Chapter 330: Sheila and Lucia
A moment later, the massive monster had completely turned to ashes—not even a core remained, let alone any fragments.
Seeing the unstable fluctuations in the alternate space, Haruto didn't linger and left immediately.
Upon returning home, he found Zest sitting somewhat stiffly in the living room.
Seeing the rabbit-eared girl so well-behaved and obedient, Haruto decided to take her in and grant her the Knight class.
The status of artificial lifeforms was also awkward in the Underworld. Even though Zest wasn't much different from an ordinary demon, her bloodline was just less pure.
After reincarnation using Evil Pieces, her identity issue would be resolved.
Humans, Fallen Angels, and Nekomata were all considered demons after reincarnation, so artificial lifeforms naturally wouldn't be a problem either.
However, before conducting the reincarnation ritual, there were other matters to handle first.
Zolgear's death was reported to the Underworld by Akeno.
Then there were the issues concerning Lars and the Naruse Couple.
With Zolgear dead, the Naruse Couple no longer needed to hide, and Lars no longer had to worry about being hunted down.
After discussions, the Naruse Couple chose to return to the Underworld, to the place they had left, and continue their previous work.
Although the war among the three factions had stopped, there were still many orphans.
Without Satan's support, they might not be able to save too many orphans, but they still wanted to do their best.
The couple had also considered returning to the human world, but Mio already knew about her origins.
They believed Mio wouldn't mind, but what about others?
Moreover, they realized Mio had grown accustomed to her current life and didn't want to disrupt it.
Lars had been struggling with where to go, but upon seeing the Naruse Couple decide to return to the Underworld and resume their past work, he simply chose to join them.
After seeing off the three, Haruto was pulled by Maria to meet Sheila and Lucia.
He had briefly encountered this mother-daughter succubus pair not long ago, but due to time constraints then, he had only glanced at them hastily.
Now, upon closer inspection, Haruto realized Maria was the spitting image of Sheila.
Though this former succubus queen had a petite and adorable figure, her voice was exceptionally alluring, with every movement radiating astonishing seductiveness.
Sheila wasn't intentionally trying to seduce Haruto—it was simply her innate nature due to her bloodline.
If she were in her mature form like Maria, with long legs and giant breasts as a silver-haired beauty, Haruto would probably feel quite tempted too.
Well, actually, even now, gazing into those watery, utterly captivating eyes, he felt some urge to do something.
In contrast to Maria and Sheila, Lucia appeared somewhat cold and detached. Her figure seemed rather plain—neither a petite loli nor blessed with voluptuous curves.
At first glance, she gave off an asexual impression, completely unlike what one would expect from a succubus.
Facing Haruto, who had saved both her and her mother, Lucia's attitude was respectful and noticeably softer.
Yet Haruto couldn't help feeling something was odd—her personality seemed quite different from her mother and sister.
Haruto didn't dwell on it; no one said a succubus couldn't be asexual.
This world was full of strange things and people, so one more asexual succubus didn't seem particularly remarkable.
Thanks to Maria's lively presence, their conversation remained pleasant. Sheila showed no concern about Maria's ambiguous relationship with Haruto—in fact, there was even a hint of amusement in her eyes.
Lucia seemed to want to say something but was stopped by Sheila.
Finally, after arranging for Sheila and Lucia to stay temporarily, Haruto took his leave.
Suppressing the restless flames in his heart and pushing down wicked thoughts, Haruto went to find Rias.
He needed to discuss making Zest his Familiar, and then decide what to do with the biological manufacturing technology retrieved from Zolgear, along with the combined science and magic research materials.
Haruto had no interest in these things—keeping them served no purpose, so it was better to pass them to those who needed them.
Whether the Gremory family kept these materials for their own research or used them for trade, they could surely extract value from them.
When Rias saw the materials, her face lit up with delight.
If not for current obligations, she would have definitely pulled Haruto back to her room for a proper reward.
Though whether it would be a reward for Haruto or for herself was debatable.
After having his recently suppressed desires stirred up again at Rias' place, Haruto licked his slightly dry lips and went to find Zest.
