Chapter 37-38

Chapter 37 - The Warrior's Agony

I kept waiting for Nei to wake up.

Kaede and Frau are sitting next to each other in the room.

Panda had his eye closed and was floating in the air.

"Hm…"

"!?"

Nei woke up.

I immediately rushed to speak to her.

"Are you in any pain, are you fully conscious!?"

"…Toru?"

"Yes. It's me, Toru."

She looked around with lazy eyes.

She stood up a little and sat on the bed.

"I was abandoned."

"Sain?"

"Yes, he was about to die fighting against the demon general, so I rushed to his defense. Then he left and told me to die here."

My fists were shaking.

From one moment to the next my anger turned into a killer instinct.

Nei was looking at me confusedly.

"Why are you dressed like that? Hey, maybe Sain can let you join the party again, friends fight and break up, but… There's always the option to come back."

"Nei, Sain brainwashed you."

"…I see."

Her reaction was totally unexpected.

I thought she would try to deny the facts.

She laughed a little and then became sad.

This attitude is not normal.

Being in a brainwashed state does not erase your past memories.

There is an emotional conflict within her.

I pulled my chair closer to the bed and sat down.

"I like Sain. But there's something wrong with my feelings, something wrong with my thoughts, and something much worse inside me…. Before… I liked someone else."

Tears slid down her face.

A drop had fallen on the ring on her right hand.

I felt like my heart was going to break into a thousand pieces seeing her again.

Nei, a girl who was cheerful and full of energy, was crying in front of me.

I have no doubt now that Sain brainwashed him. I never imagined that my once best friend would become human scum.

And I'm also a nauseatingly obtuse idiot.

I never realized all that was unfolding behind my back, even though I had the answer right in front of me.

"There is a way to break the brainwashing."

I took a small bottle out of my pocket.

This is a high grade spell potion I found in the ruins.

According to doctors, brainwashing is a kind of curse.

Fortunately, I have a way to free her from it.

However, the doctor also said:

"Whenever you regain control of your thoughts and emotions, there will be repercussions. If your actions during brainwashing deviate too much from your original intentions, it can lead to collapse."

Doing this comes with a great risk.

But no matter what this situation looks like, I can't leave her in that state.

So I will let her decide.

"Drink this and the brainwashing will stop. In return, you will suffer mental anguish, so I'll let you decide. If you don't want to do it, give it back to me."

"…I want to give it some thought."

After grabbing the bottle, Nei lay down and turned her back to me.

She wrapped herself from head to toe in the futon.

"I'll be in the next room, if you need me, call me."

I left the room.

"Gyaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa!!!"

I woke up to a sudden scream.

That scream was Nei's.

I left my room and hurried quickly to Nei's room.

"Are you okay?"

"He-hee-hee-hee-hee! Agh! Agh!"

Nei was in agony in bed.

I held her face with both hands, her back bent like a bow.

Then she fell off the bed and squatted down.

"Fugi, ugiiiiiiiiiiiii! Ehii!"

It was a very hard situation to watch. She was scratching the floor with her fingernails.

Her body kept shaking.

At first I thought she was in agony of pain from the blows she received.

But when I looked at the floor, there was an empty bottle rolling around nearby.

"Nei-San, don't give up, we are here with you, you are not alone."

Kaede casts healing magic on Nei to relieve her mental pain.

The screams of agony were diminishing.

"Toru, don't look at me… I'm dirty…"

"You're not dirty, Nei, you're still the same old girl to me."

"… I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I'm sorry. I said horrible things to you, I've done horrible things. I betrayed my heart, my feelings, I did a lot to Toru. I'm an idiot."

"Sain brainwashed you. It wasn't something you did at your will. Don't think about that, concentrate on getting out of that state, Kaede, Frau and I will be here to support you."

As I turned to leave the room, I heard the sound of metal clanging against the wall.

Nei had taken off Sain's ring and thrown it away.

After that I heard a loud scream.

