Seed of Corruption

Higashino Makoto left the Re-Estize Kingdom in the evening.

Sending Keno's parents to the Re-Estize Kingdom was more agonizing than he had anticipated.

The former king, the resolute ruler honed on the battlefield, stared at him for a long time with his seven-colored eyes. There was no hostility or wariness in his gaze, only a scrutiny that made him feel uneasy.

It's like a father-in-law looking at his son-in-law, as if trying to see through his very soul.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto."

The man spoke.

"Um."

"I'm leaving Keno in your care."

"I told you, this is a deal."

"I know, but I'm still asking you."

The former king bowed deeply, and his wife, standing beside him, also bent over.

Nastasha followed suit and bowed in unison.

Higashino Makoto's fingers tightened slightly as he turned around.

His voice was forced out through clenched teeth.

"Shinano, Rem, let's go."

"Yes, sir."

"Yes."

Higashino Makoto practically escaped from the palace.

Shinano walked behind him, her purple eyes watching his hurried figure, a half-smile playing on her lips.

"Sir, are you afraid?"

"It's not fear."

"Then why are you walking so fast?"

Higashino Makoto remained silent for a moment.

"... I'm not used to it."

Shinano's fox ears twitched slightly.

What are you having trouble adjusting to?

I don't like that kind of look. It's like I owe them something.

His voice was very soft.

"I don't owe them anything; it's a transaction. The money and goods are settled. In fact, if you really think about it, I'm the one who lost out."

Shinano chuckled softly.

"Sir, you don't need to calculate this so precisely."

Higashino Makoto did not respond.

Rem walked on the other side, her blue eyes looking at his profile.

His lips parted slightly, then closed, then parted again.

"Rem, what are you trying to say?"

Rem thinks that king is a good person.

"Then what?"

The way he looks at you isn't because you owe them anything. It's gratitude—the kind of gratitude that comes from entrusting the most important people in someone's life to you.

Higashino Makoto remained silent for a moment.

"... maybe... perhaps... but I still don't feel comfortable."

He began to seriously consider whether he should add being single or having a troubled family to his criteria for finding a woman in the future.

The three of them rode slowly through the streets of the Royal Capital.

The setting sun was painting the sky a golden-red hue.

In the distance, the palace towers shimmered with golden light in the setting sun.

Higashino Makoto leaned back in the soft chair and closed his eyes.

That image still lingers in my mind.

Seven-colored eyes, a deep gaze, and that "Please."

He cursed the whole family in his mind.

After hurling insults, he felt ridiculous. He'd kidnapped someone's daughter, and now he couldn't even let them look at her a second?

Although they all saved their own lives.

Oh well, we probably won't have many chances to meet again anyway.

The carriage stopped in front of a mansion.

Higashino Makoto jumped off the carriage, Shinano followed behind him, and Rem brought up the rear carrying a teapot.

The door was ajar, and warm yellow light shone through the crack.

Renner stood in the doorway.

Her long, golden hair cascaded over her shoulders, gleaming dimly in the twilight.

Her blue eyes were clear and bright, and a faint smile played on her lips.

She wore a light purple long dress that reached her ankles, with a silver ribbon tied around her waist.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, you've arrived."

Did you know I was coming?

"I guessed."

She turned to the side and gestured "please".

"Please come in."

Higashino Makoto stepped into the mansion, Shinano and Rem remained outside.

Renner was the only one in the hall.

Tea sets were laid out on the long table, and the black tea was still steaming.

Higashino Makoto sat down opposite her.

Are you alone?

"Hmm. My brother thought I was still at the manor and didn't know I was out. Blue Rose has a mission today and isn't in the Royal Capital."

"That's perfect, I have something I'd like to give you."

He took a jet-black seed from his backpack and placed it on the table.

The seeds were only the size of a thumb, with a dark purple sheen flowing across their surface, as if they were alive.

Seed of Corruption.

A race transformation item. It can transform humans into demons.

Renner stared at the seed, her blue eyes devoid of any emotion.

"What's this?"

"The Seed of Corruption. It can turn you into a demon. From then on, you will never die, never age, and will hardly ever get sick."

"What's the price?"

"You're already mine, no extra price needed. If you really want to say something, stay away from other men from now on."

Renner lowered her head.

She reached out and picked up the seed. A dark purple light swirled in her palm.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, do you know? I've been waiting for this day for a long time."

"Wait for what?"

"Wait until you're willing to accept me."

She raised her head.

Higashino Makoto looked into her eyes. There was no hesitation in those blue eyes.

Are you ready?

"Ready."

"Close your eyes."

She closed her eyes. Higashino Makoto stood up and placed the seed on her forehead.

A dark purple light emanated from the seed and enveloped her body.

The light seeped into her skin, into her muscles, into her bones, into her soul.

Something is growing--

Wings spread from her shoulder blades.

The demon's wings, jet black with dark purple patterns and metallic edges.

Renner opened her eyes.

The blue eyes became somewhat cloudy.

She looked down at her hands; her skin was still so fair, and her fingers were still so long and slender.

But the nails grew longer and darker, shimmering with a strange luster.

"It feels... strange."

You'll get used to it.

Indeed, a witch who Evileye should be a little devil!

Higashino Makoto took a silver-white badge out of his backpack and handed it to her.

The badge features a black cross engraved with burning flames, with a pair of pure white wings extending from behind the cross to encircle the main body.

The Black Cross guild emblem.

"This is a tool for contacting the guild. Use it to contact me if you encounter any problems. Of course, you can also contact Kurumi if I'm not available."

Renner took the badge, held it in her palm, and looked at him with her dark gold eyes.

"Mr. Higashino Makoto, no... Master Higashino."

"Um."

"Thanks."

"You're welcome. This is what you deserve. You paid the price; I did the job, and we're settled."

She chuckled softly, looking exactly the same as before—an ordinary, beautiful princess with a hint of slyness in her smile.

If you ignore the wings behind her.

Hmm... wings, that problem needs to be solved too.

Higashino Makoto then took out another necklace and handed it to the other person.

"Oh, right, this is a tool to hide wings, you can take it too."

Renner didn't reach out; instead, she raised her head, revealing her fair neck and collarbone.

"Could you help me put it on? After all, from today onwards, I belong to you."

"OK."

Higashino Makoto didn't say much, walked up to Renner, and put the necklace on her.

Of course, I couldn't help but feel happy when my fingers touched her skin.

This woman belongs to me from this day forward.