"It's a pleasure to meet you. My name is Shizue Izawa… you can call me Shizu."
She gave a small bow before lifting her gaze again, her brown eyes filled with genuine curiosity. "If possible, could you tell me the story behind all of this?" she asked softly.
Arthur smiled when he noticed the delicate smile forming on her face.
There was something about her that made him naturally lower his guard. Shizu emanated a calm, gentle aura—almost comforting—a presence that stirred in him an instinctive desire to protect her.
Despite having lived a life marked by tragedy, she harbored no hatred.
She didn't like this world, yet she couldn't truly hate it either.
The cruel experiences she had endured hadn't corrupted her heart. On the contrary, they had nurtured a deep compassion, especially for children who shared fates similar to her own. That quiet kindness made her existence all the more painfully beautiful.
"Of course," Arthur replied softly. Then, after a brief moment of hesitation, he added,
"But before that… could you give me your hand?"
He extended his hand toward her.
"Huh? Um…" Shizu blinked a few times, clearly confused by the sudden request. Still, after a moment, she nodded. "All right."
She took his hand carefully, as if afraid of doing something wrong.
"Now, look into my eyes…" Arthur said, his tone serious yet strangely reassuring. "And release Ifrit."
"Eh? But—" Shizu tried to protest, the nervousness evident in her voice.
Before she could continue, Arthur interrupted her, gently tightening his grip on her hand—a firm yet comforting gesture.
"Trust me," he said with a smile. "After today, you won't have to worry about him anymore."
Those simple, direct words echoed deeply within her.
Though she was extremely reluctant, Shizue took a deep breath. Trusting someone had never been easy for her… but for some reason, she felt she could believe in him.
She agreed.
The next instant, Ifrit was released—and immediately tried to seize full control of her body, just as he always had.
[Ultimate Skill: Lord of Domination — Gilgamesh activated]
Arthur didn't waste any time. His ultimate skill activated at once, and Ifrit's will was completely crushed, subjugated without the slightest chance of resistance.
"You will submit…" Arthur declared, his voice resonating with absolute authority.
"And you will obey your host completely."
Inside his mind, he added,
Now… just to be safe.
[Ultimate Skill: Lord of Laws — Hammurabi]
"I decree that any attempt—intentional or accidental—to harm Shizue Izawa will result in the immediate and total destruction of the offender's physical and spiritual body, Ifrit, without exception or appeal."
Arthur spoke with absolute coldness.
"Now," he finished calmly, "return control of the body to her."
With no choice left, Ifrit obeyed.
Control returned to Shizu.
A few seconds passed, and then she fully came back to herself.
"What… happened?" she asked in confusion, placing a hand on her chest.
"You don't need to worry about Ifrit anymore," Arthur replied with a calm, almost proud smile.
"…Really?"
She stared at him, still unable to fully believe it. There was hope in her voice, but also fear of being disappointed.
"Yes." Arthur nodded. "Try using his power. I'm sure you'll notice the difference."
"…"
Shizu closed her eyes for a few moments. She felt the heat of the flames respond to her call—but for the first time, there was no hostility, no attempt at domination. Just pure, obedient energy.
She opened her eyes, stunned.
Ifrit did nothing but grant her the power of flames.
"How… how did you do this?" she asked, visibly shaken.
Arthur chuckled lightly, rubbing the back of his neck.
"Let's just say… I'm very good at persuading people."
Then, completely changing the mood, he smiled casually.
"Now then, how about we eat something?"
After receiving her nod, Arthur stepped out of the room for a moment. Shortly afterward, he returned carrying a tray filled with fresh fruit.
"Feel free to eat whatever you like," he said, setting the tray beside the bed.
"Of course…" Shizu smiled, picking up one of the fruits. Soon after, she looked back at him.
"So… could you tell me more about yourself now? You said you're Japanese too, but your name…"
"Oh, that." Arthur laughed. "My birth name was Kenshin Himura, but because of a few issues—and also because it sounded like the name of a manga protagonist—I ended up changing it to Arthur."
Shizu couldn't help but let out a soft laugh.
"I have a feeling those 'issues' were quite serious," she said, still smiling.
"By the way," Arthur remarked casually as he picked up an apple and began peeling it with calm, precise movements, "how did you realize you were trapped in an illusion?"
Shizue glanced at him sideways and suddenly started laughing.
"What were you thinking when you made me work at that maid café…?" she asked, clearly amused by the memory.
"Nothing at all," Arthur replied without the slightest hint of guilt in his tone. "And technically, I wasn't even the one who created that illusion."
"You weren't?" Shizue asked, lightly furrowing her brow in confusion.
"Well… yes. I mean, no." Arthur scratched the back of his neck. "But I'll admit, seeing you in a maid outfit was pretty cute." He laughed openly.
"I get the feeling you're lying to me…" Shizue narrowed her eyes, smiling suspiciously. "You were the one who made that maid café, weren't you?"
Arthur sighed, defeated by her expression.
"Yes, I was the one who did it."
He finished peeling the apple and handed it to her.
"Thank you." Shizue accepted the apple and chuckled softly, shaking her head as if she had already expected that answer.
"I admit that illusion was quite fun," she said as she took a bite of the fruit, still smiling.
---xXx---
While Arthur and Shizu were talking peacefully…
"Shion," Shuna began with a polite but dangerously calm smile, "leave trivial matters such as food, clothing, shelter, and the master's satisfaction to me. I alone can handle all of that perfectly."
The extremely deliberate emphasis on the word alone echoed like thunder in Shion's ears.
She wasn't irritated.
Definitely not.
But her inner fury was starting to spiral completely out of control.
"Serving the master is a small matter," Shion replied with a forced smile, crossing her arms. "How could I trouble you with that, Princess? This is my duty as the master's personal secretary, wouldn't you agree?"
Personal secretary?
How shameless!
Hearing Shion's equally deliberate emphasis, Shuna showed no irritation at all. On the contrary, her smile remained intact… as her magical energy began to rise dangerously around her.
"Shion," Shuna said in a voice far too sweet to be innocent, "you can't be the personal secretary."
She tilted her head slightly. "With your strength, I think you'd be much better suited to training soldiers for Benimaru."
She then took a small step forward.
"Being the master's personal secretary would be a complete waste of your talents."
Her smile widened. "Leave that job to me. I'll take care of all of the master's needs."
"Huh?"
Shion wasn't angry.
She just… couldn't resist the temptation.
In a swift motion, Shion grabbed Shuna's cheeks and started squeezing them hard.
Shuna wasn't angry either.
She immediately retaliated, squeezing Shion's cheeks with equal force.
For a few seconds, the two of them stood there, pulling at each other's faces, smiling in a very clearly unfriendly manner, while the air around them seemed to vibrate with silent rivalry.
(End of Chapter)
Shion and Shuna -