As soon as Hachiman heard Naruse Mio's quiet plea, he immediately realized she had misunderstood. He pulled his finger out of Naruse Maria's mouth, raised his hand to gently stroke Naruse Maria's silver twin-tails, and explained to Naruse Mio.
"Mio, Maria is just feeling a bit unwell, so she leaned against me. It's not like I threatened her to do anything."
"When we go back later, you can leave on your own as well. We won't place any restrictions on your freedom."
He had been wondering why Naruse Mio suddenly started throwing herself at him just like Naruse Maria. Turns out she thought he was blackmailing Naruse Maria.
That said, while he wouldn't refuse a silver-haired, purple-eyed, twin-tailed succubus who came to him of her own accord, he also wouldn't proactively threaten anyone.
It was just that he had experienced plenty of beautiful girls throwing themselves at him before, so he wasn't surprised at all by Naruse Maria's clinginess as a succubus. That was probably what caused Naruse Mio to misunderstand.
"R-really?"
Naruse Mio froze mid-motion as she pressed Hachiman's arm tightly against her soft chest, then looked hesitantly toward Naruse Maria.
Unwell? Maria didn't look unwell at all, did she?
"Of course, Lady Mio doesn't need to worry. My internal magic power was just a bit disordered earlier. Lord Hikigaya already helped me smooth it out."
Naruse Maria lightly smoothed the slightly disheveled hem of her black shawl-style dress, nodded to the doubtful Naruse Mio, and gave a brief explanation. Then she couldn't help sticking out her pink little tongue, obediently lowering her head to lick Hachiman's long, fair, still-damp fingers. Her doll-like, delicate, cute face looked incomparably compliant and submissive.
Actually, she herself found it strange too. Why would she suddenly do something this outrageous to Lord Hikigaya, whom she had just met?
Was it because he was powerful? Or handsome? Or because his life essence was pure, powerful, and irresistibly tempting?
None of those seemed able to explain her reaction just now. Love at first sight wasn't like this either.
That situation just now felt a bit like an ordinary human being mentally charmed by a succubus, their body acting beyond their control.
But she was a nightmare among succubi, an especially, especially skilled expert at hypnosis. Even if Lord Hikigaya was very strong, it shouldn't be possible for her to have no awareness at all.
Still, even though she wasn't very clear on why she had become like this, she knew that doing this brought no harm to her.
As she drew closer to Lord Hikigaya and spent more and more time in contact with him, her strength seemed to be steadily increasing.
The increase was very, very small, but as the time she spent clinging to Lord Hikigaya grew longer, the amplification gradually became larger. That instant when she accidentally got his finger earlier even brought a clearly noticeable boost she couldn't ignore. She could feel it with absolute clarity.
Her innate trait was power. She could sense nearby erotic events and absorb desire and excitement to turn them into strength. But that kind of power was temporary, unlike the enhancement Lord Hikigaya gave her, which was fundamental and rooted in her essence.
And Lord Hikigaya didn't have any desire energy leaking from him. Logically, she shouldn't have been able to absorb any desire energy to increase her strength. Yet somehow, the more she licked, the stronger she became.
No wonder she had felt like kneeling the moment she was summoned over and saw Lord Hikigaya. Lord Hikigaya was practically the master of succubi. As long as he showed them a little care, granted them just a tiny bit of favor, the strength of succubi would skyrocket.
She wondered if Mother knew what was going on. But Mother had never mentioned it before, so she probably didn't know either.
Ignoring Naruse Mio on the other side, who was staring straight at her with shock, embarrassment, and disbelief all mixed together, Naruse Maria focused wholeheartedly on licking Hachiman.
Seeing that Lord Hikigaya didn't intend to keep them, and to avoid the Demon Clan Privy Council sending pursuers again, she and Lady Mio would have to keep running later. She had to seize the time to lick a few more times and strengthen herself a bit more.
Hachiman had no idea that Naruse Maria had interpreted the effect of his Service Aura as "the more you lick, the stronger you get."
However, in a certain sense, her understanding wasn't wrong.
