Volume 13 Chapter 2 Sheryl Speaks of Their Mutual Resolve
Edited by: Kanaa-senpai
Kahoru brought Sheryl to me just as I was finishing my “work” with Chinatsu and the others. I had broken them thoroughly, yet I was already back to my serious duties. Marina and Ranka were tough; they were already working as if nothing had happened.
Only moments ago, they had been shouting things like, “Nngh…♡ To think you would stir a slave woman’s ripe honey-pot so deeply…♡” and “Master, please violate Ranka as nothing more than a meat slave, too♡.” Their dialogue had been thick with erotic filth.
”Lord Takumi, I have something to discuss,” Sheryl said.
”Then we shall take our leave,” Marina said.
”No. Please stay and listen as a witness, Guildmaster Marina,” Sheryl countered.
Unlike the Sheryl I remembered, the current Sheryl was a girl with traces of innocence left in her. No one would have suspected that such a lovely girl had masterminded a coup d’état¹.
”First, I wish to thank you again for saving my life,” Sheryl said.
”No, it was my doing… I’m sorry,” I replied. “I underestimated your resolve. I should have contacted you sooner.”
Learning from this reflection, I sent secret envoys to Nyx and Eileen. I acted on the assumption that they retained their memories; given the current flow of events, they likely did.
”I spoke with Kaho,” Sheryl said. “She is a strong, kind person.”
”I… I couldn’t say anything,” Kahoru muttered, looking as if she were about to cry. “It’s too painful. It’s too heavy…”
Sheryl’s resolve was indeed that heavy, and the actions she had taken were shocking. Still, if it lightened her heart even a little, I was glad I had introduced her to Kahoru.
”Lord Takumi, I have a request,” Sheryl said.
”Tell me,” I replied.
”I place my purity and my life in your hands. When you believe it will be most effective, violate me without hesitation. And if necessary, command me to commit suicide in public.”
”You can’t do that, Sheryl!” Kahoru cried. “We just talked about this!”
”Thank you, Kaho,” Sheryl said quietly.
Her pink hair was tied into twin-tails now, just like Haruka’s. Kahoru must have done it for her as a change of pace.
”But I… I killed my father and my brother… I killed Stella,” Sheryl continued. “I drove many comrades to their deaths, including Roshima, the Minister of Military Affairs.”
”But that wasn’t for selfish gain,” Kahoru said.
”Of course not,” Sheryl replied. “Lord Takumi, your wish must be the same.”
Marina and the others did not interrupt, simply listening to Sheryl’s words.
”To avoid war and save many lives… I chose the path of accepting a few sacrifices,” Sheryl said.
”That… goes for me, too,” I admitted.
I couldn’t afford to be naive and talk about “zero sacrifices.” I had already assassinated Katarina and Councilor Mafat, and I was plotting to eliminate Regiment Commander Noshisshi. If I hesitated, over a hundred thousand lives will vanish.
I recalled the war with the Kingdom of Lesta. Haruka, Chinatsu, Ginga… in that war, they had killed humans. I hadn’t done it directly, but I had ordered the execution of Naje and the others. Fortunately, none of my classmates had personally committed murder yet.
It might be soft of me, but I wanted them to return to Japan without the experience of killing. It might be ego, but I wanted as many of them as possible to live peaceful lives.
”In that list of accepted sacrifices, please include me,” Sheryl said.
Her logic was sound. I don’t know how our relationship with the Quvarian Empire would evolve, but as the mastermind of the coup, Sheryl had high utility. I could use her as a bargaining chip, or I could use my Discount Skill² to purchase her territories and stir chaos. If I chose confrontation, I could execute her to boost morale. Conversely, I could use her as a figurehead and play the hero of justice liberating the Empire.
If I killed my conscience, there were a dozen ways to use her.
”If my death saves ten thousand lives, then kill me,” Sheryl pleaded. “Lord Takumi, please, at least promise me that… otherwise, I, who killed Castor… my dear little brother… I…”
Sheryl’s mind looked ready to snap. I, who had pushed her into this, was a brute. But I had to be even more of a brute to make use of her.
”I understand,” I said. “But executing you isn’t necessarily the best path. I want to prioritize finding ways to utilize your existence. You’ll allow me that, right?”
”Of course,” Sheryl replied. “By the way, the official status of my punishment hasn’t been decided, and my territories are still technically under my control. Will you purchase them with your skill, Lord Takumi?”
”We’ll see…” I replied.
I hesitated. My Discount Skill had reached 99%, allowing me to use Perception Obstruction. Owning Sheryl’s land would be a massive advantage, but it would also reveal my existence to the world. That meant Livia, the Witch of the Turning Heavens, would learn of me.
”Since it includes conquered nations, the land disposal will require a specific procedure,” I said. “I can get information from inside Quvar, so I’ll hold off on a decision until the last possible moment.”
”Understood,” Sheryl said. “Also, I heard that Chieri has been appointed as the provisional head of the new autonomous government.”
”Yeah, that seems to be the case,” I said.
Chieri was a soldier who had been the confidant of Minister Roshima. I had only met her during the final battle with Livia, but I remembered her being a beauty. She had resigned early because the previous director had been a Roshima loyalist. Now, Chieri-who should have been the assistant-was the acting director.
”Since I kept her at a distance as a neutral party, she is unscathed by the political shift,” Sheryl suggested. “But her loyalty is the real deal. I suggest we bring her to our side.”
”Actually, Lord Takumi, she has already requested a meeting with you by name,” Marina said, joining the conversation for the first time.
