The Devil Mask

A while later.

Akemi Miyano cleaned the floor before cautiously leaving.

Downstairs.

"Oh my, you were up there for quite a while."

Having heard the noises upstairs, Vermouth rested her chin on her hand and smiled like a fox.

Akemi Miyano shuddered slightly.

She had been so absorbed that she had forgotten this woman was here.

Oh no.

Had she figured everything out?

This was so embarrassing.

Akemi Miyano was inwardly frantic, but forced herself to look calm.

Whatever happened, she could not lose her composure.

But...

She felt chilly down below.

I really want a bath.

This is all Shiho's fault.

Vermouth blinked and teased, "Was it that exciting?"

"I wouldn't know."

Akemi Miyano rolled her eyes.

Vermouth sniffed, then said with a complicated expression, "It certainly seems to have been."

Akemi Miyano was utterly mortified.

She can even smell it?

Are you part dog?

Vermouth looked at Akemi Miyano with envy.

"You really are lucky, meeting Mr. Lind like that."

Though they had only had a short time together...

Through some subtle probing...

She had already figured out quite a lot.

Both sisters had become Demons.

This...

It was practically an instant leap to the top.

Without meaning to, she recalled the power Shiho Miyano had displayed.

Thump! Thump, thump!

Vermouth's heart began to race.

She looked at Akemi Miyano with an unreadable expression.

If they could do it...

Why couldn't I?

She just did not know whether she could earn Mr. Lind's approval.

Early the next morning!

Lind came down from the second floor, holding Shiho Miyano's hand.

Shiho's skill at tending his blade kept improving, leaving him utterly entranced.

In the living room on the first floor.

The moment Akemi Miyano saw Lind and Shiho Miyano, her face turned red.

Those noises had gone on all night.

Was that even humanly possible?

Wait.

They were both Demons.

Then that made sense.

Meanwhile.

At the sight, Vermouth's eyes flickered slightly.

Then, without hesitation, she walked straight up to Lind and knelt before him.

"Lord Lind, I wish to pledge my loyalty to you."

Lind's expression shifted, and he looked at Vermouth with a faint, ambiguous smile.

Vermouth immediately stiffened, hardly daring to breathe.

As time passed...

She grew increasingly apprehensive.

A fine layer of sweat formed on Vermouth's forehead.

Lind said nothing.

The silence made the room feel increasingly oppressive.

An inexplicable pressure was already leaving Vermouth short of breath.

Had I failed?

Would I end up being killed?

Shiho Miyano and Akemi Miyano watched quietly as well.

Neither of them had a particularly good impression of Vermouth.

Though there was no personal grudge between them...

They knew perfectly well that she was a Witch through and through.

Still...

Whether to accept a Familiar was their master's decision.

As Lind's Familiars, all they needed to do was obey. It was not their place to interject.

An unknown amount of time passed.

Looking at the flickering Devil Contract, Lind asked mildly, "Are you still a virgin?"

"Absolutely. No one has ever even touched my fingers."

"Very well. I accept."

At Lind's words, Vermouth's eyes widened, and her tense body immediately relaxed.

Only then...

Did she realize that, without her noticing, her entire body had become drenched in sweat.

Vermouth's face showed the relief of someone who had narrowly escaped death.

Just a moment ago...

She had truly been in despair.

She had thought the countdown to her death had begun.

Fortunately, she had always kept herself chaste.

She steadied her emotions and gave Lind an ingratiating smile.

Lind stroked his chin, looking thoughtful.

Come to think of it...

Of all the people I've met who qualify to become Familiars...

Setting their aptitude aside...

Every single one...

Has been a virgin.

Could that also be one of the Devil Contract's criteria for determining eligibility?

Then...

He looked at Vermouth, a smile curling his lips.

In truth, he had already set his sights on her.

He had originally intended to temper her disposition a little.

He had not expected her to be so cooperative. That saved him the trouble.

Looking down at her, Lind said calmly, "Take off your outer clothes."

At his words, Vermouth began moving without the slightest hesitation.

She had never seen the Reincarnation Ritual, nor did she know what Lind intended.

But now...

Even a second's hesitation would be disrespectful to a Demon.

Since Lord Lind had told her to undress, she naturally could not hesitate.

She even slipped in a little ploy of her own.

At the sight, both Shiho Miyano's and Akemi Miyano's eyelids twitched.

Akemi Miyano could not help saying, "Master only said your outer clothes."

"Hmm?"

Vermouth blinked and feigned confusion. "Did he?"

"Did I mishear him?"

She looked pitifully up at Lind.

"There's no problem. It won't affect anything."

Lind nodded as he watched.

Hearing that, Vermouth moved even faster.

In the end, she had bared herself completely before Lind.

Her face, however, flushed with heat.

Though she was called a Witch...

She was still a woman.

For the first time in her life...

She was appearing like this before a man.

Even though she had mentally prepared herself, she still felt terribly embarrassed.

Chapter 15: The Devil Mask

As expected of the tireless star of countless doujinshi.