Chapter 55
Chapter 55
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>Translator: Vine
>Chapter: 55
>Chapter Title: A Pitiful Fall
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I lightly brushed aside the thought that had popped into my head. Then I grabbed the magic sword, which was clattering and rolling on the bed, urging me to recite the lines.
“No matter what, I can’t say a line like that.”
[ ...! Why not!? Why can’t you utter this magnificent line?! ]
I closed my mouth for a moment and thought. If I answered, ‘The line is too cringey,’ the magic sword would 100% sulk and refuse to lend me its power.
Of course, since we were under contract, I could forcibly use its power, but as we needed to maintain our partnership for a long time, I had to show it some respect.
“W-well... a line that cool... it’s a bit much for me to say. I think... a line that awesome is something the magic sword itself should be the one to shout.”
[ Hmph, it is true that if this great one were to utter such a magnificent line, the heavens would grow jealous and the earth would tremble. But isn’t my voice only audible to my partner? ]
“No, Gargandoa, you’re an amazing magic sword, right? When the time is right, your voice will definitely reach your opponent!”
[ I-It can? ]
“Of couuurse. It’s only natural. It’s the word of the great Gargandoa, after all!”
Evidence? None.
>Logic? None.
>All I had were words of praise for Gargandoa.
Fortunately, the simple-minded magic sword melted under my praise and was easily convinced.
[ Ahem, if that’s the case, it can’t be helped! I shall be the one to deliver the line. ]
“Good, that’s a great idea.”
The magic sword immediately began pondering what cool line it should shout. This was much better than it pestering me for good ideas, so I left it be and looked over at Iris.
“...?”
When I looked at Iris sitting beside me, she tilted her head, clutching the hem of my clothes. It was as if she were asking, “Why?”
“Iris, are you hungry? Are you sleepy? Is there anything making you uncomfortable?”
With each question, Iris shook her head from side to side. Her white hair swayed. As befitting a protagonist, it smelled wonderful without any perfume and shimmered like silk.
I instinctively smoothed down her slightly messy hair. Iris lowered her gaze and let me.
“If there’s anything you want, tell me anytime. Okay?”
As I said that and pulled my hand away, Iris suddenly grabbed it.
“This.”
“Huh?”
“This... I need it.”
I blinked at her words, then readily offered my hand. Iris took it and rubbed it against her cheek.
‘Oh my gosh... Iris is so cute! And her cheeks are so... soft!’
Her flawless white skin was soft, moist, and smooth, even without a drop of lotion. For a moment, I almost lost my mind and started squishing them like mochi. They were devilishly soft cheeks.
“Hee...”
Looking pleased, Iris let out a small laugh and continued to rub her face against my hand for a while. Watching her act like an affectionate cat, I quietly let myself be healed.
[ Heh heh, if you wish to save that person, you must defeat me first. ]
I spent my time leisurely, with the magic sword’s voice practicing villainous-sounding lines in the background.
When I started to feel hungry, Iris and I ate at the dining hall and returned to the room. My plan was to lounge on the sofa and enjoy the pleasant drowsiness, then take a nap with Iris once my stomach settled.
Knock, knock.
A visitor arrived before my food had even digested. I swallowed nervously and looked at Iris.
“It seems we have a visitor, so just stay here for a moment. Got it?”
“...Okay.”
Iris fiddled with my clothes for a moment before letting go, her eyes filled with reluctance. I took a light, deep breath and approached the door.
“Who is it?”
“It’s me. Open up.”
The familiar voice of the rat beastkin came through. I felt a cold sweat trickle down my back.
‘Don’t tell me they found out.’
The image of the cleanly sliced training hall wall flashed through my mind.
‘No, if that were the case, he wouldn’t be knocking; he’d be breaking the door down! He’s... he’s probably just here to tell me about a new match.’
My eyes, no, my entire body was trembling, but I tried my best to calm myself as I grasped the doorknob. And then.
R-R-R-R-RATTLE!
The door began to shake along with me.
“What the hell is this!?”
I heard the rat beastkin curse. For some reason, hearing his voice calmed me down.
‘You used to say things like that, too.’
The image of a palm-sized rat surfaced in my mind. The rat and I were the best of friends. We went to amusement parks together, ate together, went to karaoke, and even introduced each other to our girlfriends—
‘Wait, who?’
