The Sekirei’s Covenant

Sardinia Island, "Bronze-Black Cross," Naples Branch—

"Liliana-sama, please use this."

The sound of a door being pushed open came, and at the same time, a girl dressed in a maid outfit walked in, placing a cup of freshly brewed hot tea beside Liliana.

About thirteen or fourteen years old, with a pair of turquoise eyes, light green long hair, and a cute face that also carried a sly little fox-like expression.

Karen Jankulovski, the maid girl's name. Unlike Arianna, who was also a maid but had no talent in magic or swordsmanship, Karen possessed extremely high aptitude. She had skipped several grades in the magic academy at a young age and completed her studies early. Now, as an apprentice witch, she was assigned to train by Liliana's side.

"Karen, huh… thank you!"

Glancing at Sora on the bed, who still hadn't revived or woken up, Liliana's face showed some weariness. She gently sipped the tea and spoke to the little maid Karen.

"Lady Liliana, is this the seventh Godslayer, Lord Kusanagi?"

"Hee hee hee, I heard that this Demon king not only has Lady Liliana's rival, Lady Erica, serving him, but also a miko with advanced spiritual sight following him, and seems to have some connection with the witch from Sardinia Island."

"Unlike other Demon kings, this one is famous not only for his martial prowess but also for his charm!"

Looking at Sora on the bed, the little maid's turquoise eyes flashed with a strange light, and she smiled mischievously.

"Uh… actually, he's not as terrible as the legends say. He's a very unique Demon king…"

Hearing Karen's evaluation of Sora, Liliana's cheeks flushed slightly, feeling a bit embarrassed for him. She lacked the courage and weakly tried to defend Sora.

"Oh… I didn't expect Lady Liliana to have such an opinion of Lord Kusanagi!"

"Then, Lady Liliana, could you tell me the story between you and Lord Kusanagi?"

"It's already late at night, but even if I told you to rest, you wouldn't agree, right? How about I keep you company and chat for a while?"

With a sly little fox-like smile at the corner of her mouth, the little maid Karen spoke as if making a suggestion.

"Hmm… alright then."

Indeed, Liliana felt both sleepy and bored. Having Karen keep her company to pass the time wasn't a bad idea. The innocent Liliana thought for a moment and agreed, without considering the little maid's mischievous intentions.

After that, Liliana began recounting some of her experiences meeting Sora, while the little maid Karen listened attentively like a faithful audience, occasionally nodding and adding a few comments.

As Liliana spoke more and more, the little maid's turquoise eyes shone brighter. When she heard that the Demon king had actually stepped forward to block a deadly arrow for the knight girl, even the little maid's heart was strangely moved.

"What a foolish Demon king, risking his own life to save someone completely unrelated to him."

Covering her face, Liliana murmured softly. Beneath the seemingly mocking tone was a girl's deep self-blame and heartfelt emotion…

"Hee hee hee… Lady Liliana, this is fate!"

Unlike Liliana's gloomy and self-reproachful expression, the little maid Karen was full of excitement and enthusiasm.

"Fate? What fate?"

Looking up, Liliana showed a puzzled expression.

"Of course, it's the fate between Lady Liliana and Lord Kusanagi!"

With a confident tone and a slight smile, the little maid continued:

"Lady Liliana, don't you think Lord Kusanagi is the one destined for you?!"

A small thought rose in her heart, and she couldn't stop it. Something very, very interesting might happen now! The little maid thought mischievously.

"Destined one… what?!"

Muttering to herself, the innocent Liliana suddenly blushed deeply and stood up abruptly.

"Ka… Karen, don't say such things!"

Her face flushed red, stammering, Liliana said coquettishly to the little maid.

"Lady Liliana, I'm not just saying things randomly!"

"If Lady Liliana doesn't think so, then may I ask, who was it that helped Lady Liliana escape from the brutal Marquis Voban?"

Without any hesitation, the little maid smoothed her hair and asked in a questioning tone.

"Kusanagi Sora."

Without thinking, Liliana answered.

"Who fought side by side with Lady Liliana against the heretic god Perseus?"

With a slight smile, the little maid continued.

"Kusanagi Sora."

Again, without thinking, Liliana replied.

"Then who risked his life to save Lady Liliana at her most dangerous moment?"

With an even bigger smile, Karen knew Liliana was following her train of thought. Before Liliana could answer, she answered herself:

"That's right, it's Lord Kusanagi Sora!"

Standing up, the little maid Karen walked to Liliana's side, raised a small hand to Liliana's ear, and whispered softly:

"Lady Liliana, haven't you realized it yet? This is fate!"

"You and Lord Kusanagi have built a deep bond through one encounter after another. Otherwise, why do you think Lord Kusanagi would risk his life to save you?!"

"Don't you think it's romantic? Just like the male and female protagonists in a novel!"

The little maid Karen's hypnotic voice echoed continuously in Liliana's ear, causing the girl's mind to fill with one fantasy after another…

"Um, Karen, what… what do you think I should do?"

Blushing, swallowing nervously, Liliana shyly asked.

"Lady Liliana and Lord Kusanagi are bound by fate and have built a deep bond. This time, Lady Liliana owes Lord Kusanagi a huge debt of gratitude for risking his life to save her."

"If Lady Liliana really wants to do something, then—"

With a sly fox-like smile, the little maid Karen deliberately dragged out the tone.

"Then what?"

Staring intently at Karen, who was almost face-to-face with her, Liliana looked expectantly.

"Then, pledge yourself to him!"

"Pledge yourself to him… pledge yourself to him… pledge yourself to him…"

The little maid Karen's voice echoed repeatedly in the room, while Liliana was completely stunned…

"With my body… I pledge myself to you!!!"

Her cheeks flushed red, like a ripe apple, Lilliana's embarrassment was beyond words. Realizing her voice was too loud, she quickly covered her lips.

"Karen, you… what nonsense are you saying! Kusanagi Sora already has Erica as his lover, and he also has a relationship with Mariya Yuri. How could I possibly…"

Her words became incoherent. Although she had already accepted Sora, the fact that he was involved with Erica and Yuri made it hard for Lilliana to come to terms with.

"Hehehe… Lady Lilliana, throughout history, love is something you have to fight for!"

With a sparkle of wisdom in her eyes, the young maid spoke seriously.

"Fight for…"

Hugging her chest, Lilliana instinctively took a few steps back. Suddenly, she realized just how formidable her little maid was!

"Ahem… Karen, please watch over things for a while. I need to get some fresh air."

Feeling her heart had been greatly stirred, Lilliana told Karen and hurriedly opened the door to escape outside.

Watching Lilliana flee in a flustered state, the maid's face twisted into a mischievous smile. Turning around, Karen walked toward Sora lying on the bed.

"Lord Kusanagi, you really ought to thank me properly!"

"Well, although you probably won't even know…"

Gently stroking Sora's cheek, the maid murmured to herself…