Chapter 13: I Can't Resist This (2)
Chapter 13: I Can't Resist This (2)
The Infinite Labyrinth is home to many curses.
Even the curse laid upon the blood of Ruji Fermaton—the Fermaton bloodline—is no ordinary affliction.
However, this curse doesn't just affect the Fermatons.
'It’s designed to strike anyone who enters the Labyrinth at random.'
At least, that’s the lore.
Those who enter the Labyrinth are influenced by the "magic power" within. The unlucky ones emerge unable to maintain their original forms.
For example:
Getting bitten by a sudden vampire and turning into one.
Being wounded by a lycanthrope and becoming an inumimi beastkin.
Or falling under a succubus's spell and becoming a creature of the night yourself.
The setting dictates that even ordinary humans can be turned into "demons" or "demonkind" by the Labyrinth's influence.
To these attacks and questions regarding "lore inconsistencies," the PD at the time gave this response:
That was the gist of it.
If the roster was full of only humans, they couldn't sell characters effectively. To diversify the appeal and include demon-type characters as allies, they introduced the curse mechanic.
Among those turned into demons by the Labyrinth, some became allies, and defeating them provided Lapis Lazuli to pull the gacha.
Who cares about the game's lore!
The curse meant you could have a cat-eared maid girl as a companion!
'And Astarotte is an adventurer afflicted with the succubus curse.'
The curse is persistent. Once it takes hold, it lasts forever, though the rate of progression varies. Much like the Fermaton blood curse, those afflicted cannot leave the Fermaton territory.
Consequently, the cursed live together in their own community.
No matter if they were once human, they now possess demonic features. To avoid inciting fear in the public, they reside separately in an area known as "District 13."
However, if one installs a barrier designed to "halt the progression of the curse at all costs," there’s no law saying they can't live outside District 13.
"I will leave the task of persuading Astarotte to you, Young Lord. ...Is that alright?"
"Yeah."
More than alright.
In fact, it was exactly what I wanted.
Since I had a rough idea of her personality, it was easier for me to handle the negotiations personally.
Astarotte.
She was one of my Tier 1 characters, after all.
I knocked gently on the door.
"Excuse me. I am Ruji Fermaton, the Young Lord of Fermaton."
[...The door is open.]
A clear voice drifted from inside.
It wasn't high-pitched or whiny, but the slightly youthful tone was unmistakably her signature.
'The voice actress's tone carried over perfectly.'
It was the kind of voice that seemed suspiciously well-suited for "loli" characters.
While the reality felt slightly different, hearing this youthful voice coming from a woman undergoing a succubus transformation...
'The sense of "guilty pleasure" is no joke.'
She would surely be there once I opened the door.
One of the "Three Great Shrine Maidens."
Astarotte of Immorality.
That’s right.
To put it bluntly:
She was a "legal loli."
"Pardon me."
The moment I opened the door, I was greeted by a typical mage's research space.
Being the top floor of the Magic Tower, the room was packed with all sorts of magic books and research materials. In the center stood a small woman with violet hair that could hardly be called human.
In terms of height, she barely reached my solar plexus.
She wore the robes typical of a mage character, but she was a mage whose succubus transformation was already underway.
"Nice to meet you. I am Ruji Fermaton."
"...Astarotte. I have no surname. Um..."
Astarotte was clearly wary of me, but she soon lowered her guard.
"...Fortunately, it seems being close to a Fermaton doesn't make the curse progress any faster."
"Curse?"
I feigned ignorance.
"Yes. I am cursed. I opened the wrong treasure chest in the Labyrinth... and ended up with the succubus curse."
"I see."
That was the lore.
"How unfortunate. Are the barriers in this room all part of your research to break the curse?"
"Yes. It's a theme everyone here is researching. Research to break the curses of the Infinite Labyrinth. ...It's not something the Young Lord should concern himself with."
"......."
She was worrying about me.
She had a kind heart.
"...Young Lord. I heard from the Magic Tower Master via Magical Signal why you were looking for me. But... are you sure about this?"
Because she was so considerate, she was a woman who wouldn't be easy to recruit.
"If you try to recruit me, it might lead to the misunderstanding that 'Fermaton is trying to break the curse.'"
Fermaton, again.
"...A misunderstanding by the countless jackals who worry that the Infinite Labyrinth will disappear if the Fermaton curse is broken."
* * *
At that same time.
"What? The Young Lord went to the Magic Tower?"
"Yes. After a light breakfast of coffee at the Adventurer's Guild, he went straight to the Magic Tower..."
"Then what about the breakfast I prepared...?"
"Pardon?"
"O-oh, it's nothing."
