When I woke up today, Miyabi and Reina were sleeping beside me, but Lizel-senpai was nowhere to be seen. I found it strange, but didn't think that there was anything wrong with it at the time.

But, a little while later, I heard that Poran had also gone missing since last night. The last time anyone had seen her was right before going to sleep, similar to Lizel-senpai.

Now things were getting worrying. Me and everyone else went to go look for them, and Neith said she'd check the security cameras to see if she couldn't find anything.

We looked everywhere, but couldn't find any traces of either Poran or Lizel-senpai. The only thing we could find was some blood and a flashlight. Neith, however, got something on her end.

"The footage is strange…"

"How so?"

"It looks like the physical cameras were put on a loop… and the magical sensors were also somehow tricked."

I don't think I need to explain about the camera loop. It's what you'd expect in a spy movie or something.

As for the magical sensor… I think that imagining it like heat vision might help. Basically, you see a person's silhouette based on their mana. If you register your mana, you can even color-code it. It reminds me of Sworida, maybe this is how she "sees" the world.

Neith found out something was wrong because the magic sensor shows Lizel-senpai and Poran together, but at no point they show up in the normal cameras. It's hard to say what exactly happened, but it seems they were taken by someone, and whoever did it concealed themselves.

"Poran and Lizel-senpai were kidnapped… but by who?"

Unless we figure that out, we can't save them. But how are we supposed to figure that out without any hints? Wait, didn't Sein give me Miyabi's location during the thing with Ibiza? Maybe she can find Lizel-senpai.

[… I cannot get a handle on Queen's location. Something seems to be interfering. I will keep trying.]

What do we do? Can we do nothing but wait? As I was worrying about that, I heard my phone chime. There's internet on the Devil World, and it seems I just got a message.

"Huh?"

"What is it, Yuuto?"

Miyabi came to look at my phone. The message I had received was quite strange. It simply gave me a location and time, both of which weren't far away.

It was strange, and very suspicious, but it's not like we had any other leads. This could very well be whoever captured Lizel-senpai, so I had to meet them.

There was nothing other than a location and time on the message. Nothing like "come alone" or "don't tell anyone" but we still decided it would be best for me to show up alone. But Neith, Miyabi, Ruki and Reina would be nearby keeping an eye.

So I waited where I was told to. And it wasn't long before someone showed up. Or rather, 2 people.

"Yoo, Yuuto. Did ya miss Rikimaru-chan?"

"We're sorry for suddenly calling you here."

Those 2 were Rikimaru Sannou and Seigi Sannou, the twin sisters Candidates for Strength and Justice respectively.

I was very surprised to see them here, but then a little something clicked into place. A little while back, Rikimaru kidnapped me. Could they be behind Lizel-senpai and Poran's disappearance? Maybe I should get ready for a fight.

"Just so there are no misunderstandings, nee-sama and I came here to tell Yuuto who was behind your friends' disappearance."

"Rikimaru-chan is completely free of guilt this time!"

Oh, so it wasn't them? Good thing I didn't jump to conclusions then.

Seigi asked for me to call Neith so we could discuss things a little more privately. Since she was already nearby, Neith showed up really fast, which was a little embarrassing for me. But it didn't seem like Seigi or Rikimaru minded it.

Somewhat embarrassed, we all went right back the way we came. Maybe I should cut out some parts and start with Rikimaru and Seigi already here on Neith's place with us… but then it would feel strange. Guess I have to keep all of this in.

"Hey, Seigi-chan, look."

Rikimaru pointed to the mixed-blood children. They must have come to look out of curiosity.

Lots of noble devils have some prejudice against mixed-bloods. I'd rather not have this become any trouble, but I'm not sure if I'll be able to just standby if Rikimaru starts insulting them. But we need the information they have…

"You want to go play with them?"

"Can I?!"

"Just be careful you don't hurt them."

"Yay! Thanks, Seigi-chan!"

… Rikimaru actually went to play with the children… The children were a bit afraid at first, but they quickly warmed up to her. You know, maybe I'm too on edge.

"I hope you all don't mind. Nee-sama has always been fond of children, probably because of her mental age."

