We knew Yotaka had Lizel-senpai and Poran, and we knew where she was likely keeping them. That being her mansion in the Human World. The question now is how do we get in there to save them.
"Rikimaru-chan says we should just punch our way in!"
Rikimaru was the first to suggest an idea. The simplest strategy, if you can even call it that, but hardly ineffective.
"That's a good idea, nee-sama. The only real fighter the other side has, as far as we know, is Yotaka. She would hardly be able to put up a fight against all of us, so it should be an easy win."
"… Actually, forget what Rikimaru-chan said."
Seigi said those words ironically, knowing it would discourage Rikimaru. I think I'm starting to understand these twins.
Part of me wanted to agree with Rikimaru's plan, after all, I can't just let someone kidnap my friends and get away scot-free. I learned my lesson from the whole thing with Ibiza. If the only thing they'll listen to is strength, then I'll make them listen.
But I can't get too hot-headed. If Yotaka planned this kidnapping carefully, then she probably also has ways to stop us from saving Lizel-senpai and Poran. Just going in without a plan won't do us any good.
"I have a plan. It's nothing great, but it should do the trick."
Seigi then suggested her plan. I have to disagree with her on 1 point though, I say it's a pretty great plan. A fairly simple plan that seems to have very low risk of failure.
So we divided ourselves into 2 teams. We'd be going on a stealth mission, so there'd be little point in all 7 of us going. Rather, we decided that the infiltration team would be an elite unit, while the containment team would be formed by those who remain.
Neith and Seigi were part of that elite team, and somehow I wormed my way into it as well. I don't consider myself elite, but I can't just sit by during this rescue mission. That means that Rikimaru, Miyabi, Reina and Ruki stayed behind.
Our first order of business was to use Neith's Gate to go back to the Human World. Once there, Neith teleported the 3 of us near Yotaka's mansion. Neith's good with all kinds of movement and spatial magic, so stuff like flying or teleporting is her specialty. She teleported the 3 of us such a long distance and barely has sweat to show for it!
There was 1 more member of the infiltration team, someone we'd meet up with right now. Seigi had called her while we were getting ready. It was Seigi's newest Card, Swordia.
"You know, Swordia, this is the third time we meet, but the second that it's because of a kidnapping."
"A strange coincidence. I hope it's our last meeting of this kind."
The reason why Swordia was chosen for this mission wasn't just her sword skills. Obviously, we didn't have time to scout the place, but we can't just run in blindly. That's where Swordia's magic sense comes in. She'll be acting as our radar for this mission.
Me, Neith, Seigi and Swordia. The 4 of us had a very clear mission: head into Yotaka's mansion, find Lizel-senpai and Poran, rescue them and come back with everyone. Ideally, this would be a stealth mission, but we're also more than ready for combat.
"The barrier starts here."
"Got it."
Swordia guided us to just a step before we entered the magic barrier protecting Yotaka's mansion. Then, Seigi stabbed a sword into it.
That was the first step of this plan. It was pretty clear there would be a barrier protecting Yotaka's house, and we'd hardly be able to get past it. Swordia could have dispelled it with her sword, but that would also alert everyone.
So Seigi offered an alternative. She used her Characteristic Magic, Sixers, to make devil swords. This one in specific makes a magic barrier, as well as any barriers inside that one, obey the sword's master. Seigi didn't change anything except allow us in, so no one should notice that for a while.
It's a really amazing ability she has. Which reminds me, she's the one who made Tenka Fubu, right?
"Say, Seigi, the sword you gave Reina, Tenka Fubu. Did you perhaps make it?"
"Yes, I used the type of Devil Sword known as Tenka Fubu as a base, but I made yours with my Sixers. I tried making something that I thought would be good for you. Was there some problem?"
"Well… it doesn't listen to me, and it's really just a big pervert."
"Strange… I mean, I know Tenka Fubu is a pervert because I made her to be that way, but I wouldn't have thought that that would have caused troubles."
So you made her that way deliberately?! I almost shouted out, which would have ruined this whole stealth thing. We've already entered the barrier and are currently making our way towards the mansion.
"Yuuto, if you don't mind me asking, what exactly is the problem you're having with your sword? Novice swordsmen sometimes just don't know how to handle their sword."
Swordia asked me, whispering. Can't forget we're in the enemy base, so we can't just go having a normal conversation.
"Reina told me that there are many ways of making a Devil Sword obey, but she suggested I simply try talking with Tenka Fubu and cooperating like that. It ended up with my body being taken over."
"In that case, either the sword is much stronger than Yuuto, which doesn't seem likely, or it syncs so well with Yuuto that it can take control of your body. In any case, a formal contract with the sword should suffice."
"How would I go abo-"
"Wait, someone's coming."
