“So according to your investigation… this maid named Luna has feelings for Mars Noctus?”
“Yes. It’s already a well-known rumor among the people around them.”
It was a common story.
A servant falling in love with their master.
Sometimes as a stepping stone to rise in status, or a facade to exploit wealth.
And sometimes, the feelings might even be genuine.
But Zelos couldn’t care less about any of that.
“A woman in love, huh? That makes things easier than I thought.”
“But she’s said to be accompanying the saintess as her maid. If we try any other tricks, there’s a high chance we’ll get exposed.”
“Hmm… you’ve got a point.”
The “madness” Zelos possessed was a power more alien than anything else in existence.
If he tried to use this power to mess with Luna, there was a good chance she would sense it.
She may have once been nearly banished, but the saintess’s power was real.
“Then I just need to avoid going myself, right?”
Zelos had a unique ability. He specialized in manipulating others’ emotions and shaping souls.
Controlling someone else’s soul would be tricky, but manipulating his own was simple.
After a brief operation, Zelos embedded his soul into a nearby, expensive ruby necklace.
Then, as previously arranged, he had one of his subordinates infiltrate a shop near the academy that Luna frequented, ensuring the necklace would catch her attention.
Fortune-telling and superstition still had a surprisingly large following.
From beggars at the bottom of society to noble aristocrats at the very top, people believed in such things. So with the right words, she was sure to fall for the trick.
Thus, Zelos safely made it into the academy in Luna’s hands, and once she fell asleep, he made his move.
– Ugh…? Wh-Where am I? I just fell asleep…
– Hello there, Luna~ It’s nice to finally meet face-to-face.
– …Who are you? I’ve never seen someone like you around my neighborhood.
Though it felt like a dream, the vivid sensations and rising memories made Luna wary almost instantly.
– No need to be so on guard. You know, I’m actually really grateful to you?
– Can’t think of anything I’ve done that’d earn thanks from someone like you…
– I’m serious! Thanks to you, I was able to sneak into the academy so easily!
– What are you… oh, wait…
There was something in the conversation that seemed to tip her off- Luna sighed and lowered her head.
– Haah… This is exactly why you shouldn’t just pick things up off the street…
– Hmph? So you’ve figured it out already? That’s right! That necklace you picked up—that’s me! Well, technically, my soul’s inside it!
– So what now? Are you going to try and take over my body by force?
– Heh. Normally, I would. But I’m in a good mood today, so I came to talk things out instead~ I only have business with that guy, Mars Noctus~
……
In truth, taking over someone else’s body was more complicated and exhausting than it seemed.
A human’s body and mind were tightly intertwined, and without the original owner’s permission, taking their place was extremely difficult.
Unless the person’s mind was deeply traumatized or they were incapable of normal physical or mental function, force must be used. But doing so risks harming one’s own soul as well. It was not a recommended method.
– So, you plan to use my body to approach Mars and get your revenge?
– Hmph? Figured it out that easily? Then—
– Sure. Take it.
– You’re willi… huh?
Wasn’t this the part where she was supposed to shout, “I’d never give in to someone like you!” or “I’ll never let you take over my body!”?
Instead, her calm response offering control of her body made Zelos freeze up in confusion.
– Just to be clear… you’re only taking control, right? I’m not going to disappear or anything?
– Y-Yeah, that’s right.
– Then it’s fine.
Zelos had been prepared to use extreme measures if she resisted or refused to submit. But her willingness made him begin to question things himself.
– It’s kind of ridiculous for me to say this, but… what exactly are you so confident about?
– You said I won’t die, right? Then there’s nothing to be afraid of. Mars will save me anyway.
– Hah…
Luna’s bold declaration, said as if it were the most natural thing in the world, made Zelos let out a hollow laugh.
– You really are a naive little flowerhead…
– Oh~ Want to bet on it? I’ll bet that you lose to Mars and die in the most pathetic way. Wager’s our lives?
– Tch, fine.
To be ridiculed by a girl like this…
Zelos, who had already planned to go after Mars, now swore to kill him in a way that was even more painful and despairing.
Yes, that had been his intention….up until just moments ago…
***
“Wh-What do you mean it’s not Miss Luna?”
Noble Lady Selene barely managed to keep her composure as she asked Mars, who had just lifted “Luna” by the neck.
The other members also seemed slow to respond, perhaps because the situation was too surreal to process with a clear mind. Mars’s sudden action had caught them off guard.
“…Just as I said. This one isn’t Luna. She’s just pretending to be her.”
“What do you mean…?”
There were spells that could temporarily alter appearances, or illusions that overlay a false image.
His method was likely something along those lines.
They didn’t know what had happened to the real Luna, but for now, the priority was to interrogate the imposter and rescue her.
“But how can you be so sure she’s not Luna?”
