Chapter 323: Two Methods
After dinner, Haruto, Mio, and Maria gathered at Toujou Basara's home.
Yuki and Kurumi, who were assigned to surveillance, naturally followed along.
Not long before, Toujou Basara had called them. After hearing the description of the attacker, Haruto began to form a vague idea of how to rescue Sheila and Lucia.
However, the specifics of implementation still required careful planning.
In the living room, Toujou Basara served tea and snacks as everyone chatted while eating.
Haruto first explained the intelligence obtained from Rias, then added, "The person who attacked you is likely another subordinate of Zolgear, probably aiming to kidnap you and use you to threaten Mio."
Knowing the nature of the Nonaka sisters' mission, Toujou Basara felt considerably more at ease.
Though the Hero village hadn't treated him well, his old companions from back then were still dear to him.
If the Nonaka sisters' mission conflicted with their goals, he would have found it difficult to navigate—which was why he had been avoiding them.
Everyone present found Haruto's deduction quite reasonable, especially after Maria confirmed that the person who contacted her was the same one who attacked Toujou Basara, solidifying the assailant's identity.
"That person is skilled, but they're no match for you, Haruto."
Toujou Basara touched the fresh scar on his face and said, "They aren't powerful enough to abduct Mio, but Maria's mother and sister are indeed a problem."
"Actually, it's not that complicated."
Haruto said calmly, "If Zolgear dies, all of this will be resolved."
"Zolgear is a veteran Satan-Class powerhouse. Unless he's instantly killed, Maria's mother and sister will be in danger."
Kurumi frowned, "I think rescuing them first is the better approach."
Maria shot a grateful glance at Kurumi. Whether Zolgear lived or died didn't matter to her—she only wanted her mother and sister safe.
"Yes, that would be more prudent."
Haruto had also discerned Maria's thoughts, and indeed, everyone present felt the same way.
Although he had already reached the Super Devil Class, even with his Sacred Gear's Balance Breaker, Haruto couldn't confidently claim he could instantly defeat Zolgear.
Unless he were at a god-like level.
Given enough time, Haruto would undoubtedly reach that divine tier, but Zolgear clearly wouldn't grant him that luxury.
"This old bastard really loves using hostages, what a nuisance..."
Haruto recalled how Naruse's parents had also been taken hostage by him before, and couldn't help but spit in disgust.
Back then, he had managed to stealthily rescue the Naruse couple and executed a brilliant escape plan, allowing them to live peacefully under the Gremory family's protection.
But this time, saving Sheila and Lucia from Zolgear's clutches wouldn't be so easy—arguably no simpler than instantly defeating Zolgear himself.
Zolgear was highly skilled in magic, making it nearly impossible for Haruto to rescue anyone undetected.
Moreover, he first needed to locate Zolgear's hiding spot.
Everyone present recognized the gravity of the situation and fell into silence.
Even Rias couldn't devise a solid plan, only able to instruct Maria to stall for time—let alone Toujou Basara.
When it came to strategic planning, Rias was undoubtedly first-rate.
Unfortunately, with such an intelligence gap, her abilities were often hamstrung.
After a moment, Haruto judged the timing right and spoke up: "I have an idea, but it carries some risk."
Everyone looked at him in surprise. Toujou Basara said, "Haruto, let's hear it. Anything's better than sitting around doing nothing."
"Right, the concept is actually simple."
Haruto pondered briefly. "If Zolgear can take hostages, why can't we?"
Seeing their confused expressions, he explained: "The subordinates Zolgear took with him must know his current location. The ones he sent on missions are likely his most trusted aides. If we can capture that masked man..."
At this point, everyone understood Haruto's plan.
The method was feasible, but there were too many uncertainties.
First, since they were trusted subordinates, torture might not make them betray Zolgear.
Even if they agreed, there was no way to verify if the intelligence they provided was genuine.
There were other potential issues too—like predetermined code phrases between them.
A single misstep could easily get Maria's mother and sister killed.
