[Demonic Nectar: Those afflicted by this curse secrete a sweet, fragrant liquid that attracts monsters. The effect reaches its peak between the ages of 18 and 35. (This curse is passed down through bloodlines and manifests only in female descendants.)]
"A sweet liquid that attracts monsters…?"
When Kurose Akira saw the curse afflicting Roxia, confusion filled his mind.
What kind of scent was that supposed to be?
At least for now, he hadn't smelled anything unusual. Perhaps it was because Roxia hadn't yet reached eighteen—the fragrance hadn't grown strong enough.
Cough—
And then—
Akira suddenly thought of the monster tide scheduled to occur in two weeks.
…Could it possibly be connected to Roxia's curse?
"Roxia, you really must express your gratitude properly to Mr. Kurose and his adventurers~"
At that moment, Natasha smiled gently as she spoke to Roxia.
"Yes." Roxia nodded firmly, her gaze burning as she looked at Akira. "Thanks to all of you, I was able to successfully become a Vowbound Knight. Please, you must accompany me back—I wish to offer you my highest thanks in person!"
Faced with Roxia's enthusiasm, Akira had no reason to refuse.
On the way back, Akira shared his suspicions regarding the true identity of the client behind the commission.
When Roxia and Natasha heard that Uncle Mero might have been acting on behalf of a rival guild, both of them widened their eyes in shock.
Natasha found it difficult to believe, but after a brief moment of surprise, Roxia quickly regained her composure—as though she had already prepared herself for such a possibility.
After returning to the Yerman Family's castle, a grand celebration was held in their honor.
Although Akira was invited to sit at the main table, he politely declined.
Aside from Roxia, the main table was filled with elderly veteran knights. The age gap made him feel out of place, and sitting with them would have been awkward.
Instead, he chose a table closer to the edge of the hall and sat beside Natasha.
"Mr. Kurose, everyone at this table is a lady. If you sit here, no one will be drinking heavily with you," Natasha said with a smile.
"I'm not good with alcohol," Akira replied, waving his hand. "This table suits me just fine."
Besides, Ivsha could sit beside him and share the meal as well.
Despite the large crowd, Ivsha made no attempt to restrain her innate succubus charm. She constantly found excuses to lean closer to Akira—picking food for him, pouring his drinks, even feeding him directly, all in one smooth motion.
She even subtly infused her demonic power into Akira's wine, deepening its aroma and richness.
Once he had eaten and drunk his fill, Akira turned his attention to more serious matters.
He glanced subtly at Natasha beside him.
Having had a bit to drink, Natasha's cheeks were faintly flushed, radiating an alluring warmth.
"Ms. Natasha, may I take a few minutes of your time?" Akira asked.
"Hm?"
Though puzzled by the private invitation, Natasha stood up and followed him.
They entered an empty room. Once the door closed, the silence inside—combined with the faint scent of her body and lingering wine—caused the atmosphere to grow subtly intimate, almost ambiguous.
"Mr. Kurose…"
Natasha looked at him with confusion, her beautiful eyes shimmering faintly.
She didn't know why he had called her here—but for some reason, her heartbeat quickened, and a trace of inexplicable anticipation stirred within her.
"Ms. Natasha," Akira said as he turned to face her. "I wanted to talk to you about that soul fragment."
He still hoped to obtain the fragment for Loserine.
In her current state, Loserine had not only lost her memories—she could barely speak at all.
That soul fragment might be able to free her from this condition.
"That soul fragment…?"
Natasha's eyes flickered. She had thought Akira wanted to discuss something else—and felt a faint hint of disappointment.
After hesitating for a moment, she smiled softly and said, "Mr. Kurose, are you interested in Loserine's soul fragment? I could help ask Roxia. Perhaps she would be willing, considering—"
"Roxia doesn't even know that fragment exists, does she?" Akira suddenly interrupted, asking calmly.
"…!"
Natasha's body trembled slightly.
She understood exactly what he meant.
And she knew—her secret had already been discovered.
After a brief silence, Natasha slowly loosened her clothing, revealing her smooth, pale shoulder.
In a soft voice, she said, "If I'm willing to pay a certain price~ would Mr. Kurose be willing to keep this secret for me?"
"A price?"
Akira was genuinely surprised by her reaction.
Was Natasha implying…?
"Is that acceptable?"
Her gentle voice sounded again as she stepped closer, pressing herself lightly against his chest. She tilted her head upward, her hazel eyes locking onto his, soft red lips breathing out wine-tinged warmth.
Gulp.
Akira could clearly feel her body heat—and the intoxicating blend of wine and natural fragrance flooding his senses.
Combined with the alcohol he had already consumed, his thoughts began to blur, looping around a single question.
So… what exactly is the price?
"…That should be fine."
"Really? That's wonderful~"
A smile curved at the corner of Natasha's lips as her fingertips brushed the white rose carved near her collarbone.
In an instant, a flash of white light burst forth.
Moments later, Loserine's soul fragment was released.
Natasha's voice followed softly, "I am willing to gift this fragment of Loserine's soul to Mr. Kurose… no—perhaps it already belongs to you. After all, you are now Loserine's Guildmaster~"
…That's it?
Akira froze for a moment, disappointment flickering through his eyes.
He had expected some kind of hidden route or secret event!
Just as that thought crossed his mind, Natasha gently traced his chest with her slender fingers, then wrapped her arms around his shoulders and placed a heartfelt kiss on his left cheek.
The sudden kiss caused Akira's eyes to brighten.
Though it was only a simple kiss, for some reason, he felt his very soul tremble.
After a few seconds, Natasha released him, lightly licking her lips as she smiled.
"This is my thanks to Mr. Kurose for successfully completing the commission. Please keep this secret~ That soul fragment was summoned using a forbidden soul technique passed down in my family. Such methods are considered taboo in Sunset City—I hope you understand."
"So that's how it is. Don't worry—I won't tell Roxia."
Akira shrugged with a smile. After all, his employer was Natasha, not Roxia.
"Hehe~ Mr. Kurose, you really are interesting," Natasha said warmly. "If I could live with you forever, I think we'd be very compatible~"
"I think so too," Akira replied with a faint smile.
If I lived with Natasha… wouldn't that mean working from sunrise to sunset every single day? he thought wryly.
As they spoke, Akira summoned Loserine from the guild hall.
Since he had promised Natasha she would see her, he had no intention of breaking his word.
At the same time, he wanted to see just how effective the memory fragment would be.
"Loserine…"
When Loserine appeared before Natasha once more, Natasha's eyes reddened.
At Akira's instruction, Loserine removed her helmet, revealing the skull beneath—the unmistakable face of the undead.
Seeing the truth laid bare, Natasha's legs gave out, and she collapsed weakly into Akira's arms.
Though she had long known that Loserine was dead, seeing her friend of twenty years like this—with her own eyes—was something she couldn't emotionally withstand. Tears welled up uncontrollably.
Akira held Natasha with one arm, offering her his shoulder, while instructing Loserine to absorb the soul fragment that belonged to her.
Loserine nodded and stepped forward.
The moment her slender fingers touched the fragment, a dazzling blue light erupted.
At the same time, a system prompt appeared in Akira's vision:
[Loserine has discovered a memory fragment.][Her memories are gradually recovering. Her soul is returning!][Favorability +20…]