Chilling sentimental journey with point saving! [Volume 2] [Ch 1] (Patreon)

[Sains side]

In a modest room of an inn, I gazed at the sacred sword I had acquired.

The one-handed sword was adorned with exquisite and elegant decorations, resembling a work of art. The blade was flawless, reflecting my face like a mirror. It was truly a weapon worthy of a hero.

A smile crept onto my face, and I couldn't help but grin.

—Hehe, hehehe.

Finally, after much anticipation, I had obtained the sacred weapon I had longed for.

I had waited so long for this day.

Since the day I received the hero job, my thoughts had been consumed by the sacred sword. The job, the sword, and the title bestowed upon me by the royal family—only when all three were united could one truly be called a hero.

Now, all that was left was to achieve some impressive feats befitting a hero.

If I accomplished that, my name would shine brightly in history.

However, it was too early to relax. Even though the hero job specialized in battling the Demon King, there had been heroes in the past who had fallen to him. To avoid sharing their fate, I needed to be at least level 100.

And then... there were my companions. I glanced at the three people in the room.

Nei, the fighter; Soara, the priestess; and Lisa, the mage.

All of them were in their level 40s—would they be able to keep up until the end?

The journey to confront the Demon King would be incredibly tough. I couldn't afford to have any dead weight in my party. That included anyone who might irritate me. Selection was essential.

—There are demons lurking around this town, right? When are we going to hunt them down?

—I plan to act as soon as there’s any movement. — Nei replied.

—Do you think we can win at our current levels? It might not hurt to train a little more first. — Soara suggested cautiously.

—Hey Soara, we can't afford to be so laid-back. The townspeople are living in fear of when they might be attacked. Did you see those guys outside? — Nei retorted.

—That’s true, but if we die, it won’t matter at all.

Tch, here we go again with the bickering.

I kept Soara around because she could use healing skills, but her overly cautious nature sometimes held us back as a party.

Don’t get me worked up. There’s no way high-level enemies would show up in such a deep area on the human side.

The most we should expect to find lurking around are a few low-level monsters, maybe twenty or thirty at most.

Suddenly, the building shook violently.

—What was that shaking?!

—Sain , people outside are running away!

—Is it an enemy attack?

—Alright, I’ll take care of this quickly. — Nei declared confidently.

We rushed out of the inn toward the source of the commotion.

The outer wall had been breached, leaving a gaping hole.

Over a hundred demon soldiers were pouring into the town from outside the wall.

—You all can wreak havoc as much as you want. Kill all the men, and bring back any attractive women. Don’t forget to gather food and valuables!

The one giving orders was a massive man radiating an intimidating presence.

The demon soldiers ruthlessly attacked the panicked townspeople.

I couldn’t help but wonder why these monsters, who were supposed to be hiding, had chosen this moment to strike. But I quickly pushed that thought aside; it didn’t matter right now.

An opportunity for action has presented itself. Isn’t that a cause for celebration?

—Everyone, get into battle formation! We’re taking that guy down!" 

—Understood. But… Shouldn’t we prioritize evacuating the townspeople first?

—If we take out that big guy, the rest will retreat. We just have to hold out here. — Nei countered.

But—

Soara was showing signs of resistance again. Now was not the time to create discord.

—Shut it! I don’t care how many civilians die! Just listen to what I say!

—Y–Yes. — Soara stammered, her body trembling and her face paling.

I couldn’t afford to be irritated any further; if I let my frustration grow, it could cost us the fight.

—Flame Blow!

Lisa’s fire magic struck the enemy horde directly, engulfing the large man who seemed to be their commander in flames.

The surprise attack was successful. However, I knew he wouldn’t go down so easily. I charged forward, sword drawn, ready to strike. Let him tremble before the might of Hero Sain .

With a thunderous clash, my blade met something solid.

—You thought you could take me down with such a weak strike?

—Unharmed?!

The flames dissipated, revealing the massive man once more. In his hand was a wicked-looking axe that had blocked my sword.

This guy shrugged off Lisa’s magic and remained unscathed—this is bad news.

Using my appraisal skill, I confirmed he was level 150.

His learned skills weren’t impressive, but his overwhelming level more than compensated for that. A chill ran down my spine, a primal instinct warning me; he likely far surpassed me in combat skills.

What the hell is this guy doing here? 

The man locked eyes with me, assessing me as if I were some sort of prize.

—Are you, perhaps, the newly chosen hero?

—W–What if I am?!

