Chapter 50

I thought it was impossible for me to love Cerulia any more than I already did.
But I just fell for her even harder.

After everything Cerulia just said, this marriage meeting has become a complete farce. She clearly has no intention of being with the Incubus in front of her.

“I see… To think you possessed such strong feelings. It only makes me want to claim you even more.”

With that, Halbald began tracing something on the table with his finger. At the same time, he started muttering some kind of incantation.

“Is that Incubus trying to use Dark Magic?! Are you serious? He’s a total creep!” Lidia-san shouted.

“Exactly! Using magic like that… he has no pride as an Incubus. Well, of course she’d fall for him if he forces it!”

Mary was furious too; it seemed he was doing something that was strictly taboo.

“Is that… some kind of brainwashing magic?” I asked.

“Probably. Even if it isn’t full brainwashing, it’s a dangerous type of charm magic. And he’s tracing it quickly with his finger so he doesn’t leave any evidence. His chanting is quiet, too…”

Cerulia is in danger!

Cerulia must have realized something was wrong as well. She tried to stand up from her seat. But before she could, the magic activated. A shimmering, light-like substance washed over her.

“Oh… why does my chest feel so tight…?”

“Now, Cerulia-san, come with me. I’ve already reserved a fine hotel for today.”

Who reserves a hotel on the day of the first meeting?! No matter how handsome you are, that’s a total turn-off!

“We can’t wait any longer. Let’s put the plan into motion!”

Mary stepped away from our hiding spot for a moment.

Please, if this plan doesn’t work, we’re in big trouble.

Cerulia was staring at Halbald’s face with vacant, dazed eyes. No matter how you looked at it, she was in a state close to being brainwashed.

“Now, Cerulia-san, repeat the words I’m about to say.”

“…I understand.”

There was absolutely no will left in Cerulia’s eyes.

“Listen closely. ‘I, Cerulia, shall become Halbald’s wife and serve him for life. I shall also surrender all the Orbein family assets I am to inherit to you.’”

That jerk was after her money the whole time!

Then again, seeing Cerulia’s family estate, it wasn’t surprising that someone would want those assets.

“I… I, Cerulia, shall…”

We were really running out of time. Someone, do something!

At that moment, a strange group came waddling into the garden.

“Yay, a big garden!” “Let’s all play tag~” “I’ll be ‘it’! ♪”

It was a selected unit from Mary’s Mini-Demons, specifically chosen for their young, “loli-esque” appearance. Yes—among Mary’s many Mini-Demons, some look like fancy mascots, some look scary, and some look like young girls. Their apparent age was roughly ten to twelve years old. Position-wise, they looked like Mary’s younger sisters.

“Oh, look, an Incubus and a Succubus.” “What are they doing?~” “Hurry, let’s play tag!~”

Halbald’s gaze was fixed on the Mini-Demon squad. His face was incredibly serious. To be more precise, it was the face of a man in love.

“Ah, children are so wonderful… Look, wouldn’t it be great if we had children like that in the future? Haha…”

Even though he tried to cover it up, it was immediately obvious that something was wrong. His “strike zone” was extremely low. It had been reported in the newspapers, and he had denied it, but it turned out the rumors were true. Eventually, his serious face dissolved into a creepy grin.

This was Operation Mini-Demon II! (By the way, Part I was the plan to destroy the black company).

“Um… Halbald-san, what on earth is the matter?”

Because Halbald’s attention was fixed on the Mini-Demons, the power of his charm seemed to be weakening.

“Can you hear me? You’ve had your back turned to me for a while now.”

“Shut up! You old hag, stay quiet!”

He called his marriage meeting partner an old hag!

Cerulia was clearly offended by this, and it’s safe to say the charm was completely broken.

“I see. In that case, let us consider this discussion over. Why don’t you marry someone much younger instead of an ‘old hag’ like me? It’s become perfectly clear that this engagement was only for my assets anyway.”

“Ah… no, that’s not… It’s true that you can’t compete with young girls like them, Cerulia-san, but you are quite young compared to the ‘madams’ I usually work with!”

“That is not a compliment at all!”

Halbald was way too honest for his own good!

“Oh, damn it! When faced with the innocence of a young girl, all other women look like tainted creatures who have learned of lust! Dealing with those idle socialite madams has made me so tired…”

It seemed that “Madam Killer” Halbald had developed a distorted preference due to his line of work… He might actually be a somewhat pitiful guy in his own way.

Cerulia marched out of the venue without looking back.

It was our total victory! However, my problems weren’t over yet.

“But why on earth are there Mini-Demons in a place like this?”

Halbald directed a suspicious glare toward the garden.

“I smell the stench of a shabby human male! Come out!”

It couldn’t be helped. Since we’d been found out, we had to show ourselves. I emerged from the bushes, followed by Mary and Lidia-san.

“You really ruined a perfectly good deal for me. Though, thank you for showing me those wonderful girls. After all, children are best when they’re just playing tag.”

“Are you angry or grateful? Pick one!” I snapped.

“I can tell you’re Cerulia-san’s master. For spite’s sake, you’re going to die.”