Chapter 117 - By the way, how exactly did you enslave the Holy Knight?

According to Sister Claire, who revealed her true identity as the church's highest leader, the Priestess of Oracles.

　The Holy Land of Romalia, the headquarters of the Church, has long since become corrupt among its upper echelons, and now exploitation of believers and neighboring small and medium-sized nations is rampant. While keeping a good face to powerful empires, they are secretly sabotaging other nations and preparing to invade, pushing ahead with a destructive course of territorial expansion.

　There's no doubt that the incidents of Sophia being controlled by the Kurogiri and the dungeon collapse were part of this sabotage, and there have been many such incidents happening all over the place recently.

　The who had ruled the Holy Kingdom for generations had become little more than a figurehead since the previous ruler, and Sister Claire, sensing that her life was in danger, had fled with the trusted Holy Knight Sylvia.

　However, it seems that he was so desperate to escape that he was unable to fully investigate the cause of the church's corruption--

"...Why is the Church trying to take my life...the life of a Holy Knight..."

"There are many puzzling aspects to the church's current actions, so this is just a guess, but... I think it's likely that if there are any Holy Knights who aren't tainted by the corrupt church's values, they won't be able to reap the benefits in the future, or something like that."

　There didn't seem to be a clear answer to Alicia's question.

　However, it is an undeniable fact that Claire is the and is currently in an antagonistic relationship with the corrupt church.

　We wanted the Church authorities to guarantee our legitimacy in protecting Alicia, and there was no one better suited to partner with us.

　After revealing her background, Sister Claire turns to face us again.

"--And so, while I enjoy my freedom, I have been searching for a future hero to join me in defeating the corrupt church. It seems our interests are completely aligned, so why not join forces?"

　Sister Claire looks at me with a sincere gaze.

　She's a crazy person, prone to alcoholism and often making vulgar remarks, but her eyes are full of seriousness as she talks about overthrowing the church. Even now, her fingertips tremble at the presence of Kokoro, but as she stands tall, I sense her resolve.

"Of course. One reason is to protect Alicia, but… I cannot stand by and watch the church become like this, even as someone born into a Romarian family."

　And so Sister Claire and I formed an alliance.

　It was when we were about to shake hands as proof of this.

"Please wait a moment. I have no objection to forming an alliance, but before that, there is one thing I would like to confirm."

　Sister Claire's bodyguard.

　Silvia-san, who was actually a level 130 Holy Spear Knight, spoke with a serious expression.

"Erioll... no, Lord Erio. I understand that you have Kokoro, a level 300 Holy Knight, under your control... but how exactly did you use such a powerful enslavement skill on her?"

"picture"

　The topic of the Master-Servant Contract that I thought I had managed to gloss over was brought up again, and a strange sweat started to trickle down my back.

"Eh, well, is that really important right now...?"

"Of course."

　As I tried to somehow cover it up, Sylvia declared with a serious expression.

"Normally, a Holy Knight has the ability to nullify mind control skills. An unconventional skill that completely enslaves them like this is extremely dangerous. I trust you, you saved us from the snake bites, and rescued a child in the village, but... as the guardian of the Oracle, it is my duty to know the conditions under which it is activated. This is absolute."

　That's so true...!　

"Indeed, it is strange now that you mention it. Subjugating a Holy Knight is an unprecedented skill, and the conditions for activating it must be quite difficult. It may be utilized to overthrow the church, so I would like to understand the details."

Even the has begun to show interest...!?

"Ugh..."

　I rack my brains frantically but can't come up with a solution.

　She steeled herself and opened her mouth softly.

"Well, you see, my skill activates if I become really friendly with the target..."

"Are you close friends? Does it have to do with intimacy?"

　Sylvia tilts her head.

　Ah, "good friends" doesn't work!

　However, I hesitated to use vulgar language towards the highest leader of the church and his guards, thinking it would be too respectful and even sexual harassment.

"...It's sex."

"teeth?"

"...If you have sex with Elio...you will become his slave."

"Ah, Alicia!"

　Alicia noticed my hesitation and explained it to me.

　That's a bit weird to say but it helped!　

　I thought, "What I say is a lot more sexual harassment than what Alicia says as a woman!"

"picture..."

"Wh-what are you talking about?! That's too indecent to be a joke!"

　Claire-san was speechless, and Sylvia-san raised her voice, forgetting to use honorific language.

　That's right!

"Well, it's true. My was banished, so there are a lot of things that go into it.... If I give an order after we've reached the climax many times while intimate, a will be activated."

"Are you crazy?!"

　In response to my explanation, Silvia-san's face turned red and she yelled.

　I can't argue...!

"S-So, are you serious about being a slave?! You're not just making up something to hide the true terms of your servitude, are you?!"

"No, it's true, please believe me!"

　I desperately try to convince Sylvia, who looks at me with strong doubts.

　However, when I looked through the appraisal crystal, the only description of the skill was "Conclude a master-servant contract with the person who has deepened their friendship to the utmost and reached the peak together," so persuading him was extremely difficult.

　And while I was at my wit's end,

"What do you mean, se... slavery? If that's true, show us a demonstration!"

"Oh, that's a quick solution."

"picture?"

　Empress Stacey-san, with a look of annoyance on her face, agreed with Silvia-san's words, which seemed to have been blurted out in a fit of desperation. Huh?

"No one is going to believe this crazy skill if I explain it verbally. I'll just grab a random woman from the Empress Brigade and show her how to use it right here and now."

"W-what are you talking about?!"

　I quickly refuted Stacey's outrageous suggestion.

"Being friendly with a woman just to prove the conditions for activating a skill is not allowed! It's unethical!"

"Huh? What are you talking about now?"

　The leopard beastman Liza-san looks at me as if I'm a crazy person.

　What is it? Is there something you want to say?

　And as I was resisting the outrageous proposal of the Empress Brigade,

"Ah, that's bothersome... Ah, then, how about that?"

　As if Stacey had suddenly remembered something, she looked back and forth between me and Sylvia.

"It's been put on the back burner due to the water pollution, but a troublesome monster has appeared near the city. Maybe dealing with it will prove the conditions for activating the Master-Servant Contract."