It was Noa Curio's army that came out to Teiracaines. But there's something wrong with that.
　The Noah's Curio Army has no track record of operating holy beasts, nor do they have any plans to do so.

　A room in the place that was once used as an operation control room.
　On a map of the country hanging on the wall, Everis drew an arrow with some kind of fluorescent chalk (which can be erased with magic).
　From the site of Wesara, where the Noachurian army is stationed, to Teiracaines.

　The Marquis of Edfelt had called in the Noachurian army. However, most of the army only arrived after Rene escaped.
　In fact, Rene was forced to retreat because of a mysterious old woman alone who appeared with the Holy Beasts. The Holy Beasts seem to be in league with the Noah's Curio army. ......

So what was that all about?
I'm afraid I don't know. I don't know everything about this world.
　The Demon Lord's army has spies in the five major countries, but they didn't get any information. It's possible that they were preparing in secret, or that the ...... event was too far-flung for them to catch.
　As for the holy beast itself, well, we can take measures against it. It would be better to find out why they brought that thing out.
　If the Holy Kingdom of Diretta is involved, it could be a problem. Especially for a princess who is undead herself and whose army is basically undead at this point.

　You've got a point.
　Even a single punch or scratch from a holy beast is filled with holy energy. In addition, their bodies are like a collection of holy energy. It's a natural enemy of the undead.
　But the holy beasts that Rene saw were all so powerful that he couldn't possibly give every soldier the same level of protection.

Maybe I should have taken a risk and killed that old lady. She was just unpleasant and didn't seem to have any power.
"I don't know. I don't know. If she's not a magician, killing her won't make the summoner disappear, so it might have been pointless.
　Well, whatever it is, we're sure to run into the Holy Beast army again, aren't we?

　We need to take precautions. And we need to find out why that thing came out.

　We have brains to analyze the information.
　Then we need an intelligence-gatherer.

We need a spy.

　What do you want with me?

What are you going to do with me?
　Zombie bait?　Skeleton material?　A slave?　Ornamental?
　What are you going to do with me?
"...... You're a spirited captive. By the way, I'm all for it.
Wow!　I knew it!

　I'm not sure if this is a good idea or not, but it's a good idea.
　I'm not sure what to make of this.

　Seeing this, Rene said stingingly.

You can stop now, you're slowing me down.

　The banging stops.
　Tracy kept a straight face for a moment, then mischievously stuck out her tongue.

"Heh. I'm sure you're aware of that.　I was thinking that this is what an irresistible prisoner of war looks like.
　...... I was told that escalated acting out of true feelings would work against mind readers.
You can't see the urgency in the tone of voice. You're rather calm and ...... scared, but having a little fun, aren't you?

　In the event that you have any questions concerning where and how to use the internet, you can call us at the web site. It is an evil spirit that feeds on the emotions of grief and despair, and its ability to read emotions is extremely accurate.
　Rene saw through Tracy's inner self, which was slightly different from her outward demeanor.

It's a beautiful girl, or a beautiful boy who only looks like a beautiful girl, that is the accessory that makes your life shine.
　No matter how bad the situation is, you should be grateful for a nice encounter. You're very pretty, Rene.

　Rene was a little nervous when he was told straight out that he was cute.
　It wasn't a romantic thrill, but something that had slipped her mind.
　It was a compliment that she had always heard from her mother, but how many people in this world would say 'cute' to the face of a terrifying named monster that had destroyed an entire country?

　By the way, Renai is in her Revenant form (that is, the same form as a normal human) because she is not in battle, but I feel that Tracy would have said the same thing even if she were in the form of Dullahan or Lich.
　I'm not sure if it's the same thing if it's Dullahan or Rich.

I'm not sure what to make of it, but I'm sure it's a good idea.
I'm not just trying to get my hands on a pretty girl, I'm trying to be just like her.

　A middle-aged man in the shape of a girl makes a statement with impunity.

So you're going to use him.
"Tracy has a network of adventurers in the country, and with his communicative skills, he can get into anyone's head and get information out of them. As a Thief, he can also use his covert skills to break into important facilities and investigate.
I have a bad feeling that I'm going to be praised for ....... Am I that famous?
Sort of. I had a chance to find out.
Maybe that's your memory, Iris.


"Yes, .......

　Just as he was about to affirm it, Rene realized that something was wrong.
　The only people who knew that Rene was possessed by Iris were the three members of the Dragon's Throat who were killed by Rene. Tracy couldn't have known.

　No.
　If she had gathered traces of Rene's activity and deduced it with unusual insight, or...

"You got that right?

　Tracy had a subtle smirk on her face.

"Postscript. You're smart, too.
　Anyway, I think you'll get a lot of very useful information if you make this Tracy a Revenant.
"No, please!

　At Rene's suggestion, Tracy immediately raised her voice.

Oh, you're in a real hurry.
Of course I'm serious!　I don't want to die yet!　I don't want to die yet! I want to be able to look in the mirror every morning and every night and be thrilled at how s*xy and pretty I look!　I don't want to become undead!
But you're still in such a hurry.
Please, I'll do what you say, but you can't kill me alive!　Look, Revenant is disposable!　You'd better not be!

