Subaru Natsuki, who returned from the new Three Kingdoms

She can command magical beasts, but she herself has little combat ability.

Even when she brought all the magical beasts she could summon, she could not defeat Elsa head-on.

But that sadistic man was able to easily subdue Elsa even after her heart was pierced.

The difference in strength is like an insurmountable chasm...

Mary's legs began to go weak.

She wanted to step towards the door, but her body wouldn't move.

She even felt that if she returned to that man, he could easily knock her down like Elsa with a wave of his hand.

What's the word for that human again?

Lolita? ...

Yes, I'm a lolicon!

If that man is a lolicon, then she herself will also...

Merry recalled how Natsuki Subaru's eyes lit up when he saw her that morning, calling her a "master".

Even when he was on the verge of death, he still wanted to pursue her.

This is definitely a lolicon.

If she rushes there now, wouldn't she be walking into the lion's den?

But the thought of Elsa's ordeal filled her with immense pain...

"Elsa... I'm useless, I'm so sorry..."

"But that's what you taught me..."

Mary tried to comfort herself with those words again, but tears streamed uncontrollably down her mud-covered face.

She ultimately failed to reach the door and could only kneel down again, continuing to struggle in despair.

She didn't even notice.

In the black mirror at the far end of the room, a golden figure, about the same size as hers, was reflected at some point.

"Merry, why are you the only one who escaped back?"

"Did the mission fail?"

The voice came from behind.

Meryl suddenly looked up and finally saw Capela's appearance in the mirror.

Capela's purplish-red eyes lowered slightly, seemingly radiating a sinister light, as he coldly looked down at her from not far behind.

Based on past experience, Mary should immediately tremble upon hearing this, kneel on the ground to apologize for the mission failure, and then desperately try to guess how to lessen the punishment.

But this time was different. The moment Meryl saw Capela clearly, a light suddenly lit up in her unfocused eyes.

As if she had seen the only person who could save Elsa, she turned around abruptly and stumbled to Capella's feet.

If it were this woman... if it were her, she would definitely be able to defeat that man who only thinks about procreation and doesn't even spare young girls!

A disheveled Mary grabbed Capela's skirt.

She was still afraid.

I'm afraid of those purplish-red eyes.

She was even more afraid that Capella might become displeased and turn her back into a frog that retained human consciousness but couldn't even speak.

But she was even more afraid that Elsa would actually suffer such an ordeal...

It wasn't until the moment of true loss that Mary finally realized how much Elsa had held in her heart after all these years of companionship.

"Mom, please... save, save Elsa..."

The moment Capella's gaze fell upon her, Mary's hand slipped from her skirt as if burned. She collapsed to the ground, her body trembling so badly she could barely kneel.

"Merry, you're being naughty."

"You failed your mission, escaped all by yourself, and now you dare to make demands of me?"

Capela looked down at her, his voice tinged with coldness.

"It seems that your time as a frog last time didn't teach you how to be an obedient child."

"What do you want to become this time? A toad? Or a tadpole?"

Mary's breathing suddenly stopped, and her face turned pale in an instant.

"I'm sorry, Mom..."

She instinctively wanted to shut up, but the image of Elsa being dragged onto the bed by that sadistic man flashed through her mind again.

"But... Elsa..."

Mary pressed her forehead heavily to the ground, her voice trembling so much that she could barely form a complete sentence.

"She's still in that man's hands. Even with her magical beasts, Melie couldn't defeat Elsa, but that man knocked her unconscious in an instant..."

“Even if Melly goes back, she can’t save her; they’ll just get caught together…”

"But Mom is so strong, she can definitely defeat that man. Only Mom can save Elsa now..."

"Please, Mom...please..."

Meryl seemed to have given up all hope, ignoring Capela's threats of punishment. She continued to plead with Capela to have a change of heart.

Seeing this, Capela's cold expression didn't disappear, but her gaze gradually changed.

No, something's wrong with Mary.

This is not the kind of behavior a child who has been disciplined by her would do.

