Chapter 30

Considering it's by the coast and 255 km from Asiasparn, it's clear that this is the southeastern coast.

If that's the case, heading north along the coast should lead us to the port town of Kura.

It's about a day's horse ride from Kura to Peho, so it should be about a five-day walk from here to Kura.

"You seem to know a lot."

When I relayed my deductions, Yuki said this with a blank expression. She doesn't really seem to think so. She probably finds me suspicious.

"Can't believe it?"

"No, that's not it."

"Then why are you so cold?"

"It's just my nature."

"…………"

No good. I decided to change my approach.

I'll keep provoking her to draw out her emotions—there's no other way.

Otherwise, it feels like I'm talking to an inanimate object, and I might go crazy.

"Yuki, if you're so suspicious, why don't you come up with an alternative plan?"

"I am my master's slave. I don't doubt you."

"Do you know where we are?"

"No, I don't."

"How would you get back to Peho?"

"I think the master's plan is the best."

"So you agree with me. Then why are you suspicious?"

"I'm not doubting you."

"Lying is bad."

"I'm not lying."

"…………"

This... No, stay calm.

In such cases, the standard approach is to attack the weak points and break them down.

"...You've been like this since we met. You're hiding behind a shell."

"Hmm."

"You're hiding your past. Is it that important to keep it hidden?"

"Everyone has a past they don't want to be known."

"Even in a master-slave relationship?"

"Of course."

"Are you going to keep acting and hiding your past forever?"

"Yes... ...!"

Gotcha! She slipped up!

"Hmm? You just admitted you're acting, didn't you?"

"No, I just nodded out of habit."

"Oh oh? You're speaking a bit faster, are you nervous?"

"...No such thing."

"Hmm, hmm, oh? Your mouth is twitching?"

"…………"

It's working, it's working.

Yuki's emotions are gradually surfacing. It's time to get to the point.

"...Talking won't do any good. Are you going to keep silent and maintain this distant relationship with me forever?"

"…………"

"To be honest... I think it's better to reveal it."

I'm starting to feel like an interrogating detective.

Actually, I already have a pretty good idea. I did some research last night and recognized the name of the executed duchess, Lucia Aishin.

"Spill it. It'll be a relief. Hiding it is a waste."

"I...!"

"Hmm?"

"For whose sake am I hiding it...!"

Ah, I see. And?

"For... Lady Lucia's kindness...!"

Kindness. Keeping silent and not involving others is kindness to her. I see.

"That's not kindness. It's self-satisfaction."

"…………!"

When I said that, Yuki turned her back on me with an angry expression and walked ahead.

The plan was a success. I managed to expose her emotions.

I might have gone a bit too far, but it was necessary to break down Yuki's defenses.

Well, it's getting dark. We need to set up camp...

* * *

He's a despicable man. That's what I thought.

Talking about becoming the best in the world—such an impossible and foolish dream to attract attention. A man like that is not fit to be a master.

His true nature was soon revealed.

He only lets excellent female magic archers and a small beast girl fight in front of him while he stays behind. The idea of such a man being "the best in the world" is utterly ridiculous.

His archery skills, which I glimpsed during the boss fight, were indeed first-rate. But why didn't he use them on the way? To keep himself safe and make things easier for himself. The more I think about it, the more despicable this man seems.

Random teleportation? 255 km away? Seven days to Peho? How does he know all this? It's a lie, of course.

This man probably used some dirty trick to be alone with me. The reason he bought me is not to be a blacksmith but a sex slave. He's probably planning to take advantage of me in a place where no one can see.

Sadly, I can't resist.

If this man is my first... If that happens, I will take my own life—

—But I stopped myself there.

I can't throw away this life given to me by Lady Lucia.

That's right. Why did I forget? My life belongs to Lady Lucia.

I must resist at all costs.

...This man, Second. He keeps prying into my past. I don't know what his purpose is, but my silence is no longer for his sake. It's to protect the two people who are with him.

