“Ah… ha… haha…” Sophia sits slumped on the bloody floor, her hands trembling uncontrollably. Her face is as pale as paper, yet, despite everything, a twisted smile creeps across her lips. “You… are… a monster,” she gasps, each word strained as she fights for air.

“Sorry, but I had to test it,” I reply evenly, keeping my tone cold. “I needed to know if I can really trust you.”

I glance briefly at the empty gun still clutched in her trembling hand. Of course, I had removed all the bullets before handing it to her. It was a test—nothing more. She’s unharmed, at least physically.

I half-expect her to break down entirely, to collapse into a sobbing mess on the floor. But Sophia surprises me. Within seconds—ten at most—she forces herself to move. Her arms tremble as she pushes herself upright, her breathing still unsteady but determined.

“Let’s go,” she says, her voice quiet but resolute. “We can’t stay here for long, master.”

I nod in acknowledgment, impressed by how quickly she’s come to terms with her situation. “Good,” I say curtly.

“Good,” I nod curtly.

She’s right—lingering here any longer is a risk we can’t afford. At any moment, someone could check on us, and I’d rather not face another fight if I can help it. Time is of the essence.

But before we leave, there’s one more thing to address.

“How long will your mind control spell last on her?” I ask, glancing toward Yumi, who remains frozen in place, her glassy eyes staring blankly ahead.

Sophia follows my gaze. “Perhaps an hour, or until I cancel it myself,” she replies.

“Then keep the spell, don’t cancel just yet.”

Sophia’s eyes widen slightly in surprise, but she doesn’t protest. “As you wish, master,” she murmurs, nodding obediently.

Waking Yumi now would only complicate things further. She doesn’t need to see this—the blood, the shattered remains of the knights, or the horrifying reality of what almost happened. There’s no time to explain, and I can’t risk her panicking. We need to get out of here—and fast. And for now, Yumi is safer in her entranced state.

——————————

Our exit strategy is simple yet daring. I plan to place fake slave collars on myself and Yumi, creating the illusion that Sophia has already enslaved us. Sophia’s own collar can be concealed beneath her hooded cloak, though this solution is temporary. In the future, I’ll need to devise a better way to hide it—perhaps by crafting a bracelet or belt imbued with similar properties. For now, however, this will have to suffice.

“All right,” I say, nodding at Sophia. “Let’s go.”

She steps forward to open the heavy door, the sound of its creak breaking the oppressive silence. Despite the loud noise from my earlier gunshots, no one has come to investigate yet. I suspect this chamber was designed as a torture room, its thick stone walls soundproofed to contain the screams of its unfortunate victims.

Once we exit, we move swiftly through the underground tunnel and up a flight of stone stairs. The air becomes lighter, but the tension remains suffocating. After a few minutes, we emerge into the castle’s shadowy corridors. Dim torches line the walls, their flickering flames casting long, dancing shadows across the cold stone. The oppressive quiet is broken only by the soft echo of our footsteps.

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Sophia leads the way with confidence. Her intoxicating perfume hangs in the air, subtle but ever-present. My senses are on high alert, every sound and shadow scrutinized as we press forward.

Thanks to Sophia, our disguise holds firm. She has a really powerful spell called Euphonic Aura that is constantly active. Its mechanism involves cloaking her with an aura of allure that works through both scent and sound. This aura affects those in close proximity, making them more susceptible to the bearer’s words and actions. It can evoke a range of emotions, from tranquility to fervent desire, depending on her intent. Additionally, her voice becomes mesmerizing, capable of swaying even the most resolute minds when combined with the scent.

I recall how my guard was momentarily lowered when I first met her.

Must be this aura at work.

With this, the guards and castle dwellers spare us no more than cursory glances, accepting our presence without question. And when someone approaches us, Sophia easily sends them away with just a few words. But the most challenging part is still yet to come.

As we approach the castle’s grand entrance, the tension thickens. Two guards stand at their posts, clad in gleaming steel armor adorned with scarlet plumes. Their sharp gazes lock onto us the moment we come into view.

“Please, leave it to me,” Sophia whispers and steps forward.

“Good evening,” one of the guards says, stepping into our path. “Ms. Sophia, where are you headed at this hour? Is there something you need?”

Sophia meets his gaze, calm and composed. “We’re leaving the premises,” she states firmly. “Lady Arina has requested that these two slaves be delivered to her immediately.”

The second guard narrows his eyes, his attention shifting to me. He scans me from head to toe, his lips curling into a smirk. “Well, this man is definitely Lady Arina’s type! But… why would she want the girl too?”

Sophia’s tone sharpens. “The girl is for her husband,” she snaps. “And honestly, aren’t you two asking too many questions?”

Bonk!

The first guard smacks his partner on the head. “My apologies, Ms. Sophia,” he says hastily, shooting a glare at his companion. “Please excuse his lack of tact!”

“Y–yes! I’m very sorry!” the second guard adds, bowing deeply and rubbing his helmet where he was struck.

“But…” the first guard hesitates. “Didn’t the King order the gates to remain closed until dawn? I’m afraid we can’t allow you to leave just yet.”

This is Sophia’s moment.

She blinks once, and when her eyes open, they shimmer with a mesmerizing, ethereal glow. Her voice softens, transforming into something silky and hypnotic. “I understand the King’s orders,” she begins, each word dripping with honeyed persuasion. “But Lady Arina’s request is urgent. She needs this man tonight—in her bed. Surely you wouldn’t want to upset her, would you?”

As she speaks, her intoxicating scent thickens in the air, wrapping around us like a velvet haze. Her Euphonic Aura is in full effect now, weaving its spell over the guards. Their postures stiffen at first, but then their stern expressions begin to melt, their gazes softening as if caught in a dream.

The first guard swallows hard, his eyes locked on Sophia’s. “Lady Arina’s wishes are… important,” he murmurs, his voice faltering under the spell’s influence.

“Yes,” the second guard echoes, his tone dazed. “Very important.”

Sophia takes a deliberate step closer, her presence all-consuming. Her lips curve into a faint, knowing smile, and her voice dips into an alluring sweetness. “Then I’m sure you can make an exception for us, just this once. And in return…” She pauses, her tone playful. “I’ll make sure to bring you both a little treat when I return.”

The guards exchange a hesitant glance, the briefest flicker of resistance flashing in their eyes. But it’s clear—they are utterly enthralled.

“O-of course, Ms. Sophia!” they say in unison, their voices trembling with obedience. “Please wait a moment while we open the gate.”

They move in perfect synchronization, placing their hands on a magical device that requires both operators to activate. The device glows faintly, its light reflecting in their glassy eyes, and moments later, the heavy gate creaks open, revealing the shadowy expanse of the woods beyond.

And just like that, we’re through.

Sparing Sophia back then was the right decision, and I’m glad I trusted my instincts. Her skills have proven invaluable. The way she manipulated them—so effortlessly, so flawlessly—is nothing short of impressive.

It’s almost unnerving how easy it was.

But there’s no time to relax.

Once outside, we move swiftly. The nearby woods engulf us in darkness, the towering trees standing like silent sentinels, their shadows stretching ominously in the moonlight. Sooner or later, the guards will discover the chaos I left behind—the blood, the bodies.

Until then, every second is precious. We must put as much distance as possible between ourselves and the royal palace.