"[Heal]!"
Takumi clasped Lapiz's frail hand and murmured the incantation. A gentle green light enveloped her body, resetting her condition entirely.
Her blind eyes began to shimmer—and for the first time in years, light flooded her vision.
"Ah—ahhh!!!"
Tears spilled down her cheeks as sobs burst forth. She could see again.
Watching her cry from joy, Carol panicked, mistaking her tears for pain. "H-Hero! My daughter—she's not… she's not in danger, is she!?"
He instinctively reached out, but seeing Takumi standing calm and composed before him, he forced himself to stop, trembling as he waited for an answer.
Before Takumi could speak, Lapiz tore off the bandages covering her face. Her delicate features—soft and slightly baby-faced—shone with health, her once pallid skin now luminous and rosy. The stench that had clung to her body was gone, replaced by the faint, sweet fragrance of new life.
"Father, you misunderstood… I'm just—so happy."
"My throat doesn't hurt anymore, and… I can see again."
Tears streamed down her cheeks as she smiled radiantly. Carol collapsed beside her bed, crying openly.
"Lapiz, you're really healed… thank the heavens, you're healed!"
Relief and guilt mixed in his heart. From what Takumi had revealed, the "medicine" he'd received from the Demon Lord had actually been poison.
Meaning his daughter's suffering—the near death she endured—had all been orchestrated by the Demon Lord… with him as the unwitting accomplice.
"Demon Lord!!"
Carol's trembling turned to fury, his voice a low growl.
Lapiz, however, was focused on Takumi. Their eyes met, and a tingling warmth surged through her chest. Her hand pressed softly over her heart as admiration and affection filled her gaze.
"You truly are the Hero… even more valiant and handsome than I imagined.
I don't have the words to thank you…"
Wiping away her tears, Lapiz clasped Takumi's hands tightly. Her faint scent—soft and sweet—rose between them, making the air feel suddenly warmer.
Takumi smiled, sunlight bright across his face. "No need to say you have no way to repay me. I can think of quite a few ways."
"Hero…"
Her voice trembled; a blush spread across her face. A surge of warmth, of instinct, welled up in her—part gratitude, part something far more primal.
But Takumi only patted her hand gently. He didn't push further. Her father was still right there, after all. Even he had his limits.
Still, the meaning behind his words was clear enough. And yet, rather than anger, Carol's expression was filled with relief.
If his daughter fell for this man… the tribe's future would be secure. Such a union would be a blessing for the Star-Rabbit people.
"Lapiz, rest a few more days. Take a proper bath tonight." He turned to Takumi with gratitude. "Hero, please—join us for dinner."
Carol's eyes glimmered with understanding as he glanced at his daughter. Lapiz caught the look, blushing furiously but nodding in agreement. Her body still felt fragile—she needed to wash and compose herself before seeing the Hero again.
After they left the room, Carol hurried off to summon the other demon leaders of the city.
Meanwhile, Takumi followed a Star-Rabbit maid to the banquet hall.
"Takumi-sama~ looks like everything worked out," Flare said with a bright smile of relief.
Setsuna, chewing enthusiastically, looked up with her mouth full. "See? Setsuna told you Takumi-sama would be fine! Let's eat already!"
Kureha, seated beside him, asked quietly, "What's the situation now?"
"It's resolved," Takumi replied. "We can start preparing for the assault on the Demon Lord's castle. The only issue left is the Jioral Kingdom—I need more information there."
Ellen raised her hand thoughtfully. "If we're investigating the King of Jioral, it would be best to send Lady Kureha. She's the only one who can move freely without raising suspicion."
The logic was sound. Jioral and the Demon Lord's alliance was now undeniable, and if the King acted from the shadows, they needed someone inside the kingdom.
Kureha, officially listed as missing, could return unnoticed. Her title of "Sword Saint" would make her presence seem natural—and her eyes and blade could watch the king's every move.
Takumi nodded. "Good idea. I can't rely on [Thousand-Mile Ear] for everything."
Kureha's expression turned serious; she accepted the mission without hesitation.
As their discussion ended, the grand doors opened. A soft, graceful figure entered the hall—Lapiz, now fully restored and dressed for the occasion.
Her evening gown cinched perfectly around her waist, outlining every lovely curve. Her delicate body, though slender, was full in all the right places—on par with Flare herself.
Snow-white hair cascaded down her back, paired with twitching silver bunny ears that made her look both regal and irresistibly cute.
A princess bunny girl… The phrase popped into Takumi's mind before he could stop it.
Lapiz approached with poise, gently lifting her skirt to curtsey. "Good evening, everyone. I'm Lapiz—it's a pleasure to meet you all."
Her soft introduction was followed by a bashful glance toward Takumi. "Hero… Father asked that I accompany you for dinner. May I?"
A blush tinted her pale cheeks as her bunny ears twitched, betraying her excitement.
Too cute…! Takumi fought the urge to grin like an idiot and nodded calmly instead.
Lapiz smiled with delight, seating herself beside him. The subtle musk of her perfume filled the air, igniting a quiet flame within his chest.
She soon joined the others in light conversation—but Takumi's sharp perception noticed something. Her long skirt trembled slightly.
Activating his [Pierce Vision], he caught a glimpse beneath—and froze.
Wrapped in white silk garters, her flawless legs crossed and flexed gracefully. A small, fluffy bunny tail peeked just above the hemline, swaying faintly.
"Hsss—!!"
Takumi sucked in a sharp breath, his hands twitching involuntarily. Completely different from Setsuna's wild charm—these were pure, soft, and maddeningly neat.
Those thighs… that muscle tone… they're perfect. Probably flexible enough for full splits too.
Almost as if she could feel his gaze, Lapiz's legs tensed under the table. She turned to him, face glowing red.
"Hero… you haven't seen the full view of this palace yet, have you? Would you… like me to show you around?"
Her voice was a whisper, her bunny ears flushing to a soft cherry-pink.
...
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