Chapter 49
-----------------------------------------------------------------
Translator: penny
Chapter: 49
Chapter Title: Demon King Beatrice
-----------------------------------------------------------------
『Gob's POV』
Kasha's room.
I sat facing Kasha.
There were no chairs, so we sat on the carpet spread across the floor.
A massive beast hide, tanned just as it was. Probably something Kasha hunted herself?
The hide was large enough to cover the floor almost seamlessly.
To fill a space about ten meters long and wide without any gaps...
I'd come in with my heart pounding, but now sweat was starting to bead up.
"You."
Kasha spoke first.
Her eyes were still a bit red from the tears she'd shed moments ago.
"You came because you want to be fuck buddies, right?"
-Nod.
"Then why'd you just leave when I said I'd do it?"
[Because you said it like that.]
I wrote it on my notepad and showed her my answer.
"Said it like what?"
[You talk like an asshole.]
"When did I?"
Kasha furrowed her brow, looking at me like I was ridiculous.
Was she just shameless, or did she really not know? Either way, what an attitude.
Time to fix that mouth of hers for good.
[Ugly, monster, know your place, you stink. You said all that.]
Kasha had relentlessly hurled insults that cut at my pride.
Any sane person would steer clear of a woman like her.
"It's all true. Did I lie even once?"
The facts were facts. I was an ugly, stinking monster.
Liking Sera was probably overstepping my place, too.
I knew that. But...
[Even if it's true, you don't have to say it.]
Being honest and being rude were two different things.
Kasha wasn't honest; she was rude. Rude on a level that lacked any social grace.
[You know it's hurtful, so why keep saying it?]
"Whatever I say is my business. Anyway, I didn't lie."
The type who blurts out whatever she wants without a thought for the other person's feelings.
No intention of backing down to the end, huh? Fine, then we're done here.
I shot up from my spot.
"Where are you going in the middle of our talk?"
Kasha stood up after me.
I wrote on my notepad while standing.
[Live however you want. Die that way for all I care.]
"Hey, why talk like that?"
[It's my business, you beast bitch.]
Kasha just stared at me with a dumbfounded look.
Mad now that it's coming back at you?
Think you alone can talk shit? I can be an asshole too.
I left the stunned Kasha behind and turned on my heel. No more to say to her.
"Hey. Where you going."
Kasha grabbed my shoulder.
"Kieek!"
I whipped around and shrieked.
A loud, hideous roar burst from my throat.
"Ugh..."
Kasha released my shoulder and stepped back a bit.
Her eyes went wide, and for once, she looked genuinely startled, which wasn't like her.
I don't usually show this side of me, so maybe that's why.
Whatever the reason, time to bolt while she's frozen.
Screeech, slam!
I slammed the door shut behind me and stormed out of Kasha's room.
Lucy's lab.
I'd bolted from Kasha's room and come straight here.
"You're here."
Lucy greeted me with her usual indifferent word. I bowed my head in response.
Lucy was sitting at her desk, drawing a magic circle. Same as always.
I approached her.
She must have sensed me, because she turned my way.
[Anything I can help with today?]
I held out my notepad toward her.
"No."
[Got it. Let me know if something comes up.]
"Yeah."
Lucy turned back to her magic circle.
My role in the lab wasn't much. Just run errands for Lucy.
If she didn't give me any work, my main task was reading books.
Basically a freeloader, but whatever. Might as well cool off with a book today.
I scanned the shelves, pondering what to read.
My eyes were drawn to novels rather than tough academic tomes.
『The Tale of Elf Archer Elia』
『The Tale of Beastkin Warrior Kasha』
『The Tale of Otherworld Hero Jihil』
『The Tale of Dragon Mage Lucilia』
『The Tale of Saint Celestia』
Books detailing the hero party's stories in detail?
Not bad, but something else caught my eye.
『The Tale of Demon King Beatrice』
A different vibe, sticking out among the rest.
Books on the five heroes lined up neatly, and right next to them, the Demon King's book sat boldly.