The Service Aura increased the strength of both him and those who served him. The higher the level of service, the higher the bonus. And the service level was positively correlated with the number of servants and the degree of devotion.
By now, his number of servants was already quite large, and the service bonus was considerable. So for people who joined later, even a slight increase in devotion would result in a significant boost in strength.
And a succubus-attracting physique just happened to cause female succubus-type beings to feel a physiologically uncontrollable attraction toward him.
In this situation, succubi really did become stronger the more they licked, and liked him more the more they licked.
If a succubus wanted not to fall for him, the only way was to have absolutely no contact with him at all, not even look at him once.
Right now, he was essentially like Lala's mother, the last pureblood descendant of the most beautiful race in the universe, the Chame people, Sefi Mikaela. The difference was that Sefi possessed the ability to make any man who saw her face lose his reason, while his effect was limited to female succubi.
"Mr. Hikigaya, things are settled. We should go back now."
On the other side, Suzune Rione finished erasing and modifying the memories, then turned to look at Hachiman, who was being clung to by two demon clan girls. Her mood was a bit complicated, and she couldn't help glancing at Hiiragi Utena, who was standing nearby pretending not to see anything and making herself invisible.
Seeing that Suzune Rione seemed dissatisfied with her doing nothing, Hiiragi Utena moved her lips slightly but didn't say anything.
She didn't want to just be a background character watching from the side either.
But what could she do? She was just Komachi's classmate. She wasn't Hachiman's sister, nor was she Hachiman's girlfriend.
What right did she have to actively butt in on whatever Hachiman was doing?
"Yeah, it's already quite late. We really should head back."
Seeing that Suzune Rione's matter was resolved, Hachiman smiled and nodded. He withdrew his hands from Naruse Mio's embrace and Naruse Maria's mouth respectively, and left the hospital room with Suzune Rione and Hiiragi Utena.
Originally, they were supposed to have dinner tonight with Komachi's classmates, and let Tohsaka Touka express her gratitude to him along the way. Who would have thought he'd end up messing around for so long with the transforming magical girl and the evil organization's female executive, Hanabishi Haruka and Hiiragi Utena. They hadn't even eaten dinner yet.
"Goodbye, Lord Hikigaya."
Seeing that Hachiman and Suzune Rione weren't planning to wipe them out, and were even leaving directly, Naruse Mio felt indescribably happy, though she still tried her best to suppress the upward curve of her lips.
However, when Naruse Maria saw that Hachiman was really about to leave and wouldn't let her keep licking, she felt a bit anxious instead.
She glanced at Naruse Mio beside her, who didn't understand the importance of grabbing onto a thigh, and without bothering to discuss it with her first, bent her fair, rounded legs. Her black knee-high socks pressed against the floor as she slid forward on her knees, stopping right in front of Hachiman, who was about to walk out of the hospital room. She grabbed his hand with both of hers, the one that made her legs go weak, her smooth, glossy silver twin-tails hanging down as her little head bowed to the ground, and she pleaded in a low voice.
"Lord Hikigaya, please forgive Maria's rudeness. Would you be willing to protect Maria and Lady Mio?"
"Lady Mio has inherited the Demon King's magic. As long as she's given time, she will inevitably become the Demon King in the future."
"If Lord Hikigaya is willing to grant us protection, Lady Mio will surely give you sufficient recompense in the future."
"Maria?"
Naruse Mio never expected Naruse Maria to suddenly kneel down and beg Hachiman to protect them. She stood there blankly, unable to react.
However, Suzune Rione, who had always been at odds with the demon clan and had only refrained from acting against them because Hachiman stopped her, looked at Naruse Maria with an expressionless face and immediately rebutted without hesitation.
"Protect you? A future Demon King?"
"You're being hunted by people sent by the current Demon King. What kind of reward could possibly make Mr. Hikigaya face the danger of the current Demon King just to help you?"
"Mr. Hikigaya already saved your lives. If he hadn't stopped me, you'd be dead already. And you think you can use such unrealistic talk to trick Mr. Hikigaya into protecting you?"