The giant-breasted bunny-eared girl agreed almost immediately upon hearing about becoming a reborn Familiar, without any hesitation.
Unable to read her thoughts or emotions, Haruto asked curiously after the rebirth ceremony ended: "Didn't you consider regaining your freedom? Going out alone to see the world?"
"If you want to leave, I'll let you go."
"No, I want to become your servant."
The bunny-eared girl's pretty face flushed crimson, visible even through her dark skin.
She said shyly: "I envy the relationship between Mio and the others with you. Besides, now that I'm alone, I don't know what to do with myself."
Since her creation, Zest had always followed Zolgear's orders. With Zolgear dead, she felt lost.
When asked to act on her own will, she didn't even know the meaning of her existence.
Though the bunny-eared girl appeared spirited, her personality was actually submissive and somewhat adorably clueless.
It was precisely because of this temperament that Zolgear knew she would never betray him, no matter how dissatisfied she might be.
That's why among all the manufactured "Zests," he kept only her by his side.
Haruto stared blankly, making the busty bunny-eared girl extremely uncomfortable before finally speaking: "Envy what? Do you really think my relationship with Mio and the others is just an ordinary master-servant bond?"
"Huh?"
Zest didn't quite process this, her large eyes looking innocently at Haruto.
"Zolgear wasn't a good master, but ordinary master-servant relationships definitely don't have the kind of bond we share."
When dealing with the adorably clueless busty bunny-eared girl, Haruto felt it was better to explain things clearly.
Otherwise, she might think he was playing favorites later.
"It's more accurate to say we're lovers than master and servant."
After a pause, Haruto added: "Of course, I don't acknowledge the lover relationship."
Until the annoying cuckold template completely disappeared for a day, he wouldn't formally acknowledge any relationship.
Zest found Haruto's words contradictory, but still obediently nodded, waiting for him to continue.
Shooting her a sidelong glance, Haruto briefly explained his relationship with Rias and the other women.
Just as Zest was blushing so hard she seemed about to emit righteous energy, Haruto added some details about the dual cultivation ability.
The bunny-eared girl probably hadn't learned much about the outside world since her creation, having almost no knowledge about Haruto's information.
Fortunately, she still understood matters between men and women, along with some common sense.
"S-so... I also need to have sex with you..."
Ahem, dual cultivation."
With her long, straight beautiful legs pressed together and leaning sideways against the edge of the sofa, Zest obediently corrected herself: "I'm willing to dual cultivate, if it's with Master Haruto."
She was just a humble, pitiful little bunny-eared girl. Having finally encountered a gentle, kind, powerful, and handsome master, what more could she ask for?
Although their time together had been short, even brief, aside from him having too many women, Zest truly felt Haruto was a good candidate to entrust her life to.
"Mhm, take these next few days to familiarize yourself with the environment."
Haruto originally intended to have Zest serve him tonight, but after some thought decided to give her some time to adjust.
"We'll discuss what to assign you after I consult with the department head and the others."
"Understood, Master."
Zest definitely couldn't be like Yubelluna and the others, left to find things to do on her own.
If the bunny-eared girl had that kind of independent mindset, she wouldn't have been so nervous and restrained from the start, nor would she have visibly relaxed after acknowledging Haruto as her master.
...
After dinner, Haruto went to the bath with Yuki.
After enjoying the beautiful girl's chest massage and back scrubbing service, he gazed down at the erect little Haruto standing proudly between his legs, quietly contemplating the evening's activities.
The matter with Zolgear was finally settled. Aside from not yet notifying Toujou Basara, there didn't seem to be anything else requiring immediate attention.
Oh, right - he still hadn't mastered mental control and telekinesis magic.
But those couldn't be rushed. Dual cultivation was still necessary.
Maria had finally reunited with her family and probably wouldn't have time tonight.
Mio had been unconscious the entire time - perhaps tonight would work.
Thinking this, Haruto looked up at Yuki, who was lying on top of him, her beautiful eyes misty and her small mouth panting softly.