Chapter 3: I Bought Her Because She Was Cheap (3)
Chapter 3: I Bought Her Because She Was Cheap (3)
“Hic.”
As Carla’s face crumpled into a sob, an inexplicable sense of satisfaction spread from deep within my chest.
…So this is why the original Carla ended up the way she did.
Teasing her is just too much fun.
Well, Carla herself probably thinks she’s just had the worst luck in the world… but I can guarantee one thing.
Becoming my slave was actually a stroke of luck for her.
If it hadn't been for me, Marquis Cyprus would have bought her.
That portly noble who bid 10,000 gold is a far nastier piece of work than I am.
Hero & Academy (H&A) begins when the protagonist enters the Academy, and by then, Carla has already been sold to Marquis Cyprus.
At best, she’s only mentioned in passing by extra NPCs whispering about a senior whose family committed treason and was sold into slavery.
But eventually, Carla reappears.
As the mid-boss of the first semester of the second year.
The subjugation of the Fallen Carla takes place in the Marquis Cyprus estate, which has been turned into a dungeon.
As you explore the mansion, which is buried in repulsive flesh, you can find torn scraps of notes here and there—typical "journal" items.
If you collect all thirty-seven pieces, they transform into an item called Marquis Cyprus’s Diary, and through its contents, you learn the process of how Carla became a boss.
First of all, Marquis Cyprus is impotent. To put it bluntly, the guy’s a eunuch. But perhaps because of that, his tastes became increasingly sadistic… and Carla was the perfect material for him to unleash those urges upon.
One look at her tells you she’s timid and reacts easily—perfect for bullying—and she’s beautiful to boot.
Completely obsessed with Carla, Marquis Cyprus turned to the worship of an Evil God to cure his impotence, which no magic or holy power could fix.
That god was Ugly Prosperity.
He believed that an Evil God who uses twisted lust as a source of power could solve his problem.
Marquis Cyprus succeeded in summoning a manifestation of Ugly Prosperity by sacrificing every servant in the mansion, all the slaves he had collected, and even his own family…
But unfortunately for him, Carla—who had moved past fear into a state of pure venom—was a perfect match for Ugly Prosperity’s tastes.
So much so that the god ignored the summoner, Marquis Cyprus, and bestowed its power upon Carla instead.
Naturally, Carla, burning with a desire for revenge, snatched up that power.
Becoming the Saintess of Ugly Prosperity, Carla paid Marquis Cyprus back in kind for everything he had done to her, eventually covering the surrounding area in tentacles and taking over…
And that is how she stands in the protagonist's way as a mid-boss.
Back when I was still a newbie, she was a tricky boss that caused me dozens of party wipes before I finally took her down.
Compared to Marquis Cyprus, I really am a merciful master.
Yes, indeed.
While I was recalling the image of the game’s Carla, who had become half-tentacle monster, the pain of hunger must have finally triumphed over the last of her noble pride.
In an awkward posture, Carla stopped eating and knelt before me, beginning to plead in an urgent voice.
“D-did I do something arrogant? I’m sorry. If you tell me, I’ll fix it. Please, just don’t starve me. Please? I can do well. So I beg of you, Master….”
…Why is she being so extreme?
No, wait. I suppose she really was pushed to an extreme situation.
Thinking that I should at least keep her well-fed, I pulled Carla up to her feet.
“Hey, it was a joke. Get up, get up.”
“Really…? It was really a joke? Ah! I’m sorry. I wasn't doubting you… it’s just….”
I sat the rambling Carla back down across from me, sliced a piece of meat, and fed it to her.
“Munch, munch….”
Despite being frozen stiff with tension, the moment I brought food to her lips, Carla snapped it up.
Watching her chew thoroughly as if savoring the flavor, I let out a small chuckle and continued.
“I told you it’s fine. As long as you don’t rebel, I won’t starve you. If you listen well, I’ll give you even tastier things than this. You understand what I mean, right?”
“Th-thank you. Thank you so much. I’ll listen well.”
Perhaps because her mouth was still full, Carla’s pronunciation was a bit slurred as she nodded vigorously.
It feels like I’m threatening her with food… well, I suppose I am threatening her.
Anyway, it’s a bit much, but it can’t be helped.
Since I have no intention of destroying Carla’s mana core, I have to put a leash on her some other way, don’t I?
It’s true that 20,000 gold isn't a burdensome amount for me, but it would still be a waste to let a slave I bought for that much just sit around doing nothing.
“Good attitude. Then, first, why don’t you take off that stifling coat?”
“…Ah.”
To think she was still wrapped tightly in the coat she wore to avoid attention outside.
Carla hesitated for a moment, but soon slowly removed the coat and folded it neatly.
“L-like this?”
Carla asked back in a cautious voice. However, I couldn't answer her right away.
That was because, seeing her up close, Carla’s body was more seductive than I had imagined.
First, there was the cleavage revealed by the deep-cut front of her dress. It was as if some strange gravity was at work; I couldn't easily look away.
Even after I managed to shift my gaze, it was the same.