While we spoke, Kahoru had forcefully pulled Sheryl’s head down into a lap-pillow. I didn’t quite understand the dynamic, but I decided to leave them to it.
”By name? My existence shouldn’t be known yet, right?” I asked.
”It shouldn’t be… but is there a chance she kept her memories?” Marina asked.
”Wait,” I said. “Right. During that interview, she became my slave because she was the one responsible for taking you down, Marina.”
Crap, I had let something slip that I didn’t need to mention. Marina, knowing she was dying of a heart condition, had acted as a decoy to get Haruka and Chinatsu to McGaref.
”Having my chest pierced by a spear-wall after giving my name is a memory I carry with pride,” Marina said. “Like Lady Sheryl, we sisters do not value our lives over the cause.”
”I know,” I said. “For now, set up the meeting with Acting Director Chieri.”
I stretched, my neck giving a series of sharp cracks. My body wasn’t particularly tired, but my soul was.
”Is it okay if I head out for a bit?” I asked.
”Of course,” Marina replied. “Where are you going?”
”Yeah… I feel like going to the Night Butterfly,” I said.
”Understood. I’ll send word ahead immediately.”
And so, seeking a bit of healing, I went to visit Natalie.
—
Summary:
Sheryl confronts Takumi regarding her guilt after the coup, offering her life and purity as tools for his strategy. Takumi reflects on his own cold-blooded actions and his desire to shield his classmates from the trauma of killing. The chapter ends with a potential new ally appearing and Takumi seeking ‘healing’ at a familiar establishment.
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Trivia:
- Takumi’s Discount Skill is at 99%, enabling Perception Obstruction.
- Marina has a heart condition that influenced her past actions as a decoy.
- Sheryl killed her own father and brother during the coup.
- The ‘Witch of the Turning Heavens’ Livia is a major threat Takumi is trying to avoid being noticed by.
- Chieri was the one who defeated Marina in a previous loop/timeline
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Character Insight:
Sheryl is teetering on a mental breakdown, seeking to be ‘used’ as a way to atone for her kin-slaying. Takumi is increasingly embracing his role as a ‘brute’ (kichiku) while maintaining a lingering attachment to his original world’s morals for his friends.
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Behind the Scenes:
The author notes a hiatus due to end-of-fiscal-year business, promising a return to normal pacing in April.
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TL Notes:
Notes:
• Chinatsu – White Wall—Black hair, B-cup. Takumi’s first slave and battle-hungry lover, debuting in v1c1 Prologue. 12th-ranked iaijutsu master of Asakura-ryu, wielding the blood-powered cursed sword Chisame. Adventurous masochist, close to Hikari.
• Marina – Ranka’s older sister—the former owner and current staff member of Merchant Guild Katarina.
• Sheryl – Second Princess of the Quvarian Empire—a striking red-haired beauty and former Empress candidate. Intelligent reformer atoning for Quvar’s betrayals, now Takumi’s enslaved spy sowing chaos from within. Politically savvy yet mentally drained from blood loss; debuts in v6c26.
• Ranka – Marina—Ranka’s sister and friendly staff member at Merchant Guild Katarina. Practical and merchant-minded, she offers logical recommendations tailored to buyers’ needs.
• Kaho – 3rd Army leader. Worried, ceremonial magic.
• Eileen – The second princess of Lesta Kingdom, encountered as part of reparations.
• Nyx – The First Princess of Celon Dukedom, who escapes to McGaref; next in line to the throne after the Queen’s expected death.
• Haruka – Witch of Destruction — Silver-haired, F-cup. Former class vice-president, now a powerful witch. Wields the Agilaus Staff, capable of devastating ritual magic. Became the world’s strongest after acquiring the ‘Dark Emperor of the Abyss’ as a familiar. Exhibits exhibitionist tendencies, often seeking public intimacy with Takumi. Deeply devoted to him, balancing her role as a leader with her desires. First appears in v1c1 Prologue.
• Roshima – Empire’s War Minister, stern and pragmatic, loyal to Princess Sheryl’s reformists. Opposed the Ghost Army with Livia, wielding great military authority while lamenting the empire’s decline. First appears v9c11. Reminder: Steadfast warlord guarding Sheryl’s path.
• Stella – A royal guard and Sheryl’s companion, who was also enslaved by Takumi. She harbors hatred towards Takumi for violating her, but enslavement magic forces her obedience. Stella is a viscount’s daughter and understands the political implications of her situation. She accompanies Sheryl in lewd acts as a form of penance and to cope with their shared shame. Her defiance is internal, but she follows Sheryl’s lead in their intimate moments. First appearance in v6c29.
• Naje – First princess of the Lesta Kingdom and deputy commander. The tragic princess of the Lesta Kingdom who was executed for her country.
• Quvarian Empire – Ruling kingdom. Harsh world, restricted freedom.
• Livia – 8th-ranked imperial witch, heir of Cartera and friend of Lilus (Neige’s sister), whose death drove her to hate Quvar. Austere, sharp, and feared, she opposed the Ghost Army and toppled Emperor by using then betraying Gritch, secretly backing Princess Sheryl. First appears v9c3. Reminder: Brilliant witch who twists loyalties to save the world.
• McGaref – Fortress city, adventurer hub.
• Night Butterfly – It is a prestigious brothel located on Dream Street, known for its elegant and sexy atmosphere, frequented by those seeking ultimate pleasure.
• Natalie – A famous courtesan and former noblewoman; platinum blonde, busty, and elegant; known as Natalie Barklem, daughter of the Duke of Lesta Kingdom.
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Edited by Kanaa-senpai.
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