Suzune Rione showed not the slightest consideration for the fact that Naruse Mio and Naruse Maria had just helped them greatly.
Although demon clan members who came to the human world would have their strength suppressed, and the human world wasn't filled everywhere with magic like the demon realm, even though they could convert various human negative emotions and energies into magic power, demon clan members who came to the human world still couldn't fully exert their strength.
But even with all those restrictions, demon clan members didn't pose that much danger to Mr. Hikigaya. There was no need for Mr. Hikigaya to draw the current Demon King's fire just for these two demon clan girls.
"I never said he absolutely had to protect us! Maria, let's go! We don't need to beg them!"
Hearing Suzune Rione's merciless mockery before she could stop it, Naruse Mio felt a bit humiliated. She glared angrily at Suzune Rione and immediately reached out to pull Naruse Maria up.
"Lady Mio… Lord Hikigaya, Maria was rude. Please don't be angry. Maria and Lady Mio will leave right away," Naruse Maria looked up at Naruse Mio, whose emotions were written all over her face, feeling extremely distressed. She then lowered her head and apologized and took her leave from Hachiman.
She knew her request was a bit excessive. She hadn't even become the Demon King yet and was already writing a blank check, asking Lord Hikigaya to help them face the Demon King's forces. But they were being hunted, had nothing valuable or useful on them, and really couldn't offer any kind of reward.
If it were just her alone, she could swear loyalty to Lord Hikigaya and beg for his protection. But Lady Mio was a woman destined to become the Demon King in the future. She couldn't make that decision for her without permission.
"Wait. When did I say I was refusing? What are you all arguing about here?"
Hachiman reached out and pressed down on Naruse Maria's little head, looking at the group who were all talking to themselves with a helpless expression.
"Huh? Lord Hikigaya, does that mean you're agreeing to protect us?"
Naruse Maria stared straight at Hachiman, wondering if she'd misheard.
She honestly hadn't held much hope. Who would face the retaliation of the current Demon King just to get a future Demon King's promise? The risk and reward were completely unbalanced.
But she had no choice. The assassinations were becoming more and more frequent, Lady Mio didn't have time to master her power yet, and she alone was finding it hard to protect Lady Mio. That was why she thought of finding someone to cling to.
Obviously, the thigh in front of her, who could make her stronger just by licking, was extremely nice to cling to. Not to mention there was also a powerful goddess angel standing nearby.
"You didn't hear wrong. I'm willing to protect you."
Hachiman nodded and smiled at the stunned Naruse Mio and Naruse Maria.
"But seeking protection was your own decision, right, Maria? I think you should discuss it with Mio first before deciding."
"Of course, you don't have anywhere to go right now. Tonight, Maria, you and Mio can come back with us to rest first. You can tell us the result of your discussion tomorrow."
"W-wait! Then what's the price for protecting us? Aren't you going to ask what kind of reward we can give first?"
Seeing Hachiman agree without hesitation to Naruse Maria's request for protection, and even planning to take them back right away, Naruse Mio couldn't help asking.
Maria had only said there would be compensation after she became the Demon King, but they hadn't even discussed what that compensation would be. How could this boy just agree like that?
"Reward? I never consider rewards when I do things. If I want to do it, I do it. If I don't want to, I don't."
"Even if you become the Demon King and immediately turn your back on me, I wouldn't say anything."
Hachiman shook his head and smiled at the utterly incredulous Naruse Mio.
"What I want to help is just a helpless girl who suffered a sudden upheaval, lost both her parents, suddenly had a heavy fate thrust upon her, and is now homeless."
"As long as you need my help, I'll do everything I can and reach out a hand to you."
"Of course, I won't force you to accept my help. Even if you don't want my protection, you and Maria can still rest at my place tonight and leave tomorrow."
"..."
Naruse Mio stared blankly at the faint smile on Hachiman's face, completely unable to understand his behavior of asking for nothing in return.
Ever since she learned her true identity as the Demon King's daughter, and her adoptive parents were killed by the pursuing forces, she had been on the run.
