Chapter 326: Zest
After many days apart, the Naruse Couple reunited with Mio, and the family of three had much to talk about.
Haruto wasn't in a hurry to send the Naruse Couple back to the Underworld. Since the operation was estimated to begin tomorrow, it wouldn't be a problem to let the Naruse family spend more time together before then.
With the biggest secret now exposed, the Naruse Couple revealed everything they had previously kept hidden from Mio.
They specifically explained the matter regarding Lars, likely fearing that Mio might misunderstand.
The Naruse Couple were inherently kind and gentle by nature, having adopted many demon children who had become orphans due to the war among the three races.
Lars was one of them.
As they had taken in too many orphans, the couple eventually opened an orphanage, continuing until Wilbert sent them to the human world to raise Mio.
Although reluctant to leave the children they had adopted, they owed the establishment of the orphanage to Wilbert's support.
Wilbert chose them to raise Mio precisely because he valued their kindness, gentleness, and loyalty.
However, after the Naruse Couple left and Wilbert passed away under mysterious circumstances, the orphanage could no longer continue operating.
It was after the orphanage disbanded that Zolgear took notice of Lars and brought him back for training.
The Naruse Couple also revealed that Lars was a puppet master—an ability not particularly strong in combat but extremely mysterious and elusive.
It was precisely because of this ability that Lars had managed to remain undetected for so many years.
Watching the harmonious Naruse family, Maria couldn't help but think of her own mother and sister.
She quietly slipped away from the crowd, not wanting her low spirits to affect others.
Just as Haruto was about to go comfort her, Mio, with a concerned expression, had already walked over.
While talking with her parents, she had been keeping an eye on Maria. Originally intending to introduce her half-sister to her parents, she noticed Maria trying to sneak away.
Haruto stopped in his tracks and also halted the concerned Naruse Couple.
"Leave it to Mio," he said.
The Naruse Couple hesitated slightly, but Haruto added, "You need to believe in Mio. She's no longer the ordinary girl hiding under your protection."
The Naruse Couple froze for a moment, then thought of Lars.
That once tiny child had now grown so strong. With Mio possessing Satan's bloodline and power, her future stage would only be broader.
The two slowly stopped, gazing at Mio's back with mixed feelings—reluctance at their child growing up and leaving them, frustration at being unable to help her, and a touch of helplessness and insecurity.
However, these complicated emotions melted into tenderness and relief when Mio enthusiastically introduced Maria to them.
Like Rias, Mio possessed a unique charm.
Her fervent, sincere emotions could be felt even by Haruto, who was standing nearby.
Even Kurumi, who had been struggling over whether to report the matter, was moved and made the most important decision of her life.
"Sister, I don't want to report this," Kurumi whispered as she leaned close to Yuki. "If Mio and the others fail, remember to pin everything on me alone."
Although she was the one responsible for monitoring Mio, if anything went wrong, Yuki would inevitably be implicated—unless she claimed that Kurumi had deceived her and shifted all responsibility onto her.
Without the misunderstandings from childhood, the relationship between Kurumi and Yuki had always been good. Though Yuki's personality was somewhat aloof, it didn't mean she didn't care about Kurumi.
"It's fine. Haruto won't fail," Yuki said calmly, as if stating a fact. "When this is over, you and I will leave the village together."
"Huh?"
Kurumi was startled, quickly covering her mouth with her small hand.
"Sister, what are you talking about? Why would we leave the village?"
Yuki glanced at her faintly. "You'll understand when the time comes."
...
The next morning, Lars met up with Maria and teleported away with the unconscious Mio.
Not knowing whether Zolgear still had people watching them, Haruto and the others decided to play their roles to the fullest.
Haruto and the Naruse sisters arrived "too late" to catch up, and could only attempt magical tracking on the spot.
In reality, Lars had already told them Zolgear's location.
Zolgear was hiding in a small world, or rather, a different dimension.
He had used a magical barrier to completely isolate it. Without knowing the coordinates, there was no way to enter from the outside.