　--There it is.

　Tracy's words were exactly what Rene had in mind.
　Revenants can be turned into loyal undead with their original appearance and abilities (even their magic power if they can be turned into revenants with their souls), but they have the disadvantage of deteriorating into 'just a fresh zombie' in a few days.
　Tracy's superiority lies not in her physical abilities, but in her ability as a secret agent. It would be a shame to use her as a Revenant and throw her away. I would prefer to use her in a reusable form if possible.

　Or perhaps Tracy's relaxed attitude is due to her awareness of her usefulness to Rene.
　It could be said that the end of this conversation was almost fixed from the beginning.

Of course it would be better to keep her alive, but she might escape or become a double agent if she sees an opportunity.
　There's .................. a way to tie them up.

　Rene said deliberately and snapped his fingers.

"Miaranse, come in.

　Miaranse, who had been waiting outside the room, walked in slowly.
　The amber-eyed cat-eared maid had a shiny leather collar around her neck that seemed to stick to her.

I hope you don't mind if I give this collar to him.
　I don't think Miaranse will need it anymore.
"Ugh, ......, is that what you call a 'slave collar'?

　Tracy groaned.

　It seems that this collar permanently prohibited Miaranse from running away or attacking those around her.
　In other words, it could be used that way.

　Miaranse took off the collar and gave it to René.
　When Everith saw the collar, he rolled his eyes.

If you look closely, you can see that this is not a copy made by a human, but an original made by me.
　I've missed it!　I miss it so much I don't want to look at it directly!　I thought it was a masterpiece at the time, but now that I look at it, it's a bit naive in many ways.
　I thought it was my best work at the time, but looking at it now, I see that it was poorly made in many ways.
"......, the developer of the Slave Collar?　Who are you, witch?
You don't know. A witch who becomes a legend because of rumors is a second-rate witch.
　First-rate witches are unknown. I've been hiding in the dark my whole life. It's easier to work that way.
　I'm not known to the world, but I'm proud to say I'm the best at what I do.

　Everis was all smiles as Tracy looked at him quizzically.

This is your work, isn't it? I'm sure it'll work.
"Yes. I don't remember putting the bell on.
Let's try it.

　When I tried to put on the collar, Tracy's cheeks flushed and she mumbled something embarrassed and annoyed.

I'm not going to be able to disobey any of the Princess's terrible orders now that I'm wearing the collar.

　According to Rene's reading of her emotions, Tracy was both reluctant and excited.

.................. Do you think she's a pervert?
Isn't that perverted?

　Rene's question was met with a resounding affirmation from Miaranse.

I'm not sure if I'm a pervert or not.
　I'm not sure if it's a good idea, but I think it's a good idea. ......

　I mean, Tracy would do it. I'm sure she will.
　Even if she can't escape, all Tracy has to do is ask someone for help while infiltrating the human city. Even if you block her escape and forbid her to ask for help, she is likely to manage to poke holes in your orders.

　Then Everis pulled out from the void a thick wad of paper with an attack power of about 50.

There's a template for making a contract with a demon or god.
　They are basically mean and want to pervert your wishes and make them come true, so when you ask for something, make a contract that binds you to the exact interpretation of the words. I think we can read this out on the command machine and restrict their actions.
"Wait!　Let me read it first!　There are definitely things that shouldn't be applied to humans, right?


Good for you for noticing. Good for you.
Wow!　I knew it!

　Tracy twisted and stretched her neck to show it to me.

　Those who disregard the contract will die.
　It was the same absolute providence whether on 21st century Earth or in some medieval or early modern fantasy world. The quality is even worse when magic is involved, because you can die physically without even a trial.
　I'm not sure if it's a fable that teaches good and evil to children or if it's a fable that says, "The honest old man who checked the contract will live happily ever after, while the mean old man who didn't read the contract will be forced to sign a contract with a demon god. I'm sure you're not the only one who's wondering what the hell is going on here.

I'm sure you've heard of it.
　I'll quickly finish a discreet accessory with the same function, let him wear it. I'm sure I can make it with the materials I have on hand.
If someone sees the collar and says, "I'll take it off you," it's over. Then I'll ask you to make it.
Okay, I'll put it on your tab.
There's no room for escape. ......

　Tracy lies face down in a state of boredom and exhaustion.
　I'm sure you'll be pleased to know that I'm not the only one who's trying to get out of here.

Despair as sweet and light as fruit candy.
"Wow, I can taste it. But I'm glad you think it's cute.
You're such a good sport.

　Anyway, Rene has successfully recruited a talented agent.
　Not only is she a talented agent, but Tracy also has the advantage of being human. She will not be caught by the detection of the undead, nor will she be damaged by the holy air ward.
　She ...... and he will be a great help as Rene's eyes and ears.

So you don't need this collar, do you?　Please give it back to me.

　Miaranse's amber eyes glinted as she put her hand on the bell collar that Rene was still holding.

You don't need it anymore, do you?　And isn't it an abominable fetters for you?
But I would be very grateful and happy if the Princess would wear it on me.
.................. Are you a pervert?
I'm not a pervert.

　There was a cat-like rumbling in her throat.