Capela could tell that Meryl was still afraid of her.

The fear did not lessen in the slightest.

Yet this child managed to suppress his fear and dare to make another request to her.

In other words, for Merry, it's either facing that man named Subaru Natsuki alone or leaving Elsa in that man's hands.

Is it more terrifying than being 'punished' by yourself?

This is quite an interesting discovery for Capela, who is skilled at manipulating people's hearts.

The children's fear of her was ingrained in their bones little by little through years of punishment.

Natsuki Subaru had only met Merry once, yet he was able to leave an even deeper shadow in her heart.

What exactly did that man do?

How could you scare a child who grew up surrounded by Warcraft monsters like that?

No wonder Roswaal, that clown, was willing to pay such a high price to force Subaru Natsuki to reveal his hidden abilities.

It seems there is indeed some challenge involved.

Capela slowly leaned down, genuinely interested in the name for the first time.

"What exactly did that Natsuki Subaru do to you?"

Mary didn't dare refuse and recounted what had happened in the village in fits and starts.

First, Natsuki Subaru saw through her identity as a Beast Tamer in advance.

Then, even after being attacked by the blue-haired maid, she still shielded her from Elsa's sneak attack.

Even with a fatal wound, he still easily defeated Elsa head-on.

And the things Natsuki Subaru said when he was 'playing' with Elsa's unconscious face.

Capella didn't take Natsuki Subaru's last words to heart.

Instead, they marveled at Subaru Natsuki's strength.

It seems this idea is a bit tricky.

As one of her best children, Elsa's abilities were well known to Capella.

In a head-on confrontation, if Elsa wanted to run away, it would take her a lot of effort.

However, Subaru Natsuki was able to defeat Erza in a single move, even when she was severely injured and on the verge of death.

It seems this man is quite skilled in combat.

What's even more interesting is that his mental state was also shockingly deranged.

Mary had only been in contact with him once, yet fear had already overcome her dread of me.

Capela's smile deepened.

She raised her finger and gently pressed it against her lower lip. The contempt in her eyes had vanished, replaced by the excitement of discovering a new toy.

"Looks like this request is going to be quite interesting!"

She suddenly felt a sense of anticipation.

I'm looking forward to seeing with my own eyes how long that man named Natsuki Subaru can maintain his composure after losing something important.

After a moment's thought, Capela quickly grasped the key point in Meryl's story.

Subaru Natsuki doesn't care about death, but he's willing to risk his life to protect Rem, the blue-haired maid.

Since that's the case, let's start with Rem.

She wanted to see with her own eyes what expression that face, which hadn't changed even in the face of death, would show after she took Rem away!

"Elsa..."

Mary pleaded softly once more.

Capela gave the terrified Mary one last look before turning away without a second thought.

She was in a hurry this time, and not punishing Mary was already the greatest mercy she could show.

A child who fails in a mission is not worth her personal effort to save as a mother.

"Natsuki Subaru, Rem..."

She read the two names aloud, and Capella's body immediately shrank into a moth, flying out of the half-open door into the darkness.

The mirror at the far end of the room was empty again, leaving only Mary kneeling alone under the swaying lamplight.

……

Time returns to the present

Rem left the guest room with girlish thoughts in her mind and met Ram at the corner of the corridor.

Ram immediately noticed the blush on her sister's face.

That expression startled her slightly at first, then a sense of relief welled up inside her.

It seems Rem has someone she likes.

As the older sister, she certainly understood the difference between having one's heart filled with love and feeling empty inside when one is alone.

Moreover, Subaru Natsuki treats Rem extremely well, not only helping with housework but also being willing to protect her with his life.

Rem was luckier than herself for falling in love with him...

But the next moment, Rem spoke softly:

"Sister, Rem might be leaving the mansion with Subaru."

Ram's expression remained unchanged.

But inside, it felt like someone had hit me on the head with a hammer.

"……leave?"

"Ah."

Rem nodded, her blush deepening.

Subaru just asked Rem to become his servant.

What does this mean? A confession of love? Who confesses their love like that?