While Adelio was inwardly startled by Hinata’s sudden help, Sylvia still wasn’t done with her questions.
"...Why did you hand over part of the [Hero's Egg]?"
Sylvia clearly didn’t trust Hinata’s explanation.
She asked how a [Hero] could possibly have any reason to give power to a monster.
But in that brief instant, Hinata came up with an excuse so plausible that even Adelio, the person involved, thought it sounded convincing.
"When I made a [Contract] with Adelio on the condition that he would become my companion, that was the price I offered."
In truth, when they first met, Adelio really had considered earning her trust through a [Contract].
In the end, they had become equal friends without one, but as Ermesia and, just moments ago, Luminous had shown, a [Contract] was one of the best cards a demon could use in almost any situation.
Naturally, that made it useful for excuses too, and that was exactly what Hinata was doing now.
"......Hmm..."
After hearing that much, even Sylvia could no longer find a flaw in the story, and at last her barrage of questions came to a stop.
Judging by her expression, there were still parts she hadn’t fully accepted, but without proof, she seemed willing to back off for now.
"Ahem. Now that things seem more or less settled, I shall tell you the condition I mentioned earlier."
Once Sylvia withdrew, Luminous Valentine spoke again.
Still smiling with her fangs bared, she looked at Adelio and said,
"I want only one thing. Once your journey with Chronoa is over, I want you to train one [Crusader] of my choosing."
One [Crusader].
Adelio immediately realized who she meant.
Among the [Crusaders] she normally regarded as little more than pieces on a board, there was only one person she would care enough about to make a request like that.
...She’s planning to entrust future Hinata to me.
Hinata from three hundred years later, who had not yet regressed into the past.
It seemed Luminous intended to use Adelio, who possessed the power of a [Devil Lord], something that was almost the perfect match for helping Hinata grow while she was still unaccustomed to the power of [the body of a saint].
Well, it wasn’t a bad offer for Adelio.
He had already intended to personally raise Izawa Shizue, so Hinata was someone he was bound to meet sooner or later anyway.
"...Understood. I accept that condition."
In the end, Adelio accepted Luminous’s terms.
"Mm, a wise choice."
Hearing his answer, Luminous accepted the [Contract], and at the same time, ash-gray magic power and blood-red magic power intertwined in a thin connection.
It meant their [Contract] had been formed.
"From now on, I look forward to working with you as part of the forces of the same Demon Lords, Adelio."
With that, Luminous flashed a haughty, smiling glance, as if she were the victor.
Adelio found that look a little irritating, but all he could do was give a bitter smile, as if to say, of course you would.
"......Of course, Demon Lord Luminous Valentine."
Sylvia had barged in without warning and walked away with precious information at no cost to herself, but Luminous had gone even further.
She had revealed Adelio’s identity to Sylvia, creating a restraint on him, secured a [Contract] guaranteeing that Guy would not betray her, and in the end even made him the future teacher who would train Hinata...
Out of the five people here—or six, really—she was obviously the one who had profited the most.
......
Adelio had gained something too, having met Sylvia and Luminous face-to-face and established ties with them, but...
...compared to those queens, who had squeezed out every advantage through experience built up over thousands of years, it was nowhere near enough.
...Next time, I need to create a situation where I can use force...
And so Adelio unexpectedly came away with a lesson.
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