—Don’t be so scared. I’ve only been ordered by the Demon King to play with you a little. I won’t accidentally kill you here.

My sword was effortlessly deflected, and before I could react, a powerful left hook slammed into my exposed abdomen.

—Gah?!

The impact and searing pain buckled my legs.

I coughed up thick saliva mixed with blood. My vision blurred, and the pain dulled my thoughts. I was shaken; I had never taken this much damage before in my life.

Suddenly, he grabbed my hair and forced my face up to meet his gaze.

—Is that it? Just one hit and you’re done? The real fun starts now.

—Please… don’t kill me…

—Ha! Have you finally realized how scared you should be? What’s your level?

—63.

—Seriously? You thought you could challenge someone at 150 with that? You’re definitely a hero. Right, guys?

The demon soldiers behind him burst into laughter.

I felt a humiliation unlike anything I had ever experienced.

If I had known he was level 150, I wouldn’t have even tried to fight. I would have abandoned this town without a second thought. Don’t laugh at me; don’t you dare laugh at me. I’ll kill you all.

—Sain , I’m coming to help!

Lisa’s fire magic struck the man squarely in the face. I quickly stepped back to give her space, and Nei moved in with a powerful right hook aimed at his jaw. However, the man didn’t budge; he calmly absorbed Nei's punch with his forehead.

—Not even close!

Nei twisted her body and landed a spinning kick to the man's thick neck. However, he stood there like a rock, unyielding.

Perfect. I’ll let Nei keep fighting him.

—Nei! Hold him here!

—W–wait, Sain?! Are you really going to abandon me?!

—Please help her! She’s an important member of our paty!

—Do you think I care if she dies here? I’m the hero! I’m the chosen one destined to defeat the Demon King and save the world!

Both Lisa and Soara fell silent. It was a natural reaction. What I was saying was the truth. The weight of our lives was fundamentally different. They could die, but I had to survive at all costs.

—Get out of here! I’ll handle this! — Nei shouted.

—Of course. You’re not bad looking, but I’m bored now. Do me a favor and die properly for me here.

—Sain?

I pulled the two of them away as we retreated.

Damn it, losing a piece like this was unexpected. I had intended to discard her eventually, but that was only after finding a new piece. Fine, next time I’ll claim a woman who’s both stronger and more pleasant to hold. Ideally, someone else’s woman—there’s nothing quite like the thrill of taking what belongs to someone else.

—AAAAAHHHHHH!

The moment we exited the town, Nei's scream echoed behind us.

—Nei…

—What have you done? How could you abandon your teammate?

—A noble sacrifice. Don’t dwell on it.

What worried me more was that I hadn’t fulfilled the king’s request.

Wait a minute… is this really a problem?

No, it’s not. It’s the kingdom’s fault for not warning us about the level 150 enemy. I’m the victim here. I was almost killed! Plus, I lost one of my teammates. The blame should rest with the kingdom and the king, not me. I’ll return to the kingdom and take on a different request that’s easier to accomplish.

—We'll be heading back to my homeland.

—…Okay.

—…Okay.

My legend is just beginning.

***

[Toru’s side]

Exiting the crumbling ruins, we found ourselves in a forest.

The temperature and humidity were much higher compared to the Fairy Village. The humid air clung to my body, and just standing there made sweat bead on my forehead. It seemed we had ventured south.

—Did you see anything? — I asked.

—I see black smoke. Could it be a fire?

Frau, who was scouting from above, pointed in a certain direction.

Kaede sniffed the air slightly.

—It definitely smells burnt. And there’s the scent of blood and cooked flesh. Is that… screams?

—We’re heading that way immediately! Frau, lead the way!

—Got it!

With Frau at the front, we started running, followed closely by Kaede and Panta. I should probably summon Rosuke here in preparation for battle.

—Panta, return! Rosuke, come forth!

—Shaaa!!

Rosuke immediately switched into combat mode.

Her speed was significantly faster than Panta’s. With a smooth glide, she positioned herself in front of me.

—Master, over there!

In our path lay the bodies of several men—dead. Nearby, there were also demon corpses scattered about.

—Is anyone still alive?!

—…No one.

—Damn it, let’s hurry!

From the looks of it, this was a demon raid targeting humans.

The black smoke rising likely came from a village or town.

We increased our speed as we moved forward.

As expected, the town’s outer wall had been breached. Plumes of black smoke rose into the sky, and the air was filled with countless screams.

The attack was still ongoing. There was still time; lives could be saved.

