I Became A Slave To The Mastermind

"What are you two doing?"

I creaked like a broken robot.

It felt like the temperature around me had dropped, and an inexplicable chill ran through my body.

What's going on? Is this some kind of ice magic?

But in the novel, Lily wasn't supposed to use magic, was she? Maybe I'm just imagining things?

"Hera, sis"

With eyes that seemed to have lost their light, she stared straight at me.

"Eek!"

Without thinking, I clung to Dania.

Then, Lily's expression grew even more sour as she looked at me.

What's going on? Did I do something wrong? Why is she looking at me like that?

"Did you finish your bath, Lily? Come quickly and join us for the meal."

Does Dania not feel this chill?

She smiled warmly and spoke to Lily as if nothing was wrong.

Lily stood there for a moment, then silently joined the table. However, her gaze remained fixed on me.

When Dania went to fetch extra utensils and food, Lily finally looked away from me and stared at her sister's back.

Ah. I see.

I think I understand why Lily is looking at me like that.

Lily has always leaned heavily on Dania.

She's her only family, so it's understandable. Lily's world probably revolves around Dania.

And now, that precious sister kissed me, so of course she's feeling jealous, right?

'She probably thinks I'm stealing her sister.'

Yes. That must be it.

Feeling confident that I had found the perfect answer, I looked at Lily warmly.

"…?"

She seemed flustered by my confident expression.

Without hesitation, I quickly grabbed Lily's hands in mine and held them tightly.

"H-Huh?"

Surprised by my sudden action, Lily made a cute sound. But I didn't pay it any mind and whispered,

"Don't worry, Lily. What you're worried about won't happen."

"W-What?"

She looked at me with an expression that seemed filled with some kind of hope. Lily, just trust this sister.

"You're worried that I'm going to take your sis away, aren't you?"

"…What?"

"Don't worry. I promise I won't come between you and your sister."

How thoughtless of me. In Korea, she would just be starting middle school. How much she must yearn for her family's love.

Given the circumstances, it's not strange that she's wary of me.

"You really love your sister, don't you?"

In the novel, it was said that after losing her sister, she lived a life devoid of emotion until she met the protagonist, so her love for Dania must be beyond words.

As I fiddled with her small hands and looked at her,

She was staring at me with an icy gaze.

Huh?…Why…?

Did I fail to convince her?

Seeing Lily's expression, I felt the need to say something, anything, so I hastily added,

"Is it because of the…the kiss? That…that was just a light thank-you gesture from your sister because she was grateful to me! If you ask her, she'd probably do the same for you!"

"…What about you, Hera Unnie?"

"Oh?"

"Huh? Me?"

"If I ask, will Hera Unnie always do anything for me?"

Lily's gaze is so intense that it's a bit overwhelming. What should I say?

"Um… well…"

"… Is it not possible? You said it was just a light greeting… but I guess with sister…"

Lily droops her head, looking dejected.

"Oh, no!! I can do it!! It's just a light thank-you greeting!"

I feel like I might have said something I can't take back.

But I couldn't stand to see Lily looking so sad, so I decided to just go along with what she wanted.

Even though she would probably like it more if Dania did it instead of me, well… if Lily wants it, our Lily can do whatever she wants.

After hearing my answer, Lily's mood seemed to lighten, and a smile slowly blossomed on her face.

"Then, great!"

She's adorable. Lily really is the prettiest when she smiles.

"What are you two whispering about so nicely?"

Dania, who had returned at some point, asked as she placed food and dishes in front of Lily.

'We were just talking about how much Lily likes you, Dania.'

But I figured Lily might be too embarrassed if I said that, so I just brought a finger to my lips, glancing at Lily with a playful wink.

"Hmm… I don't know. Secret?"

Lily's eyes grew wide as she looked at me, and then, mimicking me, she placed a finger on her lips.

"Yes! It's a secret!"

She was such a sweet girl.

***

After finishing our meal, I laid the now-sleepy Lily down on the sofa and had a light-hearted chat with Dania.

"You're twenty-four, so you're older than me, Unnie."

"Oh, really?"

With her voluptuous figure and the mature aura she exudes, I had assumed she was older than me. Though, to be fair, I'm quite confident in my own figure as well. But Dania is an exception.

