Under the guise of protection, Hoshino had made Ceobe her own prey.
Of course, no one knew that.
She struck the pose of a noble guardian, a blade in her right hand while her left remained resting atop Little Ceobe's doggy head. The potion would last around six hours—more than enough time for Hoshino to leisurely unlock Rozaliya.
This unlocking session went very smoothly.
After driving out that sinful vampire lady, they began discussing the real punishment while Little Ceobe drooled over the chunk of meat above her head.
What had happened earlier could only count as an emotional release. The real punishment should not be like that.
They had to make Little Ceobe remember something.
"I have a suggestion."
Hoshino said, "Make her grow back whatever she ate. Put Ceobe in a yoke and have her run through this abandoned vegetable garden to turn over the soil, then teach her to plant the seeds. She can have half of the final harvest."
Bagpipe nodded, then looked troubled.
"What if she steals and eats the seeds?"
"Put an Elizabethan collar on her," Hoshino said calmly. "Would she still be able to steal food with an Elizabethan collar on?"
"..."
"You're something else."
Bagpipe had never expected such an answer. She scratched her head, smiling as she patted Hoshino's shoulder. She had heard that people close to each other always gave one another nicknames, like Bagpipe and Ch'en-Ch'en. She began wondering what sort of nickname she should give the shrine maiden.
Little Eight?
She had completely forgotten that her real purpose had been to avenge Ch'en.
The consequence of going out to ask for land was having her home raided. Bagpipe had been traumatized by it and no longer dared bring up leasing the shrine's land. She scarcely even dared leave