"As long as she's careful with the children, then it's fine…"

Rikimaru hadn't really waited for Neith's permission before she started playing with the children, but I guess it's all good.

While the children (+ Rikimaru) played, the rest of us were about to have a serious conversation. What is it that Seigi knows about what happened to Lizel-senpai and Poran?

"Let me start from the beginning. A few days ago, Yotaka Hayachine came to me to ask a favor. She wanted to use my family's Gate to come to the Devil World. I agreed to help, which allowed me to go with her part of the way, and follow her for the rest. She came to this place. While I didn't see it happen, it's very likely she is the one behind your friends' disappearance."

"Wait, since you helped this Yotaka figure, then you're her ally?"

Miyabi was the one to ask, but honestly I was thinking the same thing. I mean, everything else seems logical, so why would Seigi help Yotaka then come to us?

But Ruki was the one to correct Miyabi.

"That's not quite it, Miyabi."

"How so?"

"Even if I had refused to help Yotaka, she would have had many other possible ways of making it here. But, by choosing to help her, I was able to learn that much and come to you all now. So no, I'm not her ally."

Ah, I see now. Yeah, seems fair enough. And thanks to Miyabi being the one that asked that question, I was able to save some face, since it seems everyone else got it from the start.

"The real question we should ask is: are you our ally?"

"I would like to be. Me and nee-sama both."

Seigi promptly responded to Ruki's question. Miyabi seemed confused, but this time I got it.

"Strength, Justice and Hanged Man… all of you are part of Death's Group… by helping us, you're betraying your allies…"

It's as Neith said. Rikimaru, Seigi and Yotaka are part of the same group. So why would they choose to betray them?

"A while back, the group had a disagreement on who to fight. Nee-sama and I joined simply for the sake of defeating the Triumph, but I can't help but feel that everyone else has different objectives. Yotaka came to ask me for help when I was considering leaving Death's Group and trying to join your alliance, Yuuto."

M-my alliance? I guess I am pretty close friends with Neith, Ruki and Stella, even though she isn't here. In case there were any troubles, we'd probably help each other out. I suppose you could see it as an alliance.

Neith and Ruki didn't really react. I guess I'm the only one who wasn't seeing it that way.

"I… don't really know what to say…"

"I can also tell you where Yotaka is likely keeping your friends. If you agree to allow me and nee-sama into your alliance, we are even willing to help your assault against Hanged Man."

"I don't have a problem with you 2 joining, it's just-"

"Onii-chan, can Reina speak desu?"

Reina interrupted me. I never really expected this of her, but she likely has her reasons, so I let her say what was on her mind.

"Reina thinks there's a misunderstanding here desu. One side is treating this like a formal alliance, while the other is thinking of something else desu."

Seigi seemed curious with what Reina was saying. I could understand it. Seigi was putting her chips on the table, trying to negotiate. My worries were something else.

Simply put, this "alliance" only really exists because of trust. Neith, Ruki and Stella, they're all good people I can trust, and I believe they think the same way about me. But can we just add Rikimaru and Seigi into the mix?

For example, if we fight Hanged Man and things get bad, would they turn on us? I don't have any reason to distrust them per say, but I also don't know them enough to know I can trust my back to them.

"Maybe Reina shouldn't say this, but… Reina has been talking a lot with Swordia ever since we met after she became Justice's Card. She tells Reina a lot of her daily life, and she has also told Reina how much she's growing to respect her new master, how she's better than Moon's Candidate, and so on desu. So Reina thinks it's fine for onii-chan to trust them."

"But it's not just that! Seigi-chan is also too 'kachin' stiff. Like trying to negotiate everything and stuff. If you want to be friends, you just have to say so."

Thanks to Reina and Miyabi's interventions, it seems Seigi and I are finally seeing eye to eye.

Like Reina said, I'd forgotten to take into account Swordia being Seigi's Card. I don't know either Seigi or Rikimaru that well, so I don't have reasons to trust or distrust them. But Reina knows Swordia and trusts her, and Swordia trusts Seigi. So, taking that into account, I should place some faith in them.

There's also Flor, Rikimaru's Card who is also Miyabi's acquaintance. But let's conveniently forget about her since we didn't really have a favorable first impression.

