Kaiser finally took on an interested tone. "I see. As always, the manner in which you think leaves me unsure as to whether you're a madman or a fool. So what would you have me do?" "I've just got one request. I need you to bring me over there as accurately as you can." "Hmm very well, I suppose." Considering the lengthy time that he'd taken in consideration, his tone was rather indifferent even though he had agreed to help. All the while, the machine had been determining the new arrangement for its metal plates. Minute changes were taking place atop its arachnoid back. In the blink of an eye, it had gained a set of airplane-like wings. It looked like Kaito's hunch had been right on the mark. The longer the fight went on, the greater its range of attack would grow. Oscillating its metal plates one by one, the thing flew high into the air. Hina readied herself to hurl her halberd after it. But Kaito stopped her with one hand. With a confused expression, she stood down. "Master, if I may, whyâ€”" As she was in the middle of asking her question, the Kaiser materialized next to Kaito. The hound could alter his form on a whim, but at the moment, he'd chosen to stand as tall as two adult men. As he stooped down, the Kaiser uttered a languid murmur. "I suppose I don't mind tossing you from my mouth." The next moment, he bit down on Kaito's collar and hurled him into the air. The machine was silently making its descent from on high when Kaito flew precisely in front of it. His military uniform fluttered as he blocked the machine's path. It seemed like it hadn't anticipated his actions, either, so it didn't intercept his flight. However, it reached out one of its feeler-like sections and spontaneously ran Kaito through. Its appendage met little resistance as it pierced through his flesh and bone. "Master Kaito!" "My word!" Hina screamed, and Lute looked up at Kaito in astonishment. A moment later, though, a sliver of relief spread across Hina's face. Kaito had given her a nod. The Kaiser would be in trouble if his contractor died. The throw had been highly precise, and the part that had gotten stabbed was Kaito's right shoulder. Given all those facts, Kaito's life wasn't in much danger. Nice throw, Kaiser! Then Kaito turned back toward the machine and grabbed on to its feeler with his beastly left arm. Purposefully gouging his wound, he ripped out a chunk of his flesh. Blood spurted forth, and he dashed the red, mana-rich liquid all over the machine's body. When he did, his blood began seeping into the spaces between the sheets of metal. After verifying that he had done what he needed, he let go of the feeler. He snapped his fingers as he began making his descent. "La (overflow)." Instantly, his blood transformed into water. Then, using Kaito's pain and mana as its fuel, the water began growing. As it expanded, the water filled up and pressed against the gaps between the metal slabs. The internal pressure proved too much for the machine to bear. The links between the sheets crumbled in an instant. The water took that opportunity to freeze over. The machine had been transformed into a spherical chunk of ice. Its metal sheets, separated and in disarray, were imprisoned within. The block of ice collapsed onto the grassy ground with a thunk. It showed no signs that it would ever move again. At a glance, the individual sheets of metal didn't individually have enough power to break out of Kaito's ice after all. "Got 'em!" Kaito nodded in satisfaction. Nobody but him had gotten hurt. He'd been able to keep the number of victims to a minimum, just like he'd planned. Hina would probably be livid, though. He turned around, intending to apologize to her. When he did, he saw Lute charging toward him with the ferocity of a raging bull. "Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!" "Well, that's a surprise." He was even letting out an enraged cry for some reason. Kaito blinked rapidly. All the fur on Lute's body was bristling as he grabbed Kaito's arm, and it remained that way as he inspected Kaito's wound. Upon seeing the vast amount of blood gushing out, he spat out orders to his subordinates. "Bring over the bandages and magical salve! Hurry!" "I-I'm fine. You really don't need to go that far. And I can more or less use healing magic myself, so..." "Even so, just what do you think you're doing? In front of your wife! I hardly think someone who prides themselves on being a devoted husband should cause their wife such worry!" Lute shouted at him. Kaito nodded, suddenly understanding. But it looked like that wasn't the only reason for his anger. Lute scratched violently at his head, as though to demonstrate how irritated he was. "Damn how feckless I am! To think you would risk your life for us so! How am I ever supposed to repay such kindness?!" Although he was clearly vexed, Lute seemed to be feeling somewhat ashamed. Kaito was at a loss for what to say. If he told Lute not to worry about it, it would undoubtably have the opposite effect. For starters, he once again turned down the magical salve that Lute's subordinates had brought him; the beastfolk had few magicians among their numbers, so it was likely quite valuable to them. Instead, he applied healing magic to his shoulder himself. The wound closed up without a hitch. But after seeing the way Kaito's skin had knitted together, Lute put forth a proposal. "We should pay a visit to our headquarters. You'd best get that looked at by a medical specialist, just to be on the safe side." "I appreciate it, but...is it really okay for you to take me there?" "Please! It pains