It caught my attention because it was unexpected, but I didn't really want to read it.
If anything, I'd read Sera's book.
With that thought, I reached for 『The Tale of Saint Celestia』.
Ding!
At that moment, the quest window chimed.
What? A quest window? I'm not even hard?
No matter how much I like Sera, I'm not getting a boner just from picking a book.
Am I that backed up? I checked, and nope, soft as can be.
Not hard at all. What the hell?
Guess I should check the quest window.
Read 『The Tale of Demon King Beatrice』
⏰ Time Limit: None
🎁 Reward: Demon King's Favor
⚠️ Penalty: Incur Our wrath
The reward and penalty were suspiciously vague.
What the hell is 'Demon King's Favor'? An item name?
And who's this 'We' in the penalty referring to?
[Of course it's Me, Beatrice.]
Wh-what? This thing talks like a person?
The sudden chat log left my mind reeling.
I had no clue how to respond.
[No need to overthink it. Just act normal, no pressure.]
...This is insanely pressuring.
I froze in place in front of the bookshelf.
Someone was watching my actions and thoughts right now.
And the watcher called herself the Demon King.
[As We said, We are Beatrice. Call Us 'Your Majesty' casually.]
The real Demon King? What's her goal?
[Our goal? Nothing much. We merely need to conquer this world.]
Just conquer the world, huh.
Conquer the world. The world... conquered.
...Nothing much?
That's huge!!
I felt like I might piss myself right there.
Should I run to Lucy right now and explain what's happening?
[Absolutely not! Do that, and everything will be for naught.]
Her reaction confirmed it—running to Lucy was the right move.
I spun around and started toward her.
[No helping it. Let Us meet and talk.]
The moment that message appeared, the world tilted.
Thud. A violent jolt rocked my body.
What? Did I hit the floor? Was it the world tilting, or me?
My vision blurred. I could see Lucy approaching...
『Phantasmal Realm. Demon King's Castle.』
I opened my eyes to a dazzling palace.
Like something out of a movie, a red carpet stretched out beneath my feet.
Following the carpet's end, I spotted a throne in the distance.
A thin curtain draped over the top of the throne.
Behind it, the silhouette of a woman.
"Greetings. We are Beatrice. Thou already knowest Our name."
Her voice flowed from behind the curtain.
Sweet enough to make my ears quiver.
Voice actress material, beautiful beyond words.
"Come hither first. We wish to see thy face directly."
She called to me, but I stayed rooted in place.
This whole situation screamed suspicious. Following orders would make me a sucker.
I glanced back. A large door stood there.
Could I escape through that?
"How long dost thou intend to keep Us waiting? Such rudeness."
Screw it. All or nothing!
I turned and bolted at full speed.
Tat-tat-tat-tat!
My short legs pumped furiously, and I reached the door in no time.
I grabbed the handle and pulled, but it was so heavy it barely budged despite my full strength.
"Oh my. Thou art terribly tense at the thought of beholding Us. We understand fully."
I ignored the voice behind me and strained to pull the door.
Finally, I wrenched it open. Beyond lay pitch-black darkness.
Looked ominous as hell.
Even if I die, I'll just respawn anyway. Let's go.
I squeezed my eyes shut and threw myself into the darkness.
...
I opened my eyes. Back in that palace again.
Right where I'd first woken up.
"Fleeing is futile. Thou art already within Our phantasmal realm."
Her beautiful voice echoed through the palace.
True or false? Should I obey assuming it's real? Or call her bluff and keep trying to escape?
"We never lie. If thou desirest, We can torment thee plenty."
The moment she finished speaking, blades erupted from the walls.
Hundreds, thousands from every wall—top, bottom, left, right—thrusting right up to my face.
My head, chest, arms, legs—my entire body surrounded by blade tips.
One misstep, and I'd be riddled with holes.
I inhaled sharply, and a blade nicked my chest.
It hurt. Really hurt where it pierced. If this was a dream, it was vividly real.
Blood trickled down my chest. I couldn't even breathe properly.
Someone, save me...!