“Wah… wah…”

Accompanied by soft sobs, the door creaked open. Morningstar stepped in, cheeks glistening with tears.

“Master? What’s wrong?”

Inside, Little Dragoness and Freya froze. Morningstar looked exactly like a little girl who’d been bullied. But… who on earth could make the fearsome Dark Sorceress feel wronged?

“Wah… I’m such a failure! I’ve failed miserably as the Dark Sorceress!” Morningstar wiped her tears while recounting how the princess had slipped from her grasp. For the world’s most wicked Dark Sorceress, letting a mere human escape was undeniably embarrassing.

“Can I have a hug~?” Arms spread wide, Morningstar pouted like a spoiled child and shuffled toward Freya.

“Master, this…”

A flicker of reluctance crossed Freya’s face, melting into shyness. She bit her lip and gave a tiny nod. “Alright… just… don’t do anything too forward.” She opened her arms, ready.

But—*whoosh!*

Someone shot upward.

More precisely: leaped. From the corner of her eye, Freya saw Little Dragoness spring into the air. She turned—only to see a foot swelling rapidly in her vision.

“HYAAAH!!!!”

Mid-air in a dramatic kick pose, Little Dragoness slammed her heel straight into Freya’s face.

In slow motion: Freya’s plump, pretty cheeks distorted on impact. The next second, she spun like a whipped top, tumbling wildly across the room.

Little Dragoness landed gracefully where Freya had stood. Arms open, voice tender: “Master… come hug me…”

“…”

Morningstar was speechless. She’d only wanted to cuddle Freya—*her* preferred comfort, thanks to Freya’s softer frame. Who knew the jealous Little Dragoness would kick her rival flying?

“*Sigh*…”

Not ideal… but acceptable. After a brief pause, Morningstar dove into Little Dragoness’s arms.

(As for Freya? Don’t worry. Blessed with the Dark Sorceress’s corrupting power, physical hits barely sting. At most… ouch.)

“Master… please strip all the darkness from me. Corrupt me again. *This* time, I’ll hold out longer.”

Little Dragoness had learned the hard way: “Corrupt early, enjoy early” was a lie! Before corruption, the Master teased her endlessly—every second dripping with maddening delight. After? Abandoned. Attention shifted to untouched souls.

*If only I’d held out longer… gotten more of Master’s affection for free…*

“You’ve carried darkness for millennia. It’s rooted deep. Removing it isn’t simple. Later.”

“…Okay.” Dejected but undeterred, she brightened. “Roleplay instead? I’ll be the resolute Dragon Princess… and you try to corrupt me?”

“…Acceptable. I lack past memories. How long did you last?”

“Three days… Master and my already-corrupted little sister ganged up on me. Impossible to hold out. I miss it… being with her, under Master’s…”

A blissful smile touched her lips—then faded into sorrow.

Morningstar tightened her embrace. “I’ll bring your sister back. The Dragon Heart remains. Find a worthy host, implant it… she’ll return.”

“But a weak host would shatter under its power.”

“Mm. I’ll wait for that day.”

*Groan.*

Freya stirred awake. “Ah… ouch…” She pushed up, neck cracking *pop-pop-pop*, eyes locking onto the embraced pair. A bitter ache twisted her chest. Tainted by darkness, she craved her Master’s presence—and seeing another corrupted soul claim it ignited sharp jealousy.

“Kicked unconscious… and you’re already hugging Master?” Freya approached, smile sweet but eyes sharp with menace.

“Go cool off somewhere else. A lowly slave like you doesn’t belong here.”

“*I’m* lowly? I’m the Holy Maiden of the Divine Clan! I’m… I’m a *high-class* slave! Equal to you—no, *above* you!”

Morningstar smirked. “Oh dear~ Lineage-wise… the Divine Clan *is* nobler than the Dragon Clan.”

“Hah?! MASTER?!” Little Dragoness bristled. Freya preened: “Exactly. Divine blood *is* superior.”

“Prove it! Fight me!”

“You’re exploiting my powerless state! At full strength, you’d lose!”

Tension crackled. Morningstar fanned flames: “No magic. Whoever pins the other wins.”

“Deal!”

“Agreed!”

They locked eyes—then Little Dragoness let out a fierce cry and pounced.

Rolling, grappling, neither yielding.

Morningstar watched, delighted. *As someone said: watching girls fight is pure joy.*

Meanwhile… the princess suffered.

Morningstar wasn’t worried. Tainted by darkness, the princess would return willingly soon enough.

Still—just in case—she’d sent Selina. Remade by corrupting power, Selina now matched the princess in strength.