Chapter 324: Simultaneous Progress
These past few days, the Succubus Loli had been sleeping with them, her petite and tender body currently draped across Haruto's lower abdomen and crotch.
Last night's final release had been inside that smooth, delicate little mouth.
Haruto did want to push them all down together, but until Sheila and Lucia were rescued, no matter how much the Succubus Loli desired it, she had to restrain herself.
This meant even Mio and Yuki could only experience simple pleasures for now, unable to enjoy the wonders of dual cultivation.
However, there were benefits. Since proper dual cultivation wasn't possible, Haruto had spent these days exploring every other part of the three girls' bodies.
Surprisingly, the seemingly tsundere Mio was very obedient in bed—she was the first to agree to having her tender rosebud explored.
Haruto rarely ventured into the backdoor, feeling it couldn't compare to delicate mouths, beautiful legs, or lovely feet, but an occasional try did offer unique sensations.
Moreover, conquering this territory symbolized claiming a maiden entirely, so Haruto had considerable experience in this area.
Watching the Succubus Loli's face slightly distorted by his rigid dragon, Haruto felt somewhat puzzled.
They were already playing so wildly—why insist on avoiding the final step?
His confusion lasted only a moment. Everyone has their own thoughts; perhaps Maria had her own reasons.
Well, mainly he wasn't in a hurry to devour them completely.
With his nights occupied, Haruto could still engage in dual cultivation with other girls during the day.
Since it was Saturday, no classes were scheduled.
After frolicking in bed a while longer with Yuki, Mio, and Maria—leaving the three girls limp and coated in sticky, sweet-scented essence—Haruto finally rose.
After finishing breakfast, it was almost ten o'clock.
Haruto took the Naruse sisters out, planning to meet with Toujou Basara for combat practice.
Combat practice was the best way to enhance fighting capabilities and accelerate mastery of their powers.
Without using the execution of the Dimensionless technique, the combined strength of Toujou Basara and the four girls was roughly equal.
With Haruto guiding them and acting as insurance, there was no worry about losing control and causing danger.
After Lars's attack, everyone worked hard to strengthen their abilities while waiting for Zolgear's next move.
Whether it was useful or not, improving their strength and mastering uncontrollable powers was never a bad thing.
Just as they stepped out of the entrance, Maria, who had been bouncing ahead, suddenly paused and carefully observed the surroundings without drawing attention.
After confirming no one else was around, she approached Haruto and whispered, "Brother Haruto, there's been contact from over there."
Haruto and the others also noticed the mark on the flower bed. After exchanging glances, they decisively turned back home.
"Maria, you go and make contact with them. Keep stalling for now."
"Okay." The Succubus Loli took a deep breath, changed direction, and left alone.
Worried about potential problems, the plan Haruto had proposed wasn't decided upon yet. They could only continue using delaying tactics, hoping for a new turn of events.
By this point, everyone understood that it was unlikely for any new opportunities to arise.
Zolgear wasn't foolish enough to be fooled repeatedly—once or twice might work, but any more would raise suspicions.
This was indeed the case, as it was only Maria's third time contacting Lars.
However, after Zolgear concluded that he couldn't easily capture Toujou Basara without taking action himself, he directly demanded that Maria subdue Mio and hand her over to Lars.
Maria tried to continue bluffing, but this time Zolgear was adamant.
Maria returned to the mansion with a grave expression and informed everyone of what had happened.
"Let's do as Brother Haruto suggested the other day."
After a moment of silence, Mio mustered her courage and looked directly at Haruto. "I believe Brother Haruto will definitely rescue me in time."
Haruto: ...
With you saying that, how could I possibly refuse?
Haruto nodded silently. Although he believed the likelihood of turning Lars and Zest to their side was high—and it was the best approach—the girls, unaware of the reasons, still preferred a safer method.
"Notify Basara, then contact the other side."
Just as Haruto made the decision, he suddenly wondered if they could carry out both the plan to turn the enemies and the act simultaneously.
