"What a lucky bastard. I was planning to extract some info from her, tsk... but her mind’s sealed with a restriction."

Yuri rarely bothered with taunts and mental prodding. She’d aimed to slip past that seal without triggering it—yet it was all useless effort.

Yuri stroked her chin. These people weren’t ordinary.

That guy still reeked of fresh blood.

The staff were likely more dead than alive. This place might already be under their control.

That overpowering, fresh blood scent had tipped Yuri off about her unusual identity.

"Whatever. A fox always shows its tail. The louder they stir trouble, the happier I’ll be. Maria, let’s go."

The two left without a backward glance. Elsewhere...

"What’s going on?"

The young man frowned, watching the red-haired girl clutch her chest in pain.

He’d clearly sensed her trying to break her restraints!

She ignored him, forcing down the surging bloodlust and killing urge.

She hadn’t fully unleashed her power or transformed—but the backlash hit hard anyway.

After a long moment, as the pain ebbed like a tide, she exhaled softly. "I met a weirdo. She knew our identities. And she saw at a glance... I’m not fully human."

"What?" The young man froze, his eyes flashing sharply.

Her words were terrible news.

"So... what now?"

He fell silent. "Wait. Whoever pushed you this far isn’t some pushover. If they disrupt the plan, it won’t be worth it."

The girl stayed quiet, but a thick killing intent flashed in her downcast eyes.

Yuri’s words had truly ignited her rage.

"Wait half a day. By tonight, when the airship reaches the target zone, with that person there, it’ll be fine."

"...Understood."

He sighed, patting her bowed head. "Hold on. Ruin the plan, and we’re both dead."

Her expression stiffened; hidden fingers clenched tighter.

After a pause, she looked up seriously. "Do you think what we’ve done is really right?"

He blinked, then shook his head. "I don’t know."

She slapped his hand away, snorting. "Hmph. Knew it. Useless dumbass."

Young man: "..."

*I’m tolerating you ‘cause you’re half-sick—but why push your luck?!*

His lips twitched. He scooped her up as her face paled.

"Hey!? What’re you doing, bastard?"

She struggled, but her strength was no match for his.

"What do you think?" He sneered, carrying her toward a side room. "Haven’t disciplined you in ages, little Betty. You’ve forgotten your place."

"...Pervert! Let go!"

Betty’s pale cheeks flushed pink—memories flooding back.

"You always say that." He ignored her protests, pausing at the door. "Betty, after this mission, let’s apply to marry."

"...Huh?"

"Ah. Feels like if I don’t say it now, I’ll never get the chance."

He shook off the dread. "D-Don’t say stupid things, idiot!"

"............"

"Your plan’s hit a snag."

An unknown entity spoke from an unseen realm, voice dripping with schadenfreude.

"The fragmented feed caught an unplanned presence. Aren’t you worried she’ll wreck everything?"

"...Plan?" A long silence. Another voice answered, flat as still water. "Plans adapt. But..."

Silence again. The voice wavered slightly.

"Too many variables beyond tolerance could disrupt it."

"Oh? Is this variable part of your plan?"

"Nothing escapes my control. If the first link fails, the rest gets messy."

"Oh my. Feels like you’ve known all along?" Surprise tinged the voice.

"Heh..."

Silence returned—briefly.

"Hey. Won’t you cut the sensor? That couple’s about to do something not for minors."

"...I’m an adult."

"......"

*So that’s a legit excuse to peep? Hell no!*

Just as he braced to retort: "It’s for learning."

"Learning? You couldn’t do it if you tried. And doing this in front of me—you’re doing it on purpose!"

"......"

"Betty’s really stacked, though... Eh? Why’d you cut it off! Bastard!"

Meanwhile, on the airship, Betty and the young man were tangled in passion.

He suddenly shivered.

"...What’s wrong?"

Betty, eyes hazy, tilted her head as he froze.

He scanned the room, frowning. "Felt a malicious gaze just now."

"Eh? N-No way?"

He rubbed his nose at her panic. Nothing seemed off.

"Just my imagination. But wow, little Betty’s filled out nicely. All thanks to me—"

"Pervert!"