—Rosuke, take down every demon you see!

—Understood!

We entered the town behind her.

Everywhere I looked, there were human corpses—it was a horrific sight. Buildings lay in ruins, and demons laughed together while clutching their plundered treasures. Some even took pleasure in tormenting the dead bodies. Even for someone like me, who usually had a calm demeanor, witnessing such a scene made it impossible to remain serene. My anger boiled over.

—Flower Blizzard!

—Break Hammer!

The hammer shattered the frozen demon soldiers.

In front of me stood the backs of my two companions.

—Master, let’s hurry to save the survivors!

—Just give the orders. Frau will take care of the rest!

Thanks to their encouragement, I felt a bit of my calm returning.

Right, I mustn’t lose sight of our priorities. Our main goal is to save the remaining people, not to let our anger lead us into reckless violence.

—Spread out and help the townspeople. Kaede, you head that way; Frau, you take the other direction. I’ll clear out enemies while moving toward the center.

—Understood.

—Got it!

We split off in different directions. I headed straight for the town center.

There had to be a leader coordinating this attack. If I could take him down, the rest of the demons would surely retreat.

—Get out of my way!

I slashed through the demons that charged at me, each one splattered with blood as if they had just finished their gruesome work.

I arrived at the town center.

There, a demon man was dangling a blood-soaked woman by one hand.

—Is this all you’ve got? I expected more from a hero, but I’m disappointed.

—Ugh…

—You’re just unlucky. To be used as a pawn like this—ha ha ha.

The man was a towering figure, easily over three meters tall.

The demon before me had a thick, muscular physique, with veins bulging like tree roots. Two horns protruded from his head, and his fierce expression made him look incredibly intimidating.

This guy… he’s really strong.

He was leagues above the demon commanders I had fought before.

The moment I saw the face of the woman he was holding, I felt as if my heart had been gripped in a vice.

—Nei?

Nei, the fighter from the White Fang led by Sain . My childhood friend and former teammate. She had always been free-spirited, treating me like one of the guys without regard for gender.

Though she was like a male friend to me, there had been a time when we had drifted apart for reasons I couldn’t understand. I vividly remembered how she tried to cheer me up when I was feeling down, laughing it off and encouraging me. She even supported my training when I worried about being a burden.

When I was contemplating confessing to Lisa, she told me; “If you’re a man, just go for it!”

Our parting had been terrible. Yet, I still held many memories of her close to my heart.

To see Nei—the life of our party—treated like a rag doll…

—Darm-sama, looks like we’ve got some lively company.

—Is that so? He seems more capable than those other heroes. You can deal with him first.

—Yes, sir!

About ten demon soldiers drew their curved swords. The man called Darm tossed Nei aside like trash, his interest shifting from her to me.

A bubbling anger surged within me like magma.

Where is Sain ?

Why did Nei have to fight alone?

Why wasn’t I there to help her?

—You’re not Nei’s boyfriend, are you?

—Die, human!

Surrounded, I faced a barrage of pointed blades aimed at me.

But I didn’t flinch. The trembling in my hands wasn’t from fear; it was the overwhelming anger I couldn’t contain.

—W-why can’t we skewer him?

—This guy is incredibly tough!

—The blade just bounces off?!

—Darm-sama, this guy is—

In an instant, I drew my great sword and cleaved one of the demons in half.

I continued to swing my blade, scattering the lesser demons around me.

I had no interest in them.

The one I needed to deal with was him.

—Oh? It seems you’ve broken through the level 100 barrier. And that bracelet… you must be a human who has received the title of hero.

—And you’re one of the Demon King’s subordinates?

—Indeed. I am Darm, one of the Six Generals.

So he was on par with the commander I had just killed. But why was a demon general here?

As if reading my thoughts, he answered my unspoken question.

—Curious why a general would come out personally? Simple—I want to see blood. I want to tear flesh and shake eardrums with screams. Isn’t it unfair that only my subordinates get to enjoy such pleasures?

—Don’t ask for my agreement.

—Oh right, how could I forget? I got a bit carried away.

Darm drew a wicked-looking axe from his waist.

The weapon was entirely a deep crimson color, with a pulsating heart-like core in the center of the blade. Could this be the rumored demon sword, the antithesis of the sacred sword?

Without any signal, my battle with him commenced.

—Hah!

—Ugh!

The massive figure charged at me with incredible speed, swinging his axe.

