Chapter 31: Farewell to the Old Country
Upon hearing Lonis’s question, Elus’s expression remained impassive, and she calmly replied:
“You could say it was virtually created, or you could say it truly exists… And don’t play coy, that’s two questions you’re asking.”
“Wha?”
“What lies in slumber beneath the gravestones are merely their physical bodies. As for their souls, I brought them back to the Land of Eternity for integration.”
“Wh-what do you mean?”
“In other words, the NPCs you see are all living people. The system erased a portion of their memories, allowing them to live in a dream world according to their former identities until their wishes are fulfilled.”
“!”
“And their wish is to repel the Demon Race and restore peace to the world.”
As she said this, the Black-haired Girl suddenly gazed at Lonis, an emotion brewing in her eyes:
“Therefore, after you completed the task of saving the world and repelling the Demon Race, your wish was fulfilled, and that world naturally would not continue.”
“It was… like that? Th-then the demons I defeated when I became the Hero…”
“Of course not. In fact, many Fallen Demon Races that once invaded the Snow Kingdom are still alive and well, like that Trickster Demon lord…”
Mentioning the Trickster Demon lord’s name, Elus’s tone grew several degrees colder: “However, the dream world was originally a training space created to temper humans. So, the knowledge you’ve gained will be of use someday.”
“I understand!”
Lonis gasped and said, “So, the dream world is equivalent to a rehearsal, and our true mission is to save the world and defeat the Trickster Demon lord and other dark beings?”
“No.”
“Huh?”
“My mission is to save the world. Your mission is to assist me in saving the world; you are to warm my bed and act cute.”
“H-how can you say that…”
Upon hearing “act cute” and “warm my bed,” Lonis’s cheeks turned completely red.
“Moreover, I’d like to remind you that it’s best not to try and defy this. Because it’s written into the contract, and it lasts until death.”
“C-contract… What does that mean?”
“You can understand it as a magical contract. Once violated, you will suffer extremely terrifying punishment. And the core of the contract lies in the principle of equivalent exchange I just mentioned.”
“Can you… explain equivalent exchange to me?”
When she was the Hero, Lonis felt she was quite intelligent. But now, she felt like she had truly become a clueless, soft girl, being led by the nose by Elus.
“In other words, in order for the souls of the Snow Kingdom to find peace (and for revenge), I must bear the responsibility of saving the world. And you, as the price for your rebirth, must become my partner.”
“!”
“Although, originally, you were supposed to be the brave and invincible Hero, going to annihilate the enemy alongside me. But I never expected that you would like being a girl so much, especially one dressed in a light, flowing white dress and wearing thigh-high stockings as a Masochistic Maid. So, I can only be the Master and continue to bully you~”
“I-I don’t like it. I already said it was a misunderstanding, I originally…”
“You originally wanted me to turn out like that? Hmph hmph~~”
Lonis was about to retort, but upon hearing Elus’s cold snort, she subconsciously curled up and no longer dared to claim she wanted to be the “Master.”
“Then, regarding saving the world, what exactly do we need to do?”
“There are many things to do, but for now, collecting the seven weapons is the most important.”
“Seven weapons…?”
“Red, orange, yellow, green, blue, indigo, violet. There are seven Rainbow Temples in this world. The Fiery Abyss we just visited is one of them. Each of these seven temples possesses different powers. Some are still worshipped by people, while others, like the Fiery Abyss, have already been sealed.”
“Oh, so there are seven weapons like the Crimson Lotus Hammer! The Yellow Lotus Hammer, and the Green Lotus Hammer?”
“So stupid. There are blades, swords, spears, bows! Have you ever seen anyone go into battle with seven hammers?”
“Ah, no wonder, hehe…”
Lonis giggled foolishly. Most of the questions in her heart had been answered. Only one last matter, concerning herself, remained.
However, seeing Lonis’s curious expression, Elus smiled playfully: “Masochistic Maid, do you desire being bullied by me this much?”
“Eh…?”
“You’ve already asked me nine questions. Therefore, you must also actively be teased and bullied by me nine times.”
“Wait a minute! D-do the later ones count too?”
Lonis was stunned. She had been excitedly asking questions and had completely forgotten the price of being teased.
“Of course they count. So, shall we start the first one here?”
“Now?!”
“Hmph hmph, I’ve long wanted to see this scene.”
The Black-haired Girl, with a peculiar smile, gradually walked towards Lonis.
And so…
“O-oh people of the past, please… please sleep peacefully? The Hero of the past, I… I have now returned successfully as Lonis.”
Standing at the highest point of the graveyard, Lonis held a piece of paper and began to read. Judging solely by her actions, Lonis resembled a devout priest comforting the dead, but considering her attire, it was not so.
Her legs were tightly bound together with rope, a collar around her neck, the light, fluttering white dress, and her trembling chest from breathing, all seemed to be part of some strange, shameful play.
And her speech that followed was similar:
“Please, please don’t worry, everyone. That Princess is currently in very good health… As for me, I’ve also become her exclusive… Maid, to serve her forever like this. Wearing a little skirt, for her…”
These words, one by one, pierced Lonis’s heart like nails driven into a target. It was too shameful. If there were really souls within the gravestones, what expressions would they have upon seeing her in such a shameful state?
(Look, the former Hero is willingly serving as a Slave Maid.)
(Wearing such a shameful little skirt, and white thigh-high stockings, how embarrassing!)
(This girl, isn’t she intentionally trying to be like a girl and be bullied by the Princess?)
…
Lonis couldn’t help but think of these words in her mind. Elus, however, showed no mercy, tugging the collar around her neck: “You idiot, what were you just reading?”
“Eh…”
“It’s ‘exclusive Slave Maid,’ not ‘exclusive Maid.’ Did you eat those two words?”
“Ugh…”
“Read it again.”
“N-no way?”
“If you dilly-dally any longer, you’ll have to read it twice.”
“Wuwuwu!”
Bound by circumstance, no matter how shameful or shy Lonis felt, she could only continue reciting under Elus’s command.
…
…
