BXBX NOVEL Chapter 29: Quarrel
Chapter 29: Quarrel
If you think about a beach 255 km away from the Ashaspern Dungeon, then this would be the southern coast.
In that case, if you were to walk north along the coast, you’d end up in the port city of 『Koula』.
From Koula to Pae Ho, it’s about a day by horse. In other words, from here to Koula is about five days travel on foot.
“You seem familiar with this place.”
As if reading my thoughts, Yukari spoke, keeping her expressionless face. Although she probably didn’t mean that. She’s most likely still suspicious of me.
“You don’t believe me? “
“No, that’s not it.”
“Then why the cold attitude?”
“I was born like this.”
“…………”
No use. I decided to change my approach.
Stirring her up―― I think this is the only way to bring out Yukari’s feelings.
Otherwise, I’d go crazy since it seems like I’m speaking to some inorganic matter.
“Yukari. If you doubt me so much, why don’t you come up with a plan?”
“I am your slave, Master. I don’t doubt you.”
“Do you know where this is? “
“No, I do not.”
“How should we go back to Pae Ho? “
“Master’s plan is the best option.”
“So, you agree? Then why do you have doubts? “
“Like I said, I don’t have doubts.”
“You don’t have to lie to me, you know?”
“I’m not lying.”
“…………”
This girl… no, let’s keep calm.
In cases like this, I just have to keep attacking until she breaks.
“…Now that I think about it, you were like that since the time we first met. Always wearing a shell.”
“Haa.”
“Hiding your past. You don’t want it to be known that much? “
“Everyone should have one or two things about their past they don’t want others to know.”
“Even if it has nothing to do with the master-slave relationship? “
“That’s of course.”
“Then, do you intend to continue your acting and not reveal your past? “
“Yeah…………Oh! “
So close! I almost got her!
“Eh? Then, that means you admit you’ve been acting? “
“No. I merely nodded because of your manner of speaking.”
“Can it be? Do you not want to speak so as not to cause me unrest? “
“……Something like that.”
“Uhmm, ahhh, ehh? Huh? The ends of your mouth are twitching, you know? “
“…………”
It’s working, it’s working.
Yukari’s emotions are gradually coming out. It should be time to get to the main topic.
“……Well, it’s useless to talk anyways. If so, then just keep quiet. With that decided, do you really think you can remain like that for a long time having this relationship with me? “
“…………”
“It’s easier if you make yourself clear… that’s an unwritten law… I think.”
I’m feeling like a detective questioning a suspect.
To tell the truth, I already have a pretty good idea overall. I found out a bit last night. The executed Duchess, Lucia Icene―― I remember I had heard that name before.
“Just spill things out. You’ll feel relieved. After all, it’s useless to hide it.”
“I…! “
“Huh? “
“I, for who’s sake am I hiding…! “
Ohh. What else, what else?
“Me and… Lucia-sama’s kindness…! “
Kindness. Was that kindness being silent so that she wouldn’t get caught up in that? I see.
“That’s not kindness. It’s self-satisfaction.”
“…………! “
When I said so, Yukari turned her back on me, and with an angry look she started to walk ahead.
The strategy was a temporary success. I was able to have her expose her feelings.
I think I did go a little overboard, but otherwise I wouldn’t have broken Yukari’s barriers.
Well, it’s almost time for the sun to set. What should we do about camping…?
＊ ＊ ＊
A vulgar man. That’s what I thought of him.
Becoming the world’s number one―― such a frivolous man trying to attract attention by talking about such an impossible and foolish dream, is not suitable for being my Master.
His true nature quickly became clear.
He had a little demi human girl and an excellent Magic Archer girl fight in the front while he just stood and did nothing at the back. This man who advanced through the dungeon in this way while saying “world’s number one”, isn’t he the most pathetic?
His skills in archery, that I caught a glimpse of, against the boss were certainly top notch. But if that was so, why didn’t he demonstrate his prowess along the way? The reason is that he just wanted to keep himself safe, being comfortable in the back line. When thinking so, this guy seems more and more unpleasant.
Random Teleport? A place 255 km away? 7 days away from Pae Ho? How does he know that? It’s obvious that is a lie.
This guy probably used some dirty trick to spend some time alone with me. I knew it, the purpose of him buying me was not to be a blacksmith, but rather having me as his sex slave. He plans to bring me to a place away from the eyes of others and rape me so that the opinion others have on him isn’t tarnished.
Sadly, I can’t do anything to resist.
For this man to become my first…… If I had known back then, I would have taken my own life――
――When my mind wandered towards those ideas, I decided to stop thinking.
I can’t afford to throw away this life given to me by Lucia-sama so easily.
That’s right. Why did I forget? I received this life from Lucia-sama.
I have to use any means if I must resist.