When I blocked it with my great sword, a shockwave reverberated through the buildings, sending dust swirling into the air.

This guy was definitely over level 100.

Our blades clashed, creating a deafening metallic sound as sparks flew. I lost count of how many strikes we exchanged, locked in close combat.

—You don’t back down an inch against me. Could you actually be the real hero?

—Sorry, I’m just a warrior.

—Yet you’re far too strong for that—I'm level 150, you know.

—Numbers don’t mean anything.

My mind was sharp, but deep within me, rage boiled over.

I would never forgive the one who had done this to Nei. With a powerful thrust, I stepped in and severed his left arm. Blood sprayed as it spun through the air.

—W–What?! My arm!

—I don’t care if you’re a general or whatever; you’re wide open.

Darm’s expression twisted with fury as he raised his axe high.

But I chose not to react. I was already prepared for what was coming next.

—Ice Rock!

With a sharp crack, his right arm froze solid.

—Break Hammer!!

The hammer struck with a resounding thud, sending Darm crashing into a building.

Landing lightly on the roof was Kaede, wielding an iron fan, her white tail swaying gently. Frau spun her hammer in the air before resting it on her shoulder, her long twin tails fluttering in the wind.

—Sorry for the delay, Master.

—The evacuation is almost complete. We just need to handle this area now.

—Thank you both.

Darm emerged from the rubble, spitting out blood.

He shattered the ice encasing his right arm. Sweat dripped from his brow, and his complexion was worse than when the fight began.

—So you had allies. This isn’t good for you.

—I have no intention of letting you escape.

—I wasn’t planning on running away. Respond, cursed weapon!

From his wicked axe, tendrils resembling roots slithered up his arm, causing spikes and armor to sprout from his shoulder and arm.

So this is the power of a demon sword. How grotesque and sinister. I could sense that his aura had grown significantly stronger.

—I’ll let you in on a little secret: the demon sword temporarily boosts the user’s level by thirty percent. How does that feel? Despairing, isn’t it? Hehe.

If he started at level 150, that would make him 195.

That certainly would be a threat if it were a close match.

—Panta!

With a swift motion, I called for my companion.

The axe-wielding arm spun in the air, and blood gushed from the severed wound.

—…Impossible, what was that speed?

In less than a second, I had sliced off his right arm at the shoulder.

Darm’s eyes widened in shock more than pain as he registered the sudden appearance of his enemy and the abrupt disappearance of his limb.

This was a silent sword strike made possible by simultaneously using Grand Thief and Dragon Knight skills.

—I forgot to mention, I’m level 300.

—That can’t be—

Before he could finish his sentence, I cleaved him in two.

Ideally, I wanted to beat him to a pulp before killing him for what he did to Nei. 

However, I quickly realized that would be too difficult.

No matter how high his level was, he couldn’t match my technique. It was frustrating, but Darm’s combat sense was superior to mine. A skilled fighter is also good at escaping. I decided it would be better to end this quickly rather than indulge in my anger.

I sheathed my sword and ran toward Nei.

—Nei! Nei!

—Ah… Sain …

—Even now you’re thinking about him?! Stay strong!

No, this wasn’t good; her consciousness was fading, putting her in a dangerous state. I needed to tend to her immediately; she couldn’t die here. Please, just hold on.

—Kyuu!!

I summoned Panta and placed Nei onto him.

The large, circular white cushion cradled her gently.

We needed to get her somewhere safe to rest.

***

My memories of carrying Nei became hazy.

I found an empty inn and laid her down on a bed. Then, while Kaede used her skills to stop the bleeding, I managed to get Nei to drink a high potion…

High potions are exceptional healing items.

While they can't heal missing limbs, they can instantly repair fractures or ruptured organs.

However, they only forcibly return the injured area to its original form; any damage remains, making those areas prone to reopening. Naturally, the blood she lost wouldn’t be restored either.

The door opened, and a doctor stepped out. He nodded slightly at me before leaving the inn.

It seemed his examination was over, so he entered the room.

—How did it go?

—It looks like the high potion worked; she’s going to be okay. However, she needs complete bed rest for a while.

—Is that so…

I peered closely at Nei’s sleeping face. Perhaps the pain had subsided; she looked peaceful now.

I couldn’t help but feel grateful for the high potion that had brought her back from such a terrible state.

—Hey! You two, stop fighting!

—Kyu!

–Shaa!!

Inside the room, Panta and Rosuke were growling at each other.