It's not a good idea for me to be around her right now, so I'll let her handle this situation on her own.

When I left the inn, I sat down on a bench.

"I am amazed at the mental fortitude some people have despite everything that happened.

Little by little the people who fled were returning to the site.

Many people worked together to fix the buildings that were destroyed by the demons.

Some looked depressed, but managed to try to smile.

I would like to think that Nei is just as strong as those people.

If she doesn't make it, I am willing to take care of her for the rest of my life.

Nei is my childhood friend.

She is a very nice girl.

She has taken care of me more times than I can count, and it is because of her that I was able to stay at the party when I was a burden.

She has been my savior.

"Hey, warrior!"

"Oh, hi guys, how are you?"

Some children I had met in the last few days approached me.

In the city they treat me as if I were a hero for having defeated the demons.

No, actually, I am the real hero… I'm still not used to this.

Thanks to this, I am able to rent a place for free, and the things I need for my daily life are given to me immediately when I ask for them.

I was told that when the city is completely restored, they will create a stone statue resembling my image.

Of course I refused, but the residents were so enthusiastic that I had no choice but to accept.

"Show me that again."

"Ugh, well I'll do it."

I pulled out my knife and the boy handed me a piece of firewood he had.

The image of the Red Dragon I defeated earlier popped into my head.

I carved the wood quickly and accurately, and it became a sculpture in a few seconds.

The children were thrilled.

After that, they started bringing me a lot of firewood. There was a great demand from the children who wanted me to make them a lot of things.

The most popular statues I get requests for are Rosuke and Kaede. Then there are the ones of Panda and Frau.

Apparently I'm not very popular with the kids. What a pity.

I got up and said goodbye to the children. I headed towards a group of men who were working.

"Hi, can I help you with the job?"

"You are the hero who saved the city. It grieves me that such a person is working with us."

"Don't worry about it. I'd like to keep my mind busy."

"… So, can you bring the logs from the forest?"

"Of course."

The rest of the day was spent helping with construction work in the city.

Three days had passed and Nei was able to get to the point where she could hold a decent conversation with me. However, if I mentioned anything that dredged up her memory, she would immediately apologize and become very depressed.

Though thanks to Kaede's skills, she seemed to be recovering, albeit slowly.

"Toru is kind."

"What's up with that?"

Nei looked tired as she said that.

I feel that she has lost a lot of weight in the last few days.

"I know you're trying to help me. But that kindness really hurts."

"I went through the same thing when I was with you, too."

"Huh?"

"I was a burden to the whole party. but you never gave up, thanks to you I was able to stay. Your high expectations of me and your kindness weighed heavily on me."

Nei made a puzzled face.

Why that look?

It makes me feel like I'm saying something weird.

"I'm sure you're right, Toru was trying his best, and in a way, he's like me."

"Exactly. You have to try and get over it."

Nei let go of the fork.

"I'm thinking of returning to the village."

"Are you going to retire as an adventurer?"

"Yes. My heart is broken. I'm tired of adventures, of falling in love and of life. I want a quiet life in the country with my mother and father."

'I was tired of life'… I had a bad feeling when I heard those words.

I hope you're not talking about committing suicide, are you?

She is finally free from Sain's spell and I don't want it to end like this.

"Can I at least have the best memories at the end?

She placed her hand on mine.

At that moment I realized what she was thinking.

He says he wants to return to the village, but the truth is that she is going to commit suicide on the way.

"Let's go!"

"Huh? Wow!?"

I grabbed her hand tightly and we left the inn.

I went straight to the store of a slaver who was in town.

"I want to record a master-slave contract with this woman."

"What!?"

You will return to the village. But as my slave.

I will not let you take your life. You will live the rest of your life obeying me.

That will be your punishment.

0

0

0

0

Chapter 38 - Farewell to the warrior

A master-slave contract may be recorded with the consent of both parties, even if not a slave.

High priority orders cannot be changed by themselves unless the master withdraws them… That's what that Slave trader told me.

