I definitely confirmed that Asti entered the room with the White Mask and Muyun.
And reminding myself that this world is a ‘Dark Fantasy’, I had locked the door tight.
I thought that the girl must have some unique abilities.
So, I figured she’d probably help us clear the game or something.
While contemplating how to get closer to Asti tomorrow, I slowly drifted off to sleep.
But then, someone started shaking me awake.
When I opened my eyes, Lia was drenched in sweat, trying to wake me up.
“…Lia? What…”
Since it was still midnight, I was about to ask her why, but then I could hear the clicking of metal.
When I realized that the sound was coming from the front door, it suddenly swung open.
“…Asti?”
Seeing Asti walk in with an excessively polite posture threw me off.
“…What the heck, why are you doing this?!”
And that was the situation right now.
With an utterly expressionless face, she was staring down at me, holding a sword in both hands, ready to poke me, making me feel like I was staring at an emotionless psychopath.
Plus, she looked like a petite girl; where was all this strength coming from?
Even with my body enhanced from eating the cook’s food, I could barely resist.
What should I do?
Should I use my weight to pivot to the side?
While I was thinking how to get out of this situation…
Thunk!
I heard a perky sound of impact.
Soon, I realized that it was Lia diving at Asti’s face with a headbutt.
To back that up, Lia, with a bump on her head, spread her arms in front of me to block Asti.
Taking advantage of that brief window, I tried to prepare for another attack, but then I noticed something odd.
Asti was staring at Lia with a blank expression.
And the weird part was that she wore that blank expression.
No matter how cool and strong a person is, they should be shocked when faced with an Outsider.
Unless they were a cold-blooded Hunter.
But Asti looked like she was “familiar” with Lia.
No, her expression couldn’t even be explained by the word “familiar.”
It was more like a look of bewilderment.
As if she couldn’t understand Lia’s actions.
The strangeness didn’t stop there.
Lia was showing a timid expression she had never displayed to any Outsider before.
What on earth was happening here?
Why were these two acting like they knew each other?
Just as I was about to reach some conclusion…
Asti suddenly sheathed the sword she was holding, bowed her head, and said,
“I’m sorry for the intrusion. Have a good night, Master.”
As if nothing had happened.
“Wait, hold on!”
I tried to grab her, but she simply walked out of the room like that.
What the…?
She just tried to kill me, and now she’s leaving so nonchalantly while calling me “Master”?
At the very least, maintain some consistency!
I started getting angry again, thinking that this was all a prank from the Community when suddenly, a phrase popped into my mind.
“Even if strange things happen, don’t doubt it; just keep her around. If you don’t have her, you’ll have to grind like crazy when facing the gimmick boss later.”
Sigh.
Could it be that the “strange things” meant Asti trying to directly attack me?
Is the premise of me having to endure the daily threat of death supposed to be a solid condition!?
What even was the reason for her attacking me in the first place? Did she think she had to give pleasure to her Master through some kind of pecii S&M play?
Well, stop complaining.
“…Lia?”
After Asti left, seeing Lia with her head down, looking far from at ease, I cautiously called her.
Startled by my voice, she shivered and then turned to face me.
She wore a smile, but it had that unsettling hint to it.
I wanted to ask her what was going on, but Lia shook her head and just slipped her hand into her pocket.
Was it just my feeling?
Well, considering they came from such different places, it would be strange if they knew each other.
…By the way, is it okay to sleep?
What if Asti comes back to poke me while I’m asleep?
But ignoring the overwhelming fatigue was nearly impossible for my human body.
Maybe Lia would wake me up again.
With a slightly anxious heart, I drifted off to sleep.
#
And unfortunately, Asti’s attacks didn’t end there.
“Did you sleep well, Master?”
“If you’re going to act like that, what’s the point of maintaining appearances?! Why are you grinding your teeth to speak?!”
As soon as I woke up, just like the night before, she launched another attack.
“Master, shall I prepare the tea for you?”
“Don’t call me Master! And don’t serve tea! Are you trying to poison me?!”
“…Tch.”
“Did you just click your tongue? Right?!”
Right after breakfast, she attempted to poison me.
“Master, if I may be so bold, could I ask you to embrace me?”
“…Why in this crowded place?”
“Yes. While you’re at it, why not rub our faces together…?”
“…What are you, trying to socially bury me?!”
While we were strolled around town, she made attempts that could lead to social disaster.
… My cousin from years ago came to mind, and it was a secret desire to rub face to face with someone that looked like a doll.
Anyway.
Maybe all this was happening today due to that?
As soon as I entered the room, I was overwhelmed with fatigue and threw myself onto the bed.
