A little back in time.
Right after checking on her newly captured prisoners, Yotaka had headed back to the main bedroom, where Lizel had been waiting for her, though not of her own free will.
Yotaka unlocked the door, entered, and locked it again. Lizel was there on her birthday suit, and nothing else. Not even shackles or handcuffs. The only thing keeping Lizel in this room was a magic barrier, but it was such a weak barrier that any spell should be able to break it.
Yet, here was Lizel, and she clearly doesn't want to stay. That put a smile on Yotaka's lips, she then blew Lizel a kiss before going to the changing room. Yotaka wouldn't have minded stripping right there, but she wanted to also hide the key to the room.
"Now then, where were we?"
Yotaka got in bed with Lizel and started doing as she pleased with her. Kissing, groping, fingering. Lizel was forced to endure whatever Yotaka wanted to do.
But Lizel wouldn't yield. She forced Yotaka to use her Ecstasy to get even some moans off of her. Yotaka didn't want to use her Characteristic Magic to make Lizel give in to her, but she also didn't see any fun in Lizel's unresponsive attitude.
"Mmm."
Still, Lizel wasn't about to give Yotaka what she wanted so easily, and Yotaka knew that. That's why Yotaka decided to provoke Lizel a bit.
"It's fine for you to be more honest, you know. You're my woman now, my toy, so might as well enjoy it."
"Don't get ahead of yourself. I'm just here to get some inspiration for when I get back to Yuuto. I'll admit your spell is quite good, but that's all the points you're getting."
Yotaka was slightly irritated, but she decided to double down on her provocation.
"Oh yeah? I got to meet this human the great Lizel thinks so highly of not too long ago. He came to save you, but was caught by a sleeping spell, so maybe you should reconsider your evaluation of him."
"What?! Yuuto's here?!"
Finally, a sincere reaction, Yotaka thought. She almost immediately jumped Lizel, but then had a different idea.
Asking "want to see him?" Yotaka grabbed a remote and turned the TV on. It was showing footage of the cell that was holding Yuuto and everyone else. But even Yotaka was surprised by what they saw.
"What?"
"… Hahaha! I guess he really is fit to be Lovers."
They saw Yuuto in the middle of doing Healing Lovers with Neith. Of course, neither of them could imagine Neith had become his Card, so all they could see were simply 2 horny people giving each other pleasure.
Lizel was in shock for a second, and Yotaka decided to make the most of this chance. She pushed Lizel down on the bed and got on top of her. She activated Ecstasy to make it so that Lizel would climax with a single touch.
"Wa! Aaaaan!"
"We should follow their example."
Yotaka would keep making Lizel climax in as many ways as she could. It still wasn't what Yotaka wanted, Lizel's heart, but it would do for now. After she broke the first time, it would be easy to break her again and again.
But, after some time, Yotaka heard a strange noise. Did it come from the TV? Yotaka had forgotten it on, so she decided to look.
What she saw was Yuuto and the others free from their shackles. It was surprising enough that Yotaka just stood there for a second. But as soon as she recovered, she knew what she had to do.
"Iratsume, the prisoners have escaped their cell."
Yotaka grabbed her phone and called her Ace. Even if Yuuto had escaped his cell, they should be able to use spatial magic to at least hold them in the basement.
However, just as Yotaka was about to get dressed to deal with them, her sixth sense warned her of something. She grabbed her whip and hit the arrow that had been aimed at her head.
Then, she turned to see who had fired it at her. But she knew without even seeing. Her family members made her remember all about this arrow, as well as the bow that shot it. For a second, Yotaka remembered her years of training on how to combat bow users, but then she came back to the present.
"I thought you'd given all your magic circuits to that human, Lizel."
"I may have kept 1 or 2 things."
It was Lizel, and on her hands was a beautiful white bow. It was the Himekamis' Bloodline Magic, Cupid. While it can't compete with the Arcanas' Characteristic Magics, it's one of the most powerful Bloodline Magics, in terms of sheer destructive power. That's why the Himekamis are able to save face even while getting the Lovers Arcana.