However, Panta was hiding behind Frau. If he was scared, he shouldn’t be picking fights. Perhaps it was his pride as a senior beast companion that drove him to do so. My arrival made the two pause their quarrel.

—Master, come here for a moment.

—What is it?

Kaede led me to a corner of the room.

The atmosphere suggested it was a secret conversation—something she probably didn’t want Frau to hear.

—I actually noticed something while appraising Nei…

—What is it? Just say it clearly.

—Please listen calmly and carefully to what I’m about to tell you.

Don’t beat around the bush; just tell me straight.

Kaede took a deep breath and slowly exhaled.

—Nei is in a state of brainwashing.

—…B–Brainwashing?!

—There’s an abnormal status effect showing up on her status. It’s possible that her thoughts are being forcibly influenced by magic or drugs.

As I looked at Nei’s sleeping form, my thoughts became jumbled.

Nei is… brainwashed?

By whom? Who did this?

A familiar face flashed through my mind.

No way, that’s impossible. Even if he’s rotten to the core, he wouldn’t do something like that. To brainwash someone he grew up with?

But if—if that were true—

I would kill Sain .

***

I continued to wait patiently for Nei to wake up.

Kaede and Frau were dozing off beside me. Panta had closed his eyes and floated in midair.

—Where am I…?

Nei woke up, and I rushed over to her.

—Are you in pain?! Is your mind clear?!

—…Toru?

—Yeah, it’s me. Toru.

She blinked slowly, taking in her surroundings before gradually sitting up.

—Oh right, I was abandoned.

—By Sain?

—Yeah, I was being used as a decoy because I was about to lose to that big guy. He told me to just die.

Her clenched fists trembled. In that moment, my anger transformed into murderous intent.

Seeing my expression, Nei looked confused.

—Why are you making that face? If we’re comrades, it’s only natural to be used as a pawn. Sure, it was shocking to be discarded by Sain, but if I’m alive, we can regroup again.

—You’re being brainwashed by him.

—…Oh.

Her reaction was unexpected. I thought she would deny it outright.

She gave a bitter smile, sadness washing over her features.

Perhaps she had felt something was off within herself. No, it made sense. Even if she was in a brainwashed state, her past memories wouldn’t vanish. There had to be some lingering discomfort.

I pulled a chair closer and sat down.

—I… I like Sain . But this feeling is somehow wrong, and my thoughts are all messed up. Everything feels off. I should have been able to love the person I liked…

Tears began to stream down her face.

On her right hand was the ring—the very same one that had caused all this turmoil.

I had an impulsive urge to rip it off and throw it away.

Nei was crying, and the realization hit me hard. The one who had brainwashed her was undoubtedly Sain . I had known he was a scumbag, but to see him as such a despicable human being was sickening.

And here I was, a painfully oblivious fool.

I hadn’t even noticed the burden she had been carrying while I was so close.

—There’s a way to break the brainwashing.

I pulled out a small vial from my pocket. This was the highest-grade dispel potion I had found in the ruins.

According to the doctor, brainwashing is a type of curse. Fortunately, I already had the means to save her.

However, the doctor also warned me:

"Restoring thoughts and emotions will inevitably come with backlash. If the actions taken during brainwashing diverge significantly from her true will, the mental burden could be immense. In some cases, it could even lead to a breakdown."

Administering the potion carried high risks; I understood that.

But I couldn’t just leave things as they were. So, I decided to let her choose.

—If you drink this, the brainwashing will be lifted. But you’ll suffer mental pain as a result. It’s up to you what you want to do. If you’re okay with this, just give it back.

—…Let me think for a bit.

Nei took the vial and turned away from me, curling up under the blankets.

—I’ll be in the next room, so call for me anytime.

I quietly left the room.

Suddenly, I was jolted awake by a scream. That voice was unmistakably Nei’s.

I dashed out of my room and into the adjacent one.

—Are you okay?!

—Ahh! Hiiiii! Agh, ugh!

Nei writhed in agony on the bed.

She pressed her hands against her face, arching her back. Then she rolled off the bed, curling up on the floor.

—Ugh, ughhh! Ehh!

It was a disturbing sight. She clawed at the floor, digging her nails in.

Her body trembled slightly. At first, I thought it was just screaming, but it was clear now—she was choking back sobs.

An empty vial rolled across the floor.

Kaede and Frau, who had been sleeping nearby, woke up, and Kaede rushed to Nei's side.

—Nei, hang in there! I’m here for you.

Kaede enveloped her in a comforting embrace and used her healing wave.