……This man, Second. He kept persistently trying to pry about my past. I don’t know what his purpose is, but it’s not like I’m keeping quiet for his sake. I’m keeping quiet so that his two companions don’t get involved.
And he calls it self-satisfaction? He makes me want to vomit.
I can’t afford to show this man a chance.
Making up my mind, I hurried ahead.
The first day ended and right now was the morning of the second day.
He did not lay a hand on me.
On the contrary, it seems like he was awake all night, guarding. Maybe he did it so that I will let off my guard.
I couldn’t sleep much since I had to stay alert all night. But if this continues, I’ll reach my limit soon. I have to do something, but I have no means to do so. I’m just a slave. I can’t even run away. I don’t know what to do.
“Hey, just give up already. Tell me everything.”
While I walked thinking of such things, he came prying again.
“How stubborn.”
Since I got annoyed, I answered while showing a bit of anger.
“You really don’t trust me that much? “
“Yeah, that much.”
“Then, what can I do so you can trust me? “
“……Let’s see, I could trust you if you die right now, right here.”
A vein was clearly visible on his forehead. It seems like he became angry.
“Is that how it is? Yukari, you bastard.”
“What is it, Master? Are you going to use violence against a slave? “
“Shut it! You won’t have lunch! “
“Eh! “
How despicable!
“That’s a breach of contract.”
“In the contract it’s written that I have to supply you with enough food. And two meals a day is enough! I think that’s fair! Hahahahaha! “
We still need to walk for who knows how many kilometers, really, this man is…!
“What’s wrong? If you apologize, I won’t do it, you know? “
“Tch……! “
How humiliating! Having to apologize to this man… but…
“……Just kidding.”
Then, he laughed while saying so. That smile looked like he was making a fool out of me, so I couldn’t stand it.
“I don’t need it.”
“What? “
“Lunch, I don’t need it.”
“H-hey, you’re going to collapse. “
“I already said it’s unnecessary. I’ll be fine.”
“Hey, wait! My bad! Here, eat! “
“No, thanks! “
I hurried ahead.
I need to cool down.
I became quite emotional back there.
But I can’t back down anymore.
…………
I wonder what did I want to accomplish…?
—————————-
It was the morning of the third day.
Last night was a fight against drowsiness.
……My feet feel unsteady.
Two nights in a row not sleeping, walking all day, I had no lunch yesterday, and for dinner I just ate a little.
No matter if I’m an assassin, I’m a living being after all. I know that my limits are approaching.
He did not lay a hand on me last night either. Perhaps he’s waiting for the moment when I’m completely unconscious. He is a cowardly man.
Today’s journey, similar to yesterday’s, was just walking and walking.
Every time we open our mouths, we can’t help but to quarrel.
Quarrel at breakfast.
Quarreling on whom will walk ahead.
Quarrel at lunch.
Quarreling on when to take a break.
Quarrel at dinner.
Quarrel as soon as the sun sets.
We already forgot the relationship of master-slave somewhere along the way.
Sometimes I wasn’t able to make a judgement because of the sleepiness and fatigue.
Anyways, I was always careful as to not show a chance. The result of that was our quarrels.
But.
This night, I finally fell asleep soundly…
＊ ＊ ＊
Emotional instability.
That was obvious.
There were a number of contradictions in Yukari’s behavior.
Because she is overly cautious of me, her behavior is inconsistent.
And as she gets tired, it gets worse and worse.
Why is she like that? Now I know the reason.
I got a clue when I was questioning her and the Duchess woman’s name came out the night before heading to the Ashaspern Dungeon. But I became convinced the first night after we were teleported to the coast, when she became wary of me making advances on her.
――Yukari has been ‘brainwashed’.
Most likely to ‘Be wary of that who becomes your master’.
The culprit is clear. Such a skill, 『Brainwashing Magic』, was an inherent skill of a Duchess called Lucia Icene. She was famous in Mobius, and was nicknamed the ‘Brainwashing Hag’.
And to dispel brainwashing magic, there’s only one way. The ‘manifestation of strong emotions’, only that.
In Mobius’ main story, there was an emotionally heavy scene where ‘a brainwashed NPC killed his lover in front of his own eyes, and then the brainwash was lifted’.
I can’t deny the feeling that brainwashing magic was prepared to force such a development in the story, but it’s different when that story becomes the real world. How is it? Isn’t this more troublesome now?
I have to somehow have her show her emotions.
And those have to evoke strong feelings.
It seems like simply quarreling won’t do the trick.
What should I do?
How can I? How can I…?
…………
「……――!! “
Not good, I almost dozed off.
Two more days to the port city Koula. I have to somehow do my best.
I took an abnormal status recovery potion ++ from my inventory and drank it all at once. To tell the truth, this has only a small effect on drowsiness. Obviously, there’s a limit to what it can do.
Well, what should I do?
Gazing at the darkness of the sky, I crossed my arms in front of the bonfire and began to think.