I was battered and bruised.
Priscilla was standing over me, the embodiment of my despair. She used the Orietta Knife as a handrail, plunging it into my abdomen.
“Just as I expected. Ah, this is the best…”
My jaw was shattered, and I couldn’t even scream. I’d leave the roaring to Priscilla. Hearing her voice up close would surely drive me insane.
I’d grown accustomed to it, having fought countless life-or-death battles. Even with the cacophony of voices from above, I was exhausted. My combination of Mode Three and Mind’s Eye still needed much practice.
My spirit broken, I decided to quietly close my eyes. When I woke, a better day would surely await me. I would hold onto hope for tomorrow; the sun would rise again. I gently closed my eyes…
“Don’t you dare fall asleep! The real fun is just beginning!”
I opened my eyes. I would face reality and make it sustenance for tomorrow. I had Godspeed and Mind’s Eye, and the “Zebra,” a sword of two minds forged by Orietta.
This time I used the “Sword of Light,” but I also possessed the “Darkness Sword,” created with Rufina’s cooperation. I hadn’t used it because it transformed into a massive blade, but its ferocity was inherited from Rufina.
One day, I would elevate Priscilla to the ultimate existence. For myself and the dreams of the thirty percent of men, I would one day photograph Priscilla in a revealing outfit and post it on social media with a mosaic. I would hide her face, of course.
Priscilla and I, who had been in such a heated moment, were now walking with our arms linked. Rufina had tried to heal the stab wound in my abdomen, but after I shared some of the blood that had pooled there, she forgave me. Sophia then healed both my abdomen and jaw.
Priscilla declared, “I won’t let you do as you please until the war begins.” She handcuffed my right hand to her left, connecting us with a long chain as we walked through the city.
It seemed the “red string of fate” that connected young men and women didn’t exist here. I remembered seeing a pro wrestler wearing chains in a match once.
“What would you do if enemies appeared right now? Orietta has the key, doesn’t she?”
“That’s simple. I’d just chop off your hands.”
Ah, so that’s how it is. Even if my hands were severed, I’d probably be saved before I bled out! I wouldn’t die! No matter the pinch, I wouldn’t die! I’m done with this “pretending to die” act. Aren’t you sad? Go on, cry. Should I cry for you instead?
“Ouch, that hurts a little…”
“Oh, look, Menna! Let’s buy some and take it home.”
Sweat beaded from my eyes… Priscilla’s chest was pressing against me more than necessary, and it was soft. I’d let it go for now. But one day, one day she would become my ultimate existence…
“Old man, how much?”
I’ve had enough… Still, even so, one day…
“Mikael, pay for it…”
…No mosaic this time.
The man carrying the bags walked in silence, loosening his purse strings. This was usually how it went when accompanying girls on a shopping trip. This world, despite its brutality, seemed unchanged in matters of romance.
“Priscilla!?”
A familiar voice triggered a past I wanted to forget. Why were you here, members of the Adventurer’s White Rose Brigade? I have fond memories, but memories are always embellished.
“Rose! And what are *you* doing here!?”
The firm friendship between the two women was sealed with a powerful hug, and my right arm was lifted high behind Rose’s back. Shouldn’t I, the Captain, be greeted first? It was lonely to be ignored.
“Captain Mikael looks well too!”
After reaffirming their friendship, their greeting to me eased my loneliness, but still, they should look me in the eye when greeting. Looking at my crotch from “Mo” onwards after starting with “Mi” was rude, wasn’t it?
“Rose, you look well too. Are you here for a visit?”
Look me in the eye, will you? I knew Rose was looking down at me because she was taller, but it was obvious our gazes weren’t meeting. Let me tell you, I’ll never show you again! And I won’t be intimate with you either!
“A lot has happened since then. I was planning on hunting monsters here when I got summoned. Now I’m a mercenary.”
“Is that so? Where are you now?”
“Inside the West Gate, under Count Arumugart. Come by later, I’ve got drinks.”
“It must be good sake. I won’t hold back.”
“Of course. Bring some snacks. And there’s something complicated we need to discuss.”
Suddenly serious!? Look up. Even if I have a large-chested woman in front of me, my gaze naturally lowers, but I try my best to raise it. Try silently reciting the Heart Sutra; it calms the mind.
“Understood. I’ll come after I get the snacks.”
Rose, who had only met my gaze for about two seconds, walked towards the West Gate. In this situation, should I go too? I shouldn’t interrupt the passionate friendship between the two women, but this “complicated discussion” piqued my interest.
I don’t know about Count Arumugart, but if I could hear from Rose about other units or Lady Annelyse’s situation and position, our own standing might change.
“Shall we go back for a moment? I want to leave the things we bought.”
“Menna? It doesn’t matter, does it? We have other snacks.”
I’d bought quite a bit and wanted the White Lily Corps members to enjoy it, but it felt wrong to visit old friends empty-handed. It wouldn’t hurt to bring it along.
“Should I go back? You probably have things to discuss with Rose.”
What do old friends, two girls at that, talk about when they meet? At a class reunion once, I heard about divorces, baldness, and weight gain, but I was surprised to learn someone had undergone gender reassignment.
It started with “Who is that again?” and I couldn’t bring myself to ask “Who were you?” So, I asked indirectly and finally realized it was a male friend from the same class for three years.
That was shocking, but Rose had a build that would make you believe she was a former man. If that were true, then I was with a man…
“You’re coming too, you’re the snack.”
Priscilla playfully spun the chain attached to my left hand around my neck and lifted me onto my tiptoes. I was being squeezed, my neck was being strangled. Was I some sort of rolled salmon gift package?! At least make me a rare “Kajishimo” salmon. Those usually come in a paulownia box.
“B-Briscilla…”
“Rose said it. Bring the snacks.”
It was painful. My neck was being squeezed. Trying to put my hands between my neck and the chain before it choked me was a mistake. Now, both my hands were unusable. If I had kicked, punched, or even fondled her chest before I was strangled, I might have escaped by now.
“Alright, I’ve got the snacks ready. Shall we go?… We have a lot to talk about.”
That was what concerned me. I wanted to experience a proper girls’ gathering, unlike the White Lily Corps. Just participating and listening would be enough.
It didn’t turn out that way… The lamb that jumped into the wolf pack was deliciously devoured. I met the members of the White Rose Brigade again after a long time, along with new recruits. The amount of snacks wasn’t nearly enough, and they should have sent someone to buy more.
Despite being chained to Priscilla, the White Rose Brigade members seemed unconcerned during the meal, exclaiming “Kyaa!” and “Amazing!” Some even let out terrified screams.
Among the new members of the White Rose Brigade, some couldn’t stand the stares and ended up eating snacks carried to them by other members. They didn’t have to go that far… I hope that girl doesn’t develop any trauma from it.
This was still just the hors d’oeuvres. I lost track of the soup, main course, and dessert, but Priscilla and Rose were having a serious conversation beside me.
I wanted to hear their conversation, but it was too crowded, like a packed train. I couldn’t even grab a handrail. Well, I did grab something soft.
As there is a destination, there is also an end. Unable to disembark, I collapsed at the final station, battered and bruised. The conversation… As I lay there, a naked woman was already lying there and moved towards me.
Perhaps I should lie down too… I’ll hear the story later. I’m sure it will be a good one. The person who had her last meal collapsed on top of me, pinning me down.
It’s fine like this, warm and soft. How wonderful it would have been if it were Priscilla.
The alarm clock was a kick to the groin.