It seemed to have a soothing effect on Nei's mental anguish.

Gradually, Nei’s voice began to calm.

—Toru, don’t look at me… at this filthy me…

—You’re not filthy. You’ve always been Nei to me.

—I’m so sorry. I’m so sorry. I did terrible things, betrayed my own heart and you too; I’m the worst. This is just too awful.

—You were brainwashed by Sain ; it wasn’t your will. Just rest for now. Kaede, Frau, I’m stepping out for a moment; I’ll leave the rest to you.

As I tried to exit the room, a sound like metal clanging against the wall echoed.

She must have thrown Sain ’s ring away in a fit of rage.

Then came a cry that sounded almost like a wail.

I felt that my presence might not be helpful right now.

Once outside the inn, I found a suitable spot to sit down. I had felt invincible with my level up, but here I was—unable to even save my childhood friend. I remained a powerless warrior.

The town was bustling with people even in the early morning. I stared blankly at the scene before me.

—People are strong. Even after everything that happened...

The town was slowly beginning to recover.

Many people were repairing the buildings destroyed by the demons with hammers in hand. Some wore downcast expressions, but they were trying their best to smile.

I hoped Nei would find strength like theirs.

If she couldn’t, I was prepared to take care of her for the rest of my life.

Nei was my childhood friend, like a sister to me. She was an incredible person who had helped me countless times. The reason I could even be part of that party was because of her. I had been saved by her bright spirit more times than I could count.

I bit my lip, fighting back tears.

I wasn’t the only one suffering; everyone here was in pain.

—Hey, warrior big brother!

—Oh, hey there! How are you?

Familiar children gathered around me. I hurriedly wiped my eyes with my arm.

I didn’t want them to see me in this vulnerable state.

The townspeople regarded me as a hero for defeating the demons. Well, technically, I was a real hero now. Thanks to that, I could stay at the inn for free and get whatever I needed right away.

I truly couldn’t thank the people of this town enough.

—Show us that thing again!

—Alright, alright.

I pulled out my knife and took the wood from the children.

I envisioned the red dragon I had defeated before. With swift and precise movements, I carved the wood into a small figure in just two or three seconds.

The children erupted in excitement.

After that, they overwhelmed me with requests for more figures, demanding I make this and that.

The most popular were Rosuke and Kaede, followed by Panta and Frau. It seemed I wasn’t very popular with the kids. What a shame. Still, it was a small distraction from my worries.

After dispersing the children, I called out to the men who were working nearby.

—Is there anything I can help with?

—You’re the hero who saved the town. It would be a shame to have you working.

—Don’t worry about it. If I don’t keep busy, I feel like I’ll sink into despair.

—…Well then, could you help us carry logs from the forest?

—For sure.

I spent the day helping with the reconstruction efforts.

***

Three days passed.

Nei was finally able to have a decent conversation with me.

However, whenever she mentioned anything that might trigger her memories, she would immediately apologize and become deeply depressed. Still, thanks to Kaede’s skills, it seemed she was gradually improving.

—Toru, you’re so kind.

—What’s that all of a sudden?

Nei said this at dinner, looking quite fatigued.

She seemed to have lost quite a bit of weight over the past few days. The spark she once had was gone, and she hardly made eye contact with me.

—You’re trying to help someone like me. But that kindness is painful.

—Hah! Just so you know, I felt the same way!

—Huh?

—You didn’t abandon me when I was just a burden; you let me stay. That expectation and kindness weighed heavily on me.

She looked at me in surprise, her expression blank.

Nei's expression was one of surprise. 

—What's with that look?

It felt strange to be saying something like this.

—Haha, right. Toru, you were doing your best too. In a way, we’re the same.

—Exactly, so please overcome this.

Nei set down her fork with a wry smile.

—I’m thinking of going back to my village.

—Are you retiring from being an adventurer?

—Yeah. My heart is broken. I’m tired of adventures, excitement, and life in general. I just want to live quietly in the countryside with my mom and dad.

Hearing her say she was tired of life sent a chill down my spine.

I felt an unsettling sensation, as if some instinct was warning me. There was a subtle difference in her demeanor that felt off compared to how she usually was.

She wouldn’t be thinking of ending her own life, would she?

After finally freeing her from Sain’s grip, I didn’t want it all to end like this.

—At least let me give you one last wonderful memory.

I gently placed my hand over hers.

In that moment, I became certain.

She was planning to return to the village and die somewhere along the way.

