"Yo~ I reckon you've thought it over, Miss Kanzaki Kaori. Not that I'm giving you more time—I don't need your help!"
"I'll do it. If it saves her, I'll do anything!"
Kanzaki's gaze was unwavering, resolute. The Fallen Angel Maid Outfit was odd, but her determination shone through.
"Congrats, Kanzaki-san. You've just walked a lamb into the tiger's den."
Samuel wasn't surprised. It was inevitable.
After he left, Kanzaki had a heart-to-heart with Index.
She laid bare the reasons, the actions taken against Index, only to receive…
A gentle smile, like the Virgin Mary's forgiveness, and a single phrase: "It's okay… No, thank you, Miss Kanzaki, for everything you've done for me!"
Just like before, when she erased Index's memories, that same understanding smile.
In that moment, Kanzaki's guilt became a shackle, a chain strong enough to bind a Son of God.
"I must save her, no matter the cost—even if it means selling my soul to a devil!"
That thought consumed her mind.
Of course, Samuel wasn't a devil, nor did he want her soul. He was after… her body.
"Come on, give me a shoulder massage!"
Samuel pulled over a chair, casually ordering around the world's most "prestigious" maid.
"…"
Kanzaki felt no resentment toward his command—not because she couldn't, but because she didn't.
Samuel had revealed Index's situation, and for that, she was grateful. Regardless of his motives, without his revelation, she'd still be hurting her friend.
Her gratitude matched her guilt.
Her delicate hands pressed onto Samuel's shoulders, kneading gently.
To a normal person, it'd be bone-crushing.
Though grateful, it was her first time, and the outfit still embarrassed her, making her unaware of her strength.
"Heh~ Another one? What a lavish life, you jerk… It's been ages since you gave Item a mission. What, don't need us anymore? Planning to cook the hounds?"
Mugino Shizuri strode in, glancing at Kanzaki without noticing anything special. She propped one foot on the chair's base, grabbed Samuel's collar, and snapped.
"Cook the hounds? I'm not that extravagant. How could I bear to cook you guys? Missions? Not that many to go around. Besides, aren't the perks I give you sweet? Three meals, a collar, and pocket money! Oh… and don't you owe me again?"
Samuel grabbed Mugino's ankle, using spatial manipulation to shift her onto his lap.
As his hand pulsed with magical energy, strokes appeared on the inside of her thigh.
A simple tally mark, five strokes per character.
One character, one "debt." Twenty-three strokes total.
Samuel inhaled Mugino's faint fragrance, whispering softly in her ear.
"Ngh~"
"Ahem… So, to save Index, what do I need to do?"
Kanzaki awkwardly cleared her throat, reminding Samuel and asking.
"Oh~ Just serve tea, pour water, be a maid. The plan's already in motion, no worries!"
"Huh?"
"Relax! I want to save Index—or rather, the 103,000 grimoires in her head—more than you do!"
"The 103,000 grimoires don't vanish with memory erasure… I want an Index who doesn't lose her memories!"
Kanzaki's voice grew heavy. Though grateful for Samuel's insight, if he couldn't deliver a solution before time ran out, she'd find her own way.
Like returning to the Anglican Church and using her Saint's strength to force the Archbishop to undo it.
A desperate plan, but if Samuel failed, she'd take the gamble!
"Chill! We've got… about seven days? Plenty of time. Five days—I'll have it sorted by then!"
"…Alright. What about Stiyl?"
"Put him to sleep. I don't need him, and I don't want him causing trouble. Don't worry, he won't die."
…
"Geez, Mugino's so reckless. Caught like that, three times… she'd be dead by now!"
"Maybe not. She does this all the time!"
"Ngh Ngh Ngh~"
Kinuhata Saiai, Frenda, and Takitsume Rikou watched the scene.
In the glow of magical light, tally marks were visible on the girls' thighs.
Frenda had thirteen, Kinuhata eighteen, Takitsume exactly one character.
The marks reflected their "mistakes"—mainly disobedience.
The scene was… intense. On the "ring" (a bed), Samuel's methods were brutal, Mugino's "wails" relentless.
"Tch~ I'll let you off… Frenda, last mission, your reckless bombing botched it, right? Need me to go on?"
"Ugh~ Got it, boss!"
Frenda's slender frame trembled, her sky-blue eyes showing fear as she looked at the limp Mugino.
She knew Samuel was just passing the buck.
But knowing didn't change anything.
***
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