If Zolgear realized the plan was hopeless, with his limited lifespan, he would certainly go berserk and wouldn't spare Sheila and Lucia.
The best outcome would be if he simply killed them without torture.
Haruto knew the masked man—Lars—was actually a hidden traitor. If they could bring the Naruse couple forward, Lars would definitely betray Zolgear.
After locating Zolgear's hideout, they could also turn Zest against him.
This dark-skinned, buxom artificial woman secretly harbored rebellious intentions toward Zolgear. Had she not been created in the image of his beloved, she would have been eliminated long ago.
Toujou Basara and the others didn't know this, and Haruto couldn't easily explain it.
Of course, he also couldn't guarantee that Lars and Zest would still be as he remembered.
Just like the changes in the Nonaka sisters, any deviation could spell disaster.
"If that doesn't work, there's another way."
Haruto spoke again. "But this method would require Mio to take a risk."
This time, before anyone could ask, Haruto briefly outlined his plan.
In simple terms, it was about having Maria deliver Mio to Zolgear in exchange for Sheila and Lucia.
Zolgear definitely wouldn't kill Mio, allowing Haruto and the others to act freely when the time came.
But this plan also carried risks.
First, it tested Maria's acting skills—to see whether she or Zolgear would hold out until the end.
If Maria's performance failed to deceive Zolgear, Mio would be handed over, and neither Sheila nor Lucia would be retrieved.
Second, there was no guarantee that Haruto and the others could rescue Mio before Zolgear made his move.
While Mio wouldn't be in mortal danger, if her inner power and body were taken, killing Zolgear afterward would be pointless.
Haruto was unwilling to proceed with the second plan. If forced to choose between the succubus mother-daughter pair and Mio, he would undoubtedly choose the tsundere, buxom beauty with red twin tails.
Sheila and Lucia were indeed appealing, but Haruto had never truly interacted with them.
As for Mio... he had long regarded her as his woman, and no one else was allowed to lay a finger on her.
The atmosphere remained heavy. The second plan spared Maria's mother and sister from risk, but it placed Mio in grave danger.
"Let's do it this way."
Mio clenched her small fist and declared firmly, "We must save Maria's family."
"Mio-sama..."
The succubus loli teared up, deeply moved, but ultimately refused.
"No, I can't let Mio-sama take such a risk."
If she had intended to go through with it, she wouldn't have revealed Zolgear's threat to use her as a spy.
At this point, Kurumi also spoke up, "I don't recommend this either. If Mio disappears, I, as the monitor, must report this information."
"The village will undoubtedly take action, sacrificing Mio if necessary, to stop Zolgear."
Having known each other for less than a week, everyone got along well, but without the bonds of childhood, it wasn't enough for the Nonaka sisters to abandon their village and fully side with Haruto.
Toujou Basara gazed intently at his two cousins but remained silent, his expression growing increasingly stern.
After presenting both options, Haruto fell quiet.
He knew the matter couldn't be rushed. For now, there was still room for maneuver, but the right moment to act would come when Zolgear next contacted Maria.
Time was running short, and each day brought the risk of being hunted by the Underworld. Every second of delay increased the danger of discovery.
Three days later, on a calm and breezy Saturday morning.
Haruto held Mio in one arm and Yuki in the other, savoring the alluring warmth of the two beauties. His calm heart gradually stirred with ripples.
Due to Zolgear's imminent threat, Haruto had been staying close to Mio these past few days. Yuki, tasked with monitoring her, had shifted from sleeping by the bedside to resting in his embrace.
The delicate fragrance unique to innocent girls continuously teased Haruto's senses. Even though he had explored every inch of their bodies over the past few days—everything short of the final step—holding their flawless, smooth forms in his arms still ignited a fiery passion within him.
Yuki and Mio had made their intentions clear: they were ready whenever Haruto desired them.
Haruto wasn't deliberately refusing them; he was merely mindful of the succubus loli's feelings.