—Come on!

—What?! Ahh!

I firmly grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the inn.

I headed straight for the town's slave trader.

—Please inscribe a master-servant contract with this woman.

—Wha?!

I would grant her wish to return to the village.

But as my slave. I wouldn’t let her take her own life. She would live her life obeying my commands.

Over the past few days, no matter how many times I offered her forgiveness, she refused to accept it.

It seemed as if she wanted punishment for something she didn’t deserve.

So I decided to give it to her.

Perhaps she would come to hate me as a terrible person. But that was fine; if it meant she would live, I would bear that burden for the rest of my life.

She would continue to live until the end of her natural lifespan.

The master-servant contract could be inscribed even without slavery, as long as both parties agreed.

The higher-priority commands couldn’t be changed by the servant unless the master revoked them, as the slave trader explained.

—I need to confirm that she’s not in a brainwashed state.

—Understood.

The middle-aged slave trader poured a liquid over Nei's head without hesitation.

I had heard there was a potion to check for brainwashing. When applied to the body, it reacts and glows faintly pink.

Nei’s body did not glow.

—There are rare cases where someone tries to contract after brainwashing them. We may run a shady business, but we strictly adhere to the rules. If we make a strange contract, we’d be arrested too.

—So, is brainwashing something that can be done easily?

—There are limited methods for brainwashing someone quickly enough to cause status abnormalities. The first is forbidden hypnotic magic; the second is a forbidden brainwashing drug. The third is the skill known as the Temptation Eye.

As Nei sneezed, I took out a hooded cloak and draped it over her.

—Sorry, but I need you to hang tight for just a little longer.

The information he's sharing is critical.

—Magic and drugs are heavily regulated in every country, so unless you're using the black market, you're not getting your hands on them. That leaves the Mesmerizing Gaze, which is extremely rare to manifest. With the right conditions met, it gives you the power to easily control the opposite sex.

—What happens if someone possesses it?

—They're definitely looking at either life in prison or execution. Back in the day, someone with that skill went wild, and ever since, anyone caught with it is automatically considered a major criminal.

Judging by everything, Sain must have that skill.

If it were magic or drugs, I'd probably be brainwashed too. Plus, I've never seen him using or carrying anything like that.

There was also a period when he was unusually happy.

Before he became a Hero. That was probably when he got excited about manifesting that power.

But all of this is just speculation. I've seen his status before, and I don't remember seeing any such skill listed.

—Can you sell me some of the drugs you used on Nei?

—Sure, but they won't come cheap.

I bought about five vials and tucked them into my pocket.

This way, I can check if Lisa and Soara are brainwashed.

Kaede has appraisal skills, but I can't peek at someone's status. Even if it doesn't show on someone's status, they could still be under mind control.

—Hey, are you really going through with this master-servant contract?

—You against it? If you're seriously opposed, I won't force it... but in exchange, you have to promise never to take your own life.

—I... I can't make that promise. I think I'm pretty much done for if I keep going like this.

—Then?

—No, it's not like that. I just thought, could something this good happen to me? I betrayed Toru, after all.

—Huh? What the hell are you talking about? You got some brain damage left over or something?

Nei pulls her hood down low, making herself small.

—This is just, like, a reward or something.

—Should I get your head checked by a doctor?

—God, you're still as dense as ever!

Thud

Nei's fist hits my stomach.

I don't get it fully, but it seems she's not rejecting the contract.

I double-check with the slave trader.

—Does the contract have any mental effects?

—Nope.

—Will signing the contract make someone be treated like a slave?

—Nope. Basically, if you're not wearing a collar, you're not considered a slave by law. Conversely, even without a contract, if you've got a collar on, you're a slave. But normally, they come as a set, so this is an exception within exceptions.

Hmm, so it turns out Kaede hasn't been affected at all by this.

That kindness she showed was genuinely from her heart.

Now, I feel a bit awkward around her.

—Then, let's begin.

And thus—Nei's master-servant contract was completed without any issues.

***

A month has passed since that battle.

Most of the town has been rebuilt, and every shop is bustling.

I keep spotting signs that say "Endorsed by the Wandering Brigade" which makes me want to look away in embarrassment.

Even more embarrassing are the statues of the Wandering Brigade.

I initially said no, but the townsfolk were so enthusiastic that I ended up giving in. Before I knew it, the statues were erected in the town center and have already become a symbol of the place. By the way, the statues have me in the middle, with Kaede and Frau on either side.