I was trying to trust the process, but no matter how I thought about it, something felt off.
No, with Asti’s actions, it was clear I was being led on.
Even if it’s a critically acclaimed game and many players flock to it, why on earth would the Community manager act as a barrier to entry?
If I had known this would happen, I would have just believed the comments!
What’s the point of regretting it now?
I’ve already become a fool.
Now if they were to tell me to live freely again or whatever…
“I have now become a useless toy. I understand.”
“Breaking News: The Knights have left them be… Children captured as illegal slaves found as cold corpses.”
“…Gah!”
Gripped by a feeling of helplessness, I clutched my head and squirmed on the bed.
Is this right?
Is this really how things should be?!
Knock knock knock.
Amid all that, someone knocked on the door.
It must be an adorable assassin who has no idea about the slow deterioration of my heart and is making me want to “bite” her.
“I don’t want to! I’m going to enjoy the ‘Aesthetics of Loneliness!’”
I shouted that loudly at the door, but instead of opening, it swung open.
But as soon as I recognized the identity of the person in front of the door, I knelt politely.
“…Master. You have come.”
“The aesthetics of loneliness isn’t so bad. Or are you expressing a desire to manage the rails for life?”
“…I’ve sinned gravely.”
“Haha, I’m glad you realized.”
The very benevolent, yet now somewhat kidnapping, White Mask lightly laughed and forgave me.
“So what brings you here?”
“Ah, I need to finish dealing with those dragons tomorrow, so I need to leave the village.”
Saying that, the White Mask looked toward the door.
When she suddenly shifted her gaze there, I was about to say something when…
Screech!
…That air-headed maid was peeking in with one eye showing.
I can see you!
Just look at that gaze; it’s like a hawk watching for an opportunity!
“What should we do about that girl?”
“Ah.”
The White Mask, oblivious to her predatory gaze, pondered what to do.
It was an unexpected premise.
I assumed she was just going to take her along, but going after dragons was dangerous.
One wrong move, and we might have casualties.
Yet going to Rondan and back would take far too long.
And the newspaper article that had popped into my mind kept flashing in my head; the choice of leaving her behind was something I wouldn’t choose even if death were at stake.
“Or perhaps, we leave her here for a moment, deal with the dragons, and then come back…”
“I’ll go with you.”
The White Mask seemed to have a brilliant plan, but Asti quickly interrupted.
Could you please calm down?!
“Hmm?”
“Wherever you are, that’s where I’ll be.”
“Still, that can be dangerous.”
“It’s okay.”
Asti said firmly with her hands clasped to her chest.
“After all, if I were not with you, my body and heart would have shattered. If I could die helping you, that would be an honor.”
“…So is that maid the same as the knight?”
The White Mask, for some reason, bowed her head and placed a hand on her forehead, making a sound similar to “Ugh…”
Then, she pointed at Asti with her finger.
“Fine! I’ll take you along this time. But you must stay still on the train. It’ll be dangerous if you come out.”
“…Just that consideration is already a big thank you.”
Wow.
Crazy.
What kind of otherworldly method acting is this?
Before me, she always displayed a cold demeanor; now, she seemed to wear a slightly emotional, more refined expression.
What’s going on, is she really the same person?
“Then hurry up and sleep. We’ll be departing early tomorrow.”
“Yes.”
Right after Asti retreated at the White Mask’s word, she turned to me and said,
“That girl really likes you. It makes me embarrassed for wanting to leave her here.” (White Mask)
…No, Master!
That’s not it!!
I had so much to say in rebuttal, but seeing the White Mask’s expression, which looked like she was about to cry if she weren’t wearing the mask, I gave up; there was no point in convincing her.
…Damn it!
#
From early morning, we moved in an orderly fashion and boarded the grandiose, noisy train heading back to where the dragons were.
Now I had gotten so used to the uncomfortable ride that I could lean against the window and reach a state where I could fall asleep.
…Of course, that was again interrupted by the maid’s needles coming toward my neck.
As I fought off sleep, the train soon came to a stop at a station, and we all poured out and made our way back to the dragon’s den.
“…What the.”
Muyun was the first to be startled when she reached that place.
“…That’s not how it normally goes.”
Even the White Mask seemed displeased as the plan appeared to have gone somewhat awry.
Well, that was because the Dragon Slayer we thought would have retreated by now was clearly still standing right there.
Was it possible they were on guard because of our previous obliteration?
“Something unexpected has come up. It seems we’ll have to reconsider the plan…”
But the White Mask’s words didn’t get to finish.
Because—
KABOOM!
Sure enough, a thundering explosion echoed from behind us.
We slowly turned to see the train engulfed in flames.
“Asti!”
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