Whether the dress was too small or her figure was simply too much for ordinary clothes to contain, she looked precarious, as if the center of her breasts might be exposed at any moment.
Thanks to that, the shape of her large yet well-balanced breasts was clearly visible.
…Is there even any point to this outfit?
If the upper body is already like this, what about the rest?
I’m incredibly curious, but… I should finish eating first.
I’m hungry myself, and I need to give Carla a proper reward.
I nodded to Carla, who was watching my reaction with an anxious expression.
“Good. Well done. Now finish your meal. If it’s not enough, order more. It’s convenient here because they’ll bring food up to the room if you pay an extra fee.”
“Thank youuu….”
Perhaps relaxing a little, she replied with a softened face and resumed her meal.
She flinched occasionally, seemingly conscious of my blatant staring, but…
Carla persevered and finished her meal only after eating three more servings.
*
“Burp… Hup!”
After letting out a small burp, she hurriedly covered her mouth with her hand and looked at me.
Well, after eating four servings in total, that’s bound to happen.
“If you’re done, put the dishes outside and come sit here.”
“Yes!”
As I patted the spot next to me while sitting on the bed, Carla stood up with awkward movements.
After gathering the remnants of the meal and placing them outside the door, she sat down next to me, looking extremely tense.
Flump.
As soon as she sat down, a wonderful scent wafted over me.
Is it perfume?
Unlike me, who was idly thinking such things, Carla sat bolt upright with her head bowed low.
I could feel just how nervous she was from the way her lips were twitching.
It seems she’s misunderstanding why I had her sit on the bed. It’s not time for that yet.
“Carla Lindelheit. First, let me mention the biggest reason why I paid 20,000 gold for you.”
“Gulp.”
As if the moment of truth had finally arrived, Carla swallowed hard. I pointed toward her chest and spoke.
“It’s to learn the Lindelheit family’s mana breathing technique, Lintblum.”
“…Huh? Lintblum?”
Carla tilted her head blankly at the unexpected answer.
Is it because of her innocent looks? Or is it because of her outfit that defenselessly exposed her skin?
Right now, Carla strangely reminded me of a herbivore. Like a plump, well-fed rabbit.
I forced my gaze away from her chest and got to the main point.
“Yes. Lintblum. It has to be that. Oh, and you’ll have to teach me some basic magic before I enter the Academy.”
In truth, while Lintblum is a good mana breathing technique, it isn't the best.
Better mana breathing techniques are hidden all over the Eurelia Continent, and I know how to obtain most of them.
However, at this point in time, Lintblum is the only means to cure Mana Insensitivity.
It’s not that there are no other ways, like Elixirs or a Body Reconstruction event, but…
As a mage who can’t use magic, those methods are practically impossible even if I know the strategy, because I can’t clear the dungeons.
Hiring high-ranking adventurers with a large sum of money isn't a good option either.
No matter how high their rank, adventurers often betray their employers when faced with an item so precious it can’t even be bought with money.
I know this from experience.
When I first started a sub-character, I once hired an S-rank adventurer by pouring in gold shared from my main character to speed up the progress.
But the moment we cleared the hidden dungeon, those adventurers, who boasted the highest credibility in the guild, didn't hesitate for a second to stab me in the back.
Damned bastards.
It was like that in the game, so it’ll be even worse now that it’s reality.
This world has always shown me more than what I saw in the game.
Anyway, when I revealed that as the reason I bought her at the auction, Carla looked visibly relieved.
Does she think her value lies in her knowledge rather than her body? That’s a premature judgment.
I chuckled and poked the dazed Carla in the side.
“Surely you haven't forgotten the Lintblum breathing technique?”
“A-ah, no. I know it! I’m using it myself right now. But….”
Carla blinked her ruby-colored eyes as if she didn't quite understand.
“The Academy only accepts adults under the age of thirty, though?”
“Huh?”
Why is she suddenly bringing that up… Ah.
At Carla’s words, I reflexively looked at a nearby mirror.
…And there, the face of a greedy, ill-tempered noble was staring back at me.
No wonder she’s been so excessively terrified every time I did anything.
I hadn't removed the disguise I put on for the auction house yet.
Scratching the back of my head awkwardly, I took out a golden potion from my inventory and drank it.
“Ugh.”
A slight headache was accompanied by a strange sensation on my face.
But the effect was certain, as my reflection in the mirror began to change slowly.
“Uh? Uhhh?!”
Carla was so surprised she pointed at my face and stammered.
She hurriedly lowered her hand, perhaps thinking it was rude, but… I could understand her feelings.
If a grumpy, bald middle-aged man suddenly turned into a beautiful youth who looked younger than her, anyone would be startled.
I turned my head this way and that, re-checking my reflection in the mirror.
Pure black hair that allowed no other color, and skin so white it looked pale in contrast.
My sharp eyes sparkled with a violet hue, and the corners of my mouth were tilted up in a slight smirk.
Overall, I looked a bit arrogant, but there was no denying that I was handsome.
An involuntary, satisfied smile spread across my face.
It was worth spending three hours on character customization.