Yotaka was confused. In the report she got from Hierophant, it said that Lizel had lost all her magic circuits. Yotaka had confirmed this many times over, offering Lizel easy ways to save herself so long as she used a simple spell, and she never did. So it's not that Lizel didn't want to escape, it's that she couldn't.
But Cupid was in Lizel's hand. Hierophant's report wasn't a lie, Lizel really has lost nearly all her magic circuits. The only ones she still has are her gender-specific ones and the ones for Cupid. Lizel had been waiting for an opening to escape, but now that Yuuto is also here things are different. She can't let Yuuto and Yotaka fight.
What showed in Yotaka's face was a smile. Yeah, getting something handed to you is good, but conquering it still feels best.
"This is just perfect. Let's make a bet, Lizel. If I win, you're mine. If you win, you get to go free."
Lizel didn't answer, only shot her arrow. Yotaka deflected it with her whip, and the arrow made a huge hole in the wall, until it left the house and landed on the garden, leaving a crater as if a meteor had landed.
That's just how strong Yotaka is. With that strength and the knowledge she has of Lovers' team, she would be able to defeat them with some strategy. That's why Lizel knew Yotaka had to die before she ever decided to fight Yuuto.
But it's worth remembering, the only spell Lizel has at her disposal is Cupid. She can also use some simple spells, but those would also damage her body, so the only thing she can realistically use is her bow. As for Yotaka, she can use anything at her disposal.
That means that any attack can be fatal, if Yotaka so wishes. As if to show that, Yotaka aimed an attack at Lizel. Of course, she didn't intend to kill Lizel, only to show that she could. Lizel ducked under it, so she didn't get damaged. The wall and door, on the other hand, are simply gone.
Lizel shot another arrow at Yotaka, but this wasn't a direct attack. The arrow was basically a flashbang, and it blinded Yotaka just enough for Lizel to leave the room and try to hide.
Lizel knew she wasn't likely to defeat Yotaka with only Cupid. Ideally, she'd be able to leave this fight to Neith, or at least team up with her. But Yotaka wasn't going to make it easy.
"If you put so little effort into running from me, I'll have to believe you're just playing hard to get."
Using magic, Yotaka was able to quickly catch up to Lizel, who couldn't do the same. Yotaka grabbed Lizel by the neck and then broke through the ceiling with her. She let Lizel go, but obviously, a normal girl with no magic can't just break through a roof and have no damage to show for it.
"Gaah!"
Lizel had bruises and cuts all over. Nothing that couldn't be fixed with healing magic, so Yotaka didn't mind it. This isn't much when compared to Yotaka's more violent plays, so she has good users of healing magic around.
The only thing they wouldn't be able to fix was death, so all Yotaka had to do was avoid killing Lizel. Thinking about this, Yotaka remembered Rinne, and how it seems she's now separated from Lost. Ever since she saw her Characteristic Magic, Yotaka wanted Rinne for herself, after all, she could bring back the dead, so Yotaka would be able to give her toys enough pleasure to kill, literally.
But that's something Yotaka decided to leave for tomorrow. She expected to have a lot of time once these troubles were dealt with.
"Oops, sorry. I forgot. That was the best you could do, right? I'll kiss your bruises so they stop hurting."
Yotaka got close to Lizel. It really looked like she was about to pin her down right there and have her way with Lizel, even though they were on the roof. It was burning hot, but Yotaka barely noticed it, using mana unconsciously to protect herself.
But Lizel was fully aware of all her limitations. That's why, when Yotaka got close to her, Lizel let another arrow loose. That one was no ordinary arrow, or a flashbang.
*boom*
An explosion of mana, that was that arrow's effect. Lizel and Yotaka were both sent flying away from each other, to different ends of the roof. Of course, it was quite a heavy blow on Lizel, but it should also have damaged Yotaka.
Lizel expected to have bought herself at least a few seconds to catch her breath and plan something. However…
"Yes, that's it! Show me how, even without magic circuits, Lizel Himekami is still superior to everyone else, and my great rival!"
