Hello. I'm
Zero deposit, zero key money. A one-room place with meals and napping included. The building material is solid stone, tightly and firmly constructed.
The lighting is a bit poor, and there's no bed, which are drawbacks, but even so, this price is cheap. After all, the rent is zero. The toilet is an older-style flush model, so living here long-term would almost certainly lead to illness, but even factoring that in, the rent is cheap! And what's more, it has a reassuring security structure. Look at this sturdy barrier.
When you're inside this, magic is nullified, and you can't get out! Even I, an A-rank adventurer, can't make it budge no matter how hard I punch.
Even the most skilled escape artist would find it difficult to get in or out of here.
Yeah, well, that's a joke I've already made twice, so I'll let it go.
I can't get out. Someone, please help.
...And so, I've fallen into the state of a captured princess.
--- A full day has passed since then, and I've been trying to deactivate the barrier. The result was terrible.
With magic unusable, there's almost nothing I can do. I've tried pounding on the invisible wall, scraping at the magic circle on the floor, and even jumping up trying to reach the nearly four-meter-high ceiling.
I did everything I could, but nothing worked. If I at least had my staff, I might have been able to poke at the ceiling. But I'd left all my luggage with Ginger. Not that it was anything special.
I tried various things related to magic. But they all failed. If my magic power is being absorbed, then I'll just try breaking it with the maximum amount of power I can muster, like in some shonen manga. I might have tried thinking that, but it wasn't like that.
My magic power comes out, but for some reason, it won't take form. I can't transform it into a phenomenon. It seems like I should be able to, but I can't. Maybe it's like trying to light a lighter in a strong wind. The spark comes out, and the gas comes out, but the flame won't ignite. Or if it does ignite, it's immediately blown out.
That's what it feels like. He said it was a
Once I recognized that, a creeping sense of frustration began to well up inside me.
When the time comes, I'll be able to do nothing. That's the situation I'm in right now.
For example, if
For example, if
For example, if Pax changed his mind and decided that having me was enough for a hostage and tried to kill
I remember the
Unpleasant thoughts keep swirling around in my head.
Damn it. I need to escape quickly...
--- How much time had passed while I was trying all these things?
I'm tired. It feels like it's been a while since I've used this much magic power. The barrier hasn't budged. It's a barrier designed to catch Roxy Migurdia. Of course, it wouldn't be easy to deactivate... Whew...
Let me rest a little.
There's no clock, and I can't see the sun. So my sense of time is vague.
I'm hungry. My stomach has been growling for a while now. Did that prince forget about food, maybe?
No, that's not it. He's planning to reduce my food intake and make me as thin as a rail. That way, when he brings Roxy Migurdia here, he'll be more excited. One meal a day. For a growing body like mine, that's a bit tough.
What should I do... I can't break out with brute force. I should try something a bit more cunning. How did people in my previous life escape when they were thrown in prison?
For example, faking an illness or death. To bring in a doctor or a healing magician, they might temporarily lower the barrier. No, they might just leave me to die. After all, he has two hostages.
If I were a Hollywood star, I'd wait for the guard to approach, reach through the bars, knock him out in an instant, and snatch his key ring. But I can't do that here.
Hmm... What other methods were there? Basically, I just need to get out of here. As long as I can use magic, I can handle anything.
Pretending to be compliant might also be an idea. "Actually, Big Bro, I never liked Roxy Migurdia much, hehehe. You see, I know where her family is. In front of her father and mother, what do you think of that, geez?" If I did something like that, wouldn't he be interested? He seems like an idiot, after that.
...No, I should stop. Even I can't speak badly of Roxy Migurdia. I can throw away my pride, but I can't speak ill of her.
*Tap... tap...* While I was worrying, a sound suddenly reached my ears. Footsteps. Getting gradually closer.
Did Pax come to check on me?
*Tap...* The footsteps stopped right above me. Then, they quickly crossed the room and started coming down the stairs.
"Ginger was right, then."
The one who descended the stairs was... an unfamiliar man. But one could tell at a glance that he was probably royalty.
First, his clothes looked incredibly dignified. They were black-based with red lines. Gold embroidery was scattered here and there, clearly expensive at first sight.
His age was probably around twenty. His face had some resemblance to Pax. But he gave a thinner impression than Pax. He had a long face, prominent cheekbones, and wore glasses. In this world, you don't see glasses very often, but do people who need them wear them?
Would a shut-in from a world where the existence of Cupid has been scientifically proven have a face like this?
"I am
He said this in an unusually deep voice. Third Prince. So that means he's Pax's older brother.