Just as Swordia said, someone dressed as a maid passed by. It didn't seem like she noticed us, but Seigi was still tightly holding her sword.
The sword Seigi was holding was the heart of our plan. It's part of a pair, and these swords have the ability to teleport whatever they're stabbed into to the other. The other sword is back with Rikimaru and the others. That's how we're planning to rescue Lizel-senpai and Poran and escape. And, in case we run into someone, we can also send them away.
The maid passed us. It seems we're still in the clear. Seigi finally relaxed.
"You both shut up. I'll help you with that later, so just stay quiet for now."
Seigi seemed a little mad. I guess we should be more careful and avoid talking without necessity from now on.
Still, that maid… her clothes were… very thin and tight. Left very little to the imagination. I don't really like this Yotaka figure, but she has good taste for clothes, I'll give her that much.
So we entered the mansion proper. Swordia would need a few minutes to "scout" the area with her magic senses, so we snuggled down a corner and hid ourselves to get Swordia the time she'd need.
While we were waiting, Neith suddenly started talking to me.
"Yuuto-kun really is amazing…"
"Why does Neith think so?"
"In no time at all, you formed an alliance to counter Death's Group… and now that one of your Cards was kidnapped, you put together such a team to rescue her… and even before that, you were doing your best to get stronger… I find that all amazing."
"I don't really think it's all that."
I mean, I didn't even know about the alliance thing until just now. Sure, I guess you could say I formed it, but it really was just me trying to stick together with my friends so we could help each other. And about me getting stronger, yeah it's pretty different from the usual Candidate, but that's simply because there's a world of difference between us.
And even this plan and team, Seigi is the one that really put it together. Swordia is the reason why this plan can work, and Neith is here because she's strong. Compared to all of them, I'm really just here because I want to save Lizel-senpai, but I don't see myself making a difference in the team.
I guess the biggest positive I could say about myself is that I don't plan on leaving any friend of mine facing danger alone. Yeah, I know that, with noble devils, it's common to let troublesome servants deal with their problems by themselves, but I don't care. It doesn't matter if it's my Card like Lizel-senpai or a friend like Neith, I'll help if I can.
"I still think Yuuto's really amazing… if only I hadn't been picked for Chariot Arcana, I would have liked to join Yuuto's team…"
Is Neith saying she won't become my Card because she's Chariot's Candidate? Neith's surprisingly competitive.
"If Neith became Devil King, what kind of world would you make?"
"I… don't know… I don't think I'd be fit for the role… what about Yuuto-kun?"
"Not to copy you, but I also don't know, and I also don't think I'm fit for the job. But Lizel-senpai, Miyabi and Reina are counting on me, and something deep down tells me I have to do my best, so that's what I'll do."
"I think… any world that Yuuto-kun makes will be nice…"
Swordia got up, it seems she's done. She found some sort of underground passage, where she felt something that she believed to be Lizel-senpai's mana. She can't say for sure since she only met Lizel-senpai once before, and there were multiple similar mana sources, so it could be a trap, but we don't have any other leads.
So that's where we decided to go. But before that, Seigi gave me a little scolding.
"You do know what a stealth mission is, right? How do you just keep engaging in small talk like that?"
"S-sorry, I'll keep my mouth shut from now on."
"Seriously, don't blame me if this fails."
Seigi seemed a little irritated, but also happy? From what I know of her so far, maybe she's a strict person, but one that doesn't necessarily dislikes having fun. It would probably be nice to hang out with her in a less tense situation.
In any case, we moved on to the basement floor. We had to sneak our way around the maids of the place, but we were able to get through with reasonable effort. And we haven't even needed to use the teleporting sword yet.
The basement was… it actually looked pretty nice. I mean, safe for the lack of windows, it didn't look much different from the above-ground part of the house.
Swordia guided us to where she was feeling the mana that she thought belonged to Lizel-senpai. We found a normal-looking door. We checked it to see if there was some kind of trap or something, but nothing. It was even unlocked.
Strange as it seemed, we couldn't find any reason to not proceed, so we did. What we found inside was…
4 Lizel-senpais. They all had different ages, but I knew they were all Lizel-senpai. Could they be homunculus? Then, is the Lizel-senpai that looks real not the real one? They're all looking at us with curiosity.
Neith, Seigi and I looked at each other, clearly confused. Swordia was the most confused, but she probably guessed from our lack of action that something was wrong.
"These homunculus are miss Yotaka's prized possessions. Feel free to look, but please don't touch them."
Someone whose voice I never heard before said that. And her voice came from behind, so we all turned around to look.
There was a girl with short black hair there. She looked really pretty, but it seemed artificial, like a doll. But the most catchy thing about her was the red bondage suit she was wearing. Once again, very little was left to the imagination.