It was not enough it seems. To think this would all stem from a family rivalry as old as time. Just like everyone else, Lizel didn't know how this started exactly, but she silently cursed both her and Yotaka's ancestors.
Lizel also noticed something then. It looked different, but Lizel was sure it was Neith's Top Runner when it opened up and she saw Neith and Yuuto on it. Of course, being an archer, Lizel's eyesight was superb. She could easily spot them even from so far and at such speeds.
It seems they had also rescued Poran. And there also seemed to be more people in the chariot. And they were all naked? Lizel decided to just forget about that last part.
Seeing as Neith was headed her way, Lizel decided to jump from the roof before Yotaka got to her. Of course, Lizel also took this chance to aim another attack. It was powerful enough to blow away most of the roof, and it seems Yotaka hadn't properly defended, since Lizel saw her flying off all bloody. Or maybe that was damage from the explosion just now.
"Guah!"
In any case, Lizel's situation was much worse. She was falling to the ground and had no magic to protect herself. This would be her end.
That is, if Neith's Top Runner didn't pass under her right then and there, allowing Yuuto to catch Lizel.
"Lizel-senpai, that was dangerous!"
"But I knew Yuuto would catch me."
Lizel gave Yuuto a kiss as thanks, that was enough to get rid of any and all complaints he may have had. Yuuto may be strong, but he could never beat Lizel, even if she had no spells to her name.
Yuuto put Lizel down. In truth, all of Yotaka's teasing had left Lizel longing for Yuuto, so part of her wanted to just push him down right there, but she couldn't. The main reason was that her body hurt all over, and the secondary reason was the fight still going on.
"I'm sorry I couldn't help you before, Poran."
"A-ah, it's fine. Yuuto and the others saved Poran woof."
While they could escape now, that would only be delaying the fight with Yotaka. In that case, they might as well finish it now.
"Neith, I'm going to need your help."
"I understand."
The tables had turned, now it was Lizel's side that had an overwhelming advantage.
But that didn't make Yotaka give up. She was now flying towards Neith's Top Runner while firing a bunch of Destrucshears at it. The shields were holding up fine, but the shaking was quite something.
"Kyaa!"
"Watch out!"
Seigi lost her balance and almost fell. Yuuto tried helping her stand up, but ended up grabbing her breast. Needless to say, Seigi was irritated, but couldn't even complain since Yotaka's attacks didn't let up. Rather, it ended with Swordia and Poran also losing their balance and finally knocking Yuuto down. But at least they were all still inside the chariot.
Only Lizel and Neith remained standing in the chariot, which was now very close to Yotaka. So close that the sphinxes could even attack.
"Slash."
"Tsk. This is different from how I remember."
The sphinxes did as Neith had ordered. Yotaka was dodging their attacks, but it was taking all she had. Lizel prepared a shot, and Yotaka decided to use it to her advantage.
As usual, Cupid's arrows were quite powerful. Yotaka used Barricade to protect herself. The arrow was powerful enough to knock Yotaka away. It was quite a blow, but at least she escaped Top Runner's attacks.
"I can do this all day!"
Yotaka provoked. It was a clear lie, but what shocked her more was Lizel's reply.
"No, it's already over."
Before Yotaka could even think of a meaning to Lizel's words, she felt something pierce her. When she turned her head to look, she saw one of Cupid's arrows had just pierced her back.
But how? Lizel was in no position to shoot that shot. Before Yotaka could even think that, more arrows pierced her.
That was Lizel's trump card, something no other Himekami had been able to do with their Cupid. She had "revived" the arrows, making so that they'd go back to chasing their target. It was quite mana consuming, but it's not like Lizel needed to save her mana for other spells.
"Guaaah!"
Even so, Yotaka was still alive. Given some time, she'd surely recover and bounce back.
That's why Lizel wouldn't give her that time. She prepared another shot. An arrow more powerful than ever before. Lizel was literally pouring her all into this.
She then fired the arrow. It was so powerful it made a sonic boom as it headed straight for Yotaka. She had no way to dodge or defend in her current situation, so all she could do was take it.
And so another Devil King Candidate fell.