“You can just tell. I’ve spent years with Luna.”
Looking back on the conversation from earlier, Mars had likely suspected her from the start, based on how she had trouble recalling past memories accurately.
But when exactly did he notice?
All he had done since entering the room was exchange a brief greeting with her. Could he really have figured out whether she was real or fake from that alone?
“M-Mars…!”
“Luna isn’t the type to show up early and wait around. She’d say tea tastes best when it’s hot, and she’d have shown up late after everyone arrived and brewed a fresh pot for us. And Luna responding sweetly to my greeting? Hah. Even a stray dog would laugh at that.”
Mars spoke with casual certainty as if stating 1 + 1 = 2, but Zelos was deeply shaken by the bond between the two.
Damn it! He figured it out from something that ridiculous?! What the hell!
“Talk. Where’s Luna?”
Shiver—!
The frost-like killing intent that swept through the room chilled not only the group but even Zelos, who was being held captive, causing cold sweat to trickle down his back.
A killing intent?! For it to be this dense and concentrated?!
He looked so young on the outside, yet this was the kind of killing intent one would expect from a high-ranking officer.
Zelos found himself growing fearful of the immeasurable depth of his power.
“K-Kuh! Are you really… just going to handle me roughly like this? I mean, I don’t care, but… this body… is that precious girl you care so much about… Gah!”
“What?”
At the mention that it wasn’t transformation or illusion, but Luna’s actual body, Mars momentarily loosened his grip, and Zelos didn’t miss that brief opening.
Wham—!
“! Damn it!”
Breaking free from Mars’s hold, Zelos swiftly grabbed a nearby knife and held it to his own throat.
It was a knife originally brought to cut bread for a snack, so the blade wasn’t especially sharp. But with enough force, it could pierce the soft skin of a woman’s neck.
“Just so you know, this body is the real Luna… So if I stab this in right here? What do you think will happen~?”
“……”
Those eyes. That look.
The bone-chilling stare that swept over his own body made Zelos’s knees tremble instinctively, and he couldn’t stop his leg from shaking.
“What happened… to Luna?”
“Luna?”
Ah… does he think Luna’s already dead?
Judging that Mars might attack him without hesitation if he believed Luna was already dead, Zelos quickly revealed that she was still alive.
If Mars thought she was dead, then the hostage would lose all value, so Zelos decided to use Luna as his lifeline.
“You mean the young lady? She’s alive~ I just took control—that’s all. Her soul’s still intact~ So, if you want to save her—”
“She’s alive?”
Mars’s face lit up with a glimmer of hope at those words.
What’s this? He knows she’s being held hostage, so why that expression?
There was a flicker of unease in Zelos’s mind, but he paid it no mind. He pressed the knife closer to the skin, continuing his threat.
“Looks like you’re not getting the situation. If you want to save your childhood friend—”
Shhk—!
“You’d better do as I sa… huh?”
Throb…
Throb, throb…
Throb,throb,throb,throb,throb,throb,throb,throb,throb,throb,throb,throb,throb,throb,throb!
“Aaaaaargh!!”
An excruciating pain radiated from his right arm.
“A-Are you insane!? This is the girl’s real body! You didn’t even hesitate before cutting—wait, what?”
He hastily looked down at his arm, as if burned by fire, but all he saw was his arm, perfectly intact.
“What the…how is this possible…? It still hurts!”
His mind was clearly registering pain, yet there wasn’t a single scratch on the surface.
“If Luna is alive and that’s her real body, then there’s only one explanation. You’re the one in control of her body.”
“You son of—!”
“Then the answer’s simple.”
At some point, another small knife had appeared in Mars’s hand.
Soul Sever.
Mars’s signature technique. One that severs only the soul.
Slash—!
“Gaaaaaah!!”
This time, the pain came from his left leg, and he collapsed on the spot.
“Shit, how is this even possible!? You’re saying it only cuts the soul!?”
A technique that uses aura to strike solely at the soul, erasing the opponent without leaving a mark.
At this rate, it’s like…
I’m really going to die at this rate!
Zelos writhed in pain, then suddenly froze and dropped his head low.
Mars, who had been about to strike again, stopped as well. Moments later, Luna’s lowered face slowly lifted.
“Ugh… Mars? What is this place…?”
Luna looked around, bewildered. Her confused expression at the unfamiliar surroundings looked unmistakably genuine. Like the real Luna.
“What a load of crap.”
Shhk—!
“Mmgh! Guh—!”
Luna collapsed, clutching her neck. Her eyes were filled with shock and terror.
“H-How—!”
“I told you.”
That wasn’t something Luna would ever do.
Zelos, who spent his entire life manipulating others and dragging them into ruin for the sake of his own jealousy and base desires—
In the end, his demise went unnoticed by anyone and he faded away in vain.
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