"Yuuto-kun, that girl is Yotaka's Ace…"
Ah, so that's who she is. A tough opponent showed up all of a sudden. Or maybe not? Didn't Seigi say only Yotaka knew how to fight?
"Iratsume Ayaori, so you found us."
"Not a rat can enter miss Yotaka's domain without my say so. I simply let you arrive at a convenient spot."
Swordia took her 2 swords out of her Storage and Seigi also got ready to fight. It was too small a space for Neith to summon her Top Runner, but it seemed she was getting a spell ready. I should also prepare something.
Yet, Iratsume barely seemed phased. I could only get a bad feeling about this.
"Lock."
With that single word, the door we entered from closed itself, and a magic circle appeared on it. It must be locked both physically and magically.
Swordia slashed at the door. The magic circle vanished, but the door remained. Maybe it was especially sturdy. But, between me and Neith, we ought to be able to bust it down. Then Seigi just had to teleport Iratsume away from here. With some luck, she'd be the only one who realized our presence so far.
Both Neith and I prepared a Detonate. The homunculus behind us showed varied reactions, some were fearful, while others were curious. Maybe Yotaka was treating them badly? In this case, I suppose we might as well start by saving them.
"Sleep."
We heard a muffled voice from behind the door. Then, I suddenly started feeling drowsy. I looked at the floor to see it glowing bright with a magic circle. Sworida and Seigi were already down.
"Please wait!"
"We're still here!"
The homunculus tried pleading with Iratsume, some of them already on the ground. Since this is their room, could this magic circle originally be for them? Or maybe they were being used as a lure for us, and are now being caught in the crossfire.
"Don't worry, it'll only put you to sleep for a little bit. Miss Yotaka might even reward you for helping detain the intruders."
"Aah~"
With that moan, the last homunculus fell to the floor. I also could barely stand.
"Yuuto-kun…"
Neith fell asleep. Damn it, I can't concentrate enough to let out a spell. Before I noticed, my consciousness was gone.
Yotaka had just been informed by Iratsume that there had been invaders, but they had already been dealt with. Already having an idea of who it was likely to be, Yotaka decided to go confirm for herself.
So she went to the basement floor, and then to the part that had the holding cells. There were really only 2 situations Yotaka used those cells: as part of some play, or to 'convince' someone to become hers. She had never expected to actually use those to hold intruders.
"Hoh, I didn't expect to see you here, Seigi."
"What kind of pervert are you? Why did you take even our clothes?"
As Seigi had said, by the time she woke up, not only were her swords gone, but even her very clothes. And it wasn't just her either. Swordia, Neith and Yuuto were also naked. Looking at the cell in front of them, they could also see Poran, who was also in her birthday suit.
Needless to say, checking your prisoners for weapons and removing them is fairly normal. But to leave them completely nude is not.
"Of course, it's because I like it. All you have to do is ask, and I'll even come play with you."
"Gguh!"
Yotaka grabbed Seigi's breast and also started playing with her private parts. She also made sure to give her a little taste of Ecstasy. Seigi couldn't do anything because of her shackles.
Needless to say, these were no normal shackles. They sucked off the person's mana so much that they couldn't use any magic, no matter how simple. They were also all chained to the floor on a single point, this was the prisoner cell after all.
For reference, the "playing" cell, which was Poran's, had the shackles chained to the wall, but Poran wasn't locked in them, so she could walk about freely. Not that she could do anything else, since her shackles still sucked off her mana.
"Normally, I'd have my fun with you all right now, but so many good things happened at once that I'm really busy now. But don't worry, I'll still come for you, maybe after I bring your sister in as well."
Seigi didn't say anything, only clicked her tongue. Yotaka was going to leave the cell when she decided to take a look at her new prizes. Swordia, Seigi, Neith, and then Poran on the other cell. Counting with Lizel, these were 5 beautiful girls that Yotaka could now do as she pleased with.
There was also Yuuto, but Yotaka wasn't interested in him personally. He'd be a useful tool to break Lizel, and maybe bring his other Cards, but otherwise Yotaka didn't see much use for him. But maybe she'd keep him around just to spite Lizel.
"I must have had a lot of good karma saved up, for all this to happen in such a short amount of time."
"Surely, it's because of everything mistress Yotaka does for me and the other servants."
"Yes, I'm such a good person. I only wish to spread my love to all who catch my eye."
But it seemed Yotaka had misunderstood Temperance's power. Unlike Star, it doesn't have the power to change fate. Its power is to balance one's "karma" so to say, so that, when their life ends, they have no positive or negative karma to show.
If too many things, good or bad, happen too quickly, it's because there's little time to reach the balance. But Yotaka would learn that for herself soon enough.