Seigi, meanwhile, looked to where Rikimaru was playing with the children. Both Rikimaru and the children seemed quite happy.

"Is this the humans' way of doing things? Now I feel a little dumb for having prepared to negotiate our way in."

"More than an alliance, we're just friends trying to help each other. Is that a problem?"

"No. I admit I find it a bit strange, but honestly I don't dislike it. Then, let me rephrase what I said before. Yuuto, I think I know where your friends are being held. Would you like mine and nee-sama's help in saving them?"

Seigi extended her hand towards me. Of course, there was only 1 answer I could give.

"Yes. Please lend us your help in saving Lizel-senpai and Poran."

I took Seigi's hand and shook it. Guess the alliance got 2 new members.


Lizel and Poran were indeed in Yotaka's mansion, but no one could have ever imagined what was currently happening with them.

They were both currently in the bathing room of Yotaka's mansion. Yotaka herself, along with a handful of servants were also there.

But that wasn't all. The 4 homunculus based on Lizel were also there, but they weren't there to get clean like everyone else.

Yotaka wanted to show Lizel her "collection" so she summoned the 4 homunculus to her. Then, as if to show what Lizel would become, Yotaka started having sex with the homunculus on the spot, though she seemed to be giving extra attention to the high school Lizel homunculus, which looked closest to the real one.

"Aah~"

Lizel moaned. It was from pleasure, but not really from watching Yotaka have sex with her look-alikes.

Yotaka had placed her Characteristic Magic, Ecstasy, on Lizel and Poran. So long as they don't resist, they feel great pleasure. But if they resisted a pain worse than death would befall them.

Hanged Man's Characteristic Magic allowed Yotaka to control what a person feels and the intensity of it. With this, she could literally make someone orgasm until death, or gut themselves without an ounce of pain.

Thanks to "training" with Yuuto, Lizel is able to show resistance. Though, to be fair, Yotaka is barely using her power. Poran, however, had no such benefit and her mind seemed to be long gone.

"Aaa! Mmm! Woof~"

The reason why they were all currently in the bathing room was because Lizel and Poran were being prepared for Yotaka. General washing, removal of pubic hair, skin treatment. Everything to suit Yotaka's taste.

The ones preparing Lizel and Poran were the servants, but some of them barely seemed to be paying attention to their jobs. Rather, they were looking at the homunculus with envy. They have reached a state where they can't live without the pleasure Yotaka gives them. Lizel wondered if she and the others looked similar during Healing Lovers.

"Mistress Yotaka, the guest has arrived."

Suddenly, Iratsume entered the bath and delivered that message to Yotaka. Well, she had to call out to her master a few times before she noticed her.

Lizel wondered who that guest could be, but there was no way she could ask. She wondered if it could be Yuuto, but it seems too quick for him to have found them.

"Mm, as much as I hate it, I suppose I should deal with it now. You 3 can wash up and go back to your room. You, I need you to help me clean."

"Yes~"

The homunculus that looked the most like Lizel got on her knees and opened her mouth. Yotaka put her crotch on the homunculus' mouth and made sure Lizel could see all of it.

Yotaka clearly used her Characteristic Magic, since, by the time the homunculus was done, she couldn't even move after so many orgasms. The other 3 homunculus helped their friend as Yotaka left the bathing room.

After getting dressed, Yotaka went to meet the "guest" who was none other than Temperance's Devil King Candidate, Balance.

He had aided Yotaka with his Characteristic Magic, Balancing. A simple explanation of this ability would be to say that this Characteristic Magic makes things more fair.

In a fight, that could simply mean both sides having the same amount of mana or something, so the more interesting uses are outside of combat. In Yotaka's case, she basically went on an impossible mission alone, so Balancing gave her some help. She was able to wait near Neith's villa without being caught and trick Neith's security systems with moderate effort, and now Sein is unable to locate Lizel, forcing Yuuto to rely on Seigi for that information.

Of course, even that magic has its limitations. Even if Balance used his ability in a fight, he wouldn't be able to best a much stronger foe, and it would work against him if the opponent was weaker. Yotaka herself wouldn't have been able to make it if not for her own skills, Balancing simply provided an opportunity. Though these limitations are more due to the user than the Arcana. In a way, Temperance was similar to Lovers, since it had yet to find a proper user.