After acting for a while, Haruto took the Naruse sisters home and used a pre-prepared Teleportation Magic circle to teleport directly to the location.
"This is it, no doubt."
Haruto scanned the area. The space wasn't large, and overall, it looked like a primeval forest.
"Wait here for me."
The Naruse sisters' combat abilities were average; together, they could only fight Zest to a draw. Bringing them along would only increase the risk of exposure.
"No, my mission is to monitor you," Kurumi huffed angrily.
"No, your mission is to monitor Mio."
Haruto retorted, then turned to Yuki under Kurumi's glare.
"Yuki, when Maria and the others arrive later, teleport back directly."
Yuki nodded and said softly, "Haruto, be careful."
"Don't worry. That old fool Zolgear is no match for me."
Haruto smiled, then concealed his presence and headed toward the ancient castle standing not far away.
In this small alternate dimension, there was only this one structure, so there was no worry about going to the wrong place.
When he was about a hundred meters from the castle, Haruto saw Lars waiting under a large tree.
"Let's go. Remember, I'm only responsible for guiding you."
"Have you confirmed the location where Maria's mother and sister are being held?"
"Yes. If you're not assured, we can wait a bit longer," Lars said.
Rather than being unsure about that, Haruto was more worried about Mio facing danger.
"Let's proceed directly."
A deep blue Magical Power enveloped Haruto. As the light distorted, it was replaced by a nimble and powerful blue-gray cat.
In this form, unless he revealed himself, no one below god-level could see through it.
Combined with concealment magic, it was most suitable for infiltration.
With Haruto's current strength, even in his cat form, he possessed SSS-level combat power. Unless he encountered Zolgear head-on, he could handle any enemies he met without needing to revert to his original form.
Lars looked curiously at the cat by his feet, hesitated for a moment, but couldn't hold back.
"What kind of magic is this?"
"It's not magic; it's more of a bloodline ability."
The cat spoke in human language, making Lars even more curious. However, seeing that Haruto didn't want to elaborate, he could only suppress his curiosity.
Lars shrugged, and a Teleportation Magic circle appeared at his feet, instantly transporting him to the castle entrance.
Haruto, still in his cat form, remained by his side, though he was nearly undetectable without careful perception.
Just as the two were about to enter the castle, Zest suddenly appeared at the doorway.
Haruto discreetly observed the dark-skinned, buxom bunny-eared girl before him—she looked exactly as he remembered.
Zest was an artificial lifeform created by Zolgear in the image of his beloved. However, due to imperfections in her creation, Zolgear never treated her as human.
She received no praise for her accomplishments, was frequently subjected to scolding and abuse, and her thoughts were constantly monitored, with Zolgear always ready to scrap and remake her.
As an artificial lifeform, Zest inherently needed a master. Though she hadn't yet formed a master-servant contract with Mio, Haruto wondered if he could stir envy in her heart—making her wish that he, not Zolgear, were her master.
These fleeting thoughts passed through his mind, and Haruto continued to carefully suppress his presence.
"Lars, what are you doing back here?" Zest blocked their path, asking curiously.
Lars had just brought that succubus and Zolgear's target inside not long ago—why was he returning so soon?
"I forgot one thing earlier, so I came back to inform Lord Zolgear."
Though Zest was suspicious, she had no proof. After hesitating for a moment, she stepped aside to let him pass.
Lars gave her a slight nod and strode unhurriedly into the castle.
Haruto followed at his feet, blending into the shadows as if he were one with them, slipping in effortlessly.
Once inside the castle, Lars led Haruto straight to where Sheila and Lucia were being held.
Meanwhile, Maria had stretched the delay to its limit.
"Hmph, don't force me to take action," Zolgear said coldly. "I told you, I'll release your mother and sister once I've taken the power from within her."
"No, you must release my mother and sister first."
Maria tightened her grip around Mio's neck. "Otherwise, I'll kill her right now."