Vol. 1 Chapter 1.1 – Prologue: Opening

“The Singular One who hasn’t formed a contract with anyone has been found, you say?”

Lisara Restall silently placed her teacup on the glass-legged table without making a sound. Then, slowly lifting her face, she looked directly at the petite girl seated before her and declared.

“You’re joking, right?”

“Araa, isn’t this rooibos tea from the human world? Fufu, it’s delicious.”rooibos tea¹

As if carried in by the wind, the girl took a sip of the tea.

“Kyuru, I am trying to speak seriously here.”

Lisara shot her a sharp glare, but the girl in question only smiled back innocently, completely unbothered.

“Araa, I’m terribly sorry. The tea was just so good, I couldn’t help myself.”

The petite girl called Kyuru smiled like a blooming flower. She was a relative of the prestigious Restall family—the noblest of the Reaper Realm—and was apparently also an Ojou-sama of the equally noble Zeria family. She wore a dress intricately adorned with embroidery, fitting her like second skin, making her look as adorable as a porcelain doll.

To Lisara, the heir of the Restall family, Kyuru was like a younger cousin, but more than that, she was like a beloved little sister. Because of that, Lisara’s gaze softened quickly, shifting into a wry smile.

“But still, the idea that there’s a unique being we in the Restall Central Authority haven’t grasped? I find that hard to believe.”

“Whether it’s true or not, I wouldn’t know. After all, I haven’t even earned my qualification as a Reaper yet. I just happened to overhear Father and the others talking.”

Playing with her wavy chestnut bangs with her fingertips, Kyuru gave a slight pout.

“That’s why I thought you’d know more than me, Onee-sama. I mean, you did graduate second in the First-Class Reaper Exams.”

“That has nothing to do with this. I haven’t even been dispatched to the human world yet.”

“That can’t be helped, Onee-sama. You’re not some ordinary person—you’re the heir of the Restall family. You must form a contract with someone truly worthy.”

“I see. So that’s why you brought me this rumor about the unique being—as a potentially worthy match.”

Lisara gave a light wry chuckle and brought the teacup to her lips.

“Thank you, Kyuru. The Restall and Zeria families may have had their differences in the past, but I truly appreciate your friendship.”

“Oh no, not friendship. I think of you as my real Onee-sama, Lisara Onee-sama.”

“Fufu, I feel the same, Kyuru.”

Kyuru’s voice bubbled with joy at those words. Watching her sister-like figure, Lisara rested her cheek in her hand.

“The Zeria family… If it’s Uncle Zeria, then yes, he’s in a position to know such things. If it’s true, I’d absolutely want to be the one to form a contract. But whether that opportunity actually comes to me is another story.”

“Araa, and who else but Lisara Onee-sama, the future head of the Restall family, would be suited for the task?”

“Kyuru, you might not know this, but my position isn’t all that stable. They call me the next head, sure, but nothing’s been finalized. And there are many who oppose it.”

“I see…”

Kyuru lowered her gaze and began slowly stirring her rooibos tea with a spoon. Lisara couldn’t see her face, but she was sure that lovely expression had clouded over with sadness.

“You don’t have to worry about that, Kyuru. A little interference won’t stop me—Lisara Restall will just slap it away. So don’t worry, okay?”

“Lisara Onee-sama… Ah!”

Leaving the spoon rudely in her teacup, Kyuru looked up with delight.

“Let’s go and get ahead of everyone else, Onee-sama!”