Countess Zenith clenched her fists.
She had even suffered a small cut on her finger while cooking for the first time in ages, only to find out the Young Lord had settled for a cup of cheap morning coffee from the guild.
It felt unfair.
At the same time, she was angry and irritated.
Of course, it was Zenith's mistake for cooking without realizing the Young Lord had left at dawn.
But...
"...Why the Magic Tower, of all places?"
"According to those at the guild, the Young Lord was looking to recruit someone."
"Someone?"
"Yes."
"Is it a woman? A fairly pretty one?"
"Yes. Had you already heard?"
"...No."
Zenith bit her lower lip, fiddling with her bandaged finger.
"I just... didn't think he'd call for a man."
"Call for them? My Lady, do you know something?"
"......."
Zenith looked intently at the Head Maid.
The Head Maid was also a woman working for the Kingdom.
No matter how long she had worked in Fermaton, she was a person of the Fermaton County within this Kingdom.
Before being a Fermaton employee, she was a citizen of the Kingdom.
"Head Maid. Clear out the rooms near the Young Lord's quarters. Those rooms used for storage—turn them all into bedrooms."
"Bedrooms...?"
"Yes. For women to use."
"Women... Ah?!"
The Head Maid gasped in shock.
"Could it be... the Young Lord is...?"
"Yes. That boy has gone out to find a 'wife.'"
"My goodness. Then... if a child is born..."
"...It would certainly be a cause for celebration for the continent. Even if Ruji dies, the Infinite Labyrinth won't disappear."
Indeed.
If Ruji produced an heir, the Infinite Labyrinth would remain even if Ruji Fermaton passed away.
"That's unexpected. The men of the Fermaton family were famous for having heirs late in life... I wonder if he's had a change of heart? His hair changed, too."
"I suppose. He either wants to see his child soon, or he wants to raise one quickly so he can do something else afterward."
"Well... as long as he isn't throwing tantrums, it's good for us... Ah, excuse me."
"No, it's fine. It's the truth."
Even as the Countess, it was hard to defend Ruji's past behavior.
Ruji had been trash.
That was why she couldn't help but worry.
"...If the Kingdom realizes Ruji has changed, their directives will change too, won't they?"
"...I don't know. I don't know if they'll take our reports at face value. If they find out Young Lord Ruji intends to have an heir early, the Kingdom might..."
"They might tell me to secure the child and then kill Ruji."
Scarcity.
Fermaton was valuable because there was only one. If there were two or more, the value of one would plummet.
A disobedient Fermaton.
A delinquent Fermaton.
Naturally, a Fermaton who listened, didn't cause trouble, and just quietly breathed—a Fermaton who functioned primarily as a "totem for maintaining the Infinite Labyrinth"—would be much preferred.
"...Sigh, what should I do?"
"Should I investigate his visit to the Magic Tower further?"
"...We must."
Grind.
Zenith bit her nail.
"...To go to the Magic Tower when I, a mage, am right here..."
"Pardon?"
"...It's nothing."
Beyond the window.
Zenith's eyes, glaring at the Magic Tower, were burning with something fierce.
* * *
"So..."
One-sentence summary:
She hated political strife.
"...For that reason, I decline the Young Lord's offer. For your own sake."
Recruiting a mage alone could cause an uproar.
Astarotte declined my recruitment offer after a ten-minute explanation.
"I see. I refuse your refusal."
"...Excuse me?"
"You must become my magic teacher, and also a member of the knight order that will conquer the Infinite Labyrinth."
Astarotte's face contorted.
Understandably so.
Who would be happy if, after explaining themselves for ten minutes, the other person just said, 'I don't care about that, just follow me'?
"Young Lord. I could concede and become your magic teacher. But you want me to enter the Labyrinth...?"
And he was asking for an unacceptable condition.
"If I do that, I will turn into a succubus."
"That's fine."
"......What did you say?"
Irritation, and then a hint of bloodlust, began to swirl in her eyes.
"Young Lord, that isn't something you can say so lightly—"
"I will take full responsibility."
"...What?"
"I will take responsibility for you, Astarotte. Fermaton will protect you."
The reason I was so obsessed with Astarotte.
Was it because of her top-tier performance?
Because I needed her magical abilities right now?
Because she was exceptionally beautiful?
Or because she was a succubus?
"Even if you become a succubus, you are still Astarotte. I promise you this on the name of Fermaton."
While weighing all those factors is complicated, there was one primary reason.
She was beautiful.
And despite her appearance...
'She isn't a child.'
Prince Archive Order.
Every companion character in this game was...
An "adult."
"Become mine, Astarotte."