"Pleased to meet you. I'm Rudeus Greyrat." "Indeed." "What brings you here today?" "Indeed."
Zanoba nodded grandly and held up a bag in his hand. It was a shoulder-type tool bag. A bag I'd seen somewhere. Actually, it was my bag. Zanoba placed the bag on the ground and, with careful hands, took out an item from inside. It was the Ruijerd figure.
"Where did you obtain this demon-race doll?"
Zanoba placed the figure just outside the barrier.
"Tell me. I heard from Ginger that you brought it here."
His tone was interrogative.
A demon-race doll. I'd brought it without thinking too much about it, but I suppose a doll of a demon-race becomes an idol of a demon god in this area. The Roxy doll didn't have demon-race characteristics, but the Ruijerd one was unmistakably demon-race at a glance. It has a gem on its forehead, after all.
What should I say? At the very least, I shouldn't say I made it myself.
"...I obtained it by chance while traveling across the Demon Continent." "Ho! So it was indeed made by a demon-race! And where exactly did you get it? What did the merchant who sold it look like? Do you know who the maker is!?"
Huh? He's taking a surprising interest. His eyes are shining.
"W-well, I only bought it because I took a liking to it at first sight, so I don't know the details..." "What did you say?"
Zanoba's glasses glinted. The intimidation was immense. Without a doubt, those were the eyes of someone who had killed before.
"Ah, yes. When the merchant sold me that doll, he said this. If you have this doll, you'll be safe even if attacked by the Superd Tribe. All you have to do is show the doll and chant the spell 'Ruijerd Superdia, Ruijerd Superdia,' and the Superd Tribe will instantly become as friendly as lifelong old friends, putting their arm around your shoulder and saying 'Hey, brother!'" "Ho ho! Is that so! And what else!? What else!?" "Um, something about staying healthy and blessed with children, oh, and becoming good at swordsmanship?" "Nonsense, I don't mean things like that! In short, you're saying it was made by someone closely associated with the Superd Tribe!?"
That's what it amounts to. I only know one person from the Superd Tribe, Ruijerd Superdia. Still, when it comes to being closely associated, I suppose I am. In this world, many people don't want to have anything to do with the Superd Tribe.
"Hmm, so the possibility that it was made by the same creator is getting higher..." Zanoba murmured as he held the figure, turning it this way and that. Then he thumped it on the ground and reached into the bag again. Wait, the only other thing I put in there was an emergency change of clothes...
"Then, does this doll look familiar?"
What Zanoba took out was the 1/10 Roxy figure I'd once sold to a merchant.
--- The Roxy figure was placed on the floor. Zanoba sat down heavily in front of it. I wondered if he didn't worry about his pristine clothes getting dirty. He didn't seem like the type to do his own laundry.
"This demon-race statue was discovered in the market about five years ago..."
Zanoba put a hand to his chin, gazing at the figure with a tender expression.
When I tried to spread the gospel of the Ruijerd figure, I'd learned that under the Milis Church's influence, demon-race dolls were forbidden. I supposed he was going to denounce me for that. He didn't look angry, though.
"My younger brother discovered it. He said it resembled Roxy Migurdia, who was a court magician at the time, and he personally purchased it from a peddler at the market."
Hmm.
"'Was' a court magician 'at the time,' you say?" "Hm? Yes. You may not know, but Roxy Migurdia is no longer in this country. Unable to endure my brother's sexual harassment, she fled."
Well, I did hear about it from Pax. So she fled because of sexual harassment.
"Specifically, what kind of harassment?" "Harass...? Stealing her underwear, peeking at her while she was bathing, things like that."
Seriously? That's infuriating. Someone like that deserves a harsh punishment. Yeah, like smashing his computer with a bat. Living under the same roof as a young lady who's constantly delivering punches shaped like sickles. Stripping him naked, throwing him in a prison cell, and pouring cold water on him. That's the kind of punishment he deserves.
If it were up to me, I wouldn't mind firing a thick Earth Lance (Ass) right at his head (Ass). A thick one, about the size of a corn dog.
Honestly. Did he think it was okay to steal Roxy Migurdia's panties? No, he couldn't possibly think that. It's an unforgivable act. Even if he's a prince, there are things you can and shouldn't do. Roxy Migurdia had every right to flee.
...Wait, if I follow that logic, could it be that Roxy Migurdia stopped being my tutor because of me?
"Never mind that. Let's talk about this figure."
Zanoba said this and gently stroked the shoulder area of the Roxy figure. Right, we should change the subject from this depressing talk. Thinking that, I nodded seriously.
"I have a weakness for figures, you see. I collect them from all over the world..."
