I'll Protect You!

Screeech...

"...Hoo."

Finishing my private meeting with Aishi, I let out a sigh as I stepped out of the waiting room.

"I wonder if it hurts a lot?"

Suddenly, I started to worry about it.

I've experienced losing an eye in past loops, getting skewered by swords, and ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠even getting pummeled to death by magic missiles.

But my heart has never frozen solid even once.

What did the Prophecy Book say again...?

I try to recall the Prophecy Book, which I no longer carry since I handed it over to Serena.

Even though it's not with me now, I've memorized it to death from previous loops.

Before long, I remembered the details about the Frozen Heart Curse.

"Our ancestor was truly something else."

In case it might help, our ancestor had compiled every skill and curse in Blacktail Fantasy 2 into a dictionary-like format.

Under the entry for the Frozen Heart Curse left by that ancestor was the following note.

"...What am I even thinking?"

I chuckle and deny the thought flickering through my mind, but as it creeps back in moments later, my smile fades.

Maybe, thanks to my high mental strength stat, I won't get full emotion erasure, but constant emotional dulling?

That might make things easier.

Instead of feeling every little thing and struggling through, wouldn't it be better to move mechanically, true to instinct? Wouldn't that lead to a happier ending?

From that perspective, it might actually be a good thing...

"Young Master."

"...Whoa!"

Lost in thought, someone calls from behind me.

"Kania?"

Turning around in shock, there she is—Kania.

Why is she here? I told her to stand by for now.

"Are you struggling much, Young Master?"

"Huh? No. Just the usual as alw— Wait."

The question slips my mind momentarily as I realize something more important. My eyes widen as I whisper to her.

"How did you ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠recognize me?"

I'm wearing the Deception Robe, which I estimate even the Demon King couldn't properly discern.

So how did Kania spot me? Does that even make sense?

"Does it make sense for a secretary not to recognize her master?"

"No, that's not the issue..."

"I'm joking. Truth is, I planted a tracker in your shadow."

"...Ah."

Only then do I understand how she found me.

"Come to think of it, you mentioned contracting with my shadow."

Around the time the commoner dormitory raid began, I'd asked Kania about the bizarre black magic that let her slip in and out of my shadow.

"This? It's simple. I contracted with your shadow."

"...What!?"

Her shocking answer: she'd contracted with my shadow.

I was stunned, but upon learning it was a contract only possible with a truly devoted master, I was moved and let her do as she pleased.

Apparently, she's maintained that contract from then until now.

"Anyway, why are you here, Kania?"

Finishing that thought, I ask Kania, who stands before me with a slight bow.

"I came to check on you because I was worried, Young Master."

"Huh?"

"To make sure there were no anomalies."

Her words seem to shift in the blink of an eye, but with every minute and second precious, I sigh and begin explaining.

"The situation itself is good. The unexpected variable, Perloché, is actually working in our favor."

"So it seems. I scouted briefly, and forces are heavily concentrated on Miss Perloché."

I frown slightly at her words and ask,

"She wasn't hurt or getting pushed back, was she?"

"Last I saw, armored guards were flying through the air."

"Oh."

Only then do I calm my inner anxiety with a sigh of relief.

"Yes, Young Master looks so handsome when he lets his emotions show like that."

"What was that?"

"Oh, right. I have a report."

In this déjà vu-inducing moment, I frown and listen to her report.

"I overheard the guards' radio chatter. Apparently, besides Miss Perloché, there are two more intruders in the slave market."

"...What?"

Her unexpected statement makes me grimace as I reply.

"Two... No idea who?"

"Couldn't hear clearly since I was eavesdropping, but they both seem highly skilled."

"...Hmm."

Hearing that, I sink into thought.

...I was about to proceed with the plan, but this is a setback.

After scurrying around preparations everywhere, I'd successfully set up the plan.

The exceptionally strong slaves I handpicked are now receiving power from Drimirkan in the waiting room.

Irina is manipulating cabinets to sneak slaves out amid the chaos.

Clana, to become the hero of the slave market liberation, has infiltrated the first floor with her loyal Imperial Knights.

And Serena will join at sunset.

Everything fits perfectly in this scenario where I could order execution any moment...

Another variable arises.

I can't tolerate it. I'm tired of delays from variables.

"I'll go, Young Master."

"Huh?"

As I ponder with weary eyes, Kania speaks quietly.

"It makes more sense for me to check than for you, who must oversee the overall situation."

"Kania, but..."

"Wasn't handling variables my role this time? I'm just fulfilling it, so please don't worry."

With that, Kania vanishes from sight before I can respond.

"...Hoo."

Staring blankly at where she disappeared, I soon send telepathy to everyone.

The highlight of the third main quest was right upon us.

"Uwaaaaaah! Get out of my wayyy!"

- BOOM!!

"Th-this crazy...!"

At the exact moment Frey sent telepathy to everyone.

"We've surrounded her! Finally surrounded her!!"

"Then push! If she breaks through here, it's over!!"

The corridor near the slaves' waiting room resembled a battlefield.

"Move! Or else... I'll send you to the afterlife!!"

Perloché, eyes fierce and fists raised, charged at the men surrounding the corridor.

"She's coming! If you don't wanna die, brace yourselves!!"

"I won't kill you!! I'll just afterlife you!!"