But that's all aside the point. Balance had helped Yotaka, so it's only fair she'd return the favor. That was the condition he'd set for helping her, after all.

"I'm grateful for your help, but I hope you don't expect me to serve you a drink."

"Perish the thought. Even if only a little, that would make things more balanced between us. I simply came here to inform you what I want in return."

"Then out with it."

Yotaka was in a slightly bad mood since Balance interrupted her, but that wasn't the main reason for her doing this. She simply figured she'd throw some bad treatment as a service. She didn't really know how his powers worked, just that bad things can become good.

"I would like you to capture and restrain Sun's Candidate. So long as you capture her and leave her defenseless for me, we will be even."

"Alright, I can do that. But you sure? Wouldn't that destroy the whole balancing stuff out thing?"

"A while back, Summers tempted me with her body, but didn't let me follow through with it. Wouldn't you say she owes me?"

"Whatever floats your boat."

Temperance's power was heavily dependent on interpretation. Balance had no idea if the Arcana would take his side, but that's why he asked Yotaka to render Summers powerless for him. In the worst case, a powerless girl doesn't mean much of a threat to a noble devil like Balance, and he'd just have to rebalance himself after.

That all goes to show how close Balance was to his bursting point. Even such a shady plan seems good to him. Balance and Temperance are probably the Candidate-Arcana duo with the worst compatibility. But it didn't matter to Yotaka.

"Alright. When I get the chance, I'll do what you asked."

"Thank you. Then, I won't abuse your hospitality any further."

Balance left, barely able to contain his excitement. Yotaka had no plans of going after Summers right now, but she didn't feel the need to tell him that. First, she'd enjoy Lizel, then she'd repay her favor.

"What a strange man."

"But he can be useful. Also, keep an eye out. I have a feeling he won't be our last guest today."

"Yes."

Yotaka pulled Iratsume in for a kiss. It had been a while since she'd shown her main servant proper love. She'd remember to make up for it after she's through with Lizel.

Yotaka then returned to the bathing room. The servants were nearly done with Lizel and Poran. Yotaka decided to do a little check in.

"How are you feeling?"

"Aaa~ nnn~"

Poran was clearly in no state to respond. It wouldn't be fun to make her beg like this, so Yotaka decided to tell the servants to let Poran rest in a cell.

Lizel, however, was well enough to glare at Yotaka. That put a smile on Yotaka's face.

"Your spa is top quality, but the rest of the service is terrible. I expected more from you, Yotaka."

"Oh, but we're only getting started. The best part is yet to come."

Yotaka came closer to Lizel and then forced a kiss. Lizel tried to resist, but there was only so much she could do. Yotaka had fun groping all over Lizel as she forced their kiss.

The only thing restraining Lizel were simple handcuffs, hardly a problem for any devil. Yet, Lizel couldn't escape them. Yotaka put these on her knowing that, since Poran had proper restraints that sucked out her mana.

Lizel had to wonder how Yotaka learned about her well enough to do something like this. She couldn't have known all along, otherwise she'd have kidnapped Lizel long ago. So how?

Yotaka finally ended their kiss, but the stimulation didn't stop. Yotaka was taking very quick and deep breaths so her chest rubbed on Lizel's. It was taking all Lizel had to not let out her voice.

"So? How was that?"

"Yuuto's better."

"I see. But I know there's 1 thing I won't lose to him."

Yotaka touched Lizel's private parts. Then, she started teasing her entrance with her finger.

"I would have never guessed that Lovers' Queen of all women is still a virgin. But that's just my luck I guess. Oh, but don't worry, I won't force you. I'll only deflower you once you beg me to do it."

"Then you'll never do it. But I'll be taking note of all this, maybe it'll give Yuuto a few ideas."

Lizel was provoking Yotaka. There wasn't much else she could do at that point.

The best she could hope for was a certain blind spot on Yotaka's intel. If that escaped Yotaka's notice, then Lizel would have a chance to save herself and Poran, as long as she waited for the right time.