Chapter 41

Vaiz's "Ssu" is getting a bit too much...

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"Hehe, it's true that you don't feel pain, isn't it, Ssu?"

"...Hey, Vaiz, stop the jokes."

It doesn't hurt, but having a sword sticking out of my chest isn't a pleasant feeling.

Moreover, what is he thinking, imitating the face of the ogre from earlier?

"That's right, Ssu. Indeed, it's time to stop the jokes, Ssu."

As he said this, he slowly pushed forward something he had been hiding behind him.

"!!??"

There was 'Aura,' bound by her hands and feet, and her mouth stuffed with cloth to prevent her from speaking.

"Uuuu!!"

She struggled desperately to get away from Vaiz. However, there was a clear difference in strength between the two.

On one side, an active adventurer. On the other, someone who spends every day accumulating knowledge about monsters.

Moreover, Aura's hands and feet were bound, making it difficult for her to move at all.

"If you pull out that sword, I'll kill this woman, so be careful, Ssu."

"What!?"

"Ah, and that sword is coated with a drug that amplifies pain, so it should start taking effect soon, Ssu."

...What is going on here?

"Ahaha, you have a face like 'What's going on?' You still don't get it, do you? I'm the traitor, Ssu. I was the one who called the ogre, Ssu."

"...So, what's your purpose...?"

First, I don't understand how he was controlling the ogre. He might have some powerful ability, but his purpose is still unclear.

"Hmm, purpose, Ssu? If I have to say, it's because of 'orders from above,' Ssu."

"Is that why you're having the ogre attack the town...?"

"That's right, Ssu. And in the end, I have to destroy the town completely, Ssu. By the way, before this ogre, I sent a large group of goblins, but they were taken care of by 'someone,' Ssu."

...

It must be me.

"Hey, is the pain starting to come, Ssu? If you use it, even the toughest person will scream in pain, so do your best, Ssu."

...Indeed, it's starting to hurt a little.

Until now, it was just a little itchy, but now it feels like the pain when I fell and got hurt before I learned healing magic.

However, the drug doesn't seem to be over yet.

Looking at Aura, her face is already pale as she looks at me.

...If I had known this would happen, I should have talked more with Aura. If this continues, I won't be able to free her from slavery.

I absolutely have to prevent that, but I don't think they'll let me.

...Is there no other way but to die here...

---

...Wait, it's not getting any more painful...

Is this drug just slow-acting?

"Is the pain getting so bad that you can't even talk, Ssu? Well, that can't be helped, Ssu."

...What should I do? This must be something wrong with me...

It seems he misunderstood my silence, but the pain has remained the same since earlier.

"That healing magic is troublesome, Ssu. You should be unable to focus on healing because of the pain, Ssu."

...I see, so that was the plan. They must have planned to attack the town during this time.

Even after a while, the pain didn't get any worse.

I thought maybe it was just slow-acting, but it doesn't seem like it will get any worse.

...But just standing here won't change anything.

I could bet on the monster hunting party that defeated the ogre coming this way, but honestly, I don't have much hope.

The longer it takes, the more likely it is that they'll realize the drug isn't affecting me.

...So, what should I do?

The sword is still stuck in my chest, and blood is still coming out.

I want to heal it as soon as possible.

Is there any way to break this situation...?

---

...I have an idea.

...But I really don't want to do it.

However, if I miss this chance, it might be too late...

I have to make up my mind...

"GYAAAAAAAH!!! It hurts!!! GAAAAAAH!!!"

...This is so embarrassing.

I'm currently crouching and crying out loud...

I tried to imitate the ogre's scream from earlier, and it seemed to work.

...Even someone who is strong against pain will cry out.

"Ahaha, even someone without pain sensation ends up like this, Ssu."

I can't see my face because I'm crouching, but I must look terrible.

Aura is probably pale, but she'll have to bear with it for now.

"PIGYAAAAAAH!!!"

I let out a loud scream and collapsed on the ground.

I might have overdone it a bit, but it will be more convincing this way.

"...Hmm, did he die? Well, he was stabbed with a sword for so long, so it can't be helped, Ssu."

...Alright!!

The plan to pretend to be dead seems to have worked!!

"Then, this person is no longer necessary, Ssu. I'll kill him, Ssu."

...What!?

This is bad, I didn't think of that.

I try to think of a way out, but no good ideas come to mind.

"Ah, but going to the town covered in blood is no good, so I'll just leave him here, Ssu. Nest is dead and there's no reaction, Ssu."

By chance, Aura was spared.

...Vaiz's footsteps are getting farther away. It seems he's heading towards the town.

I can't get up immediately, so I stay on the ground for a while.

Then, I feel something rubbing against me.

"...!...uuu, Nest... Wake up...!!"

---It's Aura.

She must have come here despite being bound by her hands and feet.

...What should I do now?