If Lars cooperated, Mio's safety would be guaranteed.
"Wait a moment, Maria. Did the other side specify a deadline?"
The girls, who were about to take action, looked at Haruto in confusion. The Succubus Loli tapped her chin with her index finger. "Hmm... no, they just said the sooner, the better."
Haruto understood. This was likely just to prepare Maria psychologically in advance; the next contact would involve forceful coercion.
In that case, they could first arrange a meeting between the Naruse couple and Lars. Whether the plan to turn them could succeed would then be clear at a glance.
Haruto explained this idea. Although the girls didn't understand why Mio's adoptive parents could play such a role, they proceeded according to Haruto's plan.
Maria and Mio went to find Basara Toujou first to inform him, hoping to also contact Jin Toujou who was abroad—having one more strong ally meant an extra layer of security.
However, Haruto estimated that Jin Toujou wouldn't return. If this likely god-level hero were to come back, the cunning old fox Zolgear would surely become even more vigilant.
Others might not know, but how could Haruto be unaware of the relationship between Mio and the Toujou father and son?
The Naruse sisters continued to silently handle surveillance duties. Yuki had already made up her mind to leave the Hero Clan village after this mission and devote herself wholeheartedly to following Haruto.
Kurumi, however, was conflicted. If she reported the situation, the Hero Clan would likely issue an order to eliminate Mio—the elders' mentality was always "better to kill by mistake than let escape."
And she would be the primary executor.
Kurumi didn't want to do this. She felt Mio had done nothing wrong, but having been raised with the village's teachings, she couldn't easily shift her perspective.
Haruto noticed this but didn't pay it much mind.
With Rias and the Occult Research Club holding the rear, any forces sent by the Hero Clan would be effortlessly handled.
As for Kurumi attacking Mio—the possibility was virtually zero.
The girl was pure-hearted; even if she did act, she wouldn't have the heart to truly kill Mio.
It would be best if Kurumi came to understand on her own. If not, Haruto planned to have Yuki talk some sense into her then.
With Yuki's help, guiding the girl to "see the light" shouldn't be too difficult.
Meanwhile, Haruto and Akeno Himejima teleported back to the Underworld to fetch the Naruse couple, then explained the requirements.
The Naruse couple looked utterly bewildered, unsure what Haruto intended.
"You'll understand when you see that person."
Haruto didn't know what name Lars went by during the orphanage days.
It might have changed, or it might not.
Regardless, if Lars remained as Haruto remembered, he would surely initiate contact upon seeing the couple.
Though confused, the Naruse couple knew they just needed to follow Haruto's instructions.
With everything arranged, Haruto had Maria contact Lars to set a meeting location.
The next day, at White Elephant Park.
The Naruse couple strolled leisurely, chatting and laughing softly like an ordinary couple enjoying their day off.
Nearby, Xuelan and Mihae—dressed in casual clothes—kept watch over anyone approaching them.
The Naruse couple's combat abilities were rather lacking, so Haruto wouldn't feel at ease without protection.
Since Xuelan and her companions had never been exposed publicly, Zolgear and his subordinates most likely didn't know about them.
With their black hair—though both were beautiful—Xuelan and Mihae were the least conspicuous choices among the women.
This small park was where Maria and Lars agreed to meet, with half an hour remaining until the scheduled time.
As time passed and noon arrived, the few ordinary visitors in the small park gradually dispersed.
Haruto checked the time—Lars should have spotted the Naruse couple by now.
If the other party didn't appear soon, the defection plan would have to be abandoned.
To avoid detection and potentially scaring Lars away, Haruto's group stayed home, awaiting updates from Xuelan and Mihae.
At this moment, Maria had already arrived at White Elephant Park.
His gaze subtly intersected with the Naruse Couple's before he slowly made his way toward the corner of the park.
Ten minutes before the scheduled time, an unfamiliar magical presence registered in Xuelan and Mihae's senses.