Chapter 538: The Duplicity of the Sisters

[TL/N: Read my new work - Detective Conan: I'm a Succubus?!] 

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Alexander's Scythe rested lightly against Kaguya's neck. Her eyes squeezed shut, trembling with fear. Though she was a Spirit, she was still just a young girl. The looming shadow of death was, unsurprisingly, terrifying.

Beside her, Yuzuru couldn't bear the sight and turned her head away. But just as Alexander was about to strike, he stopped abruptly. His gaze shifted between the two sisters, and he suddenly spoke.

"Destroying such delicate flowers with these hands? That's just cruel. Isn't it a waste to kill two such stunning beauties?"

"Huh? Then… don't kill us! Let us go, okay?" Kaguya exclaimed, her eyes lighting up with hope. Despite her bravado, she desperately wanted to live.

"Agreed! Yuzuru promises endless gratitude if you spare us," Yuzuru added with equal desperation.

But Alexander shook his head. "Let you go? Impossible. After all the trouble I went through to capture you two, why would I give up my advantage? However," he continued, a mischievous smirk curling his lips, "you two are indeed beautiful. Let's make a deal. One of you stays by my side as my personal maid, and I'll release the other. That way, neither of you has to die. What do you think?"

"I'll stay!" Kaguya blurted out without hesitation, her voice firm and resolute.

"Incorrect! Yuzuru will be the one to stay as your maid!" Yuzuru retorted, equally unwavering. Both sisters had made their decision simultaneously.

Alexander chuckled at their reactions and fanned the flames further. "You should know, being my maid isn't an easy task. You'll have to obey me completely—no complaints, no resistance. Whatever I ask of you, you'll do without question. You'll belong to me. Have you really thought this through?"

His words caused the two sisters to fall silent. They exchanged glances, an unspoken understanding passing between them, before turning back to Alexander.

"We've thought it through!" they declared in unison.

The determination in their eyes was undeniable. Then Kaguya spoke up, her voice filled with resolve. "Yuzuru! I don't need your help! I lost fair and square, and I can accept that. Just go! From now on, you'll live as Yamai."

But her fiery declaration was met with a calm shake of the head from Yuzuru. "Incorrect. Yuzuru is also at fault here. Besides, hasn't Kaguya always wanted to become Yamai? This is your chance to achieve your dream."

"What nonsense! I don't need your pity!" Kaguya snapped. She turned to Alexander, her eyes blazing with anxiety and determination. "Fine! I'll stay by your side! Do whatever you want with me, but let Yuzuru go!"

Alexander raised an eyebrow at her outburst, but before he could respond, Yuzuru interjected. 

"No! Yuzuru is more suited to be your maid than Kaguya. Yuzuru is obedient and doesn't cause trouble like she does. Kaguya is careless—she kicks off her blankets at night and always expects me to cover her. She eats without wiping her mouth, leaves her belongings in disarray, and has a terrible temper. She'll just make you angry!"

"What? Don't spout lies! You're no better than me!" Kaguya shot back, her voice rising. "You never speak your mind and keep everything bottled up. It would be boring to be around you. Plus, you're hopelessly directionless—you get lost constantly, and I'm always the one who has to find you!"

Their bickering escalated, but their true intentions were clear. Neither sister wanted the other to be left behind. They both knew the implications of staying. The one who remained would lose her identity, endure unimaginable hardships, and sacrifice herself. Meanwhile, the other would live freely, bearing the name of Yamai. 

For both sisters, the choice was simple: they would each rather suffer than allow the other to be harmed.

Alexander watched them with amusement. "You two have a pretty strong bond," he remarked.

"Our bond isn't strong at all!" Kaguya shot him a glare. "Can't you see we're arguing? How could you think we're close?"

"Agreed. Yuzuru and Kaguya are completely incompatible," Yuzuru said with a nod.

Alexander laughed, his smirk widening. "You're both so stubborn. Willing to sacrifice for each other, yet still pretending otherwise. Don't you realize what that means?"