Self-satisfaction? I feel like vomiting.

I can't show any weakness to this man.

I made up my mind and hurried ahead.

The first day ended, and the second day began.

He didn't touch me.

In fact, he stayed up all night to keep watch. He's probably trying to make me let my guard down.

I barely slept because I was on guard all night. If this continues, I'll reach my limit. I need to do something, but I have no means. I'm a slave. I can't even run away. I don't know what to do.

"Hey, give it up already. Tell me everything."

While thinking about this, he started prying again.

"You're so persistent."

I was irritated and responded in a confrontational manner.

"Do you really not trust me?"

"Yes, very much."

"Then what can I do to gain your trust?"

"...Well, if you die right now, I might trust you."

A vein popped on his forehead. He seems angry.

"Hey, Yuki, what's the matter?"

"What is it, Master? Are you planning to use violence on your slave?"

"Shut up! No lunch for you!"

"What!"

How despicable!

"That's a breach of contract!"

"The contract says adequate food. Two meals a day are enough! I think so! Ha ha ha!"

We have to walk tens of kilometers, and this man...

"What's the matter? If you don't apologize, I won't give you lunch."

"Ugh...!"

Humiliation! If I have to apologize to this man, I... But...

"...Just kidding."

Then he chuckled and said that. It looked like a mocking smile to me, and I couldn't stand it.

"I don't need it."

"Huh?"

"I don't need lunch."

"Hey, you'll collapse!"

"I said I don't need it. That's fine."

"Wait! I'm sorry! Eat something!"

"That's fine!"

I hurried ahead.

My head is getting cold.

I became quite emotional.

But there's no going back now.

...

What did I want to do...?

The third morning.

The night was a battle against sleep.

...My feet are wobbly.

Two sleepless nights, a full day of travel, no lunch yesterday, and only a little dinner. Even as an assassin, I have my limits. I can feel myself approaching my limit.

He didn't touch me last night either. He's probably waiting for me to completely lose consciousness. What a cowardly man.

Today's journey was, as usual, mostly arguments.

We can't talk without arguing.

Arguing over breakfast.

Arguing over who walks in front.

Arguing over lunch.

Arguing over taking a break.

Arguing over dinner.

Arguing over night watch.

The master-slave relationship was long forgotten.

Part of it was due to sleep deprivation and fatigue affecting my judgment.

I was on edge to avoid showing any weakness, and the result was constant arguments.

However.

That night, I finally fell into a deep sleep...

* * *

Emotionally unstable.

That was obvious.

Yuki's words and actions were full of contradictions.

A state of disarray due to her excessive caution towards me.

It was getting worse due to fatigue.

I know why she's like this.

I had a hunch when I learned the duchess's name during my research the night before we headed to Asiasparn. I was certain when I saw her on guard against my nocturnal advances on the first night by the coast.

—Yuki is "brainwashed."

Probably to "be suspicious of her master."

The culprit is clear. The duchess Lucia Aishin, who has the unique skill 'Brainwashing Magic.' She was known as the "Brainwashing Grandma" in Mevion.

The only way to break the brainwashing is through "a strong emotional outburst caused by a life-threatening situation." That's it.

In the Mevion story, there was a heavy scene where an NPC brainwashed by the duchess had their brainwashing broken when they saw their lover killed in front of them.

The brainwashing magic felt like a skill forced into the story for such a heavy plot, but in the real world, it's a different story. It's a real pain.

I need to make her show her emotions.

And I need to evoke strong emotions.

Just arguing doesn't seem to be enough.

What should I do?

What should I do...

...

"......!"

Phew, I almost dozed off.

It's two more days to the port town of Kura. I have to keep going.

I took out a Status Recovery Potion++ from my inventory and drank it all at once. It has a slight effect on drowsiness, but there are limits.

What should I do?

I sat by the fire, arms crossed, and spent the night pondering.

Thank you for reading.