If I have a body that captivates people, Dania has one that drives them crazy. Especially her chest.

I asked her if we could speak more casually.

"Okay, then. You can just call me Unnie."

"Yes… Unnie."

It felt quite awkward to call her Unnie, but somehow I managed to get the words out.

"By the way, Hera. I'm curious about something."

"Yes?"

"Are you a mana user too?"

"Ah…"

Dania cautiously broached the subject while looking at me.

Well, considering how I had been smashing through people like cracking eggs even though I'm still young, it was a reasonable thought.

She probably assumed that I could use mana at a pretty high level.

If she were someone I wasn't close to, I would've just let her believe that, but I decided to tell her the truth.

"No, I haven't mentioned this before, but actually, I have a unique ability."

When she heard my words, Dania blinked a few times, her eyes widening in surprise.

"A… unique ability?!"

"Hicc!"

Lily, who had been sleeping next to us, was startled awake by Dania's shout. However, she quickly closed her eyes and drifted back to sleep on the sofa.

After checking that Lily had fallen back asleep, Dania continued in a quieter voice.

"Really? It wasn't mana you were using?"

"Yes. Unfortunately, I still don't know how to use mana…"

"A unique ability… That's amazing."

It really is. Just having one allows you to stand toe-to-toe with high-level mana users. Of course, there are abilities unrelated to combat, but even those show almost cheating-level performance in their respective fields. It's a power that everyone desires, yet is only granted to a select few.

That's what a unique ability is.

"Hehe… Though I still can't use it perfectly."

It's a power I can only use against those with hostile intent.

Against people I don't perceive as hostile, I'm nothing more than a powerless girl.

'But will that even happen?'

A bloody fight is going on, so it's impossible not to feel hostility.

Even if you didn't plan to fight at first, if you get hit with the first punch, the fighting spirit naturally arises.

In fact, it's almost always in effect.

You're too strong for comparison. But if you go to the Empire, you'll be treated incredibly well. Somehow… your age…

"Then why are you here?"

Even if you are from Drax, if you have unique abilities, the Empire will welcome you with open arms.

There are only a few people like you in the world, and they wouldn't want to miss out on someone like you.

It's not like I could say, 'Staying in Drax won't interfere with the protagonist.'

I scratched my cheek and made an excuse.

"Um… it's just that I've been here for a long time, so I don't feel like leaving."

"Still…"

She looked at me with a worried expression. Don't worry, Dania. This is probably the safest place.

Karaz Empire. Inside it, Regis Academy.

Elvenheim, the land of the Elves.

The Demon World, where demons reside.

And the other places where the protagonist faces trials, all face various calamities.

Ironically, Drax, the lawless zone where nothing happens, is much safer.

"And now, I've met you, Dania! I'm definitely not leaving."

"…Oh my."

She looked at me with a slightly flushed face.

"Then I won't let you leave either."

Absolutely.

She added something in a small voice at the end, but unfortunately, I couldn't hear it.

As the conversation continued,

"Huaaam… Hera, aren't you sleepy?"

Dania stretched with her hands clasped together, reaching upward. She must have been tired.

I was already feeling drowsy from the post-meal drowsiness that made my body sluggish.

"I'm feeling a bit tired…"

"Let's call it a day and talk tomorrow. Tomorrow will be a busy day."

"Because of the western issues?"

Honestly, all I want is to live peacefully. I don't want to deal with the bothersome task of managing a city.

Most of the people here are criminals. What's the point of working for them?

'But there are people like Dania here.'

People who lost everything to a sudden disaster and became wanderers.

I don't intend to manage the West, but I do intend to become a shield for them.

I should talk with Dania more about this tomorrow.

"Then, I'll sleep on the couch."

Looking around, there seemed to be two rooms in the house. One for Dania and one for Lily.

There were no extra beds, so as a guest, it was only right for me to sleep on the couch.

"No. You'll ruin your health like that. Sleep in a proper bed."

But Dania flatly refused.

"But aren't there only two beds?"

"So what? We can sleep together."

"S-Sleep together?! But the bed will be too small."

"Then we can just cuddle."

"W-What?!"

Cuddle? With Dania?

