We reported what happened in each of our private rooms at the castle as we walked.
“…So you don’t understand at all, do you? They seem to think that just lining up muscular, large women will please me.”
“Hmm, that sounds like a heartburn for Deles.”
“Exactly. It was so stuffy, like ‘Will they be happy if I give them greasy food?'”
Don’t underestimate herbivores, or maybe it’s because I’m a herbivore that they looked down on me?
In that case, the dangerous aura emanating from Shifrin before, that incredibly huge female magician, would have been far better… No, no, I shouldn’t even think about that.
“Mine was even worse.”
“What happened at Nina’s place?”
“A lot of boys crowded around and said, ‘Do as you please.’ …I ended up yelling at them to stop messing around.”
Ah, that’s understandable.
In a way, they sure went to extreme measures.
No, I mean the ones who sent the boys.
“Isn’t that outright a crime?”
“Of course, since they only told me, ‘Do as you please,’ it depends on how you interpret it.”
“Was that part of the calculation? Still, they underestimated Nina.”
Nina is the type of person who has filters for these criminal acts.
She’s a former knight, so she’s got that down, yes, when it comes to lines that shouldn’t be crossed.
“What I found most displeasing was the dead look in the boys’ eyes.”
“Ugh… Aren’t they sacrifices then?”
“I have no interest in the depraved act of forcing underage boys into anything.”
…So it’s fine if they’re not underage?
I thought about it for a second but decided against saying it aloud, as it would sound scary.
This is purely from the perspective of a victim.
(Eighty percent of it was forced, wasn’t it…)
It’s no use reconfirming it now.
I slowed down my walking pace and moved next to Clarice.
“What about you, Clarice?”
“Yes, several handsome, well-built men approached me and identified themselves as followers of the Church of the Goddess, inviting me to proselytize and adventure with them.”
“Whoa. And it’s not just me; you too, Clarice. Is this a recruitment effort?”
Why isn’t the Empire on Nina Starlights’ side!
Is this a force they want so badly that they’d divide us to get it?
“Perhaps they didn’t ascertain our intentions properly, or they don’t care what we want.”
“Hmm, maybe their strategy is to capture us first and then deal with the rest, or capture them all, like a chain reaction?”
“However, even for traps, their aim is off.”
“I understand, I understand.”
Nina also nodded in agreement.
“What about Anju?”
“Papa and Mama came!”
“Huh? Anju’s?”
Weren’t they dead?!
“They said they’re a new Papa and Mama.”
“Ah, I see.”
“They said they’d raise me together. It’s strange, isn’t it? I’m already grown up!”
She’s going back to school, though.
“Anju, how were these new Mama and Papa?”
“They were creepy.”
That’s understandable. Nina, who heard this, looked convinced.
“Helen and Nastasia, what about you two? It felt like you were somewhat restrained.”
“Yes. I was deemed a citizen of the Empire, and they offered to pay off my debt in exchange for my freedom as a slave.”
“That’s a one-sided decision. They didn’t consult me at all.”
But it’s troublesome when they bring up national laws.
Something like, ‘Slaves of the Empire can be bought out by the Empire at any time.’
“The only one who can free my slave is Nina Starlights’ Master.”
“Hmm, if you take out a loan from the Empire, you essentially become their slave.”
“I, I believe in Master Deles.”
That sounded like a very affectionate statement.
“Nastasia?”
“It was a similar story. They arbitrarily said, ‘We can return everything to how it was.'”
“Even if Nastasia agreed to that, what would be their intention?”
It would undoubtedly lead to something terrible.
It would likely be a unilateral, forceful approach.
“I cannot betray Master Nina or Master Deles.”
“That’s a good sentiment, but are you sure that’s the right path?”
…I don’t know if it’s the correct answer, but I want to take responsibility for my actions.
She’s so earnest.
This makes me curious about what will happen if she is freed from slavery.
“Alright, I understand. I now clearly see what the Imperial Capital, what this place truly is.”
“You finally get it, huh? Well, I agree.”
“I agree as well.” “And speaking of which, school…”
And so, relying on Nina’s memories, we safely arrived at the Adventurer Guild.
“We’ve been expecting you!”
Strena greeted us warmly as soon as we entered.
“Where is the Guild Master?”
“He is off today, so I will be assisting you.”
“I see. Then, right away, please tell us where to set up the Teleportation Magic Circle.”
We were led underground, to the second basement level.
“First is here.”
“Clarice, Anju, please.”
“Understood.” “Aye-aye.”
We carefully constructed the Teleportation Magic Circle.
We’re quite used to it now. I also lent a small hand in creating the circle.
By the way, Helen was quietly tending to the eight Taming Monkeys.
(I haven’t forgotten about Tim Monster; they’re called Kidnap Monkeys!)
“…Alright, now for the confirmation.”
“It’s not just this one, is it? There are also Teleportation Magic Circles for the second, third, and fourth cities…”
“Don’t rush. Mistakes cannot be tolerated in this kind of work.”
Clarice was inspecting it.
Each magic circle is subtly different depending on its destination.
“We will meet again at the Guild Master’s Room afterward. Starting tomorrow, we will first explain the Mamamoo, the Seven Great Demon Lords’ Dungeons…”
“Everything is decided to that extent already?”
“The schedule is packed!”
Since when did Strena become Nina Starlights’ manager…
“I think it’s ready now, probably.”
“Thank you, Anju. And thank you, Clarice.”
“It should be able to transport us to Asrik.”
We all quickly entered the Teleportation Magic Circle.
Of course, the eight Tim Monsters came along. Strena remained outside the circle.
“Anju, please.”
“Aye-aye, sir.”
The Teleportation Magic Circle glowed, and we were transported to Asrik!
Ah, Strena is just watching silently. Well, it’s good she didn’t come with us.
“…Alright, let’s erase it.”
“Right you are.”
We quickly kicked at the Teleportation Magic Circle that had appeared, disrupting it.
Even if we have to re-lay it later, for now, it’s enough to make it unusable.
(Reading the mood, Clarice and Helen are also helping. Oh, and the eight monkeys too!)
Thus, for now, even if Illusionists appear, they won’t be able to come here.
“Alright, as the Leader of Nina Starlights, I’ve decided: starting today, we’ll take five days off!”
I couldn’t help but clap, and everyone else joined in.
(Honestly, who cares about the Empire’s pace—or anyone else’s!)