He began his preamble, and then he launched into a story. Yes, he launched into a story.
"This figure is the only one where the maker and the place of creation are both unknown. It's clearly carved from stone, but it's harder and heavier than the stone used by dwarves. The technique to carve this hard stone so exquisitely doesn't exist in the current world... For example... look at this staff part. Even a skillful dwarf would find it incredibly difficult to carve hard stone this finely."
Zanoba pointed to the staff held by the figure. Thin parts like the staff are prone to breaking. To compensate for that flaw, I'd done a lot of trial and error. Thanks to that, it achieved high rigidity and toughness. The spear shaft part of the Ruijerd figure is also made of the same material, but creating that part required a lot of magic power, concentration, and time. Specifically, it takes a full day to make just one centimeter. Still, you could say it's the crystallization of my craftsmanship. It ended up being unbreakable and unbendable. One of the parts I put effort into. It's nice to be praised.
"That such a wonderful thing was sold for about five
Zanoba held his forehead and gave a weary shrug. He'd be killed... The Temple Knights are all fanatics, I hear.
"But I had been searching for the maker of this statue for some time. I didn't want to get involved with demon-god worshippers, but I did want to talk to whoever made this statue. That was when Lilia Greyrat suddenly appeared in my room. It was the day after Roxy Migurdia fled."
Hmm. It seems they had just missed each other.
"Lilia Greyrat was captured by soldiers, and after various things, Pax ended up managing her. But among Lilia's belongings, there was this."
As he spoke, Zanoba took out a small box from the bag. A fist-sized, unfamiliar box.
"I wondered why she was carrying something so precious. But well, take a good look."
Zanoba opened the box, holding it open for me to see. He took out something wrapped in what looked like soft cloth, and Zanoba carefully unwrapped it. Inside was a wood-carved pendant. It was a type of wood I felt I'd seen somewhere. Naturally, it was hand-carved, and you could feel the maker's lack of skill.
"Is that pendant... something?" "Indeed, this pendant is irrelevant."
Zanoba said this, pinched the pendant, and placed it on top of the bag. Every movement was deliberate. I could appreciate that.
But what did he mean, the box's contents were irrelevant? Then, I also noticed it. The cloth that wrapped the pendant looked familiar.
"Now, about these panties."
Zanoba picked up the cloth and spread it open.
There was no mistake. That was...
The sacred object (Roxy's).
"Lilia Greyrat was apparently planning to give you this on your tenth birthday."
I see. So that's it. The pendant was a camouflage. The cloth wrapping it was clearly my precious possession. It's possible she originally planned to give it as is, but considering the abnormality of giving panties as a birthday present, she'd gone to all this trouble to do it this way.
But it was a real shame. The sacred object (panties) had been washed clean. Roxy Migurdia's extra virgin olive oil had washed away, and its divinity was lost. God no longer dwells in these panties. Though you could say they're now filled with sincerity...
"S-so, what do those panties have to do with anything?"
Trying to hide my trembling voice, I asked. Zanoba nodded and said, "Before we talk about the panties, let me explain this figure."
Zanoba then got down on all fours. He touched the Roxy figure with his fingertips, as if handling a fragile item. And then he spoke. Yes, he spoke.
"First, look at it from the front. At first glance, this is just an ordinary magician holding a staff. But it has a sense of dynamism. Look at the way this robe ripples. You can vividly sense the moment she thrusts one foot forward and pushes her staff out. And, peeking out from the robe's sleeves and hem, her wrists and ankles! Only a tiny bit of skin is exposed. Just a tiny bit, but there's a subtle eroticism there. Just from this tiny bit, you can tell that this magician girl is thin, and definitely not voluptuous, hiding her body under the robe. Even though it's loose-fitting, you can tell! Now, look at it from behind. A loose-fitting robe normally hides the body's lines. However, because she's thrust her foot forward, the fabric is pulled taut, and just a tiny bit of the line of her buttocks emerges. A small butt. Probably even if you saw the real thing, you wouldn't think it's that erotic. But it's because it emerges from the loose robe like this that it's erotic! It makes you want to see it, want to strip it off, that kind of butt. And if you think that, then, lo and behold, this robe can be removed. If you carefully undo the parts fastening the robe, the young girl's underwear-clad body is revealed. Furthermore, this girl isn't wearing a bra. Considering Roxy Migurdia's bust size, this choice was correct. Then, turning her to the front, her left hand is covering her chest. That's strange, her left hand was holding the staff just a moment ago. Looking at the robe, the left hand is still attached. Yes. This statue has three arms. One for the robed figure, one for the underwear figure. This gimmick unifies the two statues. It's truly genius. The fact that the robe can be removed means the body's pose is fixed. However, by changing the position of the arm between the inside and outside, the pose's degree of freedom is increased. That's not all. Now, look from the side. When wearing the robe, she's standing straight, with her front foot thrust out. But when the robe is removed, for some reason she's hunched over. As if covering her chest, her body. Confirm that, and then look at her face. When wearing the robe, her face was dignified, but now she seems to be desperately holding back embarrassment. Whoever made this knows. They knew, and they made the expression the same. This is the 'supreme' artistry that no one can imitate. Granted, in certain details, it's far from the delicate technique of the Dwarves. It's clearly the work of an amateur. But this figure has reached a domain that even those crude Dwarves could never attain!"
