-----
-----
In the restaurant—
Minato and Rias had already left.
Yuri Manritani was held back by Saya Miyami because there were still a few things to explain.
"Lady Saya, how could you do this to me?!"
Yuri Manritani collapsed into a chair like her soul had left her body.
To serve a king…
She had never even considered something like that before.
Could she really do it?
"Why not? What's so bad about serving a king?"
"You're seriously not scared at all? What if I mess up and end up dragging the whole country down with me?"
Yuri's eyes were full of worry.
Sure, Minato seemed nice and easygoing on the surface.
But the way he dealt with that offer from the Netherworld? That tough, take-no-crap attitude? No doubt about it—he was a real powerhouse.
"So what?"
Saya said calmly, "You think refusing a king's request will keep you out of trouble?"
Yuri mumbled, "B-But…"
She trailed off. She couldn't even finish the sentence.
Yeah… refusing might actually be worse.
"You really don't have to worry so much."
Saya smiled. "You think I brought only you along just because I felt like it?"
"W-Why?"
"Well, not to brag, but you and I are both top-tier beauties."
She grinned. "And according to our research, that king is very lenient when it comes to his harem."
"H-Harem?!"
Yuri's eyes widened and her whole face turned red. "T-That's not okay! I…"
"Yep. Just like you're thinking."
Saya nodded. "And it's not just you—even I wouldn't mind having something going on with the king."
"But too bad, Miss Manritani—you got there first."
"T-This… this is…"
Yuri was completely speechless.
Later that night – At Minato's place—
Minato looked at Yuri Manritani, who was carrying a bunch of bags, and chuckled.
"So you're moving in with me now?"
"M-Moving in? Please don't say weird things like that, Your Majesty!"
Yuri's face turned red again, but she mumbled, "It's just that this makes it easier to serve you… and I can communicate better with Miss Saya this way too."
"Is that so? Man, that's kind of disappointing."
Minato put on a hurt expression. "So in your eyes, I'm just some assignment?"
"N-No! That's not what I meant!"
Yuri panicked, waving her arms. "You're great! Really handsome! It's an honor to live with you!"
At that point, Utaha, who'd been watching from the side, couldn't take it anymore.
"Master-kun, stop teasing her already."
Then she turned to Yuri and introduced herself, "You're Yuri Manritani, right? He's mentioned you before. I'm Utaha."
"Hello, Miss Utaha," Yuri replied shyly.
After that quick intro, Utaha helped her with the luggage and led her into the apartment.
And then—
Yuri was completely stunned by what she saw inside.
So many beautiful girls?!
Thinking back to what Saya said earlier, her face turned even redder.
A king's harem, huh…
She thought it was an exaggeration, but now...
"This is my household," Minato explained simply. "They're all easy to get along with."
Then he added, "By the way, do you wanna be one of them too?"
"Huh?!"
"I mean, you'd basically become a demon and serve me for life."
"Ehhh?!"
Yuri's whole face flushed. She looked around nervously.
That was way too sudden!
She wasn't ready at all!
And she was a shrine maiden, for crying out loud. Become a demon?!
"Looks like we've got another innocent little flower,"
Erica muttered jealously. "The king sure has a type."
"What, losing your confidence now, foxy lady?"
Liliana teased her. "Don't think I didn't notice—you went to see the king last night."
"But tell me… why'd you come back so early?"
Erica: "..."
"Hey, are you okay?"
Liliana squinted. "Come on, foxy, pull yourself together."
Erica rubbed her temples. "It was a total disaster."
Who could've guessed Genoka would be that bold?
And now today—
Another new girl joins the household.
At this rate, she was totally doomed.
No! She was Erica the Crimson Demon—no way she could give up just like that!
"You don't need to answer right away."
Minato looked at Yuri's troubled face and smiled. "Anyone who joins me has to do it willingly."
"Get to know everyone first. If there's anything you don't understand, just ask them."
With that, Minato went upstairs to the study.
The room was clean now, none of the morning mess in sight.
He randomly picked out a book and started reading.
About an hour later—
His phone rang.
"Erica?"
Raising an eyebrow, he answered it.
"Your Majesty, I need help understanding something about blessings. Could you come over?"
"Of course."
Minato smiled and ended the call.
After walking through a few hallways, he stepped into the room.
And saw Erica kneeling on one knee.
She wasn't in her school uniform—she wore a sharp, knight-style outfit, looking like a noble lioness.
But her face? Bright red like a ripe apple.
"Your Majesty… I still don't fully understand how blessings work."
"So… please help me."
Knight cosplay, huh?
Was this Utaha's doing? Or maybe Genoka's?
Or was she just self-taught?
Minato rubbed his chin, but didn't say no.
After all, he'd already scared her off once yesterday.
If anything went wrong today too, Erica probably wouldn't even think about offering herself up again.
He stepped forward, gently helped Erica to her feet, and pulled her into his arms.
Downstairs – Living room—
Yuri, who was still getting used to being around the other girls, suddenly froze and looked up at the second floor.
…Was that a sound?
But Utaha and the others looked totally normal.
Was it just my imagination?
"....."