me that you would think us such unfeeling monsters! Know this, Sir Kaito! Our people place far more pride in repaying debts than humans do!" Visibly indignant, Lute let out a shout that seemed vaguely rude to humans. His subordinates hurriedly got to work drawing a teleportation circle atop the grassy earth. Based on how quickly they'd reacted, it didn't seem like any of them opposed the notion. Apparently, Kaito's conduct had yielded unforeseen effects. It looks like they trust me now, I guess... Huh. As he sat there dumbfounded, a number of empty-handed beastfolk approached the block of ice. They had no way of knowing if the machine had been alone, so there was no way they could pass up this chance to gather important information on their foe. But after consulting with his comrades, a single gray wolf with a sturdy physique broke off from the group and moved away from the ice. As he approached Kaito, he called out to him worriedly. "It might be sealed up, but doesn't your wound still hurt? Here, let me give you a hand." "No, no, I can walk on myâ€” Hwah!" "While we're grateful for your concern, the two of us will be fine on our own. I shall carry Master Kaito." "H-Hina?" Before he'd had a chance to react, Hina had scooped him up and was carrying him under her arm. As he hung embraced by her slender arm, his eyes darted about. The gray wolf gave her a sympathetic smile and a short bow. Then, clearly not wanting to get involved in a lover's quarrel, he quickly left the two of them alone. Kaito timidly glanced up at Hina's face. Her shapely lips were tightly pursed. Not looking toward him, she murmured quietly. "For now, I shall say nothing. But Master Kaito, do know that I intend to get quite upset at you later." "I'm, uh, I'm sorry. Really, I am." Kaito reflexively slumped. A human laugh resounded deep in his eardrums. "You know, I find myself thinking this somewhat frequently, but as far as human males go, you really are quite pathetic." Kaito, to his credit, tried to offer a rebuttal. But the moment he opened his mouth, Hina broke into a run toward the men who'd just finished drawing their teleportation circle. After nearly biting his tongue, Kaito decided to shut up. As his bride carried him at a brisk dash, he cast a sidelong glance at the block of ice. Then, all of a sudden, he realized something. Deus Ex Machina. He had seen something similar to it since coming to this world. The Boondock Saints. A titan of blades that only the Torture Princess could create. ...That's what that thing looked like. However, as far as figuring out what it all meant, Kaito hadn't the foggiest. 3 A Brief Reprieve The Torture Princess had returned once more to her castle atop its hill of craggy stone. Her sleek black hair was splayed across her sheets as she slept. After all, there was nothing she needed to do at the moment, nor, for that matter, anything she could. Her target, the Kaiser's contractor, was currently in nonhuman lands, a place where she couldn't carelessly venture. Ever since she'd discovered that fact, she'd been spending her time idly. But although she was lying down, Elisabeth was not, in fact, asleep. She was finding the deafening silence hard on her ears, leaving her unable to get any rest. And so, as she lay on her bed, events from the past bubbled up in her mind. Once, Elisabeth Le Fanu had stood in silence among a raging torrent of jeers. Having been forced to wear a straitjacket and stand in the public square, she'd found herself the subject of a terrifying amount of hatred. And before that, her narrow, cramped cell had been so quiet that there was a chance it had had an effect on her psyche. Even after the Church had returned her castle to her, she still hadn't had anyone to talk to. Until the day she summoned a Sinless Soul as a servant to foist various chores and responsibilities upon. "Who would have thought I'd end up reeling in someone from another world?" Elisabeth's tone was sardonic. It had been a coincidence of astronomic proportions, one that verged on a miracle. But the way she saw it now, it had hardly ended up being a joyful one. After all, Kaito Sena was a colossal fool. He was stupid man, unthinkably good-natured, naive, and possessing an unparalleled sense of stubbornness. For the sake of someone wholly undeserving of being saved by him, he'd even made a contract with a demon and endured unspeakable pain. If anyone asked Elisabeth what she thought of his behavior, she would probably describe it as the most foolish act anyone had ever committed. "You know, you're the only one who ever saved me." That was what Kaito Sena had told her. She had forcibly summoned his soul when all he'd wanted was to die, gotten him wrapped up in her demon hunt, and warped his very destiny, and he'd thanked her. "The only one who saved me from that hell was the Torture Princess. Just you, Elisabeth Le Fanu." What a truly, truly pitiable man you are. She considered something, and not for the first time. Kaito Sena was like a faithful mutt. And because he'd been starving, wounded, and shivering, it didn't matter how the person who picked him up and took him inside treated him. He would think highly of them regardless. It was true that there had been some joyous aspects to his second life. He'd met Hina, for one. But it was ludicrous to think of someone as your savior just because they tossed you a few sandy scraps of bread when you were starving. Due to his own misfortune, Kaito Sena had found value in someone he ought not have. And if that wasn't worthy of being called pitiable, then what could possibly be?