-182- Haven't matured yet?

"Form a contract."

When these words came from Kiyohime's mouth and reached everyone's ears, not only the others but also Rozen himself were left dumbfounded.

"This... we're going to form a contract just like that?"

Rozen asked, somewhat stunned.

It was obvious that Rozen never expected Kiyohime to readily agree to his request, to join their fight, and go against the Dragon Witch.

However, at this moment, things took a turn far beyond Rozen's expectations.

Even Elizabeth blinked her eyes in disbelief.

"You... you're ready to form a contract with the little puppy?" Elizabeth exclaimed, unable to understand, "Isn't that too casual? He's an important Master! Be more careful in your selection!"

This dragon girl unexpectedly displayed a side that showed some common sense.

After all, the contract between a Master and a Servant was not something that could be entered into lightly.

It wasn't about the difficulty of forming the contract, but whether the two sides could reach that level.

Not to mention humans as Masters, even for Servants, once a contract was formed with someone, it meant surrendering their autonomy and obeying someone else's orders.

With Command Seals binding them, how could forming a contract with someone be easy?

Due to this, even though Jeanne, Marie, and Amadeus had all formed temporary contracts with Rozen, they hadn't formed official ones. Although they could still utilize the Master's magical energy and Command Seals, the constraints were much weaker.

For Kiyohime to make this decision with just a few words left everyone surprised.

However, Kiyohime did say that.

"How can one turn down a traveler in need?"

Kiyohime smiled and said these somewhat cryptic words.

Rozen, though, understood.

"Speaking of which, in the legends, Kiyohime was the one who received Anchin in this way, allowing him to stay overnight and falling in love with him overnight, right?"

Could it be that Kiyohime accepted his invitation just as easily as she had accepted Anchin's back then?

It couldn't be... right...?

If it really was like that, wouldn't it mean that for Kiyohime, Rozen would be akin to Anchin who was burned to death?

Rozen suddenly felt an inexplicable chill.

And at this very moment, Kiyohime added fuel to the fire with her words.

"Of course, it's just a temporary contract for now. After observing your character, we'll decide whether to form an official contract or not."

Kiyohime smiled and said these words.

"To be specific, it means no lying and no breaking promises. As long as you adhere to that, this unruly Kiyohime will offer up her modest strength and body to serve you, Master. How about that?"

However, Kiyohime's tone suddenly turned somber.

"In reverse, if you lie, Master, you should understand the consequences, right?"

Listening to Kiyohime's somber voice, everyone involuntarily held their breath.

Rozen couldn't help but recall the legend of this servent before him.

Despair, sorrow, and anger over Anchin's betrayal had shaped Kiyohime into a strange figure. She had transformed into a snake, developed an intense obsession, grown a tail, lost her legs, and in her furious frenzy, she had taken on the form of a snake, eventually transforming into a massive dragon that breathed fire and burned Anchin to death.

It seemed that Kiyohime really despised lies and broken promises.

"...I understand."

Rozen remained silent for a moment and then nodded his head with a casual air.

"Putting aside the matter of a formal contract, during this temporary contract period, I can promise you that I won't lie to you."

This also counts as a promise.

Upon hearing this, Kiyohime's face brightened with a smile.

"Then it's settled. Please treat me well, Master~~( kyunn )"

With a sweet and alluring tone, Kiyohime's words made Rozen's mind wander a bit, but he quickly shook his head to dispel those thoughts.

From this point on, Rozen had another Servant's strength in his ranks.

The attention of everyone immediately shifted to Elizabeth.

"What... what's with you all?"

Being stared at by everyone in this manner, Elizabeth seemed to step back a bit, but she still spoke up.

"I won't be forming a contract with a little puppy! My Master has to be a talented soul mate! That's right! Just like an exclusive manager!"

What kind of argument was that?

For this Servant, was the Master equivalent to an exclusive manager?

Could she really be seriously considering becoming an idol?

"Aren't you the cruel and bloodthirsty female countess?"

Rozen couldn't help but remind her.

However...

"Argh, don't you realize that I haven't matured yet?"

Elizabeth lifted her head and puffed out her chest as she said that.

Everyone immediately reacted.

"Haven't matured yet...?"

Everyone's gaze reflexively focused on Elizabeth's flat chest.

"I'm not talking about that!"

Elizabeth burst out.

"I mean age! Age!"

With Elizabeth's remark, Rozen remembered.

"Speaking of which, Elizabeth's personality changed drastically after she got married at the age of fifteen and started engaging in criminal activities, right?"

In other words, before the age of fifteen, Elizabeth was just a willful, proud, somewhat disdainful young lady with the dignity and nobility befitting an heiress.

And the Elizabeth before them now appeared to be around thirteen or fourteen years old.

In other words, the current Elizabeth hadn't reached the age where she would get married, hadn't committed the shocking crimes from history, and didn't have a taste for young girls' blood or the madness to do anything to maintain her beauty. Just like Gilles de Rais before he fully embraced his Caster aspect, she hadn't fully descended into darkness.

Of course, even so, Elizabeth remained a pampered young lady who was completely unaware of others' suffering. In fact, she only seemed to recognize others as human when she saw them in pain.

At other times, Elizabeth looked down on people entirely, using names like pigs, squirrels, and rabbits to mock them.

"So why do you want to become an idol?"

Rozen expressed his confusion.

Elizabeth's response was matter-of-fact.

"Because being an idol is amazing! An idol!"

With her eyes shining, Elizabeth proclaimed enthusiastically.

"You don't need to do anything; you just need to be cute, and everyone will support and adore you. Don't you think that suits the adorable me?"

Upon hearing this, everyone exchanged glances and ultimately chose to remain silent.

Only Kiyohime muttered to herself.

"While she's reluctantly cute to some extent, what's with that aura of a cliched female protagonist?"

Seeing through it without pointing it out....

"Anyway, if you're confident, we can skip the contract."

Rozen shrugged and looked at everyone present.

"So it's settled. With our current lineup, let's take the Dragon Witch's castle!"

The real war was only just beginning.