Manaka was confessing her love.
After it became clear she had genuinely fallen for Naoki from the start, she made such a decision—truly in her style. Manaka was indeed someone who would openly declare her love.
"Before that, answer one question."
Without holding Manaka's hand, Naoki asked, "Those monsters are manifestations of fragments of your power, and every time I defeat one, your power weakens, right?"
"Yes, that's correct."
"You were sealed by my Mystic Eyes for ten years not because I didn't want to completely destroy you, but because your power was so immense that even my Mystic Eyes couldn't fully break you down in ten years."
"That's true."
"So, when I defeat all the monsters, what will happen to you, the one inside my Mystic Eyes?"
Naoki didn't mind accepting Manaka's confession. After all, he was already considered a scumbag, so dating three or four women made no difference. Besides, Manaka had lived with him for ten years, so he was used to her presence.
After a brief pause, Manaka smiled. "I might disappear. Having lost all my power, I'd just be an ordinary soul entity, with no strength to resist the Mystic Eyes. In four or five seconds, I'd likely be completely broken down by the Mystic Eyes and become your Mana."
"I see. That's a relief."
Those expected words made Naoki sigh in relief.
Not because he was relieved that Manaka would definitely disappear, but because her answer confirmed she wouldn't.
Four or five seconds—that was the time it would take for the Mystic Eyes to break her down, and also the window she could use to escape. She was already prepared to flee from the Mystic Eyes' seal in those four or five seconds.
(It must be Rei… Rei brought me here. They've probably been conspiring from the start.)
Doing such things behind her master's back—by her own logic, that girl deserved some punishment.
Holding Manaka's hand on his chest, Naoki sighed slightly. "If you don't mind that I'm a playboy who's already dating three women, I'd be happy to reciprocate your feelings, Manaka."
(Just three, huh?)
Manaka couldn't help but smile.
On the surface, it was indeed just three, but from her understanding of this man, he couldn't go somewhere without interacting with certain local women. Over these ten years, he'd visited plenty of places.
The total number of women Naoki had dated might already be in the dozens.
If possible, Manaka desperately wanted his eyes only on her, but that was impossible now. Though she was the first, she was factually the fourth.
(Whatever, I'll slowly make him unable to live without me. Besides, the only troublesome one is that incubus; the others aren't worth worrying about. As for my other self, that's not an issue.)
Whether a Magus or a Clock Tower Lord—two beings ordinary people couldn't possibly oppose—for Manaka, they were just mildly troublesome. Merry was the most troublesome.
But right now, there was no need to think about those things. If asked why…
(This world is my domain now.)
Imagine: if you're home alone, with no one to interrupt your gaming, what would you do?
Of course, follow your desires and play to your heart's content!
Manaka's situation was similar.
"Alright, let's head back, Naoki."
Switching to her childhood friend appearance, Manaka wrapped her arms around Naoki's, leaning against him with a smile.
Meanwhile, Artoria, who had been forcibly pushed aside by Manaka, watched the scene and recalled something she'd heard long ago, back in Camelot.
(It seems Merlin and Sir Kay would get along well with Master…)
◆━⊰✧⊱━◆
The real world, watching the TV screen.
Merry and Rei, observing the scene, both gave faint smiles.
"Looks like your plan worked out perfectly." Merry said to Rei. "This is good too. Manaka-chan, after all, is an unpredictable time bomb. If she can be neutralized like this, it's a good thing for everyone."
"But… that makes it the fourth. Our king is truly guilty of great sins. Ever since he was persuaded to date Aoko, his harem has been expanding bit by bit. Should we start considering buying a large villa?"
Given the current number and potential for more in the future, a sufficiently large villa was clearly necessary. Sleeping in a different room each night, waking up in a different bed each morning—Merry could imagine the kind of life Naoki would lead.
Though, based on his combat strength, one or two people shouldn't be able to overpower him. It'd take at least three or four.
(The current number is just right… but the potential isn't small. Should we do something to get a few more to join?)
Thinking this, Merry glanced at Rei beside her.
Noticing her gaze, Rei couldn't help but shift slightly. "It seems you're plotting something bad again, Merry."
"Haha, caught me, huh?"
"Too obvious, and what you're thinking is easy to guess."
Watching her master on TV embracing her other self, Rei touched her [energy reactor]. "The current master isn't dating four women, but five."
"Counting yourself already?"
"Because my other self and I are one entity. Besides, if he wants to survive later, my presence is absolutely necessary. So, from the start, I've belonged to Master." Rei laughed. "In the end, as his puppet, where else could I go but with him?"
From the moment of her creation, Rei was destined to never escape Naoki's grasp.
She had no objections to this outcome.