An impossible scene popped into my head, and I snapped back to reality. Come to think of it, I didn’t have a rat friend who resembled the beastkin. After that fake flashback, my trembling stopped.
Flashbacks with no plausibility or logic were a common sight in the world of gags.
Click.
When I opened the door, the rat beastkin, his tail bolt upright, was staring intently at the open doorway. Behind him stood two people with expressionless faces—one woman and one man.
“Why was the door just—... No, never mind. That’s not what’s important right now.”
The rat beastkin seemed to question the shaking door for a moment before giving his head a slight shake.
‘Could it really be... because of the training hall...?’
My heart pounding, I watched the rat beastkin’s mouth.
“A client is summoning you, so follow me quietly.”
“Ah... yes!”
I beamed and nodded, relieved that it wasn't about the training hall.
*Tug*.
Just then, my clothes were tugged. I turned to see that Iris had approached me at some point and was now clutching the hem of my clothes with both hands, her eyes downcast.
‘Ah, I should tell her before I go.’
I had almost left without giving Iris a proper explanation.
“Iris, someone is looking for me for a bit. I’ll be back soon. Can you wait here by yourself?”
Iris didn’t react to my words. Just as I was starting to worry, ‘Is she sick or something?’, she carefully let go of my clothes and nodded.
“I’ll be back as fast as I can. Please look after the place. Oh, and don’t open the door for strangers!”
Iris nodded several times. The rat beastkin, as if he couldn't wait any longer, pulled me by the wrist.
“I’ll be right back!”
I offered a final goodbye as the door closed. The rat beastkin dragged me to the same bathhouse I’d visited before. After being thoroughly washed, I groggily stepped into an elevator.
‘By the way... these people really are unresponsive.’
I glanced at the man and woman standing in front of and behind me. They had been moving silently the entire time without a single change in expression. They looked like emotionless dolls.
‘Are they assassins or something?’
While I was lost in thought, the elevator stopped. After a few more complicated transfers, we arrived at the place where I had met the zombie.
‘I wonder if that zombie is doing well.’
I followed the rat beastkin, wondering about that internally. I had been slightly hopeful that I was going to see the zombie again, but we were taking a completely different path.
“Go inside and do as the client commands. We’ll come get you when it’s time to return.”
The rat beastkin seemed a little kinder than last time. It was probably because my value had increased.
*Creeak*.
The two people in front of and behind me opened the doors. The double doors swung wide open, revealing the interior.
‘It’s similar to last time.’
I stepped inside, noting that the interior looked similar to the place where I met the zombie.
*Creeak, thud*.
Unlike the zombie’s room, the doors closed with a loud noise. The two who closed them stood silently by the doors, unmoving.
‘Should I just go in?’
After a moment’s hesitation, I walked further inside.
‘What kind of person will it be today?’
Last time it was a zombie, so maybe this time it’ll be someone angelic? I walked deeper into the room with that small hope.
“Ah...”
“Heh heh...”
Upon seeing the old man’s face, an exclamation escaped my lips without me realizing it. Finding my reaction amusing, the old man let out an unpleasant laugh.
“Sit.”
At the old man’s words, accompanied by the tapping of his cane on the floor, I naturally moved to sit across from him. But just as my butt was about to touch the sofa, his long cane touched my waist.
As I looked at him from my awkward, half-seated position, the old man’s sagging wrinkles creased into a smile.
“How dare a slave presume to sit on the same level as me. Your place is here.”
The old man withdrew his cane and tapped the floor. My face hardened at the sight. The old man grinned and said,
“Now, hurry and sit.”
“...”
After a moment of contemplation... I ended up sitting down on the floor where the old man had tapped. The old man’s thin knees were right in front of my eyes. I had sat directly in front of his legs.
“W-What the?!”
This didn't seem to be the picture the old man had in mind; he recoiled, his voice flustered. For a second, I thought he was going to fall backward, so I leaned forward to catch him.
*Click*.
“Huh?”
The moment I reached out to steady him, my hand caught on something and activated it.
‘What was—... Ah!’
My eyes darted around, trying to figure out what I had touched, when the back of the sofa the old man was sitting on shot backward. I had hit the lever that adjusted the sofa’s recline angle.
“Ugh, ack...!”
Caught off guard, the old man couldn't react and collapsed onto the sofa. He lost his grip on his cane, which flew through the air and clattered to the floor. With a cracking sound, the old man went limp on the sofa.
“Uh...”
I slowly backed away.