I didn't miss a single word of that. Normally, I might have been dumbfounded. But I am the maker of this figure. I listened intently, savoring every word without missing a thing.
And I felt satisfied. Because, isn't that right? My own creation was being spoken about with such passion. I couldn't help but be happy. Even in this situation, my heart was warm.
Yes. That's right, exactly. I had poured all the skill I had at the time into this Roxy Migurdia figure. It might still be an amateur's work, but anyone who looks can tell. It's a wonderful feeling. To have someone notice even the little details I put effort into... But one thing is missing. Why I made the hand cover the chest...
"Huh?"
At that moment, I noticed.
"The mole under her armpit is gone." "Hm?"
Zanoba said this, and turned the Roxy figure over again.
"Ah, you mean the black spot that was under her armpit? I thought it ruined the aesthetic of the statue, so I carved it off."
Zanoba said this nonchalantly. Those words made me freeze. I froze. My eyes widened, and I stopped moving.
"Ca-carved it off...?" "Hm? So you know there was a spot here? As I thought, you know something about this statue after all?" "...Here, turn the figure for me." "Before that, answer my question." "Just turn it, will you?"
A surprisingly cold voice came out, even surprising myself. Zanoba flinched and, as I told him, turned the figure.
"Stop there, and look at it from that angle."
I made him stop at an angle where the spot where the mole had been was just barely visible to him.
"Look at the position of the hands." "What's this all about?" "Just look."
Zanoba looked annoyed at my slightly forceful tone. But he dutifully looked at the figure.
"Can you see it's not fully hidden?" "...Hmm?" "Can you see the hand doesn't reach?" "......Ah!"
Zanoba let out a small cry. Finally, he understood. The reason I made the hand cover the chest. In a world where something like an 18+ rating doesn't exist, why I hadn't exposed Roxy Migurdia's cute and modest chest.
"The chest is hidden, but the mole isn't. Do you understand?" "...No... way... Impossible..."
Zanoba was trembling.
Yes. The spot I'd targeted with the mole was exactly that. I had used the mole as a stand-in for a second nipple, and expressed the embarrassment of not being able to hide it. That mole was the most erotic part of this entire figure.
"I-I... I knew nothing... Yet I defiled the work..."
Zanoba's eyes were vacant, and his body started to twitch. Foam was coming out of his mouth. Was his reaction a bit too extreme?
"Well, I can reattach the mole, so what about the panties?" "Th-the panties... were... the same..."
Looking at the panties and the figure, the panties the figure was wearing and the former sacred object were the same. I see. I had fitted the figure with the thing I was most familiar with. If Lilia Greyrat was planning to give me these panties, it's natural to think there was a connection.
Incidentally, Roxy Migurdia had four other pairs at the time, but the details were slightly different. For someone who looks like that, Roxy Migurdia is surprisingly fashionable.
"I see. So, what do you want me to say about this figure?"
Well. Fine. It seems Zanoba is treating this figure with care. He wouldn't just hand it over to the Temple Knights.
"Ooohhhh!"
Zanoba suddenly threw himself prostrate on the ground. He slammed his entire body against the floor with a thud. Startled.
"So you are the maker of this statue!"
Even I was dumbfounded by this. Why is this guy suddenly groveling? The only thing I understand is that Roxy Migurdia is great.
"Truly, you are the disciple of the 'Water King-class Magician' Roxy Migurdia! You made this figure using magic!"
Don't call Roxy Migurdia by her first name. Add an honorific.
"I looked at your creation every day. Every time I looked, I found something new, and my respect grew. Please, let me call you Master."
Saying this, he shuffled forward on all fours and tried to kiss my shoe, but the barrier blocked him. "Uwaaaah!" he cried out and slammed into the barrier. His appearance was like a zombie swarming a new release on the third day of summer. He had discarded all human pride and dignity, living purely on desire.