"I'm just going to go over the rules and make sure the brainwashing isn't still present."

"Okay."

A middle-aged man sprayed a liquid on top of Nei's head.

From what I have heard, there are drugs that confirm the brainwashed state.

Once you put it in your body, if it reacts and glows pale pink, it is because the brainwashing is still at work.

Nei's body did not glow.

"There are cases of brainwashing people to make master-slave contracts. Our business is shady, but we follow the rules to the letter. If we make a contract that is unethical, we reject it instantly."

"Is it really easy to brainwash someone?"

"There are only a limited number of forms of brainwashing in such a short period of time that an abnormal condition occurs. The first is hypnotic magic, which is contraindicated. The second is a brainwashing drug, which is also contraindicated. Lastly there's a skill known as the 'Demonic Eye of Seduction.'"

Nei sneezed, it looks like she's already coming down with a cold.

I decided to cover her with my cape.

I'm sorry, but I'm going to need you to stay a little longer.

It is very necessary for me to listen to the words of this old man.

"Magic and medicine are strictly guarded in all countries, so basically you can't use them. The only thing left is the demonic eye of seduction, but that is extremely rare to manifest, and there are multiple conditions, but if you eliminate them, you can easily dominate the opposite sex."

"What would happen to me if I obtain such power?"

"That would definitely result in imprisonment or execution. There was a time when whoever had that ability did whatever they wanted, and since then, whoever possesses it is treated as a criminal."

…After hearing these words, I have no doubt that Sain has this ability.

If it were magic or medicine, I would have been brainwashed as well.

First of all, I have never seen him use or see any indication that he had such a power.

But there was another moment when that guy was unusually happy.

This was before he was given the news that he could be the hero.

That must have been when the notice of the "Demonic Eye of Seduction's" manifestation appeared before him.

Although, this is just speculation on my part.

I have seen his stats, and I did not see this skill reflected.

"I'll need you to sell me some of those medicines you gave Nei."

"Sure, but they're not cheap."

I bought about five medicines and put them in my pocket.

With this I will be able to confirm if Lisa and Soara have also been brainwashed by him.

Kaede has her appraisal ability, but it is impossible to identify brainwashing with it.

"Are you sure you want to make a master-slave contract?"

"I don't want to do it. If you refuse to accept it, I won't force you… But only if you promise me you won't kill yourself. And I'll pretend we never talked about this."

"I can't make that promise. Maybe I'm going to end up doing it."

"Then let's sign the contract!"

"I don't know. I just don't think it's right for me to be this happy after betraying you."

Huh? What the hell is she talking about?

Does she have brain damage?

Nei covers her face with the hood of my cloak.

"Doing that would be a reward." (so, she likes the idea of being a slave).

"Maybe I should have your head examined by a doctor."

"You are so insensitive!"

Nei smacks her fist against my abdomen.

I'm not sure what's going on, but I don't think she turned down the contract proposal.

Then I remembered something I had wanted to ask a slaver for a long time.

"I'd like to know something – do master-slave contracts have any psychological impact?"

"No."

"So, once you sign the contract, it's automatically a slave?"

"No. Basically, there is a rule that people who don't have a collar are not treated as slaves. On the contrary, if you have the collar, it's a slave even if you don't have a contract."

Hmm, my theory is confirmed. I found out that Kaede's feelings were not affected at all.

It seems that her feelings for me are true.

I feel like it will be hard to look her in the face now.

"Okay, let's get started."

The master-slave contract with Nei was a success.

Several days have passed.

Most of the city has been rebuilt and the stores are full of people.

From time to time, I saw a sign that said "This place supports the Manyu Brigade", I was very embarrassed.

My stone statue has not yet been built. But work is already underway. Arrangements are being made to start very soon.

According to the plans, Kaede and Frau will be on either side of me.

I was asked to come on the day when the stone statue of the Manyu Brigade becomes a symbol of the city.