The statues were mostly the same, except Frau insisted on making her chest larger during their creation.

Sigh, I hate standing out like this, but oh well.

—We're good here.

Nei, with her backpack on, turns around.

There's still a hint of darkness in her expression, but she's much brighter than right after we broke the brainwashing.

I haven't asked exactly what was done to her. That would be the cruelest form of torture for her.

Maybe I should have let her die.

But I didn't have the courage to let someone I grew up with die. No matter what, I wanted her to live.

The first and last order I'll give her is 'Live.'

—I told you I'd walk you to the village.

—It's fine. I'm more at ease alone.

—Let me ask once more, won't you join our party? I might not understand your pain, but being together can sometimes heal.

—Please, just let it go. I've decided to go back to the village. Plus, I don't have the right to stand by your side.

Nei looks at Kaede.

They stare at each other for a few seconds before bowing to each other.

—I'm counting on you with this guy. He's clumsy and dense, but he's kind.

—I know.

—And he loves boobs.

—Hey.

Don't say unnecessary stuff. It'll give Kaede the wrong idea.

...Well, I won't deny it, though.

Frau, who was listening to the conversation, leaps at me and starts lecturing; "Boobs are just lumps of fat, wake up, my Lord!"

Alright, alright, just let go of me.

—Then at least let us escort you to Arman. From there, I have a friend in the transport business who can safely take you back to the village.

—I guess that's alright.

Saying goodbye just like that feels too abrupt.

Even though her wounds have healed with the healing potion, she still shouldn't push herself.

Plus, I wanted to talk a bit more.

—Finally, it's Frau's time to shine!

—...?

A question mark pops up in my head.

What could Frau possibly do here?

—Don't we have Fairy Dust? If we fly, we can get back to Arman in a day.

—Oh! Right!

—My Lord... you forgot, didn't you?

Oh, right, if we fly, we can move quickly.

I thought about using a teleportation circle, but that connects to the hassle of Fairy Village, which I wanted to avoid.

But flying... that's going to be exciting.

Frau starts spinning above us, drawing a circle with her body. Fairy Dust sprinkles down on us, and we start to float. I was overwhelmed by this new sensation.

—Whoaaa! We're floating!

—How's that? Frau is quite the impressive servant, isn't she?

—You're the best! I'm really glad you're part of our party!

—Hmph, my face is getting hot.

Then, for some reason, Kaede moves closer to me, leaning in.

—I can't make the master fly, but I'll respond to any request anytime and give the best healing!

—O-oh...

What's gotten into her? Why the sudden show of competence?

Thud

I get a gut punch from Nei.

—Quit the lovey-dovey stuff! You're supposed to be escorting me to Arman!

—Right, let's go then.

I lead the way, with Kaede and Nei following from behind, and Frau riding on Pantoo, bringing up the rear.

With the Fairy Dust, Panta can fly at high altitudes too.

From there, we made a beeline straight for Arman.

***

—This is really goodbye this time.

—Yeah.

Behind Nei, Jonathan's covered wagon was waiting to depart.

She'll return to the village where she was born and raised over the next few days.

She hasn't decided what she'll do once she's back, but for now, she'll help with her parents' work.

Nei's family gets along well, with many siblings who all adore her, so I'm sure they'll welcome her back warmly.

She steps closer and grips my shirt. Her eyes, looking up at me, are brimming with tears.

—Please help Soara. Because they weren't as interested in me, I was treated better, but Soara's in pretty bad shape.

—What about Lisa?

Nei looks away and falls silent.

From that, I understood. Soara might still be savable, but Lisa...

—Do you still love Lisa, Toru?

—I don't know. I could say it clearly before, but these days, I can't see where my feelings lie. Maybe it's because I gave up on her back then.

—That's for the best. You'll... be hurt badly otherwise.

Hurt, huh. Yeah, that's probably how it would go.

Still, now that I know the truth, I can't look away. I need to find out what was real and what was lies.

She looked straight into my eyes and continued.

—Please make Sain pay. Probably, only you guys can do it.

—I was planning on it, even if you didn't say so. As a former best friend, I'll make sure he gets what's coming to him.

—Please do. I've told you everything about their movements.

Nei hugged me, burying her face in my chest.

After a while, the sound of her sniffling was heard, and suddenly, she ran off and jumped onto the wagon.

When she turned around, she wore her usual smile.

—See you, Toru!

—Yeah! Let's meet again!

We kept waving at each other until we were out of sight.