments of glory, enjoyed the envious glances of others, lived carefree lives, and even briefly touched the threshold of becoming a great mage, glimpsing those fascinating arcane secrets.

"Go to sleep, brother. We're exhausted and we've suffered enough. It's time to rest..."

The magician murmured and closed his eyes. The captain took out the pendant necklace, glanced at the photo inside, and saw his wife holding their three children, smiling gently.

Someone like me doesn't deserve such a good family, but the money I've saved is enough. At least it can keep my two eldest children educated until adulthood, giving them some knowledge and skills so they don't have to risk their lives for money like I did. As for the youngest, with the help of his older siblings, there shouldn't be any problems...

"I'm sorry..." The captain closed the pendant, fell into a deep sleep, and was dragged into the soil by the silvery-white vines.

"Ah~~ That's really touching, which is why I oppose exterminating all of humanity~"

Iduniel dramatically wiped away non-existent tears, and the three halos around him vanished with the magician's death.

"Now, it's time to enjoy the next meal!"

Iduniel's gaze pierced through the dense forest and landed on the lakeside camp, but his body swayed.

"Tsk! Still conscious?! You're really tenacious! I won't give this body back to you so easily!"

Chapter 25 The Girl Carrying the Demon Sword and the Girl Carrying Another Girl

Idunier's movements gradually stiffened, as if he were pulling himself apart, and his tone became sharper. (The rest of the text appears to be gibberish and unrelated to the preceding sentences.)

"Can't you see? The guy you like is having fun with someone else~ Even though you almost lost your life for him~"

"Tsk! Stubborn little girl! You want me to work for free? These three people aren't enough! Do you think I'm a beggar?"

"With me inside you, do you still think you can get close to him? Who knows, I might kill him someday~"

"Ughhh! I'm not going back! I haven't had enough fun yet!!!"

Atina's body twisted and writhed in agony, and the silvery vines and flowers on the ground shook violently before finally crumbling into dust.

"Hehe, it's settled then. But how will he view you when he finds out you've been providing me with tribute? I'm really looking forward to it, little girl!"

The girl knelt on the ground, clutching her thin arms, suppressing her pain. Finally, she stopped trembling and slowly stood up.

She still had the same blank expression as before, but with a hint of loneliness. The girl touched her thin right arm, where the demonic sword continued to chatter incessantly.

She ignored it, stood at the edge of the woods for a moment, then turned and walked into the darkness.

"Kill you...kill you...kill you..."

Bright sunlight streamed through the carriage curtains and fell on Liu Xia. He gradually regained consciousness, but felt nauseous and uncomfortable, like someone with a hangover. The murmurs around him only made him more upset.

Ryuka opened her eyes, and the scene that greeted her was... indescribable...

Kania was still riding on his back, looking somewhat broken. Her eyes were empty and lifeless, her face was flushed, and her mouth was slightly open, with drool constantly dripping from it.

"Ha~~~ha..."

A whole night had passed, and her body was still swaying slightly back and forth, emitting faint breaths.

As for Ryuka's body, her entire lower body felt like it was submerged in a pool of water, cold and slippery, with only one spot still warm...

"This is too exaggerated... How long did she move?"

Kania seemed not to hear her own voice, so Ryuka had to turn to the side and ask.

What's even more absurd is that she actually endured the whole night without releasing, yet she didn't feel uncomfortable, only a faint sense of comfort. Ryuka began to wonder if her body had been damaged by the witch's invasion.

Beside Ryūka, Hetia knelt with a look of disgust on her face, muttering under her breath, 'I'll kill you.'

She seemed to have just taken a shower; her long, wet red hair was still draped over her shoulders. She had changed into the same knight's undergarments as before, without armor. The tight, tailored clothes hugged her graceful figure, and her pert buttocks sat on her rounded heels, creating alluring curves.

Despite years of sword practice, her hands and feet were free of calluses, and her skin remained smooth and supple, perhaps due to her battle aura. Her hands held a warm, damp towel, gently wiping Liu Xia's body.

Seemingly only then realizing that Ryusha had woken up, Hetia was startled, and then stammered out her answer to his question.

"I...I don't know. She changed her clothes and went out once when it was light, telling me to wash up and then...to wipe your body. She came back an hour later and continued moving around. It's almost noon now..."

"Who were you just muttering about killing? Was it me?"

Ryūka knew, of course, it couldn't be her. If Hetia dared to even entertain such thoughts, the slave mark would cause her unbearable pain. It was most likely Kania…

But Ryuka wanted to tease her a little first, since she had been badly beaten by Hetia last night and almost lost her life.

"N-no! I wouldn't dare..." Hetia's eyes darted around, and she only glanced at Kania. Seeing that Kania was still in a daze, she breathed a sigh of relief.

Seeing her terrified appearance, completely different from yesterday, Liuxia didn't think the scroll was that powerful and wondered if Kania had said something to her.

"What were Kania's orders to move you?"

"She, Miss Kania, said that if I disobey, you will... punish me severely..."

"Punishment? How will you be punished?"

Hetia blushed deeply, clenched her teeth, but couldn't utter a word.

What other punishment is there?! These despicable beasts! Do I really have to say it?! Two lunatics! What kind of person could stay up like this all night?! Their brains must be about to explode!!!

But after one night, Hetia realized that she couldn't resist Ryūka in the moment, and her 'self-deception' last night made her realize that the constraints of the 'slave mark' weren't that strong. Perhaps it was because the scroll's grade wasn't high enough, or perhaps it was because her will was firm.

In short, we can't give up completely yet. These two want to control Linhu Town and gradually climb into the ranks of the nobility. So I'll play along, find an opportunity to make His Highness understand this, and then rescue myself.

With Her Highness's wisdom, it wouldn't be difficult for her to deduce the truth from the slightest clues.

She hasn't lost yet! There's still a chance to turn things around! Even if she becomes his plaything temporarily, or even loses her virginity, she will take revenge one day!

"Hiss—" The thought had barely crossed her mind when Hetia's soul began to tremble as if it were being pricked by a thousand needles.