I wouldn't want to come, I don't like the idea of standing out at all. But I have no choice.

"I'm ready now."

Nei, who was carrying a backpack on her back, turns around and looks back.

There is still sadness in her expression, but it is somewhat brighter than when she was released from brainwashing.

I dare not ask what Sain did to her.

Because that would be the cruelest torture for her.

Maybe I should let her commit suicide.

But I don't have the courage to let the people I grew up with die in vain.

No matter what happens, I want her to live.

"Well, let's walk you into town."

"It's alright, it will be better if I go alone."

"I'll ask you one more time, would you like to join us? I don't know what you're going through, but I think you'll find that being with us will help you more."

"Thank you, but it's better if I go back to town. I don't deserve to be by your side."

Nei stares at Kaede.

They stared at each other for a few seconds and then bowed at the same time.

"Take good care of him. He's mean and insensitive, but he's someone very kind."

"I know."

"And he loves your breasts."

"Hey!"

Don't say anything weird.

It will have a negative effect on my tender and sweet Kaede.

…Although I can't deny it. I do like her breasts.

"At least let me take you to the royal capital of Armand. I know a transport company that can get you to town safely."

"That sounds good."

I don't feel safe saying goodbye to her like this.

Even though the medicine has already taken effect and healed her wounds, I am not completely at ease.

"It's Frau's turn to shine!"

"?"

A question mark appears in my head.

Is there anything Frau can be helpful with in this situation?

"Frau can use her fairy dust, so Nei can reach Armand in one day by flying."

"Oh! That's right!"

"Huh, I can't believe the Lord forgot about it…"

I was thinking of using the magic transfer circle, but that's in the same place as the fairy village, a place I don't want to go.

But if we use Frau's fairy dust, it will be faster for Nei to get to Armand.

To be able to fly… It's something I'm very excited about.

Frau spins above us.

Wow. My legs are floating

"Ooooooh! I'm flying!"

"Is my Lord proud to have a slave like Frau?"

"You're the best! I'm so happy to have made you my friend!"

"Hau~, Lord… My face is so hot."

For some reason, Kaede comes up to me and hugs me.

"I cannot make my master fly, but I can do anything else the master commands me to do. I will heal your wounds and indulge your every desire!"

"Oh… Oh…"

What's wrong with her all of a sudden?

She's fighting for my attention, is this some kind of competition?

Suddenly, Nei punches me in the stomach.

"Don't just start flirting all of a sudden! I thought you were going to take me to Armand!"

"That's right, let's go."

Kaede and Nei follow me from behind, while Frau rides Panda.

Apparently Panda can fly higher as long as she has fairy dust.

"Well, this is goodbye."

"Yes."

Behind Nei, Jonathan's wagon waited at the exit.

In a few days she will arrive in the town where she was born and raised.

She hasn't decided what she's going to do when she returns, but for now she's going to help her parents with their work.

Nei's family is made up of two happily married parents and many siblings, and they all love her, so I am sure she will be well received.

She reached over and grabbed my clothes.

Tears well up in her eyes as she looks at me.

"Please help Soara. I've been able to put up with it because Sain wasn't very interested in me, but Soara is in a pretty terrible state."

"What about Lisa?"

" ......"

Nei averted her gaze and fell silent.

So Soara is in a position to be saved, while Lisa is in a position to…

"Does Toru still like Lisa?"

"I don't know. I used to be able to say it clearly, but nowadays I can't see where my feelings are, probably because I've already given up on her."

"It's better this way, I'm sure Toru… He's very hurt by what happened."

She went on to say; "and…"

"Kill Sain. Only Toru can do it."

"I'm going to do it even if you don't tell me. As your former best friend, I'm going to do the right thing."

"Well, there's nothing more to say."

Nei hugged me and buried her face in my chest.

I heard a snort and then she ran off abruptly and climbed into the carriage.

"See you soon!"

"Yes, we will meet again!"

The carriage departed and I kept waving my hand until I could no longer see it.