Even those moderate demon clan members who helped her escape and sent people to protect her all had their own interests. They wanted her to become the Demon King, take revenge on the radicals, and reclaim the moderates' territory. No one had ever cared about her situation or worried about her safety.
Yet this boy she had just met, without needing her to repay him after becoming the Demon King, still chose to face the Demon King to help her. She couldn't understand it… not at all.
Seeing Naruse Mio lower her head and silently sob, Naruse Maria hesitated for a moment, then reached out her small hand and gently patted her back.
"Mr. Hikigaya…"
After hearing Hachiman's words, Suzune Rione stared at Naruse Mio and Naruse Maria, and the coldness on her pretty face slowly softened.
Fearless of danger, seeking no reward. As expected of Mr. Hikigaya, who could found a club like the Service Club. Even she, a goddess angel, felt inferior to such a broad-minded heart.
Perhaps, in this ugly world filled everywhere with negative desires, Mr. Hikigaya was the collaborator she truly needed.
Hiiragi Utena, wearing a black-and-white maid outfit and standing to the side with almost no presence, clasped her hands together, eyes sparkling with stars as she looked at Hachiman in pure admiration. The more she looked, the more she liked him.
Was this how Shion originally became Hachiman's little sister? No wonder Shion liked Hachiman so much. Usually so cool and reserved, Shion's lips would never stop curling upward whenever Hachiman was mentioned.
If she were the one facing such circumstances, she definitely wouldn't be able not to like the Hachiman who saved her either.
Even girls who had fallen into darkness should be saved with all one's strength. Hachiman was simply a partner of justice.
———
[Service Club, Central Living Room]
"As long as you seek my help, I'll do everything I can and reach out a hand to you."
"That line is so cool! This future Demon King is definitely moved!"
"Yeah… even though Naruse Mio is said to be a future Demon King, right now she's just a homeless girl on the run."
"Shion, Shion, did you also fall for Little Hikigaya like this?"
"Ugh!"
Seeing Hachiman reach out to Naruse Mio on the large screen on the wall, the various little groups sprawled on the sofa, avidly following the show, couldn't help shouting out and excitedly discussing it.
Minami and the others, who knew just how close Shion and Hachiman really were, directly started teasing Shion.
Hearing this, Shion's cool, fair face instantly turned delicate and alluring. Her jet-black, beautiful long hair fell down to cover her pink, flushed cheeks as she gave no response to their teasing.
After so many honest heart-to-heart talks with Hachiman, the knot in her heart had long since been undone, and she no longer obsessed over the past family upheaval.
It was just that these older sisters all got along so well with Hachiman, yet now they were all teasing only her. It was really too much for her to handle.
Komachi watched the gyaru girls teasing Shion while watching the show, then looked at Naruse Mio and Naruse Maria on the big screen, helpless and pitiful as they had no choice but to seek Hachiman's help. She rolled her eyes speechlessly.
'Hachiman, that guy… he's not going to go and acknowledge another little sister again, is he?'
Shion was already smart and capable enough. If he kept randomly taking in little sisters and giving her more trouble, she would really get angry and bite people.
As Hachiman's childhood friend, Kaede wasn't angry like Komachi when she saw Hachiman flirting with girls.
She watched Naruse Mio, Naruse Maria, Suzune Rione, and Hiiragi Utena on the screen while whispering with her sister Suzu, RurikAa Tsubaki, Usui Makoto, and the maid Shion, discussing how to snatch these newcomers over.
The reason they had always been unable to beat Iris and the other elves wasn't because they weren't united, nor was it a matter of numbers. Ultimately, it came down to their physiques.
They all liked Hachiman. They were all extremely sensitive when facing Hachiman. But the recovery abilities of elves, mermaids, and succubi were simply stronger than theirs.
═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═❀═
[email protected]/AmbitiousTranslator
🥳Joining P@treon keeps me motivated and eager to work diligently, so please consider joining.🥰 You can access upto 20 advance chapter through P@treon.