"Uwaaaah! What is this barrier! Who made this thing! Master! Please, let me see those divine hands!"
And so, I gained a slightly creepy disciple. There were guys like this in my previous life. Mostly through online interactions, not really friends, but they existed. So that's what his face looked like.
To have someone this devoted to me was a first... but it was convenient. The Man-God must have foreseen this. Getting captured in the castle would let me become friends with him, and then he could help me escape. Alright. I can see the ending!
I said to him, with a serene expression on my face.
"Disciple. Somewhere in this room, there should be a magic crystal maintaining this barrier. Find it and destroy it!" "Understood, Master! Once I do that, please, please let me receive the secrets of figure-making!" "If you fail to find it, you're expelled. You will never be allowed to call me Master again." "Of course!"
Zanoba was energized by these words. He energetically searched the room, even going to the upper level, scurrying around like a cockroach.
After about an hour of this, all he'd discovered was that there was a square hole about A4-sized in the ceiling. It seemed Pax intended to throw meals down from there. The meals were fine, but what about excrement or illness? Was he going to spray some kind of sleeping gas from above to knock me out and then secretly deactivate the barrier? No, he probably wasn't thinking that far ahead. That Pax guy seemed to think that if you feed a pet, that's all you need to do.
At any rate, I had Zanoba bring me the unwanted bags and bottles. I used those to clean up my own waste. Well, it was close to leaking.
I'd also thought that if I could just remove the cover, I might be able to escape. The ceiling is high. Nearly four meters. But if I could get a rope, I might be able to climb up.
However, it seemed difficult to remove, as it was firmly fixed like a manhole welded with a heavy stone slab. There was also a magic circle drawn on top of the cover. Was it a set? It seemed difficult to break too.
"Does Your Highness have anyone in your retinue who's knowledgeable about barriers?" "I have no retinue!" "Really? Even that Pax has a bodyguard unit..." "I traded the last one for the Roxy figure! Ah, it was a great trade!"
Is this guy an idiot too? And trading away his bodyguard unit... what's going on with this country?
Well, anyway, one thing had become clear.
"Alright... I understand." "Oh, you understand? As expected of you, Master!" "Yes. As it stands, it seems you're about to be expelled." "What!?"
My slightly creepy disciple's expulsion was happening at an unusual speed... No, it wouldn't. I didn't intend to lose a potential helper like this.
"Let's change the conditions. If you help me get out of here, I'll make you my disciple once we're out." "Oh! That's all it takes! Just a moment, just a moment!! I'll break through the ceiling with my fist right now!" "Stop the nonsense!"
I hurriedly stopped Zanoba, who was clenching his fist and glaring at the ceiling. His expression was serious. He looked like he'd keep punching the cover even if his hand bones shattered. A dangerous guy.
Zanoba fidgeted for a while, then suddenly looked up as if realizing something.
"Master, who created this barrier?" "Uh, I believe it's His Highness Pax, the Seventh Prince." "Hmm, now that you mention it, Ginger did say something like that..." "Didn't you hear the details?" "Well, my head is full of figures, after all." "Ah, right."
At any rate, this prince seemed to have a connection to Ginger. Was Ginger moving behind the scenes too? He seemed to have his own issues with Pax, so maybe it would be better to get his help on that front. No, wait, Zanoba had said Ginger asked him to come here. That meant Ginger wanted to meet me and Zanoba. Seeing the Ruijerd figure, did he think we had the same hobby? But what did Ginger intend to do by bringing this unreliable prince into the fold? I couldn't quite see his plan.
"So, in other words, Master, all we have to do is deal with Pax?" "Hm? Yes, that's right."
Zanoba thought for a moment, then said in a quiet voice, a stark contrast to his earlier excitement.
"I understand. Please bear with me for a short while."
He seemed to have thought of something. But this prince didn't seem very bright either. If he made a strange move, it might backfire.
"Um, please consult with someone before taking action. Yes, someone like Ginger-san. You can talk to me too." "Hahaha, Master, you're such a worrier. Rest assured, leave it all to me." "Hey, wait, where are you going? Listen to me. What are you planning to do?"
Zanoba laughed as he went up the stairs.
"Seriously..."
At that moment, I felt like I'd made a huge mistake. I'd encouraged a useless prince with no followers, and poked a snake in the grass. I thought things were going to take a very bad turn. A strong premonition of trouble washed over me.
Ah, I should have at least asked him to bring food. That's what I thought.
But I would learn that I was wrong.
I had completely misjudged Zanoba Shirone.
Thinking back later, perhaps everything was already over the moment Zanoba learned I was the figure's creator.