I absolutely can't sleep. Even though I'm in a woman's body right now, I still have the spirit of a man inside me.

I can't sleep like that.

If I cuddle with Dania, I'd probably stay up all night with my eyes wide open.

But a small part of me is whispering that it wouldn't be so bad to sleep with Dania.

'No… Dania is just being kind to me, how could I have such impure thoughts…!'

If this were a comic, there would probably be an angel and a devil fighting over my head right now.

"My bed is wider than Lily's, so we could…"

"N-No! She can't sleep with you, sis!"

Suddenly, Dania's words were cut off.

When did she wake up?

Lily, who had been sleeping until now, suddenly jumped up and shouted.

"…Lily?"

Dania was momentarily taken aback by her sister's sudden action.

"Just sleep with me instead! I'm much smaller than my sis, so it won't be cramped!"

She cried out anxiously, looking at me.

"You promised me… remember?"

'Ah… as expected, it's Lily.'

She must really love her sister.

Rather than watching Dania and me sleep together, she would rather have me sleep with her.

Seeing how desperate she is, it seems like she really didn't want her sister to be taken away from her.

Yes, I did make a promise to Lily.

I had no intention of taking her sister away, but to reassure Lily, I should probably avoid sleeping alone with Dania.

"Haha… if it's okay with Lily, then should we do that?"

Upon hearing my words, Lily's expression softened.

It must make her really happy. I patted Lily's head as she smiled.

"I'll sleep with Lily, Unnie. Thank you for being considerate."

Dania, who had been staring blankly at Lily for a while, muttered something that I couldn't understand.

"Could it be… Lily too?.."

"Let's sleep, Lily."

"Hehe."

Lily and I were in the same bed.

It was cramped for the two of us, but as we cuddled, it seemed like we could manage to sleep.

Lily nestled into my arms like a kitten burrowing into its mother.

'She must feel really lonely…'

I felt a surge of maternal instinct that I didn't even know I had. I should spend more time with Lily from now on.

It might be nice to go on a picnic with Dania and Lily together.

But is there any place in Drax suitable for a picnic?

"Unnie… can you kiss me?"

"Hmm?"

"You said you'd do it anytime… please do it now."

Yes, I did say that I'd do it whenever she wanted…

A kiss shouldn't be a big deal, right? After all, it's a form of light affection often exchanged as a greeting.

I closed my eyes gently and pressed my lips to Lily's soft cheek.

Smooch −

"Haha… is that okay now?"

"Hehe… yes, Unnie! Let's sleep now!"

With a satisfied expression, Lily closed her eyes.

Following her lead, I closed my eyes and easily fell asleep.

***

"Unnie… are you asleep?"

As if in response, the calm sound of quiet breathing could be heard.

Lily, now in a deep sleep, gazed at Hera.

Her beautiful face, no matter how many times she saw it, always captivated Lily.

'She's so pretty…'

Ever since they first met, seeing Hera made her heart race, and a strange, sticky feeling welled up from deep inside her.

Earlier, when she accidentally saw Hera bathing, it felt like her body was no longer her own.

This sensation of warmth and tingling, as if something was tickling her, was impossible to ignore.

'Not yet… it's not time yet…'

Lily knew very well how Hera saw her.

It was the same look her sister gave her – a protective gaze, as if looking out for her younger sibling.

Lily looked down at her own body.

Compared to Dania, Lily's body was still far from fully grown.

Though she was so grateful and loved her sister dearly, sometimes she envied Dania's destructive strength.

'Someday, for sure…'

Making a silent vow, Lily gently touched her own cheek.

She then stared intently at Hera's tightly closed lips.

The sensation of her lips from before still lingered on her cheek. Lily's gaze was fixed on Hera's lips.

'This should be okay… right?'

The sound of lips meeting lips.

It was just a simple touch, but Lily felt an overwhelming sense of ecstasy.

It was as if she had tasted fresh fruit, a sweet sensation flowing into her lips.

But it wasn't enough to satisfy her.

'Just one more time…'

Once again, Lily's lips sought after the forbidden fruit.

Even so, Lily's desire remained unfulfilled.

'It's still not enough…'

'Just a little more…'

'For real, just one last time…'

And so, Lily's lips lingered on Hera's face for quite a while.