243 That’s why people with broken minds...

The teacher and Yamada-kun returned to the academy.

Natsume was restrained, and the assassins were captured by other teachers who arrived on the scene.

They were already weakened by my cursed eye—easy prey for the teachers.

Also, the earth dragon I had been concerned about—remained calm, and was collected by the faculty as is, still in its cage.

Rather cautious, though.

What was that earth dragon, anyway?

Now, Natsume is currently under strict confinement in his room.

He is a prince from another nation, even if he caused trouble.

He can't just be punished.

Well, not that he can't be punished at all, but—

If this continues, punishment is inevitable.

Before that happens, something must be done.

I will transfer to Natsume’s location.

"Damn it! Can't end like this! This world is mine! Mine, only mine, made for me alone! I won't accept this ending! I won't accept it! Not until I take everything into my hands! That damn elf! I'll destroy them! I won't forgive! I won't ever forgive! One day, I'll take everything from them—just as they took from me! Wait for it! I'll break every single thing they hold dear! Then laugh while I defile that damn noblewoman, crying out in agony! Wait! I'll reclaim this world! I'll take it back!"

Uwaaah...

Can I go back now?

What... what is this?

He's completely lost it.

I suddenly feel like I should pretend I never saw any of this.

This is getting close to triggering the Seven Deadly Sins skill acquisition threshold.

Ugh...

But I can't just ignore it either.

This could turn into something serious if left unchecked.

No... not serious. Rather, something lewd?

Yes.

I’ll limit my escapism to this extent.

Besides, he’s not noticing I’m right beside him.

Seems like he’s oblivious to everything around him now.

Convenient for me, though.

Slowly, bind him with thread.

Turn him toward me. Yes—activate the Evil Eye.

Seize consciousness.

Then extract a miniature offshoot, fingertip-sized.

Insert it into the ear canal of Shinya-kun. Rotate.

Shinya-kun’s body twitches violently. Ignore it.

It’s fine. It’s fine.

He won’t die.

Only that he’ll begin receiving signals from nowhere.

Follow those signals, and—miracle of miracles—

a fall from grace awaits.

Well done!

Confirm the offshoot has reached the brain. Then treat Shinya-kun’s ear.

It’s already pierced through various parts of the ear and reached the brain.

Treating it on purpose—how kind of me.

Now, Natsume-kun is as much my puppet as one can be.

Complete control is possible, but soul growth would undoubtedly slow.

Better to limit it to guiding thought, then.

Unless an emergency arises.

Ah, I should erase myself from memory.

Click, click.

For now, remain secluded and focus on acquiring skills.

Given current progress, avarice may be attainable.

Possibly lust, if fortune favors.

Then he’ll be mine.

Before establishing dominion authority, I can intervene from the side and take over.

Currently under my control: pride, sloth, and patience—skills I originally possessed as a ruler. Additionally, envy, acquired by the Vampire Child, and wrath, obtained by Ogakun.

Oppositely, the following have been seized: temperance, diligence, charity, and gluttony.

Charity was originally mine, but prior to my intervention through ruler authority, the next inheritor was already determined, and the ruler authority was established—rendering further action impossible.

The next inheritor is the teacher.

A thoroughly inconvenient situation has arisen.

Remaining untouched: greed, lust, humility, compassion, and chastity.

Greed and lust will be entrusted to Natsume-kun for effort.

Afterward, disposal is the intended plan.

The issue lies with humility, compassion, and chastity.

Best to have someone else take it, but taking it without establishing dominion authority is pointless.

If only I didn’t know how to establish authority, like I once did. If an elf among them acquires it, that would be troublesome.

The safest option is for one of our own to obtain it here.

Vampire Child—no chance they possess humility.

No compassion. None at all.

Chastity—borderline. But lately they’ve been allowing male attendants. That makes it unlikely.

Argner—hardly a true asset, and even after long life, hasn’t reached that point.

Demanding a skill now? Impossible.

Is there some talented child somewhere who fits the criteria?

Magic potential detected.

The guard posted outside the room appears to have collapsed.

The door opens slowly, cautiously.

A single girl enters.

A girl with features reminiscent of Yamada-kun.

Of course.

Even if only one side, blood ties remain.

Name was… Sue, wasn’t it?

Judging by the ominous aura, perhaps she came to assassinate Natsume-kun?

This girl is quite the possessive type.

Of course she wouldn’t let someone who tried to kill her elder brother, Yamada-kun, go unpunished.

There she is.

One with strong potential and likely to acquire a ruler’s skill.

“Who are you?”

The younger sister, eyes narrowed in suspicion toward me.

Hmm.

How to persuade her down.