Perloché, charging with eyes squeezed shut and squealing, looked utterly adorable in her signature dumb expression and gestures—to any third party.

"Urk... Urgh..."

"Heh... heh heh... hehe..."

But seeing those who'd let their guard down approach her, only to crumple after taking a direct fist...

"Hya!!"

- BOOM!!

...even if Perloché was cute, fear was natural.

"Guhhh..."

"...Damn, another one."

As yet another victim fell to Perloché's merciless fists,

"Shit, where'd this monster come from?"

the interim guard captain—one of the stronger remaining ones—grimaced and lamented.

"If it weren't for this narrow corridor, we could've handled her..."

"Evil, wicked villains!! I won't forgive you!!"

The guards hired for the slave market were top-tier mercenaries, so they quickly grasped Perloché's combat pattern.

A single devastating blow, but with the penalty of targeting only one at a time.

In an open space, they could've put up a fight.

Without the Solar God's Blessing, Perloché's divine power focused on defense, so scattering attacks could've at least stalemated things.

"Sh-she's coming again!"

"Damn it, HQ contact still far off?"

But that was mere wishful thinking.

The narrow corridor was perfect for Perloché to punch one solar plexus at a time.

- Crackle...

This is HQ. This is HQ.

"Hey! This ain't what we agreed on! Is it okay to work us this hard!?"

In this pointless war of attrition slowly whittling down guards, he squealed as contact from HQ finally came.

- All slaves and VIPs on this floor have been evacuated to another level. You may proceed with the proposed plan.

"You crazy bastards!! We've already lost half—half!! No way we can execute that plan with this manpower..."

- Reinforcements incoming. Hold out a bit longer. Negotiating with the Imperial Knight Captain and Holy Knight Captain now.

"Damn it all!!"

Radio cut off, he cursed, hurled the device to the floor, and bellowed.

"Plan commence!!!"

"Wh-what!? Frey's evil minions!! Planning dark magic like bad Frey...!"

- RUMBLE!!

"...Kyaa!?"

Perloché, who'd been watching intently before squealing and charging, froze in shock as a massive ‍‍‌‌⁠​​⁠‌​​‍​​‍​‌​⁠‍‌‍⁠⁠‌⁠‌‍‌‍‌‌‌‍⁠​‌​‌​‌‍‌‌‌⁠‍​​‌‍⁠‌‌⁠⁠roar echoed around her.

- Hiss...

"Ack! Uwaaah!"

Dust clouds billowing everywhere engulfed Perloché, who flailed her hands like swatting mosquitoes and retreated.

"...Good, success."

"Gasp!"

After much flailing, Perloché cautiously opened her eyes to a dire scene.

"Spread out, approach slowly, no rushing. If you can't grasp it, think orc hunt."

"O-orcs!? I'm a saintess!"

The guards facing Perloché, upon HQ approval, simultaneously attacked the walls, turning the narrow corridor into open field.

"Uh... uhh... What now...?"

Of course, her innate divine power kept it from total crisis, but trapped in the encirclement, Perloché clutched her head in frantic thought.

"Give up, kiddo!"

"Dumb-looking thing relying on brute strength..."

"But seriously, feels like orc hunting, right? Hunted a few in the Western Continent—exactly like this."

Regaining confidence, the guards smirked and crept closer, but

"Aha! That's the way!"

Perloché's eyes sparkled as she beamed innocently, freezing them in place.

"You broke the walls to corner me! So I'll..."

"Uh, uhh?"

"No way, right?"

Confidently shouting at them, Perloché declared,

"...break the floor and corner you!!"

"C-crazy!!"

"Get out! Hurry!"

Astounded by Perloché's unimaginable solution, the guards bolted for the stairs as she targeted the floor with Solar God's Blessing, but

"Hup!"

- CRACKLE-BOOM!!

Less than a second later, her fist smashed the floor. High up as they were, it shattered and collapsed instantly.

"Uwaaaaaah!!!"

Everyone on the floor with it.

"S-Sun God! Save me!!"

Initially smug about her ploy, Perloché realized she too was plummeting and clasped hands in prayer.

- THUD!!

Just as prayer ended and she neared the ground,

"Urk!!!"

"Uwack!!"

She safely landed, cushioned by someone humming by.

"...Ugh."

"S-sorry!"

Joy at safe landing overshadowed by horror at injuring a civilian, Perloché opened her eyes.

"I'll heal you right now!!"

She hurriedly gathered divine power in her hands to bestow on her cushion, but

"Huh?"

Seeing the face, her eyes widened.

"Ruby!?"

"Ah, uh, hello, Saintess."

"What brings you here!? Captured!? Involved in Frey's evil plan!?"

"Uh, well..."

Perloché rapid-fired at sweating Ruby,

"They're here!! Grab 'em!!"

"Two intruders together!!"

"...HQ, you copy? Intruders seem acquainted. Confirm."

"...Uwaaah!"

Spotting approaching reinforcements afar, she grabbed Ruby's arm and bolted somewhere.

"Don't worry, I've got you!"

"W-wait..."

"By the name of Perloché!"

Cutting off pale Ruby's protest, Perloché smiled and finished,

"Hypocritical Ruby... I will!!"

"Protect you here!!!"

The quest had truly reached its highlight.