The Sekirei’s Covenant

Screech…

A fierce grinding sound, the red car skidded sideways half a car length before finally stopping.

Bang!

The whole car shook violently, and blue smoke puffed out from the gap in the hood…

"Hah… hah… unbelievable, I'm still alive!"

Jumping out and bending over to catch his breath, Sora was sure this was the craziest ride he had ever taken!

Glancing nervously at the maid who was cheerfully opening the door for Erica, Sora finally understood—this maid was a real wild card!

The wild-driving maid, Sora had already labeled her in his mind…

"Arianna is a maid, but she's a bit lacking in driving and cooking skills. Other than that, she's excellent!"

Gracefully stepping down, clearly used to this, Erica smiled slightly at Sora's disheveled expression, feeling quite pleased.

Speechless, Sora glanced at the master-servant pair. She could not agree with Erica's words.

"So this is the residence of Lucretia Zola? It's really quite remote…"

Feeling much better, Sora straightened up and murmured as she looked at the small house in front of her.

Lucretia Zola's home was near the forest beside the small town. The stone house with a small courtyard exuded a very ancient aura that seemed to emanate from the entire building. There were no other houses nearby, giving off a very lonely feeling.

The Witch's House—although it was just a small cottage, its appearance perfectly matched the name.

Glancing into the courtyard, wild weeds grew haphazardly inside. It was unclear whether the owner had no interest in gardening or was simply too lazy to tidy up. But just from this, one could roughly guess some aspects of the house owner's personality.

"New faces, huh? Who are you?"

At that moment, a small black cat appeared on the courtyard wall, looking at the group, and spoke in the voice of a human woman.

Sora twitched the corner of her mouth. After all the strange things that had happened these days, she was completely numb. She stepped forward, introduced herself, and stated their purpose.

The little black cat pondered for a moment, then the courtyard gate automatically opened. After exchanging a glance with Erica, the three followed the cat inside.

Not long after, they arrived in a living room.

The scent of medicine—no, the smell of herbs filled the room. The interior was very messy. On a bed inside, a woman was sitting up with only her upper body raised. The black cat curled up in a corner, yawning out of boredom.

"Oh my, oh my, welcome to my home, relatives of my old friend."

"You must be the boy Ichirou found in his own yard, right? I am Lucretia Zola, the one you're looking for!"

Well, looking at the beautiful woman in lingerie who greeted them lying on the bed, Sora could no longer remain calm.

Her bewildered eyes seemed to radiate an incredible charm, and her flaxen long hair was very beautiful. She was a young beauty, probably in her late twenties.

A temptress, a temptress, Sora cursed inwardly.

"Are you really Lucretia Zola, the old man's friend? Aren't you a bit too young?!"

Suppressing the strange agitation stirred by the temptress before her, Sora spoke with a speechless expression.

"Well, compared to ordinary people, I might be considered old, but I haven't aged a bit."

"Night will fall soon. Would you like to try my body, young man?!"

With a lazy demeanor, the woman smiled seductively and lifted a long leg clad in pink silk stockings, beckoning Sora.

Well, Sora felt an urge to spit blood, and his heart suddenly pounded.

He felt both embarrassed and confused. He was usually calm in any situation, so why did the temptress's silk-stockinged long leg make him want to pounce on her? It was as if doing so was the real thing he was supposed to do!

"Hiss…"

Just as Sora was struggling internally whether to pounce, he suddenly felt a sharp pain in his waist and immediately snapped back to his senses. Turning around, he saw Erica glaring at him with a face full of mock anger.

"What are you doing? Don't pinch me randomly!"

Although he knew he might have lost control just now, Sora was displeased at being pinched by Erica.

We're not close, and you're not my girlfriend or anything. What's with the pinching? I don't accept this!

"Hmph!"

Erica blushed slightly, let out a coquettish hum, and turned her head away.

Actually, Erica was also very embarrassed. She didn't know what came over her just now. Seeing Sora enchanted by that temptress, she felt a pang of jealousy and couldn't help but pinch him.

Watching Sora and Erica's interaction, Lucretia Zola's lips curved into a slight smile, and a strange light flashed in her eyes.

"What's so strange about it? Any witch who has mastered the use of magic to a high degree can maintain a youthful body. Rather than worrying about that, the magic tome and the 'Heretic God' matter should be the focus!"

Feeling the atmosphere turn awkward, Erica suppressed her embarrassment and resumed her usual queenly demeanor, speaking calmly.

"This is something the old man asked me to return to you. Please accept it."

Sora pouted reluctantly, not wanting to dwell on the matter. Remembering their main purpose, he took the stone tablet from his bag and handed it to Lucretia Zola.

"Heh… You've all already encountered the gods, huh? Your luck is really bad. By the way, girl, who are you?"

Taking the stone tablet from Sora, Lucretia Zola smiled and asked Erica.

"Erica Blandelli, the Great Knight of the Copper-Black Cross. Due to various circumstances, I'm temporarily traveling with this guy."

Proud of her family and name, Erica answered arrogantly.

"Niece of Lord Paolo, huh? I've heard rumors a few times. It seems your reason for coming to this rural place is because of that 'Heretic God.' You're really proactive."

Lucretia Zola sincerely praised her. Apparently, she had heard of Erica's reputation as a genius. She glanced at the stone tablet in her hand and continued:

"The Prometheus' Grimoire, so it's this. A long time ago, I found this deep in the Caucasus Mountains. It really brings back memories."

Her eyes flickered with a strange light as Lucretia Zola murmured to herself.

"Prometheus… How do you plan to handle it?"

Erica was surprised that this magic tome was left behind by that god. Her eyes showed interest as she asked Lucretia Zola.

Although this thing was precious, it was a hot potato!

"I'm not sure. How should it be handled…"

"If this kind of thing stays here, it will soon attract unwanted guests. It's really troublesome. If possible, I hope you can take it back with you."

"Boy, here, sister is giving it to you!"

Looking troubled, Lucretia Zola then shamelessly threw the stone tablet to Sora, leaving both Sora and Erica dumbfounded.

"Woman, are you kidding me? Who would want this thing?!"

His eye twitched. He had come all this way to deliver something, and she just threw it at him like that. How ridiculous!

Besides, she already said it's not a good thing and will attract strange things. Damn temptress, are you trying to dump the trouble on me? I can tolerate some lack of decency, but do you have to throw away all your morals?!

"Oh my, boy, you don't want it? Then I don't want it either."

"If you don't want it, then don't give it to me either!"

"Oh, then give it to the little girl over there. She looks like she really wants it."

"Hmm, that's a good idea. Let's give it to her!"

…

Staring dumbfounded as the two of them tossed the precious magical tome, the Prometheus' Grimoire, back and forth like trash, and in the end actually threw it into her own hands, Erica was stunned for a long time, unable to come to her senses.

"You two idiots, go to hell!!!"

Finally snapping out of it, her eye twitching wildly, Erica grabbed the stone tablet and hurled it at Sora's head…

Squatting miserably to the side, drawing circles, looking at the useless and troublesome broken stone tablet that was ultimately thrown back to her, then glancing at the two triumphant women nearby, Sora finally discovered a truth: women are synonymous with scoundrels…